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Douglas Kandel Poem
The "shocking" news gets all the pub,
while the worthwhile takes the back seat.
People are generally more concerned
about the scare that is Britney's hair
or lack thereof.Or about the final
resting place for Anna Nichole when it
is really nothing more than a hole.
No, I'm talkin' about the euro supplanting
the greenback as currency of choice.And
the boistrous voice of one proud and
nasty man from Iran.While his nuclear
pot does boil and stew, he obsesses with
obliterating the Jews.
And what about man getting so very smart,
smart enough to clone, but then wonder
exactly what he's done.And each day
more and more lava running into the sea
and quake after quake continually rocking
our world while an overabundance of
hurricanes,typhoons and cyclones does so swirl.
No food here....dried up all around.Wait, two
states over......flood waters totally cover the
ground. And this is no longer rare, it goes like
this around the globe... everywhere. And then
there is this special place called Israel who's
desert was once so barren, now has vegetation
galore and God only knows what else is in store
for them.
Again, not really front page stuff is what is
goin' down in China.It is overwrought with
an abundance of various diseases from
TB to HIV to Hepatitus B.That is just to
mention a few. But there are certainly enough
where they are mystified and really don't
know what to do.
Then we have this guy bearing the number
666 who proclaims he is Jesus.Avoiding him
would be wise.... might be satan in disguise.
The search is still on, but not so much for the
truth.Man is content with things that just seem
right by todays standards.... lies that tickle their
ears and belie their fears.
And so amazing is this new fangled computer
chip that is implanted under our skin that carries
so much information.Might it someday very soon
be used by someone who is bent on tracking
and peace, though false , and "globalization?"
Yes, these most certainly seem to be the labor
pains foretold in the Bible regarding the "last days."
And yes, like labor pains, they are increasing in
both frequency and intensity. No way can mere
mortal man keep them at bay.
These labor pains will soon lead to the "delivery"
of the long awaited Messiah.Only this time, He won't
come as a humble child, meek and mild, but instead,
a mighty warrior king come to rescue those committed
to Him.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2007
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Douglas Kandel Poem
It was in the glorious heavenly
realm that a very special and
unique relationship was formed.
The Son knew that He must
become the perfect sacrifice
so His Father could be adorned.
But such a safe and secure haven
this was for the Son, who knew
that His time would eventually come.
Like a larvae enveloped by the
protective cocoon, or the newborn
nestled in it's mother's womb, He
was...... content, trying not to think
of the undeniably heavy work to be done.
Surely it was here in this pristine
place that the Son was meant to be,
a very integral part of the famed,
yet mostly mysterious trinity.
Hangin' with His Dad and the
heavenly hosts provided so
much joy---- really --- must He leave?
Oh yes, in fact the hour had come
that brought upon the Son much
grief and trepidation.He must exit His
"comfort zone" and completely acquiesce
to the will of His Father. Oh, must
there be this indelible alienation?
You see, the Father could easily see
how man had messed up his destiny
by living for himself, no real purpose in
mind,even jeopardizing his very eternity.
An example, a prototype, was needed
for dark and decrepid man to detect the
errors of his ways, perhaps deter God's wrath.
Who better than God's perfect Son to be
man's "super - hero", coming to shameless
earth to assist him.... to light his path.
Most amazing is the method by which
God elected to fulfill this much needed plan.
All because of His overwhelming love for man.
He did not set the Son atop a majestic
white stallion as the mighty and acclaimed
King of the world, or even amidst a multitude
of seraphim with sacred banners unfurled.
But instead, He allowed that His Son be
revealed to mankind in the most humble of ways....
in the form of a baby,even yet the Ancient of Days,
born in a lowly manger since, from the inn,
His mother and father had been turned away.
Oh, but most certainly He deserved a more
grandiose entrance, one with much pomp
and circumstance. For indeed this was God
incarnate, presenting Himself to man so he
might live an abundant life, full of meaning
and purpose, not just one of happenstance.
But oh let the world rejoice with heart and
soul and voice. For the Prince of Peace,
Emmanuel was born and thus....Christmas morn.
The most precious gift there could ever be,
one for you and for me, is one that
can not be found under any tree.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2006
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Douglas Kandel Poem
What did my eerily observant mirror so boldly reveal
to me this morning as I so cautiously gazed into its soul?
It quipped "Hey lummox,might as well limp back to bed,
the eyes of the world will mistake you for an over-sized troll."
Many times it speaks this extremely critical
evaluation of me.So often, in fact, I can no longer ignore.
I have been rather proficient at turning a deaf ear
to its snide, painful remarks, but now it's cutting me to the core.
It willingly continues " You better stop
trying to appease the god of the gut.
Forget about bacon and eggs,
cookies and cakes, candies and nuts.
And yes, include on the list, donuts and pastries,
ice cream and chocolate, even Fritos and chips.
Crisco would be jealous of you, you tub o' lard. You've surrendered
to the demon of gluttony for so long now, I mean, c'mon, get a grip.
And let's be real here, this farce of an exercise
routine you endear yourself to is all mirrors and smoke.
How many calories do you think you burn off
simply looking, be it so desperately, for your precious remote?
You might even want to drag your behemoth butt off
the couch while watchin' the tube and do some crunches.
Instead of waiting till the commercial break to
waddle out to the kitchen to refill your beloved munchies.
Let's see, there's tennis, running, swimming,
biking, even just walking..... exercise programs galore.
But nooooo, for you that means change doesn't it?
It's not worth it even though you barely fit through the door."
But as there are two sides to every story, so too is
there another mirror even more significant than the first.
It happens to be God's "love letter" that reflects honestly and with
prevailing irony.It captivates us with mention of real hunger and thirst.
It also talks of changes we need to make
if we don't want life to "take it's toll".
Not so much on our fleeting flesh
as on our eternal soul.
These words, like a soothing salve, are
universal.Oh yes, they are ours for the taking.
And they can buoy us and comfort us on those
many days when that "other mirror" we feel like breaking.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2007
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Douglas Kandel Poem
Between God and the human race
is space. Oh,what brought us to this place?
I mean, He fashioned us to be near to Him,
to be His dearest friend, but a foreigner
entered in...... prominant and dominant,
that beguiling seductress........ sin.
Oh, that is something God simply can't stand....
like kryptonite to Superman.
Now, God of this universe, with you I must converse.
I abhor the thought of being eternally banned
from your glorious paradise. There must be a master
plan to make things forever right again. Lord God,
may I ask of you, is there anything I can do? For I so
much long to stay close to you.
I mean, I know this is not part of the original design.
But must I resign myself to the fact that nothing can
be done..... that sin has actually won? Oh.... no
that is like a dagger to my heart... a paralyzing thought.
Please tell me it doesn't end like this.... no ultimate
utopia.... no heavenly bliss.What would this life then
be about? What purpose would I serve on this earth...
you who gave me birth?
All would be superficial... chasing after the sun..... no fun
just monotonous work to be done, day after tedious day.
No real worthwhile goal in mind, it wouldn't even matter
how I spent my time.But certainly you created me for so
much more. Please open a door. Even though I may be
drowning in my sin, will you find it within, to somehow,
like a lifeguard,rescue me from the undertow......
even drag me safely to your shore.
Wake me from this horrific nightmare. Prove to me that
you care enough to help me bridge this huge chasm between us.
You say there is really nothing I can do other than just
to trust that it is already handled... already taken care of.
You say it is all about grace or undeserved love. The gift
of Jesus..... Emmanuel..... a special gift from above.
Oh, so I can only get to you through following Him,
and He's the one who eradicates all of my sin.
You say another name for this man named Jesus
is the Christ and yet another is the Way.Sounds to me
like we should celebrate Him and call it..... Christmas Day.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2006
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Douglas Kandel Poem
What a special time of year....
I,Santa and my minion of elves
making a gazillion toys for all
the giddy girls and boys.
Just what are some of the things they
will find under the tree? Let's see !!
Colorful cars that go vroom vroom
and twin engine planes that zoom.
Remote control trucks that
tumble around the room.Oh these
things simply can't come too soon!
There's the cute little doll house
with a canary canopy and the stocking
stuffed to the brim with sugar coated candy.
Oh my, what about the indestructable
tank with the turret that pivots or the
tried and true toolset equipped with
screwdrivers, pliers, hammer
and yes, even a rack of rivets.
I almost forgot about the long-legged dolls
with their fancy silk sweaters and dresses.
Oh how girls love those that talk or cry,
or ..... yes, even make little messes.
Then there are teddy bears,dolphins,
monkeys, ...stuffed animals of all kinds.
Oh, is it possible for the youngsters
to get these tantalizing toys out of their minds?
Chutes and Ladders,Candyland, Twister,
Guess Who, a smorgasboard of board games.
Oh yes, after this Christmas Day,
nothing could ever be the same.
Then there are cd's, dvd's,mp3s
you name it, even cell phones to call.
And no, that's certainly not all.
Catchers mitts, frisbees,yo-yo's or
better yet, a new leather basketball.
Robots, Light Bright,Spirograph,
we are busy making toys for tots.
And I don't think I need to tell you
No matter how you slice it... there's alot.
But I'm running out of time here you see
and there's no limit to what
can be found underneath the tree.
Every year Christmas provides a new story.
I know I hold a special place in
the hearts of people both young and old.
But I will be the first to admit
Christmas is not about me or what's
under the tree, but might I be so bold
as to say we must not forget that the real
Christmas story is all about love.
It starts and ends with the gift of Jesus
sent to us from His Father above.
For without that very "special delivery"
Christmas Day we wouldn't even celebrate.
No, as a matter of fact, December 25th
would simply be just an ordinary date.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2006
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Douglas Kandel Poem
Why? Why Him? How could this be? To have life
slowly, excruciatingly, drained from Him by a tree.
The irony, it was a tree....the tree of knowledge
that brought angst full circle to Calvary.
This was a burden above all burdens,
anxiety, agony...... almost beyond what He could bear.
So much so, droplets of sweat formed in His hair
as he cried out to His Father in prayer.
"If there is any way for this cup
to pass from me, let it be so."
Even though He knew He had to suffer
through it, He couldn't just let it go.
It's not that He didn't have the power
to get out from under this albatross.
But if He did succumb to His earthly
desire,mankind would forever be lost.
For God depended on this "Spotless Lamb"
to bridge the gap between us and Him.
So..... we became white as snow because
the "Perfect Sacrifice" willingly bore our sin.
Fortunately for us, it is not here
that this story comes to a close.
For just as He foretold,
on the third day He arose.
So because of the ways of man and God's awesome plan,
death no longer has the final say.
It's all about a relationship..... a deep friendship
established with one simply called "The Way."
The Serpent defeated, the gap miraculously closed
and those that sincerely believe can claim the victory.
Through the historic death of Christ,
we may have fellowship with God for all eternity.
How amazing it is that God would be so concerned
about me... about us.... about the souls of man,
that, yes, from the very beginning of time,
he would devise the absolutely perfect plan.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2006
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Douglas Kandel Poem
When you were a young child,
did you ever play "connect the dots"?
And all the while you were doing it,
you'd wonder what it was and what it was not.
Back then it was to satisfy boredom when,
on a rainy day, you needed somethin' to do.
Or maybe you couldn't go out and play with
your friends because the flu had you.
Many believe,including myself, that
"connect the dots" takes on a new meaning today.
It has a great deal to do with this "snake"
who is bent on leading us astray.
It seems as if he is running out of time,
so he is really focused on the task at hand.
The one thing he wants more than anything else
is to capture and forever bind the souls of man.
But for those very souls, God had another plan.
Yes, His only Son gave His very life for us.
And oh the peace and joy that can forever
be ours if, in Him, we place our trust.
We know for sure that the God of the Bible
is real, just witnessing creation alone.
But not stopping there, the hundreds of prophecies fulfilled
further prove Him out, He so much wants to be known.
Oh yes, one may say "But I can't reach
out and touch Him...... if I dare."
And I say "True,but neither can you
touch the wind, but you know it's there."
And it is this living Creator God that
tells us in His Word that He has a time table.
When the world, as we know it, will cease
to exist and He is the only one able
To determine exactly when that will be.
But He gave us glimpses into the future for all to see.
For He wants none to be banished to hell.....
instead to be ready as He climaxes history.
One thing that He mentions in His love letter is
that His beloved Israel would again become a nation.
And that in our final years here,the Jews,
to this original home,would complete a vast migration.
So as we "connect the dots," we find that
indeed Israel did become a nation in 1948.
And ever since that time, God's chosen ones did
return there and they endear themselves to that date.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2006
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Douglas Kandel Poem
Scams, shams,
falsehood,lies
deception, ...nothin' real.
So what's the deal?
So are the ways of man.
We are growing so old
but might I be so bold
as to say our love
is growing cold.
So are the ways of man.
Man's anger simmers
deep within like a pot
of stew over a hot fire.
Can he contain his ire?
So are the ways of man.
So common now is abuse
men of children on the loose.
Not enough love to stay home
and care for their own.
So are the ways of man.
And how are our children
affected being unaccepted
by their own flesh and blood,
whether white suburbia or in the "hood".
So are the ways of man.
It issues a Grand Canyon
size crater deep in their gut.
They try with every fiber of their
being to be loved and yet are not.
So are the ways of man.
Attention, affection,acceptance,
they simply must find somewhere.
Just someone..... anyone
who will really, truly care.
So are the ways of man.
Pride, arrogance, prejudice,
lust, greed, selfishness,
always seem to get in the way
and have from the very first day.
So are the ways of man.
Satan doesn't have to barge
into our homes like a Roman army.
He's simply given the key to the door.
And he always comes back for more.
So are the ways of man.
But the real "key" is this.
We must kick Satan out the back door.
And allow Jesus to rule our domain
Because He offers us so much more!
And nothing will be the same.
So is the way of God.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2006
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Douglas Kandel Poem
Weirdness everywhere, what in the world is going on?
So many stretches of land totally scorched,
longing for even one drop of rain, others in a
neighboring zip code, up to their necks in water,
can't stand the strain, a never ending refrain.
Powerful winds marching across the lands
making matchsticks of buildings made by man.
Bodies of water, both large and small,
so often raging and in such great turmoil.
Our planet seems to be angry in it's inner core
almost like demonic forces anxious for war,
causing ocean floors to tremble and quake.
Perhaps it is time for man to awake from their
slumber. For even the hollow mountains are
bubbling and spewing.Many a man wonder
just what the earth and water gods are doing.
Pestilence and disease growing exponentially
forcing men to their knees.How can this be with
all of our technology?A plethara of new strains
seems to be causing most of the pain.Is there
any way we can stay ahead of the game?
And move over greenback, you are no longer
number one, it's the euro now, not to be outdone.
And Israel is definitely the focus of our attention,
often awaiting for some divine intervention.
But our stares and cares are not on the Jews
alone in the Middle East, for now Russia and Iran
have become buddies and also beasts.
So what is the world coming to? What does
all this mean? And from it, what can we glean?
According to God's Word, we are in the final
chapter of His story,maybe even the last page
in history.
So if you don't know Jesus, and Creator God
of this universe, the very one mentioned here
in this verse,take just a minute of your time
and ask Him to come into your heart, for it is
from there that real life does have it's start.
But for those who love Messiah and know Him
well, our beloved Emmanuel, hold your head up
high for your redemption draweth nigh.
For the imminent climax of THE STORY
will reveal Him in all of His glory.
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2007
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Douglas Kandel Poem
The more popular path is a wider,
more windy one. A bend here,a
nook there, surreal images to entice
everyone.And it's all about havin' so much fun.
You weave through a forest of barren trees,
having already dropped all of their leaves.
More muted colors now, these listless leaves,
as they lay scattered all over the ground.
During one stretch, a beautiful babbling
brook calls softly to all who will listen,
a temptuous melodic chant seems to resound.
"Come play in me..... no, better yet, stay in me.
I am yours and you are mine. At the very least,
abide for a time."......is it's echoing rhyme.
Around one huge curve on this path, one can't
help but notice an extremely tall waterfall.It's
splendor captures the undivided attention of
nearly all. Chrystal clear liquid cascades,
tumbling and rumbling downward over smooth,
cavernous rocks till its final resting place in a
glassy pool,this entire realm it does mock.
One very unique trait of this seemingly joyous
journey is the absence of light. Nothing reflects
much sun,it's almost like wandering along on a
half - moon lit night. Oh,if the star of fire would
ever reveal itself,come out of hiding, this beautiful
bounty could be so brilliant and bright. Yet here
in this place, it wouldn't seem right. It would cause
alarm, reason for many to get stagefright. Some
might even want to exit but would not be able....
try as they might.
I could ramble on and on about the abundant
sights and smells and sounds that tickle our
senses along Path Pleasing. Is this place
for real or is everyone just dreaming? But one
thing I must tell you that is important for you to
know.This expedition isn't all it's cracked up to be,
for it is in dizzying circles you do go.You just experience
the same things over and over again, guess that's part
of the plan.No real purpose or rhyme, just biding time.
Oh,.... what's this? Maybe I am wrong. Seems that
there is a final destination for those hangin' here.I've
not witnessed this before.I'll have to tell the others
what's in store.But wait....... there must be some mistake.
For the sign over the gaping, belching, black hole
simply states "Lair of the Snake."
Copyright © Douglas Kandel | Year Posted 2007
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