Best Antioch Poems
I am tired of counting the red dwarf stars in the Milky Way.
I am tired of counting the 7 years of grain in Pharaoh's silos.
I am tired of counting the steps to the sacrificial altar of the Chichén Itzá pyramid.
I am tired of counting the people swallowed by the Antioch earthquakes of 115 & 526.
I am tired of counting the victims of the 1737 & 1839 India cyclones.
I am tired of counting the departed from the Influenza Epidemic of 1918.
I am tired of counting the death toll of the 1931 China floods.
I am tired of counting the total military and civilian casualties of WWI and WWII.
I am tired of counting the number of Jews killed at Auschwitz, Belzec and Majdanek.
I am tired of counting the drowned in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
I am tired of counting the biomass of plankton in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
I am tired of counting the needles on the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center
I am tired of counting the cracked and dirty windows at Riker's Island prison.
I am tired of counting down the clock until the our Sun becomes a red giant and dies.
God help me! I can't sleep. I can't sleep. I can't sleep...
I'm immortal. I have OCD. I'm so tired of counting sheep.
The Holy Land
The butchers slab of Hell, of Christian and Infidel.
Swords slash and cut lose the soul, fear! not
conscience pays the toll. And yet with battles
endless plight, the cut and thrust, ferocious might.
For all the dark one ray of light, that gentle kiss
one moonlit night.
Antioch, no quarter asked no quarter given, the
sword from blood to bone is driven. Then in the
twinkling of an eye, the pain a sickening cry. Thud
the arrow hit my chest, piecing bone and armoured
vest. From horse to earth I did fall, with failing
breath her name did call.
And there he stood with coal black eye, be still
Christian or you will die. The arrow is close to
heart, I must remove less the poison start. With
those words I drift to sleep, back to Avalon and
a promise keep. Was it hours or was it days, the
Devil tricks and mind it plays. When I woke he
was kneeling east, offering prayer to man and
beast. He saw me said rest Christian your heart
is sweet, it is full of love but incomplete. A
greener land and softer hue awaits, it is not we
who control our fates. Pray tell me what's your
name, he said call me friend are we not the same.
Jealousy and greed corrupt our aim, in our Gods
name we create our shame. He gave me rest he
gave me balm, kept the fire and kept me warm.
I asked him why. He gave me that soft dark eyed
look, he said Christian it's all about a book. A man
who stopped to aid an injured man, a man ignored
by his own country men. Yes I said the good
Samaritan, and my book has these stories to.
Your stronger now your wound has healed, time
to leave this foreign field. My family awaits with
open arms, peace and warmth and all its charms.
I clenched his hands and kissed his cheek, as if
brothers in words did speak.
Redneck Angel
Lyrics By Robert Taylor
A thousand cases of beer
Hangin’ with Jack all night
Sleeping with women from a bar
Not knowin’ their names when I woke
Then I saw your eyes in the dark
Sitting alone in the bar
An Angel from heaven sent
Dressed in Daisy dukes
And red hot cowboy boots
You’re a backwards miracle
I walked over and talked to you
Just hoping that you were real
We talked and then we kissed
Spent our time together
Drinking, dancing and talking the night away
How could God have so blessed
A poor assed Redneck boy like me.
I saw you down at the swamp
Wearing plaid, with mud in your hair
You were a redneck angel from heaven
Dressed in Daisy Dukes
And red hot cowboy boots
You’re a backwards miracle
Then I gave my heart to you
At the Antioch Baptist Church
Vows given without fear
My love is yours forever
I looked at your eyes through your veil
And you were crying with happiness
You were a Redneck angel from heaven
Dressed in daisy dukes
Red hot cowboy boots
You’re a backwards miracle
How could God have so blessed
A poor assed redneck boy like me.
Hiding but always in plain sight
Drinking, fishing, mud bogging
Things a girl shouldn’t do
How could you be who you are
Sharing my love and my life
How could God have so blessed
A Redneck like me.
An angel from heaven sent
Dressed in Daisy Dukes
Red hot cowboy boots
You’re a backwoods miracle
Preface to this brief bitty
written snap ting snapshot – word ditty
dates back before I reached gritty
age of eight and fifty, aye recall a kitty
rescued by my youngest sister, who took pity
and felt aghast,
at a potential cruel fate no witty.
Upon return home from an Antioch College coup
(so many diverse work experiences required -
some involving offal goop
i.e. case in point being this anecdote,
which may fall outside the loop
of common “hands on
off fish shawl” employment,
thee tasks on par with handling poop
stoically accepted by Shari Todd
(name of said sibling),
who when home from Davis, California
(albeit temporarily, and before she returned
to Yellow Springs, Ohio) divulged
how she did scoop
dread, dreck, dregs, et, cetera –
i.e. by product amidst fish farm
didst set her dead against being linkedin
purr animal cruelty, thus play role of troop
er – which tummy
earned her kudos a resounding whoop!
* * * * * * * * * * *
Before launching into this poem purr say
lemme mention how thine late mother
took an immediate affinity and hence no delay
that this lucky creature became akin to a bebe.
Main Coon, Felis catus, nicknamed Boozie
raccoon features, face mask, brown thick costume
handsome boy, affectionate personality, expressively vocal
Pink wet nose, emerald eyes, pointed ears
cavernous mouth, sharp teeth, rough tongue
striped design, massive fluffy fur, bushy tail
Soft paws, padded cushions, retractable blades
wild animal, predation urge, survival instinct
agile movement, swift motion, unfortunate victim
Door prize, flies feast, whitened bones
loyalty strong, pageant display,
splayed across kitchen table courtly dignity
Quiet house, sonar sounded, Cheshire upward smile
purred softly, rubbed legs, warm vacant lap
Jumping agility, firmly sequestered
Contentment expressed, internal hum, reciprocal therapy
beautiful petsmart, little monkey, comfortably sleeps
peaceful slumber, wakeful stretch, ideal life
Fortunate intervention, cat whisker to demise,
brush avoided becoming piscine meal,
kingly privileged role, heartfelt love.
Within the year crusades began,
led by the noblest of the land.
Hugh Vermandois was first to arrive,
with an huge army at his command.
Godfrey and Baldwin arrived next,
as well as Robert of Normandy.
Bound by their God and Holy Pope,
to save World's Christianity.
Across Turkey the armies marched,
to Nicaea, where Peter had died.
Then onto Antioch they swarmed,
where bible and sword would collide.
From Antioch on to Jerusalem,
where little resistance was met.
The crusaders marched without fear,
or any imminent threat.
At the gates of Jerusalem,
the tale would too soon turn.
As the crusaders camped outside,
of a call to arms they'd learn.
What up until that moment in time,
was accomplished without much deed.
To take Jerusalem it now seemed,
would take much bloodshed to succeed.
So the Crusaders surrounded the city,
reinforced with supplies that arrived..
Soon the walls would slowly crumble,
leaving only crusaders left alive..
They slaughtered Jews in the synagogue,
and all Muslims in the Dome.
Through the streets of Jerusalem,
the crusaders in victory did roam.
Upon the steps of the Holy Seplechre,
the Christian's gave their praise.
For there was no on left alive,
no objection could they raise.
Soon the Christians assumed the throne,
with Godfrey being named its King.
Many years of successive line,
to the Holy Land they'd bring.
Over time there would be uprisings,
many battles would be fought.
But the Christians maintained control,
no matter how much death it brought.
The line passed through the years,
eventually to Amury it did go.
But before long, his thirteen year old son
was the king they'd come to know.
For Amury was convinced,
that Egypt should follow suit.
To Christianity and away,
from uncivilized Muslim root.
But the Holy land had a new leader
and Saladin had other plans
He took Jerusalem back again,
and in triumph regained the lands.
This would not be the end,
for the war had just begun.
The battle for the Holy Lands
would see more blood freely run.
ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS
By Roy Merritt
(A Humorous take on the life of the Apostle Paul)
I was on the road to Damascus to give them Christians hell
I was on the road to Damascus and never had I failed
I was on the road to Damascus when suddenly struck blind
I was on my way to Damascus I had Jesus on my mind
And then there before me was Jesus Christ Himself
Whom they say was with God and in Heaven there He dwelt
And he asked why I persecuted Him didn’t the Romans do enough
Why I made life hard for Christians on them so tough
I told Him I was a Jew Yahweh was my Lord
And following you Jesus Christ I surely can’t afford
I’ll tell you why you should Saul that too I’ll tell
If you don’t follow me in death awaits you hell
Well that was enough for me and on I went to the city
Still blind and full of fear and much was the pity
So I went to see Ananias who sprinkled water o’er my head
And then I was with the Christians and did was Jesus said
I was full of grief and shame for what I’d done to Stephen
And Jesus said to me relax now I say we’re even
So He sent me on to Antioch with Barnabas by my side
And on to Asia Minor and there we did reside
I wrote a letter to the Galatians recounted why I came
And all that I had done and cast away my shame
And I blinded Elymas the Magician whose words sore disputed
What we said to others our teachings he refuted
The man from Tarsus, in Cilicia, in modern-day Turkey
bloodline of the Hebrews and Israelites of the Tribe of Benjamin.
by racial ancestry Israelite
by citizenship Roman
by religion a follower of Judaism
born and raised among Greek culture
Educated in Jerusalem under Gamaliel
grandson of Hillel,
the founder of the most influential rabbinical school of Judaism
the president of the Sanhedrin
trained in Jewish laws and customs
an ardent student of Pharisaism and a strict follower of the Torah
Outstanding figure in the history of Christianity
converted to faith in Jesus Christ
preaching Christ in the synagogues of Damascus
introduced to the Apostles by Barnabas, the son of consolation
spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Grecians
responsible for the acceptance of the Gospel by the Grecians of Antioch
Champion and hero in the Christian faith
enormous influence on subsequent Christianity
was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”
traveling to the “Land of the Gentiles”
preached the Gospel to the Britons and others in the West.
left memory of his presence and ministry in Malta and london.
Was kept under house arrest for two years awaiting trial
inprisoned in the Mamertine prison.
suffered martyrdom
spent two years under house arrest, after which he died.
through his writing, he gave hope to everyone belonging to Christ,
dead or alive, that they would be saved.
Amen
Saint John of Rila
Father John –
I have no bread
(short is the bread daily)
And the Lestvitsa* -
so long …
Longer than a thought
and shorter than a peal
of a bell.
I’m ashamed, Father,
that today I am speaking
but not staying quiet like
a germ,
like a drop of a candle.
The heart holds me up.
*[‘lestvitsa] stairway to spiritual life
Saint John of Rila (Bulgarian: ????? ???? ??????, sveti Ivan Rilski) (876 – c. 946) was
the first Bulgarian hermit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Rila
January 7 — The Synaxis of St. John the Forerunner. This is his main feast day, immediately after Theophany on January 6 (January 7 also commemorates the transfer of the relic of the right hand of John the Baptist from Antioch to Constantinople in 956)
In an Asia city, a new and infamous name began.
“They were called Christians first at Antioch”.*
This species was built upon relationship with its maker; and not disconnection from him.
She fulfilled and bridged the past with the present and all eternity.
Same creator, same designer, and same planer of all species.
For six days He created everything that was made; and then He rested.
Later, there was a world wide deluge; and things were altered; most destroyed.
Generations would transpire before God created a totally new breed of creatures*.
This new species called Christian, was not made from nothing. But being made a new type of human, she would become the new model for all. What a remarkable and revolutionary concept! How different from every human before!!
This species is essentially about loving, not 50/50, but 100% unconditionally.
She’s about giving and not taking; about giving out of love; and not for personal gain.
She finds life through death; she has no room for hate.
No, this new species cannot procreate; but there’s reproduction by proclamation.
She propagates loving God with all the heart; and loving the neighbor as one’s self.
Yes, she’s a new kind of species!
03312016 Acts, Cor. 5:17 (PS Contest,
A New Species, by Anthony Slausen)
A new wind blows from Korea to Tanzania,
the same wind blew from Antioch to Berea
A fresh breeze grace the Peruvian air,
that same fragrance wafted
through ancient Rome's main thoroughfare
Oh my Lord,
the sweet smell of the gospel is everywhere
In every generation,
its wonderful aroma abides there
That lifesaving scent is heavenly to inhale;
breathe it in deeply,
it'll make your soul recover well
If every one of us, with a relationship burning
In heart and mind for Jesus, have been evangelizing
Why's Maoist China dominating The Globe despite Columbus ...
Why is it that the Temple Mount is out of Israel's hands
Arabs are all over the land, and the neighboring lands,
Jerusalem and Hebron after David's & Abraham's wars & success?
And where St. Paul began churches, the famed cnames of Smyrna, Ephesus,
Ancient Antioch where we first were named Christian: "Little Christ Jesuses,"
Are now Muslim Turkey's, Syrian ... as if Jesus & Paul never came?
Kingdom Territory have been lost in the Holy Land, in Tunisia, Libya ...
Can someone truly tell me why? After all our successes, books, media
No Temple in Jerusalem ... Hinduism has seduced EU and US of A?
It is as if He never came ... nor taught and healed men and women then
And Earth behaves as if Christ had no disciples, no Kingdom seed of Heaven
It's an amazing thing that I have
the word of the eternal God in my hand
this is indeed divine revelation
my faith in God on this I stand
God through this word keeps me true
having learned the holy scriptures so sound
firmly believing all it has revealed
continuing to believe doctrine to ground
My life's been changed by God's word
having now a righteousness not my own
one by faith dwelling in Jesus Christ
the word itself truly has been sown
The grace of God is my anchor
no matter the struggles life brings
I know HIs grace is always sufficient
flying down to lift me on spirit wings
Faith in God brings real transformation
changing one's heart to love what God loves
the word of God brings faith to one's soul
fitting so well into our spiritual gloves
("You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.")
2 Timothy 3: 10-17(ESV)
They heard the Spirit call
To send Barnabas and Paul-
Good News proclaimed without fear,
The Gospel of Christ ,for all to hear;
Antioch gentiles, the first to driaw near.
I met some people in Babylon,
Thinking I was on a secured rock,
They received me with grace,
Hence I became very enthused in shock,
Those early Christians were incredibly brave,
Yet,criticism furnished them to be mocked,
In spite of the intricacy Christ gave,
Couldn't spotlight the whole inclination on board,
I altered all what I've inculcated,
Apparently,I recommended salvation without a cost,
Dressed in doctrines they've fabricated,
Couldn't make a rightful view in a mirror,
I later journeyed through a desert,
Spending five days in tremor,
I became sedent,
After a long travel,
Arived at a place I can't talk about,
What I'm seeing requires no doubt,
The man who denied the Son Of Man,
Told me I'm an alien in Antioch.
That was Peter Simone.
They heard the Spirit call
To send Barnabas and Paul-
Good News proclaimed without fear,
The Gospel of Christ ,for all to hear;
Antioch gentiles, the frst to driaw near.