I Know What You Did This Summer- Real Grace Reflection #25

Today is the final day of the summer camping season at Camp Lone Star.  The following REAL GRACE reflection is for the young men and women who served the camp this summer.  Thanks.

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID THIS SUMMER

I know what you did this summer…

Thank you for your time

Your willingness to serve at camp

Has truly made you shine

I know what you did this summer

Wasn’t always fun

And I’m sure the life of Lone Star

Kept you on the run

Yet, your soles kept on sliding

In the mud and in the heat

No butthead could deter you

Now, the finish line you meet

I know what you did this summer

In that special place

Wherever your path takes you now,

Keep walking in Real Grace

c2015 Mike Tauser

You can freely read every REAL GRACE reflection by clicking on this link.

Jesus Loves us when we sweat- Real Grace Reflection #24

You might not believe me if I tell you that this Real Grace Reflection was inspired by the fact that my family will be spending the night in our Houston home with no air conditioning. However, this story is true. I am just about to head to bed and the prospect of a warmer than usual evening sends me to the keyboard tonight.

In the summer of 1989, I spent my second summer on the staff at Camp Lone Star.  During the final week of the summer, I served as a counselor in a building known as The Last Resort. The Last Resort (and the Hip Hut) was not air conditioned at that time, and it was only used to house extra staff back in 1989, not campers.  However, for some reason, both The Last Resort and The Hip Hut housed campers that special week.

Needless to say, we sweated quite a bit that week, but we made the best of it. The female campers in the Hip Hut that week, led by Joti Williams, did the same. (After thinking about it some more, I seem to recall Joti was the Junior Staff in the Hip Hut.)

My understanding is that that week was the final one ever that The Last Resort and The Hip Hut housed campers in a non-climate controlled environment.  If I'm not mistaken, The Last Resort now has A/C. The Hip Hut has been torn down.

I don't remember much about that week in The Last Resort except for the big fan, and a homesick camper who cried a lot on the first night. However, I do remember the song the campers made up and sang for the whole camp at some point during the week.

JESUS LOVES US WHEN WE SWEAT

Jesus loves us when we sweat
Though we may be soaking wet
And He helps us start our fan
Gives to us a helping hand

Yes, Jesus loves us
Yes, Jesus loves us
Yes, Jesus loves us
In the Last Resort

You can freely read every REAL GRACE reflection by clicking on this link.

From the Street Beside My Window- Real Grace Reflection #23

Not too long before I wrote this reflection on L.O.M.T.'s theme REAL GRACE, I saw a special on TV about NASA's exploration mission to Pluto.  It was pretty amazing to me to learn about the work that has gone into that project.  Somewhere in my mind, it inspired these lines about the long-lasting omni-presence of REAL GRACE

FROM THE STREET OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

From the street beside my window

To the outskirts of the town

To the border of the county, it is

Far from slowing down

Full speed it goes unhindered

To all parts of every state

And flows throughout the nations

Every one is on its slate

It goes beyond the moon, and rockets

Way out into space

The Kuiper Belt can’t stop it

And its always rapid pace

It’s everywhere, like Elvis,

It’s both near and far away

Wherever you may find yourself

It greets you every day

 c2015 Mike Tauser

You can freely read every REAL GRACE reflection by clicking on this link.  

Heart of Mine- Real Grace Reflection #22

Without further adieu, another reflection on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme, REAL GRACE.

HEART OF MINE

Heart of mine, love others as
You're loved now and before
Beat strongly to your brothers for
Up on you grace has poured

Heart of mine, be good for he
Is so, so good to you
Do what is right at every turn
Since you have been made true

Heart of mine, seek just the pure for
Beauty is your name
Turn from the things that tempt you for
To you perfection came

c2015 Mike Tauser

NOTE ON THE TITLE: After writing these lyrics, I considered what title to put on them.  During this process, I remembered HEART OF ME, a song written by Craig Oldenburg when he served at Camp Lone Star a few decades ago.  It struck me that the message of HEART OF ME is the foundation on which a loving heart can be built.  Thus, it seems to me that HEART OF MINE is in some ways a sequel to HEART OF ME.

Not Enough Ink in the Ocean- Real Grace Reflection #21

The following is my latest reflection on L.O.M.T.'s theme for 2015, REAL GRACE.

Not Enough Ink In The Ocean

Not enough ink in the ocean
Not enough stars in the sky
Too many apples falling on your head
Makes you hungry for some pie

Come, run with me and call the name
Of one who understands
Come, dance with me, what song? you ask
I'm not sure what is planned

Not enough heat in the summer
Not enough bees in the hive
Too much wear on your bathing suit
Makes you hesitant to dive

Come, leap with me and look out for
The love that has no shame
Come, hesitate if you must
He will hold onto your name

Not enough days in a week and
Not enough weeks in a year
Too many over bookings
Makes you leave your date book clear

Come, sing with me and give a voice
To what is in your heart
Come, brave the fall with me
And let his catching make its start.

c2015 Mike Tauser

He must be blind, deaf...and dumb-Real Grace Reflection #20

I'm sure that most of you who read this post are constantly surrounded by people who you get along with, people who inspire you, people who behave the way you expect them to.  This post, which includes a reflection on L.O.M.T.'s theme REAL GRACE, is not for you.

This post is for the small minority of you who encounter people who rub you the wrong way, people who push all your buttons, people who make you pull your hair out.  On those rare occasions that you encounter such a person(even if the person annoys you is you), I hope this post can serve as a reminder that with REAL GRACE, they are loved, even if not by you.

He Must be Blind, Deaf and Dumb

Jesus loves you, so it's said
Even though you're a butthead
I don't know how he stays true
To someone as bad as you

Yes, Jesus loves you
Head to toe loves you
Yes, Jesus loves you
Completely through and through

Jesus loves you, even though
Your bad side is all you show
He still reaches out to you
Which it seems no one should do

Yes, Jesus loves you
Head to toe loves you
Yes, Jesus loves you
Completely through and through

Jesus love you.
Is he blind?
You're so often far from kind
A role model you won't be
Yet, he loved you
To the tree

Yes, Jesus loves you
Head to toe loves you
Yes, Jesus loves you
Completely through and through

c2015 Mike Tauser

A Brief note about the title:  When I was writing the poem, one of the couplets that ended up on the paper was:  "He must be blind, deaf and dumb, to love such a smelly bum."  It didn't really fit in the poem itself, but I thought part of it would be a good title.

Cat on a Hot Stone Table- REAL GRACE Reflection #19

I've recently had occasion to re-read C.S. Lewis's tale The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Reading that story led to my latest reflection on L.O.M.T.'s theme, REAL GRACE.

Cat on a Hot Stone Table

Cat on a hot stone table
Will he land on his feet?
Will he stay who he is e'en when
His foes turn up the heat?

Magic needs appeasing
Lone traitor's turn to die
Feline steps into the fray
The witch just wonders why

King takes the throne for all to see
And there, surrenders all
Cat on a hot stone table
Keeps his promise. Takes the fall

c2015 Mike Tauser

The Unfading Tattoo- Real Grace Reflection #18

This reflection on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme, REAL GRACE, is a spin-off of The Unyielding Gaze , a song which I wrote when I worked at Camp Lone Star years ago.

The Unfading Tattoo

Still waiting on me

That’s how you spend your day

With a love that will not fade

Any away

Still looking out for me

To run to your side

With a gaze from which I find

That I cannot hide

Still calling my name

Every breath that I take

Right there, you’re beside

Every move that I make

Relentless, unyielding

Persistence times three

Outwalking the stumbling steps

That make up me

Still seeking me daily

No matter how far

Still shining through darkness

With your morning star

Still lighting the way,

You are each day’s new start

You tattooed my name

On the edge of your heart.

C2015 Mike Tauser

The Unyielding Gaze- Real Grace Reflection #17

This REAL GRACE reflection was actually written almost two decades before L.O.M.T. decided to use REAL GRACE as its annual theme. "The Unyielding Gaze" was composed during preparations for the summer of 1996 when L.O.M.T.'s theme was SOMEHOW, LORD, YOUR LOVE STILL LOOKS FOR ME.

I decided to post it here since L.O.M.T. is gearing up to for another summer season, which kicks off this Sunday, June 7.

If you'd like to play this song for others, you can find the lyrics and chords at this link.

God Must Think I'm a Bad Ass- Real Grace Reflection #16

Since there is not a poem included, I'm not sure if this qualifies as an official reflection on LOMT's summer theme, REAL GRACE.  However, I just made the executive decision to post it as such anyway.

In the wake of the flooding in Houston this week, there was a story on the local news that caught my eye.  After having her home in a Houston neighborhood flooded, a woman put numerous items in her front yard so they could dry.  Unfortunately, some folks stole many of the items in broad daylight.

Needless to say, the lady was disappointed by what happened to her(she's also a cancer survivor); however, part of her response caught my ear in a positive way.  She referenced the scripture about God not giving someone more than they can handle(I Corinthians 10).  After reflecting on that verse the challenges that have recently come her way: flooded house leading to stolen items, on top of cancer, she decided "God must really think I'm a bad ass."

Quite a perspective on facing trials and tribulations.  I not sure Job even put it in such an encouraging way in the face of his adversities.

Real Grace Continues- Real Grace Reflection #15

The following reflection on Camp Lone Star's 2015 theme, Real Grace, was written specifically for the young men and women who will serve on the camp's summer staff this summer.  I'm not sure of the exact schedule for the summer staff.  However, since the summer camp program kicks off on June 7, I assume that staff training is starting this weekend or soon thereafter.

Real Grace Continues

They’re coming soon to see you

For a day or for a week

Those campers will soon listen to

The things you do and speak

His hand surrounds completely

You and those you soon will know

He’s working Real Grace through you

So a ton of hearts will grow

In faith and understanding

Keep watch, His love will show

Day by day

By week by week by

Month

His steps will be

There on the trail beside you

On land or in the trees

There’s cars on the horizon

They are heading right your way

He’s ready to embrace them with you

Each and every day.

c2015 Mike Tauser

Another One Rides the Bus?- Real Grace Reflection #14

Turn the other cheek
Then turn the other cheek again
Even on a school bus
Who know how the ride will end?

The video posted above appeared on our local news coverage last night.  It seemed to me the story merited inclusion as a reflection on L.O.M.T's 2015 theme, Real Grace.

The Worst Poem I Ever Wrote- Real Grace Reflection #13

I was seeking a way to write down the words
That would lead to perfection in rhyme
But my brain fell far short of the goal that I sought
And the letters just died on the page

A page full of nothing was all that I saw
A waste of the keys I had hit
Yet, somehow the Editor read what He saw
And it brought a smile to his face

This reflection has been brought to you by L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme, REAL GRACE

There's a New Second Coming- Real Grace Reflection #12

There's a new second coming
Another clean slate
A tick of the clock
That will never be late

When bad seconds come
As they're likely to do,
And even extend to a
Minute or two

Take heart there's a new one,
Great one on the way
It's sure to arrive
Long before a new day

One part of a minute
Small part of a day
A gift of a second
Without a delay

Regardless of the Scoreboard- Real Grace Reflection (Special Edition)

As the poet of the Farmstros Village, I established a tradition of creating and posting a poem about a fictitious baseball team known as the Dukes every Good Friday. I enjoyed being able to share these poems with my readers as a way to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.  When I departed the Farmstros offices, I wasn't sure if Dukes baseball would continue to be a part of my experience. I hoped it would.

As I discovered last spring, the Dukes are still playing baseball in the recesses of my imagination. This year's attempt to describe their exploits has been intermingled with another project currently dwelling in my cranium. As a result, the most recent Dukes poem, Regardless of the Scoreboard, is also a reflection on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme, REAL GRACE.

Regardless of the Scoreboard

It seemed a normal season

When the first game rolled around

Nobody saw it coming

It arrived without a sound

To some it looked like magic

That descended on the team

To others, it appeared the Dukes

Were living out a dream

There was a buzz around the team’s

Each pitch, each hit, each throw

And as the season moved along

The humming, it did grow

They did things well each night and day

They played with style and grace

And even when the Dukes did fall

They got back in the race

The Spring turned into Summer

And the Dukes maintained their roll

The fans came to the ballpark and

Cheered with their hearts and soul

They sat on edge for each pitch

Inning one to inning nine

Regardless of the scoreboard they knew

That their Dukes would be fine

A few folks were quite doubtful

They were sure good times would end

“It’s coming soon, the Dukes will show

Their face of old, again.”

Indeed, there was a group that “knew” the upswing couldn’t last

They waited for the team to “fail as they’ve done in the past.”

But good times did continue, through the summer into fall

The Dukes hit pot holes time to time

Yet, still they played good ball

Take me out to the ball game

Take me out to the crowd

They are our Dukes, and we’re all in

We can’t help but get loud

They rose and then they grinded

They did work as best they could

They nibbled on the corners

And when needed, swung the wood

The season ended leaving all the Dukes fans wanting more

They headed home and hoped for what the future had in store.

 c2015 by Mike Tauser

For your convenience here are links to the first seven installments:

The Golden Sombrero Wearer(2008)

Three Day Journey From Worst to First(2009)

The Second Baseman Rides into the Sunset(2010)

Ballpark Time Machine(2011)

The Sword Bellied Dukes Fans' Shirts Held Scimitars(2012)

#DukesForFree

"A" League West World

The Bald Truth- Real Grace Reflection #11

A devotion I read recently referenced the verse about the hairs on our head being numbered by God. It struck me, as I reflected on LOMT's 2015 theme REAL GRACE, that if God numbers our every hair, we would consequently benefit from having more hair.  Follow me here, the more hair a person has, by default, the more attention it will require to number all of that hair.  More hair equals more attention...  Rogaine, anyone?

The Bald Truth about Real Grace

I realize I need more hair

From my head to my toe

And everywhere between--

In places where it doesn’t show

I plan to wake the follicles

As often as I can

I will not shy away from those who say,

“You’re such a hairy man”

For hair increase means I’ll be known

By Jesus even more

And that math equals greater love

Than my hair felt before

I feel bad for the bald folks

Whose poor noggins hold no strand

I pray they overcome their lack

May their pates feel His hand

It’s true, I envy Big Foot and Chewbacca makes me green

That hair! It gets attention.  I think you know what I mean

So, I’ll do what I can to keep my hair both full and fat

And, yes, consider Rogaine if it ever comes to that.

Hey, Potty Mouth- Real Grace Reflection #10

Reflection #10 on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme, REAL GRACE, is a short one. If my younger self met my current self, my younger self would be taken aback by some of the colorful additions to my vocabulary over the years.  This thought was the spark plug that led to the following lines.

Hey, Potty Mouth

Hey, potty mouth, looks like the gate's still open
Your profanity
Couldn't shut it down.

A far better word
Overrides your verbage
Even if you're from the wrong
Side of town.

Who's That Slacker?- Real Grace Reflection #9

Did somebody say Number 9?  Number 9?  Reflection #9 on L.O.M.T.'s 2015 theme-Real Grace

Who's That Slacker?

Who's that slacker?
Ain't doing a thing
Why do you listen
Every time he rings?

Who's that guy?
He just lies about
I don't see why
You don't send him out

I know, I know, I know, I know
But that's the way the garden grows
The rain it always falls straight down
On any standing on the ground

Man, he's lazy
We all can see
Still you welcome
Like family?

I'm sure that he
Does less than I
Why don't you even
Make him try?

I know, I know, I know, I know
But that's the way the garden grows
The rain it always falls straight down
On any standing on the ground

The rain it always falls straight down
On any one who's on the ground

Never Seen Again- Real Grace Reflection #8

Here is a short reflection on LOMT's 2015 theme, REAL GRACE.

Never Seen Again

Never to be seen again
Transported far away
Deleted, gone  beyond all space
Until eternity

Far past the east and west
Out where, the satellites lose track

He takes our sins and loses them
And they aren't coming back.

# Every Time Real Grace- Real Grace Reflection #7

With a hat tip to Dr. Seuss, here is another reflection on Lutheran Outdoors Ministry of Texas' 2015 theme, REAL GRACE.

# Every Time Real Grace

What would cyber-Jesus do?
Share it with a friend or two
Get it trending every place
# every time, Real Grace

Old grace, new grace
Red grace, blue grace
G- Grace
R- Grace
A- Grace
C- Grace

Find the link and click on EGrace

Hard to see grace
Ain't no fee
You and me grace
On a tree

In a song grace, fills the ear
Out of tune heart, holds it dear

Grace that truly seems unreal
And is often hard to feel
Unseen grace that never fails
Grace that's stronger than the nails

Grace that goes beyond the end
And ignores the current trend
Unreal grace, when drawing near
Can be difficult to hear

Hard to see grace
Ain't no fee
You and me grace
On a tree

G- Grace
R- Grace
A- Grace
C- Grace

Find the link and click on Real Grace

c2015 Mike Tauser