Some will understand. Many won't. It's best if you read it out loud. Not real loud, mind you, just loud enough that you can hear yourself without bothering anyone around you. It's even better if you read it to your preacher.
The Big Boat
Stuart had a great big boat
Some said it was the best afloat.
You see it had a great big crew
To help the guests know what to do.
On weekends, it would have on hand
some singers and a 5 piece band.
And everyone who came on board
told Stuart that they just adored
the boat and all the crew had done
to make sure everyone had fun.
So, every weekend, without fail
the passengers and crew set sail.
But then one day, out of the blue
there didn’t seem to be much crew.
The singers and the band were gone
and even though the boat sailed on
it didn’t have the same appeal.
And Stuart told them, “Here’s the deal.
If you expect this ride to last
you’ll have to give support, and fast.
The Captain wants more than a tip.
That’s the lesson of Stuart’s Ship
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/6/12
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A.S.I.G.
Okay, I admit, I borrowed the melody and phrasing from Billy Joel's song, And So It Goes. But, since I don't sing, I guess the melody doesn't matter. Now, if you know the BJ song or can listen to it on You Tube, you can think the melody while you're reading the words. Otherwise, just go with the flow. The message here boils down to being open to the opportunity to explain your faith.
A.S.I.G.
In every life there is a time
to stand your ground or hold your tongue.
But lessons of
God’s purest love
are never wasted on the young.
In younger days I went to church,
I read the words and heard the prayers.
I passed the test
to be confirmed
but never felt God truly cares.
And every time someone would ask
I told them, yes, I do believe.
And so it comes
and so it goes
until God touched me, I suppose.
A circumstance;
another chance;
the lessons learned came flooding back
With open eyes;
evangelized,
I realized
the love I lacked.
Your time is now to speak God’s grace.
Don’t be afraid, don’t hold your tongue
And as it comes,
so should it go
Your lessons just might save the young.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 4/23/2010
A.S.I.G.
In every life there is a time
to stand your ground or hold your tongue.
But lessons of
God’s purest love
are never wasted on the young.
In younger days I went to church,
I read the words and heard the prayers.
I passed the test
to be confirmed
but never felt God truly cares.
And every time someone would ask
I told them, yes, I do believe.
And so it comes
and so it goes
until God touched me, I suppose.
A circumstance;
another chance;
the lessons learned came flooding back
With open eyes;
evangelized,
I realized
the love I lacked.
Your time is now to speak God’s grace.
Don’t be afraid, don’t hold your tongue
And as it comes,
so should it go
Your lessons just might save the young.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 4/23/2010
Friday, March 16, 2012
Limited Liability
OK, I try to avoid being overtly political and I want to make it clear this is NOT about one party or another. I think Woody Guthrie wrote a song, Hard Times, and talked about "republicrats and democans" being two different wings of the same bird of prey. Don Edwards does a wonderful version of that song, by the way. Well, it strikes me that the problem is not who's President, it's the elected officials who stay and stay and have so much power the only way to make a difference is a clean sweep. We need:
Limited Liability
I’m a “Clean Sweeper:”
a real change seeker.
I think we’re weaker
and want real leaders
not bottom feeders
while our country teeters
thanks to long term cheaters,
back room sneakers,
closet creepers,
incumbent keepers
and secret leakers.
All you still-asleepers
WAKE UP
We’ve had enough.
Get off your duff
and get them off
the public trough.
You want change?
Then rearrange
those legislators
who play dictators
with the public trust.
It’s time we thrust
incumbents out
cause there’s no doubt
it can’t be worse
than the current curse
of unending terms
where weasely worms
have one concern.
In each election
make your selection
for someone new
and hold them to
what they say they’ll do.
The hill gets steeper.
The hole gets deeper.
Be a giant leaper.
Be a clean sweeper.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/8/12
Limited Liability
I’m a “Clean Sweeper:”
a real change seeker.
I think we’re weaker
and want real leaders
not bottom feeders
while our country teeters
thanks to long term cheaters,
back room sneakers,
closet creepers,
incumbent keepers
and secret leakers.
All you still-asleepers
WAKE UP
We’ve had enough.
Get off your duff
and get them off
the public trough.
You want change?
Then rearrange
those legislators
who play dictators
with the public trust.
It’s time we thrust
incumbents out
cause there’s no doubt
it can’t be worse
than the current curse
of unending terms
where weasely worms
have one concern.
In each election
make your selection
for someone new
and hold them to
what they say they’ll do.
The hill gets steeper.
The hole gets deeper.
Be a giant leaper.
Be a clean sweeper.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/8/12
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Amazon Kindle-liscious
Just wanted to let y'all know that my rhyming resource is now available on Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=jeff+hildebrandt
Ridin for the Boss and the Brand is about using our faith. Sayin ain't Bein is more or less my journey to turn head knowledge into faith. Now, back to your regular programming!
Ridin for the Boss and the Brand is about using our faith. Sayin ain't Bein is more or less my journey to turn head knowledge into faith. Now, back to your regular programming!
BQ 2
This is not a commercial. Rather, it is a writing exercise about a restaurant in Englewood, Colorado that we try to get to on Saturday mornings. Writers who know what they're talking about say you have to write everyday. So this is me, keeping the words flowing, like the coffee at BQ 2.
Breakfast Queen #2
Burritos, Rancheros and Huevos Garcia
are three of the reasons I’ll probably see ya
at the Breakfast Queen.
Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken Fried Steak,
ten different omelets, each order they make
is served with a smile. They’re happy you came
and it won’t be too long till they know you by name.
The French Toast is tasty and so is the bacon
so get what you like. Everything that they’re makin’
is done like you like it, guaranteed to taste fine.
The Green Chili’s so good you won’t mind the line
if you find that you got there a little too late.
I’ll tell you for certain its well worth the wait
for waffles or pancakes or Quesadillas.
That’s three more reasons I’ll probably see ya
at the Breakfast Queen.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/24/2012
Breakfast Queen #2
Burritos, Rancheros and Huevos Garcia
are three of the reasons I’ll probably see ya
at the Breakfast Queen.
Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken Fried Steak,
ten different omelets, each order they make
is served with a smile. They’re happy you came
and it won’t be too long till they know you by name.
The French Toast is tasty and so is the bacon
so get what you like. Everything that they’re makin’
is done like you like it, guaranteed to taste fine.
The Green Chili’s so good you won’t mind the line
if you find that you got there a little too late.
I’ll tell you for certain its well worth the wait
for waffles or pancakes or Quesadillas.
That’s three more reasons I’ll probably see ya
at the Breakfast Queen.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/24/2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sometimes I Forget
You know how the Bible says we're all different parts of the body and have different skills, talents and responsibilities? I've been told that I must be the big mouth. Ha Ha, not very funny....maybe true, but not very funny. Well, it strikes me that we all have a past that enables us to better use the gifts we have been given. For a long time, that didn't occur to me. I tried to block the memories of what I used to be until I found that my past actually helps me relate to the people around me. I know, it seems like common sense to a lot of you, but I'm a little slow on the uptake. Sometimes, I just forget.
Sometimes I find that I forgot
what put me in that place;
the honkytonks and rowdy rides
that lead to my disgrace.
Then, just like on that C.S.I.
a flashlight casts its beam
around my mind until it finds
a memory I’d not seen
or thought about for many years;
the folly of my youth.
The worldly haze and spiteful days
spent running from the truth.
Santana sang of evil ways
and that you had to change.
I’d sing along, like nothing’s wrong
while riding Satan’s range.
And then I see what blinded me
and kept me from the light.
I recognize that blood-shot eyes
had blurred what was my plight.
Sometimes I find that I forgot
just how I left that place.
I did not do it by myself,
it took Amazing Grace.
I marvel at how God saved me
and know I represent
the transformation God intends
for all who will repent.
When I accepted Jesus Christ
the things I valued most
became far less important
than the Holy Lord of Hosts.
Eternal life began right then
despite the devil’s rush
to keep me sinking deeper
in my mire of mental mush.
So I slog on thru the quagmire
on my way to higher ground
where I know the Rock of Ages
and God’s Glory will be found.
God tells me I should not forget
the reason for my past;
how He allowed my worldliness
until the time, at last,
was right for me to turn around.
And now I can relate
to those who run from righteousness.
Show them their sorry state
can be replaced with love and life
like God has done for me.
The Truth is that it’s not too late
to start life eternally.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2010
Sometimes I find that I forgot
what put me in that place;
the honkytonks and rowdy rides
that lead to my disgrace.
Then, just like on that C.S.I.
a flashlight casts its beam
around my mind until it finds
a memory I’d not seen
or thought about for many years;
the folly of my youth.
The worldly haze and spiteful days
spent running from the truth.
Santana sang of evil ways
and that you had to change.
I’d sing along, like nothing’s wrong
while riding Satan’s range.
And then I see what blinded me
and kept me from the light.
I recognize that blood-shot eyes
had blurred what was my plight.
Sometimes I find that I forgot
just how I left that place.
I did not do it by myself,
it took Amazing Grace.
I marvel at how God saved me
and know I represent
the transformation God intends
for all who will repent.
When I accepted Jesus Christ
the things I valued most
became far less important
than the Holy Lord of Hosts.
Eternal life began right then
despite the devil’s rush
to keep me sinking deeper
in my mire of mental mush.
So I slog on thru the quagmire
on my way to higher ground
where I know the Rock of Ages
and God’s Glory will be found.
God tells me I should not forget
the reason for my past;
how He allowed my worldliness
until the time, at last,
was right for me to turn around.
And now I can relate
to those who run from righteousness.
Show them their sorry state
can be replaced with love and life
like God has done for me.
The Truth is that it’s not too late
to start life eternally.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2010
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Least of These
I remember writing this after a church board discussion about people who came to the office looking for money because they were driving to who-knows-where and needed gas or a room for the night. It brings up a question about being a good steward or being a good shepherd.
The Least of These
We don’t want to be taken advantage of
by people not really in need.
Oh, we’re willing to give to the down and out
if we’re sure that their motive’s not greed.
There are those we all know
who will put on a show
of poverty, hard luck and pain.
And we must be aware
if we let ourselves care
that our charity might be in vain.
So, we form a committee
designed to take pity
on those who can’t make it alone.
When the funding runs low
we kick in some dough.
And that’s how our charity’s shown.
But what did God say
in describing the way
faith’s tested to see if it’s real?
What matters, we’re told
is not how much gold
but our feeling for someone’s appeal.
In the 25th of Matthew,
start at 35,
The Lord’s describing Judgment Day
and those who will survive.
The sheep are those the shepherd chose
to get their just reward.
Because they offered what they had
to those the world ignored.
The goats are those who saw a need
and then had this reaction;
because they feared they might be conned
the simply took no action.
So what does Christ say
in regard to the way
we should treat everyone that we see?
Do all you can do
because, it is true
you’re doing it as unto Me.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/6/12
The Least of These
We don’t want to be taken advantage of
by people not really in need.
Oh, we’re willing to give to the down and out
if we’re sure that their motive’s not greed.
There are those we all know
who will put on a show
of poverty, hard luck and pain.
And we must be aware
if we let ourselves care
that our charity might be in vain.
So, we form a committee
designed to take pity
on those who can’t make it alone.
When the funding runs low
we kick in some dough.
And that’s how our charity’s shown.
But what did God say
in describing the way
faith’s tested to see if it’s real?
What matters, we’re told
is not how much gold
but our feeling for someone’s appeal.
In the 25th of Matthew,
start at 35,
The Lord’s describing Judgment Day
and those who will survive.
The sheep are those the shepherd chose
to get their just reward.
Because they offered what they had
to those the world ignored.
The goats are those who saw a need
and then had this reaction;
because they feared they might be conned
the simply took no action.
So what does Christ say
in regard to the way
we should treat everyone that we see?
Do all you can do
because, it is true
you’re doing it as unto Me.
Jeff Hildebrandt © 2/6/12
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