Big Iron

I know, I know, there are times when I should leave well enough alone. This may have been one of those times.

Big Iron

To the world of western music
came an outlaw one fine day.
His tunes would touch the masses
and they still are played today.
And if I can be forgiven
for a little PC slip
I’ll re-write some Marty Robbins
for a short nostalgic trip…a short nostalgic trip.
To a town in Colorado
rode a stranger one fine day.
She got lots of folks around her
when she stopped to make her play.
Everyone could tell her business;
they brought dresses, shirts and slips,
cause she came to press their laundry
with that big iron on her hip…big iron on her hip.

Jeff Hildebrandt © May 30, 2012

You Just Can't See It From The Road

My friend, Donnie Blanz wrote a great song a few years ago called, "You just can't see him from the Road." One of the lines, "as long as there's a sunset, he'll be riding for the brand," inspired my poem and the book, Ridin' for the Boss and the Brand. Now, I've borrowed his melody line and created the sort of poem that always got me in trouble with people who want to leave well enough alone. I only hope this encourages us all to put our faith into action. I'd also love to hear your thoughts.

You just can’t see it from the road

Folks don’t feel his touch
like the way they did before.
Some don’t think His miracles are seen.
But, that ain’t really him
with a Rolex on his wrist
that they sit watching on their TV screen.
But He’s still out there mending fences;
still helping others with their load.
And as long as people need it
he’ll be lending them a hand.
You just can’t see it from the road.
If you drive along the highway,
never exit to downtown
then the price of gas is all you’ll think about.
If you keep your eyes straight forward
and your radio turned up
you can tune the cries for help completely out.
But, He’s still out there mending fences;
Still helping others tote their load.
And as long as people need it
His believers lend their hands.
They just don’t do it from the road.
If you claim to be a Christian
do you do or simply sit?
Are you helping others with their heavy load?
If you want to see a miracle,
you must go to where they are
cause you can’t see them from the road.
Yes, God’s still out there spreading mercy;
and He could use someone like you
cause as long as people need it
His believers lend their hands
You just can’t see it from the pew.
Jeff Hildebrandt © May 30, 2012

Hesitation Blues

I am a fan of Guy Clark and have been since I played his music (Desperados waiting for a train) on KFDI-FM in Wichita, in the mid-70s. We were early adopters of the so called progressive country format. Our slogan was "KFDI-FM, stick it in your ear." Encough of that. So, I was listening to Guy Clark's "Dublin Blues" on You Tube the other day and began retro-fitting rhymes into his melody. Stream of unconsciousness. I didn't know where I was going but this is where The Spirit led. Now my question is what does this say to you?

Hesitation Blues

Well, I wish I knew the answer
to the questions that you pose
I wish that I felt qualified
to answer. I suppose
that’s why I shy away from
speaking boldly but in love
about my faith in Jesus
and the Grace that’s from above.

So, forgive me for my silence,
forgive me when I balk.
But know that if you’re curious
just ask me and I’ll talk.

I’ll tell you all the changes
that believing made in me
but I do not wish to argue
or debate philosophy.
I’m still a work in progress
all you get is what you see;
A sinner who’s been saved by Grace
for life eternally.

So, forgive my hesitation;
In-your-face is not my style.
My actions are my witness.
God’s love is in my smile.

Jeff Hildebrandt © May 11, 2012

Contentment

On my way to work, when I'm not trying to find a traffic report, I listen mostly to our local Christian radio station and a program called "Truth for Life" with Pastor Alistair Begg. Last week, he had a two part talk on The Secret of Contentment. I wonder if all those people who bought into the lottery frenzy a while back felt a little sting if they heard it? Here is my Reader's Digest conversation starter centered on Phillipians 4:

He goes to work to watch the clock
as weeks and months drag on.
She’s longing for retirement
when she can just be gone.

She doesn’t like the way she looks
and wishes she were smaller.
He knows that he’d be happier
if he were only taller.

He’s angry that promotions
don’t ever come his way.
She’s found that she likes vodka
and drinks more every day.

They wonder where the lust for life
and all their passion went.
They wonder what it’s going to take
for them to feel content.

In his letter to Phillipians,
Paul told his Christian brothers
contentment comes from loving God
and showing love to others.

If we focus our attention
on rejoicing in the Lord
we won’t be looking longingly
at what you can’t afford.

Jeff Hildebrandt © April 30, 2012

Now, it's your turn. What does Phillipians 4 say to you? Talk among yourselves and get back to me.

Cowboy Poets

While being lazy near the Colorado River deep in the canyonlands near Moab, Utah, I just soaked in the stillness and scenery of what I think of as John Ford country. Then thought, words can't describe it, but that didn't stop me. If you've been there, you know. If you haven't, just watch a John Ford western movie, like Stagecoach with John Wayne.

COWBOY POETS

We talk about the cowboy.
We talk about the West.
We paint word pictures of a place
the sun goes down to rest.
Some recount ranch humor
and some replay the wrecks
when horse and rider both went down
and bounced like rubber checks.
Some talk of creaking leather
or the smell of new moan hay,
or the way the stars light up the sky
at night we’re you’re away
from city lights and traffic noise.
It’s quiet way out West
when you’re gathered round the camp fire
where the sun goes down to rest.

Some rhymers will remind us
in their own poetic way
that “Out West” did not happen
in an accidental way.
God chiseled out the flat top buttes
and gouged the canyon land.
God set the Colorado’s course
and I believe He planned
that when we gaze upon West;
its awesome size and scope
that we would be reminded,
in the midst of trials, there’s hope.
God knew we’d need reminding
so He planned this from the start.
cause in the end, it’s clear my friend,
God’s got cowboy in his heart.

Jeff Hildebrandt © April 25, 2012

It's Not Easy Being Green

I heard a younger person say,
"The problems that we face today
all started long before my birth
by those who didn’t see the worth
in cleaning up the planet earth.
The downward spiral’s clearly seen
because you all would not “go green.”

But, I remember when the milkman
would deliver to the door
and we returned our soda bottles
to the grocery store.
Those bottles would be sterilized,
filled up and used again.
But no one talked ‘bout “going green”
where we were way back then.

I remember all those hand-me-downs
and shoes that were re-soled.
We wore short sleeves in summer
and sweaters when it’s cold.
I remember faded Levi jeans,
that were patched and patched again
but no one talked, “recycling”
where we were way back then.

I remember when we all just walked
to get to school and back
and no one preached that exercise
is what our children lack.
We drank from water fountains
when we were parched and dry.
We re-used all our coffee mugs
and never thought to buy
a latte in a paper cup
that won’t be used again.
But no one talked of “going green”
where we were way back then.

I remember when the family
all watched the same TV
and no one said we’re wasting
all our E-lec-tricity
I remember moms washed diapers,
then hung them on a line.
But no one talked of solar power;
Cause the sun dried clothes just fine.

But youth today are right of course.
We need ecology
because this green initiative
spurs our economy.
I only wish we’d understood
when we were young back then.
So we could have taken action
to avoid this mess we’re in.

Jeff Hildebrandt © April 12, 2012

The Call

If you read the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, chapter 3, you'll see the story of God calling a young boy named Samuel. Go ahead, read it and I'll wait.......
Well, that story is what inspired this CALL to action.

The Call

I got a call the other day.
It didn’t come in the usual way.
I was sleeping and I heard it, way back here,
you know, right behind the inner-ear.
I was hearin’ voices

The voice said “sun”,
so I looked outside.
But it was night.
The voice had lied.
The only thing out there shining was the moon.

I stood there a minute to clear my head
then decided I’d go back to bed.
I just laid down and closed my eyes
when I began to realize
The voice was back.

I thought, “It’s bogus, this is phony,
I just ate too much pepperoni
which mixed with hot fudge and ice cream
to cause this most annoying dream.
I’ll just take some Pepto.

The voice was pounding in my ear.
I said “Good God, what’s happening here?”
The voice said, “Finally, I got through.
Now here are things for you to do.
Better write this down.

The voice said, “You must spread the news
to all those sitting in the pews
that Sunday worship’s not enough.
They have to get up off their duff.
I put you here to love each other;
so get out there and help your brother.
Make sure he’s got enough to eat
and no more sleeping on the street.
What you have is not your own.
I’ve just given you a loan
and you should show My love this way;
by sharing what you have each day.
And do it with a smile.”

Since then I’ve learned that one and all
have gotten or will get a call
to share God’s love with someone else
and not just focus on yourself.
The bottom line is still the same;
help someone else in Jesus’ name.
And let them know that what you do
is all because God first loved you.
So, listen for the call and whatever you do,
don’t hang up.

Jeff Hildebrandt © 2012