Forgiveness and Forgetfulness

After his previous poem, 'Smashing China Plates', my dear artist / photographer / poet friend John Englezos had written another beautiful poem called 'Forgiveness and Forgetfulness', which really touched my heart. Here goes:

Forgiveness and Forgetfulness are sitting, holding hands,
out on their verandah hearing songs of old jazz bands.

Forgiveness has lost all her teeth, Forgetfulness is blind.
Forgetfulness forgets the words, Forgiveness doesn't mind.

He only sees her youthful face from all those years ago
and even though he's lost his sighther touch he'll always know.

She asks "Do you recall past pains?"He answers "No I don't"
He turns and asks "And you my Love?"She smiles and says "I won't".

They weren't always this happy. This couple that you see
They once lived in a townhouse in a town called Misery.

He'd write, all night by candlelight, His face a solemn frown,
Recalling every single wrong and writing them all down.

She wasn't that much better,With her face a furrowed pout
All day long she'd wash her clothesher stains never came out.

Her head down and teeth gritted. Her deep cries left unheard.
His mind forever in the dark. He never spoke a word.

Both of them had wounded heartsone hard, the other broken.
Both together, yet apart. No words of grace were spoken.

Until one day the house caught fire. There was noone to blame.
They ran out and watched all they owned, get swallowed up in flame.

She lost all of her wardrobe all those clothes covered with stains.
He lost his precious journals full of all his precious pains.

So hand in hand they walked away, And left it all behind.
Her jaw unlocked, her teeth fell out!In daylight, he went blind!

Their new house is called Happy,it makes noises through the day,
The floorboards creak but they’d not have itany other way.

So if you asked what he once wrote. That he would not recall.
And if you ask her what she needs, She’d say “I have it all”.

He can't remember what they lost. She knows how much she has.
We watch them both sit back and smileand listen to old jazz.

Now Is that not the life you want. The story you’d be living?
The joy and peace that could be found, Forgetting and Forgiving…

“An Eye for eye and tooth for tooth”This worldly law is ruthless.
But Forgiveness and Forgetfulnessare quite happy… blind and toothless.

By John Englezos

Transforming Melbourne Blog

I have started another blog called "Transforming Melbourne Blog". “Transforming Melbourne” is a movement of Christians praying and acting together with the vision that God will renew His Church and not only bring new life to the people of the city of Melbourne (Australia), but transform its culture and society. The focus include: Fostering Unity, Promoting Prayer, Researching Needs, Networking Pastors and Leaders, Stirring Faith and Vision, Informing God's People & Trusting God.

A 3-year project of Transforming Melbourne "ALL MELBOURNE MATTERS" has been completed. It's a research of the Church to reach the city. The vision of the project is the systematic research of the demographics of Greater Melbourne and the size, locations and vitality of all churches across the City to enable and encourage the whole Church to develop a common vision and coordinated strategies for ministry and intentional mission to our city.

Feel free to go over to the "TM Blog" and read the articles.

Smashing China Plates

A friend of mine wrote the following poem about the 'fruit of the Spirit', which I like very much. I'd love to share with you:

Love sits at a tables lowly smashing china plates.
Wondering whatever happenedto those canceled dinner dates.

Joy is a red head girl he wants to ask to dance
her friends come past and then she leave she never gets the chance.

Peace is a baker in furious passion he bakes
but noone comes into his shop to try his bread and cakes.

Patience is a foster mum, her house shrinks and grows
she tidies up the children's mess and on and on it goes...

Kindness will work overtime at no extra cost
but noone compliments her dress or how much weight she's lost.

Goodness opens wide his doors, he shares a meal with ease,
but when he goes into his lounge they've taken his cd's.

Faithful coughs and sneezes he stands shivering in the rain,
she said "I'll just be back in five"but didn't come back again.

Gentleness eats alone in a quiet place she'll cry
she wants to go and talk to him but won't because she's shy.

Self control is a werewolfby day he hums a tune by night
he sits upon the roof and howls up at the moon.

For those of you who hear and know it is of Fruit I speak,
perhaps I'm just too cynicalor maybe getting weak.

But as we slowly turn to grey I fear this world's blind eyes
It seems these godly qualities Noone will recognise...

So take the time to look and see and show people you know
You'll be watering God's garden then sit back and watch it grow...

*******"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. "Galatians 5:22-23*******

(POEM BY JOHN ENGLEZOS)

One Year Bible Blog

I'd like to invite you to join me on the One Year Bible journey in 2009! This wonderful One Year Bible Blog provides daily bible verses including both Old Testament and New Testament filled with commentary, encouragement, beautiful pictures, questions for reflection and music through youtube. They currently have over 7,852 people in 55 countries around the world signed up to be part of the group, and I personally have been blessed by it. To join us on the journey in 2009 click on this link for more details and to sign up!

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish you and your family a Happy New Year, full of God's blessings, I hope 2009 is your best year yet.