Verbal Cannibalism

Consume all you can of slander

Feed off of slur and banter

sweet morsels they fill your heart

deep down in your inmost part

I believe, it must be true!

I think I heard it, did you?

I saw, I felt, I assumed

I ate and drank and chewed

Biting, gnawing at your life

adding sauce and some spice

nipping and taking my share

Your reputation? Who cares?!

Slice off a bit for me

disassembling with glee.

All you are is now on plates

shared with “friends”, in all 50 states

I believe, it must be true!

I think I heard it, did you?

I saw, I felt, I assumed

I ate and drank and chewed

When licking the last bone

No one wants to go home

They seek a new tasty fable

Beware if you sit at this table

You could be their next meal

Gossip and slander don’t feel

They just whisper and slight.

Verbal cannibalism their plight

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.”

Proverbs 18:8

“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:26

A Call for Communion

Speak with me Abba, wash away

All that stands in my way

I need to hear your voice today

Come Abba! Break through!

All that stands between me and you

I need these moments to commune

Your presence a comfort, wrap around.

Sweet presence, a stillness

No where else is found

I need you Lord.

Make room!

Oh body, mind and soul,

Remove all that hinders

Let it go

My prayer is from so long ago;

**"Lord, make me fit to be your dwelling"

Come Abba to my tent

My earthly vessel fill

May you find room, within my life

To show your Glory still

I need you Lord not just today

I need you Lord, come here to stay

To be my constant friend and guide

To be my covering, and by my side
I need you.

* "Oh, I need thee...

Every hour, I need thee"

cjb

** song 188 SA songbook, lyrics by Richard Slayter

*chorus of song 587 SA songbook. Lyrics by Robert Lowry

Prayer to the Creator of the sea

Worn out, tossed about

Words crush like angry waves

Sending all courage to the grave.

Back and forth, sand in face.

Smoothing edges of man's disgrace.

Don’t let this be for naught

This is my prayer, Oh, Creator of the sea.

And please, as well, hold on to me.

cjb