Michael Sliney

Too busy? Maxed out? No time for God?
Having your nails or hair done by Claude?
Listening to songs on your iPod?
Drinking beer, while casting your fly rod?
Escaping for a break at Cape Cod?
Checking Sports Center to be oohed/awed?
Hitting the golf range, ripping up sod?
Not trying to be nosy or prod…
Can’t you make a FEW MINUTES for God??

It’s so easy to complain,
Over daily aches and pains.
To start whispering campaigns,
When feeling other’s disdain.
Why allow this huge brain drain?
Walk with Christ…sing in the rain!

We have Jesus as our friend!
He can heal us and mend,
He’ll be faithful to the end!
On his love for us…depend!

No more empty platitudes,
God gives us all latitude,
To change our gloomy attitude:
Focus more on gratitude!

“The Divine Alum”

The big question is why? Why did Christ come?
What intention drove the “Divine Alum”,
To leave heaven in favor of a slum?
It has to do with what we could become!
His life, his words became our rule of thumb,
His grace calms anxious hearts, fights off the glum.
He left us his most precious pearl; his mum!

Jesus’ hopeful eyes are scouring the land,
Looking for generous hearts, minds and hands,
Flexible souls who adapt to his plans,
Who help his Kingdom of love to expand!
Selflessness will give God the upper hand…
What will you say to him? Where do you stand?

If folks could see your thoughts…
Would they be edified?
Would there be lots of knots?
Or “goodness” simplified?

Grudges and pettiness?
Anxiety and fear?
Shallowness…emptiness?
Or selflessness and cheer?

This battle of the mind,
Can be a gruesome grind,
Please don’t be disinclined,
With Christ’s mind, BE ALIGNED!

Our soul was made for something truly divine,
Deference, gratitude and nobility…
In God’s eyes, nothing trumps humility!
These logs on the fire make Jesus’ light shine!

God graciously glances as this ember glows,
Purposefully pouring peace into that soul,
There are no short cuts or secretive loop holes,
God cuts through the veil of opinion polls…
Reflecting Jesus’ love should be our main goal!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday, shopping galore…
The Christmas presents are piling up on the floor.
Luminous lights, wreathes, trees… bring delightful décor,
Parties abound, music resounds, mistletoes soar…
This is all good stuff, but what does it underscore?

Advent should be a spiritual preparation,
Not a frenetic, frazzled, “check list” fixation.
Please carve out some time for quiet contemplation,
To reflect on the gift of the Incarnation!
Jesus gave up his heaven, for our salvation!

Wearily wrestling with wicked webs,
Anxiously angling against anger,
Hardening, heartless hearts…haughty heads,
Lackadaisical, lazy languor…

This world is in pain, shouting for help,
Frustrated, tired, worn down and sad,
They need grace, they need Christ…not more “yelps”,
Jesus can resolve their “Soledad.”

Are you open, are you listening?
Allow Christ’s love to start glistening!

Hidden…patiently waiting,
Heart-ache…but still pulsating,
Humble…not dominating,
Hopeful…never abating,
Hearing…and concentrating,
Healing…and motivating,
Are you communicating?

First impressions, judgement calls…
Super fit or out of shape,
Mentally quick or too fake?…
Stop, reflect…for goodness sake!
Broaden your mental landscape!
Knock down those prejudgment walls!
Employ Faith, not just eyeballs!

How does Jesus see that soul?
His glance cuts through the outside,
Seeing pain that people hide.
Scars that were marked classified,
Won’t make you disqualified.
He looks to heal and console,
Is this your focus and your goal?

Barren trees, grey skies…dark, cold days,
Cabin fever, marked malaise…
Rats racing in an endless maze…
Acts of kindness with little praise…
Colds and flus, dreary moods…so what!
Dig deep, find love…deep in your gut,
Fight back hard…break out of the rut,
Lean on Christ! No “ands, if or buts”!
You gotta love Jesus…that’s what!