Promises

O god, thank you for the bowl
Smooth round surfaces
Colorful or plain on the outside
The container is the focus
A container for our food:
Food for our bodies
Food for our souls
Food for our joys
Food for our sorrows
Steaming stew warms our hands
As we hold the bowl
Let us eat and remember the promises

--Matt crichton
8/15/10

Through the Eyes

I read this poem at an LNG hearing in Astoria, OR.

Through the eyes of the fish,
Swimming through water cold and shimmery,
Soon to be served steaming on dinner dish.

Through the eyes of the deer,
Raising her head at the noise,
Flicking tail to alert danger and fear.

Through the eyes of the eagle,
Soaring gracefully overhead.
Caught in ocean drafts while looking for next meal.

Through the eyes of the mouse,
Scurrying this way and that,
Looking for food and a twig for his house.

Through the eyes of the snake.
Lazily basking in sinking afternoon sun.
Not a care for any motion’s sake.

Through the eyes of the frog.
A chorus of ribbit ribbit ribbit.
Wides eyes awake as darkness covers the bog.

Through the eyes of the sea lion,
Barking commands to protect his space.
Rolling his large body over and over to find a better place.

Through the eyes of a little boy,
Spying white caps from car window.
Dreaming of becoming a big river pilot guiding convoy.

--Matt Crichton
4/23/10

Based on a conversation

Physically unable to imagine a place of beauty inside your own being.
Talk of a place, a field, a tree house, or a road with a line.
A dotted yellow line on the road to sleep.

I woke up and looked through ceiling and saw
Bright cold white stars,
Sparkling through my eyes.

Power enough you fight for with both hands tied behind your back.
Your heart blows out and your internal beauty blossoms.
No one pays attention.
No one needs to know you're on fire except you.
The eyes say more than we know.

Learn from mistakes past on second hand through the ages.
Second hand is beauty first in God's eye.

God bases the chat on silent intention.
Talk, conversation, chat, discussion.

--Matt Crichton
1/23/11

Breadcrumbs

Jesus uses the breadcrumbs
For the most important tasks in this world.
Breadcrumbs fall to the ground and no one much notices.
Jesus notices the breadcrumbs of the world.
The fallen, weary, dreary, downtrodden.
The crumbs no one much notices
A breadcrumb can be the tastiest morsel.

--Matt Crichton
3/24/2011

Ode to KLove

This is a collage of words and phrases from songs I heard on Klove radio.

Ode to KLove

Make yourself beautiful through me,
The inside must shine bright.
Craft a heart of Jesus through love.
Let others see and feel your true intentions.
Share the love you have received with others on your journey.
Make the love intention a part of you--
A part of others in your life

You are the one to show others what love really means.
Unconditional, boundless, borderless.
Strive to show "my heart is spoken for."

When you struggle, remember God's mercies are new each day.
Those mercies don't care what you've done yesterday or ten years ago.
If Jesus drove a Harley, you too much use your gifts.
You ask me why I follow Jesus?
Because God's grace is enough--
Anytime, every time, all the time.

Bring me your sacrifice of time, all you,
This God given burden means that love wins
God is set of external values, does not limit freedoms

God really does hear our prayers and so
Death has lost its sting.
So you're telling me you think prayer works?
Why, get out of your pocket,
To see how silly was that--
The thought that you are alone.
God walks with us.

The love God wants us to have,
Not the examples we see around us.
But God's consistently in my life
Is why I gave my life to Christ.
So the joy can be as close as my pocket--
Is there an app for that?

Matt Crichton
--7/26/12

Peace, Love, Happiness

Peace, Love, Happiness

I wish for you peace, love, and happiness.
If it was an app on the iphone,
I would promptly buy it for you.
But my experience has shown you can't buy peace, love, and happiness.

So the peace that you seek, help others to keep.
May the love you give, be the love you receive,
May it be enough.
May you not worry about happiness.
For if the other two are in place,
Your happiness will be taken care of.

The peace, love, and happiness app cannot be found in stores,
Or on early morning infomercials.
That may be the best news of all.

Matt Crichton
--3/24/12

Nature's Walk

Nature’s walk
Sun shines bright
Two souls talk

Forest smells alight
You walk in front
So as not to give you fright

Birds sing to us
Soaring through branches
They do not fuss

Forest ignites spirit
Taking time is key
This simple pleasure

--Matt Crichton
7/28/13