Discussion of “Sanctity Restored” Album 7/24/98
Josie Roberts
ONLY 5 OF THESE POEMS MADE IT INTO THE CD.
The poems discussed below are (c) Copyright 1998 by Joe C. Roberts. All rights reserved.
I indicate my motive, my emotions, the setting, and critically important words or phrases
in the poem ( which supply for me the maximum meaning). These latter words are ones
which I am earnest about keeping in the poems if at all possible.
Another Season
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My motive in writing this poem was to reap humorous revenge on my lady lawyer and show that I could bear up under the burden she gave me, financially and emotionally.
My emotion was divorce-induced depression and recovering from doubt as to whether I could go on alone.
The setting was at my farmhouse in North Texas, where I was living in extremely meagre circumstances while trying to go to school
part-time at North Texas State University to learn some about cognitive science.
I had unloaded by 2 U-Haul truckloads of stuff all by myself, including some large items that were almost impossible to do alone.
Critical words:
let the serendipity do its syncopate.
Toss your bread upon the waters and keep on giving! ( a quote from the Bible)
Sanctity Restored
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My motive in writing this poem along with some others was to describe some ecstatic moments alone with God, when he seemed to be illuminating my mind more than usual.
My emotion was passionate longing for his continued presence while realizing it couldn’t last. There was phasing in and out of thinking of myself being in highest heaven, on earth in his Kingdom coming to fruition, on plain earth, and in hell encouraging sinners to realize Jesus is so powerful he could bring them out of there if they but trust in him. This was a stream of consciousness poem.
The setting was in my room on Kenilworth after days of being in a hypo-manic state mentally, almost on the border of going manic and having a mental illness episode. The word “flerking” in the poem is a made-up word which means to tease without intention of hurting and with
full-knowledge of this by the teasee.
Critical words:
highest heaven
Being and essence are somehow understood.
Right and light replace CAN’T and COULD.
Angels unaware and angels in disguise
Next to Sons of God and idiot savants who are wise.
Exactly because we KNOW this is just flerking
Testing our resolve to give up working.
Testimonies galore – got it, get it!
Say what it takes for you to commit.
Obviously obvious is no longer boring.
Roadway to Fortitude
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My motive was to write a poem for the teaching of a Sunday school class on 2 Peter 1:5-7, which gives a list of progressive steps toward growing
toward maturity as a Christian. I tried to imagine what would be the setting and reasoning behind doing these things in the order indicated
in the Bible if the order really is important.
My emotion was grunting earnestness and satisfaction with a job completed.
The setting was my room, reviewing my journal for information to incorporate. Without finding any, I had to just grapple with whatever words came to mind.
Critical words:
To access your GOODNESS is to find security
In clear values and tradeoffs on bended knee. (Prov 14:26)
The next step is to be equitably SELF-CONTROLLED,
So prayer forms mysteriously appear and you’re all aglow. (1 Pet 4:7)
Developing GODLINESS is seeing Jesus and the devil in others
And toning down your “I’d ruthers”. (2 Cor 7:10; 1 Tim 4:7-8)
With compassionate humor becoming more than an interlude.
The Spiralling Gateway to Truth
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My motive was to express that truth is not a constant set of words that you can write down and they will be complete forever, rather it’s a moving object with personality to which you have to relate.
My emotion was one of peace, being willing to accept revelation a step at a time as I’m ready.
The situation I can’t remember.
Critical words:
And live on mirth and glee.
Trying to live without regrets,
Turning away from strife
Toward the swordpoint of his knife
Held out to clean our wounds
This is so we’re good scouts for this hunter
Jesus Christ of truth gone not asunder.
And to appreciate life’s syncopate.
Whacking the Egyptians
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My motive was to write a poem for the teaching of a Sunday school class on Psalm 105, which this poem paraphrases.
My emotion was humor.
The setting was working over a 3-4 week period to come up with enough material to teach this lesson. I followed the Biblical text very carefully.
Critical words:
Moses and Aaron showed Egyptians the signs
That proved that God never resigns.
Situation death knell, all protest is moot.
Their firstborn kids got it, get it?
Obviously it’s time for these Israelites to split.
Thus did the Egyptians get whacked on the head
To prove that the Israelites definitely were led.
Ode to Lent
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My motive for writing this poem was to describe the psychological growth stages of awakening, dieing to nothingness, and new birth in a way using some metaphors which had come to me when I was in a trance. This is the most uncertain of my poems in this album as to the meaningfulness of its contents.
My emotion was questioning of God – do you ever explain your metaphors in ways that ordinary people can comprehend?
My situation was looking for insight into the Enneagram, a personality theory and philosophy who’s supporters attempt to help people go through spiritual growth. There is some truth in it, although I am not an ardent follower.
Critical parts (with modest conviction):
Three parts there are to removing ambiguity.
Comparing with the Bible always for failsafe,
You’re half-way to eliminating fate.
Can you dodge bullets and never falter
When you lay your all on the altar?
Can you catch bullets before they wound?
Have you repented of dead works
So burdens don’t overcome and your heart is in balance,
A fitting co-heir ready to live with your talents?
Listening to the center, sync and async together
Are you sworn to secrecy and still without torment?
Is your strength reborn full of enjoyment?
Spin on a dime as you check your priorities.
See what unfinished business holds an ecstasy.
Act like an angel in disguise
Causing the dead to rise.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS EXPLORED
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My motive in writing this poem was to express my feelings about the Biblical teaching on spiritual gifts, better hopefully than would be possible for me with prose. The poem was originally written with 2 lines per stanza,
expanded to 4 when people told me it was too cryptic.
My emotion was curiosity to see if a synergy of meaning, equity, and joy could emerge from a particular order of presentation. I was feeling inspired in picking the associations for each Biblical text.
The setting of the original poem was during a workshop on spiritual gifts given by one of the local Austin Baptist churches, where 6 of these verses were presented as the foundational principles of spiritual gifts.
Critical words:
God is unpredictable don’t you know;
Help the serendipity be more than a vain illusion.
The voting power you’re not willing to adjust
Shows how you propose to avoid a deadlock bust. (1 Cor 12:27-30)
The limits you put on yourself and the guilt you lay
Shows your concept of judgement day. (Rom 12:4-8)
The understanding scheme you promote for life’s commotion
Shows a hint of the way you focus your devotion. ( 1 Cor 12:1-11)
Meaning, equity, and joy come in stages with hesitation
Building with syncopating rhythms of appreciation.
Pieces of a Saga
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My motive for writing this was to use some “leftovers” from my journal notes
that related to the Spiritual Gifts Explored poem.
My emotion was fury that the leftovers of life don’t get better press!
The setting I don’t remember.
Critical words:
Trying to understand the orders I’ve accepted,
I comfort myself by reviewing it’s steps.
Repenting of reordering God’s priorities
I ask continually for his help.
As poor voting schemes lead to serious deadlock
And I am forced to designate a tiebreaker,
I forsake pride and earnestly record the decision,
Hoping history shows it’s a life saver.
When I commit a terrible sin
And guilt tempts me to loose trust,
I pray that my sorrow and belief in Jesus
Will quell damnation and I can better adjust.
As my unconscious mind presents visions
I seek to redeem it as well.
Incorporating what I can into existence,
I’m learning in heaven on earth to dwell.
Earning God’s Crowns
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The motive for writing this poem was to incorporate the first 2 lines of each verse
into some other poem which had longer verses. This is about my 3rd try.
The emotion is anxiety that I might be totally off-base with the Biblical implications I’m giving for the appearance of the indicated
poems.
The setting I don’t remember.
Critical words:
If I want the crowns of beauty and glory
I should add some verses to the neverending story.
If I want the crown of righteousness
I should try to cooperate without duress.
If I want the imperishable crown
I should show the world that God is no clown.
If I want the crown of life
I shouldn’t be scared of the sword point of God’s knife.
Instead I should admit my weakness and learn to delegate
So I’ll have a bigger not a bitter legacy.
If I want the crown of knowledge
I should indicate God’s gifts are worth an acknowledge.
Activate my talents and let them grow
Instead of being a continual no-show.
If I want the crown of exultation
I should show I’m more than an incubation,
Willing to fight for everyone’s freedom
And openly acknowledging that we need them.
If I want the crown of splendor
I should prepare to be a cheerful blender,
Taking the Double-Dare
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My motive for writing this was to express how I felt about some of the manic-episodes and trances, including blackouts, that I have
experienced, and the journal notes that resulted from them, which I regard as words from my unconscious mind for my growth.
My emotion was courage to attempt to recover meaning and joy from the fragments of truth given me during those moments.
Setting was I was trying to write up some notes for sending to friends and I decided to do this poem as part of it. I have a list of about 30
friends that I write to as my “accountability” group.
Critical words:
Can you stoop down to pickup the golden key
Discovered in sweet moments of ecstasy?
Naming your savior, is that such a chore?
Testing the spirits will even the score!
Every man wants to believe in magic;
If heaven is here, will you say that it’s tragic?
Resting in grace as you check the keyhole,
Notice how his presence makes you grow whole.
Only our Savior could fill your life thus,
Only our Lord is worthy of such trust.
CHORUS:
Never say never, say can can can.
Death be not proud, you’ve taken the double-dare.
