This is the Sound

This is The Sound

This is the sound,

Can we hear it?

This is the sound

Sons and daughters are returning

From the wars our fathers started,

But do they do so without learning

Of why these wars were started?

As lifetime fades into the next

We beg to embrace the peace?

We beg earnestly and pleading

But somehow our pains will never cease

This is the sound

Can you hear it?

Listen carefully now.

Our hearts are quick to judge

Our minds are slow to learn

Yet our voices shout vociferously

Words that cannot ever return.

What use is there in mankind

These lessons we never learn

The flames of our destruction raise

As our fires never cease to burn

This sound,

Oh the sound

Why cannot we hear the sound!

Be still these troubled hearts of ours

These fleeting triumphs lost.

This sound we strain to hear

Has been engulfed by all our fears

The shout of the victorious

The harking herald of peace

But t’is the sound that is for peace

Somehow its timber’s decreased

Oh the sound

The precious sound

We long to hear your voice

As destructions rage across this land

From natural calamities and of man

To the tear streaked face of mothers

As their child’s blood soaks into the sand

Our hearts cry out in unison,

“Where is this peace that was promised!”

But all is lost upon realization

That man and his sins still persist.

Its so faint now

I can hardly hear it

The sound is but a whisper

Please, God is there something left?

Can salvation still be done?

Can we unlearn this pattern of brokenness

And strive to obey the Son?

As blood streaked from the cross

The message of peace still resounds

A message of peace from His words

“Forgive them,” yes, that was the sound!

Forever we were in rebellion

Forever we toiled in vain

But when I turned to hear His voice,

Finally, I heard the sound.

It was the sound of forgiveness

It was he sound of His peace

“Draw to Him all who are thirsty or weak,”

This is the sound.

Greg Butz

November 8th, 2009

I Am Leaving (Part Two)

I am Leaving (part two)

Rise up in me oh Lord,

This feeling of the fire

An untamable passion

Burning for Your hearts desire

That I might become

An endless blazing inferno
That no obstacle or force

Can stop me where You go

That I might see Your word

That I might life my life

That I could boldly serve

A life no one should deserve

And of the suffering I’ll face

And the torments ever before me

To life my life with Your grace

For all the world to see

Rest upon my shoulders

Oh the Holiest of spirits

To control my life fully

Though not I will gain the merit.

And rise up others also

For when I am here to leave

For we all need the burden

That this dark world would believe

And if my time is shorter than

The hour I first believed

Than show me the glorious road

And the mansions you foretold!

And Your face, oh Lord, Your face

Which no eye has ever seen

Shine upon my heart your Light,

So Your face, they’ll see on me.

My blessings I have counted

And though the loss is great to bear,

But the fact joy is in serving You

This world, could never compare.

I am leaving,

One day I’m leaving,

And my heart has already left

for the joys of this world are gone

And You are all that I’ve got left.

I said I’m leaving

Though my work has just begun

My body will be called up

Only when He tells me

“Good and faithful servant,

Your work here on earth is done.”

Greg Butz

Well this is my second installment of the "I am Leaving Series". The first being the "Until the Journey Ends" which you could find in a previous month. Anyway, I've been hitting my devotions really hard over the past few weeks, and I'm learning a tremendous amount of things in my life. I've become quite radical in my outlook... so things are definitely changing for me! Enjoy this poem, I mean every word of it!

Father in Heaven

Father in Heaven

Father in heaven

How have you been?

My world is collapsing

And my head’s caving in.

Seems I’ve been forgetting,

These devotions of mine—

And I have forgotten,

To give you all my time.

This is not the way,

That I want it be.

If you could remove the fog

To help me clearly see.

Cleanse me my life

And give me a clean heart

I need forgiveness,

And a fresh new start.

Father of mine,

How have you been?

Do you turn your face from me?

When I’m deep in sin?

I want you to know,

That I need you right now.

And when I stumble and fall,

Will you help me up somehow?

Father in heaven,

How have you been?

I know you can hear.

And know your right here.

Father in heaven,

Father of mine.

--Greg Butz

Date Unknown, early 2009

I wrote this one afternoon after taking a pounding, I believe I had a headache,juggling too many duties and responsibilities. Many things were on my mind, and I just wanted to talk to my "Father in Heaven." As I was typing these thoughts, it just flowed out like a poem. I realized I hadn't posted a poem in a while, and I just wanted to let you in on one of my prayers to my heavenly Father.

These Are the Days

These Are The Days

These are the days when the shadows grow long

With the sun yearning to break free--

But failing in its arduous struggle with night

It succumbs to the coolness of Autumns breeze

And these are the days when the corn grows tall

With their shoots arching high into the air

And as the crows circle looking for a place to land

The stalks ripple in the wind without a care.

These are the times of vibrant colors

With the changing leaves on display,

Heroically giving their final breath as if to exude

Swiftly approaches the hour requiring greater fortitude

With the careless whims of summer gone

And with solemnness of winter approaching

These were the fleeting moments I cherished

And the memories I longed to hold onto

With the rich harvest moon slowly rising high

And the vividness of a full orange moon

These were the times I must remember

For they were leaving me far too soon.

Alas, these were the nights of cool brisk air

That left whisky trails on my breath

As my lungs bristled to breathe the cold air in

I rejoiced for it was Autumn once again.

-- Greg Butz

September 01, 2009

You've Been a Good Friend of Mine

Now it's unusual for me to explain the post before you can read it. When I hear music, I put my own words to it. Those who have attended camp with me have seen my talent at work (ie. campfire songs with Pete and Greg). Anyway, I was playing Farmville for the upteenth zillionth time, and I decided to put words to their music. This is designed to follow the music cycling 2x through. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you don't think I'm too big of a nerd. Well, perhaps I am.

You’ve Been A Good Friend of Mine: (a.k.a. the Farmville Song)

Can’t you see what you do

Working all the time

But working is fine

You’ve been a good friend of mine

And I’m working on a good time

There are no troubles in my way

Or any gray clouds lingering today

With the sun on my back

Let it shine

I’m working on a good time

Good day sir, how are you?

"I’m fine" you say of course

There’s work to be done

It’ll be fun

So lets work together on a good time

So grab a shovel or

You could take a pitchfork

You know you’ll have fun

Lets get it done

And find ourselves a real good time.

By Greg Butz

Inspired by "Farmville"

Reality Beckons the Passing of Time

Reality Beckons the Passing of Time

I stepped out into the cool crisp air of September

‘Bout the time when the leaves began to fall,

Swept from their branches by the voice in the air saying,

“Remember. Remember, my child, remember.”

Startled, I didn’t expect anything to stir around me.

But, gently and sweetly the wind sang to me.

It knew me, a quivering voice speaking my name,

Singing a soothing and familiar melody.

Straining against the noise I try to hear

The things I’ve forgotten o’er the years--

But this pause was fruitless as I couldn’t recall,

The things I was supposed to remember at all.

And the branches rustled in a grumpily fashion,

Emphasizing the message with resounding passion.

Though this tune sounded so familiar in my head--

I could only hear the leaves against the wind instead.

“Tell me the things that I have lost!”

I screamed so desperately into the air,

“Important lessons forgotten by my mind--

Perhaps the memories of a pleasanter time!”

But as the wind rose up, it let out a sigh

For it and I both knew, it had been too much time

As I had forgotten these moments couldn’t last

Carelessly, I had misplaced the memories of my past.

As I stared across the horizon I could only surmise:

That reality beckons the passing of time,

This longing feeling, If only i could go back

These precious moments would return to be mine.

By Greg Butz,

Inspired by Melissa So

July 13th, 2009

This poem was inspired by a poem title from Melissa So (former student and friend). I couldn't get it out of my head, and I just had to put it in a full poem format. So I asked her for permission to use it, and she of course said yes. Her quote was the most powerful and poignant portion of the poem, the last stanza. With the exception of three additional words, the last stanza is hers in the entirety. I love using elements of nature and crafting them into human experiences, personification at its finest. I hope you enjoy this poem. And thank you so much Melissa for allowing me to use and adapt your work. =D

Burn the Bridges

Burn the Bridges

Grab the torches,

Light the fires.

It looks like the town’s

In need of a few flames.

The matches were wet,

We doused them before--

Trying to prevent terror

Before it started once more.

But we didn’t listen

Its not like we had before,

Failure to heed our past

Ensures our peace wont last.

Light the fires!

Light the fires!

But the laughter

Turned into cries!

Fill the buckets,

Fight the fires!

Can we prevent

Going down in flames?

But the fire rages,

It’s out of control--

As it’s raged before

And its taking a toll.

To the bridges,

Save the bridges!

But smoldering shapes

Are blocking our escape.

We fought for hours

Losing control.

But the pain is ours

Knowing what we’ve lost.

A chance of fate,

As miracles collide?

The rains begin to pour

And the flames subside.

No longer the need to rush

In putting out fires,

With a collective sigh of relief

The crowds began to hush.

It’s time to rejoice,

Some one laughs,

As they begin to cheer

They know now, that the end was near.

But they weren’t done...

Though the flames abridged

They still had not yet

Burned all the bridges.

Burn the bridges!

Burn the bridges!

After all they’ve seen

They burned them the same.

And as the fire engulfed

They were stoking the flames

It wasn’t necessary to burn the bridges

But they did it anyway.

By Greg Butz

August, 2009

This isn’t a poem about a fire, but how we lose ourselves in arguments and disputes. The imagery I'm trying to convey, that our arguments are just like fires and they rage out of control. And just like the old adage states, "don't burn your bridges", we have to remember that what we say or do has an effect on others, and we have to stop ourselves from taking things too far. I wrote this after a heated argument with my mother and my sister (over a ridiculous thing i.e. Texas Hold Em Poker). We don’t really need to go as far as we do -- nor is it really necessary to say all the things that we say. It feels so good in the moment, but after the fires die out, we realize how much we have really lost. And then pride gets in the way, preventing us from backing down or apologizing. Sad lessons, learnt the hard way.

Top Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Student

Top Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Student

10. Well they let me out of prison last week, so I guess I’m qualified to talk to you about judicial law.

9. If you don’t stop throwing things in my class, I’m going to throw you out the window of the fifth floor.

8. How would you like it, if I chewed gum and left it under your books and papers?

7. Mr. Henry got so wasted last friday night, wanna see the pictures?

6. Ok guys, I don’t feel like teaching today... why don’t you teach me.

5. What chapter in the book are we on again?

4. So whatever you do, make sure you don’t accidently mix these two chemicals together, if you do, you’ll actually blow up the school.... $*#&%! (emphatic expletive)

3. So, let me tell you guys about my hot date with Bobby’s mother last night.

2. ... grumbling... You think you can cut my salary, and get away with it.... I’ll show them.... I’ll show them all... if I were you kid, I’d call in sick tomorrow.

1. Here’s a list of the common unsanitary elements you will find in cafeterias all over the world: salmonella, ebola virus, e-coli, not to mention the occasional finger being chopped off due to kitchen mishaps *Bell ring* Ok, class dismissed, enjoy lunch hour.

*Quick Disclaimer* Alright these are supposed to be fun, much like my original Top Ten list of things never to say to a Homesick Camper, and of course David Letterman / Johnny Carson's original top ten lists. I hope you enjoy them, along with the satirical humor.

When My Head and Heart Disagree

When My Head and Heart Disagree

You wish that You’d be mine, and I’d be Yours

To cherish you deeply, to love You and adore --

But I find loving at times, too difficult a task

As my heart sometimes strays

From all the requests that you ask.

Sometimes they are quite simple

But other times I’m far removed

I’m not sure why I always seem to struggle

Doing the things that are approved.

And I hope you understand my reasoning,

Even thought my logic is flawed

It doesn’t make much sense to feel this way

But I’m afraid I have to say:

I’m stuck in two places at the same time,

Feeling the most pain, when I pretend that I’m fine

My life, living a full scale dichotomy

But sadly, I’m the only one that loses

When My head and heart disagree

Its not as if I don’t love You.

You know that my heart yearns for You.

But I find it difficult always beating Against

The treacherous tides of life...

Show me how to swim,

Or give me grace to sink

But please bring soothing peace to me

For the times when...

My Head and Heart Disagree.

By Greg Butz

August 8th, 2009

Now, I sure this seems like a love poem of some sorts -- and there are quite a numerous of parallel elements. But really this is a poem about trying to follow Christ -- when my head and heart disagree. I find it quite difficult constantly doing the the things that Christ desires of me. And in my heart, there are things that I know I ought to do, and things that I fall short of doing. This poem in many ways, is just a parallel between Romans chapter 8, where Paul declares, that he does the things he "ought not to do" and does not do things things that he's supposed to do.

But on a even more simple level, I know we've all faced dilemmas when our heart and head disagree about a person, thing, or even situation.

A Brand New Day

A Brand New Day

It’s been another trying night,
But now the Dawn has broken through
The closed fist grip of despair and fright
It’s a new morning, it’s a new day
What can I say in response—
To the beauty I see displayed?

Hark the triumph of the skies
When the light first reached my eyes
How could have ever been so dim
Worrying through the night
With a new sunrise, I should have known
Everything would be alright

My bed was soaked of sweat and tears
From all the troubles that plagued my fears
And all the creeks and groans
Echoing from this present time
Showed me how precious a commodity
Peace was to find

Unhappy beginnings don’t have to lead to
Unsatisfying endings—yet
It shouldn't be such a surprise
How quickly the clouds of doubt flee,
When the warmth of sunshine
Hit my eyes.

But things are always changing,
they seldom stay the same
It’s a shame the every morning
Can’t be as glorious as this one
But life’s not meant to be this way
Out of mistakes, there will always be…
A brand new day

So cease the moment,
And take hold of the day
Though its difficult now
It won’t always be this way
Rejoice in mourning – troubling as it is
For in the morning, it will always be …
A brand new day.

July 16th, 2009
Greg Butz

I wrote this poem in a Mexican Restaurant in Hong Kong. It was a lovely meal, after a storm the previous night. It was quite a contrast to the previous poem written, and unfortunately a contrast to the next few poems that I will post.

The Doldrums of Life

The Doldrums of Life

Well there's not much to say,
When life's got you feeling this way--
And after all this time,
I'm stuck in the doldrums of life.

And I've packed up all my bags,
But there's no place to go --
And there's no place that feels like home
In this doldrum of life.

I wish that the winds would just blow,
The direction wouldn't matter--
While you say, "what's the matter?"
But I'm not even moving slow.

I would even wish for a storm,
Then I could feel the movement of waves
But its not how doldrums behave,
It's the stillness that's the norm.

I would even wish for an undertow,
Or a vicious maelstrom
Something to take me away from here,
I don't even like where I'm from.

I'm a dingy cast in the sea,
With the sea as far as I can see
But you can't get much help here,
When your stuck in the doldrums of life.

By Greg Butz
July 15th, 2009

I'm Leaving Hong Kong, my tickets have been purchased three weeks ago, and two weeks ago I went in to collect a VISA they told me would only take 4-5 days. It still has not come in. Along with other thoughts or feelings has made me much maligned.

One Day When I Leave This Place

One Day When I Leave This Place

One day when I leave this place,

I’m going leave with a bang—

I’m sure if you’ll remember my name,

But I hope you never forget my face.

Will you remember my passion?

Will you remember my strengths?

Or will you dwell on that which is true,

That I was imperfect, just like you.

I had no ambitions to change the world,

At least not in tangible ways—

But I determined in my heart,

To try to make a better today.

I’m not sure I did all I wanted,

Nor did I accomplish all my goals—

But I served Christ with all my heart,

And lived to give others a fresh start.

But life was quickly fleeting,

With a time span unguaranteed—

Don’t measure the wealth I acquired,

It’s not how I wanted to succeed.

I did my best to live a different way,

Striving in life seasoned with grace,

So when others looked at me,

They didn’t see me, they saw His face.

So now that I’ve come to the end,

But it’s not over for me, it only begins--

With one foot in the door

Stretching between now and eternity.

I know how you feel,

I’ve felt this way before

Don’t cry for me,

Don’t shed a tear

Unless its one for joy

Though I’ll miss your embrace

But it’s time I left here

And went on to a better place.

Greg Butz

June 22^nd, 2009

A Poem for My Little Sister

A Poem for My Little Sister

This is a poem for my little sister,

Who is growing up, right before my eyes.

I marvel as I’ve see all the changes –

That are occurring, throughout your life.

I smile when you dance with joy

And the times you run with glee,

And laugh at all the things in your life

That lift you up and make you happy.

Though you may not have seen

Any of these tears of mine—

I’ve cried gushing wellsprings

When you are saddest in your life.

But I’m thankful to call you little sister,

And that I could be your brother.

I am proudest of all the things in life

That you have already discovered.

Even though you don’t have all the answers

To life’s trickiest of questions –

I know you desire Him faithfully,

And diligently follow His decrees.

And God is doing wonderful things in your life.

As He shapes you into a godly woman.

So continue to run to Him with all your might—

And never stop listening to His heart beat in your life.

And though trouble times may come upon you,

And your thoughts may scream, “What can I do?”

Just listen to the quiet voice in your life –

It’s the Father loving you saying:

“Everything will be all right.”

Greg Butz

2-13-09, (Revised June 22^nd)

I had the choice to either watch a movie, or to write a poem for my little sister. I chose of course to write the poem. This was a very easy poem to write -- because the feelings are very sincere. This poem is for my little sister, along with all the little sisters who are in my life. These include my friends at church as well as former and current students. One of the greatest joys in my life – is to be an older brother, for all my little sisters. No matter how old you become, you will always be my little sister =)

This is not a goodbye

This is Not Goodbye

We’ve known each other through the years,
The hardships, troubles, and with all of our tears.
It’s a surprise to find, that we’re moving on—
So goodbye, I can’t believe that you’re gone.

We took for granted all the time we shared,
When I looked at you, I knew that you cared.
I’m clinging to the memories of our good times,
But I never thought that we’d say “goodbye”,

Those times we talked for hours into the night
You seemed so close, yet you were out of my sight…
As we drifted apart, unclear of the reasons why
You went your way, and I went mine, “goodbye.”

Out there seems so large and confusing—
Though today, we seem to be loosing our way.
I’ll take comfort in knowing that—
Forever doesn’t end with our goodbye today.

One day we’ll bump back into each other
We’ll forget this moment—
Like we were friends forever!
When I see your face again,
A simple “hi” will erase the pain of this goodbye.
So I guess in the end, this was not a goodbye.

It can’t be the end,
We’ll meet again.
This is not goodbye.

Life will be greater,
When I see you later,
Again, this is not goodbye.

Greg Butz
June 21, 2009

Four Not Three in the Fire

Four not three in the fire

In a far away place, men of a different race

Gathered together to respect their king.

Decreed by He, to love and adore

And fall and worship their lord.

Three men, from a different tribe

Faced an impossible choice—

To worship a man undeserving of praise,

Or be cast into a furnace of flames.

Unwilling to bow their head to an idol

They abandoned their hope in earthly guile.

Choosing the pain – instead of the shame

They willingly went into the fire.

And the Flames burned through their bondage,

Delivering them from their captors

And appearing in the midst such a strange sight to see

There were four, not three in the fire

Who could it be that was with them?

"How were they alive?" thought Neb,

The fire has no affect on their bodies

The fourth one must have saved them!

"Praise be the God of these three men,

How mighty are His wonders!

His kingdom will last an eternity

And he’ll reign forever victoriously.

Now we go through various trials

Not that were threatened to be thrown in a fire

But to serve the Lord, or to fall away

Which one of these will you choose today?

By Greg Butz

Summer of 2008.

I wrote this poem just shortly before going back home last summer. I intended for it to be made into a song, but instead decided to publish it here in its poem format. I hope you enjoy it. (It's the story of Daniel's three friends by the way