THE STARS OF NIGHT

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We see them by the millions
On a bright, clear night
Such an amazing array of stars
 
So many, with many needs
See them and wonder
Could I reach up
Gather in just one
And cause no thunder
Or shift of the poles?
 
No one really knows
It is all a dream
But there are some
Who rely on them it seems
They haven’t found their stride, but
 
Do not seek a place to hide
They will find the door
The opens to sunny streets
Will then pursue their dreams
 
No need for a star from afar
Or a lightning bug in a jar
Truth has been the instrument
The same bright sky is the limit
They dreamed and now will achieve it
 
Stanski
September 23, 2019 ^

NO INVITATION

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You are good, but excluded
It is just the color of your skin
How is this conceivable
My mind cannot grasp
The indifference towards
Those not like us
How does the offended endure?
Where is the ground to understand?
 
One must resort to nature
Distract themselves from reality
Move to bearable dreaming
Lose themselves in sounds and music
We are a peculiar lot
All fife is a precious gift
A miracle without peer
This is not good enough
 
Some must rule; others serve
Dictators oppress their own people
Color here is not an issue
It is totally power and control
Slaves were brought to our country
Some brutalized while others became family
They were emancipated; given freedom
Not all were prepared; some revolted
 
Most were resented by former owners
Became victims of the KKK
Dreamers became judges, teachers, inventors,
Factory workers, soldiers and public servants
They are a good part of our collective blood
When they can’t sleep, their dreams have seams
Dreaming of ancient rivers with hopes
That the waters will remain deep in their veins
 
Stanski
September 23, 2019 ^

WHERE ARE WE

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When the truth doesn’t matter
Where are we?
 
When those in trouble are left alone
Who are we?
 
When we stop our dreaming
What are our expectations?
 
When we cannot face up to expectancies?
Who have we become?
 
We thunder with depression
Will lightning bring us hope?
 
So easy to walk away
Leave the mess to others
 
Who will be the brave amongst us?
Is courage always enough?
 
How about a dance in the sun
What by this will actually be won?
 
When we await the comfort of night
Will that be enough to stem our fright?
 
Is reality, though cold, the answer sought?
Dreamland is peaceful, we have been taught
 
But where do we go with dreams
Nothing is really as it seems
 
We must confront; seek the truth
What would be left?  To pick what fruit?
 
It is best to step back within ourselves
What is available on our shelves?
 
Turn around and share the fare
Then you know just where you are
 
Stanski
September 22, 2019 ^

FANS OR FOLLOWERS

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To those who may wonder or tend to doubt, have Faith and Hope and remember that God is Love
 
From Saint Paul to Timothy:
Beloved:  Teach and urge these things.  Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.  From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.  Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.  If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.  Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.
               
But you, man of God, avoid all this.  Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  Compete well for the faith.  Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.
 
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 
So, my friends, we have to decide whether our highest thoughts can out-maneuver His lowest thoughts or are we going to concede that our faith shall overcome all doubts and then shed ourselves of all obstacles and follow Him, carry our cross for Him, empty ourselves only to be filled up again with His glory and love.  Live our lives in a new way, which makes a mother in Haiti, (living in a small tent made of metal, salvaged from the last disaster, which an adult cannot stand up in and where her three children, whose father was killed, are constantly hungry, fed only soup made from weeds, and if they can fall asleep have to be watched, so as to avoid being bitten by large spiders and snakes.  Where the source of clean water is two miles away and dangerous to get and difficult to carry back to the tin hut,) more important than our providing the luxurious life we are seeking for ourselves.  Jesus said, “Follow me.”  The rest is up to us.  The above mentioned mother has deep faith in Jesus.  She constantly turns to Him and knows His love will be always with her and her family.  She has the Faith that could move mountains.  If you wish to help as He wishes you to, send your gifts to “Food for the Poor”
6401 Lyons Road, PO BOX 979004, Coconut Creek, Florida 33097-9004
 
“For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” From Saint Paul to the Corinthians
 
Your friend, Steve Haarman, aka Stanski.  September 21, 2019 ^
 

I DO NOT LIKE CATS

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I do not like cats
But I love my brothers
One I know real well
“He is like a brother to me”
The other is missing, for the most part,
From my life
I love him as a child of God
Why am I writing this?
Because it is real and
Not an unusual circumstance
 
I do not like cats
I go forward continually
It is the only direction I know
I want to leave things better
Before it is my time to go
I think of my siblings
Do they agree with me?
Circumstances have made it difficult
Isn’t that the case in every family?
But, we all keep moving
 
We may not know what we see
We keep looking, however
I have lost two sisters and a brother
Now we are down to three
I have respect for them, but
I move on my own
They may disagree at times
But I think that is fine
I try to be right, because
I feel that truth must prevail
And I do not like cats
 
Stanski
September 15, 2019 ^
 
 

FOR WE ARE GATHERED

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We come together
At an appointed time
Gather to love our savior
And pay homage to Him
 
It is fitting that we do this
We have much to be thankful for
Endless time could be given
But we disperse within an hour
 
Everyone goes their way
But the need of gratitude and love
Must be incorporated into
Our beliefs each moment if
We choose to carry the cross
 
No one says that this would be easy
Followers know this and proceed
Fans just stand and watch
What will suit us in our life?
 
Are we happy just living and surviving
Or do we need to do good works
Be disciples for our Savior
Turn our life to the weight of the cross
 
Stanski
September 8, 2019 ^

THINKING IN THE CRITICAL FASHION

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I like to engage myself in critical thinking
I read and listen to negativity against the president
I wonder if anyone has looked at his accomplishments
Even while enduring the Russian Hoax
The attacks on his Supreme Court appointments
The indifference of McCain and the Rinos
I think about the reduced regulations and tax cuts
Employment increases for every segment of society
Higher pay and increased opportunity
Veteran improvements and hospital choice
The rebuilding of our depleted military
Withdrawal from the Iran deal
Withdrawal from NAFTA
Near elimination of ISIS
Bringing manufacturing back to America
 
Still the man is attacked
Called a White Supremacist
Called a Racist and
Whatever else the fake news can invent
What do these doubters have against this country?
 
Stanski
September 15, 2019 ^

CAN ONE MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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Can one make a difference?
A hurricane demolishes the Bahamas
Will you open a door for a stranger?
Fire in the Brazil Rain Forest
Is it possible to stop blaming?
Will congress give the President
Six billion for a border wall
Or do we spend 190 billion
Providing for illegal invaders?
 
I love the underdog,
But we are a nation of law
There is an unfounded cry
For children being separated
From parents at the border
Over the course of years
We endure sixty million abortions
This might make sense for some
But is contrary to my intuition
Precious lives snuffed; separated
From their mothers when
We were all taught to love
 
We keep waving the flags
News, fake news, lies and
Prejudice
 
Stanski
September 15, 2019 ^

WHEN ALONE

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I begin to think
Who am I?
What am I doing here?
I do things
Automatically
It is of my nature
I am aware
I see needs
Am full of potential solutions
If only the path were clear
 
I have a philosophy
Which is
Do what you have to do
Then ask questions later
I get in trouble
But I also get things done
I love to improve condition
And always challenge man rules
Jesus made it simple for us
No hoops; just love
 
Stanski
September 15, 2019 ^