altar call
we can’t approach
without
some sibling feeling worked out
so
we’re told
like Erev
before perhaps
the
Yom Kippur
and yet how empty be the churches if
chancels must wait
for
close conflict
or
the like
must be worked out first
before we resuming
carrying
a church-gift
say
our tithe
though many of us
chance
and
to confess
to keep the gift and moving
toward
the worship center
where
the convicting love of God
does not dwell more
but
knowing our score feels
more
c l couch
Mattew 5:23-24 (or consider other prodigal narratives)
Photo by Martijn Veldhuizen on Unsplash
(x = space)
x
x
on the altar
x
lord
what shall we give
but everything
and what is everything?
if i offer myself upon an altar
then will you send an angel
to stay my hand?
if i offer up my part in relationships
will you have an angel
tell me
not so much
before i am alone?
if it’s my wardrobe or accounts
or the corporation or the army
(like saint francis)
or plans
x
earthly luxury
or earthly victory
will you send a hallelujah chorus
to tell me, no, not that much?
or will you tell me to keep
going:
my body to begin with
as a living sacrifice,
my mind turning only as you turn it,
the sadness of
living against the world
for the renewing of my mind
x
my body as a sacrifice
in worship
without sacrificing animals
or the worldly counterparts
but sacrificing me
the only thing to set apart,
holy for you
x
could you ask that much
or do you ask that much all the time
while i do not hear?
then i should listen with the
hearing that you gave me
x
c l couch
x
romans 12:1-2
x
x
photo by ricardo gomez angel on unsplash
x
(x = space)
x
x
Bring All Your Failures
x
A line in a gospel song
I’d say that’s right
As an invitation
To the altar
Bring what’s wrong
Don’t worry about
The Sunday best
God will take you as you are
That kind of party
Come as you are
Forgiveness and the feast
Are especially for you
When you are
That way
x
C L Couch
x
x
Psalm 141:2
Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
x
“God So Loved”
Written By: We The Kingdom, Andrew Bergthold, Martin Cash, Franni Rae Cash, Scott Cash and Ed Cash
Album: Live At The Wheelhouse (2019)
x
The Altar
If there is a conflict with
A sibling, I should not
Be here
So why aren’t the churches empty?
No more blood sacrifices,
Thankfully,
Which is not a license to keep
Everything inside the skin
Such pain to allow
Nothing through the pores
A bleeding animal would make nothing
Better, only show brutality
Blanketing repression
We’re told to go away,
Make it better,
Then come back
The church will wait
The temples with flat stones
No more Sunday-best
We’ll be each other
As a codicil to cosmos,
Should the sibling be a neighbor
(secular authorities
consult Henry V at Agincourt
and antecedents)
We are all descendants
Then how full
How empty
How full again
Should reconciliation be
C L Couch
Photo by Andreas NextVoyagePL on Unsplash
clcouch123 
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