I woke up this morning thinking about, and praying for everyone in our community that is suffering with the fear of wondering how they can survive in light of no work, or too much debt, or any number of economic related problems. I laid there and wondered how my own kids were going to pay off college debt and pay for their own insurance once they were out on their own in the next few years...concerns I might not have had if I really, really, really lived totally surrendered. I also thought of the grudges I secretly hold, the unwillingness to forgive that I sometimes hang on to. There are of course no secrets from God, but we live as if there are! I came across this rather long poem. I know the saying, "would there be enough evidence to convict you" is old..but, I still found this poem based on the saying to be thought provoking, would you be convicted?
The Trial of Jack Pale
One: Open your mind and let’s make believe
That it’s some time in the future say two-0-fifty three
Two: And this country has changed as they tend to do
and being Christian’s illegal.
One: No Way.
Two: Yes it’s true.
The law passed one year with overwhelming approval
And all churches were scheduled for immediate removal
One: Now Christians are criminals in the eyes of the state,
And murder and worship now draw the same fate.
Two: But don’t worry the Christians haven’t all gone away,
They meet now in secret to this very day.
One: One group that met in a house in Glendale
Had a member that went by the name of Jack Pale.
Two: Now Jack was always there when they met together
He would never miss no matter the weather
One: One night when his church was quietly praying
From outside they heard a megaphone saying
Two: “FBI! Come on Out! You’re being arrested”
One: Some went out quiet while others protested
Two: But both groups soon ended up in the jail
And Jack’s wife was called to help him post bail
One: “A Christian,”
Two: she cried to the voice on the line
One: “There’s no way a Christian is a husband of mine”
Two: “But m’am he’s confessed; he claims that it’s real”
One: She said, “There’s no way and here is the deal
I don’t care what he says we’re going to court
And when I get there I’ll give a report
Of the life that he lives away from that place
How he lies and he cheats with a smile on his face.”
Two: So she got her a lawyer and they set a court date
One: And gathered the evidence, but Jack was irate
Two: “I’m a Christian,” he tried to explain to his wife.
One: “No your not,” she replied, “I have looked at your life
I have gathered your friends who will tell what you do
And the judge will see that a Christian’s not you.”
Two: So the strangest of trials that our town ever had
One: Was of a man who screamed “GUILTY!” with all that he had
Two: “I’m guilty,” he said, “and this isn’t funny
I go every week I even give money
I sing all the songs. I stand and I kneel
Now they try to tell me that this isn’t real
Just see what I do at that house in Glendale
Now I rest my case for that’s my whole tale”
One: “Exactly!” screamed the lawyer sitting by Jack Pale’s wife,
“But you’ve only talked about a part of your life
What happens when you’re not with the other church guys?
Do you act like a Christian or do you tell lies
Do you treat other people with fairness and grace
Or do you treat them unkindly and then lie to their face?”
Two: What happened next was a line for four days
Of people Jack’d wronged in various ways
One: “He cheats!” said his friend.
Two: “It’s true!” said another,
“Why I even saw him pull a scam on his mother.”
One: “His mother” cried the lawyer “you must be mistaken”
Two: But the friend had the proof of all the money he’d taken
One: Some others explained how course jokes were the norm
And one guy gave testimony of his room full of porn
The parade was relentless, ruthless, and complete
It even included an ignored bum from the street
Two: Ms. Pale’s lawyer rested after showing his proof
Jack was dejected his wife seemed aloof.
One: “Mr. Pale,” said the Judge, “I know this is odd
And your place as a Christian is between you and your God
But here in my court we judge people by facts
And is seems you don’t act like a real Christian acts
Two: “But I’m a Christian” said Jack standing up from his seat
One: “Sit down” said the judge, “This case is complete
You claim you’re a Christian but you come in this court
With nothing to sustain it and no evidence in support
You say you’re a Christian and that may be true
Both: But what shows you’re a Christian are the things that you do”
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