The True Artist Lives By His Art, or Dies. He Does No Harm to Anyone for not Receiving Him.
Jesus is my LORD,
Always.
How I love Him so.
My Christ is my redeemer.
I love Him more than my life.
I love Him more than my soul’s greatest desire.
I will love Him, for He is good to me.
To give me stories to speak
And great awesome hidden things and wonder.
Jesus is my LORD
Forever, Amen.
Bear with me in my foolishness,
That we may find what is my sin.
I am poor, so therefore live with my brother
According to the ordinance of Leviticus 25.
I have worked the hours of a day laborer
These past ten years, but have not been recompensed for my labor.
I cry out for my labors, yet the peoples say, “He is prophesying for gain!”
I prophesy because of the labors stolen from many of the poor of my people
Who go about their tasks, but become too meek to make meat
For none will take them into their homes.
In fact, even brothers, when they see the poor are struggling
Conspire together to cast him from his home
And band together to seek his life, and to throw his soul into prison.
Yet, the people say, “The prophet preaches for gain.”
If I do, then the gain is only for you;
Do I have need of riches in great abundance?
For I want the poor to be upheld on this earth
And to eat, and drink, and be satisfied with good.
The people say,
“The prophet preached his good works
“And has given a publishing of the free will offerings.”
Have I? I have compared myself to you. Yes.
Perhaps I am a hypocrite.
I lay this to bear, that perhaps I am,
Having suffered much for the Christ
And spoken with the Apostles
And also with the Prophets.
Have I suffered like Paul?
Was I scourged? Was I cast into prison?
No, but all I love have stopped their ears from listening to my mourning
And have plotted to throw my soul into prison.
I feared continually, every day, that I would be cast onto the street, to be a vagabond,
Where I will certainly perish and die, for I am meek.
I have none to uphold me, except men who have despised my soul.
This is not the suffering of Paul, it is correct.
Rather, those I have loved and trusted have despised me;
And what I would have to liberate me from this strife
Those who despise me more and more would not liberate my sustenance from the hand of thieves.
I have been under investigation for a word;
I have been spied on for a word
And every word has been taken into account
Even my secret prayers.
They come to pass, and I say, “Who, who has done this?
“Is it not the LORD?”
And I wonder at the deep revelation that this is.
Yet, my wages are not liberated.
And war will not liberate them.
Rather, who is it that will liberate my wages from those who have robbed me?
Have I taken a loan on usury? Is this why I am being robbed?
Is there any way in which I have committed a fraud?
No more than they do who call themselves “Prudent.”
I say this, “Where is my wage? Why am I still under my brother’s roof?
“I have worked my day labor. I have given myself to work and labor,
“But now I am too wearied, and all my clothings are rags
“And I cannot but sleep, for I have no task throughout the day.
“I cannot dig, but I can offer counsel and aid to the poor.
“Where is my wage? Where is my price?
“I will use it unjustly?—is this why they try to devour my sustenance?
“Must I be with those who have despised my soul?”
The LORD said unto me,
“Do not worry, for I shall bring you the sustenance you desire
“And you will not fear the Heathen who tormented you any longer.”
I say to myself, “It will not be. Will not my soul be among the jackals,
“And my heart among the thorns forever?”
The LORD says, “Oh ye of little faith, believe, and it will be established.
“For your word is Mine, and I shall establish it in its time, will you not see it?”
I then say to the LORD, “Yes LORD, You will establish my work, but how long?”
The LORD says, “No longer will you be called despised, for the LORD has worked
“A work, and has validated your fears for the nations to tremble.
“For you have not prophesied in vain, but have established your word
“As a judgment against the nations; ask and it shall be granted.”
I would not be fearful, but would ask this,
“Let the maid give birth, and let the Assyrian be broken in this land.
“Let the thorns grow up, but Milk and Honey be eaten by your servants the Prophets
“And Apostles, those who were not hypocrites.
“Give them the desires of their heart, which is food and sustenance,
“And satisfaction with offspring, and let us feed on milk and honey
“For our lives,—and the safety our souls with good.”
The LORD says, “One more thing you must ask.”
“Then LORD, let me have the desires of my heart
“To establish Your Word throughout all generations,
“And do not cast my soul into eternal torments,
“But give me everlasting life in your Kingdom. Amen.”
That people get a guaranteed day of rest.
That people have off their holidays.
That the poor can eat, and aren’t harassed by the government for panhandling.
That the poor can always get shelter.
That abortion be a capital offense.
That freedom of speech is upheld.
I believe in Net Neutrality.
That people not get arrested for crimes they didn’t commit.
That investigations work on evidence, and not subliminal tests.
That courts work for justice, and not quotas.
That people have the right to property.
That people have the right to practice their religion.
That people have the right to bear arms—didn’t see that one coming, did you?
All 27 of the amendments, except prohibition, unless it is Marijuana.
Article 1 Section 8 which states this is a utilitarian economy, not a capitalistic one.
That communists be allowed to eat from their books.
That socialists be allowed to eat from their books.
That capitalists be allowed to eat from their books.
That I be allowed to eat from my books.
That the Bible be upheld in all of its principles,
Not just the ones we like to cherry pick.
That people realize “Charity” was a better word than “Love”
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13.
Marriage be between a Man and a Woman; no other thing.
That the nation be a Christian Nation above all other things.
That the nation uphold its founding values, found through the ENTIRETY
Of the constitution, which includes public funds for research
Public funds for Roads, public funds for libraries
And public funds for Post Offices, and also caps on trade inequalities
And regulations on measures and standards.
That so called Christians stop being hypocrites.
Funny thing is
That Atheists will claim
You had not interviewed the scholars you did.
Coincidentally, they had spun a great lie
That some of these people you questioned
“Did not remember talking to you.”
Just between you and I,
This is how history got distorted.
Thank you for teaching me who the liars were.
That is why your book is treasured
And next to James Joyce.
“This generation seeks me with their lips
“But not with their hearts.
“They change the prophet’s words in order to confound him
“And say, ‘he will neither notice, nor take care.’
“Who, I ask you, Who brings the sun through its course?
“Who waters the lilies, and causes the wetlands to dry up?
“Who causes the rains to fall in one place
“Upon the forests, and yet they do not bear their leafs?
“I, the LORD your God.”
I heard this and sat in wonder,
Seeing the almighty acts of the LORD
Who to this day was good to me
And has not filled my heart with sorrows.
The nations bray and burst into laughter
When they hear the awesome wonder of our God.
But, I say, it is they who are deceived.
Does not rain fall in one place
And not another?
Does not the warmth shine in one place
And not another?
Is there not cold in places where it is warm,
And warmth where it should be cold?
Do the nations truly deceive themselves
To consider that they truly understand this?
For it is the wrath of the LORD,
And no thing else
That causes my lands to dry up.
I watch, and am sore vexed
As pools of water fill the gullies
But where are the budding flowers?
Are they not in Shevat?
Why then do the nations say,
“Aha! Our idols have told us so!
“We are sore vexed, let us fix it by making the nations even more poor!”
Yet it is because of your idolatry,
And nothing else.
For your dishonoring the Sabbaths
And violating the workers’ rights.
For, one man is deathly ill
And you provoke him to come in and do his task.
Another is healthy, but he does not come into work.
One man says, “I wish to have off on the Sabbath.”
And the nation laughs him to scorn.
On your holidays, yes, even these,
All men go about their business
Buying and selling, and having no rest.
Therefore the land has no rest,
And it mourns.
Do the flowers bloom in Shevat?
Do they not sleep?
Do the little animals frolic in the winter?
Why then, do you wander to and fro
Looking for you food, and do not take wonder
At the strange thing the LORD has done?
For you wish to place Baal at every street corner.
Must I be like a diviner
And tell you what is not true?
Tell you strange enchantments to get you to listen?
Must I talk to the flowers
And pretend like they listen?
No, for the LORD has told me.
He is sore wroth at this generation
Who has not the rest of the LORD.
To and fro they go,
Therefore, the forests are become a desert.
And the deserts a forest.
The peoples who have not known His name
Shall know it, and the peoples who honor Him
With their lips shall stop taking the name of the LORD on them.
For they are deceitful.
Do not the nations know that the LORD is God?
Yes, they do know, but they stiffen their necks.
Who is it, I ask you, that brings the rains?
Who brings the circle of the earth to bear
And brings light in due season
And shuts up the light in due season?
Is it not the LORD Who created man and the earth?
Why then are you so mad?
Why do you drive your wagons to and fro
Going place to place
Roaring like a lion fed in the wildernesses?
This people dishonors their God
And they take the name of the LORD falsely
Upon their lips.
This prophet shall be at rest.
He shall eat, shall he not?
And even if it is not so,
He shall rest, knowing the wrath of the LORD
Is upon this nation, and he will sleep
And know that the LORD is God.
The evidence is all around you
Why do you not look?
Did you seek God?
Is this why you said, “I cannot see Him.”
Is this why you offer incense to that shameful thing Baal?
“Come together, and let us reason,
“Though you sins were red as scarlet
“Yet will I make them white as snow.”
Yet, men said to themselves,
“My sins are not scarlet
“They are mine, and mine to bear.”
Therefore, you must bear them
Shameful nation of the Philistines.
Had not the LORD spoken
Yet the prophet sealed the vision?
It was sealed for your hardheartedness
Yet none speak the Words of the LORD
Which are loving-kindness to the generations that seek Him. Selah.
Therefore, repent, and throw from yourselves the idols you carry.
Throw them into the waters,
Like the priests of Rome.
For even they, whom the whole world scorns
Know the LORD is awesome and mighty.
They fear Him, whom Israel says, “These are sinners worse than us.”
Are they Israel? Is not Judah suffering from an unrighteous king
And yet the priests perform the rituals, and they throw away the abominations?
They live poor, and they minister like workers to cleans the sinners?
What does Israel do, but call the police on the innocent man for a word?
What does Israel do, but band together and stiffen their necks against the prophets?
Yet, I say to you, greater woes come if there is no rest.
This prophet will return to his LORD with an ill report about this generation
Who had not liberated him,
But rather loved to have him poor.
“How have we not liberated him?”
By words accountable, you had not laid accusations
Against the government that did this.
Which professes “Freedom” when there is none.
For this, you band together with arms
Which is just what Satan wanted!
No, I say, repent, in dust and ashes.
You grow worse with every folly
And you grow more cold with every sin.
Rather, a man’s work is to be eaten from
And where is this prophet’s work?
It is spoiled by Jackals
And you all know just who they are.
Yet you say, “Let us fight!”
No… For then you will lose.
The Assyrian will be broken by the sword
And by the exorcise of laws.
Yet, my people would not have it.
Therefore, this prophet will rest.
What will you do?
Continue to go to and fro
Eating and drinking,
Marrying wives and blessing children.
Mixed wine is in your cups.
Therefore, the nations who have not known the LORD
They shall seek Him and they shall find Him.
Woe to the generation who rejected the LORD their God
Mighty to save and compassionate to a thousand generations.
Was not my command to you that you be charitable?
Yet, you say, “Charity is weak.”
Is charity weak? Is it an abomination
To give to those less fortunate than you?
Must you, in your vanities
Perform the service of healing,
Yet heal it superficially?
The daughter was violated
Yet you say to her, “Be still, for it is of none affect.”
The man was falsely accused,
Yet you say to him, “It will be alright. Be at peace.”
Yet, with what little abundance they had
They gave to the poor, therefore they will be at rest.
What of you, nation of hypocrites?
Your offerings were to the priests
But what of the poor?
The poor you cast off your stoops.
The poor you called “Degenerate”
“Liar”
And “Lazy.”
Must I prophesy to you?
Is Esdras in your holy scripture?
Is there not prophecy in it?
Is there not prophecies all around you
To testify the power of the LORD Almighty God?
Does not God show Himself through these things?
How you judge a prophet for a little error of wording
Yet you, by your great abundant hypocrisies
Speak foolishness to thousands?
You tell them, “God loves the powerful one.”
You tell them, “God is with the one whose arm has brought him all things.”
Yet, to the poor digging through your garbage you say,
“Get away! Even our garbage is too sacred for you beggars.”
When will this generation learn?
Did not the prophet set examples for you?
When to follow laws,
And when not to?
When to give, and what to give
And how did he give of his sustenance what he could afford?
You call him lazy, yet he works every day
Silently finding the truth, seeking his God
Finding wisdom, and telling it to you?
If he has one fault
And LORD knows what it is,
What faults do you have?
If he has spoken falsehood
It shall fall upon his head,
Yet why do you listen to him
Secretly in his bedchambers?
Is this the light of God?
To spy upon the innocent
And lay to bear his every word
Like you yourselves were God?
Hypocrites!
For the nations are filled with wrath
And the poor man is still not fed.
Was there not one commandment given to you
Above the rest? Who clothed Christ? Who fed Christ?
Who visited Christ in Prison? Who healed Christ when he was sick?
Who had comforting words for Christ? Was it any of you?
Yet you call yourselves greater than this man who speaks to you,
Who did all these things.
You call him a liar for speaking words in utterance hastily.
While you bring it to pass.
Hypocrites. Idolaters. Thieves. Jackals. Serpents.
These words mean nothing to you
Therefore, a new generation will serve the Almighty
And you will altogether go to the pits.
Me: “A triangle has three sides.”
Atheist: “But I don’t believe in triangles. How do you know they have three sides?”
Me: “Because when you draw a shape with three sides, it is a triangle.”
A: “How can you know that it has three sides?”
Me: “Because it does.”
A: “Well, I want proof that a triangle has three sides.”
Me: “Well, there is this philosopher named Euclid, who discovered the principle of what’s possible in geometry. And the first principles were triangles, which have three sides.”
A: “Philosophy isn’t scientific.”
Me: “Yes. Yes it is.”
A: “Well, how can you prove that a triangle has three sides? What if it had four?”
Me: “Then it’d be a square.”
A: “You’re a square.”
Me: “Can we please keep to the topic? If it has three sides, it is a triangle.”
A: “Well, I’ve heard of a shape like that, but it cannot be determined how many sides a triangle has.”
Me: “Yes. A triangle has three sides.”
A: “You say that, but can you offer proof?”
Me: “No. I cannot offer proof that a triangle has three sides. You just have to know that.”
A: “Well, then a Triangle doesn’t exist.”
Me: “I’ll draw one for you.”
A: “Sure.”
I proceed to draw a triangle.
A: “That doesn’t prove that a triangle exists.”
Me: “If it doesn’t prove that a triangle exists, then I’m afraid it cannot be proven. It just has to be accepted on faith that it is a triangle.”
A: “See, I can only believe in what I see.”
Me: “Well, you can see this shape. It is called a triangle.”
A: “But that’s not proof enough. I need more proof that triangles have three sides.”
Me: “You can count them.”
A: “No… I want you to prove that a triangle has three sides.”
Substitute God with “A Triangle” and “Three Sides” with Morality.
Use your imagination to make the actual debate.
Because if you can’t, I don’t believe you.
This is how atheists sound when they argue about God’s existence.
Hell cannot hurt you
If you have never once sinned.
Original sin
Is not a sentence to hell.
Rather, it is why we die.
But who, once knowing
What is right from wrong has not
Some sin? Not a soul.
Me: “A triangle has three sides.”
Atheist: “But I don’t believe in triangles. How do you know they have three sides?”
Me: “Because when you draw a shape with three sides, it is a triangle.”
A: “How can you know that it has three sides?”
Me: “Because it does.”
A: “Well, I want proof that a triangle has three sides.”
Me: “Well, there is this philosopher named Euclid, who discovered the principle of what’s possible in geometry. And the first principles were triangles, which have three sides.”
A: “Philosophy isn’t scientific.”
Me: “Yes. Yes it is.”
A: “Well, how can you prove that a triangle has three sides? What if it had four?”
Me: “Then it’d be a square.”
A: “You’re a square.”
Me: “Can we please keep to the topic? If it has three sides, it is a triangle.”
A: “Well, I’ve heard of a shape like that, but it cannot be determined how many sides a triangle has.”
Me: “Yes. A triangle has three sides.”
A: “You say that, but can you offer proof?”
Me: “No. I cannot offer proof that a triangle has three sides. You just have to know that.”
A: “Well, then a Triangle doesn’t exist.”
Me: “I’ll draw one for you.”
A: “Sure.”
I proceed to draw a triangle.
A: “That doesn’t prove that a triangle exists.”
Me: “If it doesn’t prove that a triangle exists, then I’m afraid it cannot be proven. It just has to be accepted on faith that it is a triangle.”
A: “See, I can only believe in what I see.”
Me: “Well, you can see this shape. It is called a triangle.”
A: “But that’s not proof enough. I need more proof that triangles have three sides.”
Me: “You can count them.”
A: “No… I want you to prove that a triangle has three sides.”
Substitute God with “A Triangle” and “Three Sides” with Morality.
Use your imagination to make the actual debate.
Because if you can’t, I don’t believe you.
This is how atheists sound when they argue about God’s existence.
But, if they didn’t cut you off
If you didn’t sing the lyrics
I heard you building up to it.
Why didn’t you sing it?
I’m much more afraid of God
Than my public image.
You should be too.
When Xerxes had a prophecy,
He wavered to attack Greece.
The result was his loss at Thermopylae.
Lauren, only you know.
Love you all the more…
But be steady in the faith,
And shine the next time.
That’s what grace is.
They cut you off
Before you could sing
“God Bless America, My Home Sweet Home.”
I could hear you building up to it.
At least I hope that is what you would sing.
Peace be with you.
It was in your heart.
B. K. Neifert 