Who are you?

It's hard to sleep
when thoughts of you
keep running through my brain.

It's hard to work
when all I want to do
is walk away and be with you.

It's hard to make music
when what I want to hold
isn't my guitar, but you.

It's hard to write
when when my creativity
is pushed aside by my longing for you.

But who are you?

It was late

had a run in with the devil last night
he told me to watch out for the ninja lady
then he smiled
turned into a bug
morphed into a bat
and vanished

the ninja lady came a little while later
she had nice eyes
bright clear and shiny as the stars
she held ready in her hands
then she smiled at me
(odd)
at least I think she smiled
cuz her mask lifted around her cheekbones
and her eyes squinted a little

but maybe she was just trying to tell me something
I don't really know
but she had nice eyes

Removing the Blinders

I tried, it failed,
but it's okay,
it was always an almost anyway.

Don't dwell on how
I feel today,
it was always an almost anyway.

The load from my
shoulders outweighs
the sorrow I feel knowing that
it was always an almost anyway.

I had to ask,
and now I know
it was always an almost anyway.

I thank you and,
looking back, see
it was always an almost anyway.

Allah or Jesus? by Rick Mathes

"Last month I attended my annual training session
that's required for maintaining my state prison
security clearance. During the training
session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the
Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who
explained each of their belief systems.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam
had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the
basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for
questions and answers.

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the
Imam and asked: "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but
I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam
have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the
infidels of the world. And, that by killing an
infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are
assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can
you give me the definition of an infidel?"

There was no disagreement with my statements and,
without hesitation, he replied, "Non-believers!"
I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this
straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded
to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can
go to Heaven. Is that correct?"

The expression on his face changed from one of
authority and command to that of a little boy who had
just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He
sheepishly replied, "Yes."
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem
trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all
Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley
ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to
Heaven!"
The Imam was speechless.
I continued, "I also have problem with being your
friend when you and your brother clerics are telling
your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question.
Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill
me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who
tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and
He wants you to be with me?"

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of
the 'Diversification' training seminar were not happy
with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and
exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs."


from an email I received today.