Ten Minutes of Fame?

On July 9th 2010, Dianna and I had attended an Open Mic event sponsored by the California Writers Club at the local Barnes and Nobles in Citrus Heights. While awaiting an opportunity to read some of the poetry that has been given to me to write, we sat in amazement while others read from books they had written, which ranged from children's books to personal biographical experiences. In almost every instance there was a type of spiritual experience conveyed. We felt as though we could have very well been in the midst of Mars Hill with Paul, as each spoke of philosophies and the unknown god of their understanding. As I read of the coming day of judgment upon the nations, and the hope that can be found only in the substitutionary atonement of Christ, Dianna observed that almost every head was directed toward the floor and many seemed to cringe when the name of Jesus was mentioned

That which is even more amazing is we were invited back via email, with the heading, "Enjoy Ten Minutes of Fame". Over the next few days I pondered the title and the following is that which was written for the occasion.

In the scope of just ten minutes,
God can show your destiny,
If for His glory, He has chosen
You for liberty.

And being as a man I am,
I speak in human terms,
And trust The Ever Living One,
Though we be but as worms.

For though we suffer in this life,
Christ' glory is what matters,
For His dominion ever reigns,
His Word all darkness shatters.

He is the hammer, and the truth
Which crushes all the lies,
Which held us captive to the fact,
His claim our sin defies.

Oh would you trade ten minutes
For a life of purity,
And holiness for without this
You're lost eternally.

For satan's power, as all the world
To you, he may now offer.
And veil his scheme, as one with him,
You are to God a scoffer.

As in the days of Noah,
A thing not seen before,
But rain it did, and then too late,
Men cried, Oh God, no more!

And swallowed by the torrent
Of the wrath of God displayed,
And that was but a glimpse
Of the Final Judgment Day!

For all the dead will rise again
And many to their dismay.
Depart from me is what they'll hear
From God Himself that day.

Oh Father show Your mercy,
Give grace to meet this need,
And by Your Holy Spirit
Through my weakness, with men plead.

Oh by the power of canceled sin
Show forth Your loving kindness,
Reveal to men their lost estate,
Confess to You their blindness.

And when the final trumpet blows
May we rejoice together,
As You are pleased by Your Dear Son,
To reign with Him forever.

Though some may think this not the place,
And surely not the time;
To speak the voice of God in truth—
By means of simple rhyme,

But all the world—Oh God You made
To be Your Holy Parish,
To show forth Christ, Him crucified
In all of whom You cherish.

Oh may by Your mercy
Your kingdom increase,
Through souls of all them,
You have given release,

From sin to know only
That through Christ alone,
You rule all the world
From Your glorious throne.

Oh help us to wrestle
As Jacob to face,
Your Presence Oh God,
Is now sure in this place.

And if by my words
You have taken offense,
My hope is Christ Jesus,
And His cross my defense.

For all my desire
Is that God is well pleased,
As prostrate before Him,
I plead from my knees.

That He like a fire
Will consume all the dross
Of self, sanctify me
To count all the cost.

When all life is finished
And victory won,
All hid in Christ Jesus
Will hear then, "Well Done"!

Reality extends beyond,
All space and all of time,
And history is His Story,
Transcending all our minds.

And those who do not learn from Him,
Are doomed then to repeat,
As idols of the heart blind minds,
To go down in defeat.

"Come unto me", is what Christ said
While He was here on earth,
And those who hear the joyful sound,
Receive from Him new birth.

For all we are we have received,
His gift to stout and meek,
But shame will cover all who waste
Their time, His face, not seek.

Do you now behold the man?
Pilate did; then washed his hands,
And found no fault, and yet pronounced
The judgment on The King renounced.

Or do you see His stately sight,
Now high and lifted up in light?
He is the sum of glory bright,
Unto His bride with great delight!

For though ten minutes be so short
And love is now my crime;
Though now you may hate things I say
I trust that in God's time,

The arrows that you feel so sharp
Will find their mark appointed,
And Sovereign Grace will swell to praise,
By mercy, God's Anointed!

This fame I ask not for myself
For weighty shall it be,
If God my Father does not speak
Through Christ who set me free.

Oh Holy Spirit come and breathe
True life within these bones,
And raise them up as life You give
Through Christ from heaven's throne.

Though none are worthy and all deserve
The payment for our sin,
And all our pride which makes us blind,
The road to hell within,

And yet You've chosen some to life
Because the blood was shed,
Of Christ, The Ever-Living One,
Who rose up from the dead.

Oh think not to then hide within
The intelligence of your mind,
For all will be displayed as vain,
Through death, too late you'll find

Repentance only as the gift
While life with breath received,
Will show forth all the glory
Of The Christ to be believed!

How sweet a fragrance thus ascends
From life to life procession,
Triumphantly led by God in Christ,
His gift and glorious possession.

While yet in others, death to death,
And foolishness this seems,
Passed off then as incompetence,
Inciting troubled dreams.

Oh may You take ten minutes God,
Cause some to glimpse Your fame,
Show forth the light of Christ in them,
By glory then proclaim,

That Jesus Is more awesome
Than all words can yet resound,
Who came to earth that He might seek
The lost, that they be found.

Not unto us, but unto Him
Forever then shall be
All worship, honor, glory, praise
Unto His Majesty!

And so I trust within the realm
Of this ten minute frame,
That God is pleased, and cause to see,
The glory of His Name.

For every knee shall bow one day,
And every tongue confess,
That Jesus Christ Is Lord of all,
My God, My righteousness!

Michael E. Wood
August 16-25, 2010