Make no mistake,

freewill

is never free.

To live or die,

eternally,

an awesome price

all must pay

for choice,

So choose one path:

the crowded broad way

of this day,

with pleasure

or

life’s narrow path,

from creations moment,

with treasure,

incorruptible.

Choice always

has its price,

present and future.

jfrancis©

november 20, 2003

(among the living)

Controversy,

a cultural phenom

among ruins

of ancient Israel.

Poor James, no peace

even

in second-hand burial

and designer bone box.

Digging the past

is both

art and science,

yielding a plethora

of voices

from the plentiful earth,

speaking languages

even of Babel tongues.

"James, son of Joseph,

brother of Jesus".

No small statement

in Israel,

where ‘Messiah’ is future,

not history.

jfrancis©

november 16, 2003

(is not free)

Both

awesome and

devastating

to the human spirit,

it’s potential rooted

in man’s nature.

The core element

of Love

and natural selection

often bartered

for gain.

In it’s purest form,

a rainbow promise

from G-d

to Creation’s

highest order:

the catalyst

moving our hearts

from self centered

devotion

to paths of life

directed

by G-d’s Will

and Grace.

jfrancis©

august 17, 2003

I stand and see

one small ray

of the brilliant majesty

of His glory

where no man

has beheld

the face of G-d

or the brilliance

of His being,

though

he has revealed

Himself

in his word

which lights the world

through personal light

of each believer

until we see

the full Nova brightness

of His purity

reflected

from the Bride

of His choice.

jfrancis©

august 10, 2003

Ultimately

the Grand Divide

between

right and wrong

life or death

white or black,

where all shades

are never white,

and sin is always,

Choice.

jfrancis©

august 10, 2003

The Lamb

(of life)

Nature’s symbol of gentleness

and G-d’s choice for sacrifice.

We follow in willingness

a Shepherd blameless

who created the stars

in darkness of void

and gave us

the Living Alternative.

jfrancis©

august 31, 2003

The Journey

(toward happy)

Life is not happiness

but a chasing of the winds

####### it to and fro

since creation to eternity,

clothed

with flesh and blood

of reality,

passion’s summer child,

autumn’s declining decadence,

winter’s sobering hope.

Two labor the vineyard,

one is taken,

another pleads the way

to eternal happiness.

jfrancis©

septmeber 7, 2003

From the majesty of His,

to our Shepherd’s sheep

marking stone

of Jerusalem streets,

the Heart of G-d

is well worn by prints

of novice and saint.

From Gethsemane,

across Kidron

to Golgotha’s rocky barren

no other city

bears the name of G-d

with a cup of trembling.

jfrancis©

september 14, 2003

(parfum of life)

For most

a surface veneer,

obscuring the multiplicity

of human existence.

Mixed and mingled

with spirit,

magnifying each facet

of inward light,

it becomes

a diamond essence,

both brilliant in light

and gathering

in softness

of evening starglo.

Beauty is a fragile story

woven into the fabric

of body and spirit;

told in youth

by the freshness

of autumn’s

cleansing breeze,

in aging

as spent blossoms

falling among thorns

are gathered and distilled

into the fragrances

of life

and it’s loves.

jfrancis©

september 14, 2003

(the poem)

G-d is real and accessible.

He came to us

walking on the waters

of Galilee,

bringing Peace

to the wild wave,

stilling

the willing wind,

taking power

from the lightning.

Now,

a sea in rage

suddenly calm

at His word:

a placid pool

a Sea of Grace,

a great light

shining into the darkness

where death

had casts it’s shadow.

Salvation

on the wings of Light.

jfrancis©

september 27, 2003

Captured Captives

(the sequel)

. . . . . . . . . yearning

to be free, and peace.

Freedom is : no enemy

standing at the gates.

and peace, swords

to plowshares.

Today’s reality:

prison bars

of rocky sand,

walls of hyssop land

and at the gates,

enemy stand.

The world our warden,

it’s nations our guards.

The Judge of all creation

gavels the bench,

reads the verdict:

confinement-

till Armageddon.

Then

freedom for the captives,

release of prisoners,

comfort in Zion

for all who mourn,

a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

a garment of praise

not despair,

a planting of oaks

for his splendor.

A double portion

of everlasting Joy---

Yet a short time

then peace

will flood the land

turning blood

to whitest snow.

Shalom. jfrancis(c)Isaiah(61)

september 28, 2003

MASADA.

Roman Achilles

in the eagle’s nest.

Nine hundred sixty Jews

aged to infant

locked

on a mountain of peril

near the sea of Sodom

where Rome’s legion

meets the Zealot’s zeal

as waiting night fills

Israel soil with dread.

Songs of Zion spill

over walls of victory still:

Masada and iron will,

where choice

to live or die

was cast

by hearts yeaning

freedom and peace,

and hearts still . . . . . .

jfrancis(c)

september 21, 2003

(G-d)

He is Spirit and intellect

(from whom darkness fled).

Creator, Lover, Shepherd, Judge.

Author of freewill,

a Pandora’s box

of Truth and tragedy.

The Great Architect

of cosmic drama

who desires

an intimate

personal relationship

with each person

through His Spirit/Son.

Dove of Peace

Lamb of life.

jfrancis(c)

september 16, 2003

New

Hidden

within the human spirit,

G-d’s Spirit dwells,

enriching the soil

of personality

choice

behavior-----

unseen

in the visible realm,

save for footprints,

telling the story

of an old life

left behind.

jfrancis©

october 19, 2003

Perfect

Not a concept

well examined

by the human race,

nor enjoyed by any

save the trilogy

of creation’s couple

and Son of G-d;

the former impaled

on freewill,

the latter pierced

by sin

releasing perfection

for flow down

at the foot

of sacrifice

spreading

over terra firma

encircling earth

to return full circle

from all nations

the chosen

called homeward

from rebellion

for the perfecting

of His kingdom

and His people.

jfrancis©

october 3, 2003

The Stain

(of humanness)

The Garden.

Creation place

of life,

freewill,

choice,

blood stained soil

and sacrifice.

A panorama

of historic drama

played out

in near perfection;

till sin enters

the human race

and all creation.

Oh, the plan for man

had not earth’s fall

slashed history’s canvas

of color and light,

reducing it to

the somberness

of black

and all shades

of gray.

Oh, the wait

for purity

of white and light.

jfrancis©

november 9, 2003

As Seeds to the Wind

Scattered.

Sown to the soils

of preservation,

falling on stony

and sparse ground,

roots growing deep

into dirt of persecution.

Dispersed among nations

for winnowing

at the threshing floor

of G-d’s Lovingkindness.

A Diaspora as none other,

two thousand years

and countless generations

living, dying and buried

in strange dry valleys

where hope lies parched

and bare.

Waiting.

jfrancis©

november 2, 2003

The cattle

on a thousand hills

are mine.

Should you

not recognize ownership?

Should you

not see the word

before your eyes?

And yet

only a few do.

All birds

on the mountain

know his care

in the warmth

of breaking light

upon their nest.

Should you not recognize

the tenderness

in His discipline,

even yet?

Where

are my people, Israel?

jfrancis©

october 24, 2003

The span of man

from Abraham

to Melchizedek,

past ancient ruins

of kingly power

laid waste

by idol cakes

is but a line or two

of grief laid down

on the way

through Eden

to yesterday.

If history is proof

of naked need

for Grace outside ourselves,

then Peace

and a Prince Perfected

bring the world a name

we can ill afford to face

under Heaven’s

judgment place,

in Hebrew called

Armageddon.

jfrancishill©

october 22, 2003

For Bethlehem
(Jewish Humor)

All are welcome
to the nature
of nativity,
penitent and Priest
shepherd or star.
So gunmen yet?
Pressed of battle
to salve the fury?
This is perhaps normal-----
just this once
but surely-----nevermore,
still the Spirit’s touch
of hearts in stone?
Who knows,
maybe these Arab boys
understand
why they are safe
in this nice
Jewish church.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 3, 2002

Love’s Price

They have bombers
who have not
moral absolutes
and do
what is right
in their eyes.
We have death
with no penance
for the price paid
by our young Rachels,
slain at life’s door.
And the loss
of Israel’s fathers,
cannot be valued
with human prose.
For one
the dance of death
ends
life as we know it
for six left to mourn,
forever:
father
husband
son
Hero,
whose life chiseled
Torah word
on the face of terror:
"No greater Love------."

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa

Parallel Creation

Angel of the morning;
a star fallen
among the hearts of men.
This tinderbox
sparked of evil
ignites passion
of brother
against a thread
of righteous rule
through the weaver’s
garments.
Woven many colors
of purple royalty
and rahab red
to the bright star
garments
sacrificed for
nationhood.
And today
the robe of
shed blood crimson
wraps this nation
in grief and loyalty
awaiting
the arrival
of Messiah-King,
Warrior-G-d
of expectation.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
April 30, 2002

Finality

Confession and forgiveness,
an edifice of redemption,
built on the
bedrock of salvation.
A mural painted
with broad strokes
by Messiah
at the end of Age
as his presence
divides Mt. of Olives
opening the holiness
of sacrifice
and awareness
for profound grief,
greater than Josiah’s,
even to the separation
and weeping of Jews
worldwide
for sorrow
and personal redemption.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 12, 2002

Jeru35salem

years of sweet
to bitterness of joy
for Israel’s children
in their maturing
have sprinkled the land
with blossoms of hope
as a rich savor to life,
and a reaping of sadness
in the fields of grief,
a lament for loss
as we lay memories
to rest in the soil
of sacrifice.
Yet our joys multiply,
as sons and daughters
of righteous passion,
while the sadness fade
as nights depart
to rejoice the day.
For the great
victories of battle
history creates heroes
among the living
and fallen
to glorify
Israel.
Now for the present toil
of loss amidst life,
we count danger
the duty,
remembering a lad
of Goliath days
who raised the land
to his shoulders
and slay
our eternal enemy
sin.
To G-d
be the glory.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 12, 2002

Wall of G-d Present

Two thousand years
of Roman silence
has not weakened
the very heart
of all creation
beating
in the stone and script
of this Holy Wall
where Jewish existence
is written
with stylus
and blood
spilling down
through centuries
into weathered wrinkles
on this battle scarred face
that fathered time.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 6, 2002

Zion Heart

The zeal of his passion,
for Zion’s Mount
and redemption of all
G-d’s creation,
is his signature,
written in battle
and blood
for endtime Israel.
With heart planted
in holy soil,
his feet and breath
give lift and life
to the dust
of Adam’s perfection
and fall
till G-d
wraps this earth
in regeneration
for the reign
of Messiah
and his redeemed
at the center
of worship
and praise,
Jerusalem.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 12, 2002

Footprints

Never before
G-dly Josiah
has one leader
poured his heart
on the altar prostrate
before Heaven’s throne
in total submission
to G-d’s guidance
and never since
a King of Israel
the measure of Josiah.
G-d waits.
Follow the footprints.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 14, 2002

Final Order

All prose and poets
of earthly language
fail to justly express
sorrow of collective loss
for world Jewry
this deadliest of centuries
and the danger
of this day.
The enemies of Zion:
legion among earth
and friend-
few and blessed.
Now hatred,
the white hot iron
of blindness,
leaves a world struck
and staggering in disbelief
at Israel;
postage stamp nation
in a driven sea
unmoved Rock of Zion
around which revolves
the sun
moon.
stars
and all planets
of Heaven and Earth.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 24, 2002

Who is Your Mama, Rabinowitz?
(Jewish Wisdom)


When men rule the world
and women take their name,
why should Jewishness
flow from the blood of Maidenhood?
Wisdom’s answer
from the ages—
men come and go
leaving their mark
on the land;
women stay
rooting man
giving certainty
to the blood
of birthing pain.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 25, 2002

Torah Given

They came as spokes
to the hub
from all the land
to Jerusalem
and even now they come
with no temple
they bring gifts
for the poor
as to G-d
painting this city
with Torah love
as a mural
of worthy conduct
for observant Jew
and all Israeli
foreign and secular.
Love of Torah:
a heart phenomenon
rising to level
of national treasure
shared with
Jerusalem,
Temple Mount
and Jewish People.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 31 2002


Torah Crime

Smuggling
deceit
near extortion
haggling(real extortion)
cover-up
beatings
and payoffs.
Torah crime
to be sure
and all in a days work
for Rabbis of Rescue.
Not often does the end
justify the means
but Torah scrolls—
held hostage in Iraq,
whose to say "crime."
The hostages were freed,
some in poor health
and some, alas
required burial.
All in all
the rescue was daring
and maybe clandestine
requiring help in high places.
The lesson learned?
For love of Torah
all Israel is Rabbi.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
may 26, 2002


Jeru2002salem

A wild and solid beauty
of reckless flirtations
splendidly robed
in festive garments
whose love eternal
fills the heart Almighty.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 2, 2002

Conscripted Hearts

He shared a burden
no other could,
on the day
man's sacrifice
failed our load of sin,
and gave his back
to bear the cross
up Golgotha's climb.
Chosen by chance
to immortal history,
Simon the Cyrene
served as we
when called
to bear the cross.

(c)2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 9, 2002

Footprints in Time

No city the equal
of Jerusalem’s footprints.
Not Rome
with hellish emperors,
nor London
and crusader kings.
Perhaps Paris
with conquering hero?
What city can boast
such famous prints
of Prince and pauper…
in one day?
An entire city
paved with G-dly impressions
bearing the message
of salvation
from Adam
to breaking light.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 8, 2002

Megiddo Seventeen

Unbelievable,
again the nation’s heart
bleeds profusely
and youthful wealth
pours out
on holy sand
of Megiddo,
all for a paltry sum
of $hatred:
a taught emotion,
without logic,
destroying
heart and soul
of caregiver.
He who gives care
to hatred
will reap
it’s fruits
eternally.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 5, 2002

Mindgame

We walk our way
in confidence
of the day
where focus of breath
reaches only to death
and seldom beyond
where length of forever
extends
beyond ancient of days
to the end of eternity.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 8, 2002

Pray the Spirit

Remember the hand of David.
From a stream
five smooth stones.
In his hand
the sling of shepherd life
and a heart for G-d;
an awesome arsenal
defeating the Philistine nation
not by power
nor by might
but by my Spirit
said the Creator
of all we see
and much we do not,
all in a still, small voice.
Pray the Spirit.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 6, 2002

Righteous Gentile

Soponova
Ordinary Russian
uncommon heart
touching the breadth
of human emotion
and Israeli compassion.
Her body battered
her spirit soaring
she defines courage,
written in homeland soil.
A gentile grafted
into the root of righteousness,
set apart
from the world’s foundation
for this good work,
that G-d might be
glorified.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 22, 2002

MIA
(From the Heart)

The sinews of life bind tightly
but not so well
as those of hope
and a mother
for her lost child.
The dead are buried,
the missing are grieved
forever.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 23, 2002

Shawn Greenberg

Jew extraordinaire.
A statement
reserved for all
who live
to the consciousness
of their faith.
His exploits,
though of diamond quality,
rise only to humanness.
His stature of spirit
stands him among
the Jew of his day.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 10,2002

Slaughter of Innocents

Inspired by Paul Ruben’s masterpiece
"The Massacre of the Innocents" 1609-1611

The day of Herod broke
to the billow of hooves
through Bethlehem dust
and the wail of Rachel
for helplessness
as the innocents
of slaughter
became blood sacrifice
to vanity’s pride
poured out in streets
where a gentle donkey
once trod
bearing Lamb of G-d
who became
slain
for the sins
of Herod.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 30, 2002

Healing the Place of Pain

Pain of loss springs from life
and covers the land
from Aviva to Zehava.
Shalom to these Mothers.

Grief.
A smoldering fire
consumes the anger
of loss
and must burn
to purify the heart
for regeneration
as it comes on light
following darkest night.
Language can never
express loss
of a mother’s daughter
and grief must linger
as purifying
clears the spirit
of bitterness and anger.
Mend the broken heart?
A task for creation light
as light divides darkness
from broken hearts
revealing fractures
to be sealed
with loving nature
of mother compassion
flowing from
G-d’s creation power.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 13, 2002

Jerusalem Light

A beacon flame
guarding truth
while others
are cast
on the reef
of unbelief.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
june 28, 2002

G-d with U.S.

The greatness of this land
is wrapped in power
and majesty grand
for the purpose of his hand.
We are the eagle wings
of whom the scriptures sing
to watch o’re his land
and protect
as the time of the end
is here
where labor by man
in a vineyard dear
is measured
by the word of G-d
setting the heart ablaze.

World History

Lives of Israel
sewn daily
to the land
produce
a spiritual harvest
of determination
and strength of value
echoing the message
of Exodus
"affliction
multiplied the host
of Israel."
So once again
the enemies of G-d
stumble
falling on their own
sword of persecution
and there remains
Israel 101

©2002 jfrancishhill
flinttexas usa
july 3, 2002

The Spin of Sin

Truth of Scripture
written for man
by the G-d of Abraham
was given life
and breath
by the hand
of Arab land.
"Blessed are those
who care for Israel,
cursed are those
who rage their hand
against my land."
For those who serve
little gods,
the force of scripture
is lost
in the blindness of sin
as they stagger
in wander
with the wealth
of ages
and failure of time
to prove their way,
so the Potter
spins-------
one for honor
another
for destruction.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
july 17, 2002


Jewish History a Holocaust

The sweep of Jewish history
first began
with creator G-d,
Adam
and man.
The first holocaust
reared it’s viper head
as Satan
fathered death and sin,
destroying
man’s perfect state
and infecting world history
with rebellion’s virus
replicating in man
down the ages
from Noah
through wilderness wandering
to the promised
with struggle
across the silence
of old to new
where but a few
embraced perfection
sent to me and you.
The page of history
detailing Diaspora
lengthened to millennia
punctuating grief
of twentieth century
disgrace,
to the endtime
of our age.
Holocaust,
never in G-d’s plan,
the work of rebel man
by Satan’s hand
to take the throne
most high.
This, the story of man,
without G-d
without Grace.

©2002 jfrancishill
flinttexas usa
july 21, 2002