The Seasons: A Poem

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Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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Five Stones

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1 Samuel 17:32-51

David is one of my favorite people from the Bible. He is an inspiration in so many ways. In today's reading from Samuel, the story of David and Goliath is told. I am reminded that I too am in a battle. My Goliath is sin and temptation. If I am like David, I can defeat these enemies "for the battle is the Lord's." That was the key to David's victory and it can be the key to mine.

One part of the story that I find interesting is that David chose five stones but used only one. The Bible never mentions things as mere filler. What does this tell us about David, his battle, and our battle?

David trusted in God and he was prepared. He wasn't depending on God as if he were to walk on to the field and Goliath would simply drop dead. David knew he had an active role to play and so he prepared. He knew he could conquer his enemy but wasn't sure how many stones it may take. Perhaps, in the past, it took two, three, of five stones to kill a bear or a lion. Since Goliath was a giant of man David may have thought he might need five stones to bring him down.

What about us? Our enemy too is not simply going to roll over and die. We must take an active part in the battle. We must trust that the battle is the Lords but we must be prepared to enter into that battle. We can conquer our enemy every time but we never know what it may take, which stone we may need to use. Jesus tells us that some demons are only overcome through prayer and fasting. We know that others are driven away simply at the mention of the name of the Lord. So, what five "stones" should we carry with us. I believe everyone is equipped differently because we fight different battles. However, if I were to guess about those stones and look at what I am equipped with it would be 1) Prayer, 2) Fasting, 3) Sacrifice, 4) Sacraments, 5) Study

What about you? What are your five stones? Remember, the stones are worthless unless they are powered by the sling of grace working through you. They are even more worthless lying in the bed of the stream - in apathy drowned by the cares of the world.

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