What The Unloved Say

Grace and peace aren't from people.

Joy and love aren't from the church steeple.

Comfort doesn't come through handshakes,

But a heart full of Jesus is what it takes.

Do you think you've got it, church man?

Do you think you're not running astray?

I think you better be safe and think again,

'Cause that's not what the unloved say.

Fire and brimstone can scare many,

Sugar-coating the gospel can draw pennies,

Should people come to grace through heat?

Should the bitter truth about man be made sweet?

Do you think you've got it, church man?

Do you think you're not running astray?

I think you'd better be safe and think again,

'Cause that's not what the unloved say.

Why do numbers surmount quality?

When did Jesus give us such frivolity?

When did a sales pitch become Christ?

Who cares while the numbers continue to rise?

It's nice of you to smile,

But that's just the first mile.

Maybe I'm just too vile.

Sorry I'm dressed like I'm poor,

I would have worn more,

But this is the best I can afford.

Why do you care about my clothes?

My heart is more important than those,

Or maybe now your real self shows.

I don't get it, pharisee.

Can't you quit judging me

Long enough to help me see?

I can't afford this church, church man,

'Cause I don't even get a first chance.

-Austin Ward

7/25/06

Pressing On

Glancing over my shoulder

To steps behind me, long past,

I realize things, now being older,

With regrets, my face downcast.

But for steps unstepped, for songs unsung,

For words unspoken, for deeds undone,

I’ll press on til tomorrow’s sun,

Til all this broken world is won.

But for lands untilled, for crop unsown,

For days yet to come, for fields unknown,

I’ll work until this crop is grown,

Til Christ is seen upon His throne.

But for oceans unsailed, for battles unfought,

For catches unweighed, for fish uncaught,

I’ll wander til my strength is naught,

Til all this world to Christ is brought.

-Austin Ward

10/14/05

To Be Your Blanket

How I wish I could be your blanket,

E’en if for a day, if we traded, how I’d thank it,

Just to be close, and keep you warm,

To help you feel protected in a thunderstorm,

To wrap you up and warm your very soul,

Once you’re asleep, hide you from the bitter cold,

To be near your heart as your glitt’ring eyes close,

Dreaming away of shining knight with shining pose,

While all the while, the knight of your heart’s demand

Dreams of being the blanket clasped in your hand.

-Austin Ward

Feb. 4, 2005

Organ in Union’s Chapel

Within this wall, my instrument lies in wait,

Lying desperately in its dormant state.

Skillfully wielded, I will sing to demonstrate

The glorious grandeur of my maker’s Maker,

My chords ringing forth to the mountain Breaker.

His light will be reflected in my shining vocals.

My wooden frame fitly flies in unity,

Needing the notes to give praise community.

Though mute alone, I know why here you’ve seated me:

To burst forth in silence as God did at creation!

To worship the Lord as God is my elation!

May my heav’n-reaching impugned whistles praise Him alway.

-Austin Ward

12/5/06

Creature

Oh miserable creature, o creature of doom,

Why do you sit and loom in your dark old tomb?

Riddles swiftly cross your double-crossed mind,

While deep down and behind, you are well-inclined

To remain in room, and with death’s plume,

Your life away signed, and soul to it bind.

Oh miserable creature, o creature, you fool,

Is your spirit so cruel to self-subject rule?

Sorrows still wander your still wandering soul,

But this painful death toll is worth your high goal,

The cross is your tool, your prize renewal

Of life become whole, and no dice to roll.

Oh miserable creature, o creature in me,

Tend to my desperate plea that begs you agree.

Leave me not silence in my silent vice,

Pain of no sacrifice but death to die twice.

I beseech you, see, your death must be,

For it is the price that was paid by Christ.

-Austin Ward

11/22/05

The Fullness of Sin

Those who know the full power of sin

Are the ones who stand and don't give in,

For they have braved the flood and waves,

Since they know and cry, "Jesus saves, Jesus saves."

Sin's mortal wounds that marred Christ's side

Leave all exposed and none to hide.

Those who know this full foul strength of sin

Are the ones who let no evil in,

Though still the invasion moves on,

Til Christ with wounded hands the victory won.

Darkness ought to fear His Name,

For Christ the Light, He took our blame.

He who knows the full malice of sin

Is the one who died to save all men,

Though perfect, yet man still is He,

We vile creatures were saved, by His blood made free.

Resistance to sin brought Christ's death,

Yet power more than sin gave breath.

-Austin Ward

8/28/06

Once More Be Woke

Oh wicked self, enslaved to sin,

How long shall thou be held within

Thy wretched flood of blood thine own?

Till thou shalt drown, no help, all alone?

No, my strength cannot be my release,

But God my Savior Himself shall appease

His laws which my drowning self broke,

So, soul, be thou once more woke

To a new way of being blind,

A new state, self, frame of mind.

The sentence alone could not drown,

Nor can words alone make more than sound.

Your life anew shall bring forth fruit

Fitting of your Savior who is your root.

Be now cleansed of all thy deeds,

Whose nature cannot simply secede,

But must be wholly dead by Christ’s own flood,

The waters which saved you, it is His blood.

-Austin Ward

1/24/06

Missionary Poem

Ah, the songs which should be written

Of those who divide for the gospel’s unity!

Ah, the hearts which should be smitten

By the gospel’s great afforded opportunity!

Great poets whose subjects are often earthly:

Please write of these, for they are worthy!

-Austin Ward

10/8/06

No, By No Means, No!

Dare I let go of laughing at stupid things?

No, by no means, no! For there my sanity clings.

Dare I let darkness steal my joy of life's jokes?

No, by no means, no! That is for the hopeless folks.

Dare my jubilee be hung on sad gallows?

No, by no means, no! Christ saves me from such shallows.

© Austin Ward

10/12/06