Author: peterbaldwinpoet

Seeking

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Lord, I feel like an island in the sea,
the turmoil of decision encompassing me.
My heart so desires to speak as I feel,
but I need to know Lord, is my heart real?

Who is pressing this urging to my soul?
I need an answer before I come apart.
I want the Spirit to speak what I know,
if we’re in unity of an uplifting heart.

Should I stay quiet and rest on my past,
the statements I made in approaching this task?
Lord, again I desire to know,
again, should I pray and continue to fast?

Lord, it is hard to continue on,
when I’m fighting this battle deep inside.
I want to be sensitive with ears that hear,
and walk and talk with You at my side.

Am I rebellious, O Lord please say?
Search me, O Lord, and tell me today.
Speak to me Lord as daily I pray,
and show me, O Lord, the proper way.

Lord, again my soul cries out,
and the tears are barely hidden.
Lord, I plead as I drift in the sea,
Lord, if I’m wrong, may I be forgiven.

Holy Spirit, pour forth in Your special way,
the Fruits of the Spirit, which I need today.
To direct and to guide my walk, I pray,
as I need to glorify Lord Jesus everyday.

Written in 1986 for the Annual Business Financial Meeting in Shirley, NY.

Parting Friends

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The developing of a friendship,
is sometimes a surprise.
It truly is isn’t valued,
until it’s time to say good-bye.

Then the times are thought about,
the good times and the bad.
The times of disagreement,
but more so, the times when we were glad.

Four years is not a lifetime,
but the Lord has blessed its growth.
It’s in His tender nurtured care,
sealed as an unspoken oath.

The time of closeness has come to an end,
it’s time for us to part.
But God has blessed me graciously,
He placed you in my heart.

He’s bound us together with unbreakable cord,
the cord of His precious love.
And the friendship we’ve developed,
is blessed from the Father above.

No matter where our service may lead,
in any storm or weather.
I thank the Lord Whose care we’re in,
because He’s brought us both together.

We Need a Union

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A union meeting is called,
and all the animals were invited.
Whoever represented a holiday,
they needed to be united.

This would not be a simple task,
to get all the animals to agree.
When trying to elect the President,
the first animal in history.

Everyone wondered who it would be,
to be the leader of the pack.
They all felt qualified,
they all felt able, as a matter of fact.

The snowman was the first eliminated,
because of the summer heat.
He no longer had it together,
his head was now his feet.

The groundhog was the next to go,
he hid all winter through.
And if he happens to see his shadow,
six more weeks of winter do.

The leprechaun was the third,
to have to go away.
His pot of gold looked lovely,
yet never able to pay.

The robin was a snowbird,
every year traveling south.
He couldn’t answer questions,
with a beak & not a mouth.

The Easter bunny is a fraud,
he really doesn’t lay any eggs.
So we couldn’t have a phony in office,
and I see he has no legs.

The chicken and the cow have troubles of their own,
they are locked in a vicious battle.
Each wants the other extinct.
Can you imagine life without chicken & cattle?

Grandma got run over by a reindeer,
the reindeer took the test and failed.
After court with his attorney,
he’s now been permanently jailed.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,
had a nose that was very bright.
No one was able to get any sleep,
he kept everyone up all night.

Cupid flies all around,
shooting darts of love at everyone he sees.
And with all the people in the world,
he’s busier than a hive of bees.

Halloween has the black cat,
and I have something to keep him busy.
Going round and round in circles,
until he becomes so dizzy.

And what is making him this way?
Timothy the Church Mouse!
Running up and down,
and all through the house.

I tried to reason with Dominick the donkey,
but I couldn’t understand a word he said.
And listening to a donkey speak in Italian,
was too much for my head.

So that only leaves one man for the job,
and I happen to know him very well.
He received the Presidential pardon,
as time rang the midnight bell.

Down came the hammer,
bringing thunder and lightning.
The power and the new President,
uniting the animals, (that’s frightening!)

The New Has Come

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The old has gone, and the new has come,
the year two-thousand fourteen is done.
But if you look to Jesus, the truth and light,
the year two-thousand fifteen will be bright.

There is no better way to start the year,
then to open your heart and have Jesus near.
He’s your anchor in times of storm,
He’s your healer when life won’t conform.

With faith in Jesus, we diminish fear,
and our heart is filled with boldness and cheer.
Jesus makes all things new,
not only for me, but also for you.

People make resolutions and promises to keep,
but yet they wander through life like lost sheep.
They lack the One who is in complete control,
not reaching His outstretched Hand to hold.

With Jesus, life can be so grand,
and together we could heal this land.
His promises are faithful and true,
and there is nothing God can’t do.

God knocks on the door of our heart,
we need to open and do our part.
Ask Him in to live and abide,
then He will always be by our side.

He created us for just this time,
and accepting grafts us to the vine.
So let your life be ever changed,
and His blood will wash those sins that stained.

So lift your hands and begin to praise,
let Him lift you from a life of daze.
He’s your power, strength and might,
He’ll never leave you alone, day or night.

What a better way to start the year,
than giving up the past? The future is clear.
God is calling, listen to His Voice,
He’s waiting for you to make the choice.

“Excess Baggage” on Hope Radio from 6-10am

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There are tentative plans to read & discuss Word on the Pete’s “Excess Baggage” poem in the next few weeks on Hope Radio with Pastor Rich Anderson, pastor of Holding Out Hope Church in Middle Island, New York. The radio show airs from 6-10 am. Long Island residents can tune in to the show on one of these stations. If you’re outside the coverage area, you can listen online at hoperadiony.com.

Global New Year’s Celebrations (Hello 2015!)

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Celebrations vary around the world,
as nationalities repeat, year to year.
Some may seem quite odd,
but people hold them very dear.

In ancient Thailand, guns are fired,
to ward and fight off demons.
You want the year to start off right,
so they have some very good reasons.

In China, they celebrate a different way,
firecrackers rout the forces of darkness.
So that the very first day of the year,
will be filled with joy and goodness.

In the early American colonies,
pistol shots rang through the air.
I suspect the sounds were meant to chase,
any evil spirits hanging around to scare.

Today, Italians let the church bells peel,
the clanging & ringing, an awesome sound.
Chasing away the spirits old,
and only keep the joy of life around.

The Swiss beat many drums,
the sound echoes, on and on.
Through the mountains & the hills,
to find the people to rest upon.

The North Americans sound sirens & party horns,
to bid the old year farewell.
In New York & many other states,
the crowds continue to swell.

Traditions on New Year’s even involve food,
a ring-shaped treat to lead to good fortune.
Not to be overdone in treats,
but come full circle in a satisfying portion.

In Dutch homes, fritters,
called Oliebollen are served.
The Irish have pastries called bannocks,
never tried, but I’m sure deserved.

Twelve grapes at midnight,
comes from beloved Spain.
In India & Pakistan,
rice promises prosperity, a powerful grain.

Apples dipped in honey,
are a Rosh Hashanah tradition.
In Swiss homes, whipped cream is richness,
each country it’s own rendition.

Drink a beverage or give a gift,
put your best foot forward & turn a new leaf.
New Year’s folklore & customs galore,
there is still much more! Good grief!

So, to New Year’s celebrations,
we now bid adieu.
Hope you enjoyed our little trip,
get ready for New Year’s- you’ve a lot to do!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

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Word on the Pete wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas. To celebrate, we have composed a heartwarming Christmas poem.

The beauty of the Lord is something to behold,
in summer’s warmth and winter’s cold.
An artist’s picture for the eye to see,
depicting the Lord in true majesty.

The beauty of a sunrise, a rose-colored dawn,
the picture of a deer caring for her fawn.
The purity of a meadow, white with snow,
tells you He cares more than you know.

So as we celebrate the day of His birth,
remember the reason He came to Earth.
Not just for one, but for you & me,
one day to join Him for all eternity.