Open Hearted Church

The ever open door

Now firmly closed

Against the rain, against the cold

Ornate, foreboding and set in stone

The gateway to safety,

Beautifully carved

Pleasing to the eye

But heavily barred.

There she lays

On the floor

Just skin and bone

Out in the rain
Exposed to the cold

Giving up hope and left all alone

At the gateway to safety,

Beautifully carved

Pleasing to the eye

But heavily barred.

Is there nothing more

Beyond that door

Than the priest with his crimson and gold?

What about sharing

What about the poor?

At the gateway to safety,

Beautifully carved

Pleasing to the eye

But heavily barred.

That's what we're here for

For those who roam

Who lay in the rain and the freezing cold

They need a welcome

And they need a home

Not a gateway to safety, that's beautifully carved...

But a church that will love and open its heart.

Joe Morriss

January 2010

Chasing Shadows

You are helpless in your struggles

And your anger rises fast

Each day the sickness grows within

As you hold onto the past

You fought hard to build my kingdom

And you say that it's not fair

That others who just sat and watched

Are just as welcome there.

But I can soothe your bitter thoughts

And calm your angry fears

If you'll look up from your bloody mess

And cry those gentle tears.

So tell me all about it

Before you turn and walk away

Before all that's left

Is your broken heart

As night turns into day.

The sun will rise to greet you

If you'll only turn and see

Then you won't be chasing shadows,

You'll be following where I lead.

Joe Morriss

February 2013

Reflection on helplessness and failure after trying to "do more" to please God in the face of apparent defeat.