Craig Kelley #1 Craig Kelley for Cambridge City Council in 2007I want to vote for Craig
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Waking Jesus

For too long, liberals have been afraid to talk religion in public. Like we've done with issues relating to the flag and national defense, we've let conservative Americans define the discussion around these powerful symbols and institutions.

I wrote this poem in response to the troubles facing the Episcopalian Church in America regarding the pro-gay rights positions many churches express. It is time for liberals to stand up to conservatives who claim their God is the only God. It is time for us to say, "Our God is God, too. And he loves everyone, including homosexuals."

By not standing up for the Church we believe in, we let what we believe in fall down.

It is time for us liberals to start defining the terms of our nation's discussions on issues from patriotism to morality to religion. This poem was my start at doing so.


The Waves were getting Bigger
and the wind was blowing loud.
The night was getting darker
and the bravest men were cowed.

The storm was wildly raging.
They could not swim to shore.
But in the hold beneath them
they could hear their master snore.

Waking Jesus

The lightning lit the night up.
Would they see the rising sun?
Or would their boat be just a wreck
when the storm was done?

They'd signed up for this journey
Not thinking it would be their last.
But as the thunder struck their ears
they knew the end was coming fast.

Waking Jesus

They cried out to their father,
praying for his aid.
But the storm kept getting wilder.
They felt they'd been betrayed.

Their faith was that of babies.
They believed with heart and mind.
But it looked like they would drown soon.
Could the Lord be that unkind?

Waking Jesus

Their ship bobbed like a cork
upon the wildly raging seas.
Both nature and the Lord above
seemed indifferent to their pleas.

Then the wisest man among them
said our Savior's promise will be kept.
And with terrified hearts beating wildly
they went to where their master slept.

Waking Jesus

When Jesus came upon the deck
the gale turned to a breeze.
The seas went calm, the waves went flat,
the disciples went to their knees.

"Oh yeah of little faith," Christ chided
"No matter what the waves,
if you live your lives with faith and love
the good Lord always saves."

Waking Jesus

Our church is mired in conflict,
as is the world beyond our door.
Our seas are surging dangerously.
Will we find our way to shore?

The foundations of our church are frayed.
We battle for its soul.
But if we act with faith and love
We all shall remain whole.

Waking Jesus

The light that Jesus gave us
Is the light that lights the world.
It's the light that saved the Apostles
as around them the storm swirled.

Now's not the time to shrink in fear.
We must travel down this road.
With Christ awake inside of us
We can carry any load.

Waking Jesus

February 6, 2005