Campaigns

The Race

It was a beautiful day to have the test.
All the students must run and try their best.
“You must do it alone.” I addressed the crowd.
“It’ll be a timed test so no cheatings allowed.”
And then a young man came up and asked
if he and his friend could run the race last.
“You know the rules, you cannot help your friend,
but if it’s important to you, then just go to the end.”
Then one by one they came up to the line,
they ran to the end and we noted their time.
And then the young man who’d made the request,
came up to the line and his time was the best.
The students all cheered for the record he beat.
For they had all known, t’was an impossible feat.
But, humbly he turned and stood at the end.
Began clapping his hands and called to his friend.
This young man seemed different, as I looked at his face.
But, he’d stepped to the line and began his race.
His friend at the end kept calling his name
and clapping his hands as he ran down the lane.
As he crossed the end his true friend he did find.
It was then that I noticed the young man was blind.
The roar of the crowd was much louder than all.
For he’d run the whole way and he did not fall.
His race was not fast but he’d made the choice
that to finish the race he must follow the voice.
It was then that I learned a true gospel plan.
That God’s at the end and he’s calling to man.
And since we’re all blind and we cannot see.
He’s calling our name saying come follow me.
So the question remains will you make the choice
to stumble and fall or to follow God’s voice?

By Matthew Swan
December 11, 2011

The Carver

The excitement had grown in the city so fair.
T’was the largest event from here to there.
The market began on a lovely spring day.
Many merchants had come from far far away.
A group of young teens had gathered around.
They wandered the streets seeing what could be found.
As the group became larger more boisterous they became.
The leader of the group was caught up in the fame.
It was then that they came to a booth nearly bare.
Just a small block of wood sat on the table top there.
The leader of the group held the wood way up high.
“A small scrap of wood not worth a thing” he did cry.
The boys all laughed and joked at the sight.
What to do with the wood now became their plight.
Just then a large bird came flying near by,
See if you can hit it and knock it right out of the sky.
The young man reared back to let the little block go,
When all of a sudden a hand shot from below.
And old man appeared from the dark of the tent.
His grip was quite strong but he had a slight bent.
He looked at the teen and stared deep in his eye.
“Young man this has something very special inside.”
He stepped from the tent took the wood from his hand,
Sat down on a stool and waved sit to the band.
Then he took out a knife and held up the wood.
The boys got all scared and sat where they stood.
“If you learn the secret then you will all know
That with work and time something special will show.
Each of you are all special of that I know too,
If you sit for a while you’ll learn a thing or two.”
Then he sharpened his knife and began carving the wood.
But finally a young man couldn’t stand it and stood.
“Would you please share the secret we’d all like to know?”
All the heads began nodding and their eyes showed the glow.
The old man took a moment and looked at the crowd,
A tear crossed his cheek and his head dropped and bowed.
Then he raised himself up looked each one in the face,
as he lifted his finger on his heart he did place.
“See the real secret is what’s inside each of you.
God has given it to all and not just a few.
See he’s the master carver if you let him in your life,
and with love sent his Son to ease all worldly strife.
Jesus Christ taught everyone has their own special gift.
His plain words and his actions gave us all a big lift.
It’s here in your soul if you just learn to let it out.
If you do a few things you’ll see what it’s all about.
He said do unto others as you would have them to do to you.
Give your life up in service do a good turn or two.
When you help all the others then Christ will proclaim
That your service to others is serving God just the same.
So it is here deep inside I was taught long ago.
Whether you choose to let it out is up to you to show.”
Then he held up the wood and a face did appear.
Of Christ the Savior from that block it was clear.
A gasp was heard from the group as they looked
At that small scrap of wood that their leader took.
The young men had been taught by a kind loving man.
They learned that to serve was a much better plan.
Their hearts had been touched in a pure simple way.
And they resolved to do good from that very day.
Then the leader of the group turned as the crowd left to go.
“Sir, your name if I could I would really like to know.”
“I’m just an old carpenter from far far away,
But, I’m Joseph of Nazareth thanks for coming today.”

By Matthew Swan

I wrote this after doing the bolo challenge hoping it would let the youth know that if you let God inside of you the best will come out. But we have to turn our lives over to the Master. I enjoyed when I got to the end and several of the youth caught the fact that I was talking about Joseph the husband of Mary, the mother of Christ. One young man came up and wanted to know where in the Bible this story was located.

The Card

One day while pondering I had a dream
I went back in time t’was so real it did seem.
I found myself in a quaint village town
With people all gathered and milling around.
And up on a hill sat a mansion so fair,
The most beautiful found that none could compare.
No one knew who the master of the huge mansion was,
But the notice sent out had the town all a buzz.
The word had been spread both far and wide
That the master would let a select few ones inside.
No villager before was allowed through the gate,
But the people all hoped it would be their fate.
The notice declared that to enter the place,
A card would be given they could not deface.
The Lord of the mansion would check every card.
For he was to act as the true entrance guard.
The people all gathered and waited in line.
I stood there in wonder and soon I had mine.
As I looked at my card a few holes did appear.
Then I glanced at all those who were standing by near.
The announcement came out that the holes represent
The sins in our lives and the wrongs that we’ve let.
A worldly woman was standing quite near.
Her card full of holes it became very clear.
I was proud as I looked at my few little holes.
Thinking surely, I’ll enter mines better than those.
Then the master appeared in white flowing robes.
“I’ll take only those who’s cards have no holes.”
That’s absurd so I thought, how could that be.
Mine was better than most, I could plainly see.
He must let me in, I said in my mind.
Mine’s the best I can see, why he must be blind.
That woman there I would hate to be her.
She’ll never get in of that I am sure.
Then the master came down to touch every card.
Some became perfect, but others stayed marred.
Those who were perfect were let through the gate,
But those who were not, turned to live out their fate.
And then the young woman who’s card I had seen,
Looked at the master, knelt and said “Oh my King.”
Her card became perfect, not a hole in sight.
It was then that I wondered what would be my plight.
Tears of great joy streamed down her kind face.
As she entered the gate of her King’s royal place.
I was next as he paused and looked in my eye.
He had read my thoughts and began his reply.
“For only the penitent can pass through this gate.
The atonement of Christ is what clears their slate.
You see those who enter accept the atoning one
As their King and their savior and God’s holy son.
If your faith and your works show him you did try,
Your card will be perfect in your redeemer’s eye.”
Then he reached for my card, oh what would it be.
Then my dream became blurred, and I could not see.
But the atonement of Christ now much dearer to me.
When my card’s to be touched may it perfect be.

By Matthew Swan
March 29, 2013

The Best Gift

There once was a story bout the wealthiest man, T’was the richest person in all the land.
As Christmas drew near, he boasted that day. “I’ve got the greatest gift it was a lot to pay.
Why no one could give any greater you see. Since money’s no object for one rich as me.”
His boasting and bragging drew such a large crowd. That he puffed out his chest and said this out loud.
“If anyone knows of a far better gift, then please tell me now.” His bragging did drift.
The people all looked to see if one would dare, but no one stepped forward, seemed they didn’t care.
Then clear from the back a commotion began. The crowd slowly parted, then appeared an old man.
The group started whispering how could he know? He’s just a poor carpenter with nothing to show.
The old man hobbled up, the rich man he did face. “You’ve forgotten already, that’s such a disgrace.
That gift has been given the cost was quite clear. It’s been given to each and everyone here.
And to all who have lived and yet to be born. I’m sorry you’ve lost by tooting your horn.”
“How could one be richer than me?” he said. “I’m the smartest alive; I’ve the best business head.
Why I could pay twice whatever his cost. There’s no chance on earth that I could have lost!”
The old man smiled and turned to the crowd, and asked them a question, he said it out loud.
“If all got a gift to remove sins each has done. Could there be enough money in the world for that one?”
The people all nodded, smiles grew on their face. The old man had won, put the rich man in his place.
But, then full of love the old man turned again. Spoke words of comfort to this solemn faced man.
“You see Christ our Savior has done that for us. He suffered in the garden and died on the cross.
So soon we’ll all celebrate the Christ child’s birth. The greatest gift given to God’s children on earth.
So, the real question I have, is what will you do, to give back to God and the Christ child too?”
A pause filled the air, the rich man saw his fate. Then slowly he whispered. “I hope it’s not too late?”
A tear crossed the cheek of the rich man that day. “Thank you, dear man, you’ve shown me the way.
I must do unto others as Christ did for me. It’s the greatest gift, I can now plainly see.
My money is nothing since you put it that way. I must use it for good now from this very day.”
The old man smiled as he walked cross the floor. But the rich man called as he reached for the door.
“I respectfully ask may I please have you name?” “It’s Joseph of Nazareth his reply quietly came.”