Sweet Wine

My old friend Will McFarlane told me this one recently…

When I was on staff at a large church in North Carolina a few years back, the hyper-fundamentalist streak ran deep with some of the parishioners.  On a Sunday after our quarterly communion service, one particularly staunch and highly opinionated little ol’ “church lady” was complaining to me about the flavor of the grape juice being a bit too sweet.

As she continued her intense assessment about how this was hardly acceptable, and a real affront to a God-honoring worship service, with a chuckle I interjected something to lighten the mood. “You know, ma’am, Christ himself conducted the very first Eucharist using and drinking wine as the holy substitute.”

“Yes, I know,” she lamented.  “And I think less of Him for it!”

We Believe So Well

As our conversation swells

And our patience somehow lingers

And accusing fingers shout about
 insensitivity

Don't we oscillate so well

Within our fundamental boundaries

While fiery foundries melt us down

And kill tranquility

But we believe so well

Don't we tell ourselves

Don't we take exclusive pride

That we abide so far from hell?

We might laugh together

But don't we cry alone

For the ashes and the dust

We've swept beneath the Holy throne

As our hidden candor dies

And our realism falters

And the altars of our hearts close up
in insecurity

We believe that all is well

We perceive ourselves as unshaken

While standing on the precipice

Of what will never be

But we believe so well

Don't we tell ourselves

Don't we take exclusive pride

That we abide so far from hell?

We might laugh together

But don't we cry alone

For the ashes and the dust

We've swept beneath the Holy throne

Written by Mark Heard © 1984 Kenwood Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZW2HLxpMy0&feature=related