What Do You See God In ?

As a child I was always told that God was the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end and everything in between. That's what they said, but I never really saw much evidence of them believing in that. At least not that way I came to see it as I got older. As I continue the journey looking, searching, and occasionally glimpsing peace, I find it in life's moments. It's usually the small moments, the ones that I used to maybe smile at but never really thought about seeing God in. A few years ago I wrote the lyrics to this song, and so far it comes closest to how I feel.

GOD IN EVERYTHING

I saw God flying 'cross the sky

He was a red tail hawk soarin' high

When he turned into a teardrop

He was fallin' from my eye

I saw God flyin' cross the sky

Now and then I really feel the winds blow

That holy spirit stirs my ragged soul

Remindin' me I'm not alone and

Without pain, I'd have never grown

Now and then I really feel the winds blow

I see God in everything

In a strangers smile and broken dreams

From open arms to fields of green

I see God in everything

He's that mighty river flowin'

Everywhere my achin' hearts goin'

Livin' in the soul of everyman

That's one thing that I've known

He's that mighty river flowin'

I see God in everything

A black hearse rollin' n' angel wings

Wooden crosses to prayer beads

I see God in everything

In a gentle kiss on a moonlit stream

Children's laughter and when life stings

I see God in everything

I see God in everything

Copyright@Glenn Simmons Music

It's a conditioning, sometimes an effort. But I feel God in a strangers handshake, in catching an older persons eyes, in watching friends walk together. Sunsets, rain showers, mourning doves,music, and friends. He's there in it all. Hopefully I can be in the moment more and more, right where God is. I'd like to know where you see God.

PERFECT WORLD

I wrote this song with my friend Milan Miller. I has been received warmly and writers that we greatly admire think highly of it. That's the finest compliment I can think of. If your interested you can hear a version at this link, and it can be purchased on i tunes, under Jon Bryd's CD called Bryd's Auto Parts. I hope you enjoy it!!

 http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/profile/GlennSimmons

In a perfect world

My tongue wouldn't scar your heart

I'd say all the little things I forgot

And tomorrow wouldn't hurt

In a perfect world

In a perfect world

I'd have nothing to hide

My troubles would all be cast aside

and I could turn the tide

In a perfect world

But it ain't that way

A little rain falls somewhere everyday

People walk away from their lives

Even on sunny days

In a perfect world

You'd still be standing at my side

You wouldn't have to look beyond these eyes

To find your dreams 

In a perfect world

But it ain't that way

A little rain falls somewhere everyday

People walk away from their lives

Even on sunny days

In a perfect world

I'd hold more than your memory

I'd lock the gates behind you and me

We'd find our dreams in a perfect world

Just you and me in a perfect world

Forever we'd be in a perfect world

copyright@Glenn Simmons Music

Men and Mentors

So here I am living in 2009. United States. Nashville Tennessee. The information age as my friends say. Before you the ink of your signature has dried on the credit card receipt, the new gadget you have, something faster, smarter, and cooler has already hit stores somewhere else. We live in a world of externals. How you look, what you drive, your zip code, the car you drive, all of that "stuff". We don't tend to look however on the inside. 

In a broad sense it makes me wonder what my culture and what I am passing along to my children. More specifically, what do I teach them in regards to being men. Do I encourage them on the path of stuff or the path of spirituality, and not that the inevitable blending isn't all bad. Do I encourage a job and money or maybe "life's work", "a calling". I've seen those folks that seem to be doing just what they were put here for. They make me envious to be honest. It makes me wish I had been led in that direction.

So I don't have any big answers. No huge definitives for my children. I ask them to search and be free to follow a life that is full. One that keeps them circling in good spaces and asking questions that bring them closer to themselves and their Maker. 

They are on their own journeys and will find their mountains and valleys, darkness and light. I hope to give them a glimpse of what it means to be a man. Among the bumps, bruises, and scars, they will see a man of dignity, engaged in his walk. One with faults but is continually striving to grow everyday, and to put his faith and dependence in things that are timeless.

The Spiral

When I first entertained the thought of marking my body in a permanent way with ink I had many thoughts to process through. First I would want something that meant something to me. I love Dolphins, I really do, I just didn't want one tattooed on my body. No skulls and crossbones or crosses. No pictures of Christ crying or cartoon characters. None of that seemed to make sense for me. Despite the global use of the spiral to promote everything from coffee to underwear, it always had a lure for me.

 It was ancient and mystical. It was Native, organic, and held a million meanings thru countless cultures. The spiral, has signified the direction for water. The plane between the physical and the spiritual, the journey of life. The Hopi believed the center of life was where you were born. When life was perfect. I've been told the spiral is one of the earliest symbols for human spirituality. 

So there it was. The spiral. That's what I would have tattooed. Oh yeah, next hurdle...where would I have it placed? I'm at an age where physically I'm not as taut as I used to be, if you know what I mean. With grace and mercy I hope to live for many more years and I don't see a sudden rise in my physical tone. I had to find a place that would age gracefully !!  No biceps, no legs. I thought of my back but who would see it? So I settled on the inside of my forearm. Small, moderately discreet.

Yes, I had friends and family that just shook their heads, like it was some passing fancy. I guess they think only old wrinkled bikers or ex Navy guys have them. Whatever!!

My spiral has a small twist to it. On the inside of the spiral there is a cross. My way of seeing it is that when you are born you are at the center of the spiral, the closest to God I may ever be. Throughout life I have moved along the path of this spiral, this journey, down many roads. As the journey has continued I find myself on a path moving back to the center, back to God. Back to the Maker. Back to harmony with myself and everything in my world. 

The tattoo is a reminder for me everyday to move closer to the center. It is also a reminder that

everyone is at a different place on their journey. I hope for patience as others are patient with me. 

Permanent markings can be very en powering just as public professions of faith can be. I've you've thought about one, don't let the nay sayers bother you. Enjoy !!

A SIMPLE PRAYER

I wrote this on Easter morning. Without a doubt it is a prayer. A reaching out. A longing to be in a different space, to be the man I'm trying to be. I suppose it's all part of the journey in finding ones self amidst the wreckage of life. The time when looking for the answers, the real answers takes you inside yourself, inside your ego and that quiet desire for it all to revolve around us. I am many mornings from this being me, but I am aware that I can no longer find peace in the ways of old.

A SIMPLE PRAYER

Give me good ears and an open heart

Make my tongue slow to talk

Maybe then I'll truly hear

The spirit of you calm my fears

It's a simple prayer I pray today

I'm not asking to wash my problems away

I just want to feel you in the everyday

It's a simple prayer I pray today

Make me quick to love

Take my desire for the push n' shove

Make my touch gentle like the lamb

I don't want to stay the way I am

It's a simple prayer I pray today

I'm not asking to wash my problems away

I just want to feel you in the everyday

It's a simple prayer I pray today

Change will come from deep inside

And the love will shine where I hide

Glenn Simmons

copyright@Glenn Simmons Music