More than Thoroughbreds

You shall not eat the fat or meat 

of animals that died in the field.

Go grease a wheel or oil a shield, 

don’t lick your fingers or have a meal.

Make offerings of living things, 

but keep your teeth away from fat.

What’s God’s is not for you, upshot. 

Be satisfied, ‘cause that is that. 

—–

What binds us into families 

is stronger than the bonds of blood.

We’re more than horsey thoroughbreds 

united through a common stud. 

We live by trust, so when we must,

we sacrifice so all can eat.

Our hungers for what some deplore 

we’ll keep in check without deceit.   

———-

Photo:  by  Darius Soodmand on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 7:23-27

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune: Ye Banks and Braes, Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2012/Score/WeCannotMeasure-YeBanks.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission  

The Magical Power of Touch

With your body, touch somebody; magic things ensue.

Cleanliness is shared, but other things can happen, too. 

Eat whatever’s clean, but give a care for when you’re not.

Blow your nose, and wash your hands. We share in all we’ve got. 

—–

If, indeed, you’re what you’ve eaten, join us for some meat.

Fruits and veggies have their place but, this is quite a treat.

Let’s be healthy, keep it clean and fit for all to see.

God in heaven calls us into sacred unity.

———-

Photo:  by Womanizer WOW Tech on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 7:19-21

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  Common’ Frae The Town , Public Domain    

Score: https://www.flutetunes.com/tunes/comin-thro-the-rye.pdf 

Audio: https://www.flutetunes.com/tunes/comin-thro-the-rye.mp3 

Food Safety Leviticus 7:11-18

Special dishes for some days in very certain ways are made.

If the meal is held outdoors, what’s leftover may not be safe.

It will not be to your credit should you thrift make someone sick.

Feasting days and celebrations have their limits. Finish quick!

—————–

Photo:  by Kirsty TG on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 7:11-18

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  Esther , Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2018/Score/OToFathom-Esther-Chords.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission  

The Messiness of Sin and Guilt

Avoiding sin and guilt is a task that’s worth your time.
They’re messy and subtract the enjoyment from your life.
Some people can be helpful as you try to get free,
and worthy of their pay as you gain your liberty. 
 —–
The wages that sin pays aren’t like money that you bank,
and guilt’s like a withdrawal that drains your empty tank.
It’s sure someone will profit from what you’ll have to pay,
so calculate what’s good from the guidance of God’s way.
 ———-
Photo: by Zach Vessels on Unsplash
Source:  Leviticus 7:2-10
Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0
Tune:   Salley Gardens, Public Domain    
Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/InspiredByLove-SalleyGardens.pdf 
Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission  

Another Cost to Pay

Though all sin can be forgiven there are few who can forget.

Those who help us make confession, find it even harder yet. 

—–

As they’re serving for our healing, they get stained by what we say.

Broken and polluted vessels, help us onto healing’s way.

—–

Only God can give forgiveness. Those who represent declare:

“It’s through holy restoration that salvation’s brought to bear.” 

———-

Photo:  by Matt Artz on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 6:25-30

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  Charlestown, Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2017/Score/WhenHeWasBaptised-Charlestown-Chords.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

When an Oath is Sworn

When an oath is sworn, there is no halfway.

Bring the best you are, on the sacred day.

Morn and evening both, come with all prepared.

Vows are to be kept, all that’s been declared.

—–

Long as we shall live, Until death does part

Body, soul and will, from the depths of heart,

while the sun still shines, as the moon gives light

holding nothing back, giving all that’s right. 

———-

Photo:  by Steward Masweneng on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 6:20-23

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  Le P’ing , Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2020/Score/RiseToGreetTheSun-LePing-Chords.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Wonder Bread

If you burn an offering, it makes ashes and smoke.

Nobody but you gets blessed, ‘specially not poor folk.

Better, then, burn just a bit, leave the rest for feeding

those who live by serving what other folks are needing.

—–

As you’re letting go of stuff, making your load lighter

you can live in gratitude, and the way is brighter

on the path that God has set, onto which she’s called you.

Follow that adventure’s lead, wherever it leads to. 

———-

Photo:  by Katie Moum on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 6:14-18

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  St. John Damascene , Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2018/Score/ComeYeFaithful-StJohnDasmascene-Chords.pdf

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

This is the Ritual of the Burnt Offering

In early May the weather changed, and smoke was in the air.

Some neighbor men had grills outside, and they were COOKING there.

—–

Attired In sloganed aprons testifying to their skill

they turned the steaks and burned the brats for all to eat at will.

—–

The burning stopped when valves were shut, the ritual then ceased.

But while the fat was in the fire, we all inhaled the feast. 

———-

Photo:  by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 6:9-13

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune: Caithness, Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF-2010/ChristWhenForUs-Caithness.pdf 

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Not as Clever as you Thought

You thought it was a clever plan,

but really, it was just a scam.

You banked on it, but now regret

that what you did, you can’t forget. 

—–

When finders keep and losers weep

the debts incurred may well be deep.

Just being sorry’s not enough; 

there’s work beyond returning stuff.

—–

A penalty is to be paid: 

deception’s costs must all be weighed;

a witness to it all engaged;

so sin and loss can be assuaged.

———

Photo:  by DannyMomsen, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Source:  Leviticus 6:2-7

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  Adon Olam , Public Domain    

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2017/Score/SingNowWithJoy-AdonOlam-Chords.pdf

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission

Joyful Exculpation

Avoiding learning traffic laws won’t save you from a ticket. 

When randomly you park your car, the cop knows where to stick it. 

—–   

Imagining infractions keeps some people from offending. 

Imprisoned in their fear of trouble keeps them from attempting. 

—–

The rules we break unknowingly don’t lead to condemnation

Forgiveness is God’s favorite means of joyful exculpation.

———-

Photo:  by  Caspar Rae on Unsplash

Source:  Leviticus 5:17-19

Text:  David Alexander, 2021  CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune: Dominus Regit Me, Public Domain    

Score:      https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2017/Score/TheKingOfLove-DominusRegit-Chords.pdf     

Audio: www.smallchurchmusic.com  Used by Permission