Beyond Materialism

What really separates us from an animal? What I’ve gleaned is that we are one part physical One part spiritual One part is temporary One part is eternity

So with our physical side It needs material It needs supplies It needs resources But it’s not everything We are much more Life goes beyond Materialism

When my time is up And this chapter closed I will approach a shoreline

There separating heaven and earth I will be held in a balance My worth weight And the only thing that I could take Are the deeds I’ve done The lives I’ve touched The love I’ve shown And how much I’ve grown

To my great-aunt Mrs. Nancy Rhodes God bless She was the first in this bloodline to open the door Before it closed I just happened to slide in

To my Uncle Roger Thank you for all the surprise visits You continue to make me smile

My body may be buried But beyond materialism my spirit lives It sees It speaks It breathes

I enjoy my now But happier, still will I be.

Beneath materialism Beneath the clothes The flesh and bones Is a spirit A trust gifted to us by the great being A seed planted by the creator of all things It lies within us dormant Patiently waiting to be watered with the words of God

"O SON OF MAN! Veiled in My immemorial being And in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; Therefore I created thee, Have engraved on thee Mine image And revealed to thee My beauty."

The words of God feed and fuel the spirit Allowing it to germinate Allowing it to pollinate the world Filling it with virtue It’s roots will establish And what is to come next but a mighty stronghold A sanctuary for all that is good

Because materialism has claimed too many lives It takes too much of our attention There is an army on the rise Some of you are already enlisted Its ranks continue to swell So too does its capacity To win They’ve learned to not divide and conquer But unite and conquer They march Cycle after cycle They march Sharpening their methods as they go If they approach don’t fret They speak of peace They come guided

Beyond the walls of materialism there is a kingdom Steadily extending its borders Walls aren’t going up Walls are coming down To encompass all This vision Requires a pure mind A discerning eye

This system being erected as we speak Is fit for all It will benefit all It’s the responsibility of all But it’s not built on wishes Effort is needed Work needs to be done Sacrifice is made Joy is felt The choices we make will determine our destiny Mitakuye Oyasin

Beyond materialism Our leaders of men They’ve been sent at different times We’ve called them by different names But they’re all guided by His Holiness They all stand together serving the same cause Emitting the same light They hold and deserve The highest stations no man can touch Their names are revered Their names are revered and rightfully so Their sacrificial lives have inspired generations Their holy books have gathered a faithful mass Congregations of countries have pledged their allegiance This is not man-made

Beyond materialism Beyond the flash and fads The hustle for money The push for product The drive of consumption The technology, toys The news and noise The oppression, the racism The gossip, the backbiting The estrangement and apathy The bills, the chores The constant maintenance of day-to-day Life takes on a very different meaning

I searched for knowledge Because a friend of mine Stirred me awake Octavio Gonzalez Wherever you are May God protect you Your words served me well

In 2003 I became much more driven Much more observant Much more reflective Much more astute And I started to look within books Within movies Within friends Within nature Within churches Most importantly I searched within myself

Beyond materialism I found something praise be to God It was a response to my efforts The solutions that I received Completely satisfied my soul

"Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, And nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent."

Beyond materialism that ageless voice is calling us to prayer

I hope to see you there I hope to see you there.