The Ingredients

As I share this love poem for The Bride and Groom... 

... let it be a prayer offering and confirmation for the eternal bonds have been spoken into existence today.

The inspirational verse from God's word for this poem comes out of:

Mathew 5:6    Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.

THE INGREDIENTS:

Whilst romance draws us near
... and passions summon our heart's still farther

Today we witness
and celebrate
... a Love that glorifies
(besides The Bride)

Almighty God
... Our Father

For PaPa's hand
leads our walk
... each step in life IS numbered

Two lives
... presented

As a holy offering
... United

Intention:
... The Embodiment of Christ-likeness and Holy Spirit Power

Two faithful shepherds
... stewarding lives

Immersion Experience
... as a calling

His promise is
... for joy complete

Descends
... like manna falling

For His plan to heal
... reconciles those
Whose out-streched arms ... pulls others close

The ingredients for Life Abundant:
To only name a few:

- Desiree Maxine

- Nicole Renee

- Natilee Juliette

- Sara Marilyn

and a son,
- Brian Ascher
... now too

These Families
- once shaken
... and yes, stirred

Are now Blended
- Perfectly

For Our Creator
- Whom We Faithfully Serve

________________________________

Now as we raise our glasses in a toast for the Bride and Groom, I quote an amazing witness and Brother - Natchi Lazarus:

"Never forget that 50 percent of your wisdom comes from your spouse"

... pretty sure his wife told him that!

Love Like Les

So much's been said
    of this well lived-out life
what I add here today
    ... seems only a trife

But better to speak
    of these truths
While we're able

By honoring HIS Humility
    we may increase its value!



a Yogi - an Artist
a Snowboarder (quite RAD)
    Head shakes at the memories of the mad skills of this Lad

a Coach - a Trainer
an Author - a Sk8r
    ... a GEEK

a Traveler - a Guide
    ... and a friend
Damn list'll get longer had you waited a week!!!



My Friendship with Les
    was True from the Start

... most impressive to me
from that Day One
 Weren't business deals or achievements won

... but His Presence and The Process of His Servant Heart

- its so rare when you meet someone who
- genuinely connects to the passion in you
- who's stoke lights even higher that fire anew
- when HIS Belief in YOUR Dream lifts The Hope in US too!



To each of us Les is either
- a Cousin
- a Nephew
- a Husband - Father
- a Son also GRAND!
.... so let's all live in tribute to this profound stand:

When You Love Like Les - It Is Really MORE





06/24/1983 to 06/14/2014

JZ UNLEASHED

A Families woe's
 - if left untold
may claim a
strangle hold

So better we
 - whom do
take heed
Surrender our sorrow
 - to Thee

And in doing so
we lift-up
 - our love for
Jimmy Z



A Son
A Brother
An Uncle
 - a Friend
Pure Love for us
 - had he

Yes, us!
"The Least of These"

THIS Humble
Servant heart's desire
 - was to
simply please



A Contractor
A Carpenter
 - his business
was a ministry

Transformed houses
 - into homes
while impacting lives
 -  for The Throne
James did so!
WILLINGLY



He shared His
Experience
Strength
And Hope
 
Helpfuly led
any newcomer
  - still struggling
to cope

and like his smile
  -  bursting forth
You'd learn to work it
  - 'cause of your WORTH

His personal investing
(in us)
was such a Blessing



And finally a Waterman
 - who's stoke today we honor
Taken too soon
 - yes?
Nor should we question our Heavenly Father

A decision made
 - at The Lane
To paddle or to hitch?

This proud man
 - followed God's
perfect plan
 - and never considered which

For Surfers know
 - when pushed
below
Up His Leash
 - we must climb
And as we cling
 - to The Vine
Through our Strife
God's hand
WILL
 - lift us to
Eternal Life



So like James
We should each
keep growing
 
In Christ likeness
 - as did he

And be certain
of your future
 - knowing
 
Jim has been
 - gracefully
set free

rep Heaven's Holy Harvest

Work place toil without God
    un-alters
Heavens Harvest

Till desert seasons
    reveal your role
as a Jr. Partner

Man's preparations, plans and purpose
    can not PROFIT
The One we forgo

Reconcile our bottom-line
    with God as CEO

------------------------------------

Repatriate corporate identities
    to serve among the Least of These
acknowledge any insecurity
    can be re-shaped by Devine Trinity

Then boldly move into Authority
Humbly sharing your Testimony
and prayerfully lay hold of an Eternal Destiny

------------------------------------

As we become the TRUTH we are taught
    Let our hearts seek as He first sought

And Presence The One
    doing as He'd done
By devoting our home-work-life ministry
    to Christ
- His Son

Let us rebuild the nations gone askew
    ... though the laborers in numbers are few

Exchange earthly ROI
    by accepting manna from on-high

and sowing services - practiced best
    every business venture re-purposed...

for Heaven's Holy Harvest

True Freedoms Neighborhood

His Promise:
We'll DO even Greater than HE!?!
... to the lock shackled mind
      who've yet Eyes that can see
Untrustingly DOing
      when He'd rather we BE

Separated:
Self-reliance
... masks uncertain fear
Known by Spirit-Creator
      The I-AM Dwells HERE

Our Holy Land
Seventh Heaven
True Freedom's neighborhood
... entered joyously by children
     whom choose servitude

Faith in ACTION is trusting
Complete Acceptance bridges both:
The Maker and His Creation
... within thee - thy Holy Host

Once dubbed Valley O’Hearts Delight
 begat Shockley’s transistors

a silicon birthright

The Farm seeding

 ventures to be 
computing solutions the fruit of HP

NeXT Jobs and The Woz
  thought differently
Macintosh truly an extension of me

iPhoney friends only in numbers grow
 #Quantifed-self a friend or a foe?

Crowdsourced solutions IS Valley 3.0h

-------------------------------------

... submitted contest entry; Poetry

Center San Jose - Poetry on the Move.

GRATEFUL

Grateful for this day born
 Stirred awake to early mor'n
Once cut from a mothers cord
 New bonds shapened - take worldly form

Love Struck - maternal - in early years
 Nourished, protected from uncertain fears
Your hand swept-up each fallen tear


Set afoot away from home
 Heading not your plan - life unfolds
At stake the virtue of my soul
 Cleaved away my flesh from bone

Deep inside - a still small voice is heard
 Righted now by your word
Forsaken not by The One
 Reborn anew unto Your Son

Wide is the Gate
 for those who take
a view kaleidoscope

When beliefs are a plenty
  we forsake The One
Who gave all creation hope

The Secret is not innocent
 deception with malintent 
Such wide paths take a great toll
 Ballast shifts within a pure soul



An Examined Life
 reveals through our strife
whom truly worship do we

In times of duress
 I still must confess
The mess I had made out of me



Our Father does know
 in our hearts what we sow
T'was not He alone whom I sought

Neither did I manifest
 prosperity when times seemed best
Seek of He at present I stopped

I gave Him no mind
 let go of the vine
A spiritual malady
 to pursue only salary
And trample upon
 any thought of religion

Pride exclaimed it was all about me...
 

Yet sorrows seasons
 usurps the unreasoned
reduced to meakness was thee

Then He gathered up
  this black sheep amok
our fruit now fallen and bruised

Made Whole - Yes RESTORED
 Pure Love He Outpours
Thank God for Heavens Good News!

UNITED

i know not of
 my earthly father's mind
or why his faith life
 had worn blind
heart broken by years of strife
 he knew not The Way - The Truth - The Life

a village named Depok
  journey began
weaving three continents
 across which he spanned

fifth of nine kids
 amidst 2nd world war
fire fights - unspoken battles
 violence de jour

prison camp survivor
 living hell on earth
savaged by warriors
 devalued human worth

by 19 - a dad to three
 fugitive in Freisland
an Indonesian escapee
 
here a new love
 thought he had found
two families and now four children
 young lives came unwound 

geographic relocation
  opposed two distant shores
sons and daughters now separate
 through healing - restored

Hoboken, yup, Jersey
 Mitch_Again next - he'd not stop
settled down in west oakland
 wasn't much yet a lot!

a trained electrician, thanks Dutch PT and T
 doggedly earn a hi-tech Double E
in oTown shipyards
 earn'n dollahs - scrubbing floors
language barriers he'd break down
 ambition held back never more

lifting cable, back broken
 slowed by pain - surgeons knife
in EPA a belly grows
  in '62 - i'm alive

American Dream on Susan Way
  1226 targeted acquire
suburban bliss - so it seemed
 achieved a long held desire

a New Year Baby
  dad served as the consummate host
upwardly mobile design engineer
 outward expressions?  a frequent toast!
Lincoln Conti with back doors suicide - so he'd boast
mink coats and live band parties
 impressed we least the most
 
unmet needs and wounds unhealed
 toll began from him to take
a BRAND NEW house in Orchard City
 start fresh AGAIN were forced to make


dad finally tipped his hand
 summer's end of 72
introduced us two youngest sons
  of daughters he'd long knew

he loved us all that summer whence
 his heart shown nearly full bloom
A decade later his eldest son commenced
 from LA to our living room

Fenian Drive unlike HIS rainbows
  a promise never delivered
but you reconciled each one of us
 a courageous act by a true father figure

twenty plus two years since we last saw eye to eye
 i pray palms turned to heavens sky
my entire family you'll meet 
 
kids, grand - great - and greater
 born unto and through you
  itself a miraculous feat


And that each one of us
 fruit of the vine
HEAR the WORD and SEE the LIGHT
 written down behind each line
Let each of us worship fully
 our Father God devine


Dedicated to:

Willem Edward Jonathans 

01.01.29 Depok Indonesia to 05.24.89 Malaga, Portugal

TOWARD YOU

Dawn awakens
 Grey skies part
I seek a path
 Unto Your heart

Set upon a path to find
 Surrender from a labyrinth mind
Quieted now I strive to hear
 Your truth and will as I draw near

Toward You as my center
  No longer lost
Oriented now
  By the sight of Your cross

As my journey turns and I twist away
 By faith and grace God's work displayed
Certain only for this day
 Lead me in each step today
Let me hear You Lord - dare I pray
 
A lone carpenter's saw
  cuts my sin of past
A door now heard - suddenly open
 Through it I walk - at long last

Foot steps paced - now open stride
 heart beat pounds
His arms held wide
  In His Glory we'll reside

Let your LOVE for those un-known
 though our live's NOW be shown
Moved us from chaos toward content
 All shining jewels before Your throne


 - Composed at The Stone Labyrinth Walk, 1st Congressional Church San Jose

DEVINE INSTANT


In that moment
 when our eyes met
you've since said
  a plan was set


Two spirits
  Kindred
Chaos
  Survived
a Coupleship entered
  our lives collide


Vows shared
  Tender
Wedding rings
  Exchanged
Trials
  Prevailed
True Love
  Remains


Grace
  Understanding
Patient
  Kind
Passion then contentment
  Loving You
Sublime


Outside ourselves
  beat hearts
a Daughter
  and Son

Two Devine Instants
  Weld our souls into one


Happy Birthday Kitten!

uRloved

KittenTale 08.04.2008 Campbell, CA

lonely, I sat
barstool and beer
slapped awake - I suddenly hear
“you wear a visor indoors?” she playfully querried
“my future’s so bright” I wished to've wittingly parried

but words to express
my love for you
still today I do stumble...
earlier muted by beauty
now simply humbled

next we’d dance
yeah, girls’ got smooth groove
but later she reveals
a plan to soon move

truth now be told
then somewhat relieved
for a love like this
my heart was too bruised

near summers’ end
her voice played on my phone
learned she’d claim LA
no longer her home

a new life up north
is what she now sought
so when can I see you?
what time have you got?

all seven room mates
gone for the night
spaghetti for two…
“come by if you like”

self conscious I felt
as I parked my bike inside
nervously I asked - “need any help?”
enthusiasm amplified

“salad dressing needs a shake -
grab that bottle – its new”
I gave it a hard tap
across the kitchen it flew

together each day
by now we’re an item
we share an epic wave
stylin hawaiian

post race lap – one final go
we’re out collecting litter
on fuel too low - we rode too far
amidst mud was a glitter
saved by our _Higher Power_ bar

its clear to me now
her love is mine too
russian time glows
late with the moon

return from PV
now flying home
SouthwestAir is our carriage
from the cockpit i risk it all
please accept my hand in a marriage

she said yes - champagne flows
our glasses clink with cheer
the plane touched ground
we float the whole year

life vibrant - full of friends
volleyball and hot tubs
when God armed with an EPT
lends a reality nudge

a doc named Seive
who’s hands did not falter
delivered us both
a fine son and a daughter

a labored delivery
for first born son
quietly entered – his motor stalled
jump start that heart
now Parker he’s called

blessed be that Brooke
flowed into our world
her tiny voice
most joyous noise we’d ever heard

a mother holding daughter
a father holding son
God doing for us
what we could never alone done

so it remains still today
while we celebrate you
who breathes life into each of us
our love we’ll renew

reaching out our hands
we’ll shout, sing or scream
for love and understanding
Beyond our Wildest Dreams!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANA!!!
/edj

Happy Valentines Day Kitten!
----------------------------------------


Circles of Light
Surround and Expose
-
Our Love Deep Within
For Those Once Held Close


Around Love Comes Back
To Those Whom Do Sow
-
Though Left, Not Forsaken
In Trust We Must Grow


Like Dusk Before Dawn
And Light Before Day
-
Our Paths Merge As One
His Plan is Our Way


I Pray For This Daily:
So His Will It Must Be
-
I Commit Unto You
His Love Sets Us Free

Gods' True Gifts

------------------------------

Protected beneath a canopy
of Redwoods clustered high
Needles fallen - cushion footsteps
My path to God is softened

Mist gathers - drops fall
tapping slowly - telling time
Gentle breeze - bending ferns
God is reaching towards me

Slivers of sunlight -
Grace sent from above
His light does shine inside
my once forested mind

Enveloped by calm serenity
Prayers He alone granted
Nourish a vision of healing
i experience your presence

/edj
17.12.2007
Redwood Grove - Botanical Gardens
at the University California - Berkeley

NOT MY HERO

------------------------

… SPINNING TUNES MIXIN MAD RHYMS

FOR THE UN-UNITED NATIONS IN MORAL DECLINE

…OUR TOOLS – SIMPLY WORDS BASED ON TRUTHS - YOU CAN NO LONGER IGNORE

YOUR SHIELD - JUST LIES TO OUR PEOPLE - THOSE WORDS WE ABHOR

…BUSH OIL INC'S BUSY TRASHING WORLD FORESTS AND SHORES

WHILE HOMELAND DEFENSE PUSHES CLOSER NEW WARS

EDUCATION IS FAILING YOUTH - DEMAND WORTHLESS TEST SCORES

BUT JAILS FOR CRIMINALS - HELL - LETS JUST BUILD US SUM MORE

U R NOT MY HERO

…CEO COFFERS SPILL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO SHAME

GOLDEN PARACHUTE TO FAILED EXECUTIVES – ITS JUST A SHELL GAME

SO CALLED LEADERS THINK THEY CAN JUST TAKE WHAT IS MINE

BUSINESS ETHICS DEFINED MEANS ONLY PAYING A FINE

U R NOT MY HERO

… OUR POWER IS REALIZED BY HOLDING NEAR WHAT IS DEAR

CAN’T CENSOR OUR BEAT - THE TRUTH - RHYMES THAT YOU HEAR

... VOICES PULSING LIKE ECHOS - WORLD WIDE WE’LL BE HEARD

LA, BOSTON, SF AND NEW YORK. SEATTLE, CHICAGO YALL ARE DOWN WITH OUR WORD

NOT MY HERO

… WORLDS AT A TIPPING POINT – STOP MORTGAGING OUR FUTURE DOWN

ITS TIME TO RISE UP - TAKE IT BACK - AND TAKE HOLD OF THE CROWN

LIVE TO A HIGHER STANDARD SISTAHS_n_BROTHERS

BUILD MASS AND MOMENTUM - TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER

GODS' LIVING RULE SAYS WE BE A PRESENT PARENT

STOP CONSUMING ABSENT CONSCIOUS THOUGHT OR INTENT

… BARTER TRANSACTIONS BASED ON INTELLIGENCE

YOUR EVERYDAY CHOICES WIELD MAD INFLUENCE

.. SCRIPT YOUR STORY WITH EVERY STEP THAT YOU WALK

LETS MARCH ON DC AND STOP THE WAR WITH IRAQ...

TO GRANDBOB [Dad_n_Law] Happy 70th Birthday!!!
==============================================

A story of GranBob
in prose i do offer.
To commemorate his 70th
and a friendship from which we each prosper.

Stan was a kind man
who'd rather live quite simply
Stella was a graceful
a special beauty.

Early in life
his heart they were told,
was murmmered by Great Lake winters
seemingly too cold.
So lovingly his parents
heeding guidance wisely
moved to the desert
to raise a new family.

Bob's journey for knowledge
acquired through self-learning
continues today - dividends still returning.

A "baller" active in many sports
as each year he grew taller.
Victories to this day - Pump Him Up -
make him Hollah!!!

Now picture this young man
as new husband and father
Determined to secure
a future for 3 daughters.
Hit the books at night
9-5 solve payload compliance
Kids at home and a wife
YES THIS WAS ROCKET SCIENCE!

... and sacrifices made,
navigating complexities of life
Defined his values
to overcome strife.

Today - now at 70
Bob is NOT slowing down.
70 is the new 50
he proclaims Globe Trotting around.

CABRILLO DOCENT
- BOTANIST
-- HIKER EXTRORDINAIRRE
GEOLOGIST
- GARDENER
-- and OH Yeah - OMNILAIRRE!
BUT tonight a Disco King
Channeling Fred Astair

If you hear his life speaking
and you carefully listen
His adventures will stir you
may make your eyes glisten

So tonight we raise a toast
in your name there is honor:
- a life well lived
- friends abound
May your 70's go on for ever...

WHY I SURF:

I need to feel alive and when I hit the 49 degree salt water of Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz, CA there is no question of that truth. From the initial, self-induced shock, immediately followed by a deep, pounding heartbeat; to the short rapid breathes and an ever widening grin with each stroke as I greet friends in the line up - each moment defines the experience.

It is also the rituals of a _dawn patrol_ session which are calming and comforting. Loading the truck, pulling on the rash guard, hauling myself over a fence that seems to get higher every time I climb it, the trek down the cliff, paddling out and carving a flowing bottom turn add a rythmn to my life that no other act can offer.

And as a husband, father, coach, dog-walker and employee and I have to slice out this time for myself or risk losing who I am. Its simple really... when I've taken care of myself I can better focus on how to serve others. Thats why my life is better when I surf.

/edj


S - serenity
U - utopia
R - return [i'm from Indo so the Pacific is my home]
F - flow

Air_Borne_Again
[slammed this one out at 30k ft. on HawaiinAirlines]


Altitude at Three Miles High
Island Bound - Bouncin a 767

Time Zones Drop Bye
Closer Now To My Heaven...


Above the Cloud Line Provides the View
That Restores my Personal Perspective
Urging on Self-Reflection
Priorities Renewed

Having Lived So Far - on this Journey - Life
Recognizing Now
The Hardest Route
Need Not be Traveled Twice

Call it my 3/quarter Life Crisis
or simply my Refrain
Condition of my System - Considerably Insane
Chemical Afflictions Scratching at my Brain

Adapting to a Learned Culture
Counting Steps that Count XII
Higher Power Provides New Meaning
And Deliverance from HELL

Damnation Through Self-Seeking
of Needs Which Can Never be met...
I Wipe Clear my Ego
with Eyes Freshly Wet

I Stand in my Path
Littered with Sorrow
And Reach Out to Embrace
... a Sober Tomorrow

Four on the Floor Now
Gentle Landing - Coming Still - End of Roll
The End of Generational Addition...
My Legacy for All

HappyHoHoHolidays!!!

Its appropriate I take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the blessings I've received in 2006...

Among the reasons I am grateful:
- sobriety
- a loving and gorgeous wife and best friend
- two amazing, healthy and humorous children
- a wonderful 'community' of friends
- a fudgey but delicious family
- a cozy little home
- satisfying and stimulating work
- my health, spirituality and future

... now as an added gift to the blogsphere:

In the annual chaos of pre-holiday purging I found a notebook I had from 1995. In it I composed a poem and two letters - one to my as yet unborn child and one to my then very pregnant wife, Diana. Enjoy!

-----------------------------------------
Sat., March 11, 1995 Los Gatos, CA
-----------------------------------------

spillway rampant

corsing through the earth

its man made boundries

unable to contain its force.



mist rising

light dancing through

creating colors against the concrete grey



whitewater churning

pushing boulders like leaves

these rocks now settled

giving relief to battered trees



pounding into a subterranian chasm

defacing to the core of Mother Nature's soul

-----------------------------------------


Dear BabyJonathans - [name noted was Wesley Robert]

As your birthday approaches I reflect upon how I can create a home and family that will allow you the good fortune I have realized inmy 32 years.

To start I will forever love you... without conditions or expectations attached.

Your safety and comfort are priorities which will not be neglected. Your mother and I will be supportive of whatever endeavors you may choose. And by providing a nurturing environment we will pray you achieve all your goals.

We'll stand by you and guide you. Provide encouragement and praise. We'll console you through losses and never condemn your mistakes.

Your love and respect wil be reward for us both and the life you will lead will give us much to boast. I love you!!!

Dad


-----------------------------------------

Diana My Wife -

You are SO Amazing! To have created within you our child... I'll never understand how you felt throughout these past ten months. Yet I am proud to have some small part in the miracle soon to bless us.

Our love has flowed so easily between us... how fortunate our child will be to see it's parent so much in love!

That will never change - this child and our new family will only strengthen my adoring of you. As a mother you will fulfill your most basic need and I will be more supportive than ever before in making that role easier for you.

I will be forever grateful and respectful to you for the love, patience, joy, blessing, care, support and strength you give to this family.

You are simply the Best!!!

All My Love - Forever

/edj