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

Ralph Steinlein Tribute

What is true in this life
- yes, we are promised strife...

Witness to - his brief - walk on earth
- to these words - today - lets each give birth
Like lyrics to sing
- to Ralph - my brother
- now running heavens wing

First, Props to His Parents:
Oom Hans much more than a dad
- my first coach
- a life mentor
- mad skills that man had!!!
And Tante Doreen, a loving mother of four
- graciously welcomed my presence
- with each knock at her door
   
Ralph was more than a brother
- or cousin
- or a teammate playing his role

Practice weekdays
Then Quakes games
on Saturday night

Stopping and scoring
(both girls,
 and some goals)
He always had my back in a fight

I introduce Ralph
- to his bride number one
- and Jana gave us Matthew
- their first born son 

Soon our lives came unwound
- for no fault
- or known cost
So how sweet to reclaim
- a friendship once lost
- to take up again
- where last we'd left off

Not only TalkNsoccer
- we compared, just - how - tough
- to raise sons' n daughters'

We stopped allowing miles
- to stand in the way
- and amidst trials
TOGETHER we'd face
- all that God threw at us

It is - now - His will
- for us NOT
- to just get by

Remember lessons taught?
Or are you still asking why?

Because character
- isn't forged by strife
Your formed by what's caught
- during challenges in life 


So to The Timberwolves and us Lions
- in your pack or our den
- claim victory when
- we compete EVERY TIME
- to honor the memory
of Coach Steinlein

Now let's head back
- and step out on the pitch
Where
- sweat
- spit
- dirt... and tears
- are all in the mix
And send balls heaven bound
... where Ralph roams the sticks 

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