Why Can'T We All Just Get Along? Poem by Luke Easter

I used to belong to a church or at least I thought it was,
The reason I left? Where should I start? Okay, because,
The head deacon demanded that the Pastor step down,
Others? A Deacon removed from rumors going around.

This guy had been arrested; he even spent time in jail,
Where have I heard that, oh yeah Paul & Peter did tell,
One in the book of Romans, the other did time in Acts,
This guy was up-front about it; he never hid the facts.

I could almost see it if Deacon 2 was trying to hide,
Or if he flooded the church with deception and lies,
The head deacon had nothing on pastor that was juicy,
Had he been caught doing drugs or playing with Lucy…

It’s nothing more than little trivial personality conflicts,
Pastor tried to smooth it out; Deacon 1 wants none of it,
This animosity even out of church is down right shame,
OK but when you almost end everything in Jesus’ name?

All this in a so-called house of worship to the Lord,
Being almost broke basic necessities it can’t afford,
And while he said, she said, is the theme of the day,
New prospects see this crap then turn and walk away.

Some even had the unmitigated gall threatening to leave,
Learning who they were, I began to laugh uncontrollably,
One of the preachers suggested this is what they should do,
“By the way, don’t forget to take your $2.00 tithes with you.”

Another reason the world today is in its misguided state,
Yeah! Country versus country but in churches such hate?
The ugly face of politics abounds in peacetime and war,
However, not in the sanctuary of God behind closed doors.

As I began to ponder, inquire, seek answers, investigate,
I found out in these on-going matters my timing was late,
The so-called problems had been festering for several years,
Being happy in Jesus obviously isn’t the only reason for tears.

Ha! Just where in the heck or maybe in the hell have I been?
No, you don’t have to be best buddies but certainly friends,
Almost seems to be as much hatred, bitterness and jealousy,
Just like being a sinner, is there somewhere else I should be?

Received an email, people are upset about my spreading lies,
Well, before making accusations every incident has two sides,
This poem never gives an address nor is any name mentioned,
It could be anywhere in the world and it happens to be fiction.

However, still take it to heart because somewhere it’s going on,
And wherever it actually is believe that it will not be too long,
Before the road becomes so narrow a car will soon meet a truck,
Yes! In every situation one or the other will soon run out of luck.

8/4/2009, a man predicted his death and boldly posted it online,
Fitness club in Pennsylvania 4 dead 9 wounded, cops did find,
Bitterness seething in the heart till finally exploding in his mind,
Ask yourself this question, what’s dominating your heart & mind?

Will the answer stand fast or does it accumulate like wavering dust?
Be careful sharing your secrets because exposure soon causes rust,
Remember, everything that smiles sweetly, you simply cannot trust,
Only sincerity can determine the difference between love and lust.

Understand this shooting is by no means random or chance,
The culprit had planned it as much as 9 months in advance,
His life was filled with rejection, never knowing romance,
Not one single date, a movie or even a high school dance.

Brings to mind the story of a Pastor caught in a torrid 2-year affair,
While counseling someone’s wife, church didn’t want him there,
Refusing to leave they took it to court and the judge said, No!
It was adultery, a crime against God, but he didn’t have to go.

2nd Timothy 2: 2, “who shall be faithful to teach others also, ”
But first you must be willing to let all wrongs against you go,
For how can anyone effectively promote, nurture and teach,
By failing 2nd Timothy 2: 15 to practice the word they preach.

More than a personality conflict wanting anyone to step down,
Stale from the rumor mill, tossed in the air, twice turned around,
I’m so sure composers have put it many times in different songs,
I still like Rodney King’s best, “Why can’t we all just get along? ”