Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

There are so many 'Faith' poems of late, but yours hits on the reality of life, for me anyway. Sometimes I wish I had the unbending faith that some have. Anyway, I enjoyed reading about your mustard seeds,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 17-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 17-Nov-2018

I'd never wish that upon myself, Valda. Been there, done that - decades ago lol

Thanks for the lovely review, have a great rest of your weekend.

Craig

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This tanka-form (which I'd classify as a PRANKA), Matthew 17:20, takes us back to realize that faith is a powerful tool that could always be improved with trinitrotoluene.

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2018

LOL yes, indeed. Well, partly. Thanks for the fun review. Craig

Comment from Pamusart

Excellent

Hi Craig. I started to paint again so I do not have as much time to review here. Sorry about that. Do you know why Christians are so afraid of death? Is it because they are not sure there is an afterlife? Why? They are so sure of their God and afterlife. One more question. Didn't Adam and Eve and/or their children committed invest in order to propagate the race? Logic does not apply to religion. It was invented because people are afraid of what happens after death. Good job on this. Thank you for sharing

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2018

That question has long puzzled me too, Pam. Given what they claim to believe, one would almost expect them to look forward to the prospect, something I rarely observe in reality. Many thanks for reviewing this, and I hope you are enjoying your painting -- it's a wonderful recreation; one at which I stink, but still enjoy. Cheers, Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Haaaaaaa, well this one deserves a sixth star, but sadly I've used up my allotment already this week. I've always found a little dynamite could be just the thing. Luckily I've never handled it myself because you never know when it might think I was a mountain that needed to be moved.

An excellent and I expect completely unique entry into the contest, so I wish you great luck with the Committee. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 16-Nov-2018

I'm fully expecting to scoop the pool with this one, Gloria. That's of course, providing Kiwisteve falls under a bus. He seems to have had a monopoly on this particular contest over the past few years. Yes, I was kidding ;-) Cheers, Craig

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Lol. I would imagine Jesus' parables to this time and age would be a lot different. Imagine what He might say -- "One day a programmer logged on to program..." or "if you have faith the size of an atom..."

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

And I'd still be counting on my MRD (molecular rearranging device) to move that mountain ;-)

Many thanks for the fun review, Helen.

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written Tanka about the well-known parable, our faith just need to be as small as a mustard seed, and it will be enough for God to lead us on, the rest is just His mercy.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

Thanks very much for the kind comments, Sandra. Most appreciated -- Craig

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

Hi Craig,

This is quite a different view of faith, and an excellent entry for the Faith contest. A little extra help "and some dynamite" never hurts. "and some dynamite" ... luv this line! It's great to have faith in something but sometimes we have to give things a helping hand, and not just believe that God can/will fix everything.

This reminds me of something an acquaintance of mine one said. She hadn't been on a date in 20 years. She said that if the good Lord wanted her to have a man in her life, he'd send a Man her way. What?? I kind of shrugged my shoulders at that. Wouldn't it help things along a little if she were to go onto a dating site or join some group where she'd have a better chance of meeting someone? :) I thought so, but she was adamant in leaving it in the hands of God. Go figure. To each his own.

Best wishes for the contest, Craig.

Cheers,
Connie

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

I'm with you, Connie. A little helping hand never hurt... in fact, it's the only way. Many thanks for sharing that very relevant story, and for the great comments in general. Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Hi Craig. Faith is one of my favorite words. I like "faith" and don't like "hope." Hope is useless, implies doing nothing--wasted energy. I love your poem--sometimes God does need a nudge. I often find that if I start down one path and hit a brick wall, he's saying "go the other way." Good luck in the contest. Marilyn

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

Thanks so much, Marilyn. Much appreciation for the good wishes and kind remarks. Craig

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

I am pondering your cryptic last line. In your first four lines, you definitely seem to contend that there are unknown forces out there that are powerful and that must be taken on faith. So, in your last line, you must be saying that such forces are as real as it gets and therefore can be trusted. Right? How did I do? But what about the dynamite? Is it real? Of course it is, and it can be trusted to move mountains. So are you saying trust the dynamite? No, I don't think so. I am trying to remember your religious views that you have written about. But, my thoughts are limited today. Are you saying trust the dynamite and take God on faith? All this is rhetorical. I am just pondering and don't expect an answer.

Just wanted you to see where your words sent my poor brain.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

I don't mind answering.

Yes, DO trust the dynamite. A pre-release version of this poem actually had those words, rather than the more general "trust things that are real". Dynamite has been known to move many mountains; I've yet to hear of one that shifted due to faith.

Thanks so much for the thoughtful response, Debbie.

reply by Debbie Pope on 15-Nov-2018

Makes more sense this way. I saw that you had removed a poem.

reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

The poem I removed was one I meant to post for this contest, but didn't click the "contest" button. It was, however, a different poem, with a different title. I'm cheesed off, because it cost me $6.55 to promote it before I realised lol

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig,

Faith is a difficult concept for so many people. However, you summed it up perfectly in the last line, 'Faith is belief without evidence. Where there is evidence, faith is not required.'

Life is much too scary for me if I do not have the faith that things will get better or brighter - my faith in God is a choice. I believe everyone has a choice to believe in what they want.

Faith is derived from one's system of values,

~MP~

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2018

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reply by the author on 15-Nov-2018

Imagine if we didn't have that choice. Now that is a scary concept. Many thanks, Patty :)