Rev. Kelvin Sauls: National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS

Take Away The Stone, Take Off The Bandages (A Poetic Reflection inspired by John 11:17-44)

Dead in the grave

Smellin' in the cave

Bandages to wrap me

A Stone to cover me

Death sentence by a killer disease

Positive diagnosis

Negative consequences

Death sentence by chronic disease

Called out from the depths of my grave

Called out from the depths of my cave

Called out from the depths of my pain

Called out from the depths strain

Summoned to possibility

Summoned to a new destiny

No stone to prevent capability

No bandages to stop vitality

Jesus showed up

I'm getting' up

Jesus showed out

I'm getting' out

Jesus shed tears

I'm overcommin' my fears

Jesus wept & cried

I'm kept, not denied

I can live positive

I can live productive

I can live constructive

I can live positive

Unwrap my guilt

Loose me for forgiveness

Unwrap my regretfulness

Loose me for growth

Resurrection from my grave

Reconciliation from the cave

Restoration to life is my invitation

A joyous life is my destination

==

Rev. Kelvin Sauls was born and raised in South Africa. He was a Pastor in San Francisco & Oakland for 10 years. He currently serves as the Director for New Ministry in the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church and lives in Los Angeles.