Free Life Blog

On The Beach

Poetry By Chris Bunton

Sitting on the beach,

watching the awesomeness of God.

Waves crashing

Wind blowing

Sun warming the white sands

and my toes below.

Peaceful

Joyful

Happy, happy, happy

Till she shows up,

blasting music.

She wants to invade,

my world.

Maybe I’ll toss her tunes into the sea.

Maybe I missed the point.

Maybe I don’t care.

It’s the beach, after all.

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry Ebook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery Ebook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

I Die Daily

Spiritual Truth By Chris Bunton

There’s a verse in the Scriptures which says, “I die daily”. (1 Cor. 15:31)

It is a small quote, within the context of a larger concept, but it’s a powerful tool for life improvement and spiritual growth.

We often wake up in the middle of the night, or in the morning, full of anxiety. Our mind races after problems, troubles, worries, plans, goals, mistakes, and depression.

But, if every morning we make the simple act of “dying” a reality, then none of these things matter.

Let me explain. This is not real death, although, in a way it is. When we say ” I die to self today.” And we believe it and accept it, a transformation occurs in our mind.

When we announce to ourself. “I die to self today. I am going to live for God and others.” Our focus moves from ourself to God and others.

We then live that day focused on serving God and others.

How can you serve God and others?

You serve God by being a vessel for Him to do His work through, to save and help others.

Our will. Our selfishness. Our sin, prevents that.

So, where are your hurts at? What has God brought you through? Drug addiction? Health issues? Divorce? Job loss? Prison? Homelessness? Death of a loved one? Suicidal thoughts?

These things are an indication of where we can let God work through us to help others.

When we die daily, we open ourselves up to see the hurt in others. We are not looking at ourselves, but outwards.

By doing this, it also works to heal us of what we struggle with.

We are what we think about all day long.

If our thoughts are always on depression, trouble, suicide, drug use, fear, desire, loss or anything else that hurts us, then it becomes magnified, or can manifest into our lives even more.

Dying daily can get our head out of those things.

I am not saying it’s easy. But, if you make a habit of dying daily to self, and speaking positive things to yourself, it can make a huge difference in your life.

In Christian concepts, we turn to God and give ourselves to Him. By doing this we die with Jesus Christ, and are buried with Him, and rise from the dead with Him.

When we believe this, and put our faith in Christ, confessing that Jesus is the Lord, it cleanses us and we are reborn.

Think about it. When we die, nothing can hurt us. Nothing can be against us. Because we are dead.

Imagine the freedom that brings. All the pain, all the rules, and all the evil of this life does not really hurt us.

We are not of this world, and the suffering here ends in death.

Dying daily is a powerful tool for life improvement, it will transform you. Giving yourself to Christ will transform you in ways you can only hope for.

(1 Cor. 15:31)

Family

A Poem by Chris Bunton

What is family?
I’ll tell you what I think.

Family is a bunch of people,
you are tied to for life.

Whether you like it or not.
They are there, and share it.

Even if they hate you,
they bear the title and stains.

Whether it’s your child,
Or mom, or uncle, or dad.

There’s a place in your life,
where they exist and judge you.

You might be required,
to accept them, or guilted to.

You might hate them,
but there they are in name.

They might hold you back,
and keep you down in shame.

They might be a place of guilt,
pain and regret of deeds done.

An unfinished train wreck,
that floods your memory of them.

If you’re lucky your people,
are a joy to be with and love.

But for many of us,
Family is a required pain we hold.

It’s something we seek to shed,
and remove the memories that cling.

Till the next funeral comes,
and we all pretend to care.

“We need to get together!”
“We need to have a meal!”

But a week turns into years,
and no one seems to be there.

The patriarch is dead,
and soon we will be too.

Good riddance.
Don’t let the door hit you.

Till we all cross the river,
and join through that tunnel of light.

To have a grand meal,
where none of us want to fight.

Churchianity Vs. Christianity

Truth By Chris Bunton

Churchianity- Invites people to church.
Christianity- Invites people to know Christ.

Churchianity– Demands people attend services.
Christianity– Encourages people to spend time with God.

Churchianity– Gathers children for Christmas programs.
Christianity– Gathers children to go feed the homeless, visit the sick, and write letters to prisoners.

Churchianity– Destroys itself over choices of music, and colors of carpet.
Christianity– Destroys itself so others may succeed and live.

Churchianity– Sits on a mountain of cash, and only gives to those they deem worthy.
Christianity– Sits on a mountain of faith and gives to any who ask, as the Lord commanded.

Churchianity– Builds mansions to worship God in, while having members living in poverty.
Christianity– Builds simple places to gather, while helping those in need.

Churchianity– Follows the world’s business practices, worshiping Mammon.
Christianity– Follows Christ’s business practices, worshiping Him only.

Churchianity– Seeks the best people.
Christianity– Seeks anyone called by God.

Churchianity– Uses people and throws them away when they fail, and for petty reasons.
Christianity– Empowers broken people and forgives them.

Churchianity– Strives to appear to be holy.
Christianity– Is Holy by His namesake, regardless of appearances.

Churchianity– Supports the world’s masters, and rulers.
Christianity– Supports the broken.

Churchianity– Refuses to admit wrong doing, and refuses to make amends.
Christianity– Admits faults, seeks change, reconciliation and searches for those it lost.

Churchianity– Is Pastor led.
Christianity– Is Spirit led.

In case you wondered.

The Frog Ballad

Poetry by Chris Bunton

Terry the tadpole
Swam with his friends
In the vernal pool
In the spring time field.

He swam here and
He swam over there.
He swam and he swam
Like all tadpoles can.

But one day he saw
His pool was growing quite small
And that’s not all.
His tail seemed to be falling off.

What’s wrong with my world he said
The pool is dying up
In the blazing summer heat,
And I seem to be growing legs

My friends are changing too
What in the world will we do?
All the tadpoles asked the Bullfrog.
Who said “growk” in reply

Yes! Terry said. That’s what we do,
We go to the big pond across the way.
And look! We have legs for hopping now
It must be our destiny.

So as the tiny pool dried up
The frogs journeyed to big pond.
They hopped and hopped along.
Little did they know the dangers that await.

Terry led the merry crew
Through fields and forests new.
Till they came to a road hard as stone
With monsters roaring along.

“We gotta cross the road
Can’t you see the big blue pond?”
“But we’ll get smooshed” they cried
As the monsters wooshed by

“No! I’ll keep watch for you! “Terry said
“Now go while we have time.”
So the frogs took off without a whine.
They hopped and hopped across the road.

“Come on Terry! “They yelled. “It’s your turn!”
Terry hopped as a monster came.
It roared down where Terry laid.
He hopped again and dodged the whoosh
But, another came to give the smoosh.

Terry hopped like an insane game.
As the monsters roared by.
“Hop Terry hop” his friends all cried
“You can do it! You’re almost there.”

Terry was scared. But He was tough,
and swallowed his fear.
He made it through to the other side
And met his friends with a cheer.

And that’s the ballad of Terry the Frog,
When he and his friends hopped to big pond
They grew up and woke up to something new.
And their families are still there today.

Whatever! I probably say it a dozen times a day, and it makes things feel better. It has an odd power to shift the mind off the subject at hand and on to other things. It can allow us to cope with the crap this world brings to us daily. So…

When your spouse or lover says something that you hate to hear say “Whatever”. When they tell you they are going to do something you can’t stand, and you wanna jump them for it, say “Whatever”. When they break up with you again, say whatever. Enough of those “whatevers”, will become nevers; oh never ever again.

When your boss chews you out again; breathe whatever. When they pile more work on you than you can possibly do; say whatever. When they screw you out of money, or time, or anything; just think whatever. Eventually, you’ll have enough of it, but not today.

When your family sticks their nose in your business, one more time, just say whatever. When they try to control you, and force you to do what they want you to do, just say whatever. When they show tough love, and ruin your plans or dreams, just say; whatever. All the “whatevers” make you stronger and show that you tried to get along, until you are finally done. Oh whatever.

When you get that bill in the mail; say whatever. When the neighbor does it one more time; say whatever. When the phone rings and you hate who it is, say whatever. When your plans get screwed up or stood up, say whatever. Get up and fix the problem, driving all that care away with whatever. Things will work out, and there’s almost always another choice.

When the traffic sucks, and your car barely works. Whatever. When things are too much, and it’s falling apart. Whatever. When you can’t take much more, but you know that more will always come. Just shout whatever! When you need a break, but the break won’t come, just say whatever. Whatever happens happens. Pray and give it to God, and say whatever. Release it, and let it go till next time. The fight will come, as it always does.

We get stronger and learn. We grow, as we break, again and again. Not every hill is a hill to die on. Some are just, whatever. As time goes on, more hills become whatever, and you start to focus on the things that make you say “Yes” All the distractions and frustrations become whatever, and the loves, joys and thrills of life become more and more Yes, yes, yes.

Photograph by the author, a reflecting pool in the National Conservatory in Washington D.C.

The Days of Old

Mystic Poem by Chris Bunton

I remember the days of old,
when I crossed the fields alone.
When I ran the forests;
when I ran the trails,
in those days of youth,
in those days of sun.

I remember the color of life.
Everything seemed different.
There was a brightness to the light;
a shine, to everything.

I remember hopping those fences.
Going to those hidden places,
to see what I could see.
Those secrets of the Elders.

That disobedient boy;
that boy who never sat still.
That boy who still disobeys;
that boy who is free.

Do you wanna know where I am?
I am in the deepest forest alone.
I am around a campfire of stone.
I smell that smoke, with a smile.

I am safe because God is with me.
That fire licks the dark air.
It drives the chill away.
I smile to know who I am.

The light flickers on the Oak trees;
orange, yellow dancing dark leaves.
I’m gone to another place;
another time, another realm.

Where cavemen looked at the fire.
Where thousands of warriors stared.
Where my ancient ones watched, and prayed.
That flicker, the brave and fugitive loved;
In that ring, where the elemental danced,

Not too long has gone;
just a blink of an eye.
A moment in the spirit,
where we all are one.

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photograph by the author, from the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois

Those Mines

Poetry by Chris Bunton

Those mines ruled my world.
The coal mines of Southern Illinois.

My family came from,
the Tennessee mountains.
to dig in those mines.

They fought the Civil war and died.
They farmed and mined.
They sang, fought and prayed.

Working men breathing that dust,
killing themselves every day,
and drinking it away at night.

Union men from Lewis day,
beating scabs to death.

Living in coal mine camps,
those little towns today.

Every morning, down the hole,
every evening drink some more.

The bar b ques,, and parades.,
the strikes, and bar fights,

Threats on the phone,
“We’ll kill your wife,”
Now, there’s a gun by the bed.

Every business bowed to coal,
every man worked it somehow.

Till the day coal died,
and those mines closed down.

Spelling the death of the little town,
and the life they knew.

This poem has also been featured in CentraLit Magazine

Photograph by the poet, an old salt mine in Southern Illinois near the Mississippi River

Create a Healthy Society

Healthy Opinions by Chris Bunton

We hear calls for free universal healthcare. But, why don’t we demand a healthy society? We demand that healthcare be provided, but we do not demand that we be protected from the things that could be causing disease.

According to the CDC among the top leading causes of death and disease in the U.S. are Heart Disease, Cancer, Stroke, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, and Respiratory Disease. These things have caused great harm and anguish to our families, in the hundreds of thousands.

Research has shown and even proven in some cases that the chemicals in our foods, drinks, air, hygiene products, and virtually everything we consume or come into contact with are the culprits for the diseases in the list above. I’m not even going to try to prove it or post links to evidence. Because once a study is done, another study pops up that refutes the previous study. Then, the talking heads argue about the FDA keeping us safe. And the corporations do research to prove the products they use are safe. Then, the doctors say it’s all genetics. Meanwhile chemicals keep getting pumped into us by a dozen different avenues.

We have lived our lives surrounded by the evidence and proof. It’s simple. If you would not eat or drink a glass full of (Insert Magical Chemical Name) by itself, then why do you think it’s better, just because they mix it into our food or water or air or deodorant?

So, why don’t we demand a healthier society that would reduce these diseases? Why don’t we demand laws, which would stop preservatives and other chemicals from from being in our food? Why don’t we demand laws that keep certain types of oils that are killing us, from being used? Why don’t we demand that certain herbicides and pesticides stop being used? Why don’t we demand that aluminum stop being put in products? Or demand that refined sugars or high fructose corn syrup is outlawed? Why don’t we demand laws that stop chemicals that can cause obesity? Why don’t we pass laws that push for more Organic foods and products? Money….That’s why.

I realize that many things have been outlawed. But, the fact is that they just change the name, or start using an equally bad alternative.

If we demanded a healthier society, we would not have as much need for universal healthcare, and the healthcare we did get would be far cheaper. We demand healthcare and more taxes, but not a healthier world. Why not demand that companies stop poisoning us, and the environment? Where’s the outrage? We fight to stop climate change, but do not realize that the real culprits are the corporations who pump chemicals into the environment and our bodies. The things destroying the Earth are also destroying us with disease. Start blaming the real culprits.

I am not suggesting that we regulate the size of soft drinks. I’m saying that we stop letting them use chemicals in the soft drinks that have long been suspected of being bad for us. Every product that exists, has an alternative that is organic. There is absolutely no reason for any potentially poisonous chemicals to be in our food, drinking water, or anything else.

And don’t say it’s safe. Because we consistently see reports where companies are sued or chemicals recalled by the FDA because it hurts people. You must realize that virtually every chemical the FDA recalls, was first approved by the FDA. That should worry you.

I am normally very liberty minded and do not like too many laws. I believe in letting people solve their own problems. But, sometimes it cannot be helped.

In this case the people and corporations who rule the world have made it virtually impossible for regular people to escape. Unless you own a large piece of property, raise your own organic food, and water and make your own products. You are subject to the desires of the corporations.

Yes, you can buy organic. But, let’s flip the script. Let’s make everything organic, but allow only a small group of products to be filled with chemicals. Do you think people would run to buy the chemically laced foods? Would you? If it was cheaper?

Our world needs to restore health. Not only for people but the planet also. It starts by solving the real problem. Not by playing political shell games or loving money.

Let’s stop allowing leaders and corporations to create problems, and then pretending to be our saviors.

— — –

Follow Him on Medium: https://medium.com/@chris-bunton

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Photograph taken by the author, is of an Andy Warhol Painting at the Andy Warhol Museum, in Pittsburgh PA. If you look at the shadow the skull makes, you might see something interesting.

A Better Day

Wellness by Chris Bunton

For many folks, family is not a good thing. They are a bunch of people that you are required to answer to. They are just another layer of rules and laws designed to keep you from being you. They are a bunch of people who were raised as jacked up as you were and yet they think they have some ability to speak truth into your life. But, the truth is often sickness. It’s negativity that comes in the form of subtle ridicule. It’s the place and people that you spend your entire life trying to escape from and being healed from. The people who never wanted you to rise above what they think you should be.

But yet, you find that the world is full of these people. They are all jacked up, and you learn that it’s ok to be jacked up or else you will go insane, desiring something better. There is no better. It’s just a different kind of jacked up. Your friends are jacked up, your co-workers are jacked up, your church is full of jacked up people. But, yet God loves all of them and loves you and me too. He wants us to love them as well. There is nothing better in this fallen world. We are all covered in filth. And it’s ok. We give ourselves to God, and He makes our souls golden, and then starts the process of correcting all the devastated things in our lives, while helping us resist the piles of new ruin that comes upon us daily.

And that’s the problem with church. It’s a group of people called family who think they have authority over your life. And they often act like real families. Nosy, abusive, demanding, controlling, manipulating, they are like the leach, always saying more and more. God is not so, He sets us free. He convinces us of what’s best. He blesses us. He does not control us, He protects us in our folly, until we realize that it is folly, and then He rewards us. He brings us peace, love and joy, not dread. When I fear God, He tells me that He has it figured out. He has me in His hands, and will never forsake me. He is not my enemy.

If we are raised in jacked up families, failed churches and ruined governments that never really please us or fulfill us; which leaves us messed up and feeling like slaves. If that is all we have ever known, and that is all that all humans have ever known. Then why do we even think of something better? Why do we even realize that there’s a problem with man? Because God has put it into our hearts to seek better, and He is all that is better. He is the answer to what ails us.

This world is fallen; it is in the hands of the Devil. His minions have sought to conquer and control and build a system, since before Babylon. They have created a wealth system that benefits a few while enslaving the rest of us, and exploiting God’s creation, devouring and consuming, like the giants of old. It will grow and wax worse, until the King comes.

Our discontent is designed by God to cause us to seek Him. He is our only source of salvation and sanctification. He has placed heaven in our hearts so we will know that we are not there yet. We know there was better, and there is better yet to come. We know what we see is not all there is, or else we would be perfectly happy in our misery. Does a fish realize he is in water? Does he take yoga and meditation, and Bible studies, and counseling, and prayer circles, and church services, to help him cope with what has surrounded him his whole life?

No, because he does not see a better day. He does not know that his lake is just a small place to live in. But, for some reason humans see a better day, beyond what we are submerged in. We see a day, when we do not need to be slaves to other humans in order to fill our aching belly. We see a day when we can do what we love, and serve others for the joy of it, and be free to walk away. We see a day, where our needs are met, like in the garden of paradise, and we are free, to be alone, and with God. That place where we are really content, not using mind tricks to be that way. We long for that better day. We want to die, for that better day. We have faith in that better day. Whether we build it, or we go there, or it comes to us, it must come, and it must consume us, and set us free.

Where is that better day? Death? Paradise? Heaven? or some future utopia, that mankind will ruin with his filth. Build that better day in you. Let God, prepare you for that better day, lest we ruin it, like everything else we touch.

In that place, in that better day, we will be with our people, and our family. The ones who have gone before and they will be golden. They will be clean and better and full of peace love and joy. No more filth. No more darkness. And we will sit on the porch and laugh, and talk, and happily go to our special places, prepared for us. And we will matter. We will be known, and respected and loved. We will be the being God created and always wanted us to be. And He will be with us, always, and forever more.

Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has been published in several magazines, and has a book of Poetry “Against The Man” and a book on overcoming addiction, “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“

Photo by the writer. A frozen road in Alaska.

Follow me on Medium: https://medium.com/@chris-bunton

Buy me a cup of Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/chrisbunton

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public