Reviews from

The Soldier & Amazing Grace

I took an unexpected trip to Paradise last night

75 total reviews 
Comment from Patty Palmer
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Oh, how beautiful this is. I was so mesmerized while I read it and then read it again! Your presentation is totally awesome! I'm so glad I came upon this today. in fact, you made my day today!!!
God bless!
Patty Palmer

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2019

Comment from Susanjohn
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What a powerful poem here Dean! Such a difficult subject. But I love how you pulled it all together with the never ending love of God. Glad i found it. :-)

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2019

Comment from Ricky1024
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

this picture was created by a very famous but retired Hollywood photographer who wanted to wake up people it was on a a sort of mission when I first saw in a church I wrote about it my Minister friend Bob noticed it on a billboard and was offended contact the person learn more about him and why he put it up there it looks as if Christ is carrying the SS officers backpack and gun and it makes it look like he agrees with the atrocities so I reversed it and turned it and change it around as this person was running away from the atrocities found Christ and when he finally admitted his sins and ask for forgiveness Christ lays the rifle and the backtrack alongside the rodent with his arm around him and keeps walking and that's how I ended it this was well written also thanks talk to Ricky 1024

 Comment Written 13-Dec-2017


reply by the author on 13-Dec-2017
    This so much for digging this up out of the FanStory graveyard and giving it a go, Dr. Ricky.
    I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful comments.
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Comment from TamzinWhite
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

A beautiful insight into heaven and the nature of God.

In a scripture study class this Sunday just gone we talked about how Isaiah's prophecies are for our day and also for the day he wrote. His symbolism of Christ as the Lamb of God must have been very poignant for Jews of the time, if you think of a lamb as something they knew was sacrificial.

Anyway, your poem is about forgiveness and it is stunning.

 Comment Written 04-Mar-2016


reply by the author on 04-Mar-2016
    Wow, you went back a way to dig this one up, Tamzin, and I really appreciate that.
    I try to explain to many here that I don't always write "just" dark poetry. I also enjoy writing spiritually prompted poetry as well from time to time.
    I'm really happy that you read this one, and that you enjoyed it. Your generous six stars a truly a wonderful gift.
    Thanks so much again for reading.
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Comment from kriver
Excellent
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Dean I really liked this story poem.
I thought it flowed pretty well. However, thing that stood out the most to me, was the fact that JESUS, is willing to forgive anyone of anything. When a person willingly asks for it. Our society may not be that forgiving. The person most like would still have to pay that debt. But the most important thing, is that person will still be forgiven and can still wind up in Heaven. Just like the man that ask to be remembered by JESUS. Like the poem says GOD'S grace is truly amazing.

 Comment Written 26-Dec-2014


reply by the author on 26-Dec-2014
    Thank you for dusting this one off and giving it a go, Kriver. I sincerely appreciate that, my friend! I'm very happy that you enjoyed reading it. Thanks for all of your wonderful comments. :}

    ~Dean
Comment from JB Lynn
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I always enjoy reading your work, and this one especially so because of the added historical context you shared in your author notes. The scene of the SS officer being forgiven and ripping off his armband was very moving. I think a lot of times it's easy to forget that one of Jesus' most frequent teachings centered around forgiveness.
The internal rhymes on the same line added a pleasant rhythm to the piece, as well.
Nothing really to pick apart. Your work is always so polished and a joy to read. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 30-Apr-2014
    Thanks very much, JB Lynn, I'm really pleased to know that you enjoyed reading this poem. I realize it is a bit of a deviation from my usual horror fare, but I wrote it for precisely the reason you mentioned, remembering Christ's uncompromising ability to forgive, no matter how grave the sin.

    Thanks so much again!
Comment from maggieadams
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Great poem, Dean. Isn't it amazing to read quotes by someone as evil as Hitler who espouses his beliefs and propaganda through Christianity...also, history has gone through so many cycles of anti- semitism...feel we are in one now...sad, sad, sad. Nice rhyme and rhythm, dean...

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 04-May-2014
    Yes, it was, Maggie. And what made it even more terrifying to read was he actually believed it! There are, were and will always be real monsters roaming our world.

    Thanks for the fabulous review!
Comment from Janie King
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The things is what happened in Hitler's time could happen again, if we don't learn from the mistakes that were made. Well-written poem. God loves you and so do I.

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2014

Comment from Ekim777
Excellent
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Our poet has created a fine poem out of a grim subject. I suppose we are all victims of our polarities. Something has to be projected. Someone once said that if the Jews did not exist, Hitler would have had to invent them. The worst thing we can do is make life cheap and evil banal. Then we readily unleash our instinctive lust to kill. Why need we believe in God? The psychologist Jung said that we all need to believe in the concept of God, to protect us from the savagery of our own instincts. Is it as simple as that? I think this poem is more than a definition of our need for prejudice. Sartre said simply; Anti-Semitism is the poor man's snobbery. What about the power of love and forgiveness? -Ekim777

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 29-Apr-2014
    Yes, the power of love and forgiveness, that's truly all the poem is supposed to be about, Ekim777. And while I am a Christian, born and raised, of course I am going to believe in Christ, God, the Holy Ghost...but that's not what this poem is meant to be about. It's based on a dream I had, and Christ's mercy and grace, sure. But it's more about forgiveness than anything else, and the foibles of ignorant hatred -- of any race.

    Thanks for sharing your outstanding thoughts and comments about it with me. I do appreciate it!
Comment from Showboat
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hey Dean,

Really liked this one and felt your expressions of the love of Jesus are so true.

I honestly believe Judas could be in Heaven. No one knows whether he confessed and begged forgiveness before he hanged himself. He never believed Jesus would allow Himself to be taken, and as a Zealot, he wanted Jesus to proclaim Himself and bring on the demise of the Romans, revealing Himself the Son of Man.

Excellent, thank you for sharing,
Gayle

 Comment Written 29-Apr-2014


reply by the author on 29-Apr-2014
    Thanks so much, Showboat. I'm truly glad you enjoyed my poem. I think Judas did ask for forgiveness when he tried in vain to return the thirty pieces of silver back to the Pharisees. That in and of itself indicates he realized his grave error, and one can only surmise that he mumbled something like, God, please forgive me..." as he left the temple that day.

    Thanks again for your awesome rating & review!