You Talk Of...

Note: The poem below may not be suitable for young children as it deals with human sex trafficking.

You talk of freedom

That American dream ideal.

But is it real?

Is freedom your house

With a white-picket fence?

Or something left entirely 

To the National Defense?

But if some are still enslaved

Is freedom still free?

What of the girls 

Who long to be

Free?

You talk of freedom

But will you show it to her?

You talk of change

That we mustn't lack

But you turn your back.

Is change the metal

That fills your purse

Or what you in 

Various banks disperse?

What if each night she

Seeks sex fifteen times

To meet her pimps quota

Or pay her fines?

To fate she resigns.

You talk of change

But will you show her the way?

You talk of love

That emotion that impacts

But you ignore these facts.

Is love the abuse

Of a lustful john

Who uses a child

As a turn on?

Today, as every fifty-four 

Seconds have passed

A child has been harmed

In Atlanta; may I ask

You to act fast?

You talk of love

But will you show her what it truly means?

You talk of a future

That hope in tomorrow

But what of her sorrow?

Is a future the fact

That four-hundred will be

Trafficked in the next month

In Atlanta, our city?

And if seven thousand

Three hundred men

Will purchase sex from these slaves

Month and month again?

What then?

You talk of the future

But will you show her one?

You talk of your God

Who has power to heal.

But is your faith real?

Is your faith the thing

That you do on Sunday?

Or that thing that you claim

When at mealtimes you pray?

What if alone she cries

In the dark of the night

For someone to show her

Her value in life,

The light?

You talk of your God

But will you show Him to her?

One of Those Days

It had been one of those days.

I felt tired and worn.

 Everything was crazy.

My heart was torn

Over the actions of others

And my own sin.

Emotions were racing;

And I knew deep within

That there had to be something

Greater to know

Than this discouragement

That brought my head low.

It was one of those days.

He felt tired and worn.

Everything was crazy.

His heart was torn

Over the sins of others

Though He had no sin.

Emotions were racing,

And He knew deep within

That He was giving us something

Greater to gain

He called to His Father

 In the midst of His pain.

It's been one of those days.

For the truly insane.

 I've been needed each time

Someone called my name.

I'm utterly exhausted

In an extreme sense

But Jesus found solace

In His Father's presence.

"Abba, if Jesus needed that

To remember His calling,

I surely need that time

To keep me from falling.

And when I recall a day

That was a daunting task,

I'll remember the things

That You've done in the past."

It's just one of those days

And all is not lost.

I'll remember my God;

I'll remember the cross.

May I Do What You Bless

At times when the clouds 

Cover my skies

And I can't see the road

For the tears in my eyes,

When I'm mad at the world

And the people in it,

When I look at my failure

And want to forget it,

When all of my hopes

And all of my dreams,

Are falling around me 

(Or so it may seem),

May I look to Your heart

And take in Your presence.

May I hear Your soft whisper

And know its assurance.

May I feel Your embrace

And Your love that's unending.

May I be real with You

And forget my pretending.

May You smile on me, Abba!

My greatest desire

Is to know You more

At my day's-end than prior.

May You show me Your glory

And remind me of peace.

And at the end of it all,

May my faith be increased

That wherever You lead, 

I will answer You, "Yes."

May You not bless what I do;

But may I do what You bless.

Words

Inspired by David Crowder Band's "I Need Words"

Words--those spoken sounds used many ways
To tell You how I feel; my voice I raise
To weave those morphemes together in a song,
Trying to explain You and knowing all along
I need words as deep as the sea
To explain the joy You've given to me.
I need You.

Words--the music of the human tongue
That into complex sentences I have strung
To seek to praise; I know that even then
To praise You human words cannot begin.
I need words as high as the stars
To attempt to describe Who You are.
I need You.

Words--units of speech that I explore
With my life, and yet I want You more.
With words and pen and page, I feel alive
And yet with the True Word I simply thrive.
I need words beyond my speech
I'm humbled by how out they're of reach.
I need You.

Words--those syllables of which this poem is made--
The utterance of a child who was a slave
Until You freed me. My Abba-King, I pray
Hear my man-made words today!
I need words more intense than my longing
To explain the glory to You belonging.
I need You!

I Will Lift You Up Again

for Brandon E., whose FB status inspired me...

"Let go of the wall," Daddy calls.
"You'll never learn that way."
But I grip the wall around the skating
Rink in complete dismay.
I can't further my chance of learning
To skate if I don't let go.
But I'm scared to face my fear
So I hear myself say "no."

"Let go of what makes you,
Feel sure and safe on your own,"
Abba calls, but I grip my wants
And make my desires known.
I can't further my relationship
With God if I don't let go.
But I'm scared to face my fear
So I hear myself say "no."

What if I fall?
What if I loose
All
Of my views
Of perfection?

What if I hit
The ground?
It
Can't be found
In God's will?

What if it hurts?
What if I fail?
What if my arms flail?

What if I cry?
What if I land
In a heap
With no plan?

Yet I must try;
I let go and
Skate out in the open
Until I land
On my rear.

A tear
Till I see a hand.
Close beside
Daddy stands.

Close beside
Abba stands.
With better plans.

He holds His hand out to me,
And I hear Him whisper, "See?
When you held those things you left behind,
You lacked a hand to hold Mine.
While you may fall and hit the ground,
As long as you are in Me found,
Grace abounds.
Keep your hands free
Don't foolishly
Fill them
With sin."

"Keep them lifted up to Me
And empty of life's depravity.
For then when you crash
You can easily grasp
My hand."

"Face your fear.
I am here.
You may fall
But you need only call."

"Humble yourself within
And I will lift you up again."

Still More Chapters

The Son had come--
The Redeeming One--
To free the slaves,
To seek and save.
But He broke the bread
Said He'd soon be dead.
All felt the gloom
In the upper room.
But there's still more chapters...

The truth He'd spoke
As the bread He broke;
On the cross he'd cried
As He suffered and died.
Wasn't He the King
Who could do something?
But through the cross
Was all lost?
Wait! There's still more chapters...

The darkness quakes
As dawn breaks;
He is the King!
Death has no sting.
He rules and reigns;
Hell has no chains.
The empty grave
Proves He saves.
And there's still more chapters...

I feel the strain
Buckle under the pain
Where is His hand,
His providential plan?
I'm tempted to doubt
And control my route,
But I'll trust His care
Confident that there's
Still more chapters.

Invisible Jello

Just friends, spending time
Chatting when you catch my eye.
You make me laugh, I turn
Away to hide how much I yearn
To hug you. I fear I'll show
You that I've turned to jello.
Afraid that you can see
Right through me
Until I recall
You can't see me at all.
You don't know I exist,
And it comes down to this:
I'm invisible jello
Wanting you to know--
I love you.

What you see as your buffoonery
Endears you to me.
With your sheepish grin
You draw me in.
You call yourself unworthy
Of love, but I disagree.
If you only knew
How I care for you!
And yet, you don't know;
Still I turn to jello,
Wishing you knew I exist.
But it comes down to this:
I'm invisible jello
Wanting you to know--
I love you.

Prayer to the God of Providence...

O God, You are my God,
And I come to You seeking.
My thirsty soul is longing
And my parched lips are speaking.
There's chaos all around me
When I try to find my life.
As I seek wisdom from counselors,
I meet only with strife.
I want to see Your heart, Lord
And follow all You would!
I know the hand of Providence
Brings both calamity and good,
Because of this, I worship
And lift my hands in praise.
Blessed be Your name, O Lord!
No matter the questions raised
By my human heart. I can rest
In the work of Christ. I know
Grace grows best in winter,
But mercy will melt the snow.
If saints like David, Daniel,
Or Ruth could trust Your name
Without the revelation of
Hope when Jesus came,
Then how can I--saved by grace
Through faith--go down to defeat?
For my God, You're in control
And in You, I am complete.

I Want to Hear

The chaos in her eyes
Because of lies
Cries
For hope in her mess,
Nothing less.
Yes,
I hear my name;
I'm called to proclaim:
He came.
His word is true,
And He makes new.
Do
I stand still
To hear His will?
Fill
My heart with Yours;
Lord, open doors.
More
Of You, less of me.
Only You can set free.
My plea
Is to show her
That pain You cure.
Pure.
Lord, here I am;
I seek Your plan.
You can
Soften hearts
And give me a part.
Start
To work; they cry
In Satan's lies.
Why?
I incline my ear;
I want to hear.
Draw near!
All You say is true,
And things that praise You
I'll do.

My Goodness

Those around me who follow sin prosper.
Am I following You in vain?
What are You doing? What are You up to?
Can't You hear me speak Your name?
I can't tell Your people how I feel,
But I'm questioning. God, please hear my cry!
Everything is difficult; life is painful.
What is this old world coming to? My,
Goodness!

Lord, I come into Your presence,
Throw my thirsty soul to Your grace.
Suddenly, I see You, Your perspective.
I weep for joy; You show Your face!
I see the realities of their "prosperity,"
How their destruction lies nearby.
You hear my voice; You know my pain.
Why did I doubt You? My,
Goodness!

You hold my hand; I see it now.
You guide and counsel, never leave.
You're the One that I desire;
I run to You; You're All to me!
My flesh and my heart both fail,
But You're my Strength; Lord, You draw nigh
To me as I draw nigh to You.
No matter what I know You are my
Goodness.

"But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked...All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence... But when I thought how to understand this,it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end... Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel...there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You...My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Strength of my heart and my Portion forever... it is good to be near God..." (Psalm 73: 2-3, 13, 16-17, 23-24, 26, 28)

Dropping Sticks of Prayer

Floating on the wings of the wind
Soaring higher to the peak
Of the mountain, looking for her friend,
Her heart to speak.
She finds him sitting high
Upon the tallest limb
Thinks longingly with a bird sigh,
"I'm in love with him."
She drops the stick she clutches,
Hoping that he will see.
The gesture his heart touches,
And he swoops down from his tree.
He grasps the stick she carried
And her heart goes pitter-pat.
They might be getting married!
And she tries again; with that
She shows him over again
How she feels and waits.
He catches the stick and then
Asks her on a date.
Together, up and up they fly
Until they go much higher
Than they will ever go in the future
Or ever have gone prior.
When they reach the summit the male
Eagle's talons with the female's lock;
They pull in their wings as wind assails
And drop through the air like a rock.
Their trust in each other placed,
They wait until the very end
To spread their wings and soar with grace
To be life-partner friends.

I drop sticks for you
From the mountain tops of prayer
Asking God to
Let you see me and care.
Longing for you to catch
My thoughts that I wish you
Could see as I watch
What you do,
But I know that I can't tell,
And it tears me apart.
I can't hint about my feelings;
I give God my heart.
I'm longing to make the upward assent
With you by my side,
To know you to a great extent
And in you confide.
But for now I wait
Simply dropping those sticks of prayer,
Seeking my emotions to abate,
My heart with God share.

For He has a plan.

Find Me, Bind Me, and Remind Me

"When I lose my way
And hopes are dim,
Will You look for me?"

"Child, I know each day,
Hopes are never slim.
I find every absentee."

"When I loose love's chains,
From Your victory run,
Will we stay apart?"

"No, My grace remains.
I have already begun
To bind you back to My heart."

"When I forget my name
And who I am.
Will I be too far?"

"No, I stay the Same
And have a plan.
I will remind you who you are."

"At the end of all your faith,
To the end of all your days,
Remember Me; You need
Not dread in all your ways.

Child, there's nothing left to fear.
I am here."

"So when I lose my way, find me; when I loose love's chains, bind me; at the end of all my faith to the end of all my days, when I forget my name, remind me..." ~ Andrew Peterson, Dancing in the Minefields

Safe in the Tower

In the midst of all this chaos,
My life is still devoid
Of adventure, substance, meaning;
Fleeting pleasures I've enjoyed.
But God, inside my soul,
There's a hunger, there's a thirst
To know Your very Essence
And to in You be immersed.
Will You make Your name my Tower?
Great I AM, Abundant Life,
Will You make my living rife?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Oh, Eternal Present Tense--
I AM--Live in me,
And be my one Defense.

In the midst of all this chaos,
For so many things I cry.
I'm in need of Your provision,
Long to hear Your calm reply.
And God, inside my soul,
There's worry, many fears.
Will you show me Your supply
That never disappears?
Will You make Your name my Tower?
Jehovah Jireh, My supplier
Will you hear of my desire?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Let me see Your face!
Omniscient One, be
My one Hiding Place.

In the midst of all this chaos
Is a battleground--my mind.
And I'm failing in the conflict,
One action at the time.
But God, inside my soul,
There's a longing to be free,
To know Your healing power
And to beat the enemy.
Will You make Your name my Tower?
Will You, LORD my Banner,
Show me triumph's manner?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Trials will end in jubilation.
Jehovah Nessi--Move in me
And be my Preservation.

In the midst of all this chaos,
I see my needs increase.
I'm tired and I'm struggling
And I long so much for peace.
And God, inside my soul,
There's no hope, no way to turn.
Will you show me Your full Presence?
May I of Your friendship learn?
Will You make Your name my Tower?
LORD of Lords and Prince of Peace.
Will you make each striving cease?
LORD,
Show me Your glory!
Peace and Pain juxtapose.
Jehovah Salom--Rest in me,
And be my Repose.

So many other names You have;
Unveiling You has just begun.
But may each name be the Tower
To which I quickly run.
A shelter from the struggle,
I'll find in Your embrace
Each time I reach the tower
I will be in You--safe.


"The name of the LORD is a strong Tower; the righteous man runs to it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

Like Water in an Icy Stream...

Winter's chill takes the sensitivity out of my hands

As I walk along the snowy edge of the creek.

Doubt's chill takes the sensitivity out of my heart

As I walk through the cold paths of life.

I look at the water in the stream, moving, flowing, staying

Above freezing despite the icy conditions surrounding it.

I look at my own heart; is it moving and staying

Above the freezing point of indifference?

How does that water remain warm enough to respond

To it's destiny and speed onward to the sea?

How can I keep my heart warm enough to respond

To a holy God even when everything around me is frozen?

The water refuses to stop and hold contact

With the icy conditions that would lead it to lose it's warmth.

I must refuse to stop or hold contact

With the bitter fears that would lead me to lose His passion.

The stream must keep moving, busy

About the things it's meant to do.

I must keep moving, actively seeking

To know my Savoir's Presence.

Those droplets must keep themselves pursuing

The warmer waters that lie downstream.

No matter the world's chill, I desire yet warmer fellowship;

I must keep my eyes fixed on my goal: pursuing Him.

Your Nearness is My Good

With all that is within me,

I thirst to thirst for You.

You are the One I’m living for;

I want to want Your Truth.

I desire to desire Your desires

And to Your heart draw near,

To live Coram Deo

And to know Your presence here.

I know that You are Holy One,

And You I long to praise.

But I also know You’re “God with Us,”

Emmanuel, everyday.

No matter where I find myself

I want Your heart my heart to fill,

And the closer that I am to You,

I hope to be yet closer still.

I want to live in Your presence

And give You the praise that I should.

Like Moses, I cry, “Show me Your glory!”

Your nearness is my good.

~ ~ ~

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… As for me, the nearness of God is my good…” (Psalm 73:25,26, 28).

~ ~ ~

“O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, any love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.” ~A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Carrying His Name

No theology, no religion will change their situations.

No huge, grand idea will bring hope to the nations.

You can talk about your stuff and the names of your possessions:

Apple, Lucky, Nike, whatever your obsession.

But no name on this earth deserves to be made known

More than the Savoir of the earth--Jesus Christ, God's own

Son, Who gave Himself that we might be saved

From sin and separation; we can have what we have craved:

A relationship with the Holy One. His name you must lift high.

Will Jesus be your exclamation? Will Jesus be your cry?

Will you keep His passion or will your heart grew cold?

Will you forget or will you His fame uphold?

Go where His passion leads you with your hearts aflame,

But wherever your life takes you--be carrying HIS NAME.

~~

"My heart will sing no other name-- JESUS, JESUS!"

Refuse to Trade that Birthright

Jacob stood above the fire
Stirring a pot of stew.
Esau came in from the fields
Too hungry to think things through.
He asked his brother for a bowl,
Not considering what was at stake;
Esau sold his birthright
For some porridge's sake.

I stood and played with fire,
Toying with that bowl of stew.
I had a appetite for something
And didn't stop to think things through.
Victory was my birthright
Through the power of Christ's cross.
But I sold that birthright;
The battle I had lost.

I let that appetite rule me
Rather than choosing to reframe
The thoughts that I was having
By calling Jesus' name.
I missed out on a blessing
By failing to refrain.
Victory was my birthright
And a privilege I could claim.

But the truth I now am choosing.
I want God's best for me.
And I must control my appetites
To be alive and free.
As I stand upon that victory
And daily my mind renew,
I'll refuse to trade my birthright
For that measly bowl of stew.

Worthy

I want my life

To make sense

In the light of Your gospel.

Consume me, Lord;

Teach me to follow You!

To give up those things

That don't matter

To Your kingdom.

To leave behind those distractions

That will burn as

Hay and stubble.

To know Your heart,

Your passion!

Raise up my generation,

And start with me!

Lord, make me worthy!

I give you everything:

Heart,

Mind,

Actions,

Choices,

Hopes,

And dreams.

Holy Spirit, fall on me!

Cleanse me.

Light the fire in my heart for

Eternity.

Help me to see

Those things which truly matter

To You!

Make me worthy to call myself a

Christian--

To bear Your precious,

Holy name!

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents" (Phil 1: 27-28).

Known by Name

Cold ground against my back

Night sky against my face,

I look up to the heavens,

Moon and stars hung in space.

Tears roll down my cheeks

As I view the celestial spheres.

I cry out to Jesus

With all of my fears.

"I feel so lonely;

I need a friend."

He says, "I'm dependable

Until the end."

"I don't feel like

Anyone really cares."

"He says, "I know the numbers

Of your hairs."

"I want someone

To speak my name,

To know my heart,

To be the same."

He says," I know

Your name and heart

Like I know the stars

And the galaxy's start."

"I am dependable to the end

And faithful to My own.

I'm with you in your best moments

And when you feel alone."

"Come, My child, look to the sky

And know that I know all.

If I know the stars intimately,

Wouldn't I hear you when you call?"

"I care so much about your life

That I've promised to see you through.

Nothing that happens escapes my eye

I have an all-knowing view."

"So smile, my child, and dry your tears.

My hand take a hold of

For nothing can take you out of My hand

Or separate you from My love!"

"Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Why do you say...“My way is hidden from the Lord... Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength" (Isaiah 40: 26-29).

Counting Each Breath

The clock downstairs chimes midnight,

And I still toss and turn,

Worrying about my circumstances

And letting my stomach churn.

Forgetting that my Protector

And my Provider my life keeps.

I close my eyes and try so hard

To doze off counting sheep.

Breathing in and out,

Hoping for sleep;

But the restless minutes continue.

But wait--I'm breathing in and out

While waiting for sleep.

Each breath because of the Holy One.

Instead of counting sheep,

I count each breath

All part of His amazing plan.

His awesomeness takes my breath away;

My life is from His hand.

In peace, I sleep.

"Who among you does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12: 9-10).