THE BOOK OF JATH
There are two Chapters in THE BOOK OF JATH.
Each Chapter has an assortment of fifty-five poems, songs and stories.
There are a hundred and ten different pieces of work.
The material in Chapter 1 uses the font style COURIER NEW.
The lines throughout each individual poem, song or story were
designed to have the same number of key strokes. The intention
was to draw pictures using words so that each work created
would have the form and content in perfect symmetry.
The work designed for Chapter 2 used a different approach. The
prose has an assortment of style, rhyme and rhythm. The content
was chosen to match the format.
These 110 stories, songs and poems were written over a period
of several years. Most of the content has been penned from
inspiration found within the Old and New Testaments, King
James Version; however, many other sources have been
studied as well.
The historical records show that the entity, God, known by many
names is infinitely creative in words, actions and deeds, which
include diverse methods of communication with creation.
Each generation throughout history will express their thoughts in
a manner that is understood by the generation of that day. Future
generations may interpret the writings or communications
transcribed in previous eras in a way that will produce various
results or produce a concept or precept that may be
diametrically different from the opinions of the first principal
author.
My intention has been to take the concepts and precepts
described in Scripture and other historical texts and translate
them into the language of today.
I live in Canada. I have never been involved in a religious
leadership program at a school, college or university. My
theological opinions were developed on my own through an
independent review and analysis of Christian Scripture and
historical documents.
I have no interest in debating religious views or opinions. I am,
however, interested in reading theological perspectives that
have been written in a concise and succinct manner by people
who are able to show that they have not just memorized
someone else's understanding, but have a strong grasp of what
they themselves understand.
I believe that seemingly complex and complicated theological
principles can be explained by using very few words.
This material has been published in the hope that some people
will enjoy reading what I have written.
This material is published with fully Registered Copyright Protection.
Copyright © 1987-2009, 2012, 2013, 2022
All Rights Registered and Reserved
No material may be republished for any purpose without prior
written consent from the author.
John A. T. Hillier
johnathillier@pm.me
Chapter 1 Index
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1. THE LONE SOLDIER
2. HANG ON!
3. THE PRISONER
4. A STILL SILENT VOICE
5. PLANE OF FAITH
6. THE SONG GOD GAVE TO MOSES
7. HOW COULD HE KNOW?
8. HIS FACE SHINES ON US!
9. A TRIP THROUGH LIFE
10. A GREAT HUMBLE BIRTH
11. A HAPPY SONG
12. A CHILD SHALL LEAD
13. CREATION SANG
14. THE JUDGE
15. WHEN JESUS PRAYED
16. TIME
17. THE SONG OF MOSES
18. CALL MY PEOPLE
19. THE CHIMES OF TIME
20. EVERYTHING CHANGES
21. DETAILS
22. THE MARRIAGE SUPPER
23. RETURN TO ME
24. HEAL THE SOUL
25. TIME HAD RUN OUT!
26. THIS CUP TO PASS
27. THERE'LL BE A DAY
28. THERE WAS A TIME
29. THE VISION
30. THE SUBTLETY OF MY SOUL
31. THE SIN OF JOB
32. THE MESSENGER
33. THE HARVEST
34. THE EMBLEMS
35. THE BULLIES
36. TEMPTATION
37. SHADOW OF LIGHT
38. PEACE BY GRACE
39. PEACE BE STILL!
40. OPPRESSION
41. ON THE OTHER SIDE
42. MY PRAYER IS HEARD
43. MARRY ME! SAID THE LORD
44. LORD, I'M BUT A BREATH AWAY!
45. LIKE A FIRE
46. IT'S THE CLOSE OF THE DAY!
47. I'M NOT GOING BACK!
48. IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER
49. IDOLATRY
50. GOD HAD TO BE THERE!
51. HELL
52. HE IS LORD OF ALL
53. DELIVERANCE
54. A MASTER KEY
55. A NATION OF FAITH
Chapter 2 Index
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1. THE SHADOWS OF TIME
2. VALLEY OF HILLS
3. THE SOUND OF PRAISE
4. THOUGHT
5. A DRINK OF WATER
6. SIX SINS
7. THE LAUGHTER OF GOD
8. THE HOLY SPIRIT
9. TEN DEGREES
10. A PIECE OF RUBBLE
11. TITHING
12. OBEDIENCE
13. THE MOUNTAIN
14. DOUBT
15. WHAT IS EASIER?
16. THE APPLE OF HIS EYE
17. BLIND, DEAF AND DUMB
18. GOD IS
19. FASTING
20. THE SEVENTH DAY
21. REVELATION
22. THE POWER OF PRAYER
23. INDECISIVENESS
24. A POSITION OF STRENGTH
25. HEAVEN
26. GOD IS TRUTH
27. SILENT OBEDIENCE
28. STREAMS OF STRENGTH
29. THE ESCALATION OF TIME
30. DAILY BREAD
31. THE END OF TIME
32. FAITH
33. THE TRINITY
34. THE CHURCH
35. DEATH
36. THE CROSS
37. MUSICAL TIME
38. THE LATTER RAIN
39. THE WATERS OF MERIBAH
40. FORTY YEARS
41. MAN'S SPIRIT
42. THE CHILDREN
43. THREE WORDS
44. I'M FREE!
45. MAN WON'T!
46. SLOW LIGHT
47. THE MASTER'S SONG
48. THE CHESS GAME
49. A MEASURE OF FAITH
50. A NEW SONG
51. MAN'S SECURITY BLANKET
52. NEVER FORGOTTEN
53. PROVISION
54. THE BLOOD OF TIME
55. WHISPERING WINDS
THE LONE SOLDIER
HE STOOD PRESSED AGAINST A WALL,
WITH NO ESCAPE OR A WAY TO TURN,
THE SOLDIER STOOD READY TO FALL,
YET HOPE INSIDE, STILL DID BURN.
THERE WASN'T A WAY KNOWN TO MAN,
ABLE TO PREVENT A CERTAIN DEATH,
SOON TO STRIKE BY AN ENEMY HAND,
AS HE BREATHED, ONE LAST BREATH.
PROMISES SEARED HOT IN HIS MIND,
FROM ONE WHO HAD GIVEN HIS WORD,
THAT HE ALONE CONTROLS OUR TIME,
AND LIFE’S SOUNDS FINALLY HEARD.
SHOTS RANG OUT, AN END WAS NEAR,
THE SOLDIER WAS PREPARED TO DIE,
LIGHT AND SOUND STRUCK OUT FEAR,
IN THE AUDIENCE STANDING NEARBY.
THE LORD SPOKE, NONE COULD HEAR,
EXCEPT, THE BRAVE SOLDIER ALONE,
A BODY FELL BUT HE WASN'T THERE,
GOD HAD ALREADY CALLED HIM HOME.
ENEMIES TRY TO DESTROY OUR MIND,
AS HURT AND PAIN TAKES ITS TOLL,
YET NOTHING CAN OUR SPIRIT BIND,
WHEN GOD HIMSELF HOLDS OUR SOUL.
*****
HANG ON!
A YOUNG MAN HEARD A VOICE,
AS IT CALLED OUT HIS NAME,
HE LOOKED OVER AT THE SUN,
AS ITS RAYS BEGAN TO WANE.
BEFORE THE CIRCLE OF FIRE,
FELL OFF THE EARTH'S EDGE,
IT CAST A SEA OF DIAMONDS,
IN WATER BENEATH A BRIDGE.
THE YOUNG MAN HEARD AGAIN,
A CALL WHICH BECKONED HIM,
THE PERSISTENT VOICE CAME,
FROM ONE WHO CALLS WITHIN.
EVENING CLOSED ITS DRAPES,
AND KEPT INSIDE THE LIGHT,
THE DOORS OF DAY HAD SHUT,
OUTSIDE WAS DARK OF NIGHT.
THE YOUNG MAN HAD DECIDED,
THE TIME HAD COME TO OBEY,
IF ONLY HE HAD GIVEN HEED,
AND WALKED DURING THE DAY!
HIS FEET INCHED THEIR WAY,
DOWN THE VERY NARROW ROAD,
NOT A THING COULD BE SEEN,
THE MOON SMILED NOT A RAY.
HIS DESTINY WAS FAR AHEAD,
BEYOND THE DISTANT BRIDGE,
HE COULD REMAIN ON COURSE,
WHEN HE VERY SLOWLY TREAD.
HE WALKED ON WITH CAUTION,
AND FINALLY HEARD A SOUND,
OF WATER SPLASHING AROUND,
BELOW A BRIDGE HE'D FOUND.
THERE WERE NO RAILS BUILT,
NO SIDES ON WHICH TO RELY,
THE BRIDGE WAS THAT NIGHT,
A BLACK BOW UNDER THE SKY.
THE MAN CONTINUED TO WALK,
IN STEPS SO VERY STRAIGHT,
BUT THEN CAREFULLY TURNED,
AND THAT ALTERED HIS FATE.
THE PATH WAS SO UNCERTAIN,
AFTER HE TURNED ALL ABOUT,
HE NO LONGER KNEW THE WAY,
BECAUSE OF THAT ONE DOUBT.
IN FEAR THE MAN CRIED OUT;
THE REPLY WAS ONLY RUMBLE,
AS HIS OWN VOICE RETURNED,
IN A DEEP ECHOING GRUMBLE!
THE NEXT STEP WAS A GUESS,
SINCE HE WAS ALL BUT LOST,
HE SLIPPED AND FELL BELOW,
AND THEN TALLIED THE COST.
THE YOUNG MAN FELT A PAIN,
SEAR THROUGH HIS SHOULDER,
SOMETHING CAUGHT HIS FALL,
AND BENT UNDER THE STRAIN.
HE PROBED AROUND THE DARK,
ON A NARROW BENDING BOARD,
WHILE ONE HAND HELD TIGHT,
HIS SOUL BEAT WITH FRIGHT.
MOMENTS AGED INTO MINUTES,
MINUTES SEEMED LIKE HOURS,
HOW MANY HE COULDN'T TELL,
HAD EXPIRED SINCE HE FELL.
A VOICE WHISPERED NEAR BY,
AND ADVISED HIM TO LET GO,
AND THAT HE WOULD NOT DIE,
BECAUSE IT WAS SAFE BELOW.
THE VOICE HAD SAID TO HIM,
THAT GROUND WAS FEET AWAY,
IF HE WOULD TRY AND STAND,
HE COULD RETIRE UNTIL DAY.
THE YOUNG MAN WAS PUZZLED,
HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO,
HE'D OFTEN HEARD GOD CALL,
BUT THE VOICE SOUNDED NEW.
IF GOD TOLD HIM TO LET GO,
WHY SHOULD HE NOW DISOBEY?
OBVIOUSLY HE HAD NO FAITH,
IF HE CHOSE THERE TO STAY!
HIS MIND WAS ALL CONFUSED,
WHILE HIS BODY WAS ABUSED;
SHOULD HE HANG ON IN PAIN,
OR LET GO AND START AGAIN?
A MEMORY PIERCED HIS MIND,
AS A THOUGHT CAME TO FORM;
NEVER LET GO IN THE NIGHT,
WAIT TILL MORNING'S LIGHT!
WITH FAITH HE FIRMLY HELD,
AND TRUSTED IN GOD'S WORD,
ALL NIGHT HE PRAYED UNTIL,
MORNING HE FINALLY BEHELD.
THE MAN COULD CLEARLY SEE,
AND THEN TREMBLED IN FEAR;
NO EARTH BENEATH WAS NEAR,
AS DEATH WAITED PATIENTLY!
WATER SPLASHED DOWN BELOW,
A HUNDRED FEET UNDERNEATH,
AND LONG FINGERS OF REEDS,
ENCIRCLED A BURIAL WREATH!
A ROPE WITH KNOTS HUNG BY,
HE HAD NOT SEEN IT BEFORE,
IT WAS TIED TO THE BRIDGE,
AND NEAR THE BROKEN FLOOR.
ANOTHER PERSON HAD WALKED,
ALONG THAT VERY SAME ROAD,
AND PROVIDED FOR HIS FALL,
UNTIL THE DAYLIGHT SHOWED.
THE YOUNG MAN REACHED OUT,
AND HELD A LIFE LINE MADE,
HE CLIMBED BACK ON COURSE,
AND ON THE PATH HE STAYED.
HE SHIVERED AS HE THOUGHT,
OF ONCE ALMOST LETTING GO,
HE THANKED GOD FOR MAKING,
PROVISIONS ON EARTH BELOW.
HE WALKED A LITTLE FASTER,
AS HE OBEYED IN THE LIGHT,
HE HEARD AGAIN THE MASTER;
HANG ON IN FAITH AT NIGHT!
*****
THE PRISONER
THE PRISONER SAT SILENTLY STILL,
AS HE HUDDLED DOWN ON THE FLOOR,
HE HAD NO COAT TO FIGHT A CHILL,
AS ICY BREEZES RATTLED THE DOOR.
TRICKLES OF DARK FOUL WATER RAN,
IN FINGERLIKE LINES DOWN A WALL,
RODENTS ATE STALE FOOD IN A PAN,
AND LEFT FOR HIM NOTHING AT ALL.
AN HYSTERICAL SCREAM ECHOED OUT,
AS THE SOUND OF A WHIP CUT DOWN,
PEELS OF DEMONIC LAUGHTER ABOUT,
RICOCHETED OFF THE WALLS AROUND.
THE PRISONER'S TIME FOR TORTURE,
WAS RAPIDLY APPROACHING SO FAST,
THAT HE WENT AGAINST HIS NATURE,
AS HE REPENTED OF SINS NOW PAST.
THE LAST REFLECTIONS ABOUT LIFE,
HADN'T COMPLETELY LEFT HIS MIND,
WHEN A POWERFUL WHITE HOT KNIFE,
MELTED BANDS THAT ONCE DID BIND.
A FIGURE HAD FORMED IN THE CELL,
A MAN ALL COVERED IN PURE WHITE,
YET BLOOD ON HIS SIDE DID DWELL,
AS THE PRISON FILLED WITH LIGHT.
THEN HE WHO CAME TO LIFT HIM UP,
THE PRISONER NOW SEEMED TO KNOW,
A DRINK OF LIFE IN A GOLDEN CUP,
CAME WITH," YOU ARE FREE TO GO!"
*****
A STILL SILENT VOICE
SEAS OF WIND CUT MOUNTAINS OF ROCK,
THE EARTH QUAKED AND SPLIT IN HALF,
TONGUES OF FIRE VOICED THEIR FLAME,
COMFORT CAME, A STILL SILENT VOICE;
THEN THE LORD CALLED ELIJAH'S NAME.
ELIJAH WAS TIRED AND WANTED TO DIE,
HE FEARED SOME WHO SOUGHT HIS LIFE,
ALONE HE SAT SAYING ALONE HE STOOD,
BUT GOD SAW THOSE WHO DID NOT FAIL;
SEVEN THOUSAND NEVER BOWED TO BAAL.
A POWERFUL DISPLAY SO CLEARLY SEEN,
GOD GAVE TO PROVE A SUBTLE THOUGHT,
HE CONTROLS EVERY ELEMENT ON EARTH;
AND NOT WITH MIGHT, NOR WITH POWER,
BUT WITH SPIRIT BATTLES ARE FOUGHT.
Reference:
1 Kings 19 (KJV)
*****
PLANE OF FAITH
A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PERSONS,
ALL HAD THEIR NAME RECORDED,
EACH ONE WAS GIVEN A TICKET,
AND ON A PLANE WERE BOARDED.
THEY WERE TOLD OF THAT TRIP,
WHILE EACH WAS JUST A CHILD,
AND THOUGH FEARFUL FOR SOME,
A JOURNEY IN FAITH HAD COME.
THE PLANE'S DOOR WAS CLOSED,
AS THE ENGINES CAME TO LIFE,
A QUICK RACE DOWN THE FIELD,
THEN GRAVITY BEGAN TO YIELD.
THINGS ON EARTH FELL BEHIND,
AS MANY PEOPLE SAT RELIEVED,
THE GLORIOUS RIDE TO HEAVEN,
GAVE ALL ONE SPIRITUAL MIND.
THE PILOT SAID ALL WAS SAFE,
HIS VOICE SOOTHED EVERY EAR,
EXPERIENCE HIS NAME HE GAVE,
MADE PEOPLE EASE THEIR FEAR.
A WORD CAME FROM A CO-PILOT,
THE NAVIGATOR SPOKE AS WELL,
THEIR NAMES, TRUST AND HOPE,
SAID ALL THE TWO COULD TELL.
SOME PASSENGERS SAT UPRIGHT,
BLACK CLOUDS CAME INTO VIEW,
BRIGHT WHITE STABS OF LIGHT,
GAVE THE SKY A SINISTER HUE.
A REVERBERATING RISING ROLL,
RAISED ITS REDOUBTABLE ROAR,
RESOUNDED IN A RAUCOUS TOLL,
REDOUNDED TO RAGE SOME MORE!
THE PLANE TWISTED IN A DIVE,
TRUST ME THE PILOT HAD SAID,
SOME SOULS HELD ON IN FAITH,
BUT OTHERS QUICKLY BACKSLID!
A TREMBLE THEN UPWARD BOUND,
AND SOME CHANGED THEIR MIND,
THE TRIP WAS BACK ON COURSE,
AND THE CLOUDS FADED BEHIND.
NIGHT SWALLOWED RAYS OF DAY,
AND ALL COULD FEEL THE DARK,
WORDS OF DOUBT SOME DID SAY,
AND FEAR HAD BEGUN TO START.
YET SOME SOULS HAD ONE HOPE,
THE DOUBTERS DIDN'T REALIZE,
THOSE UP FRONT KNEW THE WAY,
AND SAW NOT WITH HUMAN EYES.
LIGHT OVERCAME THE DARKNESS,
EVENING SURRENDERED TO DAWN,
THE TRAVELLERS LOOKED BELOW,
AT MOUNTAINS OF GLOSSY SNOW.
A MOUNTAIN OF GRANITE STONE,
STOOD IN THE PLAIN OF SIGHT,
THE SMALL PLANE APPROACHING,
COULDN'T MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT!
UP FRONT SIX SOULS SCREAMED,
NOW OTHERS SAW THEIR PLIGHT,
IN SECONDS THEY WOULD CRASH,
AND ALL VOICED THEIR FRIGHT!
THE PILOT CALLED EXPERIENCE,
SPOKE SLOW AND GAVE NO HEED,
HE SAID TO HOLD ON IN FAITH,
THE PLANE NEEDED MORE SPEED!
THEIR FAITH, HOPE AND TRUST,
WERE IN GOD'S PROMISED WORD,
WHILE IN THE PLANE OF FAITH,
A TEST WAS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!
THEIR PILOT SPOKE ONCE MORE,
THEY WOULD SOON SAFELY LAND,
BUT FIRST A WIND WOULD COME,
AND HOLD THEM IN GOD'S HAND.
TIME SPENT THEY HAD NO MORE,
A NEED IN LIFE WAS PAST DUE,
MANY PRAYED IT WAS TOO LATE,
BUT A MOUNTAIN SPLIT IN TWO!
A WIND SWEPT OVER THE PLANE,
AND HELD IT IN A QUIET CALM,
SOULS IN FAITH ENDED A RIDE,
IN HEAVEN ON THE OTHER SIDE!
*****
THE SONG GOD GAVE TO MOSES
LISTEN YOU HEAVENLY BEINGS!
GOD HIMSELF WILL NOW SPEAK;
PAY ATTENTION ALL OF EARTH,
TO ONE WHOM ALL SOULS SEEK.
HIS DOCTRINE FALLS AS RAIN,
HIS SPEECH DISTILLS AS DEW,
HIS THOUGHTS TENDERLY DROP,
AS WATER FOR LIFE TO RENEW.
GOD'S FAME ALL SHOULD KNOW,
TO HOLD HIS GREATNESS HIGH,
PERFECT HIS WORK WILL SHOW,
HE STANDS AS A ROCK NEARBY.
HE DELIVERS PURE JUDGEMENT,
AND WALKS IN WAYS OF TRUTH,
HIS MIND HOLDS NO INIQUITY,
AND RIGHTEOUSLY JUST IS HE.
ISRAEL FOLLOWED CORRUPTION,
AS CHILDREN RUNNING ASTRAY,
A LOST, CROOKED GENERATION,
GONE PERVERSE IN EVERY WAY.
THE PEOPLE REPAID THE LORD,
WITH STUPID, FOOLISH PRIDE,
AND FORGOT WHO BOUGHT THEM,
IN WHOM THEIR SOULS RESIDE.
REMEMBER THE ANCIENT TIMES,
ASK THE ELDER SONS OF ADAM,
EVERY NATION WITH A BORDER,
GOD SET TO ISRAEL'S NUMBER.
GOD'S PORTION IS NOT EARTH,
BUT PEOPLE HIS INHERITANCE,
JACOB UNDER THE DESERT SKY,
WAS THE APPLE OF GOD'S EYE.
ISRAEL'S CHILDREN WERE LED,
AND PROTECTED AS EAGLES DO,
WHEN THEIR WIDE OPEN WINGS,
ABOUT THE YOUNG ARE SPREAD.
THE PEOPLE WERE GIVEN REST,
WHEN NO STRANGE GOD ABIDED,
OF FOOD THEY KNEW THE BEST,
AND IN HIGH PLACES RESIDED.
JACOB'S OFFSPRING GREW FAT,
BEFORE THEY BEGAN TO REBEL,
THEY IGNORED THE HOLY ROCK,
AND FROM THEIR SAVIOR FELL.
PEOPLE PROVOKED THEIR LORD,
WITH SACRIFICES DEVILS GOT,
AND WORSHIPED SEVERAL GODS,
THEIR ANCESTORS FEARED NOT.
THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT GOD,
THE ROCK THAT CREATED THEM,
THEY'VE FORGOTTEN THE LORD,
WHO FORMED THEM NOT IN SIN.
THE LORD TURNED IN DISGUST,
HE HATED THEIR PROVOCATION,
A VERY FORWARD PEOPLE MADE,
THEIR FAITHLESS GENERATION.
THEY MOVED HIM TO JEALOUSY,
BY ACCEPTING IDOLS AS GODS,
GOD WOULD GIVE THEM REWARD,
BY A FOOLISH NATION INWARD.
HIS ANGER BURNED AS A FIRE,
IT REACHED RIGHT INTO HELL,
IT WOULD CONSUME THE EARTH,
AND IN THE MOUNTAINS DWELL.
ISRAEL WILL BURN WITH PAIN,
AND DIE IN HUNGER AND HEAT,
WILD BEASTS WILL RIP APART,
PEOPLE WITH A WICKED HEART.
THE JUDGEMENT WOULD AFFECT,
ALL THE SOULS OF EVERY AGE,
EACH WOULD FEEL THE TERROR,
NONE WOULD ESCAPE HIS RAGE.
THE LORD WANTED TO SCATTER,
AND ERASE THEM OUT OF MIND,
BUT HE KNEW ABOUT AN ENEMY,
WHO WOULD BOAST OF VICTORY.
ISRAEL WAS VOID OF COUNSEL,
NEITHER DID ANY UNDERSTAND,
BUT IF ONLY THEY WERE WISE,
AND KNEW GOD'S LOVING HAND.
ONE WOULD CHASE A THOUSAND,
AND TEN THOUSAND DREAD TWO,
BUT THE ROCK HAD SOLD THEM,
AND HID THEM FROM HIS VIEW.
ISRAEL'S HOPE WAS THE ROCK,
A ROCK LIKE NO OTHER FOUND,
THEIR ENEMIES BEING JUDGES,
WERE AS POISON WINE AROUND.
GOD HAD PREPARED THE ENEMY,
AND KEPT THEIR KIND SEALED,
THEIR FATE WAS PREDESTINED,
FOR A TIME GOD WOULD WIELD.
THE LORD RETAINS VENGEANCE,
AS HIS RIGHT HELD IN STORE,
HE WILL RELEASE A TREASURE,
GRIEF WILL QUICKLY OUTPOUR.
ISRAEL'S STRENGTH WILL END,
HIS CHILDREN WON'T BE FREE,
GOD SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE,
AND GIVE TO SOME HIS MERCY.
THEN THE LORD WILL INQUIRE;
HE WILL ASK FOR THEIR ROCK,
HE SHALL SAY TO THE NATION:
IS AN IDOL YOUR PROTECTION?
THE LORD IS GOD BY HIMSELF,
THERE IS NO OTHER WITH HIM,
GOD ALONE CAN HEAL OR KILL,
AND NONE CAN STOP HIS WILL.
THE LORD LIFTS UP HIS HAND,
AND DECLARES ALL HIS MIGHT,
THE LORD WILL LIVE FOREVER,
AND HATED ENEMIES REMEMBER.
THE LORD WILL DESTROY MANY,
AND IN REVENGE WILL DEVOUR,
FLESH AND BLOOD WILL YIELD,
IN THAT ONE JUDGEMENT HOUR.
LET ALL THE PEOPLE REJOICE,
IN ISRAEL AND EVERY NATION;
HE WILL AVENGE BY HIS HAND,
AND SHOW MERCY IN THE LAND!
Deuteronomy KJV Chapters 1 through 43
Reference:
Deuteronomy 31:19
Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it
to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song
may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:22
Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it
to the children of Israel.
Rev 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and
the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are]
thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy
ways, thou King of saints.
Translated by John A.T. Hillier
*****
HOW COULD HE KNOW?
JACOB CALLED UNTO HIS SONS,
HE SAID: Gather all around,
that I may tell you things,
which are not written down!
A HISTORY OF THE LAST DAYS,
HE GAVE TO ISRAEL'S TWELVE;
THE FUTURE FOR EVERY TRIBE,
DEPENDED ON SPIRITUAL WAYS!
STABLE AS WATER WAS REUBEN,
SIMEON AND LEVI WERE CRUEL,
AN HAVEN OF SHIPS, ZEBULUN,
ISSACHAR BORNE LIKE A MULE!
JUDGEMENT WAS GIVEN BY DAN,
THE VICTORY GAD WOULD RAVE,
ASHER WOULD YIELD THE BEST,
AND WITH JOY NAPHTALI GAVE!
GOD HAD MADE JOSEPH STRONG,
A RAVENING BENJAMIN HE SAW,
BUT ONLY ONE SON IN ISRAEL,
RULED WITH SCEPTER AND LAW!
A TESTAMENT OF INHERITANCE,
JACOB HAD GIVEN UNTO JUDAH,
A WILL IN TRUST HERE BELOW,
UNTIL THE RETURN OF SHILOH!
CHRIST WILL SOMEDAY GATHER,
PEOPLE BORN OF EVERY TRIBE,
SILVER TRUMPETS WILL SOUND,
A PRICELESS TREASURE FOUND!
THE LORD HAS SPOKEN TO MEN,
WITH PROPHETESSES LIKEWISE,
THE TRUTH JACOB COULD KNOW,
ONLY IF GOD REVEALED IT SO!
Genesis 49:1
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell
you that which shall befall you in the last
days.
*****
HIS FACE SHINES ON US!
THE VALLEY WAS LONG AND DARK,
WITH HIGH RUGGED ROCKS ABOUT,
LYING IN A SNAKE SHAPED MARK,
A PATH ETCHED THE ONLY ROUTE.
A RIDER CAREFULLY IN CAUTION,
CREPT FORWARD DOWN THE TRAIL,
WITH LEGS WORN IN EXHAUSTION,
HE TRIED IN VAIN NOT TO FAIL.
HIS HORSE HAD FROZEN IN FEAR,
AS SHADOWS SPOOKED THE NIGHT,
THEY DANCED SO SILENTLY NEAR,
EVEN HE TREMBLED WITH FRIGHT!
THE MOON WAS AFRAID TO SMILE,
AS SPECTERS CHASED THE STARS,
WITH DEMON SKELETONS SO VILE,
PICTURES IN MIND LEAVE SCARS!
THEN THE CREATOR LOOKED DOWN,
AS HIS SERVANT BENT HIS KNEE,
GOD KNEW THE RIDER WAS BOUND,
EVEN AS HE PRAYED TO BE FREE.
GOD'S FACE RAINED DOWN LIGHT,
AND FLOODED THE ENTIRE EARTH,
IT SHONE INCREASINGLY BRIGHT,
UNTIL RAYS OF DAY GAVE BIRTH.
*****
A TRIP THROUGH LIFE
THE SKY FLASHED SHUT ITS DOOR,
WITH A SOUND OF AN ANGRY ROAR,
A CLOUD TORE AND WATER RAINED,
AS THE STORM BECAME UNCHAINED.
A YOUNG MAN SET OUT IN A BOAT,
AS WINDS WRESTLED UP HIS COAT,
FREEZING SHOWERS SENT FINGERS,
OF ICE TO PIERCE THE BREAKERS.
FROZEN MIST VEILED HIS VISION,
AS HE SANK DOWN IN A DIVISION,
IN THE WHIRLING WALL OF WATER,
BUT HIS COURAGE DIDN'T FALTER.
A VOICE HAD CALLED OUT A NAME,
AND SINCE NO ONE HAD THE SAME,
HE HAD TO RESPOND, OBEDIENTLY,
TO ONE WHO CALLS OMNISCIENTLY.
THE MAN HAD STARTED A JOURNEY,
TOWARDS THE DOORS OF ETERNITY,
IT BEGAN WITH A TRIP ON EARTH,
WITH A SOUL IN FLESH AT BIRTH.
*****
A GREAT, HUMBLE BIRTH
OH MARY, BORN OF LITTLE ESTATE,
YOU WERE RAISED UP BY THE LORD,
TO BEAR A SAVIOR WAS YOUR FATE,
AS WRITTEN IN A PROPHETIC WORD.
CONCEIVED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD,
YOUR CHILD WAS BORN NOT OF MAN,
BUT GIVEN LIFE WHEN HE DID NOD,
APPROVING A BIRTH IN BETHLEHEM.
BORN OF SPIRIT BEFORE OF FLESH,
THE SON OF GOD DESTINED TO DIE,
ALL NATIONS WILL FOREVER BLESS,
HIM WHO WILL RETURN IN THE SKY.
*****
A HAPPY SONG
I HAVEN'T SEEN THE WORDS,
AND NEVER HEARD ITS TUNE,
THE NOTES AREN'T WRITTEN,
ABOUT A SONG COMING SOON.
MY HEART WAS OVERFLOWING,
AS THOUGHTS CAME TO FORM,
WEAVING QUICKLY TOGETHER,
NEW SONGS ONE EARLY MORN.
BEAUTIFUL DELICATE WAVES,
FILLED WITH BUBBLING JOY,
SHOWERED INSIDE MY HEART,
AS IF GOD OPENED HIS SKY.
A FEELING IS STILL THERE,
WAY DOWN DEEP IN MY SOUL,
THE HAPPY SONG NOW WAITS,
FOR PEN AND PAPER SCROLL.
*****
A CHILD SHALL LEAD
A VALLEY WAS ETCHED LONG AGO
AS GLACIERS CUT THROUGH ROCK,
DEEP CAVERNS, WHITE AS CHALK
FROM ABOVE PEERED DOWN BELOW.
A GREAT CITY, OF GREATER AGE,
WAS BORN AT THE VALLEY'S END,
BUILT STRONG LIKE A FORTRESS
IT BID NO STRANGER AS FRIEND.
CRIES SOBBED FROM ONE CAVERN
AS A LITTLE CHILD WEPT TEARS,
EVERY ONE, FAMILY AND FRIEND
TOLD HER ONLY OF THEIR FEARS.
THEY DESCRIBED DAYS NOW PAST
WHEN THEIR NATION WENT ASKEW,
AND NOW EVERYONE HID IN FEAR
LIKE TIMID ANIMALS THEY KNEW.
WARRIORS SO CRUEL AND STRONG
HAD COME FROM A FOREIGN LAND,
AND WITH A AWFUL SAVAGE HAND
INVADED IN A TERRIBLE THRONG.
AN OLD MAN OF AGE AND WISDOM,
HONORED AS A PROPHET BY SOME,
TALKED ABOUT ALL THE REASONS
WHY THE DEVASTATION HAD COME.
THE NATION HAD GROWN TOO FAT,
SOULS WERE FILLED WITH PRIDE,
MINDS WERE DRUNK IN LAZINESS,
THEIR SIN NONE TRIED TO HIDE.
THE LORD HAD SEEN THEIR CITY,
HE HAD A NAME FOR EVERY FACE,
HE SEARCHED ALL THEIR HEARTS,
AND SAW INWARD A WICKED RACE.
THE OLD PROPHET CALLED AGAIN,
HE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYONE
WHO WOULD RETURN TO THE LORD,
WITH TOTAL TRUST IN HIS NAME.
ALL THE COWERING HEADS BOWED
AS TONGUES SPOKE AGAINST GOD,
SOME MINDS THEN EVEN OUTLOUD
SAID THEY HATED HIS IRON ROD.
A LITTLE GIRL DRIED HER FACE
WITH TEARS WIPED ON A SLEEVE,
GOD'S PROPHET HAD CALLED HER,
SHE JUST ONLY HAD TO BELIEVE.
THE LITTLE CHILD STOOD ERECT
AND TRIED TO BE EVER SO TALL,
BUT WHEN THE GROWNUPS GOT UP,
THE CHILD FELT EVER SO SMALL.
THE PROPHET BLINDED FROM AGE,
ASKED THE CHILD FOR HER HAND,
AND SAID THAT SHE WOULD KNOW,
THE WAY FOR HER PEOPLE TO GO.
THE CHILD HELPED THE PROPHET
CLIMB DOWN THE HILL SO STEEP,
THEY STARTED OUT IMMEDIATELY,
WHILE OTHERS RESTED IN SLEEP.
A GROUP OF SOULS, JUST A FEW,
THOUGHT OF A DAY NOW GONE BY,
THEY HAD TRUSTED IN THE LORD,
BUT HAD ALLOWED FAITH TO DIE.
THE LITTLE CHILD CALLED BACK
AND POINTED IN THE MOONLIGHT,
BILLOWS OF CLOUDS HAD FORMED
FILLING HER SOUL WITH FRIGHT.
THE THUNDER OF VOICES ECHOED
AS MANY LAUGHED AT THE SIGHT,
THEY SAID SHE WAS SO FOOLISH
TO LEAD A BLIND MAN AT NIGHT.
CHILDREN TRUST THEIR PARENTS
TO PLACE TRUTH IN THEIR HEAD,
WITH PURE AND ABSOLUTE TRUST
THEY BELIEVE EVERYTHING SAID.
ONE LITTLE CHILD TRUSTED GOD
AND GOD COULD SEE HER ACTION,
SHE LED SOME BROKEN SOLDIERS
WHO HAD LEFT A GODLY STATION.
THE SUN PEEKED OVER THE HILL
AS GOD'S LITTLE CHILD LED ON,
MID DAY WAS IN FULL STRENGTH
BUT THE CLOUDS WERE NOT GONE.
THE PROPHET THEN STOOD STILL
AND HELD UP THE CHILD'S HAND,
HE GATHERED ALL WHO FOLLOWED
AND FORMED A VERY SMALL BAND.
THIS LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD
AND RULE YOU ALL OF HER DAYS,
THIS CITY IS RETURNED TO YOU
BECAUSE SHE KNOWS GOD'S WAYS!
ALL THE CLOUDS WAITING ABOVE
DESCENDED LIKE A HUGE FUNNEL,
THEN THE SIGHT CHANGED AGAIN
AND BEES CAME OUT OF A GLOVE.
AN ENEMY FELL TO THEIR KNEES
AS HORNETS HIT ONE AT A TIME,
THE OPPRESSORS FLED THAT DAY
WHILE THE BEES CHASED BEHIND.
A NATION OF FAITHLESS PEOPLE
THEN RETURNED UNTO THEIR GOD,
HUMBLED HEARTS COULD BE SEEN,
AND THE CHILD WAS MADE QUEEN!
*****
CREATION SANG
THE TREES BOWED THEIR ARMS,
AND BROOKS GURGLED IN GLEE,
THE WIND WAS EVER SO HAPPY,
NOW THAT CREATION WAS FREE.
ROCKS BECAME THE XYLOPHONE,
FOR THE ORCHESTRA ON EARTH,
THE ELEPHANT RETURNED HOME,
FOR TRUMPETS TO MAKE MIRTH.
FISHES DANCED ON THE WATER,
AND WHALES WAVED UP PRAISE,
BIRDS CLAPPED OUT A RHYTHM,
ALL TO THE ANCIENT OF DAYS.
THE SUN CALLED TO THE MOON,
AND BECKONED TO EVERY STAR,
THEY MADE A CHOIR OF LIGHT,
AND WORSHIPED IN THE NIGHT.
INSECTS BUZZED IN A MELODY,
AND GRASSES SWAYED IN TUNE,
THE FLOWERS BLENDED A SONG,
AND THEY SANG ALL DAY LONG.
ONE YODEL CAME FROM WOLVES,
AS GOATS TAPPED TWO HOOVES,
AND THE SONG SUNG BY SHEEP,
KEPT THEM TOGETHER IN BEAT.
THE HORSES NEIGHED SO LOUD,
SOME SPARROWS FELT UNHEARD,
BUT GOD LISTENED TO A SONG,
AND KNEW EVERY SINGLE WORD.
NOW MANKIND LISTENED STILL,
TO CREATION SINGING PRAISE,
THE LORD HAS SAID HE WOULD,
RECEIVE GLORY IN MANY WAYS.
*****
THE JUDGE
A YOUNG MAN APPEARED MUCH OLDER,
THAN HIS YEARS OF TIME NOW FLED,
HIS BODY WAS COVERED WITH SCARS,
WHERE CUTS AND BRUISES HAD BLED.
HE LAY DOWN NEAR A SEWAGE DITCH,
IT WAS A PLACE OF CHOICE TO DIE,
AS SIX SNAKE LIKE DEMON SPIRITS,
SNEERED HIM STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.
SATAN HIMSELF SPOKE TO HIS FACE,
AND GRINNED AND LAUGHED IN GLEE,
THE MAN WAS TOLD DEATH WAS NEAR,
BODY AND SOUL WOULD NOW BE FREE.
SIXTY SINISTER SPIRITS SHRIEKED,
WHAT THEIR EVIL MASTER HAD SAID,
THEN ALL VOICED A GREAT VICTORY,
THE SOUL NOW WOULD SOON BE DEAD.
THE YOUNG MAN CHOKED BACK DEATH,
HIS HEART WAS FILLED WITH CRIME,
HIS MIND HAD DRAWN IN EVERY SIN,
HIS SOUL HAD HARDENED OVER TIME.
ANOTHER HACK, ANOTHER COUGH AND,
HE DRANK IN DEATH AND SWALLOWED,
BUT BEFORE DARK CLOSED HIS EYES,
HE SAID A NAME, A NAME HALLOWED.
IT WAS A NAME HE HAD SO MISUSED,
AND ABUSED SO MANY TIMES BEFORE,
BUT THIS TIME HE PRAYED IN HOPE,
CRIED IN FAITH AND SAID NO MORE.
A MILLION MILLENNIUM OF MOMENTS,
EXPIRED AND THEN A TRUMPET BLEW,
A TIME OF JUDGEMENT WAS ORDERED,
AS CHRIST CALLED HIS CHOSEN FEW.
GOD WITH THUNDER SUMMONED A MAN,
AND PUT HIM IN A JUDGEMENT HALL,
HE CALLED FOR THE BOOKS OF LIFE,
AND FOR HIS SON TO JUDGE IT ALL.
HE WHO DIED ON EARTH WITH SHAME,
BOWED HIS HEAD WITH BENDED KNEE,
AND SAW HIS BODY OF SIN RESTORE,
AS CHRIST WROTE DOWN A NEW NAME.
THE BODY WITH NEW LIFE AND SOUL,
HAD GARMENTS OF RIGHTEOUS WHITE,
AND JESUS CALLED HIM HIS FRIEND,
AS GOD'S GLORY SHONE WITH MIGHT.
JESUS BECKONED THE MAN TO ARISE,
AND STAND STRAIGHT WITHOUT FEAR,
HE GAVE THE MAN ETERNAL REWARDS,
AND ONE THRONE MADE READY THERE.
THE MAN WAS CALLED A JOINT HEIR,
TO HEAVENLY TREASURERS PREPARED,
A CROWN OF GOLD SAT ON HIS HEAD,
ALL BECAUSE OF HIS DYING PRAYER.
*****
WHEN JESUS PRAYED
JESUS LIFTED HIS EYES UP TO HEAVEN
AND SAID: FATHER THE HOUR HAS COME,
WHEN YOU GRANT GLORY UNTO YOUR SON,
TWO ARE HONORED BECAUSE WE ARE ONE.
YOU HAVE GIVEN ME POWER OVER FLESH
AND CHARGED ME WITH SOULS ON EARTH,
THOSE NAMES IN HEAVEN YOU NUMBERED
WITH ETERNAL LIFE WILL BE REWARDED.
ETERNAL LIFE SHALL ONLY BE GRANTED
TO THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW GOD AS TRUE,
AND THAT JESUS CHRIST SPEAKS TRUTH
WHEN HE SAYS JESUS WAS SENT BY YOU.
YOU ARE NOW GLORIFIED ON THE EARTH
AND MY WORK IS COMPLETELY FINISHED,
ALL THE THINGS YOU WANTED ME TO DO
I'VE DONE SO SOULS WILL START ANEW.
NOW MY FATHER, UNITE US WITH GLORY,
GIVE ME THE THRONE YOU'VE PREPARED,
RETURN UNTO ME THE HONOR WE SHARED
AND GLORY BEFORE THE WORLD EXISTED.
YOU GAVE ME CERTAIN PEOPLE TO HOLD
AND TO THEM I MADE KNOWN YOUR NAME,
THESE ON EARTH ARE NOW GIVEN TO ME
YOUR WORD TO ME THEY KEEP THE SAME.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LISTENED AND HEARD,
UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT IS MINE,
YOU GAVE IT ALL FROM THE BEGINNING,
I CAME FROM YOU FOR THIS VERY TIME.
I PRAY FOR THESE CHILDREN OF FAITH,
ALL OF WHOM YOU HAVE GIVEN UNTO ME,
FOR THESE I CAME, FOR THESE I PRAY,
BUT NOT FOR ANY IN THE WORLD TODAY.
THESE PEOPLE OF FAITH ARE YOUR OWN,
THEY BELONG TO US, BOTH YOU AND ME,
THEY PROVIDE GLORY FOR ME YOUR SON,
AND WILL GLORIFY US BOTH ETERNALLY.
NOW I'M LEAVING THIS EARTHLY WORLD,
BUT YOUR CHOSEN PEOPLE MUST REMAIN,
ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LIKE US ARE ONE,
HOLY FATHER, KEEP BY YOUR OWN NAME.
WHILE HERE IN THIS TEMPLE OF FLESH,
I KEPT THESE CHILDREN IN YOUR NAME,
BUT HE WHO IS THE SON OF PERDITION,
SCRIPTURE STATES, IS LOST IN SHAME.
I LEAVE NOW, TO RETURN UNTO HEAVEN,
AND ALL THESE CHILDREN LEFT BEHIND,
I'VE GIVEN THESE WORDS BEFORE I GO,
FULFILLMENT AND JOY THEY WILL KNOW.
I GAVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR OWN WORDS,
BUT THE CHILDREN OF SIN HATED THEM,
YOUR PEOPLE OF FAITH DO NOT BELONG
AS I DO NOT IN THIS WORLD OF WRONG.
I PRAY THAT YOU NOT TAKE THEM AWAY,
BUT KEEP THEM FROM EVERYTHING EVIL,
HOLD THEM APART THROUGH YOUR TRUTH,
YOUR WORD IS TRUTH AS LIGHT OF DAY.
AS YOU HAVE SENT ME INTO THE WORLD,
I'VE ALSO SENT THESE PEOPLE AROUND,
FOR THEIR SAKES I MUST REMAIN HOLY,
THAT MY TRUTH IN THEM MIGHT ABOUND.
NOT ONLY DO I PRAY FOR THESE ALONE,
BUT FOR THOSE WHO HEAR THEIR WORDS,
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES THAT I ATONE,
WILL BE AS ONE LIKE FATHER AND SON.
THE GLORY WHICH YOU'VE GIVEN TO ME,
I HAVE NOW GIVEN UNTO ALL OF THESE,
PEOPLE WILL KNOW YOU SENT ME BELOW,
THE WORD OF TRUTH IN FLESH TO SHOW.
WHEN ALL THESE SOULS EACH ON EARTH,
ARE BROUGHT TOGETHER AS WE ARE NOW,
THEY WILL BE A HOLY, UNITED SPIRIT,
AND THE WORLD'S EYES THEN WILL BOW.
YOU LOVE MANY SOULS AS YOU LOVE ME,
AND AS WE ARE BOTH ONE IN THE SAME,
I PRAY ALL THESE PEOPLE MAY BE ONE,
SOULS WILL BELIEVE FROM YOU I CAME.
FATHER, I PRAY THAT THESE CHILDREN,
THESE CHILDREN OF FAITH NOW CHOSEN,
WILL GO TO US WHERE FLESH CAN'T GO,
AND THERE, THEY MY GLORY WILL KNOW.
YOU HAVE LOVED ME BEFORE THE WORLD,
BEFORE THE WORLD WAS MADE OR FOUND,
RIGHTEOUS FATHER, NOT ONE KNEW YOU,
EXCEPT ME, BEFORE EARTH WAS AROUND.
NOW ALL THESE CHOSEN SOULS DO KNOW,
YOU HAVE SENT ME FROM HEAVEN ABOVE,
AND I HAVE OPENLY SPOKEN YOUR WILL,
THAT THEY MIGHT LOVE AS WE DO LOVE.
Translated from KJV John Chapter 17 Versus 1 through 26
This material is published with full Copyright Protection.
Copyright © 1987-2009
All Rights Reserved
No material may be republished for any purpose without prior
written consent from the author.
John A. T. Hillier
*****
TIME
IT NEVER HAD A BEGINNING,
SO WE CAN NOT SEE AN END,
WE CAN'T HOLD THE MIDDLE,
AND ITS SIDES WON'T BEND.
THE PAST IS NOW BUT MIST,
THAT WAS ONCE ALL AROUND,
AND THE PRESENT A MEMORY,
FOR THE FUTURE TO ABOUND.
IT CAN NOT MOVE BACKWARD,
SINCE THERE IS NO BEHIND,
AND IS SEEN ONLY FORWARD,
WHILE WATCHING IT UNWIND.
IT IS LIKE A CRYSTAL SEA,
FILLING A BORDERLESS SKY,
GENTLY ROLLING ENDLESSLY,
AS ETERNITY FLOWS NEARBY.
*****
THE SONG OF MOSES
PHARAOH'S HARDENED HEART,
VAIN AS SCULPTURED STONE,
REBELLIOUS IN EVERY PART,
BEAT COLD WITH EACH TONE!
MOSES SEVERAL TIMES SAID,
TO LET THE ISRAELITES GO,
BUT ANGRY PHARAOH'S HEAD,
SHOOK WITH THE ANSWER NO!
ONE MORE TIME, SAID I AM,
HE, WHO GAVE THE COMMAND,
SAY TO THIS EGYPTIAN MAN,
NOW THE WRATH OF MY HAND!
A DEATH ANGEL THEN SWEPT,
A DARK MIST IN THE NIGHT,
THE WORD OF GOD WAS KEPT,
AS CANDLES GAVE NO LIGHT!
THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS,
ALL OVER EGYPT FIRSTBORN,
AS PUNISHMENT TO FATHERS,
GOD KILLED BY EARLY MORN!
GOD TOLD MOSES TO RECORD,
THE EVENTS IN A NEW SONG,
TO BE SUNG ONTO THE LORD,
BECAUSE TO HIM WE BELONG!
Reference:
Deuteronomy 31:19
Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel.
Deuteronomy 31:22
Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
Rev 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and
marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy
ways, thou King of saints.
*****
CALL MY PEOPLE
THE EARTH TREMBLED WITH NOISE,
FROM SOUNDS OF WEAPONS OF WAR,
AND ANGELS OF GOD WERE POISED,
TO BLOW THE TRUMPETS AND ROAR.
A MILLENNIUM OF AGES ON EARTH,
RECORDED MAN'S DEEDS NOW PAST,
THEN ONE FINAL SOUL HAD BIRTH,
MARKED DOWN IN HEAVEN AS LAST.
GOD'S GARDEN WAS ALL POLLUTED,
AND FILLED WITH VIOLENT CRIME,
AS THE SUN'S STRENGTH DILUTED,
MAN LIVED IN FILTH LIKE SWINE.
THE ANGRY LORD SHOOK HIS HEAD,
THEN LOOKED DOWN WITH DISGUST,
SEEING A LIFE MANKIND HAD LED,
A REAPER'S BLADE WOULD THRUST.
THE TRUMPETS MADE THEIR SOUND,
AS ANGELS IN A BLINDING LIGHT,
FORMED ABOVE THE EARTH AROUND,
WITH GOD'S SON IN THEIR MIGHT!
*****
THE CHIMES OF TIME!
THE ORCHESTRA SEATS,
AND A MAESTRO LEADS,
THE MUSICIANS AGREE,
TO HARMONIOUS NEEDS!
THEIR SPIRITS UNITE,
THE MELODIOUS SOUND,
WITH NO MINOR NOTES,
OFFBEAT TO BE FOUND!
HORNS MADE OF BRASS,
PIANO KEYS IN IVORY,
BOWS OF BLOWN GLASS,
SPARKLE THEIR GLORY!
TROMBONES ADD FIFTY,
EACH WITH ITS FLUTE,
AND PLACED SO NIFTY,
THEY FORM ONE SNOOT!
THE XYLOPHONE PLAYS,
A SOFT VELVET VOICE,
AND A TRUMPET TUNES,
AS DRUMS BEAT TWICE!
EIGHTY GOLDEN HARPS,
IN A HEAVENLY SIGHT,
BLEND ALL THE PARTS,
AND TIMING IS RIGHT!
MUSIC NEEDS A GUIDE,
TIME SEEKS TO CHIME,
AND BOTH MUST ABIDE,
FOR RHYTHM TO RHYME!
SOME LIVES ON EARTH,
DIE AS UNSOWN SEEDS,
LIKE UNPLAYED MUSIC,
BECAUSE NOONE READS!
*****
EVERYTHING CHANGES
FAIR FLOWERS FADE, WITHER AND DIE,
AND YOUNG TREES SILENTLY GROW OLD,
ROLLED LIKE A SCROLL OVER THE SKY,
CRYPTIC CLOUDS, CAUTIOUSLY UNFOLD.
MAN AND BEAST, INSECTS AND WHALES,
FISHES, MAMMALS, BIRDS IN THE AIR,
LIFE IS RELATIVE, BASED ON SCALES,
SET IN A TIME THAT ALL MUST SHARE.
EACH AT BIRTH WERE CREATED TO DIE,
AND CHANGE AND THEN GRADUALLY AGE,
ONLY MAN CAN KNOW THE REASONS WHY,
TIME IS MARKED ON A CHANGING GAGE.
THE ONLY CERTAIN, UNCHANGING FACT,
IS THAT GOD ALONE, DOESN'T CHANGE,
ON ACTS OF FAITH HE WILL ALSO ACT,
AND HIS MIGHTY POWER HAS NO RANGE.
*****
DETAILS
IN THE BEGINNING OF TIME AND DESTINY,
LONG BEFORE A FIRST THOUGHT WOULD BE,
A PLAN WAS MADE FOR THE SECOND EVENT,
TO OCCUR NEXT AS THE FIRST WAS SPENT.
THE THIRD WORD DID NOT IN TIME OCCUR,
TO MAKE A FORTH CAUSE A FIFTH TO ERR,
BUT APPEARED ON SCHEDULE IN THE PLAN,
TO SET PROVISION FOR THE FALL OF MAN.
WORDS WITH FORM WERE PACED IN MOTION,
LIGHT FROM NIGHT AND LAND FROM OCEAN,
MOVING IN HEAVEN EACH INTERCONNECTED,
PERFECT IN DETAIL NOT A JOT REJECTED.
THE END AND BEGINNING OF ALL THE SKY,
CAN’T BE DETERMINED BY ANY HUMAN EYE,
NEVERTHELESS, THERE WAS ONCE A POINT,
WHERE BEGINNING AND END MADE A JOINT.
*****
THE MARRIAGE SUPPER
A TABLE IS SET AND ALL IS READY,
AS JEWELS AND PEARLS IN DIADEMS,
SPARKLE OVER GLASSES OF CRYSTAL,
ETCHING DIAMONDS IN THEIR STEMS.
EACH CROWN HAS A NAME INSCRIBED,
THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL EVER KNOW,
EXCEPT THE PERSON SITTING THERE,
AND ONE WHO CAME TO EARTH BELOW.
A BRIDEGROOM OUR MASTER, AWAITS,
FOR AN ATTENDANCE OF EACH GUEST,
HE HAS BECKONED PEOPLE ON EARTH,
WITH REWARDS IN AN ENDLESS LIST.
THROUGHOUT THE DAYS OF ETERNITY,
TONGUES IN JOY WILL NEVER CEASE,
GIVING PRAISE TO THE BRIDEGROOM,
FOR MAKING SUCH A WEDDING FEAST!
*****
RETURN TO ME
WORMS EAT THE CORN,
CATERPILLARS FEAST;
FLIES FILL THE BUD
WHEN FRUIT IS BORN.
VULTURES PATIENTLY,
WAIT FOR THE LAMBS;
WOLVES FIGHT FOXES
OVER EWES AND RAMS.
MEN GATHER FOR WAR,
AND DIE FOR A LUST;
WHEN ALL LOVE AGES
LIFE TURNS TO DUST.
GOD IS NOT REMOVED
SOMEWHERE FAR AWAY;
HE CALLS ALL OF US,
EACH NIGHT AND DAY.
WHEN MAN SEEKS GOD,
HE SAYS WHAT TO DO;
RETURN TO ME AND I,
WILL RETURN TO YOU!
*****
HEAL THE SOUL
WHEN SICKNESS SEARCHES MANKIND,
AND POOR HEALTH REMAINS WITHIN,
THE CAUSE MAY BE A WICKED MIND,
DISEASE IN THE SOUL CALLED SIN.
CHILDREN ASK FOR A SIMPLE CURE,
TO DRINK AS A MEDICINAL POTION,
SOMETHING TO SOOTHE THEIR PAIN,
LIKE OINTMENT OR A COOL LOTION.
OLDER SOULS HOPE IN THEIR TIME,
A CURE FOR AGING WILL BE FOUND,
THEN MANKIND WILL LIVE FOREVER,
AND DEATH WILL NOT COME AROUND.
THE LORD HAS ANSWERED IN REPLY,
TO EACH PRAYER AND TEARFUL CRY:
YES I WILL MAKE THE BODY WHOLE,
BUT FIRST I MUST HEAL THE SOUL.
*****
TIME HAD RUN OUT!
SOME DAY IN THE TWILIGHT OF TIME,
MAN'S VANITY WILL BECOME SUBLIME,
AND GOD'S ANGEL WILL HOLD A VIAL,
TO BREAK AS TIME IS HELD A WHILE!
WHEN MAN'S SOUL BECOMES POLLUTED,
FROM THINGS HIS MIND HAS IMPUTED,
THE COURSE OF TIME WILL HAVE RUN,
AND A NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH BEGUN!
ALL THE LAND WILL BE TOO DEFILED,
WITH DELUDED HEARTS ALL BEGUILED,
GOD'S CREATION WILL BE DESTROYED,
BUT A NEW HEAVEN WILL BE ENJOYED!
CRIES OF SORROW WILL UPWARD RISE,
AS STENCHING SMOKE IN GOD'S EYES,
MEN WILL THEN KNOW OF THEIR FATE,
TIME HAD RUN OUT IT WAS TOO LATE!
*****
THIS CUP TO PASS
JESUS WEPT AND PRAYED ALONE
IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE,
KNOWLEDGE OF THINGS TO COME
BURDENED HIS HEART IN AGONY.
HE KNEW THAT A CERTAIN TIME
WAS SET FOR A SPECIAL EVENT,
THAT HOUR NOW WAS VERY NEAR
HIS TIME ON EARTH WAS SPENT.
HE THOUGHT NOTHING OF DEATH
SINCE ON HIM IT HAD NO HOLD,
HIS BODY OF FLESH WOULD DIE
FORETOLD BY PROPHETS OF OLD.
GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD BEADED
AS SORROW RAN DOWN HIS FACE,
PAIN IN MIND FLOWED OUTSIDE
BUT HE NEVER LEFT HIS PLACE.
ALL THE SINS THAT EVER GREW
OR EVER SOWN IN MORTAL MIND,
AND EVERY DISEASE EVER FELT
HE WOULD KNOW OF EVERY KIND.
ALL WICKED AND WISHFUL ACTS
WITH EVERY DESTRUCTIVE DEED,
WOULD PILE ON HIS SHOULDERS
AND THEN MAN WOULD BE FREED.
ALL LIES IN TWISTED THOUGHT
THAT IMAGINATIONS WILL FORM,
AND EVEN THE MURDEROUS MIND
ON JESUS WOULD NOW BE BORNE.
ALL CRIMES COMMITTED BY MAN
AND EVEN THOSE NOT YET DONE,
IN ORDER FOR MAN TO BE FREE
HE HAD TO DIE FOR EVERY ONE.
JESUS NEVER DESERVED TO DIE,
HE DID NOT DESERVE THE PAIN,
HIS PRAYER THIS CUP TO PASS,
WAS SAID IN A MENTAL STRAIN.
HE KNEW THAT GOD IN DISGUST
WOULD SEE HIM AND FACE AWAY,
OBEDIENTLY IN PERFECT TRUST
HE'D DO GOD'S WILL THAT DAY.
References:
Matthew 26:39
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:
nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Mark 14:36
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee;
take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but
what thou wilt.
Luke 22:42
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
*****
THERE’LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
SOME DAY TOMORROW
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
KNOWING NO SORROW
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
WHEN LIFE IS OVER
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
IN HEAVEN FOREVER
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
WHEN WE SEE JESUS
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
SOME DAY TOMORROW
KNOWING NO SORROW
WHEN LIFE IS OVER
IN HEAVEN FOREVER
WHEN WE SEE JESUS
THERE'LL BE A DAY
THERE'LL BE A DAY
*****
THERE WAS A TIME
THERE WAS A TIME
BEFORE RAIN FELL
OR CLOUDS FORMED
FIRST IN THE SKY
NOAH WORKED HARD
TO BUILD THE ARK
AS DAY GREW DARK
BEFORE THE NIGHT
THERE WAS A TIME
THERE WAS A TIME
WHEN ARMIES CAME
AND GOD'S CHOSEN
TREMBLED IN FEAR
A ROD WAS RAISED
AND MOSES PRAYED
IN EARNEST FAITH
BEFORE A RED SEA
THERE WAS A TIME
THERE WAS A TIME
MY HEART WAS SET
ON GOD'S PROMISE
FOUND IN IS WORD
HE HONORED FAITH
AND DELIVERED ME
AT LAST I'M FREE
AND EVER SO GLAD
THERE WAS A TIME
*****
THE VISION
A SAD, YOUNG MAN SANK IN A CHAIR
AND PLACED HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS,
HIS HEART OVERFLOWED WITH SORROW
AND HIS SOUL SIPPED ONLY DESPAIR.
ALL THE DREAMS HE HAD EVER HOPED
AND EVERY PLAN THAT HE EVER LAID,
AND EVEN SO MANY GOOD INTENTIONS
HE SAW THEM ALL NOW QUICKLY FADE.
THE TIME HAD COME, OR SO HE FELT,
THAT HIS FAITH WAS WORN TOO THIN,
HE PRAYED TO GOD, WITHOUT ANSWER,
AND HIS STRENGTH WEAKENED WITHIN.
THE MAN THEN SHUT CLOSE HIS EYES
AND SAW A VEIL OF MIST MELT AWAY,
WHILE IN A VISION HE SAW A SIGHT,
IT WAS AS PERFECTLY CLEAR AS DAY.
A SMALL PIECE OF SMOLDERING FLAX
SAT IN A LARGE ROOM ON THE FLOOR,
THICK STEEL FORMED THE SIX WALLS,
HE FOUND NEITHER WINDOW NOR DOOR.
ALL ABOUT THE HUGE CUBE OF METAL,
DEMON SOLDIERS SNAKED IN A DANCE,
AND SIXTY SIX SLITHERED AND SLID
OVER THE ROOM IN A SILENT TRANCE.
A RAY OF LIGHT CAME IN THE NIGHT,
THE SNAKES VIEWED IT AS VERY DIM,
BUT IT HIT ONE WALL ON HIS RIGHT
AND CUT A HOLE AS SMALL AS A PIN.
AN INVISIBLE WIND WHIRLED AROUND
AND LEFT NEITHER TASTE NOR TRAIL,
IT COULD NOT BE GRASPED BY HANDS
AND NOT ONE COULD HEAR ITS SOUND.
TWO HANDS CAME FROM HEAVEN ABOVE
AND ENCIRCLED THE FLAX WITH CARE,
IT COVERED THE SMOLDER WITH LOVE
WHILE THE ROOM DRANK IN SOME AIR.
THE WIND POURED THROUGH THE HOLE,
ITS PRESENCE WAS ABSOLUTELY PURE,
IN A TWINKLING THE WORK WAS DONE
AND THE HOLE WAS NO LONGER THERE.
SUDDENLY THE TWO HANDS WERE GONE,
AND THE SMOLDERING FLAX EXPLODED!
ITS SPARK HAD IGNITED THE OXYGEN
WITH WHICH THE PRISON WAS LOADED!
THE WALLS AND ROOF WERE FUEL FOR,
A TONGUE OF FLAME TEN MILES HIGH,
THE BLAZE OF LIGHT COULD BE SEEN,
SHINE EVEN TO HEAVEN'S OPEN DOOR!
*****
THE SUBTLETY OF MY SOUL
KING DAVID ONCE SPOKE OUT LOUD,
HE WANTED TO DRINK FROM A WELL,
HIS HEART YEARNED FOR THE HOME,
WHERE COOL WATER USED TO DWELL.
SOME MEN HEARD HIS HIDDEN WISH,
AS MANY TEARS IN EYES DID ROLL,
WATER WAS TAKEN BACK IN A DISH,
FILLING A SUBTLETY OF HIS SOUL.
SOLDIERS HAD RISKED EVERY LIMB,
UNTIL DAVID'S DESIRE WAS FOUND,
BUT DAVID TOOK WATER GIVEN HIM,
AND GAVE IT BACK TO THE GROUND.
GOD VALUES OFFERINGS OF PRAISE,
BUT MANY DO NOT SEEK THAT GOAL,
DAVID SANG SONGS OF GOD'S WAYS,
HE GAVE THE BEST FROM HIS SOUL.
GOD HEARS EVEN THE SILENT MIND,
WHISPER SUBTLE WORDS IN PRAYER,
THE LORD KNOWS THE FUTURE PART,
THAT WE DON’T WANT HIM TO HEAR.
SOME THOUGHTS ARE NEVER PRAYED,
AND SOME PRAYERS ARE NOT WHOLE,
ALWAYS THERE IS PROVISION MADE,
FOR EVERY SUBTLETY IN OUR SOUL.
THE LORD IN HIS GREAT KINDNESS,
GRANTS THE SUBTLETY OF MY SOUL!
Reference:
2 Samuel, Chapter 23
16: And the three mighty men brake through the host of the
Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that
was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless
he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord.
*****
THE SIN OF JOB
NOT ONE SOUL COMPARED,
TO THE MAN CALLED JOB;
HIS WEALTH WAS SHARED,
IN UZ WHERE JOB ABODE.
JOB SHOWED PERFECTION
IN ALL HIS HUMAN WAYS,
AND WITHOUT EXCEPTION
WAS JUST ALL HIS DAYS.
THEN SATAN SPOKE, AND
FORKED OUT HIS TONGUE,
HE WALKED IN THE LAND
AND TEMPTED EVERY ONE.
THE DEVIL TEMPTED GOD
TO REMOVE ALL JOB HAD,
WHEN THE LORD DID NOD,
ONE SOUL WAS VERY SAD.
JOB SPOKE WELL OF GOD
WHILE HIS FAMILY DIED,
AND THOUGH FAITH HELD,
HIS EVERY FIBER CRIED.
JOB'S BODY WAS CURSED
AS SATAN TEMPTED MORE,
BOILS AND SCABS BURST,
HE SCRAPED EVERY SORE.
HIS FRIENDS CAME NEAR
AND BLAMED JOB OF SIN,
BUT JOB WOULDN'T HEAR
ABOUT ANY EVIL WITHIN.
FOR GOD ONE DID SPEAK
AND TOLD OF HIS MIGHT,
MANKIND WAS VERY WEAK
VIEWED IN GOD'S SIGHT.
THE LORD SPOKE TO JOB
WITH SUBTLE QUESTIONS,
ABOUT A PATH OF LIGHT
AND A PLACE FOR NIGHT.
JOB EXAMINED HIS MIND,
HE KNEW GOD COULD SEE,
THE SINS GOD CAN FIND,
ARE WITHIN YOU AND ME.
Reference: The Book of Job KJV
*****
THE MESSENGER
THE THEATRE WAS FILLED,
WITH A MURMURING CROWD,
AND JUST LIKE CHILDREN,
THEY GOSSIPED TOO LOUD.
MANY VOICES WERE HEARD,
COMPLAIN TO EACH OTHER,
AND SOME FOLKS CHATTED,
WITH NOT ONE GOOD WORD.
AN OLD MAN LOOKED DOWN,
FROM HIS SEAT UP FRONT,
HE HEARD PEOPLE AROUND,
CHANT A SINISTER SOUND.
THE OLD MAN HAD SPOKEN,
AND HAD TOLD EVERY ONE,
JESUS WAS THEIR SAVIOR,
AND WAS ALSO GOD'S SON.
THE OLD MAN COULD HEAR,
CRITICISM FILL THE AIR,
PEOPLE HATED HIS VOICE,
NOT ONE SEEMED TO CARE.
THEN SOME SAID OLD AGE,
MADE HIS BRAIN BLURRED,
AND ONLY THOSE FOOLISH,
WOULD HEED SUCH A WORD.
THEY LAUGHED AND JOKED,
ABOUT HIS TINT OF SKIN,
THEY TOLD HIM THAT AGE,
HAD WORN HIS MIND THIN.
THE OLD MAN THEN STOOD,
AND HELD HIGH HIS HAND,
HE WAIVED TO THE CROWD,
AND TOLD THEM TO STAND.
SOME STATIC WAS SPOKEN,
FROM LOUDSPEAKER BOXES,
FIVE HUNG BY TWO WIRES,
OTHERS REMAINED BROKEN.
A CRACKLING VOICE MADE,
A SHRILL IN THEIR EARS,
BUT ONE WORD WAS CLEAR,
AS FEAR FILLED THE AIR.
THE OLD MAN YELLED OUT,
HE SAID," DO NOT PANIC!
DON'T LISTEN TO ADVICE,
FROM SUCH AN OLD RELIC!
LOOK AT THE DARK COLOR,
AND SPOTS ON THE BOXES,
SEE HOW A VERY OLD AGE,
CAUSES THEM TO SPUTTER!
WHY SHOULD ANYONE CARE,
ABOUT WHAT NOW IS SAID?
WHY PAY SUCH ATTENTION,
TO THE MESSAGE WE HEAR?
EACH OF YOU HAS STATED,
WHAT YOU ALL NOW THINK,
SIZE, SHAPE AND SOUNDS,
MAKE YOU JEST AND WINK!
ALL THESE LOUDSPEAKERS,
HAVE BUT A WORD TO SAY;
BUT I HAVE SPOKEN MUCH,
TO THIS AUDIENCE TODAY!
THE LORD HAS SENT SOME,
TO GIVE WARNING TO YOU,
BUT YOUR EYES ARE SHUT,
WITH A PREJUDICED VIEW!
YOU LOOK AT THE PERSON,
AND JUDGE WHAT YOU SEE,
YOU IGNORE THE MESSAGE,
THAT WILL SET YOU FREE!
NONE HEEDS GOD'S WORDS,
OF WHAT WILL TRANSPIRE,
BUT YOU'LL LISTEN WHEN,
YOU HEAR THE WORD FIRE!"
*****
THE HARVEST
THE FIELDS HAD A YELLOW MANE,
THICK WITH MUCH GOLDEN GRAIN,
SUMMER FLED THEN AUTUMN CAME,
AND NOW SOON THE WINTER RAIN.
AMONGST THE WHEAT WERE TARES,
LATENTLY LIKE LIONS IN LAIRS,
CLAIMING THE FIELD AS THEIRS,
WHILE DROWSING WITHOUT CARES.
THE REAPER STRUCK THE GROUND,
AND WITH A SCYTHE ALL AROUND,
SWEPT THE HARVEST IN A MOUND,
UNTIL AUTUMN'S SUN SANK DOWN.
A THRESHER THEN MADE HIS WAY,
THROUGH THE HARVEST THAT DAY,
WHEAT AND CHAFF HE MADE STAY,
SEPARATED FOR HIM TO DISPLAY.
WHEAT WITH FAITH AT THE CORE,
HAD AN ETERNAL LIFE IN STORE,
AND TARES ONCE LIVING BEFORE,
WHEN HARVESTED LIVED NO MORE.
*****
THE EMBLEMS
WHEN WE GATHER AROUND GOD'S TABLE,
TO PARTAKE OF EMBLEMS OF OUR LORD,
UNDERSTANDING WHY WE MUST BE ABLE,
GOD AND MAN ARE NOT OF ONE ACCORD.
MAN SHOULD SEE HIMSELF NOT WORTHY,
OF JESUS'S SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS,
GOD'S LOVE OF THE PEOPLE ON EARTH,
WAS THE REASON THERE'D BE NO LOSS.
WE MUST ALWAYS PARTAKE UNWORTHILY,
KNOWING THAT ONLY FOR MAN HE DIED,
EVEN THOUGH EACH ONE HAS NO MERIT,
THROUGH FAITH NONE WILL BE DENIED.
*****
THE BULLIES
A CIRCLE FORMED A RING AROUND,
AND MANY CHILDREN LAUGHED OUT,
FIVE LARGE KIDS HELD ONE DOWN,
AS ALL THE OTHERS STOOD ABOUT.
ONE LAD'S LEGS WEREN'T STEADY,
AND HIS EYES FLOWED WITH FEAR,
ALL ROUGH AND TOUGH AND READY,
HE SAW THE BULLIES PRESS NEAR.
THE LITTLE LAD FELT ALL ALONE,
AND UNABLE TO HELP HIS FRIEND,
HOW COULD HIS MUSCLELESS BONE,
AGAINST THE ODDS EVER CONTEND.
THE FEARFUL LAD WIPED HIS EYE,
SADLY HE HEARD HIS FRIEND BEG,
THE BULLIES SMOTHERED HIS CRY,
THEY HAD ALREADY HURT HIS LEG.
ANOTHER FIVE BOYS CAME TO SEE,
THE FIVE BULLIES PILED AS ONE,
AND THEN SAT ON A BROKEN KNEE,
WHICH THE OTHER FIVE HAD DONE.
THE LAD ON THE BOTTOM PLEADED,
AND PRAYED OUT TO BE SET FREE,
SOME AIR TO BREATHE HE NEEDED,
BEFORE HIS LIFE BEGAN TO FLEE.
A CRACKLING WHIP THEN SNAPPED,
JUST ONCE IN A FLASH OF LIGHT,
AND THE HUMAN CHAIN UNWRAPPED,
AS THE BULLIES ALL LOST SIGHT.
JUST ONE YOUNG LAD HAD VISION,
HE COULD SEE HIS FRIEND BELOW,
STRAINING TO PLACE A DIVISION,
IN THE BULLIES WITHOUT A BLOW.
THE YOUNG LAD HELD OUT A HAND,
FOR HIS FRIEND TO GRASP TIGHT,
THE TWO WERE FREE OF THE BAND,
AND FLED WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT.
GOD HAS PREPARED A TIME GIVEN,
FOR THE ENEMY TO BE DESTROYED,
HE BINDS ALL EARTH AND HEAVEN,
WHEN TWO IN PRAYER ARE ALLIED.
*****
TEMPTATION
A SWARM OF LYING DEMONIC SPIRITS,
CIRCLED AROUND AN OLD MAN'S HEAD,
THEY ATTACKED THE FACTUAL MERITS,
ABOUT WHAT JESUS TO MAN HAD SAID.
INVISIBLE FORCES FORMED THOUGHTS,
FAR BACK INTO THE OLD MAN'S MIND,
AND FIRED LIKE A SERIES OF SHOTS,
WORDS ABOUT GOD HARSH AND UNKIND.
THE OLD MAN WAS TOLD OF FAILURES,
WHY THEY RIDDLED REALITY IN LIFE,
THAT DEAD SINNERS AWAIT RAPTURES,
THE SAME AS GOD'S SPIRITUAL WIFE.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMES SPENT,
WHEN HE TOTALLY TRUSTED THE LORD,
NEVER WAS WHAT HIS GOD HAD MEANT,
WHEN HE SAID TO BELIEVE HIS WORD.
THEIR TWISTED TONGUES TOLD TALES,
ABOUT TIN SOLDIERS LYING IN DUST,
BELIEVING A GOD THAT NEVER FAILS,
YET ALLOWING THEM DECAY AND RUST.
THE OLD MAN ANGRILY SHOOK A FIST,
AND TOLD THE SPIRITS TO GET AWAY,
IN HIS MEMORY HE HAD A LONG LIST,
OF GOD HELPING HIM DAY AFTER DAY.
HE LOOKED TO THE SKY AS HE SPOKE,
DECLARED OUT TO HEAVEN HIS FAITH,
RECITED WHAT PROPHETS ONCE WROTE,
AND NOTHING UNTRUE DID HE CREATE.
THE OLD MAN OF GOD HAD KNOWLEDGE,
AND SAW THE LORD MANY TIMES MOVE,
IN WAYS NOT KNOWN IN ANY COLLEGE,
NOR BY MEANS A STUDENT CAN PROVE.
HE KNEW GOD HAD OMNIPOTENT POWER,
TO BUILD AND RESTORE BY HIS HAND,
NO MAN'S SOUL LIVING IN ANY HOUR,
HAD REASONS TO JOIN SATAN'S BAND.
THE OLD MAN HAD LIVED MANY YEARS,
HE KNEW GOD'S PROMISES WERE REAL,
THE LYING SPIRITS SOWED NO FEARS,
WHILE GOD'S SPIRIT HE COULD FEEL.
*****
SHADOW OF LIGHT
STREAMS OF LIGHT HURRIED BACK,
AS THE SUN WITHDREW ITS MIGHT,
A GIANT HAND COVERED THE LAND,
AND DARKNESS FILLED THE NIGHT.
A YOUNG GIRL HAD LOST HER WAY,
WHILE PLAYING ALONE IN A PARK;
My Daddy is near, SHE THOUGHT,
And he'll find me in the dark!
THE LITTLE GIRL SAT NOT STILL,
BUT WANDERED EVEN MORE ASTRAY,
SHE WALKED IN A STUBBORN WILL,
AND HER TEARS WATERED THE WAY.
Where is my father? SHE CRIED,
Why hasn't he found me by now?
I will never find my way home,
And I'm afraid here all alone!
SHE WIPED HER EYES AND PRAYED,
SHE ASKED GOD TO SEND HER DAD,
AND TO MAKE SPOOKY SHADOWS GO,
THEN NO MORE TEARS WOULD FLOW!
A VOICE SOFTLY SPOKE HER NAME,
AND HER HEART JUMPED WITH JOY!
TWO STRONG ARMS LIFTED HER UP,
AND SHE GAZED UP INTO THE SKY.
SHE SAW THERE A RADIANT LIGHT,
SHINE DOWN FROM FINGERS ABOVE,
A GENTLE HAND HELD HERS TIGHT,
AND FILLED HER SOUL WITH LOVE.
Daddy! SHE CALLED OUT IN GLEE,
I'm so glad you found me here,
It's so dark out I cannot see,
And being alone makes me fear!
SHE TIGHTENED HER LITTLE GRIP,
THEN LAUGHED WHILE SHE WALKED,
THE LORD HAD HEARD HER PRAYER,
AND SHE SKIPPED AS SHE TALKED.
THE LITTLE GIRL GIGGLED AGAIN,
AS SHE TOLD HER EVERY THOUGHT,
ALL HER WORRIES LEFT HER MIND,
AS SHE SANG SONGS THAT RHYMED.
SHE HEARD A VOICE CALLING OUT,
IT DESPERATELY CRIED HER NAME!
HER LITTLE VOICE SHOUTED BACK,
UNTIL A MAN IN VIEW SOON CAME.
THE LITTLE GIRL LEAPED TOWARD,
A FIGURE SHE RECOGNIZED THERE,
THE MAN REACHED DOWN HIS ARMS,
AND BROUGHT HER UP IN THE AIR.
TINY WRINKLES SAT ON HER BROW,
AS THE YOUNG GIRL LOOKED DOWN,
GAZING BACK OVER HER SHOULDER,
HER MOUTH SLOWLY MADE A FROWN.
SHE COULDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND;
IF THIS INDEED WAS HER FATHER,
THEN WHERE WAS THAT OTHER MAN,
WHO LED HER THERE BY THE HAND?
THE YOUNG GIRL HUGGED HER DAD,
SHE HUNG TO HIS NECK SO TIGHT,
SHE SMILED NOW, NO LONGER SAD,
GOD HAD HELD HER IN THE NIGHT!
*****
PEACE BY GRACE
ONE MAN'S HAND IS RAISED,
READY TO STRIKE AND HARM,
EVERY BROTHER AND FRIEND,
WITH NO WARNING OR ALARM.
ANOTHER SPREADS HIS WORD,
TO MANY NEIGHBORS AROUND,
SAYING THINGS HE’S HEARD,
THAT'LL MAKE FACES FROWN.
SOME MURMUR IN A WHISPER,
THOUGHTS SPOKEN OUT LOUD,
BREWING PASSIONS OF EVIL,
AS ANGRY HEADS ARE BOWED.
THE LORD HAS MADE US ALL,
TO BE A SPECIAL TREASURE,
IF WE ACCEPT GOD'S GRACE,
IN PEACE WITHOUT MEASURE.
*****
PEACE BE STILL!
Each troubled mind on earth,
All sorry and sinning souls,
Every burdened heart of man,
God commands PEACE BE STILL!
All angry clouds of despair,
Every stabbing dart of fear,
Each dreaded demonic attack,
God commands PEACE BE STILL!
Every bitter taste of death,
All piercing pains in flesh,
Each sinister savage spirit,
God commands PEACE BE STILL!
Every gloomy and gusty gale,
Each overwhelming wild wave,
All winds that'll ever blow,
God commands PEACE BE STILL!
Reference: Mark 4:36-40
*****
OPPRESSION
THICK DARK CLOUDS NOCTURNALLY,
FILLED WITH WATERS OF DESPAIR,
RUMBLING, GROANING AGAINST ME,
CREATE ANGRY WORDS IN THE AIR.
SHARP, PAINFUL STABS OF LIGHT,
CRACK EACH TIME THEY VOCALIZE,
EVIL THOUGHTS FORMED AT NIGHT,
TO KILL A FAITH GIVEN TO RISE.
A MIXTURE OF LIGHT AND SOUNDS,
ATTACKING MERCILESSLY IN ZEAL,
REACH PAST ALL EARTHLY BOUNDS,
YET STRIKE SO PHYSICALLY REAL.
HEAVY, HANGING, HARSH HORRORS,
OVERWHELMS AND DROWNS MY SOUL,
CLOTHED LIKE DEMONIC WARRIORS,
THEIR ARMIES CONTINUE TO ROLL.
THEN, THE MASTER LOOKS MY WAY,
NODS OR GENTLY MOVES HIS HAND,
WHISPERS A WORD ONCE THAT DAY,
AND THE STORM LEAVES THE LAND.
*****
ON THE OTHER SIDE
NOAH QUIT HIS BUILDING,
OF AN ARK ALL FINISHED,
AS PLANNED BY THE LORD,
LOCKING OUT THE WICKED,
DEAD ON THE OTHER SIDE.
WHILE THE RED OPEN SEA,
CRASHED WALLS OF WATER,
DOWN ON PHARAOH'S ARMY,
MIRIAM SANG HER PRAISE,
SAFE ON THE OTHER SIDE.
ALL THE LAND OF CAANAN,
WHERE GIANTS DID ABIDE,
FULL OF MILK AND HONEY,
OUR GOD GAVE TO ISRAEL,
THEN ON THE OTHER SIDE.
WE'LL VIEW FROM HEAVEN,
OUR TRIALS IN THE PAST,
TO KNOW GOD GAVE FAITH,
SO ALL MAY SEE AT LAST,
LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE.
*****
MY PRAYER IS HEARD
THE LORD HAS SPOKEN HIS WORD,
AND HAS WRITTEN WHAT WILL BE,
BEFORE I GO TO HIM IN PRAYER,
AN ANSWER IS PROVIDED FOR ME.
HE HAS SAID THAT WHEN I CALL,
AND ASK HIM TO HEAR MY VOICE,
TO EVERY WORD HE WILL LISTEN,
AND I NEED NOT ASK HIM TWICE.
THE LORD REQUIRES A RESPONSE,
WHEN HE BECKONS ME COME NEAR,
AND WHENEVER TO ME HE SPEAKS,
I SHOULD VERY CAREFULLY HEAR.
*****
MARRY ME! SAID THE LORD
THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS LIKE A BRIDEGROOM,
READY AND WAITING FOR THAT SPECIAL DAY,
WHEN A VOW IS MADE AND SET IN ETERNITY,
AS TWO SPIRITS PLEDGE TOGETHER TO STAY.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD LOVES AS THE HUSBAND,
IT RULES THE HOUSE WHERE UNION IS MADE,
THE SPIRIT IN FLESH OBEYS AS THE WOMAN,
OUR TEMPLE OF FAITH HAS BEAUTY ARRAYED.
GOD HAS A KINGDOM TO GIVE TO HIS BRIDE,
AND TEN THOUSAND THRONES READY IN TIME,
WHEN CHRIST MARRIES A SPIRITUAL CHURCH,
FOUND IN HEARTS SUCH AS YOURS AND MINE.
*****
LORD, I'M BUT A BREATH AWAY!
GOD'S WEEK OF YEARS ARE NOW ALL SPENT,
AND ETERNITY'S DOORS ARE DRAWING NEAR,
THINGS ON EARTH AREN'T OWNED BUT LENT,
TO REVEAL WHAT SOULS HOLD REALLY DEAR!
GOD KNOWS WHEN EVERY FORM WILL BREATH
THE VERY LAST TASTE ON TONGUE OF LIFE,
MORTAL MINDS IN FLESH CANNOT CONCEIVE
WHAT LIFE IS LIKE WHEN FREE OF STRIFE!
THE BOOK OF LIFE WILL REVEAL THE PAST
AND SHOW EVERY THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED,
THEN ETERNAL LIFE WILL HOLD STEADFAST
FOR SOULS WITH FAITH LIKE MUSTARDSEED!
*****
LIKE A FIRE
DEAD GRASS COVERED THE EARTH,
LIKE LIFELESS LIMBS OF TREES,
A DIRTY DUST POLLUTED RIVERS,
AND POLAR CAPS DIDN'T FREEZE.
A THICK GREY MIST IN THE AIR,
DRAPED A DARK HUE IN THE SKY,
RAYS OF THE SUN WERE PUZZLED,
SINCE NONE COULD NOW PASS BY.
BIRDS DRANK THE BITTER TASTE,
SAVORED BY FISHES AND WHALES,
THEIR SONGS SANG OUT NO MORE,
AND THEY TOLD NO HAPPY TALES.
HOMELESS ANIMALS HAD TO ROAM,
AND SEARCH FOR MORSEL TO EAT,
SOMEONE HAD TAKEN THEIR HOME,
THAT GAVE REST TO WEARY FEET.
A SPIRIT THEN STARTED A FIRE,
THAT RAGED RED THROUGH BRUSH,
WITH YELLOW TONGUES IN BRIAR,
AND ONE FACE AN ORANGE BLUSH.
THE FIRE DESTROYED THE DEATH,
THAT HAD TAKEN OVER THE LAND,
AND SOON NEW LIFE WOULD GROW,
SPARKED BY THE SPIRIT'S HAND.
*****
IT'S THE CLOSE OF THE DAY!
WHEN EARTH'S WORK IS DONE,
AN ETERNAL REST WILL COME;
THE MIDDAY HEAT WILL COOL,
AS SUNDIALS NO LONGER RUN;
WHEN HE SAYS LIFE IS OVER,
IT'S THE CLOSE OF THE DAY!
SEEDS SOWN IN THE MORNING,
ARE DEEDS IN LIFE'S FIELD;
EACH HAS ONE LIFE TO GROW,
ALL HAVE ONE DAY TO YIELD;
WHEN HE SAYS LIFE IS OVER,
IT'S THE CLOSE OF THE DAY!
AFTERNOON IS HARVEST TIME,
SOME IN HEAVEN WILL DWELL;
BUT WICKED WEEDS WILL DIE,
TO FUEL THE FIRES OF HELL;
WHEN HE SAYS LIFE IS OVER,
IT'S THE CLOSE OF THE DAY!
A SEVENTH TRUMPET SOMEDAY,
WILL MAKE THE FINAL SOUND;
JESUS WILL TELL THE WORLD,
TIME CAN NO LONGER ABOUND;
WHEN HE SAYS LIFE IS OVER,
IT'S THE CLOSE OF THE DAY!
*****
I'M NOT GOING BACK!
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO A LAND OF DATES,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
UNDER POMEGRANATES,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO PHARAOH'S REIGN,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO SEE EGYPT AGAIN!
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
AS A SLAVE TO TOIL,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
FOR BRICKS OF SOIL,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO WORK THE GROUND,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
WHERE IDOLS ABOUND!
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
FROM WHENCE I CAME,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO A LAND OF SHAME,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO A PRISON OF SIN,
I'M NOT GOING BACK,
TO SEE EGYPT AGAIN!
*****
IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER
LOOKING BACK OVER MY LIFE,
I CAN RECALL EACH MISTAKE,
AND ERROR IN MY JUDGEMENT,
AND CHOICES I HAD TO MAKE;
IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER,
I COULDN'T CHANGE A THING!
IF I SAW NOW THROUGH EYES,
THAT HAVEN'T SEEN MY PAST,
THE FUTURE WOULD STILL BE,
FOR ME AN UNKNOWN MYSTERY;
IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER,
I COULDN'T CHANGE A THING!
IF I SHOULD WISH FOR TIME,
TO HAVE THE FUTURE UNWIND,
IN THE PAST I'D NEVER SEE,
IF IT WERE NOT YET BEHIND;
IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER,
I COULDN'T CHANGE A THING!
IF I CAN'T SEE THE FUTURE,
THEN I MUST IN FAITH WAIT,
ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE LIVES,
AND EVEN KNOW OF OUR FATE;
IF I COULD DO IT ALL OVER,
I COULDN'T CHANGE A THING!
*****
IDOLATRY
NOT I SAID AN OLD SELFISH SOUL,
I WOULD NEVER BOW DOWN TO GOLD,
YES I HAVE MUCH SILVER TO ROLL,
BUT IT HAS NEVER ME CONTROLLED.
I HAVE PLENTY KEPT FOR THE DAY,
WHEN I RETIRE AT EASE AND REST,
I HAVE SCRIMPED AND SAVED AWAY,
AND GROWN RICH ON THE INTEREST.
MANY GOODS I HAVE NOW ACQUIRED,
AS I WORKED HARD AND PERSPIRED,
AND WHILE WEARY AND VERY TIRED,
I PAID EVERY DUE THEN REQUIRED.
TO NONE I OWE AND NONE OWES ME,
I HAVE RICHES FROM MY OWN HAND,
MY WEALTH IS MINE FOR ETERNITY,
AS LONG AS I LIVE IN THIS LAND.
IF I HAD GIVEN TO ALL THE POOR,
AND EVERY NEEDY PERSON IN TOWN,
MY HOUSE WOULD BE AN OPEN DOOR,
FOR THE ORPHANS TO COME AROUND.
NO I HAVEN'T PARTED NOR SHARED,
WITH A PORTION OF ALL MY GOODS,
ABOUT THE OLD I'VE NEVER CARED,
NOR THE YOUNG IN NEED OF HOODS.
I WILL ENJOY MY LIFE RIGHT NOW,
AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OTHERS,
WHO TO IDOLS OF GOLD MIGHT BOW,
THAT YOU CALL MY VERY BROTHERS.
THE LORD LOOKED DOWN IN SORROW,
AT ONE LOST SOUL SO OFTEN TOLD,
AN OLD SOUL WOULD DIE TOMORROW,
AN OLD SOUL WHO WORSHIPED GOLD.
*****
GOD HAD TO BE THERE!
MY SPIRIT GROWS TIRED IN THOUGHT,
AS I THINK OF BATTLES NOW FOUGHT,
OF TRIALS MY SOUL'S BEEN THROUGH,
AS I PROVED GOD'S WORDS ARE TRUE.
LORD IS IT ALL PART OF YOUR PLAN,
FOR THE ARMIES OF SORROW TO FLOW,
AND FLOOD EVEN FAITH IF THEY CAN,
WHILE I AWAIT YOUR MIGHT TO SHOW?
I PRAY FOR WISDOM TO SOAK MY MIND,
SO DECISIONS MADE AND LEFT BEHIND,
IN FUTURE EYES WILL SEEM SO CLEAR,
ALL WILL KNOW GOD HAD TO BE THERE!
*****
HELL
THERE IS A PLACE WHERE SINNERS DWELL,
SET APART FROM GOD AND KNOWN AS HELL,
APART FROM HEAVEN AND A GULF BETWEEN,
IT RESTS IN DARKNESS BUT CAN BE SEEN.
SINISTER SOULS SOME DAY OF JUDGEMENT,
NOT ACCEPTED BY GOD OR HIS ATONEMENT,
WILL WRITHE IN PAIN WHEN IT IS KNOWN,
ALL WICKED DEEDS THAT THEY HAVE SOWN.
THEY'LL ALWAYS KNOW THE LOST FEELING,
NOT ABLE TO PRAY EVEN WHILE KNEELING,
AND ABANDONED BY GOD FOREVER ETERNAL,
FOREVER LIVING AND FOREVER NOCTURNAL.
ACROSS THE RIFT FROM OUR GOD DIVIDED,
THE HOST OF LOST HAVING THEN RESIDED,
IN A HELL CREATED OF SPIRITUAL NIGHT,
WILL PRAY FOREVER FOR A RAY OF LIGHT.
*****
HE IS LORD OF ALL
DAVID CAME TO THE TEMPLE,
AND ENTERED A HOLY PLACE,
TOOK FOOD ONCE FORBIDDEN,
FOR ISRAEL'S SINFUL RACE.
THE DISCIPLES ALL HUNGRY,
WALKED IN FIELDS OF CORN,
AND DID ON A SABBATH DAY,
WHAT MEN VIEWED AS SCORN.
A SILVER TALENT OF WAGES,
PAID BOTH FIRST AND LAST,
IS FAIR AND JUSTLY GIVEN,
BY THE SCALE JESUS GAGES.
MAN CANNOT PLACE A VALUE,
ON ANY ACT, WORD OR DEED,
WHAT WE THINK CAN DEFILE,
HE DOESN'T GIVE ANY HEED.
OF EVERY THOUGHT IN MIND,
FORMED ON THIS AGED BALL,
MAN IS JUSTIFIED BECAUSE,
JESUS IS THE LORD OF ALL!
Reference:
Matthew 12:1-8
*****
DELIVERANCE
THERE ARE THREE OPTIONS IN LIFE,
AND ONLY THOSE AVAILABLE TO MAN,
WHICH CAN REMOVE EARTHLY STRIFE,
AND RELEASE THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
ONE MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM SORROW,
THAT BURDENS AND SADDENS HEARTS,
IS A PROMISE THAT SOON TOMORROW,
MY LORD WILL COME BACK TO EARTH.
PRECIOUS IS THE DEATH OF SAINTS,
AS THROUGH THE LORD'S EYES SEEN,
THE ABSENCE FROM TEMPORAL FLESH,
ISN'T WHAT LIFE'S END MUST MEAN.
JESUS WILL RETURN BEFORE WE DIE,
IF NOT WE WILL BE WITH THE LORD,
GOD WILL GIVE TO US DELIVERANCE,
CAUSE IT'S PROMISED IN HIS WORD.
*****
A MASTER KEY
SINISTER SPIRITS SHACKLED SOME SOULS,
AND TIED THEM DOWN WITH HEAVY CHAINS,
THE STEEL AND IRON IN A KEYLESS LOCK,
WAS BOUND TO A FLOOR OF GRANITE ROCK.
DELIRIOUS DEMONS DANCED ON THE WALLS,
AS SATAN'S SOLDIERS GUARDED THE ROOM,
THE TASTE OF DARKNESS BIT THE TONGUE,
AS THE SOULS WERE WHIPPED ONE BY ONE.
A SNAKELIKE SPECTER JUDGED THE SOULS,
AND GAVE A SENTENCE OF ETERNAL DEATH,
THE SOULS BOUND BY THE KEYLESS CURSE,
CRIED FOR LIGHT BUT NIGHT GREW WORSE.
ONE HOPELESS SOUL BOWED ON THE FLOOR,
AND KNEW HIS FAITH WAS EVER SO SMALL,
HE DOUBTED GOD WOULD ANSWER A PRAYER,
OR LISTEN OR HEAR AND EVEN LESS CARE.
HE WHISPERED A PRAYER EVER SO SIMPLE,
AND WAS ASHAMED AT THE LACK OF WORDS,
ALTHOUGH HE THOUGHT THERE WAS NO KEY,
HE PRAYED FOR CHRIST TO SET HIM FREE.
A MESSENGER APPEARED BEFORE HIS FACE,
AND TOLD HIM THAT JESUS HELD THE KEY,
THE LOCK FOR HIM WOULD NOW COME OPEN,
AND THAT EVERY CHAIN WOULD BE BROKEN.
A MASTER KEY WHICH UNLOCKS THE CURSE,
IS GIVEN BY CHRIST IN THE WORD GRACE,
THE KEY IS LIGHT AND CAN'T BE BOUGHT,
GRACE IS GIVEN WHEN CHRIST IS SOUGHT.
*****
A NATION OF FAITH
ABRAHAM WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF HIS FAITH,
TO START A NATION, CALLED ISRAEL'S RACE,
NOT OF FLESH FROM MORTALS' LIMITED VIEW,
BUT OF SPIRITUAL HEARTS THEN BEGUN ANEW.
THE NATION OF GOD WOULD BE LIKE THE SKY,
SHINNING WITH ENUMERABLE SINGULAR STARS,
AND LIKE GRAINS OF SAND SOWEN LIKE SEED,
SALT THE EARTH AND ENRICH SAVOR IN NEED.
A NATION OF FAITH GROWING IN EACH HEART,
WAS PROMISED BECAUSE OF ONE MAN'S TRUST,
WHEN GOD TESTS THE FAITH OF ALL MANKIND,
HE SEARCHES HEARTS AND REVEALS THE MIND.
*****
THE SHADOWS OF TIME
WORRISOME THINGS OF THE FUTURE,
AND HAUNTING SPECTERS NOW PAST,
MAKE PRESENT THOUGHTS UNSURE,
AND STIR UP FEARS THAT LAST.
STANDING UNSEEN, SILENTLY UNHEARD,
UNRAVELING EVENTS TWISTED LIKE TWINE,
VOICING WISDOM, NOT SAYING A WORD,
OUR GOD CONTROLS THE SHADOWS OF TIME.
EVENTS THAT LURK IN DEEP DARKNESS,
JUST WAITING FOR TIME TO ATTACK,
PLANNED BY INSTRUMENTS OF MADNESS,
ARE VISIBLE ONLY BY LOOKING BACK.
HE HOLDS IN HIS HANDS ALL ETERNITY,
AND PLANS FOR EACH LIFE LIKE MINE,
WITH HIM, THERE IS NO UNCERTAINTY,
HE SEES THROUGH THE SHADOWS OF TIME
*****
VALLEY OF HILLS
I STAND ON THE EDGE OF A MOUNTAIN,
AND LOOK DISTANTLY TOWARDS A GOAL,
ONE ROAD IS AS CLEAR AS A FOUNTAIN,
WITH NO SIGN OF A RIPPLE OR ROLL.
THE PLEASANT ROAD BATHED IN A SUN,
OF BOUNTIFUL LIGHT, SHINNING BOLD,
WOULD BE THE CHOICE CHOSEN OF ONE,
THROUGH WISDOM BY EXPERIENCE TOLD.
THE PATH SEEMS STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH,
DEVOID OF TEDIOUSLY, TOILSOME HILLS,
PERFECTLY LACKING A STRAIN TO SMOOTH,
AND EASY FOR THOSE OF VARYING WILLS.
IN A MOMENT OF TIME, I CLEARLY SEE,
THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED BACK BEHIND,
AND THE ROAD WAITING IN FRONT OF ME,
ARE TRIPS OF FAITH, A SPIRITUAL MIND.
DOWN IN THE VALLEYS DURING OUR WALK,
WE CAN NOT SEE THE MOUNTAINS' TOP,
THE LACK OF LIGHT ROBS JOY OF TALK,
OF FAITH AND HOPE THAT MUSTN'T STOP.
*****
THE SOUND OF PRAISE
A MUSIC PLAYS SONGS HEARD IN HEAVEN,
FAR BEYOND REACH OF THE EARS OF MAN,
HIGHER THAN SOUND OF TINKLING BELLS,
LOWER THAN ECHOS IN SEASHORE SHELLS.
MILLIONS OF VOICES UNITED IN PRAISE,
SUBMIT SONGS TO THE ANCIENT OF DAYS,
EACH ONE SUNG IN A MELODIOUS TONGUE,
BEFORE ONE ENDS THE OTHER HAS BEGUN.
ENUMERABLE LIGHTS AS STARS OF NIGHT,
OUTGLORY THE SUN AND JUST AS BRIGHT,
BEAM FORTH PRAISES EACH WITH A GLOW,
UNIQUE AS COLORS FOUND IN A RAINBOW.
DELICATE THOUGHTS ON EARTH NOT FOUND,
FORM THE BASE OF THAT HEAVENLY SOUND,
SWEET MUSIC NOT TASTED BY HUMAN EARS,
PLAYS ON FOREVER AND YET NEVER WEARS.
*****
THOUGHT
IMAGINE THIS CONCEPT,
THOUGHT FROZEN LIKE ICE,
EACH CRYSTAL A PRECEPT,
ALL SQUEEZED IN A VICE.
NOT ONE PART SIMILAR,
YET ALL THE SAME SIZE,
EVERY SHAPE FAMILIAR,
BUT IN NO OTHER WISE.
ANY PIECE CAN BE TAKEN,
CUT, BROKEN OR BRUISED,
YET NO FEELINGS AWAKEN,
UNLESS ENERGY IS USED.
MADE WITHOUT MEASURE,
CONTAINED IN A MOLD,
IT ALLOWS NO PLEASURE,
WHEN THINKING IS COLD.
ONE SPARK OF HOT ANGER,
MELTING EMOTIONS OF ICE,
COULD LESSEN THE DANGER,
BY THINKING THINGS TWICE.
IDEAS, PRESENT AND PAST,
WORN THIN BY USE A LOT,
DO NO HARM TO EVER LAST,
LIKE AN ICY COLD THOUGHT.
*****
A DRINK OF WATER
OH FOR FOOD TO A HUNGRY SOUL,
AND WATER TO A THIRSTY MIND,
BEFORE DEATH TAKES ITS TOLL,
WHERE LIFE HAS NEVER DINED.
EARTH AND CLAY TO THE POTTER,
ALTHOUGH VALUELESS WITH ME,
IS LIKE A DRINK OF WATER,
A PRICELESS GIFT THAT'S FREE.
THESE MOLDED TEMPLES OF CLAY,
GIVEN EACH SON AND DAUGHTER,
NEED NOT JUST FOOD TO STAY,
BUT SPIRITUAL DRINKS OF WATER.
*****
SIX SINS
THERE IS SIN CALLED MORAL SIN,
A SIN AGAINST OUR FELLOW MAN,
IF WE HAVE POWER TO AID ANOTHER,
BUT REFUSE TO HELP WHEN WE CAN.
THERE IS SIN CALLED ETHICAL SIN,
IT HIDES THE FRUIT OF EVIL GREED,
A DEED IS DONE BUT COVERED OVER,
TO RISE AGAIN LIKE A WATERED WEED.
THERE IS A SIN CALLED MORTAL SIN,
IT IS A SIN OF REPENTING NEVER,
WHEN WE REFUSE OUR SAVIOR'S PLAN,
WE'LL SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL FOREVER.
THERE IS A SIN CALLED PHYSICAL SIN,
IT IS A SIN CONSENTING TO SELF MISUSE,
IF WE MISTREAT THE TEMPLE GOD HAS GIVEN,
AND TURN OUR FLESH OVER TO WILLING ABUSE.
THERE IS SIN CALLED SPIRITUAL SIN,
WHEN AGAINST GOD WE FIRST DISOBEY,
OR WANT TO GO OUR OWN CHOSEN PATH,
AND FOLLOW OUR OWN REBELLIOUS WAY.
THERE IS A SIN AN UNFORGIVABLE SIN,
THAT GOD WILL REMEMBER FOREVER IN TIME,
IT IS A SIN TO OFFEND HIS HOLY SPIRIT,
WITH A HARDENED HEART AND STUBBORN MIND.
*****
THE LAUGHTER OF GOD
THERE'LL BE A TIME OF ONE HALF HOUR,
WHEN ALL OF HEAVEN AND ALL OF EARTH,
WILL BE SILENCED BY A FEARFUL POWER,
AS EACH BEING IS WEIGHED FOR WORTH.
ALL THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF MANKIND,
WON'T MOVE OR TILT GOD'S HOLY SCALE,
AND ALL THE GOOD DEEDS PAST BEHIND,
WILL SIT IN THE BALANCE TO NO AVAIL.
THE PUREST OF LIVES NOW OPENLY SHOWN,
AND ANY PERSON WITH SPIRITUAL PRIDE,
TOGETHER WITH ALL PERFECTION KNOWN,
MUST TEST THE SCALES OF ONE WHO DIED.
EVERY GREAT THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED,
AND ALL OF SELF RIGHTEOUS BEHAVIOR,
WILL BE STACKED HIGH AND STILL NEED,
SOME WORTH AS COUNTED BY OUR SAVIOR.
MANY ACTS NOW REQUIRED BY TRADITION,
WITH HEAVY WEIGHT OF PIOUS RELIGION,
PLACED ON GOLDEN TRAYS FOR ADDITION,
LOOSES MERIT FOR A FILTHY CONDITION.
EACH PERSON WILL ADD UP THE TREASURE,
AND CALCULATE WORTH IN THE HEREAFTER,
IN GOD'S EYES IT'LL GIVE NO PLEASURE,
JUST ONE HALF HOUR OF HOLY LAUGHTER.
A GRAIN OF FAITH IS ALL THAT WE NEED,
PLACED ON THE SCALES HIS HEAD'LL NOD,
AT EVERYTHING ELSE HE'LL PAY NO HEED,
ONLY FAITH IN CHRIST IS VALUED BY GOD.
*****
THE HOLY SPIRIT
IT'S LIKE A POWERFUL, MIGHTY STRONG WIND,
THAT CAN BLOW OVER A LARGE, EMPTY LAKE,
AND NOT MAKE ANY SPLASHES RIPPLES OR WAVES,
NOR LEAVE SIGNS THAT CAN BE SEEN IN A WAKE.
IT'S MORE LIKE A VERY FORCEFUL PRESENCE,
THAT YOU CAN ALMOST REACH OUT AND GRASP,
BUT LIKE A SHADOW MUCH TOO SOFT TO TOUCH,
IT’ S VERY REAL, BUT CANNOT BE HELD FAST.
IT HAS A GIANT HAND THAT GRIPS LIKE A VICE,
AND CAN CRUSH ALL THE DARK FORCES UNSEEN,
OR JUST AS EASY, EXPLODE WAVES OF FAITH,
AND GIVE VISION WHERE LIGHT HAS NEVER BEEN.
IT HAS ITS OWN PATTERNS OF THOUGHT,
ANCIENTLY ETCHED IN A REMOTE IRON WILL,
LIKE A MIGHTY RIVER MOVING WITH COURSE,
IT WORKS A PURPOSE ONLY IT CAN FULFILL.
IT OFTEN BRINGS JOY, PEACE AND HAPPINESS,
LIKE ONLY A GENTLE, FRIENDLY VOICE CAN,
WHEN HEARD THROUGH THE EMPTY, LONELY EARS,
OF A BROKENHEARTED, DISCOURAGED BLIND MAN.
IT NEVER TELLS TALES NOR BRINGS SAD NEWS,
THAT’ LL MAKE WEARY AN ALREADY HEAVY HEART,
IT COMES INSTEAD LIKE A JOYFUL WARM WIND,
COVERING THE SPIRIT IN WHOLE, NOT IN PART.
IT CAN PIERCE THE MIND OF A REBELLIOUS SOUL,
AND MELT THE HARDEST EMOTIONS OR THOUGHT,
BUT THE SLIGHTEST WHISPER OF FAITHLESS DOUBT,
CAN BRING BACK ENEMIES, IT ONCE HAD FOUGHT.
*****
TEN DEGREES
YES, THERE IS AN APPOINTED HOUR,
FOR EVERY PERSON ON GOD'S EARTH,
TO RESPOND TO HIS SPIRITUAL POWER,
EVEN FROM OUR BEGINNING AT BIRTH.
SHOULD THE LORD EVER TURN AWAY,
AND NOT LOOK UPON HIS CREATION,
AN END WOULD COME THAT VERY DAY,
TO EVERY PERSON IN EVERY NATION.
EVERY CONCEPT OF WHAT DOES EXIST,
AND MORTAL'S VIEW OF WHAT IS REAL,
IS LIKE WALKING IN A FOGGY MIST,
AND SEEING THINGS YOU CANNOT FEEL.
TIME HAS NO AFFECT, UPON OUR LORD,
IT WAS HE WHO STARTED THE CONCEPT,
ALL THE WISDOM ON EARTH IN ACCORD,
COULDN'T CREATE THE FIRST PRECEPT.
IN TIMES OF OLD GOD SAID TO ISAIAH:
BACK TEN DEGREES WILL MOVE THE SUN,
AS A PROMISE AND A SIGN TO HEZEKIAH,
I CONTROL TIME TILL MY WILL IS DONE.
Joshua 10:13 in four different versions of the Bible:
New International Version
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.
New American Standard Bible
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day.
English Standard Version
And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day.
King James Version
And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged
themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So
the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about
a whole day.
*****
A PIECE OF RUBBLE
GOD REACHED OUT
AND TOOK A PIECE OF RUBBLE,
THAT HAD BEEN CAST AWAY
DOWN TO THE GROUND,
IT HAD KNOWN A SAD,
SAD LIFE OF TROUBLE,
AND A COMPANION OF SORROW
IT HAD BEEN AROUND.
IT WAS BROKEN,
DIRTY AND DISCARDED,
TOTALLY USELESS
TO THE PEOPLE ON EARTH,
IT WAS NOT RESPECTED
NOR WELL REGARDED,
AND NO LONGER A PART
OF SINFUL MIRTH.
GOD CRUMPLED AND BROKE IT
WITH HIS HAND,
THEN GROUND IT
INTO A VERY FINE DUST,
IT LOOKED LIKE THE SAND
FROM ANY LAND,
THAT COULD DISAPPEAR
WITH THE SLIGHTEST GUST.
WITH GREAT EASE
HE SPUN HIS BUILDER'S WHEEL,
AND ADDED NOW AND THEN
A LITTLE SPIRITUAL WATER,
BETWEEN HIS FINGERS
THE CLAY WOULD KNEEL,
AS A NEW SHAPE TOOK FORM,
CREATED BY THE POTTER.
IT WAS NO LONGER
THE SAME OLD EARTHEN VESSEL,
THAT HAD ONCE BEEN FILLED
WITH FOOLISH PRIDE,
AND AGAINST GOD'S CALLING
CHOSE TO WRESTLE,
AND FROM HIS VOICE
HAD TRIED IN VAIN TO HIDE.
THE EARTHEN VESSEL,
ONE MAN'S SPIRITUAL LIFE,
GLOWED AND BEAMED
AS IT GAVE UNTO GOD THE GLORY,
NOW SAVED AND REDEEMED
FROM ETERNAL STRIFE,
FOUND ENDLESS WAYS
OF TELLING THE WONDERFUL STORY.
*****
TITHING
CAIN CAME FORTH WITH A PLATE OF FRUIT,
AND GAVE A FANCY OFFERING TO OUR LORD,
ABLE GAVE NOT FROM WHICH GREW OF ROOT,
CAUSE HE AND GOD WEREN’T IN ONE ACCORD.
GOD LOOKED DOWN ON EACH OFFERING GIVEN,
THEN UP AND STRAIGHT INTO EACH THOUGHT,
CAIN WANDERING ABOUT WAS FOREVER DRIVEN,
ABLE WITH BLOOD HAD FORGIVENESS BOUGHT.
MAN CONTINUES TO GIVE OFFERINGS IN VAIN,
HE WORSHIPS OUR LORD WITH HIS LYING LIPS,
LONG PIOUS PRAYERS GOD HOLDS IN DISDAIN,
AND JOURNEYS TO CHURCH ARE USELESS TRIPS.
GOD HAS GROWN WEARY OF MAN'S TRADITION,
AND OFFERINGS OF THINGS WHICH FADE AWAY,
GOD HAS TURNED HIS FACE AGAINST RELIGION,
THAT DWELLS ON PERFORMING DEEDS EACH DAY.
ALL OF MAN'S SILVER AND ALL OF HIS GOLD,
STACKED TEN PERCENT AS HIGH AS HEAVEN,
WILL NEVER EVER IN GOD'S MIND TAKE HOLD,
LIKE A HUMBLE HEART FOR JUST ONE SECOND.
*****
OBEDIENCE
AN ARK TO BUILD, GOD HAD COMMANDED NOAH,
THEN AN END WOULD COME TO WICKED WAYS,
WARN NINEVEH, THE LORD HAD ORDERED JONAH,
THEIR FATE TOO WAS OF NUMBERED DAYS.
NOAH HAD LISTENED FOR SIX HUNDRED YEARS,
BUT JONAH DECIDED HIS OWN WAY TO FOLLOW,
IN GOD’S PLAN, NOAH HAD KNOWN NO FEARS,
BUT A GREAT FISH SOUGHT JONAH TO SWALLOW.
ACKNOWLEDGE ME WITH TITHES, SAID OUR LORD,
AND I'LL GIVE BACK TO YOU A HUNDRED FOLD,
SOME FEEL IT’S SOMETHING THEY CAN’T AFFORD,
WHILE OBEDIENT SOULS HAVE BLESSINGS UNTOLD.
*****
THE MOUNTAIN
A GREAT MOUNTAIN STOOD IN THE WORLD,
BLATANTLY BLOATED WITH EGO AND PRIDE,
AND BLAZONED BANNERS ON TOP UNFURLED,
AS IT VAINLY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO HIDE.
GOD CALLED TO THE MOUNTAIN FROM ABOVE,
AND SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING IN NEED,
FOR THE MOUNTAIN TO UNDERSTAND A LOVE,
THAT WAS NOT OF SELF, NOR OF ANY DEED.
THAT MOUNTAIN IS MAN’S PRIDE IN HIS SOUL,
IF HE IGNORES GOD IT GROWS EMPTY AND COLD,
BUT FOLLOWING HIS WILL IT FINDS A NEW GOAL,
AS NEW MEANINGS IN LIFE START TO UNFOLD.
SHOULD A MOUNTAIN EVER WILLINGLY YIELD,
TO GOD’S SOVEREIGN POWER AND ETERNAL BEING,
IN THE POTTER’S HANDS TURNED OVER TO WIELD,
IT MUST OBEY WITHOUT THE END FIRST SEEING.
GOD ONCE TOOK A MOUNTAIN AND HEWED IT DOWN,
HE CRUSHED THE STONES THEN STREWN ABOUT,
SIFTED THE FINE DUST ALL SPRINKLED AROUND,
AND SEARCHED FOR FAITH IN THE PILE OF DOUBT.
JUST ONE FLAKE, A SPECK AS SMALL AS A SEED,
IT WOULD BE LIKE FINDING A PEBBLE OF GOLD,
A VERY SMALL QUANTITY WAS ALL HE WOULD NEED,
TO REFLECT A LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO BEHOLD.
HE CREATED A BEACON ON THE EDGE OF THE SEA,
THE CORRODING WAVES FOUND IN LIFE’S STORMS,
CAN NOT SUBDUE THE SAVED SOUL HE SETS FREE,
FAITH OF GOLD, IS THE FOUNDATION GOD FORMS.
*****
DOUBT
DOUBT IS FORMED BY LOOKING DOWN,
AS PETER DID STANDING ON A WAVE,
THE MASTER HAD CALLED HIM FORTH,
PROVING HE HAD THE POWER TO SAVE.
DOUBT IS FORMED BY LOOKING BACK,
AS LOT’S WIFE DID TO SINFUL SODOM,
THE MASTER SAID THE CITY TO FLEE,
AS FIRE BURNED IT TOP TO BOTTOM.
DOUBT IS FORMED BY LOOKING AROUND,
AS ISRAEL DID IN THE LAND OF CANAAN,
THE MASTER SAID TO ENTER THE PLACE,
BUT FEAR FROZE HEARTS OF EVERY MAN.
FAITH IS FORMED BY LOOKING AHEAD,
AS DAVID DID TO GOLIATH THE GIANT,
THE MASTER SAID HE WAS HIS SHIELD,
AND ONLY ON GOD WAS DAVID RELIANT.
*****
WHAT IS EASIER?
WHAT IS EASIER FOR OUR LORD?
TO SET THE WORLDS IN MOTION?
OR RESURRECT MANY DEAD SOULS,
USING NEITHER DUST NOR POTION?
WHAT IS EASIER FOR OUR LORD?
TO GIVE LIFE TO EVERY BEING?
OR DESTROY THE ENEMIES OF GOD,
WHO SEE WITHOUT EVER SEEING?
WHAT IS EASIER FOR OUR LORD?
TO FORM LIGHT FROM THE SUN?
OR GIVE BELIEVERS ETERNAL LIFE,
WHEN HIS WILL ON EARTH IS DONE?
WHAT IS EASIER FOR OUR LORD?
TO STRETCH HEAVEN’S EXPANSE?
OR GIVE TO SINNERS WHO REPENT,
IN THIS LIFE, ANOTHER CHANCE?
WHAT IS EASIER FOR OUR LORD?
RAPTURE PEOPLE BY HIS POWER?
OR CONTROL EVENTS KNOWN AS TIME,
UNTIL JESUS COMES AT THAT HOUR?
*****
THE APPLE OF HIS EYE
THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE ON EARTH,
FAITHING IN GOD PROVED THEIR WORTH,
NOW NEVER EVER WILL HAVE TO DIE,
THEY ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.
HE HOLDS THEM FONDLY IN HIS CARE,
ALWAYS HELPS THEIR BURDENS SHARE,
AND GIVES THEM STRENGTH TO GET BY,
THEY ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.
SHOULD ANY FORM OF SINISTER SOULS,
CONSPIRE TOGETHER WITH EVIL GOALS,
AGAINST GOD’S CHOSEN DON’T EVEN TRY,
THEY ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.
*****
BLIND, DEAF AND DUMB
BLINDNESS COVERS MAN’S EYES,
A MIST IMPAIRS HIS VISION,
EVEN THROUGH CLOUDLESS SKIES,
HE CAN’T SEE GOD’S PROVISION.
DEAFNESS HAS GROWN IN MAN’S EAR,
A HARDEN HEART HAS FORMED A DOOR,
GOD’S STILL QUIET VOICE IS NEAR,
BUT MAN WILL NOT LISTEN ANY MORE.
DUMBNESS IS THE LANGUAGE OF MAN,
WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING GOD GLORY,
GOD’S PRAISES DON’T FILL THE LAND,
NOR SONGS OF THE SALVATION STORY.
WICKEDNESS IS FOOD FOR MAN’S SOUL,
HE CAN NEVER SEEM TO GET HIS FILL,
A SICK SPIRIT CAN’T BE MADE WHOLE,
'TIL PRIDE IS SWALLOWED LIKE A PILL.
THE TIME WILL COME ON JUDGEMENT DAY,
WHEN MAN WILL REALIZE HIS STUPIDITY,
INSTEAD OF OBEYING GOD’S WRITTEN WAY,
HE HAS WORSHIPED IDOLS OF CUPIDITY.
*****
GOD IS
GOD IS NOT A PERSON, COLD OR CALLOUS,
THAT WE CAN TREAT LIKE A HUMAN LOVER,
AND PROD AND PROVOKE OR MAKE JEALOUS,
LIKED MORTALS WITH FLESH FOR A COVER.
GOD IS NOT A BEING IMMUNE TO OUR HURT,
THAT WE CAN OFTEN MISTREAT OR DISCARD,
OR SCOLD, CURSE OR ADULTEROUSLY FLIRT,
WITH HEARTS HAVING HIS LOVE DISBARRED.
GOD IS NOT A PLAYTHING OF CONVENIENCE,
THAT MEN AND WOMEN CAN FOR FUTURE USE,
LIKE AN OBJECT FOR LEISURELY LENIENCE,
OR A TOY STORED FOR CHILDREN TO ABUSE.
GOD WASN’T REVEALED AS A BACKUP FOR MAN,
TO BE ALWAYS THERE AS A BENEVOLENT HAND,
AND WATCH OVER THE EVIL AND WICKED PLAN,
AS SATAN SPREADS SIN ALL OVER THIS LAND.
GOD’S SPIRIT IS LIKE A NERVE RUBBED RAW,
SILENTLY SENSITIVE LIKE SMOLDERING FLAX,
DELICATE AS A REED, BRUISED FROM A THAW,
YET HAVING A LOVE THAT FOREVER DOES WAX.
*****
FASTING
MAN DEPRIVES HIS BODY,
YET STILL FEEDS HIS SOUL,
WHEN HE HOLDS BACK BREAD,
BUT ON EVIL CONTINUES TO MULL.
MAN FORBIDS HIS FLESH,
YET GIVES A DRINK TO HIS MIND,
WHEN HE REFUSES WATER,
BUT ON WICKEDNESS LOVES TO DINE.
MAN TURNS AWAY MEAT,
YET TAKES INTO HIS HEART,
WHEN HE FASTS FOR A DAY,
BUT TO THE POOR WILL NOT IMPART.
MAN WILL GLADLY NEGATE HIS NOURISHMENT,
YET NOT ALLOW THE OPPRESSED GO FREE,
WHEN ABLE TO GIVE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT,
HE CLOSES HIS EYES SO HE CANNOT SEE.
MAN WILL HUNGER AND THIRST,
YET NOT CLEANSE HIS THOUGHT,
WHEN GOD PREFERS A FAST OF SIN,
MAN WILL OF HIS WAYS HAVE NOUGHT.
*****
THE SEVENTH DAY
OUR GREAT GOOD GOD THE CREATOR,
DESCRIBED A WEEK OF SEVEN DAYS,
ONLY ONE HE ORDERED SET ASIDE,
FOR MANKIND TO KNOW HIS WAYS.
IT WAS A DAY GIVEN FOR REST,
SO MAN COULD RENEW HIS STRENGTH,
AND THEN ALONE DWELL AND THINK,
OF GOD'S PROVISION AT LENGTH.
ALL THE OTHER DAYS OF THE WEEK,
MAN COULD SEEK HIS OWN DESIRE,
BUT GOD SAID ON THE SABBATH DAY,
MAN MUST FROM HIS WORK RETIRE.
THE LORD ONCE HAD MADE MANY LAWS,
THAT HE SAID WERE NOT GOOD FOR MAN,
HE WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE ALL WEEK,
MEN ACKNOWLEDGE HIM IN THEIR LAND.
WHEN JESUS CAME AS CHRIST AND LORD,
THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY,
" THE SEVENTH DAY WAS MADE FOR MAN
AND NOT MAN FOR THE SABBATH DAY ".
*****
REVELATION
LIFE'S EVENTS WOULD BE PERFECTLY CLEAR,
IF WE SAW THROUGH GOD'S CRYSTAL EYES,
AND PENETRATED PAST THE VAPORS AND MIST,
THAT STOPS US SEEING HOW CLOSE HE'S NEAR.
WE COULD ALL KNOW AND QUICKLY REALIZE,
THE WILL OF GOD IS WITHOUT EVER A TWIST,
STRAIGHT ON COURSE AND EVER SO WISE,
THAT HE PLANNED THE END FIRST TO EXIST.
JUST AS A BOOK THAT'S WOUND IN A ROLL,
WITH THE END OVERLAPPING THE START,
TIME WOULD OPEN UP JUST LIKE A SCROLL,
ALLOWING US TO SEE ANY UNKNOWN PART.
THE LORD THAT DAY WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY,
AS HE ROLLS UP THE FUTURE INTO THE BEHIND,
WE'LL HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR REFUSING GOD'S WAY,
OR HARDENING OUR HEART AND CLOSING OUR MIND.
*****
THE POWER OF PRAYER
PRAYERS SHOULDN'T BE RECITED,
TO GET OTHER PEOPLES' ATTENTION,
BUT RATHER SHOULD BE PRESENTED,
TO GOD AS A FAITH CONNECTION.
SINCE GOD SEES THE REASON,
FOR ALL OF MAN'S SUPPLICATION,
HE'S PROVIDED IN GOOD SEASON,
BEFORE WE EVER MAKE APPLICATION.
PRAYERS SHOULDN'T BE SUBMITTED,
IN A MONOTONOUS COLD LIKE CHANT,
BECAUSE WHEN FAITH IS OMITTED,
GETTING GOD TO LISTEN, WE CAN'T.
WHEN A PRAYER FORMS IN THE MIND,
OF A HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEART,
AND FAITH IS THERE FOR GOD TO FIND,
IN GOD'S PLAN, WE'VE DONE OUR PART.
GOD BINDS FORCES IN NATURE FOUND,
AND HOLDS BACK ANY SINISTER POWER,
THAT MAY HAVE HIS CHILDREN BOUND,
PREVENTING PEACE FOR EVEN AN HOUR.
*****
INDECISIVENESS
THE DECISION IS TOO COMPLEX,
FOR MY UNKNOWING, EARTHLY MIND,
I NEED WALLS, ON THE SIDES,
AND THEN ONE BIG ONE BEHIND,
MY DIRECTION WOULD BE CLEAR,
AS TO WHICH WAY I SHOULD GO,
I COULD CLEAR THE CONFUSION,
AND WITH A CERTAINTY KNOW,
SINCE I CAN'T MOVE BACKWARDS,
AND DEFINITELY NOT ABOUT,
I SHOULD MOVE STRAIGHT AHEAD,
WITHOUT EVEN A DOUBT!
*****
A POSITION OF STRENGTH
DAVID STOOD STILL, BEFORE GOLIATH ALONE,
HE HAD NO ARMOR, NO SHIELD, NO SWORD,
HE HELD IN HIS SLING ONE SOLITARY STONE,
FAITH WAS HIS WEAPON, FORGED BY THE LORD.
GIDEON TOOK THREE HUNDRED MEN IN THE LAND,
THEY TOO HAD NO ARMOR, NO SHIELD, NO SWORD,
A PITCHER WITH FIRE THEY HELD IN THEIR HAND,
TRUSTING IN GOD ON THEIR ENEMIES THEY ROARED.
SHADRACH, MESHAC AND ABED-NEGO WERE BOUND,
NO FIRE PROOF GARMENTS COVERED THEIR SOUL,
A FOURTH MAN WALKED IN THE FURNACE AROUND,
NOT A HAIR WAS HURT FOR THE KING TO BEHOLD.
DANIEL, DAILY, OFTEN TIMES HE HAD PRAYED,
NOT TO GODS OF STONE, NOR IDOLS OF BRASS,
AN ANSWER WAS GIVEN YET MANY WEEKS DELAYED,
HIS SPIRITUAL STRENGTH ALLOWED HIM TO LAST.
WE DON'T NEED ANY ARMOR NOT PROVIDED OF GOD,
TO FIGHT IN FAITH LIKE PAUL'S LIFE WAS SPENT,
WHEN GOD PROVIDES IT'S LIKE A MIGHTY IRON ROD,
GIVEN SAMSON TO FORM A POSITION OF STRENGTH.
*****
HEAVEN
HEAVEN IS A PLACE WHERE SPIRITS DWELL,
THAT ONCE WERE TESTED AND TRIED ON EARTH,
AND HAD THE SAME SIN WHEN MAN FIRST FELL,
BUT GIVEN A REDEEMER AT JESUS'S BIRTH.
HEAVEN IS A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO NIGHT,
THERE IS NO HUNGER, NOR THIRST NOR PAIN,
NEW WORLDS ARE FORMED FASTER THAN LIGHT,
AND AN END OF ITS BORDERS WILL NEVER WANE.
HEAVEN IS A PLACE WHERE PEACE CAN ABIDE,
THERE FOREVER FREE FROM WICKED EVIL POWER,
AND ONLY A PLACE WHERE SAVED SOULS RESIDE,
WHEN GOD GRANTS LIFE IN HIS CHOSEN HOUR.
HEAVEN IS A PLACE OF WHITE SUNS OF FIRE,
DELICATELY DANCING AGAINST A COLORFUL SKY,
BEAUTIFULLY BEAMING AND WILL NEVER EXPIRE,
AS EACH ONE SINGS SONGS TO STARS NEARBY.
HEAVEN IS A PLACE NOT KNOWN IN MAN'S MIND,
DREAMS IN THOUGHT CAN'T TELL THE TONGUE,
NO SOUL CAN TASTE OF WHAT GOD HAS DINED,
WHAT HEAVEN IS LIKE AND WHAT GOD HAS DONE.
*****
GOD IS TRUTH
TRUTH IS FIXED LIKE GRANITE STONE,
SILENTLY SOLID IT CAN STAND ALONE.
TRUTH PRESERVES PURITY MUCH LIKE GOLD,
IT CAN'T BE DILUTED FOR VALUE TO HOLD.
TRUTH IS VOICED FROM A SINCERE SOURCE,
NOT SWAYED NOR SHATTERED BY ANY FORCE.
TRUTH IS THE MOST SINGULAR SEED KNOWN,
ALONE IT EXISTS AFTER ONCE BEING SOWN.
TRUTH LIKE GOOD GLASS IS CRYSTAL CLEAR,
FLAWLESSLY HELD, EXAMINED WITHOUT FEAR.
TRUTH IS LIKE RED ROSES RAIDING A FIELD,
EXISTING ONLY WITH TRUE COLORS REVEALED.
TRUTH IS LIKE FOND MEMORIES AND THOUGHT,
A PRICELESS OBJECT THAT CAN'T BE BOUGHT.
TRUTH IS THAT WHICH WILL LAST ETERNALLY,
GOD IS TRUTH AND ONLY HE IS TRUTH TO ME.
*****
SILENT OBEDIENCE
THE LORD SAID TO JOSHUA
ONCE LONG, LONG AGO,
WITH AN ARMY NOT FIGHTING
I WILL TAKE JERICHO.
EACH DAY FOR SIX DAYS
MARCH WITHOUT A SOUND,
AND YET CARRY TRUMPETS
WHILE WALKING AROUND.
SEVEN PRIESTS GO FIRST
FOR SEVEN FULL DAYS,
AND AT MY SET TIME
I'LL SHOW YOU MY WAYS.
ONCE EACH DAY FOR SIX DAYS
CIRCLE THE CITY,
THEN ON THE SEVENTH DAY
I'LL TAKE NO PITY.
IF THE PEOPLE WILL LISTEN
WITH SILENT OBEDIENCE,
THEIR FAITH AND TRUST
WILL CAUSE THE EXPEDIENCE.
AT MY SAID TIME
BLOW THE TRUMPETS AND SHOUT,
AND JERICHO'S WALLS WILL FALL
BECAUSE YOU DID NOT DOUBT.
Reference: Joshua 6:1-23
*****
STREAMS OF STRENGTH
FEARFUL DARK FORCES TAKE THEIR TOLL,
SUBTLY SURROUNDING THE BODY AND SOUL,
LIKE A RIVER AFTER SKIES HAVE RAINED,
UNLEASHING POWER NO LONGER CONTAINED.
ATTACKING AT FIRST THE WEAKEST PART,
THEY COWARDLY SEEK A FAITHLESS HEART,
WHEN LEFT UNCHALLENGED WITH A CHANCE,
DEMON SPIRITS QUICKLY MAKE AN ADVANCE.
SUBDUING ALL NEW PREY THEY CAN FIND,
GLOATINGLY SEEKING THE VICTIM'S MIND,
THESE FALLEN ANGELES NEED A NEW SHELL,
TO HOUSE THEIR EVIL SENT FROM HELL.
A SPARK OF FAITH COULD START A STORM,
OF STREAMS OF STRENGTH READY TO FORM,
HAVING FROM HEAVEN SUPERNATURAL POWER,
PREPARED IN TIME FOR THAT VERY HOUR.
JUST ONE WORD FROM THE MASTER'S VOICE,
CAN FORCE SURRENDER WITHOUT A CHOICE,
NO SPIRITUAL POWER CAN LAST AT LENGTH,
WHEN GOD PROVIDES STREAMS OF STRENGTH.
*****
THE ESCALATION OF TIME
IT SEEMS THROUGHOUT
THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD,
FIRST STARTING BACK
AT THE BEGINNING OF TIME,
A SPECIFIC SCRIPT OF GOD
WOULD COME UNCURLED,
AS THE CLOCKWORK OF HISTORY
WOULD START TO UNWIND.
MAN WAS DESTINED THEN
TO LIVE A THOUSAND YEARS,
AND EACH YEAR WOULD LAST
LIKE LIVING FOR JUST A DAY,
AS THE LENGTH OF TIME
MAN WOULD SPEND ON EARTH,
DEPENDED ON WHETHER
IN GOD'S PLAN HE WOULD STAY.
TIME WENT BY AND MAN
AGAINST OUR LORD REBELLED,
HIS SINS INCREASED
AS WICKED THOUGHTS TRANSPIRED,
THEN GOD CHANGED MAN'S LIFE
AS RAIN FIRST FELLED,
A HUNDRED TWENTY YEARS
BEFORE HIS TIME EXPIRED.
GOD AGAIN CUT LIFE
TO THREE SCORE YEARS AND TEN,
THE SHORTER MAN LIVED
THE MORE HE WISHED TO SIN,
IN THE SEVENTY YEARS
MAN PROVED HE TRIES UNTIL,
HE HAS HAD AS MUCH
AS A MILLENNIUM COULD FULFILL.
AS TIME SPEEDS UP
MAN'S S LIFE IS FURTHER CURTAILED,
APPROACHING THE SPEED OF LIGHT
IT WILL ALMOST THEN STAND STILL,
IF TIME WAS NOT SHORTENED,
MAN WOULD NO LONGER EXIST,
LIFE WOULD CEASE
AND GOD'S PLAN WOULD HAVE FAILED.
*****
DAILY BREAD
FORTY YEARS OF MANNA,
GIVEN ONE DAY AT A TIME,
AS GOD PROVIDED TO ISRAEL,
HE ALSO GIVES ME MINE.
ALL MY DAILY NEEDS,
GATHERED AND OVERFLOWING,
IS MET EACH AND EVERY DAY,
WITH NOT A ONE LEFT OWING.
THE LORD KNOWS IN ADVANCE,
WE ALL NEED DAILY BREAD,
LEAVING NOTHING EVER TO CHANCE,
HE ENSURES HIS CHILDREN ARE FED.
*****
THE END OF TIME
THE LORD HAS SET HOURS,
AND DAYS AND WEEKS,
AND MONTHS AND YEARS,
AND FEASTS AND JUBILEES,
AND WHEN HE'S SICK OF SIN,
AND REBELLION AND HARD HEARTS,
AND REJECTION OF HIS SON,
AND MANKIND HIMSELF,
ONLY WILLING TO PLEASE,
HE WILL CLOSE THE DOORS,
TO WHAT WE KNOW AS TIME,
AND GIVE JUDGEMENT,
AND REWARDS AND ETERNAL LIFE,
AND LOCK SINNERS INTO HELL,
AND THROW AWAY THE KEYS.
*****
FAITH
FAITH IS NOT PURCHASED NOR FOUND,
NOR SEEN IN ANY MERCHANT'S STORE,
NOR MEASURED OR WEIGHED LIKE ORE,
NOR SOWN IF TRUST DOESN'T ABOUND.
FAITH IS FIRST PLANTED BY THE LORD,
WHEN EARS OPEN AND LISTEN AND HEAR,
TO A SPEAKER WHO DELIVERS THE WORD,
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT SILENTLY NEAR.
FAITH STARTS WITH DOING AN ACT,
SUSTAINED BY CONFIDENCE IN GOD,
THAT HIS WORD IS INDEED A FACT,
RESOLUTE LIKE AN IRON CAST ROD.
FAITH IN THE LORD GROWS WITH TIME,
BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES NOW DONE,
AS THE HIGHEST PEAK FORMED BEHIND,
WILL EQUAL THE LOWEST YET TO COME.
*****
THE TRINITY
SOMEWHERE IN THE UNKNOWN DIMENSION,
FAR TOO HOLY FOR TONGUE TO MENTION,
EXISTS A FORM ATTRACTING ATTENTION.
ONE SIDE OF THREE GIVES MAN A CHOICE,
THE OTHER OF TWO IS THE SILENT VOICE,
AND ONE ALONE WILL NOT CALL US TWICE.
EACH PART SEPARATE BUT ALL OF IT WHOLE,
FORMS ALL THE BODY THE SPIRIT AND SOUL,
CLOTHED IN MYSTERY IT REVEALS ITS GOAL.
*****
THE CHURCH
THE LORD SAID BY MAN
NO HOUSE COULD BE BUILT,
THAT WOULD EVER DISPLAY
ALL HIS WONDROUS GLORY,
AND MARK A PLACE
FOR HIS PRESENCE TO BE FELT,
OR FORM AN ALTAR
FOR MAN TO PRAY AND BE SORRY.
MAN CONTINUES TO EXALT
AS PART OF HIS TRADITION,
SCULPTURED STRUCTURES
OF STAINED GLASS AND STONE,
WITH CEILINGS TO ENCLOSE
HIS SELF MADE RELIGION,
AS HE ESTABLISHES HOUSES
APPOINTED AS GOD'S HOME.
THE CHURCH MADE BY MAN
WITH GREAT CARE AND BEAUTY,
AND FILLED LIKE A SEPULCHER
WITH DEAD MEN'S BONES,
HAS INSIDE PERFORMANCES
CONDUCTED WITH PIOUS DUTY,
AS LOST SOULS CHANT
THEIR THEATRICAL TONES.
JESUS SAID HE'D BUILD
A CHURCH NOT OF FLESHLY CLAY,
NOR OF BRICKS AND MORTAR
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE,
BUT IN HEARTS AND SOULS
OF THOSE FOLLOWING HIS WAY,
WHEN WE REPENT OF SIN
AND BECOME FOREVER SET FREE.
*****
DEATH
A NEW JOURNEY AWAITS,
THOSE HAVING NOW DIED,
ONE PATH MADE READY,
IF ON GOD THEY RELIED.
THE LANE DIVIDES,
TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT,
EITHER CONTINUALLY COVERED,
IN DARKNESS OR LIGHT.
EACH PATH IS TRODDEN,
BY DEPARTED SOULS,
AS ETERNITY UNWINDS,
AND FOREVER UNFOLDS.
THE TIME SPENT ON EARTH,
DETERMINES THE RIGHT STEP,
WE'LL TURN THE RIGHT WAY,
IF GOD'S RIGHT WAY WAS KEPT.
*****
THE CROSS
THE CROSS IS SYMBOLIC
OF OUTSTRETCHED ARMS,
WHEN JESUS WAS LIFTED UP
FOR ALL MEN TO SEE,
MOSES RAISED A SERPENT
REBUKING ITS CHARMS,
WHILE JESUS DIED
DESTROYING DEATH ETERNALLY.
THE CROSS WAS SYMBOLIC
OF AN AGONIZING DEATH,
GIVEN TO SOME WHO
TURNED AGAINST GOD'S LAW,
WHEN JESUS SUFFERED
AND DREW HIS LAST BREATH,
HE DIED BECAUSE
HE HAD KEPT IT WITHOUT FLAW.
THE CROSS WAS SYMBOLIC
OF GOD BEING LIFTED UP,
AND FORMED IN THE FLESH
HE BECAME JUST AS MAN,
HE HURT AND SUFFERED
AS SORROW FILLED HIS CUP,
AND DRANK OF MISERY
AS NAILS PIERCED HIS HAND.
THE CROSS IS SYMBOLIC
OF DEATH TURNED TO LIFE,
WHEN JESUS FULFILLED
GOD'S WILL ON THAT TREE,
HE DIED AND ROSE AGAIN
SO GOD'S SPIRITUAL WIFE,
WOULD BE JOINED TO GOD,
AND FOREVER SET FREE.
*****
MUSICAL TIME
THERE ARE WICKED PEOPLE ON EARTH,
WHO SEEM FREE OF WORRY AND CARE,
PROFANE CURSES FORM THEIR BREATH,
AND THEIR LAUGHTER FILLS THE AIR.
MATERIAL WEALTH IS THEIR ONLY GOD,
WHICH IS BUILT OF SILVER AND GOLD,
WORLDLY PRIDE IS A MOTIVATING PROD,
BLASPHEMING GOD SINCE DAYS OF OLD.
THEY IGNORE JESUS THE SAVIOR OF MAN,
AND RIDICULE THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM,
SATAN MANGLES MINDS WHENEVER HE CAN,
AND MANY HEARTS ARE CORRUPT WITHIN.
GOD IS AWARE OF EACH BODY AND SOUL,
IT IS HE WHO ALLOWS LIFE TO EXIST,
ALL THE NATIONS IN PART OR IN WHOLE,
COULD NEVER TOGETHER HIS POWER RESIST.
GOD HAS APPOINTED SEASONS AND TIMES,
AND PLANNED EVENTS FOR YEARS AND DAYS,
TIME SYNCHRONIZED LIKE MUSICAL CHIMES,
PLAYS ONLY A SONG TO HIS WRITTEN WAYS.
*****
THE LATTER RAIN
THE SKIES WERE FILLED WITH WORDS,
EACH CONTAINING A SINGLE PROMISE,
AND ALL TOGETHER VOICED THE PLAN,
SET BY GOD WHEN HE FIRST CREATED.
ONE PAINFUL GROAN WHILE IN LABOR,
ECHOED A WARNING ABOVE THE EARTH,
A DETERMINATION OF TIME HAD COME,
THAT WOULD DROWN THE SINS OF MAN.
GOD'S SPIRIT WILL START ITS FALL,
AND COME TO EARTH AS LATTER RAIN,
ALL DRY SOULS ON EARTH IN THIRST,
WILL DRINK FOREVER ETERNAL WATER.
*****
THE WATERS OF MERIBAH
THE LORD HAD KEPT HIS PROMISES
AND OPENLY DISPLAYED HIS POWER,
YET ISRAEL CONTINUED IT'S FRET
AND MURMURED EVERY SINGLE HOUR.
THE PEOPLE COMPLAINED TO AARON,
THEY WHINED TO MOSES EVEN MORE,
ALL ISRAEL VOICED THEIR DOUBTS,
AND FORGOT WHAT GOD DID BEFORE.
THE ENTIRE NATION HAD GATHERED
WHEN MOSES AND AARON FELL DOWN,
ISRAEL SAW THE SERVANTS OF GOD
WITH THEIR FACES ON THE GROUND.
THE LORD COULD SEE THEIR HEART,
HE KNEW WHAT WAS IN THEIR SOUL,
GOD VIEWED EACH SINGLE THOUGHT,
HE SAW THAT FAITH WASN'T WHOLE.
GOD TOLD MOSES TO TAKE HIS ROD
AND SPEAK TO THE ROCK PROVIDED,
AFTER MOSES HIT THE ROCK TWICE,
FROM IT WATER GUSHED UNBRIDLED.
THE LORD WAS SORELY DISPLEASED,
MOSES AND AARON HAD FAILED HIM,
INSTEAD OF STANDING UP FOR GOD,
THEY WANTED THE CROWD APPEASED.
GOD SAID NO TO MOSES AND AARAN,
THEY COULD BUT ONLY SEE CAANAN,
BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SHOW HONOR,
GOD FORBADE THEM BOTH TO ENTER.
THE LORD HAD TESTED HIS PEOPLE,
HE PROVED HE IS A POWERFUL GOD,
BUT DOUBT AND DISBELIEF HE SAW,
THERE AT THE WATERS OF MERIBAH.
Reference:
Numbers 20:2-13 and Numbers 27:14
*****
FORTY YEARS
FORTY YEARS ISRAEL HAD WANDERED,
AND NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED GOD’S POWER,
FORTY YEARS OF HARDENED HEARTS,
REBELLING A CALLING FOR THAT HOUR.
THEY WATCHED GOD’S MIGHTY HAND MOVE,
AS HE GAVE DRY GROUND IN THE RED SEA,
AND DESTROYED CHASING EVIL EGYPTIANS,
WHO REFUSED TO LET HIS PEOPLE GO FREE.
FORTY YEARS THEY ATE HEAVENLY FOOD,
FORTY YEARS THEIR SHOES DIDN’T WEAR,
FORTY YEARS WATER CAME OUT OF A ROCK,
EACH TIME MOSES’ STAFF STRUCK NEAR.
ONCE LEFT ALONE FOR JUST A FEW DAYS,
AND GIVEN A CHANCE TO SIN A LITTLE,
THE BAND OF CHOSEN CALLED OUT ONES,
PROVED THEIR FAITH WAS VERY BRITTLE.
LED IN THE DAY BY A COLUMN OF CLOUD,
AND GUIDED BY FIRE THROUGH THE NIGHT,
YET EVEN WITH THEIR EYES WIDE OPEN,
THEY COULDN’T SEE ANY SPIRITUAL LIGHT.
INSTEAD OF CANAAN, DEATH WAS THEIR FATE,
OF MILK AND HONEY THEY WOULD NEVER BOAST,
ALL THAT TIME THEY KNEW NOT MY WAYS,
LAMENTED GOD WHO HAD DELIVERED THE HOST.
*****
MAN'S SPIRIT
MAN'S SPIRIT IS LIKE A FISH IN THE SEA,
NEVER AT REST AND WANDERING AIMLESSLY,
DARTING ABOUT WITH NO APPARENT GOAL,
BLINDLY FOLLOWING THE REST OF THE SHOAL.
MAN'S SPIRIT IS LIKE A BIRD IN THE AIR,
HUGGING HEIGHTS AND SOARING WITHOUT CARE,
SOON ASLEEP WHEN BY DARKNESS OVERTAKEN,
NOT WANTING LIGHT IN HIS SOUL TO AWAKEN.
MAN'S SPIRIT IS LIKE A FLAKE OF NEW SNOW,
WHEN FIRST CREATED WE ARE UNABLE TO KNOW,
ON EARTH A BRIEF MOMENT ALLOWED TO EXIST,
IF IT CHOOSES GOD'S POWER NOT TO RESIST.
*****
THE CHILDREN
THE CHILDREN WON'T HEAR
WITH A DELICATE EAR,
THE SOUND OF THE FATHER
AS HE CALLS OUT NEAR.
THEY CONTINUE THEIR PLAY
AND TURN THEIR HEADS,
AS IF TO SAY, "CALL US DON'T!
LEAVE US ALONE! NO WE WON'T!"
THE FATHER FULL OF CARE
AND HAVING A PATIENT LOVE,
HAS GREAT GIFTS TO SHARE,
HIDDEN IN HEAVEN ABOVE.
HE INVITES THE CHILDREN,
" COME SEEK AND FIND!
KNOCK ON A DOOR, AND SEE
WHAT'S IN STORE THERE BEHIND !"
MANY CHILDREN HEAR HIS CALL
AND OTHERS HEAR THEIR NAME,
STUBBORNLY NOT LISTING AT ALL,
CONTINUE ON THEIR WORLDLY GAME.
*****
THREE WORDS
ONCE, IN THE BACK OF A BOAT,
WHILE IN THE MIDST OF A SEA,
OUR WEARY LORD RESTED THERE,
ON A PILLOW VERY PEACEFULLY.
SMALL SHIPS SAILED AS MEN,
WAITED FOR JESUS TO ARISE,
BUT STORMY WIND AND WAVES,
PLACED FEAR IN THEIR EYES.
THE DISCIPLES LOOKED DOWN,
INTO THE DEEP, DARK WATER,
AND MURMURED AND GRUMBLED,
ABOUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
GOD'S SON SEEMED NOT AWARE,
OF THE GREAT DANGER AROUND,
AND AS SEAS SWEPT THE BOAT,
HEARTS AND SOULS SANK DOWN.
TERRIFIED MEN WOKE OUR LORD,
THEN SHOUTED OUT THEIR PLEA,
HOW COULD THE MASTER SLEEP,
AS THEY PERISHED ON GALILEE?
THE LORD SAID, PEACE BE STILL,
AND THOSE WHO CRIED FAITHLESSLY,
SAW THE ELEMENTS OBEY THE WORDS,
OF JESUS WHO RULES OMNIPOTENTLY.
*****
I'M FREE!
I DON'T NEED ANY MAN'S CHURCH,
CAUSE GOD'S CHURCH IS INSIDE ME,
I DON'T HAVE OLD SINAI RULES,
CAUSE THE LAW DIED ON THE TREE!
I'M FREE BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE TO ME!
I'M NO LONGER BURDENED DOWN,
WITH GUILT OR SHAME OR FEAR,
I DON'T HAVE HOLY FRIENDS AROUND,
OR ANY RIGHTEOUS ROBES TO WEAR!
I'M FREE BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE TO ME!
NOW I KNOW I'LL GO TO HEAVEN,
THOUGH I WASN'T SURE BEFORE,
I'LL MAKE IT THROUGH FAITH,
IN JESUS CHRIST, THE OPEN DOOR!
I'M FREE BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE TO ME!
*****
MAN WON'T
A PROPHET NAMED JOHN THE BAPTIST,
WALKED THROUGH A WILDERNESS LAND,
AND PREACHED TO MANY, REPENTANCE,
WAS THE KEY TO A KINGDOM AT HAND.
BLINDLY SOME OF THAT GENERATION,
ASKED FOR REVELATION FROM ABOVE,
HYPOCRITICALLY VOICED ADULATION,
AS THEY WERE TAUGHT OF HIS LOVE.
THEN ON EARTH THE MESSIAH CAME,
AND STILL PEOPLE WANTED A SIGN,
AS HE HEALED THE SICK AND LAME,
AND FULFILLED PROPHECY IN TIME.
THE LORD SAID MAN WON'T HEED,
OR LISTEN TO PROPHETS OF OLD,
NO MATTER WHO THE LORD SENDS,
MAN WONT DO WHAT HE IS TOLD.
*****
SLOW LIGHT
DEEP IN THE DISTANCE OUR LORD STANDS,
AMIDST A STREAM OF PURE INVISIBLE LIGHT,
SEEN ONLY BY EYES HAVING SPIRITUAL SIGHT,
THAT HE CREATES THROUGH HIS HOLY HANDS.
HE WATCHES THE UNIVERSE SLOWLY UNFOLD,
AS EACH EVENT COMES FORTH IN A TIME,
TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY SET TO UNWIND,
IN ORDER FOR MAN HIS GLORY TO BEHOLD.
LIGHT FROM THE SUN TRAVELS EVER SO SLOW,
AS VIEWED BY GOD AS IT CROSSES THE SKIES,
A WHITE THIN LINE ON DARKNESS IT LIES,
AN END OF WHICH ONLY HIS MIND CAN KNOW.
GOD ISN'T RUSHED NOR IN ANY GREAT HURRY,
TO COMPLETE OR FULFILL ALL OF HIS PLAN,
THERE IS ESTABLISHED A REDEMPTION FOR MAN,
FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE THEY NEED NOT WORRY.
*****
THE MASTER'S SONG
EACH THOUSAND YEARS THAT ARE SEEN BEHIND,
MAKES IT EASIER TO SEE GOD'S MOVING HAND,
THROUGHOUT THE TWISTED THREADS OF TIME,
ORCHESTRATING LIFE LIKE RHYTHMS IN A BAND.
HE SPEAKS AND MANY SOUNDS COME INTO BEING,
EACH CREATED LIKE MUSICAL NOTES,
EVER SO CLEAR, EVEN THE BLIND START SEEING,
AND COLD HEARTS CAN HEAR WHEN FREE OF COATS.
A THOUSAND YEARS ARE AS LONG AS ONE DAY,
AND ONE DAY AS SHORT AS A THOUSAND YEARS,
WHEN LIFE ON EARTH GIVEN EACH SOUL TO STAY,
TUNES TO A SONG PLAYED FOR THE MASTER'S EARS.
*****
THE CHESS GAME
THE GAME ROOM WAS CROWDED AND READY,
AS PLAYING PIECES WERE PUT IN PLACE,
TENSION WAS HANGING THICK AND HEAVY,
AS TWO CONTESTANTS SAT FACE TO FACE.
ONE OLD MAN, SITTING SILENTLY NEAR,
WAS WRITING AN EXTREMELY LONG NOTE,
SUDDENLY HE STOOD AND LEFT HIS CHAIR,
AND IN HIS HURRY, HE FORGOT HIS COAT!
THE GAME COMMENCED WITH RAPID PLAYS,
AND MANY PIECES WERE TAKEN AND LOST,
IT WOULD NOT TAKE A GREAT MANY DAYS,
FOR ERRORS TO SHOW THEIR FUTURE COST.
TIME DRAGGED ON AND THE MOVES SLOWED,
THE TWO OPPONENTS WERE GROWING WEARY,
TENSE THOUGHTS ON THEIR FACES SHOWED,
AND RED, WORRIED EYES WATERED BLEARY.
THE LONG HOURS HAD FATIGUED THE FOES,
AND THEIR TIME NOW WAS ALL BUT SPENT,
THE CHESS GAME WAS COMING TO A CLOSE,
AS THE TWO PLAYERS' NECKS WERE BENT.
A SHUFFLE, AND IN WALKED THE OLD MAN,
WHO HAD QUICKLY LEFT THE ROOM BEFORE,
A GOLDEN TROPHY WAS HELD IN ONE HAND,
AND WITH THE OTHER HE CLOSED THE DOOR.
THE OLD MAN QUIETLY WENT TO HIS CHAIR,
AS ONE PLAYER MADE A FINAL LAST MOVE,
TROPHY AND NOTE HE PLACED THEM THERE,
WITH ONE NAME ETCHED IN GOLDEN GROVE.
A CROWD CLAPPED PRAISE TO THE WINNER,
AS HE STOOD UP STRAIGHT TO TAKE A BOW,
BOTH EYES SPARKLED IN JOYFUL GLIMMER,
HIS NAME ON A TROPHY HE COULD SEE NOW!
THEN HE SAW NOTES ON PAPER TRANSCRIBED,
AND READ WHAT THE OLD MAN HAD WRITTEN,
EVERY SINGLE MOVE HAD BEEN DESCRIBED,
THE START AND FINISH AND WHO WOULD WIN!
OUR LIFE IS LIKE A COMPLEX CHESS GAME,
WITH EVERY MOVE AND THOUGHT REPORTED,
AN END OF IT WILL BE EXACTLY THE SAME,
AS GOD' S BOOK OF LIFE FIRST RECORDED.
*****
A MEASURE OF FAITH
GOD'S PROPHET OF LONG AGO,
LITERALLY MEASURED FAITH,
AND DELIVERED FROM PRISON,
TWO SONS OF ONE POOR WIDOW.
THE PROPHET SAID TO BORROW,
WHILE THE WIDOW STILL OWED,
MANY PITCHERS FROM FRIENDS,
TO KEEP UNTIL THE MORROW.
SHE FILLED ALL HER HOUSE,
AND THEN CLOSED THE DOOR,
TOOK A TINY CRUISE OF OIL,
AND IN FAITH BEGAN TO POUR.
EVERY PITCHER AND JAR AROUND,
WAS FILLED UP TO THE BRIM,
YET REMAINING IN THE CRUISE,
OIL COULD STILL BE FOUND !
THE WIDOW WAS TOLD TO SELL,
HER FAITH TURNED TO TREASURE,
PAY OFF HER FAMILY'S DEBTS,
AND ENJOY THE EXTRA MEASURE !
*****
A NEW SONG
SILENT SONGS, SINGING HIS PRAISE,
FLOW THROUGH MY HEAD EACH WEEK OF DAYS,
MELODIOUS TUNES THAT NEVER WERE WRITTEN,
PLAY FROM INSTRUMENTS EXPERTLY SMITTEN.
EACH PIECE OF MUSIC AND DELICATE SOUND,
BUBBLES WITH JOY AS I BOW TO THE GROUND,
BURSTING WITH FEELINGS I WANT TO SHARE,
EACH SONG CONTAINS, THE BEAUTY I HEAR.
WORDLESS THOUGHTS DESCRIBED IN A TONGUE,
CLEARLY EXPRESS WHAT'S NEVER BEEN SUNG,
LIKE BRILLIANT BEAMS OF SINGING LIGHT,
VOICING A NEW SONG, FOUND IN THE NIGHT.
ONE CONTINUOUS FLOW OF HARMONIOUS NOTES,
JOINED LIKE THE THREADS OF COLORFUL COATS,
WEAVE THROUGH MY MIND EACH WITH ITS PART,
FORMING A NEW SONG, FOUND IN MY HEART.
*****
MAN’S SECURITY BLANKET
CAIN IN THE BEGINNING,
DEVELOPED HIS OWN RELIGION,
AS FRUIT OF MAN’S HANDS,
FIRST FORMED A TRADITION.
ABEL HIS BROTHER,
OFFERED BLOOD AS A SACRIFICE,
KNOWING ALL HIS GOOD DEEDS,
WOULD NEVER SUFFICE.
KING SOLOMON CREATED,
THE GREATEST OF TEMPLES,
AND SOME OF ITS PLANS,
CONTAINED GOD’S PRINCIPLES.
THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS
WERE BURNED AS AN OFFERING,
BUT GOD VIEWED THEM ONLY
AS ICONS FOR SHOWING.
THE ROBES WORN BY PHARISEES,
COVERED DEAD BONES TO PRINK,
IGNORED STONE COMMANDMENTS,
THAT WERE SCRIBED ALSO IN INK.
THEIR SPIRITS LIKE SEPULCHERS,
CLOSED AFTER A RITUAL,
KNEW NOTHING OF GOD’S WAYS,
AND GREW DARK CONTINUAL.
THE HISTORY OF TIME,
SHOWS MAN CREATING ORDINANCES,
AS HE PERFORMS FOR HIMSELF,
CEREMONIES OF SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
HE FOOLISHLY FASTS HIS FLESH,
AS A PERFORMANCE OF PENANCE,
AND BELIEVES GOD KEEPS NOTES,
ON HIS CHURCH ATTENDANCE.
ALL MAN'S MATERIAL WEALTH,
PILED ON HIS SELF MADE ALTAR,
SMOTHERED WITH PIOUS PRAYERS,
RISING LIKE SMOKE WITHOUT FALTER,
SURROUNDED BY LISTS AND RULES,
OF MAN MADE COMMANDMENTS,
DEVOID OF FAITH IN CHRIST,
ARE BUT USELESS SECURITY BLANKETS.
NEVER FORGOTTEN
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THE LORD DOES NOT EVER FORGET,
AS WE DO THAT ARE ON THE EARTH,
HE HAS US ENGRAVED IN HIS PALMS,
LIKE ETERNAL SHADOWS IN HIS HANDS.
HE HAS GIVEN US EACH A SURNAME,
WRITTEN LONG BEFORE WE WERE BORN,
AND HAS PREPARED A SPECIAL PATH,
AS WE WALK THROUGHOUT HIS LANDS.
HE SPOKE THE END AT THE BEGINNING,
WHEN THE UNIVERSE CAME INTO FORM,
AND IT WAS HE, ALONE, WHO DIVIDED,
THE LATE EVENING FROM EARLY MORN.
I KNOW HE WATCHES THE SPARROW FALL,
AND THE HAIRS ON MY HEAD ARE NUMBERED,
HE HEARS MY WORDS OF WHISPERED PRAYER,
AND HAS NEITHER SLEPT NOR SLUMBERED.
HE IS THE, I AM, THE ONLY ETERNAL GOD,
BESIDE HIM THERE IS NO ONE TO COMPARE,
HE CHASTISES ME WITH HIS HOLY IRON ROD,
YET PROVIDES SUCH PRECIOUS LOVING CARE.
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PROVISION
ALONG THIS JOURNEY OF LIFE,
THERE IS ALWAYS PROVISION MADE,
TO SOFTEN THE WORLDLY STRIFE,
AND COMPLETE THE TRIP HE BADE.
AT THE TIMES WHEN NEEDS ARE DUE,
AND THERE SEEMS NO MENTAL REST,
GOD HAS ALREADY PROVIDED FOR YOU,
A PLAN THAT WILL WORK THE BEST.
WHEN WE FINISH OUR WORK ON EARTH,
AND FROM ETERNITY VIEW THE PAST,
WE'LL WISH WE HAD USED MORE MIRTH,
ENDURING TRIALS THAT DID NOT LAST.
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THE BLOOD OF TIME
FROM THE BEGINNING OF FIRST CREATION,
AN END WAS PLANNED TO EVENTS OF TIME,
ANY PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE RELATION,
CAN ONLY BE VIEWED IN MORTALS' MIND.
AFTER FALLING LOW AND GROWING WORSE,
DEGENERATED MAN MADE OF MIRE AND MUD,
NEEDED SALVATION TO REMOVE THE CURSE,
AN ANOINTED PLAN BY SPILLING OF BLOOD.
UNCEASINGLY LIFE HAS ALWAYS CHANGED,
WITH EVENTS OF TIME FOREVER RENEWED,
LIFE IN THE BLOOD WAS PAST ARRANGED,
PROVIDING A SACRIFICE GOD HAD VIEWED.
TIME, PRICELESS, NO VALUE, NO MEASURE,
WAS EVER PLACED ON YOUR SHARE OR MINE,
JESUS GAVE FREELY LIFE GIVING TREASURE,
ETERNALLY THERE AS THE BLOOD OF TIME.
*****
WHISPERING WINDS
MANY WILD WINDS BLOW OVER THE EARTH,
STIR UP PASSIONS IN THE HEART OF MAN,
SWOON THEIR MINDS, TEST THEIR WORTH,
THEN RETURN TO THE CREATOR'S HAND.
EACH HAS A TALE TO BE SECRETLY TOLD,
OF WICKED DESIRES AND FOOLISH PRIDE,
NOT HAVING CHANGED SINCE DAYS OF OLD,
WHEN AT THE TIME, MAN FIRST DIED.
MAN HAS NOT LEARNED AND NEVER WILL,
THERE'S NO NEW THOUGHT UNDER THE SUN,
OF ALL EVIL DEEDS HE WANTS HIS FILL,
AND ALL HIS LIFE WICKEDNESS IS DONE.
YET THERE IS HOPE FROM ANOTHER WIND,
UNLIKE NO OTHER AND TELLING NO TALES,
A COMFORTER FREE TO ALL HAVING SINNED,
A RUDDER IN LIFE A GUST IN OUR SAILS.
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