Lines for the times

The Lord Is My...

2011-10-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

The Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want
His love can’t be weighed with a song or with font
When I’m stemming the tide but I’m still all at sea
I can trust that my Savior is carrying me

The Lord is my Strength when my chips are cast down
He raises a smile through an unbroken frown
When I’m under attack – feel like quitting the field
I can trust that my God is my strength and my shield

The Lord is my Light in this shadowy time
He washes me down and he scrubs off my grime
When I’m straining my eyes but can only see dark
I can trust that the Lord will provide a new spark

The Lord is my Rock and a beacon that burns
He provides a safe house when there’s nowhere to turn
When I’m looking for shelter, I don’t have to knock
I can trust that his throne room is always unlocked

The Lord is my Salvation, my only way home
He keeps calling me to him, wherever I roam
When the final day comes and all evil departs
I can trust there’s a place left for me in his heart

Freedom in Christ

2010-11-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

Deceived, they march, time is not on their side
Under millions of banners with no-one to guide
They search with false hope
Through the fog and the smoke
And are being swept away on deaths tide

Their convictions and dreams are enveloped in night
They all reach for bright colors but can't see the light
In their lust and their sham
They forget who I Am
And abandon their heaven bound flight

Who has lied to my children? Who has led them astray?
I call out their names but you steal them away
From your pride at the start
I have known your black heart
For your treacherous crimes you will pay

With their days growing short, still they flock to death row
Holding the dice but unwilling to throw
If they just turn and face me
Or dare to embrace me
I will clear every debt that they owe

They need to draw closer, know what I have done
They know evolution but don't know my Son
Who will turn them about?
Who will stand up and shout
A new song of a victory won?

Who will tell them that Christ has now settled their fees?
He purchased their lives with his blood on a tree
Through dark shadows there shines
A great light for mankind
That will set all who turn to it free

Freedom from hatreds that bind all that's true
If they're washed in his blood then all things become new
Freed from their shame
If they live by his name
And love him in all that they do

Who will go to my children and tell them they're saved?
They are free now from guilt. Yes! Their sins have been waived
If they turn from that road
I will carry their load
A new path laid with gold I will pave

A message to all who the world has enticed
There's a seat at my table - Your love is its' price
But the places are few
And are limited to
All those who have freedom in Christ

The Lord Has Spoken

2010-11-14T16:43:00.000-08:00

Before the creation, there was darkness and deep
There was nothing around, not awake nor asleep
No land was in sight, no countries or borders
God's Spirit was hovering over the waters

Then God opened his mouth and said "Let there be light"
The sounds left his lips and creation took flight
A great light appeared and then God said "OK
I'll call the dark night and I'll call the light day

God saw it was good and he winked at his Son
"Too much water all in the one place 'aint much fun
We'll leave some below and we'll put some up high
The bit in-between, we'll call it the sky"

There was water below - there was plenty to see
Then God said "What next? Let's see, what will it be?
Let's bring up dry ground and we'll call it the land
The sea will surround it and it will be grand"

God spoke on day three - day two was so good
"We'll make a few trees, we can make them from wood
Some plants and some fruit and each one with a seed
Some sun and some water is all that they'll need"

God saw what he'd made and he thought it was fine
"Now let's fill up the sky and we'll teach it to shine
The sun by the day, so warm and so bright
The moon and a few million stars by the night"

On the fifth, God looked down from heaven on high
He checked out the water and looked at the sky
"Let's fill them with fish and some birds that can fly
They'll splash and they'll flap and they'll all multiply

Now the sky had its' birds and the sea had its' creatures
The land had its' plants and its' wonderful features
It was all very good - God was far from upset
But he said to his Son "Well we 'aint finished yet"

God spoke again and then more life appeared
From insects to cows and a goat with a beard
Big cats and dinosaurs covered the deck
and a strange looking one with a really long neck

God was so happy with all he had done
But the greatest of all of his works was to come
"We'll make them like us and they'll rule the whole land
and I'll love all my children with all that I Am"

At the end of six days, the Lord's work was complete
On the seventh he rested and put up his feet
"I'll call this day holy and it will be blessed
I'll call it the Sabbath, the day of my rest

Next time that you look at a tree or a bird
Remember the power God has in his Word
He speaks and it happens, no messing about
and when he comes back, it will be with a SHOUT!

SEX!

2009-07-15T19:18:00.001-07:00

Now that I have your undivided attention
May I take a moment to ask a few questions?
My riddles may possibly drive you to drink
But their answers may actually cause you to think

Would you walk off a cliff? Onto rocks would you fall?
Would you wrestle a bear that’s eleven feet tall?
Would you stand in the path of an oncoming train
And hope to escape with a head free of pain?

Would you trustingly kiss upon lips full of malice?
Or knowingly sip from a poisonous chalice?
Would you exit a plane from ten thousand feet high
Packed with no more than a suit and a tie?

Now if logic holds sway then your answers should flow
But if still you don’t get it, the answer is NO
To clear your confusion, I’ll ask you two more
So batten the hatches and bolt the back door

Might wisdom be found in an army of ants
Who attacked their own queen and annulled their own chance?
Might folly surround a small branch of a tree
That broke from its’ trunk in a quest to be free?

Some fights are worth fighting. Some quests worth pursuing
But is throwing your life away really worth doing?
We often fight battles against all the odds
And pride led one angel to fight against God

He exalted himself and he made it well known
That he thought that his own rump belonged on the throne
He told many lies and some took up his cause
To do battle in heaven and take it by force

But you see God made the heavens with power and might
And God with one breath gave that angel his life
That devils defiance is almost brain numbing
his cause is now crushed and his justice is coming

What chance do WE have if we strive on our own
And we wrestle that bear without help, all alone?
Without God we are branches that fall to the ground
Thrown out from His orchard to never be found

If you’re striving alone in this world of hard knocks
And you stand on the cliff and look down at the rocks
You can turn right around and reach out to the One
Who still thinks you’re a winner, whatever you’ve done

So take heart on the plane and step back from the train
Your wonderful maker has called out your name
Whatever your plight and wherever you roam
Love Him, don’t fight Him and He’ll bring you home

Son of Glory

2009-04-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

The world has heard of the man who walked among and taught the Jews more than 2000 years ago, but what of the resurrected King who now reigns and has been given dominion over everything?

We know you were a carpenter
The bible tells us so
A humble earthly teacher
Here to tell us what you know

We heard of all your teachings
Of healings by your hand
We know of all your dealings
With the sinners of the land

Renowned for your compassion
The perfect hope you gave
The least of all downtrodden
Your hand outstretched to save

Your days with us were shortened
Through an act of love so vast
Rejected by your Father
In your blood your spirit passed

But where are you now Jesus?
Where are you now?
WHO are you now?

A light so bright it dwarfs the sun
And in its' centre stands The One
Adorned in robes more pure than white
And armed with everlasting might

With head and hair as white as snow
With feet like burnished bronze aglow
With eyes ablaze - their depth unknown
The Ancient One reclaims his throne

In his hands the keys of death
A victory won in dying breath
Awaiting trial - defeated foes
The King of Kings stands unopposed

His words pour forth like mighty thunder
Like ocean tempest filled with wonder
The purest truth through lips unflawed
Its' judgment like a two edged sword

The First and Last, The Judge of All
Angelic hosts are held enthralled
Unbridled power, God of awe!
His hosts await his cry for war!

All shadows flee his steadfast stride
All evil lacks a place to hide
Hopes' eternal glory shines
A saving lighthouse ALL can find

In all his power, glory, might
There stands a God who knows my plight
His tender love, forgiving grace
His patient help in trials I face

When I toil in days of strife
I look to everlasting life
He is The Truth, The Light, The Way
And soon enough will come his day

With that fateful trumpet blast
Through heavens gates his armies march
To right all wrong things ever done
Jesus, Son of Glory, COME!

THE PERFECT PLAN

2009-03-31T17:37:00.000-07:00

From Genesis pages
Throughout all the ages
Mortality's governed our days
We live for a while
and may bring a few smiles
Then depart from the sun's shining rays

Along the path of mans history
The most sought after mystery
Is how did we happen and why?
Are we all pawns of chance?
Or could it be that we dance
For a purpose that's higher than high?

Might a plan emanate
Through a God who creates
and loves everything he has made?
Could this plan include one
No less than his Son
To save man - with his life could he pay?

Could its' purpose include
Such a vast multitude
That he gathers with love to amaze?
And embraces forever
With a joy we have never
beheld - nor will see in our day?

Well, this plan he has told
Through his prophets of old
and companions who walked with his Son
And this plan is for all
Who will answer his call
Who will love and acknowledge the One

To the faithful he's called
Though the world stands appalled
He will hold you through trial and temptation
Through tough times and hard grind
You are first on his mind
Though his hands hold the fate of the nations

Like ore from a mine
We are being refined
God's plan of perfection unfolds
We don't walk alone
On the path to his throne
and soon we will walk streets of gold

THE NAME

2009-03-30T02:49:00.000-07:00

"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." (Acts 4.12)

There’s a name that we hear and we prick up our ears
It’s been around now for a good many years
Some hear it with joy, some dissatisfaction
Whatever the case, it provokes a reaction

Controversial for many, the cause of much strife
Of wars and of greed and the plundering of life
The wisdom-filled tell us religion’s to blame
“That wouldn’t have happened if not for the name”

“and what of those tyrants who preached in the name
to further their causes or garnish their fame
On the surface quite flawless, no fissures or cracks
but behind secret doors they commit heinous acts”

In Gods’ perfect world, how could this all happen?
Was He to blame or were MEN the war captains?
Did MEN make decisions and use their own voices?
Did He gift them the privilege to make their own choices?

Yet others make choices to listen with hope
The name brings new life and a new way to cope
Provides a new purpose, our bonds it can sever
and speaks of a love that can be ours forever

This name was first spoken in Heaven above
It means truth and compassion, means power and love
and whether the hope or the bane of the nations
this name’s interwoven through all of creation

What does the name stir in you when you hear?
Does it fill you with joy or does it interfere
with the lies you’ve been told or your dance through the night?
This name is your last chance to walk in the light

An unstoppable light that shineth eternal
An unquenchable power over all that’s infernal
An unfathomable love through a sacrifice made
An undeniable presence that must be obeyed

Is it mohammed? Quick, get on the phone!
krishna or buddha or some other stone?
There’s only one name and forever I’ll sing
His name is Jesus. Jesus my King!

DRY SPELL

2009-03-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

This poem was written at a time when I was feeling down and as if I were just going through the motions. I started out writing how I felt and as I went on, soul searching led me to the reality of Gods truth.

As dawn turns to day and the traffic slows down
The factory winds up to belch smoke from its crown
I rise from what sleep I achieved through the night
Walk into my day and I'm flying the same kite

Facts and figures, debts and bills
A new pain in my head and I'm swallowing pills
I must buy new clothes and I must cut my hair
I must walk the walk and I must not despair

I set time aside to pray in the morn
I start to confess then remember the scorn
I received yesterday and my mind starts to race
Then I think of another tough thing that I face

I'm walking the paths of the world once again
I was talking to God now I'm anxious of men
It's a pattern emerging that haunts me of late
I was closer than close, now the distance seems great

It bothers me so that I'm feeling so dry
I'm seeming to crawl when I'm needing to fly
I'm getting confused as I beat myself up
Though I know that the devil will refill this cup

Then there's that voice and it's ever so faint
It tells me I sin but I'm also a saint
It tells me "My child, though you strive and you pace,
I sent you My Son, you are under My grace"

He deserted His throne and He came down to die
and I marvel at how I can cry out and sigh
He carried my sin and He fell to His knees
With the cross on His back and His blood for the fee

You are my rock O Nazarene!
I get my hands dirty but you wash them clean
You HAVE forged my path, you HAVE set the stage
You ARE by my side 'till the end of the age

Though I feel down and a little removed
I will stay on your path Lord because you have proved
That your Word is the truth and your love is the way
and I want to stand with you on that holy day

INVITATION TO LIFE (based on Isaiah 55:1)

2009-03-26T03:16:00.000-07:00

A call to every nation
There's been a declaration
A message issued with a trumpet blast
You have an invitation
To join a celebration
So shake a leg and get your tickets fast

In the general population
There's a great infatuation
With seeking truths down many barren tracks
This 'new age' intoxication
Leaves you stranded at the station
Empty bags and none the wiser for the facts

Does your spiritual stagnation
Make you yearn for elevation?
Do you strive and pace and no-one seems to care?
Are you thirsty with frustration?
Do you walk with hesitation?
You're unsure what it is, but it's not there?

There is hope and revelation
When you read your invitation
Its' sender signed your name with His own hand
He will wake you from sedation
You will shout with jubilation!
And your spirit will be filled right where you stand

Parched lips will know cessation
When you drink in His salvation
Come and have your fill - it's all for free!
No cash accumulation
Can buy this liberation
The price was paid with blood upon a tree

You don't need qualification
Just humble supplication
His love for you was made known by decree
For the Lord of all creation
Wants your name in publication
In the Book of Life that sits upon His knee