The Way I See It

The way I see it, there is only one choice to make.

And I make this decision every moment of every day.

The dichotomy of life: living for goodness sake or living for myself.

It’s seen in everything I say, everything I do, and everything I don’t do.

Life and death are the bottom line, but they’re defined in other terms.

What I’ll give and what I won’t betrays my true priorities and deepest concerns.

Will I rise above daily trials by focusing on the peace inside?

Or will I let myself be overcome by looking for answers where they don’t exist?

Do I courageously face new challenges, or do I run away and try to hide?

Am I greeting others with a smile, or am I too intently focused on my to-do-list?

Where your heart is, there your treasure lies.

Where your thoughts dwell is what’s on your mind.

Are you heavy laden or is your burden light?

Are you forgiven or bound up and contrite?

We can be amicable and experience joy or insist on our own way and live in strife.

Behold! I set before you life and death. It’s my decision now to choose life.

Nonconformist

You are common and will never understand my passion.

Go with the herd. 

Follow the opinions of those who only wish to poison you.

They nail you to the floor as you pass forth the hammers.

And you think you will progress by reflecting their madness.

I let them go. I pay them no attention.

So they hate me because they cannot control me.

And they never know what to expect.

I flow with the river.

I twist and turn and free-fall over the rocky cliffs.

You think me crazy. But I see through the veneer.

I refuse to be trapped in the aquarium when

 there is a route to the ocean.

So what if there is danger! 

I laugh in the face of oppression.

So what! Uncertainty breeds in me no fear.

It is the adventure of the unknown I seek.

It is the liberty of my bliss that consumes me.

I will not be taken by social indifference.

I will not circum to the banal status quo.

Pondering

To hate someone is a form of love because you would not hate if you did not care.

To love someone is a form of hate because you hate the distance perceived there.

To long for love is to hate yourself because deprive self of the love that’s there.

To hate yourself is egotistical because you look within and choose not to share.

To withhold love is apathy because you lack compassion which longs to share.

To show compassion is sympathy because you show another you choose to care.

And if all this is not confusing enough, I’m also pondering some other stuff.

This Darkened World

It’s just the way of human nature

Making haste of nomenclature

Following our own behavior through this darkened world

Never knowing which is greater

Irreversible debater

Thinking self to be the savior of this darkened world

Falling further fraught with danger

Weariness will overtake her

From the threat of each endeavor in this darkened world

Where’s the love in the lust?

Is there life in the dust?

Will we leave it if we must or face the world?

Where’s the breath in the air?

Is there death everywhere?

Do or die, do we care; will we face the world?

Where’s the hope in the song?

Is there right to this wrong?

Will we hold out for long? Do we face the world?

Do we chase the world of bring light to the world?

To this darkened world

Good-bye

I used to lie awake at night just to watch you sleeping. I’d count each minute of every hour until our next meeting. And you would hold me and whisper you loved me, then you’d kiss me good-night. And I never thought we’d ever say good-bye.

Now I lie awake at night unable to sleep alone, and I count every minute of each endless hour as I try to get by on my own. And I remember all the loving words you’d speak to me as I turned out the light and how I never thought we’d ever say good-bye.

                                                                                                                             

So this is how it feels to be broken, for my whole world to be shattered apart. This is how it feels to be empty and holding onto what’s left of my heart. This is how it feels to be lost and alone with all of my dreams blown to the wind. Just when I thought my life had finally begun, it all suddenly came to an end. And now I know, now there are no tears left to cry, this is how it feels to say good-bye.

Gone Astray

Lost without love when love is lost

He finally hails to survey the cost

The dew is dry, the mend is torn

The sweet is sour, the jest is mourn

And so the nights become endless days

With days consumed with mindless haze

What does it matter anyway

When true love found has gone astray

That's Life

That’s life, that’s what you get, that’s just what happens when you live to see another day That’s life, take it or leave it, like it or not, well not everything will go your way That’s life!

My alarm went off this morning, quarter to six, and I was still half asleep when my feet hit the cold hardwood floor. I got soap in my eyes in the shower, spilt my coffee at breakfast, and got my new scarf caught in the front door.

Tried to keep my patience in rush hour traffic, attitude right out the window, and left hand pressed hard on the horn. A three hour meeting first thing at the office, nearly choked on a bagel, endured lectures of scoffing and scorn.

Left my lunch at home on the kitchen counter, tuna sandwich and crackers, and the afternoon seemed to drag on. The clock couldn’t reach 5 o’clock soon enough, only to sit in more traffic, but at least I was as good as gone.

Dinner got burnt and there was nothing good to watch on the TV, not like there ever is, I just wanted to sit and veg out anyway, so I put on an old romantic movie, nothing like reminding myself how lonely I am, it sure has been a heck of a day.

So the next time you get a flat tire, or get stuck in the rain, or have the flu on your birthday, just remember that nothing exempts you from this little thing called the human condition, and the next time you want to give up, throw up, or give in, just remember that’s life, and it’s just the world we’re living in.

Rescue Me

I’m in the lifeboat the struggles of men

Trying to prove my worth all over again

Is there a rescue? Is there a friend?

This boat’s overcrowded and we’re all sinkin’

Rescue me, Rescue me

I lift my hands so You can see

I’m waiting here for delivery

Caught in a storm on a raging sea

But You rescue me, You rescue me

Oh You rescue me, You rescue me

Stuck in this lifeboat it’s sink or swim

This game of comparison I’ll never win

Am I forsaken? Am I forgotten?

I’ll fall or fly, but I’m diving in

I lift my hands so You can see

I’m waiting here for delivery

Caught in a storm on a raging sea

But You rescue me, You rescue me

Oh You rescue me, You rescue me

No more of the lifeboat I’m safe within

I Need to Know

God I need to know that You’re listening – 

I need to know that You hear me

God I need to know that You care about me – 

I need to know You still love me

God I need to know You’re really there – 

I need to know You’re here for me

God I need to know that I have a prayer – 

Do I even have a prayer, really?

Because I’m feeling lost and alone in this life; I’m jaded and torn and it cuts like a knife

I’m so dazed and confused and don’t know what to do.  It may be of no use, but I’m cryin’ to You.

God I need to know that You’re listening – 

I need to know that You hear me

God I need to know that You care about me – 

I need to know You still love me

God I need to know You’re really there – 

I need to know You’re here for me

God I need to know that I have a prayer – 

Do I even have a prayer, really? 

I don’t know for sure, but tonight I’ve been told: when my life is a blur, You’re a hand I can hold. And when darkness consumes me in my midnight hour, I can cease struggling and rely on Your power.

But I need to know that You’re listening – 

I need to know that You hear me

I need to know that You care about me – 

I need to know You still love me

I need to know You’re really there – 

I need to know You’re here for me

I need to know that I have a prayer – 

Do I even have a prayer, really?

When I need You, will You be here for me? How can I know You when I can’t see why I’m still consumed in my misery, if You’ve promised to deliver me? How can I know You’re listening? How can I know You care about me? How can I know You’re even there? How can I know I have a prayer?

I don’t care if You’re fast or slow. I don’t care which way You go. I don’t even care it’s yes or no, but God, (Oh God) please God, I need to know. But God, (Oh God) please God, I need to know.

Praise

It ain’t called the sacrifice of praise for nothin’  Anything I say it’s gonna cost me somethin’

But without a delay I’m gonna take my chances, raise my hands again and just see what happens

I lift my hands, my heart, I lift up my voice, I lay my burdens down and make a joyful noise

But first I must let go of everything else, surrender my desires I’m wanting for myself

It’s sad to see my dreams slipping away; and hard to see my worldly visions fade

But You say - It ain’t called the sacrifice of praise for nothin’  Anything I say it’s gonna cost me somethin’  But without a delay I’m gonna take my chances, raise my hands again and just see what happens

My heart’s so full of tears feels like it’s gonna explode, my mind’s so full of fears it’s on overload Just wanna crawl away and curl up in the dark, run off to somewhere safe and put my life in park But You remind me I was made for a time as this, that Your strength is the greatest when I’m the most helpless And You say - It ain’t called the sacrifice of praise for nothin’  Anything I say it’s gonna cost me somethin’ But without a delay I’m gonna take my chances, raise my hands again and just see what happens

Sometimes I’m strong with a voice loud and clear, sometimes I’m weak and I’m hard to hear

Sometimes I want to stay lost in misery, Sometimes I beg for you to rescue me

But will I pay the price required to trust and obey, Or will I insist on having my own way

I would pray, but - It ain’t called the sacrifice of praise for nothin’  Anything I say it’s gonna cost me somethin’ But without a delay I’m gonna take my chances, raise my hands again and just see what happens

Whether to praise or complain is on me, be raised again or stay in my vanity. No matter what the situation I always find, the decision that needs to be made is mine.

Well - It ain’t called the sacrifice of praise for nothin’  Anything I say it’s gonna cost me somethin’ But without a delay I’m gonna take my chances, raise my hands again and just see what happens Cause it ain’t called the sacrifice of praise for nothin’

Twist on Serenity

When matters go from bad to worse, and each step taken goes in reverse, surrounded by terrain that you can’t traverse, and you feel left behind

When you’ve gone beyond what you can do, and your weakness burns all the way through, to the core of pain deep within you, and you feel out of your mind

That’s when it’s time – to accept the things you cannot change, forget about trying to explain, find the courage to change the things you can, and work around your limitations. Everyone is gifted in a different way, you can’t do everything, and that’s okay. The call of wisdom is to follow peace, that’s when you’ll find serenity.

When life is flowing all up hill, and progress is made only while standing still, with swirling scenery making you ill, and all you can do is plead

When jagged edges cut you to the bone, and there’s no sanctity for you to call your own, and you’re only trying to make it back home, and all you can do is bleed.

That’s when you need – to accept the things you cannot change, forget about trying to explain, find the courage to change the things you can, and work around your limitations. Everyone is gifted in a different way, you can’t do everything, and that’s okay. The call of wisdom is to follow peace, that’s when you’ll find serenity.

When you try to operate outside of your talents and your struggling has thrown your life out of balance. When your repeated failures have you so paralyzed that you can’t see your value with your own eyes. That’s when you need to let go of your false expectations and replace their hold upon you with some truth declarations. If you want to get unstuck just close your eyes and pray for the light of Serenity to show you the way.

Begin today – to accept the things you cannot change, forget about trying to explain, find the courage to change the things you can, and work around your limitations. Everyone is gifted in a different way, you can’t do everything, and that’s okay. The call of wisdom is to follow peace, that’s when you’ll find serenity. Sweet serenity. 

Choose

This might sound like a country song,

 but I bet most people can sing along

I’m not the only one, who’s come undone

There’s not a person hasn’t felt the sting, 

and there are others who’ve lost everything

And it’s right to mourn, but you can be reborn

For God’s grace is new every morning, 

and it’s given to the undeserving

He will shed new light, on your darkest night

There is peace through the pain if you’ll own it, 

and there’s joy to obtain if you want it

But you have to choose, He won’t force it on you

Lost my job when the recession hit, 

Lost my home and most everything in it

And yet I survived, somehow I’m still alive

Lost my spouse because I made him mad, 

Lost my kids because I was too sad

Did not know how to cope, yet found a ray of hope

For God’s grace is new every morning, 

and it’s given to the undeserving

He will shed new light, on your darkest night

There is peace through the pain if you’ll own it, 

and there’s joy to obtain if you want it

But you have to choose, He won’t force it on you

So I fell to my knees and let everything go, 

laid down my broken dreams and surrendered control

For the slightest chance, beyond my circumstance

Saw my grief and despair dissolve into thin air

When I made a joyful noise, but it’s a daily choice

For God’s grace is new every morning, 

and it’s given to the undeserving

He will shed new light, on your darkest night

There is peace through the pain if you’ll own it, 

and there’s joy to obtain if you want it

But you have to choose, He won’t force it on you

Just give up and give in, the death-grip on your sin

Is standing in your way, of a new life today

What’s done is done and what’s gone is gone, 

you can’t change the past but you can move on

Yes you have to be strong, but He’ll carry you along

For God’s grace is new every morning, 

and it’s given to the undeserving

He will shed new light, on your darkest night

There is peace through the pain if you’ll own it, 

and there’s joy to obtain if you want it

Now it’s time to choose, what do you have to lose

Easier Said

I feel my strength is wearing thin, don’t even know where to begin

I know You see more than I can, for You are God, and I am man

So you instruct and I obey. And you will lead me in Your way

I know You’re good and have a plan, before my life even began

But I’m still here waiting for You, to show me which door to go through

I know Your timing is always best, but my heavy heart has grown restless

You know my path. You have a way. You know which door I am to take

But waiting for You to show me the one; it’s easier said than done

Sometimes I doubt and question how, Your plan could be where I am now

If You’re so great, why is life not, why have I been dealt the hand I’ve got

Are better things not held in store for those who bow and call You Lord

Still I believe there comes a day, when You’ll make known a better way

But I’m still here waiting for You, to show me which door to go through

I know Your timing is always best, but my heavy heart has grown restless

You know my path. You have a way. You know which door I am to take

But waiting for You to show me the one; it’s easier said than done

When times get hard and I lose my faith, or it’s at least temporarily misplaced

I begin to panic and I’m filled with fear 

trying every door just to get out of here

Then I start to feel hopeless for they all seem locked 

permanently jammed, or otherwise blocked

So I try to remember how You’ve come through before 

and effortlessly, You’ve opened a door

But I’m still here waiting for You, to show me which door to go through

I know Your timing is always best, but my heavy heart has grown restless

You know my path. You have a way. You know which door I am to take

But waiting for You to show me the one; it’s easier said than done

You know my path. You have a way. You know which door I am to take

But waiting for You to show me the one; it’s easier said than done

I Want to Shine

I want to glow

I want to shine

I want to share

the ray of hope I find

That leaks

through the cracks

in my jar of clay

painted to mask

and disguise

all of my

imperfections

and tattered lines

But little do I know

nor do I realize

the brokenness and shards

I vainly try to hide

are exactly what I need

are the very things you choose

to get me out of the way

for your light to shine through

Picture Show

All those years, I sat in tears, thinking no one knew me

I would cry, as they passed by

and only looked right through me

Invisible, in my own world, where nothing else could faze me

If I disappeared, away from here, someone would replace me

Everything was meaningless, in my sea of loneliness

But there’s just one you, and there’s just one me

We comprise one whole, individually

There’s a woven web, made of human hearts

With no exclusions, or interchangeable parts

There’s a difference made, more than you can know

Every step you take, everywhere you go

In the Master’s plan, is accounted for

You’re a melody, playing high and low

Part of the music in, the Grand Picture Show

So many days, I thought of ways, to rise above my trials

I’d fall again, and that’d begin, another downward spiral

I tried so hard, I ripped apart, so trapped in desperation

I found myself, calling for help, and begging for salvation

Life was all devastating, with my demands and controlling

But there’s just one God, and He’s not me

Nothing happens here, accidentally

There’s a woven web, made of human hearts

With no exclusions, or interchangeable parts

Every time I fail, and make another mess

I’m met with His love, and His forgiveness

I’m a harmony, playing high and low

Part of the music in, the Grand Picture Show

So if you expect, a level playing field

Where we’re all the same, what would that song yield

Like a choice of words, stuck within the throat

There’s no rhythm heard, to a single note

We’ll have ups and downs, life will be unfair

But we can stay on course, once we’re aware

That we’re a symphony, playing high and low

Part of the music in, the Grand Picture Show

I’m Gonna Make It

I’m investing in me now, and it’s a high price

But if I believe, I don’t have to think twice

I’ll serve the penance, and I’ll pay the toll

Just don’t try to stop me because I’m on a roll

I may have walked the proverbial mile

But I’m gonna make it, and I’ll get there in style

God Doesn't Wear a Watch

How much longer do I have to wait?

How much more time is it going to take?

I have a schedule and don’t want to be late.

How much of a sacrifice do I have to make?

Why do I have to go so far out of my way?

Isn’t it enough that I said I would pray?

I really don’t have time for helping today.

I have to get moving. What more can I say?

It’s not what you say; it’s about what you do

to show others his love and how he always comes through

and to learn to obey everything He tells you

so you can stand on His word and believe it is true.

Unrestricted by time, He has a plan.

His timing is perfect, we may not understand.

But He is in control by the strength of His hand.

And our purpose is sharing Him with every man.

The Face of Glory

One day at a time, step by step I go one mile after another

like following footprints in the snow.

My feet slide out from under beneath of me at times

And I am all asunder with broken pieces left behind

But I can walk faster now, after I’ve fallen.

I can get up again, I’ve not forgotten.

There’s a silver lining around every cloud

and I’ll find the good within the bad somehow.

The sun is still shining just over the horizon, I have to believe it.

It’s an uphill battle on my journey home.

This path isn’t easy, but I’m never alone.

I’m climbing higher now after the rain.

I am inspired somehow in spite of the pain.

Although the going is tough and it feels like too much and I want to give up.

I keep pressing through for one day I will see You

and the Face of Glory will be shining on me.

And I can walk faster now, after I’ve fallen.

I can get up again, I’ve not forgotten.

There’s a silver lining around every cloud

and I’ll find the good within the bad somehow.

The sun is still shining just over the horizon, I have to believe it.

And I’ll keep moving on, and I’ll keep growing strong until the road I travel on

is paved with gold and I behold the Face of Glory shining on me.

The Two Lives of Mary

The entirety of the universe radiates from her eyes. 

Cutting clarity springs from her lips, escaping her clattering teeth. 

Her enticing smile secures her next victim;
 his heart no longer within his control. 

Is it her beauty that draws him to her? Her confident posture?
Daring stance? 

The way the light dances about within the air that surrounds her? 

Her illuminated kindness envelopes her with warmth 

while the coolness of her cunning electrifies the particles of 

their overlapping special tensions.
Yet the greater intrigue lies with her retreat.

Folding herself neatly as she reclines, eyes intently focused on 

the non-existent something fluttering within her mind.

 Her face reflects serenity. An ethereal peace blankets her, 

the lovely lilly of elegance and grace unfurled.
What human hands could hold her? 

What worldly plans could mold her? 

The most anyone could hope for is a glimpse into her soul.

Really Do Life Well

Raise your banner high – reach for the sky

Dare to dream big – Don’t be limited

Learn more every day – Lighten your way

Work in balance – Welcome each challenge

Really do life well