Greater Things

I know what it takes to play the Christian game
because it's always the same
putting forth a face
to act proper in our respective church spaces.
But I'm so tired of just playing nice;
Jesus paid way too high a price
for us to pretend to have life figured out
when in reality we have doubts
about God
and we live as flawed,
fallen creatures.

Why can't we just come together,
untethered at the seams,
because in Christ we have the means
to become whole.
Yes give Him heart, mind, and soul
If we hold nothing back
we will find our needs met and lack
nothing.
We will find ourselves fully known and fully loved:
the very thing we covet
but fear most,
which is why we boast
so often about our success
and keep quiet about failed conquests.

When will we finally learn what we've been taught from birth?
The Creator of Earth knows our worth
not because of what we've done
but because of His son.
We are cloaked in Christ;
Oh what a heavenly heist
He pulled on the cross to take on my sin
He showed us we can win
in our spiritual battles
riding Freedom's saddle
down from Calvary
into joy and victory
claiming our reward when at last history
ends
and Eternity begins.

This is what I live for
walking through every door
the Lord opens along the way
until that glorious day.
Until then, yes, until then,
from womb to tomb
let me learn to obey
that I may simply stay
in Your presence my whole life long
lived out as the melody of a sacrificial song
pleasing to Your ear
and driving out the fear
this world instills.
When Jesus fulfilled our Father's will
His perfect love cast out fear for good
and we no longer ask "Should we"
but as His beloved we ask "May we"
laying aside our legalistic tendencies
to live as Pharisees
instead resting in Holiness, and Grace
as Holy Spirit fills every place
of this bodily temple
reminding me whose I am,
welcoming me into His family.
It is with this Body of Believers
I am relieved
of my old way of life,
leaving behind sin to be a faithful wife.

The bride of Christ,
known to most as the Church,
is the place disciples are nurtured.
They grow from milk to meat,
learning to live like wheat,
dying,
but somehow finding
life abundant more than imagined
and worldly things once distraction
are now further proof of God's glory
as His story is woven throughout His creation.
What elation I have to know
I get to go
wherever my Father does
simply because He enjoys me
and sent His song to be
a sacrifice in place of what I deserve.

Now I hope to converse
with as many as possible,
sharing this unbelievable Gospel,
this incredible Good News
that puts to shame any other ruse
promising all but delivering nothing.
Yeah the devil will tempt  you with lies of riches and fame,
but there is only One Name
I want to make famous
and because He's contagious,
you will, too, after just one encounter
with the founder
of galaxies.
The Almighty God,
powerful and raw,
but merciful and forgiving,
blessing me to make a living,
but asking me to never just sit back.
His burden is light,
but it's still right
to give me all as I answer His call
to love Him with everything
and all His children.

Now don't build in the sinking sand,
but put your foundation on the Rock:
Jesus Christ the Living Word,
just as you have heard,
and everything I've said will be possible.
We can do no thing apart from Him,
so thank God, quite literally,
that where two or more are gathered in His name
He is there in the their midst,
and He will assist in our call to live Holy,
so Wake. Up. Church.

It's time to do "Greater Things Than These."



10/24/16

The Faceless Mask (Revised)

It doesn’t matter who I can be;

What matters is what you see

this mask I put forth in front of me

that becomes your reality.

This mask can be anything;

It can show happiness when I sing

or sadness when your words sting.

It can show humility or the pride of a king.

It can show what I want you to see

so easy it is to deceive

although I try hard to be

genuine and live authentically.

But not everyone does

I know this because

a rude awakening was

thrust upon me and gave me pause

I thought I knew this girl

but as she spoke the truth unfurled;
it left my thoughts in a whirl

Amidst such grime, is anywhere the beauty of a hidden pearl?

I need something to make sense of it all

I’m watching my foundations fall

as everything I thought I knew snowballs

and I find myself feeling quite small

Who we truly are behind

whatever mask we feel inclined

to put on is our soul, heart, and mind;

together, combined.

But we’re afraid of being known,

afraid of who may throw the next stone,

when people realize we aren’t who they’ve been shown

Above all, we cower before God’s throne.

Thinking we can fool our Creator,

we unknowingly become traitors

as we follow whatever dictator

we think can make us greater

But I’m tired of living inside

relationships with walls that divide

I’d rather have someone confide

in me and I in them as we live side by side

Yes let’s let Love be magnified
Only then will we be satisfied

and no longer alone but occupied

with thoughts of leaving lies by the wayside

Who will join me in throwing off our faceless masks?

Let’s bask

in being fully known and fully loved as we ask

our friends to help us in this task.

God sees through our masks anyway,

so let’s not delay

in approaching Him today.
Let Him shape and mold us as vessels of clay -

Devoted to living authentically

to bring glory to the One who created the person behind each mask.

10/14/16

Love Unconditional

In Response to my previous poem, "Blind" / "Their Inner Circle"

You pursue me relentlessly
so I can love unconditionally
all those around me
even though enemy they might be.
In Christ I have the victory
so none can harm me beyond repair.
In Jesus I dare
to reach out and up
from my overflowing cup
I share every blessing
ever confessing
Jesus is king - let freedom ring
as only it can in Truth.
His Truth.
And what is God's Truth?
John 3:16
This hope I've seen
not just in dreams
but up close and personal, in reality.
From my hometown city
to the Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Every adventure I've had
every good and every bad
Christ is here.
I don't need drugs or a beer
to feel good or escape reality
Because Jesus is my sanity.
I live with morality
to honor Christ and all He's done
because from Him my joy has come.
I need nothing else.
No person or wealth
I only ask for perfect health
so I can serve You faithfully with everything:
my heart, soul, mind, and strength
no matter my life's length.
And the people who cross my path...
I won't be daft
enough to expect perfection,
just gentle divine correction
as we grow in holiness and Christ-likeness
reaching from glory to glory and leaving the mess
of sin behind.
I have been wined and dined
by the finest Gent alive
and with Jesus by my side
all things are possible:
Including Love.
So I will love all and love well
and make sure to tell
those I love just why I love
because of our God above
who came to mortal earth
despite His eternal worth.
He died on a tree upon Calvary
in my place so I can live free
without the need for man's approval
or pursuit.
My Father's pursuit is enough
so I can love every rough
edge and hardened personality
of any friend or foe
since I'm filled head to toe
with Jesus.
Holy Spirit come abide
I will be Your precious bride
and do all You call me to
because in You I am new.
Make me new, Lord,
every day as I get to know You more.
Lay aside the old and mold my core
for Your Holy Purpose
whether that's the circus or full-time ministry
wherever I am just open my eyes to see
Your Children
and love them in a way this world can't.
As I finish my rant let me say once more
I will not keep score
of who returns what favor,
rather I will savor
the knowledge of Christ my Savior
and let my Creator love through me.
Yes I will love YOU
No matter what you do.


09/14/16

Blind / Their Inner Circle

I see their pain.
They don't think I do so they feign
living the dream
so it would seem
they don't know
just how far I would go
to give of myself,
my wealth,
anything for their wholeness or health.
But they never come to me.
They don't see
how they have each other
so I simply become another
possibility they could go to
but never actually do.
I become unfulfilled potential;
I mean do I really need credentials
to do what I love, which is loving people?!
Must I become a counselor to become a friend?
One worth their time to lend
an ear to hear
every worry and fear
they hold most dear
inside themselves?

Yet I remain underwhelmed
by their efforts to seek me out
and I only ever hear about
their lives, rather than investing into their lives.
How long will I live with one foot inside their circle,
the other waiting for a miracle:
the words of an invitation,
oh what elation
to know they know what I can be:
A shoulder to cry on,
a companion until dawn,
if only they would act upon
my faithful presence in their lives.
I'm not perfect,
but I've come a long way
in learning to stay
by their side each and every day.
Now every glance, every touch,
every smile I make,
only love is in its wake
Every action I do
It's all screaming, "I'M HERE FOR YOU!"
I'm here for you.

I know I lack candor
when using words to express my affection,
especially face to face,
so this poem is my confession
that I've been hurt by being left outside
Now I've been the one whose lied
about being fine when y'all are blind
to how your actions affect my feelings
and I find myself kneeling,
praying and pleading,
for the Lord to give me an outlet for my compassion
for someone who will come to me
and let me see
every tear that falls
without hiding behind a wall.
Someone to let me hold them through the night,
to stand beside them in every emotional fight.
Is there anyone out there? To let me care?
Because I'm out of strength
to fight being kept at arm's length.
This inner circle I'm outside of...
If I need someone, consider it done,
they are there.
But I need a two-way street,
a friend to meet me halfway.
What more can I say?

C.S. Lewis wrote about the Inner Circle,
and I think he's right.
But this circle in my sight
brings insecurities to light
and takes quite the bite
out of my confidence and self-worth,
unearthing my deep desire
to simply Love. On. People.
My attempts have been more than feeble
but still rejected and cast aside
so long as I abide outside
Their Inner Circle.



09/12/16

Furnace

Holy Spirit,

I want a flame like the one in Floyd.
I don't want to be annoyed
every time someone interrupts my day.
I want to minister in every way
showing people Your Love and Glory
telling the world this amazing story:
how Jesus came to die
to break the devil's lie
that we are worthless.

You give us worth with just one glance
And now I see life as a beautiful dance.
Yes what a romance between a perfect God
and one so incredibly flawed.
But this dance is my reality -
The Holy Spirit filling my personality
adding Holiness to my life,
only possible as Christ's wife,
for this is the Holy Spirit's work.

Give me more of Your spirit, Lord,
for I'm tired of living so incredibly bored
full of faith half-hearted and weak;
it creates a lifestyle so bleak.
Throw these lame excuses into the pyre
as You fill me with Your Holy Fire:
Unquenchable, Everlasting, and Fulfilling Your Will:
defeating the one who comes to kill
and spreading Eternal Life Abundant.


07/03/16

The Uncertainty of My Future

Dedicated to my mom who is in a similar position as me right now. I think both our hearts would cry out these words:

All these options laid out before me:
What's good? What's better?
I have no clarity.
My vision is clouded and murky;
I know who I am but where should I be?
Where should I live out my calling to be free?
Free in Christ unhindered by sin,
(oh) but I'm surrounded by this deafening din
and I cannot hear Your still, small voice.
Father, help me with my choice;
Give me wisdom and discernment,
for I know Jesus went
wherever He was sent
and I desire to do the same
always glorifying Your name,
whether I'm leading children's games
or rapidly growing in fame,
preaching across the country.
What's good? What's better?
I've decided it doesn't matter.
So long as I live to obey
following the one true way
I will have neither good
nor better but the best.
This is how I want the rest
of my life to play out
even in seasons of spiritual drought.
The time to decide is soon.
But even now I will tune
the melody my life sings
to carry me on eagle's wings
as I live to serve You every moment
remembering how the curtain rent
as You took Your last breath on Earth
to show me how much I'm worth.
I was a slave in chains
blinded by pursuit of selfish gain
and serving fruitless idols,
but You did not stand idly by.
Rather, You came from heaven to die:
To purchase my freedom
with every drop of Your priceless blood
as You hung on a tree
all because of Your concern for me.
"For Freedom Christ has set us free."
Your own Word says so,
therefore I will go. I will simply. Go.
I will not shackle myself in
with worry of where I'll be livin'.
I choose freedom here and now
as I choose every day to bow
no matter where I am or what job I obtain.
I will stay sane
if I hold to this one aim:
to Know You Jesus, and Make You Known.
So help me make my choice,
help me cut out the noise,
but remind me You've already given me life,
and You care more about my faithfulness as Your wife
than my job title.
It will be because of my pursuit after You,
and not my choosing of a certain career,
that I will delight in the words:
"Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.
Well Done."


06/29/16

Becoming Reality

This poem inspired by the idea of Sanctification and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives:

I want to be
Purity
Embodied.
I want to be
Holiness
in the Flesh.
I want to be
Perfect
in every Respect
just as my Jesus is.
And through His power...
All this "to be"
Becomes Reality.


01/30/16