The Ones

What waters crash, what fires burn

That can abate the impassioned soul?

Whose words deceive, whose arrows pierce

The Ones with hearts made whole?

The Ones, they share a path their own.

With faith they see they're not alone!

The Ones, they have a great power to wield

And it acts with Life as their glorious shield.

As another looks on, he sees not men

But grace and hope that shines beyond

To draw wanderers to Him again.

The Ones, they fight and they rage

Only tomorrow to pray and cage

All anger to mourn for those who oppose their way.

The Ones tear up and scatter dry bones

To merge and gather battered stones.

The Ones live with Love in their hearts

And hatred for things which break apart

The strings and ropes that connect them to their Start.

The Ones are joyful in every Season;

In Summer, Winter, Fall, Spring they find reason

To rejoice in all that is perceived.

The Ones stand on their Hills and watch.

They watch as the birds soar in the morn

And fire bursts up from beneath at dusk.

Their visage never leaves as others wrong the tusk

And poach humanity of that with which we're born:

Innocence beaten and broken by nightmares,

But still The Ones unfailingly keep their stares

On that which is below and consumes their prayers.

The Ones are hated, envied, and judged

While they ensure never to keep a grudge.

It is The Ones that give and beg of others to Live

Above the filth, disease, and Death that hurt and misgive.

Only The Ones have removed the veil

And see Beauty to tell the tale.

The Ones watch on their Hills and witness the End.

They smile and embrace as their weary souls no longer have to defend

Truth and Love from being perverted and lost.

The Ones are finally repaid for their cost

As they reach the resting place of the Cross.

Between The Cracks (Inspired by John Mark McMillan)

"There's a man down here, somewhere between those Saturday cartoons and the dirty magazines, He's raising the dead in the graveyards where we've laid down our dreams and His name is Hope." - John Mark McMillan

Have you ever awoken to the vision of dreams,

Only seeing a sliver of light through the door's small seams?

And in those cracks comfort is found,

For the darkness alone would crush and drown.

What of the walks you have taken of recent?

Remember the bits and pieces of chords gone out of tune

Talking of sex, drugs, or a meaningless noon...

Then the man speaking of Love.

Bless that man!

He thinks True and gives chance to yesterday's gloom.

What of our things, haven't you noticed?

Stream-lined, trimmed, but cold and dead even still.

Yet many feel more for the screen, their letters and tones.

But have I not said what will come of such drones?

Yet The Hills still stand and take refugees

Fleeing their lives of angry misdeeds;

They live now between the cracks and become

The seams, leaking out light to those who need.

Studies

I have studied so much Organic Chemistry in the past 48 hours I almost can't stop thinking about electrons; they are everything.

It is a Journey

     Over the past couple of weeks (especially this one) God has taken me on an epic Journey in my mind. He has instilled ideals and systems in me to which I can put no name. I have no clue where He is leading me, but I feel His presence. I am so thankful for this growth; I am trying to hold to it steadfastly, without waver.
     It may be the film scores and classical music I've been listening to recently (like right now), but I am experiencing both the grandeur and the horribleness of humanity (I am also reading Les Misérables). He has taken me through this rationale of how great humanity can be, but how wicked we can turn. For some reason or another - I'll not question it - this, and many other factors, have helped to improve my prayer life. What is this?! I don't even understand where it comes from, but I accept it for what it is because I know it comes from God. I know it so firmly I'll put it like this: I feel the breath of Jesus as He whispers to the Holy Spirit who walks with me. (Now this is figurative speech, I haven't had a vision of Jesus or literally felt His breath, but I have experienced sensations of...unexpainable content.)
     To the horribleness of humanity I'll give a word. I am not supposing that I am exempt from this notion, but that Jesus is. With that being said, I feel a great sadness for those who "know not what they do." I know I have growth because my focus on the lost does not rest on their "bad habits/wicked ways, etc." (whatever people have called immoral or ill-advised behavior), but rather my focus is turned to how sad it is that life is being missed (note here: I am listening to "Lamentations of the Heart" by Philip Wesley, so I could easily sound lamenting). Yet, that is exactly what is happening! People gaze at pretty things without ever turning around to witness that most Beautiful and True thing that is on the Earth!
     Pray for God's favor to rest upon His people and that they display the grace given them.

Love the Great

"And what is it that you seek -

To find and maybe hold?"

But for a while this question rings

Until time is over - now too old.

Employ the youth within your bones!

Grasp each slippery thought:

Find the idea to fit the mold -

Seeking the Sheep by whom you're bought.

With each vital step come close,

Close to whisper, "What is the greatest?"

Breath no longer can we hold

But must know what's greatest!

Now known and wise it seems.

And Love is yet another way to Die.

Death be silent, don't move a hand.

Follow me! Hear my cry!

Walk away, farewell the Friends,

With nothing more but the End.

Love the Great to Sacrifice - 

Knowing never to Descend.

Anthem of the Poor

Oh! that we could remain that way,

Remain that way

Like the day

We bore our hardships!

We worried heavy, but spoke light,

Never giving in to fright:

Unable in us to ignite

That fiery chaos so common with their plight.

Truly we could live without that care

Of "money, esteem, and status" affair

Which always gropes to ensnare.

Yet not us.

No, not us will it grab and drag

Below the scum and rag

That clothes our backs without lag,

As one who invariably assists the Hag.

Sure, we struggle and cry.

Still I ask you why,

"Why lay down, give up, and die?"

Though others have, not I!

We could starve and be cold

Living in our house of mold,

At young age grow old.

And again I ask, "Why not be bold?"

We haven't much food but we avoid sin,

Humbly accepting as the Kingdom calls in,

Us with tears in eyes as we begin

To make our journey to our final Home.

Misplaced Time

From daybreak our minds rise and time begins.

We walk through it and watch it go by.

The Sun, the clouds, the trees, the Sky

All dancing for our watchful eye. 

Minutes pass and years have left 

Age old scenes still take our breath 

The waters continue to flow

On and on and on

While people come and go.

River

Thick, warm legs (as tiny as such can be)
Scurry and hustle as fast as the wind will blow.
Blonde curls fly to and fro
With little arms pumping: all to reach Me.
My knees sore from such a long wait
But my heart elated at the sight
Of this angel pushing with all its might
Only to find my arms in an open state.
Then a clash and feet lift off
While teeth shine brightly
And the Sun warms more might'ly
The Two laughing with Spirits alof'.
Joy so heavy that no man could hoist,
With a feeling indescribable but to those who've Rejoiced
At the mere creation of such a Thing
As the happy, innocent embodiment of giggling.
God Himself made known and manifested
In both: as golden Love and infinite Hope.
Tightly they remain in Glory lest it
Should ever end by a parting grope.

What Is Worth A Life?

Die not for the state of things,
Die for the Hope of Restoration.
Values change not in importance or merit,
But adherence may wax and wane.
Live for the moon to be seen.
Pass for ideals much greater.
Waste not a breath, nor spare one,
For each comes as precariously as the next.
Give Life to the Goodness of old
And let it starve today's Moral Cold.

1 Peter 1: 6-9 (An Inspiration)

Rejoice in Salvation!

Rejoice through current blunderings,

Through the many wonderings,

and the mistakes of the Nation.

Rejoice through tests,

For they prove Faith.

Suffer what is necessary, as it saith,

Tested Faith is Praise, Glory, Honor not seen in rests.

Blind, but Joyful am I.

For while I do not see I believe.

And though the Devil is sly

And will never give reprieve,

My Joy is over-filled and complete.

Glory washes over and protects,

With Graces ever sweet,

Forever saving Souls that were Asleep.

I Smile Now

This terror! What awful things I've done!
To live so loosely, have I no control?
"Move your eyes, direct your hands, enslave your thoughts!"
I refuse to follow what I Love, yet fall victim to what I despise.
This can't happen, this can't be me.
I stand, swallow my dry throat,
Then let out a sigh of relief.
The jubilation, the Joy from the words I read!
It was false, nothing but a fake.
I laugh, giddy and great.
Comfortable, secure, and strong,
Without the hinders of my wrong.

A smile fit for Kingdom's courts
Flashes into mind.
It's Beauty beyond the eyes.
My mood is fresh, my gait is light.
With words He lifted my burden and set me right.
Sending Peace to my soul, my heart is loud.
I smile now.

Inspired by Romans 7:15 and following Paul's thoughts just by coincidence or by The Holy Spirit...probably the latter

Nature's Guidance

I am alone in the crowds,

Even with an acquaintance or more.

I lose myself in the clouds

Because the rest is a bore.

I see myself smile, I see myself wave

At most people I recognize,

While slowly circling my grave.

Yet I lift my head to wondrous skies,

Knowing there are better things in life.

And so I flow into Nature,

Seeking solace from my strife

Within the grasses, flowers, and all.

And once welcomed by that Body,

I find myself, not alone, but Living.

Inside the trees, the breeze, ...at ease.

While at ease I find the moments were never dull;

My focus was simply misplaced, that was all.

Just an explanation: I do not believe that people are taken up into Nature and that Pantheism is the whole. I believe that Nature was created by God and therefore contains expressions of God. Man is also connected to Nature in ways that were set while walking in the Garden, so I do think Nature is important in journeying with God. (But it can never be the end-all be-all that is expressed in Pantheism.)

Songs Without Meaning

It's all riddles and words,
Songs without meaning.
Shepherds tending their herds,
On staffs they are leaning.

It's all riddles and words
These lives we lead.
Do we fly with the birds
Or do the swimmers we heed?

Riddles and words, riddles and words
That swell and confuse.
Tawdry traps these strings of words,
Which ensnare and abuse.

It's all riddles and words,
But I found the key.
It isn't about smiles or hurts,
Not for you, nor for me.

These riddles and words
I now clearly see,
Determine our conc'rds
And shape our history.

It's in riddles and words
That we may truly find
Breath in sails gone seawards,
So we are not left behind.

Because when riddles and words
Are deciphered and keyed,
His Peace will flow inwards,
The Voice of Truth we will heed.

Hopes and Tears, Worries and Fears

Thoughts that torment, writhe, and reek

Burn with anguish, fester, and turn bleak

My wearied heart which still holds fast

Dear hopes and memories of what has passed.

I cry out and struggle with all my might

To seek out the path which I deem right.

Yet hopes and tears

Cling and scratch my mind,

While worries and fears

Haunt my eyes to render me blind.

What to make of hopes and tears, worries and fears,

But dreams and fantasies of unlikely years?

No, I turn my face and reside in Him,

The One I love who formed my every limb.

And in place of tears, fears, hopes and worries

I find peace and comfort in all His Glories!

Which quiets and soothes

My tired and stubborn Spirit

With tender words of whispered melodies

So that I may lean in and finally hear it.

And hear it I do!

I pray I forever will.

For it sings that I be still.

Oh, how it sings so true!

Be still and know

One has said unto me.

So I heed this wholeheartedly,

And follow the path wherever it may go.

Depths of a Heart

To walk boldly into the depths of a heart
And with not but the purpose to Love
Can crumble fortified walls decorated with art;
Send them crashing down in heaps and droves.

To walk boldly into the depths of a heart
Promising to fulfill our King's demands
And plant with invisible force a beautiful start
Of Glorified souls to bear fruits and grow.

This is a man's great journey.
This is a woman's sweet song.
This is for each to travel
And for all to belong.

The depths of a heart
Are designed to be holy
And reserved for that only
Which our Saviour sows.

Therefore, stand firm in Grace.
For then the depths of a heart
Are truly in their rightful place.

My eyes are red and my heart, it's blue.
She turned away, but so we would turn to You.
Hold our hearts, don't let them move.
Fasten our souls, like soldiers' boots.
We'll fight for You, screaming out.
For Grace has shown our hidden route.
And though my heart is blue
And my red eyes ache,
We choose to follow Your guiding Hand
wherever it leads us in this land.

Where it leads we do not know,
But to walk with You is our only hope.
We speak to You and invite You in,
Which protects and rids from any sin.
Your Love and armor, our Faith now strong.
In every battle, we are not alone.
So with red eyes and heart so blue,
I rejoice in and praise always You.

As Summer Fades

I can't believe summer has already come and gone.
It seems as though it was just last year I was going to UAB... But in all seriousness it went by quite quickly. And now I am off to another place to settle into. Have terrible school stuff to do, but I am excited about the Fall.
The worst part is leaving before you are ready. Summer could be extended for much much longer. I have had such a good time with friends and philosophical arguments, food and beautiful scenery, and so much more. But I AM leaving and I DO have to make big decisions for the future soon.

So wish me luck.

Come in, come in.

Your Goodness is welcome here.

It's Your stillness that eradicates my fear

And lifts me up to love with a new heart made only pure.

Come in, come in.

Your Goodness is needed here.

The Captor

Just to explain: This sounds very dark, but it actually doesn't have anything to do with where I have been in my life. God's been good, everything is decent.
Just mostly about how the Devil is always attempting to tempt as best He can.

He whispers nothing into my mind
And there He leaves it in that bind.
To move, to run, to flee!
Not options given me.


I scratch and claw and scream for help
But Jesus pleads me not to yelp.
Endure...


But He! He takes me once again
And crushes my mind with an angry reign.
My fight, my battle, it can't be won
So I call upon God's only Son.


Yet here am I in darkness thick,
Incapable of stopping it:
The onslaught of terrors to my soul.
I'm shrouded out and not in reach.


If only it weren't my soul He did breach.
And still it is so that I cry out,


"I scratch and claw and scream for help
But Jesus pleads me not to yelp."
Endure...

Misty Mountain Grace

Mist and haze of summer days

Clouds so low which hold our gaze

Along this road we lost our way

And now found home in the Smoky Maze

In the mountains we forget the days

The trees whisper away our names

Smoke forever clouds the face

And our music holds all meaning

This music picks the frogs and ticks

Strums out living thunder thick

With slaps of light to show our minds

God's creatures dancing with each chord

In the blue-green and high above

We see not out nor in by much

But know what holds our place:

The Misty Mount and her sober grace

Rock and slate and slipp'ry stone

Are only parts of the throne

Which holds the mountain man

Who alone hears God's brilliant plan

A Little on Knowledge

To believe that knowing more is to gain Truth is simply folly. Knowledge, just plain knowing, is not inherently good or bad, so it cannot possess Truth unless something or (more likely) Someone adds Truth to that particular knowledge. To know more of Truth is absolutely good because the Word of God is Truth and Jesus is the Word. Therefore we find that Jesus resides within Truth, wherever one may find it. If something seems to possess Truth but cannot profess the name of Jesus it is blasphemous and made crooked by the Devil. Jesus is at the heart of mathematical proofs because they are knowledge of something He designed or Spoke to be. This is a small example of a way Jesus exists in all Truth. Something to ponder.

Something About Writing

What is within becomes without and runs to naught but ought to go before the One who brought that earth-made-man up to Life by the blood upon man's own hands.

It is without Love that Life ceases to be true, runs awry and away from good to eternal nothing-hood.

The Ship upon the sea will pitch and turn, even throw off thee, but He whose side poured the water on which it sails remains constant and even on an unshakable plane full of invitation and the only vibrancy that expels or even secretes living Adventure, yet scarce with people becomes this plane.

I love the smell of rain!

I Don't Know

I don't know where I am.
How did I get here? When will I get out
Of this place and off this route?
Where is it that I am?

I don't know where I am.
I walk in circles and think for days
But find no answers for these ways.
Where is it that I am?

I don't know where to go.
I asked and crowed for help.
With vigor I did yelp!
To no avail, but it is so.

I don't know where I am.
What to do if I know not?
Nothing. Die, rot.
Where is it that I am?

I don't know where I am.
How will I be found?
I must go alone and underground.
Where is it that I've gone?

God made today. Be glad for this.
God knows everything that happened today. Be glad for this.
God was at work today. Be glad for this.
God sent His Spirit to His children today. Be glad for this.

Rejoice! for our God created all things and none can reign above Him. Rejoice! for His Son Jesus has saved our lives.

Chelsea is all over me today. It is niiiiiice. BUt really, she is like one of those little clinging monkeys that holds on for dear life. I finished my organic lab today. Good stuff bros. Okay bye.

A Misconception

I have encountered this problem too many times and it is time to put it to rest.  The idea that only one person out of the billions on Earth is your potential spouse is ridiculous. It is not any less romantic because of this, but it is less dreamy I suppose. People have similarities and there are many different qualities that are likable by a number of different people.  The distinction is that once you have decided upon a spouse, that is the one and only person for you.  Your soul mate is the one who you are committed to, not whoever you like most right now. It is a slight distinction, but really important to remember.

Song of Songs

"As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among women."
- Songs 2:2

I have walked through fields, traveled through thickets full with briers which pull at my clothing and hold to my feet. I tire of pulling at them and ridding the itch from my skin, so they are left. Left to shred and prod at my sides, to bear witness to my weariness, and to show that my travels have been long. Then I notice from afar, soft grasses with a lily pure white with fresh pinks dazzling in the sun. Why have I found this here? My spurs and thorns could tear its gentle petals! I must rid myself of these clinging remains, and leave them far from the lily's precious sight, never again to fall victim, only to enjoy my respite.

Whoa!

This has nothing to do with you, it's me...
But it really always has been.  I finally realized that all my previous relationships were...lacking, messed up, stupid, or weird, simply because I was all of these things, plus the biggest factor of all: I was not in love with my Creator above any of these girls.  I can say with certainty that I am now in love with God more than anything else. It has been a long road to get here, but the journey has prepared me for many trials and tribulations plus the ones I am sure will come.  I haven't been the worst, but I haven't been myself either. If I had done everything a godly man is supposed to do, I would have no regrets. As it is, I have them, but I am not grief-stricken because of them, nor do I feel guilty.  God has forgiven me along with others, but I have also forgiven myself after a very long time of being dumb anyway.  It is as C.S. Lewis said, "It (being in love) helps to make us generous and courageous, it opens our eyes not only to the beauty of the beloved but to all beauty... You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling." This is pure genius people! How on Earth can we go on feeling the same way always? The only thing we can base a life on is something/someone who is Almighty. I'm talking about God here (the Trinity).  What gives me the strength to overcome petty desires and my short-comings as well as those of others? My love of God. Loving God unreservedly really and truly gives so much confidence and peace and power. Try it out. It won't disappoint.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus (God)

There seems to be a lot of confusion about Mary among Christians. Many will disagree with what I will claim, but they also disagree based on prejudices and ignorance (not in the negative sense but rather that they have not been given enough information). Mary was vowed to the service of the Lord by her mother, Anne. This meant that she would be raised serving in the temple and living in purity. (Yes, purity means she took vows to be a virgin.) Of course, anyone can discredit this by saying it is not explicitly in the Bible, but without information that is not explicitly in the Bible, much of it would not have been preserved. Also, there is a prominent record, Protoevangelium of James, that describes the history of Mary. It claims Mary required a companion who would protect her virginity. This is where Joseph enters her life. He is said to be an older widower, who already had children. Therefore Jesus would have had STEP-brothers. Another claim about brethren of Jesus is that they were his cousins - in that time they were referred to as brothers. (Personally, I think a family that is close enough to say this about cousins is awesome. I wish it were this way still.) To further support ideas of Mary, her vow was meant to be life-long. You can claim that the Mother of our Savior broke this vow, but I don't think that is the case. (It is more likely that this vow did not exist, which would not change the importance of Mary or the idea that Jesus did not have direct siblings.) For more support, look to the end of the Gospel of John, as Jesus hands her over to his beloved disciple. If she had other sons, they would take care of her. I personally believe Mary died and was then assumed into heaven. It goes without question that she was holy - one devoted to God - so why would she not be assumed into heaven? To put to rest the idea that I would worship anyone other than the Trinity.. "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death." I've asked plenty of people to pray for me and I do not view this any differently. The Bible says we are surrounded by "a great cloud of witnesses", so my request for prayer is not pointless (Hebrews 12:1). Take it or leave it.. In the end it is most important to just Praise Jesus!!