IT'S TIME TO HIDE AND BE QUIET

GOD HAS MY FRONT, LIKE HE DID FOR DANIEL
WITH THE PHILISTINES
AFTER DANIEL HAD SLAIN
THEIR NINE-FOOT GIANT GOLIATH WITH NO STRUGGLE,
WITH JUST A SLING AND A LITTLE PEBBLE.
MY SWEET JESUS
IS TELLING ME
TO HIDE IN THE COTTONWOOD TREES
JUST LIKE I DID WHEN I WAS FIVE
TO HIDE FROM MY THEN GOLIATH.
AND NOW HE'S TELLING ME AGAIN,
THAT I'VE DONE ENOUGH FIGHTING ON MY OWN.
MY SWEET JESUS WANTS TO TAKE OVER,
AND SLAY MY NINE-FOOT-IT-SEEMS GIANT,
GOLIATH AGAIN.
SO I'M GOING BACK
TO MY GRANDADDY'S COTTON FARM
IN MY MIND
AND CLIMB AND HIDE
IN  MY HIGHEST AND FAVORITE
COTTONWOOD TREE.

2 SAMUEL 5:22-25-- ONCE MORE THE PHILISTINES CAME UP AND SPREAD OUT IN THE VALLEY OF REPHAIM; SO DAVID INQUIRED OF THE LORD, AND HE ANSWERED, "DO NOT GO STRAIGHT UP, BUT CIRCLE AROUND BEHIND THEM AND ATTACK THEM IN FRONT OF THE POPLAR TREES . AS SOON ASK YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF MARCHING IN, THE TOPS OF THE POPLAR TREES, KMOVE QUICKLY, BECAUSE THAT WILL MEAN THE LORD HAS GONE OUT IN FRONT OF YOU TO STRIKE THE PHILISTINE ARMY. SO DAVID DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED HIM...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

I CAN'T CHANGE HIM,
AND I CAN'T CHANGE HER,
AND I CERTAINLY CAN'T CHANGE THEM.
I CAN'T CHANGE WHAT THEY THINK OF ME.
IT'S FUTILITY.
I CAN ONLY CHANGE ME,
ACCORDING TO GOD'S
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH.
BEAM ME UP, JESUS.
AND I MUST SPEAK OUT FOR MYSELF,
NOT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK THE TRUTH -
GOD'S WRITTEN WORD,
WRITTEN ON MY HEART,
AND AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE,
ADDRESS NORMALLY NOT INCLUDED.
GOOGLE IT.
I TRY VERY HARD TO SPREAD JESUS' LOVE,
TO EVERYONE,
EXCEPT MAYBE TO MYSELF,
THANKS TO ALL OF THIS SHADRACK, MESCHACH
AND ABEDNEGO SEEMINGLY UNENDING ABUSE.
SO I TRY, TRY, TRY 
TO KEEP MY EYES HIGH, HIGH, HIGH
UPON THE PRIZE,
UPON MY SWEET JESUS,
STANDING THERE WAITING
O, SO PATIENTLY
RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.
CAN'T YOU SEE?
AND DESPITE THE BIG WOOD SPLINTER IN MY EYE,
HIS ARMS ARE OPENED WIDE,
AND HE'S SMILING,
AND AS HE LOOKS INTO MY EYES,
I SEE THE REFLECTION OF ME
AND FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE,
I FEEL UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.


PSALM 17:8  KEEP ME AS THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE; HIDE ME IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS.

 

 

 

MISERY LOVES COMPANY

MISERY LOVES COMPANY.
THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.
AND IT'S VERY TRUE.
WHEN' YOU'VE BEEN TREATED
LIKE YOU'RE SOMETHING ICKY
STUCK TO SOMEONE'S EXPENSIVE SHOE,
SOMEONE WHO THINKS THEY'RE BETTER THAN YOU
'CUZ THEY LIVE IN A NICE HOUSE
AND DRIVE A NICE CAR
AND WHERE NICE CLOTHES
AND YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT
AND CAN BARELY AFFORD THE GAS IT TAKES
TO GET TO YOUR NEW JOB,
PRAISE GOD,
MISERY LOVES COMPANY.
SO WHO DO YOU TURN TO
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE NO ONE CARES ABOUT YOU?
WHEN YOU FEEL SO DOWN
THAT YOU CAN HARDLY SEE THE SUN PEAKING THROUGH,
WHAT ARE YOU TO DO?
WELL, FOR ME, IT'S TESTIFYING ABOUT MY
COMPLETELY MESSED UP LIFE,
TALKING UNASHAMEDLY ABOUT JESUS
TO THOSE BEAUTIFUL HEARTS OF THE
LESS UNFORTUNATE
AND SEEING A LIGHT SHINE IN THEIR EYES
WHEN YOU TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS' SACRIFICE
FOR UNFORTUNATE THEM.
LOOKING INTO THEIR DESIRING-TO-BE-LOVED
TEAR-FILLED EYES,
NOT THINKING THEY ARE GOOD ENOUGH
FOR BEING WASHED CLEAN BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS,
THAT BEAUTIFUL SACRIFICE.
SITTING BACK HERE IN MY WARM BED TODAY,
MY LITTLE ELVIS GIVING ME A THOUSAND KISSES,
I PRAY TO GOD THAT SOMEONE IN CHARGE
TAKES A LOOK AT THE SYSTEM
AND HAS THEIR EYES OPENED
AND SEE THAT IT'S INHUMANE
TO TREAT MISERY WITH MISERY.



PROVERBS 29:7 - THE RIGHTEOUS CARE ABOUT JUSTICE FOR THE POOR, BUT THE WICKED HAVE NO SUCH CONCERN.

PROVERBS 30:8 - ...GIVE ME NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICCHES, BUT GIVE ME ONLY MY DAILY BREAD. 

HAPPY

YOU MAY ASK ME
WHY I AM SO HAPPY TODAY
AFTER WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY,
AND THIS IS FROM MY HEART, MY SOUL
WHAT I HAVE TO SAY:
I HAVE JESUS IN MY HEART,
ASKED HIM IN WHEN I WAS FIVE.
LIVING IN A FAMILY WITH SO MUCH STRIFE.
SCREAMING AND HITTING AND
KILLING MY SOUL,
I'M NOT EXAGGERATING
WHEN I SAY THIS HAS BEEN MY LIFE
SINCE I WAS FIVE.
AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS SAVED.
I REMEMBER VERY VIVIDLY
THE SUNNY ARIZONA SUNDAY.
THE PASTOR CALLED
FOR AN ALTER CALL.
AND EVEN THOUGH
I WASN'T ALLOWED TO GO FORWARD,
JESUS KNEELED RIGHT DOWN
BY MY LITTLE SIDE
AND GENTLY PUT HIS HAND ON MY HEAD,
AND HE LOVINGLY CAME INTO
MY LITTLE BROKEN HEART.
AND EVEN THOUGH
I HAVE LEFT HIS SIDE
MORE TIMES THAN I WISH TO COUNT
(I CALL MYSELF
THE WOMAN AT THE WELL.)
JESUS HAS NEVER IN THESE MANY YEARS,
MORE THAN I WISH TO COUNT,
LEFT MY SIDE,
LEFT MY LIFE.
SO, YES,
TODAY,
THIS MOTHERS DAY,
I AM JOYFUL,
I AM AT PEACE,
I HAVE A SMILE ON MY FACE,
AND I AM HAPPY.


ROMANS 12:12-13 - BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER. SHARE WITH THE LORD'S PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED.

PICK A SIDE

WHAT'S THE THING
THAT DRAWS YOUR ATTENTION
FIRST THING IN THE MORNING?
IS IT GOD OR MAN?
PLEASE GET OFF THE FENCE
AND PICK A SIDE.
IF YOU WANT TO BE HIS LIGHT,
THEN PLEASE PICK A SIDE.
FIRST YOU'RE WARM,
THEN YOU'RE COLD.
PLEASE GET OFF THE FENCE
AND PICK A SIDE.
YOU WANT TO BE A TESTIMONY?
THEN TURN OFF YOUR TV
AND OPEN YOUR BIBLE FOR A CHANGE,
DUST IT OFF.
PLEASE GET OFF THE FENCE
AND PICK A SIDE.
PLANT A SEED,
TOUCH A HEART,
REACH OUT A LOVING HAND.
PLEASE GET OFF THE FENCE
AND PICK A SIDE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
BE A TESTIMONY.
LIGHT YOUR LIGHT.
PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR
AND GET OFF THE FENCE
AND PICK A SIDE.

PROVERBS 29:7 - THE RIGHTEOUS CARE ABOUT JUSTICE FOR THE POOR, BUT THE WICKED HAVE NO SUCH CONCERN.

IT'S A FREE COUNTRY

NOPE.
NO WAY, NO HOW.
NOT IN THE INNER CIRCLE.
NEVER HAVE BEEN.
IN FACT, I SINCERELY DOUBT
THAT MY PASTOR EVEN KNOWS MY NAME
OR THE SHAMEFUL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING
IN HIS OWN CHURCH, IN HIS OWN DOMAIN
THE DISCREPCT, THE JUDGING AND HYPOCRACY.
NO, I'M NOT GOING CRAZY.
I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST ME.
AND THOSE OF US WHO ARE TORN,
HURTING SO MUCH INSIDE,
FEELING AS IF WE DO NOT BELONG,
ARE MADE TO FEEL WORSE
BECAUSE WE ARE NOT WEARING THE RIGHT DRESS OR THE RIGHT SHOES.
THIS HARLET HEART IS CRUSHED,
IN DESPAIR,
WONDERING WHERE I WILL EVER GET THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE.
WHY ME, MY SWEET JESUS?
YOU KNOW HOW VERY WEAK I AM.
JUST ASK MY FAMILY.
AND I'M OLD.
AND I'M TIRED.
AND I'M IN PAIN.
AND I AM SO TIRED OF GETTING MY HAND BIT.
HOW MANY TIMES MUST I REACH OUT,
TRY TO BUILD BRIDGES,
PLANT SEEDS?
HAVE I NOT DONE ENOUGH
FOR YOUR KINGDOM.
I FEEL SOME TIMES AS IF I HAVE GIVEN EVERYTHING.
SO, WHAT, LORD, SHALL I CONTINUE TO SPEAK MY MIND?
SHALL I NOT BE ASHAMED THAT YOU GIVE ME VISIONS AND DREAMS?
SHALL I NOT BE ASHAMED THAT I SPEAK THE ANGELIC LANGUAGE?
SHALL I NEVER BE ASHAMED TO SAY YOUR NAME?
SO, GO AHEAD,
CUT ME OUT OF THE 'INNER CIRCLE'.
YOU SHALL NEVER STOP ME FROM TELLING MY STORY.

PHILLIPIANS 4:7

AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.

HE IS ALWAYS NEAR

I glance up in the beautiful
puffy white-clouded blue sky
through the side window in our van
on our way to yet another doctor's visit.
Being outside for me is like taking a mini vacation.
Just in case you have not read or seen
any of my other little personal missives,
most of my days are spent lying in my comfy bed,
my cherished Dachshund Elvis snuggled under his binky,
my cat Panda, who knows how beautiful she is,
perched on top of the stacks of pillows
practically lying on my head.
I try what I can
to keep the pain at bay,
but unfortunately
my God made me in such a way
that the pain I feel just wants to stay.
And sometimes when I am lying here in my room,
a thought comes to mind, and I try to painfully pull 
the right words out of my head,
praying that I am glorifying Jesus whatever I say
and maybe helping someone in this bleak world
with these simple words.
Please know that Jesus is the same
yesterday, today and tomorrow.
It is we who change.
He still performs miracles
as he did on my back.
One night I felt a warm hand inside my spine
and the next day
I threw my crutches and bulky leg brace away.
Never give up, never give in.
Never fear
for He is always near.

PSALM 19:14

MAY THESE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THIS MEDITATION OF MY HEAR BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT, LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER.

Did I?

The wind sings a melody, whistling through the leaves.
The son lights my way in this play.
The air smells so sweet
I just want to dip my feet
in that bubbling creek
making its way
through Paradise.
Did I make it?
Am I home?
Is my heartache and pain done?
Did I stay on the right path?
Did I plant seeds along the way?
Did I glorify you, my sweet Jesus?
Did I help the helpless,
give hope to the hopeless,
love the unlovable
and forgive the unforgivable?
I know I strayed a time or two or three.
But, my sweet Jesus, are you proud of me?

PSALM 19:14

MAY THESE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THIS MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT, LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER.

COMMITTED

UNDERSTANDING
AND SOLOMON WISDOM.
THESE ARE THE THINGS FOR WHICH I PRAY.
TO BE ABLE TO COMFORT AND SAY
THE RIGHT THING,
THE GODLY THING;
FOR JESUS' LIGHT TO SHINE THROUGH ME.
TO BE A BEACON TO THE LOST,
A LOVING HAND TO THE HURTING,
AND TO FORGIVE THE UNFORGIVEABLE.
JESUS, PLEASE MAKE ME MORE LIKE YOU.
MAY OTHERS THAT SEE ME
SEE YOU INSTEAD.
I DO NOT WISH FOR SILVER OR GOLD,
FOR EARTHLY TREASURES SHALL SOON FADE AWAY.
I ONLY WISH TO FOLLOW YOUR WILL
AND NEVER AGAIN
TO BE SWALLOWED BY THAT BIG FISH.
AS I GO ABOUT MY DAY TODAY,
MAY OTHERS WONDER WHY I'M SMILING
AND MAY MY SMILE PUT A SMILE
ON THEIR FACE AS WELL.
MAY I HOLD MY TONGUE
IF SOMEONE IS RUDE
AND RETURN THEIR RUDENESS
WITH YOUR PEACE AND JOY.
MAY I BE A WOMAN AFTER YOUR OWN HEART,
MY LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER.
I COMMIT MYSELF TO YOU.

PROVERBS 16:3  COMMIT TO THE LORD WHATEVER YOU DO, AND HE WILL ESTABLISH YOUR PLANS.

CALVARY

OKAY, I MUST ADMIT
I AM HAVING A HARD TIME
PLACING A SMILE ON MY FACE.
I MEAN, WE STILL HAVE TO FIND A PLACE.
STUDYING THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, THOUGH,
REMINDS ME THAT ALL I HAVE TO DO
IS PRAY FOR UNDERSTANDING AND WISDOM.
THAT'S IT.
NOT SILVER NOR GOLD.
GOD WILL GIVE IT TO US IN ABUNDANCE -
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING I MEAN
IF WE JUST ASK HIM.
SO HERE I LIE ON MY BED
FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF YET AGAIN
BECAUSE OF MY EARTHLY FAMILY.
SO, MY SWEET JESUS,
I PRAY FOR SOLOMON WISDOM,
THE PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING,
THE UNDERSTANDING TO FORGIVE,
AND THE HOPE TO MOVE FORWARD,
TO STAY ON THIS PATH YOU HAVE SET BEFORE ME.
HELP OTHERS TO SEE YOU INSTEAD OF ME
SHINING THROUGH THIS EMPTY VESSEL.
MOLD ME, SHAPE ME,
PURIFY ME THROUGH THE FIRE.
FOR I KNOW EACH DAY BRINGS ME CLOSER TO YOU,
MY KING, MY MAKER.
DON'T GIVE UP ON ME.
FOR NO MATTER THIS CRUSHED AND BROKEN
AND BRUISED HEART,
I SHALL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU,
MY SWEET JESUS.
THANK YOU FOR CALVARY
AND SETTING ME FREE.






MATTHEW 27:51  AT THAT MOMENT THE CURTAIN OF THE TEMPLE WAS TORN IN TWO FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE EARTH SHOOK, THE ROCKS SPLIT.

AGAIN, WHY ME?

I JUST WANT TO RUN AWAY
AND HIDE IN THE SHADOW
AND COMFORT OF YOUR LOVING WINGS,
MY SWEET JESUS,
LIKE, TODAY, RIGHT THIS SECOND.
PRETTY PLEASE.
YOU SEE, I MUST CONFESS, I AM AFRAID
OF WHAT YOU ARE ASKING OF ME.
IT SEEMS A LITTLE INSANE.
CAN'T YOU PICK SOMEONE ELSE?
WHY ME?
DON'T YOU REMEMBER WHAT THEY CALLED ME?
HOW CAN I GET OVER IT?
I AM THE LEAST OF THE LEAST,
THE WEAKEST OF THE WEAK.
WHAT YOU ARE ASKING OF ME
SEEMS LIKE AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM.
YES, I WANT TO DO IT.
I'M EXCITED AT THE THOUGHT.
BUT, REALLY,
WHY ME?
I CAN BARELY WALK OR SIT OR STAND,
AND THAT UGLY THING
MIGHT AS WELL BE TATTOOED ON MY HEART.
WAIT, I THINK IT IS.
BUT SO IS YOUR WORD,
AND YOU CALL ME BEAUTIFUL
AND THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE
AND YOUR DAUGHTER.
SO THAT MAKES ME A PRINCESS TWICE OVER.
O, DID I FORGET TO MENTION
MY ANCESTOR WAS THE FIRST KING OF SCOTLAND?
YES, I THINK I HAVE.
BUT I BELIEVE THAT FACT IS WORTH REPEATING,
AS IS THE FACT THAT I AM A DAUGHTER
OF THE MOST HIGH KING.
SO I WILL GLORY IN MY SUFFERINGS,
RAISING MY HANDS HIGH IN SUPPLICATION,
NEVER ASHAMED TO SAY YOUR NAME.
AND THANK YOU, MY SWEET JESUS,
FOR HEALING ME ENOUGH
TO DANCE LIKE DAVID DID.
AGAIN,
NOT ASHAMED.
AND TO QUOTE MYSELF,
"HOLD ON 'CUZ IT'S GONNA BE A BUMPY RIDE."
BE CAREFUL
WHAT YOU PRAY FOR.
IT JUST MIGHT HAPPEN
IN GOD'S TIMING.
BUT WHEN IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS TAKING FOREVER
FOR YOUR PARTICULAR PRAYER TO BE ANSWERED,
WHEN IT HAPPENS, WHEN YOUR PRAYER
IS ANSWERED, IT'S A LITTLE SCARY
BECAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT FEEL AS IF
YOU ARE ON THAT ROCKING BOAT
WITH PETER OR JOHN
AND ASKED BY JESUS TO STEP OUT OF THAT BOAT
AND WALK ON THE STORMY SEA.
REALLY, MY SWEET JESUS?
AGAIN,
WHY ME?

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 - BUT HE SAID TO ME, "MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS." THERERFORE I WILL BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, SO THAT CHRIST'S POWER MAY REST ON ME.

SILLY WEEDS

I NO LONGER WISH TO BE SWALLOWED
BY THAT BIG FISH
BY GIVING A FLEETING THOUGHT
TO THOSE WEEDS THAT PROUDLY SIT
AMONGST THE WHEAT.
THE WOLVES AMONGST THE SHEEP SO TO SPEAK.
THEY DON'T BELONG.
AND JESUS KNOWS EVERYTHING.
I THINK I AM FINALLY STARTING TO UNDERSTAND
PROVERBS 4:23.
HOW DO I GUARD MY HEART?
FOR STARTERS, FORGIVE AND FORGET.
FORGETTING IS THE HARD THING.
LETTING GO OF THOSE HURTS YOU HAVE HELD ON TO FOR SO MANY YEARS.
THEY'VE ALMOST BECOME YOUR FRIENDS.
WHAT GOOD ARE THEY DOING YOU REALLY?
IT'S JUST THE ENEMY,
GOD SAYING - "HAVE YOU CONSIDERED
MY SERVANT SHERRIE?",
I SAY HOPEFULLY.
THIS UNFORGIVENESS AND NOT FORGETTING
IS, IN ACTUALITY,
HURTING ME MORE THAN THE WEEDS.
IN FACT, I DON'T THINK THEY ARE BEING
HURT AT ALL.
LOOK HOW FAST THEY ARE GROWING.
BUT ME?
I BEAT MYSELF UP ON A DAILY BASIS.
I WANT TO PLEASE MY SWEET JESUS
MORE THAN ANYTHING.
WHY ADD ANOTHER SIN ON HIM?
HASN'T HE PAID ENOUGH,
PAINFULLY BLEEDING PROFUSELY ON THAT CROSS?
HE SAYS HIMSELF IN HIS WORD,
IF YOU'D TAKE A MINUTE OUT OF YOUR BUSY
SCHEDULE TO READ,
THAT THERE WILL BE WEEDS AND WOLVES
AND THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT.
BUT TO NEVER BE AFRAID,
FOR HIS ANGELS AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT
SURROUND US
AND HE LIVES IN ME.
MY SWEET JESUS,
HOW I LOVE THEE
EVEN AMONGST THESE SILLY WEEDS.


PROVERBS 4:23 -- ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT.


MATTHEW 13:26 -- WHEN THE WHEAT SPROUTED AND FORMED HEADS, THEN THE WEEDS ALSO APPEARED.

QUACK QUACK

IF I AM TO FORGIVE,
WHICH I MUST IF I AM TO CONTINUE TO LIVE,
TO CONTINUE ON THIS PATH
GOD SET BEFORE ME
BEFORE I WAS EVEN ME,
THIS QUEST
THAT HAS A REWARD AT THE END.
I CAN JUST SEE HIM - MY SWEET JESUS.
YOU SEE,
UNFORGIVENESS ONLY HURTS ME.
I THINK I UNDERSTAND THAT SCRIPTURE NOW,
AT LEAST A LITTLE,
PROVERBS FOUR TWENTY THREE:
"GUARD YOUR HEART,
FOR EVERTHING YOU DO FLOWS FROM IT."
FORGIVE, LET THAT SIN OF OTHERS,
THE HURT, THE PAIN,
THE BURDEN IN YOUR
HEART, ON YOUR SHOULDERS,
ROLL OFF YOUR BACK
LIKE WATER OFF OF A DUCK.
EVEN SENSITIVE ME,
WHO WEARS HER HEART ON HER SLEEVE,
AM TRYING HARD TO GUARD MY HEART
BECAUSE IT IS ALREADY STILL SO CRUSHED
AND SCARRED
AND HURT AND JUST WANTING TO BE LOVED
FOR ME
BY FORGIVING THOSE I FEEL HAVE HURT ME
IN ANY WAY
BECAUSE YOU KNOW
THOSE PEOPLE
HAVE LONG AGO
FORGOTTEN WHAT THEY DID,
THE PAIN THEY INFLICTED
THAT HAS STAYED WITH ME FOR DECADES.
AND I AM STILL BEING BLAMED.
SO IN ORDER TO CONTINUE ON THIS QUEST,
TO LET THIS HURT ROLL OFF OF MY BACK,
LIKE WATER OFF OF A DUCK,
I MUST FORGIVE AND WIPE MY FEET
AND MOVE ON.
JUST MAKE A CLEAN CUT.
AND REMEMBER THAT IT IS NOT MY FAULT.
JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW,
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
AND IT IS WELL WITHIN MY SOUL.




PSALM 19:14 - MAY THESE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THIS MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT, LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER.

NO, I'M NOT JUDGING

I MUST CONFESS,
I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING THIS CHURCH
BECAUSE OF THE PARTICULAR PASTOR THERE -
A VERY WELL-KNOWN PARTICULARMAN
IN THIS PARTICULAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.
AT FIRST, I WAS EXCITED - WOW! GREG LAURIE?
REALLY?
WOW! I THOUGHT, AS I SAT WAY IN THE BACK,
SECTION Z,
LEPROSY COLONY,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE HANDICAPPED ZONE.
I WAS SOON TO LEARN THAT THE FIRST SEVEN
ROWS OR SO ARE RESERVED FOR THE USHERS
AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR BESTIES.
WAIT, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF,
ISN'T THAT A LITTLE BASS-ACKWARDS,
AS MY GRANDDADDY WOULD SAY?
AND WHEN AN USHER NAMED JEFF YELLED
AT ME FOR WANTING TO SIT CLOSER
SO I COULD READ THE WORDS OF THE SONGS
ON THE VERY LARGE MONITORS,
A HARD THING TO DO
FROM THE LEPROSY COLONY
WITH EVERYONE IN THE GINORMOUS CHURCH
STANDING UP ALL AROUND YOU.
AND, BTW, PRAISING MY SWEET JESUS
IS MY FAVORITE THING TO DO.
AND THEN, ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT,
WANTING SOME MEAT IN MY LIFE,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS LEARNING MORE
AND MORE AND MORE
ABOUT MY LORD,
THE THREE USHERS LAUGHED AT ME
WHEN I ASKED IF I COULD SIT
WITHIN SPITTING DISTANCE.
AND DO YOU KNOW THAT MY BEST FRIEND
IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE
SAT IN THAT CHURCH
FOR TWO ENTIRE YEARS
ALL BY HER BEAUTIFUL SELF
WITH NO ONE SPEAKING TO HER?
AND I HAD FELT BAD THAT I HAD SAT
THERE FOR A YEAR WITHOUT MAKING FRIENDS.
WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS THIS?
THE PASTOR HAS THESE BIG STADIUM-SIZED
FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD REVIVALS.
AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COME FORWARD
TO ASK JESUS INTO THEIR HEARTS
AND INVITED TO HARVEST TO GET TO KNOW MORE
ABOUT OUR LORD.
BUT IF THEY DO DECIDE TO COME THERE,
WILL THEY CONTINUE THEIR QUEST
OF HAPPINESS
OR JUST GIVE UP OUT OF LONLINESS?
WILL SOMEONE WHO THINKS HE IS SPECIAL
BECAUSE HE IS A HEAD USHER
YELL AT A HURTING SOUL
FOR NO OTHER REASON
THAN THAT THEY ARE DISABLED?
WHAT HAVE WE COME TO?
IF JESUS WALKED INTO THAT CHURCH.
WOULD HE BE TURNED AWAY?
IT SAYS CLEARLY IN GOD'S WORD
THAT WE ARE NOT TO ATTEND A CHURCH
JUST BECAUSE OF SOME 'FAMOUS' PASTOR.
THE QUESTION IS, MY SWEET JESUS,
WHY MUST I REMAIN?
HOW AM I, ONE PERSON, TO CHANGE
THIS POWERFUL ENTITY
KNOWN AS GREG LAURIE?
BUT I SHALL STAND
AS BEST I CAN,
MY PEACE SIGN FLYING FREELY,
AND MY HANDS RAISED HIGH IN PRIDE
OF BEING YOUR BRIDE.
NOT AFRAID.
AND CERTAINLY NOT ASHAMED
TO SAY YOUR NAME.
MY SWEET JESUS.






1 CORINTHIANS 1:11-17 -- MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, SOME FROM CHLOE'S HOUSEHOLD HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE QUARRELS AMON YOU.  WHAT I MEAN IS THIS: ONE OF YOU SAYS, "I FOLLOW PAUL"; ANOTHER, "I FOLLOW APOLLOS"; ANOTHER, "I FOLLOW CEPHAS"; STILL ANOTHER, "I FOLLOW CHRIST." IS CHRIST DIVIDED? WAS PAUL CRUCIFIED FOR YOU? WERE YOU BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF PAUL? I THANK GOD THAT I DID NOT BAPTIZE ANY OF YOU EXCEPT CRISPUS AND GAIUS, SO NO ONE CAN SAY THAT YOU WERE BAPTIZED IN MY NAME. (YES, I ALSO BAPTIZED THE HOUSEHOLD OF STEPHANAS; BEYOND THAT, I DON'T REMEMBER IF I BAPTIZED ANYONE ELSE.) FOR CHRIST DID NOT SEND ME TO BAPTIZE, BUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL -- NOT WITH WISDOM AND ELOQUENCE, LEST THE CROSS OF CHRIST BE EMPTIED OF ITS POWER.

I GET IT

"YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH."
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING."
"YOU ARE STUPID AND UGLY, AND, LEST I FORGET,
YOU BELONG IN AN INSANE ASSYLUM."
I GET IT.
I DON'T BELONG.
IN OTHER WORDS, THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME.
I WILL DO WHATEVER MY SWEET JESUS
ASKS OF ME.
WHO AM I TO QUESTION HE WHO CREATED ME?
EVEN IF I EXPRESS MYSELF THROUGH POETRY,
WHO ARE YOU TO SAY
I DON'T HAVE A SAY?
WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME I AM NOT DESERVING
OF LOVE?
I KNOW I'M DIFFERENT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRILL IT INTO ME
RELENTLESSLY.
I KNOW I DON'T BELONG.
BUT THE HARSH WORDS?
NEED THEY CONTINUE TO THIS DAY?
I GET IT.
I'M AN EMBARASSMENT.
I'M THE ONE TO BLAME.
BUT GUESS WHAT?
MY SWEET JESUS, MY KING,
JEHOVAH JIRAH,
CALLS ME BEAUTIFUL.
AND THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME.


PSALM 139:14 - I PRAISE YOU BECAUSE I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE, YOUR WORKS ARE WONDERFUL, AND I KNOW THAT FULL WELL.


PSALM 34:18 - THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT.

A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE

EPHESIANS 4:29 -- DO NOT LET ANY UNWHOLESOME TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS, BUT ONLY WHAT IS HELPFUL IN BUILDING OTHERS UP ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN.








SHE'S DIFFERENT,
SHE'S WEIRD,
SHE'S JUST WAY TOO SENSITIVE,
CRIES TOO EASILY,
AND, O YES,
SHE'S ONE OF THOSE JESUS FREAKS.
YOU KNOW THE KIND,
THAT DOES WHATEVER GOD TELLS HER TO DO,
EVEN IF IT'S BLOGGING HER CRAZY POETRY
ON YOUTUBE.
YOU HAVE TO HOLD HER DOWN
TO NOT TALK ABOUT JESUS
YOU REALLY WANT TO BE AROUND HER?
THEN YOU ARE CRAZY, TOO.
SHE FORGIVES THOSE WHO HAVE
CRUSHED HER HEART.
SHE LOVES THE HOMELESS PERSON,
HANDS HELD OUT,
JUST WANTING TO BE TREATED LIKE A PERSON.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?
SHE LIKES TO ACT, SHE LIKES TO WRITE,
HER HEART IS TOO SOFT,
AND SHE HAS NEVER FIT IN.
THE WORLD AND EVEN SOME CHRISTIANS
WOULD CLASSIFY HER
AS A 'WEIRDO',
BUT TO HER PRECIOUS SWEET JESUS,
SHE IS A PRINCESS.
A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE.




1 CORINTHIANS 1:25 -- BUT GOD CHOSE THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE WISE; GOD CHOSE THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE STRONG.


ROMANS 9:20 -- BUT WHO ARE YOU, A HUMAN BEING, TO TALK BACK TO GOD? "SHALL WHAT IS FORMED SAY TO THE ONE WHO FORMED IT, 'WHY DID YOU MAKE ME LIKE THIS?'"

WOLVES

YOU GIVE US ALL A BAD NAME.
YOU WALK INTO CHURCH
DRESSED IN YOUR DESIGNER SUITS
AND HAVE THE AUDACITY
TO ASSUME YOU CAN COME IN AT THE LAST MINUTE
AND THROW DOWN YOUR DESIGNER PURSE
AND DESIGNER BIBLE
FRONT ROW CENTER
WHEN I HAVE TO HAVE SPECIAL PERMISSION
TO SIT THERE
'CUZ I GUESS
I DON'T KNOW THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
'CUZ, YOU SEE,
IF IT'S NOT OBVIOUS TO YOUR DESIGNER SELF,
I HAVE DIFFICUTLY STANDING ON MY OWN
OR EVEN JUST GETTING AROUND.
I'M A TAD HANDIE,
AS I LIKE TO SAY.
I AM AT CHURCH ON OUR HOLY DAY,
OUR DAY OF REST,
BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL,
I LOVE FELLOWSHIPPING
AND PRAISING OUR KING.
AND, O YES,
IT'S USUALLY THE ONLY DAY
I HAVE THE STRENGTH
TO GET MY CONSTANTLY SORE BODY
OUT OF BED.
SO WHEN I SEE SOMEONE DISRESPECTING MY SWEET JESUS
BY CHEWING GUM, MAKING YOURSELF LOOK LIKE A COW
CHEWING IT'S
CUD BTW
DESPITE YOUR DESIGNER HAIRCUT.
AND PLAYING ON YOUR EXPENSIVE DESIGNER
SMART PHONE
SHOWING OFF YOUR DESIGNER MANICURE
THE ENTIRE TIME.
HONESTLY?
AND YOU AND THAT WOMAN, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE,
'CUZ I TRY TO SHOW JESUS' LOVE TO YOU
EVERY TIME I HAVE THE STRENGTH TO BE THERE.
AND THIS ENTIRE TIME,
I THINK ABOUT A YEAR NOW,
APPROXIMATELY,
YOU APPARENTLY FIND IT DIFFICULT
TO UTTER MORE THAN A FEW WORDS TO ME,
HAVE NEVER ONCE SAID GOODBYE,
AND DO YOU REALLY LISTEN, DO YOU CARE,
DO YOU WANT ME TO RESPOND
WHEN YOU ASK ME HOW I AM?
AND IT'S SAD
'CUZ
I WATCH MY SWEET LIZZIE PRAISING HER KING,
HANDS UNASHAMEDLY RAISED HIGH,
JESUS' LOVE SHINING THROUGH HER BEAUTIFUL FACE.
SHE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD
DESIGNER EVERYTHING
AND MAY NOT HAVE THE HONOR
OF KNOWING THE RIGHT PERSON,
'CEPT FOR SWEET LITTLE MOI'.
AND SHE HAD TO FIGHT TO SIT UP CLOSE.
WHAT?
DID I HAVE THE GALL TO TAKE YOUR SEAT?
I"M SORRY, I DIDN'T SEE YOUR PARTICULAR NAME
CARVED ON THIS PARTICULAR PEW.
AND THEN, YOUR FRIEND, THAT USHER,
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
THAT DAY THAT SWEET FRIEND OF MINE WASN'T THERE, YOU MADE ME CRY.
YOU YELLED AT ME.
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT
THAT IF I WAS NOT SAVED
AND THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME COMING THERE
IF I WOULD EVER COME BACK,
IF I WOULD EVER OPEN MY CRUSHED
BROKEN
HARLET HEART
AND INVITE MY SWEET JESUS INSIDE?
NICE JOB, NOT PLANTING SEEDS.
WHAT YOU DO, GOSSIPING AND BACKBITING
AND JUDGING, ALL OF YOU, PASTORS ON DOWN,
HURTS MY HEART,
MAKES ME CRY.
AND I WONDER TO MYSELF,
DOES IT DO THE SAME THING TO OUR KING?

MATTHEW 7:15 -- "WATCH OUT FOR FALSE PROPHETS. THEY COME TO YOU IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE FEROUCIOUS WOLVES.


MATTHEW 10:16 -- "I AM SENDING YOU OUT LIKE SHEEP AMONG WOLVES. THEREFORE BE AS SHREWD AS SNAKES AND AS INNOCENT AS DOVES.


LUKE 10:3 -- GO! I AM SENDING YOU OUT LIKE LAMBS AMONG WOLVES.


ACTS 20:29 -- I KNOW THAT AFTER I LEAVE, SAVAGE WOLVES WILL COME IN AMONG YOU AND WILL NOT SPARE THE FLOCK.