Ideal Father

pushing you on, speaking truth into your life

praying for you, Godly visions at night,

loving you, with God always insight

believing in you, seeing beyond your faults

to the greater things of God, stored deep within your heart..

being there for you, to catch you when you fall.

giving you the freedom, to share your deepest thoughts

exploring the answer with you, together seeking God

this is a parent's job, what could be better.


this is the challenge.

Who are you investing in, do you have five that you are casting visions of greatest in the service of God, believing in them, encouraging them, investing all you have in them.

What is your ideal father like, and how does that ideal compare with your ideal of God the Father? Are they the same? Does God the Father fall short of your ideal father?

Are you helping those you are fathering?

Richard.

Lead like Jesus

Step 1. Engage your listeners and talk with them. Jesus was more than a talking head and you should be too.

Step 2. Tell stories. We refer to the stories Jesus told as parables. You can use these Bible stories or use stories from your own life or from materials you have studied. Your stories should reflect the patterns and relationships in life that we all understand.

Step 3. Use symbolism. Jesus used religious symbols like "the bread of life" that were familiar to his listeners. You can refer to symbols such as the cross of Christ or the Lord's Supper.

Step 4. Teach at an appropriate level. A lesson for fourth graders would be vastly different than one for a group of college-educated adults. Jesus tailored his message around what the listeners already understood.

Step 5. Build on what your listeners already believe. Jesus never attacked others for their beliefs. He used those beliefs as a basis to help them understand the truth he was teaching.

Step 6. Restate your message whenever necessary. Jesus was patient when he taught. He rephrased his teaching or used another story to make sure his lesson was being understood.

Step 7. Care about your students. To teach like Jesus you need to have a genuine love for your students. Jesus wanted his listeners to understand, to learn and to follow him.

What's the Gospel?

The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.

That’s the gospel.

You Can't Outgrow the Gospel
You never, never, never outgrow your need for it. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get saved, and then you get strong by leaving it and doing something else.”

No! We are strengthened by God through the gospel every day, till the day we drop.

You never outgrow the need to preach to yourself the gospel.

How the Gospel Strengthens
Here’s an illustration, and I use it not because it’s any big deal to speak from my life, but because it’s what I walked through and where I most pointedly in the last year experienced the power of the gospel to make me strong. (Many of you are walking through things much heavier than prostate cancer—much heavier.)

Do you remember the verses that I shared with you back in February that were almighty for me? It was that moment right after the doctor says, “I think we need to do a biopsy,” when this stab of fear comes. It didn’t last long, mercifully.

And then came—what? 1Thessalonians 5:9-10. It’s just as pure gospel as you can get.

God has not destined you for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for you so that whether you wake or sleep you will live with him.

Settled. Peace like a river.

The Gospel Is Perfect for Your Needs
That’s just gospel—perfectly timed, perfectly applied, perfectly suited to my need. That’s why the Bible is so thick—because there are so many different needs that you have. And there are suitable places where the gospel is unfolded for you, so that if you immerse yourself in the whole book, always with an eye for what Christ has wrought for you and purchased for you in this thick, glorious history of God’s interaction with people, he will give you what you need.

Therefore, everything in me says, and I hope to say until the day I die, “Now, to him who is able to strengthen me, according to Paul’s gospel, to him—to that God—be glory forever and ever.”

God came into history in Jesus Christ; he died in order to destroy the power of hell and death and Satan and sin; and he did it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thanks John P.

FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 [CHRISTMAS VERSION]

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.
If I work at a soup kitchen
carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return;
but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.


Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, and
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust;
but giving the gift of love will endure.

Author: Sharon Jaynes
Taken from Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas

Steve Harvey introducing Jesus

loneliness

loneliness consumes me
lying next to you in bed
no connection with you
marriage feels like died
images of oneness
enter in my head
sadness overcomes me
lying next to you in bed

Richard.

The Bible

For me, the Bible has become fodder, manna from Heaven if you will. Daily food that puts my focus on Jesus. It's not a study of theology, or an exercise in memorization, it's a longing for the Spirit to speak, to illuminate treasures of truth, in a new light that's speaks to the struggles and triumphs of this journey he is guiding me on, as I am transformed into His likeness. I don't read because I have to, I read because I long too, I long to see the face of my Lord and Savior, not that He is contained in the pages of the book, but because they are His words of Love to me. From cover to cover every thought, every theme, every book points to the One, Triune God and His passion for His lost Love.

If there is a Standard in my life, it is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Counselor and Comforter. The Bible is just one of the tools He uses as I am molded into a new creation.

Richard.

Money as Debt

The Adulterer and a Savior

Writing in the dust was His response
the way He handled their demands
caught red handed she was
judgment was not in their plan

Let the sinless cast the stone
stoning death the law demands
one by one they left
while He was writing in the sand

Where are your accusers
where have they all gone.
no one left to accuse her
sin has sent them on

Neither did He accuse her
go and sin no more
This is what He told her
opening a strange new door

Writing with His finger
words wrote in the dust
what profound mean
written in the dust

Richard.

The Bread of Life

in the physical, we look for content

the food, the drink, the life divine

we consume we survive

but are never full are never alive

we settle for crumbs

believe we're eat high

all the time missing

The Body, the Bread

The Blood, the Wine

We think of thing from a physical reality, we live a physical life, it's all we know. We have to eat to continue to live, we have to drink or we die, we have to breath oxygen or we die. This is our reality, but isn't there more than just this physical, this touch, feel, see, hear, smell world.

They brought food for Jesus to eat, at Jacob's well, but he stated he had other food. He stated that His food was to do the will of the Father. That's not food as we or they know it.

At another time, Jesus feeds a multitude with only a few loaves and a couple of fish. Later He confronts them, telling them don't work for food that disappears, but for food that's remains to eternal Life. Food which He gives. They ask, what does God require for this food. He replied that they need only believe that God sent Him. They ask for a sign like the manna from Heaven in Moses' time. He says, "I am the Bread from Heaven" There is food to eat that we know nothing about, even those of us who profess His Name. We see in part, there is a veil, this very physical reality, that blinds us from a whole other life. A life so much different than this one, this is only a glimpse, a fragment, just a whiff. Seek the Food that gives Eternal Life. That's where you'll be spending the majority of your time anyway. :)

Richard.

Zechariah 7: 9,10

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.

Help me Lord, only by Your power and Your strength, through Your Holy Spirit do I stand a chance. Help me Lord.

Thank You, Jesus for entering the Temple of my Soul, the Holy of Holies, the new temple built for You. You are the only One who doesn't need a rope tied around Your ankle to enter the Holy of Holies. You are my Priest, my Brother, my Friend, my Love, my Savior, my Lord. In You I place all my trust and hope.

Richard.

What I See

Do you see what I see

as I look at myself

the pain

the loneliness

being put on a shelf

the desire,

the need

for physical touch

the wanting to be wanted

the meaningful stuff

the Spirit alive

guiding me along

the Joy

the Hope

the Love light on

the frustration I feel

the struggle inside

what do you see

when you look in my eye

that's what I see when I look at myself

am I deceived or just being myself

Richard.

God died in 68

God die in 1968

the only god I knew

laying on the floor

lifeless

to be no more

A mountain of a man

protector

ruler of the land

in his arms

I was safe

in his presence

protection placed

O' what a happy face

God died in 68.

his passing brought chaos

life changed

all was lost

lack of his guidance

calamity came

life destroyed

never the same

God died in 1968

Miss you Grandpa!

Richard.

What it takes!

It is those, who enter the door and plunge head first into the vastness that is the Holy God, without reservation or hesitation, consumed by Love and Grace. It is those who wade out into the Ocean that is God and let themselves be swept away by His mighty current, into the deep depths, unaware of depths, embracing God on every side, they see nothing else but Jesus, unaware of the vast distance back to shore, knowing only of the Holiness of God. It is those who abandon everything completely, to follow, never turning back, never looking back, focused on the Shepherd, only hearing His voice and responding with Joy, and Life. Those are the ones that draw people to the Cross, those are the warriors in sweet surrender to the King. The Light shining bright for all to see.

Richard.

God in the backyard

encountered God in the back
a bird, a lawnmower, a hack
mowing the yard, clean up a mess
a young bird fallen from its nest
parent squawking, frantic tone
calling out, to its own
little birdie doesn't fly
sits there mouth opened wide
finished with the task at hand
now it's time the mowing began
cautiously mowing a place
to shew the little one safe
don't know when don't know how
little birdie could not be found
heard His voice speak to me
I've taken care of little bird tweet
that's my job it's what I do
thanks but I'm much better than you
O' yes I love you more than a bird
but your helping me is absurd
you've taken it upon yourself
to save the little bird and who else
I've asked you to follow me
to be a light for all to see
I've not equipped you to be Me
let the little birdies be.

Spirit

Spirit breed
Spirit conceived
Spirit became like you and me
Spirit grew, became a man
Spirit walked into the land
Spirit talked authoritively
Spirit lead many by the sea
Spirit challenged the thought of the day
Spirit hated for claiming that way
Spirit betrayed and lead away
Spirit tried found not guilty
Spirit beaten without pity
Spirit nailed to a tree
Spirit died for you and me
Spirit rose from death's resting place
Spirit moved all over the place
Spirit came to live inside
Spirit came has helper and guide
Spirit here and in control
Spirit the only way to be whole
God is Spirit so the bible say
In Spirit and Truth I lay my head.

Richard.

Born again

your dead soul resurrected
new life begins to beat
from total darkness brought forth
to Light Holy sweet

being born a second time
from within the womb of death
to Life forever after
painfully we pass

the moment of death to life
glorious it maybe
ever fleeting physical
to Spiritual you will be

Richard.

Believing heart

A believing heart passionately prays
never giving up, persisting in the pain
beating on the door, knuckles bloody
desire for God to move, hope grows
anticipating nothing, expecting everything
panting, parched, desperate, sure, unrelenting

facing the unknown, hand in Hand
confident in what we can not see
boldly we knock for three loaves
not one, not two, but three.
waiting eagerly in humble embrace
the bushes rustle we look for a face

A believing heart knows, trusting all
accepting nothing less than all He is.
all He gave, all He gives, all He has
reaping where he did not sow
gathering where he did not reap
Grace so amazing, Grace so sweet.

Richard.

Why me?

You're asking the wrong questions
what else can I say
You're asking the wrong questions
look at it this way

the ark was about to fall
the cart tipped in the mud
a hand reached out to stop it
death to the one who touched

You're asking the wrong questions
what else can I say
You're asking the wrong questions
look at it this way

their blood mixed with the sacrifice
a tower tumbled and fell
seeking an understanding
with what eyes do tell

You're asking the wrong questions
what else can I say
You're asking the wrong questions
look at it this way.

Richard.

East of Eden

We live east of Eden
in a dry and barren place
wanting to re-enter
flaming swords await
angels guard the gate

dry, barren wasteland
full of pain and strife
not what was intended
who can make it right
we suffer in our plight

coming forth from Judah
born of David's son
the path back to Eden
the journey has begun
God sent His only Son

the journey back
has been laid out
it's plain for all to see
He gave at great loss
was nailed to a cross

rising east of Eden
brighter than the sun
coming on the clouds
the new world has begun
living east of Eden.

Richard.

The Ring

I saw a ring laying there, and while picking it up, I noticed the inscription said: “True Love Waits”. Wow, I thought what a statement, it captured me, I felt the Spirit of God leading me by this simple yet profound statement.

At once my thoughts went to God and to Scripture that tells of this and what the meaning of that statement says to me. How the Father waited for the return of his son and the depths of a love that is expressed in that story. And personally of how my own parents waited, praying for decades for my salvations and to be used by God. At my Baptism, just a couple of months after Jesus became Lord and Master of my life. My dad, in the pool with me, helping baptize me, said, son this is 20 some years of prayers answered. That blew me away. Wow

True Love Waits, no matter what the trails or joys life brings. Even has a son stumbles through life, lost, with little hope. Parents wait praying, patiently, waiting, never turning away, never forcing their wants. What devotion, what love that spoke to me.

Working that statement further, I could see how this is expressed or not expressed in marriage. I think of my own marriage and how God has moved me from lusting after my wife, with a self-centered passion to please my own sexual desires, to a place where just having sex with her is no longer desirable, is no longer acceptable. Don’t get me wrong here. I long to express true love to her, love that is centered on her needs, not my desires. I have an ache deep down in my soul that’s driving me to pursue my wife. Treasuring her as God does. True Love Waits. Even in the bedroom.

Then taking this further into my life, working it into other areas. I think of the opportunities with my children, and how if I truly love them how I am to wait. And I can tell you that, that has offered some of the greatest challenges most of which have been before I knew Christ. But since Christ came into my life, I’ve had children come to the Lord and also walk away from the Lord. I’ve make some mistakes both coming and going. But, I’ve learned that True Love Waits.

This ring, this statement on the ring, was introduce to young people, to guide them as they struggled in a world where everything is driven by sex. To help them remember, to wait till marriage and true love before having sex. But this statement has now penetrated so deeply into soul. It talks to me about my relationship with God and His relationship with me. How He does wait, how I should wait. Keep this. Work it into the very fabric of your life. True Love Waits. True Love Waits.

Richard.

Fifty years

Fifty years been hanging around
ran over, raped, hid underground
stayed hidden all but a few
does fifty years seem long to you

Fifty years been walking this earth
fell on my face tasted the dirt
what's on the inside isn't what you see
there so much more to little old me

Fifty years been playing in the mud
wallowing in the filth, feces, blood
never experiencing His Grace and Love
yet, always protected by Him from above

Fifty years been hanging around
most of it lying shackled and bound
shame and contempt horrible sight
that's all changed by God's Love Light

Fifty years been breathing this air
resurrected to life, learning to share
past behind me where it should be
looking ahead to Great Company

Fifty years has gone by quick
won't change a thing letting it stick
Love came to town set up shop
thank you Lord Jesus that's all I got

Richard

Before

I heard You calling
waiting to come in
there were idols erected
where You should have been

my soul is in a shamble
my body a wreck
my spirit held captive
O' what a mess.

Not knowing what I was doing
somehow struggling to the door
You came in resurrecting life
where death was only before.

clearing out the temple
of yesterdays no more
You rearrange my inner world
of right standing restored.

I needed rescue, rescued from myself
restored to what You intended
restored unto Yourself
Rivers of Life ever flowing

Richard.

Someday

Someday I'll walk this ground no more
freed from this body to rise and soar
into the arms of Jesus forevermore

leaving behind the pain and strife
death's bitter taste turned to delight
on that day when the lights go dim
I'll pass thru the door to be with Him

about that day I will not fuss
when ever it happens is good enough
for in my heart I have the hope
sealed forever by the Holy Ghost

into His Kingdom I will be
to reign with Him forever in eternity.
Come Lord Jesus or call me home
I just can't wait to see Your throne.

Richard.

Washed by the Water

washed by the water
when the rain is falling
washed by the water
as the river swells
washed by the water
when storms are brewing
washed by the water
standing by the well.

washed by the water
held by your love
washed by the water
showered from above
washed by the water
seeking Your face
washed by the water
sweet saving Grace.

Richard.

My Hope

Where does your dependence lie
on money that you've piled high
on the insurance that they say to buy
on the doctors that reads your chart
do my words pierce your heart.

Is it for your comfort that you strive
to live in peace and never cry
to have enough to get you by
to pile up enough not to worry
do my words make you squirmy

Where does your hope rest
is it in two nail scarred hands
is it in a body pierced
is it found at the foot of a blood soak stake
Am I making my point, changing you fate.

Don't trust in yourself to make it right
your just in for one big fight
trust in the One who's been through it
who's got the scars and stripes to prove it
the Lord of Host, the King of Kings
the One called Jesus, my only King.

Richard.

Fix Me God

I seek Your face, I call Your name

but nothing seems to ever change

like a giant vending machine

I insert my prayer

I pull the handle

there's nothing there.

Again and again I fall on my face.

I call Your name, I seek Your grace

You're suppose to serve me, isn't that right

I desperately need You to fix my life

I'm not happy

things aren't right

not in my sight.

Where have You gone

You won't answer me

I try and I try

I plead and I plead

isn't it really all about me

please help me

I'm in desperate need.

I seek Your face, I call Your name

but nothing seems to ever change

like a giant vending machine

I insert my prayer

I pull the handle

there's nothing there.

Richard.

Jesus our King

Eternal embrace
cheek to cheek
face to face
the grip of Your hug
the purest of Love
always in Your sight
in Your arms
I delight

What joy is found
eternity bound
with You in front
leading onward
forever to reign
You as our King
leading us
in glorious abandon

Droves upon droves
moving forward we go
together singing harmony
Jesus our King
Jesus our King

Be coming one
with the Father and Son
forever we praise
and adorn You
Jesus our King
Jesus our King

Richard.

Praise Him

Holy is the Lord Almighty

Majestic is His Name

Holy is the Lord Almighty

Raise your voices

Praise His Name

Shout out to the Heaven

All who walk the earth

Lift up your voices

Sing praise to Him

in Him place all your worth

Holy is the Lord Almighty

Majestic is His Name

Holy is the Lord Almighty

Raise your voices

Praise His Name

Shout out to the Heaven

All who walk the earth

Lift up your voices

Sing praise to Him

in Him place all your worth

Richard.

Extravagant Lover

You pursue me relentlessly
effortlessly You over take me
like quarry in Your eyes
with Love in very stride
I fall in to Your grip
irrationally I know
You'll never let me go
I'm Yours to have and hold
consume me

extravagantly you laid me bare
exposing the things I held so dear
for You they depart painfully
those idols of my heart
standing nevermore
I'm Yours completely
eagerly I take You in
standing where there once was others
my Lord, my Life
my extravagant Lover

Richard.

What is the Gospel

God became man
moved into the hood
died on a stake
like He said He would
took His place
among the dead
behind a stone
they made His bed
three days passed
He rose to life
appearing to men
and women alike
taking His place
at His Father's side
He sent the Comforter
to live inside
to reveal His nature
to poke and pry
to help you see
what's hidden inside
the good news is
it happens today
to lost and weary sinners
who can't find their way

Thank You Jesus.

Richard.

Light of Love's calling

out of sin He called you
from slavery you were saved
out of the darkness
you came crawling
into the Light of Love's calling

in the Light you discovered
discovered how wretched you've been
showing you the depths of your depravity
He leads you to the Cross again
into the Light of Love's calling

by a new name He calls you
your life it isn't the same
by this new name He calls you
as He leads you on your way
into the Light of Love's calling

everyday is a new day
showered by torrents of Grace
full of praise and adoration
I'm dancing all over the place
into the Light of Love's calling.

Richard

He ran

He ran to me, wretched sinner that I am
picked up me, held me in His hand
snatched me up and swung me around
"Quickly" He said, "Bring my best gown"

He ran to me, the God of Creation
picking me up, a huge celebration
holding me tight, fingers in my hair
putting His ring on my finger
right then and there.

He ran to me, my Father in Heaven
from very far off, he detected me
to Him I was crawling, down on my knees
I saw Him running, He's faster than fast
"Quickly"He said, "Kill that calf"

He ran to me.

Richard.

Dualality

Battle rages
knee deep in the struggle
all the time standing watching
no longer in the rubble.

feeling the blows
like never before
stammering, staggering
not falling to the floor.

responding in love
is the way it will be
it's getting easier
even I can see.

it's not numbing out
you still feel it
but it's not you now
your no longer in it.

it's Christ you see
your feeling His pain
He living inside
He doing His thing.

so learn to enjoy
take the free ride
follow the Spirit
wow, what a ride.

Richard.

Rambling of the heart

seems to be taking a downhill slide
should bring a tear to my eye
things that you said
stuck in my head
feelings of love
now fading
dead

know what to do
not how to do it
don't think there's anything left
tried and tried
tired inside
everything coming
back dead

this is the way
the way it is now
path to be taken
not knowing
there's nothing to do
keep trusting in You
knowing You're taking me somewhere

to Your chest I turn
pressing hard against it
face buried deep
in Your bosom
Like an infant I cry
You're holding on tight
speaking words of comfort
to me
through the night

hold me like this
I might get sick
the battle is brutally waging
the world's just not right
what a terrible sight
the blood and the souls being battered

in You I rest
for you are the best
You're my conquering hero
the battle's been won
wonderfully done

Richard.

The Eye

O' lamp of the body
how you do shine
the key to your treasure
in it I find.

Between to parables
there lies the key
one eye is healthy
the other diseased.

What do you look to
money and wealth
is the seeds of greediness
at the bottom of your well.

Can you find joy
when God shows His Grace
is your eye health
looking in the right place.

The key to your joy
is in what you marvel
the evidence is in the eye
does this seem garbled.

Is your eye health
a light shining bright
do you stand in awe and wonder
and marvel at the sight.

Is your eye diseased
full of darkness, and greed
envious that He could be
generous to me.

O' lamp of the body
how you do shine
the key to your treasure
in it I find.

Richard.

Too few harvest hands

In silence running
slowly beneath the waves
life carried on not knowing
searching throughout the day.

souls close never knowing
so many too many the pain
biting deep it drives me
searching in the rain.

such tragedy and longing
setting in a car
longing for the Master
ever close yet so far

sure to spend eternity
a Christless life to be.
searching ever striving
a soul in desperate need.

In petition ever praying
lost souls lifted up
I cry out to the Master
send help there's not enough

Richard.

Awaiting

We stand at Heaven's Gate
a new day breaking through
in awe and wonder we delight
at what the Lord will do.

A new day is upon us
to this we can attest
the Lord is coming for us
to take us to His Rest.

A last the new day's dawning
the coming Son of Man
we'll be with Him forever
on this I make my stand.

Glory to the Son of God
give worship, and give praise
the Alpha and Omega
we're in the last of days.

We stand at Heaven's Gate
a new day breaking through
in awe and wonder we delight
at what the Lord will do.

Richard

Tug of War

Spirit at peace

Body at war

Soul in the middle

A grand Tug of war

Two doors opened

One on either side

Soul's in the middle

Must chose sides.

One gives life

One brings death

Soul's in the middle

In much need of rest

The war rages on

Each day that I wake

Spirit, Soul, & Body

There's never a break.

Victories are won

Claimed by both sides

Some bring me joy

Some make me cry.

Spirit at peace

Body at war

Soul in the middle

A grand Tug of war

Richard.

Who's Calvin?

Someone called me a Calvinist,
To them I did reply.

What is a Calvinist,
Is that a hit in the eye?

Can you believe they said that.
A Calvinist indeed.

What is a Calvinist.
Tell me, if you Please.

Who is this guy, Calvin
What does he believe.

Someone please tell me,
In case I just might be.

It has to do with a flower.
That's all you need to know.

TULIP is the answer.
But, then where does it go.

Richard.

Monsters

The monster is gone.

He's lying there dead.

but, that doesn't get him,

out of your head.

The damage he cause

the things that he did.

still haunt the halls,

down deep in your head.

He suffered, he squirmed,

a painful death indeed.

but, that's no justification.

for the acts of his deeds.

Now that he's gone,

What's there to do,

Suffer in silence,

like so many do.

Could it be,

the powers in me.

The power that's

found in forgiveness.

For, forgiveness you see,

isn't for the monster, the deeds.

it's for the ones that gives it.

The giving, you see, sets you free.

Richard.

Thorns & Limps

What do you want, taken away,
What is it that He can do, for you today.
What thorn is stabbing your flesh,
What is it that gives you no rest.

Is it a thorn like Paul's, a Jacob type limp,
Has God mined, with you, the truth,
So as, you know what is meant.
Is it something that holding you powerless.

Have you asked Him to take it away.
Did He tell you, that it's here to stay.
Does this bother you, deep down inside.
Then look to Gethsemane, there you'll find.

He had a cup, only He could bear.
He ask that it be take, then and there.
Not by my will, but by Your's be done.
Guess what God told His only Son.

What do you want taken away.
What would make you happy, today.
Is it about His will, or your happiness.
Or, is what's troubling you, pure blessedness.

Count it a blessing, friends, for this is what it is.
A black velvet backdrop, created just for him.
He is like a diamond, shining bright as clear.
Against a black backdrop, O so very more clear.

Richard.

A break from the Poetry

I've been musing in rhyme for a very long time, so I thought a change of pace would be nice. I have discovered that I'm very distrustful toward everyone, I don't like being in crowds of people, I do enjoy company, but I feel alone most of the time. Even those I think I trust, I am finding that I don't trust them, not really. All of which, leads me to ponder: How much do I trust God?

It's easy to mistrust men, we are all evil, when I say evil, I mean, we all have our own interest at heart, whether we will admit it or not, our motives can be found wanting. God on the other hand, is not evil. But, do I trust Him completely. I will tell you I do, but does my actions, speak the same language? I may never really know, I am very hard on myself, leftover stains of years of self-contempt have clouded my vision. It is extremely hard to quantify spiritual matters, we are to worship in Spirit, pray in Spirit, and walk in Spirit, that doesn't look anything like what people consider to be worship, praying, or walking. Jesus tells the women at the well, that the time has come for a change, the Father is looking for people to worship in the Spirit and the Truth. The ramifications of that statement for me is: religion and religious acts are throw completely out the window. Am I wrong. The text reads:

Joh 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you people say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem."
Joh 4:21 Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
Joh 4:22 You people worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews.
Joh 4:23 But a time is coming — and now is here — when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers.
Joh 4:24 God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." NET

So to quantify my Spiritual walk in the terms of man's traditions seems a bit of a folly. Jesus does states that "they" will know you are His disciples by having love for one another. Do I love God and others?

I spent years in bondage to shame and self-contempt, trapped in a shell of self-protection, I wouldn't allow anyone to get inside. I was determined never to feel the pain of betrayal, abandonment, and abuse, of any kind, ever again. The sad thing about building a fortress is that, although, nothing can get in, nothing can get out either. Trapped inside this shell was a lonely and desperate place. Searching blindly for something I could not describe, lead to years of addictive behaviors. For me, it was sex, and drugs. To say, those years were pain free, would be the biggest lie very told. For me, love and intimacy equaled sex. If you loved me you wanted to have sex with me, if I loved you I want to have sex with you. (one of the byproduct of being sexually assaulted at 6 years of age) So, coming out of the shell, I had, and to some degree still have, a inability to love and or be loved. I am learning to love, slowly, God is teaching what it means to be loved and from that I am learning to love God and others. The song lyrics: "Love hurts" is so very true. It is becoming more apparent that the issue is trust. I still do not want to be hurt. Although, God is showing that, that pain, is not as bad as the pain of the years in the shell. He is also showing me that to love and be loved, I can't hide my heart behind any protective barriers, so pain is inevitable. Knowing that "man" is going to hurt me, intentionally or not, is a hard one to sallow. I can trust that man is going to hurt me, so I am inclined to protect myself. But, who am I now living for? Is it myself or am I living for God. If I am living for God then, do I trust Him to see me thru all the pain and strife in this world, counting it as blessing to suffer and be able to love? I would say that is that is the easiest and hardest thing to do. I know God would never hurt me, I know that God wants me to reach out to my fellow man and show His love.

It happened, not to long ago, I found myself hurting badly over something that happened, with someone I love. The hurt was staggering, I literally was unable to cope with daily tasks, for a week I was lost and staggering through life. Then God gave me a vision, a vision of my relationship with Him, and how it was more important than any other relationship or circumstance in this life. He brought me back to what's most important, Him. First things first, then all else is but nothing, for He will and does take care of the second things. Wow, I came away from that stronger than ever before in my life, stronger in my spirit, stronger in this new life, stronger in my conviction to keep my heart exposed and to welcome love, and let love flow, and less fearful of pain. I walked away from something that years ago would have been a death blow, feeling hurt, but not dead. I not only survived that, but God showed me I could withstand anything, trusting in Him to see me thru.

I am I loving and trusting more? I'm not going to worry about that, I going to trust that He is in control and is leading me in His ways.

Richard.

The New Day

The breaking of a new dawn,
the coming of a new day.
hearts waiting impatiently
birth pains are here to stay.

We stand on the edge of eternity.
the new day unfolding before us.
for an imagination wild and free.
the possibilities are enormous.

Frightened, anxious, scared and excited.
only by faith is sanity provided.
there's no hiding or running away.
for all will see the dawn of the new day.

For some it's just a fantasy,
for others a dark reality.
For some a coming blessed event.
for others eternal confinement.

The earth is shaking, ready for a change.
the star and constellations, eager just the same.
the sun will burn out, the moon will fade away.
All will see the coming of the new day.

Richard.

The I's have it!

I must have, if I am to fly.
I must have, or else I'll die.
I must have, to rise above.
I must have, if I'm to love.

I may have, it's Your will.
I may have, You died on a hill.
I may have, You want me to grow.
I may have, You told me so.

I will have, You gave Your life.
I will have, You made it my right.
I will have, I want You, too.
I will have, all because of You.

I shall have, You paved the way.
I shall have, more of You everyday.
I shall have, I will boldly say.
I shall have, You're here to stay.

Richard.

For the Critics

Written off as apostate,

cause I don't believe like you do.

Won't be going' to heaven,

if it's left up to you.

The yoke you give is heavy laden.

That's not what's suppose to be.

The Bible says His is easy,

heavy laden burden free.

Written off as apostate

cause I don't believe like you do.

I will be going to Heaven,

cause, Thank God it's not up to you.

Richard.

Heart's desire

To know You more, my heart does ache.
To hear Your voice, to see Your face.
This thirst I have, it can't be quench.
Not with folly or pretense.

There's only one thing, my heart desires.
To be in Your Arms, my heart on fire.
Theology for the heart, not the head.
In this, is were I'll make my bed.

To You alone I give my love,
for me there is no other.
To feel Your embrace, to kiss your face.
To lie down in Your resting place.

My heart, it thirst, it pants, it hungers.
With a pain that's so delightful.
The more I get, the more I want
You are my heart's desire.

Richard.