The Lantern out of Doors
Sometimes a lantern moves along the night,
That interests our eyes. And who goes there?
I think; where from and bound, I wonder, where,
With, all down darkness wide, his wading light?
Men go by me whom either beauty bright
In mould or mind or what not else makes rare:
They rain against our much-thick and marsh air
Rich beams, till death or distance buys them quite.
Death or distance soon consumes them: wind
What most I may eye after, be in at the end
I cannot, and out of sight is out of mind.
Christ minds: Christ’s interest, what to avow or amend
There, éyes them, heart wánts, care haúnts, foot fóllows kínd,
Their ránsom, théir rescue, ánd first, fást, last friénd.
poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Small Minds
Small minds truly think alike, while, we have the mind of Christ,
For Christ has a Glorified mind, one which is of an eternal kind,
So all believers think far above, small minds, which I speak of,
Those believing there’s no God, and limited to this earthly sod.
We’re seated in heavenly realms; small minds, this overwhelms,
Seated in Heaven with Jesus Christ, Who’s given us eternal life,
A thought that is much too tall, for their thinking, which is small,
Small enough to dismiss Truth, that from God has all the proof.
All the proof man could need, to believe, but they will not heed,
Since they dismiss The Creator, they have no need for a Savior,
But, in due time they’ll find, they were mislead, by a small mind,
By the thinking much too small, to accept God, Who is over all.
We may be shallow in their eyes, however, in Christ we are wise,
With the mind of Christ our Savior, as we embraced our Creator,
The One Who created all we see, The Lord God over all Eternity,
Christ is Lord, over all, my friend, as all shall see come the end.
But the small minds can change, in the Power of Christ’s Name,
When they see they were blind, they too can have Christ’s mind,
By repenting to turn to God’s Son, the very Creator of everyone,
When God’s Truth they believe, the mind of Christ they’ll receive.
From A Bleak Start
Another day that’s gray and bleak; and what a way to start the week.
But, as the weather changes friend, we too, could have a better end.
With the sun, the sky is brighter, and with The Lord a load is lighter.
When your heart is weighed down, only in Jesus, a Peace is found.
It always seems darkest when, your strength seems to be at its end,
That is when you will see The Lord, open for you a brand new door.
It’s always darkest before the light, as Christ Jesus breaks the night.
Then you see as you regain full sight, that everything will be all right.
So when your life seems overcast, you can be certain it will not last.
As the sun sheds away the gray, Jesus Christ will light up your way.
When in the darkness of this life, use the Light that’s found in Christ.
For Christ’s Light shines so bright, when the days are dark as night.
During these times, it is Christ, who guides you through all your life.
For He will not forsake you friend, indeed, He is with you to the end.
Through the week lean upon Him, Jesus will guide you in everything.
And all the gray will soon subside, as in Christ Jesus you fully abide,
Friend, others shall see your light, when their days are not so bright.
And any light that others can see, is just a small glimpse of eternity.
When Jesus will be The Light, that continually shines forever bright.
A time when all darkness will be, banished throughout all of eternity.
Never again shall we see night, as Christ my friend is Eternal Light.
A time when His Light won’t lack, so to the world we won’t look back.
It is this hope that is in our heart, that keeps us going from the start.
You will see by the week’s end, that it’s not like the beginning friend.
The Spirit of God
Friend, as the wind tends to blow, not knowing where it will go,
Or from the place it has come, but we will see what it has done.
So it is with The Spirit friend, The Spirit that Christ would send.
The third person of The Godhead, sent just like Christ had said.
Sent to move upon man’s heart, to give man a brand new start.
God moves men with The Spirit, with The Word as they hear it.
The Holy Spirit you can not see, but He’s been here for eternity.
And He moves throughout the earth, leading men to New Birth.
He moves upon every nation, ministering to all God’s Salvation.
He convicts the heart of man, as He leads many to understand,
There’s a spiritual side to life, which is centered in Jesus Christ.
Without Him all men would grope, in the darkness with no hope.
But He leads them out of the night, and into God’s Eternal Light.
By guiding them to Jesus Christ, who offers all men Eternal Life.
The Spirit uses The Word of God, to be His voice where we trod.
Like a gentle summer breeze, He sets hearts and minds at ease.
Like the wind, a natural force, which moves upon a given course,
Showing to men God’s Power, and this everyday and every hour.
The Spirit too, was sent to us, so that all men, in God could trust.
The Spirit’s a comfort in this strife, leading believers to New Life.
Like the wind you can not still, The Spirit is sent to do God’s will.
As the wind leaves its mark, God desires to change man’s heart.
Wind we hear but can not see, can adversely affect you and me.
But, The Spirit only comforts men, who in Christ are Born Again.
What He Will Do
Your sinful past God will erase, when you step into His Grace,
The Grace that you do receive, when in Christ, you do believe.
Christ will come into your night, and fill your heart with His light.
Today if you truly seek His face, you my friend He will embrace.
He will take you from your past, giving you a future that will last.
God will set your heart just right, as He gives you His new sight,
As He will give you eyes to see, eyes that will focus on eternity.
Jesus Christ will cleanse your heart, and give to you a new start.
On earth you’re given a new life, thru the power of Jesus Christ,
This is to live our life every day, and in a new and powerful way.
God gives men new direction, that leads them to a resurrection,
Through the power of new birth, you will be lifted from the earth.
God will give to you my friend, from any beginning, a better end.
For all men face a certain death, on the earth at their last breath.
But with a belief in Jesus Christ, Believers will have Eternal Life.
Christ will give to you a peace, which in your soul will not cease.
Most men will return to dust, however this is not true for all of us.
Christ making all things new, includes believers like me and you.
For when our sin was forgiven, we were both marked to be risen.
And a New Body will be yours, when in Glory, you see The Lord.
(Copyright ©02/2006)
Gloomy Clouds
As the clouds course through the sky, you sit below and wonder why,
Why we have such clouds in life, filling our days with darkened strife.
Just why it is that dark days come, filling one’s joyful heart with glum.
When darkness overcomes the light, nothing seems to be going right.
Filing your heart with undue care; pushing the heart towards despair,
From the heaviness upon your heart, that seems like it will not depart.
You may not know the how or whys, but know Christ is eternally wise.
For Christ suffered just like us; and in Christ you can place your trust.
When in a gloomy cloud of rain, let not your suffering heart complain.
God is sovereign over all affairs, and is one you know who truly cares.
He cared enough to die for you, and knows all you are going through.
Whatever, He’s been there friend, knowing the beginning and the end.
Christ suffered just like you and me, but He was nailed upon a tree,
Where He was mocked and left to die, a wicked death for you and I.
Friend in His suffering as God’s Son, He for us was the rejected one.
And by His Father, be not mistaken, for our sin, Christ was forsaken.
It was a dark time for Christ indeed, He was left on a cross to bleed.
Abandoned by those close to Him; and this because He bore our sin.
A dark time of such I will never see, as on that day Christ died for me.
Dark times that may fall on me, can never compare to that of Calvary.
(Copyright ©11/2005)
Problem People
Problem people near and far, cause conflict wherever they are,
They Cause strife far and wide, stirred by darkness deep inside.
With no peace in their heart, conflict each day is bound to start.
Conflict for them is a way of life, causing many pain and strife.
Peace inside they don’t know, causing trouble wherever they go.
These men are part of the life, we’re warned of by Jesus Christ.
In the world there’s tribulation, and they’re found in every nation.
But we can be of good cheer; Jesus overcame trouble down here.
And these men can not hide, the darkness that’s deep down inside.
For in their eyes you can behold, what is inside deep in their soul.
If in their eyes you can see light, they could be somewhat contrite.
If in their eyes there is no light, they inside are dark as the night.
These are the scoffers friend, which Peter warned of in the end.
Bold and arrogant are these men, and by God will be condemned.
They’re like beasts of the field; to common sense they won’t yield.
Like the beasts they will perish, and for this, Christ we can cherish.
They will all be outside the gate, along with their anger and hate.
And this is the time that we await, as Christ’s return we anticipate.
No more darkness or strife, when with Jesus we enter Eternal Life,
And all the grief will be no more, as we cherish Christ forevermore.
An Absence of Light
Aimlessly roaming all the day, desperately searching to find a way,
A way to make all things right, only to stumble back into the night.
Darkness invades all their sight, all because of an absence of light.
They begin stumbling along the way, even in the middle of the day.
Whether in the day or the night, friend, there’s only One True Light.
That Truth we continue to herald, Christ is The Light of The world.
All those who come into His Light, no longer stumble in the night.
Many refuse to come to His Light, because their deeds are not right.
Friend you can walk in the Light, whether it is the day or the night,
Just as Christ is in the Light, and we have fellowship in His Might.
Fellowship in The Living Word and a voice until all men have heard.
Let Christ’s Light fill your walk and The Living Word fill your talk.
You are a light set upon a hill and placed by Christ to do His will.
You are the light of the world, with the message of life to herald.
You are a preserving salt; to share the Truth we’ve been taught.
Sharing this one Eternal thought, life less Jesus comes to naught.
We have one urgent light to send, to all the darkness in the end.
The only way one finds this light, is at the cross of Jesus Christ.
If you remain in the dark my friend, Eternal Darkness is your end,
But, come into The Light of Christ, and you will gain Eternal Life.
Unlike Any Other Being
Every one is born in the flesh and they try to live their very best.
But from the moment we begin, our heart friend is tainted with sin.
We are born with a human nature and a cut above other creatures.
Unlike any other being we have been made in The Creator’s image.
In order to have Christ like love, one needs to be born from above.
We’re born with original sin and from the Garden that’s how it’s been.
And at the moment we’re conceived we are targeted to be deceived.
Adam’s sin was passed on to you, that’s every single Gentile and Jew.
And since we come from Adam and Eve, we too, can become deceived.
Friend Satan comes to deceive but Christ gives you power to believe.
He gives freely to all who believe, a gift by faith you just receive.
Satan only wants you to destroy; while Christ comes to give you joy.
Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you will receive Eternal Life.
And on the way to Eternal Life you become a New Creature in Christ.
God’s Mercy you can not win if you desire to continue a life of sin.
And being born spiritually dead, a dark eternity is what lies ahead.
But Christ as the second Adam friend provided for us a better end.
When we were children of the night Jesus came to guide us into Light.
And Christ came down to this strife to lead Believers into New Life.
A life of sin is empty and dead, so why not have New Life instead.
Born in a sinful darkened state, death is everyone’s ultimate fate.
Sin was cast out of Paradise and God will cause its future demise.
But to all men who are truly wise, The Lord has given spiritual eyes.
Eyes to see with Godly sight, that all men need The Light of Christ.
(Copyright ©08/2004)
Love Not Judge
The Lord wants not to judge us; God simply desires to love us.
He sent His Son for you and me, to a bloody hill called Calvary.
God had sent Jesus to that cross, for sinful men who were lost,
Where Jesus Christ died for all, taking the judgment for our fall.
He wants not to take your life, but give you one in Jesus Christ,
Who didn’t come to punish you, but to give you a life that’s new.
The reason why Christ was sent, was to receive our punishment.
On the cross Christ’s punishment, was in place of our judgment.
The Lord above is a Loving God, but His justice demands a rod,
One against the darkness of sin, and all enemies opposing Him.
Christ left His Eternal Light, to oppose the darkness of the night.
Christ had died for you and me, for us to live with God eternally.
It was God who loved us first, and in Christ offered us New Birth,
When we were but sinful dust, He had sent His Son to die for us.
And through His Son Jesus Christ, sinners go from death to life,
For at the time that God sent Him, we were still dead in our sin.
God will save you from all your sin, if you will only let Christ in,
If you let Christ into your heart, you will have a brand new start.
Then you will not fear His Rod, when you make Him your God,
You will instead reign with Him, when He judges death and sin.
(Copyright ©05/2006)
The End of Darkness
There is a darkness on every side, and with it a prevailing evil tide.
And this evil that is all around us, fills our heart with deep disgust.
From the evil we attempt to hide, but its effects can not be denied.
But soon it shall be behind us, this present world with all its lusts.
We will no longer be in this world, when by God Eternity’s unfurled.
Darkness pervades each corner of life, causing all unwanted strife.
Darkness is evil’s vessel friend, with destruction as its ultimate end.
Satan wants to hand you defeat, as he desires to sift you like wheat.
What God says about our enemy, is resist the devil and he will flee.
For Christ has achieved the victory, for evil to be banished eternally.
Until then darkness isn’t a friend, and Christ’s Light is to be our end.
Darkness is dispelled by His Light, along with all the evil of the night.
When darkness mounts against us, we must lean on whom we trust.
One day the darkness all about us, will be blown away like the dust.
In Heaven there will be no night, for Christ will be The Eternal Light.
Lust of the flesh will be no more, when we reach that celestial shore.
We’ll have a pure mind and heart, as an eternity with Christ we start.
No more temptation for us to face, for Heaven will be a Perfect place.
Purged of all sin and iniquity, a New Heaven and Earth is what will be.
A place where Truth is not denied, for His Light will be on every side.
God’s Eternal Ways
The sun will rise and the sun will set, this my friend, is a sure bet.
For soon the day turns into night, and the sun will go out of sight.
Without any effort on man’s part, the light of day turns into dark.
But soon we see the morning skies, as again the sun begins to rise.
My friend, even in the sky at night, we can see above a lesser light.
Friend, so precise is God’s design that we use the moon to keep time.
For by watching each lunar phase, we can count off a month of days.
God’s ways are certain my friend, and on Him you can surely depend.
As you live through all your days, do you take note of His many ways?
For these are but two my friend, of His many ways, that have no end.
And all eternal are God’s ways, and God will receive Eternal Praise.
But as the sun does set and rise, man my friend, he lives and dies.
For God to receive man’s praise, man also, must have eternal days.
Though man received God’s Breath, sin brought upon man certain death.
However, through God’s Eternal ways, He lengthened man’s mortal days.
And through the death of Jesus Christ, man can inherit Eternal Life.
Soon we will need the moon no more, when we enter Eternity’s Door.
And there will be no more night and Christ The Lamb will be the Light.
Friend, time itself will be no more, as we live with Christ forevermore,
Living with Christ in Eternal Ways, while giving God Eternal Praise.
(Copyright ©11/2004)
The Flower of Death
The life is all we have; the death is all we need
It sets in our souls as an unfertilized seed
We know it will root soon, and take over our mind
And its stalk will sprout and wind
Death will take blossom, and it shall never fade it shall stay bright
And oh it shall be a beautiful sight, as it holds its petals into the night
And the leaves shall spread as green as green can be
And if you look close you will see
It's roots shall grow deep in the pot of eternity, in the dirt of the mind
The flower shall shine, so magnificent so kind
It's pollen will fly, will sour
And wait at the front of someone's door
The sun of the next world shall shine and nurture, the rain shall fall
Thanks to that the vines shall grow, and overcome the wall
The minerals of the soul will strengthen the warmth shall grow
This process shall grow, like snow falls, fast at first then slow
For the life is all we have; the death is all we need
It sets in our souls as an unfertilized seed
We know it will root soon, and take over our minds
And its stalk will sprout and wind
For now the flower shall bloom
The darkness shall leave, take the gloom
It shall leave us and we shall follow in the light of what's to be
Only then, we shall see
The flower of forever
As it takes root, you use it as a lever
Lifting you to the flower
And now you shall not cower
For you know this will spread and the flower shall grow shall thrive
And then you will know you are truly alive
As it takes root in your soul, and it shall becomes the power
For this is the blossom, this is the flower
The life is all our have; the death is all we need
It sets in our souls as an unfertilized seed
We know it will root soon, and take over our mind
And its stalk will sprout and wind
Bethany Hill
(This poem is not supposed to make you contemplate death, and I would not like to have people think that it is. It is just meant to show you that you should not fear death yet you should not reach for it but to take it when it is meant to come. Thank you)
poem by Bethany Maxwell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Dallas
[ jimmie dale gilmore ]
Chorus:
Did you ever see dallas from a dc-9 at night?
Dallas is a jewel
Yeah, dallas is a beautiful sight
Dallas is a jungle
But dallas gives a beautiful light
Did you ever see dallas from a dc-9 at night?
Now dallas is a woman who will walk on you when youre down
But when you are up shes the kind you wanna take around
Now dallas aint a woman to help you get your feet on the ground
And dallas is a woman who will walk on you when youre down
Oh, I came into dallas with the bright lights on my mind
I came into dallas with a dollar and a dime
Dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his eyes
A steel concrete soul with a warm-hearted love in disguise
A rich man who tends to believe in his own lies
I say, dallas is a rich man with a death wish in his yes
Oh, I came into dallas with the brights lights on my mind
I came into dallas with a dollar and a dime
Chorus
song performed by by 10000 Maniacs
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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An Echoing Sadness
Sad is the word to best describe, this feeling I have echoing inside,
Even though Christ lives there, and I know that He really does care.
It is something that on the outside, that today I simply can not hide.
There is an absence of joy within, when I take my mind off of Him.
It is then that the peace in my heart, from within begins to depart.
It’s the same peace, that one day, will in my heart eternally stay.
But in this world filled with grief, I can lose my focus and peace.
But with The Lord deep inside, His presence will not always hide.
So when my world becomes bleak, it’s Christ’s face I must seek,
And in time Christ will restore, that awesome peace of The Lord.
Circumstances can play a part, in the role of peace in my heart.
But friend, this just will not be, if I focus on Christ and Eternity.
For this is not my ultimate home, this darkened earth that I roam,
I need to be fixed on Christ above, for His presence and His love.
My friend, I don’t know why it is, that my heart does get like this.
But I know that in times like this, Christ is my God and I am His.
Whatever mind I may be in, He’s the same as He’s always been.
And if I have a troubled heart, Christ as my friend, will not depart.
Christ will stay right by my side, and it is in Him that I will abide,
As God, Christ is not denied, and He will restore my peace inside.
(Copyright ©02/2005)
His Righteousness Alone
I have no righteousness of my own but stand on faith in Christ alone,
Abraham's an example to all of us for he believed unto righteousness.
On my own, from God, I stand apart as I was born with a sinful heart,
But Jesus took upon the sin of us to cover us with His Righteousness.
God knew before man's fall that Christ would die for the sins of all,
Satan would strike Christ's heel but God followed with this appeal,
Christ would in turn crush his head and Satan will be eternally dead,
Sin's price of death is on my head but Jesus Christ died in my stead.
Though Jesus died He rose again for death could not hold Him friend,
Death may come to all my friend and apart from Christ it is your end.
If you accept His Righteousness in-lieu of death you'll be blessed,
Reject The Lord and your last breath will take you to eternal death.
Christ suffered death for a while so to God we could be reconciled,
From the grave Christ did rise and now He lives even though He died.
Christ bore our sins on the cross and for our sins He paid the cost.
In the grave He buried our sin so we could rise to new life with Him.
There's still hope you can be sure for Jesus is knocking at the door,
He's waiting for you to come in for the cross is your victory over sin.
For our sin Christ did atone and Salvation is in Him and Him alone,
The One knocking at the door can be your Righteousness forevermore.
(Copyright ©03/2004)
A Heavy Heart
There’s a heaviness upon my heart, at times it seems to not depart.
But Christ who lives within my heart, will never leave me nor depart.
I need to focus more upon The Lord, for by Him I am never ignored.
I need to seek His lasting peace, a peace I known will never cease.
This heaviness will soon subside, for by The Lord I am not denied.
I will get through this present test, as He does for me what is best.
For His eyes are ever watching me, as I journey home to Eternity,
Underneath are His everlasting arms, protecting me from all harm.
I know that God will always care, even though I am feeling despair.
I must fully trust God’s loving hand, even when I do not understand.
For He watches me from up above, who am I to doubt God’s love?
Only He knows what’s best for me, especially in the light of Eternity.
I am simply one single man, in God’s all encompassing eternal plan.
And though I am only a tiny part, Christ shall never leave my heart.
So as the darkness envelopes me, I need to be mindful of Eternity.
For though it seems dark as night, I will soon see His Eternal Light.
Present darkness I need not fear, for I know Christ is always near.
His Grace is what saved me friend; and He will see me to the end.
The Lord when the time is right, shall at the end show me the light.
And once again His Light will shine, for I am His and Christ is mine.
(Copyright ©05/2005)
No Small Doubt
Satan starts with a small doubt, when it’s God who’s talked about,
Satan takes a well grounded fool, and uses him as a spiritual tool,
One sharpened tool for deceit, for Satan’s goal of spiritual defeat,
As victory through Christ is yours, but, the enemy subtly implores,
That one soul to join the lost, and become an enemy of the Cross.
It may be someone that you know, though a friend, a spiritual foe,
Maybe a family member, or two, who spiritually disagree with you,
They might not even be aware, when used by the prince of the air,
That serpent and the father of lies, going for that spiritual demise,
Of men and women everywhere, who regarding Truth, do not care.
Satan makes inroads all the time, to sway the heart and the mind,
So that they will reject God’s Son, Christ who came for everyone,
From doubt he moves to deceive, and even men, who do believe,
So that their influence for The Lord, upon others, may go ignored,
As Satan uses everybody he can, even those who are Born Again.
With some doubt he brings dismay, causing clouds along the way,
Clouds of darkness and despair, to assert that God does not care,
But not only does The Lord care, He defeated the prince of the air,
Though Satan will lie until the end, he cannot defeat God my friend,
Who alone, can set all men free, as they accept Truth from Calvary.
It is no small doubt my friend, as Satan works to produce your end,
An end that goes beyond the grave, for all who God does not save,
Not because He can’t; He died for all, but, Satan induces man’s fall,
Man’s enemy in this Age of Grace, so The Truth they won’t embrace,
Inciting doubt, his deceptive breath, moves men to an eternal death.
(Copyright ©08/2008)
Distances
distance. space.silence.
what is the distance between
your nose to my eyes?
it is the kiss that seals it.
what is the distance between
our silence for days?
it is the distance of longing.
what is the distance between
these miles and miles of separation?
it is this knowing a little bit of ourselves
that sews the torn pieces of cloth
i keep a little distance
between my heart and my head.
i keep this distance between
you and myself, you know why?
i want to see you more.
The farther you are, the more
i can see you the more you
can see me.
IT is the farthest star
that we long much.
IT is the love that is gone
that we want to recover.
IT is the broken heart that we
want to mend.
It is this certain distance
that makes us more human.
This longing. This pain.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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God’s Lights
Morning’s painting on the sky above, covers this earth like a glove,
Clouds covered by the sun’s rays, filling earth with abundant praise.
With yet another day to unfold, of God’s wonderful Glory to behold,
The beauty fills hearts and minds, with awe for God’s grand design.
Before the sun is overhead, God paints the clouds a gorgeous red,
This as He moves earth out of night, into the brightness of daylight.
At times the sunlight He shrouds, hiding the sun behind the clouds,
Clouds God paints upon the sky, as wide and vast as they are high.
Although the sun is hid from sight, God keeps it there till fall of night,
Then it’s truly veiled from all eyes, by the ever darker evening skies.
When God shows us another side, as He allows the daylight to hide,
As night’s ushered in by Heaven, God’s lesser light starts to descend.
Now under an ever darker canopy, with lights far as the eye can see,
And the moon above phase by phase, to count both nights and days,
God starts with a new moon friend, with the full moon at month’s end.
This is how God lights the skies, above a world that is filled with eyes.
Lights placed above for all to see, by the hand of The God of Eternity.
The Greatest Light we cannot see; The One who died for you and me.
The Light of Christ soon will shine, from the Eternal City for all of time,
No more need of the moon or sun, for the only Light will be God’s Son.
Morning Hymn
Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o'er the shades of night:
Day-spring from on high, be near:
Day-star, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by thee,
Joyless is the day's return,
Till thy mercy's beams I see;
Till thy inward light impart,
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin, and grief,
Fill me, Radiancy Divine,
Scatter all my unbelief,
More and more thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.
poem by Charles Wesley
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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