12 years to call

 Red letter day today as I know you still care 

You called me on my phone 

A little wait is a lot of weight 

For just a man alone

A dozen years and a dozen beers 

Both affect a man the same 

Make you crazy, lil bit lazy

May forget your own damn name 

The day arrives it’s finally here 

A blessing down the line 

I hear your voice, I know your choice 

Your life enmeshed with mine 

I now know why I I learned to cry 

I learned to lie and languish 

Just thought I was crying didn’t know I was dying 

I took wine for me in my anguish

Today’s wine and beer are not quite clear 

Though it’s probably drugs 

Makes nights hazy and days quite lazy 

Ain’t  no replacement for hugs 

I don’t want to die, I’m too young to perish 

Beer and wine for some other poor man 

They aren’t like me, I can now be carefree 

Since you’re  back, my life’s now in hand 

Can’t see why I suffered so could be fate just don’t know 

Looking back trying to see through the fog 

Drug dungeon is dark, so why’d I just park 

Now I’m flying, living high on the hog 

I must ask the question, what took you so long 

12 years is a mighty long time 

I thought I had lost you, now know what it cost you

Let’s face it, a call costs a dime 

Just what were you thinking, or were you just drinking 

Believing the enemy’s lies 

You think that you love it and can’t rise above it

Day comes when you cut him down to size

Clear day arrives you’re now all alert 

Look back you can see it, the fog

Stay now just jolly, don’t repeat that there folly

Since you now see it, don’t be it...the dog.

Proverbs 31:6-7

Let beer be for those who are perishing,

wine for those who are in anguish!

Let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returns to its vomit,

so fools repeat their folly.

New city

 God builds His city, His people grafted in 

He makes materials to size 

Six hundred talents, Bema seat is balance 

Those He knows will see Him with their eyes 

His new city, no need for a temple 

No need for Sun, moon, and stars 

God'll be our Light, there'll be no night 

We'll see The Lamb and we may see His scars

Hope for the city, yearn to see His face 

Wait and hope with patience in His Word 

Welcome to new city, Spacious, stately, pretty 

Like nothing you've ever seen or heard 

His new city, no need for a temple 

No need for Sun, moon, and stars 

God'll be our Light, there'll be no night 

We'll see The Lamb and we may see His scars

His new city, no need for a temple 

No need for Sun, moon, and stars 

God'll be our Light, there'll be no night 

We'll see The Lamb and we may see His scars.

2 Chronicles 3:8

8 He built the Most Holy Place, its length corresponding to the width of the temple—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. He overlaid the inside with six hundred talents of fine gold.

Revelation 21:16-22

16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

No more fiction

 Here we are again at this well-known spot 

Facing up to a familiar face 

He knows those who need us, sets reminders to lead us

We’ll be comin’ round the mountain to the same old place

His view of our progress is higher than ours 

He thankfully sees the whole show

He cares more than we’re able so keeps things on our table 

That we need to be able to grow

We’re fantastic at dreams often worse than it seems

In  the staying of just sticking to fact

We  scream ‘No more fiction’ with no  contradiction

But our minds are consistently cracked

We think we know best above all of the rest 

We’re right! Flip, We’d bet the farm

Faced with “wait”we can’t cope, still He fills us with hope

In His mercy says” prosper” not “harm”

If God was a’changing like the rest of our world 

We’d be cooked, we’d have so much to fear

But His stance is to stand, and He holds our right hand 

He’s constantly helping us here

Our future’s quite sure 

After all we’re in heaven

It’s on earth where we daily have struggles

Here’s  no perfect number, we sleep and we slumber 

Hopes and futures aren’t all that He juggles

Why does He help us?

Of what use is such grace?

Is He scoring more points in some game?

We’re An altruistic dancer, there’s our ultimate  answer

We’re glorifying Yahweh’s good name.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

Jesus still a Jew

 Craziness abounds these days, flippin’ hard to filter through 

Perplexing paths to normality just what’s a man to do?

No matter what we try and fake, or what we try and make Him

God will be Who God will be 

He’s there for those who take Him 

For those who try to change Him, though, the path is hard and rocky 

To even attempt to change our Rock 

Is unnecessarily cocky 

Heaps have tried to kill Him, said He’s dead or going to die 

Yet there He is still seated, still crowned as King on High

There’ve been those who try and feminise Him, make Him darker, change his hue 

People try to turn Him white, anything but Jew

The main thing they want changed though is what He says to all who stumble 

They’d like to re-arrange His Words 

To a people-pleasing jumble 

They won’t succeed and won’t know why 

They just can’t seem to crack Him 

They just don’t know what they don’t know 

Omnipotence there to back Him

There are also those around & down 

Who slip in a different slant 

They try and talk up lame old lies, try to make us all recant

I got news for you folks trying, it’s a treadmill of increased lying 

You can try to cancel Christ but you’ll soon find you can’t 

See Jesus ain’t just Jewish, He’s the beginning AND the end 

Yahweh will accept & bless you too & be Saviour, brother, & friend

Please stop trying to alter God 

Belief is all there is to do

All these years later truth still rings true 

Jesus still alive, Jesus still a Jew.

Reach

 Who can’t He reach ? Is there any beyond the grasp of His love?

If Saul can be saved, the way the worst of all sinners behaved 

I’m sure none are held under or above 

It’s heartening to think He reaches and chases 

Can’t fathom the thought of locked out 

As of late our dear friend became largely locked in

So much Peace to move beyond doubt

He can reach those that we can’t 

He can perfectly pierce through the spiritual plane 

Where we just see dark, He sees a walk in the park

With His loved and lit child once again

It’s amazing to think that beyond the veil of what’s seen

There’s a world that’s so massive and real 

A God that’s unseen, forever will & always been

Pursuing us all through to a done deal.

If God has been chasing and He’s good and He’s kind 

What’s with all of the running away

You’d think we’d run for Him, train ourselves to adore Him

Yet we won’t stomach a reckoning day.

 To stand before God and give an account 

That’s more than we mortals can bear 

Yet He’ll keep on chasing, no matter what words we’re basing 

He’ll catch us and we’ll all end up there

At that point we’ll see if he’s good or He’s not

He’ll have us & there is no escape 

The question is why do we run til we die 

At the finish He runs through the tape.

1 Timothy 1:13

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

All in all

 For what can we trust Him, surely not all?

Is there nothing beyond what He reaches?

On Him we rely for each by and by

That's what the Bible teaches

All in all yeah 

All in all

Consider the small things, each man has so many 

They practically pile up to Heaven

We’re faced every day with ‘forgive or repay’

His mercy says Seventy-seven

I need to remind myself of a simple, hard truth 

I’m on the receiving end of such bearing 

Faced with forgive or repay, I  choose for each day 

Follow Him in Continual caring

Each need has its fill, perfect timing as well 

I’ve seen many a time and example 

When life gets un-nerving, steady on serving 

He’ll fill every need and be ample

I CAN trust Him with all, amazingly so 

I am living proof of His grace 

As long as I’m living, graciously giving 

I can trust Him to fill up the space 

Past Providence  fuels future faith

Access is one thing for certain 

At Jesus’ last breath right after His death

Yahweh He tore down the curtain 

These days are not known, Some hours crawl by

We stumble and may even fall 

No need in fearing, Perfect Peace is now nearing 

After all, He is all in all 

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.

Matthew 18:21-22

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Perfect Pause

 Yahweh is perfect in all He is and does

Why we can trust Him for all we are and do

Our lives re-arranging, our God is not changing 

He’s composing our minds to renew

When the stroke struck in early ‘19

My life firmly fixed in fast forward 

All at once I’m told, your life’s now on hold 

You now need less stress and way more Word!

Adapting to down time has been harder than hoped 

At times I’ve struggled with meaning 

There’ve been days my life verse felt more like a curse 

Perfect Peace means way more I’m now gleaning 

As usual with God, His timing is perfect 

I needed the downtime to heal 

His timing not mine, on hold is divine

When He pushes play, it’s for real 

What I couldn’t see, still can’t if I’m honest 

His vision is so far above 

He puts us in places, holds us there on our faces 

He fashions full lives out of Love

As a maker He stands unique 

He doesn’t need raw materials, He makes ‘em

We don’t understand, but can’t question His hand

He created the kiln where He bakes ‘em!

I’m so glad He won’t  change amidst all this disquiet 

I’m thankful He speaks day by day

Sustained for a cause, living through perfect pause 

The finger of God pushes play.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Free

 I  am an empty vessel stuck inside these walls of skin

I’m relying on my Creator to reshape me yet again

Best thing I can hope for is He’ll keep His hands on me

Renew my mind, transform me with a purpose to be free.

Free. Again.

Free. Again.

I trust You with this vessel Lord but You don’t need me to

You are so creative all things start and end with You

You ain’t finished with me yet cause I’m still walking round

Sometimes You invite me to walk on hallowed ground.

Free. Again.

Free.Again.

Just like the  river Jordan Lord my life’s at full peak flood

Breadwinner to my family Lord I’m more than bone & blood

I’m up here on Your Potters wheel my life is in Your hands

My foot is in the river but I can’t see the promised land 

While You are reshaping me You stop the water’s flow

So we can cross on dry ground Lord my family close in tow

You’re making something of me but I can’t yet see what it is 

I know that I’ll be beautiful cause my label still says’ His’

When we finish crossing and we know just who we are

Can our stones remind us of how deep &  wide and far

You’ve brought us through our journey Lord

We know we’re Yours to stay

Walking round the promised land just serving You each day

You’ll bring my family over Lord and brand new yet I’ll be

I’ll bring  my memories over too and with You I’ll be free.

Free. Again.

Free.Again

Joshua 3:13 -4:7

I handed Jesus over

 Every human hands Him over 

The ground we walk on, given 

Pilate asked, Judas masked 

The nails I've daily driven

It's my fault, I'm to blame 

My sins prone to pressing 

When we believe we receive 

His Abrahamic blessing 

Jew, Gentile, all of us 

No matter creed or race 

Faith forms our future state

Christ promised our place 

It's my fault, I'm to blame 

My sins prone to pressing 

When we believe we receive 

His Abrahamic blessing 

It's my fault, I'm to blame 

My sins prone to pressing 

When we believe we receive 

His Abrahamic blessing.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (KJV)

22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

John 19:10-11

10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”

11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Galatians 3:13-14 (KJV)

13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gentleman

 On the other side we will finally be home 

God yearns for His kids to be near

We don’t understand but can’t question His Hand

Why we tarry while temporarily here

One of these days when Ray gets to Glory 

He will see what all of this means 

Blood, sweat, and pain will never surface again 

He’ll see (and be) Kings reunited with Queens

Sometimes it shines here and sometimes it pours 

But the Lord is always at Hand 

Death looks like life’s master and may mimic disaster 

Until we’re warmly welcomed in His wonderful land 

Everything changes from down here on Earth

Where there’s heartache and sickness and strife 

Lorna is there, loved ones everywhere 

Rewards of a fruit-filled, long life

Suddenly Jesus appears on the scene

Even angels hush to hear

He scoops up Ray as He’s done every day

Holds him close and whispers into his ear

“Ray I’ve been with you throughout your walk

And We’ve been through some interesting times

You’ve shown yourself faithful and for that I’m grateful

Let me show you what I now have in mind!”

Jesus our Brother and Saviour and Lord 

Escorts Ray to his new work and mansion

He has always been true, always had work to do

In the business of Heaven expansion.

Matthew 25:23

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

He knows you

Even though I have tried to put myself in your place

I canʼt fathom the pain that youʼre feeling

Of all under the sun, your sweet daughter is one

That suffered this life without healing.

If I can now reach out to your family with love

Try to cross all the miles in between

Iʼll raise you up There, to His uttermost care

in His arms sheʼs both strong and serene.

The scene up in Heaven is something to see

with our minds we canʼt comprehend it

The Creator is there, loved ones everywhere

Had I a picture, in a heartbeat Iʼd send it.

Though we strive to bend and stretch our minds

Try and grasp what Maggie is seeing

We are mortal Heʼs not, we are tied to this spot

Yet up There she is a boundless being.

She is probably doing what she most loves to do

Unfettered by sickness or pain

She is able to view, and to plan for you too

For she knows she will see you again.

Down here on Earth where weʼre hampered at birth

The pain of our loss is so searing

He knows your despair, now itʼs His turn to care

In His time perfect Peace is now nearing.

Weʼve lost a child too so Iʼll keep my words few

The message I mainly want stated:

He knows you so purely, He rescues so surely

He sustains and youʼll be liberated.

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I

will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Rhema

 Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace

The Son's names are increasingly dear

You've put Peace in your sons and now we are the ones

God asks, "What are you doing here?"

What our gentle Jesus whispered into my ear

I will shout from the rooftops today

God has blessed us with Mom, we know where we're from

From her wisdom we have sayings to say

This particular truth I'm about to reveal 

Has been whispered to me from Above

God cherishes Tamar, speaks to her through His Rhema

Heart to heart hinged on His Love

These are the lessons, some already learned 

God's whispers are more mighty than noise

Though our years may be few, God cares what we do

The baton's now been passed to us boys

With bloodline like this, target’s not easy to miss

We've been firmed up in faith from your word

We've grown into good men, starving our old selves of sin

Mom's many prayers for us have Highly been heard

God is tenderly testing us all

With signs we so often won’t see

He loves us so dearly, He asks us so clearly,

“What on Earth are you doing for Me?”

The response to this test in the case of our Mom 

The real reason she embodies tranquility 

She’s known Who to fear, He’s blessing her here

Her honor happening in her humility.

It steeled us to see that Mom’s heart was so sturdy 

Through much pain she so labored long

Always answered His call, stayed true to her Hall

Like A.C. Her dad, she finished spiritually strong.

1 Kings 19:11-13

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?

Proverbs 15:33

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

Light

 You are a light that brightens a dark

A pure and perfecting wife

A lamp that brings forth the warmth of true North

His Word so lighting your life

Once in a while when I look over at you

Next to me soundly sleeping

Your face it is bright like a wee little light 

Reminds me it's God who is keeping

When I awake and you are restless with dreams

With your anxious wimpering and jerking 

When I pray it is He who helps you to be free 

I watch as He's wonderfully working

We can only predict, we can't actually know 

What's in store for us when we pass 

Will we know one another, remember our brother?

Resolve things of a life at long last?

I do hope we know as I do love you so

I want all of our memories at hand

Each memory's a prayer of our lives that we share

As we stroll through His wonderful land 

Golden bowls full of prayers held by the elders

Each available to all of His saints

We are firmly upheld and encouraged as well

By the perfect picture it paints

I pray for you and you pray for me too

Timeless team as these bodies grow old

God hears in His Spirit and, although we can't hear it,

He increases our prayers a hundred fold.

Philippians 2:13-16

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

AI has a great head but no hands and no heart

 Here’s today’s poem. It’s called:

AI has a great head but no hands and no heart

Bots are bright, they help us write 

No fear so stuck at start 

They can read yet they can't heed 

With Him they have no part 

Prophets knew He'd come through 

They told us all The Truth 

Angels heard His saving Word

Their longings long in the tooth 

Like a bot, the angels not 

No hands nor heart 

Only humans Christ redeems 

Others have no part.

Psalms 111:10 (KJV)

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

a good understanding have all they that do his commandments:

his praise endureth for ever.

1 Peter 1:12 (KJV)

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.