You Just Lost One!

Listen carefully!



Blair Wingo
blair_wingo@yahoo.com

Struggles!

Justin Izlar

Everybody goes through struggles
But there are different ways that people handle them.
Different ways that people approach them.
Different ways that people dismantle them.

Everybody has ups a downs
And we all try to avoid the down.
Some see it and try to go around.
Some get lost in it and are never found.

Don't be that type of person
That gets stuck and doesn't know what to do.
Because if you do, before you know it
That situation is going to destroy you.

When these situations do hit home.
There are 3 types of people that will go through.
Those that hide, watch, and make it their own.
The question is, which one are you?

Akward

Marcus Corpening

http://www.myspace.com/themightytestimony

http://amightyservice.blogspot.com/

Sought Potential Part I (read the origianl)..../HE thinks I shine/ Curiosity of my potential leads me to continue to climb and climb/But sometimes the hand of time refuses to shake my hand in agreement/ So I carve my name in the cement of patience/

Right now, I want you to do the same and carve your name in that same cement of patience and anticipate the continuation of this poem. Patience is indeed a virtue.

POTENT POTENTIAL!!!
by Christoph Jenkins

Now that I have engraved my name in that cement/ The clock on the wall of this world no longer seems relevant/ Because of the time that He spent on the cross/ He hung high and lost His life/ So that I might realize my full potential/ However, it is essential that you know/With all clarity and complete sincerity/ That I will never acquire enough credentials/ To reach the potential He has set for me/ He adores me!/ And I do Him/ Before I knew Him, my future was bleak as can be/ Desolate!/ My potential was weak as can be/ There was no hope!/ I'll testify right now/ It's best to try him/ And I know how/ Be honest with yourself and with Him/ Shelf your old ways and do away with them/ Verbally ask God to reside in you/ Because believe you me, He takes pride in YOU/ Especially, when you take pride in Him/ I use to take short timid steps/ Now, I can stride in Him/ Psalms 18 and 2 is my proclamation/ Let it be your proof if you need documentation/ HE told me I have Potent Potential/ All because I allowed my heart to become residential/ You should do the same?/

Give your life to Christ! Do it this day because tomorrow might be too late.

God Bless!!!

No Rhyme Or Reason!

by Christoph J.

Lord, I heard you knock.
Please, come in!
Dwell within me!
And I vow to let my light, that is You, shine forever!

Amen!

How Could You?

by Natarsha N. Wright

How could you love someone like me?

How could you accept me for who I am?

For the person I was

For that time I put my ways before yours

For that time I followed the crowd

For that time I lied

For that time I stole

For that time I cheated

For that time I slipped into depression

For that time I tried to commit suicide

For that time I let him have his way with me

For that time I had an abortion

For that time I believed that I would be nothing without him

For that time I cursed you and mocked your name

For that time I put my job before you

For that time I put my money before you

For that time I couldn’t have my way

For that time I said, I’d never and I did

For that time I didn’t trust you

For that time I didn’t believe

For that time I didn’t have hope

For that time I didn’t have faith

For that time I told you, if you do this one thing for me, I will…

For that time I didn’t believe you would make a way out of no way

For that time I didn’t forgive myself when you had already forgiven me

For that time, and this time, and…

HOW COULD YOU? GOD, GOD do you hear me, do you even see me, according to James 4:7, I submit myself to you O, God, I resist the devil and HE MUST FLEE! He only came to dominate and have his way with me, manipulate and torment me, say it with me, "THE DEVIL MUST FLEE", "I am strong and of good courage, I do not fear nor am I afraid, for the Lord my God, He is the one who goes with me. He will not leave me nor forsake me."~Deuteronomy 31:6

Self Realization

by Ms. Twitty

Oh happy day

When someone can show me that they don't love me enough
But through the pain my spirit strengthens my mind so that I love me more that enough
So it doesn't matter what others show
Or don't
Praying to God
Asking for guidance and relief from this pain
He whispers into my ear
It's only temporary
You deserve better
You deserve the best
Put NO man before me
You will be bountifully blessed
Don't worry about the future
Just do My will
Give up control

This is not your will, but Mine
Give up your pride
Or your circle of struggles and confusion will continue
Follow Me and I will not lead you astray
Do not worry about the small things in life
I will handle it all
I will take care of you

As I always have
Take my hand my child
For I have always been reaching for you...

Prayer for Inner Peace

by Don Smith

Dear Lord,

you know of my heartaches
my pains
you know of my concerns
my aims
you know of my faults
my strength
you know of my bad judgement
my common sense
you know of my future
my past
and I know troubled times won't last forever
so I ask that you grant me peace
during these unpeaceful times
I ask, that you free my mind
of any worry
stress
I feel I can serve you best
with a peaceful mind
Lord,
I ask that you grant me an inner peace
this is what I ask
it is what I seek
In Jesus Christ name, I pray
Amen

You

I failed to understand the privilege and prosperity I had in you. There were blessings that were available to me (and those like me) and only available from you.

But you see, past memories often overshadow present circumstances. Like a dog that returns to his vomit, a clean pig to her mud, the comfortable, delicious, delightful, warm and fuzzy past often seeks agency to gain entrance to the present and future...over stepping its bounds.

And I open the door to that past by welcoming it into the...now, by stepping outside of your safety and security to walk on the wild side. Your comforter warned me, encouraged me to stay, but did not stop me because you gave ME the choice. Even my body rebelled against my mind: pit in my stomach, heart in my throat. But I packed up my blessings in the knapsack you gave me and walked out...and I didn't look back.

How easily I slipped back into the groove, into the rhythm. All my friends were waiting there, celebrating there, partying there, happy for my triumphant return there. They opened up my knapsack of blessings and helped themselves, bringing new friends that began to love me and adore me and it seemed that I was on top of the world. I celebrated my decision. I know you knew, but I knew better, because nothing felt like thiiiiissssssss.

But after awhile it seemed that my new friends didn't love me at all. Their presence and adoration was directly proportional to the contents of the knapsack and as the supply began to dwindle, they began to dwindle. When the knapsack was empty, so was I. I tried to get the party started but all of them were nowhere to be found. The comfort became asphalt hard, deliciousness soured, delight became sickening, warm and fuzzy became cold and brittle. For the first time ever, I heard the echo of my heartbeat.

It was then that I realized that it was you that knew better. The desolation of humiliation, the utterness of loneliness, the fat swollen tears of fears were my only companions, constant in their vigil, like vultures circling the cruelly sunlit sky waiting for me to die. And die I did, slow death to myself, velvet blackness, not allowing me to see the hand you gave me in front of the face you gave me, so I couldn't see you...save me.

The legs you gave me dropped to the knees in slavery and crawled back to you...waiting you, seeking you, weeping you, realoving you, everlasting you, wonderful, amazing, awesome you, arms outstretched.

And you said not a word,
and suffered none from me.
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
As you slipped a golden ring on my finger and a robe around my shoulders...

'for this is my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and found.' And they began to be merry. Luke 15:24

©SojournerG 2008 All rights reserved

I’ve Diluted Myself!

by Diana Ramsey (Northern Virginia)

Turn up the music so I can fade out the loud banging of my conscience hitting my heart. Roll down the window so the tears that fall out my eyes can be brushed away quickly before anyone recognizes my pain. Let me close my eyes so I won’t see the person I have become. Pour me one more shot of whatever this is that is making my body feel tingly with sin and temptation. I want to dilute myself of the purity I was born into, cause if I do I won’t have to hear my conscience, feel my tears, deal with this pain, see myself going to hell, or even be conscience enough to care. I’ve diluted so much of my soul that not even the holiest of prayers can drag me out. If I could take out all the bad I’ve diluted myself with, would I be clean again? Probably not, cause I would still walk around bearing the scars of a sinner. I was born into sin and with my help I will die just the same. I sit in church wanting to feel the Holy Ghost but I’m left in shame. The woman beside me was more worthy of this righteous takeover. Holy Ghost probably could get past all of my many distractions to whisper God’s love for me in my ear. See we all have diluted ourselves in one way or another. You read this poem from the outside in, now read it from the inside out, replacing the I’s with Me’s because you see yourself in between these words somehow. Dilution is the pollution of the soul, and like I said before…I’ve diluted myself………….

A Special Mother's Day Message: "A Virtuous Woman"

Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Message)

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
© Streaming Faith all rights reserved.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Please and Thank You!

by Christoph J.



Lord God, I need You NOW!

Please?!
(with a whimper)

I'm praying! Please, hear me!
I'm broken! Please, fix me!
I'm wounded! Please, heal me!
I'm dirty! Please cleanse me!
I'm naked! Please, clothe me!
I'm hungry! Please, feed me!
I'm without! Please, provide for me!
I'm weak! Please, strengthen me!
I'm vulnerable! Please, defend me!
I'm alone! Please, accept me!
I'm scared! Please, lead me!
I'm naive! Please, learn me!
I'm lost! Please, guide me!
I'm worried! Please, soothe me!
I'm crying! Please, hug me!
I'm here! Please, notice me!
I'm empty! Please, fill me!
I'm bound! Please, loose me!
I'm sinning! Please, deliver me!
I'm guilty! Please, teach me!
I'm sorry! Please, forgive me!
I'm honest! Please, believe me!
I'm vacant! Please, live in me!
I'm clay! Please, mold me!
I'm yours! Please, control me!
I'm ready! Please, send me!
I'm grateful!!!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!

I love you!

HE IS

by Natarsha N. Wright

Son of God
Lord of Lord
King of Kings
Prince of Peace
Alpha and Omega
Omnipresent
Savior
Protector
Restorer
Redeemer
Forgiving
Counselor
Hope
Rock
Deliverer
Shepherd
Wonderful
Friend
Healer
Comforter
Messiah
Lamb of God
Righteous
Magnificent
Holy

HE IS!

The One

by Natarsha N. Wright

You have been feeling me for a while now, but I couldn't see with all the distractions surrounding me
I couldn't see that all I wanted and needed was right here in front of me
You love me in spite of my flaws and all for who I was, who I am, and who I will become
You make me strong when I am weak
You always want what's best for me
You never give up on me
The more I get intimate with you, you help me see the real me
The me that longs for you, to taste and see, to hear your voice, to feel your touch, to feel you inside of me, I crave you, thirst for you
Shoot, honestly, I must admit that I am feeling you, too
They say some people search a lifetime and never find what we have, but once I stopped searching, THE ONE I was looking for was standing right here in front of me

Salvation

by Don Smith

Life teaches a painful lesson
one that will be taught without question
all the constant stressing
will have us second-guessing
our decisions
but we must accept it as
a part of living
God places no more on us than we can bare
we know this to be a truth
therefore we must faithfully attend our trials and tribulations
for they serve as living proof
the Lord is in control
we must humble ourselves
to the most important role that
He plays in our lives
our Salvation
our sins were taken when
Jesus Christ died upon the cross
would you give your life for the sins of another?
would you accept such a precious loss?

My 2008

by Jennifer Taylor

No food, no friends, no way out
But trusting you without a doubt
No job, no money, no hope
But thanking you for giving me ways to cope
Talked about , lied on, and mistreated
But laughing because I never feel defeated
Knowing that I must endure Hell
In order to get to Heaven
Content with not knowing my fate
But leaning on Jesus all the way
So please understand that when you look at me
There is only one thing to say
I am a blessed and highly favored beauty
And I am thanking Jesus every step of the way

j.taylor1984@hotmail.com

If I Get 1 More Chance...

by Diana Ramsey


Today, I woke up feeling like I shouldn’t. 'Cause yesterday I still didn’t give all of myself to the "Most High". God, I know I disappoint you. The way I pray before I go to sleep and when I wake up, means less and less because I continue to do the things I know, from your mouth to my ear, what is wrong. I fornicate, curse, drink, and have not fully committed my life to you. I find myself being angry at the person in the mirror. The more scriptures I read, the more evident the presence of you should be in my life. If I get 1 more chance, I will praise you to those who won’t listen. But I'm laying here praying for that chance, God. So now, I lay down to sleep and if I get another chance, I’ll keep trying harder and harder each day to walk in your steps, God; for you wake me up everyday for one...more...chance.

Never Would Have Made It!

The "Peace" To My Puzzle

by Christoph J.

There is a "peace" to my puzzle that I'm missing...I'm incomplete!

So I retreat to that quiet place where God and I used to meet

Because my faith has been tested and I need to pray.
There's no way to get around it so I seek His face.

I close my eyes and I visualize me at His feet,
Bowed down and as humble as I could ever be.

I repent of my sins to make sure my slate is clean.
I know He's the bread of life, but I feel like my plate is clean.

I need directions to where I'm going before I stray too far.
Its been a while since the last time I prayed to God

I've backslid to a point where I'm filled with guilt
So I need to strengthen the bond that He and I have built

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I fear no evil!" Now I am free to take a breath.

"He lovingly leads me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul", along with His sons and daughters.

"He annoints my head with oil. My cup overflows
Surely goodness and love will follow me," So, I go where He goes

I will take shelter in arms whenever there's bad weather
"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" and ever

AMEN!!!

Scriptural excerpts taken from Psalms 23:1-6

After the "Love"

by Sojourner G

So there we sat on the edge of the bed...
afterwards...
on opposite sides.

She was looking at the wall. I was looking at the sink.

I kept wanting to be concerned about what was going through her mind, but everything in my upbringing screamed so loudly in my ear.

"What have you done?!"
"Boy you in trouble now!"
"Ima ttttteeellllllll!"
"You gonna git it!"

Why was I back in my childhood?

But through all of this,

God was silent.

I knew what I was doing. I turned heaven's volume down. Who am I kidding? I put Jesus on mute.

"I put Jesus on mute," I think I said aloud.

She was lost in her own thoughts.

I tried to think about the fleshly pleasures so recently experienced, but the three man gang of Grief, Guilt and Fear, leaned on me like the oppressing heat of the Saharan sun.

Grief reminded me that I was not who I thought I was nor who I claimed to be. He caused me to mourn the loss of my character and integrity. Said he talked to God and that He was hurt. I knew Grief was lying...and telling the truth. He convinced me that I no longer deserved life so I gave my joy to him.

Guilt went to work on my heart, causing it to thud sickly in my chest. "You're always telling other people how to live their lives, always giving advice on how to straighten up and fly right. Now you're just like the rest. Hypocrite!" The word stung like a slap in the face with a cold hand. He stabbed my mind with the knife of unworthiness, the ice pick of unrighteousness, and dug into my anemic heart with the dull jagged spoon of uncleaness. He convinced me that I was no longer worthy so I gave my confidence to him.

Fear said nothing at all, but settled in my stomach like a hot metallic ball of grease that would not allow itself to be vomited out...but made me wretch over and over. He fed the thoughts of panic about discovery and started a forest fire of humiliation and embarassment. My whole body trembled at the thought of what could be... because of what was. Without lifting my eyes, I reached deep inwardly and placed my security into his hands.

And there I sat as they circled around me, whispering to me, taunting me, assuring me that they were going nowhere.

Still there I sat, ready to be poured out onto the floor.
No form.
No substance.
No more.

Then the phone rang.

Out of habit, I picked it up, connected the call and said,

"H'lo?"

"Hi Honey! Dinner will be ready when you get home and don't forget you're taking the kids to bible study tonight, 'kay?"

"OK."

"But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
~James 1:14-15

©SojournerG 2008 All rights reserved