Heaven Or...

With this "new gospel" many preachers aren't talking about hell over the pulpit

Because to take the shoe out the box would mean confessing that it fits

But it's like that outfit in the closet only pulled out for special occasions 

Wore hesitantly and only because of the reservation 

Somehow the world convinced the church that we weren't supposed to be offensive

When we speak about Christ, suddenly everyone is defensive

The absolute truth is one day we all will stand before an Almighty God

When it's time to review our lives, He's going to evaluate how we did on the job

Another truth is we are all lawbreakers; because of Adam, we were born into sin

While our hearts were far from Him, Christ died for a people who wouldn't let Him in

Jesus said HE didn't come to condemn the world but that through Him the world would be saved

This is where we mess up; who are we to condemn? What price did we pay?

Churches with identity crisis have it hard showing who Christ is

If the people look like the world, how can we show where the light is

The bible says "there will be a great falling away" and the body is in trouble

Self-inflicted wounds got us walking around with a muzzle 

Yes God is great and He has so much love

But His word will never change; on that He won't budge 

We are drawn away by our own lusts but somehow it's everyone fault but our own

God can't tell us what to do, I know what I'm doing... I'm grown

Praise is due to Him in the sunshine, but our lips complain when clouds form

The rain must be some mistake, God send it back where it came from

If you are a believer of Jesus Christ, you are going to go through

If someone tells you we aren't supposed to suffer, ask what bible did they go to?

Suffering ain't always about money and poverty is a mentality issue

The question is will you serve God and not things when life starts to hit you?

The church loves God but not enough to stand out

When it's time to defend our faith, we have duct taped mouths

The mission is to preach Christ and Him crucified 

You or Him? Daily you choose which one to glorify 

Contrary to popular belief everybody is not going to make it in

The bible said that narrow is the way and even the church will have a hard time in the end

Seek God for yourself while you have time left

Your struggles and addictions? Give them to God, He can help

Don't risk your eternity because of the temporary things

True satisfaction can be found in Christ and the joy He brings

Pick a team and stay on it; stop requesting to trade

It's going to be a tough walk but it'll be worth it on that great day

 

Mute Button

my mouth had been closed for years

I lost my voice so I spoke with my tears

I spoke with my paper and pen

words were the therapist, poetry my friend

a bottle under pressure ready to explode

shaken time after time because I didn't know how to release the load

off my back, man in fact I thought it was the norm

ain't it crazy you never seek shelter because you're so used to the storm

but that was me & now I see that in my weakness

the little girl within went years going speechless

I won't lie, at times I wanna cry

like I said it's my tears that often testify

but I'm opening my mouth; I'm starting over

gotta move forward & get this weight off my shoulders

life had me on mute but I'm turning up the volume

I'm clearing up space, my gift has to make room

The Upside of Down

ok God, i know i prayed many times for you to use me
and even before i knew you, you decided to choose me
i'll be honest, sometimes i think you confuse me
with someone else because you couldn't possibly want me
now i know that may be crazy talk, my language needs to change
so i'm learning to walk with you so i'll no longer be lame
every obstacle and tragedy, every person that was mad at me
i understand now, it was all apart of a bigger strategy
a plan to win me over, to trust you, to believe
i'm trying to shut my ears from the distractions, i don't wanna be like Eve
you're showing me the flipside, i'm confronted with myself; i can't hide
i'm thirsty for your living aqua because its hard to swallow this pride
but you've changed my name and i'm just waiting as i'm under construction
you don't need an Oscar or Tony, but God you deserve a lifetime achievement in my life's production.

Forgotten

I had no concept. the only way to express my feelings was to let my pen take over... 

You'll probably answer my questions before I ask them
But I just don't understand this place I'm in
Why have you left me here? Am I to die in a place you promised to get me?
Look over there God; my bags have been packed from the moment you said I was free
Yet obviously, I'm still stuck here, while others have crossed to the other side
And I'm wondering "what happened that got me off the path if you were my guide?"
I feel like I've been abandoned, you left me to fight for myself
But you told me anytime I needed you, I could cry out for help
Well God, I've been crying so much, my tears have tears
And I've been standing here waiting for what seems like years
Forgive me for the frustration, help my understanding with all this
I just want out and its like I'm a target and the darts can't miss
I've seen your record, I've known you to be faithful before
But God, I'm watching your hands, yet you won't open the door
And I'm hurt to the core because I do for everyone and I am forgotten
I'm needed to push others to the top, but no one wants to pull me from the bottom
Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong; if so, help me see clearer
My vision is distorted, give me your eyes so I can see nearer
The storm is supposed to make me stronger, but this ship is killing me
Yet you allow the waves to move me back and forth, is that your way of healing me?
I want out of this; I want something fresh, is that too hard?
These bruises are hurting me and I'm collecting battle scars
Surely you know me God; I just wanna be real with you
I'm still alive in all this; question, how can I be made new?
Why do you have me alone all the time, I'm have nothing but my words
When I can't speak, my pen takes over to say what can't be heard
Dear God, I'm pouring my heart out to you... what more shall I do?!
I wanna praise and give thanks in all things, but I'm not in that mood
And all those promises God! What about them? Why haven't they been reached?
So many "words" spoken over me, my life has already been preached
I don't want this anymore; either I stay real or I'm just wasting your time
I want to be complete in all areas; God deliver me from time
Don't let me stay forgotten when you know I've been calling out
I get my hopes up thinking its out, but I don't come out
Trapped in a prison... that's how I feel, have I been given life?
No visitors, I'm in isolation, so I didn't do anything right?!
You know what? I can't say "I don't care" because evidently I do
I try to think on other things, but I come right back to You
And so many questions I have unanswered, am I meant to know?
Is this experience really supposed to teach me how to grow?
Well, I still don't get it... and I wish the plan you have would just be shown
Please don't tell me I could've gotten out but the opportunity was blown
I'm mad because you left me here! I've been screaming for a release
I'm being twisted, turned, stretched and I have no relief
How do I know if what I"m doing is for you or because man said so
And why do I get rebuked for even thinking about saying no?
Why is it that others are allowed to take a break?
But when I wanna stop I'm told to take my foot off the brakes
These are the questions I have and I know you to be true
For every question I see the answer lies in You
I'm pouring my heart out again, I desperately need answers and a change
What is it that you want? I'm ready for the exchange

When Two Become...

In Dedication to the Normans

can I ask a question? if good things come to those who wait

what is the secret for those wait for great?

man & woman created by the epitome of love in His image 

love is not a game; no need for a scrimmage 

no it's a commitment for two to be one as the One covers two 

for many plan the wedding but fail to plan after the "I Do" 

it's so true that no two people are the same; Yet, God saw fit to piece 

two pictures into one frame and form a link with Himself completing the chain 

How incredible is the journey on the road of life? 

God in his infinite plan brought you together starting under the street lights

your love never ceased and once it reached its height

you took the step of becoming husband and wife 

it didn't happen overnight, but that's alright 

the meaningful relationship you have is only a reflection of Christ

as you continue on the path love takes, God makes no mistakes

therefore allow nothing to cause your foundation to shake 

you now have one set of footprints; listen... you hear that? its one heartbeat

because when two become one, in Him you are complete

Beauty IN the Beast

dirt. yes, the stuff that shows i'm unclean
try to hide it, try to wipe it up like mr. clean
it takes too much effort to put on a scene
so i remove myself from behind the screen
see i was Christ-less, because I thought i needed Christ less
but the more that I saw myself, i realize i was dead wrong
yes i was dead... and wrong in my thinking
in my cup i was drinking a double shot of death
you could smell it on my breath
see the side-effects in every step because i could stand to see what i had become
but Jesus died so that even the beast within could have beauty
He took my old, so that he could give a new me
but there is a struggle to say the least
because how can I accept the beauty of His gift when daily i am a beast?
I feel inadequate to even speak, yet here i am sent to reach
using the very words that times cage me in
God, you know my ends and outs
oh God you know my doubts
oh God you see my heart before i ever open my mouth
oh God since you won't take me out
oh God since i must continue this route?
God help me appreciate the beauty that you've designed to bring out....

Castaway

repeatedly, its eating me
i don't like what they're feeding me
but i eat it up greedily
life must be one big game of "sike" or is everyone drunk from shots of "hype"?
we preach about the "light"
but its "after dark" that we ignite
i'm not ready, but surely i'm striving to be
I don't wanna be a castaway, cast away for eternity
it's like Noah, telling us to prepare for the rain
but because we don't see clouds we label him "insane"
yet the world smells like dew and we claim to know You
but God, obviously Your word must be hard to chew
we don't trust it enough to believe you'll deliver
we'd rather hand you over for thirty pieces of silver
we only want you when the time is good for us
all the other times we don't wanna hear about Jesus
God i can only speak for myself; forgive me for putting you on a shelf
to collect dust and sit for decoration
i pray that we understand the seriousness of salvation...

The Truth Is...

I've only been kidding myself and now i'm screaming for help
because now i'm reaching for emotions that years ago I left on the shelf
i'm having to deal with what I chose to conceal
the crazy thing is, I gotta face the pain in order to heal
but let's be real, because its easy to be fake
the narrow road is a desert make no mistake
the truth is we don't want the truth
because it requires you dealing with you
the truth is like the bible, we know we need to read it
but when its placed in front of us, do we really believe it?
so, i'm dealing with the little girl that was on life support
I didn't know how to let her live, so I figured I'd cut her short
God i'm ready to live, that's my declaration
therefore, PLEASE breathe life into me like resuscitation

What If...

So… hypothetically speaking, the greatest event in the history of mankind

What if it never took place? What if all was erased? Let me rewind…

The scriptures say if Christ wasn’t raised, my faith is useless and I’d still be guilty

I would be lost forever, wandering in the dark; I’d still be filthy

Alone I can’t meet God’s standard, its too high for me to reach

Alone I can’t atone for my sins, the price is too much for each

Just think; an eternity away from God would be the final destination

Without the blood paying the price, we couldn’t afford salvation

But God created the greatest love story and in His flawless plan

He would send His one and only down to redeem man

Prophets spoke of Him hundreds of years before He even came

And though they never saw Him, they still recognized that He’d reign

So this living Christ came down, gave His life, choosing to die

For a people who were dying, so they could be rewarded eternal life

Before Christ, the high priest stood on behalf of the congregation

But at the death of Christ, the veil was torn as a representation

That now we have free access to God who sits on the throne

Knowing that Christ is interceding for us, we are not in this alone

What if Jesus called on the angels to get Him before it was finished?

Truly everything leading up to that point would’ve been diminished

But while He hung on the cross, He was making mental notes

Making sure that He had completed everything His Father wrote

Even on the cross He interceded on our behalf, because He knew the math

Life minus a relationship with God equals going down a destructive path

The love of God is so strong, He sent Jesus to right our wrong

Jesus had so much power; death couldn’t hold Him too long

Many debate the day of his birth, the miracles, his words, his life and his death

But all that matters is He completed His assignment; that’s a truth we can’t reject

   

When You Find Me...

I'm being hidden because its up to you to seek
after God first and only then can you peek
inside the mystery of who I am and my one-of-a-kind design
I'm a masterpiece in search of the Master's peace; perfection takes time
Women always say "I'm waiting on my Boaz,"
but "Boaz" can't come if "Ruth" has no class
I'll admit I'm no small task
I'll gladly remove my mask
if it means moving forward and passing this class
so know that I'm hidden to be found
sometimes silence is the best sound
I can't fly if I can't master walking on the ground
I'm like Esther, making preparation for my dream
I'm royalty; therefore, you'll find me in presence of my Father, the King!

Collapse

God, am I in pieces?
do I even know what peace is?
the mind is a prison; thoughts held captive
not sure if you're coming or going; therefore I'm reacting
based on what I can't see; desire to be free
but I've chained myself because I'm afraid of the path to destiny 
destiny has be calling me, but I don't wanna answer
so slowly guilt is eating at me like cancer
I figure at this pace, I'll forever be on the run
I'm standing in the shade too afraid to face the SON
or is it all done? this is a mind game
let me renew my thoughts; check my mind frame
I found out the wilderness can still have an oasis
so I gotta go after the living water on a daily basis...

Keep Your I's Closed

it's like being on a deserted island fighting for survival
so then we become rivals
but we are fighting the wrong thing
we are jacks trying to beat the King
but He rules everything
He alone reigns supreme
Everyday people wonder about their purpose
but we aren't willing to go beneath the surface
sorry if I make you nervous
but life without God is like a fake diamond; its worthless
God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise
if you see yourself as great, you have something in your eyes
I call it Pride; you should check your "I" sight
even your lungs have to get permission from God just to breathe right
all I'm saying is, God is God... we are not
I'm keeping my "I's" closed because He alone deserves the top spot

Taste Test

I find myself wanting others to like what I do
as if my 10 is the same as their shoe
but the truth is, what I've tried I wish everyone would embrace
the fact is the only "real" people know is actually fake
man will fail you, but man will tell you
absolutely anything to have you buy what they're trying to sell you
what I'm telling you isnt just based on "some book"
no, I had to "taste" for myself that God was greater than how my circumstances looked

Free to Breathe

Dear God, I feel the need to get this off my chest
then maybe I'll have the ability to rest
I confess, things are a mess
nothing else matters without your crest
of approval; this removal of what's deep is starting to press
it's the root of the thorn that I need to address
yet you love me no less, but I don't "feel" blessed
but hear my desire to make progress
it's a painful process & I won't make it unless
you come & get me; pls equip me to handle this test
my life is a funeral; I should be alive less & less
the irony is I long to live for you, but I'm breathing to death

Questions

how can I ask you for something you never had in the first place?
how can I hold you hostage when we both need God's grace?
how can I say that you need Christ in your life
when my life doesn't reflect being the bride of Christ?
how can I tell you to let it go when I continue to hold tight?
how can I tell you to speak peace when my thoughts are in a fight?
how can I tell you about God but I continue to deny Him?
how can I tell you about what He's done if I've never tried Him?
how can I pray "in faith," but live "in doubt?"
how can I show the love of Christ if my heart never opens its mouth?

Afraid (of the deep)

I know you walked on water, but I don't know if I can
my confidence is about as sure as standing in sand
but you stretched out your hand & bid me to come
are you sure? did you see where I came from?
im not really feeling this; you can say I'm numb
but your will be done cuz my will be dumb
I gotta keep my eyes on you so I won't sink
you are my living aqua; I need more to drink
I am afraid of the deep
this mountain is steep
but you called me to make this leap
do surgery on me God; start with my feet

Bondage

Who would've known that you can be in bondage searching for freedom
My "intelligence" made my definition of free dumb
See I was a slave to sin; a slave to the temporary pleasure
Because I thought "free will" meant I can "do me" without measure
But the reality is, freedom comes at a price you can't afford
My debt was stacking up until I gave it to the Lord
I said, "Now God, look... I know that you have warned
but if you don't get me, I'll forever be in this storm
This thing keeps pricking me! Why was this formed?!"
He said, "Humility is the purpose of this thorn."
Don't think for a second that God doesn't know you...
If you don't believe me, check Jeremiah, it'll show you...

Aftermath

"Mom" said, "You think you know my business, but you don't know my story."
If they only recognized the process behind the glory
Bruises and scars are the evidence of the fight
but I'm still standing firm with all my might
You saw me going through; now watch me come out
You may have heard my tears; but now hear my shout
I received a name change; you can call me Victory
No longer in that past season, previously known as misery
I'm in the "aftermath" of the storm
I walk in the freedom of my God; therefore, I sound the alarm
So understand, misery can't keep company with me
Instead of Pity, I decided to invite Praise to the party

Graveyard Shift

Question: would you give medicine to the man already well?
Because that's what's going on; this is how I can tell
The church has become repetitious, but doesn't it look suspicious
That we aren't reaching the lost and showing them spiritual nutrition?
We are called to a dying world, but we stay in the living
Are people being blessed by what you are giving?
I don't mean a gift of monetary means
I'm talking giving of yourself as a representative of the King
God asked, "can these dry bones live?" but who is in the graveyard?
Time for selflessness because this selfishness is making our hearts hard
On fire for Christ when around other flames
But when around darkness, we forget His name
The great commission is to make disciples of the nations
Corner after corner sit churches; many there for decoration
The same salvation that redeemed us can give life to these bones
The same God keeping you, can help others hold on
We have the breath that will keep people from simply being in a state of existence
But many are scared as if its a crime to testify as a witness

Terminal

the fact is, by nature we're drawn to the dark
jeremiah 17:9 tells the truth about the heart
we don't want God, just His stuff
We're never satisfied; we'll never have enough
from the moment of birth we started dying
we can't be God but since Genesis 3 we've been trying
our sinful nature is the separating factor
but thanks be to God that Jesus plowed the ground like a tractor
and though sin seeks to destroy
everyday I'm pressing toward the one who is my cure and my joy