Falling Leaves Bring Thanksgiving

The falling leaf ushered in the chill of winter and none could deny it's presence. The cool air through screened windows, that so recently tickled our nose, is now gone, and the present chill, now contained within outer walls. Color has left these days, and only remains within a memory or creative thought. What will we do to keep merriment alive?
"Give thanks," for this is the time. Sad, how we box in a single day for such. Thanksgiving should walk congruently with our daily life; for page can not contain gratitude. Most days, my mind is like a dump truck that's coming to an abrupt stop and all that it once contained, is now swirling through the air....most of it, junk. Like an "American Picker," it takes time and appreciation to seek out the true gems.
So today, as in everyday that the Lord permits to bless me with, I shall "take time" to seek out, be still and give thanks.
For starters, thanks Dad for "this" day, You didn't have to make it. Thanks for a dreary sky that gives me breath, and leads me to someplace warm. Thanks for this coffee which makes me smile and the creativity that flows as I sip from its cup. Thank You for all those who gather in, and the style they bring; I love to watch Your "Wemicks" gather stars. And speaking of stars, though hidden behind a curtain of grey, they still remain. Thank You for Your faithfulness. As I write, I am warm, my coat at my side and music in my ears. Listen to the violin and the piano play, the gifted lyricists and the songs they sing. The guitar that carries the rhythms of praise....listen, it's all around; I am grateful, I am blessed.
I see the father and son, always together they come...thanks for that. I see two friends embrace for something to me unknown, thank You for that. Artwork on the walls portraying a thought, thank You for that. Laughter of friends and fire in eyes, thank You for that. The barista serving others and the smile she brings, thank You for that. Your word that rests at my side, a promise and the bedrock for my praise, thank You for that.
What will keep merriment alive? For me, giving thanks each of my days. "Cold-chilled winter, bring your sting, for their is a warmth in my heart and upon my lips, a song of praise. Father-Daddy, I love this day." I give thanks.

Fields of Blood

I stood in the fields of blood
took upon the winds, they came
my flesh it burned and the ground gave way
tears, they fell hard into man-made graves
I held onto the Sword and the Name

sands of time shall not re-define
that which was spoken before time
I will not brush off nor cover and hide
the battle scars which reside
upon a this heart and flesh of mine

I've been sent by my King
into the fields of blood
where victory prevails
under the winged-shadow of the Son

No Longer Me Only You

I need a heartbeat, one that beats as Yours. Tired of this tempo, bring me back to Yours.
I'm sick of breathing poison air, a self made oxygen when You're not here.

Burn, let it all burn, I no longer care.

Exhausted of the man-made identity, a non existent character without a pair.

I need a heartbeat, I need to let go
no longer me
only You

Cut me Lord, bleed me out
purify this that chokes
seek it out
I can't run from You
You've found me out
Burn let it all burn, I don't want it anymore

Tired of the lies that chase us down the halls
I need Your pace when all else falls
Crash crash
open these deaf ears that they may hear the call

I need a heartbeat, I need to let go
no longer me
only You

For I can't run no more if You're not all in me
a choice I must choose
a choice You must see
all for You
none of me

I need a heartbeat, I need to let go
no longer me
only You
no longer me
only You

A Love That Remains

Roads are made to be traveled, a beginning and an end
Blank pages waiting purpose, chapters written, a story made
Windows and doorways open and sway, hinges broken, stained
Hearts beat, bleed, break, betray
Perfect Love forgives, rebuilds, never quits, always stays

You Will Be There and There You Will Remain

From the rubble I ran to your feet
From my dispair, I found you there
When all that I knew brought me shame
you looked upon me gently and gave me a name
when arrows came down upon me and pierced the pain
your sheild covered and stayed
you were there, and there you remain

When the rivers rose
and humility came
your branches reached out and saved
no tide could take me, no mighty wave
for your love lifted and stayed
you were there and there you remain

Nights came and brought the cold
no body for warmth, no hand to hold
walls enclosed the silence
where pictures once spoke
you visited me and softly spoke
you are not alone
Peace you came not understood
you were there and there you remain

In midst of the darkest shadows, where you can't find your feet
and the chains pull you deeper
like sinking weight
faith, hope, peace defeat
Requests lift and angels meet

you are there, there you remain
you were there, there you will be

When the clouds break and ruin gives way
and all that was lost is remade
when faith rises and heartbreak ceases
you will be there and there you will remain

The Day the Petal Blew Away

The last petal blew away today, I have prepared for your leaving some time now. Petal, you have held out for some time now, but time and change has taken you away. Do you remember the days when you were full? When sun light met your face. Now only memories fill the space. Petal, you stood alone, to look at you...now you're gone. From behind the window glass now I do recall, the day I met you, and took you home. Morning after morning and all through the day, you radiated beautiy and gave breath to my day; seeds hoped to sew, now cast away. A petal, color and shade, scent and beauty, shimmer and fade.
Petal, Petal, you were my Rose, here and gone in a day...out of my hand you went for good. I will always remember this day.
Petal, petal always remember....you are beautiful.

The Campfire Memoirs of Edward Thornwood

His eyes glowed like embers as he gazed into the fire that night. The moon and the stars cast down their light into the wooded terrain, placing shadows onto the earth's floor. Only the snaps and crackles of a well coaled fire brought the melody of the night. Like a hypnotic drug, he allowed the flames to take him deeper and deeper in thought.

The decision was one of both excitement and uncertainty, and the road was clear and he was ready to go. He had the entire thing planned out; where he was headed and how he would get there. The world was wide open and imagination would fuel the way. With one final pause, just to catch his breath, he set out....

Tracks of Life

Everyday we pass them by, hundreds if not thousands coast through our peripheral gaze; windows of life waiting to be lived. Where are we? Driving "our" car. Like a train set, set on its charted course, we continue to move round and round; tracks we've individually laid over time. One by one they went down- childhood dreams, college and career, the job, the "perfect one", purpose and expectation.

Here we go! set off into our future, destination: honestly, unclear. We build and build and continue to lay them down, often times forgetting to look up. We place so much of our focus on the road map to where we are going, that we build a routine, or lets say, a formula. A well respected friend of mine once said, "You look at God's will as a set of tracks that you have to go down, where I see it as a sphere. Look at two things: are you being obedient to the Lord? And are you walking in wisdom? Now, what do you want to do?" The scripture says, "that man sets (creates) his plans and the Lord orchestrates his steps."

I guess what I am trying to say is, maybe we need to get out of the formula, off the tracks. Re-focus on what's really on our hearts? What is the Lord saying to you? We only have this one life here on earth.

Release

The last brick fell today, from what had been my wall. As I knelt there quietly, it crashed to the floor. Time passed and dust soon settled, as I waited patiently. You whispered in my ear a voice silently,... "Time to rebuild."

Blood Brothers

The waves came one day and swept me up, up off of my feet; that's all it took. They came quickly and pulled me far, far-far out to sea. Bruised and battered by its beatings and blows I no longer knew which way I came, which way was down and which way was up. All that was once familiar no longer stood still. Panting and bleeding, I called for anyone who would hear. Treading and treading I saw you heading closely near. You rowed quickly, confidently and without fear. Cutting through the waves hot like the flames, this humble vessel became more and more clear, a steady hand you reached out and said, "Grab hold, you'll be safe here." You pulled me up, dried me off and took me to shore, walked, talked and bled with me each step of the way, back to my hearts front door.

Thanks for bleeding with me brother.

Holding Firmly

David cried out from dry bones while Stephen forgave amongst thrown stones. I will choose to stand according, with our Father here before me, holding on firmly...to faith, faith alone.

The Canvas of Praise

Today as I make my way down the road I am reminded of You. When thoughts often travel all through my mind, I now put them in park, that I might hear Your voice. The blue sky ocean sets sail to my imagination, off into Your currents of goodness; who am I that You are mindful of me? The rolling green valleys sway and carry with it scents of spring; like oxygen, it brings life to my lungs. You captivate me.
The wheel of routine slows and stops while all the while creation carries on. Fellowship and worship bellows from tree tops and systems move and have their order, perfectly created.
"Oh, sweet masterpiece, thank you for including me."
Creatures that scurry around and around, flying, crawling, creeping along, they have their way, and all I can say, "amazing!" All has its purpose, all has its way, all with such wonder, it lives each day. The sun and the morning, the moon and the evening, stars they shine bright, always faithful all day and all night. Lord, You are my delight. There is only my praise.

A Life Together

There the man sat, alone and in the room. All that was once familiar, now traveled in a passing breeze. Furnishings that displayed life, now props of make believe. All is as nothing with no one to share. He was still, he was there, nothing...nothing to share.

Walls decorated in memory, of all that were there, nothing now showing, walls stripped and now bare. A road and a journey, two hands and their story, is a road now diverged. What were we doing? And where were we going? He thought and he stared.

He offered her his tattered glory and a place in the story and time filled the page; the world was their stage. Life brought its memory, some light, some heavy, while true love remained. He would love her forever, forever they'd stay; love's here and gone in a day.

Life is full of comings and goings, there is much that does not remain. He surrendered his sorrows, fears and his pain. Placed her in the arms of her Father, loved, there she'll remain. Always great full for the memories made; in his chair quietly alone he prayed.

Believe

"Unwrap the veil that hides the detail, faith like a child, see what's there."

The Quiet

I sit in my quiet chair while quiet waves fill the air. Images float of what once was there; they pan the visual of my hollowed room. Crack and creek, the walls they speak, while in my chair. The chest it beats, all the while making the sound, conducting the rhythm around.
The void that's inside me no longer hiding, it's raw and it's bare. I dream and imagine you standing there. In the four-walled absence I wait like a stone and welcome my company,

"Come in, Alone."