Strangers We Become

From behind the stained glass I peer into space

Aware of those familiar things; I observe

My senses key in on the sounds, the smells, the sight

There are many people rushing about 

Where are they going?  What are they doing?  They all have a story

The seas of people going about their business leaves me feeling disconnected

This is the purgatory of confusion and discontent

My body works against the demands of my mind

I am not sovereign nor am I slave

I am a free man who needs to serve his  master

My fear is not of human institution nor fear of loss

It is humility I seek; knowledge, wisdom, discernment, understanding

To wake up knowing you are no longer you 

Your new wires send new signals aligning your body and mind

The Spirit now guides this vessel

Now a stranger in the bustle, but with clarity I wander no more.

Looking in the Wrong Direction

As I read different mainstream media outlets there are increasingly alarming stories of human atrocity.  I read articles on Darfur, Rwanda, Sudan... there are more.  It is sickening to me that we as the current residents of this planet live out our daily lives and simultaneously there is genocide happening around the globe.  

How can this be happening?  

I read statistics of the millions that have been killed in the just the last few years.  

How can this be happening?  

We have got our priorities all backward.  I have my priorities backward.  I'm not sure how I'm to react to these thoughts.  

What can I do about this?  I wish that I had the power to end these murders and rapes and oppressions.  If I look at my life with the perspective that while I lived, these people died... for what, I wonder what my excuse is?  I fear that by the time these atrocities hit the mainstream media that the damage has already been done.  I feel that politics and greed have created and exacerbated these problems.  

What can we do to stop this?

I don't know if I even any answers that are intelligent.  I don't have a guide or even an indication of how it would look to end this.  What I'm left with is this:

God is the only force that can bring change to this.  As I think about that statement it seems vague, but I think that's a good thing.  We (collectively) and I (individually) are historically slow to act and unwise in our decision and judgement.  So for God to be the only answer seems like the strongest medicine we can ask for.  We need a miracle and who better to ask a miracle of then Jesus Christ.  A figure with a history of miracles and healing.  Our rock.  He can point us in the right direction; for we seem to be ever moving forward but rather than looking ahead we are constantly looking over our shoulders and not seeking the way.  

Lord in your Mercy, hear my prayer.  Please tend to your flock.  Please forgive me as I know not what I do.  Bring your hand of compassion to these dark corners of your planet.  Deliver your oppressed peoples from their evil masters.  Please feed your hungry.  The church is here..... your body is here.... please use us.  Please prepare us.  Please grant wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and understanding.  Above all, Lord, Please allow us to love unconditionally and sacrificially.  To your Glory.

Masquerade

This despair is upon us now

it is masked in pleasant contentment

it is a charade of poison which is sweet at the first touch to the lips

We have fled to our own reasoning

it has betrayed our first love

our knowledge is a plunged dagger in the back

When we were younger we could clearly see truth

our youth confirmed our passion

We visited miracles and dined in the company of Christ

Now, with experience has come doubt

with doubt has come fear

and fear has clouded our infant truth like a thick fog

Our hope now remains with in the prayers of others

as we swagger in this world's religion of self

those that are left behind are shattered 

But in this weakness there is true strength

God's love is abounding and his presence overwhelming

Through His power and mercy we can rise from our own ashes

God Bless you.....

Going Down?

The current times will not sweep away those who have a strong anchor.  Even as the markets crash and politicians come and go and the world itself groans on its axis; those with a strong anchor will not be swept away.  There is another way of living in hope and prospering love.  There are clear thoughts and meaningful clarities just through the haze of this media blitz and neon lighted signage.  

I feel a bit at odds with this global world.  There is some kind of weird circle we go through where we work to afford to live where we live and we work to afford the things we have and then we are conditioned to "need" these things and we end up laboring for the wrong things.  I end up neglecting those that need my help.  I end up neglecting the one who loves me.  I am guilty in many ways of being distracted.  

This brings me to my current condition.  I am trying to get back into school to finish my degree so that someday when my wife and I have kids, we will have the flexibility financially for her to stay home and spend her time helping to raise our children.  I am also in the process of finishing off two albums for two different musical projects.  This music is what I wish to do with my life.  It's financial success though is not guaranteed.  I will continue to write no matter what because there in lies some of my most honest thoughts and feelings.  The writer... the artist... these will remain and I will add additional arteries for benefit of my family.  God's will be done.  Where will this go next?

Changing the Hearts of Christians

Followers of Christ rise up!  Fellow believers in love please take your stand.  Anybody who has ears to hear or eyes to see, please take note.  It does not matter who wins this upcoming election in the United States.  Our next President and his fellow members of the House and Senate will not bring about the change this country and this world needs.

God will bring change.  When God changes the heart of a person, that's when there will be change.  We need to all grow in our relationships with Christ.  We are in need of his grace and mercy more than ever.  Money will not change our problems.  Passionate speeches or drawing lines in the sand will not bring about change.  No, it is God that changes the heart of men.  

When God changes you from the inside out there is an amazing shift that occurs.  What was once an internal struggle and toil becomes a tangible manifestation of love.  Our actions begin to mimic the love God has put in us.  This is the change that is needed in America today.  We Christians need to start living lives of love and we will see the transformation God brings when act upon His love.

I want to confess to you all sins and my transgressions.  One of my main areas of sin is my anger.  I sin daily when I drive to work (usually).  I am so refreshed that one day out of twenty when I am able to drive somewhere and not be brought to a sinful anger.  Today in particular I found myself cursing at people in cars on my way home from work.  I cannot overcome this anger but God can.  Please forgive me for unloving and selfish heart in this matter!  

Do you have unconfessed sin?  The bible calls Christians to confess their sins to each other.  This is a beautiful moment for us to lay bare what is hidden and be forgiven.  I will have more posts where I ask your forgiveness as I know that I will continue to stumble around in this life.  My hope is that God will help me grow and give me the strength to stop committing the same sin over and over again.  I want to move on to the mature things the bible alludes to!  

-E

Hear me oh civilization!

They feast on our flesh while we sleep.  They try to control us as we move about.  They want to know our information and our time.  Who is they?  

I find these questions as I watch any TV news show or read the popular news sites.  CNN, Drudge Report, Yahoo, Google, MSN, NY Times, Politico.  Who are these people?  There are too many agendas clouding and clawing at us.  All these distractions to keep us passionate about nothing, but passionate about it.  The powers of this world always trying to exert their influence.  They direct us to and fro trying to sell us on products and ideas.  They are trying to divide us and put us into their neat little boxes that have brought them so much comfort.  

I want to talk about real things.  God, poverty, war, religion... take your pick, there are many more.  I don't want to regurgitate someone else's opinions or conclusions.  In particular, I want to talk about poverty.

I feel guilty that I do not seek out the poor or take care of the widows.  What do I do?  So often I am approached on the street for some spare change and ALWAYS my answer is, "Sorry, I can't help you" or "Nope, don't have any."  I don't remember that last time I looked upon them as people.  I join the ranks of hypocrites claiming to be Christ Followers but disdaining those who ask me for real help.  Please forgive me, give me another chance.