Awake with Hunger
January 27, 2014
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I recognize Him
His presence in other ones
His presence in me
His power works in weakness
That is why I qualify
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I awake with a hunger
To be near the one who loves
Who will give me a fresh look
And teach me new things
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Remember where you came from
Touched by His loving kindness
No one can fathom this love
Another worldview
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Taught me how to look at you
Taught me how to look at me
Teaches me how to live in joy
Controlled by His love
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How you view yourself
With your head, heart and your gut
Is a transforming process
A life time journey
Living one day at a time
A disciplined focus
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The beauty of this
Found in the relationship
You are taught by God
God himself is your teacher
Question: “Do you believe this?”
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It’s been my experience
When I come with a hunger
To know what is reallly true
God surprises me
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I meditate on His thoughts
I decide what I believe
His story captures my soul
New energy comes
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Faith comes in my weaknesses
This love surpasses knowledge
His thoughts rekindle the fire
In my inner soul
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I’m introduced to friendship
I’m being chosen and loved
A friend who will never leave
Says, “Don’t be afraid!”
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I’m introduced to friends
I never knew I needed
Friends who share the same deep love
My community
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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” Moses – Deutoronomy 31:6
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“Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfailing beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Peter – I Peter 3:4
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“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Paul – 2 Corinthians 4: 6-7
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“But he said to me, My grace(My favor and loving kindness and mercy) is enough for you (sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully), for my strength and power are made perfect in (your) weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weakness and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” Paul – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Amp)
Dedicated to our family friend, Michelle
Leaning
January 22, 2014
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I’m leaning on you
In a world of unbelief
May we be like stars
That shine in the deep darkness
Beauty of your handiwork
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I choose where I look
A secret discovery
Comes when I focus
I’ve learned just one thing matters
I have been surprised by joy
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Be clear on one thing
Think it through with all you are
Your head, heart and gut
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Purge your imagination
Truth is what I must pursue
Relationships are dying
Therefore, I will seek real love
And I found it in one man
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He has ignited my soul
Refreshed me in solitude
Rekindled the fire in me
And guided my steps
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His Spirit awakens me
His loving kindness comforts
His presence surprises me
Radiant love comes
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Trouble will always be there
It’s the landscape of this world
It’s the reason God showed up
Became one of us
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He gave a way to follow
Those who practice discover
The way of love is narrow
And few will find it
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If you will practice these things
Recorded on that high hill
You’ll discover a new way
That’s certain and true
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Sermon on the Mount
These famous sayings practiced
Matthew five, six and seven
Will show you the way
They tell about the one thing
They will bring light to your path
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The book ,Famous Sayings of Jesus , by James Woodroof is the clearest writings of how practicing these teachings work out in real life. A.A. (Alcohol Anonymous) practices these all over the world and millions of lives and families have been saved because these teachings are being practiced.
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“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make at right and plain your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amp)
Joy Discovered
January 15, 2014
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Beauty in the brokenness
Out of the darkness the dawn breaks
Through death we see life reborn
Joy is discovered
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What is it that needs to die
How can light come in the darkness
Why must I start with chaos
Is there a secret
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You’re not a human doer
You are a human being
Question: How do I be me
Freedom is calling
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Question your worldview
Who defines reality
Whose voice do you trust the most
That’s your decision
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The question is not “What works?”
The question is “What is true?”
Whose voice can I truly trust?
Challenge core beliefs
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The beliefs you adopted
To survive and be secure
To gain some significance
To have some control
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Security/Survival
Searched for by the unconscious
Are developed by a child
By the time they’re twelve
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Affection/Esttem
A real unconscious longing
In the heart of all
Will determine your actions
In the world you live
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Power and Control
How others will perceive you
The image you will present
To hide the true self
A powerful protection
Is toxic as an adult
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These beliefs were gifts
As a child when growing up
Now they are toxic
That leave the mind in chaos
Hidden idols that must die
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Children: the best recorders
Are the worst interpreters
Unless stopped will define you
Keep you in darkness
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You have been given a mind
You must train to think clearly
Face the struggle with courage
Who can set you free
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These beliefs destroy
No one can measure up to
Be perfect and perform the best
Always be happy
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Where do you begin
Choose to go against the lies
That have worked so long
Die to these and replace them
With the higher love of God
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“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul – Philippians 4:7
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“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30
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“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
You can find more information on this subject in my book:
Delta Blues: From Darkness to Light www.coachinglifematters.org
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New Beginning
January 13, 2014
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I failed a lot of people
My children suffered the most
When I think of it, I grieve
My heart is broken
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No one knows the depth of hurt
That another one may feel
Only One knows and can heal
Our deep brokenness
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I arise to live
Embracing a new worldview
Forgiveness made real
Kindness and mercy given
To all who believe it
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Keeping perspective
On the task of living well
Is a major work
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Each person has a story
They need to be considered
Know that their life has meaning
They count for something
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A light came that day
Coming from the wilderness
His words with his healing touch
And a new day dawned
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What is it I need to hear
I have no greater calling
You call me your son
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I know your blessing
You already gave it to me
I arise with fire
To fulfill your purposes
To live today with your joy
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Written after reading out loud Matthew 3 and meditating on the following thoughts:
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“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” David in Psalms 118: 24
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“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” I Peter 2: 21
Trust
January 10, 2014
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Trust is the answer
Someone big enough to hold
The pain in my heart
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No one can carry
The depth of loss I’m feeling
He lives to restore
To make new and give real life
To drink the living water
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It’s so difficult
To stop the noise in my soul
If you will focus on love
Surrender to truth
Breathe deeply from His presence
Practice the fundamentals
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Stay in the process
Stop asking the “why” questions
Just do the right thing
See the person before you
Who needs God’s tender kindness
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Trust is the right word
It always leads to Presence
And a grateful heart
It’s the hardest work I do
A choice I have trained to make
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Because I have a mind
I’m responsible to think
Not from twelve year old beliefs
Get the big picture
Reason from reality
The question is “Who defines that?”
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That’s my decision
One very carefully made
I’m responsible
For how I will view the world
How I view self and others
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“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4
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“But store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21
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This morning as I was reading the Bible, I read out loud Matthew 2 . After careful thought, I have chosen to view the world, myself and others through the lens Matthew presents. This process I chose fifty-three years ago, has led me to inexpressible joy. Matthew reveals the basic fundamentals I seek to practice in chapters 5, 6 and & 7. I trust the process he reveals and it continues to surprise me with energy as I train on a daily basis. This painful but joyful process, is revealed in the book, Delta Blues : From Darkness to Light available at http://www.coachinglifematters.com.
Presence with Power
January 9, 2014
He’s a very present help
The One who is there for you
One who’s there in the crisis
Calms the human soul
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What does it mean to be there
Listening to the human heart
Engaging the mind fully
Present with the soul
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Transforming presence
Those who have experienced
The power of love
Know the mystery of life
Who meets us in the despair
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No one can escape
The reality of death
There’s a living death
That we all know is so real
No one escapes either one
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Relationship death
Is familiar to us all
It’s the landscape of our souls
It leaves us alone
With no one to understand
That is where I met my God
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Then there’s the physical death
Coming sooner than later
All the noise tries to hide it
I am not afraid
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Be still and listen
The Psalmist will take you there
The Hebrew Scriptures
Tells me how to process death
And find the living Presence
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Don’t judge by appearances
What’s on the inside counts most
Good conversation helps with
Honest reflection
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Faith is not easy
It requires all faculties
The head, heart and gut
Engaged in real dialogue
With honest thinking people
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“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though he earth be removed. And though the mountains be carried into the heart of he sea; though the waters rise and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3
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“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
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“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
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The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Emmanuel — which means , “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23
One Word Challenge
January 1, 2014
A teachable spirit comes
When you focus on one thing
That one thing will guide your ways
Be clear what that is~
What is the one thing
I know what it is for me
Bring it to one word
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Yes, boil it down to one word
It’s the window to my soul
Join me and come up with yours
I’ll encourage you
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No resolutions
Just one word to guide your heart
That will challenge your thinking
Inspire you to act
To do what is good and right
That will lead you to the joy
Last year my word was “action.” This year it is different. If you want to join me in this exercise, I would be delighted. You can share yours if you please. Happy New Year and all the best to you on your journey, my friends.
“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.” Jeremiah 29:4
My word for the year is “Presence.”
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Your Story Matters 