Who Amongst Us...

Who Amongst Us… is brave enough to be maskless…
to step out from behind every sophisticated façade
and smoke screen… away from the walls of fear and reservation
and without shame, reveal who we truly are at the core...

Who Amongst Us… is vulnerable enough
to open our hearts up to others…
to move beyond the daggers of exploitation,
risking rejection without apprehension… no matter what...
without armour of pretense or shield of diffidence…

Who Amongst Us… is mature enough not to be offended
by the careless or inconsiderate… while, at the same time,
is tender and sensitive to our own feelings enough
to be compassionate to those in need…

Who Amongst Us… is humble enough with our own failings…
who has the intestinal fortitude to admit making mistakes…
and is yet at the ready
to reach down to lift another up out of their own…

Who Amongst Us… has enough vision
to bring their own weaknesses to the surface
so as not remain trapped in the fear of exposure…
to see beyond their own frailties,
that they may lend their strength to others…

Who Amongst Us… is daring enough
to surpass their own shortcomings,
by tapping into their own unexplored potential…
to look beyond the limitations of man’s horizon…
to become more than we were and more than we are…

Who Amongst Us… is so boldly unconventional
in their understanding of their own unique value
as a person that they refuse to be shaped
and molded by the opinions of the world,
refuse to be harnessed by the influences of society,
and refuse to sacrifice their own principles…
or to believe that we have no differences…

Who Amongst Us… will summon up all their courage
to risk being fully human…
and is able to walk away from the experience
with their head held high and integrity intact…

Who Amongst Us… accepts and unconditionally loves others,
at all times, just as they are… (without control or possession…
while cognizant of this same need within)…
simply because we belong to the human race,
knowing that the sum and substance of life,
and God’s highest purpose, is to love and be loved.

The Forecast

Looks like we’re in for heavy rain
A mix of sorrow filled with pain
Your star is set to glow tonight
Thirty percent chance of delight
A little joy, a lot of strife
Such are the seasons of this life
But there’s no use in repining
Like the sun, you’ll soon be shining

The horizon is dark with doom
A mix of pity filled with gloom
Before the sun falls from the sky
Thirty percent chance you’ll know why
One day a sinner, then a saint
Apply another coat of paint
It’s just a storm you’re going through
Tomorrow all things will be new

It sure looks like its gonna pour
A mix of hatred drenched with war
There’s trouble in the atmosphere
Thirty percent chance we’re not clear
One day a martyr, then a gun
Hailstorm of bullets spares no one
Don’t let the weather keep you in
We’re counting on peace to begin

A mix of anguish with moist eyes
A biting cold snap’s moving near
Thirty percent chance they’re sincere
A little mercy, a lot of grace
Who is winning the human race?
It’s time to come in from the cold
Your kindness never will grow old

Counting Sheep

What is this bleating of sheep in my ears?
My eyes cannot see the things my mind hears
The planet is spinning inside my head
If tired kills, then I’m already dead
Oh I know its dark, but I’m looking for the spark
To ignite the hope
Sighted men refuse to see
I’m not lost in looking for perfection
Just waiting for my resurrection

What is this silence that everyone hears?
Why is nothing ever as it appears ~
When a pounding heart is engulfed in fears?
Who put the perfect Lamb to the shears?
So many miles to the “Land of Dreams”
Things will never be as once before
So once again I’m counting sheep
Being led to the slaughter
Thirsty souls need eternal Water

What must I do to purchase sleep?
This elusive commodity is hard to keep
What price must I pay if go without ~
Robbed of peace yet filled with doubt?
Oh I know I wonder, but I’m looking for the thunder
To ignite my soul
Sighted men refuse to see
The fabric of society is fleeced threadbare
Not a stitch in time can repair.

Urban Gypsy

I am an urban gypsy -
Far I wander through this town
And the price to pay called ‘loneliness’-
Can get a good man down

Still I’m searching for the answers -
To the questions that I hold
But seldom do I believe -
The half of what I’m told

For the word down on the street
Is that you’ve gone away
You know my heart would be complete
If only you would stay

How I hunger for your friendship -
How I long for your sweet smiles
But I never seem to get to you -
Though I go ten thousand miles

I’ve sought to hold you close to me -
I’ve looked both far and wide
I’ll be an urban gypsy -
'Til you are by my side

For the word down on the street
Is that you’ve gone away
You know my heart would be complete
If only you would stay

You know I’m not an actor -
But I’d love to play the part
Of the guy who stops the show -
And steals away your heart

And with your heart you listened -
To my restless, beating soul
Now you come into my life -
And make this half a whole

Now the word down on the street
Is that we’ve gone away
You know you made my heart complete
So in your arms I’ll stay

I was an urban gypsy -
No longer do I roam
For the one whose love completes me
Has made her heart my home.

The Chair

I sit inside my house ... I sit in my old chair
I stare out the window ... I don’t go anywhere
Martha boils the kettle ... Eventually she’ll scold
If you don’t get out of that chair ... Your coffee will be cold

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
I’m not ignoring you... For I’m already dead

You really ought to talk to me ... There’s something you could say
If you don’t get out of that chair ... For sure you’ll waste away
I should call the doctor ... You’re looking deathly pale
You haven’t eaten for so long ... You’re looking rather frail

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
I’m not ignoring you... For I’m already dead

What is it with that window? ... What do you see out there?
Why don’t you answer me? ... It’s not polite to stare
When was the last time you loved me? ...
Oh why won’t you come to bed?
You sit in that old chair ... I think you’ve lost your head

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
I’m not ignoring you... For I’m already dead

You forgot my birthday present ... It’s the same excuse each year
You sit in that damn old chair ... Pretending not to hear
Martha gets so ticked with me ... She goes and gets a knife
If you don’t get out of that chair ... I’ll end your bloody life!

For forty years I’ve sat here ... I don’t hear a word you’ve said
You can’t really kill me... For I’m already dead.

In Your Holy Presence

That silent place where I am awed
Lead me with Your love, O God
Where saints have prayed and angels trod
In Your holy presence…

That secret place where I abide
Keep me sheltered deep inside
Beneath Your shadow safely hide
In Your holy presence…

That sacred place where Moses stood
Burn in me, all but the good
Remembering that cross of wood
In Your holy presence…

That stillest place where wise men speak
Quiet me, that I may seek
To be like Jesus, low and meek
In Your holy presence…

Love’s fire for eternity
Lead me, keep me, burn in me
Shining brightly that all may be
In Your holy presence…

Eighteen Inches Deeper

You can fill your head with knowledge
Memorize all sorts of facts
You can sing about the Saviour
Even hand out gospel tracts
You can talk about the Father
You can speak of His sweet love
But you really get to know Him
When it sinks down from above

Take it eighteen inches deeper
From your head down to your heart
Though the mountain may be steeper
Just be sure to do your part
Take it eighteen inches deeper
Living out what God's begun
Bringing glory to the Father
Singing praises to His Son

You can search the whole world over
But you're never going to find
The answers to life's questions
Til you leave your 'self' behind
Of all the things you learn in life
There are some you can't control
You can be wise as a serpent
Only God can save your soul

Take it eighteen inches deeper
From your head down to your heart
Though the mountain may be steeper
Just be sure to do your part
Take it eighteen inches deeper
Living out what God's begun
Bringing glory to the Father
Hallelujah to His Son