In the turmoil of concrete and steel, where
numbers become prominent within this jungle;

Another day I survive, and still I rise. Truthfully,
prayer is my power to keep from tumbling under.

At a time I was blind and delusional, thinking I’d
lost everything and everyone, until I realized that
I still and always will have God;

That alone makes life so much easier to live and
cope with, and to think the devil thought he was
making it so, so hard.

See, no harm has ever fallen upon me. I was
absentminded, writing it off as mere love and fear;

But now that I’ve awakened, it was only the love
of God and the protection that He kept near.

His footprints in the sand, Him leading me hand
in hand through pastures of righteousness,
directing me to those pearly gates;

No longer who I was, transitioned to who I am,
and who I’m yet to become? I can hardly wait.

My journey still isn’t easy and at times it does
seem to get harder;

But I’m awakened now; that’s only the devil trying
to stop me from becoming one with our Father!

When your past sneaks up to haunt you,
Just remember, God’s got you!

The devil will try to knock you back down
But stand firm and fix your crown

No matter what people say,
Jesus said it’s going to be okay

So no matter what your story is,
Give glory to God, ’cause you are His!

Among the most powerful of powers
Yet more delicate than the softest flower
So much unspeakable pain, anguish and fear
Lies in that which is the lover’s tear

All the emotions of what’s left unsaid
Brings to light the futures ahead
It can cement two paths for forevermore
Or tear down the strongest walls to the barest of floors

When sounds and words become obsolete
A feeling to make one complete
With great power and everything to fear
Words try to convey a lover’s tear

Shed in private or numb belief
Holds all the emotion impossible to keep
The happiness and regret in a far-off stare
Is the universal understanding of the lover’s tear

I wrote this poem when I found out while in prison that my wife and two baby girls died in an apartment fire back in 2011. I became upset with God at first, but in the long run, I made my peace with Him. I tell everyone I meet who still has loved ones living not to ever forget this phrase: “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.”

Speak to me in love, Lord,
As only You can do;
Speak to me in love, Lord,
Because Your love for me is true.
Speak to me in love, Lord,
Please show me the way;
Take my hand and lead me,
Come in my heart to stay.
Speak to me in love, Lord,
Every day and every night;
Speak to me in love, Lord,
Show me how to walk into the light.
Speak to me in love, Lord,
Every time that I do wrong;
Speak to me in love, Lord,
Help me to stay strong.
Whenever my life is troubled,
I need some help from above;
Open my ears so I can hear—
Lord, speak to me in love.

Consider how humbleness grows out of loss,
Lay down your fears at the foot of the cross.

The end draws near, the battle’s all done,
Time stood still as the victory was won.

That’s how strong,
That’s how strong His love is,
The very first love was His.

All my tears,
All my fears,

The ones I’ve found, the ones I’ve lost,
He collected them all at the cross.

As the darkness came and the veil was torn,
As the thunder roared, He settled the score.

The earth quaked and rocks were tossed,
All my brokenness was laid at the cross.

For all my sins, death was the cost,
So my salvation was hung on the cross.

He rid my heart of all of its dross,
I found my joy at the foot of the cross.

Lord, pure as gold, as pure as gold,
Refine me, Lord, as pure as gold.
Lord, bring me to the end of me,
Till all that’s left of me is Thee.

Though through deep waters I must go,
And raging rivers round me flow,
The Lord will keep my head above,
He will support me with His Love.

Though fires burn and flames run hot,
He won’t forsake nor fail me not.
He knows how much I can endure,
Until the gold in me is pure.

Lord Jesus, You know where I go,
For You have walked this unknown road.
You know my years, how young or old,
O Lord, please make me pure as gold.

But for grace,
I perish;
but for love,
I see flames.

But He died,
was buried,
rose again.

And I cry
bittersweet tears;
and I cry
tears of joy;
and I cry.

Lord Father, thank You for loving me
with all my flaws.

And standing by my side
throughout it all.

For hearing me always
when I call

And being there to catch me
when I fall.

For building me up
to stand so tall

Even in a world where
I’m so small.

You’ve been there for me
through thick and thin

Your heart has been always open
to welcome me in.

Your love has been unconditional
in every way

I can only hope
to give it back to You one day.

My life has been like
a jar of clay

As You tried so hard to mold me
in the right ways.

My jar of clay shattered
as I carelessly threw my life away

But still You saw potential
as You mended my broken clay.

Though I’d been stained
with overwhelming pain,

You made sure
Your love remained.

And though I have only
myself to blame,

With Your support and love,
I know I can still change.

The thread which was strung
From beginning to end
Will never be broken
And will always mend.

It started with Adam
As he slaughtered that lamb
The blood that was shed
Was poured out for man.

Like a fragment of crimson
It travels through time
Connecting all men
To Someone divine.

The thread, it is scarlet
And it binds up our sin
When connected to Jesus
We are destined to win.

This rope of redemption
Is connected to all
And when tied to His mercy
Not a child will fall.

The sinner can doubt it
And others may sneer
But even to them
The thread, it runs near.

Its cleansing is perfect
Its work is all done
And it ties us to Jesus
Who is God’s only Son.

Don’t doubt your redemption
Its color is red
It holds us together
The blood, that’s the thread.