Beyond Me

Sometimes we become so involved in what we are feeling or our circumstances that we forget that this life is more than just "us." When Jesus was on the cross, He was in such agony that no human can possibly imagine. He not only had been humiliated, mocked, and beaten beyond recognition, but he who knew no sin held the immense weight of the world's. Yet, in the midst of his torment, he took his focus from himself and placed it on others. He cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." His thoughts were on our forgiveness rather than the pain we were causing him. He assured the thief on the cross beside him that "Today, you will be with me in Paradise." He was still willing to rescue another while his accusers were screaming, "who will rescue you?" He looked in his mother's eyes and saw her pain beyond his own and confirmed her well being rather than asking her to pray for his own. Jesus had the authority to call ten thousand Angels down to save him, but he chose to save us instead. He realized that his life was not about him, but rather about doing His Father's will and loving others. He exemplied the life we are to live. He taught us how to love God through loving others, starting with our own family, and then realizing that other believer's are family through the adoption of Christ. When we stand together as one, we win. We become a team. We are all fighting for the same thing, you know?! When we join forces, we can not be defeated. Yet whenever we become divided, we fail. We give Satan the opening he needs to work his way in and destroy the body of believers. There is a great saying that "we have just enough religion to hate, but not enough to love." When will we realize that Jesus' love is what drew other's to him, not his self-righteousness? Don't be a part of the only army that shoots it's own wounded. Pick up your brother and carry him to safety. Give him the tools he needs to heal so he can once again stand beside you in this war were waging on Satan. We are an army of One. It's all for One (Jesus) and One for all!

Expressions

     I am the type of person who loves to be free. I have always felt like I needed to be able to freely express my thoughts and feelings without sensor in order to be true to myself. Through the years, doing this has caused many misunderstandings, hurt feelings, offended friends, and rude comments. I was angered by others trying to suppress me. It made me want to fight back in total rebellion just to prove that I had the right to be me. However, I have learned recently that true freedom comes with self-control. When I speak freely, I hand out weapons for others to attack me with. Yet when I control my words, I have the upper hand. I decide how they view me and just how much they know. I have the power to choose the few who can truly know me. I become less vulnerable to the criticism from those who refuse to understand. Self-control brings about the privilege of respect that is not easily gained. The tongue holds the power of peace or war, love or hate, life or death. Use that power wisely and in that one, simple, difficult act, you will find true freedom.

JESUS

    When the world is cold around me, your warmth melts my soul. When I'm feeling lost and all alone, you guide me back home. When I'm feeling friendless and like no one cares, you lift me up to see your face and whisper that you're there. When the world is against me and there's a foe on every side, you shield me from their arrows and then my fears are calmed. When the sand beneath me shifts into the sea, you are my solid rock that steadies my feet. When fear attacks the hope within me, you restore my faith. When sin entraps me and guilt's collapse me, you are my salvation and strength. When my family abandons me, you adopt me. When my body takes its last breath, you give me a body that will never die. When this temporary home feels like Hell, you remind me of my eternal home in Heaven. I hold on loosely to the things of this world so I can hold on tightly to you.

Thrill Ride

      This roller coaster we call life is bound to have its up-hill climbs, sudden drops, sharp curves, and dark tunnels. There will be times of excitement, fear, and worry of the unknown. You are going to experience some surprises and you're most likely going to get jerked around a bit. However, as crazy as it seems to put yourself through that, thousands of people wait in hours-long lines to experience that thrill, and most of them get off the ride not wanting it to end and even asking to ride again. When you are facing some of those inevitables of life, remember to see it as a thrill ride that you only get to take once, so enjoy every moment of it.

What A Man

   There is a man I love so dear, I love to tell his worth. His voice is like music in my ear, he's the sweetest man on Earth. He stands by me when I am lost and guides the way home. He is my strength when I am weak, with him I'm never alone. When no sense can be made of all my jumbled thoughts, he whispers peace in my ear and then all is calm. When life is more than my soul can bear, he gladly bears my load. When all my dreams are tossed and gone, he's my hope to carry on.

Trapped

    I’m sitting in this dark room surrounded by the sounds of children playing and people telling stories of good times past. I curl up and hold my legs franticly searching for a flicker of light. My body grows cold and numb. Do I know those voices I hear? Do they know I am closed up in this tiny room all alone? Do they care enough to seek me out and rescue me? As I close my eyes, I dream of freedom. I feel the burning need for adventure. I remember a time before I walked into this room where I stood before a vast land of people who needed me. I felt the rush of adrenaline as I became useful and validated. Then just as I was about walk through the door of that country, I saw another door. It was a beautiful, natural-looking door that promised a whole new world of love and joy beyond measure. I could not resist. As I walked through, I felt at peace with my decision, certain that I could always go back and enter the country at any time. The further I walked, however, the clearer it became that there was no turning back. The feeling of disappointment was over-whelming at first, but the promises of this adventure were still there. As time pressed on, I eventually did find the love and joy I anticipated. I felt no regrets. There had been many hardships along the way, but I felt the rewards were worth it. Then one day, the walls began to close in. As they moved closer, the people around me began to walk out of the room, but I could not move. It was like I was trapped. As the room got smaller, the light also escaped. Now I find myself suffocating like an elephant sitting on my chest. My body is weak and shaking. The anxiety is beginning to over-take me. The voices I hear tend to believe I am still standing there beside them. They speak and laugh as if nothing has changed. The children continue to play their silly games and trust I am still watching. Why are they so blind? Why won't they understand? I can't breathe. I can't escape. I am not sure how much more I can take.