40 is …
40 is clothes I like.
Whatever style,
Whatever color.
Wearing what makes me feel confident,
Designer labels tossed.
40 is new hairstyles.
Cut it off,
Grow it out,
Die it purple just because you can,
A daring change.
40 is learning more.
About what’s real,
About who cares,
Learning things you wish you knew before,
Only realized now.
40 is looking back.
Lost friendships
Seasons over.
Feeling totally okay with those
That did not last.
40 is memories
Of loved ones
Passed on now.
Missing their wisdom when you really
Need it the most.
40 is by design.
Tossing the hate,
Keeping the love,
Choosing to devote my time to those
Who mean the most.
40 is true freedom.
Honest answers,
Authentic presence.
Embracing your flaws and finally
Knowing their purpose.
40 is beautiful.
Maturing heart
Becoming wise,
Trying on your own skin and falling
Deeply in love.
40 is windows down,
Sunroof back,
Music loud,
Musing if I will ever grow up,
Knowing that I have.
Word War
I sit before my glowing screen
Connected to the world.
This tiny thing a way in which
Opinions are unfurled.
From Christian friends to Atheists,
Each one wants a say.
It seems there is new argument
To be made every day.
We point out inconsistencies
On every person’s view,
In self-righteous indignation
Though we are imperfect too.
A fight over a candidate
Of course, I must engage.
And so I rant on one I hate
Disagreement shown in rage.
Let me tell you how I feel
About climate change and war
Abortion, sexuality, and
How we treat the poor.
On and on the preaching goes,
Attacks from every side.
Condemning one another
As we feed our growing pride.
Calling names and pointing blame
We take our stand in hate.
Then wonder why nobody will
Award us the debate.
Yet, if we take a moment
To examine our own heart,
We may conclude that anger
Is what tears our cause apart.
We enter into battle
Verbal bullets for assault.
And fire at will at all dissention,
Without restraint or halt.
The battle ends, a bloody mess,
When all is said and done.
Drum roll, and the winner is …
Oh, the winner is No One.
Preach!
Preacher, I came here this morning
To draw near to God
Cause I heard that He’s a leader
By His staff and rod.
Don’t spit your talk
Just to make my head to nod
We need to feel so close to Jesus
That our hearts applaud.
I appreciate the pep talks
And motivational speaking
But, with lessons from the Word of God,
That’s not what I’m seeking.
See, I need to hear the Words of Life,
Come out like a beacon.
Cause the Word of God is made for our full sight,
Not just peeking.
I don’t really want to hear your etymology, pop psychology,
Your methodology.
Just open up the Word and let it
Talk to me.
Let Jesus walk with me.
That’s where I need to be.
Because I live in a world
Where Satan sets his sights
On things that shake my nights
And keep me full of fright.
And I need to be reminded
To search out the light
That things will be alright
My Jesus wins this fight.
Oh, please don’t go into
Another personal story
Unless it’s meant to bring the King of Kings
Some glory.
It’s not really that these stories
Tend to bore me,
But they fail to lay the Word of God
Revealed before me.
So, bring the Word of God
And put it in my reach.
I understand my faith
Ain’t just some walk on the beach.
And Satan sucks the life from me
Just like a leach,
So I’m begging you this morning,
“Come on, Preacher, Preach!”
Created for Courage 