Become

In reading through Corinthians, today I came across the famous passage in 2 Corinthians 5. “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (vs. 21) Essentially, the verse says that Jesus, who isn’t in the slightest bit sinful, took upon the sins (cause we all have sins) of those who reconcile, or put faith in, God. So that we can be righteous like Jesus is, in Jesus’ name, and be close with God, perfect and holy.

It is a wonderful, foundational, hope-giving, life-pumping, life-changing verse that is so solid and true it can be clung to in any situation (and should be!). It is an essential break down of the gospel and glory of Christ – the circumstance, means, and outcome of salvation and God’s sovereignty. Everything can be summed up and given reason, purpose, hope and life with this verse. It is not the only of its sort though (see also Rom 5, Eph 3, Col 2, Heb 10). I speak of this fundamental gospel verse now because it fits in a funny way with something I’ve been pondering a lot lately. Namely, the stages of a Christian’s life that are summed up in the words justification (being declared righteous by God – saved from the penalty of sin), sanctification (the process in which we are separated from the power of sin) and glorification (the time/act when God completes our separation from sin). The word in 2 Corinthians 5 that brings this into summation to me is “become” – “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”. To become the righteousness of God - a word that means instantly, operationally, and conclusively!

Let me try to explain what I’ve seen in the last couple days reading through the end of 1 Corinthians and the beginning of 2 Corinthians. I am not trying to give a full explanation of these three stages but am simply, and briefly, giving explanation as I see fit according to this part of scripture.

Justification. Paul, as he begins to re-explain the gospel before going into the topic of resurrection, says in 1 Cor 15:3, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.” Christ died for our sins as according to the Scriptures. Isaiah 53, written hundreds of years prior to Jesus, is likely one of “the Scriptures” that Paul is referring to. “Out of anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities” (vs. 11) and again, “because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” (vs. 12) Justification is a legal term before it is a theological one. Meaning to “show or prove right”. This is exactly what Jesus has done. He has removed from us, in the courtroom of God the great Judge, the penalty of sin by bearing it for us. We no longer carry with us the penalty of sin in Jesus’ name – he has “proved us right” in his own righteousness and sacrifice. God the judge looks upon Jesus on the cross and declares us free from the penalty of sin – which is death, the eternal sort. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself” (1 Cor 5:17,18) Paul here explains that we are free from the penalty of sin in Jesus, therefore a new creation, in Jesus.

Sanctification. Now here we come across a term that certainly suggests a lot. There are varying opinions on the proper meaning and usage of this word – based mainly on the time, extent and means by which sanctification happens. I wish, as much as I am able, to leave that behind and use this term to speak of what Paul speaks of in 2 Cor 3:12-18, “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Paul begins this section with Moses and the veil over his face (referencing Exodus 34) because he is emphasizing the glory but the hopelessness of the old-covenant. Not to say the old-covenant was imperfect, it was perfect, but because of the nature of man it was unachievable. So this veil lies over their hearts when the old covenant was read because they did not understand that it was through faith and sacrifice of the heart that one is saved. Not through the law. Legalism’s glory was fleeting, as was the shining of Moses’ face. Paul goes on to say that the freedom is brought on by the Spirit of the Lord and here we stumble across what I see as being a blatant and important description of sanctification – the process by which we are removed from the power of sin. True sanctification is done by the Spirit, and in Jesus’ name, not by law and not without justification first. We observe Christ in Scripture, and pray to God by the Spirit and thank Him for His Son and we are transformed into the image of Christ by loving law not just abiding by it. In this we are transformed into an image that resembles Christ more and more. As Christ was perfect and completely adhered to the law in His perfection, holiness and strength, as we love and worship Him in truth, with unveiled faces full of faith, we get sanctified. Sometimes very painfully but always with joy. I work in the service industry and am asked hundreds of times everyday, “How are you doing?” It is often that I wish to say, “I am on the long, narrow, painful, humbling, road of sanctification and I am in agony. But I consider it joy because I am saved by Christ, and I love to please Him with devotion to following Him.” I realize how short I fall of the glory of God, and long to reach it and cling to Christ for my shortcomings. Sanctification and legalism should not touch although they run parallel roads – and they lead to very different places. Seeking Jesus should lead to a joyful, heart-driven legalism that sprouts from faith and love and not from law (although the law will faithfully and joyfully be sought after) or a desire for self-glorification through proud, seemingly self-saving religiosity. Faith, not works, is the source of sanctification. It is not instant, nor is it always constant (though it should be), and it, unlike justification and glorification, is not always very present. I love that I am a Christian and thank God for the distance that He’s taken me down on this path of separating from the power of sin, and I pray that as I look to Him more and more through prayer, His word, church, and devotion I would behold Him in His holiness and be transformed evermore to His likeness that I might be an example of Him in this world and a pleasure to Him in my satisfaction of Him. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” – 2 Cor 4:16-17

Glorification. Oh how I love this! My heart leaps at the thought of it. Glorification: the time when God will complete my separation from sin. The aforementioned verse explains that this light and momentary affliction (life as a Christian!) is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. The glory of the presence of Christ but also our freedom from these sins and completely and forevermore being declared righteous in His blood and substitution for our wrong! 1 Cor 15:51-53 says, “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’
‘O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?’ "

Death will lose its sting. We will put on the imperishable bodies of righteousness, of Christ-like glory (in His name). Well, this glorification sounds wonderful - a joyful completion of the pain of sanctification and as a result of the act of justification but when shall this happen? We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. At the last trumpet, when Christ returns, the dead will be raised and those who have been justified by faith in Jesus will be glorified and made holy, as God is holy. Just like a hardworking student striving for the day of graduation, who walks on the podium and receives, in completion, what has been sought after, and truly, what matters – both for the purpose of the student and for the glory of the school in the student’s success and reward. Although, of course, in the case of glorification we stand before God and in the work of Christ are declared holy, and are able to fully, wholly worship God in truth and oneness. “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Cor 15:49)

So we look back at this word become. In the verse that says, “that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” And I encourage you to ponder this word and all that it suggests. It’s beginnings and sources, it’s hardships and fire, and it’s wonderful finish and accomplishment and glory. To become the righteousness of God - a word that means instantly, operationally, and conclusively, or perhaps better stated as justification, sanctification and glorification. Let this finish with instruction and encouragement from Paul on how to strive, think and live. “But thanks be to God, a who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor 15: 57-58)

Saturday Night

This is a Saturday night - a stormy, yet, tranquil one too. A couple weeks back I was pushed by a statement made by a friend as we met over coffee, he said, “I like to not do anything on my Saturday nights, nothing crazy at least. I like to just get ready for church. It makes such a huge difference you know?” I think about that every Saturday night now, especially the nights I have to work. I hate having to work on Saturday evening because it leaves me hardly any time, or energy, to get things ready for meeting with the church before God. This thought pattern was confirmed again shortly after when I read about the “Discipline of Church”, in the book, “Disciplines of a Godly Man”. In this particular chapter on Church, which discussed many different topics ranging from church-hopping, to membership, to the state of the church today, it briefly spoke about how to handle one’s Saturday night in preparing the heart for the next day. Heavily emphasizing the practical steps of doing this like ironing a shirt the night before, or planning what’s for breakfast, putting gas in the car – essentially getting everything ready on Saturday so as to make the Sunday morning, preparing to meet for Church, a time without distraction or frustration. It also, though, puts a great weight on preparing the heart for worship and clearing up all complaints and sins with God before – so to, as much as possible, come before God with a clear mind, ready to worship, be taught, be pushed, be loved, and to partake in communion with fellow believers. A mind and heart without hindrance, ready to wholly give itself to God.

To begin I want to grasp the importance, purpose and relevance of Church. Hebrews 12: 22-24 says, “but you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” This is Church! We meet with God, judge of all, and Jesus, Who’s blood washes our sins away! Oh how much a fool I would be if I came to this place with anything but worship.

So tomorrow is Sunday. And I will rise, if the Lord wills, to begin the Sabbath with a clear heart and mind, and a plan to bring myself smoothly and without hindrance into the fellowship of believers before a mighty, holy, loving, awesome God.

Steam, Sun and Sparrows

I look down at my coffee mug that’s sitting quietly in the sunlight. This day is beautiful. There’s something about springtime that stirs life, hope and admiration for silence, simplicity and sobering peacefulness in me. I think it does for a lot of people – the sunlight mixed with peace spurs us into jubilance. Looking at this sunbathed mug of coffee I think of the letter to the Hebrews and the author’s words in his grandeur opening statement - “long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

I’m listening for the word of the Son as the Word of God is spread before me. Speak, O Lord. These are “these last days”, and I am seeking. How wonderful are God’s decrees. For the first time I think I understand what that means – though dimly. God speaks His word of power and the universe is upheld. Think of the first decree written in the Bible – “let there be light” and there was light. And I am sitting here in the proof of God’s wonderfully powerful decree to create and sustain!

The sun. The epicenter of our solar system created by God, the Epicenter of all. Not only did He create but also He controls. When Joshua needed more time of sunlight in the battle of Gibeon he pleaded with God, “Sun, stand still” and the sun stood still. “The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man.” The cosmos cowers and capitulates to the control of Christ. To the word of His power. Oh what an awesome God is ours! Awesome in His love and mercy that He hears our depravity and responds with grace. Responds with Jesus faithfully dying on the cross for our unfaithfulness and sin. His lashes for ours. How mighty and wonderful are His decrees!

So I look down at this cup of coffee. The steam spinning and waltzing with the air and sunlight on the black dance floor of my coffee - floating transparently into nothingness. This short-lived steam is completely controlled and upheld by my Saviour and King. My fear is quenched as my longing ears hear the words of the Son. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Concerning War

Ever have one of those moments when you feel completely detached from everything around you? When, in all honesty, you feel alien in your own world? Perhaps you see a billboard with an image completely contrary to your moralistic pursuits and your separation from it stones you dead to it. Or perhaps it’s the opposite – you find yourself in a position where you are floored by the awesomeness of God’s creation – and such a sunrise coming up, like a strong man running it’s course, detaches you from the earth you stand upon and your body is clouded by the pleasure of your spirit in worshiping God. A battle in the war between the flesh and the Spirit is won by the Spirit. I love these moments – because I become aware of my spirit and feel the true joy of eternal salvation. For a moment, I understand and the mirror that I see through dimly becomes slightly clearer.
Recently, I’ve been challenged by the call to walk by the Spirit. Spurred on by some teaching from Galatians 5 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” And I think about how true this is in my own life. How my pursuits of righteousness are often so opposed to the things I want to do!
So, the more I think about it (it has been constantly on my mind) the more I see how walking by the Spirit means more than just walking. It means everything – it means while walking, running, eating, sleeping, playing, working, thinking, in sickness, health, joy, pain, in community, and while alone. If we live by the Spirit so let us also walk by the Spirit.
Of the many questions that could be asked here I have asked myself this: “Why?” I love to ask that question. Why would I want to do something that puts myself in such a state of war? What on earth is beneficial to walking by the Spirit in contrast to walking by the flesh? Of the many answers I will give three.

1) Being a Good Steward of What God Has Given
For a Christian there is the responsibility to - 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” God has provided the ability for us to walk by the Spirit. In His faithfulness He will not lead you where you cannot escape and in that there is no element of the flesh that the Spirit cannot stand up against and defeat. We must be good stewards of such God given ability.

2) The Worship of It
Paul says this to the Philippians, “therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12,13). The working of God in us pleases Him. It is for God’s good pleasure that we work (and are worked on) out our salvation. Romans 12:1 echoes this same idea – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Notice how is the presenting of your bodies that is a spiritual worship. It inclines me to think that denying the flesh and walking in contrast to the flesh by the Spirit you are practicing your “spiritual worship”. Oh what better way to worship our holy God in spirit and in truth than to commit your body, mind, and life to Him?

3) The Benefit of It!
Keep your eye on Christ! “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Walking in the Spirit is fruitful beyond the life of all fruit. In Galatians 5:21 Paul says this about walking in the flesh, “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” On the other hand John says in 1 John 1:7 “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” How then do we walk in the light? (That’s a whole other blog post!) I think the answer can be summed up in what Paul goes on to say in Galatians 5 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” And those who belong to Christ will inherit the Kingdom that is His.
One thing I wish to clarify at this point is that our salvation in Christ is not founded by our deeds but by our faith in Him (Rom 5:1) – and our walking by the Spirit is beneficial in our confirmation of our faith, the strengthening of our faith, the proclamation of our faith, and the pleasure of God in seeing and suffering our faith by warring our flesh.

So - walking by the Spirit. I believe the surface is barely scratched in the depth and value of such a life. What trials and sufferings are ahead of us who choose such a life – but what joy we can count it in the hope and life of Jesus Christ! May it be so that as we continue to walk by the Spirit and in fear and trembling (for reverence and worship of God) work out how to do so we will often be stoned dead to the world in our separation from it and floored by the glory of God that is all around us! Dedicating and worshiping and benefiting as we walk by the Spirit and no longer by the flesh.

“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience a with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – Colossians 1:10-14

Hear My Heart

Perhaps this will reboot my failing attempts at blogging? I have tried.

I felt passionately about this song and didn't put much work into recording it - it was really only the second time playing it too.

Saviour and King

Holy God do I see with
Two eyes or just with one?
Do I cherish all Your statutes?
Do I hold Your law inside?

Oh the weakness of my frail heart!
Oh all my wayward wanderings!
That I see treasure beyond all measure
And trade it all for speckles of dust

Jesus, Jesus
What a Saviour!
What a King!
Jesus, Jesus
Save me, lead me
From my sin and wanderings

Mighty Lord I’ve seen Your goodness
With my ear I’ve heard Your call
For You are jealous, would You purge me
Purge me from my selfish desires

And as go out like a sheep in the wild
Bearing nothing but Your Name on my chest
Would You lead me, like Your child
With pillars of cloud and pillars of fire

Jesus, Jesus
What a Saviour!
Oh what a King!
Jesus, Jesus
Save me, lead me
From my sin and wanderings
From my sin and wanderings

And who is man that, You’re mindful of him?
And what is man, but dust to disappear?
Oh my soul moans, hear it’s groaning!
Hear my heart Lord, that longs for You!

I Thought I'd Write for Good Things, but I Didn't Write at All

I’m poor at blogging. I took a break from Poetry Tuesday because it had consumed this blog’s purpose, I should have foreseen that doing so would cause me to cease blogging altogether. I fail.

But here’s the news: I’m back. I have been convicted of my lying and lethargy and I, again, seek to be a good steward of the gifts and callings that the Lord has given to me. I feel a very real and urgent call to be writing and I have been told I have an ability to (though I have my disputes) – which I have (existing or not), for the past weeks, fearfully and slothfully buried in the ground (Matthew 25:18). I love to write; it is not out of obligation alone that I start back up, though I’m using obligation as my first gear. May God who made me, enable me, and be glorified by me.

I Think I Sing For Good Things, So I Think I Sing In Vain

I skipped Poetry Tuesday on purpose. Shocking I know - and just when things seemed to be finding a groove. The reason for me intentionally breaking routine and, well, breaking my word is that I intend to take a brief sabbatical from posting poetry in order to catch my breath and further analyze my purpose in doing it! Perhaps I will post some real blogs that I've been brewing but haven't had the time to write out because of my dedication to recording.

So I apologize for that and I promise you'll be hearing from me!

Poetry Tuesday - "Burying Hearts"

Burying Hearts



I come home on a Wednesday
To find the curtains open
So I went and closed them
And washed the dirt from my hands

The water flows counter-clockwise
I can see it with my eyes closed
I stop to think about beginnings
But all I feel are dirty hands

I bury hearts on Tuesdays
Right on down to the next week
Been doing it ever since I was left alone
Ever since I broke the earth

I took a job counting bottles
Down at the town’s grocery store
But every bottle I coldly held
Felt like a hammer full of rage

She said I couldn’t take it
She said I hadn’t done enough
I think it’s ok, I don’t mind
I’m just burying her heart next to mine
I’m just burying her heart next to mine

I bury hearts on Tuesdays
Right on down to the next week
Been doing it ever since I was left alone
Ever since I broke the earth

Now Is The Time Of War

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. - James 4:1-10

I am at war with myself and with the schemes of the devil in order to have peace with God and with those around me. It is for love of God that I go to war, and by God's love that I stand and fall.

Love In The Time Of War
(Tele Version)




Photo credit goes to Dave Armstrong. Brilliant pic Da-eh!-ave.

Poetry Tuesday - "Love In The Time Of War"

And he said, "Listen all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you." - 2 Chronicles 20: 15 - 17

I don't fully know what to say before this one. One of my best friends was affected by the aforementioned passage of scripture that she read during a time of trial, she shared it with me along with her humility and reverence of God that followed. This was inspired by that and written for her in the damp and dark of our basement.

Love In The Time Of War

Time keeps on rhyming
I can’t break this routine
I’m bare foot on the glass of all these broken dreams

This disc is skipping,
Keeps on running the same scene
It just keeps playing and playing and playing like a demons machine

Help me break free tonight
Help me to see the light
If I start running for a better way
Help me to never again go astray
Oh do this all for Your name's sake

It seems there’s never been
A night that’s dark like this
My soul has been swallowed in a much greater abyss

The earth wet and cold now
I can taste it on my lips
It may be quiet but all I can hear is that warm demon's hiss

Help me break free tonight
Help me to see the light
If I start running for a better way
Help me to never again go astray
I need Your love in the time of war

All I have wanted I lay at Your feet
This is love in the time of war
To see You glorified is my greatest need
This is love in the time of war
For to live it is Christ and to die it is gain
This is love in the time of war
Though these demons attack me and laugh at my defeat
I have love in the time of war
You said “Don’t be afraid, don’t be dismayed”
You are bigger than the world’s greatest horde
I need Your love in the time of war
Your love in the time of war
Now is the time of war

A Clearer Mirror

I think sometimes a poem and a song can reflect thoughts and emotion in such a way that it becomes, for the first time, visible. In my opinion, music and words can portray something about yourself that you didn't even know was there. It can be a clear mirror of the soul, showing what you could not see without it. Shockingly laying truth bare and visible.

Like fear you didn't know was there, but was true.

Firefly (Shed Some Light)

Poetry Tuesday - "Firefly (Shed Some Light)"

It is definitely not the season for fireflies. On such a snowy, cold and blustery day like today (where I am) it's odd that I would finish this song (of all the ones that are to be finished!) that was started during the summer as I sat on my back porch watching fireflies. But for some reason the rest of the poetry came out tonight and the melody and chords followed very naturally and closely behind.

But I still sleep on the floor alone and I'm still just like a firefly, whether it's cold or not.

To the glory of the Father of Lights.

Firefly (Shed Some Light)

I’ve read all about the kings of man
How each of them has fallen into sand
All these kingdoms gone, gone, gone
To the kingdom come!

Well, I’m no king and I have no throne
In fact, I sleep on the floor alone
But when I leave the door
I still put on my fool's gold crown

Well I’m just like a firefly
A star below the sky
I give off some light
But quickly die
Shed some light tonight

I can’t explain what I want to mean
I can’t complain about what I lack to see
I want to see more
But I Keep wearing these masks. So am I free?

Nothing’s as it seems today
All my whites are looking more like gray
And the end of time
Is ticking down the line

Well I’m just like a firefly
A star below the sky
I give off some light
But quickly die
Shed some light tonight

I keep saying I’m not afraid
I keep saying I’m not afraid
Oh Lord
I’m wandering in the dark
Father of lights
Shed some light tonight

Poetry Tuesday - "More Grace Than Time"

There are some things you have to say with extra caution. This poem/song is one of those where I think it's necessary to do a wee bit of explaining.

The title and major theme is "more grace than time". When I say that there is more grace than time, in reference to the grace of Jesus, there are two things that I don't mean and one thing that I do.

Two things I do not mean.
1) That if you are not a Christian this all-encompassing, unlimited, completely thorough grace that Jesus died on the cross to offer to those who call Him Lord does not yet apply to you... The song is to be sung and acknowledged from a saved by Jesus perspective. I know that that is blunt, but it's not unchangeable. Jesus came to earth and died a sinner's death for sinners - to save sinners like us and give us grace more bountiful than time.
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

2) That because of the unquenchable grace of Jesus we should continue to sin. May it never be so. I say that there's more grace of time to exalt Christ, in reverent repentance, for covering the sins I have committed not as an excuse to continue sinning.
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:1-4

The one thing I do!
1) That "the least of Christ's graces is greater than my greatest sins". That despite my past and the time I have here on earth, Jesus has acted and has placed Himself as a substitute for my sins. His grace is able to make my scarlet sins white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).
"Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 5:18-21

And so after much clarification, and in the humble shadow of powerful scripture, a poem and a song.

More Grace Than Time

I once gave my heart away
When I was much younger than I am today
The truth came down like rain
Slowly falling on my brain, it was lust

I was spoiled from the inside out
All my love perverted in lust and doubt
But most liars best know fact
And I knew Love’s truest act; it saved my soul

Oh I gave it all away
In my sorrows to find
There’s more grace than time
There’s more grace than time

There’s no strength in muscle and bone
There’s no hope in kisses and pleasures throne
So let’s start a mutiny
To live for love in purity, come on you and me!

Oh I gave it all away
In my sorrows I did find
That there is more grace than time
There’s more grace than time

Oh You gave Yourself away
Your stripes to release mine
You gave me more grace than time
You gave me more grace than time