Invested

Sometimes I give to much

It’s a outward focus of love

The potential is great & magnificent

It can change lives

Grow in new eyes

It’s a perspective, more than a gift

It’s a lifestyle I try to live

But the after effects aren’t what is

Or should be but leave me wanting more

I say “what if?” and wish…

 

It could always be better

I’ve learned to accept imperfection

In fact my worries are flawed

With my concern to be perfect

Everything I do can’t and won’t be

But I need to do good and cherish what’s growing

Slowly… I improve

But success depends on fixing failures

 

My ailings aren’t severe

I don’t remain in pain

I have lost no one

I stay healthy with the breath of God inside of me

I be on fire some days

Nothing can stop that blaze

I laugh at myself because I know why the flame came

And I’m lucky to be saved

Realize it in fact when so many refrain

 

See my time is invested in many things

People who I care about especially

So when I leave them I feel a bit empty

Or there’s a longing that settles

It’s not attachment but a letting go of passion

A piece of me stays with them

And I continue… I press on

Aware of my willingness to provide is not gone

 

I’ve realized I thrive when I’m connected

But I need time to be alone in reflection

That way I may refuel

Nourish my body with a sense of renewal  

So I may continue to remain invested

Which sparks my hearts contentment

And I may continue to preach the message

Lesson learned…. Blessed 

It's Not Too Late

It's not too late 

the bell didn't ring 

well.. maybe it did...

but there's time in between

our kind is free 

and free is great 

but not when we face 

pain, for our faith fades to grey 

Yeah sometimes we get stuck in a funk 

that sucks but we must get back up 

brush the dust from our face 

and pray for love 

pray to become someone we don't know

but hope to grow into...

reinvented in an image less sinful 

sin is separation 

we know right from wrong 

excuses are a vacation 

from facing the truth 

now let's do 

everything we can 

to pull it together 

The state of the world 

depends on it's inhabitants 

as the clock ticks 

let us all change into people 

striving to become better 

now and forever 

for God makes all things new 

his word is truth 

and his son is the proof 

-amen

Nowhere To Be Found

Tirelessly the search continues 

on a journey with worry, doubt, and confusion

I wish all the answers would fuse me to them 

so I choose to pursue them and man...

this time is about learning reality

relating life to calvary 

but if it's no where to be found

when I look around

what am I supposed to do 

except cry out?

If I become weak 

and I can't think 

but I want to be 

stronger in "He" 

if "He's" not revealed 

and I'm all still 

how long do I wait 

before I can feel 

his will begin to write 

the stories of my life

I want to keep going 

but am loosing might 

I might just rest 

when I know I must continue

I need to get up after all He's been through 

Strength is a state of mind 

mind made body played 

It's time to go head to head 

with any fear or problem 

and probably 

where I go others will come 

and hopefully what I know 

others will trust 

and honestly what is grown 

has begun.... 

So God let us feast on 

the harvest of your son 

Unashamed

Don' put off 

but put on the word of God 

being hesitant isn't heaven sent 

try to boost your confidence 

honest with everything I say 

no apology 

this is real talk 

God's word, spiritual harmony 

Right now I'm frustrated 

with some false neighbors 

friends who need to mature 

to see the true flavor 

meaning of life is deceiving at times 

but when we close our eyes 

the darkness becomes right 

wrong, consuming... all gone 

dang, we need to embrace 

the sprit of grace 

not give up 

but in shape to race 

ready to serve 

at any moment dressed in clothes 

prepared with high spirits...

so be merry and go 

cheerful but know 

God will be with you 

as you will reap what you sow 

go out in the field of dreams

bring back the sheep of sleep 

rejoice even on the sabbath 

for you now can receive 

recognize it's time to see 

the glory has come to be

his name is Jesus 

and when we believe 

unashamed 

then no doubt his glory will reign 

-amen 

Delivered

Deliver me 

from what isn't me 

what I can believe 

is not giving me 

anything... 

So I experience your presence 

by your good fruit of blessing 

the clouded doubt has phased out

Your glory burned the haze 

now my heart is amazed 

have mercy on me 

as I am a witness to your grace 

You built a tree 

You created me 

Your spirit flies high 

surrounding everything 

So before I go to sleep

let me rise in confidence 

trust in your honestness 

knowing you are the giver

you are the one true God 

and you will Deliver

-amen

A lot occurred today. 

Early this morning I arrived on Chaminade's High School campus to assist some really talented students with their dramatic but powerful "Everything" Skit. This was based off of a Christian skit done a couple years ago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA . My friend Rush Hannigan actually introduced me to the video. It's very touching/moving/sad/joyful... it's everything! Well, when I like to do skits I prefer them to be perfect... or as good as possible. The students who came to participate in the skit had only one day of practice, but whoa! They knocked it out. I really didn't think it was going to happen. There is a lot in that skit... I felt that God said, "Joe, how soon you are to doubt... Watch me.. I can do all things." Enough said. I got the picture. 

Then this evening while working at Apple I helped this woman, Anne, who was buying a Nano for her daughter's birthday. I commented on the necklace she was wearing. It was a silver tree with a gold dove flying in the tree. She said it had spiritual meaning. I said of course the holy spirit is hanging out the tree! She said, "It means God will Deliver". 

The concept of God Delivering is amazing because it is having confidence that he will create and build new prosperous things in your life. Also, the tree and image of a bird were in the "Everything skit"... plus God DELIVERED! He came through with an amazing performance by the students. I really felt like I learned a lot today... I'm going to do my best to speak life into every situation and believe God will Deliver!

New Direction

My concept of the church 

lies futuristic in it's simplistic nature

what it will become...

relieved of it's past 

which turns heads still today 

children faced with an age of reason 

to come to Christ but can't/won't 

because of what they don't know 

Man... it's hard to see through 

the fogged up glass 

the misshaped faith 

the truth turned mistake 

hey... in this case 

I say educate 

but never turn away from the basics

first God made us good in nature

His son showed us how to forgive our neighbor 

Read the word written down on sacred paper 

then live it out to give glory to your maker 

don't stray for there is fear of the unknown 

take what you do know and try to become whole 

create vision which has a direct connection to God

a fearless heart which hopes and prays to listen 

don't miss it... 

This poem is about a middle school student I spoke with today concerning faith.  A large concern to fully live out his faith or grow deeper is his distrust in the church because of it's past. The mistakes made then and even now seem to cause hesitancy. Also the inability for faith to be accepted by ones peers was an indicated problem. These are real issues. Some people don't consider God to be cool... You don't have to be over religious... but it's important to be confident in your belief regardless about what others think. I want the church to be a simple vehicle that shuttles people to heaven to get connected with God.  I pray that we can change the Catholic Church's scandalized image for those who observe the imperfections. Let us go in a new direction. 

Drama

supposed to be fully functional 

all day all night 

all.... right

situations occur a bit too much

and such observations turn into 

hardship, not the truth so it hard hits 

the heart with pain... 

no matter who you are 

we all have feelings

desires to be wholesome

not alone-some 

and grow some 

be connected at a new level

that sparks our happiness 

deletes our emptiness 

and well...

when conflict occurs 

we're insecure 

so we re-work 

our reverb 

to make it all sound better 

but man how hard is it to trust? 

honesty isn't task 

it's a way of life 

if others start to spark 

what's not 

then stand firm in your belief

be on guard 

because 

if we can't be true 

how can we love?

This poem is dedicated to some young apple customers. Alex, Courney, Odette, and Kellie were chilling in the Apple store. They were diggin some hip hop music on youtube and I decided to tell them about Rosary Rap. They were very nice and I told them to give me a theme and I'd write about it. Kelly said to write about "Drama" so that's what this poem is about. If we cant build and grow trust but rely strictly on words that maybe false how can we truly embrace a relationship?  Think about it...