Sunlight, shadows, jazz
They set the backdrop
Outlined in the bright rays
A girl sits at her desk
Chin resting on her hands
Shoulders slightly drooped
Eyes speaking volumes
Mouth set in a line
Physically tired
Mentally alert
Trying to focus
Lost in thought
Groping for words
Coming up with nothing
Feeling the stress of life
As the sun sets
She still sits
Pondering
Thinking of life
God, family, friends
A verse comes to mind
Speaking of delighting in trials
At one's weakest point
God shines through most
The
Weakest
Point...
The breaking point
The times when one feels
that life is too much
When struggling under the weight
of responsibility and compassion
Looking to reach one's full potential
But the road to it
appears to be overgrown
The path unclear
Pulling out a Life Map
Realizing that a Trail Guide is needed
And a Guidebook essential
Can't she see?
Her Trail Guide is nigh
He has the course mapped out
He always has
She looks down
He places a book in her hands
The Guidebook
Although, it is known by another name
The Bible
So often, we get distracted
Thinking that life is all on us
Feeling we have to bear the whole load
When always, our Trail Guide is right next to us
Encouraging us
Ready to help us bear the load
Even though...
He already bore it all for us
When He suffered and died
A criminal's death
He was no criminal
The Son of God
Yet we have mocked Him with our lives
He gave us the chance
To live, to breathe
Yet we scorned the gift God gave
And don't tell me
That you never did
When we reject Christ
As the One and Only
And when we put other things
Ahead of Him
It's like telling God
That Christ isn't enough
We should have a high view of God
Our trail may be hard to follow
But if you look closely at the path
You can see...
The blood marked path
For our Trail Guide has gone on before us
He claimed victory over death and the grave
If Christ did that,
Don't you think you can trust Him with everything?
"But no one understands my problems,
No one seems to care"
God isn't "No one"
He is THE One
He cares
Have you given Him a chance?
Sure, we say we're christians
But is it evident?
What do we value?
While some are dying for their faith
How can some have the guts
To say "I believe"
Yet live like the world
Why be hypocrites?
When living our lives
We can't sit on the fence
Living on Sundays
Like a "good little christian"
But every other day
Like the rest of the world
Be either cold
Or be ON FIRE for God
I challenge you, my friend
Where do you stand?
When the going gets rough
Which path will you choose?
Many choose the wide path
It's "the easy road"
No rules to follow
No higher power to serve
However, those on that road
They have no Trail Guide
No Guidebook
The narrow path
Is anything but easy
But our Trail Guide
Promises an everlasting inheritance
When we stray from the path
And fall into the thorns
We can know
Our Trail Guide is right there
To pick us up
Clean our wounds
And set us right back on the path again
So, you may ask me
What is the point?
Why should I live for Him?
Ask yourself that
I know that I can't go it alone
Life has me running in circles
Whenever I take my eyes off Him
Without my Trail Guide
I would be ever so lost
What about you?
Can you go it alone?
If not, there's Someone there waiting
Waiting for you to give Him your all
Run to the Trail Guide, Jesus
Comforter, Saviour, Provider, Healer
Why settle for being "alright"
When God can take your life
And heal your heart
And guide you along life's path?

So many things to do,
Places to go,
Experiences to be had.

Endlessly going to and fro,
From one thing to another,
Barely time to even think.

Wondering ever increasingly,
Why she is going,
Going and never stopping.

The pauses in life,
They trigger her thoughts,
Her emotions, her fears

Behold, not only the fears,
But also the wondering,
Yearning, searching, groping.

Her life growing blurry,
Leaving her confused,
Frustrated, pensive, evasive.

Things jerking her head
This way and that.
Truths that need to be told,

"You're keeping busy,
Running yourself into the ground,
So that you don't have to think."

The words hit so hard
Causing her to realize
Their absolute truth.

"You needn't try to be strong
Just admit your weakness
And lean on God's strength."

Realizing her faults,
Her fears and worries,
Her short-comings and failings.

Humbly she falls
At the feet of her Lord.
The tears break free.

Handing all back to Jesus,
She genuinely admits,
"I'm not big enough for this.

"You're the Alpha and the Omega,
The Beginning and End,
God of the universe.

Why so proudly
I took back control,
I'm a flaunted human.

I'm so weak,
Wasted and worn,
Yet you are so strong.

Through my weakness,
You show Your hand,
And glory be Thine.

God, grant me the strength
To know what to do
And to do what I must

To slow down
And take time to think,
To pray, to reflect.

To never give in,
Never give up,
Always glance up.

Remembering always
To put You first
In all that I do.

Living for Your glory,
Dying to self,
A light in the darkness.

Let this be my aim
Both now and forever,
TO GOD BE THE GLORY."

mood: pensive

 

What True Patriotism is All About

 

Patriotism is a very important word for Americans to understand. When one hears the word patriotism, he often associates it with wearing red, white, and blue and watching fireworks on Independence Day. While celebration of our nations founding is a great way to show love for America, that isn’t all that patriotism encompasses. There are four key elements that make up patriotism as a whole:  loyalty, honor, passion, and independence. Without having each of these attributes, one is lacking a portion of what it takes to be a true patriot. Each one of these qualities contributes to the American spirit of patriotism, which is the spirit of having the determination and desire to be the best citizen he could possibly be.

Loyalty is marked by allegiance and duty. To have undying loyalty to one’s country is probably the most important element to patriotism. If one is loyal to his country, he should be willing to do anything to aid in its progression and development. One great example of loyalty is the United States Armed Forces. Putting their lives on the line every day, these men and women have given up their time, comfort, and a portion of their life to fight for the freedom of America. To be loyal to one’s country doesn’t mean that you are required to put your life on the line, but it does expect one to stand up for it and bond together with his fellow man when trouble arises. This act of allegiance also calls for one to obey the rules and laws set forth by the government.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It doesn’t matter where one was originally born, whether he has a different color skin, or how much money he possesses. Recognizing that all men are created equal is an important element to having the ability to demonstrate honor. To treat one with honor as one would treat himself is a giant step to attaining peace with one’s friends and neighbors. People may ask, “And what does that have to do with patriotism?” Well, if one honors those around him and respects their wishes, it lessens friction between them and allows there to be unity between them. If one is not unified with those in his own country, he can hardly expect there to be unity between America and other nations in the world. The behavior and actions of Americans today will have an impact on the future of this great nation. The morals, beliefs, and views that one has will shape the environment in which his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren will live. In order to be able to honor others, one should try to place himself in their shoes. He should not only look at things from his own perspective, but also from his fellow countrymen’s perspectives. One should know where he stands on different issues and ideas, but he shouldn’t be close-minded, rude, and ignorant to someone whose ideas differ greatly from his own. This kind of attitude not only creates tension between him and those with whom he disagrees, but it also conveys a haughty attitude that speaks volumes to those around him; an attitude of superiority, conceit, and partiality. He needs to realize that each person is entitled to his own opinion and treat him with respect and honor even if he doesn’t agree with that opinion of someone else.

To have passion means that one loves something enough to stand up for it and would be willing to stick with it through thick and thin. Having passion for one’s country is major. If one is passionate about America, he will desire the best for it and be willing to offer his talents and abilities to further his country, whether that be by helping to keep the environment clean or perhaps volunteering with local organizations. The passion that a patriot has should be passed down through the generations, and if so impelled, patriots will teach their children of the importance of true patriotism.

One thing that America is known for is the independence that its citizens enjoy. The liberty for one to dream and live out his life as best he can; freedom of religion; and the ability to speak his opinion on matters that are of great importance to him. As a citizen, it is one’s privilege to uphold his values and to stand up for them when others try to infringe upon his rights. He also has the chance to dream as never before, and many times – if his determination is great enough – to fulfill those dreams. However, one must be sure not to abuse the rights that he has been given.

Each and every American needs to remember what patriotism really means. Because once one understands it, then he can attempt to put into action the characteristics that patriotism involves – loyalty, honor, passion, and independence – so that he can be a true patriot.

Bibliography

Jefferson, Thomas. The Declaration of Independence, 1776

Thoughts rush through my head
Confusing my mind
Clogging my brain
I struggle to sort them
Trying to figure out the puzzle inside
As the fog begins to clear
Fear takes hold
Fear of choices to be made
Plans to form
A life to live
The reality of what could happen
Sinks in
A battle begins
A struggle between mind and heart
Logic and emotions
Oh, the questions plaguing me
The "What ifs" teasing my brain
Somewhere in the back of my head
I know what to do
But, why so terrified?
I then realize
That I can't do this on my own
But with God's help
I can face anything at all
Great and small

mood: chipper

Bottled up
Straining to be free
Choking them back
Blocking them out
Needing to come out
Refusing to let them
Appearing fine on the outside
Broken on the inside
Thoughts raging
Cannot cry
Holding it all in
Then slowly but surely
They start to come out
A sob escapes
Can't swallow them back any longer
A tear rolls down the sad face
Splashes to the ground
Blinking them back
No longer works
Breaking free
Tears begin to fall
Starting to handle
The pain, anger, hurt
Forcing them back no more
Sorting them out
Letting go
Moving on

mood: amused

Plopping down,
She takes a deep breath.
Looking at her surroundings,
A sigh lets loose.
Wondering if she's opened up
One too many times.
Fighting back tears,
The current events tearing her apart
Remembering the past,
A slight grin forms on her lips.
Running a hand through her hair,
She recalls having been through it all before.
Glancing over at the clock,
Where has the time gone?
Searching for the answers,
To unanswered questions.
Knowing that it all has a purpose,
What is it, though?
Turning to God,
She leaves her worries and problems at His feet.
Admitting, "I'm not big enough to handle this,
But You are."

mood: bouncy

Everybody's optimist.
I never wear a frown,
But dig a bit deeper,
You'll be amazed at what's found.

What's with the scars,
The cuts, the wounds?
Why is my heart
All battered and bruised?

Can you see the pain?
Feel the heartache?
Wonder at the hurt?
Sense the loneliness?

Carrying others burdens
That's what I love to do.
But when I get down,
Who will carry mine?

So many years of hurt and pain,
Letting go: a hard lesson to learn.
Testing: what makes one strong.
Pressing on, no matter what.

Regret looking backwards,
Worry glancing forwards.
Faith looking up,
Getting back up, continuing on.

Trying to face life's problems.
I can't handle them alone.
Giving them to God,
Knowing that He cares.

"What an easy life,"
Some people seem to think.
If only they knew,
What had gone on in the past.

Smirking, grinning, smiling.
Always telling jokes.
Spunky, quirky, vivacious.
There to lift others up.

"How'd she get that way?"
A question puzzles others.
"She hasn't a care in the world."
Or so they think...

Everybody's optimist.
I never wear a frown.
But dig a bit deeper,
And you'll see what made me strong.

mood: tired

Staring off into the blue sky
Thinking of what was
But is no longer
The breeze bringing thoughts
Of pain
Of past, present, future
Of God's grace
Nose turning red from the chilling wind
Looking into the deep blue eyes
Someone is there
You read the thoughts
The eyes are as windows to the brain
You see the struggle
Feel the pain
Grasping for something
Anything to help you up
Not wanting to slide back down
When all hope seems lost
A hand grabs hold of yours
Puts you on your feet
Sets you back on your journey
When you feel as if there is no help
Look to Him who gives hope.

mood: satisfied

Lying here
Wide awake
Thoughts rushing through my brain
Empty, lonely, hurting
Engulfed in a dark fog
Feeling hopeless
So alone
Emotions start breaking free
First, one tear falls
Then, comes the downpour
Falling to my knees
Crying out to God
Laying at His feet
My worries, cares, thoughts
He takes them one by one
My heart is shattered
Scattered everywhere
Picks up my heart
Piece by piece
Whispers in my ear
"You can't do this on your own.
I'll always be with you
To help you carry on."
"But it hurts so much..."
"Do not be afraid.
This is for My glory
Child, I chose you
Before you were even born
I knew your name
I have a purpose
All things work together for good
You have to trust Me
Even if you can't see the end result
Hold tight to Me
I am your shelter
Through the storms
I am your strong tower
To protect you
I am your Comforter
For when you are hurting
I Am."

mood: happy tags: comforter, emotions, glory, heart, hopeless, poetry, shattered, shelter, strong tower

Okay, so here is my poetry blog. Random... very random. But hey! That's what makes life fun, eh? ;)  Uhhh... Don't mind the random background. I just thought it was a cool pic. xD  I will be posting most of the poetry I can dig up, but probably not all of it. :P  Uhhh... 'sides that, enjoy! :D 

location: In front of my computer mood: thoughtful music: Casting Crowns tags: background, introduction, random