"Welcome Home"

I am Your bride

As I prepare

As I wait

As I work

You arrive,

wrap Your arms around me,

and caress the back of my neck with gentle lips

You whisper sweet somethings in my ear

My heart swells

and I am undone

Welcome home 

“A Letter Of Unrequited Love”

Dearest S,

It’s time you learned the truth:
I am deeply, deeply in love with you
And have been since long ago

I’ve sent you flowers
And jewels,
Invited you to parties,
But you never came,
Hardly seemed to notice

I’ve written pages and pages of songs,
Just for you
I yearn to sing them,
Just for you

I’ve seen you in the arms of another,
I raged, full of fire and heat
I suppose—even though we’ve never really met
—I’m jealous

When once I thought you’d gone for good,
I wept for days upon days:
A flood of bitter tears
I've taken up painting since then,
Keeps me going thro' the years

I even built a house, perfectly laid out,
Every stone and archway with you in mind
The land it’s on is cut thro’ by a river
And there are vineyards, orchards:
The most fragrant fruit ever
O, the wine we could drink!

I long to kiss you all over
And run my fingers thro’ your hair
While whispering sweet intimacies in your ear

And if ever you should see
Our initials carved upon a tree,
Know this, Beloved—that was me

This letter,
It is finished

With most passionate affection,
JHVH

P.S. I eagerly await your response

"Our Man Bob"

You know those jokes
Told by some folks,
With Saint Peter at the gate?
He won’t have to ask, nor even wait

“Hi! I’m Bob and I’m a Christian!
How are you? What’s up, mister?”
Peter smiles. “Simply marvelous, dear.
Blessed beyond measure, now that you’re here.”

You see, our man is no stranger
To this place with no danger
I wouldn’t be at all surprised
If he’s giving tours to the newly arrived

He’ll meet the apostles and prophets
Full formal names? Nah, just drop it
Jimmy, Jerry, Pete, and Paul
Our beloved man knows ‘em all

They’ll share the verses that each of them wrote
Bob’ll race ‘em and probably quote
And just before he reaches race’s end,
He’ll turn, see, and say, “You are my Amen!”

He’ll kiss and embrace his Lordly Savior
His presence evermore to savor
By cuttin’ a rug in Heaven’s ballroom
Or standing silent—his only other volume

I knew this man first as a brother,
Then as pastor, mentor—almost a father
Showed me excellence: Don’t fudge it,
Especially when it comes to making a budget

Asked my boys, “Who does your hair?”
(This he never feared: number one, all over there)
We would argue the best way to drive:
Fast and precise or safe, sure to arrive

He sang this truth like it was an ode:
Christians don’t die, only change ZIP codes
Bob lived and led true wisdom from above
But most of all, he showed everyone love

His favorite Bible book was Ecclesiastes
And last of all but certainly not least:
This picture ought not be painted,
But who told you, you were naked?

"They'll All Be Soaked"

Some don't own it
Though it's freely given

Some left it at home
The forecast was certain

Some've never used it
—and don't know how

Some don't even know it exists
(Shame on us!)

Are you under the Umbrella?

“Calvary Cavalry”

In battle dress, a king
Galloping on snow-white steed
Sword drawn and pointing ahead
Crown of iron and gold upon his head

Of a sudden he stops
From shining saddle he drops
Something caught his attention
Saintly praise from those commissioned

For a herd he calls
“Join me,” beckoning to all
Mounting up, resumes the charge
We follow him, near and far

"Harvest Time"

It’s harvest time!
Bringing in the crops
One diamond at a time
Soon a pile of hundreds
 or thousands
Jewels for my King

Soon to be given
One stone at a time
Twisted and braided
His brown locks sparkle
My Lord’s hair shines,
 radiating His glory

"The Sword Of Daniel"

Sun-scorched
World
Of
Rebellious
Deeds,
Offering
Falsehoods,
Death,
And
Necromancy
In
Equal
Levels

By sword,
By flame,
By captivity,
By spoil they fell

Persia, once lush and green,
Is now, in the desert, unseen

Sin sat enthroned
Selling souls, dealing stones

Babylon the great is defeated
Once for all, king unseated

Daniel’s sword:
Jesus’ word

"Jesus Is Lord"

From straw-lined cave
To shattered grave
Jesus is Lord

From borrowed manger
To Emmaus stranger
Jesus is Lord

From virgin womb
To empty tomb
Jesus is Lord

From miraculous birth
To three days in the earth
Jesus is Lord

From light's first glory
To the end of His story
Jesus is Lord

From before creation
To after Revelation
Lord Jesus is

"Taste And See"

Soft like a ripe plum
Sweet like golden honey
Warm like steaming bread
Filling like dawn's light
One bite is not enough
Another and another
Dripping down my lips
Staining my shirt
Moist'ning the earth
Joy!
Please, Lord, I want some more

"Only Dreaming"

Deceiver had a dream
Made an impression, it seems
The stone he used for a pillow?
Added oil—now a pillar

Jacob, Jacob, do you know
What it is you were shown?
An awesome and mighty ladder,
Or was it Him—the Latter Adam?

Indeed it was a stairway to Heaven
Also a tasty loaf without leaven
You've got to know—your dream is real!
Prince of God, arise! You are Israel!

God, so very very gracious,
Visited the restricted of Patmos
A voice like a thousand thunders
Full of truth and shining wonders

Johnny, Johnny, have you heard?
You saw Him—Christ the Word!
A mighty king in a golden crown
Quick now, write it down!

Worthy is the righteous Lamb
(This vision is not a sham)
God's preplanned deal now unsealed
The end of time fully revealed

Don't you know the price was paid
By the holy blood He gave?
Your life's reborn from the Wild
You're God's beloved—a chosen child

Reader, reader, what's your dream?
From what we've learned and what we've seen
You should already be in the know
God also makes your vision grow

Dream big and speak it out
Never, ever give in to doubt
Hold your precious head up high
And just reach up for the sky

"Your Love, Oh Lord"

Your love, oh Lord, oozes over me
Liquid light mixed with golden honey
Over, around, under, and through me
I shall shout and shout again: GLORY!
Wonder of wonders: Your banner over me!
I receive! Life, love, peace, and liberty
As You move, dance, sing, breathe on me
Whoa! Whoa! Yeah baby!
You like me You like me You love me
King of kings! To You be glory!
Gracious and faithful, thinking of me
Be all that You are for all of eternity!
I'm undone, reached the end of me

"Raise A Glass"

Here's to the King who sits on the throne
In Whose love and mercy we trust alone!
Glory to our God above!
Thank you Lord for glorious love!

"Basking"

I'm lying on the sands of a sun-warmed beach
My head to the shore, my feet to the sea
Eyes closed, thinking of my Heavenly King
A wave crashes and splashes up to my feet
It's not water but God's awesome glory I feel
Another crash and it covers my knees
The tide's coming in but I'm at peace
I'll be overwhelmed, but here, 'tis a good thing
Surging up to my chest, pure light—can you see?
I've no doubts, no fears, no worries nagging me
It cascades over my head—submerged in the deep
I can't do it alone, You must be the one to breathe
My thoughts, my flesh, my sin cease to be
And I? I am finally, finally free

"When Jesus Walks"

When Jesus walks in darkened lands
Atop charred soils and scorched sands
He leaves footprints outlined in light
And up spring flowers—a gardener's delight
He brings life, power, truth anew
To everyone—even me and you

"To See The World Through The Eyes Of An Eagle"

High above the plains
Nothing seems quite the same
Learning to fly
Can't be afraid
Daddy's nearby
We whirl and dive
We spread our wings out wide
Soaring high up in the sky
Mountains shrink from sight
Clouds part, reveal the night
Can't be afraid
Daddy's nearby
Pushed out of the nest
Into His ultimate rest
Flying high
Flying higher
Staring at the sun
My flight's only just begun
Soaring with the Son

"Tis Of Thee"

My Savior, 'tis of thee,
Giver of liberty, of thee I sing;
Son of the Father's love,
Returning from above,
Let every tongue proclaim that you are King!

---

adapted from "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
Samuel Francis Smith, 1831
Public domain

"Cover Me"

I'm in a fight
A battle awful and fierce
I'm in a fight
Cover me

I'm going in
Taking heat to the enemy
I'm going in
Cover me

Fighting hard
Stunning, gunning, running
Fighting hard
Cover me

Incoming!
Darts afire flying
Incoming!
Cover me

I'm standing tall
Armor on, sword strong
I'm standing tall
Pray for me

"These Intercessors Three"

Patties, Kay
Patties, Kay
Pray for me

For fruitful growth
and to be made free

Say it
Pray it
Stand in the gap

Praying up to Heaven
for ev'rybody

---

adapted from "Pat-a-Cake"
Traditional, ca.1698
Public domain

"Gotten By The Begotten"

I remind you
I have only one Begotten
But you are My gotten
I made Him
I chose you
I made Him
to get you
You are My gotten
He is My Begotten
He is My one and only Son
You are My daughters, My sons

"Archer Of Archers"

I saw a man seated on a mountain
Raining down arrows like a fountain
Arrows sailed but failed to kill
Instead blessings poured forth from the hill

I must have been mistook
So I took a second look
Not just a man I’d glanced
But rather Him, the One they’d lanced

There He sat with bow all bent
Having aimed, His arrows sent
His eye was notorious
His bow was glorious

Hewn of hues, these special seven
Covenant sign from Holy Heaven
Made just right of refracted light
Arrows arrows, piercing the night

His blessings abound like a river
He rains down arrows from His quiver
So lower it, lower your shield
But only to Him should you yield

Speak out your needs as a prayer
You’re the target so be prepared
As sure as love, as swift as a lark
God never ever misses the mark