I refuse to be negative, I will not give in
I will rise above, I did come to win
I won't give in to the fear and the hate
caused by everyone fighting their mate
I won't give up on love or on hope
I won't let myself just sit here and mope
I won't read sad poems that just drag me down
I won't look at things that cause me to frown
I'll fill my head up with positive things
and let all my worries up and sprout wings
I won't be afraid and I won't let go
there's something else I think you should know
if you don't give up and you don't give in
and you don't become a slave to your sin
if you will lift your head and follow your heart
and don't let this dark world tear you apart
then you will give witness to miraculous stuff
and you will soon realize that you are enough.

folded in upon herself
round curves and sharp lines
her brain all fuddled by it's grief
and her circumstance defines
she feels an empty shell
and so I've drawn her so
a girl without a face
for nobody can know
a person not themselves
but what others think they want
crushed inside this empty shell
the bravest soul to daunt
the empty loneliness engulfs
though surrounded by her peers
afraid to breathe or move or talk
locked inside her fears
and so she's sketchy pencil lines
for I have drawn her so
because one is not in color
until they can just let go
there is freedom in worship
but not if we are bound
we cannot even love ourselves
when worshipping those who walk the ground

holding my breath, I wait, restless
every nerve ending in my body tingles
just on the verge, something is going to happen
I can feel it in my finger tips, my toes, my being
Mind racing, and spinning, I wander in circles
past thoughts I have already thought before
I feel suspended over a boiling pit
thin, fraying strings hold me from danger
I feel locked, behind a puzzle door that I cannot solve
I wander through the dark, misty endlessness
Tricky little hints of answers nip at me from the unseen dark
frustration spikes within me, lashing out at others
like I have porcupine skin
falling, falling , falling I land ******* my knees
in a pond of my own tears, growing deeper
it threatens to drown me in hopelessness
finally, a pin point of light, catches my attention
blue, reflecting through the water, a word
"perseverance"

backpack on his back and bent over in despair
he sits upon a bus bench, crazy tangles in his hair
he glances up to see a woman, curls all down her back
but he hangs his head in shame and thinks about his lack

he steals another glance as she waits for the green light
he envies her the fact that she knows where she'll sleep tonight
he watches traffic pass as his stomach growls too loud
what happened to his life? Once he'd been so proud

The curly haired girl tucked a fiver in his hand
he chanced a glance up, a beautiful smile so grand
he didn't want to be like this and never have a home
he didn't want the "gypsy" life or to be "free" to roam

He nodded at her thankfully and his face spread in a smile
at least he'd have some food tonight, to last a little while
he picked his backpack up and walked up to the store
he knew he would remember that smile forevermore

The light finally turned green and she walked across the street
she hoped she'd given that poor man enough to help him eat
she hiked up to her apartment, her steps were feeling light
she wished she could do more as she retired for the night

loneliness engulfs us, no matter where we sleep
people in the streets or mansions, all of us can weep
money shouldn't be hoarded and a smile goes a long way
you never know what you have done that makes somebody's day

A pool of glistening tears, spreads beneath my knees
I hear the wind rustling, as it's blowing through the trees
I feel like I am broken, abandoned and alone
searching the whole world, to try to find a home
I used to be the loudest one, laughing in the room
now I'm in this empty place, quiet as a tomb
I drank till I blacked out, my head down on the bar
ashamed to say I've gotten, behind the wheel of a car
now my heart is broken, he ripped it into shreds
and I've never felt so horrible, as on my heart he treads
and yet I wonder now, as the gloomy lifts away
was I more broken then, than I really am today?
My head was full of thoughts of getting what I wanted
and all of God's great gifts, I ever freely flaunted
and now my heart is filled with sorrow and with prayers
but now I feel His touch, and I know He really cares
so I've come to the conclusion, though I thought I was fine
that all that self-assurance, was never really mine
that confidence I thought was running through my veins
was really just the devil, pulling on my reins
now I'm breaking free, and though it hurts at first
I know that had I stayed like that, it would have been much worse
so I've come to the conclusion, there's a purpose for the pain
and if you can push through it, you have so much to gain
Where once I was a shattered glass, the pieces strewn apart
now I am just dealing with a normal broken heart
It's been taped back together, but its not fully well
I'm afraid that everyone who looks at me, call always really tell
Those cracks across my surface are letting the light out
but they also let the love in, and that's what it's all about

Every time we speak, I feel like you are judging me
so I spout off without a care, nonsense to regret later
I don't know how you do it, but you make act defensively
when with everyone else, I'm a lover not a hater

I just want to talk to you the way I talk to others
but with you I cannot be myself, I don't know why
anyone else, can be instantly like sisters and brothers
but after you and I talk, I always want to cry

You make me so frustrated because I can't just be
and I don't know if it's you that's making this so tough
or if all this difficulty exists inside of me
All I know is that it never gets better it's always rough

You interrogate and fluster me and make me feel dumb
do you do it on purpose? Or is that just my perception?
then I leave our conversations feeling glum
It was so easy to talk to you at the relationship's conception

I think the best defense against this defensiveness
is to have a good offense of humility
I will stop trying with the impressiveness
and hopefully this will cause more tranquility

Your constant need for adoration is exhausting
but that is not my fault nor my job to fix
but if my own arrogance is part of it's causing
then I shall take that one ingredient from this awful mix

I don't know what problems are you in you
but I can do a lot to change the things inside of me
for some reason, I'm stuck on you like glue
I just wish that you could relax and be happy

I read this thing about your man
that you should do these things, if you can
to have a happy loving marriage
so both of you will not disparage
The first one said to give respect
and if you do, you can expect
that he will love and honor you
because you showed him that you do
the second, listen when he speaks
and into his heart you'll get little peaks
the third one, creating a safe place
so he can be vulnerable, his fears erase
be honest with him in all you do
so he knows he can trust you too
the fifth may be the hardest one
and it may make you want to run
but submit yourself to your man
and do the very best you can
give him a chance to grow and lead
and watch him blossom and succeed
six to serve with love and care
to do kind things and love and share
Seventh to have joy even in rain
not seeking him out just to complain
eight shows a huge amount of love
to ask God to help him from above
praying for another opens us wide
pulls out all of the bad things we try to hide
Nine is easy in the beginning
'cause *** within marriage isn't sinning
it's fun, and exciting and easy to do
sometimes later, you just don't want to
it's important to keep it going though
temptation to stray, lurks as we know
The last to affirm the good that you see
and not circle the drain of negativity
always focusing on the positive
all of this is good advice to live
Your marriage will be filled with love
and you can thank a good God up above

I planned out my day, and then I planned my year
I plotted every single thing so I could see it clear
I chose the career path, and I clung to all my strength
I managed my thoughts positively and exercised at length
I saved up every penny, and strategized my life
then I planned out how to be the very perfect wife
I knew if I was perfect, that I could have it all
everything I ever wanted, whether big or small
Nothing seemed to work out right, I never could predict
and it got to the point where I just couldn't handle it
I thought that I was smarter and that if I was good
I would be able to have everything that I thought should
just think harder, just do this, and then I will try more
but the more I did this, it frustrated me to my very core
I lost sight of who I was and all I thought I knew
but then one day it hit me and I started to get a clue
all my life i'd tried so hard will giving you a passing nod
then it hit me one day, that I had thought that I was God

His name was Mort
he had a hideous wart
when he got into port
all the wenches would snort
but he waltzed up to the fort
and attended the court
where he drank some fine port
and had a nice chocolate torte
he had eyes on a consort
a tryst with her, he'd had to abort
his mission, her father did thwart
so he drank *** by the quart
and fought men for sport
the rich he'd extort
for he was that sort
for this fair escort
he would not resort
to actually court
her image of him, he dare not distort
and that is why, he'll always fall short
but he got a passport
and got on a transport
and learned to support
himself in Freeport
and that my dear friends, is all I have to report

Smooth and hard with vacant eyes
staring back from this disguise
you'll never even recognize
a being long after it dies

the lies they told to reach a goal
the innocence they may have stole
the stress that took it's deathly toll
we're made of the same stuff as coal

all the money you have made
all those bills you somehow paid
getting rich just to get laid
work to the bone 'cause you're afraid

have to prove that you are tough
but never feeling good enough
always needing some more stuff
life can be a little rough

worry will get you no place
while putting wrinkles on your face
running in this sad rat race
until you're gone, without a trace

but eternity is yours to take
it is real, it is not fake
the choice is only yours to make
choose wisely now, before your wake!

A dog jumps in the lake and splashes all around
my heart it thrills a bit at the joyous little sound
not a care he has as he runs about with ease
he's not a bit afraid of this rampant new disease
a bird calls up above, calling to it's mate
not a bit of fear, regret, or holding on to hate
a child laughs with glee at the butterflies around
she has no regulator on the loudness of her sound
the bright and golden sun dips down in a low bow
the bugs all buzz around, they know what happens now
the wind sounds through the pines a calming melody
all these things go on as normal, in perfect harmony
they don't fear tomorrow, what it brings or if it comes
they go about their business with their little nature hums
the Creator has a plan and they trust Him with their care
they never complain or whine, that life is so unfair
they're job in this world, their purpose is His glory
and that is why they know, that they never have to worry

The devil does not want us to believe in love.
He wants us to be disappointed over and over
again till we stop believing it exists altogether.
Think of the love you wish you had from your crush,
or your boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse.
Think of how you want somebody who loves you so
much that they want to know everything about you,
and they see all the things that make you, you.
You want somebody who understands you,
and doesn’t judge you. You want somebody
who sees the things you are great at, and
who’s opinion matters so much to you that you
want to please them. Not somebody who
makes you please them and do things for
them to earn their love. You want to love
somebody you respect, and who respects
you back, and who makes you feel like you matter.
Somebody who listens to everything you say,
and always has your back. You want somebody
who is so confident and secure in who they are,
that your opinions don’t change them, but at
the same time they love you so much they
would die for you. That is how Jesus loves you.
He is the only one capable of loving you so perfectly.
If you want that kind of love, you have it!  
You just have to accept it and believe that it is real.
STOP listening to the lies that tell you that you aren’t good enough.

Hop and skip, I sometimes sing
This joy and all my wondering
the world seems to have come to life
I let Him handle all my strife
Little giggles bursting out
but not so "happy" I wear people out
I didn't do it, I don't know how
To explain what I am feeling now
No formula for perfect bliss
alone I could not manage this
We try to hold on to happy thoughts
like Peter Pan and Mrs. Potts
You cannot control your own mind
there's no solution you can find
just lift your eyes and let Him in
He gives you freedom, lets you win
I feel like I'm a wound up toy
bubbling over with so much joy
It's hard to walk when I want to skip
and dream I'm on a pirate ship
Just let Him handle all your stress
and then you will be so FEARLESS!

A 20 something boy afraid of it all
of all responsibility big and small
he ran from the girl who loved him the most
as if she were some terrifying ghost
he ran from the thought of settling down
and these fears ran him all over town
into bed with this girl and then that one next
sending so many girls a different text
couldn't keep track but thought it was funny
different girls when it's raining or snowy or sunny
as long as they told him that he was the best
and never put his fragile little ego to the test
but then one day they just stopped being fun
then tables turned, and they started to run
they ran from his charm when he offered dinner
and he started to feel like a ***** old sinner
nobody wanted him, he felt all alone
though occasionally one would throw him a bone
he loathed the attention of the girls that he had
they were all washed up and used up and sad
was this what was left what it all had come to
it's what he deserved, he knew that much was true
alone and broken, at the end of his rope
he downed some more *****, he'd lost all his hope
he cried out to Jesus to save him from despairing
from all of those mistakes he had made without caring
Jesus reached down, and said you are enough
relax now, I'll take care of all of that bad stuff
you are My son, I bought you with My life
You can still be worthy of a loving, smart wife
treat her with care and she'll love and respect you
I will help you be good to her in all that you do
she won't dishonor or make you look bad
and she'll hold you and care for you when you are sad
If you turn to Me and trust in My hand
I can give you a life that is really grand
throughout history I've made courageous men
and for you My son, I will do it again
I'll make you so strong that your ego won't break
I'll make you so confident, you don't have to be fake
I'll make you so loving you won't have to try
I'll make you a man, and it's ok if you cry

6 days He worked and the seventh He rested
Throughout all His life, and even when tested
one church will tell you that this isn't so
that we worship on Sunday 'cause that's when He rose
But even in death, He rested on seven
His work here was done, on earth and in Heaven
A horrible death, He died for our sin
He did it so LOVE would always win
when we make excuses for all that we do
we think love lets you do whate're you want to
love sets boundaries on behavior that's bad
because those sins will just make you sad
wake up with a hangover and you don't feel good
or sleep with that person just because you could
there's no consequences for a minute of fun
but what happens next, when this is all done?
He paid the price for every sin that you make
and all you can do is take, take, and take
it's never enough, you always want more
you don't even know what you're searching for
freedom, escape, from this hole that's inside
try to fill it with stuff, or numb it, or hide
accept His sacrifice, His love fills your soul
this is what's missing, this is your goal
we don't understand it, 'cause it's not a thing
like money, career, or a big diamond ring
but it fills you with confidence, freedom, and love
because it's a blessing, a gift from above
when you think of the empty things in your life
bleak bank account, no husband or wife
seek above all, the kingdom of God
and He gives even more, it's really quite odd
Think of His life, His death, and His love
and let it protect you like a well-fitting glove

Chips and salsa crunchity crunch
On these things I like to munch
no nutrition in this food
but it puts me in a happy mood
popcorn and a great show
are also married, don't you know
peanut butter jelly time
a quality pairing in this rhyme
I am in a silly mood
and so I'm playing with my food

Be in this moment
this moment right now
don't think of the future
or stress about how
you'll get where you're going
not because you know
this life never tells you
exactly where to go
so live right this second
take a deep breath
you cannot control
the moment of your death
there is no formula
to repeat the past
can you not see
you're going too fast?
right now is the time
it is all you've got
spend it wisely
and realize it's a lot
you'll pass up your life
focused behind or ahead
don't you know yet
we all end up dead
It's the only life
that some ever get
I see why you're stressed
'cause you don't know yet
that God can take care
of all your petty needs
if you will go out
and plant His love seeds
so worry no more
'cause there is a life after
stress free and fun
and full of bright laughter

on a green hill with sun up high
you plopped down next to me with a sigh
we laid in the grass and talked for a bit
and I was charmed by your sharp wit
you reached out and took my hand
a gentle touch, made me feel grand
a breeze caught your hair as you looked at me
and I wanted to tell you what I see
your blue eyes with flecks of gold
your chiming laugh that never grows old
a hope for love is in your eyes
though you try hard to disguise
before I can stop it, my hand reaches out
my mind is racing, all my fears shout
I ignore them as I touch your face
then you pull me in, to your embrace
your features smooth a smile there
you look like you have not a care
I know God's smiling down at me
and now I can clearly see
how He has listened when I pray
and gave us this beautiful, sunny day.

Rush of wind goes through the palms
it's Sabbath and I'm reading Psalms
I had a plan to sit by the pool
but the weather is a bit too cool
my roommate's painting in the shed
I decided to write poetry instead
I'm thinking 'bout our talk yesterday
and all the things I wanted to say
you always seem to cut things short
and I'm just try to be a good sport
texting just is not your style
and I'd rather hang out for a while
so invite me out and I'll say yes
and maybe God can both us bless

As I worked, I stressed a bit till I saw you there
looking so adorable, I swear it's just not fair
dark blue eyes, gazing, your hair curled round your ears
I wish that I could hug you, and take all of your fears
you don't know what I see when I look upon your face
I want to tell you so much, but I'm quiet just in case
in case you can't accept the love that's in my heart
and I'd rather you not know, than forever be apart
I like to watch you laughing, it's my favorite sound
and when I look at you, it's like no one is around
everything just melts into the background of the world
and right around your little finger, I am tightly curled
I feel the God of love, standing right beside me
I feel Him looking at you, and seeing what I see
A man in need of saving, who struggles through this life
and his refusal to love either of us, cuts us like a knife
God puts a hand upon my shoulder to comfort in my tears
and holds me close and promises to take all of my fears
One day I hope you turn, your heart to God above
and then maybe you can accept, my never ending love
This love I have for you, is like a heavy boulder
but I'll carry it all my life, with God's hand on my shoulder

Love the Lord with all your heart
this is a great place to start
if you love Him the most of all
He picks you up each time you fall
He lifts you up and honors you
and shows you things that you could do
to live a happy, abundant life
not giving in to stress and strife
if you chase after things like drugs
or living life with other thugs
if alcohol is more your speed
trying to fill an endless need
He pursues your heart for Him
releasing you from all this sin
the empty holes you try to fill
following after the devil's will
will only grow more empty still
for they are all designed to ****
architected for your demise
but so enticing to disguise
that they bring you more pain than not
starting small and spreading rot
your brain and body start to give
sometimes even your will to live
you don't know why you're upset
you haven't reached the bottom yet
chasing after girls and boys
treating people like your toys
but if you love the Lord your God
this might seem a little odd
but you find happy deep within
when you're forgiven for your sin
you don't need a thing to chase
it just shines out of your face
and all the things you wanted bad
all the things that made you sad
they don't draw you anymore
they seem different than before
but good things that you really wanted
things in the back that always haunted
they will come straight after you
you won't even have to force them to!
So stop torturing yourself with stuff
never thinking it's enough
stop dulling pain and fear with "fun"
your life hasn't even yet begun
God loves you no matter what
this feeling might be in your gut
but do you love the Lord right back?
this is where we get off track
If you love Him, trust is key
He has better plans than you and me

One of those days when it all goes right
One of those days when you've got no fight
One of those days that fits like a glove
when to everyone around you extends some love

It's nice when you have a day that is happy
and though this poem might be a bit sappy
I had one of those days on this sunny day
and I'll tell you how it got this way

I have no idea, there's no formula for it
you can't run your life by control or whit
some days things go right and some go wrong
some days you cry and some days sing a song

The happiest days are gifts from above
showered upon us by God's great love
He brings peace and blessings to those who wait
we just have to trust Him with our fate

Don't seek out those days, they will come
if you struggle and strive, you will be undone
just relax and trust, I know it seems odd
but when they come, don't forget to thank God

Sometimes there is no action, that will not cause a rift
through lots of dumb scenarios, we sift and sift and sift
if I do this then that, all these effect and cause
makes us unable to act, we only can give pause
but to do nothing is an action too so what are we to do?
this round and round about is what leaves us feeling blue
the reason for this is, we're afraid of what others think
someone's always hurt or mad, it makes our stomach sink
we cannot see the future, but God is in control
constantly trying to predict, is what is taking toll
if you think about it with a positive spin
God can take whatever you do, and He can help you win
All things work together for good for those who love the Lord
so you don't have to fret about consequences you can't afford
now, that being said, that only means if you are doing right
because if not, you will end up in one big heartbreaking fight
So pray and pray and ask Him for His guidance on this day
then the consequences won't be too high for you to pay

Today I woke up in just the best mood ever
I've gone through dark times where that was never
Times I never thought I'd smile again
where I just could not ever seem to win
I don't want to talk about that though
because there's something I want you to know
It doesn't matter what you got going on
or how long everything seems to go wrong
dark times will pass and the sun will come out
you may not even know how it came about
I know how mine did, and that's why I'm here
to tell you what brought the end to my tears
I realized I'm loved, and that it's all okay
that God is with me, each and every day
If you think that it's just all rules and boring
or sitting in church with old people snoring
then think of it different, and just talk and ask
and turn your face to the sun and sit and just bask
you'll feel like you're talking to yourself at first
or God isn't listening, and you're somehow cursed
try to ask Him to give you freedom and love
ask Him to send His help from up above
tell Him it's hard and you can't handle it all
admit you're not God and to Him you are small
your problems are so important to Him
maybe I wrote this, just for you Tim
He can handle whatever you've got
so cast your cares on Him, even if it's a lot