The truth about truth

     God exists whether we ‘will’ Him to or not, whether we choose to believe or not, just as truth exists whether we want it to or not. It does not change to suit our opinions or beliefs. Jesus did not say He was ‘a’ way or ‘a’ truth or ‘a’ life, He said He was ‘the’ way, ‘the’ truth, ‘the’ life.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”         John 14:6-7

     So Jesus was either telling the truth or He was a liar. You either choose to accept what He said about Himself or you call Him a liar, there is no in-between, no ‘neutral’ position. It does not depend on us or what we believe or don’t believe. It does not depend on an ‘if’ or ‘then’ statement. If you choose to accept what He said about himself, then you must choose to believe all of it, the prophets, the law, the gospel (good news), you cannot pick and choose when it comes to truth. You can either accept it and conform your perception and way of thinking to what it says (with the help of the Holy Spirit), or you can deny it and accept the consequences if you are wrong, just as we must accept the consequences for any wrong decision in life. If you choose to stick your hand in a fire it will be burned, you will pay the consequences for your decision, it is not a matter of mind over matter. Some of you might start spouting about some meta-physicist or Indian mystic/shaman you read about who can walk over burning coals without physical damage simply by willing it, but I want you to seriously think about what you have read or been told. Some people can train their bodies to be more tolerable than others under certain conditions, and there are dark spiritual forces that can appear as light (I have seen them), but I guarantee you if you hold your hand in the fire long enough it will be burned. Jesus is either the stone upon which you are broken (come to repentance and be healed) or the stone by which you are crushed. The choice is up to you.

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes.      Psalm 118:22-23

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.’
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”    Luke 20:17-18
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Truth

Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed”   Luke 20:17-18

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road

that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.   Matthew 7:13-14

truth;

from where does it come?

to where does it go?

it rattles around inside,

bouncing back and forth,

like some misguided missile,

and just when you think

you have the answer,

you come to the stark,

brutal realization;

you’ve only scratched

the surface;

truth;

so seemingly simple,

yet so profoundly complex,

separating darkness from light,

bringing dawn to the fading night,

cutting hard and deep,

with surgeon-like precision

and skill,

providing comfort and mercy,

while dispensing perfect

judgment and justice;

truth is absolute,

truth is forever,

truth never changes,

truth never compromises,

truth is condemnation,

truth is salvation

all rolled into one;

truth is the stone

upon which everyone who falls

will be broken to pieces,

but he on whom it falls

will be crushed;

truth is Jesus Christ.

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The Way of Truth

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”   John 14:6-7

lost in this sea of darkness,

sentenced to die from the day

we are born,

guilty as charged,

eternally separated,

forever gone;

the dreams of men

are like birds on the wind,

shifting and rearranging,

living and dying,

here today,

gone tomorrow;

there are many roads in life,

leading to far away,

unknown destinations,

creating their own specific

brand of justification,

finding their own particular

version of truth,

but no matter how many

truths we create,

no matter how many different ways

we choose to believe;

there is only one truth,

there is only one way,

there is only one road;

it does not bend

to fit our ideas or desires,

it does not go in the direction

we demand it to go,

it is final,

it is absolute;

that is how truth works.

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Never Was

Out here in this wasted space
of no-man’s land;

no one hears the silence,
no one knows the loss,

alone and holding on,
waiting for imaginary rescues
among lost and broken places,
hiding behind enemy lines,
crawling on hands and knees
in-between burned out bunkers,
full of dry, empty words;

never quite reaching the mark.

Old debts return,
tears rain down like
sweet summer sweat,
holding on until
there is nothing left;

without a hope,
without a chance.

Beautiful dreams like a river,
flow on their way to the sea,
dancing like butterflies
on the morning wind,
echoing sounds of magic
within the caverns of the soul;

sometimes the greatest love
is that which never was.

One more time,
traveling down this
long and lonesome road,
searching for a home
inside lost and empty ruins,
running from fantasies that never were,
living within upside down dreams
which come and go;

over before it began.

My eyes have seen what others
have not,
my heart has known that
which no heart should.
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Teacher

Teacher,
where are you now?

Teacher,
don’t you have
any wise words now?

Are you still enjoying
being an intellectual
SOB
NOW!?

Did you have your
mandatory
mid-life
crisis?

Did you go through
your obligatory
messy
divorce?

Tell me
teacher,
do you still
look down
your pointed little nose
and pass judgment,
deciding
who deserves life
and who doesn’t?

Is everybody
still cast
into the roles
of dumb jocks
and cool non-jocks?

I gave you a glimpse
inside my soul,
you tossed it aside
with nothing more
than a glance,
I gave you all there was
and all you gave me
was a D.
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Egypt the middle east and 9/11

Today Mubarek resigned and Egyptians are celebrating their new found 'freedom and democracy'. In case you haven't figured it out, this is much bigger than Egypt. If you have been paying attention this started in Tunisia and is spreading to most of the Arab countries controlled by governments who are either supported financially by America or at least quietly condoned by America. In return for this support or tolerance these governments have quietly supported America in return. Now the people of Egypt have overthrown a dictator in the name of democracy, a dictator long supported by America, what can America say now? 'We really don't want democracies and self-rule in the middle east? That we only want what will be in the best interest of the American people, which means low gasoline prices?'  Of course we can't say that because then we would appear to be the hypocrites that we really are.

So first the islamic extremists got us to use our military to remove one tyrant (Saddam Hussein) and now they are using the very principles this country was founded on to remove the rest, and there's not a darn thing we can do or say about it. Pretty sweet huh? So what does 'democracy' in the middle east really mean? It means the arab/islamic people will choose who they want to govern them and not necessarily those who will be friendly towards America and the rest of the western world. Who do you think those leaders will be? If you really want an answer you only have to look as far as Iran. Remember them? Remember the Shah? Remember how they were once the 'good guys' (before the people decided that they would rather be ruled by religious ayatollohs instead of a US puppet called the Shah). What do you think the Saudi Arabian royal family is thinking right now? How long do you think it will be before the new found 'democracy' in Egypt turns its attention towards them? And again, without appearing to be complete hypocrites and losing what little credibility we have left in the middle east, there's not a damn thing America can do about it. I repeat, pretty sweet huh?

So where is this all going, besides higher gasoline prices, which we will pay simply because we have no choice as long as we remain slaves to an oil based economy? Well let me tell you what I believe the answer to be, it is the same answer upon which the entire history of human existence has always revolved around: Israel, thats right, Israel. When Saudi Arabia falls where do you think the attention will be directed at? Perhaps the place that most Arab factions have vowed to wipe off the face of the earth? And which most Arab groups refuse to even acknowledge as a sovereign state. I'm not going to debate this with any of you nor go through the hundreds, if not thousands of prophecies and proofs it would take (which those of you who don't understand wouldn't believe anyway). I will just leave it at that. When you see the armies of the world surrounding Jerusalem perhaps you will understand, but I'm afraid it might be too late by then. Those of you who do understand hopefully will know what I am talking about.

I want to close with one thought: How did this all begin, the toppling of Saddam, etc., what was the catalyst that eventually drove us to use our military and resources to remove a dictator and justify it with a bunch of political rhetoric about democracy and freedom (besides our fear of Weapons of Mass Destruction) (remember that)? Remember 9/11? Kind of like poking a tiger or a bear to get them to react the way you want them to react huh? It seems to me we've been played.

This was written shortly after we invaded Iraq and removed Saddam Hussein from power. I'm adding it to show that this is not some band wagon I recently jumped on. I hope I am wrong, I truly do. 


9/11


Ask yourself;

what was that dark, fateful day really about?
what was the real agenda?

Prior to 9/11 who was the biggest obstacle to fundamentalist Muslims
in their goal for world domination?
who prevented them from controlling the second largest oil fields in the world?
who persecuted them within his borders on a daily basis?
who could be made to look guilty the easiest, stirring up passion and hatred
in the son of a world leader that had failed to remove him from power 10 years earlier?
who had the military strength to remove this tyrant almost overnight,
enflaming Muslims in the process and rallying them to solidarity world-wide?
answer these questions then tell me;

what was the real purpose of 9/11?

In a calculated risk those responsible took a gamble
that the most powerful nation in the world
would take the bait and walk into a well-laid trap,
leaping first and asking questions later,
being fooled by carefully planted clues
because of hidden personal agendas
which had nothing to do with terrorism,
blinded from truth by the need to execute revenge,
removing a despised despot in days that would have taken them years,
so tell me;

what was the real purpose?

Now instead of being on their side,
the world stands united in condemning their policies,
now voices within are speaking out and beginning to be heard,
pointing fingers and speaking words of hatred against a president and his administration
who was just as duped as they claim he is duping them,
now instead of wasting thousands of lives in a hopeless war
those responsible can simply wait, obtaining what they want politically over time,
using the invading American infidels as the catalyst;

so what was the real purpose of 9/11?
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Light of the World/Yeshua

Light of the World


All creation holds its breath
on this silent night of nights,
yearning for deliverance,
groaning like a woman giving birth,
patiently waiting for the moment to begin,
salvation from the cries of an infant;

redemption through the sacrifice of a King.

Hope of hope,
Savior of the lost,
Light of the world,
what gift can be laid at Your feet?
what price can be paid
to satisfy the cost?

The angels do sing Your praise,
all in heaven and on earth
bow before Your glorious throne,
the blessed lamb of God,
the righteous Judge of judges,
the mighty King of kings,
the holy Son of God.

Hope of hope,
Savior of the lost,
Light of the world,
what gift can be laid at Your feet?
what price can be paid
to satisfy the cost?

Look down on us now,
see the ignorance of our ways,
forgive the arrogance of our
hardened hearts,
heal the damage we have done;

make us more than we are.

Hope of hope,
Savior of the lost,
Light of the world,
what gift can be laid at Your feet?
what price can be paid
to satisfy the cost?
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Yeshua

What words have I,
that pay honor to a King?
What gift can be given,
worthy of His name?

He who overcame,
He who defeated death forever,
He who reigns eternally,
He who is our master.

Mocked and mistreated,
spit upon and reviled,
beaten and scourged,
led like a lamb to the slaughter,
sacrificed upon a tree
for our iniquities and transgressions,
resurrected from the grave
that through faith in Him
none should perish,
but all might have life.

Through Him are all things possible,
through Him are all things made new,
to Him does all praise belong,
to Him is all glory given,
lift up His name
before all others;

Yeshua,
the Holy One of God.
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Etc.

Growing up,
I never wanted the normal things:

money, good job, family, etc.,

my vision was always a stage
playing rock and roll music
in front of huge cheering crowds,
with everyone who never believed (in me),
who never thought I’d be much of anything,
old girl friends, parents, teachers, etc.,
sitting in the front row;

realizing just how wrong they had been.

It was this vision
that made me play so hard in sports,
even though I could have cared less
about winning or losing,
it was the roar of a crowd
during a touchdown run
or game winning hit
that I lived for,
and even though I talked about all the other things:

teamwork, hustle, hard work, etc.,

it was all bullshit,
it was never about anything but adulation;

and payback.

My life was a lie then
just as it is today,
as I go to my dead end job,
pretending to be a good husband, father, co-worker, etc.,
talking about right and wrong, morality, beliefs, etc.,
telling my daughter
about teamwork, hustle, hard work, etc.,
when inside I’m still standing on that stage,
before thousands of screaming, adoring fans,
looking down at old girlfriends, parents, teachers, etc,
screaming into the microphone;

“See!
you were wrong all the time!”
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6 for Home

Home (forever)


Today was Petey,
my Jack Russell terrier’s third birthday,
we took him to Pet Smart,
got him a full grooming,
bought him 2 squeaky toys
and some pet treats,
when we left he pissed
on my shoe and pant leg
in the parking lot;

my wife thought
it was very funny.

I am ready to go home,
everyday I become more and
more aware as the desire
grows stronger and stronger,
tired and sick of the daily struggle,
disgusted at the lust and greed,
worn and wearied by the inequity
and unfairness of it all,
appalled by my own inability
to overcome this fleshly prison
surrounding my every side,
slowly killing me with its constant
cravings and depravity,
ready to put my soul in the hands
of the only One who
can save me from this
life that is no life,
in this place that is no home;

I am ready.

But it’s not my decision to make,
just as this life is not my life to live,
I have been bought and paid for at a price,
a price I could never afford,
with a love I cannot even fathom,
by a Master who laid His life down
that I might find the way back to my true home,
the one He has created for all who love Him;

everything I am is because of Him
everything I have belongs to Him.
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My Home

We hide inside our houses,
dreaming;

dreaming of the tomorrows,
imagining the possibilities,
running from the darkness,
mystified by the mystery,
trapped within the illusion,
waiting for the destination;

forever seeing,
but never knowing;
forever hearing,
but never understanding.

If it were up to me
I would stay in this place,
seeking shelter from the storm,
being swallowed up by the myth,
drowning in the depths,
growing cold from the emptiness,
guarding Your truth
like a rare and precious jewel,
but Your grace knows better;

Your will demands more.

I am searching for my home
but I don’t know how to get there,
so I quietly wait here in the wilderness,
running from the ghosts,
hiding from the demons,
praying for a tomorrow.

My home is neither here nor there,
not ahead or behind,
not without or within,
my home is in a land far away,
close your eyes and it is forever gone,
a whisper on the howling wind,
a flicker in the candlelight glow,
my home is nothing,
my home is everything;

my home is all there is.
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Cold

Dark, gray, rainy morning,
the cold burning pain
runs down my tired, trembling leg,
old memories slither forth,
lost and forgotten thoughts
ooze from hidden cracks and holes,
silent friends whisper sweet hellos
into well tuned ears;

fight or flight?

Outside the winter wind blows,
the running feelings return,
the get in the car and start driving
while never looking back voices
start talking;

so many years,
so many battles,
does it never end?
does it never give up?

Stay with me Father,
hold my head above the fray,
protect me from unseen enemies,
let my eyes see the light
of one more precious day,
make the cold winter wind
on dark, gray, rainy mornings
fade away.

Lead me through this darkness,
help me to make a stand,
protect me once again
with Your mighty protective hand,
for I have forsaken Your
wisdom and righteousness,
silence the mocking voices
whispering inside,
bring me home to You Lord;

never let me go,
never let me forget,
that for You
all things are possible.
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Creature

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

No longer the same,
no longer a slave
of this flesh driven body,
no longer a victim,
no longer trapped
by fear and death,
something different;

a new creation.

Born of the spirit,
a foreigner
walking in a foreign land,
a child of light
called out from the darkness,
a chosen vessel;

a son of God.

Let me walk
in Your holy righteousness,
teach me how to grow,
fill me with Your endless love,
guide my steps
down paths which lead home
to You.
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My Cup Runneth Over

In the quiet
of the slowly setting sun
lie answers hidden so deep,
far from knowing eyes
or understanding minds;

there are stories
no man can tell,
there are places
no man can go.

You looked for the light
but it was only darkness
which you found,
you searched for redemption
yet it was only condemnation
that you deserved.

And yes there are stories
that no man can tell,
and there are places
where no man can go,
but still you held on,
waiting for an uncertain future,
following unsettled clues,
living without validity,
settling for pennies on the dollar,
surrendering to an enemy
already defeated,
making a home in the middle
of celestial wastelands.

I dreamed dreams,
wrestled with demons,
witnessed angels,
ran from the blackness
of the approaching night,
faced the wrath of an undeniable truth,
now I finally belong to You;

what more could I ask for?
what more could I ever need?

My cup runneth over,
surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
for all my days,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
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You’ll Never Know

You touch me like a candle,
burning with sweet, tender, mercy,
as unseen worlds and non-existent walls
rise up only to crumble back
into the dark, angry ground;

but you’ll never know,
you’ll never know,

like an unobtainable dream
you flutter into the room,
unapproachable,
unrehearsed,
fresh from the kill,
hot on the trail,
one more from the road,
your face the face of humanity,
your expression all that there is;

I feel your fingertips,
breathe your aroma,
taste your skin,
imagine the unimaginable;

you’ll never know,
never know.

You ride upon a high horse,
in distant places with no name,
frustrated fires burning within,
innocent guilt replaces
moments of madness,
lost inside the maelstrom
with no way home,
rest easy my darling,
soon it will be done,
soon enough it will be finished;

you’ll never know,
never know.

We scream into the wind,
searching for worlds
that do not exist,
running from the impending darkness,
unable to change,
unable to exist,
unable to love,
frustrated little gophers
scrambling from one hole
to another,
waiting for evening meals
complete with nighttime
fuck dreams,
tucked safely in lairs of
complacent apathy,
we are nothing
but dissolving shit,
bubbling and fizzing
our way into nooks and crannies
of indelible majesty,
where only echoes may be heard,
complete with one-way dreams
of suburbia bliss,
surrounded by walls of
utopian opulence.

Innocent pawn,
rest your beautiful head
here in grieving arms,
sweet daughter of the night,
sister of the moon,
the morning sun does approach,
bringing forth its saving light,
and it is here that you belong,
where you shall shine
like the jewel you truly are;

you will know my love,
you will know.
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