Poem Edition "All original works"

The Cost of the Cross-of Christ

Being in eminence sorrow blood drips trickling around.

To think all this started in the Garden of Eden.

Now pleading for the lord to free him.

After the arrest he was brought before the Sanhedrin.

Stuck straight in face.

Only to stand in our place.

Angles stand battle ready but how can He choose. 

To stand in our shoes.

Now seeing the whips.

The ones with leather strips.

Each tears in to the skin.

Only to take on our sin.

Oozing out blood.

To bring fourth tears which resemble a flood.

Now praying on the ground.

For the second round.

The soldiers rashly ripped the robe off.

Along with the scabs.

As He walks waiting willfully for the Father.

Seeking others before Himself. 

As He lays there fighting not willing to quit.

The legionnaire pounds three nails.

Two hands and the feet just tight enough that He can’t breathe.

Imagine the blood.

Imagine the mess. 

With the nails in the smashed flesh.

The cross is raised up only for Him to rise up.

Excruciating pain in every nerve ending.

Out casted by the Father struck the heart.

Now Knobbing, throbbing the muscles give way.

The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak. 

But finding the strength to say.

“Father forgive them, they know not who they’re killing. 

Please don’t hold his charge here against them.”

Looking down at terror stricken mother listen.

“Looking up yells Father into thy hands I commit my spirit.”

Temporary Residents

This is the only hell I will know

For most here is the only heaven they will be shown

Why would I boast, no just make most

For He made the coast, stars, planets

Making all things new in due time

Foreknew all, Knows all 

Shows the full embodiment of Grace and Truth

Stand battle ready, who needs a sword, armies, when God is ever-present

Gates of hell cannot prosper

The enemy hides behind a gate, for his fate is sealed

Gates are defensive weapons, not offensive

To see death on the way, how much hate is in the heart to not say,

Climb that soapbox and speak life

Push, crawl, press onward, and endure

One day, the days will be over

It will seem like a faint dream

Fading away as a forgotten memory

But what is done for Love will last, and be remembered by Love

God is Love, what is not done for God is not in Love

Stand firm when the knees quake, the earth sakes 

The final day is ever near

Do not, do not fear, for God “Love” cast out fear

Those of us who are kingdom warriors 

Already the walls fell, For God is there, the one who was, is and is to come

War is already won.

Roll the Dice

Every moment is passing by

just left here why

filled with mixed emotions 

how to explain this void less notion

the risk of real reality is sinking in

the longevity of life is loosened everyday

yolo is only a myth yolf

you only live forever

highway to hell 

or stair way to heaven 

dont gamble that life away

realize that die can give you a chance 

follow the narrow road and die

to your self

fill the void-less notion and live with true emotion

Little Rant

Ranting On and on

Day by day

Life is wasting away

many will say 

just do it 

enjoy the moment

know He died for atonement 

not for enjoyment

He forgives, yes

many will say 

lord lord

I accepted Jesus

looking back he was not with us

follow for the sake of tomorrow 

day by day 

reap what is sown 

in the end all will be shown

peer pressure can not measure 

the extreme pleasure of 

loving one another

as sister and brother

day by day

now what will you say?

Weekend Performers 

What if Church attenders were more than pretenders?

Wearing a suit and tie while I got brethren willing to go die

Leaving service feeling just a little nervous

Enough to feel sad, but not sick to you’re stomach

So go fine dine, fill that stomach

Maybe someone will force feed you but not forcefully

Willingly, appearances is all that matters, as long as it Looks good

Is that why you go to church, to appear good

To get that fill of the weekend pill

Good for you, actor how will that factor 

When the show is over and the curtains fall

Lets get fired up, Open the Bible up

Dreamer

I am in a dream or am having a dream

In this dream there is a tree

Just waiting to be free, dried, wallowing, weak critical, fragile

The rain came down, not one drop of grace is refrained 

Life dwelling up the wallowing leaves blossom 

Strife like a knife, weeds proceed 

Sucking life form the veins of the tree

Returning to the old, a point of concede for the weeds to proceed 

Broken branches, rotted roots, lifeless leaves

Once again rain comes, the weeds squeeze tight with all its might 

Might this be the last night all in fright?

After mourning all night morning dawns out of the wood work

Vines sprout out unlike the weeds choke life out of the tree

Vines provided support through the hurt the weeds croaking 

Now facing death, once giver of death 

Life grants final deathblow forever more 

The rain brought a new

Rain brings forth life, allows death to creep in but rain also proves to send providing means of support in dire needs 

For even death dies

When life provides

The Beauty of the World

Looking longing lusting lying lovers

Thinking failed attempts of satisfaction will satisfy

Downward spiral, definition... Insanity

Therefore the walking wallowing world is truly insane

Who is to blame what cause when to begin

Fruit, falling into the hands into the mouths of Adam and Eve but in reality first into eve then into adam

Like Lighting falling down from heaven

Pride plummeting plotting pondering, fallen and forsaken 

Dead men acting alive killing themselves

Eyes see the beauty of the world

Eyes twist the beauty distorting an abstract world 

Is it the women for what they are wearing or lack of

15 years old masking as 21 year olds.

masking up with make up

Buying clothes at the strip mall only to strip and fall

dyeing batteries when no one is around

No women to blame adam, Just porneia pictographs, click, click

Hearts-full more like hurtful to the soul

Was the lamb a waste for your namesake 

No motive, action, or longing is new under the sun

Only over above beyond the sun can newness be found

Only in the Son is there freshness we call life

Freedom is not found, but given

No, paid for not by indulgences, 

Only blameless blood 

Hands down in the mud

Blind

Find sight by the light

Radical

Lets be Emphatical about being Radical

Every knee will Bow it is not a matter of How

When, Philosophical minds proven wrong by power that should not be crossed

The blood on the Cross that we should have Crossed

He Crossed the Cross for us

No Opinion, Our Only Option 

Follow like no tomorrow into...

Eternity, in Light there will be no Fight

We live, live as Kings 

Among the King of Kings 

Hear the rings, of people sing

Hope is Here

Look what do you see
How can this be
Fallin on my knees
I can hardly breathe
End is in sight
Inside of my heart cries out
Slowly losing sight, dying out
Fight with all your might
Day and night, a contrite soul
Broken, forsaken, stricken, forgotten
New, He makes all things new
Out of the blue
Earned Not, Explanation... unexplainable Grace
Look what do you see, the King of Kings
Fallin on my knees, for Emanuel is far greater than me
I can hardly breathe, for His Love is an overflowing raging sea
End is in sight, I will soon be with the Lord
Inside of my heart cries out, for no tears flow no more, not one.

Lamp Stand

Used to be a thievin’ heathen

Blinded to my Blindness

threw out my rear view mirror 

I ain’t never going back 

Now He is my clear view

All I can see is the blinding light that gives me true sight through and through 

In and out even when I doubt 

This ride has been hijacked full auto pilot 

hostile takeover, 

left empty handed cents and all

In one sense Ive been murdered on the other hand

Breath seems foreign

Look in wonder, Awe inspiring inspiration

Same God who spread the Red Sea, and did much more miracles than theses

Same God who spread His arms, Taking the punishment due to the accusers 

Continually staying the same

Creating but never Changing

Age to Age God is there, here, in the now

Entering into time, Wearing in the living flesh the Armor of God ;is God

Killed due to fear of rebellion

in result creating a revolution lasting 2000s now

Forever, not Forsaken 

Look at the cracks of the vase of life

The cracks allow the light to shine through

Went form Broken Useless Vase 

To Lamp of the True Light 

On The Light Do I Stand

Firm Faith Full To the Brim

Initiation Fees

In the beginning,…… God created the heavens and the earth.

Initiated time, heaven earth…all are the master piece of the Master

The stage set, the lights were on, all was set in to motion by Divine Notion

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Knowing  the cost far ahead of time, before time was created Dei knew that Night would befall the creation,” 

Man, Woman our forefathers the first, were casted as the first actors to be part of the over arching story, but being small part of the story was not enough for Adam and Eve

The director specifically allowed for improv with the play expect in one area, He has scripted, a portion that He wished to be censored form the life. 

But They went ahead and did what was forbidden, forsaken, but it was all for known and for His Glory it will serve the purpose. 

As one Man and Woman bit, casting the bid that sin is worth separation and disfiguration of the likeness of God.

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

Fools, foolin in fleshly fondness, becoming feeding thieving heathens. 

A single bite launched a battle that is still being fought to this very day.

But God would not take flight on this fight. He would not let the beloved slip away.

Centuries Years, flew by, each one is only a drop in the hat,

God ignited the initiation of his Glory among men,  yet people ignored Him and wallowed in common knowledge 

Some followed, in awe. but those men are Gone with the dust of the wind

Theses men exemplified the glory amongst our folly. realizing no one not one can return or match the volley, in how much Even though we are cursed we are blessed with breath that is used to curse. 

Civilization remained dope, withdrawing and trying cope. Darkness consumes the stage and all who are on it. All were left to to grope in utter despair with lame hands cuffed with chains 

Living in a dungeon for so long it became home, yet in the darkness of the mind more was wanted and expected. 

But Hope was Near 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In the End the Word End has not meaning Birth, Life, Death…is not the end but only the beginning of what is planned, We may think we are in the final act but the play has just begun 

The Show Must go on

Time for Preparation

Timing is everything

Throughout all of High School I desired to date someone, I wanted to have a girl around my arm, something (That sickens me to think I thought something not someone) to add to my status, I had the desire, the desire is boyish. To wanted something when it is not my time to want, to entertain the desire. To feed the desire, that desire is what drove me into youth group, to church, it played a part in why I did sports, I controlled me from time to time. Honestly I did not have the desire to get in a girls pants (but not saying that I could not be tempted to do so, especially in this part of the story I am not a Christ Follower), I just desired to be in a relationship. Here is some more honesty that I tried to use Christ as a way to get a girlfriend, I was not living in Christ I was not pursuing Christ, I was using Faith to pursue a woman actually not a woman a (girl) (I say girl because a woman is someone who is reflecting Christ, and I was not pursuing that) I remember a quote from The Dark Knight Joker says "I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught one. I just DO things". That right there sums up who I was, I just did things, I had no idea what a Biblical relationship looked like, what it entailed, what it would cost. Most boys (close to all) have the desire to be in a relationship, but have no idea how to, or what the purpose of a relationship is. A Biblical relationship is not, to be happy, for self affection and gratifaction I think not, not even for the sake of finding your "soul mate". Relationships are twofold, first off for Marriage, and then to become more like Christ.  If boys would pursue God the way they lust and chase after girls they would not be boys for long, but become Men.

When to ACT (1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.)

Notice the desire aspect, it is real, but just because someone has the desire does not mean they act on it, but when the desire for relationship, courtship, dating is in the heart of the individual that is when they know it is time to prepare for a relationship. 
(Song of Solomon 8:4 not to awaken love until the time is right) Just like some may have the desire to squat 500lbs...ok it may just be my desire... but that does not mean I attempt to lift 500lbs on the spot, no I have to train, train, and buffet and prepare myself, and any good lifter knows that when He attempts to squat the 500lbs he has others around him to correct his form, spot him to make sure he does not fall, and above all a lifters has water on him to keep his body hydrated along with a protein shake. The break down this parable goes like this, The Lifter is a young man who wants to pursue a relationship with a woman, and the woman is the prize the 500lbs the 500lbs is a standard it is a woman who is hard to get and is worth the preparation. The spotters are the lifters accountability brothers they keep the lifter in check, they push him, they make sure the lifter does not fall in temptations, and are around to council, now the water and protein is the lifter's constantly intake of the Word of God that fuels his life (Matthew 4:4 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD)I'm not ready for a relationship but one day I will be ready,Lord willing.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

When I was in Haiti last summer for a mission trip, I was with one of the kids (the one in the pic)  just sitting on the beach and enjoying the water as it would rise up against us, I realized I'm not ready for a family, for a relationship. As I had a small child in my arms I came to terms with how much I need to grow to take on this challenge and to serve God. Naturally I would not stay true to this conviction, and I was in two swift dating relationships, one right after another, only proving the fact that I am not ready for this stage in life. I want to use this year as a year of equipping myself, it is a time of preparation, of concise preparation. In the aspect of preparation I am pursuing a relationship, one that does not exist yet, I am pursuing preparation so that I am able to lead a woman when the time comes, I want to be fully satisfied in Christ and be confident in that, Devotion to preparation will strengthen me and shape me into the right man, which is more important that finding the right woman because I have to be the right man in order to truly cherish the right woman. Some may respond to me and say, Taylor you can date, you should date how else will you know what you want in a woman, you need experience... That is so so Biblically wrong.

But She's Hot!.Well So is Hell Mark Driscoll 

(Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.) Young men realize that just like a jewel that is considered precious and has out word beauty and shine, does not mean that it may not be the most valuable "jewel" out there. There is more in worth than shine and outward beauty, for if you are only looking at outward beauty/attraction  you will overlook the the true treasure inside a treasure chest, that it takes looking every nook and cranny  to search for a woman who is worth more than jewels. So dont just pick up every jewel out there that you see but search diligently for that one woman who is more precious than a mere stone. What are "Jewels" sensiual women sexualy putting themselves out there, a immature woman, a quarrelsome woman, a lustful woman, a drama queen. If your hands are full of other jewels you will not be able to catch her or find her the one who is worth More.Why would I waste my time with many Jewels when I'm out to find the most precious stone, I'm out to find the hidden treasure, in reality I am out to find someone who wants to be Holy... a woman who will drive me to Christ, who wants to go on this adventure of Following Christ, to the end. But first I need to make sure I'm fully equipped for this expedition. 

It takes only a moment to make memories so be careful who you make memories with- Andy Mineo.

When talking about a woman of God, that is one of the most dangerous things a man can pursue, here is why. That woman is a Daughter of God, so tread carefully to hurt one of God's daughters will not rest well on that man. And when someone is dating for experience that is one of the most boyish things I have heard of, you are basically saying to that person I want to get to know you really well, I want to be romantic with you, to get our lives involved with each other, and then one day I will break your heart. Plus most people do not even think of asking a pastor for advice to purse a woman, or even ask the father of that woman if you can pursue courtship with his daughter, even if the father is a decent man you should ask him for permission, because his daughter is his joy, his treasure. Imagine you own your own car, it is a very valuable and precious possession to you. And one day you head out to your driveway and see that your car is gone! you start pacing back and forth and a few minutes go by and a young man whips around the corner and slams on the brakes pulling in your driveway. The young man steps out of the car and says I hope you did not mind that I took your car out for a spin, I hope you did not care about the condition of your car, I may have hit another car returning it, and without the slightest blink  he throws you the keys and walks off.... That is what dating is is without the intent of marriage and without the permission of the parents. To answer the question from earlier "Taylor you can date, you should date how else will you know what you want in a woman, you need experience". Hmm easy, but often overlooked put yourself under the authority of Godly men and observe their marriage ask them questions and dig deep in the word of God take note of the numerous failures of men in the bible who were married (examples Abraham pimped out his wife not once but twice, had an affair with her, but from time to time Abraham did truly cherish Sara, David was a man after God's own heart, yet fell in to sin and committed adultery, you got Jacob who did not see the worth of his wife, Samson was a man whore, you have Gomer what not to seek but also what a great example of how when a man loves his wife it is not a response to her love for him) The Bible is full of examples of all failures and their poor discussions affected not just them but their legacy of the future generations. King David lost his son because of his adulterous marriage, Solomon was left empty after chasing after the pleasure of sensuality, Samson was left weak, blind because of the type of woman he chose. What are good examples of marriage in the Bible, would it be too obvious to just answer Jesus, look how Christ pursues His Church, look to the lengths He goes for her salvation. As a man who is preparing for a Marriage, I need to make sure I know what I am looking for so that I am not drawn to the wrong things in a person. This is why I am taking a step away from even entertaining a relationship, I would not even know where to start. Right now I am in school, leading a ministry, I have sports. I am just learning to balance all theses plates along with earnestly growing and refining myself to the likeness of Christ, to add another plate to the ones that I am already spinning would just cause me to be unbalance for a plate that I am not ready for. Because I see the value of that plate I will wait till the proper time.
(Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.) 

Thank you for reading this and remember I am expressing thoughts that have come acrossed my mind. I am a man who needs renewal each day. May Grace and Peace be with you all your days.  Pray for me that I can prepare to be a future Husband, Father, and that I finish this time of preparation with focus on Christ and not to be distracted from this goal.



Resources

http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-Paperback-Edition-Redesign/dp/1433530783

Should Humor be put over Holiness

Man has a endless ability to justify his actions.

  A lesson that I have been convicted of over Christmas break is that as Christians we are called to a higher way of living. I had my eyes opened to my folly, in that I should protect myself from what I take into my soul, and where I take Jesus. Where we go in our lives we take Jesus there with us. Think about it, Jesus Lord over all indwells himself "the Holy Spirit" with in us. (Let it sink in)

So just a few weeks ago I was invited to watch a movie with a group of Christian friends, It was great night to just connect with friends that I will not see for most of the year. So I ask what movie we were going to watch, and the answer was Anchorman. My response was couldn't we watch a cleaner movie, and the rebuttal I was given was, " but it is supposed to be funny". So the movie starts playing and it is not long before sexual jokes start to be rattled off. The movie goes on and on, and more degrading of women happens. The movie did have some genuinely hilarious funny scenes in it, but that should not outweigh the horrible content that is in the movie. I felt a discernment in my soul that I should not be watching this movie, it was the same discernment that I get when I'm with a group of people at school and raunchy conversations start picking up, and in these situations I separate myself from the group. I do that because I have nothing to add to the conversation at that point," if the people are talking about another person I will strongly try to make the people stop talking about that person (it is mostly girls that are talked about) Here is what I am getting at if I would not be apart of a conversation that is like the ones movie have or even the "visual content" that is in movies, then why would I sit through that movie. The reason is easy is because I was with other believers and non of them were saying anything so I tried to brush it off. One point in the movie (Anchorman) there was something that was shown that just floored me, and I said we should turn this movie off, but the response I got was well the scene is over so no big deal. At that moment a thought came into my mind, "Should Humor be put over Holiness" and the answer I knew was right was NO!.. Just because something is funny does not mean we should go see it, or need to see it. The crude "jokes" the sexual agenda in movies, are not something we should settle for, It is evil and it is sin. I absolutly hate when men degrade women, if there is one way to want to make me "pound you" it is treating human beings like dirt.  On the record I have never pounded any one, but I have gotten the faces of people about it, It is okey to be angry and hate sin, just do not sin in your anger. That is the tricky part.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God- Matthew 5:8 ESV

I want to see God, I do not want anything to get in the way of that, I want to keep myself pure. The excuse well its supposed to be funny should not even compare to our holiness. What a person feeds their body impacts what they look like, their health, and how well they can do activities. The same goes for what we feed our soul, It will flow into our actions, in our thoughts. "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,- 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV. I don't want anything to get my thoughts away from Christ and cause me to stumble. I often have to remind myself I am not as strong as I think I am. My closeness and fellowship with God should actually want me to be repealed or appalled at "worldliness"

Where we go Jesus goes with us

What we put in our minds we subject Jesus to that. So when I watched a movie like Anchorman, I subject Jesus to what My eyes see. I need to be Holy as God is holy. There is no excuse why I would sit through a movie like Anchorman, I was weak and did not act as my convictions were telling me to. People in the Bible died never receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit dwelling with in them, yet we have Him and we live such worldly lives. It is even worse when I catch myself snickering at the crude or sexual jokes, the Spirit instantly gut checks me and it shows the motives of my heart in that moment. Many times I do not see the blessing of the Holy Spirit and I am not thankful as I ought to be for Him in my life.

If I must forgo certain tv, movies.. ect in order to not cause my self to fall and cause other to fall as well. Where we go and what we do is essentially putting our approval on it, I said essentially, this is not true all the time.

Matthew 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea....

I do not want to be a slave to legalism, I want to find the truth of the life that Jesus gives us. I remember many times when I tell myself that I am strong enough to not be affected by the conversations and movies that I subject myself to, yet I see theses things rub off on me, it translates into my relationships with people and it leads me to compromise and brush off my faults.

Just because it is culturally acceptable to do something does not mean it is ok. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

Steve Downes- All things not of Christ, When we are in heaven will be nothing but a fleeting memory. 

I ask this question generally and with a concerned heart.