SIGNS
BRING FORTH THE REDEMPTION
Can redemption start with one man?
It did once
What happened
that the PASSION ceased
the WORDS became studied instead of lived?
The CROSS
a symbol of sacrifice
became simply an art piece
But, what happened to the Message, itself?
You can hear it in thousands
of different ways these days
You can read about it in "Christian" books
You can view bumper stickers
or go to a convention
But, what happened to the Truth embodied?
The Truth spoken through this one Man
who brought Redemption?
It's no longer spoken, as He spoke it
It's no longer lived, as He lived it
It no longer holds the people's attention
and causes them
to love or hate the speaker
What happened?
compromise
We settled for a version
of the "Jesus-man" that requires
nothing from us
no sacrifice
no purity
no real, lasting, sacrificial love
no time alone in intimacy with Him
He has not changed
We've sold Him for "Christian white trash"
and this nation is proud of it
But, what if . . .
He returned
Would He overturn
the espresso machines in our churches?
Would He stand and speak Perfect Truth?
But, who would still come
to our ivory-laden temples?
Would He require that we lay down our lives
to be called "Christian"?
Yes,
things would be different
if He were here
in person
But, don't you see?
Can you yet fathom?
He is supposed to be fully within us
Fully living out His Message
Fully speaking the Truth
Fully calling people to account
Fully living through us
Is it possible?
YES
It's the "Christianity" which He died
to make happen
It starts with one
It always does
BELIEVE
RECEIVE
LIVE FULLY
&
BRING FORTH THE REDEMPTION
OF MANKIND
IN THIS DAY
~
Time writes its course across my soul
courage carves its path out of the mysteries
that unfold
slay the burden
slay the conqueror
slay the devout seeker
slay me
no!
I take back my plea
but the covenant is made
the promises secured
the future outlined by a constant realization
of the truth
I want to shout
I want to fight
I want to stop the reality
that empties me even in my desolate state
why?
why now?
I see a light ahead
but my chances to avail are gone
gone as the stars in a daylit sky
gone as the midnight hour from prying eyes
gone
remorse creeps into my solitude of ended passion
and I know not why I begin to feel again
why I begin to hurt
why I begin to taste the bitterness of absence
are You to be found in this hour?
do You count the moments that pass
as the tears that fall
while I experience wrenching agony
tearing through my senses
harsh and shrewd like a living storm
I will not survive
I will not win
but I will not numbness again
I know that You are there
do You hear me?
have You turned away?
will You redeem a fallen son?
I will die
and I will lay beneath the earth
I have no choice
but to await Your coming
will You return to me?
