Saturday, February 17, 2007

All Walk On

All Walk On
February 17
Proverbs 17:9

He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

The memory of sin in love’s mind cannot persist
the record of wrong in love’s heart does not exist
he who seeks love conceals transgression
not naivety but grace dictates discretion
for those that subscribe to love’s cohesion
there can be no guilty list adhesion
the return to a works based refrain
only results in prolonging pain
intimate friends are separated by unturning cheeks
grudges’ demands earn not what mercy seeks
in the driver’s seat of peace mercy will succeed
in sweet surrender there will be success indeed
evil is eliminated in every place
when it is wiped away by tidal grace
friendships are restored transgressions are concealed
and all walk on in peace with common fellowship healed

Friday, February 16, 2007

Lovingkindness and Truth

Lovingkindness and Truth
February 16
Proverbs 16:6

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

The recipe for iniquity’s atonement is this
there are two things you cannot afford to miss
lovingkindness and truth bring healing indeed
working together to fill the need
left by the cancer of iniquity’s sting
these two are necessary in order to bring
wholeness back into love’s place
making it impossible to be face to face
lovingkindness is the tenderness to heal
bringing back a sense to all that is real
truth is the foundation to bring in leading
instilling solidity amidst all that is fleeting
the two together do all that is required
relying on each other they’re never tired
continually exchanging alternate energy
severing evil’s hold they make one free

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Anyone Can Understand

Anyone Can Understand
February 15
Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
but the mouth of fools spouts folly.

How many learned men have you heard
that blah, blah, blah many a word
and say absolutely nothing worth repeating
but warrant instead a severe beating
such wise men aren’t wise at all
though they may teach in a crowded hall
it makes no difference without the common tongue
even if they have big degrees hung
up in offices where they educate masses
at big colleges with big classes
wisdom is knowledge made acceptable
sound instruction for anyone made directable
for anyone can go on about what he knows
but wisdom can translate so knowledge grows
if you know something great then here is my demand
teach it in a way that anyone can understand

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

No Enemies

No Enemies
February 14
Proverbs 14:1

The wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

If you’re a fool you have no enemies to fear
no robbers to destroy what’s dear
if you are counted a fool among men
what you fear comes from within
there is no one who could do you more harm
than the strength of your own arm
locked doors and security devices of any kind
will offer no protection nor peace of mind
not when your own hands deal your own destruction
such is the fate to those who refuse instruction
change on the inside will make one secure
turning from depravity and clinging to the pure
when foolishness is cast down it will be said
that you’re among those who hold up their head
you’ll be among those who realize
there is no inner-fear for the wise

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Life Preservation

Life Preservation
February 13
Proverbs 13:3

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

If the difference between life and death
is as simple as a spoken breath
then let the earth be filled with quiet peace
and may guarded mouths ever increase
may the preservation of life spring forth
in the west and east yes the south and north
may the ruined cease to be so
let them choose wisdom’s path to go
surround me with those who guard their speech
so their examples will be to teach
me and everyone else they’re around
so that prudent tongues will abound
send the big mouths far away
so I will dwell in peace today
with guarded mouth I make declaration
to go on in life preservation

Here It Is

Here It Is
February 12
Proverbs 12:2

A good man will obtain favor from the Lord,
but He will condemn a man who devises evil.

It comes down to this when all is said and done
when it comes to the bottom line there is only one
only one way to obtain the Lord’s favor
demonstrating heart by exhibiting good behavior
the Judge of all is straightforward and true
if you’re a good man He will favor you
He’s not like a boss who’s unfair
or a teacher who doesn’t care
it’s not to the lucky it’s to the good
favor to those doing as they should
condemnation to those who evil devise
attracting wrath and angry eyes
I’ve devised evil time and again
sometimes I must be in love with sin
all this being so I don’t even know why
when it’s so simple to be favored by the Most High

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The Shame of Pride

The Shame of Pride
February 11
Proverbs 11:2

When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
but with the humble is wisdom.

With pride not just one is affected
in the end many are infected
by the poison dealt by the one responsible
and communal dishonor is more than probable

In my pride I invite my own shame
but that isn’t the end of the game
pride has a way of dishonoring all involved
and more than the proud need to be absolved

Humility also has a way of spreading
blessings abound in frequent pride shedding
the giver and receiver are blessed the same
and both inherit honor’s name

Today I choose wisdom and humility
for too often has pride overtaken me
too much have I dishonored those I’m near
but humility shall be mine both now and here

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Secure Gait

Secure Gait
February 10
Proverbs 10:9

He who walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who perverts will be found out.

In perversion my steps are terrifying
appeasing my flesh is satisfying
but security is kicked out the door
so I am found paranoid to the core
‘cause I can’t look anyone in the eye
the impending doom of getting caught draws nigh
integrity is sounding good about now
I could deal with the security it’d endow
doing things right would be great
being on time not being late
walking with my back raised up strong
moving in confidence cut off from wrong
who moves like this? who treks securely?
show me the man who walks in integrity!
I want to learn emulate and imitate
‘cause I want to have a secure gait

Friday, February 9, 2007

Better Unsaid

Better Unsaid
February 9
Proverbs 9:7

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

If someone points out the error of your way
it is best to take it personal and then humbly obey
only fools scoff at those who care to correct
only the wicked insult those who attempt to redirect

I’ve been on both sides I’m sad to say
‘cause there’ve been wise men sent to correct my way
but I have insulted them and thrown it back in their face
forsaking honor it was my disgrace

I too have seen friends pursuing folly’s wrath
and I have attempted to alter their path
but they have scoffed and insulted instead
and I now my words would’ve been better unsaid

It is best to take correction adding light to the eyes
forsaking folly choosing the wise
but correcting a fool issuing countermanding
will be insulting for they delight not in understanding

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Blessed Perspective

Blessed Perspective
February 8
Proverbs 8:10

Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold

I’ve seen more fools bejeweled than I can ever count
stupid men iced with diamonds of exorbitant amount
it might mean something for others to see
but the presence of precious stones
has never impressed me
instruction and knowledge from ages of old
is worth more than the choicest silver and gold
the presence of a sharp intelligent mind
is better than any material you can find
post-modern pop culture understands not
that men are much more than the things they’ve bought
shallow mentalities reign on the screen
and much focus is given to what is seen
who’s wearing what and it cost how much?
commoners look on without a touch
the intelligent chuckles and rolls his eyes
for silver and gold are worthless if not wise

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Pulled Aside

Pulled Aside
February 7
Proverbs 7:4-5

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your intimate friend; that they may keep you from an adulteress,
from the foreigner who flatters with her words.

The adulteress came with beauty and flair
doing her best to make me stare
dropping “come and get me” glances galore
all the way as she walked in the front door
it occurred to me to strike up a conversation
and try to lay a friendly foundation
maybe we could even go talk outside
but my friends quickly pulled me aside
impolite and rather demanding
I was ushered away by wisdom and understanding
my two friends who have my interest in mind
even if it’s something I don’t want to find
my relationship with them is easy to explain
sticking with them keeps me from pain
they keep me grounded when surrounded by birds
and the foreign adulteress with her flattering words

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

God's Hatred

God’s Hatred
February 6
Proverbs 6:16-19

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

Six things cause God’s anger to flair
seven are abominations He cannot bear
eyes that look down at all others with pride
haughty eyes snobbish on every side
deceiving false witnesses that avoid the eye
tongues set with daggers that only lie
hands that shed blood of innocence
like Abel God is their defense
a heart that devises wicked plans
manipulating to their demands
feet that run to evil rapidly
what they should pursue they flee
a false witness that utters lies
breaking bonds and severing ties
and one who spreads strife among brothers
breaking the fellowship of all others

The Scariest Foes

The Scariest Foes
February 5
Proverbs 5:3-4

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech;
but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two edged sword.

I’ve seen terrible sights that stir great fear
I tremble when such foes draw near
there are enemies that define afraid
sinister silhouettes outlined in the shade

Movies are good at depicting such enemies
villains that bring heroes to their knees
books conjure images that imaginations find
plaguing at night in the back of my mind
but the scariest foes in life page or screen
are those which give pleasure when seen
damsels that put me in distress
on the inside they curse though outside bless
nothing is worse than the opposite sex
bent on bringing about destructive effects
the adulteress invites a presence to be adored
but she is sharper than any two edged sword

Sunday, February 4, 2007

The Full Day

The Full Day
February 4
Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

As the days of evil grow continually stronger
day grows shorter and night grows longer
worldwide wickedness takes possession of the land
but the righteous are able to stand
our light shines brighter in a world depraved
our fruits bear witness to truth: we are saved
like the light of dawn our full light is on its way
in the night around us we anticipate the day
the full day where darkness will be swallowed alive
the Full Day where evil will no longer survive
our path is building strength until the end
where we will sit down with our Friend
in the land of Full Day at the end of all things
resting at last with the King of kings
but as the days of evil continually grow
we proceed with confidence for this is what we know

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Discipline

Discipline
February 3
Proverbs 3:11-12


My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof. For who the Lord loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in who he delights.

At the very least He’ll whoop my misbehaving
though it’ll hurt it’ll be my saving
matter o’ fact it’s happening now
I’ve been out of line but He’s showing me how
How He loves me so He sends me pain
He blocks out sunshine and pours out rain
so I’ll remember not to trespass again
and think twice before I sin

At the most He’ll put me to the test
put me though the fire and take away rest
inflict pain to bring improvement
ensuring my direction of holy movement
it’s scary to think about but it’s true
that He’ll test me but pull me through
He is both firm and tender to the touch
and He gives me both ‘cause He loves me so much

Friday, February 2, 2007

Him Shielding Me

Him Shielding Me
February 2
Proverbs 2:7

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity

I’ve got to believe He shields the true
when your walk is tight God shields you
everyday I walk the streets of integrity
‘cause I can’t take a step without Him shielding me
hypocrisy once had me locked down in shame
but Divine endorsements don’t exist for that game
He protects those who obey His will
His Hand heals what would go ill
He marks the path who desire right
in their darkness He is their light
He stands between them and what they can’t see
to aid their resistance to the enemy
when we are real with weakness He is real with power
providing shelter in the needy hour
to those who are honest about their behaving
He will always be near for their saving

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Hat and Necklace

Hat and Necklace
February 1
Proverbs 1:8-9
Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck.

I love my hat I wear it everyday.
it dictates where I go what I do and what I say
I wear it as an indicator of my identity
and as a reminder of who I’m supposed to be
most people don’t get it most don’t understand
some resort to ridicule in this wicked land
but I keep my hat on amidst mayhem and destruction
I love the hat of my father’s instruction

I love my necklace it never leaves my neck
it instructs my path to wisdom
and keeps my soul in check
sometimes I want to remove it but I refuse
because it’s more than a trinket I use
it is a reminder of who I am and who I need to be
it sings victory songs and points the way for me
I look at it when my enemy is reaching
I love the necklace of my mother’s teaching