Shadows In The Dark

On October 21, 2020October 21, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, Poetry2 Comments

Image result for shadows in the dark

I have a story to tell you

It is hard to believe, but I swear it’s true

I hardly believe it myself

But it is a story I must tell

You see just last night I saw shadows in the dark

I swear it’s true, cross my heart

I know you are thinking, “How can there be shadows with no light?”

I say you are correct, but this world isn’t always black and white

So sit down and listen, let me tell you my story

It won’t take long, in case you are in a hurry

Image result for john 1 5

You see I was walking home, it was the darkest of nights

No where could be found a single light

(Except of course from the windows of a few brave souls up that late)

But their light didn’t cast a shadow for this was my fate

The wind ripped through the trees

I was scared, (but keep that between you and me)

I knew deep down in my bones

I just knew I wasn’t alone

I could feel the enemy all around

They made such a terrible sound

Image result for darkest of nights

The gnashing and gnawing gave me a fright

I could hear them, but they were out of sight

I had chills up and down my spine

I felt as if I was running out of time

It was right then and there I said a little prayer

God, if you have just a little time to spare

Even though a lot of bad I have done

Do you think you could help me out some?

It was then I saw the first shadow

He took the lead so I decided to follow

Image result for bible verses on light in the darkness

Soon I saw ten or fifteen more

I felt a peace that wasn’t there before

They told me their names

No two were the same

There was Integrity, Honesty, Compassion and Loyalty

There was Kindness, Forgiveness, Responsibility and Humility

There was Hope, Love, Faith, Joy, Courage and Trust

They told me each one of them also lives in us

They told me we are so distracted by the darkness of this place

That we often do not see them, even when we are face to face

Image result for bible verses on light in the darkness

They walked me to where I needed to go

They left before I could thank them though

I am thanking them now by writing this to you

My friend when you are lost and don’t know what to do

When you are in despair

And think there’s no one who cares

Think of something good, something you can not see

No matter the darkness, there is a light in you and me

There is a light that can penetrate the darkest of dark

You just have to believe with all your heart

That in your darkest of darkest nights

There are shadows that can only be caused by the light

Image result for darkest of nights

Save My Life by Sidewalk Prophets –

I Wanna Go Back by David Dunn –

No One Can Steal Our Joy by Tenth Avenue North –

Rise by Danny Gokey –

The Cure by Unspoken –

The Haunted House

On October 20, 2020October 19, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Short storyLeave a comment

Animated Haunted House animated house gif halloween haunted

I have been in the house many times since the first time. The first time was when I was eight years old. I was being teased, called a chicken, and all those things kids say to each other. Triple dog dare. You can’t turn down a triple dog dare. It was the first time I opened the door. I only looked inside for a second but that was enough. The door had been opened and my future was doomed.

I soon started visiting the house more than I would like to admit. Always by myself of course. I couldn’t let my friends know what I was doing. Each time I went in I would find a new room to explore. It was fascinating at first. All these new things I was finding meant I was also learning more about myself. I thought I was being brave. Anytime something would happen to me I would run to the solitude of the house. Only in the day time though. Never at night.

At night you could always find me in my own house. Safe, warm and comfortable. My parents loved me and I felt safe in my house. Of course you could say as many times as I was visiting the so-called haunted house that it became my home away from home. My place to go to be alone and collect my thoughts. Leave some of my thoughts there. Come out a new person, but I left a part of me in that house each time I went.

It wasn’t long before I was sneaking out of my home and going to my haunted house at night. I couldn’t help it. I loved being the only one there. The only one that knew I was spending so much time there was me. I loved that sometimes when I went there would be a new room or two to explore. I never questioned how they got there. Part of the mystery of a haunted house I thought.

I started to withdraw from my friends so I could spend more time there. I could explore my house for hours on end, always something new but I could also go back and remember. Remember the who, what, why, where and when of the first time I opened this door or that door. Remember when I was so scared I slammed that door closed, only to peek back in a few weeks later. No door was ever sealed shut. I could visit anytime I would visit the house.

The problem came when I couldn’t resist the house anymore. It just kept luring me in. Like it was calling out to me. Come on in, it is safe here. You don’t need anyone else. Just you and your thoughts, that’s all you need. No one will hurt you in here.

Comfort. I found comfort in that house. I should’ve bought the place and moved in. Saved me from going there all the time. It was on one of these trips that I met someone. A man like I had never met before. He told me to stop going to the haunted house. There is nothing there for me. How did he know was my first thought? My second thought was who cares who he is. This was my world and my house and he was just an intruder. Another person out to get me.

A couple days later I was going back to the house and there he was. Sitting on the front steps. The same steps I first went up when I was eight, except they didn’t look so scary anymore. They almost looked warm and inviting. Anyway, back to my guest. There he was. “How did you get here,” I asked. “I’ve been watching you for years,” he said. What kind of person is this? I then bluntly told him to leave. He wasn’t welcome here. He told me he couldn’t do that. He was here to help me leave this place, leave it for good.

No way. This is my place. My home. He had no right to ask me to leave it.

But he got me thinking. In my experience, that is never a good thing. I would rather just go to my house and leave my thoughts in one of the rooms.

I walked on by him and he got up and followed me in. “Look at your prison,” he said. “My prison? This is my house,” I corrected him. “No”, he said, “I have a much better house for you. Want to see it?”

“Not really sure,” I said, “I like this place.”

“Here take my hand and I will show you,” he said. I don’t know why but I reached out for his hand and….all the doors opened. All the doors in my house flew open and everything that was in them came pouring out.

I screamed, “let me go!!” I pulled my hand away and ran. This wasn’t my house. How did all these things get in here? Why was he letting them all out? I tried to shut the doors but they would not close. I fell to my knees and let them overtake me. But they didn’t touch me. They all poured into him. He took them all. All my good and all my bad. All my pretty and all my ugly. They all poured into him.

I watched, mesmerized. It seemed like it lasted for hours but it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds. How could I let all this stuff in my house? I watched as everything flew out. Things I forgot I put in the rooms. Things that kept me a prisoner in my house. Fear, lots of rooms full of fear. Anxiety, worry, hurt all leaving my house. Negative thoughts and lies I believed to numb the pain all gone. Depression, shame, guilt- all gone. Anger and hate, see you later. Regrets, doubts about who I am, lies, distrust, unforgiveness, all gone.

You might ask what was left but you already know. Love was left. A love that told me I didn’t need to live in this house. A love that told me I was forgiven. A love that showed me who I am. A love that told me to unlock those doors and throw away the key. A love that told me my house isn’t haunted. A love that told me I could’ve left that house anytime I wanted. A love that told me I never had to build that house.

Mansion by NF –

My Own Prison by Creed –

Empire In My Mind by The Wallflowers –

Demons by Imagine Dragons –

Baptize My Mind by Jon Foreman –

Change Your Mind by Sister Hazel –

Keep Your Mind Wide Open by Annasophia Robb –

Outta My Mind by Anthem Lights –

Voices by Sumerlin –

March Out Of The Darkness by Papa Roach –

Out Of Mind by Queensryche –

At The Corner Of Unicorn Lane

On October 20, 2020October 19, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for unicorn lane

At the corner of Unicorn Lane

Right before you get to Leprechaun Street

There lives a…. I don’t want to tell you it’s name

It’s not something most would want to meet

Some say it’s small, like an elf, fairy or pixie

Some say it’s big, like a Sasquatch, an ogre, or a Nephilim

I have seen it and to talk about it is quite risky

What I will say is that it doesn’t look like any of them

Image result for mythical creatures

Some say it’s a hybrid, like a griffin, a Minotaur or a mermaid

Others say it’s a shapeshifter, a werewolf, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

I have seen it and trust me, don’t get in its way

The last person that did has disappeared, perhaps has died

I’ve heard some says it’s a Kirin or a dragon

I’ve heard some say it’s a Chupacabra or a vampire

I have seen it and it’s worse than you can imagine

I can understand that you might think I’m a liar

Let me continue please

I’m not an expert but it’s important what I have to say

Trust me, it’s for your safety

For it doesn’t matter if it’s night or day

Image result for Friedrich Nietzsche monsters

Some say it is a hideous creature

Others say it looks just like you and me

Some say it has the scariest features

It’s always different for those unfortunate enough to see

So when you go down Leprechaun Street

And you get to the corner of Unicorn Lane

Please keep walking, I beg you to move your feet

Especially on a cold dark night when it starts to rain

Enough already! You exclaim. Just tell me does it really exist?

I hesitate, not sure if you can handle the truth

Please stop asking ! I can’t say! Oh, why do you insist?

Are you ready? Are you sure? It… it’s…. aahhhh it’s YOU!

Image result for ephesians 6 12

Monster by Skillet –

The Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace –

Dark Side Of Me by Coheed and Cambria –

Darker Side Of Me by Veer Union –

Jekyll and Hyde by Jonathan Thulin –

Monster by Stitched Up Heart –

The Monster Is Loose by Meat Loaf –

Monster You Made by Pop Evil –

Songs For Our Times #32

On October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian lifeLeave a comment

Emeli Sandé – Prayed Up Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.

For our 32nd song, I chose Prayed Up by Emeli Sande. I chose this song for a song of hope, and a reminder that we are all one. We are here to help each other.

lyrics:

In times like these we gotta love and try and trust each other
I am your sister and you’re always gonna be my brother
In times like these we gotta make sure hate don’t start to poison
Before you know it streams can quickly turn into an ocean
To all the doctors, teachers, nurses and to all keys workers
You are our inspiration
Have all our admiration
See all the rainbows in the windows painted by the children
Thank you thank you

Everybody stay safe
Stay prayed up
It’s time to show the world
What you’re really made of
Stay safe
Stay prayed up
Things are gonna get much brighter
Come on I know you’re a fighter

In times like these we gotta hold on tighter to our families
And separate the who we wanna be from who we have been
Dig little deeper give your soul much needed conversation
I made a pinky promise with myself to make some changes
I’m praying for all people locked in houses they’re not safe in
In times like these inequalities becoming oh so blatant
Some people good some people numb
Some people still ain’t eating
Please God we need some healing

Everybody stay safe
Stay prayed up
It’s time to show the world
What you’re really made of
So stay safe, stay prayed up
Things are gonna get much brighter
Come on I know you’re a fighter
Stay safe, stay prayed up
Things are gonna get much brighter
I know you’re a fighter

Thank you for the life I’m living
Thank you for the strength you’re giving
Even in these times so different
Your love remains the same, no different
When I need my spirit lifted
I can count on your assistance
Grant us peace and grant us patience
Let us see souls before races (Let us see souls before races)
Give us hope to stay united (Give us hope to stay united)
Come to far to be divided (Come to far to be divided)
Thank you for all you’re providing
(I thank you for all you’re providing)
Thank you, thank you

Everybody stay safe (Stay safe)
Stay prayed up (Stay prayed up)
It’s time to show the world
What you’re really made of
Stay safe (Stay safe)
Stay prayed up (Stay prayed up)
Things are gonna get much brighter
I know you’re a fighter

Bruises and Scars

On October 19, 2020May 20, 2025 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Domestic Abuse, Poetry1 Comment

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Image result for domestic violence month

The bruises are gone but the scars remain

She will never look at you the same

You were supposed to be her protector

You were never meant to neglect her

What were you thinking ?

Do you blame it on your drinking?

That’s no excuse , that doesn’t make you a man

Tell me where do you stand?

You think those words won’t leave a mark

Man those go straight to her heart

They leave a scar only she and God can see

Why don’t you just let her go free

Let her learn to spread her wings

Let her learn how much beauty she brings

Would you want your daughter treated like that?

Always flinching, always watching her back

Image result for domestic violence

Man, why can’t you understand?

She was made from God’s own hand

If you keep treating her like that

I know where you will spend eternity at

Daughter, I know you want to scream and shout

On your knees, your prayers, He hears, that I never doubt

Don’t despair

Know someone cares

Daughter, I pray no matter what you go through tonight

You’ll remember the scars Jesus bears so you know there is a light

When the bruises are gone and the scars remain

Daughter I want you to know that He knows your name

He knows your name, He knows your name, He knows your name

October is officially domestic violence month but we don’t hear about it. All we hear in October is breast cancer, a worthy cause to fight also and one that needs to be fought daily as well. We don’t see any football teams wearing purple. It simply isn’t talked about. Domestic violence is something we need to look at every day, because every day someone you know is the victim of it. One in three women, one in four men are victims. One of of every fifteen children are exposed to domestic violence and 90% of these children witness domestic violence a year. Domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness in the United States. Domestic violence costs more than $37 billion a year in law enforcement involvement, legal work, medical and mental health treatment, and lost productivity at companies.

These are reported. Most domestic violence incidents are NEVER reported. Speak up, speak out, and make a difference for victims of domestic violence. The time is now to change these facts.

Silenced my Mersi Stone –

Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus –

Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll –

The Door by JJ Essen –

Leaving You Behind by Emii –

Lies and Bruises by Ryan Daniel –

Luka by Suzanne Vega –

No More by Kuzie James –

Voices Carry by Til Tuesday –

Broken Girl by Matthew West –

Beautiful by MercyMe –

God’s Daughter by Son of Adam –

I Believe You Domestic Abuse and Faith Community –

He Knows My Name by The McRaes –

He Knows My Name by Francesca Battistelli –

Songs For Our Times #31

On October 15, 2020October 15, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian lifeLeave a comment

TobyMac Drops New Single, "I'm Sorry," Today - The Gospel Music Association

For our 31st song, I have chose I’m Sorry (a Lament) by TobyMac. A song about asking God for forgiveness for all the wrong we are doing. For our division, for overlooking the least of us, for worshipping celebrities instead of Him.

Lyrics:

We started out strong
But somewhere along
We lost our way
Done things in Your name
I’m so ashamed
I don’t have the words to say
We’ve killed and destroyed
Stolen and blamed
All in Your name
You told us to give
Told us to love
But we chose to take

You laid down Your life
Put power aside
Showed us the way and the truth
We roll into church
Open the word
And forget that we’re called to include
Now it’s long overdue
But I can’t dilute
What we seem to have put on the shelf
I can’t speak for us all
But I gotta believe
I’m speaking for more than myself
When I say

I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, so sorry
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, so sorry

We say that we’re one
But we’re broken up
By anything that can divide
Our color of skin
The clothes we’re in
That valley is deep and wide
We overlook the broken
The homeless
And discard the poor
While we celebrate the rich
And the beautiful
With a wide open door

I’m sorry we’re nothing like You
You chose to bear a cross
We choose to give you parts of us
And rarely the parts that cost
Now it’s long overdue
But I can’t dilute
What we seem to have put on the shelf
I can’t speak for us all
But I gotta believe
I’m speaking for more than myself
When I say

I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, so sorry
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, so sorry

Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up

I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, so sorry
I’m sorry, I’m sorry
I’m sorry, so sorry

Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up
Wake us up, wake us up, wake us up, Lord

Blessed are the poor in spirit
For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven
Blessed are they that mourn
For they shall be comforted
Blessed are the meek
For they shall inherit the earth
Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness
For they shall be filled
Blessed are the merciful
For they shall obtain mercy
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall see God
Blessed are the peacemakers
For they shall be called the children of God
Blessed are those which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are ye when men revile you
And persecute you
And shall say all manner of evil against you falsely
For my sake

Way, Way, Way Down In The Deep

On October 15, 2020October 15, 2021 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Fighting Demons – StonerBrewing

Way, way, way down in the deep

Is a monster who is waking from a long sleep

If you are still enough, you can feel a slight breeze

As it slowly unfurls it’s wings

Can you hear the demons sing?

God only knows the horror it will bring

From way, way, way down in the deep

Is a monster who is not afraid of defeat

A monster who believes it can not be beat

Can you feel the electricity in the air?

A monster like this is truly rare

It will tear you apart and not even care

I don’t mean to cause you to panic or for you to fear

But many of you do not believe this monster is near

But it is closer than you think and its goal is clear

Its eyes are open, its wings have unfurled

It doesn’t care if you are a boy or a girl

It only wants to destroy the world

But tonight, I travel and I can not sleep

For way, way, way down in the deep

Is a monster that I seek

I travel to the darkest of places

Looking, searching for the tiniest of traces

Don’t worry, I am not afraid to face it

I feel the wind stir, I can smell the evil

It knows I am coming, it mistakes me as feeble

But God has chosen me to protect his people

I travel deeper into the depths of darkness

This monster thinks I am nothing, that I am harmless

But I won’t leave here without carrying its carcass

From way, way, way down in the deep

I have found this monster I seek

Before it fully wakes, it will die in defeat

Image result for fighting demons

Made For This by Carrolton –

The Elements by Tobymac –

Nobody by Casting Crowns –

This Could Change Everything by Francesca Battistelli –

Monsters by Shinedown –

Songs For Our Times # 30

On October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music10 Comments

Can't we have peace? Asks Arie Camp in new single 'What We Need' ft. Alena Pitts | Step FWD UK Christian Chart

For our 30th song, I chose a new song by Arie Camp and Alena Pitts called What We Need. These two young girls are very talented. Arie is Jeremy Camp’s young daughter and if you know me, and my wife, Jeremy is our favorite Christian singer. We have seen him in concert numerous times and met him the same.

lyrics:

With liberty and justice for all
We need to stand up when others fall
We’ll fight for each other, we’re one let’s stand together
No matter what race we all need his grace

Can’t we have peace
All I want what we need
Can’t we have love
We’re all made from the one above

Violence more hearts are silenced
Excuses that don’t add up
We’re all chosen and beloved
So let love come down
Let’s tear up this ground
And the walls that we built

This world is broken all our tears have made oceans
Lord come down we need You now

My Week At Work -Every Day This Week

On October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life2 Comments

Sorry, I was going to post more this week but this has been a week from Hades.

Anyone else have a crazy week?

Where you walk in the door to this:

A tornado outbreak killed 64 people in Pennsylvania 35 years ago. We still know terrifyingly little about the storms.

Then as soon as that passes you get this:

Hurricane Categories: What Categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Mean | Time

Then that passes and you are left with this:

Then your eyes turn yellow from having to use the bathroom so bad but you can’t get out of your chair to do it.

Then you eat lunch at your desk so you can try to stay caught up and this:

Quick stain removal without washing - Insider

Then this happens:

Followed by this:

Japan's secret war and the atomic bomb - Asia Times

Then you look like this:

Pulling my hair out (2:51am - 15.12.06) | Its been an overwh… | Flickr

Then on drive home get stuck behind this:

6 of the Worst Car Accidents in Recent U.S. History | Mental Floss

But hey, it is Friday, what else could go wrong.

Curing the Eeyore in You!” – Daily Dose With Dr.Shermaine

The Maze

On October 8, 2020October 15, 2021 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, God can change your life, Lost in a maze, Short storyLeave a comment

I was shivering. Strange, since when I went to bed I put an extra blanket on and set the thermostat to heat up the house at 6:00. I then realized I was also wet. I startled awake only to realize I wasn’t in my warm bed. I was in some type of… give me a minute to look around. I was in some type of maze. Confused, bewildered, baffled, were some of the words that came to mind. I had to be dreaming, but I wasn’t.

I yelled out, but no one answered. I did the only thing I could and started to walk. Around this bend, turn left here, turn right there, dead end, start again. I then saw a note up ahead. I read it: If you have ever lied turn left at the next turn. Well yeah I have lied, who hasn’t? I came to the turn and went left. After about 40 yards or so I found another note. If you have ever stolen anything, turn left again. Unfortunately, I had to turn left. I kept walking for another 30 yards and yet another note. If you have ever dishonored your mother or father turn left again. Well, to be honest I am sure I have but if I did maybe it was just something little like talking back or missing curfew. Guess my answer was already made for me because the only way I could turn was left.

I know I just walked in a square but yet I was someplace new. Hanging up at the end of this walkway was a mirror. As soon as I looked into it I heard the voices. You are ugly. You aren’t good enough. No one likes you. Your kids don’t even like you. Look at your body, what have you done to it. You are a disgrace. Why are you even alive?

I covered my face with my hands and ran. I ran as fast and as far as I could but I could not get the voices out of my head. I came to another intersection.

Have you ever committed adultery? Well. Not physically. Then another voice: that doesn’t matter. Have you or haven’t you? Okay, yes I have! Correct. Go right.

Image result for corn maze

Have you ever murdered someone? Of course not, I said. Are you sure about that? Yes, I am positive on that one. Then the images came to me like it was yesterday. The girl I talked into sleeping with me. She was so young and innocent. I wanted her. She said no but eventually I wore her down and she gave in. I murdered a piece of her that night. I murdered a piece of the boy I used to make fun of because he wasn’t like me. Oh God! Make this stop. Good try! God isn’t here and he isn’t coming. This is my world and you are just a pawn in it. Go right.

Have you ever worshiped someone other than your so called God? Have you ever used your so called Gods name in vain? Have you ever …. GO RIGHT I SAID!

NO!! I screamed. I don’t have to listen to you. I don’t have to go where you want me to. I can break this. I can walk away. You are a liar.

No, you can’t. Remember you are a nobody. No one likes you, except me. You are what I need to change this world. YOU can follow me, YOU can rule the world with me. YOU can turn stones into bread. YOU can jump off a building and angels will catch you. I can make you into the most powerful person in this world. TURN RIGHT!!

No, that’s where you are wrong. I don’t want to be the most powerful person in the world. I don’t need to be liked by everyone because I know God loves me. I don’t need your lies. I just need to follow the truth. With that last word I sprinted as fast as I could, to the left, and ran and ran for what seemed like days. I didn’t realize that the maze was disappearing as I ran. I was breaking free from the chains that bind me. By the time I stopped it was all gone.

I fell to the ground. Exhausted. Sweating. Breathing hard. I didn’t hear the footsteps come up beside me. Maybe there wasn’t any. I heard his voice. The one I have heard many times throughout my life but ignored. I felt him kneel beside me. I felt his hand on mine. I heard him say well done. I heard him say I love you. I heard him say I want you. I heard him say you belong with me.