The Mask

On October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Even though I am no Edgar Allan Poe this is the scariest yet ( but don’t worry, it has a happy ending.) We all wear masks! This mask story is just one of many I could tell. It is a true story and it could happen to you. Not that the other stories weren’t true- that’s up for you to decide. Reader beware!

You wake up each morning

Ignore all the warnings

With a smile on your face

Our love was being replaced

Breakfast made and the kids are dressed

Don’t even know their lives are about to be a mess

Out the door they go to school

You let the devil make you a fool

I come home from work

But you’ve been digging in dirt

You show me that beautiful smile

Right now, you are just in denial

You wear a mask of past shames

Yet, you continue to play games

You say you aren’t the one to blame

The mask of your past caused this pain

You where the mask of lies and deceive

Your family is the one you leave

You’re wearing a mask

Did you think this would last?

But you can’t hide it well

Did you think I couldn’t tell?

Oh love, what have you done?

Was it all just for fun?

You’re tearing our world apart

You’re breaking our kids hearts

Fast forward through the hurt and lies

Fast forward through the tears we cried

Fast forward through the pain

What did you think you had to gain?

I gave up and God stepped in

“Now let me take all this sin, ”

He whispered to me “it’s not about you,

I want you to stay until I am through”

He walked us through the dirt and mud

Our love went from ashes to a bud

You removed the mask you wore so long

Now you are back with God where you belong

Through all His redeeming grace

Our marriage found a new starting place

So my friends what can I say?

You have to pray to God each day

What can get you through the worst?

In your marriage, God must come first

Don’t fall for the tricks of the evil one

Don’t let your marriage come undone

His words are smooth but they are not true Don’t let the devil come between God and you

Be careful of the seeds you sow

Guard your heart with the truth you know

Be careful of the mask you wear

Let Jesus carry the cross you bear

Remember when you first fell in love Love each other, look to God above

Don’t let the devil come and destroy

Don’t fall for his games, his ploys

Even though you once believed he who lied

Because of God, our marriage survived

The devil tried but he isn’t winning With God our end became a new beginning

This story is scary because it is true

I will pray it doesn’t happen to you

But if it does, it doesn’t have to be the end of your story

Let God use your struggles and pain for His glory

If I Told You by Jason Walker – The perfect song for this post. Please listen.

Masqerade by Jonathan Thulin –

Change This Heart by Sidewalk Prophets –

You Are Loved by Stars Go Dim –

Behind The Mask by Eric Clapton –

Something More by Secondhand Serenade –

You Don’t Know How Beautiful You Are by Jon Foreman –

Sick Charade by Letter Black –

The Real Me by Natalie Grant –

In A Hole Again by Tesla –

Giving It Up by Kristian Bush –

Love Heals Your Heart by Third Day –

First Song I Sing by Sara Groves –

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp –

You Loved Me First by MikesChair –

At The Corner Of Unicorn Lane

On October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 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 –

Way Way Down In The Deep

On October 28, 2019October 28, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for fighting demons

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 –

Where Are You?

On October 28, 2019October 28, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Short story2 Comments

I walked through this town I love so much and couldn’t believe my eyes. Everywhere I looked the city was in ruins. Every corner had something else wrong. Every block I walked all I saw was confusion. I went into my favorite store and had to take a step back. Something wasn’t right.

The buildings were still there. The architecture as beautiful as ever. It was the people. They were all walking around like robots. No one smiled. They all had the same blank stare. What happened to them? It’s like they were all….lost.

I smiled at a child. She smiled back. The mom looked at me like I was trying to kidnap her child. I smiled at her also but only received a glare in return.

I pulled out my phone to see if I missed some news on what is going on. I looked on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram but nothing. All I saw were pictures of people smiling. Posts about how great their lives were. Tweets about how happy they are. I looked up over my phone and didn’t see that.

I decided to reach out to the 87,654 friends/followers I have on social media. No one responded. I was getting concerned so I decided to text the 70 people in my contact list that I never call and talk to. Again, no one responded.

I decided to go get a hamburger and some fries and try to figure out what is happening. After I ate, I didn’t feel so well. Come to find out the hamburger I ate was laced with steroids and synthetic hormones that has caused hormonal cancer rates to rise. Then I found out this is banned in Europe, Japan, Australia and China but yet we serve it in my town.

I then decided to get something to drink. I couldn’t decide between Coke, Pepsi or Gatorade. I looked on the label and noticed all of them contained brominated vegetable oil. From my science days I knew bromine was used as a flame retardant. This builds up in our bodies and can cause nerve damage, memory loss, and other issues. This has also been banned in over 100 countries, including Europe and Japan but here it is in my town. I then found out that bromine is used in some of the breads I eat.

I see young children running around the streets like they don’t have a care. I see them getting what they want, doing what they want, taking what they want. Weren’t they taught to earn what they get? Weren’t they taught that sometimes waiting for something is better than getting it instantly? Where are the parents?

I stood on the corner and yelled as loud as I could “God, help me!” I knew God was here somewhere but I could not find Him. The corner across from me had people yelling “God does not exist. He is not here and never has been. There is no God.” I yelled right back. “My God is here. He does exists. He has always been here.” Next thing I know I am being told I can’t talk about God here. I protested and asked why can they say there is no God but I can’t say there is. I was told because they have the right of religious freedom.

It was time for me to take a walk. Try to clear my head. What was happening here?

God, are you there? Why are you allowing this to happen? Why is my town turning into this? Why are people hurting inside but pretend they are okay? Why are people doing wrong and don’t even act like it bothers them? Why, God, are you letting this happen?

God, where are you?

I ran and ran as far as I could. When I stopped I saw the most amazing bright light. I had never seen anything like it. A breeze picked up and I heard, “where are you?” I looked around but didn’t see anyone. Then I heard it again, “where are you?”

Then that voice said “I have searched for you. I have called out to you. I have rescued you from the depths of sin many times. I have forgiven you. Why do you hide in shame from me? Why do you run from me? Why do you only question me in the worst times of your life? Why do you not think of me in the best times? What is this you have done? Why are you here in this place? Who told you I wasn’t here? Who told you I didn’t love you?”

Then the bright light disappeared and was replaced with a mirror. I looked in the mirror and saw my reflection. I then only had one question to ask myself.

Where are you?

Never Alone by Barlow Girl –

Don’t Let Go by Josh Wilson –

Not To Us by Nichole Nordeman –

I Question You by Lily Messer (and me) –

In My Room by Thousand Foot Krutch –

Revelation by Third Day –

If I Could Talk To God by Alice Peacock –

Beer With Jesus by Thomas Rhett –

If I Talk To God by The Last Goodnight –

God Of This City by Chris Tomlin –

God Can You Hear Me by Tait –

The Opening Act of Spring by Frank Turner –

Hitchcock Movies

On October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, poems, Poetry2 Comments

Hitchcock Movies
I wanna be a Marvel superhero

But I always feel like I’m less than zero

Did I just say that? Let me push rewind

Man I’ve been messed up a long time

I want the whole world to know my name

Maybe I’m just playing the wrong game

I can’t believe these choices I make

Man, I think I’m losing my way, I’ve lost my way

It’s like I’m tearing my world apart

Ripping out my heart, do I have a heart?

Can’t you see me? Can’t you see me? Can’t you see….

It seems like I have Hitchcock movies playing in my head

I have killer birds and psycho killers

I don’t know what I’m gonna do, my soul is dead

I only need one thing but I have all these fillers

Image result for hitchcock movies

I push you away, tell you to leave

Then ask, why won’t you reach out to me?

Why are all these demons in my head?

Man, I’d be better off dead, am I already dead?

I want to rip out my brain, am I going insane?

If I’m being honest I know I’m the only one to blame

Image result for quotes about crazy thoughts

Oh my God what have I done?

Oh my God what have I become?

Can’t you see me? Can’t you see me? Can’t you see….

It seems like I have Hitchcock movies playing in my head

I have killer birds and psycho killers

I don’t know what I’m gonna do, my soul is dead

I only need one thing but I have all these fillers

I’m on my knees

Begging you please

Take my life, take my life, take my life

Cut these demons out, I’ll give you the knife

Can’t you see I’ve hit the bottom

I’m no longer fighting Him, fighting Him

Rip off these chains

Take my shame

You alone have taken my sin, You alone give me reason to live

You alone forgive all, You alone forgive all, You alone forgive

You can see me, You can see me, I know you see….

It seems like I have Hitchcock movies playing in my head

I have killer birds and psycho killers

I don’t know what I’m gonna do, my soul is dead

I only need one thing but I have all these fillers

I only need one thing

Fully Known by JJ Heller –

Guard Your Heart by 1 Girl Nation –

Outta My Mind by Anthem Lights –

Therapy Session by NF –

Madness In Me by Skillet –

Running With Giants by Thousand Foot Krutch –

The Haunted House

On October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 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 –

Bruises and Scars

On October 23, 2019October 23, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Domestic Abuse, PoetryLeave a 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.