The Darkest Things

On February 21, 2020February 21, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for when darkness comes

The darkest things are the hungriest things

They eat and eat but never get their fill

The darkest things seek and seek

Searching but they never find their thrill

The darkest things are the loneliest of the lonely

Searching for their prey until they find

Then the darkest of things start to search again

Leaving all their wreckage behind

The darkest of things, they thirst and thirst

The darkest of things sleep with throats parched

The darkest things do not love, they put hate first

For the darkest things, they have no heart

The darkest things some say don’t exist

The darkest things don’t need to eat

But trust me when I tell you, I must insist

They do exist and have the sharpest of teeth

The darkest things look everywhere

The darkest things search near and far

The darkest things will never stop

Until the darkest things darken the brightest star

The darkest things come and go

The darkest things let you feed on the past

The darkest things aren’t finished

Until the darkest things watch you take your last

The darkest things try to make life so grim

The darkest things can make the strong weak

The darkest things want you to feel alone

The darkest things aren’t the only who seek

The darkest things don’t even like the stars and moon

The darkest things want to stay in the darkest night

Cause the darkest things, yes, the darkest things

Even the darkest of the darkest, are afraid of the light Image result for darkness and light

Image result for john 1:5

Father by Jeremy Camp-

Terrify The Dark by Skillet-

Rescue by Lauren Daigle –

Enough by Koryn Hawthorne-

Enough by Social Club Misfits-

When The Darkness Came

On February 20, 2020February 20, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, hope, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for depression darkness quotes

When the darkness came, I let it come

I didn’t hide and I sure as heck didn’t run

It just kept coming and coming

I know I should have done something

I watched it as it got closer and closer

I let it engulf me, I let it take over

Each passing minute I was losing light

But I was tired, too tired to fight

Have you been there? When nothing is left

When the darkness is no longer a guest

But a full-time occupant, permanent resident

The time is coming, the end is imminent

I wish I could’ve fought, I really did

I wish I would’ve ran, would’ve hid

The darkness came for me, it was hunting

My strength was gone so I did nothing

There’s only me, only me to blame

For I let it come when the darkness came

Image result for depression darkness quotes

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

My Arms by Ledger-

Far From Home by Sam Tinnez-

Everyone Cries by Echosmith-

Stronger by Fearless Soul –

Follow You by Rasmus Hagan-

Follow Me by In Flames-

Even Here by JJ Heller-

Everybody’s Going Through Something by Chris Janson-

Everybody Cries Sometimes by Damien Dawn-

Fighting For by Lyra Blue-

A Fight Worth Fighting For

On February 19, 2020February 19, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, love, music, poems, Poetry, step in the right direction, Worth Fighting ForLeave a comment

She took her place at the back of the bus

The other passengers looked at her in disgust

She was brave, walked to the front and took a seat by the door

Rosa Parks knew this was a fight worth fighting for

Abraham Lincoln said a house divided against itself cannot stand

Civil war ensued and divided our great land

All persons held as slaves shall forever be set free

The fight he fought forever changed our history

Martin Luther King Jr. helped create the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Non-violent protests, Ending legal segregation forever more

He had a dream, all will be treated by their character and not the color of their skin

Sometimes I wonder when will we begin?

Barbara Johns was just sixteen years old

Protesting the conditions at the school she was enrolled

A boycott of classes, Four lawsuits filed across the nation

In 1954, the Supreme Court outlawed public school segregation

July 26th, 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act was signed

A progression in recognizing all people of all categories was defined

All people should be treated equally, even when they are different

Common sense if you ask me but the passing of this act was significant

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Susan B. Anthony and many others fought for years

For women’s rights for all their peers

They fought for fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave and child care

They fought for equal wages, to be treated fair

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He said : I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won

Gandhi fought for Indian independence and in 1947 it was done

He believed different religions could live together peacefully

A seeker of the truth he taught endlessly

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She said: Not all of us can do great things but we can do small thing great love

Sister Teresa fought for the poor and was an angel from above

She lived to help all those in need

God’s very own servant indeed

Tortured, beaten, murdered for what they believed in

They know that Jesus died for all their sins

Death was no longer feared, lives filled with hope and more

They knew that was a fight worth fighting for

We can all work together to unite the world

Every nation, every man, woman, boy, and girl

Hold each other’s hands through open doors

We all know it’s a fight worth fighting for

Glory by John Legend and Common –

Dear Hate by Maren Morris –

Messengers by Lecrae (feat For King & Country) –

Love Wins by Ty Herndon –

Love Feels Like by TobyMac –

Love / Hate (On and On) by Disciple –

We Will Never Give Up by Sanctus Real –

Worth Fighting For by Brian Courtney Wilson –

Something Worth Fighting For by Josh Auer –

Woke Up This Morning by John Legend –

Waiting on The World To Change by John Mayer –

Pride (In The Name Of Love) by U2 –

World Changers by Matthew West –

Thank You For Dancing With Me

On February 14, 2020February 14, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, marriage, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for couples dancing

Thank you for dancing with me

1,2,3 1,2,3, 1,2,3

Sorry for stepping on your feet

Looking in your eyes I feel so blessed

Right left right left right left

You put your head on my chest

Before you, I almost drowned

Dance after dance I spin you around

Hold my heart this love I found

But after years of dancing to this song

Sometimes our steps go wrong

But together, we keep dancing along

Sometimes our samba is more like a waltz

I step on your feet and say it’s my fault

Sometimes the world attacks us, full assault

But we find our rhythm, back in step

We have a love you can’t forget

I am so thankful we met

1,2,3 1,2,3, 1,2,3

Thank you for dancing with me

1,23, 1,2,3 1,2,3

Image result for couples dancing

End Of A Long Hard Day by Darin & Brooke Aldridge-

Ain’t Always Pretty by Logan Mize-

Beautiful Music by Keb Mo-

I Didn’t Fall In Love With Your Hair by Brett Kissel-

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Blessed By Thomas Rhett-

Slow Dance In A Parking Lot by Jordan Davis-

The Dance by Garth Brooks-

This Is Us by William Clark Green-

Love You All The Way by Sean Mcneill-

Your Hand To Hold

On February 13, 2020February 13, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, love, marriage, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for alzheimers

Forgive me, I know I haven’t been myself

Sometimes I feel like I’m somebody else

I’m trying to do all I can

It’s nice just to hold your hand

I know we have had some good years

But the memories slowly disappear

When I forget where I am

It’s nice just to hold your hand

I know many times I ask you to repeat

I appreciate how you humor me

Now I don’t know God’s plan

But I sure am thankful He gave me your hand

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Thank you for remembering the foods I like

And for making my darkness so bright

Thank you for remembering who I am

I know I love holding your hand

One day my brain will forget to tell my heart to beat

I’ll be gone and you’ll no longer be with me

I’ll wait patiently in Heaven so grand

Until again I can hold your hand

Image result for alzheimers

Remember For Me by Gordon Mote-

Throw Me A Party by Rita Wilson-

While He Still Knows Who I Am by Kenny Chesney –

Remember Me by Chris Mann-

Blank Stares by Jay Allen –

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If It’s Only An Hour

On February 12, 2020February 13, 2020 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, marriage, poems, Poetry4 Comments

Many of us always seem to be too busy to spend time with our significant others. I know my wife and I are really bad about making times for ourselves. It is something we always talk about but seldom do. We get up early to work or work out, we go all day and Kylie goes to bed at 9:30 then we are right behind her, getting rest for the next early morning. However, I know there is time if we make it. What about you? Do you make the time? 30 minutes, an hour, if that’s all you have make them count.

If It’s Only An Hour

If it’s only an hour

To help our love flower

Then I will take the time

To keep our love alive

If it’s only sixty minutes

Then I will buy the tickets

We will dance to each song

We will keep this love strong

If it’s only three thousand six hundred seconds

In each and every one I will be present

We will laugh and talk

We will hold hands as we walk

If it’s only sixty minutes

This my dear, you can believe it

I will reconnect with you

I will do everything I can do

If it’s only an hour

I will do all that’s in my power

To show you what our love means to me

To show you, show you what I see

Until God gives us another hour

Sway Blue October –

Disconnected by 5 Seconds of Summer –

Together by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars –

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz –

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice –

When The Crazy Kicks In by Francesca Battestelli –

Restored by Matthew West –

Restore by Chris August –

When We Love by Love and the Outcome –

Chocolate and Ice Cream by Plumb –

Beautiful by Plumb –

Better Man by American Analog –

Love Not Hate- Christmas Eve

On December 24, 2019December 24, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

cardinals, goldfinch, bluebird, nuthatch, chickadee: — art credit: James Hautman

History of the birds:

Love, Not Hate: Part 1

Love, Not Hate: Part Two

Love, Not Hate: Christmas Eve

Love, Not Hate: A New Chapter

Love, Not Hate: A New World

Love, Not Hate: The Division

Love, Not Hate: The Reconciliation

Love, Not Hate: Tragedy At Mandalay Bay

Love, Not Hate: Continue To Love

Love Not Hate: Love On Trial

Love Not Hate- Trick or Treat, Halloween Night

It was Christmas Eve all through the land

All the birds stared in amazement at the Christmas tree so grand

The little birds could barely contain their excitement

The older birds looked on, filled with contentment

The eagle remembered how far they have come

He remembered all the work ALL the birds have done

Which made this day an even more special day

He took his place and said: “Birds, I have something to say”

Want to see one--not at a zoo--SOON!: — photo credit: Paula Krugerud Photography

“I’ll keep it short since tonight the little ones can’t be up late.”

“It has been a long time since we chose to love instead of hate.”

“It was a lot of work to repair our broken relationships.”

“As you all know, it hasn’t always gone to script.”

“We have learned from our mistakes, our experiences.”

“We have learned to work through our differences.”

“We have returned this land to the way it was created.”

“For that reason alone, tonight we ALL should be celebrated!”

“We are gathered here today because of the one who was born.”

“Who also died for us, tattered and torn.”

“As some of us birds are getting older,

We know we can’t carry this land on our shoulders.”

“We must teach the next generation

That love is the only way to rule this nation!”

All the birds started to sing

A beautiful sound that caused a gathering

All the animals from the forest came

The deer, the rabbit, the skunk and others you know by name

They gathered around the Christmas tree

They held hands and all sung with glee

The sound reached near and far

Then humans arrived, by foot and by car

They couldn’t believe their eyes

It was then they started to realize

Everything they thought they knew had to be ruled out

Because right there was a hawk singing with a field mouse

There was a bear beside a deer

There was a sheep standing by a wolf with no fear

There was a fox right beside a hare

All these beautiful birds were there

They could hardly believe their ears

When the animals said: “There is nothing here to fear!”

“Yes, at one time we were all enemies!”

“We decided to let love rule our hearts until our eyes could see!”

Then the humans held each other’s hands

All the different people across the land

Blacks and whites, Muslim and Christian

All races, all people, could see the animals vision

The eagle then spoke once again:

“One last thing to say my friends.”

“To move forward you must move on from the past!”

“You have to live as last is first and first is last.”

“Let every man, every woman, every boy, every girl

Know what it’s like to have peace in this world!”

“Let ALL our voices join together as we sing Silent Night!”

Then they sang Joy To The World and We Wish You A Merry Christmas

I can only say it’s all true, as I was there to witness

All the birds of a different color

Helped all the people discover

Instead of fighting they should ALL join hands

Because love is the only way to rule the land

Merry Christmas to ALL and to ALL a love filled night

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Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson –

Santa’s Wish (Teach The World) by The Tenors –

Better Together by Gaither Vocal Band –

Join With The Angels by Matthew West –

Rest In You Tonight by The Oak Ridge Boys –

Gather Round by Band Of Merrymakers –

The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath –

Wish List by 7eventh Time Down –

Silent Night by Pentatonix –

Christmas Will Come

On December 23, 2019December 22, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, Christmas Will Come, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Christmas will come

No matter what you’ve done

Whether you believe or not

It doesn’t matter if you forgot

He came to fulfill His obligation

There is no need for negotiation

Many said He wasn’t God, they lied

He was born, He lived, He was crucified

Christmas is about His birth

He came to show us our worth

Born with a silver spoon or born in a slum

Have no doubt Christmas will come

It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor,

Find it in your heart or in a store

If you live in America or Tel Aviv

It doesn’t matter what you believe

If you have or haven’t heard of Him

Whether your light is bright or dim

Santa Claus is not the reason

That we celebrate this season

If you can buy ten gifts or none

Have no doubt, Christmas will come

A long time ago on a cold December morn

A beautiful, wonderful baby boy was born

To save this world of our sin

And that death would not win

Many years after His manger birth

He taught of ways not of this earth

To get to Heaven He is the only way

He forgives the times we sinned today

With the pounding of a drum

Have no doubt, Christmas will come

When we are down, our spirits He will lift

In all our wants we only need one gift

That was given to us free of charge

The cost of His death for me was too large

For me to live, this gift I must accept

I will live for Him, I will never forget

With the softness of a hum

Have no doubt, Christmas will come

Lights, trees, ornaments, presents

Christmas coming did not represent

Love came down, a star shined bright

Darkness was overtaken by His light

It doesn’t matter where you’re from

My dear friends, Christmas will come

Do you believe?

Do you deceive?

Some may try to stop it or delay

But you can’t stop His birthday

No matter how far away you run

Jesus Christ is here, He did come

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done

Have no doubt, Christmas did come

Christ Is Come by Jeremy Camp –

Christmas Is Coming by Jason Gray –

All Things Collide by Brad & Rebekah –

You’re Here by Francesca Battistelli –

Even So Come by Kristian Stanfill –

The King Is Coming by Newsboys –

That Day Is Coming by The Collingsworth Family –

Come Lord Jesus by Dustin Kensrue –

For All The World by Phillips, Craig and Dean –

The Sun Doesn’t Always Come Out Tomorrow

On December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for suicide prevention

Feeling lost at school and feeling ignored at home

Surrounded by people but feeling all alone

I think I’m tired of fighting the fight

I’m ready to leave this life tonight

There’s nothing here as far as I can see

I wonder if anyone will even miss me

Meanwhile two blocks away

Stacy winds up another day

She remembers him and when they were so close

But lately he seems distant, disappeared like a ghost

I’ll call him tomorrow to just say hi

She doesn’t know he’s ending his life tonight

Image result for suicide prevention quotes

Meanwhile two rooms away his parents talk

About how they might go take a walk

Should they go back to his room

They joke how it seems like a tomb

They remember how he laughed not long ago

Would they have tried harder if they had known?

Meanwhile two key strokes away

More of the kids in school type away

Making jokes and calling him names

Doesn’t he know he’s so lame

They wish he would go away and die

Tomorrow they will cry and wonder why

He thinks of how his life will end

Too many torn pieces to try to mend

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His phone rings “hey how are you doing”

It’s Stacy asking how things are going

I was going to call you tomorrow but why wait

She didn’t know that tomorrow would’ve been one day too late

A knock on his door and mom says let’s leave

We are all going to go get some ice cream

No ifs ands or buts, you’re going

If they only knew what he thought of doing

His screen beeps and Scott starts to fight

What you guys say is wrong, it isn’t right

How about saying something positive

And he starts to think he might want to live

He gets off his bed and starts to head out the door

That’s when his bible fell onto the floor

A verse about you will have pain, suffering and sorrow

Then the Air1 verse of the day says hope in tomorrow

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Then his youth pastor sent a text to see if he was okay

He sent back looks like I’ll make it through another day

Is there someone that you know

That thinks the sun won’t come up tomorrow

Image result for air1 verse of the day psalm 42:11

One Day Too Late by Skillet –

I Can’t Breathe by Bea Miller –

The Call by Matt Kennon –

Beautiful by MercyMe –

Hard Love by NeedToBreathe-

Hope by Ryan Calhoun –

My Friends by Oh Wonder –

Hope by Superchick-

Hope For The Hopeless by Papa Roach –

Remain by Royal Tailor –

Not Today by Hillsong United –

Be Still And Know by Hannah Kerr –

How Do You Get That Lonely by Blaine Larsen –

Storm Inside Of You by Veronica Ballestrini-

I Want To Live by Skillet –

Broken by Lifehouse –

A Christmas Prayer

On December 18, 2019December 18, 2019 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for charlie brown i think there must be something wrong with me

A Christmas prayer

For the ones out there

Who aren’t full of happiness and cheer

Who are depressed and worn out this time of year

This time of year can be tough

Sometimes you just want to scream ENOUGH!

Maybe it’s the loss of a loved one

Or past hurts that have been done

Everyone else seems full of glee

You’re thinking “everyone but me”

You aren’t the only one faking a smile

Remember the season is because of the birth of a child

It’s not the decorations or presents

Or all the parties and events

Here is an open invitation

To join in the celebration

Image result for bible verses on hope and strength

No gifts to bring or trees to decorate

Whenever you are ready, we will wait

A genuine heart with love to give

I believe you are meant to live

Do not give up, Do not be dismayed

If you are having a string of bad days

There is a hope for a better tomorrow

One not promised without sorrow

One not promised without pain

One not promised without rain

One promised that you are never alone

One promised that you have a home

One promised that you are loved

One promised of HOPE, sealed by His blood

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I can’t promise tomorrow will be better

I can promise you have a helper

Instead of falling down it’s time to rise up

Don’t give up when you’ve had enough

The night will fall and the sun will soon shine

Please, please give it some more time

Tomorrow is new

Perhaps a blessing for you

Tomorrow will soon be here

And maybe, just maybe, it’ll be your year

A baby boy was born in a manger

Don’t let him be a stranger

Get to know hope, love, forgiveness and grace

Tomorrow you will gladly embrace

I want you to know you are known

And that you aren’t alone

Don’t give up, YOU are loved, even when you are blue

This is my Christmas prayer for you

Image result for 1 corinthians 2 9

Talk to your doctor if you are feeling sad for long periods of time. They can refer you to a mental health specialist. If your feelings of sadness during the holidays are accompanied by suicidal thoughts, do one of the following immediately:

Call 911.
Go immediately to a hospital emergency room.
Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

You can improve your mood by practicing self-care during the holidays. Eat a healthy diet, and maintain a regular sleep pattern and exercise program. According to the kept Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, as little as 30-minutes of cardiovascular exercise can provide an immediate mood boost similar to the effects of an antidepressant medication. Joining a support group where you talk to people with similar experiences to yours can also help.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND YOU HAVE WORTH AND YOU ARE LOVED MORE THAN YOU KNOW!

Image result for bible verses on tomorrow is a new day