My Name Is Legend

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Short story2 Comments

Image result for ordinary people fighting demons

originally published Nov 14, 2016

My name is Legend. I am a warrior. I fight the demons of this world. I fight your demons. Ones you never saw attacking you, ones that you fight each day. I stand with you.

 

I have to admit one thing that tears at the very depth of all that I am is loving my enemies. The same enemies I fight every day. I pray they will change. I pray they will find love instead of hate. The devil has them in a stranglehold.  Another dies as their blood drips from the end of my sword. As their lifeless body lays at my feet I pray for them. I do not gloat or take pride in what I have done. It pains me greatly. It scars me more on the inside than the scars visible to you.

I have a confession to make. I am tired. More than that, I am worn out. Darkness is everywhere. I am only one man. I only have so much fight in me. I have more scars than freckles. I am on my knees begging God for help. Send me help God! Help me get off my knees and pick up my sword to fight again. 

God’s answer was to go to His people. Here is my plea:

As I mentioned before, I am worn out. Yet, I pick myself up, grab my sword and head into the night to fight another battle.  I fight your battles. It’s time for you to stand up. As I have prayed to God, I will ask of you the same.  I need help. I need your help!

Image result for deuteronomy 20 1Image result for 2 samuel 10 12

Make no mistake the devil knows your name. He keeps track of all the demons you let in. He knows when to send more. You have to put on your armor and  you have draw you sword. Even then the devil will not stop. You have to be tenacious. You have to never give up.

The devil tells you to yell at your husband for forgetting to go to the store on his way home from work. Knock that demon on his butt and smile at your husband, be thankful he arrived home safe.

The devil tempts you with that new attractive coworker who is flirting with you. Take your sword and cut that demon in half.  Look at that picture of you spouse and children on your desk. Be thankful for your family.

The devil tells you to yell at your child for spilling her milk at the dinner table. Destroy that demon with kind words and forgiveness. It take only a few seconds to clean up the milk, harsh words will be remembered forever. Be thankful you have a child. Many want one who can’t have one. Look in her eyes and tell her it’s okay. Tell her how much you love her.

These are just a few examples where you can help me. These are what I call the front line demons.  The little ones that try to ruin your life. The little ones that open the doors to the big ones. The generals, the lieutenants, the corporals.  You can not give in to them. You can not give in to the addictions, the temptations, the struggles that will rip your life to pieces. The ones that once they sink their teeth in are hard to defeat.

Image result for ordinary people fighting demons

Ask not what God can do for you but what can you do for God. Ask not what people can do for you, ask what can you do for people. You can help me, you can help others fight the demons. Will you be God’s light in this dark world. Will you fight with me? Will you help me destroy these demons that attack you and other people?

I will fight them with you. I will stand by your side, sword drawn, ready to attack. Are you with me?

Tonight, as you get ready to sleep, drop to your knees and thank God for getting you through another day. Thank God for helping you defeat some demons today. Look deep into your heart and tell God everything you are thankful for. Then I want you to raise your head, lift your hands to God and let God hold your hands for this next thing. I then want you to look the devil in the eye and tell him to leave your life.  He has no place in your life. I want you to say devil, do you not know who I am?  I am a child of God. My name is —— and I am a warrior.

I am worn out but I will not quit. I see a light at the end of the darkness.  I see hope. I see you. I see you picking up your sword. I see the demons on the ground, laying at your feet. I see me on your left. I see God on your right. We will win this fight!

My name is Legend. I am a warrior. I have renewed strength. I will never give up fighting the darkness of this world.

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Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

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Legends by The Afters – 

Centuries by Fall Out Boy – 

Warrior by Steven Curtis Chapman – 

Warriors by Papa Roach – 

Run Devil Run by Crowder – 

Live Like Legends by Ruelle – 

Strength by Jonathan and Melissa Helser – 

Move by TobyMac – 

Battles by The Afters – 

Live Like A Warrior by Matisyahu – 

The Lord Is A Warrior by Matt Papa – 

It’s October

On By roberthansen1317In Christian lifeLeave a comment

originally published Oct 5, 2016

Image result for happy october

Since it is October 3rd, I would hope most of you realized it is October.  The month of Halloween, camp fires, s’mores, roasting hot dogs on the camp fire.  Scary stories, witches and goblins. Cooler weather, leaves changing colors.

It is also the month of The Nationwide Children’s Half and Full Marathon that I once again will NOT be running. I signed up for the full knowing I was there mentally but had to get there physically. I did not. More injuries.  This time it is my left knee. It pops every time I straighten it. I don’t think that is a good thing. I think it is time to get checked out and get both my knees fixed.  Something to look forward to next year.

(update, still not running marathons but the wife is,  she is aiming for 3 hrs 30 minutes this year)

It is also the month for just about every cause and every thing there is. It is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Domestic Abuse/Violence Awareness Month, Stand Up To Bullying, Pastor Appreciation, Pizza,  Child Abuse Awareness Month, Cyber Security Awareness Month, Healthy Lung Month, Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), Jazz Awareness Month, Lupus Awareness Month, National Alcohol Awareness Week (Oct. 4-10), National Brain Injury Awareness Month,  National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (Oct. 15), National Liver Awareness Month, National Orthodontic Health Month, National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, Psoriasis Awareness Month, Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, Vegetarian Awareness Month, World Food Day (Oct. 16), and World Hepatitis Awareness Day (Oct. 1).

If that wasn’t enough, we also have:

AIDS Awareness Month ,Adopt A Dog Month Link, Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, American Cheese Month, American Pharmacists Month Link, Antidepressant Death Awareness Month,  Apple Month Link, Bat Appreciation Month, Black Speculative Fiction Month  Link, Bullying Prevention Month Link, (World) Blindness Awareness Month Link, Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month,Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Celebrating The Bilingual Child Month, Children’s Magazine Month
Christmas Seal Campaign (10/1-12/31)
Church Library Month
Church Safety and Security Month
Class Reunion Month Link
Co-op Awareness Month
Corn Month Link
Country Music Month Link
Cut Out Dissection Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Link
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Eat Better, Eat Together Month
Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Employee Ownership Month Link
Energy Management is a Family Affair-Improve Your Home Month (10/1-3/31/13)
Eye Injury Prevention Month Link (Note: There is also one in July.)
Fair Trade Month Link
Financial Planning Month Link
Feral Hog Month or Hog Out Month  Link
Gay & Lesbian History Month
German-American Heritage Month
Global ADHD Awareness Month Link
Global Diversity Awareness Month
Go Hog Wild – Eat Country Ham
Halloween Safety Month
Head Start Awareness Month Link
Health Literacy Month
Home Eye Safety Month
Italian-American Heritage Month Link
International Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month
International Starman Month
International Strategic Planning Month
International Walk To School Month  Link
Intergeneration Month
Learn To Bowl Month  Link
LGBT History Month Link
Long Term Care Planning Month
Month of Free Thought
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
National Audiology/Protect Your Hearing Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
National Caramel Month  Link
National Chili Month
National Chiropractic Health Month
National Cookbook Month
National Crime Prevention Month
National Critical Illness Awareness Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month Link
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Depression Education & Awareness Month
National Ergonomics Month Link
National Family Sexuality Education Month – Let’s Talk! Link
National Field Trip Month
National “Gain The Inside Advantage” Month
National Go On A Field Trip Month
National Kitchen & Bath Month Link
National Medical Librarian Month
National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month  Link
National Physical Therapy Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
National Pork Month Link
National Protect Your Hearing Month Link
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Link
National Reading Group Month
National Roller Skating Month
National RSV Awareness Month Link
National Sarcastic Awareness Month
National Seafood Month Link
National Stamp Collecting Month
National Stop Bullying Month
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month Link
National Toilet Tank Repair Month Link
National Window Covering Safety Month Link
National Work and Family Month
National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
Organize Your Medical Information Month
Photographer Appreciation Month
Polish American Heritage Month
Positive Attitude Month
Raptor Month
Right Brainers Rule! Month
Sausage Month Link
Self-Promotion Month
Spinach Lovers Month
Squirrel Awareness Month Link (Different Than Squirrel Appreciation Day in January)
Tackling Hunger Month Link  
 (Campbell Soup Sponsor.  Not the same as Hunger Month in September by 2nd Harvest.)
Talk About Prescriptions Month
Wishbones for Pets Month (10/15 – 11/30)
Women Walking In Their Own Shoes Month
Workplace Politics Awareness Month
World Menopause Month

I think October is pretty busy.  I wonder why some of these organizations don’t pick another month?

I have written about many of these and will reblog them this month as well as my scary short stories, in case anyone has missed them. I may even surprise you and write a new short story.

Happy October.

Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day – 

October Road by James Taylor – 

Last October by Green River Ordinance – 

October Trees by Ron Pope – 

Early October by Anderson East – 

Birds Of A Different Color – The Reconciliation

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, love, poems, Poetry3 Comments

 

Image result for eagle and hawk

Catch up on the history of the birds:

Birds Of A Different Color

Birds Of A Different Color: The Sequel 

Birds Of A Different Color : Christmas Eve

Birds Of A Different Color: A New Chapter

Birds Of A Different Color- A New World

Birds Of A Different Color- The Division

continued from The Division:

The hawk said:

“Tell me eagle, because I know you are also a bird of prey,

How do you continue to love and live this way?”

“I’m tired of fighting and tired of trying to hide,

Tell me Eagle, how can I have what you have inside?”

The Eagle replied: “It’s a choice to love instead of hate,

Even when your birds of prey frustrate.”

“We are not any different than you,

We are not better because of what we do.”

“We birds are all one and the same.”

“It is easy to play the blame game,

But where does that put us in the end?”

“Living in the mistakes of the past makes us enemies, not friends.”

Image result for bible verses on treating others

“We have to work together instead of apart,

We can not let emotions rule our hearts.”

“It’s not easy to always do what is right,

But what is accomplished when we fight?”

“We destroy the land and hurt every bird here!”

“When we are not united all the birds start to fear,

Instead of helping all they start to help only themselves,

They enclose themselves in a box and have no dreams to excel.”

Image result for bible verses on loving one another

“Instead of giving we take and take, full of greed,

But when we are united and let no bird be in need,

Then we lift each bird up and give them hope.”

“When bad times hit it’s that hope that helps them cope.”

“We choose to believe that all birds should be treated equally,

The bluebird, cardinal, falcon, vulture, warbler, chickadee

The thrusher, sparrow, hummingbird, crow, owl, or duck

It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are down on your luck

We will be there to try to help.”

“We will put others ahead of ourselves.”

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“It’s not glamorous and sometimes it’s hard

Because some birds are always on their guard.”

“Quite frankly, a lot of times it is tough.

To always choose to love.”

“When the world seems to have gone their own way,

When marriages fail because one bird chooses not to stay,

When young birds grow up in a broken nest.”

“When you look around and see the world is a mess,

“Yes, sometimes we have to take a deep breath

We have to push on when we want to rest.”

“We know we can never give up,

Because, in the end, it’s all about love!”

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“It’s all about what we believe,

And we believe Jesus died for you and me.”

“He showed us how we should live,

That it is always better to give.”

“So, my friend, you ask what it is that’s inside,

It’s him, it’s His love and for Him, I will give my life!”

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The hawk thought about it for a few minutes

Then he said: “All the bad we have done, how do you forget?”

The eagle said: “We don’t always forget but we choose to forgive,

Nothing is accomplished when the past we try to relive.”

“We must move forward and look towards tomorrow.”

“There will be pain and there will be sorrow,

But there will also be hope and there will also be love,

And that little bit of hope and love can be enough.”

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The hawk asked: “Then why do so many birds, including myself, choose to hate?”

“Why is it so hard for us to love? For us, isn’t it too late?”

The eagle answered: “It is never too late, but do not wait!”

“We must get all birds to love today!”

“We must unite and show them the way!”

“We can do this together if you believe,

Together, great things we can achieve!”

“We can turn this pain into a blessing!”

The hawk thought about it for just a second

Maybe, just maybe, the birds of love are correct

He had to give the birds of love some respect

Image result for bible verses on PERSEVERANCE AND LOVE

Together they called an emergency meeting

“Our fellow birds,” they said together in greeting

The hawk started off first: “Birds of prey,

Today, my heart has changed its ways!”

“I have seen how hate has destroyed us,

And I have seen the power of love.”

“Today we will tear down our walls and take down the cage!”

“Any of you birds that are still filled with rage,

Come, talk to the eagle or me.”

“It is not really that hard to see,

That if you choose to love instead of hate,

Once again, we can make our land great!”

“Today all of us birds must unite,

We must find the love that’s inside!”

“We must show it to the world,

That even humans can be like us birds!”

Then the eagle said: “In memory of the words my father last said,

We must live with hope and kindness, not fly around like the living dead.”

“Build others up and always give  more than you take.”

“Most importantly, always love, love my birds, love instead of hate!”

Image result for jesus on the cross

The Answer by Jeremy Camp- 

When We Pray by Tauren Wells – 

I’m Gonna Love my Neighbor by Karen Peck-  

No Room For Hate by Mark Lowry – 

The Answer To The Question by Tree63 – 

The Answer by Audio Adrenaline –  

Hope Of All Nations by Karen Peck- 

Hope For A Broken World by Selah – 

 

What The World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love by The Isley Brothers w/ Santana – 

 

It’s All About Him by Alan Jackson – 

 

 

Birds Of A Different Color- The Division

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, love, poems, Poetry4 Comments

Image result for dove and eagle together

Catch up on the history of the birds:

Birds Of A Different Color

Birds Of A Different Color: The Sequel 

Birds Of A Different Color : Christmas Eve

Birds Of A Different Color: A New Chapter

Birds Of A Different Color- A New World

 

The dove had ruled for many years

As he looked out in the crowd his eyes filled with tears

The young eagle’s time had come

He had grown strong and was filled with love

It was now time for the eagle to continue his dad’s legacy

To rule the land with love for all birds from all over the country

The dove started to say

“My fellow birds, today is a great day”

The birds of prey interrupted; “We’ve had enough,

All you ever talk about is blah blah blah and love love love.”

“Tonight us birds of prey are taking a stand!”

“We have decided to start our own land!”

“The birds of prey will rule anything west of the big oak tree!”

They expected a fight but the eagle said: “That’s fine with me.”

The hawk continued,  “We will build a cage around our land,

We don’t need you, on our own we will stand.”

Some of the birds of prey didn’t want to go

They believed in love and had friends that were close

But they all left, all these birds of prey

To start their own land and do it their way

The eagle sat down with the hawk

“If you insist on doing this we need to talk,

We need laws to govern all birds,

We need it written down so there’s no confusion with words.”

“We need to work together for the sake of all,

The land must still be united so we do not fall.”

But any law the birds of love tried to pass

If it didn’t suit them, the birds of prey just laughed

All they did was fight and nothing was ever getting accomplished

The birds of the land lost hope as their dreams were demolished

It wasn’t long before the birds of prey

Tried to make everything their way

The birds of love had to fight

For all the birds they tried to make it right

But in the end, the birds couldn’t agree on anything

The land was falling apart as they kept disagreeing

At first, the land of the birds of prey

Was successful and prosperous inside the cage

But birds of prey only take and never give

That’s just the way birds of prey live

Soon their land was desolate and barren

The birds of love stood outside staring

They agreed they had to help the birds of prey

They had to put into action the words they would say

Through the cage, they started to sneak food

They did everything they could to do good

But the vulture found out and tried to put it to an end

The birds of love found other ways to help the land mend

They did more than just feed

They gave hope to those in need

They reminded them of times not so long ago

Times when they were friends and not foes

Image result for birds helping each other

They would sneak anything to help inside the cage

Until the vulture, osprey, falcon, and hawk guarded the way

But the birds of love

Would not give up

Then the birds of prey ran out of luck

For it was then that a natural disaster struck

A terrible hurricane hit the birds of prey land

What little they had disappeared in the sand

The birds of love were there in force

Helping the birds of prey through the worst

The vulture, osprey, and falcon still turned their backs

They felt the birds of love were only looking to attack

Image result for luke 23 34

But the hawk’s heart started to soften

And something inside him started to blossom

He called a secret meeting with the eagle

He asked: “How do you love those of us so evil?”

“We have done so much to hurt you and the birds of your kind,

We have treated you like we are not the same but it’s like you are blind?”

“You are always there to lend a helping hand.”

“You are always trying to heal this land.”

“Tell me eagle, because I know you are also a bird of prey,

How do you continue to love and live this way?”

“I’m tired of fighting and tired of trying to hide,

Tell me Eagle, how can I have what you have inside?”

to be continued….

Image result for habakkuk

The World ( Is Going Up In Flames) by Charles Bradley – 

Dear Hate by Maren Morris – 

Dear Hate by Among Us – 

Ghost Nation by Gary Truman –  

It’s Not Working (The Truth) by Propaganda- 

Come In Our Dark Times by David Haas –  

Help Us Now by Melvin Williams –  

Love Will Never Give Up by Karen Peck –  

Our World by Buckcherry – 

A Longer View by Shaman’s Harvest – 

You And Me from  The Descendants 2 – 

The Storm by Jeremy Camp – 

What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye –  

Love Anymore by Le’Andria Johnson – 

For What It’s Worth by Seth Glier – 

 

Skipping Stones With Ghosts

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

originally posted 2/8/2017

 

There are times when I just want to be alone

Left to my own mind to find my way home

Then as I throw another stone off the coast

I realize I’m skipping stones with ghosts

Memories of a past I can’t let go

Crashing like the waves with each throw

The girl’s heart I broke

With each harsh word I spoke

The tears my mom would cry

With each and every lie

The one I let get away

Because the words I couldn’t say

Antique shopping every Saturday afternoon

I’d say no, a million other things I’d rather do

The show you wanted to see I said we couldn’t afford

The truth is I thought I would be bored

More thoughts, more regrets, kept pouring in

Like they were riding the ocean wind

The far away sound of a single sea gull

Another memory I wish I couldn’t recall

During the holidays how you loved to decorate

Singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Jingle All The Way

All the presents you loved to give

All these memories I can’t relive

It’s time to clear my head

Wake my heart from being dead

Time to put these memories on a stone

Let each go with each stone thrown

Every regret, every emotion

Drown them in the ocean

I’m no longer the person I was

Forgiven, me and all my flaws

Three Feet Of Water by Brantley Gilbert – 

Find You Here by Ellie Holcomb – 

Never Been A Moment by Micah Tyler – 

Seasons by Fight The Fade – 

That Was Then, This Is Now by Josh Wilson – 

A Lot Of Things Different by Kenny Chesney – 

Burdens Of The Past by Amber Pacific – 

My Past by Donnie McClurkin – 

Leave The Memories Alone by Fuel – 

Dead Memories by CrossFade – 

Random Thoughts In A Poem

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, Poetry2 Comments

originally published May 17, 2016

Why is where I park my car called a driveway?

Remember when the doctor said you wouldn’t make it through the day?

Ten years later and you still haven’t ran on a runway

Who was the first person who thought “I think I’ll boil those eggs!”?

Who was the first woman who said ” I need to shave my legs!”?

What makes us think we will never be the guy on the corner who begs

If the sky was green and the land was blue

Would it even affect me or you?

Do you spell two to or too?

How do you pronounce read? Is it read or red?

What about the word lead? Is it lead or led?

All depends but in this case let’s go with feed and not fed

Remember when you never were sick

And your thoughts weren’t so easy to forget

And ole Rover wasn’t too tired to fetch his stick?

I love how the morning is so quiet

Why does it seem like  only some people riot?

Why do so many people fail when they diet?

Here is one thing I bet you thought you’d never miss

Your parents giving you a good night kiss

If you had just one wish , what would you wish?

Why is Teresa Palmer so hot?

Now that’s a random thought

One I probably should think not

Have you ever imagined a world without hypothetical situations ?

Why do people not use all their vacations?

Why is there so much war when we have the United Nations?

Why can’t they make the entire plane with the same material as the black box?

If 7/11 is open 24 hours then why do the doors have locks ?

Why do trucks haul SHIPments but a ship unloads the CARgo on the docks?

I remember the day you were born

I held you in my arms and kept you warm

God and I, we will give you comfort in the storm

Would we still read Dr. Seuss Cat In The Hat

If instead of a cat, it was a bat or even a rat?

The Grinch, I wonder how he thought of that?

Would you take a million dollars

If all you had to do was say your favorite colors?

The smartest people are not always just the scholars

My nose stays in one place so why does it run?

When did I let life be so difficult I quit having fun?

How will I be remembered when this life is done?

When I’m exhausted, why does the morning come so soon?

How do things get their name, like the sun, stars, and the moon?

Hey guess what? My birthday is in June

Would all my problems be solved if I had more money?

Why does Kayhla think clowns are scary and not funny?

Don’t ask me why we pronounce bologna  like it ends with an e

Why is a boxing ring a square?

Who ever told you life was fair?

Why am I here? Why are you there?

Why is the slowest traffic of the day called rush hour?

How does Teflon stick to the pan?

Why doesn’t glue stick to the inside of a bottle?

Yes I know those three didn’t rhyme

But why don’t sheep shrink when it rains from time to time?

“How was you day?”  Why do I always say fine?

Why is there Braille on drive thru ATM?

Why do they stay when they are abused by them?

Why do people find it so hard to believe in Him?

Why do they find it so hard to believe that Jesus did come?

They say because they can’t see Him or all He has done

Well my friends, I can’t see the air that fills my lungs

How do some bloggers, in a month, get six thousand followers?

If I’m lucky, I might have sixty seven by tomorrow

Maybe a few of theirs they would let me borrow

Remember when you ate those bugs?

Remember when you said you’d never do drugs?

Man, I wish you were still here to give you hugs

Here is more food for thought

Would you cheat if you knew you wouldn’t be caught?

Yes? Then the person I think you are is the person you are not

 

This is getting long so I think I’ll part

These are just some thoughts from my head and my heart

One more thing, do you put the horse before the cart?

Some random new songs I like:

 

Work Harder by Zach Dubois –  

Better Man by Sixx AM – 

Oh Lord by NF – 

Boxes by Goo Goo Dolls – 

Better Than Yourself by Lukas Graham – 

Break On Me by Keith Urban – 

Beautiful Day by Take 6 – 

Twenty Miles Past Sunrise

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Jesus, music, Short story1 Comment

Image result for long isolated road in dark

Forty miles before sunrise and I’m starting to fade. The white lines are starting to blur in my headlights. I rub my eyes to try to buy a few miles.

Thirty miles before sunrise and I’m rolling down the window to get some fresh air. Yes, that’s what I need. Some fresh air. Why am I driving at this hour? I can’t even remember what I’m running from. I shake my head and adjust my seat to try to buy a few more miles.

Twenty miles before sunrise and I don’t think I’m going to make it. Wherever it is I’m trying to make it to. What the!!!!! I slam on my brakes. Why would someone be standing in the middle of the road? I look around but no one is there. I’m so tired my mind is playing tricks on me. I see another person darting out from my peripheral vision. These hallucinations are driving me crazy. What if they aren’t hallucinations?

Ten miles before sunrise and I turn the radio up. Need a song to wake me up. A song I can sing along with. I hit scan and the first song comes on. I like that old time rock n roll, that kind of music just soothes the soul. Good song but not in the mood for an oldie. The scan stops next on sports radio station. No thanks, I love sports but that is not going to keep me awake. Next stop is another oldie. U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. Well, Bono, neither have I. Neither have I. Next stop is Jason Aldean’s They Don’t Know. Oh yeah, I can do this one.

All they see is tractors, barbwire and tall green grass
They don’t see the years spent working, busting their ass
How they pray for rain
They don’t know a thing
About what it takes
Livin’ this way

They ain’t seen the blood sweat and tears it took to live their dreams
When everything’s on the line
Ain’t just another field, just another farm
No, it’s the ground we grew up on
They think it’s a middle of nowhere place where we take it slow
Aw but they don’t know
No, they don’t know

Sunrise. Look at the beauty of this sunrise. How can anyone say God doesn’t exist when they see how he paints the world each morning? Yeah I know, I have questioned God’s existence many times. Every time things don’t go my way actually. However, in this moment, when I feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the way He lights up the world, giving the world a way out of the darkness, I know He exists.  I can’t help but say out loud “God, I believe in you!”

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Ten miles after sunrise and I am thinking I should turn this car around. Face my demons for once instead of running away. I am just so tired. My brain is foggy.

Twenty miles past sunrise and I wake up with the car flipping over and over. What the heck? I must’ve fallen asleep. I come to a stop upside down in a ditch. I can’t get out and I know no one is around. I picked the most desolate place to drive, to escape my life. I smell the gasoline and I see the fire start. I know I’m going to die.

I see two men a short distance away. One dressed in red, the other in white. They look like they are in a heated argument. Don’t they see me? Help!!!, I start to scream. I see the man in white look my way. I know him from somewhere, but my head is spinning.  He says one last thing to the man in red and walks my way.

He reaches for my hand and I grab his.

The radio plays Broken Things by Matthew West.

If grace was a kingdom
I stopped at the gate
Thinking I don’t deserve to pass through after all the mistakes that I’ve made

Oh but I heard a whisper
As Heaven bent down
Said, “Child, don’t you know that the first will be last and the last get a crown”

Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours

The pages of history they tell me it’s true
That it’s never the perfect; it’s always the ones with the scars that You use

It’s the rebels and the prodigals; it’s the humble and the weak
All the misfit heroes You chose
Tell me there’s hope for sinners like me

Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King
I wish I could bring so much more
But if it’s true You use broken things
Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours

Grace is a kingdom
With gates open wide
There’s a seat at the table just waiting for you
So, come on inside

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Broken Things by Matthew West – 

Mercy Meets My Pain by Seventh Day Slumber – 

Every Mile Mattered by Nichole Nordeman – 

You Still Love Me by James Fortune – 

I Wouldn’t Love Me by James Fortune (feat Kierra Sheard) – 

Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew – 

The Pebble

On By roberthansen1317In Be happy with who you are, Christian life, love who you are, Short story, who you are2 Comments

originally posted 4/28/2016

He was rolling down the mountain at a break neck speed. He could not believe how fast he was going.  He tried to slow down, but he couldn’t figure out how. Once a pebble gets rolling, there is only one thing to stop him. He saw them in the distance but they were getting closer and closer the faster he went. There was no way to avoid the big, bad boulders so he just closed his eyes and

SMACK !!!

“Hey pebble, what do you think you are doing??!!” shouted the boulders. “Can’t you see how close to the edge we are? We have been balancing on this ledge for a very long time. We don’t need a little pebble like you messing our situation up.”

The pebble shook with fear.  He had never seen boulders that big before. “I-I-I’m ssssorry. I didn’t mean to hit you but I was going so fast I couldn’t stop. Thank you for stopping me though. Do you think I could stay here?”

The boulders answered with a stern “NO!! We don’t need you here. You are not one of us and would mess our lives up with all your little talk.”

The pebble didn’t like their answer but went on his way. He tried to take it slower but with each downward slope and each breath of wind that blew he didn’t have much choice. He was so small he went wherever the wind blew him. Most days he didn’t mind, every day was an adventure. He never knew where he would end up. Other days, he just wanted to stop and fit in somewhere. He wanted someone to like him, for him to be a part of something bigger than him.

A big gust of wind started to blow and off the pebble went again. He was going so fast he would hit the ground then bounce up in the air.  He felt like he was flying. “This must be how the birds feel,” he thought to himself.

Oh crap, more boulders ahead,  the pebble screamed inside.  “Look out boulders, I am coming right at you.  I can’t stop!!!” yelled the pebble.

Once again the pebble was met with disdain. “Get out of here pebble. We are way too powerful for you. Do you NOT realize that we can squash you if we wanted to. You are to tiny to live here.  Be on your way before we change our minds and decide to hurt you.”

The pebble didn’t waste any time scurrying from that place. He thought,  What is wrong with all these boulders? Don’t they realize I don’t mean to smash into them. I’m just trying to find my way.  Like I could ever hurt them anyway.

It was then he heard a small voice in the wind.” Go pebble go. Go where the wind takes you. You are more powerful than you know. Everything that is and has happened to you is for a reason. I didn’t mean you any harm when you crashed into those boulders. I was using you to try to change their hearts. To learn to be more accepting. To love something other than their own pile of boulders. It is not too late for them for you have planted a seed everywhere I have sent you. The choice is theirs. You tried. Keep trying and going forward. Do not be afraid.”

The pebble looked around but did not see anyone. Strange, he thought. At that time another gust of wind picked him up and took him on his way.

Not again, seriously, the pebble thought unbelieving. Why can’t I crash into a pile of grass or a stream of water. Why another pile of boulders? He braced himself for impact.

SMACK!!!!

This time the boulders didn’t yell at him. “Help us,” said the boulders. “We are about to fall off the edge.”

“How can I help you? I am just a small pebble,” the pebble asked. He was thinking this had to be some kind of trick.

“We are about to fall off the edge and we have been asking for someone like you. See this small hole in between us? We need you to jump in there and seal it so we can be strong. With you securing that hole, we don’t have to worry about falling off the ledge.”

Wow, thought the pebble. They really need me. “You can count on me,” he bravely said. “I have been wanting a place to settle down. A place that will accept me for who I am.”

He then jumped right into the hole and secured the boulders together.

“Thank you,” he humbly said. To the boulders and to that small voice he heard.

It was then they heard this rumbling coming down the mountain. All these boulders were falling all around them but , miraculously, none of the falling boulders hit them. The pebble recognized them as the same boulders who yelled at him and told him they didn’t want him.

“Thank you,” said the boulders he was with now. ” Without you, we would’ve had the same fate as those boulders. You saved us pebble.”

 

Free To Be Me by Francesca Battistelli –  

Who I Am by Blanca – 

True To Yourself by Vanessa Amorisi – 

Dare You To Move by Switchfoot  – 

Hurricane by Misterwives – 

Let Me Be Myself by 3 Doors Down – 

Invisible by Hunter Hayes – 

Try by Colbie Caillat – 

True Colors by Cyndi Lauper – 

Four Years Ago

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, dad, Loss of loved one, miss my dad, poems, Poetry4 Comments

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Four years of school seems to take so long

But I blinked and four years have gone

Seems like just the other night

The last time I held you tight

Seems like just yesterday

In my rear-view, you waved

I can hear the drums you played for me

You could play them all, George Strait to Bon Jovi

I get my work ethic from you

A piece of you in everything I do

If you could, ask God to give me a break

You know from fishing I don’t do well having to wait

Tell our loved ones hello

And that we miss them so

I had to laugh the other day

When I remembered something you would say

Funny how things like that pop in your brain

Life goes on but it’s not the same

Tomorrow I will watch the sun rise at dawn

Can’t believe it’s been four years since you’ve been gone

dad

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My Old Man by Zac Brown Band – 

Not All Heroes Wear Capes by Owl City – 

The Other Side by Colton Dixon –  

You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell – 

From Where You Are by Lifehouse – 

Like I Should

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, country, Lyrics, music, poems, Poetry3 Comments

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These words started coming to me and I could hear plain as day Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert singing them.  I am sure it needs to be tightened up a little and maybe a few words changed here or there.

Maybe if I could get a 100k shares and a 100k retweets this will get to them and maybe, just maybe….

Chris sings:

I know I don’t love you like I should

If I could change our past I would

I know I forgave you but I haven’t forgot

When a heart’s broken your left with what you got

These demons in my head tell me you’re the same

But I hear your whispers saying you’ve changed

What’s a heart to do that’s battling his head

Is there life left to a love I gave up as dead

These days aren’t easy

These nights ’bout kill me

These tears fall with the memories

When I don’t love you like I should

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Miranda sings:

I know I caused the tears you cried

I know it’s true that I lied

I know I walked out on a man who’s good

I know I didn’t love you like I should

But here I am fighting with all that remains

Can’t you hear my whispers I’ve changed

If your heart could forget the past

I know  we have a love that will last

I see how you look at me

and the nights you fight the memories

The tears you cry nearly kill me

I remember when I didn’t love you like I should

There comes a time when you move forward

You decide to no longer be tortured

You go on without me or you fight to stay

It’s a choice we need to make either way

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Chris:   I can love you like I should

Miranda:   (How I pray you would)

Chris:  I can hold you on the darkest nights

Miranda:  (I won’t ever lose my sight)

Chris:  We can take a step to a new day

Miranda:  (I’ll be there every step of the way)

Chris: I can love you like I should

Miranda: I can love you like I should

Both:  We can love like we should

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Either Way by Chris Stapleton –  

Tin Man by Miranda Lambert –