Santa’s Magical Helpers

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The population was booming

Santa’s sleigh was zooming

More and more people were being added to the naughty list

But Santa knew there were still a lot of good that couldn’t be missed

He worked extra minutes into the long night

He barely finished before the sun’s first light

Then he thought, next year I must do something else

I can’t keep working like this, doing this to myself

Then right before his tired and sleepy body hit the bed

A crazy idea, too crazy he thought, popped into his head

I need to find some magical helpers to help me

Magical helpers who could even deliver before Christmas Eve

He smiled at the thought, presents delivered every day

He could just feel the weight coming off his sleigh

He wondered what the world would think of his wonderful scheme

Then he went to sleep and had the most wonderful dream

He put his plan together all year long

There was no way his plan could go wrong

He put it into action well before October’s last day

Christmas was here before trick or treat the kids could say

Sale, sale, sale, the biggest sale of the year

He flooded your inbox with emails disguised as cheer

Buy now, order now before you run out of time

Trust me, kids, there’s no reason to wait in line

You see, Santa’s elves had finished their making by June

Santa worked them so hard that the North Pole ran out of room

So they shipped everything and everything was gone

They sent all their gifts to a magical place called Amazon

Santa’s idea was going as planned and working perfectly

This year, he wouldn’t have to go down one single chimney

Santa called all his magical helpers headquarters

They said they were ready and awaited their orders

Then the orders came in and they hit the roads

Delivering Santa’s gifts in sun, rain, sleet, and snow

You know them as Amazon, UPS, USPS, and FedEx

Delivering Santa’s gifts right to your doorstep

Be sure to thank those who deliver near and far

Because now you know who they truly are

They are more than just drivers, they are Santa’s magical helpers

I sure hope they don’t bring me an ugly Christmas sweater

So if Christmas Eve comes and Santa’s sleigh and reindeer aren’t in sight

Thank his magical helpers who already brought your gifts before tonight

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Hiding In The Dark

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I don’t mean to give you a fright

But did you hear that  tonight

The moon will be hidden from view

And you will feel them coming for you

You may think it is no big deal

In fact you might even say they are not real

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But they are and deep inside

You know there is no place to hide

Right there hidden in the dark

You will find your true heart

You will walk by that computer aglow

Temptation to look at porn will be your foe

But you will find the strength to walk on by

Knowing there is no pleasure, it’s all a lie

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Then on your phone you click on Facebook

Find an old friend, just for one look

After all, what could it hurt

But then you start to flirt

But you say you can’t do this

Your marriage is at risk

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So you take a drive right by that old bar

You slow down and park your car

What could it hurt, just one beer

But you’ve been sober two years

And you know alcohol is just a thief

You know you have to get in your car and leave

But then from the alley some people catch your eye

You see the homeless and decide to change a life

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You talk to them like the people they are

Listen to their stories, for we all have scars

Buy them something to eat and go back home tonight

Yes, the demons are close, they might even be in sight

You might say they aren’t real but we both know

That’s not the truth because I’ve been to that bottom so low

I’ve got those demons and they can be hidden from view

You see, I am really no different than you

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But like the moon when the clouds part

There’s a light that shines in the dark

That’s where I go when the demons come

I don’t believe the lies that I’m worthless, scum

I’ve made mistakes but I know I’m forgiven

My sins paid for by the one who has risen

The liar has been defeated, victory won

The blood shed for me by God’s begotten son

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Truth Be Told by Matthew West –

Keep Me In The Moment by Jeremy Camp –

The Hope Song by Citizen Way –

Nobody by Casting Crowns –

Hope In Front Of Me by Danny Gokey –

Maybe It’s Ok by We Are Messengers –

Love Not Hate- Trick or Treat, Halloween Night

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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

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All the little birds wanted to trick or treat

But tonight, their nests they would not leave

It was Halloween night all through the land

But you see, trick or treating had been banned

The parents said the world had grown too dark

And they placed walls around their cold hearts

The land had been taken over by evil and hate

The parents told the little ones they would have to wait

You never know if that bird behind that hockey mask

Is looking for candy or up to some sinister act

Or that bird dressed in that scary disguise

Is carrying a gun or even a knife

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The little ones had tears in their eyes

Please let us trick or treat tonight

The little ones begged and said you can protect us

And talk to the neighbors you haven’t spoken to since Christmas

You stay inside and don’t do what the Eagle has said

It was out of love his blood was shed

The eagle said do not live in fear

But it’s what you do keeping us locked in here

How can we spread love and dispel hate

If you keep us locked here in this cage

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Then the parents were quite surprised

Those words hit home they realized

And they soon came to understand

They have let fear and hate rule their land

In fear they had locked themselves in their nests

Letting hate take over while love took a rest

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They didn’t even talk to their neighbors or their friends

They didn’t spread love to strangers and love they did not defend

The light they carry they had let grow dark

But their children’s words had ignited a spark

They realized they had made their homes a coffin

Because of their children, the parents’ hearts softened

Then they said we will go out on this Halloween night

Instead of letting hate rule we will let our love be the light

Tonight we must start to let love grow and hate decline

Yes, tonight in the darkness our light will shine

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Hey Papa by Natasha Bedingfield-

Fire Away by Disciple-

Dreaming by P.O.D. –

In Our Blood by Tyrone Wells-

Community by Kira Willey –

 

 

Shadows In The Dark

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 Mask

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

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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

 

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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

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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!

 

 

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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

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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

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Made For This by Carrolton – 

The Elements by Tobymac – 

Nobody by Casting Crowns – 

This Could Change Everything by Francesca Battistelli – 

Monsters by Shinedown – 

Hitchcock Movies

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

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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

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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 – 

Bruises and Scars

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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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

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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 – 

Finding My Way

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I am only a stream

So small, so it seems

But God has big plans for me

Even when the rains slow

And my water has no flow

God knows where I will go

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One day I will find my way to the river

God promises me and I know he will deliver

For my plans are small, but his are much bigger

Out of my banks sometimes I stray

As I grow and learn to make my way

But I will leave that river one day

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Finding my way among all the debris

And flow into the great big sea

God’s voice still calling me

Could be future far or future near

At times I am full of fear

My water not so clear

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The rain is only a drizzle and I slow to a dribble

Between the past and future, stuck in the middle

As long as I follow His ways I can still make a ripple

Because I know God has big plans for me

I am learning but still so small, or so it seems

The sea awaits, but for now I am only a stream

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Rescue Story by Zach Williams –

Choices by JJ Weeks –

Unstoppable God by Sanctus Real –

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells –

You’ll Find Your Way by Andrew Peterson –