Tag: Poetry

You Will Know (Who We Are)

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Lyrics, poems, Poetry2 Comments

Image result for bible verse on missions

I wrote this one a few years back and have been saving it for when I get my big break in the music business but since that is not likely to happen, YET, I have decided to let it out into the world.

Picture you are at a concert, maybe Skillet or Ashes Remain or Jeremy Camp, and they are singing and when they get to the chorus and sing You will know, the crowd sings back who we are.

You Will Know (Who We Are): words by me

They say I can’t speak of you
On the street, at my job or at my school
Why do we let the minority rule
Your condemnation is my fuel
You will know who we are
They say it’s not right to be a Christian
They know we are all on the same mission
To all people, we are going fishin’
In one God we believe in
You will know who we are
You condemn us, put us down
We tell the good news and you frown
when disasters strike we will be around
Reach for my hand, I won’t let you drown
You will know who we are
Chain me, beat me, persecute me
In my God, I will always believe
I know the devil deceives
My life, I give to thee
You will know who we are
You will know who we are
Listen up, I don’t tell you what to think
You sell me your kool-aid, I won’t drink
Don’t ever think my armor has a chink
I won’t ever flinch, I won’t ever blink
You will know who we are
Do what you want, I will turn the other cheek
But don’t ever think that makes me weak
My God gives me these words I speak
My God has me on a winning streak
You will know who we are
Chain me, beat me, persecute me
In my God, I will always believe
I know the devil deceives
My life, I give to thee
You will know who we are
You will know who we are
I pray for you and your choice
I say, my friend, don’t take away my voice
In my savior, let me rejoice
I know the devil will only destroy
You will know who we are
My faith will persevere
My God is always here
It’s not you that we fear
When you need me, I’ll be here
You will know who we are
You will know who we are
Image result for bible verse on missions
Saviors Of The World by Skillet – 
Rise by Ashes Remain – 
Tell The Whole World by Jeremy Camp – 
Unstoppable by Red – 
Light In The Dark by Revolution Saints – 
We Won’t Give Up by The Afters – 

Birds Of A Different Color : The Sequel

On By roberthansen1317In birds of a different color, Christian life, love, poems, Poetry4 Comments

Image result for dove

Please take a minute to read part 1 : Birds Of A Different Color

The birds of the land lived in peace for quite a long time

They shared everything, what’s mine is yours and yours is mine

They sung songs together and visited each other’s nest

Peace, nothing to worry about when their feathers would lay down to rest

Then one day the unthinkable happened

The skies of blue suddenly blackened

During a training flight, a blue jay crashed into a warbler

I can’t put into words, it was indeed horrible

Image result for blue jayImage result for black and white warbler and blue jay together

The warbler fell to the ground, it had been killed

Mourning came to the land, his little heart had been stilled

It didn’t take long for the warblers to blame the blue jays

Even though the birds that witnessed it said the warbler flew the wrong way

They demanded justice, the words were harsh that they spoke

They didn’t consider that the blue jay’s heart was broke

He was terribly sad for what happened but said he wasn’t to blame

The warblers attacked his nest, the land would never be the same

Attack after attack, nest after nest

None of the birds could find rest

A dark cloud had overtaken the trees

No bird was safe, no bird was free

The eagle couldn’t believe what his eyes did see

He thought, Have they forgotten our history?

Nothing good will come from this

He bowed his head and prayed his wish

O mighty father above, help me find a way

To help these birds remember our yesterday 

When we nearly destroyed our homes, our land

We fought over the colors of our feathers right where they now stand

How eventually we put aside our differences and came together 

We joined as one as we each held those different colored feathers 

He opened his eyes and looked around

Hate wasn’t the answer, love had to be found

Image result for eagle talking to birds

He once again called a meeting

He searched hard for the words he would be speaking

He looked left, he looked right

He said “My fellow birds, why do we fight?”

“I’m not saying what happened was right or wrong

But don’t you remember when we all sang the same song?”

“Warblers, I know your hearts are bleeding

But violence isn’t the answer to what you are needing.”

“Blue Jays, I know your heart is breaking

But fighting back leaves only hate for the taking.”

Image result for 1 peter 4 8

“I ask both of you is this really the answer?

Look around, can’t you see the disaster

We’ve been here before, look at our history books

There can never be peace if we are all crooks.”

“I know what happened is a travesty

But anger and hate only lead to more tragedy!”

“I ask you birds, can we move on from the past?”

“Today is a new day, the anger and hate don’t need to last!”

“I ask you birds not to forget yesteryear

I tell you birds it’s okay to shed a tear

But let’s not let history repeat itself

It’s time we put hate and anger on the shelf!”

 

Image result for love is the only answer

 

“How easy it is to forget we are all one

I’m not asking you  to forget what is done!”

“I am asking you to join hands

Reunite all the birds in this land!”

“I’m asking you to look at your communities

Ask yourself, is this who we want to be?”

“If you have even an ounce of love in your heart

Let it ignite and become a spark!”

“We do not need to fear each other !”

“You are my sisters, you are my brothers!”

“I end with these words said not long ago

That love is all we need to know

We are all created equally

We all can live peacefully

Look into the depths of your hearts

And let today be a new start

But you must not let the evil of anger and hate

Destroy our land. It is not, it will not be our fate!”

It was then he looked up and saw a  dove

The symbol of peace, the message of love

Image result for love is the only answer

Everyman by Blackfoot – 

Love With Your Life by Hollyn – 

Be The Change by Britt Nicole – 

What You Want by Tenth Avenue North – 

Jesus Built This Church On Love by Ivan Parker – 

Jesus Again by Tamela Mann – 

Future + Hope by New Hope Oahu – 

Common Ground by Julianna Zobrist – 

Birds Of A Different Color

On By roberthansen1317In birds of a different color, Christian life, love, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

 

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I thought I would reblog a couple of my birds posts. Love instead of hate.

We sit on this branch all flocked together

All of us birds of a different color

We fly from tree to tree and limb to limb

Helping whoever is in need for we are all friends

There was peace in the land, air, and trees

We were brothers and sisters, no difference between you and me

Until one day the robin said I can do better on my own

Off to another land he had flown

Then, the cardinal said, I can do that too

Off to another land he flew

One by one they each left the branch

Scattered apart throughout the distance

The only bird that stayed was the dove

Because he still believed the answer was love

One day the cardinal didn’t like the land he was in

He flew off and attacked the land of the robin

Then the yellow finch thought his land was too narrow

He went and attacked the land of the sparrow

The robin and the sparrow started a new land

Joining together, they formed a very strong clan

They attacked the yellow finch and the cardinal

The destruction of all the land was quite remarkable

Then the eagle was flying around

He couldn’t believe the destruction on the ground

He knew he had to make a stand

He had to do something to unite the land

What could he do? he thought in his head

If he didn’t do something soon, almost all the birds would be dead

He could use force, tear all the birds apart

But today , love was the only thing in his heart

He wanted to try love, to put it to the test

He flew down to them, he was much bigger than the rest

When the eagle came near

All the birds cowered in fear

But he gave them a helping hand

He helped them rebuild the land

He said “My fellow birds, is this how we want to live?”

“Instead of taking, we should learn to give.”

“Remember the time when we were never in need?”

“When one of us bled, we would all bleed?”

“Let all of this land be united as one.”

“It doesn’t matter our color, or where we came from.”

“Give love, teach love, be the love you want to see.”

“You see I have learned, the greatest change has to happen in me.”

With that said,  the birds joined together

To make this land great again, forever

I Believe by The Infamous Stringdusters feat Lee Ann Womack – 

Change by Christina Aguilera – 

Friends by Blake Shelton –  

I Will Rise Again by Jason Gray – 

Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson – 

Be The Change by Shuree – 

Imagine by John Lennon – 

Hope For The Future by Paul McCartney –  

I Believe by Blessid Union Of Souls – 

I Still Believe In Love by Blessid Union Of Souls – 

Love Will Find A Way by Michael Franti – 

We Are More by Ziggy Marley – 

Love Like Jesus by Rhett Walker Band – 

Love Come To Life by Big Daddy Weave – 

Love Can by Decemberadio – 

Love Has No Walls by Billy Ray Cyrus (cover of Matthew West) – 

I Think This Is Over

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

I’m glad I am sober

Watching you sleeping

Watching you breathing

I think this is over

 

Lost in my thoughts

Losing my mind

Can we push rewind?

What have we lost?

 

Remembering how we met

Your heart beats, am I still there?

Then I realized I didn’t care

It’s time to take the next step

 

I  remember when I used to laugh

You used to smile

I feel I’m always on trial

Together we don’t make a half

 

I’ve talked, yelled, I’ve tried

I can’t fix what you’ve become

I can’t undo what has been done

I hurt too, you know I’ve cried

 

I reach out, touch your shoulder

Watching you sleeping

Watching you breathing

I think this is over, this is over

 

I try to hold you, love you

You act like I’m an alien

You used to be so radiant

This isn’t going to be easy to do

 

I’ll stop short of calling you a liar

I don’t know what else to say

I think yesterday was our last day

I’m past the point of being tired

 

I think I better do this quick

I won’t lose my nerve

Too exhausted to swerve

This is just making me sick

 

But I am glad I am sober

Watching you sleeping

Watching you breathing

Your heart beats , am I still there?

Then I realized I didn’t care

I think this is over

What Hurts The Most by Rascal Flatts – 

If You’re Gonna Leave by Emerson Hart – 

All She Wrote by Firehouse – 

Over You by Daughtry – 

Leave by Matchbox Twenty – 

The Getting Over It Part by Blue October – 

Not Meant To Be by Theory Of A Deadman – 

Mean To Me by Tonic – 

Thunder In My Heart

On By roberthansen1317In Affairs, Christian life, God can change your life, God heals, God in your marriage, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

 

There is thunder in my heart

This is gonna leave a scar

There is lightning in my veins

Your lies drive me insane

 

My heart is turning to stone

I shake my head, I should’ve known

My blood is turning to ice

No more playing nice

You thought I would never leave

Your words I no longer believe

You thought you could use me and abuse

You ask me how can I accuse?

I’ve got proof I read your texts

You ask me to stay, there won’t be a next

I  read all  your email

You’ve already lost, you fail

 

Thunder rolled, a voice rumbled

A step back. I started to stumble

Electricity in the air

His words were there

“LET HER GO, GIVE HER TO ME”

The voice rumbled,  “JUST BELIEVE”

“I’m done,” said my heart of stone

I yelled back, “I’m better being alone”

“You are never alone,” the voice said

“I was  on the cross, For this I bled”

The thunder in my heart started to slow

The lightning in my veins  stopped its flow

 

God worked a miracle

The invisible became visible

He did something I couldn’t do

He can do the same for you

If there is thunder in your heart

You know where to start

If there is lightning in your veins

Through it all God’s love remains

 

 

 

Storm In My Heart by Colin Hay – 

My Darkest Hour by Thunder – 

Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks – 

Fall Apart by Every Avenue – 

I Don’t Care by Apocalyptica – 

Breaking Me Down by Escape The Fate – 

Breakin Free by Tesla – 

In It For Life by Sick Puppies – 

Prophet Song/ God Speaks by Martin Smith – 

Fall On Your Knees by David Crowder Band – 

Need You Now by Plumb – 

Head In The Fight by Sanctus Real – 

Don’t Cry Forever by Pillar – 

Broken Together by Casting Crowns – 

Thunder Road by NewSong – 

Birds Of A Different Color : Christmas Eve

On By roberthansen1317In birds of a different color, Christian life, love, poems, Poetry4 Comments

 

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

from 2016

Please take a minute to catch up on the history of the birds: (just click on the links)

Birds Of A Different Color

Birds Of A Different Color: The Sequel 

I also have written several following this one if you want to check them out

Birds Of A Different Color: A New Chapter

Birds Of A Different Color- A New World

Birds Of A Different Color- The Division

Birds Of A Different Color – The Reconciliation

Birds Of A Different Color- Tragedy At Mandalay Bay

 

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 

Image result for birds of a different color winter christmas tree

art credit: Peter Rabbit

Image result for bible verse on christmas

Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson – 

My Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant – 

Better Together by Gaither Vocal Band – 

Join With The Angels by Matthew West – 

Little Drummer Boy/ Peace On Earth by Bing Crosby and David Bowie – 

Rest In You Tonight by The Oak Ridge Boys – 

Gather Round by Band Of Merrymakers – 

My Wish For Christmas by R Kelly – 

Love Is Christmas by Sara Bareilles – 

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon – 

The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath – 

Love Is Here by Laura Story – 

A Joyful Noise by Little River Band – 

Wish List by 7eventh Time Down – 

Love Can Build A Bridge by The Judds- 

Prayer Of St. Francis by Sarah McLachlan – 

Silent Night by Pentatonix – 

Joy To The World by Jeremy Camp – 

We Wish You A Merry Christmas by Celtic Women – 

Christmas Stockings

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, love who you are, poems, Poetry2 Comments
IMG_3304.JPGIMG_3302.JPGIMG_3301.JPGIMG_3300.JPG

The Christmas stockings were hung with care

Some were extraordinarily beautiful, others ordinarily fair

Some were hung by the chimney

Others were hung on the tree

Some were made with bright colors

While others must’ve been bought for a dollar

Some had lights that shined so bright

Others even glowed in the dark of night

Some had glitter that sparkled from time to time

None of these comes close to describing mine

On my wife’s she had written a bible verse

One of my daughters had Santa on hers

Another daughter made hers with good cheer

While another finished hers by writing the year

When we were all done we were quite pleased

Then we joined hands and prayed for the least of these

But back to the stockings galore

There’s so much to say, so much more

Some had to be at least three feet long

When those are filled, I hope the nail is strong

Some are just a little bigger than my foot

For mine, I gave Santa a list, in case he needed my input

Some are made with love, paint, and glue

Some are quite fantastic while others have a mistake or two

Some were stitched and crocheted with extreme care

Others looked like they came out of the drawer by your underwear

Some had stickers of Santa and Rudolph and such

Others had just a name, but that was enough

On that Christmas morning, I learned a thing or two

From these Christmas stockings and I’d like to share with you

It doesn’t matter what the outside is

Because there is one thing I know and it’s this

It doesn’t matter what’s on the outside

Because the outside is just a brilliant disguise

What matters the most the outside tries to hide

What really matters is what’s on the inside

Image result for bible verses on whats on the inside

Christmas Will Come

On By roberthansen1317In Christmas, Christmas Will Come, Merry Christmas, poems, Poetry2 Comments

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 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 Reindeer Revolt- The Poem

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Christmas, poems, PoetryLeave a comment

Image result for reindeer

I started to write this as a poem then when I was done, I decided to do a story also. The story is a little different than the poem because, well, I didn’t have to rhyme. This morning you get the poem, this afternoon you will see the story.  Let me know if you like one better than the other or like them both.  Same moral for each.

‘Twas the week before Christmas

And there was trouble at the North Pole

Several of Santa’s reindeer wanted out of the business

They said working every Christmas Eve is getting old

They told Santa they wouldn’t be flying this year

Led by Donner but followed by Comet, Vixen, and Prancer

Donner tried to organize all the reindeer

But Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer

Those four said no, we enjoy traveling around the globe

We only work one day a year

We love seeing the children and bringing hope

Bringing wonders, gifts, and cheer

We have 364 days of rest and that is just one perk

We can train and relax and take long vacations

You are silly for protesting one night of work

There is no reason for you four to have this frustration

The arguing and bickering was causing more of a division

Both sides believing they were right

Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer made a difficult decision

They agreed right there and then on that fateful night

They had been friends and worked together for years

But the time had come and they could no longer be friends

Donner, Comet, Vixen, and Prancer changed too much it appears

The stress and the fighting seemed to never end

They were sad but they knew they had to go their own way

If they stayed friends Santa would think they revolted too

They liked their jobs and knew there was nothing else they could say

So they severed all ties, it wasn’t easy but it was the wisest thing to do

Santa came and saw the division that had taken place

He saw how Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer had to decide

To not associate with the others that would bring them disgrace

Santa knew he had to find four new reindeer for his sleigh ride

Cupid, Blitzen, Dasher, and Dancer would persevere

They were joined by Cinnamon, Gumdrop, Sparkles, and Peppermint

So listen up my friends and learn from these reindeer

If you hang with the wrong crowd it is only imminent

That you too will find yourself in a sticky situation

And in trouble you will find yourself likely

To have a sturdy house you must have a strong foundation

Listen to your heart and choose your friends wisely

Image result for bible verse on choosing friends

We’re Going To Be Friends by Jack Johnson – 

False Friends by Stephen Marley – 

Circle of Friends by Point Of Grace – 

Friends by Trent Shelton –  

The Sun Doesn’t Always Come Out Tomorrow

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God heals, help somebody, poems, Poetry2 Comments

Image result for suicide

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

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

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

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

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 suicide prevention

 

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 –