Make me new...

Lord, on the outside I may appear righteous,
but that is only because people can neither see my heart 
or know my thoughts.

Make me new, make my heart new.

I say what people want to hear, because it's easy.
But without a foundation of truth there will be no trust.
If I cannot trust, I will struggle to love.

Make me new, make my words true.

How often I forget of your faithful provision,
how easy is it to forget of your unfailing love.

Make me new, restore to me steadfast love and faithfulness.

I say in words, "I forgive you."
But my heart is a fortress of bitter resentment
leaving no room for your radical grace.

Make me new, restore to me your likeness that I may forgive
and respond in love.

Too often I know what is best for me, as well as for others,
yet my knowledge keeps me from giving life-breathing encouragement
and keeps my ears from listening to life-saving perspective.

Make me new, break down my stubborn pride.

You have created me in your image to reflect your likeness.
Yet too often I bear the image of another,
and resemble the likeness of hatred, pride, and a self-centered, conditional love 
of a finite human trying to be God.

Make me new, Lord, created in your perfect image and likeness to do good works
and to reflect your love, joy, peace, and justice among the nations.

Lord, you make all things new.

Make me new, again.


And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."  
Revelation 21:5 ESV 

Your grace consumes me....

Who am I, Lord,
so imperfectly human yet created
in your perfect image and likeness?

Who am I, Father,
so impatient for your promises
and still your faithfulness remains eternal?

Abba, who am I
that you would love me with an everlasting love,
building me up time and time again?

Oh Lord, how great is your love for me,
how faithful are you to the unfaithful, 
how just are you to the unjust.  
You, Father, are gracious beyond comprehension,
and thus it is your grace that consumes me.

Wellspring of Life

My mind tells me I am finite,
Though physically I am, my heart longs for that which is Infinite.

Life has broken my understanding of Love,
Though broken, my heart desires to be loved.

I desperately long to be accepted,
But money, success, and material nothings still leave me rejected by many.

Why do purpose and significance feel so far from me,
Is it because I pursue the dreams of others, and if I continue will I ever find them?

False pleasures and instant gratifications have a hold on me,
Superficial relationships and artificial highs have broken me in every way.

Why do I refuse to learn from life’s lessons,
Must I break myself one more time?

Can love, acceptance, and purpose be found,
Or does my finite humanity refuse to let me truly live?

If physically I remain finite, and the heart full of infinite potential and desire,
Might I let it lead me towards abundant life.

For this I believe,
From the heart springs wells of Life.
If one fails to lead with their heart,
One will fail to live.

Pursue Life then,
Search deep within the wellspring of your heart.
For that which is Living,
Will not be found among the dead.

Proverbs 4:23
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Longing for eternity...

Click image to visit more works by, Pablo Jimenez Photography.

Longing for eternity…

I long for that which I cannot explain
As my soul conflicts to forget.
Through toil and struggle it still remains,
The balance of peace and regret.

Maybe this desire we find deep within,
Can only be met at life’s end.
Yet one life ends, and another begins
Stilling desire in the hearts of men.

But what is life, in purpose and meaning;
Are there reasons why we exist?
How can one know life from the beginning,
And will knowing bring significance?

Halfhearted pursuits surely promise pain
As we surrender our humanity.
For some seek, and yet few attain,
For the desire we seek is eternity.

Yet it is not that life may be lost
When eternity calls us by name.
We understand not the absence or cost
Restless we are sure to remain.

Chase eternity, then, through love and good deed;
And find significance and purpose for being.

Do good, yet forget not the desire you seek,
Pursue joy in all you do.
It is here, perhaps, amidst desire and pursuit,
That eternity will find you.

Photograph by my friend, Pablo Jimenez.

Faithful Friend

Many may be a friend,

But a faithful friend,

Who can be?

Show me love, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But teach me to love myself,

A faithful friend you will be.

Forgive me when I wrong you, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But forgive me when I fail to forgive you,

A faithful friend you will be.

Give to me kindness, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But give, needing nothing in return,

A faithful friend you will be.

Keep me from harm, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But grant me the freedom to experience pain,

A faithful friend you will be.

Encourage me, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But confront me in my destructive ways,

A faithful friend you will be.

Tell me what I want to hear, and yes…

You may be a friend;

But to always speak truthfully, even when it hurts,

A faithful friend you will be.

A friend may share your life’s journey,

And a friend may part ways.

But a Faithful Friend gives your journey life,

And his love always remains.

For many may be a friend,

But a faithful friend…

Which will you be?

From Life to Art

The beauty we’ve been given,

Is in that which is unseen;

And although unseen, we hold confidently to its’ reality

In a secret balance of faith and passion.

For a painter is not a painter,

Until he approaches his canvas.

A writer is not a writer,

Until she captures creativity through the power of words.

A traveler is not a traveler,

Until he courageously walks away from the security of certainty.

In everything we start with nothing,

Faithfully holding onto what could be;

And although we cannot foresee successes or failures,

With passion we must pursue Everything. 

The same holds true for love…

For a friend is not friend,

Nor a neighbor a neighbor,

Until kindness is given freely, expecting nothing in return.

A brother is not a brother,

Nor a sister a sister,

Until they have carried each other’s burdens.

A mother is not a mother,

Nor a father a father,

Until they experience true love’s sacrifice.

So in our desire to truly live

We must approach our canvas,

Walk courageously,

Carry one another’s burdens,

Love sacrificially,

And vulnerably embrace our imperfections,

It is here that life becomes art,

And our lives an empty canvas,

Waiting to be faithfully and passionately approached. 

Dedicated to my dear Aunt Debbie.