Bounce, Thunk

"Life is mostly froth and bubbles,
Only two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's troubles,
Courage in your own." -Madame Chiang Kai-sheck




-bounce-
I've wasted a lot of time in froth and bubbles
floating and bouncing at the mercy of circumstance
Pollyanna wins where naivety grins
and optimism and ignorance are playmates
logic reasons to blame Your gift of free will
7 habits whispering proactive and circles of control
like the fragile irridescent sphere I've allowed myself to become
as a doormat lies to welcome the enemy
and I float on, wincing at each bounce,
masking the fear by merrily whistling a mustard seed tune of
what goes down must come up
but the attack is real
the shadows aren't just silhouettes
the lion waits, licking his lips
at the bank statement and ten years of cliff-hanging
and all it would take is a flick of a claw
a playful wave of his paw
so today I'm done with bubbles and froth
turn me to stone
Your rock of faith to be used in a sling shot
or placed in a wall to keep out the lion
or cage him in
because You didn't write history in bubbles
and I can't raise a family in froth
You said "It is finished"
so I'll stop daydreaming some dark sequel
where the villain returns
and celebrate the victory
of this bubble turned stone.
-thunk-






"You, un-aided, are not strong enough to take on the enemy . . . Maybe our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters got something we need to be more aware of, and that's what exorcism is all about. The Catholic church has kept that in front of our faces for decades, and I'm glad they have because one of the most important things Jesus can do in your life is to exorcise the enemy. That' what he came to do. What about in your home? What about in your life? . . . Are you trying to lead a supernatural life without the super? . . . You stand for God? You WILL be persecuted. . . There's an old Japanese proverb that says 'The Nail that sticks out gets hammered the hardest' . . . . You're going to stick out. You're a peculiar person . . . When you pray and nothing happens, before long, you start playing with these temptations . . . uncertainty: maybe it isn't God's will . . . condemnation: probably I don't deserve to be answered . . . haste: I've waited long enough, I guess God just wants me to be the answer . . . we are often so bad at waiting because waiting takes courage . . . But the best definition of courage is Love coming to the rescue." Dr. Bob Laurent, "A People of Courage" Sermon, April 10, 2008

"The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out." Jesus, John 12:31 (NLV)



"So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet." James 4:7-10 (Msg)

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9 (NIV)

"No one ever drifts to greatness. Want to be a great musician? Methodical practice is required. Do you long for athletic prowess? You must train, and train methodically. Building a great marriage, a great family, a great friendship or a great career requires the ongoing discipline of methodical effort. Wesley had it right; the methodical practice of scriptural holiness is the way to maturity." Mark Beeson, "On the Record . . . " Post

"Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does." 1 Peter 5:8-9 (Msg)