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John Brooks Poem
From Nothing
From nothing I came
Not a sound or a heartbeat
Not from something else
But, simply from nothing I came.
It's said that we are the stuff of stars
All that exists....
But I know that stars too came from nothing
Not from something else.
Spoken into existence
Freely given the breath of life
From nothing I came to be
Known from eternity by Him.
Glory is too much for me
In the dust of trials is where I live
My life lived as His reflection
To bring all glory to Him.
Only He could do this
It is too great for me
From nothing I came
Now in relationship with Him. JB
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
Empty Hands
I arrived with nothing, an empty vessel
No thoughts or opinions
No knowledge of what was around me
Simply hands held out for help.
Along the way I began to learn
My opinions were molded by those around me
My thoughts in line with the popular beliefs of my clan
My personality shaped by those assumptions.
Soon I began to walk on my own
Developing thoughts beyond what my teachers had told me
Confused but driven by the need of something more
I found myself floundering in unknown territory.
Afraid of the unknown yet unwilling to be still
I pressed forward and developed my own beliefs
Though it was contrary to the norm I felt empowered
It seemed that nothing could stand in my way.
I had become self-reliant and needed no one
My head stuffed with ideas that I approved of
My journey had taken me to the false security of self awareness
My hands were filled with all that I had to offer.
What could stand in my way?
Convinced that I could conquer anything
I feared nothing, making the path my own design
I was convinced that I alone was in control of my destiny.
But then all that seemed right in my world began to crumble
Like a towering wall weathered beyond repair
It came as a surprise to many when it fell
But in truth I had known all along that something was wrong.
Even the most egotistical among us must look in the mirror
The most unwilling to change know very well that all of their rants have little basis
But we continue to lie to ourselves making it easy to deceive others
All the while our hands are overflowing with things.....but contain only emptiness.
This I'm afraid is the destiny of the children of men
When they fail to recognize that destiny is not controlled by their will
But instead by one who lives just beyond the edge of our sight
While participating in every part of our lives.
Can this arrogance and self-reliance be changed?
I believe it can be eradicated by its nemesis ....humility
A heart that falls silent instead of defending its actions
Only truly empty hands seeking help can hold hope! JB
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
What If?
When we were young it was a familiar friend
Always with us as we looked with wonder
Everything seemed possible, nothing out of reach
Dreams were wonders filled with possibilities.
Before we were afraid of the truth,when we were still honest
Open to unseen possibilities
Unconcerned with the opinions of others
We were free to imagine.
No boundaries to compel us to conform
No expectations of group commonality
We were entranced by the largeness of creation
Giddy with excitement that we had a part to play.
But then the expectations of others made our light go dim
Putting heavy weights on our once joyful shoulders
Causing them to droop with the shame of perceived failure
No longer seeing life looking back in the mirror
We have lost our identity, trading it for sameness
Our imagination replaced with logic
No longer alive to beauty, no longer filled with hope
Overwhelming joy and anticipation replaced by a blank stare.
What if we chose to turn around?
To believe that what was lost could be found
What if we chose to believe that what was taken has been restored by grace
What if our joy and imagination returned?
What if?
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
The Eye Of The Storm
Before He approaches all seems still
But at His coming a storm proceeds Him
Clearing a path as He bursts on the scene, with lightning and thunder exploding in the sky before the rain comes,
We see His coming before He arrives.
Hail and rain burst from the clear blue sky
Quiet mountains erupt at the hint of His coming
The earth shakes and all power bows before Him
His path is clear, but no one dares to step upon it.
The light from the explosion of His presence is blinding
Leaving all who are exposed forever changed
Tied to the mast for fear of death we can only wait
As the wind rises and the seas rage the end of all seems near.
But then I hear it.... a sound almost indistinguishable in the roaring cataract of force
Come... is what I hear
But I can't move, held fast not by ropes but fear
But again I hear it... Come!
More insistent this time as the wrath of the storm grows all around me
I cling to the mast burying my face to hide from the yet unseen
I hear it again....Come,...louder and almost irresistible now
Somehow fear loses its grip on my heart and I am torn loose from the mast.
Suddenly I feel surrounded by warmth
The hail and rain no longer pelting me with a vengeance
I open my eyes and see a small fire with something cooking
Surrounded by peace I see Him.
Come... I hear Him say
Have something to eat, renew your strength....
Share your heart and I will listen
Bearing your burdens, granting you peace, only my strength can set you free.
Here in the eye of the storm
I sit surrounded by His grace
The fire, hail and rain had cleared a path
Finally, true fellowship had come.
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
Who Am I?
I have a name that others call me
But it's really not who I am
It doesn't speak of my hearts desires
It falls short in revealing my soul.
It's a name that is only temporary and holds no eternity of its own
For today, this present moment, this time in the now
But one day this will all change
In the blink of an eye it's said
My true name will be revealed, the one that will show who I really am.
It's a name picked out especially for me
A name like a window into my soul
For now only He knows it and I admit I wonder what He chose
To speak of how my heart is seen in eternity.
It's written in stone not for death but for life
Only He and I will know it, the name He's given me
So to answer the question, 'who am I?'
My new name will reveal for eternity who I am in His eyes. JB
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
Seeing Glory
Roaring across the heavens with such strength it is seen before felt
Overwhelming in its beauty and wonder....
Man, made in His image, has no words worthy to describe it
No way to measure its immense grandeur.
Moses longed so much to touch Him he cried out, "show me Your glory"
But yet all around us in everything we see and sense is His glory
From the super nova that explodes on the scene lifetimes before men can see it
To the smallest wildflower that is seen by no one but Him.
All dressed in beauty and wonder.....
Each an indispensable part of all that He is
From the universe to the dust that makes it up, He simply spoke and it exists
Held together by His will, His desire that it is.
I can barely breathe when I get just a glimpse of it
Astonished I can barely look
The smallest thing humbles my entire being simply by its existence
Abba, made in Your image, I can only imagine what is yet to be seen
When we can finally look upon Your face and live. JB.
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
Confident
To say I trust is simple on a sunny day when all seems right
Joy overflows in me as water escapes a river's banks at flood
I am filled with anticipation at the future
My path goes on to the horizon with no bends in sight.
I travel forward with confidence, not looking back
The warmth of the sun on my face in the morning
My imagination sores like an eagle on the wind
Nothing seems impossible and I am refreshed.
But then, out of nowhere, the road drops out from under me
A sharp turn hidden by the dip, appears causing me to loose my footing
Suddenly the sun is gone and I'm soaked by the storm
Wind blown and knocked down in the mud I'm left shaken.
Trying to recover from the change in direction I loose my focus
Getting to my feet seems impossible as I trip and slide in the mud
It's raining so hard I can't see which way to go
I am overcome with fear, shaking my confidence to the core.
Frantically looking in all directions for shelter
My mind reels, questioning what has happened
Tempted to blame others or even myself
I search for some quick method to find the sun.
It doesn't occur to me that this is for my good,
A challenge I desperately need
All I can think of is turning back and getting out of the storm....
Yet, He knows what I need and will not stop the wind or rain.
Still struggling but holding tight
I sense a powerful stillness in the storm
It calms my heart in quietness
As my eyes clear I stop shaking and see a hint of the sun.
Its' warmth once again on my face
I look back only to see a muddy road showing marks where I stopped to pray
I realize now the storm was for me....
Growth comes in His time, my faithfulness is what He seeks.
JB
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
Jealous Love
I am loved with a passion that cost my lover all that He had
Made in His image I was given breath by His will
Nothing was held back from me, no veil or barrier between us
When I approached, His septer was held out to me.
There was joy in our meetings, family members embracing in love
The joy was increased by the knowledge of His glory
His hands held out to embrace me but I could only bow
He lifted me up, looking deeply into my eyes, I was overcome by His grace.
How could this be? A creature so flawed as I welcomed into His presence
Our relationship challenged by the tempter, his accusations appeared true
How could I dare enter His presence or desire to look upon His face?
My clothing reduced to rags and my body smudged by pursuing my own will.
The accuser relentlessly paces the floor, numbering my offences one by one
At the top of his lungs he demands an explanation as to how I could be loved
A failed life broken by following my own desires....he appears to be right
Darkness seems to be surrounding me in the silence
But I hear a voice from the corner of the room. "Father, this one is mine!"
Suddenly I feel relieved even though I'm not sure why
The darkness that was surrounding me disappears without warning in a blast of light
Between me and the accuser I see Him standing, sword drawn, surrounded by legions
Be gone I hear Him say and the accuser is banished.
What kind of love is this? Why is it given to me?
Knowing the thoughts of my heart he turns to answer
"I am jealous for you my son and will not allow you to be taken,"
Trust in my faithfulness for the battle is won.
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
The Lull
I fear the storm that is ahead
But then I remember you
Locked in your tight embrace
I am safe and protected from the coming onslaught
Battered and beaten by the storm
Spirit dampened but not broken
I look to you, who speaks to the wind
And find comfort in your presence
This far and no further are the words I hear
The wind bows in answer
The rain is stopped before lashing my face
The thundering noise disappears into silence replaced by the sound of my heartbeat
Like the remnants of a wave are drawn back to the ocean
My pain ebbs away, replaced by an unseen calm
The sound I hear is his voice
Whispering my name, calling me beloved
For a moment in his time
Peace abounds and hope again fills my heart
As he enters my pain and shoulders my trials
I thank him for this lull in the storm....
Courage lifts up my head and the warmth of hope urges me on.
JB.....
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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John Brooks Poem
Glory. (What Is It?)
It has no beginning and no end, it exists because it is!
Filling all that is with life, a light that outshines all others
Rushing across the stars like a storm, leaving unmatched power in its wake
Wrapping all in its presence, its very substance, the stuff of unwavering strength.
Power without end, fueled by life itself
Displayed across the heavens and in the smallest flower
Overwhelming and overpowering, nothing can stand in its presence
It is the very flint that struck the spark of eternity.
Choosing not to exist alone He spoke us into being
Our first breath came from Him
Approaching with confidence, knowing that we belong
The glory surrounding us like a cloak.
Fellowship there is transparent and sweet, a time longed for until it comes
Walking together on a path through His glory, experiencing all that He is
The light , the power, very life itself
All exist in and through Him.
He takes it off like a garment and walks among men
No less glorious but choosing to appear that we might relate
Looking for relationship that will flourish throughout eternity
Walking together in His glory throughout time.
His glory, rich and pouring forth light and power
Time nor space can stand in its way
It brings the strongest to their knees and lifts the weak to their feet
Glory is in all that He is.... It is His very being. JB
Copyright © John Brooks | Year Posted 2014
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