Collision - Poem

Collision

In the womb of a virgin girl, the spirit and the flesh collide

Never before has this kind of contact opened so wide

The understanding that God is now also man and abides

With His creation that can now see Him and not hide

Now He is born and the mystery is revealed

That God has shown himself and has sealed

The eternal promise to save and to heal

His betrothed from the grasp of the one who kills and steals.

And when He died and rose for his bride to save her from her sin

We experience something that has never been.

The sinner is sinless and the wrongdoer does right

The deaf can hear Him and the blind have sight;

But not the sight of physical things, but of the spiritual

We worship, learn and love without monotonous ritual

For now, it is ingrained, it is part of our nature within

To seek out the holy, and purge out our sin.

This cannot be, this could not have existed

Without God who sought out and persisted

To live a life completely obedient to every single law

Even unto  death without blemish and without flaw

So now my eyes see, but they see so much more

Because they look to a Creator who never before

Had taken on flesh to give me his Spirit

That now even my ears can hear it.

Can hear, the Spirit, the Spirit of God

As I worship with the angels and my brothers here and abroad.

As I hear His Words spoken from words written long ago,

I cannot help but to kneel and just be smitten now that I know.

Now that I know who He is and what He did and continues to do

There is no lie in Him, He is forever true.

And I cannot wait to join Him or see Him return

To go home and no longer yearn,

For something better, something more than this life I live

Something this world can never provide and never give

It sometimes makes me sick at the things I seek for pleasure

Knowing full well I am His and He is my treasure

So though there is beauty and joy for me here

I want to be with You and no longer fear

Of what may come or may not come my way

In, you and you only I want to stay.

So help me remember the reason why you left your home

Help me remember you left it, to make one for me and I’m not alone

So, as I use my heart, soul and mind to get closer and closer to you

Knowing that no matter my circumstance you will see me through

Yes, I am never alone, you are with me always

Let me share this knowledge through all the highways and byways

Enjoying what you have provided and not getting lost in the mundane

Not worried if all those around me think I’ve lost it or insane.

And when the world disappoints me, like it always tends to do,

Let me remember it was I, it was I, who forgot You

Let the things of this world grow more and more dim

As I focus on what is eternal, as I focus on Him.

To Him Be All the Glory - Poem

I have been thinking about this poem for a couple of months. It is my testimony in poem form. 

We all begin our walk with the Lord seeing a glimpse of our sinful heart. The law helps us see that we fall short and deserve death. For me, I tried very hard to "make up" for my wretchedness, but glory to God, He showed me grace and justified me so I may boldly approach the throne. It was His work on the Cross, not mine that saved me. 

This poem (like the book of Hebrews and Revelations - for all you nerds!) is meant to be read out loud. Feel free to read it in your churches, gatherings or to share it. All I ask is that you mention that I wrote it. Blessings. 

To Him Be All The Glory

By Anna R. Tobey

A reflection in the mirror forces me to see the destruction

Of what I have done with my life and all the repercussions

The mirror is a tablet of stone, carved by the great I AM

Given to a Levite, son of Jacob, son of Abraham

I look at the Holy and Righteous Judge and I cower and whimper

Knowing that of all the wretches in this world, I am the greatest sinner.

What can I say, what can I do, maybe there is somehow I can serve?

Because I know the punishment, I know what’s coming, I know what I deserve.

SO . . .

I cling to my culture, I cling to my tradition,

I cling to church on Sunday, and to my ambition.

I hold on to good intentions, and to time spent helping the poor.

How I cooked for the starving, and how I swept the church floor.

I sang the songs of redemption, I sang of amazing Grace

I felt the Holy Spirit, and thought I saw Your face..

I gave all that I could, I gave more than I could even afford

I even healed the sick, I even called out LORD LORD!!

Surely, this is good enough, surely this all counts for something.

Surely, what I did in Your name is something worth trusting.

Surely, I can confide in these things that brought me joy.

Surely, they’re not dirty rags or heaps of dung for You to destroy

BUT THEY ARE . . . . . .

Your word says it plainly and it speaks rightly,

That all deserve death, even the least likely.

That we have been working and toiling and our paycheck is death

And You will come to collect when we take our last breath

Have Mercy on me oh Holy, Almighty and Righteous One.

Give me Grace paid on the cross by Your Only Son

Help me believe and put my trust on the blood of the Lamb

There is nothing, no one, nada that can save me from what I am.

WHICH IS

A sinner, a wretch, a worm not worthy to crawl in the mire

Lead by my feelings, my wants and heinous desire.

Save me from myself, don’t let me be the same.

I trust Jesus, for salvation comes from no other name!

So covered by the blood of the Lamb that made a way

No longer do I cry for mercy when I’ll see Him on my Judgement day.

For when I stand facing  the most Holy One, Christ exclaims:

"Justice for this one. Justice in my name!!"

"Justice, for she is not guilty, her debt has been paid

Justice, for my life for her has been laid!!"

So I stand, thinking mercy is what I needed

But my Advocate proclaimed  that it’s Justice that proceeded.

For I am not guilty, I am without shame

Because He became guilty, He took on my blame

And the Judge poured out His wrath and made Him pay

The debt, I could never pay, no how, no way!

So how can I not love you, how can I not sing?

Of how Amazing Grace is, and how death has no sting!?

How can I not serve you, how can I not love the least of these??

How can you not be the only One I see and want to please?!?

There is no other like you, no not one!

I love you Holy Spirit, Father and Son!

Not because I’m good, but because You loved me first!

Because, no one else would for me become such a curse!

Behold the Lamb of God, come to take away my sin!!

It was never about me, but it was always about Him!!

He will bring glory to Himself, I’m just a small part of the story!

To Him be all blessing and to Him be all the glory!!

Amen

I am Jericho

I am Jericho

A land pagan and full of sin

My walls tower like the souls within

This Joshua wants me so I stand up proud

These walls will not tumble no matter how loud

The crashing of the pots and jars crumble at my feet

My heart is rebellious, I am on the throne, I am on the seat

The horns begin to blare

He circles me as I stare

Fall, I will not dare

I will leave Him in despair.

CRACK!

Here comes the attack

There is no turning back

I am soon to be sacked

This man is on a mission

Breaking my walls without permission

My sin is dying, along with my volition

Killing all that is me and my tradition

He makes me His city, I am the Promised Land

I was in His thoughts even before He made man

I was set on His heart before I even knew

That conquering me was something He was set to do

The dust of the battle has settled down

I was a lost city now eternally found

I am captive to Him forever bound

I am His and there’s no sweeter sound.

The Most Beautiful Thing

The tears that flowed and the sweat that bled

There was nothing beautiful to be found

An unanswered prayer and friends that fled

No one defended Him, no one made a sound.

The sting of betrayal and the slow walk to trial

There was nothing beautiful about that kiss

The stares of the religious and the spit of the vile

While fists beat him and nobody missed.

A restless night in a cell for the damned

There was nothing beautiful about that place

Sleepless, and the echo of a door slammed

A guilty and violent man He replaced.

The lashes of a whip and the pain of flesh flogged

There was nothing beautiful there

The mock of the Romans and the chant of a mob

How much more could this man bear?

The weight of a cross that on Calvary stood

There was nothing beautiful about this tree

The sting of a nail driving through flesh and wood

There was something beautiful that He could see.

The sin of the world on the shoulders of God's son

There is nothing beautiful about sin

He gave up His Spirit and now it is done

What was once ugly is now beautiful to Him

Jesus became sin, the ugliest thing for God to see

Because the ugliest thing was you and me

Through His blood that ran down that tree

The most beautiful thing He saw was you and me

Freedom as a Slave - 30

I am lost in the midst of your peace
I am lost in your basking glory
All my troubles have ceased
There's a new chapter in my story.
One of deliverance,
One of unchained flight.
One of a reverance
That in it, I will delight.
Freedom in You I have found
I am a slave, eternally bound
To You and to no one else
I take my cross and deny myself.

Little ones - 28

I can hear them breathing
So steadily
I know they're off dreaming
So readily

Thank you Lord for my little ones
I am blessed beyond measure
Keep them safe when the time comes
For they are my precious treasure

Watch them when I cannot
And keep them safe for me
Lead them astray I shall not
As I teach them eagerly

Help me lead them closer to You
And help me be a good mother
Show me exactly what to do
Because without you ther is no other

Walking Away - 27

(Words of God in Red)

Every thing and nothing hurts at the same time.
There is something stirring, something sublime.
I am missing something and I just cant tell what it is
Someone seems to talk to me, who's voice, is it His?
Or is it just me lost again in all my worries
Trapped and mislead always in a hurry?
Something is stirring what can it be?
I can't identify it and much less can I see
What is happening to my spirit, what is happening to my mind
I am agitated, frustrated and even unkind.
Fast, pray and stop asking questions
Be still because you're going in the wrong direction
I can't I wont, something is going on
How can I help you if you're not where you belong
The stirring is Me, and you act like an orphan
You seem to think that I am One that has no plan
Fast, pray and stop asking questions
Before you walk away from my gentle protection.

The Prize - 26

Breathe in and out and slowly realize
That you are special, and there is no compromise.
That every hair on your head is counted and known,
And that every tear that escapes He already owns.
Every time you laughed and every time you cried
He has stored in his heart, and it can't be denied
You are special because He made you that way
He made you this way and you had no say.
The color of your skin and the color of your hair
They are beautiful to Him even if you don't care.
The way you talk and the accent in your voice
It was intentional and it was His choice.
You are not a mistake and you never will be
He is leading you to Him so you can see.
How much He cares and how great is His love for you
That will never change no matter what you do or do not do.
He didn't send His son to die for a loser or a mistake
He didn't have to look away and His Son forsake.
He meant to love you just you have to realize
That you are worthy and are the ultimate prize.

A Hint of Hope - 25

There is a glimmer of light it seems
A very small hint
Is it hope that gleems,
Or is it an upcoming stint?
Lord, there seems to be more smiles
But fear wants to attack
I want faith like a child's
To know you have my back.
I want to trust you
But I am so very afraid
You're the only that's true
And my ever faithful aid.
Let this be the feelings
Of what I have been praying for
If its not, I will continue
To you and only you adore.

Oh How Wonderful You Are - 24

Looking up at the skies
My soul lifts up and flies
It's so beautiful that it cries
How wonderful You are

I cannot help but praise
The maker who was raised
From the tomb with a daze
Oh how wonderful You are

In prayer at night so still
I look to you and get my fill
To do what is in Your will
Oh how wonderful You are

You are my Savior and my King
I cannot help, but to You to sing
I just have to say one more thing,
Oh how wonderful You are.

Sin - 23

Sin slowly crawls into any crack or crevice
You don't even know it's there
Before you know it you are at its service
Overwhelmed by a weight you can't bear.

When I am aware of Jesus all the time
Sin doesn't seem so strong
But the moment He is out of my mind
I immediately fall into wrong

It is ready to pierce my thoughts
It doesn't leave me alone
It is a fight I already fought
And left me raw to the bone

Without Him I bow down to my sin
I become a slave to it once more
It reminds me of where I've been
And burns my wounds that are sore

I do what I don't want to
I don't do what I should
My sins were but only few
Now I do things I thought I never would.

So Many Lost - 22

There are so many lost Lord.
I don't know where to start.
There are so many who don't know the way
And are growing far apart
From the One who created them, the One who truly cares
I don't feel adequate enough to tell them of your Grace and share.
Show me the way Lord
In how to reach the broken and lost
Know that I will follow you
No matter what the cost.
I know many are dying and will never see Your face.
They never got to hear of You and of Your pure amazing grace.
Show me the path that I need to take
And  make it clear for me
For I know what comes when they die
If they never get to see.
Give me Your eyes and give me your strength
To spread Your love no matter the length.
And teach me to love each and every soul
Let it be You, who eternally is in control
Don't let me show any hesitation or any fear
And open their hearts so that they may hear.

Can't Say Good-bye - 21

I want to know you more
More than yesterday.
Only you I  shall adore,
Just tell me what to say

For the depths of  your love are sometimes a mystery
I cannot seem to comprehend
But You have revealed it through history
When Your Son You did send.

No greater love has ever been shown
To this miserable human race
Even though all of us You've already known,
In Heaven You found us a place.

How could you love a creation such as me?
Why even try?
 He answers . . .
Is it so hard for you to see
That I just can't say goodbye?

Trees - 20

(In honor of Tu B' Shevat)

I am grateful for their shade

These majestic trees you have made

Such wondrous are your works,  oh Lord

Treasure that no one can afford

In spring flowers burst into exsistance

They have no worries, they show no resistance

What jewels and scents they produce for me

They are sweet to my eyes, just for me see

In fall their colors turn to mesmorize the eye

I love to watch them spin and watch them glide by

To hear the crunch of the leaves under my feet

Where your beauty and my being meet.

If this is earth how must Heaven be?

What other wonders are in store for me!

My sister - 19

(Poem for my sister on her birthday)

The memories are many and the laughs so many more.
Your are quite an entertainer whenever I a bored.
The mischief and the chaos run wild in our lives.
The love and the joy, there is nothing that's deprived
You're not just a sister, you're not just a friend
You are not just a confidant with me to the very end.
You are a shoulder, a person who will always understand
All my problems and my worries than never cease to land
You are a ray of sunshine when the clouds are so big and black
You are a motivator when my mood becomes so slack.
You have put up with so many misconceptions
And filled them with so many good intentions
You are not just a sister you're not just a friend,
No better person could God ever send.

Waiting - 18

While I wait for an answer from You
I find myself not knowing what to do
I fiddle my thumbs, and look up at the sky
I sit around watching the time crawl by
My prayers seem so empty and so void
And they have become something I try to avoid.
I cant be still. I can't remain calm
So I open my Bible and read a Psalm.
 I find a prayer from a mighty King
That he is grateful for what you bring.
The answered prayers, the good, and even the bad
I take it from you even though I'm sad
Even while I wait, not so patiently at all
I know you are there even when I fall.

No Time - 17

My feet hurt
And I just have to complain
About how much my feet hurt
And how much they're in pain.

I walk around all day
Doing all my chores
I grumble all the way
Down to clean the floors

I didn't have time to take a shower
Nor to shave my hairy legs
My laundry pile looks like a tower
The kids begin to beg

"We're hungry, what's for dinner?"
"I ordered pizza" I say
I know I'm not getting thinner
But there was no time today.

No time for laundry
 No time at all, not even time for me
The fridge is empty
The cat is lost, where the heck can he be

O God give me the stregth to make it through this day
I don't know what kind of length my mind can take today

I get to bed and try to read
A part of His Holy word
I close my eyes and start to pray
And I know it goes unheard
He doesn't even know me
ANd frankly I don't know myself
There never seems to be much time
When I put Jesus on the shelf

I Don't Know - 16

I don't know so many things
But I know that you are there
I don't know what tomorrow brings
But I know that you' will care.
I dont know what the future holds
For me and for the ones I love
But I know that you walk with me
And see me from above
I don't know if all will go well
With the trial I now have to face
But I know that you will hold me close
In a warm and tight embrace
I don't know if I will be loved
Another day on earth,
But I do know because of the cross
Exactly how much I'm worth.
Although in this life there are
Many things I will never know
But I don't need to care about
Anything you didn't show

Sleeping Cubs - 15

My two cubs are sleeping

I am so thankful for them

They mean so much to me

They are my little gems

Keep watch over them

And keep them healthy and strong

Help me to be a good mother

Even when they do wrong

Keep them asleep

Do not wake them from their nap

Let me get some rest

Before I go insane and snap!

Human 14

Human

I am a human being. I will fail. I will fall. My nature is imperfect. I am prone to lie, to cheat, to steal. Pride was not taught to me, it was innate. I tend to look after myself first. I prefer not to have rules or boundaries. I want what is not mine. I want to live forever and I hate to think about death. Usually people that are weaker than me, I am impatient with. I want more money, more power and more beauty. And I usually want them regardless of the risk to myself or others. I want to praised, adored, worshipped, appreciated and acknowledged. I lust after things that are not mine and my desires are many. Vanity reflects on my mirror. I am capable of murder if I am angry enough. I am capable of all atrocities if there were minimal consequences. Sometimes I could care less for consequences. I am sick. My body withers more every day. My mind is sick. I lose my thoughts to sin every day. I am prone to addictions, bad habits and quick fixes of pleasure. I am a human being. And because of this I need Jesus more now than ever. The moment I believe I am not capable of these things, is the moment I lie to myself. The foundation that Satan needs to start building is a lie.