Carol A. Andrews

I stand in a stream of madness
And take a moment to still my fears.
In the aisles of dreams and sadness,
You were there throughout the years.

Like branches green above me,
Your loving kindness gently spread.
On pillars strong, your faithfulness
And mercy shades my head.

Through times of trial and sickness
And times of great despair,
Though times of joyous rapture,
I see your handwork there.

By day your love is with me.
At night I hear your song.
Tender mercy and Your kindness,
My companions all day long.

When I turn and look before me
At the avenue ahead,
The birds sing in their branches -
Their feathered rainbows spread.

And yet there's still a distance,
For my journey's not yet done.
More joy, more trials and triumphs,
More battles to be won.

When the storm clouds gather 'round me,
To find my way, I know not how,
But thus far, the Lord has helped me,
And He won't quit now.

Did I tell you I love you?
Did I tell you I care?
Did I tell you I'm happy
Now that you're here?
Did I tell you I need you,
That everything you do
Makes me happy to be me?
But I'm happiest when I'm with you.

God bless you and keep you
In His tender care.
May His face shine upon you
Everywhere.
Peace and blessings surround you
In everything you do,
For God blessed me
When He blessed me with a friend like you.

Locked in this place
I want to go home
Surrounded with people
But I am all alone
How did I get here?
What have I done?

Oh.       Hello there stranger
What is your name?
Ah! I have a sister
Her name's the same
But I never see her these days
Such a shame.

Locked in this place
Losing my mind
Sentenced for life
I committed no crime
Brought nothing with me
But everything's mine.

Oh.       Hello there stranger
What is your name?
Ah! I have a sister
Her name's the same
But I never see her these days
Such a shame.

Why are you angry?
Is it something I said?
I just asked a question
That popped in my head
But you're looking at me
Like you wished I was dead.

Oh.     Hello there stranger
What is your name?
Ah! I have a sister
Her name's the same
But I never see her these days
Such a shame.

Who are these creatures
Patrolling my day
Are they prison wardens
With nothing to say
I just want a taxi
And to be on my way.

Oh they brought your dinner
Now eat up your food
So I'll leave you too it
Don't want to be rude
You talk with your family
I don't wish to intrude.

Did you bring me some matches
Did you get me a pen
Do you have any paper
I have a good plan
Do you have a car?
Who is that man?

Get all these people
Out of my face
I didn't invite them
This is MY place
They're stealing my things
It's a disgrace.

Everything's mine
I bought it you see
Now let me out
Where is the key?
Or I'll bash out your brains
So don't mess with me.

Well you can't tie me up
That's illegal restraint
So you turn now to drugs
To dumb down my complaint
Try to turn this old devil
Into a saint

So plied now with drugs
You say that you hope
This now will help me
So you ply me with dope
And try to subdue me
With chemical rope.

I know why you do it
It is best for your purse
It's cheaper this way
Than employing a nurse
But d'you know what you're doing?
You're MAKING  ME
                                   WORSE!!!!

What if?

What if we treated the Bible like our mobile phone
Carried it with us wherever we went
Turned back to get it if we forgot it
Always checking for messages received and sent?

What if we treated the Bible like our favourite show
Talking about it at every tea break
Made a recording for fear we should we miss it
Watched all the reruns and every out-take?

What if we treated the Bible like our favourite dinner
Ingesting, digesting each spoon with delight
And when we were finished we went back for seconds
Till our bellies were full and our belts were too tight?

What if we treated the Bible like our emergency plan
Practiced, rehearsed it and frequently drilled
So when life's troubles befell us, we'd break open the pages
And out spill all our answers till our spirits are filled?

Victory, Destiny,
Mortality, Vanity
Eternity, Calvary

So the saying goes 'two things are certain in this life for all
death and taxes'
We can cheat the one but not the other
So much for short-lived victory

So Why so surprised when death creeps up
No respecter of foe or friend or lover
It's ignominious appointment with us
Vantablack and certain, comes to cloak with
Suffocating cover
And calls our bluff -tempting as it is -
That we are masters of our own destiny?

How agonising is the void
That throbs
Within the human heart
When the earthly journey
Comes to end and friends and lovers part.
And death, appointment duty done
With indiscriminate efficiency
Leaves us bereft, left to depart
To where? To hide behind the veil of our own Mortality?

To seek fulfilment with such zeal
Power, wealth
Those treacherous idols of success
What wasted life, so finite, and shallow
What benefit do these things possess
Can they buy just one more day
Or gift just one warm last caress?
Or awaken compassion in a heart of stone?
Earthly Life is but a vapour and all is just Vanity.

So why live this mortal life as if concluded,
Forever forcing
Infinity into the finite and imperishable into decay
We are strangers and sojourners in this land
Our days on the earth are as a shadow, we will not stay
For this earth is not your heart's true home
You are in transit, a traveller a pilgrim on the way
Listen to the yearning of your soul
Heed the word for into your heart is set Eternity

When sounds the clarion call and answered
Death has lost its grip
The Gospel shining bright on the eternal gleaming
Willing service unto God and to our fellow man
Now life becomes significant now there is meaning
For nothing done in obedience to Him who saves is lost
Even in suffering and death there is redeeming
With faithfulness and joy I live forever
Confirmed by Christ on Calvary.