For Any Who Have Felt Broken into Pieces

Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. - Psalm 31:9 (KJV)

My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. - Psalm 6:7 (NIV)

 
Many people have asked me why I wrote my inspirational book of poetry Broken Pieces.  I can't help but smile because it is dear to my heart.  I was down.  I was down and reading both Jeremiah and Psalms intensely as my daily devotion.  I was starting to think that the Word was even getting me down as I read the weeping prophet and David's pleas for God to not turn His face from him and to incline His ear to him.  That's when it hit me.
 


God does not leave us helpless.  That is especially comforting for those of us who reside on this side of the cross.  He offers us the Comforter, His Holy Spirit.  We have God dwelling within us.  He knows our moans and groans as well as what they truly mean to us.  He is with us.  We are not without comfort when we have the Helper.
 
I had to share it.  I could not keep such a blessing to myself.  I found poetic inspiration and let it spill onto the page.  I felt the Spirit driving me to write and complete Broken Pieces as a testimony of all that God can do with our broken pieces.  We are all right as long as we stay in the clutches of the Potter's hands.
 
In His Hands
A poem from Broken Pieces by Bruce Jackson

In His hands,

I am but clay

At the mercy of the Master’s touch.

As He crafts me into His desire,

He shapes and molds me to His liking.

He forms me with His hands

And designs me as His workmanship.

He knows the flaws of my very existence.

He cuts away that which is useless.

He creates in me a clean heart

And purifies me through the fire,

Testing how well I will hold together.

He names me and makes me a new creation.

He touches me with His breath

And I live.

I am His masterpiece in the making.

I am but clay in His hands.

We Live

I basically wrote this piece from the heart, not the head.  Simply, it is entitled: "We Live." Let the words speak to you and see if you can identify with any of its haunting truth.  Also, "Ghetto Survival Kit" is a more politicized piece below.

We Live

Somehow,
Whether we discuss it or not,
Whether we get into it or not,
Even if we can't stand to talk about it too long,
We struggle here and there.
We lose some and win some.
We bleed.
We cry.
Yet, we live.

Somehow,
Whether we discuss it or not,
Whether we get into it or not,
Even if we can't stand to talk about it too long,
We survived the slave ship.
We endured the lash of the whip.
We saw Mama sold down the River.
We survived the plantation.
We fought that other man's war.
Through it all,
We still live.

Somehow,
Whether we discuss it or not,
Whether we get into it or not,
Even if we can't stand to talk about it too long,
We were up during the Reconstruction.
We had little during Jim Crow.
WE had even less during the Depression.
We had all to gain during the Civil Rights Movement.
We shared a dream with Martin.
We felt the anger and agony of Malcolm.
We cried for JFK and Brother Bobby.
We were given hope with Obama.
We live.

We live on.
Through the years and ages,
We have lived strong.
Despite the trials and tribulations,
We have lived well.
With God by our side,
We have come thus far.
So,
As we look towards tomorrow
And recall the days of the past,
We live on.
We live.
We live.



Ghetto Survival Kit (A Community Briefing)
 
This is an A.P.B., Community!
This is an A.P.B., Family!
All People Beware!
All People Beware!
A-L-L PEOPLE BEWARE.
 
Taxes are going up.
The stuff is going down.
The jig is up.
The people are powerless.
That means that they have less power than the rest.
The Rest?
Who would be the Rest?
The Rest are the politicians with pockets full of blood money.
They get it from the dope crossing borders and entering city streets.
They get it from filling ghetto street corners with houses of grease.
They want it.
They get it.
They want it at all costs.
They get it all costs.
How much will it cost you?
No, not them.
You!
How much will it cost you to fill a mayor's belly?
How much will it cost you to line a councilman's pocket?
How much will it cost you to keep them full?
With prices and rates like these,
Hesaven should be taking online orders and charging admission at the gates
Because they surely overcharge you down here in this hellhole.
Is there a rage in Harlem?
Is something afoul in Denmark?
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Don't trust their lying and flattering lips.
Don't let them near the children.
They want to destroy us all for their own gain.
They want it all for their own gain.
Let God judge them.
You just keep away from them.
You just be sure to keep an eye on them.
You just make sure to stay guarded from them and their speeches and pitches.
Keep them at a distance as you escape from their clutches.
Stand afar off and see them for who they are.
In times like themes,
You need every bit that you got to keep from losing all that you got.
In a place like this,
You have to strive to survive.
In a place like this,
You lose when you start listening to their words.
You win when you stay clear of their wicked ways and wearisome words.
Survive if you can.
Survive how you can.
Survive.
Survive.
Do all that you can to stay alive.
Just survive through it all.
Just survive.
Survive.

Answering a Fool

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.- Proverbs 26:4 (NIV)

Yes, it is true that Jesus said that we are not to call our brother a fool. The caveat to that teaching is a study of context that speaks about the anger in which we use such words rather than simply inserting some euphemism that says what we meant in code. Jesus was teaching about judgment and anger in Matthew 5:22. However, the Proverbs are clear about identifying the foolish actions that separate the fool from the wise and prudent. Obviously, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, we see it as a duck. If it acts foolish and sounds foolish... It is what it is.

The words of Solomon teach us that fools act differently. In fact, Solomon teaches us through Proverbs that a fool is wise in his own eyes. Answering a fool according to his folly requires you to get on that fool's level. In other words, what you are doing is addressing the fool by the same foolish ways that he uses. I picture it like this: a wise man and a fool get into a verbal argument, hurling insults at one another and calling each other fools. How do you identify the wise man from the fool? Exactly! The precise problem is what it projects to others, especially the fool himself. You just justified his argument to some degree by what you did in response to him. Such actions on our part kill the power of our witness.

With those who choose to go about things foolishly, I say simply show them another way by example. If they are foolish, they'll keep doing what they've always done just for the sake of it. If they have any degree of common sense, they'll see how you go about things differently and at least inquire of what makes you different. Keep in mind that you can win someone over by killing them with kindness, showering and smothering them with lovingkindness. Catch more flies with the sweet honey of your lips rather than poisoning them with the venomous vinegar.

Think on It

"As a man thinketh. . ." seems to be the type of quote that leads to a lot of discussion on mental stability versus instability, illness versus wellness, and overall mental health issues. Truly, it does not bring much philosphy to mind. However, it address some philosophical junk that has been piling up for years. Descartes sahred: " I think, therefore, I am" as a means of explaining his very existence. Even the African proverb that says,"Man, know thyself" places knowledge and awareness together as akin or at least bedfellows. For the Christian, however, we must remain in think on the things above. not earthly things. Consider where your mind wanders. Think about how things come to mind for a short time, and then they are gone. Let your mind focus on the things above, not the things on earth.

Not Again

It seems to happen every so often. I think it happens less often nowadays since I am more aware of it. It just creeps up as if it had been lingering for days, waiting on me and ready to pounce at the first open opportunity. I try to avoid it, but it stays nearby. Like I said, since I am more aware, it pops up less frequently but it still shows up.
Truly, it's my other side. it is the part of me that I have tried to fight off daily by going to Lord in prayer and searching out His Word. It's my first nature and it can be troublesome. It gets under my skin because,well, it dwells within me and wages war with the me that I desperately want to be. Prayer helps. Wise counsel does, too. Bible study comforts me and so does praise. Nonetheless, it comes up every now and then, so I beg you to forgive me.
Romans 7:17-19

Heretics or Haters

I guess we should shut down the rumors now. Some folks just got to be up in the business whether you invite them or not. It doesn't matter.
Ask Jesus about it. He asked the question regarding the Sabbath and doing good or harm, saving or killing (Mark 3:4). No one wanted to answer Him. He went on and healed a man simply by His command for the man to stretch out his hand. Guess what? That wasn't satisfactory either for some folks. The Bible says that the Pharisees got together with the Herodians and started working on a plot on how to destroy Jesus.
Learn the lesson. Some people just have to regulate what other people do regardless of what good it does. We have these glorified gatekeepers watching our every move, keeping their eyes on all that we do inside and outside of the church. Think on it. If that's who is guarding the door, then thatmay be why folks ain't coming in like they used to back in the day.
Just a thought. . .

More to Think On

Set your mind on the things above. . .
-Colossians 3:2

It can be said that many of us look to the Lord for guidance on how to manage and maneuver our way through the day-to-day mess that we have before us. However, the words of Paul share with us that we should think on the "things above," not merely earthly matters. Earthly matters can busy and bother us, but those things above give us something to look forward to beyond our daily lives. When we focus on the things above, we also agree with the Holy Spirit that there are matters that are far more important than what's for dinner or what may be on t.v. tonight.

Ask yourself whether your thoughts are upon the things that God wants you to think about daily? Think about where you have placed your thoughts and concerns. Your thoughts, just like your steps, ought to be ordered by the Lord. Was that last thought that flashed in your head meant to direct you or distract you? Is that image that went through your mind what God means for you to focus upon for the day or what is meant for you to discard for the remainder of your days? Think over those thoughts, images, ideas, and notions. Keep on with what's from God. Discard what is not about the kingdom of God.

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Keep your mission in mind. Know why you do what you do. Your purpose speaks about your pursuits and should speak from your passion. I oftentimes refer to those who teach on leadership and business such as John C. Maxwell, Peter Drucker, and Bob Briner. Visit www.sba.gov or www.biz.gov for more guidance.
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Never give up on a sincere prayer. Jesus taught that men should always pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). In fact, Paul even stated:"Pray without ceasing"( 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Continue in prayer and focus your efforts on keeping abreast of those prayers answered by God. Keep holding on. He may still deliver more blessings.

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

We tend to lose sight of what God has brought us through at times when all we can focus on is what might be next. The Lord spoke of always being ready, not being certain of the day or the hour. Yet, we are given enough spiritual insight to know the Lord will come again one day. We should look at the Bible to understand what the Lord requires of us.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
-Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

Look at how we treat each other in relation to how we want God to treat us. We want Him to love us and care for us, but we may not even be willing to do half of that for others. Jesus spoke of great love being the sacrifice of self for the sake of friends. In essence, what the Lord requires of us relates to the Lord's will. If we are willing to submit to the Lord's will, then we can see where the Lord is directing us. The opportunity is before us. What will we do?

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Blessings to Conscious Comedy! I was allowed to open up their show with some inspirational poetry last Friday at the Upaka Center here in San Diego. I was truly blessed to perform and let the Lord use me. Check out my poetry in print www.lulu.com/lifepath/.

Let's be real! I want to be sure that I thank those who have supported what we have started with Operation Reach Out. This has been a blessing in the making. Please continue to keep us in prayer as we prepare for a summer of challenging for change.

Love Letters (Messages of Love)

Letters of L-O-V-E The Bible is often called a love letter from God to His people. It is God's love expressed towards mankind throughout the ages, culminating with His love expressed through the sacrifice He made through Jesus Christ. Write a letter today. Want a good idea of a letter that shares about God's love? Read 1 John in its entirety. That's a letter that shares about the love we should have since meeting Jesus. Not good at letters? Try writing an e-card. Dayspring and Crosscards have plenty of e-card templates that will help you share a simple expression of Christian love with family and friends, even co-workers. Got MySpace or Facebook? Share a special message with your "friends" online. Create a free blog and share expressions on how Christ shows us how to love one another.

The point is to send the Word forth. Let others know that what Jesus did was based on love, but what we need to do is share that same love with others. After all, it's what He has called us to do.