Appreciating God's creation

  I know what you're thinking. Your mind's at work.

This guy is conceited, he's probably a jerk.

He's trying to sell books and some stupid shirts.

But I ask you to look beyond my boyish smirk.

I came for one reason I'm sure you will see.

I'm just thankful that God made me... me

I'm really not so high and mighty. I just know who I am.

I am a child of the most-high God down to my smallest gram.

Some say I'm smart. I did well on some exams.

But I owe it all to one innocent lamb.

Just one special man that died making a plea

That through all my wrong, God would forgive me.

I'm still clay in His hands,

I'm still learning His plans.

I've been a battered man

but these things I withstand.

That this life will have trouble, God did guarantee

But through all my trials, I'm just glad to be me

I used to write in rhymes meant to dazzle your mind;

metaphors and symbolism and religion combined

showing off my vocabulary of an intellectual kind.

never realizing the glory to which I was already assigned.

God didn't sweat me getting all bourgeoisie.

He just sat back and let me figure out me.

But the message I have I'm thankful has changed.

I'm the same piece of clay, but I been rearranged.

When I look in the mirror I don't feel shortchanged.

Nor from God's love will I ever be estranged.

In God's book of life I'll be an honoree.

Can't wait to check the names and say "Yup, that's me!"

But now, being my best

is a lifelong process.

I've gone from being lost in a life of distress

to reading his word and then tryin to digest

then trying to live right and still failing the test

then goin to my pastor for things he would suggest

and then medical issues still yet to be addressed.

yet through it all I know how deeply I'm blessed.

So, I wear this JAPOC symbol so proud on my chest.

Just Another Piece Of Clay, in His hands I rest.

So, I sit and write rhymes on my favorite PC

and I'll lift up my savior that's lifting up me.

Are there yearnings I still yearn?

Are there questions that burn?

For sure there are many things I feel I should discern

And I don't mind working hard on my weary sojourn

Cause I know God is with me, he'll give me my turn.

It's a glorious future I can't quite foresee.

But I'm looking forward to a more refined me.

Did I mess up something yesterday?

Ask my wife, I'm sure she'll tell you today.

Are there times I didn't kneel down and pray

and ask God to keep all my troubles at bay?

Instead of being still, I rushed into the fray

then I'd hit some brick wall maybe lost my way.

But God just sat back and waited patiently

For me to come back and learn to be me.

There are unchristian things I shouldn't love

There are maybe some crowds I shouldn't be part of

It could be some fountains, I shouldn't drink thereof

I've committed much sin against our God above.

There are many reasons why I shouldn't be.

But it never stopped God from being in love with me.

I wish I could dance, some would say bust a move.

The cha-cha's still something I can't quite groove.

There are character traits I'm working hard to improve

But there are still some bad choices that I tend to choose.

I have more fat on me that I need to lose.

I may have tendency to get emotionally bruised.

But I also have talent that God seeks to use

If I would just stay clear of Satan’s poisonous ruse.

I've got some bad habits I won't disagree.

But aren't you still glad that God gave you me?

You see I'm so glad that God took time

to add me to a world he made so sublime

One thing I must share is my gift of rhyme

To not share your own talents would be such a crime

Or to not find your own ladder and begin to climb

Feel free to laugh, I'm a terrible mime.

But don't hide your talent. Post them on a marquee.

I'm sharing mine. I'm giving back to God me.

I am humbled and gladdened by all he has done.

Just to get our attention, He sent His only son.

He suffered and bled blood until he had none.

To win all our souls, a battle he's won.

The man had a choice, but didn't disagree.

And he did it all to make sure he saved me.

But then he didn't stop there. He then rose from the dead.

He shed the crown of thorns with dried blood from his head.

I should'a died by now, but He died instead.

That's why some Sunday mornings we drink wine and break bread.

We do show his suffering till his return he has said.

And all we have to do is be the bride that he wed.

And yes give a testament to the grand trinity.

So, I'm here tonight to show what he's doing through me.

He ministered to many and he ministers still.

And he keeps working miracles through His fathers will.

If there's a hole in your spirit, it's one God can fill.

So, you just keep climbing be it mountain or hill

I know nothing he's done, was done mistakenly.

But it's still hard to imagine that he wished me to be.

And so he gave me this gift, to assemble these words.

I don't know how many are still listening or what all you heard.

But I hope in some way your spirit is stirred.

If your spirit is soaring, let it free like a bird.

We all need to embrace our God-inspired jubilee

So, when I look in the mirror, I can smile back at me.

So I don't need to be like Mike. I'd like the knowledge and wealth he's gained!

But I have my own path to glory. A path that HE has ordained.

Now don't get me wrong, My life does have pain.

and some days the strength of my spirit does wane

But just take in the wonder of this world that He reigns.

It's so full of creativity and nothing is plain.

Look at all the world's glory which was given for free.

He made it all for you. He made it all for me!

He made whales and behemoths and wondrous things.

He gave us crickets that chirp and birds that sing.

He made eight legged creatures that make their own string.

He made crazy, flying insects that give painful stings.

In all these creations of earth, air and sea

He went to such trouble to make sure he made me.

He made colors of the rainbow that elude the human eye

He made ground that is wet. He made ground that is dry.

He made honey bees with unimaginable eyes.

He made the ticks and the fleas, the common house fly

He made shrimp in the seas that we all love to fry.

He made poisonous frogs that can make a man die

He made powerful bulls that peacefully lie

He made many whole galaxies far away in the sky

And yes many black holes. We don't understand why.

He made forests that last for all time bye and bye.

We might cut them all down to make potpourri.

God still cared enough to make only one me.

I've talked a long time. Your ears are a'buzz.

I've shared my gift with you just because.

I have my own purpose my sisters, my bruhs

the amazing thing is every one of us does.

So, as I take my seat. I hope you now see

Why I'm so thankful, God lives within me.

By JAPOC