Con†en†s
Pride
Prayer
Joy comes in the morning
Praise
Prosperi†y
I am s†ill here
Love of God
Revival
Fragile
I am always †here
Free
E†erni†y
Prayer for a widow
Giving me away
I†’s just a book
Ablaze
Denying the †ru†h
Broken
†he day †hat I reached ou†
Redeemed
Dead man walking
Chasing me
†he ways I love †hee
Shine
†hank You
Salva†ion is free
†he wa†ered down gospel
Simple prayer
+ 23 Previously Unpublished Works
Pride
~
Go ahead and break me open
Pour out what’s found inside
See into those dark places
From which I run and hide
You still have remained silent
I have no will to pray
What once was a sweet song in my ears
Has turned to crashing waves
My feet are on the shoreline
The tide will never change
I place my hands upon my heart
A tear befalls my face
I beg You not to leave me
To dwell within my space
Why can’t I just repent
And fall back to Your grace †
Prayer
~
A prayer sent up above
I fall upon my face
With reverence in my heart
You flow into my space
I hear Your Spirit whisper
I feel amazing grace
I wonder at Your mercy
I feel Your warm embrace †
Joy comes in the morning
~
Joy comes in the morning
It’s this I’ve often heard
But weeping through the
evening
Too many times my turn
The birds are quietly chirping
Rain falls upon my screen
Yes, joy comes in the morning
For now my eyes have seen †
Praise
~
To serve with my life
Let me be a joy to You
I shall praise Your name †
Prosperity
~
The message of prosperity
It seems to come and go
I know what prospering really means
You provided a shovel when it snowed
When money was tight
The lamp stayed lit
The oil did not run out
You prospered me with
my first grandchild
Even though I had my doubts
A new Cadillac parked in my driveway
After church I will not find
My prosperity lies in an old rugged cross
And this I won’t deny †
I am still here
~
The shriveled leaves from roses sent
The innocent laughter
The deeper commitment
Thoughts of you leaving I could not bear
Heaven bound you were sent
Sweet smells of you still permeate the air
I still hear, “I love you”, the words that you meant
I still thank the Lord…
Although I feel it’s unfair
That you’ve bridged that gap
And I am still here †
Love of God
~
The love of God
Will never fade
Even upon your darkest day
Though trials may come
They will come your way
Know that He still cares
His will does not sway
Remember to thank Him
Each time that you pray
Remember He sent His Son
With the power to save †
Revival
~
Rain down Your fire
Lord cleanse our iniquities
Revive us again †
Fragile
~
Some say that I’m too fragile
I guess that could be true
I’ve become fashioned like fine china
Since the day that I met You
Crafted by divine hands
Hands that care about my day
Hands that care where I am going
Where I’m headed and when I pray
Sometimes I struggle to grasp Your hands
As you reach down from that cross
In ways I seek to serve You
And seek to save the lost †
I am always there
~
The table has been set
The invitation is still there
I’m still knocking at your door
I do still care
I’ve seen your darkest hours
Your tears I caught within my hands
I’ve peered into your heart
For I am both God and Son of man
So when you think it’s over
When you think there is no plan
Just talk to me like I’m your Father
Your feet will rest from sinking sands
Go and close your eyes now
Send up another prayer
And, yes, the offer is still on the table
Because I am always there †
Free
~
So pious on Sunday
But now it is Monday
Six more days of absolution received
So that’s what my mind believes
My actions have changed
It has only been a day
But now Tuesday is here
And Wednesday I fear
Conviction sets in
No longer covering my sin
For You have set me free †
Eternity
~
You will never die
Confess His name with your lips
You’ll live forever †
Prayer for a widow
~
A prayer for this young widow
I can’t recall her name
The cancer took her husband
She might even think God is to blame
She’s probably lying awake tonight
Weeping in her bed
I send up this prayer of comfort
A mother with children and father above
He’s peering down upon you
You’re still the ones he loves †
Giving me away
~
I know some people pushed you
To make me go away
Know this I’ve been successful
In each and every way
When you look into that mirror
And struggle with what you see
Remember our dear friend Jesus
He’s watching over you and me
I now know that times were rough
And for that I place no blame
God has always been by my side
And He will never change
As I close this letter
There is only one thing I can say
I now smile and rejoice
For giving me away †
Its jus† a book
~
It’s just a book
Some may say
But it’s more than a book
To the people who pray
Mountains have crumbled and oceans have shook
Remember many have died
To give you this book
So the next time you read it
Hesitate and look
And give thanks to the Lord
For our sins that He took †
Ablaze
~
If you love the Lord
The Spirit comes forth speaking
Manifesting truth †
Denying the truth
~
Creator of everything
Intelligence cannot see
But why must this world
Continue to chase right after me
I have seen Your name
It’s written on the stars
I can feel You next to me
While driving in my car
Although it has been proven
There is iron clad proof
I cannot deny You
But disapproval denies the truth †
Broken
~
When things of this life
seem to overwhelm the senses
I am reminded that I am no longer my own
The words I spoke to You
The commitment which I made
No longer empty words
That I will carry to my grave
You continue to tear down my walls
The Spirit within is ablaze
Every time that I get up on my own I fall
Upon that eastern star I still gaze
Now I will travel that extra mile
Now I am broken
And yet I smile †
The day that I reached out
~
The day that I reached out
You grabbed my trembling hands
You guided me through the storm
I now know just where I stand
My hands no longer tremble
My mind no longer fears
Now there is no more silence
Except sweet sounds in my ears
The years that once overtook me
The times I felt disgrace
This world just disappears
As I gaze into Your face †
Redeemed
~
Not by my own works
The grace by which I am saved
Redemption is free †
Dead man walking
~
Just a dead man walking
A spiritual rebirth
No longer seeking glory
From things found on this earth
To gain the whole world and lose my soul
That gamble I won’t take
I view the glass half full now
My salvation is no longer at stake
Since I’ve found You, Jesus
There’s rest within my soul
My reward is now in heaven
Where there is wealth untold
I speak Your name with boldness
I will not be ashamed
You are the bread of life
And creator of everything †
Chasing me
~
Feeling like a crow
Falling from above
Tattered when I flew
Yet you viewed me like a dove
No longer will I run from You
My will has been crushed
My Spirit anew
As I look back now
I can clearly see
Your will was always chasing me †
The ways I love Thee
~
To Count the ways I love Thee
May be impossible to explain
I praise you in the summer heat
And through winters driving rains
Even when I miss the mark
You’re there to pick me up
You place me on that mountain so high
To praise you when I’m stuck
In every situation
On every single day
I count the ways I love Thee
Until my dying day
But when that day has passed
I’ll be right there by Your side
To count the ways I love Thee
I’ll spread my wings and fly †
Shine
~
My Spirit ablaze
Expressing deep love for You
Tears befall my cheek †
Thank You
~
You are my refuge
You are my strong tower
Miracles still happen
Each and every hour
You’re comfortable within me
You’re not that far away
I thank you for that blessing
As we commune everyday
Your word is always faithful
Overflowing from my cup
And every time I fall down
You’re there to pick me up
I just want to take a moment
To thank you for Your truth
To thank You for caring about me
→
Even through correction and rebuke
You’re always there to bless me
Even when I don’t deserve
You help me to speak boldly
When I have lost the nerve †
Salvation is free
~
Abundant in mercy
And overflowing grace
My heart is ablaze
As I seek Your face
The depths of the oceans
Could never compare
For the sacrifice You made
And the road You’ve prepared
A road to redemption
Where salvation can be found
Given freely to all
So that our sins may be bound †
The watered down gospel
~
The watered down gospel
Being preached everyday
Causes my Spirit to cringe
In each and every way
The cognitive therapy
That’s being sold to the church
Will not save your soul
Nor cause a rebirth
Denying what has made us whole
The blood and the cross
The watered down gospel may console
But it won’t save the lost †
Simple prayer
~
Soften my heart Lord
Renew my Spirit all day
And redeem my sin †
Previously Unpublished Works
Haiku I
Thank you for Your grace
May Your fire fall from the sky
My sins forgiven
Haiku II
A marvelous sight
Forgiveness with Christ for all
The King has risen
Haiku III
No more earthly gain
Tears of joy rain down my face
I speak with great hope
Haiku IV
Follow my Shepard
My purpose found by serving
Precious in Your sight
Haiku V
Reigning high above
Creator of everything
Condemned for my sin
Haiku VI
You were forsaken
Lord of Lords and King of Kings
Thank you for Your grace
Haiku VII
To seek with my heart
The Holy Spirit will guide
I live to serve You
Haiku VIII
Joy to honor You
Call me for Your purposes
Saved by Your own blood
Haiku IX
God upon most high
Make me righteous in Your sight
Forever thankful
Haiku X
Soften my heart Lord
May I see the streets of gold
I believe by faith
Haiku XI
I am dead to sin
My reward is found in You
Seeking Your presence
Haiku XII
For You will hear me
Petitions placed before You
You answer my plea
Haiku XIII
My cup overflow
The free gift of salvation
The prize is in sight
Haiku XIV
Righteous in Your ways
I hear Your Spirit whisper
My heart instructs me
Haiku XV
I will guard my ways
Every man is a vapor
You reign forever
Haiku XVI
When doubt has set in
Wait patiently on the Lord
He will answer you
† Beautiful
Shining down upon me
Your mercy and Your grace
Truth spoken through Your Spirit
I feel warmth radiating from Your face
My past You did wash clean
Which I could never do
You washed my feet by hand
My soul now right with You
† Servant
You invaded this once lonely space
Feelings of sorrow and pain
I no longer feel
You provided a cup when I was thirsty
From that never ending well
I wait for Your return
But this know that is true
Although I wait with impatience
I will continue serving You
† The wedding party
Waiting upon the Bridegroom
To enter through these gates
Your dinner party has gathered
Destiny await
† Snowflake
Your love is like a snowflake
Ever changing in its shape
One day it appears as mercy
The next it’s shown as grace
† Empty no more
Now I turn my head
Facing the One
That can bear my burden
No longer thinking Greek
thoughts
But feeling what is true
They may never know
The joy that I have found
A heart no longer hard
Pursuing only You
† No compromise
Surrounded by your love
What more could one say
Remaining precious in your sight
Always carrying me away
To compromise this walk
One step that I won’t take
The ways I seek to serve
Pleasing You in all my ways
Continuing towards Your light
Until the end of days
† Lament
Come down Lord. May Your Spirit pour out on me? My soul has been weary but You are my strong fortress. You are a refuge from the sickness and pain strewn about this life. I have seen Your beauty throughout my years. You have been present in everything that is good. I have been tested by fire but the fire only
produced precious metal in its refinement process. I have waved my hands in the air against You but You still stand by my side as the good and faithful Shepherd tending to the sick of His flock. I remain prostrate in honor of
→
Your mighty name. The winds shift and the tides roll inward and outward but Your mercy knows no end. I petition protection from You and You provide a shield. A sword thrusts forward and condemns the enemies encamped around me. Your love and justice
remain in perfect harmony for You are perfect. May Your quick return be made steadfast? Your loyal servant waits. Please accept this burnt offering I
send above. No one shows love to me in the way that you do. The thorn I produce, the continuous marks that have been missed. Yet you still care? Have I not offended enough to loose
→
Your favor? I needed refuge and You built me a strong tower yet I was not even deserving of a small shade tree. You planted my feet on a rock with a firm foundation. I became a broken vessel which only the Potter could repair. Oh, the glorious salvation which has returned. My iniquities washed clean by blood.
Copyright © 2008 Michael D. Wareham
Printed by Café Press in the United States of America
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, and recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exceptions are brief quotations in printed reviews and the illustrated use in Christian sermons.
Originally published: 2008