"The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces (Proverbs 10:8 NLT)."

It has been a while since I have written one of these. It has been equally long since I have read the Bible journals of others too. I can justify my absence by saying that I have been stressed and tired from life, but at the end of the day there is probably plenty of counsel and knowledge that I've been passing up on. When I do commit to Bible journaling, I not only gain from the words of Scripture and from the words of those whose reflections I read, but I also have moments where God speaks to me through the writing process, and I gain insight that I wouldn't have found from anywhere else. So I am making a vow to write journals at least once a week, ideally more frequently. And I am going to also spend more time reading the journals of others to keep learning as I get myself back into the writing habit.

Thank You Lord for always being here and ready, even when I get distant. Thank You for the timeless wisdom and guidance that You always have ready for me. Please help me to take advantage of this opportunity You are offering, and help me to be disciplined to read, write, and learn from You, along with those You are calling to teach Your Word through their writings. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

I hold memories of you so dear,

I longed to please you, make you smile,

But you knew not my every fear,

And for years I hid them all the while.

You were a rose with thorns so sharp,

Imperfectly perfect in every way,

As I faced battles with a heavy heart,

Your thorns cut me every time I'd sway.

I yearned for your love, to be let in,

But you cut me open and shut me out,

Not allowing me to see beneath your skin,

Hiding behind petals, so very devout.

I gave you everything, but you turned away,

Choosing to ignore my every plea,

I fell apart like leaves turning brown and grey,

And knew deep down you were no longer meant for me.

You were my only red rose so rare,

But I was only your fool to play,

I'm not the rain falling from the air,

You watched me fade, day by day.

Your red rose changed my life forever,

But it has also broken me apart,

I'm no longer your captive, never,

As you slowly wither and depart.

Our life together has come to an end,

You no longer see me in your sight,

And though you replaced me, my heart won't bend,

For I know we're no longer meant to be.

Exhausted by stress and steeped in drama,

He lit up a cigarette,

As the smoke dissolved, so did the pain,

His life was bleak, searching for answers in vain.

He listened to gospel songs, wishing for change,

Wishing to be a better man with dreams still in range,

But all his hopes had died, he lost everything,

Until he called on God, answered by angels with feathers in their wing.

God doesn't treat you like a life sentence,

Even sinners can be blessed with omniscience,

The song "Jesus Take the Wheel" was playing loud,

He cried out for change, he was alone in the crowd.

His prayer was answered, he was saved by grace,

To be a better man, to start a new race,

Life has its challenges, but don't let them stop you from growing,

Mistakes are lessons, learn from them, keep on rowing.

He knelt down to pray and light his last cigarette,

Hoping to break free from addiction's debt,

For there is light at the end of the dark road,

And God will light the way if you carry your own load.

He walked to the tree, where the river flows,

Recalling his baptism, where he made his life's vows,

He threw his last cigarette, and asked for forgiveness,

In the church, he found redemption, his soul was now fearless.

He was no longer the man he used to be,

With God by his side, he had found his destiny.

Every song tells a story;

Of broken hearts, healing, and uplifting spirits,

Once a saint of God's grace,

Now a sinner, prone to mistakes, and disgrace.

Living in a home of abuse,

Isolated, lonely, shattering dreams and hopes,

God never seemed to be there,

I blamed Him, but music became my saving flare.

I listen to songs like scriptures,

Preaching to me, that God never leaves,

A sacred radio that saves my soul,

Each preacher telling stories, like songs that move, word by word- a console.

Dear God, what's next?

A song that tunes the Holy Spirit as He lives in me,

My church is like music for every truth and emotion embodies,

I never leave its premises, for I know He's watching over me, speaking to my soul endlessly.

My church is music; for it lives in me,

Afraid of death, but music never dies,

Life has meaning like a song carrying energy of faith and hope,

Bringing joys, range of emotions with every tune.

Churches, preachers, and sermons never get their moment to shine,

Like songs, for every song with a story to tell is indeed divine,

The power of music is that it needs no spiritual assistance,

It's my home, sheltering me from pain with no distance.

A river flows within the stream

Where Jesus walked, or so I dreamed

And in the water's drowning hold

Teardrops fall and sorrow unfolds

But in this moment of despair

We know that someone's always there

Perhaps it's a fairytale belief

Or maybe just a simple relief

God may exist inside our mind

But we must stand and truly find

That He is present all around

And we are never alone, we're found

With love and kindness in our hearts

We treat each other like kin and parts

Of one blessed family we belong

Where we teach, set an example, strong

I've walked where Jesus may have trod

Without superhuman power or God

But knowing secrets can be shown

And ashes of shame can be overthrown

For in life, I've been broken and lost

Family shunned, my choices the cost

Depression seeping into my mind

Yet miracles happen, hope we find

With anchors to hold onto tight

There is no fear, no need for fright

In faith, we believe and receive

Blessings unexpected, the pain to relieve

Anchored in faith, we'll never drown

Even in the darkest times, we're found

With a prayer and a plea

Our depression fades, from our hearts set free

© 7 hours ago, Hiroshi Masters   pain • christian • sad • spiritual • rhyme

Life's path can often feel unholy,

Twisted turns and bumps in the road,

I feel lost and unmotivated,

Longing for an altar to lighten my load.

But I know God's love is my foundation,

A powerful and unyielding grace,

Even when I feel unholy and broken,

I know His love will never be misplaced.

Life cannot stay the same forever,

And when I call out, God hears my cry,

He sends help like a shooting star,

And my blessings will soon be nigh.

Though storms may cloud my way,

And tears may fall like rain,

I know that God will wipe them clean,

And turn my pain into gain.

Sometimes I lose my faith,

Blinded by the world's noise,

But I know that God will mend my pieces,

And guide me with His voice.

With the Holy Spirit as my compass,

And angels by my side,

I know that life will never be stale,

And blessings will always abide.

© 11:22 AM, Hiroshi Masters   hope • spiritual • society • christian

You are my guiding lantern,

Leading me through the darkest night,

The brokenness remains hidden, out of sight,

Though distance separates us, your light will brighten my way.

Consumed by dark thoughts,

They whisper to me everyday, my love has faded,

Yes, the lantern shattered,

Into innumerable pieces.

A lantern once shielding me from darkness,

No longer can it quell my fears,

Leaving me with only tears,

My dear, I know you must be yearning.

My lantern, guiding me out of the abyss,

Amidst the forces of evil that surround,

You were the flame that kept them bound,

Ensuring my safety, my sacred ground,

Lonely nights will no longer haunt.

You are my guiding light, my lantern,

Like angels trailing in the nocturnal skies,

Know that my love for you never dies,

With you, this lantern, we will stay alive.

In some moments, I feel lost,

On streets lonely and filled with dread,

Yet never overwhelmed by grief's thread,

For the lantern keeps my hopes alive.

Never alone, forever bound are we,

My lantern, always guiding me,

Showing me the way endlessly,

Dear God, you've helped me every day,

Loving your light, the shadows fade away.

I know my time will come, and forever your light will stay.

© Hiroshi Masters   

Exhausted by stress and steeped in drama,

He lit up a cigarette,

As the smoke dissolved, so did the pain,

His life was bleak, searching for answers in vain.

He listened to gospel songs, wishing for change,

Wishing to be a better man with dreams still in range,

But all his hopes had died, he lost everything,

Until he called on God, answered by angels with feathers in their wing.

God doesn't treat you like a life sentence,

Even sinners can be blessed with omniscience,

The song "Jesus Take the Wheel" was playing loud,

He cried out for change, he was alone in the crowd.

His prayer was answered, he was saved by grace,

To be a better man, to start a new race,

Life has its challenges, but don't let them stop you from growing,

Mistakes are lessons, learn from them, keep on rowing.

He knelt down to pray and light his last cigarette,

Hoping to break free from addiction's debt,

For there is light at the end of the dark road,

And God will light the way if you carry your own load.

He walked to the tree, where the river flows,

Recalling his baptism, where he made his life's vows,

He threw his last cigarette, and asked for forgiveness,

In the church, he found redemption, his soul was now fearless.

He was no longer the man he used to be,

With God by his side, he had found his destiny.

© Hiroshi Masters