I can't stop staring at myself;
My face reflected at this empty plate
I can't deny if it's the devil,
Or if it's just something I ate

'Cause he's been down there all morning,
He's patiently waiting at my gate
He's throwing rocks at my window,
"Hey won't you come on out and play with me?"

Everyday when I get up
I see folks trading in their crowns,
For all these 'paper or plastic' lives
An opiate for the masses hounds.
And pride, like a vestige of lives lost.
It's the stench of the old folks coming 'round.
Now with the news I've heard today,
I can't tell if this world is lost or found

You go; I'll be waiting here.
And I'm awake, I cannot sleep.
So I'll sit upon this rock is you.
I ain't standing up for nothing.

Well, I've never seen my congressman,
But I can't deny that he exists.
'Cause I've seen his legislation pass;
I've seen his name on the ballot list.
Same, I can't deny this fallen world.
Though not my home it's where I live.
How can I preserve and light the way
for a world that I can't admit I'm in?

'Cause I know who I say You are,
But these crows can't be made to stop.
So I'll sit denying by this fire
I ain't standing up for nothing

Lack of interest leads to,
Lack of knowledge leads to,
Lack of perspective leads to,
Lack of communication leads to,
Lack of understanding leads to,
Lack of concern leads to,
This complacency denotes,
This approval denies
The truth.

But I can't stop staring at myself;
It's my face reflected in this empty plate.
And I know that it's the devil.

So You lead; and I'll be close behind.
So You speak and I'll hang on Your words.
You've got to lift me from this hardened tree,
'Cause I ain't standing up for nothing.

Hope Will Be My Song

yeah, this is where I am now :)

Hope Will Be My Song

I have been tired, completely uninspired
I have been dull and dreary, and I feel alone
And tears fill my eyes
But I'm too weak to cry

But hope will be my song
And I will carry on

Am I losing my touch
Am I asking for too much, oh no
Oh, I used to be so full of passion
But now I'm bitter and cold

And I'm gasping for light
I can't give up without a fight
So I fall down on my knees
Oh, I feel you holding me

Chorus:
Hope will be my song
I will carry on
I was lost in this forest of doubt
When your mercy escorted me out
I was tied up and sinking at sea
But then you rescued me
And hope will be my song

Bridge:
You shake me, remind me
That I am a soul who's forgiven and free
When I stand, when I fall
I still will sing

Chorus 2:
And hope will be my song
And I will carry on
I was lost in the forest of doubt
When your mercy escorted me out
I was tied up and sinking at sea
But then you rescued me
You rescued me, You rescued me
You rescued me, You rescued me
You rescued me, You rescued me
And hope will be my song

These lyrics pretty much sum this entry up.  My prayer to God has been that, if He would bless me enough to give me a new relationship, that the primary focus and the foundation of that relationship with be on Christ, and not of ourselves.  I feel like this is where this new relationship is headed, and for my friends that have also entered new relationships as well, this is my prayer for you.  I hope that this is a reminder to you all (but moreso to myself) that the true Lover of our soul is Christ, and that to love is to love with both feet on the ground.

Both Feet on the Ground

They pass two by two star-dazed
They gaze at the lights on the avenue
Just like when love is new
It's Saturday night and I know that they think I'm alone
Oh but I'm alright
I got You by my side

And I'm not head over heels and I'm not on cloud nine
And I don't think love is blind
'Cause I know that You see me and yet
You still choose to be mine
With a love that will stand even when I fall down
I know You'll pick me up somehow
And You say that to love is to love
With both feet on the ground

Passing by they glide on the music
As free as two birds in flight
At least they are tonight
But I'm just out of reach of the lights
And the music the silence out
On the beach
I know that's where we'll meet

And I'm not head over heels, and I'm not on cloud nine
And I don't think love is blind
'Cause I know that You see me and yet
You still choose to be mine
With a love that will stand even when I fall down
I know You'll pick me up somehow
And You say that to love is to love with both feet on the ground

And I'm not head over heels and I'm not on cloud nine
And I don't think love is blind
'Cause I know that You see me and yet
You still choose to be mine
With a love that will stand even when I fall down
I know You'll pick me up somehow
And You say that to love is to love with both feet on the ground

Operation: Hattiesburg Surprise

Friday came.  The sun arose like any other morning, and classes were just as any typical Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes should go, yet something was lingering in the back of my mind the entire day.  "When do I leave for Hattiesburg?"

Operation: Hattiesburg Surprise could not have been pulled off without the skilled help of a few individuals.  Cori's roomate Becca for helping me coornate, my brother Drew for giving me a place to stay, and "the girl" Cori herself for giving me an excuse to give somebody special a surprise.

I got into Hattiesburg around 2:30, my brother got me settled in his room (His room looks alot like the dorms in New Mens, very nice).  Then he took me on a short tour around the campus.  I never really realized how beautiful the campus of USM reall is.  It even has a Barns and Noble!  We went to the commons and ate a light dinner of grilled cheese and fries, but still in the back of my mind I was playing out in my head what I was going to do when I saw her, and just how I was going to surprise her. 

My brother and I went to Becca's office there on campus so I could finally meet the girl that I had been plotting with for some time now.  She told met to be at the BSU at 6:30pm, and that Cori was going to wear a really nice dress and was going to look great.  Words cannot describe how great she looked, but I'll get to that in a little bit.  I arrived at 6:40 to be "causually late" to give them time to get there and to get settled in for the evenings festivities.  6:40 and the BSU intern says "Cori is not here yet, but is on her way" "Carp! (hah)" I said to myself, not knowing what to do at that point.  She then said I could go hide in the office, and wait for her to come in.  I nodded and made my to the empty office and waited for Cori and Becca to arrive.

I sent a text message to Becca, telling her where I was and to get me when they arrived.  A few moments later she comes in and tells me where she is, she points her out to me beside a wall being entertained by Becca's date Tim so not to see her and I together, and all I could say is she looked stunning in that black dress.  All the plans that I had made about what I was going to do, totally out the window.  I was at a loss, and I just looked at her.  She looked like a princess from a Walt Disney movie as she stepped into the ball, and I somehow ended up being the guy she was with.  Becca then went back out and got Cori's attention as I slowly peered out of the office.  Cori slowly turned around and saw me, looked away, and looked again, and her eyes sparkled, her jaw dropped, then came a big smile, a tear in her eye and a warm embrace.  Operation Hattiesburg Surprise was at that moment, a success.

She was a young June Carter, and I came as her "#1 fan."  It was a treat to get to go down there and see her.  I must say that whoever came up with the idea of eating steak with plastic silverware needs to be shot. Hah! They kept breaking :(

After the evening was over, we went to her dorm, watched a movie and talked til about 1am.  I couldnt of planned a better way to end the evening.

God blesses the faithful, and I must say that this time, I am truely blessed beyond anything I ever deserve.

Bring on Thanksgiving!

so...