Love Broke Through (Song)

Love Broke Through

I left my shelter, wandered out into harm;
My faith grew so weak in the path of the storm.
A trial of my choosing; no one else to blame;
But His love broke through when I called on His name.

Chorus:
Love broke through the clouds, Love scattered the rain;
God’s love brought healing in the midst of my pain.
When the wind and the waves were all I could view,
Jesus calmed the storm, and His love broke through.

The wind rose so sudden, the thunder now roared;
I was all but sinking; my faith came unmoored.
A trial to test me – how could I survive?
Love broke through and showed me, “My Saviour’s alive!”

When loved ones were drowning; all seemed nearly lost,
I wanted to save them, whatever the cost;
But my strength was useless – oh, what could I do?
I called on the Saviour, and His love broke through.

When the wind and the waves were all I could view,
Jesus calmed my storm, and His love broke through.

December 24th, 2010
Jerry Bouey

Matthew 8:23-27 And when he (Jesus) was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

Matthew 14:24-33 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth, thou art the Son of God.

P.S. Poem edited slightly on January 2nd, 2011, due to the input of two friends. Thanks for helping me make this song even better! ;)

Everything's Changed (Poem)

Everything's Changed

I once was blind, but now I see -
Oh praise the Lord who died for me.
He opened my eyes to see my sin;
I opened my heart to let Him in.

I once was deaf, but now I hear -
Immanuel – my God – came near.
I heard of how Jesus died for me –
His blood – from my sin, has made me free.

I once was dumb, mouth closed by sin -
Wicked words and thoughts dwelt within;
My own heart, the source of all this woe –
There’s nowhere else but Jesus to go.

I once was lame, but now I’m healed –
My evil deeds have been revealed.
My heart’s been cleansed from every stain;
My footsteps turned to walk right again.

I once was blind, deaf, dumb, and lame,
Lost, alone, heart shattered by pain;
Then I trusted in the Saviour’s name –
Since I believed everything’s changed.

I once was blind, deaf, dumb, and lame,
But praise the Lord that Jesus came!

December 21/2010
Jerry Bouey

Isaiah 29:18  And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

Isaiah 35:5-6  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Matthew 11:4-5  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

The Hope Of Christmas (Poem)

Lindsay was a friend to many at the Gospel Mission where I work. She trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation about two years ago, and was making many wise choices to separate from harmful influences in her life and from friends that would only drag her down spiritually and by tempting her back into her addictions. Unfortunately, her house became an unsafe place for her, and Lindsay was truly seeking to find new housing where she would not be exposed to those addictions. She cleaned up, she spent many hours volunteering at the mission, and was such a help and a blessing. She met regularly with the chaplain at the Mission to work on overcoming those addictions and learn more from God's Word.

We only know part of what happened on November 28th. Tragically, she overdosed through the influence of one of those bad "friends." Even though we are saddened by her sudden loss - her story ends in glory. Her hope this Christmas was the Saviour that came to give her life - that same Saviour that took her home, away from all her struggles and fears - to be with Him.

This poem is an attempt to see things from Lindsay's perspective. The title of the poem is a line that I had going through my mind all afternoon before writing this poem.

The Hope Of Christmas
(Dedicated to Lindsay Guenther)

In the midst of my sorrows, troubles and tears,
I sought the Lord and He saved me from my fears.
In this time when you are overwhelmed by loss,
Remember the Saviour who died on the cross -
That's my hope this Christmas.

Struggling to overcome my dark addictions,
And learning to make some braver decisions;
You broke through all those chains that held me so tight,
You scattered my darkness because You're my Light -
That's my hope this Christmas.

This Christmas, I know you're not celebrating,
But our reunion's worth anticipating.
My struggling heart's not the end of the story;
Eternity awaits in realms of glory -
That's my hope this Christmas.

Jesus came to this earth to show us the way;
He paid for sin's debt - one we could never pay.
Salvation's His gift offered to us by grace,
Receiving eternal life with Him by faith -
That's the hope of Christmas.

December 3rd, 2010
Jerry Bouey

Psalm 34:4-6 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Freefall (Song)

These past two weeks at the Gospel Mission we started doing something new: having all the staff on the same page as far as Devotionals go. So our Chaplain decided to do a series on James, where each meal devotion covered the next few verses.

Thinking about these different messages from the book of James (such as trials and their purposes, how our enticements to sin comes from inside us, friendship with the world being enmity with God, the tongue and how hard it is to tame our tongue and ourselves, how it is when we humble ourselves before the Lord that He lifts us up, and this last one of when we repent and return to the Lord, He removes the sickness/trial that He was using to chastise us), here is a James-inspired song that I wrote.

When I think of depression and my past struggles with it, and not wanting to fall back into it, I often picture a chasm that I am standing on the brink of, looking down dizzily into it, and so scared of falling back into the pit I came out of - this song in a way comes out of that idea, but follows the analogy a little further, ie. when the step to backslide is taken and the freefall begins - knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only one that can lift us back out of that pit and restore us to Himself when we repent and return to Him.

Freefall

Lord, I know that this is only the beginning.
Lord, I know there is a mark that I have missed.
Lord, I know there's a war I am not winning.
Lord, I know life can get much worse than this.

Lord, I know my battle's not with flesh and blood.
Lord, I know that some part of me is filled with pride.
Lord, I know my heart is cold and prone to wander.
Lord, I know that a sinful beast lurks just inside.

I see myself, and I don't like the picture:
Something is there; corrupt and so hard to tame.
Lord, I'm stumbling - I'm faltering, tripping, falling -
Lord, I know that I only have myself to blame.

I'm falling...

Chorus:
I am in a freefall, Lord, I'm falling;
Falling down, I'm crashing down...
Jesus, I need to know You are always with me.
I need to know it's You that will fill my cup.
Jesus, I need to know help is on its way now.
Lord, I need to know that You will lift me up
...from this fall.

Lord, I know that trials come for a reason.
I hate these struggles that I'm going through.
Lord, I know I should be charged with treason
For loving myself and this world more than You.

Wake up call, I'm falling...

I see, Lord, my fortress was built upon the sand.
I know, I can't catch these clouds I'm falling through.
I see that You are my only hope now, Lord.
Jesus, I know that I can still depend on You.

I'm calling...

Chorus.

I'm falling, calling out, I'm calling You.

September 18th, 2010
Jerry Bouey

I Am Jesus (Poem)

Lately, I have been preaching on the I Ams of Jesus from the Gospel of John.

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John 4:25-26 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

I Am Jesus

I Am the Good Shepherd;
I gave My life for My sheep.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life -
Your comfort when you weep.

I Am the Light of the World
That shines upon you each day -
In this perilous journey of life,
I Am the only Way.

I Am the True Vine -
There is no real living apart from Me.
I Am the Door of Salvation;
Eternal life is knowing Me.

I Am the Messiah, who died
From sin to set you free;
For everything you are searching for -
I that speak to you Am He.

I Am the Bread of Life
On which your soul can feed.
I Am That I Am - 
I Am all you will ever need.

I Am the Great Jehovah;
The LORD of Heaven, the earth, and the sea.
I Am Jesus Christ, the Saviour;
The LORD which is, which was, and will be.

I Am Jesus.

April 21st/2010
Jerry Bouey

The Dark Tomb (Poem)

Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

The Dark Tomb

The Light of the world flickered and dimmed;
The Lord of Glory was crucified.
Darkness veiled the whole world from Him
As blood poured from His wounds and side.

His loved ones gathered around His cross,
Heard, "It is finished," as Jesus cried -
Their souls overwhelmed by grief and loss,
Watched as He gave up His life and died.

They laid Him in a rich man's tomb;
Sealed His grave with a heavy stone.
As night brought on its sorrow and gloom,
His friends left - heavy-hearted and alone.

Three dark days passed by - troubled by fears,
While their Hope lay silent in the grave.
Defeated, discouraged, filled with tears -
Conquered by death? How then could He save?

While their hearts were grieving, triumph was near -
The Saviour had faced our greatest foes.
The tomb is now empty! He is not here!
Wonderful victory - Jesus arose!

Oh dark grave, where is your victory?
Oh death, where now is your bitter sting?
How impossible for a sealed tomb
To imprison or hold the King of kings!

April 4th/2010
Jerry Bouey

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.