Limbo

Limbo
by: R.A. Slater
sometime in 1999 or 2000

I'm stuck in the middle
Too old to be young
Too young to be old
Too young to be a leader
Too old to be taught forever
I'm not sure how to act
Someone always tells me I don't behave
Or that I'm not appropriate or behooving
My wrongs are highlighted before my rights
My accomplishments are too small for anyone to care
Who I am meant to be is clear to me
As impossible as it may seem, though mankind is opposed

"Dress this way, Don't wear that,
Your hair is too long, It is too short,
Walk this way, go that way, Stay out of my way,
Stand over here, Sit down and be quiet,
I love you, I hate you
Come talk to me, Don't talk to me!
March to the beat of your own drummer, Be like me!
Don't address the assembly, Come and testify!
Shoot for the stars, Don't dare to dream!
Your dreams are foolish, You'll never succeed,
You'll never be anything different from what you've been,
Change, change, change! You are no good!
You expect to little, You expect too much."
There is no inbetween, but that is where I'm stuck
I'm stuck in non-existance, told to leave, told to stay




God tells me something different, so I will not doubt
He tells me I am holy, and righteous
Set apart and chosen by Him
He tells me I am precious, special and unique
He tells me He is going to raise me up as a testimony to others,
Though I do not know how He means to do so, or truly what it means
I want so much for my dreams to come true
I want so much for them not to be vain imaginations
Who am I to lead? I am not qualified or worthy,
They will see only me, and not the One who sent me
But who am I to doubt my Savior's word?
I am only to obey
There is a saying,
"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualified the called."
In that I qualify, for I have heard His voice calling me

He will lead me out, He will be my qualification, He won't confuse me
He will set me free from this limbo so I might be who I was meant to be
He doesn't ignore, condemn, or turn away
His words are trustworthy and true
He will never leave me nor forsake me, never hang me out to dry
He will not fail me or ever tell me a lie
Though in this life I am stuck inbetween,
There is no doubt of eternity
He will see me through and I will break through
Break through the soapscum of sinful humanity
Break through the misgivings of saved humanity
Break through the mistreatment of them all
I will not doubt, I will not give up
Because my Savior has faith in me
He never has, nor ever will, give up on me.

Every Breath

Every Breath
by: R.A. Slater
07/11/01

When every breath hurts
When evert thought stabs
He shared your pain
When the pain is beyond words
When your can't form the prayer
He still hears you
Your thoughts are no secret
Your emotions no surprise
He knows them all
Your troubles are not too big for Him
Your burdens are not to heavy for Him to carry
He holds the universe in His hand
Your troubles are not to small for Him to notice
Your burdens are not to trivial for Him to care
He loves you too much not to notice or care

Every breath counts and words are not necessary
He knows your heart - - He created you
Troubles and burdens are His specialty
He wants you to give them to Him
He will carry you
He wants you to lean on Him
He will be your strength when you have no other
He just wants you
And He will be your God.

Between Me and Thee

Between Me and Thee
by: R.A. Slater
07/11/01

The spectators of this 'sport' look on and laugh
All they see is a spectacle of a woman
The super spiritual look sown their noses in keen disapproval
They declare it is nothing but an expression of the flesh by just one look
Still others look on in wonder
As they cannot see why I dance
They do not hear the song in the silence
And they do not hear the beat of the angels' wings
They cannot feel my joy at His very presence
They do not share in my jubilee
They do not realize the price that has been paid for my freedom
They do not know of my recent victories
They are content to sit and wonder as others laugh
Unwilling to listen to the testimonies I tell
"Crazy!" They all claim. "Foolishness!"
"It is the flesh!" They do declare. "She is delirious!"
"Why dance when there is no music?"

If only they were to walk a mile in my shoes
They would wonder no more
If only they could hear the music
Then they would dance with the angels
If only they knew the pain they unwittingly inflict
For they do not know who overhears their whispers
Let the mockers mock, let the pharisees scold
Let the wonderers wonder, let the watchers watch
For one day they too shall be judged
And they will learn what I already know
That Man's opinion is jaded
And not important in Eternity's eyes
That worship is between the worshipper and the One worshipped
Between the Father and me, between them and Him
For in the Last Day we will stand on our own
We are accountable for our actions alone
No longer can we claim that another distracted us
Or held us back from this treasure or that
For in the end, we are our own distraction
And we hold ourselves back

Books!

Books!
by: R.A. Slater
12/04/10

What treasure!
What joy!
Pure elation!
Wealth hidden between two covers
Waiting for me to discover
The depths within
In the pages of books
Some old friends to be visited
Memories of last time
New nuggets to be found
Each a brave new world
Meant to be explored

What Secrets Lay

What Secrets Lay
by: R.A. Slater
12/02/10

Behind dead eyes
What secrets lay
Stories untold
Of innocence betrayed
And love denied
Hopes shattered
Dreams unraveled
Freedoms stolen
Joy placed in a cage
Battered and beaten
Bruises on the heart
Easier to hide
Harder to prove
Greater shame
Over such silliness

City On A Hill

City On A Hill
by: R.A. Slater
11/27/10
Sounds Bites Series #12

Darkness gathers 'round
Snowy clouds of fury
Bearing down with heavy gloom
Until a shaft of light
Shows a briliant center
A shining city on a hill
Mighty bulwark against the storm
Refuge of hope in desperate times


authors note: this was written after driving around a bend in the highway and seeing the shining city of Syracuse, NY against the dark backdrop of storm clouds.

Ripples

Ripples
by: R.A. Slater
11/27/10
Sound Bites Series #11

Like a pebble in a pond
A raindrop in a puddle
So are Your words to me
They might be small
These little poems
But their ripple effects
Rip all the way through
A mushroom cloud to consume me
Most likely meaningless to strangers
To me they are precious gems
I share them anyway
Knowing Your ripples
Stretch far beyond me

Pearls and Pebbles

Pearls and Pebbles
by R.A. SLater
11/20/10
Sound Bites Series #10

Pearls and pebbles
Such are these poems
Tiny, but not insignifigant
Your Words to me
Are precious to me
Like the pebbles I gathered as a child
Unique and beautiful
Kept in a jar
For safe keeping
Displayed here for the world to see
Praises strung together
Like pearls on a string
For Your adornmant
So that all might know
The wonder of You

Shelter

Shelter
by: R.A. Slater
11/17/10
Sound Bites series #9

Not all storms are from You
Not all are showers of blessings
Happiness and joy
Some are ordinary storms of life
Fraught with surprise
Pain and despair
But You see me through them all
My refuge and shelter
In the pouring rain

Blaze

Blaze
by: R.A. Slater
11/17/10
Sound Bites Series #8

Your glory flashes before my eyes
As a star blazes through the heavens
Quickly and teasingly
You tantalize me
Delighted and delirious
I look for more
I long for more
So I keep looking
Knowing that You'll be there
As much in the waiting

Torrent

Torrent
by: R.A. Slater
11-06-10

The tap was dry
Crusted over with rust
Where once life flowed freely
I tried many times
To turn the flow back on
Not the barest hint of a drop
Could be seen
Even on a rainy day
I sat patiently
I paced back and forth
Then finally lay down to die
The You spoke through the rain
And the tap began to drip
I sat up and paid attention
As one drip led to another
Then there was a steady stream to drink from
Slowly saturating all that could be seen
Long had I been awaiting this day
You promised me more
Not a whisper, a thundering
Soon there would be a torrent
A rush from heaven that no bucket could hold
I could not contain
But not a drop would not be lost
What wonders I anticipate!

Cotton Ball

Cotton ball
by: R.A. Slater
11-05-10
Sound Bites Series #7

Such a little simple thing
This fluffy ball of cotton
Yet what memories it holds
A picture of sweet innocence
Gluing cotton to paper
To make a little lamb
Standing at Jesus' feet
Pure belief at His love
Peace in a little girl's sadness
However fleeting, however eternal
Shaping an entire life
Beyond what her little eyes can see
For her life is just beginning
Her faith newly planted
Seeded by a simple cotton ball
Given to her by faithful servants
What will blossom in time
Was foreseen long ago

Swarm

Swarm
by R.A. Slater
11-4-10

There was no warning
No sounds of an advancing fleet
Not even a whisper on the wind
One moment the sky was clear
The sun was shining
Through fluffy white clouds
And then they were there
Buzzing, hovering, weaving
Swarming the earth like locusts
Invoking fear and awe
Causing much trembling
Wondering and confusion
A breath taking moment
Where time was suspended
Such beauty in the terror
The orchestration of the enemy
How they weaved in and out of each other
Never once colliding
But it did not change the fact
That we were under attack
As time resumed
And they rained fire from the sky
Showing no mercy or remorse
Seeking only death and destruction

Words Unspoken

Words Unspoken
by: R.A. Slater
10-24-10

I hear the words you mean to say
Left unspoken in your voice
Words of regret and sorrow
Over the pain you inflicted
Actions you wish undone
Shock at your own failure

How I wish you would speak them
Ease the hurt in my soul
Cause the ache in my heart to cease
It would calm my fears
And be a balm to the wounds
Healing them quickly

Does it pain you much
To hold it inside
Instead of swallowing your pride
And voicing the emotions
You cannot hide
Though you try

I hear the words unspoken
And heal with them alone
Though I sometimes wonder
What words I miss hearing
Emotions I do not see
Can be dangerous

Let me in your world
Inside your heart
Won't you include me
Clue me into your thoughts
Instead of leaving me wondering
At words unspoken

Poetic License

This isn't a poem per se, but it is poetic. Again, F. B. era and no specific date, though this one was written early 2000's.





Picture if you will, a woman dressed in white. A brilliant white dress, made of floofy material, with a royal look to it [it's got some sparkles in it too]. She is on her knees, face turned toward heaven. Something has hurt her, for there are silent tears streaming down her face...and her heart is in her hands, which are also lifted to heaven. The heart is not whole, it is torn and shred...blood flowing down her forearms. In her pain, she turns to the only One who's ever been able to help her before.

Not a word is said...as from heaven...reaching down...Nail pierced hands...strong...gentle. Not taking the heart, but taking the whole woman..blood, tears, brokenness and all. Holding her. Healing her...not by a show of power, not with a wave of His hand...but by His "mere" presence, by His love for her.

He places the heart back where it belongs...she doesn't need a new one, this is the new one she received long ago...Holding it in place with His hand...it is healed. She rests in the cradle of His palm...and knows no fear...for she's in her Daddy's hands.

No Title

No Title
by: R.A. Slater
Circa 1998-2006 (again, something written during the First Baptist years that I have no date for!)

I have been forged in Fire, born again in Blood and Spirit
Been made strong through fire and water
As silver is refined so too has my soul been through the crucible
Like liquid gold Ihave been poured out before the Lord
Impurities He has scooped out with a net
And not a drop of glory was lost
As the blacksmith tempers his iron and steel with fire and water
So too has my heart been tempered
As clay on the potter's wheel, molded and crafted
His hands have been at work in me
And I have felt the heat of the kiln

I am so tired and weary
As I wonder if this work will ever be done
For it seems that as soon as one aspect is over
I find that I have just begun with another
When I have barely cooled from the fire of the blacksmith
I find myself in the crucible
When I think I am done in the crucible
I find myself on the potter's wheel
It seems as though I have reached the finish line
To find that I have only just begun to run the race
I do not know whether I have run before He was finished
Or whether there is more to do than I realized
Imperfections galore, I wonder if there is anything precious within me
Hiw word does say so, but I seem woefully lacking
Changes to be made for the better
Is there anything that can go untouched?

I am feeling quite attacked
By those who should be my defenders
Perhaps that is how the patient feels
When the doctor wields the scalpel
But right now I am in no mood
For metaphor and simile
I hurt and don't know why
I ache and cannot find the source
I am depressed and can't find the air pump!
The sliver is wedged in deep and all the flesh around it is tender
Which is where everyone wants to probe
It feels as though I am losing too much blood
And everyone insists that we continue to operate
And woe is me -
Despite my words
I just used a metaphor and a simile!
Is there no mercy? :)
If it weren't so sad, I would laugh
If it weren't so funny, I would cry
But it seems I can do neither

"You, who have shown me great and severe troubles,
Shall revive me again,
And bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
You shall increase my greatness,
And comfort me on every side." Psalm 71:20-21

Hope Whispers

Hope Whispers, Hope Thunders
by: R.A. Slater
11-05-10

There you were
Sitting in the darkness
Thinking you were all alone
Ready to give up hope
And all done in
I could not, would not stop Myself
From reaching out to you
To show you My love
Wrap My arms around you
So I sent you a ray of sunshine
Light streaming through the rain
And gave you My sign
A promise to hold onto
When you are tired and weary
Oh My child, never give up
Hang onto hope!
Hang onto My promises!
You are not forsaken
Nor are you lost to me!
I hold you in My hand
I perform wonders for you
That no one else can see
You trained your eye long ago
To see Me when it is darkest
Look now, and you will see
Such glory and beauty
Lost to all others
You long to hear My whisper
As you did once
Pause and be silent, unsurprised
For you will hear My thunderings!
I have just begun My work in you
Through you, for you, beyond you
Hear My roar!

Them There Bones

Them There Bones
by: R.A. Slater
circa: 1998-2007 - Written when my previous church was big into the Valley of Dry bones in the book of Ezekiel...chapter 37. Like the other poem, I have no idea when it was exactly written. just sometimes during the 1st Baptist church years.


Them there bones are dry and weary,
Cast into the fiery desert for an unknown purpose
Naked and brittle, broken and scattered,
They are the most wretched sight to be seen
Surely they are useless, with only decay in their future,
If they thought to rise and walk, no doubt they would fail
Dry and naked, surely they would creak, squeak and groan
And if the wind were to rise and give a gentle breeze,
They would most certainly collapse with a great rattle
And yet . . . we're not to give up on them there bones
For God has had much to say about these here bones,
For these here bones are you and I
Cast in the wilderness, but not forgotten
Not forever useless as we are being forged
Promises proclaimed and a hopeful future assured
These bones that have been scattered, He has promised to rebuild
These bones that are naked, He has promised to clothe in flesh again
These bones that He has broken, He has promised to mend, better than before
Thses bones that are brittle, He has promised to strengthen
These bones that squeak as if rusty, He has promised His oil for them
These bones that are dry and dead, He has promised to revive them in His waters
All His promises are true, they are "yes" and "amen"
These here bones are going to have the breath of life breahted into them
Once more to live, once more to prophesy, once more to praise
The very breath of God, an all consuming fire
Shall revive these here bones, and give new life and purpose to them
They shall rise to danec again, and perchance to dance
No longer shall they rattle in the wind,
They shall breathe it in, the breath of God

Rhyme Time

Rhyme Time
by: R.A. Slater
circa 2001-2006 (Sometime during the middle First Baptist years)

Here's a poem for ya
I hope it doesn't bore ya

No, no - that was it
Ah! I quit!

Do you think I can compose
Just on your say so?

So that didn't rhyme
It was close enough this time

Ah! Enough is enough
I'm tired of this stuff!

Go home, go to bed
Make sure the dog has been fed

Goodnight!
Don't forget to turn out the light!

Leaching Sadness

Leaching Sadness
by R.A. Slater
08-30-10

There is a sadness
Running down deep
With far reaching tentacles
Spreading without reason
Without cause
Its poisonous lethargy
Sapping away my strength
Robbing me of all joy
Siphoning hope away
Reaching in from the outside
Its insidious presence leaching into my bones

Obsession

Obsession
by: R.A. Slater
07-22-10

I can't help myself
As I stand beneath
Your glorious canopy
Stretching as far as the eye can see
In every direction
I am obsessed with Your heavens
Billowing clouds in cotton hues
Golden rays of bloodshot sunsets
Starlit glimmers in the dark of night
Oh but looking is not enough
I must set these visions for all eternity
Picture after picture I snap
To keep the rembrances
Of Your glory
Close at hand
One never being enough
Always needing just one more
One more moment frozen in time
Memory forever in my hand

Shepherd's Voice

Shepherd's Voice
by: R.A. Slater
08-05-10
Sound Bites Series #5

Strange the dreams we dream
Of a little lamb
Struggling to break free
To escape the mucky pen
And frolic in fields of grace
Amidst the flowers and butterflies
Racing through the green grass
Chasing the clouds tail
Following the Shepherd's Voice
As He calls to her
Above the buzzing bees
And His arms embrace her

Having Faith

Having Faith
by R.A. Slater
07-26-10
Sound Bites Series #4

Sometimes having faith is as simple
As putting pen to paper
Watching the words flow
From it's rapidly moving tip
Rushing to set the sudden torrent
On paper as in stone
Stories of troubles heroes
Struggling to live and love
Poems of beauty and ashes
Torn from a tormented soul.

Other times faith is hard
Sitting for hours on end
Pen pressed to paper
Hard enough to leave a deep ink spot
Waiting for words to come
And hearing only silence
Wondering at the next leg
Of the wandering heroes' journey
Awaiting the next expression
Of a lonely soul's longing
Knowing the waiting is not in vain

Static

Static
by R.A. Slater
08-19-10
Sound Bites Series #6

Here I sit in the quiet
Straining to hear Your Voice
Where it used to be
But all I get are bits and pieces
Intermittent sound bites
In the constant buzzing static
Like too many bees
On a quiet summers eve
Broken only when they pause
To sip the flowers sweet nectar
Allowing me to do the same
As I drink in every one
Of Your sound bites to me
Messages through the static of life.

Desert Winds

Sound Bites Series #3
Desert Winds
by: R.A. Slater
07-30-10

Each step a struggle
The desert winds wash over me
Looking across the desolate landscape
I wonder if this is my lot in life
To be trapped in this desert
Wandering forever in circles
Never finding an oasis
To revive this broken heart
Nor the way out
To the long ago promises
Whispered in my ear
Hot and biting
I let the desert winds scour me
As I trod on

I Was There

I Was There
by: R.A. Slater
07-21-10

I was there that day
In that moment
When the world ended
And insanity began
I felt the rain
The warm pounding of flesh
Smelled the wet earth
As dust was driven down
Heard the pounding thunder
As the sky was split
And Heaven's fury rained down
I remember the tossing
The trembling of the earth
Holding on for dear life
Praying for the end
For the changes to cease
Waiting on reality to return
Though a new one was being written
Before my very eyes

Quiet

Sound Bites Series #2
"Quiet"
by R.A. Slater

They say that in the quiet
In the stillness of the moment
You are there
And Your voice can be heard
But in this quiet that I live in
All I seem to hear
Is the sound of my own breathing
I take comfort remembering other times
When this moment was filled
With glorious You
And knowing that You have not left

Empty Spot

Sounds Bites Series #1
Empty Spot
07/02/10
by: R.A. Slater

Deep inside
There is an empty spot
Where words used to be
Flowing from my pen
Describing deep despair
And things of great joy
Now I listen in vain
For all I hear is stillness
But I listen anyway

Chocolate

Chocolate
by R.A. Slater
06-05-10


Your allure is irresistible
Calling out to me when I am lonesome
You do not fill the void
Your companionship does not replace his
But instead makes it easier to bear
When he is absent from me
You whisper sweet nothings in my ear
Though it is poison to my veins
Your caresses are such comfort
For as long as they last
You are at once my friend and my foe
A bittersweet enemy

Desert Wind

Desert Wind
by: R.A. Slater
08-15-09

Standing in the midst of this vast desert
I swallow my fear and loneliness
Reminding myself all the reasons
Why there is nothing to fear
And that I am never truly alone

The howling desert wind is mocking
Trying to distract me
Telling me the many reasons to fear
And asking me where this God is
That I am never alone

In truth, I have wondered this myself
He who walked so close
Now seems so far and distant
I have looked for Him and called His name
But all I hear are echoes

I draw my cloak around me
Not knowing if it is a cloak of light or despair
Regardless it keeps the scouring sand
Away from me and protects all that is delicate
All that is precious

Or is it?
Is it as precious as I think?
Or has this wind been sent by God
To scour away the very things
That hinder His answer?

I will never know
Unless I let down my defenses
And let the wind batter me
Let the sand scour me
And strip it all away

It could work that way
Or it could be
That the wind is lying to me
As it mocks and jabs
Every chance it gets

So I will continue to wait
And to wander in the direction He set
Until I find an answer
To draw deeper in my cloak
Or shed it and let the scouring begin

It is a thing of faith
A leap to take, either way
I could be wrong, I could be right
But I know that He is still faithful
And can make even my mistakes into something beautiful

For my mistakes, fumbling, and sins
Are not the end of me
Nor are they beyond something He can handle
In fact, they do not surprise Him
And were planned for long ago

And taken care of before I was born
No matter how hard the enemy tries
He can not take that Cross away
Nor the blood that covers me
And makes me whole

So I trudge on
Trusting in Him I cannot see
Believing He is still there
Hoping He is still with me
Carrying me

All I Have Left

written 08-09-0, 2AM

All I Have Left
by: R.A. Slater

There it is once again
That popular song on the radio
Urging me to give it all
To quit living as one going through the motions
Instead to live with zeal and passion
So I don't end up asking
"What if" for the rest of my life

I long to ask the singer
What do you do when you gave it all
And there's nothing left to give?
I poured it all out
Gave until it hurt
My heart, my soul, my talents
But I was stupid and let men get in the way
Let them steal and belittle
All that I had to give to God

And now all I have left to give
Is this nothingness I feel
Which is far better than the pain
That plagued me night and day
All I have left to give
Is this emptiness within
Hoping that He can turn it
Into something beautiful
Like a flower blooming in the desert
For only He can take nothing
And turn it into something




The song I'm referring to is "Motions" by Matthew West.

Idle Worship

This one comes from April 2004.


Idle Worship
By: R.A. Slater

Sing me a song
And I’ll go along
.....As into the throne room we go

But don’t ask me to help
I’ll be sure to yelp
.....And proclaim that it’s just not fair

I won’t go into the river
For all the world’s silver
.....If the water is too hot

All the finest gold
Won’t help if the river’s cold
.....I prefer it to be lukewarm

Won’t you give me a break?
For I’ve had such a hard week
.....And I think it’s time to eat

I’m much too tired
To feel on fire
.....Let me go home and take my nap

It is no wonder why
Things in life go awry
.....And God remains silent

We have no time
But think it’s no crime
.....Until He has no time for us

We have such passion and zeal
For something unreal
.....While the Lord is ignored

If we worshipped our Lord
As we do our idols
.....How He would draw near!

A Holy Spirit Stirring

This is a Christmas poem I wrote for our church's Christmas program...outside of that setting I'm not sure if it's a good poem, but I'm posting it anyways because that's what I do! Date would be December 2004.

A Holy Spirit Stirring
By: R.A. Slater

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the church
First Baptist and others
There was a great stirring going on.

The church had grown weary
And was setting in to take a long winters nap
She’d taken off her robe and made up the bed
And as she slid out of her slippers…there arose such a clatter!

The noise shook the church way down deep
For it had the sound of a mighty rushing wind
Surely, surely, it could not be HE
Thought the church as she put her slippers back on.

But before she could take a step
There He stood before her!
The Holy Ghost of God, arrayed in splendor
His countenance lighting the entire chamber.

She could scarce take it in!
He had come like He’d promised!
In His arms He bore many gifts,
And strangely enough…was that a squirrel on His shoulder?!

The gift exchange was quiet and somber at first.
She offered up shame, and He covered it with righteousness.
She laid down offenses and He filled her with forgiveness.
She showed Him brokenness, and He knit her broken bones back together again.

Bitterness was laid down, along with anger and hate
In their place, the Holy Ghost gave peace, patience and love
He caught each one of her tears in a bottle.
Sin after sin was laid down, and each one He covered with the Blood of Christ.

As she laid down her sorrow,
Curiosity got the better of this dear lady.
In her seriousness before Him she asked,
“What is the deal with the squirrel?”

The Holy Ghost laughed, such a pleasant sound
He held out His hand to where the squirrel ran down to stand
“His name is Mirth,” the Holy replied,
“He’s symbolic you know…for the name Mirth is just another name for joy!”

In all seriousness, my friends
It does not take great discernment
To look around this church
And see the hand of God at work

Friendships mended
Broken hearts becoming whole
Bodies being healed
His glory becoming manifest

Even when the hour is late
And we have grown weary
We can rest assured that we serve a great God
Who neither slumbers nor sleeps

If we could but tarry for a little while longer
Press on a little bit farther
What glories we will see
As the Holy Ghost pours Himself out

What glories will we see?
Rather, whose glory will we see?
Why the very glory of God
The only glory worth seeing.

This Vision I see

I think this was written sometime in 2004 or 5...the email was dated Feb 2005, but for some reason I think it was written in 2004.


This Vision I See
By: R.A. Slater

What is this that I see?
A vision of Glory come down,
As angels dance all around.
A feat that cannot be pulled of by Man
Can only happen if they stand back to watch the hand of God.
Our cry for revival has rung true,
The church and our nation will become
A royal priesthood ministering to God,
And a nation that serves the Most High.
Revival fire is falling and spreads like wild fire
As people tell of this great God that they serve.
The saints are singing with one voice
As young and old come to know Jesus.
The church rises up from the ashes of desecration
To dance in the presence and glory of God
And is clothed in white garments of holiness.
And the times is now, for the day has arrived –
The thundering is no longer so far in the distance
And the clouds hang overhead instead of sitting on the horizon
The day of Habitation of the Most High God – has begun.

The River

This one comes from March 2005

The River:
by R.A. Slater

there is a River
flowing with living water
enough to quench the thirst
of you and me
****
so jump on in
saturate
marinate
don't be late
****
revel in His joy
dance in His midst
delight in His presence
and drink deep

Perchance to Dream

Hmm, this one comes from Feb. 2006

Perchance to Dream
By: R.A. Slater

Sleep tight, you say to me
As we bid farewell
And go our separate ways

Ah, to sleep…
The only reason to sleep
Is perchance to dream

To dream of your touch…
Gentle as it explores
Passionate as it discovers my secret places of pleasure

To dream of your warm embrace…
As though embraced by fire itself
Held by a power greater than gravity

To dream of your passionate kiss…
As one kiss turns into many
And I return your passion with my own

The Sun Still Shines

This one is from Feb 2004

The Sun Still Shines
By: R.A. Slater

The sun is always shining
Whether on mountain or valley
Even when the mountain blocks the light
When the sky is dark with black clouds
From the storms that come our way
Even when night is fallen
And the heavens are clothed with stars and moon
The sun is still shining just over the horizon
The thing is to keep on moving soaking in what light you can
To plod towards that far horizon
Through woods of peril and storms of strife
During days of weariness and sorrow
With hope ever burning
Sometimes bright, sometimes dim
But always warming the chill in your heart and bones
For though the wind may howl
And the wilderness raise a dreadful clamor
Above it all you can hear Him whisper,
“Press on, my child…I am still with you.”
And though nothing on the outside changes
Hope takes root and turns to expectant faith
That whether on mountain or valley
Through clouds and dark
The Son still shines
And you know that He is still with you.

One Woman Alone

I was going through some old emails and found this jewel written back in November 2005.


One Woman Alone
By: R.A. Slater

One woman alone
……abandoned……
She stands against the cold
……forgotten……
Braving the wind and the rain
……beaten……
With no one left to hear her
……forsaken……
Whether she lives or dies
……ignored……
No one hears the whispers shouted into the wind
……helpless……

Alone she lies
……rejected……
Beaten, bruised, bleeding
……misused……
Words cut as knives
……misunderstood……
Twisted around and around
……confused……
Till she no longer knows who said what
……wondering……
Or why it matters
……weary……

Alone she drowns
……help me……
Beneath the weight of her sorrow
……can anyone hear me?……
Mocked and ridiculed because of it
……why Lord?……
Tears run down her face as they scold
……Jesus, I’m suffocating……
She surrenders and gives up
……I can’t take it anymore……
As she is at last told that her pain is imagined and unreal
……it hurts Jesus……

One Man alone
……Gethsemane……
Arms wide open
……Nails……
Blood flowing freely
……covering, healing……
Broken heart, tears falling
……love……
Nail scarred hands holding her close
……His heartbeat……
A whispered promise that echoes
……I AM with you, always……

Alone she kneels
……lonely……
In the presence of the only One left
……comfort……
And pours out her heart
……relief……
Lays down her sins
……repentant……
Gives her grievances over to Him
……forgiveness……
Starts over anew
……mercy……

One woman alone
……not alone……
She stands fortified by God’s grace
……forgiven……
Shored up by His strength
……joy……
Armed with the Truth
……His Word……
To face another day
……new mercies……
Not alone

Surprise

Surprise
By: R.A. Slater

Years of fruitless searching
Had brought me nothing but disappointment
When despair was my best companion
Unfulfilled dreams haunted my waking
And even the hint of hope was dashed
Broken and shattered into pieces
Each shard cutting to the deepest
Until my heart at last gave out
And I laid down, ready to die
Caught in a web of loneliness
Thinking, believing, knowing
I would never find you
You caught me by surprise
And you found me
Your arms held me with fiery passion
Tempered by patient gentleness
Made me believe again
That happiness could be found
With a piece of heaven on this earth
And a piece of the Father's heart
Hidden inside a man
Revealed for me to see
Much to my surprise
And delight
That echoes in two hearts

Gone

Gone

By: R.A. Slater

07-07-08

Gone are the days of blue haze

The mowers came one day

And cut it all down

They showed no remorse

They showed no regret

Only stisfaction in a job well done

Gone are the days of youth

Gone is our innocence

Now we must trod the path unmarked

We may travel without joy in our bosom

Or hope in our heart

But faith still abides

For though the path is unmarked

Robbed of the delightful blue haze

It is still the same path as before

Tantalize 2

Tantalize Me {pt 2}
by: R.A. Slater
04-26-08

Once in our secret place
You tantalize me
Your touch is light as a feather
Becoming firmer as I press into you
Teasing me at the edge of my senses
Your fingers trace my face
Running along my cheekbones
Under my chin, caressing my neck
You draw me close to you
Without my being aware
So easily you reached into my world
And drew me away
Pulling me into your own
Where thought stills
And attention is focused on you
On your touch
Your gaze
Your beating heart
Blending somehow with my own
Longing for more of you
Hoping that this moment does not end
But goes on forever

Eclipse

Inspired by a recent sermon by David Wilkerson that I read entitled "An Eclipse of Faith".

Eclipse

By: R. A. Slater

05-08-08

Why do You hide?

Why do You leave me alone?

Your hand which covered me

Now covers Your face from me

Withholds Your presence

Keeps Your very breathe

Afar off

The barest shimmers

Along the edges of perception

Serve to remind me

Of the past glories

Of how things used to be

Instead of reminding me

That You are not completely gone

My heart cries out for Your return

Even as I deal with the anger

Over Your departure

Not understanding WHY?

Why God?

What did I do to deserve

The absence of You?

Can't You see

What this is doing to me?

How I can't breathe?

How I stumble and fall

Because I can't see

In this diluted darkness

Of this eclipse?

I wish that I could give up

I long to give up

But something keeps prodding me

A faint glimmer of hope perhaps

A last shred of faith

That this too shall pass

That You will return to me

Tantalize 1

Tantalize {pt 1}
by: R.A. Slater
04-23-08

How you tantalize me
Drawing me on
Tempting me with bits and pieces
Marking the way with delectable morsels
Each one designed to captivate
And hold my attention
As you lead me to your destination
Where we can be together at last
With no one to bother
And no interruptions
So that you can ravish me
At your leisure
Taking your time at exploring me
Pleasuring in my pleasure
This thought draws me on after you
You never waiver
Never let me wander
Keeping our eyes on each other
And the destination
And the as of yet unknown
Ecstasies that await us there
My heart pounds in anticipation
And I hear the echo of this desire
In your voice as you encourage me on

Moonbeam

A change of pace.....sort of a commerical break maybe? lol!

Moonbeam

by: R.A. Slater

4-17-08

Sleathily I rise above the horizon

Uncurling my luminescent beams

As a flower opens her petals to the sun

Or as a maiden unfurls her hair for her lover

For so I desire to be to you

Stretching forth in my beauty

I long to wake you

Arouse you from your slumber

To caress you with my soft tendrils

Pleasure you with my sweetness

To bathe you with my incandescent glow

Seduce you with my smooth milky white

To feel your hands reaching back

And see the desire in my eyes

Reflected in your own

Pulling closer to each other

No longer existing in distant orbits

But dancing closer and closer

Until we are in the same plane

Will you be there when I wake

Or will it turn out to be a dream

Regardless I display my beauty for you to see

As a maiden slowly disrobes for her lover

For so I long to be to you

Count My Tears

Count My Tears

by: R.A. Slater

4-19-08

Do You count my tears

Each one as they fall

In a steady stream

As anguish breaks my heart

Yet once again

As I am forgotten

Shoved to the side

And ignored

Do You count my tears

Shed in loneliness and despair

Differently from the other tears

Shed in joy and delight

Though far and few between

Do You keep them in seperate bottles

Or pool them all together

Do You count my tears

That I cause myself

Or consider them deserved

Unworthy of marking

Do You count my tears

Even when they aren't shed

Held in by fear

Of judgement and condemnation

See them now

Dropping, streaming, falling

How can You count

A continuous stream

Sometimes

Sometimes

by: R.A. Slater

4-12-08

Sometimes I don't know where You are

Looking high and low

Until I am weary and faint

I curl up inside into a tiny ball

The pain of my loss too great to bear

The world bears down on me

Cutting off my will to live

Cutting off the very air I breath

Though my tongue has been silenced

Still my heart cries out to You

Knowing that where ever You are

You always hear each whispered shout

How I miss Your presence

Your arms wrapped around me

Keeping me warm in this cold world

So now I wait...

Sitting here alone and cold

Weary with my crying

Waiting for You to find me again

Weary

Weary
by: R.A. Slater
April 5, 2008

I am so weary of my life
Of waiting and longing
For open doors that aren't there
Of hoping for things
That never come to pass
Even the windows are solidly locked
I have checked them twice
There is no escape from this dark passage
As I groan beneath the weight of my burden
Trying to scream
In a world of deaf people
I find that I am invisible
No breath of cool air
To bring me relief
No oasis in this darkness
To quench my thirst
Blindly I grope along
Needing to keep moving
If there is a light
At the end of this tunnel
My heart feels that it is far off
And I despair of living long enough
To see it with my own eyes
Instead of imagining it
But I am weary
Unable to keep my chin up any longer
Needing rest
And finding no safe refuge

Burning

Burning
by: R.A. Slater
09-22-07

I used to be
A brightly burning fire
For You my Lord
Bright and hot
Strong and true
Somewhere along the way
I let the fire dampen
And now I cry out
Lord, burn once again in me!
Burning blazing fire
Holy passion
Pure delight
Scouring
Purging
Enlivening
How I long for that life
Abundant life
To burn in me again
No longer hidden
Fire dripping from my fingers
Oh God, set me and send me
Set me aflame with Your love
And then where shall I run?
Where can I spread this life?
This life giving fire
Passionate delight
Air to the dying
Etnernal Flame
Holy Fire
Consume me
Let me be Your living torch
Here am I

Basking

Basking
by R.A. Slater
09-14-07

Sometimes life hits hard
Leaving me spinning
First one way and then the other
And I find myself wanting nothing more
Than a chance to sit at Your feet
And bask in Your glory

Brightly shining
Blazing and blinding
Warming the cold of my life
Comforting that which hurts
Seeking You, I find You
Sometimes quickly
Other times not

And we sit
Drawing near to each other
Renewing our communion
Taking me deeper
Burning me deeper
Changing me deeper

And as I bask in Your glory
Knowing You
I become discontent
And I realize
That there are others
In need of You

Desperate
Dying
Thirsting
Longing
Enslaved
And they've never heard Your name

It is not enough to bask
Not enough to reflect Your glory
You must shine from within me
Consuming fire
Burn in me
Consume me

Each time I bask
Soak deeper into me
Then push me to my feet
Set me running to the dying
Lead me, run with me
Dwell in me

Saturate me
Burn in me
All the way
To the core
All the way
I am yours

Light In the Darkness

Light In The Darkness
By: R.A. Slater
09-01-07

In the darkness I sat
Heart so cold
Lonely and afraid
Too tired to even call Your name
Lord how long must I wait
So long already
Your Voice silent
Here I wait longer still
Unwilling to give up hope
Though hope is gone
Resting...trusting...
Crying...waiting...
Breathing...quietly...
And then...there You are
Softly, gently, a light in the darkness
Your warmth spreading from limb to limb
Melting the coldness of my heart at last
Love renewed, a heart refined
Passion restored, all things new
Then...brightness explodes
Blazing glory
A fiery tornado
Oh how You consume me Jesus
Holy fire rushing through my veins
Not enough...never enough
Always wanting more
This intimacy
This deepness
That deepens
Hunger gone, thirst quenched
But always wanting more and more
Needing more
More of You

Figment 2

Figment 2

by: R.A. Slater

I awaken as though from a dream

Thinking I've held you near

Having felt your touch

Your voice caressing my ears

But as I push back the covers

The dreams are shattered

Reality sets in

The fog of uncertainty clearing

As my feet hit the cold hard floor

Darkness descends

Cold and hard as mountain bedrock

Traveling through my day

I realize that you were never there

That what we shared

Never existed

Created by my imagination

You turned out to be a figment after all

And I am left alone

Without even the warmth of hope

To wrap my heart in

Words

Words
By R.A. Slater
08-26-07

Words … words … words
Tumbling around my head
Aching … longing … needing
To find expression
To have a voice
To be heard
How does one describe
A pain this sharp?
Pointed … piercing … pounding
A heart rejected
Tearing … torn … to pieces
Bleeding all over the place
Into every part of life
No facet untouched
Aching … alone … a void
Unseen … unwanted … undone
A heart so lonely
A heart so scared
Frightened and terrified
Shards … seeping … seeking
Broken … bleeding … bruised
This heart of mine
Laid bare for all of you to see
And all I have are words
Which cannot describe
Cannot explain
Cannot fix

Pictures

Pictures
By R.A. Slater
08-25-07

I put your pictures away
A year ago today
Foolish I was
And foolish I am
Thinking I had found better
Not thinking at all
I got your pictures out today
Looked upon the face I adored
That I adore
Tracing its line with my eyes
Touching the picture
As though it were you
Smiling back at the smile on your face
Missing hearing that smile in your calls
I thought to pick up the phone
To hear your voice again
To let it caress my ears
As though it was my heart
To ask you
To beg you
To take me back
To love me again
But I know that I cannot
For last we spoke
You told me no
Breaking my heart
As I must have broke yours
Poetic justice perhaps
But my how it hurt
Hurts
So once again
I put your pictures away

Treasures Of Darkness

Treasures Of Darkness

by R.A. Slater

7-9-07

I will give you treasures of darkness

And hidden riches of secret places

So said the Lord one lonely night

Treasures of darkness? I reply

What treasure can there be

In this darkness surrounding me?

Hounding, invading, all encompassing

Until it is all I can see

All that I feel

All I can hear

Every breath I struggle to take

Is saturated with its clinging dripping weight

There are no riches hidden here

In this secret place of my despair

Where I wonder if You're even there

Where I ask if You remember me

Have You heard my cries?

Have You been listening?

Were You there to catch my tears

To store them in Your bottle

Like Your Word says?

I am weary with my crying

Day in and day out

With no sign that You've heard

No sign of Your promised comfort

Where is this hidden treasure

That I have sought after

Groping about in this blinding darkness

And when I paused...

Breathing...Crying...Straining to hear...

Hoping to hear...Longing to hear...needing to hear...

I Am right here, He whispered

By your side

I have never been far

And have held you often

As you shed your tears

Catching each one in My bottle

Just as I promised

For I am a keeper of promises

Which you are still learning

Which is the treasure of this time

Though you do not see it yet

Nor its end

But I do, precious daughter of mine

I see the darkness' end

And its hold on you

And the joy that awaits you

As the darkness shatters all around

My light reflecting off the jagged edges

And you and I shall dance

As never before

Victory in the keeping

What intimacy we have had in this darkness

As the secrets of your heart have been laid bare to Me

For the darkness does not hide you from Me

For where you grope blindly

I have held firmly

What intimacy is yet to come

Once you learn these treasures

And let go of the darkness

And cling to Me