Inspirational poems by John Talada

 

            Where Will You Lead Today?             Love's Pure Light

            Bright Spirit, Gently Whisper              Do Not Hesitate

            Shalom                                                Walk, Pilgrim

            Does Anyone Care?                           Mourn For The Innocent

            A Choice                                             Absalom

            Won't You Leave Them Alone?          Their Worth

            Garment Hems                                   It Was Only A Song

            My Lover and Friend                           An Offering

            Field Of Woes                                     A Beggar In Bondage

            Rise Up And Walk                               A River Of Regret

            Another Sleepless Night                     The Bright Rose

            Rest For The Weary                           Walking In New Light

            It's Not There                                       First Flight

            The Blood Of The Lamb                     From Egypt's Mighty Hand

            Box Of Toys                                        That's How It Goes

 

HOME PAGE

           

Where Will You Lead Today?

 

In the morning, when I rise up from the bed, He is there;

Gently like dew on untrodden grass He lies

On my mind – on my heart – everywhere!

Spirit Bright in holy splendor calls my name and stays

To sing Her song so sweet, so strange,

So cognizant of all my ways.

Where will You lead today?

 

The cold, damp air of drizzle day wipes clear the dusty store

Of mental moods both blue and ashen gray;

That cry out, ”Why do this anymore?”

The sleep of death and angel dreams are quickly gone

To pass and leave no trace or hint in me.

Love, burst forth like the rosy dawn!

Where will You lead today?

 

Holy devotion in nature transforms this wintry clime to Spring,

I call Your name to the shrub and withered bough,

“Be reconciled, you broken, mended thing!”

Unchanged to eyes that cannot see one step beyond the day,

But wonder fills the twice-born earth and all

Who walk this grand, appointed Way.

Where will You lead today?

 

Holy Spirit, bright blessing sent in power divine to me,

Heaven’s dearest gift to man and earth,

Plant my feet on holy ground in sweet eternity.

Blue above and gray below You hover near incarnate;

On the azure depths You gently float and soar

By snow-white wings of peace above it.

Where will you lead today?

 

Lord, on the path You’ve set before me crimson stains appear

Beneath the dust and tear-dampened road;

I hear You whisper, “Do not fear!”

Stretch these hands to fit the cross You’ve fashioned just for me,

Sweet Jesus, Lord and Holy Savior,

And in love I’ll rest eternally.

Where will You lead today?

 

 

Love's Pure Light

 

Marching along to a different beat,

Blazing the way for my brother's feet;

Peaceful contemplation,

Healing for the nations,

Friends in desperation,

Bearing the torch of love's pure light.

 

Dreaming of life in a cloudless day,

Hoping to see some friends on the way,

War at last is ended,

Hate-torn lives are mended,

Enemies befriended;

One day the clouds will pass away.

 

Groping along there are people so blind;

Treating the poor cruelly and unkind;

Who is not our neighbor,

Let's join hands and labor,

Only love can save her;

Help bear the torch of love's pure light.

 

 

Bright Spirit, Gently Whisper

 

Bright Spirit, gently whisper

What the world can never say;

“Shalom!” to my defenseless heart,

In this teapot made of clay.

 

Piercing gloom and sin-dark veil,

Enter softly Dove of Light;

Speak peace-filled strains of heaven’s song

In the terror of my night.

 

“Shalom! Sweet Spirit”, calls my

Over-anxious heart and mind;

“Make one this shattered, broken life

That Christ’s great love may recline

 

On the grassy fields below,

In tender lovingkindness.”

So many hearts yearn longer still

To taste Your blessed sweetness.

 

 

Do Not Hesitate

 

Do you really have the time

To do the things you feel you must?

Are you spending time that you don’t have?

Seek the Lord while He is near –

He’s whispering within your ear,

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

 

But do not hesitate too long;

Don’t bet on prophets being wrong

For one day you may find yourself alone;

Remember human wisdom is

Just the echo of an angel

Cast to earth a million years ago.

 

Do you think Almighty God

Can’t see the things within your heart?

You never were convinced that He was dead;

Seek the Lord while He is near –

He’s whispering within your ear,

“Come unto Me and I will give you rest.”

 

But do not hesitate too long,

Don’t bet on prophets being wrong

For one day you may find yourself alone;

Can all the logic of this world

Fill the emptiness you feel

Deep inside that will not give you rest?

 

 

Shalom

 

A gentle whisper barely coherent

Breathes Her dark message ambiguous

Of source and intent, “Shalom”;

No burning bush in desert sands,

No eerie prickling in the thumbs

To arrest the soul just, “Shalom”;

Softly like a morning breeze,

Revealing naught but life to me,

She murmurs healthful joy and says, “Shalom”.

 

 

Walk, Pilgrim

 

Walk, pilgrim, night is falling, voices are calling

Where unanointed angels lead;

Masterfully leading slowly

Toward lifting high old Satan’s seed.

 

Walk, pilgrim, sin unending, hearts descending

In attitudes of gaiety;

Hunger after joy and laughter

Where innocently life is free.

 

Walk, pilgrim, let Him lead you, He has freed you!

Why walk as though you’re burdened down?

For His glory tell the story                                               

Of a bloody Cross and thorny crown.

 

Walk, pilgrim, you’re no stranger to such danger

That twisted hearts and minds can give;

But in His Kingdom, praise and sing then

To the Christ in whom we live.

 

Does Anyone Care?

 

Walking alone with shoulders bowed down

By years of wandering and roaming around;

I’ve too many yesterdays cursing today;

What does tomorrow mean living this way?

 

The answer I’m told is, “Blowing in the wind”,

“Just hoist yourself up and give life a grin!”

“Look to the angels, they’ll watch over you;”

Or “Stare at the crystals of red, white and blue.”

 

Does anyone care what happens to me?

Does anyone know? Does anyone see?

What’s happening around us just doesn’t seem fair,

“Say mister, does anyone care?”

 

I get a little nervous flying in a plane,

This world is getting wacky – totally insane;

Not all the loonies are from some foreign land,

We have plenty right here who will take their stand.

 

They are ready to do whatever it takes

To get on the TV and further their hate;

Some call it glory and some call it fame

But it gives me the shakes whatever the game.

 

Does anyone care what happens to me?

Does anyone know? Does anyone see?

What’s happening around us just doesn’t seem fair,

“Say mister, does anyone care?”

 

 

Mourn for the Innocent

 

Mourn for the innocent dead on the streets,

Mourn for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv;

Mourn for the peace that never can be

While hate reigns in Israel.

Madmen deluded by a fool’s paradise

Offer themselves as a sick sacrifice;

How noble a cause is to die just to kill?

How still lie the innocent, mourn for the peace!

How still lie the murderers, mourn for the peace!

 

Why must we fear to walk on the streets?

Or, be terrified on crowded bus seats?

Must hate reign forever in Jerusalem?

Terror lies silently around every turn;

Terror kills silently, When will we learn?

 

How deep must the blood flow in Israel?

How many innocent? No man can tell

For hate drives men cruelly in Jerusalem;

So pray for all Israel, mourn for the peace!

And pray for all Palestine, mourn for the peace!

Mourn for the innocent dead on the streets,

Mourn for Jerusalem and Tel Aviv;

Mourn for the peace that never can be

While hate reigns in Israel.

 

A Choice

 

High upon a mountaintop I stood one sunny day

And there, as far as I could see, a splendid carpet lay;

The treasures of the world I saw – its precious art and jewels –

Crystal towers reached above a million sparkling pools!

What beauty spread before me! What a wondrous sight to see!

“And it will all be yours”, I heard him say,

“If you will worship me.”

Beneath the olive trees in the dark of night

I heard a man there pray,

“O Father, if it be Your will, let this cup pass away!”

I saw Him mocked and spit upon by all who passed Him by;

I heard Him groan beneath a cross – I couldn’t help by cry!

As He hung upon that rugged cross at a place called Calvary,

“Eternal life is yours,” He said, “If you will follow Me.”

 

Absalom

 

The glittering lights of the city streets

Ignore the shadows at his feet

As a young man sits alone and beat

Fighting his last fight.

 

A rebel true to his own way

He set out on his own one day;

He was searching for a better way –

He just had to be free!

 

He told his dad as he left home,

“I don’t need Church I need to roam!

And I can make it on my own!”

He was young and strong.

 

But drugs don’t care how young you are

And you’ll find no peace in the local bar;

And sex will take you just so far –

They’ll leave you sick and alone.

 

“Absalom, O Absalom! Would to God that I could die for you!”

 

He fought a battle he couldn’t win,

But still he never would give in;

This young man was a slave to sin,

He would never be free!

 

Alone and sick in an alley way

The young man thought that he had found the way –

But, even then, he refused to pray,

He was a rebel to the end.

 

“Absalom, O Absalom! Would to God that I could die for you!

 

 

Won’t You Leave Them Alone?

 

They’ve got you on their minds,

Can’t you leave the little ones alone?

You’re printed on their T-shirts,

Comic books and faded old blue jeans;

They’re blind to what you’re doing,

And they think I’m only fooling;

Say mister, won’t you leave them alone?

 

Must you fill their young hearts

With strange fire from altars of the damned?

Too young to know the truth

They fall for every cheap trick you hand them;

They’re blind to what you’re doing;

They don’t know with whom they’re fooling;

Say mister, won’t you leave them alone?

 

You rob them of their innocence

And tell them that “It’s only natural!”

You’ve taught them all your songs

And preach to them from some dark gospel;

You’ve nursed them on your lies

But you’re deaf to all their cries;

Say mister, won’t you leave them alone?

 

 

Their Worth

 

If, on being born into this place

Depends the rise of a human soul,

Then what effect does a culture face

That is founded on birth control?

As far as I have yet observed,

Each soul has purpose on this earth;

The innocent’s death is undeserved

For God alone can judge their worth.

 

 

Garment Hems

 

You were lost in a thought, in a touch, in a care;

I reached to take Your hand in mine,

I reached but You weren’t there;

Is it such a fragile thing that I must hold You in my mind?

Or, is the nearness that I’m seeking, Lord, impossible to find?

Once I thought I felt Your eyes rest longingly on me,

A warm glow passing suddenly, a rush of urgency;

I lunged in desperation at garment hems of gold;

You’re the One I long to draw close to – the One I have to hold.

 

But as quickly as You came You left,

A fleeting glimpse of Light;

Are You toying with me, Love? You stay just out of sight;

Will You tease me with a tender glance – enhancing my desire?

Or, is there nothing in this life, Lord, to quench this heart afire?

 

I know that one day You will come and set my spirit free,

To loose the lock that binds me here

Your great beauty then I’ll see;

Until that day I’ll keep on searching – reaching for Your hand;

I long to see Your Kingdom, Lord, I seek to understand.

 

But as quickly as You come You leave,

A fleeting glimpse of Light;

Are You toying with me, Love? You stay just out of sight;

Will You tease me with a tender glance – enhancing my desire?

Or, is there nothing in this life, Lord, to quench this heart afire?

 

 

It Was Only A Song

 

It was only a song at the end of the day;

But little you knew the pleasure it gave

To a lover of beauty on Life’s troubled way -

A taste of harmony this side of the grave.

 

 

My Lover and Friend

 

I’ve known a lot of lovers in my time;

I’ve kissed their painted lips

And drank their warm, red wine;

I’ve met a lot of friends along the way,

But life meant nothing more to them

Than another game to play.

 

There comes a time when all games have to end,

When you really need a lover and a friend;

Who will come along to see me through?

Who will love me truly? No one, Lord, but You!

“His mouth is most sweet, He is altogether lovely!

This is my Beloved, this is my Friend.”

 

An Offering

 

The earth in solemn stillness stood

To witness Your great love,

When Christ the Incarnate Deity

Left His glorious home above

To bear the burden and the shame

Of our vast iniquity

And give eternal life to all

Who trust upon His holy name.

O God of Israel, there is none beside You!

Creator and our Sovereign Lord,

We lift joyous hearts in praise

As an offering of love.

 

The world in all its vanities,

Its foolish ways and pride,

Rejected Him who came to save –

On Calvary’s cross He died.

Yet still the world rejects His grace

And mocks Jesus’ precious name;

One day we’ll all bow at His feet;

For Christ will judge the human race.

O God of Israel, there is none beside You!

Creator and our Sovereign Lord,

We lift joyous hearts in praise

As an offering of love.

 

Field of Woes

 

There are earnest hearts now seeking

Ways of peace for all mankind;

In summits great ones meeting

Men alert with well-trained minds.

 

Many wise men now are trying

To find out the reason why,

Half the world is crushed and bleeding

In spite of plans they have tried.

 

An end has come for so much talking,

Man must die for what he knows;

You’ve a right to know in walking thus

You will reap a field of woes.

 

 

A Beggar In Bondage

 

A beggar in bondage in a cruel, uncaring land;

Resting all my hopes and dreams in castles made of sand;

Running, dashing to and fro I called out desperately,

“Father, lift me up from here! Lord, deliver me!”

 

Enrapt with childish glee I cried, “Praise God, at last I see!”

Lord, dress this once-blind beggar in royal poverty;

The light of Jesus shines in love within this earthen vase,

And lifted up I give to all until I see His face.

 

 

Rise Up And Walk

 

Why do I find it hard sometimes

To leave this world behind?

Why do I find the ones I love

Treat me so unkind?

I've been a fool for hanging on

To broken pots of clay;

Lord, take my hand and walk with me

Each and every day.

 

Why do I hurt so much inside

When I am all alone?

Why do I feel such emptiness

With the love you've shown?

Forgive this weak and wretched thing,

Sweet Jesus, Lord, I pray!

Take my hand and walk with me

Each and every day.

 

"Rise up and walk, take My hand,

Just keep your eyes on Me;

Don't look back or at the waves,

I'm all you need to see."

 

A River Of Regret

 

How many times have I forgot,

With just a smile or two,

The pain that comes from wanting

A closer walk with You?

I can't explain just how it was

The day that we first met,

But the joys of love run deeper

Than a river of regret.

 

If I could see what lies ahead,

Or what life is to be,

I would not fear or run away

As long as you're with me;

But tomorrow is not an open book

And I can't be with you yet,

Still the joys of life run deeper

Than a river of regret.

 

Before I met the blessed Son

Despair was all I knew;

I ran in fear from day to day

In search of one that's true,

But then the Savior touched my heart -

Now on Him my eyes are set!

For the joys of Christ run deeper

Than a river of regret.

 

Another Sleepless Night

 

Another sleepless night in a lonely hotel room

Wondering what has gone wrong -

No money, no friends, no reason for living,

I'm tired of pretending that I have somewhere to go.

 

I've tried everything this world has to offer,

They all seem so empty and vain,

There is something my heart is desperately seeking

To fill that emptiness deep in my soul.

 

In the heart of a city with millions around me

There's no one that I can go to;

I don't know which is colder the street or the people,

I am tired and alone - I must move along.

 

 

The Bright Rose

 

You are the bright rose that is blooming for me -

Red from the blood shed on Calvary's tree -

Whose gentle perfume whispers peace to my soul

With a beauty more wondrous than silver or gold.

 

You've brought the springtime of love to my heart,

Brightening the darkness as your word I impart;

Blooming in the roadsides and hedges of life

For a sin-laden world of sorrow and strife.

 

You've brought the springtime of peace to this land,

Brightening the dark streets of our cities so grand;

Blooming amid the amber waves and lofty peaks

For the peace of your presence our Lord sweetly speaks.

 

You've brought the springtime of joy in a song,

A hymn of the Savior to whom we belong;

We will sing of the liberty that lights our way,

For salvation you will bring on that glorious day.

 

You are the bright rose that is blooming for me -

Red from the blood shed on Calvary's tree -

Whose gentle perfume whispers peace to my soul

With a beauty more wondrous than silver or gold.

 

Rest For The Weary

 

In our promised home in glory

There awaits a land of rest;

Where my Savior has gone before me

To fulfill my soul's request;

There is rest for the weary

In our home in Glory land!

 

He is preparing me a mansion,

Which eternally shall stand,

For my stay shall not be transient

In that holy and happy land;

There is rest for the weary

In our home in Glory land!

 

There will be no pain or sorrow

In our glorious home up there,

Just a glory-filled tomorrow,

When a crown of life I'll wear;

There is rest for the weary

In our home in Glory land!

 

Let us sing, O saints, of glory

Shouting "Victory" as we go!

We'll tell the world salvation's story

And let everybody know,

There is rest for the weary

In our home in Glory land!

 

Walking In New Light

 

I'm walking in new light and living a new life,

Purchased and sealed through His precious blood;

There is no turning back - I am on the right track!

He guides me each step of the way.

 

Sometimes there's a valley where darkness falls o'er me,

When all that I have is His precious words;

Still He promised that He'd be there - there's no need to despair!

His grace is sufficient for me.

 

The rod of His power I will make my strong tower,

A rock and a fortress is Jesus to me;

For righteousness sake - His path I will take!

The staff of His truth comforts me.

 

It's Not There

 

It's not there; you won't find it

In the world's fame and fortune;

It's not there; you won't find it

In philosopher's lore;

You can work until you crumble -

And you stumble and fall -

But it's not there.

 

It's not there in the attic

Of some bone dry religion;

It's not there in the frantic

Desperation of this world;

For you can seek it till you crumble -

Till you stumble and fall -

But it's not there.

 

Listen closely and let me tell you

Of the love that God has offered you;

Listen closely with your heart

And not your mind;

God has sent His only Son

To pay for what we've done;

In Jesus there is hope for everyone.

 

There are many things that I'm not sure of -

And even more that I don't know -

There are many things, that's for sure, that try my soul;

For I can work until I crumble -

And I stumble and fall -

Yet without Jesus it is worth nothing at all.

 

First Flight

 

Hear the wind blow it gently sighs,

"I know your sorrows - I've heard your cries;

Your weak and feeble frame, your many tries,

but see... You're flying, still flying!"

 

Thrusting forth on uncertain wings,

I've got my eyes set on heavenly things;

I need to see what this new life will bring,

O Lord, I'm flying, yes, flying!

 

Catch the winds I bring they will lift you high,

Higher and higher to new-found sky;

There's no time to doubt - don't ask me why

Just keep on flying, you're flying!

 

The winds give strength to fear no more

Though lightning flashes and rains down pour;

The storms of life give lift and help me soar

To keep me flying, yes, flying! 

 

The Blood Of The Lamb

 

Tossed like a leaf on a storm driven sea,

Lost and condemned for eternity,

What power in this world could change who I am?

Nothing in this world,

No power of man,

Nothing but the blood of the Lamb.

 

God's condemnation was all I could see,

Sin's dreadful wage was waiting for me;

What hope can there be for a man like I am?

Nothing in this world,

There's no hope in man,

There's no hope but the blood of the Lamb.

 

How can I ever repay such great love?

God's only Son came down from above

To give Himself fully - He's the glorious I AM!

He gave to all men

His love revealed

So fully in the blood of the Lamb.

 

Echoed in glory through eternity,

Heavenly hosts sing jubilantly,

"Holy, holy, holy, the great God I AM!

His love gave freedom,

His love gave peace,

His love gave the blood of the Lamb.

 

From Egypt's Mighty Hand

 

From Egypt's mighty hand He saved - the sons of Israel;

They saw the glory of the Lord when pharaoh's men all fell;

God brought His chosen people home and gave them victory,

The land He promised Abraham was theirs eternally.

 

Messiah came to Israel as prophets once foretold;

He came to seek and save the lost, to bring them to the fold;

The Kingdom of our God He preached with great authority;

He healed the sick and raised the dead, and gave His life for me.

 

"Forget about yourself", I heard the Master say to me,

"Take up your cross and follow Me, if I your Lord will be",

There's glory in that rugged way but none on earth to see;

There's a crown of life, if you endure, and joy eternally.

 

Box Of Toys

 

Living in a world of toys, of shadows flitting by,

Reaching out to touch someone - can't they hear me cry?

One by one they walk away as if I wasn't there,

And left me with my box of toys but no one's life to share.

 

Won't someone listen? Won't someone care?

Won't someone stay a while with me - can't you see?

It takes much more than grownup toys to fill an empty heart;

Love and peace are what I need to soothe this aching heart.

 

Listen to the voice of love - He's waiting patiently;

He's not inside your box of toys but calling tenderly;

Softly like a morning breeze the Master's drawing near,

Gently knocking at your door, He beckons, "Have no fear!"

 

He's come to listen - He's come to care -

He's come to stay eternally - can't you see?

It takes much more than grownup toys to fill an empty heart;

It was Jesus' love and righteousness you've sought for from the start.

 

That's How It Goes

 

Many roads are laid before us,

Great men have paved