The Words Of The Preacher

I wrote this last semester (Fall '08) for an extra credit assignment for Old Testament Survey.  It is a spoken word/poetry slam piece that I based off the book of Ecclesiastes and the life of Solomon.  Some of it is anachronistic in its expressions and cultural references, yet I believe the main thrust of the book and the theological principles contained therein remain.  Solomon was the man who had it all; politically, materially & intellectually.  This spoken word piece seeks to present the dire, hopeless vanities of empty hedonism present within the life of an individual who is seeking ultimate pleasure and satisfaction apart from a vibrant relationship with God Almighty.  I hope it ministers to you. I may be recording a live video performance of this soon because Dr. Smith said he would like to use it for his class.  I'll post up the video if I ever do that in the future.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 9-11

"The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.  'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'  So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.  Also my wisdom remained with me.  Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.  I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure...then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.  There was no profit under the sun."

The Words Of The Preacher

Vs. 1

Under the sun I’ve had bundles of fun/

Stacking gold to the sky, I’ve had bundles of funds/

I’ve had hundreds of hunnies numbering numerous sums/

And grub in my tummy, buddy, the food was a ton/

No stumbling dummy could sully or ruin my guns/

My government money funding was second to none/

Flexing extra-ordinary wisdom exceeding the highest/

All the kings of the earth came to me seeking guidance/ 

The greatest, my name was famous, the amazing Son of David/

Insane gifts and cadence placed me on the apex of the A-list/

It is what it is, I ain't telling you fibs/

Catch me on the latest version of Jerusalem Cribs/

I was sipping a tea/ livid, and living a dream/ 

Swimming in cream, brimming with greed, sinning extreme/

I strategized to gratify the cravings cut inside of me/

I fantasized, my fantasies became utter realities/

The quintessential player / suave and savvy/

Who else had 1,000 women who were calling him daddy?/

Imagine in your mind you’re touring the finest mansion/

I had that all that shine plus more than your eyes can fathom/

With an eye for snatching the flyest fashion/

In a mad dash for cash then I was flashing/

Sippin from a chalice in my palace, living higher than the stratus/

Undeniably the baddest / Don't believe me? find my status/

in Ecclesiastes 2:9/

I was greater than any man born before my time/

Thought I was living the high life, blessed and free/

‘Till I realized my possessions were possessing me/

Hook (Chorus):

Vanity of vanities, coming through the speakers/

Listen to me children, I’m exposing my weakness/

My goal is to warn ya, my goal is to teach ya/

So come here and listen the words of the preacher/ (2x)

Vs. 2

Under the sun, I’ve had bundles of fun/

But the fun was misleading, it's humbling son/

The pleasures were fleeting, their crumbled and gone/

Now I’m severed and bleeding, asundered and numb/

Basking in ravishing passion brought no lasting satisfaction/

Madness and outlandish laughing was the saddest bad distraction/

Trapped, smacked, jacked, backtracked and blackened/

Didn't fear God or keep the commands of the matchless captain/

I've toiled for an anvil of sin/

And all I have to show you is this handful of wind/

Barraged with a mirage of rude brews and broads/

My life wasn't lodged in the true pursuit of God/

And I regret it so badly/

Choking and feeling broken like I'm in a low valley/

Power and the pleasure in a choke-hold had me/

Not chasing after my holy daddy/

It’s ineffably distressing so you better be confessing/

Cause without your God your life will be incredibly depressing/

See I've exhausted every possible route in finding meaning/

And found out that route’s impossible without the Highest Being/

What profit is the labor, walking after paper/

Scoffing at your maker, sooner or later, the coffin’s gonna claim ya/

You see death is gonna get you/

And when death comes to get you you ain’t bringing nothing with you/

So don’t live for one-night stands and weekend plans/

Cause giving glory to God is the chief end of man/

Vanity of vanities/ the statement of my thesis/

Everything is straight up worthless without saving faith in Jesus/

Hook (Chorus):

Vanity of vanities, coming through the speakers/

Listen to me children, I’m exposing my weakness/

My goal is to warn ya, my goal is to teach ya/

So come here and listen the words of the preacher/

Daughter Of The King

I did not intend to just end up posting lyrics/verses that I've written but they have just been pouring out of my heart lately.  I pray that this edifies and encourages you. I called this one "Daughter Of The King." 

(After you read this, read the warning/caveat that I give after the poem please).

Sublime and beautiful soul, my mind is losing control/ 

Pure radiance, you shine with an unusual glow/ 

Reminiscing to the time I said, “Excuse me, hello.”/

Now I know we go together like a shoe and sole/ 

Yeah, you’re a cutie and you’re truly a rose/ 

I am fully yours and you are fully my own/ 

Rebuke me but don’t go, if I ever foolishly show/ 

That I’m not treasuring your heart because I’m stupid and slow/ 

And every single year it’s like your beauty it grows/ 

Your love is brighter than the sun, sweeter than a honeycomb/ 

I know as our hands hold we’re both of the same mold/ 

Covenant blessed/ flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone/ 

Help me be a lovin’ husband and a man in the home/ 

Who leads you and our little crew to love the Lamb on the throne/ 

Ephesians Five as our story for His glory alone/            

Ecclesiastes 4:9 as the path of our road/ 

See I’m attracted to you because you’re attracted to Him/ 

A beauty deeper than skin reaching to virtue within/ 

Spent so much time at his feet, seeking Him, touching his hem/ 

That you’re reflecting off His glory like a radiant gem/ 

Pure and purchased/ You’re worth it/ I’m a servant to your needs/ 

This is my beloved; she’s such a precious thing to me/ 

I’ll keep the vows I avowed when I offered you my ring/ 

Understanding I’m entrusted with a daughter of the King/ 

Sometimes I get all mushy and junk and write these things.  I pray that God will mold me to be the kind of man who is a priest, prophet, provider, and protector in the home. A godly man who loves his wife like Christ loved the church.

But I did want to give a brief warning to those of us who are single.  I sincerely believe that one of the greatest idols in our Christian circles is the polished idol of relationships and aspirations of future marriage.  Especially with being in Seminary, sometimes if feels like this place is the equivalent of a sanctified meat market.  We affirm the importance of singles being content in Christ but continually deny that principle practically.  Let's just make sure that our desire to find our "soul mate" does not overtake our desire to seek the Lover of our souls.  Do you desire marriage more than communion with Christ? May it never be!  Let us seek Jesus and rest in His good providence.  May Christ be all!

Eternal Praise

I don't know why, but these last few days I've been compelled to write Revelation-inspired lyrics.  

Here's another I just wrote:

Radiating white rays emanate from Your face/ 

Prostrate in this place as I’m faced with Your grace/ 

All saints praise and tremble, the temple quakes and shakes 

As great Yahweh’s famous name is raised/ 

No mistakes/ The Sovereign preordained my fate/ 

I’m lowercase/ He’s the Capital Name of names/ 

Incredible, shameless bliss/ I celebrate/ 

Indelible elation gives sight to faith/ 

Hating, racism, faking/ done flying away/ 

As nations are made in/ one united state/ 

Before the foundations/ of earth were laid/ 

This scene was painted in eternity to further His fame/ 

Christ came as a slave, sliced in pain/ 

Smashed wrath on his back, sacrificed and slain/ 

Became a curse in his person, purging out my flames/ 

So forever I will worship in eternal praise! Yes!

Glory

I got inspired. It's a worship scene. I pray it ministers to you in one way or another.

"And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever, and ever!' Amen." Revelation 5:13

No trust, lust is before me / disgusting it’s gory/ 

So lowly, but He didn’t crush or abort me/ 

He laid His life down, yeah He blood-bought me/ 

I’m anticipating, waiting ‘til You’re taking me home free/ 

Risin’/ on eagle’s wings I’m soaring/ 

Flyin’ to Zion/ to El Elohim/ 

Finally, beholding the enthroned King/ 

Shaking and trembling/ Your holiness floors me/ 

Angels worshipping, Seraphim swarming/ 

You’re one time, two times, three times holy/ 

Falling on my face in the midst of Your glory/ 

Crying, “Worthy is the Lamb standing before me!” 

Creation extolling the One and Only/ 

Join me! / Glorify the Most High solely/ 

As I’m raising hands to I Am who I Am/ 

I still can’t believe that my hands are holy/

“Praise you for the cost, Praise you for the blood ya lost/ 

Praise you for the rugged cross. Yeah I truly adore thee”/ 

He comes down from His throne as He clothes me/ 

In a bright white robe through His blood atoning/ 

Overcome with love, my tears are flowing/ 

I’m a worm deserving wrath/ but He knows me!/ 

So sweet/ as eternity passes slowly/ 

Lord I’ve got to say that I’ve never felt so free!