Try Again

Woke up, mixed up, what’s that sound
Feet to the floor and I’m morning bound
Restless and hungry for this day to end
So I can wake up, be mixed up and try again

Left hand or right hand I’m so confused
Which way to turn so I can dodge the blues
Good Lord have mercy on this troubled man
So I can wake up, be mixed up and try again

Promises, promises I try to make
Can’t keep the promises I give away
Truth that I’m speaking is the truth I bend
Lord help me wake up, be mixed up and try again

Look out my window and I try to see
Sorrow and sadness looking back at me
Restless and hungry for this day to end
So I can wake up, be mixed up and try again

It's Cold Out

It’s cold out.
Layers upon layers, upon layers,
To keep what’s warm from getting out.
To hide what feels good from the knocking of the cold.
Holding back the frigidness of all that beckons to get in.
It’s cold out.

It’s cold out.
Flakes of snow begin to fall,
Flakes upon flakes, upon flakes.
Falling down, trapping every inch of what’s left of life.
Burying all the dirty green and brown to white.
It’s cold out.

It’s cold out.
The sun becomes a checkered friend.
The ones you wonder if you will see again.
Doing the job of the makers hand.
I complain and scream and shout.
That it’s cold out.

It’s cold out.
It might be cold within.
Layers upon layers, upon layers.
To keep what’s warm from getting in.
To hide trapped feelings from the caring of a friend.
Holding back the love that beckons to get in.
It’s cold out... or cold within.

If I Speak

If I speak before I know what I speak
Where does that take me when done?
Where does that lead me in the end
and what does it make me look like to others?

Do I know what I mean without meaning?
Who really listens to such things?
Does it make me feel better or worse?
Will I be respected or disrespected?

If I put the cart before the horse
What direction does that take me?
How will I explain myself
and tip toe around my arrogance?

If I ask you a question do I know the answer?
Do I need to ask with presumptions?
Standing on soapboxes can be slippery
Especially when I have no idea

If I leap I look down
If I drink I make sure it’s pleasant to my tongue
Ignorance is bliss, or is it?
Not if my true intentions are hurtful.

And I...

A chill was there the breeze crept in
The open door slammed back and forth
Leaves rushed in across the floor
And I just sit here staring

Lightning flashed and thunder roared
The rain uninvited through my door
Dancing, rain dancing with the wind
And I just sit here staring

Flickered lights to darkened home
The power hushed has fled in fear
Blackened in no light to spare
And I just sit here staring

The stormy sounds like lions roar
Stampeding rhythm of beating heart
Trembling hands fight off the dark
And I just sit here staring

Time creeps by the sun peeks out
The winds they hide and seek no more
I finally rise to shut the door
And I just stand here staring.

My Everything

You are the stars that's in my sky,
the twinkle in my eye.
My thought throughout my day,
the path that leads my way.

The test that stood the time,
my rhythm and the rhyme.
Much love that's always true,
and violets always blue.

You are my symphony,
my chorus that I sing.
My love, my life, my dream,
my everything.

The Toy Box

By Steve Conley

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4, 13:5-7, 13:8

Props: Bible

Cast: Two actors

(Actor 1 is already on stage. Actor 2 runs on stage, turns to look off stage and shouts...)

Actor 2: That’s fine! I don’t care what you think!

Actor 1: Wow, what’s wrong with you?

Actor 2: Ah, you wouldn’t understand.

Actor 1: I might. Try me.

Actor 2: It’s my brother. He thinks he has to have all of his stuff lying around! Well, I’ve got news for him. I have stuff too!

Actor 1: So you and your brother are arguing?

Actor 2: Yes, and now our sisters are fussing about it also. One is on his side and the other is on my side. It’s all one big mess!

Actor 1: So what is it all about?

Actor 2: Me and my brother share a bedroom. I have one side and he has the other. He keeps on piling all his stuff on my side. I have my own stuff and my space is my space. There is no room for all of his junk!

Actor 1: This reminds me of Abram and Lot.

Actor 2: You better believe a lot. A lot more then some ole broom is going to take care of.

Actor 1: I said Abram and Lot. Abram, later known as Abraham? You know, the ancestor of God’s people? Remember Abraham from the Old Testament?

Actor 2: Yes I remember him. Who’s the other guy?

Actor 1: Lot is his name and he was Abram’s nephew.

Actor 2: Ok, I’ve got it now. Why does all of this remind you of them.

Actor 1: Let me read you something from Genesis 12: 1 - 4. (read the scripture)

Actor 2: Wow, a great nation, blessings and all of that stuff.

Actor 1: Yes God blessed him very much. But because Lot was with Abram he was also blessed. Let me read this from Genesis 13: 5 - 7. (read scripture)

Actor 2: See that’s just what I mean. All of that stuff that Lot had just got in the way of Abram’s stuff. That’s what I’m talking about! So what did Abram do? Did he give him the ole one two punch?

Actor 1: No!

Actor 2: I know he kicked him out of the house!

Actor 1: No, not exactly!

Actor 2: Well what then?

Actor 1: Here’s what he did. It say’s in Genesis 13: 8 (read scripture)

Actor 2: What? No fighting?

Actor 1: No, no fighting. Both Abram and Lot knew that fighting was wrong. They knew that God is not pleased when we argue and fight. When we choose others first, it pleases God. They talked and worked out the problem.

Actor 2: Your right. I know God doesn’t want us to act that way. We need to sit down and work out a solution.

Actor 1: How about a toy box?

Actor 2: A what?

Actor 1: A toy box. It’s a big box that you put your toys in or any other stuff you have laying around.

Actor 2: Wow, that’s a great idea. I’ve never heard of that before. Did you just think of that? You’re a genius! That’s amazing! You know you should market that. He will love that idea.....

(Actor 1 just walks off while Actor 2 continues to ramble on...)

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