If I Never

If I NEVER reach the summit; still I've reached high in the sky
If I never rully reconcile my past; still I won't choose to believe the lie
If I never understand Your kindness or why You keep holding me close
Help me understand You're the BEST and that You love me MOST!

If I never shine like the sun on beautiful summer day
If I never remember I used to be an orphan; help my kindness not delay
Guide my hands, steer my heart and steady my mind on You
If I never walk among the stars help me remember my troubles are few!

If I never ascend the mountain or plunge the ocean's depth
Help me always embrace the Father of Life and God of every Breath
If I never understand why it is, then help me simply BE
If I never break these shackles help me to at least feel FREE!!

If I never overcome all my mistakes and flaws
Help me at least know Grace drowns out all my broken laws
If I never learn how to walk on the surface of the sea
Help this dear child remember Your Beauty always shines on me!

So, if I never sit upon the throne and wear a crown of jewels on my head
Let me lay down at night in stillness with Peace surrounding my bed
If I never do anything else in this life that You've so graciously given
Let praise ever be on my lips and accept that I've been forgiven! JMB

Jiant Purpose

When looking up at the stars on a clear night, some stand out among others. While the reason behind this can be argued; the fact they do can not. 

Walkertown's Jalen Cone is no different. 

In astronomy terms, this type of star, of relatively great size and luminosity compared to ordinary stars of the main sequence, is simply called a giant. 

To understand Cone's dominance on the basketball court, one only has to look at his nickname, stemming from that celestial origin mixed with the first letter of his name-- Jiant. 

And giant is fitting though it belies his stature of just 5-foot-10 inches. What Cone lacks in height, he makes up for in his desire to succeed, jaw-dropping athleticism and special knack to score the basketball, forged through many hours in the gym. 

"I'm not the tallest or the biggest, but I have a bigger heart and you will not outwork me and I will shine bright and brighter than any star you try to compare me to," the product from Kernersville said. 

While some could pass those words off as just another cocky athlete, what's not seen in that quote is the time Cone spends honing his craft. 

"I'm dedicating at least two two and a half hour workouts to better my game and my body a day actually grinding hard and working," Cone, who says his strict regimen consists of getting up at least 1,500 jump shots with at least 1,200 makes, said.

All that hard work translated into big results. Armed with flashy handle, a 41-inch-vertical leap, quick release, deadly 3-point shot, catlike quickness and explosiveness, which usually leads to highlight-reel dunks, that has earned him comparisons to Dallas Maverick, and former N.C. State star, Dennis Smith Jr., Cone was one of the best players in the hoop state, as a sophomore, averaging 35 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and two steals-- gaudy numbers perhaps only surpassed by an even greater purpose.

"Spreading the love and Word of God is everything. That's more important than anything. I know, with my platform, I have tons of people who watch me and tons of people following me, and I have the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands of people," Cone said. 

"And one day millions and billions. I want to lead as many souls to the Lord as I can," the talented point guard said. 

Cone's loving and dedicated parents Alicia and Harold brought Jalen, his older brother Madison, now a sophomore  defensive back at the University of Wisconsin, Drew, a junior point guard on Pfeiffer's basketball team, and their little sister Joy, a standout guard, up in church, but it wasn't until four years ago that Jalen got saved. 

"My dad was a pastor all of my elementary years, but I got saved and truly dedicated my life to Christ and accepted Him as my personal Lord and Savior when I was 13 years old," the explosive guard said. 

With offers already from Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Ole' Miss, University of Greensboro, Yale, Hampton and High Point, Cone has not grown complacent and there is one Bible verse he relies on to accomplish his lofty goals, whether it's winning a state title or one day playing in the NBA. . . Habbakuk 2:2-3, which says, "Then the Lord said to me, "Write my answer plainly on my tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." 

"I relate that to my process that God's plan for me and my goals will not be delayed and to be patient and trust the process and God."

As thousands of texts pour into the 17-year-old's phone, from colleges, in the South and beyond, Cone keeps humility close, realizing just as quickly as he's been given all these blessings they can be taken.

"I know without God I am nothing and if I gained the world and didn't have God; I'd have nothing. With God, I can not lose. I can learn, but never lose," Cone, with wisdom, and perspective, beyond his years, said.

National scouting analyst for Phenom Hoop Report, based out of Statesville, North Carolina Rick Lewis, who has seen the No. 3 player in the state and top 40 player in the country Cone play on numerous occasions, including at his own Phenom camps, feels he is special for many reasons.

"Jalen has an unique blend of athleticism and advanced skill set accompanied with a tremendous work ethic. You get a young man who competes at the highest level, plays hard, gives maximum effort and is a complete joy to watch," he said.

Lewis was quick to point out it's not just his ability that makes you take notice, but his demeanor throughout the game.
"He's always very positive, has good body language on the court and he will give you everything he has. He has a picture-perfect jump shot, can stop on the dime for a pull-jumper and if you play him for the three, he'll blow by you to get all the way to the basket for a thunderous dunk."

Known for his humility and gratitude, Cone flips a switch and wants to destroy his opponents, a mindset that led to a career-high 51 points in one contest last season.

"I know, for a fact, nobody puts in more work than me and nobody wants it more than I do. My mentality is kill because I'm supposed to-- nobody works more or harder than I do, so I act accordingly."

The driving force behind Cone, who has already seen the likes of Kentucky come calling, with many more Division 1 schools on the horizon, is his faith and the grace that accompanies it.
"No matter how bad I mess up, or sin, God's love is unconditional and that brings peace to my mind and soul. I've sinned a lot and I'm still here. God is continuing to bless me, so I'm just truly blessed and thankful."

Relief

I just need relief but unfortunately can't find it
Darkness surrounds me, but fortunately, I ain't blinded

Waves pound my boat, but the Creator sits beside me
Faith doesn't remove all doubt, but I still choose to believe blindly!

I have no strength, but I'm continuing to fight
I won't die in the shadows; I'll cling to the Light

I have moments where I panic and God says, "Be still"
I will be your Strength though your body is ill

You will find RELIEF when you turn to my Face
And you will find Hope when your weakness meets my Grace

For you are held, my child, you're the apple of my eye
Come let me hold you; it's OK if you cry

And I won't lie, at times, I'm confused and exhausted
There have been some times where I've straight up lost it

But my Anchor keeps my ship from going under
You keep it all together when the storm wants to tear it asunder

You can let the waves drown you or you can learn to surf
Though the devil is attacking me; this simply ain't his turf!

So, in this storm, I, simply, raise my hands in Glory
While sickness tries to erase; God's not done writing my story

John Mark Brooks
Nov. 23, 2018

Flight Past the Sun

We had no idea it would be the last time y'all would climb aboard a plane

And we are left with many questions, so much hurt and unbearable pain

But your laugh will always echo and your smiles will shine forever

While we cry; we will focus on all the time we enjoyed together

Who could've ever known a flight to the Land of Cheese

Would turn into landing safely in the Land of Perfect Peace?

But God knew today you would make your flight way past the sun

So many great memories made and a legacy of the races you both have run

Two of the truly good guys always quick to joke and laugh

This just doesn't add up, but His is different from our math

So, we will simply trust and know in Heaven you're flying high

Even though none of us were ready to say our final good bye

You may have enjoyed tossing back a few cold ones by the pool, but you had the warmest heart

We will miss you more than words can say in the days we are apart

No doubt y'all are cutting up, with each swing, on 18 holes

I bet you get unlimited mulligans, and the bunkers are beautiful, in the Land where no one grows old

You will live on in your children and grand-children's eyes~ each memory in your wife's mind

Thank you for the love you gave, lessons you taught and being so very kind.

John Mark Brooks August 18, 2018

🙏🏼😢Live in Peace Basil Todd Sain and Ted Heavner| Always in our hearts~ Gone but never forgotten. While some of you are blessed to call you family; I'm blessed to have called you friends. 😇😇

Regrets

Regrets I have a million-- way more than just too few to mention
I got a bank full of em, I swear, I could retire and live off their pension

To be Frank; I wish I could say I Did It My Way and that the road I chose was best
But without the detour of chaos and failure I never would've found my rest!

Without the wind and the rain, sloshing through the mud, the muck and the shame
I never would've appreciated the sun's warmth or learned that Grace covers any pain!

Void of all my losses would I have ever fully grasped the gratitude the cross brings?
Or without all my crash landings, would this broken bird learned to have used his wings?

I have regrets-- more than the grains of sand or drops of water in the sea
But I have come to realize I'm just a man and not yet who He created me to be

All the unsaid words and wonderful memories that never had a chance to live-- no breath
Wrong choices, failed dreams lay shattered around me like glass-- a cloud of death

While it surrounds me; my God surrounds it like the wolves and the Lion
I'm the Little Engine that Could . . . I've not climbed the mountain but I keep on tryin!

So I fix my gaze on His glorious and ridiculously amazing Grace without end
And treat my regret like a total stranger when it used to be my dear friend

Actually not a stranger at all 'cause I still carry it with me like lint on my shirt
But I focus on my Help and the healing more than the guilt and the hurt

I could be deeply tormented, but in my mind I'm Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
Regrets could've been an endless detour but instead they've shown me the way!!

JMB

Grace Chose an Orphan

Thinking I used to give him my allegiance makes me nauseous
I know how easily I can fall, so I remain cautious
For I have slipped and fallen-- got back up and fell again
Couldn't get right, not matter how hard I tried, guess that's just the power of sin

Die daily is easy to say, and catchy, but so much harder to do
Why is it so hard to obey the One broke my heart, just so He could make it new?

The Alpha and the Omega, the Source, the Creator, the Beginning and the Last
The One Who loves my future so much, He gave me the present, cleansing me of my past

I remember all the times I ate the devil's candy . . . Couldn't wait for a seat at his table
Now, I'm learning to love You more Lord, fail You less, for I know You are able!!
Each day is a fight~ put on my armor and pick up my sling and stone
I am weaker than most, but I got my Sword thank God I don't have to fight alone

My gifts, my talents, my life, each & every breath I give You the Glory
Your Love and faithfulness keep me while Grace writes my story
My legacy is You've been a Friend to me even when I acted like a stranger
I'm so glad Your Love lassoed me~ my Heavenly Lone Ranger

I'm amazed you chose an orphan and called him your son and your friend
My lips will praise You, as my hands do Your work, my worship will have NO END!!

Holding God's Pen, JM

BROKEN and Whole

I've heard it said broken vessels are the ones that reflect the most Light
I've been beaten, cracked, left for dead, hit the canvas, but I continue to fight
I was shattered and lost like a message in a bottle then it actually became worse
Each time I got my head above water I would drown again--each day felt last like a curse

But I've heard God makes beauty from ashes even when you feel like dyin
I may have two broken wings, but with the Lord lifting me up, I'm still flyin
As my life started to break around me and I was surrounded by shards and pieces
Felt hopeless like four flat tires, but I hit my knees, with tears falling, and cried out Jesus

All the horses and all the King's men couldn't do it but the King put me back together again
I'm the Prodigal who wandered back to the Palace on Grace's road in midst of all my sin
I'm so grateful God loves undeserving, ordinary and people who are broken
Just when I felt like It was game over~ Grace told me to insert another token!

The way You set it up is so beautiful--even our cracks declare Your wonder and Glory
For all they mean is, even though I screwed up, You weren't done writing my story!
One of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned is you have to be broken to be made WHOLE
God redeems the people brave enough to be broken and restores every single thing the devil stole!

I'm forever BROKEN

John Mark Brooks