As The Leaves FaLL

As the leaves fall, so does shame fall all around me
Sins of my past, like rising water, hoping it doesn’t drown me

Waves up to my neck when suddenly I hear a sound
The water starts to drain, once lost now I am found

Grace rescues me when it seems there is NO hope
Turning my weakness to strength allowing me to cope

So, I feel pain, I shed tears, but I continue to FIGHT
Though the darkness surrounds me, fear grips me, I am guided by the Light

The KinG has looked upon this pauper and placed a crown on his head
Purpose courses through my veins~ I remember when I wanted to be dead

So, pardon me if I find perspective the silver lining in the cloud
Or find Peace, in the chaos, though my heart’s so very loud

I listen to the Voice that says I’m enough when I feel I’m a MESS
The One Who calls me MORE when I feel lesser than less

In the bottom of the pit, looking up, hoping to see a hand
It was there, in the midst of my hurt, I learned not to depend on man

Just when I was about to give up, You plucked me from that hole
You recused me, restored my life, it was there You saved my soul! + He > i

JMB

The Imperfect Race

This is God's view as seen through an imperfect reflection
I've been dead so many times, but You're my soul's resurrection
My Protection, my Hope the Reason I live and my being
The only way I can cope and find JOY in the midst of my grieving

And I've grieved 'til there were no tears left
Overwhelmed, I was drowning, couldn't find my breath
But I've learned Your Love is immune to my losses and mistakes
So I carry my crosses and steer clear of the snakes

Cause I know who I've been and I know who I am
So, when it comes to how you see me I really don't give a damn
All I care is that I'm known by the one TRUE King
The One Who crushed death and is called Elohim

That's truly where my identity is found
The place where hope floats and where Grace abounds
And where Grace resides, lies have no place
SO amazing You could love me when I spit in Your face

And it's crazy the way I chase after the wind
Treat You like a stranger, but still call You a friend
That's me Lord, call me 'Can't get right,' it's cool
While You call me the King's Light and I act like a fool

I trip on this race sometimes more than I run
Must be a vampire the way I try to HIDE from the Son
But my Hope is all the acclaim would be used for nothing more
than to praise Your Name
That every single standing ovation would be an echo of Your Love
and Hope to every nation

If I live this life just for money and gain
Then I've missed the boat, my flight and even the train
'Cause that's INSANE not to use my life for Your Glory
I'd rather hold Your pen and let You WRITE my STORY!

Excelsior

The older I become, the younger I grow

As the years pile up; the less I know 

Would love to say I always try my very best 

Instead, I drowned in temptation's waters; I didn't always ride the crest

And I've stood the test-- survived the flames when everything around me turned to ashes 

The greatest thing I will ever do is lift Your Name high above the masses!! 

And the crashes? I've hit the ground more than a plane hits the runway

But I'm thankful I've always rose again like a congregation on a Sunday! 

While Love holds me Grace covers me like a turtle's shell 

I'm not scared of the heat in the kitchen when I've already walked through hell 

Storms teach you in ways smooth waters simply are unable 

Though the waves overcome the shore; the foundation remains stable 

Am I able? I'm of worth though sometimes I act like a pauper

I've failed God Time After Time just call me Cyndi Lauper 

But no matter how many battles I've lost; I know the war is WON!! 

God turned a pauper into a prince all by sending His only Son! 

When I think of the Glory to come; these trials seem so very mild

Breath left my Savior's lungs; And in that moment the orphan became reconciled 

JMB 

Just Keep Going

If you're going through hell just keep going
No matter how much it rains or how hard the wind's blowing
Keep going like the Little Engine, eventually you'll climb the mountain
I've failed so many times, then again, who's countin?

Just keep going, it might not change right at first
But perseverance will be rewarded before you reach the hearse
In order to walk on water; you gotta get out the boat
You can't reach the castle without first crossing the moat

My Dad told me son, the sun don't always shine on the same dog
In order, to reach the destinatioN; you gotta keep going through the fog
I know it ain't easy, but that's just how life goes
You gotta stay balanced through the ebbs and the flowS!

And who knows, things might in your favor turn
But to become a precious metal first you got to burn
Just keep goinG, with your eyes uP; that's the only way you'll ever FLY
Cause if you stop; you're already dead, you don't have to wait 'til you die

JMB

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