How God's used Tourniquet to touch lives!!

As a writer Tourniquet and other Christian music have had a big influence on me. I'll share a few things I've written that were influenced by them. (5 poems and 4 songs) Poems You Are What You Eat (Influences include: "Pyscho Surgery", what Ted said in the middle of his drum solo on Video Biopsy, "Drowning Machine" especially the part"Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit reap a destiny.") We have different ratings for the movies we see Trying to protect the young people in our country. We don't want them to see all the sex, violence, and hear all the profanity. Yet, we think it's all right as adults we won't be vexed so we casually go see. When will we learn that graphic violence and promiscuity on screen Leave deep scars though drastic in silence relatively unseen. The wounds are deep and slow to heal. They slip into our lives making them so surreal. Before you know it your life becomes like a movie. Though it may seem cool it's not at all groovy. Fact and fiction blend together like oil and water Blinding the eyes of those who tend to wonder the path their life is after. Soon you'll start saying and doing things you really resent. That's the time to stop, think, and repent. But be aware; It does not stop there. The bad habits you've sown Are hard to stop now that you've grown. To help teach an old dog a new trick You must delve into the Word of God and make it quick. Replacing the abominations that daily fill your mind With the Word of God to help you rewind A lifetime of poisonous saturation's Healing the vicious lacerations Caused by living in the worldly ways And turning from God and what He says Why Preach (Influences include: All the songs with an allegoric flavor to them. This poem is based on Ezkiel 33:2-6) A terrible accident on the road ahead who will sound the alarm? Those involved might be dead; somehow we've gotta prevent any more harm. But the traffic reporter failed to give ample warning to people driving down the highways. Car upon cars crashed and burned, their blood filling the byways.

------------ We make choices every day of our life; Some bring fruit others yield strife. Each of us has a destiny, something the Lord created us to do. Too often we ignore our true calling choosing instead to care how others view. The way we live; the way we talk. The way we give; the way we walk. Why should it matter what others will say? For they can not save our soul on that fateful day. If we see some fallacy or some abomination And we fail to have the decency to tell God's creation It's as though we go along with what they're doing even though we can see how it will end. Because to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Incommensurating Visionaries (Influences include: "Incommensurate"(Like so many of their song titles or lyrics one needs a dictionary handy. The biggest influence from this song was just in the title itself. After finding out what incommensurate meant I knew it would fit in perfectly for the poem title.), and seeing all those stupid psychic infomercials on TV.) One tells the future through demonic influence Saying the things people want to hear. The other is shown the things to come in sequence With no confusion their visions are always clear. One takes pride in almost always being correct Keeping God's blessings from the people by what they say. The other with humility shares with no regret Showing what's missing by taking psychic's advice each day. Though psychics want you to listen to their cries And it seems if you follow them you'll have much to gain. Realize however; that diviners only envision lies And tell false dreams to comfort in vain. For no prophecy is of any private interpretation; It never comes from the will of a growing man, But God Himself will dictate by revelation The clever awesome thrill of knowing His plan. No Title Yet (Influenced by the scripture which may have had some influence on the name of the band, Psalm 147:3) A child reached for the stove, burning his little finger. Though he was warned from above the yearning still did linger. Again and again he burned his little hand Even though by this time he knew it was too hot Hard and calleous it soon became turning his glands into a knot. The Father shook His head with disappointment. Wondering to Himself, "When will My precious child ever learn?" Knowing what medicine the child would need He poured out the ointment To heal His dear little one's very severe third degree burn. The pain was horrific, so unbelievable; just beyond description, But now I'll explain how terrific, how concievable was the Father's awesome prescription. For you see the child was me and I knew I was mistaken I longed to be free, but for so long I was worried I would soon be forsaken. For many years I was kept in bondage to a horrible, heavy chain through fear. Satan had me tightly bound, but praise God through His stripes the scars began to disappear. God sees our hearts, knows how we feel, how we wish we could restart Though the pain is bad and the enemy blinds Aren't you glad Jesus binds up our wounds and heals our broken hearts? Missionaries (Influences include: "Crawl To China", "I Love You"(Bride), and a few sermons by my pastor, Gerald Brooks) It begins with a call: something you can not ignore Much more than seeing a need or some desire to explore. It's more than a job, more than a career To go places others fear. It's not because of exotic dishes or sensual climates. Unmotivated by psychotic wishes or visual stimulates. Forsaking modern comforts enjoyed at home Not taking forlorn thoughts that destroyed some. Leaving all behind to a distant land they go Believing to find His hand at work, this they know. Unhesitant for their love of God, their love of man On distant soil their feet to trod to fulfill His plan.

------------ For how then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? It takes one to plant the incorruptible seed to be concieved. So they can recieve the fruit promised from the Word. But how shall they hear without preachers? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? For the world is in desperate need of teachers, But not all are called to reach the Orient.

------------ For now is the time, today is the day. To reach those living under the curse. To take to them without delay The wonderful good news of God's universe. The motive is clear To them who draw near Of what we should do We already knew. So we make the choice To open our voice To share with the lost No matter the cost. The one from above - the great I AM. Sharing the love of the Holy Lamb. Not called the great I was or the great I will be. A present tense God here for all to know and see. So take to them To all you see The love from Him To set them free. The wonderful good news from Calvary. The wonderful good news of His victory! Songs Play By The Rules (Can't think of any particular Tourniquet song that influenced this song. Influenceed by Isaiah 29:16) Do you know my name? Can you play my game? You think you're smooth, But ya can't bust a move. Ya gotta play by the rules when ya play my game. The rules aren't hard cuz they don't ever change. All throughout the age they remain the same. Time after time it keeps on going, Place after place it keeps on showing. Cheaters never win .- Hey, I'm talking to you. You'll only feel lost and a little bit confused. What will it take to open your eyes? You think you know it all, but that's your demise. Stop talking spinning around; Make yourself dizzy falling down The rules aren't hard cuz they don't ever change. All throughout the age they remain the same. Time after time it keeps on going, Place after place it keeps on showing. But now, O Lord! You are our Father We are the clay and You are the potter! Your laws aren't hard cuz they don't ever change. All throughout the age they remain the same. Time after time Your love keeps on growing. Place after place..... Place after place it keeps on showing. Talk The Talk, Walk The Walk (Influences include: "Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance", "Pecking Order", and "Shine"(Newsboys). I'm not a big fan of them but I did like the video.) Do you think you know it? Do you think you see? Do you think you show it? Do you think you be? True personality shows by what you do today; Your character comes forth by the things you say. Talk it, walk it! Know it, show it!(3 or more times) Are you honest before men Or do you deceive them so you can win? Are you true to His living Word Or do you contradict so much it's absurd? Talk it, walk it! Know it, show it!(3 or more times) Do you think you know it? Do you think you see? Do you think you show it? Do you think you be? Does the world know by looking at you, Do you let the love of God shine through? Talk it, walk it! Know it, show it!(3 or more times) Are you the salt of this earth Or do you seem luke-warm losing your worth? Are you a light to those who are lost Or do you hide your lamp at all cost? Talk it, walk it! Know it, show it!(3 or more times) No title yet. (Influences include: "River Disturbance"(Deliverance), "Pecking Order", Pushin' Broom", "Drowning Machine". This song basically is about me struggling with pride concerning my desire to be a successful writer.) I'm drowning in a pool of vanity I see the shore, but I can not get free. I'm drowning in a pool of vanity I see the shore, but I can not get free. Vanity, vanity Oh, won't you let me be? Vanity, vanity Oh, Lord set me free. Oh, Lord set me free. Now there was pleasure for a season dreaming what I thought I could be, But I know there's gotta be a reason for this insanity. I dreamed of being famous and being a little rich, But the scheme I'm seeing was only just an itch. I'm drowning in a pool of vanity I swim toward the shore, but I can not get free. I'm drowning in a pool of vanity I swim toward the shore, but I can not get free. Vanity, vanity Oh, won't you let me be? Vanity, vanity Oh, Lord set me free. Oh, Lord set me free. He heard me crying out to Him with compassion in His eyes. He opened the truth to me; helping me to realize That the dreams I had came only from Him, But if I claim as my own I can not swim. Vanity, vanity You have to let me be. Vanity, vanity Thank you Lord for setting me free. Thank you, Jesus for making me free New Creatures (Influences include: Sean Sellers form Bob Larson old radio program and his book Satanism: The Seduction of America's Youth, "You Get What You Pray For", the joke Guy Ritter said on stage while introducing the song "Tears of Korah on Video Biopsy, and music from "Acid Head") Led to the electric chair Given what he gave it's only fair. He knows that the end is near, But full of peace - has no fear. He was Satan's number one adopted son Used to play D&D just for fun, But the hate he had way back then Replaced with love - free from sin. We are new creatures, We are not the same. We are new creatures, Our lives are changed. Now the sin is apparent as the nose on your face. You try to be coherent as you plead your case, But the arguments you make will not do Got to take the penalty given to you. For there's a price to pay when we all sin, But if you don't know the Lord - you can not win. So take the time - don't delay Invite Jesus into your heart this very day. We are new creatures, We are not the same. We are new creatures, Our lives are changed. Now your walk with the Lord has just begun. Your gonna have problems, but you'll have more fun. You know being a Christian is really neat, But a young lion cub can't eat meat. Don't get upset when doing the same old sin. Just drink your milk cuz the righteous shall endure to the end. Remember a little ole baby can not talk And a little two year old child can hardly walk. We are new creatures, We are not the same. We are new creatures, Our lives are changed. We are changed, We are changed. Old things have passed away All things are brand new You can be a new creature when you let the blood of Jesus cover you