ClayCorvin.com

Author - Clay Corvin

CHOOSE LIFE

No exceptions, no excuses, life is real and we must choose
Right now where we are, life is available, unless we curse ourselves

Knowing God is important, the life-giver is the key to growth
Without His Word, without His way, we are destined to failure each day
Jesus speaks the truth in love, showering His mercy on us
Giving us the wisdom, to know God and love Him

Listen as you live your life, claim the time for His advice
Obedience strengthens our grip on life, it paves the way for sacrifice
Sacrifice deepens our walk of faith, we value others and build on grace
Knowing the way to His first place, will give us hope to live

Lasting now and tomorrow, I can see God blessing me, I will cling to Him
Life is real, and blessed and my way is God’s gift of life today

Clay Corvin
October 27, 2007

THE JOURNEY

I began this journey from the south, deep in the Negev, many thoughts
Wondering where you would begin, talking with me again
The desert was all brown, yet filled with wonder and awe
I saw the stars that looked on you, my heart felt renewed

Up the valley, the Dead Sea on the right, David’s flight on the left
Noting the Roman camp, they wanted to destroy all of You, they didn’t
Jericho comes in view, a tax collector followed You
Your Word was warming my heart, the events are real, a thrill
Have you spoken yet? Did I miss what you said? Please speak again

The Galilee was great, each morning on the shore, began with You
History unfolded, I saw Your hand at work, what a joy in my heart
Each day renewed my thoughts of You, I’m overwhelmed by Your work
Too much to see, put it deep in me, bring it out in bits and spurts giving recall to me

On to Jerusalem, I’m still listening, wanting you to speak
Each day goes so fast, the road passes by, another historical site
Then the walls of Jerusalem, that stoning place, God’s place
I walked all Your streets, they spoke to me, it happened here, my place

Soon I will return home, I’ve read Your Word and walked Your roads
You have been with me, every step of the way, watching as I slept
My life is dear to You, it makes me want to serve You, I pray I do
Home, familiar, time with You, You speak, here with me, I love You

Clay Corvin
October 17, 2007

O JERUSALEM

O Jerusalem, walls that stand and watch, sin and all its work
The stoning of the prophets, worshipping evil’s kin
Sin, and sin and sin again, the years revealed in men

Why would God care? What is that gives man worth?
Love has come and brought His heart, Christ gives each of us worth
His love and care and grace bestowed, even when we don’t care

Why would you not believe? Stoning wasn’t the worst
Pride and hate condemned, the grace God ushered in
Then we sinned, condemning Him, we put Him on the cross

Rising from the dead, forgiveness offered free, grace a gift for me
But many would rather die in sin, than bend their knee to Him
Letting go the war within, many demanding sin, self the rule, they give in

O Jerusalem, you will see the day, each of us will know with you
That day when He returns, no alibi, no time to deny, the choice we have made
Chose right now, the Lord or No, Christ is here today

Clay Corvin
October 17, 2007

BETHLEHEM

Little town, eternal renown, angels knew what God would do with you
The greatest thing that God has done, He came to save me and you

No army, no war, just a man, woman and child, the child was God Himself
He stepped into His world, the world I was destroying, caring only for myself

Knowing the pain, facing the shame, Jesus came with grace for me
His journey to the cross began in Bethlehem

Soon He would pay my price, for the evil I began
Redeeming me from sin and strife, He shed His blood for me

One day soon He will come again, everyone will see
The Babe of Bethlehem, will set His world free

Clay Corvin
October 17, 2007

ACCO

Marco Polo, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great and the Crusaders admired Acco
All were here, did their work and moved on, it was never a great port
The Ptolomies came and named it Ptolemais where Paul sailed from
Biblical history overlooks it, Asher never took it, nor did Napoleon
Although he filled its harbor with guns, left on sinking ships

I like the Suk, I love the walls, once twenty foot waves threw water fifty feet
It was cold, Dennis and I both got soaked, I love the winding streets
I can hear the voice of history as I walk, Italian city-states, and Turks, Brits expelled
I can imagine Egypt’s interest 3,800 years ago, mentioned on a scroll
I enjoy the fruit juice sellers at Khan El-Umdan, fresh squeezed

Memories are powerful, even those we create, they push and shove us
Reality is often ignored, ideas in ones mind are strong
The cold hand of things from years ago can tip us off the edge
Suddenly we’ve done or said or felt, no reason at all, that we can recall
Our call is to give our all to Christ, the Word of God our guide

We may be like Acco, no footnotes, we are what we are
We are important because there is a Godly record, we count, our lives have value
God’s plan for us involves others, we do God’s work as His partner
We will face many obstacles, failure often our friend
We are not forgotten, our name is inscribed on the hand of God

Clay Corvin
October 16, 2007

A FIRE ON MOUNT CARMEL

Elijah came, Ahab’s prophets too, they believed Baal could do
What only a real God could do, reach His hand from heaven to you
A challenge, a day, finally Baal couldn’t be reached, God’s hand lit the wood
The slaying began, pagans galore, must have been blood, Elijah settled the score

Looking out over the Jezreel, breeze blowing through fragrant trees
How could the peace be broken, serenity if you please
All around the world is grim, Christians are murdered, justice is slim
The hand of evil is slaying good, what would you do if you could?

A fire is needed, a fire of love, a commitment to die for the Lord above
We aren’t rulers, His Word proclaims, we live each day in Jesus name
All around paganism rules, evil controls, people lose
Win the race, it will cost your life, Jesus in you will win God’s way

Clay Corvin
October 16, 2007

SEPPHORIS

Jewish-Roman, syncretism to the core, one threw away principles-Romans scored
Leading city, wealth and beauty, may have been the city sitting on a hill
Five miles from Nazareth, never knew Christ, He didn’t matter, Romans led life
This is not a new thing, Rome had its own idea about God and what was important

Rome was then and we are now, not much difference, hell has the say
Babies murdered, millions slaughtered, hunger a great problem in the world
Rome/Washington/London still ignore God, Iran proclaims death to Jews
This is news? What does civilization say? Oil 89 dollars today!

Get the picture-the world needs love and care-so do we
Who do you love? Who’s in love with you? Is sacrifice a part of your
daily life?
Listen to the words on wealth-remember we are the wealthy
What can I do? I’m only one- Change begins with one

We do what we can where we are-we put away our privilege and serve
Think about who counts-what can you do? Pray- Do acts of
kindness-without thanks
Learn to care-really care, for those not cared for, those hurting souls
Speak out where you are, bend your knee to Christ, Listen to God’s advice

Clay Corvin
October 15, 2007

HAZOR

HAZOR

Hazor smug and replete, known at El Armana and Mari
Banks and merchants scorned defeat, you really thought you had it made
Time and time and money galore, who could ever set you aside
Jabin sneered at God, uniting others to fight Joshua,

Hazor was burned to the ground

Few cities have had your fame, certainly haven’t lasted as long as you did
Along the way of life, your life was synonymous with wealth and power
God proclaimed your demise, you’ve never been the same
Few even know your name, fewer visit your courts, your merchants are no more


There is a moral in this story, nothing lasts in this world
We are sojourners just passing through, we can choose which way we go
God doesn’t strong arm or demand, He listens and holds His peace
Offering us His gift of life, even though we are wealthy and satisfied


One day the world we know will be gone, a new earth in its place
I’m not sure exactly what all that means I just know that God said it
It will come to pass, I can be a part of it or not, it really is a choice
Hazor made centuries of bad choices, let’s choose Jesus, His life our goal

Clay Corvin
10/14/07

 

 

THE FIRST TIME

The first time I saw the Negev, I was surprised it was so brown
It was so flat and bare, hiding God’s miracle there
The Word of God declared His work, grace was more than enough
A million lived and flourished, God was active even though it was bare

Sometimes life is barren, Christ can change our pain
Victory is not in what we do, it resides in Jesus name
We change the place we go for help, Jesus shares our pain
He gives our lives meaning, His value enough to share

Never again will I see the Negev for the first time, every time will be the next
I declare with all my heart, I love God’s action there
A story so familiar, a life so threadbare
Jesus gives life where death has reigned, He fashions victory from our pain

Clay Corvin
10/13/07

RENEW

Interesting the things I say, feelings unproclaimed
Acting like I rule the world, yet feeling far away
Emotion, fear and abstinance, clamor for control
I’ve done it all so many times, I harden what I say

He wrote my name, inscribed by pain, in the middle of His hand
I walked my way, I broke His heart again
The Father of my life and work, keeps calling out to me
I cannot live without His Word, Jesus lead me to Him

Jesus is my friend, He walks each step with me
If I surrender all to Him, He renews my faith

Clay Corvin 9/26/07