pure thoughts vol. 1 (revised)

7/30/2019 Pure Thoughts Vol. 1 (Revised)

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PureThought

sVolume One

Darren B. Rankins


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Pure Thoughts, Volume One

Published by Darren B. Rankins

Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130

ISBN XXXXXXXXXX

Copyright 2002 by Darren B. Rankins

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be

reproduced, in any form without the express, written

permission of the author.

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This book is dedicated first, to our Lord and

Savior, Jesus Christ in thanks for all the gifts,

blessings, and opportunities He has bestowed upon

me and second, to my four, beautiful children,

Joshua, Michael, Ashley, and Amy, who give me the

inspiration and desire to reach beyond the present

into a brighter future.

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Contents

Chapter One The Early Poems

Night Came and So Did the Pain

Moonlight MistBubbles

Bore Me

I CalledSnowflake

Pain

Four Seasons

HeavenboundHomeless

A New Beginning

Chapter Two Sorrow and Heartbreak

I Need

Tears Never Stop FallingHow Hard I TriedGet Away

Remember Me

A Lonely HeartToday of All Days

Without Your Love

You CanPlease Forgive Me

Fallen Through the Darkness

Chapter Three Love and HappinessFor a Special Someone

Within

You AreDancing in the Rain

My Wedding Day

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The Rose

The Memories of Yesterday

A Moment in TimeWhats Love

Roses

Rock Me to Sleep

Chapter Four Testimony

Gifts of the Spirit

InnerselfJesus

The Death and Resurrection

True BelieverThe King

You Lack

Jesus Last TeardropAllow Reality to Set In

A Walk in the Park

Chapter Five Gods Love

Letter to the Lord I

Letter to the Lord II

Letter to the Lord IIIHow About You?

Grow in Gods Love

What Really Happened Yesterday?The Day I Died

Theres a Reason

Gods LovePrayers in the WindIn Open Arms

No Better Love

Dont Lose the Faith

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Chapter Six Family, Friends, Country

Newborn

Within a FrameA Writers Song

An Old Mans Song

We Are a NationFreedom

My Parents

Forward

I first met Darren in the fall of 1995. He

was a struggling college student, trying to make

ends meet. He received hourly wages at his job,

while at the same time working to obtain a college

degree so he could better himself in life and provide

for his family. He had four young children to take

care of as well. He needed someone to type his

papers for him and thus, our relationship was

established.

Darren had a dream to make a difference in

the world by sharing his testimony and belief in

God. He learned quickly that the road to success is

long and hard to travel, but he has never given up,

despite many obstacles placed in his path. Onething that has always impressed me about Darren is

his love of people and his ability to communicate

with others. He is not afraid to step past the racial

barriers that seem to stand in the way of so many

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people. He felt called to a mission to share his

testimony through his poems and Christian T-shirts.

I have had the pleasure of serving with him as

editor, mentor, and friend.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to recognize the many people

who have encouraged me to write this book. Many

thanks go to Sharon Parente, Dr. Barbara Hodges,Pam Smith, Robert L. Orr, Jr., Dr. Aldrich Perry,

Terri Tharp, Dr. George Smith, Dr. John Paul

Montgomery, Michael A. Johnson, LaMonicaBarnett, Mary C. Scales, La-Shanda Anderson,

Venice Daniel, James and Wynetta Caldwell, Susan

Nelson, Michael Broyles, Wilma J. Hardison,Ramonda J. Hardison, Ramonda Kyser, Andrew

and Rebecca Patton, Kellie Perkins, Tequlia

G.Woods, Anthony A. Cheers, Al Cole, Sherman

Smotherman, James Carney, Tina Hill, Toya

Streeter, Terrika B., Johnny L. Woods, Wendy B.Hellum, Glory J. Johnson, Keith D. McGowen,

Rafael E. Brame, Donald Gross, Gwen Drennon,Dr. Alvin R. Singh, MD, Cheryl Ordway, Stephen

E. Simpson, Shawn Moses, Michael T. Caruthers,

Ralph Harris, Dora Young, D.L. Robinson Jr.,Kimberly R. Powell, and Jimmie Gertrude Nelson

Shannon.I appreciate the efforts of Farrah Albertie for

her expertise in graphic design, Terrie Bradford forall she has done to make this book complete and

Nicole Gilbert.A special thank-you goes to my father,James William Rankins, and my mother, Barbara

Elizabeth Rankins, my grandparents, my sister,

Maxine, and my brothers, James, Kerry, Kevin,Felix, and Vernon, for their support through the

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years.

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Favorite Scriptures

The Ten Commandments

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor thy father and thy mother.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet.

Exodus 20: 1-17

Who can find a virtuous women? For her price is far

above rubies.

Proverbs 31: 10

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me

to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the

still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the

paths of righteousness for his names sake.

Psalms 23: 1-3

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every

purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1

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Chapter One

The Early

Poems

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Pure Thoughts Darren B. Rankins

Night Came and So Did the Pain

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Moonlight Mist

There I sat

beneath a moonlight mist,dreaming the night away.

There I lay on

blades of green,

as autumn breezes passed.

There I died as my body

lay wasting away,

while my soul

drifted toward heaven.

There beneath

a moonlight mist.

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Bubbles

So perfect in shape

Decorated in rainbowsSoar toward heaven.

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Bore Me

Bore me with the dance

You cannot dance.

Bore me with the music and jokes;

Neither can you play nor tell.

Bore me with your conversation,

I wish not to keep.

Bore me with the painting

You cannot paint.

So leave me now,

And bore me another day.

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I Called

I called a friend.

He couldnt.

I called some psychics.

They couldnt.

I called my boss

He couldnt.

So I called my parents.

They couldnt.

But when I called on Jesus,

He could.

Jesus was the only person

who had the answer.

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Snowflake

Soft and white

Glittering in the sun,

Moonlight as it drifts in the wind.

Snowflake as pure as love itself.

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Pain

Sharp-pointed

Needle prickWith force,

Without pity,

Migraine begins.

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Four Seasons

You are the summer rain

that fills my heart with joyand the autumn breeze that

surrounds my soul with color.

Just to find winter

lining your footprints in the snow,

down the path,

a spring flower has sprung,

leaping me into another season.

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Heavenbound

Blue waters

White cloudsCovers my soul

Entirely whole.

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Homeless

Just drifting

Without money, food,And a place to sleep.

Homeless is

The only name I have.

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A New Beginning

Old woods, old trees

that creak and crackwith each passing breeze.

And beneath my feet

lies the soil

that contains a seed

for a new beginning.

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Chapter Two

Sorrow and

Heartbreak

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I Need

As you walk into the room,

I find speaking very hard.So I walk into the bedroom

Where I find myself

crying upon my pillow,

for what we used to share.

Caged like an animal,

I show no aggression,

As I sit there all alone,

in the corner of my mind,

wondering if time

would return to yesterday.

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Tears Never Stop Falling

Within each tear lies a memory of you.

The nights we were one

while the scent of your perfume

drove me to a higher star

I would have died for you.

"How much did I love you?"

Enough to trust you with my heart.

Now you are beneath me

but forever in my dreams, memories,

and even when I gaze into the heaven,

while my tears never stop falling.

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How Hard I Tried

Oh, my dear, how hard I tried

to talk to you,but you wouldnt listen.


to talk to you,

but your eyes kept moving.


to talk to you by touching your hands,

but your hands became cold and numb.

So tell me, how do I get through to you,

just to tell you I love you?

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Get Away

I must get away,

far away,until the street disappears.

I must get away

until my emotions can feel

the love in the air.

My eyes can peer through

the thickness of the smoke,

in order to see

the true beauty of heaven.

I must get away,

bathed in a pool of misty blue,

until we are one.

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Remember Me

Remember me when the four winds

come together and the warm summer rains

shower my face.

Remember me for the times

we held each other in the midst

of summer flowers

and the sounds of love

that made life worth living.

There wasn't a time I didn't regret

you holding me in your arms.

Remember me for all the laughs, tears,

and heartaches we shared.

Now and forever, allow me

to take that finally journey homewith you in mind and soul.

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A Lonely Heart

Alone in an unforgiving sea,

my hand reaches deepinto darkness for your reach,

until water parts.

Standing on a mountain,

searching as far as the eyes can see.

Salty tears descending

upon a beating heart.

Never to be abandoned,

sunset near as snowstorm approaches.

The search must continue,

because I love you.

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Today of All Days

Today of all days, youre trying to be

honest, and trying so hard to make everyonefeel good about themselves.

Today of all days, youre trying so hard to

understand everyones personal problems

while theyre going though hardships and

good times.

But you must know that it is hard to help,

when you need help.

Picture yourself all alone, giving your heart

time to open, and your mind time to relax,

causing you to think for the first time, and

you begin to make decisions as your life

begins.

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Without Your Love

The autumn leaves

that descend upon my heartsoon blanket the world with despair.

Free from compassion, love,

and forgiveness, a sweet goodbye.

A perfect picture of a darkened sky and

A graveyard of lost souls

without a way home.

Trying to distance myself

from the screams, crying, and pleading for

the touch of another heart.

Please tell mewithout your love,

the touch of your hand,

and the sound of your voice,

I am lost deep

within the prison of my soul.

P.S. A shout out for your love.

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You Can

You can enchant me

with a beautiful smileor kill me

with an unforgiving laugh.

You can fill my life with joy,

a true desire,

or lead me to another.

But I do not think

you could do the things

that have already been done to me.

P.S. A broken heart in recovery.

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Please Forgive Me

Alone in this home; I am a zombie,

soon to become a mummy.

I remember how we used to

entangle one another

in those long conversations

while embracing

the memories of long ago.

My heart is melting away within,

like a box of chocolates in the sun.

Good times are gonereceiving

those unexpected giftsroses, diamonds,

cars, and expensive vacation packages.

All I see are the reflections

of the past, resting on the pond.

A walk through our vineyard,

holding hands gently in the midst of weeds,broken vines and insects

Our love is even missing here.

The stars and the moon have no light

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to spark our deepest emotions.

Please tell me, my love:

1. You never hold me while

looking into my eyes any more.

2. You never write me poems or

sing songs to me while rubbing my

back.

3. You never help clean our home,

car, or even the children.

4. I never get those late night or

morning kisses.5. We never walk together in

public and you dont tell me how

beautiful I am.

My love, please tell me, what happened to

us? My dear, this situation was all my fault,

because I should have been a man. I should

have focused on our relationship with God,

instead of on building our material wealth.

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Through my love of God and your

forgiveness, our family can be reunited,

because I love you.

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Fallen Through the Darkness

of the Midnight Sky

Fallen through the darknessof the midnight sky,

unaware of my location or destiny.

Fallen through the darkness

of the midnight sky,

only to see my past life

pass before me in my mind.



as my body begins to be pushed

from side to side.



I suddenly awaken face down on my pillow

and realize it was nothing but a dream.

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Chapter Three

Love and

Happiness

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For A Special Someone

How does one express his love

for one as lovely as you?A heart that was shattered

by the thoughts of yesterday,

which could be repaired

by the emotions of today.

For so long I have imagined soaring

toward a heavenly place

that only existed deep within my mind.

Your loving ways are rare,

trapping my deepest desires.

How can one such as I,

have any impact on a beautiful rose

surrounded by rainbows?

I will embrace thee for a lifetime.

I give you my heart, trust, and warmth,

but sometimes thats just not enough,

for I will always love you.

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Within

I close my eyes

to dream of you,PURE HAPPINESS.

I hold my heart within,

to wait until

the night will end.

Just for morn

to tell you,

I love you.

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You Are

You are truly a rosebud from heaven,

a pure delight.I dreamed of drawing pictures of you

against the walls of my mind

as I lay in a field of flowers.

Your love is as pure as honeydew,

which tempts my roots to grow.

Night has fallen and Im alone,

leaving without a heart to calm.

But always remember,

I love you.

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Dancing in the Rain

Dancing in the rain

Arms open wide, praying

to the great Father above

for your safe return.

Consumed by your love

as whirlwinds of fire

deep within my soul.

Diamonds, my favorite jewel,

but not as beautiful as you.

Your voice echoes from thefour corners of the universe

with such compassion.

As the rainbow bounces

off a clear blue lake,

The love I feel

will last for eternity.

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My Wedding Day

I stood bravely

beneath a rainbow todayas the scent of roses

filled the air.

Patiently I stood,

waiting until

we became one.

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The Rose

Hello, my rose,

covered by the morning dewwait until the sun fully rises

to dry off your lovely face.

Now is the time

to spray me with your love,

for the morning has gone,

and noon is here.

Lay back and enjoy the day

for nature knows you best

for your beauty;

good night, and sleep tight.

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The Memories of Yesterday

The memories of yesterday were the times

we played, the days I came around just tosee the smile on your face and how your

smile told me why the sun shines.

The memories of yesterday were the

rainbows that I could never express,

the way you made me feel.

But to me, you were a living soul.

The memories of yesterday

are like thoughts todayloving, holding,

and waiting to be with you,

knowing all my dreams

will come true.

The memories of yesterday remind me of

the last day I spent with you, I cried for the

simple reason that I cared. Please remember

me always. Your loving friend.

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A Moment in Time

If you could see

your reflectionwithin the center

of my teardrops,

Or smell the scent of roses

within a summer breeze,

Then for one

moment in time,

you should realize

how much I love you.

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Whats Love

Love is more than any green

that rolls out of a machineand brighter than any diamond

I have ever seen.

Love smells better

than any perfume I have ever smelled and

love is softer than any cotton

I have ever felt.

Love is my love,

The sweat, aches, and pains

I feel after each and every

exhausting day at work.

The way I feel

when I hold our kids,

while holding your hand,

trying to understand

everything that can be understood.

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Roses

Extraordinary displays

of colors,

when touched

you fall in love.

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Rock Me to Sleep

Gently you lay me down in my crib

and then you begin to rock mefrom side to side.

Suddenly, I begin to feel weak

and my eyes want to relax

and I am asleep.

Dreaming of lovely fields of flowers,

and hillsides of green.

The day was sunny

that is becoming dark, loud,

and the noise is shaking me apart.

I open my eyes and youre gone,

then I cry and you turn on the light,

and you ask me What is wrong?

My reply was please rock me back

to sleep and never leave me again.

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Chapter Four

Testimony

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Gifts of the Spirit

For to one is given by the Spirit

the word of wisdom;to another the word of knowledge

by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit;

to another the gifts of healing

by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles;

to another prophecy;

to another discerning of spirits;

to another divers kinds of tongues;

to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the

selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man

severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11

Why allow man to hold you back?

God has given you His gifts to succeed.

Exercise your gifts.

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Innerself

Above my head

stands the heavens,beneath my feet

lies the ground.

From the ends

of my left and right fingers

stands my body,

and in the center

lies my soul.

And in that center

stands Gods reason to exist.

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Jesus

J Justice Judge Jehovah

E Everlasting Eternal Example

S Savior Salvation Sacrifice

U Unchanging Understanding

S Son of God Sinless Service

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou

shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save

his people from their sins.

Matthew 1: 21

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The Death and Resurrection of

Jesus Christ

With the greatest respect, the world cries out

on this day in remembrance of the

death and resurrection of our Savior.

Have we all not heard the weeping,

witnessed the tears of others?

But there is no greater cry than Christ:

Eli, Eli, why hast thou forsaken me?

You did not die in vain.

While standing between

the East and the West,

one foot on land, the other on water.

My thoughts are on you,

tears streaming at the thought

of your holy blood,flowing to the ground.

What a day of remembrance!

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In the midst of your suffering,

men still ask and receive forgiveness,

Scar tissue where prophecy is fulfilled.

Focus on the mission,

the greatest of all times,

With the blood that fell

and silenced every creature,

below and above.

Every flower blossomed with the scent of

perfume in the colors of a rainbow.

Mary, we mourn with you

for a mothers pain is not forgotten.

Isaiah 53

Matthew 27

Luke 22

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True Believer

I will not be intimidated

by the worlds criticismof my belief in you.

I will stand tall and strong like oak

as my executioner

holds sword in hand.

Because I am a believer

of your teaching,

and a follower

of your footsteps to heaven.

.

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The King

Oh, Glory,

who you sent from my dreams,that stood on mountain tops

and whose words were crystal clear

inspired me in every way,

just for me to live

through eternity

with the King.

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You Lack

You lack to understand

the principles of realityand that is why

you are drowning

in an ocean of fantasy.

Shattered dreams

will control your every night,

which will leave you without

a safe place to sleep.

Now come closer, closer,

and listen and learn,

for the darkness has no light.

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Jesus Last Teardrop

Like a clear crystal ball

falling from a forever height,holding my forever thoughts,

lying on the ground

as a fallen raindrop.

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Allow Reality To Set In

You may not believe

what I have to say,

but Jesus is the way.

And if you don=t believe

that Jesus lives,

Open your eyes and look

at what nature has to offer.

And you may not believe

that you won=t die,

look back and ask the question

AWhere are Great-grandpa and grandma?@

Now allow reality to set in

that Jesus lives and so should you,

if only you believe.

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A Walk in the Park

After having a wonderful night in prayerwith God, I decided to take a walk in the park thenext morning. It seemed like an ordinary day. Thesun shined brightly, with its rays bouncing off thepassing clouds. Suddenly there was a soft breezesweeping across my face with all the spring flowersreleasing their scent in the path of each passingstranger. The day was beautifulone of the greatestdays of my life. All at once, I had an eerie feeling asI approached a young woman and her two children,who were sitting at my favorite spot in the park.

As I moved closer, she reached out her handand offered me a seat. The request was gentle, yetdemanding. Something about her eyes and her voicestruck me first. Not trying to be judgmental in any

form or fashion, I saw in her eyes a great, dark,lonely, uncompassionate emptiness screaming andcrying out for a simple hello. Her mumbling voiceshook and stammered with every syllable, Wwillyoou ppplleasse haavve a sseatt?

Our conversation started about how she waswaiting on the kids father, who never kept hisappointments on time. The kids were barefoot, bluejeans full of holes, dirty, with too little clothing.They appeared to be very happy and carefree. Shebegan to tell me about her separation, but did not togo into any detail. There seemed to be some form of

mental abuse.I asked her if she knew God and who God

is? I attempted to comfort her, and to let her knowthat Jesus loves her and her children. As we got intothe conversation about how good God has been inmy 1ife, she began to weep. That took me back to a

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story in the Bible when Mary wept for her Son, andhow an innocent man was put to death for ourtransgressions. I began to shed a tear out of my righteye. But the story continued. She placed her handon my hand and said "Son, I don't think you quiteunderstand what I'm going through. There havebeen times when I haven't had the money for bills,clothes, food and even sometimes, decenttransportation. What do I have to be thankful for?"

I replied, Look aroundyou are able towalk and talk, and you are in good health. You areable to see your kids playing, and to hold them andtell them you love them. You are able to wake up inthe morning, feed your kids, and kiss them good-bye for school You have an opportunity to teachthem about the word of God and give them positivevalues in society. Think about how many parents

wake up each morning not knowing the physicaland mental health of their children, but with faith inGod and with prayer all things are possible. Finally,the conversation came to an end. As I turned towa1k away; I realized I had a Bible in my jacketpocket. I reached into my pocket and handed her theBible. I asked her to give the word of God a chance.

Two months later, while in a church revival,I saw the young woman sitting in the front of thechurch. She and her family were nicely dressed andgroomed. I could tell by the glimpse that I caught ofa mans face as he turned to watch the usher wa1k

down the aisle, that he was the children's fathersitting next to them. God does work miracles if yougive him a chance.

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Chapter Five

Gods Love

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A Letter to the Lord I

Dear Lord, can I have a minute of your time,

while I sit here looking up into the heavens?

Lord, from my crib, growing into my career,

sometimes I feel like I

am alone in this world,

without anyone to comfort me

in my hour of need.

Alone, abandonedmy mornings

are without a childs cry

or the smell of bacon in the air.

Lord, I just dont know sometimes.

Evenings I find myself staring

out my window into empty space

no birds, no flowers,

not even a cloud in the sky.

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I wonder if I will ever see you again.

Nights are spent not knowing what

tomorrow will bring.

But Lord, dont you know,

since the day I accepted you as my Savior,

I know tomorrow

will be a brighter day.

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A Letter to the Lord II

Dear Lord, now it has been one year

since I talked with you last,

and I still find myself looking

upward at the heavens for your return.

There have been rainbows that ended

where the sun meets the sky and

raindrops that have holes in the center.

The seeds that have been planted

are growing faster than the weeds,

leaving me to believe that there is a void.

Lord, from the corners of the four skies

the wind passes my stories without any

truth, causing little faith among my

flowers.

There has been brighter days

and stormy nights,

But holding on to your love

is what keeps me strong.

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A Letter to the Lord III

Dear Lord, I am writing this letter

regarding the ending of a beautiful day.

Out of all the days on this earth,

today my life was complete.

There were children playing

in an array of flowers, and

painting pictures in the sky.

The animals were laughing, singing,

and drinking from the same lake.

Stars pierced holes

through a darkened canvas.

And I heard the wind say

Something truthful for a change.

But I wonder,

is this the end?

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How About You?

People may say love can be found in the

center of a flower or evenat the center of the universe.

And some may say that love

can be found in the center of the human

heart or between the

arms of a loving mother.

But I found the love of my life

in Jesus Christ.

How About You?

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Grow in Gods Love

Grow in Gods love

in unity as the corn in the fields.

Never should your love

change because the day

may be stormy or sunny.

Trust him, believe in him,

and you will receive

everlasting peace.

Grow in Gods love

until you become one of

his favorite flowers.

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What Really Happened Yesterday?

What really happened yesterday?

The phone call.

The shortness or breath.

At two in the morning,

to tell me that life is not worth living.

What really happened yesterday,

when you drove past my house

5 miles per hour in a 30-mile zone?

Blowing your horn as if

there was someone in your path.

I begged and pleaded with you

to stay within the realms of the church

and not the world.

It is not too late

for Christ was crucified

and died in order for you and me

to live with him through eternity.

For he says in Revelation 21:6 I am Alpha

and Omega, the beginning and the end.

I will be with you always.

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The Day I Died

Dont look at me as if I were dead,

just think of me resting in bed.

Now cover me with eternal life

and place my favorite flowers

upon my head,

and if the night shall pass

and you miss holding my heart in your hand,

just make a wish upon the nearest star

and there Ill stand.

Now take all my worldly possessions

and give them to the needy

because my riches now lie with God.

Now sing me a love song

as I walk down this lonely road,

and please dont worry because

my Lord waits with opened arms.

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Theres a Reason

As we watch men lost in sin

my father started to destroyfrom beginning to end.

But I, Jesus, chose not to see

what my Father truly loved

come to an end.

So I came into the world,

not for one color of skin,

but to die for you

to have life over death.

So you see, someone

does truly love you.

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Prayers in the Wind

Please, O Lord grant me my prayers

The prayers of the homeless

are still wasting away,

And the crop has yet to grow.

O Lord, the day was silent

upon my wedding,

without a bird to sing sweet melodies.

Have you not heard my prayers,

O Lord?

But yes, my child, I did

next time pray with faith.

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In Open Arms

He who stood on Galilee,

so should I.When storms are beside me,

I will not lose my focus.

When I am troubled, and as my heart

melts away into an evening sunset,

I will kneel to pray.

When praying in Jesus name,

the darkness exists no more.

For now, I stand on holy ground,

with my Lord in open arms.

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No Better Love

Gods love is greater

than any mountainI have ever climbed.

The race for his grace

is only a prayer away,

As his glow is as bright

as the morning glories.

Sweet, sweet songs from heaven

calm my restless soul,

giving me direction

down the right path home.

Gods love is greater than any love

I have ever known.

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Dont Lose the Faith

A Conversation between a

Young Man, Jesus, and God

The sun burned intensely overhead, as a young man

died an unforeseen and cruel death. Suddenly, theday turned stormy as gigantic, black, thundering

clouds came rolling across the sky, lit up by the

flash of streaking lightning. Fierce winds blew in all

directions, making it impossible to see or hearanything above the tempest. As his spirit departed

from his torn and ragged body, the young man was

allowed to witness his body wash ashore. He wasgiven the privilege of addressing God, the Father,

and his son, Jesus Christ to ask why he was allowedto suffer so many difficult situations in his life.

As he looked upon his body lying on the shore, he

began to speak, saying, Why Lord, did you allow

me to suffer as the sun beamed down and burnedmy tender flesh, while I screamed in such pain

before I died?

Sharp pointed needle prick, with force, without pity,

migraine begins.

Why have you allowed my body to lie here on the

banks of the shore, beside the sea of death?

I shed one teardrop for you like a clear crystal ball,falling from a forever height, holding my forever

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thoughts, lying on the ground as a fallen raindrop.

And Lord, I ran through some changes of time for

you, only to stop for one conversation. But I knew Imust keep moving on, only to reach this bitter,

catastrophic end. How could you allow this to

happen? Where were you when I needed you themost?

The heavens opened and the black storm cloudsrolled back. A burst of light beamed upon the

turbulent waters, which became smooth and calm as

the day brightened once more. A voice spoke softly

to the young man and said, Now, listen my son.The things you went through in your life were for

your benefit and growth. You lacked the principle

of reality. That is why you were drowning in an

ocean of fantasy. Shattered dreams haunted yourevery night, leaving you without a safe place to

sleep. Now, come closer, closer, and listen andlearn, for the darkness has no light.

Jesus raised his hands upward and the young mansaw the pierced holes where the Savior was

crucified. As Jesus spoke, he looked up toward

heaven. Father, let me, please let me answer, and

he faced the young man.

Son, how dare you say that I deserted you, for it

was I who was in the garden of Eden, andGethsamane, and led Noahs ark to safe ground.

You say I deserted you? It was I who led Moses

across the desert with rod in hand and freed theIsraelites. I raised Lazarus from the dead and yes, I

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counted your teardrops dancing in the wind. I

inspired every love poem and song that gives praise

to my Father. I also watched Freedom run acrosscotton fields and I found Freedom hanging from a

great oak, and I placed Freedom beneath Mother

Earth.

As his understanding of the great sacrifices the Lord

had made for him increased, the young man beggedfor forgiveness and Christ accepted his pleas. His

soul became full of peace. Watch closely my

child, Jesus continued as the young mans spirit

began to ascend toward the heavens.

Body covered with white clouds, blue waters,

covers his soul, entirely whole. He rose to the

center of the light in heaven. Christs footprintswere visible in the sand next to where the young

mans body still remained, waiting to be discovered.From the distance, Christ could be seen walking

above the beach, along the sea of death. With every

step he took, he walked through time until hedisappeared into infinity.

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Chapter Six

Family,

Friends,

Country

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Newborn

Tiny feet beneath my breast

untouched and pure

until bubble burst;

then enters the breath of life.

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Within a Frame

A son, a daughter,

a picture on the wall.

Grandma, Grandpa

long since gone.

A smile, a frown,

playing in the park.

A lawyer, a doctor,

with every great expectation to succeed.

A picture on the wall,says it all.

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A Writers Song

If only I had one ear to hear

the songs of a mockingbird,

or a nose to smell

the sweet country air.

Give me a blank sheet of paper

to write something

no one else understands,

but another writer.

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An Old Mans Song

Old man, dont be sad

that your wife has passed.Be glad for todaythe sun will last.

Old man, listen to my song

that no man has sung.

Trees will be greener, and

the flowers will be brighter.

For now is the time

to jump for joy,

for she has left you a boy;

Grow, boy, grow

And remember your old mans song.

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We Are a Nation

We are a nation at war,

A nation within a nation at war

spiritually, financially, and racially.

A nation God Almighty

founded with his blessing.

With these blessings also come choices

that direct this great nation

at home and abroad,

Because we are a nation at war.

We are a nation of hardworking people

Who earn an honest days pay

to put food on the table,

and shelter overhead,

and whose blood is shed

for generations to come.

As once was the newborn babe,

Growing up to a quarreling child

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So is our nation, a nation at war

Fighting with our older brothers,

the countries of our world.

Roots reaching out, intertwining our souls

branches soaring towards the heavens

We are a nation, a strong foundation.

We are a nation at war,

facing tough issues of hatred.

Finding ourselves saying,

Enough is enough

as we move on to a higher calling.

We are a nation standing on eagles wings,

watching and protecting those

who are in harms way.

The forefront of justice.

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Freedom

F-frustration must be controlled

R-refusing to give upE-evaluate before making a move

E-enrich thyself with positive thoughts

D-demonstration is a must

O-oppression comes with each great

struggle

M-mankind must learn about unity

Freedom is Gods fight till the end

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My Parents

Standing by my side,

my two wonderful parents.

With the love of God,

together they created me.

All that I have given the world

has stemmed from both of them.

My loving Mother, whose pain

has not gone unheard.

A strong woman,

whom I adore for a lifetime.

My mother, whose words

of the birds and the bees camewhile she served breakfast,

with that springtime smile on her face.

My mother had way of getting

those messages across

without landing a hand.

My mother, a beautiful woman.

My father, a man who seems to have

the answers to all those untold secrets.

With his hands, a handyman

who could fix the world problems,

if given the chance.

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My father, whose words

could make a strong man cry,

but at that same moment

finish with a smile.

Stories of pure love.

With these flowers in both hands,

I return the love forever.

James William Rankins

and

Barbara Elizabeth Rankins

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Pure Thoughts

For more information, please contact the author:

[email protected] [email protected]

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Pure Thoughts, Volume One contains poems written over the

course of several years covering a wide range of topics. Thepoems also express Darrens personal testimony of the Lord.

Darren Rankins was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and is

one of seven children. He began writing poetry in the sixth

grade. He attended Middle Tennessee State University, where

he took part in his first poetry slam in 1994. Darren began to

submit his poetry to newspapers and magazines and has been

published in theNashville BannerandDaily News Journal, aswell as chapbooks and poetry books across the country.

Darrens passion for writing has given him the opportunity to

share his beliefs with others in the form of a successful

Christian T-shirt ministry. The shirts are designed with a

combination of original poems, beautiful graphics, and timely

Bible verses.

Darren loved writing as a hobby, but wanted to have a greater

effect on people. He started his own business, calledPureThoughts, in 1995 to sell his products and expand his circle of

influence. He has sold or donated over 5000 t-shirts

worldwide. He has contributed to various charities such as the

Salvation Army and Feed the Children, as well as many local

causes.

Darren still resides in the Murfreesboro area and is the father

of four children: Joshua, Michael, Ashley, and Amy. Heenjoys playing tennis and ping-pong. Some of his greatest

inspiration comes from observing nature and daydreaming

while watching clouds drift by on sunny afternoons. Darrencontinues to write and has already started on his second book.

He is also working on television, CD, and DVD projects as

well.

pure thoughts vol. 1 (revised)

Documents