Change the Dance

Change the dance

Of the way things are done

Let the steps be different

And the rhythm always move

Change the dance

Of the way people think

Open their minds

Let them be renewed

Change the dance

Of the way things are done

Let everyone feel alive

And encouraged in their hearts

Change the dance

Of the way people preach

Let their words

Be filled with joy and love

Change the dance

Of the way things are done

Let people realise

That everyone is equal

Change the dance

Of the way songs are sung

Be it hymns or psalms

Let it all be for you

Change the dance

Of the way things are done

Let everyone from young to old

Rejoice in your name always

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

I Wait On You

With the crown above my head

I sit and wait on you

Wait for your peace to come

And shower me in the rain

I wait on you with listening ears

To hear what you may say

I open my heart to you

And pray you will heal me

Make me feel whole

And remove the lostness

That is in my soul

Cover me with your loving arms

Fill the emptiness

And remove the loneliness

As I know I am not alone

Because you are always with me

You take me by the hand

And walk with me

Down the open and unknown road

Which is laid in front of me

There may be bumps on the road

And stones which fill my shoes

But along the bumpy road

Your hands keep me steady

You will not allow me to stumble

You will not allow me to fall

Because in your strong arms

You carry me all the way home

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

You Give Me the Faith

You give me the faith

To walk through the door

You give me the strength

To keep on going

When doors are shut

You help me see

The way forward

And bless me with the faith

To leave the past alone

When memories are flooding me

You give me the faith

When things go wrong

To not fall on my face

But to fall to my knees

And thank you for your love

You help me see

That in my struggles

I am not alone

But that I am being covered

By an everlasting love

You give me the faith

To accept that love

Even though in my heart

I feel I am not worthy

And lacking in ability

You help me see

That I am enough

That my heart is pure

And in your eyes

I am a chosen princess

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

You Pick People Up

You pick people up

And give them attention

Which makes them feel loved

But it’s a false love

You pick people up

Sit with them day and night

Which puts people out

As it shows favouritism

You pick people up

And mess with their heads

Telling them one thing

And then doing another

You pick people up

And send mixed signals

Which tears at the heart

And leaves them afraid

You pick people up

Stay with them a while

As you try to fix them

But that’s not your place

You pick people up

In times of despair

But when the next project comes

You throw them back down

You pick people up

And then leave them stranded

So do everyone a favour

And leave them alone

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

Religion

Religion

Is the name of the game

We vote for colours

Not with our hearts

Religion

Is ingrained in our lives

It causes problems all the time

Making hearts break all over

Religion

Is evident on our streets

With the flags that fly

And the words that we say

Religion

Is not the way forward

As it sticks us in the past

And continues to divide our nation in two

Religion

Needs to be stopped

We need to look higher

And seek the truth in faith

Religion

Can be seen as fake news

It tells you one thing

That makes you hate one another

Religion

All it does is bring conflict

Closes our hearts

And brings pain to all

Religion

Stops progression of the people

And brings the country to a halt

But its religion that needs to stop

Religion

Needs to be replaced

With the love and truth of faith

And the peace which that brings

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

Open

Open my eyes

I want to see

To look around me

And recognise the gifts

Open my ears

I want to hear

To listen to your voice

And hear the whispers in my heart

Open my mind

I want to know you

I will be persistent and consistent

In knowing you better

Open my heart

I want to follow you

So take away my distractions

And help me focus on you

Matthew 5 v 8

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

Unmoved by Circumstances

Feeling unworthy

Not able to move

Needing a kick-start

To push yourself

Maybe your circumstances

Are defining you

But don’t let them.

Own your life

You are capable

Of more than you think

If you try

You can astound yourself

Milton was blind

But he’s an esteemed poet

Beethoven was deaf

But he composed many a tune

It can be hard

But we are not alone

We have a guide

Who leads us through life

Abraham was confused

But he still went forward

Sarah was old and childless

But a child was provided

The moral of the story

Is to not give up

Keep going, be strong

With God you are unstoppable

Psalm 125 v 1

Jo Anne Kennedy

May 2017

Easter

Friday

Darkness comes

Curtains were torn in two

Jesus has died

Friday is here

But Sunday’s coming

Sunday

There is hope

The Stone was rolled away

Jesus has risen

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

Out of Dust

Out of dust

We are created

We are all unique

And we have a purpose

We are shown promises

Which are true

And we are bestowed with love

Unconditional love

When we are broken

Love is given

Which heals the hurts

And makes us whole again

Ephesians 4 v 11-13

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

Good Friday

Good Friday

One man on a cross

A substitute for us

Mid-afternoon darkness comes

And the curtains are torn in two

Tetelestai, it is finished

Jesus has died

And he died for us

To free us from our sins

And to give us forgiveness

We are forgiven

But we need to believe

And we need to trust

We need to accept

The gift we have been given

With salvation comes grace

A gift we don’t deserve

That heals our scars

And cleanses us within

To bring healing to our souls

With graces comes love

Loves that unconditional

Love that brings light

And meets us in the dark

To give us hope

This grace and love

Heals the wounds of the past

Takes away our shame

And replaces guilt with exception

Into a life of being free

John 8 v 11

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

Time

We waste time

We manage time

We spend time

We save time

Time consumes us

We wish time would come

But always that it would pass

Time is a commodity

Time flies yet it also drags

Time is always there

We are either in time

Or we are running late

We clock watch

And count down the seconds

We wish we could control time

But time controls itself

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

He Is Real

Do not be afraid

He is your light

He is your strength

Do not be dismayed

He is your help

And he will hold you

Be of good courage

He will never leave you

He will never forsake you

Do not feel weak

He exhorts you to be strong

He exhorts you to be courageous

Do not worry

If you are in trouble

He will deliver you

Do not doubt

Do not fear

Taste and see that He is good

His power is real

It is not imaginary

It’s an undeniable force

Psalm 27

Isaiah 41 v 10

Deuteronomy 31 v 6

Joshua 1 v 6

Psalm 34 v 4-8

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

To Be You and Only You

One man’s mountain

Is another man’s valley

One man’s rock

Is another man’s sinking sand

One man’s goal

Is another man’s fear

One man’s joy

Is another man’s sorrow

We are all unique

All created differently

None of us the same

Isn’t that a relief!

We all have different talents

Not all of us can create

Not all of us can write

And not all of us can paint

We all have different gifts

Making up the body

Not all of us can sing

Not all of us can bake

We all have different callings

Used for the glory

Not all of us are called to serve

And not all of us are called to preach

We are all unique

And we shouldn’t compare

Or live in the shadows

We need to be who we are

We were created for a purpose

So don’t live in despair

You are your own brand of beautiful

So carry it with joy

So live in the knowledge

Live in the belief

That you were created

To be you and only you

Luke 10 v 2

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

Buzzing

My mind is buzzing

Words flying everywhere

Numbers jumping out at me

Grabbing my attention

And eating my brain alive

Nothing will be still

It’s like a bullet train

Rolling down the highway

Knocking everyone over

Causing havoc all around

It just needs peace to come

And put a calming hand

To speak words of love

And bring the buzzing to a stand still

And let the waves settle

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

My Story

You wrote my story,

Brought me to life

You carry me through

And help me in strife

You show me the way

And catch me when I fall

Helping me to stand

And face each new day

You lay out the land

Guide me every way

You show me the plans

And help me walk your way

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

When They Say

When they say

You are nothing

You will amount to nothing

You say, that’s not true

I am beloved

I am chosen

I am gifted

I am not alone

When they say

You don’t dress right

You don’t fit in

You say, that is not true

I am cherished

I am fearfully made

I am wonderfully made

I am a divinely shaped wonder

When they say

You are not wanted

You don’t belong

You say, that is not true

I am wanted

I am loved

I do belong

I was called by name

Philippians 4 v 13

Psalm 139 v 14

Isaiah 43 v 1

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

Who Am I?

I walk into a room

I look around

Is there anyone who will talk to me?

To tell me who I am?

That boy over there,

He is cute

But will he ever look at me

And tell me who I am?

In changing rooms

Trying on new clothes

Having my hair perfect

Is this who I am?

Sitting amongst my family

Everyone has a significant other

I am alone and single

Is that who I am?

Does the cool crowd define me?

Do boys define me?

Does my family define me?

Tell me who I am?

Does my image define me?

What does define me?

In what is my identity?

Tell me who you are

John 2 v 24

Jo Anne Kennedy

April 2017

More Hang Ten Stories

Raindrops

Drip

Drop

Drip

Drop

Go to the musical raindrops

Drip

Honey

Honey on my toast

Drop toast on bed

Messy

Cognizance

To have cognizance

It to have knowledge

Or be aware

Inkwell

In anger

He dropped the inkwell

On my toes

PAINFUL

Unforgettable

Your face

Your smile

So unforgettable

You take my breath away 

Build a Castle

Build a Castle

On the sand

And when it rains

The castle will fall

Build a Castle

On the rocks

And when it rains

The castle stands firm

So build your castle

On the rocks

Set your feet firm

On the truth

Build your castle

On the rock of truth

And when the storms come

You will not fall

Jo Anne Kennedy

March 2017