Two prisoners sitting across from each other
One silently pondering things unseen
I am the one lost in my own thoughts
Cold steel table hardness it always brings
In a dorm full of chaos
Iron doors cement walls echoes of fear
A question is asked by one
How do you know when God’s spirit is here
In that sacred moment
The promising question asked I ran through my mind
Surely I can come up with a good answer
Somewhere rattling around in my head a smart word I can find
Searching for this savory morsel of knowledge
Some sweet nugget tasty and fresh
My mind takes me inside a picture
The place where humanity was eternally blessed
Standing in awe of my surroundings
Lost in my mind found at the foot of the cross
Unable to put into words
The price my sweet Jesus it cost
His innocent blood spilled with great abuse
Pain upon pain relentlessly repeated
Misery delivered by the hands of wickedness
The place where sin was triumphantly defeated
Our heavy burden that day was lifted
His pierced body sadly lowered from the cross
The day the world eclipsed darkness
On Calvary evil and wickedness has lost
Unknowingly they have killed their king
They have slain Almighty God’s only begotten son
The one and only savior
In Him is eternal life for all who will ever come
For me I was pulled from a darkness
The hand of Jesus reaching into a stinking pit
Pulled from the burning fire of my addiction
In freedom at a steel table now I sit
He delivered me into this prison
Here He knew I would finally listen to His voice
He led me to its chapel
In Him there I learned to rejoice
He taught me the meaning of praise and worship
Through His Spirit a better way I have been shown
He brought me into His righteousness
Covered me with it like a beautiful new flowing robe
He gave me a new found confidence
Stripped away all my old filthy clothes
His love walked me into freedom
He gave me new seed to sow
Life-giving water to nourish
A new song streaming sweet melody from my mouth
His word hot seared burned into my heart
How great is our God I
began to scream and shout
More exciting than scoring the game winning touchdown
Much better than winning the lottery one lucky day
Having discovered Christ’s unending love
Nothing of this world can compare to His way
For His way is so lovely
His burden is ever so light
His yoke I have taken upon me
Put an end to this life’s meaningless fight
Sitting here in this prison
True freedom in Jesus I have found
His love for me endured at the cross
Throughout my soul His sacrifice abounds
Sitting here at this cold hard steel table
Face to Face the question asked by my friend
How do you know when God’s spirit is here
I began to tell him its like the wind
Then in my ear a silent whisper
His still soft voice resting over me
Jesus said invite me to come sit at the table
I will open your hearts so you can clearly see
I stopped with my fancy description
Immediately in prayer I asked Jesus to come in
Like mighty rushing waters invading
A wave of Holy Love by the whirlwind He did send
Glistening down rain pour of His Holy Spirit
Showering down upon us we were totally consumed
Taking all words and our breath from us
It seemed like just the two of us were left in the once crowded room
Grace abounding in the moment
Our spirits lifted on wings of light from above
White Flag full surrender our hearts
Surrounded now by His blazing unconditional love
Resonating Holiness through my inner being
My spirit dancing in rhythm with my glorious King
God gave us the gift of His Holy presence
The true reality my best explanation could never bring
Cold hard steel table set on fire
Forever capturing my once bleeding heart
This the moment I fell in love with Jesus
In prison at a table the day His Holy Love gave spark
He ignited our bosoms with consuming fire
Burning hot love bright light into our souls
Now as we are able to speak
Off our tongues no words able to roll
Sitting in golden silence
Only our eyes able to speak the truth
God sent His Holy Spirit to answer
Over our table His blinding love He let loose
Love me tender forever
Love us sweet saving Holy Grace
The day I fell in love with Jesus
In a prison at a cold hard steel table I came Face to Face!!
~ Ev. Michael Bowen