Christoph Writes...: Potent Poetry

Showing posts with label Potent Poetry. Show all posts

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Testimonial Poetry: "Eternal Gain," In Memory of My Grandfather

I lost my grandfather a few years ago and was given the privelege and the honor to pen a poem that was printed in his obituary. I wrote this piece without a written story or testimony. The memories I have of him served as the foundation of this poem.

I looked up to my grandfather. He is the portait of a man that I model my life after. Deacon James Kelsey was the patriarch of our entire family. Even though he was my mother's father, he was more of a father to my brothers and I than he was a grandfather. My grandfather was a father figure to so many young and older in the DC Metropolitan Area. His funeral was one that mirrored the likes of political figures. His obituary was adorned with letters from the White House, the Mayors Office, and Bishops from all over the country. If I have the ability to leave a fraction of the legacy that he left, that would be a great feat. The funny thing is ...he stressed to me the significance of exceeding the legacy of my predecessors. Therefore, I accept the challenge of touching as many lives as I can; not only with my writing but with the way I live my life.

He was recognized as a PFC (on paper) because black soldiers weren't promotable then. But if I were to show you the amount of medals and honors he received, it would blow your mind. Trust me! It blew my mind.

Eternal Gain
By Christoph Jenkins,
(Grandson)

Your influence flows through our veins | And our hearts are maintained by the thought of your eternal gain | No loss has been claimed | We praise His name | Your name, Deacon James Kelsey, will live on through the lives you’ve changed | Your teachings have not been in vain | Our lives have been enriched and sustained because we’ve watched and listened while you trained | Your life ought to be framed | Men have followed your lead because you taught them to go with God’s flow and not against the grain | We thank God for granting you peace and relieving you of all pain | You can finally enjoy the sun because you have endured the rain…long enough | You started the chain to which we’ve added links to carry on the Kelsey name | So on today, as we celebrate your life, we long for the day we see you again!

We Love you, Granddad!

The men in our family who are better because of Deacon James Kelsey!

Until next time ...exceed the legacy of your predecessors and touch as many lives as possible!

Christoph Writes...

"If my words have the ability to develop wings of encouragement, I hope they take flight in someone's life." ~Christoph Jenkins

Monday, September 10, 2012

Testimonial Poetry: "The Fight of My Life" | The Testimony of Justin Izlar

In my most recent post, "Project of Passion: My Gift ...Your Testimony ...Their Breakthrough!," I introduced the launch of a NEW project that I believe will make a HUGE impact in many people's lives around this world. For details concerning the particulars of this project, please visit the post and see how you can get involved by telling your story. We all have a testimony because we have all gone through something that GOD has brought us out. And some of us are currently being tested. In the end, though, people who hear about people going through similar things can be encouraged and empowered to endure the PROCESS that God has them in.

It is my esteemed honor to present to you our first story... the testimony of a close friend of mine who fought a long HARD battle with Osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of CANCER. My childhood friend and fellow church family member, Justin Izlar, 25, wrote his testimony some time before he went home to be with our Lord, in January of this year. Just WON his battle with cancer...because he completed his God-given assignment and God was pleased! You ask me how I know? I'm glad you asked. When you get some time, visit Justin's tribute website called, www.JustinTouchedMe.com. There you will find numerous stories submitted by the many people who Justin touched while on this earth. Following the story below, you will find the poem I wrote that was featured in his obituary.

"The Fight of my Life"

by Justin Izlar

Dealing with cancer is one of the hardest things that I’ve ever had to do. Just hearing the news about it was shocking like ‘wow, can this be true?’ I couldn’t believe I had to deal with something that I thought older people get. Something where your suppose to just sit back, relax, and see other people with. Something where you go visit people in the hospital to show them that you’re there and then you go back to live your own life, in your own home, without a care not once, not twice, but three times I had to deal with this.

Wasn’t sure if I would survive, so sometimes wanted nothing more than a kiss. Just something simple to say, "I love you", you’re not going through this alone
And just hold out a little while longer and you’ll be on your way home. I’ll be honest; the first time I cried hard, cause it was devastatin’ I cried eight times just on the way home, sometimes thinking I did something that God was hatin.’

Second time I got very mad, cause now it was just frustratin.’ Why I gotta suffer when I tried to do right, but there’s others outside right now crap playin’? During all of this, I began to have a reality check. I wasn’t being punished, but the devil knew God had a plan that hasn’t happened yet, so the third time it got a little funny, and I just laughed a little bit at Satan telling him that I’mma do Gods work regardless man, you need to stop hatin’.

You might as well keep it moving, because I know that I’m gonna be fine. I aint leaving this world no time soon, at least not until I know Gods will and mine are aligned. You need to go find new business, cause messing with me is just asking for trouble. All you are doing is wasting your time. I’m not about to complete your little puzzle.

I beat you up the first time, and I beat you bad the second. You would think that somebody would finally learn his lesson, but it’s obvious, since you’re still coming, that you’re not that clever. This time, I’m going for the knock out, cause I’m stronger than ever. If it’s a war with me that you really want to be in, we can go head to head. Because I know that as long as God is on my side, all of my enemies are already dead.

He himself bore my sins in his body on the tree, so that I might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds I have been healed. ~1 Peter 2:24

The Lord forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. ~Psalm 103:3

Anointed For The Assignment

By. Christoph Jenkins

“The size of the anointing matches up with the size of the assignment!”

~Bishop Michael V. Kelsey

I was assigned an assignment before I even knew what it was | I say this because…initially, my mind wasn’t in alignment with the one who assigned the assignment | At the time when the assignment was assigned, my mind was blind to the fact that God had a plan for my life | So I mistook the assignment for confinement | I was confined to a life of tests, studies, and treatments | I thought to myself, “This must be a lesson because how could this be a blessing? | I’m wrestling! | I’m wrestling with my purpose so I pray for realignment” | And as time went, God began to realign my mind with His | His mind was revealed to me …this was no confinement!” | This was an assignment and I was anointed for it | My assignment blessed others, my sisters and my brothers | I remember when Bishop uttered, “The size of the anointing matches up with the size of the assignment!” | That was about the size of it | And because my mind was in alignment with His, I could receive that | Therefore, I felt honored to carry out such an assignment | I grew stronger as the time went | And when the time came…I was at peace and I was content | My assignment was complete because the people I was assigned to reach were reached | And greatest of all, God told me Himself, “I am pleased!”

Until next time... testify and shame the devil!

"If my words have the ability to develop wings of encouragement, I hope they take flight in someone's life." ~Christoph Jenkins

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Potent Poetry; "Food For Thought... Quite Healthy Too!"

I cling to the things that make me happy... naturally. I mean... that may seem cliche but some people mistake happiness for satisfaction. Satisfaction can be obtained in a very short period of time. However, I believe happiness evolves from and revolves around the things in our everyday life. Unfortunately, many people choose to indulge in the things that will almost guarantee them instant gratification but sacrifice the things and people that will bring them happiness for a longer period of time. Don't get me wrong, I have been guilty of such sins but if my words have the ability to develop wings of encouragement, I hope they take flight in someone's life.

Until next time... cling to the people and things that make you happy!

Christoph Writes...

"If my words have the ability to develop wings of encouragement, I hope they take flight in someone's life." ~Christoph Jenkins

Monday, April 2, 2012

Humbling Experiences: My First Time On Stage @ Busboys & Poets

I feel as if God has me in training ...for something. I really do! Among all of the events He has had me do, last Tuesday, March 27, 2012, I took to the stage at Busboys & Poets on 14th St. & V St. for the very first time. Mind you, I have been frequenting the Busboys Open Mic sessions for years and have never built up the courage to get on stage because I am very critical about what people think of my poetry. When I write poetry, I write in a way that allows people of all ages to relate and be impacted. Although, it isn't as simple as "Roses are red and violets are blue, " I never had the desire to write "so deep" that people couldn't fully grasp my meaning. All in all though, my message was well received ...as you can see in the video.

It was like, ever since I prayed to God, the week prior, to give me the tools to do what He would have me to do, ...I've been able to "turn off" fear. Well, to be honest, I think it began in 2009 when my pastor asked me to bring forth the message (I don't necessarily call it preaching for humility purposes lol) for a Youth Day Service. I spoke on "Facing Your Fears." That message was so beneficial for me because that's exactly what I was doing. I was paralyzed with fear when asked to stand in that pulpit.and I faced my fear! ....but I digress!

Soooo last Tuesday was my first time on stage and after speaking at the DC Trayvon Rally at Freedom Plaza the Saturday before and the Candlelight Vigil the following Monday, I was on a "Poetic Activism" high! The Trayvon Martin case has really plucked my heart strings and I still am high strung on calling people to action and getting people involved in this movement ...all with the poem I wrote, "Who Will Cry For The Little Boy, Trayvon Martin?". I don't plan on stopping. We have a ways to to go and I just believe that everyone has the capacity and wherewithal to make a difference with the gifts and talents that God has given them!

Until next time... get involved! You'll regret it if you don't!

Christoph Writes...

Friday, March 23, 2012

Engaging Engagements: I've Been Asked To Speak At The DC Justice Rally For Trayvon Martin

I am honored to say that I have been asked to deliver the poem, "Who Will Cry For the Little Boy, Trayvon Martin," at the Justice Rally in Downtown, DC at Freedom Plaza on 14th & Pennsylvania Ave, NW. it will be held Saturday, March 24, 2012, this Saturday. You are asked to wear all black and/or a hoodie.

I truly feel blessed and humbled to be asked to present my expression of how I feel about the Trayvon Martin case. This is, indeed, a defining moment in my life and in my writing career. I put my heart into this poem because I can't help but to think about the world my future children will be born into. It's really scary how you think times have changed and then tragedies like this occur.

The world can be a cruel place sometimes...BUT God is still good and He is still in control! If you're in DC on Saturday, please come by and support the cause because it effects us all no matter what.

Until next time...GET INVOLVED!!!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Addressing The Issues: Will You Cry For Trayvon Martin? Get Involved!!!

Until Next time...don't stand idle...GET INVOLVED!!!