Sunday, December 31, 2017

1/14/18 Through 1/20/18

1/14/18 Through 1/20/18

Sunday
What are you looking for day after day? 
Come to me now, and I'll show you the way
Avoid immorality, cleanse from within
The Spirit dwells not in the presence of sin 


Come see where I live, and the path that I tread
No place for the Just One to lay down His head
But find in this way a great love never known
A savior who takes all your sin as His own

A Suffering Servant who answers the call
Who conquers our sin by giving His all
Every drop of His blood poured out on the ground
Forgiveness and mercy for sinners is found.

Monday
To carry out His word would mean
Annihilate the evil seen
Within your greedy eyes this day
Destroy what pulls your heart astray

Don't leave alive a single strand
Of evil that the Lord has banned
But turn to God in total trust
And turn away from every lust

Tuesday
God sees so differently than man
He sees the things no other can
What's in the heart, what makes us tick
How hard against the goad we kick

He judges what no other knows,
Far more than what the surface shows
Our courage and our trust in God
Regardless of the ways we're flawed.

Wednesday
The giant wins without a fight
When none will face him out of fright
It takes a ruddy trusting lad
Without the fear the others had

A lad whose trust was in the Lord
And not the armour or the sword
To face the beast in confidence
To pay no heed to insolence

His faith in God the lad would bring
Then armed with just the stone and sling
He hurled a stone into his head
The giant dropped at once lay dead

We too could slay the giant's might
If we but had the will to fight
Then lived our lives in holiness
And put our trust in righteousness

Thursday
In jealousy the demon speaks
With pride, his favorite techniques
To bring the foolish down to hell
Where they, with him will suffer well.

The antidote to selfish pride
Is place yourself along His side
Then learn to love in humble ways
And give to God His rightful praise

Friday
Anointing grants a dignity
That many now will fail to see
But in the oil we recognize
A grace not present otherwise.

Saturday
Why would those so close to Him
Be out to sieze the Lord?
What in His words could they find grim
Or not in Love's accord?

Were they in some way jealous now
Like pharisee and scribe?
That ways of love they'd not allow
This Jesus to describe?

Perhaps the crowds around they found
Disruptive to their norm
And they would have the Word be bound
Than possibly reform

Unknown to me their reasons why
They say He lost His mind
It's through His word we learn to die
And then true peace to find.


Sunday, December 24, 2017

1/7/18 Through 1/13/18

1/7/18 Through 1/13/18

Sunday
The King has come, we must adore
For none like Him has gone before
He came in humble mean estate
The darkness, now to soon abate

The day is called Epiphany
When that great light was shown to three
Who brought their incense, myrrh, and gold
As gifts to infant King behold

To honor Him, this newborn King,
What gift is there that I should bring?
But contrite heart and ready hands
To act upon what Love commands.

Monday
What a dry and barren earth
Without the Word to bring to birth
The seed for sower and for bread
That hungry souls be richly fed

Your ways so high above my own
Your thoughts to me, remain unknown
But what I see You water well
And cause the fruitful vine to swell.

Tuesday
For him we asked the Lord above
To grant once more a child of love
And so, in trust, as we believed
Another child was then conceived

Wednesday
Long before dawn, in quiet repose
The soul of the just and seeking man knows
The Voice that he longs for as his trusted guide
Will never abandon, but be at his side

To show him the way at every new turn
And help him, the will, of the Lord to discern
But answer he must, by obeying the Word
By doing the thing, from the Lord, he has heard

Thursday   (1 Sam 4&5)
Crushed in battle troops depleted
Even with the Ark, defeated
How could it be, this chosen race,
Be found in such complete disgrace?

Among the dead the haughty ones
Poor Eli's disobedient sons
Each man, in terror, hunkered down
As Ark was sent from town to town

Both Israelites and Phillistines
Would come to see just what it means
To treat our God so carelessly
Refusing to His glory see

Obedience is what He asks
In plain and simple little tasks
But far too often we can't see
His Word is what will make us free.

Friday   (1 Sam 8)
Appoint for us a king to reign
Became their ignorant refrain
The peace they sought at freedom's cost
To tyrants now the fools have lost

An earthly king will but enslave
And confiscate what gifts He gave
The way to peace is turn around
And let true righteousness be found

If you would change, then others lead
For earthly king, you'd have no need
Just change the one that you control
Then watch it make the others whole

Saturday
The call to sinners, "Follow me"
Is still the call to set us free
The call to leave the world behind
And peace, as followers, to find

The ones He called in such a way
Have all encountered brighter day
More satisfied to walk with Thee
In docile, pure, humility

To leave the riches standing there
And follow where you don't know where
What some would call a foolish move
The wisest choice it will be proved.


Sunday, December 17, 2017

12/31/17 Through 1/6/18

12/31/17 Through 1/6/18

Sunday
The family is the chosen place
Where every soul should clearly trace
The roots of love and school of grace
That help them, every trial to face

Yet how we've changed this holy plan
Set forth by God for every man
No more such love and unity
Which make a soul that's truly free

With roles of man and wife a blur
And values not, as once they were
How can, the young, we educate
To trod the narrow and the straight?

Each child deserves a mom and dad
To point the way to good from bad
To train the child as he should go
And teach him to, our Savior, know

Monday
May the Lord let His face shine upon you
His comforts to many, not few
Great mercy to bless you and keep you 
And guide you in all that you do

His name is a blessing forever
For all who have seen the great light
He guides them through every endeavor
As beacon and shield in the night

Tuesday
Let me have full confidence
Not turning then in shame
Away from Him whose love intense
Is like a cleansing flame

May fire of love be welcomed in
A heart already pure
Aglow with selfless love for Him
Whose word will long endure

Wednesday
Without a doubt, he pointed out
The Savior for us all
He came to shout and tell about
His answer to the call

Revealing One, the only Son
Existing long before
The vict'ry won is now begun
And spirits start to soar

But know they not, the elders plot
To kill this new-found king
And through their sin God ushers in
The lamb of whom we sing

Thursday
I'm a child of eternity
But one too blind to plainly see
Each snare that's set throughout the day
To draw me down the crooked way

So easy and so sweet they seem
But truly just an evil scheme
To bind me to a fleeting thrill
Surrendering my own free will

But look intently at the Lord
And see what pleasure can't afford
A love that answers every call,
For sinners, sacrifices all.

Friday
Our love must be an active thing
By which, to poor, relief we bring
Not words or talk, but something real
To save a life, or wound to heal

To lend a hand and warm a chill
Or just a hungry mouth to fill
To see in each, our Lord of light
And make this world a bit more bright

Saturday
Assurance of eternal life
Amidst the struggles and the strife
Is granted to the lowly one
With steadfast heart who loves the Son

For on the Son His favor rests
And every sin to Him confessed
Is washed in water and in blood
In Mercy's precious loving flood

Saturday, December 9, 2017

12/24/17 Through 12/30/17

12/24/17 Through 12/30/17

Sunday
With power overshadow me
And deep within me plant Your seed
That love can grow within my soul
And by Your presence make me whole

Monday
Beneath a chilled and brilliant sky
The angels with their song draw nigh
These messengers from up above
Proclaim is born, the King of Love

In haste the shepherds make their way
To find the manger filled with hay
And swaddled there among the straw
Before the King, they kneel in awe

To all around their story told
How angels, as they watched in cold
Descended singing songs of praise
Declaring gone, the darkened days

This day is born in Bethlehem
Of Jesse's root and David's stem
The One to free us from all ill
This quiet night, so soft and still

Tuesday
Don't worry 'bout what you will say
If called to witness in the day
Be firm and know the Lord is near
He'll give the words they need to hear

St. Stephen saw the heavens wide
And glory of the other side
Forgiving those who threw the stones
That shed his blood and crushed his bones

You too are called to lay life down
And then obtain the holy crown
Your persecutors to forgive
That long in heaven you may live

Wednesday
Love divine, a love excelling
All the world of Jesus telling
Heart of pure unspoiled love
Thunders of the King above

Grant to all that heart of John
Be never from our presence gone
But let us see in darkest night
Your love provides eternal light

Thursday
The innocents proclaim with blood
That now to earth has come our God
Though wicked men seek to destroy
The Christ has come to bring us joy

No longer bound by chain of sin
A heart of love now grows within
A willingness to sacrifice
And follow Him who paid the price

Friday
Receive as one with waiting hands
His word and all of His commands
For there is found a babe who slept
The Son of God, a promise kept

As Simeon, let us receive
And in His promises believe
Then in our open arms be laid
Salvation, that for which we prayed.

Saturday
Anna came for many years
Yet still she had attentive ears
Not tempted by the daily grind
To miss the Lord and never find

Our Lord and savior when He came
To temple, to receive His name
But waited, watching through the night
With extra oil for her light

Our way, must too be like the one
Who watched and waited for the Son
A way of patience, trusting of
The One who saves, the God of love.

Sunday, December 3, 2017

12/17/17 Through 12/23/17

12/17/17 Through 12/23/17

Sunday
Let our voices loudly ring
Prepare the way for such a king
Let us till the hardened ground
So when He comes love may be found

Let us witness faithful love
From in the throne room up above
That all would see in us the King
Whose tidings to the world we bring

Repent and quickly turn around
That sin, in you, no more be found
Prepare a fitful dwelling place
Without a spot or evil trace

Monday
The angel spoke his mighty word
In faith, the humble Joseph heard
His name shall be Emmanuel
The Lord has come with man to dwell

Grant all such humble faith this year
That when Your gentle voice we hear
We scarifice what we have planned
When even we don't understand

Tuesday
A barren tree no fruit to bear
A daily thought and constant care
A tree just here to live and die
A question and a wonder why?

As slow reality sets in
A grief and sorrow settles in
A resignation to the fact
How much our lives have truly lacked

But never must our hearts despair
For He can make us fruitful there
If we believe and trust the word
That from the voice of God is heard

Wednesday
Love defies the words of man
Who tries to say the best he can
How God has touched his inner soul
And made his heart so rich and full

The soul proclaims the greatness of
The One who fills the heart with love
When overshadowed by His grace
We too become His dwelling place

Thursday
In haste she went to greet the one
Whose shame now past, would bear a son
To pave the way for God on high
To lost and wand'ring souls draw nigh

The babe within her kicked and stirred
When that sweet gentle voice was heard
Of Mary virgin full of grace
Who entered in that humble place

The darkness gone, the winter past
Now Spring has come to earth at last
We hear the song of stream and dove
For unto earth has come true love

Friday
An offering of children is
A gift of all that's truly His
A trust that He will e'er supply
For what we need as time goes by

Saturday
His name is John without a doubt
The tongue now heard to praise and shout
The glories of the coming Lord
The grace of God to man outpoured

He comes to turn the hearts of men
Back to the Father once again
Refining fire to purify
As once man was in days gone by

Repentance now, the cry of he
Attend your ears and eyes to see
The glorious King is on the way
To bring about eternal day.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

12/10/17 Through 12/16/17

12/10/17 Through 12/16/17

Sunday
A voice in far-off wilderness
Now beckons come, and here confess
Receive forgiveness of your sins
And see what your repentance wins

A Savior coming to forgive
The wanton way of life we live
To change the hearts of  sinful men
And reconcile with God again

Monday
By lowering him through the roof
His friends thus offered Christ this proof
That they considered now arrived
The day Isaiah prophesied

Where streams burst forth in desert sand
And all around is fertile land
Where beasts no longer prey on men
And all the sick are healed again

The highway then, the holy way
Will lead no travellers astray
On it the ransomed will return
To find the One, for whom they yearn

Tuesday
Oh Virgin of all virgins
Most highly favored one
Pure maiden fit to offer
To bear God's only Son

Your fiat to the angel
Your word of "Let it be"
Now salvation brought to dwell 
Among humanity

Wednesday
Here I sit so weak and weary
Pondering Isaiah's query
Who else is like this Lord of ours
Creator of the earth and stars?

So far beyond our scrutiny
The love He has for you and me
Our strength and courage in the fight
Yet easy yoke and burden light

Our hope in him our strength renewed
With vigor, now our souls imbued
Where all who labor find their rest
And weak and weary souls are blest

Thursday
In dry and barren desert land
We see the Lord's redeeming hand
He brings refreshing waters where
The sands are hot and starkly bare

How swift He comes to answer those
Whose poverty was freely chose
This parched, and once abandoned, space
Becomes His holy dwelling place

With towering trees and fertile ground
Where love and quiet peace are found
Abundant grains and olive trees
Will feed the faithful ones like these.

Friday
The flute is played, yet few will dance
They see His face and look askance
The dirge is played for all the rest
Yet mourn they not, or beat their breast

For all too often we ignore
The call of Him to offer more
We find our little comfort zone
And wish, there to, be left alone

So less is more for greedy eyes
For in our want we recognize
The way to make it through the strife
Is call upon the Lord of Life

Put all your faith and trust in He
Who cured the sick and calmed the sea
Believe and follow in His way
To find the bright eternal day.

Saturday
Unchecked the evil spirit would
destroy the love of fatherhood
As in the garden's whisper where
He fostered fear and spread despair

Yet in the Father's love for man
He had an even greater plan
His Son to all the earth would show
It's true!  The Father love's us so.




Sunday, November 19, 2017

12/3/17 Through 12/9/17

12/3/17 Through 12/9/17

Sunday
You are the potter and we are the clay
So why do You let us go far astray?
Why do You give us this freedom of will,
Allowing us then to stray farther still?

How stupid we are to stray from our King
The One, who to all, can happiness bring
Make us to see at the end of the day
True love's only found from walking Your way

Monday
Oh Lord I am not worthy
Resounds through every day
As we before receive Thee
In this most special way

Say the word and healing bring
To this most wretched soul
To evil I refuse to cling
Oh Lord, please make me whole

Tuesday
On that day a shoot shall sprout
From Jesse's withered stump
A bud and blossom peeking out
With wisdom full and plump

Justice flowers in His day
And peace without an end
The lowly poor He comes to save
And wounds He comes to mend

Wednesday
His heart was moved with pity
As He looked upon the crowd
So far from any city
And to feed them He avowed

But where in this deserted place
Could anyone find bread
This multitude, in any case,
To be completely fed?

But faith and trust in Him who heals
And makes the blind to see
Provides to all the healthy meals
Of love and unity.

Thursday
A nation with a purpose strong
Oh Lord, You keep in peace for long
But one that wavers in two ways
Will never last for many days

Grant us the grace to hear the Word
And act upon what we have heard
That we may sit on solid rock
And answer You when e're You knock

Friday
Oh, to be conceived in grace
Without the stain of sin
How different now, would be this place
If only saints within

But we can change the world too
As Mary did so well
By turning from the sin we do
In peace, we then would dwell

Saturday
A harvest rich presents no good
If none will gather in
Those standing idle truly should
To labor now begin

Just listen and the Lord will speak
To let you know the way
And lead you to the peace you seek
And teach you what to say.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

11/26/17 Through 12/2/17

11/26/17 Through 12/2/17

Sunday
The final day is coming near
And only fools would have no fear
For who could stand before this King
Without the shame that sin will bring?

When all is known before His eye
"But, Mercy lord!" will be our cry
For death is what we all deserve
By failing, this great King, to serve

Repent and turn away from sin
A fresh and new life now begin
Let Him heal the blind and lame
That they might bear the Master's name

Monday
Two copper coins, her livelihood
Her all in all she gave
Through love of God she understood
His pow'r to heal and save

Tuesday
A great destruction coming soon
The Master comes, the vine to prune
Fulfilling then His faithful oath
To strip away the useless growth

We strut about in useless leaves
Disguising liars, fools, and thieves
But when the vine is stripped and clean
The truth for all is clearly seen

The source of life comes from the Vine
And not these worthless "things" of mine
So lose the leaves without dispute
The time has come for bearing fruit.

Wednesday
The writing hand proclaims the Word
That we must understand
To turn away would be absurd
And void what He has planned

The hand of God is written down
Beside us everyday
But often we just look and frown
"It's much too hard a way"

Absorb the Word and make it known
It's not too late as yet
To see the wonders He has shown
And closer to Him get

Thursday
Read in hope, the holy Word
And answer when the call is heard
To drop the nets and follow near
And overcome your foolish fear

His way will bring a peace unknown
As saints throughout the years have shown
And you as well, through love shall find
His comfort and His peace of mind

Friday
No way for evil to assuage
The glory of the coming age
The brilliance of eternal light
Or darkness of eternal night

The light shall win when all is shown
And every evil lie made known
That vict'ry is already here
If we but to, the Lord draw near.

Saturday
Will I be ready for that day
When fear and trembling pass this way?
Will I be found awake, alert?
Will I be one escaped unhurt?

It's doubtful I could pass the fire
And thus the crown of love acquire
Without a stop to burn away
Corruption of this earthly clay

Lord, change me now while there is time
To help me on this upward climb
And make of me a servant true
Who always sets his sights on You.




Sunday, November 5, 2017

11/19/17 Through 11/25/17

11/19/17 Through 11/25/17

Sunday
The worthy wife with busy hands
A house of love, her work expands
The needy clothed, the poor are fed
Her labor yields a filling bread

Great faithfulness in tiny things
A heart of constancy it brings
And no calamity can shake
The faithful servant, wide awake.

Monday
Just how, oh Lord, I want to see
And follow closely, unto Thee
But weak I am, and every day
To sin I bow, and fall away

The love upon Your face I see
In agony upon the tree
And yet I fail to muster power
To follow, in temptation's hour

A blind and foolish man I am
And You, the good and spotless Lamb
I cry aloud that I might be
Someday allowed to walk with Thee

My weakness runs to any length
But You can be my needed strength
Help me to choose to follow Thee
And place myself upon that tree.

Tuesday
Grant courage and a steadfast heart
That I may gladly do my part
To show the young a heart sincere
Can suffer much and never fear

No one remembers those who failed
But only those whose spirits scaled
The height of total love and trust
Forevermore, their faith discussed

Wednesday
A coin is given to each man
To trade and ply the best he can
To bring a greater harvest where 
The evil one can bring despair

The mother with her seven sons
Were thought the poor misfortuned ones
But they invested all they had
And now in paradise are glad

Their coin of love and trust they spent
With battered flesh, and bodies rent
Their story through the centuries told
Their lives returning many fold

Thursday
Our faith must be much more than word
By action best, our voice is heard
When staring evil in the eye
We must insist, we won't comply

Our hope must strengthen in the fight
That God will lead beyond the night
And soon will come a brighter day
With happiness along the way

Our charity must be sincere
And raise the needy planted here
For love will change both heart and mind
And keep us with, the Lord aligned

Friday
Your zeal, oh Lord, how we have seen
That You desire a temple clean
Drive out the evil from my ways
And fill my heart with holy praise

Saturday
How easily we fool ourselves
And turn from what is true
We make our own reality
And run ourselves askew

If we would just but listen well
And do as we are told
Such foolishness we would expel
And enter in the fold


Saturday, October 28, 2017

11/12/17 through 11/18/17

11/12/17 through 11/18/17

Sunday
The end of time is coming soon
Perhaps today at nine or noon
Have I prepared to meet the groom?
Have I let love within me bloom?

Did I take time to fill my flask?
For wisdom did I search or ask?
Have I besought her every morn?
Within my heart has love been born?

The oil to last throughout the night
And keep the flame still burning bright
Is found in many varied ways
We follow Him throughout our days

Each task of love that we perform
The time we take, a heart to warm
Provides the oil for our light
To meet the bridegroom in the night

Monday
Let not a scandal come from me
But let my faith be what they see
Strengthen me and fill my need
Nurture now, this mustard seed.

Tuesday
All I have is but a gift
No matter how I search or sift
No thing I've made or prize I've earned
But only nothingness I've learned

A worthless servant granted time
To serve this gracious King of mine
May I but hearken to His call
And freely give my all in all.

Wednesday
Of this leperous body cleanse me
From its selfishness defend me
Thou art King and Lord of all
You answer every humble call

Hear my plea to be made clean
Let not my sinfulness be seen
But wash away my awful guilt
In me Your temple be rebuilt

Thursday
Grant wisdom to this heart of mine
That I may ever choose
My will to that of Yours align
And never life to lose

The way of love, the depths You see
Go far beyond my mind
I need Your grace to set me free
That wisdom I could find

Friday
How could we miss the elephant
That stands within the room
And be a fool so confident
Yet headed straight for doom?

The Artist's hand is evident
In all the works we see
In every tiny element
Or in the mighty sea.

Let me not be that foolish one
Who passes every day
And never sees the Father's Son
In those along the way

Give me a heart to love the poor
And know that they deserve
To know Your love and care is sure
And grace without reserve

Inspire me to holiness
In all I say and do
Let me give up my coziness
To be much more like You

Saturday
Will faith be found upon this land
Will we obey the Lord's command,
And pray in this persistent way
To fill our needs for every day?

Sunday, October 22, 2017

11/5/17 Through 11/11/17

11/5/17 Through 11/11/17

Sunday
The gospel comes with loving tone
Among the fields where it is sown
Like nursing mom with babe at breast
It brings the weary soul to rest

Beware of those who use the Word
Distorting what, from God, they've heard
To feed their greed and malintent
And comfort not, those in lament

The Word should bring humility
And work to set the captive free
The greatest one will serve the least
So both can then enjoy the feast

Monday
Who could ever know Your ways
Or guess what's held in store
Eternal life, more than repays
What we have waited for

Tuesday
A grace is given to every man
For working out God's holy plan
He calls each one to use their gift
And so. the body's, spirits lift

The harvest shines in ready state
The choicest wines and meat await
But many, earthly pleasures choose
And so, eternal joy, they lose

So use your gift to fill the house
Bring children, friends, and also spouse
Collect the lowly from the street
That all may there, the Master, greet

Wednesday
Renouncing all we gain the power
To fight the fight or build the tower
Possessing what we can't afford
Because our strength is from the Lord

How will I know I've given all
Requested by His loving call,
When I still have, I must confess
An awful lot that I possess?

Thursday
Within this temple, find a home
Make this ground a fertile loam
With holy water nourish these
That they become Your fruitful trees.

Friday
All are stewards of His gifts
But far, the steward, often drifts
And squanders what is given him
By following some foolish whim

The call is simple, follow Him
Disordered bonds, now quickly trim
For holiness, now pray and fast
Give alms and make your kindness last

Saturday
Two masters tug in different ways
One is followed, one betrayed
One will win and one will lose
Be careful of the way you choose.




Sunday, October 15, 2017

10/29/17 Through 11/4/17

10/29/17 Through 11/4/17

Sunday
Now love of God and love of man
The perfect place within His plan
This test devised to trick the Son
Proved Him our God and Holy One

For love is more than words or rules
Love is what our passions fuels
To give oneself in total love
Reflects the love of God above

Monday
This heavy sin has bent my spine
Lord in my wretched state incline
And free me from this burden great
That once again I may stand straight

Tuesday
I offer You this mustard seed
In hopes that it will grow
Into the faith and trust I need
To never let You go

So tiny one can barely see
So easily destroyed
How can the faith survive in me
With selfishness employed?

So clear away the avarice
Give up the greed and more
No seed can grow in dirt like this
What am I waiting for?

Wednesday
Lord make me hunger but for You
Be present there in all I do
Make all desires pale when shown
In light of You, and You alone

Lord make me thirst for holiness
That all my sin would be confessed
So mercy I would daily find
And nevermore be seen so blind

Let me wear Your mighty seal
And join You where the thunders peal
Exclaiming there with holy men
Your glory, power, and might, Amen!

Thursday
Lord cleanse this sinful heart of mine
And to Your way, my will incline
Let the cleansing now begin
That sooner, I should favor win

I must be clean and pure of heart
To stand within Your work of art
Attachments, none however small
No hint or remnant of the fall

No shadows in this world of light
Of always day and never night
So let Your fire burn away
My sins, and bring about Your day

Friday
How could I lose eternity
For those who mocked and hated me?
My love is not as great as this,
But I have felt His loving kiss

The kiss, the word, the gentle call
The challenge to surrender all
I wish that all would come to know
The Lord, and let His favors grow

It's quite a far-off place to get
That I, would so, myself forget
And love the others more than me
But that would truly set me free

Saturday
He's writing straight with crooked lines
And so our Maker thus defines
His providence above all things
That peace, to those in trial brings

A Sabbath day, a story told
Of taking places by the bold
And then the haughty one is led
To where the lowly ones are fed

He works within the faults of men
To show His mercy once again
And those once lost who find their way
Make ever brighter endless day


Sunday, October 8, 2017

10/22/17 Through 10/28/17

10/22/17 Through 10/28/17

Sunday
Every power on earth bestowed
Comes from above, from One who showed
His love in total sacrifice
To for our many sins suffice

So recognize what he has done
By sending us His only Son
And give the honor where it's due
To One who has great love for you

Monday
Presuming only in His love
We place our trust in God above
The barn we simply fill with things
But never happiness it brings

We seek the giver, not the gift
For He alone will spirits lift
No thing on earth can satisfy,
But more and more the fool will try

Tuesday
Here I am to do your will
And let my heart, Your graces fill
Too long I've tried this way of mine
And let my heart, the world entwine

With foolish goals my way is fraught
For by the flesh, my will's been taught
To choose the easy pleasure near
And not my Lord and God to fear

Oh help me cast that way aside
And bathe in precious cleansing tide
That I might stay awake and see
The Master's kind return to me

Wednesday
Slaves we are and slaves we will be
Both now and in eternity
We have the will to choose which kind,
The where with all to graces find

May we not be slaves of sin
And foster wickedness within
But show ourselves brought back alive
As ones, in righteousness, who strive

Those freed from sin will find their way
To listen well and then obey
And then upon surprise return
The Master's praises they will earn

Thursday
This frightening passage comes to me
As wake-up call that I may see
That I must face the fiery blaze
To clear away the sinful haze

The fire of love to purify
That I might live and never die
Oh spark that flame of love in me
And all my cherished family

Friday
The good I will is not within
But rather I am filled with sin
My flesh so weak and cowardly
That holy, I may never be

What pow'r can save this flesh of mine
That towards the evil way inclines?
The pow'r to turn my heart above
Is Jesus Christ, the man of love

Saturday
Lord help me answer to Your call
Please strengthen faith, don't let me fall
I want to much, a doer be
But oh, dear Lord, please strengthen me.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

10/15/17 Through 10/21/17

10/15/17 Through 10/21/17

Sunday
Oh fearful gift of freedom
Received from God above
What loss if I indeed come
To reject Your gift of love

The wedding feast prepared
Of rich and juicy food
Our judgment be declared
If we ourselves exclude

So take my will and intellect
And make of me a slave
For fear I might somehow reject
The banquet that You gave

Monday
Something much greater than Solomon here
A humble, true voice to proclaim it quite clear
The people of Nineveh turned to repent
When hearing the Word that through Jonah was sent

The poor are the blessed who find on the way
That all that is needed, is hear and obey
His love is the treasure that satisfies hearts
And all other pleasure from love thus departs

Tuesday
To emptiness and darkness
Our foolishness has led
To find amid the starkness
A place where swine are fed

The Word we found ridiculous
To live for other's good
We'd rather be meticulous
Than be where Jesus stood

But He can change with blinking eye
The fate we've come to know
If we would but confessing try
And let our evil go

Wednesday
Luke, a man of mercy 
We honor on this day
For his insight and wisdom
Oh Lord we humbly pray

Samaritan and prodigal
Or beggar at the door,
Zacchaeus and forgiven thief
They all just wanted more

May we receive what they have found
Great mercy from the Lord
And then some day in white be gowned
Receiving love's reward.

Thursday
Justice and mercy, one scary one great
Both come from the One whom all did create
Justice demands of us love for all men
How often we fail at it time and again

But grace He will give us by trusting His word
No more will our vision of right be so blurred
In mercy our eyes will be opened to see
His love is for all, not just you or just me

Friday
Soon every secret will be known
Soon all true colors will be shown
Things whispered in darkness be shouted aloud
Each dark little secret now known to the crowd

Confessing in humility
Protects one from hypocracy
Beware of the leaven so easily found
And make of yourself a son of the crowned

Saturday
Here beneath the stars of night
I warm myself by firelight
And ponder what I've done for Thee
That You would have such love for me

The gift of life most precious thing
Bestowed by such a gracious King
To all mankind, that we should know
That our Creator loves us so

This fine mosaic You have made
With pieces all of different shade
Lead all to find their proper place
And fill each one with holy grace



Sunday, September 24, 2017

10/8/17 Through 10/14/17

10/8/17 Through 10/14/17

Sunday
The Master is entitled to
A harvest from His land
A just return from those who knew
But did not as He planned

Monday
What a tempest we create
When fleeing from His will 
A storm whose winds will not abate
Til they have had their fill

Let us, not like the selfish, flee
Or walk along the way
Let us, in all, our brothers see
And bring them light of day

Tuesday
The better part is loving You
And following in all we do
Your word made known in varied ways
And offering our constant praise

Repenting when we see our sin
And making changes deep within
From every evil turned away
To follow closely in Your way

Wednesday
So quick to judge the other's sin
We fail to see they long within
To know His mercy and His grace
To see His kind forgiving face

Our love must be more deep than this
Or we will also surely miss
His mercy in our righteousness
And find ourselves in great distress

Thursday
Answer when He knocks the door
And beckons, "Come and give Me more"
The angry fist He cannot fill
But open hand that does His will

Fear not the ones who prosper now
The blaze will come and show them how
There's nothing left, not branch or root
For those who fail to bear Him fruit

Beseach Him now throughout the day
To feed your soul along the way
And grant the grace to do His will
Then find your longing well fulfilled

Friday
Once I've clearly seen the truth
If in old age or in my youth
My job is not just sweep the place
But now to fill my house with grace

In emptiness the demons find
Their way to sway and fill the mind
And though once cleansed for brighter days
My soul will find the darkest ways

Saturday
How blest the holy womb that bore
The One we worship and adore
How blest the breast that nursed this One
Messiah, and God's only Son

Far more yet still, is blest the one
Who follows what is here begun
And listens to the Word I speak
With docile will that's poor and meek.

Sunday, September 17, 2017

10/1/17 Through 10/7/17

10/1/17 Through 10/7/17

Sunday
Tell me who did the Father's will 
In which did conscience now instill
A gleam of hope to save the soul
A step to change and make one whole?

Repentance for rebellious ones
Can make of us the Father's sons
The humble one who chose the way
In spite of what he first did say

Monday
Most brilliant guardian from above
Guide my steps in the way of love
Make safe the path I tread each day
And guide me in the righteous way

Keep evil far away from me
So every day I clearly see
The way the Lord has planned for me
To live with Him eternally

Tuesday
Fire of heaven please descend
Put evil in me to an end
Grant a change of heart and mind
Let Christ, in me, the others find

Fire of love now purify
Your graces all, now please supply
May all I meet now clearly see
In truth, You really dwell in me

Wednesday
There's nothing there when looking back
That I should want to keep
For now I know, I nothing lack
He fills me while I sleep.

Unworthy those whose heart remains
Within the realm of flesh
They never see true love contains
The holy and the fresh

Thursday
The harvest is rich, the laborers few
Why should you think He doesn't want you?
The Master has said, "The Kingdom's at hand"
So spread the good news throughout all the land

Devour the Word and bring it to all
Proclaim it aloud to the great and the small
If they will but listen and peaceable be
Your peace will descend and set their hearts free

Friday
Turn around and turn away
From all the trappings of the day
We have been so steeped in sin
We're blinded when we look within

We've come to see our way as right
For we have taken to the night
Where shadows hide our petty sins
And boastful pride of self begins

Saturday
The trials we face are ours alone
Yet God has sent One to atone
His precious Son, the spotless Lamb
The Savior, and the great I AM

So trust in Him the Father sent
And turn from sin to then repent
Cast aside your chains and see
Obeying Him's what sets us free

Turn to Him and find again
The joy that you once knew back then
Turn away from gods of wealth
And let the Lord restore your health

For though He spurns the wild type
He still receives the childlike
Rejoicing when He comes to see
The gift of faith take root in thee.



Tuesday, September 12, 2017

9/24/17 Through 9/30/17

9/24/17 Through 9/30/17

Sunday

To work within the vineyard 
Provides its own reward
If we but look close inward
And harken to the Lord

What profit all the pleasures
Or idleness did gain
The holy one now treasures
To share with Him His pain

The work itself a blessing
A gift we fail to see
If we just keep addressing
That he got more than me.

Monday
Shine the light for all to see
Share the word and set them free
Your job is just to scatter seeds
And let the Master deal with weeds

All are called to build the Church
All must for, the lost ones search
And share with them the living word
Til all the world has clearly heard

Tuesday
Take the time to sit with Him
And listen to His word
Ponder on a simple hymn
And let His voice be heard

Amidst the crowded rooms of life
When He seems far away
Obey the word you know you've heard
And find Him every day.

Wednesday
He works with great felicity
Empowering simplicity
But He must find a docile sort
Who listen well and then report

No need for all the extra things
But only what the Spirit brings
For He'll supply our every need
To all who plant His precious seed.

Thursday
In ruins lies this house of Mine
While you sit back and sip your wine
Is this a time for idle rest
Or time for you to give your best?

Awaken, look, and see just how
Your foolish way has fared til now
You strive but never reach your goals
The purse you have is filled with holes

Get up and build my house of praise
And you will see your spirits raise
Soon I will shake the earth and sea
And draw all faithful ones to Me

For Mine the silver, Mine the gold
Come to Me and then behold
Delights that stretch beyond the sky
And cup that runneth never dry
.

Friday
Angels in His service burn
With zeal to more forever learn
His will, and carry out His plan
As they have done since time began

So too for those who went astray
And follow in their prideful way
Their flames too forever burn
For steeped in pride they never learn

Saturday
One rule there is you care about
One way there is without a doubt
The rule of faith in Him to save
His way of love, who all things gave.