3/15/20 Through 3/21/20

3/15/20 Through 3/21/20

Sunday

The living water offered here 

Dispels the dark and chases fear.

The truth be known to all who drink

And find in Him the missing link.

The Rock that split to quench their thirst

The Rock from which the waters burst

Is that which sets the captive free

And teaches us to trust in Thee.

So weak our understanding Lord

Of all the grace your love outpoured.

Expand our minds to let us see

Our all in all is found in Thee

Monday

On the brink of healing now

If only proud and haughty bow.

So close but pride can keep away

The blessings of a brighter day.

Why should the servant not abide

Through trials by the Master's side?

If King so meek and humble be,

Then why not servants, just like me?

We ask that peace and joy be found

And pray that like a king, be crowned.

We ask for what a  king adorns,

But not that dreaded crown of thorns.

We look for robe and ring to wear,

But not a rugged cross to bear.

He leads to peace and healing though,

So few will choose, to with Him go.

Tuesday

From the fire wisdom spoken

Begging One whose rules are broken,

Give us not a strict exacting,,

Mercy be Your kind reacting.

Failed so many times before Thee

Slaving when You've set us free.

Grace abundant there before me,

Open eyes to let me see.

Egypt speaks of ease and pleasure

But delivers no such treasure.

Guilt despair and poverty,

For those enslaved, who think they're free.

Mercy for repentant sinners,

Rescue from the midst of flame.

Humble are, in truth, the winners,

Those who trust His holy name.

Wednesday

So just and true in every way

His law, to man, He says, "Obey."

This way, from Him, for man to live,

Prosperity and peace will give.

No others have such great commands

It's He alone who understands

The deepest needs a man will know,

And through the dark, which way to go.

So follow these and pass for wise,

Make this your daily exercise,

To better know His holy law,

And from that store of graces draw.

The little things that mean a lot

The things to do, and things to not,

But most of all the fervent love

Of One who gave it from above.

Thursday

The throne secured forevermore

As promised one in days of yore.

In darkest night a glimmer there

To grant us hope and end despair.

A just man called to be their guide

To walk along them side by side

Converting manger to a bed,

And giving place to rest His head.

Leading through the desert sand

Fulfilling what the Father planned,

That out of Egypt, Joseph trod

With Mary and the Son of God.

How just and true this man so chaste

Who gave our Lord his dwelling place.

His father in the earthly way,

Did every word of God obey.

Friday

What can I do for you this day? 

Such easy words for one to say.

But Lord, I mean it here this time

And want much closer, to you climb.

"Then honor me in all you do,

And love your neighbor also, too.

These two commands will sum the law

And others to, My banquet draw."

Saturday

The gift a humble spirit brings

Is proper use of earthly things.

A vision that can clearly see

What's truly good for you and me.

The humble see as God designed

And in His awesome wonder find

Their way to peace is through His will,

And not our quest to stomach fill.

3/8/20 Through 3/14/20

3/8/20 Through 3/14/20

Sunday

Transfigured here before my eyes

The voice of God, to me, now cries,

"Depart from where your kinfolk dwell,

And go to where My word will tell."

A nation great I'll make of you

If you but listen well and do

What love demands in every way

And seek My will for everyday.

I'll speak to you in varied ways,

And be your guide through darkest days.

But you must bear your share in love,

And be My path of grace thereof.

To all the world, the Good News tell.

Let Christ within your spirit swell.

the Christ who cowered not from pain,

And won for all eternal gain.

Great glory waits on mountain high,

But first, to self, we all must die.

To live for love, and love alone

To bear much fruit from seed He's sown.

Monday

Enslaved by sin so many ways

Avoiding penetrating gaze.

I must confess, admit my wrong

If I, to Christ, wish to belong.

No longer one of secrecy

But one of pure transparency.

For only in the light of day

Can sinners find the narrow way.

The slavery I wish to lose,

And daily learn to freedom choose.

To recognize the false disguise

And turn away from Satan's lies.

One judging not of other's sin.

Instead, one looking deep within

To ferret out my base desire,

And cleanse my soul with holy fire.

Tuesday

Grace and mercy come to all

Who humble self than rather fall,

From lofty height to land below

Where arrogant and proud will go.

So much, we feel like we deserve, 

But in reality observe,

How nothing is our very own,

But all has come from God alone.

So cower not for weakness' sake.

With self-indulgence, make your break.

Embrace the cross and let Him be

Your strength and path to victory.

Wednesday

The cup, I wonder, would I drink,

If I just take the time to think?

Would I place my service there,

Or all I have, be quick to share?

To serve, a foreign thing to me,

But that's what I am called to be.

To be the lowliest of all,

In answer to the Master's call.

If One so great as He can be

A servant washing feet for me,

Then I have no excuse to be

So proud, and shun humility.

Lord, give me strength to share Your cup.

Prevent my will from giving up.

That faithful servant I may be,

And come to rise again with Thee.

Thursday

The rich and poor are relative

In oh, so many ways.

One with love to sins forgive,

And trusting all his days.

The other doing much the same

Accumulating gold.

Loving wealth and empty fame,

Till truth at last be told.

His ways have led to poverty,

Eternal lasting flame.

A place where thirst will always be

His everlasting shame.

But on the other side, you see,

The poor will have reward.

If they have waited patiently

And trusted in the Lord.

Friday

The wickedness within the soul

Exacts a subtle, costly toll.

Once dignity for man is gone

The greatest evils, then will spawn.

The weakest ones now cast aside

The tiny babe, a life denied.

The elderly, a useless hoard,

Oft put away, and then ignored.

But God can turn the tide around

Where dignity again is found

If we but recognize our call,

And love our brothers, one and all.

What grandeur we would often find

If we took on the Father's mind,

And saw how precious every one

That God would sacrifice His Son.

Saturday
Not one considered throw-aways
Each one pursued throughout their days,
That they might turn and join the feast
Among the greatest and the least.

A long way off and far away
He'll search the heart of every stray,
And if repentant, then will bring
The finest robe and golden ring.

No room for jealous at the feast
For each, from sin, has been released.
And each should know the One we serve,
A Master none of us deserve.

A loving One who's quick to heal,
That calls us all to share His meal.
Forgiving sin, restoring man,
As only our Redeemer can.

A Letter to Darnise

A Letter to Darnise

Far away, not often seen

A pretty girl of raven sheen.

Behind the bars of prison cell

This beauty that I knew so well.

I pray for her and write sometimes,

And think of her in little rhymes,

Of how she fares, alive, interred,

But of her state, have never heard.

Another one I also know,

For heinous crimes was sent to go

To prison till his life should end,

But there the Lord, his heart did mend.

I pray Darnise, that you would learn

There's One to whom we all must turn

In faith, to rightly then believe,

And loving mercy, then receive.

You're loved beyond the starry sky

And not forgotten in His eye,

But given time to ponder well 

The truth of this, to you I tell.

3/1/20 Through 3/7/20

3/1/20  Through 3/7/20

Sunday

Allowing evil in our lives

Has clouded vision so.

It warps the mind and so deprives

Of things that we should know.

A greatness meant for man by God
A gift to freely choose,
But in the way of evil trod
And greatness did they lose.

The proto-sin a sin to mark
The man forevermore,
But came a light to pierce the dark
And settle up the score.

Our God who took the flesh of man
To do the Father's will,
And prove a lowly servant can
Great purpose here fulfill.

How arrogant that man should think
His Maker less than he.
Let pride be gone and ego shrink
To see what he can be.

What God has planned no eye has seen,
Nor ear has ever heard,
But lowly ones with conscience clean
Have vision far less blurred.


Monday
For sure I haven't helped them all,
But have I answered well the call?
When ere You show me one in need,
Did I respond with love or greed?

So many in this day and age
No way for one to all assuage.
But one can meet the need at hand,
And help that one as God has planned.

Each one can be an angel now
To help the poor and sick somehow.
Provide relief to those in need,
And so this great commandment heed.

Tuesday
The word fulfills the duty sent
A soul that's fed or heart that's rent.
Thus watering the earth that's dry,
And feeding hungry souls thereby.

So let the word find home in you
And govern all the things you do.
Then see His kingdom come anew
On earth as those in heaven do.

Wednesday
Oh Lord if Ninevah can change,
Our nation too can rearrange
Priorities to make You King
And so, a peaceful justice bring.

To lands once scarred by greed and lust
Restoring them to lands of trust
Where men will gladly face the trial
Of discipline, and self-denial.

To make their homes a holy place
Awash in love and filled with grace,
From wickedness and evil torn
A promised land, of freedom born.

Thursday
A meek and humble servant here
Who only wishes to draw near
But pride attacks this man each day
With ego's efforts, him to sway.

The only way to end this curse
Is placing God alone as first,
Rejecting honors of the day
And choosing Christ, the only Way.

Friday
Within the heart there burns desire
Drawing man within the fire
Flames of sin unquenchable
To acts incomprehensible.

Insanity, the experts say
Is doing things the same old way
And looking for an outcome new,
Instead of changing what you do.

To be set free you must discern.
The slave, from slavery must turn,
And look to freedom as the way
To conquer sin in everyday.

Then not return to evil's chain,
Instead to strive for freedom's gain.
That man, once free, would come to know
The true and righteous way to go.

Saturday
His path is good and right, you know.
He shows us clearly how to go,
But we know better oftentimes
And choose our way of ease and crimes.

Unknowing when the end will come
With ears that to the word are numb,
We run along our path each day
Not seeing how we've gone astray.

Distasteful as the word may seem,
To grant our foe such great esteem,
It's love that leads to endless joy
And love to all, we must employ.

2/23/20 Through 2/29/20

2/23/20 Through 2/29/20

Sunday

Outside we all have work to do

So far our ways, from loving You.

We fail to see within the man

What humble eyes of mercy can.

There dwells in every human soul 

The light of God that makes us whole.

However dim or far away,

His Spirit animates the clay.

So if we shun or cast aside

Because of selfishness or pride

The One rejected, we should know

Is One from whom all graces flow.

Monday

The fear of God is pure indeed

The first beginning of the seed

Of wisdom for the simple man

Who seeks to live within His plan.

We've tolerated long enough

These demons and their useless fluff.

It's time the evil was expelled

and all our sinful passions quelled.

To grasp the joy of suffering,

What peace a sacrifice can bring

And how humility can grow

The strength to deeper Christ to know.

But on the cusp of greatness lies

The demon in his veiled disguise

To puff the spirit, feed the pride

And draw the foolish one aside.

So if perhaps we go astray,

Or weaken in our time to pray,

The brotherhood must bring relief

And help us in our unbelief.

Though one be broken, two defend

Each called to truly be a friend.

With three or more the cord is strong,

And stout enough to conquer wrong.

Tuesday

Why am I so weak that I

Can do none on my own?

Decrepit, I must just rely

On strength from Him alone.

The brothers here I find so dear

To walk along my side.

Encouraging to daily bring,

As sacrifice, my pride.

These disciplines reveal my sins

So many just ignored,

But let me glean a soul that's clean

From graces You've outpoured.

Wednesday

What better time than now to say

I must repent and learn to pray

The ashes form a sign for You

That say, "I'm empty, please renew."

They're not a sign of pride somehow

That says, "I'm holier than thou."

But sign of sorrow that I've failed

And wish to have my sin unveiled.

Thursday

The cross be daily taken up,

The cross a painful bitter cup.

But yet the cross our path to Thee,

Who conquers all and sets us free.

This way of love defies the mind,

Brings comfort of a different kind.

A peace in lieu of restlessness

A joy of pure contentedness.

Within our suffering and pain

We find a way to now attain

A union with our blessed Lord

So many times left unexplored.

So cower not before the cross

Count earthly gain as none but loss.

Embrace this opportunity

To join with Christ in unity.

For there you'll find the daily strength

To let your love reach greater length,

And be transformed for all to see

It's Jesus Christ who dwells in thee.

Friday

Thoroughly wash me of my guilt

Destroy the ramparts I have built.

Create in me a docile heart

And graces to my soul impart.

The fasting I must learn to love

Is that which draws my mind above

The base desires of the flesh

To fill my heart, and soul refresh.

To break the fetters, captives free,

Clothe and shelter those in need.

To clear away the choking weeds,

And plant in me Your fruitful seeds.

Saturday
Follow up the fast and see
Just how bright the day can be.
Clouds will part and sun will shine,
Love and peace will there combine.

Ancient ruins be restored
Where God alone is one adored.
Broken homes made once again
A place of rest for holy men.

A barren land made lush and green
With bounty for the ones that glean.
The stream that never fails will flow,
And fruits of holy lives will grow.

2/16/20 Through 2/22/20

2/16/20 Through 2/22/20

Sunday

Sanctity was meant for all

Not just some chosen few.

Not just for folks like John and Paul, 

But folks like me and you.

He sets before, two ways to go.

Whichever we will choose.

The good or evil we will know,

Determines win or lose.

Monday

To see what's right in front of me,

But also down the road,

I need to look around for Thee,

And water what You sowed.

A search for wisdom every morn,

A time with You alone.

A time for faith to be reborn,

And water what You've sown.

The nourishment for tender seed

Is doing as You will.

The best way to the spirit feed

With trials from the grill.

Adversity will strengthen those

Who cower not from pain,

Who press ahead despite the blows

In hope of heaven's gain.

Tuesday

To feed the pride or knock it down,

A sacrifice can be.

A way to peace or glory crown

Exalting only me.

The test to see which one it is,

And if it fruitful be,

Is does it make the glory His,

Or highlight only me?

Lord, I am weak, but Thou art strong.

It pains admitting so.

My fervor never lasts for long,

And weakness, all I know.

You call to what I cannot do,

My weakness overwhelms.

Transport me Lord with fortitude

To ever greater realms.

So be exalted.  Let me be

A humble, docile man,

And make of me what I should be

According to Your plan.

Wednesday

Quiet yes, but silent not.

So much to learn, so little caught.

So quick to speak and anger flare,

Trapped again by Satan's snare.

How long to learn the ways of right

Remaining calm within the fight.

Respecting all with dignity

And practicing humility.

In conversation pride creeps in

And makes the devil start to grin,

But bridled tongue will win the day

If we control the words we say.

Thursday

Distinctions made about a man

Destroy the great and glorious plan

For all to be made one in Him,

In harmony, as heaven's hymn.

We often fail to recognize

The Lord within His poor disguise,

And miss in our disloyalty

The chance to dine with royalty.

Friday

Take up your cross and follow Me,

The words the Savior spoke, you see.

For none will find the Kingdom there

Who shun the Name, or cross to bear.

With action on the word you hear

The only way to draw you near

As without breath the body's dead

Just so on works, the spirit's fed.

So follow in the way He trod

Put all your trust in only God,

And act according to His lead,

Then many souls your life will feed.

Saturday

The Kingdom keys entrusted to 

A sinner just like me and you.

A man that when the road got rough,

Turned and said, "I've had enough."

But that did not dissuade His choice.

He chose this man to be His voice.

To be the leader of His flock,

To talk the talk, and walk the walk.

He promised He would never leave,

And so His church would then receive

The Spirit come in fire and love

To give them guidance from above.

Millennia have now passed by,

And to destroy, did many try.

Yet still She teaches all that's true

To bring the faith to folks like you.

Her servants though imperfect be,

These members of the Holy See

Are guided on the narrow way

So faithful would not ever stray.