1/9/22 Through 1/15/22

 1/9/22 Through 1/15/22

Sunday 

Out of mercy, Christ appeared

For sin and shame, the people feared.

But lo, the love that flowed from Him

Would light the dark, and brighten dim.

The smold'ring wick shall not be quenched.

The evil seen as well-entrenched,

By truth and love, shall conquered be,

And blinded eyes shall clearly see.

The waters that He cleansed shall be

The waters of rebirth for me.

Where damning sin is washed away,

And tears of joy shall rule the day.

What Mercy God has shown to men,

That pure the soul can be again.

Repenting of our evil stays,

The retribution for our ways.

Sunday 12/19/21

In silence, will His voice be heard.

In pondering His holy word.

By spending time in quiet still

We come to understand His will.

No substitute for knowing well 

The Shepherd's voice, of which I tell

His guiding light will shine for thee,

And pierce the dark, so you can see.

Despite the busyness each day

That comes from work, and school, and play.

Now having done it all I say,

There's no excuse to not to pray.

What one does with time shall be,

The key to all eternity.

For time's the gift we have to use

To heaven gain, or heaven lose.

So use it wisely every day

Advancing in the Father's way.

A moment here, a moment there,

But Make the time for daily prayer!

Then, if you listen well you'll find

A glimpse into the Father's mind,

To see the beauty present there, 

And see how precious every prayer.

Monday

As He walked along the sea,

He passed by others, and by me.

Inviting us to leave behind

Our work, for work of different kind.

To fish for men, our new employ

And paradigms of old destroy.

A Kingdom different than before

Where God in flesh, we can adore.

The Son of God has come to earth.

By Virgin mother, given birth.

Am I to turn His call away, 

Persisting in my sinful way?

Or shall I follow Him with zeal

Proclaiming that our God is real,

Repenting of my life of sin

To let the Holy Spirit in?

That call is here for you today.

Continue in your same old way,

Or let true love embrace your soul,

And find yourself, at last, made whole.

Tuesday

Remember Lord Your servant here,

Alone in prayer, I long to hear

Your voice to quiet, calm, and still

The wand'ring mind and shaky will.

Each day I wait to hear You say

Behold, I've cleared for the way.

For left to fend upon my own,

The way that's right would not be known.

So once again, I beg and plead

Come help Your servant in his need.

Be guard, protector, King and guide,

And always present at my side.

Wednesday

Yes, called by God is everyone,

For made by God is everyone.

But ready not are ears to hear

And most will flee Him out of fear.

Attached so well to paltry things,

To meagerly, the foolish clings

When there before him heaps of gold

In all the stories scripture told.

So learn to love the way He speaks,

And how in many ways He peeks

Into the heart with piercing glance

In love to help the faith advance.

The embers warm to spark and glow

The more we search, and try to grow.

Then kindled soon a flame will be

In docile, with humility.

Thursday

From bad to worse, the story goes

If we ignore the holy woes.

The word is there to light our way,

So we must listen and obey.

The Lord of lords and King of kings

No toy that just amusement brings,

But truly God who made us all 

And One to whom our will must fall

So cast your trinket gods away

And listen for the Lord to say,

The path is here, turn left or right

And winners be in every fight.

Friday

The faith of four, the life of one

Encounter with the Holy One.

Sins forgiven, now arise

What blasphemy, the thought of wise.

But who in truth was wise that day?

Twas those that tore the roof away,

And brought to Jesus, one enslaved.

One who, one touch by Jesus saved.

Saturday

The sinners come, the prideful stay

When Christ convicts, attention pay.

For those who recognize their sin

And so repent, will enter in.

But those who cling to sin they know

Will languish in the filth they sow

Instead of turning from their wrong

To hear the resurrection song.

1/2/22 through 1/8/22

 1/2/22 through 1/8/22

Sunday

Into the darkness light will shine,

And from the seed, a fruitful vine.

The tiny Babe, a mustard seed

Whose death became our saving deed.

The Magi recognized the star

And traveled from their land afar

To offer gifts to royalty,

The newborn King they came to see.

So, would I notice such a thing,

And then be willing thus to bring

Expensive gifts to One so small,

Or just ignore that special call?

The star is shining still for you.

The question is, What will you do?

Search for Him with faith devout, 

Or plan to firmly squash it out?

Monday

That Holy Name, that precious name,

No other name can save.

The name of everlasting fame

That conquered o'er the grave.

Oh, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, come

Enflame the heart in love.

Be all for all, and not for some,

And lead us home above.

So weaken now the enemy

Make strong who bear Your name.

Destroy the evil plaguing me, 

And rescue me from shame.

Tuesday

"Give them food", the Master said.

"But how", we cry, with little bread?

At best a morsel for each one,

And out we'll be before begun.

But not when blessed by holy hands.

It multiplies at His commands.

To feed the multitude that day,

And teach us of the trusting way.

Wednesday

Alone on shore, He watched the sea

As wind and wave would buffet thee.

He knew that fear had entered in,

In place of where the love had been.

He walked upon the tossing waves

To those who feared, the sea their graves.

So love again that they would know

And calm the wind and waves would grow.

Thursday

Upon this One the Spirit rests,

And answers all His fond requests,

To bring glad tidings to the poor.

Oppressed, of liberty assure.

With sight to those whose eyes are dim,

New life to those who trust in Him.

But lurking in the shadows there,

Some tried their best to set a snare.

For they that keep the poor at bay

To so protect their wicked way

Want none of love, and what it brings.

Entrapped, they are, by earthly things.

But they, as well, could freedom find

If they would open wide the mind,

And see no more with lustful eye,

For only love will satisfy.

Friday 

May the mind not wander.

Instead, may it just ponder,

That life eternal comes from this,

The Master's always loving kiss.

Just ask if He but would

In faith be understood,

And show the simple one like me

The depth of love He has for thee.

All, infected lepers be,

Falling down to worship Thee.

Begging for Your healing touch

Praising God, and thanking much.

See the value of each soul,

Cleansed again to be made whole.

Sin be gone, replaced by grace,

Gaze upon His holy face.

Saturday

Increase by taking all of me,

Let all I do, be done for Thee.

My every gift, a gift from Thee,

A truth that now I plainly see.

By Love eternal man was made.

To love, by Love,the creature bade.

But evil set the man adrift,

And once released, decline was swift.

But Love would promise that in time

A One would save through love sublime.

Who knew, that man would rescued be

By One they nailed upon the tree?

But now we know, and so must move,

Our will to love as He loved prove.

And find the way to humble be,

Increasing love, decreasing me.

12/26/21 Through 1/1/22

 12/26/21 Through 1/1/22

Sunday

My honor is this fruitful vine,

This loving family of mine.

No greater joy for aging man,

Than looking on a faithful clan.

Where children now as parents do

Their best in raising souls for You

Of passing on the faith in love,

And training souls for life above.

With challenges they face each day,

And how they turn to You and pray,

They train a generation new

Just how to put their trust in You.

They look for opportunities

To teach the faith to such as these,

And raise their tender hearts to know

That love is more than earthly show.

I look and see how blessed am I

Then tend to sit and wonder why,

But looking back I see for me,

A faithful, loving, family.

Monday

No abstract concept spoken here,

But love in truth and love sincere.

We saw and touched, and now proclaim

The glories of His sacred name.

No dream or vision could proclaim

This God of might with humble fame,

Who came to earth to show the way

Of love in everlasting day.

Tuesday

The holy innocents are dead,

The virgin and her baby fled

To Egypt to protect the King

And thus to all, salvation bring.

The cries of anguish filled the air

As little children martyred there

Became the first to die for One

Who died for all, the Father's Son.

Wednesday

Again this morn I wait and seek

Just how today, will Jesus speak.

What word or phrase will capture here

A message for a waiting ear?

A prayer to one that's close to Him

Can clear the mind and light the dim.

In quiet stillness, love is heard.

In docile heart, is action spurred.

Decide to hear His voice today

And listen in a humble way.

Be patient, testing what you hear

Against the Church's teaching clear.

No word from Him will counter Her.

It's clarity He brings, not blur.

For on His bride, the Spirit rests,

And children feed upon Her breasts.

But quietly each day you'll find

A shining light and peace of mind.

The comfort of a loving friend

And holy wisdom without end.

Thursday

(Can be sung to the tune of Come Thou Font of Many Blessings)

Here a life of ever waiting,

Ever seeking for the Lord.

Everyday anticipating

That the kingdom be restored.

When a child appears before thee

As no other child before.

Revelation, you can foresee

One to worship and adore.

Prayer and fasting was your staple.

Earth's attachments, not for you.

Sinless virgin, in a stable,

Bore the Savior to renew.

Spread the word and give Him glory,

Tell all men of life anew.

Spread around the Christmas story

All the love God has for you.

Friday

The day is here, the year is done,

But have I listened to the Son?

Has He meant a change for me,

Is there a difference folks can see?

Have I become a child of God,

Or are my ways and habits flawed?

Have I recognized the Word,

And worked to make His Gospel heard?

Is grace on grace bestowed on me

In such a way that others see

I walk amid the shining light

If it be morning, noon, or night?

If not, then throw the trash away,

And start upon a brand new day.

You know the Truth, there's no mistake,

So let it now, a difference make.

Saturday

Mind can barely grasp the thought

That God has come to earth.

Much less to think that we've been taught

A woman gave Him birth.

The solemn truth is so it is,

The Virgin did conceive.

Now Son of Mary, Jesus is

As bread that we receive.

Preposterous, it seems to me,

No way to understand.

Created Mother shown to be

The vessel God had planned.

All honor must be given thee,

The chosen of our race.

For God has chosen you to be

The vessel of all grace.

12/19/21 Through 12/25/21

 12/19/21 Through 12/25/21

Sunday

Lord Make us turn and see Your face

Be filled with shame, yet joy,

For in the presence of this grace

Though shamed, we love enjoy.

The radiance of truth we see

Reflected everywhere.

The scars of crucifixion be

The burden we must share.

Though sinful, yet You love us Lord,

Make clean this heart of mine.

Through fire be at last, restored,

Engrafted to the Vine.

How privileged that as babe You came,

The Word, the Great Amen.

So humble and without acclaim

To rescue sinful men.

Monday

So little you expect of Me

When just a word would set you free.

My grace can snap the heavy chain

That's keeping you from blessed gain.

But all I ever hear from you

Is just another vain review

Of what you think would make you feel

Accomplished, and your faults conceal.

Yes, Lord, in truth, I know I've failed

And flesh in me has oft prevailed.

I beg that now Your love obtain

For me the gift of blessed gain.

A gain where love will reign supreme,

And all before, shall useless seem.

Where Yours the voice I seek each day,

And Yours the call that I obey.

Tuesday

( Can be sung to the tune of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus")

Searching for a love to sate us,

One from whom new life is drawn,

One in beauty far surpassing,

One whose eyes eclipse the dawn.

Yonder springs across the mountain

Leaping over grassy hills,

There a ready, fruitful fountain,

Quietly, the heart now stills.

Rise my dove, my favored blossom,

Long the winter now is past.

To the living water, you come,

Quenching arid thirst at last.

Here the fragrant vine now flowing

Nourished by a steady stream.

Fruitfulness is ever-growing

Always giving love supreme.

Wednesday

The humble see with vision broad

And recognize the wicked fraud.

Temptations of the flesh are seen

As actions that the whole demean.

Possessions, just a tool that's used,

And not a thing to be confused

With that which is our final end,

And He on whom the poor depend.

The glory here upon the earth,

Not much for those of noble birth

Who see beyond this temporal veil,

And see all earthly glories fail.

The lowly see with vision clear,

And always have attentive ear,

Then act upon what they've been told,

And see the Master's plan unfold.

Wednesday Adoration

Listen for a word today.

Be sure to listen, and obey.

He longs to speak to willing ears

And beauty found may garner tears.

He gave His own begotten Son

Who prayed that man would be as one,

But only will that prayer be true

If folks will listen up like you.

Silence builds a thoroughfare

That's singular and very rare.

Where God and man can both commune

And solid bonds of love are hewn.

That Silent Night in Bethlehem

Where none around had room for them,

Was spoken the Eternal Word

That myriads on earth have heard.

And if they listen and obey,

That Word will guide them on their way,

And lead them to their home above,

Eternally in peace and love.

Thursday

Lord let my life an advent be

Preparing for the Christ to see.

May every day I closer draw

Until, at last, I stand in awe.

Before a humble manger bed

Where goat, and ox, and ass are fed,

And see this babe, the Bread of Life

Born into poverty and strife.

Even if a one could bring

To mind that such a child is King,

No mind could comprehend His cross,

And what to gain, He counted loss.

If One so great can humble be,

For love of man, then why not me,

For One so far beyond the fray

Who lives in everlasting day?

.

Friday

A house of everlasting fame

In time, King David's house became.

For though he sinned, repentant be,

And God is merciful, we see.

God is love beyond all telling,

Humble greatness, pure hearts swelling.

Born without a house to dwell in.

Angels, of the birth, were telling.

Our God, in flesh, descends to be

The poorest of the poor for me.

One raising flesh from sin's dark hold,

That men, at last, could love, behold.

Saturday

This day the Virgin bears a Son,

The long-awaited Holy One.

The inns were full, but now the time

To break the age-old paradigm.

A virgin birth, before unknown,

A light amid the darkness shown,

The Bread of Life to feed mankind,

In Bethlehem, the shepherds find.

What child is this, the angels sing,

Adoring as a newborn King.

From David's line the King descends,

And on this King, new life depends,