04/13/25 Through 04/19/25

 04/13/25 Through 04/19/25

Sunday

Your Passion Lord has said it all 

You followed well the Father's call

The perfect and unblemished Lamb

The Holy, Mighty, Great I AM.

The total gift of self You made

To every saint and sinner bade

To turn from sin and flee to God

And follow in the steps You trod.

Two eons past, and still I see

Your death has meaning meant for me.

Submission to the Father's plan

Is always best for every man.

Monday

There's no extravagance can be

Too great a gift for One as Thee.

The broken vessel points the way

By giving weight to what we say.

No turning back, so all we give

To one day with our Savior live

In endless light and purest love

With saints and angels up above.

What's here below in passing time

Is nothing more than simple rhyme

All pleasures offered here below

Cannot compare to who we know.

The loving Maker of all things

Alone, our satisfaction brings.

The longing in each heart He fills

"Till peace and joy just overspills.

No poor forgotten in such gift

The Lord shall all the lowly lift

With His extravagance for man

According to the Father's plan.

Tuesday

Oh Lord, what pain betrayal brings,

To place Your love behind our things.

How worthless silver, paltry gold,

When such a love as You behold.

Yet so it is for every man

We, too, have turned away and ran.

We, too, have chosen selfish ways

Instead of making love our gaze.

Repentance is our only key

A humble turning back to Thee

Our only hope is mercy Lord

Your love alone our great reward.

Wednesday

Just what does sin offer but shame and disgrace,

A brief little pleasure in this passing place?

No joy in the winning of such an acclaim

With none but the selfish and prideful to blame.

The sinner sees not to the end of the game

His sights are on falsehood, not seeing the flame.

The path to destruction with pleasure replete,

But, Oh, what a diff'rence when judgment they meet.

But often I've strayed and been one of those fools

The young disobeying, or stubborn old mules.

Seeing at last where this pathway will lead

Lord, it's mercy I need, and mercy I plead.

Thursday

Hear again the ancient story

Listen to the tales of glory.

Enter into all He offers

Open up the sacred coffers.

Listen to what's true and lasting

Find the meaning of your fasting.

Not a custom without meaning,

Works the soul and spirit cleaning.

Once enslaved, but led to freedom

Born a nation and a kingdom.

Bread from Heaven daily given

Chains of slavery so riven.

This foreshadowing of glory

Far more than some children's story.

Truth sustaining generations

Set apart from other nations.

Ark, a holy sign of vict'ry,

There within was held the myst'ry.

Of priesthood, laws, and daily bread

All truths on which we're daily fed.

Good Friday

What can I say when I look at the Cross?

All confidence fails when I think of the loss.

But looking beyond to the third day I see

Twas all done by Christ just to save one like me.

How awesome the love, 'fore or since ne'er was known

Only Son of the Father, for mankind has shown.

To search out the stray and retrieve who was lost,

Unblemished true Man and true God was the cost.

This day is so good in the sight of all men

Engraved with the father's final Amen.

Death came to all by the sin of the one

But life is returned by the death of the Son.

Holy Saturday

One day within Your presence Lord

Far more than man could e'er afford

The loss of which we mourn today

These simple empty jars of clay.

Our thoughts had been, You'd save us all.

We never thought we'd see You fall.

You healed the blind, the sick, the lame.

The poor and lowly, rich became.

So many demons driven out

Those chained in sin became devout.

The lowly raised to Heaven's height

Your presence shining ever bright.

But now You lie behind the stone

Though many here, we feel alone.

There's sadness in this somber day,

It seems Your sheep have lost their way.

04/06/25 Through 04/12/25

 04/06/25 Through 04/12/25

Sunday

An upward calling all receive

In hope and trust, we must believe

What lies behind or lies ahead

All needs are met with daily bread.

What's written in the dust is gone

Just focus now on moving on

We rise above our sinful ways

When Heaven sets our forward gaze.

All beauty, pleasure, wealth, and fame

On Earth below appears so lame

When light of glory shines within

And tells us, "Put an end to sin."

Monday

Our wickedness will self-condemn

And bring God's wrath upon our stem.

The branch we follow indicates

What after death, for man awaits.

What evil breeds are lying words

To lead away complacent herds

But mercy finds a way to win

For those who turn away from sin.

Tuesday

The venom of rebellion kills,

It's fatal to the man.

With filthy lies, the heart it fills

And suffocate it can.

But looking on the Cross we live

It's called the Tree of Life.

For thereupon did Jesus give

Us freedom from the strife.

Once lifted up, The Great I AM

Obedience would show

The way to pass the last exam

And Father come to know.

But those refusing what is due

Refuse to see the King

Self-blinded to the humble Jew

And life that He would bring.

Give praise and let your voices sing

Of glories due His name

Let trumpets blast and cymbals ring

And hearts be set aflame.

The Son of God has come to Earth

To show His flock the way

One fully man of humble birth

To listen and obey.

The Father's will in everything

He did with ardent care

Not holding back on anything

With nothing left to spare.

Don't turn away from such a gift

But look upon the Cross

Allow His love your soul to lift

Count Earthly gain as loss.

Wednesday

If you were sons of Abraham

much different you would be,

Not living as an empty sham,

But one that's truly free.

We're not enslaved, have never been,

What means to be set free?

Oh yes, you're slaves each time you sin,

The devil dwells in thee.

I do what God instructs of Me,

I listen and obey.

Your work can never set one free,

You follow Satan's way.

If God were Father, you would love,

Not choose your evil ways.

My Father is the One above

And is the One who saves.

Thursday

With promise comes a change of name

This man of everlasting fame

Forever known as Abraham

A man who followed well God's plan.

A man whose trust in God became

The mark of his most storied fame

When none on Earth could find their way,

This Abraham would just obey.

No hesitance or questioning

No holding back or reckoning

But simply acting on the word

That from the mouth of God he heard.

So too, would man be better off

To listen well and not put off

Obedience in every way

To light the path through life each day.

Friday

So clear the claim that Jesus made,

So dear the price that Jesus paid.

The Son of God and Son of Man

His road to Calvary began.

By clearly claiming who He was

The Jews were outraged just because

They failed to see His works of love

Could only come from One above.

Their minds were darkened by their sin

His light they would not let within.

And so, the veil once drawn to good

They sought to hang Him on the Wood.

Don't let that veil for you be drawn,

But see the light the third day dawned.

Repent and know that He forgives.

When sinners change, the sinner lives.

Saturday

Lord, make me holy, make me pure

All my selfishness please cure.

Gather me from far away

Be my Shepherd day to day.

 

3/30325 Through 4/5/25

 3/30325 Through 4/5/25

Sunday

Not as man's, the eyes of God

He sees beyond the frontal fraud

He sees into the depths within

To read a heart of good or sin.

Once children of the dark, but changed

By love, the heart now rearranged.

No more the fruitless works of night,

All visible, now in the light.

As one born blind was made to see,

The Light of Life was sent to me.

To see my sinful ways before

Would lead to darkness evermore.

The grace to change do all men need

The voice of God we all must heed

To walk amid the light of day

And find the straight and narrow way.

Monday

You may go and find your child healed

So great the force His word can wield

For Earth is new, and Heavens too

When Christ our Lord but touches you.

The sins of past ne'er come to mind

It's pure delight His people find

No mourning in that sacred land

But every joy the Master planned.

For once His love and mercy's seen

We too, become alike His queen

No evil draws our gaze away

As Truth and Beauty we obey.

Tuesday

What's your excuse to listen not?

His words of love have you forgot?

He promises to feed us well 

If we but shall His message tell

It's easy just to waste away

And make excuses not to pray,

But soon our muscles atrophy

And crippled then shall lazy be.

No healing comes for such a man

But, turn around the lazy can

To wade in Mercy's rushing flow

And come His healing love to know.

However long it's been for you

There's mercy and forgiveness too,

But change must truly be your aim

Or else you just remain as lame.

Wednesday

The Father and Jesus completely are One

And so is the Spirit sent by the Son.

The concept abhorrent to those in His time

And so in our day to such height we must climb.

The truth of His word we have seen and proclaim

It's clear from the Father that Jesus once came.

His will so aligned with the Father's to save,

The all of His blood on the Cross He once gave.

His offering perfect, an unblemished Lamb

Passover completed by God and by man.

Imperfect our knowledge, but truth it remains

And also the Spirit, the Godhead contains.

Distinct as a person each One of the Three

A union so bonded that One it must be.

Beyond what the mind of the mortals conceive

But truth that His followers now all believe.

Thursday

Two ears to hear He gave to man

But man thinks his a better plan.

We often hear it plain as day

But turn to face another way.

Lord, let us stand within the breach

And only truthful doctrine teach

So those who stray so easily

Might persevere for love of Thee

Lord, soften hearts and help them see

Their way leads far away from Thee

A self-made god will never do

Our only hope is trust in You.

Friday

So, this is what You promise Lord

To children of Your name

Revilement and a pointed sword

Your enemies to blame.?

Don't think this path an easy one

If treated so was Christ.

Salvation which our Savior won

Was truly so high-priced.

But when it seemed that all was lost,

Hid body in the grave,

He paid the highest ever cost,

But rose again to save.

For here below we cannot find

True peace within the soul

Above we find a diff'rent kind

That truly makes us whole.

So, suffer well and trust in Him

Those heartsick here below

Must see beyond the dark and dim

Above to Heaven's glow.

Saturday

All around the crowds encroaching

Evil sent but not approaching

Words like His are never spoken

All the rules of man now broken

None before as wise and knowing

Fame and reputation growing

Now threatening the status quo,

The chiefs decide this man must go.

Lions prowl in endless wanting

All their territory haunting

Always stalking prey for eating

Every day this plan repeating.

Till the Galilean preaching

Starts to bring a diff'rent teaching

With a wisdom none can counter

Truth itself does man encounter.

Now the tension daily mounting

To the final days we're counting

Evil thinks that death is winning

Yet it marks a new beginning.

3/23/25 Through 3/29/25

 3/23/25 Through 3/29/25

Sunday

Lord, make me want You more and more

Give me angel wings to soar.

Lord, make my roots grow deep and wide,

Make Your word my constant guide.

Lord, make me not a barren tree

Make me bear much fruit for Thee.

Lord, let me draw from flowing streams

Bearing fruit Your love esteems.

For late I've come to you my Lord

Another year You won't afford.

Your many gifts must make return,

Or in the lasting fire burn.

Much patience you have shown to me

I dare not be a barren tree.

For lo, Your patience has an end

Where on my fruit I must depend.

Then judgment comes, the fear of all,

When, mercy is the loudest call.

And those remaining fruitless see

There is no mercy left for thee.

Monday

A child's voice to man revealed

God's power in their time concealed.

The man of import humbled so,

In haste to Israel would go.

With gold and silver, clothing fine,

The man, a healing, hoped to find.

But gold and silver could not win

A way to heal his sickly skin.

A washing in the Jordan, though

For seven times would let him know

The God of Israel alone

As God above all gods was shown.

Tuesday

I am the servant of the Lord,

To me, His grace has been outpoured.

I, too, must magnify His name

I, too, am one for whom He came.

My soul rejoices, as does She

He came for all, including me.

The mighty cast from thrones on high,

The lowly lifted to the sky.

Great mercy He has shown mankind

A light of love on Earth He shined.

His strength was shown to scatter pride

For on the Cross the Humble died.

But three days hence, His glory shone

For then He rolled away the stone,

And rose victorious o'er the grave,

His faithful children all to save.

Wednesday

Just keep the law and pass for wise.

Be honored in your neighbor's eyes.

So, hear His word, observe His law

His love will cover every flaw.

So, keep His law, do not forget

The progeny which you beget

Must hear and learn and pass it on,

Or let His blessing soon be gone.

Thursday

From days in Egypt until now,

Your word has come to show us how,

To prosper as a nation, Lord

But oh, so often, we've ignored.

We've taken many gifts from You

But fail to then return Your due.

We act as if we've earned our way

And listen not to what You say.

Our ways are governed then by pride,

We heed not voices You provide.

We stop our ears and stomp our feet

As spoiled brats in self-conceit.

But still You call and beckon back

To keep us on the narrow track.

Too often though, we go astray

And try to find another way.

There is no way but that You show

For wise and docile sheep to go.

Lord, give us wisdom, make us strong.

Help us to get where we belong.

Help us to harden not our hearts

But heed to all Your voice imparts;

To follow every word You say;

And walk in peace the narrow way.

Friday

If Jacob simply listened well

How great the stories He could tell.

What wonders he would truly see

If he would listen well to Me.

Just open wide, and I would fill

For all who cater to My will,

And I would conquer all his foes

And cancel every debt he owes.

On wheat and honey, he would dine;

The finest wheat and choicest wine.

For all who listen and obey

Shall feast with Me that final day.

For I am Lord of all alone,

No other god be worship shown.

When mind and strength belong to me

Salvation then My children see.

Saturday

Forgive! Forgive, oh Lord, my sin!

You know my sorrow deep within.

So many times I've turned away

You called, yet still I went astray.

So foolish in so many ways

Your voice was heard throughout my days

But often I would pay no heed

Ignoring what the poor might need.

Then poverty was at my door

In spite of all that I worked for.

All riches, power, wealth, and fame

Compared to love are simply lame.

Your mercy Lord is what I need

And this is what I humbly plead.

No merit in these works of mine

That just somehow are set to rhyme.

No work of simple man could pay

For what You gave that awful day

When Love was nailed upon the tree

To save a sinner such as me.

But let me try with all I own

To make Your loving kindness known;

To spread Your love to those in need

And scatter broadly Mercy's seed.

3/16/25 Through 3/22/25

 3/16/25 Through 3/22/25

Sunday

So, count the stars if so you can

And so the blessings offered man.

No ear has heard nor eye has seen

What lies beyond this earthly scene.

Our membership lies not below,

His faithful Son our way will show.

The Cross to greater glory leads

All suffering His joy exceeds.

We're told quite clearly, listen well

His words the path of life will tell.

The glory on the mountain shown

Is there for those He calls His own.

Monday

Our sinfulness, Lord overflows

The depth to which we've fallen grows.

Rebellious in our many wrongs,

Not one of us with You belongs.

Ashamed of who we've grown to be

And knowing all Your eyes can see

There's only mercy we can plead

And mercy, Lord, is what we need.

You call us Lord, to act like You

Forgiving others what they do

Compassionate with those who fall

In matters large or matters small.

Tuesday

All you holy saints and angels

Who in Paradise at rest

Show us clearly through the ages

How to pass the final test.

How to turn away from sin

And defend the orphan's plea,

How a new life to begin

And the plight of others see.

Though our sins be just as scarlet

They become as white as snow

Though we've often played the harlot,

Now virginity can know

Our offerings are worthless

If we fail to lend an ear

They hold no weight or purchase

If His word we fail to hear.

For the vict'ry's in the doing

Not the preaching of the word

Quite a shocker now is brewing

If obedience deferred.

For the humble, then exalted

And the prideful, brought down low.

All the self-important faulted

While to Heaven humble go.

Wednesday

The one who hears and then obeys

Will find great peace throughout his days

He speaks to all, but few respond

While most, by lying voices conned.

The busy noises of the day

Too often overtake the way.

By drowning out the still and small

So man can't hear his sacred call.

We must, like Joseph, learn to be

A man of silence so to see

The lamp that lights the forward way

Through every trial, come what may.

Unlike the days of yesteryear

The active din is always near.

When twilight and the dark descend

The artificial lights ascend.

Soon, filling every moment there

Distracting with annoying glare

So, daily, we must work to find

A quiet place to clear the mind.

But persevere and find the still,

For there you'll find His perfect will.

And if, in wisdom, you obey

Great peace and joy He will convey.

Thursday

In Lasarus and Dives we see

An archetype of you and me.

Too often, though, the rich are we

Who fail to hear our neighbor's plea.

One lying there right at our door

We turn our heads and just ignore

Too busy with our cares each day

To spare a coin, or even pray.

We see them as no use for those

Who walk around in finer clothes

Who dine on beef that's special fed

While they just seek a scrap of bread.

Our eyes must open wide to see

The poor as people just like we,

Our brother on this earth below

That we must love and come to know.

Or one day in the land beyond

We'll find a chasm wide has yawned

With poor and humble safe and sound

And rich in flames of terror found.

Friday

When evil seems to be in charge

Just know God's love is looming large

For evil self-destructs in time

And good will conquer over crime.

The very deeds of evil done

Are used to make the vict'ry won.

God turns the tide so what they do,

But aids His plan for life anew.

The one they sold as slave became

A royal one of lasting fame.

The darkest day upon the Earth, 

God turned around to bring new birth.

So, look upon your trials now

And know they'll work for good somehow,

Then trust His love by pushing on

And know that soon, will come the dawn.

Saturday

Why such mercy, why such love?

I cannot fathom life above

Where all our sin He wipes away

And greets the sinner such a way.

The mind of man is oh so small

His understanding, far from all.

The Father wishes all be saved

Especially those sin enslaved.

But some can't see how love abides

And every joy of life provides

In giving all, how all is gained

And how such love is so explained.

 

My Manna in the Desert

My manna in the desert is a word or two that rhyme.

Each given in the morning as I give his due of time.

A sacrifice of sleeping, for the Lord’s eternal rest.

By giving him the morning, I am giving him the best.

The listening is crucial to the words I pen each day.

It’s how I know His Sacred voice and what I should obey.

It comes in conversation as I open up His word,

And comes again tomorrow if I act on what I’ve heard.

But if I turn a deafened ear when e’re He speaks to me

Before too long the claim will be, He never speaks to me.

Obedience will clear the way and open up the door

To hear His voice in many ways and hear it more and more.

The days of yesteryear are gone when twilight made us still.

When all was calm and quiet with our thoughts alone until

The dawn would come afresh and new beginning once again

The time to wake and so begin our work with other men.

But in that time when all was still the mind could turn to God

And listen for His voice to hear His loving gentle prod.

Amid the busyness today His voice is rarely heard.

It’s hard to do His will if we can’t recognize a word.

It takes a bit of work these days to set aside the time

To gather in our thoughts a bit and Heavenward to climb.

He speaks in many varied ways throughout our everyday.

In quiet best, He speaks to those who listen and obey.

His voice is one that calls to stretch and leave our comfort zone.

To feed the poor, to tend the sick, and visit those alone.

To discipline our earthly flesh, serve idols nevermore.

To offer Him our very best, and see His love outpour.

There’s none without the ears or heart to hear his voice each day

If they but take the time to sit, in quiet, and to pray.

But don’t expect a word to hear without intent to do

For if you choose to not obey, why should He speak to you?