2/9/25 Through 2/15/25

 2/9/25 Through 2/15/25

Sunday

Within Your presence, woe is me

For all my wickedness You see

No love for dark when seen the light

No way the two as such unite

Apart from light the darkness lives

But Light, the one in dark forgives

And fills the darkened empty space

With light of love and holy grace

By holy fire once purfied

The grip of sin and death denied

The clean must answer, here am I 

Forgiving love you can't deny.

Then into waters deep we go

Our faith and trust in Him to show.

By doing as the Master willed

We see the nets are over-filled.

Monday

How beautiful, all Love has made

And beautiful that Love has bade

His creatures, come enjoy the good

And see from where Your Maker stood.

But all have sinned and turned away

In things we do or what we say

Creation in its purest form 

The sinful ways of men deform.

Yet Love in ever deeper ways

Would send His Son to clear the haze

Forgiving sins to start again

And giving hope to sinful men

A simple touch would heal the sick

Unlike a potion or some trick.

His healing touches deep within

And leads us to reject our sin.

Such healing every soul could use

Yet still we find that some refuse...

Allow His love to you forgive

And teach you how you're meant to live.

Tuesday

A Sabbath rest He gives to man

But some pollute the Father's plan

By making Sabbath law the aim

Ignoring hungry, sick, and lame.

This day no work is done for gain

The goal is that we all attain

A reverence for His love of man

And see His providential plan.

Don't miss the plan amidst the law

For this is what the elders saw.

They couldn't see that God provides

And how to peace and rest, He guides.

Wednesday

Oh, to never know the evil

Only love instilled primeval.

What a world which that would be

A world where all are truly free.

But only one is all it takes

The chain of loving men it breaks

Unleashing sin to man destroy

And every evil vice employ.

But lo, the first would break that chain

The two alone would know such fame

To see the eyes of Perfect Love

And turn away from Him above.

Though man rejected Perfect Love

The One, far greater, from above

Would not reject the sinful man

But made a greater loving plan.

The plan to send His only Son

In human flesh was thus begun

And now such Love we all have seen

His Cross the sign of Love Supreme.

Be not the fools our parents were

But let His Cross within us stir

A longing to return to Love

And find our home with Him above.

Thursday

What is the purpose of man but to love?

Made out of dust by the One from above.

Made for the love of a woman to know

Giving of self will the two of them grow.

Naked, such beauty without any shame

From nothing to life in the Garden, they came.

But innocence lost, when the self was made king

Promising life, only death did it bring.

Such beauty and purity lost in a flash

All gifts of the Garden, discarded as trash.

Concupiscence now in the hearts of all men

With never the chance to do over again.

But Love would redeem what was lost for mankind

And Love, in the flesh, in a Manger we'd find.

A Woman, like Eve, that was spotless and pure

Would give her assent for all people to cure.

The Child would grow both in wisdom and grace

His message of love He would bring everyplace.

That self is the gift that will counter the sin

Restoring in time, the garden within.

Friday

In the Garden were opened the eyes of the man

Though lies, shame, and lust were not in the plan.

They opened to evil, we call it The Fall.

Now concupiscent thought is afflicting us all.

The loss of our innocence darkens the mind

And we nothing but shame in our nakedness find.

The beauty was lost in a perverted gaze

Though sight is still there, it's like looking through haze.

But promised a Savior in fullness of time

To show the way out of our hideous crime

One born in a stable, a humble abode.

Baptized in the Spirit, with power bestowed.

Ephatha! He cried, and again we could hear

In truth, we then knew that our God had come near.

Now open the eyes that are trapped in a haze

On His crucified love, let your eyes set their gaze.

Saturday

One sin has a lasting eternal effect

The way of the Lord that we often reject.

So simple to do what the Master has said,

But enticing the ways, in which evil has led.

Our parents had fallen to lies of the snake

Now all tend to sin by the nature we take.

A curse that is lasting to even this day

Causing hunger in man until when we decay.

But God had a plan for defying the curse

A way for the sin of the man to reverse.

His Son was sent down for the hunger to slake

And faithful in love, crush the head of the snake.

The Bread of our life is the Body He gave

Eternal the gift of the Truth that will save.

Four thousand were only the start of His plan,

Eternal His gift for salvation of man.

The Truth always wins over lies of the snake

If long the perspective on such that we take.

Partake of the Bread and the fruit of the Vine

In truth it is Jesus, not merely a sign.

2/2/25 Through 2/8/25

 2/2/25 Through 2/8/25

Sunday

Like man in every way but sin

He comes to cleanse our hearts within

To offer in His perfect way

His total gift for hearts to sway.

No sheep or goats, or turtledoves

But Christ Himself who mankind loves.

The priest to expiate all sin

So life anew could then begin.

Monday

No sense is made in not believing

See the poor and weak receiving

Look about the ages past

And see what God has made to last.

See His prophets bloody beaten

Steadfast, trusting death to sweeten

Vict'ry over persecution

By their total contribution.

So, today the same we're seeing

Ridicule of those believing

Yet we have an empty tomb

To show the vict'ry over gloom

None of faithful e'er forgotten

By the Only Son begotten

All receive the grand reward

That none on Earth could e'er afford.

Tuesday

Consider what our Lord endured

So hope for man might be procured

The beating, scourging, Cross, and shame

He bore so we could take His name.

As Christians, men of love supreme

Enduring unto such extreme

Turning hearts in admiration

To the perfect new creation.

Casting off all sin that hinders

Cleaning out the ash and cinders

Fanning coals to cleansing flame

So every soul would know His name.

The name of Jesus, Lord and God

Unlike another pagan fraud.

The name to make all demons flee

The name to set the captive free.

A simple touch of One so fine

Would heal this aching heart of mine.

The fringe alone would bring relief

And wash away the years of grief.

The dead shall rise when faith is shown

Not in our wealth, but Him alone.

His word created all we see

Our faith in Him the Master Key.

Wednesday

How much have we resisted sin,

Have we done more than just begin?

Not shedding blood or even weight

Not pushing back the extra plate

To discipline in little ways

Prepares the heart for darker days.

Don't shun the chance to train the will,

But discipline to love distill.

Each trial's opportunity

To train the will and further see

The winsome way that Love has planned

If we but follow His command.

A father trains his well-loved son

With pain, the loving work is done.

For so its proven over years

Joy far exceeds the shedding tears.

(Wednesday thoughts in adoration)

I'm here because You're good for me

I'm here because I want to see

I'm here because I need to rest

I'm here my troubles to divest

I'm here to listen well to you

I'm here to know just what to do

I'm here to fill my empty soul

I'm here Your wonders to extol.

I'm here to search my conscience well

And then, my sins, the priest to tell.

I'm here because Your word is true

I'm here because I'm drawn to You.

Thursday

Blood of Abel cries for vengeance

Blood of Jesus cries for peace.

Mercy proves a great transcendence

Love of God will never cease

Far beyond the briar burning

Far above the mountain fire

Wicked men to Christ are turning

Jesus every heart's desire.

Spread the news, be quick and hurry.

Take no sack to weigh you down.

Cast upon the Lord your worry

Take His word to every town.

Heal the sick, cast out the demon

Preach repentance in the land

Bring Good News to every region

Follow well the Lord's command.

Friday

Consider those of fabled fame

The ones who long before us came

Their many trials well-endured

Their crown of glory well-ensured.

The life of love shall not decieve

Eternal rest we shall receive

Our Helper is the One that's true

His love will not abandon you.

Just look beyond the veil of death

And think about your final breath.

What good is selfish, sinful, gain

When faced with everlasting pain?

Then love and sacrifice shall win

Its place quite far above the sin

Not one regret for love that day

No gain on Earth could e'er out-weigh.

Saturday

Give Him praise and give Him glory

Tell again your sacred story

God has come as man to Earth

To offer man a second birth.

He knocks for each and every one

To share the Father as His son.

But we must open wide the door

To let His many blessings pour.

Just think, and you must sure recall

The many times you've heard Him call.

His many promptings calling out

To trust in Him and shed your doubt.

If we but cast these times away

And fail to listen and obey

We blind ourselves to all that's good

And fail to find the love we should.

But if you tell of all He's done

Your victory is nearly won.

For when you give the praise He's due

Far more again He blesses you.

1/26/25 Through 2/1/25

 1/26/25 Through 2/1/25

Sunday

By opening the scroll we see

How wicked every man can be

So blinded by our selfish pride

With none but greed to be our guide

Without His word, we drift away

From all that's good we should obey.

Then by the time we've gone so far

We lose the sense of who we are.

We seek the pleasure, shun the pain

And search for only earthly gain

But none can satisfy desire

Without a holy cleansing fire.

The word exposes who we are

But also heals the deepest scar

If we but turn, and love embrace

Our sins the Lord would all erase.

His love exceeds our every sin

If we just crack and let Him in

Our sufferings He turns to joy

If we, His ways, would then employ.

His love so deep and oh-so-wide

It shows how futile human pride

Allow His love to flood your soul

And fill that nagging gaping hole.

Monday

How can a house divided stand

When that below is shifting sand?

We need the rock to anchor well

With truth the story that we tell

Our priest not one like those before

But One who opens Heaven's door

With not the blood of sheep or lamb

But Perfect Love, The Great I AM.

His house forever stands for thee

And all will choose their place to be

Within the flimsy walls of pride

Or with our loving perfect Guide.

Tuesday

His family does His Father's will

In Summer's heat or Winter's chill

No sacrifice of lamb or bull

Could ever make atonement full

Those shadow sacrifices pale

When seen the truth behind the veil.

Those offered every year in vain

Could not forgiveness ere obtain.

But One of Perfect Love has come

To give His flesh for all, not some

A sacrifice so good and true

One meant for all, not just a few.

His family we can all become

Obeying Father, like the Son

Atonement full, on cross was made

Such not to wither, wilt, or fade.

Wednesday

One lasting sacrifice to win

And conquer over death and sin

Those standing have yet more to do 

One priesthood that alone is true.

The Mighty One whose work alone

Has earned His seat upon the throne

The old succeeded but the new

A One as fresh as morning dew.

Firmly there at God's right hand

The flame of love forever fanned

Each heart engraved with right and wrong

Forgiveness as the special song.

Thursday

Even more, as time draws near

We act in Wisdom, not in fear

Unwavering with conscience clean

Arousing men to One unseen.

We long to see Your holy face

With eyes of love and perfect grace

A glance enough for hope to live,

But loving gaze on each You give

A light for each You give to shine

A lamp of love akin to Thine

Not kept within some hiding place

But raised to shower love and grace.

All with ears should listen well

Then you again the story tell

For as you measure, so receive

And lead the others to believe.

Friday

Your confidence don't cast aside

But in His care you must abide

For perseverance pays its gain

And drawing back eternal pain.

Trials here below are vexing

Often holy minds perplexing

Yet we know our one possession

In the end will heal and freshen

In a brief and passing moment

Faith and life begin to foment

Tis then we see our native land

And all the good that Love has planned

Turning back no joy providing

Only evil there is hiding

Pleasure brief and unfulfilling

Dire consequences chilling

Saturday

A One whom wind and sea obey

A One who teaches how to pray

He cures the sick and heals the lame

Upon the soul, He lays His claim.

To Him the all we have belongs

He came to save us from our wrongs

A will that's free He gives to know

The faithful friend or wicked foe.

Are we like those who need a sign

Or can we follow God's design

Like Abraham who trusted still

When told his promised son to kill?

We walk by faith and not by sight

In trusting so, we see the light

How man for love alone was made

And how the Cross our debt has paid.

1/19/25 Through 1/25/25

1/19/25 Through 1/25/25

Sunday

Abundance in His love for man

Our Lord has shown since time began

A garden rich with running stream

A gift for man, from Love Supreme.

A wedding feast with wine to spare

Most delicate and finest fare

Abundantly His gifts bestowed

And free to all His graces flowed.

But foolish men have turned away

And tried to find another way

With independence, pride, and greed,

Away from Purest Love, they lead.

The Cross, for love, the greatest sign

His Blood, the choicest ever wine.

No less than all He gives to man

His love supreme since time began.

Monday

Make of me a wineskin new

One willing to expand with you

Fill me with Your grace today

That I may follow well Your way.

Tuesday

Anchored in the hope of glory

Perseverance is my story

Firmly gripping to His promise,

Perfect Love, my joy and solace.

Nothing here of value lasting 

All our choices here are casting

Molds for living life eternal

See within, beyond external.

Wednesday

Melchizedek, no line beginning

King of Peace the title winning.

Priest forever without end

One like you will Father send.

A Son of God this priest resembles

Jesus, far more proof assembles

Death He proves cannot destroy,

Life eternal we enjoy.

In synagogue the wicked scheming

Christ about His work redeeming

Nay a rule forbidding good

Check again, the leaders should.

By far, more precious life for living

Than the rules, but outline giving.

Use the brain He's given you

Find what's holy, good, and true.

Thursday

A priest unlike another one

The Holy, Spotless, Only Son

A sacrifice so pure and clean

A one like this before unseen.

No copy, but the Real McCoy

A One with power to employ

To heal and bless and cleanse of sin

To wash away our filth within.

To such a One I come in praise

I wish to follow all His ways

His will alone will bring me peace,

Contentment that will never cease.

Friday

Among the chosen, twelve were named

But one of them was traitor famed

Ten martyred in horrific ways,

One placed in exile many days.

Of traitor's death in much despair

The soul with Wisdom must beware.

Christ suffered death to free from sin

And purify what's deep within.

The others persevered to see

Though weakly cowards, most would be,

That resurrection was to come

And by the Cross is vict'ry won.

Embracing every cross that comes

We prove ourselves adopted sons

So don't despair but persevere

And know His help is always near.

Saturday

A brightness all around him shone

But blindness struck to him alone.

They led him on to shelter there

Three days he spent in silent prayer.

In silence there it was revealed

The truth which was before concealed

That Jesus was the Son of God

And Saul must preach to lands abroad.

For Jesus changes everything.

The crying voice will learn to sing.

The scales of blindness fall away

And Spirit leads with what to say.

Damascus moments may be rare

But all somehow become aware.

That Jesus chose us all to be

His witnesses so others see.