7/23/23 Through 7/29/23

 7/23/23 Through 7/29/23

Sunday

Praying right, or praying wrong,

To which of these do I belong?

Too often I would choose to form

The Former to my sordid norm.

But that is not what's meant to be.

A patient Former wants to see

If weed will turn to wheat one day

Or go to fire that final day.

My weeds within be purged away

That none be left that final day

That harvest rich I would provide

And so, in heaven, there reside.

Monday

What sign could ever change a mind

Or cause one to believe?

Some way the faithless always find

Unto their doubt to cleave.

A gift from God alone it is

To see with faithful eyes

To see within the heart of His

A love that never dies.

Humility it takes to see

That He is God alone

If man would only humble be,

His eyesight he would hone.

But always asking more to prove

What's right before their eyes

The faithless only ever prove

That truth they will despise.

Don't be like them and throw away

Your chance for perfect love

But humbly with the faithful say,

"My Lord and God above!"

Tuesday

The earthen vessels carry gold

A mighty wonder to behold

His message trusted to the weak

To bring to all the lost who seek.

The place of honor here below

Means nothing in the place we go.

For all are separate works of art

With special gifts that each impart.

Wednesday

"What is it?" they cried at the drying of dew

The flakes on the ground He has given you

The food of the angels, now given to man

If daily they gather according to plan.

The people provided in heavenly ways,

But still in the darkness of slavery haze

Unable to see beyond earthly desire

He leads them by cloud and a pillar of fire

The ones that are trusting, and follow His way

Are met with delights at the break of the day.

But for those of the grumbling, dissatisfied kind

There's only the manna as all they can find.

Whatever God gives suffices for man

The patient and docile who follow His plan

Will find their delights in the Providence way

While the stubborn and grumbling languish each day.

So gather the manna with me every morn

And find that each day a new chapter is born

As Providence gives all we need and desire

Drawing us in, ever closer and higher.

Thursday

Cloud and fire were ready seen 

Yet many still remained unclean

Holding on to Evil's claim

Although it made them blind and lame.

Paralyzed by sin concealed

Although restored when sin revealed

forgiveness granted then to those

That His forgiveness freely chose.

For true it was, that He possessed

Forgiveness for the sin confessed

And what he truly offered men

Was chance to now begin again.

Friday

The ground so rocky, hard and dry

I wonder why, to plant we try.

Then looking inwardly I see

The hard and rocky ground in me.

Oh, break the clay and rock remove

Then water well to thus improve

That when the seed is cast my way

I should receive and then obey.

Let not the thorn be given root

To spoil then, my one pursuit

But help me grow and bear the yield

Expected from my humble field.

Saturday

On me, the Precious Blood has flowed

On me, His precious gift bestowed

The Blood of sacrifice He gives

And all my sordid sin forgives.

My sacrifice may not be blood

But with your Holy Spirit flood

My soul with love like Yours to grow

And holiness to others show.

By giving all I have to give

So others learn just how to live

And find the joy of knowing You,

The One so perfect, good, and true.