3/29/20 Through 4/4/20

3/29/20 Through 4/4/20

Sunday

Rising from the dead may be

The only way for some to see

The glory of His majesty

Who conquers sin to set us free.

The constant yoke of slavery

May be for some, security

But Christ now bids, come forth and be

One dry-shod through the deepest sea.

Monday

So often I am quick to judge,

And fail to mercy see.

The Spirit then will often nudge,

And show them, just like me.

When will I learn to love discern

And treat them in the way

That heart would turn, not be so stern,

But fruitful in the fray?

Tuesday

A serpent sign with venom not

Would cure the one who'd bitten got.

So too the One of sin bereft

Would heal the soul by evil cleft.

As all those bitten. looked were healed,

So too those hooked by Love revealed.

Upon the pole and lifted high,

The Maker of the sinner nigh.

By death alone is sin atoned,

By victim, and by priest.

The two in One, by love enthroned,

With nails to save the least.

Wednesday

Why is it what is free has been

So highly priced for me?

Could it be my sordid sin

Is really slavery?

The sons of Abraham should know

The truth before their eyes,

And recognize their proper foe

In spite of his disguise.

If we but His disciples be

The truth would set us free

And eyes of former blindness see

Our end of slavery.

Thursday

Why this hatred for the Lord;

Contempt and jealousy outpoured?

So obvious the goodness there

But Pharisees are unaware.

Upturned by Him their empty ways

Of fasting much and empty praise.

In these their honor here below,

But lost, their chance of God to know.

The eye that sees is not so proud

A lowly one amidst the crowd.

A leper cured, returning then

To thank the Father's great Amen.

Rejected by the bulk of them,

One striving just to touch the hem.

A sinner blind, but shown to be

Perceiving more than those that see.

So open heart and mind to see 

How blest the lowly one can be

He humbles haughty and the proud,

But lifts the lowly from the crowd.

Friday

Would I be one to gather stones,

Or try to drive away?

Could I accept accusing tones

That show my sinful way?

It's easy looking back to say

Not one of them is me,

But humble in my prideful way,

The truth I come to see.

My sin the cause of many stripes,

A thorn or two as well.

In many ways I'm like the type

That's on their way to hell.

So how to change or turn around,

Then find the narrow way?

But listen to the whisper sound

And follow Him today.

Forgiveness one will ready find,

The guilt be washed away

If I but make the choice to mind,

And follow Him today.

Saturday

One to die for all the nation.

One to bring the world salvation.

One to take the place of all.

One to answer well the call.

One that's bloody, beaten, scourged.

One through love, the sinful purged.

One took the place of every man,

One sinless in the Father's plan.

One dead, but risen, glorified.

One by whom, debt satisfied.

One brought prisoners release.

One our loving Prince of Peace.

3/22/20 Through 3/28/20

3/22/20 Through 3/28/20

Sunday

When blinded to my sinfulness

My sin I never will confess.

I need the light of day to see

The darkness that envelops me.

He spit to make a paste of clay

Then smeared and said to wash away

With water from the sacred pool.

His simple efficacious tool.

Then all around was light of day.

The shroud of darkness washed away.

The Son of man revealed as He

Who heals and sets the captive free.

Monday

A new creation make of me

This sinner begs to be set free.

I want to see my slavery

As something past in history.

But fear that weakness will return,

For oh so long, I've tried to learn,

And many times have started well

To later on, my failures tell.

I offer Lord, imperfectly

My latest war on slavery

And beg that You create of me

One living in reality.

Reality of seeing through

The traps that Satan will construe.

Reality of seeing there

His hidden hook, or buried snare.

I'm powerless against these Lord

My weakened knees cannot afford

To face one devious as he.

I need the strength that comes from Thee.

My passions only magnify

My need for You to sanctify

My every moment of the day,

And learn to live a whole new way.

Tuesday

Let me stretch my roots to Thee

This desert heat is scorching me.

I need the waters of Your stream

To fill my heart, and soul redeem.

My branches brittle in the air

Of desert heat, and near despair,

But with Your waters cool and deep,

They bear abundant fruit to reap.

My leaves as medicine will grow

That healing graces men would know.

Each month a new fresh fruit You give

That hungry souls might feast and live.

Wednesday

So many chosen, shy away

But not the Virgin on that day.

The fiat that she gave so clear

Obliterated doubt and fear.

The heavens halted there above

To hear her selfless words of love.

"Let it be done as you have said"

Would cause the raising of the dead.

Conceive in me this very day

Such animation of this clay.

That God be praised in all I do,

And I reflect the face of You.

Thursday

In ninety days we gain a taste

Of forty wand'ring years.

We look to find our way in haste

And conquer all our fears.

But time amidst the desert sand

Is meant to build our trust

With manna every morning, and

Our faith in God, robust.

So we must not return to ways

Of slavery once free,

But find through sacrifice and praise

The joy we seek from Thee.

Friday

As yet the hour had not come

Despite the enmity of some.

He presses on to show the way

Until that darkest fateful day.

A failure shown to all that day.

"How dare He mock the way we pray?"

He held aloof from those thought wise,

And called us wolves in sheep's disguise.

Let's see how true this word of His,

And find out what true patience is.

When stripped and beaten, pierced and crowned,

We'll see if care for Him is found.

All blinded by their wickedness

They sought His proof of holiness,

And in the darkness thought they won,

As dead upon the cross He hung.

But three days hence the tide did turn

And ages since have come to learn

How empty are the evil ways,

And true His word for endless days.

Saturday

Let me not Your vengeance see,

Not even on my enemy.

For I wish none who act this way

Would face that awful, dreadful day.

When men like this You turn away,

"Be gone from Me!" They hear You say.

To never see Your humble face,

But live in permanent disgrace.

I shudder at so harsh a word

And pray that such is never heard

Among the members of my clan,

Or none since ever time began.

But You, we all must freely choose,

Or our eternal life will lose,

And find the avarice we sell

Becomes our everlasting hell.

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.

March for Life 2020

March for Life 2020

My Jesus, look upon this land,

And see the many dreams we've planned.

A slice of heaven for each man

As liberty and freedom can.

This gift of freedom blesses so,

But all our citizens must know

How fragile is what we enjoy,

And what our actions could destroy.

The cause of right and common good

Require loving as we should.

Respecting life in all its forms,

With love and care as common norms.

No land oppressing poor and weak

Will find prosperity they seek.

For one day all will be in need,

And reap what's grown of selfish seed.

So stand erect and boldly say

It's time to try the Master's way

Of love and sacrifice for all,

True liberty and freedom's call.

A nation strong and self-sufficed

So easily, by sin, enticed,

To think that they can change God's rules,

But prove themselves as only fools.

A nation great, again we seek

But not a one that kills the weak.

A nation under God's right hand,

Obedient to His command.

A place where life has dignity

That honors blest maternity.

We must abolish infant hate,

To make this land again be great!

2/9/20 Through 2/15/20

2/9/20 Through 2/15/20

Sunday

So many paralyzed by fear

Have no conception who is near.

They sense not in the gloom's despair,

The Lord of all is present there.

Their grief and woe will make them shrink

And in that state of sorrow think,

A torch to light the way to dawn

Is what is needed to move on.

But that's not in the Master's plan

From when the dawn of time began.

He calls for trust, but evil sways,

And draws us into sinful ways.

A simple spark can light the way

If we resolve to just obey.

The next step forward he will show,

But often, only that, we'll know.

Monday

Scurrying to see the Lord

His healing graces wealth outpoured.

Come touch the tassel, be set free,

Of every rank infirmity

Tuesday

We honor well the dwelling place

The Virgin Mother, full of grace.

For where He dwells is peace and joy

That trials here cannot destroy.

No closer one has ever come

Than mother to her infant son,

That feeds upon her tender breast,

And in her arms will find his rest.

He chooses who is truly clean

The Virgin pure, and Mother Queen.

How lovely is His dwelling place,

Our Virgin Mother, full of grace.

Wednesday

Wisdom seekers suffer much

To find the holy way

They're willing to abase themselves

And learn just how to pray.

For what they seek is worth far more

Than wealth of any sort

And they will sacrifice the more

For time within her court.

What's asked is freely given those

With faith and not a doubt.

The ones, humility, have chose

And cast the sinful out.

Unsettled in our emptiness

Desires unfulfilled,

But there amid the lowliness, 

The sinful way is chilled.

Desire not, the things of flesh

That comfort here below,

But seek the wisdom always fresh

He wishes to bestow.

Thursday

The one most wise becomes a fool

If he forsakes one simple rule.

There is but one to have our praise

One God alone, to whom he prays.

A jealous God, the One must be.

For if He let us stray to these

The truth be lost and never found,

No place to find unmoving ground.

The faith we place in Him alone

Will never become fully grown,

For He with no begin or end,

Created, cannot comprehend.

But little crumbs or scraps that fall

Can help us clearly hear the call

To worship God, and God alone,

And let true wisdom then be shown.

Friday

Ephphatha!  The Lord commands.

Be now the eyes, and ears, and hands

That open wide to hear the word

And preach it well till all have heard.

So act upon the grace He gives,

And show that He, within you, lives.

That all you meet would ever know

His way of righteousness to go.

Saturday

Think of what just happened here

That Jesus Christ should draw so near,

In simple form of bread and wine,

I would receive the Lord divine!

The broken bread we thank Him for

The oath to man the Savior swore,

To never leave us orphaned here,

But always to be very near.

Though often we have gone astray.

He finds us in our wand'ring way,

And leads us back to pasture green,

If we but on, His presence lean.

So turn away from other gods,

And be not fooled by false facades,

But trust in One whose way is true,

And always wants what's best for you.

2/2/20 Through 2/8/20

2/2/20 Through 2/8/20

Sunday

Sharing in this earthly flesh

He came to sinful souls refresh

Alike in every way but sin

He blazed the path to enter in.

Destroying death upon the tree

He conquered sin for you and me.

His perfect love, through suffering,

Would all mankind, redemption bring.

If perfect love should suffer so,

Then sinners all around should know,

That none escape some trial here

But perfect love destroys the fear.

Monday

To all the nations bring the word

Till everyone on earth has heard.

The kingdom time is near at hand,

So now repent throughout the land.

Spread the word both far and near

That Christ, our Lord is present here.

No more with shackles bound in chain,

For now, at last, is evil slain.

Tuesday

Grant faith like she who touched the hem,

Not ridicule, like some of them.

For faith and trust will win the day

And good things come to those who pray.

Where faith is lacking, none will see

That blessed day of victory,

But only gloom and more despair

Without His tender loving care.

So trust in Him and banish fear

The Lord your God is very near.

He comes to heal and raise the dead

And keeps His children all well fed.

Wednesday

If we had such a faith as those

Who in the face of torture chose

To place their trust in only He

Who calls us to humility.

Then signs and wonders would abound

With nary sick or crippled found

And pride would simply melt away

In favor of the humble way.

Thursday

But still they doubted every one

Just what the Lord had now begun,

When there upon the mount He said

Behold, I live, I am not dead.

So go and preach this mighty word

Till every soul on earth has heard

But have no fear, I will abide,

And for your every need provide.

Baptize and set the captive free

By naming all the Godhead three

The mission now is yours to claim.

That you might learn to love, I came.

Meditation on Hell

The place of damned depravity

Prepared for sinners just like me

Is far beyond what mind can bear,

With evil running rampant there.

The fires of bitterness and gall

Envelop and surround them all

No place to run from scorching flame

And none but just themselves to blame.

The blasphemy and cursing rise

Then fall again in sour cries.

Iniquity at every turn

From souls that everlasting burn.

With hatred, greed, and avarice

All common in a place like this.

Lust and envy, sloth and pride,

Await the soul on every side.

No shred of hope, the damned be damned.

In darkness, filth, and squalor crammed.

The stench of gross atrocity

And taste of immorality.

This place of untold misery

prepared for sinners just like me,

Who spurn the call to now repent

And find themselves, to Hades sent.

Friday

The cowardice of such a king

Will only, on his people, bring

Disgrace for all the masses know

He has no wisdom to bestow.

A little girl can stump the king

By asking such a brutal thing,

And yet the king has no reply

Except to with, the crime comply.

He should learn from Solomon

The ways to thwart the evil one,

And act with justice top of mind.

Benevolent, and true, and kind.

Saturday

What have You to say to me?

My quest at every morn, You see.

For what You say, will guide my way,

And take me where I want to be.

Grant wisdom fresh and new each day

That I may better learn to pray.

And when I seek, to let You speak.

Then listen well, and well obey.

1/26/20 Through 2/1/20

1/26/20 Through 2/1/20

Sunday

Before all else, we must repent,

And turn from sordid sin.

If we, by Jesus, would be sent,

To others gather in.

Prepared must each disciple be,

To hear and then obey.

To leave their nets beside the sea,

And follow in His way.

Monday

No house divided thus can stand

A house of unity He planned.

To last to endless days of light,

And drive away the dark of night.

Gloom will but replace the gloom

While light will brighten up the room.

So none will stumble, trip, or fall,

But find in light, their all in all.

Tuesday

As David danced in joyful glee

No better thing, I must agree,

Than being in His presence now,

So filled with awe and joy somehow.

His gift of flesh and blood to man

If recognized, receiving can

Transport us to the throne of grace,

And let us feel His warm embrace.

A mother, brother, sister too

Can all be family to you

If they just listen and obey

And take the time to stop and pray.

Wednesday

I wish to make my heart a home

A rich and fertile land of loam.

A place where seed takes root to grow

A place where all, God's love would know.

Tilled and harrowed in pursuit

Of ground that bears abundant fruit.

Free of thorns that choke the grain

Or stones that cause the roots to wane.

So let me hear and then obey

Each cherished word, to me You say.

For only when I follow You

Will grace abound and fruits accrue.

Thursday

Lord make my lampstand tall and strong

Bless this house forever long.

Raise up bold and faithful men

Who pass the blessing on again.

Daughters pure and undefiled

With disposition meek and mild.

With loving hearts from God alone

That as a hearth, will warm the home.

May the measure always be

A total gift of self to Thee.

With nothing left upon the shelf,

A full and total gift of self.

Friday

My sins are overwhelming Lord

The dignity of man ignored

The lash of tongue impatiently

Will just destroy propriety.

Saturday

Who can this be, that orders the sea?

None who have sinned, could govern the wind.

There in this boat, on a cushion, afloat

Sleeping, there lies, the Lord of the skies.

So why be afraid, of the creature He made?

Your faith under-grown, and fear overblown.

His hand is upon the boat that He's on

And those with the King, to safety, He'll bring.

1/19/20 Through 1/25/20

1/19/20 Through 1/25/20

Sunday

To do Your will is my delight

To wait and trust throughout the night

For You will hear my simple plea

And grant a brand new song to me.

Ears that hear and eyes to see

The gifts that You have given me

To serve and do the Father's will 

Obeying always, ever still.

Monday

Obedience to what You say

The only sure and proper way

To rid us of the plague of sin

And usher true abundance in.

No sacrifice can take the place

Nor offering can thus erase

The dearth of love that deafens ears,

And leads one in the way of tears.

Tuesday

Baptized, anointed, called for Christ,

To higher height the soul enticed.

All called to live as priest and king

And to our clan, salvation bring.

The role of every baptized one

Is bring the masses to the Son.

That they might learn to live aright

And conquer in the darkest night.

Wednesday

You come at me with sword and spear

But unaware that God is near

To guide my hand and sling the stone

And prove there is one God alone.

One God to show the way of truth,

One God to guide both old and youth.

One God to fill our every need,

One God we listen to and heed.

No pow'r of darkness on this day

Could ever hold eternal sway.

The courts that loosed this awful scourge,

Have thus composed their final dirge.

For when He comes and truth is known,

The lives of millions then will groan

For justice in His Holy Name,

And unrepentant, lasting flame.

So lift this veil of darkness now

And change each person's heart somehow

To see the gift of those unborn,

And end this hateful, sinful, scorn!

Thursday

In jealousy we find a sin

However small it may begin,

That draws a veil to shield the eyes

From where the truth of conscience lies.

We see quite clear what they possess,

But look beyond how we've been blest.

No gratitude for that received,

But by our selfish way deceived.

A grateful heart can cure this ill,

If we would stop to count our fill

Of blessings granted by our Lord,

And recognize His grace outpoured.

Friday

Each summoned and sent in some special way,

To do of His work in each passing day.

Apostles and teachers, the slave and the king,

All to the Lord, their services bring.

No jealousy found if humble all be

And recognize Christ in the persons they see.

Yet even among the apostles and kings,

We see the destruction that jealousy brings.

Beware of the sins of the haughty and proud

They come to the greatest and least in the crowd.

The way of salvation is humble and meek

Regardless if whether you're strong, or you're weak.

Saturday

With scales that cloud our earthly eyes

We fail to see the dim disguise

Of evil in our righteousness,

And fail to many sins confess.

So if we just prefer the dark

And never, on the trip embark,

We waste away as evening light

And never find the source of might.

But if we have an open mind

No doubt, the truth, we'll surely find.

And if the truth is thus obeyed,

Another Christian, then is made.