One of the Crowd

What was it like to be one of the crowd
Following Jesus ... a "Groupie";
Hearing the words, "Repent! Be forgiven!
And blessed be those who believe."?

What was it like on the outskirts of town
When Jesus rode past on that colt;
Shouting, "Hosanna!" and "Blessed art Thou!"
Throwing our garments before Him.

Then, days later, being one of the crowd,
Shouting with others, "Crucify!"
Scourged, and beaten, Jesus carried that cross;
Hung, bled, and died there ... Forgiving.

Understanding

(Matt. 5:44 AND Rom. 12:14 … “Pray for those who persecute you.”)

I do not understand the hate,
The anger, the desire to harm
That causes one to join a group
Whose only aim is “Kill” and “Maim”
Because of how we choose to live.

I pray for those with none to pray:
For anyone who’d wield the sword
When heads of Christians rolled away;
And for the one who left the bomb
Along the route where others ran.

Lord, open eyes, and ears, and hearts.
Forgive them for their errant ways.
Dissolve their anger, Lord, the hate
That causes them to wish to harm
A soul whose only “crime” is love!

As from the Cross that day You prayed,
“Father, forgive. They do not know,”
Lord, help Your children understand
That though all sin, You have control.
Help us remember, You’re the judge,
And You desire that all be saved

If You Know Not God

(Romans 9)

If you know not of God, I will speak.
If you refuse Christ, I will cry.
Humanity of Christ was as Jew,
As God, He rules--eternally.

For all have been chosen to be saved,
Though given the freedom to refuse.
And Jesus, with God from beginning,
Knew salvation comes through His death.

Action

Holy Spirit, build Your fire
Deep within my soul.
Not so I can just go sit
Warming feet, O Lord,
Build heat to urge my action.

Who can use encouragement?
Who can use a smile?
Encouragement is powerful,
And each smile they see
Encourages a response.

I won’t be so complacent,
Passing needy souls.
Whatever He brings to mind
He’ll help me to do.
He boosts compassionate acts!

Holy Spirit, build Your fire
Deep within my heart.
Help me rise, get off my butt;
Get me on my feet!
Build heat! Please, help my action!

Lent

What are you giving up for Lent?
Are you going on a diet?
or giving up just chocolates?

If I will fast, what form to take"
to "give it up?" -- or to renew
another view to living?

Ash Wednesday really means much more
than merely ashes on my brow,
and walking with downcast eyes.

Lent, a time to examine self,
to read, and meditate God's Word,
time to repent, and to pray.

Picture This

Picture this --
A loving father, slowly pacing,
Patting the babe in his arms,
Attempting to console.
“There, there, my child, I have you.
You are safe here.”
Sobbing slows, the weary head falls
To nestle, gently,
In the crook of Love’s arms,
Beneath the jaw line of Safety.

Picture this --
A loving father, slowly pacing,
Watching his children at play,
Watching playfulness turn to anger.
“Oh, no, my children! Turn away!
Return home again.”
They choose not to hear. His wearied gaze remains,
Ever-watchful.
Love’s arms reach out in entreaty..
“Repent! Return to Safety.”

Picture this --
The loving father, slowly pacing,
Watching the clock. The child had called!
“I’m coming home, Dad.
I’m sorry. Please, wait for me?”
The moment of arrival, Love’s arms reach out,
Enfolding errant child, safely home.
Tears coursing down each one’s cheeks
Cleansing all past sorrows,
Forgiveness soaking in.

Now, picture this--
Father, child. Reconnected!
Love reached out --
To you, His beloved child,
Resting weary head between His shoulders
You are held safely in His arms,
Once again.

Flood My Heart

Flood my heart with light, O Lord,
Shed light into my future.
For all who will believe in You,
You've promised life eternal.

Flood my heart with love, O Lord,
And help me love all others;
My brothers and my sisters, Lord,
For they are of Your family.

Flood my heart with hope, O Lord,
For in this world of evil
We need the hope of life with You,
A hope of life eternal.

Flood my heart with You, O Lord,
And help me aim my focus
On You, the Father of us all,
And ask for holy guidance.

Flood my heart again, O Lord,
For I forget Your mercy.
Flood hope, and love, and light into
My heart ... and through my being.