"MANY PEOPLE WILL WALK
IN AND OUT OF YOUR LIFE,
BUT ONLY TRUE FRIENDS
WILL LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
ON YOUR HEART"
--Eleanor Roosevelt
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
FEELING AFRAID
The winds of change are moving in
Like oozing spills of toxic waste
Our virgin shores destroy its prey
Polluting lands where children play.
The courts have now become like gods
Whose laws no longer stand for truth
Where innocence is bathed in shame
And those who murder feel no blame.
The bitter cries of those unborn
Are ripped apart and left to die
And then we wonder what is wrong
Our Nation is no longer strong?
Just look around both far and near
Our streets are full of drugs and fear
With guns in school, with sex and crime
And so few live with peace of mind.
The prophet sounds a red alert
That judgment lies within our gates
But hardened hearts respond in scorn
Still looking for Utopia's morn.
So weep and wail the time has come
God's bowl of wrath is soon to flow
But only those who fear His name
Will find escape from judgment's blame.
--B. Pent
Like oozing spills of toxic waste
Our virgin shores destroy its prey
Polluting lands where children play.
The courts have now become like gods
Whose laws no longer stand for truth
Where innocence is bathed in shame
And those who murder feel no blame.
The bitter cries of those unborn
Are ripped apart and left to die
And then we wonder what is wrong
Our Nation is no longer strong?
Just look around both far and near
Our streets are full of drugs and fear
With guns in school, with sex and crime
And so few live with peace of mind.
The prophet sounds a red alert
That judgment lies within our gates
But hardened hearts respond in scorn
Still looking for Utopia's morn.
So weep and wail the time has come
God's bowl of wrath is soon to flow
But only those who fear His name
Will find escape from judgment's blame.
--B. Pent
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
TAMING THE TONGUE
In his play, The Comedy Of Error, Shakespeare writes, "be not thy tongue thine own shame's orator." The real power to build up or destroy lies caged just behind our teeth. Jesus warns: "by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt.12:37). One of the biggest obstacles to Christian unity today is the destructive power of the tongue.
The Book of James repeatedly warns about the right and wrong use of the tongue. "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26).). Later, he adds, "out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing" (James 3:10). Like a fire out of control, the tongue can be so destructive. Untruths or half-truths spoken out of context divide friendships and destroy communication.
Like an uncontrollable monster, the tongue needs to be caged. David pleads: "keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies" (Ps.34:13). Later, he prays: "set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips" (Ps.141:3). If you want your life to bless others, make David's prayer yours: "may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, My rock and my redeemer" (Ps.19:14).
--B. Pent
The Book of James repeatedly warns about the right and wrong use of the tongue. "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26).). Later, he adds, "out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing" (James 3:10). Like a fire out of control, the tongue can be so destructive. Untruths or half-truths spoken out of context divide friendships and destroy communication.
Like an uncontrollable monster, the tongue needs to be caged. David pleads: "keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies" (Ps.34:13). Later, he prays: "set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips" (Ps.141:3). If you want your life to bless others, make David's prayer yours: "may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, My rock and my redeemer" (Ps.19:14).
--B. Pent
Saturday, May 15, 2010
FEELING SHAME
Living in the shadows looking in
The stage of life is bleak and grim
Where masks are worn without a name
And actors hide to cover shame.
Whence did this awful play begin
Is this the prize from Eden's sin?
Must we now walk the shadow-lands
Like phantoms roam by ocean sands?
O wretched heart by memories cast
That seeks release from haunted past
What is the key to my release?
When from its grip can I find peace?
Ti's then the Curtain splits in two
A rugged Cross comes into view
The Stage Director takes His stand
With nail prints seen in feet and hand.
A radiant Light the prisoners see
The only hope to be set free
Then from the depth of guilt and shame
True freedom flows through Jesus' name.
--B. Pent
The stage of life is bleak and grim
Where masks are worn without a name
And actors hide to cover shame.
Whence did this awful play begin
Is this the prize from Eden's sin?
Must we now walk the shadow-lands
Like phantoms roam by ocean sands?
O wretched heart by memories cast
That seeks release from haunted past
What is the key to my release?
When from its grip can I find peace?
Ti's then the Curtain splits in two
A rugged Cross comes into view
The Stage Director takes His stand
With nail prints seen in feet and hand.
A radiant Light the prisoners see
The only hope to be set free
Then from the depth of guilt and shame
True freedom flows through Jesus' name.
--B. Pent
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
APOCALYPSE NOW
The war clouds are forming
The heathen are raging
The stage is preparing
The drama unfolding.
The end time revealing
God's Word is fulfilling
The spotlight is showing
The prophet's clear warning.
The Nations are gathering
And Israel is trembling
Invasion is threatening
To rob them His blessing.
Beware while reflecting
That God is rejecting
His promise replacing
The Church now possessing.
An oath that is binding
When by Himself swearing
Cannot by rebelling
Be broken for sinning.
The hour is coming
At Jesus' returning
When Israel repenting
His purpose fulfilling.
--B. Pent
The heathen are raging
The stage is preparing
The drama unfolding.
The end time revealing
God's Word is fulfilling
The spotlight is showing
The prophet's clear warning.
The Nations are gathering
And Israel is trembling
Invasion is threatening
To rob them His blessing.
Beware while reflecting
That God is rejecting
His promise replacing
The Church now possessing.
An oath that is binding
When by Himself swearing
Cannot by rebelling
Be broken for sinning.
The hour is coming
At Jesus' returning
When Israel repenting
His purpose fulfilling.
--B. Pent
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
UNDER HIS POWER
I'll never forget that moment in time! The full current of electricity surged through my body. I couldn't let go! It completely consumed me! I was holding onto the old donated commercial scrubber in bare feet while washing the concrete gym floor at church. The 30 feet of partially frayed cord was under water when suddenly it hit me. For several seconds my whole body felt like a power generator. Then, blacking out I let go. I hit the floor! It was a miracle I had no side affects when I awoke.
In the Upper Room, Jesus told His followers: "stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Ten days later a "violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting; all of them were filled by the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:2,3). Fifty days after Easter we celebrate that historic moment called Pentecost when the Spirit empowered Church was born.
Reflecting my own experience, reminds me of Jesus' words: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:8). While I tend to shy away from electrically charged wire I have no fear asking daily for His empowering control in my life (Eph.5:18) Today's Church needs a renewed exposure to His power. We are trying to operate with little or no current. The "Light" is growing dim! We need to reconnect! We need a fresh touch from heaven!
"Lord! Do it again!"
--B. Pent
In the Upper Room, Jesus told His followers: "stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Ten days later a "violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting; all of them were filled by the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:2,3). Fifty days after Easter we celebrate that historic moment called Pentecost when the Spirit empowered Church was born.
Reflecting my own experience, reminds me of Jesus' words: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (Acts 1:8). While I tend to shy away from electrically charged wire I have no fear asking daily for His empowering control in my life (Eph.5:18) Today's Church needs a renewed exposure to His power. We are trying to operate with little or no current. The "Light" is growing dim! We need to reconnect! We need a fresh touch from heaven!
"Lord! Do it again!"
--B. Pent
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