What was it like watching him pray?
How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue?
When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood?
Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world?
When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently?
Did it ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was sleeping under your own roof?
Did he have any friends by the name of Judas?
Did you ever scold him?
Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture?
Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him?
Who was his best friend?
When someone referred to Satan, how did he act?
Did you ever accidentally call him Father?
What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids?
Did his other brothers and sisters understand what was happening?
Did you ever think, That's God easting my soup?
--Max Lucado
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
MARY'S PRAYER
"God. O infant-God. Heaven's fairest child. Conceived by the union of divine grace with our disgrace. Sleep well. Bask in the coolness of this night bright with diamonds. Sleep well, for the heat of anger simmers nearby. Enjoy the silence of the crib, for the noise of confusion rumbles in your future. Savor the sweet safety of my arms, for a day is soon coming when I cannot protect you.
Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works most precious:
to touch a leper's open wound,
to wipe a widow's weary tear,
to claw the ground of Gethsemane.
Your hands, so tiny, so tender, so white--cluched tonight in an infant's fist. They aren't destined to hold a scepter nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.
Sleep deeply, tiny eyes. Sleep while you can. For soon the blurriness will clear and you will see the mess we have made of your world.
You will see our nakedness, for we cannot hide.
You will see our selfishness, for we cannot give.
You will see our pain, for we cannot heal.
O eyes that will see hell's darkest pit and witness her ugly prince...sleep, please sleep while you can.
Lay still, tiny mouth. Lay still mouth from which eternity will speak. Tiny tongue that will soon summon the dead, that will define grace, that will silence our foolishness. Rosebut lips --upon which ride a starborn kiss of forgiveness to those who believe you, and of death to those who deny ou--lay still.
And tiny feet cupped in the palm of my hand, rest. For many difficult steps lie ahead for you. Do you taste the dust of the trails you will travel? Do you feel the cold sea water upon which you will walk? Do you wrench at the invasion of the nail you will bear? Do you fear the steep descent down the spiral staircase into satan's domain? Rest, tiny feet. Rest today so that tomorrow you might walk with power. Rest. For millions will follow in your steps.
And little heart...holy heart...pumping the blood of life through the universe: How many times will we break you? You'll be torn by the thorns of our accusations. You'll be ravaged by the cancer of our sin. You'll be crushed under the weight of your own sorrow. And you'll be pierced by the spear of our rejection.
Yet, in that piercing, in that ultimate ripping of muscle and membrane, in that final rush of blood and water, you will find rest. Your hands will be freed, your eyes will see justice, your lips will smile, and your feet will carry you home. And there you'll rest again--this time in the embrace of your Father."
---Max Lucado
Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works most precious:
to touch a leper's open wound,
to wipe a widow's weary tear,
to claw the ground of Gethsemane.
Your hands, so tiny, so tender, so white--cluched tonight in an infant's fist. They aren't destined to hold a scepter nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.
Sleep deeply, tiny eyes. Sleep while you can. For soon the blurriness will clear and you will see the mess we have made of your world.
You will see our nakedness, for we cannot hide.
You will see our selfishness, for we cannot give.
You will see our pain, for we cannot heal.
O eyes that will see hell's darkest pit and witness her ugly prince...sleep, please sleep while you can.
Lay still, tiny mouth. Lay still mouth from which eternity will speak. Tiny tongue that will soon summon the dead, that will define grace, that will silence our foolishness. Rosebut lips --upon which ride a starborn kiss of forgiveness to those who believe you, and of death to those who deny ou--lay still.
And tiny feet cupped in the palm of my hand, rest. For many difficult steps lie ahead for you. Do you taste the dust of the trails you will travel? Do you feel the cold sea water upon which you will walk? Do you wrench at the invasion of the nail you will bear? Do you fear the steep descent down the spiral staircase into satan's domain? Rest, tiny feet. Rest today so that tomorrow you might walk with power. Rest. For millions will follow in your steps.
And little heart...holy heart...pumping the blood of life through the universe: How many times will we break you? You'll be torn by the thorns of our accusations. You'll be ravaged by the cancer of our sin. You'll be crushed under the weight of your own sorrow. And you'll be pierced by the spear of our rejection.
Yet, in that piercing, in that ultimate ripping of muscle and membrane, in that final rush of blood and water, you will find rest. Your hands will be freed, your eyes will see justice, your lips will smile, and your feet will carry you home. And there you'll rest again--this time in the embrace of your Father."
---Max Lucado
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
ISRAEL MY GLORY
DANIEL 9:24-27
WHILE READING JEREMIAH'S SCROLLS
THE PROPHET SENSED THE TIME HAD COME
FOR JUDAH TO BE FREED AT LAST
FROM SOVEREIGN JUDGMENT FOR THEIR PAST.
THROUGH DANIEL'S INTERCESSORY PRAYER
WITH DEEP CONTRITION FOR THEIR GUILT
A BROKEN HEART BEFORE GOD'S THRONE
BECAME THE GIFT THAT WOULD ATONE.
THE ANGEL THEN REVEALED A PLAN
BY USING MULTIPLES OF YEARS
THE TIME OF CURSE WOULD FINALLY END
WITH PROMISED BLESSINGS TO ATTEND.
BEFORE THE CHART COULD BE EXPLAINED
THE ANGEL MADE IT VERY CLEAR
THE DUAL SUBJECTS OF HIS WILL
REFERRED TO JEWS AND ZION'S HILL.
THE WEEKS OF YEARS THAT STRETCHED THROUGH TIME
WILL BRING AN END TO WICKEDNESS
FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL CROWN THE LAND
WHEN GOD'S ANOINTED TAKES HIS STAND.
FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE LONG YEARS
BEGAN WITH BUILDING ZION'S WALL
BUT WHEN THE PRINCE, MESSIAH CAME
UPON THE CROSS HE HUNG IN SHAME.
THE PROPHET'S CLOCK THEN STOPPED IN TIME
AND SOON ROME'S FORCES CRUSHED "THE LAND."
BUT TWENTY CENTURIES NOW HAVE PAST
YET HATRED FOR THE JEWS STILL LAST.
THEN GOD REVEALED ONE FINAL WEEK
WHEN IN THE MIDST OF WORLD WIDE STRIFE
TEN NATIONS WILL ARISE TO CLAIM
THE KINGDOM ROME ONCE RULED WITH FAME.
THE BEAST WHO'S "LITTLE HORN"APPEARS
WILL BE THE COUNTERFEIT OF CHRIST
WHOSE SIGNS AND WONDERS ON DISPLAY
PROPELS HIM TO BE KING THAT DAY.
A TREATY SIGNED FOR SEVEN YEARS
BETWEEN THE ARABS AND THE JEWS
WILL MARK THE TRIBULATION START
BEFORE ALL NATIONS FALL APART.
THE ANTICHRIST WILL MOVE FROM ROME
AND CLAIM THE TEMPLE FOR HIS THRONE
WITH BROKEN TREATIES NOW IN TWO
HE'LL TRY TO KILL OFF EVERY JEW.
WHILE ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH
ARE GATHERING ON MEGIDDO'S PLAIN
THE WARRIOR KING FROM HEAVEN'S THRONE
WILL MAKE HIS AWESOME PRESENCE KNOWN.
WITH JUST ONE WORD AT HIS COMMAND
THE NATIONS UNDER ANTICHRIST
WILL ALL BE SWEPT FROM EARTH TO HELL
AS HIS PREDICTIONS DO FORETELL.--B. Pent
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
MEDO-PERSIA AND GREECE
DANIEL 8
WHILE BABYLON'S POWER BEGAN TO WANE
THE PROPHET SAW A VISION CLEAR
THE NEXT TWO KINGDOMS TO ARISE
WERE SEEN IN RAMS AND GOAT DISGUISE.
THE RAM'S TWO HORNS WERE JUST THE SAME
AS DANIEL'S VISION OF THE BEAR
ALONG WITH SILVER ARMS AND CHEST
THE MEDO-PERSIANS PUSHED OUT WEST.
WHEN CYRUS FORMED HIS POWER GRID
NO ARMY WAS AS LARGE OR STRONG
IMPREGNABLE WAS BABYLON'S CLAIM
YET ON DRY BANKS HER CONQUEROR'S CAME.
IN TIME THE JEWS RETURNED TO BUILD
THEIR TEMPLE AND THEIR BROKEN WALLS
WHILE PERSIA PUSHED BOTH NORTH AND SOUTH
ITS LONG PREDICTED RULE PLAYED OUT.
A SUDDEN CHANGE CAME INTO VIEW
THE GREAT-HORNED GOAT CAME CHARGING THROUGH
IT WAS THE KING OF GRECIAN FAME
TWAS ALEXANDER'S FEAR FILLED NAME.
IN EIGHT SHORT YEARS HIS KINGDOM SPREAD
FROM EGYPT'S SHORE TO INDIA'S HEAD
BUT ONCE THE GOAT'S GREAT HORN WAS BROKE
FOUR OTHER SMALLER HORNS AWOKE.
CASSANDER RULED THE WESTERN FLANK
LYSIMACUS THE NORTHERN PART
SELEUCUS TOOK THE EASTERN SEAT
WITH PTOLEMY AT EGYPT'S FEET.
BUT WHAT PERPLEXED THE PROPHET MOST
WAS FROM THESE HORNS A SMALL ONE ROSE
A KING WITH FIERCE AND CRUEL INTENT
WITH EVERY FORM OF EVIL BENT.
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES
REMOVED THE TEMPLE'S SACRIFICE
BY DESECRATING YAHWEH'S NAME
AND OFFERING BLOOD THAT BROUGHT HIM SHAME.
BUT THEN THE ANGEL SEEMED TO POINT
TO YET A FUTURE LITTLE HORN
WHO CLAIMED THE RIGHT TO DAVID'S THRONE
PROCLAIMING HE WAS CHRIST ALONE.
THE SHADOW OF ANTIOCHUS
A PROTOTYPE OF ANTICHRIST
HAS FOLLOWED HISTORY THROUGH EACH AGE
AS DEMAGOGUES ON EUROPE'S STAGE.
--B. Pent
Monday, October 31, 2011
THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES
(Daniel 7)
ONE NIGHT WHILE DANIEL WAS ASLEEP
A TROUBLING VISION CAME IN VIEW
THE CHURNING SEAS LIKE NATIONS ROSE
FOUR BEASTS DISGUISED IN KINGDOM CLOTHES.
WHAT COULD THIS MEAN, THE PROPHET MUSED
WITH LIONS, BEARS AND LEOPARDS, TOO?
THE OUTWARD FORM THE KING ONCE DREAMT
SEEMED DIFFERENT THAN THIS VISION MEANT.
BUT SOON THE MYSTERY WAS REVEALED
EACH BEAST DESCRIBES A KINGDOM HERE
BEFORE ALL EARTHLY RULE IS DONE
AND CHRIST'S ETERNAL KINGDOM WON.
THE LION WITH FOUR EAGLE WINGS
IS EQUAL TO THE HEAD OF GOLD
WHERE BABYLON RULED WITH CRUEL STRENGTH
AND SWIFTLY TOOK THE WORLD AT LENGTH.
THEN FROM ITS HIBERNATING LAIR
A LUMBERING BEAR ROSE TO ITS FEET
AND WITH BRUTE FORCE IT CRUSHED ITS PREY
AS MEDES AND PERSIANS RULED THAT DAY.
A LEOPARD WITH FOUR HEADS APPEARED
LIKE LIGHTNING SPEED ON EAGLE WINGS
THIS GRECIAN KING SPREAD WIDE HIS REIGN
IN EIGHT SHORT YEARS GAINED WORLD-WIDE FAME.
BUT WHAT DISTURBED THE PROPHET MOST
WAS WHAT APPEARED ON EUROPE'S SHORE
A TERRIFYING BEAST WITH RAGE
FULFILLED ITS ROLE ON CENTER STAGE.
THIS BEAST FROM ROME WHO RULED THE WORLD
WAS NEVER CONQUERED BY A FOE
CORRUPTION TORE ITS HEART WITHIN
BECAUSE OF VILE AND TREACHEROUS SIN.
THE BEAST WITH TEN HORNS THAT APPEARED
WAS NEVER SEEN TO RISE AGAIN
BUT STIRRING SIGNS ARE FORMING NOW
UPON THE HEAD OF EUROPE'S BROW.
A LITTLE HORN WILL SOON ARISE
AND THROUGH DECEIT HIS CRAFTY PLAN
WILL CATCH ALL NATIONS IN ITS WEB
AS REVELATION THIRTEEN SAID.
THE WARNING THAT THIS VISION SHOWS
IS TO REMIND THE WORLD TODAY
THE POWER OF ANTICHRIST IS NEAR
FOR EVERY MAN ON EARTH TO FEAR.
--B. PENT
ONE NIGHT WHILE DANIEL WAS ASLEEP
A TROUBLING VISION CAME IN VIEW
THE CHURNING SEAS LIKE NATIONS ROSE
FOUR BEASTS DISGUISED IN KINGDOM CLOTHES.
WHAT COULD THIS MEAN, THE PROPHET MUSED
WITH LIONS, BEARS AND LEOPARDS, TOO?
THE OUTWARD FORM THE KING ONCE DREAMT
SEEMED DIFFERENT THAN THIS VISION MEANT.
BUT SOON THE MYSTERY WAS REVEALED
EACH BEAST DESCRIBES A KINGDOM HERE
BEFORE ALL EARTHLY RULE IS DONE
AND CHRIST'S ETERNAL KINGDOM WON.
THE LION WITH FOUR EAGLE WINGS
IS EQUAL TO THE HEAD OF GOLD
WHERE BABYLON RULED WITH CRUEL STRENGTH
AND SWIFTLY TOOK THE WORLD AT LENGTH.
THEN FROM ITS HIBERNATING LAIR
A LUMBERING BEAR ROSE TO ITS FEET
AND WITH BRUTE FORCE IT CRUSHED ITS PREY
AS MEDES AND PERSIANS RULED THAT DAY.
A LEOPARD WITH FOUR HEADS APPEARED
LIKE LIGHTNING SPEED ON EAGLE WINGS
THIS GRECIAN KING SPREAD WIDE HIS REIGN
IN EIGHT SHORT YEARS GAINED WORLD-WIDE FAME.
BUT WHAT DISTURBED THE PROPHET MOST
WAS WHAT APPEARED ON EUROPE'S SHORE
A TERRIFYING BEAST WITH RAGE
FULFILLED ITS ROLE ON CENTER STAGE.
THIS BEAST FROM ROME WHO RULED THE WORLD
WAS NEVER CONQUERED BY A FOE
CORRUPTION TORE ITS HEART WITHIN
BECAUSE OF VILE AND TREACHEROUS SIN.
THE BEAST WITH TEN HORNS THAT APPEARED
WAS NEVER SEEN TO RISE AGAIN
BUT STIRRING SIGNS ARE FORMING NOW
UPON THE HEAD OF EUROPE'S BROW.
A LITTLE HORN WILL SOON ARISE
AND THROUGH DECEIT HIS CRAFTY PLAN
WILL CATCH ALL NATIONS IN ITS WEB
AS REVELATION THIRTEEN SAID.
THE WARNING THAT THIS VISION SHOWS
IS TO REMIND THE WORLD TODAY
THE POWER OF ANTICHRIST IS NEAR
FOR EVERY MAN ON EARTH TO FEAR.
--B. PENT
Thursday, October 20, 2011
THE KING AND I
Daniel 2
THE SANDS OF TIME BLOW IN THE WIND
AS HISTORY PAST TELLS OF ITS FLIGHT
THROUGH LIFE'S SHORT COURSE AROUND EACH BEND
WITH CONQUERED NATION'S TRAGIC END.
THE GARDEN SCENE WHERE LOVE WAS BORN
AND PEACE REVEALED ITS SPECIAL ROLE
BECAME THE PLACE WHERE SATAN'S CHARM
BROUGHT SIN WITH DEATH'S DEFYING HARM.
THE HIGHEST PEAK ON BABEL'S CREST
WHERE PRIDEFUL MAN SOUGHT TO BE GODS
BECAME THE PLACE WHERE SIN'S DREAD CURSE
WAS SPREAD TO EVERY MAN ON EARTH.
THE STORY LATER FILLED EARTH'S SCENE
AS BABYLON GREW TO RULE THE WORLD
AND SHINAR'S BEAUTY FILLED THE LAND
WHERE CONQUERED JUDAH MADE ITS STAND.
AMONG THOSE CAPTIVES THERE WERE FOUR
WHOSE LIVES REFLECTED YAHWEH'S PLAN
AS DANIEL TOOK THE PROPHET'S STAFF
REVEALING NATION'S DOWNWARD PATH.
ONE NIGHT ITS KING WOKE WITH A START
A DREAM DISTURBED HIS THOUGHTS THAT DAY
A ROBOT-LOOKING MAN STOOD NEAR
ITS METAL FRAME BROUGHT WORLD-WIDE FEAR.
THE PALACE WISEMEN WERE CALLED IN
TO GIVE A MEANING TO HIS DREAM
BUT ONLY DANIEL'S WORDS EXPLAINED
THE BOUNDARY LINES EACH PART CONTAINED.
FOUR BASIC METALS COULD BE SEEN
AS HISTORY MARCHED THROUGH TIME AND SPACE
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S HEAD OF GOLD
BECAME THE FIRST ONE, HE WAS TOLD.
THE ROBOT'S SILVER ARMS AND CHEST
DESCRIBED THE MEDO-PERSIAN'S STRENGTH
BUT LATER GREECE WITH THIGHS OF BRASS
WE'RE ALEXANDER'S VISION CAST.
THE MIGHTY IRON LEGS OF ROME
THAT RULED THE WORLD WITH BRUTAL FORCE
WERE SEEN AT LAST TO FALL APART
BECAUSE CORRUPTION RULED ITS HEART.
AS TIME MARCHED ON A MYSTERY GREW:
"WHO WERE THE IRON FEET WITH CLAY?"
THE MIX, THOUGH TRACED TO EUROPE'S HOME
WAS NEVER SEEN FULFILLED BY ROME.
THE FINAL ACT THE KING BEHELD
WAS OF A STONE ROLL DOWN A HILL
AND INTO DUST THIS METAL FRAME
WAS FINALLY CRUSHED AND BROUGHT TO SHAME.
THE ROCK THEN GREW TO FILL THE EARTH
HE IS THE KING OF ROYAL BIRTH
A THOUSAND YEARS HIS RULE WILL LAST
AS EVERY WORD FORETOLD WAS PASSED.--B.Pent
THE SANDS OF TIME BLOW IN THE WIND
AS HISTORY PAST TELLS OF ITS FLIGHT
THROUGH LIFE'S SHORT COURSE AROUND EACH BEND
WITH CONQUERED NATION'S TRAGIC END.
THE GARDEN SCENE WHERE LOVE WAS BORN
AND PEACE REVEALED ITS SPECIAL ROLE
BECAME THE PLACE WHERE SATAN'S CHARM
BROUGHT SIN WITH DEATH'S DEFYING HARM.
THE HIGHEST PEAK ON BABEL'S CREST
WHERE PRIDEFUL MAN SOUGHT TO BE GODS
BECAME THE PLACE WHERE SIN'S DREAD CURSE
WAS SPREAD TO EVERY MAN ON EARTH.
THE STORY LATER FILLED EARTH'S SCENE
AS BABYLON GREW TO RULE THE WORLD
AND SHINAR'S BEAUTY FILLED THE LAND
WHERE CONQUERED JUDAH MADE ITS STAND.
AMONG THOSE CAPTIVES THERE WERE FOUR
WHOSE LIVES REFLECTED YAHWEH'S PLAN
AS DANIEL TOOK THE PROPHET'S STAFF
REVEALING NATION'S DOWNWARD PATH.
ONE NIGHT ITS KING WOKE WITH A START
A DREAM DISTURBED HIS THOUGHTS THAT DAY
A ROBOT-LOOKING MAN STOOD NEAR
ITS METAL FRAME BROUGHT WORLD-WIDE FEAR.
THE PALACE WISEMEN WERE CALLED IN
TO GIVE A MEANING TO HIS DREAM
BUT ONLY DANIEL'S WORDS EXPLAINED
THE BOUNDARY LINES EACH PART CONTAINED.
FOUR BASIC METALS COULD BE SEEN
AS HISTORY MARCHED THROUGH TIME AND SPACE
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S HEAD OF GOLD
BECAME THE FIRST ONE, HE WAS TOLD.
THE ROBOT'S SILVER ARMS AND CHEST
DESCRIBED THE MEDO-PERSIAN'S STRENGTH
BUT LATER GREECE WITH THIGHS OF BRASS
WE'RE ALEXANDER'S VISION CAST.
THE MIGHTY IRON LEGS OF ROME
THAT RULED THE WORLD WITH BRUTAL FORCE
WERE SEEN AT LAST TO FALL APART
BECAUSE CORRUPTION RULED ITS HEART.
AS TIME MARCHED ON A MYSTERY GREW:
"WHO WERE THE IRON FEET WITH CLAY?"
THE MIX, THOUGH TRACED TO EUROPE'S HOME
WAS NEVER SEEN FULFILLED BY ROME.
THE FINAL ACT THE KING BEHELD
WAS OF A STONE ROLL DOWN A HILL
AND INTO DUST THIS METAL FRAME
WAS FINALLY CRUSHED AND BROUGHT TO SHAME.
THE ROCK THEN GREW TO FILL THE EARTH
HE IS THE KING OF ROYAL BIRTH
A THOUSAND YEARS HIS RULE WILL LAST
AS EVERY WORD FORETOLD WAS PASSED.--B.Pent
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
EDEN REVISITED
The decision to accept Christ's redemptive work on our behalf
is God's way of positionally placing us back before Adam sinned
(Eph.1:4),into the second Adam through the Spirit of Adoption
(Gal.4:5;Rom.8:15). With justice satisfied (Rom.3:24), the
Father now sees us through His Son: saved from the penalty of
sin and one day, from sin's presence. It is the only way a sinner
can enter heaven without his sin. "As in Adam all die, so in Christ
all will be made alive" (I Cor.15:22). Each of us must choose:
either pay the penalty for our sin or accept Christ's payment on
our behalf. One leads to eternal separation in hell; the other to
eternal life in heaven. There is no neutral ground.
is God's way of positionally placing us back before Adam sinned
(Eph.1:4),into the second Adam through the Spirit of Adoption
(Gal.4:5;Rom.8:15). With justice satisfied (Rom.3:24), the
Father now sees us through His Son: saved from the penalty of
sin and one day, from sin's presence. It is the only way a sinner
can enter heaven without his sin. "As in Adam all die, so in Christ
all will be made alive" (I Cor.15:22). Each of us must choose:
either pay the penalty for our sin or accept Christ's payment on
our behalf. One leads to eternal separation in hell; the other to
eternal life in heaven. There is no neutral ground.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
Salt is the combination of two basic chemicals: sodium and chlorine. When they are combined they form salt. Christian character is composed of two important ingredients: faith and works. As chlorine gas is a deadly poison by itself, so faith without works is dead. Metal sodium alone is likewise destitute of the saving quality of salt. So is works without faith. As the chemical union of these two elements forms salt, so faith and works, when united, give life and efficiency to Christian character.
Christian character is genuinely qualitative.When Jesus said to "have salt in yourselves" He was inviting us to link up to the authentic Source of Taste! The Psalmist put it this way: "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps.34:8). Later, Peter adds: "now that you have tasted that the Lord is good....grow up in your salvation" (I Pet.2:2-3). The most compelling evidence then is demonstrated through what Paul calls "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5:22), which includes "love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
If the Church is to regain its influence in our present decadent society, perhaps we need to
take another serious look at what Scripture says about Christian character and start putting it into practice.
Christian character is genuinely qualitative.When Jesus said to "have salt in yourselves" He was inviting us to link up to the authentic Source of Taste! The Psalmist put it this way: "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps.34:8). Later, Peter adds: "now that you have tasted that the Lord is good....grow up in your salvation" (I Pet.2:2-3). The most compelling evidence then is demonstrated through what Paul calls "the fruit of the Spirit"(Gal.5:22), which includes "love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
If the Church is to regain its influence in our present decadent society, perhaps we need to
take another serious look at what Scripture says about Christian character and start putting it into practice.
Friday, September 30, 2011
LIVE YOUR PRAYERS
I KNELT TO PRAY WHEN DAY WAS DONE
AND PRAYED, "O LORD, BLESS EVERYONE
LIFT FROM EACH SADDENED HEART THE PAIN
AND LET THE SICK BE WELL AGAIN."
AND THEN I WOKE ANOTHER DAY
AND CARELESSLY WENT ON MY WAY
THE WHOLE DAY LONG I DID NOT TRY
TO WIPE A TEAR FROM ANY EYE.
I DID NOT TRY TO SHARE THE LOAD
OF ANY BROTHER ON THE ROAD
I DID NOT EVEN GO TO SEE
THE SICK MAN JUST NEXT DOOR TO ME.
YET ONCE AGAIN WHEN DAY WAS DONE
I PRAYED, "O LORD, BLESS EVERYONE"
BUT AS I PRAYED, INTO MY EAR
THERE CAME A VOICE THAT WHISPERED CLEAR,
"PAUSE NOW, MY CHILD, BEFORE YOU PRAY
WHOM HAVE YOU TRIED TO BLESS TODAY?
GOD'S SWEETEST BLESSINGS ALWAYS GO
BY HANDS THAT SERVE ME HERE BELOW."
AND THEN I HID MY FACE AND CRIED,
"FORGIVE ME, GOD, I HAVE NOT TRIED
BUT LET ME LIVE ANOTHER DAY
AND I WILL LIVE THE WAY I PRAY."
--AUTHOR UNKNOWN
I KNELT TO PRAY WHEN DAY WAS DONE
AND PRAYED, "O LORD, BLESS EVERYONE
LIFT FROM EACH SADDENED HEART THE PAIN
AND LET THE SICK BE WELL AGAIN."
AND THEN I WOKE ANOTHER DAY
AND CARELESSLY WENT ON MY WAY
THE WHOLE DAY LONG I DID NOT TRY
TO WIPE A TEAR FROM ANY EYE.
I DID NOT TRY TO SHARE THE LOAD
OF ANY BROTHER ON THE ROAD
I DID NOT EVEN GO TO SEE
THE SICK MAN JUST NEXT DOOR TO ME.
YET ONCE AGAIN WHEN DAY WAS DONE
I PRAYED, "O LORD, BLESS EVERYONE"
BUT AS I PRAYED, INTO MY EAR
THERE CAME A VOICE THAT WHISPERED CLEAR,
"PAUSE NOW, MY CHILD, BEFORE YOU PRAY
WHOM HAVE YOU TRIED TO BLESS TODAY?
GOD'S SWEETEST BLESSINGS ALWAYS GO
BY HANDS THAT SERVE ME HERE BELOW."
AND THEN I HID MY FACE AND CRIED,
"FORGIVE ME, GOD, I HAVE NOT TRIED
BUT LET ME LIVE ANOTHER DAY
AND I WILL LIVE THE WAY I PRAY."
--AUTHOR UNKNOWN
WE REAP WHAT WE SOW! WE REAP LATER THAN WE SOW!
WE REAP MORE THAN WE SOW! SO THESE THINGS WE CANNOT DO:
1. Sow bad habits and reap a good character.
2. Sow jealousy and hatred and reap love and friendship
3. Sow wicked throughts and reap a clean life
4. Sow disloyalty and reap loyalty from others
5. Sow dishonesty and reap integrity
6. Sow profanity and reap clean speech
7. Sow disrespect and reap respect
8. Sow deception and reap confidence
9. Sow cowardice and reap courage.
10. Sow neglect of God's Word and grow spiritually
WE REAP MORE THAN WE SOW! SO THESE THINGS WE CANNOT DO:
1. Sow bad habits and reap a good character.
2. Sow jealousy and hatred and reap love and friendship
3. Sow wicked throughts and reap a clean life
4. Sow disloyalty and reap loyalty from others
5. Sow dishonesty and reap integrity
6. Sow profanity and reap clean speech
7. Sow disrespect and reap respect
8. Sow deception and reap confidence
9. Sow cowardice and reap courage.
10. Sow neglect of God's Word and grow spiritually
Thursday, September 29, 2011
HE RANSOMED ME
ONCE I WAS LOST IN DARKNESS BOUND
CHRIST TOUCHED MY HEART, NEW LIFE I FOUND
THE STING OF DEATH FOR ME HE PAID
THE GREATEST PRICE MY RANSOM MADE.
NEW GLORY SHINES IN EVERY PART
SINCE CHRIST MY LORD CAME IN MY HEART.
THE BLACKEST SIN, THE DARKEST NIGHT
IS WIPED AWAY BEFORE HIS SIGHT.
NOW GRACE DIVINE IN EACH DAY'S TASK
FILLS EVERY NEED FOR WHICH I ASK
SINCE I HAVE FOUND THIS GOD ABOVE
I'LL GLADLY SERVE THE LORD I LOVE.
CHORUS
HOW GLAD I AM MY SIN WAS PAID
HOW GLAD I AM A RANSOM MADE
IN JOYOUS PRAISE I NOW CAN SING
TO JESUS CHRIST MY LORD AND KING
--B. Pent
ONCE I WAS LOST IN DARKNESS BOUND
CHRIST TOUCHED MY HEART, NEW LIFE I FOUND
THE STING OF DEATH FOR ME HE PAID
THE GREATEST PRICE MY RANSOM MADE.
NEW GLORY SHINES IN EVERY PART
SINCE CHRIST MY LORD CAME IN MY HEART.
THE BLACKEST SIN, THE DARKEST NIGHT
IS WIPED AWAY BEFORE HIS SIGHT.
NOW GRACE DIVINE IN EACH DAY'S TASK
FILLS EVERY NEED FOR WHICH I ASK
SINCE I HAVE FOUND THIS GOD ABOVE
I'LL GLADLY SERVE THE LORD I LOVE.
CHORUS
HOW GLAD I AM MY SIN WAS PAID
HOW GLAD I AM A RANSOM MADE
IN JOYOUS PRAISE I NOW CAN SING
TO JESUS CHRIST MY LORD AND KING
--B. Pent
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
ONE TRIUNE GOD
TH'ETERNAL TRIUNE GOD IN ONE
IN MYSTERY'S UNION GLORY MEET
AS MORTAL MINDS FIND HARD TO TRACE
THE BLOOD-STAINED PATH OF SAVING GRACE.
BEFORE THE WORLDS WERE EVER FORMED
LOVE'S INCUBATING PLOT WAS BORN
A SPOTLESS LAMB WAS FRAMED IN RED
TO PICTURE CHRIST'S REDEMPTION SHED.
THE PRE-INCARNATE WORD THAT SPOKE
WHEN ALL THE UNIVERSE APPEARED
WITH YAHWEH'S SPIRIT HOVERING NEAR
BECAME IN FLESH THE GODHEAD HERE.
INCOMPREHENSIBLE THE THOUGHT
THAT ONE SO AWESOME TO DESCRIBE
SHOULD STOOP TO FORM A SINLESS BIRTH
BY JOINING GOD IN MAN ON EARTH.
THE GREATEST FORM OF LOVE EXPRESSED
WAS ON A RUGGED CROSS THAT DAY
WHEN AFTER HE HAD OFFERED GRACE
THEY PIERCED HIS HANDS AND MARRED HIS FACE.
YET ONCE AGAIN THE PLAN UNFOLDS
WHEN FROM THE GRAVE GOD'S SON APPEARS
BY CRUSHING DEATH, THE SERPENT'S STING
CHRIST NOW BECOMES THE SOVEREIGN KING.
A RADIANT BRIDE COMPLETES THIS PLOT
WHEN FROM A CLOUD OUR BRIDEGROOM CALLS
THEN AT THE MARRIAGE FEAST WE'LL SEE
THE THREE-AS-ONE, HIS MAJESTY!
---B. PENT
TH'ETERNAL TRIUNE GOD IN ONE
IN MYSTERY'S UNION GLORY MEET
AS MORTAL MINDS FIND HARD TO TRACE
THE BLOOD-STAINED PATH OF SAVING GRACE.
BEFORE THE WORLDS WERE EVER FORMED
LOVE'S INCUBATING PLOT WAS BORN
A SPOTLESS LAMB WAS FRAMED IN RED
TO PICTURE CHRIST'S REDEMPTION SHED.
THE PRE-INCARNATE WORD THAT SPOKE
WHEN ALL THE UNIVERSE APPEARED
WITH YAHWEH'S SPIRIT HOVERING NEAR
BECAME IN FLESH THE GODHEAD HERE.
INCOMPREHENSIBLE THE THOUGHT
THAT ONE SO AWESOME TO DESCRIBE
SHOULD STOOP TO FORM A SINLESS BIRTH
BY JOINING GOD IN MAN ON EARTH.
THE GREATEST FORM OF LOVE EXPRESSED
WAS ON A RUGGED CROSS THAT DAY
WHEN AFTER HE HAD OFFERED GRACE
THEY PIERCED HIS HANDS AND MARRED HIS FACE.
YET ONCE AGAIN THE PLAN UNFOLDS
WHEN FROM THE GRAVE GOD'S SON APPEARS
BY CRUSHING DEATH, THE SERPENT'S STING
CHRIST NOW BECOMES THE SOVEREIGN KING.
A RADIANT BRIDE COMPLETES THIS PLOT
WHEN FROM A CLOUD OUR BRIDEGROOM CALLS
THEN AT THE MARRIAGE FEAST WE'LL SEE
THE THREE-AS-ONE, HIS MAJESTY!
---B. PENT
Friday, August 5, 2011
WHY END IT ALL?
I WANDER THROUGH MY LIFE ALONE
MY HEAD IS SPINNING OUT IN SPACE
I TRY TO FIGURE WHO I AM
BUT PHANTOMS DANCE BEFORE MY FACE.
I TOUCH THE GUN AND SPIN THE CONE
WITH BULLETS STILL INSIDE THEIR BOX
A LINGERING THOUGHT DARTS THROUGH MY BRAIN
ONE LITTLE SHELL AND NO MORE PAIN!
THE DARKENED MYSTERY OF MY PAST
MY FAMILY'S PLAN TO SHRED MY BIRTH
WITHOUT A MOM OR DAD TO SHARE
AND FOSTER HOMES WHO JUST DIDN'T CARE.
IF DRUGS AND SEX COULD SATISFY
THERE WOULD BE REASON TO GO ON
BUT STOLEN CARS AND NIGHT TIME BARS
WAS FODDER FOR MY EMPTY MOAN.
AND THEN ONE NIGHT WHEN I WAS "HIGH"
MY MIND BEGAN TO FLOAT IN SPACE
WHILE OTHER SPIRITS PASSED MY WAY
REPEATING CRIES I COULD NOT TRACE.
SO THIS IS NOT THE END, I MUSED?
WHILE DRIFTING BACK INTO MY MIND
THEN GUILT AND FEAR TORE ME APART
AS I POURED OUT MY BROKEN HEART.
I FOUND THE LETTER GOD WROTE DOWN
THAT JESUS DIED TO SET ME FREE
THE LOVE THAT BROUGHT SALVATION'S PLAN
I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD FOR ME.
I HAVE A MESSAGE FOR MY FRIEND
LIFE HERE ON EARTH IS NOT THE END
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU IN MIND
RECEIVE HIS GIFT, NEW PURPOSE FIND.
--B. Pent
I WANDER THROUGH MY LIFE ALONE
MY HEAD IS SPINNING OUT IN SPACE
I TRY TO FIGURE WHO I AM
BUT PHANTOMS DANCE BEFORE MY FACE.
I TOUCH THE GUN AND SPIN THE CONE
WITH BULLETS STILL INSIDE THEIR BOX
A LINGERING THOUGHT DARTS THROUGH MY BRAIN
ONE LITTLE SHELL AND NO MORE PAIN!
THE DARKENED MYSTERY OF MY PAST
MY FAMILY'S PLAN TO SHRED MY BIRTH
WITHOUT A MOM OR DAD TO SHARE
AND FOSTER HOMES WHO JUST DIDN'T CARE.
IF DRUGS AND SEX COULD SATISFY
THERE WOULD BE REASON TO GO ON
BUT STOLEN CARS AND NIGHT TIME BARS
WAS FODDER FOR MY EMPTY MOAN.
AND THEN ONE NIGHT WHEN I WAS "HIGH"
MY MIND BEGAN TO FLOAT IN SPACE
WHILE OTHER SPIRITS PASSED MY WAY
REPEATING CRIES I COULD NOT TRACE.
SO THIS IS NOT THE END, I MUSED?
WHILE DRIFTING BACK INTO MY MIND
THEN GUILT AND FEAR TORE ME APART
AS I POURED OUT MY BROKEN HEART.
I FOUND THE LETTER GOD WROTE DOWN
THAT JESUS DIED TO SET ME FREE
THE LOVE THAT BROUGHT SALVATION'S PLAN
I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD FOR ME.
I HAVE A MESSAGE FOR MY FRIEND
LIFE HERE ON EARTH IS NOT THE END
GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU IN MIND
RECEIVE HIS GIFT, NEW PURPOSE FIND.
--B. Pent
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
PAIN
Pain knocked upon my door
I did not ask it to come in
Yet suddenly it pushed its way
An uninvited guest within.
I sought for comfort in distress
A balm to ease the ache and pain
But cries for mercy and relief
Were unattended and in vain.
So why this cross of heavy weight
Be given me so weak and frail?
Must this be carried to my grave
Without some purpose to avail?
Twas then a vision came to light
A Man of Sorrows crushed by blows
Was seen with nails and blood-stained brow
So through His stripes real healing flows.
God's every purpose will prevail
His nail-pierced hands reach from above
And those who seek His healing touch
Will find through you His grace and love.
--B. Pent
Pain knocked upon my door
I did not ask it to come in
Yet suddenly it pushed its way
An uninvited guest within.
I sought for comfort in distress
A balm to ease the ache and pain
But cries for mercy and relief
Were unattended and in vain.
So why this cross of heavy weight
Be given me so weak and frail?
Must this be carried to my grave
Without some purpose to avail?
Twas then a vision came to light
A Man of Sorrows crushed by blows
Was seen with nails and blood-stained brow
So through His stripes real healing flows.
God's every purpose will prevail
His nail-pierced hands reach from above
And those who seek His healing touch
Will find through you His grace and love.
--B. Pent
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
ONE LAST FAREWELL
THE TIME HAS COME TO BID FAREWELL
TO SAY ONCE MORE, "I MISS YOU SO!"
IT IS NOT EASY THROUGH THESE TEARS
TO SHAKE THE THOUGHTS OF BYGONE YEARS.
IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY
WE WALKED AND TALKED ALONG LIFE'S PATH
BUT LIKE A CLOUDY MIST THAT FORMS
SOON SPIRITS FLY BEYOND EARTH STORMS.
WHY DOES THIS STING OF DEATH CAUSE PAIN
WHILE BROKEN HEARTS SEEK JOY IN VAIN?
IT IS THE CURSE WHERE SIN TOOK PLACE
WHICH CALVARY'S BLOOD CAN NOW ERASE.
WHEN TIME SO QUICKLY PASSED AWAY
I FAILED TO NOTE THE YEARS GO BY
SO WHEN I HEARD YOUR FLIGHT TOOK PLACE
I LONGED TO SHARE ONE LAST EMBRACE.
NOW MEMRY'S ALL I HAVE TO HOLD
IT IS THE LIGHT THAT MARKS MY PATH
SO WHEN WE MEET ON HEAVEN'S SHORE
TOGETHER WE WILL PART NO MORE.
I WEEP ONCE MORE ABOVE YOUR GRAVE
THE TENT IS ALL YOU'VE LEFT BEHIND
THE GROOM SENT DOWN HIS CHARIOT FLEET
TO JOIN THE BRIDE AT JESUS' FEET.
THE MANSION CHOSEN FOR OUR HOME
CANNOT DESCRIBE THIS AWESOME GIFT
THAT HE'S PREPARED IN GLORY THERE
FOR HIS VICTORIOUS CHURCH TO SHARE.
--B. Pent
THE TIME HAS COME TO BID FAREWELL
TO SAY ONCE MORE, "I MISS YOU SO!"
IT IS NOT EASY THROUGH THESE TEARS
TO SHAKE THE THOUGHTS OF BYGONE YEARS.
IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY
WE WALKED AND TALKED ALONG LIFE'S PATH
BUT LIKE A CLOUDY MIST THAT FORMS
SOON SPIRITS FLY BEYOND EARTH STORMS.
WHY DOES THIS STING OF DEATH CAUSE PAIN
WHILE BROKEN HEARTS SEEK JOY IN VAIN?
IT IS THE CURSE WHERE SIN TOOK PLACE
WHICH CALVARY'S BLOOD CAN NOW ERASE.
WHEN TIME SO QUICKLY PASSED AWAY
I FAILED TO NOTE THE YEARS GO BY
SO WHEN I HEARD YOUR FLIGHT TOOK PLACE
I LONGED TO SHARE ONE LAST EMBRACE.
NOW MEMRY'S ALL I HAVE TO HOLD
IT IS THE LIGHT THAT MARKS MY PATH
SO WHEN WE MEET ON HEAVEN'S SHORE
TOGETHER WE WILL PART NO MORE.
I WEEP ONCE MORE ABOVE YOUR GRAVE
THE TENT IS ALL YOU'VE LEFT BEHIND
THE GROOM SENT DOWN HIS CHARIOT FLEET
TO JOIN THE BRIDE AT JESUS' FEET.
THE MANSION CHOSEN FOR OUR HOME
CANNOT DESCRIBE THIS AWESOME GIFT
THAT HE'S PREPARED IN GLORY THERE
FOR HIS VICTORIOUS CHURCH TO SHARE.
--B. Pent
Monday, June 27, 2011
PAST DREAMS OF A GIRL
SHE CAME TONIGHT AS I SAT ALONE...
THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
AND SHE GAZED AT ME WITH HER EARNEST EYE
AND QUESTIONED REPROACHFULLY:
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE MANY PLANS
AND HOPES I HAD FOR YOU?
THE GREAT CAREER, THE SPLENDID FAME,
ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO?
WHERE IS THE MANSION OF STATELY HEIGHT
WITH ALL ITS GARDENS RARE?
THE SILKEN ROBES THAT I DREAMED FOR YOU
AND THE JEWELS IN YOUR HAIR?
AND AS SHE SPOKE, I WAS VERY SAD
FOR I WANTED HER PLEASED WITH ME...
THIS SLENDER GIRL FROM THE SHADOWY PAST
THE GIRL THAT I USED TO BE.
SO GENTLY RISING, I TOOK HER HAND
AND GUIDED HER UP THE STAIRS
WHERE PEACEFULLY SLEEPING, MY BABIES LAY
INNOCENT, SWEET, AND FAIR.
AND I TOLD HER THAT THESE ARE MY ONLY GEMS,
AND PRECIOUS THEY ARE TO ME;
THAT SILKEN ROBES IN MY MOTHERHOOD
OF COASTLY SIMPLICITY.
AND MY MANSIONS OF STATELY HEIGHT IS LOVE,
AND THE ONLY CAREER I KNOW
IS SERVING EACH DAY IN THESE SHELTERED WALLS
FOR THE DEAR ONES WHO COME AND GO.
AND AS I SPOKE TO MY SHADOWY GUEST,
SHE SMILED THROUGH HER TEARS AT ME.
AND I SAW THE WOMAN THAT I AM NOW
PLEASED THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
--Author unknown
SHE CAME TONIGHT AS I SAT ALONE...
THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
AND SHE GAZED AT ME WITH HER EARNEST EYE
AND QUESTIONED REPROACHFULLY:
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE MANY PLANS
AND HOPES I HAD FOR YOU?
THE GREAT CAREER, THE SPLENDID FAME,
ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO?
WHERE IS THE MANSION OF STATELY HEIGHT
WITH ALL ITS GARDENS RARE?
THE SILKEN ROBES THAT I DREAMED FOR YOU
AND THE JEWELS IN YOUR HAIR?
AND AS SHE SPOKE, I WAS VERY SAD
FOR I WANTED HER PLEASED WITH ME...
THIS SLENDER GIRL FROM THE SHADOWY PAST
THE GIRL THAT I USED TO BE.
SO GENTLY RISING, I TOOK HER HAND
AND GUIDED HER UP THE STAIRS
WHERE PEACEFULLY SLEEPING, MY BABIES LAY
INNOCENT, SWEET, AND FAIR.
AND I TOLD HER THAT THESE ARE MY ONLY GEMS,
AND PRECIOUS THEY ARE TO ME;
THAT SILKEN ROBES IN MY MOTHERHOOD
OF COASTLY SIMPLICITY.
AND MY MANSIONS OF STATELY HEIGHT IS LOVE,
AND THE ONLY CAREER I KNOW
IS SERVING EACH DAY IN THESE SHELTERED WALLS
FOR THE DEAR ONES WHO COME AND GO.
AND AS I SPOKE TO MY SHADOWY GUEST,
SHE SMILED THROUGH HER TEARS AT ME.
AND I SAW THE WOMAN THAT I AM NOW
PLEASED THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
--Author unknown
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Warrior's Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of your Word
so I will not be a victim of Satan
and his demons' lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil
so I will remain pure and holy,
protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel
so Your peace will shine through me
and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of
doubt, denial and deceit
so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You
so Satan will not have a stronghold on my
thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two edged sword of Your Word
be ready in my hands
so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith your warrior has put on
the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day, in spiritual victory!
In His most Holy Name!
Amen
(copied)
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of your Word
so I will not be a victim of Satan
and his demons' lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil
so I will remain pure and holy,
protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel
so Your peace will shine through me
and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of
doubt, denial and deceit
so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You
so Satan will not have a stronghold on my
thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two edged sword of Your Word
be ready in my hands
so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith your warrior has put on
the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day, in spiritual victory!
In His most Holy Name!
Amen
(copied)
Monday, April 25, 2011
WHEN FIRST I SAW YOU!
WHEN FIRST I SAW YOU PASS MY WAY
I COULD NOT HELP A SECOND LOOK
A SUDDEN FLUSH OF RUBY RED
FILLED EVERY CELL FROM NECK TO HEAD.
ANOTHER DAY BY CHANCE I FELT
WHEN YOU BRUSHED BY ME UNAWARE
MY HEARTBEAT THEN BEGAN TO RACE
LIKE FALLING STARS TOO FAST TO TRACE.
ONE DAY THE WIND BLEW THROUGH YOUR HAIR
DID YOU NOT SENSE MY CASUAL STARE?
OR WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON NOBLER THINGS
NOT NEAR TO WHERE MY JOY BEGINS?
THEN ONE DAY WHEN I MET YOUR EYES
THE BREATH OF LOVE SWEPT OVER ME
I TRIED TO GIVE A FAINT HELLO
BUT WORDS WOULD NOT ALLOW IT SO.
THEN PROVIDENCE BROUGHT YOU MY WAY
IT WAS LIKE COMING HOME TO STAY
I FELT YOUR TENDER TOUCH OF LOVE
LIKE SPRINGTIME COOING OF A DOVE.
WHEN CUPID'S ARROW FOUND IT'S MARK
I SOON BEGAN TO FALL APART
THIS WAS NO DREAM I KNEW THAT DAY
YOU WERE THE PRIZE GOD SENT MY WAY.
NOW LIKE A HARVEST FIELD OF GRAIN
WE DANCE LIKE LOVERS IN THE RAIN
FOR JOY THAT BINDS TWO HEARTS AS ONE
CAN NEVER STOP A RACE THAT'S WON!
--B. PENT
WHEN FIRST I SAW YOU PASS MY WAY
I COULD NOT HELP A SECOND LOOK
A SUDDEN FLUSH OF RUBY RED
FILLED EVERY CELL FROM NECK TO HEAD.
ANOTHER DAY BY CHANCE I FELT
WHEN YOU BRUSHED BY ME UNAWARE
MY HEARTBEAT THEN BEGAN TO RACE
LIKE FALLING STARS TOO FAST TO TRACE.
ONE DAY THE WIND BLEW THROUGH YOUR HAIR
DID YOU NOT SENSE MY CASUAL STARE?
OR WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON NOBLER THINGS
NOT NEAR TO WHERE MY JOY BEGINS?
THEN ONE DAY WHEN I MET YOUR EYES
THE BREATH OF LOVE SWEPT OVER ME
I TRIED TO GIVE A FAINT HELLO
BUT WORDS WOULD NOT ALLOW IT SO.
THEN PROVIDENCE BROUGHT YOU MY WAY
IT WAS LIKE COMING HOME TO STAY
I FELT YOUR TENDER TOUCH OF LOVE
LIKE SPRINGTIME COOING OF A DOVE.
WHEN CUPID'S ARROW FOUND IT'S MARK
I SOON BEGAN TO FALL APART
THIS WAS NO DREAM I KNEW THAT DAY
YOU WERE THE PRIZE GOD SENT MY WAY.
NOW LIKE A HARVEST FIELD OF GRAIN
WE DANCE LIKE LOVERS IN THE RAIN
FOR JOY THAT BINDS TWO HEARTS AS ONE
CAN NEVER STOP A RACE THAT'S WON!
--B. PENT
Monday, April 18, 2011
CALVARY’S GUT-WRENCHING CRY!
MY GOD! MY GOD!
WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
WE WALKED SO CLOSE TOGETHER
BUT NOW YOU’RE FACE IN DARKNESS HIDES
MY BROKEN HEART I LIFT TO YOU.
WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
WE WALKED SO CLOSE TOGETHER
BUT NOW YOU’RE FACE IN DARKNESS HIDES
MY BROKEN HEART I LIFT TO YOU.
MY GOD! MY GOD!
THE AGONY OF DEATH IS NEAR
THE MOCKING THRONGS SURROUND ME
I AM A WORM, THE MAN OF SORROWS
MY NAIL-PIERCED HANDS I RAISE TO YOU.
MY GOD! MY GOD!
THIS CUP OF DEATH POURED OUT FOR YOU
HAS DRAINED MY STRENGTH BEYOND COMPARE
BUT IF YOU’RE WRATH FOR SIN IS QUELLED
MY PRECIOUS BLOOD I OFFER NOW.
MY GOD! MY GOD!
I LAY ME IN THE DUST OF DEATH
THE WEIGHT OF SIN HAS BOUND ME
BUT AS THE SERPENT’S HEAD IS CRUSHED
A RANSOMED THRONG WILL PRAISE YOU.
--B. PENT
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
HALLELUJAH! HE IS RISEN!
Night had settled in Judea
Death had claimed the crucified
But the stone rent from its mooring
Where the Son of God was held.
Soldiers kept a careful vigil
Pilate's seal could not be torn
But the power of God descended
On that early Easter morn.
Jesus rose the mighty victor
Death no longer held its prey
Captive souls once held in bondage
Were released on Easter day.
Saints and angels join the chorus
Christ has risen from the dead
Heaven echoes back the story
He has risen as He said.
Chorus
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Christ is risen from the dead
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He has risen as He said.
--B. Pent
Night had settled in Judea
Death had claimed the crucified
But the stone rent from its mooring
Where the Son of God was held.
Soldiers kept a careful vigil
Pilate's seal could not be torn
But the power of God descended
On that early Easter morn.
Jesus rose the mighty victor
Death no longer held its prey
Captive souls once held in bondage
Were released on Easter day.
Saints and angels join the chorus
Christ has risen from the dead
Heaven echoes back the story
He has risen as He said.
Chorus
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Christ is risen from the dead
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He has risen as He said.
--B. Pent
Sunday, March 13, 2011
ZECHARIAH 14 - THE VICTORY OF MESSIAH-KING
THE FINAL ACT UPON LIFE'S STAGE
REVEALS THE BLOODIEST SCENES OF ALL
WHERE DEATH AND CARNAGE, RAPE AND SWORD
ARE MET WITH JUDGMENT FROM THE LORD.
THE ARMIES OF THE WORLD ARE SEEN
AROUND MEGIDDO'S OPEN PLAIN
WHERE REVELATION FORCES MEET
AND SATAN'S PLOT ENDS IN DEFEAT.
AS ANTICHRIST TAKES DAVID'S THRONE
DEMANDING WORSHIP FOR HIS OWN
THE BROKEN COVENANT HE MADE
LEAVES EVERY JEW IN SHOCK AFRAID.
THEN SUDDENLY ALL LIGHTS GROW DIM
THE SUN AND MOON REFUSE TO SHINE
A SPECIAL DAY BURSTS INTO SIGHT
THE BRIDE AND GROOM APPEAR IN WHITE.
THE KING-MESSIAH TAKES HIS STAND
AND WITH ONE BREATH DESTROYS HIS FOES
WHEN EVERY WARRIOR'S FLESH DROPS OFF
IT IS THE LAST OF ISRAEL'S WOES.
THEN SATAN'S REIGN WILL BE REPLACED
A THOUSAND YEARS OF LASTING PEACE
WILL FLOOD THE WORLD FROM ZION'S THRONE
WHERE JESUS CHRIST WILL REIGN ALONE.
JERUSALEM WILL RISE IN HEIGHT
AND ALL THE NATIONS THAT REMAIN
WILL JOIN WITH JEWS TO CELEBRATE
THE PRAISE AND HONOR DUE HIS NAME.
WHEN PROPHECY AND HISTORY MERGE
THE FINAL SCENE WILL END IN TIME
AND HOLINESS WILL BE THE SEAL
BEFORE WHOM EVERYONE WILL KNEEL.
--B. Pent
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. Three major events are described in this last chapter: the Great Tribulation invasion of Jerusalem; the destruction of those Nations
attacking her; and, the establishment of Christ's millennial reign. As you read Daniel 9:27, what event triggers this final battle?
2. What are some of the contributing factors leading to the final Armageddon Battle (vs.1-2)?
3. Verse 4 seems to be connected with the seventh bowl judgment of Revelation 16:18-19. Explain! How might this great earthquake help the
Jewish people during this time?
4. The special "day" described in verses 6-7 is identical to the passage in Matthew 24:29-30. What are some of the things that will make this
particular day so uniquely different from other days? What "day" is he describing and why might the Lord want that "day" to be
uniquely different from any other day that has ever existed?
5. Verse 8 describes a river that flows out of Jerusalem. Is that the same as the one described in Isaiah 35:1,6; Ezekiel 47:1-12 and
Psalm 46:1-4? What is your opinion?
6. In summary: what will happen when Jesus returns to earth again? Describe some of the major events. What will happen to the
Antichrist, false prophet and Satan? What part does Israel and the Church play during the Millennial Kingdom? What then should
we live in the light of these world-shaking events?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
ZECHARIAH 12-13 - THE WARRIOR KING APPEARS
A SUDDEN BURST OF LIGHT APPEARS
A HUSH OF AWE SURROUNDS THE STAGE
AS YAHWEH TAKES THE LEADING ROLE
IN HISTORY'S LAST PROPHETIC PAGE.
THE WARRIOR -KING STEPS FROM HIS THRONE
AS HE REVEALS THE BATTLE PLAN
THE NATIONS GATHER TO DESTROY
THE JEWISH RACE FROM OFF THEIR LAND.
THE "DAY" DESCRIBED BY PROPHETS PAST
TAKE SEVEN YEARS TO BE FULFILLED
AS ANTI-JEWISH FORCES JOIN
AT ARMAGEDDON'S BATTLE FIELD.
THE SIEGE SURROUNDING ZION'S HILL
WILL BE A ROCK THAT CANNOT MOVE
AS HORSE AND RIDER SEEM CONFUSED
LIKE DRUNKARDS IN A STUPOR MOOD.
THE MIGHTY GOD WILL BE REVEALED
THOUGH JUDAH'S ARMY IS SO SMALL
THEY WILL BECOME A FLAMING TORCH
AND HEAR THE PROMISED VICTORY CALL.
THE HEBREW RACE HAS YET TO TURN
FROM UNBELIEF TO GOD ALONE
FOR BLINDNESS STILL IN PART REMAINS
UNTIL THEY CLAIM THEIR HISTORY'S SHAME.
BUT WHEN THE VEIL OF UNBELIEF
IS TORN AWAY BY CHRIST'S RETURN
REPENTANT JEWS WILL TURN FROM SIN
AND CLAIM THE ONE THEY PIERCED AS KING.
BUT JUST BEFORE THE TRUMPET SOUNDS
THE ANTICHRIST WILL DO HIS BEST
TO KILL THE SEED OF JUDAH'S RACE
UNTIL ONE THIRD ARE LEFT IN PLACE.
IN PREPARATION FOR HIS REIGN
MESSIAH'S REMNANT WILL GO THROUGH
THE TEST OF THOSE REFINED BY FIRE
TO SERVE AS PRIESTS IN WHITE ATTIRE.
--B. Pent
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. The last three chapters takes a leap into the future at Christ's return to earth. How does chapter 12:1-3 describe Jerusalem in the final Armageddon conflict? When and where does it take place?
2. Seven times the expression "in that day" is mentioned. What might this repetition suggest about this particular "day?"
3. What crisis event is happening to Judah that drives their attention God-ward and what is their response (vs.10-14)?"
4. Chapter 13 describes the process in Israel's cleansing. How are some of those ways used according to verses 1-6?
5. What tragic evens take place in this final refining process that prepares the remaining remnant to serve with Messiah during His millennial kingdom (vs.7-13)?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
ZECHARIAH 10-11 - TWO SHEPHERDS COMPARED
THE TEMPLE PLANS WERE NOW COMPLETE
SOME TIME HAD LAPSED BUT THEY FORGOT
THAT YAHWEH WAS THEIR SHEPHERD GUIDE
AND ALL THEIR NEEDS HE HAD SUPPLIED.
FALSE SHEPHERDS SOON BEGAN TO LEAD
AND OTHER GOD'S DID INTERCEDE
LIKE WONDERING SHEEP THEY WENT ASTRAY
BECAUSE THEY SOUGHT DIVINER'S WAY.
GOD'S SHEPHERD HEART WAS THEN REVEALED
THE NATURE OF HIS LOVE EXPLAINED
HIS TRUTH WOULD TRIUMPH IN THE END
SO THAT THROUGH HIM THEY COULD DEPEND.
HE IS THE CORNERSTONE OF FAITH
THE PEG THAT STABILIZES TRUTH
THE BATTLE BOW THAT CONQUERS SIN
THE PROMISE OF DECISIVE WIN.
THE WONDERING TRIBES OF ISRAEL STILL
HAVE BLINDED EYES THAT CANNOT SEE
AND YET HE LONGS TO DO HIS PART
IF THEY RETURN WITH CONTRITE HEART.
THE SHEPHERD CALLS HIS WONDERING SHEEP
FROM DISTANT SHORES BEYOND THEIR REACH
SO ALL THEIR CHILDREN COULD RETURN
AND FINALLY REACH THEIR NATIVE HOME.
THOUGH TRIBULATION TRIALS COME
LIKE SURGING WAVES OF WAR AND DEATH
THE ARM OF YAHWEH WILL ARISE
AND GRANT TO THEM THE VICTOR'S PRIZE.
BUT SAD THE STORY QUICKLY SHOWS
HOW SOON THE SUN THAT HARDENS CLAY
CAN TURN THE BLESSINGS HAVEN SENDS
TO GRANITE HEARTS THAT WON'T OBEY.
THE DOORS OF TROUBLE SOON APPEAR
LIKE FIRE DESTROYING HARVEST GRAIN
AS WAILING SHEPHERDS LOOSE THEIR FLOCK
BECAUSE THEIR IS NO LONGER RAIN.
THEN ZECHARIAH WALKED ON STAGE
TO ILLUSTRATE GOD'S ACTIVE PART
HE TOOK A SHEPHERD'S ROD AND STAFF
SO THEY COULD FEEL HIS LOVING HEART.
BUT WICKED SHEPHERDS TOOK THEIR STAND
WITH SCRIBES AND PRIEST'S DECEPTIVE PLAN
THE PRICE OF 30 COINS THEY TOSSED
BY NAILING CHRIST UPON THE CROSS.
SO WHEN THE ROMAN TROOPS ARRIVED
THE BROKEN STAFF GOD SYMBOLIZED
BECAME THE NATION'S BATTLE BLOWS
AS ANTI SEMITE HATRED SHOWS.
YET ONE LAST SHEPHERD FILLS THE STAGE
WHO LOOKS MORE LIKE A BEAST WITH RAGE
BUT WHEN MESSIAH'S KING RETURNS
THIS ARMAGEDDON SHEPHERD BURNS.
--B.PENT
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. The Temple was completed and sacrifices were resumed but instead of seeking the Lord what do verses 1-2 whose counsel were they
following and why? What warning does that trigger for us as Christians? Explain
2. In verses 3-8, Yahweh expresses His longing to Shepherd Israel in spite of their apostasy. What are some of the promises He makes
to them and what comfort would that have been to those remaining faithful to Him?
3. Verses 9-12 tells of trouble ahead and their being scattered among the Gentile nations. Can you recall some of those times in the past
and what is yet ahead for them during the Great Tribulation?
4. Chapter 11:1-3 opens with metaphors that suggest destruction and devastation for Israel. In context it seems to point the Roman
invasion under Titus. What picture did Jesus give in Matthew 24 of Jerusalem and its Temple during that time?
5. The rest of this chapter describes the Good shepherds and the false shepherd. Can you briefly describe each shepherd and according
to verses 12-13 what they finally do to the Good Shepherd?
6. In verses 15-17, Zechariah takes a leap into the distant Tribulation period. How is the false shepherd described and how does it end?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Zechariah 9:1-17 -- TWO KINGS REVEALED
THE SECOND ACT ONCE MORE BEGINS
WITH SCENES FAR DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE
TWO MIGHTY KINGS APPEAR ON STAGE
ALONG THE ROUTE TO ISRAEL'S SHORE.
THE FIRST LOOKED LIKE A FIERCE-HORNED GOAT
A GRECIAN KING OF YOUTHFUL AGE
DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT
WITH UNRELENTING MIGHT AND RAGE.
THE YOUNG COMMANDER ROSE IN STRENGTH
BY CRUSHING PERSIA'S NORTHERN FLANK
THEN SYRIA, TYRE AND SOUTHERN TOWNS
BECAME THE TROPHIES OF HIS RANK.
WHEN ALEXANDER'S FORCES MET
OUTSIDE JERUSALEM'S HOLY LAND
A MIRACLE FROM HISTORY CAME
THE VISION OF GOD'S WARNING HAND.
THE HIGH PRIEST WITH EACH MAN IN WHITE
MARCHED OUT TO MEET THE COMING KING
BUT THROUGH A VISION YAHWEH GAVE
THE LAND WAS SPARED FROM CONQUERING.
YET ISRAEL FAILED TO UNDERSTAND
THE WAY TO FREEDOM WAS MUCH MORE
THAN CASTING OFF THE YOKE OF ROME
BY SOME MESSIAH OF THEIR OWN.
THE PROPHET SAW A SECOND KING
WHO RODE UPON A DONKEY'S COLT
HIS HUMBLE BIRTH FROM DAVID'S LINE
GAVE PROOF HE WAS THE LORD DIVINE.
BUT ISRAEL IN THEIR IGNORANCE THOUGHT
A MILITARY PRINCE WOULD COME
SO WHEN HOSANNA SONGS GAVE PRAISE
THE CRIES OF "CRUCIFY" WERE RAISED.
BUT ZECHARIAH VIEWED A DAY
FULFILLING PROMISES GOD MADE
THAT AFTER "JACOB'S TROUBLED" DAYS
MESSIAH'S KING WOULD COME ABLAZE.
THE BRANCH FROM JUDAH'S PROMISED LINE
WILL REIGN IN REGAL MAJESTY
AND GRAFTED ISRAEL WILL SHINE FORTH
AS HIS CROWNED JEWELS OF ROYALTY.
THEN DESERT LANDS WILL BLOOM AGAIN
AND PEACE THE GIFT FOR EVERY MAN
FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS HIS ALONE
WHO SITS AND REIGNS FROM ZION'S THRONE.
--B. PENT
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. The word "oracle/burden" means "to bear" and signifies something heavy or burdensome. What may have been some reasons for the use of
this word?
2. The first 8 verses indicate battles and destruction taking place all around Israel and later in verse 13 Greece is mentioned as a part of it. As
you read Daniel 7:6 and 8:5-7 Alexander the Great is described as a four-headed leopard with wings and a strong he-goat. What kind of
picture is conjured up in your mind after reading these verses? what fear may have gripped their hearts as he was nearing Jerusalem?
3. What affect did Alexander's conquests have on the future expansion of the Gospel in the first century?
4. Verses 9-10 describe the coming of another King. Why does Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a colt instead of a horse? Wouldn't that seem
odd in view of Israel's Messianic expectation? What confusion might have entered their minds after reading verse 10?
5. The "blood covenant" mentioned in verse 11 goes back to his unconditional promise made to Abraham and his seed in Genesis 15:1-10.
The rest of this chapter jumps from Greece to the dark, war days of Armageddon (vs.14-15) and the personal return of Christ (vs.16-17).
What comfort or encouragement would this give to this small returned remnant as they faced present and future struggles as a Nation?
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