CHRIST OR ANTI-CHRIST

The New Year stands before us

The signs speak loud and clear

The end-time is upon us

The choice you make is here.

The prophets tell of trouble

Of Nations in distress

With war and famines growing

Of death and loneliness.

Ten Nations, Daniel tells us

Will form a single head

And one will try to charm us

By rising from the dead.

The Beast will form a treaty

With Jew and Arabs, too

And all the world will wonder

“Can lasting peace be true?”

Then from the Temple throne

The antichrist will speak

As Armageddon forces

Around Jerusalem meet.

The sun will then grow dimmer

The moon will hide its face

As angels pour out judgment

Upon the human race.

A choice demands an answer

You cannot neutral be

Its either Christ or Satan

That marks your destiny.

B. Pent

THE INN KEEPER

The Keeper missed it all!

It was a busy time, you know

With weary travelers needing rest

The Inn was full, he did his best.

The knock seemed out of place

“No vacancy” was clear to all

There was no room left anywhere

For Nazareth folk for him to share.

A noise was heard next door!

The lowing sheep and cattle stall

Was found to be the only place

For God's dear Son to find a space.

The Virgin soon gave birth

Upon a dirty stable floor

The Baby's cry was heard that night

While angels bathed the earth in light.

The Keeper missed it all!

The promised King had come to earth!

Had he but known, would he have shared

Some little space? Would he have cared?

Yet Christmas comes again

And yuletide music fills the air

Stop long enough to hear His voice

He knocks and waits! Make Him your choice.

B. Pent

BETHLEHEM'S CRY

It took nine months before that cry was heard!

The strangers could not find a room that night

Yet labor pains had forced them from the Inn

To find a stable bed to birth a King.

The Virgin Mary wiped His tears away

While Joseph cleaned the stable cave that day

The Baby's cry once heard on Christmas morn

Foreshadowed days His heart for man was torn.

One day beside the tomb of His dear friend

The Savior wept because of sin's dread curse

He later cried when Judah turned from grace

By spewing hate upon His thorn crowned face.

On Calvary's hill a painful cry was heard

“Oh! why have You forsaken Me, My God?”

Another cry soon echoed through the night

“Tetelestai! then Satan fled from sight.

One final cry will shake the world again

The Lord Himself from heav'n to earth descend

The Church in White will rise to meet the Groom

His promise to return is very soon.

B. Pent

THE GIFT

A thousand gifts may come your way

To bring you joy this Christmas day

With brilliant lights around the tree

For every boy and girl to see.

Yet if you miss the One who came

There is no joy that will remain.

Sweet carols fill the ethereal sky

Like angel choirs once sang on high

Of peace on earth to every man

While Christmas memories fill the land.

But fear can tear the life apart

If Christ no longer rules the heart.

As busy shoppers seek to find

The perfect gift with love in mind

A voice breaks through life’s empty space

“Give Christ a chance to fill its place!”

For if you fail to crown Him King

There is no lasting peace within.

God’s greatest Gift came down to earth

So we can have redemption’s birth

He is enough, so please take heed

Receive His Son, that’s all you need.

Then you will find fulfilled in Him

Life’s deepest joy without, within

--B. Pent

THE STAR APPEARED

The star appeared! The eastern sky

Burst from its lair as if to shout:

“A Light has dawned! The Day is come!

Prepare the way to birth a Son!”

Before the ages came to be

Eternal plans were set in place

The prophets had foretold His Birth

God's special Gift to men on earth.

The Virgin Mary then was told

That Deity would fill her womb

The Word in flesh became a Son

Emanuel, the promised One!

The shepherds heard the angels sing

That Jesus was that new born King

Then wise men later saw the star

And came to worship from afar.

“Behold the Lamb of God!” claimed John

Whose blood took on the sinner's curse

Is now the offer of His grace

To every child of Adam's race.

The Star of David is that Light

Who is the Source of truth and life

“Come unto Me” He calls today

He'll walk beside you all the way.

B. Pent

MYSTERY MOMENTS

Mystery moments are the gemstones

That are found by searching hearts

Digging deep within the mine shafts

Of God's Word in all its parts.

Genesis through Revelation

Holds the key each wonder shares

From the mystery of creation

To God's call from earthly cares.

Eden's mystery tells the story

Of the chasm caused by sin

And the promise of a Savior

That would offer peace within.

Priest and prophets shared their vision

Of Messiah's virgin birth

Of His death and resurrection

His return again to earth.

Yet the story most intriguing

Is the mystery of the Church

His indwelling holy Presence

With its waiting Bride on earth.

Heaven's Bridegroom is the Savior

Who laid down His life for you

You can have a mystery moment

If you trust the Savior too.

B. Pent

THE EMPTY THRONE

The trumpet alerted the angels to come

To gather together before the White Throne

The Father announced a miraculous plan

That Jesus would take on the flesh of a man.

Amazement and wonder were seen in their eyes

A virgin would birth heaven's infinite Prize

The ones who were chosen to break the Good News

Appeared to some shepherds, the lowliest of Jews.

“All Glory to God!” was the theme of their song

Lasting peace, was the Gift awaited so long

Emanuel’s coming to Bethlehem's stall

Was God's only Son with salvation for all.

The shepherds and magi who worshiped this King

Saw Him as Messiah; their freedom He'd bring

The path from the stable was marked by a cross

They did not see then, how much it would cost!

While angels rejoiced at the birth of God's Son

Redemption for man through His death would be won

Each sinner partaking the Savior's new birth

Brings praise from the angels in heaven and earth.

B. Pent

IN HIS PRESENCE

Holy Father, in your Presence

Where all pretense flees from sight

Free the guilt of sin that binds me

Bathe me in Shekinah Light.

Holy Jesus torn asunder

For my sin Your blood atone

Let the crimson Fountain wash me

Offering praise to You alone.

Holy Spirit fill this vessel

Let pure worship flood each part

So in joyful, glad surrender

All true praise flows from my heart.

Holy is the ground I stand on

Sweetest praise I offer now

Lifting heart-filled adoration

Jesus Lord before You bow.

B. Pent

HOME AT LAST!

The clock of time that filled my days

With gifts of pain combined with praise

Were heaven's thorns to lead my path

To where sweet flowers always last.

Paintings of birds and boats off shore

The home I've loved, I've traded for

The sounds and sights beyond compare

A place my Savior planned with care.

I heard the songs the angels sing

I felt the stirring of their wings

I wish you could have seen that sight

While heading Home; my upward flight!

I saw the lights within the Gate

The call to come! I could not wait!

For in the endless arms of grace

I felt a welcome to that Place.

The curse of death has been removed

All tears have ceased to flow today

Now in the presence of the King

I have no need for anything.

--B. Pent

COMMUNICATING GOD'S LOVE

(Through the lens of I Corinthians 13)

If I could speak with the tongues

   of impeccable elocution and oratorical perfection

   but fail to communicate

I'm a tool of confusion and a threat to dialogue.

Though I master the English language

   reflecting the eloquence of Cicero

   or capturing a breath of Shakespearean splendor

And though I have faith

   the mountains of verbal and non-verbal prejudice be removed 

   but don't lovingly communicate, I'll get nowhere!

If I share my knowledge with the ignorant

   and spend a lifetime delivering flowery speeches

   but don't communicate,

I haven't gained a thing.

Actually, communicating with people begins:

   with patience – learning the art of good listening

   with kindness – not rudely interrupting.

Never forcing your own ideas 

        or repelling the opinion of others.

Effective communication shows up:

   in accepting people for who they are

   in listening to what is said

        without making them feel stupid for bringing it up

And empathetically trying to understand their feelings.

Communication shows real concern:

   when someone else is talking

   is glad when a constructive idea is presented

And works toward a correct syllogism

     through a mutual exchange of ideas.

Communication involves:

   pooling all suggested ideas

   recognizing individual effort in the process

   being sensitive to the Spirit's timing in concluding the matter.

Real communication never ends:

   as for poor attitudes 

       they will hinder and break down communication

   as for catchy phrases or vague generalities 

       they will not hold up

   as for meaningless cliches – they will fade away.

My words, thoughts and actions since childhood

   are but faint memories now that I'm maturing

   even though I tend to see issues 

        through the mirrored reflections of selfishness

But with God's help change is possible!

Now I only piece the communication puzzle as I see it

   but in time I'll understand it better

   just as God perfectly understands

   and lovingly communicates to me.

So then:

   correct words may influence the mind

   and patiently sharing, can motivate the listener

   but only loving communication can change a life.

--B. Pent

CHRIST'S COMMAND TO LOVE

     In his book Why Am I Afraid To Love, John Powell tells about a Jew named Mike Gold who was the philosopher of American Communism in the 1920's.  After communism fell into general disrepute in this country, Mike Gold became a man of oblivion.  During that time he wrote a book about his life.  In describing his childhood in New York City, Mike tells of his mother's instructions never to wander beyond four certain streets.  She could not tell him that it was a Jewish ghetto, nor that he had the wrong kind of blood in his veins.  Children don't understand prejudice.  It is a poison that must gradually seep into a person's blood.

     In his narration, Mike Gold tells of the day curiosity lured him beyond the four streets, outside of his ghetto, and how he was accosted by a group of older boys who asked him a puzzling question: "Hey kid, are you a kike?"  "I don't know" was his reply.  He had never heard the word before.  The older boys came back with a paraphrase of their questions.  "Are you a Christ-killer?"  Again, the small boy responded, "I don't know."  He had never heard that word before.  So the older boys asked him where he lived, and trained like most small boys to recite their address in the case of being lost, Mike Gold told them where he lived.  "So you are a kike, you are a Christ-killer.  We're going to teach you to stay where you belong!"  And so they beat the little boy, blooded his face and tore his clothes and sent him home to the jeering litany: :We are Christians and you killed Christ!  Stay where you belong!  We are Christians, and you killed Christ..."

     John Powell then tells what happened after he got home, and years later.  When his frightened mother saw Mike Gold, she asked him: "What happened to you, Mike?"  He could only answer: "I don't know."  "Who did this to you, Mike?"  Again he answered: "I don't know."  And so the mother washed the blood from the face of her little boy and put him into fresh clothes and took him into her lap as she sat in a rocker trying to soothe him.  Mike Gold recalled so much later in life that he raised his small battered lips to the ear of his mother and asked: "Mama, who is Christ?"

     Mike Gold died in 1967.  His last meals were taken at a Catholic Charity house in New York City, run by Dorothy Day.  She once said of him: "Mike Gold eats every day at the table of Christ, but he will probably never accept Him because of the day he first heard His name."  And so Mike Gold died!

LIGHTED TO SHINE

 There is a strange substance in chemistry known as selenium.  When placed in the dark, it serves as an insulator and electricity cannot pass through it.  But as soon as light is flashed upon it, it becomes a conductor and an electric current can flow through it. Jesus stated in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."Then He commanded us to: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt.5:16).  In God's world, you and I are just like a piece of selenium.  If we stay in the dark and do not allow the Light of Christ to shine upon us, we become insulators.  No current of love will be able to flow through us and the world will not see the Christ!  But as soon as we subject ourselves to His Light, we become conductors of God's love in a dark world.  I fear the Christian today has become more of an insulator than a conductor of Light.  We seem to be more concerned about our buildings or our man-made creeds than about bringing others to a saving faith in Christ.

     Canon Weded tells a parable of a lifesaving station.  It was established on a dangerous seacoast where many ships had been wrecked.  Again and again its brave volunteers went into dangerous waves to rescue many from drowning.  Often those who were saved joined the corps and, as it grew, it put up sheds for its boats and a shelter for those pulled from the sea.  Later, it erected a building where the victims of shipwreck could be made more comfortable.  The members took great pride in their building. So they added eating facilities, game rooms and a lounge.  As the station grew in prestige, others wanted to join.

     In time, the members hired workers to do the lifesaving while they kept up the facilities.  One day the members met and decided to discontinue the station's lifesaving feature altogether.  They wanted it to become more of a club-like atmosphere.  But a number of them protested, arguing that they had abandoned their primary objective of saving lives.  So they resigned and started a real lifesaving station down the coast. But as the years passed, the new station went through the same development until another group pulled out and started over. 

     If you visit that seacoast today, you will find a whole series of exclusive clubs, up and down the shore.  None of these clubs have much interest in lifesaving any more, although there are still many shipwrecks in those waters needing lifesavers.

     Philip Bliss penned these words: "Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; some poor sailor tempest tossed, trying now to make the harbor, in the darkness may be lost."  The world has lost the faith because the Church has lost its fire. We have been Lighted to Shine by the Light of Life.

      Let us seek once again to be re- ignited by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) so we might bring the Light of Life to this sin-dark world.   

      

THEN FREEDOM CAME!

Once I stood in grave clothes

Bound by sin and shame

Then the voice of Jesus echoed

“Loose those chains!” then freedom came!

All at once its grip was broken

Satan’s power no longer ruled

Sin had lost its claim upon me

On redemption’s Rock I stood.

Heaven’s Light burst all around me

Sin’s dark shadow hid its face

All the past was now forgiven

In the fullness of His grace.

Then the shouts of victory sounded

Songs of praise were lifted high

As the cross of Jesus conquered

Hallelujah’s filled the sky!

---B. Pent

NO WOUND OR SCAR?

The Soldier stood before the Captain of the Guard

The wounded lay between the living and the dead

The battlefield was marked by stains of blood from war

Now only memories follow those still left on shore.

Their graves are marked with epitaphs on marbled stone,

And every year the tears still fall in silent groans

The Purple Heart was his, not ours to hold with pride

He is the hero in the grave who fought and died!

The Captain of the Guard then spoke in accent clear

“Where did you go when bugle called to face the foe?”

The Soldier, trembling answered, that he ran away

He was afraid of fatal wounds or scars that day.

Just then there flashed across the Eastern sky, a Cross,

The scars of Battle could be seen on hands and side

The Captain bore those wounds in love for you and me

So through His death enslaved mankind could be set free.

We are the Soldiers that are called to fight the Foe

It is for each to use the Sword while here below

The question that disturbs and moves my heart by far

Is what we'll tell Him if we have no wound or scar!

--B. Pent

ONE LIFE TO LIVE

As we reflect on how our lives are spent

How golden years like mist soon disappear

The talents given us as gifts to serve

Were meant to lift man’s burdens and give cheer.

The footprints left along the shores of time

With youthful hopes like castles in the sand

If unfulfilled – are only empty dreams

Without true purpose placed within our hand.

So transient is our pilgrimage below

And God has given limits to our days

A second chance is not within our grasp

Since deeds of love are ours to bring Him praise.

Review your life before the Reaper calls

Don't let regrets enslave you to the past

Live daily with eternity in view

For faithful service done for Christ will last.

--B. Pent

TO SING AGAIN

The winter's chill seems here to stay

The sound of joy has taken flight

The sun that once shown bright and clear

Has given way to shades of night.

The wounds are deep that pierce the soul

The cooing of the Dove is gone

The empty space that once was filled

No longer hears the blue bird's song.

How can one find the road back home

Where music calls the heart to dance?

When will the birds begin to sing

So Spring is not a game of chance?

The summer rays that warm the soul

Are Spirit borne on wings of praise

Just trust the One Whose promise stands

His music will renew your days.

--B. Pent

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE

In blazing light an awesome sight!

A throne appears in dazzling white.

It is no dream that goes away

As one awakes the light of day.

No demon there now locked in Hell

Can take the blame for Adam’s shame.

Yet in that throng where myriads stand

God's justice must His law demand.

So from that Throne a voice speaks clear

Re-echoing forth for all to hear!

In bright array the Lamb is seen

With nail-scared hands so pure and clean.

Then He Himself like thunder speaks!

As man in fear excuses seeks.

The question asked for all who come:

“What have you done with Christ, God's Son?”

The wrenching cries can then be heard

Man's stubborn will rejects His Word.

Consuming flames, sulfuric Lake

All who refuse will there partake.

--B. Pent

A REBEL HEART

A drifter through life

A rebel at heart

A beggar through time

Alone from the start.

All thoughts are on self

Roulette is the game

The dice is the gamble

No thought and no shame.

The goal? instant pleasure

The moment is here

Postponing of payment

A heart without fear.

The will is the master

Unyielding and proud

Refusing to listen

Unbroken and loud

Enslaving the soul

The darkness: its cell!

Demanding a toll

Hard heart-ed as hell.

The spirit unbending

Refusing to hear

The call to surrender

No conscience or fear.

The morning is coming

When judgment demands

The payment for waiting

Eternally damned!

--B. Pent

THE OLD OAK TREE

I look out my window

And see the oak tree

So strong and unbending

Deep rooted and free.

The winds of Northeaster

That blew in the Fall

Have stolen the beauty

Few leaves left at all!

The snow now has covered

The ground where it stands

Yet branches reach outward

With uplifted hands.

I see a leaf clinging

So cold and alone

Still wanting a reason

For staying so long.

The sun seems to whisper

That soon Spring will come

The warmth will awaken

A new day begun.

The sap is all ready

To flow through the trees

The summer is calling

“Come shade us with leaves!”

--B. Pent

SURPRISED BY JOY!

JOY met HAPPINESS one day

Along the rock-strewn path of life

The answer they both sought to find

Was how to gain real peace of mind.

Each one was given time to choose

In trials that would test their faith

The daily strength that JOY embraced

Was trusting God's fulfilling grace.

But verdant fields drew HAPPINESS

Where earthly toys and pleasures lay

The search for gain and earthly store

Became the quest for wanting more.

When time began to test the soul

While facing pressures all around

Their choice revealed if trust and faith

Was found in God's abundant grace.

JOY early learned to trust God's Word

Whose promise He would always keep

If heaven's kingdom became first

He then would quench all earthly thirst.

By chance they met another day.

The searching heart of HAPPINESS

Expressed a need to find a way

To fill that void that leads astray.

God's simple plan was then revealed

For earthly things that weigh the soul.

JOY fills the vacuum of each heart

Where Christ becomes a living part.

--B. Pent

HE'LL CARRY YOU!

Today you walk life's path alone

And sorrow tempts your heart to fear

Your shattered dreams drive faith from sight

While in the dark you seek for light.

God feels your pain! He sees your tears!

It is the cross He chose for you

He'll help you bear the strain and stress

While passing through this wilderness.

He is the Rock on which to stand

His Word, the Light that marks the way

His promised peace will rule your heart

As faithfully you do your part.

So ask Him now to light your path

Your night will yield a brighter day

He'll carry you with gentle hand

As you fulfill His perfect plan.

--B. Pent

POETRY DEFINED

"Poetry is when emotion has found its thought and the    thought has found its words" (Robert Frost)

"Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks" 
 (Plutarc)


"Poetry is an echo asking a shadow to dance" 
 (Carl Sandberg)


"Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words"
(Edger Alan Poe)

ONE SCARY NIGHT !

       (Daniel 2 & 7)

Were you ever asleep

and awoke with a start

by a dream that seemed real

with some monster at your heel?

With a sudden surprise

as I opened my eyes

some giant-like screen

dropped down from the skies.

I sat there amazed

like a vision ablaze

there were beasts coming near

and I shuddered with fear.

there were lions and bears

with a leopard around

yet no one to rescue

no help to be found.

Then a monster-like Beast

indescribably cruel

with ten horns on it head

arose to its feet

and like Rome with its iron

in league with the clay

it was weakened in strength

and began to decay.

Looking closer I found

in the midst of its horns

a master-deceiver

proclaimed as the Christ

arose from this vision

like a demon from hell

and with wondrous signs

began to foretell

The world was amazed

that this leader from Rome

could so quickly arise

to Europe's gold throne

but a treaty of peace

was signed with the Jews

and the Temple was built

with deception it's ruse.

Then a Dragon was seen

with its fury unleashed

with destruction and death

causing pain and distress

knowing soon his demise

would reveal his disguise

with the kingdoms of earth

giving way to new birth.

Then a Stone could be seen

rolling down from a cliff

making scum of this Frame

bringing Nations to shame

for the word of His mouth

will make dust of this clod

and the earth will give birth

to the kingdom of God.

Then the heavens rejoiced

as the King took His throne

with the Bride at His side

who in Christ did atone

for a thousand year reign

the rule of His peace

will spread through the earth

and all wars will then cease.

--B. Pent