I DREAMT I MET JESUS

              (written at age 20)
I had a dream the other night
It was an awesome dreadful sight
I dreamt that I was standing there
With Christ my Savior in the air.

I looked at Him with glistening eyes
While waiting to receive a prize
For all the things I'd ever done
Since I, at last, had thought I'd won.

Oh yes, I too, had preached the Word
It was my calling from the Lord
I waved the banner of the cross
And tried to count all things but loss.

Then after telling all I'd done
I waited for His blest "Well Done!"
To see a smile from His face
Redeemed by His eternal grace!

"Speak now," My Lord, "I did my part
To do Your will with all my heart
I worked and labored every day
And tried my best to watch and pray!"

But then my Savior looked at me
With loving eyes so tenderly
As I fell down before His throne
As if just I were there alone!

A tear fell from His thorn-crown face
Revealing pride in my life's race
The lack of love for others shown
The souls I failed to lead toward Home.

I never learned the secret there
To fellowship with God in prayer
To let the Spirit's fullness dwell
With self control, abiding there.

The biggest downfall was that "I"
I never learned to yield and die
To my own selfish right of way
And let Him have His sovereign way.

He asked me for the precious "jewels"
That I had vowed to bring Him praise 
But only stubble, wood and hay
Was all I brought to Him that Day!

"Oh blessed Lord, what Have I done
The race on earth in vain I've run?"
And so I stood with uncrowned head
And not a word to me was said.

Like rivers from a mighty stream
My tears fell down before His throne
But tenderly He wiped them all
And since that day not one did fall.

And soon my troubled heart awoke
And on my knees to Him I spoke.
"Hence forth, I yield myself to Thee
To reign as Lord, complete in me!"

"Lord, help me walk from day to day
In such a self forgetful way
That folks around might ever see
Your beauty, Lord, revealed in me."

And then when life on earth is o'er
And I shall finally reach that Shore
I'll hear "Well Done" from Your dear face
Transformed by Your redeeming grace."
B. Pent

THE NEW YEAR:2017

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 Jews and Arabs, too
And all the world will wonder
"Can lasting peace be true?"

Then from the Temple throne
The anti-Christ 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
It's 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

THE BABY

 When Joseph took Mary, the news spread around:
"Adulterous behavior degrades our small town!"
Explaining the wonder the prophet's foretold
Was nothing but banter, deceitful and bold.

But Two types of blood did combined in her womb
So every lost sinner be rescued from doom
The embryo carried God's unblemished Seed
While Mary's blood carried the curse of sin's deed.

A Bethlehem stable was Jesus' first home
The animal crib was the seat of His throne 
Amazement was felt as they looked on His face
His eyes full of love glowed with mercy and grace.

The shepherds who saw Him gave glory to God
The Wise Men, in worship, gave honor and laud   
This Christmas, in honor to Jesus the King
Receive His Salvation, redemption from sin.
B. Pent                    

THE CARPENTER

Disappointment and tears could be seen in his face
As he wrestled alone in despair and disgrace
The news Mary shared was too hard to believe
The child, she said, was divinely conceived.                                                     
The Torah made clear the demand she could face    
With a verdict of guilt her demise would take place
But love for his bride turned from justice to grace 
So a quiet divorce was the choice put in place.

His burden weighed heavy far into the night
When suddenly an angel appeared within sight
"Fear not to take Mary, the Child she holds
Is placed there by God as the prophet's foretold."

So Joseph took Mary and made her his wife
Who later birthed Jesus God's free Gift of Life
His death on the cross made atonement for sin        
And all who receive Him find Peace deep within.
B. Pent

THE VIRGIN

 Mary was filled with excitement that day
Joseph had pledged they would faithfully stay
Building a home he had vowed to prepare
Planning a marriage one day they would share. 

Early one morning while sitting alone
An angel appeared from God's holy Throne  
Fear gripped her heart as she looked in his face
Gabriel announced: "You're a gift of His grace!"

The Virgin in wonder did not understand
How she could conceive without seed from a man
The Word made in flesh God in mystery provides
Emanuel, God with us, forever abides.   

Before he ascended he gave her The Name: 
The Savior, Christ Jesus, the King who will reign 
This miracle birth, Mary kept in her heart
Is the one Christmas Gift that will never depart.
B. Pent

MY BOUQUET OF THANKS

 I'm walking today through my garden of praise
Picking fresh flowers to brighten my day
Thinking of all that the Lord has bestowed
Counting each blessing to lighten my load.

Cutting the stem of a beautiful rose
Fragrance and beauty each peddle disclose
Thorns of anxiety lead me astray
Calvary's love gently blows it away.

Lilies of peace that are gathered in tears
Precious reminder God's freedom from fears
Christ's blood-bought family are part of His plan
Bright'ning His Table with gifts from His hand.

Think of your flowers this Thanksgiving Day
Gath'ring bouquets as a tribute of praise
Bring them as gifts to the Father above
Jesus the Source of all blessings and love.
B. Pent

STORM-FILLED DAYS

Stormy clouds of doubt engulf me
Threat'ning fears disturb my rest
This frail vessel will not make it
Trying hard to do my best!

Loneliness is my companion
No one seems to understand
Even friends show disappointment 
When I fail to take their hand.

Death has left me tears and sorrow
Only echoes can be heard
For the touch that once embraced me
Has flown skyward like a bird!

Is there balm for wounded soldier's
That can mend a troubled heart
Can the Great Physician heal me
So I do not fall apart?

Joy breaks forth in glad surrender
Jesus walks amidst the storm!
Gently He will bear your burden
Trust Him now, no longer mourn.
B. Pent

GOD'S AWESOME PLAN

O God of Love, we stand amazed

That One so pure in radiant Light

Should stoop to offer saving grace

To our rebellious human race.

O Lamb of God how can it be

That flesh should clothe Your Deity

And birth from Mary's womb, a Plan

Your Blood, the Gift, for sinful man!

O Breath of God, Whose Spirit fills

The barrenness of our human heart

Remove all dross, ignite the flame

That we might glorify Your Name!

O Church of God, the hour's near

The Bridegroom soon will call us Home!

 Proclaim His Word, we soon shall meet

To cast our crowns at Jesus' feet!

Ben Pent

YOU'RE NOT ALONE

The day was filled with promises
As I awoke renewed in strength
I took the time to read and pray
Before the duties of the day.

The sweet reminder in His Word
God's Presence to fulfill each task
Gave me the courage to embrace
The challenge of the new day's race.

But soon the stormy clouds of fear
Began to crash against my mind
The Tempter's snare led me to doubt
God's mighty hand could help me out.

The darkening clouds began to form
I felt so hopeless and alone
The sin of pride and self-control
Brought bitter anguish to my soul.

But when I cried: "Lord Jesus help!"
His hand made light the task I faced
For from the presence of His Throne
He made me know I'm not alone.
B. Pent

MY CONFESSION

The   following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him  on CBS  Sunday Morning  Commentary.

My  confession:
I don't like getting pushed around for  being a  Jew, and I don't think Christians like  getting pushed around for  being  Christians.  I think people who believe in God  are  sick and tired of getting pushed around,  period. I have no idea where the concept came from,  that America is an explicitly  atheist country. I  can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it  being shoved down my throat.

 

Or maybe I   can put it another way: where did the idea come from  that we  should worship celebrities and we aren't  allowed to worship God  as we understand  Him?  I guess that's a sign that I'm   getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who  are  wondering where these celebrities came from  and where the America we knew went to.

 

In  light of the many  jokes we  send to one  another for a laugh, this is a little  different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not   funny, it's intended to get you  thinking.
    
       In  light of recent events--terrorists attacks, school  shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine  Murray O'Hare (she  was murdered, her body found  a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in  our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you  better not read the Bible in school  .
       
        
       The  Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal,  and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we  said  OK.

 

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we  shouldn't spank our  children when they  misbehave, because their little personalities   would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem  (Dr.  Spock's son committed suicide).  We  said an expert should  know what he's talking  about.  And we said  okay.
      
Now  we're asking ourselves why our children have no  conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and  why it  doesn't bother them to kill strangers,  their classmates, and themselves.

 

Probably, if  we think about it long and hard  enough, we can  figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with,  'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.' 

 

Funny how simple it  is  for people to trash God and then wonder why  the world's going to  hell. Funny how we believe  what the newspapers say, but  question what the  Bible says.  Funny how you can send  'jokes'  through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but  when  you start sending messages regarding the  Lord, people think  twice about sharing.   Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles  pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion  of God is suppressed in the school and  workplace. 

 

Are you laughing yet? 

 

Funny how when you forward  this message,  you will not send it to many on your address list  because you're not sure what they believe, or what  they will  think of you for sending it. 

 

Funny how we can be more  worried about  what other people think of us than what God  thinks  of us.

 

Pass it on if you think it  has merit. 
   
If not, then just  discard it. No one will know you did. But, if you  discard this thought process, don't sit  back and  complain about what bad shape the world is  in.  

 

My Best Regards, Honestly and  Respectfully,

 

Ben  Stein

CHARACTER BUILDING

"We can't really know the depth of our own character until we see how we react under pressure. It is easy to be kind when everything is going well, but can we still be kind when others are treating us unfairly? Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Thank God for promising to be with you in rough times. Ask Him to solve your problems or give you the strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems; He will stay close by and help you grow through them." Alistair Begg

ALMIGHTY SAVIOR

El Shaddai, Almighty Father
Elohim, Almighty Lord
You have raised us by Your mercy
Through the Power of Your Word.

We lift high the Name of Jesus
Every knee before You bows
Heaven and earth proclaims Your glory
Holiness enthrones Your brow.

So in glad and full surrender
May Your blood remove all stain
So that through the Holy Spirit
Worship crowns Your Holy Name.

Spirit, clothe us in Your fullness
Melt the dross, ignite the Flame
That in body, soul and spirit
Holy, blameless, we remain!
B. Pent

SURPRISED BY JOY!

I pass by the graveyard
My loved ones lie there
As memories fall round me
Emotions I share.

The laughter of children
At mealtime and play
The stories at bedtime
Then mommy would pray.

But youth and adulthood
So quickly pass by
With pain and life's pleasures
Then death bids me cry.

Soon hope floods my darkness
Of gloom and despair
The grave that contains them
Is empty and bare!

The message of Easter
The angels declare:
"The Lord has arisen
He's no longer there!"

My soul fills with wonder
As joy floods my heart
With Jesus my Savior
We're never apart.
---B. Pent

THE SHADOW OF A CROSS

Lingering in the shadow
Standing on Golgotha's street
I catch sight along a hillside
Of a skull whose gaze I meet.

Voices seem to echo
From the hallow of its lair
Cries of bitter accusation
Poisoning words hang everywhere.

Peace from Pax Romana
Is the empty promise made
Clanging armor is the vise-grip
That rebellion often paid.

Crowds begin to gather
As the shadow passes by
Seems the bloody figure walking
Is condemned to hang and die!

Via Delarosa!
Crosses often pass that way
Carried by some guilty sinner
Blood-stained prints are seen by day.

Terrifying anguish
As the spikes pierce hands and feet
Soldiers hoisting up the cross-bars
Hear the tear of bone and meat.

Then a Voice speaks clearly
With the Gift of saving Grace
"Father grant complete forgiveness
Through My blood to Adam's race."

I alone am standing
Tears keep falling from my eyes
Death and hell the load I carry
Jesus ransom is the prize!

"Take my sin, dear Savior 
Nail it to that cursed Tree
Come and rule my heart Lord Jesus
By Your Spirit set me free!"

I am His forever
Heaven's Gates are open wide
All who call on Jesus' name
Through His death, are Justified!
--B.Pent

FREE AT LAST

Once I lived for earthly pleasures

By sin's blindness I was bound

Chained by guilt & things they offered

Only darkness hung around.

Then I heard that Jesus loved me

That He came to set me free

And His death for my redemption

Was the price for you and me.

Oh the pain He bore on Calvary!

From His lips He spoke my name

"Please forgive this guilty sinner!"

Then He died to take my blame.

When I saw the God of Glory

Pouring out His life for me

I cried out in faith for mercy

Then He came and set me free.

Now I stand redeemed, forgiven

All the past is wiped away.

To the Lamb be all the glory

I am saved by grace today!

--B. Pent