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