LONELINESS

Loneliness met me this morning
Depression then knocked at the door
Pressures of life soon had bound me
Leaving me helpless once more.

Life has its fears and deep sorrow
No one escapes from its grip
Everyone carries some burden
Thinking they'll fall in a pit.

You're not alone in this battle
History reminds us each day
Trials and troubles surround us
Only what's left is to pray.

So in the face of each trial
Give God the burden you bear
He knows each rut in the pathway
Cast on the Lord all your care.
--B. Pent

JOY VS. HAPPINESS

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
Through trials that would test their faith
The daily strength that JOY embraced
Was trusting God's unfailing 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.

 But time began to test the soul
And pressures forced the heart to choose   
Between a life of trust and faith
Or seek one's joy another place.

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
When Christ becomes the central part.
--B. Pent

HIDDEN GRIEF

How lonely the valley where sorrows reside

Where emptiness lingers with darkness inside

The light that once shone from the heaven's above

Is nothing but shadows once flowing with love.

Where is the joy that would brighten each day

Who is the thief that has painted life gray?

Silence and sadness have torn it apart           

No one can fathom the grief in my heart!

Distractions in time are so often a pain

Vacations and parties seem also in vain

The promise is given and vict'ry is won 

When faith reaches up to the God three in One.

Jesus has borne all our grief and its loss

There is no chasm His love cannot cross

Take up His yoke that is easy to bare

Resting in Him will remove all your care.

B. Pent

LOVE TOUCHED ME

Love touched my heart, it passed my way

I did not know just who it was.
I could not tell if it was real
Until I felt His touch.

Love warmed my heart, I felt its glow
The radiant rays began to flow.
It was no dream or fantasy
The day I felt His touch.

Love weaned my heart from earthly things
It bade me soar on eagle wings
It spoke my name I was set free
Because I felt His touch.

Love makes me grow, it is the seal
That binds the heart to heavenly joys
And bids me come in time of need
To feel His touch again.
--B. Pent

JEHOVAH'S HEBREW NAMES

Jehovah- M'Kaddesh: God is Holy (Leviticus 20:7-8)
In transcendent holiness He reigns alone
No man can stand before him in their sin
A payment must be made to enter in.

Jehovah-tsidkenu: God is Righteous (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
His righteousness reveals man's evil heart
And Hell the price that pride must always pay
If man rejects God's Son, there is no way.

Jehovah-jireh:  God will provide (Genesis 22:14)
A spotless lamb was slain and blood was shed
To picture Christ, our Lamb, a ransom made     
And those who call upon His name, sin's debt is paid.

Jehovah-rapha:  God our healer (Exodus 15:22-26)
For every thirsty soul or wounded heart
He gently calls to share His gift of life   
To comfort and sustain through earthly strife.

Jehovah-rohi:  My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
God loves and leads His blood-bought child each day
Where quiet streams and verdant pastures dot the way 
So through His Word and prayer we do not stray.

Jehovah-shalom: God of peace   (Judges 6:23-24)
Before His ascension Christ's promise was made
His Spirit would lead and His peace would remain
But those seeking pleasure are looking in vain.

Jehovah-nissi: God our Banner (Exodus 17:15)
The Armor is given for solders to fight 
No demon from hell can enslave us to sin
For victory is promised, through Christ we will win!

Jehovah-shammah: God is present  (Ezekiel 48:35)
God rules as Sovereign Lord upon His Throne
No matter where He leads, you're not alone
He's always there to guide His very own.
B. Pent