MY BOUQUET OF THANKS

I'm walking today through my garden of praise
Picking fresh flowers to brighten my dayS
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 led me astray
Calvary's love gently blew 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 bouques as a tribute of praise
Bring them as gifts to the Father above
Jesus the Source of all blessings and love.
Ben Pent

BEYOND THE VEIL

How quick life's journey finds its end
As shadows press inside the gate
The clock winds down almost unheard
What's left to gain is now too late!

Youth was so vibrant at the start
The future filled with busy dreams
There was no time to fret or sigh
Were not the toys of life to glean?

How soon the Reaper passes by
The scent of dust is felt around
And mourners hear the silent groans
While teardrops fall without a sound.

The spirit rises through the mist
And dazzling lights come into view
A voice then beckons all to come
The righteous path is for the few.

Familiar faces can be seen
Of friends and family coming near
The welcome party rise in song
The end of suffering, death and fear!

The Gates of heaven open wide
The King is seated on His Throne
The voices of ten billion saints
Lift praise to Jesus Christ alone!

And then in wonder glory shines
As we behold His Paradise
Fulfilled in love through streams of Grace
Eternal life, His gift: the prize!
Ben Pent

HIDE ME, LORD!

HIDE ME IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS, DEAR LORD
THE WAVES OF DARKNESS BLOW ACROSS MY PATH
I FEEL THE NIGHT OF EVIL GAINING GROUND
"O MASTER OF LIFE'S STORMS, CAN PEACE BE FOUND?"

THE WORLD'S ELIXIR THAT ONCE OFFERED JOY
IS BUT AN EMPTY GLASS, A BROKEN TOY!
YET FROM A LONELY HEART A VOICE IS HEARD:
"O GOD! CAN HEAVEN SEND ONE CALMING WORD?"

THE TORCH OF TRUTH THAT  BURNED SO BRIGHT & CLEAR
THAT OFFERED HOPE AGAINST THIS MONSTER:"FEAR"
WE'RE ANXIOUS MOMENTS BUILT ON SINKING SAND
FOR IN MY SEARCH I FELT NO HELPING HAND!

YET IN THE NOISE AND CLAMOR OF UNREST
THE SPIRIT'S GENTLE VOICE ASSURED ME "REST!"
AND FROM GOD'S WORD I HEARED THE MASTER SAY:
"COME UNTO ME, YOU'LL FIND REAL PEACE TODAY!"

NOW FROM THE FOUNT OF GRACE I FREELY DRINK
THE COOL, REFRESHING STREAM OF PEACE I SEEK
AND WITH UPLIFTED HEART IN PRAISE I SING
ALL GLORY TO THE RISEN CHRIST, MY KING!
ben pent

MY BROKEN PAST

The wounds are deep that trouble me
At times seem more than I can bear
The broken pieces of my past
Still haunt & tempt me to despair!

Why did the Light that marked my path
So quickly change to gripping fears?
Why does God's peace that gave me rest
Now fill my eyes with blinding tears?

The trap that caught me by surprise
Had blinded my own reasoning
And helplessly I tried in vain
Yet guilt kept me on sinning.

But then I took the Warrior's Sword
And in the Power of Jesus' Name
I stood upon the Rock of Faith
As Satan slithered out in shame!

So now I stand in Christ alone
His blood has freed me from all sin
The Victor's banner from the Cross
Waves high in praise to Christ my King!
B. Pent

THE WEB OF DECEPTION

Deceptive thoughts that trick the mind

Like flies caught in a spider’s web

Try hard to shake its silken grip

And soon its venom leaves you dead!

How troublesome this rude disguise

Intriguing lures that bate it's prey

The Serpent robs all hope of joy

And leaves the heart too weak to pray.

Yet in this net of hopelessness

While groping for the Light

The One Who calmed the raging storm

Stands with the warrior in the fight!

God is the Way through blinding storms

His Truth will set the captive free

Stand in the power of Jesus Name

And claim by faith the Victory!

Ben Pent

THE SOUL SET FREE!

As I knelt before His presence

Wrapped in garments stained by sin

I could not look up to heaven

For the shame revealed within.

Then the Lamb of God Incarnate

Stood in robes of dazzling white

As His holy justice vanquished

Every pretense from His sight.

Tears of anguish broke upon me

Waves of guilt exposed my soul

As repentance ceased my wanderings

I became as white as snow.

Then His words of love came flowing

From above the Mercy Seat

Where the nail prints of His justice

Offered grace for my defeat.

Shouts of praise began to fill me

Freedom's song began to flow

As the honor and the glory

Rose to Christ who loved me so.

Ben Pent

A NATION'S SHAME

The winds of change are moving in

Like oozing spills of toxic waste

Our virgin shores destroy its prey

Polluting lands where children play.

The courts have now become like gods

Whose laws no longer stand for truth

Where innocence is bathed in shame

And those who murder feel no blame.

The bitter cries of those unborn

Are ripped apart and left to die

And then we wonder what is wrong

Our Nation is no longer strong?

Just look around both far and near

Our streets are full of drugs and fear

With guns in school with sex and crime

And no one lives with peace of mind?

The prophet sounds a red alert

That judgment lies within our gates!

But hardened hearts respond in scorn

Still looking for Utopian's morn.

So weep and wail the time has come

God’s Bowls of wrath are soon to flow

But only those who fear His name

Will find escape from judgment’s blame.

Ben 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.

Ben Pent

MEMORIAL TEARS!

I grieve for me beside your grave

I want to give one last farewell

There are so many little things

That I just long to tell.

So if from heaven's portal gate

You're given one more fleeting glance

To look upon my lonely heart

Please give me one more chance.

Remember when we pledged our troth

When virgin love burst forth in bloom?

Our hearts began to beat as one

Each evening, morning, noon.

Then hand-in-hand we walked life's road

We built our castle strong and true

Where happy children learned to grow

And trust our blessed Savior, too.

Then time began to speed its course

The nest was empty once again

We used our gifts to serve the Lord

For He had promised great reward.

But since you left my aching heart

Your touch of love is felt no more

So I must tread life all alone

Until we meet on yonder Shore.

So tell me dearest, if you can

Since there's a mansion just for you

Could I stop by your open door

For just a glance or two?

Life's comfort would sustain me then

While you wait there for me

And when death's angel calls me Home

We'll share eternity.

B. Pent

THE SOLDIER'S PLEDGE

The Soldier stood before the Captain of the Guard 
His comrades fought and died to keep our Nation free
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 theirs, not ours to hold with pride 
They are the heroes 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
Ben Pent

HARD TO LET GO

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 ABOVE EARTH’S 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.

BUT TIME SO QUICKLY PASSED AWAY
I FAILED TO NOTE THE YEARS GONE BY
SO WHEN YOUR FLIGHT FROM EARTH 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
BUT WHEN WE MEET ON HEAVEN’S SHORE
TOGETHER WE WILL PART NO MORE.

BEN PENT

LONELY VALLEYS

Lonely the valley where sorrows reside

Emptiness lingers with darkness inside

Light that once shone from the heaven's above

Leave only phantoms once flowing with love.

Where is the joy that once brightened my 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 are transient and 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 burden His love cannot cross

Take up His yoke that is easy to bear

Resting in Him will remove all your care.
B. Pent

SWEET DREAMS

THE NIGHT WAS BLACK WITHOUT A STAR
THE WINDS WERE CALM IN NEED OF REST
A GENTLE BREEZE THAT TOUCHED MY SLEEP
AWAKENED THOUGHTS WITHIN MY BREAST.

THE PHANTOM DREAM THAT PASSED MY WAY
LIKE DANCING MAIDENS BY THE SHORE
WERE LIVING MEMORIES OF THE PAST
I COULD NOT TOUCH THEM ANYMORE!

BUT THEN A SHADOW COULD BE SEEN
PROPELLED BY OCEAN'S CRASHING WAVES
IT SEEMED TO BLOW RIGHT THROUGH MY MIND
BUT LEFT ME LONELY AND AMAZED

THEN SUD'NLY LIKE A PROMISE MADE
THE SCENT OF PERFUME FRESH AND SWEET
BLEW THROUGH THE WINDOW OF MY SOUL
WHERE HEART TO HEART TRUE LOVERS MEET.
Ben Pent

IN THE SHADOW OF THE 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 blood, are Justified!
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

SPRING'S NEW SONG

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

SHATTERED DREAMS

Broken, crushed and torn apart
Phantom dreams and empty heart
Feeling cursed and full of shame
Life seems like a losing game.

Pressures mount on every side
Looking for some place to hide
Work and family torn apart
Hardly knowing where to start.

Corporate ladder to success
Seeking fame and happiness
Finding nothing at the crest
Just an empty heart at best.

There's one thing I long to find
For a deeply troubled mind
Can God take a shattered past
Fill a purpose that will last?

Jesus Christ is what we need
He will guide and He will lead
Bringing burdens to the Cross
Will replace all of our loss.
B. Pent

THE FINAL "NO!" I TOLD JESUS

I woke up in hell a few moments ago

Silent screams pouring from my terror-filled soul

The doctor’s assured me that all had gone well

So why all this torment of demons from hell?

I noticed my family in stark unbelief

As news reached their ears of my sudden decease.

No plans for the future had ever been made

Now only wild flowers grow over my grave.

I lived for the good things in life to be had

And really didn’t think I was doing too bad

Repentance from sin was an old fashion trick

The church had in mind to disturb me when sick

But now only memories are left to reflect

The Voices of warning are haunting me yet

Across from this chasm the knock still is heard

As Jesus still pleads to respond to His Word.

I have an appointment before The White Throne

There’s no second chance for my sin to atone

The debt of my guilt Christ had offered to pay

Are the tormenting chains I must carry for aye.

--B. Pent

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

FREE AT LAST

Once I lived for earthly pleasure
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 Blood for my redemption
Was the price He paid for me.

Oh the pain He bore on Calvary!
On the Cross He spoke my name:
"Please forgive this Hell-bound 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

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Forget the things that are behind; forget injuries, slights, unkind words. Be to big to be hurt; to great to be unkind; to busy to quarrel; to wise to engage in unseemly gossip; to strong to permit little annoyances to turn you from life's main course; to clean to stain your character with any kind of impurity.

"Let me hold lightly things of this earth
Transient treasures, what are they worth 
Moths can corrupt them, rust can decay
All their bright beauty gone in a day.

Let me hold lightly temporal things
I, who am deathless, I who have wings
Let me hold fast, Lord, things of the skies
Quicken my vision, open my eyes!

Show my thy riches, glory and grace
Boundless as time is, endless as space
Let me hold lightly things that are mine
Lord, Thou hast given me all that is Thine."
(Martha Snell Nicholson