WHY THE CHAOS?

We gaze in awe and wonder why

The sun pulls down the shade of night

Or why the fires spread their wrath

With little hope of help in sight?

Why do the winds in anger blow

And bring destruction in their wake

Why do the floods engulf our land

Destroying homes, for heaven's sake?

As fires spread throughout the West

And millions lose all sense of hope

The question begs an answer clear:

"Does God not care we groan in fear?"

Now violence spreads a rapid pace

Destroying freedom from our Land

"Is there a balm of healing grace

Where discord yields a loving hand?"

The Calvary Road leads us to Christ

Who gave His life to bring us peace

All who by faith join hearts with Him

Will feel the power of love release!

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.

Ben Pent

A PLEDGE FOR LIFE

          (A Wedding Song) 

What kind of love is this I've found 

Like buried treasures in the ground 

A feeling never felt before 

Like ocean waves just reaching shore? 

 

When first I saw you pass my way 

My heart began to dance and play 

Like bluebirds soar from tree to tree 

For just another chance to see! 

 

And then one day you touched my heart 

Your tender love set me apart 

I wanted you to be my mate 

So none but death could separate. 

 

REFRAIN 

Now standing here to pledge our love 

God is the witness from above! 

Through life till death our lives to share 

The image of Christ’s Bride to bear. 

Ben Pent 

BROKEN JARS

IN THE QUIET OF MY SPIRIT

THERE'S A WRESTLING DEEP INSIDE

BROKEN PIECES FROM THIS VESSEL

SHATTERED DREAMS AND WOUNDED PRIDE.

IN THE NIGHT OF MY CONFUSION

CHOICES MADE I DID NOT SEE

LED ME PAST THAT SWEET COMMUNION

WHERE GOD WANTED ME TO BE.

WAVES OF DOUBT THEN BLURRED MY VISION

WORLDLY CARES SOON DULLED MY SIGHT

SUDDENLY ITS WEB ENSLAVED ME

AS I TRIED TO TAKE MY FLIGHT.

THEN THE POTTER CALLED ME TO HIM

WITH MY BROKEN-SHATTERED PAST

TOOK THE VESSEL THAT HAD WANDERED

PROMISED FREEDOM THAT WOULD LAST!

FROM A HEART OF TRUE REPENTANCE

HEALING BATHED ME IN HIS BLOOD

LIVING WATERS FROM HIS FULLNESS

POURED THROUGH ME REDEEMING LOVE.

NOW IN JOYFUL, GLAD SURRENDER

LIFTING HOLY HANDS IN PRAISE

ALL I WANT AND HAVE IN JESUS

IS HIS PRESENCE ALL MY DAYS.

Ben Pent

HE'S ALIVE!

The nights were cold and bare
Cayotes darting here and there
Weeping friends in silent-sorrow
With no hope for joy tomorrow.

Gloom and doom-like torrents came
Death had filled their hearts with pain
He has gone and won't return
Kingdom visions failed and burned!

Mary with a few brave friends
Wandered down to death's dark Den
The rock-hewn stone had rolled away
The Tomb lay empty dark and gray.

Someone stole their battered King
Lost all hope of seeing Him!
Sore-distressed, the Gardner came
So they asked who was to blame.

If you know where Jesus lies
Grateful tears would flood our eyes?
"I am He!" was His reply
Tell your friends "I am Alive!"

Mary rushed to tell His friends
Grief and sorrow will now end
"I have seen the Risen Lord
As He promised by His word!"

Shout and sing Hosanah's praise
Christ has conquered death, the grave!
Heaven and earth: "Rejoice! Proclaim!
Praise and magnify His name."
Ben Pent

THE CROWN OF THORNS

Heaven's glory crowned the Garden
Flowing rivers, crystal-clean
Eden's flowers spread their fragrance
All its grandeur could be seen.

Paradise in all its splendor
Never ceased to overflow
Violets danced among the roses
Not one thorn allowed to grow.

Oh, what sweet communion followed
God with man each glorious day
Without fear of one tomorrow
Promised joys would always stay.

Then a slithering Snake intruded
Speaking subtle-tempting lies
"Just one taste" he often chided
"and, like God, you would be wise!"

Sin soon birthed life's thorns and thistles
Jagged stems their vines were seen
Death and hell brought fear and horror
By this Madman's devilish schemes.

But the Man-of Sorrows entered
God-in-flesh His plan was set
Took the thorns of sin that bound us
Formed a crown! Full payment met!

Hallelujah! What a Savior
Praise the Lamb for sinners slain
Hearts and hands in holy worship
With one voice proclaim His name!
Ben Pent

LIVING WATERS

The well was dry and empty
Life was full of grief & pain
She was longing for fulfillment
But her searching was in vain.

Tears and heartaches followed closely
Friends and lovers new her shame
Like a well that had no water
Each day's search was just the same.

In the desert of her longing
Walked a Stranger offering hope
Living Waters flowing freely
 From her longing heart awoke!

Jesus full of love and mercy
By the springs of Sychar's well
Gave this sin-bound broken woman
Life and Freedom from her hell.

From the chains that once enslaved her  
Flowed such Joy without compare
When Samaria heard the Message
Hearts found Jesus everywhere!
Ben Pent

WRAPPED IN LOVE

You wrapped your love around my heart
As I stood in the cold
You filled my life with happiness
And brought me to the Fold
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.

You wrapped Your love around my heart
And loosed the chains of sin
You freed me from all emptiness
Sweet peace now dwells within
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.

You wrap Your love around my heart
Each moment of the day
You go before the path I take
You know the narrow way
And so I lift my soul in praise
To glorify through endless days
That blessed name of Jesus.
Ben 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.
Ben Pent

WHAT DEFINES LOVE?

Love is more than a feeling you feel
When emotions get out of control
Or a rush of adrenaline mix
When one's passions take hold of the soul.

Love is more than a word that is thought
When a touch or a look is supplied
Or a warm fuzzy feeling that beckons
To build up your ego with pride.

Love does not grow in a vacuum
Its nature gives all without price
Not like this world's selfish offer
That demands in return its own prize.

Love is a verb wrapped up as a Gift
It's a message of infinite worth
No one can selfishly hoard it away
It's the seed of God's priceless New Birth.

So give it away to all who have need
Its a balm for the wounded in heart
Then like a spring in a desert you'll find
Rivers of Love that will never depart.
Ben Pent

THE COLOR OF LOVE

I Look for a picture that life can express
The feeling of joy and sweet tenderness
Of Beautiful flowers so vibrant in Spring
 Is love the real color of these tender things?

The sun turns to yellow against the blue sky
The grass looks so green where the sheep daily lie
Have a boy and a girl holding hands in the park
Found the color of love in the depth of their heart?

The way of a man with a maid, Proverbs states
Is hidden in mystery where couples partake
When nuptial vows have been pledged before God
Does that color-love flow through life on earth's sod?  

I see Calvary's Hill on a blood-splattered Cross
Where forgiveness is granted in place of my loss
When I feel His compassion and fullness of grace
I find the bright color of love in His face!
B. Pent

LITTLE JOHN DOE'S OBITUARY

Sixty-five million sweet faces appear 
Torn from a womb without feelings or fear 
Simply a blob of some tissue to scrape 
Clearing the mind of some awful mistake! 

Time that heals wounds are like ghosts from the past 
Memories that haunt us with pictures that last 
Children at play with such joy and delight 
Then Little John Doe appears in the night.

Graduates receiving diplomas one day 
Little John Doe could be seen in the fray 
A medical doctor! Inventor! On stage! 
To influence a Nation: a saint or a sage! 

Where does this curse of abortion begin? 
Is there forgiveness from this mortal sin? 
Even though ignorance has driven the plan 
God’s loving grace is extended to man.

Millions of children surrounding God’s Throne 
Their Angels rejoicing! They’re all safely Home! 
Each Johnny Doe wants the family complete 
Give Jesus your burden find peace at His feet!
Ben Pent 

Sixty-five million sweet faces appear 
Torn from a womb without feelings or fear 
Simply a blob of some tissue to scrape 
Clearing the mind of some awful mistake! 

Time that heals wounds are like ghosts from the past 
Memories that haunt us with pictures that last 
Children at play with such joy and delight 
Then Little John Doe appears in the night.

Graduates receiving diplomas one day 
Little John Doe could be seen in the fray 
A medical doctor! Inventor! On stage! 
To influence a Nation: a saint or a sage! 

Where does this curse of abortion begin? 
Is there forgiveness from this mortal sin? 
Even though ignorance has driven the plan 
God’s loving grace is extended to man.

Millions of children surrounding God’s Throne 
Their Angels rejoicing! They’re all safely Home! 
Each Johnny Doe wants the family complete 
Give Jesus your burden find peace at His feet!
Ben Pent 

AWAKE OUR HEARTS

As we come into Your Presence

Sensing guilt and shameful pride

Melt our cold, unyielding spirits

Burn the dross we feel inside.

We desire heartfelt worship

Offering praise to You alone

So these worldly cares that bind us

Can be freed before Your throne.

Lord, to You, we lift our praises

Once again awake our hearts

By the Fire of true devotion

Fill the Church through all its parts.

One in Body, soul and spirit

We lift holy hands in praise

Offering You our love in worship

Jesus Lord, our voices raise.

B. Pent