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