SURPRISED BY JOY!

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

In trials that would test their faith

The daily strength that JOY embraced

Was trusting God's fulfilling 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.

When time began to test the soul

While facing pressures all around

Their choice revealed if trust and faith

Was found in God's abundant grace.

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

Where Christ becomes a living part.

--B. Pent

THE MYSTERY OF JOY

How vain man searches for a way
Through earthly toys that soon decay
And thinks these things bring happiness
Yet find, its only emptiness.

In every life a God-shaped void
Is built within the heart of man
So he can know down deep inside
Redeeming grace that will abide.

But joy is not made up of things
That bid one soar on eagle wings
The power is found in knowing Him
And helping others bound by sin.

The fruit of joy one can express
Is helping widows in distress
Or helping orphans find a home
So they no longer need to roam.

So as you seek help from above
Let Jesus fill you with His love
Then through the service you impart
Real joy will overflow your heart.
--B. Pent

FEELING DISAPPOINTMENT

There are times in life we carry
Disappointments and distress
And we try to find its meaning
During days of loneliness.

When a pledge for life together
Finds loves dream walk out the door
Bitter anguish knows no measure
As in death, life is no more.

If your dearest friend has failed you
And its tearing you apart
Or you feel you've been forsaken
There's one Friend that won't depart.

You are not alone this journey
These sharp thorns that mark your path
Are like those He bore on Calvary
To prepare you for life's task.

So when disappointments tempt you
To give way to bitterness
Look to Christ the source of comfort
He'll bring joy and happiness.
--B. 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