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