THE JUDGE'S VERDICT

Condemned! I stood before the Judge in fear

His gavel bringing silence to the Court

The sentence for the broken Law was given

In horror I fell prostrate to the floor.

I pled to have my case somehow commuted

For deeds of charity that I had done

Then tried to show my deep religious fervor

By all the accolades that I had won.

But when His blaze of Glory fell upon me

There was no scale to measure or compare

For sin polluted all my human nature

And only filthy rags as proof to wear.

Then suddenly the weight of hell engulfed me

I could not look upon His holy face

But from a broken heart I pled for mercy

And from His Throne there flowed redeeming grace.

The Judge stepped down and taking off His garments

The sinless Son of God in human flesh

Stood in my place before His Court of Justice

And paid the fullest price for all my sin.

In Christ alone there is no condemnation

Loves greatest sacrifice is all-complete

Praise floods my soul with love and adoration

And through the ages worship at His feet.

--B. Pent

AMERICA'S FINAL CALL!

The door is closing on your Land
I keep on knocking to come in
But you have shut your heart to Me
I can no longer bear your sin

Your Nation stood upon My Word
A strong foundation built on truth
Your leaders sought to fear My name
And would not waver from its roots.

Your land became a Promised Land
Where milk and honey blessed the world
And all who came found hope and peace
As Lady Liberty foretold.

Then fame and fortune turned your head
While prayer no longer filled your thoughts
The Bible soon was put aside
And "self" became the object sought.

Now shame and violence fills your streets
With homes and schools all torn apart
And human life no longer bears
The image of My loving heart.

I weep for you as judgment calls
For retribution to begin
My Spirit is no longer there
To intercede because of sin.

But I'll keep knocking at your door
I long to come and heal your Land
But you must call upon My name
And in repentance take your stand.
--B. Pent

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER

Reflections of love
Like ripples
In time
Reaching shore
Take me home.

I wind the clock
And memories
Wiping tears
In lullabies
Make me secure.

The dew of morning
Hanging helplessly
Flows together
In streams of grace
And youth is strong.

I see the old oak
Bent with time
As leaves begin to fall
Wrinkled
Spent
But firm.

Yesterday's hopes
Planted in springtime
Yield blooms
Of purpose
As harvest fruit.

While the graying
At sunset
Beckons her
To yonder Shore
This priceless gift
My mother.
--B. Pent

FREE AT LAST!

I was born in sin's dominion
Held a captive by the Foe
Prison bars were my companions
Dark and dreadful, full of woe.

Cruel the master that enslaved me
Fear became my dreaded chains
While the auctioneer gave orders
To be sold for piteous gains.

Then amidst the frenzied bidding
There appeared the Son of Man
With the highest price as payment
His own blood, redemption's plan.

Suddenly the doors swung open
As the fetters loosed their grip
I ran out and fell before Him
Freed from Satan's horrible pit.

Then He called me to His family
As a dear beloved son
Now by grace I stand forgiven
Through my Lord, the risen One.

Praises fill my inmost being
Once a captive now set free
Glorious is my Lord and Master
I am His eternally. --B. Pent

SHEKINAH GLORY!

As we gather in Your presence
Pressed by cares this world imparts
May the fullness of Your Spirit
Drive life's burdens from our hearts.

Praises crown Your throne with Glory
Where all darkness fades from sight
We lift holy hands before You
Bathe us in Shekinah Light.

O Eternal, Sovereign Master
Lord of all we crown You now
Fill these temples with Your power
As before Your presence bow.

Now in full and glad surrender
Offering praise we take our stand
Triune God in one proclaiming
Worship to the risen Lamb.
--B. Pent

ADRIFT AT SEA!

I felt so strong and full of hope
The future seemed so free from stress
When suddenly a storm cloud formed
That robbed me of its peace and rest.

It was so subtle at the start
The winds of change that blew my way
Had left me drifting by the tide
Without a compass or a Guide.

Despair gave way to helplessness
As waves of doubt tore me apart
I could not reach the shore alone
Until He saw my pleading heart.

Then side by side with arms of strength
Through grace He drew me back to shore
And like an anchor to my soul
There is no drifting any more.
--B. Pent

WHY END IT ALL?

I wander through my life alone
I try to figure who I am
My head is spinning out in space
As demons dance before my face.

I take my gun to play roulette
The bullets lie inside their case
A lingering thought darts through my brain
“One little shell and no more pain!”

The darkened mysteries of my past
My family’s thought to shred my birth
A mom and dad who did not care
And foster homes I could not bare.

If drugs and sex could satisfy
There would be reason to go on
But broken dreams and night time bars
Are little comfort for these scars.

And then one night when I was high
While troubled spirits passed my way
My mind began to float in space
That mantra prayers could not erase.

So this is not the end, I mused?
While floating back into my mind,
Then guilt and fear tore me apart
As I poured out my broken heart.

I read the Letter God wrote down
That Jesus came to set me free
With love I never felt before...
A love-filled home and so much more!

So on my knees I raised my voice
Inviting Christ to be my choice
For that is why the Savior came
To set us free from sin and shame.
--B. Pent