LESSONS FROM A BUTTERFLY

As I was walking through the forest green

By chance I came across the strangest scene.

Two caterpillars talked of taking flight

Yet absent wings revealed their awful plight.

Twas then I saw them climb a large oak tree

Two leaves became their hope for liberty

They fanned the leaves to soar the azure sky

But gravitation almost bid them die.

Just then by chance they saw a butterfly

Who said that just like him they too could fly

But they must choose the path that leads to death

For freedom’s birth comes through a chrysalis.

At first the cost was far too much to bear

The path from death to life did not seem fair

Yet crawling on the ground was not the way

And so they yielded to its “call” that day.

In time, their tomb revealed a miracle

The caterpillar’s crypt gave way to wings

And there above the trees I saw them fly

While lifting praise to Him Who dwells on high.

Just then God’s Voice spoke clearly to my heart

“True freedom comes to those He sets apart!”

So when my yielded will gave Him control

His metamorphic work released my soul.

Now grace bids me to fly and gives me wings

To soar above the lure of earthly things

And share the News from Him Who reigns above

So those enslaved can also find God’s love.

--B. Pent

APOCALYPTIC SIGNS

The war-clouds are forming

The nations are raging

The stage is preparing

The drama unfolding.

The end time revealing

God's Word is fulfilling

The spotlight is showing

The prophet's clear warning.

The Nations are gathering

And Israel is trembling

Invasion is threatening

To rob them His blessing.

Beware while reflecting

That God is rejecting

His promise replacing

The Church now possessing.

An oath that is binding

When by Himself swearing

Cannot by rebelling

Be broken for sinning.

The hour is coming

At Jesus' returning

When Israel repenting

His promise fulfilling.

--B. Pent

SUMMER'S PAST

Everything seems so quiet now

School has driven kids off shore

English, Math and Science too

Summer's frolic sounds no more.

I walk along the sandy beach

Where loons still call out to their young

The robins soon will take their flight

Where birds migrate and blend in song.

I stand where Piatt's shore spreads out

Near Gene and Alan's golden sand

As memories past fly into view

The net is up with ball in hand.

I hear the voices rise in pitch

As teams are chosen for the fray

The tension mounts, excitement grows

Each time the volleyball's in play.

Before the third or fourth game starts

A rowdy dash into the Lake

Dispels the heat and cools the brow

Allowing others to partake.

The day soon ends against the sky

The Conference music calls to all

“Raise your voice in song!” is heard

With stirring message to recall.

But Fall has caught me unaware

The colored leaves all blend their hue

Retracing steps I've left behind

With memories past I think of you.

--B. Pent

WHY GOD IS SILENT

I heard God’s voice so clear at first

His Word spoke deeply to my heart

I knew just what to do right then

It was His presence from the start.

Then other voices soon were heard

That made me turn my mind to see

If this was now the only choice

That God intended just for me.

So when my thoughts led me astray

Confusion followed me around

The voice that once was loud and clear

Became a hallow, empty sound.

As I was wandering in the night

My troubled soul was griped by fear

Until confession brought me back

To where His leading became clear.

Now when I hear the Shepherd’s voice

I follow closely by His side

Assured that when He speaks again

I know He'll be my faithful Guide.

--B. Pent.

THE CALVARY ROAD

I've walked life's road for many years

At times I've faced some bitter tears
I've seen the good which made me glad
I've known the wrong which made me sad
Yet when I weighed each gain or loss
I sensed the conflict of the Cross.

Just why should love and grace appear
When man rejects God's offer here?
The Law revealed the Judge's claim

All men are slaves and bound by shame
When Jesus showed His nail pierced hand

The Cross revealed salvation's plan.

The Serpent's lie to be a “god”

Enslaved all men upon earth's sod

Yet God ordained sin's price be paid

Upon His Son our sins were laid

This Calvary Road will always be

The only place to be set free.
--B. Pent

CHOOSE WISELY

The course of life is like a race

And every man is on the team

Its valleys or its mountaintops

Are strewn with obstacles between.

Decisions come in various ways

And are the signs that mark the path

But only those who rightly choose

Can see the value of their task.

Some find the race too burdensome

While others seek escape from pain

But only those who follow strong

Will not have run their race in vain.

There is a road each man must take

And only two around each bend

There’s one that leads to heaven’s Shore

The other to a Christless end.

--B. Pent

THE SECRET OF JOY

How vain man searches for a way

Through earthly toys that soon decay

And thinks these things bring happiness

Yet find, it leads to 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 answer found is knowing Him

And helping free those bound by sin.

The fruit of joy one can express

Is helping widows in distress

Or helping orphans find a home

Where 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