come if you're thirsty, come if you're stained
come if you're weary, come if you're pained
come to the water, the bread and the blood
come to Christ's soul-saving covenant flood
there's no one too *****, no one too poor
no one too broken whose faith He'll ignore
come if you hear Jesus calling your name
come to be free of all guilt and all shame
come if you're willing to cast out old strife
come lay your burden and take up new life

Dear god I pray for everyone
Who reads these words I write
Help them all to seek you
When things just don't seem right
I ask that you may comfort them
With compassion and your love
That they shall kneel
And lift their heads
To you who's up above
Send to them an angel
To guard them and protect
In the hope that they will come to know
Your heart with much respect
Heal them Lord
And guide them through this journey
We call life
Help them when their troubled
When their path is filled with strife
Shine your light Upon them
When life seems dark and grey
Reveal to them your truths
Your word
please show to them the way.

Good morning
Pink raised sun
Shine vibrant
Sun rays or is
This
Good Mourning
In beams to hope

Jesus will return clouded in glory
Eyes burn multitudes more than morning sun
Cloaked in purity
One Word in holiness
Helpless all will bend at knee shouting unworthy pleas
The time is nearing
His spoken sword piercing the just judgement
Can you feel the edge?
It cuts in the mind.
Either uncomfortable conviction
Or peaceful praise in His promises to come

By noon
a day begun
twelve hours before
A thought had taken time away
It is a mystery to me
   how His infinite eyes have seen the dawn of days
It's my savior that lets me sleep
Hallelujah! my King is near
With the keys to life in death
Hades and Heaven in His grasp
It is my savior my soul to keep
Let me leap in joy
   leap in love
      leap in faith
I will land between light bright is His
Grace
By your Word I see in darkness
Lord I pray in Christ Jesus alone
As I lay my head to rest I'll
   wait to be home in
The Amen of good nights
   remove me from my sinful slumber

When all is well
We praise God
  Word holy and true
   We praise God
    When all has fell
     We hear God
      How we know who Is Powerful
     A perfect authority
    A redeeming cross
   A saving sacrifice
  A reason for hope
A purpose to life
A love unending

happiness is
to happening
changes from good to bad
it is joy be found in sorrows days
   true salvation came
by Jesus blood did take my blame
   subdued my shame
     in Jesus name I pray with love
Rejoice! make known!
everywhere His name is there
    the voice in side to bring us near
in His Word I see loud and clear
in struggle and strength
society gone away
happy and sad
It is Jesus Christ we need
for true life
to stay

You need to know
Fools live among you,
Fools,
Similar to the destroyed ones
Burned from the skies,
The people I'm speaking of
Dream on,
Living on dreams,
Filthify-ing  flesh,
Railing against law,
Railing against law enforcement,
Throwing off authority,
Ridiculing Highest Powers,
Despising Glory,
Expecting no judgment.

Not even Michael,
Michael the Archangel,
Battling the Devil,
Old Lucifer himself,
Potent in infernal might,
Would so presume.

Even Michael,
Trumpeter of God,
Mightiest of angels,
When disputing with the Devil
Over who would take
The body of Moses,
Was wiser than to curse
His infernal Opponent.

Instead,
He stood behind the Robes
Of the Most High,
And importuned,
"The Lord Himself rebuke you."

god made stars
for starving poets

when they look up
they forget
how hungry they are

    ~mce

you see a man suffering
I see love dying for loves sake

a journey of utter trust
winding down the stairs

to reach Adam and Eve
and to bring them up again

I am not, what one would deem to be a "religious" man. As a matter of fact, it has been a very long time since I have been to a church service, other than attending a wake, or a funeral. But, that should not label me as a "disbeliever", for I strongly believe in the Trinity.

Around my neck is a chain with a cross pendant. My wife, Karen, gave it to me the first Christmas of our marriage,  49 years ago, come this December.  On my right-hand is a ring, the symbol of the  Alpha/Omega stamped upon its crest. A reminder that I can be taken from this mortal earth at anytime, and perhaps, not of my choosing. On my left-hand, another ring, with a cross carved upon its crest. Again, a reminder that there is a higher, more powerful entity, that we as mortals, often take for granted(we say we don't, but we do).

Does everyone agree with me? "No, of course not!" I wear them, "for me." I thank the Lord everyday, for my family, my grandchildren, and yes, that does include my cat(my Guardian Angel). I thank Him for the friends I have made, and for the friends I have never seen, but to whom I enjoy stretching my hands across seas and continents, asking, "How are you, hope you're doing well, and stay in touch." I hope it continues for a very long time.

copyright: richard riddle: September 30, 2015

There was a moment at midnight
lit by stars shining bright
shining down
    the moon lit night
the face from above
holy and right
just and pure
relieved of sin
shame set free
let it be known the light in side
that shines bright in the darkest of nights

we must come together
as the stars of Abraham
  we will shine brighter than the moon lit night
tonight is the night to make known the presence of sanctity in your soul.

one minute past midnight is tomorrow. so choose today who will be when you awake from the sinful slumber of this world