We come with humble hearts to listen
To listen to our Savior speak
We bend our knees in humble adoration
In adoration to the Blessed Christ
We bow our heads and lift our hearts
Lift our hearts to the Lamb on High
With the angel choirs in Heaven we sing
We sing sweet songs in glory to the Lord
Fill our hearts with child-like wonder
In wonder do we see such awe-full splendor
We leave it all to follow you
Follow your way, your life, your truth

In our sorrow and our sadness
When all hope is lost and so is gladness
I fall on my knees in pain and suffering
As I cry Abba Father, keep me from the sting
If you are there, if you love me: save me from my foes
Turn this darkness into light and bring me from my woes
Can you not feel my pain? Do you not know my hurt?
My God, without your love, I am no more alive than dirt
One small drop in a sea of people, do you hear me?
If you would say but one word, I could finally be free
But if you don't Lord and this is to be my fate
If this is something that isn't up for debate
Then help me carry my heavy wooden cross
For you are my strength when all hope is lost
I remember your agony, your sweat and your tears
I remember all the pain and heartache and fears
You asked for the cup to pass you by
With eyes raised up to the dark night sky
"But not my will, but yours be done
And I will be your faithful son"
So, Lord let your will be done in me, your child
In your mercy hold me as the storms rage wild
Let me glory in my weakness where you are made strong
And at the right time, bring me home where I belong

Lord I am suffering, someone I know, and love is suffering. In your merciful love, take this pain away from me, but Your Will Oh Lord My God, not mine. Help me trust in you and rely on your strength because mine has long since failed. There are times when all I can do is weep, because I have no words to speak. Comfort me Lord, let me know your presence and peace even for a moment like the angel in the garden. I know you feel my pain even as your own. I know you weep for me and with me. In times of suffering and when I am facing death, help me remember how much you suffered for my sake. You offered yourself in total surrender to God for the sake of the world. Help me surrender to you.

Lord, I give You my life and all that I am and have, because You gave Your life FOR me and because You GAVE me life. On the cross before You died, you gave me life when You FOR-GAVE.
Amen

Jesus holds us each in his palm
For we are each unique and hand crafted
Beautifully, wonderfully, fearfully made from the start
He is making a masterpiece a priceless work of art
We are a tile in the mosaic of life
An important part of a bigger picture
We are beautiful because we are different
We are different because we are special
We are special because we are important
We are important because we are loved
When we look right now it is unfinished
It is scarred and cracked and rough
But when we look upon the finished piece
We see love and light and peace
Through the years I was beginning to take shape
A gradual transformation was going on in me
A lifelong journey toward who I'm supposed to be

There is something special about laughter
It makes me warm and fills me with glee
Then the tears that follow after
Are treasured by you and me
It’s more contagious than the common cold
It affects the very young and the quite old
It crosses over every border every barrier
It’s the sound that makes you think I wanna marry her
The pure joy of jumping in a puddle
And coming inside to warm up and cuddle
It wells up and surges forward and bursts out
Especially when it’s not supposed to
You can’t stop it because it came out of the blue
Share your joy with others give them hope and peace
That the good in us will always increase
This joy is radioactive it permeates the very air
You may not see it, but most can feel it there
Laughter makes the heart light
Like somehow, everything will be alright

The water roils and thunder rumbles
Growls low and long across the miles
The waves stir and the wind wakes
In the storm upon the sea

The boat is tossed upon raging waters
At the mercy of the ocean
Slave to every maddening motion
In the storm upon the sea

As the earth unleashes fury
Driving rain and flashing fire
A prayer sent up; sound swallowed by the wind
In the storm upon the sea

The plea is heard as the wind whispers
The clouds roll off to show a sea of diamonds
Moonlight reflects off shining waters
In the night upon the sea

Oh Lord my God, that I would disappear
That I could hide inside your heart
And be content to rest in your presence.
That I could be still and silent
That I could melt in the heat of your love.
You are hidden in the bread and wine,
Yet present all the same
And still, you reveal your heart
To those who humbly came.
May I imitate your life
As I try to reflect this love
And share your heart with others.
Increase Lord, until we are
Of one mind, one heart, one soul.
Until the two parts fade away
And the day I am finally whole.
Let me lay my head upon your breast
Where your heart speaks to me
And where I find perfect peace and rest.
Lord, that where you are, there I may also be.

Though we suffer for a time
And not everything works out fine
Nothing compares to what is waiting
For those, with hope, anticipating

A time of peace and comfort

Not everything is healed
Nor all wounds erased
But His Glory will be revealed
And sadness will be replaced

And we shall know His comfort

Sometimes all we have is comfort
Sometimes a point we make peace
A strength in the shadow of the cross
To comfort one who knows of loss

In whom we find our comfort

Maybe a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on
Maybe a cheerful smile or a listening ear
Maybe just to know someone will be there
To know, beyond a doubt, someone does care

Maybe this is the greatest comfort

Jesus never said there would be no pain
No sorrow, no loss, no sadness
But he also said he would never leave us
And, one day, turn our mourning into gladness

So, for now hold on to hope
And pray for peace and comfort

I need someone to lean on and to trust
I need someone who will love me no matter what
I need someone who will find the hidden beauty
Someone who helps out of love and not simply duty
I need someone to defend me when I am under attack
Someone who is in my corner and who always has my back
I need someone to see the real me and still not leave
I need someone who will also give back not only receive
I need someone who is gentle and yet strong
I need someone at my side as we walk along
I need someone who will listen to me when I need a friend
Someone who is faithful and true to the very end
I need someone who will treat me the way that I deserve
I need someone who is willing to surrender and serve
I need someone I can turn to in any situation
Someone who will share in both sadness and elation
I need someone who understands what makes me what I am
I need someone who will be with me to hold me and take my hand
I need someone can tell when something isn’t right
Someone who will watch over me both by day and by night
I need someone who will tell me that things will be okay
I need someone who isn’t afraid to kneel down and pray
Someone to forgive me and help me forgive myself
Someone who makes me feel like there is no one else
I need someone who knows I am special and unique
I need someone who will be my light when life is bleak
I need someone to care to act with loving kindness
Who will open my eyes to see and remove my blindness
I need someone so rare there might be only one
And I pray it’s not too late before the search is done

There's something bigger, there's something more
There's something greater than there ever was before
A difference so subtle I almost paid it no mind
Hard to put my finger on and harder still to define
Life goes on and time inexorably passes
It seems the same, but now and then there are flashes;
Glimpses of what was, what is, and what could be
There, I observe, I am alive and well and free
What I would need to change to make this future a reality!
I could never get there on my own; the gap is just too wide
I need someone to build a bridge to cross the great divide.
There is one who has the tools to do the task
But I need to take initiative and ask.
I like what I see, but do I really want to do this?
All the comforts and control of the vices, I would miss.
How could I live without them around?
It would be uncomfortable not to have them weighing me down.
I think this now, but there I saw real joy and peace
And if this could happen, I'd love that sweet release.
I could sing with all my heart, I could dance with every part
I could cross the great sea with the wind filling my sails
And anchored steady and secure in the storms and the gales.
I could fill the sky with words of love, with thanks and praise unceasing
Writing poetry and prayers, across the world reaching
If this is what could be, what reason do I have to resist
Open my hand, put it in yours and walk with you instead of making a fist
Lead me to this future and help me follow you
Help me if I stumble and guide me straight and true!

There is beauty that makes my heart ache
There is beauty in every breath I take
There is beauty every time I come awake
There is a beauty so profound that it can't be fake
There is a drop of grace in every little step
There is a bit of hope in every word I write
There is a little love in every child's eyes
There is a hint of heaven in the miracle of life
There is joy that defies all reason
There is peace that passes all understanding
There is hope that burns eternally
There is love that transcends even death
There is the truth deeper than this reality
There is the way which brings me to life
There is the life, and it is so beautiful
And oh, how I love, this Beautiful Living!

Come enter into this sanctuary
Come to the place of bended knee
Approach the inner courts humbly
You come before the God the Lord of Host
Before Him who loved us the most
Come into the most sacred place
Where we meet Jesus face to face
The sanctuary is a safe place, a haven
A place to go when you need savin'
In the shadow of the cross
Life is found in what once was lost
In the shelter of His wings
We find peace, hope, and holy things
Come enter into the secret hideaway
Where all your troubles just melt away
Take a few minutes of each day
To enter the sanctuary, to stay and pray

At this moment Lord, I am feeling a little uncomfortable, a little irritable, a little restless. It's not bad, but it certainly isn't pleasant, and I don't know just why. So, Lord, I ask for peace. I ask that you make it go away for I know that you are able, but if it is not your will Lord, help me offer this up for the salvation of souls and that you would ease someone else's discomfort. I unite this moment to the moments when you were also distressed. I offer these prayers and this feeling not for myself, but for the many others who, at this very moment, are in far greater need of your comfort and peace than I.

God said do not babble when you go to pray
Filling space and time with little things to say
So, I give you a guide that you can follow along
There, come to the place where all can belong
Now, we need not pray it word for word.
We can do differently, and we will still be heard.
But think about the words you say
And think about how much they weigh.
Are we just going through the motions
While, what we mean, we have no notion?
The "Our Father" we've said so many, many times
But have we ever stopped to look between the lines?

It was brought to my attention by a friend
Who said something to this end:
The "Our Father" calls us to focus outward.
"Give us this day our Daily Bread" which is basic and turned to self (it's very small)

"And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"
Our attention is focused not on ourselves, but towards others

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power and glory
Now and forever AMEN"
We have now turned our focus to the universe, to Heaven and to God!

So often in the world today we are focused inside ourselves, it's all about "I" or "Me", what can I get, what's in it for me? It's small and lonely although we'd like to deny it and, sometimes, we lash out because of it. God calls us to be so much more, to be so much bigger. This world is temporary and fading and in the vast expanse of the universe there would not God in his goodness have created other life, other planets, solar systems. God is infinite, his love is infinite so why would or should his ultimate plan for us be this earth alone? Something so small and nothing more?

Lord, help us open ourselves up to your love, word and truth. Help us to open our hearts to all of our brothers and sisters and neighbors around the world and be open to you. Open our eyes and challenge us to expand and grow beyond ourselves. Elevate our thinking to you, help us be mindful of what we say when we pray and help us to pray from our heart and soul rather than our head. As we expand outward Lord, please draw us into yourself. On the cross, you spread your arms wide to take in all people and there is always room in your heart and your home for another. In your goodness, grant we pray, Oh Lord the courage and strength to do likewise. Amen.

So often my love is shallow or fake
Unwilling to do what I know it takes
I am too wrapped up in my self-love
Self-interest and self-pity
To see that my vision is itty-bitty
I miss the sunset staring at the ground
Tenser than a spring I'm so tightly wound
In the war between the spirit and flesh
Caught in the middle, I'm a hot mess
So easy to say I love you
But so difficult to really prove
You love me without condition
And you send me out on mission
Jesus; source of love in pure perfection
In your love help me be a reflection
Imperfect as I may be shine through me today
Grant me grace to turn back to you
And the discipline to obey

For freedom is found in following
The law of the Lord is the light of love.
Perfect peace and power passes over
When we watch with awe and wonder
What happens when, in our need, we kneel.
Sorrow and sadness in the savior's shadow
Are arrested in authentic love's atoning act,
Shed for sinners in the ultimate sacrifice.
Body and blood broken and beautiful
We are given the gift of God's great grace.
Recall the wretched reign, be reborn renewed
For Christ has come to call his child.

If not for love and being there; what else?

We can always help you; but you need to help yourself.

We are there in the good times and the bad;

Laughing when you’re happy, crying with you when you’re sad.

We love you for who you really are; seeing only the good,

We do that just like everyone should.

Seeing past the faults, to the beauty inside;

We bring out the best in you, we find it; it can’t hide.



Happy are those who don’t have much;

But who are rich in love and such.
  


Friends create the bond that gets you through life;

We will always see you through especially in strife.

Have no fear; for you are never alone

We are always there; even if we aren’t shown.

Real friends and relationships are life’s naturally occurring super-glue

They help to mend and strengthen, to bind wounds, and aid you.

The road we walk in life is full of barriers, obstacles, and more,

You may trip and fall at times; but much better is in store.

We will guide you, be your walking stick, and always help you up.

Do you hunger and thirst? We fill your plate or cup.

We are the Ultimate all-in-one Convenience Shop.

We’ve got all you need and want at no price; just ask after you stop.

Need a hand, a shoulder, or just a listening ear?

We have everything you could possibly want and need; just don’t ask for the beer!

Jesus- has got to be the foundation to get others to Heaven
Others- a lot easier when Jesus is the foundation
Yourself- to love others as yourself you have to love yourself
= JOY

I know. I was there. I am here.
You are never alone. Turn to me and I will be your comfort and your peace. One day I will dry your eyes and the joy will never cease. I know you feel pain right now so deep and so profound. Caught in the undertow of sorrow and feeling like you’ve drowned. I know. I was there. I am here. I have never let you go. You have never left my sight. Trust in me and everything will turn out all right. I know it seems like the end right now but you don’t know the plot. Please believe me when I say that, the end, it is not. I was there nailed on the cross and I felt all: the pain the sadness the loss. I took it all so you that you could understand and place your hand in my hand. I have danced. I have laughed and I have wept. I understand how it feels to lose someone you love. But I also know they look down from above. No more hurt and no more hunger no more older no more younger. No more sickness no more death. Only joy and praise with every single breath. I know sometimes you wonder about the meaning of it all. And sometimes you question whom and when I call. I know it seems impossible now, but you must remember and move on. Remember that nothing is impossible with me. I know. I was there. I am here. On the days when it gets too hard, lean on me and I will help you up. I will give you the strength you need as you eat this bread and drink this cup. I know. I was there. I am here. Let this be a gentle reminder not to take life for granted but to live each moment out. Live each day as if today was your last day; make every second count. I know. I was there. I am here but do not live in fear. I am with you now and always even through the end of the age. The world and it’s things are fleeting and will eventually pass away, but the word of the Lord is eternal and His love is here to stay. I know. I was there. I am here. I love you. Be at peace.

When times are good I have someone to share my joy
When times are tough they carry me
When times are dark they give me hope and light
In the storms they give me comfort and peace
When times are dry they sustain me and give me strength
When I am lost they seek me out to find me again
When I come back they are waiting there to meet me
When times are callous and cold they are kind and warm
When times are too much they take me to a quiet place
When times are tired they give me peace and rest
When times I am sad they are present but give me space
In times of celebration they sing and dance with me
In times of need they have provided
Often times of their presence I am aware
Even when I can’t always see them there
When trouble surrounds me they will see me safely through
For strength from adversity they watched me as I grew
When the time has come at last
To look back on my colored past
I will see that in good and bad and through it all
They are the reason I still can stand tall
There was never a time when I was all alone
I was held by the one who calls me his own

Because of you I am here today

And I should thank you everyday

No way have I deserved your love and mercy

Why? You didn’t have to die for me; I sin every day

You willingly chose death and humiliation so that I could be free

You stared death in its face

Nothing, not even death’s vice grip could hold you down

You paid the ultimate price to show me love

Still I ask why. You could have let justice be served

But the power of your love overcame that

I don’t know if anything could make me do what you did for me

To die for another out of love or even to save

I don’t know what it is like to die for one much less all

I can’t imagine what the pain of the sin for one life is

Compile everybody’s sins during their life. How?

How could you do it? How could you go on knowing everything you did?

Thank You. Because of you I am here today…



AMEN

In Praise

In gratitude and thanksgiving we give you praise
Wisdom and blessings on the one who prays
We honor you the Most High God
We dance and sing you give you laud
We celebrate what we have received
Your life your very presence in us we believed
In the Eucharist our thanksgiving
Font of life and hope for the living
Your justice and mercy we extol
And in your loving arms you will console
Those who mourn and the pushed aside
Their cries are heard and their pleas are not denied
Your Love is boundless and Your grace abounds
As I get closer my heart now pounds
It beats so strong with life and vigor
You are radioactive and my heart gets even bigger
I love to love and i try to love like you
And your Love is the strongest glue
In gratitude for all the blessings and gifts
I come back to you with a song on my lips
There is a fire in my heart that will not die or dim
Because it was put there by none other than Him
Take Lord, all that we have to give
Multiply it and show us how to truly live
To serve not only our neighbor but even our foes
Treating all with care and respect for we are like the rose
Beautiful and sweet but be warned
If not handled right we may feel the thorns
We thank you God for the earth and all you have made
And still you know every hair on our head and every grass blade
And for your creation: a masterpiece and work of art
That we should love you with all our mind and soul and heart

I Will Provide

When you're lost and alone and all on your own
I will provide
When it looks like too much and you feel out of touch
I will provide
When it's cold and dark and you've missed the mark
I will provide
When you're blind and can't see just reach out to me
I will provide
If the walls close in and you're stretched too thin
I will provide
If the words won't come and you can't find the sun
I will provide

Lord, I live for you as you lived for me
I give you my all you gave everything for me
It is so hard to accept this gift sometimes
It's so overwhelming, this love outpouring
And it is all I can do to simply be adoring
You only want my happiness
You desire only my joy
You sing over me and you smile
You gaze at me in awe and wonder and love
What else can I do, but live for you
I believe Lord, help me to receive you
More fully into my body and my soul
Take it all Lord, for I give you control
I surrender to you though it hurts
So live and move and breathe in me
I make my life an offering of love
So as to live for you, my God, above

You are good: so, so good to me
Father in Heaven, you never let me down
All the good that is in me is from you Lord
You are Holy and Perfect and Blameless
And, by the precious blood, you make me spotless
You come running out to me to embrace me
When I turn around and come back home
You are waiting; arms flung open wide
You held me close while we both cried
Tears of sadness and pain, healing and relief
In this flood of tears comes a flood of peace
Lord, let me rest in your presence for a while
And Lord, always help me to live for you

Love one another as I have loved you
I came to the world to speak the truth
Sinners all and fallen; death should be the reward
Your eternal life: proof that Jesus Christ is Lord
Justice demands retribution mercy pays the cost
Love has come to be a light for the ones who are lost
Justice doesn’t solve the problem, doesn’t make it right
It can’t heal the hurt and it’s often done in spite
Mercy forgives and mercy loves, it stops hate in its tracks
It is disarming as a weapon and confuses potential attacks
Forgive them for they know not what they do
Forgive us our sins and help us return to you
You opened your arms to take us in one and all
Quietly you knock and softly do you call
What will be our answer as we quest for peace
Beyond Justice to Mercy can the violence cease
Our vision is clouded in the heat of the moment
Help us Lord to reconcile to seek atonement
Beyond Hurt to Healing beyond Sadness to Joy
Beyond Death to New Life to create not destroy
When we try to understand we build a bridge to span
The river raging fast and wide and cross it if we can
Beyond Justice to Mercy in the Sacred Heart Of Jesus
It is with eyes of love and compassion that He sees us
In all our sin and death, still he found us worthy to save
We should cherish the undeserved gift He gave
And strive in gratitude to do the same
To forgive and to love in Jesus’ name
Beyond Justice to Mercy is the key takeaway
And we can improve if we work together and pray

Remember Death... Remember to Live

Today is a day of reflection and remembrance of death, of the frailty and fleeting nature of earthly life. Jesus is dead. Some feel the pain and loss, some carry on with life, but everyone is changed. Jesus was only thirty-three when he died and had only been in his public ministry for three years. I don't know how it was back then, but by today's standards, that's awfully young. I've known several people who were quite young who have passed away recently, and it makes me stop and wonder "What am I doing with my life?" Am I focusing on what really matters or am I not utilizing well what precious little time I have? It is important to remember that we will die, and things of this world are fleeting that it may temper our lives, but we should also focus on making the most of life. Live, love, hurt, laugh, cry: all of these things help us know we are truly alive. It is not just physical death that is important to remember either. Sin causes spiritual death, and true love is sacrificial: dying to oneself for the joy and well-being of another. Jesus died to give us life. His life was His love and He gave it away. Jesus gave us everything. We can and ought to give something back to him because "we would have nothing, nothing, nothing if we didn't have Him". Jesus died to nail our sins upon the cross and as we die with Christ, so too will we rise with Him. May God help us to die to ourselves and live for others. When we live for others, we also live for God: "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me". I pray that at the end of your life, that you don't have any regrets for wanting to do something and not doing it. Don't forget to tell your parents, your spouse, your family and friends that you love them and cherish them. Call that person, that friend that you haven't talked to in years. Be generous and compassionate to the person on the street. Don't wait, because tomorrow could be too late. We are not promised tomorrow, we are only promised right now. We are only promised today. So, today and everyday we pray: Memento Mori... Memento Vivere.

Remember Death, but most importantly... Remember to Live!

Amen

I sit in stillness in this silent, dark room
Lit only by candles and the soft glow from the moon
I sit before Jesus, drawn in by his gaze
My heart is filled with a silent song of praise
I can hear my heartbeat: it beats for you
How my spirit aches to be united to you
The stars above- a hundred billion tiny lights
Comfort me even on the longest of nights
In your arms you lead me through a heavenly dance
You chose me to be a part of this sacred romance
Together we glide across the celestial dance floor
I am dancing with the one whom I most adore
I am taken by a love so profound I am shaken
And when I turned away, I was not forsaken
I sit with you and watch my worries disappear
You open my eyes, and it all becomes clear
All I need, all I want, is to be right where you are
I need you so close: please be never far
I am here just to burn in your presence
To bear witness to you in life's little moments
Just once, I want to spend an evening
With my Lord, just being and receiving
Not talking, but listening not rushing, but waiting
Being filled with courage and confidence, not hesitating
I sit here and surrender my heart for you gave me your own
Spending an evening with Jesus is like nothing I have ever known
It brings me in my weakness, down upon my knees
But there is strength and peace and the whisper of a breeze
The feeling of this fleeting moment
My soul holds now and forever
A memory so powerfully potent
To strengthen it in spiritual endeavor

Walking through the snow
In a winter wonderland we go
Near to our hearts are family and friends
Treetops look so pure and white
Even in the dark our hearts are light
Rudolph and Frosty we watch on T.V.
Time to slow down for time goes so fast
I really wish that I could make the moment last
Memories of joy and laughter: good times in the year
Evening sky is crystal clear

Sunset

The sun slowly sinks to fall to the sea
Reminding us a little of how human life can be
Setting the world on fire with red and orange also purple and blue
Painting so beautifully the canvas of the sky
Some insects and animals wake up as the temperature starts to cool
The dwellers of the night are now the ones who rule
In the sunset there is both violence and peace
There is death and despair and hope
Signifying the end of one thing and the beginning of another
One of the most beautiful and romantic scenes the to be viewed
We have the pleasure of being able to experience it every day

Mary Most Holy, ****** pure and chaste
Breath of Heaven help us make haste
Let your spirit dwell within us, and walk beside
Help us glory in the cross of our Christ Crucified
By your grace and faith we have been given Christ the Child
Who calms storms or our souls when life gets wild
Help us to live by your example, show us the way to your son
** amazing that praising 10,000 years we've just begun
Bless us all and take us unto you
Pray for us and guide us straight and true
Let your light shine in our hearts and in our lives
Help us to be good parents and men take care of our wives
Queen of all the Universe your name in praise we lift
For the love you have for your children and for the greatest gift
Lead us to your son our Lord and point the way to Him
Lead us today and lead us home when our eyes grow dim
Grant some share of that grace you possess
And help me find some peace and rest.

Amen

There are demons and evil spirits
Lurking in the shadows of our minds and hearts
Some small forgotten corner is where it starts
It only takes a single little crack
For the evil to take root and attack
It eats away slowly, carefully biding its time
And until it's too late you think you are fine
It starts small: softening the edges
Bit by bit, shifting, driving wedges
It is a poison sweeping through
A silent deadly killer it is true
But worst of all it affects the greater whole
It takes a soul as pure and white as snow
And works to turn it black as coal
There is no cure for this disease
It is part of our Human Condition
But with careful care and treatment
This cancer can go into remission
There is a way that we can fight
Tools and medicine to battle the blight
The Rosary: a blazing cord of burning truth
Evil screams and flees in proof
Prayer and praise are armor and shield
To protect us on the battlefield
Calling down Great Heaven's Might
Saints and Angels put foes to flight
Holy men and women we have known
Show us always we do not fight alone
Commanding the evil in the name of The Lord
We Rebuke, Renounce and Cast Out
And by the Mercy and Grace of God's own Son
May goodness and peace be restored

Let my words fall like drops of rain upon the thirsty ground
Let the joy in my heart be felt for miles around
Let the song from my mouth be as sweet as wild honey
Let me give treasure more valuable than money
Let my praise fill the sky as beautiful as the morning birds
Let me paint a beautiful picture from the gift of my words
Let my prayers rise up like the sweetest perfume
Let my light pierce the night and the darkest gloom

Spring is finally here: winter has come and passed.
Days are getting longer, it's getting warmer at last.
Sunshine melts the snow to quench the thirsty ground,
And on Easter morning, many eggs are found.
Red and yellow roses, daisies and daffodils too;
The smile that appears whenever I think of you.
All creation comes alive with a natural symphony
That pours forth from every rock and stream and tree.
Music fills the air as the rainbow dances across the sky,
This beauty I cannot express no matter how hard I try.

A splash of red against the wall of white
He stands: still and stark in the silent snow.
The sun strikes the new fallen snow
And light dances from a million crystals and more.
Sensing no danger, he calls for his mate.
With a voice strong and clear and sweet he sings for her
To feast on winter berries and sunflower seeds,
Keeping eye and ear out as his bride feeds.
Together forever these two they shall be:
When they mate, they mate for life you see.
Here he stands upon the fence, ever faithful ever true:
Dressed in ruby regalia, he looks at me and you.

Would I know You if You sat across from me on the bus?

Would I know You if I bumped into you on the street?

Would I see Your face in that of a ragged homeless man?

Would I recognize You in the teen mother taking shelter from the rain?

Could I know You in the condemned prisoner’s eyes?

Could I see You when helping someone who dropped their groceries?

Or letting someone go before me in line?

Would someone see You if I did those things?

Would Your light shine through for others to see?

The reason the world does not know You

Is because it does not know love and You are love!

Would I know you in Your many forms?

Would I take action and help You?

If I was that way would someone take the time to care?

Would I be welcoming and would they be understanding?

Lord help me to truly understand and respond appropriately to the needs of others

And may all hearts be open and welcoming as we come closer

To each other and to You.


AMEN!

Lord, so often I'm looking for the next thing
Believing that, happiness, it will bring
Then I find, to my dismay, it's not true at all
And, once again, my dreams and hopes fall
I'm looking for something to call my own
I'm longing for the feeling that I'm finally home
A place where I'm truly loved and fully known
A place where I never again have to feel alone
You say you have a plan for me: I believe it is true
You tell me that you love me: I believe that you do
You say you'll be always with me: I believe this too
You ask me just to trust, and I still hold back from you
The things of this world are fast and fleeting
But you love and word are forever keeping
When the affections of earth are cruel and cold
Help me recall love's anchor to which I must hold

Lord, teach me how to be wholly satisfied
Break these bonds of selfishness and pride
You are my shepherd, there is nothing that I lack
As I cast my eyes ahead, help me not look back
My eyes are ever wand'ring
And my heart, ever restless
But as I come into your presence
I am speechless, I am breathless
I stand amazed in wonder and in awe
As I see before me the very throne of God
The angels sing and anthems ring
Shouts of praise: Hosanna to our King
Holy, Holy, Holy saturates the air
Tears fill my eyes, and I don't even care
And now, like the morning sun, it dawns:
That this is where my heart belongs
The feeling fades and yet it lingers still
By your goodness and grace, it always will

I love you Lord I must confess
That so sinning still you bless
The grace you freely give
Your death so I could live
I don't deserve such love and care
But even when I push you away, still you are there
I want to love you like I say I do
Like I know I do
But in my humanity i struggle against the truth
I love the light but the dark is comforting or at least more familiar
Even the night is as bright as the day
There is nothing that you can't see
You also see deep into my heart and you know what lies there
There is a burning fire hot and alive with love for you and all of your creation
I would love to be set ablaze so I could start a fire the whole world over
Even now with darkness in and around my heart you have given me a joy, a love, and a faith that burns bright and hot and steady and touches other people and I am so grateful
Continue to be with me Lord this day and every hour of every day for the rest of my life
Never let me go Lord
Hold me to you and wrap me in your embrace
Let your will be done in me that I could be like a lighthouse for someone who is lost in the darkness
Keep your promise always Lord
Thank you for keeping your promises!
Amen.

Lord there is beauty in the Ultimate Sacrifice
You my God paid our salvation’s price
And though I don’t deserve it you died
Because of your sacrifice the SMT has cried
Let us all be witnesses to you Oh God
Many take you for granted and I also nod
As I think about it, I see how blind I’ve been
My eyes are still veiled and I think when?
Lord let me be at peace like a hand on my shoulder
I’ve been bold, but not enough; I want to be bolder
If the tears don’t come, let it be my heart and soul
There is an emptiness in my heart and you alone can fill that hole
I know you’re out there so send me a sign
May it be the grace of a hand or the might of a line
I have given and given, but I don’t seem to receive
Lord, you’ve shown me miracles, now let me believe
Lord thank you for my gift of words and love
Cleanse and renew me from the rain up above
Come Holy Spirit, come work through me today
You gave your life, I give my all away
While I have breath I will not complain
I ask not just tonight, but forever this feeling remain
My hand is feverishly writing for the first time in a while
I take this as a sign from the Holy Spirit’s personal file
The time is near for things to come, the feeling is good
You spoke to me Lord and since then I understood
The angels praise you above while we praise below
As I look upon the Bread of Life, the Holy Host
I can’t come to think of what….

When the battle lines are drawn, and the horn of war has sounded
When you are outnumbered, and the enemy has you surrounded
When your heart is beating madly inside your chest
Summon up the hope that springs eternal in the human breast
And go, once more, unto the breach!

When the walls fall, and the defenses are shattered
And you are bruised and broken, ****** and battered
Fight with all your being and brave the sea of foes
Fight for God and for family, fight for the love of those
And go, once more, and stand in the gap

We are called to stand in the gap, and even give our lives
We are called to intercede for our children and our wives
Lay down your sword and take up the arrows of love
Pierce the dark and fill the void with light from above
And go, once more, and stand in the gap

Christ has come as the Holy and Annointed One
To stand in the gap that our sin had begun
The chasm that separated us is no more
For the cross has become the bridge to the far shore
And Jesus, once more, stands in the gap

Since the fall and by the sins of mortal man
We find it difficult to truly understand
That our hearts are broken and there stands a void
We struggle to find the peace we once enjoyed
Only the love of God can fill the void

The angels' battle is relentless and eternal
Against the forces of darkness infernal
The earth is slick with blood and death
But still, they fight on with every last breath
And go, once more, unto the breach!

Jesus calls out to us: "Come to Me"
And, filled with faith, we walk upon the sea
With our eyes upon the master, we rise above
And we walk to him with hearts full of love

But then we look down and see just where we are
We falter and start to sink after we came so far
We reach out for Jesus to save us again
We lost our focus and what happened then?

We have all been prodigal
We have all been dead in our sin
We have all denied the Father
And wanted our own life to begin

We have chased things that leave us empty
We have consumed things that do not satisfy
We have searched for love in all the wrong places
We hit rock bottom, ready to break down and cry

We are in the land of loss and suffering
We brought this upon ourselves
Wandering in the barren lands
Chained up in our own personal hells

Eventually we come to our senses
We see the price that our actions cost
We come crawling back to our home
But we are back; we are no longer lost

We are filled with sorrow and remorse
But the past is in the past; right now, we celebrate
"Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet
The finest wine put in his cup and meat upon his plate"

Today, all of Heaven rejoices with a grand feast
Light and life arise like the morning sun in the east
There is now much laughter and music and dance
The colors are more vivid, and my senses enhanced

We will come from suffering to celebration
We will come to a more perfect relation
We will know the true joy of Easter morn
Because, from out of suffering, we have been borne

Lord, thank you for your saving grace and for calling us to yourself. We are called to rise above the trials and storms of life, and we can when we keep our eyes fixed on you. But we lose focus Lord, we doubt, and we are pulled under. Save us Lord and give us the courage to step out on the water and go where you call us. We also pray that you would see us through the suffering to celebrate with you again. Help us be mindful of our sins and soften our hearts to be remorseful and repentant so we may rise with you in your resurrection. Amen.

We will close with these words:
"There's no one more thankful to sit at the table than the one who best remembers hunger's pain. And no heart loves greater than the one that is able to recall the time when all it knew was shame". --Steven Curtis Chapman "Remember Your Chains"

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes to see
How many great things you are doing in me
The sign of faith, the sign of peace, the sign of the cross
They all point me to a final destination
Like guideposts to give me direction
You are a sign for you have Christ within you
The work that you do, the success that you have
Jesus is the source of your many blessings
The one who gives and takes away
Be a sign for others and point the way to Him
Let your transformation be witness to the love
All the God given gifts that he meant for us to use
But whether you exercise the is for you to choose
I pray that my gifts would not so much reflect me
Not I, but Christ that lives within me
That these writings would point to God
To his love, his mercy, his goodness
You are a gift God gave to the whole human race
You have the chance to make this world a better place
"Do what is necessary, then do what is possible
And before long you will find you are doing the impossible"
Do your best let God do the rest and then don't stress it
Even in the smallest things do it with love and humility
And I promise it is something that even the blind can see
You and I are signs of God's love and faithfulness
Let them see his light reflected in your eyes
And to all who see you, bear no false disguise
You may be a miracle someone desperately needs
Be the blessed sign that points to the divine
The seeds of faith and grace
Have now been sown
Their one and only encounter with God
May have been you, with God, alone

May your lives be the Star; constant and bright
Leading others to Christ in the darkest night
May your lives be the Sign; pointing the way
Every hour, every minute, every second of the day

Amen

I live my life and I love it
If you think about your strikes you can’t hit
Time isn’t nice to those who waste their whole life
And when it passes on it cuts like a knife
Life is so short with so many things to do
But it helps to pass the time when I’m with you
People grow older and things go on
I feel lifted up when I see the rising sun at dawn
Friends make life much brighter
Don’t give up hope, you’re a strong fighter
Take a moment to reflect on the past
Life has gone by as it seems much too fast
If you don’t feel right don’t give up my friend
We are always with you until the bitter end
You are here to change lives and save some as well
When your gift is calling, soft and clear as a bell
Reach out and change someone’s life today
It will be so worth it in each and every way
Even though you don’t get money for doing something good
You get a good feeling from doing what you should
My friends have changed me so much I wouldn’t be myself
Personally, I put my pride on a shelf
I am very thankful for the friends I got
Don’t mean to order you, but this is a lot
Just expressing my feelings in this letter
I hope reading this makes your day better
I wish the best of life and all to come
I hope that some of you know where I’m coming from
I owe it all to my friends, all those people out there
I want things to be more right and fair
I wouldn’t have made it to where I am now
To try to keep growing and improving: this will be my vow

What a beautiful way to start the day
To spend an hour with Jesus
To give him my joys and challenges
And see Him how he sees us
To see him is to know him
To know him is to love him
To love him and be loved by him
There is nothing better
In Heaven or on Earth
Bread from Heaven the original Wheaties(TM)
It truly is the breakfast of champions
It gives me the strength I require
It gives me the tools I need to succeed
And it gives me the grace to inspire

I don’t know how we clicked
I don’t know why we are this way
I don’t know why you confided in me
I don’t know if I’m dating right? Its friends until it’s special
I need some help, tell me what to do
I don’t know why God used us
I don’t know how things will work out
Would having a play date be a good idea?
I get daily suggestions and accusations from little Tom
I don’t know how to express my thanks to you and to God
I don’t show my feelings well at all
But it seems to me that opposites really do attract
I don’t know if any of my poems are more meaningful than
“Hope When None”.
You keep me aware that the most simple things are sometimes the best
Showing emotion, laughing, and jogging add years to your life
The simplicity, innocence, and heartfelt gratitude touch me
There are so many things I don’t know in life
So many things I never will
For now I have to “trust” God knows what he is doing with me
‘Cuz I sure as heck don’t!
I begin to doubt whether I loved you for the trouble you were going through
I’m sure there are many hundreds or thousands of verses in the bible saying not to doubt God
I need to accept that I’m not with you just because
That might just be for him to know and me to have faith
Please pray and I will too for good judgement and insight
I would appreciate it if you could help me open my ears and heart to God

Sun and Rain (Both Sides Now)


You’ve seen the sun and felt the rain

You’ve been through joy, you’ve been in pain

You’ve been on both sides now

And you’ve made it through life somehow

You may feel at times like you want to just disappear

But you are loved so have no fear

You’ve got to remember you’re not alone

You have the power to make hearts out of stone

We’re all there for you no matter what

We want to help you; no if, and, or but

The road we walk is full of cracks and breaks

Step carefully for there are many traps and snakes

But if we give ourselves to the Lord, He can fill the holes

He is the only one who can give you peace for your soul

If we are really His; He will provide for us

And when He gives us answers we sometimes fuss

Do you feel safer when we are around?

Whenever you are in trouble, we are always found

We are there for you now and for always

We are beside you, walking in the hallways

When we’re close at hand we hope you feel stronger

With our faith in you, you can hold on a bit longer

A family is a place you can run to

A family will love you no matter what you do

They are the people who pick you up when you are down

They will put a smile on your face in place of that frown

When you need them a family is always there

They will pull you through when things are less than fair

So when you’re down in the dumps just yell…

They’ll come runnin’ like children to the dinner bell

Lord, you turned my life around
When you brought me out of the ground
You breathed on me Spirit and Life
And raised me to the higher height
Spirit and Life are your words
Its song is echoed by the birds
I am touched by your love Oh Lord
From your Sacred Heart outpoured
I am moved by the grace you have given
Taken from the dead to the land of the livin'
So inconceivable that you were back
But when you came, I about had a heart attack
Now I stand before you deeply moved
You gently take my hand as it is proved
That you are alive, and it is really you
I stand before you with my hand in your side
And I feel your heart opened wide
I touched my Lord's Most Sacred Heart
And, for me, his work he has set apart

When I look into your eyes I see a smile
When I see your smile I see thankfulness and love
You said you can tell when I’m around because of an aura
That may be true, but it’s not because of me. It’s someone else.
On my part I don’t feel an aura, but a calm and clean
Our relationship is only a slight bond formed of struggles
When you say “I love you” it’s not me, it that you’re in love with God
The only way you could tell me your life was because of God
I have needed a friend and you needed someone to care and listen
The way you can thank me is by loving and thanking Him
I don’t know how to dance, but I wonder if He does?
Your heart was open and you saw Jesus as me for help
Maybe I was Joseph to you help you carry the cross
I don’t know what will become, I am ready to be God for you

Giving brings a smile to the heart
It lifts the spirit and puts a light in the eyes
To change the world, we must be the ones to start
An anonymous gift is quite a pleasant surprise

More precious than gold is the gift of our time
There are many ways to give help and give hope
Priceless gifts that don't cost a dime
In the world today we climb a steep *****

Why do we give? What makes it great?
We give to make a difference and put a smile on someone's face
We express love and set aside hate
It's always better to be kind in any case

Sometimes I feel that when I am giving,
Only then am I truly living

Some days you got to get out of your head
Stuck in the mire of a muddy mind
And just do it
Whatever it is, just do it
Don't overthink or overanalyze
Don't allow your fear to paralyze
Everybody has a different way
A path a journey they must take
If you can dream it, you can do it
There's really nothing to it
In yourself you must believe
That you are able to achieve
You can make your dreams come true
If you have the will to see it through
But remember you're not alone
You don't have to do this all on your own
No one has all the answers
We've all got a piece of the puzzle
Together we fit and find the bigger picture
Don't fret about what happened yesterday
Don't worry about what will happen tomorrow
Live in what is happening right now
Be present and be closer to who you're meant to be
Just do it...
What will happen?
You'll see

You look at me with eyes of love
There is no condemnation or reproach
You see me from your throne above
At your feet I humbly approach

You hear my cries of longing
Cries of passion and of sorrow
You hear me when I sing
And you wake me in the 'morrow

You feel my pain and heartache
As if they were your own
And when I feel it's more than I can take
This too, you have known

You reach out to me from the wooden cross
And as you finally breathe your last
I feel a sense of overwhelming loss
And, equally, mercy and grace so vast

My heart beats because of you
My heart beats for love of you
As long as my heart beats I'll live for you
Help me Lord to give it back to you

Amen

I look up at the million brilliant lights dancing in the heavens far above,
I see the moon and its soft and gentle glow and somehow I know.
I remember and believe the times we had together:
It was a love that we thought would last forever.

I smell the sweet flowers in the air; picture the wind rushing through your hair.
The days were long and we would run and laugh and play
We were young and we were free we were perfect, you and me,
And we thought that life would always be this way.

But the years went by and the days grew cold
You moved on and stories unfold
Some days I wonder what it was we had and why it’s gone away
I wonder what happened to us and if it was but an elaborate dream

I shake my head I just know that it was real;
There is just no mistaking what it is I feel.
Are there nights when you look out and feel the same?
I will cherish always both the joy and the pain.

Sometimes I still catch myself asking what might have been.
Then again what might have been is irrelevant:
I would not be who I am today were it not for you
I love you and our time together and I pray that you did too.

Lord you reveal yourself to me in a way so profound
That if only I would seek you, there you would be found
For I opened the doors and there you were waiting
My steps falter and my words are now hesitating
I opened the windows and, on my heart, you alight
You were singing so happily like a bird that’s in flight
Once you were there you began to build a nest
And for now and always it is where you now rest
Lord I have found you in the hearts of the poor
And seen you dwell in those I thought were the least
I have known you when I doubt if anything is real
I have felt that when I’m hurting you helped me to heal
This is the revealing of the soul’s great lament
The moving of the spirit by which we are sent
The yearning to be united to our Lord once again
The working and waiting that we have until then
You know my inmost being Lord you know my every thought
Nothing is secret; all my efforts to hide are for naught
So Lord help me open myself to your holy and perfect will
To accept you and in my empty spots, won’t you fill
In your love and by your power, make me complete
Won’t you melt and refine me and turn up the heat
By the power of your passion, your burning love and desire
Burn me and brand me with your Holy Living Fire
Little by little you restore and reveal and I am being remade
Some things are sharpened and some places seem to fade
One day when this life is finally over
And I go walking through the golden field
Questions will be answered, eyes will be opened
And that which once was hidden, in truth, shall be revealed