Into the desert you call me
Down in the valley below
Into a place I can can finally see
Just how much I will grow
You take me into the wild
To be tempted and challenged and tried
But I am your precious child
And to free me you hung bled and died

Into the desert I go now
Led by the Spirit within
Every morning I wake and bow
And pray for the strength not to sin
You send your angels to watch and guard
You feed my body and soul
Though the road is long and the journey hard
I know I will reach my goal

Into the desert for forty long days
To fast and pray and learn
To trust you and follow your ways
And find a gift I cannot earn
You satisfy my hungry heart
You give me strength for the miles
You are creating a beautiful work of art
And you paint me with beautiful smiles

Into the desert I learn quiet and still
Into a place of simple surrender
Free of distractions I’m seeking your will
I count on my great defender
I move past the hurt dare to look deeper
Beyond the surface into the space
In the depths of my soul I find a keeper
Full of love and mercy, compassion and grace

Into the desert to walk with my Lord
I ask for his patience his wisdom his love
He paid the price I could never afford
And I smile as He keeps watch from above
On this journey of faith you help me realize
My blindness when I see through your eyes

When the world falls to pieces
And life is crashing down on me
The walls close in and I’m falling fast
And it’s so dark I can’t even see
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put my heart back together again
Lying there like so many shards of broken glass
These are all a result of my broken past
From the midst of the shadows you step into view
My first thought is: it’s too good to be true
But you kneel and pick up the pieces one by one
Until even the smallest is collected and it is done
Then you rearrange them so careful and so sure
I watch; captivated by the mystery and allure
You have softened some edges, others are still cracked
Here was my heart yes, but it was different in fact
I still saw the scars the memory of pain
But the bitterness and anger did not remain
A feeling of peace settled over and for the first time I saw
The bigger picture overcome with awe
I see the good and the bad more clearly defined
I see how I am beautifully wonderfully perfectly designed
This is my present, the future isn’t set in stone
I can change, I can learn, my choices are my own
I look ahead with newfound hope on my present circumstance
That with every new horizon there comes another chance
To be the best that I can be make every moment count
Together there is no challenge that we can’t surmount

The sun on my face
Going outside to have fun
Happy summer days!

With hands held open you pour out blessing
With hands held open I lay down my burden confessing
With hands held open you give us the greatest gift
With hands held open we are here to uplift
With hands held open we receive your very life
With hands held open we come to you tonight
Our hands are open; so too our hearts and minds
Enter in now, move and stay
While we sit and watch and pray
With hands held open you gather us in
Washing the stain of guilt and sin
I struggle so much and so often fail
And on my own I will never prevail
But I’m not alone for I have Emmanuel
And Mary and the saints and angels as well
I must fight the good fight and call upon the name
Who is and was and will forever remain
With hands held open you beckon and call
And help me back up when I trip slip and fall
I am not perfect, but I can always improve
Embrace and face shadow and light
And by the grace of God I’ll make it through this night
It’s not easy and it hurts but the struggle could be worse
God can make a blessing from what once was a curse
With hands held open we prepare
To celebrate this great mystery
I know a peace beyond compare
When I share in His-story

For those that fight for the rights of others
For those that stand up against injustice
For those who defend the faith
For those who seek the truth and fairness
For those with wisdom and eyes to see
Bless and keep them safe Lord
Remind them of your presence
Let them act with Justice and yet be merciful
Let them not judge too hastily but look for the good inside
Protect their minds and hearts
Against discouragement and cynicism
Let your love fill them, the Holy Spirit guide them
They have great power, help them use it responsibly
On this day we celebrate St. Thomas More
Patron saint of lawyers, adopted children, those who work in the courts
By your grace and strength may they too be
The “king’s” good servant, but God’s first
The work they do is often hard and difficult to see an impact
Please remind them that they are making a difference
That what they do DOES matter
Put people in their lives to give them encouragement and support
People to turn to on the hard days to carry them
Bless all those in the court system as they work to bring peace
For they are the children of God
May we all be like children living with faith hope joy and love
Grant them and all of us Oh Lord the spirit of Wisdom and Understanding
We ask this and all things in Jesus the Christ your son who live and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One God forever and ever Amen.

St. Thomas More: pray for us!

I long for you and even faint
For You, the Lord, my God
When we are close, I leap for joy
And when we are apart, I weep
You always reach down and lift me up
During the days out in the desert
When faith and hope are dry
And I wander through the barren land
You are an oasis of shade rest and drink
You restore me and refresh
You bring me back to life
And when I find myself in darkness
In this lonesome weary season
You want to teach me for some reason
And you will bring me back into light
I reach for you My Lord Holy One
Even as flowers reach for the sun
In you I find peace and rest
As high as the mountains
As deep as the seas
As far as the east is from the west
I proclaim your greatness Oh Lord My God
I sing of your mercy I shout of your love
You are beautiful beyond measure
No word can express or define
And still with all I am, I try
I would give anything to be united again
But I cannot yet so here I remain
To know love and loss, joy and pain
When I cry out I know you hear me
I take comfort knowing you are near me
And so I live in awe and wonder
And wait for the day I might join your number

My life is a reflection like a piece of mirrored glass
The sands of time creep on and one day I will pass
From this world to the place of angels and saints
And for the joy of perfect wonder my soul faints
In my life may I reflect on God, reflect with God
May I reflect God himself and shine his eternal light
May I be filled with hope and love and find the strength to fight
What do I mirror and do my words match what shows
Between good and evil in moments of decision I froze
Was I good enough for God and does it even matter
Such doubts cloud my heart and make Him even sadder
The old is gone away and behold a new creation
And the clean start fills my heart with elation
It is a time to reflect on the events of the past year
To count our many blessings and recognize He was here
A time to thank God for all he has graciously given
And to be grateful for another year of livin’
When people look at me do they see the Lord instead
Do I live in a way that follows what Jesus in the Bible said
I pray that each of us would reflect love, peace and truth
That we would support the elderly and build up our youth
May our lives be good examples for our children to follow
That our promises and words would not ring hollow
Let us be careful for our youth are watching carefully
And in all answers great and small let us give them prayerfully
Help us see beyond the surface to the secret place inside
To the ember of life that never dies and where darkness hides
Shine in us shine through us and shine within our hearts today
Help us Lord reflect you more and more each day

Some weeks, Lord, are great. The days are smooth and pleasant and all is well, thank you for those weeks. Other weeks are less than stellar. The days are rough and choppy and I feel frustrated and impatient, thank you for those weeks. In weeks like this, I am forced to rely on you for the strength and grace just to get through today. Not tomorrow or the next day, just today. My patience seems to be out of town and I’ve had it up to here. I need a vacation; a time away. Maybe just to sit here with you, talk, and pray. I know there will be better weeks and other weeks not good, but this is trying my patience and mercy more than it normally would! Thank you for getting me through today. It is good to feel the love and know that soon it will all be okay. I doubt you would give me tough days just so I would be with you more often. I don’t have to have tough days to keep you company for an hour or so each day. I know you hear and help me out so I know I’ll be alright. It’s when things are darkest that we can most clearly see your light. AMEN

Lord, in my humanity I am weak. I am pulled between the devil’s twisted images and the divinity I have through you. So often I fall prey to these temptations and do what I know is not good for me. Forgive me, a poor sinner. I ask for the courage and strength to come before you humble and broken just as I am. I am coming home Lord, run out to meet me! I know that I am more than my faults and failings. I can do better, I can be better with your help. Let me be content in my suffering and weakness because I know that my strength is found in you. It is in my weakest moments that you can truly show your strength. I know what I need to do Lord, by your grace and strength, help me act promptly upon this knowledge and so Glory in Your strength. Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done: on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our DAILY BREAD! (Your Word and Your presence in the Blessed Sacrament) And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. You are my strength Lord. Help me be content in my weakness so to testify more powerfully to Your strength.

I asked the Lord that you would be blessed
That by His grace you would pass the test
I asked the Lord that you would be safe
That you would stand up and be brave
I asked the Lord to give you peace
And that your holiness would increase
I asked the Lord to give you rest
And to hold you close to His chest
I asked the Lord to grant you good health
Good finances and great spiritual wealth
I asked the Lord to open your heart
And asked for him, His wisdom to impart
I asked the Lord to hold your hand
When life comes out of nowhere "unplanned"
I asked the Lord to walk with you
On the path of righteousness and truth
I asked the Lord for His presence today
And to send the Spirit to show you the way
I asked the Lord out of loving care
That you would know He's always there
But most of all I asked the Lord for you, my friend,
To bless and keep you now and to the very end

Wash me white as the new-fallen snow
Purify my heart and cleanse me from within
I come to you with filthy rags and scars and sores abound
You wipe them away and they are nowhere to be found
Transform me let me shine your light anew
Though I don’t see, you’re making me more like you
No longer red and filled with dread, sweat upon my brow
Purest white the soul’s delight the color I see now
To find victory I must surrender
Sometimes strength is gentle and tender
A peace sweeps over, brings me to my knees
A door was locked and now you hold the keys
I am found when I lose myself in you
By burden becomes light in the shadow of your cross
To tell you all my deepest secrets though you know them all
Leaves me feeling better and I can once again walk tall
The hardest part is getting there being vulnerable and weak
And every time I’m amazed by the loving words you speak
Each time, I am transfigured; made into something more
Each time you patiently wait for me every time I ignore
I will fall and fall again but you love me just the same
How amazing, how great, is the power of Your name

Sometimes it’s okay to think, speak, act, etc. but we do it so much; constantly moving, rarely slowing down, and almost never stopping. There are times that we need to stop. Don’t speak, don’t think, don’t act. Just listen and be. Listen to the world around you, listen to the silence that you may hear Him speak. Empty yourself so you may be filled, lose yourself so you can be found. Try letting everything fade away so you can focus on the one thing that matters most: your presence to Him and His presence in you. Be patient, don’t give up or get discouraged and keep trying when it doesn’t work. Listen!

Valentine’s Day will be here soon
Love is in the air; thicker than humidity in June
Hugs and kisses for the mister and the missus
Smell the rose’s perfume carried on the breeze
While the birds sing love songs in the trees
Hearts are happy when we celebrate with friends
We pray that the good time never ends
For all those who bring us warmth and light,
Who answer a call in the middle of the night;
We express our thanks and let them know
How much we cherish them in our highs and lows
The moments together are more precious than gold
To cherish and treasure, to have and to hold
Sure it’s flowers, chocolate, cute cards from the store
But Valentine’s Day is that and so much more!

White as snow and blindingly bright
To look upon Jesus on that great height
Transfigured made new His radiant glow
His brothers and friends afraid of the show
It is good that we are here now let us remain
Let it wash over us and take away our pain

Just be with Me in the silence
Be present to Me here and now
Be at peace with Me in My plan
Be in love with Me and all that I am
Be content with Me and that I give you
Be honest with Me and be true
I am here always by your side in every step
I am here in your very next breath
I am here when the light is no more
I am here when you spread your wings and soar
I am here to calm the wind and sea
I am here just be with Me
I am here down every dusty road
I am here to share the heavy load
I am here when you need a friend
I am here from the beginning to the end
Be filled with Me and never thirst
Be best in Me when you are at your worst
Be found in Me when you have lost your way
Believe in Me that I hear and answer when you pray
Be alive in Me and my love for my child
Be gentle like Me so meek and mild
I have come to set you free
I am here just be with Me
I am here when you make your way back home
I am here so you are never all alone
I am here with glory and power
I am here to guide you through the darkest hour
I am here with mercy and grace
I am here right now in this place
Belong to Me and find peace and rest
Trust Me that I know what is best
I love you and you will never be forsaken
I have set the sun to rise and greet you when you awaken
I have marked you as my own from before time began
I know you intimately well and hold you in my hand
I wrote my name upon your heart
You are mine from the very start
I burned my word into your mind
So with that you are sealed and signed
I put my song into your soul
Words of wisdom and love that we extol
I have called you by name and sent you share
Spread the good news to people everywhere
I am here to open your eyes to see
I am here just be with Me

Gift of Life

Mary, mother of Jesus the Christ my Lord and savior
Great is your name indeed and blessed are you among women
Blessed and holy is the fruit of your womb Jesus
You were pure and blameless giving birth to the one who gave us his life so we could have life with Him forever
Breathe your sweet breath upon my soul and fill me with your virtues
Care for me and love me and pray for me Oh Holy Mother of God.
In my weakness help me fly to you and cry to you
Help me reach for you always and hold my hand. Be with me as I try to follow your son.
Bathe me in you soft light and help me to be ever open to Jesus and his will in my life
Thank you for helping me love Jesus better,  know him deeper and follow him closer
Your "Yes" has allowed me to be where I am today and do what I am able to do
I plead for your intersession and help as I struggle to be pure and chaste
I yearn to be free of these shackles but it has given me a humility and requires me to stay closer to Jesus
Everything I think about right now is life in some way when I think about you tonight.
The gift of life and what a gift and how great is truly is.
Mary I give honor and praise to your most holy name. It is an honor to come to you today
You have many titles and honors, but I believe the greatest honor and title of all is that of "Mother"
It fills me with a warmth and peace, a gentleness and love
It is a great embrace it is a the sweetest song I know
They say that behind every great man is an even more amazing mother
They would be right in this case.
Your husband Joseph is not to be forgotten either
A holy righteous and honest man was he and I'm sure he taught Jesus a great many things
I can imagine that every decision big or small was made in love, with prayer, together
That is how we should be doing things, but sometimes it seems that we have forgotten how
I pray for the world and its peoples that there would be peace and love across the nations
I pray for our families and relationships that they would reflect the loving and holy nature of your Most Holy Family
I pray for our heath especially our spiritual health
I pray for those who have said yes and for those who haven't yet that they would be open to walk where he leads
I pray for us sinners that our hearts would be changed and we could live a life of purity and grace
I pray for your protection and help in all things but especially for mothers and for those in difficult situations
I pray that I would bring joy and peace to your heart and do the things that make you smile
I thank you for the opportunity to stay here with you and your son for a while.

Amen

I Need You

Jesus I need you more than ever before
I have no idea what the future has in store
I rely on you to be my refuge and my strength
It is through you that I can go to such lengths
Jesus I need you more than ever
To be my anchor in the stormy weather
You have put me in this position for a reason
And I hope that my response has been pleasing
I lean on you more heavily now that I ever would
And you have shown me that this is quite good
Jesus I need you more each day and each week
You are the light of my life when the day is bleak
Jesus I love you more deeply than when I first began
And I can’t help but wonder if this was all part of your plan
To show me how much I really need you
Oh how I want it all so much to be true
To show me that I can rely on you to take care
Of all my life and my needs and mend the tear
Jesus I need you I know you listen and take heed
Jesus I need you to water the seed
How you must be smiling in Heaven to see me finally understand
That all of this was your doing, to see the working of your hand
I’m still learning and I’ve got quite the road ahead
This time I think I’ll let you lead instead
Jesus I need you more than I can express
For all my eloquence is fruitless I confess
Jesus I need your love be with me now
Open my heart to more completely allow
Your grace and peace in my inmost being
In binding myself to you it is freeing
Jesus I need you to come take over my life
To be the Lord of my great joy and deep strife
Jesus I need you I can’t do this alone
And Jesus sometimes it scares me to the bone
But I need you and it’s getting to hard to ignore
So don’t come knockin’ ‘cause here is the key to my heart’s door
Jesus I need you, I come here today
To be with you, to thank you and pray
Jesus I need you and I know things will be alright
Keep me safe and close to you this night
Look with love upon this child and let your light shine
I am yours forever and you are forever mine

Amen

Good morning AB
I hope you have a good day
We go home at 3

The angels sing in Heaven above
Full of adoration and of love
Trumpets blare and harps will play
To bring in a brand new day
Christ the King is on His throne
Praise to Him who stands alone
Far beyond the mortal man
Are the workings of His hand
None can fathom the depths of the Lord
The price he payed in love outpoured
Dance with the drums; the pulsing beat
Sing your praises and, for joy, repeat
Lift your voices with the Heavenly Host
Glory to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Praises fill the air as music fills the sky
Praise to the Lion and the Lamb, God Most High
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace
May the songs that we sing never cease
Songs from Heaven ring over the earth
Sung with joy, laughter and great mirth
Let me sing to you with every part of me
I speak from my heart and soul you see
Remind me Lord that I am because you are
And even when I can’t feel you, you are never far
You hold me in your hand and sing a love so great
You taught me with stories that I could relate
You keep watch over me as I sleep and dream
You are in my corner, you are on my team
Our prayers rise up with our song
And in our frailties you make us strong
The songs from Heaven sing the Hymn of Your glory
Telling, to all the nations and people, Salvation’s Story
The songs from Heaven give glory to your name
Let your people on Earth echo the same

Amen

Holy Mother through your grace
We can see our Jesus’ face
Your heart so full of love divine
All part of God’s grand design
You are the path through which we come
To know and praise and love your son
I know, but sometimes still fail to see
The great things God has planned for me
By your virtues pure and holy
Direct my life to be yours solely
Through purity and love and truth
May I live an upright youth
And in my final days on Earth
Let my end be but rebirth

You call me to yourself, come follow and believe
Cast off your old ways and seek me with all you are
You call me to the unknown with only faith that you are there
I hear you calling in the night “Awake, sleeper; and rise”
“Here I am Lord” I say as I yawn and rub my eyes
I call you my child, I call you my sheep
I watch over always, never slumber nor sleep
I call you to go out and spread the good news
Fear not, I equip those whom I choose
Heal the sick and love the unloved
Let all people know that they are beloved
I call you by name I hold you in my hand
Have faith, and believe in what I have planned
You call me to walk, leave it all and follow you
I want to but it scares me, it’s true
Still you call me without ceasing
To surrender and by releasing
I find a peace I’ve never known before
A peace that comes only from the Lord
I call you into prayer and out to action
To learn the Spirituality of Subtraction
As I empty myself I am able to be filled
With Christ and what he has willed
The less of me the more you are
When I forget, remind me that you’re the star
You have given me everything so everything is yours
I am nothing without you: you are my everything
You gave me life and the ability to laugh and dance and sing
So for you I’ll laugh and sing and dance
To my last breath I’ll praise you at every chance
You call me for more; for a greater mission
And I could know if I would listen
“So here I am Lord, speak to me
My ears to hear and my eyes to see”

God right now I could use a hug
And a fresh hot cup of coffee in a mug
Won't you wrap me snugly in your wings
And call to mind such heavenly things
The road is hard the road is tough
I'm losing my mind, my patience and other stuff
Lord, hold me close to your chest
And there, let me stay and rest
A God hug is just what I need
Though it is with reluctance I concede
Sometimes, I'm not as strong as I think
And I need your love to pull me back from the brink
Sometimes a God hug is all it takes
And Lord what a difference it makes!
Let me be with you in silence and peace
That as I decrease you might increase
Let me learn from you and lean on you
Where I can find a love so pure and true
And when I struggle to bear my cross
Remind me that not everything is loss
By your gifts, you strengthen me
To become who I was made to be
When I lift others up, you lift me up as well
And my burden is easier, I can tell
So, help me serve and do your will
To sow the seeds of faith and so instill
A firm foundation of faith to follow
But with love, so my words are not hollow
And so, once more, with a kiss and embrace
I am comforted and strengthened by His grace

God, some days I could really use a hug from you. Maybe today is one of those days. I run into your waiting loving arms ad there I rest, I cry, I need someone to listen or tell me it's going to be okay. Help me take a few moments out of my crazy day to get a hug from you and continue moving forward. By your Holy Spirit, reveal to me something that I could do to be a God hug for someone else. Help me count my blessings and use the charisms (gifts) you gave me to do your will for others as we, in turn, find ours lifted as well. Amen

I no longer beat for myself alone
I beat for one who made himself known
Humbled himself to be one like me
I was locked away and he held the key
He knocked on the door said “May I come in?”
He got to work cleaning me from within
Though I was unworthy he loved me the same
The lifted me up and called me by name
When I was broken he made something new
Put me together with something stronger than glue
Piece by piece I began to realize
How special I was in his loving eyes

Eye has not seen nor ear has heard
What I know to be perfect and true
One look at the sunset or creation around
Is all I need to know where He is found
To truly believe what the eyes cannot see
Hold fast to what it means to me
I may not see, or think but i know what i feel
And in the deepest part of me, I know this is real

All my life, it’s always been all about love. The gifts and strengths that I have been given, the way I live my life, my passion, my work, my connection to the Most Holy Eucharist, and even my struggles. For me, everything comes back to love. I’ve never been a fighter, I always want peace and love and it pains me to see others in pain. I love to live and I live to love. It seems fitting when I look at the temptations I am most assaulted by, appropriate even. Love is our greatest weapon and strength and that same love leaves us open and vulnerable. But vulnerable is not the same as weak. We were designed to love each other and manifest that love as new life. We were created to be the image and likeness of the creator who is the embodiment of perfect eternal love to reflect it back to each other and in doing so reflect the same to Him.

To the lame he says get up from your mat and walk
To the mute he says open your mouth and talk
It’s a call to action a movement come alive
It’s a summons for the people it is time to rise
To rise above the anger and pent up rage
To look forward and write a new page
We are lifted up to more than we can be
And it’s on those shoulders that we can start to see
Sometimes the only way we stand is on our knees in prayer
Sometimes it’s only looking back that we see God was there
Cast your eyes to Heaven with prayer like sweet perfume
Let it saturate the air around you and fill this holy room
We were made for more; something truly grand
And one day, someday we might finally understand
We are more than our weakness the sins of our past
We are covered in mercy and grace so vast
We will overcome heartache and sorrow
As sure as the sun will rise again tomorrow.
We have the love of Christ Crucified
We received Life when we should have died
When we die to ourselves we live for each other
We will see through his eyes to love our brother
When we stand united I begin to realize
That there is hope and from the ashes we may rise
Like the Phoenix that dies to be reborn in flame
I believe that, one day, we will do the same

In your eyes I see a light reflected
I see myself not quite perfected
In your eyes I see love and compassion
I see where I can find true satisfaction
I see endless pools of mercy and grace
I see the gentle smile upon your Holy face
Your eyes are soft and your eyes are warm
And to your will Lord, my will, conform
For people to say "You have your Father's eyes"
Is something amazing: a desirable prize
Your eyes they pierce right through me
And yet, they don't condemn, they free
Though I betrayed you, though I did deny
Though from my lips came forth "Crucify!"
Still, in your eyes I see only forgiveness
And forever, your forgiveness is endless
Your eyes know me intimately; before you, I stand bare
Of my scars: the guilt and shame, I am acutely aware
And still, you love me as your own, call me your precious child
You bear with me in my tantrums and when I am so wild
Through your eyes, I find the truth revealed
And, through your eyes, my soul is also healed
Help me Lord, to see others with your eyes of love
And watch over me from your throne in Heaven above

Lord God, there is something personal, intimate, revealing and special about your eyes. I see myself and I don't always like what I see, but you still love me. You look at me with mercy, compassion, forgiveness, healing and so much more. You look past my faults to reveal the treasure within. Help me do the same to all I meet. Help me love my friends and especially my enemies with your eyes of love. Let me not judge too quickly based on appearances and first impressions but search much deeper within to find their value and goodness. Lord, give us the grace to not just look at other people, but actually SEE them. Let me never tire of gazing lovingly into your eyes Oh Lord, just as you look back at me. In your greatness God, give us the grace to reflect you so that others might say: "You have your Father's Eyes". Amen.

To what shall we compare you
Who are greater than all we can fathom
How can we tell of you?
No eye has seen no ear has heard
The senses fall short to describe you.
We reach out and try to understand
Seeking something tangible and real
We learn and study and think and choose
We can realize and rationalize
We see the odds of our reality
We know how perfect the details
And we cannot help but think this is more
More than chance, more than serendipity
The details and exactness make it seem
Like something greater was at work
How else could we make sense
Of such an impossibility?

Turn it on, turn it up, let's start tonight
Spirit grow, let it flow, we are the light
So let us shine and let us stand
We representin' Son of God and Son of Man
How you gonna shine for the world to see
Are you gonna let that light go free?
We are radiating illuminating
We love in a world used to hating
We were made to spread love like fire
Testify and, by your life, you'll inspire
A turnaround a turning back
Of hearts astray again on track
So, the question is this: the question remains
How can I shine in my own special way
And add a little color to a world painted gray?
How can my light, however flawed
Reflect the most perfect light of God?
Take your little light and offer it up
As a sacrifice of love and praise
He will bless the gift and multiply
Do what you can and let God amaze
On every occasion use the gifts you're given,
They were made to be shared not hidden

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.

You call me to step out on the ledge
"I will catch you, I'll make good on my pledge"
And Lord I trust you, but I'm filled with fear
'Cause I can't see you even though I know you're near
Come to the edge and be not unbelieving, but believe
So, slowly I approach the edge of the unknown
You push me and, into the air, I find myself thrown
Expecting to fall, expecting to die
Surprised to find that, instead, I fly!
It takes faith to walk upon the waters of the ocean
It takes faith to learn that kind of deep devotion
It takes faith to trust when the senses fail
And faith that, through it all, life and love prevail
It takes faith when we step across that line
That He will lift us up and all will be fine
It takes faith, it takes patience, it takes love
But we will rise up on wings like eagles and learn to fly above

Lord, you call us to the edge and ask us to jump. We can't always see you. Help us to trust and have faith that you are always there and will never let us down. Fear often holds us back from reaching our full potential and some fear is healthy. It helps keep us safe and out of danger, but sometimes we need a little push. You know just what we need Lord and when. Push us just a little, help us have that faith, and trust (and just a little bit of pixie dust?), take that leap of faith and learn to fly! we ask this and all things in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Mother of Mercy, channel of Grace
Wrap our hearts in thine embrace
Fount of Love and joyful giver
Bathe us in thy cleansing river
Help our hearts be as new fallen snow
And aid us so our holiness might grow
Pray to Jesus for us poor sinners
Open our hearts as we read the scriptures
May we show mercy to others
Treating all as sisters and brothers
Oh, source of help in our time of need
Hear us Oh Holy Mother and intercede
Help us each to pause, ponder, and reflect
On the moments of our lives in retrospect
To learn from, to cherish and to hold
To warm us when we are in the cold
Mother of Mercy grant us your peace
May our love for thee ever increase
Through the merits of thy maternal love
May it, now and always, ever be enough

Trust in Me

Take nothing extra with you do not plan ahead
Trust in my divine providence that you will be safe and fed
I send you out two by two a companion for the way
The time is now to sow and gather we must not delay
Be gracious and thankful for what you are provided
And be discerning when someone has confided
Bring peace to those who give you welcome
Stay and enjoy the company
In a place of hostility do not linger
For wasps all have a stinger
Take heart I am with you always
Even to the end of the age
I have loved you from before time began
I am Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords I Am Who Am
I send my angels to guard you, the Spirit to guide you
I give you my mother and I walk beside you
The world is at my feet and I hold you in my hands
I want for your good so heed my commands
They will keep you on a right path and straight
They will take you into my fold by the narrow gate
You are my children my beloved so dear
More precious than all the treasure I am sincere
You are loved and cared for, watched over day and night
No matter where you are you will never leave my sight
I will hold you to my chest
I will give you peace and rest
Take refuge in the shelter of my wings
In the shadow of the cross Grace sings
Look to me in my boundless mercy
Be satisfied all you who are thirsty
Lay your hands upon my life
Let your Spirit fall upon me like spring rain
Be ever present in my joy and my strife
Help me find healing and goodness even amidst pain

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

There are many ways to fast and many things to fast from. The gospel from Matthew helps to unravel the deeper reason for fasting. One is to give up something pleasurable like eating, drinking, watching TV, or being on the phone in order to bring our minds and hearts to remember Jesus' suffering. We can also recognize how good we have it and that many people have so much less. What little things can we do to help them? By fasting from these things that give us pleasure and satisfaction and take up so much of our time and attention, it allows us to quiet our minds and our hearts to connect with God and hear his soft voice. In fasting from a meal or part of a meal, we can become hungry. This hunger can be a reminder of the time that Jesus was in the desert after his baptism with nothing to eat or drink. In the "Our Father" we ask God to "Give us this day our Daily Bread". God will provide for all of our needs both Physical and Spiritual. Our hunger is physical, but it can also be a reminder of our spiritual hunger and the ways we try to fill the God-shaped holes in our hearts with things that can never truly satisfy. Fasting reminds us of our need for God and helps us to be dependent on Him in everything. We are called to be His children. Should we not, then, depend and rely on Him to be the perfect Father?

Lord, when we fast from things this Lent, open our hearts and minds and in your mercy, reveal to us the deeper value of it. Help us rid ourselves of the distractions in our lives in order to draw us closer to you. And while fasting is good; it alone is not sufficient. In the void of giving something up, help us to do something good, something pleasing to you Oh Lord. May we all "(Finally Find) What We Have Been Looking For". May we all find you!
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

Jesus you are so much more than I deserve
It’s a miracle that you would choose someone like me
But you love me beyond measure
You took on pain and it was your pleasure
You gave yourself to me fully
Still I hold back somehow unsure
From the love that makes me pure
Lord I need you more fill me up
Satisfy this hungry heart fill my cup
Let your blessings overflow as mercy abounds
Let my praises fill the sky and let heaven resound
Help me Lord to give you more
So that you can be more in me
In your greatness make me small
So that I can see you are Lord over all
It’s amazing that the one whom I adore
Wants to give me so much more
In all things Lord help me surrender
Wrap me in your arms love me soft and tender
You mean so much more than I admit
And sometimes it scares me a bit
But God be more and give me rest
Help me see just how much I’m blessed
I love you Lord help me live it out loud
As I try to live well I know you are more than proud
Make me more than who I am
Make me who I’m meant to be
Make me more than just a man
Make me all of what you see

Seasons change, sunny skies turn to rain
Joy and laughter turn to heartache and pain
But, sure as the seasons are bound to change
There is one thing that is forever the same
The Love that God has never falters or ceases
Even when our lives are falling to pieces
Winter will yield to Spring, and Summer now will Fall
And we find ourselves swept on by time's relentless crawl
Things of this world are temporary, our lives: fleeting
And yet, in good and bad, our hearts keep beating
Not all that glitters is true and pure
Traps are disguised to hold allure
But his love will endure, his hope will secure
And, in our faith we are assured:
This too shall pass. And in this way
We can move forward day by day
To seek and ask and knock and pray
To live our lives and hear you say
"Well done my good and faithful one.
You've run the race and now you're done.
Well done my child, welcome home,
It gives me joy to see how you've grown.
Seasons will change and time will pass,
But my love for you will always last.
My love for you never falters or ceases
So much that, on the cross, I loved you to pieces."

Lord, in your ultimate wisdom, you have given us seasons in our lives that are reflected in creation. We go through dry or hard times in a desert. We feel that spring and relief will never come. Help us to lean on you and the strength you give us to make it through and see the light and life once again. Like nature's seasons, the seasons in our life are also temporary, both the good times and the bad times. Remind us of this Lord and be with us. You have made the seasons to be in such a way that we can appreciate them because we have the other. Light and Dark, Good and Bad, Spring and Fall, Summer and Winter, Heaven and Hell. There is a divine balance and symmetry which is so beautiful Lord. Thank you for this. Finally, Lord, we implore you, remind us that when nothing else seems constant, You are the one constant. Let us rest in that certainty and in your unfailing love always Lord. Amen.

Sometimes I wanna be so close
That I could reach out and touch you
Sometimes I feel so certain
That I really haven't got a clue
I get so close that the image is distorted
I forget to see you in the light of Glory
I need to practice proper distance
Remembering that who you are
Is what makes me what I am
You are my brother, you are my best friend
Beloved and cherished 'till the very end
But you are Prince of Peace, King of Kings
The Son of Man, Great I AM, you are God
Sometimes I feel so very far away
This distance feels too great
You have bridged the gap to bring me back
Back in your arms and close to your heart
And I am near to you once again
In the silence of my soul, you call me
Open my ears Lord, that I might hear
And with the eyes of faith, I can see
That I can obey without great fear
You gave me your heart now here is my soul
Though storms may come I will not be shaken
For the Lord My God is my firm foundation

May I never be so familiar as to forget where you stand and before whom I sit. May I never be so comfortable as to forget to give you the respect and reverence you so rightly deserve. May I never be so foolish as to think I truly know you, for who can truly comprehend the mind of God? My Lord and My God have mercy on me and forever bless my soul! Amen

I don't know how many people have been in love; I mean truly, madly, deeply, hopelessly in love. I thought I was once. When you are that in love it changes you inside and out. It changes how you think, act, and what you say. It changes the way you feel, how you look at things, how you spend your time and money. Being in love changes you, usually for the better. Love forces us to think of someone else's wants and needs before our own. We make sacrifices in big and small ways to make the relationship work. It is a give and take, talking and listening and it is open and honest communication. A relationship is a dialogue not a monologue.

Loving someone changes a lot, but loving God and being in a relationship with Him changes EVERYTHING.

Working from the belief that you believe in the stories; you can't stay the same. You can't truly live your old life when you know The Life. The apostles were the perfect example. They weren't great men, particularly smart or famous, but when they saw Jesus, they dropped what they were doing and followed him. Then imagine the Transfiguration and the impact that that moment had on the apostles. This was the transforming love of God made manifest: He was radiant like honest-to-God glowing. It hits like a ton of bricks if you begin to understand the magnitude and the scope of His death and resurrection. How can one heart love that much?! And this fact is especially hard given the knowledge and experiences we have in the world we know today!

And then the most intimate and profound act of love is the gift of the Eucharist which comes from the words meaning grateful, thanksgiving, well and offer graciously. Kharis is the Greek word for Grace.

Catholics believe that the bread and wine at the mass are transformed in essence although not necessarily in substance to the body and blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the reception of the Eucharist, God's ultimate gift of love is revealed and shared with us as he gives us his very life. And we consume him in a profoundly physical and spiritual way. We are literally uniting with Christ and the two become one in body and soul. It is the most perfect expression of love's life-giving power. Christ marries (joins) himself to us.

When you have something so good, so amazing, you can't keep it to yourself. You just have to share it and tell all the world about it. You are in love, and you are loved. You are loved by God and THIS... CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Dancing in the breeze
Rainbow colors everywhere
Sweet to smell and give

Hail to Jesus ever living
Hail to Christ the newborn King
Hail to Him whose love gushed forth
Hail to Him they call the Lord

Hail the Prince of Peace, the great I AM
Hail to thee; roaring lion, spotless lamb
Hail to thee our Glorious Savior
Hail to God the wondrous maker

Hail to Him the author of creation
Hail to Him who died for our salvation
Hail to Him who loved unto death
Hail to Him by whose grace I draw breath

Hail to the king of the whole universe
Hail the flood of grace in which I immerse
Hail the strong and gentle nail-scarred hands
Hail the cost which perfect love demands

Hail to Him who is the Chief
Hail the one in whom I believe
Hail the rock upon which I stay
Hail the Life, the Truth, the Way!

No matter what, in our lives, we do
Everything is better when I work with you
He created us to be together, created us to share
In His Glory and feel his presence everywhere
On our own, we try to create a song, a work of art
It's simple and awkward, but filled with such heart
We were not supposed to go it alone
But as iron sharpens iron to help and hone
We try to do the will of God
We try to hear what He is saying
Our attempts are small and feeble at best
But he sees us and quietly he smiles and nods
He whispers in our ear "Don't stop. Keep playing"
And transforms our sad solo into a divine duet

When we find ourselves taken by bitter sorrow
When we don't know if the sun will rise tomorrow
When we drink with Jesus the cup of suffering
When we think about his blood that is covering
When we recall the seven sorrows of Mary
And how, her son's lifeless body, she would carry
Midwives used myrrh against pain in childbirth
Mary, of all women, knew how much it is worth
Her very name is from Myrrh: meaning bitter
And through it all she wasn't a quitter
It is costly and rare, signifying suffering and death
But it is also used to prepare and purify
The bodies of those who had died
She shares our sorrows, and she dries our tears
She listens and prays for us; she understands our fears
We can run to our mother and be safe in her arms
To find healing and peace away from all that harms
She knows the value of suffering
And she knows just what it cost
A gift of love transcending everything
Her son hung on a rugged cross

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners
Now and at the hour of our death
Through our suffering, prepare our hearts and purify
That we might be an acceptable offering to God when we die
Take us back home to Heaven where we belong
When we are together, we are better; we are strong

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

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 Hight
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

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

The Lord God is our sword and shield
As we walk upon this battlefield.
We are called to stand up and fight
For justice, for truth, for all that is right.
Here upon this solemn hill, we stand
We will overcome by God's might right hand.
The Lord is my fortress and my strong tower
In His wake, mercy and grace shall flower.
Take up the Rosary, lift high the Holy Cross
All that I am or have, I count it as loss
For, without you, I am nothing.
Your very breath is my life
Your death paid the price
Without your love, I am empty and hollow
Without your voice, I cannot follow
Without your light, I fade away
Lord, I need you, everyday!

Soaring through the air
Dipping, diving, flying high
Let’s go fly a kite

As a flower blooming gently
Opens up to greet the sun
The soul that feels His warmth
Opens up to God's own Son

As a spring river runneth over
Pregnant with melted snow
Filled with seed of love and life
Our lives burst forth and overflow

As a bird so sweet rejoicing
Sings forth in joyful chorus
The spirit sings divine melody
In the gifts that He has for us

As love is expressed and given flesh
As new life comes from the womb
So is His life, now born within us
We: the bride, and He: the groom

God said to Noah "Hey, listen up bud!
Gonna rain real soon now, it's gonna flood
The people are sinning, tearing it apart
And to see it man, really breaks my heart.
It's gonna be huge, it's gonna get wet
I tell you now, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
But you and yours are gonna be just fine
You've been good; a real friend of mine.
Listen up good now and listen up well
Here's how you'll be safe from the swell:
You'll build a boat yea big and yea wide
'Cause two of every animal's gonna fit inside.
You'll be in there forty days and as many nights
And when it's safe again, the bird alights.
Never again will I cause a flood so great
Never again will the earth suffer this fate
So, this is my promise: a sign in the sky
A rainbow to remember our covenant by."

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.