3/31/24

Now, you ask: Did Jesus rise,
Appearing then to many eyes?
What about to those today?
Can’t He now still find a way
To show His everlasting Love
To us, who still seek Heaven above?

Surely, He can lift above
The veil from which we see Him rise
Always, still He shows His Love
Even if it fails our eyes
Thus, we find a hopeful way
Of seeing Him; yes, still today!

So, you ask: Where’s He today?
Here, I say: Just look above
Where many eyes would look away
Yes, you still can see Him rise
Yes, you still can use your eyes!
Such is His eternal Love

Want to see the depth of Love?
Look around you, here today
Yes, before your very eyes
People still will go above
The standard; oh how far they rise!
Hate can still be cast away

Deeper, still, along the Way
You will find a perfect Love
Every fall can turn to rise
Looking at this Man today
When so lifted up above
On the Cross before all eyes

With the Shroud, more recent eyes
Deeper, still, have found a Way
Seeing more how high above
Expectations, God is Love
So we live in Him today
Longing soon with Him to rise

3/24/24 (modified)
~August 2010 (original)

In my past, I’ve had my falls
And I have lived through many troubles
And there are times when duty calls
And then the pain seems that it doubles

And then I fall to near despair
Because I know my strength is wanting
And then I feel, amid this care,
That in my mind, a Voice is haunting

And so one day, when I’m distraught
And so confused, my head is spinning,
That Voice takes part in my deep thought
It says, “this is just the beginning”

I am lost, and not yet found
I’m on a path without bound
But this journey You give I will take
Because You know what’s best for my sake

“But have you hope,” the Voice goes on
“For in these times, I will be with you
And in your heart, new light will dawn
Upon a gate you will go in through

“By a new path, you will abide
Until its end, it will be taken
But fear you not; I’m at your side
Be sure your faith will not be shaken”

“Do not get lost in what is past
If all it brings is pain and sorrow
Just make amends, and then at last,
Look towards the light brought by tomorrow”

I was lost and now am found
Still on a path without bound
On a journey You give and I take
Because You know what’s best for my sake

But then I say, “I cannot bear
This heavy cross You’ve given to me
But cross Your will, I couldn’t dare
So in my heart, please help me to see

“For I am blind, and faith I lack
My unbelief: O Lord, please help me
Your guiding hand will lead me back
As now I plead, ‘Lord that I may see’”

And then with this, at me You smile
You shine a light with unmatched glory
You’ve been with me for all the while
And thus with you begins my story

I was lost, and then was found
Traveled a path without bound
On a journey You give and I take
Because You know what’s best for my sake

I follow Your lead at my will
Because I know You are with me still
No longer in my heart will I fear
Because I know You are always near

3/13/24

Burdens felt and burdens thought
Am I doing what I ought?
Some imagined, some I feel
Can I tell which ones are real?

Many troubles never passed
Except inside my mind to last
Healthy skeptic let me be
Next time “troubles” come to me

3/13/24

Time is a treasure
Fill it with joy
Life in good measure
Deeply employ 

Your efforts in friendship
In body and mind
In kindness and kinship
And happiness find

3/5/24

What happens now is for the best
Perhaps it’s for our strength to test
Challenged: Here’s our chance to grow
Extending past what now we know

3/1/24

A soldier beaten down by winds
Was buffeted with rain
The weariness in all his limbs
Cried out in desperate pain

The storm raged on without relent
As day gave way to night
The darkness into which he went
Sent cold with bitter bite

The shelter of a Friend he found
Amid the storm outside
The warmth of welcome, peaceful sound
At last he could abide 

With strength regained, now cleansed and dry
The soldier once again
Embarked on journeys far and high
Till reaching happy end

2/25/24

O God, devoutly I adore
You hidden in what’s shown 
Where contemplation fails, still more
My heart is Yours alone

Where senses fail, my hearing finds
A reason to believe 
The Truth, the Word who fills our minds
And never will deceive 

While on the Cross, Divinity
Lay hid, yet in belief
I trust here Your Humanity
With that repentant thief 

Your wounds, like Thomas, I don’t see
My God I still confess
More faith and hope, more charity
I ask in me to bless 

Your death, O Lord, remembered here
Yet Living Bread You give
My soul I ask, while savored dear
Your sweetness, ever live

Good Pelican, Lord Jesus, cleanse
My soul with saving Blood
One drop of which makes full amends
For us, with grace You flood

O Jesus, hidden here, I ask
What deeply now I seek 
That seeing You with face unmasked
Eternal bliss I reach