Face to Face

 ~ Jerusha 

"Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely." ❤️

~ Sol: 2:14

Once, in the dead of night,
My eyes closed to an inward sight;
The world was shut out to reveal,
A true vision in a waking dream.

I saw a Man before my eyes,
I knew Him not by sense or sight;
It was His inward beauty that revealed,
The scars on His hands and feet.

In that moment of quiet insight I knew,
That wisdom, power and goodness-
In Him found their utmost fullness,
And made all their beauty manifest.

The eyes of my heart were opened,
To perceive His rare loveliness,
All which I dreamt and hungered, I found
Hidden in the depths of His character.

I wished, with Him, forever to stay,
And turn from myself and the world away,
If only this vision would fill my mind,
Joy and peace, could I hope to find.

But, O Being, perfect, pure and full of light,
How can dust and grime with You abide?
My mortal weakness drags me down,
From Your throne, into the deepest night!

How unfathomably far from Your throne,
Set in the high splendor of the skies,
Is the abode of my humble, sin-sick soul,
That clings to the mud of the earth below!

How can I ascend this gulf to bridge?
He is of Heaven and I of poor earth!
Therefore did He in great love descend,
To free my chains and call me upward.

“I am not afraid of your darkness”, said He,
“Of all that is broken and needs remedy”,
“My Grace is sufficient! Give weakness to Me, 
 And see if I will not turn it into glory!”

I was afraid then to open my eyes,
If His presence might fade from my sight,
But as my spirit descended from it's flight,
He brought His own faithful words to mind.

“I am with you always, to the end of the age!”
“Never, never will I leave or forsake;”
“As a Father watches over His children-
I delight in you, O child of my affection!”

❤️‍🔥“In my deepest wound I saw your glory and it astounded me.”🌹

~ Augustine

O Man Greatly Loved!

'The Angel of the LORD said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured and esteemed by God..."

I said, "I am filled with anguish... and I am very weak. My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”

Then the Angel touched me again, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened...'

~ The Book of Daniel (BIBLE)

O MAN, GREATLY LOVED!

(Based on the prophet Daniel's encounter with the Angel)

"O man greatly loved!", was Daniel hailed,
In most solemn and earnest tones;
An Angel's greeting- not to be lightly weighed,
But the message in truth, was God's very own!

Did that divine being, so glorious, wise,
Whose vision had seen such ethereal sights!
Gaze with incredulous eyes upon this trembling man,
Who lay fallen to the ground in pitiable plight?

Rendered mute by anguish and terror,
Drained of all strength and beset with weakness!
Was the God of the heavens driven by error,
To esteem so highly such mortal frailness?

But in those eyes, the man was given his true worth,
By the inscrutable love God possessed for him;
Could it be wonder etched upon that angelic visage,
As he marveled at the mortal's great privilege?

"Greatly beloved, most treasured and esteemed..."
Like melodious music ringing in Daniel's ears!
As his lost strength came back to him,
All divinely imparted to expel many fears!

Think of how they fed his parched, lonely heart,
Thirsty for some faint avowal of love,
As his being warmed and thrilled in every part,
Oh to think he was so dearly loved above!

But Daniel's ancient dream is my own today,
And those dear and favored words
When weary and faint, are often spoken my way!
"Bought with His blood, beloved of God's..."

And just like Daniel of old, my strength is restored,
When I recall how greatly loved I am by God;
And today to you, this infinite love beckons,
From a rugged Cross to eternity beyond!

The Interlude

What is an 'Interlude'?

• An intervening or interruptive period, space or event.

• A musical composition inserted between parts of a longer composition, drama or religious service.

In His love, He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world…(Ephesians 1:4)

You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory.(Psalm 73:24)

The Interlude of our Lives

From eternity to eternity I was alive, 
In Your all-perceiving infinite eye, 
When in secret You formed my inmost soul,
Woven intricately and wonderfully whole.

My being was not hidden from God,
Never separate, nor far from His thoughts,
I was destined to abide beneath His wing,
In close, intimate communion with the King.

And this short life I now live is an interlude,
An intervention that would briefly intrude,
Upon that eternity without beginning or end, 
Where all divine mysteries we might comprehend.

This world is but a dividing period or space,
For all its grand illusions and boastful ways,
A rusting, temporal dimension inserted,
Into the unfathomable infinite, lying uncharted.
 
Where the Creator dwells in unapproachable light,
An unfading glory too blinding for mortal sight,
And all great, unsearchable things lie revealed,
In this domain beyond what man has seen or conceived.

Inside space, time has a beginning and end,
Where to its laws all creatures and events bend,
And the drama of humanity occurs in acts and scenes,
Unfurling themselves in orderly sequence.

So each man's time spent within its bounds,
Is an interlude set into the infinite that surrounds,
For in the depths of each immortal, precious heart,
God has placed eternity- the longing for a realm apart.

That man might learn through toil and suffering,
The wisdom and character that is God's highest calling,
And seek his Creator, obey His command,
Love without seeing, and in faith understand.

To such a man is extended in even greater love,
God's powerful yet tender hand, from above,
When he at his last, shuddering breath,
Is lifted up into glory to savor heaven's wealth!

And so my own interlude I live in eternity's light,
This short period away from God and celestial delight,
Until He reaches out His hand and bids me arise,
To drop my cross and follow Christ to paradise!

This poem was inspired by a post (August 8, 2021) written by Kayla Duerler's mother on the Instagram page @she_had_no_regrets . Kayla was a young American girl who died in a car accident in 2018 at the age of just 16. Both of us would have been the same age now. Her life and legacy has been immortalized in a book written by her mother, 'SHE HAD NO REGRETS: The Life of a Girl Who Knew Who She Was'. 

The Beginning of Life

 

If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all people.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:19

Though the body that is sown (buried after death) is perishable; what is raised (resurrected) is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

  O death, where is your sting?”

~ 1 Corinthians 15:54,55

THE BEGINNING OF LIFE

Death is but the beginning of life,
Richer and fuller than what we've known,
When now feeble senses are heightened,
And the dull fog over our minds lifted-
To reveal what is yet unknown.

Death is but the tearing of a veil,
Hanging delicately between two worlds,
Shimmering in it's sheer transparence,
Flimsy and fragile, yet stubbornly steadfast-
Until it splinters into a thousand pieces.

And the dim reflection we see as on a mirror,
Manifesting mere shadows of reality,
Shatters to let us see the true brilliance 
Of life in all its fullness and abundance-
Of freedom of spirit and its vitality!

Death is the end of dying and decay,
The ceasing of time's great, mighty strides,
And all that feeds upon and devours life,
For from birth, in measures we wither and fade-
As childhood dims into youth and age.

But in this perishing body given to corruption,
Is a secret resting amidst it's degeneration-
The mystery of immortality, power and glory!
Like a seed buried in this frame of dust- 
Bursting with the promise of what is yet to be.

The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from death,
Is the life-giving seed that dwells within me,
And transforms this body in the twinkling of an eye,
From weakness to an exceeding weight of glory-
As is the Man of heaven, so shall my image be!

In death I wake as from a long, riveting dream,
To find that true life is waiting for me,
Where time stands eagerly, immutably still,
To welcome me back from my wanderings,
Upon earth's lonesome vales and hills.

What is death, but a welcome destruction,
Of the failings and frailty of my flesh,
So that what I truly am may be revealed-
Soul and spirit, in triumph gloriously freed, 
When all that I am not stands abolished.

And the infinite Spirit who guards death's gate,
Holds triumphantly, the keys of death and Hades-
Yes, Christ, Who conquered and smote the grave;
To meet each precious child He tenderly awaits,
With the deepest love and joy upon His face.

On the wings of His gentle sanctuary and grace,
Shall each soul be borne away to heaven's embrace;
Will you fear to die, when met by such a love as this-
And see the anguish in the suffering Servant's eyes,
Smolder and fade into the shining light of life!

The Light of a Single Star

The love of my God, boundless and deep,

That sinks to lowly, inconceivable depths,

To redeem fallen hearts, eternally lost like mine,

Beams like a solitary star twinkling bright,

In the midst of darkness all the more to show,

The beauty and grace of a tiny stream of light,

Gleaming to vanquish the shadow of night.

For it serves to show in its serene, unchanging glow,

That behind the veil of dark there is much more,

Hidden and barred to the meek and mortal eye,

Seeing only the swathed mists of a cloudy sky,

For stars and planets and unknown galaxies,

Lie strewn across the cosmos of infinite totality,

And beyond them all, in awesome sight,

Abides the grand weaver, author of its design,

Outshining His own creation in glorious might.

And that tiny speck of light, shining true and bright,

Declares the truths of heaven to unseeing eyes,

So it faithfully burns out its whole life to shine,

And proclaim God's presence to all mankind,

Thus let me be if you will, a flame of love,

Blazing for thee- that the flare of truth might ignite,

In many lost lives the beauty and grace of Christ,

For I know that worthlessness is to you no offense,

And the use of weakness is your great delight,

So a tiny beam of light would for you suffice,

To bring down the glory of heaven to earth's skies.

For the deepest yearnings of my soul are stirred,

As I gaze upon that solitary herald of the heavens,

In the still of the night beholding a slumbering world,

The skies seem to conceal the grand mysteries above,

And fashion a chasm between me and my God,

For I know He dwells there, full of tender love for me,

Yet I cannot see His dear face or behold His majesty,

But now this glad thought, my wistful heart satisfies,

That he abides there somewhere far beyond the skies,

And looks down in infinite wisdom, love and might.

Then whatever the wheels of time for me have stored,

Through life's untraversed paths that await,

Let the light of some lone, yet constant star,

Flood my heart with the true knowledge of God,

And banish my gloom as its beam dispels the dark,

So His love might steep through the dregs of my soul,

Until at last I stand unfettered of all mortal confines,

And bridge the vast expanse of space and time,

To find the enshrouding mists of the skies withdraw,

And flee before the Living God who reigns in love,

As He waits with His hands outstretched for me,

Bearing deep scars of the great price He lovingly paid,

To secure me in His dear embrace for all eternity!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

Without speech or language,

without a sound to be heard,

their voice has gone out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world."

~ Psalm 19: 1-4

The Invisible Bride

 

The vast, invisible Church of Christ,

Born deep in that great, immortal mind,

Before the race of men on earth emerged,

In eternity were it's mighty pillars firmed.

The grand reward of the blood and tears, 

Which were Christ's during His earthly years,

Indeed this did His sorrowing heart inspire,

And lift His spirit in the last, dreadful mire.

As that broken body hung on the cross, 

Gasping under weight of man's sinful dross

T'was a vision of the Church, holy and new,

Which made His agonies sweet and true.

Though once was lowly and despised, 

For eternity will He in all glory abide,

Pleading for those who are His very own,

Before that sovereign, immutable throne.

For that glorious plan was forged in infinity,

Purposed in Christ to be fulfilled in eternity,

To call those who were lost beyond remedy,

And build them up into one perfect Body.

Thus from every nation, tongue and race,

Christ's remnant is summoned by name,

His little flock who faithfully hear His voice,

And cause their Good Shepherd to rejoice.

No strength of numbers or might has she,

No pomp or granduer for the world to see,

Scattered on earth without name or fame, 

The precious work of Christ her only claim.

No man-made creed does she praise or laud,

But across them all are her people found,

The seal of their salvation is from above,

Marked by the indwelling of the holy Dove.

In the famed Churches that proudly stand, 

Where evil deceptions hold full command,

Even there is the Spirit of Truth to be found,

Among a wise few whose hearts are sound.

Others there are who tread a lonely road, 

No fellowship have they in this earthly abode, 

But the divine counselor dwells in these souls, 

Not orphans here, for He their life upholds.

In nations where wicked dominions rule,

One must pay a price and be called a fool,

Here those who labour in suffering and strife,

For the sake of Christ lay down their life.

Of many such is built the unseen Church, 

In all their hearts the same spirit burns, 

Of pure truth and a living prayer of sacrifice,

As they strive to follow the feet of Christ.

Her faith is not in grand buildings of stone,

Nor in the traditions that men have sown,

But the Word of God alone she will trust,

Other claims of truth she knows are corrupt.

No fame or strength does she have to invoke,

Yet in her great weakness, lies her boast,

Thus not by might or power, but by my Spirit,

Says the Lord; For He heeds not worldly merit.

For when some of her people gather in love 

Earnestly to seek the face of their God above,

His heart is stirred to great mercy and favour,

So pours out His Spirit to grace their labour.

And when their cold spirits are thus revived,

By the divine flame of fire that makes alive, 

What glorious powers and wonders do betide,

To show men that God does with Her abide.

Thus Her outward self seems to waste away,

But quietly the work of Christ is underway, 

For her inner heart is renewed day-by-day, 

And nothing does Her eternal hope dismay.

Though ever the object of scorn and disdain, 

Mansions bright are above for her ordained,

For now Christ's sufferings she must share,

His wondrous glory for all eternity to wear.

Those of her body now know not each other, 

Scattered are they accross land and river,

But how great her joy will be when they meet,

And sing the triumphant song at Jesus' feet.

But greater still is the reward for Jesus' sight,

When He sees His holy Bride clothed in white,

And all His suffering made worth its while,

As His love walks down Jerusalem's aisle!

THE MIGHTY CONFLICT

I stand upon the crest of a high mountaintop, 

Looking over a vast battlefield;

Where legions of armies are fighting, 

A terrible war with fearsome zeal;

Yet the mighty throng wrestles unseen-

For these are the angelic stars of heaven, 

Which blaze in light too bright to be seen;

A third in the grip of the foul dragon's tail,

Which swept them away into rebellion's ways.

While they battle outside the realm of mortal sight,

The great deceiver puts his hosts to task-

Who blind men's eyes lest they see the light;

And the great field trembles and throbs,

With the clash of spears and swords; 

Back and forth the armies like restless waves do pour,

Which threatens to swallow the waiting shore;

For the vast plain is set ablaze with angry fires,

And they burn with fervor rising higher-

Till their wafting smoke soars above the wreck,

And warns every onlooker of this conflict's terror;

The mountain over the plain shakes and quakes,

And I fear my trembling feet would give way,

For an alarming sight meets my eyes-

Most mortal flesh rallies behind the dragon's tail!

I fell to my knees in grave despair- 

It is a losing battle; all striving is vain!

In my grief I writhed like a worm on the ground,

And the smoke from the field rose higher still,

So I waited for its fires, my woes to engulf and fill;

Yet through the smoke that glazed my teary face,

I saw a lamb walk into my sight-

Upon his face was such gentle grace, 

Where purest love and wisdom shone in perfect might; 

There was a fountain of blood freely flowing, 

Like a stream from His riven side, outpouring-

And He gently bid me to plunge myself from above

Into that ocean of healing, redeeming love;

So I was freed from my chains and set free,

But the great conflict waging, I still could see-

I watched the lamb; he walked into the mighty strife,

And I saw Him face the dragon who cowered in fright,

To my great wonder the blood of the lamb,

That gave me life, swept the serpent back,

Along with his army in a mighty, surging tide!

And behold, hosts of men who were captive to his snare, 

Ran to the lamb's side with jubilant, grateful fare!

Still many pursued the loser; I too rushed to the Lamb,

And asked, "Is the battle truly won?"

But before the words had left my hasty mouth,

I heard the terrible thunder of advancing legions-

And the dragon at its head with an angry roar,

Hurled curses against the God of heaven.

I turned to the Lamb that had been slain-

Who wore a crown of triumph upon His head- but said,

"The battle is won for my wounds have sealed its victory, 

But it must wage until the ordained time is history."

Then I groaned in dismay for I had dared to think,

That the hostile clamour soon would cease, 

Into a dawn of eternal rest and peace!

But the lamb drew me close to His breast-

And whispered such tender avowals of love and cheer,

That my heart regained its strength and vigour;

So I prepared to watch the mighty battle wage again,

But the Lamb thrust me into His great charges-

And said, "You can no longer tarry and watch the sight,

The time is nigh to take up armour and fight!"

Then I trembled and cowered in great fright,  

For the conflict seemed so dire and forbidding-

All around me the hate of the Serpent's armies,

Waited ready to swallow their adversaries;

So I pleaded my case to the Lamb-

Made list of many a weakness and woe,

But He paid no heed to my mutterings, 

And sent me out to meet the foe!

The sword of His word was put in my mouth,

The Living Spirit watered my parched lands,

And the keys to life were given to my hands;

Then my heart burned with love for the Lamb,

So I stepped into the battle lines-

Forced to grapple in a conflict I wished not to wage;

For as the blurred faces of those I must fight,

Swam clearly into my wretched sight, I wept 

To find among them, many who I loved-

And did not wish to stand against!

But I took up my sword and uttered what is precious, 

I held out in my hands the word of life-

Only to see their faces harden in bitter wrath,

Raising the weapons fashioned against me for strife!

And I at this sight, grew faint with sorrow and despair,

As if a cruel thorn had stabbed my breast-

For the love within it rose in a terrible tumult,

And heaved in pounding waves of hurt distress,

I wished my heart was devoid of love so I could find rest!

Again I fell down at the feet of the Lamb,

And cried, "I cannot suffer men's scorn and hate,

O this is a battle I do not want to wage!

Like a mighty throng they press in from every side,

Must I stand alone and contend for right,

Would you sweep my pain so cruelly aside?"

The Lamb drew me to Him and I saw tears in His eyes,

Where deep pools of love rested strong and wise,

He said, "Shall I not have the reward of my labour?

When I wrest in agony upon that tortuous cross-

For a great anguish in my heart I harbour,

To receive that for which I suffered every loss!

So go forth with weeping though the cost is great,

You will come again bearing a rich harvest of souls,

In great triumph and rejoicing- through the Golden gate."

But my voice yet rose in mournful complaints-

"Why did you choose me for this dreadful fight?

How can I endure the dark, never-ending night?"

Then my patient listener whispered peace into my heart,

With the balm of His love He quieted every part;

He lifted my face so my gaze would fall upon the skies,

Said, "Beyond those clouds wait joy and endless delight,

With patient endurance you will enter that realm of light; 

By the power of my blood and the word of your testimony, 

You shall overcome the serpent who lies at your heel-

As long as you do not love your life even unto death,

For I have stamped your forehead with the conqueror's seal!"

But still I cried, "My heart aches for the favour of men,

Can I lose it all when my soul craves rest in its haven?

Then He said, "Once when I wandered the earth,

A man of sorrows, familiar with pain,

I found men's hatred very hard to bear-

But as I mounted dark Calvary's fearsome hill, 

Though my inner soul did sear with agony to the fill,

I set my face like flint, determined to do my task,

And not a single word could shatter my resolute mask!

So make yourself a rock- steadfast without change,

In the midst of the fiercest storm that would rage!"

Then I sighed and nodded my assent;

But this yoke upon my tender shoulders,

Sunk heavily and caused me care and torment;

So the Lamb bid me gaze deeply into His face,

As I looked, such radiant love shone out of that pure visage-

It gained in strength till it engulfed me in its warm glow,

And abundant peace into my soul did flow,

In gentle care, cradling my heart, and

Healing every aching wound and scar!

And there, enfolded in the the arms of heaven's love,

I knew I could forsake all I loved for the Lamb above-

Upon his face alone I will set my faltering sight,

And his everlasting favour shall be my delight!

But though the mighty conflict just nears,

My face is already stained with anguished tears;

For within my heart a constant refrain echoes-

Like the strained notes of a violin which in passion grows,

"How long, how long until my work on earth is done,

And the bright Crown of glory is finally won?"

A Christmas Poem

Before His hand had formed the skies, 
Or set the earth in humble place, 
Before the seas were made to cleave its sands, 
The light to show His perfect handiwork forth, 
And the stars to adorn the whole in grace. 
 
And even before He blew the breath of life, 
Into the being made and designed of dust, 
Before His most prized and treasured creation, 
Betrayed their glory, His trust and love, 
And sold their spirits to final death. 
 
Yet this vile and fallen, yet chosen creation, 
Created in God’s own, righteous image, 
So greatly His thoughts did engage, 
As he saw them lost in the chains of death, 
Wretched, with no obscure hope of escape. 
 
Thus before this cosmic drama of the human race, 
Commenced within the spheres of time and space, 
That we, the living still do partake today, 
In endless eternity, God did choose a man, 
To pay for all wrongs and their tainted ways. 
 
So before the serpent beguiled the woman away,  
Writ on the indestructible testaments of truth, 
As a steadfast foundation unassailable by time, 
Was the accomplishment of the divine redemption, 
That would the eternal shackles of death break. 
 
Thus through shifting, mortal tides and ages, 
Those men who loved and honoured God, 
Yearned in faith to see the foretold act fulfilled, 
And in many a heart a throne was long prepared, 
To welcome the King and grant him rightful place. 
 
As the earthly performance of an infinite act, 
Was born a child to humble, lowly parents, 
And the hope and light of all mankind, 
On a bed of straws, in a base manger lay, 
Blameless and pure, the son of God born as man. 
 
Immortality, salvation, life abundant and free, 
Love divine and joy complete was His to give freely, 
And strange that after all the grand places, 
That for these men have searched in frenzy, 
They did not once think to look in the stable lowly. 
 
For around that poor, forsaken manger, 
Would the grand narrative of humanity be played, 
By the mighty Hand that writes its tales, 
And the lives and destinies of all mankind relied, 
Upon their belief in the name of that little child.  
 
From the heavenly portals of eternity, 
Watches one who searches and knows our hearts, 
Looking for the soul who will believe in His gift, 
Of the son born in the form of man,  
That yet one more might be adopted,  
Into the fold of his dear, chosen ones.

Till Faith is Turned to Sight...

It is not by aught that meets the eye, 
That we choose to walk the narrow way, 
For no hint of rest or pleasure is there, 
To brighten its grim, weary trails. 
 
Nor by wonders or marvels we see, 
Do we hope in God and eternity, 
For often there is no earthly sign, 
That tells of His presence and His might. 
 
For the path is often bleak and grey, 
With not a tiny beam to light the way, 
Gone are rays of hope to cheer the eye, 
And empty darkness greets our sight. 
 
So often our suffering is so great, 
And the eye too weary to gaze on heaven’s gates, 
For all mortal wretchedness clouds the eye, 
And dims the vision divinely inscribed. 
 
Such times it is by what the heart believes, 
In spite of what the eyes have seen, 
That we trust in God, His precious name, 
And the rich promises that he hath gave. 
 
For by this wondrous gift of faith, 
And the blessed hope that it gave, 
Though no grand wonders we might see, 
Our souls can rest peacefully. 
 
So just as by faith, the men of old, 
Saw that which their eyes could not behold, 
And believed in all that their God proclaimed, 
Till their sight was blessed with the fruit of their faith. 
 
Thus, even in the deepest gloom, 
Our hearts will trust in His unfailing love, 
Even as our eyes may fail, 
The race is run by the shield of faith.

He Abides!

When worries that come from worldly care,  

With thoughts that prick and pierce their way, 

Into the tranquil rest that God His children gave, 

Corrode and invade their walk with him; 

While they with helpless will, submit to their sway, 

And confess that they in true loyalty cannot persist, 

But must to earthly distress and brooding relent; 

God with tender, steadfast love gently reminds-

That not with resolve or power, or mortal will, 

Of theirs, do they persevere and endure in grace;

But His infinite, unwavering love alone, 

Doth their frail and feeble souls uphold;

And God’s faithful, eternal promises alone, 

Doth remain forever and securely preserve them;

And thus all doubts and fears subside as they find,

That it is He who with them, firmly abides!

When the Rooster Crowed

I know how Peter felt when thrice the rooster crowed,

And his master's anguished eyes pierced his very soul;
How his heart seared with guilt and pain,
When he knew his dearest friend he had betrayed.

He was the man who always stood by a friend,
So to Jesus he swore his faithfulness,
Treachery and betrayal were that he despised, 
And loyalty and valour were his chief delight.

Man of great courage and strength, who said,
He would follow Jesus even to death,
When the time had come to make a stand,
He denied the name that he pledged to love.

Oh, to Peter there was no greater disgrace, than
To desert him who came to save the souls of men
A pitiful taint and blot on fleshly pride, that,
Timid, he fled when Jesus was crucified!

Then the rooster crowed and Peter's heart,
Shook with great, fierce grief and shame,
As it dawned on that poor, wretched soul,
That he had no strength or might of his own.

For all that he loved and held worthy in self,
Was shattered to the ground in final death,
Only the crushing weight of loathing remained,
As he beheld his great unworthiness.

How the scales fell from Peter's eyes,
As he saw himself in true and holy light,
Though he lied to save himself- that night,
On the cross with Jesus, he was crucified!

And this is the prayer we pray today,
Though strange, to the world it may,
That our selves, our strengths and pride,
Might be crucified on the Cross of Christ.

Then though awful shadows swathe the heart,
In that final death, lasting life is won,
And to sin and flesh we are slaves no more,
For in our broken selves, the Risen Christ will dwell!

Hope in the Darkness

The eye that beholds the world today,
Finds no cause for peace or rest,
For the sights we see are mournful,
Plaguing the ease of our minds.

Wretched filth lurks in every core,
Suffering, strife and all things vile,
Oh, where is justice, where is truth?
For darkness has smothered the light.

Oh, are these the days of Noah,
When men wallowed in earthly pleasure,
But forsook their Sovereign Creator,
And were destroyed in his righteous anger?

They have loathed all that is good,
And betrayed the truth for deception,
Even the deepest, purest love,
Was scorned at the foot of the cross.

But we long for release from the bonds of sin,
For righteousness and justice to reign,
For an end to evil, suffering and pain,
So our hearts thirst for you, Oh Lord.

Amidst the darkness that rules our day,
This only is our comfort and stay,
That our God is Lord of all he made, who
Clothes the flowers, keeps the stars in place.

Because he is God, our hearts will sing,
In the shadow of vice, we yet have hope,
Long as he sees the sparrow fall to the ground,
We know that the future, our lives are sound.

What sublime, divine hope is ours,
That in the bonds of flesh, the heart can sing,
Rest in the grace and love of our God,
Who called us from that wondrous cross.

Then, though all on earth looks bleak,
Our eyes are set on heaven's lofty height,
Where our cares and burdens quietly fade,
As it's splendid glory floods our sight.

So heart, stirred with the love of the cross,
Sworn in trust to the spirit of God,
Mourn not for the light that men renounced,
But rejoice, for all victory IS the Lord's !