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!

Jesus, if I praised 10,000 years I could not praise you enough


If I knew every word; about you I could not say enough


If I could spend forever loving; it still would not be enough


Of your love for me; I am not worthy enough


And try I might I still sin so much. I’ll never be good enough


You tell me to go out and help change the world, and I don’t believe I’m enough



We praise you with happy hearts in word and deed and love

And that is praise enough


The songs we sing to you the Blessed King bring a smile to your face

And that is gift enough


To live our lives for you; to serve and do your will

That is love enough


You sent your son to die for me though I was unworthy

His death showing your grace was enough


Sinners we are and rotten; Jesus hung and bled and died

The price he paid in full was good enough


You believe in me. Made me with a special purpose and plan

And that is reason enough!



AMEN!

From the ashes of the dead, new life is born
And hope will rise like the sun on Easter morn
The same fire that ravages, gives warmth and light
The same fire that destroys, on a candle, is a welcome sight
We will rise again on the wings of the dawn
We will dance with the joy of a newborn fawn
It is a chance to rebuild, restart, and renew
To see what beauty lies hidden from view
From out of the ashes, we will rise again
We say: "Let it be done" Amen
From the crucible of fire, we will survive
Having been purified, we will now thrive
The loss is real, but it mustn't feel
Like the end. It is a brand-new start
And the memory will remain here in our hearts
I truly believe that out of the ashes we will find
Evidence of something profoundly divine
That in its wake there will come a grand revival
An awakening of faith that will have no rival
There will be a day of great jubilation
Where people will come from every nation
To join hands and hearts as sister and brother
Where peace resides and we love one another
From these ashes, I pray we will remember
That life is fleeting, and life is a treasure
But we will rise above the ashes and dust
To find something in which we can trust

Lord, sometimes I get discouraged and I start to question why
Especially when things don’t work out no matter how hard I try.
When the words won’t come and the thoughts don’t flow,
When minutes feel like hours and time moves painfully slow
When I am challenged, you use these moments to teach.
I know you are here even though you feel out of reach.
Lord, I trust that my being with you is good enough:
You take my awkward feeble attempt and edges rough
You make it something beautiful and polish it to shine.
Even in our brokenness, you are still divine.
Lord, help me when I feel that what I give is not enough
You love me when life is good and when times are tough.
My worth isn’t measured by what I can or cannot do,
My worth is measured by who I am to you:
Cherished, and beloved until the end of days.
Often you work in mysterious ways
But I trust you Lord, even though I don’t always see
At least not right away, the lessons you are teaching me.
So, in the challenges Lord, I thank you; I bless your Holy Name
And I pray that every day, you help me do the same.

Amen

Dream your dreams and live your life make every moment count

Go on now and be

The person you are. Forever loved by your father and me

Now is the time for our little one to leave the nest

Spread your wings and fly

We are always with you; your mother and I.

Wherever you may run, however far you may go

The light is on the door is open when you come home.

Choose your goals, go into the world

Be all you can and bloom like the flower unfurled

But when you are tired and weary and things get rough

When storm clouds cast darkness on your sky and sun turns to rain

If laughter turns to sadness and joy gives way to pain

Know that here at home you can have peace and rest

We always love you. Always have and always will and we are truly blessed

Every day we think of you, bow our heads abe pray at night

That you be blessed and safe and ever in the Lord's sight!

I fall on my knees and pray

At the start and end of each day

"Here I am. Are you there Lord?"

You hear my cry and pleading Lord.

I come slowly; crawling to your throne

Broken, ashamed, lost and alone

You stand before me in all of Your glory

Before I can speak You know all my story

You reach down and lift up my face

Dry a tear from my eyes; wash me with mercy and grace

You bid me to rise, then smile and open Your arms

You hold me and love me and all of me warms

You know I am sorry, I know You forgave

With Your help I can behave.

All this time You knew and were waiting

To welcome me back; loving not hating

And then a thought crept into my heart:

You were with me right from the start!

Sitting in the dark waiting for the light
Tears flowing down you’ve been up all night
Remembering the way you felt all those years ago
Desperate to hold on never letting go
The pain and sadness come flooding back
It paralyses you like a bad heart-attack

The sun was a little brighter and colors were more vivid
Wishing to go back to the life you once liv-ed
The innocence is gone but not all hope is lost
Dream, believe, love and don’t count the cost
They say the first step is the hardest, though I think
It’s easier to walk with someone if you start to sink

A companion for the journey someone to hold you close
Tell you it is okay and be a supporting dose
You will never be all alone you never were before
You will never find happiness and peace if you try to keep score
Let my light go before you and may you find a friend so true
A Guardian Angel to be there always for you

When skies are grey and hope seems far away
See a smile that turns up a sunny day
When heart is heavy and frozen in fear
Love will drive it out let love live here
There is so much more to life than what you see right now
Keep moving forward, we’ll make it through somehow

The sun is on the rise a new day is starting
Joy and hope appear as the clouds are slowly parting
Today is the first day of the rest of your life a new beginning
So dare to take a step out and you’re already winning
I can see clearly now a light in you brighter even than the sun
Take heart my dear for great are things to come!

We are called to be the spirit of Nazareth. We are like a city on a hill: defending, protecting our families an communities as well as being and shining the light of Christ for all to see. As Christ is the vine and we are its branches which bear great fruit when rooted firmly in Christ, so too are we called to stand strong and secure in Christ's teachings so that those around us; our wives and children can grow and flourish. The spirit of Nazareth is a call to action. We were made to be courageous, to take a stand, to lead, to love, to light and guide. We are here to follow Christ who came before us and strive to set a good example for those who will one day do the same. We are men and we are the Spirit of Nazareth! AMEN

Finding Peace

My heart is restless Lord I am searching
For joy when I should be looking for
Peace. I should be asking more of you and saying less of me. I know you have me here right now and it’s where I’m supposed to be. I don’t know how to try and I feel like I’m doing this only as a last resort. I want joy, but it’s peace that I need. I find peace when I am here in adoration and the grace that I receive. It’s hard to let go of trying to find joy, because I love joy and you have given me a joyful heart. Remind me not to love joy more than I ought to love you. Let Your Will be done Lord in and through me. Allow me to speak love and life into all I encounter and may the work be fulfilling. Perhaps I already have the answer in front of me even now. I am at peace when I am with you. If I am with you, I will know peace and there is so much good I can do as a priest. Poetry and prayers, mentoring, connecting with all people especially our young people, being a councilor and confidant and all these things give me joy. Maybe being a priest isn’t where I want to be, but maybe being a priest is where I need to be for me, for you, and for others. Please Lord, help me to discern ever more this big decision and I pray that wherever I go and whatever I do, I may find or be led to a place of peace. Help me find joy in all the things I have peace with and may i never lose the joy and the childlike faith and love that you have given me. Amen.

Noises and distractions abound
Calling out for our attention all clamoring
All the motion, all the lights, all the sound
Pulled apart in every direction, the hammering

Living in a society with life in constant chaos
Sensory overload and constantly connected to everything
In actuality totally disconnected to what really matters
Distant from people, apart from sadness and grief
Brain racing faster than a bullet train can’t get any sleep

Is there anyone as gone as I am today?
Losing the commotion of the world for a moment
It is then that we can begin to start finding ourselves
Finding who it is we really are and why we’re here
Connected with our joys, fears, hopes, sadness and dreams
So many wondrous things you can see when you cut yourself free

Breathe in deeply. Smell life, smell love, smell joy
Listen closely. Hear the symphony of life. Hear the song in your heart
Feel again. Feel warmth, peace, and light
Taste the spice of creativity and crave a zest for life
Touch the world. Reaching hearts and helping hands
Press pause or at least slow down

Lose yourself in the mystery the majesty of the moment
Discover yourself in the deep and the divine daily
See yourself in the stillness and the solitude of silence
Free yourself from fear from fame and fortune
Peaceful presence is yours in the power of perpetual prayer
Find yourself once more in Jesus Christ the Lord

If we were to somehow able to learn
The secret to happiness and peace
Perhaps we could then discern
Sometimes silence is sweet release

Bless my mind Lord and the thoughts that I think
Bless my lips Lord and the words that I speak
Bless my throat Lord and the songs that I sing
Bless my heart Lord and the love that I give
Bless my life Lord and the way that I live.
Amen

Someday soon we’ll lift our gaze
Someday soon we’ll sing the Lord’s praise
We’ll be welcomed through heaven’s gates
Everything there is all first rates
No more crying no more pain no more fear
Always sun and no more rain; always clear
Ever happy no more sad or anger no’s
Precious love is here in perfect beauty like a rose
All the bad things that exist are in your mind
You’ll only see nice things of every kind
Take shelter in God’s all-encompassing wings
Rest in ease safe from the evil shadow’s things
You are only one, but you have made a great change
That which is unknown is no longer strange
Do you fear God and also love him
Don’t try to fake for he is never asleep or dim
With God by our side we can never go wrong
Because of Jesus, I am writing this song
I truly hope my words reach out to you out there
That this paper travels across land, sea, and air
My goal right now is to teach about the Lord
So in the song of life you have the right chord
We are here to make a difference and to learn
With the right help, there is much we can turn
Happy are those who do not have much
But are rich in love and such

When life is out of order and things just don't make sense
When I'm left out in the dark and the cold and I'm in suspense
Everywhere I turn I am closed in by walls on every side
There is nowhere I can run and nowhere I can hide
If life was a car, I'd be careening out of control
If life was a gamble, I'd have one foot in the hole
When my life is chaos and disorder
Of sanity and insanity, I'm hanging on the border
I would be lost if I didn't know who was in command
I would be lost if I didn't recognize the good that He had planned
So, Jesus, take the wheel and turn this car around
Take my feet and place them back on solid ground
I know I should trust you: this has happened before
But doubt creeps in and I hold back, afraid once more
I like feeling like I'm in control even though I'm not
It terrifies me that, for certain things, I have blind spots
I want to channel this love inside, but I go about it all wrong
It leaves me feeling emptier, it never satisfies for long
I won't find the answer where I've been looking until now
I'll only find the answer when I finally allow
You to take control over me entirely
To give you all I am and have and ask you to take over
To fill me with the joy, the passion, the pleasure
Help me live a life in purity and truth
Until the day you say here is the one I made for you
Jesus, command my thoughts, conform my will
Satisfy me daily so I can have my fill
Take me past my blindness so I can more clearly see
How perfect your plan and how great your love for me
When I give up my control and truly surrender
I am freed from the grip of that wily pretender
I call upon your grace and strength as I struggle day by day
To walk with you in faithfulness and let you lead the way

When I am down, you make my darkness light
You melt my frozen heart with your burning fire
You greet me when I wake like the morning sun
When I am lost at sea you are my Northern Star
Guiding me home again, waiting like a candle
Brighter than any diamond you shine

You blind me and astound me how bright you shine
I gaze upon your beauty as you radiate light
You glow as though you are a soft candle
I am consumed by your wild fire
Your hair is like the sun and your eyes sparkle like a star
You warm my bones with your life-giving sun

I thrive in the constancy of the sun
With you at my side I can go through rain or shine
Ever constant ever true my ever fix-ed star
You bathe me in your soft warm light
I am cleansed in your purifying fire
You honor my memory with a memorial candle

Nothing lasts forever: a sacrificial candle
One day death will come even for the sun
The evening sky ablaze with celestial fire
The sun sets and the moon comes out to shine
There is balance: good and evil, darkness and light
I know all of you like I know every star

In your arms, we dance across the sea of stars
The millions of twinkling lights couldn't hold a candle
Shadows run away at the brilliance of your light
Against you, my dear, your light dims the sun
My love for you will always shine
You will burn strong and steady, an eternal fire

Here we sit side by side at the fire
A canopy of sky and a blanket of stars
Even in this darkness, still you shine
Bound together in the light of a single candle
Staying up just to greet the morning sun
To see a new day born to pure and glorious light

Lord in your goodness hear and answer me
My enemies surround me they plot my demise
With wicked words they seek to trap me
Day and night they scheme with evil in their hearts
I fear for my life my safety Oh Lord my God
Lord in your goodness hear and answer me

They lie in the shadows watching and waiting
Waiting for a moment of weakness to pounce
But you my God are my protector in trouble
You are my shield and my strength
Lord in your goodness hear and answer me

I cry out to you come save me from these wolves
Hear my pleas Oh Lord and save me in my distress
Deliver me from my foes and by your right hand guard me
I trust in you God come swiftly to my aid
Lord in your goodness hear and answer me

Enter In

Stand now before the heavenly gates
Made clean by the blood which expiates
Come now before the resplendent throne
Lift your voice in praise with trumpets blown
And here bowing down in adoration
Come one come all and enter in

Open my heart open my mind and soul
Help me to focus on the final goal
To be as one in spirit and in flesh
With Christ the Lord whom I so bless
That I may learn and grow and be taught
And reflect Him in action and thought

Come to love Him who loves so deeply
Know the one who knows you so completely
Lose yourself in the sea of total surrender
Find healing in the arms strong and tender

S e  e  s-t-a-bil-i-ty           becomes the center
                                  When
                                     HE

                   ——————————
The doors |                               | are open wide
                    |                               |
                    |                               |
                    |                               |

                               So just
                              
                               ENTER
                                   IN

And when you do:

STOP
for a moment
.
.
.
.

Inhale deeply and fully the subtle scent
Of change in you on the smallest scale
And in your bones know that love will not fail
Should the earth crumble and sun lose it’s fire
His burning love for you shall not expire

Dare to enter in more deeply today
Open yourself more freely

and be
        
              s  
                     w    
                              e      
                                        p      
                                                    t

                                                               away

You’ve been hurt and broken I’ve been there before
Beaten, bruised, and mocked: you can’t take it any more
Stripped of possessions and dignity, feeling less than poor
I felt the nails as they were driven so deep
I knew the sorrows as my own and I would weep
I remember the long days and longer nights with no sleep
The pain you feel now, I intimately understand
I cover you with love and hold you in my hand
You can’t see it now, but I have something planned
Rest now my child. Rest in my merciful heart
Be at peace my child. And in peace healing can start
And I will mend and piece together every broken part
Run into my arms and there you can begin to heal
With my love surrounding you, begin once more to feel
Cling to me when the nightmares come back and seem so real
My love for you will never fade nor will it dim or die
And when you are overwhelmed come to me and cry
I will dry your eyes and fill you with a happy sigh
Keep your eyes on me and you will see the sun come shining through
What will come out of the storm is a better stronger you
I will see you through whatever I have brought you to
Trust in me, rest in my love oh my sweet little one
My grace in you and with you and through you has just begun
Rejoice, there is so much left to do before our work is done!

You alone Lord truly know our pain when no one else can. Too often we suffer in silence and solitude. Remind us that we are never alone. You suffered the same. May we find comfort and solace in our sharing and find the strength to carry our cross with your help. And although suffering is hard, there are blessings still in being able to help others who are hurting. When we can lift others up, we are lifted up as well. In your merciful heart and endless love, help us find peace and begin to heal from our brokenness and pain. May our hearts find the peace and refreshment that only comes from resting in Your healing heart Oh God. Amen

"Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist; and the Eucharist, in turn, confirms our way of thinking". -- St. Irenaeus

Who can know the mind of God
Or plumb the depths of his wisdom?
What song can rise to Heaven's height
Or word can aptly describe Him?
Such mysteries plague the mind of man
No simple solution for this searching soul
It slips away like water through the hand
And loathe are we to relinquish control
We look upon the Eucharist with grateful thanksgiving
And offer graciously our petition and praise
For the purest act of love: life-giving
This source of food and drink in the form of bread and wine
Transcends and crosses through both mortal and divine
In this life-giving and purely creative force
I find my own creative imagination's source

Circular Baseball
With family 'round
Spring and school starting
Playing soccer
Baseball Diamond
Play Ball!

Jesus is calling you so soft and sweet
Quiet as a whisper wanting to meet
Listen, can you hear him knocking
He is waiting just outside the door
Open your heart what are you waiting for
Jesus is thirsting, He is thirsting for you
Longing for a chance to make you new
He is thirsting for love of souls
He is dying for a chance to hold
His children in His arms one more time
The beauty from the pain was a sign
He made life from the ashes a new beginning
Paying the ultimate price our Salvation winning
Jesus is calling rest in his heart of love
Filled with holy longing from above
Jesus is calling you will you answer the call
Will you turn from your way and abandon it all
Will you give what you have to the poor and sick
And with joy and a smile do it
Take up your cross and follow me
The life, the way, the truth shall set you free
Jesus is calling you to come to the holy of holies
Enter into the mystery into the true presence
See with eyes of faith and beyond your sense
Feel the peace so heavy and deep
Experience that sweet release
Breathe in, breathe out, fill your lungs with the spirit
In the stillness and the quiet you can finally hear it
Hear Jesus Calling
Lord into you I’m falling
Falling for you
Jesus Calling

What a powerful thing it is
Both killing and destroying, renewing, refreshing
Always changing always growing
Never pausing once

To slow down...

To STOP,


And take inventory of all that is around it
The beauty, the mystery, and with it, cold harsh reality
War, poverty, sickness, death
Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness

How incredible it is indeed
To be so capable of so much

Yet still cannot fathom
How Little it truly does know

A flower dances under a sky of blue and white
Petals outstretched to take in the sun’s great light
A bloom so beautiful and pure that none can match
No words can contain nor brush that can catch
The radiance of this single solitary rose
Of how it came to be, no one truly knows
But here it stands tall and strong
Blessing all those who happen along
Is it just a hardy stubborn thing or is it something more?
Is it a message for someone and, if so, who is it for?
For myself it is a reminder of all that life can be
And a statement of all that we can achieve
We can overcome heartache and sorrow and pain
We can be an example and stand strong in the rain
With patience love and kindness we can cultivate the seed
And with grace and peace and quiet strength, be what people need
But like the rose we must open to the sun
And by our living lead others to the Holy One
He is our strength he has given us this gift
So let us now sing out and our faces lift
How Great is our God who alone can save
Whose death and resurrection brought vict’ry o’er the grave

Can you hear my heart's cry across the sea of stars?
Can you still hear it though I'm miles from where you are?
Do you share the tears of loss and pain,
And still believe that sun will follow after rain?
Watch the moon-light dance and shine
Whatever comes, I am yours and you are mine
I'm trying to live what is pure and right
To show compassion to all and walk in the light
And still my path is riddled with lies and hurt and shame
The way is dark; filled with anger, deceit, and blame
I collapse and beat the ground
I scream, but hear no sound


Can you hear my heart's cry across the sea of stars?
Can you still hear it though I'm miles from where you are?
Can you hear me? Are you listening? Do you even care?
I beg you: show me something! Let me know you're still there!


The words somehow reached God's ears
Moved with compassion he sent an angel to dry my tears.
"Come now, be not afraid" the angel said and helped me to stand
"Dark is the way, the path; unclear, and you do not understand
But do not give up, do not lose hope: the most priceless of all treasure
All the silver and gold and riches could not begin to measure
The treasure you are. What great things God has in store for you!
Plans to prosper and bless and keep you every single day,
And when things are bad or good, call him up and pray.
Any day, time, or weather; he is always fee to talk,
Every step, every breath, every heartbeat; he is beside you as you walk.
Put your worries, problems, and fears at the base of the cross
Give Him control and watch him turn gain from what once was loss.
Trust and rely on the Lord when life is dark and scary,
And you will see that in His loving arms, you he will carry.


He loves you more than anything you could ever know;
You are a beacon of light and hope for many. Shine like the sun and may His love overflow!

It's okay, you don't have to pay. It's covered
By (assurance) of Grace

On Judgement of Value

Food for the world on a gold plate
Something so small has so much weight
For who can weigh eternal life
And who can say that life has a price
This world will rate and measure
Criticize and place you at its leisure
But the Lord uses a different system
Jesus took our place as spotless victim
He looks into the heart of hearts
Where the human soul resides
He moves past even the locked parts
To find where the treasure lies
He sees beneath the surface. Hidden,
Lies untapped potential; something more
And from the depths it has risen
Like waves to crash upon the shore
Who can know the mind of God
Or understand God's actions?
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder
How beautiful we must truly be
For God made us in His image
And so dearly loves you and me

Gathered at table we pray and join hands
Giving thanks for another year of blessing
It took a while but I think I’m beginning to understand
That we share our bounty with needs far more pressing
We join as one family children one and all
To partake of the feast laid before
Lifting our voices, hear us as we call
Let us be in awe of what you have in store
Bread from Heaven, living sacrifice
Broken and shared for all mankind
Pleasing you is my soul’s delight
Year after year you continue to remind
Us the reason for our joy, and where our hope lies
That if we would only seek your face
And keep our sight fixed on the prize
We would be with you in the holy place
We give thanks with happy hearts for your goodness flows
We turn to you with much rejoicing
We offer up our gifts and joys and our struggles and woes
We lift them all up with our petitions voicing
Hear our pleas and bless the child
Grant strength, peace and gentle spirit
May the desires of our mind and heart be reconciled
May wisdom be upon all who hear it
Protect and guard and bless and keep
Throughout their life and every waking hour
Watch over them when they rise and go to sleep
Look with favor on this baby a precious little flower
If they should wander bring them back
If they should stumble guide their feet
Bless them, that in you, they will never lack
That in your abundance they would be replete
Once again we give you thanks and praise
Oh Lord, giver of all good things
Help us cherish and make the most of all our days
Let love abound as kindness sings

Lord right now I’m lost and confused
Hear my cries Lord I’m begging you
My life was going so well and you turned it upside down
And now I can’t tell which way is up and which is down
Lord I’m trying so hard to understand
How this all fits into your grand plan
I feel you calling me to be to be a husband or wife
I feel you calling me to married life
I know I ought to trust but right now my heart is as dust
To follow you I’ve tried and tried
But what you want I can’t decide
I’m hurting Lord can’t you feel my pain
And world is gray and my sky is all rain
Help me Lord I don’t know what to do or where to turn
What is it Lord that you want for me to learn
Part of me should feel happy but part of me feels dead
The days are painful reminders and most nights I cry in bed
Oh Lord my God why must you wound me so
Please hold me close and never let me go
There are moments when the pain is too much to bear
And when I pray I don’t seem to feel your presence there
I know you love me and you are by my side always
And, if you chose, could turn this protest into praise
But even if you don’t right now I know I’ll be alright
And from this darkness deep inside will come a brilliant light
I’ll be there eventually, but right now what I really need
Is your patience, your guidance, your love, and your lead

We are all beat up and broken down
Our hearts are like broken glass
Bruised and bloodied knocked upon the ground
We are lost like a man with no compass
We are small and frail and weak
The image is twisted by sin and shame
But in the void, the silence will speak
And the one who loves will call our name
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Prince of Peace the Lion and the Lamb
His death brought us from chaos to one accord
He is eternal and He is the Great I AM
He was broken for us
He was pierced for love
He was crushed for our sins
Obedient to the Father above
This is where the healing begins
His body is broken and his blood poured out
He calls us to faith even when we doubt
By giving himself, he makes us whole
He enters in and restores our soul
There is a longing this world can't satisfy
There isn't a thing that we won't try
But we are left hungry and unfulfilled
But with God, we find radical love and fears are stilled
We may be broken, but let us be broken together
Clinging to Jesus in the storms and bad weather
For he heals the broken hearted and brings joy to the sad
He binds the wounded and brings the lost back to the field
He is the Divine Physician He is the Balm of Gilead
So, turn to the Lord and be not broken, but be healed

Lord, we are broken people, and we need you in our lives. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put us back together again, but you can Lord. Only say the word and our souls will be healed. You are perfect and we, most definitely, are not. We are broken, but we are not broken alone. You were broken for us so that we might be made whole with you. We die with you so we may, one day, rise with you to new and glorious eternal life. Heal us Lord. Heal our streets and lands, heal us Lord by the working of your hands. Hear our cries and come swiftly to our aid. You, Oh Lord, are our refuge and our strength. Break us, bless us, multiply us and perfect us. All this we pray, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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

Beyond

Look beyond the surface to see the deeper beauty
Look beyond the act to find a sense of duty
Look beyond the words to see the message they contain
Look beyond the fear and see that I still remain
Look beyond the weakness to see the strength within
Look beyond the death to see where life begins
Look beyond the sound to feel the timeless melody
Look beyond the healing to know the one true remedy
Look beyond the noise to the inmost quiet prayer
Look beyond your helping to find out why you care
Look beyond what you see with your eyes
Look with your mind and soul and heart
Look outside and see the morning sun rise
Look and see what was there from the start
Look beyond blind hate and rage to see the time for love
Look beyond yourself and fix your eyes on things above
Look beyond the cross to see the bridge it made
Look beyond the suffering to see the cost was paid
Look beyond the body and blood to the redeeming sacrifice
Look beyond the anger and do something nice
Look beyond your own little world to find a bigger place
Look beyond apology to see forgiveness and grace

You are the vine I am the branches
Connected to you the source of all life
You are the vine I am the branches
Connected to you I bear great fruit
You are the well source of living water
I am a cup for your blessings outpoured
You are my shelter strong tower in the storm
You are the rock my salvation
You are my solid ground and firm foundation
You are the source of life everlasting
You love a sacrifice of praise and prayer and fasting
Apart from you I am nothing I am empty
In you I live and breathe and have my being

Empty and open
Beautifully broken
Sweetest surrender
Holy Spirit sender
Lost are found
Last are crowned
Heavenly Bread
Keep us fed
Forever in our heart
There from the start
Aways on our mind
Hand of the divine
Sit in sacred silence
God's holy presence
In humble adoration
From this lowly station
Sing a hymn to him alone
Be blessed and find shalom
Holy Mary mother dear
To our prayer incline your ear
Hold us closely to your chest
In your arms we will find rest
Holy Queen be ever true
As we place our trust in you
To intercede on our behalf
And bring us home to Christ at last
In love and Christian charity
And full of ardent sincerity
Loving God and our neighbor
We seek the face of the creator
Hidden, yet revealed in glory
Called to be part of the story
We come empty and broken
But we leave with love beautifully spoken

In you, Oh Lord, I take comfort
In you, Oh Lord, I find rest
In you, Oh Lord, I take refuge
As you hold me to your chest

When I am weary and tired
And the sky is cold and gray
When I'm feeling uninspired
Then I see to feel you say:

I am with you in the silence
I walk beside you in the wild
I know the pain and heartache
And the void of losing a child

I have come to make it known
You are loved and not alone
I have come to restore and heal
And, to this end, I act with zeal

Offer your cross for others' good
That your sorrow might bring relief
By virtue of that knotted wood
Amen, I tell you: I will give you peace

Poem after Confession


Lord, in order to save us, sinners through and through,

You, who had no sin, were killed out of a love so true

Giving up Your life and taking on all our sin,

Brought up again, You make new life begin.

I laid my troubles, sins and pains at Your feet

Vulnerable and helpless You bade me to take, do, drink, and eat.

And I am empty, hungry; I pine for Your touch;

Help me surrender; I need you so much.

Afraid of what I’ll find if I let it all go,

You give me the peace. Ask, and I’ll follow.

Feed me, give me drink. May I be transformed tonight.

And now that I’ve come, and now that it’s done, I start to see the light.

I start to see Your Light.

We bleed the same, we breathe the same, we hurt the same, we hope the same
Some seem to try their hardest to tear this world apart
I try to show love, give love, live love, be love and bring the world together
Some choose to see what divides us
I choose to see what unites us
Some would see the world on fire
I would see our hearts on fire
Some would seek to change another
I would seek to understand my brother
Some might say all hope is lost
I might say we are lost and search for where hope is found
Some might feel only rage and hate
But I feel that peace and love will dominate
Some might believe that I'm a dreamer or a fool
But I believe that hope and dreams will never be uncool
Some might wonder and ask why should I care?
I wonder how they don't see it everywhere

I can almost taste sweet spring upon my tongue
Light rays upon my face, I see the sun
Life everywhere I see all that He has done
Winter has been here long and will soon be gone
The birds and bees, the flowers and trees
All sing their own sweet song
Singing in full abandon as if it had been this way all along
Earth’s voice herself was never quite so strong

To know Him is to love Him
To love Him is to follow Him
To follow Him is to imitate Him
To imitate Him is to be Him for others
In knowing Him we know and find ourselves
In loving Him we see others the way He sees us
In following Him we learn and grow in faith and holiness
In imitating Him we are more truly free
In being Him for others we bring another heart to know Him
And the cycle starts again

Shine the light of Christ for all to see
Living in love and peace and charity
Spread the good news to every people and land
See the good and the work of human hands
What God can do with and through an open heart
Broken can be made whole ad changes can truly start
Though your heart may be as hard as stone
I pray you remember you are never alone
For we are all children with one Dad
We have a safe haven when things get scary or bad

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

Cry out to the Lord for He is good His mercy and love are without end
To the orphans and widows sinners and poor He is a friend
Cry out with joy cry out in pain for every birth and when someone dies
The Lord is merciful He harkens to our cries

Justice and peace shall flourish tears will be wiped away
Turn your face to the sky to the dawning of a new day
For God is great and God is good we are precious in His eyes
The Lord is merciful He harkens to our cries

Hear the pleas of the faithful in a nation that has become lost
Now we have so much power but it came at so great a cost
We look for Your truth in a world that is feeding us lies
The Lord is merciful He harkens to our cries

Some have glimpsed where this road will eventually lead
Sliding down the ***** of lust power jealousy and greed
We are crashing headlong speeding to our demise
The Lord is merciful He harkens to our cries

There is nothing we can do to fix this on our own
But all things are possible with you, we are not alone
Things look bleak but there is hope when we realize
The Lord is merciful He harkens to our cries

Send your Holy Fire change our hearts and heal our land
Instill in us a love for you and a desire to obey your command
Today we stand in Faith assured as in one voice we rise
The Lord is merciful He harkens to our cries!

Lord God, you are the author of life and creator of all good things. Everything is yours and yours alone. But I don't always (or often) act like it. I try to rely on myself to find success, to find my worth, to overcome challenges, to have control over my life as if I don't or can't trust you to provide what I need. I'm sorry. I have a hard time letting go. Letting go of hurt, pain, sadness, anger, jealousy, and I miss the times that were beautiful and filled with joy and love, laughter and peace. I'm sorry. Help me, Lord, to surrender my control to you. Help me learn to let go and give you all of me, keeping nothing back from you. Take the good and the bad Lord, and through your great grace, blanket me in your love and bless my heart and soul with a profound peace that comes only from you. I don't pray as often as I should and, many times, I talk too much and listen too little. Help me be patient Lord and give you a little time as you have given me this time that I have.

When I pray Lord, take me away to the secret place. Take me to where you are, take me into your most sacred heart. When life is just too much to bear, show me just how much you care. When life is simply too demanding, bless me with peace that surpasses all understanding. When the winds are fair and the seas are still, my soul as well is mirror tranquil. When the storm is swirling mad with rage, you will hold me and my fears you will assuage.

Thank you for this Peace.

Amen

When I finally turned around... there you were right behind me with arms flung open wide; welcoming me back with an outpouring of love. You weren't angry or hateful, rather you were joyful and loving. It was then that time stopped.

All this time I'd been so bad, and slammed the door in your face. I had left you. Even so, you never once left me. You were there: just waiting for me to simply turn around. You stood there with your arms open and I threw myself into your loving arms with reckless abandon.

All of a sudden, the floodgates opened and I trembled; sobbing wildly. You held me close and didn't say a word. I could feel tears on my face now: your tears and mine mixed. They were tears of sadness and shame and pain for what had been done and they were tears of joy at my return, for knowing love, grace, forgiveness, mercy.

There was peace there too. Overwhelming and beautiful. It felt like a huge weight vanished from my hands, feet, shoulders, and soul.

Triumphant joyful celebration music rang out loud and pure; and with that.... we DANCED!

Sometimes we need a place to be alone with God
When you feel walked over like a sad piece of sod
We need to find a secret place, the soul's retreat
Where the love between heaven and earth shall meet
I can disappear inside the shadow of his wings
And know the peace that true closeness brings
I can fly away and leave this world and its cares behind
It is in these times that the Lord will gently remind
Us He is our strength and our strong tower
And in his radiant glory, the darkness will cower
I will wash in the stream of eternal life
By grace, I will be made like new
I will bask in healing warmth of the light
Of love that can only come from You
I will join the angels in their unending son
And dance with every ounce of my being
I will sit at your feet the whole day long
I can scarce take in the splendor I'm seeing
I will spend an hour in your presence
But a second is an hour, an hour is a day
My soul finds a pure profound pleasance
And, once again, I know that I will be okay

United to Christ we adore
United to each other what are we waiting for
United in love together we stand
We can begin to heal our broken land
United we bring the kingdom come here
Together we may cast off hatred and fear
When we work together with our sisters and brothers
We can start to bring about a faith revival
We can begin to thrive and not focus only on survival
Uniting our hearts to Jesus we draw nearer
Drawing closer we reflect Jesus as a mirror
So much more unites us that which does divide
I want to make a change but I'll let you decide
If you want to join a revolution start a fire
Watch it burn brighter and hotter and higher
United we stand against the devil and his ways
United we stand for Christ and creation for all our days
United we are hope for a world that seems so lost
Standing up for what is right can come at a high cost
But you are worth it Lord and you thought we were as well
So much that, perfect, you died to save us from hell
United we come to pray and give glory
United we join ourselves as a part of His-story
United we lift our voices in worship and song
United we find a family a place where all can belong
We stand together in faith hope and love
In union with the perfect communion of the trinity above
With the Angels and Saints who praise your name
We your children strive to do the same
United as one body working to act as one
We care for Christ as we help everyone
From the greatest to the least from the powerful to the weak
From those who stand strong and tall to the ones down on their knees
We are all one people one children of one father
We live on one world as son and daughter
We do not stand alone or apart
When we are united not at hip but in heart

Amen

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

Lord, I’m longing to be in the light of your glory
I’m yearning to kneel at the foot of your throne
I hunger and thirst for your presence oh Lord
My soul longs for you, my spirit thirsts for you Oh Lord My God
How I wish I could spend just one day with you
To walk hand in hand down the heavenly streets
Just the two of us how beautiful and wonderful it would be
There is no greater feeling than the feeling I get when we are in sync
I can almost hear the trumpets blaring and joy fills the air
The feeling I get when you and I dance
Nothing compares Lord. Nothing comes close.
You are an oasis when I’m lost in the desert place,
You are a ray of light on a cloudy day.
Yours is the love of a father for his child
Yours are the hands that are rough and calloused with work yet soft, strong and gentle
Yours are the eyes that have taken in so much joy, so much suffering and everything in between
And still they are full of love, full of life and. They are kind eyes
Yours are the feet traveling many miles to find the lost again
Yours are the arms stretching out to hold the world close to you
Yours the heart with room enough for all and endless love
Yours is the way: the journey we take, the path we walk, the direction we try to follow
Yours is the truth: this is what we seek. We want to know truth, to know you. The truth that sets men free
Yours is the life: trying to imitate how you lived, loved. And the eternal life of a soul that rests in God.
You are peace when this world is at war
You are love when there seems nothing but hate
You are life for my soul like the air that I breathe
You are strength when I am at my weakest
You are good when my life is anything but
You are hope in times of great despair
You are light to drive away the darkness
You are true in the midst of many lies
You are perfect in my perfect imperfections
You are my God and I Am YOURS!

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

The poor have the good news proclaimed for them. We rejoice for the good news is upon us. The word of God is with us and in us and among us. God, help us recognize your presence, to slow down and stop being BUSY (Buried Under Satan's Yoke). Hurry is incompatible with love, and it is the great enemy of the spiritual life. Too busy to do the right thing and too busy to do what we need and ought to do. Love is time consuming!

Jesus is about slow and taking time. Why else would he offer us ETERNITY?

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