The black clouds above blot out the light
The air becomes heavy and it fills me with fright
Shut tight my eyes and cover my ears
Hide under covers fighting my fears
Off in the distance is the sounding of Thunder
And then in one moment the sky split asunder
Dancing lightning setting fire to the sky
And from my mouth escapes a small cry
I am so small and so weak a helpless little child
Hold me close to you while the night rages wild

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

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

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

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

The storms of life are raging

Closed in upon all sides

Waves of sin pull me under

Waters of sorrow and regret keep me

I am sinking from the weight of my transgressions

Drowning in my guilt and shame



I'm slipping away, the light is quickly fading

Fighting to keep my head above

Succeeding only in making me

More Tired



Then I am lost



Beyond Reach



Beyond Hope



Beyond Saving



Giving up and Giving in

Surrendering to death

And then...




A faint light cuts through the black



A hand that reaches out and catches me

A hand so strong and soft and pulling me back



A hug that pulls me close

A hug so powerful and tender; warming me now



A voice that surrounds me

A voice firm and loving; joy at my return



Tears warm and wet upon my face

Tears of sadness, pain and joy

My Tears. Your Tears. OUR Tears.



"I'm so sorry" I cry

You just hold me tight.



All at once I feel something change



I am washed by the blood that you shed for me

Sinking into Your loving arms; always taking us back

Drowning in the sea of Your mercy and Your grace

Pulled in by Your endless love



Called on this journey to walk with You

There will be storms along the way

And at times I may fail.

But I will do my best to follow you and not be led astray

I will not be afraid for against You, evil will NEVER prevail!

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!

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.

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

Sun and Rain (Both Sides Now)


You’ve seen the sun and felt the rain

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

You’ve been on both sides now

And you’ve made it through life somehow

You may feel at times like you want to just disappear

But you are loved so have no fear

You’ve got to remember you’re not alone

You have the power to make hearts out of stone

We’re all there for you no matter what

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

The road we walk is full of cracks and breaks

Step carefully for there are many traps and snakes

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

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

If we are really His; He will provide for us

And when He gives us answers we sometimes fuss

Do you feel safer when we are around?

Whenever you are in trouble, we are always found

We are there for you now and for always

We are beside you, walking in the hallways

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

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

A family is a place you can run to

A family will love you no matter what you do

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

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

When you need them a family is always there

They will pull you through when things are less than fair

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

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

Sunrise

Rub your sleep filled eyes it’s time again to rise
Stretch and yawn and fill your lungs and put a smile on
It is dark a new day is about to come in
All is quiet for now as the world slowly continues its spin
One by one the birds wake and begin their morning song
In a little while the whole world will start to sing along
Horizon tinted in orange red and gold
An infinite number of possibilities grand adventures untold
All the earth seems to stand still for a moment, frozen in time
What a grand event this is and it doesn’t cost a dime

Sunset

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

Surrounded by friends and angels and saints
In awe of your power and love
My soul longs for you and it even faints
For the grace that flows from above

Surrounded by your holy fire
Surrounded by your perfect peace
I marvel at how you inspire
I’m breathless by the sweetest release

Covered in prayer and in praising
Drowned in your holy flood
We as one our voices are raising
Washed clean by your precious blood

Surrounded by your holy fire
Surrounded by your perfect peace
I marvel at how you inspire
I’m breathless by the sweetest release

Renewed by the ultimate sacrifice
Filled with the spirit of God
This is the true body of Christ
Break through our hardened facade

Surrounded by your holy fire
Surrounded by your perfect peace
I marvel at how you inspire
I’m breathless by the sweetest release

As I sit here now, I ponder
I gaze at your face and sit at your feet
And though sometimes I wander
Still I know: my life is complete

Surrounded by your holy fire
Surrounded by your perfect peace
I marvel at how you inspire
I’m breathless by the sweetest release

Now here again I stand awe
Of your promise and your power
Of your faithfulness I saw
So much gift in a short half hour

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

When the church all says amen
And when the people pray, then
The Lord God, from heaven, will hear
He will bring comfort and dry every tear
Our hearts and our lands begin to heal
And we shall see God's face revealed
When we stand with our brothers and sisters in faith
Together, we can make this a better, happier place
We cannot be timid; we can't afford to stay silent
While wars rage on and life becomes more violent
All it takes for evil to win is for good not to take action
How about we deprive Satan of that satisfaction
Values are shifting and new opinions are learned
Tradition being tossed out, old truths are being spurned
No more do we have the blind leading the blind
When we act as one body, one spirit, on mind
With one voice we will proudly profess
The faith that we believe; the faith that we confess
Prayer and action, faith and works, putting love into practice
Speaking out in the desert like John the Baptist
The world may call us things like Jesus Freak
We may as well be speaking in Greek
So, maybe they won't listen to what we have to say
But they watch our actions and the message we convey
Call upon the Lord, and glory in your suffering
For, in Him, our hope eternally springs
Lord, bring the church through this cleansing fire
That we, your bride, would fulfill your heart's desire
Deliver us Oh Lord, from the pride by which we fall
Deliver us Oh Lord, when we are up against the wall
Deliver us Oh Lord, from the sin with which we shackle
Our feet and hands. Our obstacles, Lord, help us tackle
Free us so we may dance with you in sweet surrender
Open our eyes to see through the disguise of the wily pretender
Let the light of your love shine in our lives
For, not all is lost while love and hope alone survives

Won’t you take me back to a time before
When life was simple no one keeping score
When I was full of innocence and total trust
Before the dreams that I held turned to dust
I was filled with a sense of awe and wonder
I heard you in the soft wind and in the thunder
Over the years that faith has slowly faded
And life’s experiences have left me jaded
Won’t you take me back to when I was a child
Young and free, rambunctious and wild
I would leap off and with perfect faith I know
You would catch me and never let me go
You would set me right where I needed to be
I could safely be anything. With you, I could be me
I feel sometimes as though I’ve forgotten your voice
I’ve been distracted and concerned with the other noise
Help me relearn Lord like a child once again
To recognize the sound of your voice and then
To listen for you purposefully and with great care
In the stillness and silence I feel the breath of air
The spirit is moving and lifting and healing
The very word of God in truth revealing
Come upon me and illuminate the dark
I love your law for it helps me hit the mark
I know I can’t go back to where it all began
I know that it is all a part of your great plan
But if I could know again a little joy and laughter
It would help remind me why and what it is I’m after
Someday you will take me back and I’ll be home once more
To be with Him for all eternity: Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord

Here I am take my hand lead me along the way
I will hold you, I will catch you, by your side I'm gonna stay
Reach out in the darkness feel safe with my stronghold
When you run away or go astray I'll carry you back to the fold
Put your hand in my hand feel the nail scars there
Hold my hand and understand just how much I care
They can show mercy forgiveness compassion and peace
Create or destroy cause distress or bring relief
Take my hand and hold it tight
When you are weary take my hand don't give up the fight
The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few
Why won't someone lend a hand? I gave this world you!
Take some time to help out and lend a hand
Set a good example among your fellow man
Reach out and enter in to touch the heart of love
A shower of goodness and blessing rains from above
Take my hand do not fear I have already won
Walk with me and you'll see all that love has done

Take my hand reaching out in the dark
Cling to me when you miss the mark
Hold on to me, I’ll never let you go
I’m always right beside you I want you to know
Put your hand in my hand; feel the nail scars there
Put your hand in my hand and feel how much I care.
My hand will guide you both night and by day,
Let me guide you and show you the way.
Put your hand in mine and feel them rough and worn
The hands that saw a world hurt and torn.
Put your hand in mine and feel the tenderness and strength
The hands that, to find and bring you back, would go to any length.
The hands that cured the *****, and healed the sick and weak,
My hands are reaching out; if only you would seek.
See how much I love you dearest child of mine
All you see before you I created by design
I want the world for you, but I want you in heaven with me
Take my hand; I will give you the faith to truly see.
Put your hand in my hand and let me fill the hole
I don’t need your success I want you to give me control
I will not lead you into danger or make you go astray
Feel my hands on yours every time you pray.
Even in the darkest night my hand is there to save
I love you so much that my very life, I freely gave
Feel my arms wrap around you in a warm embrace
Let me heal you, give you peace and grace.
Take my hand and walk with me. Child, do not fear
Even when you cannot see me, I am always here.
Take comfort in my presence as you rest, safe from harm
As long as I am with you there is no need for alarm
Do you trust me? Then take my hand and follow
I can make you whole once more, this world can leave you hollow.
Can you feel me with you on this very night?
Take my hand and come with me as we walk into the light.

You have shown us, Oh Lord, the power of your judgement and the greatness of your mercy. The prayers of the faithful and the just will not go unheard. Their cries do not fall on deaf ears. The Lord has spared me from his wrath. He has delivered me from danger. Your blessings and mercies are new each day and great is your faithfulness as the sun will rise once more.

The Holy Spirit comes to bear witness to our Lord
We are called to testify to light and life and truth
Our words are powerful, but it is our actions that often speak
What do they see when they look at me?
Do they see love, understanding, gentleness, patience?
We may suffer for our faith, but will we remain strong and fast?
For the value of a soul is worth more than all the world
It was for this reason that Christ came down as man
To suffer, be crucified and die.
The value of one soul was worth it all.
Our testimony is our witness to our transformation
From who we were, to where we are, and where we hope to be
People may argue our ideas, but they cannot argue our experiences
In all things show love. Testify to love.
Testify to God for He is love; perfect and eternal.
The reason the world does not know God
Is because it does not know love. True love
Because God Is Love.
Be strong, but be gentle.
Be bold, but be humble.
Be authoritative, but be kind.
Speak with wisdom and with understanding.
Speak with honesty and truth.
Speak life and speak light.
Let your life testify to the good God has done
Let your life reflect Christ’s presence for everyone

Thank the Lord for He is merciful, and He is kind
The sins we confess are forgotten, left far behind
He is slow to anger, and He is rich in compassion
Clothed with majesty and with love: a style always in fashion
Holy and righteous, powerful and true
Before you even said a word, He already knew
It's not something that we could ever earn
And, by all accounts, we really all should burn
It certainly isn't something that we deserve
I tremble before you and I lose my nerve
I cry "Have mercy on me Oh Lord a sinner"
But you lift me up and say "I'm coming to dinner"
"Lord my God, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof
Heal my heart so that I may have irrefutable proof".
Thank Him for His Mercy and all that love has done
Thank Him for his Mother and His one and only son
Help me have mercy on those that test my restraint
For, you bear my grievances with the patience of a saint
Forgive me Lord for the times I have failed
It was for those faults that you were nailed
Forgive me when I was a thorn in your side
Forgive me when I am overcome by pride
Your grace is enough for me, help me extend it to others
For all people are our neighbors, our sisters and our brothers
The two greatest commandments are about love
And out of love came mercy and grace
A river of life flowing down from Heaven above
A heart big enough for the whole human race
So, thank Him for his mercy in everything you do
And remember, no matter what: God Loves You!

When we hear Jesus say "I give you this day" that's Amore
When I'm having a blast Jesus says "Not so fast" that's Amore
When I just want a drink Jesus says "Stop and think!" that's Amore
When I look up above and trust in Your love (that's Amore) X3

That Time**


It’s Christmas time, the time that Jesus Christ was born

Look in the sky for the Bethlehem Star the morn

The house is warm and the fire beckons

Perfect with cocoa and a book I reckons

Memories of family time all together

Hugs, thanks, and joy, and laughter

Some good, some sorrow your life has cost

Though we may wander; with God we’re not lost

I don’t want anything except smiling eyes

Psalms and Proverbs are words of wise

Seasons are like life; Christmas signals new

Out with the old in me and you

Soar with the snow; unique in your life

God has his reasons even through strife

Thank you my friend for being the one

I try to pierce the grayness with sun

You are my lamp, my guide, and my blinds

I am your ears, and shoulders, and mind

As Jesus the King was servant so I shall be too

Tell me, please tell me, what you would have me do

Life’s clock is ticking constantly with no wait or stop

I want to get things done before I get to the top

Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to Him the Angels sing
Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to the newborn King

Let Heaven and Earth adore
Let every tongue confess
The moment you've waited for:
The Prince of Peace at rest

Open your home, open your heart
Come find Him where He lay
In the place where it all starts
Rejoice! Salvation has come today

The day of the Lord is upon us
The moment has drawn nigh
See how much He loves on us
Sing Glory to our God most high

Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to Him the Angels sing
Glory to God in the Highest
Glory to the newborn King

Our best defense against the devil and his tricks
Is to quickly procure and utilize a spiritual fix
To don an aura of humility relying on God's grace
And ardent love for Him will put the devil in his place
The war is raging inside our souls
Love and passion stir the coals
We fight against enemies unseen, but quite real
Eternally fighting for another soul to steal
Defend us in our weakness, rid us of all vanity
Lift us up as we struggle in our humanity
The flesh is weak, and the mind may doubt
But the spirit is willing, and the heart is stout
Come to our aid against the sea of foes
And hold us firm while the mighty wind blows
Rely on God and others to find the strength within
To hold fast against temptation and fall not into sin
Sometimes we may falter and sometimes we will fail
But fear not: in the end, Good will always prevail
Sometimes we must fail, and our failings teach
Us to lean on Him and to learn how to reach up
We have been blessed with great love and passion
Help us channel this energy in a healthy fashion
If you feel pinned and you're up against the wall
Just summon up a hearty spiritual battle call
And cry out: "Who can be compared to our God?
For He is my vision to see through the glamour of sin's facade"

This is the most good, this is the better part
To sit and listen with mind and soul and heart
Sit at the feet of Jesus, let your troubles melt away
To be so close and hang on every word they say
There is a time for serving, for preparing fresh bread
But it is the words of Christ, by which our souls are fed
Sometimes what is hardest is what we most need
I worry, I fret, often times I think too much
And, consequently, I think I'm losing touch
With the whole point of this exercise
Getting distracted, I lose sight of the prize
Often, God speaks so others may be filled
Sometimes, my presence, is what he has willed

I struggle to sit still where thoughts run wild
Lord, please come and hold your precious child
My heart is restless Lord, help me rest in you
And help me live my days in spirit and in truth

Amen

The world once in harmony fallen far from grace
The seeds of chaos and discord are seen in every place
There is trouble close by on the near horizon
And the people of the land are slowly realizin'
Something must be done to restore the world's order
For, if we don't, death will be at our very border
Who among us is brave enough to chance this perilous quest
To enter into realms unknown to bring us peace and rest
There are four: fast friends from the start
They don't yet work as one, but they've got a lot of heart
They will carry our hopes and dreams, our thoughts and prayers
They leave today as Humans and Eagles and Elves and Bears
We anxiously await their returning as we hold to hope steadfast
That the ties that bind us hold firm and we know peace again at long last

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

Gather round gather one and all
To see this Jesus "Lord of great and small"
See him wear his crimson crown
See how the mighty have fallen down!
Like drops of blood upon his brow
Where, oh wise one, is your God now?
Look upon the nails that hold him fast
As it is written, it shall come to pass
He who raised people from the grave
He, himself, he cannot save

My lance pierced his bleeding heart
And then the veil was torn apart
The earth trembled, the Heavens shook
Jesus of Nazareth condemned as a crook
Jesus, teacher and carpenter's son
Proclaiming himself the chosen one

Now washed in the flow of water and blood
My eyes are open to the depths of love
Perhaps he is who he claims to be
I was a prisoner who has been set free
I gave him death and he gave me life
Jesus, please remember me when,
In power and glory, you return again
I am unworthy, but you made me new
I gladly give my life in service of you

There is a change I simply cannot ignore

So great that I am shaken to the core

I will never be the same as long as I live

By Your death and ressurection, life eternal You give

In a world with so much sickness, death, and crime

Use me, let Your will be done throughout all time

A desire to serve in every way I can

Though I don't know, I know you have a plan

My hands be Yours Lord, my feet to serve

My heart, my mind, my soul, all of me you deserve

The love you give; far greater than the Grand Canyon

The Cross the bridge that spans the chasm

This change you call me to go and touch the world

To open up, to share your gifts and joy like a flowers unfurled

To live and serve and follow you, A Beautifull Change It's True

Lord may I be A Beautiful Change For YOU!

Jesus loves the little children. Some of the faith’s greatest warriors both literally and figuratively were children. The shepherd boy David, the great Joan of Arc, Therese of Lisieux, and the three young shepherd children from Fatima to name a few. David was in his late teens when he slew Goliath with a sling and a stone, Joan was 17 when she led an army to several impressive victories. Our Lady Of Fatima appeared to three young shepherd children. The “Little Way” and one of the great Doctors of the Church is St. Teresé and she was 24 when she died. Jesus said blessed are the little children. They are priceless treasures. Do you remember when you were a child? The sense of wonder, joy, love, faith you had? Everything seemed more alive, brighter, happier. Anything was possible and everything was amazing. When we look at life through the eyes of a child we see life with joy and wonder and grace. Beauty and music are everywhere around you if you can believe it to be so. The wind through the trees, the grass beneath your feet, the sun in the sky, the storms, all life sings for sheer joy of being alive. Worries are less, and grace is more, time is endless, excitement for what tomorrow has in store. Jesus loves the little children. The warrior is a child. We are God’s Children and we are called to be like the children. To trust completely in God, to see with the eyes of love and simplicity. Life doesn’t have to be complicated; we often make it so. When we are tired and scared, we can run to the fortress of our Faith and find safety, strength and rest. Our King does not stay safe in his castle, but fights for us, with us, He is always present and close at hand. When we fall he is there to help us up again. He gives us the strength to keep going and sometimes he holds us to him while we shake and cry inside our armor because the warrior is a child. Jesus loves the little children. As the great song says so simply: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.” It is crazy to think just how loved we really are. “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for a friend.” And that is exactly what God did for us by sending his one and only child to be killed and to die in the worst manner possible so that we who didn’t/can’t deserve it were given the opportunity to experience this perfect divine love. God our Father loves us in the same perfect divine eternal love that is expressed by the the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus loves the little children. We are His children. Never lose the child inside especially when life is dark and stormy. Jump and dance in the puddles and look with wonder as the sun breaks through and a vibrant rainbow stretches it’s arms across the sky. Life gets a little better when you don’t forget the child. Jesus loves the little children and He loves you and me!

Red is for the blood you shed for me and for your sacred heart
Brown is for the wood of the cross: the bridge from heaven to earth
Purple is for your kingship. In honor of your power and majesty
Gold for the richness of knowing you and a reminder of the value of our souls
Blue for sadness and the water that flowed from your side
White for the veil that was torn, for holiness and purity
Yellow is for the sun bursting forth on Easter morning
Green is for new life and for good pastures

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

I am a pencil in the hand of a writing God
I am the paint with which he colors the world
I am the voice he uses to sing his song
Praise and thanksgiving in daily living
Prayer to the God of this whole universe
He is the author creator healer
The spirit is moving can you feel her?
Composing a beautiful melody
When we come together it's plain to see
The one who created the heavens and earth
Gave up his life to show us our worth
The same one who made the mountains and seas
Lives in the hearts of you and me
He loves us so much calls us each by name
God first loved us so we might do the same
Build up the Kingdom of God and let his will be done
We are all his adopted children let your lives shine like the sun

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

The world waited with bated breath
What would happen to the man they put to death
The world in solemn stillness lay
It seemed that death had won and hope was far away

All his friends ran away in fright
They forgot the words of Jesus Christ:
"Destroy this temple and on the third day it'll rise
Then you will know this is true and there were no lies"
The people walked with heads bent low
As fear and anxiety continued to grow
Many went back to what they were before
And the faith of so many was shaken to the core
The sky was gray and the sun looked more dim
As if nature itself was dying with him

The world waited with bated breath
What would happen to the man they put to death
The world in solemn stillness lay
Death had won and hope had gone away

But we have seen what comes next
We have read the ancient text
We know the end of this great story
Christ alive and full in glory
Quiet love has conquered all
Scattered fear and darkness, brought down the wall
"The one who died is now alive" the angels sing,
"Rejoice! Sing Hosanna to the Risen King!"
Shout it from the mountain tops so all the world can hear
Spread the good news to all people far and near
We are people of Easter Light in a world dark and dreary
In Him we find our hope and strength when we too are weary
Rise up Oh Children like the sun on that Easter morn
Shine on, like the son for today you are reborn

The world waits with bated breath
The return of the man we put to death
Join me now with the world as together we say:
God has overcome and love has come to show the way!

Thank you Lord for the gift of your love, and beauty, your power and your humility especially in the blessed sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist. It is here that you hide both in plain sight and reveal your divinity and humanity in a most profound and personal way. It is here that you meet us and here that you greet us as we fall on our knees to pray. You give us the sun to welcome us at dawn and send angels to guard at the end of the day. There is always something new and timely every time I am before you in this place. And every time I come away with a brand new look at your face. I look forward to the times we have together with such anticipation and afterwards am filled with jubilation! Help me cling to you, help me sing to you. In troubled seasons help me hold fast, and in stressful moments help me to relax. In sadness I ask for peace and the strength to rejoice, when I have a difficult decision help me to discern and make a good choice. We pray to you, we bring all we are to you. Our joys, sorrows, longings, praises and petitions. Give us eyes to see you, ears to hear you, a mind to seek you and a heart to love you. Help us also to see, hear, seek, and love others as you do for all of them and for each of us.

We ask this and all things in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen!

From life's first cry to final breath
In my living daily until my hour of death
You chose me and formed me with love and affection
Wonderfully and marvelously made with no exception
From my head to my hands to my little happy feet
I am the only one of me. I am perfectly unique.
You gave me eyes to seek and a heart to hear
You gave me a burning love to drive out fear
You gave me parents to love me and to teach
They taught me to pray and challenged me to reach
They raised and cared for me the best that they knew how
How lucky I am I'm starting to realize now
You gave me a home to laugh, play, and learn
How love and affection I never had to earn
There were times I was lost and couldn't see the light
I'd cry myself to sleep sometimes but I never left your sight
You were always there for me if I only looked around
I could run and I could hide, but I was always found
You gave me hope and a future; you gave me a chance
To live, to make this world better, maybe find romance
To share my love with another: the biggest thing from one so small
You gave me the gift of Life. The greatest gift of all!

Arms outstretched
Hands open
Palms up
Ready to receive

Hands cupped
To hold
Then together pointing up
Directing thoughts to Heaven

Finally, cradling hands open
To accept and take in
And there they rest
Brought tenderly to the heart

No power on earth is greater
Than the heart of the truest believer
If you truly believe it
That you have received it
It will be yours indeed
True: there may be times
When what we want
Is not what we need
"If I have someone who believes in me, I can move mountains" (Diana Ross)
"There can be miracles when you believe" (Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey)
If we believe that God is all powerful
Then why do we doubt that he can take away our cancer?
If we subscribe to the belief that He rose from the dead,
How can we doubt that He isn't truly in the Eucharist?
"For those who believe/have Faith, no explanation is necessary
For those who don't believe/don't have Faith, no explanation will suffice" (Thomas Aquinas)
Belief in someone or something can grant strength
We can do the impossible, we can change the world
We can turn this nation around if, together, we believe
There is wisdom in a child's innocence
In a world so full of potential
Anything can happen where we can just be
The dreamers the believers and me
If you believe it, you can dream it
If you can dream it, you can do it
Deep down inside, you know it's true
The Heart of the Truest Believer lies in YOU

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

Life is a journey on a path or a road,

Bearing the weight of our sin's heavy load.

Long days and even longer nights

So many miles and no end in sight.

"Failure" "give up" your sins seem to call

I stumble and collapse from the weight of it all.



The darkness creeps and in and silence is deafening,

Lying there cold and alone fearing God's reckoning

At the bottom of the pit I hear someone say:

"Come, follow me, and I'll show you the way!

I've been here before and I've learned the way out"

He said, "Son, pray with me. It works; do not doubt"



So we sat and we talked, we laughed and we cried

We prayed for a while, I felt better inside.

A feeling swept over; brought me down to my knees

Slowly I felt a soft, quiet breeze.

Strong gentle hands on my shoulders with love

Warming, glowing; like the sun high above.

Resting his hands there another moment he said

"Rejoice! You are alive, no longer dead!

Rise to your feet, go now: be strong,

And remember what you have learned from this day on."



In a flash of white light the man did depart

Remembering his words, I held them close to my heart.

I whispered a "Thank You" and walked along

Singing to myself a happy-like song.

Smooth was the journey, for a time

The peace and ease was so sublime



Yet what should I now come across

But open water too deep and far to cross.

A small boat harbored on the rocky coast:

The thing that I would need the most



Miles at sea; moving slow and lazy

Hours of nothing, the air grows hazy.

Lids are heavy, body is stone

Taken by sleep. It's will against my own.

I awake to see the night purest black

Lightning blinds and thunder crack!

The water roils and the wind loudly screams,

Pinching myself: this is no dream!



The boat pitches madly I am thrown into the ocean,

My screams are drowned and futile are my motions.

My eyes are getting dim, the world fading fast

"Is this it? Is this the end at last?"



Something grabs me strong and steady

Pulling me to safety when things got heady.

The storm raged on all around

They hold me close till I settle down.



"Why do you tremble? Why do you fear?

Take heart! Have faith! I am always here.

All this is mine and under my command

I will keep you safe, but you must also understand:

Sometimes the storms I will call to cease,

And, at times, it is you I will calm and give you peace."



Through the fog, a lighthouse beacon shone bright,

Guiding me to safety out of the darkest night.

The light of love, of hope, and prayer

Although ever present, I'm not always aware:

Of the countless faithful people who have walked the path You trod

And who, everyday help me in MY walk with GOD!

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

The world today is searching for the key
The future is held in the hands of the youth
Life is what we make it out to be

All of creation stems from one great tree
This we believe to be our truth
The world today is searching for the key

From the shackles that bind us, we are set free
Through joy and thanksgiving our souls are renewed
Life is what we make it out to be

Live your life with patience, perseverance, and purity
In all that you do, let love be imbued
The world today is searching for the key

Growing together from difference toward unity
Sometimes all we need is a new point of view
Life is what we make it out to be

Here we find a living of the highest quality
And from this point we can conclude:
The world today is searching for the key
Life is what we make it out to be

The King of Victory

It was a Sunday not quite like any other. The time was near that Jesus would be handed over to the rulers of this world and be subject to them so that he might save many. On their way into the city of Jerusalem, Jesus sends two of his disciples ahead to bring him a donkey to ride in on and to say that the master has need of it. Jesus rides into the city on the back of a donkey and all around him celebrate and rejoice singing praise and giving glory. They lay their cloaks and palm branches which represent victory on the road ahead of Jesus for him to walk on. It truly is a joyous day in the city of David. No one there seems to have any idea that in one short week this parade of celebration would be no longer and many of these very same people would be parading him through these very same streets condemning him and calling for his death.

Jesus your life came full circle. Before you came into this world you entered Bethlehem outside of Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey in your mother’s womb. A week before your death you would humble yourself once more and come ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. A humble beast of burden, an animal that carries a heavy load and serves. You bore the weight of the cross and the weight of all of our sins and you served us faithfully even when we were not faithful to you. We are so much like the crowds that gathered on Palm Sunday; rejoicing, singing your praise and giving you glory one moment and the next moment we are also the ones who are calling for your death, mocking you and jeering. Still, you look upon us with endless love and mercy. You forgive us, you redeem us, and you call us quietly to return to you once again. You would suffer and die so that on the third day, we might finally see that no power on earth or hell or anything above can separate us from your love, and showing us once and for all you are the King of Victory! AMEN!

Lord, won't you come and quiet my soul
Help me to give you all of my control
Once again, I am kneeling at the foot of the cross
In the flood of mercy and love I get so lost
In the shelter and shadow, I hide and rest
And I sit at your feet, and I am so blessed

Open my heart to feel you
My eyes to see you
Open my ears to hear you
My mind to know you
Open my soul to draw near you
My lips to praise you
Open my hands to hold you
My arms to welcome you
Open my love to be for you
My life to adore you

From the fount of life eternal, springs the water and the blood
Grace and mercy overflowing, spilling over: Holy Flood
Sin and shame, they have no power
At the mention of the name
Of King of Kings in whom salvation brings

Behold, for today, I give you a new commandment:
To love each other as I have first loved you
I gave my life for love of you
Sacrifice to help those most in need
By this, you show your love indeed

You, Oh Lord, are the light of the world
Come into the darkness of our ignorance and sin
Enter in and cast away the sky of perpetual gray
Let the light of your Son break through this day
Burn off the clouds of despair and gloom
Come and fill each dim and dusty room
The light hurts my eyes especially when I realize
How much I am a prisoner in a cell of my own design
And how much of it is no one's fault, but mine
And still, I see that this is only a part of me
Help me radiate the light that shines eternal
Grant a steady inner glow
So no matter where I go
People everywhere will know:
You are the Light that sets us free
You are the Light by which I see
Lord, You are the Light in me

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 synch
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 travelling 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

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!

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!

Look into my eyes Lord
Look deep into my soul.
See the work your hands have made
I see the cost that love has paid.
I gaze longingly into your eyes
And as you look right back at me
I am pierced as if by the nails.
As you hang ****** and broken,
In total surrender, you took the all;
You gave up everything so I could have it all.
Into your presence I come,
In this moment I will stay.
Let your fire fall like rain;
Hear me when I pray.
I turn back to you like the prodigal son
I ask for forgiveness, but it's already done.
I am wrapped in your cloak of grace
My soul is lifted on a cloud of praise.
In the rivers of your blood
Comes the waters of love:
Washing the earth and healing
A broken world, in need of feeling
Your peace and love and passion
And being good is back in fashion.
You satisfy the hungry heart
My soul longs for you and pains.
Like a man in the desert longs for rains
You are living water Lord; source of life and peace.
Help me surrender so that you may increase.
I come to do your will and I'm grateful for the gift
To be with you and seek the truth and then, in word, to lift
Your holy name to share the love I've found.
Take my feet and place them on solid, sacred ground
Walk with me as I try to walk this road
Help me bear, with patience, my load.
When I lose sight of the perspective,
Remind me gently the suffering you once bore.
Each day Lord, help me want you more.
I was lost and wandering, and you sought me out
I trust you Lord from within and from without.
You keep your promises, your covenant;
Help me fulfill my end of the deal.
I don't know what all you have in mind
But I am certain of one thing: it will be divine!

Lord, you held nothing back, not even your life
You forgave me when I denied you thrice
You still loved me when I betrayed you with a kiss
You ran out to meet me with grace and forgiveness
You desire to give me all I could possibly need
But so often, I ignore you and pay you no heed
Help me give you everything, to abandon it all
Because I know it is Jesus who calls
If I don't surrender to the power of the love
I am missing out on all that could be
And I won't experience a more wonderful reality
I come to life in the light of your love
Help me live a life that is fully realized
Yours is the blood that courses through my veins
And when all is stripped away, only your love yet remains

The Man

We are men: leaders in the world today
We are men: called to live in a Christ-like way
We are brothers fathers teachers sons
We are friends students husbands and then some
We are so many roles and responsibilities
We are trying to lead by example and have humility
We are far from perfect sinners its true
We are loved by the father so much he gave his life for me and you
What would happen if as men of God we could stand
Stood up for faith and family wouldn’t that be grand
In a world of deep darkness we are called to be light
In a society where wrong is good we are called to stand up for what’s right
Where there is hate in our lives we are called to be love
And we are called to give our lives if push came to shove
We are men of faith brothers in arms
Together and with God’s great grace we might avoid satan’s charms
Lord help us love our families be there for them always
Lord we are earnestly seeking you reveal to us your face
You are Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of Kings
You are the creator, the author of the whole universe and of everything
We are men: like Joseph may our response be “Let it Be Done Unto Me”
We are men: each called for a reason very specially
We are men: trying to find ourselves in who you are
We are men: come from both near and far
Gathered in your presence we look to you for strength and peace
And pray one day for our children the violence and hurt would cease
Lead us to be better men
Teach us to be open then
Show us the way that is narrow and true
So we might live as men like you!