Sunday, January 22, 2017

I Have Some Wonderful News for You...

Image credit: brenmclean.com

WONDERFUL NEWS

I have to share the most wonderful news with those I love most in this world.
The news I have is more precious, by far, than diamonds or rubies or gold.

There was an enormous void in my life. “Is this all there is?” I would ask.
I searched far to find some meaning in life. It seemed an unknowable task.

One day someone shared the Gospel with me, and I learned that Jesus is real.
I prayed to invite Him into my heart and was filled with astonishing zeal!

The day that He gave His life on the Cross, to save all mankind from our sin,
He opened to us salvation by grace; life eternal, the prize that we win.

You know that I share the best that I have with my cherished family and friends,
so listen, dear one, to this wonderful news upon which ever-after depends.

Just open your Bible to the Gospel of John, third chapter, verse number three,
then read of God’s love in the sixteenth verse to learn what has happened to me.

Some people grow up with Bible in hand, without Jesus burning in heart,
some haven’t explored the true meaning of life, some wouldn’t know where to start.

Whether you’re Protestant, Jewish, my friend, Catholic, Muslim, atheist,
my news is for you and all who will hear, who long to receive of God’s best.

You needn’t become a fanatic or prude, I’ve no list of do nots and dos.
God’s Spirit will teach you all you need know. The offer’s too good to refuse.

Although tribulation may take you by storm and trials may bring a hard test,
God’s greater, He’s faithful, He’ll bring you through to victory. You’ll shine in His rest.

This can be the greatest day of your life, the day you receive the New Birth.
This can be the day you begin to know why we’re the happiest people on earth.

Like me, you will yearn to share the Good News with all of the people you love.
Like me, you will want all those you meet to be touched by our Great God above.



Maude Carolan Pych

Sunday, January 15, 2017

I Like to Think Jesus Laughed...

Image credit: quotesgram.com


JESUS LAUGHED

Each of us has our own concept of Jesus—
As for me, I like to think He laughed a lot
Yes, I picture Jesus throwing his head back
with a wide winsome smile
and laughing heartily from the gut
and I think He did it often

I know it doesn’t say so in Scripture
but still, I imagine the One
Who hung out with the twelve
shared some mighty amusing stories
around the campfire
on starry summer evenings
I figure He even occasionally bore the brunt
of good-natured razzing by the brethren
as they passed around roasted fish
and barley loaves on the shore of the Galilee

A guest at parties and weddings
Jesus was actually accused
of being a winebibber and glutton
He wouldn’t have received
those kinds of invitations
and that kind of reputation
if He had been solemn and grim

and speaking of wine, I’m quite certain
no somber individual would have
turned H2O into the fruit of the vine
so a wedding feast could proceed
with expected merrymaking and
no embarrassment for the host

Oh! I’m sure Jesus was great fun to be with—
that mothers handed babies to Him
that He kissed them, blessed them
chucked their chins and tickled their tummies
causing them to giggle and coo

I picture children climbing up on His lap
and being bounced on His knees
as He told stories about Jonah and Daniel
I’ll bet He even tossed a leather ball
back and forth with the neighborhood lads

and when someone approached Him
with despair and grief and longing
my mind’s eye sees Him
wrapping His loving arms around
the one in need—
turning sorrow into hope

Oh! It’s true, Jesus got plenty stirred up
with righteous indignation—
even knocked over vendor tables
in the Temple courts
and vented his anger vehemently
at hypocritical Pharisees

but this was the world His Father created
and loved so much
that He sent Him here
to save

Yes, I’m sure He laughed a lot
in spite of the fact
the dreaded Cross stood before Him
because He knew His mission
and of the joy to come

Indeed, the joy
for what He would accomplish for us
was already in Him

Yes, Jesus knew there was a time to laugh
and a time for anger
as well as a time to weep

Oh! I am touched by His humanity—

No wonder I love Him


Maude Carolan Pych

Sunday, January 8, 2017

At the Mount of Beatitudes

Mount of Beatitudes, Israel
Image credit: wikimapia.org


BLESSED AT THE MOUNT OF BEATITUDES
Israel Pilgrimage—1986

At the Mount of Beatitudes
Wayne[1] suggests we each find
a quiet spot to spend
time alone with God

so I stroll along a pathway
surrounding the church
built in the name of
the Lord’s great message
to the multitudes

In a few moments I hear baa baaing
and follow the sound to the top of a hill
with sheep and a shepherd in view below

I sit on a low wall
to watch and carefully listen
for the voice of my Shepherd
amid plaintive bleating
I, too, am one of His sheep
I, too, have things to tell him
and don’t want to miss
anything He might have to say

This is communion—
a lamb with her Shepherd

I bask awhile in sweet serenity
aware of a holy presence
as the sheep graze
and the shepherd, like Jesus
carefully tends his flock

Afterward, we pilgrims come together—
No one else heard the sheep
No one saw the shepherd

The interlude was for me alone
a gift from my God—
a simple blessing
to one little lamb He loves

Maude Carolan Pych



[1] Wayne Monbleau—Pilgrimage leader and host of “Let’s Talk About Jesus”radio program.

Sunday, January 1, 2017

A Resolution for 2017

Image credit: coloringpages-biographies.com

COVER TO COVER II

Among my most meaningful things to do
while reading the Holy Scriptures through
is write Messiah's Name in the margin
of the Old Testament, where'er I find Him.
Of course, I do not find Jesus' Name,
but I certainly find Him, just the same.

I find Him in the Lamb and the Lion,
foreshadows of the Temple in Zion,
find Him in Joshua, David, Passover,
in the Song, the whale, cover to cover.
I've thumbed through pages and jotted a few
Messianic treasures to share with you:

Messiah's birth’s foretold in Micah, five;
seven centuries later, Jesus arrived;
virgin birth proclaimed, Isaiah seven,
a Son to be fathered by God in Heaven.
Kings would bow down to Him and nations serve,
Solomon's Psalm Seventy-two observed.

He'd be pierced and mourned, said Zechariah;
Our Redeemer, fifty-three, Isaiah,
who prophesied resurrection glory!
Genesis to Revelation, God's true story!
The Word reveals a magnificent plan
in this tome of Our Savior, God and Man.

Well, now that Twenty Seventeen is here—
I’ll suggest a resolution without peer:
Resolve to read before this year’s over,
the Holy Bible, cover to cover.
It contains everything you need to know
about God’s love and grace and how to grow.
You’ll read the story beginning to end
of your Sovereign Savior and closest Friend!

Maude Carolan Pych