PRAYER : Open My Eyes, Lord!

Oh, Lord,

You Fill My Eyes

And

I Beseech You, Please

To Let Me Not Be Impressed By

The Vaunted Temporal Prosperity

That Causes Its Recipients

To Believe That

They're Godlike

And

True Divinity!

Let Me Not To Be Impressed By

Possession Of Prized Things

That Will Surely Like Thin Paper

Fabulously Burn

And

Help Me, Loving Father

Help Me

Your Blessed Grace

Not To Spurn!

When I Awaken

On The New Day

Help Me Ever To Thank You

For The Blessings

For Which I Cannot Pay!

For The Love That You Bestow

For The Protections

Against The Evil

That I, Facing

Do Not Know!

When I Rest, Lord

Let Me Rest Humbly

Quietly

In Your Fear

Knowing

That The Eternal God

My True Father 

Is Ever Near

And 

Gives Ear To My Prayers!

Help Me Speak My Heart To You

Knowing That You Are Both

God And Friend, True!

Help Me Not To Indulge

In The Useless Thought

That I Can Myself Save

In Life

Nor After Death

In The Arising From The Grave

And

Help Me Not To Fall

For High Flung Base-Born Fallacies

Comforting Myself

With Very Real Lost-Men Lies

And

Denying Eternally Real Saving Truths!

Open My Eyes, Lord

To See My True Condition

And

Help To Understand

And

Accept That

Without Jesus

I'm Facing A Collision

Of

What Is

And

What Almighty God Says Is To Be

And

Help Me To Firmly Decide

In Heavenly Love

Forever To Abide!

Father,

Help Me Not To Be Ashamed

Or

Afraid

To Share My Faith - It's Real

And

Help Me To Stand Up For Truth And Right

Even If My Temporary Temporal Standing

It Does Well And Truly Blight!

You Promised Never To Leave Me

Nor Forsake Me!

I Am Depending On You, Lord!

Father,

You Promised

That You Have For Believers

A Thousand Ways To Save

Ways That We Know Of

And

Thank God

We Know You

And

That Is Enough!

Help Us To Hold Up

So That We May Stand Up!

Help Me And The Brethren

To Hold Fast To The Blessed Hope

And

Help Us By Grace

Through Dear Mercy

With This Life To Daily Cope!

Father,

Gross Wickedness Abounds!

So, As You Have Promised

Let Grace Multiply

And

Help Us Who Truly Believe

To Make Our Calling

And

Election

Sure

So That In The Great Day

Unto Jesus Christ 

We Shall Go

To Live With Him Forevermore!

Grant Us The Victory

Over Sin

So That Through The Pearly Gates

We Shall Have The Right To Walk In!

Save The Beloved

For With These Petitions

In Jesus' Name I Plea!

I Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH:The God Fraud

Heedless,  Hopeless
Christless, Crossless
Blameless,  Shameless
Pitiless, Fair-Promise
AND
Proud
Are All Children Of
The Greats
AND
Live In The Great House
AND
Their Life Is Grand And Great!

Pity, Peace
Calm, Care
Reason, Restful
Righteous, Remorse
Revelation, Rout
AND
Revile 
Are The Children
Of Justice And Mercy
AND
Work For A Mere Pittance
Knee High To Next Kin
To Nothing!
Okay!  Nothing!
On The Vast Holdings Of
The Greats
AND
They Barely Survive!

Having Two Nickels To Rub Together
On Any Given Day
Is Great Cause For Celebration
BUT
They Are Happy!
Of A Truth This I Say!

On Any Given Day
AND
Neverending
On A Weekend
The Noise Of Raucous Music
Unrestrained Laughter
The Clinking Of Glass
The Breaking Of Bottles
AND
The Shrieks Of Debauchery
Come Wafting On The Winds
Straight
Uncut
Into The Ears And Domain
Of Those Citizen Employees!

The Amount Of Waste Removed
At The End Of Each Day Of "Celebration"
Is Enough To Choke A Horse
And Fill A Bus!

These Great Kind
Many Of Them Notable
For Their Whorish Ways
Care Nothing
For The Feelings Nor Sensibilities
Of The Many In Their Employ!

As Was Often Heard Said Among Them:

"If You Don't Like The Conditions Here

You Are Free To Get A New Job!"

Followed Closely By
Sarcastic And Vicious Laughter!
It Was Their Greatest Fun
For Their's Was The Only Gig In Town!

Things Were Almost
Sorta Kinda Maybe
Almost Okay
Until THAT Day!

That Day
Was The Day They Got Into
The Business Of
Monopoly Church!

Of Course
This Was The Day After They Had Announced
Monopoly Money
Fired Localized Government
AND
Broadcast
That The Land Of The Great
Had No More Sky God
On Their Estates
AND
Denial Of This
By Conscience
Would Bloody The Estate!

It Was A Dark Day Indeed!

Rights Were Wrongs!
Strange Is The New Happy Hit Song!
AND
On The Concourse
Guns With Roses
Is Playing
"Gotta Go Along To Get Along!"

Today!

Today!

Bring Out Your Family

To Pray Together And Play!

We Need The Blessing From Our God

To Make Disasters Stay Away!

A Youngster Said:

Your God Is The Fraud!
He Wants To Be Almighty God
But
That Ain't Going To Happen!
We Are Standing True
To The Holy Eternal God
Not To Some Wannabe
Taking Unto Himself
The Prerogatives Of The True And Living God!

Ooooh!  He Said A Curse!

Whack That Mole!

We Will Warn You Today!

Second Offense A Fine You Will Pay!

Offend Again And Confined Will Be The Only Way!

Insist On Your Ill-informed Way

AND

With Your Life, By The Blade, You Will Pay!

There Will Be No Reprieve

That Is What The Great And Glorious One Says!

And Then ...

The Voice
So Solemn
Is Heard:

People Of The Living God
Let Us In Jesus' Faith
Prayerfully Declare
That God Is The Lord
And That He Is Bringing
His Own Rewards
For All
Be He
True False
Rich Poor
Free Bond
Sincere Or Fraud!

Hold The Fort!
The Trumpet Will Sound!
Jesus Will Come!
The Heavens Will Scroll
And The Godless Riches Of Sinful Man
Will Testify Against Man
Just As God Himself Once Spoke!

Man Taking Away From Man
The Rights Given To Each
By God's Own Hand
Can Have No Good Ending
No Matter The Standing Of Satan
In The Great Land!

Conscience Is King!
Jesus Christ Himself Is Reigning
AND
Calling Him Useless
Is Not Going To Change Anything!

In The Glorious Day
Revelation Will Hold Sway
And Justice Will Have Silenced
Mercy's Sweet Mouth!
Revile Will Carpet Sinful Man!
Peace And Rest
Will Hold Believers' Hands
And
The Godless Will Have No Reward Worthy To Be
In The Gloriously Peaceful Land!

Blameless!?
Come Out From Among Them!
Fair Promise Just Makes You A Tool!
You Can Believe This!
Jesus Saves!
Playing Devil's Advocate Is Just Not Cool!

Let Me Say!
Let Me Say!
The True God Does Not Say
That He Has Changed His Word
To Suit The Days!

The Real God Of Mankind All
Is Constant
Not Given To The Fickle Fads
Of The Men Of The Fall!
His Word Is Unchangeable!
He Is Unchangeable!
His Ways Don't Never No Way Change At All!

Righteousness Is His Name!
Creator Provider Sustainer Is His Fame!
Shepherd Of Willing Sheep
Leading  Believers Unto Waters That Keep All Alive!
Don't Tremble
When The Abomination That Desolates Arrives!

Look To King Jesus!
Bread And Water Are Sure!
You Will Live!
Afflict Your Souls!
Wrestle With Your Holy Lord
And
Devil Be Damned
Your Soul Shall Thrive
AND
You Will By God's Grace
Survive!!

Trust Jesus!

Trust AND Obey!

The Law Of God As A Thing

HUMANS!

We Have A Problem!

As Far As I Am Concerned

This Is How The Story Goes:

Walking Around
Doing As I Was Well Pleased
I Committed No Sin!
I Had No Heart Ache
Nor Knew Of Disease
UNTIL ...
That Grave Morning
The Law Of God Was To Me Revealed
AND
I Knew
Of A Certainty
That Obeying That Law
AND
That God Pleasing
Meant
That I Would Be
Me Displeasing!

That Was Not Going To Work
For
I Always Put Me First
AND
This Law Of God Thing
Was Putting The Critical Order Of Things
Into An Impractical To Me
Reverse!

I Am Important!
No Body Comes Before Me
AND
This Two Tablet
Ten Commandments
- Not Suggestions
Nor Recommendations -
First Four Commandments For God
Last Six For Family Friends
In Short, The Whole Community
Feels Like Coarse Sand Paper
Crossing Over A Truly Delicate
Deliciously Fine-Tuned
Human Body!

This Law Of God Thing Is A Kill Joy!
I Can't Unsee
Unhear
Unknow
What I Now Know
AND NOW
I Have A Responsibility!
The School Master
You Know - The Law
Says So!

When I Commit Sin
I Must Repent To God!
I Must Do All In The Faith Of Jesus
Who Died To Reconcile Me
To God The Father
From The Fatal Flaw!

Fatal Flaw?!

SIN!

Sin?!
What's So Fatal About That?
We Live! 
We Have Fun!
Time Passes!
We Die! 
End Of Story!

Not So Fast!
You Are Quite Wrong!
Sin aka Lawlessness aka Iniquity
IS
The Transgression Of God's Laws!

The Penalty For Doing Sin Is Death!
Judgement!

Eternal Death aka Body Plus Soul In Hell 

Aka Eternal Separation From God!

You Burn Until You Are Consumed 
AND
The Length Of Time Burning
In The Lake Of Brimstone And Fire
Depends On The Depravity Of The Sinner!

To Get Out Of Suffering Eternal Death
We Need A Savior!
Blood Must Be Spilt!

Jesus Offered Up Himself!
His Father Sent Him To Pay Our Price!
He Got What We Deserved
AND
We Get What We Don't Deserve!

We've Got To Accept The Offering
Or
We Will Still Die!

You Hear About The Mansions!

What Mansions?!

In God's House!

Jesus Is Preparing A Place
In His Father's House
For His People!

Are You A People?

Believe It!

What Do I DO To Get What You've Got?

Believe Jesus' Salvation Is Fee Free!
Acknowledge Sin!
Confess Sin!
Repent Of Sin!
Walk In Jesus' Faith!
Walking In Your Own Way Relent!

Sounds Doable!

Doable ...
BUT
Not In Your Own Strength!

You've Got To Get The Holy Spirit!
Let Him Of You Take Control!
Accept The Eternal Gifts Offered!
Heaven Must Be The Only Goal!

I Hear That!
Gold Is My Favorite Color!

I Said Goal!

I Heard You!
I Accept That
And I Desire God's Gold!

So ...

My Goal Is God's Gold!
Without Jesus
I Will None Get
So I Will
Out Of Love
Cling To Jesus Christ
AND
My Eternity Is By God Set!

I Get God!

God's Got Gold!

I Get Gold
Because I've Got God
Who Is Good
And Who
For My Sake
By Jesus
On The Cross Stood!
His Blood Has
My Peace Purchased!
My Peace Is Mine
Because I His Living Word Obey!
I Shall By Grace
Walk Holy
AND
Won't Have It Any Other Way!

Problem Solved!

Jesus Saves!

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: Christian Lightweight: The Exercise Class

I Had Gotten Fat By Being Lazy!
I Had Become Lazy
By Being Selfish And Own Way
AND, NOW
Christian Was I
In Name Only
- Not By Nature -
AND
I Wasn't Worth A Hill Of Beans
Nor A Row Of Yams
On The To-Jesus High Way!

My Prayers Were Of The Diet-Light Version!
I'll Give You An Example!
Let's See If You Agree
AND
If These Ideas As Prayers Sound Familiar
You'll Know That You Should At Exercise Class Be Joining Me!

• "Thank You, Lord!"
• "I Love You, Lord!"
• "Thanks For My Food, My Head, And My Bed!"
• "I Am Glad That I Am Not Like Those Other Christians, Lord!"
• "Lord, I Need A ...!"
• Lord, Could You Send Me A ...!"

The Handwriting On The Wall Of My Soul
Was Clear
When It Said:

In Tribulation

You Are Going To Fold!

You Have No Stored Resources!

Your Battle-Muscles In Jesus Christ

Are Flabby And Weak

AND

At The First Sign Of Real Trouble

You Are Going To

Blubber

AND

Fold Up

AND

Against God

AND

His People

Speak!

I Was Seriously Shocked!
I Was Grossly Humiliated!
I Was Damnably Ashamed!
I Was Revoltingly Distressed!

I Really Love My Jesus!
I Really Really Do!
I Thought My Self A Success
But
Seriously?
Has My Life Been All A Christian-like Jest?!

You Know It!!

Lord Jesus, Have Mercy On Me!

I Have Been Indulging

In A Round Of Gross Folly!

Take Me!

Teach Me!

Turn Me To The Right Way!

I Desire Your Leading!

I DO NOT Wish You To Be By Me Betrayed!

NOW ...

That Is A Prayer From Your Heart!

Go One More Step!

Think Jacob - Not Esau

And

Ultimately

All-Out

Wrestle With Your Lord!

Confess Your Sins!

Of Known Sins You Must Repent!

Go Boldly To The Throne Of Grace

AND

Your Gross Heart Rent!

Commune With Your Savior!

Lock Arms Against The Adversary Of Your Soul!

Indulge Yourself In Mortal Conflict

AND

Don't Let Go Of The Master

Until You Get A New Name

AND

The Blessing

As Reward!

Well ... Long Story Short ...

I Found My Self In The Bunny Class!
I Had To Learn All About Exercising Hope:

I Hope!
I Know How Hope Feels!
I Know Hope Somewhat Well!
I Have No Hope!
I Am Hopeless!
I Am Somewhat Hopeful!
AND
I Have Hope!
AND
I Am Hoping!
In That Class
I Learned
What It Means To Wheeze!

My Next Class
The Intermediate Workout
Aka Iron Man -  To The World
But
To The Believing Christian
"Hold To God's Unchanging Hand!"
Brought Me To My Knees!

In That Class
I Really Learned To Pray!
I Went From:

What Faith?
Inherited Faith!?
Faithless!
Mustard Seed Growing!
Faith Almost Full!
Faithful!
Happy Heart Overflowing And Full!

I Had Arrived At
Faith And Works!
That Is No Bull!

I Was Getting Happy!
I Was Singing!
I Even Pulled Off A Happy Dance

WHEN ...

The Drill Sargeant
Life Kicker
Buckled On His
"Life Is A Bastard!"
Weighted
Burden-Carrying Pants!

I Was In Total Shock!
I Couldn't Decide
Whether To Cry
Wheeze
OR
Just Pray

SO ...

I Called On Jesus Christ
The Holy Sacrifice
My Lord And My God
The Payer Of My Fee

My Shepherd And The One Like Whom I Want To Be

AND
I Learned Of
AND
Leaned On The Holy Spirit
Instead Of Inanely Crying:

"Why Me, Lord?! "

Patience?!?

Patience!!

Lord, I Need You!
Wait On Me.

Lord, I Am Weak! Help Me!
Wait On Me, Child.

Lord, I Don't Know What To Do!
I Am Calling, Lord!
I Am Trusting ...
LORD! I TRUST YOU!

Wait On Your Lord!
In Him Is Your Reward!
Wait Meekly And Pray!
Your Lord Won't Cast Your Hope Away!
Wait
Watch And Pray!
His Living Word Obey
And
At The Appointed Time
You Will Have Nothing For Which To Repine!

I Learned Of Patience
Whose Root Says Pay!
I Paid Pay My Dues Daily!
I Pay!
I Don't Play
With
Faith
Hope
Nor Prayer!

I Know That If I'm Not Prayed Up
That I Will Preyed Upon
AND
I Choose
To Wrestle With Jesus
AND
Peniel
Stand Upon!

I Have Patience ... With My Lord
Not Because I Want To
BUT
Because I Must!
I Don't Envy The World's Traffic!
I Don't At Delay Make A Fuss!
I Hope!
I Pray!
I Have Faith
And
In Patience Wait
For
In The Living Loving
Holy
All Seeing
All Knowing
Ever Present
Always Available To The Believing Child
Holy God
I Trust!

Lord, I Want To Be

A Bleeding Heart

Believing Christian

Not A "Christian"

With A Callused Heart

Because

A Hard-hearted Christian

Is One For Whom

Heaven's Light Is Dark!