PRAYER: Lord, Lift Me Up

Oh, That Men Would Would Bless Him Who Did Bear The Cross!
Oh, That Men Would Lift Up The Royal Name!
Oh, That Men Would Hold On The Living Hope!
Oh, That Men Would Cast Away Their Common Shame!
Oh, That Men Would Call In Hope And With Faith Unto The Divine
So That In The Great Day
They May Cross The Separating Line!

Oh, That Men Would Wear God's Truth As A Robe!
Oh, That The Gospel Of Truth Would Be The Standard
By Which All Men Walk The Line!
Oh, That Men Would Believe That The Eternal God Is Kind
AND
Trust Not The Word Of Fallen Men 
Who Think False Godhood Covering Themselves Is Sublime!

Dear Lord,

Your Word Is Holy

Wholly Complete!

You Are A God Of Order

And Confusion Has No Place At Your Feet!

Your Word Is Immutable -

You Stride Not On Fickle Feet

And You Give Unto No Man

Bitters

Christened Delicious Treats Sweet!

Your Character Is Inviolable!

You Are The Great I AM!

You Are The God Holy

Not A Rough Goat Called Ram!

You Are The God Of All Graces

The Provider Of Living Peace

The God Of Endless Ages

And

The God Of Eternal Peace!

Dear Lord,

I Come As One Humble

Setting Aside The Way Perverse!

I Come To You, My Father

To Be Cured Of The Curse!

I Come, Lord

Knowing That By My Self

I Shall Stumble

And Ask You

Beloved Master

To Lift Me Up

When I Fumble The Truth

And As A Result

On The Holy Way Stumble!

Father,

I Long To Be As My Jesus!

I Desire To Acquire

The Character Of Christ!

I Have No Love

For The Boisterous Chatter Of Life

And

Desire To Be Helped

To Avoid The  Deceiver's Devilish Devices!

Help Me To Stand Out

When Others Step Up

Seeking To Within Me

Rear Up

Mankind's Unprofitable Ungodly Fear!

By Your Grace, Lord

I Shall Stand Up For Jesus!

I Shall Step Away From Sin!

I Shall Be To My God

A Wholly Willing

Sanctified Person

Standing On The Side

Of Him

Who For Me Died!

I Am Looking Up

For I Am Looking Forward 

To Going Up To Meet Him

Who Is Coming Down

To Receive Me

Who Caused Him

To Die In My Stead!

Lord, Lift Me Up

And Help Me To Not My Salvation

Mess Up!

Please Accept These Petitions

From A Heart Yearning For Thee

For I Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

Praise The Lord! Praise The Lord?!

Praise The Lord!
Praise The Lord!
PRAISE THE LORD!!

So What Song Shall We Sing?

Sing?
Who Said Anything About Singing?!

You Did!

Me?!

Yes!  You!

How Did I DO That?!

You Said:  "Praise The Lord!"
Not Once But Three Times!

Ohhhh!  That Is Just An Expression!

What?!
Are You Crazy?!

Why Do You Ask That?

Wasn't King David Always Singing Praises Unto The Lord?!
Doesn't The Good Book Say In Psalm 147 That Praise Is Comely?
Listen To The Quotation:

Oh, That!!

Yes! That!!

Oh. I Just Got Into The Habit Of Saying What Is Happening 
Without Really Doing It!

Isn't That Deceitful?
Really Deceitful?!

Weeeeellll!!
When You Put It Like That ...!

Yes,  I DO!
If You Are Going To Praise God
Shouldn't You Actually Call His Name 
AND
Tell Of His Excellent Greatness
AND
Actually Sing Praises
Thoroughly Celebrating Our Great God?!

Yeah,  But ...

No But's!
If You Are Going To Praise God
You Should Actually Tell Him
Like How You "Praised Up" That Speaker Last Week
With All The Glorious Praise
Like He Was
Get This ...

GOD!!

Good Gracious!
But That Would Be Idolatry!!

Yuh Think!!

Father,  Forgive Me!
I Really Didn't Realize What I Was Doing!

... God Is Sooo Good!

Let Us Sing This Song 
Like We Believe It
AND
Like We Really Mean It!

God Has Been 

God Is

AND

God Will Ever Always Be Good To Us

So Let Us

Bless God

With Heartfelt Songs Of Praise!

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, For Grace

Lord,  I Lift Up My Heart

Not In Pride

But In Love, Joy, Hope

Happiness

Singing A Joyful Hallelujah

Thankful

For The Peace

That The World Does Not Know Or Own

And

Grateful For The Mercies

I Am Daily Shown

And That I Am Called Your Own!

Father, I Am Thankful

That In The Midst Of The World's Strife

I Can Say Prayers To You

And 

Rest In Peace Throughout The Night!

I Am Thankful For The Blessing

That Raised Me Up From Sleep

And The Blessing

That Caused Me To Stand Upon My Feet!

I Am Thankful,  Lord

For Your Provision Of My Daily Bread

And For The Four Walls That Surround Me

And The Roof That Covers My Head!

I Am Thankful For The Clothing Upon My Back

And For The Shoes That Protect My Feet

As I Walk Along Streets And Country Tracks!

I Am Thankful For The Fruitful Work You Provided To Me

And For The Wages

Out Of Which I Can Help Somebody!

I Am Thankful For The Grace

Within Which I Daily Grow

And For Any Opportunities

Within Which I Can Your Goodness Show!

I Am Thankful,  Lord

That Your Spirit Called Out To Me

And That You Gave Me The Ability 

To Answer That Call

That Came So Softly!

I Thank You, Lord

For Your Hearing And Answering Prayer

And I Humbly Ask

Thank You Please Make A Way

- Using Even Me -

For Those Who Don't See Your Outstretched Hand

And Those Who Don't Know That You Sacrificed

Your Beloved Son To Save The Human Family!

Have Mercy,  Lord

On The Called Who Have Answered

And

Those Who Are In Process Of Answering!

As For Those Who Will Answer The Call

Help Them, Lord, To Answer Not Belatedly

But Swiftly 

For Indeed, Now Is The Acceptable Time!

Grant Unto Us All Of The Household Of Faith

Courage To Stand

In The Strength

Of Our Convictions

Of The Living Truth

Of The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

And

Bless Us With Physical

Mental

And

Emotional Endurance

And

The Spiritual Endurance

That Can Only Be Had Of The Holy Spirit!

Please Guard Us

Guide Us

Teach Us

Feed Us

And

Lead Us Safely

To The Glorious Kingdom

Of Your Eternal Light!

In The Name Of Jesus Christ The Righteous I Plead!

I Love You, Lord!

AMEN.

AND

VESPERS AT THE END OF THE SABBATH: Christian Frogge

There Was Nice Christian Named Frogge
Who Maintained Record Of His Church Life In A Log
He Considered Himself A Great Champion For God
Right There
In Belief Land Creeks And Bogs!

Life Was Good!
Health Was Good!
AND
Since He Had Very Few Chores
He Had Time To Visit The Neighbors 
All Around
AND
Up And Down
Along The Shore!

It Must Be Said
That It Was Because Of These Visits
Door To Door
That He Came To Suspect
That His Simple Church Life
Was Nothing But A Flaming Great Bore!

Christian Frogge 
During His Last Visit
Church Door To Church Door
Caught a Glimpse
A Chance To See
The New Worship
That Was Capturing Everybody!

The New Worship
Was Loud
Exciting
Filled With Broadway Lights
AND
Even Had Something Called
"Test!"
To Test Your Strength Of Will
AND
Your Belief
In The Power And Working Of Almighty God!

NOW ...

Christian Frogge Thought To Himself:

Why Not?!
I Trust In God
So Why Not Show
What I've Got?!
My God Is Real!
His Power Cannot Fail
So When The Church Hot 
Holds Their Next Convocation
I Am Going To Throw In My Lot!

NOW ...

It Must Be Said
That Talk Was Real Hot Around De Town
About The Peddler
The Piper
AND
The Restaurant Chef
Who Were The Powers Behind
The Experiencing God Church!

It Was Said ...

GOSSIP ALERT!!

That Wherever They Opened A Church
Ahem ... Restaurant ...
Cough!
Cough!
The Population In The Particular Bog
Took A Tumbling Fall!

Another NOW Coming Up!

NOW ...

Christian Frogge Had An Aunty Named Pammy
Who Had Been Known
Upon Occasion
To Get Somewhat Scrap Happy!
She Was Old
Because She Was Wise!
She Had Lived Long
Because She Checked The Old Record Book
Which Detailed D. Devil Ish's Deceptions
To Get Meat
For He 5-Star Fr. Ogge Leg Pies!

Aunty Pammy Didn't Hold She Mout'!
She Preach She Sermon
AND
She Let De Trut' Hang Out
AND
Christian Frogge's Long Tongue
Was Stuck Inside
After Hanging Outside
He Big Mout'!

To Ram Home The Truth
Of Her Not Tall Tale
Aunty Pammy Took Christian
To A Beautiful Lily Pad Glade
Owned And Operated
By Detective Angela aka "Angel" Slade
Who Was Tasked With The Task
Of Being The Bogs' Looking Glass
To Warn The Frogge's
When D. Devil Ish
Is On The War Path!

The Schtick That D. Devil Ish Used
Was As Old As Time!
It Held Not A Single Thing New!
He Knew The Frogge People's Greed
AND
He Was Au Fait With Their Cherished Creed!

D. Devil Ish 
Always Told
How He Could Fix Needs
AND
He Offered Something For Nothing
A Light Show
AND
An Experience Like No Other
IF
You Willingly Put Your Toes
In The Soothing Cold Water
In The Vat
Over The Hollow
Operated By Steam-Punk Catattack
A Well-Known Wicked And Shallow Fellow!

With Great Authority
Detective Angel Slade
Takes Up The Tale:

Pied Piper Peter Plays
A Soul-Mesmerizing Tune!

The Peddler
Preaches
About A Cure
For All That Assails
AND
He Offers Up A Solution
That He Says
Can In No Way
Ever Fail!

A Signal Is Transmitted
AND
On Cue
Pied Piper Peter Plays
An Even More Enthrallingly Mesmerizing Tune
AND
Locked Up In The Power
People Like
Ceedee Christian
Whatta Christian
Fansi Christian
Christian N. Deed
AND
Itsa Christian
The Old Stalwarts
Found Their Back Legs
Pushing Off!

Plop!
In The Pot Vat!
The Chef De Partie Donned His Hat!
AND
The Peddler Preacher Feign Kept Selling
Preaching:

This Way Be The Spice
That Ends Your Shallow Existence!

As That Pied Piper Peter
His Thrilling Music Played
Smoke Came Out!
Smoke From Under The Vat Rose Up!
Light Struck Previously Unseen Mirrors!
Anticipating Hearts Thumped
AND
The Party Chef
The Chef De Partie
Tossed Mixed Salts In The Cold Water
AND
A Handful Of Black Pepper 
Woosh!
Up In The Air!

Achoo! Achoo!
Achoo! Achoo Times Two!
Splash!
Bums Up!
Heads Down In Water
Clearing Noses
Washing Eyes
Up For A Breath
AND
Still
Peddlar Preacher Feign Sold His Wares
As Pied Piper Peter Posing Prettily Prettily Played:

Prove Your Faith!
Do Your Battle
Even If Fire Burns At Your Feet!
Win A Victory!
By God
If Your Legs Don't Work
Cut Them Off!
The New Ones To You
Will Be At No Cost!

Bring The Knives!
Play That Mellow Music, Piper!
Keep These Frogge's Looking Alive!

This Is Your Big Test Of Faith!
Remember The Good Book Says
If Your Legs Offend You
READYYYY FOR IT?!
Cut Them OFF!!

It Is Better To Enter The Kingdom 
Maimed
Than To Stand Before God
Whole And Ashamed!

... And That 
Christain Frogge
Is Why You See
These Exhibits Here Box-Framed
As A Cautionary Tale
Not To Follow The Multitude
Purportedly To Test God
AND
Yet And Still Ending Up
Dying In Shame
Robbed Of Your Legs
Your Transport Engine Of Escape!

Cold Water Soothes!

Warm Water Relaxes!

Hot Water Burns!

AND

Boiling Water Kills!

Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold
AND
Things That Seem Wonderfully Thrilling
Can Will Rob You Of Your Very Own Soul!

Trust God At His Word!
Don't Look To The Gospel For Cheap Thrills!
Learn Of 
AND
Know That Truth Completely Fills
AND
Stop Harkening To The Siren's Song
That Assuredly The Carnal Soul Fills!

The Devil
- That Murderer -
Is The Liar
Looking For A Choir Of Voices
To Sing His Rebellious i-Tune!
He Knows That Time Is Late
So Bate And Switch
Is How He Gets Choir Members
To Share His Known Fate!

Take The Time
To Personally Know The Lord
AND
Learn How The Devil 
- Through Deception -
Operates
So That When He Shows Up
He Can't Slow You Up
With Pied Piper Songs
Turning Your Head From God
So That Into Damnation
You'll Fall Headlong!

The Noisy

Shiny

Pretty

Soul-Exciting

Emotional Displays

Of

The Dance-Hall Church

Do Not Make

For A Christ-Committed Christian!

We Are CALLED OUT!!

*********

A Quiet Spirit

Ordered Behavior

Clear Eyes

Steady Legs

A Heart Contrite For The Living God

Complete Knowledge Of The Plain Truth

Faith Outside Of Sight

Hope For Heaven

Trust In The Unseen Ever-Present God

And 

A Head Ready To Reason

With The Holy God

Help A Christian To Stay Resolute

So ...

Be Still 

In The Presence Of The Lord

In The Simple Ark Of Safety!

PRAYER: Lord, Tell Me The Story

Lord,  Please Hold My Hand

And Tell Me Again The Story

Of How  And Why You Left Your Glory

To Come To Earth

To Live As A Mere Man!

Tell Me Again The Story

Of Your Anointing By Baptism

When The Father And The Spirit

In Reality

The Godhead At Once

At The Occasion Were All Present!

Tell Me Again The Blessed Story

Of The Curse That Took You To Calvary

To Be Poured Out

So That I Could Be Brought Up

Reconciled

To The Heavenly Father Again!

Tell Me, Dear Lord

Of Your Anointing

As The High Priest Of My Confession

Interceding

In The Most Holy Place

In The Sanctuary In Heaven

Pleading Your Merits To Cover My Sin

Indeed Pleading Your Blood

That Showers Me In Eternal Love!

Tell Me,  Lord

Tell Me

Of The Place For Me

That You Have Prepared

In Your Father's Great House

And

Show Me

How To Live

How To Love

How To Honor You

And

Help Me To Grow

In Your Grace

Through Your Mercy

Ever Obedient

As I Go Along The Lonesome Way

Praying For Grace

For Every Day

Thankful

For The Salvation Plan

That Let's Me Reach Out

To Hold Your Hand

Holy

Scarred

Body Marred By For Me

Giving

Ever Giving

Voice Calling Me To Be Like Thee!

Lord,  Tell Me The Story

Of Your Love To Me

For I Desire To Live For

And Be Like Thee!

I Love You, Lord.

AMEN

HAPPY SABBATH + PRAYER: Lord, Keep My Heart

Oh, Lord

I Come To You

As Child Greatly Beloved

Of A Holy And Loving Eternal God

Humbly Making My Petitions

Knowing

Ever Knowing

That Your Are Faithful

And Will Be

Until My Life Shall End!

Help Me, Father

To Keep My Heart

Turned Ever Towards You

And

Trusting In Your Providential Care

When I Can See No Light Shining 

Along My Walk Way!

Help To Live Each Day

As Though It Is My Last

Ever Mindful Of Upon Whom 

My Eternal Lot Is Cast!

Help Me, Lord

To Not Sell You Short

Holding On To The Carrion

That Is Truth Suffering A Distort!

Help Me To Keep Living Truth

Ever In My Care

And Not Run 

At Every Whim Of The Prevailing Wind

In Despair!

Help Me To Stand Firm

In The Faith Which I Have Received

And

Not To Walk As One Beguiled

Deceived!

Help Me Not To Trust

In Fallen Man's Fickle Praise

But Trusting 

In The God Of Heaven

Who Gives Me Life 

And

Length Of Days!

Help Me Not To Be Wise

In My Own Conceit

And

Help Me Not To Live 

Like A Soul-By-Self Complete!

Father, Help Me To Faithfully Abide 

In The Truth Of The Salvation Plan

Never Giving Heed To That Wretched Satan

Who Would Deceive Me

Any Which Way He Can!

Help Me To Use My Time In Wise Ways

Not Given Up To Sitting Down To Eat

And

Getting Up To Play

For

Therein Lies Wantonness

With Self-Deceit Of The Soul

And Destruction

And Not A Home In Heaven

As Is My Treasured Goal!

Oh, Lord

Lift Me Up

So That I May Lift You Up

So That I May Never

- In Opposition To You -

My Cup

- Not With Blessing -

With Your Wrath 

Fill Up!

Father, I Am Yours!

Help Me To Be Ever Faithful

So That I May

- In The Glad day -

To The Heavenly Home

Go Up!

I Love You, Lord.

AMEN