Sonnet VIII

I did not know that perfect love was mine, wrapped up in swaddling clothes before my birth and opened there upon the cross—the sign that grants my meager soul its worth. More thrilling than an ice-cold breeze on hot and humid days, the moment when I knew that I had been the object of His […]

Disciples’ Hymn

Come, arise, in morning song, let us think of Jesus! Christ, the church’s cornerstone, risen God now lead us. Crucified by evil men, Satan’s power entombing, raised up by the Father’s hand, royal rights assuming. – Christ has sent our Comforter: Holy Ghost indwelling heralds of the gospel truth by His power, compelling. Baptized by […]

Justified

Your grace Fell like snowflakes On my dirty heart. Now, as if covered in snow, My heart Is white and clean.

Immanuel

Limitless, immense our God, creation’s great sustainer. Eternal light, the life of men, now lying in a manger. For cradled in a trough of stone, the Lord of Heaven cries while Shepherds crowd to see their king with wonder in their eyes. – REFRAIN Our holy Lord has come to earth, the endless war to […]

All of You

Unto the word of God, my heart at last was moved. Before Your holy face, at length I knew my sin. I cried out to the Lord, released the crimes I loved. Your holy grace, like rain, has washed me pure within. – CHORUS Your work alone! And nothing that I do, before Your throne, […]

Orange Flames and Firewood

Shadows stretch across the stone to grasp the crisscrossed spears and rounded shield. A nearby fire, fighting back the dark, and glistening on the spear tips’ hardened steel casts its glow upon a wizened man. He sits beside his grandson, gazing at the flame. The boy is playing with a map. “The Empire of Assyria,” […]

God of Words, God of Promise

God of words, God of promise, God whose truth will never die, Faithful Lord, Great Forgiver, Word of Life that cannot lie. – Ages past You formed the mountains, placed the bound’ries on the sea, Out of nothing, unimagined, through the Word they came to be. Looking down with righteous pity, on my lost and […]

Soli Deo Gloria

My own works can never merit what the Love of God has won. Grace alone! I can inherit righteousness through Christ the Son. – Scripture’s word not human fables points salvation, warns my soul. God’s own word alone enables, proves my sin, and makes me whole. – I now grasp the mighty pardon God in […]

Interrupted Elegy

Bald the hill, and bare and raw the hearts and eyes that watched and wept. Empty now, and tramped and trod the dirt dishonored by our feet. A crying sky, and streams and screams and murmured thunder of remorse. Barren now, the wooden stakes crossed in sorrow, stained with loss. — But he was good, […]