IF NOT FOR YOU

If not for you we would not have been
You lovingly deemed we should exist
You sent Jesus, your Son, to heal us of sin
For our souls He did and still does persist


No bigger than a grain of sand on vast beaches,
You know when we sit and when we stand,
May we ever cleave to what Jesus Christ teaches
Each tiny undeserving speck of sand


O what a loving Father we have in you
Who willed all creation into being
For us every blessing and grace you imbue
Blind were we; now we are seeing


Accept our thanksgivings and praises
As we worship you with unabashed hearts
Pour upon us the blessings and graces
Your Holy Spirit imparts.


© Mel Patterson, 5-4-11

PLEDGE





O Lord, when I find it hard to pray
And the words will not come my way
Bless this unsettled soul of mine
So it may come into line with Thine.

How is it at times I am inspired
And much of me is required?
How is it at times I am depressed
With feet of clay that are hard pressed?

I long to be lifted out of this abyss
To understand why I have been remiss
In obeying Thy patient knock and call.
O Lord, I do not deserve Thee at all.

There is a spirit battle being waged
I want to break out but I am caged
Those pinions digging into my soul
Begin to take their tortuous toll.

Reach down and grasp my feeble hand
Lord lift me high out of this quicksand
Pull me up and engage me to Thy heart
Hold onto me that I may not again depart.

Instill within me Thy Holy Spirit
That I may always and ever endear it.
Lead me to Thy Truth, Life and Way
And I shall be blessed again to pray.

To Thee I come with repentant heart
And plead with Thee we never ever part
Lord, I adore Thee and upon bended knee
I pledge my heart and soul to only Thee.


© Mel Patterson, 1-6-11

" FIRST DAY of the FIRST MONTH of the NEW YEAR "




The first day of the first month of the new year
God's eternal Love has placed us here
When we are open to His Word He stays near
May all of us to the Lord's Law lend an ear.

The first day of the first month of the new year
Holds promise, hope, and an awesome fear
The Lord's Joy in our hearts evokes a tear
What a blessing we cannot into 2011 peer.

The first day of the first month of the new year
Welcomed at the stroke of midnight clear
Amidst festivities celebrated with cheer
Includes families and friends we hold dear.


© Mel Patterson - 1-1-11

Little Innocents

Holy Innocents who died as little Martyrs
Their blood poured, now God's Partners
Because of the reigning King Herod's fears
Those stripped parents shed copious tears.

Wailing in sorrow in every tomorrow
Not one hour could one parent borrow
Hearts rended in indescribeable pain
Never would mourning their babes wane.

Is it not the same today here and now
Babies are ripped apart somehow
Hearts rended in indescribeable pain
Never to know why the seed became.

O Lord, send your Holy Spirit
That a pregnancy they might not fear it.
Give insight to the new mother to be
To deliver her baby because of Thee.

© Mel Patterson, 12-28-10

" THY PERFECT LOVE "

Why dost Thou cry, O Lord?
Dost Thou cry because of un-repented sin?
Thou dost know where every man has been.
Is it because sinful man shows no remorse
Is it because apathy abounds? Of course!

We have sinned against Thee, O Lord our God
It is because we permitted ourselves satan to prod.
We beg forgiveness of the pain we caused Thee
With rend-ed hearts we plead, mend our hearts;
Grant the blessings Thy Holy Hand imparts.

No more shall we grieve Thee, O Lord
We band together in one accord
Thanking Thee and Praising Thy Name
Thou art always and ever the Same
Holy Trinity, Holy Unity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Thy Heart, O to be near it
Thy Word, O to hear it
Thy Perfect Love,
We endear it.

© Mel Patterson, 12-15-08