" NATIVITY "

An angel of God visited me today,
I could hardly believe my eyes.
When I heard what he had to say,

I could hardly believe my ears ~
I was nearly frightened to tears;
He did, however, allay my fears.

He said I would be mother to a son.
I knew not man ~ I wanted to run
But I said, 'unto me your word be done.'

At the appointed hour, the Holy Spirit
Will overshadow you and you'll conceive;
Be not afraid, Mary, no reason to fear it.

This is God's will for your Son and you;
With every good grace you He will imbue~
Jesus is the Infant King and Saviour, too.

Joseph will be a good husband and father,
He'll be your protector all his life ~
He loves you much, Mary, like no other.

He'll love your Child, teach him many things`
He'll be blessed with the joy fatherhood brings,
Both of you'll delight when Baby Jesus sings.

So Mary rest easy for now and dream
Of the exciting and blessed life you'll live.
God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit deem

You have been chosen and blessed~
The Son of God is your womb's Guest~
Saving humanity from sin will be his quest.




© Mel Patterson December 11, 2006

" Longing "

The longing in my heart and soul for Thee
Transcends all other longings there ever could be.
For you, my Lord, my God, and my all
Have won me over by your truth and your law.

How is it you have willed that I be here?
I'm sorry for my sin; O Lord, still my fear.
Help me to be forgiving as you are to me
That one day I may more ~ image Thee.

Quench the thirst of my soul and my spirit
I pine for you, Lord; my soul ~ please, steer it.
Let me not look for earthly pleasures...
But seek only your Holy Treasures.

Prime me and align me with your Holy Will;
Your fire within my heart and soul instill.
Lead me along the long and torturous road;
In prayer I find a lessening of the load
as I travel along
my heart in song
To you I long .... to ... belong.

The longing in my heart and soul for Thee
Transcends all other longings there ever could be.
For you, my Lord, my God, and my all
Have won me over by your truth and your law.



© Mel Patterson 12-21-06

" Do You Love Me? "

What is the first thought of the day
As you awaken wiping the sleep from your eyes?
Do you roll over and continue to lay
Or shuffle to the window and look at the skies?

And when you do look at the skies what do you see?
Do you see mist and fog or clouds and rain?
Do you see sun above the cover which eventually
Bursting forth causes the clouds to wane?

When you begin your day do you say a prayer
And say thank you, Lord, for a brand new day?
Are you optimistic and do you really care
About the opportunity you have to walk in His Way?

Do you think of God and pray to Him often?
Or do you give him not a thought at all?
Do you have a hardened heart that doesn't soften?
Do you open your mind and heart to hear His Call?

As long as this big world keeps going
He calls each and every one of us by name.
All He asks is our love and service in sowing
and reaping
the harvest He plants.

In joyful song and dance...
Come !
Are we going?

Says He:

' Are you not coming? '
I'm all loving and all-knowing
My LOVE is overflowing;
Please accept it.
Do you not hear the humming
of the angel choir
full of fervor and fire?

They sing and play for Me;
Come, and you will see
they'll also play for thee ~
Come, be with Me...
for
Eternity. '

' I deeply Love you, don't you......
love Me, too? '



© Mel Patterson 12-16-06

" BLESS the BABE "

Bless the babe born of my womb,
Now sleeping in my keeping,
Safe and sound in this room
My love for him deepening.

Tiny little man with eyes closed
I love watching God's Son sleep;
In a needed nap now reposed
This infant I am blessed to keep.

He has sweet little rosebud lips
That frequently seem to smile
As from my breast he lazily sips
And tenderly I stare awhile.

Precious little One, oh so small
I want this moment to last for ever
Rest in my arms in peaceful pall ~
May this bond never, ever, sever.



© Mel Patterson 12-06-06

" Dawn Thoughts "

The Dawn of this new day with sun ascending
Pinks up the horizon transcending
My soul to Thoughts of Thee;
Lord God of Heaven and Earth,
Your gifts are given in multiplicity.

We start the day by Thanking you, Lord
For gifts of graces continually poured
Upon us here on earth, the place of our birth.

In the heavens you are eternally adored
By inhabitants whose souls soared
Where Praises are sung by choirs
To the music of harps and lyres
Joyfully celebrating ~
~ While we are waiting
For our survival,
Holy Spirit revival,
And finally our arrival
At Heaven's Gate
Not a moment too late
Our climb
is
Right on time;
How sublime!

How great is your Plan; You love mortal man
Whom you have blessed with soul and spirit!
The sound of music in the heavens
Must be sheer JOY to those who hear it!

Angel voices, everyone rejoices
to be in your presence
and savor your essence
Is our ultimate goal
Praise the Lord, O my soul !



© Mel Patterson 11-28-06

" Did... ? "

As evening draws to a close
And we look upon our day,
Would God be pleased do you suppose?
Had we followed His Son's Way?

Did we ignore the passing stranger?
Did we quickly look the other way ~
Thinking we'd be in danger?
Did we utter an unkind word today?

Did an opportunity pass us by
Because of our hesitation to act?
Did we pass Jesus in that person...sigh;
Compassion is the virtue we lacked.

Let us be mindful of what we learn
As we examine our actions this day.
Let's pray for the ability to discern
And follow The Truth,
The Life and
The Way.

© Mel Patterson, 10-31-06

Praise, Adoration and Honor ever be Thine !

Keeping our eyes fixed upon the Prize
In the face of distraction and temptation,
We firmly rebuke the evil one's lies,
Calling upon You, Lord, for emancipation.
Glory and Praise is our bold proclamation !

Our desires are for the things above;
Jesus, O Lord, You are our ultimate goal.
You bless us with unconditional love
Wanting to save each and every single soul,
May Praise songs from every Church bell toll !

You, Lord, are the Glory of the Father;
You are Splendor and Majesty Divine.
It is with us mere mortals You bother ~
For You, O Lord, our souls do pine;
Praise, Adoration and Honor ever be Thine !

© Mel Patterson, 10-29-06

"The Falls"

The sound of the Falls
Thunders with applause
Glorifying God as it races,
Much as do His Graces
Bestowed upon mortal man
Simply because He can,
To the edge of the precipice
Mixed with foam below
White as the snow ~
~ The Falls,
O the beauty of that show !

In the waters of the green sea
Plunging, gushing, twisting, misting,
The Falls glorifies God's majesty ~
O the beauty of His Tapestry !
What fools are we
If we do not see ~
~ in The Falls,
His captivating Beauty !

The Gorge flows with swelling waters
Ever dashing, thrashing, and crashing
Upon rocks and docks;
It swirls, whirls and twirls
Panting in a prancing dance
As at God's Wonders I glance.
Then in a trance
I stare
at the Beauty there,
Nothing can compare !


© Mel Patterson 10-18-06

GLORY, PRAISE and HONOR

Glory, Praise, and Honor
Be upon our minds, lips and hearts
For ever and ever !

O Father, thank you and Praise you
For every Gift you lovingly give;
May Glory, Praise, and Honor, too
Be on our lips for as long as we live !

When I am tired and weary
Whining and teary
Bemoaning my fate of late,
Help me to see it's not about me
But about my neighbor
Through whom Thee I see.

Bless my neighbor with all that is needed;
Permit me to provide it if possible.
Let no word you speak to me go unheeded
And all required of me be plausible.

Permit me to be an emissary for you
Someone who carries out your will;
May the words I say and deeds I do
Your most Holy Will fulfill.

It isn't easy to always tow the line
Who knows better than you, my Lord,
Who bore our sin, your Cross the sign
Upon us may your graces be poured.

O Father, thank you and Praise you
For every Gift you lovingly give;
May Glory, Praise, and Honor, too
Be on our lips for as long as we live !

Glory, Praise, and Honor
Be upon our minds, lips and hearts
For ever and ever !

© Mel Patterson 10-9-06

"Your Presence is What We Desire"


Your Presence is what we desire;
Fill us with Holy Spirit Fire.

Without you I am lost and afraid;
Your Presence is what I desire.
Come, Lord Jesus, and save me
From the stench of sin and mire.

I can't believe you really want me,
So sinful and slothful as I am;
Accept my penitential prayer, my God.
Through your Son, Jesus, our Perfect Lamb.

I am sorely afraid of offending you,
And I pray to be a deserving child
Who serves you in my neighbor ~
You, my Lord, are Holy, and undefiled.

Be Thou our Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Rock, Lighthouse, Saviour and Friend;
Please guide each and everyone of us
And to each beloved soul do Thou tend.

We want to be pleasing to you
In everything we say and do;
Bless us with all virtue,
annoint us, too
For as you love us we also love you.

Your Presence is what we desire;
Fill us with Holy Spirit Fire.

© Mel Patterson 10-5-06

" PRAISE YOU, LORD "

Praise You, Lord, morning 'til night
Praise, honor and glory, O Lord of Light.

God of love, God of compassion
We pray to you for our daily ration
Of strength and courage for the day,
Patience, kindness in all we do and say

Thank you, Father, for the love you give;
Thank you for the gift of life we live.
Thank you for the Gift of your Spirit
To absorb the Word when we hear it.

Holy Spirit lead us along the way
As upon our knees we humbly pray.
Praise you, Lord, morning 'til night;
Praise, honor and glory, O Lord of Light.

You, O Lord, are our Holy Redeemer;
Protect us from the evil schemer.
We thank you and praise you for all you do,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, too.

You are the Creator of all;
We obey and love your Law.
Glorify the Lord, Angels and Saints;
We are the canvas God paints.

We are His music, His symphony
His song and His dance
Through his grand plan, not by chance.
We are his love and HE is ours
We, his people,
Herald His Mighty Powers.

GLORY to GOD !!!
GLORY to GOD in the Highest !!!

Praise You, Lord, morning 'til night
Praise, honor and glory, O Lord of Light.



© Mel Patterson, 10-2-06

" MIRROR JESUS "

As you look in the mirror
Who do you see?
Do you see the person
You really want to be?

Do you see imperfections?
Do you stare and wonder?
Do you run and hide
Because of your blunder?

Take time and step back
To ponder the matters of the soul.
Find the time to self-examine
Before life without God takes its' toll.

There is a life beyond ourselves we know
We are not the end-all and be-all
When we call out to the Lord in prayer
We need be aware that He does SEE all.

Not a prayer we pray is unheard,
Not a moan, cry or thought absurd.
The Lord, God, is our staff and shield.
With our Baptism we are sealed,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Do we mirror Jesus?
Are we pleased with what we see?
Do we see the person
Jesus wants us to be?

Do we mirror Jesus?
In thought, in word, in deed?
When others watch and see us
Can we fill their need?

As you look in the mirror
Who do you see?
Do you see the person
You really want to be?

© Mel Patterson, 9-23-06

In Memorium of the Events of 9-11-01

Who cannot remember ?
Who cannot pause
For a moment of prayer
United in one cause
~ Because ~
We care on 9-11-01's ~ 5th Anniversary !

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

You know the wherefores and the whys;

You have heard those thousands of cries

As the Twin Towers tumbled,

And human bodies crumbled,

As Washington and Pennsylvania

Suffered also terrorist mania.

You met them where they were

While Your Love in their hearts did spur

Some to become heros to the end ~

They knew You were their Best Friend.

Their Faith did not bend.

Their reward, Your Gift to them,

Paradise, a Treasure, and Precious Gem.

Bless with healing those who remain

Be their refuge; keep them sane.

Bless them with Peace of minds

And with Graces of all kinds.

Comfort them with the thought

They all are Blood-bought.

May their souls aspire higher

'Til You meet them,

Greet them,

and

Seat them

At the Grand Banquet of The Lamb.

© Mel Patterson, 9-11-06

" YOU LED ME "

The mantle you wore was red;
Your gown was white as snow.
Not a word by you was said
But I knew exactly where to go.

You sped me along the path,
Each step faster than the next;
You showed no sign of wrath ~
Not once did I feel perplexed.

I was swept up in your Light,
Fully trusting in your Plan;
Even tho' I had not the foresight
I had the faith and, with it, I ran.

You made the way clear
Where there seemed to be none.
There was no thought of fear,
Not with you, God's Son.

I followed you as you led me
Along the avenues of life;
As I journey on I now see
I grew in trial and strife.

Hold me, mold me, enfold me;
Do with me what you will.
Shake me, break me, take me.
My whole being, Lord, please fill
With you and your Love
~ That I may mirror you ~
~ In all I say and do ~
~ Make me new ~
~ Like you ~

© Mel Patterson, 9-6-06

" O, Restless Heart "

O, restless heart, battered and worn,
Weary, fatigued, saddened and torn,
Searching for release, respite and relief
From the rigors of life and its' grief
Satan steals hope like a thief.
But alas,
Here comes Jesus,
He opens his heart and invites us in,
Loving us and forgiving our sin,
Placing hope where there once was none,
He is the Messiah, the Holy One.

Keep our sights on Jesus, our Savior;
Upon his tender mercies savor,
Thank him and praise him all day long
For it is to him only our souls belong.

How often do we awaken in the middle of the night
Scared out of our wits and tremble in fright?
Did we hear something that sounded an alarm
Or did we dream someone would cause us harm?

Arise with a prayer and retire at night with one, too
And if you awaken in the night whisper "Jesus, I love you."
The night terrors will soon abate and flee
When we remember to put God first - for that's the Key.

God is First; place all else in its' proper place.
Let's pray to the Lord for the gift of his grace.
So, when we awaken in the night, we can pray
And thank God for the ability to say,
Be our Guest, O Lord, Savior True
We rest our hearts always in you.

© Mel Patterson, 9-3-06


"Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee."

St. Augustine

" RAPT "

Rapt in the splendor of your love
My soul rejoices and soars like a dove;
You have given my heart wings
With joy my very spirit sings.

~ You are God, my Father ~
~ You are Jesus, my Brother ~
~ You are Spirit, my Advisor ~
~ You are Three in One,
Holy Trinity,
In Affinity
For Infinity ~
No beginning, no ending,
Ever transcending,
Always ascending,
~ You give my soul flight ~
~ You are my delight,
Morning 'til night
O Glorious Light.

Rapture sublime,
Forever Divine,
I am rapt in
the splendor of
Your Love.

© Mel Patterson, 8-27-06

"JOY of my SOUL"

Joy of my soul, Joy of my heart,
You've given me love from the very start;
In you I live, I move and I breathe ~
To you my whole being does cleave.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my spirit,
Of goodness ~ may I be drawn near it
And to all that is holy, right and true,
May I ever be totally committed to you.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my life,
You are the Rock during all the strife.
Many are the benefits you freely give;
Because of you, I have the will to live.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my heart,
Let's assure one another, we'll never part.
You are my Lord, my God, my All;
I obey your statutes, I love your Law.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my spirit
Absence from you, I surely would fear it.
Never permit me to ever stray
Protect me ever and always, I pray.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my life,
Sin pierces your heart ~ like a knife.
You are The Lord of Lords and The King of Kings,
O the JOY your Salvation brings.

The battle for good and evil still wages,
But You, O Lord, are JOY for all ages.
Judgement day will soon arrive;
The goats'll die and the sheep'll thrive.
Please God ~ your faithful ones'll be alive.

O Jesus, as Groom, you'll come for your Bride
You'll draw her very close to your side
Embrace her with your arms open wide
And together in Heaven forever abide.

You, O Lord, are JOY for all ages.
JOY, JOY, JOY !
YOU are JOY for All Ages !!!

© Mel Patterson , 8-20-06

" THE KING is COMING "

O JOY of heart, JOY of spirit
The pealing of Church bells,
Do you hear it?

The King is coming, He's on His Way,
Listen to the rumble of sound !
Hear the thunder of justice !
The King of Glory is coming!

The clouds part and
The Lord, God appears
Amid Saints and Angel cheers!

Upon this awesome day we will hear Him say,
"Come, you who have served me well,
With me forever you will dwell,
While you who are locked in sin,
Shall enter into the pits of hell!"

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare !
Let no one be caught unaware !
While we have the chance to join that heavenly dance
Be aware, beware and prepare !

Let's pray souls receive Salvation,
And all God's children band in jubilation,
That with JOY of heart, JOY of spirit
We shall all hear
and cheer:

The King is coming, He's on His Way !

The King is coming, He's on His Way !!

The King is coming, He's on His Way !!!

© Mel Patterson, 8-1-06

" Lord, help my brother and sister today "

Praying for one another,
For our sister and our brother
Is pleasing to Our Blessed Lord
As we band together in one accord.

Each situation may be rough;
We pray enough strength to be tough,
With courage to face another day
Let's lift one another as we pray:

Lord, help my brother and sister today.

No matter how often we are asked to pray
Give us the compassion of Jesus this day.
Help us to emulate you, O Lord, please
So we turn not a deaf ear but fall to our knees.

In prayerful petition we pray for our friend
Not counting the cost even to the end
For it is in service to You we lift one another up
Til the saucer fills from the overflowing cup.

Lord, help my brother and sister today.
Lord, help my brother and sister today.
Lord, help my brother and sister today.

© Mel Patterson, 7-31-06

" THE WEDDING "

In a dream state I was late ~
for a Wedding;
Fumblingly~
my old clothes I was shedding.
Obstacles in my way
holding me sway
As I tried to wade through
all of the ado
I thought of the Minister, and the Groom
Waiting for me to arrive soon.

It all seemed like slow motion
My mind was full of commotion.
I was getting nowhere fast or slow,
Did not know if I should stay home or go.
I decided to go no matter how long it took;
I arrived as the Word was read from the Book.

A lesson I understand from the content of the dream
Was to live God's Law and avoid the desire to scheme.
Manipulation is wrong at best,
Pure intent the better quest.
A Banquet is waiting for the chosen
Who awaken from all the dozin'
Time for us to shape UP, I'm supposin'
Stoke up the fire in hearts so frozen.

The Bridegroom is ready to receive His Bride;
She walks up the aisle to stand by His Side.
The Book of Life is read and after all is said
With His arms open wide
He encloses her inside
And holds her to His Heart
Never evermore to part.

Off we go together, Hand in hand,
Thy Kingdom come,
THY WILL.....has been.....done.

© Mel Patterson, 7-24-06