" This Very Night "

Star-studded velvet midnight-blue sky,
Crowned with crescent moon up on high,~
Northern star exceedingly big and bright ~
My eye beholds this very beautiful sight,
And I'm in awe of this heavenly night.

Lost in the wonder of its' magnificence,
I resist going inside with utmost reticence.
I gaze at the grand expanse of sky God created
And am humbled His Son for my sin expiated;
By His Sacrifice my soul was emancipated.

A night such as this causes my soul to soar;
My thoughts take flight and I love Him more.
For a time everything around me fades away
And as Jesus' Presence captivates me I pray,
O Lord, help me greet a brand new day.

This beautiful night so peaceful and calm
Blesses my very soul like soothing balm.
Cool breeze brushing across my face
A hint of Holy Spirit breathing grace,
And I bask in this heavenly place.

This very night, may it never end
For my spirit it did transcend.
Long shall I remember,
From January to December,
This night,
This very night,
This heavenly night.



© Mel Patterson, 4-21-07

" Song of Praise on Resurrection Day "


As you lay in the tomb, Fruit of Mary's womb,
How did the Holy Spirit descend and engineer it
That your precious body be empowered to rise
Revitalized, Fortified, Glorified, Sanctified?

O Lord Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, we exalt you !
We Worship you, love you, thank you and Praise you !!
You are the Savior of the World !!!

Our Salvation has been won ~ by you, God's only Son;
From the Cross to the Grave to Resurrection,
No more doubts, no more insurrection.
Mighty is your Power; You are our High Tower;
We see satan glower and fearfully cower.
Gone is his hold over us !
Your Resurrection is Glorious !


O Lord Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, we exalt you !
We Worship you, love you, thank you and Praise you !!
You are the Savior of the World !!!

© Mel Patterson, 4-8-07

" BLOOD-BOUGHT SALVATION "

As we meditate upon Your Crucifixion, O Lord
We are drawn to Your Holy Head crowned with thorn
And our souls and spirits within us mourn
Seeing You so sorely afflicted;
It should have been us they convicted.


O Sweet Head so wounded and bleeding
Here we are for mercy pleading
That many lost souls begin heeding
The message you delivered to every nation
News of Your Blood-bought Salvation.


O Precious Blood trickling down and past Your brow,
Eyes burning mercilessly yet You bore it somehow.
Your Body aching and itching as I think of it now
Nailed and suspended in excruciating pain
O Lord anyone else would have gone insane.


O Sweet Head so wounded and bleeding
Here we are for mercy pleading
That many lost souls begin heeding
The message you delivered to every nation
News of Your Blood-bought Salvation.


Struggling to breathe with your back arched
Unfathomable suffering, thirst, lips parched,
Thank You, Lord, for suffering such horrid anguish
In expiation for the sins in which we languish.
Accept our heartfelt sorrow for our sin
For in the netherworld we might have been.


O Sweet Head so wounded and bleeding
Here we are for mercy pleading
That many lost souls begin heeding
The message you delivered to every nation
News of Your Blood-bought Salvation.



© Mel Patterson, April 4, 2007

" Questions and The Answer "

Are you so busy about many things
That you can't see what peace brings?
Is your mind racing here and there?
Do you have any time to spare?

Do you ever wonder what's it all about?
Do you get so upset you want to shout?
Is your life not so happy for you?
Have doldrums set in? Are you blue?

It would be well for you to take stock;
Slow down, be calm and hear His knock.
Jesus is tapping on the door of your heart;
Blessings and graces He wants to impart.

Take the time to settle down and pray;
You'll be glad you did one fine day.
You'll find the heavy load will be lightened,
Less and less will you become frightened.
The dark night of the soul will have brightened
Your love for the Lord Jesus will have heightened.

Be encouraged and uplifted, dear soul
You've had enough and paid your toll.
Now is the time for an earned spiritual rest
You've crossed the desert to reach your quest.

Jesus is here and longing to embrace you
With innumerable blessings He will grace you.
Welcome Him with your arms open wide;
In His Love you'll joyfully abide,
And at the appointed time
One day in Paradise you will reside.

© Mel Patterson, April 2, 2007

" An Hour with You "

Sweet Jesus with excited heart I come to see you.
I glance your way and know I am safe.
I am secure in your everlasting Love;
O My Lord, Jesus my Savior, God above,
For only you my very soul and spirit long,
May I ever and always hear your song.

O Lord, my God, I bask in your Radiance.
As I gaze at you, you gaze right back at me,
Blessed Sacrament encased in golden filigree.
I find a taste of your Heavenly treasure;
Within my soul we share Divine pleasure
Which you give to me in limitless measure.

All too soon the time to leave has arrived
And sadly I must go from you until next time;
Lord, I thank you for this hour sublime.

You have filled my spirit with many a grace
Because I came to visit you Face to face
In this quiet and lovely place.
I bow upon bended knees,
To my heart you hold the keys;
Stay within my soul, please.

Reluctantly this meeting must adjourn ~
As I approach the church door and turn
I throw you a kiss you will not spurn
So fed by Holy Spirit Fire,
O Object of my desire,
My soul indeed does burn
Evermore for you I'll yearn.




© Mel Patterson, 3-23-07

" MAY GOD SEND YOU AN ANGEL "


May God send you an angel in the throes of trouble
To come at the most opportune time;
When you feel your life's nothing but rubble
Your angel'll support you; help you in your climb.

You may be taken to another dimension
You may be unaware of what surrounds you;
All is set aright with relief of nagging tension
If you'll heed the message and follow through.

When God sends an angel, he may send a friend ~
He may not send a being with a halo or wings
Although they have been known to descend,
For with God ~ are possible such things.
Either way upon your needs he'll tend
'Til your soul again may ascend.
Then do your angel lend
to another friend
waiting round the bend
for that heart may be broken
In need of a loving token
a warm embrace,
blessing and grace
to make it through
just like you.
Dear Lord I pray to You
Do my friend imbue
With angelic help, too.



© Mel Patterson 3-17-07

" JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED have MERCY on us "


Jesus Christ crucified
have mercy on us.

It seems our world is steeped in sin;
I wonder how it all might have been
Had Lucifer not wanted to be like God.
Robed in pride he defied, and he lied,
Every scheme he contrived
To bring man down low;
To hell man could go
Except for Jesus
To release us
from
the bondage of sin.

Jesus Christ crucified
have mercy on us.

Daily are the struggles we face
Every day holding its' own disgrace.
Battles within ourselves to win
Purge us, O Lord, from our sin.
Wars on land, air, sea and shore
O Please, Dear God, no more !
Save us from ourselves,
For our very souls satan delves.
Cast him to the pit of fire !
It is to YOU ~ our hearts aspire.

Jesus Christ crucified
have mercy on us.

We come to YOU, Lord, pleading
O Holy One, wounded and bleeding.
We see what we have done to You;
We are sorry and beg forgiveness, too.
It is by Your stripes we are healed
Even as your precious blood congealed
On that fateful Good Friday afternoon
On the Cross of wood they had hewn.
O merciful Lord, so loving and tender
Upon us Your Blessings please render
As we approach You on bended knee
Praising and Worshipping You,
Keeper of the Key,
to Everlasting Eternity,
KEEPER of the KEY
to Everlasting Eternity !

Jesus Christ crucified
have mercy on us.



© Mel Patterson, March 8, 2007

"IF I COULD"

When my soul is elevated during deep prayer,
I am transported out of myself to a place where
I have no physical consciousness of self or surrounding
Being caught up in God's peace and love abounding.

It seems Jesus comes to meet me there,
Takes my hand and greets me with great care
Leading me to that place
Where there is no time and no restrictive space
But an openness and freeing up of His grace.

Gliding upwards with Him gently and slowly
My feet barely touch the stairs in the climb;
How could one so simply and pitiably lowly
Gain entrance to an event so utterly sublime?

It is here I see Heaven's Gate in billows of pastel mist
I see pinks and blues, all manner of lovely hues
And I know Heav'n is promised to all on God's list
For He calls each one of us if we listen to His cues.

The vision ends even though my soul transcends
The world and its disturbances to my soul;
Being open to the graces and blessings He sends
Fortifies the spirit in steadily approaching the Goal.

If I could take the Peace I experience at this time
And spread it over and above my limitations,
I would give it to you to assist you in your climb
Then you, too, could taste joy-filled expectations,

If...I...could.

© Mel Patterson, 3-3-07

" DECISION "

Outside interference plagues my mind
as I try to unscramble my thoughts,
collect my wits, settle my soul
and rebuke enemy onslaughts
which attack the peace I seek.
Odorous sin does indeed reek
robbing me of inner joy,
as satan wants to employ
all means in all his schemes
to make of me ~ his toy.

No more devil's manipulation !
I decide for God's stipulation,
To set me back on track
And toss the monkey off my back !
I pray the Lord to fill my lack
With blessing and grace
To run the race
However slow the pace.

It is here I begin to see
That prayer is the key
And confession sets me free.

With refreshment and renewal
I see Faith as a precious jewel;
I am forgiven because I confessed;
With God's Graces I am blessed
Beyond all measure
with heavenly treasure.
Such,
Is the Father's good will and pleasure.


© Mel Patterson, 3-1-07

" LENTEN PRAYER "

How have I prepared for the Season of Lent?
How shall I feel when my forty days are spent?
Will I be satisfied that I have done my best
Had I kept a clean house for our Saving Guest?

Would I have hidden my face in shame?
For sins I committed - others would I blame?
Or will I shoulder that which I had done
And repented sorrowfully to God's only Son?

How can I prove my love is sincerely true?
How can I fast and pray when it is so hard to do?
When will I find the time in my already busy day
To put You First, Foremost and follow Your Way?

Help me, Lord, to make these forty days holy.
Show me how to love and sacrifice for You wholly.
Cleanse me of all that would keep us apart.
Grant me a repenting, forgiven and renewed heart.
How I pray for a new beginning, a fresh start,
Every grace to my soul please impart;
My Lord and my Savior,
O Thou art.

Amen

© Mel Patterson, 2-20-07

" THE PASSION of a KING "

His time had come, the hour was upon Him,
Agony in the garden our sins to pardon--
Oppressive mental and emotional pain
He suffered as if He had sinned ~ for our gain.
A traitor's kiss upon His cheek
Gave Him up to the approaching soldier
Gentle Jesus was ever so meek
As the Guards grew bolder and colder.
Thirty pieces of silver earned
Soon became revoltingly spurned.
Unquenchable sorrow
Judas saw no tomorrow
Not one more day to borrow
He groped for the rope
Cursed night of horror!

Switches beaten upon Jesus' back
Violently applied with vicious hate.
The soldiers never gave up any slack
Torture never seeming to abate.
Slashes, cuts, wounds, bleeding
Still to His Father for us interceding
He took every blow even though
The evil attacks were relentless
And certainly not event-less.
They couldn't know with each swing
They were savagely flogging a King.

They dragged Him off to a black dank cell
Pulling His body over ragged stone;
Trail of blood of this deed would tell,
Ripping His skin to His very bone.
Crown of piercing thorn to His head applied
Digging deep into His skull with pressure
And yet they mocked Him with angry chide
For their own sadistic evil pleasure.
They couldn't know with each swing
They were savagely crowning a King.

With crude ax a mighty tree they split
Into two cross bars, one short, one long
Forming it into a cross measured to fit
His carrying it, His torture to prolong.
The long arduous journey amid cruel jeers
Falling three times to angry sneers
Shoulder flesh and the pain sears ~
The wailing of women and men in tears
This was hell clear as a bell
This event History would tell.
They couldn't know with each swing
They were savagely killing a King.

A Cyrenian ordered to assist Him
Helped shoulder the cross upon the climb;
All knew the scene unfolding was grim
His death eminent, soon it would be time.
They threw the Cross crashing upon the ground
Rudely unclothed Him, shoved Him down ~
Then nails into His Hand and Feet pound
Appalling and gut-wrenching it did sound.
All ears could hear, all eyes could see
That all of this viciousness came to be
Witnessed by all, horribly!
They couldn't know with each swing
They were savagely killing a King.

They hiked up the Cross with a forceful jolt
Which tore at His precious Hands and Feet
Radiating painfully like a lightning bolt.
From their taunts - they did not retreat.
To harrass Him further they gave Him gall;
For love of man, He was giving His All ~
Did not His Father hear His soulful call,
"Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?"
"My God, my God,
why have You forsaken Me?"
Jesus felt abandoned we plainly see
Although He held onto the hope
Of returning to His Father in Glory.
He saw His sorrowful Mother grieving
And gave John to her believing
That in all their tomorrows and all the sorrows
They would comfort one another
Like a son and a mother
One to the other.
And now the appointed hour had arrived
Victorious Victim in spite of what satan contrived
Jesus died for our sin our souls to win
No sense wond'ring what might've been
This was the Father's Plan
Since time began
for mortal man.
They couldn't hear Angels reverently sing
In expectation of a Resurrected Glorious King !
O the JOY three days time would bring !



© Mel Patterson, February 19, 2007

"A Valentine for My Lord"

A Valentine for my Lord

In words that I record

On paper or book,

In poem or story,

Devotion or allegory,
I pray tells of a love
I give to God above
Smaller than His for me
O Lord, I truly love Thee.

My heart I give to Thee
My soul belongs to Thee
May I always cling to Thee
Do Thou, O Lord, stay with me.

No heart is greater than Thine

Thou Who art ever Divine

Who gives us His Heart

Praise Thy Mighty Power

O Strong and Holy Tower

Be in us every hour

As on bended knee

We pray to Thee,

Hopefully.

Remember:

~ The GREAT HEART of GOD ~

Envelops you,

Embraces you.

Encompasses you,

Encapsulates you,

Encircles you,

Is in front of you,

Is in back of you,

Is on each side of you,

Surrounds you,

because

GOD LOVES
you,

For all Eternity

,Then,

Now,

AndForever.

~~~~~~~

© Mel Patterson, Feb., 2007

" The Same....."

The same sun that sets upon thee sets upon me

And the Hand of God in it, I clearly see;

There is no sight that blesses my heart

Quite as much as a sunset can impart.

The same God that looks on thee, looks upon me

And His Blessings upon us we clearly see;

He gives us the stars, moon, rain and sun

From early morning light 'til day is done.

The same expanse of sky over thee is upon me

And God's Glory in its' changing we clearly see;

Whether clear, sunny or colored gray with cloud

He is worthy of all thanks, Praise and Laud.

© Mel Patterson, 2-8-07

" Flame "

An ecru jar candle burns ~
Vanilla fragrance fills the room
The flame flickers brightly
Banishing an oppressive gloom.

The gray-stone fireplace logs burn ~
Warm heat wafts through the room;
The flames lap like tongues of fire
Banishing the cold and gloom.

With snow outside, warmth within ~
The comfort and warmth of this room
Cause my grateful heart to burn with love
For my Lord Who banishes all gloom.

Contemplating the Lord's goodness
As I sit in my comfortable room
My spirit soars; the fire roars ~
All is LIGHT ~ gone is the gloom.

© Mel Patterson 1-28-07

" Lord, God, I thank Thee "

In the velvety black of the midnight sky
Sprinkled with a glitter of stars on high
What lies before me is a sight to behold ~
I would not trade it for rubies nor gold.

The moon rises in the shape of a crescent
The sight of which is most pleasant;
I marvel that it seems to suspend in the air
And I wonder how far away it is up there.

Contemplating the vast beauty above me
I survey the panorama I see.
I am blessed beyond measure ~
Viewing the scene is sheer pleasure,
A hint of heavenly treasure,
Lord, God, I thank Thee
For this incredible beauty.
Lord, God,
I do thank Thee.


© Mel Patterson 1-27-07

" Renewal "

If my heart is pained and stripped bare
Is there anyone at all who would care
If I lived or died, screamed and cried,
Sobbed, trembled, choked and sighed?

If I wore my heart upon my sleeve
That for a life not lived well I'd grieve;
Would anyone at all notice my pain
Befriend me for their own gain
After waxing, see none, then wane?

Is it worth it to bare one's soul?
Will I ever be made whole?
That would be my ultimate goal.
Heartaches are taking their toll;
Lord, grant the drudgery a lull.

Upon bended knee
I plea
Thee
Forgive me.

With soul renewed and restored
I thank Thee profusely Dear Lord;
Thou lifted my burden and my heart
Thy love upon my being, please, impart,
So I may become more like Thee,

Thank Thee,

And Praise Thee...

Eternally.

© Mel Patterson 1-26-07

" Acceptance "

There is a sorrow deep inside of me,
That tugs at my heart and soul
It is regretting the missed opportunity
That ought to have been my spirit's goal.

How is it I did not see the Light?
Why did I not do what I planned?
It seems my soul chose only blight
As I planted my feet in only sand.

As I ponder and pray to you, O Lord
I am beginning to see it your way.
Keep me focused to your holy accord
Help me to mend and bend as you say.

I am yours, Lord, do with me what you will.

Teach me to acquiesce to your Holy Law;
O that I might always hear your call,
Never to ignore your pleading
You're always interceding
To the Father for me
Teach me to see
Thee in
me
That I mirror you
In all I say and do.


© Mel Patterson 1-23-07

" Little Bundle "


Little bundle of pink fluff
You did not live long enough;
You stole my heart since first I saw you
Not to hear your voice, nor little coo,
Little infant babe born so long ago~
To God I offered you, even though
My heart was ripped and ill-equipped
To handle the morose sorrows
Flooding my spirit and my soul
Upon my heart your passing took its' toll.

As these forty years unfold
(For you, today, would have been that old)...
I rejoice in the gift of your precious life
You were spared this earthly strife ~
On your third day, Jesus embraced you
And took you away to where you are
Way above every star
In God's Kingdom ever to be,
And you wait for me
That I can plainly see,
our

little...

Erin Mary.



© Mel Patterson 1-13-07

" I WAIT "

Do you hear me, Lord, when I call to you?
Do you know my every thought and word?
Do you know and see what I say and do?
When I am sad and cry, am I heard?

O dear child of mine, I hear every cry.
I hear what you say and I see what you do.
I am always near; I hear your every sigh
I cherish you and love you endlessly, too.

Before time began I knew you ~
I thought about you for a very long time;
I gave you life and an everlasting soul
That we might sing together in rhyme
For the wedding of your soul to Mine.

I offer you an eternity of wedded bliss,
A grand banquet set before your eyes;
I'll bless your soul with a Holy Kiss
And smilingly take your hand
to my promised land.
Say...'yes'...
Take my hand.
Let me lead
I plead.
It is all for you all that I do.

. ...I wait....

© Mel Patterson 1-3-06

" 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