HEAVENLY DANCE

My penitent heart was heavy praying in Church
I knelt sorrowfully until completing my search
for You, Lord,
were coming t'ward me in robe of rose
Gently lifting me up to a blessed and sweet repose.

The gift of Your Divine Presence, how can it be?
I can still see Your coming, Lord, walking towards me
Cupping my elbows with Your tender and loving hands.

You invite me to follow You ~ if I would perchance?
Satan swiftly flees at Your firm commands
And I'm free to waltz with You
in the Heavenly dance.

This is the place I never want to leave;
My soul to Yours will forever cleave.
Invite me again ~ if You would perchance?
That I may join You once more
in the Heavenly dance.

© Mel Patterson, 4-24-09

" PURSUED "

In the depth of my sin, I hear You;
When I run, You steadily follow.
You see all that I wrongly do,
And watch as in mire I wallow.

The mountainous terrains are rough;
The dark nights blind my sight.
The cavernous valleys are tough;
Why do I put up such a fight?

You tap on the door of my mind,
Touch the hardness of my heart,
My mud caked soul you unbind
Washing it, salvation to impart.

Why so relentless Your pursuance
Of my soul small as a grain of sand?
Why lift me to You with the assurance
All I need do is take your Hand?

Your Precious Blood bathes my soul
You cleanse the depth of my being
You show me the Prize, the Utmost Goal
The scales fall away and I am seeing.

Your boundless Love surrounds me
I begin to see the reason I'm here
With peace and joy you crown me
You've wiped away my every tear.

© Mel Patterson, April 2, 2009

" FOOL for CHRIST "

Do Thou rend our hearts, O Christ Jesus.
Who art we that Thou should please us?

Thou lovest us without measure,
Creating us for Thy holy pleasure.

We love Thee with hearts on sleeve
To Thine own heart our hearts cleave.

Teach us Thy way, Thy Truth and Thy Life;
Guide us through all earth's pain and strife.

Teach us to love as Thou dost love
And bringest us to Thy Heaven above.

We art fools for Thee, O Sweet Lord
Loving and Praising Thee in one accord.

There is not one other at all like Thee
From highest heaven to the swelling sea.

We art fools for no other but Thee
It is through Thee we camest to be.

Those fools for satan who follow his way
Lack love, light and peace in their day.

We prayest for them with hearts afire
That they wilt change their hearts desire.

Mayest many be saved by our constant prayer;
Mayest they know that we Christians care.

Thou wert a Fool for us on the Cross dying;
Our own hearts art thus panting and sighing
And in sorrow for Thy Passion art crying.

Thou didst buy our souls with Blood so red;
Like a Lamb to slaughter Thou wert led.

Fools for Christ Who wert Fool for us men
Through Thou ~ Salvation 'tis ours. Amen!

© Mel Patterson, April 1, 2009

" UNTIL THOU CALLEST ME "

When I lift my eyes, my heart and my soul
In prayer to Thee, my God
I know Thy Presence is attending
As my soul seems to be ascending
Far and away from this earth's cares
And I know Thou art hearing my prayers.

Then all too soon I am ripped
And stripped
Back to earth again to be gripped
By woes here below
I wish it were not so
But here it is I must grow
Even though
By faith I know
I shall again ascend
and descend
Until Thou callest me
To be with Thee
Throughout
All
Eternity.


© Mel Patterson, 2-27-09

" GIFT of LIFE "

In the secret recesses of a woman's body conception takes place
And the cells of a new person are replicated through God's grace
Before time, as we know it, began, God willed this baby to be here
And that when birth occurred, heaven and earth would cheer.

Isn't it sad when a human life is stifled, not permitted to grow?
How is it human gods decide life is not worth living, how so?
It is sad enough when a baby dies in utero or after its' birth
How much better adoption, instead of sadness, joy and mirth.

To see baby for the very first time and to hear its' tiny voice
Affords mother and father the perfect reason to rejoice
And they are grateful to God they made the right choice.


Let us PRAISE GOD for the gift of life He gave us,
He is the Author, Creator and Finisher, His Royal Majesty.
Ardently pray to still the unconscionable travesty!
Unite for life from conception to natural death
Feel and hear baby's sweet breath.

Hear our voice ~
Life, a beautiful choice ~
In it we rejoice.

© Mel Patterson, 1-21-09

" HUMBLED "

Upon this early morning rising before Church bells peal
I find my soul at best basking in a presence so real
Where the Lord speaks to the core of my spirit
I pray my ears be open to hear it
As He gently enters and centers
His attention upon me
and...
I am humbled.

His great love for us is impossible to understand;
Each one of us came into being at His command.
There is no other quite like the person you are;
You are as unique as the brightest sparkling star.

Stretching before us is the gift of another new day
With its' moments, minutes and hours we hold sway
What is it we will accomplish as the clock ticks away
Will we use it wisely and set time aside to pray?

It would be well to start the day in thanksgiving and prayer
And Praise the Lord God with deliberate heartfelt care
So...
Upon this early morning rising before Church bells peal
Let's place our souls in God's Presence for real ~
Where He will speak to the core of our spirit;
O may our ears be attentive to hear it
As He gently enters and centers
His attention upon us
and...
we are humbled.

© Mel Patterson - 1-18-09

PINK and GOLD Ribbons

These are the thoughts as my eyes see
Pink and gold ribbons calling me.

In the early morning rising I run to my window
And peer toward the far horizon
To see ribbons in the sky delighting my eye,
Bands of pink outlining oak and evergreen
This is the prettiest sight I've ever seen.

The pink precedes golden ribbons now appearing
Stretching wider into bands of color nearing
The onset of the sun so big, bright and beautiful
In daily praise and thanksgiving I am dutiful.

On a cloud-filled morning, no sun adorning
I know far above the gray and stormy cloud
Are angels in joyful chorus aloud
Waiting for me to join in their singing
And my own soul finds itself winging
Through the clouds, through pink ribbons
Through golden bands toward the Son
When my earthly life is done
My soul He has won.

Such are the thoughts as my eyes see
Pink and gold ribbons calling me.



© Mel Patterson, 1-2-08

FAR SPENT, The Old Year

The old year has far been spent;
What have its' twelve months meant?
Did we use the year wisely or not
Were we miserly....or not?

Did we serve our neighbor kindly
Or selfishly act blindly.
Did we see our brother's need
Or did we feed our own greed?

The old year has far been spent;
Let's take it to God and repent.
The New Year has arrived today
Let's be kind in all we do and say.

Let us cover one another in prayer
Showing we are Christians by our care
Evangelize to those who need our Lord
And to Him all thanks and Praise accord.

Let them see to Whom we belong
Let them hear our Praises in song.
Be Christ to all whom we meet this year
Bringing love, encouragement, hope and cheer

To souls who by the wayside might be
Waiting for us, for you and for me
To tell them about Jesus Who came to save them
That He treasures each one like a precious gem.

The New Year has arrived today
Let's be kind in all we do and say.
For everyone's Salvation we'll pray
God is with us come what may!
He's the Truth, the Life and the Way.

© Mel Patterson 12-31-08

" Eve of the New Year "

The Eve of the New Year is upon us this day
May the good Lord bless us as we pray
Peace to reign over all the lands
As we trust in His capable hands
To effect that longed for goal
And the good of every soul.

There is the new day with a new way
May the good Lord bless us as we pray.


© Mel Patterson, 12-31-08

HOLD FAST

Perseverance is a virtue great blessings to imbue
Through it the soul is nurtured as it heeds every cue
From the Holy Spirit who indwells within it if it is true
To the faith of our fathers who guides us through
This earthly life on our way to heaven above
Where finally we'll rest in God's peace and love.

Hold fast!

While the road we travel is strewn with rocks and hills
And we are faced with pain, suffering and many ills,
Still we hold to the faith we were taught
Even though with slings and arrows we are fraught
Sliding and hiding, caught in the tangle
of satan trying every angle
our souls to wrangle.

Hold fast!

He comes, the Lord God of Hosts
The liar-satan snidely boasts
And sneakily slips away,
No more to hold us sway.
Our Savior bathes us in His Blood
His Graces our souls to flood

Hold fast!

HE COMES !

© Mel Patterson, 12-29-08

" SAVED From the PIT "

Ho Hum. Life is humdrum.
Nothing worthwhile is at hand;
I'm bored clear out of my gourd.
My feet are sinking in quicksand;
No one loves me; no one holds the key.
How is it I ever came to be me?

Wallowing in my own woes
I guess that's how life goes
The devil has a hold I suppose
Just look at me - it shows.

A spark! A vestige of hope
Perhaps I can cope
A whisper in my ear,
"Take my hand, my Dear.
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life
Come to save you from the strife
To take you away from rife
Come with Me
And you'll see
I promise Eternity
Come, be with Me."

I acquiesce. I say, Yes.
Yes to all You say.
I repent, forgive my sin
My life I will amend
To Your Will I bend
My soul to You I commend.

I firmly recommit and humbly submit
You have saved me from the pit.

Thank You, Savior mine
You are
Holy, Sacred and Divine
Make my heart like Thine.

© Mel Patterson, 12-29-08

" 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

"Thru Jesus I've Won"

All I can say is my heart bleeds for you
And to God it lovingly pleads for you.
You can't know how hard I pray
That the pain will go away.

The Jesus in me wants you healed;
In His Love you are forever sealed
His pure heart gives your soul wings
To soar and fly where the sparrow sings
Peace and Joy is what He brings
This Lord of lords, this King of kings.

I pray His Healing Hand to draw you
Softly, tenderly, gently, to His Heart
For your healing and restoration, too
His wholeness and holiness to impart

May the day be swift, quickly the night follow through
When we may sing His Praises because of you
For the healing that is sure to come
As prayers are prayed for you, Dear one,
We place our full trust in God's Only Son
One day you will say, "thru Jesus I've won!"

© Mel Patterson, 11-28-08

" OPEN HANDS "

Lord, you stand before me open hands extended;
I see those deathly wounds, your life expended!
I reach for them and my soul is at peace
For my sins, Lord, forgive me, please.

How I have grieved you, I'll never really know.
The look in your eyes your deep love does show
My heart breaks for the sorrow I have caused you
I'm very sorry for my own heart was tossed too.

Why did it take so long for me to come around
For me to realize I needed higher ground?
You, O Lord, are all that I will ever need.
Just walk ahead of me and kindly lead
me to that place of heavenly peace
where humbly I adore Thee on my knees
O, great King, my Lord and my God
I kiss the ground Thou dost trod!

Open hands reaching out to me,
Lord, forever I thank Thee
And evermore I'll praise Thee.


© Mel Patterson, 11-21-08

Jesus encourages us to be persistent

in prayer so that God will act.

" Released from Purgatory "

When I think of the Holy Souls in prayerful mode,
I see millions of lights float to the heavenly abode;
They speedily travel upward right before my eyes
Floating swiftly yet gently to the skies.

Surely their souls were Blood-bought
As they yearned and hungrily sought
To be cleansed of all of their sin
In that refining place they've been;
Their sufferings are not for nought!
God knows what our prayers have wrought.

Our prayers can help them attain the Goal
As one by one there is refined a precious soul
From life to death to purgative cleansing,
The Holy Souls purified begin ascending.
Freed at last from their painful load
Lighted souls float to the heavenly abode
Speedily traveling upward before the eyes
Floating swiftly...yet gently...to the skies.

© Mel Patterson, 11-4-08

" WHEN IS IT OVER "

When is it over you ask questioning soul?
It's not over until you reach the Ultimate Goal.
The road is rough, the waters run deep;
The roads are rugged, the mountains steep.

Struggle you do over miles of bleak terrain,
Scurrying, and hurrying, trying to stay sane.
Through turbulent waters you swim the race;
Upon maturity you gain His blessed grace.

How will you know when your life is done?
How will you know when your race is run?
Only God knows where your life will take you,
Your soul's disposition and destination, too.

He is the Author and the Finisher of life.
When asked He pulls you through strife and rife.
Prayer is the key to draw Him to the heart,
Communion and union, never nor ever to part

Dear soul carry on in the best manner you can,
Praying, thanking, and praising the Son of Man.
His great love for you is ever deeply abounding ~
Listen! Can't you hear the heavens resounding?

As the time draws nigh, longingly you sigh
To be where He is in the "sweet by and by"...
And it shall be so...........one day...
For that you pray as you say,
As did The Son,
Not my will Father
but Yours be done.



© Mel Patterson, 10-16-08

" HE SHOWS HIS LOVE "

When I gaze upon the morning sunrise
I ponder the grandeur of God
Who has blessed our sight out of the night
Into the dawning of new daylight.

The sun may shine and the rain may fall
The snows cover the earth in peaceful pall
The earth may heave, waters may swell
Ebbs and flows of tides in time quell.
Every season's beauty we can see
Through God's creativity.

The Lord our God shows us and tells us
In countless ways - one after the other
Of His everlasting and unconditional Love
For you and me, His sister and brother,
His Heart to uncover.

Humility personified, Jesus, the Lord
Through Love His Blood was poured.
To Him alone all Praise we accord
Always and ever may He be adored.



© Mel Patterson, 9-18-08

" A MAN NAMED ART "

A man named Art was sitting on the edge of his bed
Seeing him there alone we were strongly led
To go in and greet him with a warm "Hello,"
He looked a bear of a guy, an appealing fellow.

He was a black man as black as a man can be.
In that hospital room it was obvious to see,
He was staring at the blank green wall,
Leaning on the table cupping his jaw.
We told him we were led to call.

He smiled and told us his name
We smiled and did the same.
As we left we said, "God bless you, Art."
He in kind, said, "Thanks from my heart."
He thanked us warmly with a twinkle in his eye
This benevolent seeming very tall guy.
He made us smile, this gentle giant;
To the Lord's wish we were compliant.
Thank God Mena and I went;
I know Art was heaven-sent.

For the little we did for him, He did for us so much more;
We couldn't know the blessings that were in store.
We saw Jesus in him and in his smile
So happy we visited him for a while....
The memory of a man named Art
Is forever etched in my heart.
Thank God
for that man named Art.

© Mel Patterson, 9-1-08

There are 12 of us who go out two by two each week
to do two hours of works. We visit nursing homes,
the hospital, shut-ins, and we evangelize.
Hence, it was Filomena and I who visited
the hospital this week.

Our Lady of Knock Praesidium

St. Charles Borromeo Church

PA

" FIND our VOICE "

When things go well, it is easy to be of good cheer;
Life seems good, we're happy, no time for a tear.

When the good times are over and we wear a frown,
When problems weigh upon us and wear us down,
Find our voice, give thanks for the blessings given;
Pray to the Lord for whom the soul has striven
We will be blessed and Holy Sprit driven
To Praise Him morning, noon and night
Even if life seems a plight
Soon troubles will take flight
In Him we will delight.

Find our voice !
He's our Choice !!
We Rejoice !!!
Find our voice !

© Mel Patterson, 8-31-08

" A Briney Sea "

I see the rolling waves undulating in the deep blue ocean,
I hear the gushing, the rushing and the turbulent motion;
While many of us are in the waters thrashing all about

Frighteningly and frantically, "Save us! " we shout.

Our vessel has sunk; we were tossed into the rough sea;
How could that upset have happened, how did it come to be?
Life boats filled to capacity, life rings clung to in a death-grip
Help comes, rescuers arrive to lift us onto another ship.

I taste the salty brine and choke on what I swallow;
I drift in and out of consciousness and helplessly wallow
In waters of oblivion, with others just like me ~ in that sea
Until I hear the sound of a bell ringing in the distance
Ringing and ringing with great persistance.
It snaps me out of that horrific situation;
I find blessed relief without hesitation.
A new day has dawned,and I stretch with a yawn.




© Mel Patterson, 8-9-08