Saturday, February 27, 2016

Dungeon Beneath House of Caiphas

For Monday, February 29, 2016

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: alfa-img.com

THE DUNGEON
Israel Pilgrimage—2006

There is a pit
beneath the House of Caiphas
a once dark, dismal, terrifying hole
into which prisoners
were lowered by ropes
under their armpits

Our Lord Jesus likely
was brought here directly
from the Garden of Gethsemane
on the night He was betrayed by Judas

The scene seems less horrific today
than when I was here in 1986
Then, it was easier to imagine
a terrifying incarceration
of a prisoner, especially
an innocent prisoner, alone
amid ominous dampness and vermin
in the very bowels of the earth

The pit is located beneath a church—
the Church of Saint Peter of Gallicantu
(of the cock’s crow)
named for where, in the courtyard
Peter denied knowing Jesus three times

It’s been spiffed-up—
It’s brighter. The descent, easier
It’s not nearly as dismal

but, back in eighty-six
as Rev. Wayne Monbleau read Psalm 22
in that detestable dungeon

…they pierced
my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones…[1]

I closed my eyes, and literally
trembled…trembled…trembled
imagining how terribly Jesus suffered
to wash my sins away

Maude Carolan Pych


[1] Psalm 22:17-18 NASB

The Spotless Lamb

For Sunday, February 28, 2016

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: joelstrumpet.com
THE PASSOVER LAMB

Abba went into the sheepfold to choose a spotless lamb,
as Moses gave instructions that he got from the I Am.

Our lamb, indeed, was spotless, so I named him Wooly Bright;
we brought him inside to live with us, morning, noon and night.

I ran my fingers through his coat and fed him from my hand,
I put fresh water in his trough; he’s the best lamb in the land!

Today he’ll be our sacrifice. Moses said this must be done.
He must die that I may live, for I’m a firstborn son.

We’ve been oppressed by slavery; Pharaoh will not let us go,
but God’s mighty arm will save us. We’ll watch His power flow.

Moses told us, take lamb’s blood, and brush it on the lintel
then we will be protected; it almost sounds too simple.

Tonight we will leave Egypt and journey far from home,
but I’ll remember Wooly Bright wherever I may roam.


Someday the world will see in this, God’s salvation plan;
God’s Son will be the sacrifice, the great Passover Lamb!

For as God will use blood of lambs to set His people free,
the precious Blood of Jesus will save sinners…you and me.

Maude Carolan Pych

Friday, February 26, 2016

A New Creation in Christ

For Saturday, February 27, 2016

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: school.trinitydowntown.com

METAMORPHOSIS

Once I was a caterpillar, dwelling upon the earth,
Crawling along day by day, adept at feigning mirth.
I only knew the earthy life, I thought that that was it;
I took what terra firma gave, the pleasures and the grit.
There was no beauty in me.  No one ever looked here twice,
Few cared if I were evil, no one knew if I were nice.
I was only concerned with myself, what the earth could give,
Yet, inside I was sensing a far better way to live.
Instinct led me to spin a thread and weave a neat cocoon;
I became a living mummy, wrapped tight within my tomb.
What was happening to me?  I tried to kick and shout,
“Help me!  Open up this thing!  I want to get right out!”
No one heard and I was powerless, so I went to sleep,
Not knowing what was ahead of me, feeling something deep.
I don’t know how much time went by within my tiny tomb,
But sensed that I was being changed, as one inside a womb.
Finally, instinct worked in me.  There was a sudden urge
To break out of my chrysalis and from the dark emerge.
Somehow, I then received the strength to burst my being free;
Alas, the golden Light broke through and there was a new me!
I took some time to understand, some time to wonder why,
Then I just shook myself a bit and I began to fly!
And `lo, I was so beautiful, and `lo, I saw the sun...
Oh, after living on the earth, soaring was great fun!
A wretched worm was I no more, I knew that that was true,
I was reborn and I became a creation wholly new!
A butterfly!  A butterfly!  I received my wings,
Glorious splendors of the Heavens, all the higher things.
All old things have passed away, they’ll never come again;
I’ve set my mind on things above, on these I will attend.
Now, even when I swoop to earth and walk upon the ground,
I’ll never be a worm again...I’m Butterfly...glory bound!
Praise God for metamorphosis, it’s by His loving grace
That I’m a new creation now, and I shall see His Face.

Maude Carolan

Thursday, February 25, 2016

At Golgotha

For Friday, February 26, 2016


A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: panoramio.com

THE PLACE OF THE SKULL[1]
“O death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:55

Israel Pilgrimage—1987

We gather at the base
of a mountainous rock
into which time has carved
the natural image of a human skull
…hence, its chilling name:
Place of the Skull

Above this mound lies Golgotha
where on the most significant day
in the history of the world
Jesus of Nazareth was crucified
between two thieves

I stare into the hollow eyes
of this ominous image
and am reminded of Ezekiel
and the dry bones

bones that took on flesh
and blood and breath
and came to life
before his very eyes

Life.

Life is what happens at Golgotha

Life that is victorious
over the skull and bones. Victorious
over the ominous face of death

Life. Everlasting life—
for all atoned of sin

who believe

Maude Carolan Pych





[1] There are two locations worthy of serious consideration as the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, the traditional site lies within the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the other is Gordon’s Calvary (Golgotha/The Place of the Skull) and the Garden Tomb. Ref. Grace Communion International

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Some Call Him Yeshua

For Thursday, February 25, 2016


A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: tshuvah.weebly.com

YESHUA[1]

Yeshua
Yes, You are
The Blessed Offspring
Of I Am

Yeshua
Yes, You are
The Paschal
Lamb

Yeshua
Our Atonement
Flowed down
Crossed
Wooden beams

Ebbing Life
Became
Our Great Salvation

Yes, it did

Suffering Servant
Lion of Judah
Sar ha Shalom[2]

Yeshua
Yes, You are
Ha Mashiach[3]

Yes!

You Are.

Maude Carolan


[1] Hebrew for Jesus
[2] Hebrew for Prince of Peace
[3] Hebrew for the Messiah

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

The Lamb...Cradle to Cross

For Wednesday, February 24, 2016

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday


WHAT'S THIS I SEE?

What's this I see in a feeding trough?
A lamb asleep in a bed of straw
without any blemish to behold…
The Lamb deserves a crown of gold.

What's this upon crossbeams, I see?
A lamb impaled…sacrificially!
I fall to my knees before His Grace.
The Lamb looks down...
                              I see God's face.

From blood that on the lintels be,
from cradle to cross the Lamb I see.
The whole Word holds a mystery…deep!
The Lamb is slain. We are His sheep.

The Heavens proclaim the newborn Lamb,
only offspring of the great I AM,
Who from that humble bed of straw
became our Savior…
Let's bow in awe!

Maude Carolan

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Love of God

For Tuesday, February 23, 2016...

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: bereabaptist.org


SOMETIMES I WISH…

How can I tell
how can I show
how grateful I am
that You are my Savior?

Sometimes I wish
it were possible to
leave the roast in the oven
the suds in the sink

and follow my heart’s cry
to the land of the Bible
to climb Calvary’s hill
in beautiful Zion

Oh! I’d fall to my knees
at the foot of the Cross
and wrap my arms tightly
‘round its stained wooden base

and press a trembling cheek
against the old splintered grain
and thank You for Love
so wide and so deep
beyond what I can fathom

then I’d kiss it and weep
kiss it and weep

and whisper, I love You
from the depths of my being
for I’m eternally grateful
My Savior, My Lord

Maude Carolan Pych

Sunday, February 21, 2016

What is Truth?

For Monday, February 22, 2016

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Sunday

Image credit: www.viralnovelty.net


WHAT IS TRUTH?
John 18:38

I first learned
the importance of truth
at my mother’s knee
My children
learned it at mine

Life has taught me
truth is truth, even
if no one believes it
if no one wants to believe it
if every man is a liar

What’s true is true, even
if millions is spent
to disprove it
if it’s argued against
lobbied against
debated against
railed against
voted against
legislated against

Truth Is

absolute—

even if it’s watered down
to make it acceptable
skirted around
to soften its appeal
lubed with oil
so it goes down
nice and easy
sugar coated
to make it palatable

even if it looks
soooo, soooo good

Truth is Truth
whether it’s popular
or unpopular

…even
in the face
of persecution

Pilate asked,
What is truth?

The Psalmist wrote,
The sum of God’s word
is truth

Jesus said,
I Am the Truth

He also said,
Everyone on the side
of truth
listens to Me

I believe the supreme
Truth is a Man
and His unchanging Word

…even though    
He be crucified

Jesus—
Salvation Truth
Resurrection Truth
Living Truth

Truth—
I can stand up for


Maude Carolan Pych

Saturday, February 20, 2016

The Lord Our God is Holy

For Sunday, February 21, 2016

A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: youtube.com

THE NAME

YHVH
the tetragrammaton
the unutterable
four consonants
of the Most Holy Name
of the Great I Am
Who was, Who is
Who is to come

Whose radiant Face
eyes of mortals
could not behold
and live

Whose Holy Ark
mere mortals
could not touch
and live

until He
Who always was
came in the Person
of His Son

and mortals flocked
to hear Him speak
children climbed
upon His lap
sick and lowly
sought His touch
even grasped
at His hem

By His Word
even the dead arose

When He
Who always was
shed His innocent Blood
upon Calvary’s Cross
the thick woven veil
to the Holy of Holies
tore top to bottom
that all may enter in

By His Holy Name
Salvation comes

Now we know Him
as our Brother
Savior, Friend

We call Him
Jesus—

the Christ

Maude Carolan

Friday, February 19, 2016

Beautiful Savior

For Saturday, February 20, 2016


A-Poem-a-Day
Until Resurrection Day

Image credit: oneyearbibleblog.com




BEAUTIFUL

It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            Crimson streaming
            From His crown
                        Hands,
                                    Side,
                                                Feet,
            Onto my head,
                        Flowing down my face,
                                    Over my body,
                                                Covering my feet,
                                                            Making me whiter than snow.

It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            It’s agony.
            He calls for His Father,
            Writhes, gasps.
                        Oh, the weighty burden
                        Of sin upon the Sinless One,
                                    The world’s,
                                                Mine,
                                                            Yours.
            Agony,
            Ushering the covenant of salvation -
                        The world’s,
                                    Mine,
                                                Yours.
It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            It’s finished.
            They take Him down
                        From the good and terrible Cross.
            Hastily,
                        They place Him in the tomb.
            Securely,
                        They seal the rolling stone.
                        They guard His grave
                                    In awesome,
                                                Tremulous,
                                                            Expectant
                                                                        Stillness.
It’s not a pretty sight -
It’s beautiful.
            His Body, gone.
                        Gone!  With power
                        In one resplendent moment -
                        Seal unsealed,
                                    Stone rolled,
                                                Earth jolted on its axis.

                        Angels appear, hallowing -
                                    Alleluia!  Alleluia!
                                                He is risen!
                                                            We live
                                                            Because He lives.

                                                                                    It is beautiful.
                                                                                    Beautiful.


Maude Carolan