Sunday, January 28, 2024

"I Can't Make You Love Him"

 

Photo credit: nowhabersham.com


I CAN'T MAKE YOU LOVE HIM

 

I can't make you love Him if you don't

can't strike a match

to cause your heart to blaze

at the mention of His Name

can't cause you to tremble

as I tremble

before His holiness

can't jumpstart love

from the outside in

It only happens from the inside out

 

No matter how much I love you

 

loving Him

is not something you can get from me

like a cup of mulled cider or a hug

not something you can inherit

like good genes, strong teeth or curly hair

not something I can demonstrate

like how to knead dough or rhyme couplets

nor is it something I can gift-wrap

tie with a crimson ribbon

and give you to make you happy

 

No, all I can do is tell the old, old story

about His beauty, as I perceive it

His mercy, as I've experienced it

His wonders and His love

All I can do is hope, pray

and wait

 

Truth will not impose

Truth waits to be sought

Answers wait for age-old questions

The Door waits for your knock

 

When He opens

you'll find He's been expecting you

already loving you

 

No, I can't make it easy, although it can be

I embarked on my quest; you'll embark on yours

No, I can't make you love Him if you don't

but should your quest lead you to His heart

I'll be waiting, like the One inside the Door

to dance in the glow of His grandeur with you

 

Maude Carolan



"Behold the Lamb...poetically!"

by Maude Carolan Pych

is available online

at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, etc.


www.maudecarolanpych.net

Sunday, January 21, 2024

"Wonderful News"

When I was young, I would shudder whenever I heard Peggy Lee sing that mournful song, "Is That All There Is?"...then I met Jesus and realized that there's more...much more!

Image credit: drericz.com


WONDERFUL NEWS

 

I have to share the most wonderful news with those I love most in this world.

The news I have is more precious, by far, than diamonds or rubies or gold.

 

There was an enormous void in my life. “Is this all there is?” I would ask.

I searched far to find some meaning in life. It seemed an unknowable task.

 

One day someone shared the Gospel with me, and I learned that Jesus is real.

I prayed to invite Him into my heart and was filled with astonishing zeal!

 

The day that He gave His life on the Cross, to save all mankind from our sin,

He opened to us salvation by grace; life eternal, the prize that we win.

 

You know that I share the best that I have with my cherished family and friends,

so listen, dear one, to this wonderful news upon which ever-after depends.

 

Just open your Bible to the Gospel of John, third chapter, verse number three,

then read of God’s love in the sixteenth verse to learn what has happened to me.

 

Some people grow up with Bible in hand, without Jesus burning in heart,

some haven’t explored the true meaning of life, some wouldn’t know where to start.

 

Whether you’re Protestant, Jewish, my friend, Catholic, Muslim, atheist,

my news is for you and all who will hear, who long to receive of God’s best.

 

You needn’t become a fanatic or prude, I’ve no list of do nots and dos.

God’s Spirit will teach you all you need know. The offer’s too good to refuse.

 

Although tribulation may take you by storm and trials may bring a hard test,

God’s greater, He’s faithful, He’ll bring you through to victory. You’ll shine in His rest.

 

This can be the greatest day of your life, the day you receive the New Birth.

This can be the day you begin to know why we’re the happiest people on earth.

 

Like me, you will yearn to share the Good News with all of the people you love.

Like me, you will want all those you meet to be touched by our Great God above.

 

 Maude Carolan Pych



Here I am with a copy of my book of poems

about the Birth, Death, & Resurrection of Jesus.

It's titled, "Behold the Lamb...poetically!" 

and is available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.


www.maudecarolanpych.net


Sunday, January 14, 2024

"MY EMMAUS"

 

"Meeting the Christ on the road to Emmaus"

A painting by Daniel Bonnell



MY EMMAUS

 

When I first found You

or You found me

I thought I'd go

from strength to strength

pinnacle to pinnacle

joy to joy

and so it was for a season

when love was new

 

then the whirlwind came

thrashing through my world

upending all my securities

leaving me stunned, broken, alone

certain I would die

 

so I waited for You to save me

waited for the prayers

pleaded at Your scarred feet

to avail their just reward

for I believed in You

trusted, hoped

Eyes veiled, I couldn't find You

failed to recognize You

along the road

 

Had I believed

in vain?

 

Then You began to speak

not audibly, but

whenever I opened Your Word

Radiance, Glory

Unfailing Love

sprang from the page

and became manifest

My heart blazed!

I began to shine

 

Now, on the other side of sorrow

I dare not forget

my burning heart,

Your Glorious Presence

so I abide, remembering

it is You, my Jesus

Who walks with me

along the road

 

Maude Carolan




"Behold the Lamb...poetically!"

by Maude Carolan Pych

is available online

at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, etc.


www.maudecarolanpych.net