A Prayer
Gracious God,
hidden but so near;
You work is within us,
holding our hands and hearts
through trying times.
Awaken us with your love,
As we pray for those we love,
and for those who are lost,
even if they are enemies,
for nobody is a true enemy.
We pray even when we think
times are hopeless,
as they seem now.
Keep us all in your special care,
so miracles can happen;
for our kingdom is your kingdom . . . forever.
Amen.
God’s Promise (Isaiah 65)
My new world is about;
rejoice, be glad.
Grieve no more;
the past is yore.
Enjoy renewed long life
in My new pastures,
partaking My nourishing banquet;
you do not suffer in vain;
your children will enjoy
a wonderful, longer life.
I will be with them forever!
adversaries will no longer be;
destruction will be forgotten.
My holy mountain is yours . . .
Evermore!
The Divine Shepherd
I am many people:
a son, a husband, a father,
a teacher, a prayer leader,
a poet, a writer,
many people in one body,
My one body is a flock,
fulfilled by God.
I lay my head in a field of green,
surrounded by the brilliant hues of nature.
I drink from the fresh waters
of the babbling creeks;
I am fulfilled by their nourishment.
I walk on His lighted path;
But sometimes stubble into the shadows,
fearing nothing,
for the strength of my being
is comforted by God’s presence.
Even though there is peril
surrounding me,
I am calmed by the fruitfulness
of His bounteous earth.
My humble earthen cup
is filled by His grace,
happiness and grace satiates my life.
. . .
“and I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.”
Night Visitors
Lying on my rooftop in East Orange,
dreaming as I looked skyward;
in the night sky I saw a single figure.
He was surrounded by an emerald light.
He appeared to me especially, for no one else could see him.
He told me he is my healing protector and also will teach me
to be mirthful, to be filled with love and be able to laugh,
especially at myself.
He said his name was Raphael!
Then I saw a winged figure swoop from the night sky.
He told me that if I stand on my two feet,
he would be there to give me strength,
but only if I believe in myself.
He would be with me to guide me in a (soon to be) difficult world,
and, he instilled within me a positive attitude.
He said he is a hidden god,
one of purpose and organization,
a permanent god of good fortune.
I must not let feelings of pessimism, selfishness, greed,
injustice, power, and abuse govern me;
he told me that I cannot live in a state of depression,
all of this instilled positivity into my very being.
He said his name was Elemiah!
I saw two more figures sweep from the skies to visit me.
One said she would help me control my emotions and my feelings,
but I must allow these emotions to govern my actions and thoughts.
She said this is a virtue I must develop this potential as a man,
to be a kind person to all the people I meet,
to be open to people of all kinds, leaving no one behind.
Her said her name was Caliel!
Her companion was an impressive figure floating before me;
he was a little scary with a massive wingspread, . . . at first; he said he was the guardian who will lead me into the world of thought.
He says he will teach me to be a person of intelligence
He said his name was Haaiah!
At his point Caliel said to follow Haaiah but remember
those who do not share my blessings.
I don’t know what to make of these visions.
I asked others about who these visions are and what they mean.
Relatives and friends laugh and say that I was only dreaming;
Even today after 70 years, my religions leaders don’t know!
On a clear night, I sat out on my front porch looking at the clear night sky.
I saw a million stars; I thought that maybe, just maybe, each star
was another sun with planets surrounding it,
and on one of these planets there were beings just like me,
confused and visited by these figures, by these images
of beings we cannot understand.
I brought back a thought I had when I was that seven-year-old,
lying on an old roof on an old building in New Jersey.
Could these be special messengers sent by God,
to help me, to develop me to what I am today?
Were these four images angels, sent by God to be with me,
to guide me through the hazards that visit me through my life?
Were these four the special angels that I felt around me,
as I lay on an operating table, or recover from a physical or mental problem?
Were these the angels that brought me to the girl I married,
You know, the one who I dreamed about as a young man,
and comforted me throughout my life?
Were these the angels that gave me wonderful children?
And grandchildren?
And friends?
And neighbors?
Are these the angels that will swoop down and deliver me
to the foot of God when I leave this earth?
These comforting thoughts relieve my fears . . . of my future,
of my children’s and grandchildren’s futures,
of the future of the planet we call Earth,
the earth that God used to create my ancient grandparent,
And to which I will return, under the wings of these, my guardian angels.
Sanctify
When I sanctify myself
I am cleansing my soul,
making me holy before God.
Setting myself apart, I
prepare myself for service
to God and to others.
God invites me
to the redemption
of my inner self,
purifying my sins,
and bringing me
to His holy place,
making me holy
before Him, before Jesus.
Jesus makes me free of guilt,
By guarding my words,
sanctifying the lines,
I write.
With God’s help,
I am vindicated
from the evils of the world –
and reverent in His presence.
God asks
me to live my life,
and write what I see
in my book of life.
He placed his hand on me
to serve the weak
and feast last myself.
I do not fear;
He is with me.
Thomas answered:
“My Lord and my God.”
We have not seen,
but we believe.
In this we rejoice;
He is our strength.
We will not be upset;
we are blessed,
because we believe.
God chooses us;
we are his issue.
We lack without Him.
Receive His spirit.
He is always before us.
We walk on His path of life.
His peace is with us
for eternity.
A Prayer of Refuge
Loving God
You are my refuge
My council is in your words
I hear your voice
In the darkness of night
Your light is my way
In your presence
I have the fullness of joy
In your arms
There is eternal pleasure
I follow your entreaty
All is radiant in your world
By your grace
I will be what I will be
Your grace for me
Has not been fruitless
You have become for me
What I am
Can I be a beloved son
Jacob’s Ladder
We know God,
even though we have not seen Him;
with faith
we know He dwells in our hearts.
Our faith fills us with
His presence;
if we doubt,
He still loves and heals us.
Let our doubts form our missions;
our missions let us know
how God loves us.
He loves us from above;
our faith comes from below.
This today is Jacob’s ladder . . .
for us to see God.
Faith
Is there hope in darkness?
Without light, we are lost;
we look for strength
to inspire our lives.
We need assurance
of things hoped for;
Fear not;
just believe
and walk in faith,
not in what is seen;
We are justified by faith,
not by their rules.
Meditating to Heal 