He Is Risen

Let His words become a part of you
And you will know He is near
His message, ours to share and do,
Offers comfort and good cheer

His words become a part of me

And I know He is near

His message, is for sharing

For comfort and good cheer

Jesus Is Resurrected

Peter and another
Ran unto the scene
One ahead of the other...
The empty tomb was seen

They tried to comfort Mary
But she refused to leave
She wanting to carry
Him back from the thief

A voice said, "Why weepest thou?"
She explained her pain
Another said, "What seekest thou?"
Then...He spoke her name

She turned herself, saying aloud
"Rabboni" in the tenderest way
She could not touch Him, it was not allowed
But she was first to see Him that day

Mary tells us what took place
Jesus ascended to God above
She saw His triumphant face
And recognized His voice and love

Jesus Is Laid in a Tomb

They carried His body to a disciple's tomb
And wrapped Him carefully in clean cloth
They had to leave for the Sabbath was soon
And sealed up the sepulcher with a rock

So no false claims could be made
Several guards watched at the wall
But they became sore afraid...
An earthquake scattered them all

Suddenly angels of the Lord
Descended down from heaven
And sat upon this fallen door
Their watch keep to be given

Mary Magdalene and one, Mary
Came to prepare the body at dawn
Instead they were given a message to carry:
He is not here, He is risen- and lives on!

They looked and saw the place, where linen lay
He had risen, He was gone, just as they had said
They were given to tell the disciples without delay
For He had left for Galilee, and was already ahead

Oh how they ran to bring His disciples word
At the news both fear and joy filled their hearts
They marveled to see the resurrected Lord!
Each wanting to do what was asked as their part

Matthew 27

Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified

The scourging could be heard
But not a cry, He made
At Him cruel words were hurled
To add to the pain they laid

Jesus was scourged in a tortuous cage
And a scarlet robe was thrown upon His back
Then in the common hall He was put on stage
Crowned with platted thorns and a reed for a staff

They bowed at the knee and hailed, "King of the Jews!"
Mocking, they spit and smote the reed to His head
Then, they sent Him off with His cross bearing His news
Too painfully slow, it was carried by Cyrene instead

They came to a place known to look like a skull
And nailed Him to and lifted up the cross
They gave Him vinegar sickly mingled with gall
And parted His garments to cast them by lots

Then sitting below they watched Him in pain
While others, spat out and reviled all He had said
Mocking His powers as one mighty to save
Till the ninth hour... He spoke.  It was sacred....

He cried out a prayer to our Father above
As He had been forsaken for our guilt
That was more painful than we could ever dream of....
Then, He gave up the ghost as this pain was stilled

Matt 27:26-50

Jesus Is Condemned before Pilate

When morning had come, Jesus was bound
And brought before Pontius Pilate
Many questions were asked, but naught could be found
When the crowd heard, they became violent

Now because of the feast they all had a say
Of one who would be allowed to go free
The false one they chose, named Barabbas, that day
Complaining Jesus was guilty of blaspheme

Clearly, they prevailed, for the tumult they made
Pontius called for the water as per the Jewish custom
Thus before all, he washed his hands of the blame
And the people said, "His blood be upon us and our children."

Jesus Tried by Caiaphas, Peter Denies Knowing Christ

With torches lit for the long night
Jesus was brought before Caiaphas
Fully prepared to prove they were right
The Chief Priests produced witnesses

What was said was nothing new!
But was taken out of context
Clothing was rent, anger grew
Jesus was treated with contempt

"What think ye?" the High Priest looked on
Wanting to end the trial taking place
One by one Jesus was spit upon
And each raised a fist upon His face

Meanwhile..., without, Peter could not sleep
He paced, distraught, fully in despair
Was he not with the man of Galilee?
He was asked of the people there

But he denied the Lord three times cursing with an oath:
"I know not know the man! ...what thou sayest! I do not know the man!"
Then suddenly he mourned, as the first cock crowed
Resounding Christ's alarm: Watch out! Have faith! Flee from the temptors' hand!

The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane

In the Garden of Gethsemane
With naught a soul around
Of the disciples, He took but three
To the wine press... without a sound

He being sorrowful, nigh unto death
Went a little further and fell on His face
To the Father He prayed with agonizing breath
Asking the cup to pass, though this the time and place

Nevertheless, God did not intervene
Jesus submitted and did not cower
Then to Peter and the sons of Zebedee
He asked, "Could ye not watch with me one hour?"

"Watch and pray,"  He warned to advise
That they not enter into temptation
But they could not escape from the sleep in their eyes
And He went back to His lonely station

For the second time, He prayed that the cup might pass
Nevertheless, painfully... bitterly... He did drink
Then back to His disciples, what more could He ask?
Jesus went away... to the Father's will, He did not shrink

Then a third time He saw the apostles asleep as before
In the garden that for Him offered no rest
He suffered, knowingly, blood escaping each pore
That in our trials and infirmities, He might know... to bless

Enduring all that is dark, crazed, and sinister
He suffered more than any could know
Quietly an angel came to administer
That the love of a Father could overflow

To a fresh stream He dropped and knelt
He dipped His hands and washed His wearied face
Soon to return to his friends as terrible as He felt
For Judas would come, knowing of the place

Yes, the hour was at hand
And He was betrayed
The kiss His to withstand
The torn ear to be stayed

The scapegoat was tied
Stained with all of our sins
To be unfairly tried
And suffer once again

The Last Supper

With one last look at the dusk of this day
Jesus entered with God's words on His lips
He washed their feet, too, of him set to betray
As a pattern, an example to witness

Then, He sat down before the passover feast
The hour was soon that He should depart
He as their servant, He as the least
Did institute and impart

They, save Jesus, drank of the fruit of the vine
He dipped bread for Judas in the bitter sop
To whom He then said, "Do quickly." at this time
Knowing of his meagerly paid evil plot

Judas, who had been leaning at Jesus' breast
As they partook of the passover meal
Fulfilled the prophecy of this bread
And then left, unclean, lifting his heel

All the others were much unaware
For Judas had with him the bag of funds
They thought him on an errand of care
He kept his secret, for that is what evil does

Jesus then unwrapped His gift
The bread of life, His body
Soon to be torn and then lift
For the souls of everybody

"In remembrance of me," He gave
And would that each pass and partake
Then of His blood that would mightily save
He offered with covenants to make

"Love one another,"  meekly He said
"That which you have seen me do, do likewise."
Of His good news He taught them, He fed
To prepare them and open their eyes

There was no hatred, nor was their fear
He came to the world, yet was not of it
He spoke more of peace and said, "Be of good cheer."
He filled them with love, too for our profit

Then into the night, leaving all they had known
They went to the garden where Jesus would pray
Where in agony, He would atone all alone
And speak to Our Father in the tenderest way

The Lord's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

They drew nigh unto Jerusalem

Just above the Mount of Olives

Jesus sent two disciples before Him

For the donkey, with the humblest of motives

The new day was just dawning

When Jesus entered the city gate

A multitude stood calling

"Hosannah in the highest!" The could hardly wait

Garments, strewn, lay before Him

Welcoming Him as their King

Branches, they waved and strew them

For His triumph, this was their offering

He rode into the city on a donkey

Like the Old Testament said that He would

What lay before Him was looming... haunting

Clearly, His sacrifice, He understood

Light filtered and danced as, forth, He came

His smile they felt, to memorize

Yet soon He'd be the scapegoat they would blame

And "crucify Him" would be their cries

Matthew 21

1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessedis he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

What Does Jesus Think of Me?

What think ye of Christ?

Is asked again and again

Who walks in His light

Proven, as a friend?

What does Jesus think of me?

More and more I want to know.

When I live as one loving

I feel light inside me grow.

Only a few have known for sure-

Their calling and election given.

Enduring well, becoming pure

To enter the gates of heaven.

A disciple's path is well marked

There is only one true way

The natural man to discard

Following Christ each new day

Pondering Elder Andersen's talk

April General Conference 2012

Daily Fuel

I did not feel so well today
I prayed and shared this was so
Then with faith I worked all day
With strength that was not my own

With things to do 
And care to give
Love is the fuel
For the drive to live

The Darkness of Death

  The darkness of death, though ever real
Can be dispelled by the Lord, Jesus Christ
He, who has power over Earth to heal,
 Is the resurrection and the life
He Is Risen: A Prophet’s Testimony

"I believe that none of us can conceive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. ... The darkness of death can ever be dispelled by the light of revealed truth. ‘I am the resurrection, and the life,’ spoke the Master. ‘He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.’"

—President Thomas S. Monson, "He Is Risen: A Prophet’s Testimony", Liahona, Apr. 2012
Topics: Jesus Christ, Atonement

Nearer My God to Thee (Behind The Scenes) ThePianoGuys

A tribute "behind the scenes"
Should alway mention your wife
And take you back to your dreams
Before they came true in your life

The beauty of pollination

The world it seems
Is now a bloom
Everything drinks
In of perfume

this is silent on my computer
like the life of a butterfly

Daring Energy

It is said: an addict is full speed ahead
Uncontrollably, depressingly, "out of his head"
Thus, watch what happens when he hits a wall
For when he repents, that energy, now, out does us all

Get out of the way of the addict
And let this "accident" occur
To be safe they must be strict
And the Savior is the cure

..........................................
For some the wall is an arrest
Shall we soften that blow?
For others, their health does test
Laws are in place... to know

Dare to know Christ
Dare to let Him heal
Through Him come alive
Through Him truly feel

Mountains to Climb

The trials that we know
Are as mountains to ascend
Each step to help us grow
If we've faith... blessings descend

It is easy to lose courage
As we cannot see ahead
Thus at each clear peak or ridge
We seek our progress instead

More along the way
Time stretches out...to think
For patience, we pray
Lest in our hearts we sink

Oft the path is steep
And the winds howl long
The ravines, dark and deep,
 Remind us to hold on

There are trails to skip-
This path is but straight
It is easy to slip
And then go astray

The more we ascend
Faith and strength does grow
For where we have been
We can see... and know

Pondering President Henry B Erying
Mountains to Climb
April 2012 General Conference

He Taught Us

He taught us how to live
He taught us how to die
He taught how to forgive
And pray to God on high

He passed beneath all things
When He could have turned His back
He served to save all things
Sacrificing in our behalf

None of us can conceive
The full import of what He did
But in truth, I believe
He knows us and He lives!

He Is Risen: A Prophet’s Testimony

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 08:00 AM PDT

"I believe that none of us can conceive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. At the last moment, He could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things. In doing so, He gave us life beyond this mortal existence. He reclaimed us from the Fall of Adam. To the depths of my very soul, I am grateful to [the Savior]. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. He secured our salvation."

—President Thomas S. Monson, "He Is Risen: A Prophet’s Testimony", Liahona, Apr. 2012
Topics: Jesus Christ, Resurrection

Boundries and Bottom Lines

Where is your boundary
You will not dare to cross?
The wall upon finding
You'd flee at any cost?

What is your bottom line
For your goals to achieve?
What do you need all the time
To find strength to believe?

The Reassuring Squeeze

The reassuring squeeze
Of a warm handshake
Does my heart both please
And confidence awake

The holiest hand clasp
Is a two way covenant
A promise set to task
Of what is said is meant

Jesus Made Himself a Sacrifice for All

Jesus made Himself
A sacrifice for all.
He ransomed us from Hell
And overcame the Fall.

The ultimate good
Completely unblemished
For the world stood
Till the work was finished.

Every bit of evil...
Painfully He suffered.
Pressed to know His people
The perfect lamb was offered.

No more, need we sacrifice
As in the days of old.
Fully, He has paid the price
That we come into the fold.

What can I, to Him, give?
An offering of my own?
In newness, I want to live
As a disciple... known.

Yet, I am but ordinary.
How could I possibly please Him?
I've but the broken heart to carry
And a contrite spirit, even

My family has disowned me
My country and my friends
But, the gospel I hold dearly
I feel the strength God sends

What else matters
To be first in my life
For hope gathers
Healing all pain and strife

In memory of all who have left something behind to know Christ.  Knowing with God all things are possible, with hope, they take the journey of faith.
Pondering Elder Oaks conference talk
Mar 31 2012