Night Visitor

Mere words cannot describe the way I feel,
when I first think of God as He appears,
and with an overwhelming wave so real,
He comes to comfort me and quell my fears.
Like when night clouds part and the moon beams through,
to flood our vision with her stunning light,
God's presence all at once breaks into view,
abruptly to conclude the gloom of night.
His dawning scatters all my worries dark,
the troubled thoughts of all my problems cease,
my battery of faith begins to spark,
as comforted I sense His calming peace.
I'm grateful, Lord, You brighten and console
the dark discomfort of my burdened soul.

                                -- by Pete Voelz        11/07

Why God Is Great

God is not great because He shaped the stars,
because He formed the flowers and the sun,
for forging Jupiter, the moon and Mars,
but for His Personhood of Three in One.
God is not great for offering us heaven or hell,
nor great because He rules from heaven above,
nor for His victory when Lucifer fell,
but for my soul made capable of love.
God did not make me great to be a king,
nor make me free just so I could be free,
nor free to shop and buy most everything,
but free to love Him back for loving me.
You’re great, O God, because You love and care,
and we’re both great for this great love we share.

                                     -- by Pete Voelz      2/27/12

Gift and Giver

My gift is worth more not because of me,
its worth derives from Him to Whom it's given;
God's gift to me is worth infinity,
God gives my gift the endless worth of heaven.
God's greatness wraps itself around my gift,
and then because my gift is given free,
my gift's unworthiness begins to shift,
and God's great worth uplifts my gift and me.
I cannot give unless God wants me to,
His power alone lets me my gift deliver,
and only God can tell my faith is true,
and with His infinite love bless gift and giver.
Accept this worthless gift from worthless me,
and raise me, God, to Your infinity.

                          -- by Pete Voelz       9/07

Truly Love

If light can only go in light-year time,
my thoughts can travel faster in my mind;
I see the past and future in their prime,
but thoughts alone cannot make us be kind.
Our words are not as wide as thoughts may be,
though written words are seen, those spoken, heard;
but words won't quench my thirst as much as tea,
and bellies can't be filled up with a word.
Our thoughts and words aren't lovers like our deeds,
they're nice, but it's on food that people feed;
it's action that fulfills our human needs,
we want our hearts to love and not just bleed.
O God, I want my love to merit true,
not just believe or think or talk, but do.

                                -- by Pete Voelz      10/07

God's Lent

In Lent, despite my prayers, some sins persist,
I know it’s no use crying in my beer,
I go to Mass, receive His Eucharist,
Christ is a taste of heaven we have here.
I owe to friend and foe so many debts,
I merit punishment more than reward,
relief comes when, confessing these regrets,
I dump them on the altar of the Lord.
“Let go, let God,” we’re taught to say in church,
best to accept serene what I can’t do,
I’ve found on trips, no matter where I search,
Lord, nothing matches coming back to You.
With all these cares, O God, upon my plate,
when I give them to You, they dissipate.

                        -- by Pete Voelz       2/24/12

Facing God

If I pray, God, to You I must be true,
there is no insincerity in prayer,
I have to face myself in facing You,
I know there is no hiding anywhere.
I try to hide in what I do all day,
it's easier if Your face I cannot see,
but if I touch You close in prayer this way,
I sense You really watching over me.
I know in facing You I'll have to change,
and not just follow all the things I feel,
some former ways I'll have to rearrange,
with You, no faking it, I must get real.
O God, as I do recognize You near,
I pray You help me overcome my fear.

                 -- by Pete Voelz      8/07

Closer Lent

Now it is time, what shall I do for Lent?

I interrupt my weekday for some ashes,

think how my wayward ways I can repent,

six weeks of self-denial, not forty lashes.

I’ll spent more time with God in special prayer,

closer to God, far from some food we fast,

turn down the worldly noise that’s everywhere,

and sacrifice for heaven where it will last.

The lives of saints and Scripture I can read,

avoid some sin, get close to God again,

alms for the poor--closer to God in deed,

rend not my clothes, but heart to let God in.

Let me come close to raise my voice in praise,

and spread Your love, O Lord, these forty days.

                           -- by Pete Voelz      2/22/12