Why Did You Die?

       Why?  Why?
Why did you die
    On the cross?
You're my boss.

Why'd You die for me?
    I am like a little pea.

       Why? Why?
Why did you die
    On the cross?
You're my boss.

Why did You die on the cross?
        It is so I won't get tossed?

Tell my why you did.
         I am just a kid.

       Why? Why?
Why did You die
     On the cross?
You're my boss.


by Susanna Dunlap, age 11,   3-4-2013
(Susanna's first song)

The Servant King

Lord, You laid aside Your cloak of Glory,
    And wrapped Yourself in a towel of humility,
Placed the basin of Your love at our feet
    Knelt before us on Your knees.

Lord, wash my feet, Lord wash my feet,
Lord wash my feet.  I would be a part of Thee.
      Let me wash your feet, let me wash your feet,
      Let me wash your feet.  I want to be like Thee.

Lord, You laid aside Your throne of Glory,
     And took upon Yourself the form of a servant,
Walked the path of obedience to death,
     Even death upon the Cross.

Lord, wash my feet, Lord, wash my feet,
Lord, wash my feet.  I would be a part of Thee.
     Let me walk with Thee, let me walk with Thee,
     Let me walk with Thee.  I want to be like Thee.

by Nathan Dunlap  12-08-2000
John 3:3-15, Phil. 2:5-11

Note:  May we all draw close to Christ this Holy Week.  May we grow in joy and gratitude as we reflect on Christ's Passion. May we join in His sufferings by taking up our cross daily.  May we choose the Way of the Cross and thereby increase in endurance, patience, hope, and joy, awaiting the day of our homecoming. May we choose to be servants for Christ as we allow our feet to be washed, and as we wash the feet of others.

Lenten Prayer

     Jesus, Oh Son of God, to Thee I sing.
You're my counselor, You're my Prince of Peace.
     Shape this earthen vessel, Oh Mighty King.
Lord, My Lord, it's Thee I long to please.   Amen.

Julie Dunlap  3-19-2013

Solid Rock

Oft upon the rock I tremble,
     Faint of heart and weak of knee.
But the solid "Rock of Ages"
     Never trembles under me.

Author unknown

The Lenten Fast

This is the fast I choose today:
     To loose the bonds of the oppressed,
     To bring Christ's hope to the distressed,
     To bring Christ's cheer
          Till He appears
                In fine array
                That glorious day.

This is the fast I choose this Lent:
     Ho! 'Do not judge, do not react, do not resent.'
     To bring Christ's peace as I repent
     To bring Christ tears
           Till He appears
                 In fine array
                 That glorious day.

This is the fast I choose today:
     To share our bread through open doors.
     To bring Christ's love unto the poor.
     To bring Christ near
          Till He appears
                In fine array
                That glorious day.

Julie Dunlap  2-23-2013

Holy Jesus of the Cross - Prayers and Meditation

           

+Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.                              *Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart,                                                      Be always acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  Amen.

From the rising of the sun, unto the going down of the same,

"The name of the Lord is to be praised.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word                                                     That proceeds from the mouth of God.

*Labor not for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life,                    Which the Son of Man will give you.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

            Thou will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on Thee.

            *For in returning and rest we shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be our strength.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

*Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love,

As Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                      To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

            *Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.

Holy Jesus of the Cross, I yield myself to Thee,                                                     To live in obedience to Thy humility.

Oh Lord and Master of my life,                                                                                         Give me not a spirit of sloth, vain curiosity, lust for power, and idle talk.

But give to me, Thy servant, a spirit of soberness, humility, patience, and love.

O Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults, and not to condemn my brother.

For blessed art Thou to the ages of ages, Amen.      (Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian)

Come O Holy Spirit, replenish my heart, And enkindle in it the fire of Thy Divine love.

Into Thy hands I commend my spirit, for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of truth.

+In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Blessed be the Holy and Undivided Trinity, now and for evermore.  Amen.

Note:  My husband put together these prayers and I put some music to a lot of it.  I thought I would share this prayer/meditation for this Lent.  These prayers, when prayed in faith, will work to conform our spirits more to Christ, thereby making us more Christlike.  They are a very good prayers for morning when time is short due to the responsibilities of the workday.  May each one of you be blessed this Holy Lent and draw ever near to Christ.

Consider the Sparrow

Remember that bird

In the window,

He doesn't plant 

A garden,

Yet he eats what

He does not sow.

Never mind the rain,

It gives growth

To the grain,

And causes

Our faith to grow.

Nathan Dunlap   4-28-1997