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Bless the Lord, o my soul And all that is within me -- My creaky bones, my still beating heart My imagination, my words as yet unsaid My talents, yes, and even my shadows My yesterdays, my tomorrows Yes, ALL that is within me, bless Your holy name, Lord. Glory, glory Father, Son and Holy Spirit Glory, glory Praise! Amen. Bless you, Lord, o my soul Let me not forget not all YOUR benefits Help me always to remember, to know, to trust Imprint them, Lord, in my gut First, You forgive all my iniquity Every single sin, the whole bunch, Overwhelming or oh-so petty Absorbed, Transformed, GONE! PLUS You heal all my diseases The pains - aches - The utter exhaustion - the debilitation That take me “from my true rest in Thee” Absorbed, Transformed, GONE! PLUS You redeem my life from the Pit from Despair, depression, Destruction, doubt, Deepest darkness. Death. Absorbed, Transformed, GONE! and Each and every day… You resurrect us -- me -- Renew us Jesus, Son of God, Scorned, Scourged, Suffering Thank you. PLUS You crown me with steadfast love and mercy You satisfy me with good as long as I shall live Right now, Right in this moment, Today, tomorrow and always So that my youth may be renewed like an eagle’s Strong, Soaring, Sharp for Your Presence, Lord PLUS you work vindication and justice for all who are oppressed We can trust this, right? After all, You made Your ways known to Moses And your deeds to the People of Israel You freed them from slavery You led them through the wilderness You covenanted with them You would be their God …. They would be Your people Forever and ever more. They learned - We learn - oh so slowly That …. Lord, you are ALWAYS merciful and gracious slow to anger, A bit like bitumen pitch just inching along abounding Burbling, gushing, waterfalling over In steadfast love But, Lord, what about those Still captive Still bound by poverty, hunger, violence? O, Lord, tarry not … Transform the oppressors, Free the oppressed… TODAY Amazingly You will not always accuse Or smoulder your anger forever. Against me -- us -- your people -- all people Who perpetuate oppression Let others suffer Look the other way Instead Of dealing with us as our sins deserve Or repaying us according to our iniquities You act Yes, you act Yes! In LOVE For as high as the comets, the stars, the galaxies are above the Earth So great so glorious is Your granite-sure love toward those who fear You. Toward Those who turn to you Turn back to you Return As far as the east is from the west So fa-a-a-a-a-a-r…..do You remove our transgressions from us. Because we can’t, remove our transgressions Ourselves, can we? No matter how much we want to No matter how hard we try You had to act for us Once and for all Out of Love You hung them on the cross And now every day… You resurrect us -- me -- Renew us Jesus, Son of God, Scorned, scourged, suffering Thank you As a father has compassion on his children So You, Lord, have compassion on those you fear you. And also, Lord, surely, For those who doubt, deny, haven’t yet woken up to Your Presence? For You know how we were made You remember -- You never forget (After all, You made us!) That we are dust. YOUR Sacred Beloved Dust. As for us humans, our days ourstoriesouraccomplishmentsourregretsourprayers are like grass; We flourish like the flower of the field; Like trilliums in rain-soaked spring shade Like oat grass scorched by summer sun Like purple asters bold against autumn chill For the wind passes over us, and we are GONE And the place - the world - knows us no more. Aka It forgets us It is as if we never lived But Your love, O Lord, is steadfast It is from everlasting to everlasting Timeless Forever and ever and ever and….more On those who fear You, Those who turn to you Those who have yet to turn to you Turn back to you ... yes? Return PLUS Your righteousness, Lord, extends to our children’s children To Mavis Lee and beyond - - - - To those who keep Your covenant And remember to do Your commandments To Those who do not forget What Jesus said, If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love…. And This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Help us - me - to remember, to know, to act Lord, You have established Your throne in the heavens, And Your kingdom rules over all. Glory, glory Father, Son and Holy Spirit Glory, glory Praise! Amen Bless the Lord, O you his angels You mighty ones who do his bidding. Obedient to his spoken word. Bless the Lord, all his hosts, All the hearts that welcome Him feed Him, need Him, free Him His ministers that do Your Will Your Body here on Earth Bless the Lord, all his works, In all places of his dominion. Oh yes, Oh yes… Bless the Lord, o my soul. Copyright 2021 Catherine Ripley
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