Based on a Sunday evening sermon based on The Book of Acts 16: 16-34.

In the Beginning of This Season
by Michael Romani

In this day and beginning of this season
Help us to remember this season's reason
That the birth of the baby was to save us all
Help us to remember and always recall
Sufficient in our defense of your endless days
Imbued in a need to live in all of your ways

There is one thing that deeply needs understood
That's the importance of doing the right and good
It's a simple mission quite probable and possible
The reason for it given and truly, truly plausible
As we reach out across the world in our actions
Doing these things that creates life's satisfaction

There in all of the quaking and in all of the shaking
Is the message needed and behind it's making
Severely beaten and flogged and thrown in jail
Paul and Silas still stood strong ready to prevail
There is a lesson though a lesson that brings chill
Of two men abused though absolutely in God's Will

Biblical history points out time and again and again
Of men chosen by God, yet, put to test only to win
All of the apostles and others subject to persecution
So many martyrs even today facing execution
Despite the suffering, we are must continue in the good
Doing all the right things that we know that we should

No matter the obstacles we must continue to try
Whatever the price, faith is kept in the by and by
As we make our way in the fallen world that surrounds
God's love and peace comes and peace abounds
Not matter how far we seem to sink into this sin
If we keep on going, it is certain that we will win

There's no escape from this world of living Hell
There is no shame in living through this tale
Only that we must keep to truth and be strong
Raising our voices in joyous and righteous song
No wallowing in self contempt stuck in the mire
Just the need is to keep our souls alive and on fire

Peace like a river flows wild and completely free
Knowing that the troubles that come will justly be
As we keep on fighting for that coming victory
Singing our songs with our eyes on His Divinity
There will be times when we are certain of losing
But trust in Him and there will be no refusing

Keeping our eyes set on everything we know is right
Focusing our purposes on living fully in truth and light
We too shall find our way to break all of our chains
Somewhere in the words of the Lord's holy refrain
The rock rolled away from the entrance of the cave
In that miracle - that in which we all came to be saved

(c) November 26, 2017 Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved