Most Faithful Friend

Faithfulness – (From a Bouquet of Fruit of the Spirit)

When sadness intrudes on your day,
When there’s nothing I do or can say,
To make your tears all go away,
Then, my friend, I will pray.

When worry and stress load you down,
When nothing can wipe off your frown,
I will get up and straighten your crown,
Then, my friend, I will pray.

When fear freezes you right to the bone,
When your spirit sags down like a stone,
When you feel you can’t go it alone,
Then, my friend, I will pray.

When there’s no faith left in you to believe,
When you’ve lost hope and so you grieve,
When you give and never receive,
Then, my friend, I will pray.

Though harsh now your life it may seem,
There’ll be days of hope in between,
Til one day this will seem like a dream.
Then, my friend, I will pray.

Though some friends will fail and grieve us,
Speak smooth words and next day leave us,
Remember that One Friend won’t deceive us,
To Him, my friend, I will pray.

I’ll pray for comfort on difficult days,
For rainbows to brighten your ways,
For the good Lord to fill you with praise,
This, my friend, I will pray. 

On no better friend can you depend,
No higher love can you ascend,
Than when you have Christ as your friend.
Then, my friend, He Himself will pray.

Though you may not have the right words to say,
He intercedes for you every day.
His faithfulness will guide your way.
This, my friend, I will pray.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:13-15

Kindness

(From a Bouquet of Fruit of the Spirit – Remember it was God’s kindness that led you to repentance)

Being rude is easy,
But it doesn’t show you in good light.
It shows weakness and insecurity.
It is not a pretty sight.
But KINDNESS, that’s the better way,
Shows discipline and self-esteem,
But it isn’t always easy,
When folk can be so mean.
It takes a lot of wisdom
And courage to be kind.
It takes the stronger person
To have a thoughtful mind.
The kind of person who chooses
To be kind more than being right.
Since KINDNESS is a sign of strength
And floods the world with love and light.

KINDNESS – Acrostic

Kindness is a lifestyle
It should be practiced every day
Nurtured, like a tender seed,
Develops strength along the way.
Not reserved just for your friends,
Easy to be kind with those who please,
Seek out the stranger and the lost-
Shine the love of Christ on these.

“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:35-40

Patience

(Patience – from a Bouquet of the Fruit of the Spirit)

There was a knock on the door, so I got up to see,
Who this could be who was visiting me?
As I made my way down the long narrow hall,
I stopped at the clock that was hung on the wall.
It’s hands didn’t move for it needed a wind,
I’d forgotten to do that, it just slipped my mind.
So I gently unhooked it and turned the key round,
It sprang back to life with its military sound.
I hung it back up, my job here was complete,
So I turned me around to go back to my seat.

Then I heard a loud rat-a-tat-tat on the door.
Oh yes! I remember what I had come for.

‘Hang on dear, I’m coming,’ I called in reply,
‘I won’t be a minute. I’m not quite as spry
As I was a few years back, in my younger days’.
My how time flies, ah the tricks the mind plays.
Those were the days, didn’t we have a ball
Meeting up with our friends at the old village hall
Then – I was lost, caught up in a trance,
I hitched up my skirt I started to dance.
Around and around, my mind in a whirl,
Remembering dances when I was a girl.

Then I heard a loud rat-a-tat-tat from the door.
Oh yes! I remember what I had come for.

As I reached for the handle I called out, ‘who is it?’
I wonder who’s come to pay me a visit.
That doesn’t happen too often you see,
My kids are all grown, they have no time for me.
How excited I was as I straightened my hair.
I unlocked the latch – but no one was there.
It happened to me just the same yesterday,
As I opened the door they had all gone away.
I wish they had waited a few minutes more,
To give this old lady time to get to her door.

So, sad and disheartened I turned back inside,
There was no one to see the tears that I cried.
Another day here on my own – all alone,
Because somebody thought there was no one at home.

” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galations 5:22

Joy

(Joy – From A Bouquet of Fruit of the Spirit)

Up my garden path she skipped,
A fluffy pink marshmallow.
Dark hair bouncing in the breeze,
Tied up in braids of yellow.
My little piece of sunshine,
On this day so dull and grey.
Her laughter brightens up my heart,
And chases clouds away.

“Hi grandma, I bought a present.
I made it all myself.
I thought that you might like,
To put it on your special shelf.”
I bent down low to take it,
As she handed it to me –
Two little sticks, tied up with twine,
Shaped like the letter ‘T’.

“Why bless your little cotton socks,
What a clever girl you are!
It’s gorgeous and I love it so.
The best I’ve seen by far.
Let’s go inside and keep it safe,
With all my special things,
Like the necklace that you made me,
And the shells turned into rings.

The funny clown you made from dough,
With one eye slightly higher,
And the bracelet with its twists and twirls,
That you made me out of wire”.
It was becoming a big collection,
Of all sorts of bits and pieces,
And I wouldn’t trade a single one,
For all the wealth of Croesus.

My joy was overflowing,
To watch her happy little face.
Her smile so clear and innocent,
As she found the perfect place.
She staged her gift so carefully,
In the centre – in plain view.
“This one I made at Sunday school,
Especially for you”.

When I look upon those simple sticks,
So much more than just a toy,
I see the love put into it,
My heart burst full of joy.
Just a simple cross of twigs,
Held in place with bits of string,
But it was the words that she said next,
That caused my heart to sing.

“This is the Cross of Jesus,
Who came to set us free.
The tall stick is the love of God,
The short one’s you and me.
And what holds it all together,
And keeps it all in place,
Is this string tied around it,
For this is Our Lord’s Grace.

Now we are all joined together.
No one can make us part,
For we’re held firm in God’s embrace,
And kept safe inside His heart”.
It’s not so much the thing she made,
Though what she says is true,
What brought me even greater joy,
Is that I know she loves Him too.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galations 5:22

Love

(From A bouquet of Fruit of the Spirit)

My grandkids are coming to visit.
They are coming to visit today.
I suppose I’d better get up and get with it,
Get this old house ready for play.

I’ll put away all my best china,
And the things that are precious to me,
Like the old Toby jug and the Cole Porter mug,
And the rose pot that holds all my tea.

I’ll bake a few cakes and some biscuits,
The ones that I know they enjoy.
I’ll even pop up to the Centro,
And buy everyone a nice toy.

I’ll dust and I’ll sweep and I’ll polish,
Till everything’s shining and spree.
Then I will lay down exhausted,
Forgetting they come to see me.

My grandkids are coming to visit.
They rang that they’re now on their way.
I’d better get up and get limber,
Get these old bones ready for play.

Well the biscuits came out of a packet,
And the toys from my old button tin.
The cake was a bread and jam sandwich,
With the crust off and cut very thin.

They’ve gone now and it’s all very quiet.
There’s fingerprints on my white wall,
And the rug that should be in the kitchen,
Has found its way into the hall.

The China is still in the cupboard,
And the Toby jug’s place is intact.
The Cole Porter mug and the tea pot.
Well everything’s perfect in fact.

But it’s quiet and now back to normal.
I can hear the clock ticking again,
I’ll wait till the real things I hold precious,
Come to visit their Grandma again.

“ But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” Galatians 5:22

You never let go of me

Before the universe was formed,
Before You made the earth and sea,
Before a creature breathed his very first breath,
You never let go of me.

Before the sun rose in the sky,
Before the stars shone endlessly,
Before You separated day from night,
You never let go of me.

Before You divided waters wide,
Before You gave the sea it’s boundary,
Before You created Heaven above,
You never let go of me.

Before You formed the land and fields,
The grass, the herb, the tree,
Before a single seed was sown,
You never let go of me.

Before You made the sun and moon,
By whose light we still now see,
Before You divided day from night,
You never let go of me.

Before You made the birds that fly,
And all creatures of the sea,
Before You filled the oceans wide,
You never let go of me.

Before You made the cattle and beast,
And every creeping thing that be,
Before You made the very first man,
You never let go of me.

Before I was knit in my mother’s womb,
Before a single cell became set free,
Before I breathed my very first breath,
You never let go of me

No, You never let go, even though You knew,
The mess I’d make of my life.
No You never let go, even though You knew,
I would bring myself heartache and strife

No, You never let go, even though You knew,
I would turn away from all that You do.
No, You never let go, even though You knew,
My heart and thoughts weren’t often on You.

No, You never let go, even though You knew,
That one day You would die for me.
No, You never let go, even though You knew,
That I would hang You on that dreadful tree.

Through all time, through all affliction,
You held me tight in your embrace.
You love with impossible affection
And I drown in a sea of endless grace.

Why make me the object of Your love?
Who am I to be so blessed?
No, not in me is found the answer,
But in Almighty God the answer rests.

One day Your mysteries will be revealed,
When I’m with You in eternity.
But there’s one mystery I’ll never know,
Why You never let go of me.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. John 10:29

Advent

It’s not easy standing still
When everyone runs with the crowd.
It’s not easy to speak a word,
When everyone is shouting out loud.
It’s not easy to listen
Amongst the pre-Christmas chorus,
When everyone’s shouting,
‘What you got for us?’

The pre-Christmas rush,
Is a pre-Christmas crush.
Can’t you hear God is calling
For a pre-Christmas hush?

He is calling, my friends.
For a time to go slow.
Time to open the windows
And let worldly cares go.
A time to find quiet,
A time to be still,
A time to empty your heart
And let God be your fill.

It’s a time that the fullness of God
Came down to Earth,
As an infant among us,
To bring us new birth.
Stepped down from Heaven.
He came as a babe.
The incarnate Christ entered
The world that He made

Time now for the quietest of hearts.
To make way for the beauty
And truth He imparts.
A time to empty ourselves
And offer a place
To the fullness of God
And His mystery of grace.

Whatever you’re seeking
For Christmas traditions,
Lists and budgets
And fretful commotions,
Best you come prepared
With nothing at all,
Like the God who came down
As a baby so small.

Make room for Him,
Whatever distractions,
For He comes regardless
Of all your reactions.
Be empty handed,
To grasp hold with both hands,
The mystery of God
Who came down to earth
………..In the form of a man

The pre-Christmas rush,
Is a pre-Christmas crush.
Can’t you hear God is calling
For a pre-Christmas hush?

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The Ark

Their doom was universal,
Neither rich nor poor escaped,
The learned, the illiterate,
Could not escape their fate.
Religion or profanities,
Whatever they’re pursuing,
Every single one of them
Would soon sink into ruin.

Some ridiculed the preacher.
Some yelled that he was bad.
Others jeered and threatened him,
Or thought that he was mad.
They didn’t rate his fervour.
They didn’t like his zeal.
Thought the warnings that he gave them,
Couldn’t possibly be real.

They just carried on, regardless,
With their usual routine.
Eating, drinking, marrying,
Thinking ‘life’s a dream’.
But the fun times didn’t last too long,
Smiles soon became a frown.
Then, just as Noah built his Ark,
The rain came pouring down.

It flooded all the houses
And all were swept away.
Every one outside the Ark
Began to rue the day.
Clinging on to worthless things,
As the river burst its bank.
Not a thing could save them now,
They beneath the waters, sank.

Some had worked with Noah,
But they only helped for pay.
No wealth, rank or religion,
Could save them on that day.
Only the Ark that Noah built
Exactly to God’s perfect plan.
But they rejected God’s provision,
And so sealed the fate of man.

As it was in the days of Noah,
It is just the same today.
All calling peace, prosperity,
But destruction comes their way.
They all feel snug and safe at night,
Unaware what they soon will face.
Tis the fool demands his best life now,
And folly dupes the human race.

So if you hear God calling,
In your dark and stormy night,
Be sure to run and cling to Him
Who holds the lantern bright.
He is your only refuge.
His arms are open wide.
For all who come to Jesus,
He holds safe and warm inside.

Though not an ark, now seek a cross.
Friend, to it be sure to run,
For God Himself prepared a Way,
When He gave His only Son.
For safety now is found in Jesus,
Just as the Ark saved those within.
His arms are there and waiting.
My soul, are you in Him?

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews11:7

Everything is moving

The earth spins like a rolling ball.
Stars shine bright then fade away.
Darkness melts and turns to light.
The sunrise starts another day.
The sun dips slowly into the sea.
The moon will wax and wane.
The sea will rise and fall with tides.
And you will love again.

Nothing ever stays the same.
Mountains change with time.
Rivers flow and lakes run dry.
Salty tears will flood the eye.
Healing follows after pain.
A crush of grape becomes fine wine.
And you will love again.
Yes! You will love again.

The Purpose of Living:
All the rivers run to the sea, but the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the streams come, thither they return again. Ecclesiastes 1:7

My Prayer

You don’t always get what you ask for
But you do get what you need
————————————————
I prayed for healing
But it didn’t come
I prayed for wealth
But I got none
I prayed for rain
But got more Sun
I prayed for rest
But was made to run

But I do not regret a single day
That by my bed I knelt to pray
Though not one prayer
Was granted me
I lost what was harming me:
I lost anger, I lost greed
I lost hate and I lost need
I lost hurt and jealousy
I lost insecurity
I lost ego and selfishness
But best I lost was fear of death.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

A Blessing

I opened my blinds early this morning,
As I usually do every day,
After the dark night had left me,
And the land of dreams faded away.

I was greeted with such a warming,
As the sunshine flooded my face.
Such a feeling of joy overwhelmed me,
That nothing on earth can replace.

It was warm, life giving and healing,
Full of joy, comfort and peace,
A reminder as it shone around me,
God’s love and mercy won’t cease.

May God send you His sunshine to comfort,
All your concerns of this day.
May His great love and Grace shine around you,
And all trouble and pain go away.

To all that I know and love dearly,
My prayers I’m sending for you,
That today you’ll know how much He loves you,
And added to that – I do too.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

The Aussie Walk

Upon the red rocks where I walk,
Eyes fixed on stony track,
On rising wind the seagulls squawk,
The sun beats hard upon my back.

We are aiming for some distant place,
A goal we set our minds to,
And far from leisurely a pace
Are thought and heart assigned to.

In single file we follow.
This Indian summer’s long.
There’s no shading in the hollow,
When the noonday sun beats strong.

In the distance, out of focus,
The path gets dangerously thin,
But the dancing flies provoke us
To keep the present tense within.

The sweat flies swarm my lips and eyes
And mock my sweeping hands.
With great amusement to the flies
Until one blow at random lands!

So self-absorbed we purpose
To wend our calculated way.
We try not to look around us
At the games that are at play.

What little marks our passing
Along this rocky path
Save a broken branch, a toppled stone
And bull ants righteous wrath.

So much chance of misadventure
On the path that snakes ahead.
Could be pain or could be pleasure,
Could be hope or could be dread.

By what forces are we driven
As we walk this ancient narrow way?
Do we count our blessings given
To us each and every day?

Do we cherish honest friends
With a smile, a touch, a prayer?
For as a path begins, it ends
And one day they won’t be there.

Make the most of every friend or mate
Who joins you for a while
And if you’re asked, don’t hesitate
To walk that extra mile.

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son purifies us from all sin 1 John 1:17

On the Death of a Sailor

Ten thousand pebbles murmur on the sand
Where you drowned.
A chattering of stone cold teeth,
My sad lamented sound.
Anchored to this time and place,
My heart is bound
And is the only constant in this place
Where you were found.

The bitter wind assaults my eyes
And steals my tears
Ravenous as a wolf in dead of night
It howls around my ears,
Whips my body til my heart is slashed
With a thousand spears.
A furnace burns my hands and cheeks.
I scream! but no one hears.

You there! warm in your quiet room
Behind the battened door,
Praying to the Lord of sea and land
For a safe return to shore,
How many mothers, orphans, wives
Have prayed that prayer before?
As thousands rest in caverns cold and deep,
On earth, to dwell no more?

Ah! but the day will come when storms will cease
And the sea release its prey,
For the man who calmed the raging storm
Is the Lord who makes a way
To a haven safe, where no oceans churn
And there is no more decay.
For there I know we will embrace again,
On that Resurrection day.

Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be
no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things
have passed away.”

God’s Temple

In the past God had a temple for His people
Now God has a people for His temple
——————————–

No bricks or mortar steel or glass
However many stories high
No edifice no steeple spires
That pierce into the sky
No castle, temple, church or tower
No minaret to hold His power
For it’s ordinary folk like you and me
He chose His dwelling place to be

1 Corinthians 3:17 “If any man defile the temple of God,
him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy,
which temple ye are.”

Sunflower Revisited

Was it just last week I told you that I love Sunflowers?
I love how they turn their heads to follow the sun?

It’s a cloudy day today
so I looked for sunflowers
expecting to see them withered
or at best heads turned down
but that’s not what I saw
not at all
when I looked
yes their heads were turned
but towards each other
Sharing their energy.

So my dear friends:

When you think the Sun
has left your skies
When troubles come,
tears fill your eyes
May you always have
a friend to stand beside.

To my dear friends Chris, Tara and Theresa, this is for you.
Not many words and not a good rhyme but meant from my heart.
Thank you for your support and encouragement, Amigos.

Don’t walk so fast

don’t walk so fast you can’t keep up
you’re ploughing through and missing stuff
steel cold eyes set on the distance
will so strong desists resistance

flowers bud – blind to that treat
you kicked through fences with restless feet
dewdrops fall – missed that too
not a drop of rain could splash on you

in full bloom the blossoms flair
perfume heavy in the air
you crash through fields without a care
not one flower caught your stare

petals fall leaves turn red
small creatures now prepare their bed
you heard nothing that the cuckoo said
as you were crunching on ahead

leaves loosed from outstretched limb
birds warning chant an icy hymn
the hoar frost crusts the grass like tin
the distance now is looking grim

it’s winter and you’re nowhere nearer
that far off target still not clearer
scarcely time to catch your breath
now your eyes are locked on death

your stride is short
your shoulders hunch
what a shame you didn’t
stop for lunch

‘Using the seasons of life to stress the need for humans to slow down their race through life and grasp the beauty and purpose of our daily environment which is here to help us grow toward our divine destiny.‘ WBW

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ” Matthew 5:25-33

Sometime Someday

Though we may not always see eye to eye,
Sometimes, things you say leave me wondering why.
Sometimes you laugh when I think you will cry.
When I think that you’ll stop, you just walk on by.

Sometimes it feels like a unified walk,
So we tread down the path til we get to the fork.
Sometimes say nothing, but always we talk.
Words sound like a dove, but they’re really a hawk.

I know that you think what I think is absurd,
But I hear your thoughts, though you don’t say a word.
I can’t give you the answer that you preferred.
*Best I enter Heaven alone than Hell with the herd.

“but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7

* Credit line to C. H. Spurgeon

Under New Management

The old church was dry and dusty,
Underfoot the floorboards creaked,
The shutters splintered, crumbling,
The windows smeared and streaked.
The pews once full, now empty,
The hassocks faded and threadbare,
What once was a lively meeting place,
Now passed by with no one there.

There’s a sign upon the wooden door,
‘Bingo Tuesday half past three’.
On Wednesday there’s a knitting group,
Saturday’s a jamboree.
Behind the pulpit there’s an op shop,
Sells old clothes and bric-a-brac.
There’s a tea urn in the vestry,
Propped up by hymn books out the back.

On the lectern there’s a big old book,
Laying open at a page,
But the words are much too hard to read,
Coming from a different age.
Someone’s scribbled in the margins,
And there’s a paragraph in red.
Why anyone would do that,
Maybe words some man once said?

Outside there is a garden,
With fallen slabs of stone.
One etched with a mysterious verse,
About someone going home?
There’s statues toppled over,
Not much left intact to see,
Just fox holes and a bird’s nest,
Not a welcome place to be.

I wonder what inspired,
Those old folk of yesterday?
The legend says they vanished,
That they were ‘called away’.
Well I shrug off the feeling
That I should be wracked with guilt.
I’ll be glad when it’s demolished,
And the new shopping mall is built.

As I turn to face the city,
With its glass and buildings tall.
With neon signs and watch towers,
And the new Drop-in centre mall,
Then something creaks behind me,
I turn to have a look,
Ah, just an old sign says ‘Ichabod’,
Swinging from a rusty hook.

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Luke 9:58

Sunflower

I love the golden sunflower
Against a summer sky
Her cheerful, sunny smiling face
As she holds her head so high

I love the way she seeks out light
And follows close the sun
As if it is her duty
To watch til day is done

I should be just like her
Always seeking out the light
Head reaching up in worship
Keeping God the Son in sight

Like this flower of true faithfulness
So should my life show loyalty
To He who is bigger and much brighter
Than I could ever hope to be

“but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious”
1 Peter 3:4

The Rich Man and Lazarus

What a future he had before him.
Nothing but the very best,
Everything he turned his hand to.
See how big his puffed out chest.

Sitting eating sumptuous dinners.
Dropping crumbs from off his plate.
While the poor man, sick and starving,
Could only watch him from the gate.

Well his riches didn’t save him.
All his wealth and fancy clothes.
Not one coin could he take with him.
And he died, so the story goes.
_______________________
not an Afghan, not a Baht,
Cryptocurrency or Dong.
not a Euro nor a Franc
or Gulden could he bring along.
nor Hryvnia, not an Inca,
not a Jiao or Karbovanet
nor a Lira or a Mark
or a Naira – nothing get
not an Ora or a Peso,
not a Quetzal or a Rand,
not a Shekel or a Tangka.
no, nothing in his hand.
no Uncirculated sovereigns,
Vatu, Wen or even Xu
not a Yen or a Zloti.
not a single coin gets through.
______________________
You’d think that was the story.
You’d think this is where it ends.
Well no, it’s just the beginning.
There’s more to this, my friends.
______________________
Rich man is cloaked in finest linen,
The poor man’s clothed in sores.
The poor man’s lot so desperate,
But the rich man just ignores.

While the dogs around the table,
Gorged on the rich man’s waste.
The poor man, starving near to death,
Was denied the smallest taste.

The poor man’s name was Lazarus,
And very soon he died.
The angels gently carried him
To Heaven, by Abraham’s side.

And the rich man, who was nameless,
Soon died himself as well,
But when he opened up his eyes,
He found himself in Hell.

No longer could he beckon servants,
To perform his every whim.
No wine or drop of water,
Only Eternal Hell for him.

No mercy or compassion now,
For he’d lived selfishly.
Only of himself he thought.
So self-absorbed was he.

He had the chance whilst living,
To turn around his fate.
To love his neighbour as himself.
But now it was too late.

For in his life of plenty,
He received his full reward.
Now it was the poor man’s turn,
To receive the blessings of the Lord.
______________________
In this life we have chance to change,
Before our fate is sealed.
But when we die, as die we must
It cannot be repealed.
___________________
no Anger, Boasting, Covetous.
Deceptive deeds will not pass through.
no Evil thought or Froward act,
not Greed, not Hatred too.
no Idolatry or Jealous thought.
no Killing or Lying tongue.
not Murder, not a Nasty word.
Oppressive deed – not one.
no Proud or Quarrelsome person,
no Religious spirit passes in
no Stealing, Treachery, Ungrateful heart,
no Vile and unrepentant sin.
no Wickedness of any kind.
eXcuses, there may be many.
Heaven’s gates won’t Yield to a single sin.
you won’t Zigzag in with any.
_______________________
It’s NOW, we have a chance to change.
What will we choose, my friend?
For later there’s no turning back.
That’s all there is. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The END

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ Luke 16:19-26

Know whose you are

Don’t think you’re not loved, don’t ever think that.
You are loved more than you could possibly know.
Thought of more highly,
Cherished more deeply,
Embraced more tightly.
Than you could ever imagine.

Don’t think you don’t matter, don’t ever think that.
You matter more than you could possibly know.
Cared about more earnestly,
Protected more fiercely,
Guarded more closely,
Than you could ever believe.

Don’t think you’re not worth it, don’t ever think that.
You’re worth more than you could possibly know.
Each hair on your head is counted,
Each day of your life is planned,
You are valued so highly,
That He even paid for you with His life.

Don’t think you’re not noticed, don’t ever think that.
You’re thought about more than you could possibly know.
Day and night he thinks about you.
At your coming in and as you go.
In days of trouble or times of joy, His thoughts are on you.

And do you know why?
Because He loves you.
Because you are united to the Infinite One whom He loves without end.
You are united by the Spirit of God
So that there is no separation between you and Christ.
Because of Christ, you have the Father’s infinite
all-powerful, all-passionate, all-rejoicing love.
You could no way be more secure or more cared for.

So Remember:
Don’t think because He sits so high above
That He will not stoop to help you,
No matter how needy, no matter how poor.
Don’t think He doesn’t see when you weep a tear.
He will comfort you with His love.
He will rejoice over you with singing.

Because:
When you sigh, His heart is moved.
When you whisper, He inclines His ear.
When you pray you, can stay His hand.
With your faith, you can move His arm.

“For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 7-8

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless towards Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Tears (Haiku)

Sorrow floods my eyes
So that I can grieve and weep
God, He made my tears

Reflection

I’ve been watching very closely
I know this person very well
Keeping Godly well, that is mostly
As far as anyone can tell

A believer quite on fire
Reads the Bible every day
Has a real love for people
Shares the truth that points the Way

Strong in faith but always learning
Praying hard sometimes with tears
Hungry for God and truth professing
Has been doing it for years.

I’ve been watching very closely
But things aren’t always what they seem
If you look there, very closely
In the eye you’ll see a beam

And her walk’s not always steadfast
Sometimes she veers off track
Sometimes self-righteous, sometimes selfish
Til she find the right way back.

Ah but God, must be so patient
Thinking ‘here we go again
Will she ever learn the lesson
That a detour brings her pain?’

But remember God’s forbearance
Doesn’t licence her to sin
And as I look there in my mirror
I wonder what will tomorrow bring?

Grace

Why blame God, oh man
When things don’t go the way you plan?
You think because you chose a Saviour
Life will be problem free and full of favour
When troubles come you start to waiver,
And now you doubt if God is real
You only judge by how you feel.

How you gnash and cry when you meet strife.
Don’t you know trials are part of life?
Is it something I’ve done? I hear you cry,
Am I really a Christian or is it a lie?
Why when you doubt do you ask Me why?
Maybe your troubles come from within,
Maybe they are the effect of sin.

Maybe it’s God developing trust,
Maybe your life is dry bones and dust.
Be glad when trials come along
For this is how I make you strong
To show you to Whom you belong.
Testing faith brings steadfastness
From steadfastness is completeness.

Better than gold refined in the fire
An obedient heart is what I desire.
So hold on fast when trials come
For a good father disciplines his son,
For you are by Me a chosen one.
Put all your trust in what I do.
Remember My grace is sufficient for you.

The Other Side of Easter

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You can look, but you won’t find me
Once where I used to be.
You may call, but I won’t hear you
For another called to me.
You may reach,
But you won’t touch me,
For in another’s heart I’m held.
Another’s love is sweeter now,
A new life is completer now,
Sin and Death defeated now,
Living the other side of Easter.

So much sadness standing still.
What was the point or purpose?
Nothing to look forward to,
No pleasure left to purchase.
Nothing more, I had it all,
That life – nothing but a circus.
Surrounded in my loneliness.
For pleasure is all meaningless.
Without Him life is reasonless,
Living the other side of Easter.

As I attended to my weary life,
Went on my merry way,
Buried sin that crippled me,
Too hard to face the light of day,
Trapped in a world of selfishness
My heart a lump of clay.
But He never did forsake me,
But He needed just to wake me.
He had somewhere else to take me,
To the other side of Easter

I know I saw Him standing there,
His arms were open wide.
I heard Him calling out my name,
There was nowhere left to hide.
As if my life was standing still,
Just my heart that burned inside,
As a candle lights the darkest night,
He called me out of dusk’s twilight,
Brought into His blessed light
From the other side of Easter.

When I touch His nail pierced hands,
My heart is filled with grief.
There is no balm to offer Him
To bring Him some relief.
I give my heart and all I am
In trust and full belief.
I owe a debt I can’t afford,
Eternal life is my reward.
Behold the Christ, my Risen Lord.
The other side of Easter

Ah But God

I’ve been watching very closely.
I know this person very well.
Keeping Godly well, that is mostly,
As far as anyone can tell.

A believer quite on fire.
Reads the Bible every day.
Has a real love for people.
Shares the truth that points the Way.

Strong in faith, but always learning.
Praying hard sometimes with tears.
Has a Godly hunger.
Has been searching Truth for years.

I’ve been watching very closely.
But things aren’t always what they seem.
If you look there, quite intently,
In the eye you’ll see a beam.

And her walk’s not always steadfast,
Sometimes she veers off track.
Sometimes she is self righteous,
Til she find the right way back.

Ah but God, must be so patient,
Thinking. ‘here we go again,
Will she ever learn the lesson?
Detours always end in pain.’

But remember, God’s forbearance
Doesn’t licence her to sin.
And as I look there in my mirror
I wonder, what will tomorrow bring?

Coram Deo

Live all your life in the Face of God.
In the presence of God
Under the authority of God
To the honour and to the glory of God

Run all your life in the Race of God
With the patience of God
Under the Law of God
To receive prize and the crown of God

Rest all your hope in Grace of God
It is the gift of God
With the Faith in God
To preach the Gospel with the Heart of God

Cor 9:21-27
God is pleased when we live in the presence of our King, under the authority of our King to the honour of our King and to the glory of our King.
There is no greater blessing in Heaven or Earth than to seek to please the King of Kings and in His absence to obey Him and seek to honour Him.

Why would I?

Why would I seek after fame,
When You have promised me glory?
Why would I seek the wealth of the World,
When the wealth of Heaven’s before me?
Why would I race for medals that rust,
When I’m promised a crown that can’t perish?
Why would I seek the knowledge of men,
When Yours is the wisdom I cherish?

Ecc 9:11
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.

The Sparrow

Just a little sparrow
Sitting in the Master’s hand,
Nothing much to look at,
No feathers fine or grand.

Just a little sparrow
Come in for a rest,
Sitting in the Master’s hand
As soft as any nest.

Where have you been, my sparrow
As you flew around my world?
What have you seen my little one
With your tiny wings unfurled?

I’ve seen vast palaces, Master
Filled with gold and silver bright.
I’ve tasted sweet and fancy plates
Watched feasting through the night.

I looked through crystal windows
And I’ve watched the rich at play
All counting their possessions
Before locking them away.

I’ve seen fortresses with iron gates
As strong as man can build.
I’ve seen towers tall that pierce the clouds
That never could be filled.

Ah, little bird what folly
No good at all wealth brings
For just as they look upon it,
Their gold will soon grow wings

What good to store up riches
When not riches of the heart
Where moth and rust destroy them?
At death all wealth will part.

But every cup of water
Every smile man gives away
And every kind and loving word
That’s the treasure I repay

Though every house is built by man
Though he builds his towers tall
His fortresses and castles strong
I am the builder of it all.

‘Twas I who made the firmament
‘Twas I who made it shine
Precious jewels I hid from sight
Gold and silver all is mine

Twas I who sent the rains to Earth
To fall upon the field
I am God of the harvest
To me the corn ears yield.

It was I who made the very man
That first on this planet stood
And everything I made for him
I made it for his good

But look how he’s destroyed it
He should hang his head in shame
But even so I will forgive him
If he calls upon my Name.

And you, my little sparrow
As you flew upon your wing
Did you see goodness anywhere?
Is there a song to sing?

There are a few, my Master
With a song of praise I’ve heard
Who love You with their whole heart
And follow Your every word.

Ah yes a few, I know them
They are precious in my sight
For Everyone I called to me
I wrote in my book of life.

But ‘twas You who gave man breathe of life
You who fashioned him from clay.
‘Twas You who made the stars and moon
And divided night from day.

Twas You who gave man shelter
Though he turned from love to hate
When he bowed down to the evil one
And sealed his future fate.

But Master, why seek You my counsel?
For ‘tis You who knows all things
It was You who made the universe
Twas You who gave me wings.

I ask you, my dear feathered friend
So these words a heart will stir
And the person who is reading this
Will know the Saviour’s here.

My Grace

Why blame God, oh man
When things don’t go the way you plan?
You think because you chose a Saviour
Life will be problem free and full of favour.
When troubles come you start to waiver,
And now you doubt if God is real.
You only judge by how you feel.

How you gnash and cry when you meet strife.
Don’t you know trials are part of life?
“Is it something I’ve done?” I hear you cry’
“Am I really a Christian or is it a lie?”
Why when you doubt do you ask Me, “why?”
Maybe your troubles come from within.
Maybe they are the effect of sin.

Maybe it’s God developing trust.
Maybe your life is dry bones and dust.
Be glad when trials come along
For this is how I make you strong;
To show you to Whom you belong.
Testing faith brings steadfastness.
From steadfastness is completeness.

Better than gold refined in the fire,
An obedient heart is what I desire.
So hold on fast when trials come
For a good father disciplines his son.
For you are by Me a chosen one.
Put all your trust in what I do.
Remember, My Grace is sufficient for you!

The Ten Virgins

Night is nearly over
And dawn is soon to break,
There you sleep so soundly
You could not keep awake.

Ten virgins waiting eagerly
With your little lamps so bright,
Trying to keep away the shadows
That linger in the night

At every scratch and little sound,
You turned your heads to see,
Then back to rest and share a sigh,
For still it isn’t He.

It is your joyful duty
To ensure your lantern burns,
To light His way to usher Him
When He, for His Bride, returns.

Waiting, waiting patiently,
Your lamps begin to fail,
And slowly, very slowly,
The light begins to pale.

From the door there comes a shout!
“It’s the Bridegroom! Let Him in!”
The ten of you leap to your feet,
But your lamps are growing dim.

And five of you refill them,
From the surplus you have brought,
But five of you are lacking,
For no extra oil you bought.

“Pray, sisters wise, we beg you,
Spare us a little oil at least,
For our lamp lights are not shining,
And we wish to join the feast”.

“We’ve none to spare,” you answer,
“You must buy your own yourself.
The Groom is here and we need our oil,
You must pay with your own wealth”.

The foolish maids departed.
The wise, they stood alone,
As through the door, the Beloved
Had come back for His own.

And such a feast they had there,
Like none has seen before,
But the foolish five left standing
Outside the banquet door.

“Please let us in,” they begged Him.
“We were not gone for long.
We found some oil and waited
We’re dressed like we belong.”

The bridegroom heard them knocking,
He heard their plaintive plea,
“Truly I do not know you,
You do not belong with me.”

He locked the door behind Him
To the wedding that was there.
Five wise maids joined the banquet
And five left in great despair.

There’s a lesson here for everyone,
Advice that’s good to take:
Your Lord may come at any time.
Be sure you are awake.

How do you know you’re a virgin wise?
How do you keep awake?
How will you know He knows you?
There are three tests that you can take?

Test one it is ‘Experience’
Of He who convicts of sin.
An encounter with the Holy Spirit
That you know He dwells within.

Test two is to look outside yourself.
What you do and what you say.
That every day you live for Him.
In every single way.

Test three is called ‘Endurance’.
You do not stop to run the race
You are His until the finish line,
Until you fall in His embrace.

The Secret Place

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Ps 91:1,2

Let me rest my head on Your shoulder
For You know well who I am
Let me spend a while
In the warmth of Your smile
For I’m doing the best that I can

When tempest and storm rage about me
I know that You’re in control
When You call out peace
All my storms cease
You’re the anchor of hope for my soul

You won’t leave me or ever forsake me
As You have given Your Word
Let me rest in the grace
Of Your loving embrace
And my heart can rest assured

Let me draw nearer to Jesus
Let me get a much closer view
Then what should I fear
When I am near
With my eyes fixed fully on You

Then here where I live in Your shelter
Where the nearness of God is my good
I know I’m secure,
For Your word is sure
In the Mercy Seat I’m understood.

For this is where You would have me
Drawing nearer to look in Your face
I see You as my Friend
Thus my joy has no end.
I am sheltered in Your Secret Place.

The Toll Rises

The Toll rises

And the toll rises.
Anxiety and fear are high.
I feel it when I talk to friends,
Behind blue masks, they’re asking why?
How long until this evil ends?

And the toll rises.
Once busy places, now deserted,
Offices now closed and bare.
Handshakes banned, eyes averted,
Sanitised, our souls despair.

And the toll rises.
Shops, once brimming, shelves now empty.
Some people lack, while others hoard.
People try to fill their pantries,
While others weep who can’t afford.

And the toll rises.
The government has closed our borders.
Airports now are silent tombs.
Closed our bars and shut our churches.
Our old folk now are trapped in rooms.

And the toll rises.
Don’t shake hands or touch each other.
Stay at least 6 feet apart.
Families separate from each other.
Lovers weep with broken heart.

And the toll rises.
Soon our elders will be memories.
A child naive of mother’s touch.
Soon the State will be the parent.
It gives us all, but not too much.

And the toll rises.
They watch our steps, they hear our chatter,
Everything we say and do
Is closely guarded by militia.
Our freedoms gone that once we knew.

And the toll rises.
Famines come and plagues soon follow.
Wars and times of great unrest.
The world is searching for an answer,
As millions wander, dispossessed.

And the toll rises.
Who will come and save creation?
Who will hear our desperate cries?
As fires burn in every nation,
From the Pit, the demons rise.

And the toll rises.
When all seems lost, at the worst hour,
Benevolent, he makes his call.
A nation rises, with great power,
Professing peace to one and all.

And the toll rises.
Then out comes the ‘benefactor’,
A man of charm and confidence.
He offers peace and a solution,
As he has much experience.

And the toll rises.
A genius politician, great orator,
Master of commerce, skilled in war.
People quickly turn to praise him,
The whole world enamoured by his roar.

And the toll rises.
With all power, signs and lying wonders,
The Lawless One, the Man of Sin,
Working every kind of fierce deception,
To deceive the ones who bow to him.

And the toll rises.
They adulate and idolise him.
Before him spread a bounteous feast.
They worship him and they adore him,
The one the Dragon names “The Beast”.

And the toll rises.
They hang on every word he’s speaking,
Cannot discern that he is dark.
Quick to rush to bow before him,
Eager to receive his Mark.

And the toll rises.
But there’s a few who stand against him,
Those who Christ Himself has sealed.
Hunted, tortured, persecuted,
But holding fast to truths God has revealed.

And the toll rises.
And you? You who are reading this,
Let this warning shout out strong.
Examine yourself. Are you in the Faith?
To which master do you belong?

And when Christ returns to take His own,
Have you set yourself apart?
Or are you holding on to earthly things?
Where your treasure is, there is your heart.

Time is very short, my friend.
There is no more time to delay.
Examine yourself, are you in the Faith?
If not? Repent, be saved today.

Like a thief in the night, the Redeemed will rise.
Those saved by Grace will be caught away.
I pray, my friend that you rise too.
I pray this every day.

And as the toll rises,
The Redeemed rise too

Broken Vessel

Beauty lined with shining grace
Through every scar and broken place.
Where I was weak, now am I strong.
Where I was lost, now I belong.

Though poor in spirit I am blessed
In Jesus’ hands I find my rest
For when my wretched sin I see
My Lord, He comes and fixes me.

Shattered, marked with loneliness
He sealed my fractured brokenness
With master’s skill put back together
I’m stronger, precious, more than ever.

See my scars, how bright they shine
Sealed by Him who calls me ‘Mine’
My wounds now healed reflect His glory
My scars now say, ‘this is my story.’

Time

Time never moves forward without engraving its mark upon the heart—sometimes a stab, sometimes a tender touch, sometimes a vice grip of spikes, sometimes a mortal wound but always an imprint.


Time is a double edged sword
It can slice and it can hack
Seeks revenge and brings reward
Hope looks forward, regret looks back
Time carves it’s imprint
Upon the heart
But never does it pass
Without it leaves it’s mark

Sometimes it is a stab
Plunging deep
Sometimes a tender touch
To make you weep
Sometimes it grips you like a vice
And sometimes steals away your life
But never does it pass
Without it leaves it’s mark.

Til Now

1 Samuel 7:12  Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

In the midst of our own battles — perhaps health, financial, relationship struggles— we would do well to take stock of the Lord’s blessings in our lives over the years. In doing so, we can find great encouragement and optimism.


I stand in a stream of madness
And take a moment to still my fears
In the aisles of dreams and sadness
You were there throughout the years

Like branches green above me
Your loving-kindness gently spread
On pillars strong, your faithfulness
And mercy shades my head.

Through times of trial and sickness
And times of great despair
Though times of joyous rapture
I see your handwork there.

By day your love is with me
At night I hear your song
Tender mercy and Your kindness
My companions all day long

When I turn and look before me
At the avenue ahead
The birds sing in their branches
Their feathered rainbows spread.

And yet there’s still a distance
For my journey’s not yet done
More joy, more trials and triumphs
More battles to be won.

When the storm clouds gather round me
To find my way, I know not how
But thus far the Lord has helped me
And He won’t quit now.

The Wind is Blowing

Can you hear the rustle of wind in the balsam trees?
That’s my God directing me.
Do you hear the feet of a mighty army?
That’s my God protecting me.

Listen, arise and follow
For the winds of falsehood and deception are blowing
Stand up in reverence of Almighty God
For the Word of our salvation is full to overflowing.

Worship Him, lifting your hands and bow your head,
Listen and surrender in humility.
Allow the Word of God to fall in fertile soil,
Striving for truth and sincerity.

Learn to recognise His voice
And then will you never be deceived.
Get your heart right with God.
Have faith In Him whom you have believed.

Listen intently, be obedient
For it is He who leads in the long black night.
His commands are radiant
He shines on the dark and brings the light….


‘And when the dust settles
And the smoke clears
We want to be standing
And we pray that we will’

Psalms

(an acrostic)

P oetry to music
S acred hymn to sing
A llelulia Alelulia Alelulia to the King
L ord of All is on His throne
M essiah’s praises ring
S ing Alelulia, Alelulia, Alelulia to the King

Sleep Precious Saviour

Sleep precious Saviour just close Your eyes
And I will sing You sweet lullabies
Warm and secure in Your cradle of love
Tomorrow will come soon enough.

Shepherds and wise men kneel by your side
Rich and poor travel from far and from wide
To lay at your feet the gifts that they bring
For the child that’s born to be King.

Who could know then just how precious You are
Brighter by far than the bright morning star
The cares of this day just seem so far away
As safe in your manger You lay.

Who could imagine one baby so small
Would grow up to be the Saviour of all
So sleep precious baby God’s lovely Son
Tomorrow there’s work to be done.

Now as we gather this Christmas morn
With paper and packages scattered and torn
There is a gift that outshines everyone
The gift God has given……………His Son

The Maestro

Ephesians 2:8-12
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The Maestro

Trees in shy slender beauty,
Their branches like lovers entwine.
Their grace – no artist can capture
Except for one moment in time.
Or the colours in the stretch of the rainbow
Or the subtle shades of the light
No brush in the hand can master
Though he try with all his might.

The sweet perfume of the primrose
Or the jasmine in glorious bloom
Or the breath of spring in the willow
None can recreate nature’s perfume
Or the dew on the grass in the dawning
Or the musk of a cathedral of trees
There is not a single perfumer
Could bottle a perfume like these.

Nightingales sing praise in the morning
Or the jay as it bursts into song
No man can capture the music
Of nature’s sweet joyous throng.
The whisper of wind in the rushes
Or the crash of the oceans roar
There’s not a single composer
Could write any better a score.

The crisp freshly plucked apple
Or a triplet of cherries, so sweet
Man never has made such a menu
With better a dish on to eat
Or the juice as it bursts from the orange
Or the sunbaked fruit of the date
There’s no Cordon-Bleu chef in Paris
Could offer more tempting a plate.

The touch of a newborn babe’s fingers
As it suckles to it’s mothers breast
No man could make such a fabric
Softer than that sweet caress
Or the wakening spray of the raindrops
Or the wind as it breathes through your hair
There is no cloth that is man made
Even comes close to compare.

But who is this wonderful artist?
Who could create such a beautiful thing?
Musician, perfumer, couturier, chef?
Who else?
But Lord Jesus – Our King!!

God Chooses

God chooses whom He chooses
And Calls whom He would call
And whom He calls He justifies
Be they great or be they small

And whom God justifies, He glorifies
Those He knew so long ago
And He gives Eternal life
To those who love Him so.

So all things work together
Both the bitter and the sweet
In glorious days of triumph
Or days of sad defeat

The Good Lord has His purpose
And works all things for good
To bring you to perfection
To stand just as you should.

My reasonable Service

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, bretheren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

How much, how much do I owe You?
So much, I cannot repay You
But with all my body, with all my soul
And all my strength obey You
But it is justice alone You paid for me
That leaves me indebted
To Your love,
That leaves me
Indebted to Your grace,
That leaves me
Indebted to Your forgiving mercy

But of justice,
I am not in debt
When You said ‘it is finished’
The debt of justice was settled
Paid in full
Wiped away,
Here is the receipt,
Justice served.

Now here I stand
10 times more in debt to loving grace
Though 10 thousand times offending
You gave Your Son to take my place
To bring a joyful ending
With just one sovereign act of love
Though a thousand enemies storm my path
Your love stays infinite
Though I might change one thousand times
You have not changed, not once
I owe You everything I am and all I have
And I sacrifice it all to You
For this my reasonable service is.

Listen to my Father’s Voice

The sounds of the morning are rushing my way
There’s work to be done to fill up my day
There’s hurrying scurrying jobs to be done
But I’m taking a moment when there seems to be none.
 
The streets full of people all shuffling  round
Shoulder to shoulder and eyes to the ground
The sighs in their silence – a terrible sound
One day one more dollar is all that they’ve found.
 
I know man must live by the sweat of his brow
We don’t have tomorrow, we only have now
But there’s rest for the weary if they only knew how
To listen to my Father’s voice.
 
I thank you Father that I have time to pray
That I have time to listen to hear what You say
Life is a joy when I hear and obey
There’s no better living and no better way.
 
So I’m taking the time, I’m making my choice
To leave work behind, and take time to rejoice,
I’m making the time, I’m taking my choice
To listen to my Father’s voice.

Imagination

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves
 those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Is that why we call them heart strings?
Making music, strumming chords to sooth the soul.
Alive to every beating rhythm,
Giving healing, making whole?
Is that why the poets’ fingers
Nimbly steer the writing pen
As line by line and rhyme by rhyme,
The cursive character keeps good time
Inscribing emotion deep into the core of men?
Or have our hearts so hardened, that what once were cords
Now chain our dreams and we sink steely deep into oblivion?

Forgive me

Mark 14:72 “And the second time the cock crew.
And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him,
Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
And when he thought thereon, he wept.”

Yesterday I fell asleep
Choosing carnal flesh
OverYour command
To watch and pray.
But weariness of human frailty overtook me
And You watched as I bowed my head
Lost in the heaviness of my eyes,
Forgetting the heaviness of the moment.
How many times did you call “Arise”?
How many times did I let you down?
Oh, what a day of failings that was.
I fled like a thief and left you there.
Promises and vows of loyalty abandoned.
Three times denied
As triumphant the bragging of the rooster
Echoes in my mind
As I weep.

Spiders Web

2 Corinthians 11:13-15. “For such are false apostles, deceiptful workers,
transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. and no marvel,
for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. therefore it is
no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers
of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Beware the deceiver’s web

Nothing but a spider
Fattening on flies
She spins her sticky silver webs
And traps her game with lies
It’s the hypocrite’s religion
To seduce the foolish man
To lure him in with silken threads
A trick much used since time began
How speedy now the poison spreads

With lightening strike she makes no sound
All in the dark like Satan’s hound
Around and round until fast bound
In sticky robes her victim’s gowned.

Everywhere you’ll find her
Even palaces of kings
Where gossips wait to speak seduction
You’ll find the shells of plunderings
Lured in by words of self-esteem
You’ll have your best life now
Be mindful of this false instruction
For the righteous road is narrow
And the broad leads to destruction

The spider’s web of lies is a disgrace
The cleaner’s broom will leave no trace
For deception is no match for Grace
So let Lord Jesus be your hiding place.

I know what I need?

Ephesians 1:6-7 to the praise and glory of His grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted of the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

What need I
Of fancy clothes
Of gulfstream jets
New corvettes
Or bigger cheques
Or etiquettes?
Why need I those
Do you suppose?

What need I
Of scented oils
Of sprawling ranches
High finances
Dervish dances
Olive branches?
Why need I spoils
From others’ toils?

But what I need
Is changed behaviour
No condemnation
Divine Salvation
Sin cancellation
God’s restoration
Unearned favour
From a Saviour
That’s what I need.

The Widow’s Mites.

Luke 21:1-4 And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all; For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

Here they are these two small coins,
Worthless both to you or me,
Worthless to the temple scribe,
Worthless to the Pharisee.

Two small coins the widow’s mites
Was all that she had left.
These two coins she gave away
Left her destitute, bereft.

Once she used to be well off
Her husband by her side.
Helped the poor and raised her kids
Until her husband died.

Then in they came – the Pharisees,
“We’ll help you here, m’dear.
Sign this bit of paper,
We’ll take care of things from here.”

They took all her furniture,
They took her block of land,
They took her fine gold jewellry,
Her robes, her wedding band

Left her there with nothing.
They left her in despair.
Once they had devoured her house
They left without a care.

All she had left were two small mites.
It was all she had to bring.
She took them to the temple
To make an offering

Many came before her
With trumpets blaring loud
With wealthy gifts of silver coins
To impress the watching crowds.

But there was One sitting, watching
And He lifted up His head,
No judgement did He make of her
And the only thing He said:

“Truely, this poor widow
Has given out of her poverty,
The others gave out of their wealth
From their prosperity”.

His words did not commend her
For such a selfless act,
Nor did He make a judgement,
But simply stated fact.

And He said as He left the place,
“A time is coming when
Not one stone will stand on stone
Do not be deceived by men,

For many will come in my name
Claiming I am He.
Do not follow these deceivers
Only follow Me”.

2

I can’t say what He was thinking
Or what He wanted us to know.
I only know how I would feel
To see my friends mistreated so.

I think that He was angry.
I know I would have been
To see my friends fall victim
As false teachers plot and scheme.

Selling health and wealth for dollars
“A cure for cancer’s not too hard,
Don’t worry if you have no cash
We’ll take your credit card.”

Only put your trust in God.
Only seek His Face.
You’ll find you cannot buy His love
It’s given freely by His Grace.

Imago Dei

Genesis 1:26a Then God said, “Let Us make man
in Our image, according to our likeness;”

I see His splendour reflected
Mirrored in your face
A million souls connected by
God’s goodness and His grace
Oh why then do we hate

Destroy life before first breath
Everyone is made
In the Image of my God

Imagination

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves
 those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Is that why we call them heart strings?
Making music, strumming chords to sooth the soul.
Alive to every beating rhythm,
Giving healing, making whole?
Is that why the poets’ fingers
Nimbly steer the writing pen
As line by line and rhyme by rhyme,
The cursive character keeps good time
Inscribing emotion deep into the core of men?
Or have our hearts so hardened, that what once were cords
Now chain our dreams and we sink steely deep into oblivion?

Morning Prayer

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears
will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

My Heavenly Father
How wondrous are Your ways
As this new day is dawning
My soul will sing Your praise
I am so grateful that You love me
Grateful your love stays
Grateful that You’re here with me
And remain with me always.

Lord please grant me wisdom
As I go about my day today
That I will handle anything
Whatever comes my way.
Help me to know Your will, my God
Give me courage, Lord, I pray
That I do only what You want me to
And speak only what You’d say.

As the world awakes, this is my prayer
That what I say and do
Will honour Jesus, God the Son
The One whose way is true
That my words and deeds reflect His light
And shine His way anew
To a waiting world, who’s watching me
As I am representing You.

With You by my side I’ll not be shaken
You are my shelter in my hardest hour
And in Your will I am not forsaken
For You are my high and strongest tower
Then by Your might I’ll not depart
For In Your strength I walk in power
You are the joy that fills up my heart
With grace comes blessings in showers.

My God, my Lord and Saviour
May You be glorified by my life this day,

Amen

What if?

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105

What if we treated the Bible like our mobile phone
Carried it with us wherever we went
Turned back to get it if we forgot it
Always checking for messages received and sent?

What if we treated the Bible like our favourite show
Talking about it at every tea break
Made a recording for fear we should we miss it
Watched all the re-runs and every out-take?

What if we treated the Bible like our favourite dinner
Ingesting, digesting each spoon with delight
And when we were finished we went back for seconds
Till our bellies were full and our belts were too tight?

What if we treated the Bible like our emergency plan
Practiced, rehearsed it and frequently drilled
So when life’s troubles befell us, we’d break open the pages
And out spill all our answers till our spirits are filled?

Butterfly

“But God shows His love for us in that while
we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

But you’re just a butterfly
Colouring the wings of summer
Drifting in the winds of summer
Tossed by every breeze

Just a butterfly
Colouring the wings of summer
Drifting in the winds of summer
Resting where you please.

That was a good day in my life
Morning still and fresh with dew
Yesterday was past remembering
The day I first met you.

You’re warmth from the summer breeze
Golden kisses from the sun
And smiles from memories
All blended into one

Painting rainbows in the air
You alight, then you are gone
I reach out, but you’re not there
Still your softness lingers on.

Now summer’s fading in the sky
And autumn’s colouring the trees
The swallow sang his last goodbye
And tears of silver kiss the leaves.

Now morning’s breaking in my heart
Winter’s tearing me apart – so cold
You never finish what you start – so cold
You’re just a butterfly.

Ah but every winter has its end
And summer calls with gentle rain
Are you listening, my friend?
Will you return again?

God’s Business

“When you extinguish a candle, the light goes out; when you chase away a bird, it sings its song from another bough.”   
The Candle and The Bird, J W Boreham

Put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in true righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:24
—————————————–
What you think of me is …
None of my business
What you say or what you do is …
None of my business
Maybe I need to change
Maybe you need to change
Maybe we need to change
But it is …
None of my business
People will be lost
Going about business that is …
Not their own

The only thing that matters is …

What God thinks about me.

Thank You

(For the right people at the right time and in the right place)

Thank You to my Father For still loving me
…………..when I was at my most rebelious.
Thank You for loving me
…………..when I didn’t love You.
Thank You for still loving me even
…………..when I do not love You the way you deserve.
Thank You, Father for still loving me
…………..but not loving me the way I deserve.
Thank You for loving the person I am
…………..but not the sin I struggle with every day.
Thank You for separating the sin I do
………….from the person You have designed me to be in You.
Thank You Father for glimpses of You
………….that I see each new day.
Thank You that Your burden is light
………….because it is not weighed down with doing things.
Thank You that Your path is narrow
………….because You put Your yoke around me to steady me
………… and steer me and keep my soul safe from harm..
Thank You Father that although I come to You alone,
………….You welcome me and I become adopted and welcomed into your family.
Thank You Father for sending the Messenger, Your Holy Spirit
………….to flood Your Saving Grace into my life.
………….to teach me, to bear witness with my spirit.
Thank You Father that You send Your comfort and assurance
…………with the right people at the right time and in the right place.

Thank You

A Wonderful Life

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

A New year,
A new frightening opportunity
To let go
Time to leave behind
Burning desires and hell bound schemes
To throw off that mildewed cloak
The masquerade
Of hope unmet
Of wants unsated

Turning up to face the calling out
To future possibilities
To strange new adventures
But then glancing back,
Catch a Glimpse
Into the gaping chasm of lost wants

What will you feel looking there?
Will you be bound
By the frightening, tightening of bitterness, despair,
Or loosed to the freedom of hope?
Unfettered to walk forward
Onto the path of possibilities unseen?
Forced into decision, Reader,
What will you feel? Will it be real?

The wrenching away of clenching hands
Holding fast to what is wretched
The journey away from the old place,
The familiar face
Led away by a different vision
A changed decision.
Abandoned by dreams
Sought by one who redeems
Pursued by a new reality.
Assuaged by a new morality
Converted from the former,
Transformed to the new
From the secrets of self
Cloaked in night
Revealed in light
The discipline of discipleship
To take the narrow gate, the straight way

Called away from lack and led to love
And the painful, beautiful ongoing creativity
Of a life in Christ.
It is an invitation to follow,
To go where you would not wish to go
And yet to still go
And in doing so
Surrender willingly
As He did.
This is the mystery
Of the One who calls you by name.
The One who told you everything about yourself
The One who has released you
With captivating love
This is His promise
A new life, a new year, a new eternity.
A truely wonderful life.

To Live forever

Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:18-19

Crucified
The Son of Man- He died for
You
Blameless
The Lamb of God – His love won
Through
Risen
As the King of Kings- there is no
Doubt
Salvation
By the Lord of Lords-He called you
Out
Seated
At the right of God- He takes His
Place
Blessed
Is the little child – that seeks His
Face
Justified
By His own blood – He bore our
Sin
Sanctified
He raised us up – to sit with
Him

◦ 

Silence

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 17:11-12

Sometimes I just need to escape to a quiet place. A place silent enough To hear Your voice
————-——
I went home
To hear Your voice
I heard the dull droning of domestic machines
The ticking of meter and technological screams
The gushing of water rushing through pipes
I did not find silence there.

I went into the garden
To hear Your voice
There was loneliness howling through neighbourhood pickets
The buzzing of lawnmowers and clacking of crickets
The screaming of sirens racing through streets
I did not find silence there.

I went to the ocean
To hear Your voice
There was scavenging screeches of seagulls grumbling
The rumbling, jumbling as pebbles were tumbling
The squeals of children splashing through foam
I did not find silence there.

I went to the forest
To hear Your voice
There was crashing and crushing as old timber was falling
The rustle of reptiles through undergrowth crawling
Racing as footsteps were crunching behind
I did not find silence there.

I went to the mountain
To hear Your voice
There was clambering, scampering of boots on rubble
The squawking screech of a bird in trouble
As a hawk hovered overhead and shadowed the sun
I did not find silence there.

I went to the river
To hear Your voice
There was giggling and glamouring school girls on their run
Majestic willows ancient limbs gnarled under sun
Wind-caressed waves lapping the banks
I did not find silence there.

I went to me
To hear Your voice
There was whirling of sound and jabber of chatter
The pompous processions of things that don’t matter
A parade full of clowns and ridiculous reason
I did not find silence there.

Were You not – there all along?
Are You not – there all the time?
Will You not – be there always?
Always and all ways?

Still, You are there in my home
You are In my safe place
Still, You are there in the garden
You Watch the seeds grow
Still, You are there by the ocean
You Walk as waves roar
Still, You are there in the forest
You Smile as new life unfurls
Still, You are there in the mountain
You Hear the echoes of the calls
Still, You are there by the river
You complete the conversation of two old friends
Still, You are there in me

I am Sinking into Your silence
You are the longing of my heart
Still, I am where I belong
Still, Jesus, Still, You are my song
Still, Almighty Creator,
I am Your creation
Still, I am honoured to be
Your poem
Still

In the Waiting

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habbakuk 2:3

Waiting to catch a glimpse of Him

In the glamour and glitter of the twinkling season
Overwhelmed and entranced in a world void of reason,
Ribbon wrapped paper behind garlanded doors
Indebted to banks and tempted by stores,
Piled extravagant gifts that nobody bought.
Family feast and family feud
Starved of affection but gorging on food.
Behind steel eyed smiles anxiety abating
Are we who are here with we who are waiting
-Or are we just standing in line
Secretly hoping for Christmas to close?
Waiting to get on with the rest of the year,
Indifferent to the miracle that is calling us here?

We are, yes we are waiting
We are waiting for the King
We are waiting for the Christ
We are waiting for the One
Who has already come
He who will come again in new ways
Into the messy details of our muddled days
And not just at Christmastime
Will He come, but for all time.

But for now it’s in the waiting we are blessed
And in the waiting we find our rest
And in the waiting are seeds sown of faith and hope and love
And, in His time, will He hasten, the Delight of Heaven above,
Though it seem so achingly slow, yet He will not delay.
So, in waiting, watch, in watching, pray,
For it opens eyes and hearts and hands
And ushers in the better land
Be in readiness to receive He who was and is and is to come
His most precious gift – His One, His Only Son.

For now let this Christmas be a celebration
That God has come with proclamation
That God will surely come again and stay
Within in the Waiting of today.

The last enemy

Victory, Destiny, Mortality, Vanity Eternity, Calvary

So the saying goes ‘two things are certain in this life for all –
death and taxes’
We can cheat the one but not the other
So much for short-lived victory

So Why so surprised when death creeps up
No respecter of foe or friend or lover
It’s ignominious appointment with us
Vantablack and certain, comes to cloak with
Suffocating cover
And calls our bluff – tempting as it is –
That we are masters of our own destiny?

How agonising is the void
That throbs
Within the human heart
When the earthly journey
Comes to end and friends and lovers part.
And death, appointment duty done
With indiscriminate efficiency
Leaves us bereft, left to depart
To where?
To hide behind the veil of our own mortality?

To seek fulfilment with such zeal Power, wealth
Those treacherous idols of success
What wasted life, so finite, and shallow
What benefit do these things possess
Can they buy just one more day
Or gift just one warm last caress?
Or awaken compassion in a heart of stone?
Earthly Life is but a vapour and All is just vanity.

So why live this mortal life as if concluded,
Forever forcing Infinity into the finite and imperishable into decay
We are strangers and sojourners in this land
Our days on the earth are as a shadow, we will not stay
For this earth is not your heart’s true home
You are in transit, a traveller a pilgrim on the way
Listen to the yearning of your soul
Heed the word for into your heart is set eternity

When sounds the clarion call and answered
Death has lost its grip
The Gospel shining bright on the eternal gleaming
Willing service unto God and to our fellow man
Now life becomes significant now there is meaning
For nothing done in obedience to Him who saves is lost
Even in suffering and death there is redeeming
With faithfulness and joy I live forever
Confirmed by Christ on Calvary.