One who is God took
A new condition to be
Near men - and near me!
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
TO ROSIE
It is your uniqueness
That I love; that confluence
Of goodness and grace, a blending
Of savours. There is no point
In analysis - knowing its chemicals
Does not enhance a meal - but let me
Relish what is distinctly
You.
How does someone cope with
The heap of detritus, the jumble
Of a person? What will be retrieved
From the pile that is known as
Me?
I often repeat
“To know Him and the power
Of His resurrection” - yet I am aware
That this could be a mantra
With little moral effect. If I
Could know what is distinctly
Him!
That I love; that confluence
Of goodness and grace, a blending
Of savours. There is no point
In analysis - knowing its chemicals
Does not enhance a meal - but let me
Relish what is distinctly
You.
How does someone cope with
The heap of detritus, the jumble
Of a person? What will be retrieved
From the pile that is known as
Me?
I often repeat
“To know Him and the power
Of His resurrection” - yet I am aware
That this could be a mantra
With little moral effect. If I
Could know what is distinctly
Him!
Monday, 29 March 2010
IN CHRIST
God has come out
in Christ
to meet our need;
thus we can plead
His mercy,
And trust without one doubt.
We may draw near
in Christ
to meet God's heart;
He will impart
His favour
For love has cast out fear.
2010
in Christ
to meet our need;
thus we can plead
His mercy,
And trust without one doubt.
We may draw near
in Christ
to meet God's heart;
He will impart
His favour
For love has cast out fear.
2010
Sunday, 28 March 2010
FEET
But as the Lord moved by obedient steps
Towards the cross and His vicarious death
What of His feet ‑ did any care for them?
The women cared: one saw His need and wept
And by her tears the Master was refreshed;
She poured out myrrh despite opposers there.
Mary had sat beside His feet and heard,
Had bowed to them under the greatest test:
She valued them and showered on them the best,
The finest nard, a fragrant recompense.
Soon as His footstool His foes will all be set ‑
That is the just reward which God directs.
Towards the cross and His vicarious death
What of His feet ‑ did any care for them?
The women cared: one saw His need and wept
And by her tears the Master was refreshed;
She poured out myrrh despite opposers there.
Mary had sat beside His feet and heard,
Had bowed to them under the greatest test:
She valued them and showered on them the best,
The finest nard, a fragrant recompense.
Soon as His footstool His foes will all be set ‑
That is the just reward which God directs.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
SHOULDERS
As for His shoulders what burdens have they borne?
Toward Golgotha He walked a bitter road:
The cross He carried, a rough and evil load;
Since I was sinful and lost and wont to rove
The Lord descended and took the Shepherd's role,
Coming to seek me and gently bear me home;
A Man in glory He wears the priestly robe,
Its shoulder‑pieces a pair of onyx‑stones
On which are written, in order, all His own
Sustained by Jesus, the Priest upon a throne;
While in my pathway the Man whom I adore
Is not ashamed to share with me His yoke.
Toward Golgotha He walked a bitter road:
The cross He carried, a rough and evil load;
Since I was sinful and lost and wont to rove
The Lord descended and took the Shepherd's role,
Coming to seek me and gently bear me home;
A Man in glory He wears the priestly robe,
Its shoulder‑pieces a pair of onyx‑stones
On which are written, in order, all His own
Sustained by Jesus, the Priest upon a throne;
While in my pathway the Man whom I adore
Is not ashamed to share with me His yoke.
Friday, 26 March 2010
EARS
By what authority did Jesus speak
And to which principle did He adhere?
"Morning by morning He openeth mine ear".
He would not speak that which He did not hear:
In words or deeds obedience was complete
Unto the cross ‑ the uttermost extreme.
But as He went He heard the cries of need
From those around and always stopped to heal.
Exalted now the Saviour still takes heed
Of every prayer and every humble plea:
His ears are open and still He will relieve
All who are weary, as their sustaining Priest.
And to which principle did He adhere?
"Morning by morning He openeth mine ear".
He would not speak that which He did not hear:
In words or deeds obedience was complete
Unto the cross ‑ the uttermost extreme.
But as He went He heard the cries of need
From those around and always stopped to heal.
Exalted now the Saviour still takes heed
Of every prayer and every humble plea:
His ears are open and still He will relieve
All who are weary, as their sustaining Priest.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
FACE
What of His face which He had firmly set
To go God's way towards Jerusalem?
Such was the hate and bitterness of men
None will be marred as His was marred again;
No visage was so marred as His and yet
His look of love caused Peter to repent.
But God ensured after the Lord's ascent
Stephen should see its glory from the earth:
While with no veil but glory evident
We look to heaven and gaze upon Him there,
Subjected thus to metamorphoses,
So that His glory is more and more expressed.
To go God's way towards Jerusalem?
Such was the hate and bitterness of men
None will be marred as His was marred again;
No visage was so marred as His and yet
His look of love caused Peter to repent.
But God ensured after the Lord's ascent
Stephen should see its glory from the earth:
While with no veil but glory evident
We look to heaven and gaze upon Him there,
Subjected thus to metamorphoses,
So that His glory is more and more expressed.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
HANDS
Who measured out the waters in His palm
And meted out the heavens in His span?
The One who handled and healed the leprous man,
Who raised the child, her hand warm in His grasp;
The One who held the children in His arms ‑
He holds them still and will not let them part;
The One whose touch was always operant
Upon such poor and powerless operands;
The One whose flesh felt the nail's brutal stab:
And risen showed to His beloved the marks;
This was the One who led His own apart
And who ascended blessing with outstretched hands.
We'll have a few more from "Touching the King"; see 7 July 2008 for details.
And meted out the heavens in His span?
The One who handled and healed the leprous man,
Who raised the child, her hand warm in His grasp;
The One who held the children in His arms ‑
He holds them still and will not let them part;
The One whose touch was always operant
Upon such poor and powerless operands;
The One whose flesh felt the nail's brutal stab:
And risen showed to His beloved the marks;
This was the One who led His own apart
And who ascended blessing with outstretched hands.
We'll have a few more from "Touching the King"; see 7 July 2008 for details.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Monday, 22 March 2010
Sunday, 21 March 2010
11/11/04
As old soldiers pass
I am glad that I can have
A remembrance day.
(This refers to Lord's day!)
I am glad that I can have
A remembrance day.
(This refers to Lord's day!)
Saturday, 20 March 2010
Friday, 19 March 2010
Thursday, 18 March 2010
08/11/04
Rumours from India
Remind me to give thanks for
Hygienic toilets!
I've survived India pretty well since I wrote this!
Remind me to give thanks for
Hygienic toilets!
I've survived India pretty well since I wrote this!
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
“POEMS ABOUT GOD”
I picked up a book of
“Poems about God”: there was
Some sense and wonder but
It did not give a pure note
Because it missed
The Man who best knows love.
“Poems about God”: there was
Some sense and wonder but
It did not give a pure note
Because it missed
The Man who best knows love.
Monday, 15 March 2010
KINGS
When puissant Bruce had freed his land,
With Edward's myriads overthrown
By cunning, strategy and force,
He justly claimed it for his own
And ruled amid his clamant court
A leper on a throne.
When Arthur led his gallant knights
To aid and vindicate the just
Who, having formerly despaired,
Acclaimed a monarch they could trust
His host contained Modred his bane
The product of his lust.
And when King David was supreme
From the Euphrates to the sea,
While subjugated nations brought
Silver and gold at his decree,
Within his homeland Absalom
Attained a high degree.
No monarch, great, or good, or just,
Suffices in his quality
To exercise before his God
An undiminished sovereignty;
Apart from Christ whose reign reflects
His own nobility.
With Edward's myriads overthrown
By cunning, strategy and force,
He justly claimed it for his own
And ruled amid his clamant court
A leper on a throne.
When Arthur led his gallant knights
To aid and vindicate the just
Who, having formerly despaired,
Acclaimed a monarch they could trust
His host contained Modred his bane
The product of his lust.
And when King David was supreme
From the Euphrates to the sea,
While subjugated nations brought
Silver and gold at his decree,
Within his homeland Absalom
Attained a high degree.
No monarch, great, or good, or just,
Suffices in his quality
To exercise before his God
An undiminished sovereignty;
Apart from Christ whose reign reflects
His own nobility.
Sunday, 14 March 2010
WATER
Egypt’s water - the first we knew -
Turned to blood
At the twirl of a staff.
Glad were we when the Red Sea’s water
Left the Egyptian shore
Irretrievably cut off.
Bitter were we till Marah’s drink
Was transformed for us
By cast wood.
Fertility greeted us,
Seventy palm trees,
At the twelve springs of Elim.
We murmured, but it was the Rock
Which was smitten; the Rock
Which gave water.
And the Rock was willing
To follow; to serve water
At the lawgiver’s request.
After our wandering years
At last we could wield staves
To dig the well.
The last water, Jordan, dashed
Hopes; till the ark
Championed our passage.
We have been brought to a good land,
A land of waterbrooks, of springs,
And of deep waters,
That gush forth in the valleys and hills.
Turned to blood
At the twirl of a staff.
Glad were we when the Red Sea’s water
Left the Egyptian shore
Irretrievably cut off.
Bitter were we till Marah’s drink
Was transformed for us
By cast wood.
Fertility greeted us,
Seventy palm trees,
At the twelve springs of Elim.
We murmured, but it was the Rock
Which was smitten; the Rock
Which gave water.
And the Rock was willing
To follow; to serve water
At the lawgiver’s request.
After our wandering years
At last we could wield staves
To dig the well.
The last water, Jordan, dashed
Hopes; till the ark
Championed our passage.
We have been brought to a good land,
A land of waterbrooks, of springs,
And of deep waters,
That gush forth in the valleys and hills.
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Friday, 12 March 2010
ASK FOR A SIGN
Isaiah 7
"Ask for a sign" the prophet told the king;
"Ask for it in the deep or in the height."
King Ahaz sneered "I will do no such thing".
How great the sign of Jonah to incite
Wonder at God's unfathomable ways,
Bringing one man through darkness into light!
How great the sign of Solomon's great days,
His splendour and the wisdom which God gave
To rule His people and to bring Him praise!
There is a greater sign now in the grave,
Its depths and darkness entered for His own
By Christ that to the utmost He may save.
There is a greater sign now in the throne
Where Jesus sits, acclaimed at God's right hand,
Whence all the power of heaven may be known.
If you touch depths you cannot understand
Remember what your Lord endured for you
That heavenly power might be at your command.
If you reach heights, with Jesus in your view,
And know relationships in which to bask,
Remember all the depths which He went through.
"Ask for a sign" ‑ God longs for you to task
His willingness and nature ‑ knock! seek! ask!
"Ask for a sign" the prophet told the king;
"Ask for it in the deep or in the height."
King Ahaz sneered "I will do no such thing".
How great the sign of Jonah to incite
Wonder at God's unfathomable ways,
Bringing one man through darkness into light!
How great the sign of Solomon's great days,
His splendour and the wisdom which God gave
To rule His people and to bring Him praise!
There is a greater sign now in the grave,
Its depths and darkness entered for His own
By Christ that to the utmost He may save.
There is a greater sign now in the throne
Where Jesus sits, acclaimed at God's right hand,
Whence all the power of heaven may be known.
If you touch depths you cannot understand
Remember what your Lord endured for you
That heavenly power might be at your command.
If you reach heights, with Jesus in your view,
And know relationships in which to bask,
Remember all the depths which He went through.
"Ask for a sign" ‑ God longs for you to task
His willingness and nature ‑ knock! seek! ask!
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
Sunday, 7 March 2010
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Friday, 5 March 2010
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
29/10/04
Their green declining
The leaves go out guising in
A fracas of hues.
"Guising" is a Scots word for going out dressed up, especially for hallowe'en.
The leaves go out guising in
A fracas of hues.
"Guising" is a Scots word for going out dressed up, especially for hallowe'en.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
STATELY STEP
Advancing, undaunted,
Jesus, portrayed by John,
Face down the Pharisees,
Faced Pilate, went forth - to
Golgotha - bearing the cross; lion
Turning not aside for any.
But Mark shows Him advancing
In service; forthright still
For God's will and men's blessing,
Bound to bondmanship, caring,
Doing all things well - one
Girt in the loins.
Reverting to prayer, reverting,
As custom, to the mount of Olives
He went - in Luke's account -
Separated from sinners, yet for them,
With the stately step right
For the he-goat.
On the royal line,
Legally and morally, goes
In divinely chosen comeliness
Through Matthew's account: a king -
Then, now, and coming - against whom
None can rise up.
Anand, Gujarat, 10 February 2010
There are three [things] which have a stately step, and four are comely in going: The lion, mighty among beasts, which turneth not away for any; a [horse] girt in the loins; or the he-goat; and a king, against whom none can rise up. Proverbs 30 29-31
Jesus, portrayed by John,
Face down the Pharisees,
Faced Pilate, went forth - to
Golgotha - bearing the cross; lion
Turning not aside for any.
But Mark shows Him advancing
In service; forthright still
For God's will and men's blessing,
Bound to bondmanship, caring,
Doing all things well - one
Girt in the loins.
Reverting to prayer, reverting,
As custom, to the mount of Olives
He went - in Luke's account -
Separated from sinners, yet for them,
With the stately step right
For the he-goat.
On the royal line,
Legally and morally, goes
In divinely chosen comeliness
Through Matthew's account: a king -
Then, now, and coming - against whom
None can rise up.
Anand, Gujarat, 10 February 2010
There are three [things] which have a stately step, and four are comely in going: The lion, mighty among beasts, which turneth not away for any; a [horse] girt in the loins; or the he-goat; and a king, against whom none can rise up. Proverbs 30 29-31
Monday, 1 March 2010
DEBTS
I know my debts are
Paid; better than that - I know
The Man who paid them.
18 February 2010 Aksa Beach
Paid; better than that - I know
The Man who paid them.
18 February 2010 Aksa Beach
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