29/11/04

Let me name a few -
Rossetti, Herbert, Dunbar -
Christian poets.


I think I'll divert into a poem each from them in the next few days. After all, I'll run out of my own some time!.

28/11/04

Sent into our hearts
The Spirit of God's Son cries
"Abba Father" there.

27/11/04

We whose hearts contain
The Spirit of Adoption
Cry, Abba Father

26/11/04

I like my carrots
Raw, with taste and crunchiness
To suit their colour.

ENDURED

The reproach of men -
Crackling of thorns, the cackling of fools -
He endured that.

The contempt of the leaders -
Snorting of the circling bulls of Bashan -
He endured that.

The mocking of the Romans -
The yipping and yapping of the gentile dogs -
He endured that.

Satan's power -
The roar of the ravenous lion -
He endured that.

Weakness -
Manhood's strength poured as water -
He endured that.

The might of death -
The close-set bosses of the buffalo's horns -
He endured that.

The judgement of sins -
Our sins, "made sin for us" -
He endured that.

25/11/04

Let me name a few -
Darby, Raven, Taylor, Coates -
Assembly teachers.


You can sample these, whose teaching has been used by the Lord for my blessing, at:
http://goodteaching.org/

24/11/04

We have sister Anne
To call on for her advice
Medical or other.

23/11/04

Wandering in London
My heart warmed to hear a man
Preach the glad tidings.

ABILITY

The Man who loves me
Is the Man with the greatest
Love ability.

RONDEL

Lord, we cannot go away -
Thou hast words of life eternal;
Powers both earthly and infernal
Cannot lure us - we will stay.

In each word that Thou dost say
Love is at the very kernel:
Lord, we cannot go away -
Thou hast words of life eternal;

Love that guards us from dismay;
Love from God which is paternal;
Love of saints which is fraternal;
Love which bears us all the way:
Lord, we cannot go away.

FIRST VERSE

Hail, oh Lord, we wait for Thee
Thy blest face so soon to see;
Then upon the cross He died,
Now in heaven is glorified!

That's the first verse I ever wrote - about forty-five years ago!

LUKE: WOMEN

Elizabeth

From that old tree at last
Comes one fruit; sweet to the eye,
Tart to the taste.

Mary

From its first flourishing that tree
Bears the most exquisite
Fruit.

Anna

Who would have thought
That antique tree would burst
In one last tumult of blossom?

Luke 7

Even in its wilderness
Light has touched that tree;
Myrrh weeps from its wounds.

Luke 8

From their substance
These trees produce varied fruits -
What an orchard!

Luke 13

That old bent shrub
- A miracle -
Stands now tall and straight.

Luke 23

What untimely autumn
Afflicts the leaves of these trees
To gold and bronze?

Luke 24

Out of what winter
Does that almond blossom
Drink the new-risen Sun?

15/04/10

SEEING A MAN

Seeing a Man
Who harboured in His heart
The detail of God’s will,
And forged out thus to do it,
God is satisfied
In Jesus.

Seeing a Man,
Light to a heart’s dark,
Food to a famished heart,
Joy to its grimness
I am satisfied
In Jesus.

Seeing a man
Acquired at the cost of His blood,
Clad in His excellence,
Blessed and re-forged by His Spirit
Jesus is satisfied
In me.

CHOICES

One Person did the Father’s will
And answered to His voice;
Lord Jesus, how our beings thrill
To Thee, the Father’s choice.

But now we know that we are those
Who, ere the world began,
The Father, for His pleasure, chose
For favour in that Man.

So let us choose the Father’s way
In hearkening to the Son
That Christ may give us, in His day,
The accolade “Well done”.

PERFECTION

Never to stir but
As another guides you is
Perfection in man.

MORE EXCELLENT

As I have Rosie in my arms
I think, is any bliss -
Are any eyes, or lips, or charms -
More excellent than this?

There is a face I have not seen,
A voice I have not heard,
A gracious dignity and mien,
Which are to be preferred.

While still, blest Spirit, sight and touch
Hold me, help, I implore,
To daily love my Rose as much
And love my Mastermore.

SON

I love the Father since He gave
His well beloved Son
That love should bind me as His slave...

You can choose now
From a variety of endings
Or even produce some for yourself:

How does “And made me like that One”
Suit you? Or would you prefer:
“Since Jesus’ work is done”.
Rhyme can force a meaning
Not intended - how about
“A trophy Christ has won”? No doubt
You can provide one of your own.

PETER

Adjusted by Christ’s might in the creation,
Beside the feet of Jesus Peter knelt
Acknowledging the sinfulness he felt.

Adjusted by the Father’s revelation
He found the humble Carpenter who trod
Beside him was the Christ, the Son of God.

Adjusted by severeness of rebuke
He learned that Christ was ready to fulfil,
Cost what it would, the details of God’s will.

Adjusted by the glory of the Father
He heard that no man’s glory might be linked
With Christ since the Beloved is distinct.

Adjusted by the Master’s loving look
Appreciation of his vileness swept
Across his being, and he turned and wept.

Adjusted by the Shepherd’s yen to gather
He came with those whom Jesus folded in
To form a circle Christ could come within.

BETHANY

He came to Bethany - there
To speak, adjust, and depend,
And love. To make the place
His hearth, the home where
It was suitable for Him to be distinguished,
In resurrection power, as Son of God.
There nard acknowledged
His moral path, nard gave savour
Of Man according to God.
And in that place He last
Touched earth - leaving on earth
Something resonant with heaven.

22/11/04

My mind can picture
Light textures - blue and purple,
Scarlet and byssus.

21/11/04

God whose grace called him
Was pleased to reveal His Son
In the apostle Paul.

20/11/04

The Father Himself
Had revealed it to Peter -
Christ is Son of God.

19/11/04

Through greenish, vivid,
To spotted, the banana
Varies rich flavours.

18/11/04

Luke the physician
Balms Jesus’ words of grace
And exalts lordship.



Dear friends, I greatly appreciate the good wishes expressed for this weekend. For myself I "esteem every day alike" - each Lord's day being distinct - and give no special attention to Easter or other church festivals. Each Lord's day I gather to eat the bread and drink the cup to "announce the death of the Lord, until he come".

17/11/04

If a smirr moistens,
A storm scourges, or snow sheets,
Blessings percolate.


Smirr=fine misty rain in Scots.

16/11/04

The Lord’s perfect life
In flesh and blood ceased - God keeps
The hidden Manna.

15/11/04

God gives daily bread,
With weekend toast - sometimes He
Gives pumpernickel.