GOD WANTS YOU FOR HIMSELF

Despite the greatness of your sin
And your unfitness to begin
To cleans the stains that are within
God wants you for Himself.

Because He wishes you to shine
In righteousness which is divine,
Which human will cannot refine,
God wants you for Himself.

To be a trophy of His ways,
Transformed by Him to show Christ's praise,
And render Him eternal lays
God wants you for Himself.

TRANSFORMATIONS

The Light appeared in darkness. Mercilessly

It exposed sin; mercifully

Exposed the sinner.

 

If, at the wedding, natural joys

Faltered, with Him there

Real joys superseded.

 

If, by the well, she was

Dissatisfied, He could provide

Living water.

 

If, amidst Bethany's friendship,

Death intervened, into it

He obtruded resurrection.

 

Till even the power of death

Invaded by Him

Was transformed.

 

Heaven has received Him

And His presence there created

A prepared place.

 

And now my heart can be

Transfigured

By His presence.

 

OCTET FOR ROSIE

Today it was your hands I thought about:

How constantly they work for me - and ours.
As birds form nests they delicately work out
The home where we can share our pleasant hours.
That delicacy, and artistic skill,
Make backgrounds to the home that others view;
Their care, selflessness, comforts they instil
All make them perfect metaphors for you.

PLEASANT AND COMFORTABLE

It is a most pleasant
    and comfortable thing,
To hang over the wall of a sty
    and look upon pigs.

A plagiarism from Dick King-Smith "Chewing the Cud" P91.
   

ROSEMARY AT SIXTY!

Early on her sixtieth birthday, yesterday

Year 57, the record shows,
Launched both the Sputnik - and the Rose.
In 67 she went by rule
Across the Common to the school.
In 77 she, at my side,
"Sate like a blooming eastern bride".
In 87 we come to see
Her in Hope Cottage, mum of three;
In 97 - man alive! -
She's leading out a brood of five.
07 show a fresh renown
Because she now was Granny Brown;
And now in 17 we find
Her swift of foot and sharp of mind.

But in each stage we gladly say
The Father watched her every day;
The Shepherd bore her on His shoulder
In every step as she grew older;
And through the Holy Spirit's power
She was preserved through every hour:
So if she hits a pair of score
More years, that grace will go before.





On the shores of Loch Lomond

Sharp of mind?

LEAVE

"Make ready my galley",
Said the king;
"I shall sail for Norway
On Wednesday".

"Will you?",
Said the wind, who,
Flying about,
Had overheard what was said:
"You had better ask my leave first!".

A plagiarism - from A Summer in Skye (1865), by Alexander Smith

ENOCH

"What He did not find
In Adam He now finds in
A disciplined man."


Quote from Ministry of J Taylor, Vol 25: P89.

HEART

As when the milch-kine left their calves
To take the highway with the cart,
We come since Thou - and not by halves -
Hast drawn our heart.

We cannot know Thee, Son of man,
In all the depths of who Thou art;
We come to Thee as One who can
Console our heart.

Thou art the Leader to us now,
With all the wealth Thou dost impart;
We come adoringly since Thou
Dost bow our heart.