HEAVENLY FATHER

Our Heavenly Father

Measures blessing and chastening

With Fatherly care.

HOW MUCH I'M LOVED!

On me, God’s grace has beamed;

By blood, I am redeemed;

To me His kindnesses have streamed:

How much I’m loved!

For me, the Saviour died;

For me, was crucified;

And now, for me He’s glorified:

How much I’m loved!

Christ suffered to atone,

But now, upon the throne,

He cares for me, with all His own

How much I’m loved!

He has prepared the place

Before the Father’s face

Which we will share, through boundless grace:

How much I’m loved!

Though here the world outside

Should raise an evil tide

With me, He says, He will abide:

How much I’m loved!

And as His word may be

Abiding now in me

Increasingly He’ll make me see

How much I’m loved!

NEW TESTAMENT

What grace of the Father

To invest me

With the Best Robe -

The measure of Christ's worth.

Who else but God

Could nourish me with

Exotic cuisine:

The Bread of God?

Love in the Giver;

Love in the Gift -

Each, the Lord and the Spirit,

God personally.

OLD TESTAMENT

Jehovah Elohim

Condescended

To be a clothes-maker

To cover Man's nakedness.

The God of glory

Condescended to give

His recalcitrant prophet Elijah

Two breakfasts.

And the Rock - smitten once -

Was prepared to be

The nation of Israel's

Water-carrier.

IN MEMORIAM

We thought we knew the way the river went

Until well-laden waters reached the seas -

We thought we saw its fertile green extent

Broadening through fields and valleys, crops and trees.

God had another thought - it suddenly

Dropped seaward in a rushing cataract -

His vision and His wisdom rapidly

Brought it to His broad sea. This was His act.

Within love’s ocean she is now at rest,

Guarded by Him through whom she is asleep;

Since One she trusted and whom she confessed

Endured the anguish of the greatest deep.

And when He comes - her Lord and Lord of all -

She will spring forth in answer to His call.

(Written following the death in a boating accident of a young sister in Christ)

NOT ONLY...

He gave not only

The Best Robe but the setting

Where it will shine best.

We are not only

Placed in His house but given

Suitable clothing.

THE LORD IS GREAT

Let songs of praise and wonderment be raised

To Him who, having suffered to atone,

Is seated now upon the Father’s throne –

The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised!

Waiting until sin’s impact is erased

The whole creation has been caused to groan,

But even now a song comes from His own throne –

The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised!

And when we see Him we will be amazed

Because of His delightfulness and grace,

And we will sing, as we behold His face throne –

The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised!

LEAVES

The colours of autumn leaves

Are always there - awaiting

Display. On the tree my Saviour

Shone with beauties

That were always there.

Leaves do not fall from

A dead branch. His was a death

Which had life

Intrinsic in it.

Spring has fresh beauty -

Pullulant with life. A Sprout

For beauty and glory

Has sprung forth!