THE GRACE OF OUR LORD

He did not wreak upon me His holy judgment

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

He looked on me kindly, despite my condition

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

He came to give Himself "a ransom for many"

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

He displayed on earth manhood according to God

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

And showed God's kindness to those who were poor and sick

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Thus He set His face to go to Jerusalem

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Although He knew He would suffer man's rejection

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

And "He bore our sins in His body on the tree"

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Death was upon me, but Christ took that penalty

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

He shed His precious blood for remission of sins

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

He was buried to remove the offending man

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Then Jesus was raised for our justification

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

And took His place above to intercede for us

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

The Holy Spirit came to restrain evil

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

And to shed abroad in our hearts the love of God

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Soon the Lord is coming to conform us to Himself

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Let the redeemed give glory to the Redeemer

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Let the sanctified exalt the Sanctifier

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded";

Let us rejoice in the God of our salvation

For "the grace of our Lord surpassingly over-abounded"!

THANKS

Sin left me like a battered reed;
Sin wounded me, and made me bleed;
But mercy answered all my need
For which I thank the Lord!

Grace touched me, though my flame had ceased;
Grace lifted me upon His beast;
Grace graced with clothes to fit a priest
For which I thank the Lord!

Love chose, before time had begun;
Love challenged all my foes - and won!
And graced me with the place of son
For which I thank the Lord!

I AM ...

"I am the way" -

Our pilgrim footsteps

Have guidance where they should go;

"I am the truth"

And the renewed mind

Runs to what it should know.

"I am the life":

From that source

Vivacious movements flow.

"I am the true vine";

Grafted to Him

Leaves sprout, fruits grow.

"I am the door" -

No longer need we

Wend to and fro.

"I am the good shepherd" -

See all He was ready

To undergo!

"I am the light of the world"

And all who choose to

Flourish in His glow.

HIS COMING

He did not come with troops, with flags unfurled

And burnished swords; He came to heal the lame,

The blind and poor; and to make known God’s Name;

And show God’s love. If Jewish lips were curled

Disdainfully, and jibes or stones were hurled,

He did not act as Judge. He was the Same:

Rightly could the Samaritans exclaim,

“This is indeed the Saviour of the world!”

He came to Greek, Jew or Samaritan

In grace and vigour, as the Son of Man;

He showed, in shedding love and power abroad,

The dignity which marks the Son of God;

While heaven - before His public work begun

Parted to acclaim Him, God’s beloved Son.

POEM

Should it be a tree, drawing

Moist life from a mind’s

Tilth of humus and sediment?

Or like a beast, vividly

Swerving and glancing, fleetingly

Glimpsed in the dappled forest?

Or crisp, and uniform,

Each facet aureate,

And polished to conform?

Choose for yourself. I

Will not complain. Yet you

Can tell what I root for.

Just one of my considerations, not necessarily Christian, on poems and poetry.

WIT'S END

"at wit's end you will

find God beyond it - the God

of resurrection"

TEN REASONS ...

Where I was lost - famished
By need - I have received
Mercy.

A sinner in heart and hand
I have been granted
Forgiveness.

In the Son of God's love
And the worth of His blood, I have
Redemption.

Peace has been made - by the blood of
His cross - so that I know
Reconciliation.

He who has gone into death
Has been raised again for my
Justification.

Though my iniquity was great
God has righteously given
Pardon.

Resources beyond creation
Were deployed to assure for me
Salvation.

Where there was turmoil of soul
And mind - the work of God brought
Peace.

All for me,in famine or plenty,
From His limitless supply,
Grace.

From the heart of God, through Christ
And His work, I enjoy,
Love.

now

The One through whom God's love is known

Who met death in its awesome power

And triumphed in the darkest hour

Is on the Father's throne.

From Him the Spirit of the living God

Has come on saints who have been set apart

To do God's will, and be within each heart

To shed God's love abroad.

The Spirit's work makes their affections burn

In love for Christ and they remember Him

By breaking bread, to keep their hearts in trim,

Until He shall return.