ISAAC

As God’s provision,  the true Jehovah-jireh,
No angel’s voice  could interrupt His dying,
No mitigation  could ease His sacrificing:
He had to bear  God’s judgment in its direness
And enter death  to conquer it entirely.
So God secured for Him,  the greater Isaac,
A heavenly bride  appropriately highborn,
Agile for Him  for so God was desirous,
Led by the Spirit  and consequently lively.
Christ has a Bride,  companion and admirer
In the broad place  won safely from man’s violence
Where constantly  she loves and magnifies Him.

AVAILABLE

    The breast of Jesus
And His bosom…available
    For you and for me.

IF

If you have died with Christ to this world’s features    (Colossians)   
    Why still submit to what mere men command?
If you are raised with Christ raise up your thinking
    To what concerns the man at God’s right hand.

If we hold fast the boldness and the hope                        (Hebrews)
    We are the house of God, moved by the Son;
If we maintain assurance to the end
    We are become companions of that One.

If you love Jesus you will keep His word                          (John)
    And give the Father an abiding place;
If someone else abides till Jesus comes,
    Leave that to Him, follow, and grow in grace.

SNAKES AND LADDERS

Sometimes my Christian life seems
A game of snakes and ladders.

I edge forward and backward
With the top a long way away.

Snakes lurk - even
After I throw a six.  Some long.

Glimpses of heaven - I, sometimes
Climb where Jacob looked.

Sometimes the top of a ladder
Is close to a serpent’s mouth.

Holy Spirit, help me
To overleap the snakes.

Lord Jesus, help me
To reach and climb the ladders.

Father, help me to remember
The home prepared for me.

I CANNOT TELL

I cannot tell how much my Saviour loves me -
Love led Him to the uttermost to save,
To bless, to heal, to ransom and to free me;
His love has set me free to be His slave.

I cannot tell how much the Shepherd loves me -
His way was far too hard, His woes too deep
For any other man to comprehend them;
But through them He secured me as His sheep.

I cannot tell how much the Bridegroom loves me
With love which longs to have me at His side;
He cherishes and nourishes me always
As I am part of His resplendent bride.

BRIDEGROOM AND BRIDE

10/02/05

After centuries

Of decline Scotland's forests

Pullulate again.

09/02/05

Among the world's doubts

The Christian has ground which is

Absolutely sure.