Hey all you faithful people wot check up on my blog, sorry there's not been an update in a couple of weeks - I've got about 3 or 4 different titles/themes to write on, and have just not been in the poetic groove! Honestly, I don't know... anyways what was I going to say... aaah yes, I'll get on the case and hopefully there'll be a new poem up here soonish!!
In the mean time, was humblingly reminded today that we just cannot afford to allow pride to take a hold in our lives:
'We are only who we now are, because of who he is- anon
It's only ever been totally about who Jesus is!! :D no matter how pants we are, he is still the same awesome, glorious, holy, faithful friend and saviour that we know; and on that glorious day when we stand before God, he will look upon us and say welcome. Talk about wow ;)
Keep your hearts on Heaven guys, it's gonna be AWEsome!!!
Monday, December 19, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Seven things
As requested by Cat:
Seven things to do before I die
1. Publish a book of poetry
2. Be devoted to a wife, and raise children to know Jesus
3. Work with children
4. Bungy-jump!
5. Learn to drive
6. Visit some other countries!
7. Work overseas for God
Seven things I cannot do
1. Understand fashion
2. Stop making people laugh/smile
3. Be lost from God
4. Marry an iguana
5. Slate the Welsh (Big-it up to the celts Ceryn!)
6. Be totally sensible (some would argue, partially...)
7. Not be enthralled by gadgets, gizmos and fun techy things!
Seven things that (will) attract me to my spouse
1. She inspires me to go on with God
2. Fun/cheeky sense of humour
3. She knows how to help me chill/calm down (talk about a miracle!)
4. Her passion to serve God wherever she is
5. She challenges me in my faith openly
6. She loves me, and I her, totally
7. We will both share a trust in God for his plan
Seven things I say most often
1. (many quotable embarrasing phrases, Sal has a good list if you wanna ask her!)
2. Dude!
3. Y'wot?
4. So I was, like...
5. You're joking, right?
6. See you guys laterwhoops, wrong door...
7. That's just wrong...
Seven books I love (Bible not included)
1. Lord of the Rings & Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Congo - Michael Crichton
3. Hunt for the Red October - Tom Clancy
4. The Odyssey - Homer/Virgil?
5. I kiss dating goodbye - Josh Harris
6. Boy meets girl - Josh Harris
7. Kipper's book of counting - Kipper the dog (I have run out of ideas!)
Seven movies I watch over and over again
1. Beauty and the Beast (as Disney is the best thing since sliced bread!)
2. Pay it forward
3. Kung Pow: Enter the fist
4. Shrek 1+2
5. Underworld
6. XXX (Vin Diesel)
7. Forrest Gump
Seven music CDs I love
1. The Einaudi collection - Echoes
2. Watermark - Enya
3. The Second Decade (1993-2003)- Michael W. Smith
4. Songbird - Eva Cassidy
5. Jimmy Eat World - Jimmy Eat World
6. Running with Scissors - Weird Al Yankovic
7. Disc One - Barenaked Ladies (not as bad as it sounds!)
Seven things to do before I die
1. Publish a book of poetry
2. Be devoted to a wife, and raise children to know Jesus
3. Work with children
4. Bungy-jump!
5. Learn to drive
6. Visit some other countries!
7. Work overseas for God
Seven things I cannot do
1. Understand fashion
2. Stop making people laugh/smile
3. Be lost from God
4. Marry an iguana
5. Slate the Welsh (Big-it up to the celts Ceryn!)
6. Be totally sensible (some would argue, partially...)
7. Not be enthralled by gadgets, gizmos and fun techy things!
Seven things that (will) attract me to my spouse
1. She inspires me to go on with God
2. Fun/cheeky sense of humour
3. She knows how to help me chill/calm down (talk about a miracle!)
4. Her passion to serve God wherever she is
5. She challenges me in my faith openly
6. She loves me, and I her, totally
7. We will both share a trust in God for his plan
Seven things I say most often
1. (many quotable embarrasing phrases, Sal has a good list if you wanna ask her!)
2. Dude!
3. Y'wot?
4. So I was, like...
5. You're joking, right?
6. See you guys later
7. That's just wrong...
Seven books I love (Bible not included)
1. Lord of the Rings & Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Congo - Michael Crichton
3. Hunt for the Red October - Tom Clancy
4. The Odyssey - Homer/Virgil?
5. I kiss dating goodbye - Josh Harris
6. Boy meets girl - Josh Harris
7. Kipper's book of counting - Kipper the dog (I have run out of ideas!)
Seven movies I watch over and over again
1. Beauty and the Beast (as Disney is the best thing since sliced bread!)
2. Pay it forward
3. Kung Pow: Enter the fist
4. Shrek 1+2
5. Underworld
6. XXX (Vin Diesel)
7. Forrest Gump
Seven music CDs I love
1. The Einaudi collection - Echoes
2. Watermark - Enya
3. The Second Decade (1993-2003)- Michael W. Smith
4. Songbird - Eva Cassidy
5. Jimmy Eat World - Jimmy Eat World
6. Running with Scissors - Weird Al Yankovic
7. Disc One - Barenaked Ladies (not as bad as it sounds!)
Sunday, December 04, 2005
The Garden Walk
Mary's encounter with Jesus at the tomb has been on my mind for a while. Tonight, I read a poem by Graham Oakes called 'Come and see' , describing Mary's encounter with Jesus after his rising from the dead (Hallelujah!!). The verse that particularly struck me is as follows:
'"Mary", was all she had to hear
she knew, at once, her Lord was near.
Here in the Garden, at her side,
and here she ever would abide.'
Thus, I found myself powering-on my ibook to write a poem from the 3rd person, watching events unfold. Because, we have all walked, or are walking the paths of this garden, searching.
The Garden Walk
Along these garden paths she treads,
with burden of a heavy heart;
the cherished joy of hers lies dead
why must this pain taste so tart?
She stumbles on, forces herself on,
but why this gruesome fate?
Butchered for some trumped-up charge
why exchange such love for hate?
His life was one of love and peace
a light to the dark he brought.
Yet now the light of all her life
rests in a cell, by darkness wrought
The tomb draws near, such darkness there;
such darkness in my heart.
But what of her, when he’s laid to rest?
What’s then to be her part?
The tomb is there, but no guard she sees,
no cold stone denies her way.
Her master’s body now not there,
where once she knew he lay.
What trick is this? Who can be so cruel?,
her heart aloud does cry.
This one last thing she sought to do
but e’en this task now seems denied.
Stumbling from the open tomb,
she barely sees the man,
patiently waiting, not far from her
with love as only he can.
At last she looks, he comes to sight,
‘Where lies my lord’, she cries.
‘Mary’, comes his statement back.
‘Master’, she replies.
And in that moment, it suddenly dawns,
he never truly died;
‘though taken to a wooden cross
and brutally crucified.
For death, it could not hold him,
his power was too great.
The Father made the son to rise,
and save us from our fate.
Such love as this cannot be quenched;
our Father’s for his son.
That through his death, our lives he bought,
and now in him are one.
He calls aloud to each of us,
for all he knows by name.
But have we called him ‘Master’,
when he has called our name?
'"Mary", was all she had to hear
she knew, at once, her Lord was near.
Here in the Garden, at her side,
and here she ever would abide.'
Thus, I found myself powering-on my ibook to write a poem from the 3rd person, watching events unfold. Because, we have all walked, or are walking the paths of this garden, searching.
The Garden Walk
Along these garden paths she treads,
with burden of a heavy heart;
the cherished joy of hers lies dead
why must this pain taste so tart?
She stumbles on, forces herself on,
but why this gruesome fate?
Butchered for some trumped-up charge
why exchange such love for hate?
His life was one of love and peace
a light to the dark he brought.
Yet now the light of all her life
rests in a cell, by darkness wrought
The tomb draws near, such darkness there;
such darkness in my heart.
But what of her, when he’s laid to rest?
What’s then to be her part?
The tomb is there, but no guard she sees,
no cold stone denies her way.
Her master’s body now not there,
where once she knew he lay.
What trick is this? Who can be so cruel?,
her heart aloud does cry.
This one last thing she sought to do
but e’en this task now seems denied.
Stumbling from the open tomb,
she barely sees the man,
patiently waiting, not far from her
with love as only he can.
At last she looks, he comes to sight,
‘Where lies my lord’, she cries.
‘Mary’, comes his statement back.
‘Master’, she replies.
And in that moment, it suddenly dawns,
he never truly died;
‘though taken to a wooden cross
and brutally crucified.
For death, it could not hold him,
his power was too great.
The Father made the son to rise,
and save us from our fate.
Such love as this cannot be quenched;
our Father’s for his son.
That through his death, our lives he bought,
and now in him are one.
He calls aloud to each of us,
for all he knows by name.
But have we called him ‘Master’,
when he has called our name?
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Knowing God's voice
If, like me, you struggle quite a lot with wanting to know what God's plan is for you. Not only that, but when you hear God speaking to you, you aren't entirely sure who it is; whether it's God, the devil, or just your wishful/pessimistic mind wandering after things.
It's important to remember 2 core things when it comes to discerning God's voice, when I have relevant scripture references, I will include them.
The first of them is: 'who is being glorified through the message?'
If it is God, he will be seeking HIS glory throughout the process he is describing - even if it seems ludicrous or painful to you. Remember;
'"For I know the plans I have you for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."' -- Jeremiah 29v11 --
God knows what he's up to, because it's part of his perfect plan for you; a plan which will prosper you in your life, and glorify his name at the same time. The enemy, on the other hand, will only ever seek to honour himself, build up your pride and dependance on other things as your rock. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by this, we must recognise God's promise (of eternal life) as having infite worth over anything the enemy suggest.
The second of them is: 'Is what I'm hearing said in love?'
Do not mistake nice-sounding phrases and words as speaking in love. The enemy will use any means possible to turn you from Christ, but he cannot ever speak in love as our Father can. He will speak in enticing ways, encouraging us gently along the way towards sin (or continuing in sin). He will entice us towards sin, with promises that 'this is good' or 'this will make you happy'
'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds' -- James 1v2 --
If God can make us joyful in our sufferings, then how much more will he make us joyful in the times of prosperity?!!
Thirdly and finally, 'Is what I'm being asked to do consistent with the God I know?'
In a way, this combines the previous questions, but this question moves us to come to the bible and compare what we've been asked to (and often with a reason - so question the speaker!) to the loving Heavenly Father that sent his son to die on a cross for us, only to conquer death to give us a sure hope of future glory!! God will lead you by the hand through the hard times, to a future that will glorify his name and prosper you in all areas of your life.
The enemy will do no such thing. He may suggest things will the premise that they're honouring to God, or more than likely, will twist a word that God's given you previousely (think back to the garden of Eden).
We can be sure though, that the more time we spend listening to the shepherd's voice, the better we shall know his voice. The greater the time we spend immersed in hiw word, the better we shall know his character. In short, every verse we read, every minute we listen our creator, we have a better picture of our Lord God to compare messages against.
A final note. If you are getting mixed ideas from left, right and centre, remember:
'Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.' -- James 4v7 --
Our Father God is our only safe place against the enemy. If we call on the Lord faithfully, he will answer us. Only he has the power to nullify the enemy, to silence the serpent's tongue and open our ears to hear his voice clearly. It might be we need to come before God in situations like this, and ask him to unstop our ears - we need to receive what God tells us into our hearts, not just hear it and nod appreciatively. If we submit to Christ, he will nullify the enemy, and make his message clear; we just need to have the patience to wait on him for it.
It's important to remember 2 core things when it comes to discerning God's voice, when I have relevant scripture references, I will include them.
The first of them is: 'who is being glorified through the message?'
If it is God, he will be seeking HIS glory throughout the process he is describing - even if it seems ludicrous or painful to you. Remember;
'"For I know the plans I have you for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."' -- Jeremiah 29v11 --
God knows what he's up to, because it's part of his perfect plan for you; a plan which will prosper you in your life, and glorify his name at the same time. The enemy, on the other hand, will only ever seek to honour himself, build up your pride and dependance on other things as your rock. We cannot allow ourselves to be swayed by this, we must recognise God's promise (of eternal life) as having infite worth over anything the enemy suggest.
The second of them is: 'Is what I'm hearing said in love?'
Do not mistake nice-sounding phrases and words as speaking in love. The enemy will use any means possible to turn you from Christ, but he cannot ever speak in love as our Father can. He will speak in enticing ways, encouraging us gently along the way towards sin (or continuing in sin). He will entice us towards sin, with promises that 'this is good' or 'this will make you happy'
'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds' -- James 1v2 --
If God can make us joyful in our sufferings, then how much more will he make us joyful in the times of prosperity?!!
Thirdly and finally, 'Is what I'm being asked to do consistent with the God I know?'
In a way, this combines the previous questions, but this question moves us to come to the bible and compare what we've been asked to (and often with a reason - so question the speaker!) to the loving Heavenly Father that sent his son to die on a cross for us, only to conquer death to give us a sure hope of future glory!! God will lead you by the hand through the hard times, to a future that will glorify his name and prosper you in all areas of your life.
The enemy will do no such thing. He may suggest things will the premise that they're honouring to God, or more than likely, will twist a word that God's given you previousely (think back to the garden of Eden).
We can be sure though, that the more time we spend listening to the shepherd's voice, the better we shall know his voice. The greater the time we spend immersed in hiw word, the better we shall know his character. In short, every verse we read, every minute we listen our creator, we have a better picture of our Lord God to compare messages against.
A final note. If you are getting mixed ideas from left, right and centre, remember:
'Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.' -- James 4v7 --
Our Father God is our only safe place against the enemy. If we call on the Lord faithfully, he will answer us. Only he has the power to nullify the enemy, to silence the serpent's tongue and open our ears to hear his voice clearly. It might be we need to come before God in situations like this, and ask him to unstop our ears - we need to receive what God tells us into our hearts, not just hear it and nod appreciatively. If we submit to Christ, he will nullify the enemy, and make his message clear; we just need to have the patience to wait on him for it.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Untitled
How I LOVE reading other peoples' poetry, praisings of God and heart-felt humility. This poem is one of those, inspired by another's words: in this case, Ceryn Oakes >> I will praise you >> as for my poem, a name'd be great, but that's not important! May we all be reminded of & take to heart, our loving, patient, all-forgiving Father.
Untitled
'In the stillness of calm
It is you that I seek
No other can satisfy this heart
As you do, my king
In the heat of the day
When it seems time’s far too short
There is yet time for you
By you may I always be taught
In the dark of the night
And the dark of my heart
You ransomed by soul
That we may ne’er by apart
In the light of this dawn
As the chains melt away
My arms I shall raise
You’re name I shall say
For none is there like you
None other in love
None other in power
Could break these chains off
For no matter the place
No matter the time
You stand by my side
You shall always be mine
And these chains, oh such joy
I can hardly contain,
Are broken for EVER
Never to be worn again!
For the price has been paid,
My heart is set free
And I fall to the floor
On bended knee
To say, ‘Holy, the name
Of my Lord Jesus Christ;
For my life now is new
He has paid the price’
In the storms of my life
Or in the peace of your heart
It matters not, for you’re there
Praise my Lord, oh my heart'
Untitled
'In the stillness of calm
It is you that I seek
No other can satisfy this heart
As you do, my king
In the heat of the day
When it seems time’s far too short
There is yet time for you
By you may I always be taught
In the dark of the night
And the dark of my heart
You ransomed by soul
That we may ne’er by apart
In the light of this dawn
As the chains melt away
My arms I shall raise
You’re name I shall say
For none is there like you
None other in love
None other in power
Could break these chains off
For no matter the place
No matter the time
You stand by my side
You shall always be mine
And these chains, oh such joy
I can hardly contain,
Are broken for EVER
Never to be worn again!
For the price has been paid,
My heart is set free
And I fall to the floor
On bended knee
To say, ‘Holy, the name
Of my Lord Jesus Christ;
For my life now is new
He has paid the price’
In the storms of my life
Or in the peace of your heart
It matters not, for you’re there
Praise my Lord, oh my heart'
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