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GOODNESS AND MERCY
Never far behind
And closer than we think or know
Overshadowing constantly
And flowing from His heart.
Loving gifts of God
A constant stream, perpetual flow
Showering down from Heaven’s heights
And flowing through His hands.
Entering our lives
Two gifts to bless us, even when
We often fail to recognise
His generosity.
Goodness unrestrained
Whose authorship is God’s alone
Enshrouds us on our journey
In every step we take.
Mercy limitless
That looks upon our wretched state
Heals, forgives and cleanses us
Covering our sin.
In his house shall we
Eternally remain and dwell
And sing His eternal praise
With joyful, thankful hearts.
ON BEING
Be, just be
And rest in His presence
Do not strive
Do not work endlessly
There is a time
To be, just be.
Rest, just rest
Enjoy moments divine
Do not yearn
Do not long endlessly
There is a time
To rest, just rest.
Bathe, just bathe
In the ocean of His love
Do not want
Do not crave endlessly
There is a time
To bathe, just bathe.
Drink, just drink
The new wine of his love
Do not fret
Don’t worry endlessly
There is a time
To drink, just drink.
To be is just
To rest and to enjoy
The rivers
Of His delights, just bathe and rest
This is the time
To be, just be.
AUTUMN LEAVES
The wind of change that blows
Against Autumnal leaves
That cling to branches all but bare
And memories of summer gone.
The ground is strewn anew
With leaves that have obeyed
And let go of their borrowed home
Cascading grace and beauty fair.
The Autumn colours bring
New semblance to the ground
And by their fall they pave the way
For new life, to spring forth once more.
Is it so very hard
To let go and accept
What we hold dear and cherish most
Although its worth is long time past?
The wind of change dispels
Such shackles that impede
New life, new growth from blossoming
Consigning them to dust and ash.
Allow yourself to be
Released by that same wind
And walk away in liberty
In newborn faith and life in Him.
BLESSING HANDS
Healing flows through
Those hands held out to bless
Through nail print scars
Its channel sweet
To heal, revive, renew, restore.
Reproof flows through
Those hands held out to bless
In Jesus’ name
At His command
We claim the victory o’er sin.
True peace flows through
Those hands held out to bless
To calm the mind
And cast out fear
So hope and joy may reign once more.
Reach out and touch
Those hands held out to bless
Receive in faith
The love of God
And in acceptance, worship Him.
ANOINTING
Gently falling, like soft rain
Softly soothing, washing clean
Holy oil of healing flows
Which speaks to us of things unseen
Oil of gladness, inwardly
Fills the soul with peace and love
Making smooth rough, sinful hearts
A dwelling for the holy Dove.
Royal anointment, oil that brings
Christ’s true kingship to the heart
Filling human emptiness
Fruits of the Spirit to impart
Let this holy anointing
Fill your life, your heart, your soul
As a constant flowing stream
To make you His, complete and whole.
THE PRESENCE
Can we not allow
Ourselves to be enfolded
And submit
To His presence
Our human sense of power and influence
And in exchange receive humility?
Dare we not allow
Ourselves to be embraced
And submit
To His presence
Our human sense of wealth and worldliness
And in exchange receive true poverty?
Should we not allow
Ourselves to be enclosed
And submit
To His presence
Our human sense of strength and steadfastness
And in exchange receive weakness divine?
Would we not allow
Ourselves to be empowered
And submit
To His presence
Our sense of human weakness and frailty
And in exchange receive His strength supreme
Why do we allow
Ourselves to be enslaved
And ignore
His presence true
Retaining human traits that we hold dear
And turn our backs on gifts that will endure?
We must allow
Ourselves to be released
And embrace
His presence which
Empowers, enfolds, encloses us in Him
And reflect the Presence in our lives.
UPLIFT
In nature’s grip
A shroud and blanket thick
Suspends all life
And human endeavour
Stopped in our tracks
Frustration and delay
Besets us all
No respite given here
We cannot help
Or force a wanted change
In fortune fair
When wrapped in nature’s night
Though not foreseen
Patience and time will make
With astral rays
The shroud to wane and fade
For even this
Nature’s unwanted screen
Is subject to
The will of Him who made
The universe
In which our planet spins
And moves in time
To His omnipotence
He who directs
And orders human minds
And wills to His
Unfathomable grace
Also directs
All weathers to His will
Even the shroud
Succumbs and melts away
ON THE TEST OF FAITH
Who can believe, and who can trust
When tossed about on choppy seas?
For previously all seemed calm
With sun-drenched skies and gentle breeze.
Recovery seems distant now,
It was a preparation for
Facing the future, with its storms
Of troubles and temptations sore.
The faith and hope that once was there
Seems shallow now, so one might think,
Imaginings confuse the mind
Which, tossed o’erboard, begins to sink.
This human failing constantly
Bombards the soul as if to say
How can we trust, have faith and hope
When hopelessness of heart holds sway?
These feelings yet are common ground,
They are not irredeemable;
God, by His grace, forgives them all
And blots them out, their memories fall.
We are all subject to His just
And gentle rule, for He reveals
The plans that He has known for us,
And by His love, restores and heals.
Plans to prosper and not to harm,
To guide us, and to bring us to
Hope and a future, praying He
Will fire our hearts, and hope renew.
This lesson constantly is taught
To keep us ever close to Him
And hold us fast to walk the path,
Where light and peace will ne’er grow dim.
WANDERING SOUL
Forever rambling, aimless and alone,
Listless questioning of life’s purposes.
Where does this soul go, as it meanders
Through forest, vale, town and countryside?
There is no purpose, so it seems, to life,
Nothing to look forward to, or hope
For some light in the darkness, that within
This soul, grows deeper and crowds its very being.
Empty and alone, this soul, that roams,
Unable to revive the life that it
Once had, and grappling in the dark for one
Last chance for mercy, love, hopefulness, light.
Despite this place where beauty lives and thrives,
Bright sunshine, birdsong, floral colour fair,
The smell of pasture, tranquillity and peace,
There is no life by which this soul can live.
The life is but a simple vale of tears
Weeping and sighing, ever reaching out
To see if there is any hope at all,
To blot out all its sadness and despair.
What could have caused this hapless, hopeless state?
Why no sunshine or joy or sense of peace
And purpose to fulfil the aching heart
And give direction, happiness or hope?
The soul just wanders on, yet far afield,
A little cottage surrounded by tall trees
Seems to beckon gently and pull and call
The wanderer from the lonely, aimless trail.
Led on by curiosity, the soul
Walks slowly to the cottage, and looks in
Through several windows, curious to see
If anything or anyone is there.
Yet no-one can be seen, or so it seems
Now hesitancy grips the soul with fear
As if to say that here is a dead end
Another fruitless avenue to avoid.
And yet, a strange compulsion bid this soul
To enter; therefore with reluctant steps
Opens the door and slowly looks around
For any sign of life or welcoming.
Inside is seen but plain and simple fare,
And in the fireplace roars a blazing flame
That bids the soul to sit and take its rest,
And feel warmth never known or felt before.
A table laid with simple food and drink,
A loaf of bread and lowly cup beside
To satisfy the body of its needs,
A simple meal to revive and fortify.
And as the meal is taken, there appears
From one small corner of the room, a speck
Of light, that slowly grows, which then becomes
A vision bright to flood, cleanse and relieve.
For in that blinding light, there then appears
Two arms outstretched, distorted and blood-stained,
Two legs, both feet pinned down and pierced straight through,
And side with gaping wound, the final cut.
Above all this, a face hideously crowned
With thorns, and yet, a look of pity shows
Love, mercy and forgiveness flowing free
To bring the soul out of its prison cell.
The vision stays, for what, one might have thought
An endless time, in which the soul remains
Enveloped in the light, which has dispersed
The darkness of black night now turned to day.
The vision now begins to fade away,
The fire still burns, but it is time to go.
The soul, now sensing peace and joy unbound
Departs, and takes another winding path.
This path leads to a glistening, shimmering lake
Within the forest, peaceful and so still,
The soul is drawn to enter and be washed
To signify new life, new birth, new hope.
Gently into the lake, this new soul wades
Until the depth beckons to go deep down
And freely swim until the time will come
To re-emerge upon the other side.
A figure stands to reach and bring the soul
Out of the lake, to re-clothe and anoint.
This figure, so majestic, full of love
Is the unblemished vision of the feast.
He wraps his arm around the new-born soul
And beckons him to walk a bright, new path.
They walk continuously along the way
Which leads to pastures unforeseen and new.
And so, this lost soul finally found peace,
A peace so unfamiliar until now,
The walk continues until finally
They gradually disappear from view.
RELEASE
Written at Beauty From Ashes ministry, Hadlow, Tonbridge.
To lay aside
The errors of the past, and sense
The peace of God
And feel His tender touch,
That heals you.
To cast away
The burdens that weigh down, and feel
Unburdened now,
And take His yoke so light
That frees you.
To push away
The devil’s vicious lies, and know
The truth of God,
And claim His word as yours
That affirms you.
To place your hand
In simple faith and trust, in His
And walk along
The path of life and peace,
That directs you.
This is real life
To walk by faith, not sight, and know
Peace and release,
And realise in your heart
He loves you.
LOVE SO DEEP
Written upon my calling to serve on TSSF Provincial Chapter.
To sit awhile and think
In pastures new and unfamiliar,
And see the task ahead.
This unfamiliar road
By which the Lord, in His perpetual grace,
Calls me to walk upon,
Trusting in His mercy and His love.
To look up and reflect,
As radiance so bright, comes streaming through,
To give light to my soul.
Anxiety gives way
As strength and fortitude from His pierced hands,
Flow freely to my being,
As I place my helpless hands in His.
With head bowed there now comes
Such love and beauty unexpectedly,
That fills my whole being.
The presence of the Lord,
Overwhelming, so powerful and true
And yet so gentle, rests.
Bringing me to worship and adore.
Such love, dear gentle Lord!
Your perfect knowledge and your guiding hand,
Have led me to this place.
You know me through and through
And have forgiven all my past mistakes,
As if they never were.
I love you Lord; here I am, send me.
DRAWN TO LOVE
Encompassing, encircling,
His love ever real,
Draw near to the Saviour
With reverence and kneel,
To worship and utter
Words of perfect love,
Be filled with His Spirit
That comes from above.
His hands that hold us fast
Were nailed to the cross
So that things of this world
Are counted as loss.
For His love surpasses,
Endures for all time
And washes and cleanses
Our sin, dirt and grime.
Give thanks, praise and worship
And know that His love
Surrounds and rests on you
Like the Heavenly Dove,
His majesty, mercy
His glory and worth,
Be in us, His children
Of heavenly rebirth.
REST IN ME
Rest in me
And do not look
At where you think the journey lies
With my wings I will cover you
And hold you.
Hold onto me
And have the faith
To let me be your journey’s guide
I will protect you with my love
And shield you.
Look to me
And take my yoke
That burden light along the path
I will sustain you with my grace
And lead you.
MOUNT SINAI PRESENCE
Based on Exodus Ch.33 vv18-23.
Radiancy bright
Too terrible for human sight
Is the glory of the Lord
Immortality divine
Eclipsing human grand design
This is your God and mine.
Sheer blinding light
That screams of Yahweh’s power and might
Is the fearfulness of the Lord
Splendour, majesty sublime
Unconstrained by space and time
Here is your God and mine.
His mind will rend
Mere human wills to make them bend
To the supremacy of the Lord
Searching, torrid purity
Is Yahweh, awesome deity
Worship your God and mine.
We could not bear
To see the fearsome deadly stare
Of the countenance of the Lord
Yet His arms are open wide
He bids us let Him be our guide
Follow your God and mine.
STILLNESS
To stop and breathe
And sense the presence of
Yahweh God
And be blessed
By majesty sublime.
One’s self becalmed
Before the presence of
Papa dear
Being touched
By gentle, healing hands.
To sit and rest
Within the presence of
El-Shaddai
And be loved
By His most sacred heart.
Be still, His child
And in His presence stay
For He longs
To bless you
For all time and beyond.
THE CROSS
Written while on retreat at Chelmsford
Diocesan Retreat House at Pleshey.
Affixed in Pleshey’s grounds
A solitary cross
Stands there, a reminder
Of costly price once paid
By Jesus, Son of God
To break the barrier
Of sin, by which we once
Were held and cast adrift
From God’s eternal love
And held in captive state
The punishment of which
Our sins deserved, and more
But by his grace removed
And shouldered by the Lamb
Who was content to take
Our place, by which we are
Set free to live, now He
Calls us to live with Him
In service, love and joy
Humility and peace
To love as He has loved
And still loves to this day
To evermore deny
Ourselves and so take up
Our cross, a burden which
Is light, an easy yoke
Unlike the one that He
Who for our sins became
As sin, who knew no sin
The bloody sacrifice
Appeased the wrath of God
Sin is now cast adrift
Held in captivity
Whereas true life and peace
Is through the lonely cross
As mirrored by the one
Affixed in Pleshey’s grounds.
PRAYER POEM TO THE LORD OF LOVE
The first letter of each line spells out a prayer.
Written also at Pleshey.
Jesus, our Lord
Eminence divine
Supreme in majesty
Unsurpassed deity.
Speak to our hearts
Inspire us to love
Lead us to you
Omnipresence sublime.
Victor over death
Empower us to love
You more than anyone
Open our hearts.
Uniquely wonderful
Holy and pure
Enable our hearts with
Love that endures.
Precious are you
Mighty and strong
Ever all powerful
Love rights all wrongs.
Over our misdeeds
Victory is won
Evil is vanquished
You reign supreme.
Omniscient Lord
Unending in might
Make weak hearts be strong
Overturn the dark night
Reshape us so we’re
Eclipsed with your light.
THE WAY OF MARTYRDOM.
Based on a quote from Tertullian “The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church”.
A seed by itself
Cannot bring forth
Life in abundance
Fulfilment and worth.
Only in death
Self-sacrifice
Can true life come forth
Of value and wealth.
Red rivers that flow
From seeds that are blessed
By God’s gift of grace
In Heaven take rest
For they were faithful
In suffering and pain
Accepting their calling
Their loss is their gain.
O Jesus our Saviour
Your love casts out fear
Your lifeblood was drained
By scourge, cross and spear.
You draw us to you
Enthroned on the tree
Bearing our sins
That we might be free.
Now others have walked
Sweet martyrdom’s road
Unflinching in walking
And bearing the load.
New shoots from the ground
Spring up with the dew
Of blest morning’s sunrise
The church to renew.
May all of us bear
His burden so light
In joyful obedience
In lives burning bright.
Until at the last
Like those gone before
We enter His rest
Through Heaven’s open door.
ARMS OPEN WIDE
With arms open wide,
Love invites.
With arms open wide,
Love receives.
With arms open wide,
Love forgives.
With arms open wide,
Love heals.
With arms open wide,
Love accepts.
With arms open wide,
Love embraces.
With arms open wide,
Love welcomes.
Wide are the arms of Jesus,
Love comes pouring forth.
ADRIFT
Written after personal reconciliation with my entire past, and learning and re-learning the need to follow Christ in faith and trust. Written at Beauty From Ashes ministry in Hadlow, Tonbridge.
The water laps against the boat
The sea is calm, not stormy now;
Yet listlessness and lack of peace
Make living tedious, dull and slow
From whence came this, this wretched state
That haunts the mindset that was purged
Of ill-conceived naivety
And lack of knowledge, inter-merged?
From early days, till presently
Mixed messages from childhood borne;
Resided undisturbed until
The path was broken, mind re-born.
Thus far mended, this stormy life
Is now adrift upon the sea;
Uncertain, aimless, full of fear
Distant the thought of being free.
A vision seen in former times
And places, fills the mind, for now;
A person walks towards the boat
Then holds its edge, steps in to row.
He sits down, opposite to me
And as he does so, grips the oars;
His eyes ablaze with dazzling light
And yet no speech, no wise discourse.
And as he rows, I sit and watch
Relieved of burden, toil and woe;
The oarsman’s rugged face displays
The answer to life’s ebb and flow.
The oarsman speeds the boat along
His hand is firm, his grip is sure;
A sense of reassurance comes
From rugged face, and heart so pure.
The shoreline strewn with human life
And need, is passed by constantly;
There is no port to anchor there
Nor was there ever meant to be.
Past dreams and visions come to mind
Of presence loving, good and true;
Of golden thrones and blazing light
Forgiving errors, old and new.
A gentle realisation dawns
About the oarsman, we must note;
His ways are not our ways at all
It is the Lord who rows the boat.
THE LAKE
Written while on retreat at Coolham, West Sussex in May 2014.
Calm and serene, yet busy in the depths,
Myriad life-forms in motion arise to the surface
Then submerge again and again
Without ceasing, as they perform
The daily round of their praiseworthy existence.
Motionless lily pads lying on still water
Resting, but on constantly widening ripples
Produced by endless movement in the depths
And above, as moorhens and the like triangles make
In response to nature’s constant beck and call.
As they glide across the surface of the lake,
The rippling motion widens more and more
And leaves behind a shimmering on
The surface, only to die away again
As if no life had ever been there at all.
Activity lessens now as darkness comes,
So the daily life of nature is more still
As if to refrain from the daily round,
Until at last, when new morn shall arise,
The lake will sing and dance to its tune once more.
PEACE
Written also at Beauty from Ashes. This poem describes the Prayer Walk in the grounds.
A haven of peace, away from life’s troubles,
Beauty, serenity and love is here.
Colours bright, and shade to shelter from
The storms of error, failure and despair.
Tall trees surround this haven, their branches
Shelter and protect, as if to enclose
Each life that yearns to tarry here awhile
And seek God’s inner stillness of the heart.
And set aside the burdens that they bring;
Shame, fear, regret, remorse, sadness and pain,
And countless other yokes that bring them down,
Longing to be free, and walk in peace.
To walk awhile, treading the bending path,
Its softness caressing their feet which brings its own
Sense of wellbeing, nurture, love and care
As the way of prayer is walked, unrushed and slow.
Soft water falls in the centre of the walk
To signify life-giving streams that heal.
An endless ebb and flow there to refresh
And quench the thirst and cleanse the wounded soul.
Where does this pathway lead, that gently twists,
And turns, as souls it’s simple course do follow?
No maze, no labyrinth is this, with paths
That lead to dead ends filled with empty space.
Those who have walked this gentle path have seen
The answer to their prayers, their hopes and fears,
And have drunk freely from the Spring of Life
That washes, cleanses and wipes away all tears.
Heartfelt praise and messages of love
Are scribed upon a single whitewood wall:
Adonai, King of Love, my friend my Lord,
El Shaddai, King of Kings and Papa God.
All these and more have flowed from grateful hearts,
Acknowledging the Author of Life, from whom
There flows the fountain of all hope and joy,
And most of all, eternal life and peace.
Dominus-Iesus-est 