Joy and Peace

I’m full of joy on Christmas Day

The Son of God has come to stay

He will never go away

He is, for me, the only way

And he will help us in the fray

Comes to our aid with no delay

Makes it safe for us to play

While we wear this mortal clay

I feel His peace within my soul

So I feel happy on the whole

He helps me strive for every goal

Though I may need Him to cajole

When sorrow comes and takes its toll

He will not leave me in a hole

He will take a leading role

He is the tops in every poll

 

Joy and peace comes to us all

Through the child laid in a stall

Who rules forever overall

He can break down any wall

And make us feel we’re ten feet tall

When we answer Jesus’ call

We can recover from each fall

Even when our sins appal

Needy

We can sit here cosy with our sheltered little lives

And let the world go hungry living in their dives.

We can eat our Christmas dinner and follow it with pud

And pray for all the others and think we’re doing good!

Some of us are squeamish and our stomachs retch and heave

So when the going’s gruesome we have to take our leave!

We do not really want to know how others have to live

And sometimes even turn our backs when we are asked to give.

I know we can’t all go abroad and work to make things right

And things can be so ghastly that we hide them from our sight!

We waste a deal of money on trinkets for our friends

And think a small donation will really make amends!

O Lord give me the courage to face my fears and dare

To do my best to bring relief to problems anywhere.

I know you came into the world to satisfy the needy

And to prick the bubble of the satisfied and greedy!

I know that I am timid and I pray that I may be

The very stalwart Christian that you would like to see!

Change

At last, a woman bishop in the good old C of E.

I wonder if that’s a change you ever thought you’d see?

When I think of the resistance there has always been

We can just be grateful for the changes we have seen!

Tradition can be beautiful and reminds us of the past

But it is not something that was meant to last!

All of our traditions were at some time new

And in their day I bet that they had been resisted too!

I love some of the old hymns just the way they are

Indeed I have been known to sing them in the car!

I also like some worship songs and I sing them too

That’s not to say I relish everything that’s new!

I try to keep my mouth shut when I don’t approve

But I don’t always manage it with songs stuck in a groove!

Lord help me to welcome things I may not understand

I just need to worship you and live at your command.

Judgemental

The journey’s almost over with Bethlehem in sight

All they have to do is find a bedroom for the night!

It shouldn’t be too difficult with all Joe’s folk in town.

That’s not the way it turned out as they wandered up and down!

Perhaps the rooms were given to the first ones to the gate

And Joseph and his Mary arrived there far too late?

Perhaps they knew that Mary was in the family way

And also knew that they had not yet had their wedding day?

I’m sure that if they wanted to their kin could find a room

Not leave the couple wandering round in the gathering gloom!

Can we too be judgemental? Do we also turn our backs

On people we consider whose morals are too lax?

Suffice to say that someone took pity on the pair

And brought them to a stable out of the open air.

Of course it’s not the Hilton or even very clean

But it was in that humble place the miracle was seen.

Lord help me dump my prejudice and lend a helping hand

Even to those people whom I’ll never understand. 

Playing the Game

I really love my cricket. I have done all my life

If you don’t believe me you should ask my wife!

I remember golden days when Graveney reigned supreme

And Trueman ran in willingly, bowling like a dream.

I remember Botham, and Flintoff at their best

With Gower whose stunning timing saw the ball caressed.

The stubbornness of Brian Close peppered with the ball

And selfishness of Boycott who could outplay them all!

All of these were players who graced our lovely game

It wasn’t just their cricket that was their claim to fame!

They all had less than no time for the establishment

Which treated them so shabbily, to a very great extent!

After the Bodyline affair Jardine left the scene

So the old establishment could be seen as really clean!

Of course we’ve now seen Captain Cook used as a shabby means

To get rid of Kevin Pietersen with work behind the scenes.

And then because we now have lost our quickest scoring bat

We can’t compete in one-day games – well who’s surprised at that?

The public schoolboys at the top – no backbone to a man

Have left this likeable young man alone to hold the can!

And now we wait with bated breath for a new hand on the helm

An Irishman may come at last to save our cricket realm!

As we move through Advent to remember Jesus’ birth

We can hold to something that really is of worth!

Remembering that Jesus was not one who fitted in,

I wonder if the MCC would consign him to the bin?

  

Massacre

My heart goes out to parents whose children have been killed

When I see the gruesome pictures I am with horror filled

There seems to be no sense in it! One only can ask why?

For what cruel, twisted reason did these children have to die?

At a time of year when we recall our Saviour’s birth

It is a sad reflection that there is no peace on earth!

People who can do such deeds must be very thick

This will not promote their cause, just make us all feel sick!

Violence breeds violence and hatred only grows

And where that evil spiral ends, only heaven knows!

I don’t care what religion they purport to profess,

When they meet their maker they’ll all need to confess.

I worship God in my way and do all that I can

To support a toleration for every other man

To follow their religion in the way they have been taught,

It was through my Saviours death, such freedom has been bought.

I pray for those who’re grieving that their monstrous grief will ease

And the killers will repent their deed. Help them Master, please! 

The Lost Ring

There once was a ring made of silver,

Though worn, it shone ever bright.

It sat every day on her finger

It was truly the girl’s great delight.

It was given to her as a treasure

When she was but sixteen years old.

It’s cost was not beyond measure

But to her it was worth more than gold.

It was bought for her by her mother

When the family budget was small.

She wouldn’t swap it for another

It made her feel forty foot tall!

A gift that is given in love

Has more value than any can tell

One feels one’s in heaven above

And will always look after it well!

It sat fifty years on her finger

Each morning she wore it with pride

Her thoughts on her mother would linger

Long after that lady had died!

Then one day came disaster!

She noticed that it wasn’t there!

With face like white alabaster

She frantically searched everywhere!

We had gone on a visit

Down to Bexhill on Sea

She asked herself, “Where is it?”

And wondered where it could be.

We looked all over the car park

In the gutters and in our friend’s flat.

And searched until it was dark

And then we thought, that was that!

We went there again two months after,

And searched around there once more,

And so you know we got dafter

We even searched on the shore!

No use! We finally realised

Her precious possession was gone

No matter how much we had theorised

Life would just have to go on!

We finally made a decision

And ordered a ring made to fit

Although it would have great precision

We knew it could not replace “It”

Just before we collected

The new ring so shiny and round

There came a twist unexpected

That old ring, so precious, was found!

Not by our friend down in Bexhill

But by Susan herself, quite by chance,

She waved round her arms like a windmill

And invented a new kind of dance!

We’ve all heard the tale of the shepherd

Who rejoiced when his lost sheep appeared?

Well believe me, I cried and my eyes blurred

When her ring was not lost, as I feared.

This is a wonderful story

Of not giving up till you find

That Jesus lives in his glory

And sadness is all in the mind!

Example

In all the Christmas busyness, with its enormous cost

What do we hear of Jesus? Is His story lost?

I hear some Christians moaning of how it is unfair

That, junior school, nativities are not done anywhere.

Do they really think that schools should do our job for us

And political correctness is just an anti-Christian fuss!

Schools and other institutes must walk a narrow path

And bias towards a single faith would have an aftermath!

I know that some will look for fault and certainly will find

The world is full of hypocrites and Christ is undermined!

 Have they all forgotten that the onus is our own?

We should teach our children not sit around and moan!

It also is our mission to let all others know

That our God just loves them and that Christ told them so.

He did not condemn them because they would not hear

But if they turn to listen we should give a cheer.

It is all our actions that sell the Christmas story.

Not by constant carping, but by giving God the glory.

I know Christ is the way for me and hope that my example

Will show a way to others that they might want to sample!

Parenthood

Each prospective parent can only wait and see

And wonder how traumatic giving birth will be.

The girl is apprehensive of the pain, which she is told

Comes before the pleasure of the babe that she can hold!

Will the babe be perfect? How well will she cope?

She can have no certainty, she can only hope.

The man cannot imagine the changes that will come

He loses his position when his girl becomes a mum.

Some men have been pampered and bowed to all their lives

Firstly by their mothers and then by doting wives.

Now he has to realise that his lordly role has changed

And if he doesn’t know it, he must be deranged!

Most men, on the other hand, know what to expect.

They’ll provide and comfort, cosset and protect.

Thus it was for Joseph as he walked toward Bethlehem,

With Mary close beside him. What fate awaited them?

Of course the angel told them that God had a plan

Which, as they understood it, involved a little man.

Their role in this mystery was always really clear

To guide and mentor Jesus, and then to disappear.

How they were to do it they hadn’t got a clue,

But they trusted in their God to tell them what to do.

Lord, make me obedient when doing what you ask

And know that you will help me with each and every task. 

 

The Decision

I watched four kids the other night

Make a great oblation

They all looked filled with holy light

Not scared of the occasion.

They spoke about their God above

And how their love for him had grown.

His spirit on them like a dove

The greatest blessing they have known!

Making each baptismal vow

With confidence and verve

They told the congregation how

They were going to serve.

They took the next step on their road

Their hands upon their chest

They knew that Christ would take the load

And they were truly blest!

A decision they will not regret

Throughout all their days

Their path through life is safely set

Giving God their praise!

All of us must make a choice

Which some will think quite odd

We all must say with steady voice

“We give our lives to God”

Spirit

Another step along the road

Like many other steps before

Burdened with a heavy load

And weary to the very core!

Keep on going to the end

Trudging mile on weary mile

Keep on going round the bend

With an ever cheery smile!

When we feel our strength is low

And our energy is gone

But we still have miles to go

The spirit keeps us moving on!

 Pacing

When starting out for a place

Just go at a rhythmical pace.

Don’t go too slow or too fast.

Go at a pace that will last.

Steadiness will win the race!

When thinking of Mary and Joe

The pace that they’d choose would be slow.

In the family way,

And walking all day,

You don’t want to puff and to blow!

When walking at our Master’s side

Our hearts would be bursting with pride.

We’d follow the pace that he sets,

For he’s paying all of our debts,

And that is the reason he died!

Companions

When going on a journey it’s good to have a friend

They can keep you going until you reach the end.

With Mary nine months pregnant and walking all the way

It must have been quite tiring towards the close of day.

At that time she would need the help of Joseph by her side.

A companion there to comfort her and look at her with pride.

With arm around her shoulder and ever cheery smile

He would keep her going for many a weary mile.

May I have companions when I am slowing up

Who will boost my spirits and fill my empty cup.

And when I see others struggle may I lend a hand,

For being there for others is our Lord’s command.

To be a good companion is my great desire.

There is no higher calling to which I can aspire!

Inspiration

For each day during Advent I set myself a task

The reason why I’d do that is something you might ask!

I have to write a poem on things that I can see

When thinking of our Saviour and what He means to me.

Sometimes that is easy and sometimes it is not

Like today for instance, I think I’ve lost the plot!

I need some indication of what I ought to say

And that seems to elude me as I meditate today!

So of course I prayed that I would get some inspiration

And this of course is the result of all my meditation!

And there of course you have it! The result of all my prayer!

I wanted inspiration and so, of course, it’s there!

Perseverance

Keep right on to the end of the road,

Keep right on to the end

Though your way be long

Let your heart be strong

Keep right on round the bend.

Though you’re tired and weary still journey on

Till you come to your happy abode

Where all you love, you’ve been dreaming of

Will be there at the end of the road!

It’s sometimes very difficult for us to carry on

When we receive a setback our motivation’s gone!

It really doesn’t take a lot to put us off our game

Then we feel like quitting, to our own eternal shame.

We do not like to volunteer for any weekly chore

Cos next week we may not want to do it any more!

Doing things for days on end we do not think is fun

We tend to call it boring and simply want to run!

Perseverance is a word that we don’t emulate

We think that having freedom is really rather great.

Lord, give me the gumption deep within my heart

To keep me going to the end in everything I start.

Let me be like Joseph striding down his track

With eyes set forward on the goal and never looking back!

In The Bleak Midwinter?

Yuletide was a time of year the pagans felt of worth.

That’s why we chose a winter date for our saviour’s birth!

That way we could convince them without any doubt

As Christians they could celebrate and would not lose out!

Then because all Europe was wintry in December

They conjured up this image that we all remember

So we have this fabled picture of a journey in the snow

It’s seldom seen in Palestine where the oranges grow!

The nights just might get chilly but nowhere near that cold

And by the way, in Bethlehem, Christmas trees weren’t sold!

Travelling on dusty tracks when pregnant, poor and tired

Is quite enough to make me feel unworthy, but inspired.

It does not really matter that the seasons are all wrong

In our favourite carols, when we all sing along,

I love the songs of Christmas for the spell that they can weave

But they are not the reasons that cause me to believe.

I’ve read the bible stories and they’re true, at least in part,

But I feel the presence of my Saviour in my heart!

It is not a matter of knowledge, proof or creed

But I know in my spirit that Christ is Lord indeed!

 

 Logistics

From Nazareth to Bethlehem is quite a trip by foot

And to avoid Samaria adds extra to the route.

You’re talking some 180 miles, of dusty mountain track

Think of the poor donkey and the load upon it’s back.

It’s going to take two weeks at least and water weighs a ton

As well as that you have to have the food for everyone!

Shops are few and far between so you have to take it all

And they only had one donkey as far as I recall!

So all the pictures you have seen of Mary riding by

Seems to me unlikely, I cannot tell a lie!

So think of Mary plodding on for every weary mile

Nearly nine months pregnant, it must have been a trial!

Never mind the need she’d have for frequent nature calls

Sneaking off behind the trees is something that appals!

Sure Joseph can support her with an arm to lean upon

But he cannot carry her when all her strength has gone.

They’d go by easy stages with frequent stops to rest

Maybe they could manage ten miles a day at best!

And yet you hear us moaning if the train’s a little late,

And walking for a mile or two we think a dreadful fate!

God give us the fortitude to deal with life’s ordeals

And ever make us thankful for the fact that we’ve got wheels!

Destination

When starting on a journey it helps a lot to know

Your final destination and which way you need to go!

Otherwise you’ll wander like a ship without a rudder

And maybe visit places, which are prone to make you shudder!

Joseph did not know the way or where was journey’s end

And it looked like Mary was to be his only friend.

How he must have longed to know what future lay ahead

He maybe even wished he had another path instead,

Nonetheless, he travelled as his God had asked him to

And he had the fortitude to see the matter through.

God give me the courage to listen to your voice

And have no inclination to make the easy choice!

You know where I’m going and you will be my guide

So I have no reason, or wish, to run and hide.

Baggage

We all of us have baggage as we go along the road

We think about injustice and the debts that we are owed,

What about the times we’ve failed to take a winning chance,

Or when we called retreat when we have needed to advance!

All our fears and failures seem to dwell within our mind

And then we all are tempted to say fate is unkind!

Spare a thought for Joseph with Mary at his side

In no real condition to take a donkey ride.

What thoughts would assail him as he started on the track?

Starting on a journey with no chance of turning back!

Trusting God to keep him on the straightest path

Knowing our salvation would be the aftermath.

God give me the fortitude to do the things you ask,

Knowing you will help me with the hardest task.

What Next

As soon as one thing’s settled another rears it’s head

I have to leave my home and go to Bethlehem instead!

There’s going to be a census called by those in Rome

And every male must travel to his own ancestral home.

I trace my line to David so Bethlehem’s the place

Which spawned our nation’s greatest king, the hero of our race!

There is no easy answer. I’m in a fearful stew!

I must take Mary with me though her time is nearly due.

Travelling is dangerous on a rough track with a mule!

You don’t do that, when pregnant, as a general rule!

But people have begun to talk and, as we’re still not wed,

If she were left here on her own, they’d be stoning her instead!

As long as we’re together and trust in God above

We will travel safely surrounded by his Love

And Now We Wait

Have you noticed when you wait how time seems to stretch?

And some ladies, while they’re pregnant, are obliged to retch!

The nine months of the pregnancy is filled with lots of hope

But with sickness and discomfort there’s a lot with which to cope!

As a man you feel so helpless but always in demand

Though mostly you can do no more than hold her by the hand.

You may have the privilege with hand upon her tum

To feel the baby kicking from inside the mum.

You know that what’s inside her is a part of you as well

And yes, you can be captured in the same parenting spell.

Your love has caused this miracle to start upon its way

And your excitement’s growing as you’re waiting day by day.

It seems to last for ever but your love will keep you strong

As you prepare the loving place your baby will belong.

How would it be for Mary with Joseph at her side?

His love is true but he can’t have proprietorial pride.

And yet he shows devotion as if it were his child.

A selfless, loving person, forever meek and mild.

God chose the parents carefully for his only son

For Mary and for Joseph, their life’s work has begun.

At a Loss for Words

My flabber has been ghasted! I’m at a loss for words!

I feel like I’m a gibbering wreck, my brain has turned to curds!

Since Mary told her news to me I’ve not known what to do.

I’ve lain awake through every night in a perfect stew!

If she stayed at her cousin’s until the child is born

The neighbours might not realise why I am so forlorn.

We could have had an argument, decided not to wed

They need not know the reason why I won’t take her to bed.

Then I could just dump her and not make any fuss

Even though I’m feeling that I’m a perfect wuss!

I’d just reached this conclusion after many weary hours

When I had a visit that left me seeing stars!

An angel stood in front of me, shining like the sun.

Blinded by his brilliance, I wished that I could run!

He told me Mary spoke the truth and that she had conceived

The holiest of holy babes and she should be believed!

I was too stunned to argue. I didn’t dare to speak!

I was more quiet than a mouse. I couldn’t even squeak!

He said I’d be the envy of men for evermore

For giving my protection to the infant Mary bore!

He said the child would come to be the saviour of the world

And be revered for ever as God’s wondrous plan unfurled.

In a flash he disappeared and I’m lying on my side

Asking God’s forgiveness for my doubting and my pride!

I must go to Mary and surround her with my love

Until she has delivered this gift from Heaven above!

Thank you God for choosing me, to do the best I can,

To offer my protection till your Christ becomes a man!

Maybe!

Elizabeth is pregnant! Just like the angel said!

Perhaps I should believe that I am truly blessed

Not be so despondent but should rejoice instead?

That she could be pregnant, no one could have guessed!

If God has made it possible for me to have his son

Should I not be grateful for being in this place?

I must have been chosen in front of everyone!

So I must be thankful and praise Him for His grace.

Lord if you are with me to keep me safe from harm

I will be contented feeling no alarm.

If you are there to guide me, and help me find my way

I will feel your presence and praise you day by day!

I count myself most fortunate that you are with me still,

Be it to me always according to your will!

What Am I To Do?

Mary says she’s pregnant and I am not the Dad!

And yet she tries to tell me that she has not been bad!

She says it is a miracle an Angel told her she

Was going to have a baby and the father is not me!

I could just walk away from her and leave her to her fate

I’m feeling hurt and angry but her I cannot hate.

If I tell the rabbi then Mary will be stoned

But if I just ignore it, her sin would be condoned!

If she told me who had been the man who did her wrong

I would make the bastard sing a sorry song!

But she will not tell me. Insists there was no man!

And says that I’ll believe her if anybody can!

How can I believe her? There isn’t any way

Does she think I’m gullible? Born only yesterday!

All this talk of angels, that cannot be true!

I really, really love her so what am I to do? 

A Good Girl

I have been a good girl. I have been all my life.

And I’ve been looking forward to being Joseph’s wife.

Now I find I’m pregnant but I’ve not been with a man!

And no one will believe me. Not even Joseph can!

Even I know pregnancy comes from making love

Not from having vivid dreams of angels from above!

Yet, the angel told me that I would be with child

Is it any wonder that Joseph’s going wild!

The angel also told me my cousin’s pregnant too

Even though she’s far too old. I know what I must do.

I’ll go and see Elizabeth and stay out of the way

That should avoid the ridicule of what my friends will say!

And if indeed she’s pregnant, what the angel said was right

So I should thank my God above not quiver here with fright!

I pray that Joseph sticks with me till my time has come

Or I’m alone and frightened as a young unmarried mum! 

Advent

Now here’s a thought for Advent,

Before your money is all spent.

Think of Jesus’ coming

While you’re carol humming!

Now, what is your intent?

An Iconic Show

I’ve been to an iconic show, slapstick at it’s best

A performance of the Café Ruse as I’m sure you guessed!

(Us critics use “iconic” to show we have some style,

Though, if asked to spell it, we’d probably run a mile!)

There is a cast of thousands, or so it seems to me.

Though with four actors playing them, can that really be?

The plot is fast and furious the murders quite grotesque

And all played in a spirit that is almost “Pythonesque”.

All the costume changes take place upon the stage

Seeing actors “undies” will now be all the rage!

It played once at the Stables and the audience went wild.

Though Sarah Watts and others could just say, “Bless the child”.

They toured with it to Edinburgh, where laughter reigned supreme

And by the end they were so tired that they were in a dream!

They spent five days in Poland with two shows every day

The Poles have never laughed so much at any other play!

Perhaps it was the poetry of perfect English prose

Or the majestic beauty of each perfect English rose.

Could it be that slapstick is the language of us all?

If so then Café Ruse could be the perfect curtain call.

In any case, with Martha, Ellie, Nat and Zac

It’s certain every audience would love to have them back.

This critic certainly got an eyeful of pleasure to the end.

And a gut-busting burst of laughter. Well done my little friend!

Dumbfounded

It isn’t very often that I’m lost for a word

But injuries at choir practice are really quite absurd!

I was ready to start singing when I heard a sudden roar

And turned to find my Susie, lying on the floor.

It was very evident she was anything but fine,

Some said she must have taken too much communion wine!

That comment was unworthy! My wife can hold her booze.

She’ll win a drinking contest with anyone you choose!

Someone called an ambulance while she received first aid

“Please don’t touch my shoulder”, was the first thing that she said.

The paramedic came and said we should go to A & E

And she should have an X-ray to see what they could see!

He took her off to hospital and I followed them with haste

Though he drove with all the speed of a tortoise being chased!

We sat around for ages and she went for the X-ray

And that was quite surprising – ‘twas before the break of day!

The doctor shook his head and said devotion to our God

Was certainly quite admirable but prostration very odd.

Especially to do it diving from a height

Landing on your shoulder is never very bright!

He said it was her humerus had fractured in the fall

Sue didn’t think it funny, as far as I recall!

They gave her some co-codamol and sent her home with me

And we were very lucky we got home by half past three!

I think we may not sleep a lot in the next few weeks

For the pain just flows along with fewer troughs than peaks!

The skills of the first aiders and those in the NHS

Fill us with admiration and gratitude, no less!   

Thank You God for all the things You have put in place

To catch us when we stumble and keep us in Your Grace.

Dancing

I’ve never been a dancer! Born with two left feet

And a brain incapable of working out a beat!

I’ve tried it many times before and every single time

My partner seems to think that I have committed crime.

Can I help it if my feet will not do what they’re told

And the thought of dancing makes my blood run cold?

I’ve tried the social foxtrot, the waltz and quickstep too.

But I’ve yet to find a single dance that I can do!

I’ve gone for lots of lessons but it isn’t any good

I end up with a headache and my partner in a mood!

It is a cause for pity that my wife just loves to dance

But as she’s married to me she gets so little chance.

She’s had this major problem for almost forty years

Her mother should have told her that it might end in tears!

Still she tries to push me in the ways I ought to go

And it’s still a disaster, as she ought to know!

But then she loves me dearly as anyone can see

Otherwise she’d never, ever want to dance with me!

Inspiration

If you want inspiration then all I have to say

Is when Mark Griffiths comes to town do not stay away!

I remember him with fondness when he last worked with us

But those who never met him might wonder at the fuss!

He has the sort of accent that made Lloyd George the rage

And tells each thrilling story without looking at a page.

He has you all in stitches with the expressions on his face

And with each new dramatic pause there’s silence in the place.

He challenges accepted norms and makes you think anew

About the ways you always work and what you ought to do.

The things that he had started all those years ago

Might get a needed booster doing things we ought to know.

We know that for our kids to learn they need to come along

And if they are not coming you’re doing something wrong!

As Griff was keen to tell us it all starts with work in schools

Building good relationships not treating them like fools.

Children are all different so give them lots of choice

And if they don’t enjoy themselves they will not hear your voice.

Jesus told the sort of tale that clicked with everyone

And people listened spellbound when he had begun.

So it is with Griffiths, when he starts to tell a tale

Everyone can listen. No one beyond the pale!

He talks to kids as adults and the rest of us like kids.

I’d follow this pied piper, while banging dustbin lids!

I still remember stories when he was here before

And I’m left with the feeling that I’d love to hear some more!

That is the effect he has on all who hear him speak

Be they little toddlers or, like me, an antique!

Thank you Mr. Griffiths just for being you

And giving God the glory for everything you do.

Well! Well! Well!

I went to Church this morning and there, to my delight,

There was a queue right out the door. It was a wondrous sight!

An eager expectation was the order of the day.

We went to see our Rector have his initial say.

He talked of living water and wells both old and new

Filling us with eagerness but joy and laughter too!

He sent us out with willingness to try and have a go,

To share our love of Jesus, with those that we don’t know.

Of course I have to tell you that I’ve heard the words before

But never with such fervour. He seemed to mean it more!

I felt that I would like to plunge into that perfect well

Where living water fills me with the desire to tell

Everyone I talk to about the love of God

Even though some people may think I’m very odd.

I’d like to thank you David for your joy and your delight

Which leads to queues right out the door. It was a wondrous sight!

Ebb And Flow

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow!

Can I be sure of what I know?

Memories through the mists of time

So easy when you’re in your prime!

Now they seem to come and go.

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow!

Will my hesitations grow?

My confidence so high in youth

Now is not so great, in truth!

How it seems to come and go.

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow!

What way will the wild winds blow?

First pushed that way, then pushed this.

Sometimes disaster, sometimes bliss!

Where it’s ending, who could know?

Ebb and flow, ebb and flow!

But above all else I know

That through all life’s ups and downs,

With all its victories and frowns,

I will praise God even so!

Forgiveness

There’s much about forgiveness that I don’t understand

It is not a thing that’s easy to do upon command.

But yet if we cannot forgive it festers in our heart

A burning sense of grievance can pull our lives apart.

Of course there is resentment, sorrow, angst and pain

We have to come to terms with before we grow again.

God knows of the suffering that lives within our mind

He understands how hard it is to put the past behind.

I know of some parents who lived their lives in guilt

About the deep resentment their parenting had built.

They were not forgiven and they lived with that regret

But they were not the only ones to suffer I would bet!

Forgiveness is the balm that helps the guilty to repent

But it is not for them, alone, the benefit is meant!

The person who forgives may really not have even guessed

That in forgiving others they have put their hurt to rest.

They can now move on ahead with their hearts at peace

By forgiving others they will find their pain’s release

As for me I will not feel so guilty all along

Even though I must regret the things that I’ve done wrong.

My whip for flagellation can remain upon the shelf

For with my Saviours help I find I can forgive myself. 

Time to Go!

I’ve been at St Mary’s now for almost thirty years.

Never did I think that it might all end in tears!

When they changed the seating round I never even moaned!

At sharing Peace with others I hardly ever groaned!

Ok, I have been known to moan at music I don’t like

But none of this has made me want to get upon my bike.

Now I think the time has come when I should say goodbye

Though I will admit it, I’ll do it with a sigh!

Lex and Tim have started it by losing so much weight

And this has made some others nibble at the bait.

Many people moving from the couch to many K.

They’re looking at my figure and I don’t know what to say!

Then only this last Sunday they had to go too far

Heather Giles went running and became an instant star,

The Reverend Butt completed The Great North Run in style

And Lex did the triathlon and still could raise a smile!

Before such sapping exercise becomes part of the creed

I think that I must find a church that better meets my need.

Who knows of a church in town where I can vegetate,

Where only favourite songs are sung and I can sneak in late?

Where chairs are really comfortable and sermons are quite short

And most of all where I avoid all energetic sport!

Amy’s Wedding

I’ve just been to the wedding of a girl I’m proud to know.

I met her when she was quite small and I’ve watched her grow.

She came along to cricket to support her Dad

And, with her sister, did her best to try to make me mad!

They would pinch my cricket cap and jump upon my tummy

Despite the remonstrations from their strict but loving Mummy!

She sat behind me in our church and always made me smile

Until the choir position changed in a little while

I watched her in the Christmas plays the little children do

She always had a roguish smile and sense of humour too!

I helped with the youth group when she was in her teens

As they learned what following our gracious Saviour means

With her great friends Anna and Martha at her side, 

She would almost make me want to run and hide.

Add to those three, Emily and little sister Kate

It wasn’t any wonder that the youth group crack was great!

These youth group friends and others too numerous to say

Were all involved with relish in Amy’s wedding day

The sight of Edd in morning suit standing at the door

Is one that will stay with me today and evermore!

A very moving service with all in happy mood

Was enough to make me smile and left me feeling good!

All the best to Amy and her loving husband Ant

May you have all the bounty a loving God can grant!

God Bless

Scottish Independence

I’m proud to be British and Northern Irish too.

But going independent? I think you’ve lost a screw!

You may not have noticed but there’s lots of Scots abroad

They don’t just live in Scotland. Do you think that’s odd?

We are a tiny country that fights above our weight

It’s working all together that really makes us great!

I think of all the trouble in the place where I was born,

With internecine warfare, till we were all forlorn.

I always hoped that Europe was a dream where we would find

A way to all forget the past and be of single mind.

Of course the little Englanders have tried to kill such dreams

And now the Scots would do the same, as crazy as that seems!

Let’s remain together all Saxons, Danes and Scots

And Picts and Celts and Normans, we racial polyglots.

The Afro Carribeans, the Asians and the Poles

All add to our great culture and gladden British souls.

We all know some Englishmen who think they are the best

But we all know such people are really just a jest!

Together we are stronger. A match for any nations.

And is there anyone convinced by Salmond’s explanations?

I Don’t Trust Theology

Many sermons start with prayers that their words may be right

And anything that’s not of God will fade right out of sight.

This is my prayer with all the odes I write and what is more

That God will give you guidance on what you should ignore!

I really love the bible and I know it’s God inspired

With prayer and contemplation we may know what God desired.

Some tales were passed by word of mouth for many, many years

The subtlety of tone and stress depends upon one’s ears.

Of course the ones who scribed it were merely mortal men

Subject both to error and bias now and then.

Some wrote in Aramaic and others wrote in Greek

And none of them were certain of the truth that we all seek.

Then they were translated more than once or twice

But by then the book translators could not ask them for advice!

Finally in English there’s more versions than enough

To say which one is better is very, very tough.

One thing is for certain they all have the same theme

But if you think they’re all the same you’re living in a dream.

You can choose the one you like, the one that suits your mind

To say you might be prejudiced would be most unkind!

Whichever version suits you they all need lots of prayer

All of them are God inspired so you should not care.

Faith is not a matter of finding solid proof

So do not quote the bible for I will stand aloof.

Your belief is personal, between you and your maker

Be you Jehovah’s Witnesses, C of E or Quaker.

The church’s theologians have argued from the first

And I hope that by this time they have done their worst!

They labelled those who disagreed as the devil’s breed

And death and persecution was what was then decreed.

Does this sound like Jesus’ way? Or sent by God above?

Did not our Saviour tell us God was a God of love?

I really love the bible and the stories it relates

Of a God who wants us all to enter heaven’s gates.

I say the creed with everyone and mostly I agree

But I must say that lots of it don’t matter much to me.

I cannot tell if some of it is either right or wrong

Luckily God knows the truth so I can play along.

When I get to meet him, God will put me right

And whatever others think, I will sleep at night!

God Bless you all.

 

Dartmouth

I am in love with Dartmouth with it’s college on the hill

Sitting on the patio with lots of time to kill

Looking out on Kingswear my eyes can take their fill.

The river with its busyness just gives my heart a thrill

Sitting on the terrace with the sail boats floating by

Listening to seagulls screeching up on high

Watching ancient engines puffing steam into the sky

And looking at the ferries as back and forth they ply.

The views across the estuary and further out to sea

The stone of forts and castles as solid as can be

With rows of ancient cannon to keep the country free

And the steep sided valley with many a mighty tree.

The children with their crab lines trailing off the side

Or on the paddle steamer going for a ride

The dedicated sailors who sail their yachts with pride

And the river flowing seawards, fighting with the tide.

What more could a man desire than beauty such as this

With tranquil rolling river that gives the hills a kiss.

Being here in summer time is undiluted bliss,

Certainly a paradise I wouldn’t want to miss!