He’s Alive!

We did not believe it when the women came to say

They had seen our Master at the break of day!

We looked at them with pity for we thought they’d gone mad

Not surprising really with the trauma we had had!

They went to tend the body shortly after dawn

Only to discover that our Masters corpse had gone!

One of them then told us that she’d spoken to our Lord

She was quite ecstatic but we knew she’d lost her gourd!

Some of us then went to look and found the empty tomb

Someone had pinched the body and we were filled with gloom.

Simon was insistent that an angel had been there

Claiming He had risen there was no need for despair!

We thought the body had been snatched maybe by temple guards

So we just locked ourselves away and quivered like true cowards.

Suddenly our Lord was there standing in the room!

Our instinct was to scatter like dust before a broom.

Then He spoke quite calmly and wished us all good day

And reminded all of us what He’d been wont to say.

“I told you all that I’d be killed but that I would return.

I knew no one believed me, for you have much to learn!

I will not be with you long but you must never fear.

When I have departed the Helper will come near.”

We could not believe at first but as he moved around

We could tell it was our Lord plainly safe and sound.

The wounds that he had suffered were there for all to see

And it was no spectre for he joined us eating tea!

Our joy could know no limit as we learned to understand

That His death and resurrection were exactly as God planned!

He told us we should go back home and he would join us there

For He had a mission for us and we needed to prepare.

He was no longer with us and we didn’t see Him go.

It was the strangest feeling that we will ever know!

But one thing was quite clear to us, He’d risen from the dead

Just like He told us He would do, exactly as He’d said!

We did not know what this would mean but we were filled with glee

As we left Jerusalem and returned to Galilee.

The turn round was remarkable that men so full of fear

Suddenly were filled with joy and grinned from ear to ear!

Would that we could share this joy with all around the world

For we are Jesus’ followers with banners all unfurled!

Would I had the will power and the drive to do His work

And not be weak and feeble and be inclined to shirk!

Easter Saturday

So our Easter Saturday is a day to be enjoyed

All our thirst for leisure is there to be employed.

Not so for the disciples on that Sabbath to forget

They were scared and shattered, I’d be inclined to bet.

Have pity for these broken men they’ve had so much to bear

‘twas their beloved master who hung and suffered there

No visit to a synagogue as they were forced to hide

With mobs upon the rampage, they had no use for pride.

Their tears would flow from sorrow and their bitterness.

They had trusted Jesus and He’d left them in this mess!

They’d given up so much for Him and now their master’s gone

They were fully in despair. What hope of going on?

They were like headless chickens ready for the pot

I’m sure they blamed each other for the troubles they had got.

It seems that, as so often, it’s the women who deal best.

They planned what they had to do to put their Lord to rest.

Somehow they got through the day and waited through the night

They have no hope that at the dawn things will be all right!

When we have our troubles and wrestle with despair

At least we know our Saviour will be with us there!

The End of Everything

Imagine you’ve just had a meal with everyone you love.

You’ve given praise and glory to your God above.

Your Master has been cryptic as He’s often been before

And as you didn’t understand you ignored it all once more!

You went out for a wander and you sat within a park

And you were pretty sleepy, it being after dark.

Your Master asked you to keep watch so He could kneel and pray

But your eyes were very heavy so you start to drift away.

Then all of a sudden the night is filled with dread

The place is full of temple guards with Judas at their head!

He betrays your Master with a most unworthy kiss!

Was there ever treachery as foul and mean as this?

Your Master unresisting, gives in without a fight

And is led away in chains into the threatening night.

Most of you just run away but some will tag along

To see if they can somehow avert this dreadful wrong.

All to no avail it seems the High Priest has his way

And your Master is condemned to die on this black day!

You watch in abject terror as your Master is abused

By brutish Roman soldiers while the crowd is just amused.

You can do nothing for him as your Lord is crucified

Or even when they stab him to make sure that he has died.

You cry in desolation as you take him to his tomb

All your hopes have disappeared and all that’s left is gloom!

You crawl back to your lodgings as the Sabbath has begun

All of you despairing for no victory can be won.

This has been the end of all the hopes that you have shared

All your dreams are shattered and you are really scared.

What about tomorrow? Will the guards now come for you?

It must seem very likely that you’ll be murdered too!

You do not know what is to come. All you know is fear.

It is the end of everything. That much is very clear!

We leave them there in terror, not knowing what will be

A bunch of broken, craven, wrecks for all the world to see!  

Holy Week

Christ knew what was to happen as He rolled into the town

He knew that He was going to die, His friends would let Him down!

Yet He talked with confidence to those who tried to mock

He turned their words against them, which must have been a shock.

Of course His friends were happy in his reflected glory

They did not know the week would end with everything so gory!

Of course our Lord had warned them as to what would be his fate

He often spoke in riddles so they’d catch on too late!

He was the Messiah. How could He be killed ?

He’s going to rout the Romans – all of them were thrilled.

He’d turned down help from zealots but they knew He had the power

To overcome the Romans in less than half an hour.

What a revelation this Passover would be!

They were looking forward to a certain victory!

We know the victory would come with death upon the cross

But they would know the bitterness of defeat and loss.

At this stage in Holy week all that was before

And in their blessed ignorance they couldn’t ask for more!

But Christ knew what was happening, all that he would face

And I just thank my Saviour for his fortitude and grace!

The New Arrivals

I remember very well when my girls were born

One was in the afternoon and one in early morn.

After a night of torment my eldest did appear

And though we both were very tired we gave a little cheer.

I drove back from the hospital and cried for all to see

That miracle that had appeared was a part of me!

I went off to work that day and couldn’t help but grin

Even though, quite naturally, I was quite done in.

I was called at lunchtime when my youngest made her play

And finished off my lunch before I started on my way!

I arrived in time to share the miracle of birth

And as I travelled homeward I cried for all I’m worth.

Both girls have been a joy to me from that day to this

With only minor incidents to stir our family bliss!

As I look back through all the years I thank my God above

For my wife and daughters, whom He gave me to love!

Now we are all God’s children through Jesus’ sacrifice

And I know that always his bounty will suffice.

For I know He’s loved us from the day that we were born

That is the resultant of that happy Easter morn.

Then Sings My Soul

“Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.”

Four thousand voices singing a cappella

In unison to praise the Lord above

The magic sound so deep impressed this fellah

I felt the world to be so full of love.

No numbing beat to drive the faithful skyward

No tumult noise to blur their heartfelt song.

This angel sound, to me, will be a byword

For the joy that filled my spirit all along.

This will be my one abiding gladness

Of my time spent with God’s people in a tent

When singing overcame all thought of sadness

And the fabric hiding heaven seemed to rent!

In truth we were all singing like the angels

And the beauty of our voices filled the earth

It seemed we were no longer merely mortals

As we praised our Lord for all his worth!

“Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul my Saviour God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.”

And may it ever be so!

A Welcome Noise

I visited another church just the other day

The set up of it’s fittings was in the ancient way.

The wooden pews were awful, like sitting in the stocks

It must have been the same way when villagers wore smocks!

The music was frenetic and the sound was pretty poor

Yet there were lots of people streaming in the door.

The preacher fought a battle against a fading voice

But it was clear the people all were there from choice.

Throughout all the service there was a buzz of noise

From loads of energetic, and excited, girls and boys.

This to me was just the sound I’d always like to hear

It filled my soul with joy and made me want to cheer.

A church that has made welcome the coming generation

Can be the leaders of crusades to energise our nation.!

I contrast this happy sound with the silence and the fear

Engendered in the children like me from yesteryear!

We sat like squirming martyrs on our best behaviour

For fear of retribution while we learned about our Saviour.

Any sign of laughter or whispered conversation.

Was greeted by our parents with righteous indignation.

The miscreants would know that they were deep in trouble

And retribution would arrive to burst the thickest bubble!

I don’t care for the style of church or even how they pray

I just thank my Lord above they don’t drive kids away!

For a church that welcomes children just as Jesus did

Just shows an example of doing as we’re bid!

Alone in a Crowd

As I look around the bigtop at the people lost in praise,

With their souls and arms uplifted in a spiritual daze,

I realise with sorrow what I fool that I must be,

For they are lost in wonder, not in a haze, like me.

I cannot share their rapture, though I believe the same.

Perhaps it is my upbringing that is the thing to blame?

I was taught that loving was a great and precious thing

The love of God within my heart was cause enough to sing.

But I was taught to analyse, to think a matter through

And showing my emotions was not the thing to do!

It does not seem a natural thing to fling myself about

And as I cannot clap in time that makes me want to shout.

To stick my arms up in the air may look very jolly

But to do it just cos others do, is the height of folly! 

I gave my heart to Jesus a long, long time ago

And it fills my body with an overwhelming glow.

I know God loves me as I am because he reads my heart

And knows that if I lifted hands ‘twould be to act a part.

I know I love my Saviour and He knows it as well

And every day I’m glad I was captured by his spell.  

Truancy

Sue and I played truant from Spring Harvest yesterday

We went to the Big Start up and then just crept away!

We walked down into Minehead and we caught the train

It really felt romantic using steam again!

We went along to Watchet and had a walk around

Then hurried to the station as we heard the whistle sound.

We next got Off at Dunster and went to see the castle

Walking round the gardens wasn’t any hassle.

We had lunch in a beer garden then sauntered down the hill

Arriving at the station with half an hour to kill.

Back at last to Minehead we learned it was our fault

They’d tried for a world record and it had not been got!

Mind you they were two hundred short so we were not alone

I wonder with what penance we can both atone.

I have to say the weather was as good as it could be

Maybe God was happy that we had been set free?

Talents

God gives us all our talents and He loves to see them used

But sometimes we don’t know them and really get confused.

We think that we have talents where really we have not

And sometimes never recognise the talents that we’ve got.

I know I’ve some ability to play around with words

But perhaps I should leave music and singing to the birds?

I love to see the talented young people that I know

As they dance, or sing, or act so well, in some brilliant show.

They have got the confidence to use their talents well

And maybe they will end up stars – only time will tell!

Perhaps the lesson they can teach is that we should all try

To use our talents to the full and not stand idly by!

Perhaps we worry far too much what other people think

Should we not just try our best and never give a blink?

Our God has made us, as we are, to do the things we can

And, to Him, we’re a valued part of His master plan!

Minehead

Here I am in Minehead with lots of other folk

Here for fun and worship like every other bloke.

Spring Harvest is a festival, which happens every year

At the Butlin’s campsite, with half St Mary’s here.

I know there will be lots of things that I should enjoy

Workshops and celebrations for every girl and boy!

I know I am a fussy man who’s sometimes hard to please

And sometimes I can find it hard to be put at my ease.

I do not like jazzy worship, especially in a crowd

And I get a headache when the music is too loud!

I know there will be some things that I just cannot bear

And yet there will be others for which I really care.

The fellowship and merriment are really great to see

And I should remember, others must put up with me!

It is a chance to get away and maybe contemplate

All the things that make me know my Saviour is so great!

Puzzlement

How long, O Lord, will you stand by and see Your world destroyed?

While chancellors feel quite secure and curse the unemployed.

I can never understand why the wicked thrive,

And even when they’re spotted they can duck and dive.

How can you allow it, Lord, that cruel men hold sway,

And those who do the things You like all fall by the way?

Surely You have noticed that the rich ignore the poor?

The strong will victimise the weak and throw them out the door?

Good men raise their voices but the powerful are too bored!

The oppressed cry out for justice but often they’re ignored!

I am really puzzled Lord and cannot really see

Why you let all this happen but you still love me!

Yet for all my puzzlement I know You are our friend

And all will happen as You planned, if only at the end!

The Call

I do wish God would be precise,

When He gives his call.

Direction would be very nice

But none will come at all!

So I try what I may feel

May be what is required,

Only to feel down at heel

And very, very tired!

Then the calling is quite clear

“That’s not what I meant”

Now I know I’m nowhere near

What was God’s intent!

So I try again to see

If I can follow true.

Only to find that I may be

On the wrong path too!

Finally I learn to wait

Till things fall into place,

Though I may not feel too great,

I should trust His grace!

If You would tell me from the start

Where I will be required

I would feel more young at heart

And not be quite so tired!

OK, I will wait for your call

And for your timing too

And soon I will be walking tall

And do what I should do!

Lord, just give me patience

To listen to your voice

And recognise my penitence

When I make the wrong choice! 

Novel

I wrote a full-length novel several years ago

But I was scared of publishers who might not want to know.

So I published it myself at no initial cost

Which meant, for several years, the printing rights were lost.

I bought a lot of copies and sold them to some mates

But, so I was not using them, at under cost price rates.

Of course I am no salesman so the copies which remain

I give away to people so for me there is no gain.

Some people have come back to me saying it was good

Others tell me nothing ‘cos they don’t want to be rude!

At least that’s all I can assume otherwise they’d be

Very, very willing to give feedback to me

Some I hear from, second hand, they’ve quoted it to friends

But only quote the sexy bits, which they may feel offends!

Of course I would have liked it to be a great success

But being realistic I knew it would be less!

To be fair I wrote it as a challenge to myself

Not to be a fixture on everybody’s shelf!

It is a little story of my precious Saviour’s life,

From the point of view of Simon Peter’s wife.

Writing it gave me the chance to look within my soul

And recognise the values that gel to make me whole.

So of course it doesn’t matter what other people say

Though when somebody likes it, it really makes my day!

I view it as a tribute to my Lord above

By an ordinary bloke as a gift of love.

Interregnum III

Let’s thank our Lord above

For His mercy and His love.

Dave McDougal is the man

To fulfil his master plan

And he fits like hand in glove!

He’ll be with us in the fall

But at least he’s had the call

He’s been with us once before

And he’s still got friends galore

So I hope he’s walking tall.

Pray St. Saviour’s are at peace

As they look to his release

And they find the perfect one

To finish what’s begun

For God’s work will never cease!

From now until Dave comes

To be back with us as chums

Catherine and the team

Will be working like a dream

To the beating of God’s drums! 

Why?

With disasters all around our world,

Why should I believe?

When despots have their flags unfurled,

Why should I believe?

When diseases ravage half the earth

Why should I believe?

When babies can still die at birth,

Why should I believe?

When people starve in Africa,

Why should I believe?

While children die in Syria

Why should I believe?

When evangelists are caught in scams.

Why should I believe?

When babes are kidnapped from their prams,

Why should I believe?

When bigots spout their narrow views,

Why should I believe?

When I listen to the news,

Why should I believe?

With no belief I would be lost,

Without a need to care.

Life would not be worth the cost,

Stuck within a nightmare.

As God can gender good from bad,

That’s why I believe!

As God can comfort those who’re sad,

That’s why I believe!

As God is with me when I’m low,

That’s why I believe!

As God loves me though I’m slow,

That’s why I believe!

As God forgives me when I err,

That’s why I believe!

As God gives me the guts to dare,

That’s why I believe!

As God holds me within His heart,

That’s why I believe!

As God has loved me from the start,

That’s why I believe!

As God provides me good advice,

That’s why I believe!

As Jesus died to pay the price,

That’s why I believe!

I do not try to prove belief.

The effort would be futile!

That at least is some relief,

My faith is not so facile!

Retirement

When you’ve worked throughout your life

You need a little rest.

Retirement with your darling wife

Seems to be the best.

You try to keep yourself quite fit

By playing lots of sport.

You have to use your native wit

On a short tennis court.

You really can do what you will

You have lots of time

If you miss out on any thrill

It would be a crime.

Yet such a hedonistic style

Is not why we’re here

We should go the extra mile

To help those in fear.

We could live our lives for others

Trying to do good

Treating all we meet as brothers

Just like Robin Hood!

Jesus should be our example

In the things we do

For we know his love is ample

And will guide us through!

Childlike or Childish?

If I listen to St Paul

I can get quite confused

In fact some of his homilies

Leave me quite bemused

He says that we should grow up

And leave our youth behind

It seems that as an adult

We should use our mind!

When we were all children

We thought as children do

But now that we are older

We can’t be childish too!

And yet my Lord and Saviour

Took a little child

As a prime example

Of one who’s meek and mild.

He said that if we want to be

Raised from earthly dust

We need to be like infants

In the way we trust

Ok, there is a difference,

As anyone can see,

Between a worthy childlike trust

And how childish we can be!

My childlike trust in God above

May seem, to some, childish

But that I should stick with it

Is my dearest wish!

So You Think You’re Useless!

I remember feeling miserable when I had no job

I was doing nothing and felt just like a slob!

I went to church one evening to have a little moan

I was really sulky and yearned to be alone!

I picked a lonely corner so nobody could see

I felt just as useless as any man could be!

I did not want companionship. I didn’t want a chat.

I thought that sitting in that spot would accomplish that!

I’m sitting moaning to the Lord – I can’t say that I prayed

More like just a sulky ass, I sat and scowled and brayed!

I had hardly started when some friends had sought me out

They sat in my secluded place, which made me want to shout.

They started talking to me and I had to reply

Though I’m angry at my Lord and have to ask Him, “Why?”

I didn’t get an answer but in our empty church

I felt He had ignored my needs and left me in the lurch!

No sooner had I thought this than I very quickly spied

Another friend, a lady, was now at my other side.

By now I’m spitting feathers. Did God not understand?

I wanted to think private thoughts. That’s all that I had planned!

We went up for communion and the lady started sighing

And by the time we took our seats she was really crying!

She was feeling lousy for her husband worked away

And as she hated parting, she’d nagged at him all day!

Of course I listened to her tale and let her have her cry

And with a bit of joking had her laughing by and by.

I heard a laugh within my brain and a quiet voice came through

“I know you said you’re useless, but look what you can do!”

I had to hold my hands up and admit that He knew best

And why He hadn’t listened to my earlier request!

God’s got a sense of humour as anyone can see

I know that if He hadn’t, He wouldn’t have made me!