Agony

When my back is aching and my feet are very sore

It’s time that I remember that my Saviour suffered more!

What’s more all my aches and pains result from having fun

Running round an indoor court or golfing in the sun!

I choose the things I want to do and if they cause me pain

Well I can choose to rest a while, not do them all again!

My Saviour didn’t have a choice once he was arrested

And Pilate didn’t know or care how many folk protested.

I know of many people who suffer more than me

And they would all do anything to get away pain free.

So when I have my minor twinges, Lord I’ll think of you

And all the other people and what they’re going through!

I must just be thankful for the blessings that I’ve got

And when I think about it Lord, I really have a lot! 

Jerusalem Daily Prophet: 

Itinerant Carpenter Runs Amok!

Today there was a riot within the temple square!

Changer’s tables overturned, with money everywhere.

Lambs and goats and pigeons were let out of their cages

And the temple guards were sorting things for ages!

It seems this fellow Jesus called the merchants cheats

And chased them from the courtyard throwing broken seats.

He had a lot of hangers on who claimed he was a saint

But I found someone from his past who tells us that he ain’t!

Apparently the man comes from a Galilean town

And walked out on his carpentry letting people down.

No one in the village knew where he was heading! 

The family has history, they had a shotgun wedding!

No wonder with a past like this the guy has run amok!

If he had been normal it would have been a shock!

You can never believe what you read in the papers!

Palm Sunday

We celebrate the entry of our Lord into the city

Though He knew that He would get very little pity.

It must have been so bitter sweet to hear the people cheer

Knowing in a few days time they would start to jeer!

Spreading all their cloaks around and waving fronds on high

Little did those people know their God was passing by!

Oh, that I had been there to see you on your ass

It would have been fantastic just to see you pass.

Then in my reflection I realise, to my shame

That when the people turned on you I might have done the same!

I am not more worthy than any other man

Though I try my best to be as perfect as I can.

Thank God You came and died for me to wash away my sin

And are around to rescue me whatever mess I'm in!

Marriage Courses

It is sixteen years or so that Sue and I have led

Marriage courses at our church for those soon to be wed.

The couples who attend them may be a little wary.

Perhaps, before they get there, they really seem quite scary!

We send out to invite them and some will not reply

We ring and text and e-mail we really, really try!

Those who are persuaded come slowly through the door

The prospective bridegrooms wish they could sink through the floor!

It isn’t very long before we put them at their ease

They discover we don’t lecture them. We’re more inclined to tease!

We tell them little anecdotes and  offer favourite tips

Set them doing exercises and watch some film clips.

We have a lot of fun with them and let them recognise

That facing life in partnership is very, very wise.

They will have their ups and downs but if they work together

They can face with confidence both fair and stormy weather!

The funny thing about this work is, that the more you do.

You learn more from the couples than they ever learn from you!

After every session Sue and I can clearly see

Things we never thought about concerning her and me!

So thank You, Lord for giving us the chance to do this work

And may it be a pleasure that we will never shirk!

Bridge

Bridge is just a game of cards, which ought to be good fun!

If you think that you must be mad! That’s not the way it’s done!

It’s more of a religion with a special liturgy.

If you join a bridge club you’ll very quickly see.

You need to know your Blackwood, your Culbertson and all

Let alone your Acol or a simple Stayman call!

There are many ways that you can get into trouble

Woe betide you if your bid’s resulting in a double!

Ok you cannot help it if you are dealt a Yarborough,

Though you may wish that you were on a holiday in Scarborough!

In some bridge clubs you cannot speak not even when you bid

In silence you must respond to what your partner did!

Even when the bidding’s done you are meant to know

Just what card you ought to lead – the bidding told you so!

If you cannot understand what the bidding means

You’ll end up in a mad house behind some plastic screens!

You may have thought post mortems were for those already dead

But you’ll be told quite firmly what you should have played instead!

If you cannot cope with this don’t fall into the trap

You’d probably be better off if you had stuck to Snap!

Saint John

I’ve never really liked Saint John, his gospel is a riddle,

Yet when our Lord is crucified he’s right there in the middle!

He is around to comfort and support our Saviour’s mother

But he claims our Lord loved him, more than any other!

I suppose that is the reason why I found him hard to take

It seemed like glory seeking by someone on the make!

And again, he got his mother to ask for Jesus’ favour.

All in all, that left me with a very bitter flavour!

On the other hand he had the guts to stand at Simon’s side

And argue with the council, not run away and hide.

Of course his Revelation is a very lovely dream

Of how we’ll end up happy, like the cat who’s got the cream!

I suppose, just like the rest of us, he was both good and bad

And perhaps I am just jealous of the privilege he had.

He was there to listen when Jesus told his tales

Of our Heavenly Father and the love that never fails.
I would have loved to be there to hear our Saviour speak

Not have his words translated from Aramaic to Greek

Then from there to Latin and then our native lingo.

Then I’d know His meaning without linguistic bingo!

 

Spare a Thought for Judas

Spare a thought for Judas as we enter Holy Week

He’s without a paddle as he floats up the creek!

Jesus was the chosen one he knew that for a fact.

Like all of Jesus’ followers he expects our Lord to act.

He would save the nation, chuck the Roman’s out

That’s what they all wanted. There wasn’t any doubt!

Jesus had the power to act. They’d seen it many times

Now they knew He’d punish the Romans for their crimes!

He’d fed the hungry, healed the sick and raised the dead to life.

He would be victorious in any sort of strife!

Imagine their impatience for the day that they longed for.

The moment when their Master would lead them off to war.

I’m sure they all were tempted to trigger an affray.

Like overthrowing tables in the Temple yesterday!

And then nothing happens! Their Master talks in riddles

What were they supposed to do? Sit round playing fiddles?

Judas was quite confident that if our Lord were goaded

He would call on all God’s power. Ballistae would be loaded!

With the power of Jesus, and with his zealot friends,

All the Roman legions would come to sticky ends!

So, for the best of motives, he pretends to help the priest

Knowing that his Master can release Himself at least.

Then to his consternation his Master’s crucified!

And it is his betrayal is the reason He has died!

He knows his friends will hate him. He hates himself as well.

Every moment that he lives is a living hell!

No wonder that he took his life. He had no will to live!

He could not think that anyone was able to forgive.

Certainly his erstwhile friends would readily condemn

Even though his motivation had been the same as them.

They all wanted Christ to act and save the Jewish nation.

You could almost see them giving Judas an ovation!

Have you ever noticed that we easily blame others?

Especially if our sins are just as scarlet as our brothers!

Judas might not know it but his act of infamy

Led to many blessings for folk like you and me.

Jesus chose to die so all our sins could be forgiven.

And I have no doubt that also Judas may be shriven! 

Reluctant Traveller

To undertake a journey when you do not want to go

Is something we can understand, maybe even know!

To think that at the end of it is suffering and shame

Would make the thought of doing it a somewhat different game!

We would try to shirk it, to find another way.

Maybe we could leave it until another day?

If we knew the journey was going to end in death

We would fight against it till we ran out of breath.

How then did my Saviour go upon that road

Carrying my sin and shame, a very heavy load?

Of course he asked his Father God to let Him off the hook.

Could there be another way? Surely He could look!

And yet He was obedient. “Your will not mine”, he said.

Even though obedience would leave Him being dead!

I suppose that I might choose to die, to save my family.

Even for my country, to ensure that we were free.

But for other people, with whom I have no ties,

And even those I do not like, would be a big surprise!

I might stand up to bullies if I thought I had a hope

But meekly let them butcher me? I’m sure I could not cope.

Yet Christ would die for everyone until the end of time

To bring us all salvation and free us from our crime.

He was truly innocent and peaceful as a dove

But died to show the world a taste of perfect selfless love!  

Nervousness

I know we all get nervous when we try something new

Remember it’s adrenaline that helps to get you through!

It only comes from nervousness but it is like a drug

So you are like a junkie! (In case you’re feeling smug).

You do in fact find people who are hooked on being scared

They get such a buzz from it their judgement is impaired!

But in the situation where you need to make a speech

Or, if you are a teacher, the first time that you teach,

Then you get the energy and nerve to carry on

But when the task is finished your energy is gone!

You’re going to end up shattered when the drug runs out

But you have got through it so never ever doubt

That when you don’t feel nervous that’s when things go wrong

It’s best by far to feel the pangs that help you get along!

We have been supremely made by a God who feels our woes

And we should be thankful from our head down to our toes!

Six Nations Finale

I really love my rugby, especially yesterday!

Italy were awful and Wales blew them away.

They scored so many tries in the second half

It looked like the Italians were playing for a laugh!

Ireland went to Murrayfield with an awesome task

To win the game by twenty points was a massive ask!

To get a win is hard enough, never mind the score!

To win by such a margin is asking something more!

Ireland all this season have played a solid game,

Their attacking efforts have not set the blood aflame!

I worried they might easily throw the game away

But they were almost clinical in the way they chose to play.

They won by quite a margin but would it be enough?

Now they had to hope the French would do their stuff! 

You could not imagine the game that happened then!

It was no place for pygmies. only supermen!

Waves and waves of brilliant, ferocious, stunning play

And loads and loads of tension to make me old and grey!

As the points count mounted with every thrilling try

Sometimes I would want to cheer at others I would cry.

The French would not admit defeat. They gave the match their all

And in the end the points count was much too close to call!

The Irish had the championship when everything was done

But in the end it was the game of rugby that had won!

A Dilemma

I am greatly troubled, my mind is in a mess.

My proper course of action I cannot even guess.

Of course I could do nothing avoiding any blame

But it’s most unlikely that things will stay the same.

They wont get better on their own as far as I can see

But I’m not sure that any action is really up to me.

Can I just ignore it or is that just being weak

And if I must do something what pathway can I seek?

It is a dilemma and I do not know the way

Before I make my mind up I know that I must pray!

The Mysteries of the Green

(With apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson)

On either side the fairway lie

Yards of rough 6 inches high

And trees that seem to reach the sky.

With any luck the ball rolls by

Towards the waiting green.

And up and down the golfers go

Through the wind and rain and snow.

Where the ball goes they don’t know

Perhaps it’s on the green?

Over hill and over dale

Though their cheeks will go quite pale

In their quest they’ll never fail

And their puny arms will flail

To get it to the green

Some men have been known to shiver

And their lips are seen to quiver

When the ball goes in the river

Nowhere near the green!

But still in golf they will derive

A pleasure that will always thrive

Which makes them glad that they’re alive

When they hit the perfect drive

For chipping to the green

But then the chip will go awry

It’s known to make a grown man cry

Some clubs are broken by and by

Just beside the green

In the bunker’s wind blown sand

The deepest one in all the land

A shot that all one’s skills demand

All are there at your command

To flip it on the green

But woe is me it hits the lip

And back into the sand will slip

For you to take another chip

At that blasted green!

At last it is the time to putt

That wondrous feeling in the gut

When it’s hit sweetly as a nut

Towards the hole as in a rut

Delight upon the green.

But then there are the putts that miss

That make us want to boo and hiss

There is no misery like this

Putting on the green

The eighteenth green has come in sight

The final shot in fading light

By the flag is nestled tight

All upon the earth is right

For handshakes on the green

And at the closing of the day

At the course they cannot stay

They’ll have to put their clubs away

And leave the final green!

Romantic

I have a romantic heart

It’s soft as butter too

I think I’ve known that from the start

And surely, so have you!

It takes the very simplest thing

To move my heart to tears

When I hear a sparrow sing

Or love which lasts for years.

A simple act of kindness

Can bring tears to my eyes

Can make my face a sodden mess

But makes my spirits rise!

My eyes mist up for refugees,

Or for another’s loss,

Or kids that do their best to please,

Or Jesus on the cross.

I feel another’s sorrow

And almost feel their pain

Their angst I want to borrow

To leave them joy again.

I am truly soppy

But that’s how I want to be

I’d rather not be stroppy.

But fill the world with glee!

Foggy

While driving out this morning I couldn’t see too far

And only by their headlights could I see another car!

It was very foggy, a little like my mind

To say I think unclearly might be ‘being kind’!

I cannot see the way ahead relying on myself

And there is no SatNav sitting on my shelf.

I could be very silly and blunder on ahead

And if I did when driving I’d end up being dead!

I need to look for guidance and avoid the other lights

For surely being careless can only lead to frights!

Please God, be my beacon and Jesus be my guide

So that I may follow Your true road with pride.

Total Eclipse of the Sun

We all need special glasses for looking at the sun

“You’d better go and buy some”, they said to everyone.

The moon will pass across the sun at nine on this Friday.

The sun will be obscured by it as it’s on it’s way.

But watching it is dangerous. The ultra violet light

Can cause severe eye damage because it is too bright!

So I have been looking all around the town.

I looked in every Bletchley shop walking up and down!

It seems that no one’s told the shops that they’ll be in demand

There are no eclipse glasses anywhere to hand!

That made me think of Jesus, our Maker’s only son

He can never be eclipsed. Not by anyone!

The Son of God shines brighter than the brightest star

And He can light your pathway no matter where you are!

And yet you don’t need glasses to look Him in the face

All you need is thankful heart and God’s amazing grace.

I’ll shield my eyes on Friday to stop me going blind

But I’ll still see my saviour deep inside my mind!

Happy

Happy is a state of mind I try to cultivate

I hope that that is something with which you can relate.

I think of all the good things that happen every day

And I thank my God for them. There is no other way.

True I have the aches and pains like others of my age

But that is not a reason to fill my mind with rage.

I can still enjoy myself doing all my sport

Though I may not run quickly on a tennis court!

The golf swing is restricted and I cannot hit as long

But I can still hit fairly straight as I go along.

My putting suffers badly from a condition called the “yips”

And walking with a limp is causing damage to my hips!

But I can still appreciate the beauty of the trees

And the songs of little birds are enough to please.

I can still laugh at myself and sing a merry song,

Even if my timing is sometimes very wrong!

Then I have my memories of all the good times past

Even though they’re long ago they’re memories that last.

Of course there have been bad times when I’ve cried my tears

But even then I’ve sung a song, which banished all my fears.

There is always something to relish in my life

And of course behind it all I have the greatest wife!

God, You have been good to me and You love me still.

The thought of all You’ve done for me still gives me a thrill!

Mothers’ Day Acrostic

Mothers are the haven for children when they’re small

Offering great comfort when their offspring have a fall.

Taking lots of trouble to make sure their kids are fed.

Hugging them, and kissing them, and tucking them in bed.

Ensuring they have confidence when trying something new

Regarding all their work with joy no matter what they do!

Showing all the patience to nurture growing skills.

Doing everything they can to deal with stubborn wills!

Acting as the anchorage that every child should know.

Yielding to the sin of pride when their children grow!

Thanks to all the mothers for everything they do.

Resentment

I’ve nurtured some resentment over many, many years

Of times when folk belittled me and even caused some tears!

There were some situations I’d go over in my mind

Blaming lots of people for being so unkind.

Lately I’ve been thinking that perhaps there was a cause

Was I maybe showing off? Looking for applause?

On mature reflection I can now plainly see

That blame for all those incidents might really rest with me!

Though I’m pretty insecure my façade can be quite brash

And might appear to others that I am being flash!

To take me down a peg or two they might feel worthwhile

And if I was resentful, it only made them smile!

With this brand new insight I now can be content

They were doing nothing that I ought to resent.

That I have been insufferable I can now regret

So maybe, with this thought in mind, I can now forget!

Getting Ready

When Susie went to Cornwall she made it pretty clear

That I should clean the bathrooms while she wasn’t here!

She likes it very tidy when she comes back again

Though I find that housework goes against the grain!

I’d rather play my sport all day and browse the internet

But I know that if it isn’t done she’ll really be upset!

So I’ve worked this morning to get the housework done

Not making it last minute, completed at a run!

That really got me thinking about our Lord’s return

Have we been conscientious for His praise to earn?

Or like an errant husband will we still delay

Until we get the message that He’s really on his way?

We know we should be better and get rid of all the mess.

The sin and shame inside us would cause Him such distress!

Do we love our brothers the way He told us to?

Or are we really happy to leave them in a stew?

He’d hate to see the hatred that’s rampant in our hearts

And the way we do not care for distant, foreign parts.

Do we care for Moslems and those of other creeds?

Or do we sit in judgement when we don’t like their deeds?

Do we love the people whose sexuality

Is not as straightforward as it is for you and me?

Get on your knees and join me in a fervent prayer

Let’s do the things we’d want to do if Christ was standing there! 

Peter

When I think of Bletchley Town CC

One name just comes around

A man that you would always see

Walking round the ground.

He started playing for the town

When he was just a boy

And he never let them down

For playing was his joy.

Tall and very elegant

He played with a straight bat

A memory like an elephant,

He talked of this and that.

He played till in his seventies

He fell and hurt his shoulder

And if his wife had been at ease

He’d have played till he was older!

He coached the club’s aspiring youth

And taught them all he knew.

He saw it as his job in truth

To show them what to do!

He never tired of umpiring.

He’d stand for hours on end

Steadfast and untiring

He thought the game his friend!

As treasurer he saved the Town

From each financial mess

Without him we were going down

To bankruptcy, I guess.

A stalwart servant all his life

Of the club which had his heart

And at his side the faithful wife

Who helped him from the start!

Peter I will surely miss

When I go to the wicket

But in heaven he’ll find bliss

If they are playing cricket!

That Inner Voice

The first time I was conscious of God’s voice in my mind

Was on a tall ship sailing of a very different kind!

My mind had been in turmoil over several weeks at work

Under immense pressure with tasks I could not shirk.

I did not know which way to turn or what I ought to do

Whatever my decisions I’d end up in a stew.

I sailed upon the Morning Star with a very scrambled brain

I thought that great exertion might ease a little pain!

It was in this troubled spirit that I climbed aboard the boat

Hoping I’d forget my troubles while I was afloat.

We’d sailed upon the Medway for just an hour or so

When we hit a sandbank (why, I do not know!).

We tried to float ourselves again but all to no avail

On a falling tide it seems all efforts were to fail!

So there we are mid river three hours before low tide

With seven hours till we might float and naught to do but bide!

Several men were grumbling that they had come to sail

Not sit around mid river like an overstuffed beached whale!

It was a lovely afternoon with beautiful warm sun

I’m sitting on an upturned boat surprised at everyone.

We were sitting sun bathing – not a dreadful fate

And I’m relaxed and thinking that I only have to wait.

That’s when this voice inside me came through loud and clear

“I’ve told you that for ages, but you have not seemed to hear!”

At once I knew for certain that God was at my side

And had been in my turmoil and I did not need to hide!

Let what would be, happen. I would be all right

My gracious God would see to that in the darkest plight.

I’m not the greatest listener but I was made to see

That in my inner torture my God was there for me!

There is no Power of Evil

I hate to hear the devil being given too much power

And sometimes I wonder how scared some Christians are!

I hear some people praying that the devil may not be

An interfering influence on events we want to see.

It somehow seems they’re scared of things that he can do

And that he may be able to stop God coming through!

We know that Jesus saved us from all the powers of hell

But it seems this is a lesson we have not learned too well!

We all have evil in us, with selfishness and greed

It seems that better self-control is what we really need!

My friends, I have my sinfulness, which I need to control

And sure I need my Saviour to take a major role.

But I don’t blame the devil for the things that I do wrong

It is my inner nature that I’m fighting all along.

The devil is irrelevant to the things that God desires

It is the name of Jesus that saves us and inspires!

Golf on a Spring Day

The sun was shining on my back

As I walked around the course.

There’s nothing that I seemed to lack.

I’m driven by some inner force.

The sky was blue. The wind was mild.

Fluffy clouds were in the sky.

I knew I was God’s favoured child

I was on a wondrous high.

While playing on a fine spring day

There is no greater joy to find

Than strolling slowly on my way

And loving thoughts within my mind.

The fact that I was playing well

Could have influenced my mood

But believe me, I could tell

That my God is very good!

Disappointment

“It takes a disappointment to make you grow”, they say.

Maybe England cricket will think about today

And learn a lesson from it that will last for years

Or will the whole sad episode merely end in tears!

To lose a match to Bangladesh will shock the ECB

They’ll be apoplectic as only “suits” can be!

But will they recognise the blame that they should take

Getting rid of talent could just be a mistake!

I know he wasn’t old school and had the biggest head

But when you banished Pietersen, who would play instead?

I’ve followed English cricket throughout all my life

It causes me no pleasure to see them in such strife.

Ok, I’ll follow Ireland for the rest of this world cup.

They have had their victory and another may come up.

Not a chance of winning but at least I know they’ll fight

To submit in abject apathy is never, ever, right!  

 “It takes a disappointment to make you grow”, they say.

Maybe England cricket will think about today   

Listening

Listening is not a skill that I do very well!

My attention wanders as anyone can tell.

Even now my hearing is as good as it should be

Yet somehow random thoughts may take a hold of me!

If you are talking to me and suddenly I’ve gone

It is just a fault in me – it’s not you rambling on!

When I’m concentrating on some thing I want to do

There is no mechanism for your words to batter through!

I admit that it is talking for which I’m better known

And sometimes when I’ve started I can hear you groan!

It’s the same with praying! God hardly gets a chance

To get a word in edgeways as my gabbling thoughts advance!

Yet I know He speaks to me. I’ve heard Him once or twice

Giving me His word of peace or very sound advice.

If I could just be quiet I’m sure I’d hear Him more

And if I listened to Him I’d make light of any chore!

Friends with Everyone.

We are told that we should welcome all within the fold

And surely we believe it, if the truth be told.

I’ll say hello to anyone who comes into my sight

And sure I need to love them for that is only right.

But just because I love them as I love every brother

Is that any reason that we should like each other?

If we have things in common then a friendship may ensue

But if we can share nothing is a friendship true?

I can’t be bosom-buddies with everyone I meet

Though I can be friendly if they walk in off the street.

I’ll try to put them at their ease and introduce the crew.

If they look uncertain I’ll show them what to do

If someone needs a helping hand I hope I’ll do my part.

If they’re in need of comfort I’ll hold them in my heart.

I’ll try to show an interest in what they have to say

And if they are in need of it I will surely pray.

All of this I try to do to share the Saviour’s love

For this is the commandment from my Lord above.

Marriage is a Partnership

I have got a person who is always on my side

And when things are quite sticky I do not need to hide

She promised she would be with me in good times and in bad

And it is not a sinecure that my love has had.

It’s just the way it should be, a partnership in love

Battling through thick and thin with help from God above.

Somebody to talk to when I am feeling low

And when I’m lost the pilot who shows me where to go!

We comfort one another when the bad times come

One with one in unity, a most emphatic sum.

Marriage is a partnership where you can disagree

She is my sternest critic when she needs to be!

But let another person try to put her partner down

And she will strip for battle with a most ferocious frown!

We’ll have our fun together, we’ll even shed our tears

But we will bind together throughout all our years. 

Prayer

I am only human and easily confused.
Sometimes I’m uncertain, at others I’m bemused!
I am truly grateful for all God’s gifts most rare
So saying prayers to thank Him would seem only fair.
Prayers of praise would also seem to fit the bill
For His mighty works and deeds give me such a thrill!

I know God is all knowing and sees our every need.
And will never pander to our avarice and greed.
He’ll only give the things we ask if they are in His plan
But then they are within His will and don’t depend on man!
So why should we petition when we have got no say? 
If God thinks it’s warranted He’ll do it anyway!

Does He count petitions then when He has enough
He feels it is the time for Him to really do His stuff!
Of course that must be nonsense but why do we imply
That the more of us that pray God might well comply?
When our friends need healing we will say a prayer
Is this to jog God’s memory or to show our friends we care?

When we pray for some things the answer may be yes
But which may get that answer we can only guess!
Of course when we are closer to our God above
We’ll know what to pray for surrounded by His love,
Then no doubt He’ll answer yes to all our prayers
For we will pray for all the things for which we know He cares

Perhaps that is the answer. The meaning of it all.
We are meant to listen so we hear God’s call.
If instead of spouting forth we left a little space
We might get the meaning of God’s wisdom and His grace.
Perhaps then we like Samuel might hear our Master’s voice
Pray to have instruction so we can know His choice.

Of course the mystery of prayer is really not a joke
But I find it rather easier to pray for other folk.
Praying for myself is something I find hard to do
For I know without request God’s blessings have come through.
I wish I had the wisdom to understand God’s ways
But even so I’ll pray to Him throughout all my days

I’m sure I’m not the only one who ponders on these things
And I’ll only know them when I’ve sprouted wings.
I’m as thrilled as anyone when God has answered prayer
And I’ll join with many others in making folks aware
Of the giving nature of our God above
Who pours on us the bounty of His great and gracious love 


   

Men’s Prayers

I’m sitting sipping coffee with a smile upon my face

While the sun is shining brightly on a happy human race!

At least that’s how I’m thinking on a bright and sunny morn

For I’ve been up since six o’clock seeing in the dawn.

It is the morning once a week when men get up to pray

In St Mary’s, Bletchley. A fine start to the day!

We open up with fellowship sharing all the news.

What has made us happy or given us the blues!

It’s filled with love and merriment while we have a drink

And then it’s down to business, giving pause to think.

We thank the Lord for blessings and answers to our prayers

And then we ask for healing, because we know He cares.

Of course we ask for guidance and strength to deal with woes

To a God who, through His son, our condition knows.

It is a time of comfort, fellowship and praise

So you could come and join us. We meet on Wednesdays!

I’m sitting sipping coffee with a smile upon my face

While the sun is shining brightly on a happy human race!

Questioning

I was taught to question at a very early age

Not just to understand what’s written on a page.

I need to know who wrote it and the evidence they used,

The climate of the politics and how people were misused!

What have been the influences on the messages they write?

Where they being tested as to if they’d seen the light?

Has it been a time when speech was really, really, free?

Or were they told just what to think by the powers that be?

If I apply such thinking to the bible and the creed

I may end up in conflict with what has been agreed!

They are an inspiration of that there is no doubt

And if I disagree with them I may get a clout!

I do not quote verbatim for each and every dot

And if I was so tempted I would be a clot!

Instead I read them prayerfully and hear what God may say

As to what they mean for us in this world today!

  

I hope I’m not!

Am I the sort of person who’s moaning all the time?

If someone won’t agree with me, is that a major crime?

Do I criticise the little things I do not understand?

And just cos I agree with them does that make them grand?

Am I always negative with an acid tongue?

Do I tut at others just because they’re young?

Do I say it’s noisy when I hear the music play?

Have I never got a single decent thing to say?

Do I talk with others behind a person’s back?

Do I complain when sermons go slightly off the track?

In short am I the person I do not want to be?

If I am, sweet saviour, please reflect it back to me!

I want to be the person to encourage those around

And if there’s nothing nice to say never make a sound! 

Forgiveness

When we hurt another person there’s a blot upon our soul

And we all need forgiveness in order to get whole.

I do not speak of fisticuffs or a broken arm!

For it is not such injuries that really cause alarm.

The hurt within the feelings, which seems to burn and glow,

That’s caused by cruel words and slurs and other weeds that grow.

We may not even realise the power that we exert

We think we’re being funny yet all we do is to hurt.

Sometimes of course we make amends and we are then forgiven

But sometimes chances can be lost and we can not be shriven!

Thank God that he sent Jesus to save us from our sins

We can show repentance and our new life begins.

We can get forgiveness no matter what we’ve done

For God just wants to show the love He has for everyone!