MODERN DAY SLAVERY
(Written while watching ‘Amazing Grace’ – the story of William Wilberforce, and reading an article in ‘The Times’ on present-day people-trafficking.)
People traded as commerce,
Like chattels bought and sold;
Human rights disregarded
In poverty untold.
To meet the greed of others
They are exploited now
While we turn blindly from it
And just don’t want to know.
For sex, gratification,
Exploited still today;
Brought here by false persuasion,
Their rights taken away
They suffer, hidden from us;
Their bodies just to use
In brothels through the country,
And do not make the news.
And we – shall we be silent
Or stand up for the truth –
The fact that they are precious –
Both older ones and youth?
All have a right to freedom,
But their voice we must be.
As years ago, the challenge
Still comes – to set them free.
We will speak out to save them.
We will bow down and pray
And use our gifts and talents
To find a better way.
Like Wilberforce, we stand now
That those of every race
May know true hope and freedom
And God’s amazing grace.
~~~~~
COME, DANCE WITH ME
(Based on a song by Ruth Fazal, on a verse from the Song of Songs. At school I hated dancing, having two left feet and no sense of rhythm!)
Come, dance with me
My bride, my love.
Dance upon the mountains.
Dance upon the trials
That You face.
Express Your heart
Freely,
Unfettered by limitations;
Unfettered by fear.
I will lead you
In a dance
I have choreographed
For my bride
To dance with me.
A dance of love.
A dance of joy.
A dance which reaches
Beyond words
Into the depths of your being.
I want to dance with you.
Do not fear
Being out of step
For I will guide your feet.
Use your body,
For I have created you
To dance.
As the chrysalis opens up
To set free the butterfly
Into a new dimension,
So you shall know liberation.
You are fair.
You need not hide.
I love you.
Come, dance with Me.
~~~~~
THE CHASM
(Based on a sermon by Rev Gary Homewood)
A chasm of separation;
A God we could not see;
We cannot cross to find Him,
But God our Way would be.
He warms our heart within us –
In Jesus makes the way;
A way of full salvation,
And gives a heart to pray.
Joy may be slow in coming;
The battle fierce may be,
But not by our own striving
God’s power can we see.
We meet with Him, and realise,
His sacrifice we claim;
His love for helpless sinners
Brings wholeness in His name.
His word is spoken gently.
We feel His love and peace.
The bridge to God is open
And we know true release.
For now He walks beside us –
No separation now.
He pours His Spirit in us
And in His strength we grow.
~~~~~
THE UNKNOWN GOD
(Based on a sermon by Robert Lens van Rijn – 16/04/2007)
The unknown God – first handed down,
We learn to love and know;
Experiencing His welcome grace.
His life begins to grow.
He knows each one, He loves each one.
In Him we live and move.
Just as the child within the womb
We live within His love.
He meets us where we are, and brings
His comfort, care and grace.
We meet with Him, and we can grow
As we talk face to face.
His presence here does not depend
On how we are, or feel
But on His truth, His promises
And we prove God is real.
Come now and feed us, nourish us
As we meet with You now.
Cleanse us and heal us, strengthen us
As in Your name we go.
~~~~~
THOUGHTS AT COMMUNION
(Based on a comment by Brian Woodgate – Burrswood – 14/05/2007)
The broken bread
Reminds me
That You were broken;
Roughly
Torn apart
That we;
That I
Might be made
Whole.
Put together;
From my brokenness;
From my sinfulness;
From the fractured chaos
Of my life;
From the exhaustion
Of trying to serve You
In my own strength,
And for my glory.
Your sacrifice is complete.
I am complete.
Thank You, Lord.
~~~~~
WONDERFUL!
(Thoughts from a communion service led by Brian Woodgate
Burrswood 14/05/2007)
Spinning frantically around –
The compass of my life;
Yet in this place of quietness
It stills
And points to the cross;
To You.
Your wonderful sacrifice –
An awesome God
Dying in MY place;
Bearing MY penalty;
The whole of salvation
Complete;
The Artist’s masterpiece
Finished!
Your love shown
To give the undeserving ones
Life.
Your life given
That we – that I
Might live.
Wonderful gift.
Wonderful Saviour.
Wonderful!
~~~~~
CANA
(Thoughts on wedding at Cana – based on room name at Burrswood)
‘No wine’ – what shame upon the host
At Cana’s wedding-feast;
Then Mary came – spoke to her son
And power was released.
Massive stone pots upon the floor
Were filled, as Jesus said,
With water – then He said ‘draw out’
And take them to the head.
He did not know from where it came
But that it was the best.
There was enough for everyone
When poured out for each guest.
Plenty to spare – the host’s disgrace
Removed – joy came once more
Because of Christ in Galilee
Whose mother did implore.
And, as we ask, He takes our lives,
Empty, with nought to give –
Fills with the water of Himself
And causes us to live.
What is drawn out will satisfy,
Best wine to quench our thirst;
To heal, when poured into our wounds;
We’re blessed, where we were cursed.
Come, Christ of Cana, now, as then
Fill me, transform, pour out
That I may love, and serve, and go
Refreshed and free from doubt
To take Your own life-giving word
Into a world in need.
Come, change my water into wine
That others I may feed.
~~~~~
BROKEN
(Based on a sermon by Brian Woodgate - at Burrswood Healing Service
12/05/2007 – 7pm.
Reading about the Potter and the clay – introduction – story of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ sculpture – story of ‘the Breakthrough Cross’)
A spoiled pot on wheel,
Of flawed, imperfect clay –
Yet in the Master’s hand
He shapes us every day.
God makes His work of art
From broken, useless things –
The things that man rejects –
Beauty from ashes brings.
Our bodies and our minds,
Our lives, broken by care,
Relationships that fail,
Our Master can repair.
We ‘know a man who can’ –
Broken upon a tree.
Our death and pain He bore
That we might be set free.
Set free, and fully whole,
Just as our Lord designed.
In Christ, our risen King
We life and comfort find.
Beauty for ashes, here
You give to us today;
Comfort for all who mourn;
Grace for our earthly way.
And we Your promise claim –
Your death now makes us new.
From shattered pieces, we
Are now made whole in You.
~~~~~
HIGH AND LIFTED UP
(Based on the worship at Burrswood Healing Service
12/05/2007 – 7pm)
You are high and lifted up,
Above all things You reign.
Creation worships You.
You free us from sin’s stain.
You left Your throne in heaven,
Came down to live on earth,
To share our human way –
You counted us of worth.
For us You bore the cross,
The scourging and the pain.
For us You gave Your life
That we might live again.
Cut off from God for us,
You took away our sin.
Our debt is fully paid
And we new life begin.
For us You rose again
And now we are set free
From Satan and his power –
God’s children now are we.
Ascended into heaven
That we may reign with You,
Made clean, made whole and pure
And raised to life anew.
~~~~~
BURRSWOOD
13/04/2007
A resting place beside the way
Where living waters flow;
Where I in verdant pastures lie
And peace from striving know.
A place of plenty for my soul
Where I find life anew.
A place where I renew my links
To let Your power flow through.
A place where I commune with You
And find that You make whole;
A place of comfort and release
For body, mind and soul;
A place where I can just ‘be me’
And lay aside my care,
Relax and find myself in You
And learn Your life to share.
A place where I can find Your heart
And Your own vision see –
Your love for all the fallen world;
Your strength, Your grace so free;
A place where You commission me
In Your own power to go,
Trusting in You, not in myself,
Your life down here to show.
A place where I am called aside
That I may stronger be
And realise it is in You
That I am truly free.
A place from which I am sent out
New life for You to live;
To be Your hands, Your voice, Your feet;
And ever live to give.
~~~~~
PERSEVERANCE
(Based on a sermon by Brian Woodgate – Burrswood 11/04/2007)
Sometimes it’s hard to persevere
And keep on in life’s race –
The goal ahead of Christ our Lord,
Though problems we may face.
Our journey may bring trials and pain,
But we follow our Lord
Who took His journey to this world
That we gain His reward.
Sometimes we feel like giving up,
But we would press ahead
To know our Lord, to share His pain –
Christ, Who rose from the dead.
He calls us on, He gives His strength;
He gives His life each day.
He gives His joy, He gives His peace.
He gives grace for the way.
~~~~~
BEYOND WORDS
(Written during four harp solos by Jane McDonald)
Beyond words.
The music of the wind.
And I am the harp
On which the wind of Your Spirit
Plays.
Relaxing airs
Lift my soul to You.
Gentle harmonies
Wash over me;
Cleanse me;
Draw me to You –
The creative one.
The breath of Your Spirit
Soothes me
And makes me whole.
Beyond words.
The music of Your healing Spirit
Flowing through me
Causing the bones to knit,
To grow strong.
Washing away the bruising,
Making whole.
Beyond words.
Music, revealing Yourself;
Speaking my name
Gently;
Showing Your arms
Outspread in welcome.
Showing Your hands
Placed upon my head,
Giving strength;
Commissioning me;
Making whole.
Beyond words.
The plan
Which takes the broken pieces
Of my life
And places them
Into a stained glass window.
Your light shines through,
Illuminating,
Making the shattered fragments
Into a thing of beauty
For You.
The Master Craftsman,
Making whole.
Beyond words,
The music of Your heart.
I cannot see You
With these human eyes –
Yet I touch You
In prayer;
In music.
Beyond words
Into the stillness;
Calming my restlessness;
Stilling my anxieties;
Filling me
With a calm joy;
Making whole.
~~~~~
People of the winter, people of despair;
People of the darknes - darkness everywhere;
Everything was hopeless, everything would die -
But our Lord is risen - now He reigns on high.
Death for ever vanquished; new life come to birth.
birds sing joyful praises, flowers bloom on the earth.
We can live for ever, raised with Christ, our King.
gone the cruel winter - now we greet the spring.
Vanquished sin's dominion - now new power we know.
Peace with God Christ purchased, life for us below.
God gives us a comeback, opportunity
To know life and power, joy and victory.
God's great, full redemption Easter morn displays.
Christ the lord is risen and with us always.
Though we're undeserving, His love reaches down,
Rescuing and lifting, making new life known.
People of the winter, now people of spring -
We are Easter people, and with joy we sing.
In Christ raised triumphant, with Him now we reign.
Christ has brought us victory, freed us from sin's stain.
~~~~~ Author's Notes:
Based on a sermon by Captain Mike Lloyd, 8th April 2007
HE TOOK UP HIS TENT
(Based on a talk be Rev Colin Norris)
The Word took up His tent
And left the heavens above,
Forsaking all that He held dear,
And came to us in love.
The Word took up His tent
And came to live on earth,
To share our weakness, share our pain
And show that we’re of worth.
The Word takes up His tent
To be with us each day,
To walk with us, to be our light
And guide upon the way.
~~~~~
REACHING OUT
We reach out and touch Your garment with prayer.
We reach out and touch You – Your power we share.
We reach out and touch You – Your glory flows through,
Transforming and healing. You give life anew.
You reach out and touch us at our point of need.
You reach out and touch us – compassion indeed.
You reach out and touch us – our burdens You feel.
You reach out in love to restore and to heal.
We meet, and in meeting our lives can be changed.
We meet, and in meeting we are rearranged.
We meet, and in meeting Your life we may know.
We meet, and in meeting receive strength to go.
We meet, and Your healing pervades all our soul.
We meet, and Your tenderness now makes us whole.
We meet, and Your passion inspires us to share.
We meet – receive power Your life to declare.
~~~~~
YOUR HAND ON THE ALTAR
(Based on a meditation on Rublev's icon ‘The Circle of Love’, ;The Trinity' or 'Thr Guests of Abraham')
Your hand is on the altar
Where I may with You share
Your sacrifice on Calvary
And lift to You my prayer.
Your hand is on the altar –
The table where I feed.
Your hand prepares a banquet.
Your food brings life indeed.
Your hand is on the altar –
The desk at which I work.
Your hand is in each action
That I may never shirk.
Your hand is on the altar –
My daily life I give.
Your hand is on my pathway
That for You I may live.
Author's Notes:
I'm not at all used to icons, but the meditation on this was most thought-provoking.
~~~~~
THE LOCUST-EATEN YEARS
(I am very aware how my initial feeling that God was calling me to the mission-field came to nothing. Almost 40 years ago I felt led to the Salvation Army, and nearly joined, aware that, in committing myself, I would be opening myself to the call of officership. However, I was dissuaded and feel that many years were spent in a spiritual wilderness, although I know that until the Lord had worked out the healing he is now doing I would have been unsuitable as a channel. Tonight, the verse came to me “I will restore the years that the locust has eaten” – Joel 2 v 25)
The locust-eaten years
By My grace I’ll restore.
You know My healing love –
I long to give you more.
The choices of the past
Which cannot be undone
Cannot negate My will –
It surely shall be done.
For My time is still NOW,
And as you come to Me
I will work out My plan –
Your Healer I will be.
I work my change in you
In all your brokenness
And I will lead you on
That you others may bless.
I’ll take the hurt, the pain –
Transform, that you may grow.
My plans for you are love,
And that love you may know..
The desert of your life
Will blossom as the rose
And living springs will flow
As Your life My life shows.
~~~~~
ISAIAH 53 – BROKEN FOR ME
(This was the chapter which spoke to me when I first came to the Lord, 50 years ago, so although it applies to everyone, I have approached it from a personal angle.)
Face and body, marred for me,
Dying on a cruel tree;
Broken there for all my sin;
Suffering there, my soul to win.
Not a great, majestic king,
Human triumph here to bring –
Cursed, rejected, left alone –
By the world Christ was not known.
His the wounds that made me whole;
His the stripes that save my soul.
Pierced and crushed my sin to bear;
Broken that life I may share;
Substitute – for me He died –
In my place was crucified.
Glorious truth, through this I live.
Lord, my all to You I give.
Silent, suffering and oppressed,
Beaten, humbled and distressed,
Naked, strung up on a tree,
God-forsaken there for me.
He was slaughtered out of love
By His choice, to raise above
All who will His gift receive
On the Saviour, Christ believe.
Broken for me – for us all,
Freeing me from Satan’s thrall;
Making beautiful within
That new life I may begin.
God, in Christ, His all once gave
My rebellious soul to save.
Now my all to Him I yield –
Now is my commitment sealed.
~~~~~
YOU WASH MY FEET
(Inspired by a picture in the chapel at Green Pastures)
Lord, You wash my feet –
My dirty feet,
Soiled by the things of daily life;
My calloused feet –
Hardened by the encounters of daily life;
My weary feet –
Tired by the journey of daily life.
You touch them
Tenderly.
Wash them
With Your living water.
You smooth them,
Soften them,
Fit them to journey on.
And You call me
To wash the feet
Of others.
Dirty feet.
Calloused feet.
Weary feet.
To pour Your living water
To refresh them;
To fit them to go on
Strengthened,
Refreshed,
To be the feet
To spread Your message of peace.
You wash my feet, Lord,
And commission me.
~~~~~
CALLED
Called to be ‘normal’, the way You intend –
Not with the sinful world’s ways to blend.
Called to be different, for truth and right stand.
We are Your children, the work of Your hand.
Called to a lifestyle with You as our King –
You our Director, Lord of everything.
Our wills submitted, our bodies Your own;
Self in submission and Christ on the throne.
Called to be ‘changers’, working for You,
Transforming and living Your work here to do,
Not in our own strength, by Your power within
We now take our stand against evil and sin.
Called to go forward, the past leave behind;
Called to move with You, new purpose to find;
Called Your commands to revere and obey;
Called to prove daily that You are the Way.
Called to lay down all the masks that we wear;
Called to be real, and in fellowship share;
Called to be fervent, our spirits on fire –
Your will, Your passion our greatest desire.
~~~~~
PILOT LIGHT OR GEYSER?
Sometimes, Lord, I get fired up
And let Your Holy Spirit have His way –
Yet then I go back to the way I was –
The pilot light is burning, but the power is off.
The ‘gas’ hasn’t changed.
You haven’t changed,
But I have ‘turned the knob.’
I have cut off my connection with You.
I have cut myself off
From the only source of power.
Lord, I want to be on fire for You.
I want to give out Your heat –
To serve the purpose for which You created me.
I want to be filled with You,
Powered by You,
Giving out Your love;
Witnessing to You by being
What You made me to be.
~~~~~
BREATH
I don’t breathe once, Lord, then stop!
Yet so often I breathe in Your Spirit,
Breathe out, and that’s it
Till the next time I feel inspired!
You are the air I breathe
And I need You more than oxygen.
I want to inhale deeply of You,
Repeatedly, constantly,
For You are the source of my life.
Fill me, Lord,
That the oxygen of Your Spirit
May permeate every cell, every part
Of my mind – of my life.
Holy Spirit, I need You.
~~~~~
“HOLY TO THE LORD”
Yes – me, Lord.
This body – imperfect,
But where You choose to dwell.
This body I so often abuse,
Putting in calories You never intended.
This body I abuse
By failing to take exercise.
This body I abuse
By failing to comply
With my medication.
This body I so often regard
As a clinical experiment
Of what can go wrong.
But it is Your temple.
I am called to be holy –
Holy to You;
Holy for Your purposes.
And I can only do that
If I respect the precious gift
You have given –
Not bemoaning its limitations –
It’s unattractiveness compared with others.
Its ‘middle-aged’ and ‘post-danazol’ spread!
But accepting it –
Making the most of it
For You –
Holy to the Lord.
~~~~~
CAUTLEY HOUSE
24th October 2006
(On a table in the chapel were a lighted candle, a figure of a child in a hand, and a glass of water)
In this place Christ meets us and calls us His friends –
A place where Christ reaches – His loving extends
Through each one who ministers, each one who shares
In making us welcome and showing Christ’s care.
Christ, now arisen – arms stretched out in love
Touches and heals us with grace from above.
Here, in the quietness his light we see,
Gently releasing us His own to be.
The candle reminds me of Christ, the true Light
Softly illumining, making things bright.
Water reminds me Christ cleanses from sin
And He renews me by his life within.
Held as a child in His hand I may rest,
Comforted, soothed, and in Him I am blessed,
And in my weakness in Him I am strong.
He is my Power, to Him I belong.
~~~~~
'NADA DE TURBE'
Let nothing disturb you, for I am your peace.
Let nothing alarm you, for I am your guard.
Though storms may rage round you, I’ll cause them to cease,
For all that you need is found in Me, your Lord.
Let nothing disquiet you – in Me is true calm.
Let nothing affright you – you’re safe in My hand.
Whatever the world sends to bring fear and harm,
You’re safe in My presence, the paths I have planned.
Let nothing disturb you, your pathway I’ve led.
Let nothing distress you for I am your King
And I will be with you wherever you tread.
Let nothing disturb you – My comfort I’ll bring.
Let nothing disturb you – in Me can be found
All things that you need for each day and each hour.
If you are in Me then I’ll cause to abound
My riches of comfort, My stillness, My power.
(While I was at "The Mothers' Hospital, I was very moved by a song "Let nothing disturb thee", dased on a prayer by St Teresa of Avila. While away, I heard the Taize chant 'Nada de Turbe', which appears to be based on the same prayer.)
~~~~~
WEAKNESS
When I am weak, then Your power is shown.
In my own helplessness, Your strength is known.
In my humanity, You show your care.
In my deep darkness, you, Lord, are still there.
When my resources have come to an end,
You, the Sufficient One, Your aid will lend.
When, in my own strength, I stumble and fall,
You lift me up - You will answer my call.
Hidden within You, no fears can alarm.
Your grace and power will keep me from harm.
Nothing on earth, or in heaven or hell
Can separate us - in You all is well.
Your love has no limits, Your grace has no end.
On You alone each day I depend.
Your lovingkindness and care will not fail.
In you, my Saviour, I'll stand and prevail.
~~~~~
IN OUR WEAKNESS (ELIJAH)
Gently, in brokenness God show His care,
Showing His love - He'll a table prepare.
Running on empty, we've no more to give
Yet, in our weakness, in Him we may live.
Not by our worthiness, things that we do
Can we earn love, can we be made anew.
If we would give, then we first must receive.
Christ gives His fullness to those who believe.
In our own emptiness we can be filled.
In our humanity, fear can be stilled.
God gives His love and His limitless grace.
He is sufficient - our strength He'll replace.
He loves our bodies - and so we should, too,
Taking good care of ourselves, and made new
By what the Father alone will provide,
Meeting our needs - He is there by our side.
When our resources have come to an end
On God's provision we still may depend.
In His own presence we need to be still,
Then with His strength and His power He'll fill.
(Based on a sermon at Burrswood - 28/10/2006)
~~~~~
I SEE THE WORLD - I SEE THE LORD
(This was based on the Commissioning service of the Salvation Army cadets of the Visionaries session - 22.7.06)
I see the world of sin and shame -
A world not knowing Jesus' name.
I see a world where discord reigns -
A world of sin and grief and pains.
I see the Lord on Calvary
Giving His life to set us free.
I see the Lord, arms stretched out wide
To draw all people to His side.
I see the world, held in God's hand.
I see the path for me He planned -
The opportunities He gives
To tell the world that Jesus lives.
I see the Lord - I hear His call;
I see the Lord high over all;
I see the Lord crowned King of kings
As all the world its homage brings.
I see the world - I see the Lord,
For He alone can hope afford.
I see the world in vision clear;
I see the Lord, and hold Him dear.
I see the world, and forward go
Christ's love and grace and peace to show.
I see the Lord - for Him shall be
My life, my all, eternally.
~~~~~
MY PURPOSE
(Based on a sermon by Fr Leo Mooney – Burrswood 24/6/2006)
Here to know, to love, to serve
The One Who set me here,
To show Him in my unique way –
To go and persevere;
To make Him known in word and deed –
The all-creative One
Who loves and loves without reserve,
Who saves us through the Son.
He loves me, too, not just “the world”
He took my blame and sin,
The hurts that others put on me –
He makes me pure within.
And yet He calls me now to love
The ones who bring me pain –
My enemies, the ones I fear,
Releasing them again.
He calls to me when I am weak
To find the suffering soul,
Surround them with God’s healing love
Which makes the wounded whole.
The wounded Healer calls to me
To give my wounds to Him
To use, to bless, to show His love,
Love which will never dim.
He calls me to encourage those
Whose hearts begin to fail.
The Saviour’s with us in the storm
And with Him we’ll prevail.
He calls to us, His family,
His body here to be.
He works in us, He works through us
To set the captives free.
~~~~~
DISCOURAGEMENT
(Based on a sermon by Graham Hayler – 25/6/2006)
(Nehemiah – the rebuilding of the wall)
It’s so easy to become discouraged.
It’s so easy to pass it on;
To be cast down by life’s burdens
And to think nothing can be done.
We may start off with good intentions,
And then problems will come our way -
Opposition and frustrations –
Satan’s arrows, aimed to dismay.
Often tiredness of our body
Saps our courage and saps our will.
We lose sight of our goals and vision –
Work seems endless and doubts fill.
Many things come to frustrate us –
Rubbish piles up, holding back.
We must lay aside encumbrance,
Pressing forward, and not slack.
Fear would paralyse, discourage –
Giving up seems oh, so right,
But in quitting God’s own purpose
We are moving towards night.
But together we may conquer,
Take a new approach and see
We may persevere to victory,
Keep our eyes on Calvary.
Christ is always there beside us –
Awesome. Great and full of grace,
Faithful in past and in the future,
And our weakness He’ll replace.
Battling on in God’s own power,
Satan’s work resisting now,
Christ pre-eminent we honour
And, encouraged, onward go.
~~~~~
OUR GOAL
(Based on a sermon by Graham Hayler – 18/6/2006)
We all have dreams, we all have goals –
But what when we achieve?
There’s more to life than meets the eye –
Sometimes our dreams deceive.
There is a goal we all should seek –
One place where strength is found,
But as we append time with our Lord
New life and joy abound.
We trade our weakness for His strength.
In Him we learn to soar.
In Jesus’ presence we abide
And know Him more and more.
An inner strength He gives to us –
Assurance of His care
Are found in fellowship with Him,
In free and two-way prayer.
Our goal is to communicate –
His life becoming ours,
Our burdens loosed, our dreams made new,
Using our Master’s powers.
To Him commitment we must show –
The Lord alone our aim
Unswervingly, determinedly
To glorify His Name
~~~~~
NOTHING
(Based on a sermon by Major Anthony Cotterill)
4 June 2006
I can do nothing with my life
Unless the Lord is in me.
All my achievements are nothing indeed
Unless Christ’s love sets me free.
I want to hide all the things I have done
Unless my Lord in me lives.
I can bear fruit as His life flows through me –
I need the power He gives.
His Holy Spirit is all that I need
Christ’s gracious words here to speak.
His Spirit only true passion can give
Lost ones for Jesus to seek.
Not just a form, but His power in me
Jesus through me can reveal.
Through me transforming this world He has made,
Making the Saviour’s love real.
Emptied of self and made clean by the Lord,
Offering my ‘nothings’ I wait –
For I have nothing to give of myself;
You fill with power so great.
You specialise in impossible things;
Your power can change me inside;
Given so freely – to none that ask
Your Spirit is ever denied.
~~~~~
UNITY
(Based on a sermon by Graham Hayler)
Success is born in unity,
In working as a team,
Enjoying one big vision clear
And striving for one dream;
Working for Christ, to share His word,
Our faith boldly declare,
United, pressing to one goal
And showing mutual care.
Divided, we will surely fail,
If we will follow man
Or seek to follow our own will
And set aside God's plan.
We all hold our opinions free.
The things that WE hold dear
Can easily distract from Christ
And bring dissension here.
Our pride and selfishness step in,
Unlike our humble Lord,
But Christ's desire is unity,
As He says in His word.
So let us strive to be at one,
All sharing in God's mind;
In words, opinions to agree,
Then we may victory find.
~~~~~
SANCTIFY MY HUMAN-NESS
(Based on a sermon at Burrswood)
Sanctify my human-ness,
The life of everday.
You took up our flesh, and walked
In our earthly way.
Death is now a conquered foe
Since You overcame
And You see us whole, complete,
Hallowed through Your name.
You destroy the devil's claim,
Wash away the past -
Woundedness and sin and hurt -
Give life that will last.
All my rubbish at the cross
You will take away,
Robe me in Your righteousness,
And for this I pray.
You were tempted, You give strength.
All my brokenness
I can cast upon Your grace,
Knowing You will bless.
You do not condemn, but love,
And You will forgive
And refresh me by Your power,
Giving strength to live.
~~~~~
YOU ARE WITH US
(Based on a sermon at Cautley House)
You give the grace to carry on.
You give us inward peace.
You see right to the heart of us.
Your love can bring release.
You suffered torment, grief and pain,
Crushed by our load of sin.
You gave Your all in sacrifice
To make us whole within.
You bore our punishment for us.
You knew real helplessness.
You pour your all-sufficient grace
Our suffering to bless.
We do not know the reaon why
Sorrow and pain we bear,
But in the darkness we may seek
And find that You are there.
You're with us in our time of trial,
The deepest night of feat.
We reach to You and call Your name
And find that You are near.
You can use all things for our good
If we allow You to.
You send Your angels, strengthening
And making us anew.
It may not be as we expect
That You work out Your will.
We know that in Your perfect time,
As we are waiting, still,
You'll call us home to share with You
A home prepared above;
No suffering, no pain, no death,
But Your eternal love.
~~~~~
PASSION - POWER
(based on a sermon at Cautley House - 20/03/2006)
Transforming Lord, transforming love
Without condition, boundless, free;
The love that watches, welcoming,
To bring us back, give liberty.
Your love demands my life, my all,
And all to You I freely give.
Your love in me helps me to love,
To share compassion and forgive.
Transforming Christ, transforming love -
A love that reaches to the heart;
A love that changes deep within;
A love that never will depart;
A love with passion and with power;
A love that leads to sacrifice;
A love that gives and gives again;
A love that always pays the price.
And with this love we're called to live,
To share the power You give to love,
With sacred, holy, God-given love
Which we receive, sent from above.
Your passionate love enthuses us
Your grace, love and compassion share
With sensitivity to those
Who need Your tenderness and care.
~~~~~
HANDS
Hands of a carpenter - sensitive hands;
Working hands, by His toil scarred;
Clean hands and healing hands, hands bringing love;
Hands that were pierced by nails - marred.
Hands of the angels upholding in love;
Christ's hands were pierced for my sin;
Hands that call forth all my worship to Him;
Hands that can touch me within.
Yet my own hands can show anger, bring pain.
May my touch show forth Your peace.
May my hands find all their strength from Your cross
And spread Your touch of release.
Lord, take my hands as I enter the day -
Serving hands to do Your will.
With my heart to You, hands reach out to the world.
Lord, I ask You my whole heart to fill.
Dear Lord, may compassion reach out through my hands.
May Your love pervade all I do.
As I yield my hands to You now I would pray
That my hands will show only You.
~~~~~
TOTAL WORSHIP
(Based on the sermon by Captain Elizabeth Lloyd on The Purpose-Driven Life – 12/03/2006)
All of my life would be worship.
All of my life would be praise.
Not just in the words I might utter
But everything, through every day.
I was created to worship –
Was planned for your pleasure to live.
Responding to Your love upon me
My heart, soul and body I give.
I would be focused on You, Lord,
For Your love is focused on me.
I would make time in Your presence
To worship with all I can be.
I would tell You that I love You
And mean it with all of my heart.
I would express my affection
And Your love to me You impart.
I would use all that I have, Lord,
The gifts You have given would use;
My work is for YOU – not man only
And Your strength in me You diffuse.
All is an offering to You, Lord.
My waking, my sleeping each day;
My working, my eating – each moment
I’m Yours – help me, Lord, to obey.
~~~~~
I LOVED YOU, I LOVE YOU, I WILL LOVE YOU
Before you were born, I loved you.
Before you were born, I cared.
Before You were born, I knew you
And a new life for you prepared.
I gave you a whole world of colour
And beauty for you to enjoy –
A world of aromas, tastes, music
And glory man cannot destroy.
Yet sometimes I may weave in sadness.
Sometimes all life’s beauty seems dark.
Yet I am with you in the shadows.
In your heart I will kindle a spark.
I’ll give you a hope and a future –
The strength to sustain you each day.
I’ll give you My Spirit within you –
And I am the Life, Truth and Way.
~~~~~
I WAS - I SHALL BE
What I WAS is past -
The sins confessed, forgiven.
The chains that bound me -
Hands and feet and mind
Unlocked.
And now I step out
To freedom.
What I AM is new,
Open and clean
For You to write, to move, to love.
Free to run the race
You set before me
Unencumbered
By the weights of the past,
Through You.
I am BECOMING -
Becoming more like You
As You shape me
Into Your image
By the trials I face;
By the experiences
I encounter;
By Your free grace
And Your own life
At work in me.
And I SHALL BE
Like You.
~~~~~
Written at Burrswood
22 February 2006
CREATED WITH SIGNIFICANCE
(Based on a sermon by Rev Robert Lens van Rijn at Burrswood - 11/02/06)
Created in the womb of God;
Created cell by cell.
Created as His special child -
God's, Who does all things well.
Created with significance,
With meaning, as His own -
Known intimately, and yet loved -
His image in me shown.
You seek me with Your healing love.
You're with me in my pain.
You show to me Your tenderness,
Bring me to life again.
You have a purpose for my life.
You put YOUR life within.
You lift me up, build and restore
And cleanse me from my sin.
You look with me into my pain.
You're with me in my need,
And as I'm ready You will work
To set me free indeed.
~~~~~
THE PURPSE-DRIVEN LIFE
(Based on a sermon by Captain Elizabeth Lloyd – 5/2/06)
Created BY God and created FOR God,
His purposes here to fulfil.
We’re made for God’s pleasure, to love and to live,
To worship with spirit and will.
He loves us, each one, with the whole of His heart
And rejoices when we yield our all
In worship, in thankfulness to our great King,
Alert to respond to His call.
We’re formed for His family, in fellowship here,
For mutual support, love and care,
To build up each other, one body in Christ,
Committed to strengthen and care.
Created to be His disciples on earth –
Created to be like the Son.
Through prayer and through learning of Him in His word
We’ll grow, and His will will be done.
We’re shaped to serve Him with the gifts that He gives –
A service planned for us alone;
A purpose that nobody else can fulfil –
That through our own lives Christ is shown.
We’re made for a mission, God’s message to tell –
Outside of the church Christ to show
In seeking the lost ones and pointing to Him
That they full salvation may know.
~~~~~
THE STORM
28/1/2006 - based on a sermon at Burrswood
Caught up in a storm on the sea of life
When billows and winds surround.
The Saviour is with us, but seems asleep -
Where can our safety be found?
The strain and the struggle just seem too great.
We strive to maintain our control.
We hold on until we can do no more
And a cry to God comes from our soul.
The Saviour alone can speak to the storm
And bring His own stillness and peace.
He wants us to trust Him, let go of our fear
And let our own striving all cease.
The Saviour, the mighty One still is so near.
He wants us to rest and be still,
Just letting Him calm us and heal us within
Allowing His Spirit to fill.
~~~~~
WHERE YOU ARE - AS YOU ARE
I meet you where you are
In all your brokenness.
I meet you as you are
In all your sinfulness.
I lead you step by step
Along the path ahead.
I keep and guard and guide
And feed with living Bread.
I give you a new name -
One who has overcome.
I'll change you deep within
If you to Me will come.
I lead you at your pace
And do not ask for more
Than you can do right now,
And my wisdom is sure.
The things within your past
I use to make you now.
I work to heal the pain
I work to make you grow.
I put in you a hope,
A journey to be whole
Is My great plan for you,
And I am in control.
~~~~~
THE POTTER
(Based on a sermon by Captain Elizabeth Lloyd – 8/1/06)
Clay on the wheel, hands on the clay
Moulding it gently His skill to display.
The Master Potter is working His art
And, to each pot, of His life He imparts.
But sometimes the clay in His hands may be marred
By faults in the clay – then that piece He’ll discard,
Beating it, kneading it, with skilful care,
Then on His wheel a new pot He’ll prepare.
As He is working, His hands become soiled,
But He keeps working on that clay, once spoiled,
Till something beautiful comes from those hands,
For in His mind He has brought out new plans.
We are the clay – marred and spoiled by our sin,
God is the Potter – He’s working within.
He will not cast us aside, of no use,
He will restore and He will not abuse.
His hands were pierced once on Calvary’s tree,
Making us holy, His vessels to be.
We still must yield and let Him have His way,
Accept His moulding and shaping each day.
We’ll not resist or His plans here negate,
But let Him work out His purpose so great.
Clay on the wheel – God’s own hands firm and sure
Fashion a vessel designed to endure.
Fashion a vessel to which He will come –
His holy temple, His dwelling, His home.
~~~~~
START TODAY
(Based on a sermon by Captain Mike Lloyd – 8/1/06
“Starting Today – Shaping Tomorrow”)
Start today –
Tomorrow is too late!
Today is ours
To shape the coming months,
The coming years.
Start today.
Begin to shape
Tomorrow –
Future days,
One at a time.
Start today
To grow, to learn, to love.
To bring God’s kingdom
Here on earth;
To serve,
To play our part
To bring God’s change
Right here.
Start today
With faith
In an unchanging God –
God Who transforms,
Reshapes to His design.
Start today
With focus on the task,
With focus on the Lord –
Undistracted;
To bring to Jesus
Those who do not know
His grace – His saving power.
Start today
With fortitude
To persevere
Against the evil one
God’s purpose to fulfil.
To carry on.
To overcome.
So shape tomorrow –
Start today!
~~~~~
TODAY
(Written at the Commitment Service – 8/1/2006)
You have given me today –
I give it back to You.
You have blessed me in the past.
You will see me through.
I can trust Your boundless grace
For the future days.
Everything is in Your hands,
Lord of all my ways.
You have given me today
Your great strength to prove,
Moving in Your strength alone,
Showing forth Your love.
You have given me today –
Take and use me, Lord.
Mould and make me in Your will.
All Your grace afford.
~~~~~
WINTER
Beneath the snows of winter,
Upon the bare, leafless boughs
Are the buds which foretell
The coming spring.
And in the desolation
Of our soul’s winter
We have within our hearts
Buds which will blossom
To new life
As we are warmed
By the Son.
~~~~~
THE LIBERATOR
Christ, the Liberator
Came to set us free;
Brought good news for all men –
Life eternally.
Jesus came to FREE us –
More than just “a glow”,
Sentimental feelings,
But true life we know.
From destructive habits,
Selfishness and pride;
From our past, and failures,
From the sin inside;
From the fears which haunt us;
From the things that bind;
Greed, rage, hate and anger
We release may find.
More than just forgiveness –
Jesus brings real CHANGE.
For He comes within us
Lives to rearrange.
This news brings us wholeness;
Gives Christmas real thrill
As the Liberator
Works in us His will.
~~~~~
REFLECTED
(based on words shared by Rev Patrick Jones at the Holy Communion, linked with thoughts from “My life must be Christ’s broken bread”)
Reflected in the chalice –
Our risen Lord above –
Reminds us of His mercy;
Reminds us of His love;
Reminds us of His power;
Reminds us of His grace.
In Christ we’re counted worthy.
In Him we have a place.
And my life is a chalice
To hold Christ’s outpoured wine.
May others see, reflected,
The life of Christ in mine –
His power is within me;
May I reflect His love;
His grace, His free compassion,
My glorious King of love.
May I count others worthy –
See them in Christ made whole.
In Christ all are of value –
May I value each soul.
May my life be the chalice
To share God’s love to all –
His life in mine reflected
As I obey His call.
~~~~~
BELLS
based on ZECHARIAH 14 v 20 where the bells on the horses were inscribed "Holy to the LORD"
Bells –
Calling to holiness –
Set apart-ness;
Devotion
To my God;
To my Redeemer;
To the One
Who possesses me;
To the One
In Whom and for Whom
I exist.
Bells
Remind me
I am His;
He is mine.
I am His temple –
Holy
For Him.
And the bells
Of my life
Must ring the clear message
“Holiness to the Lord.”
~~~~~
IN SILENCE
In silence I am waiting
For You, my Lord, to speak
And in the quiet stillness
Your presence I now seek.
The world is oh, so noisy,
My thoughts jangle and jar.
Come, still me with Your quiet –
In You all good things are.
In silence I am waiting –
You steal upon my soul
Reaching the deep recesses,
Making my spirit whole;
Making me rest and listen,
Slow down from life’s mad race –
Refreshing and renewing
With Your free, healing grace.
In silence You will meet me –
I open up to You.
You come in all Your fullness
And I am made anew.
In silence I am waiting.
Daily my spirit fill;
My whole life consecrated,
Yielded, obedient, still.
~~~~~
PRESENCE
(Based on a sermon – 29/11/05 - our personal presence is the greatest gift we can give many people)
The gift of God’s own presence;
The gift of dignity;
The gift of time and value;
The gifts which set us free;
Gifts far above all money,
The gifts which we may share –
Sharing our loving Saviour
By giving time and care.
The gift of quiet stillness
Amid earth’s hectic race,
Sharing our human presence,
Sharing our Saviour’s grace.
And at this time of Advent
May we our presence give,
Reminding them of Jesus
Because of how we live.
~~~~~
THREE POEMS FROM PSALM SURFING – 18/2/2012
PSALM 96
Let each one make music to the Lord above;
Joyful, glorious music flowing from God’s love.
Where there’s pain and sadness let this music flow;
In the streets of commerce may they His voice know.
Let each one make music – God’s great word declare –
Music of deliverance, the King’s way prepare.
Let the earth make music – all things the Lord has made
In glorious jubilation, a song that will not fade.
Let all make music to Him, their voices lift as one;
All tribes and tongues and nations united in the Son.
Let music reach the heavens, proclaiming Jesus’ worth
‘Til He returns in glory, brings a new heaven and earth.
~~~~~
PSALM 15
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;
You, O Lord, turn darkness to light.
You, O Lord, give grace for the moment.
You, O Lord, give power for the fight.
You, O Lord, break down the barriers;
You, O Lord, obstacles all remove.
You, O Lord, give victory in battle;
You, O Lord, plan for me in love.
You, O Lord, break into my darkness;
You, O Lord, sustain my light each day.
You, O Lord, give healing and refreshment.
You, O Lord, lead in Your perfect way.
~~~~~
BREAKTHROUGHS
God of breakthroughs, re-creation;
God, Who longs to bring real change;
God, Who shines into our darkness;
God, Who lives can rearrange.
Light is breaking forth like sunrise,
Piercing all the gloom of night –
Brilliant, dazzling, gleams from heaven
Where the Saviour is its light.
Glory breaks through, rising on us;
Rising IN us, makes us shine;
Drawing others to the dawning
As they see God’s holy sign.
Light and glory join together
As to Christ we bow the knee,
Giving up the things that bind us,
And His power sets us free.
God’s Shekinah glory in us;
God’s revival in our hearts;
Full assurance of acceptance,
Perfect cleansing He’ll impart.
Ann S Clifton © 2012
ECCLESIASTES
A season which God has planned for our own birth;
A season for proving He makes us of worth;
A season He’s planned when to Him He will call
Us to share in the glory with our All in all.
A season for laying aside all the past;
A time for forgetting those memories that last;
A season for gathering the new things God gives;
A time for expressing that God in us lives.
A season for healing in body and soul;
A season for Jesus to come and make whole;
A time to accept and rely on His strength;
A time to be called to His kingdom at length.
A season to tear down the barriers we’ve made;
A season to build up for Him, unafraid;
A season for weeping with others who cry;
A season for laughing – inspired from on high.
A time to be silent – a time to speak out;
A season to whisper – a season to shout;
A time to make war and a time to make peace;
A season to bind things; a time to release.
Yet nothing is meaningless in God’s control.
In all He is with us – our life and our goal.
And so we press onwards through darkness and pain
Until God’s high calling at last we attain.
Ann S Clifton – 21st April 2012
(May be sung to St Denio or
My Jesus I love Thee (Affection)
WORSHIP
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 18/08/12)
We worship You, Creator God.
We praise You for Your love;
Your majesty shown on the earth
And in the heavens above.
You meet with us in quietness
And call us to be still,
To be aware of Your soft voice –
Let You our beings fill.
You bid us worship every day –
Your power to declare;
To march in triumph to Your house
And Your great presence share.
From all our chaos You will bring
Order, and words of peace
To set us free from anxious fear
And know Your full release.
All heaven declares Your glory, Lord,
The hills and valleys sing.
You put desire within our hearts
Our sacrifice to bring –
A sacrifice of worship, praise
Amid all trials and strife;
Experience You within our souls
And know fullness of life.
For all may come, and all may know
You, God, Creator, Lord,
Revealed to us in Jesus Christ
Who can true life afford.
We worship You, You make us stand –
Rely on You alone
Trusting Your wisdom for our lives
To make this Saviour known.
Your heavenly invitation stands
For each and every one.
Your blessing reaches out to all,
For You the victory won.
You give ‘shalom’ in every part
And we receive You now.
For now we stand on holy ground
And at Your feet we bow.
(May be sung to 'Kingsfold')
~~~~~
THE RUNNING MAN
(Based on a sermon by DC Lieut. Colonel Peter Moran 18/08/12)
God called – but Jonah ran away,
The voice of God would not obey.
He planned to go beyond God’s care –
But, where he ran, still God was there.
And still God’s call remained the same –
The word to tell, and to proclaim;
And there was no escape – therefore
His call to Jonah came once more.
His grace and love God showed to him
That disobedience could not dim.
Nineveh must turn from sin
And a new life with God begin.
But Jonah could not understand
The work of God’s forgiving hand.
He felt such deep, profound despair –
He could not understand God’s care.
And our own ‘Ninevehs’ we face
Where God has put us in this place.
His call is to each one to share
With good and bad, those everywhere.
Will we turn back or run away,
Or will we listen and obey?
For God will still extend His grace
To everyone, of every race.
~~~~~
BLESSINGS
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 26/08/2012)
We love You, Lord – we come to You
And bring to You this love.
We thank You for Your blessings here
Sent down from heaven above.
We count the blessings which we share
For all the gifts You give –
The peace which can transcend our pain
And give us strength to live.
However dark our path has been
You promise to repay;
Restore the locust-eaten years,
Pour blessings out each day.
When everything just falls apart,
You, Lord, can make us whole –
Remove the barriers we erect
And open up each soul.
We bless each other by our lives,
Our love, our help, our care;
Sharing the comfort we’ve been given;
Remembering them in prayer.
For in His presence we receive
That we may freely give.
And so the gospel we may share
And for our Saviour live.
~~~~~
WORSHIP
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 18/08/12)
We worship You, Creator God.
We praise You for Your love;
Your majesty shown on the earth
And in the heavens above.
You meet with us in quietness
And call us to be still,
To be aware of Your soft voice –
Let You our beings fill.
You bid us worship every day –
Your power to declare;
To march in triumph to Your house
And Your great presence share.
From all our chaos You will bring
Order, and words of peace
To set us free from anxious fear
And know Your full release.
All heaven declares Your glory, Lord,
The hills and valleys sing.
You put desire within our hearts
Our sacrifice to bring –
A sacrifice of worship, praise
Amid all trials and strife;
Experience You within our souls
And know fullness of life.
For all may come, and all may know
You, God, Creator, Lord,
Revealed to us in Jesus Christ
Who can true life afford.
We worship You, You make us stand –
Rely on You alone
Trusting Your wisdom for our lives
To make this Saviour known.
Your heavenly invitation stands For each and every one.
Your blessing reaches out to all,
For You the victory won.
You give ‘shalom’ in every part
And we receive You now.
For now we stand on holy ground
And at Your feet we bow.
~~~~~
THE RUNNING MAN
(Based on a sermon by DC Lieut. Colonel Peter Moran 18/08/12)
God called – but Jonah ran away,
The voice of God would not obey.
He planned to go beyond God’s care –
But, where he ran, still God was there.
And still God’s call remained the same –
The word to tell, and to proclaim;
And there was no escape – therefore
His call to Jonah came once more.
His grace and love God showed to him
That disobedience could not dim.
Nineveh must turn from sin
And a new life with God begin.
But Jonah could not understand
The work of God’s forgiving hand.
He felt such deep, profound despair –
He could not understand God’s care.
And our own ‘Ninevehs’ we face
Where God has put us in this place.
His call is to each one to share
With good and bad, those everywhere.
Will we turn back or run away,
Or will we listen and obey?
For God will still extend His grace
To everyone, of every race.
~~~~~
BLESSINGS
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 26/08/2012)
We love You, Lord – we come to You
And bring to You this love.
We thank You for Your blessings here
Sent down from heaven above.
We count the blessings which we share
For all the gifts You give –
The peace which can transcend our pain
And give us strength to live.
However dark our path has been
You promise to repay;
Restore the locust-eaten years,
Pour blessings out each day.
When everything just falls apart,
You, Lord, can make us whole –
Remove the barriers we erect
And open up each soul.
We bless each other by our lives,
Our love, our help, our care;
Sharing the comfort we’ve been given;
Remembering them in prayer.
For in His presence we receive
That we may freely give.
And so the gospel we may share
And for our Saviour live.
~~~~~
GOD IS MY STRENGTH
When I act in my own strength
I weary and I fail,
But Christ lives in me day by day –
With Him I shall prevail.
Experience of my own power
Shows me that I am weak.
But Christ lives in me – and His strength
He bids me daily seek.
Sometimes the problems that I face
May seem to overwhelm.
“Go in the strength you have”, God says –
For I am at the helm.
For God is with me, and He lives
To be my strength each day.
Not just a gift – His life within
Gives power along the way.
It’s CHRIST IN ME that I must learn,
Ready to start again.
Each time I fail He brings me back.
My life He’ll re-ordain.
He is the Lord; authority
Belongs to Him alone.
And as I live this truth, I’ll go
With strength His love to show.
~~~~~
TRUTH
We hold this truth within our hearts –
A truth that meets the need
Within our hearts, within the world,
That from sin we are freed.
And as we listen to God’s word
And do what God has said
We share with all – Christ died for us
And rose up from the dead.
Christ works in us, that all may see.
He wants His life to share –
His love which heals us and transforms –
A love beyond compare.
We need to pray for God’s own time,
That we His wisdom know;
And then we DO what He has said
And go His love to show.
If God has worked within our hearts His passion He will give.
We pray that those who hear will come
And His new life receive.
We need to go just as God leads,
Ready to do His will –
At times to speak and tell of Him;
At others to be still.
In everything to share God’s love,
To show His holiness.
For, through His people, God will come;
Through them reach out to bless.
This is the calling we receive
And this must be our prayer;
That we may listen and obey,
Then go His love to share.
~~~~~~
PARALYMPICS
(Based on a sermon at Burrswood, 13/9/2012)
Wholeness in brokenness?
Ability in disability?
Being the ‘me’ which can encourage
Others to be the people
You intend them to be.
Open my eyes, Lord,
To see beyond my perceptions,
My expectations,
To what You want.
You can take my limitations
To form me as You want me to be.
That picture, that jigsaw –
The whole of me – my brokenness,
My wholeness,
Experiences good and bad
All forming Your image in me –
And that image –
To show Your love to others.
To help them in their brokenness
To grow into Your wholeness,
That the cycle may continue.
Open my eyes, my ears, my heart,
Glorious, healing Lord.
~~~~~
ZACCHAEUS
Unpopular, unwanted, hardened by life around
Trying to buy acceptance by wealth that he had found;
Unclean, excluded, sinful, a tax-collector – he
Felt worthless, small in stature, and longed just to be free.
But Jesus came and loved him – looked up and called his name,
Came to his house, ate with him – he could not be the same.
No crutch of wealth, extortion – no longer any need.
Christ’s words brought wholeness to him and he was free indeed.
Repentance and repayment flowed from the work within.
A life of liberation at last he could begin.
And we? God knows our weakness, the ugliness we hide;
The things that mar our bodies, the pains we know inside.
And yet His words accept us, His arms with love embrace
And from our fear and darkness lift to a higher place.
No matter if we’re fat or thin, disfigured or despised
We each are special to our God – by Him we’re highly prized.
The twisted bodies, tortured minds, those bound by doubt and fear
To Him are precious, special, whole – to Him they are so dear.
Limited powers of learning or failing mental powers
Cannot diminish by one jot love from this God of ours.
And as we rest, relax in Him, His true ‘Shalom’ we know;
And at His call, and in His strength, to share His peace we go.
We know our weakness and our fear – the things we cannot do,
But He Who calls equips, empowers and gives us work anew.
~~~~~
THE CALL?
‘Dementia?’ Lord – I’m scared. Please help me to communicate You. Pain, depression, hurt –they would be so much easier to talk about and support. Lord – may I know Your will with those I meet – when to speak, when to listen, and above all how to love them as You love them.
Your call scares me, Lord.
You call me out of my comfort zone.
Some calls I find so easy,
But this is hard.
But Lord, it’s not just the need –
Which might not be Your call –
But I believe it is Your voice.
As I seek to test it,
Please give others Your wisdom.
It is an answer to my prayer –
But not the answer I was expecting.
I expected the easy bits
In keeping with my personal experiences.
This is way beyond it –
Something I hope never happens to me.
Lord, open my heart.
Lord, let me know that understanding
Is not everything.
You can touch the human spirit
Even when the human mind fails.
Dementia is not separation from You.
You are there in the darkness.
Please help me to be there for people, too –
Your body here – ‘with skin on.’
~~~~~
UPON THE HEIGHTS
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith)
You set my feet upon the heights –
The mountains that I face;
Make me fleet-footed as a deer
By Your unbounded grace.
You call me closer, higher still,
Nearer each day to You
And in relationship to grow –
Each day find something new.
A deeper, fuller love for You
I crave – forgive my sin.
Make me accountable to You
By Your Spirit within.
Lord, let me learn from others You
Put in authority.
Submitted to them I may grow
Your servant here to be.
That which once seemed impossible
Is possible to You.
My heart and mind at one – my will
To grow and be made new;
Prepared to let go and to change –
To search the hidden things;
Not legalistic, but set free
With love Christ only brings.
As I seek truth in inward parts,
Then more like Christ I grow.
As I let Him lead on the way
His power I may know.
In God’s great love I will rejoice
His promise I believe
And, climbing mountains with my Lord,
Hinds’ feet I will receive.
~~~~~
MANY VOICES
(Written for those who are distressed by 'voice-hearing' as part of a mental health problem)
Many voices speak to us –
Voices outside and within.
Some will words of comfort speak;
Some would lead us into sin.
Some bring quiet, calm and peace,
Some unrest and doubt and fear.
May we listen to the one
Which tells us that God is near.
In the clamour which we hear
God can quiet, calm and still.
As the storm on Galilee,
With His peace our hearts He’ll fill.
He will with His arms embrace,
Singing over us His song –
His own lullaby of love,
And we may in Him be strong.
He is comfort, He is life,
He is everything we need.
He our filter to control
Every thought – safety indeed.
In our weakness He’s our strength;
When despairing, hope so true,
And for every day we live
His free grace will see us through.
~~~~~
PSALMS 40 and 65
(Psalm Surfing)
When I was sinking in the mire
God heard my desperate cry.
He turned to me, lifted me up
And set my feet on high.
Upon the rock of Christ I stand –
No firmer place to be.
He put a new song in my mouth
And He has set me free.
When I was deaf, He made me hear
And listen to His voice;
Opened my mind to understand
And made my heart rejoice.
This message He has given me
That I may share with all.
He is the mighty God, Who saves
Each one who hears His call.
And so I speak and do not hide
All that the Lord has done;
Forgiveness, wholeness, joy and peace
Through Christ, God’s only Son.
God has ordained this earth – the crops,
The deserts overflow
And as He works within our lives
His glory we may show.
~~~~~
YOUR PROMISE
The vow which you today have made
I call you to fulfil.
Don’t fret about how it may come,
But wait before me still.
You step out of your comfort zone –
I’ll teach you – trust in me.
Just as I gave you words today
I’ll guide you constantly.
The things that cause your heart to fear
Are held in my control.
You have been called to share my love
That others may be whole.
I call you to rejected ones –
By others they’re despised.
But they’re of value even so –
By me they’re highly prized.
It goes against the grain to love
Some people we may meet.
But it is MY love you will show
And wash another’s feet.
And, just as you have been outside,
Rejected and alone,
I’ve called you to rejected ones
To let my love be shown.
~~~~~
DISCOVERY
(Based on ‘Come and discover’ – by Major John Smith)
Discovering the Lord takes effort,
Takes purpose and courage to do;
A heart filled with love and compassion
That Jesus’ own love will flow through.
Discovering our full potential –
A church called by God, here to share;
To tell all good news of salvation
By words, by our actions and care.
For Jesus is our motivation
And being like Him is our goal
That others see His image in us
And come to the One Who makes whole.
Discovering means constant listening
And learning and studying God’d word;
Beginning adventures with Jesus,
Directed and guided by God.
The more we love God, we discover
His calling, renewing our mind;
His relevance to our daily living –
New purpose, new vision we find.
Discovering brings revelation –
The Kingdom of God, shown to all;
A treasure, important and precious;
An ongoing process and call.
~~~~~
AT THE CROSS
(Based on a sermon by Rev Howard Flint. May be sung to ‘Bunessan’)
Once a non-person,
Journeying nowhere;
Empty and fearful,
Goalless and lost.
Then I met Jesus
Who gave me purpose
As upon Calvary
He paid sin’s cost.
My old assumptions
Shattered and broken;
Heir of the promise,
Never alone;
Given a homeland
With Christ, my Saviour;
Guided, protected,
I am His own.
At the cross, Jesus
Opens the heavens.
There I find entrance –
Christ is the Gate.
Welcomes, accepted,
I am His altar,
Offering my worship
To God so great.
This is my ‘Bethel’.
House of God with us.
I am His temple,
Emmanuel –
He lives within me,
He lives within us
And He works through us
His love to tell.
Oil on the pillow
Now made my altar;
Jesus, anoint me,
Fill me anew.
Fit me for service
As You have called me.
Let Your compassion
Daily flow through.
~~~~~
VOICES (Adult and Family Ministries 10/10/2012)
So many voices, so many ways;
Voices of music sharing God’s praise;
Voices uplifted in song and prayer
Coming together, love to declare.
Voices of courage, ready to speak,
Spurring to action God’s will to seek.
As we will speak up God’s love to share
Through our own courage we show His care.
Voices proclaiming salvation won
Praising the Lord for all He has done;
In exultation, in glorious praise
God is exalted in all His ways.
Voice of complaining, voice of despair,
Voice of comparing, yet God is there.
Yet, sin confessing, healing is found
By prayers of others life may abound.
What are we saying? What is our voice?
May words and actions cause to rejoice.
For those who hurt us, cause us to pray,
Seeking to praise You, walking Your way.
~~~~~
SING TO THE LORD
(Adult and Family Ministries 10/10/2012)
Sing to the Lord His promises –
Remind yourself that He’ll be true.
Let others hear His faithfulness –
For what He’s promised He will do.
Sing to the Lord when you’re afraid.
Remind yourself that He is strong.
Sing out the song He gives to you,
For He is with you all day long.
Sing to the Lord in troubled times.
Remind yourself God’s in control.
Sing, shout His praise in everything,
Sing praise to God, who makes you whole.
Sing out the song He puts in you
‘til others hear and are made glad.
Sing out the wonders of His grace –
Comforter, Lord of all the earth.
~~~~~
QUESTIONS
There’s so much I can’t understand
Or see Your perfect will.
You said that You will hear our prayers –
Some are unanswered still.
You say that You will save and heal –
But many are not healed
On earth – but called to be with You.
No answer is revealed.
So often we remain in pain
And cannot understand
The reasons why, the purposes
Of all that’s in Your hand.
Yet as we walk the darkest paths
And no relief we feel,
Unseen, unfelt, You walk with us –
And this promise is real.
The broken pieces You can take
And make them whole once more.
Can weave the darkness which we know
To help and reassure
Others who may know doubt, despair,
Abandonment and pain,
That through a fellowship of love
They may be whole again
You take the hardest times of life,
Not just the easy, good,
To form Christ’s image within us –
By You we’re understood.
To You, who are outside of time,
You see things whole – made new.
May we, dear Lord, see through Your eyes,
With Your love flowing through.
~~~~~
JOY – HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN
Halcyon* - reflected in the water –
Salmon underbelly, iridescent turquoise head!
Milkwort – scarcely visible on the ground
With its tiny, delicate two-tone blue flowers!
Joy in looking through a microscope
At delicate structures –
Or at the wonders of God’s world in space.
Joy – joy in creation.
Joy in what I have seen.
Joy in spectacular music –
In deep and wonderful words,
In thought-provoking art –
Joy in man’s creative skill.
Yet Christian joy?
It’s a joy from You.
It’s a joy IN You, because of You.
I think of Sunbury – our “failures’ conference.”
Hardly a cause for celebration!
We worshipped You, haltingly.
Then You hit us!
Shekinah, I think they call it –
A weight of glory!
We HAD to bow down,
Repent, and worship took on a new meaning.
We knew Your joy then
And longed to re-create it –
But we cannot tie You to a method.
It’s a joy that calls us to celebrate –
To sing, to be overwhelmed with You.
It’s a joy that MUST be expressed,
That must be released.
My heart may dance, even if my feet can’t!
It’s a joy that involves my body
So that others can see – and catch it!
It’s a joy that overflows, like a beneficent flood.
It’s a joy that the world cannot give –
A “Heineken” joy, that reaches parts other joy can’t reach!
It’s a joy that can reach through pain.
It’s a joy which transcends anything on earth.
Truly “Joy because of You.” **
It’s a joy which breaks down the barriers
And heaven and earth become one – enveloping me in Your love.
* Halcyon – kingfisher ** “Joy because of You” – one of our Songster pieces. Ann S Clifton © 2012
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 18/08/12)
We worship You, Creator God.
We praise You for Your love;
Your majesty shown on the earth
And in the heavens above.
You meet with us in quietness
And call us to be still,
To be aware of Your soft voice –
Let You our beings fill.
You bid us worship every day –
Your power to declare;
To march in triumph to Your house
And Your great presence share.
From all our chaos You will bring
Order, and words of peace
To set us free from anxious fear
And know Your full release.
All heaven declares Your glory, Lord,
The hills and valleys sing.
You put desire within our hearts
Our sacrifice to bring –
A sacrifice of worship, praise
Amid all trials and strife;
Experience You within our souls
And know fullness of life.
For all may come, and all may know
You, God, Creator, Lord,
Revealed to us in Jesus Christ
Who can true life afford.
We worship You, You make us stand –
Rely on You alone
Trusting Your wisdom for our lives
To make this Saviour known.
Your heavenly invitation stands
For each and every one.
Your blessing reaches out to all,
For You the victory won.
You give ‘shalom’ in every part
And we receive You now.
For now we stand on holy ground
And at Your feet we bow.
(May be sung to 'Kingsfold')
~~~~~
THE RUNNING MAN
(Based on a sermon by DC Lieut. Colonel Peter Moran 18/08/12)
God called – but Jonah ran away,
The voice of God would not obey.
He planned to go beyond God’s care –
But, where he ran, still God was there.
And still God’s call remained the same –
The word to tell, and to proclaim;
And there was no escape – therefore
His call to Jonah came once more.
His grace and love God showed to him
That disobedience could not dim.
Nineveh must turn from sin
And a new life with God begin.
But Jonah could not understand
The work of God’s forgiving hand.
He felt such deep, profound despair –
He could not understand God’s care.
And our own ‘Ninevehs’ we face
Where God has put us in this place.
His call is to each one to share
With good and bad, those everywhere.
Will we turn back or run away,
Or will we listen and obey?
For God will still extend His grace
To everyone, of every race.
~~~~~
BLESSINGS
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 26/08/2012)
We love You, Lord – we come to You
And bring to You this love.
We thank You for Your blessings here
Sent down from heaven above.
We count the blessings which we share
For all the gifts You give –
The peace which can transcend our pain
And give us strength to live.
However dark our path has been
You promise to repay;
Restore the locust-eaten years,
Pour blessings out each day.
When everything just falls apart,
You, Lord, can make us whole –
Remove the barriers we erect
And open up each soul.
We bless each other by our lives,
Our love, our help, our care;
Sharing the comfort we’ve been given;
Remembering them in prayer.
For in His presence we receive
That we may freely give.
And so the gospel we may share
And for our Saviour live.
~~~~~
WORSHIP
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 18/08/12)
We worship You, Creator God.
We praise You for Your love;
Your majesty shown on the earth
And in the heavens above.
You meet with us in quietness
And call us to be still,
To be aware of Your soft voice –
Let You our beings fill.
You bid us worship every day –
Your power to declare;
To march in triumph to Your house
And Your great presence share.
From all our chaos You will bring
Order, and words of peace
To set us free from anxious fear
And know Your full release.
All heaven declares Your glory, Lord,
The hills and valleys sing.
You put desire within our hearts
Our sacrifice to bring –
A sacrifice of worship, praise
Amid all trials and strife;
Experience You within our souls
And know fullness of life.
For all may come, and all may know
You, God, Creator, Lord,
Revealed to us in Jesus Christ
Who can true life afford.
We worship You, You make us stand –
Rely on You alone
Trusting Your wisdom for our lives
To make this Saviour known.
Your heavenly invitation stands For each and every one.
Your blessing reaches out to all,
For You the victory won.
You give ‘shalom’ in every part
And we receive You now.
For now we stand on holy ground
And at Your feet we bow.
~~~~~
THE RUNNING MAN
(Based on a sermon by DC Lieut. Colonel Peter Moran 18/08/12)
God called – but Jonah ran away,
The voice of God would not obey.
He planned to go beyond God’s care –
But, where he ran, still God was there.
And still God’s call remained the same –
The word to tell, and to proclaim;
And there was no escape – therefore
His call to Jonah came once more.
His grace and love God showed to him
That disobedience could not dim.
Nineveh must turn from sin
And a new life with God begin.
But Jonah could not understand
The work of God’s forgiving hand.
He felt such deep, profound despair –
He could not understand God’s care.
And our own ‘Ninevehs’ we face
Where God has put us in this place.
His call is to each one to share
With good and bad, those everywhere.
Will we turn back or run away,
Or will we listen and obey?
For God will still extend His grace
To everyone, of every race.
~~~~~
BLESSINGS
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith – 26/08/2012)
We love You, Lord – we come to You
And bring to You this love.
We thank You for Your blessings here
Sent down from heaven above.
We count the blessings which we share
For all the gifts You give –
The peace which can transcend our pain
And give us strength to live.
However dark our path has been
You promise to repay;
Restore the locust-eaten years,
Pour blessings out each day.
When everything just falls apart,
You, Lord, can make us whole –
Remove the barriers we erect
And open up each soul.
We bless each other by our lives,
Our love, our help, our care;
Sharing the comfort we’ve been given;
Remembering them in prayer.
For in His presence we receive
That we may freely give.
And so the gospel we may share
And for our Saviour live.
~~~~~
GOD IS MY STRENGTH
When I act in my own strength
I weary and I fail,
But Christ lives in me day by day –
With Him I shall prevail.
Experience of my own power
Shows me that I am weak.
But Christ lives in me – and His strength
He bids me daily seek.
Sometimes the problems that I face
May seem to overwhelm.
“Go in the strength you have”, God says –
For I am at the helm.
For God is with me, and He lives
To be my strength each day.
Not just a gift – His life within
Gives power along the way.
It’s CHRIST IN ME that I must learn,
Ready to start again.
Each time I fail He brings me back.
My life He’ll re-ordain.
He is the Lord; authority
Belongs to Him alone.
And as I live this truth, I’ll go
With strength His love to show.
~~~~~
TRUTH
We hold this truth within our hearts –
A truth that meets the need
Within our hearts, within the world,
That from sin we are freed.
And as we listen to God’s word
And do what God has said
We share with all – Christ died for us
And rose up from the dead.
Christ works in us, that all may see.
He wants His life to share –
His love which heals us and transforms –
A love beyond compare.
We need to pray for God’s own time,
That we His wisdom know;
And then we DO what He has said
And go His love to show.
If God has worked within our hearts His passion He will give.
We pray that those who hear will come
And His new life receive.
We need to go just as God leads,
Ready to do His will –
At times to speak and tell of Him;
At others to be still.
In everything to share God’s love,
To show His holiness.
For, through His people, God will come;
Through them reach out to bless.
This is the calling we receive
And this must be our prayer;
That we may listen and obey,
Then go His love to share.
~~~~~~
PARALYMPICS
(Based on a sermon at Burrswood, 13/9/2012)
Wholeness in brokenness?
Ability in disability?
Being the ‘me’ which can encourage
Others to be the people
You intend them to be.
Open my eyes, Lord,
To see beyond my perceptions,
My expectations,
To what You want.
You can take my limitations
To form me as You want me to be.
That picture, that jigsaw –
The whole of me – my brokenness,
My wholeness,
Experiences good and bad
All forming Your image in me –
And that image –
To show Your love to others.
To help them in their brokenness
To grow into Your wholeness,
That the cycle may continue.
Open my eyes, my ears, my heart,
Glorious, healing Lord.
~~~~~
ZACCHAEUS
Unpopular, unwanted, hardened by life around
Trying to buy acceptance by wealth that he had found;
Unclean, excluded, sinful, a tax-collector – he
Felt worthless, small in stature, and longed just to be free.
But Jesus came and loved him – looked up and called his name,
Came to his house, ate with him – he could not be the same.
No crutch of wealth, extortion – no longer any need.
Christ’s words brought wholeness to him and he was free indeed.
Repentance and repayment flowed from the work within.
A life of liberation at last he could begin.
And we? God knows our weakness, the ugliness we hide;
The things that mar our bodies, the pains we know inside.
And yet His words accept us, His arms with love embrace
And from our fear and darkness lift to a higher place.
No matter if we’re fat or thin, disfigured or despised
We each are special to our God – by Him we’re highly prized.
The twisted bodies, tortured minds, those bound by doubt and fear
To Him are precious, special, whole – to Him they are so dear.
Limited powers of learning or failing mental powers
Cannot diminish by one jot love from this God of ours.
And as we rest, relax in Him, His true ‘Shalom’ we know;
And at His call, and in His strength, to share His peace we go.
We know our weakness and our fear – the things we cannot do,
But He Who calls equips, empowers and gives us work anew.
~~~~~
THE CALL?
‘Dementia?’ Lord – I’m scared. Please help me to communicate You. Pain, depression, hurt –they would be so much easier to talk about and support. Lord – may I know Your will with those I meet – when to speak, when to listen, and above all how to love them as You love them.
Your call scares me, Lord.
You call me out of my comfort zone.
Some calls I find so easy,
But this is hard.
But Lord, it’s not just the need –
Which might not be Your call –
But I believe it is Your voice.
As I seek to test it,
Please give others Your wisdom.
It is an answer to my prayer –
But not the answer I was expecting.
I expected the easy bits
In keeping with my personal experiences.
This is way beyond it –
Something I hope never happens to me.
Lord, open my heart.
Lord, let me know that understanding
Is not everything.
You can touch the human spirit
Even when the human mind fails.
Dementia is not separation from You.
You are there in the darkness.
Please help me to be there for people, too –
Your body here – ‘with skin on.’
~~~~~
UPON THE HEIGHTS
(Based on a sermon by Major Lorna Smith)
You set my feet upon the heights –
The mountains that I face;
Make me fleet-footed as a deer
By Your unbounded grace.
You call me closer, higher still,
Nearer each day to You
And in relationship to grow –
Each day find something new.
A deeper, fuller love for You
I crave – forgive my sin.
Make me accountable to You
By Your Spirit within.
Lord, let me learn from others You
Put in authority.
Submitted to them I may grow
Your servant here to be.
That which once seemed impossible
Is possible to You.
My heart and mind at one – my will
To grow and be made new;
Prepared to let go and to change –
To search the hidden things;
Not legalistic, but set free
With love Christ only brings.
As I seek truth in inward parts,
Then more like Christ I grow.
As I let Him lead on the way
His power I may know.
In God’s great love I will rejoice
His promise I believe
And, climbing mountains with my Lord,
Hinds’ feet I will receive.
~~~~~
MANY VOICES
(Written for those who are distressed by 'voice-hearing' as part of a mental health problem)
Many voices speak to us –
Voices outside and within.
Some will words of comfort speak;
Some would lead us into sin.
Some bring quiet, calm and peace,
Some unrest and doubt and fear.
May we listen to the one
Which tells us that God is near.
In the clamour which we hear
God can quiet, calm and still.
As the storm on Galilee,
With His peace our hearts He’ll fill.
He will with His arms embrace,
Singing over us His song –
His own lullaby of love,
And we may in Him be strong.
He is comfort, He is life,
He is everything we need.
He our filter to control
Every thought – safety indeed.
In our weakness He’s our strength;
When despairing, hope so true,
And for every day we live
His free grace will see us through.
~~~~~
PSALMS 40 and 65
(Psalm Surfing)
When I was sinking in the mire
God heard my desperate cry.
He turned to me, lifted me up
And set my feet on high.
Upon the rock of Christ I stand –
No firmer place to be.
He put a new song in my mouth
And He has set me free.
When I was deaf, He made me hear
And listen to His voice;
Opened my mind to understand
And made my heart rejoice.
This message He has given me
That I may share with all.
He is the mighty God, Who saves
Each one who hears His call.
And so I speak and do not hide
All that the Lord has done;
Forgiveness, wholeness, joy and peace
Through Christ, God’s only Son.
God has ordained this earth – the crops,
The deserts overflow
And as He works within our lives
His glory we may show.
~~~~~
YOUR PROMISE
The vow which you today have made
I call you to fulfil.
Don’t fret about how it may come,
But wait before me still.
You step out of your comfort zone –
I’ll teach you – trust in me.
Just as I gave you words today
I’ll guide you constantly.
The things that cause your heart to fear
Are held in my control.
You have been called to share my love
That others may be whole.
I call you to rejected ones –
By others they’re despised.
But they’re of value even so –
By me they’re highly prized.
It goes against the grain to love
Some people we may meet.
But it is MY love you will show
And wash another’s feet.
And, just as you have been outside,
Rejected and alone,
I’ve called you to rejected ones
To let my love be shown.
~~~~~
DISCOVERY
(Based on ‘Come and discover’ – by Major John Smith)
Discovering the Lord takes effort,
Takes purpose and courage to do;
A heart filled with love and compassion
That Jesus’ own love will flow through.
Discovering our full potential –
A church called by God, here to share;
To tell all good news of salvation
By words, by our actions and care.
For Jesus is our motivation
And being like Him is our goal
That others see His image in us
And come to the One Who makes whole.
Discovering means constant listening
And learning and studying God’d word;
Beginning adventures with Jesus,
Directed and guided by God.
The more we love God, we discover
His calling, renewing our mind;
His relevance to our daily living –
New purpose, new vision we find.
Discovering brings revelation –
The Kingdom of God, shown to all;
A treasure, important and precious;
An ongoing process and call.
~~~~~
AT THE CROSS
(Based on a sermon by Rev Howard Flint. May be sung to ‘Bunessan’)
Once a non-person,
Journeying nowhere;
Empty and fearful,
Goalless and lost.
Then I met Jesus
Who gave me purpose
As upon Calvary
He paid sin’s cost.
My old assumptions
Shattered and broken;
Heir of the promise,
Never alone;
Given a homeland
With Christ, my Saviour;
Guided, protected,
I am His own.
At the cross, Jesus
Opens the heavens.
There I find entrance –
Christ is the Gate.
Welcomes, accepted,
I am His altar,
Offering my worship
To God so great.
This is my ‘Bethel’.
House of God with us.
I am His temple,
Emmanuel –
He lives within me,
He lives within us
And He works through us
His love to tell.
Oil on the pillow
Now made my altar;
Jesus, anoint me,
Fill me anew.
Fit me for service
As You have called me.
Let Your compassion
Daily flow through.
~~~~~
VOICES (Adult and Family Ministries 10/10/2012)
So many voices, so many ways;
Voices of music sharing God’s praise;
Voices uplifted in song and prayer
Coming together, love to declare.
Voices of courage, ready to speak,
Spurring to action God’s will to seek.
As we will speak up God’s love to share
Through our own courage we show His care.
Voices proclaiming salvation won
Praising the Lord for all He has done;
In exultation, in glorious praise
God is exalted in all His ways.
Voice of complaining, voice of despair,
Voice of comparing, yet God is there.
Yet, sin confessing, healing is found
By prayers of others life may abound.
What are we saying? What is our voice?
May words and actions cause to rejoice.
For those who hurt us, cause us to pray,
Seeking to praise You, walking Your way.
~~~~~
SING TO THE LORD
(Adult and Family Ministries 10/10/2012)
Sing to the Lord His promises –
Remind yourself that He’ll be true.
Let others hear His faithfulness –
For what He’s promised He will do.
Sing to the Lord when you’re afraid.
Remind yourself that He is strong.
Sing out the song He gives to you,
For He is with you all day long.
Sing to the Lord in troubled times.
Remind yourself God’s in control.
Sing, shout His praise in everything,
Sing praise to God, who makes you whole.
Sing out the song He puts in you
‘til others hear and are made glad.
Sing out the wonders of His grace –
Comforter, Lord of all the earth.
~~~~~
QUESTIONS
There’s so much I can’t understand
Or see Your perfect will.
You said that You will hear our prayers –
Some are unanswered still.
You say that You will save and heal –
But many are not healed
On earth – but called to be with You.
No answer is revealed.
So often we remain in pain
And cannot understand
The reasons why, the purposes
Of all that’s in Your hand.
Yet as we walk the darkest paths
And no relief we feel,
Unseen, unfelt, You walk with us –
And this promise is real.
The broken pieces You can take
And make them whole once more.
Can weave the darkness which we know
To help and reassure
Others who may know doubt, despair,
Abandonment and pain,
That through a fellowship of love
They may be whole again
You take the hardest times of life,
Not just the easy, good,
To form Christ’s image within us –
By You we’re understood.
To You, who are outside of time,
You see things whole – made new.
May we, dear Lord, see through Your eyes,
With Your love flowing through.
~~~~~
JOY – HUMAN AND CHRISTIAN
Halcyon* - reflected in the water –
Salmon underbelly, iridescent turquoise head!
Milkwort – scarcely visible on the ground
With its tiny, delicate two-tone blue flowers!
Joy in looking through a microscope
At delicate structures –
Or at the wonders of God’s world in space.
Joy – joy in creation.
Joy in what I have seen.
Joy in spectacular music –
In deep and wonderful words,
In thought-provoking art –
Joy in man’s creative skill.
Yet Christian joy?
It’s a joy from You.
It’s a joy IN You, because of You.
I think of Sunbury – our “failures’ conference.”
Hardly a cause for celebration!
We worshipped You, haltingly.
Then You hit us!
Shekinah, I think they call it –
A weight of glory!
We HAD to bow down,
Repent, and worship took on a new meaning.
We knew Your joy then
And longed to re-create it –
But we cannot tie You to a method.
It’s a joy that calls us to celebrate –
To sing, to be overwhelmed with You.
It’s a joy that MUST be expressed,
That must be released.
My heart may dance, even if my feet can’t!
It’s a joy that involves my body
So that others can see – and catch it!
It’s a joy that overflows, like a beneficent flood.
It’s a joy that the world cannot give –
A “Heineken” joy, that reaches parts other joy can’t reach!
It’s a joy that can reach through pain.
It’s a joy which transcends anything on earth.
Truly “Joy because of You.” **
It’s a joy which breaks down the barriers
And heaven and earth become one – enveloping me in Your love.
* Halcyon – kingfisher ** “Joy because of You” – one of our Songster pieces. Ann S Clifton © 2012