Rhiannon’s Hymns

Ecclesiastes 7:26; Proverbs 5:3-5; 12:4; 31:10,26,30 etc.
An oily tongue,
a trap is sprung,
and chains take hold:
a sad tale told,
of hopes destroyed,
ambitions void.

Tongue wise and kind,
from godly mind
by God’s Word taught
to help, support:
no shame, much praise,
and joyful days.

High expectations — Great efforts!
Expecting a baby to care for and train,
and prayerful for mercy again and again
through long years of effort, delight and concern:
‘Our Father, instruct us and help us to learn.’

Expecting God’s blessing and help in the task,
to penetrate blindness, resistance: we ask
he draw them, and lead as we guide them to see
his marvellous grace, and the judgement to be.

Expecting the problems and pressures that pull,
deceiving, enticing to drift and to fall; –
expecting much work to unmask and expose
the lies of the devil, God’s answers disclose.

Expectant and prayerful for grace from above -
our Father cares for us and those that we love.
He’ll help us to strive in explaining his truth;
– we look for his frequent heart-touch in their youth.

‘Spare the rod, and spoil the child’:
kids don’t want to turn out wild:
they expect we’ll teach them truly,
curb them when they get unruly.

Sparing punishment when called for
isn’t kindness, – though a hard chore.
Sentence fair, but quick and felt,
is better than when long-drawn-out.

Teach, explain, command and plead:
sensitive to what they need.
Do you sometimes feel worn out,
striving for some turnabout?

Clear instruction, discipline
– more acceptable when young
than just left to selfishness,
guideless in a world of stress.

Words convince, appeal, draw on;
punishments pull back from wrong,
giving time for second thought,
underlining what was taught.

’Teens appreciate concern, -
though they feel we’ve lots to learn!
Pray for something apt to say,
seasoned words about the Way.

Some profess to love the LORD,
– still need training in God’s Word:
dangers, pitfalls  – watch and pray,
teach God’s wisdom day by day.

1) Flashing pictures in the corner
place you in a grander world.
You may feel yourself a loner,
living by the LORD’s good Word.

Pointless chatter buzzing by,
fills your mind, can occupy
pathways made for meditation.
Channels zapped to soothe attention,

and so, the days can drift away,
less time to ponder, praise and pray.

And yet, in moderation,
an aid to relaxation,
- what beauty we can see,
and sometimes drama opens up
our sensitivity
to people’s problems, thoughts and cares;
and news can prompt important prayers.

2) The adverts in the papers,
on the telly, by the road,
seem to want to make us wanting,
seem to tempt us, seem to goad; –
and if we had just everything,
they’d soon make something new.

A challenge to be thoughtful, thankful,
– the kind, contented few.

Young couples with children
Dashing here and dashing there,
and at pains the work to share –
– paid employment, nappies, chores ( –
“these are mine, and those are yours”);
shuttling children everywhere,
quick to feel it isn’t fair
if he wants his favourite leisure,
and you like some different pleasure;
– rarely sitting down together,
past reviewing, plans preparing,
hurt confessing, wisdom pooling
bond of partnership cementing:
friendship, caring love maturing.

Confiding
Before the fall they knew no shame,
no secrets from their Maker,
but also did not hide away
their thoughts from one another.

And shielding areas of your life, –
not sharing with your wife
or husband, won’t preserve the peace –
provokes suspicion, strife.

Encourage married friends to value
joint efforts, time together,
to increase understanding, and
commitment to each other.

Confiding strengthens confidence,
productive frank discussion, –
for he must some decisions take,
with her wise contribution.

Leaning and Supporting (1 Peter 3:1-7)
Holiness in daily living,
in your job and in your home:
your relationships are giving
witness of what Christ has done
in your spirit, in your heart,
– for his pleasure set apart.

Gentleness of life is winning
(Christians imitate your Lord!)
– and it’s shown when wives are willing
by their life and by their word,
for their husbands’ leadership
in their bonds of partnership.

Husbands, – show consideration,
work together as you ought, -
listen, with appreciation
of your wife’s advice and thought:
so there’s joy, support, and prayer
through the trials that you share.

Skill cosmetic and in dressing
will not long endure and last,
and it won’t so much impress him
as what stays when these are past:
godliness, the spirit’s beauty,
grows in love and wisdom’s duty.
Tune: 87 87 77 eg ‘All Souls’

Forbearance
Patience learnt, a little drop, –
unnoticed, and unpraised:
but I managed now to stop
from saying what I could have.
I realised that it would have
caused hurt or anger, nothing good.

No-one knows I feel inside
pleasure, though I can’t confide
my progress, tiny victory,
to anyone but the Lord!

Helpful women … (The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Prov.14:1)
Some are single, some have wed,
some look wearily ahead,
tired of babies, toddlers wild,
some have longings for one child;
some find ’teenagers a strain,
feel their efforts are in vain,
some have interests far afield,
some have loneliness concealed,
some have husbands they neglect,
some have husbands who reject
Words of truth: We tear or build
– duties skimped, or life fulfilled.

Needed men
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home. Proverbs 27:8
Where have all the fathers gone?
– lonely and frustrated.
Where have all the fathers gone?
– living alone.
Where have all the fathers gone?
– families impoverished.
What loss and bitterness,
distress and emptiness!