Month: February 2023

What goes in will emerge

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

For out of the heart flowing into the mouth
come words that are healing, or spiteful, untruth,
and actions and will prompted kindly to live
concerned more for what can be done well and give
than new acquisitions to grasp and to get,
enjoy helpful duties, not glad to forget.
For heart guides the mouth, and the thoughts and the will –
important to censor what enters to fill

Through Eye-gate and Ear-gate my heart will be fed
some things stir up envy, make discontent spread
When God’s Holy Spirit comes there to indwell
true love, kindness, faithfulness he can instil
and teach, help us handle the way that we look
and what our ears put into memory’s book,
controlling our anger, vexation and pride,
encourage the better emotions inside.

Tune: 11 11 11 11

Revive your church to tell the world

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

cf Psalm 67

God be merciful and bless us,
shine upon us – warmth and light:
wake us, guide us, sanctify thus
so those now in truth’s dark night
might soon know of your salvation,
all your way of mercy, grace
and then sing in jubilation,
praise arise in every place!

You are great and very holy,
daily we need mercy’s gift,
and a thirst to love you fully,
as you pardon, spirits lift;
for your presence is our greatest
blessing though you give so much –
hearts kept steady through each latest
trouble, know your strengthening touch.

When God known throughout the nations,
what Christ purchased once for all,
many finding that salvation,
as they also to him call.
May we never be forgetful,
of our debt to Jesus, Lord,
Only thus can we be useful
spreading glory to our God.
on Psalm 67

Tune: 87 87 87 87

Freed from prison

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

King Herod killed James, and had Peter arrested.
The Christians still prayed to their God whom they trusted.
By sixteen men guarded and chained – but he slept,
‘Get up’, said the angel: Peter thought that he dreamt.

He rose and obeyed him and off the chains fell,
the gateway then opened by God’s mighty will.
He hurried to where they were meeting in prayer.
He knocked, Rhoda came but then ran back to share.

They couldn’t believe her that it could be he.
James now was in heaven but Peter was free
to preach out the news of salvation and peace,
and Satan’s frustrated at Peter’s release.
cf Acts 12:
Tune: 11 11 11 11 or Houghton (10 10 11 110)

His work in the heart

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Ephesians 4;17-24 and Colossians 1:27
Hardened hearts won’t learn God’s wisdom:
Light and Life of God far from them,
futile life of sensuality
vain indulgence in impurity.

When Christ Jesus I am knowing,
in his truth I will be growing
old corrupt self I must put off,
spurn deceit, like snakes their skin slough.

Putting on my new created
self with longings captivated –
change of attitudes delighting,
God’s own righteousness desiring.

Christ within me, now I’m living
truly, guidance, strength he’s giving:
I was limp like empty glove
till he entered with his love.

What dangers in the valley?

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

A sheep on a hill on his own,
far away sees the mountains of home.
He’d like to arrive there for sure,
but the valley between is obscure.

It’s filled with a cloud, so unknown
the dangers he’ll meet going down.
The fog thins – he sees that he’ll pass
much danger, but green fields of grass.

I see heaven’s glory ahead,
but going there I will be led –
my Shepherd protects and will teach,
enabled, his glory I’ll reach.

Tune: 88 88 (anapeastic?) eg Celeste (tune of ‘How good is the God we adore’)

Who can go into His presence?

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

They knew He is holy,
they knew they were not.
The temple displayed well
the need they had got
for mercy before they
could meet Him, embrace –
a substitute sacrifice
to die in their place.

They knew He was present,
and with them to care,
and able to help them,
and able to hear.
A Saviour would come soon,
the King He’d install,
and from all the nations
to mercy He’d call.

Tune: 65 65 65 65 eg ‘Have Thine own way’ by G Stebbins

Demons shudder

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

(James 2:19)
People laugh at fear of sprites,
ghosts or ghouls, and all such frights…
do they ever really wonder
is there anyone powerful, kinder
who is really in control
of the unknown powers all?

Jesus cast out spirits evil
who were plaguing and were cruel,
and he rescues those who’ve found
they’re in misery now bound
gives his presence, peace and pardon –
all the battles have been won!

Each who in their coffin lies
certainly one day will rise
not to flit around this place
but one day the Christ to face
when he’ll finally complete
all that’s evil’s full defeat.
Tune: 77 77 77 eg England’s Lane tune of’ Sing, O sing,this blessed morn! Unto us a Child is born’

Rejecting — what?

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

from Psalm 36
Deceive themselves with flattery
do not detect their sins
devising schemings murky, sly
rejecting good, wise things.

And why? because they have no thought
of God who is and knows,
no fear of penalty if caught,
respect that wisdom owes.

And yet, your love O LORD is great,
complete your faithfulness,
your justice deep we contemplate,
eternal righteousness.

And you give shelter and preserve
give life, a feast, and light
though none of us could this deserve
we drink from your delight.

Continue then this love to those
who know you, with true heart,
protected from the proud who chose
from your grace to depart.

Grief and Comfort

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Death, bereavement, loss and sadness
emptiness and change and chill;
though if the memories of who’s departed stir up thanks
the mourning isn’t gloom, and can encourage still
to hope and effort, vision , work,
and grief is lightened by the pearls of gladness
and we are more committed duties not to shirk.

And if the hope of life eternal
is shared by one who’s gone before
and those who mourn the passing,
their joy combines with all the sense of loss,
for frailty, sickness, weakness here
are now transformed into the life that has no tears
and will continue for eternal years …

Jesus appears to John, cAD90

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

He is, and was, and is to come,
the First and Last, the Living One,
was dead, alive now evermore
and holds the keys of death’s hard door.

John, at His awesome presence shook,
His voice, was like a rushing brook,
His face as brilliant as the sun,
his words cut through all lies and sham.

And by His blood we’re fully freed
from all our sins; He loves, He’ll lead .
As priests we can come near, and be
God’s kingdom, serving joyfully.

Tune: LM eg Niagara by Robert Jackson, tune of ‘ The LORD is King!’