Month: June 2025

Needed – Dads!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

O, where have all the fathers gone? Unvalued? pushed? abusive? some
maybe just have felt unneeded, strayed,
And some may wish that they had stayed.
But if those parents come to sit together humbly, talk, commit
to work forgivingly, and share the children’s discipline and care…

When each the other irritate and, stressed, say hurtful things that grate,
forbearance may yet bring surprise and satisfaction, realise
they’re happier with a stronger bond than mere romance and being fond …
and complimentary Mum and Dad both benefit the lass and lad

The promises at marriage made to persevere in the way ahead –
a family – in life’s wilderness a haven, though at times distress
will enter, shaking, bring distrust, but love is worth the work, we must
then try again, spur others – Lord, help us to heal love’s wounds, O God.

Yes, sometimes teachers, coach can be a helpful role-model just briefly,
but daily living with a Dad despite the faults he has and had,
if honest, faithful, caring, true, will benefit them through and through
So, children, honour Dads who stay – may have to punish, but also play!

And anyone may bond with the Father God in heaven –
He’s just and stern and loving, and we must be forgiven
by Him – He offers such to all, with care and grace, protection:
The model of great fatherhood – a wonderful provision.

Today is Father’s Day in UK

Palm Sunday (6)

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He knew He’d be killed.
[With jealousy filled,
some hated, despite
His giving men sight.]

The crowd seemed so thrilled
at a gentle King, filled
with wisdom and goodness
and powerful kindness.

He’d come to be killed –
salvation fulfilled
– this man, God, the Son
our pardon thus won.

In heaven they praise Him.
His glory they sing,
who died as a lamb once,
now rules from the throne.

Tune: Hanover by William Croft’(tune of ‘O Worship the King’ 10 10 11 11)’
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey’” Matthew 21:1-11 a

To Him be glory for ever and ever, Amen

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Oh, who is all glorious?
Giving due notice
that He is victorious,
merciful, gracious?
but must not be scorned, or
derided, ignored,
and speaks clear Word of
His love and His sword.

Return to the Father
in heaven, the Saviour,
repenting, submitting
as surely is fitting,
and give Him the glory, the
praises, but hurry
grasp now for His hand – so
the King’s shelter found.

Tune: can be sung to 10 10 11 11 eg Houghton

When circumstances are difficult and puzzling

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Called out of darkness,
freed and released:
brought into freedom,
bondage has ceased.
Now in Christ’s kingdom –
in Him we have
Light, peace and wisdom,
assurance of love.

Darkness of troubles –
ignorant of ‘Why?’ –
may come upon us,
groans and deep sigh.
We have a Father
loving and wise –
the present and future
in His hands lies.

So we can trust on
in the dark days,
prayerful and waiting
for brighter days.
Gone is the greater
blindness of soul;
God has His purpose
and loves us through all.

“Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God; “ Isaiah 50:10

Tune: 54 54 54 54 eg ‘Thine own way’ by George Stebbins

The four ‘means of grace’

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cf Acts 2:

The Scriptures, God’s Words to hear and to read,
to keep safe from error – we grow as we ‘feed’;
rich fellowship – all those in Christ love and share,
encourage each other in faith, loving care.

The meal of remembrance we keep as He said,
remember His death with the wine and the bread:
reminder of how our salvation Christ won:
His church tells the world of what He has done.

And gather together to pray to our Lord,
He wants us to pray and to trust in His Word,
and also to pray on our own by his grace –
we’ve access through Christ to his ear and embrace.

Tune: Houghton

Comfort in the darkness

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Based on a Welsh hymn (much more or lesss translation) by William Williams, Pantycelyn (1716-1791)

Tedious night, how deep the darkness –
need to sense your fellowship,
grace almighty wise upholding,
comforting companionship.
Awful prospect
would be life without you, Christ.

Sinful nature is against me
like the stormy violent seas,
flood to overwhelm and batter:
only you, Lord, can, and, please
in your pity
give me righteousness and strength.

If you open up your heart, Lord,
to reveal the love so great
that flowed out on Calvary’s hillside
on that God-appointed date
pouring to me:
enables me to love you, Lord.

Empty thoughts abound distracting
from the faithful Friend and Lord –
tempting idols, pleasures luring
cannot draw me from your Word:
all are nothing
when compared to knowing God.

Tune: 87 87 47 eg Bryn Calfaria by William Owen tune of ‘Come, ye sinners, poor and needy

The Summary of all law, and how to live by it …

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cf. Matthew 22: 36-40

Do “Love the Lord your God “, He said.
But love like this can’t be aroused
by fear, obedience slavishly,
but opened eyes that truly ‘see’
His character, and grace to me
cannot but love Him wondrously.

And “Love your neighbour as yourself”.
Such love needs grace, the help of God.
And that is why the Saviour Lord
to free us from our guilt and loss –
died innocent upon the cross
to bring us life, to love, no less.

We can love God and folks we know!
The Bible words all clearly show
the explanation full to see
of finding love and grace so free
and thus enabled gradually
to live our life more lovingly.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg Sagina tune of ‘And can it be’ or
‘Solid Rock’ by W Bradbury or ‘Veni Emmanuel

The Bible Book of Proverbs

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A book of a father’s instructions,
desiring his child’s good health,
his Maker’s protection, provision,
prosperity and real wealth.

He knew of his own follies, failures,
and wanted to spare his child
from pitfalls and traps, deceivers,
disasters in going wild.

So much common-sense, and word-pictures –
memorable to stick in the mind,
gain wisdom, see purpose in strictures,
work well, trustworthy and kind.

Forgive – and forget?

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We cannot ask God to forgive, count us good,
if we will not pardon those whom we should.
When choosing to not remember our sins,
it’s as if He the lot into oceans flings.

Sometimes we just can’t pretend we’ve forgot
but if we forgive, then we must try to live
not bringing to mind past injuries unkind,
so glad of the grace in our Father to be.

“Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” The Lord’s Prayer Matthew 6:12-15

Who is God?

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All know there is some One greater than we.
This universe could not have come to be
with beauty, life, such complex information
without some power, design for its creation.

So why should such a One not care for us?
and come to help, and save us from our mess?
and if He take our form and die He could
rise from the dead as such a Being should.

Why would He die though – ah, He tells, so hear
that there’s a time to come when He’ll appear
and every word and action wrong must bear
their just true sentence, punishment incur.

For all have disobeyed their Maker, God
the only hope was that He bear the rod
himself so that His people could go free –
now He can offer grace to you and me!

Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg Eventide, tune of ‘Abide with me’