Category: Christian living

Learning of Christ

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Through ages men devised,
a spectrum of belief –
their fears sought something that supplied
a possible relief.

Preoccupied, and rare
to show compassion, love,
for others’ needs to care
and help, assistance give.

But when of Christ they hear,
and see compassion real,
so many vile things disappear
as like concern they feel.

Wives soon their husbands find
to drunkenness less prone,
fathers responsible and kind
support, their work well done.

And women gain respect,
not treated as mere slaves,
so more fulfilled, and can expect
the honest work they crave.
Tune: LM

Faith, Hope, Love … and the greatest of these is love

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Faith – believing all God says
is so good, for all his ways
benefit as they are wise;
full salvation he supplies.

Hope secure thus for the way
that encourages each day,
but the most important thing
is the love he came to bring.

For the people he has made
perfect love he has displayed,
and when they his grace receive,
love into their hearts he’ll weave.

And they must and want to strive –
be more like him as they live:
faith’s reality will show
as forbearance, kindness grow.

Tune: 77 77

Do we spread love?

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Proverbs 10:12

A world of love – for such we long:
but what to do when done a wrong?
With anger will we spread about,
and for full compensation shout?

We may need justice to be done –
fraud, lies or robbery make known,
but still true love can smother sin,
and peace and restoration bring.

Then harmony from quenching strife,
(contagious hate engulfing life);
to live in love can be hard work,
but with God’s help we such won’t shirk.

Tune: LM

Making Choices (not like Lot)

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Lot chose the best,
and left the rest
to Abraham.
In Sodom, though,
he soon would know
deep problems come.
When faced with choice
heed scripture’s voice
– God’s will be done.

Unpleasantness
– sin brought distress,
and caught in war;
though freed, Lot soon
heard Sodom’s doom
– must flee before.
When faced with choice
heed scripture’s voice
how wise God’s law.

Himself to please,
Lot sought for ease,
and all was lost;
but Abram’s trust
in God (not lust)
brought what would last.
When faced with choice
heed scripture’s voice
– God’s way is blessed.

Tune: 84 84 84 eg Wentworth, tune of ‘My God, I thank Thee who has made’

Out of the overflow of the heart …

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are true,
pure and just and admirable –
fill your mind to say and do
what you know would please your Saviour
– mind will influence behaviour.

Core and cause of sin and failure
is the private life of thought.
Discipline – desire direction,
not in tasteless musings caught.
Need the Holy Spirit dwelling
in us, purity instilling.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Tune 87 87 88 (can be sung to some 87 87 77 eg Irby (tune of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’)

The Secret of Contentment

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Greed attacking gratitude,
discontent with what’s received;
whingeing, wanting something else –
Satan many has deceived.

Want to ‘get’ more than to give –
what’s the greatest thing to own?
not possessions physical –
Jesus Christ’s salvation known.

If we sometimes have abundance,
still temptation to want more.
When in straitened circumstances,
all you’re needing trust God for.

If we do, we learn his goodness,
taste, experience faithfulness
of our Father, freed from lusting,
and enjoy supplies of grace.

Tune: 87 87

Personal, Church, and Society

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

‘We long for you and loving grace,
each morning need your strength to face
the day that lies ahead whatever
may come our way, we would endeavour
to walk with you our Help and Guide
indwelling, and there at our side,
and when encountering distress
please save us in our helplessness.

‘Oh, fill your church with righteousness,
repentance for its waywardness,
give wisdom, valuing your Word
to bow in awe before you, Lord.
What treasure ours when you we own,
but in our times so few have known
this sure foundation that they need’ –
available, his presence heed.

Tune DLM

“Oh, LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. … he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:2, 5b, 6

Out of the overflow of the heart …

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are true,
pure and just and admirable –
fill your mind to say and do
what you know would please your Saviour
– mind will influence behaviour.

Core and cause of sin and failure
is the private life of thought.
Discipline – desire direction,
not in tasteless musings caught.
Need the Holy Spirit dwelling
in us, purity instilling.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Tune 87 87 88 (can be sung to some 87 87 77 eg Irby (tune of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’)

Benefitting from being thankful

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Thanksgiving crowds out selfish pride,
and quietens your fears,
and quickly it will override
anger, and selfish tears.

Thanksgiving turns your thoughts again
from grievances and grief
to look to others’ needs and pain
and seeking their relief.

The world suggests to empty all
your worries from your mind.
We pass them up – on God we call –
his guarding peace we find.

Tune: CM

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6

When I am afraid …

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Sometimes you see I am afraid
because of things in stories said,
remembering silly things I’ve read:
And then Mum says, ‘Well, have you prayed?’

Sometimes I’m stupidly afraid,
but even then I’m glad I prayed.

Sometimes I know my frights aren’t real,
but still I panic, fear feel,
aware that troubles truly come,
real perils lurk for everyone.

The only answer I can see
is if I fear what cannot be,
and if I fear some dangers real –
to Jesus I must make appeal:

He can protect from everything,
He can protect in everything,
He’ll cheer me up and safely take
me through all dangers real or fake.

He understands my frightened mind,
and I will always feel and find
he’s at my side and in my heart
protecting – peace he can impart.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg ‘Sussex Carol’ (tune of ‘On Christmas night all Christians Sing’