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’

Ingatherings

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

The harvesters have gathered crops
to fill the factories, barns and shops
with food for everyone of us
and we should pray with thankfulness.
     All safely gathered in once more
     to eat, enjoy, or safely store.

Christ said one day he will return
and all his followers gather in
– those who already passed through death,
and those still living here on earth.
     All safely gathered in with him
     for his new earth that’s free from sin.

And when the books of what we’ve done
are opened, then we all each one
will know we’ve failed, but in his book
of those with sins forgiven he’ll look –
     That Book names all who did receive
     his gift of life, on him believe.

And what a gathering there will be
of all who love the Saviour, he
with them, a busy, happy life
with harmony, no pain or strife.
     All safely gathered there begin
     that blest eternity with him.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg ‘Solid Rock’ by W Bradbury

On to fifty!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Perseverance hand in hand
through the ups and downs unplanned,
disappointments, joys, all shared,
always knowing we have cared
for each other, understood
when we don’t do what we should.

Note the passage of the years –
‘paper’, ‘crystal’ … each one shares
benefits of loyal vows –
each year quickly comes and goes …
‘silver’, ‘ruby’, on to gold –
look back, view the years unfold.

See the One whose presence held
in our differences, to weld
foolish, wilful souls to one
purpose, ’til the journey’s done,
strengthened so we’d complement.
help each other trust, repent.

Tune: 77 77 77

Like Sheep

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Wandering far for lusher grass,
sheep cannot give thought
to the bogs and pits they pass
where they could get caught.

Need a Shepherd to control,
where they drift and roam,
and we too can vaguely stroll
where temptations come.

With compassion, Jesus saw
the harassed crowd in need.
Shepherd wise with truth to help
safely lead and feed.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36,37
Tune:75 75

Safe Space

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Perfect safety at the side
of our God, if you’ll abide
in that blessed place, no pride –
space for all from fears to hide.

Safe because his ‘eyes’ see all,
safe because he hears my call,
an impregnably strong wall
keeps sheep safe from lion’s maul.

Buffeted but not destroyed,
in our Maker’s work employed,
guided, follies to avoid,
such encouragement enjoyed.

As you struggle in this place,
know his constant firm embrace,
drink supplies – sufficient grace
’till reach danger-free ‘home-base’.

Tune: 77 77

Bow to the King of the Universe

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Christ’s Spirit now convicts to turn
from mutiny against the King
– the King Creator most men spurn
though we should bow the knee to him.
O come, O come and find the one true King
Who’ll wrap you in his care, forgive your sin.

He made the universe, and he
the Supernatural Source whose might
the photons, order that we see
created – all was perfect, right.
O come, O come  …

Until the mutiny began
and some protection he withdrew,
now calls to every woman, man
to turn, repent, ask help anew.
O come, O come  …

And one day he will come again
and put away the pain and death,
and root out sin, remove all shame
to people then his perfect earth.
O come, O come  …

Tune: 88 88 10 10 iambic eg Veni Emmanuel (O come, O come, Emmanuel)

A Personal BC to AD

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

BC: My life Before I met with Jesus Christ,
Before Conversion to his praise and ways –
ephemeral, elusive happiness,
for emptiness, frustrations filled those days.

And then I heard his words and understood,
I saw his beauty, heard appealing grace.
Amazed, I knew he would accept, forgive
– ran to regenerating warm embrace.

AD: Now After Death of who I was – my old
self died with him, I have a Helper near;
so After this Deliverance I walk
with him. To all, as King he’ll soon appear.

Something better …

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Blighted partying and violence,
frustration breeding selfishness,
think anarchy brings happiness,
but joy flows out of godliness.

Satan blinds, brings misery,
Satan lies, brings poverty,
you don’t believe you were created
for the joy in him located.

Created in God’s image, so
we can find kindly things to do,
selflessness is satisfying
and God’s friendship stimulating.

Turn repentantly to him,
pardoned, life renewed begin,
anger quenched and glad to bring
help to others suffering.

“Repent and believe the good news”

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Away from all that’s wrong and harms,
turn back to God, his welcoming arms.
Good news! he’s drawing near to save –
repent, receive, his words believe,

The kingdom, rule of Christ is here,
he came to teach of love and fear,
he came to take the punishment
of all who would receive, repent.

The time is now, Jesus still calls,
there’s so much news that grieves, appals,
but he brought news that’s truly good.
Don’t miss the blessings of this Word.

A tax collector, fishermen
perceived the truth and followed him
to learn the message – later on
they’d take it out to everyone.
Tune: LM

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said, “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14,15