The Point of Return

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

‘Go my own way, with money to spend …
Everyone’s friendly – I’ve plenty to lend …
exciting wild living, no time to be sad,
no work, and no duties, who’s to say that I’m bad …?

‘The money has gone, no pals’ helping hand,
I’m hungry, and famine’s besetting the land,
prices as rising – can I work for some food?’
“Yes, you can go feed my pigs!” ‘Oh, how I would
eat what they’ve got, I’m so starving still,
longing for something my stomach to fill …

‘My father has servants – they’ve food to spare.
I’ve wasted his money, no longer an heir,
but maybe he’d give me a better job there,
I’ll tell him I’m sorry – will he still for me care …?

The father when seeing him, ran to him, kissed –
Oh, how this prodigal child he had missed!
Gladly he welcomed his humble son home.’

‘My wandering, squandering nightmare is gone.’

cf. Luke 15:7-31

on Psalm 28

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

With hate in heart,
they speak of peace.
don’t care to ask
for mercy, grace.
But I do ask –
don’t close your ear –
I’ll share their fate
if you don’t hear.

But those with no
regard for what
God thinks, don’t want
these gifts he’s got.
My heart exults –
you’ve heard my call:
my Shepherd carries,
me through all.

Draw in, and save
a people who
will be your own,
and love you too.
Though hated, I’m
inseparable
from Fortress strong,
impregnable.

“Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again. Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. … my heart leaps for joy …be their shepherd and carry them for ever.” Psalm 28: 5-9

Tune:88 88

on Psalm 130

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

When desperate, to Jesus call,
for nothing else can help at all:
don’t want to quit, give up, so cry –
‘I need Your help if I’m to try
to persevere. I see no way
to overcome – and need to pray.

‘I don’t deserve good to receive;
mercy I ask – I know I grieve
You every day, and You alone
may pardon give, for sin atone.
We know one day You will come back,
all will be good, we’ll nothing lack.

‘I wait that dawn, and know Your love
will never fail, and leads above.
Your word gives hope, and there I place
my trust, and wait all promised grace.
My sins You have all wiped away,
my tears You will wipe clear one day.’

Tune: 88 88 88

Three Crosses at Calvary

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

One man on a cross insulted his neighbour
by mocking this sufferer who could be his Saviour
– he’d lived his own way though expecting provision –
his needs met by God while he lived in rebellion.

Another who’d lived in a similar manner
now turned and acknowledged and honoured the Saviour,
admitted his guilt and his fair condemnation
and asked for Christ’s mercy, eternal salvation.

Between them there hung on the cross one awaited
right from the beginning when all was created
so good, but the sinning had spoilt this creation
and all would have need of God’s pardon, redemption.

The one who was sorry, looked forward to glory,
received what Christ died for, that prime day of history,
the greatest achievement accomplished and won,
by Jesus, who’d rise, the Good Shepherd, God’s Son.

Is God alive?

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

You can’t believe there’s a God who is good?
complain he doesn’t do (yet) what you think he should?
assume that Jesus just can’t have been what
is generally believed – or you rather hope not?

You have no patience to carefully read,
and feel the accounts must surely indeed
be written to trick, deceive, confuse,
but dare not the history yourself peruse?

Did that man so die who was much admired?
Did he live again, and has since inspired
so many, did he teach well, heal?
and the will of the one true God reveal?

The World was Rocked

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

‘I can’t believe, I won’t believe
until I see and feel
that he is now alive again,
his resurrection real.’

He saw, and then he didn’t need
the hands and side to feel,
for this was Jesus, changed, and yet
with body, solid, real.

We cannot see and touch him now,
the sites of nail-holes feel,
but dare we therefore scorn, insist
their statements were unreal?

So many saw, faithfully told –
surprised, astonished, shocked
– they lost their fear and doubt, grew bold –
and all the world was rocked.
Tune: CM
“Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” … They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.’ Luke 24: 42, 43; for Thomas’ reaction see John 20: 24 – 29

‘the blood of the martyrs …

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

… is the seed of the church’.
Stephen stoned – he looks, he sees
risen Jesus standing there
ready to receive his friend
– Stephen peaceful and in prayer
for those angry, ignorant
– Saul would soon of this repent.

Angry, persecuting this
infant church they would destroy,
seek out, into prison cast,
scattering others – but what joy
for it’s thus this gospel’s spread
everywhere those Christians fled.

Unexpected outcome this
– not the persecutors’ plan.
Saul soon wakes up to the truth
– cannot stop what God began.
Jesus came to die for sin,
church world-wide soon honours him.

Acts 7:54-8:4 Tune: 77 77 77 eg tunes of ‘Rock of Ages’

Not Just a pleasant homily

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Poets, playwrights please their patrons,
pastors are employed to preach,
and as shepherds listen, counsel,
to each lamb explain and teach
that they may be pardoned, progress,
and eternal life possess.

Pastors may have need to chasten,
beckon back into God’s Way,
leave backsliding from the Father,
notions false that lead astray:
pastors are not paid to flatter,
but to help us know God better.

Not as followers of a patron,
ministers should truly serve
God, and those he’s drawn to love him,
truth revealed they must preserve,
not to pander to our folly,
not leave us lost and jolly.

Withered or Well-Watered

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Rejecting prayer, rejecting God,
self-confidence is high,
or confidence in others, who
can little help supply.

Then life becomes a barren place,
dry, withered, lonely, sore,
unfruitful, weary, needing grace
that can refreshment pour.

How blessed are they that have their trust
in God, on him rely:
they’re like a tree whose roots are fed
from water flowing by.

Refreshed in drought and times of heat,
they heed his Word, and pray,
he makes them fruitful, they give shade
to others on the way.

Tune: CM
see Jeremiah 17: 5-10 and Psalm 1

Vital

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

There’s nothing on earth as important
as closely to walk with your God.
For so many things can distract us,
forgetting the words he has said.
Take heart, take heed!
when feeble and fearful, be strong –
our Saviour is Sovereign,
with joy we’ll be home before long!

Each word he has said is important
– the way of his kindness and grace,
but also his warning of judgement
if scorning a pardoning embrace.

So when you’re discouraged, remember
his promises, fixing your eyes
upon him the God who is Saviour,
and walk in the way that is wise.

Then clearing your life of the litter
of sin, choosing holiness pure,
and aiming towards the bright future
of joy in his promises sure.

Tune: 98 98+ eg ‘Redeemed ‘by William J Kirkpatrick (tune of ‘Redeemed how I love to proclaim it’)