Disappointment and Fulfilment

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Enticing bait to try what’s wrong,
escaping boredom, toil,
to please oneself, but before long
excitements start to spoil.

Young Byron felt at thirty-six
his days a yellowed leaf*
his wants he could no longer fix –
his fire had turned to grief.

The promises of poisoned fun
so soon grow empty, stale,
and what had glistened when begun
will soon feel shabby, pale.

Such things will leave so many jaded,
but finding God will bring
joy now that never will feel faded,
fulfilling Life in Him.

Tune: CM
*’On This Day I Complete My Thirty-Sixth Year’ by
Lord Byron

Empty!!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Jesus from death returned,
by many touched and heard
– but some* have doubted, turned
to prove such is absurd.

Intelligent, with wisdom
they thought they’d soon explain
that Jesus hadn’t risen
and all would soon be plain.

But from investigation,
to own they were compelled
that Jesus’ resurrection
is truth to be upheld.

No cruel clever hoax,
no pretty little tale,
a cross that is the crux
and grace that will not fail!

Tune: 66 66iambic eg St Cecilia tune of ‘The kingdom come, O God’
*eg‘Who moved the stone?’ by Frank Morrison’and ‘The case for Christ,’ and ‘The case for Easter’ by Lee Strobel

Signs that Jesus is the Son of God

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He healed the sick and raised the dead,
gave sight, and multiplied the bread.
He turned the water into wine –
creating by His power divine.

He rose from death – his friends then went
to preach the news as they’d been sent,
though this might bring them persecution:
they had to tell of resurrection.

More signs were given as they taught.
Miracles showed the people ought
to wake up, know the mighty God
was calling all to Christ, His Word.

A rich man pleaded after death,
someone be sent to those on earth.
He’s told that as they scripture scorn ,
they’ll heed not though one rise to warn.

The signs should make us realise
that Christ is God with words to prize
to show us how to find his grace,
have life eternal, God’s embrace.
Tune: LM

The 5 ‘Solas’ of the Reformation

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“By grace alone”: We could not come
to Him unless He chose to bless
and draw us in to cleave to Him –
for we were ‘dead’, ignoring God.

“By faith alone”: for mercy come
and life receive, repent, believe.
We cannot earn pardon for sin –
accept God’s favour in Christ, the Saviour.

“In Christ alone” the work was done
to free us from our guilt and sin.
He paid the price that would suffice
upon the cross he died for us.

“Scripture alone” – no adding on
to what God said – His words, His Word.
He has revealed what was concealed:
His Word complete our needs will meet.

“To God alone the Sovereign One
be glory”, praise in all, always.
The holy Lord, fulfils His Word –
creation and salvation planned.
Tune: LM eg Church Triumphant by James Elliott, tune of ‘I know that my Redeemer lives’

At the time of the prophet Samuel …

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1 Samuel chapter 4:
As Israel neglected their Lord and had lost
the ark in the battle of terrible cost,
a baby was born and was called ‘Ichabod’
– the meaning, ‘no glory’:– repent now to God.

Not just the ark’s loss: God’s blessing had left,
and all who deny Him forfeit, are bereft
of His presence, His comfort, His glorious might,
His care and His wonderful, truth-giving Light.

But those who receive Him, and own Him as Lord,
repentant, forgiven, delight in His word,
are given Christ’s Spirit within them to dwell
to guarantee, guide, and to train us as well.

Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg Montgomery or Houghton (10 10 11 11)

on Psalm 96

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Salvation! Come sing praise anew –
from judgement saved, which we were due,
new birth, new life, freedom from fear ,
blessed with a Father who will hear.
Come all, receive, with joy proclaim
creation’s God will ever reign.

Come, worship in true holiness,
in Christ’s perfecting righteousness,
declare his glorious works with awe.
Your sin and weakness grieve, abhor:
trust Christ, the sacrifice for sin,
and ever strive to live like Him.

Our God controls always, through all,
and soon full justice will install,
and everything will then rejoice,
the curse removed; so raise our voice
glad when we see His kingdom come
and His will perfectly there done.
Tune: 88 88 88 eg Carey’s by Henry Carey (tune of ‘Great God of wonders’)

Truth attacked

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Fiery darts of doubt, temptation;
shield and armour for protection:
faith in truth defeats deception,
exposing lies, dissimulation;
righteousness from His salvation;
strengthened, tell of revelation:
pardon, life, regeneration;
standing firm, withstanding Satan.

Sword of truth eradicating
strange ideas that are wafting,
crafty tales that cause much straying
and distract us from obeying,
so from joy, peace, safety slipping:
teachers true save from much tripping,
help us grow, remain upstanding
dangerous errors’ pull withstanding

cf Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church chapter 4:11-15
and chapter 6:10-20

Simeon

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(Luke 2:2:5-35)
Now he can depart in peace
– as promised, Christ he’d seen.
He’d known that One, bringing release,
was coming to redeem.

He knew the child he held was He
who’d soon bring light to all:
God’s revelation-truth they’d see –
but some would scorn and fall.

But many into Life, He’ll raise
procuring their salvation,
but Mary shall in anguish gaze
upon His crucifixion.

Simeon rejoiced, content for he
knew God was thus fulfilling
His gracious plan: so peacefully
Simeon for death now willing.

Tune: CM

Kind, wise lives

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

*When welcoming guests, don’t fuss and stress
they’d rather less poshness than tense distress;
quietness, peace, and a listening ear –
friendship, a place where they troubles can share.

**Words spoken with haste are such a sad waste:
take time while you think, pray to know what to say;
don’t needlessly wound, try to help and be wise
– rebukes can be healing, such pain don’t despise.

***Lying with skill may reward, bringing gain,
sweetness from duping, defrauding again,
but pain of discovery is bitter, brings shame
and God is aware of every false claim.

cf.
*Proverbs 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.
**Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
***Proverbs 20:17 Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

The Young Child, the Wise Men and Herod

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Travelling many months to behold
the King now born, as long foretold.
The star announced and led the way –
no longer in that shed with hay,
Herod of their searching heard
– a growing rival king he feared.

Those men worshipped One so young,
gave him gifts, which very soon
helped his parents take the child
away from Herod’s hatred wild.
Safe in Egypt til told, ‘Return’:
Nazareth his childhood home.

Tune: 77 77 77 eg Dix by Conrad Kocher, tune of ‘As with gladness men of old’