Grace with power to save

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Persecutor Saul of Tarsus
living by God’s laws, but ‘blind’,
with contempt for claims of Jesus,
so His followers went to find
in Damascus, to imprison –
on the way he saw a vision.

Risen Jesus called him, asking
why was he harassing Him.
Soon from scripture Saul is proving
Jesus is Messiah, King.
Grace of God in mercy, kindness
now has saved him from his blindness.

Once John Newton was rebellious
to the teaching of the faith.
Drunkard, worked on slaveships, callous,
in a dreadful storm faced death.
‘I once was lost, but now am found’* –
his life amazingly turned round..

Grace of God had brought conversion:
caring pastor, happy home,
working for the abolition
of the slave-trade, and his song
(one of many), sung, adored
his salvation to record.

Tune: Can be sung to 87 87 77 eg tune of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’

  • One of his compositions, ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me

Christ’s glory on the mount, and afterwards

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

They saw his glory – brilliant bright,
and soon all will behold the sight.
Before that time, the sun must hide
while Jesus suffered, bled and died.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.

Upon the mount the Father’s word
acknowledging his Son was heard.
But while Christ on the cross bore sin,
no voice honoured the dying King.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.

His body broken: not ‘til risen
would understanding come, and wisdom –
beginning of awareness, awe
of what his suffering had been for.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.

The three then told of what they’d seen
upon the mount, but now their theme:
the amazing glory of the Lamb
fulfilling thus redemptive plan.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.

Tune: LM+ eg Solid Rock (tune of ‘On Christ, the solid rock I stand’

Matthew 17:1-13

Trusts based on quicksand

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Ideas and religions flourish,
materialism sways and soothes,
humanism evolutionary,
asserts that no-one, nothing rules.
Like Goliath each defies
truth of God, but based on lies

Truth can answer all their falsehoods,
like a sword can penetrate
find the chink, the flaw, the error.
But many will not contemplate
that their chosen comfort, sect
has foundation incorrect.

And the crucial point is history:
Source of all came here below
demonstrated His divinity
told the truth so we many know
guidance, wisdom, and God’s love.
have a home beyond the grave.

Tune: 87 87 77 eg Gounod tune of ‘Let us love and sing and wonder’

The wonder and responsibility of speech

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

All idols are silent
– God speaks
in words that are clear:
He seeks
to teach and inform
– eye and ear
created to read and to hear.

We’re made so we language
can use
to help, not malign,
or confuse;
communicate, listen
and share
and tell of our God’s loving care.

Through various languages
we
receive revelation
to see
the ‘Why’ of the universe,
and
can chat so our friends understand!

Tune: 88 88 anapaestic eg Celeste, tune of ‘How good is the God we adore’

When bad news is good news

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Yes, bad news can be good news
if it wakes us up to see
what’s wrong, and that we’re needing
to listen carefully.

Like if we have a warning
of danger imminent –
a coming great tsunami
that we cannot prevent.

We’d gladly go to shelter,
not carry on with play:
the bad news makes us heed and,
escape-route rules obey.

So, Jesus firstly taught us
the bad news of our sin
against the righteous Lord who
judgement must one day bring.

But He had come to earn, win
a pardon for us, peace,
to pay the price, be punished
to purchase our release.

So that is why its called now
the ‘gospel’ – God’s ‘good news’.
The Saviour suffered agonies –
gift purchased don’t refuse.

But some ignore this good news
because they don’t accept just neglect
the bad news, see no danger,
salvation free reject.

Can be sung ro Tune: 76 76 76 76 + eg Wir Pflügen by J Schultz, tune of ‘We plough the fields and scatter’
 if the first verse repeated at tne end, and the chorus: below used

Bad news shows our need so
the good news don’t neglect,
embrace good news, oh don’t refuse –
salvation don’t reject

The first day of the week

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

This the day Him to remember:
rising from the grave to live.
This the day for all to praise Him
to the Saviour worship give.
Heavenly day, holy day,
I will sing this holy day.

Day to strengthen pilgrims’ progress
on their journey heaven-bound.
Day whose hours are full of blessing
if His fellowship we’ve found.
Heavenly day, holy day.
holy way to heavenly day!

Day that lasts on into glory
after earthly days are done.
Day to sing th’unending anthem
that we’ll sing when we have come
there with Him, free from sin:
today and always this I sing!

based on (much a free translation of)‘Hwn yw’r dydd’ by Watkin Hezekiah Williams (Watcyn Wyn) 1844-1905)

Dangers in the dark

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

What dangers when confusion reigns,
and argument concerning what
is good and right, rebellious claims
that hurt some in the disputes caught.
So is there fundamental truth
to guide us all – in age and youth?

The one who came, and all his ways
were perfect, kind, creating sight,
the Son of God the dead could raise,
but also was the Truth and Light,
for he who made the stars from nought
the wisdom that we all need taught.

He made mankind – now so rebellious.
He has not left us without guidance,
and also offers grace, forgiveness,
– and then we love His laws so righteous!
His Light shows dangers well concealed,
safe pathways, boundaries are revealed.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg ‘Solid Rock’ by William Bradbury (Tune of ‘My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness’

‘he shakes his fist at God …*’

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

See Lord how they sneer with scoffing,
think they are so wise and tough
think they have no need of You, Lord,.
think You don’t care what they do:
what a clamour!
what an uproar!
Ignorant and foolish words!

But You still work out salvation;
how long will You wait – arise!
and defend Your reputation –
don’t hold back, rebuke their lies.
Violence lurking,
evil working:
save Your people from their claws.

*Job 15:25
also: “But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth. …Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O Lord, how foolish people have reviled your name.… Rise up, O God, and defend youor cause;; remember how fools mock you all day long.” Psalm 74:12,18,22

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

Wonderful King

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

God pre-eminent we worship,
wholly wise and full of grace.
He alone can be the Saviour,
only He can keep us safe:
make us holy,
bring to glory
with such joy before His face.

To Him be all praise and glory,
majesty, dominion, power.
He will keep me through the trials:
Helper in temptation’s hour.
Wonderful King
Do you know Him?;
He’s my Rock and shielding Tower.

Now and always and for ever,
praise to Him the Source of all.
He is truly God almighty,,
in true awe and reverence fall.
Always sovereign,
evermore reign –
for His grace and mercy call.

Tune: 87 87 47 eg Bryn Calvaria by William Owen, tune of ‘Come, ye sinners, poor and needy’s
Jude 24,25 “To Him who is able to keep you … To God our Saviour who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen”

Probability, possibility, evidence

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

‘Probably there is no God,’ some say.
‘Live as you like today.
Enjoy your life’ – but do you?
Do troubles haunt, pursue you?

‘– but possibly there is a God?’ you say.
What evidence is there each way?
What beauty fills your eyes:
to say it’s not designed, is lies.

‘Why does He not remove all ill
if He exists, lives still?’
Are we ready for such full
removal – from our lives as well?

‘Why does He not reveal Himself?’ some say.
Have you not read of Jesus’ display
of wisdom, power and gentleness?
if read with care, it must impress.

And have you talked with those who say
they’re helped by Him, supported every day,
their heart He’s softened, now they see
how good his truth, and mercy free?