Easter 2018

The contradiction of modern daily living is that we know what we need but our ability to be self sufficient, leads us to our wants, above our needs. So in turn, the understanding of the depth of our depravity is shallower then it should be. Consequently, we undermine the suffering and death of Christ on the cross, playing down our most deepest need; forgiveness of sins, to have our relationship with God, made right.

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It Isn’t….

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It isn’t that I do not understand

Nor is it that I doubt Gods loving Hand

It is more that it isn’t always very clear

When I hold my wants and dreams very dear

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It isn’t that I do not know

Nor is it that I don’t trust God’s loving flow

It is more that I want life a certain way

And I don’t listen to what He has to say

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It isn’t that I do not comprehend

His love that is showered each day again

It is more that I decide to not always see

What is perfectly measured just for me

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It isn’t that I do not love Him at all

Nor is it that I can’t hear Him when He calls

It is more that my busyness is deafening

And my material needs are beckoning

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It isn’t that I do not believe

Nor is it that I doubt His Spirit intercedes

It is more that I am not always honestly very sure

How deep sin goes into my inner core

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It isn’t that I do not want to see

The depth of my own depravity

It is much easier to look away

And leave the thinking on that, for another day

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It isn’t that I do not know I need

A Saviour who suffered and died for me

It is more that I am often too self assured

Undermining His death and pain that forgiveness endured

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The year before teenagehood is the last year a child, is a child. It is the year, as parents, we take more note of what has been, what is ahead, all the while enjoying the sunset years of childhood. Such beautiful  years behind, with this one year of sweet transition before the intricate, raw, quiet, loud, sullen, exciting teen adventures  begin.

Happy 12th Birthday, Mason Jack

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SOMETIMES

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Sometimes I am sad

At how fast you have grown

But I am always thankful

For the blessings that have been sown

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Sometimes I am happy

For the laughter that you bring

But I am always thankful

For the shower songs you sing

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Sometimes I do worry

At the independence that you need

But I am always thankful

For the lessons that you heed

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Sometimes I am listening

To all the words you have to say

But I am always thankful

For your chatterboxing ways

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Sometimes I am watching

At your willingness to give

But I am always thankful

That our God shows you how to live

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Sometimes I am laughing

At your funny quirky little ways

But I am always thankful

For your double kisses everyday

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Sometimes I will linger

And touch your sleeping face

But I am always thankful

You have Gods amazing grace

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Sometimes I try to imagine

The adult you may become

But I am always thankful

That each day comes one by one

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Sometimes I do wonder

What all the tomorrows will hold

But I am always thankful

That you are God’s refining gold

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With Easter around the corner this one picks up on the stain of  sin through the ages of church history.

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Stained Glass

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Illuminance penetrates

Though the glass

Colours dance

Along the stones path

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Specks of dust float

In the stillness of air

Glistening like stars

But going nowhere

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Footsteps echo

And silence to see

Through the halls of

Cold holy revelry

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The colours shine

Bright and bold

Recounting stories

Of the new saints of old

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Speaking words

Of distant times

Apparent sinlessness

Hope in signs

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Cracked panes

Do not disturb

Nor does the missing

Go unperturbed

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The ears cannot hear

The voices that cry

Under the altar

From time on nigh

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To mask the untruth

The incense burns

Doing its will

As the walls yearn

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Waiting for the saints

The pews are bending

Perceived perfection

In the Saviour ascending

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Not keeping true

In His ways that were taught

But rather the colours speak

Of shame and naught

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Not for performance

As these hues hold

Nor perfect obedience

For the souls sold

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Through crimson blood

A scarlet thread

Weaved its way through

Many lives that bled

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All for holy righteousness

With grace that covers

The stain of sinfulness

Man centredness smothers

For my oldest sister and her family and anyone elses friends or family members who are being prayed for unceasingly. You are loved, more than you know. xo

 

YOU ARE LOVED

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You are loved

More than you know

His Spirit is within

And convicting you so

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Walk towards

And not away

Listen to the words

That He has to say

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You are loved

Loved more than you know

His presence surrounds

And His love He does show

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In the wanting to return

And the doubting to take that step

He is there working inside you

For He has paid every last debt

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He asks nothing of you

For you cannot bring a thing

Just empty hands

And a heart that seeks to sing for Him

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You are loved

Loved more than you know

Seek His name

And His work in you will grow

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He will protect you

And give you peace

As you take that first step

With your heart that seeks

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He promises to guide you

And care for you always

Trust in His Word

And all that He perfectly says

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Open arms will embrace you

By the saints of old

Not because of who you are

But because you belong to the Fold

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No perfection required

Or rules to abide

Walk through those doors

Not one sinner can hide

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We all walk together

Towards eternity ahead

Encouraging and loving

For it is by our God, we are led

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