God shows His Plan

August 7, 2014 by Steve 2 Comments

I received this fantastic poem via email from my brother in Christ Ben, hope you enjoy!

When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man…

When God wants to mould a man to play the noblest part;

When He yearns with all His heart to create so great and bold a man

That all the world shall praise,

Watch His methods, watch His ways!

How He ruthlessly perfects whom He royally elects; how He hammers and hurts him,

And with mighty blows coverts him into frail shapes of clay that only God understands.

How his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands….

How He bends but never breaks when His good He undertakes.

How He uses whom He chooses…. with every purpose fuses him;

By every art induces him to try His splendour out

God knows what He’s about!

When God wants to take a man and shake a man and wake a man…

When God wants to make a man to do the Father’s will;

When He yearns with all His soul to create him large and whole…

With what cunning He prepares him… how He goads and never spares him!

How He whets him, He frets him and in poverty, begets him…

How often He disappoints whom He sacredly anoints!

With what wisdom He will hide him; never minding what betide him…

Makes him lonely so that only God’s high messages shall reach him…

So that He may surely teach him what His heavenly Father planned.

When God wants to name a man and tame a man to do His heavenly best….

When He tries the highest test that His reckoning may bring…

How He reins him and restrains him so his body scarce contains him…

When He fires him and inspires him, keeps him yearning,

Ever burning for the tantalizing goal.

Lures and lacerates his soul… sets a challenge for His spirit;

Draws it highest, then he is near it!

Then makes a jungle, then he clears it;

Makes a desert that he fears it, if he can…

So does God make a man!

Then to test His Spirit’s wrath, He throws a mountain in his path,

Puts a bitter choice before him and relentlessly stands o’er him…

Climb or perish, so He says…. But watch His purpose, watch His ways!

God’s plan is wondrously kind… could we understand His mind?

Fools are they who call God blind!

When his feet are torn and bleeding; yet His Spirit mounts unheeding…

Blazing newer paths and finds….

Lo, the crisis, lo, the shouts that would call the leader out…

When the people need salvation does he rise to lead the nation;

Then does God show His plan… and the world has found its man!

(Anonymous author)

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Christian Life, Christian Living, Christian Poetry, Christianit, Humble, Humility, Jesus, Man of God, Mould, Perfect, Poem, Poetry, Shake, Skillet, Spirit, Thrill

Cry With Us

August 4, 2014 by Steve 1 Comment

This powerful poem was read out yesterday at our morning service as we prayed and reflected on the situation in Gaza. It was deeply moving.

Yohanna has written a poem, Cry with us (see below), which he is happy for churches to use as they pray for the situation and cry with them at this difficult time. He believes people in the UK and around the world can help change the situation in Israel-Palestine… read more

Cry With Us

This is a season of weeping and mourning, but it is not void of hope.

Our tears are the bridge between brutality and humanity;

our tears are the salty gates for seeing a different reality;

our tears are facing soulless nations and a parched mentality;

our tears are the dam preventing rivers of animosity.

For the sake of the mourning men, cry with us to reflect your amity.

For the sake of the poor children, cry with us demanding sanity.

For the sake of lamenting mothers, refuse violence and stupidity.

Love your enemies and cry with them is the advice of divinity.

Bless those who curse is the path to genuine spirituality.

Pour tears of mercy; compassion is true piety.

Pray with tears, for the sake of spreading equity.

Followers of Jesus: crying is now our responsibility.

But don’t cry for your friends only;

but also for your Enemy.

Yohanna Kanatacho

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“Only One Life” by Charles Studd

February 24, 2014 by Steve 0 Comments

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

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If I Condemn You, Blame Me Not.

December 7, 2013 by Steve 28 Comments

Ye call Me Master and obey me not,

Ye call Me Light and see Me not,

Ye call Me Way and walk not,

Ye call Me Life and desire Me not,

Ye call Me wise and follow Me not,

Ye call Me fair and love Me not,

Ye call Me rich and ask Me not,

Ye call Me eternal and seek Me not,

Ye call Me gracious and trust Me not,

Ye call Me noble and serve Me not,

Ye call Me mighty and honor Me not,

Ye call Me just and fear Me not,

If I condemn you, blame me not.

inscription inside the Lübeck Cathedral, Germany.

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The Bible And The TV Guide

November 23, 2013 by Steve 15 Comments

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On the table side by side,
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One is well worn and cherished with pride,
No, not the Bible, the TV Guide.

One is used daily to help folks decide,
No it isn’t the Bible it’s the TV Guide.
As the pages are turned what shall they see?
Oh, it doesn’t matter, just turn on the TV!

And so they open the book in which they confide,
Not the Bible the TV Guide!
The word of God is seldom read;
Well, maybe a verse e’er they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible but watching TV.

So back to the table side by side,
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One is cherished and well worn with pride,
Not the Bible, the TV Guide!

The plan of salvation is seldom heard,
(Nor the love of God, or encouraging words,)
Forgiveness of sin so full and free
Is found in the Bible not on TV!!

I heard Jarrod Cooper (Days of wonder) read this poem on UCB UK

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Called To Become

November 5, 2013 by Steve 5 Comments

Called to become

You are called to become a perfect creation.
No-one is called to become who you are called to be.
It does not matter how short or tall or thick set or slow you may be.
It does not matter whether you sparkle with life or are silent as a still pool,
Whether you sing your song aloud or weep alone in the darkness.
It does not matter whether you feel loved and admired or unloved and alone.
For you are called to become a perfect creation.
This becoming may be gentle or harsh, subtle or violent.
But it never ceases, never pauses or hesitates, only is –
Creative force – calling you.
Calling you to become a perfect creation

Edwina Gateley
Psalms of a Laywoman.

My Thoughts 💭

One of our ministers (Nik) just emailed me this amazing poem which was read out whilst on her retreat. Thought it would speak to some of you too! 🙂

Inspired

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There’s No Ceiling To Hope

July 2, 2013 by Steve 18 Comments

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This is a post for all of my sisters & brothers out there who are struggling at the moment. I just wanted to try and inspire you with some of the Songs/Poems i’ve posted on here. Some will have already read them, but its really on my heart to try and help you as you fight with your day to day struggles. Peace be with you.

page links for my Songs/Poems:

I Hope these songs/poems will reach out to people who can relate to some of the feelings i went through on my Journey! But i want you to know that you are never alone and a new Life of Love, Joy & inner Peace are waiting for you. Check out my “About” page to read a little more about my journey.

My Thoughts

Bipolar, Christian Life, Christianity, Dark, Darkness, Depression, Grace, Hope, Joy, Light, Love, Peace, Poem