Around The Sacraments

This time is a memorial, a hands-on grace tutorial, it’s practiced to inform us all that:
Pain is not permanent, fear is not final, hurt will halt and sadness will cease,
Because the critical contribution of the cross is complete.

This meeting’s a remembering, a call for our surrendering, there’ll be no more pretendering because:
When we see hints of hope, glimpses of gladness, jingles of joy and signs of celebration,
The rambunctious romp of resurrection is realised for all creation.

This meal’s a dedication, a simple inspiration, it’s there for transformation.
Built on foundations of favour, layers of love, friendship found, the stones of solitude left scattered and strewn,
Rumour has it, the reckless raucous rise of restoration revealed soon.

Eucharist is a depiction, it’s not a work of fiction, it deepens our conviction that:
Death is defeated, sin has been slain, victory’s available and I’ll be blowed;
The real relentless roistering of God’s realised renewal is on the road.

Easter 🐣

It’s Easter – Christ is risen, so we say “he is risen indeed”,
It’s Easter – the grave is empty, they checked and they all agreed,
It’s Easter – death is defeated, the power of sin won’t succeed,
It’s Easter – it’s resurrection, you could say it’s God’s greatest deed.

 

The grave he was laid in is vacant, the crucified Christ has arisen,
It was three days since from top to bottom, the temples curtain was riven,
The sole sacrifice has been offered, the once – only life has been given,
The cold grasp of death could not hold him, the Lord Jesus Christ, he is livin’.

 

It’s not about tulips or daffodils, things that have grown in the soil,
It’s not about having a holiday, a day or so rest from our toil,
It’s not about baskets or bunnies, or eggs wrapped in bright coloured foil,
It’s about lifting our eyes from the ordinary and fixing our gaze on what’s royal.

 

“The man you are seeking ain’t here bro, even though you’ve arrived in a state”,
“Why are you quite so upset ma’am?” Though I’m sure everyone can relate,
“I’ve seen the Lord!” Mary protested, though it seemed that was up for debate,
But we all know the end of the story, Christ is risen, now where’s my choc’late.

Refuge of New Life

We step out of life’s chaos – a moment apart,
For our new sisters, it’s only the start,
A journey we walk to come close to God’s heart,
And await His last brushstroke on our life’s work of art.

Washed of the old life, stepping into the new,
It’s easy to think there’s something to do,
But the aim is not action, just acceptance that through God’s open embrace we receive what is due.

A beautiful symbol of sins rinsed away,
With joy we all celebrate with them today,
And reflect on the powerful words we once again say,
That ‘from now on we promise to walk in God’s way’.

Dough

This bread is a token that binds us, reminds us of a God who sent Jesus to find us so our sins will not blind us, humanity’s failings won’t grind us, called to leave all our frailties behind us.

This bread is a symbol of grounding, the love of the Father is sounding, to the children, once orphans, and foundlings, He seeks us, He harries, His hounding to push us to His heart there pounding, His love all surrounding, His mercy confounding, His grace so astounding.

There’s a union we see in this dough, an imperative calls us to grow, and it’s not about what we might know, but in service we show, in compassion we sow, to the cross we must go, til from His love we flow.

There’s a wholeness we share in this bread. Into community led so that even in dark times and dread, there’s a promise we’ll always be fed with the power of Jesus our head, whose body once bled, in whose footsteps we tread, from our failures we’ve fled, to his victory instead.

A Limerick for my Nephew

There was a young lad we called ‘Ace’, who has such a likeable face
To get out from sin’s funk
He chose to get dunked
And embrace the full force of God’s grace

Baptising Asa

 

Asa chose to follow Jesus coz He’s as wonderful as cheese is,
Didn’t come to earth to please us or get filthy rich like Besos,
No, He genuinely sees us, gave his life and that’s what frees us,
Shows the path, our shepherd – leads us.

Asa got where he could see he was not all that he could be,
And so that he could be set free, we pushed his head under the sea,
And now he joins the family tree, we all agree,
The heart’s the key, salvation waits for you and me.

Asa’s joined the Lord’s collection, as one who bowed to God’s affection,
And we can see without detection, there will be no life deflection,
Asas’s made the big correction, walking out in God’s direction,
Jesus is the power connection, no rejection to perfection,
Asa’s goal is resurrection.

Encounters

 

Encounter’s a place,

It’s a space,

A refuge from the race,

It’s an opening for grace.

 

Encounter’s a time,

A finite line,

A moment you can find,

It’s an escape from the grind.

 

Encounter’s a state,

Somewhere you wait,

Something you create,

Not leaving it to fate.

 

Encounter’s the father’s care,

Lifts us from despair,

Comes to us everywhere,

With comfort only He can share.

 

Encounter shows the son is real,

The knees that kneel,

The hands that heal,

An endless love you feel.

 

Encounter’s the Spirit’s flame laid bare,

A breath of holy air,

Igniting hope, stirring prayer,

The power divine beyond compare.

 

Encounter’s the fervent fire,

Fans the flames of our desire,

As the Father calls us higher,

A deeper love to inspire.

 

Encounter’s home is in the heart,

It’s a moment apart,

Where God appreciates you – His work of art,

No matter where you start.

For Emily & David

I have this little sister Emily, she was small and very funny,
Big smile, bright eyes and always sunny,
Bath-time fun with beards of bubbles,
Splashed with laughter, joy and puddles.

Growing up, shared memories came,
Treasured moments, crazy games,
Mealtimes laughing at old snaps,
Memories logged as years we mapped,
A bear in the big blue house her fave,
Until she met our dashing Dave.

Now celebration day, a wonderful thing,
Moments like this make us dance and sing,
And the greatest bit – all we need to bring,
Is ourselves and our joy to your wedding. {bear with, bear with}

We all woke today, some as early as dawn,
Mum and dad as excited as the day you were born,
All the ladies dolled up, all the men freshly shorn,
And you sat through those speeches with barely a yawn.

As their new life together they’ve started to pave,
We raise a toast to Emily and Dave,
The beard looks great, no need to shave,
No I don’t mean Emily, you lot; behave.

My message to you both, if I may be direct,
Is to treat one another with utmost respect,
Support one another and always protect,
Dave, remember only one of you’s always correct.

Your marriage a symbol of wonderful unity,
It’s a one in a lifetime great opportunity,
To rely on your partner for total impunity,
And live out your lives in a tight-knit community.

You see…
A happy marriage is all about love,
You fit right… together like hand in glove,
It’s equality – no bellow or above,
But if he won’t do what you want Em, just give him a shove.

In the wisdom I found from all the ancients,
One of your foundations must be patience,
Even the days you’ve used up your quotient,
There’ll always be someone to nudge at your conscience. {I think it just about works}

It can sneak through holes as small as a mouse,
And make your skin crawl like a tiny woodlouse,
Don’t let selfishness have any room in your house,
It’s not you you put first, it’s always your spouse.

You can only last so long driven by passion,
In the early days there’s no end to the ration,
But in these times when it’s going out of fashion,
Create some more time to be kind, have compassion.

It doesn’t matter what your mood,
You cannot let it make you rude,
You must not grumble, gripe or brood,
Even when David steals your food.

On a day that’s champers, flowers and posies,
And as this dreadful poem closes,
It won’t always be a bed of roses,
For all the years since he proposes,
So fill your days with love and joy,
Build up each other, don’t destroy,
Marriage – the balanced human alloy,
The partnership for girl and boy.

Emily & David may God bless you and your marriage and may you always feel His presence walking with you.

Words

Words are just a useful tool

They can be used by any fool

Regal words are birthed to rule

Christmas ones refer to yule

Where joy and turkey act as fuel


Spooky words release the ghoul

While energetic words – a joule

Instructive ones take you to school

(where years ago they’d serve you gruel)


Words to lift you up – a stool 

Mix you up – a word whirlpool 

Or cut you down – to overrule

Some words just run on like a spool


Unless you’re really very cool

Delicious words can make you drool

Misspoke words can cause a duel 

Or make you drown, deep in a pool


But though some words can be quite cruel

They carry thoughts just like a mule

Can bring us life – words to refuel

Some stick inertly – like a boule

But precious words are like a jewel

The Big Silence

A poem inspired by the “Five Essential Truths”

 

  1. Life is hard
  2. You are not that important
  3. Your life is not about you
  4. You are not in control
  5. You are going to die

When the weight of the rock makes your shoulders burn
And you look to offload every twist, even turn
But you’re missing the obvious lessons to learn 
Cause the rest of society lives for the churn 
And something inside of you’s hoping to earn
That which is free if you’ll only discern

When you stumble along like a drunk with two broken legs… and nose
And it’s hard to keep going when you’re given life’s dregs… Yet those
Are the scraps that are fine for any old beggar who begs… Which shows –
That the hard that you feel like you’re given, delivered in Kegs… you chose
And it seems like its only the silence that sits where you’re рegged… that knows.

Does it matter if you carry on holding the bolder?
Does it have to be you that keeps it aloft on your shoulder?
Should it be handed to somebody younger – or older?
Or thrown to the side to gather up dust and just moulder?

The internal voice of importance never stops you to ask
Who said it was you that had to complete the task?
And perhaps there’s a time to lay down the load and bask
As you lift yourself up, stand on top and take off the mask

If it feels like you’re gargling lava and buring your lungs
and the noises you babble could be mistaken for speaking in tongues
And you’re desperately clinging, exhaustedy climbing the rungs
Remember, you could be a beetle endlessly rolling up dung

While its fun to pretend, just recall, your life’s not about you
Though this revelation of truth may be something that seems very new
If you dwell for a moment to think the whoe idea through
It’s a blessed relief to accept it and know – you just grew.
And admit – God is good, God is good, God is good and you knew

It takes balls to admit to ourselves, we’re not the ones in control
Though for so much of life, it’s a fight coz we make that our goal
And we grab at the reins, pull hard, only to get stuck in a hole
Knowing deep down inside, to let go will be good for the soul

But when I relinguish my grasp, it wont fall into place
I still have an influence, just need to open the space
It may wobble, may careen, may end up with egg on my face
But that is the perfect foundation for heavenly grace.

In a life that could end in a fanfare or just a wet fart
It’s your choice to stagnate or to live full – from your heart
You consume, you curate, you stay still like a great piece of art
Or you choose to do something – a legacy left before you depart.

There’s probably unfinished business, make sure you have no regret
Cause one day you’re the subject, the life upon whom all reflect
And a sack full of memories made without thought to protect
While your life hides with Christ in the Father, your wholeness expect.