New poem: His Kindness

Owen preached on 2 Samuel 9 today, when David shows Mephibosheth (the crippled relative of King Saul) kindness. This made me think about the how we describe who God is. I think it's his love and his kindness. After all, we're all Mephibosheth.

His Kindness

How would you define who he is?

By his kindness.

How would you describe who he is?

By his kindness.

His strength is so great that it's tempting to choose

And with him by your side you can never lose

But here is the trait that I describe and use,

His kindness.

When he looks on you, it's not with disappointment and hate

But with kindness.

When he sees you mess up, he's saddened

But still sees you with kindness.

When we deserve judgement for sins we commit

Compare to his standard and fall short of it

Yet, he sees us as His and daily he shows us

His kindness.

Though we come to him as an outcast,

He shows us his kindness.

Though lame in our hearts, he sits us there at his table

With kindness.

And counted as one of his family, we

Though broken and worthless are counted with He

Who spoke the world into being, as his brother, you see

For he looks on you

With his kindness.

When this Jesus who chose you looked there on your sin,

He chose kindness.

Love that broke all convention, far too great to mention,

This kindness.

He loved you so much that he poured out his life

You were totally unable to save your own life

So he chose to restore you to the fullness of life

Can you fathom the depth of

His kindness?

So, when you feel worthless and low friend,

Remember his kindness.

When all falls apart, and the dark closes in,

Know his kindness

He's restored you to life, let that light break on through

Because of Jesus, nothing you need to do,

Because of your Lord and your God and your King

Live friends, bound tight to the Spirit's wedding ring,

Reminding of the promise with which all heaven sings,

You are forever wrapped up

Found and bound in his love

And held for all time in the grace of our Lord

In his kindness.

New poem: You are not your sin

If you are a christian,

my friend, this is true,

no matter the place you are in.

Whatever your feelings,

whatever you've done,

my friend, you are not your sin.

Sometimes, there are big things

you do and you feel

they become what defines you within.

Yet, though they may hurt,

and you feel covered with dirt,

my friend, you are not your sin.

Other times, it might be

the frequent but small

where bad habits are gradually worn in.

But, although you keep making

the same old mistakes,

my friend, you are still not your sin.

The big and the small,

when he died on cross,

your slate was wiped clean from then in

and though you still stumble

and still let him down,

my friend, you are not your sin.

You see, you are not now

your original self,

That old person's no longer your kin.

His is the image

the father now sees

For, my friend, you are not your sin.

And, my friend, what an image

the Father now sees

when he looks at you deeply within.

For, in place of your stain

and your darkness and shame

Jesus' sacrifice covers your sin!

Like the brightest of stars,

far outshining our sun

His beauty shines hot, pure and clean

and its light burns the shadow

that darkened your heart

for, my friend, you're no longer your sin.

And yes, we must live with consequences in life

Due to that choice that we made when we sinned

But he's brought you out fron that and he's made a way through

And my friend, you're longer that sin.

He looks on you now

as his family, his child,

fully loved and forgiven in him.

So, when next the devil accuses you, friend,

Remember and tell him

That he does not own you,

The chains what once bound you

They no longer hold you

And though you may falter

His grace holds on to you.

So, no matter the place you are in,

My friend, you are not your sin!

He loves you

He loves you

My friend, I wonder how you see God

Do you think above all and everything you've done

That you are loved and cherished dear

That you are someone's beloved one

Well let me tell you pure and simple

And let this plan truth blow you away

The God who made the universe

Calls you his most beloved child today.

Do you feel like Ruth, my friend,

A gentile waif, displaced, lost and bereaved 

Waiting on the threshing floor in faith

Because a simple promise she believed

But remember the ending to the story

Her father looked down on her with love

We may have once not known him

But he redeemed her through his love.

Maybe you feel you're like the woman

Who drew water at midday from Samaria's well

Shunned by so many around her, you see

As her life choices had made we despised and ashamed

Nobody looked on her with love, fondly

Yet in steps our Jesus who moves to the heart

And as she admits all the sin and her shame

He calls her his own, says her history's behind her

And names her his beloved, the most precious of names.

Maybe you're like Peter who, in the heat of the moment

Chose to disown Jesus and just run away

And with shame he looked on as his saviour died

In all things, I'd imagine he felt he'd lost his way.

Yet, when Jesus appeared on a beach near his friends

And they gathered to eat as family once more

He treated this man as his brother and friend

Forgiving love was the language Jesus used to restore.

Maybe you feel like Eve or Adam,

One great mistake, it's all over

One bite and you're kicked out

No hope of return

That angel stands guard with a flaming sword

And apology you make you feel would simply be spurned.

Yet here is the God who held true to his promise

That the sin in the garden would one day be broken

And, in the greatest of love, stepped down into the world

And took our stain on Him, that we'd be forever forgiven.

So if you are wondering or unsure today

Whether this Jesus looks on you with a slither of love

Know fully in each day this bright, burning truth

Of our Father who stands both with you and above.

That his choice to die for you that day 

Was a choice that holds for you in all that you've done and you'll do

This Jesus, our saviour, in each and every thing

Looks upon you, looks to you, looks in you then at you and says with a voice that spoke life to the world

That rose Lazarus to life

And caused a rainbow to unfurl

With a voice that speaks life and truth in every word, whether many or few,

He would say three words you're to always remember:

I love you.

New poem: Choices

A response to people's responses to the referendum result.

Choices made and choices not
Some would call my choice a foulsome blot
Some call my choice a courageous step
Some trace the shadow of my every step
Disparaging glances cast by some or all
Yet while the world is held enthralled
The simplest choice is easily made
An underwritten game is played
So simple that I think it's missed
Amongst the praise thrown out and threats loud hissed
A choice to brand the many and the few
Abhorrant or as heroes, me and you,
Overlooking what has been held for so long
By closest friends and the wider throng,
A simple love and shared respect
A candle which can flicker out...
...if that stale breath is not checked
A choice, that we all choose to make
So here, my friend, is the one I choose to take.
Although, sometime we disagree
On little things
On the big and great
And though your thoughts might fascinate your mind
I'll treat you kind.
For I've thought much where one who loved me
Disagreed yet held to me
So I will hold to you, my friend,
Our choices, though they they may differ, shall not end
A friendship built upon love's roots
I choose to hold to you, an absolute.
For he is greater far than choices made
His will shall not by man's choice be dismayed
I hold to him in all for he holds firm
And as choices are made and wheels turn
His resolute and steadfast way leads through
And our friendship I shall hold 'tween me and you.

Poem: You are not your sin

A new poem that's come out of struggling with a few things this week and God reminding me that when I sin, that isn't what defines me.  It's grace that reminds me that Jesus has forgiven me and that I'm God's son.  That's what defines me.

You are not your sin

If you are a christian,
my friend, this is true,
no matter the place you are in.
Whatever your feelings,
whatever you've done,
my friend, you are not your sin.

Sometimes, there are big things
you do and your feel
they become what defines you within.
Yet, though they may hurt,
and you feel covered with dirt,
my friend, you are not your sin.

Other times, it might be
the frequent but small
where bad habits are gradually worn in.
But, although you keep making
the same old mistakes,
my friend, you are not your sin.

The big and the small,
when he died on cross,
your slate was wiped clean from then in
and though you still stumble
and still let him down,
my friend, you are not your sin.

You see, you are not now
your original self,
That old character's no longer your kin.
His is the image
the father now sees
For, my friend, you are not your sin.

And, my friend, what an image
the Father now sees
when he looks at you deeply within.
For, in place of your stain
and your darkness and shame
Jesus' sacrifice covers your sin!

Like the brightest of stars,
far outshining our sun
His beauty shines hot, pure and clean
and its light burns the shadow
that darkened your heart
for, my friend, you're no longer your sin.

He looks on you now
as his family, his child,
fully loved and forgiven in him.
So, when next the devil accuses you, friend,
Remember and tell him
That he does not own you,
The chains what once bound you
They no longer hold you
And though you may falter
His grace holds on to you
So, no matter the place you are in,
My friend, you are not your sin!

Who is He?

You might have asked, "Who is this God?"

"I've heard of a few but who is he?"

"Why should I bow at some God man's feet?"

"How will this character make me complete?"

Well, let me take your question and answer it clearly

That we might be reminded and see him more clearly.

Who takes addictions and breaks their chains?

The King of Glory is his name!

Who sees the broken and makes them whole?

And makes your restoration his goal.

Who knows your fears and would make them cease?

His name, my friend, is the Prince of Peace!

Who knows your sin yet calls you daughter or son?

He is the everlasting and pre-eminent one.

He was there long before the world was made

His plan spans all of time and space

He looks upon each and every one of you

And, my friend, this simple fact always rings true

That the God who gives us our very life

Is the one who calls this church his wife

Who names each one of you his beloved children

Through the thick and through the thin

This King of Glory, Prince of Peace,

Everlasting, Everloving

Almighty King

Looks on me and looks on you

As only a loving Father can do.

Who is he? He is our King,

The greater David, his hand in everything.

So, whatever you've come with or have put behind,

He stands above it so let me remind

That as we worship here today,

He's the breaker of chains, the saver of souls,

the one who makes the broken whole,

The one who takes each broken, dirty, sin-stained heart

And restores it to glow bright white like the sun's burning heart

For if you're in Jesus, you are His!

There are no half measures

He looks on you and names you his treasure

So stand like sons and daughters of the risen Lord,

By Jesus' sacrifice fully restored.

And who is he? My friends, he is The Lord.

Our Captain at the helm, the hand on the rudder,

When the boat starts to rock and the sails start to shudder,

He rightens the bow and straightens the way

For home we are travelling when we'll see him one day.

So fix your eyes on that Lighthouse that guides our way home

For he walks with us, each step, 'til our journey's done.

You are much loved by God

You are much loved by God

I wonder how you see yourself, friends,

For you are much loved by God

Have you forgotten this truth,

That you are much loved by God?

We don't come here to prove ourselves

We don't come here make a point

We come because he's chosen us

For you are much loved by God.

I wonder if you love yourself

For you are much loved by God

Does the image in the mirror make you smile?

For you are much loved by God.

We don't come today because we're innately good

We don't come today as the person we should

But we come today as a child of the King

For you are much loved by God.

When you stand before your maker

You are much loved by God

When you trip up and tumble

You remain much loved by God

For we don't come today as the perfect ones

We're here as forgiven daughters and sons

As kids of a father who counts us as his

For you are much loved by God

So worship, my friends with the gladdest of hearts

For you are much loved by God

Tell him your joys and tell him your fears

For you are much loved by God.

For in Jesus you stand as a child of the King

A father who cares for you in all things

And throughout the light and the dark of your days,

You are much loved by God

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! (Easter Sunday poem)

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Three days ago, Jesus Christ died as a culprit.

Hung on the cross, everyone saw it,

But today, the news is buzzing, some are in awe of it,

The word on the street is he's no longer there!

The stone's rolled away and he's headed elsewhere!

The reports are still sketchy, but this just in,

There's a theory around, and here's the spin.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Disciples steal body so no-one can flout it!

They came in the night, overpowered the guard

I guess with some kind of rock?  Well, they must've hit him hard.

You say there were two of Rome's finest and best?

Well, I can't see his followers overcoming that test

This all sounds quite fishy, but this just in,

Another theory and here's the spin.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Someone else stole the body in a freak breakout, it

Looks like they, again, overpowered the soldiers,

Who was it?  Some're saying the public, others the scholars,

Others still for some profit, others for boasting rights,

It all sounds too wooly and hardly airtight

Hang on, a reporter's just handed this in,

Another theory is here and this is the spin.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

He never actually died, it was a stunt, just check out it!

Those nail marks weren't fatal and that spear was a fake

They swapped out the body while he was awake

But, wait, the priests and Romans recorded it all

In fact, they instigated this all, I recall,

That doesn't make sense, but wait, this just in,

Another theory my friends, and here is the spin.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Disciples didn't really see Jesus, they just thought it,

All that grief and that loss must have clouded their mind,

After all, he was dead, they couldn't just find

Him all up and about in the garden nearby

Something in this story is definitely awry,

They must have mistaken another for him,

Well that's all we have time for, the theories are in.

The theories are in, now which do you choose?

I'd offer my opinion, but I'm only the news.

The facts are, he died, was buried and now he is missing

The one theory left, and that's a theory, I'm stressing

Is that he's actually living and walking around!

Some people're reporting he has actually been found!

Well, we're signing off there, what theory do you choose?

What if this was real? Well, wouldn't that be some news?

That day

That day

That day,

The sun rose but with a reddish tinge

The day knew that soon it would cringe,

Break down and weep at the spectacle there,

Join with the others to stop and stare,

Did anyone care?

That day,

When the God man walked up that hill,

Shouldering more than was His fill,

The weight of the world and all

That had ever been done by one and all

And we stood there, enthralled.

That day,

When some stood aghast to see,

This man from eternity

Stumble up to that cursed tree

Knowing he could have chosen at any time to flee

But staying there for you and for me.

That day,

When they hammered his hands to that beam,

Shattering silence as they heard him scream,

Lifted and fastened aloft,

The smell of sweat and blood starting to waft,

As the torn man spluttered and coughed.

That day,

When the crowd cried his very death,

And all that he had was a barely snatched breath

Black clouds growing, the crowd, insults throwing,

Not realising they're owing and yet so unknowing,

While this man was, forgiveness, bestowing.

That day,

When the God man looked up high,

To where his Father reigned over you and I,

But there was no reply, no relief, no goodbye,

For with such sin, they could not look eye to eye

And its punishment, to die.

That day,

As a thief mocked him from one side

The other, humbly hanging by,

The crowd stood spitting, yelling, cursing from every place,

As the blood and pain trickled down his tear-stained face,

He made a choice that crossed all time and space.

That day,

When 'It is finished!' was his cry

While all creation screamed, 'This must be a lie!'

And the sun was blotted out from the sky,

As the whole earth shook that he could die,

A way was made open for you and I.

That day,

The barrier curtain was torn in two

That you and I could walk on through

Into that place we could never stand,

His presence, as renewed woman and renewed man,

Welcome, knowing we're no long banned.

That day,

As the God-man gave his life and bowed his head,

He did not just lie there dead,

No, he'd broken every power of sin that binds,

Our weary souls and freed our minds

And his sacrifice reminds.

That this day,

The curse that binds you has been broken,

A better way, my friend, is spoken,

Life awaits you, freedom, it is yours!

He beckons you walk through this brand new door.

Will you bow the knee and see what he's in store for you?

My friends, have you forgotten?

My friends, have you forgotten

That your sins are forgiven?

That the father looks on you with love

As a dead man who is risen?

My friends, have you forgotten

That yours sins' price has been paid?

That everything you've ever done

Is forever with Him, laid?

My friends, have you forgotten

That your efforts are not enough?

That only Jesus choice for you

That choice he made in love?

My friends, have you forgotten

That there's no more to be done?

That all he did's enough for you

Your sins covered, every one!

My friends, have you forgotten

That relationship you share

With the mighty God, your holy King,

And that peace you have found there?

My friends, have you forgotten

The freedom his forgiveness brings?

You are no longer slave to those old things

But a child of the one, true King

My friends, will you surrender

To the forgiveness he's given to you

That you might freshly know the sufficient peace

Of the God who chose to die for you?

My friends, it's time to remember

That our God calls you his

Not through your efforts, no my friend

But by his holy holy kiss.

By the blood he shed upon the cross

By the love he poured out there

By the cost he paid to being you home

In paradise and with Him there.

He offered you forgiveness

and if you turned to him and confessed all

He calls you unreservedly and for all time, His

And foe you, he's officer all.

My friends, if you are His today,

You stand forgiven to the core.

If not, his forgiveness waits for you.

What are you waiting for?

Delighted in you

New poem out of worship this morning. How does God feel about you? He's delighted in you!

Delighted in you

When you think of yourself, I wonder, what are thoughts?

Are your feelings complex, like you can't explain?

But have you forgotten how your father sees you?

Well let me remind you then remind you again,

Delighted in you, delighted in you

Your God and your King is delighted in you!

When he on his throne high above all things

Looks down onto you with his fathomless gaze

He smiles as only a father can smile

For not just this moment but each and every day

Delighted in you, delighted in you

Your God and your father's delighted in you!

When he saw the stain of the sin on your soul,

He was not slow to act nor quick to disown

But instead sent his son for one simple cause

That you'd be restored, that he'd call you his own.

Delighted in you, delighted in you

Your God and your saviour's delighted in you!

But how, you may wonder, are my efforts enough

Can they stand up to his ultimate goal?

My friend, all your efforts are nothing before

What Jesus imprints on your sin-blackened soul.

Delighted in you, delighted in you

Your God and your saviour's delighted in you!

He looks on your heart and there plain as day

Like a watermark stamped through each layer of you

Not your efforts or failings, no, they are not there!

Instead, Jesus' character and rightness shine through.

Delighted in you, delighted in you

Your God and your King is delighted in you!

Today, you stand here as the guilty redeemed

Your debt fully paid in Jesus' scars

And one day you'll stand with your Heavenly Father

Your days with as numerous as the night's sky's stars!

Delighted in you, delighted in you

Your God and your saviour,

Your king and your brother,

The Lord of all things

The alpha, omega

My brothers and sisters

Know this loud and true

That the God who we know through Jesus Christ

Is fully, undeniably delighted in you!

First fruit thoughts

In times gone by, before Jesus came,
His people knew to give
The first and best of what they grew and made
Which they required to live.

They'd give it as the 'first of fruits'
Back to the hand who gave
As a mark of respect and thanks to Him
Who their people had saved.

Whatever they had, they'd bring to him
At the harvest of each season
For they recognised the hand He'd had
Thanks was their strongest reason.

No broken offering was sufficient
For their King had given them much
And so they brought their first and best
Of whatever they grew as such.

I've no doubt that sometimes they muttered,
In giving up their very best
After all, it's always tempting
To hold onto what you value best.

But, bring they would, their offerings
To offer at the temple door
They brought what was sufficient
Always expecting him, each year, for more.

For, they knew their father loved them greatly,
This offering of theirs was actually joy!
For He had watched over their whole year
That they might life and Him enjoy.

The heart of the people long ago
Was to thank the Lord for what He'd done.
He then blessed them as they walked with him
For they made Him number one.

These days, although what we earn looks different
There are 'first fruits' all across our lives
From the first moment that we wake up
To the cash which funds how we often survive.

And that principle which those people kept
Thousands of years ago lives strong!
God honours every first fruit, especially time,
No matter how short or long.

So, in the moments which you have,
Make Him the first fruit of your day,
And watch how he takes your smallest moments
And uses them to shape and mold your day.