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.