Valley Ministries Charitable Trust

God's love in a hurting world

"HELPING THROUGH THE VALLEYS OF LIFE"

A collection of poems, prose and thoughts

to inspire and challenge

BENDED KNEES

Lord, I want to honour you, in all I say and do;

To demonstrate your power, by making all things new.

I want to be among the ones you choose to clothe with power;

I want to be the servant you select to use this hour.

Hear my longing heart, Lord, yes every word I weep;

Move me, Lord, to gather in your lost and hurting sheep.

For you, Lord, are the Shepherd and the Saviour of mankind,

You are the One who opens up the eyes of those still blind.

I listen with my heart, Lord, and sense your Spirit calling,

You want me to engage in prayer and lift up those still falling.

I know it's in the heavens that the battle first is won;

It's written in your word, Lord, the victory's in your Son.

BLESSED BLOOD

Victory versus vice,

Sin's seductive snare,

Death's decisive dice,

Bad behaved beware!

Boundless blessed blood,

God graciously gives,

Faithful freeing flood,

Loves liberty lives!

BLOW, SPIRIT, BLOW

Blow, Spirit, blow your breath of life on me,

Fill my vessel's sails through all eternity;

The fire within my heart renew

So I may be a light for you.

Blow, Spirit, blow your gentle breeze so calm,

So your voice to me would be a soothing balm;

Healing for my heart that pounds

Because of the many varied sounds.

Blow, Spirit, blow your mighty wind of power

To wake me and to shape me in this final hour,

Until I am what you desire

A man empowered with holy fire.

Blow, Spirit, blow my puzzled thoughts away,

For I want to know what the Father has to say;

A word of love or hope for me,

To deepen still the mystery.

Blow, Spirit, blow and fill my longing need,

My empty, hungry places you alone can feed.

Abide in me, deep in my heart

Then say again we'll never part.

Blow, Spirit, blow your love so pure and kind

On walls that guard my heart, and lies that cloud my mind;

Revealing, Lord, your cherished one,

And the victory that you won.

Blow, Spirit, blow your all-consuming fire,

Lose me in your glory, fulfil your heart's desire;

Burn out the dross and make me gold,

Because your story must be told.

BUT TELL ME LORD

I know about your blood,

Its power to cleanse my soul,

Poured out for me at Calvary

To make me fully whole.

I know about your blood,

Its power to give me health;

Poured out for me upon the tree,

So I could have your wealth.

I know about your blood,

Its power to rend the grave,

Its endless flow for all mankind

Whose hearts you came to save.

But tell me of the cross,

The reason why you died;

By cruel and sacrilegious hands,

My Saviour crucified.

Give me your victory

Over all my sin.

I hate it, Lord, it has to die,

This power that lives within.

I want to live for you,

A holy righteous life,

But I can't do just what I want

To quell this inner strife.

So what's the answer, Lord?

My trial please relieve.

"The answer, son, is what I've done;

You simply need believe.

"The reason for the cross,

The shameful way I died,

Was just to do what you cannot--

Extinguish all your pride.

"The holy, righteous life

You seek to live for me,

Is born from death upon a cross,

That cross at Calvary.

"I placed you in my heart

With all your sinfulness.

If you believe this simple truth

You'll know my holiness.

"Because I rose to life

With victory over sin,

The answer to your problem

Is to let me dwell within.

"Just as my blood prevails;

So reckon this as done:

Your life with me is crucified;

By that the victory's won."

THE WEDDING FEAST

OF

THE LAMB

THE LORD AND THE SPIRIT

SAY

"COME"

"DEPART FOR I NEVER KNEW YOU"

DO YOU LOVE ME?

"I came for you and died for you,

To cleanse you of your sins.

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"I gave my all and ask your all,

That's everything you've got;

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"I took the pain for your great gain,

I bore it on the cross,

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"The Father's love came from above

To set your spirit free;

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"The Son of God made Son of Man,

Has died upon the cross.

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"I know your name, I know your heart,

There's nothing you can hide.

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"I saw your pain, that's why I came,

To heal you with my blood.

I ask you now, I want to know:

My child, do you love me?

"But all I've done, for you and yours,

Do nothing for your good;

Until it's true, at least in part,

My child, that you love me."

ENABLED

They watch me as I struggle

And strain at life's demands.

They watch and look and listen,

When what I need are hands.

They watch me as I struggle,

To hold within the fears.

They speak their words of comfort,

When what I need are ears.

They watch me as I struggle,

I wonder what they see?

Problems or embarrassment,

But not the real me!

They watch me as I struggle,

With pity for my lot.

They leap to my assistance

When I desire it not.

They watch me as I struggle,

To cope with what's not there;

Not the limbs, the life or hope,

But knowing that they care.

They watch me as I struggle

To come to terms with grief,

Assessing all my losses,

But who's the real thief?

They watch me as I struggle,

With veiled contempt they stare;

Their open show of sanctity

So difficult to bear.

And when at last the glad day dawns,

The truth I know I've found,

That man's disabled without God,

Despair and grief abound.

But in that new found wisdom

Is hope for you and me.

We've understood just why God died,

Disabled on the tree.

He saw our pain and struggle,

And choose to bear it all,

So we can know his comfort

That lifts us when we fall.

The wonder of God's presence

Enables me to say

That life is now worth living,

To face another day.

FACE TO FACE

I want to see your face

With a clearer view,

For I know it's full,

Of pure love from you.

I want to see your face

And your arms spread wide,

For they give to me

Safety at your side.

I want to see your face

Looking down on me,

Seeing all my pain

And what I will be .

I want to see your face,

Each and every day,

For it shows to me

That you're here to stay.

I want to see your face,

With your tender eyes,

Looking in my heart;

Seeing all the sighs.

I want to see your face

In my final hour,

Speaking words of life

With creative power.

FIND YOUR PLACE

Find your place within God's heart.

Then you'll know you have a part

To play within his awesome plan

To bring new hope to sinful man.

As you tell his wondrous story,

He will show his grace and glory,

You will know his peace and power,

As you walk with him each hour.

Speak of how he set us free,

Hanging there on Calvary's tree.

Suffering for our sin and pain,

Thinking only of our gain.

Life becomes at last fulfilling

For the ones whose hearts are willing

To live for Jesus, come what may,

As we await the final day.

When the Lord returns in splendour,

Humankind to him will render

Glory, adoration, praise,

Honouring him in endless ways.

FROM DOOM TO ROOM!

Such dark despair overwhelmed and confused the shattered hearts of men.

Creation betrayed and fell to its death, to the welcoming arms of doom.

Hope was unknown, destroyed or lost, and agonies now prevailed;

Deception enthroned by the wisdom of self, with multiple faces of gloom.

God saw the need and promised to us a sacrifice which would restore;

Compassion was there, and boundless love, with victory ready to bloom.

His love divine reached down to impart a seed as hope for the world;

Conception and birth, the graces of God, the author of life in the womb.

The Lord achieved his purpose on earth by giving the gift of his life.

Crucified, buried, he paid for our sin; our God was enclosed in a tomb.

But power divine exalted again and restored the King to his throne.

The people of God are now "The Bride," called by their Saviour the groom.

Life is restored, provided and given; his Spirit now longs to abide.

So the issue of life is whether or not he finds in your heart some room.

GAMES

Fragile dreams and games we play

Seem secure in the light of day,

But now the night has taken hold,

And only fools would be so bold.

The dawn with hope will soon arise

With that bright twinkle in her eyes,

Soon to bid, 'Come play and sing,'

Her daily invitation bring.

But what to choose? This moment's so

Tempting and fragile, I don't know.

My heart sustains a deeper need

Than this short-lived and passing seed.

Faith and vigour must combine

To shun her charms, for love divine.

For man can't know his deepest dreams,

Nor yet suppress life's urgent screams,

Without the one who made him so

Needful of his love to know.

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

THAT HE SENT HIS SON

TO DIE FOR US

JUST THE WAY WE WERE.

NOW GOD SO LOVES THE WORLD

THAT HE SENDS HIS SPIRIT

TO LIVE IN US

AND CHANGE THE WAY WE ARE.

HEART BEAT

O give your Spirit to me,

Fill me, Lord, I pray,

Anoint me and empower me

For worship, Lord, this day.

Fulfil my deepest longing,

Meet my heartfelt cry

For a heart that beats compassion,

And a love that will not die.

Let your heart envelop me,

Beating loud and strong,

Until we're one in unity,

Singing the Spirit's song.

Put your presence in my heart,

And let me know your will,

Until it's my desire Lord;

Your purpose to fulfil.

I choose the life you've given

By undeserving grace,

The covenant relationship

Which lets me see your face.

I worship you in service,

To urge my fellow man

To enter in your presence,

Since by your blood he can.

HIS NATURE

The nature of the Lord is love,

The nature of his love is giving,

The nature of his giving is for man's good,

The nature of that goodness reveals his glory.

HIS WORD

The word of God is sharper

Than any two-edged sword,

But what is truly awesome -

It is wielded by the Lord!

The word of God illumines,

Shining in dark places,

Bringing joy and happiness,

Blessed daily graces.

The word of God is holy,

As sacred as can be,

It washes and it cleanses

My daily sin from me.

The word of God is binding,

Declared for you and me;

Just what he says will happen,

He speaks and it will be.

The word of God sustains us,

To make our spirits strong,

Giving life and nourishment,

That's needed all day long.

The word of God is stable,

Reliable, secure.

His every word depend on

Because his love is pure.

I DECLARE

I am a child of the King. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He will never leave me or forsake me because he loves me. He proved that at Calvary. He goes on proving it because his mercies are new every morning. His mercies are given to me as I realise my need of them.

God accepts me. He knows my every weakness, he knows my every failing, yet still he loves and accepts me. He has committed himself to making me into the image of Christ, a miracle he alone can do.

I am unique in God, one of a kind. Only I live in the particulars of this place, at this time, with the power of God to change them for all eternity.

I need never strive for righteousness or holiness because these I have by the blood of Christ. Yet still I will passionately pursue their expression in my life. By that same blood I have access to the throne of grace, the presence of the Father, forgiveness of all my sins and complete healing.

By faith I continually receive from God the Spirit, that I may radiate the glory of God. I continually display his manifest presence and power by bearing fruit in abundance. As I meditate on him and on his word, lives are changed as they see him within me. I am fruitful and successful in everything I do, because he is faithful to his word.

I can do nothing without him but I can do all things through him, as he strengthens me. His strength always comes as I wait on him.

The love, peace and joy of God fill me to overflowing as I am daily refreshed in his Spirit. In the Holy Spirit I live and move and have my being. To him I surrender my life, my will and my wisdom.

I will not dwell in the past for I cannot change it. I will not dwell in the future for I cannot reach it. But today I will receive the grace and anointing of God and be the instrument of God to others that has value for all eternity.

I forgive all those who have sinned against me and those that I love. I accept myself and I forgive myself. I am uniquely precious to God.

I GAVE

Blackness covered your being,

Sin the deadly cloak,

Your heart was so corrupted

Your life could only choke.

I saw your situation

Before your life began,

My life, your only hope,

Was given for sinful man.

Pride and lust prevailed

To blind your eyes to sin,

Your words and deeds betrayed

The fallen man within.

You hoped in vain conceit

To rise again some day,

To life and happiness

But could not find the way.

I gave my life for you;

The ransom price was paid.

By death upon a cross

The sacrifice was made.

So now you're free to have

The life you so desire.

Abundant life is yours,

And given by the buyer!

Have I yet convinced you?

My passion and my love,

Stirred my heart to action

To leave my home above.

And still this grace and mercy

Are there for you today,

My life is there to guide you

My light to show the way.

So listen to me calling,

Then I can write your name

Within my book of life

And take away your shame.

You only need believe

The rest of it's been done,

My life for you so pure

Is found within my Son.

I HEARD

Dear Lord, I heard today

My friend's been told she's dying.

But what am I to say

When all in me is crying?

Dear Lord, I need your words.

I know not what to say;

Speak hope that truly girds

And strengthens her each day.

Dear Lord, I need your hands

Releasing all your blessing,

Fulfilling all your plans

To meet the need so pressing.

Dear Lord, I need your eyes

To see her great potential,

Dispelling all the lies

Of all that's circumstantial.

Dear Lord, I need your ears

In the weeping midnight hours,

To capture all her fears,

And, sharing, make them ours.

Dear Lord, I need your heart

For giving without end,

So when it's time to part

I shall have been her friend.

I FEEL

There is the question sometimes asked

By those so bold to speak:

What should we do with feelings,

The ones we did not seek?

We can't deny, for that's not true,

They're present there within.

But nor can we rely on them

For they sometimes lead to sin.

We're told that faith's the way to go,

That sure and solid road.

We tread it each and everyday;

At times it seems a load.

Don't get me wrong! You understand

I know faith pleases God.

But what I say with feeling is

"Oh please don't use the rod!"

You see, I sometimes feel depressed

When life has dealt a blow.

I need God's tender mercy

To lift me as I go.

There are the times I feel annoyed

When Satan moves his hand,

That drives me to my knees in prayer,

Those arrows to withstand.

There are the times I feel betrayed

By all the human race.

Times when Christ who died for me

Alone can touch this place.

There are the times I feel afraid

Of all that lies ahead,

But the comfort that I have

Is that he's gone ahead.

Of course they're not all bad,

These feelings that embrace,

There are the ones of purest love

That make me seek his face.

There are ones of warmest joy,

The precious Spirit's gift,

Christ came to make this joy complete,

My weary soul to lift.

But I am most assured when

God does his own revealing;

Creation demonstrates to me

The work he does with feeling.

And so we come again to ask

And passionately seek,

What should we do with feelings, Lord?

Especially when we're weak?

The answer rests in what he's done;

So give them to the Lord,

Do not be shy to speak of them

For these you must not hoard.

Enjoy those feelings with delight,

God-given for your pleasure,

Because your Lord would have you know

He loves you without measure.

I YIELD

Holy Spirit, I yield my life

To you and you alone.

Break me and remake me,

Make my heart your home.

Holy Spirit, I yield my life,

A vessel made of clay.

For you a simple home,

For me a brand new way!

Holy Spirit, I yield my life

For filling with your power.

For even I can see, Lord,

It's needed in this hour.

Holy Spirit, I yield my life

In brokenness and pain.

Knowing as you live in me,

There is no greater gain.

Holy Spirit, I yield my life

To gain your victory.

For that's the reason Christ my Lord

Expired upon the tree.

Holy Spirit, I yield my life;

Reveal Christ's risen glory.

Confirm his word with power, Lord,

That I might tell his story.

IN THE VALLEY

When walking with my Lord today,

Along a valley deep,

No word in there could I express;

I could but softly weep.

His presence there was my support,

Knowing he was near.

He said, "I am the great I AM

And so you need not fear.

"For I have overcome all things,

Within this pit of hell,

My child, you know I see your tears

And I will make you well."

IT'S BEST

A man is made from dust

And to it he'll return,

But while he still has breath

He'll choose to live or burn!

Body, soul and spirit

Go their separate ways,

One for decomposing

And two for endless days.

The soul and spirit live

(God's word reveals the vision)

In heaven's bliss or hell,

All based on our decision.

Since God will be the judge,

I reckon it is best,

To make our peace with him

Before we're laid to rest!

LAZARUS

"Lazarus, don't die Lazarus."

His heart beats. His eyes blink.

But somewhere, somehow, he's going away.

Fear and terror embrace my heart.

"Hold on", I cry out between my tears. "Hold on.

The Teacher is coming.

The Teacher is coming."

Oh where, where is the Teacher?

Where is he in my hour of need?

Surely he will come. Soon I pray.

So still. So lifeless. So sick.

Not now, not yet Lazarus.

His eyes, still.

His heart, still.

His life, gone.

Why?

Why?

Why?

My heart breaks, like the rupture of an earthquake.

Torn and broken.

Sore and hurting.

As he left, a part of me did likewise.

Where?

Where is the Teacher?

Crowds. People. Lots of people.

But none as empty as I.

None can give me life or hope.

For none can give me Lazarus.

"Go away," I say. "Just go away.

Leave me alone.

I want to die and be with him."

The minutes take hours.

The hours take days.

The days take weeks.

Still the people.

Still the crowds.

But where is the Teacher?

A stirring. A rumble.

"He is calling you".

"He is calling you."

The Teacher is calling. I must go.

Quickly, quickly don't delay.

My heart pounds.

My pulse races.

My hope rises.

Maybe, just maybe, he can do for me what he did not do for Lazarus.

Maybe he will touch my heart and give it life again.

Be real, don't be stupid.

Quickly now, and run.

People, people, masses of people.

Sudden stillness.

The presence of God.

Eyes, his eyes reducing the distance.

Slowly, carefully, totally captivated.

The people at last part in respect as I walk to my teacher and Lord.

No walls. No barriers.

Just my Lord and I.

My tears flow again.

Again my heart cries 'Why?'

I fall at his feet.

"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

The people are weeping!

Perhaps they did understand.

Perhaps they did care.

Oh, my God, my Lord is weeping too.

He understands for sure.

Together we walk to the tomb.

His silence more comforting than the oracles of man.

"Remove the stone," he says.

Disbelief and amazement grip me.

Remove the stone! After four days!

They struggle and toil as the stone is moved.

Obedience to the word of the Lord.

What was that he said to Martha?

"If you believe, you will see the glory of God?"

My heart starts to race.

What is he doing?

His peace floods my being.

Who cares, he is God!

Our eyes are upon him.

His eyes to heaven,

He thanks his Father for listening!

"Lazarus, come forth!" he shouts.

My heart stops. I breathe no more.

The glory of God is revealed for all.

LIFT YOUR HEART

When the sun gets low

On the day so long;

Lift your heart to heaven.

When things go wrong

And your day turns black;

Lift your heart to heaven.

When the day begins

In trial and test;

Lift your heart to heaven.

When you want to smile

But can only sigh;

Lift your heart to heaven.

When you need a friend

But you're all alone;

Lift your heart to heaven.

When you've lost your peace

And you're losing hope;

Lift your heart to heaven.

For he'll give his grace

In your hour of need;

And make for you a heaven.

OPEN LORD

Open, Lord, our eyes

That we may always see,

Your beauty and your splendour

Eternal majesty.

Open, Lord, our eyes

That we may always see,

The hungry hearts you died for

To give them liberty.

Open, Lord, our mouths

That we may always speak,

Your name forever blessed

Eternal Lord so meek.

Open, Lord, our mouths

That we may always speak

Your name to open ears,

To those who really seek.

Open, Lord, our ears,

That we may always hear,

The guidance of your Spirit,

His words that are so dear.

Open, Lord, our ears

That we may always hear

Words that men would say to us

That mean they want you near.

Open, Lord, our hearts

That we may always be

A temple for your presence

For all the world to see.

Open, Lord, our hearts

That we may always be

The channels of your goodness,

Your love through history.

Open, Lord, our hands

That we may always show

Our worship is surrender.

Your victory then we'll know.

Open, Lord, our hands

That we may always show,

Your tender loving mercy

To man on earth below.

PLEASE DON'T

Please don't sit and judge

The things I do and say,

Because it is my choice

To live my life this way.

When I stand before God

His judgement he'll declare.

With words of tender love

And mercy he'll be there.

Although I failed him so,

And though my faults were rife,

My Lord accepted me,

And gave to me his life!

Yes, Jesus knows the truth,

The motives of my heart;

The selfish and the good

The Lord can tell apart.

And so the Spirit chooses

To let me have my way,

For only when I falter

Do I learn to choose his way.

And so I say again,

And the watching ones implore,

Let Jesus be my judge,

And criticise no more.

PRECIOUS

I asked the Lord,

"What is your most precious treasure?"

He revealed to me the glory of all creation.

 "This is glorious, but not precious," said the Lord.

 Then he revealed to me the splendour of the heavens.

 Again he said, "This is splendid, but not precious."

 Then he showed me all the saints seated around the marriage table of the lamb.

 "Only my family is precious," said the Lord.

PUREST INCENSE

A poem of your love

Is what I want to be,

Like the purest incense

Offered up from me.

So touch my heart, O God,

With your holy fire,

Till there's naught but worship

Meeting your desire.

A life of sacrifice

Is how I choose to live,

For my life is meant to show

The life you came to give.

My heart responds to you

As I receive your grace,

As I rise to worship,

And as I seek your face.

I want to serve you, Lord,

And know your wondrous ways,

Within a life of prayer

Adorned by love and praise.

REDEEMING SACRIFICE

Redeeming sacrifice,

The love you chose to show,

Divinity bowed low,

In you true life we know.

Redeeming sacrifice,

Your broken humble frame,

Has freed us from our shame,

And given us your name.

Redeeming sacrifice,

Your life of grief and pain,

Given so man would gain,

In you the way to reign.

Redeeming sacrifice,

The way in which you died,

With open wounded side,

In you we can abide.

Redeeming sacrifice,

The one eternal light,

By which all men now might

Have once again true sight.

Redeeming sacrifice,

The first and final act,

Proven historic fact,

God wants to make a pact.

SECOND BIRTH

From birth to death we seek to find the meaning of our days;

We search for truth all over, but it's hidden from our gaze,

The earth we tread but know not why. We wonder, what is true?

We fill our time from dawn to dusk with urgent things to do.

But still the mystery pervades the seeking, searching mind:

The reason for our being and why it's hard to find.

The key important question that unlocks the mystery

Is why God ceased to live with us that time in history?

The gap his absence leaves within explains the longing heart

That lacks the way, the truth and life, and knows that it's apart.

God called it sin that lives within and told us we would die.

His presence cannot live in us-our waywardness is why.

But God, in love, has bought us back: he sent his Son to earth,

With one redeeming purpose: to give us second birth.

He paid the price of sin and shame by hanging on a tree,

Which means that every one of us can now be truly free.

And so God breathes again his life into the hearts that long

To know him as their Father, and to sing the victory song.

SIMPLE VESSEL

I'm just a simple vessel,

A humble water pot;

I feel so dry and empty,

I haven't got a lot.

O that my Lord would fill me

Right up to the brim,

With pure and holy water

Reaching deep within.

The truth, I have discovered, is

My Father has a plan

To take me and to use me

To reach my fellow man.

I feel so sad and useless

As I look upon man's plight,

So sick, so sad, so thirsty,

With sins as black as night.

By faith God's water fills me

To quench my thirst at last,

My walls are nearly bursting

It came with such a blast!

I feel so good and healthy,

Now that I understand

The master's going to use me

To serve at his command.

My lonely friend, however,

Still seems to be the same,

He's still so sad and thirsty--

It really is a shame!

I'm not so hot or dry now,

My mind is fresher too,

I see this man's predicament

And think, 'What can I do?'

Just like the blast of water

Which came as welcome rain,

This man needs living water;

To ease his fear and pain.

I'll say, "Lord, master, pour me

Into the heart of man!"

And willingly he does so,

According to his plan.

But what's this strange thing happening

Within this heart of mine?

The water's started changing

Into fresh new wine!

THE ETERNAL DAWN

The eternal dawn is shining

All glory to the Spirit be.

Countless days of God's great splendour;

All proclaim his majesty.

Even now amidst this darkness

Just one word from God brings light,

His presence by his Spirit showing

That he lacks not power nor might.

In our hearts we can receive him;

The power of God in human shell,

To know his presence deep within us.

Lord, come now in us to dwell.

THE FATHER

The Father's love was shown to me,

In giving me his Son.

No greater love can there be found,

Nor greater deed be done.

Its endless depth and endless height

Extend within my heart,

And so I know he speaks the truth:

"My son, we'll never part."

The Father's heart consumes me now

With one immense desire,

To show the image of his Son,

By flames of holy fire.

Within his heart my name I've found;

He guards it with great care;

In faithfulness he shields me so,

His mercy's always there.

The Father's word gives life to me

By his creative power.

And nothing is too hard for him,

Not even death's dark hour.

His promises are all I need,

In moments when I fall.

If clouds appear and life seems black,

His words will change it all.

His love within obliges me;

I know that it is right

To show my son his gracious ways,

And lead him to the light.

The greatest gift that I can give

The child he's given me

Is that same love which fills my heart

And sets my spirit free.

God's healed my heart so I can give,

Much love and tender care.

This awesome task is my delight,

For blessings we will share.

I'll show it in both word and deed,

So that our love will grow,

Rich joys will be our treasure

As my God he comes to know.

THE SAVIOUR

THE TRUE TEST

Where are my friends, when I say I'm in pain?

Where are my friends, when I'm hurt?

Where are my friends, who have nothing to gain?

Except for a share, of my pain?

What is there left, when they've finished their talk?

What is there left of their love?

What is there left that's more than just talk?

Can I see love, in their walk?

They say that they love, they say that they care

They say just on them to depend.

They say that they'll give, for my present welfare,

But trust in their words, do I dare?

Time is the test through all of life's trials

Time is the test that will show.

Time is the test with all of its miles,

That shows at the end any smiles!

Some will have failed to give me their best,

Some will have failed to love.

Some will have failed all points of the test,

So how will my heart find its rest?

Some will have proven their friendship is real,

Some will have proven by deeds.

Some will have proven they know how I feel,

Because they'll have shared my ordeal.

But the true test is now; my heart is unveiled,

Will I favour my love to my friends?

Or turn my heart now to the ones who have failed,

And love like the one who was nailed?

THE WRESTLE

I purpose in my heart to show your love so pure,

But I confess I am confused and hopelessly unsure.

To wrestle or to nestle! Bewilderment my story.

The only hope for me, Lord, to experience your glory!

Here I look, there I look, your presence to embrace,

But where you are I cannot find; I need to know that place!

I'm tired and I'm weary, and I've lost the will to fight;

You call me just like Jacob, to wrestle through the night.

But Lord I long to nestle within your loving arms,

To hear your steady heartbeat, your love that always calms.

"Seek and you shall find, and wrestle till you're blessed..."

But how will that assist me, Lord, if then I'm laid to rest?

But that's the whole idea! You want my old life dead;

A life that's crucified, Lord, and by your Spirit led.

It's not that you don't love me, or that you do not care,

But Lord, what you are asking seems more than I can bear.

I know I'm at the centre, caring only for myself,

I want to build security but can't, with failing health.

Dear Lord, you see confusion in every word I write;

I know the truthful answer but it lies beyond my sight.

I know what's true, O Father, from all the words you speak:

Your life of purity is given to those who seek.

Again that revelation: I know that I must die.

To gain Christ's life within me is the reason why.

THROUGH LIFE

As the Spirit moves each day

He reveals the Father's way.

His riches, glory, power and splendour

Fill our hearts as we surrender.

What other way could we desire,

As he lifts us ever higher?

In his love and power we'll be

Blessed for all eternity.

Share his love -- don't keep it in,

If you would know true joy within.

No greater pleasure can we know,

As through our lives with him we go.

TO ABIDE

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live by his word in your heart;

For then you will know the meaning of life,

And his Spirit will never depart.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live by his truth all day long;

For then you will know a freedom within

And find in your heart a new song.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To find that his kingdom is real;

For then you will know through sorrow and pain

His desire is to comfort and heal.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live without cover or mask;

For then you will know this wonderful truth:

To live in his presence, just ask!

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live by his Spirit within;

For then you will have a light that will shine

To overcome darkness and sin.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live out your life by his love;

For then you will find that as you give out,

There's more in your heart from above.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To bear lots of fruit in his name;

For then you will see his glory displayed

And find that in him there's no shame.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live by the fear of the Lord;

For then you will worship his mighty Name

And learn to use praise like a sword.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

To live by his will, not your own;

For then you will find a purpose to live,

As true life in him you are shown.

To abide is to choose the presence of God,

And daily to seek his face;

For then you will find, as he lives in your heart,

That your life is secure in his grace.

THE NATURE OF LOVE

Love is being tender,

In all our ways to care

For those with whom we're seeking

The love of God to share.

Love is being tough,

When times of hurt and pain

Are caused by wayward actions

And working for their gain.

Love is sacrifice,

When choosing "you" or "me."

It says, "Your life, not mine"

And serves unselfishly.

Love is radical!

When trouble meets a friend,

It goes the extra mile,

And stays until the end.

Love is very patient,

When pain and grief embrace.

It waits without complaining;

Then ministers God's grace.

Love is very kind,

To those it finds with needs.

Giving without ceasing,

The hungry hearts it feeds.

Love cannot remember,

The pain-filled days of old.

Times of past injustices

Simply go untold.

Love is very trusting,

Being open to another,

And wanting, in its service,

To bless a needy brother.

Love is being real,

When trouble comes our way.

With heart and mind wide open,

It shows a better way.

Love is bold and strong,

With foes or things unsure.

It knows who dwells within,

And keeps our hearts secure.

Love is the victory

That all of us must choose;

The unity it brings

No one can ever lose.

IF

If you will lose your life while those around you

Are building theirs and boldly mocking you,

If you will trust your God when jeers surround you,

And show the kind of love they never knew;

If you will give to God your total being,

Willing to see it buried, dead and gone,

Then you will soon be looking back and seeing,

His gentle hand encouraging you on..

If you will value Jesus and his glory

High above your world of hopes and dreams,

If you will give your life to tell his story,

And so find out what living really means,

If you will learn to show God's love, through living,

Seeing beyond a person's race or creed,

But simply doing all it takes, by giving,

To meet him at his deepest point of need;

If you will summon faith to move the mountain,

That stands before you oversized and bold.

And fail at that of which you felt so certain,

Then turn to God before your love goes cold;

If you will yield your will, in true surrender,

Thinking not of worth, nor gain to self,

But just of those the Spirit's going to render,

And so release to them his love and wealth;

If you look back and find your work in tatters,

And see the failing of your dreams and plans

And then discover that what really matters

Is that you leave God's glory in his hands;

If you have gone beyond the place of suffering,

And now approach that time of final breath,

To find for sin there never was a covering

Except the Son of God's own blood and death;

And if you turn to God, to seek salvation,

Repenting from your life of sin and shame,

Asking for a total restoration,

And so receive the grace that's in his name;

If you will walk in God's empowering Spirit,

Ensuring that his course is what you run.

You'll know God's kingdom, and his joys inherit;

And--what is more--you'll hear him say, "Well done!"

WILL YOU MEET ME THERE?

Within the dark and lonely caves,

Where no one knows and no one goes,

Within my lifeless empty heart,

Lord, will you meet me there?

Within the long forgotten hopes,

Where no one knows and no one goes,

Within my void of absent life,

Lord, will you meet me there?

Within the memory banks of pain,

Where no one knows and no one goes,

Within my safe called, 'That still hurts,'

Lord, will you meet me there?

Within my world of make believe,

Where no one knows and no one goes,

Within my life devoid of truth,

Lord, will you meet me there?

As you go to all these places,

Take my hand and guide me in.

For I've forgotten where these places

Lie locked away within.

WILLING

LIKE THE CATERPILLAR,

LET US BE WILLING TO SURRENDER OUR LIVES

FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD.

THEN, LIKE THE PUPA,

LET US BE WILLING FOR GOD TO DO A

MIRACULOUS WORK OF TRANSFORMATION

IN OUR HEARTS.

THEN, LIKE THE BUTTERFLY,

LET US BE WILLING TO SPREAD OUR WINGS

ON THE WIND OF HIS SPIRIT;

TO SHOW THE WORLD HIS GLORY.

I trust this collection of poems and prose has blessed and inspired you to a closer walk with God. I hope it has challenged you to face your issues and take up your cross for the sake of Jesus Christ.

 THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU

I would like to close this section with my thanks and appreciation to those who have helped me in this project. Firstly, my supportive wife Hazel for all her constructive and encouraging input. Then to Julie Belding and Sharron Mckinlay for their editorial and constructive help. Also my appreciation goes to Ken Jeanes for his 'heresy check' and theological perspective. A special thanks to my many prayer and financial supporters. Finally, many thanks to all those who have encouraged me at Celebration Christian Fellowship. Thank you and God bless you all.