Simple

Sitting drinking coffee
The taste, smell and relaxation.
Feeling it refresh as it fills the mouth.

Observing the good in humanity.
Customer service done right.
Each person polite, patient and smiling.
Taking the time to communicate.

Exchanging stories with charity workers.
One person pausing to help another.
Strolling along through the park.
Watching as the sun moves, altering nature's colours.

Reading a good book in a hammock.
Taking down crisp, sun-dried washing.
Watching and laughing as dogs play.
Venturing out, exploring new places.

Such simple moments in life.
To cherish them, do one thing.
Look up from your screens!
Stop. Leave the house and observe.

Treasure all these things.

Happiness

Happiness is a learned thing.
Learn what, where, why and when.

Happiness is a choice.
Choose to be contented, not to dwell, but to look ahead.

Happiness is when we discover.
Be fascinated by the little sparks in the dark.

It is hard to be happy.
But I urge you, do not give up.

When you tire of searching call to the people who bring you joy.
Those who will stand by you in ups and downs.

Oh Lord, thank you for blessing us with other people.
The happiness I find in you is boundless.

An Entreaty

Mark 9:23-25 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Sometimes I wonder if I'm just going through the motions.

If the way I think and what I say and how I act is just a facade. 

Do I really believe that God sent his son to die and rise again, to save not only me, 

but everyone else too? 

I want to. But It's not easy. I question if I really do believe, or do I just want to believe?

I'm influenced by those around me to keep hold of what I refer to as my faith. 

Is it really my faith, or is it their faith projected onto me so I may perceive it to be mine? 

Are we just encouraging one another to believe in the world's biggest lie? 

Yet how can a lie go undetected? The gospel has spread like wildfire across the centuries. Surely it would have been totally disproved, and its followers disbanded by now if it were of man's invention.
But time and again academics who began as atheists, become not only Christians, but evangelists.
Fulfilling what Gamaliel the Pharisee said, when the gospel first began its spread:

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

Those whom I care about I who care about me...

People whom I trust and value their options...

Most of these people are Christians...

But some have turned away, slowly giving up their faith.

It was no longer precious, but instead turned into something that they resented and rejected.

Dear God, I don't know what kind of person I would be without you living with me.

Directing my heart, soul and mind every day.

I am guided by you for give up the God who is just yet whose love surpasses all understanding.

Please my Heavenly Father, remind me every day where I stand.

Let me remain supported by Christ, the solid rock, and not give in and tread down upon the sinking sand. When you call me home, may I then in Him be found. 

Dogs

They are a unique species. 

No animal comes in so many varieties. 

From the St Bernard to the scruffy Mutt, 

to the little Jack Russell, each has its own personality.

They each possess so many abilities. 

Police dog, companion, Blind dog, 

specifically trained therapy dogs for PTSD, 

Epilepsy, and even those who help people with CP (Cerebral Palsy),

 to maintain their balance.  

It's been said that even looking into a dog's eyes

 can generate oxytocin- happiness. 

Dogs can calm, exercise, reduce anxiety and depression, 

give you a reason to look after yourself, 

reassure you that they adore you, no matter how bad things get,

or how many times you may fail.

Dogs make our lives better. Thank you God for dogs.

Time

Everything takes time.
Time to heal.
Time to mend.
Time to feel.

Everything takes time.
Time to process.
Time to appreciate.
Time to comprehend.

Everything takes time.
Time to develop.
Time to reflect.
Time to grow.

Without time we shatter.
Without time we fail to comprehend.
Without time are stunted.

Embrace time with gratitude.
For everyone needs time.

The Eye of the Storm

I've been learning to fully appreciate moments.

In all the chaos, I pause, experiencing the calm in the midst of the storm.

Noticing the breeze and how it moves through everything.

The trees sway and their leaves rustle. 

The clouds float across the sky and shapes form, change and dissipate. 

The birds are guided by the pressure and direction of the wind. 

Time ticks on , yet still I sit, absorbing and valuing each moment.

My eyes continue to scan the landscape. 

The colours of the grass, fading from vivid green to dusty brown.

The varying colours of  tree trunks
-grey, red, blue, silver, merging with the brown. 

The shade, making colours darker and richer.

The sun, making colours brighter and lighter.

Making dappled sunlight fascinating.

Looking up at the sun as it sets,

It draws the eye along with the blues, purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows.

It eventually gives way to deep purple, blue of the sky, and silver of the moon and stars. 

To think that God created all things, just using words.

But I know my words cannot truly express what the eye can see and the heart can feel.

So I would urge everyone to pause and fully appreciate moments.

To find the calm in the midst of the storm. 

  

Waiting...

Some find waiting difficult.

Some jump at their first option rather than wait.

Some do this in small ways until they magnify. 

We become easily impatient in this fast-paced world. 

Everything must be done now.

Waiting on others, we are tapping our feet.

Waiting for a holiday, we are working hard.

Waiting on God, we are questioning how long?

When I think of waiting on God

I remember those who have done likewise.

Abraham and Sarah waiting for a child.

David waiting for God to deliver him from many perils.

The Israelites waiting to return to the promised land.  

Simeon waiting for the promised Messiah till old age.

The disciples waiting for the Holy Spirit.

And Christians now and over the years waiting for Jesus to return and restore.

God may take his time to fulfill his promises and answer our prayers.

But his timing is never late, it's just when he carefully planned it to happen.

If we try to rush and hurry things along it may not turn out as well.

So be patient and wait for God.

Unlike other people in life he can be relied upon.   

Easter

Jesus went to Jerusalem to die for us.

He didn’t have to save us.

He knew that his death would be agonisingly painful.

He died in our place.

We did nothing.

We are  weak and helpless.

He came in strength, mercy and love.

He came to save us from the curse of sin.

On the cross his body was broken and his blood was shed to make us whole.

Consider him.

A madman? A liar? A saviour?

Jesus is my  saviour.

Jesus the Messiah has saved us from condemnation.

We do not deserve his compassion.

We deserved death.

Jesus gave us life and hope.

God our  Father loved us.

He watched his children reject him, turn away and ignore him.

Again, and again, and again.

But… God still loves us.

God planned to bring us back to him.

God planned to send his son to repair what sin has broken.

God sent his one and only  son so that whoever believes in him will not die,

But have eternal life.

Jesus’ blood, his death and his return from death

Made us free from sin and clean before God

He made us right with God.

Able to be in his presence.

To love him.

To serve him.

To honour him.

To be his children.

Will you come to rejoice in him?

I rejoice in him with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I have taken up my cross and I follow him.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

This is the greatest story ever told.

This is the story of how God loved man.

This is the story of Easter.

The Door

“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your wrath.

Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;

heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is in deep anguish.

How long, Lord, how long?

 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;

save me because of your unfailing love.

 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.

Who praises you from the grave?

 I am worn out from my groaning.

All night long I flood my bed with weeping

and drench my couch with tears.

 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;

they fail because of all my foes.

 Away from me, all you who do evil,

for the Lord, has heard my weeping.

 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;

the Lord accepts my prayer.

 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;

they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.”

Psalm 6

David was a man in anguish. When he was in the pit of despair he reached out to God.

He trusted his Heavenly Father.

We can too.

Our foes are our temptations to follow our selfish desires.

To let the devil, take over and torment us.

So…

“Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full Armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:10-18

Our God is always there, standing by us in our torment.

Sometimes we don’t see that he cares.

We forget that he sent his son to die for us.

That he to, has endured great suffering.

Every time his children turn away, ignore him, and slam the door in his face.

Jesus is one who can open this door. God sent him.

To make a way for us to come back to him.

Into his arms, accepting his offer of grace.

Jesus said;

“I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the

kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15

When we come to God as his children we relinquish control of our lives.

“We know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Let him in. You will see.

He does care.

A Lightened Load 

'Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others'
Philippians 2:4

I have been guilty of the former, particularly of recent date.
I got so wrapped up in my wants, my needs, and my pain that I could not emerge from them.
Absorbed by my own interests, I could no longer look to those of others,
feeling and showing concern for them.

Now, once again, I awoke deeply concerned, and tried to untangle myself.
Yet I could not do this.
So I turned to my saviour and my God.
I pleaded with him to free me from my apathy.
He showed me grace and taught me to trust him, and to feel again.

A weight fell off me and I was reminded of the story of Eustace from 'The Chronicles of Narnia'.
Of when he needed  Aslan to remove the scales from him
to become human again, for he could not do this for himself.
As each layer came off I felt my muscles relax, and my breathing return to normal.

I thank you, my Father, for freeing me from my sin, and keeping me safe.
I will rejoice in you -
Always.

A Daughter of God

I was born into a dim place.

I didn't know where I fitted.

I looked to others to show me how to live.

When I was a teenageer I found a reason to live.

I stopped living my own way.

I started loving God and began to look to him for guidance.

I was reborn and accepted into a bright community. 

A family with the same father who teachers us how to love one another.

Today life makes sense. 

I am a child of God, and he teaches me to learn and grow and love as his daughter.

1 Peter 1:23

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 

Note: This is a poem written on behalf of Christians that have died and gone to be with God the Father.

Remember me 

When I go remember me.

For you are left and I can no longer be on your right. 

Remember me, for I am gone.

Grief is strong and hard to bear.

Yet all of us have dealings with it.

May our Heavenly Father aid you from here on in, for I cannot.

Continue life's journey with your load,

of photographs and places we can no longer go.

Remember me, for I am gone.

There are traces of me, in faces and hearts
of  people you know. They are living and whole.

As I pray you will grow to be once again.

Please keep your merry laugh, as the days move past.

Emerge from the fog of grief, with God in your heart.  

Remember me, for I am gone. 

Believe? What in? 

The world wants us to be happy.

We agree.

The world says succeed.

 We fail.

The world says find someone.

We do. They die. We grieve. 

The world says try money,

We do. We are not satisfied. 

We become greedy.

Believe in yourself it says, 

it is, after all the great mantra.

But we are not enough. 

For we will not be able to 

fulfill all our needs.

Don't panic.

Christ is enough.

He will fill you up until 

his love and sacrifice 

flow into every part of your life.

Now have faith and trust in him.

He will grant you satisfaction.

For with him faith is more enough. 

A decision made with love

Mark 14:36;

‘And he said “Abba, Father all things are possible unto thee;
take away this cup from me:
nevertheless not what I will but what thou wilt”’

At Christmas we celebrate a birth.

At Easter we celebrate a death and a new life for many.

Those lost, now found.

Those dead, now alive.

Those against, now for.

And why?

To fulfill and ancient prophecy?

To provide an interesting story to pass on?

To have something to pick at?

If he’d said no there would be 

No redemption,

No connection,

No family,

And

No Easter eggs.

If he had not obeyed his father.

But out of his great love for us he did.

He wasn't pressured.

He wasn't caught off guard.

He was intentional.

For him there was little loyalty.

For him there was little pity.

For him there was much pain.

For him there was separation.

For him there was loss of life.

But for us there was an abundance of Grace.

On that day a new life was created.

On that day there was the gift of redemption.

So accept it with thankfulness.

Don’t leave it by the wayside of life.

Instead grip it with vigor.

Let it fill you up until you are

Compelled to share it.

Remember it, and that with God 

Nothing is impossible. 

The edge

I dreamt that I was standing on the very edge of a chasm.

The name of that chasm was doubt.

Doubt in myself and doubt in the God I love.

Then I stumbled. Again and again I stumbled.

 I fell down, and further down

until I gave up on all hope of a rescue.

Then in that darkness I heard a voice.

“It is finished” It said.

With that I was lifted up on eagle’s wings.

I circled up and further up until light burst in upon me.  

I realised that although I had then given up on myself,

 my God had not and never will.

Because you see,

it is not our own fuel that propels us though life,

 for that is small and soon peters out.  

Instead, it is the love of our patient heavenly father

who lifts us each time we fail. 

And we do fail.

Each time we learn and grow

so that we might resemble him even more. 

It is indeed finished and our

relationship has been repaired

by the author of those words;

our saviour, Jesus Christ.

Broken 

I am broken. Smashed, 

seemly beyond repair.

I need to be remade. 

But no glue of this world 

can stick me together 

again. No amount

of parties, possessions, 

money, social status, or

anything else will sustain me.

So I have searched. 

After searching,

 I have found that 

none but the Lord can 

restore me. 

I am healed by nothing 

but his compassion and 

grace, poured out for us all

upon the cross. 

Now I may rest. 

I am at peace. 

Upon The Beach of Grief

Grief comes in five waves of

emotions caused by

treacherous winds of pain and

regret.

Grief causes unique reactions in

individuals triggering

transformations and

determinations within the

individuals dampened

by this tide of

bereavement.

 When bearing up to such an

experience these individuals

endeavour to uncover

for themselves the right sort of

towel in which to wrap the

pain and confusion that is caused by

this rather

debilitating disorder.

The trouble is; there is only one that

will truly dry one and

not disappoint.

Only one that will not become threadbare

and leave one with little or no protection

against the great gusts of despair as they

essay to entangle and an entrap one in it's

dull-full tries.

This is the ever reliable,

unmistakable and comforting,

fortifying towel of

God's grace.

Old Books: An Addiction

As I stand beside my bookshelf and gaze upon my collection of aged novels

I consider which of these of whose scent to delight in.

As I open one of Charles Dickens' talented works;

a small and mostly unheard of book named 'The Chimes',

I consider those that have read the novel before me.

I think of the lives they have lived as I inhale the fragrant scent of the novel,

I note the difference between this compilation of pages

and that of other classic works,

works by authors such as Agatha Christie and John Bunyan.

As I inhale their gentle lemon-rose perfume,

cocooned in my many bedclothes and blankets,

I begin to read 'The Fellowship of the Ring'.

Embroiling myself in its pages, I continue my journeyings with

those nine courageous companions making their ways down

those treacherous paths to dispose of the one ring.

I simply cannot contain my admiration of Tolkien's superior

dexterity with the English language, it is singularly enthralling.

My bookcase is like the tinder-box of the literary passion within me,

as soon as I take a novel out of it the fire begins, and is rekindled.

And once it has begun there is no stopping it.

As I finish my chapter I take my last sniff and then...

And then something catches my eye and the fire travels across my vision

to my Ukulele.

I start to play, and the music embraces me like an old friend.

Then as my fingers remember where they should be,

I exchange one addiction for another.

I lose myself in its cluches.

I am absorbed in my music as my fingers remember their skill,

I am driven to a new fuel for my passion.

I am engulfed by it, as I fly on the wings of music.

I use it to praise my Lord and saviour.