The Promise

The breeze toyed playfully with His hair Tugging wistfully at His robe At the tread of His sandals The earth sighed with inexpressible hope Sunlight wrapped joyfully around His frame And danced with delight on His face Waves stumbled softly one over another In gleeful contest to caress His feet Wind and storm bowed willingly … Continue reading The Promise

Talitha Cumi (Little Girl Arise)

  Then He took the child by the hand and said to her “Talitha, cumi”…     I was between twelve and thirteen years of age when I decided to trust Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord.  That’s around fifty years ago now.  Yes, I know, prehistory.  Before smartphones, ipads, Google, microwave ovens and means … Continue reading Talitha Cumi (Little Girl Arise)

Creation

Creation is groaning Laden with weariness Like a prisoner confined to shadows Aching with indefinable loss Haunted by elusive memories Of a distant day of brightness When nothing hungered And Adam’s touch Was free of fear   Creation is listening Straining to hear again The laughter of innocence Echoing like a melodic song Summoning every … Continue reading Creation

Watch This Space

  “Foolishness” mumbled the soldier Casting lots for the rabbi’s garment “An utter waste of a good man’s life”      “Serves him right” spat the Pharisee Nodding to himself self righteously Stroking his beard with smug delight     “It cannot be!” uttered the disciple Tears streaming from bloodshot eyes “It wasn’t meant to … Continue reading Watch This Space

Trinity

Breath of the Spirit Arms of the Father Kiss of the Son   Enfolded: Welcomed without condition Into this ageless community Of perfect love Wrapped tenderly, encompassed Within its three-fold Embrace   Enfolded: Wholly accepted In the Beloved Lifted weightlessly Effortlessly Into an undivided atmosphere Of divine kinship   Caress of the Spirit Devotion of … Continue reading Trinity

Lethal Stones

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."   Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59,60 According to Open Doors, approximately 100 million Christians … Continue reading Lethal Stones

The Cloak

Beloved gave to me a locket Crafted from pure gold Within it holds such secrets To make a weak one bold He said “It’s name is Truth” He chose it just for me It opens into freedom He alone can turn its key   Beloved gave to me a diamond Set in a golden ring … Continue reading The Cloak

The Flame

Song of Solomon 8:6,7  There is a Flame That burns intense, Unquenched By many dark waters, Fuelled by divine passion, Ceaseless, vehement, unspent   There is a Flame That burns ardent, Kindled by Love Himself Before Light danced In Eden’s garden, Or humanity drew breath   There is a Flame That burns transcendent, Of which … Continue reading The Flame

Gadarene

Luke 8:26-39  Among the tombs I made my home And wild and naked did I roam As day turned night and back again No difference did I know   They chained me but I broke their chains They shackled me and ran away But he that lived inside of me Could never be contained   … Continue reading Gadarene

Breathe!

“It’s like breathing under water This living in the Spirit, Unnatural to human souls”, He said And with the hint of a smile, “Out of your control you see.... But I can show you how” I sensed the twinkle in His eye, As He gave the invitation, Disarming, warm, Both at once, Anticipating my reservations … Continue reading Breathe!

Courage

Courage has a face Like a girl, Moving swiftly across a crowded room To sit at the Master’s feet, Eyes downcast so as not to meet The glare of male eyes Disapproving, cutting at her soul, Or the voice of the older sister Jarring, angry, cold, Then raised in an agony of hope That He … Continue reading Courage

How Long?

Photo Copyright  P. Muggeridge Nowhere To lay His head Is what He said As usual we misunderstood Thinking only As we do Of warm soft bed Four walls, a home  But what do we know Of the weariness That besets A Soul so pure? The loneliness endured By One From outside time and space Lifting … Continue reading How Long?

Fellowship of Sufferings

(Tribute to the Persecuted Bride)   She bleeds you know, And weeps In darkened prison cells She sits out the allotted hours Of mens’ hatred She runs, Fearing the knock on the door The torching of the house The cries of the children     She hides, Homeless Through long lonely nights When doubt nibbles … Continue reading Fellowship of Sufferings