Above All Love

(Written a number of years ago, but still with some relevance). When I look at this world I feel a deep pain. A burden in my soul. This overwhelming sadness threatens to engulf me, to crush me with waves of despair. Who can I trust but you? Our Western civilization has fallen foul to false idols. Community is replaced by screen's of various sizes. Friendship is reduced to a virtual status. Yet in You I find community. In you I find friendship. The wife you provided, the baby on the way. The love of this world is enmity with you. The world's love blows hot and cold. A politics of hate, a muffled church, neighbourhoods of fear and pain - Broken, All Broken! But, Your light still shines. Pockets of hope, sparkles in the night. The Sunrise is coming!

Offer pigeon not lamb. Not the wealthiest in the land. Not the most religious plan: 'Hush now Mary, no one need know' A righteous deed, A righteous love. 'But, I am innocent my love.' 'I know, I know. A silent divorce to save your soul. To save you from the masses and the legalists. From violent men and cruel hearts.' Then he hears the Lord's voice. 'I have no other choice. To obey I'm urged, To obey I must.' Protects all the more. To the little town. No donkey travel, a paupers birth in a stable. Not so silent night, birth pangs, Animal noises, Starlight to daylight. Light, light, the light has come! Offer pigeon not lamb? Not the wealthiest in the land. Not the most religious plan: Not temple dwellers. Shepherds come to see the new Shepherd born. Could they even read? They worked the Sabbath! Worked with animals! Unclean, Unclean! Not so silent night, birth pangs, Animal noises, Starlight to daylight. Light, li...

I seek you. I long for you. I seek with all my heart. In this world of sin, We need a saviour. 'Seek and ye shall find.' So, I seek, I hunt, I yearn. I sought you, you whom my soul loves. I found you... You found me. In sackcloth and ashes I am found. You call me son, though I say servant. So I arise. You embrace me, 'Abba!' Thankyou for loving me as I am, not just as I should be. Thankyou for finding me, for keeping me.

Love will win in the end, dear friends. Love will win. There are whispers of a word. Amidst the chaos and confusion of a dark and angry world, it echoes through the mist. My heart heard this misunderstood little word. It heard and was blessed. The word love caused my heart to skip a beat and my soul to become merry. Could it be that even in mans darkest hours, love still lives? Indeed it lives and breaths all things pure. But what is the meaning of such a word? Could it be the joy of babes playing a merry little din? Is it the splendour of a spring morning? Or the beauty of a maidens face basked in sunlight? Or perhaps its just a word we use in season to gain something in return? Maybe its just a word the poets like to write? Nay, it is more. Surely true love is self-sacrifice. Its the laying down of ones life for a friend. Even an enemy. Its the will to bless those who curse us To love our haters To forgive our debtors as Jesus forgives his. Love is not some sup...

We are the legions of hope. We are his hands and feet. We are the chosen. Gifted by Grace, Gifted to serve. Called out of darkness, Called to the light. Voices in the wilderness, His voice for the oppressed. By His grace alone We are the legions of hope. This piece won a prize at All Poetry.

What happens when I die? The voice of angels that do not cry. Ladder to heaven. Death has won? Nay, Life has won. Death: where is her sting, where is her victory? No shame in dying, no shame in living. Crushed to earth, but rising again. In Christ alone my hope is found. What happens when you die? The voice of angels that do not cry?

Would we rather love winning? Or the pig of a loveless comfort zone? Would we rather a man be provided for? Or the pig of no compassion? Would we rather a man be clothed? Or the pig of humiliation? Would we rather a man be housed? Or the pig of homelessness? Would we rather a man be healed? Or the pig of demonic legions? Would we rather God's kingdom advancing? Or the pig of the world, the flesh and the devil? We want love, provision, clothing, a home, His kingdom! Let's treat others as we would like to be treated. Whatsoever we do to the least of these brothers we do unto Jesus. Therefore, let's choose compassion, not the pigs. (Influenced by the story of The Rich Man and Lazurus).

Written a number of years ago as I reflected on both the state of the world and personal life: Life is a mix of emotions in the many matters of the heart: FROM THE HEART Sorrow at the loss of a friend, Joy at the marriage feast of the Lamb. FROM THE HEART Fear and anger at gunmen on beach, Heart beating for a better world. FROM THE HEART Recognition of my own imperfections, Hope and celebration at our anniversary. FROM THE HEART O HEART, BREAK FOR HATE AND IMPERFECTION O HEART, BEAT FOR LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND JUSTICE.

Tall, dark, towering, decorated with curves and angles. Sign of the people, the passion, and the place. The circle of life and resurrection. Hands once held there, feet once nailed. The inscription King of the Jews The reality King of all kings. The King of the Celts died here. Slain to reconcile man to God. Art and heritage combine. The story unfolds as it is retold. God of our fathers bless us. Bless us in the shadow of thy cross.

Here I go again, Lord. Ever the Prodigal, losing sight of you. Listening to the demons and eating with the pigs. You offer an inheritance, the love of Abba, a future. Yet I stumble, I fall. "Pleasure" is as the vapor and endures for a short while, but then fades away. Forgive me Father and strengthen me your servant, your son. Help me draw close to you with a great embrace, to resist the devil so he will flee from me - and from thee protecting me. Save me Lord. Amen.

Perfection itself, How we have lost paradise. Eden falls. Life is lost. Nature, spirit and eternity crushed to earth. We need a cure O God. We need love. We need You. Keeper of life. Restorer of faith. Defender of eternity. JESUS Calvary slays death. You are freedom. You are life. Without money, without price help us choose LIFE. Eden rises. Amen.

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14 KJV) For such a time as this,  The divine kiss.  God gives us position, For the great commission. His cause,  The greatest there ever was. Unique character of our time,  Behold the shift in paradigm. Clothe yourself in His apparel, Neglect his voice at your peril. No to cowardly sins, Either way God wins! For such a time as this, The divine kiss. This piece won a prize at AllPoetry . 

"Objection [To quieting the spirit in the soul's conflicts].  But I have often relapsed and fallen into the same sin again and again. Answer.  If Christ will have us pardon our brother seventy-seven times, can we think that he will enjoin us more than he will be ready to do himself, when in cases of showing mercy he would have us think his thoughts to be far above ours?" (From: The Soul's Conflict With Itself - Richard Sibbes) There is a worship song that has a line ' 1000 times I fail yet your mercy remains .' Of course like Paul we must ask: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1,2) However, note that being a Christian does not suddenly mean we are completely perfect and won't make any mistakes along the way. Paul also admits: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do...

The lone figure emerges from the mist, his long white beard blows in the wind. A peculiar sight for guard and prisoners alike. Soon more emerge as the old man advances. 7, 14, 21...soon a hundred unarmed saints. 'What do they want?' 'Who are they?' 'Are these the followers of Jesus?' 'Surely not, or they like others would sing louder as screams echo from death train.' 'No, no my brother it is them.' 'Why have they come?' The lone figure pushes gunmen aside. 'Can't go in there!' Guards cry. Heeding them not he stands in the midst of the prisoners. Eyes of surprised prisoners, Eyes of dumb struck guards, Eyes of bold congregation standing at the gate.'What will he do?' 'What can he do?' 'Tomorrow to death camp we go.' But then... Lifting up holy book he roars prophetically the words of Ruth 1:16, 17. A thunder of applause within and outwith the gates. Gates that will not prevail. Guards disband for the W...

The beauty of salvation is that the Lord saves us by his own merciful grace. But, being saved does not excuse us from good works. On the contrary as his handiwork we are created for good works. To produce good fruit. To be blessed and be a blessing. God has even set the path before us with opportunities to serve him and others. To be lights of love, in a world where dark and hate can be so prominent. We are not saved by works, but we sure are saved by grace to do them.

"The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) The sacrifice of lambs and goats couldn't do it. Mere religion and ritual simply wouldn't suffice. In steps Jesus. The God Man and gives of his own self, blood, sacrifice. The ancient priests use to lay hands on a lamb in perperatioin for slaughter and sacrifice. This symbolised the sins of the people being laid on the lamb. In a similar way Jesus takes the sins of the world on himself and becomes the final and only true sacrifice. His blood is poured out on the cross. The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. All this so that we may be forgiven our sins and iniquities as he manifests his love and grace to us.

Worthy Father, You are graciously loving us. Your love we must discuss. A Hallelujah kind of love! This is such a glorious thought. You wash without blemish or spot. A Hallelujah kind of love! Show us love, love that commits. Teach us love, to live in the light of it. A Hallelujah kind of love! To love others and to love you. Your peace to pursue. A Hallelujah kind of love! Amen This piece won a prize at All Poetry .