BEAUTY CLOTHING BARRENESS

A new form, a new comeliness,
the bindweed entwines itself about her.
Close clinging glory of new life covers the dry cow parsley
abandoned in the ditch.
Pure white flowers trumpet new beauty,
garments of glory to cover dry stalks.

So it is when we shall lie in the dust,
nothing but dry bones.
The Spirit of God will blow in the valley,
bones shall come together and put on flesh.
Life will flow into that flesh and
we shall see our God.

Our God who took on flesh,
covering His glory for a while
so that we could see His glory,
dwelling with us in the valley of desolation.
That flesh mutilated
so that we could see that glory.

Weep not at your barreness,
but look up at that glory, a foretaste of our own.
God loves to clothe His children and together we will stand,
a Bride adorned with glory in Emmanuel's land.

REFLECTIONS ON A SPA

Bathed not in bubbles
of bright effervescent water,
but in the cold, silent waters of death.
Taken by swirls from currents of evil,
dragging Him down,
seeking to disintegrate body and soul.
and torment with abandonment.

Placed under the curse of God
to know our fear and shame,
the Shepherd smitten, the sheep scattered.
Delivered up by an angry God and hostile foe.
Both wreaking vengeance, both accusing,
seeking condemnation of the One holy Man,
taking on evil not His own.

A willing Victim to seal God's covenant,
a covenant of everlasting, steadfast love,
seal with His blood,
making it operative,
the door keeper of hell overcome,
now reaching down to the depths of hell,
drawing His captive people out.

The Lamb slain before the foundation of the world,
taking away evil rebellion,
with its heart of jealousy, hate and murder.
Now to Him be ascribed
blessing and honour and majesty and power forever.
God in Christ,
reconciling the world unto Himself.

WEDDING FEAST

Touches here, hints there
about a wedding feast.
A drama of God's love to men
unfolding from eternity.

HOMELESS MAJESTY

To shepherds and kings, the glad news made known.
Breaking the silence of the ages,
Ages of exile and fear.
Servants to foreign lords, rulers of empires not their own.
No rescue nor respite near.

God broke the silence of the night;
His herald of good tidings shone forth.
The rejoicing of heaven made known to men,
God's kingdom coming on earth.

Where was the Shepherd King to be found?
In Bethlehem, birthplace of kings.
But not in a palace.
Homeless in a feeding trough,
The Saviour of all mankind.

MARKS OF ETERNITY

Musings remind us we are
no mere human stuff,
but have a mind
in which new worlds are born.

Change bringing change to us,
and so to others too.
May that change bring life and light,
so moulding God's new age,
an imprint of eternity
now also on our page.

Such change must endure
the flame of God's refining power
and so stand forever sure.

GLIMPSES

Let my lines be seed to the thoughts of others,
those who read
and ponder,
some true life to them revealed.

Each rhyme a window into heaven,
a moment of eternity brought to birth,
glimpsing that light,
but then return to earth.

THE NATIVITY

Once upon a time...new kingdom here on earth,
A new born Prince of Peace,
born His bride to save and bless,
To sit with him, a queen no less.

Herald Angels good news sing,
joy for all,
Redeemer King, the news they bring,
Their anthem sweet
calling shepherds to their feet.

Wise men, eyes open, glories see,
discover Him,
God's new born King.
Wondering, downward bend the knee

Men whose 'eyes had second birth',
Saw God's healing come to earth.

A story we too, now can sing,
Renewing all, delighting Him.