Saturday, December 31, 2011

31 December 2011 - An Old Year, A New Year

As we come to the end of another year
We look back at what did see and hear
We give thanks for how we have been blessed
For God has given us daily bread and His rest
We mourn the loss of those we did treasure and love
But are comforted as they are with our God above
In our own ways, we each somehow did grow
Spiritually, physically, or in what we might know
So for all of these reasons, we should celebrate
But above all, because God's love overcomes hate

The unknown poet did more than 130 poems pen
But he also had dry spells every now and again
And I can't say that my walk was consistent
I did not avoid all the temptations the enemy sent
But nonetheless I know that God is always there
And for me and my loved ones, He will always care

Now as we head into year two zero one two
I have a special wish for each one of you
May the year bring good health and happiness
And may you accept whatever God does you bless
Lastly, may your friends and family bless each of you
In the same way each of you for me always do

Sunday, December 25, 2011

25 December 2011 - Another Christmas Ode

The Scriptures do a wonderful story clearly tell
There were shepherds and more than one angel
The Magi with gifts came from afar
All the while guided by a special star
And then in a manger our Saviour was born
Although on his head no crown did adorn
But thank to Mark, Joseph's new wife
Jesus came to give all of us new life
So now we all have reason to celebrate
For the earth can have love, not just hate
And as festive music this season we do hear
Let us focus on our Saviour Jesus dear
As throughout the Bible we can see
He came to fulfill more than one prophecy
He was born in Bethlehem, the city of bread
But Jesus was the bread of life instead
So on this Christmas as much food we eat
Let us feast on Him, so in eternity we can meet
Let us make sure that for Him we make room
So we enjoy His blessings and overcome gloom
Finally, as the Scriptures do us often tell
Remember that "God is with us", Emmanuel

25 December 2011 - A Christmas Ode

As we all celebrate this Christmas Day
A few things the unknown poet wants to say
Let's start by remembering that for this season
God's son Jesus' birth is the real reason
And don't forget as we shop in the mall
That He is the greatest gift of them all
For without that gift from our God above
This world would be devoid of true love

Speaking of gifts, instead of searching for the perfect toy
We should listen to the words of "Little Drummer Boy"
For as the "pa rum pum pum" we do heartily sing
"I have no gift to bring""that's fit to give the King"
For anything I have, from God it came
Talents and opportunities, 'tis the same

So to honor God, all I really can do
Is to live a life honorably and true
For the way I live and how I act
Separates the fiction from the fact
So dear God, on this Christmas Day
May I remain focused on Your Way

Sunday, December 18, 2011

18 December 2011 - Prayer

"Does prayer work?" many times I do ask
But what really is a prayer's task?
To communicate with God is to pray
I know He listens to everything I say
Communication is of course a two way street
And if I don't listen, how can sin I defeat?
So with God I need to both listen and talk
Only then can I walk as He wants me to walk
Returning to the question "does prayer work?"
It does - otherwise I would have gone berserk
For the knowledge that He is always there
Provides comfort when things are hard to bear
Knowing that He possesses two listening ears
Helps drown out so many of my earthly fears
So I need to remind myself for prayer to make time
Whether I communicate in prose or in rhyme

Sunday, December 11, 2011

11 December 2011 - His presence and strength

When away from God we turn and run
Does He ever us really abandon?
I don't think this is ever the case
Instead it is from God we turn our face
The Holy Spirit is always there, ever-present
No matter what we did or where we went
To reconnect, all we really need to do
Is to allow the Spirit our hearts to imbue

Do dear God, I know that you are there
And I also know that you really do care
I am struggling as you already know
I don't want to fall prey to the evil foe
So please give me the strength that I need
And from these shackles let me be freed

11 December 2011 - Psalm 51:1-6

"Have mercy on me, O God" above
"According to your unfailing love"
"According to your great compassion"
Please "blot out my transgression"
"Wash away all my iniquity"
And "from my sin""cleanse me"
For my transgressions I surely know
And to you my sins always show
I have sinned and done evil in your sight
So "when you speak""you are proved right"
Surely "I was sinful" from when I was born
For this, every day I repent and mourn
Surely you desire truth, not just a good face
"You teach me wisdom in the inmost place"

Dear God, as David prayed when he wrote these words
Please forgive me and withhold your judgement swords
For my sin inhibits my relationship with you
And discredits any good deed that I may do
So my sins please wash away with your grace
Cleansing my heart for this ongoing earthly race

Sunday, December 4, 2011

4 December 2011 - ENCS

With that unique approach and delivery of his
Pastor Josh started the series "Christmas Is.."
In Luke, four times angels did appear
Each time, they told people not to fear
So about fear Pastor Josh today did talk
Saying it has no role in our Christian walk
For Jesus brings "good tidings of great joy"
Unlike the thief who comes to steal and destroy

Then Josh, without making any more fuss
Highlighted three things fear robs from us

Being in God's presence is what we lose first
Throughout history this has been the worst
From Adam in Genesis 3, verses 8 - 10
We try to hide from God again and again
Coming to God with our problems is preferred
So that on us His grace can be conferred

God's purpose is something else we do lose
Genesis 2:28 was the verse Pastor did choose
We are supposed to be fruitful and fill the earth
Being gardeners for God has great worth
Pastor then read from Hebrews 2:14 and 15
From the fear of death, lifelong slavery is seen

With fear, on God's promises we can not stand
Remember Exodus 3:8 talked of the promised land
But in Numbers, spies came back filled with fear
So to the promised land, the Israelites did not near
Per John 10:10, the thief comes to cause strife
But our Jesus came so we may have life

But before saying that that we are all done for
Josh said that the same things Jesus can restore

We were separated from God, per Ephesians 2:12-18
But "in Christ Jesus", a radical change was seen
To God, both Jew and Gentile can now access
For Jesus is our eternal peace, nothing less

Per Ephesians 2:10 we are "God's workmanship"
To do good works is why we God did us equip
Pastor referred to American football player Tebow
The fact that he loves God, he wants all to know

Pastor then read from 2 Corinthians 1 verse 20
Jesus brings us God's promises, they were plenty
And then from 1 John 4 verses 16 and 18
"God is love" and "no fear in love" are seen

Concluding, Pastor spoke of his big brother
Who protected young Josh like no other
Moreso God will protect us, especially our heart
If only we will believe and let Jesus do His part