The secret disciple

On an oft-overlooked man Pastor Mark did speak 

For his actions were critical during Easter week

Joseph was a disciple albeit in secret we do hear

Per John nineteen because the Jews he did fear

From Arimathea, wealthy with a tomb to share

With Nicodemus, Jesus’ body he did prepare

Isaiah fifty three verse nine he did consummate

The early church did therefore Joseph venerate

Joseph is a parallel for many in the marketplace

At times we might operate with a Christian face

But we do not make the reason for my actions clear

Perhaps like Joseph, public reaction we do fear

But when it mattered most, Joseph was brave

Asking Pilate for Jesus’ body to put in the grave

Legend has it that he was then put in prison

But that Jesus freed him once He was arisen

So whether by self or in a group be it big or small

We would do well to remember the pastoral call

At home, in church, at the office, or on a trip

Remember - pray, meditate, proclaim, fellowship

Reflections from a revival meeting

Attending a revival service last night was a blessing

Many in the marketplace about their faith professing

With plenty of time to fellowship, worship and pray

Very timely as well, for it was Maundy Thursday

One person quoted Matthew nine verse seventeen

Pouring new wine into old wineskins is never seen

Jesus did not try to fit His ways into old traditions

As His followers, we must do so without conditions

This triggered a useful reminder in this day and age

From Jimmy Needham’s classic “Clear the Stage”

He sang “Anything I put before my God is an idol"

Doing otherwise would act on my faith as a bridle

Central was the concept of marketplace ministry

Work is a form of worship per Colossians three

So what we do, but also how and why we do so

Doing what is right, not just going with the flow

Influencing others is the definition of leadership

So we can also think of our work as stewardship

Leveraging our God-given talents and opportunities

Our words and actions shining in all communities

Very special was sharing communion at the end

Yet another reason I was so honoured to attend

The fellowship was engaging and far from tiring

Seeing and hearing such faith was very inspiring

Psalm 55

It has been an extremely long and silent time

Since I felt called to pen a message in rhyme

But at an ENCS worship night this past Friday

“I have missed your poems” a friend did say

Pastor Mark Chew spoke about Psalm fifty five

Then that lyrical voice stirred and came alive

Perhaps it had gone into a form of hibernation

Coinciding with the global covid infestation

David’s words in the psalm do strike a chord

He asked that his pleas are heard, not ignored

The enemy causes thoughts that do trouble

Stresses and suffering then seem to double

David said he wanted to fly away and rest

In his place of shelter far from the tempest

In verse seventeen, he cried out in distress

God heard his voice, David did then profess

If unto the Lord, per verse twenty two

We cast our cares, He will sustain you

And as David says in verse twenty three

We should trust in God, for all eternity

Very stressful have been the covid years

A reduction in community plus health fears

Looking back we should remember a truth

God has been with us from our early youth

So as we go forward and start to connect

Let us not God and church ever neglect

Whether at home, at office, or on a trip

Pray, Meditate, Proclaim, and Fellowship