The Master Gardener

Like shimmering heat
in sunshine’s streams,
like a cloud of dew
in harvest’s heat;

From His dwelling place,
the Lord observes;
Quietly resting,,
His eyes see all.

Then, before harvest,
as blossoms fall:
Flowers slow turn to
ripening grapes –

The Master Gard’ner
prunes ev’ry vine:
Training their branches
to bear good fruit.

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post, and inspired by the words (although not the original message) of the bible’s book of Isaiah, Chapter 18, verses 4-5

‘Behold my Son’

A dove descending,
As Heaven opened the skies –
A voice from above:
‘This is my Son, whom I love,
And with him I am well pleased.’

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post, inspired by Matthew 3:16-17

Perfect Unity

Father, Son, Spirit:
Not earthly symbiosis –
Holy mystery
Forged before time existed
God’s own perfect Unity

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post

re-drafted from its original haiku form:
Father, Son, Spirit:
Not earthly symbiosis –
Perfect Unity

Meaningless as Chasing After the Wind

What do people gain
From toil under the sun?
My heart took its delight,
Found pride in my own labour;
A chasing after the wind –
This was its only reward!
Yet when I surveyed
All that my hands had achieved,
Over which I had toiled –
Everything was meaningless,
A chasing after the wind,
Nothing gained under the sun.

Generations pass,
The earth remains forever;
The days dawn and set,
The winds blow round the compass,
All streams flow into the sea –
Creation’s order prevails;
Everything God does
Originates and endures,
Through His time for all;
What is has already been,
What will be has been before –
God will call all to account.

He made everything
Beautiful for its due time;
Eternity set
By Him in the human heart;
To fathom all God has done
Is chasing after the wind!
Man’s pleasure and pride,
His own vain accomplishments
Claimed aside of God;
Advancement by man’s own works –
All are meaningless,
Just chasing after the wind!

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post, and inspired by the opening chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible’s Old Testamentthe book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible’s Old Testament

The Choice

I will not allow my heart
To become a hideout for hatred;
I will not permit my mind
To succumb, a nesting place for fear;
I will only cherish, what is good,
Honest, strong and courageous;
I choose to live to show
The difference only God can make.

Get behind me Satan!
Reveal yourself, Holy Spirit!
Let the Father be glorified
By my witness to Jesus’ grace

written in response to a prompt at The Daily Post – “hideout“

Lukewarm Faith

I know of your deeds,
you are neither cold nor hot;
you are just lukewarm
– neither hot, nor cold –
surely I shall spit you out

‘O salt of the earth
if you lose your saltiness
– retain no longer –
you are then good for nothing
except to be cast aside

You say, “I am rich”
but you are wretched, poor, blind
pitiful and naked;
buy gold refined in the fire
white clothes to cover your shame

put salve on your eyes
so you may once again see;
as those whom God loves
he rebukes and disciplines –
So be earnest and repent

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post, and inspired by Revelation 3:14-22 and Matthew 5:13-16Matthew 5:13-16

Since Ancient Times

No eye has yet seen,
Nor ear ever truly heard,
Nor mind understood –
Save by the Holy Spirit –
The full glory of the Lord

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post, and inspired by Isaiah 64:4 and 1 Corinthians 2:9

Who Are You O Man?

Who are you o man?
For who can resist His will?
You are made from clay
And the Lord is the potter
He molds us as He pleases

Who are you o man?
Full of desire and effort
To claim as your own
That which is within God’s gift
In His mercy, ours by faith

Come, new Israel!
Know the Father by the Son
His grace is enough
Come hear, repent and believe
Know His perfect love

written in response to today’s prompt at The Daily Post, and inspired by Romans 9

Called to Be

and I dreamt I had a conversation with my Father in Heaven:

“Who do you call me to be?”

“My child.”

“Where do you call me to be?

“Where you are, and where the wind takes you.”

“What do you call me to do?”

“To live authentically, to glorify your God,
showing your love for your God;

to love your neighbour:
to preach the good news of the Kingdom, and make disciples;
to release captives, and heal the sick;
to care for orphans and widows, feed the hungry,
and serve the poor and needy.”

“Lord, let it be as you say. Amen.

Invitation to a Banquet

INVITATION

to a banquet at my Father’s house

come if you are hungry

come if you are thirsty

there is sufficient for all

and many rooms

come as you are

RSVP

J