Looking ahead

Looking ahead

I don’t know what’s there

The next step, the next part

In this plan, the big story

It’s all in his heart

Laid out for me

Ready for me to step into

Waiting for me to step up

To pick up the baton and run

To step out in faith

To trust him for the unknown

To believe him for the unseen

He knows what’s best

He has the master plan

He is the King of me

He is the Lord of my Destiny

I will follow where he leads

I will listen to his call

I will obey his word

I will go where he sends me

You have never failed me

Always there, always beside me

Pushing me on, leading my way

Speak Lord

I am listening

Your servant is ready

To lead and follow

To go or to stay

To move on and into

What you require of me

Speak Lord

My heart is ready

To care for those who need

To know your love

To see your care

To meet you

Work through me

To reach them

Where ever you lead.

I trust you

So, looking ahead

I don’t know what’s there

But I know the one who cares.

Looking back as one becomes two

I made it through

the time has passed

the long hours and days

the challenges overcome

the obstacles knocked away

I didn’t stray

I saw it through

I stayed the course

Committed, convicted

Till the end I did

No giving up, no quitting

No walking away,

No question about it

No doubt in my mind

I was there to push on

I was there to pursue

I was there to achieve more than I knew

I was there to see it through

I prayed before cos I knew

It was more than I could do

Too much to bear

The burden too big

One needed to be two

This army ahead blocking my way

Advancing towards me every day

So I prayed for my one to be two

For a friend to stay true

And then there by my side

We were now two

My friend, he said

Step forward with me

Hold the line

Stay true

We will win through

We continue to push on

Day by day

Side by side

Battling through

Outnumbered

Surrounded

We two were like glue

Hold the line

Stay true

We will win through

Our war cry our chant

Till we broke through

Keep moving on

My friend he said

Don’t stop, don’t rest

There is more to still do

A wall ahead blocking the way

Towering above into the sky

Stretching out far and wide

Keep moving on

My friend he said

Like this, follow me

As he climbs up and away

I follow on

After him up the wall

Following close

Holding tight to not fall

Keep moving on

My friend he said

We will win through

We can scale this wall

Don’t stop, don’t rest

There is more to still do

Slowly and surely

We go up the wall

Higher and higher

We climb us two

The ground below us falls away

Disappears behind clouds in the way

Keep moving on

The refrain in my head

Won’t let me quit

Won’t let me rest

My friend he said

Just one more step

We made it us two

We have won through

I am with you my friend, he said

Wherever you go

I am there by your side

I was there all the way through

I never gave up

I never let go

I never walked away from you

I saw you in pain

In tears and in grief

I was there in the depths of despair

The dark nights of unbelief

And questioning why them and not me

I was there

Day by day

Standing side by side

I was there all along

So looking ahead to whatever you face

I am there through it all

We will face it together

Be it health or disease

Loss or defeat

Grief or despair

Doubt or unbelief

Be it shame or running away

Be it fear or guilt that you face

Blood, sweat and tears it will take

More than you have you will plead

But I am the I am

I have all that you need

As the I becomes we

And the me turns to us

The one becomes two
So please listen up

Wherever you are on your journey of life

Facing an army ahead

Or battling through in the midst of it all

Looking up at a wall

Facing something so big

You think you might quit

So take stock or take heed

Take the encouragement you need

From these words that you read

Just remember it’s not only you

It’s never a one and always a two

My friend, my King, My God and yours too

He says to us all

Keep moving on

There is more to still do

Hold the line

Stay true

We will win through

Countdown to...?

Countdown to.....

The countdown has started; it comes but once a year

When it’s all done, the tree back in the loft

Trimmings and trapping packed in a box

What will you remember?

Right now at the start, let’s think of the end

Will you say thank you for the gifts that you got?

Will you be grateful for fun and games you had?

Will you appreciate the effort that was made,

To make it special in every way?

Will you look back with regret about the chances you missed?

Will you remember the boy in the manger?

Will he be part of your Christmas this year?

Will he get packed away in a box?

Sealed and forgotten the rest of the year

Right now at the start, let’s think of the end

Let Jesus play his part, to do his work in your heart

Advent

Advent

Tis the season of waiting, Hoping and anticipating

The day that will come

The joy on the faces, Young and old alike

As the day kicks in

The sweet filled stockings, hanging till morning arises

Brimming with surprises

The family all around, with those we love

With hugs and kisses abound

Or the gifts that we share

That we chose with care, the rest of the year

The table is laid, with cutlery to spare

Food is dressed, cooked to impress

We eat the food lovingly prepared

Wearing colourful hats, telling jokes

 Sharing stories from the year behind

Looking forward to the year ahead

What will you make space for this advent?

The food, the fun, or God’s only son

Will he have a place in your heart?

Impact

We may never know how much of a difference we make doing even just the simple things in our daily life. 

A drop in the puddle

The ripple in the pond

The waves over the sea

Your footprints behind you

The smile as you pass by

A chat whilst you wait

The gesture to sit down

The chance to catch up

The invitation for dinner

The smallest thought

The kindest word

The simple action

It can mean so much

To the people we meet

We show them we care

The impact we have

We may never know

We do it for The One

Complete

All those times when you don't feel normal, when you think there is something missing in your life. Just remember that God didn't make a mistake. Life may scar and crack you along the way. God is always there to pick up the pieces. 

Complete

Broken, Shattered

Smashed and scattered

You found me like pieces of a jar

You made me whole

You shaped me, moulded me

Held me till I would stay together

Glued me bit by bit, so I was whole again

You polished and painted me until

I displayed your face

Your glory reflected for all the world to see

Now I am complete

There are no cracks, no broken bits

They have disappeared

People look at me and see you the maker 

Cos you made me complete

Surrender or Sink

As I wake each day

Problems come my way

From people I meet

Even out on the street

They tell me their woes

Or tell of their foes

They share their despair

With someone who cares

They lay it out bare

Some wouldn’t dare

To tell others their strife

Much rather take their own life

Then share their sorrow

To live for tomorrow

As we listen and care

To all the problems we bear

With each we can choose

We have nothing to lose

We can sink ourselves down

Raising no more than a frown

We can grumble and moan

About what we have known

Or we can leave them behind

No more in our mind

We could give them away

To someone who stays

For a moment or two

To listen and care

About the problems we bear

We can carry each other

Supporting another

To stand together and still care

As we continue to bear

Our problems and woes along the road

Wherever it goes

We can always turn to him

Even when the light is dim

He will be there, and still care

For us despite what we bear

He will carry us through, wrapped in his love

Strengthen our hearts and resolve

To push on with the pain

To help others to gain

The insight we have

How we didn’t cave

Despite the woes we still bear

There are those who care

To bear others in prayer

So what will it be surrender or sink?

10 years on.....

I was reminded earlier in the month that its been 10 years since leaving Bible college.
That question you get asked towards the end of college - Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

Well its now 10 years later and here I am.

Footprints

Such a long way to go down this road

I have come so far but there is further ahead

Look back at where I have been

The steps I took, the footprints I made

The memories I have

The obstacles I overcame

The people I met

The difference I had

The changes in me, I have grown

Looking back all that time

I wasn’t alone

God was there beside me

He carried me though the worst

We rejoiced together

Laughed and cried at times

But through it all God was there with me

Comforted me when I needed it most

Looking ahead now, I can’t see the end

I can’t see the next problem

But I know God is there

The light is dim, but it lights the way

A few steps at a time

I can feel God at my side

I don’t know what’s ahead

What problems or obstacles I might face

But God has it planned

I need not worry

It's all been planned

God guide my steps

Allow me to walk in your footprints

So that I might tread where you have already trod

I might become more and more like you every day in everyway

This is our God

Almighty

Beautiful

Compassionate

Deliverer

Eternal

Faithful

Gracious

Holy

Incomparable

Judge

King

Loving

Merciful

Never failing

Omnipotent

Powerful

Quencher

Redeemer

Sovereign

Triumphant

Unequalled

Victorious

Wonderful

Xceptional

Yearning

Zealous

 

H,O P, E

4 letters that mean so much
A vision, a dream, a promise of things to come or what to live for
You can lose it; life can get you done,
Your troubles can swamp you and steal away your hope
The storms can drown you
But what of hope
always there, always free for those in need
Invite hope into your storm, your darkness
Hope can live there, or anywhere
Hope can shine in the darkness
A glimmer, a spark
Something to cling to and hold tight
What do we hope for?
When the world says “give up”
Hope says “try it one more time”
So go on don’t get down….
Ask hope to turn you around

This season

This season we remember the gifts that we have
the things we hold dear, the things we live for
We share our time, our presents with those we love
We enjoy fun, games, food and fun together
We travel around from here to there, to enjoy time with others elsewhere
We may look back, reflect over the year before
We may hold regrets of those things left undone or unsaid
those plans, hopes and dreams abandoned along the way
The memories of places, people and the things we did
And now we have the new year ahead
A time to make changes, to renew those dreams
To open those gifts we have left untouched
To give our all to those we meet
Jesus came down to earth, His presence, God's gift to us.
What will we do with the year ahead?
What will you do with the gifts you have?

Thank you

So many things, where does one start

We often forget the little things

Very often the things that most touch our heart

We forget those words, that mean so much

They show that we know, they show that we care

 

Thank you means so much

All over the world

These simple words

So easy to learn

But they get you so far

Thank you for all you do

 

In my life for all that you provide, friends, family and blessings you give

Thank you for the world around me, it’s so beautiful

The animals and everything displays your glory

 

Thank you for being there, all the time and everywhere

So I could call on your and run into your arms

So you could comfort me

To put your arms around me

To put me on the ground again

 

When I was down, I thought no one cared

Thank you for being there

Thank you for food and clothes when I have needed them most

Thank you Jesus with my whole self

For dying to save me to bring me close

 

Thank you for everything for all that you do

All the unseen things

Help us never to forget to be thankful for what we have

No matter how little just to be thankful for that

Locked away

On a similar vein to the previous one.

Locked away

Like a cat waiting to pounce

Like a coiled up spring

A ball at the top of a slope

A runner on the blocks

A race car revving its engine

That energy inside

That potential locked away

Invisible and unseen

Undetected and unused

Until that moment of release

The tension builds

The pressure mounts

So much could happen

Things could go wrong

People could get hurt

People might see the real me

I look at you my church

I look at you my people

I know you intimately

I love you dearly

I know your hearts desires

I know your skills, gifts and talents

You are like that cat waiting to pounce

That coiled up spring.

I see that energy

I see your potential locked away

It can’t stay hidden from me

I gave it to you for a reason 

 

Be my church

Do my will

Do your part

Use your skills, gifts and talents

The ones I gave you, for my glory

I release you my church, my people

I will be with you every step of the way

I will comfort you

I will protect you

I will guide and lead you

I will carry you when you are weary

I release you to do all that I have planned for you.

 

 

Spark into a flame

Something to get you and me motivated and praying for those things God has said in the past which havent yet been fully achieved in reality....Come on my soul....

This glimmer of light

This dusty old tool

This died out fire

Open the windows

Drawback the blinds

Tear down the curtains

Let my light into the darkness

Do the spring cleaning

Clear out the house

Find those forgotten and lost tools

Sharpen them

Make yourselves ready for use

Stoke that fire

Pile up the wood

Keep it burning

Never let it out

This passion will grow 

I will ignite those sparks

Yours sparks, your dreams

My plans for you all 

Get ready I will ignite those sparks into a flame

The Scope of Prayer

I cant claim to have written this one, But its amazing.......

 

The scope of prayer
Through prayer there is no problem that can't be solved,
no sickness that can't be healed, no burden that can't be lifted,
no storm that can't be weathered,
no devastation that can't be relieved,
no sorrow that can't be erased,
no poverty cycle that can't be broken,
no sinner that can't be saved,
no perishing that can't be rescued,
no fallen that can't be lifted,
no hurt that can't be removed,
no broken relationship that can't be mended,
no difference that can't be resolved,
no hindrance that can't be shaken,
no limitation that can't be overcome,
no mourning that can't be comforted,
no ashes that can't be that can't become beauty,
no heaviness that can't be covered with the garment of praise,
no thirst that can't be quenched, no hunger that can't be filled,
no dry ground that can't be flooded,
no desert that can't blossom,
no congregation that can't be revived,
no preacher that can't be anointed,
no church pews that can't be filled,
no church leadership team that can't become 'one,'
no community that can't be Christianised and
no nation that can't be transformed.

Anon. Cure of all Ills, Mary Stewart Relfe p.5 (slightly adapted Tony Cauchi)

Yearning

For all those people out there that are waiting and hoping for promises that are yet to be revealed or fully forfilled.

Yearning

A promise given

The spoken words received

Shatter this present day

A new time is coming

Heralded, beckoned in

Summoned from afar

The heart is waiting

The spirit is yearning

The body is anticipating

The mind is expecting

Poised ready for it

For that promise to come

Of more than now

Of better times to come

Keep watching and waiting

It will come one day

Keep yearning and hoping

For it will come someway.

The Great I AM......

Time and time again throughout the Bible. God says I AM the God who saved you,
I AM the God who brought you out of....

Do we as Gods people need reminding of what God has done for us just like God did in the Bible.
Below are some direct quotes from the bible as well as a few additional ones I have included.

I AM your shield
I AM God Almighty
I AM who I AM
I AM God
I AM the Lord your God
I AM the first, and I AM the last
I AM your husband

These others refer to Jesus in the NT
I AM with you always
I AM the bread of life
I AM the light of the world
I AM the gate for the sheep
I AM God's son
I AM the ressurection and the life
I AM the way, truth and the life
I AM the Father and he is in me.

I AM the God who has blessed you
I AM the God who rescued you
I AM the God who has forgiven you

God is worthy to be praised.....
What would God say to you to remind you of what he has done for you?
What would cause you to lift his name and praise him?

Safe in my arms.....

Safe in my arms

I will never leave you

I will never forsake you

I will stay here always

You are safe in my arms

I will carry you

When times are tough

When it’s all too much

You are safe in my arms

I will protect you

Side by side we go

We face things together

You are safe in my arms

I will be everywhere

When you are up, most of all when you are not

When there is on one else to care

You are safe in my arms

I am in you, with you

And around you always

I will never leave you

You are safe in my arms

Forever

I have a plan, a perfect plan

For you and me for all eternity

It’s so exciting, it’s amazing

What you and I could do

Your gave your life to me

And I will use it to the full

Just stay with me

And stick close by

I will see you through

I see you now

You have come so far

Walk with me and talk with me

We have so far yet to go

Don’t look back, no regrets

Just learn and live each day

Open your ears and hear me speak to you

I have a plan, a perfect plan

For you and me for all eternity

It’s so exciting, it’s amazing

What you and I could do

Your Call

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says draw near to me

Come to me and find rest

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says stand up and move

Speak to them about me

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says to love them all

As I have loved you

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says don’t worry

I am with you

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says pain will come

Things will be hard

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says follow me

Do my will today

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says be my hands

And be my feet

I hear your call

I hear your voice

It says I will speak

To them through you

I hear your call

I hear your voice

Do you obey or turn away?