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.

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?

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

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 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?

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

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?

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?

Expand me

Expand me

Like a balloon, you fill me up

With your spirit, your love

As I grow and get bigger with you

Continue to fill me up till I overflow

Expand my vision

Expand my skills

Expand my heart

Expand my hands

So I can serve you

Like a balloon I grow and grow with you

I give my fear to you, whatever’s next

What can I do

Expand me

Don’t let me pop

just keep expanding me

I live to serve you