We are in the image of God above
Body, mind, and spirit – made thereof
In our nature united – three-in-one
Not just Christians, but everyone
There is a mission set by Him above
That our actions be driven by
Faith, hope, and love
And as we let this guide us – we will grow
And our godly image – to the world will show
Padre
Thank you Pastor Vince for a thought provoking message
There are many – who embark
On a downward journey into the dark
Letting fears and doubts lead to despair
Thinking there’s no comfort anywhere
But there is a light that a new way can show
Where hope eclipses the feelings low
For love and compassion are quite real
No matter what at the moment you feel
For God offered you His ultimate gift
Because He loves you
And He desires above all – you to uplift
Padre
Is trepidation really a thing;
The fear of things, as yet unseen?
Do we let these worries haunt us;
And control or minds until they’ve got us?
Are we of hope so unsure;
That we concede defeat rather than endure?
There is an anchor in which we can trust
Who promises good things to us
And if we in Him we put our trust
All our fears He shall bust
Padre
Thank you Brother James for your message of overcoming doubt and fear today.
Be not faint but carry on
For there rest for the weary
In the great beyond
If we fight the good fight
And run the good race
A mansion awaits us
In the land of grace
Padre
Rise with me from ashes
To build and start again
Putting reliance in the Saviour
And not in mortal men
Politicians they shall fail us
The rich seek but there own
But those of faith shall prosper
And achieve an eternal home
While this world seems bleak –
Full of darkness
And troubles seem immense
He will bear His children’s burdens
And true justice He will dispense
Padre
Through obstacles and roadblocks,
Backtrackings and steep stairs
Facing disappointment and heartache
The feeling nobody cares
When disease and disorder
Seem to have won
Remember to still hope
And by thus – overcome
For hope is the tincture
Brewed to relieve
All of these troubles
If in it you believe
I don’t not know if this form has a proper name. It is however my default poetic form using cadence and rhyme to drive it. I don’t know if I ever matured beyond Dr Seuss, but there is something in it that speaks to the inner me.
Padre
Colleen’s last poetry challenge of 2020, is to write a poem about hope, using our favourite poetry form (and on this occasion, it doesn’t have to be syllabic). She asks that we make these poems inspirational to others.
She stipulates that we should avoid negativity and politics.
We are to also tell us why the specific form we chose is our favourite.
In the bleakest of midwinters
On the coldest of cold days
The sun still keeps its promise
And light will have its way
No matter how drear the prospects
Or the forecasts doom and dread
Look for the light at the end of the tunnel
There are better times ahead
Padre
The conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn has just passed after an absence of hundreds of years. Some call this the Christmas Star or the Bethlehem Star. In this year of fires, floods, racial and social unrest, and a world-wide pandemic it is perhaps a time to take stock and to reflect on the story not of this planetary alignment, but of the star of the Gospel account. It was a harbinger of the coming of Emmanuel, God with us. It marked a transition in our relationship with the divine. The age of the Fall of Adam was coming to an end, and a promised saviour, the Messiah had come.
That did not mean that wars and rumours of wars, or fires, floods, and misfortune were coming to an end – 2020 surely shows us that. What it does say is there is a hope that is greater than those trials that is opened to us.
As I was reflecting on this I picked three YouTube videos to share which capture some of my thoughts. The first speaks of the coming of Emmanuel. The other two of the stresses and strains that Mary, the mother of Jesus may have faced in her obedience to God’s call. That obedience in the face of uncertainty and surely fears is a telling example for us all.
I wish all of you a happy Christmas, and pray that what ever the future holds for us, that we might cling to the Emmanuel – God with us.
Padre
A little flickering candle
A small light in the window waits
A tiny glow to guide you
A hope that you might spy it
As you make your way back home
A little flickering candle
An emblem of hopes and dreams
And it is there to guide you
As you follow its tiny beams
Padre
Version from Cold Mountain
The traditional spiritual song Wayfaring Stranger is a great use of the negative phrase used as a prompt by Jim Adams’ for today’s challenge. The song speaks of a heavenly rest where “no” problems of this life will be found. The song has been released by Johnny Cash (whose version I have posted the lyrics), and by Jack White in a version used in the Civil War film Cold Mountain. There is just something haunting about White’s version that makes me prefer it.
Lyrics
I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
There is no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I goI’m going there to see my Father
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on
I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over homeI know dark clouds will gather ’round me
I know my way is hard and steep
But beauteous fields arise before me
Where God’s redeemed, their vigils keep
I’m going there to see my Mother
She said she’d meet me when I comeSo, I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over home
I’m just going over Jordan
I’m just going over home
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Traditional
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 