My tears wash the feet

I have been away on the East Midland Baptist Association's ministers' retreat this week. We were blessed with two fantastic speakers again this year, Julie Kilpin (you can find her on twitter @julietkilpin) from Urban Expression (@urbanshalom) and Ian Stackhouse. Juliet was talking about alternative expressions of church and Ian on his book Primitive Piety. I have already blogged on Ian's book - when I eventually find the post I will post you a link! Why am I always so amazed at how much God speaks to my heart during this time?

We ended the retreat with praise and worship and Ian spoke to us on Luke 7: 36-50 - the women who anointed Jesus feet. As I reflected on the following verse and the love expressed I wrote this short poem.

'As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.' Luke 7:38

My tears wash the feet

My tears wash the feet

Of the Saviour I meet.

My scares are seen

In his hands and feet.

In the mirror,

That once was dark,

I see the light.

Reflection seen,

The picture of me

And Christ inside.

©Revdjo 27/9/13 

The Mind of Christ

Baptist Church meetings are all about finding the mind of Christ. They are not a democracy where everyone votes in an expression of their opinion but rather a theocracy where we seek to find the mind of Christ and listen to what God says about any one issue. This was on my mind as I wrote this poem. Let me know if you like it. I always have difficulties in knowing if what I write is hitting the spot or not. 

The mind of Christ

Is always there.

We search in earnest

And see him there.

He's in the midst

He weeps with you.

Sorrow and pain

Are in his stare.

Look up to Jesus

Nailed to a tree.

forgiven sinner

that's you and me.

Watch, listen.

Understand.

We tread the path

on solid ground.

And pray we must

to seek his face,

With bended knee

Humility.

The mind of Christ

He's in the midst.

Look up to Jesus

Watch, listen

And Pray we must.

Revdjo 18/9/13

Caught in a World

Caught in a world 

Silently trapped.

No crying heard.

No going back.

Motionless movement.

Only a stir.

No dancing jig.

No evening twirl. 

Memories vivid.

Dreaming inside.

No recompense.

No chance for regret.

Patiently waiting.

Wanting to hear.

The voice of the maker

Say I'm over here.

©Revdjo 15/9/13

No words can express

In the silence of night,

And cool autumn breeze,

My wandering mind

It falls to its knees.

Struggling to think,

Spiralling pain,

Empty inside

I call on your name.

No words can express,

I struggle to say,

As I pour out my soul 

Transformed by your Spirit.

Memories fixed,

Won't be forgotten,

Forgiveness and love

Grace reconciled.

Justice for all,

Or only the righteous?

These are the questions 

Please answer them Lord.

©Revdjo 11/9/13

There is a cost

There is a cost

That God requires

My heart,

My mind,

My soul.

There is a cost 

To follow Him

Repent,

Forgive,

Baptism.

There is a cost

To living faith

Stand-up,

Proclaim,

And shout

There is a cost

Already paid by

Jesus,

Our Lord,

Saviour.

This is our prize

Now shout it out

Refined,

Set free,

Delivered.

Know the Saviour's

Love today

By grace

You are

Forgiven.

©Revdjo 26/8/13

The tune of the hymn by Horatius Bonar that was going through my head when I write the above.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk,
Till trav’ling days are done.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“My Father’s house above
Has many mansions; I’ve a place
Prepared for you in love.”
I trust in Jesus—in that house,
According to His word,
Redeemed by grace, my soul shall live
Forever with the Lord.

Ministry

It's a calling
Ingrained in the heart,
No going back
God's love to impart.

It's a calling
Full of God's hope,
Ministering the Word
God's love to impart.

It's a calling
Bubbling with joy,
His Spirit's anointing
God's love to impart.

It's a calling
Faith - if you will,
Trust and devotion
God's love to impart.

It's a calling
A challenge, a way,
Take it or leave it
God's love to impart.

It's a calling
Will you stop praying,
And tell me
What do you say?

©Revdjo 20/8/2013