Out goes the old and in comes the new
My mistakes are many and successes few
But one thing I know deep in my heart
The failures that shadow my life can depart.

A New Year
A New Day
A New Life!

As I look back over many years
I have shed countless tears,
Thinking of words and thoughtless actions
And also, of course, my hasty reactions!

I could have shown more love and care
To family and friends who were there.
Also to the stranger passing by,
Inside my heart sighs and I ask, “Why?”

Why did compassion and love at times lack
And on thinking, in many ways, was I slack?
But God’s love and hope
Touched me in a special way
And His grace on me will stay.

A New Year
A New Day
A New Life!

Sadly I can’t turn back the clock
And my mistakes and failures try to mock.
“What an utter failure” in my mind I hear
But I remind myself this is a new life
A New Year.

Every day God’s grace does not fail
And His love continues to prevail
So hope and His faithfulness banishes the fears
His encompassing love will wipe away the tears.

A new life, a New Year and new hope
Give me courage and strength to cope
Whatever the year holds in Him I will trust,
Such a resolution is a ‘must.’

I will stand regardless though life becomes tough,
Him will I seek when the way gets rough.
He is always there to carry and share,
Let me remember this when I’m in despair.

A NEW YEAR

Return

CAST YOUR CARES UPON HIM
FOR HE CARETH FOR YOU

When the dark clouds gather
And the strong winds batter
Run to Him
Hide in Him
Rest in His Arms.

When problems flood in
And the pathway seems dim
Run to Him
Hide in Him
Rest in His Arms.

When we are rejected
And feeling much affected
Run to Him
Hide in Him
Rest in His Arms.

When there is no peace
And wars do not cease
Run to Him
Hide in Him
Rest in His Arms.

When we’re ill
Tired and weak we feel
Crawl to Him
Hide in Him
Rest in His Arms.

We can stand once again
Free from the pain
When we have been blessed
And mightily refreshed.

The cares and the woes
Can’t hinder our path
Because on Jesus
Our Lord and Saviour they are cast.
Run to Him
Hide in Him
Rest in His Arms.

DESPISED AND REJECTED

(Dedicated to the hurting Body of Christ)

The tears flowed and I felt pained

Hurt and maimed.

All I seem to do is cry

I want to hide away and die.

I can’t help but feel affected

Despised and rejected

At the way my Brothers and Sisters treat me.

I am not allowed to speak

I’ve to remain silent and meek

Neither question any decisions that are made.

My sleeping pattern has been disturbed

Inside I’m anxious and perturbed.

I can’t help but feel affected

Despised and rejected

At the way they treat me.

The doorbell doesn’t ding

And the ‘phone doesn’t ring

Nor even a letter thro’ the post.

Don’t they know that I’m lonely?

Perhaps they think I’m a phoney?

My heart cries out in utter despair.

I can’t help but feel affected

Despised and rejected

At the way they treat me.

BUT

When I think of my Lord in the garden there

The angels ministered to Him in His despair.

His friends quickly ran away

They were too afraid to stay

And He was completely alone.

I can’t help but feel affected

How He was despised and rejected

And at the way they treated Him.

Jesus faced the angry mob

And a rough road now He trod

To face the trial that lay ahead.

He was ordered to speak

But remained silent and meek.

The lies

The insults

The blows rained.

Nobody cared

That an innocent man was held,

A troublemaker was all they could see.

He carried the heavy cross

Until his footing He lost

Then they nailed Him to the tree.

I can’t help but feel affected

How He was insulted and rejected

And at the way they treated Him.

As He hung in great despair

He remembered His dear mum there

And also the thief by His side.

In His agony He cried

“Father, forgive them

They know not what they do”

And that, of course, is meant for me too!

As the sky grew dark

Everywhere was stark

The Son of God died on the cross.

Oh, what heartache, pain and loss

BUT

Jesus came back on the Third Day

With His friends briefly to stay

To teach, encourage and pray.

The day He came to go

A gift He promised to bestow

The Comforter

AND

When Jesus comes again

Every eye shall see

What a time of rejoicing that will be.

No more fears, no more tears

No more aches, no more pains

BUT

Before that great day

And finally we say

“Come Lord Jesus come,”

There’s hurting people out there

And no time to spare!

I can’t help but feel affected

That we have been selected

To comfort and wipe away the tears.

FOCUSED ON YOU

Lord, You are so faithful, just and true

I want You to know how much I love You.

I want You to know that deep in my heart

My love for You will never depart.

Should in my struggles I forget

Please remind me so my mind can be set

To focus my thoughts

On my First Love, my Saviour

To worship You in spirit

In truth and not waiver.

I want You to know Lord that regardless of pain

I will confess my love for You again and again.

Unanswered prayer won’t make my love cease

Whatever the circumstances I will rest

In Your Peace.

In difficult times

I will remember how far I have come

How You introduced me to Your own Son

And I will look at the love showered on me

For You have made me worthy to receive.

To think of my life without You there

Is like waking up from a frightening nightmare.

I would be doubtful and afraid

As to how I should behave.

Whatever happens I am trying to say

That in my life I want You to stay.

Your Holy Spirit is there to guide

And from Your presence I don’t want to hide.

GIVE GOD A CHANCE

When our life seems to be falling apart

And we feel really down in our heart

Give God a chance!

When we can’t tell which way to go

And we are feeling spiritually low

Give God a chance!

When our loved ones seem to run away,

They hurry off and don’t want to stay

Give God a chance!

When we feel so tired and sick

Questioning why life gives such a kick

Give God a chance!

When we are in a hurry and full of worry

Wait and rest, life is one big test

Give God a chance!

He is there

He does care

Give God a chance!

God’s will, God’s way.

Don’t sway but stay

Resting safely in Him 

GOD’S MIRACLE

GOD IS PUTTING A NEW SONG IN MY HEART

IT DOESN’T SEEM FAIR TO ME

JEREMIAH’S DEMISE

LIFE’S DANGERS

REFRESHED AND BLESSED

Into the world came The Light

Shining thro’ the darkest night.

Dispersing the gloom bringing hope to all

This was God’s love call.

Many had waited for The Saviour to come

And God sent Jesus His only Son.

The blind could see the captives were free

This was God’s love call to you and to me.

Lives were changed in many ways

Victims were leaping and jumping in praise.

The dead were raised, the dumb could speak

And encouragement He gave to the weak.

He is still the same today.

He is The Truth and The Way.

The Light of the world continues to shine

Jesus is my dearest friend

And my life He gently tends

Cherishing and caring for every part

He will give me a new heart.

He is the Gardener who for my soul cares

When fears choke and smother like tares,

His warm smile and gentle touch

Makes me realize that He loves me so much.

He wants me to blossom under His watchful eye

And hear my praises reaching to the sky.

Growth can be hindered by troubles and fears

But He is there to wipe my tears.

When drought comes and life seems so dry

Look to the Heavens look to the sky.

My mind must never, never forget

That my heart on Him should be set.

When the rains come blessings abound

Watering the cracked and hard ground.

Standing firm my praises I'll bring

To Jesus my Saviour, Lord and King.

Many are called but few are chosen

Into our lives His love is woven.

Like fine threads of gold in beautiful cloth

Renewing our lives and making hearts soft.

He calls us to bring our troubles to Him

And lay at the cross all our sins,

To seek forgiveness and be washed clean,

A miraculous process to be seen!

As in our spirit and mind we pray

Developing a deep and meaningful way

We know that God is with us to stay

Searching and guiding our hearts each day.

THE REFUGE

I know of a place

Abounding with Grace

A refuge from life’s storms.

We can run to The Rock

And hide in His arms

He will protect from life’s harms.

We are not to despair

For help is there

Free from danger of the snare.

Run to The Tower

Hide in His power

For God is our Refuge and Strength.

No lion or foe walks The Way

So in safety we can stay

Wrapped securely in His arms.

When danger approaches our lives

And we feel we won’t survive

Sanctuary is not far away.

God is our Refuge and Strong Tower

Mighty is His strength and power

The wise run to Him and are safe.

THE REFUGEE

 No home!  No country!

No peace!  No joy!

I feel like a refugee

There seems no home for me.

Where can I go

Or

Where can I stay?

There seems no home for me.

Shall I go

Or

 Shall I stay?

Shall I wait

Or

Shall I pray?

There is no home for me.

Yet in my heart

I know of a place

A refuge, a sanctuary

A place of grace.

There is a home for me.

I can rest in His arms

Shelter under His wing.

I know of a place

And I know of His grace.

There is a home for me.

No, I don’t walk alone

Trying to find a new home.

I’m wrapped in His love

Oh, peace like a dove!

There is a home for me.

I don’t have to fear,

I have a place here.

I am safe

In a place called HOME.

My peace has not ceased

And His grace has increased

In a place called home.

Thank you Jesus.

Dedicated to all those who are looking for a Church where they can settle and be at home, safe and secure.

THE RESCUE

My eyes are hot and gritty

From crying many tears,

My heart is heavy with grief

Sighing and many fears

And yet

Within I feel as though I am being gently carried

Saved from drowning

Pulled from a rough and angry sea

Jesus has rescued me.

I have been revived.

I survive.

Thank you Jesus

You’re there in my deepest despair.

You will never turn Your back

You don’t ever lack

In all the many ways that You help me.

Thank You, thank You, thank You

Pulled from a rough and angry sea

Yes

Jesus has rescued me.

I have been revived.

I survive.

TRUTH AND ERROR

The difference between

Black and white is very plain to see

But why does life seem to

Confuse and puzzle me?

Truth and error can be

Very hard to find,

I really have to get it clear

In my mind.

I seek to find the answers

In many books

But they only make it worse

Every time I look.

It seems to me that I’m

Clutching at a straw

There must be something,

Really, really more.

Videos, tapes, conferences

And Bible weekends,

Spend, spend, spend, spend.

I get no closer to the goal

I really want to reach,

Perhaps I’ll find the answer at

Another rally or outreach?

Teach, teach, teach, teach.

My mind is full of turmoil

 And I can’t find any peace,

I rush to and fro, up and down

To get some release.

Mile after mile and

Day after day,

Something has to happen to

Show me the way.

I am exhausted and tired

And I’ll just sit down

Maybe I’ll catch my breath,

Life is one long round

Of running back and forth

In search of life,

All I seem to get

Is a load of strife.

My eyes glance down

 At the Bible there

Lying unopened

On the dining room chair.

I have forgotten to read it

in my haste,

Doesn’t God’s word say to me,

“Come and taste?”

I read and I read ‘til I can

Read no more

I read about His love and

I read about His Joy

And I’ve looked at the

Gospels and Jesus’ life,

His pain and His suffering

And all of the strife.

He loves me, He loves me,

I can’t take it in

He told me in His word to

“Come unto Him.”

I’ll sit at His feet

And look into His face,

To know of His peace

And to know of His Grace.

I know of His love

Because He died for me,

They nailed Him

Roughly to an old tree.

He said, “Father forgive them”

In His darkest hour

And from the crucifixion

Came the power…

To set us free

From sin and death,

And He arose again

To encourage and Bless,

What love!

When life gets too busy

And I’m swept up with the crowd,

I want to hear His words

Say to me aloud

“Come unto Me”

And I shall go running

To the Secret Place

Where I can find Him

His love and His grace

What love!

Then refreshed and restored

We will go out in two’s,

Go into the world

To share the Good News

To bind up the wounded

 And set captives free

This is the task

Jesus has given to me. 

WALKING THE WAY

As I walk this day

Let me walk Your Way

Looking to You for all my needs

Your calling Lord I will heed.

As I start a new day

I will draw close and pray

Remembering all Your mercy and grace

For there is much blessing in that place.

In quiet moments of reflection

I have remembered rejection

But Lord You have always been there

Especially when others have made me despair.

Walk, walk, walk in the light

This can be a struggle and a fight.

There maybe foes on every side

But in His peace we can abide.

Walk, walk, walk day and night

However difficult do not take flight.

Always keep the Lord in sight

Don’t run away even in fright.

Walk, walk, walk in His love and power

Run, run, run to Him, He is our Strong Tower.

When danger lurks in Him we trust

Stay, stay, stay shielded from the enemies’ thrust.

Even though there are giants in the land

We can go forward and make a stand.

We don’t face the battle

With Goliath on our own,

Like David all we need are five small stones.

Caleb and Joshua saw much to delight

But ten saw giants and took fright.

Panic gripped the people like a steel band

So back into the wilderness instead of

The Promised Land!

Make way, make way,

Clear a pathway for The King

Remove the hindrances and allow Him in.

Fear of the future, fear of the past

He will deal with these giants and we will again laugh.

WE CARE

We care

We share

How you feel today.

Don’t despair

Help is there

Only a prayer away.

Tears will cease

He gives peace

To ease the pain you feel.

In this life

There’s much trouble

But you’re not alone

In your struggle

Hold on. 

WHACK, SMACK

 Dedicated to those who are suffering

Domestic Violence in their lives.

Whack, smack

Intense fear

Intense pain

Another beating again and again.

Where can I run to in my distress

Where can I find peace and rest?

Whack, smack, more intense pain

Another beating again and again.

This is a nightmare how can love turn to hate

All this pain dished out by my mate?

Whack, smack, intense fear, intense pain

Another beating again and again.

No one knows what happens

Behind closed doors.

Dare I tell of my anguish and the pain?

For all it will bring is a whack

And a smack again and again.

My heart can’t take it, the beatings and the fears,

The long days and the shedding of many tears.

Watching the clock as the time ticks slowly on

Where have all the dreams and the happiness gone?

Whack, smack, it’s happened again!

Will the dinner be all right?

Shall I smile shall I speak?

Nothing seems to help it only makes it bleak.

Whack, smack another black eye!

Will I die, will I die?

Dark glasses will hide the bruises

Also the swelling caused by tears

But how can I hide the suffering and my fears?

Whack, smack,

Much more yet to come!

As I lay there thinking

From the window I could see

The little birds flying high, flying free.

I cried out to God and in my heart did yell

“Oh Lord above, help me and save me from this hell!”

From that moment of decision

Life began to move

I found the help I needed

And things began to improve.

I can face the changes that must take place

With God’s strength, encouragement,

His wisdom and His grace.

At times I feel quite panicky

My heart beats very fast

But now I feel safe, safe at last.

No more pain, no more bruising,

No more hiding my innermost fears

It’s all out in the open, no more tears.

If only I’d had the courage

To seek the help I needed

But I felt too weak and tearful

Until with God I pleaded.

When I saw those birds flying high and free

I knew this was the answer,

The answer for me

I am free, I am free.

My cry to God gave me the strength to seek

The help that I needed when I was so weak

So don’t despair there’s help out there

And walk hand-in-hand with God.

WHAT COST!

 The gift of life given to me

Cost so much, it was not free.

Anguish, pain and suffering on that tree,

Yes, Jesus died for you and me.

Oh, what a sacrifice of love

That showered down from Heaven above.

He came to give me eternal life

And release me from the chains of strife.

A captive deep in despair and sin

Jesus came my heart to win.

He called me to come to Him

What love I can hardly take it in!

From darkness I came into the Light

Suddenly my life was being put right.

Continually being renewed in my mind

I was no longer spiritually blind.

Life is not easy and problems still arise

But strength and hope are given to the wise;

Wise not in earthly knowledge or power

But of the Spirit, The Lord

Who’s our Strong Tower.

I have my choice to follow The Way

And this is given each and every day.

More of You Lord and less of me

This is my deep heartfelt prayer and plea.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME

How can I ever thank You

For what You have done for me.

You in Your mercy have saved me

To walk in this life and be free.

When I was lonely and in despair

You in Your mercy was always there.

You lifted me up and carried me thro’

And helped me face all the troubles too.

Although trouble hits with a capital ‘T’

I know the Lord looks after me.

He carries me during such emotional stress

How did my life become such a mess?

The hours, the days, the weeks pass by

And there’s every reason for me to sigh.

I can’t see a glimmer of light anywhere

But I know my Heavenly Father is there.

WRAPPED IN HIS ARMS

 I feel like a bird with a broken wing,

A nightingale that cannot sing,

A runner that cannot finish the race

Unable, through tiredness to keep up the pace.

I feel like a soldier in battle lost

And because of this pays a very high cost,

A farmer whose seed fails to grow

Even though he hasn’t forgotten to sow!

What can I say or what can I do?

Who will be able to renew

The fire within that has almost gone

And who will put in my heart a new song?

Solitude, silence and prayer

Makes me realise God is there.

His faithfulness will never depart

For He loves me with all His heart.

I shall not fear what I have to face

For He showers me with abundant grace.

The fire inside will burn with intense heat

And my heart will have a very strong beat.

Wrapped in His arms

Sheltered from life’s harms

How His love deeply calms!

I am not a bird with a broken wing.

I am not a nightingale that cannot sing

Or a runner that can’t finish the race

I will succeed in God’s strength and grace.

I am not a soldier in battle lost

Or a farmer without a crop.

I’m like a mountaineer who reaches the summit

Tied to the Lord so I do not plummet.

Wrapped in His arms

Sheltered from life’s harms

How His love deeply calms!

Your counsel Lord I implore.

Your wisdom Lord I adore.

Your love Lord I can’t run from

My heart Lord You have consistently won.

Your faithfulness Lord is strong and true.

Your forgiveness Lord is there for me too.

Your love Lord I can’t run from

My heart Lord You have consistently won.

Your healing Lord is for me today.

Your peace Lord is a prayer away.

Your joy Lord can fill my heart

Your grace Lord from my life won’t depart.

Your Secret Place Lord is not far away

And in Your protection I can stay.

You go before and bring up the rear.

What comfort to know You are always near.

Your instructions Lord I need to know.

Teach me Lord the way to go.

Your righteousness rules despite much wrong

And I cling to You and sing a new song.

Though trials like troubled waters overflow

My spirit will be at peace and know

That You keep me in the palm of Your hand

And in Your strength I will stand.

My heart Lord You have consistently won.

My spirit leaps for joy at Your Son,

I have been set free no more to roam

Because at last I have found my Home.

YOU HAVE WON MY HEART

YOUR LOVE

When I think of Your love

And how faithful You are

I realize it’s greater

Than the biggest star.

It envelops like a coat keeping me warm

In the cold winter and gusty storm.

What love!

Your love is so deep, wide and high

It reaches up further than the sky

I can’t measure the depth, width or height

But I know within that this is right.

What love!

When I feel alone and in despair

Your love for me is always there.

When I don’t know which way to turn

That deep love I shall always yearn.

What love!

At times my thoughts I find hard to speak

And in myself feel my words are weak

But You know my heart cries out to You

And Your heart cries out for me too!

What love!

Your thoughts and ways I seek to find

It’s the deepest desire of my heart and mind.

It will take a lifetime to come to that place

But I know You will give me Strength and Grace.

What love!

Thank you LORD for being You

Faithful, Strong and so True.

Rich in Mercy and Just too,

Oh dear Father I love You.

YOUR PRESENCE

I delight

You delight

We delight in each other.

Lord, I can’t get enough of You.

Without Your presence it would be

Night without day

No guidance along the Way

Sun without rain

Life with continual pain

Lord I can’t get enough of You.

To wake each morning without You there

Would be to me like a frightening nightmare.

To walk through the day without Your presence

Is like perfume that has lost its essence

But the perfume that sweetly fills the air

Is Your love that tells me You are there.

It brings me joy and immense pleasure

You are to me a priceless treasure.

A treasure hoarded can soon be lost.

It’s to be shared but there’s a cost

Regardless of the hurt and pain.

I don’t seek Your love for personal gain.

I want You to know that deep in my heart

I will chase You should You ever depart.

I can’t be without the love that we share

For You are a pearl so beautiful and rare.

More of You Lord and less of me

This is my heartfelt plea.