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Poetry
I love poetry, especially those poems that open our hearts and minds to the challenges and needs of the world around us; or those that are written from the depths of personal experiences and reflect the deep needs of the human heart.
At this point I would like to thank Linbert for sharing his son Matt’s relevant and challenging poem written in the light of recent world events, simply titled ‘HISTORY’.
Over the years in our Salvation Army Song Book we have read and sung some beautiful and challenging words written by Salvation Army poets; I think especially of General Albert Orsborn affectionately known as the ‘Poet General’; whose songs have captured, captivated and challenged our hearts and minds over the years.
Who can forget the words found in our Salvation Army Song book 610 ‘My life must be Christ’s broken bread’. (Please listen as the ISS sing this beautiful song)
At this point I would like to thank Linbert for sharing his son Matt’s relevant and challenging poem written in the light of recent world events, simply titled ‘HISTORY’.
Over the years in our Salvation Army Song Book we have read and sung some beautiful and challenging words written by Salvation Army poets; I think especially of General Albert Orsborn affectionately known as the ‘Poet General’; whose songs have captured, captivated and challenged our hearts and minds over the years.
Who can forget the words found in our Salvation Army Song book 610 ‘My life must be Christ’s broken bread’. (Please listen as the ISS sing this beautiful song)
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Click on the image to hear the ISS sing, the words are also included.
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I am also reminded of Colonel Catherine Baird another gifted poet who wrote the beautiful words of Song 209.
‘When Jesus looked o’er Galilee,
So blue and calm and fair,
Upon her bosom, could He see,
A cross reflected there?
And who can forget the many beautiful songs and poetry written by General John Gowans.
‘To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me,
In every thought and deed,
This is my aim, my creed,
To be like Jesus this hope possesses me,
His Spirit helping me, like Him I’ll be’
While thinking about all this, I came across an old note-book of mine in which I had written some poetry expressing the feelings of my own heart just before my Covenant Day and Commissioning Day in 1963; in these poems I have opened up my heart to reveal the fears and apprehensive thoughts of a naive 21 year old cadet, about to embark on a future still unknown with many questions, doubts and fears; holding tenuously to the promise the Lord gave to Jeremiah thousands of years before.
‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now as I look back over the many years of serving the Lord in so many different places and sometimes very difficult situations, I have proved time and time again, sometimes in some very dark times, when my faith has been tried and tested, that over the years, God has had so much patience with me as He has worked and woven His plans into my life.
I thank Him for His Graciousness and Patience with me over the years.
I finish with this poem I wrote a number of years ago, proving again the Graciousness of a God who kept the Promise of His Presence with me during a very dark time in my ministry.
I consider it very relevant for each of us today as we struggle to cope with Covid 19.
‘When Jesus looked o’er Galilee,
So blue and calm and fair,
Upon her bosom, could He see,
A cross reflected there?
And who can forget the many beautiful songs and poetry written by General John Gowans.
‘To be like Jesus, this hope possesses me,
In every thought and deed,
This is my aim, my creed,
To be like Jesus this hope possesses me,
His Spirit helping me, like Him I’ll be’
While thinking about all this, I came across an old note-book of mine in which I had written some poetry expressing the feelings of my own heart just before my Covenant Day and Commissioning Day in 1963; in these poems I have opened up my heart to reveal the fears and apprehensive thoughts of a naive 21 year old cadet, about to embark on a future still unknown with many questions, doubts and fears; holding tenuously to the promise the Lord gave to Jeremiah thousands of years before.
‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now as I look back over the many years of serving the Lord in so many different places and sometimes very difficult situations, I have proved time and time again, sometimes in some very dark times, when my faith has been tried and tested, that over the years, God has had so much patience with me as He has worked and woven His plans into my life.
I thank Him for His Graciousness and Patience with me over the years.
I finish with this poem I wrote a number of years ago, proving again the Graciousness of a God who kept the Promise of His Presence with me during a very dark time in my ministry.
I consider it very relevant for each of us today as we struggle to cope with Covid 19.
When events are far beyond our understanding,
When needs are great and strength is very low,
We can sense the Master standing close beside us;
His Grace and Loving Care He’s waiting to bestow.
When worries would crowd out our souls’ deep calmness.
When fears increase and cares begin to rule the heart;
Take time to listen for the Saviour’s Gentle Whisper;
“Take comfort in the Promise we’ll never part”
When Prayer-Time is no longer sweet communion,
When life is hard and God seems far away,
Let us ask as did the first Disciples,
“Please Lord, teach us how to pray”
When friends we relied on, disappoint us,
When we feel alone and no-one seems to care;
Standing near us in the centre of life’s shadows,
Is our Trusted Friend who waits to answer prayer.
(M.W.S. re-written 2020)
When needs are great and strength is very low,
We can sense the Master standing close beside us;
His Grace and Loving Care He’s waiting to bestow.
When worries would crowd out our souls’ deep calmness.
When fears increase and cares begin to rule the heart;
Take time to listen for the Saviour’s Gentle Whisper;
“Take comfort in the Promise we’ll never part”
When Prayer-Time is no longer sweet communion,
When life is hard and God seems far away,
Let us ask as did the first Disciples,
“Please Lord, teach us how to pray”
When friends we relied on, disappoint us,
When we feel alone and no-one seems to care;
Standing near us in the centre of life’s shadows,
Is our Trusted Friend who waits to answer prayer.
(M.W.S. re-written 2020)
Please listen to the ISS singing ‘When Jesus looked o’er Galilee’
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Click on the image to hear the song and watch the presentation of the words.
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Note: This series of 'Pause for Thought' started on Monday 4th May. To find these previous thoughts go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'Daily Pause for Thought' section of the website we will only keep 2 weeks of contributions before putting them into the Archive.
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