This Baby

He challenges me
this baby:
I cannot kneel by his manger
and not
be changed,
I cannot gaze into those beautiful eyes
and stay the same,
I cannot hold him close
and fail to be aware
that his purpose in coming
is for him
to hold me,

I cannot welcome this new life
without acknowledging
that this baby
invites me
to radically new ways of being;

I simply cannot find the words
to express
how the coming of this child
challenges me
to change.

A Saviour is born
and life
will never be the same again.

He challenges me
this baby.

Safe

held in the Father’s arms
I am safe

soaked in the Father’s love
peace
permeates my tiredness

he knows

he knows everything about me
within
and without

he will restore me

all will be well

Deeper

deeper

deeper into my love
that’s where I want to take you

closer
closer to my heart
that’s where I long
to draw you

washed
washed in my blood
that’s how much I forgive you

healed
fully healed
that’s how I want to bless you

filled
filled with my Spirit
that’s how I
want to see you

the question is

will you let me do this
for you

The Yes of God

I stand in awe
of answered prayer
stand in complete humility
before God’s Yes

the definitive Yes
the radical Yes
the active, dynamic, creative Yes
the Yes that brings miracles
into being
before my very eyes

the Yes of God
that gives new strength
to crippled bones
restores sight to the sightless
shrinks tumours amazingly
into oblivion
regenerates organs lost to disease
reverses the death march of AIDS
and heals, and heals
and heals
today

miracle maker
creative healer
abundantly, wonderfully
gracious God
I stand in awe
of your Yes

Whispers From Within

whispers from within

prompt me

to stop
take space
to pause

give myself permission
to grow still

breathe in
his presence
drink in
his peace

centre myself
once more

in him

The Slate

Psalm 32

God
holds nothing
absolutely nothing
against you

the slate’s
wiped perfectly clean

from the moment
the confession
begins to pour from your lips
you are free

it is forgiven
total
complete
instantaneous

let it go

make a new start

the slate
is clean

Come Spirit, Come

Spirit of God
come

come
as the gentle whisper
come as the raging torrent
come as the roaring storm
come
in the quiet moment

come
in whatever way
will catch my attention today

but come, Spirit
come