"HE" - a poem.

 

 

He bore the curse,

He wore the shame,

He bore Gods' wrath

Endured the pain.

 

He bowed to death,

He graced the tomb,

He brake the bars

Dispelled the gloom.

 

He vanquished death,

He ope'd the graves,

He rent the rocks

And freed its' slaves.

 

He "shewed Himself,"

He banished fear,

He whispered "peace"

Dried every tear.

 

He blessed His own,

He clave the sky,

He upward rose

And reigns on high.

 

He comes again,

 He takes His own,

He brings them "there"

to share His throne.

T.W. 2012

 

 



Mans' Hatred: A Simple Poem

MANS' HATRED: A Simple Poem

 MANS’ HATRED

  CROWNED WITH THORNS UPON THE TREE,

SUFF’RING SUCH DEEP AGONY;

HANDS AND FEET NAILED TO THE CROSS,

HANGING THERE IN SHAME AND LOSS.

BLEEDING, BRUISED AND SPIT UPON,

MOCKED, REVILLED, GODS’ LOVELY SON;

ALL MANS’ HATRED VENTED THERE

HIS ALONE THE LOAD TO BEAR.

BITTER GALL TO SLAKE HIS THIRST,

MANS’ INTENT TO DO HIS WORST.

IN THEIR RAGE AND ANGER FIERCE

LAST HIS SIDE WITH SPEAR THEY PIERCE.

T.W. 2012

His Love: A Short Poem

HIS LOVE :  A Short Poem

HIS LOVE

                                                              JESUS ONLY SAVIOUR

IN THY CROSS I BOAST,

FOR ‘TWAS THERE LORD JESUS

THOU DID’ST LOVE ME MOST

NAY, ‘TIS NOT THE TRUTH, LORD,

THOU STILL LOVEST ME

UPON THY THRONE IN GLORY,

AS MUCH AS ON THE TREE

AND THOU LOV’ST ME ALWAYS,

FROM ETERNITY,

WITH A LOVE AS CHANGELESS

AS THYSELF MUST BE

YEA, THY LOVE’S ETERNAL,

VAST, IMMENSE AND FREE,

ONLY, EVER, ALWAYS,

I AM LOVED BY THEE.

T.W. 2012

Redeemed One: A Poem

REDEEMED ONE - A Poem

REDEEMED ONE

REDEEMED ONE LOOK OFF AND SEE

AUTHOR OF FAITH COMPLETE FOR THEE

THE PATH OF FAITH, AND PRECIOUSLY

SECURE THY SOUL ETERNALLY.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK THROUGH AND SEE

ALL THAT HIS WORD REVEALS TO THEE

OF HIM WHO DIED IN LOVE DIVINE

THAT HE MIGHT  CALL THEE “WHOLLY MINE.”

REDEEMED ONE LOOK BEYOND AND SEE

HIS PRESENCE GRACE ETERNITY,

FULLNESS OF JOYS, UNCLOUDED BLISS,

PLEASURES REPLETE THY SOUL CARESS.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK IN AND SEE

WHAT HIS SALVATION WROUGHT FOR THEE,

FORGIVEN SINS, A NATURE CHANGED,

HIS LIFE IMPARTED, HEAVEN GAINED.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK BACK AND SEE

JESUS, GODS’ SON ON CALVARY,

HUNG UP ‘TWIXT HEAVEN AND EARTH FOR THEE,

THAT THOU MIGHTEST LIVE ETERNALLY.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK UP AND SEE

THE SAVIOUR CLEAVE THE SKY FOR THEE,

WITH ANGEL VOICE AND TRUMP OF GOD

HE’LL TAKE THEE HOME TO HIS ABODE.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK UP AND SEE

THE LORD HIMSELF DESCEND FOR THEE,

CAUGHT UP TO MEET HIM IN THE AIR,

WITH ALL HIS OWN HIS THRONE TO SHARE.

REDEEMED ONE LOOK AROUND AND SEE

CREATION ALL SO BLESSED, WITH THEE,

ALL SUBJECT TO GODS’ LOVELY SON,

ALL OWN THE NAME THAT HE HAS WON.

T.W. 2012



Mission Praise or Missing Praise?

MISSION PRAISE or "MISSING PRAISE?

The above hymn book has been foisted upon numerous Assemblies over the last 28 years or so. It has caused immeasurable damage to the distinctive character of these Meetings. Such a statement may well yield both amusement and disbelief in some quarters; others may be outraged. But this is a serious attempt to address this issue.

Inter-denominational "efforts" always prove to be catastrophic for those who gather to the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ only, and that in simplicity as the scriptures use that expression.

"Mission Praise" was compiled for "Mission England" back in 1984. That particular venture is well remembered by many of us as a disaster. Any exercised soul, anyone professing faith in Christ, was to be directed to the nearest denomination to their home, to be fed spurious and false doctrine. A huge number of "conversions" were claimed to have taken place, but the subsequent years paint a different picture.

A hymn book may be deemed innocuous in having much if any influence on spiritual things. But that is very far from the truth. Even in our Assemblies we occupy much of our time when we come together in singing. If this is of little account why do why engage in it so frequently? We consider it to be an integral part of our worship and a vehicle for praise. Many of the denominations spend almost all their time singing!

It is impossible to escape the fact that some "truths" owe more to hymnody than the Word of God. Without question those hymns which are in accord with the Scriptures are of real profit. Thus it is of great import to choose our hymnbooks with due care and exercise spiritual wisdom.

(In my own experience the introduction of  "Mission Praise" was a major factor, perhaps the most significant one, in bringing the local Assembly to the dreadful condition it is in today.)

The preface of the book commences with "Music has always been vital to the expression of Christian praise and worship, and a dynamic church will constantly find new ways of expressing Christian truth in hymns and songs." There is not a single suggestion of  those elements in the N.T. Scriptures.

I will not make any further quotations from the preface or indeed the book, that is sufficient for me!

What I will comment on is that which obtains today as regards this publication.

Any and all denominations are happy to use it including Roman Catholics. Many "songs" are not able to be sung without musical accompaniment. None of the hymns contain any reference to the rapture. No distinction is made between the different dispensations. The Holy Spirit is directly addressed in numerous hymns. Familiarity in addressing both the Father and the Son abounds. In the preface there is not one reference to the Son, only "God" is used and that sparingly.

Copyright addresses include: American Catholic Press; Ateliers et Presses de Taize; Rev. Elizabeth M. Dyke; Iona Community and others with no obvious affiliation, and for which I do not have the desire to investigate.

Sadly, my "home" Assembly uses this book for Gospel and even Ministry meetings. But (by the grace of  God,) it has never been considered for use at the Breaking of Bread!) It continues to cause some few of us, and we are a small company, much heartache, but two "reasons" are given for its retention: It was already in use before the majority of the Assembly "members" arrived at Bethany; and (O so sad to hear!) the unbelievers who come to the Gospel Meeting like it, and are encouraged to choose the hymns that are sung on these occasions! 

Lovingly, I would entreat my brethren who have not fallen foul of this publication to shun it, and to those who use it at present please spend a little time in perusal of it and make a careful judgement. If you have similar reservations to mine, be bold and cease to use it, and I believe you will find a blessing. 



Wegweiser: Assembly Address Book

A "WEGWEISER" Listing

The Assembly Address Book for Europe

I felt it to be necessary, even profitable, to advise fellow believers who gather to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that there is a listing in the above book that needs to be highlighted. The entry for Mataro, Barcelona, Spain is the one in question.

The "Meeting" there does not begin to equate with the Assemblies as we "know" them. They have a "Pastor," sisters are permitted to take an audible part in the "services," instrumental music is used, and the "Remembrance Meeting" for worship is "sandwiched" somewhere between a number of consecutive meetings on the Lords' day morning.

A sister in the meeting there in Mataro told me that there is a "traditional brethren assembly," (her words,) in another part of the town. Unfortunately I do not have any details.

We have "posted" this to preclude others from going to the meeting held there on a Lords' Day with a view to "calling Him to mind," the One whom we love, and thereby being disappointed.

If any brother or sister in the Lord has details of the Assembly in Mataro we would be grateful to hear from you please.
The full listing reads: E-08301 MATARO, Barcelona
                                    Avda. Jaume Recoder, 69-71


Olympics: Mans' Adulation of Man

OLYMPICS - MANS' ADULATION OF MAN

I felt a real perplexity just last night. I had continued watching more of the 2012 Olympic Games here in my country of birth. My desperately wicked, (but redeemed, praise my Saviour,) heart erupted with a sense of joy and pride at times during these games. My proud "British-ness" apparently eradicated "in Christ" came to the fore.

I had been cautious as the Olympics approached, realising the possibility of detriment to the souls of individual believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. I have no doubt that we may plead that they are legitimate; but for whom?

Many of us who love the Saviour wasted hours watching men and women lauded to immense heights. Commentators frequently ran out of superlatives as they attempted to exalt this one and that one.

Comments were made that defy belief. Almost every athlete interviewed had plans for the the future as if the future lay in their own hands! 

Roman-ism, erroneously termed "Catholicism," was unashamedly exhibited and permitted to give the impression that it was owned of God, as one by one they "made the sign of the cross," and pointed heavenward.

It was abundantly apparent that ambition, aspiration and adulation were the goal of the competitors, while achievement was their god!

Do these appear to be harsh words to the believer in Christ? These men and women from so many parts of this world that is loved by God, have sacrificed immense amounts time, talent, effort and finance to reach their desired reward. Little time, and very likely none, is afforded to things spiritual.

I heard one commentator say "This will be remembered for ever!" What arrogance, what presumption!

At the closure of "time," with the dawn of eternity, not one of these achievements that have dominated the hearts and minds of perhaps billions of people, will ever be recalled. 

Over the ambitions, aspirations and achievements of men God will have written "abomination!" We have seen men almost deified and it is but a portent of what is to come! Mankind will worship a man, the "man of sin," because they will not worship the "Man of Sorrows."

If we, believers may learn but one lesson from these "Games" ought it not to be absolute surrender of our time, talent, energy and finance to our lovely Saviour Who expended everything for us?

Anything that we achieve for His glory will be recompensed with that which is "incorruptible and undefiled and unfading." 1 Peter 1:4.