WHAT MARY SAW

One look into the Bible and what is it we see?

A most extraordinary man, who’s also deity.

A man who walked among us, whom few could understand.

Who always gave the answer, though questions were unplanned.

He was the firstborn offspring in Mary’s family.

Joseph was her husband. What sort of man was he?

There’s not much information. Perhaps an older man,

Who seemed to care for Mary, the way good husbands can.

He wasn’t sure who Jesus was, but knew the Lord had said,

He wanted him to care for her and that they were to wed.

How long they lived together, we really do not know.

But they remained a family, who loved their mother so.

Now Jesus was an “oddball” He didn’t seem to fit.

He always was obedient; He always did submit.

Not like the average person, He seemed to be far more,

Than any other man they’d seen, who came through their front door.

Then Joseph died and Mary was left to soldier on.

She knew her son was different. Then after He had gone,

And started as a rabbi, the tales she heard were strange.

Some said that He was going mad and was a bit deranged.

They said He was beside Himself. His teachings didn’t fit.

Where did He get these strange ideas? They didn’t help a bit!

So she and all her children; went off to bring Him home.

If He’d become a lunatic, they couldn’t let Him roam.

And so they went to fetch Him. They couldn’t stand aside.

They found where He was speaking and then they really tried

To get Him to go with them. She called Him as her son.

But He replied His “family” would see God’s Word was done!

This really was no answer. His words caused great offence.

She saw that He would carry on and then it made good sense.

He had to take His message; His Kingdom was at hand;

This couldn’t be a madman; His vision was too grand.

He had to serve His Father; Not Joseph; He was dead.

He had to serve the Living God, wherever He was led.

He had to take His shining light, so everyone could see,

That God was in their presence and they could all be free.

She knew what soon would happen; She knew that He would die;

She knew this very son of hers was truly God Most High!

And so she watched Him leaving. A vast crowd was in tow.

They said that they would follow Him, no matter where He’d go.

But it was quite impossible; His death, a certainty;

In front of Him there was a cross as sure as sure could be.

And so she watched Him walk away with sadness in her heart.

She knew it was impossible, to not to play His part.

And deep within her spirit she knew this was the best.

No other way was possible, for mankind to be blessed.

Jim Strickland – written 24^th November 2011.

FULLY PROTECTED

When we think of protection, what do we have in mind?

A special type of glasses to stop us going blind?

Perhaps a special hearing aid to keep the volume low?

And then there is God’s armour to keep us on the go.

We know that this will help us. But we are flesh and bone.

A very small car accident could leave us on our own.

Our fear of drunken drivers is very, very real.

They take the lives of many folk inside their cage of steel.

The wars that we have heard about and some of us have seen,

Remind us of our frailty and how exposed we’ve been.

We think it is a lottery. The ones we sat beside,

Have vanished like the morning mist as all of them have died.

We hold on tight to what we have. We say that life is sweet.

But every one of us some day the Lord our God will meet.

We think we are protected from every sort of harm;

Provided we are carrying our favourite lucky charm.

Never go out in the cold without your woollen vest.

When you go to functions make sure you are well dressed.

But this is not protection! It’s leaving things to luck!

That in the face of danger that you know when to duck.

But there is a much better way, a way that’s guaranteed.

A way to get assistance, when in your time of need.

Turn to God Almighty and there beneath His wing,

You’ll find there is an answer to each and everything.

His armour will protect you. His life will be in you.

You’ll find His promise faithful in everything you do.

No enemy will harm you. For if they even try,

They’ll find they are attacking the apple of His eye.

No matter what is happening, if you will just stand firm.

You’ll find that His salvation will last an extra term.

In trouble He’s your refuge; your overwhelming strength.

No matter what’s confronting you, He’ll go to any length

To keep away the arrows which fly at you at night.

The power of His Spirit will put your foes to flight.

So do not be discouraged and do not be dismayed.

There is no need to tremble; no need to be afraid.

For you will find Him with you and granting you His peace.

This is your true protection which nevermore need cease.

Jim Strickland – Written 23^rd November 2011

WHAT IS PRAYER?

The most neglected thing in all of Christendom today;

Is that so many people, don’t find the time to pray.

We know we aught to do it. We’ve heard about prayer’s power.

But when it comes to doing it, our willingness turns sour.

Don’t think you are the only one. I’m told that three percent,

Of Christians in the world today see time in prayer well spent.

Please note I’m not excluded. I wish I could improve.

But even so I must admit, it should be Spirit moved.

It isn’t just an attitude; it’s knowing what to say.

It feels intimidating, that why we stay away.

But do not be discouraged by not knowing what to do.

The Lord has sent us someone, Who wants to pray through you.

He’s called the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Paraclete.

He came to earth to help us. So that we too can meet,

The problem with our praying. When words are running out,

The groaning in our Spirit, shows us without a doubt,

That He knows what is wanted. And though our mind is blank,

The words we speak and utter come forth from heaven’s bank.

By praying in the Spirit, our mind is not involved.

The contact with the Father and where we are, is solved.

We don’t have the ability to understand all things.

But Jesus, by His Spirit, causes heaven’s bells to ring.

Regardless of how weak we are, the Spirit searches hearts.

It’s at that very time we find, that intercession starts.

Why should we understand it? The thoughts are God to God.

To know what They are saying, would really be most odd!

So surely it’s the time for us, to see through Jesus’ eyes.

That prayer is not a list of things to try on God for size.

It’s infinitely more than that. It’s standing as a link,

Between the blessed God-head. It isn’t what we think.

It is so inspirational, we wonder why we stop;

And as we take our part in it, the Master gets a crop,

Far bigger than He planted when He came into me.

Instead it’s universal; not my ability.

So let us take another look at prayer and all it means.

If you prefer a shopping list, forget about your dreams.

For you will never get there by living in a box.

Not when the Lord is planning to blow you from your socks!

To make your prayer life meaningful and not a boring chore;

Instead, an opportunity, of doing something more.

Of being a participant, in what the Lord desires;

And seeing the fulfilment, of all that He requires.

Jim Strickland – Written 22^nd November 2011.

CAST AWAY

It’s comforting to know that we will never be cast out.

In spite of how we’re feeling, there really is no doubt.

He said that those who come to Him, He’ll never send away.

But this must never be a chance, to live from day to day,

Doing anything we want and delving into sin.

That’s not what He intended. He tells us we must win,

Our contest with temptation and live to please Him most.

It’s not something to crow about, or strut around and boast.

He said we are the follower of him whom we obey.

So if you follow Satan, it isn’t Jesus’ way.

He told religious people, that Satan was their dad.

The reason was they kept on doing, what they knew was bad.

You cannot follow Jesus and live the devil’s way.

Forget it man! That’s nonsense. The one whom you obey;

That person is your master, in spite of what you think.

The blood of Jesus cleanses us snow white and never pink.

And Jesus is compassionate. He knows what’s going on.

He knows when you’re oppressing folk and just where you belong.

If you oppress your neighbour and leave him in the cold;

He’ll certainly reward you, but not with bags of gold.

He’ll see that you experience your neighbour’s circumstance.

He’ll leave you in the darkness, without a second chance.

Call upon Him while He’s near and change the way you live.

Make your top priority, to constantly forgive,

Those who have mistreated you. Because friend, if you don’t,

Then be assured that in your turn, please know that Jesus won’t,

Forgive you for what you have done. It always works that way.

The measure you apply on folk is what He’ll use today.

If you forgive a thimble-full, He’ll take that very thing;

He’ll use your thimble on you. That how much He will bring,

Forgiveness when you need it. How much is up to you.

The measure that you choose to use is just how much you’ll view.

So when you give forgiveness, think of a big front load,

That’s big enough to fill the dam and still repair your road.

God knows it’s what I’m needing; I’m needing it “big time”.

Enough to fill the ocean to pay for all my crime.

So ask the Lord for mercy, to cleanse your sin today.

For if you do not do it, Your sins are here to stay.

Jim Strickland – Written 21^st November 2011

HE IS ALWAYS WITH US

He took a look around him and thought he was alone.

The prospects for his future caused him to give a groan.

For years he’d followed Jesus. For years he’d been His friend.

But as he looked around him he asked, “Why did it end”?

Where is the Master’s presence? Why do I feel this way?

He said He’d never leave us. But where is He today?

It feels as though the heavens are one great sheet of brass.

His prayers kept bouncing back to him, as if they couldn’t pass,

Through some gigantic barrier. That’s why he felt cut off.

And Satan’s taunts rang in his ears; “He’s gone away” he’d scoff.

These are tough times of testing. “The dark night of my soul”,

Is what some folk have called it; like God’s not in control.

When we’ve done all the praying, but still something is wrong.

It’s in these times of loneliness; we need to sing a song.

Exalt Him with our praises. Bless His Holy Name!

We may think we’re deserted. That never is His game.

The darkness all around us may be as though it’s night.

But as we wait with patience, He comes forth as the light.

We may pass though the waters convinced we’re going to drown.

It will not overwhelm us. He will not let us down.

The fire won’t consume us. Perhaps we think we’re blind.

But when the clouds have lifted we’ll see the Christ light shine!

The fire will not burn us; the flames He’ll turn aside.

We’ll soon be at His wedding, each one of us His bride.

He’ll smooth off the rough places and make them level ground.

He’s promised when we seek Him, by Him we will be found.

Perhaps we’re in Death’s valley. Do not raise the alarm.

His rod and staff protect us and keep us from all harm.

We know He is trustworthy. It is His guarantee,

That what He’s done for other folk, He’ll do for you and me.

Our little friend was listening. He felt his faith arise.

“No longer will I listen to Satan’s wicked lies.

I know that I’ve just passed through, the dark night of the soul.

But Jesus had His purposes and He’s still in control.

I know that I can trust Him. I’ve trusted Him before.

I may not sense His presence. Regardless, He’s far more,

Than any sort of feeling or anything I see.

He’s still my Lord and Master. I know that He loves me!”

Jim Strickland – Written 20^th November 2011

LOOK AT THE FRUIT

How do we ever recognise if someone is a fake?

What is it we should look for, preventing a mistake?

It’s not by what they’re wearing. It could be a disguise,

Worn to bring confusion and spread the devil’s lies.

We mustn’t be misguided by what the people speak.

Unless they’re using swear words. Such words are “up the creek”.

But even those who come to us suggesting they are pure,

Are frequently not genuine; of this we can be sure.

So how then do we recognise someone’s a man of God?

First look at his lifestyle, to see if it is odd.

Pay a little visit in private to his mate.

Ask for their opinion. Ask if they will rate,

Their partner as a Christian, or tell if they’re a fraud.

It’s at this sort of interview we find who is their Lord.

Of course it’s still subjective. What others think or feel.

How can we have the confidence their testimony’s real?

There isn’t an alternative. We must look at the fruit,

To see if they are Christian or frauds of ill repute.

We mustn’t be judgemental. That’s not the way to go.

But what they do consistently is what they’re sure to show.

The Bible clearly tells us the righteous do what’s right.

They keep the Lord’s commandments continually in sight.

They’ve put aside hypocrisy and every form of sham.

Admit to their complicity if they are in a jam.

The truth is more important than putting on an act.

And they acknowledge Jesus as the one unchanging fact.

The Master told us plainly, the kind of life we live,

Is what we should be looking at. The fragrance that we give,

To others on the journey. The things we say and do,

Is what we should be looking at! It gives a certain view

Descriptive of our character. He said this was our “fruit”,

That couldn’t be mistaken and no one can dispute.

It seems so elementary; the water from our spring,

Cannot be fresh and salty. There’s really no such thing.

An olive tree bears olives. Its fruit is never thorns.

There’s no figs on a grape vine. Its what we are adorns,

Our lives with such a clarity. The fruit is always good.

Descriptive of our living the way we know we should.

It’s such a simple lesson. It isn’t hard to see,

The way that someone’s living his life consistently.

And so this is the yardstick to identify a flake,

Or prove they are a Christian and live for Jesus’ sake.

Jim Strickland – Written – 19^th November 2011

GETTING JUSTICE?

When it comes to discipline, just how much is too much?

A dressing down; a flogging; six of the best as such?

How do we choose a punishment, that truly fits the crime?

And what about consistency, when done a second time?

We criticise the judges if the penalty is light.

And scream at them in anger, if they don’t get it right!

But they too have their limits. They do not like our jeers.

Littering does not deserve a sentence of ten years.

And yet we would be outraged if killers were “let off”.

We’d shake our heads in anger and at the sentence scoff.

We’d say it wasn’t justice; we’d bitterly complain,

And say that the death sentence should be brought back again.

Mostly we’ve forgotten that revenge is never sweet.

We think it’s more appropriate to grab someone and beat,

The living daylights out of him, for turning up his nose,

If somehow, and by accident, he stands upon our toes!

At times we have forgotten our humour and our mood.

We jump to snap decisions and on occasions, brood

About what we would like to do. if we could get the chance.

We’d thrash them so severely; their brains would start to dance.

We must admit that people, can never get this right.

We need someone to deal with things; someone who’s not in sight;

Someone who’s so consistent, we really can’t complain.

We Christians have that person! Christ Jesus is His name!

His discipline is perfect; He’s absolutely just.

He comes up with a sentence that everyone can trust.

And right across the border, each one of us agree,

That justice has been satisfied, for all the world to see.

And yet there is a problem; we’re sinners one and all.

We think there is a difference; some big sins, others small.

But that is just a fallacy. Each sin is just as bad.

We’re “monsters of iniquity” and it is very sad.

We all deserve forever in the lowest pit of hell;

But Jesus came and died for us; and best as we can tell,

He did it ‘cause He loves us; the price is fully paid.

The big sins and the little ones regardless of their grade.

We think that there are differences. But that’s the devil’s lie.

The depth of our depravity, not one of us can spy.

Those He has forgiven are grateful what’s been done.

We gaze in total thankfulness, at Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

We’re glad we are no better than any other saint.

We’re thrilled that by His action; the picture that we paint,

Is standing in a place of complete equality.

No one’s any better off, or any worse than me.

We thank God He has spared us. It’s more than we deserve.

We only look at others now, to find out where to serve!

Jim Strickland – Written 18^th November 2011