The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)

The Father saw Him tender and pure
But in our eyes, there was no allure
We despised Him, forsook
We turned our backs, refused to look

Yet our grief weighed Him down;
Our sorrows, He bore
And we thought they were His sins
He was punished for

He was wounded and bruised for us;
He was whipped; He was beat
So we could be healed
And we could know peace

We were the ones
Who, like sheep, from God strayed
Yet on Him our guilt
And sin had been laid

He was oppressed and afflicted

Yet never spoke to defend
Like a lamb to the slaughter
Before those that condemned 

From prison and trial,
Then to His death, He was led
But who of us knew, that He
Suffered and died in our stead

He was buried like a criminal
In a rich man's grave
Yet He did no wrong
Nor an evil word did He say

Yet all of His suffering
Was part of God's plan
His death, the sacrifice
To bring forgiveness to man

So He shall live again
With a multitude of sons
God shall prosper in His plan
That His servant will have done

Thus His honour shall be great
Since He gave His life, His all
Shared the fate that we deserved
And pled with God for us all

Do They Remember Christ?

The brothels close in Bolivia 
One Friday of the year
I wonder, do the prostitutes,
To Jesus Christ, draw near

Do they remember Christ
How He ate with their kind
Along with corrupt men
Who cheated people blind 

Do they remember Christ 
Who hurled no condemnation  
At the adulteress caught in the act 
But gave her hope for salvation 

Do they remember Christ 
Who fully knew the past 
Of the woman at the well,
Whose marriages didn't last 

He offered her the gift of faith,
To drink of Living Water 
To believe that she could be 
God's beloved daughter

Do they remember Christ 
Whose flesh was whipped and torn
Who was spit upon and mocked
Assailed with shame and scorn 

Do they remember Christ 
And the cross on which He died
Who promised paradise 
To the repentant by His side

Do they remember Christ 
Do they take the bread and wine
Do they taste of God's forgiveness 
Do they hear Him say, "Be Mine"
---

He is Our Peace

Jesus weeps for those who blindly do not see,
"If only you had known what would bring you peace"
Do you diligently study God's holy word
Yet refuse to come to Christ, who is the Living Word
Do you put your hope in obeying God's commands
But refuse to receive grace extended by Christ's hands
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"
Christ prayed as He endured the cross for me and you
Excruciating anguish He suffered in our place 
Pierced for our sins, we mocked Him, turned away
He poured out His life, was counted as one of us
Yet He was pure and spotless, like a lamb, Christ Jesus
Sin's sacrifice was paid, the veil in the temple was torn
Christ body was placed in a tomb until that first Easter morn
When He defeated death and rose up from the grave 
He is the hope of nations, and mighty to save 
He's the Messiah you've been waiting for, Jesus is the One
The Son of Man is God's only begotten Son 
May the veil fall from your eyes so that you might see
And know the One who, alone, will bring you peace 
---
April 14, 2017

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound

Swaddling Clothes

Shred these filthy rags
I've claimed as righteousness
Wrap me in Your mercy, Lord
I'm naked, I confess
Bind me with Your loving hands
Which once were bound for me
Cradle me, sweet Saviour
I'm a child at Your feet
---
Good Friday 2009

A Poem for Palm Sunday

Rejoice before the LORD your God
With branches from leafy palms
Celebrate the One who has 
Your name engraved on His palms

Give glory to God in the heavens 
Bless His name, and with joy, shout 
For if you keep silent,
Surely the stones will cry out

Give thanks to the good LORD,
Join in the festive throng
Exalt our Saviour and praise Him,
Approaching the altar with song

Proclaim what the LORD has done
Marvellous things in our eyes
Rejoice and be glad today
For His love for us will never die
---
April 9, 2017

Prophecy is Unfolding (Matthew 24)

Prophecy is unfolding Before our very eyes   A new world  order  is coming    Ruled by deception and lies Do not be alarmed    When wars and...