Rod's Wildside Photography and Poetry

Only One Drop

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:49:00 +0000

There’s been many a time at communion

That I’ve gazed at the bread and the wine.

So often in fact, that often I lack

To comprehend fully the sign

That these elements demonstrate to us,

The story they bring to our mind.

Of why they are used, so often abused,

Yet ignore it ? Yes we’re often unkind.

I know we are there to remember,

The death of our Saviour, God’s Son.

Yet we get so familiar, it all seems so similar,

That the meaning is beyond us – undone.

It becomes to us second nature,

To receive the cup and the bread.

The fact He was killed, is our mind ever stilled?

No, we forget that He ever was dead.

I’m aware of my sin, there’s enough of it,

I’m reminded of it each time I pray.

It’s there in the Book, each time that I look,

That fact will I think, ever stay.

Yet the same book speaks of forgiveness,

That the price of sin has been met.

No more do I owe, I can now let it go,

For God has said He’ll forget.

I gazed into the cup set before me,

Then a question I asked my dear Lord.

“Did you ever stop, to count every drop -

That that out of your body poured?

How many drops does it take Lord?

To wash away all of my sin?

I then felt a tear, as He spoke in my ear,

And such love overwhelmed me within.

I knew all that the Bible said about sin,

And that shedding of blood was required.

But the answer I got, that erased every spot,

Was nothing short of inspired.

I had pictured in my mind a river,

That at the least would be needed to stop

My journey to hell, I knew that so well,

Yet He said...No, just one drop!

One drop of my blood is sufficient,

To erase from your record, your sin.

I said, “That can’t be, I’m so black, you can see,

I’m filthy without, and within.

“Look no longer at what you have done or said.

This all belongs in the past.

Fix your gaze upon me, as I hang from the tree.

That drop will eternity last.

So whenever the cup and the bread are served,

I can never again feel condemned.

What Christ has done, the victory He’s won,

Through the blood that was not stemmed.

Can I ever forget the word that He spoke?

That forced my doubts to stop.

That one single act, an indisputable fact,

The cleansing that came from one drop.

The evenings are drawing in!

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:11:00 +0000

I love the start of summer

With days that are long and hot.

The memory of the winter’s cold

Is something almost forgot?

For in those dark short days

We feel so low and restricted,

Then spring comes round the corner

And our spirits feel so lifted.

The energy we feel within

Seems like the sap, to rise.

I do enjoy those daylight hours,

Plus the sun high in the sky.

There’s time to do the gardening

When coming home from work,

Or, on the bike for a quick ride,

No hint of winter murk

We’re woken in the mornings

By the sound of singing birds.

They sing their very hearts out

Determined to be heard.

Everywhere there’s colour

No matter where you look.

It’s as if God used every shade there was

In His great painting book.

The month of May has more treats

Than all the months before.

All around the island

There’s migrant birds galore.

Each sporting brand new feathers,

Their mate they must impress.

Then butterflies come on the scene

They too - in fancy dress.

All of this continues

At such a frantic pace,

It’s as if a clock is ticking,

And all are in a race.

For so they are, it’s true to say

That as each day comes and goes,

The urgency grows greater,

As the daylight hours grows.

It’s well known in my family

Come June just what I’ll say,

Because it happens every year

Following the longest day.

It’s fact, there’s no denying it,

Yet there’s a knowing grin-

When I come out with my annual phrase,

The evenings are drawing in.

The evenings are drawing in,

With a feeling that starts to sink.

But as I do, a little voice -

Says something that makes me think,

I’m reminded of a time to come,

When the sun will forever shine.

No dark and dismal winter days,

Or passing years and time.

I will no longer be able to say

The evenings are drawing in.

You will however see me

With a massive infectious grin.

No cloud, or rain, no wind or snow.

Just endless sunny days -

Will be my portion evermore,

To sing my Redeemers praise!

Eagles Wings

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:07:00 +0000

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall rise up with wings like eagles

The cliff face stood quite cold and bleak,

With rain splattered moss, bright green.

A windswept ledge was evident

As yet no sun was seen.

And perched upon this ledge so high,

Pressed hard against its side

Was an eagle resting patiently

Waiting for a thermal ride.

The lesson learnt when just a chick

Was wait for the sunrise.

This way the flight is effortless

To rise up in the skies.

It sometimes meant it couldn’t go

Just where and when it pleased.

Patience and understanding

Was the key to a life of ease.

For with the sun high in the sky

This bird knew it could soar

Without the need to struggle,

The need to flap, no more.

With wings outstretched

The thermals did the work

It came as second nature

This waiting had a perk.

The Bible teaches us

In words so plain and true

If we would know His strength

Then this we too must do.

To wait, and rest and keep our eye

Just where the Son turns up

That way we quickly learn to walk

Or run, and never drop.

For those who wait upon the Lord

Shall renew their strength each day,

They will not faint or tire

If they let Him have His way.

So if you want to soar like eagles

The secret is not great.

If the Spirit is not moving you

Then simply wait, and wait.

Unlimited Resources

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:35:00 +0000

We went to town last week to do some bits and bobs.

Nothing in particular, although there was one job.

When we had a grandson we saved up our loose cash

And once in a while when there’s enough, to the bank we would dash.

We did the same this Saturday, and as we stood in line

A thought dropped into my head, that there would come a time

When Zach would be quite old enough to know he had a sum

That bit by bit had mounted up and then the time would come

When with his bank book in his hand he could draw some out

He didn’t have to worry, he didn’t have to doubt.

While too young to understand, or even be aware

Resources are building up from those who love and care.

It didn’t depend on what he did, the kind of boy he was

The money was simply there, I have to say, because

His Gran and Granddad love him just the way he is,

He didn’t have to earn it; the fact is it was his.

To do with as he wanted, to spend it in his own way

We wouldn’t dictate just where it went, we wouldn’t have a say.

So we’ll go on saving, until the time is right

And when we hand it over we’ll share in his delight.

This got me kind of thinking how just like life is this?

A truth that stares us in the face, and yet can so easily miss.

That in our name a bank account is there in time of need,

To draw upon, to benefit, if the truth of God we heed.

He says to me in weakness, His strength will make me strong.

When I mess up, do stupid things, do something that is wrong,

For me there is forgiveness, a massive stash of grace,

But I must go and draw it out, if the future I will face.

The Father put a huge sum of credit in sending us His Son

It seems so sad to waste it, with all that He has done.

When next you go into a bank to draw some money out

Remember all that Fathers done, you never need to doubt.

If in any way you lack, in spirit or in soul

It need not forever stay that way; He wants to make you whole.

You may not realise in Him how rich you really are.

It’s something that’s not measured by size of house or car.

It’s also not dependant on how much is in the bank

As a son or daughter of the King it is how high you rank.

If Father owns the cattle upon a thousand hills

Then all is at His disposal, and can give it as He wills.

So never think you’re wanting, or a need that goes unmet

As heirs to the King of all, we never should forget.