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

John 15.4

abide in me

remain
in my love
let me hold you
enfold you
comfort you
nurture you
create in you
all that you might be

dwell
in my presence

rest there
remain there
abide

let me shower you with
blessing upon blessings
let me circle you
wash over you
cascade my love upon you

remain
in my love

abide

1 John 4.13-16

I am the complete expression
of love
greater by far
more consistent
than any other love
you’ll ever know
than any other love
that’s ever warmed
and touched your heart

imagine that
I am the complete expression of love
in all its fullness
love
as it was designed to be
wonderful
sustaining
forgiving
serving
perfect, perfect love

and I long to overwhelm you
with that love
to lavish it upon you
to swamp you with it
hold you in it
never
let you go

open your heart
to receive

there are no conditions
it’s all
for you
whatever you’ve done
whatever others
have done to you
however you’re feeling
right now
it’s all for you

open your heart
to receive

when the chips
are really down
and there’s
not much to believe in
and nowhere else to run

strengthen my belief, Lord

when the rubber hits the road
and puts me
to the biggest ever test

deepen my trust
trust in you
trust in self

when it all seems impossible
in simple human terms

remind me
nothing
is beyond your help

and when I’m asking
again and again
how long

whisper to me
tenderly

that you’re a
not in advance
just in time
precisely the best moment
eleventh hour
God

and miracles
happen

and you
will
hold me through

Ephesians 3.14-21

beyond my deepest need
or highest hope

able to encompass
and restore
all humankind

endless
stupendous
enfolding
upholding

astounding reach of love
at one with me

surrounding
indwelling
healing
empowering

the source of all that is
and all I am

forgiving
renewing
nurturing
enabling

drawing out potential
for the call

beyond me
within me
limitless
yet personal

seeing
all that’s needed for my life

loving
always loving
infinitely loving

loving
with a love that says

let’s dance

in the silence
there is wisdom

in the silence
there is love

in the silence
is my healing

and in the silence
I dare to meet my deepest self

at one
with the Creator

Jewish carpenter
seeks committed, enthusiastic amateur
for communications exercise.

No knowledge of working with wood needed.
No references required.
Previous history and experience
completely irrelevant.
Past integrity and moral values
also unimportant.

Full job description currently unavailable
but likely to unfold as the work progresses.

Applicant will almost certainly be
required to travel;
may have to leave behind the known, familiar
and must be prepared to take risks.
Helpful if able to leave at short notice.

The job will almost certainly require skills
that are outside the candidate’s current experience,
but everything that is required
will be provided.

Salary cannot be guaranteed
and on occasions may be below the statutory minimum
but applicants are assured
that any reimbursement
will be sufficient to meet their basic needs.

Discernment and listening skills are desirable for this post
but on the job training will be available.

The job is likely to be unpredictable and challenging
and to take the successful applicant in new directions.
This is a highly rewarding position
for which the only essential attribute required
is an ability to
believe wholeheartedly in the project.

All applicants welcomed
with open arms.

rhythm
of the eternal

infuse me
transfuse me
cradle me here

rise up
from deep within
steep me
in yourself

who
is this man?

miracle maker
healer
shaker of the status quo

carpenter from Nazareth
or more than that?

who is this ordinary
extraordinary man?

freedom fighter
truth teller
charismatic Saviour

or simply
son of Mary?

who is
this enigmatic man?

challenger
disturber
compassionate one

confronter
forgiver

befriender of thieves

soul shaper
peacemaker
peace breaker?

unlike any other
and yet so much
like everyman

who
can he be?

rule breaker
covenant maker

lover
teacher
friend

divinity
embodied through humanity?

who exactly is
this special man?

and who is he

for me?

streaked with the blood
of the Christ,
the hideous wood
is beautified,
timber
now bearing scars
of the pivotal Kingdom event,
the carpenter’s imprint
on the cross,
the patterning
of the one who hung there
cardinal red
on the grain,
the Master craftsman
fashioning
his final piece
in wood,
a beautiful work
of eternal
significance.