For under Christ’s wing, I am sheltered and warm,

And it doesn’t matter

When life leaves me battered,

For I’m saved in grace by The Lord.

I fear no dark or hellish throng,

For by my side is God The Son,

So this war is already won!

In Jesus I know I can’t lose,

I fight with weapons that He’ll choose,

I trust Him with faith strong and true,

For know He died to pay MY dues.

My feet stand on the cornerstone,

A soul prepared in love is honed,

‘though human bravery has flown,

My spirit’s strength’s from Heaven’s throne.

Emboldened, unafraid I feel,

Dressed top to toe in divine steel,

God’s armour’s forged with Holy seal,

His succour and great power are real.

I wield His shield and mighty sword,

To defend from un-godly hoards,

‘though trials and battles leave me sore,

No wounds will fester or stay raw.

For God will keep me fighting-on,

And Jesus makes me new and strong,

I’ll stand firm ‘til I join the throng,

In Heaven, where my soul belongs.

Whose name upon the side is “Hope”,

It’s shrinking smaller everyday,

Beneath the storm clouds…looming…grey.

I eddy round upon the tide,

Of troubled waters’ rough, cold ride,

There’re shadows when I look straight down,

Which smirk and wait for me to drown.

I cannot row as have no oars,

Can’t swim, as I’m too far from shore,

I try to paddle with my hands,

But don’t know which way is dry land.

I miserably sit in a heap,

With water lapping round my feet,

I fear it’s just a matter of time,

‘til I’m consumed, by this gloomy brine.

But… as I’m waiting here to die,

I spot something, and squint my eyes,

I see a figure, glowing bright,

Which looks like my Lord Jesus Christ!

He’s walking right across the waves,

Towards me, and I know I’m saved!

He calms the foaming, troubled seas,

And tells all shadows to leave me be.

He sends the storm and clouds away,

And brings light to my darkest day,

He gently steps into my boat,

Brings it to life and revives “Hope”.

He plugs the leaks and mends the sides,

And makes sure I feel safe inside,

I thank Him as I take His hand,

When He says He knows the way to land.

I rest my head upon His chest,

His love and power do leave me blessed,

With God’s great guidance at the tiller,

The ride is smoother and waters stiller.

And Christ negotiates the seas,

That threatened, once, to engulf me,

I find such comfort in the presence of,

My awesome Saviour’s grace and love.

And all things in this mortal realm,

Are better with Him at the helm,

For He’s the way, the truth and life,

Throughout all trials and tests and strife.

And I am safe within God’s hands,

Who made the sky and sea and land,

He keeps my peace and hope afloat,

So gladly, I let Him steer my boat.

Pearls of liquid hope are swerving their way past the darkened hues.

Down in my cave of misery, where helplessness and despair dwell,

I’m trapped in black, hard, icy rock, which wraps me in a cold, cruel shell.

I shiver in the dank, slate air, my slowing breath’s like puffs of smoke,

I feel alone and frightened and so weighed-down by this heavy yoke,

Can barely lift my shoulders, back is aching like it just might break,

I try my best to stand, but it’s so difficult when both legs shake.

The goosebumps cover all of me and anxious sweat beads off my hair,

This prison cell feels much like hell, apart from the flames that burn there,

The jagged rock cuts at my feet, my temple is left bruised and grazed,

The oxygen is running out, which plunges mind in foggy haze.

Slim shadows dance upon the walls, which crawl from every spindly crack,

The trickles of dread fall from stalactites and run down my bare back,

I cry and scream, but no-one hears, so silent is my echo’s call,

I blunder round this blackened cave, but can’t escape and find I fall.

But…whilst I’m down upon the ground, I pray to God to rescue me,

To save me from this misery, release the pain and set me free,

I think He hasn’t heard me, doesn’t care, for at first, I hear nothing,

But as I wait in pleading silence, my ears pick up a gentle… “ting”.

Another, then another – my eyes dart around to find the source,

Until, at last, I see the drips of hope appear by Holy force,

These golden blobs of honeyed-dew glow bright against the jet- black rock,

I’m mesmerized and my heart leaps, as I reach out to touch a drop.

A spark goes through my body and I’m filled with love and Holy light,

Which reassures, reminds me, that God’s here within my current plight,

I concentrate on hope’s drips and block-out the looming, dark surrounds,

Forget my feet are bleeding and ignore the rocks and rugged ground.

A sliver of God’s hope and love is all I need to keep me going,

Enough to fan the flames of faith, when only embers are left glowing,

Thank-you Lord, you never fail to keep this soldier marching on,

And I’m reminded, when I’m weak, your faithful grace will keep me strong.

My body is battered, bruised, so black and blue,

My heart’s hanging heavy and brain starts to lag,

My feet are all blistered and worn legs just drag,

Happy’s morphed to unhappy, and hope is now hopeless,

For life is a struggle, and each day’s a test,

My sword’s become lowered…I hide behind shield,

And Satan is lurking, waiting for me to yield.

I’ve fought a long way, upon life’s trying road,

Being gradually ground down, then crushed by its load,

My eyes have grown weary and seen tragic things,

Stomach churns every morning – wonders what the day brings.

But, as I eventually drop on my knees,

Scream to Heaven’s sky, and beg God for release,

My prayers wend their way up and through Heaven’s gates,

To reach The Lord’s ears, which He lends in His grace.

He says: “My dear child, don’t lose hope…I am here,

I know life is hard, but there’s nothing to fear,

When you’re weak I am strong, and I’ll help you to stand,

I’ll be your support, just reach out, hold my hand.

And when you are frightened of life’s trying view,

Remember that Heaven is fighting for you,

You’re never alone…you are one of the saved,

Along with all saints, who I raise from the grave.

So, stand tall! March on! Feel emboldened in me,

Fix your eyes on the prize, which you’ll earn faithfully,

Listen to your soul’s joy, hear The great Spirit roar,

This provides hope and strength, when this world leaves you sore.

Your weapon’s worn out? I’ll send you a new sword,

That an angel will bring, sent with love from your Lord,

And steel made in Glory, by God’s mighty power,

Will fell every foe and make each demon cower.

So, when this harsh life leaves you down on your knees,

Remember my vows and heed your soul’s great peace,

I’ve prepared you for battle and gave you my armour,

And The Shepherd will guide you when the road gets much harder,

You’re never as lost or as weak as you think,

Believe in my love and there’s no way you’ll sink,

Hold onto your faith, and whatever you do,

Don’t forget that My Heaven is fighting for you”.

Where no light from The Son shines in,

I’m frightened of the shadowed-depths

And blackness that depression brings,

I’m frightened of the caverns in

My mind, of haunting memories,

And hate the basement of regret,

Where cruel hindsight is all I see.

I’m frightened of life’s painful lows,

Scared of the breaking of my hope,

When heart hangs low with sorrows,

And I have to dig deep just to cope.

I’m frightened of my morals slipping,

In this dark and fallen realm,

Can’t bear to look at all my sin,

Whose weight would drag me down to hell.

I’d rather stand on any height,

Breathe-in the freedom and fresh air,

Cast praising eyes to Heaven’s skies,

And my loving Lord who abides there.

I’m not afraid of any height,

But look forward to my elevation,

For death and this world can’t keep me,

As in Christ, I am a new creation.

No longer fallen, dirty, sinful,

But saved, forgiven, and renewed,

Rescued by Lord Jesus Christ,

Cleansed by The Spirit, as He moved through.

No longer guilty – sin’s price paid,

No longer scared of any depths,

For struggles of this mortal life

All vanish at great Heaven’s steps.

So, take me up to Heaven’s heights…

I know it’ll be a wonderous sight,

To see Lord Jesus, shining bright,

In His victory robes of brilliant white.

On that day, everything will be alright,

Dark, dingy depths of pain of life,

All manner of monsters I’ve had to fight,

Will fade away in Holy light.

And I can’t fall from Heaven’s heights,

For Jesus holds my soul quite tight,

Through HIM, I’m perfect in God’s sight,

With a promised future, so blissful and bright.

THANK-YOU JESUS!

I’m scanning, frantic, all around,

I’ve turned my pockets inside-out,

Searched handbag, but it can’t be found.

Without the key the door stays locked,

And I can’t open-up my home,

My heart beats in a panic…

Mouth goes dry…eyes filling up with woe.

I’m sure I had the key back when

My bones were young, and faith was fresh,

But since then, life has worn me down,

And now my brain’s a jumbled mess.

I used to be so certain

Of so many things, back in the day,

Feet planted on a righteous path,

Now I struggle, with rocks in the way.

So, was it then I lost the key?

Did I let it go when I fell down?

I remember thinking selfishly,

With bruised hope and a battered crown.

For rocks can make us stumble,

Twist our ankles and will stub our toes,

They’ll also get quite slippery

When they’re wet with troubled water’s flow.

I should have held on to the key

More tightly in these flailing times,

For now I feel most certain,

It got swept away in bitter brine.

‘though retrospect now shows me

That I never could have held this key,

For if I had, I would have clasped it

To my chest, most gratefully.

So, now I find I’ve been locked out,

Am standing, helpless, in the cold,

Oh, curse the exuberance of youth,

Which ebbed away as I grew old.

It’s too late for cruel hindsight now,

I’m lost, already in the dark,

‘though I see flames, there is no warmth,

Just pain within each tortured spark.

I didn’t have the precious key

In life, but shoved Him out of sight,

Didn’t treat Him with due reverence,

Didn’t praise Him as The Way and Light.

I should have fixed my eyes upon

Lord Jesus, not poor worldly things,

Then I wouldn’t be locked out of Heaven now,

Where I can’t hear the angels sing.

When this cocky fella rocks up, looking like a movie star,

He’s wearing a red velvet suit and polka-dot cravat,

Expensive shoes, designer watch, gold ring and trilby hat!

His flattery’s convincing and he simply oozes charm,

He asks if I would like to dance, and offers me his arm,

Before I give an answer, he’s already grabbed my hand,

And whisks me to the dance floor, where he does instruct the band.

They play up-tempo music, and he twirls me round and round,

‘til I cannot catch my breath to speak and feet don’t touch the ground!

He’s having a right jolly time, is happy, laughing, smiling,

He whispers sweetly in my ear and tries to be beguiling.

I really want him just to stop, as feel I’m getting dizzy,

I do not want to dance with him, and am getting in a tizzy,

I try my best to push him off and keep on saying no,

But he doesn’t want to listen, grabs my waist and won’t let go.

Then a kindly, calm and gentle man cuts in to end this jig,

The first fella dare not protest – sees his Holy crown’s too big,

For King Jesus comes to save me, from The Devil’s deadly dance,

He won’t let him sweep me off my feet, to lie and charm, entrance.

He takes a hand to steady me as Satan skulks away,

And promises, forever, that he will keep him at bay,

For Christ is my protector, mighty Saviour and my love,

And no-one does rank higher, here on earth or Heaven above.

So Jesus says he’ll get my coat, and safely see me home,

And I’m blessed and saved and humbled, when he gifts me HIS own robes!

So happy and relieved am I, when we walk off together,

Not in any evil dance, just loving hand-in-hand, forever.