Friday, February 17, 2023

Only Once!


ONLY ONCE


I shall pass through this world but once.

Any good, therefore, that I can do,

Or any kindness I can show,

Any witness that I can give,

By God’s grace, and for His glory

let me do it now.

Let me not defer it or neglect it,

For I shall not pass this way again.


The original item was written by

Stephen Grellet (28 October 1772 – 16 November 1855)

who was a prominent French-American Quaker missionary.

I have altered it, as it isn’t copyrighted, removed a few words and added

By God’s grace, and for His glory” because

that’s our Christian motivation for service! 

 Shirley Hirst

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Autumn Glory

 


                    AUTUMN GLORY


Springtime means new life and wonder

Bursting forth with beauty rare,

Summer blooms with vibrant colours,

Flowers surround us everywhere!


Autumn though has special glory,

Radiance that is all its own

Such a pleasant glowing sweetness,

Other seasons have not known.


Autumn brings a transformation -

Foliage tints of varied hue,

Warmest colours softly blending,

Ripened fruits, nuts, berries too.


Now resplendent, trees and hedgerows

Blaze with orange, red and gold,

Like the sunset at day's ending,

Most delightful to behold.


In the "autumn" of my lifetime

May it thus be with me so,

Heart aglow with warmth and beauty,

Fruitful as I old age know.

Shirley Hirst

" Thou shalt Guide me with thy counsel, and afterward 

 receive me to glory" Psalm 72:94




The Old Bible





The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

 but the word of our God shall stand for ever" 

Isa 40:8


THE OLD BIBLE


In the year 1698 this Bible was new,

And ready a work for its Author to do.

Now outdated and quaint, print so very smell,

One wonders how anyone managed to read it at all!

But look at its pages, all battered and worn,

It was surely well used, some even torn!

Perhaps it was passed on from father to son, or

Mother to daughter, blessing each one, who

Seeking the truth, with desire turned its pages,

Its glorious truth undimmed through the ages.


In days gone by, were books rare indeed,

Few had a Bible to meet their heart’s need.

Large Bibles were in some Churches chained,

By those who could use them was blessing obtained.

To study God’s Word, there they had to stand,

How they must have longed to hold in their hand

The Scriptures of truth,in their own home to read,

As we do today, a true blessing indeed!

Are our Bibles well worn, used every day,

Or left on the shelf, perhaps stored away?


Still, there are many who a Bible can’t buy,

There are none for sale, or the price is too high.

Maybe there are none in a language they know,

Thus still on in darkness they sadly must go.

Let’s do what we can, so those in other lands

May also Have God’s Holy Word in their hands.

Language does change, Bibles old laid aside,

But the Scriptures unchanging shall ever abide,

Sinners to save, Christ’s sheep to sustain

Until that great day when He comes again.


"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:  but the word of our  

God shall stand for ever" Isaiah 40:8 

The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times, Thou shalt keep them LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this from this generation forever”  Psalm 12: 6 -7

The Story behind the poem…

Years ago Shirley Hirst Submitted a request to a little Christian magazine for Bibles to be sent overseas, one day she arrived home and found a carrier bag full of Bibles on the doorstep, and to her utter astonishment found among them small very old Bible, pictured above and dated 1698, the Authorized King James Version was only translated in 1611. What to do with this little treasure? Well it found at last a good home along with this poem in the CHRISTIAN HERITAGE CENTRE

"Christianity has been present in Britain since the end of the First Century and has been the most formative influence for good in our national life.

"The Christian Heritage Centre is situated in the landmark Providence Chapel in Rowley Regis, near Birmingham. It has been set up to demonstrate the massive impact that Christianity has had on the life of our country. Through a series of almost 50 illustrated and written panels, along with a large collection of fascinating artifacts and objects, the story of Christianity in Britain is told" 

                      What a great example this is of a well-used Bible! 

                 LISTEN TO THE BIBLE READ BY ALEXANDER SCOURBY


Sunday, February 12, 2023

Prayer for Christian Friends

 


 A  PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS


"For each dear friend, I'm thankful,
And praise Thee Lord each day
For their support and fellowship
Upon the pilgrim way.

May they know deep assurance
That they are truly Thine;
                             Confidence that naught can shake,                           
Nor Satan undermine.

I pray Thee that their knowledge
Of the Scriptures shall increase;
From every doubt and fear
Grant each one complete release.

May their love and patience,
Their hope and joy abound;
For them may every passing year
Be with thy goodness crowned.

In service may they fruitful be
Their faithful witness bless;
Make each one I ask of Thee,
Perfect in holiness.

May they much encouraged be
Though dark indeed our day;
Keep them ever burning bright
As lights to show the way.

If they have friends or family
Causing them concern,
Whose salvation they desire,
And do so deeply yearn.

May they know I pray Thee
The joy of answered prayer;
I bring to Thee this their desire;
Their burdens seek to share.

Some know pain and suffering,
Endure distress and grief;
I beg Thee to uphold each one,
And bring them sweet relief.

May they ever be sustained,
My Lord, Thou knowest how
To deliver those who cry;
Grant them Thy victory now.

Thou wilt not fail them nor forsake,
Work out Thine own good will;
Grant them wisdom from on high;
Each empty vessel fill.

May they upon Thee quietly wait;
Guide daily Lord their feet,
Until life passed and home at last,
We shall in glory meet.

All I request for loved ones dear,
So be it unto me,
May we together fear Thy name,
And true and faithful be.

May we be diligent in prayer,
With each request we raise,
To Thee, our precious Saviour dear,
  A thankful song of praise." 

Shirley Hirst

'And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ" Phlippians 1:9-1

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Safe on the Rock

 

ON THE ROCK


Imagine a lighthouse as strong as can be

Standing up straight and tall, far out at sea;

Or closer to shore where sharp rocks may lie,

A danger to shipping that's passing nearby

How we may ask do these buildings so grand

The terrible storms of the ocean withstand?


Let's learn from the lighthouse, visit and see

What it's like there in rough weather to be.

Suppose with the keeper we shall a while stay,

Enjoying the view and the calm of the day.

Until as time passes, dark grows the sky,

A storm of great fury must be drawing nigh!


Apprehensively watching each rising wave,

Lashing our stronghold, we don't feel so brave!

No moon can be seen, nor stars twinkling bright,

By thunder clouds hidden, yet still bums the light,

The lamp on the lighthouse, shining to show

Ships in great danger the way they should go.


We look from the window drenched with spray,

Hear the wind howling and wish for the day;

Trembling with fear lest the great building fail,

Claimed by the sea, should the waters prevail.

Where's the light keeper? we now for him look -

In his armchair, relaxing, with tea and a book!


Does not such a tempest prevent his repose?

The old man sits quietly, because he well knows

The foundation will hold, all weathers withstand,

Thus he isn't distressed, wishing he were on land

He calms us by saying "Do not fear the shock

From this wild ocean, we're safe on the rock!


Here have I laboured since I was a lad,

So many storms witnessed and truly I'm glad

That deep in bedrock the foundations are laid,

There's no cause for alarm, do not be afraid!

The building may tremble in storms at their height,

But secure it is able to withstand their might"


As life's storms rage round us, surely we may

Think of the lighthouse, take courage and say,

"Though trials may buffet, give many a knock,

With my soul it is well, I'm on Jesus the Rock!

My foundation grace laid in the 'Rock of all ages'

This truth we find in the Bible's blessed pages.


It comforts the heart and will cause one to shine

Through all of life's 'weather', stormy or fine.

The Church's foundation indeed shall not fail,

The 'gates of hell' cannot against it prevail.

What tempest can from the Lord Jesus sever?

I'm safe on the solid Rock, now and forever."


Dear reader, I ask "Are you one of Christ's flock?

Is He your safe refuge? Are you on the Rock?"

Shirley Hirst



Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Words that bring blessing!

WORDS TO BRING BLESSING


"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver”

 Proverbs 25:11

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom"

 Colossians 3:16


A word fitly spoken, is sweet to the ear,

Bringing a message to bless those who hear.


A word of witness sows God's "precious seed",

Kind words are comforting in time of need.


A word of forgiveness uplifts those who fall

Sincere words of thanks are valued by all.


A word of encouragement makes others strong.

 Words of confession right many a wrong.


A word of assurance will overcome fear.

Warm words of welcome greet people dear.


A word of cheer brightens a weary sad heart,

Sound words of wisdom instruction impart.


A word of affection our heart's love doth tell,

Quiet words can discord and anger dispel.


A word of rebuke we all sometimes need,

Right words of advice are helpful indeed.


A word of deep sympathy shows that we care,

Deserved words of praise are lovely to share


But how easy it is for words to cause harm,

Instead of bring beauty, joy, peace, and calm!

So let us remember our God ever near,

        All conversation we know He doth he hear.


        For our speech to be worthy, and blessing impart,

His Holy Precepts must govern the heart:

 When His Word in our lives is appointed first place,

           Our talk will be godly, sincere and"with grace"


        Angry, harsh, unloving words bring distress,

          So needed are kind helpful words that will bless.

People we trust to speak that which is right

Are true friends indeed, our souls they delight!


May we too as God's children, from Scripture draw

A fountain of wisdom, a bountiful store;

Strive daily at all times to speak as we ought

To teach and encourage, rebuke or exhort.


"Set a watch o'er our lips Lord, keep them each day,

     By Thy Blessed Holy Spirit direct all we say;

Then our speech pure and upright, surely shall be

Lasting value to others, and glorify Thee."


"Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt"

Colosaans 4:6


"Set a watch O lord, before my mouth;

keep the door of my lips Psalm 141:3

Thank God for Christian friends!

 


THANK GOD FOR FRIENDS!


I bless the Lord for loving friends, 

In them His grace I see,

And through their care and kindness 

shines His love for me.

How little I can to them give,

 yet long I to repay,

Something of that debt I owe 

to those along life's way,

Who brighten many weary days,

 cheer me by loving deeds,

They never fail to understand, 

and know if there are needs.

If I can't give, yet I can pray, 

God will reward and bless

Each friend so dear, for all their care,

 and constant kindliness.

As God shall answer this request, may 

dear friends learn anew,

More His great love and grace 

towards them too!

Shirley Hirst

Thank you Dear Friend!

" I thank my God upon  every remembrance of you" Philippians 1:3 Thank You, Dear Friend! Thank you for your kindness, For all you...