Stars

“He made the stars also, and God set them in the firmament 

of the heaven to give light upon the earth”

Genesis 1:17

“upholding all things by the word of His power”

Hebrews 1:15

STARS

A man and his son one starry night

together beheld the heavens bright.

“How do the stars stay in the sky,

Shining way up there on high?”

The father asked his little lad and

Thoughtfully the boy said “Dad,

God it is who holds them all,

So to the earth they cannot fall”

We may observe a lesson here,

For do we not so often fear

When trials and testing sore we face

That we may not stay in out place,

But may worry, fret and moan,

Perhaps in pain and all alone

Thus in our weakness fail and fall,

We are so helpless after all!

Shall God who holds the stars in place,

Not hold us also by His grace?

He’ll never cease for us to care,

Not send us what we cannot bear.

Trusting Him we shall not fall,

But shine in triumph through it all.

As those bright stars, upheld secure,

Safe in His care for evermore!

Shirley Hirst

“I will strengthen thee: yea I will help thee;

yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”

Isaiah 41:10

“...kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation”

1 Peter 1:5

The Craftsman's Skill

"Now no chastisement for the present seemeth to be

joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth

the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them which

are exercised thereby."   Hebrews 12:11

THE CRAFTSMAN

One fine summer morning I happened to stop,

And gaze at the goods in a glass worker's shop,

The place was so small, but what an array

Of beautiful objects were there on display!

Pretty glass flowers, red, yellow and blue

In delicate vauses, and sailing ships too.

Many glass animals, both large and small,

It took me a long time to look at them all.

Here were such treasures not only displayed,

But I could watch them being skillfully made!

By a bright open window a table was set

A craftsman there seated near to a gas jet.

The glass rod he close out was held in its flame

Where glowing and molten it quickly became;

Then swiftly he shaped it, and twisted it till

It took on a form in accord with his will.

Back then in the fire, and there to remain

Until pliable, so he could shape it again.

Thus I watched with wonder, what could it be?

The object's design was unknown to me!

All was revealed as the work did progress,

Much patience and labour led to success,

A beautiful harp, complete to the last string,

       On the top perched a tiny bird, ready to sing!

    Practice and effort such work doth require,

    No wonder the glass must be oft in the fire!

    Much later I thought, "Here a lesson is shown

     For thus God in mercy deals with His own.

    In the heat of affliction He's working you see

     To produce His own image in you and in me

    So when our way seems to twist and to turn,

  In very sore trials, we seem often to 'burn'

Never longer than needed will He leave us there,

We can be sure we are safe in His care!

    Let's think of this picture, praise God and say

  "By grace, I'll be perfect like Him one day."

Shirley Hirst

“I will cry unto God most high unto God that performeth

I things for me."  Psalm 57:2

"The Lord will affect that which concerneth me"  Psalm 138.8

"for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

unto good works"   Ephesians 2:10

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, 

when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" 

1 John 3:2-3 

It has been very difficult to find a suitable illustration for this poem written 

after a visit to the Cheddar Gorge glass worker's shop the delicate

 glass items were amazing, and the glass worker's hands were so large,

 his skill was breathtaking!

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

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

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

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