To Give

To give reluctantly, the gift of the hand, not of the heart.

“Tis better not to have given at all for it doth impart

A spirit of meanness within a pocket of plenty.

To give cheerfully but not in proportion to need

Does not look to the receiver to help and to feed

A spirit of pride fullness lying within a cold heart.

To give cheerfully and proportionately does impart

A kindness of spirit, from one who risks all to win

Not just a pocket cache but the man deep within.

And to give in such a way that the distressed do

Not now their benefactor, that is a secret too.

One goal is to teach a man a trade or to help find

Him valued work so that it challenges his mind

Foregoing the need for charity which demeans all.

Christ’s promise is to provide our needs as we call

For it gives such joy and pours bountiful blessings.

Amen

Lent

Count all the days of preparation.

Not as yet the day of celebration.

Days for us to remember Christ,

His suffering, death and sacrifice.

All that He gave up for you and I.

Think not of your years gone by.

Look ahead to eternity with Him.

Sins paid for, redeemed by Him.

Heaven’s gates will be open wide.

Christ and our family awaits inside.

This our reason for celebrating Lent

To remember that God willingly sent

His Son to suffer and die on that tree

Give up something together with me.

As a reminder of the Son God sent.

To unite us all in these days of Lent.

Matthew 21:42: ‘Jesus said to them, “Have you never read the scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and is marvellous in our eyes.’  

Lent

Lent is looking back.
Remembering, Reflecting
Lent is thinking of the Cross
And its silent suffering.
Lent is our repentance,
Not just for past sins, but
Present and future too.
Lent is daily renewal,
It is a starting again.

Lent really means less,
Thinking less of self and
Focussing more on others.
Despite obstacles in our path.
Despite what we have become.
Confessing and moving on.
Lent is laying our hearts bare.
Preparing us for the Cross,
Christ’s Death and Resurrection.

That is what Lent means to me.