Planted by Water

Jacob was in the presence of God and, to begin with, was not aware of it (Gen.28:16). I’m amazed and sobered at times that it is possible to be in the awesome presence of God and yet be switched off to it. Last Sunday morning, in our gathering, we had a brilliant time in worship, with God’s presence strongly felt. And yet even then I know there were those who did not experience it or sense it - and …

It’s been a while since I posted some poetry. So here’s a very well-known one, by Robert Frost. It is no less brilliant and moving for being so popular. It stirs something within, and causes us to confront the irreversible nature of many choices we make in life; as well as the challenge to be a person of integrity, to refuse the way of the herd, to walk the road less travelled by. It is melancholic without being negative and miserable, as it considers that taking one choice means the sacrifice of others - a …

Life is busy, so just a quick post today. It is a copy of one of my favourite poems. It is by Stephen Spender - not a Christian poet, but he captures here a sense of passion for life and the pursuit of greatness that springs from a sense of purpose that goes beyond ourselves but which we are born into. We know, for us, that this is the eternal purpose of God and we should be passionate about it, even as we ’suck the marrow out of life’ along the way.

I’ve highlighted those lines which stir me most.

I Think …

For any who enjoy some poetry from time to time, here’s one from R.S.Thomas, one of my favourite poets. He was a vicar in the Welsh hills and an active Welsh nationalist, and he is rather bleak in many of his poems. But some times he has an excellent insight into the fragility of life and the need to see things that God has ‘made beautiful in its time.’ This is one such poem. I am looking …