Surprise Poem

Last night I surprised myself. My Mslexia diary has a suggested exercise each month, and February's was poetry. I haven't written much poetry for years, but I decided to have a go. The exercise was to respond to a poem using some words from the original. Here is the original:
Snowdrops, by Charlotte Smith
Wan Heralds of the sun and summer gale!
That seem just fallen from infant Zephyrs' wing:
Not now, as once, with heart revived I hail
Your modest buds, that for the brow of Spring
Form the first simple garland - Now no more
Escaping for a moment all my cares,
Shall I, with pensive, silent, step explore
The woods yet leafless; where to chilling airs
Your green and pencil'd blossoms, trembling, wave.
Ah! ye soft, transient, children of the ground,
More fair was she on whose untimely grave
Flow my unceasing tears! Their varied round
The Seasons go; while I through all repine:
For fix'd regret, and hopeless grief are mine.

I used the same metre, and the same last word on every line, for my response:

What though the rainclouds bank and winds blow gale,
And Autumn's warmth and colour taken wing.
Though daily there is rain or snow or hail,
And fading is the memory of Spring.
Just at the darkest hour, when no more
Can music sweet or friendship lift my cares,
'Tis then, as hesitantly I explore
The frozen ground, and mid the chilling airs
I see your tiny blossoms gently wave,
And stand with heads so proud above the ground.
You bring a ray of hope back from the grave,
And promise of the seasons turning round.
Then my despair with winter's dark repine
And come no more, as joys of Spring are mine.

Hope you like it.

'Probably No God'

The British Humanist Society, supported by the famous atheist and Christian-basher Richard Dawkins, are about to launch an advertising campaign on about 800 buses around Britain, which says "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." I'm sorry, I just have to laugh, and not because I believe differently.

Why say there's 'probably' no God? An atheist is someone who believes there is no God, so why not have the courage of your convictions and say 'there is no God'? If you're not sure, you're an agnostic. And if you're not sure, why would you advertise it? And what if you're wrong?

The advert continues by telling people to stop worrying. Why worry about it, if you're sure that there's no God? And if you're not sure, why don't you find out? I think most people don't care one way or the other. God doesn't figure in their thinking at all. Maybe this advert will backfire and start people worrying about whether there's a God.

And now for the Christian bit: God is faithful to His promises, and if anyone honestly tries to find out if there is a God, they will get an answer - just as I did. When I talk to people about my faith I ask them to make an informed decision. Instead of speculating, or 'worrying', get the information so you can decide for yourself. No-one can make you a Christian, except God Himself. Christians can only explain, and point the way.


So here's my challenge, to the British Humanist Society, Richard Dawkins, et al: Stop worrying, and find out. And if you're not worrying, why? It's the most important decision of your life.

Reasons For Going

I was delighted to be able to go to church last week because it was a communion service. I was upset today because I wasn't able to go. So why is it important to me?

The reasons have changed over the years. When I first became a Christian, if I didn't get my 'fix' on Sunday, I found it hard to make it through the week. Since then I have learned to develop my relationship with God so that I am not so reliant on other people to do it for me. But I still need to go to church as often as I can.

Apart from the command to not stop meeting together, there is something in corporate worship that you can't get any other way. And it's not just what you get, but what you give - together. And I don't just mean singing. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." That's easier to say than do, but much easier in church.

One of the purposes of meeting together is to lift and encourage each other. Another is fellowship. I have had some very lonely times as a Christian recently, and the company is such a blessing. I hope I can be a blessing to them too. To be able to sing with a whole crowd who love the Lord like you do, to pray together, and to listen to a sermon that applies to your life, is truly wonderful. That's why I am sad when I don't go.

So Church, heartfelt thanks.

Writing Inspiration

One of my Christmas presents was a Mslexia Diary. I had never heard of them, but they are an organisation for women writers. The Diary is amazing, lots of quotes and ideas, and tips, and pages to keep track of your work, and blank pages for your writing. It has inspired me to do more, and think more, and keep track of my thinking.

To my surprise, I have already written a poem - I haven't written poetry for years, and I just got an idea for a cryptic first line, and I was away! I'm not ready to share it with the world just yet, just with those I trust, but it's a start. I'm also making good progress with The Kestrel. Part 1 is finished, and I have someone reading it for me. I have started re--writing part 2 and been gratified to find that the Captain's first speech reveals all the things I have hinted at in part 1 - even though I didn't check it while I was writing.

I have also decided to revisit something Christian I wrote a long time ago and never finished. In light of the errors creeping into the church these days, I think it is even more relevant than when I started it. It's called 'Blinded by the Light', and deals with the errors we can fall into, even when we're saved. Things like superstition, and looking for magic formulas. I'll keep you posted.

Christmas Trappings

Sorry I haven't posted for over a month, explanations later. For now, here's some food for thought about Christmas.

What are you getting for Christmas?
Have you been good girls and boys?
If you are naughty then Father
Christmas won't bring any toys.

Have you got all your decorations,
Your holly and mistletoe?
Have you ordered your turkey and puddings?
Is your tree with lights aglow?


And amidst all these rushed preparations,
As you check what you've bought - and buy more,
Do you ever stop to consider
Just what are we doing it for?

What has this got to do with Jesus?
He's what it's about after all.
Are you teaching your children to love Him -
Or on Father Christmas to call?

As you eat and drink and be merry,
And open your gifts round the tree,
Does it cross your mind to be grateful
For Bethlehem and Calvary?

If you must have your festive trappings
Try to dwell on the good things that come,
(The kind that don't come in wrappings)
As we think of the birth of God's Son.

Be loving and thankful and prayerful,
Be kind, be of good cheer.
But let's forget the Christmas spirit,
And be like this all year.
Ann Marie

Me, Me, Me

I have spent the last few months thinking a lot about the roots of my faith, and what it really means for me. There are a whole series of posts on 'These things I know', as I went back to basics and built up from there.

One of the important things as a Christian is to know where you stand with God. He has made promises to those who will follow Him, and who will accept the free gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Sometimes in the rush of life it is easy to forget these things and to allow the worries and strains of the world to blur your vision. Self esteem is a fragile thing, and yet there is a fine line between good self esteem and arrogance. Knowing who we really are in Christ is an antidote for that, because we know what we would be without Him and what we are with Him.

I have found it very useful to meditate on sections from St Patrick's Breastplate (Google it), which talks about all the things God can and will do for me each day. It is a great encouragement.

Then recently I pulled up short and reconsidered. Maybe it's a good sign that I'm moving on. All this affirmation is great in its place, but where should my focus lie? Is it all getting a bit me, me, me? Jesus saved me, God loves me, I can do all things through Christ, etc, etc. Am I getting a bit too self centred? Do I only talk to God when I want something?

The Bible says over and over that God is worthy to be praised. Not just because of what He has done, but because of who He is. I have decided that it is enough about me, and time I focussed on who this God is that I pray to, that has made me all these promises. After all, a promise is only as good as the trustworthiness of the one who makes it, and the God I am relying on has to be reliable. I think it is good to remember how great He is, and pray to Him in thankfulness and worship for a change, not just in want.

Scripture says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (sorry about the archaic language, that's the way I remember it, and I don't have my Bible handy). Jesus said that the first great commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength." I think it's time I looked upward instead of inward.

Weekend Away

Last weekend I went away with my new church, Pantygwydr Baptist Church. I thought it would be a good idea to get to know people better. It really worked. I will feel much more comfortable going to church in future, now that I know a few people.

We went away to a Christian centre in mid Wales called Cefn Lea. We stayed in chalets and had to walk to the main building for food and activities - which was a bit rough when it rained! But there was good food and lots of fun and games, and I had a great time.

Unfortunately, the roads are so narrow that although it was only 90 miles, it took 3 hours to get there. By Sunday when we came home I was already tired, and we had another 3 hour journey, but this time through the worst storm I have ever seen. The rain came down in sheets, hammering so hard on the car roof we could hardly talk, and visibility was only a few yards in the dark. There was sheet lightning, and we drove through 4 floods, which was scary. I was so impressed with the driver - she was marvellous. By the time I got home I was exhausted. I was already stressed out before I went, because of work, so I had to ring in sick on Monday.

Having said that, it was definitely worth it. Because of my health, I don't get to church and housegroup very often. This has made it difficult to feel like I belong. This weekend helped a lot. They are a really friendly, caring bunch.