THE GREATEST MIRACLE

 

The Greatest Miracle

"Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature."
- Poem inspired by the words of St Augustine

The dawn unfolds with crimson light,
As stars surrender to the night;
Each flower wakes beneath the sun -
A whispered work of God well done.

The robin's song, the ocean's tide,
The mountain standing far and wide;
The tiny seed that breaks the sod -
All speak the silent Voice of God.

The babe that smiles in mother's care,
The breath of life, the answered prayer;
The healing touch, the heart made new -
These are the wonders God can do.

No miracle denies His plan,
Nor breaks the laws He gave to man;
They simply lift the veil a while,
To show His Wisdom's hidden smile.

When storms arise and hope grows dim,
We place our weary trust in Him;
For every cross we bear today,
God walks beside us on the way.

The blind may see, the lame may stand,
The weak grow strong by God's own Hand;
Yet greater still than these we find,
The grace that heals the human mind.

A heart once hard now learns to care,
A soul returns through humble prayer;
Forgiveness blooms where hate had trod -
The sweetest miracle of God.

Each day He fills our cup anew
With mercies bright as morning dew;
In joy and sorrow, loss and gain,
God's faithful love shall still remain.

Yet all these wonders gently say,
They point beyond this earthly day;
For life on earth, though rich and fair,
Prepares us for a home more rare.

The greatest miracle by far,
Outshines the brightest morning star:
That those who walk the path of grace,
Shall one day see God's holy Face.

No tear shall fall, no night remain,
No wound shall know its sting again;
The saints shall sing with one accord,
Within the kingdom of the Lord.

There every joy shall overflow,
More than our earthly hearts can ever know;
Love's endless song shall fill the sky,
Where death itself has learned to die.

No sun shall light that blessed shore,
For Christ shall shine for evermore;
The Lamb shall be our light above,
The living flame of endless love.

So let us journey day by day,
With faithful hearts upon the way;
For every miracle we see,
Is but a glimpse of what shall be.

When all our earthly years have flown,
And God shall call us to His throne
The greatest wonder will unfold -
A home more precious far than gold.

Then in His glorious Light we'll stand,
Forever safe within His Hand;
To praise the Father, Spirit, Son -
Our everlasting life begun.

For every miracle below,
Is but a seed God bids us sow;
Its fullest bloom we then shall see
In Heaven through eternity.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Throne of God"

THE BLOW UPON HIS HOLY FACE

 

The Blow Upon His Holy Face

Before the court our Saviour stood,
The Lord of mercy, truth and good.
No angry answer did He give,
But showed us how God's saints should live.

An officer with cruel hand,
Struck Christ, Who at the trial did stand.
With quiet strength Jesus stood there,
Endured the shame with patient care

The Saviour spoke with quiet grace,
No trace of vengeance marked His Face:
"If I have spoken words untrue,
Then show the wrong that I did do.

"But if the truth My Lips have said,
Why strike My Face?" the Saviour pled.
Yet still He bore the shame and pain,
To cleanse our hearts from sin's dark stain.

How often little wounds we bear,
Of harsh rebuke or pain unfair.
Misjudged by those who cannot see,
Or burdened by adversity.

A thoughtless word, a cold disdain,
A hidden grief, a quiet pain;
These lesser crosses come our way,
To meet us in life's passing day.

Then let us bear them patiently,
With humble hearts and charity.
For every trial, great and small,
Can draw us nearer Christ, our All.

United to our suffering King,
Our tears become an offering;
For He who wore the crown of thorn,
Will raise our hearts to Heaven's morn.

O Lord, when trials fill our days,
Teach us to walk in all Your ways;
To bear each cross with faith and love,
Until we dwell with You above.

Image by CN Whittle

CANAANITE WOMAN OF FAITH

 

Canaanite woman of faith

A Canaanite came from afar,
Led onward by faith's guiding star;
She sought the Lord with earnest plea,
"Have mercy, Lord, O pity me!

"Great Son of David, hear my cry!
Do not, dear Lord, just pass me by;
My daughter suffers day and night,
Oppressed by evil's fearful might."

At first the Saviour answered not,
Yet still she trusted, faltered not!
She knelt before His gracious Face,
And sought His loving help and grace.

"My Lord," she said, "I know Your power;
Please help my child this very hour."
The Saviour drew her faith to light,
Till all could see its wondrous might.

"It is not right," the Master said,
"To take the children's daily bread,
And cast it to the dogs instead,"
Yet still in faith she bowed her head.

"Yes, Lord," she answered, meek and wise,
"Yet little dogs beneath arise;
To gather crumbs that gently fall,
From tables rich enough for all."

Then Jesus smiled with joy untold;
Her steadfast faith was strong as gold.
"O woman, great your faith has proved!
Your humble trust has deeply moved."

That very hour her child was free;
Christ triumphed o'er the enemy.
The Saviour's mighty word brought peace,
Thus all her daughter's pain did cease.

So when our trials seem too great,
Let faith, not fear, direct our fate.
For those who seek the Lord above
Will find His mercy, power and love.

Image by CN Whittle

THE WISE MEN AND THE KING

 

                                                                             Freepik

The Wise Men and the King

From eastern lands the wise men came,
To seek the Child of holy fame;
A shining star through darkest night,
Led onward by its brilliant light.

Across the hills, through desert sand,
They journeyed to the promised Land;
With faithful hearts they sought God's Son,
The long-promised and Anointed One.

They found the Child with Mary there,
In quiet peace and humble care.
They bowed before His sacred Face,
Their hearts made glad by boundless grace.

Gold and resins they gifted there,
Precious gifts offered with loving care;
No earthly throne their eyes did meet,
Yet still they worshipped at Christ's Feet.

The little Jesus raised His eyes,
With love that reached beyond the skies;
He looked on each with tender grace,
A smile of mercy lit His face.

Though but a Child, He knew each heart,
And loved them from the very start.
The Light that shone from His great grace,
Shone brightly in that humble place.

So may we too seek our holy King,
And grateful hearts before Him bring.
May we be faithful to God's Son,
Who victory over death has won.

THE TRUE VINE

The True Vine

O Jesus, Lord, the Living Vine,
Whose grace and love through branches shine;
Apart from You our strength must cease,
Our hearts know neither joy nor peace.

No branch can bloom by will alone,
Nor bear the fruit that heaven has known;
Your living sap, so rich and free,
Flows through the soul that trusts in Thee.

By faith we're grafted to Your Side,
In You we live, in You abide;
Your Spirit fills each willing heart,
And gives us grace to do our part.

Then clusters fair begin to grow,
As heaven's living blessings flow;
Like ripened grapes on autumn's vine,
They speak of love and life Divine.

Their sweetness feeds the faint with cheer,
Brings hope to hearts weighed down by fear;
They strengthen all who taste Your grace,
And draw the lost to seek Your Face.

So prune us, Lord, with loving hand,
To flourish by Your wise command;
Though pruning brings a passing pain,
It yields a richer, sweeter gain.

Until that glorious final day,
When earth and shadow fade away;
We'll hear the words our hearts have sought:
"My friends, well done - you lacked for naught."

No richer gift could we receive,
No greater joy could hearts conceive -
Than Christ to call us, face to Face,
His friends for all eternal days.

Images by CN Whittle 

ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST

 

St John the Evangelist

St. John, whose eagle soars on high,
With piercing gaze toward heaven's sky;
Beheld the Word, eternal, bright,
And led our hearts into God's light.

John journeyed close beside the Lord,
And treasured every sacred word.
John leaned upon the Saviour's breast,
There his seeking soul found rest.

John's gospel tells of grace Divine,
Where love and truth forever shine;
From Bethlehem to Calvary's tree -
John shows the Son Who sets us free.

The eagle teaches us to love,
Sacred truths from God above; 
To rise beyond earth's fleeting care,
And find God's loving Presence there.

John's words, though written long ago,
Still make faith's living river flow;
They kindle hope in every age,
As light that fills each sacred page.

O John, evangelist, pray that we
May know our Christ more perfectly;
Grant us the eagle's eyes to see,
The splendour of God's mystery.

The eagle is the symbol of Saint John the Evangelist, whose gospel emphasizes the Divinity of Christ. Flying higher than any other bird, the eagle is the emblem of John's keen insight into mystical doctrine.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle

CHRIST PANTOCRATOR - RULER OF ALL

 

Christ Pantocrator - Ruler of All

Christ Pantocrator, Lord Divine,
Whose endless love through ages shine;
You hold the stars within Your Hand,
And walk with us through every land.

Your mighty Word the heavens made,
The light, the sea, the silent glade;
Through the gifts the earth has grown,
Your boundless mercy is made known.

From golden grain comes living bread,
By loving hands so gently fed;
From ripened grapes comes joyful wine,
A humble gift with grace Divine.

These earthly signs, so plain, so small,
Reveal the Lord who governs all -
Your holy power transforms our days,
And fills our hearts with songs of praise.

You heal the broken, calm our fears,
And dry the sorrow of our tears.
You cleanse our hearts with love Divine,
And nourish us with bread and wine.

The Bread of Life, the Cup of Grace,
Reveal Your love in every place;
The God who reigns in heaven above
Comes down to us with endless love.

From clustered grapes the rich wine flows,
A sacred gift God's mercy shows.
Through humble fruit God's grace we see, 
As sign of holy mystery.

Through humble gifts Your life we share,
Your sacred Presence everywhere;
The Lord of Glory, strong and mild,
Receives each soul as His own child.

O Christ, Almighty Lord of all,
You answer every faith-filled call.
Lead us by faith until we see,
Your Face throughout eternity.

With thankful hearts we now proclaim,
All glory to Your holy Name!
Through Your gifts we are made new,
All praise, O Lord, belongs to You.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle

TREE OF LIFE

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

What Might Have Been

A wealthy young man knelt one day,
Before the Lord to seek the Way;
Christ looked with love into his face,
And called him to a life of grace.

"Go, sell your treasures, follow Me;
Come walk the road that makes you free."
Yet bound by all his riches dear,
He turned away with heart sincere.

He left with sadness in his eyes,
Still captive to earth's gilded prize.
His purse was full, his barns were wide,
Yet something precious in him died.

The Twelve knew hunger, dust, and rain;
Long roads and weariness and pain.
No certain bed, no purse of gold,
Yet hearts on fire, courageous, bold.

They crossed the seas and climbed the hills,
To do their Master's holy Will.
Though earthly comforts they had none,
Their souls rejoiced in God's own Son.

They heard His laughter on the way,
They learned from Him from day to day.
They watched His mercy freely flow,
And felt His endless love bestow.

They shared the labour and the strife,
Yet found the deepest, richest life.
For every burden they embraced,
Was brightened by the Master's grace.

The years rolled by with silent tread;
The young man, now grown old instead;
Looked round upon his treasured store,
Yet found it satisfied no more.

His silver gleamed, his vineyards spread,
His tables groaned with daily bread.
But through the silence came again
The Voice that once had called his name.

He wondered, with a longing sigh,
"What joy have I let pass me by?
What roads with Christ I might have trod,
To build the Kingdom of my God."

"What friends in faith I never knew,
What wonders I declined to view;
What souls I never helped to see,
The love that first was shown to me."

His wealth remained; his years had fled;
His heart recalled the words once said.
Too late he saw what love had shown:
No treasure shines like Christ alone.

So let us heed the Master's call,
And freely yield to Him our all.
Though hardship marks the pilgrim's way,
His faithful Presence lights each day.

The cross is heavy; still we sing,
For Christ is with us, Lord and King.
No sacrifice for Him is vain;
Eternal joy is greater gain.

Let none look back with sorrow's tear,
And wish they had drawn Christ more near.
Walk with Him while yet you may,
Nor grieve for chances cast away.

For those who answer to His call,
Find Christ the richest Gift of all.
The Master's friendship, pure and true,
Is worth far more than all we knew.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle

GOLDEN BEAUTY OF MARY'S SOUL

 

Golden Beauty of Mary's Soul

When Mary's earthly race was run,

She journeyed to her glorious Son.

The gates of heaven opened wide,

To welcome Christ's dear Mother inside.

No stain of sin her soul could claim,

She lived for God's most holy Name.

Her heart was pure, her soul did shine,

As living temple for Divine.

Her golden soul with splendour glowed,

Reflecting every grace God had bestowed;

More radiant than the morning's light,

She glowed with heaven's beauty bright.

The angels sang with joyful voice,

The saints in glory did rejoice;

Their Queen had come with humble praise,

To share God's everlasting days.

Her head, often bowed so deep in prayer,

Was crowned with glory beyond compare.

Her faithful "Yes," so meek and free,

Now blossomed into victory.

Assumed to heaven, body and soul,

God crowned the one He had made whole.

The Queen of Heaven, crowned above,

Now reigns within God's endless Love.

Yet Mary's heart has not grown far;

She watches where her children are.

She gently leads us day by day,

To follow Christ, the Truth, the Way.

She teaches us that holiness

Is found through love and faithfulness.

A humble heart, obedient still,

Delights to do the Father's Will.

O Mary, Mother, gracious Queen,

The fairest soul the world has seen;

Pray we may walk the narrow way,

And join your song one glorious day.

Then with the angels we shall raise

Our grateful hearts in endless praise.

Where Christ our King is all in all,

And love forever conquers all.

Image by CN Whittle

NO ROOM, YET ROOM FOR GRACE

 

No Room, Yet Room for Grace  - (Journey to Bethlehem) 

At last they reached fair Bethlehem,
As evening's light grew faint and dim;
Their weary feet had travelled far,
Still guided by Heaven's faithful star.

They knocked upon each crowded door,
Yet heard the words, "We have no more."
No place to rest, no welcome there,
No room was found for Heaven's Heir.

What seemed rejection, cold and deep,
Became the place where love would keep.
For God can turn our darkest night
Into dawn of holy light.

A humble stable, rough and small,
Became the greatest home of all.
No royal hall, no throne of gold,
Could match the wonders there untold.

Upon the straw the Christ Child lay,
The Light of Worlds, the Truth, the Way.
The King of kings in weakness came,
Yet every heart He sought to claim.

The cattle watched, the angels sang,
With joyful praise the heavens rang.
The shepherds knelt in awe-filled grace,
Beholding God in Mary's embrace.

The poorest place was heaven's Choice,
That all the world might hear His Voice.
Where human eyes saw loss and shame,
God's endless Love forever came.

He turned rejection into grace,
And made the stable a holy place.
He clothed our poverty with His Love,
And drew our earth to Heaven above.

He changed our weakness into might,
Our deepest darkness into light.
From humble birth to Calvary's tree,
He won our hope eternally.

So when life's doors seem firmly barred,
And every road appears too hard,
Remember Bethlehem's sacred story;
God turns our poverty into glory.

For Christ still enters hearts today
That humbly welcome Him to stay;
And every soul that makes Him room
Will find new life beyond the tomb.

Image by CN Whittle

QUEEN OF SHEBA

Pilgrim Heart of the Queen of Sheba

The Queen of Sheba heard the call,
A whispered truth beyond them all;
Her pilgrim heart could not remain,
Content with wealth or worldly gain.

She crossed the sands beneath the sky,
With searching soul and questing eye;
Each weary step, each desert mile,
Was lit by hope for all the while.

She sought not jewels, thrones, or gold,
Nor stories that were often told;
She longed to hear God's wisdom's voice,
The treasure of the truest choice.

Before King Solomon she stood,
And found his counsel wise and good.
Her heart rejoiced, her spirit sang,
As heaven's truth within her rang.

Yet One far greater calls today,
The Christ who is the Living Way;
His Wisdom shines with endless light,
Dispelling darkness with His Might.

He calls each pilgrim, "Come to Me;
Walk in My truth and you are free.
Let every step be filled with grace,
Until you see My glorious Face."

Like Sheba's Queen, may we arise,
With faithful hearts and lifted eyes;
May nothing keep our souls apart
From Christ, the longing of our heart.

For every life must one day stand,
Before the Judge with pierced Hand.
How blessed those who learned His Voice,
Who made His holy Will their choice.

The pilgrim heart that seeks His Face,
Will find His Mercy and His Grace -
As on that great and final day,
All fear and darkness flee away.

So let us journey while we can,
According to God's loving plan.
Like Sheba's Queen, our hearts made new,
Forever faithful, Lord, to You.

Lead us, Jesus, day by day,
Upon Your everlasting way.
Until our pilgrimage is done,
And we rejoice before Your Throne.

Image by CN Whittle

RAISE THE SAILS

 

Raise the Sails

God sends the wind with gentle grace,
To every heart, to every place.
His Spirit whispers, soft yet strong,
Inviting souls to journey on.

The breeze of mercy fills the air,
A gift of love beyond compare;
Yet silent lies the waiting mast,
Until our willing hands act fast.

For grace is not a force imposed,
Nor is free will by heaven closed;
God calls us freely, day by day,
To choose His everlasting way.

Each prayer becomes a lifted sail,
Each act of love a steady gale;
Each sacrifice, e'en small in span,
Moves us toward God's holy plan.

When burdens press and trials rise,
Look not alone to earthly skies;
The Wind of God is ever near,
To strengthen faith and quiet fear.

So lift your sails with hope anew,
Let Christ's own Spirit carry you;
For those who trust amid all strife,
Find the grace that brings new life.

God gives the wind with boundless love;
The Spirit's strength flows from above;
Let us choose to answer Divine Call,
And raise our sails, to give God our all.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Divine Guidance on a peaceful sea"

Poem inspired by St Augustine of Hippo's words, "God provides the wind, but man must raise the sails"