The Christian Gospel

Helen

I come to You

I come to You
And all my weight of weariness
Falls away
And I am healed.
I look at You
And all my utter emptiness
Falls away
As with You I am filled.

I come to You 
And all my way of wickedness
Falls away
As my pardon is sealed.
I look at You
And all my world of worthlessness
Falls away
As Your Love is revealed.

I come to You
 And all my flight of fearfulness
Falls away
For You are my shield.
I look at You
And all my sigh of sadness
Falls away
As with joy I am zealed.

Renewed

I came to You: my step was slow
My heart was heavy: I dragged my feet.
I felt a failure; my spirits were low,
But still I felt drawn to the Mercy-Seat.

I came to You: I felt Your Love flow
My burden was lifted as I knelt at Your Feet.
I felt Your Touch, and now I know
That I am renewed as with You I meet.

The Blackbird's Psalm

High in a tree I sing in the morning
Before the day has begun its dawning,
For tho' the darkness yet covers the earth,
I know God is there at each new day's birth.

I sing when the sun is high in the sky
As through the wide heavens I freely fly -
So much of God's goodness and beauty I see,
I have to rejoice that He made and loves me.

At even I sing in the fading light
For tho' day has yielded to chill of night,
I know as I rest in the crook of this bough,
The God of the day will care for me now.

In autumn and winter, in summer and spring
To God my Maker I'll ever sing.
In rain and sun, in snow and gale
My song to Him will never fail.
Throughout my brief life He gives me all,
He loves, He cares, even when I fall
And while I still have breath to sing,
I'll sing my thanks for everything.

Paraphrase of Psalm 23

The Lord loves and cares for me
as a shepherd cherishes his sheep.
For He provides all my needs in life,
ensuring rest for my body
and refreshment to my soul,
as a shepherd finds green pastures 
and seeks out water for his flock.

Moreover He walks with me throughout my life
and guides me along the right way,
always staying close to me,
as a shepherd leads his sheep 
along a safe path
and never leaves them alone.

And so even when I pass through difficult times,
I need never be fearful 
because I know He is beside me, protecting me,
as a shepherd with crook and staff
guards his sheep in the dangerous valleys.

I find great comfort and strength in this!
Lord, Your goodness to me is like an endless banquet,
Your blessings to me are like an overflowing cup.
You show me such love and favour!

And I am sure and confident in the knowledge of this:
that Your loving-kindness will surround me
Throughout my whole life.
And when I die, I shall still dwell with You
For ever and ever.

Seasons of praise

Join the sea of daffodils
That lift their trumpet heads in spring
And look to their Maker in bright throng.

Join the myriads of joyful birds
That fill the summer air with song
And sing unceasing to their King.

Join the forests of leafless trees
That spread their arms in autumn skies
And know their Lord will supply their need.

Join the clouds of snowflakes soft
That fall in winter to cover the seed
And die that Life anew will rise.

All heaven declares

All heaven declares the glory of God:
The sky's wide sweep,
The rainbow's arc,
The planets that their courses keep,
The sun and its light, the moon in the dark.

All earth declares the glory of God:
The ocean's wide sweep,
The songbirds' praise,
The seasons that their timings keep,
The flowers that worship in fragrance raise.

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