X Rays and C.T. Scans

Pure and holy, Lord, let me be,
Truly like Jesus, this my plea;
And though Your heights I can't attain,
Your blood can cleanse my every stain.

X rays and C.T. Scans can see
Each part of my anatomy,
But only You my mind can view,
And all my thoughts are known to you.

Help me to practise what I preach,
Aware I'm not beyond Your reach;
And may my motives in Your sight
Be found acceptable and right.


Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, October 2009.

The Runaway Child

With grief I thought on what I heard,
About a boy who disappeared:
His mother's only child was he,
Whose tale she told sorrowfully.

She brought him up with love and care,
At home, at school and everywhere,
And made him grow to be a man,
When Satan had a different plan.

The seeds of sin caused him to stray,
And from his home he ran away:
With tears his mother for him sought,
And night and day of him she thought.

I wondered with that boy in mind,
About our Lord who for mankind
Did everything, and gave His Son,
That we with Him might live as one.

Yes we indulge in sinful deeds,
To satisfy our lust and greed.
How anguished must our Saviour be
O'er each lost soul He died to free.

That thought alone should make us turn
From sin and to the Lord return,
To give Him joy and hear Him say,
"My child, well done! come with Me stay."

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, April 2010.

The Carpenter's Chair

The Bible tells me Jesus was
A carpenter by trade.
If only I could have, I thought,
A chair by Jesus made.

I'd rest in it when I feel down,
And from my cares be free,
For trials though I'd have to face,
His chair would comfort me.

Chairs of this world that I possess,
However good they be,
Can't take away my anxious thoughts,
And give tranquility.

God's Word before me, lost in thought,
I pondered deep in prayer,
When I heard Jesus speak to me,
"Fear not! you're in My care.'

'My everlasting arms uphold
All those who rest in Me:
I am the chair you're longing for,
Your solace find in Me.'

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, September 2009.

Together

Fear gripped my mind whilst the papers I read,
And day by day it was increasing;
Bitterness everywhere made me wonder,
Will doomsday be rapidly coming?

Man poisons self and two of his children,
Businessman shot in the prime of life,
A pretty young bride commits suicide,
Husband says she was an untrue wife.

Alcohol takes the lives of so many,
Abuse of drugs kills many worldwide,
Lesbians and gays fight for recognition,
Don't they know why Christ was crucified?

Trembling I wondered what was happening,
Is it in vain our Saviour died?
Has God lost power now o'er His creation,
Is there no refuge where I can hide?

'Take courage child and bravely march forward,'
It seemed the Lord was speaking to me,
'Tell the lost world there is a Saviour,
We can together set sinners free.'


Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, August 2009.

David and Goliath

Goliath was a might man,
By birth a Philistine,
Who tormented the Israelites,
And made them sweat and pine.

For they had no one good enough
To fight this giant strong,
They trembled at his very sight,
And thought they'd not last long.

But David, a young shepherd boy
With ruddy cheeks, told Saul,
I'll fight this man in the Lord's strength,
We need not fear at all.

Saul doubted greatly and assayed
To dissuade the lad,
But naught could make him change his mind,
For immense faith he had.

'Pray let me go,' he begged of Saul,
'With God I will prevail;
For I can do all things through Him,
He surely will not fail.'

Finding his faith steadfast, King Saul
As last let David go.
With just a sling and five smooth stones
He marched toward the foe.

Goliath scorned and rediculed,
But David took a stone,
And with his sling and faith in God,
He struck that mighty one.

Down came the giant, and his men
Were slaughtered as they fled.
Like David we too will succeed,
When by the Lord we're led.

Read 1 Samuel, chapter 17



Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, November 2013.

Born In Me - My prayer this Christmas

"You Christians are a fraud", he said,
My friend the other day;
"You talk of upholding what's right,
But "don't do as you say."

"You profess Jesus in the Life,
The Truth, the Only Way,
But how you live does not reflect
That you the Lord obey."

"When someone is in need you say,
'Don't worry! God is there',
But seldom do you stretch your hand
To show you truly care."

"When Christmas comes you speak of love,
That Christ came joy to bring,
But live the rest of the whole year
Like it don't mean nothing."

I hung my head in shame and thought,
Is he pointing at me?
May Christmas change my life, I prayed,
Dear Lord, be born  in me.


Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, December 2013.

My Mother's Words

"You're made for greater thing, my child,"
I used to hear my mother say,
"Don't err and fall a prey to sin,
And be by Satan led astray."

"The devil uses subtle ways
To draw one from the path of light;
Be watchful, child, and daily pray,
That you keep to the way that's right."

"Don't ever think you are alone,
Remember Christ is always near;
He hears you when you call on Him,
The devil's tactics never fear."

"A crown of life awaits you, son,
Look up and do not yield to sin;
Hold fast to God's upholding hand,
And you the fight will surely win."

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, March 2011.

Only Jesus

Lord, what the right hand does, You said,
The left hand shouldn't know,
And all we do should be for You,
Without making a show.

But modern preachers oft we find,
Commend the work they do,
And ask their TV crew to show
They drive our demons too.

Some use words none can understand,
And say they speak with tongues;
And claim their prayers Your Spirit brings
On him who to them comes.

Mysterious are Your ways, O Lord,
Help us to understand
Your Word and not let prophets false
Distort what You have planned.

Give us the wisdom to absorb
Only the truth we hear,
And point lost souls to Christ alone,
With self kept at the rear.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, July 2009.

Love (The message of Easter)

Don't criticize another's faith,
But rather demonstrate
True Christian love to all you meet,
And never harbour hate.

Tell people Jesus loves them all,
Whoever they may be,
That they be drawn to Him by love,
And learn like Him to be.

Christ taught that we like Him should love
Even our enemies,
And when they see His love in us,
Hostility will cease.

Lord, You showed love at Calvary
Like no one else would do;
By that same love may we, O Lord,
Draw more and more to you.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, May 2009.

Bribes

Stretch not your hands to accept bribes,
Though tempted, keep them clean,
The acts you think are not observed,
Each one by God is seen.

The Bible warns that those who set
Their minds on worldly gain,
Though seem to prosper for a while,
No lasting joy obtain.

Christ stretched His hands upon the cross,
To make us pure within:
With folded hands let's give Him thanks,
And not submit to sin.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, July 1997.

Failures

Every failure you encounter
Is a stepping stone from God,
Meant by Him to make you perfect
And depend more on His Word.

With His purpose clear before you,
Use each failure as a test.
That can make your faith grow stronger,
And you'll never be depressed.

Through each failure God is working;
He won't ever let you down.
With His guidance keep on trying,
And one day you'll wear a crown.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, September 1995.

New Year Prayer

As yet another year unfolds,
I ask You Lord, that I
May simply follow where You lead,
And not ask where or why.

I thank you that my life you've spared
Another year to see;
Help me to live each day you give,
Dear Lord, most usefully.

Give me a conscience that is clear,
And let my thoughts be pure;
And should I suffer for what's right,
Give courage to endure.

Let me not fear what lies ahead,
Nor seek an easy way,
But rest on Your abiding grace,
To guide me through each day.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, January 1995.

Worries

Lord give me strength that I faint not
When things don't go my way,
But rather rest upon Your word,
And trust in You each day.

I know my worries make me week,
And naught I stand to gain,
But I am frail and human, Lord,
And panic under strain.

Help me believe, dear Lord, that I
Am always in Your care,
And when I am in need of help,
You surely will be there.


Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, September 1993.

The Good Samaritan

There was a man our Lord say,
Who walked to Jericho one day,
Whom thieves attacked and left half dead,
With none to save him while they fled.

A priest that very road did take;
He sadly did no effort make
To render help, but gave one eye,
And on the other side walked by.

It happened that a Levite came,
Who went to him but what a shame!
With solemn face and pious air,
He looked on him and left him there.

Then came a good Samaritan,
Who stopped to help the dying man;
With Love and care his wounds he dressed,
And took him to an inn to rest.

The haughty Jews with contempt treat,
Samaritans they chance to meet;
Yet this Samaritan we read,
Reached out to help a Jew in need.

Christ told this parable that we
Like that Samaritan should be,
Who to a stranger in his need,
Was neighbour and a friend in deed.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, June 1996.

A Meaningful Easter

Ponder why our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ was crucified,
Why He went through untold sorrow,
Why it was He bled and died.

For a moment then consider,
How the cross could not restrain
Him, who rose again victorious,
Having conquered death and pain.

Was it not for us He suffered?
Was it not that we might live?
Was it not for our redemption
That His life He came to give?

Verily for us He suffered,
Underserving though we are,
That we might obtain salvation,
Through His wondrous grace and power.

For our sins the price was settled,
When our Lord was crucified,
Now He lives and is our refuge,
Where in safety we can hide.

On our part we should acknowledge
All our wrongs, and sin no more;
And our lives to Him surrender,
Trust and serve Him evermore.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, April 1996.

Thank You, Dear Lord (Specially for Children)

Thank you, dear Lord, that I can see;
Help me to use my eyes for Thee,
That I behold Thee everywhere,
And know Your wondrous love and care.

Thank you, dear Lord, that I can hear;
Teach me that I need nothing fear,
When I pay heed to all You say,
And willingly Your call obey.

Thank you, dear Lord, that I can raise
My voice to You in joyful praise,
For lips and tongue to speak of Thee,
And tell of all you've done for me.

Thank you, dear Lord, for hands and feet,
For heart and mind, my life complete.
Help me like Jesus Lord to be,
And live my life, each day, for Thee.


Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, May 1996.

The Meaning of Christmas

More like Christ Jesus may we be,
And more for others live,
As God taught us on Christmas day,
When He, His Son did give.

May we see Christ in manger born,
With comforts all denied,
Who left the glory of His home,
And came our steps to guide.

Christ gave up everything He had,
And lived for you and me,
His sacrificial love for us
Took Him to Calvary.

May Christ's example touch our hears,
And help us to perceive,
That greater far it is for us
To give, than to receive.


Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, December 1995.

Temper

Don't ever lose your temper,
Else later you will grieve,
For temper lost can never gain
What kindness can achieve.

The foolish lose their temper
And kindle needless strife,
But he who's wise will when provoked,
Let Christ control his life.

Trust Him with full surrender,
Your temper He'll subdue,
And other will be drawn to God,
Through Christ who's seen in you.

Published in The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, October 1995.

Christmas

What's special about Christmas?
Why do the church bells ring?
To welcome in our hearts with joy
The birth of Christ our King.

But what's become of Christmas?
Christ do we entertain?
Or have we made His holy birth
A festival for gain?

Self-centred in our outlook,
Our Lord we fail to see,
While celebrating Christmas,
With pomp and gaiety.

God's love came down at Christmas,
In search of you and me,
To save us from the hold of sin
And give us victory.

What can make Christmas special,
And bring true joy and peace?
Submission to the Lord alone,
On humble, thankful knees.

Published - The magazine of St. Andrew's Church, (The KIRK) Chennai
Kirkspire, December 1994