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.