We speak, not to please man.
But to please God who tests our hearts.
Impressing people need  not be part of the plan.
But it may involve many false starts.

We never came with words of flattery.
Nor with a pretext for greed.
But we are sustained with a spiritual battery.
This is the new seed.

Nor did we seek glory.
Whether from you or others.
This is our story.
Thus we cast aside our tethers.

…….

We speak not please man
But to please God who tests hearts
Without flattery

…….

See 1 Thessalonians 2

If anyone loves me.
He will keep the word.
And find the only way to be truly free.
This is salvation’s password.

My father will love him.
And we will come to him.
And make our home with him.
This is our own personal hymn.

Whoever does not love me.
Does not keep my words.
They have not paid the spiritual fee.
They are not his shepherds.

These things I have spoken to you .
While I am still with you.

………

If people love me
They will surely keep my words
My father loves them

…….

See John 14 : 23-29

If the world hates you.
Know that it had hated me .
Before it hated you .
And much of it still hates me.

If you were of the world.
The world would love you as its own.
But you are not of the world.
We are in this material world no one’s own.

But I chose you out of the world.
Therefore the world hates you .
But what does it matter, this world.
For me or you.

If they kept my word.
They would also keep your word.

…..

If the world hates you
Know that it had hated me
We’re not of this world

….

See John 15 : 18-21

This is my commandment.
That you love one another as I have loved you.
This is his testament.
For everyone , me and you.

Greater love has no man than this.
That he lay down his life for his friend.
Something surely we should not miss.
We must give  not even lend.

You are my friend.
If you do as I command you.
Thus all of humanity is our friend.
We are there for the many not the few.

These commandments , so beautiful.
So utterly joyful.

…….

This my commandment
That you love one another
As I have loved you

……

See John 15 : 12-17

Peter said , God made no distinction.
Between us and them.
This is the primary lesson
There is no us and them.

Paul  related what signs and wonders.
God had done through them for the disciples.
Of their faith they became lenders.
Leaders , no longer mere disciples.

Seek all the gentiles that are called by my name.
Says the Lord , who makes all these things of old.
Thus winning everlasting fame.
Of that we do not need to be told.

All are welcome.
Not all will come.

…..

God no distinction
Between us and all of them
Seek all the gentiles

……

See Acts 15: 7-21

He allowed all the nations their own ways.
Yet he did not leave himself without witness.
There was one who established our English ways.
And as a nation our fitness.

St Dunstan helped create England.
Not just with his Regularis Concordia written.
But with an idea of this land.
But rejecting all that was before rotten.

He made the works of God a reality.
For the English people.
He emphasised prayer and pity.
For all of his people.

Thus he gave us our freedom and independence.
A true patriotic national sense.

……

Nations have their ways
But they must too have witness.
That is what God did

……..

See Acts Acts 14 : 5-18

Now the son of man is glorified.
And in him God is glorified.
So this man is now condemned , derided.
Because his accusers had lied.

I give you a new commandment.
That you love one another.
A fitting testament.
To free us from hate’s tether.

I am at the papal inauguration.
Here is a man who proclaims love and peace.
The age old words to relieve all tension.
We can only pray for it without cease.

Is it enough then to pray.
We hope , but who can say.

…….

A new commandment
That you love one another
But do we do it

……

See John 13

You are my son.
It is I who have begotten you this day.
As bright and glorious as the sun.
Who can this gainsay.

Take warning rulers.
Exult with trembling embrace.
As you await all callers.
You must accept every face.

Like a potters jar.
You will scatter them.
From near and far .
All of them.

It is I who have appointed my king.
This I will sing.

……

For you are my son
I have begotten you now
This day and always
…..

See Psalm 2

Brothers if you have any words of encouragement.
Paul said, say it.
And we too seek enlightenment.
And hope that our own spiritual lamp is lit.

Paul and his companions.
Set sail.
We too have our intentions.
Not, we pray, to fail.

But fail we often do.
Often through no fault of our own.
But in that we are like the many not the few.
Life is not a freehold, only a loan.

So like Paul , we keep travelling.
Sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding.

……

They set off to sail
Spreading the gospel here there
Failing, succeeding

…….

See. Acts 13: 13-25

In Antioch.
The disciples were first called Christian.
They began to unlock the new life lock.
And here is the first mention.

What explains  the rapid growth of Christianity.
Is it providence .
Or just their courage and temerity.
God’s will or just good hopeful sense.

I’ m not sure I believe In God rationally.
But in a different sphere of understanding.
I believe in him as a presence emotionally.
It’s a he is here feeling.

In the spirit of he is everywhere.
In our material world, nowhere.

…….

So in Antioch
Disciples were called Christian
And for the first time

……

See Acts 11 : 19-26

O send forth your light.
And your truth.
Give us new sight.
That we may no longer stand aloof.

They will guide me on.
They will bring me to your holy mountain.
Despite all adversity , carrying on.
Helping us to spiritually train.

To the place.
Where you dwell.
Finishing our race.
Despite life’s pell mell.

My soul is thirsting.
For my God appearing.

….

O send forth your light
Let me see your truth and light
Now and for ever

……

See Psalm 42

My sheep hear my voice.
And follow me.
The cardinals have made their choice.
They prayed, they could see.

I and the father.
Are one.
They have found a new father.
A pilgrimage of service is won.

They travelled to Rome to listen and see.
And to conclave
And found the key.
And a new Pastor to cherish and save.

What will this journey be like.
We pray it is something we will like.

…….

If you hear my voice
You will then be my true sheep
I am your shepherd

…….

See John 10: 27-30

As he approached Damascus.
A light shone about him.
Did he know how much he would soon do for us.
And what God would soon do for him.

Falling to the ground he heard a voice saying.
Saul, Saul, what are you doing.
I often wonder why I am not listening.
To the word not understanding.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful.
If we received this call.
How joyful.
To be awakened like Saul.

So we keep on the road travelling.
Always doubting yet seeking.

……

Approach Damascus
And you may yet see a light
To guide your spirit

……

See Acts 9 : 1-20

You have seen me.
All that the father gives will come to me.
Whoever comes to me .
I shall never cast out from me.

I have come down from heaven.
Not to do mine own will.
But the one who sent me from heaven.
And this is one who sent me with his will.

This is the will of the one who loves me.
That I should lose nothing of all that he has given me.
But raise it up on the last day for me.
For this is the will of the father who sent me.

Everyone who looks on the son and believes in him.
Will have eternal life in him.

…….

For you have seen me
All that the father gives comes
From his heaven

……

See John 6 : 35-40