Sunday 25 July 2021



STOKED

My feet have strayed 
from hallowed ground
the flames are closing
all around

I need you Lord
yes I believe
that I have sinned
I was deceived

I wanted something
not of you
as often we
mere mortals do

I run around
I scream and shout
But find there is just
no way out

I seek Your face
and You appear
to whisper sweetly
in my ear

Hold My hand child
though you strayed
I’m with you now
I am the way

In the fire
You are here
You walk so close
You draw me near

You tug my hand
say Walk on child
neither flame
nor heat is wild

You’re in control
of what it burns
eternal life is
Your concern

You are the refuge
from the heat
in this furnace
where we meet

You are the refuge
from the flame
there is no need
to search in vain

You are the one
Who’ll see me through
if I just keep
my eyes on You

I will not fail
to persevere
draw closer Lord
and I’ll not fear

You are the refuge
that I seek
Because my heart and 
flesh are weak

In these flames
I start to sweat
my story
isn’t over yet

My God, My Lord
He overcame
so build a fire
stoke the flame
fasten the chains 
of sin and shame

The Glory?
It is His, you’ll see
Because His love
has set me free
Again.


- Vera Patterson

Thursday 22 July 2021


 

Growth

The biggest bird I’ve ever seen
filled the sky and then my screen
formed of air and formed of mist
for but a moment to exist
suspended there with widespread wings
embracing me and everything
embracing all that it could reach
a lesson here for me to teach
for but a moment... yes that’s true
just a blink for me, for you
time is ticking soon it ends
we lose our patience, lose our friends
we lose our things we lose our light
the day gives way unto the night
we lose our joy, we lose our love
we lose our faith in God above
we lose the laughter, lose our grip
we lose our footing then we slip
we lose our childhood then our youth
we lose sight of what’s the truth
we lose time, we lose the day
we lose our chance, we lose our way
we lose the peace we fought to gain
we lose our mind we go insane
we lose our strength we lose our sight
we lose our cool and start to fight
we lose our dream, we lose our hope
lose all ability to cope
we lose our kids we lose our car
we lose all sense of who we are
we lose our parents, lose some weight
we lose our hair our eyes go faint
we lose so much it’s hard to know
how losing things can help us grow
and yet it does or so it seems
we grow some insight to our needs
we grow some balls, we grow a spine
grow out of saying “No, it’s fine”
we grow some wings, we grow some sense
we drop the need for all pretence
we grow some wisdom, grow some light
grow used to shadows in the night
we grow in touch with all we are
we grow used to battle scars
we grow weak or we grow strong
grow used to sometimes being wrong
we grow up, we grow old
we grow meek, we grow bold
we grow a voice that’s all our own
we stop expecting blood from stone
we grow patience we grow wealth
then understand that time is stealth
we grow sick we grow weary
we look around and we grow teary
we grow wistful for the time
before our age started to climb
for but a moment to exist
formed of air and formed of mist
filled the sky and then my screen
the biggest bird I’ve ever seen.
- Vera Patterson




 Prepared


From the sky and from the air

he watches me but I’m not scared.


My Father also watches on

as does His ever precious Son.

Eyes on me! He commands

I am the Shepherd and the Lamb

I am the way, the truth, the life

the evil one will bring you strife.


Know he’s there, be not afraid

it is for Me you have been made.

One life, one sky, One to be feared

one voice to raise, one God revered.

Your only hope, the Holy One

I’ll grant you life when life is done.


This one can only watch and tempt

In Me your soul can rest, repent

Eyes on me! He commands

I am the Shepherd and the Lamb

I will find you in the storm

from my hand you’ll not be torn.


I’ll wait for you with love and grace

resist the ways he tests your faith.

Turn to me, take my hand, 

heed my words, keep my commands.


The devil wants to steal your gaze

with eyes on Me you’ll not be fazed.

Just like these clouds that soon will pass

the life he offers will not last.


Look past my child, I wait above

to shower you with hope and love

Ignore this one who watches on

he’ll steal your soul and you’ll be gone


From the sky and from the air

he watches me but I’m prepared.




- Vera Patterson

Tuesday 20 July 2021


 
This is me at the beginning of each day
killing it!
Jumping high
OVERCOMING
every obstacle.

That back leg though...
It’s
Despair
self-pity
anger
pride.


Sometimes it clears
I land
jubilantly
sometimes it 
knocks,
trips me up
knocks me out
and I feel
blindsided

In this moment I remember as I approach
the hurdle -
jumping is up to
ME
but being airborne?
That is
GOD.

If I FOCUS on 
HIM
I clan clear the challenge.
If I FOCUS on
ME
well...
That back leg right?

If I take credit for clearing the
hurdle
stop to celebrate
MYSELF
momentum will carry me crashing
into the next
hurdle

If I remember
IT WAS GOD
and it will
NEED
to be Him again in
3.2 seconds
I am more likely
to jump and be jubilant
that
HE is a PROMISE KEEPER
who carries me
EVERY
time that 
I TRUST HIM

- Vera Patterson

Monday 19 July 2021

 



He seeks me.
From deep down in my soul
He bids me Waken!
Follow! Obey!

He seeks me.
Stalks my dreams
Imbuing the with ribbons of hope
for a life not contained by
these fingers, these toes.
A life where skin
dissolves, where my light
re-emerges.

He seeks me.
From a space within
where words from lips
maintain shape,
not transforming between my tongue
and his ears
confusing who I am and what
I need.

He seeks me.
Offering 
more of Him
in exchange for
more of me...
stripping me naked
all the while calling me
Beautiful Creation!
Daughter! Beloved!

He seeks me.
Over 
the mountains
through
the valleys
in the
meadows
in the
sunshine
in the
wind
in the throws of
every storm
offering
a crevice in
His expansive hand
where I curl up and
rest
before 
rising from dreams
imbued with ribbons of hope
to seek 
Him

- Vera Patterson



Cross words

Beat me, shame me all you can
 I am the lion and the lamb
When I die you shall be free
 It is the man you kill in me
I never sinned, I never strayed
I will rise beyond the grave.
My father waits and He is pleased
that I have suffered your dis-ease 
You disbelieved that I am He
To your salvation holds the key.

Father? Forgive them one and all
On your merciful grace I call.
You were right, they all are lost
My precious blood will pay the cost
It will redeem them when it’s shed
The sacrificial lamb be bled
Father! Father! Bring me home
To sit beside you on your throne
Your will for me, it is complete
I die in glory not defeat.

My sheep? Your sins He’ll not condone
And so for them I have atoned
Come my child, sit at my feet
It’s in your need that we shall meet.
 I am your shepherd and the Light
 I will keep you through the night.
It is my blood that cleans your slate 
Young or old it’s not too late.
Tell me... whisper what you’ve done
I’ll lead you home my precious one
When you believe you are the host
for Father Son and Holy Ghost
I am the One, the Great I am 
I wait to love you all I can.

 

- Vera Patterson