Christ-likeness: Progressive Christian Living

Forgiven and Forgiving

Forgiven and Forgiving

History teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness, or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general - but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.   Forgiveness lies at the heart of the...

Compassion

Compassion

We in our prideful counting are answerable to you: Facing the cost of our pride, we choose you; We choose you and your compassion; We choose you, because we trust that, You do not deal with us according to our sins, Nor repay us according to our iniquities. So we...

Not My King! Then Who is?

Not My King! Then Who is?

Love that gives, gives ever more, gives with zeal, with eager hands, spares not, keeps not, all outpours, ventures all its all expends. . Drained is love in making full, bound in setting others free, poor in making many rich, weak in giving power to be. . Therefore he...

The pinnacle is a very lonely place

The pinnacle is a very lonely place

The pinnacle of the temple is a very lonely place. You will not be waiting for me there. Your way, your prayer, Your disclosure of God Takes the lowliest path…. I must come down like Zacchaeus If I would have you dwell with me; On the roads, and on the shore; In the...

Lasting friendship

Lasting friendship

Such love I cannot analyse; It does not rest in lips or eyes, Neither in kisses nor caress. Partly, I know, it’s gentleness   And understanding in one word Or in brief letters. It’s preserved By trust and by respect and awe, These are the words I’m feeling for....

Song of a Lesbian 

Song of a Lesbian 

All my life’s been lived in fragments, Just a part of me was shown, A part I shared with friends, And a part I lived at home, A part I showed my work-place And a part the church could share, And a part of me was hidden In closets of despair.   Marsha Stevens...

My bottom  dollar

My bottom dollar

Two mites, two drops (yet all her house and land) Falls from a steady heart, though trembling hand. The others’ wanton wealth foams high and brave. The others cast away, she only gave.   Richard Crashaw (1613-49), The Widow’s Mite.   

Contemplation’s door to wisdom and virtue

Contemplation’s door to wisdom and virtue

Virtue could see to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And wisdom’s self Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude, Where with her best nurse Contemplation, She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings That in...

What the Lord has done for me

What the Lord has done for me

Have you no words? Ah, think again! Words flow apace when you complain And fill your fellow creature’s ear With the sad tale of all your care.   Were half the breath thus vainly spent To heav’n in supplication sent, Your cheerful song would oft’ner be: ’Hear what the...

Yes: uphill all the way

Yes: uphill all the way

Does the road wind uphill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Will the day’s journey take the whole long day? From morn to night, my friend.   But is there for the night a resting place? A roof for when the slow dark hours begin. May not the darkness hide it from my...

Where now?

Where now?

My road calls me, lures me West, east, south and north; Most roads lead men homewards, My road leads me forth.   To add more miles to the tally Of grey miles left behind, In quest of that one beauty God put me here to find.   John Masefield...

Can you  follow? Will you know me?

Can you follow? Will you know me?

And yet… Have I been so long time with thee And yet hast thou not known me? Blessed Master, I have known thee On the roads of Galilee. Have I been so long time with thee On the roads of Galilee: Yet, my child, hast thou not know me When I walked upon the sea? Blessed...