Nurse's Verses: Poetry Corner with Christ

Perfect Love

Perfect Love, come overflow me;
Grow in me the grace that blooms;
Sweetens rooms with Heaven’s fragrance;
Welcomes vagrants from world-tombs.
Perfect Love, come overtake me;
Break me with your selfless stream
That dreams no malice nor resentment,
But contentment reigns ‘neath evil gleams.
Perfect Love, come overwhelm me;
Realm of God, come pierce my will
To instill in me the godly temper
That Tempter mayn’t dam the rill.
Perfect Love, come soon – possess me;
Your roses flower and garlands be.
Such errands shall win for God above –
O Perfect Love, come conquer me!

Jesus Alone

Lord, if it were a mighty wind

It soon would blow away!

If it were a scorching fire

‘Twould die on Rainy Day.

If it were a great earthquake,

Its thrill would vanish by.

Lord, alone Your Still Small Voice

Blesses: “Peace, tis I!”

If it be anything else,

Whether disaster, terror or glee,

It comes to nothing – is nothing –

When compared to Thee!

You do not come as something fleet

Nor are stolen by Sadness’ hour.

You do not come as a moment’s thrill;

A temporary act of power.

No, O Lord, please come as You!

Whether by greatness or meekness true.

Come as either – as You will –

As long as it is You!

Remembrance and Commitment

Lead me, Father, farther still;

Stir my heart to gain Thy Will.

I know Thou knoweth no mistake;

Lead me lest my spirit break.

Hold me, Father, close and dear;

Hold my hand till Thee appear.

Thou forsaketh not Thine Own;

Hold me lest my spirit groan.

Raise me, Father, higher yet;

In me, Thy standards be well met.

I know Thou raiseth on Eagles’ Wings;

Raise me so my spirit sings.

Father! I cry out to Thee!

I do not want this misery.

Thy Way is perfect, true and straight,

And yet the cost I seem to hate.

What cost to me is there to come?

What price to enter Heaven’s home?

It’s free to me; the Way is paved

To all who are in Jesus saved.

What toll is there? What dreaded fee?

Only that I follow Thee,

And what is that but joy and peace?

 O, where is that assured release?

It is where I need to look:

Inside the Hand that mine so took;

Tis inside the Eyes that see

The Way that is unseen by me.

I falter, Lord, I want Thy power;

I want to find relief this hour;

I want sweet rest; I want to wait;

But if I stop, will I be too late

To do the purposed work Thou set;

Will I fail the prize to get?

Could I chance such grave defeat

And invite the Judgement Seat?

Never let me cease Thy Way;

Never let me cease to Pray!

If Thou guides me through despair –

Keep me, keep me, keep me there!

For I know that I am led!

I know, Lord, too, that I am held.

And I know I shall be raised –

All of Doubt’s voices be quelled.

Weariness has no place in Thee,

Nor doth Hate bear dignity.

I will love the Way Thee lays

Though Rest never pierce the haze.

I will delight in the Way Thee makes;

The mountains, valleys it force me take.

How do I know? I seal this choice:

I will always seek Thy Voice.

I will bear my cross as well,

Though I cross the paths of hell;

I will love this one decision,

Though it brings me hell’s derision:

I will trust Thee all my days –

Father, lead me farther always!

Christ, Bring Redemption

Christ, bring redemption;

O Spirit, bring power.

My God of Salvation,

Embrace us this hour

For You are eternal

And never defied!

You are the Judge

And will not be denied!

You are our Lifeline;

We build on Your ground –

We cannot go wrong

When to You we are bound.

We dare not resist You;

We dare not give up!

For You are the Faithful

As revealed by the Cup.

You were the broken –

We, the remade,

And bless You, my God,

You need not be repaid!

Hold us, O Father,

And be blessed by my soul.

We love You, our Truth –

To You, be I sold!

Embrace me, O Jesus,

To draw me full in –

Into Your blessed bosom;

Away from earth’s sin.

Harbour my ship

In Your cavern of hope,

And bring to my vision

This life through God’s scope.

Rise, O Shepherd

Rise, O Shepherd, in the pasture!
Wake! Danger’s a lurking grief.
Wander so the sheep, forlornly.
Rise! Protect them from the Thief.
Gather, Shepherd, in the sheepfold!
Do not let them wander far.
Death awaits the lost and foolish;
Gather, though brings battle-scar.
Call, O Shepherd, in the pasture!
Your voice will turn the sheep to right.
Do not leave them to their folly –
Call to bring them into sight.
Lead, O Shepherd, in the sheepfold!
Do not leave them on their own.
Guide them into Glory’s Pasture
Where their heart’s desire’s grown.
Rise, O Shepherd, in the pasture!
Fight for your sheep to the end!
Though it cost your life and freedom,
Rise, your flock to daily tend.
Wake, O Pastor, in the meadow!
Keep your flock in Safety’s view.
Daily must you strive to teach us;
Give the Gospel, ever-true.
Wake, O Pastor, in the twilight!
Leave not before the dawn of Day!
Do not leave us when we need you;
We will each turn our own way.
Wake, O Pastor, in the churches!
Forsake not the young and old.
Call us to the faithful service;
Challenge us to, In Christ, be sold.
Rise, O Pastor, in the churches!
Wake, and make the churches true!
Wake us also and instruct us.
Protect the old from coming new.