The Royal Way

When people hate you and despise you
And distort every word you say,
Don’t fight or curse them, don’t get even,
Forgiveness is the royal way.

When burdens are too hard to bear
And pain knocks down your house of clay,
Don’t moan, don’t give in to despair,
Endurance is the royal way.

When you see suffering and fear,
When others turn their face away,
Tend to the wounds and wipe the tears,
Compassion is the royal way.

And whether you meet kings or beggars,
Great saints or sinners gone astray,
Serve all as if they were your brothers,
Humility’s the royal way.

Whatever this world has to offer,
And in your journey come what may,
You’ll conquer all if you remember
That Jesus walked the royal way.

Our Greatest Treasure

You taught us not to be afraid,
And what great strength we found in you!
Today, when all things have been said,
Your words are still so deeply true.

You promised you would be with us
And never let us walk alone.
Now, when two thousand years have passed,
Your faithful promises still hold.

For us you prayed, you cried, you died
Though mercy was your only crime,
Now, after all things have been tried,
Your love still stands the test of time.

Kingdoms and rulers come and go,
And nation rises against nation,
But when most things have said their ‘no’,
Your ‘yes’ is still our sweet salvation.

The world is older, but no wiser,
As we move closer to the end,
But when we seek you in our trial
Today, as always, you’re our friend.

Today we fly across the sky
And we invent the world anew,
But when it’s time to say goodbye,
We still have no one left but you.

We dream and learn, and go astray,
We gather riches beyond measure,
But when all things have had their say,
You still remain our greatest treasure.

THE STRANGER

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Revelation, 3:20, King James Version

He's standing in front of her door,
He climbed the stairs to the sixth floor 
The staircase is dark and cold
The air is stale; the silence old. 

Burned ends of smoky cigarettes 
Give him a mocking smile. 
"Give up", they say. "There is no way 
You can go there tonight.

She's doesn't need a sermon. 
And God is miles away.
She's got a bad hangover
She doesn't want to pray."

He sighs and pushes on again
His tired feet are sore. 
"She is my child. She needs a friend.
I will knock at her door." 

The shadows casting off the light
Start mocking at him too.  
"Just go away, get out of sight!
She hates the likes of you!"

He sighs and pushes on again,
His eyes conceal a tear. 
"She's still a child. I know her well. 
Her heart is full of fear."

A step or two and he is there
His hand knocks at the door. 
A gentle sound of steps he hears
His heart begins to soar. 

She's standing there on her tiptoes. 
She peeps through the spy hole.
Her eyes are red and in her head
She tries to gain control. 

"It's just another beggar", 
She says and walks away. 
Her eyes are red, she goes to bed
And pain kicks in again. 

He knocks and knocks, with stubborn hope, 
And love tears off his chest. 
"I've come to you to help you cope, 
To give you peace and rest."

His voice is covered by the noise
Of music playing loud.
A song she no longer enjoys
Enfolds her like a shroud. 

"There must be more to life than this, 
There's too much grey, where is the blue
That can turn life into a bliss
And make our dreams come true?"

He longs to hold her trembling hand. 
His fiery eyes are burning. 
"Your heart - that is the Holy Land,
And Love your secret yearning."

Then something moves her very core,
A flicker turns to flame, 
She runs like frantic to the door. 
"Who are you? What's your name?"

He smiles and joy shines in his eyes
"I'm Hope without an end. 
I'm Faith and Love that never dies. 
And you can call me 'Friend'."