A worker, unashamed.

Haiku responding to 2 Timothy 2:8-15

I've been in prison

for the sake of the gospel:

Jesus Christ, risen.

Enduring hardship

that the many might be saved;

God's word is not chained!

The saying is sure:

we have died with Christ Jesus;

so we live with him.

We endure; we reign

with him. Should we deny him,

he will deny us.

Should we prove faithless,

he will stay faithful. Unreal,

that is who he is!

Trivial disputes

should be avoided; they do

no one any good.

Bring yourself to God

as one approved; without shame,

a worker for truth.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Love, Power, self-control

 

Haiku responding to 2 Tim 1:1-14

The writer opens:

Timothy, beloved child,

Grace, mercy and peace.

The letter proceeds:

I give thanks to God for you;

praying night and day.

Recalling your tears,

I long to see you, that I

may be filled with joy!

Profound faith, learned from

your mother and grandmother

lives strongly in you.

Rekindle the gift

that you received from God, when

hands were laid on you.

God did not give us

a spirit of fear, but love

power, self control.

Join me in suff'ring

for the gospel; trust in God,

the power God gives.

God's power saves us,

our calling is holy, we're

saved by grace, not works.

Grace was always here,

is now revealed in Jesus

through the gospel's light.

Suff'ring for Christ's sake

brings no shame. I put my trust

in him; he guards me.

I taught you soundly,

hold to that standard; in faith,

love, through the Spirit.

Ken Rookes 2025

Sing a song of grace surprising

 I was looking for a hymn about grace, but none encompassed the breadth of grace, or, so it seemed to me, its surprising nature. So I had a go at writing one. Well known tune. I hope others might find it useful. Please feel free to offer feedback.

The good fight

Haiku responding to 1 Tim 6:6-19

Godliness brings gain

and contentment. Accepting

the life God gives you.

We can bring nothing

with us into the world, take

nothing out of it.

Food, shelter, clothing,

these we need; if we have these

we should be content.

Those who want riches

are trapped by harmful desires

that will ruin them.

The love of money

is the root of all evil;

leading them astray.

Pursue righteousness,

godliness, faith, endurance

gentleness and love.

The good fight of faith

must be fought. Eternal life

is yours; grasp it well.

Those who are rich now

need to put their trust in God,

who truly provides.

Be rich in good works,

generous, sharing; building

a strong foundation.

Like the rest of us,

the rich must find their true life

in God, not in wealth.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Quiet and peaceable

 Haiku responding to 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Supplications, prayers

intercessions; we make them

for those who rule us.

We would live quiet

and peaceable lives; godly,

and with dignity.

It is right to live

godly lives, demonstrating

faith in our Saviour.

God wants ev'ryone

to be saved, to come to know

the truth. God is one.

God is one. Jesus,

himself human, mediates

between God and us.

I'm an apostle,

called by God to those outside,

teaching faith and truth.

© Ken Rookes 2025

It's all about grace

Haiku responding to 1 Timothy 1:12-17

It's all about grace.

The writer shows gratitude

for new life in Christ.

Listing his failures,

which are many, the writer

expresses wonder.

He called me to serve;

I, who had blasphemed, a man

of violence. What grace!

The grace of our Lord

overflowed for me, pouring

out Christ's faith and love.

The saying is sure:

Christ Jesus came among us

to save the sinful.

First among sinners,

I received mercy, showing

the patience of Christ.

If I can receive,

by faith, Christ's eternal life,

so can anyone!

To the ageless King

immortal, be honour and

glory, forever!

© Ken Rookes 2025

A brother in Christ

 

Haiku responding to the letter to Philemon

Paul pens a letter

to his old mate, Philemon

and to his house church.

Expresses his love

and gratitude; a good start

when seeking favour.

A runaway slave,

Onesimus has helped Paul

while held in prison.

Paul has sent him back

Requesting friend Philemon

to set his slave free.

He who was useless

became useful to us both;

helping in your stead.

I would have kept him,

but I want your consent. Do

this freely for me.

Your slave ran away,

now receive him back as a

brother in Jesus.

Welcome him as you

would welcome me; I'll repay

anything he owes.

Do this for me, Paul.

I'll not mention that you owe

me even your life.

Grant me this, brother.

I am confident that you,

will refresh my heart!

© Ken Rookes 2025

How we should live

 

Haiku responding to Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Continue to build

affection for each other,

as Christ commanded.

Be hospitable

to strangers; you may find you've

entertained angels.

Don't forget prisoners.

Imagine if it were you

in prison with them.

Those being tortured;

remember them, support them,

grateful it's not you.

Honour marriages;

don't cheat. God will judge the ones

who defile marriage.

Try to be content

with what God has given you.

Don't worship money.

God is your helper;

there is nothing to fear. What

can be done to you?

Imitate the faith

of those who brought you God's word.

Look at how they live.

He is constant; same

yesterday, today, always.

Jesus Christ, our Lord.

© Ken Rookes 2025

The new

Haiku responding to Hebrews 12:18-29

It is diff'rent now,

not like in the past, with God

clothed in fire and smoke.

Trembling and awe,

encountering God with fear;

that's how it once was.

You who are in Christ

meet the living God with joy

and great festival.

We come to Jesus,

who forged the new covenant

between us and God.

Do not refuse him

when he speaks words of freedom,

accept his life-gift.

God speaks: creation

trembles. Earthly things will pass;

those from God remain.

God's promised kingdom

cannot be shaken. It's ours;

God's gift. Be thankful.

Showing gratitude,

we bring our worship to God,

along with our lives.

© Ken Rookes 2025

This great cloud

 

Haiku responding to Hebrews 11:29-12:2

They trusted in God,

all those heroes of the past.

God rewarded them.

Slaves and freed people,

prostitutes, judges, prophets,

kings; all trusted God.

By faith they achieved

great things; they conquered, they ruled,

they became mighty.

Others who had faith

suffered in various ways,

some were put to death.

We commend their faith,

they await their reward; God

fulfils them in Christ.

They're surrounding us;

this great cloud of witnesses.

They're urging us on!

Let us lay aside

all that holds us back, complete

the race before us.

We must persevere,

like Jesus; God's pioneer,

perfecter of faith.

We look to Jesus;

cross and shame deterred him not,

sits at God's right hand.

© Ken Rookes 2025.

By faith

Haiku responding to

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Faith: the assurance

of things hoped for, conviction

of the things not seen.

By faith God's purpose

is made real; the unseen things

are made visible.

Abraham had faith;

when God called, he headed off

towards the unknown.

Trusting God's promise,

Abraham pressed on towards

God's builded city.

In the promised land,

living in tents, they trusted

God's promise would hold.

By faith, the ageing

pair conceived. A son was born,

succession secured.

Numbered as the stars

and seaside sand, Abraham

and Sarah's offspring.

These all died before

the promises were fulfilled;

watched from a distance.

They did not look back,

but faithfully reached towards

God's promised future.

© Ken Rookes 2025