The firstborn

Haiku responding to Col 1:11-20

May you be made strong

through Christ; and may you endure

all things with patience.

Joyfully thank God,

through whom you share, with the saints,

blessings most divine.

You have been rescued,

freed from darkness to find life

in Jesus' kingdom.

God, invisible,

is seen in Jesus, firstborn

of all creation.

He is the centre

of ev'rything in heaven

and upon the earth.

Jesus comes before

all else, through Jesus all things

are held together.

He's head of the church,

the beginning; God's fullness

is found in Jesus.

Through Jesus, all things

are reconciled to God. Peace

is made real in him.

© Ken Rookes 2025

We worked hard

Haiku responding to 2 Thes 3:6-13

A bit judgey, Paul,

inviting separation

from the idle ones!

They were expecting

Jesus' return any day;

staying home from work!

We worked hard, says Paul,

when we were with you; feeding

ourselves, not bludging.

We weren't without rights

to be fed; instead we chose

to toil, night and day

Didn't want to be

a burden. An example

for you to follow.

Remember we said,

those who won't work should not eat.

Harsh? Yes, but needed.

Exhort the idle

in Jesus' name: Be at work,

earn your own living.

Brothers and sisters,

you must never grow weary

doing what is right.

© Ken Rookes 2025

You have been called

Haiku responding to 2 Thes 2:1-5, 13-17

How to interpret

these ancient scriptures? Surely

not literally!

As to the coming

of the Lord, some are saying

that day has arrived.

Do not be alarmed;

troubled times must come ere Christ

gathers us to him

See the lawless one

exalting himself above

all. Makes himself God.

While I was with you

I told you all of these things;

don't you remember?

We give thanks to God

that God chose you, the first fruits

of God's salvation.

God has purposed this

proclamation of good news

and you have been called.

We proclaimed good news!

You heard, are bound for glory

through our Lord Jesus.

Sisters and brothers

stand firm; keep the traditions

that we taught to you.

May our Lord Jesus,

with God who loved us, strengthen

you in doing good.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Worthy of God's call

Haiku responding to 2 Thes 1:1-4, 11-12

They write to the church

at Thessaloniki; Paul,

Silas, Timothy.

A greeting of peace

and grace; reflecting their love,

expressing their thanks.

They commend the faith

growing abundantly, at

Thessaloniki.

The love grows, too;

source of wonder and delight.

The writers take pride.

They boast of the love

and steadfast faith in the face

of persecutions.

We pray that God will

empower you, and make you

worthy of God's call.

May you bring glory

to Jesus' name, according

to the grace of God!

© Ken Rookes 2025

The race completed

Haiku responding to 2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18

Ready to depart.

The purported apostle

writes to Timothy.

An offering poured

out before God. He's at peace,

holding nothing back.

He's fought the good fight,

he has completed the race,

he has kept the faith.

He's ready to claim

the crown of righteousness that

God has promised him.

He had stood alone,

no one came to help, but he

doesn't hold a grudge.

The Lord stood by me,

gave me strength, allowing me

to preach the gospel.

The gentiles have heard

because the Lord rescued me;

God still keeps me safe.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Continue in the faith

Haiku responding to 2 Tim 3:14 - 4:5

Continue in faith,

that which you learned and believed

from your youngest days.

All your life you've known

sacred writings that instruct

about salvation.

Scripture is inspired

by God. It instructs, corrects,

leads to righteousness.

As a child of God

you should be well trained, equipped

for ev'ry good work.

Proclaim the message

with persistence. Be patient,

and encouraging.

With time, sound teaching

will be shunned; people will choose

teachers that please them.

Many folk will turn

from truth, preferring easy

lies and foolish myths.

Live truly, endure

suffering, share the good news,

fulfil your calling.

© Ken Rookes 2025

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

Things are different, now.

 

Haiku responding to Colossians 3: 1-11

You've been raised with Christ;

seek the things that are above

with Christ, and with God.

Eschew earthly things.

Seek that which comes from above;

live your risen life.

End earthly desires;

sexual immorality,

evil passions, greed.

Rid yourself of wrath,

malice, anger, slander, and

language of abuse.

Always speak the truth.

You've been renewed, so reflect

the image of God.

No more Greek and Jew,

circumcised and not; slave, free;

Christ is all, in all.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Raised with Christ

Haiku responding to Colossians 2:6-15

You have received Christ

hear his words as you travel

through your life with him.

Do not be deceived

by those whose earthly wisdom

makes them ignore God.

In Christ God's fullness

dwells. Through Christ we enter in

to fullness of life

The circumcision

that counts comes from Spirit; true

sign of belonging.

Baptised and buried,,

you were also raised with Christ,

trusting God's power.

You were dead in sin,

God raised you to life once more

when he forgave you.

God casts aside Law's

harsh requirements, dismissing

her fierce proponents.

© Ken Rookes 2025