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

Before all else, Christ.

Responding to Colossians 1:15-28

Haiku

Christ is the image

of the invisible God;

all things came through him.

Thrones and dominions,

rulers, powers; they're nothing,

he comes before all.

He's the beginning,

head of the body, the Church,

firstborn from the dead.

In him God's fullness

was pleased to dwell,

ending estrangement.

Those who were estranged

are now reconciled through Christ,

and find peace with God

Our own sufferings

don't count; We participate

in Christ's afflictions.

We share the myst'ry

of Christ's presence, that we may

find ourselves in Him.

© Ken Rookes 2025

Letters to encourage

Haiku responding to Colossians 1:1-14

Paul, the apostle

writes letters to encourage,

building up the saints.

Grace to you, and peace

from God the Father. We can

almost feel the smile.

Celebrating faith,

affirming the people's love,

along with their hope.

You received the word

of truth, the gospel of life;

it is bearing fruit.

The gospel bore fruit

among you, from the first day

you heard of its grace.

We heard of your love

and keep praying for you, that

you will know wisdom.

May you be made strong,

filled with power, enduring

with patience and joy.

The darkness power

is dismissed, we're living in

the kingdom of Christ.

The inheritance

of the saints is light. It's yours;

live in light's kingdom.

© Ken Rookes 2025