Behold, God's wonder.

Haiku for the weary

Gaze at creation,

the prophet-poet declares;

behold God’s wonder!

From earth’s foundations

the evidence has been there

for the Lord’s glory.

God who stretches out

the heavens like a curtain

makes kings seem as nought.

Like new plantings, sown,

taking root; God breathes on them.

They wither to dust.

None can equal God.

Look at the stars, how they shine;

God made, named each one.

O people of God,

surely you know that nothing

is hid from God’s eyes.

God is eternal,

beyond our comprehension;

the unsearchable.

God upholds the faint

and strengthens the powerless;

never grows weary.

Even youths will faint

and grow weary; and the young

will fall, exhausted.

Those who trust in God

shall rise on wings, like eagles,

They will not tire.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Send us prophets, God.

Haiku for those who listen

Deuteronomy.

the second book of the law;

Moses speaks for God.

God will raise for you

a prophet, a bit like me;

make sure you listen.

You can’t come too close;

God’s glory overwhelms you.

Prophets stand between.

I’ll raise up for them

a prophet like you, Moses.

I’ll give him my words.

  

Those who won’t listen

to the prophet’s words, my words;

I’ll hold to account.

A prophet who speaks

words I have not commanded,

that prophet shall die.

Many false prophets

speak words that are not from God;

will they be punished?

Well beyond the church

people speak of justice, truth;

are they prophets, too?

© Ken Rookes 2023

Mourning Day Service, Eaglehawk UCA

 

In Ninevah

Haiku of the second chance

Tried to avoid it,

but Jonah decides it’s time

to do what he’s told.

He’s still reluctant,

wants God to punish them all;

it’s what they deserve!

God is generous,

gave Jonah another chance.

This time he obeys.

Goes to Ninevah.

Nearing its centre, he cries:

You’ve got forty days!

Unexpectedly

the people pay attention,

believe God’smessage.

Proclaiming a fast,

they dress themselves in sackcloth,

show they’re serious.

Seeing them repent,

turning from their wicked ways,

God had a rethink.

A calamity

had been planned for the city,

but God called it off.

This Old Testament

God can be problematic,

but here we see grace.

© Ken Rookes 2023

 

Here I am

Haiku for a call

There, in the Temple

at Shiloh, boy Samuel

served under Eli.

For many years now

God has been silent. No word,

no visions, either.

Samuel, resting

in the temple, with the ark

of God, heard a voice.

Samuel! The voice

called twice. Here I am, he said,

and ran to Eli.

I did not call you,

said Eli. Lie down again.

This happened three times.

Eli realised

that ‘twas God calling the boy;

told Sam what to say.

The Lord came once more,

calling, Samuel! The boy

said, Speak, I’m list’ning..

When you’re just a kid

it must be daunting when God

calls you by your name.

© Ken Rookes 2024

From the beginning

A slight  rework of a previous post, offered with Mourning Day services in mind (January 21)

From the beginning

From the beginning as continents drifted

God’s Spirit hovered over this land;

sculpting, renewing; rock, tree and lizard,

rainforest richness, waves crashing on sand.

Having sung country into existence,

the Spirit calls out: First Peoples, come!

This is your land now, tend and enjoy it,

step with its rhythms, dance to its thrum.

We thank you, Lord, for this ancient wisdom,

feeling the heartbeat, singing its songs;

harvesting grasses, trapping the fishes,

lighting the fires to keep country strong.

We thank you, Lord, for this ancient culture,

graciously shared with those who late came.

Help us remember, and to acknowledge

eras of dispossession and pain.

We thank you, Lord, for being there, present

with those who struggle, from country removed;

living in two worlds, seeking a future,

may they find hope and know that they’re loved.

Lord we rejoice in the wonder of songlines;

Spirit connections throughout our wide land.

Welcome love’s offer to journey together,

healing the nation to meet love’s command.

© Ken Rookes. Revised 2024

Freely available for use in worship.

Tune: Bunessan. TiS 156

In the beginning

Haiku of the waters

In the beginning;

I can’t think of a better

way to start a book.

God the creator,

calling into existence

the heavens and earth.

Words making attempt

to describe the mystery

of how we are here.

The earth, formless void

in the midst of the darkness,

waiting to take shape

Spirit wind from God

sweeping over the waters.

A voice: let light shine!

God saw it was good,

the light; separating it

off from the darkness.

The light, God called, Day,

and the darkness was named, Night.

That was the first day.

© Ken Rookes 2023 

A renewed people

 Haiku of promise

Prophet Isaiah

brings words of consolation,

hope for his people.

The days of sorrow

and suffering, they will pass;

rejoicing follows.

God is generous:

gives garments of salvation

robes of righteousness.

They spring up like shoots

in God’s abundant garden:

righeousness and praise.

The prophet cries out,

unable to keep silent

at God’s salvation.

Before the nations

Zion stands vindicated,

shining like the dawn.

There for the nations

to witness; God’s salvation,

like a burning torch!

A renewed people

warrant a new name; The Lord

will spread it abroad.

God’s faithful people,

a lovely crown, a royal

diadem for God.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Announcement

 

Haiku of surprise

Angel Gabriel

finds himself in Nazareth

talking to a girl.

Her name was Mary,

engaged to marry Joseph

of King David’s line.

Greetings, favoured one,

said the messenger from God.

The Lord is with you.

Do not be afraid.

You will conceive, bear a son,

and call him Jesus.

Destined for greatness,

he’ll sit upon David’s throne,

he’ll reign forever

This cannot happen;

I’ve never been with a man.

The Lord will do it.

What say you, Mary?

It’s a most daunting prospect;

are you up for it?

I’m here, said Mary,

God’s servant. Let it happen

to me as you say.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Building a house

 

Haiku for a dwelling

David the monarch,

living in peace, thinks to build

a house for the Lord..

Nathan, the prophet,

agrees; goes home, has a dream

causing a rethink.

Nathan tells David,

since I set my poeople free,

I’ve not had a house.

Have I ever asked

Israel’s leaders to build me

a house of cedar?

You were a shepherd;

I took you from the pasture

to rule my people.

I have been with you.

Your ememies are beaten;

I’ll make your name great.

They will dwell in peace,

planted in the place that I

have appointed them.

God makes you a house!

Your kingdom lasts for ever;

your throne is secured.

© Ken Rookes 2023

Hope for the oppressed

Haiku of restoration

The spirit of God

rests on me, says the prophet;

I must speak good news.

Hope for the oppressed;

God will bind up the broken,

and set captives free.

The year of favour

God will show to those who mourn;

they’ll be comforted.

They will sing and dance

with gladness, praising the Lord.

I will raise them up.

The ancient ruins

are rebuilt, generations

of damage restored.

God hates robbery,

wrong-doing. God loves justice,

reclaims his people.

A new covenant

will be made between the Lord

and the ones he loves.

So much is promised.

God declares that righteousness

 

should cover the earth.

 

 

 

© Ken Rookes 2023