‘FATHER’ IS A VERB

We celebrated Father’s Day at Redeemer Church London yesterday with three services, during which we prayed for and honoured the men within our community.

As part of this, our resident poet STEVE PAGE read out these wonderful words to help us reflect on why God is the ultimate example for us in how to be a father. Here is his poem in full:

‘Father’ is a verb.

Let me explain:

Father's Day and Father Christmas have tried to convince us, but don't be fooled: you can, may or will father depending on your mood - for ‘father’ is a verb.

It only works in the transitive: you can't father alone, only in relationship. It doesn't resent hospital trips and offers wrap-a-round comfort when a partnership splits.

It's touch-line volume drowns out all rivals and belly laughs come standard with jokes on recycle.

Yes, ‘father’ is a verb.

It's something you do despite the hour, it drives right on through the night when life’s gone sour. It'll hammer ten fingernails to get the job done. It’ll dance, heedless of decorum, forgetting reputation (with an ill-suited hat on).

It turns manliness into awesome-men-ness; to strength alone it adds a dose of gentleness, yes, ‘father’ is a verb.

It works in the singular: I can father; you can father. But it also works in the plural: we can father and they can father, because you see in this village it’s a joint activity - we father (and we mother) collaboratively.

It works best in the present tense, happening now, not ‘Later!’ It can be said in a gentle voice or something even quieter.

Sometimes active: directive, protecting. But often responsive:

just sitting, listening;

holding and hugging.

It responds to need you see, but works best proactively and works greater sacrificially.

For example, though it costs him dearly, God fathers us and through us daily. And one day, suit pressed, He’ll proudly walk with the bride of Christ.

And as Father of the bride, He’ll host the party and blow the price

with the biggest bar bill ever.

and at that heavenly feast

we’ll be sure to save at least one dance

for Father.

Oh yes, you heard - ‘father’ is a verb.

You gotta have faith, faith, faith

We often enjoy hearing poetry during our services at Redeemer Church London, and this latest offering from STEVE PAGE was read last Sunday.

One of his prompts came from Romans 1:17 (‘the righteous shall live by faith’), where the gospel reveals that a righteousness from God is obtained by faith.

His second can be found in Joshua 3:13-17, where the path to the promised land was through the River Jordan – showing that sometimes, you have to get your feet wet!

You can enjoy Steve’s poem in full here:

FAITH

My faith is the certainty that gives me clarity to see

that there’s a path just beneath the current uncertainty.

My faith is a step, a one step at a time

not much of a leap, but me taking God's hand with mine.

My faith is a day-by-day hand-holding,

a minute-by-minute, front-foot treading of my boot in his footmarks

left for me as a blessing.

My faith is a choosing that needs repeated repeating,

a daily seating at his feet

It's no fleeting feeling,

it’s a morning-and-evening,

sometimes weeping

with both-knees kneeing.

Our faith is a decision

and decisions were made to be made,

so pray,

take him at his word and take the next step,

but don’t be surprised if you get both feet wet.

Because that is where you’ll find Jesus -

at the point where you're most at risk of getting out of your depth.

Our faith is the certainty

that gives us clarity to trust

that whatever our paths,

our God has gone before us.

Believe In More

This year, one of the running themes of Newday was ‘Believe in More’.

Our resident poet, Steve Page, was serving on the Zone Hosting team, and wrote a poem around the same theme.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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Believe in more than
you can imagine
Believe in more than
you ask to happen
Believe in more than
what you have seen
Believe in more than
what you have been
Believe in more than
your faded lable
Believe in more cos
your God is able.

Immeasurably more than
all we ask
Immeasurably more than
all we imagine
Immeasurably more than
what we deserve
Immeasurably more than
mere human passions

Immeasurably wider
Immeasurably longer
Immeasurably higher
Immeasurably deeper
Immeasurably more
full to the brim
Immeasurable love
to the fulness of Him

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 2

This week is our first week of Transforming Prayer! As we look together at the purpose of prayer, Steve’s poem this week reminds us that prayer is always about relationship…

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Prayer

How many times a day do you pray?

As many as needed.
Some days only once.
But it might take all day.

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 1

As part of our Transforming Prayer series here at Redeemer we will be posting weekly poems based around the topic of prayer.

The incredibly gifted Steve Page has written a series of poems for us to use, you can check out more of his work by seeking out his posts on this blog or by following this link at the bottom of this page.

We hope you enjoy the posts, and are prepared for the start of our Transforming Prayer meetups and preaching series this Sunday!

Over to Steve…

Prayer #1

You walk
You sit
You kneel

You ask
You wait
You weep

I listen
I speak
I weep

I hear
I stand
I act

Reverse Advent

"This year, although I know that you're keen to set up that nativity scene, I'm advocating an alternative means, a change in priorities for your generosities.

"I'm annointing a reversal, suggesting you parcel a hamper of staples and so turn the tables on advent doors that ignore the poor.  

"I'm asking that you choose to proclaim the good news beyond the pews, to pursue a change of people's views of what they thought they knew this season meant. Yes, let's reverse this Advent and make something more heaven-sent."

Have a great Advent and make it greater for someone else too.