Category: Creative writing

Christmas Angel

Mary was afraid
Angel appeared suddenly
Messenger from God

Joseph was dreaming
Angel appeared silently
Be Mary’s husband

Jesus was sleeping
Lying in a trough of hay
Angel watching them

Image of a child
Christmas Spirit promises
Angels everywhere.

© Barbara Rolison Kingdom Arts December 2024

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Mary and Elisabeth

Elisabeth waits…Looking heavenward…
Silence deafens, it’s piercing, unsettling.
She is in God’s waiting room.
Silence echoes in her home; hubby cannot speak!

Mary enters into keeping a silence
She has had a message, an angel, it’s piercing her dreams her life, her hopes;
It’s unsettling yet it offers hope.
A baby, two babies; conceived in the heart of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
One born to prepare the way out of darkness,
One to be born in the darkness of a stable.
A box for a bed straw for warmth.

The world waits
I need hope…I lie in my own crib, one of many cribs, nameless, a pregnancy unwanted.
No future, no identity, no belonging, no light.
Are you really a king, Jesus?
Who am I?
Can you tell?
Nobody’s child.
Can I lie with you in your crib for a while?
We see the star, we hear the angels,
All is calm and all is bright, baby Jesus, Son of God’s light,
You radiate pure light.
You give me peace and love, unspoken acceptance
And your presence changes everything!

No longer waiting,
I hold onto you;
You enlighten my darkness
And silence is pierced with the cry of my heart.
Come Emmanuel!

© Shefali Kingdom Arts December 2024

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Remove the Carpet

[AKA Old Ways Be Gone**]

“Resign” they cry
Just one alone?
Stand up in solidarity
All who share the shame.

Purge
Reconcile
Refresh
Renew

To all be fair from
Decades past to times ahead
The lens has changed
But the crime no less

Purge
Reconcile
Refresh
Renew

[** For all of us]

© Stephanie Moyes        Kingdom Arts 12.11.24

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Africa

The sun beat down
The work was endless
But food grew well
Unequal sharing

The land cries out with beauty
Babies on backs
Will they stay
And grow old together?

Garments abound with colour
Reflecting sky, flowers, and birds.
Let our pallets
Mix every colour.

© Helen McNicholl     Kingdom Arts December 2024

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Freedom?

Oh! my father, where are you?
Children of the earth hear the beat of the drum
Rivers of Africa turn red stained by blood of the innocent
Deep calls to deep
From the very roots and dry earth was I born.
And the red earth cries out to be released.

This country is woven into my bones.
My heritage.
Freedom is never free. It comes with a price.
Oh! my brothers and sisters of many lands
Africa welcomed you, fed you on goats’ milk and corn
And now you are being spewed out
By the very mouth of he who instils fear, rules by fear,
Will die through fear.

See beyond and dream on my people
May the soil from which we were formed remember!
Stand strong
A bruised reed will not remain broken
Freedom is not free, it has to come with a price
They do not take it, I give it
Stand free.

© Shefali              Kingdom Arts December 2024

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Have you ever seen a blind man dance?

Watching the blind comedian Chris work with Diane on Strictly this year, has been fascinating.

I have listened to their back story, he has said that he has had to go down on his hands and knees to feel her feet, to work out how he should place his own.

He is free from all the glitz and glamour, as his focus is on what he needs to do to be a partner.

One day he blindfolded Diane and asked her to enter his world to understand what it was like for him to experience learning to dance.

What an eye opener for her!

“Light of the world you stepped down into darkness” What a feat of trust!

Experienced completely by Christ, mirrored in their journey.

“I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross”

 © Chris Graham    Kingdom Arts October 2024

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Light

 He stood by my door and knocked.
I was intrigued at age 8 or 9.
Opening a chink to let in whoever.
A voice said “Come follow me Jennifer”

Time passes but always the presence
Of light and hope were and are with me.
They draw me on and open my eyes
In dark times, quiet moments
There is a touch, a shaft of light
A voice, a sense of peace and I know.

Christ knocks at our door
And when the door opens, light appears.
Slowly all is revealed.
Insight into dark places, within oneself,
In a life being lived.
In the world in which we live
All places needing healing, touch and love.

© Jenny English  Kingdom Arts October 2024

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The Door

What is this chink of light through the door.
Is it a gateway to another world? How do I open the door?
Jesus said: “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you”.
The door is wooden, plain, ordinary, no gold or decoration here, but that intriguing shaft of light shining through the door frame.
Where does our ordinary life with all its stresses and strains meet eternity?
Are we brave enough to knock and have the door opened?

As a young person a closed door seems like somewhere you should not go: but as an older person it is a challenge, a gateway to new possibilities, vista and experiences. We have no experience of heaven, but we do know that God has us in the palm of his hand, and will protect us like a hen with chicks. So, what do we have to fear?

Nothing.

© Julia Holdsworth       Kingdom Arts October 2024

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Opening the door

When a door is ajar, do you dare glance inside?
Who knocks on your door, dare you open it wide?
Are you thrilled to be greeting whoever’s outside?

Will your welcome be warm and is your smile bright?
But who is that someone who calls you tonight?
May Jesus enter; blessings in His voice?
Then let your heart open and your soul Rejoice!

© Barbara Rolison        Kingdom Arts October 2024

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Heavenly Growth

God created the world
And saw that it was good.
The seeds to flourish and grow
Large and small alike.
Despite floods and drought
Still nourished in God’s folding earth
Feeding the hungry
And the yearning soul
Healing pains and minds
Bringing comfort and peace
Restoring the air we breathe,
To praise him once again
Delighting the eye
And the artists brush
Filling the air with scent
God’s breath to stir our souls
Help us Lord to protect and love
Your heavenly God-sent gift.

© Helen McNicoll Kingdom Arts June 2024

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A Prayer

Oh Lord of grace and love
How you have sustained me through the darkest of times,
I was bereft until
Your tender compassion surrounded me.
You listened to my heartfelt prayers,
Your Holy Spirit touched me bringing peace.
Always my Lord and my Saviour.

Amen

© Barbara Rolison Kingdom Arts June 2024

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Alpha and Omega, circle of life, eternal joy let us live with you forever.
Despite our shortcomings, may we share your love, compassion, and liberty in heavenly peace with angelic voices singing to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Heaven on earth, bright flowers, birds singing, roaring oceans, sunlit mountains, loving relationships, family unity, no violence or hate, but pure grace as we look to you, our defender and sustainer.

Your world is full of your glory from the mustard seed to mighty cedars, may we treat them with the respect they deserve and sustain rather than destroy their environments.
Lord may we be your ambassadors on earth, of it but not living in it. We need to be heaven’s citizens, God’s hands and feet on earth, his mouthpiece to issues of the day, head above the parapet, advocating Your way, not the ways of war, compassion for the have-nots and wisdom in meditation.

We have a short time here but Eternity with you. Let us make it count, every day dedicated to you, conversations had with those you choose and situations encountered so that we can give glory to you in all that we do.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our joy, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love, cultivate these in our hearts.

© Julia Holdsworth Kingdom Arts June 2024

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Enslaved, Free, Follow God

I have been enslaved for many years by what I call my “Stinking thinking”.

During the last few years, I have been given, by the grace of God, the opportunity to learn about what has been blocking me from experiencing peace in my mind and soul. I believe that I am being set free.

I have taken the opportunity which was presented to me, to seek professional help, which allowed me to realise that I had an addiction to being miserable. This realisation has enabled me to accept that I needed to seek help to move away from my addiction.

I was introduced to a spiritual course some time ago. This has helped to set me free from a misunderstanding of what spirituality is, and it has given me a new understanding of how to have a spiritual relationship with God and to follow God’s guidance.

I learnt that I needed to accept that we are powerless and that our lives can sometimes become unmanageable. I also realised that God can restore us to and to “make a decision to turn on our will and our lives over to the care of God”. This illustrated the need to follow God’s will in my life and NOT my own.

I have been privileged to see how God has restored people who have been enslaved in the prisons of alcoholism and more especially co-dependency. I have been helped to find some freedom from my “stinking thinking”, and my addictions. It has shown me, beyond doubt, that only God can set me free.

I have learnt many things about myself in recent years. It has been challenging and painful. The process has enabled me to get an awareness of being enslaved to addiction; of having God set me free, and to be able to follow God’s will instead of my own.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learnt is a new definition of the virtue of humility. This is having the openness and willingness to seek to know God’s will for me, and to humbly seek the power to carry it out.

I have begun to realise that God is not vindictive, critical or judgemental, but accepts me as I am. He accepts me with my personality defects and shortcomings.

© Paul Ingram, Kingdom Arts, June 2024

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So many memories come from the songs we sing,
When we walk with the Lord, as those did on the Emmaus road.
We start with uncomprehending wonder and gain
So much by walking with Him,
As He draws near.
Songs so often pin the memory as do
Actions that catch us unaware and remind us.
They just know that in that moment of
Bewilderment, things started to make sense.
Drawing from their hearts the invitation
“Abide with us”
We want that connection. But then He left for Heaven
Bereft again homesick for His abiding presence
They waited / we wait
Until a promise that He made draws near,
Very near and becomes fulfilled
They were given the promised Holy Spirit
And we are too.
We can sing with certainty
“Holy Spirit we welcome you”

© Chris Graham, Kingdom Arts Worcester May 2024

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A Mighty Fire

The first spark begins
Within the welcoming, comforting
God filled womb.
Nurtured for the world
As birth overtakes us.
Lord help us build a mighty fire
From that holy spark.
With flames rising to heaven
Full of Godly love
Ready to spread world-wide.
Feeling breezes spurring us on
Seeing the passing seasons
In all their beauty
Spreading and receiving love
In all its different shapes
Burning away unrest and pain.
May the colours and warmth
Fill the world.

© Helen McNichol, Kingdom Arts Worcester May 2024

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Holy, Sacred, Eternal Spirit.

Holy Spirit
Sent from God: made of God
Entering the world like a storm-force wind
To fill us and fulfil us alway.

Sacred Spirit
Gift from God: part of God
Igniting my heart like a fiery flame
Enfold me, protect me I pray

Eternal Spirit
Gift from God: made of God
Come like a fateful messenger
Speak to my soul and stay.

© Barbara Rolison, Kingdom Arts Worcester May 2024

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Take it to the Lord in prayer

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Carried then carried now
Jesus you died alone.
Deep the wounds of love punishment in my place
Ugliness, brutality, violence, intransigence, pain, death
Jesus you knew it all then
You know it all now
Trouble, sorrow, weakness, loneliness, our rubbish!
Take it to the lord in prayer
He is there always
From His tears comes our joy
From His death our life shall be forever.

© Lesley Brown Kingdom Arts April 2024

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Bead prayer

Lord Jesus draw near and hear my prayer
My prayer for mankind – Hear my prayer
A new baby born free into the unknown – Hear my prayer
A child loved from birth – Hear my prayer
A child unloved and used – Hear my prayer
Grows into adulthood stepping into freedom – Hear my prayer
Grows into adulthood seeking sanctuary – Hear my prayer
Risen Christ re make us all in your image – Hear my prayer
That we may be filled with your Holy Spirit
And be free spirits walking in your kingdom – Hear my prayer
Be alongside each one of us – Hear my prayer
The beloved son or daughter – Hear my prayer
The slave, the killer, the soldier – Hear my prayer
The homeless, the lonely – Hear my prayer
Risen Christ draw us into your embrace – Hear my prayer

© Jenny English Kingdom Arts April 2024

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He is risen Alleluia
His light will shine forever
He is risen Alleluia
Eternal King we praise you

He is risen Alleluia
Peace to all your children

He is risen Alleluia
We give you glory and praise

He is risen Alleluia
It is finished, and God reigns!

© Julie H Kingdom Arts March 2024

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Peace.

Can we capture the essence of our paradoxical Lord?
Our leader of soul and body,
Touching humankind and heaven through light and darkness,
Who spreads the scent of heaven across all human endeavour.
Sending cleansing breezes to heal deep wounds
Releasing blocked entrances for joyful song and dance.
Wiping visible and hidden tears with outstretched hands.
But most of all
Let us absorb God’s overwhelming peace.
Simply love Him with all our hearts
As He loves us.

© Helen McNicholl Kingdom Arts March 2024

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Steal away

When I was a teenager I used to sing this spiritual so much, to encourage my heart to confide in Jesus… “Steal Away to Jesus”

Today I wrote this Poem…

Is my heart oppressed and low?
Steal away to Jesus
Confused about which way to go?
Steal away to Jesus

Am I pressed into a mould?
Steal away to Jesus
Feeling robbed of all my gold?
Steal away to Jesus

Would I dare to slip my chain?
Steal away to Jesus
Is it worth what I would gain?
Steal away to Jesus

Does my trouble cloud my way?
Steal away to Jesus
Will the darkness yield to day?
Steal away to Jesus

I will trust the call to rest
Steal away to Jesus
Following with trembling steps
Steal away to Jesus

I will come out on your arm
Steal away to Jesus
Covered in your healing balm
Steal away to Jesus

© Chris Graham Kingdom Arts 2024

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What is freedom?

Everywhere I look, people are shackled by something: internet shopping; drink; drugs; sex; Netflix; fashion.
Where are we free in nature, by the sea, up a mountain, wild swimming.
What is it for you?

Jesus made us free, whatever our circumstances, do we need a new mindset?

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, do we look after our vulnerable ones?
Do restrictions mean slavery or is it a means to a new and free life?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains”.

Is this what Jesus came for, to be tied, scourged and die for us all?
To rise again in glory and save us all from sin and suffering until we are truly free to join him in eternal glory.

© Julia Holdsworth

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A spiritual

They chained me down,
In sorrow I cry,
Carry my trouble away.

My load is heavy,
Have mercy Lord!
Carry my trouble away.

CHORUS
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, my Lord,
Carry me away.

The journey’s long,
The river is wide,
Carry my trouble away.

And in the darkness
You’re by my side,
Carry my trouble away.

CHORUS
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, Lord,
Carry me away, my Lord,
Carry me away.

© Barbara Rolison, Kingdom Arts February 2024

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Release from the Chains of Despair

I was trapped, I felt unsafe,
Had no control, no way of escape.
Bound by rules, no place for thoughts
Of what I like, just what I ought.

Do, be, serve, and don’t complain,
Keep the peace, the same refrain
In my mind, the whole day long.
No chance of love or joy or song.

Then came the night. The darkness hides
All vestige of hope, just fear resides.
Fear dictates and tells me lies,
“You can’t break free from life’s demise.

This is all you will ever be,
Trapped in your chains, and never free.”
Yet deep inside a spark of hope
Drew me onwards, helped me to cope.

I’d heard of a Saviour, one who loved
To set people free, the Son of God.
I cried to Him, He heard my prayer,
Let me know that He’s always there.

“You are loved,” He said. “Trust in Me,
I will your Deliverer be.”
And deep inside I knew that He
Could heal the pain and set me free.

New life awaits, now peace inside,
Freedom from fear, now joy resides.
No more despair nor hiding away
Just freed to be, to work to play.

Myself at last. Now I can breathe
And worship Him, old patterns leave.
He brings such peace and now fulfils
My hopes, my dreams- not further ills.

My life is changed forever more
Free like the eagle I will soar.

Ruth Campsall, February 2024.

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Clarity

Clarity,
the lack of business,
Tranquillity,
calmness; less to intrude and more to see.
Patterns,
Gently moving and slowly opening up and moving towards
My Creator.
Peacefully,
gently undisturbed by the business of life
Clear of clutter to see what really matters.
To see anew, afresh what the essence of life is.
So peaceful, so restful.
Just to be and offer myself anew, afresh to you.

© Steph Kingdom Arts January 2024

This was a partnership piece written as an experiment with Barbara as amanuensis.

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At Kingdom Arts

I woke up this morning feeling a little apprehensive about coming today,

BUT!

What a feeling I got immediately!!

Friendship, love, welcome.

Everything I feel I need at this time in my life. I try every day to find new things to think about. I have been told that it’s quite probably I will go blind, and I am trying to come to terms with what I will be able to do.

Crochet is my main hobby, which I will be able to carry on (with difficulty) but I have enjoyed painting which I find difficult already, although with a loving son to help me I will, with God’s help, go on to find new things.

© Heather Kingdom Arts February 2024

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No Sight

I close my eyes and cut off my sight.
Yet I know I am standing in a garden
I can smell it and I can hear a rustle of leaves
The flutter and twitter of birds.
I reach out my hand and bend down to touch.
It’s colder and wet, yet suddenly comes away and into my palm
What do I hold? It’s oval and furry on one side, feels thin and I gentle on my palm so touch with my other hand.
Will it break? Does it smell? I hold it to my nose and lips. I learn about this living thing – a piece of creation.
Will I know it again?
I bend down again and touch and pull and there in my hand is another.
It smells and tastes the same, it is furry on one side, but has a rolled edge.
I learn it is from creation but it is different
I learn that every piece of creation is different from each other.
Yet it helps to make a whole.
Thank You

© Jenny Kingdom Arts February 2024

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The light

Lord, what is a light? A tiny pinprick in a dark tunnel, and yet that is the pointer to follow. One needs the touch of others to guide our way and to help when one might tumble.
Is this your way that by relying on others as well as oneself we create love? Sometimes we do need others.
Help us to reach out and hold others by the hand.
What is darkness? Why do we fear what might happen in the dark hours of the night? Why do we imagine the worst when we can have the best? May I seek you and see things (from your point of view) rather than mine. Sunrise and sunset are two of the most beautiful sights in the world and yet I can only imagine them. But Lord, imagination is a wonderful thing and you give us gifts that we can only think of in reality.
As a candle flickers we are drawn to its warmth and light. May we always look to you the light?

© Julia Kingdom Arts February 2024

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One Silent Night

In the hushed quiet of dusk, as the shadows lengthen, I pray;
Oh Lord surround us with Your Love and grant us Peace.

In the soundless darkness of a stable, warmed by cattle breath, lies a woman.
She, a homeless fugitive, baring a child brutally conceived,
Fleeing from violent assault and degradation.

In the darkness, the stars appear like a million brilliant sparks as she labours through the night.
In the first light, a muted cry disturbs the calm.
The woman soundlessly suckles the new born and he is beloved!

In the stillness, as we approach the dawn of Christmas, I pray;
Oh Lord surround them with Your Love and grant them Peace.

Oh Lord surround us all with Your Love and grant us Peace.

© Barbara Rolison, Kingdom Arts December 2023

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Breathe

Breathe
Blow wind of God
Come
A baby born
Silence comes
Waiting for the cry of new life.
Breath of God
Visit
Infuse His life
Kiss his face
And breathe infant.
Silence and darkness splits with an infant’s cry
A Saviour born
New life Hope lies on the cradle of life
Breath of God.
When you kiss the baby boy
Do you know you kiss the face of God?

© Shefali Hollis, Kingdom Arts December 2023

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Inspired by John 1 v 1-5

Silent darkness
Wordless ripples of creative thought
A brooding of kindness
A gathering of shadows brought

Forming of breath
A day break, peace of knowing
A pushing groan of life
From chaos to order moving

Light in the darkness
Let there be
Light of life’s caress
Reaching me.

© Chris Graham, Kingdom Arts December 2023

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May Peace Grow

God gave us light; light within our souls
To shine through
Darkness and pain.
Clearing the way
For stumbling footsteps.
A breath so strong and sure
To let life grow
Within God’s holy stillness
And his embracing presence
Ever present, ever comforting
To help us spread His peace.
To all within the world.

© Helen McNicholl, Kingdom Arts December 2023

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A Moment in Time

Through all the noise, the chatter, the rush,
No time, no rest, no peace, no hope, no love,
Comes a moment of calm.

Still, gentle light, whispering, thinking, waiting.

Hear a baby’s cry.
Here comes hope.
Here comes love.

Still the world rushes on, unheeding the moment.

An unostentatious start, unnoticed by many;
Yet the seed has burst forth
And the fruit will follow.

David Moore

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Words put to music:-

Into the world
So cold and so driven by sin.
A Baby is born bringing hope
The angels do sing;
And right from the start,
Sin was afraid,
And try as it might
To stop the young Babe;
Triumphant was Love;
Love will prevail.

Simple the scene,
No pomp and no privilege there.
The Saviour of all, just a child,
No crown does He wear.
And Love keeps Him safe,
Holding Him tight;
And Love is the guide,
And Love shines tonight;
And Love is here now,
Love by my side.

Joy, fill our hearts.
And Choir, lift your sound.
Love conquers all
And peace be around.

Hold on to hope;
Rejoice in the love in your heart;
Let all sing ‘Good news’ to the world;
Let none be apart.
And Love keeps me safe
Holding me tight,
And Love is the guide,
And Love shines tonight;
And Love is here now,
Love by my side.

©2017 David Moore

If you would like to listen to this song, it is available on YouTube.

Click this link to leave this site and go to YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekg6QJV5LQ