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196 · May 2018
SOME SHOWER...
Denis Martindale May 2018
Some say this and some say that
and some say this and that
and some say yes and some say no
and some will stay and some will go
and some say up and some say down,
some act the fool, some act the clown
and some get busy every day
and others waste their lives away
and if some like that sort of stuff
then good for them for showing love,
but as for me, I’m sometimes glad
with all the poems that I’ve had
and that I don’t like writing styles
that lack the common touch and smiles…
So that’s the way it is with me,
I just like winsome poetry!

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
The writer’s block was back again.
As a frustrated writer I looked at it,
as it sat in my chair, as if it owned the place.

‘Get out of my chair!’ I ordered.

‘Nope! I ain’t moving. I like this chair…
it’s your favourite. Well, now it’s mine…’

Then, as a writer, I began to think of a solution…

‘You do realise that I’m just a nobody in the
grand scheme of things? Well, why not find a
famous writer instead? Why not sit in his chair?
He’s probably richer and can afford a really fancy
chair. Real leather, not fake leather and one with
wide arm rests, too. Flat ones you could put a cup
of coffee on. Room for a few remote controls as
well. Doesn’t that make you feel somewhat like a
loser missing out on the really comfortable chairs
out there? Why bother me? I’m just learning to
write. I’m no challenge at all.’

Then the writer’s block looked up, a bit startled to
think it could be much better off somewhere else.
Perhaps Hawaii or Australia. Forget the coffee, how
about champagne!?  The smell of a new leather chair…
Sunshine filling the room. Perhaps with the upbeat
fragrance of roses from well-placed vases… and a
famous writer to drive round the bend… Then it
smiled with growing evil intentions… and all at
once, it disappeared!  It was GORN!

And guess what… it NEVER came back!


Denis Martindale April 2018.
190 · May 2018
THE WOULD-BE POET...
Denis Martindale May 2018
The would-be poet sought the good… the noble and the best,
Through words, much loved and understood… so readers would be blessed…
But what to write and what to share… and what ways to improve?
Such questions, friends, should lead to prayer… for wisdom and for truth…

And so the would-be poet paused… 'Lord Jesus, guide me now…'
That was the humble prayer that caused a breakthrough, there, somehow…
For in the days, weeks, months and years… a flood of poems came,
Such that today, there are no fears… because of Jesus Name…

The poet isn’t famous yet, but who knows? Maybe soon…
If not, there’s time to write more prose… or words to fit a tune…
As long as life gets granted still… there’s reason still to rhyme…
With words that charm and words that thrill… and words that prove sublime…

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
Who ought to be called a poet? A writer who can rhyme?
Who picks out best words to show it? Whose words are quite sublime?
Or just the child with limericks? The old man all alone?
Or wordsmiths with their bags of tricks? Or bards thought as well-known?
Is it the lonely bachelor who from his longing sighs?
Is it the preaching minister revealing why Christ dies?
Is it restricted to the great and wisest of us all?
Is it the saints who celebrate a precious miracle?
Is it the nature lover, too, who walks the forest still?
Or mountaineer who sees the view upon some yonder hill?
Is it the man who sees the stars and seeks to praise the Lord?
Is it the guy who plays guitars and seems to strike a chord?
Or is it only me, dear friends, of all humanity,
Who types away or uses pens to share new poetry?
Or are you worthy of acclaim? Are you a poet, too?
If so, the Lord must know your name and all the good you do…

Denis Martindale April 2018.
182 · May 2018
WHAT IS THE POEM ALL ABOUT?
Denis Martindale May 2018
What is the poem all about? Simply fancy phrases!
That from the mind pop out and sprout, from all sorts of places...
Just basic rhymes, like I love you... Yes! I love you, dearly...
Just basic rhymes, out of the blue, sometimes picked sincerely...
Then throw in sentiments to suit, or challenges that stir,
Descriptions of somethings quite cute, like kittens with soft fur...
Or maybe just a limerick, a silly joke, no more...
Or something that gets on your wick, you hate, but can't ignore
Of pretty maidens in a row, some teenage angst expressed,
Confessions that we're meant to know, some girl gets off her chest...
Or stories that might praise some men, known heroes young or old,
Or Scriptures quoted now and then, or prophecies foretold...
Or maybe there's a masterpiece, a blessing for Mankind
The Holy Spirit oversees, that's like pure gold refined...
Or something that I wrote today, to pass away the time,
That says it all, some winsome way, with phrases here that rhyme...

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
I met a poet who was poor…
No money to his name…
Yet he kept writing more and more…
For sharing was his aim…
No payment offered or received…
No aid, grant or support…
But he had faith, for he believed
Tthat God would bless each thought…
And I believe that when he died…
God sent two angels down…
To wipe away the tears he cried…
And then give him his crown…
If not, then there’s no justice, friends…
For poets still on Earth,
Who write with love… till each life ends…
If no-one sees their worth…

Denis Martindale March 2018.
180 · May 2018
FROM PRAYER TO PRAISE!
Denis Martindale May 2018
A billion saints take time to pray...
They need the Lord's advice,
They need God's guidance every day...
Because it's proved so wise...
In Jesus Name they seek God's Throne...
To find true solace there...
No longer living life alone...
For that's too hard to bear...
There's still a blessing and reward...
Where God's grace proves enough...
That's found in Jesus Christ our Lord...
Our precious King of Love...

Denis Martindale April 2018.
175 · May 2018
RHYME AND REASON
Denis Martindale May 2018
My opened eyes mean I see things, some precious, some profane,
Yet words are strange, for they grow wings, to fly inside my brain…
And there they nestle, while I think and question what each brought,
Until they take me to the brink of what each writer thought…
The choice is mine when words I see, for I could turn away,
They either draw me magically, or else I cannot stay…
Yet if I stay, what will I gain? A treasure chest revealed?
Or just a puzzle in my brain, a mystery concealed?
I take the risk, perchance to find, some blessing meant for me,
Some wondrous words to tease my mind, the thrill of poetry,
The open door to God’s own heart, the window of Man’s soul,
The ancient tomes, still play their part and thus fulfil their role…
Yet God grants time for me alone, when I write words to share,
A time for rhyme when on my own and no-one else is there…
When words assail this mortal frame and gather fervently,
Pressed down like grapes to then proclaim sweet truths that I must see…
My opened eyes help me write down the letters word-by-word,
When inspiration forms a crown by which my mind is stirred…
As if to bless with gems and gold, much richer than before,
With just a new tale to be told, something to fill with awe…
God gave great reason I must write and read and edit, too,
The reason I write day and night… is you… and you… and you…

Denis Martindale March 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
A patient soul awaits the best... the best God's meant to be,
A patient soul still hates each test... each test God's meant to see...
So will we wait and hold our ground... with strong foundation laid?
Or will we fret... because we've frowned... at times we felt dismayed?
The choice remains... so, yes, of course... we choose to wait or fret...
Despite amazing grace God stores... for future times we'll get...
We'll stay alive, should God permit... to see our promised land
And that is all there is to it... for then, we'll understand...
So let the building take its time... and pay the bills that come,
For one day... it will look sublime... to one and all... not some...
Our faith will be rewarded then... and what good works we'll do...
So praise the Lord... for that day when... our patience got us through!

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
Have you surveyed the wondrous Cross... like Christ's disciple John?
Considered such traumatic loss... and thought all hope was gone?
Watched Jesus as He wore a crown... of callous thorns that day
While blood was pouring from each frown... as that crowd chose to stay?
Or heard the scoffers full of doubt... when Christ was called a King?
Or Mary's sorrows crying out... while kneeling, wondering?

With John still staring at his friend... condemned at Calvary
And asking... if this was the end... must Jesus die for me?
Those in the Spirit have been there... they've seen the Roman swords...
Yet every day they say in prayer... Christ is the Lord of Lords!
Christ is the King of Kings, indeed! The Word of God, for sure...
The Saviour sent... so He'd succeed... like none God sent before...

Amazing grace came through God's Son... His Name's worth more than gold!
The Bible says what Christ has done... is the greatest story ever told!

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
Commit yourselves to God alone... and see what wonders come!
Let Him take charge of all you own... yes, all things, not just some!
If you want all that God could give... don't meet the Lord half-way...
Who knows how long each has to live... and that last time to pray?
If there are Christians here on Earth... that Heaven seeks to bless,
Then show them just how much you're worth... by giving more not less...
Just think of what teamwork can do... each time you do your part...
And yet, of course, that's up to you... should you decide to start...

And yes, you'll ask, if I'm a saint... and if I do such things...
Or think I'm being cute or quaint... or that I'm rich like kings...
But poverty has haunted me... for oh so many years,
Until, at last, God helped me see... the wisdom of my peers...
If they can tithe, then why can't I... and why can't you as well?
We don't need all the things we buy... sometimes they're hard to sell...
Commit yourselves to God in prayer... no matter, rich or poor...
When God shares wisdom, get your share! Then you'll praise God for sure...

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
Just keep pushing for Jesus Christ! Advancing, come what may...
When revelation's realised... that's when the saints should pray...
Like intercessors have before... prayer warriors and such,
Because we're in a holy war... God wants to win so much...
For there are adults, children, too... unsaved, right now on Earth,
Christ seeks to save through me and you... for each of these has worth...
Why else would Jesus die for these? Why else, except for love?
For He alone grants Heaven's peace... and grace that proves enough...

Just keep pushing for Jesus Christ! Advancing, come what may...
So each disciple gets baptised... stays faithful to obey...
Stronger together! All the time! That's how we're meant to be...
With miracles... divine... sublime... because of Calvary...
And when we meet the Lord, we'll stand... as one great multitude...
God will reveal what He had planned... when our lives get reviewed...
Rewards will prove the good deeds done... and crowns of glory, too...
That day we'll see lost souls God's Son has saved through me and you...

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
When parents see their daughter grow... with smiles upon her face
And beauty there, for all to know... they think, 'Amazing grace!'
Because her smiles bless those nearby... her smiles none should replace,
For none could beat these should they try... so God bless hers always...

When parents see their daughter trust what Jesus has to share,
Recalling all that Christ discussed... and knows Christ hears each prayer,
They sense that Jesus saved her, too... that now she's in His care,
As if the Lord says, 'I LOVE YOU... WITH LOVE BEYOND COMPARE!'

When parents cherish all God gives... through beauty and through faith,
Believing that Lord Jesus lives... and that He's strong to save,
They praise the Lord, for He's sublime... in all good things He's shown...
To bless their daughter all the time... with beauty of His own...

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
How many saw the Saviour die... although Christ was a King?
How many were just standing by... yet would not do a thing?
How many soldiers stood their ground... with swords and shields and spears?
How many heroes stayed around... when challenged by their fears?
How many women wept for Christ... or prayed upon their knees?
How many knew He sacrificed Himself to bring God's peace?
How many scoffed as Jesus bled... blaspheming one-by-one?
How many heard the words Christ said... and knew He was God's Son?
How many thought the world's gone mad... and slowly walked away?
How many mourned, condemned and sad... and yet still chose to stay?

I do not know what I would do... if somehow I stood there...
Among that crowd... or chosen few... to witness that affair...
Would I protest? Would I defend? Would I just stand instead?
Until the moment when my friend... Lord Jesus Christ was dead?
But this I know, Christ's friend stood close... with Mary at his side,
This man was John, as each saint knows... He saw Christ crucified...
Yet later on, with his own eyes... John saw the risen Lord!
His Gospel helps us realise what must not be ignored!
How many will the Saviour save? How many young and old?
What is the greatest gift God gave? The greatest story ever told!

Denis Martindale April 2018.
150 · May 2018
DON'T GIVE UP ON GOD!
Denis Martindale May 2018
God speaks the word and life begins... He speaks... then blessing flows...
He heals the sick... forgives our sins... and evil overthrows...
Through revelation here and there, He reasons with the sad,
He beckons saints to pause in prayer... with reasons to be glad...
His grace transcends our darkest days... His love proves our reward...
So listen to sweet songs of praise! Sing new songs to the Lord!

God's powers grant each miracle! Of that, we can be sure!
There's not one man who knows it all... yet God knows what's in store!
Our Father's love proves He's sublime! Praise God in Jesus Name!
How great is God? You'll know in time! So every blessing claim!
For our Redeemer's still alive... It's Christ we celebrate!
One day, the Rapture will arrive... It's soon and won't be late!

Denis Martindale April 2018.
145 · May 2018
JESUS, THE KING OF LOVE!
Denis Martindale May 2018
I had a really strange dream.
I dreamt I'd built a time machine.
I knew exactly where I wanted to go...
I made hundreds of trips and got closer.
And there it was at last: The Garden Of Eden...
If I could stop Adam and Eve, it would save Mankind...
I walked to the exit door and unlocked it and I held the handle...
It wouldn't move... I couldn't leave... but surely that was impossible?
And then I heard this really loud voice ask me this terrifying question...

'And where do you think you're going?' I knew it was God stopping me...
'Oh, come on!' I replied... 'Let me fix this once and for all, please!'
God explained why I must not interfere, despite all that must happen...
'I want all the Christian believers to discover Jesus... and to love Him...'

In my heart I knew God was right... there's no greater love than that...
So I decided to go home... to my own time... and to my own Jesus...
And suddenly I woke up from the dream, a dream like no other...
For that dream made me realise this precious truth like never before,
Because of the Cross of Christ, Jesus isn't just the King of Kings...
He's your Jesus, He's my Jesus... He's Jesus, the King of Love...

Denis Martindale April 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
Towards God's Throne, His saints must face, with faith restored through love,
Towards the Lord's amazing grace, whose answer proves enough...
Yet even if we don't receive... we know that others must...
Because of this, we still believe... and in our Saviour trust!

For we know what it cost that day... when Jesus chose to die,
When soldiers led our Lord away... and raised His body high...
He knew the pain of Calvary! He stayed with outstretched hands...
So we declare and we decree... that Jesus understands!

He knows the pain each heart can bear... the stress each mind can take,
He knows without our need for prayer... and pleading words we make...
We're asking for revelation... from Christ, the King of Kings...
With the hope of celebration... for everything He brings...

So don't give up... and don't give in... from Him, all blessings flow...
And when your miracles begin... you'll know... you'll know... you'll know!

Denis Martindale April 2018.
103 · May 2018
TIME'S BALLAD...
Denis Martindale May 2018
When God set forth His purposes... He merely spoke each word,
Yet from such powered holiness... we then see what occurred…
The light proceeded from His Throne... established from the start,
Fixed steadfastly right there, alone... all futures to impart…
From light came forth both time and space... as energies outpoured,
Amazing power, amazing grace... yet only from the Lord…
No other gods took part at all... this Universe to make…
The Lord made this great miracle... yet for His Own Name’s sake…

And when the swirling Cosmos turned... what wonders were revealed,
The sun itself then shone and burned... for Earthly light to yield…
This speck in space then came to be... this awesome planet Earth,
This planet showed God’s majesty... His mastery and worth…
Such that He then created life... yet with new life within,
Then He gave Adam Eve his wife... and that’s where we begin…
From Genesis and Eden’s home... from innocence and more,
Till Man’s allegiance chose to roam... and sin became his flaw…

And oh, what tragedies came then… time’s ballad tells us all,
God's records kept accounts of men... God’s books gave Him recall…
The laws Man broke, the failures, too... the battles and the wars,
Till centuries created you… as Nature took its course…
And here you are, this very day... these words to see and hear,
Time’s ballad has so much to say... to cherish and revere…
That’s why it’s up to you to choose... while still alive on Earth…
Will you trust God? Will you refuse? You’ll get what you deserve…

Time marches on... time bids goodbye... time ticks and takes its share…
Yet there’s still time, before we die... to seek the Lord in prayer…


Denis Martindale May 2018.
Denis Martindale May 2018
Another month is almost done... what good has been achieved?
What did we do for Christ, God's Son... in whom we first believed?
What prophecies have come to pass? What miracles were seen?
Or did we think that life's a farce, like on each TV screen?
Did good works happen as God planned? Or did we stay at home?
Did we advance to take more land for Jesus or just roam?
Were broken hearts restored at all? Were families improved?
Did lost souls answer to God's call... or did they stay unmoved?

And what of us, the chosen few? Was God's Word stored within?
Did Jesus merely help us through... or guide lost souls to win?
Did we quote Jesus now and then? Or keep thoughts to ourselves?
Like shining lights switched off again... like unread books on shelves?
Was there a chance to give once more? A prompting from the Lord?
Amazing grace, not just the Law? Some promise of reward?
Another month is almost done... what good has been achieved?
What did we do for Christ, God's Son... in whom we first believed?

Denis Martindale April 2018.

— The End —