The state of our world makes us grieve
wherever you look out, all are so sad
sometimes one thinks its never been this
but in the 1500s then it was just as bad
People living back then felt it too
being in such a disturbed state
they were so troubled in their mind
even then wondered why so much hate
God is rejected all over the world
especially here in the worldly west
being openly despised and rejected
His believers continually put to the test
The devil is at the heart of it all
planning and scheming evil's wickedness
his way reveals plotting to be anti-christ
seeking out those full of idleness
John Calvin lived in the 1500s
seeing and knowing such a troubled time
a stalwart for God's eternal truths
take heart from his godly principled rhyme
(Quote:
"When we see the world in such a disturbed state, our minds are deeply troubled by the fact that there are many who openly despise God, and who seems to have plotted with the devil to indulge in every kind of evil".)
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Categories:
john calvin, history, life, today,
Form: Rhyme
This is an interesting subject matter
so many things come into your mind
having been to Geneva while on holiday
such a beautiful; city was I to find
Geneva was the centre of the reformation
way back in the 1550s that was the time
when God by His spirit was at work
people were being changed, all did rhyme
God's chosen instrument preached His truth
in power and persuasion for everyone's good
that instrument John Calvin, I wished to hear
living there then wish been there just stood
What a treat every day just to hear
in these days preaching came every day
a sheer joy fills full my heart
would just in Geneva want to stay
The 1550s would be really so different
no pc, medicine, fridge, or water supply
but evidence of God changing lives
amazing indeed, to be there before I'd die
(My favourite period of history would be the time of the reformation in the 1550s and being in Geneva in the beautiful land of Switzerland. I would wish to have lived then, really amazing to have been there in that great city of culture in Geneva.)
Categories:
john calvin, christian, history, imagination,
Form: Rhyme
On a day a number of centuries ago
John Calvin met the great heroine, Joan of Arc,
they both had much indeed in common
in their lives, on God's side, they made their mark
Both were born and came from France
so language was not a problem at all
they had both been mightily used of God
humbly both bowed to obey God's call
John spoke admirably of Joan's bravery
asking did you really hear a voice?
one so audible so clear to be God
oh yes Joan said it was no ordinary noise
Joan spoke of Calvin's work in Geneva
what was it like to see such transformation?
John answered it wasn't me, the spirit of God
it was His work to speak through God's revelation
So much to share can't tell it all now
John and Joan were now real true friends
their great love for Jesus their saviour
who died for their sins for their souls to mend
(I've brought together John Calvin the Swiss reformer(1509-1564) and Joan of Arc who rescued France from English domination. (1412-1431), both French by birth and both mightily used of God. They both lived in different periods of history but thought it would be nice to bring them together and imagine what friends they could be)
Categories:
john calvin, christian, french, history, imagination,
Form: Rhyme
There we were on holiday to a special land
Switzerland a place of beauty and history
staying in Wilderswil just outside Interlaken
this was going to be a very special story
This day we got on the Geneva-bound train
a journey across Switzerland 3 hours long
to the great city, we were bound for sure
so excited my heart was full of song
Since my conversion to believing in Christ
have read of the Lord's blessed reformation
in Geneva where He placed John Calvin
this great man faithfully preached God's salvation
The first day there to the Reformation wall
there stands Calvin, Farel, Beza and Knox
in statute formed of stone, they stand
reminders these men held the divine torch
Following back to St Peters Cathedral
in the city's old town it does stand
walking in you feel greatness lived there
looking to Calvin's pulpit here was God's hand
This day I won't ever forget it's special
see where my hero once did walk
a Genevian day of perfection as it was
remembering where Jesus once did rock!
(I've Chosen a day in my life when everything just went perfectly, especially unexpectedly. I have taken you to that day in the early 90s.)
Categories:
john calvin, history, memorial, places,
Form: Rhyme
John Calvin one I greatly admire
a man God set apart in His will
turning His mind and heart
and by His spirit full He did fill
This man once obedient to Rome
now transformed by Christ His king
for he was indeed God's man
purposing glory for God to bring
Although born a French man
he was to be Geneva's own son
reforming the Swiss capital by God's truth
the reformation really had begun
To be this man would be great
spreading forth God's gospel sound
impacting Europe for many centuries
but able to stay humbly heaven bound
To live and stay among such beauty
Switzerland is my favourite land
would feel so privileged and honoured
if God had made this His will to stand
AUTHOR NOTES:I am content to be who I am but if I could have been anyone
else in history it would be the great Geneva reformer John Calvin (1509-1564),
so thought I would write some thoughts on this hero of the faith.
Categories:
john calvin, christian, hero, life,
Form: Rhyme