We do not have to be whole to serve god with our words, thinking, crying and weeping.

A context like Peckham can bring the extremes of existence into focus. As I spoke with a journalist last week he remarked that 'there seems to be a battle on for the souls of your young people'. Part of my reflection in response is that many places have alot of grey, but here things seem to be more starkly contrasting. Our streets give rise to the extremes of emotions, the heights and the depths, where I see elation and despair, the nation's shame but I get to meet also, this nation's hope.

You see, nestled amongst our crowded streets there are people like diamonds in granite, who live differently despite the struggle; changemakers and optimists grinding out their hope regardless of the cost. I know these people, and they are my friends, my congregation members. A pastor friend had his son chased into a shop by a man with a knife wanting to cut him up, staff and volunteers continue to be insluted and manhandled, families working two jobs to put food on the table who still come to clean the church at the weekend. But they are still here - offering the word of life and shining like stars! Stars are brightest at night, and diamonds live in dirty places.

How can one NOT write poems in such a world?

Here is a resident poet..

Caroline, a member of the congregation ,jotted down a piece of poem recently:
Who will take me through the lonely night?
When pain comes sharp like the silver points of a thousand stars.
When tears fall, a crime witnessed only by the city sky;
And the threat of fear hangs over my head like a jail sentence.

She regularly writes wonderful poems - read some...

ListenBe still.
Listen to the voice of the Lord.
Do you hear?
He is singing a song over you.
It is a bit like a love song;
But so full of passion, it almost hurts to hear it.
His voice breaks and tears stream down His face as He sings over you.
Listen!
The song is changing.
Now it is a bit like a lullaby,
So gentle and tender
He sings of peace, of peace like nothing you've ever known.
Better than rest, better than sleep
Better than anything you'll know on this earth.
Hush! Be still! The song is shifting again.
Now He sings a celebration song!
He is smiling and clapping as He sings.
He is proud of you.
He is singing of the glory you bring Him
He is singing of how much you please Him, of how much He loves you.
Come now.
There is work to be done.
But know this.
Not a second goes by when the Lord is not singing over you.
May His song be your strength.and...Throne
Lord, where are you going to build Your throne?
In Heaven?
It is already built, ready and waiting, golden and glorious.
Lord, where are you going to build Your throne?
In our hearts?
It is already built, ready and waiting, golden and glorious.
Lord, where are you going to build Your throne?
In this city?
Where the streets are caked with mud and filth,
Where despair and fear govern the people,
Where poverty lurks behind closed doors and death lingers in dark alleyways?
It is already built, ready and waiting, golden and glorious.
Then come Lord, and take Your place.
Take Your place amongst Your people.
and some more:

Like a City:
http://caroline-in-peckham.blogspot.com/ 2007/01/like-city.html
Cross:
http://caroline-in-peckham.blogspot.com/ 2007/01/cross.html