The Invitation Poem by Denis Martindale

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When Christmas comes, the children sing great carols old and new,
When Easter comes, then greater love is on display to view,
Beyond the life and death of Christ, the fame of Jesus grew,
The Shepherd had been sacrificed, yet had more work to do.
The Holy Spirit shared God's love to preach both far and wide,
The invitation proof enough through Christ once crucified,
To show Him as God's only Son, salvation to provide,
Who shed His blood, the world to stun, to make us look inside.

For when we look within the soul, the spirit and the mind,
It's there we see how sins control, take hold and firmly bind,
Yet God showed love beyond the norm, each sinner's heart to find,
With love so perfect, tender, warm, all sins to leave behind.
That's how the Church had love to share, through miracles galore,
With preachers praying everywhere, intent on seeking more,
As labourers and servants, too, the Saviour to adore,
Their faith and strength helped see things through, to serve both rich and poor.

That's how disciples were baptised, blessed by amazing grace,
Eternity once realised, beyond all taking place,
Then seeking God on Heaven's Throne, to gaze upon His face,
To know each Christian's not alone, but thankful, showing praise.
The centuries have come and gone, as shooting stars on high,
As little clouds that glide upon the cherished changing sky,
And snowflakes, track the pass of time, as generations fly,
Yet Christ remains, steadfast, sublime, and His return is nigh.

Ten thousand hymns a man may hear before he comes to Christ,
Far better, when a child draws near, believes and is baptised,
The invitation holding tight, the passport highly prized,
Who wisely prays by day and night, hosanna in the highest.
The invitation our God gives means knowing Jesus well,
With love enough, as each one lives, and truthful tales to tell,
With memories worth more than gold, each setback to dispel,
With fruitful works, though growing old, while warning still of Hell.

For this is Man without the Lord, defiant to the end,
Nor trusting God, without reward, no Saviour, Lord or friend,
Nor seeking peace in Paradise, no grace that God would send,
Oh, let it be, that each thinks twice, in time to comprehend.
For none has shed his blood to save each sinner but the Lord,
Or faced their tomb, their tomb or grave, with sinners thus restored,
Or rose from death, ascending high, disciples overawed,
Responding to Man's questions why that Man might stand assured.

The invitation stands today, in this one life we live,
The gift God says not to delay if we but choose to live,
A life of service yet to be, a blessing now and then,
Both now and for eternity, once we are born again.


Denis Martindale. February 2021.


The Gospel poem is about the ministry of God TV and 2021
as the year of God's Invitation, to be blessed by entering a real
relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.