Reflections: Songs, Meditations & Poetry

By Peter C. Horrell

“I dipped my pen into my heart and began to write.”
Peter has drawn on his full life experiences that have taken him across the world. He has entered into the lives of people from diverse cultures, including prisons, a leper colony and the Indian population living on the plains of Colombia, South America.
His writings reflect the ‘footprints’ of his walk through life and the many life lessons learned in the heartaches and joys he experienced. They reflect the solace, support, wisdom and strength he drew from his Creator, Saviour and Friend. Life has its diverse challenges for every human being. Sharing these challenges and the truths learned through them can enhance each of us as we walk through life. Peter has honestly and openly revealed his thoughts for all to see.
While on his hospital bed, with the strong possibility that he may not survive, his pen took on an urgency of its own, as he began to write. He survived, and this book of Reflections came into being.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781528986533

Peter C. Horrell

Peter C. Horrell was born in England in 1936. He moved to Australia and later to New Zealand in the early nineteen-sixties. In New Zealand he had what he described as a ‘Damascus Road’ encounter with Christ. Called to missionary service, he studied at a Missionary Training College in Tasmania where he met his future wife Caroline. Peter and Caroline were missionaries in South America, and later in Spain. They were involved in establishing churches and teaching at a Bible College preparing national Christians to become pastors. Upon their return to Australia, Peter completed his theological studies at the Baptist Theological College of Queensland. He has been pastor of churches in Australia and New Zealand. Peter and Caroline have ‘retired’ and live in Maleny, Queensland.

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About the Author

Peter C. Horrell was born in England in 1936. He moved to Australia and later to New Zealand in the early nineteen-sixties. In New Zealand he had what he described as a ‘Damascus Road’ encounter with Christ.

Called to missionary service, he studied at a Missionary Training College in Tasmania where he met his future wife Caroline. Peter and Caroline were missionaries in South America, and later in Spain. They were involved in establishing churches and teaching at a Bible College preparing national Christians to become pastors. Upon their return to Australia, Peter completed his theological studies at the Baptist Theological College of Queensland. He has been pastor of churches in Australia and New Zealand.

Peter and Caroline have ‘retired’ and live in Maleny, Queensland.

Peter C. Horrell

Reflections

Songs, Meditations & Poetry

I dipped my pen into my heart and began to write

Copyright © Peter C. Horrell (2021)

The right of Peter C. Horrell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781528986526 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781528986533 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2021)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd

25 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5LQ

Dedication

To my wife Caroline, for your patient support and encouragement that has enabled us to work together both abroad and at home in the service of Jesus Christ.

Foreword

Reflections: Songs, Meditations & Poetry comes to us as a devotional writing, and as a devotional writing it covers many aspects of life, both temporal and spiritual; aspects that no doubt, many of us have personally reflected on, or struggled with, or even just wondered about, and hoped for insight or wisdom for the matter at hand.

Writing here, Peter draws on his full life experiences, experiences that are extensive in scope, and that have taken him across the world to different cultures as a missionary and church planter, or kept him in Australia and New Zealand as a pastor and teacher. As with many such writings, one can see the footprints where the writer has walked through life, and they reflect the solace, the support, and the strength that have been drawn by Peter from God, both through a personal and real relationship with Him, and from the words of counsel and truth from the Scriptures.

It was a privilege to be invited to preview the compilation, (and suggest some light editing amendments), and in the reading and checking, I appreciated the wisdom and insights I gained, as will, I am sure, those who open the following pages, and read and reflect on the words and Scriptures, that make up this devotional writing.

Graeme Cooksley

Songs

Beyond the Furthest Star

To go beyond the furthest star,

Far past all worlds above;

Though lost within the depths of space,

I’m still within God’s love.

No mortal souls beyond His reach,

It knows no depth, nor height;

No borders to its width nor length,

God’s love is infinite.

His love revealed on Calvary’s Cross,

I cannot comprehend;

When Jesus died to save my soul,

’Twas love that knows no end.

Exalted high above all angels,

Raised to heaven above;

Jesus will rule the universe,

In righteousness and love.

Resplendent in Your Glory

Resplendent in Your holiness,

The saints gaze on Your splendour;

Saved solely by Your grace,

Their praise endures forever.

Blessed are they who dwell with You,

Your face they now can see;

Made perfect in Your likeness, Lord,

In love and purity.

Like the saints in heaven above,

Who were saved by grace;

Make me pure in heart,

That I might see Your face.

Create in me a clean heart, Lord,

Free from sin and guile;

That when I see Your face, O Lord,

I’ll also see Your smile.

Lord of All Creation

Lord of all creation,

You sit on heaven’s throne;

Heaven and earth and all above,

Belongs to You alone.

All power is in Your hands,

With all authority;

All peoples shall confess you, Lord,

And all on bended knee.

What love could make You leave,

Heaven’s eternal Throne?

’Twas your love for lost sinners,

To claim them for Your own.

You died on Calvary’s Cross

You appeared in human form;

You exchanged Your crown of glory

For a crown of thorns.

When my time on earth is done,

I’ll join the hosts in heaven;

With them I’ll raise my voice,

In praise and adoration,

No eye has seen no ear has heard,

What ere the treasure be;

To dwell in Your eternal presence,

Will be enough for me.

The brightness of Your glory,

Fills heaven with Your light;

The saints of heaven dwell with You,

Robed in dazzling white.

They worship and adore You,

On earth I join their praise;

Lord of Lord, King of kings,

My songs to You I raise.

Sovereign Lord, King of Kings

Sovereign Lord, King of kings,

You rule the Universe;

Seated on Your royal Throne,

You reign in righteousness.

Lord, I lift my heart to You,

Bless’d be Your name forever;

You are the Saviour of mankind,

Almighty to deliver.

The Sun and Moon and stars above,

Created by Your hand;

Kept by Your mighty power;

They move at your command.

In time they all shall pass away,

And all the world shall see;

Your return to earth in glory,

In power and majesty.

No mind can fully comprehend,

The depth of Your great love;

Its deeper than the deepest sea,

Far higher than heaven above.

No forces in the universe,

No superpowers on earth;

Can ever part me from your love,

In this life nor in death.

Your handiwork is in the stars,

For all the world to see;

Proclaims Your presence,

And Your power to all humanity.

Let all the dwellers upon the earth,

Proclaim their love for You;

In songs of everlasting praise

In anthems old and new.

My Tower of Strength

You are my Tower of Strength,

Through the storms of life;

My Refuge and my Guide,

In times of calm and strife.

My Rock and my Defender,

In You I find my peace;

I rest in You, my Saviour,

My thanks will never cease.

My life is in Your hands, my Lord,

No safer place to be;

Content am I to leave it there,

You know what’s best for me.

The path that You have chosen, Lord,

Will work out for my gain;

Though it be a path of sorrow,

May it glorify Your Name.

From North and South, East and West,

May songs of praise be sung;

To Jesus, Saviour of the world,

Our God’s beloved Son.

You are the Lord of lords,

You are the King of kings;

You shall rule the Universe,

To You all praise they bring.

Jesus the Light of the World

Jesus, Light of the world,

You shine in this world of sin;

You give peace and full salvation,

Dispelling all fears within.

O send out your truth and light,

To guide us on our way;

That as we walk in Your light,

We’ll never go astray.

Jesus, O King of kings,

You came from heaven above;

The Light of life, the bread of life,

The Fount of Life and Love.

O teach us how to live our lives,

Your truth and love proclaim;

May Your light shine through us,

To bring glory to Your Name.

Jesus, Guide of our lives,

Your will in us be done;

That we might be like You,

God’s Beloved Son.

You died to save us from our sin,

To save the human race;

May our lives reflect You Lord,

Your life, Your love, and grace.

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for choosing me,

a wretch of little worth,

You breathed new life into my soul,

and gave me second birth.

The life You now have given to me,

I want to live for You,

Lord let it be a life well lived,

to do what You would do.

Help me Lord, to walk Your way,

in love and purity,

Fulfil your will throughout my life,

the life you planned for me.

Create in me a heart made pure,

a copy of Your own,

Where You alone reign supreme,

my heart your royal throne.

Teach me Lord to love your Word,

a light that guides my way,

It is life’s chart and compass

that will not let me stray.

Open O Lord, my darkened eyes

to see Your truths within,

Write them upon my heart and mind

to keep me from all sin.

When O Lord, my death draws near,

peace I’ll find in Thee,

As I exchange my mortal life

for immortality.

Lead me through the realms of Light,

what joy when at Your feet,

To kneel before you O my Lord,

both faultless and complete.

Spirit of God

Sent into this world, O Spirit of God,

You were sent from the Father above;

You came to impart the second birth:

God’s life – God’s peace – God’s love.

You came to exalt Jesus on high,

As our Saviour and our Lord;

To show He e is the only way,

The only way to God.

You came to dwell in our hearts,

And transform us from within;

To keep us from all evil,

That we might be like Him.

You are our Teacher, Spirit of God,

To teach us how to live;

That we should live like Jesus,

And our praise to Him must give.

Prince of Life

Great is Your love, O Prince of life,

For us You came to save;

To impart to us eternal life,

To give hope beyond the grave.

Great is Your peace, O Prince of peace,

The peace that you convey;

A peace that only You can give,

Nor the world can take away.

Great is Your power, O Lord of lords,

Before you all shall kneel;

You alone will reign supreme,

When your glory you reveal.

Great your majesty, O King of kings,

Matchless is your fame,

All monarchs of this world will bow,

And pay homage to your name.

From Every Nation

From every nation, tribe and tongue,

The saints in heaven meet;

They join with heaven’s angels,

To worship at His feet.

Ten thousand times, ten of thousand,

All saved in heaven proclaim;

We’re saved by grace alone,

And sing praises to His Name.

They wear the robes of righteousness,

Arrayed in robes of white;

And stand before His Mercy Seat

Accepted in His sight.

He came to earth to save us,

All thanks to Him be given;

He raised us from the depths of sin

To join the saints in heaven.

Glory, wisdom, honour and power,

To Him alone belong;

Thank You Lord for saving us,

Endless this our song.

Alpha & Omega

You’re the Alpha and Omega,

The Beginning and the End;

The eternal God incarnate,

And everybody’s friend.

You left behind Your glory,

To obey Your Father’s will;

The beginning of salvation,

That ends on Calvary’s Hill.

When You return in glory,

And time will cease to be;

Your reign will never end,

Throughout eternity.

You’re the Alpha and Omega,

The Beginning and the End;

At Your name, Lord Jesus,

Every knee will bend.

Endless Is the Universe

O Lord, God Almighty,

Worthy of all praise;

Your awesome power and wisdom,

The Universe displays.

Great is Your creation,

Sustained by Your own hand;

It’s majesty and splendour,

Revealed to every land.

Endless is the Universe,

As countless stars I see;

In Your wisdom, Almighty God,

You know its destiny.

You are its great Creator,

The Author of its birth;

Its stars surpass in number,

The grains of sand on earth.

We give You thanks, O God,

And praise Your holy Name;

Great is Your mercy, great Your love,

For us Your Son was slain.

Jesus will rule the Universe,

As Saviour, Lord and King;

All power is in His hands,

Our praise to Him we bring.

How Great You Are, O Lord

How great you are, O Lord,

On heaven’s throne above;

Awesome in Your holiness,

Endless in Your love.

Your sacrifice upon the Cross,

Gave us peace and rest;

Removed our sin far from us,

Far as east is from the west.

In place of death You gave us life,

In place of guilt, Your peace;

In place of darkness, gave us light,

Our praise shall never cease.

Jesus, Saviour of the world,

You saved us by Your grace;

To make us pure in heart,

That we might see Your face.

Let all the angels worship You,

And creatures here on earth;

All the hosts of heaven,

And throughout the universe.

Offer up their praises,

For You have set us free;

And we shall join their praises,

Throughout eternity.

Emmanuel

O Jesus Christ; Emmanuel,

Our Mighty God – Jehovah;

Born on earth to set us free,

Born to be our Saviour.

You are Lord, Prince of Peace,

Worthy of all praise;

You are the Way, the Truth, the Life,

Our robe of Righteousness.

Your love, O Lord, reached out to us,

You called us by our name;

You gave us peace and happiness,

In place of guilt and shame.

We thank you, Lord, we thank you,

We long to see Your face;

Your mercy that has saved us,

‘Twas only by Your grace.

Our hearts in love o’er flow to You,

Our Shepherd, Guide and Stay;

You are the Bread that feeds our souls,

The Light that guides our way.

O Jesus, Saviour, Lord and Friend,

Our Source of Peace and Rest;

Our Helper throughout all our days,

In You we’re truly blessed.

Forever in Your Debt O Lord

Forever in Your debt, O Lord,

I shall ever be;

In place of condemnation,

You have pardoned me.

I was not even good enough,

That you should die for me;

A sinner and a rebel,

Yet you set me free.

Not all the riches of this world,

Could my ransom pay;

Your sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross,

Was the only way.

You shed your precious blood for me;

This my ransom paid;

To free my soul from sin and death,

On You, my sin was laid.

Forever in your debt, O Lord,

I shall ever be;

Both in my life upon this earth,

And through eternity.

O my Saviour and my God,

My life you have reclaimed,

Let it be a life well lived,

To glorify your name.

From Eternity into Time

You stepped from eternity into time,

Leaving Your glory behind;

You took the form of a servant,

To die on a Cross for mankind.

You did not come to be our Judge,

To judge us for our failures;

Love and mercy brought you,

So, you could be our Saviour.

The price you paid for our sin,

That salvation we would gain;

Was Your precious blood,

On Calvary’s Cross of shame.

You knew there was no other way,

To save from condemnation;

‘Twas only by your sacrifice,

Could give us full salvation.

O Son of Man and Son of God,

Lord of Life and Prince of Peace;

Creator of the Universe,

Your reign shall never cease.

I Am His New Creation

I am His new creation,

All praise and thanks to Him;

The old has gone, the new has come,

He changed me from within.

He saved me from a life of sin,

And from its condemnation;

Christ shed His blood on Calvary’s Cross,

And purchased my salvation.

His promise to the burdened:

"I will give you rest’;

Free from guilt, from fear and shame,

And a heart of heaviness.

This is Christ’s own promise;

To those who make this plea:

"Forgive me Lord, accept my life,

And let me follow Thee".

His load is light and easy,

His promises are true;

Christ is my Helper all through life,

He’ll lead me safely through.

It’s not my hold on Him I trust,

But His firm hold on me;

He’ll not forsake me now in time,

Nor through eternity.

And when on Judgment Day,

I’ll kneel before His Throne;

He’ll not turn His back on me,

He’ll claim me for His own.

With all the saints in heaven,

This my song I’ll sing;

How great is Your mercy,

My Saviour and my King.

The Lord of Hosts

The Lord of hosts is with us,

Jehovah is His Name;

The God of light and power,

Whose victory we proclaim.

He sent His Son, Lord Jesus,

To conquer sin and death;

He broke the power of Satan,

By rising from