Poems by our Instep resident poet  Mr John Sterry.

  
Men of the Kingdom 
 
Lift up that chin, stick out your chest We're men of the Kingdom, not like the rest 
 
We must have integrity, we must be a sample   ….of God here on earth, we must lead by example 
 
We have to be 'doers', we might talk the talk Men will only believe us, if we walk the walk 
 
We must measure ourselves by how many guys….. That have measured themselves against us in their lives 
 
It's a serious business, all of this Kingdom lark We need to be strong and go make our mark 
 
Get this…. I have been chosen, God thinks I'm good enough To minister folk when their going gets rough 
 
 
  
But me ?  Who am I ?  I can just barely rhyme But He's put me here, right now at this time  
 
Men of the Kingdom, there's lots gone to heaven Let's have a gander, at Hebrews eleven 
 
Got a bit of a caning, this geezer called Abel A true man of faith, put his cards on the table 
 
Honoured his God, surrendered his heart Got slain by his brother, taken apart  
 
Do you remember the one born 'a child of such wrath ?' His name was Enoch, he took the path…. 
 
….of changing his life with the help of his Lord He was given grace. Man, what a reward ! 
 
  
  
And if we are thinking about Men of the Kingdom,  On the list somewhere must be our friend Gideon 
 
What happens today, when we want to define…. ….what God is thinking ?, we ask for a sign 
 
We prayerfully chat on our bended kneeses Then off we all go and lay down our fleeces 
 
Gideon did that, and his God did not fail Proving that he wanted him, to go rescue Israel 
 
In the same breath Moses would have a big mention Great man of God, he earned a good pension 
 
Early in life he sailed down the river A basket - case, rescued, and then, joi de vivre 
 
He was a rescuer, not just anyone He learned how to be somebody, as Pharaoh's son 
  
  
  
But he felt in-eloquent, inferior, weak Who take notice and listen to him speak ? 
 
He had a few trials, crossed the odd sea Put up with rebellions, saw that strange burning tree 
 
God chose him to write, ten rules on a tablet A true Man of the Kingdom, and let's not forget… 
 
Our Mo was the only person who died…. And was buried by God, for his heavenly ride 
 
As a Man of the Kingdom on earth here today My certain, certainty, is this, hear me say…. 
 
When I kick the bucket and rattle and croak I'm off to a place where I'll meet other folk 
 
Off to God's country, Heaven or Paradise Don't know what you call it - just know that it's nice 
 
When I wake that morning and feel the sunshine I'll know I've arrived. Life eternal is mine 
  
 
  
Other Men of the Kingdom, like Enoch and Mo ….will say 'welcome aboard', and then off we'll go 
 
We'll stroll by the river, swapping our tales About Egyptian plagues and my holiday in Wales 
 
In the pub on the night I'd meet Silas and Paul  Great Men of the Kingdom, I'd listen in awe 
 
I'd get in the beers and talk about bars Not the ones in the pub, where we have a few  jars…. 
 
But the ones where they, were locked up in the cooler Innocent and suffering - don't get much crueler 
 
I'd see my old Pastor, he told me 'bout the Lord A true man of the Kingdom, he got his reward 
 
 
  
Get the smell of heaven in your nostrils real soon Aim for the stars maybe land on the moon 
 
God's Kingdom is there, He's ready to please Caring for us and serving the cheese 
 
Let's be Kingdom Men, commanding respect Make the most of each day, that's what God would expect 
 
Make it easier for ourselves, on judgement day Let's finish well, now, what do you say ? 
 
Let's make wise decisions, make precious our time We're Men of the Kingdom, yes us forty - nine 
 
Let's lift up our chin and stick out our chest We're Men of the Kingdom, and our King is best!