[081]. A Message From A Poem – Fiery Birth Of Life

[081]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FIERY BIRTH OF LIFE

THIS POEM IS STRICTLY COPYRIGHT. IT MUST NOT BE ALTERED OR TAKEN. IF IT IS USED I WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING THAT. The use in the Lord’s service is why I wrote it.

I have had some of my efforts stolen and reproduced in other’s names. This has not happened on SermonCentral where a Christian ethic prevails, but it has happened to my photos.

The poem here will absolutely resonate with Australians and probably to quite a number in California. The Australian eucalypts (sometimes called gum trees) are a special tree of which there are hundreds of species. The eucalypt has unique properties, and one of them is eucalyptus oil used in a lot of remedies, recipes and scents etc.

However the eucalyptus oil is a bit similar to petroleum (gasoline) in that it burns very readily. It is most volatile, and in the bad bushfires Australia gets, the heat causes the oil to come from the leaves and then the whole lot goes up in flames. The fires then races from tree to tree and that why they are dangerous. That is one reason why Californian fires can be so bad because they have a lot of eucalypts.

One sad thing here is that in intense fires among the Mountain Ash trees, the trees do not reshoot and leave bleak white skeletons of former glory.

I wrote this poem as a “bush ballad” to describe the actions of eucalypt fires and then made the application to the Lord Jesus who went through the heat of judgement.

SOME EXPLANATIONS

1. “Alpine tracks”. These are found in alpine regions such as the Snowy Mountains.

2. “Mountain Ash”. (Eucalyptus regnans). The mountain ash is the tallest species of Australian eucalypts, and the second tallest in the world. They grow in Victoria and Tasmania and the tallest today is nicknamed ‘Centurion’ – was measured in February 2013 at 99.6 metres (328 feet but higher today). Sadly many of the giants have been cut down and the largest of all was the world’s tallest tree ever - recorded at a height of over 130 metres! (427 feet).

3. “Gidgee”. The Gidgee tree (Acacia cambagei), is a hardy native of Australia's arid regions. Renowned for its dense wood, resilience to harsh environments, it's one of the most fascinating trees in the Australian landscape.

===========================================================

{{2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”}}

{{Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely our griefs He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried, yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted, but He was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.”}}

{{1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.”}}

THIS POEM IS COPYRIGHT

=============================================================

FIERY BIRTH OF LIFE

In all the scrubby forests of the greatest southern land,

Amid the wooded hill slopes and the plains of coloured sand,

Where varied wildlife, so unique, live out their special lives,

The eucalypt predominates, and through the land survives.

==================================================

These hardened trees will find their homes, from on the arid plain

Right to the snows of alpine tracts. Majestically they reign.

With bark that’s snowy-white or flaked; with wood that’s pale or dark -

The hundred metre Mountain Ash and stunted Gidgee, stark.

==================================================

Each year across the continent the summer fires rage;

With nature’s fearful forces free, bushfires hold the stage.

The eucalyptus oil released is hot and volatile,

So it explodes from the tree to tree to leave a smouldering pile.

==================================================

The gushing flames and crackling leaves are carried up on high.

A reddened glow and pillared smoke that dominate the sky.

Intimidating is the scene; the heat is so intense.

But when it passes, left behind, an ash that’s black and dense.

==================================================

Examine now what soon appears, from that destruction’s path.

Among the blackened trees and stones, there featured on earth’s hearth,

The smallest shoots of life renewed, begin soon to appear,

And freshly spreads the blanket green, towards the blue sky clear.

==================================================

These trees that live “down under” - acacias and the gums,

Unless they face the torrid heat, new life then never comes.

Because the seeds are just so hard, the outer shell must burn,

Then from that death, a life renewed - A lesson here to learn!

==================================================

Through judgment’s furnace passed the Lord who died for mankind’s sin.

His life was His but given up, salvation’s crown to win.

He underwent the wrath of God, the altar’s fiery blast,

But then in triumph’s blessed voice, proclaimed sin’s judgment past.

==================================================

Then through His death, death met defeat, but now in place we see

Emergence of a renewed life - with Christ eternally.

And from the “ashes” of the cross there sprouts a lovely green.

Who are the souls that Christ redeemed, no judgment now between.

==================================================

Yes, we love Him who bore the cross; those flames of judgment faced.

For sinful man He came to die where their sins he embraced.

What beauty now adorns the scene displayed with life anew;

Redemption that’s available for sinners, not a few.

==================================================

Sometimes His own are called upon to face the raging flame

Of persecution and ill will; to suffer this world’s blame. (For His name)

Remember this, that Christ your Lord, passed that way long ago.

He understands what you go through, in this sad world below.

==================================================

25 July 1999 Ronald Ferguson 14-14-14-14

MycenaPink@gmail.com

1 Peter 4:12-13, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:4-5

poem, poetry, fire, bushfires, forest fires, eucalypt, eucalyptus oil, gidgee tree, mountain ash, tallest tree ever, tall trees, judgement, furnace, flames, new life, judgment, judgement