Kevin Hartnett Poetry

And Love Ever Echoes

Oh where might the voice of God be heard, 

And truth in fullness displayed? 

Was there such a place in all the earth 

His message was so conveyed? 

 

It was there on a hill beside the lake, 

He proclaimed what would set men free; 

And love echoed out across the land 

From Jesus of Galilee. 

 

****** 

 

And where might the prayer of God be known, 

Immortal conflict portrayed? 

Was e're such a place in all the earth 

A battle for spirits raged? 

 

It was there on a hill of olive groves 

He looked death in the face for me; 

And love echoed loudly in the night 

From Christ at Gethsemane. 

   

****** 

 

Oh where might the love of God be shown, 

In all its riches displayed? 

Was there such a place in all the earth 

Divine love should be surveyed? 

 

It was there on a hill outside the gate, 

It was there, meant for all to see, 

And love ever echoes in the earth 

From Jesus at Calvary.  

 

-- K. Hartnett, March 2006 

O the Riches in the Gospel!

O the riches in the Gospel! 

Purposes no man conceived! 

Grace unfailing; love astounding, 

Given those who have believed! 

 

Pardon full for helpless sinners. 

Justified- though guilty be! 

Jesus cursed for our transgressions; 

We made righteous by decree! 

 

Peace with God, oh timeless marvel! 

Christ’s blood our security! 

Holiness at one with Favor; 

Heaven opened wondrously! 

 

Purpose in the Master’s kingdom; 

We, His worksmanship by grace, 

Cleansed to serve; alive in conscience; 

Spirit-filled to run the race. 

 

Pleasure in His highest priv’ledge: 

Sons of God by name are we! 

Heirs with Christ through God’s adoption; 

Called in love eternally!

 

O the riches in the Gospel! 

Purposes no man conceived! 

Grace unfailing; love astounding, 

Ever theirs who have believed!

-- K. Hartnett, November 2005

 

Pardon, peace, purpose, pleasure - oh what riches we have in Christ!

You Go Before Us

Chorus

You go before us,

And what great comfort in the thought.

You've planned the future,

And love eternal is our lot!

Can it be You see my life through all eternity...

Waiting there for me?!

Oh gracious Father unto Thee

I pledge my love!

 

Verse One
Though my plans are filled with doubts and imperfections,

And the paths I choose do seem to go astray;

When I look again I see You there before me:

Establishing my steps along the way.

 

Verse Two
There's no mystery in Your purpose for the future.

Even now your faithful love's extending there.

You've made time to serve as keeper of Your blessings:

Another demonstration of Your care!

-- K. Hartnett, 1994
 

A Homeschooler's Happy Reflection

We marked the day she started what would be

Her formal "school" - and stacks of lessons learned,
Along with drawings, tests, and answer keys
Lie dormant now in front of books returned
From friends who shared the dream.  A season wrought

With work and prayer, at times it seemed to last
Too long, but faith and patience surely taught
Us all our lessons well.  The fruit surpassed

Our ev'ry expectation – a girl who
Loves the Lord, has godly friends, studies hard,
Writes thoughtfully, and even wrestled through
Pre-calculus and language with regard!

 

"Day one" began the journey of "suppose";
"Commencement" marks the start of what she knows.

-- K. Hartnett, April 2007

Today our godly, lovely and lively daughter Lydia graduated from homeschool highschool in a ceremony held at our church for 32 such highschool seniors.  This ends an era for my wife and I as our two children are now out of highschool and our homeschooling responsibilities have come to an end.  In a poetic sort of twist, Joshua Harris, our senior pastor, was given an honorary certificate and cap and gown today (all in fun- and all a surprise) since he too was homeschooled, but never attended a similar graduation function.  It was his father, Gregg Harris, that we heard teach on homeschooling about 20 years ago that really sparked our interest.  Joshua was in attendance at that conference too - helping from behind the book table as a pre-teen!  Oh the surprising and inscrutable plans of God!  The poem is set in a sort of loose English sonnet form.