You start a new day feeling neutral: much to do, energy low. Where is joy? But then you feed on the Bread of Life, contemplating the words of the Son, and strength infuses your soul. You bow your heart to the Holy One,grateful and reaching out in praise,remembering all he’s done for you,all that heContinue reading “That Unnoticed Pulsating Joy”
Category Archives: reflection
My Psalm of Praise
I will sing about you and to you, Yahweh, worshiping you in good times and hard times.When I tell others how you have acted on my behalf,may those with little hope be encouraged to trust you.May their faces light up with hope and joy!So come, friends! Let’s lift him up in praise, let’s sing!He hasContinue reading “My Psalm of Praise”
Magnify!
“Magnify the LORD!” they said, “Exalt his name together!” “Which name?” I asked, to understand this better. ‘He has a great collectionall explaining his perfection!”And “magnify?” Can I make lettersbigger, clearer, bright and legible?I stretch out the arms of my soulholding a magnifying glass,straining to understandthe many pieces of the whole:the essence of the Trinity,graciousContinue reading “Magnify!”
Morning Praise
As I wake up to morning— to the last bat ping, first bird song, paling of the sky— let my heart wake up to you, open wide to take in light, listening for the welcome in your voice and then breaking into praise! Is praise the first impulse that sunrise and a new morning bringsContinue reading “Morning Praise”
Cloudy Sunrise
Sunbeams gleam across the field as the invisible orb rises, traced only by the way the clouded sky goes luminous, unable to completely mask the light. The grasses glow, lit by the current and transformed to green lampposts, arms lifted in silent praise. A breeze blows through, dancing them, unable to hold back from joiningContinue reading “Cloudy Sunrise”
Sensing God
We worship in a cloud, unfocused though we strain to see and feel yet worship what we know within unknowing, all our senses clamoring for the Real: — the One who touches hearts with joy, whose fingers reach to heal the blinded eyes, deaf ears; who feels our hurts because he hurt as human-Godson, heartContinue reading “Sensing God”
No Holding Back!
“Sell all that you have and give it away!” my Lord Jesus said to the wealthy inquirer, and then, said to me, “No more holding back!”That’s just what he meant when he said, “Hand it over,your life and your soul!For what I requireis total commitment,no half-hearted ‘oh . . .’ ”That’s how I discoveredthat hisContinue reading “No Holding Back!”
Made to Bear Fruit
Chosen: before you spoke the world, the sky, humanity into beingRescued: from my rotting self and destiny of darkness, loss, eternal deathGifted: to do my special part in this Body, your Family, for your purposesSent: to bring the news about the Rescuer to others still hopelessPlanted: just where you want me rooted in your loveContinue reading “Made to Bear Fruit”
For the Joy Set Before Him
He knew where he was going when he rode into the City of Peace that received him with such welcome: shouts of joy based on false expectations,praise that would dissolve to bitternesswhen his peace was not what they’d hoped for.He knew that they would turn on him,following their leaders, men jealousof his power and risingContinue reading “For the Joy Set Before Him”
Craving Joy
When sorrow sits heavy on my soul I want to remember to go deep, stretch down to my foundations, touch the joy that lies there, waiting, holding on. It’s easy to forget, to wallow in the mud that seems pervasive, heavy, dark. But my Mentor has been nourishing my roots, plunging them yet furtherinto theContinue reading “Craving Joy”