In the middle of this whirlwind may gentleness become the strong, long root that fixes me to what is true, that calls to othersto come to youto find that inner confidence,that deep ironic peace,that stands against the gale.Only you, living in me, can takemy frail impotency andempower it to healwhen all aroundinjustice rules and wipesContinue reading “Gentle in the Storm”
Category Archives: spiritual formation
Wait and See
Wait, he said. When it is the right time we will see with our eyes what he has planned, wonders in answer to prayer. Ask, he said. Always be faithful in prayer,aching hearts pleading for mercy,allowing him to do his good work.Amazed, we will yet see his wisdom.Intercede, he said.Invite him to intervenein the heartsContinue reading “Wait and See”
Light Reveals
It is only when shafts of light sent from the rising sun strike the long lean leaf of grass that you see how finely striped it is: perfectly paralleled veins tracing from stem to bowed leaf tips. Life stripes! You shine on us, Son, Lightthat brings life to your waiting world.You shine on us andContinue reading “Light Reveals”
To Shine with Power!
This gargantuan ball we call Earth twirls on its axis, never stopping. I’m glued to my point on its surface, watching as we leave the dark outer universe and swing slowly, gently into sunlight. Granulated gray cloud masses suddenly have rose underbellies—no! Now they’ve turned to neon gold!There was a star riding tangentto the crescentContinue reading “To Shine with Power!”
Psalm on Mean Street
LORD, you guide me into right pathways, chosen for me, leading me home. You said it. I believe it. But LORD, these are mean streets. The other travelers form cliques, gossip, unnerve me. And you mentioned level paths;there are potholes here, jagged and deep.They laugh when I fall.Tell them off, LORD — they are disgracingContinue reading “Psalm on Mean Street”
Can We Do It?
I’m cringing at this growing dump of insults, hurled in public spaces or in texts or face-to-face. Grudges fondled and fermented could ignite a searing blaze. Our natural response is fearand hatred of this “enemy”whose words and push-backfeed distress, a tangled messthat leads us toward catastrophe.But, Yahweh, You have told us this:“You can walk onContinue reading “Can We Do It?”
My Tent of Meeting
This is my “tent of meeting” where you meet with me. No pillar of cloud necessary because you live in me. This tent is a protected space where I pour out my heart and listen as you respond. Moses needed time with you,then left to do your work.Joshua was being prepared;he stayed there, meditatingand listeningContinue reading “My Tent of Meeting”
Lord, You said These Three Last Forever
Faith: which made me your own daughter, brings me peace, forgiveness, strength, moves the mountains when I trust you, coaches me to run the length . . .Hope: which is my light in darkness gives me reasons to endure, promises you’ll heal what’s broken, makes me long for all that’s pure . . .Love: whichContinue reading “Lord, You said These Three Last Forever”
Prayer to the Shepherd
I walk beside a river and you hold my hand as we exult in beauty. When the sky turns gray with a storm rolling in you shelter me from pellets of ice, rough winds,sky fire, or even justa cold wet downpour.Next comes a hilly incline,tiring my calf muscleseven though this is onlyslightly draining. It’s training.ButContinue reading “Prayer to the Shepherd”
Deep Calling Deep
I keep to shallows. You are the deep that tugs my feet from under me, blasts ears with fury, floods each orifice until I’m swept away, my deep imploded to a black hole, resistance convoluted to a vacuum. Ravished, I find your waves and breakerstender with thetropic warmthof a trillion suns,millenia of moon tides.You areepicContinue reading “Deep Calling Deep”
Linnea's Lines 