Firmly Attached

8687429 © Schakal79 | Dreamstime.com What do people think they see when they take a look at me? A pious, clean exterior or a holy, pure interior? Am I set aside for God or content to merely plod along at my own pace, even stumbling in the race to confirm my own high call? No!Continue reading “Firmly Attached”

One Sure Thing

In this slippery tilting world your heart is one sure thing. You love me always, whether I am striding in the right direction or fallen in a patch of thorns, listening raptly to your voice or indulging my addictions, desperately trying to feel good. Unfailing love: hesed, the Hebrews said. This is what we longContinue reading “One Sure Thing”

Share that Light!

I live in darkness, a world that snuffs out lamps and candles wherever it can. But your Light dawns on those who wait, who keep looking up not down. And then you reveal your plans in the network of sky and clouds, tree limbs reaching and touching, your soft light glowing on water as wellContinue reading “Share that Light!”

Hope Rises

Hope rises in your Presence like the misty vapors gently swirling off lake waters as dawn glows golden in the east. It is the warm light streaming from the essence of You that deletes the hopelessness of darkness, and reminds us that a new day is coming, one overseen by your loving care and faithfulness.Continue reading “Hope Rises”

If . . . Then!

If I truly crave you the way I feel hunger pangs on a day of fasting, not forgetting to seek you like I do when I am “fed”, satisfied with earthly food, if I really listen for you, and let those pangs alert me to pause, to hear what you say, hungering for your words,Continue reading “If . . . Then!”

Make Me Ready

Keep a towel on my arm!Keep me ready to kneel before my tired friendto lovingly rinse the dirt glued onas they kept trudgingthrough thick and thin,the rut and puddle, the stuff that sticksfrom where they’ve been, a long and painful road.Give my eyes the knack to catchweariness, hurt withina gesture or a sigh.Give me kindnessContinue reading “Make Me Ready”

I Am One Piece of It All

I am not the center of your plans,and yet you give me significance as one special piece of the enormous puzzle that is your kingdom:a breathing, sentient realitythat is growing into your New Creation, a wonder of wondersthat no evil can destroy.So I just keep on saying it,telling you that (paltry as it is)I giveContinue reading “I Am One Piece of It All”

His Joy is My Strength!

When my happiness fades away,disappointment moves in to stay.But his joy makes me strong!It lifts me like a song!It’s not laughter-dependent,doesn’t need a comic moment—not transient like a smilethat might last for a short milethen gradually melt down, maybe change into a frownat the pain and deep distressin my world’s sloppy mess.My Master’s joy isContinue reading “His Joy is My Strength!”

Where is Peace?

The angels sang of peace.And yet I struggleto rememberwhat seemsso elementary:peace has its sourcein you, the Prince of Peace.Peace seems to be the theme song ofa mocking bird,just borrowedand played back,called out in blandirrelevance, mere words.Where is goodwillwhen wars devourthe planet? Evenin your Bodythe cruel manipulationof the truth scores wounds;ill will is out to banishContinue reading “Where is Peace?”

Breathe in hope!

Breathe in the wet earthBreathe in my mercyBreathe in wafts of breezeBreathe in my Spirit Breathe in red poinsettiasBreathe in my artistryBreathe in owls cooingBreathe my approbationBreathe in candles glimmeringBreathe in gifts of hopeBreathe in massive fir treesBreathe my complex weavingBreathe in shafts of sunriseBreathe in Light and TruthBreathe in ringing church bellsBreathe my loveContinue reading “Breathe in hope!”