Serve the Word!

This is our calling when we follow Jesus: we are “servants of the Word.” He is the Word! He speaks to us, through Scripture texts (the written Word) and also through his Spirit, our Counselor, our Guide.He lives inside me,makes my heart’s eyessee the highlightshe has stroked acrossthose texts so relevantto me, my life.Do IContinue reading “Serve the Word!”

Rooted, Held Firm

When I choose to trust in spite of everything I shoot new rootlets into the pulsing burrowing system that anchors me in Jesus’ love. Living thereI amdrinking inhesed and agapeunendingintimateunselfishempatheticforgivingunretaliatinglove beyondmy understanding.My heart is fullmy veinsare pulsingenergy of lifeand Jesushas becomemy constantstrength and song. There is so much imagery in the Bible about plants! TheContinue reading “Rooted, Held Firm”

Confession in the Storm

When turmoil seems to rule like waves surging high to crash, foaming— and you, Lord, seem to be asleep— fear also rises and takes control of our thoughts.We hear the rage of the storm.We feel the cold wind pierceand chill our hearts,icicle spears that do not melt.We run to you,crying out for you to actContinue reading “Confession in the Storm”

Morning Thank-yous

Thank you for green filaments waving in the breeze on this hot day, for silver sunlight filtered through gray overcast skies, for the solid round edges of mangoes still ripening, hanging pregnantly from bowed branches,and for those that have turned to gold and fallen to thirsty earth to make new wine and maybe children.Thank youContinue reading “Morning Thank-yous”

My One Safe Place

When even the sunrise is muted by dust, the air polluted with smoke and red dirt, there is one safe place where I can stay, breathing in air that is healthy and clean, a place where my heart-hurts heal as I pray. Here beside you,I’m finding a wayto gradually layeach major worry,each broken hopeon theContinue reading “My One Safe Place”

Higher Things

Even tiny finches live in a dimension far above mine— perching on light poles, playing among tree blossoms, drinking sweet nectar. But you, Lord, also call me to higher things, to not stay prisoner to dust and traffic and corruption. You say my name and my soul rises to meet with you. You give aContinue reading “Higher Things”

What He is Weaving in the Wind

Wind whips wisps of hair into eyes blurred by despair; gusts grab my pulsing heart. Nearly toppling, scrambling for safe purchase, I scream . . . DON’T BE AFRAID! STAND UP, THROW ROOTS TO DEEP SOIL, TWIRL THEM ‘ROUND ALL OBSTACLES— GO FURTHER DOWN, FURTHER IN; WRAP THEM ‘ROUND MY LOVE! KNOW THAT I AMContinue reading “What He is Weaving in the Wind”

That Defining Moment

joy and wonder at the audacious miracle ripped open a gap a window in the curtain between dimensions because God had become humandivinity crunched in a bodyout of lovefor wretched humanityan angel looked for someone awakenot sleeping in this defining momentand found shepherdsalert night guardswho suddenly saw something beyond beliefcould it be??an angel of lightblindingContinue reading “That Defining Moment”

The Joy of Living in Light

Before God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light, God was. And Jesus was: Light of the world, uncreated light that was, and is, and is to come. Within the new Jerusalemno other light will shine,for he will reign, and dayand night (light undulating) will be redefined. Foreverwill be lit another way.And IContinue reading “The Joy of Living in Light”

Peace, Good Will! And Yet . . .

The angels sang of peace. And yet I struggle to remember what seems so elementary: peace has its source in 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 good willwhen wars devourthe planet? Evenin your Bodycruel manipulationsof the truthContinue reading “Peace, Good Will! And Yet . . .”