The Legacy of Chalet Shalom

It grips my heart every time we return to Chalet Shalom: the essence of loved ones that lingers on in what they left behind. They are gone. But it’s their song they carefully recorded here in this lakeside home, built and put together as a legacy for us. And that it is. This space isContinue reading “The Legacy of Chalet Shalom”

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”

Worship in my Offering

He makes his home in me.And I, I live insidethe house of love,his banner flapping bright above,his pleasure my desire.I bring him blooms to gracethe place he sets for me(no matter that, outdoors,corruption slimes the worldand evil lurks in gray).I will not fear. For he is here,my God, and where he iswe live in love.Continue reading “Worship in my Offering”

This Love Libation

I say, “I love you, Lord!” And in a minute or two I run out of words to tell you why. But I must try, reminding myself of all you do for me every day, because you love me! Millions of peoplealive right noware also your treasure.And yet you listenwhen I ramble,when I scrambleto begContinue reading “This Love Libation”

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!”

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”

Poured Out

I pour out my heart before you and there it lies, a puddle in your golden bowl: scent of sorrow, undertone of angst. You swirl the mixture deftlyand I see the colors whirlto form a spiral carousel:black of blindness, counterpoint of pearlwith an interplay of scarlet(all the dreams I’ve hadnow seasoned and remadeinto a fragrantContinue reading “Poured Out”

Pruned by the Wind

Leafless branches litter the wet earth in the aftermath of the storm. It came suddenly out of the north with a powerful wind that whipped through the trees and cleaned them out. Cobwebs are gone.The dead weight of lifeless woodwas lifted away and the tree is free,stretching up toward sky and sun.Spirit-wind, breath of God,sometimesContinue reading “Pruned by the Wind”

Call for Urgent Care

Your body, Lord, needs urgent care! Right hand fights against its own left hand. Ears hear different music, east and west. Eyes are bloodshot, crossed and blurred, seeing only what each wants to see. Lungs breathe in polluted air whose fumes push out the Spirit. Legs crossed, the veins bulge, blocked;feet stay firmly rooted, passionContinue reading “Call for Urgent Care”

Tangible Intangibles

to grasp the love that cannot be held to know the love that cannot be known to be rooted in love that sent God’ Chosen to die by torture yes, even this is possible although incomprehensibleeven this can be accomplished although never finishedeven this will be my goal although it hangs on things yet unseenIContinue reading “Tangible Intangibles”