(My hand held by my young friend while climbing–photo credit to Josh Wohlgemut) “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” And how does that work out? I’m tired, dragged down by all the brokenness: women scrounging far and wide for water, youth without a future, men distressed. Marriages are fragmented, replete with selfishness, misunderstanding,Continue reading “That Long Climb”
Tag Archives: Christian poetry
Prayer for Ferke Mountain
We stand here on a rock you pushed out of the earth, a mountain of granite and colorful quartz, cracking apart over centuries so that trees take root, spread out, grow tall, and bushes thrive. Creator, your art is magnificent! The wind blows across it singing your praise! And yet there are remnants of desperation,Continue reading “Prayer for Ferke Mountain”
Dry Season Hope
Water my soul, Lord!I know there was a raina while backbut in the interimthe sun has walloped mewith vicious raysI’m shriveledthirsty and dryI know that when you comeyou will bring a gobletfull of your choice drinkliquid that refreshesall my rootsand in the morningI’ll wake up to the miracleof golden blossomsthen fresh green shoots Waiting forContinue reading “Dry Season Hope”
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”
The Spotlight Shifted!
They were shoved to the margins,viewed as insignificant,poor people scatteredin little bush villages,living off infertile land.But some had been waitingto hear the Good News,and when it arrivedtheir hearts opened wide,fertile, welcoming seed.“Now how can we sing praise to our new King?” Other peoples had songs,but this language had tonesthat required their own fit.Then it began,Continue reading “The Spotlight Shifted!”
I Belong to Yahweh!
I belong to Yahweh!I am his, and he is mine.He lives in me–astonishing, this truth I can’t absorb!I live in him, in whom I havemy being, my true home,my source of life and strength,all my giftings and my soul,the “who” I am, because of him.“I AM,” he said to Mosesand he says it now toContinue reading “I Belong to Yahweh!”
I Am That Heifer!
You’ve made me your heifer, pulling the plow,you’ve shaped me and trained me, showing me howto lean to the left when your strong hand presses,to walk straight ahead, cleaning up messesand tearing out weeds, preparing the wayfor planting the seed in that soil on the daywhen all is in readiness, soft dirt tilled,and we pressContinue reading “I Am That Heifer!”
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”
Eyes Fixed on Him
Lord, teach me howto stay on alert,watching out for the trapsinsidiously camouflaged,waiting for meto take one false stepand cave in to fear,or greed, or false symbolsof who I am. Show mewhere my adversary has poisonedthe thorns beneath the roses;help me to recognize eviland avoid it completely,holding only to what is goodand promotes love.At the sameContinue reading “Eyes Fixed on Him”
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!”
Linnea's Lines 