When I let go take my hands off lose control then I am weak powerless to influence situations fix the problem do it my way.Then paradoxtakes over:his hands firmlyin controlhe is strongpowerfulable toaccomplishthe miracle required.And there’s a corollary:when I livewithin his graceI have his powerto use for him:the paradoxof mutuality—Christ in me. Have you comeContinue reading “Power Paradox”
Tag Archives: Christian poetry
Moaning in the Desert
Bleak, dry ground extending to every horizon, sun beating down—no shelter, no way to move forward but step by tired step, feet filthy, sore. No food! I just scraped the last dried scraps from my shoulder bag. My children are crying: where are we going? where is home? not here! Is there really a promisedContinue reading “Moaning in the Desert”
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”
Caught Inside a Wider Web
Baruch sat huddled within his scrolls deep in the throes of despair. Words darkened the parchment and his soul, relentlessly marking out tragedy, punishment! The torrentof eviction, maledictionkept screaming in his mind,the prophet’s warnings and lament.But at the Thronehis pain was seen,framed by the stainof hemorrhage froma heart off-center, rubbing on the cross-grainof life goneContinue reading “Caught Inside a Wider Web”
The Seed that Grows
You make us your heifer, pulling the plow, you shape us and train us, showing us how to lean to the left when your strong hand presses, to walk straight ahead, cleaning up messes and tearing out weeds, preparing the way for planting the seed in that soil on the day when all is inContinue reading “The Seed that Grows”
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”
Remembering: “Smothered in the Night”
The long car twisted through tall grass In the shy darkness following sunset. Suddenly it was before us—the village, Mud huts huddled close like frightened sheep. Our headlights swept across them and then fell On a pile of children tumbling from the night To swarm around the car as we stepped out.A skinny girl lookedContinue reading “Remembering: “Smothered in the Night””
Africa in my Veins
Its heat beats deep in my veins thrumming tumbling drumbeats off-beat softer scuffling of my feet beside dark feet in the community of rhythms that thump the earth and thrust our souls into one warm hum Its winds blow gently through my hair flowing even now in wisps of ash, flower powder, dust –night airContinue reading “Africa in my Veins”
Linnea's Lines 