Called to Bear Fruit

Since I was small, just tasting your Word, I’ve longed to be like Joseph, whose blessing prophesied rampant fruitfulness. Let me be a fruitful vine! Let my roots drink deep waters so my shoots stretch vibrantly up and over the walls, fruit falling freely. I desperately needyour streams of living waterdrenched with plant foodto fillContinue reading “Called to Bear Fruit”

Be One

You prayed your heart that last night, surrounded by eleven men who listened, astonished, and took note. And after you left (having suffered and risen) John remembered to write it down. For me. For us. For more to come.We need to know what yearningyou expressed for health and harmony:that we be one.And it’s the hardestContinue reading “Be One”

For the Joy Set Before Him

He knew where he was going when he rode into the City of Peace that received him with such welcome: shouts of joy based on false expectations,praise that would dissolve to bitternesswhen his peace was not what they’d hoped for.He knew that they would turn on him,following their leaders, men jealousof his power and risingContinue reading “For the Joy Set Before Him”

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”

Savoring the Moment

Time tumbles forward, water over the cliff, and my life raft is all too quickly swept downstream. January hurtles past,April, May, August . . .I cling to the edgesand try not to swallow days whole, untasted.What is life worthif not lived with purpose?What if I staytuned to winter freezewhen the sun is out?I say noContinue reading “Savoring the Moment”

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”

Love Letter in Response to Deuteronomy 33:12

The one Yahweh loves rests between his shoulders! Here I am, God, loved by you! I too often forget that you came to us as Jesus—you two are one!—who died on the cross, for everyone—yes, for the whole worldbut for me too! Insignificant me!You love me! It sinks in, softly.I rest on your chest, quiet,Continue reading “Love Letter in Response to Deuteronomy 33:12”