Magnify!

“Magnify the LORD!” they said, “Exalt his name together!” “Which name?” I asked, to understand this better. ‘He has a great collectionall explaining his perfection!”And “magnify?” Can I make lettersbigger, clearer, bright and legible?I stretch out the arms of my soulholding a magnifying glass,straining to understandthe many pieces of the whole:the essence of the Trinity,graciousContinue reading “Magnify!”

Morning Praise

As I wake up to morning— to the last bat ping, first bird song, paling of the sky— let my heart wake up to you, open wide to take in light, listening for the welcome in your voice and then breaking into praise! Is praise the first impulse that sunrise and a new morning bringsContinue reading “Morning Praise”

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”

To Know the King!

(Photo by Daniel Reche, pexels) To know you is to know the King! To love you is to learn to sing the praise song that will never end! You’ve called me daughter, servant, friend! I’ve longed to find you, so I ran this strong pursuit—into your hand! Holy One, you draw me in, and cleanContinue reading “To Know the King!”

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!”

What I Need to Walk this Path

It’s getting dark, there’s no light on the path. I stumble and fall. I shouldn’t have left my best flashlight back there in the hall. I look all over for something to eat—forgot to bring lunch!My stomach rumbles and grumbles complaintwith nothing to munch.So now my strength is wilting away,with no energy stored.Then I hearContinue reading “What I Need to Walk this Path”

At Home

more and more at home he is entering with glad assurance no longer knocking wondering if I will see him as interruption intrusion guest who puts me on my toesmy best behavior politenesswith an edge of tensionwhisking litter out of sightswabbing the sinkshutting a bedroom doormessout of sightout of mind?I used to make sureI paidContinue reading “At Home”

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”