It is only when shafts of light sent from the rising sun strike the long lean leaf of grass that you see how finely striped it is: perfectly paralleled veins tracing from stem to bowed leaf tips. Life stripes! You shine on us, Son, Lightthat brings life to your waiting world.You shine on us andContinue reading “Light Reveals”
Tag Archives: spiritual formation
To Shine with Power!
This gargantuan ball we call Earth twirls on its axis, never stopping. I’m glued to my point on its surface, watching as we leave the dark outer universe and swing slowly, gently into sunlight. Granulated gray cloud masses suddenly have rose underbellies—no! Now they’ve turned to neon gold!There was a star riding tangentto the crescentContinue reading “To Shine with Power!”
Psalm on Mean Street
LORD, you guide me into right pathways, chosen for me, leading me home. You said it. I believe it. But LORD, these are mean streets. The other travelers form cliques, gossip, unnerve me. And you mentioned level paths;there are potholes here, jagged and deep.They laugh when I fall.Tell them off, LORD — they are disgracingContinue reading “Psalm on Mean Street”
Can We Do It?
I’m cringing at this growing dump of insults, hurled in public spaces or in texts or face-to-face. Grudges fondled and fermented could ignite a searing blaze. Our natural response is fearand hatred of this “enemy”whose words and push-backfeed distress, a tangled messthat leads us toward catastrophe.But, Yahweh, You have told us this:“You can walk onContinue reading “Can We Do It?”
My Tent of Meeting
This is my “tent of meeting” where you meet with me. No pillar of cloud necessary because you live in me. This tent is a protected space where I pour out my heart and listen as you respond. Moses needed time with you,then left to do your work.Joshua was being prepared;he stayed there, meditatingand listeningContinue reading “My Tent of Meeting”
Lord, You said These Three Last Forever
Faith: which made me your own daughter, brings me peace, forgiveness, strength, moves the mountains when I trust you, coaches me to run the length . . .Hope: which is my light in darkness gives me reasons to endure, promises you’ll heal what’s broken, makes me long for all that’s pure . . .Love: whichContinue reading “Lord, You said These Three Last Forever”
Like a Weaned Child
Your heartbeat spins the galaxies and pats my back to calm me. You are so good, and true, and I am loved by you. Compassion is the constantinstantoutflow of your heartin perfect syncwith wisdom,beyond myopic sight.I’m nesting here,the shufflinghush ofangel wings subduing other sound.This quietwithout answersis the peace that heals my wound.And yet your WordhangsContinue reading “Like a Weaned Child”
You Are My Shade
You are my shade when the sun beats down with tropic heat, when its beams creep in like crafty spies, when it hides its face but penetrates. You are my shade. You are my shadewhen the enemy blasts with full attack,when he sneaks in wearing a new costume,when he comes behind me to whisper lies.YouContinue reading “You Are My Shade”
Prayer to the Shepherd
I walk beside a river and you hold my hand as we exult in beauty. When the sky turns gray with a storm rolling in you shelter me from pellets of ice, rough winds,sky fire, or even justa cold wet downpour.Next comes a hilly incline,tiring my calf muscleseven though this is onlyslightly draining. It’s training.ButContinue reading “Prayer to the Shepherd”
To Do What He Requires
To live out justice means to hate what is evil embrace what is good act on it with wisdom take note of what’s broken speak like a prophet intervene to right wrongs when the Spirit leads the way freeing slaves of greed-mastersor of dirty justice systemsor of cultural traditionsthat demean and disrespectthe dignities of peopleContinue reading “To Do What He Requires”
Linnea's Lines 