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?”
Tag Archives: spiritual formation
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”
What He Wants
every weakness self-pity selfishness laziness procrastination lost opportunities hurts inflicted back-stabbing shaming ungracious picky hateful oozing woundsmisunderstoodbetrayedminimizedmalignedignoredsoul sufferinglonely depressedbattereddeceivedundressedall fell on himthe crushing weightof meannesscorruptionpaindespairthank youseems so smallto sayso minimalagainst the massof grief What grace, yes, amazing grace, was poured out on us through Jesus’ death on the cross! It saves any wretch who comesContinue reading “What He Wants”
Deep Calling Deep
I keep to shallows. You are the deep that tugs my feet from under me, blasts ears with fury, floods each orifice until I’m swept away, my deep imploded to a black hole, resistance convoluted to a vacuum. Ravished, I find your waves and breakerstender with thetropic warmthof a trillion suns,millenia of moon tides.You areepicContinue reading “Deep Calling Deep”
Radical Change After Pentecost
Extraordinary hyper-power pulsates inside this fragile jar. Its fried glass, splintered to a mosaic of prisms, splits the beams to violet, green and red (shocked with gold) and casts pictures through the night onto dark walls: images of glory, stained glass come alive and radiating metaphors: a king bathing slaves’ feetwhile a woman’s hairwipes hisContinue reading “Radical Change After Pentecost”
Linnea's Lines 