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”
Tag Archives: spiritual formation
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”
Passion Pumps Me
passion permeates my person pumps me then plummets unwieldy but willing for you to work magic transform passion into power potent patient wielded by you Waiting is a challenge, especially when we yearn for what we’ve been told is coming. As a teen (that’s me in the photo above) when I was away at MKContinue reading “Passion Pumps Me”
But Wait!
“Go tell!” he said, “But wait!” What? Wait? We were so excited, overwhelmed with joy by all his words that made it clear: the Sacred Word had prophesied it all—his death but then this third-day miracle, life made new in him!We touched his hands,and he touched us.This was no ghost:he ate that roasted fish!And heContinue reading “But Wait!”
Peter Speaks!
He said, “Love each other.” I asked, “Where will you be?” Evasive? or just sure we could not make the grade without him? He knew this too, and said, “The only way you can bear fruit is to stay attached to me.”And yet, he went away.Hope died.When he came back hetwirled us into dreamsas heContinue reading “Peter Speaks!”
The Red of Love
Love—deep red love— came struggling through the pressure of the birth canal and landed safe in loving handsthat washed away the bloodand held him close.They did not know, not yet,that Love’s own bloodwould someday spurtfrom lashes to his back,from nails plunged straightthrough his own hands,and through his feet—blood of Life and supreme Lovethat would bringContinue reading “The Red of Love”
Open Home, Open Heart
The travelers walked in the front door, hot and dusty after hours on dirt roads. Mom always found room at the table, one built for her by Dad, big enough to welcome at least a dozen guests. She added another vegetable, salad, bread—done! There was always enough.Then, grown up, it was my turn.I learned toContinue reading “Open Home, Open Heart”
This Mystery
It’s a mystery of unity beyond my understanding: One God, three Persons, One Essence in deep harmony, working together as one to build a home in me and move in permanently!You live in us, each onea piece of your Family,each one with access tothe heart of the Father,the love of the Son,and the intimate realityofContinue reading “This Mystery”
Serve the Word!
This is our calling when we follow Jesus: we are “servants of the Word.” He is the Word! He speaks to us, through Scripture texts (the written Word) and also through his Spirit, our Counselor, our Guide.He lives inside me,makes my heart’s eyessee the highlightshe has stroked acrossthose texts so relevantto me, my life.Do IContinue reading “Serve the Word!”
Linnea's Lines 