Deep inside the parched brown grass doves hop expectantly. Here and there they find their treasure: some crawling thing, breakfast. But the allure of their dining room is trashed: plastic bags, black or white, dusted dull with filth, blown in by the wind. A soul gets trashed like that as well: accumulated garbage gleaned fromContinue reading “Clean up the Mess!”
Tag Archives: spiritual formation
Firmly Plugged In
this body composed of mass and energy (some intrinsic, some renewable) is a powerhouse limited it also houses spirit breath of life infused by God and joined to body to make me when I attach to him his power charges me body and soul with divine energy with intimations of Eden with power to actContinue reading “Firmly Plugged In”
Where Joy Sprouts
“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices!” Deep inside me is a place where joy sprouts in darkness, warm with body blood pumping, thumping, the beat of the soul. It’s that place, invisible, who and what I am. Cells, tissue, tendon, muscle and rustle of movement bond wholly with me in singing andContinue reading “Where Joy Sprouts”
Resting on the Rock
My Lord, my Friend, my God, you are my solid Rock. All around, beyond your contours, the land is full of thorns and thistles, wasteland where the snakes hide out waiting for prey. But on this granite refuge, sparkling with these tiny glints of mica and underlined with flint, I stand in peace. A treeContinue reading “Resting on the Rock”
Hang in There!
Hang in there: spin your web, that intricate weaving of who you are. Wait there in the interval between up and down, swaying in the wind, hanging on by threads that hold you in place. Do what I made you to do— be what I made you to be. Rest there in the caresses ofContinue reading “Hang in There!”
Learning to Discern
if He comes in darkness a potent presence out of sight I’ll learn new ways of knowing grow sensors that can find him learn trust like a baby and find out He’s light in the dark if He comes in mystery with hints of holy secrets I can’t bear I will learn to listen studyContinue reading “Learning to Discern”
Grateful!
thank you is the flip side of fear its antidote unutterable thanks bubbling over wow! wow! wow! grace welling indwelling dispelling fear—it flees in the face of gratitude You know that feeling: the joy that comes when something longed for, waited for, despaired of, suddenly shows up! You were afraid that it would never happen.Continue reading “Grateful!”
Begging, Waiting
Like your disciples on that day between your murder and your return to life I wait, longing to see what you have promised. You said that, if I would just believe even a little tiny bit I could make a mountain move— I would receive from your loving hand what I am begging for. SoContinue reading “Begging, Waiting”
How Long?
Father, our hopes are drying up just like the earth,turned to dust; just like the leaves,shriveled to paper. No sign of change; no rain. How long must your people wither, shiver in thirsty air that claims all moisture as its own? Tears are gone with the wind. Our hearts ache and find no solace. HowContinue reading “How Long?”
Waiting for Breakthrough
We are like Joshua, like his crowd of followers, circling, circling the walled city in silence, hoping, crying out from our souls only to You, Master of the Universe, to break through those daunting walls. People shout from inside, defaming you. They do not know you. They do not feel your loving arms around them.Continue reading “Waiting for Breakthrough”
Linnea's Lines 