Unnamed but Chosen

She lived in a land of darkness oppressed by cruel foreigners. She carried deep personal shame: “barren” was her common name. No hope for a descendant! No sign she could conceive! Her husband had not spurned her,his name must have consoled her:“place of rest: Manoah.” So she was quick to tell himthat a God-sent messengerhadContinue reading “Unnamed but Chosen”

Tangible Intangibles

to grasp the love that cannot be held to know the love that cannot be known to be rooted in love that sent God’ Chosen to die by torture yes, even this is possible although incomprehensibleeven this can be accomplished although never finishedeven this will be my goal although it hangs on things yet unseenIContinue reading “Tangible Intangibles”

The Cleansing

I stand in the wind while it whips along, plastering my body with fine dust, the powdered aftermath of life and death and thirsty earth.Deadwood and seedpodshit the roof, my legs. Birds of prey swoop overheadlooking for the innocent,uncovered, to devour.O Wind of God,protect your own.Hover over, cover us.Breath of Life, strengthen us.Heart of Sun,Continue reading “The Cleansing”

The God Who Parts Waters

The river ahead is at flood stage, water spilling over the edges and onto the shore sand all around, no way to cross, full of sledge. The other side is out of sight. We’ve been stranded three days, waiting for word: what’s next?Now Joshua tells us to break camp.We priests must carry the ark aheadandContinue reading “The God Who Parts Waters”

The Acacia Speaks: I Was Made for This!

When I saw the old man pass us to climb the slope, I shivered as wind blew through our dense grove. He had passed this way not long ago,then spent forty days on the summitbefore angrily stumbling back down.We wondered what was up, and whyhe’d thrown away two stone tabletsfilled with divine fingerprints of light.SomethingContinue reading “The Acacia Speaks: I Was Made for This!”

Within the Forward Push of Time

minutes tick away turn into hours then days and silently within the forward push of time blossoms become tiny bulbs hidden baby mangoes soak in sun and sap swelling as the weeks slip by even without rain strips of clouds float northwardwhile we wait for dark onesto splash respitesomeday they will come somedayour Lord isContinue reading “Within the Forward Push of Time”

Gentle in the Storm

In the middle of this whirlwind may gentleness become the strong, long root that fixes me to what is true, that calls to othersto come to youto find that inner confidence,that deep ironic peace,that stands against the gale.Only you, living in me, can takemy frail impotency andempower it to healwhen all aroundinjustice rules and wipesContinue reading “Gentle in the Storm”

Prayer Like Waves

I’ve been crying out to you, my Lord, my Father and my King, over and over and over again like ocean waves rolling in to crash and humbly recede into the mass of other currents, like other prayers.This one overwhelming longingwill not let them stop. I beg:Please bring my loved ones homeinto your arms, intoContinue reading “Prayer Like Waves”

Wait and See

Wait, he said. When it is the right time we will see with our eyes what he has planned, wonders in answer to prayer. Ask, he said. Always be faithful in prayer,aching hearts pleading for mercy,allowing him to do his good work.Amazed, we will yet see his wisdom.Intercede, he said.Invite him to intervenein the heartsContinue reading “Wait and See”

Light Reveals

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”