The clench of pain, the darkness pressing; the future robbed, all longing wasted; the music quenched, the pleasure hollow; the loves in vain, the friendships fading; all losses sealed, the grief unbroken; all hope unknown, all roads unsteady; a failing breath, and death forever— if Jesus had not risen. .
All the hopes of wise men and of shepherds, all the dreams of captives in the night, all the longing of the generations— nailed upon a cross and crucified. All the years of watching and of praying, all the light of prophecies foretold, all the groaning of the earth, awaiting— wasted, poured out on the … Continue reading Song of Easter
Do you feel the shock of sorrow? The Foundation taken, the walls collapsing ‘round you. How deep does the shame go, burrowing far beneath the ground? I built in a bad place. The Rock you thought you found was sand, and now you know. But which of You is true? We often feel forsaken— waiting … Continue reading The Day before the Resurrection
Look up, all tribes of earth— Your King has come to save. Look up, oh ransacked souls, to the God who freely gave. Look up from broken trust to One with steadfast Word. Look up from tyranny to a kind and gracious Lord. Look up from dark despair to everlasting Light. Look up from stains … Continue reading Look and Live
O my soul, you doubt— feeling condemnation here, where there is none. Is God your enemy? No, Your champion! Strive not as if alone where Love is written, plain— He did not spare His Son. .
Lord Jesus, we remember Your loneliest of nights— one friend, a traitor; the others asleep when at last the hour came. We remember how You prayed alone— the sweat dripping like blood, your lips pleading to be spared, Your purpose muddled with emotions. We remember Your bravery— staring into unknown darkness, human instincts crashing down … Continue reading The Loneliest Night
Good people know their place and would never touch me, much less look me in the eye, probably for fear of contamination. They speak mostly of me—not to me— and then, of course, only from a holy distance. I am a sinner. In averting their eyes, they never see me— never see my awkward hands, … Continue reading Friend of Sinners
“What is this I’ve heard about you—stepping down? I’m surprised. You know You have the best position around—unparalleled prestige and all the benefits anyone could ever want. Please tell me you won’t give that up. Think of your potential, your gifts. You are more talented than anyone I know. It wouldn’t be right to let … Continue reading Advice
Jerusalem, rejoice! Shout the praises of your God for He has heard your voice. He has seen your crying in the night. At last, your King has come! We have waited for you, LORD, We have watched for generations, bound by the hands of pagans, crushed beneath the feet of our enemies. And now our … Continue reading Arrival of the King
Why does it hurt so much— this life? Designed for glory, but ignoring the instructions of the Engineer, we feasted on forbidden fruit. ... Built for one thing, used for another— no wonder we are broken. .
