When I pray, blindfold me— shut the windows, cover my ears, and numb me— because awareness of burdens still unchanged unnerves me— I don’t have the heart to pray if prayer means nothing. But You are invisible. And, more often than not, Your works are invisible too. So black out my perceptions that I may … Continue reading Blindfold Me
Most people come in prose— masterpieces that the world could not do without. But when You wrote me, you wrote poetry— imaginative, concise, and rhyming You. And when I look around, I see glory where others see cliche— bits of poetry sprouting in the grass, jumping trees with squirrels, resting moon-like in the clouds. I … Continue reading My Poet
I spread the map before the King— the best route circled on the page— a line that joined points A and B. But He said, “Put the map away.” Aghast, I wondered—didn’t He know? Travel by heart is dangerous art for hearts will often tell you lies. “Yes, my child, and so will eyes.” Then … Continue reading No Map Needed
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
Words— strong words— calling worlds out of nothing. • Words— hopeful words— breathing light into darkness. • Words— skillful words— carving skies out of the water. • Words— artistic words— sketching land and all her foliage. • Words— adorning words— racing space-ward, hanging lanterns. • Words— accomplished words— birds in flight, and fish that swim. … Continue reading The Poetry of Beginning
Gratefully His 