A state-of-being verb identifies who or what something is was or will be. It links the subject with information about it so as to prevent any illusions or misconceptions, as in the statements that remind me repeatedly I am weak I am ugly I am useless I am afraid I am worthless I am not … Continue reading Grammar Lesson: State of Being
This time we found mostly broken things. The beach was beautiful, maybe the most beautiful I have ever seen it. Pristine blue water, white beaches, cloudless sky. But as we walked the endless sand each day, on the hunt for shells, we found only broken pieces. At first I found myself full of melancholy that … Continue reading A reminder
Martha. Friend of Jesus. Of all the ways to be defined, this one is the best. Beloved by the Messiah. But you are used to defining yourself by what you do. Martha, the helper. The servant. The one people count on. You love passionately and loyally. You give yourself completely. Poured out to the uttermost. … Continue reading When Jesus Doesn’t Come
God, To those this day who have no peace, be their peace. We want to see you bursting through clouds, coming down in rage and fire to end evil, to rout the rebellious proud, to bring to justice the liars, to put down those who would seize and savage your people. We, the outraged, want … Continue reading Peace (Five Minute Friday)
As the dawn breaks after starless wander, after black thrashing, after huddling cold spent blank, a lessening. A thread of thinnest gold. As the fire rages unconsuming holy in the brush, night rising guardian over nation beloved, falling furious to lick up Baal’s pride— meat, water, stones, and very dust— blazing into faith’s furnace where … Continue reading How the light comes
Advent, Day 6 Once God came to Job, that saint of suffering, and asked, “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?” (Job 38:19-20) We do not know the … Continue reading Listening in the dark
Advent, Day 1 The very first thing he gave us was light. The first words he spoke, his first recorded thoughts towards us, were poured into a black void. “Let there be light.” A quick read of the creation account shows he did not invent the sun, moon, and stars until the fourth day. So … Continue reading In the beginning
Lord, When I look at my brother with anger in my heart, when I mentally tear down my sister with comparison, when I rush past the lonely, "sorry, don't have time," let the words of my children glide past unheeded, when I judge the choices of my neighbor but never listen to her story, when … Continue reading Redeemed
Above our noise, our wailing, our fists clenched, our castle ruins, demands, commands, lies, revenge, ceaseless war, You hear each choking cry, receive our ragged requests laden with ignorance, collect our tears, look upon the wrecked world and do not turn away. We pray for You to lean down, strike, … Continue reading Above
Some of my best moments in the last week: I received a text thanking me for something I did, telling me what it meant, and encouraging me to continue serving. Talking on the phone with a colleague about a stressful situation, I found my frustration and weariness building until she abruptly asked if she could … Continue reading How to build hope
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