An unusual sense of foreboding hovered over the gloomy low-ceilinged parking garage. I drove cautiously to the second level before finding an empty spot, and was relieved it faced the outside light. An older grey sedan pulled in on my left moments later, and out popped an equally older, short, wiry man whose wrinkled, weatheredContinue reading “For That Veteran”
Tag Archives: God
Our Tombs
The door slammed shut blocking any trace of light entering the pitch black room. He might as well have been dead and buried; the crushing experience was the same. Isolated, abandoned, rejected, ridiculed, he could only cower in a tight ball thankful he could still breathe. He had been beaten and bloodied…again. The boy wasContinue reading “Our Tombs”
Caterpillar Cousins
A crawling squirming wormDestined one day to fly Dreamed through mighty effortsWould by itself lift high Stuck still soundly grounded Wrestling besetting things Revealed in layers deeper‘Twas yet a wormy being In self it could do nothing All energy to plod ‘Til resting in Christ’s presence New birth a gift from God Oh to beContinue reading “Caterpillar Cousins”
The Strength of His Hand
She wasn’t completely sure who they were, this darling couple and others who came to visit time and again. They called her Momma or Auntie or Nona… who were these people? Her once short coifed hair had grown long and limp, the slow loss of curl and shine reflective of the persistent fading of herContinue reading “The Strength of His Hand”
The Man on the Curb
Traffic slowed. The right hand lane emptied at flashing lights ahead. At the stoplight an enormous white pickup sat at a slight angle blocking the right hand turn; a man sat on the curb nearby; three police cars parked parallel to the sidewalk faced him and the truck. No other vehicles evidencing an accident wereContinue reading “The Man on the Curb”
Broken for You
“Broken in my heart…then offered to the Father…” These were the words that highlighted her mind as she slowly awakened. Correlations came as she pondered why Christ’s body was broken for mankind. The ultimate offering of self for the uplifting, the nourishing, the restoration of life for others. What exactly did those words mean personallyContinue reading “Broken for You”
At the New Year
Hush…Stop the noise and listenSilence the numbing soundsGod calls for our attention Let holiness come down Hear Abba’s Words eternal Infusing to our soulsThe Spirit’s holy whisperings Brings life to make us whole Wait upon His strengtheningDeeper to greater need Be still and know that He is God Oh hear Yeshua speak Teach us LORDContinue reading “At the New Year”
Thanksgiving Thoughts 2022
Transplanted seedlings we were once Or perhaps some started here In this valley verdant greenWith rivers, mountains, trees and streamsDeserts near for those who would Leave this vale where they did start Planting new shoots far awayIn climes calling to their hearts Yet our roots are intertwined No matter how far they have grown NotContinue reading “Thanksgiving Thoughts 2022”
Light in the Darkness
People slumbered seeking their pleasureWhiteness covered the moon All that was known could cease without measure Darkness persistent, creeping, determinedThreatened to overtake soon E’en in that nighttime light even greater Beamed n’er extinguishedConstraining the darkBrings hope to masses awake from their slumberShines on a weary world stark Come to the Light here in the darknessContinue reading “Light in the Darkness”
Braving the Door
“Why am I afear’d to go out the door?” Embarrassment crept around me unbidden, like a specter’s shroud. Had this feeling slithered in under the door or risen up from some long ago wound? Frankly, it felt weird…afraid to go out my door to the front yard? Was I losing my marbles? What was happening?Continue reading “Braving the Door”
Come Alive!
Ever bid a wounded animal come to you? When rescued with gentleness an invitation is given to receive loving care. Imagine the response if harshly approached: retreat, avoidance, a defensive snarl or bite, or perhaps in weakness no response at all. What then of people who snarl and snap out of their conditioning or woundedness,Continue reading “Come Alive!”
Voices
What voices am I listening toDefining life, how I should beNot only in the world around But also what I think of me Do they tell the truthHave you ever heard inside A voice insisting you are small Diminished in some unique wayNot good enough, somehow wrong Just because you’re youWhen I found in ChristContinue reading “Voices”
The Introduction
“Come on, Rocky! Come on!” she cried. “Hurry up!” “No! No!!” he said shaking his head. “But…p l e a s e…this is important!” “I won’t do it,” he said, reluctantly. Grabbing his arms the young girl literally dragged her second grade classmate, his body and feet flailing, his red hair and freckles nearly glowingContinue reading “The Introduction”
Of Dogs and Humans
Recently watching Cesar Millan, infamous “dog whisperer,” brought to mind the simplicity of resolving those fearful, gnarled things within ourselves. Receiving chaotic emotional cues from their owners, fearful, anxious canines remain confused, even aggressive, and uncontrolled until their pack leaders, their masters, overcome their own fears and anxieties in order to lead their dogs intoContinue reading “Of Dogs and Humans”
Two Sides of One Coin
It hit me like a head-sized bubble one morning. That thing about opposites attracting, people somehow magnetically binding together so strongly one can hardly pull them apart…unless they get backwards. Then their magnetic forces push them apart, not unlike those magnets we played with as kids. A friend recently posted a Facebook comment about positiveContinue reading “Two Sides of One Coin”
Cloud of Witnesses
How interesting to be living in modern times. So much effort to replicate God’s great design. If only man’s efforts were all for godly purposes, and not so often for selfish gain. Infused with creativity in the image of the Creator, replicating and fashioning is a part of what we do. It is built intoContinue reading “Cloud of Witnesses”
What’s the Verdict?
“Boy, my dad is going to lay down the law when I get home. I’m not looking forward to that!” Thirteen year old Jeremy collapsed into the chair, mortified. Not his first time stealing from the Five and Dime, today he was caught red-handed by the store owner. Sitting with the old gentleman in hisContinue reading “What’s the Verdict?”
Walking With Hope
We two walked there arm in arm Speaking in low voiceShe allowed me to hold on Surprised me with that choice I saw her there in my dreams Our daughter now estrangedMy firstborn a treasured giftWhom I long to see again Long suffering my heart does yearnFor closeness we once shared Before events of lifeContinue reading “Walking With Hope”
Victim or Victory
When reading posts on Facebook (mine included), I find at times a thread of victimhood that raises its hoary head. It knocks on my door of awareness, and breaks my heart for those ensnared, captured in ways perhaps they do not yet recognize. That has certainly been my life’s experience. As the windows of myContinue reading “Victim or Victory”
On the Brink of Eternity
Someone said she was dying. Decades before her grandson-in-law had quipped, “We are all dying a little bit each day, from the day we were born.” Well, that was understandable… yes, we grow, and as each day brings us closer to our earthly end, one could say we are all on the dying continuum. SeemsContinue reading “On the Brink of Eternity”
Beyond Vulnerability
She could barely describe the situation, so overwhelming it felt. Yet she knew she could not rely on her feelings… they were capricious, diaphanous, wispy like foggy droplets wafting on the breeze. They were without substance… just feelings. And yet they flew at her like ice pellets in a raging storm. She felt her headContinue reading “Beyond Vulnerability”
Dew Upon The Arbor 