exiles and strangers
seek the new jerusalem
prophets point true north
image & idea from Carpe Diem
finding the way
06 Jul 2018 2 Comments
in haiku, senryu Tags: compass, exiles, Jerusalem, north, prophets, way
an invitation…for crying out loud!
24 Dec 2017 5 Comments
in worship Tags: angels, Christmas, faithful, invitation, prophets, shepherds, virgin
A voice crying in the wilderness, make straight a highway for our God!
What shall I cry?
Come all you faithful:
young and old
rich and poor,
black and white
Come, let us adore him
on this holy night.
Prophets cry:
Woe to sinners
everywhere; our
guilty hearts despair.
But do not fear, for
heaven’s hope draws near!
The virgin cries
with urgent pain,
birthing firstborn
on straw’s bloodstain;
Do not be afraid,
love’s sacrifice is paid!
Host of angels cry:
God’s good will
on earth to men!
Fear not, they say,
Prince of our peace
brings shalom today!
Shepherds cry:
choose good news!
Messiah’s here,
in swaddling bound.
Worship, unafraid,
spread joy around!
God’s star shines fierce
searchlight to pierce
through darkest times
O Holy night
advent of Light,
we celebrate this night divine!
I had the privilege of writing and reading this for our Christmas Eve candlelight worship. May God bless us, every one…Merry Christmas to all!
blessing poems
28 Jun 2017 11 Comments
in free verse, prayer Tags: blessing, God, Irish, poets, prophets
Paul at dVerse suggested “blessing poems”. Here are my thoughts…
At our wedding reception, a couple sang an Irish Blessing, which was later read at our second son & bride’s reception. (We’re not Irish but the sentiments are beautiful):
At the end of a worship service, a pastor usually gives a blessing (benediction) such as:
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26
_______
“Give blessing” and “say grace” are synonyms for prayer. At home, we fold our hands and close our eyes before meals to thank God for his provision. One prayer we taught our (young) children:
Thank you for the world so sweet, thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing, thank you, God, for everything.
_______
Thinking about how we really need His blessing on our lives and on our world:
There’s no blessing without a blesser
left to ourselves, the “good” grows lesser
pretend we can fix it by wearing mask dressier
outside of God’s plan, our messes get messier
There’s just no blessing without a Blesser!
And finally…
May God bless
the poets
and
the prophets,
inspire them with
words worth
smithing
and
insight worth
pithing
may steel
words reveal
deepest darkness
shatter
false piety
and
scatter
hot light into
life’s mysterious
corners
amen.
a poem in my pocket 
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