Christ, the Thorn

Sing praises to the Mighty One and worship Him this morn, enlarge your heart to praise the name of Jesus Christ the thorn. – There obscure and unadorned was baby Jesus born yet Shepherds, angels, wise men bowed in praise to Jesus Christ the thorn – No glorious beauty He possessed the faithful, long fore-sworn. […]

The Shepherds’ Watch

The sky looms dark–and deeply dark as here beneath we sit– blots of shadow wrapped in night and only lighting when we rise and walk to see the flame. – The sheep will go where I will go and follow comically, brushing up against my leg, trusting that I know the way to lead them […]

The God of Elizabeth

While at His greatest work, His mercy stitching ancient words into reality, preparing the way age by age for the sunrise from on high, the salvation of His people, the hope of mankind— the LORD also lifted the life-grief of one barren woman whom He loved.

Treasured

Delved from depths of earth and crusted round in roughened stone. Fair only faintly glimmering where experts glance against the light: the deeply hidden mystery. – Wrenched from home and hacked in stolid unrelenting strokes born lone forlornly; brutish blows that chisel known and comfort—gone now Bare. Exposed. Vulnerable. – Born in hands that hold […]

A Rainy December Evening

Cozy— the world tucked in under blue-grey wool. Shiny— the street light swimming in puddles. Charming— all the little footsteps of the rain wandering east.

Giving Thanks for the Wind

Oh Lord, I thank you for the wild winds that seem to speak the language of my heart— my native tongue before the English words were pinned to almost everything. They speak— the gusts—the bursts of joy—in every rush. They tell the lifeless leaves to dance the streets, and so they do! They speak of […]

Pseudo-strength

You hang on, feet trampled, fingers cramped, gripping life. You wring your insides for every last bit of will. You hold yourself at gunpoint to perfection. You reconstruct your face until it smiles. You castigate the pain with one-verse theology. You lock up grief in reasons that don’t fit. You plaster murder words you don’t […]

Just Rewards

“I don’t deserve this!” yelled I, loud, till raised by my hot ire the wakened form of fairness came and sweetly placed a crown of garbage on my head.

All Saints

They burned–and long ago and somehow here below the fire-sparks of ancient glow still reach us; glories of their greatest throw of faith; the settled trust to know that nothing’s lost if it would show that all they have and all they know is nothing worth, and they would throw it all away to seek […]

He Built His Church

He built His church upon the earth where fires kill and demons rage. He tried His words and proved their worth in humble men of every age. He spread His kingdom everywhere though kings of men forbade Him come. He crushed the serpent and his snares and brought His outcast servants home. He gave Himself […]