To the Shepherds

To the shepherds whose hearts bore some small, fragmented reflection of His own, He came— the good Shepherd, small and swaddled, given in a place where they would be welcome.

In beginning

– God before the world was crafted, uncreated holy light, co-eternal with the Father, God in essence, radiant might. – Nothing sundering from His glory, pure, distinct, and glorious He, with the Father and the Spirit perfect, holy trinity. – All the earth lies sprawled before Him all that is by Him conferred naught existing […]

A Sunday Prayer

Today You burst the bonds of earth and flew to heights of risen joy, taking captive, captive host giving gifts and life long lost – My feet, set squarely on the earth, are disinclined to leap with joy. Your captive mercy feels coerced I (oh so faintly!) feel my dearth. – The truth I know, […]

Prayer for Gilboa

The dew lies glassy on the grass like tears. The early mourning sun has touched the sky. And far above, that promontory high, Gilboa, rises from the misty years. The shrike of arms, the shattering of spears— seem memories the wind bears in its sigh, The place for kings and warriors to die groans wearying […]

Blueprint for Mercy

He kneels before me both arms wide begging for clemency again— like he didn’t know the pay plan. – eyes trained on me, as if I’m tied to some special code of kindness, overriding sense with blindness, – as if some mercy should divide him from his failures, change his ways, forgive his debts for […]

A Prayer for Sleep

Tonight O God, may He Who made the stars to shine through darkness down on man, allow the silent, vast of night to take me deep (like death) into the realm of silent providence. May secret blessings: spiritual and by my body craved rest, sustain, refresh my soul. And grant again that with Your morning, […]

A Prayer after Reading Psalm 23

Good Shepherd of my doubting heart, remind me of Your grace in guiding me in righteousness unto this grassy place. There is no lightning in Your heart to turn and strike me dead, but streams of Living waters to refresh my soul instead. Your glory is the care You take for errant, helpless sheep. And […]

The Conqueror

Hatred cast its eyes on Him— scheming minds of threatened men, armed with lies and aimed to kill. (Anything for glory!) They led Him like a thief to trial, bound Him like a lamb for slaughter. He bowed His head and bent His knee but not to them. The devil, man, and death together mocked […]

Your Light Arises

Far away the wings of morning lingered long in darkened hall. Wreathed in murky gloom the promise just beyond our reach and call. Then a shaft of God-borne sunlight, Morning star where night had fled broke the bounds of death and darkness Christ has risen from the dead! – CHORUS: See our death and darkness […]

Why?

Why did He die hanging there against the sky? The evil witness stood and lied, Peter swore, and trice denied. Why did Jesus die? – Why was He torn for crimes He never once had worn? The crush and pierce of razor thorns He bore amid the sins and scorns. Why was Jesus torn? – […]