Saturday, December 26, 2015

It Is Still Christmas



It is still Christmas
The Twelve Days
From Birth of Christ
'Til Dawn of Light
Keep candles burning
Hearts aflame
With ardent love
Eternal light
To pierce the night
Star followed, staid
Unwavering, follow
Believe the sight
of Earth redeemed
Again, He comes
Again, he comes

Thursday, November 5, 2015

My Name Is Martha



My name is Martha.
My sister is Mary.
We both love the Lord.
She sits at His feet;
The do-nothing
Won't help me
As guests arrive.
A table needs spreading!
"Lord!"  I call.
"Lord!"  He answers,
"Mary knows
What's best."
I'm convicted.
I'm convinced.
I'm saved.

Luke 10:38-42

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Many Years More

   

So ready for bed
Not ready for sleep
I find myself praying
That You, my soul keeps
As facing decisions
Keeps me uncertain
As how to bring hope
And raise looming curtain
On what would be final.
Yet, prayers, encored, plea
For many years more,
For many years, please?
Oh, that I could adore
For many years more!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

I Am



I Am the same
Today, tomorrow,
I Am the joy
In the midst of sorrow.
I Am the way,
The truth, the life;
Comfort in
Your pain and strife.
Not forgotten,
Not mistaken,
You, my child,
Are not forsaken.
Soul awaken
To my plea
That by my side
You'll always be.


Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Lullabye



I cradle you
In the crook of one arm
Behold your face
Eyes peacefully closed.  Hands
Reaching for stars
And tears imagined, fought,
Fall, comfort
Given in the here, now.
In peace, you sleep.
God, your soul safe, will keep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
Sleep, baby, sleep.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Twelve Weeks



Twelve weeks
Not possible
Nor probable
Twelve weeks
Year's quarter
Time measured
Death's date
Grieving
Nine months
Rejoicing
Coming soon
Rejoicing
One departs
One arrives
Born to live
Born to die
Soul alive
Soul alive

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

A Prayer for Today



Loose cannon
Gunning for victory
Leaves in wake
Abominable history
For seekers
Of His truth.
Loose, Lord,
Your Word, divine.
Make it theirs
Make it mine.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Memorial Day



It is Memorial Day
And I have dutifully purchased
Set of flags for my father's
Gravestone.  A memorial
My mother has yet to see
In person, for it hurts.

A blow from a bully.  A bullet
Taken for a friend.
The march.  The endless march.
And they fall.  Endless.
The faithful, brave.  It hurts.

She dares not believe he's gone,
Cannot stand before the witness
Of a world crumbling about her.
A world once all about her.

The march has ended.
The flag stands.
And she, my mother, cannot go there,
But stays at home
Baking Amish squares.
Dessert of comfort
For those in need;
Her own heart discomforted.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

I Gaze Upon the Promise



I gaze upon the promise.
Do hearts, true, perceive?
Unsure if valiant words,
Their brave joust reveals
To unsuspecting souls
The measure of His time
Defying passing moments.
Alone, but never lonely,
My words spin and weave
Winsome web alluring.
I gaze upon the promise.
Does my heart, true, perceive?

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Humble



Foolish I look and foolish I stand
As my words, earnest, fumble.
The right thing?  Lord, I pray
Your honest Word keeps me humble;
Sets me true on arrow's way,
To mend the aching hearts that stray
Upon a path I once thought clear.
Not sure, I am, pointing the way
For those, in heart, I hold so dear.
Yet, they are here, calling, calling,
But with You, I don't fear falling.
Reassured that You are near,
I will continue, even here,
And trust, though my heart breaks.
Your love will grant me all it takes
To play the fool and make the fumble;
All it takes to make me humble.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Footprint



Walking with the two in cool of evening
Eve and Adam naked, hearts at one
With yours.  Father, Friend, Creator, who
Declared Creation 'good' when it was done.
Walk among us, heaven's feet on earth.
Bring your kingdom though we fall and fail.
Leave within our hearts the only footprint
Worthy.  May, through us, Your love prevail.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Love Divine



Upon whose coattails have I ridden
And who has ridden on mine;
Because by grace we dream same dreams
Inspired by love divine?

Monday, April 27, 2015

I Thirst



The well has run dry
The earth is parched
And I thirst.  I thirst
For meaning
Take away
Take away
You take away
I forget how to pray
And I don't know
If I want to remember how
Because the pain
Gone from one
Resides now in the other
Pain I cannot shoulder
Burden crushing
Loss immeasurable
I weep
You wept
I grieve
You grieved
The well has run dry
The earth is parched
I thirst, Lord, I thirst

Saturday, April 18, 2015

I Will Choose the Light



Night, when thoughts pervade
The soul; nightmares, dreams,
Woven tapestry
Hangs on threadbare hooks.
As each image greets
New day in darkness.
I will choose the light.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

My Father



Since Dad passed
I call Mom daily
Her constant worries
Fears foisted
Upon my heart
Accepted when I was young
Making me afraid
Today I fear not
Not now
Not any more
No longer
Than a moment 
When I know
In both light and shadow
God is with me
With her
I try to convey the truth
 God is my Father
My Dad and my father
Her husband and eternal love
Is embraced and welcomed by Him
Believe, Mom.
Believe . . . 

Sunday, February 15, 2015

To Snow or Not Snow



To snow or not to snow
Forecast in the balance
Computer models blamed
As why we're left to chance
Of winter's blindside
Yet seasoned, we prepare
For Snowmageddon new
Defenses armed with care
That we survive demise
Of southland by surprise

Friday, February 6, 2015

Reflections When Beginning a New Chapter




The words manifest
On page pristine
Inspired, gathered,
A meaning gleaned.
Burning bush reveals
The spoken Word,
The Word eternal
Speaking here.  Word
Without beginning,
End.  Searing souls.
God's great love and grace
The seas will part.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Prayer



When tired defines me,
I choose to pray.
When sadness surrounds me,
I choose to pray.
In hardship, hurting, cruel,
I choose to pray.
Beloved child of God,
Choose, please, to pray.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Resting



Resting here
Resting there,
God, in rest
You find me.
Where and when,
I embrace
Saving grace.
Overwhelmed;
Tidal wave,
Tsunami.
Faith renewed.
Faith revealed.
God, in rest, 
You find me.
I'm not lost;
Embracing rest,
I am blessed.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

It is Time



It is time, past time
To set Christmas by;
Season breathes its last,
And a New Year's nigh.
Why not let bold lights
Bright, resilient,
Carry on?  Glow?
Rejoice in brilliance?
Peace and light, sweet kiss
Of God's love, our bliss.
It is time.  Past time . . .

Friday, January 2, 2015

The Rocks



The rocks
The stones
Rugged
Ragged
Challenge
The will
The heart
The mind
The soul
Life flows
Despite
Hindrance
The will
Of heart
Of mind
And soul
Rugged
Ragged
Persists