Dust I am, precious Lord. Though well-adorned in rags of self, underneath I am dry bone. Daily I wander in search of glory: fine silks to wrap my pride; jewels to garnish ears that do not hear; softest leather to shoe rock-still feet. What can clothe a heart of stone? What perfume can disguise rottingContinue reading “Lent: Humility 4”
Category Archives: Devotional
Lent: Humility 3
The serpent bites deep; venom lurks where least expected. The heart has chasms, labyrinths, unknown even to itself. What way out have we but to weep? Deceitful beyond all things, the heart’s lie is more twisted than you ever thought. Good intentions pave Destruction’s road; who will rid me of this body of death? FollowContinue reading “Lent: Humility 3”
Lent: Humility 2
Bow at His feet. You did not come here by yourself: your knees are weak and buckle under pride, and joints stiffen when left to self. The road is narrow. You must bend and bow to walk its curves; it will not bend itself for you and, puffed with knowledge, you will only make itContinue reading “Lent: Humility 2”
Lent: Humility 1
In praises, bow. The dust heap is not your final home, yet He is king and though a king He also bowed and, humble, became dust. So wait in dust, and bow. And sing! Such humble, unaffected fun befits the heirs of one who danced the stars alight – again! again! – in child’s constantContinue reading “Lent: Humility 1”
Lent: New Song 6
Newness declares itself in broken hearts: old ruts are vast and carry dust yet penitence cleans fathoms deep and always makes anew. What yesterday made shame your song today is fading into silence. Listen: polyphonic hope arises, gentle, soft, yet sure. The old has passed, yet still can yell; The new has come,Continue reading “Lent: New Song 6”
Lent: New Song 5
What have you seen of the past? What stories do history’s pages tell? A mute dirge perhaps, or a final bugle, retreat sounding when battle’s about to be won? You look only in false places; the witness of the past tells only half-truth. It was not there when firmaments were sealed or covenants carved intoContinue reading “Lent: New Song 5”
Lent: New Song 4
New, this song that you must sing, yet carved in ancient harmonies, set to ancient notes and weighed in ancient modes on ancient scales, from everlasting days. Tune your strings to ancient staves and sing the truths of yesterday; rehearse the promises of old in present songs of future hope, in freshest melody. The oldContinue reading “Lent: New Song 4”
Lent: New Song 3
Sing to the Lord a new song – The old song is tired; it has no breath. Love and faithfulness have kissed; sing their song and live. Make way a path for righteousness – a level path where knees won’t strain. Sing body parts into new joy; watch new steps form for feet.Continue reading “Lent: New Song 3”
Lent: Emmaus 3
Too fast you walk down the mountainside; momentum gathers, yet of a false and fleeting kind. A fig tree full of leaves, but fruit sorely lacking, you see the glory but faint at the sight of blood. Slow down. It is a long road and your companion lingers; His death puts brakes on our downwardContinue reading “Lent: Emmaus 3”
Burnt-out Prayer: For Ash Wednesday
King: I cannot come to You however I choose yet all I am is a bundle hurriedly put together, no sack cloth, no ashes, hair still mussed from slumber, limbs dragging, soul flat, feet not yet expecting to walk… Can I come to You as a stowaway, scarcely awake, found among cargo, hiding like JonahContinue reading “Burnt-out Prayer: For Ash Wednesday”
The Consolations of Writing 