Give – at the bending of the knee, at the turning-down of the sheets, at the folding of the hands in sleep – give, receive and rest. Give the day: its unresolved agonies, its fragments, its drafts and all the things we’d best forget. Give, and let it sleep. Receive: theContinue reading “Nocturne”
Category Archives: Devotional
Nonnet for Vespers
At the going-down and the slowing, Taper me, Lord, but lose me not To the fading of the light. Within silence let me, O God, entrust all My daytime sight To render You, Lord, more Bright. Sergei Rachmaninoff, “Vespers: Now let thy servant depart”
Catechism 19
Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favour? Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer. (New City Catechism) Yet Eve’s offspringContinue reading “Catechism 19”
From Ashes Part 7: Weariness
Living Vapour Drag your heels – the ground sinks beneath your thudding feet and dunes defy your constancy. Watch the sun – it rises and sets, then runs to the place from whence it has set while your heavy feet echo. And is there a thing of which it is said, HereContinue reading “From Ashes Part 7: Weariness”
Philosophy is poetry if true
For truth is found in perfect, measured rhyme: The dance between the mystery and clue, The hint of infinite contained in time. Philosophy is true if it is said In words of simple honesty which ring With cosmic shimmers, and the truth is dead If language must obscure idea from thing. Plato’s only truth wasContinue reading “Philosophy is poetry if true”
The Jolt, the Life
Having been looked at by God, I had to and have to look at God. (Søren Kierkegaard, Journal) You – how can I call you by familiar names? Only Thou seems fitting; yet You invade Space, time, as though next to me, as though plain. Yet You are not plain: You assault, You raidContinue reading “The Jolt, the Life”
Psalm 131: Humility and Submission
Yesterday I posted a poem based on the beautiful Psalm 131. It is one of the shortest psalms in the Bible, yet one which I have found particularly comforting at times of emotional and psychological distress. Today I am posting a recording I have made of a new musical setting of Isaac Watts’ hymn basedContinue reading “Psalm 131: Humility and Submission”
From Ashes Part 6: Soul, Be Still (Psalm 131)
Soul, be still, quiet, mind: the Lord of all hems in, behind. Take courage, heart, unravel, thoughts: the first, the last is your resort. No need to run, unburden feet: the good begun He will complete. O anxious child, your father keeps your mind, though wild; He bids you sleep. ComeContinue reading “From Ashes Part 6: Soul, Be Still (Psalm 131)”
Love to the End
My king, the heavens were your throne, your seat. The task beneath us, we shuffled in our pride; All things beneath you, you God washed our feet. Undignified, so lowly, indiscrete! What, Rabbi, wash our feet? we all decried. My king, the heavens were your throne, your seat… With thrones to claim and enemies toContinue reading “Love to the End”
Catechism 18
Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished? No, every sin is against the sovereignty, holiness, and goodness of God, and against his righteous law, and God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them in his just judgment both in this life, and in the life to come. (New CityContinue reading “Catechism 18”
The Consolations of Writing 