(Detail from “Moses” by Rembrandt van Rijn) What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments? You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below – you shallContinue reading “Catechism 8”
Tag Archives: grace
Schoolyard Grace (After Les Murray’s “Equanimity”)
It is with slight trepidation that I tackle Les Murray’s masterful poem “Equanimity”. For one thing, it is my girlfriend’s favourite Murray poem, so I would hate to destroy it for her. It is also a very complex poem, with a challenging style to imitate. But the central idea – the beauties of common graceContinue reading “Schoolyard Grace (After Les Murray’s “Equanimity”)”
First Things Last (After “Incorrigible Grace”)
For my next response to Les Murray’s poetry, I’ve chosen a deceptively simple four-line poem as my starting point. I suspect Murray’s poem speaks for itself. I hope that mine does too. First Things Last (After “Incorrigible Grace”) Saint Vincent de Paul, old friend, my sometime tailor, I daresay by now you are feeding theContinue reading “First Things Last (After “Incorrigible Grace”)”
What He Meant (After Peter Steele’s “Crux”)
The third poem written in response to Peter Steele comes from his very moving work, “Crux”, possibly one of his best poems. You can read the original poem here. Like Steele’s poem, mine is written from the perspective of one of Jesus’ followers immediately after His death, and ponders how Jesus’ words may have seemedContinue reading “What He Meant (After Peter Steele’s “Crux”)”
Autumn Soul
Poor leaves – gold before the sun is gone, heat-confused, your brothers green, fallen now before your time, the street lined thick with your mistake – leaves, lie still and wait. Last week summer ruled the street; spring creeps in, winter retreats. We mourned the heat, we dreamt the dreams that drove the leaves downContinue reading “Autumn Soul”
Exultavit cor meum (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
Did she walk away singing, joy in heart? The knowledge sang within her, of the Rock From whom all water flowed, and this exchange In fortunes – rich brought low and poor made high. Yet richest gifts demand the largest part; Though free, as she went home, from those who’d mock, Such height, such grace,Continue reading “Exultavit cor meum (1 Samuel 2:1-10)”
Thanksgiving
This year I wrote a poem for my birthday called “Thanksgiving“, based around Psalm 116. In response to a request from one of my readers, I ended up setting the poem to music and recently recorded it with my friend Dave doing vocals. On this second last day of the year it seems a fittingContinue reading “Thanksgiving”
Faith
Your tenacious grip holds as it teaches loves as it reaches & renders all new. Your covenant grace deep into history manifold mystery never lets go.
My Cup Overflows
Too good, my God, the way You hold my sliding self in You, too good the way you lavish love, too good the way You chide. Too soft, my God, Your voice, Your touch, and yet You thunder truth; too faint, sometimes, the hand that guides and yet Your all abounds in always-hoping, patient kindness,Continue reading “My Cup Overflows”
Timid Heart
Timid heart, Scared of dirt, Frightened soul, Fleeing all, Fledgling man, Adam-stained, Broken saint, Breathing faint, Ageing child, Lost and wild, Fractured mind, Wounded, blind, Death-marked Cain, Madman, sane, Searching eyes, Veiled skies, God-child dead, The curse unsaid, Ransomed One, The curse undone. Timid heart, Scared of dirt, Grace-scarred hand, Eternal plan.
The Consolations of Writing 