Rock-hard hearts: stone rolled away; see God shake us in His way. Unseeing eyes: look and know; cast off doubt at heaven’s show. Fearful feet: stop and see the empty tomb, the mystery. Dust-born flesh: He knows and heals. The heavens ring with Easter peals… And all our stony, ashen flesh is changed now inContinue reading “Easter Sunday”
Tag Archives: healing
Søren (After Rowan Williams’ “Rublev”)
The Messiah came one day, tattered in Adam’s rags, ragged and anxious from the moment of sin, sick nearly to death. I said, My father has betrayed you and I have chased dead beauty. Sit ragged with me by my hearth. I too wear scars: do you know them? These the contours that choice hasContinue reading “Søren (After Rowan Williams’ “Rublev”)”
Lent 22: Wednesday of Third Week
Son of David: the children drop their scraps to the ground; the feast passes by, unnoticed. Son of David: faith bursts out from unexpected ground. Where are those with faith of a child? Son of David, I am needy. Hear the cry of dogs waiting at the children’s side. Son of David: stretch out YourContinue reading “Lent 22: Wednesday of Third Week”
Lent 17: Friday of Second Week
Where is the strong man? He writhes about as though he had power but he himself knows he is bound. What is this power? It stands before the divided heart, compelling with its tenacious purity. Where is the good fruit? Trees fein their own flourishing, yet the truth will cast out the rotten. Who isContinue reading “Lent 17: Friday of Second Week”
Lent 16: Thursday of Second Week
What is this day? The lame walk, the blind see, the demons flee – and silent He does not lift His voice to shout. While one reed flaps, the bruised reed stands tall, unbroken; there’s flame still in the smouldering wick – Yet the one who stretched out the heavens with His palms lifts HisContinue reading “Lent 16: Thursday of Second Week”
Lent 4: Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Elemental, yet controlling element – He who shapes dust also sweeps the seas, surveys their tides, searches land and sea, eyes attuned to every wave, scanning hearts and scouring minds, seeking men like fish. And then His hook goes out: Follow me. Can men defy the voice which once made light to be and knowsContinue reading “Lent 4: Saturday After Ash Wednesday”
Poems for World Mental Health Day 2013
Today is World Mental Health Day, and it’s becoming a tradition at The Consolations of Writing for me to put together a collection of 10 poems (for the 10th of the 10th) which explore mental health issues. I hope that these poems can be of comfort and encouragement. To everyone who struggles with mental illness:Continue reading “Poems for World Mental Health Day 2013”
Broken Discipline
I am beginning a series of studies in my church home group about spiritual discipline, working with Richard Foster’s classic book, Celebration of Discipline. To begin the series, I have written a short reflection on what spiritual discipline has meant to me over the past couple of years since a challenging short-term mission stint inContinue reading “Broken Discipline”
William Cowper – The Waiting Soul
To finish off my month of looking at William Cowper, here is an essay that I have written on his life and work – an attempt to draw together the threads of life that was simultaneously dark and beautiful. I hope you find it a helpful read. William Cowper – The Waiting Soul
Clouds and Crowns No.5
The overture of forests, dead, remade, Whispers pianissimo through leaves. Although the burnt-out wilderness still grieves And ashen dust hangs densely in the shade, The smallest stems of green, a micro-glade, Peek out through fire-black trunks in smoky breeze, The first-fruits of our chlorophyll reprieves, The peaceful eye after the storm is paid. All thisContinue reading “Clouds and Crowns No.5”
The Consolations of Writing 