The first thing I must ownis that there is no placein a new heaven or a new earthfor the ancient dirtthat clogs my soul,no place for the fetid furythat clings to my speech,nor for the old-as-Cainhatred of brotherthat kills me the momentthat it kills you.
Tag Archives: sin
Catechism 45
Is baptism with water the washing away of sin itself? No, only the blood of Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit can cleanse us from sin. (New City Catechism) God, no water is enough. Stains worsen when washed deeper in; this is the deepest, from Adam to now. Only blood can washContinue reading “Catechism 45”
Lent: Man of Sorrows 4
Lay me down – slow me down and lay me down upon the Cross, in Jesus’ hands. Slow my heart and silence all the numb self-serving of my pleas; stifle pride, unlock the clench of fists deep in this fickle dust. Lay me down, my soul; lay down my soul in Jesus’ hands. Their scars haveContinue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 4”
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”
Catechism 41
What is the Lord’s Prayer? Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver usContinue reading “Catechism 41”
Christmas Monday
Well: perhaps, you went to church the day before, Heard Jesus hailed as promise kept, as wise Old Simeon and Anna wept and saw The saving one, a babe before their eyes. Perhaps you picked some turkey from your teeth And thought of all the washing to be done, The relatives all gone, so nowContinue reading “Christmas Monday”
Catechism 37
Catechism 37 How does the Holy Spirit help us? The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (New City Catechism) Dove: my best attempts are straw. My righteousness is dust,Continue reading “Catechism 37”
Catechism 33
Should those who have faith in Christ seek their salvation through their own works, or anywhere else? No, they should not, as everything necessary to salvation is found in Christ. To seek salvation through good works is a denial that Christ is the only Redeemer and Savior. (New City Catechism) Continue reading “Catechism 33”
Catechism 29
How can we be saved? Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross; so even though we are guilty of having disobeyed God and are still inclined to all evil, nevertheless, God, without any merit of our own but only by pure grace, imputes to us the perfectContinue reading “Catechism 29”
Catechism 26
What else does Christ’s death redeem? Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good. (New City Catechism) Yet the cost went deeper than souls into soil and weathered the tree-trunks and witheredContinue reading “Catechism 26”
The Consolations of Writing 