Archive for the ‘poetry’ Category

in the valley…


04 Jul

my life circumstances, as of late, do not produce what we typically think of as stability.  especially of the mental, emotional, and financial kind.

however, i am learning, day by day, that it does produce another form of security… of the spiritual, faith-building type.

stories like joseph, and job, etc., are always great examples to look at and learn from, but i also find that psalms (of the Bible) and songs (written by people much more gifted and/or spiritually mature than myself) are also great encouragements to me.

“in the valley” is no exception.

when You lead me to the valley of vision,
i can see You in the heights.
and though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision,
it’s here Your glory shines so bright.
so let me learn that the cross precedes the crown,
to be low is to be high,
that the valley’s where You make me more like Christ.

let me find Your grace in the valley.
let me find Your life in my death.
let me find Your joy in my sorrow,
Your wealth in my need.
that You’re near with every breath–
in the valley.

in the daytime there are stars in the heavens,
but they only shine at night;
and the deeper that i go into darkness,
the more i see their radiant light.
so let me learn that my losses are my gain,
to be broken is to heal,
that the valley’s where Your power is revealed.

let me find Your grace in the valley.
let me find Your life in my death.
let me find Your joy in my sorrow,
Your wealth in my need.
that You’re near with every breath–
in the valley.

glimpse of grief: 1


29 Jun

e m p t y s p a c e .

he arranged the pillows in the place where she used to rest.

he found his arm around… but the feathers
and all the down collapsed at his embrace.

he turned the other way. this was only
the thirteenth day without her face by his.

oh, escape from grief is brief and only comes
as he finally succumbs to silent slumber.

poor, dreaming man, his eyes still wet with weeping.

oh the deep, deep…


21 Jun

although i’ve heard this song several times, it has been a while since i’ve thought about it.  it was played for the offertory tonight at my church, and it was such a blessing…

it’s so easy for the feeling of love–by friends, by family, by fellow/former workers, etc– to wax and wane and grow and fade as circumstances, time, and convenience changes relationships.

it is so comforting to know that our Father’s love is constant, ever-present, and all-sustaining…

oh, the deep, deep…

oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
how He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
how He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
how for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
and it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

“likewise…


31 Aug

the Spirit helps us in our weakness. for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words… ”

_______________

my wordless prayer

my words lie still and life-less as dust upon the sand.

i can no longer voice one request or one demand.

my cup of tears is empty, i can no longer cry,

my lips have fallen silent, my prayer is but a sigh.

Spirit come and rest Your ear upon my heart,

o come and hear my wordless prayer, my silent plea and take them far away from me.

take them from this heart of mine to the Father’s heart divine,

speak in tones unknown to man that God may hear and understand.

my voice is weak from calling to You both night and day.

how long will You be silent?

Why do You turn away?

Spirit, come and rest Your ear upon my heart;

o come and hear my wordless prayer,

my silent plea and take them far away from me.

take them from this heart of mine to the Father’s heart divine.

speak in tones unknown to man that God may hear and understand.

Spirit, come and rest Your ear upon my heart;

o come and hear my wordless prayer,

my silent plea and take them far away from me.

take them from this heart of mine to the Father’s heart divine.

speak in tones unknown to man that God may hear and understand.

_______________
words by pamela martin, set to music by craig courtney
listen here:

addendum to poetic places


02 Dec

“joys that sting” by c.s. lewis

“oh do not die,” says donne, “for i shall hate
all women so.” how false this sentence rings.
women? but in a life made desolate
it is the joys once shared that have the stings.

to take the old walks alone, or not at all,
to order one pint where i ordered two,
to think of, and then not make, the small
time-honoured joke (senseless to all but you);

to laugh (oh, one’ll laugh), to talk upon
themes that we talked upon when you were there,
to make some poor pretence of going on,
be kind to one’s old friends, and seem to care,

while no one (o God) through the years will say
the simplest, common word in just your way.

seeminglyrandom

because that's just the way life is . . .