Christ,
wounded,
bloodied.
The face of Love,
marred.
Sweat and dust
mixing with the blood,
that He is spilling
from His heart.
The heart of God.
Where is the glory?
Why tears?
Where is the gold crown?
Why is this fear?
Why do I see Him crashing down?
Where is the triumph?
Where is the throne?
Who can save Him?
Why is He alone?
My love isn't enough.
My heart is quaking.
The problem is, you’ve got to change the way you live entirely, he said.
I don’t understand, she said.
It’s not just about the visible anymore. Every moment is sacred, important. Even the secret things that nobody sees.
What do you mean?
I mean you’re no longer alone. You’re never actually by yourself. Everywhere you are, you bring God with you. You bring your eternal brothers and sisters. They may not even know it, but every action you take affects them. You can’t be an island anymore. You have to stop and think about everything.
That sounds so hard.
Long day. Had a 2-hour drive to Pittsburgh to deliver flowers for a wedding. On the way there, we were front-ended in the MacDonald's drive-thru by a sports utility vehicle. Got to the wedding just in time to pin the boutineers on the groomsmen before they went down the aisle. Then I managed a little brother with a serious case of car-fever all the way home.
Peace on Earth
Hakizimana took a deep breath and tugged on the bell rope. The swinging great bronze bell nearly pulled him off the ground. Bong…bong…He released the rope, letting the tolling bell slow to a gentle whisper. As he stared at the floor, he drifted back into memories. Screams and the clash of machetes echoed in Hakizimana’s mind.
“Peace?” he buried his head in his hands. “No, Lord, I do not have peace. How can I when the floor is stained with the blood of my brothers in you?”
Where there is hatred, let me sow love – St. Francis of Assisi.
Perfect love casteth out fear – St. Paul.
Fear and hate rule the world today. The evidence us everywhere: mistrust, violence, bloodshed and murder.
I have come so that you can have life, and have it more abundantly – Jesus
For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son – John
God’s intention was that we would listen to His son and what He had to tell us.
Above all, love one another, even as I have loved you – Jesus.
when my fears
have worn me out
and worn me thin
can I crawl up on Your lap
and fall asleep there
until I can breathe again?
when my dreams
have left me cold
and all alone
can I run into Your arms
and learn to bear it
until I can dream again?
and when my love
breaks my heart
and takes me apart
can I come in close to You
and touch Your wounds
until my pain makes me one with You
and brings me back to life again?
Can you wait just a minute,
and forget right this second,
think back to the past,
and lay down our weapons?
Forget what we've heard
from different sources,
and break down our walls
and knock down the fortress
Put aside the battles
we've lost and won,
work together,
all for one
Forget what's just happened,
start over again,
now is a time
when we can be friends.
Can you wait just a minute,
and let it all slip away?
Can you wait just a minute,
and see the new day?
Flowing tears, healing tears, strip away fears
for reaching hands, that love the man
beneath the scars, like shattered stars
holds tight to hope, with heartbreak notes
the sorrow held, because they fell
but long for more, knees on the floor.
Father hold them, come and show them
mercy meets them, where "forgive me" stands.
Down from Heaven, breaching chasm
between who I could be, and who I am
Offering of grace, for them for me
more than we could imagine
more than we could dream
and I pray you grant us
One speck on a solitary hill, standing
Outlined against the green, watching
Flowered plains stretching, empty
While birds swoop, flashing
A sudden blot of red, soaking
Into trampled mud, churning
Hooves grinding fragile petals
Swaying peacefully in the breeze, catching
Wisps of hair on a solitary hill, above
Distant eyes, staring, dimly down
Into rocky glades, stones sharp as swords
Cutting, shattering against metal, hanging
Suspended among screams, mud churned with red
While all the earth lies restful
And the lands lay under cover of sleep
Awake the watchfulness of peace sounds
Awake the awareness of God surrounds
Awake the love of His heart resounds
When the wetness of morn’s dew gathers on thin grass blades
On your heart a hand bades you rest, on mother Mary’s breast
When the moon rises and the stars gather sparkling in the sky
The angels surround your weary face, and sing softly songs of grace