The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. ~Proverbs 18:10 There is a Place where men can go To find refuge for their souls, Where we can shed the need to defend The cloth on which we have laid our lives, The land from which we […]
Read more "Safe"When God made His green earth He carved out supply Long before any need Was ever felt. The habitat of Eden was fashioned Long before its inhabitants were Formed from its dust, The sun burned brightly Long before there were any Humans to celebrate its rising Or marvel at its setting. Long before we learned […]
Read more "Supply came long before demand"The only problem with “Living our best lives” Is that we don’t live them Every day. We speak a lot about Positioning ourselves With our best foot forward As though that foot Is the only one we have, As though some days Aren’t dark Some nights- Too long, Some choices made- Unfortunate. None of us […]
Read more "Stinky Foot"Are few and far between.The older we getThe muddier the idea poolBecomes.In the begininng its easy,A dirty diaper?Change it.A hungry infant?Feed it.A skinned kneeBandage it.But what do you for things likeRacismHistorical debtAnd untractable human drama?You pray for strength and guidance,Do your bestAnd then hope like hellThat it’s enoughTo keep it allFrom burning down.
Read more "Clean Solutions"Sometimes what we’re wrestlingIn our struggles with other peopleIs the story we have told ourselvesAbout who they areAnd what their intentions have beenAll along.We run a few preliminary testsTo confirm what we already believeAnd then arrive at an unchallangeableDiagnosisOf who they are.We knew it – we were right.And so we sit thereVictoriously showing off ourFaulty […]
Read more "Faulty Diagnostics"Is a pretty bleak approach toSwimming.Avoiding lossIs a constrcited view of competing.Protecting oneself from heartbreakIs a poor recipe for a fulfilling relationshipAnd yet after we’ve been diasppointed enoughA crooked gaitMay be all we’ve got.Perhaps not todayAnd maybe not anytime soon,But one dayYou’ll remember why youGot in the pool in the first placeWhy you raised your […]
Read more "Resisting Drowing"Each of us carriesWithin our own membersThe machinery necessaryFor our personal catastrophe;Unrealistic demandsOn the people will love,Self destructive tendenciesStemming from a sense of inadequacyOverweening prideThat sucks everything we loveInto a self-serving vortex.Half the battle of being happyIt seems, is weeding outThe sapplings that have sproutedFrom our own seedsOf discontent.
Read more "Seeds of destruction"What is it exactlyThat you want to change?What exactly is missing?Sometimes we imagineWhat we would doIf we ever got the powerIf we ever got the opportunityIf we ever got a go at the wheel-How things would be betterHow we’d finally be happy.Changing the worldMay not look likeWhat we expected,And maybe being in chargeWon’t be all […]
Read more "On Changing the World"‘One stop shops’‘Being all things to all men’‘Something for everyone’While these slogansAre a nod towards inclusionAnd serving as many people as peopleThey are not effective mandatesFor service delivery,Nor are they reasonableMission statementsFor any organization.None of us are likelyTo build anythingThat will please the whole worldAnd neither should we try to.Better ratherTo find your peopleThe ones […]
Read more "Pleasing the world"What happensWhen a professionEvolves entirely in the private sector?When its all for oneBut not one for all?When each oneCares only for their ownStorefrontWith little much to spareFor the thoroughfaresAnd public squares?A nation of shopkeepersWith limited roomFor those without the coin,And a stronger sense of competitionWith fellow shopkeepersThan any sense of community with them.A hundred thousand […]
Read more "A nation of shopkeepers"To buyNor a show to attendNor a business to invest in-It is a body to belong to.Those that sit in her pewsAre not audience membersSeeking entertainment,They are members of a symphony,Participants in a dance a dance of graceWhere sinners get their day ofReckoning with mercy,Where the imperfectMeet PerfectionWhere crooked motivesAre made whole,Where the work ofSelf-deternination […]
Read more "The church is not a product"