there is a Spirit blowing
open your sails to word alive
logos became flesh
is still becoming anew
healing and revealing
Holy
yet
there are waters stirring
unblown by Spirit
yet churning as whirlpool
drawing all in closer
taking all things down
a power thirsty to be seen
there are “prophets” profiting
unfit for chartering
in these uncharted waters
they are not fishing
they are shills for
a hungry sea
how to know
if our boat moves
at the beckoning winds
of Spirit
or the inviting undertow
of waters below?
how is it with your sail?
no required title proclaiming flotation or activation.
no (en)gendered guarantee upon the waves.
no well-crafted defense invulnerable
which barely breaks the surface.
look up
from the waters
toward a fruit-filled boat
for the wind (Whom) fills sails
nurtures a particular harvest
in abundance
and there are many
men (and women)
overboard
Ireland: Day 12
We woke to be reminded
We had not become divine
No matter how thin the Irish veil
We are branches, not the Vine
One more look at verdant shores
To breathe slow salty air
A morning tinged by packing up
And carefully prepare
Patience, joy, and peace abound
Where Spirit’s seed is growing
He is the living presence of
A faith beyond the knowing
Such fruit helps us greatly
When cramped in tight airplane
Or when even by family
Our ire may be enflamed
With hugs and blessing spoken
We said our last goodbyes
Then boarded fair Aer Lingus
As we leapt into the skies
We each have had experiences
Not expressed here in word
To think all could be captured
Would be a bit absurd
The Land of Saints and Scholars
Or in Latin, “Hibernia”
Has much to offer travelers
Yet is not a panacea
We’re thankful whether Ireland
Kentucky, or at home
The full presence of Love divine
And flourishing shalom
Is not something we only find
By traveling great lengths
But comes as we receive Him
And for that, we close with thanks.
Ireland: Day 11
We woke this morn before the dawn
To watch the sun emerge
God saw us gathering to observe
And decided to splurge
He used His total palette then
To draw our eyes in awe
Our photos cannot full contain
The beauty which we saw
A slow morning to all relax
Then Howth for fish and chips
Entertained there by harbor seal
Waving and doing back flips
Meandering the afternoon
We all felt strange sensation
Savoring each precious moment
Toward end of our vacation
The pulsing love of family
Beyond visiting friends
Thankful that beyond this trip
This warmth will never end
For just as Eire is nurtured
By her steady sun and rains
A fruitful family, rooted deep
In Jesus’ love, remains
We saunaed on the ocean
With a cold plunge there beside
Joined with many others near
Who’d come to greet the tide
Reluctantly to bed we went
Knowing our limitation
For tomorrow we would return
To our time zone and nation
words from wick 