A spoken word poem for “Good Friday”. May we see what shines in the darkness.
Category: Uncategorized
healing words.
Others have said it already – “Salvation means creation healed.” I pray these words can provide a quiet moment spent listening to the heart of the healer.
“healing words.” (a spoken word poem)
In this left-brained world with anxieties hurled once for every breath
With very little left in the well from which we draw
We find it easy to name, but less permission gained to take a pause
To cease inspecting our flaws, or applying gauze to fresh wounds
To step back and give room,
from being those who consume
To be those who receive
You may not even believe, but for a moment, allow
Unfurrow your brow, and close your eyes, just for now
Open the door to the brain on the right, imagine the light
That illuminates not a fight, but a peace,
As anxieties cease, not that we decrease our thought
But we are no longer caught up in the logic of despair
Finding care that reaches out in our direction
Slowing down for reflection upon such a choice,
we hear a voice
One that has been whispering since we were born…
“I was there when you were formed. Before you were even given name
I assembled your frame within the womb. As a groom pursues his bride,
I’ve opened my arms wide that you might abide here with me.
But you see, this world is not what I had in mind
The free will that blinds humanity, convinced of their own way
Has caused so much delay in the life I have willed
So many dreams, stilled by my gracious approach
Not wanting to encroach or force my own
Not to impose my throne, yet unable to deny
To turn away from me, is to choose to die
For I Am, Love and Life itself, a wealth that runs deeper than gold
No matter what you’ve been sold, you’re set free from all your debts
Here my forgiveness begets New beginning
Whether you’re swimming upstream, or just barely up to surface
Feeling you don’t deserve this, because shame is in season
But there is no reason from me to turn, nothing here to earn
All that is given for free, completely
My child, I desire to bless
I invite you to come and confess, not because I don’t already know
But to show a heart that is open, beyond just hoping
This will be the best choice in a long line of empty reminders
Blinders to the Love I’ve offered all along
Noise that has drowned out my song of delight
Morning, noon, and night,
I’ve always sung over you, that you might hear
Know that you are so dear, I’ve watched you – responding to fear
Unclear about your story. I assure you, you were born for glory.
But not the kind this world entices, by distractions and vices,
The deceiver aims to keep you moving, always disapproving
But never slowing, feeling like you’re owing
A debt you could never afford, its’ payments become your lord
But the cord stretches so thin, it begins to disappear
You forget what keeps you from being right here
Come closer, I Am, Jesus.
You’ve been pulled by strings impossible to see
But hear me – I’ve cut through them all.
You are free, even free to fall.
For anytime you call, I’m there already
Arms steady and strong, reminding you belong
To something much more grand
A glory this world does not understand
But I’ve planned a New beginning
Much more than simply winning
And already being revealed
As all wounds are healed in humanity and creation
As every tongue and every nation are united
All that once divided, burned away
So for today, stay.
Hear my heart for healing.
Join my love in revealing what’s in store
Not just as treatment, but as cure.
From all that brings dis-ease
My Love is that which frees”
A Tiger Tale…
(A story I wrote for our church’s monthly newsletter – edited by the famous Michigan journalism hall-of-famer, Jim McFarlin!)
College is often a time where young people spread their wings and try new things. Sometimes that comes in the form of choosing from a list presented to you. But if you haven’t learned this yet about your pastor, it’s good to know: sometimes he looks beyond the list.
So of course, in my earliest days on campus at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., I looked for ways to enjoy all college life had to offer. Anything seemed possible. I couldn’t help notice that our athletic teams, the Tigers, didn’t have any sort of mascot. That seemed odd to me, so I asked around without much luck.
I went to visit the athletic director, asking for a moment of his time. I remember his response clearly to this day, as it seemed too good to be true:
“Well, we haven’t had a mascot in person since the ’70s,” he said. “I’ve thought about it, but have been waiting for the right person. Maybe you’re it.”
He pulled out a catalogue of “Tiger” options for mascot costumes. He asked me which one I preferred. This was unbelievable –– I’d help resurrect my school mascot, and get to choose the costume as well?
But sure enough, that season I dressed as “Toby the Tiger” for most of the home football and basketball games. Initially they had me attend cheerleading practices until they realized I had zero gymnastics ability or desire. So I had a great time coming up with silly things to do during games, to entertain the crowd and get fans excited for our teams. I posed for pictures with kids and fans of all ages, adding to the experience as much as possible.
For me, the most memorable game that year was our homecoming basketball contest. Dressed as “Toby” I went out to greet our opponents as they warmed up. One player was seated, and as I shook his hand I gently kicked his warm-up uniform away from his chair. I scooped it up swiftly as I walked away and gave it to a friend. Then at halftime I dragged my friend onto the court, dressed in our opponent’s uniform, and pretended to wrestle and beat on him.
The crowd loved it!
Our opponents did not.
I still remember being called into the locker room, after taking “Toby” off, to apologize to the team I’d made fun of. As I walked away, the athletic director whispered, “You probably shouldn’t do that again. But the crowd loved it, so…good job.”
“Toby” was hot in the early football season, so I’d take breaks in a shaded pressbox area to drink ice water. But for the most part I loved every moment of the. Everyone smiled and cheered when I entered the arena. The straps on my tiger head kept it centered, so my face actually had a lot of room to breathe. The only hard part was keeping my “paws” on when I jumped or ran…or when kids would play with my tail.
As my sophomore year approached I’d gotten involved traveling with a couple of different bands. I was invited to Mascot Tryouts, but politely declined. As much fun as it was, I needed a paid gig and enjoyed singing more than stunts. But it was a wonderful way to spend my freshman year, and the mascot became a big thing as years went by. They still have tryouts, and in Olivet’s promo materials and social media you will often see “Toby the Tiger” among the crowd. I helped revive a tradition!
It was also a great reminder to us of what can happen when we look “beyond the list.” Sometimes we can imagine a particular list of how we can reveal the love of Jesus. If we don’t see those opportunities, we wait patiently for one to arrive. But what if we invited the Holy Spirit to stir our imaginations in new ways this week?
Luke 18:27 reminds us, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Salvation itself wasn’t something we could have imagined. How might you join His Love revealed in a way you hadn’t even thought of previously? In what ways might you “resurrect” hope for someone who may not even be looking for it today?
May God use each of us as we cheer on and serve His Beloved, our neighbors…
words from wick 