Posted in 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”

Posted in Spoken Word

A Pause (selah)

https://youtu.be/dJ-y0CXVWHo

Turning off the screen, we pause,
For we’ve seen far too much obscene for one life to handle
One more event where God’s beloved scramble

Away from danger, crying out and wondering if they’re heard
All while conversations remain in the realm of the absurd
So oft’ distracted by the rights of the many as if they negate the plight
Of those underfoot, under feet planted firmly
Proclaiming solid ground – because it’s easier than hearing the sound

Of lament
Of our discontent
Of lives spent wondering if there’s room for them at the table
Wondering if they’ll ever be able to face another day
Wondering what they might say to children looking for answers
Because for some cancers there are no cures, only treatment
And mistreatment is all they’ve so far known
A world that’s shown them more shadow than anyone deserves
Throwing curves every time they step up to the plate
Or simply telling them to wait

Wait until it’s your turn
Wait to get what you have earned
Wait until the resources you needed have been burned
to fuel the fires – meeting the desires of those who were heard first
But there is hope for those who thirst

And the heavens burst with the glory of One who has revealed
An existence healed of all that once has bound
A resounding call for Freedom and reconciliation
But to hear, we may need to change the station

Because we’ve been arguing with straw men for far too long
Assuming the strong voices and the ones who offer the choices
spoke with authority, assuming those with seniority
have always done it right, siding with those who win the fight.

But there is a redemption arriving, a New Life thriving
That embraces every color
Protects every student seeking to discover
Embraces every adjective we might uncover
And covers all with “BE LOVED”.
Whether you’ve been shoved, or your arms are extended
The old ways of living have ended, as God has befriended humanity
When we couldn’t be doing worse
Breaking the curse

Offering Life Anew
Not just to wait here in the Pew, forgiven to get out there and do
To proclaim that me and you, we’re New Creation
Salvation in Jesus is not just something that happens in our hearts
It happens between them as well. Not just heaven and hell
But living Word for worlds in pain. For those moments you can’t explain
Where suffering pours like rain on soggy ground
We declare that peace can still abound.

This is not by a cheap grace found in false pretending
Not by sending hallmark sentiments while remaining on our own
Jesus. left. His. throne.
We don’t respond alone, but united in His mission
No more wishing things would change
No more living estranged, but joining Jesus as He goes
Nurturing as He sows for harvests already begun
Laying down guns for gloves and spade
Seeking to bring light where there is shade

In a world of those fighting to win,
While some are waiting for it to be rid of sin
We hear Jesus inviting us to begin

Listen to the hurt, see the unseen,
Suffer with those in pain
Love others beyond learning name
And in all of this – proclaim…
Jesus.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Matthew 27:57–66

When someone dies before their time
Not a single person is ready
We allow anyone to offer help
For their hands can be more steady

A disciple from the fringes?
A rich man just converted?
Joseph of Arimathea came
When he had been alerted.

He helped to wrap the body
As all creation watched and mourned
The heaviest of weight in grief
In their stomachs continued to form

Yet even as their tears were moist
Rome was staying in the loop
The Pharisees has warned them
Of deception possible by His group

The worst thing that could happen
Would be to let them pretend He rose
And so the tomb was well guarded
By His enemies and foes.

The heavy stone was rolled in place
And guards stood just nearby
The women slowly walked away
As all the cosmos sighed.

I wonder if creation could
Feel something New was brewing?
Or if even the birds and fish
Had no idea what the creator was doing…