Seven years ago Ellie was ill one day when her parents both had to go into work. My daughter asked if she could some sleep on our sofa. We said certainly. She inspired this prayer poem.
As I sit here watching you sleep,
my heart melts
you are so sick
not even wanting anything to drink
so ill you cannot stay awake
Eyelids that dark shade
that declares you are unwell
your lovely long eyelashes
are enchanting
just like your mother’s were
I just want to make you well
though I know I cannot
you sleep on
under your olive-green throw
and I pray over you
That Christ will heal you,
that there be no long lasting effects
of whatever ails you.
Rest, my dear Ellie,
and be made whole.
Wikipedia says “Burn the ships” means the ‘point of no return (PNR or PONR) is the point beyond which one must continue on one’s current course of action because turning back is dangerous, physically impossible or difficult.’ October of 2018 For King and Country released a song called Burn the Ships. You can listen to it here:
Jesus spoke about leaving things behind, forsaking people and things in Luke 14:25-27.
Many people were traveling with Jesus. He said to them, “If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life! Whoever will not carry the cross that is given to them when they follow me cannot be my follower.”
It doesn't matter.
We must go on.
If they won't come with us,
we must go on.
Pressing together
into the Kingdom.
We must go on.
Our Master Calls.
We can try to tell them,
but we must go on.
Can't let earth hold us back
we must go on.
The Father soon will speak,
Jesus will come.
It doesn't matter
we must go on.
If we feel hurt and loss
we must remember:
the Father works
for their salvation
every hour of every day.
We must obey - we must go on.
Burn the ships, forsaking all others, follow Christ. It still applies today!
May He who is the Way Keep you in the Way As you seek to find your way Through this journey. May He who is the Way Guide you in His ways Each and every day As His pilgrim. This is His holy Way To walk in all His ways Which are higher than our ways Understatement. May He who is the Way Become your only way As you conform to His ways Abundant joy.
My yard is littered
With daffodils
Fallen trees
Peeling bark
Trout lilies
Your yard is littered
With broken toys
Overturned table
Sideways chairs
Abandoned tether-ball pole
Detritus of children
Unsupervised by
Inattentive adults
Oh Malchus,slave of the High Priest
When your ear was cut off and began gushing blood
Were you startled? In anguished pain?
When the Lord Christ restored it
Did you then refuse to go with those who
Came to arrest Him?
Did you ever believe He was the Christ?
He healed you and what was your response?
Jesus, besides being saddened that
The slave’s ear was cut off
Did You heal him to keep
Your disciple out of trouble
Knowing that harming the slave of the High Priest
Would bring that disciple harm?
Or did You heal him on the principle
That hurt and wounded things
Are Your specialty?
Did he believe when You restored him
I want to know the end of that story
Many times I have lashed out at others
Not with sharpened sword but
Words or actions as sharp as swords
And You delivered me
You made it right
Offered healing to those I have hurt
Keep me from myself
Help me to give You glory
To my last day and dying breath
I pray
We can experience physical pain, emotional pain and mental pain. When the three arrive simultaneously our tipping point can occur.
When that happens it is time to withdraw from one thing or another to preserve our ability to cope.
Are you nearing the edge of your tolerance?
Can you see where and how to preserve your coping self? What might bring you solace and relief, what might raise your shield of defense? Lord, You are our shield and Mighty Deliverer. Lead and guide us in Your ways.
The other morning
woods bathed golden with
sunlight shining through autumn leaves
making butterscotch in LED format from on high,
amazed.
The depth of the woods has been
secreted all summer in leaves and shadows.
I awoke next morn to gray sky
shaking pillowcases full of snowflakes
upon fallen leaves and naked trunks.
No surface was chilled enough to hold
the flakes for more than a few moments
murmurs of winter to come.
Today the woods are bare
the sunlight shows brown trunks and black
punctuated by an occasional leaf
all this
within one autumn week.
I search for You, Lord, but my heart really is deceitful.
I am amazed that this morning my flesh is sleepy, again!
My spirit is eager to go, but in order to mesmerize my brain into sleep
I recoil from interaction with You to mere deadly mental assent.
Flesh, I speak to you in Jesus’ name.
Line up with God’s word. I shall not want for sleep.
He keeps me in His love.
Brain, I speak to you in Jesus’ name.
Wake to the words of life that will nurture you.
Father, I thank and praise You for Your love and discipline.
Even for the alarm clock across the room.
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
There is an old nursery rhyme that with one hand on your hip and the other one extended, you recite, “I’m a little teapot, short and stout; here is my handle, here is my spout. When I get all steamed up then I shout, Tip me over and pour me out.”
Then there is the “adult” version with both hands on your hips, you say, “I’m a little teapot, short and stout; here is my handle, here is my…Oh damn, I’m a sugar bowl!” Bob Dutina’s absolute favorite, recited at least twice a month!!
No tea set is complete without a cup. Ray Bradbury had this sentiment.
We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
1.
Lily pads at the pond
Grow on stalky stems
Leaves unfold an opened palm
Cupped at center point
Summer shower starts to drop
Mercurial glistening spheres
Gathering in the center spot
‘til bulbous weight smears silver drops
Into glistening globs
And tips the leaves so full
To pour their contents overboard
And rising from the spill
Stately shielded lily-hands
Begin the cycle once more
Keep my stem flexible, Lord
My hands open and cupped
Eager to receive Your all
Questioning not Your skill
Only trusting the power of Your love
To melt my rigid will
Drench me Lord
In Your shower of love
Let me gather and drink my fill
Then spill over on those around
And rise to await Your will
Send water of Your Spirit
To tip me over, pour me out
Then wash over me once again
Fresh cleansing by Holy Words
2.
Shine Your light through
This enshrouding mist
Color me with covenant this:
Abiding presence and constant love,
Indwelling grace that conquers sin
Transfigured rigid I
Yielded and bent
In Your service
Spilling forth rivers of living water
And giving rest to croaky voiced frogs
Who, when Spirit-kissed,
Become priests and kings
Singing their praises to You.
Perhaps You ask me just to be Your lily leaf,
Stand and tip
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 