The signal

After Isaiah 11:1-11 

The day of the reign

of the root, the branch,

is a signal for the peoples,

all the peoples, and

the nations come to ask,

to worship. 

 

The hand of the root,

the branch, extends

to the scattered

remnants, all

the remnants,

his chosen,

gathered together

from the east

and the west,

the north and

the south, a signal

of the reign,

a signal

to come home.

 

Photograph by Hugo Jehanne via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

“Morning Person,” poem by Vassar Miller – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” hymn by Henry Francis Lyte and John Goss – Anthony Esolen at Word & Song.

 

Why I’m a Calvinist – Kyle Borg at Gentle Reformation.

The wolf and the lamb

After Isaiah 11:1-11 

In the reign,

triumphant,

of the branch,

the shoot,

the wolf lives

with the lamb;

the calf and

the lion lie

down together;

a little child

shall lead.

The cow grazes

with the bear,

the lion eats

straw like an ox.

The child plays

by the snake.

And the reason

is the earth is

filled with

the knowledge 

of the Lord,

like the waters

cover the sea. 

 

Photograph by Gregoire Bertaud via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

Fellow Father, You Are Not a Failure – Aaron Armstrong at Story Warren.

 

The Council of Nicaea and Christian Character – J.V. Fesko at The Gospel Coalition / Themelios 51:2

 

How to Gather Well: 5 Ways to Prepare for Corporate Worship – Rob Brockman at The Gospel Coalition.

The reign of the branch

After Isaiah 11:1-11 

The branch bursts

into view, soon

establishing itself,

establishing a reign,

a reign marked by

righteous judgment,

blessing the meek

of the earth, striking

the earth with words,

destroying the wicked

with his breath. He

uses a belt, a belt

of righteousness;

her wears a belt

of faithfulness.

Meekness is blessed,

belief is blessed,

faith a blessed,

wickedness is

destroyed.

 

Photograph by Nick via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

“Faith Is a Radical Master,” poem by Walt McDonald – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

A Blessing for the School Books – Kelly Keller at Story Warren.

 

“There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood,” hymn by William Cowper – Anthony Esolen at Word & Song.

 

Words Like Rain – poem by Seth Lewis.

The spirit

After Isaiah 11:1-11 

This root, 

this branch,

bursts into 

the air, long 

promised, mostly 

forgotten, little 

believed. This root, 

this branch, is 

infused with spirit,

the spirit of the Lord,

replete with wisdom,

with understanding,

with counsel and

might, with knowledge

and fear of the Lord.

 

Photograph by Suganth via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

When Little League Games Become Big League Idols – Cody Watson at Sovereignty in Motion.

 

Training Pastos to Care for Souls – Tim Challies.

 

‘In God Is Our Trust’ – poem by Roy Peterson at Society of Classical Poets.

 

Read the Bible Slowly – Murray Campbell at Murray’s Substack.

 

You Are Not Enough (And That is Not Failure) – Hannah Hagarty at Gospel-Centered Discipleship. 

 

Final Words – Melissa Edgington at Your Mom Has a Blog.

A shoot, a branch

After Isaiah 11:1-11 

From the stump

of the axed tree

comes forth a shoot,

tender and green,

emerging against

all odds, forcing

its way, tender

and green, into

the air.

 

From the roots

of the axed tree

comes forth

a branch, fragile

but growing,

soon bearing

fruit, unexpected

fruit, bursting

from the branch,

nourishing and

beautiful, into

the air.

 

Photograph by Akira via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

“Ultrasound: Your Picture,” poem by George David Clark – D.S. Martin at Kingdom Poets.

 

How to Change Your Perspective on Time – Seth Lewis.

 

Access All Areas: Exhilarating Proximity in the Christian Bubble – Stephen McAlpine/