The hardening

After Hebrews 3: 1-19 

The deceit, the lies,

the untruthfulness

harden as they

happen. They grow

within us, causing

us to turn our heads,

look away, avoid

all mirrors, fell

our hearts harden

and die. We are

expert at deceiving

ourselves; we are

professionals skilled

at hardening our hearts.

But remember that original

confidence, that assurance.

It softens; it lasts.

Hold on to it.

 

Photograph by Jan Canty via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Sunday Readings

 

“Frost at Midnight” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge – Sally Thomas at Poems Ancient and Modern.

 

God Never Needs Updating – Sylvia Schroeder at When the House is Quiet.

 

Saint Patrick: A Sonnet – Malcolm Guite.

The mountains stand

After Psalm 125 

The mountains stand

in their splendor and awe,

the mountains that

cannot be moved, forever.

The mountains surround

the city, a protective all

for the people within.

Evil does not rest upon

the people within;

evil cannot rest upon

the people enclosed,

now and evermore.

 

Like the mountains,

So, too, the Lord.

 

Photograph by Luke Richardson via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

Amazing Grace in Deep Despair: The Rare Friendship of Newton and Cowper – Bruce Hindmarsh at Desiring God.

 

The Parenting Book Too Few Parents Read – Tim Challies. 

 

Customer Service – poem by Paul Witenberger.

 

Paradise Island – poem by Paul Freeman at Society of Classical Poets.

Choosing a rock

After Colossians 1:15-20

An island, a rock:

water lapping against it

threatens like a storm

cloud in the distance.

We argue the question:

do we embrace the waves,

or do we climb and cling

to the rock. Is this island,

this rock, strong enough

to bear our weight and

resist the storm, or do we

cast off and float among

the growing waves and 

swells. We choose

the rock, holding

all things together.

Photograph by Ashim D’Silva via Unsplash. Used with permission.

We can't lose, baby!

After John 17:13

The game is rigged,

the players already winners,

the dice loaded, the numbers fixed,

the outcome determined.

The house has fixed the game, and

we can’t lose, baby!

The stakes – huge – are covered.

The house rolls and makes the spin.

The outcome, the result, known,

the cards are marked and played.

The players win and keep on winning.

We can’t lose, baby!

We bring the chips to the bank

and the banker smiles, pulling

in the chips and handing back

the dollars, the coins, the gold,

paying twice what was brought.

All we have to do is stand there

and accept it.

We can’t lose, baby!

Photograph by Kay via Unsplash. Used with permission.