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Book of the Month: Schola Caritatis: Learning the Rhythms of God's Amazing Love

  Starting a new feature for the next several months called Book of the Month.  I will present one of my books and tell you a little of the ...

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

kissing jesus

“You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet.” (Luke 7:47) 

This verse stopped me in my tracks this morning.  Years ago a very wise man told me that one of the best ways to practice loving your family was to give everyone a kiss whenever you leave and get home from work.  “It will help keep your hearts tender and connected to each other,” he said.  And although I haven’t been perfect, it was something I tried to incorporate into our lives as a family.  There was a lot of kissing in our house.

But today I was reminded that I also need to do the same with Jesus.  Giving and receiving kisses with him daily, does something really beautiful deep in our hearts and souls.

Lord Jesus, never let it be said that I failed to give you a kiss, today and every day.

Monday, June 28, 2021

grace

while he was still
a long way off
his father saw him
heart filled with love
and ran to him.

he wrapped his
arms around him
and kissed him
much

why are we so
uncomfortable with
the notion of
receiving kisses that
have not been earned?

Sunday, June 27, 2021

his kiss

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine.  Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.  No wonder maidens love you!  Take me away with you—let us hurry!  Let the king bring me into his chambers.”  (Song of Songs 1:2-4)

Forgive me, O Lord, when I settle for a life of duty, chore, and obligation, rather than experiencing the passion and the desire and the affection that you have for me.  Help me to never settle for less than your kiss, your caress, your Divine embrace.  Help me to never just give you “a peck on the cheek for want of making love.”  Sometimes it’s just easier, but it’s not what I really want.  I want more.  I want you!  Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth—for your love is more delightful than anything.  Amen.

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

uncovering

     psalm 32:3-5

living falsely comes
at such a high cost

ever since the garden
we have invested
so much time and energy
trying to stay covered up

hiding our shame behind
whatever fig leaves
we find at our disposal
and it is exhausting

for hiding requires a lot
secrets choke and stifle
leaving us drained
and sapped and dry

only when we
come out of hiding
acknowledge the truth
and uncover what
really lies within us
can there be any real hope
of living authentically
of life and breath
returning to our souls

may God give us
the courage and
the strength and
the grace to do so

Sunday, June 13, 2021

humble YOURSELF

“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)  It is one thing to be humbled by life’s situations and circumstances, but it is quite another to pursue a lifestyle of actively humbling yourself.  That takes a significant amount of courage and fortitude.  It is one thing to feel small and forgotten and invisible, but it is another thing altogether to choose to make yourself those things.  Yet that is what Jesus calls us to do. 

In the kingdom of God last is first, low is high, and the least is the greatest.  In the kingdom of God less is more, small is big, and poor is rich.  In the kingdom of God the one who is honored is the one who serves, you save your life by losing it, and you become full by emptying yourself.  All of which involves a conscious decision to move in the opposite direction of the culture around us.  But when we do, it produces some of the very best fruit possible, both within and among us.

Humbling yourself is definitely not for the faint of heart, but for those who truly want to follow Jesus, wherever it may lead.  Knowing that when they do, they become more and more like him.  Which is what this life is about in the first place, right?

Lord Jesus, if we ever hope to become like you, we must consistently choose to humble ourselves.  Give us the grace and the strength and the courage to do so.  Amen.

 

Saturday, June 12, 2021

trust and rest

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I said of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whim I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

Are you able to rest?  Why or why not?  How is that ability, or inability, connected to your trust (or lack thereof) in God’s love and care?

The connection between rest and trust cannot be overstated.  In fact, without trust there can never be any real rest.  Rest requires security and safety of soul.  It requires peace of mind and heart.  It is an inner reality that allows us to not be dominated and ruled by our circumstances and surroundings.  It requires and unyielding belief in God’s infinite goodness and care.  Which comes about as a result of constantly dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. 

O Lord, help me to trust in you.  For until I do, my soul will never be able to find rest.  Amen.

Friday, June 11, 2021

humus

Forgive me, O Lord,
when I think I know.

When I hold 
more answers
than I do questions.

For when I even begin 
to think I have arrived,
it’s a sure sign of how far 
I really have to go.

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

yoke

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)


     yoke

stop trying so hard
to be everything
and do everything
that is a yoke
you were never
meant to bear

instead
come unto me
take my yoke upon you
i made it just for you
and it fits you perfectly
it is who you really are

you won’t have
to try so hard to be
someone you are not
thus you will find
rest for your soul

 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG)

Sunday, June 6, 2021

find rest

psalm 62:5-8

our ability or inability to rest
ultimately comes down to trust
which all depends on what we
really believe to be true about God

if we and unable or unwilling to rest
we don’t have a scheduling problem
we have a belief problem

Saturday, June 5, 2021

Friday, June 4, 2021

shrinking

you were never meant
to be the hero in this story
so stop trying to be
that role has already been taken

stop taking up all the room
don’t make yourself so big
that you keep getting in the way
of what i’m trying to do

don’t think so highly of yourself
that you think it can’t be done
whatever it may be
without you

i can take care of things
just fine without you
you are not the essential one
i am

but then again
maybe that is
your greatest fear

maybe you can’t stop
you can’t become still and quiet
because of your immense need
to be the man

it's time to start shrinking

Thursday, June 3, 2021

make me a non-anxious presence

Well, I did it again (See this post).  I became so concerned about what I was going to say, and how I was going to look, that I missed what was unfolding in front of me.  Someone was right in the middle of their story, and I was already thinking about the perfect response, rather than simply listening and being present to them.  And, unfortunately, this is not an isolated occasion.  I do this all the time.  I get so consumed with need, rather than with love, that it keeps me from being able to really listen, both to the person and the Spirit.  Lord, have mercy!

O Lord, free me from the prison of self, and make me a non-anxious presence in the world.  A presence that is not driven by need, but by love.