walking the earth…

We all have some learning to do.

gentle words

gentle words are a tree of life*
is there gentleness
in your heart today
kindness in your soul
meekness in the tones
of your voice

what impact do we have on others
do we justify the very attitude in us
that we condemn in others
do we demonstrate the very hate
we call out in others
gentle words are a tree of life

are we willing to love
before we declare how right we are
do we see our blindness
as we call out for justice and judgement
all the while marginalizing
diminishing
tearing down
feeling so good
all because we possess unquestionable wisdom
gentle words are a tree of life

and pride will be our ruin
each of us deceived
holding out our torch of truth for others
beckoning the world to listen and follow
content with the darkness inside our hearts
gentle words are a tree of life

LORD
have
mercy

* Proverbs 15:4

winter moments

Just a couple of winter scenes near home.

Thanks for stopping by.

moment by moment

if i could save time in a bottle
time keeps on slipping into the future
does anyone really know what time it is
time is on my side
gone too soon
yesterday

this moment is all we have
and now it is gone
replaced by this moment
a parade of time
we stand at the curb
as moments march
into hours
days
years
your lifetime and mine

this moment is all we have
and who we are in this moment
penetrates all time
all the time waiting to pass
and all the remembering words
in the hearts of those who know us

who we are
in this moment
our love
our hate
our sin
our joy
our celebration
our worship

who we are
in each moment
shapes who we are yet to become
even as we become our future self
practice makes perfect

let our perfection be in love
let us be masters of grace
doctors of healing words
experts in forgiveness
professionals in kindness

the moment 2021 begins
we begin to practice
and His word tells us:
“God has made everything beautiful for its own time.
He has planted eternity in the human heart” *
we are meant to journey
with our Creator
and rest in Him
in the grace and love
of His Son

God bless you
as you become
as you step into
His story of you
make it a happy new year
moment
by
moment

  • Ecclesiastes 3:11

the lonely bean

The pandemic has left what usually is the most crowded spot in Chicago, empty and a bit sad. There was a small crowd gathered with appropriate social distancing so that The Bean can remain COVID free. So far, it’s working.

what i saw on the riverwalk

We have lived in the Chicago area for 16 years now and these images are from my first visit to the Riverwalk in Chicago. You can read about the history of this beautiful part of Chicago here.

last ride in 2020

I’m catching up with a bunch of images that I have taken over the last month. December 19 was a beautiful day, so I took the Yamaha out and enjoyed a ride.

light

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

“I have come into the world as light…”

“…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

merry christmas

Merry Christmas! We are celebrating the coming of Grace, Truth and Light into the world and into our hearts. On a personal note, we are also celebrating the no cancer report for my dear wife. She had surgery Nov. 24, and while the recovery process has been difficult, we are so grateful. I will be updating the blog with images from that journey over the next few days. God bless you and yours!

Our Father

you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know
you see I never left her side
I was with her when I imagined her
I saw her before there was time
and before the mountains stood
and the oceans sang
before the great forests
were just little children
she was my child
you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know

what you see as trial
I see as triumph
what you see as pain
I see as refining
what you see as darkness
is just light to Me
what you see as defeat
is just another step
upon the light of eternity
a small thread
in the tapestry
an immeasurable stroke of the brush
on this canvas of beauty
for she is a masterpiece
radiant in my love
held in My arms
you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know
I saw her tears
I saw yours too
fear and trust
doubt and peace
such a crazy dance
it is the unseen real
that you must see
it is the end of the rope
that you must release

you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know
I have come
to know your pain
I have suffered
beyond all suffering
give yourself to me
I am acquainted
with your deepest grief
and I know how alone
you feel
how helpless
out of control
alone
just give yourself to me
you sound better today
better than yesterday
i’m your father… i know

that’s what your
earthly papa said
when he called you

you see I gave him to you
he knows

and please hear Me
I’m your Father
I know