Tag: black and white

glimpses of guatemala 2

Here is Part 2 of some images from my recent trip to Guatemala. Many of these were taken at Mixco Viejo: a fortress city Mayan Ruin. Thanks for stopping by!

glimpses of guatemala 1

Greetings! The blog has been quiet because for the third year in a row I have left the US for beautiful Guatemala. Each year our church partners with a church in San Lucas Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. We build homes for the poor in El Zapote, do basic medical and first aid training and other ministries. As you can see, we also enjoyed Lake Atitlan. Part 2 soon. Thanks for stopping by.

wind farm

Just a trio of wind farm images. Forgot about some images from a motorcycle ride last weekend. What’s on your SD card? Thanks for stopping by.

endless sky and sea

i’ll try
and tell you why
this endless
sea and sky
brings to me
a sense of grace
it’s a calming space
memories of family
my little legs
running away from the waves
or dancing above the hot sand
shivering in the Atlantic cold
maybe i’ll be bold
and just jump right in
and swim
on the crest of this swell
crashing down now
in a swirl of briny sand
tossed and thrown
upon the shore
i always got up
and ran in for more
i remember dad
first taking my hand
then lifting me in his arms
as he marched into the sea
delighted and frightened
it’s all right
i’ll hold on tight
the waves don’t seem
to bother him at all
and if i stood still
at the edge
of the arriving
and departing ocean
i thought it was neat
that the sand would
steal my feet
could it just
swallow all of me
into the salted sea
it tasted so good to me
the roar and crashing waves
were like a melody
and at the end of the day
the world felt okay
it was so good to be
with family
by the endless sky
and sea

all is well

a slow meandering
upon the ancient sands
the sea reminding me
how small i truly am
and that’s totally okay
much more
behind me
than before me
a few less steps remain
the waves will sing
long after my last breath
sometimes
i just want to stop
and join the clouds and sea
just melt into
the horizonless dance
and stay
listen
and pray
it can all feel
so weary
still
i journey on
back to go forward
reaching into the ocean of stories
looking for that perfect shell
listening for all is well
remembering the glory
still to come
yesterdays
just fly away
even memories
are fading
is anyone staying
we are alone
ever together with our life
and with others
we are alone

across our times

every now and then
a little boy
walks into the room
he was already here
he has never left
i just acknowledge
his presence

he sits
and listens
i share
memories
questions
doubts
fears
longings
words of comfort
and remorse
i sit
and listen
as he shares
stories
wishes
sorrows
giggles
secrets
tears
attempts to speak
all that was real

our meeting
is as a key to a lock
slowly arranging tumblers
a click or two closer
to opening a box
filled with light
opening a chamber of forgiveness
opening a door
that has been tightly shut
for too long
diminishing the shadows
and obscurity
of what it means
to be
sometimes
we just gaze
into each other
and see our soul
our converging wanderings
and there is calm
peace
between us
inside us
not because
all the mysteries
were explained
more because
across our times
we met
found solace
and remembered
who we are
who we are not
what to grasp
and what to set free

a prayer

we used to gather
to remain in the vine
neighbor
sister
brother
mother
father
singing our songs
Kyrie eleison
standing room only
we were searching for
Holy, Holy, Holy
in a time of upheaval
we found comfort
in the cathedral
of our hearts
in the neighborhood sanctuary
candles
prayers
stained glass windows
used to tell our stories
guiding us toward glory
dazzling testimonies
told in fragile colors
we were lost
but we found each other
and we found
our heavenly Father
Kyrie eleison
now just silent songs
unsung melodies
broken monochrome glass
and look
the vines enter in
perhaps searching for souls
maybe a prayer or two
God make all this old
to be new
and begin
in me
please, Lord
tell a story
of your glory
through all
that is shattered in me
as i sing the ancient song
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison

tension

the tension between
my past and my present

the tension between
making earthbound choices
and setting my heart on things above

the tension between
reputation protection
and other-centered living

the tension between
my anger and grace

the tension between
forgiveness and revenge

the tension between
my faith
and loss
and pain
and my restless soul

the tension between
being an image bearer
and my shame

the tension between
my title and my actions

the tension between
crossing the bridge
and playing it safe

the tension between
myself
and myself

the tension between
the darkness and the light
inside this heart of mine
i fall
i soar
take flight
only to stumble
and cry for healing
and why is it feeling
like nothing makes sense
at least sometimes
nothing makes sense
for there is a time
for everything
under this radiant sun
time to take a step of faith
He is not done
i’m not at home
so
sometimes
it doesn’t make
sense

dismantled

sing a canticle with me
a little music
a melody
to try and defy
all this gravity
that will soon
silence the tune
of my life
and i’ll be done
with all this strife
when you press a key
a silent symphony
will rise
and the veil
will be removed
from my eyes
oh to be free
and be at rest
one day
when this instrument
has seen it’s years
all will be new
no more tears
its true
so sing out loud
i was lost
now i’m found
and peace will be
my everyday
i’ll let go
of all that i can see
i will be free
dismantled
and transformed
in the endless Light
i’ll join the endless song
and all my days
will be a canticle of praise
will you come with me
what do you see
in the eternity
He has placed inside
let go of pride
and sing a canticle with me
a little music
a melody
let’s defy
all this gravity

oh Lord and Light

like a black sea
stretching out before me
all this mystery
of what is yet to be
all that i cannot see

like a black sky
slowly descending over me
telling shadow stories
all i cannot hide
a dark gray canopy
made up of all my whys

oh Lord and Light
guide me on my way
help me navigate
this story through the night
waiting for the day
longing for all made right
for the unseen real
to replace
what all the senses feel

like a dark wave
swallowing up my soul
all the doubt and shame
why must it
be this way
growing old
is growing close
to a different shore
to so much more
than the sum of my failures
or anything labeled
a success
it’s all just a mess

oh Lord and Light
i’m grateful
that you gave me sight
for this mess
that i call my life
for you carried me
you saw me
you ransomed me
so i’ll follow you
i’ll turn to you
surrender to you
and let you tell me who i am
for you are love
and far above this darkened sky
and far below this blackened sea
your glory and light
your power and might
the Lord and Light
is with me
in me
all around me

the Lord and Light
is with me
in me
all around me