see

how can we still be
missing so much beauty
our brother
our sister
all the treasures
of the world
right beside you
right beside me

how can we still be
hurting each other
oh can't you see
the glorious ruin
for that is who we are
who we all are
and we cry
for love
just to be loved

oh God
open our eyes
to your presence
image bearers
all around us
and let us
treasure
the treasures we see
and let
this love
start in me

how can we still be
silent
speak
let your words
embrace the sorrow
let your words
heal the pain

speak
be present
embrace
the treasures

oh God
help
me
see

still here we are

For us, January 1st is Happy Anniversary as well as Happy New Year. So, in honor of my bride:

just look at those kids
kneeling in stillness
about to unfold
a story to be told
of their love

just look at those kids
praying and longing
about to discover
the path is so steep
and love will require
more than they know

still here we are
still telling a story
older now
somehow
still here we are

just look at those kids
i do
let’s go
i’m yours

your love is true
through all the hurts
pain and sorrow
you still said yes
through each tomorrow

you love so well
with grace and kindness
staying by my side
oh Ruth
so grateful
you’re by my side

still here we are
still telling a story
older now
somehow
still here we are

just look at those kids
dear God
thank you for the journey
and for taking care
of those kids
and thank you
for the gift of
that high school girl
who so long ago
was kneeling beside me
and still is

in a little corner of my home

a cup of coffee
in a little corner of my home
lights and shadows
remind me of what lies within me
darkness and light
love and hate
goodness and self-centeredness

the memories descend

life and love
family and friends
grace and peace
laughter and song
so many gifts
undeserved and plentiful

soon the wraith
of dim stories arrives
failures
loss
shame
and the quiet ache
of all things left undone
and of all that i have done
to others and to myself

i choose to surrender
to all the images
that so quickly float
through my mind
as i lift my gaze
in a little corner of my home

three crosses
Calvary
such an ugly place
of death
of pain
of sorrow
of suffering

and it is there
in the midst
of the darkness and light
of my life
it is only there
where the lies i tell
and the lies i believe
are exposed

where my shame is undone
in love and acceptance
where i trade my burden
for hope
mercy
love
and the lightness
of forgiveness

and i realize
He is here
with me
in a little corner
of my home

let us be still

it’s the beauty and simplicity
that we often miss
the radiance and light
that we just don’t see
the comfort and the healing
that we lay aside

oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love

it’s the glory and presence
that we often ignore
a sunrise
a bird song
a baby’s laughter
the colors of all the leaves
as they fall
grace is always in season

oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love

it’s the bitterness
and anger and rage
that can lead us
to waste our pain
we pursue justice
at the expense of our souls
and become that which
we loath

oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love

God our world is in trouble
but greater still
is my troubled soul
my anxious thoughts
God i need you
to settle this restless heart

help me to see
beauty simplicity
your presence your glory
right here

to laugh like a child
and to sing
your praise
and your renown
with the colors
and the seasons

oh let us rest
let us be still
for the greatest of these is love
the greatest of these is love

lift up your eyes

lift up your eyes
oh weary one
and let His love
clothe the lies
mend the wounds
and sing over you

lift up your eyes
oh sacred soul
you matter more
than anyone knows
let His grace
lift your head
you bear His image
be at peace
be at peace

lift up your eyes
oh shame filled one
and let His presence
surround the sorrow
all the monochrome
guilt and shame
will be restored
in the color
of His deliverance
in the brilliance
of His countenance
in the suffering
of His love

lift up your eyes
be at peace
and rest

be at peace
and rest

faith hope love

so i woke up
and all the clouds
remind me of the words i said
oh God
the words i said
the anger in my head

so i woke up
and all the clouds
can’t hold the tears
that just rain down
down down
it hurts
and i don’t know why
oh those clouds in the sky

so i woke up
and all the clouds
press on my shoulders
and i manage to pray
oh God
i just want to be okay
just one day
can i be okay
one day

faith

help me to trust
that just behind
those clouds
Your promises still shine
help me to hear
the light of Your words
and rest
oh God i’m so tired
so i rest in You

hope

i choose to reach
beyond the now
one day
only light
and no more tears
so today
while i’m in the clouds
i place my hope
in You alone
in You alone

love

let me see
Your Light
let me know
Your promises
let me hope
that one day soon
all will be well
all must be well
because You
are Love
You are Love

so i woke up today
and all the clouds
remind me
that today right now
You are here
not hidden
so i’ll search for You
and make it through
this cloudy day
with You

with You

listen

listen
listen
can you hear this mother cry
her daughter is gone
such a sad sad song
she cries
it’s just all wrong

listen
listen
can you hear this daddy cry
he lost his boy
such a sad gray song
he cries
it’s just all wrong

oh great Light
have mercy now
have mercy now
mommy cries
have mercy now
have mercy now
daddy doesn’t know what to do
oh great Light
break through
oh great Light
break through

listen
listen
can you hear
the silence of the children cry
laughter gone
such a sad sad song
the silence cries

listen
listen
can you hear the heartbeat sound
you have life
so lay it down
yes lay it down
all around all around
the world is crying now

oh great Light
have mercy now
have mercy now
mommy cries
have mercy now
have mercy now
daddy doesn’t know what to do
oh great Light
break through

oh great Light
break through

i talked to my tears

i talked to my tears today
they had so much to say
as they left my heart
and painted my face
sometimes i’m torn apart
by this crazy race
called life

i talked to my tears today
they had so much to say
as i felt the weight
of my head in my hands
sometimes i can’t think straight
longing for love in the hate
in all the races that shine
so beautifully shine

i talked to my tears today
they had so much to say
tell me more of the me
that must be renewed
that must be
changed
transformed
rearranged
in the deep
by love from above

i talked to my tears today
they had so much to say
so i spoke about hope
that there is a day
when justice will come
pain will be gone
and tears wiped away
on the shores of that day
all nations will sing dance and play

questions

do you know your worth
do you see your value
do you know you are highly favored

do you have hope
do you have peace
do you

what is your why
did you rise with the light
has the light dimmed inside

angry again
did you let it go
will you finally forgive

do you know your worth
do you see your value
do you know you are highly favored

does fear guide you
is unrest your norm
what do you worship

and what of love
did you lock up your heart
is love pain free

what makes your cry
where does the sorrow come from
do you feel

do you know your worth
do you see your value
do you know you are highly favored

are you free
are you waiting
are you remembering

where do you look
where is your comfort
where is your healing

how are you doing
really

is there color in your step
a reason to see a new day
something to live and die for

do you know your worth
do you see your value
do you know you are highly favored