set free

i don't know about you
but there is so much
i need to say goodbye to
i'll welcome the endings
practice some surrendering
it's hard to study
all the expectations
that are now
a pile of eliminations
i thought this or that
would be the life
i would have
releasing longings
into the fiery ending
of this day
i guess
it will be okay
turns out being free
is not about me
trying to step aside
God
are you tired
of hearing
about my pride
set is ablaze
like the end of this day
i'm tired
of getting my way
love and hope
sin and shadow
peace and stillness
heartache and sorrow
is there a place
deep in the marrow
of my soul
where all
the counterpoint
of being human
is awakened
restored
and rises whole
saying goodbye
to all that tethers
me to this dirt
i'd rather
stiffen my neck
than lift up my eyes
stand on my own
than fall to my knees
search me
and know my heart
let all the parts of me
that you see
with grace
and mercy

be

set

free

you are here

sometimes it doesn't feel like
anything is rising in me
held inside this gravity
on my knees i just can’t see
how
why
or when

life can be an in between
a canyon of waiting in the unseen
is there another side to this pain
another way to restore
loss
laughter
or song

O Light of the world color my soul
shine into these old tears
bring your radiance into my fears
and all this uncertainty
would you carry it for me
i believe you know the why
i trust you will show me how
i let this sunrise fill the eyes of my heart
and i cry for a morning with no more tears
no more pain
until then i wait and sing a sad song
to say thank you
i know
you
are
here

beneath a blanket of blue

i
lift
up
my eyes
to the
fields
and skies
and
let
this
fleeting
day
pass
away
another
moment
a shifting
hue
in an
instant
a crimson
glow
grows
beneath
a blanket
of
blue
this
choir
of
colors
quietly
slowly
lends
gentle
tones
to
feathered
clouds
above
time
softly
closes
the
door
as
i
whisper
prayers
of
awe
reverence
and
gratitude

misty minooka

For as long as I have kept this blog I have been taking photographs on the street that sits just behind the subdivision where we live, in our little town of Minooka, Illinois. I have captured countless images of sunsets, sunrises, clouds, winter scenes, and on and on. My usual routine is to go to the gym, then, if the sky and clouds are interesting, and if Daylight Savings Time allows, I’ll take a walk and enjoy the ever-changing, always beautiful landscape that makes up our little corner of the world. Over the years, if I may say, I have captured some memorable moments. This morning was memorable.

On my way home I noticed the mist creeping over the soybeans from south to north as the sun was about to peek over the horizon. I got home, grabbed the camera, and started walking.

I love early morning quiet. I love taking pictures while most of the town is asleep, or just getting up for school and work. The perpetual whoosh of Interstate 80, punctured by the occasional deep, repetitive blat of a diesel truck using it’s engine to slow down is always in the air. But this morning, even I-80 is unusually quiet. Maybe the truckers were enjoying the mist, and golden, morning light. Thanks for stopping by.

live to ride…

…ride to live. We live in an ocean of corn and soybeans. After 20 years, I have come to appreciate the beauty of the Midwest plains, however… it is quite flat. I took a ride north to a small town called Scales Mound, IL. It has a population of 400 and is about a mile south of the highest point in Illinois. So, naturally, it is also home to High Point Park. The road up to this town was a stunning trip with beautiful vistas of farms and rolling hills. Unfortunately, it is a two lane road with a small shoulder, so stopping to take pictures would not be a very safe choice. I think a walk on that road with camera in hand is in my future. Thanks for stopping by.

life is a bit hectic…

…so I have fallen behind in posting some images that have been hanging out on my hard drive. These two are from a sunrise in my home town. I have taken many images from this spot. It’s just a short walk from our home. Does anyone else see what I see in that sky? Thanks for stopping by!

and rise

new life
still all this strife
new opportunity
same entropy
new start
still in bed
new attitude
still no gratitude
new insights
still trying to fight
new word
still not listening
new day
same old ways
new light
still seeking shadows
new colors
same monochromatic soul
new gifts
same folded arms
for you
on this day
right now
new grace
boundless love
endless mercy
a Cross to bear
with an everlasting Companion
unmerited forgiveness
an endless sunrise
can be yours
receive
be centered
through surrender
be free
through confession
be at rest
through acceptance
come home
it is finished
lay down your shame
take up your hope
lift up your head
receive your identity
and rise

sunset at the wind farm

I still haven’t figure out why I find these wind farms so fascinating, but, that’s okay… it’s enough just to share the end of the day with some wind turbines. Thanks for stopping by.

when last wednesday said goodbye

I must have received a tex, phone call, or otherwise got distracted and never finished this post. So, here it is. Thanks for stopping by.

ransom illinois morning

It was a beautiful start to the day in wind farm country, otherwise known as, Ransom, Illinois.