you

when was the last time
you walked across
the noise in your life
and journeyed
into the depth of you

when was the last time
you just were still
and present to your soul
your longing
your sorrow
your joy
your hope
your anxiety
your darkness

when was the last time
you closed your eyes
and settled into your spirit
named the pain
let the tears carry away the sorrow

when was the last time
you heard your voice
when it tore down another soul
did it leave you broken
did it stab your heart

when was the last time
you surrendered
you admitted your limits
faced your shadows
let pride fall away in humility

when was the last time
you said
thank you
i love you
i was wrong
please forgive me
i need help

when was the last time
you leaned into your ordinariness
you opened your heart
to your strengths and weaknesses
you listened to feedback
you didn’t defend yourself

when was the last time
you were you
not as you think you are
but listened to others
and how they experience
you

you are an ocean
a vast sea of dreams
of loss
laughter
weeping
of love
fear
perseverance
sin
of cowardice
strength
power
kindness
of impotence
clarity
valor
uncertainty
and so much more

you
are
human
created by God
loved by God
seek Him
rest in Him
receive His love
live in His grace
receive His forgiveness
be alive
in Him
He knows full well
you
are
human

january jones beach

Back on Long Island visiting my elderly parents, which means a visit and long walk along the shore at Jones Beach. Temperatures in the 40’s, and breezy, but a gorgeous day!

finally your eyes

take flight

Santa Barbara… a rare, cloudy, gray California day… seagulls… black and white… that’s all I got. Have a great week!

at the edge

at the edge

at the edgepoem

 

if i could fly

i believe i can fly 2

if i could fly

Sea of Galilee 2

This was going to be the last in a short series from Israel, but I have one more. This is a favorite.
This was going to be the last in a short series from Israel, but I have one more. This one is a favorite.

Sea of Galilee 1

Sea of Galilee 1

This is the second of three images from a trip to the Holy Land in early 2012.

Faith

This was taken on the Sea of Galilee from a trip to the Holy Land in early 2012. This is the first of a short series of images from that trip.
This was taken on the Sea of Galilee from a trip to the Holy Land in early 2012. This is the first of a short series of images from that trip.

the sea

the sea

I know I am biased, but new York does have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Not that I have been to many, but enough to know that my bias is true. This was taken at Jones Beach, New York. I grew up 15 minutes from this beach on the southern shore of Long Island. I have long since tried to stop understanding it, but I know that I am never more at rest, and at peace, when I am at the shore. The ocean has a way of making you feel small, and that’s a good thing. I have many wonderful memories of family and fun at this beach, and each time I go home to NY to visit my folks I go to Jones Beach, be it Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall. I also dedicate this image to a dear friend who has taken some of the most beautiful shore pictures that I have ever seen.