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

are we free

opened your eyes
got out of bed
but are you awakened
exercised
a protein drink
from the blender
but did you remember
to feed your soul
to workout
the stuff in your heart
that you took to bed last night

the morning routine
out the door
traffic and weather report
looks grim
you steel your mind
and shut the door
telling yourself
that you are fine
another sip of coffee
but did you remember
to feel something
that you know is there
to understand yourself
just a little bit more
being and doing
doing and being
more
you and i know
there is more
than the deadline
more than all this activity
did we lose ourselves
more likely
we numb ourselves
away from pain
and disorientation
keep the radio on
get busy and fill the schedule
it’s helps to drown out the noise
of all that’s in my head
maybe i should have stayed in bed

put the keys on the counter
there’s nothing in the fridge
it was a good day at the office
on the worksite
on my shift
i think i impressed… someone…
anyway
i suppose it was
just another day
there’s something still inside…
wait…

why am i crying...
i must be tired
or a bit confused
maybe a drink
will clear out my head
hulu and netflix
aren’t helping tonight
how long have i been staring
at this parade of options

was i crying tonight

maybe it was the traffic
it was a long day
i think i’ll go to bed
and try again tomorrow
to shake this restless sorrow
being doing
doing being
am i living
am i awakened
am i free

are we free

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.

you are with me

opened my eyes
some time at the gym
took a look inside
silence and stillness with Him
and the eastern sky
beckoned with colors
and i don’t know why
at times i want to hide
and don’t want to discover
i’d rather not uncover
the true that’s in me
i need to confess
these silhouettes
that i present as real
why do i fight
why can it be so hard
to walk towards the Light
and be healed
and stand in His grace
i know shame goes away
don't have to hide my face
in the welcome of His mercy
shine
oh please shine in me
i do what’s old in me
and don’t do
from what i claim is new
so please shine
and let this new day
remind my heart
my soul
my mind
that you are with me
you are beneath me
before and behind me
you are all around me
i’ll take another step
toward the light
not by sight
by faith
i’ll wait
because
you
are
with
me

ransom illinois morning

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

be still love well

do you see the beauty
all around you
a dazzling sunrise
colors and clouds
singing out loud
abandoned joy
dancing across the sky
are you stilled in wonder
at the edge of forever
as melodious crashing waves
meet the coarse sand beneath your feet
when the morning sky
touches your soul
and you do
and don’t know why
tears appear
and for a moment
it’s all okay
and when you say goodbye
to another day
are you at rest
is there peace in your mind
as the sun meets the sea
are you free
are you free
to feel all your sorrows
make space for your pain
see the hope of tomorrow
when colors and clouds
will see unending days
that chase all the shadows
of your heart away
and all the loose ends
of your crazy life story
will end
in the glory
of lux aeterna
so be still
love well
just take
another step
away from the shame
eternity covers your soul
breathe into your worth
abandon the lies
confess your wrongs
step into every sad song
and just be willing
to make space
for the Way
the Truth
the Life
lux aeterna
will come for you
so be still
and love well

when sunday said “see ya!”

A beautiful end to a beautiful day. Hope you have a wonderful week!

when tuesday said goodbye

Enjoying an unusually mild February and some beautiful skies. Thanks for stopping by.

beautiful new day

A peaceful dawn. The dam on the Illinois River in Marseilles, IL. Then somewhere between Marseilles and Seneca, IL. Midwest beauty is a thing. :)

goodbye friday ransom illinois style

I don’t have any specific stats, but it feels like the cloudiest winter ever to march across this part of the Midwest. This past week the sun was able to out maneuver Mr. Gray Skies and make an appearance.