28 March 2015

nature's old song

Whenever there is stillness there is the still small voice,
 God's speaking from the whirlwind,
 nature's old song, and dance...
Annie Dillard

let me remain
silent, satisfied
in Him
let the wind blow
as it may
I will not be moved


Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
sitting still with Sandy

 

24 March 2015

tenacity

they take my breath
never failing
bright shining solid
gift from paradise 
this is not fragile beauty 
no, I am awed
by tenacity
I believe
 there is a lesson 
waiting here

 

21 March 2015

settle in

Ask the world to reveal its quietude —
not the silence of machines when they are still,
but the true quiet by which birdsongs,
trees, bellworts, snails, clouds, storms
become what they are, and are nothing else.
Wendell Berry

in the center of the flood
grasping, gasping
may I find the still point
peace falling, as the dove 
Holy Spirit, settles in
for an extended stay

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
seeking the stillness with Sandy

18 March 2015

love upturned

I felt a strange pull to listen to an old Suzanne Vega song, perhaps that which she was most known for.  In the lyrics to Luka she sings:
They only hit until you cry
After that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
I was stopped, breathless
understanding the words 
in my own aching heart
in a way I never have before

why now?

I only pondered for a moment
before a deep knowing settled
for I can now add my name 
to the long list
of those who feel the sting
of the type of emotional abuse,
that leaves you shattered
tear-soaked, fragile
and uncertain if you are 
who you always thought you were

I made the temporary bed
in our place of refuge
this morning
without paying much attention
to the order of the throw pillows
not noticing I had allowed love
to be turned upside down

I have been blind
but my eyes are opening
what was taken, ripped away
is being restored
I was created, by His hand
the Master Designer
in His image
to love, as He loves

what the enemy has twisted
turned on edge
and used to harm me
is being restored
I have been claimed
reclaimed
and set free

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
 I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT



 

16 March 2015

everything must change

day by day
we have watched
 the transformation
of a single rose
moving from glory
to glory
may it be unto us
the very same
as everything must change


 

14 March 2015

new life for old


in the silence
the old fades
crumbles
falls away
yet something
new
springs forth
fresh, alive
and fragrant


Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
stopping by to be quiet at Sandy's

 

12 March 2015

rest, yes

we are away
for a time
of refocusing
refinement
and rest

without a vehicle
in an unfamiliar city
bowing low 
to be able receive care
from others

taking has not been easy

yesterday afternoon
I slipped, or tripped
and twisted my back

as pain spasms
the need for rest increases
and yet God Is
holding me, in control
pouring out His grace
saying yes
rest, yes
stay right here
at My feet

 

11 March 2015

amid the razor wire

Today is a first! 
My beloved husband is guest posting here at Flickers.  
He has been moved by what his eyes have seen.
So, without delay, here's Rick!
Pretoria is a beautiful city.  Hilly, so challenging to walk.  But if you are able to walk there are a great many things to notice.  In the more prosperous areas the people love to have gardens with flowers, flowering trees, and rare, unique plants thriving in an area where anything grows.
However, practically everything is protected by either an electric fence or high fences topped with coils of razor wire and steel gates at the driveways!  Most homes also subscribe to the services of security businesses some of whom advertise that they respond armed.  Thus the homes are guarded and display ugly security system signs but there is still much beauty amid the razor wire.

 

10 March 2015

reverse fade

 
tension and confusion
left cracks
in my spirit
the air grew thin
as light faded
harder each day
to inhale Him
but even as I was letting go
He held me strong
I grabbed hold
before all hope leaked away
 learning anew
 how to breathe
exhale anxiety
inhale peace
exhale defeat
inhale victory
exhale self
inhale Jesus
life, light and joy returning
not in drips 
now in cascades

 May the God of your hope 
so fill you with all joy and peace in believing 
[through the experience of your faith] 
that by the power of the Holy Spirit 
you may abound 
and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

06 March 2015

beauty strewn

beauty strewn
scattered, protected 
safety in the cracks
holding on to glory
not yet forgotten

As my glorious presence passes by, 
I’ll set you in a gap in the rock, 
and I’ll cover you with my hand until I've passed by

 

04 March 2015

I stand amazed

when I feel small
lost
uncertain
I open wide my eyes
humbled
amazed I stand
surrounded always
by His glory
His wondrous creation
small indeed
yet not lost
for I am found 
in Him

01 March 2015

drinking in

Father
thank You
we are still before You
expecting

send refreshing
holy rain
to our thirsty souls

help us drink
to overflowing
returning to our source
over and again
as healing comes