A quiet waiting

I have been muted
this may surprise
you
who know me louder
words falling free

I close my eyes
to look through His
shut my ears to hear

Often expectation comes
with shouts and cheers
impatient applause
to call forth
that which we await

This year the quiet
is a choice
expecting in stillness

His coming
His living
His dying
His coming again

In the silence
the space between breaths
I worship

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come  Revelation 4:8b New Living Translation

Joining Jason and the other warrior poets writing about expecting

 

Blended promises

I have learned
that man
can twist the truth
side step, embellish
using words
that falsify
or fantasize
but my God says
that He is not
a man
that He should lie
I must hear
His Words as truth
receiving all He promises
He leaves no room
for doubt
says in this world
you will have trouble

Yes troubles come
surprising
with their sting
and in the moment
of catching breath
I must hear
His Words as truth
receiving all He promises
He leaves no room
for doubt
I will never leave you

Promises mixed
in eternal blend
I tip the cup
to drink them all

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
 Numbers 23:19 NIV

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Joining Jason and the other warriior poets talking about difficulties




 

What do we do - relentless love

Image by ladybeames via Flickr

What do we do
with a love so vast
we cannot see its edges?

What do we do
with passion
hot enough to consume all?

What do we do
with tenderness, forgiveness
endless patience?

What do we do
with love that pursues
that heeds no stop signs?

What do we do
with love we can’t conceive
or really believe?

What then
would He have us do
with His relentless love?

Receive it.

Live it.

Give it away.

For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:29 Amplified

Sharing with the other warriors at Jason's place - on relentless love

No simple vow

More than a promise
no simple vow
we have sat
together
broken bread
held each other's hands
and hearts

We can not love
like this
without His blood
poured over us
rushing through our veins
love
flowing pure red
fresh and free
more than a promise

No simple vow
this covenant
He calls us to
to live His love
bright, shining

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.  1 John 4:19 The Message

Covenant by HisFireFly

Adding  my voice to Jason's warrior chorus as we look at covenant





also sharing with Nancy's Voices and friends....

Stranger

Voice of the enemy
like old vinyl, scratched
caught in a groove
screeches endless
repetitions

You do not belong

It sneaks in
through cracks
leaves trails of shame
muffles truth
creates barriers

I step away from others
as it knocks me down
and comes in
for the kill

You do not belong
you are different, odd
not like the rest

Yet a voice
wiser, clearer
rises in perfect pitch

A harmonious Yes

You do not belong
for you are set apart
a stranger here
by My design

Rejoice
alien, child of Mine
Rejoice
Stranger by HisFireFly


 
Joining with the other warriors, sharing poems prompted by the word stranger

 and also sharing with others out loud at Nancy's a Little Somethin'

Choose freedom

Image via Wikipedia

This morning as I was meditating on what to write about freedom I came upon an old notebook that I used to carry in my bible case.  In December 2001 I wrote:

You can never be completely free until you become a slave to the cross of Christ.

A few pages later, in notes from a conference in 2003 I found a word I sensed the Lord asking me to share:

Bring them to Me.  Bring the sheep to Me.  Show them the gate.  They cannot be free until they come in.  Show them the gate.  They think there is freedom in running wild - but out there they are captive - they can only be free in Me.

So here is my warrior poem prompted by the word freedom:

What is this place
I've found?
The domain
of a humble King
where chains
are built from love
where the path
out of captivity
leads me
to a  bondage
that grows
deeper, sweeter.

As I choose again
to surrender
my right
to be free
what explodes
within is true
freedom in Him.

Join Jason and the other warriors at Connecting to Impact where we're writing about freedom

His voice

Yes He can
thunder
He can
roar
He can
make the mountains
tremble
and disolve
with His mighty voice
but...

He prefers
intimate whispers
to know
that we are
listening
hungry
aching
for a word
a touch
a brush of His fingers

I have heard Him
in a raindrop
a dove's cry
a quickening heartbeat
the slippery
silvery sound
of chimes
both real
and spirit rung

May I ever
strain
to heed the smallest
sound
the lightest touch
to treasure Him
enough
to listen well.

Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen." 
1 Samuel 3:10 The Message

Joining the other warriors today at Jason's Connecting to Impact - sharing on The Voice of God

No holiday from prayer

Sobs come
without invitation
unexplained and real
no respecter of
shut doors
and closed windows
I want to whisper
"later"
I want to say
"I'm busy now"
I want to shout
"let me take a holiday!"

I want to...

but like the clay
that cannot guide
the Potter's hands
I answer His call
tears fall.

For years, and yet, yes, still today, I question my Lord's choice to call me as an intercessor.  I have argued, stomped my feet and pouted, a stubborn and stiff necked child.

But I surrender, again and again, as He teaches me that my every breath is prayer and there is no where to run.

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute— you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!"  It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.  Psalm 139:7-12 The Message 

Joining Jason and the other warriors  Here - where today's prompt is Vacation (translates to holiday here in Canada)

Hear my prayer

The noise
of the world shouts
long and loud
wild dogs nip
at the heels
of my spirit
teeth ripping
into a heart
that longs to listen
to You alone
do not be far from me
oh Lord, hear my prayer

As I wake to a day
new with gifts
scattered
waiting to be
opened, utilized
for a Kingdom cause
let humility
be my cloak
reflecting
not absorbing
glory that is Yours alone
let me not be far from You
oh Lord, hear my prayer

Let us reason together
Your invitation calls
quiet in a world
where reason alone
has reigned
and faith
has been stripped
from the rules
of a game
that I don't
want to play
keep my mind
fixed on You
oh Lord, hear my prayer.

May I disappear
that You
would be all
for the honour is Yours
the glory is Yours
for ever and ever
Yours only, Amen.

He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] John 3:30 Amplified

Oh, Yes! The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, the honor and power and strength, To our God forever and ever and ever! Oh, Yes!
Revelation 7:12 The Message

Joining Jason HERE for Warrior Poets Circle where he asked us this week to pray in poetry

Visit One Stop Poetry to read more Wednesday One Shot Poems

Shouts and whispers

Shouts
and whispers
sung in harmony
or discord.
Oratory eloquent
or lacking
a single word
no sound, breathless.
Anchored fast
yet still adrift
feather touches
of a wind
untamable.
From the day's
first light
until eyes shut
for sleep
from heartbeat
to heartbeat
all is prayer.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer  Psalm 19:14 NKJV

Stop by Jason's where this week's Warrior Poet Circle prompt was prayer.

Join us at One Stop Poetry for more One Shot Wednesday poems.

Midnight praise

I have known
the ticking of the clock
dark that settles
deep
loud the voices
that condemn
and keep me far
from sleep
captive to memories
failures, fear
forgetting in shadows
my Lord is still near
the sound of His name
a whisper of praise
strips the midnight hour
of the enemy's power
peace descends
His presence sweet
I fall into grace
free

But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them, suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's shackles were unfastened.  Acts 16:25-26 Amplified

Visit Jason at Connecting to Impact for more words by warrior poets where today's word is midnight.

Let striving cease

In my time of journaling this morning, this is what the Lord shared:

Whether you look at Me or turn away, I Am still here.  I know its difficult for you to comprehend, for you think in natural terms and imagine Me with the same capabilities as a man.

You know the words, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, yet they are indeed hard to grasp when you have no frame of reference, for truly there is nothing like Me.

Rest your spirit, little one, I do not condemn you for this, for I created you, I know the limits of My creation.  This leaves you always reaching, expanding, searching Me with wonder and awe.

What I would and have condemned is those who would take Me for granted.  Those who act as if I Am a possession of theirs, as if I was a trump card or a trick up their sleeves.  Just a relic to pull out to impress others.

I will not be possessed and I will not be ignored.  Let history stand as a reminder of what happens to those who have tried to live thier own ways, without Me.

Come sit with Me.  Search for My heart.  Look for My eyes, eyes that are gazing upon you even now with more love than you can hold.

In this place, let striving cease, for there is nothing more you need.

In this place
let striving cease
There is nothing
you can earn
or bargain for.
All that you need
is all that I Am.
The world sifts
like grains of sand
through fingertips
as you try to grasp
what is nothing.
In this place
let striving cease
this upside down
Kingdom
where less is more
lost is found
last is first
and the only way
to hold on
is to release.

Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?  Luke 9:23-25 The Message

Stop by Jason's to read more from other warriors

Stepping into You

Jason prompts us this week to write about being hidden in God.

I recalled that last March I journaled about a dream.  I share that here first before the poem the Lord will pour out:

Lord, You gave me an ongoing dream through the early morning hours.  People were being sorted by age, usefulness, health, etc.  Then group by group, each person would speak their name.  If they had multiple word names they would speak only the first, then the next person would speak - this was round one for the group.  Next round, the next name would be spoken, and so on.  Once someone had spoken their final name, they were made to walk through something like a large picture frame that contained some kind of invisible force that would not only kill them, but cause them to disappear completely.  When group one was gone, it was time for the next, and the next, etc.

I thought perhaps the dream was a call to prayer about nations that are moving toward and legislating euthenasia, where anyone less that perfect could be chosen for death.  But I sensed in the dream that even the "perfect ones" would be walking through this death field, even if they were the last group to go through.

So I ask Lord, is this a picture to remind me to "die to me"?

Think of all the names you carry, little one.  Not just your given name, but labels; words both of praise and judgement; the things you call yourself.  Smart.  Shameful. Creative. Ugly. Determined. Unworthy. 

Yes, the list is long.  In your dream, as the words are verbalized, one by one, they are gone.  All that you think, shapes you.  And finally, as the last is relinquished you are able to walk through, death to self.  I know in your dream you could only see the death, the ending, the disappearance of self.  You could not see what life in Me will look like for you cannot yet imagine.

Go back to My Word.  Back to Colossians 3 again, where I tell you how to live after you die.  My Word will serve you well.

Thank You, Lord - I shall go there now.  Colossians 3:3 says I died and am hidden in You. Hidden, so is that why I could not see the people after they stepped through the frame?

Step through, step in
the door is open
for I have been knocking
long and low
and all who hear
are welcome.

Drop your chains
all the names
that hold you.

Hidden in Me
what the world cannot see
what the world does not know
so afraid to let go.

It's freedom that waits
the promise of place
secret and safe.

The door is open
please come inside
at last, abide.

Stop by Jason's Connecting to Impact for more warrior poetry

Heartstrings

A heart once bound
wrapped with cords
unholy
soul to soul connections
never prompted
by the Father
is breaking free.

Each string
as it snaps, tears
calls out in wails unique
a song discordant
too long overdue.

Tie me then
only to You
pull the strings
direct my steps
and let this heart
all at once
healed
shout
not in pain
but words of praise
and glorious love.

Draw me still
and yet again
closer
with each gentle tug
till all I am
is all You Are
hearts united
now restrung.

Linking up at Jason's Connecting to Impact where the Warriors are writing about heartstrings

and joining others at One Stop Poetry for this weeks One Shot.

Sweet lack of understanding

What sweet lack
of understanding is this
that leaves me
thirsting, hungry
seeking more
of ways higher
deeper, wider
than ever human reason
could fathom.

Still You choose
to speak, truth
light reflecting revelation
chasing shadows
silencing storms.

A soft residue of peace
like volcanic ash
covers me
deposits deep
a mystery
my logic cannot reach
but my spirit connects.

Let me then rejoice
if, in leaving reason
far behind
I find not more of myself
but Him.


The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 The Message

Stop by Jason's place for more poetry written by God's warriors!
This time we're writing about the mystery of God.

He multiplies

So much hunger
heartache
requests for prayer
flood and fill
all empty space
a beast, ravenous
crying, demanding
to be satisfied.

Small as I am
I face drowning
awash
in all that pain.

So I do the one thing
I can
I lift my hands
my prayers
tiny fish, broken loaves
an offering of thanks
to the One
Who can answer
in multiplied blessings.

This week our theme was Jesus feeding the 5,000 Matthew 14:13-21

Join us at Jason's Connecting to Impact for more.