Where Is Your God?

From the hills above me, they throw down
Heavy stones to crush my soul.
From the walls surrounding, their voices drown
Heart-felt songs of love, mercy –
Chanting, “Where is your God?”
And sometimes it takes a moment
For me to find you, for me to see.

I look into the dark
And just see my ghost.
I search the night sky-
All my stars are gone.
I watch the sun rise;
Another day is lost.
Hear birds sing, but I
Just feel all alone.

If I can just survive this dry, insipid hunger-
If you will let me live just a little while longer-
I know I will find you or you will find me.

I’ll look into the dark
And see your glory.
I’ll search the night sky;
My fears will be gone.
I’ll watch the sun rise
To light morning stories.
Hear the dove and I’ll
Write our new love songs.

From the hills above me, you’ll come down,
Bearing oil to soothe my pain.
From the walls around me, a joyous sound-
Heart-felt songs of love, mercy –
Chanting, “Where is our God?”
And you’ll answer in that moment
Here I am. I’m right here. Can’t you see?

Here I am. I’m right here.
Where is your God?
Here I am. I’m right here.
God is near. God is near.
_________________________
 (Psalm 79:10 ESV)

Love Genuine

Let love be genuine.

Abhor what is evil;

Hold fast to what is good. 

Love one another with

Brotherly affection. 

Outdo one another 

In showing honor. 

Do not be slothful

In your zeal, 

Be fervent in spirit, 

Serve the Lord. 

Rejoice in hope, 

Be patient in tribulation, 

Be constant in prayer. 

Give to the needs of saints 

And always seek to show 

Hospitality.

Bless those who persecute;

Bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice;

Weep with those who weep.

Live in harmony 

With one another. 

Do not be haughty, 

But spend time with the lowly. 

Do not be wise 

In your own sight. 

Repay no one evil for evil, 

But give thought to do

What is honorable 

In the sight of all. 

As it depends on you, 

Live peaceably with all. 

Beloved, 

Never avenge yourselves, 

But leave it to the wrath of God,

For it is written, 

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, 

says the Lord.” 

To the contrary, 

“If your enemy is hungry, 

Feed him; 

If he is thirsty, 

Give him drink; 

For by so doing

You will heap burning coals

On his head.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, 

But overcome evil with good.

 ____________________________

(Romans 12:9-21 ESV, edits mine)

Driftwood

There is a tall, thin man walking down the beach alone -
Moving slower than I thought one could.
He is wearing black high-boots, bright safety vest, and a soft felt beret.
I am not sure why, but I think he is a policeman.
I don’t know if this is what he was expecting to find –
Hard to believe that anybody would
Leave home hoping to wind up here on this forgotten shore, so cold, so early.
From where I’m standing, I don’t see the plan.
I am not sure why, but the policeman seems tired, weary –
I suppose a good one should be.
He is slightly hunched forward, head down – he might be writing in a diary.
From where I’m standing, I can’t see his hands.
But there is not much here this morning – the island edge is clean
Except for one small piece of driftwood
That has settled finally on the shifting-surf border between earth and beryl sea.
A satin sky, yet one face still shines in the wet sand.

She’s turned her copper kettle on its side
Spilling purple remnants in the tide,
Yet there is no attempt to hide
It from Justice she’s never known.

And the inland sea is all-night washing,
Clearing the streets for the cowered-kings.
And while the evening tide is falling, so
Death’s pale tender-pile keeps growing.

Somewhere there’s a raft listing to one side,
Spilling wretched refuse in the night.
Is there no pilot left to guide
Them through the storm – to bring them home?

Yes, the inland sea is always working,
Raising tribute to the king-coming.
Forsaken loves shall heed his calling to
Ascend, slender tapers, now glowing.

__________________________________________
September 5, 2015
Daniel 10-12, Ezekiel (1,10, 12, 28, but especially Chapter 24)