Jonathan

On this day 31 years ago our first son, Jonathan was born. He only lived a matter of minutes. Even though I never held him while alive I look forward to holding him in heaven one day. 

This is for him. 

Jonathan

You were gone

before I ever held you,

quiet, still and cold.

My tears

were your christening.

No cry

pierced the stillness,

No life.

You were so cold.

Time suspended

in those moments

when we said hello

and goodbye. 

I never imagined

so many years

would pass. 

The day is still fresh in my heart. 

The comes soon

when we shall overcome

that which separates 

and eternity will be ours.

Meanwhile, 

the angels keep you

while we await

our homecoming. 

August 12, 2018

This is Love

I may not have posted anything here in a while, but I have kept busy writing. Here is one of the newest additions to the stack. 

This is Love

Remind me

That every failure

Every stumble

Is making me

Into a reflection of You

When I’m on my face

You don’t name me

Disgrace

Or turn Your eyes

From me

I so often wander

From the safety of Your side

Unaware of hidden snares

But your eye never leaves me

Your arms ready to receive me

When I find my way back home

You do not judge

Even tho it’s Your right

Choosing to love me instead

Ignoring my unworthiness

You make me whole again

This is love.

Easter 2017

If you are one of the thirteen regular readers of this hot mess you know that I have expressed my hesitancy in writing about my faith many times. It's not that I'm ashamed or unappreciative...I'm certain that I'm not very good at it.

But that doesn't keep me from trying. He's the latest addition to the stack:

For Me

Beaten

Beyond recognition. 

Hung naked,

Ridiculed and shamed.

This was the cost of love.

Nails tearing

into flesh,

Blood falling 

to the ground,

Yet He spoke forgiveness.

Death and darkness,

A cold tomb.

The weight of 

a separation 

never before known.

Large stones and

the power of Rome

fall before the power 

of the empty tomb.

Love lives!

Forgiveness required

so great a cost.

Willingly paid

by the Son of God

even if I'd been the only one.

Complacency

Complacency

What has become

Of your people?

Saltless salt,

Hidden lamps.

Playing games

With sin.

Your body broken,

Blood shed.

A greater love

Never seen before or since.

Treated as is

Common.

Sleeping giants

These self-satisfied saints,

Unmoved,

Frozen in their

Chosenness.

Powerless.

Stir us, Father,

Move me,

Smug and satisfied

I no longer want to be.

May Your heart

Be mine. 

Top Ten Signs You May Be a Baptist

Top Ten Signs You May Be a Baptist

10. Everyone church member serves on at least three committees.

9. You’ve been a member for twenty years but are still referred to as “that new

member.”

8. You have two opinions on everything: and they’re both right.

7. Your idea of excitement in worship is standing for more than two hymns in       worship.

6. You think the national bird should be the fried chicken.

5. Any Sunday you beat the Methodist’s to Picadilly’s is considered a sign of         God’s favor.

4. You’re in favor of replacing the grape juice and cracker in the Lord’s Supper   with sweet tea and corn bread.

3. You’ve ever called Chick-fil-A “Jesus Chicken.”

2. You prefer the bulletin be printed in King James English.

1. Heaven will be an eternal pot-luck and every seat will be on the back row.

Grandchild

As some of you may be aware, Lyndra and I became grandparents last year. I never imagined what that would mean and can't really come up with words to describe the experience. We love our kids, all 5,385,613 of them....but there's something special about grandkids. 

Thinking of my grandson, I wrote this today.

Grandchild

From the moment 

I first saw you

My heart was yours

The tiniest of fingers

Toes and nose

I couldn't love you more

Tears flowed freely

From joy

A love like I've never known

But my joy 

Is by sadness tempered

For I know what awaits

Wounds of flesh and heart

Broken hearts and second place

The things that make up life

If I could save you 

From what's to come I would 

But I can't

But I will love you

Through all those days 

And more. 

Jan. 3, 2017

Here's the most recent addition to the stack.

Joseph's Contemplation

Tiny infant,

fragile form.

Hovered over 

by a father

weary and worn.

Mother and Child

in the bliss of sleep,

leaving a father

a wondering 

vigil to keep.

Angels and stars, 

shepherds 

and Kings.

A life so new yet

filled with wondrous things.

In the still of the night

and the quiet of his soul

Joseph wonders

about his role.

December 12, 2016