It Is the Kiss of God

It Is the Kiss of God

(“Three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10b)

Can you see the fusion between what is seen
and what lies beneath it all? I know it sounds
unusual,
I know it might seem absurd,
but there are more things richer in the
silence of things than in many words.

Even the hills in the distance with their cedars reaching
high
draw the slow clouds near until they are
two lovers with foreheads touching together,
and all I can tell you; it is the
kiss of God.

I have endless symbols at my disposal,
invented phrases and bright proposals to
lure the doves to the houses I’ve built for them
on the edges of my eaves.
I only wish I could coo the way they do,
I wish I could woo them to make their home
beside me.

I don’t mind saying that I’ve walked in darkness
far too often. And yet I had few who knew
how night-time fell around me like a cage,
like a cast-iron door welded across my forehead.
If I saw you coming up the driveway, I’d point you
toward the hills, up to the clouds,
and be tempted to escape backwards into the woods
at the back of my property.

Do you know what I mean? My own understanding has
crackled like a broken blister. My own longings are
mostly unanswered. Yet hope refuses to die. And it
is the only reason
I find time to pray between sentences written and
clouds unbidden.

More than anything I wish I could make the words sound
like the doves who sing their alluring songs. More than anything
I would like
another curious day watching the new moon fall on the
fog while we drink ferociously. We will sing jokingly
of the serious decades we spent only to land upon the
hills that kiss the sky barely halfway into the day.

Dandelion Potentates

Dandelion Potentates

(“However, they did not understand this saying; it was kept hidden from then so they might not grasp it, and they were afraid to question Him about the suggestion.” Luke 9:45)

Iron is iron, clay is clay,
dandelions are daily,
yellow; then puffs; then;
blown away.

Clay is not smelted, iron is not thrown on a wheel
with thumbs and fingers within; prodding; pushing;
water and spin. Dandelions are not potentate,
voted no more than a day.

God is God, else is less,
humans are yearly,
pink; then gaunt; then;
buried east and west.

Else is not everywhere, God is not carried up a hill
with thorns and wounds and rags; bleeding; bending;
fallen and dragged. Humans are not judicial,
appointing death like a guest.

I cannot hear what is down, cannot see the reason that
rings around the right angles I have drawn neatly since
I was taught geometry. Leave me with gods who rule
and war and I will implore no further explanation.
But tell me His Son will be handed and manipulated,
dominated and stranded on a Hill alone, mandated by
maniacal men with thumbs and fingers….and I…

Christ is Christ, I am sin,
the world was weeping,
void; then spun; then:
reconciled, reaping

The benefits of our misunderstood quotations of
theology.

So Loved by God

“Meanwhile, we’ve got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God!” 2 Thessalonians 2:13a (The Message)

Greg and Ann are friends we have known over 25 years. The sad thing is that we haven’t seen each other in almost 20 years. Greg is an enthusiast. It doesn’t matter what he tackles; business, sports, or the next church project, he dives in headfirst, swims till the end, and shouts encouragement to everyone along the way.

Friended by God

Our Lord, you are the friend of your worshipers, and you make an agreement with all of us. Psalm 24:14

I told my family today I have a goal clearly in sight: 1000 friends on Facebook. I currently have 960. And, as nice as it is to have so many acquaintances sitting on my desktop while I do paperwork, I also think social networking has caused us to lose something in terms of real friendships.

Reconciliation

“And the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was not enough food in other countries, but all over Egypt there was plenty.” Genesis 41:54

Joseph had interpreted two dreams for Pharaoh. Both told of seven years of bumper crops followed by seven years of famine. God used Joseph to tell Pharaoh to save up the excess during the good years, store them, and use them during the years of famine.

On His Throne

“That being so,” he continued “listen to the Lord’s word: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne with all the throngs of heaven standing around Him at His right and left.” 2 Chronicles 18:18

Whether it is present events, or just the nature of living in a fallen world, life can feel pretty bleak sometimes. For me personally, the mix is exacerbated by a continuing battle with depression. I gain one moment of seeing life from an alpine view, above the clouds, clear skies and clear-headed, and then can find myself dashed into darkness for another interminable length of time.

I Won't Blame

I Won’t Blame

(“Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked.” Acts 2:43)

I know You are great,
and sometimes miracles wait,
and I’m often late in showing up for prayer.

I won’t blame it on my aches, though I’m sure they make
me a stride slower in finding my way.

I will find the way, today, newest of the year,
to be amazed at what You have done and not
rerun every cry I felt has split the sky without
a return reply.

Blinded eyes healed in front of my eyes,
sick and near death alive and lively surprised,
another job when there were none to be found,
a house, provision, safety without revision,
and rescue when the blizzard tried to impound
me along the icy snow banks.

But I must say, I cannot forget, how lonesome I feel
in spite of the facts and wonders; I feel my soul has been
plundered and my imagination
slowed like molasses. Times are tight, God, and You have
met our needs. I am without complaint.

Except for this uncertain and sad day which has no
hearth on which to place its head. I love You, and love You still,

But I ask for one more, one more miracle to
fill me whole, distill my sadness and reduce me
to love once again.