Mirror (James 1:21-24)

Light sighted at the end of reflection
Though through ten thousand panes redirected
Retains the source despite imperfection
Like the moon’s grand mystery dissected
Failures and flaws of human condition
Symptoms of glory not yet realized
Are waning gasps of Satan’s attrition
Steadfast humility not idealized
Amidst rhetoric of self-proclaimed wise
Diminutive hope before rising tide
Study your reflection instead of the skies
Forget not who you are – Who lives inside
When near defeat access hope unreserved
Reflect His light clear in action and word

A Recommendation: THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE

My family and I continue to be impressed with The Jesus Storybook Bible (written by Sally Lloyd-Jones/illustrated by Jago) as we read a selection from it each evening before putting my daughter to bed. Recently I’ve even sent a couple copies to friends. Unlike what is the case with many Christian products, this bible contains a high quality of story-writing that is only matched by the quality of illustration on every page. Less generic than they are tastefully-whimsical and aesthetically appealing, Jago’s illustrations sync perfectly with the dynamic flow of the writing to communicate the dramatic and very relevant truth of God’s grace.

I posted a review of The Jesus Storybook Bible some time ago, but, recently I came across an interview with author Sally Lloyd-Jones that I thought was worth passing along. I encourage you, even if you don’t have kids (but, especially if you do!) to purchase a copy of this book. It has affected my wife and I significantly and my daughter loves it, too.

UPDATE: There is apparently a new deluxe edition of the book being released in October. The deluxe addition will include the book and an audio version on CD. From Amazon.com: “This beautiful deluxe edition of the Moonbeam Award Gold Medal Winner is a storybook Bible to treasure. It includes the narrative on three CDs so children can read along. Experience all the emotion and drama as award-winning actor David Suchet’s narration brings this storybook Bible to life.”

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How were they to know that he formerly was a florist?

Page from Genesis ripped out dropped from extended hand

Held out from the highest height of the interstate overpass

A psalm floating down between concrete banked air currents

He stood steadfast alongside and above gridlock stopped traffic

Verse about the narrow road settling on the pavement

Captive audience rapt in the frustration of their own wiles below

Two things He said were most important above all landing in print

Just out of reach of drivers and passengers trapped in seat belts

With pages from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John falling in order

Doors unlocking in sync with mass unbuckling on the beltway

Citizens stepping out of their varied cars, trucks, and vans

To walk unified forward like sheep called by their shepherd

But the bible belt preacher stayed still in his car

With his fat face growing redder by the second

With fury boiling over the audacity of the florist and the Way

He let what were once factory-bound holy pages now torn out

Fall so freely like feathers from a dove

Onto the war cracked concrete of a broken city

Offering Authentic Hope and Peace

I’m learning that one of the advantages of growing older is experience. At this particular time it is the more difficult experiences that I’ve been through in my life that provide me with the most comfort now. Specifically, it is the knowledge that at various points in my life I have suffered deeply, but, despite that fact, those events are in my past as is the suffering that I endured. In addition, the trials that I’ve dealt with have helped me to better appreciate, than I would have before, the blessings that I have now.

If one takes time to look around them they’ll see family, friends, and acquaintances dealing with difficult situations. Why not take a moment to offer them the hope that the future can be brighter despite current circumstances?

Sometimes just a little well-grounded encouragement can make a world of difference to the person suffering. But, of course, the key is that you give encouragement that is rooted in real Hope. Without that anything you say really will just be empty words.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Grace Beyond Eggs & Peeps

I’ve claimed to be a devout Christian before. The height of my claim came in high school when, for a few months, at least, I was set on the decision to attend a Seventh-Day Adventist college and major in Theology to become a pastor. For the most part, my spiritual life has been hit and miss since then.

The past couple years, however, brought about a growing acceptance of the concept of God’s grace. Essentially, there is nothing that I could do, or have ever done, to earn God’s love and acceptance. This realization has brought me closer to him than I’ve ever been or ever could become by learning to quote from the many writings of Ellen G. White or by refraining from doing the wrong thing on the sabbath (two big emphases of the Adventist church). Both of my hands are empty and free to serve now that I set my score card down.

My realization of the profound consequences of Grace on my personal life, has developed a greater appreciation of the events that the Christian Easter season celebrates. I grew up, as many kids do, coming out to the living room on Easter Sunday to find an Easter basket full of candy, treats, and usually a toy. The Peeps were my favorite. This was before they became available for every other holiday. I’m talking about the marshmallow, sugar-coated, yellow, pink, and purple chicks and bunnies. I still love them!

Sure, I was familiar with something related to Jesus being resurrected (or something like that), but, that was all on the periphery. My main focus when I was a kid was the candy, the oversized rabbit that stands on two legs at the mall, and egg hunts. Even in my mid-twenties I didn’t grasp the significance of “Good Friday,” as many people called it.

Last night I participated in a Thursday evening communion service in which we focused on commemorating Christ’s last supper with his disciples in the upper room. I’ve been focusing on this event in my personal readings over the past week as well. To me, this is where the truest character of Jesus is revealed. From the revelation that John the disciple reclined at the table with his head resting on the chest of Jesus, to the fact that the Messiah disrobed, wrapped his clothing around his waist, and washed each of his followers’ feet.

Though he knew he was about to suffer the greatest pain known to man, Christ spent this evening breaking bread with his betrayer, and providing food, wisdom, and comfort to his disciples. On the eve of the day when He would experience the greatest mental, physical and spiritual struggle to touch mankind, Jesus provided rest to his disciples and served even those who would, later that night, betray and deny him.

The next day he was unjustly executed. Three days later, on resurrection Sunday, he served all mankind by tying the knot of grace that binds, to Him, those who accept his generous invitation to eat with Him in His kingdom.

The hope and peace of my life rests on these events.

“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” John 13:23

“3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” John 13:3-5

Spokenword Audio Review: Kevin Max/Adrian Belew – Ravensongs 101

The Ravensongs 101 project shouldn’t be viewed in the same terms as a regular music release, but, as a conversation between art and listener. It is expected that some initially drawn to this release on the basis of Kevin Max’s past association with dc Talk may not fully appreciate this project for what it is. Poetry, not often intended to be bite size or sugar-coated, works best when an honest give-and-take dialogue of questions and interpretations exists between the reader (in this case the listener) and the poem itself. Concepts related to divinity, guilt, romance, pleasures of the flesh, conflict and hope are communicated less as sermons and more as confessions and open-ended questions. The name of the project is appropriate because, overall, the listening experience provided by this release is one blanketed with shadows and layers of complexity that reveal new details and nuances with every repeated listen. That being said, the full audio affect is best appreciated while listening alone in a room with dimmed lights or none at all. This isn’t one to play for the kids on the way to daycare. The project is notable mainly because of Max’s masterful control of his voice as an instrument that, while demanding the listener’s attention to the integrity of each poem, works in tandem with Adrian Belew’s (King Crimson – has worked with Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, Talking Heads) instrumentation to create an audio experience that hooks the listener without relying on the traditional structural format of a song. The rhythmic variations of Belew’s instrumentation serve to enhance, to a higher level, the dynamic between tone, meter, and concept Kevin Max consistently and articulately injects into his poetry. With each track built on the framework of Max’s poems instead of some formulaic framework that guarantees a shot at pop stardom, this project serves as another testament to Kevin Max’s intent to produce artwork with integrity at all costs.

It is available through iTunes and Amazon

Long Leaf Pine

Juvenile pine that once stood naively tall
Having taken root on an uneven bank
In a climate that you once considered mild
You can now be found hungover
Bent down with your uppermost branches
Just inches above the brittle ground
You stand, but, prostrate
Surely, if trees can feel, spirit-breaking pain
Take comfort, though, because you are evergreen
And like your long Carolina leaves
Your sins are covered in white snow
Though you long to be numb to the pain
The warm will come and your burden will melt away