Beneath My Face

Why am I so inclined to present the artificial?
Hiding behind a pixelated veneer
To hold the attention of those who’ve already ascended
Whilst ignoring those that call on me
Setting aside their tangible pleas

But, the guilt rises and causes me to stir
Beneath the temple of vanity
From within my comfortable catacomb
My stubborn soul wakes momentarily
Before the golden calf steals back my indistinct gaze

Whatever You Do For The Least Of These…

Focus on what Jesus wanted us to do by reading Having Time For Caring.

Gulf vs. Golf

A dead-on commentary on Mr. Bush from Keith Olbermann can be found via a post from the Church of the Apocalyptic Kiwi:

http://apocalyptickiwi.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/in-golf-we-trust/

Friendly Fish Fry

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish? John 21:5

Friendship, I think, is one of the most important and powerful concepts in life. By comparison, though, I tend to value friendships that I’ve had for a long time more than I do new friendships. The reason is that the old ones have stood the test of time. Of my friends, for example, there are three or four that I know have seen me in varying shades of light over the years, but, they are still with me. They still maintain contact with me despite hundreds of miles of separation and the fact that we only get to hang out once or twice a year. If I was to sit down with any of them, now or at any time, just to chat over a drink, we would pick up right where we left off without much effort. They’ve seen the good and the bad in me just as I have seen them at their best and otherwise. Yet, we still enjoy our time together and appreciate each other’s existence. There’s a certain unconditional brotherly love that exists between my best friends and I.

Jesus was well aware of the sacrifices that his disciples made to follow him. He was just as aware of what was in the heart of each of his followers at every moment throughout their lives. He knew ahead of time that Peter would deny Him three times in one night and He lived through the pain of witnessing it as it happened. He knew that his group of original Jesus freaks scattered in all directions as He was drawing closer to and eventually hanging from the cross.

Yet, after His resurrection, he appeared to them repeatedly and affirmed His acceptance of them and their faith in Him. He kept his promise by sending the Holy Spirit to guide them. It was after a handful of them went out in a boat to fish early one morning and, not having much luck, they heard directions from the shore suggesting that they lower the nets into the water on the right side of the boat. Having nothing to lose, they did so and the nets came back so full that they could barely contain the bounty. Jesus then invited them to the shore and served them a bread and fish breakfast seasoned with the friendship of God.

It is this unconditional brotherly love that characterizes my relationship with God and the “religion” that I subscribe to.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Swirling Eddy

The wake of a swirling eddy ensnares me
Her persistant pleas and his seven-month old chuckle
The politics of my public face in competition
With standardized academic stress induction
Alternating domestic tasks with professional obligations
And the peace of family prayer at bedtime
The tension’s grip holds fast hours past twilight
Sometimes settled down by a tall stout
More often put in check
By the contact made between my knees and the floor

For Mumphry

You were there
Out of thin air you appeared

Without even a tie
You extended yourself to me

It was your brokenness that left room for me
Your search for peace that found my home

The longing you had to belong is what introduced hope
Despite the pain that you endured you gave me a chance

Your humility healed me
Your perseverance inspires me now

The existence of one wonderful you
Revealed life and the son in me

God As Daddy

[Originally posted at http://gracemark.wordpress.com/2007/02/24/god-as-daddy/ on February 24, 2007 by graceMark]

Unnecessarilly tagged
With a pewter veneer
Abba has been relegated to
Online fodder
Bookshelf occupier
Political handle
Furthest from the
Fundamentalist
Literalist
Never-moved population
God to me is a
Beaming
Breathing
Magnifier
Illuminator of my soul
The undeserved
Key to the ever after
Given for free
To me