Category: the real self

Categories
Current Events freedom Poetry the real self truth

Nothing New

There is nothing new under the sun.

What we bemoan now we bemoaned seventy years ago
Seven hundred years ago

What we give away now, we gave away then

The freedom Jesus promised
To burn at the stake
To defy a tank
To hang on the cross

For the truth

dw

p.s.

I posted this earlier in response to a quote from Thomas Merton about how we are so inclined to go along with whatever group(s) we want to belong to.

Nothing New (2022)

This time, I’ll add another quote:

“You are a king then? ” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

“What is truth? ” said Pilate.

Gospel of John, chapter 18. Christian Standard Bible. CSB Reader’s Bible (p. 1603). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Grace and peace to you…
dw

Categories
hope Poetry the real self

Inflammable

There are things
that do not burn,
Are seemingly impervious
to the Refiner’s fire.

Though we beg
they remain, asbestos-like;
Remain to remind us,
in our shame:

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

dw

Categories
attention Poetry the real self

Longing

Longing is a liar
close kin to Coveting
a deprecated religious word
meaning there’s something I want
want enough so it bothers me
bothers me enough to distract me
distract me from what’s before me
right now:
the opportunity to live and act
fully
undistracted

dw

Categories
Current Events Poetry the real self

When I used to go to church

When I used to go to church

I wasn’t who I was

…

Neither was God

…

So we both left

…

Sad

Disappointed

For my church-going friends

I mean no harm

This is poetry

Expressing the experience of many

Not doctrine

Saying how it should be

Grace and peace to you…

dw

Categories
light and darkness Poetry the real self

No, Lamb of God

O God, deliver us from the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, because the sin of the world is our heart’s desire, our uniform, our derby hat. O Lamb of God, have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us.

Frederick Buechner, Secrets in the Dark: A Life in Sermons, “Air for Two Voices”

Unpopular, this.
Too often too true.

After we do our God thing
(or not)
And get down to the business
Of doing Our thing

God doesn’t have a ticket,
The bouncer at the door explaining
It’s sold out.

Grace and peace to us all…

dw

Photo by dw