The Resurrection of the Dead* Sown: thrown away into the worm-infested (you ain’t nuthin’ but) dirt Corruption: third-world police, a computer with a virus, a bike chain in the rain. Dishonor: a soldier discharged, a kamikaze who lived, an effigy smoldering. Weakness: addiction’s reason, indecision’s fancy, the thread we hang by. Raised: a flower bursting…
Category: the resurrection
From Death to Life
Our church has been studying the book of Revelation. Several of us are taking turns preaching sections of the book. Previously, I posted what I shared from Revelation 13 about the beast. Just over a month ago, I shared from chapter 20 of Revelation. What the Lord showed me might be a little different from…
Dream Sonnet I
Not long ago, I finished a series of sonnets. I wanted to write some poems with biblical images whose connection was inward more than outward. I hoped they would have a dream-like quality. As I started working on them, I thought it would be interesting to juxtapose the non-linear imagery with a traditional form. I…
Out of Weakness
“…who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight” (Heb. 11:33-34, ESV). On Easter Sunday, before church, I was thinking about how weak I feel…
Out, Damn’d Spot!
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless“ (Eph. 5:25-27). Our pastor…
Lord of the Dance
“Lord of the Dance” is a hymn written by Sydney Carter in the 1960s and set to the Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts.” I have been unable to get it out of my head. For over a week, this song greets me when I get up and pops in my head throughout the day. Even when…
Yes, I Will Say His Name
Since the murder of George Floyd, American cities have experienced paroxysms of protests and riots. To date, three separate protests have happened where I live, which is saying something for our small town. Thankfully, they remained peaceful; some of our police participated, exchanged fist-bumps with protesters, and walked along to show support. Along with real…
The Kenosis Conundrum
“Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to hold onto. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men” (Php. 2:5-7). When Paul says Jesus emptied Himself, what does he mean? Debates about this center on the Greek…
Can’t Keep Us Down
In many places, gatherings of any size have been restricted to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). On Sunday, our church live-streamed our worship service for the first time ever. Many other churches did this as well, and I checked out portions of the other services in our community. It was fun to be…
Everything Will Fall
On December 1st I woke from a dream that left me unsettled. It was a long rambling dream, but I knew the end was from the Lord. In the dream, I was talking with a friend who pastors a church. He was telling me the church suddenly fell apart and closed. He said, “Everything seemed…
The Voice of One 