Borrowed Breath

The Spirit of the living God 
Is like the current of a stream, 
Transporting us within its banks, 
Sometimes raging, sometimes serene. 
His leading and guiding hand 
Can at times feel out of control; 
Yet we know He is moving us 
To a place that is best for our soul. 
Sometimes He conducts us to a pool 
Where trees overhead provide shade, 
And the calm [...]

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The rhythm and cadence of life,
Marked by joy and sorrow and strife,
Urges me to join in its dance,
By its subtle, hypnotic trance. 
Yet faintly, beneath it all,
I hear the Creator’s gentle call,
Unhurried by the rising noise,
Manifest by peace and poise,
Compelling me to quiet my spirit,
Just long enough so I can hear it,
Calling me away to that [...]

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Love so deep
So rich, so full
Manifest in human form
A cosmic leap
Love’s strong pull
Brought God to us to transform 
Humility
And grace profound
God took on the robe of flesh
Tranquility
Where wars abound
Justice and mercy now enmesh 
Life for life
Love for hate
Healing for the lost and abused
Peace for strife
Fears abate
As Jesus embodies the good news

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The tremendous tragedy of the cross*
A victory gained at such a cost
Love now proven and personified
As mercy and grace bled and died
And God slain rose from the grave
To emancipate the sin-bound slave
 
*This line is a direct quote from Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost For His Highest” November 20

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Grace, by its very nature, is extravagant
Given freely to us sinners to be spent
Not to be hoarded or kept in reserve
But to be poured out on those who we serve
For we know we have not earned its receipt
It flows incessantly from the mercyseat
So today, receive God’s grace with delight
And go in its power to love [...]

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When storms assail
And friendships fail
On this wearying journey thru life
When my soul is sore
And temptation’s lure
Seems stronger than my will to fight 
Then my prayers turn to pleading
And the Spirit’s interceding
Bids my fears begin receding
As I feel my Savior’s presence 
When loved ones die
With no good-bye
And heartache threatens to drown us
When hope seems lost
And sorrow’s frost
Brings a [...]

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Last night, during our weekly gathering, our pastor reminded us why we exist as a church. We do not exist for ourselves, but for this hurting world. And he also reminded us that we are living stones.
I immediately thought of this Wendall Berry poem:
Cathedral
Stone
of the earth
made
of its own weight
light.
 
And then this morning, I wrote this [...]

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In view of all you do for me,
In view of Christ’s surrender,
Why do I still choose to be
A devious rule-bender?

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When my faith is weak
When my heart does not believe
When doubts and fears deceive
Still my tongue must speak
 
I must voice the prayer
That belies my lack of faith
That fights my lack of grace
And lays my soul bare
 
When my voice is weak
When it cannot form a sound
And when my tongue is bound
Still my heart must seek
 
I must seek [...]

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No matter what I have or have not done,
Whether I live as an orphan or as a son,
In each battle lost or each victory won,
            Your gentle love draws me in.
            Your patient love welcomes in.
 
Even when I make the same mistakes,
And even when I abuse your grace,
You assure me it is not a waste,
            [...]

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