"blessed are the peacemakers"

You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war. ~Albert Einstein

winter solace

walking alone in a transforming land
grateful i am and wishing i wasn't
with only the silence to hear the words
breathed into an empty left hand

one set of footprints follows behind me
only my face upturned to the sky
while only my voice sings praise to Yahweh
only the trees reach out to guide me

but the snowflakes kiss my face and hair
the elven-carved icicles dance with lights
the chipmunks are fast asleep far underground
the trees all white, lacy bridal veils wear

and i am not disconsolate

the sacrifice

cradled in my cupped hands, my alabaster box
beautiful, exquisite, more precious
than my very life

i want to give You my everything
because You did for me
i offer this

my heart rends into jagged pieces
i force my hands to break this
to break this open

tears of pain, love, and loss mix with
tears of worship and adoration
for You, my Jesus

with this, i annoint Your feet
You are worthy
worthy

more than anyone, Jesus
more than anything
i love You

the gift

True friendships are lasting because true love is eternal.

A friendship in which heart speaks to heart is a gift from God,

and no gift that comes from God is temporary or occasional.

All that comes from God participates in

God's eternal life.

Henri Nouwen

unknown

looming. taunting. its shadow covers my head. this is like that nightmare where i can't run. fear is choking me. if i had a light, would this dissipate? or look more monstrous? Dear Father! swoop down on eagles' wings. carry us away. rescue us! i can't see beyond this hideous unknown.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name
[We, the children to whom You granted birth, bow before You in silence]
The Kingdom come
[To all the crevices of this little globe, to the hearts of Your living temples on S. Lime St., in Baghdad, North Korea, Uganda... breathe into us Yourself... let hatred die]
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
[Help us to see that serving ourselves is killing us... we need Your help to want what You do]
Give us this day our daily bread
[Give us bread that does not drip with the tears, sweat, and blood of those weaker than us]
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
[Oh, help us see that we don't deserve Your forgiveness and may the picture we see compel us to radical love for those who hurt us]
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
[Grant us a thirst for You that drowns our haunting ability to turn desires from You into lusts that exploit others]

For Thine is

the Kingdom,

the Power,

and

the Glory

FOREVER.

[amen]

Prayer of Committment to Christ

Father,

Grant us the privilege

Of seeing through Your eyes

The mystery of Life from death, Joy from suffering

Make us Your disciples, Jesus

Forgive us for idolizing

Self-serving comfort

Forcalling upon Your Name as we live for ourselves

Make us Your disciples, Jesus

We kneel before the cross

Your blood splatters our faces

And drowns our tears of love and adoration

Make us Your disciples, Jesus

We offer ourselves

As living sacrifices to You

Use us, in life and death, to honor You

Make us Your disciples, Jesus

We have put our hands to the plow

We will not look back, but on Your face

We will follow Your bloody footprints

Lord, increase our faith!

Amen.