little one

Little one

Little one stuck in the cross fire,

Adults broken and lost

Dragging the innocent into the quagmire

Anger, violence, abuse now on child, their albatross

Splintering, splitting, and burying the pain.

To the world pretending all is well,

But day by day the enemy adding chain

Child becoming hollowed out, empty shell.

Relationships so un-trust worthy.

Confusion and chaos swirling round,

So tired, starving and thirsty,

Numbing the only place solace is found.

Religious shackles thrown on for good measure;

Should’s and shouldn’ts, rules and regulations.

The truth and love of Jesus, buried treasure.

 Hurt upon hurt, Pile on more violations.

But God in his great Mercy

Revealing his gift of salvation

He sees you little one as worthy

Now begins the transformation.

Stripping way of lies and iniquity

Removing the heritage of pain

Restoring original dignity

Heavenly sacrifice clearing all stains.

Not your fault, not your load!

Rest now sweet one in His loving arm,

Releasing of anguish won’t implode,

He the great physician will cause no harm.

Survival, each part learned its role;

Pain bearers, organizer, parent, and child.

Dissociating so as to save the whole.

 Fear not new territory, now to reconcile.

Healing his heart’s desire

You journey not alone

He dresses you in righteous attire

His spirit with you and in you, his home.

Safe to trust the trust worthy one

Safe to give all memories too

Safe is God’s only son

Safe to bring to light and rest in truth.


Dedicated to my mom and Ruth

First Choice

First Choice

Waiting, crowded together, self-conscious tweens,

Which would it be, 
third draft or picked and coolness redeemed.

Never last choice but somewhere lost in the throng

Regular Joe, kinda ok, not the troubled one, but not the lead in the play.

Words infiltrating, invading, seeping and swirling

True identity getting lost in the churning.

Mediocre      Average             Moderate

  Second rater       middling        Soso

         Unimpressive       Lackluster

            fair                 Run of the mill

Smashing down the not enoughness under feet

Spirit inviting to gaze at place card near heavenly seat

Chosen to be His before the foundations set

Not a liability but a kingdom asset

My thinker rejoiced over, my fast pleasing

With joy and pride Papa is beaming

Picked first to dance with the king

He exalts me as I worship him.

 I am The Joy set before

Exclusively loved and adored

Exquisitely formed in the image of

Nothing average about his love.

No thing lacking in luster

No working for or need to muster

Created by the master

First rate crafter

Prayer for ashes to beauty 2016

                                              Painting by Yoli Mendoza

Ashes Prayer2016

Dear Heavenly father we thank you for another year of life, we thank you that though darkness may surround, your light overcomes the darkness.

Lord Jesus we thank you that though we sin and continue to miss the mark, your love and sacrifice on the cross is More than enough to cover our shame and guilt.

Lord you created each and every person here in your image. You created us to love and be loved and yet our broken world has twisted and distorted this truth.

We pray Lord Jesus, that you, by the power of your Holy Spirit would minister, heal and renew our minds so that we can receive that truth, that we were meant to bring you Glory, meant to live a life of purpose…the purpose of loving you and others and to tell of that love.

Lord Jesus I ask a restoring of hope this year and that the spirit of hopelessness would be bound up. I ask that your light would shine brightly in even the darkest places especially here in Reading. I ask all here to become Bearers of that light, to be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.

May we, here and now exchange our ashes for a crown of beauty, and be robed in garments of praise instead of despair, may we receive the oil of gladness instead of mourning.

Abba father we ask you to remove our hardened, hurting, hearts of stone and turn them in to loving, feeling, alive hearts of flesh.

Jesus you are our deliverer and hope, come help us to walk in truth and see Abba Fathers heart and have a wider understanding of his great love and our great need for the savior. We ask in Jesus name Amen

Ashes to beauty

Ashes to beauty

Bringing food to the park

Building relationships at the very heart

So simple a plan Yet why had it not been executed before

Feeding nourishment for spirit and body and so much more

A small faithful troop

So much love in this little group

Using all of their resources

To provide for those with less

God in his pleasure

Awakening my heart to this treasure

Raising up more

So simple a plan the feeding of the poor

The discipling of both server and served

And yet diversity preserved

Unity redefining the cultural atmosphere

Erasing division and proud veneers

Loving like Jesus the goal

Bringing before Christ to make whole

Small acts of kindness bringing together sister and brother

Praying and helping to restore others

Simple words of gratitude at the core

New relationships to explore

Circling together breaking our brokenness

Freeing hearts, growing in holiness

Ever widening circle of love

Reigning down in fullness from above

Ashes to beauty now family

Beauty from ashes the plan for humanity.

Addiction

Addiction

Heroin you are from the pit of hell

Your time is almost done

We claim back our nation, cities and our son’s

You slithered in on the opium trail

Then onto Morphine’s’ quiet coattail.

The increasing need for a numbing place

And subsequent disgrace

Has destroyed enough

Its time now to call your bluff.
The craving coursing through the veins
We ask Lord, for a renewing exchange
Stronger is your spirit than our flesh
Your heart, Son ransomed, to pluck us from the mess
The stake has been placed in the ground

Come and hear the sound

In Jesus Christ victory is found

And together with the spirit we resound

Echoing the Lords renown

Freedom is at hand

Together we will take a stand

Striking down with prayer and power from on high

Eternal love will be our battle cry

Taking back what the enemy stole

Power in resurrection winning back souls.

For all the parents or folks who have or had loved one's  lost to this world of addiction

Prayer regarding the body of Christ

Prayer regarding the body of Christ

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your heart for your creation, your people and your body.

Thank you that we are created in your image and that you designed the church to reflect your truth, to grow others and point to your love. You desire the body to work in unity just as the Father, son and Holy Spirit.

Lord, you say in your word you desire that we be brought into complete unity to let the world know that you sent Jesus and love them even as you love Him.

Dear Jesus, you are the head of the church, we pray in your name that we as your body would in greater measure come under your headship and move forth in obedience, walking and moving in a way that will bring you Glory. Jesus continue to stir and awaken your church to true religion, not to a dead set of rules but to the truth of our purpose, identity and relationship to you.

May your bride continue to surrender herself to your ministrations so that she will be a bride readied for her groom, Cleansed and purified to walk fully in the righteousness that was paid for by your blood shed.

Lord we ask that you continue to pour out your spirit so we may increase in our faith and give greater testimony to your goodness.

You are our saving Grace, we ask Lord, open our eyes and hearts to our brothers and sister in Christ to be encourager's of one another, lifting each other up in faith and in our prayers. Help us to move out of our places of complacency and comfort to move beyond our myopic view of life, to see with greater kingdom optics, embracing our differences and uniting because of your love for your family.

Forgive us Lord for the places that we as your body have defamed your name, acting in a way that did not display your love. Forgive us where we have judged the world and not displayed your glory, forgive us where we took hold of religion and held others under the heavy yoke and burden of man made rules instead of allowing your spirit to convict and your word to shed light.

Let your churches not be buildings but by your spirit be a moving breathing body that moves in grace in this world, bringing forth your light, life and hope. Let us honor each other embracing those who are feet, hands, eyes and even the less noble parts, all so vital to a body that moves in fluidity and strength and purpose.

Lord, let us then, in unity continue to go forth in power and authority, claiming those who belong to you, releasing the captives, setting the prisoners free, so that every knee will bow and tongue confess you as Lord.

The meeting place

The Meeting Place

Hurt and anger welling up inside,

 Quickly run and hide.

Escaping where you can’t be found,

Place for tears and screams to sound.

Back and forth comfort sought on a swing,

 And yet sadness and worry cling. 

Seeking to hear his voice

Needing to change course

Something new, transforming grace

Running to the son’s embrace

Back and forth on a swing,

But still apprehension and uncertainty cling.

Angels now line the gate,

Taking each care and all the weight.

Freedom to be in the safe place

Laughter and joy now interface

Savior by my side, back and forth on the swing

Peace and fellowship now to cling.

The meeting place,

 There for all to escape.

The sea, starry skies or mountains

Whatever your imagined surroundings

Find rest and peace in the exchange

Find the savior in your meeting place.