What strange lands do we venture in?

What strange lands do we venture in?

what strange times are we now commence?

Alice’s’ tipsy turvy world to our chagrin

Jesus turning all upside down

Hustle bustle suspended indefinitely

Where is that solid ground?

Where is true credibility?

Wise words and fluffy sentiment

Lest we forget fretfulness and foreboding

All trying to be relevant

Scientists, doctors, prophets all attempt decoding

Sabbath and rest

Life and death

Broken hearts displaced

Best of plans laid bare

Heights and depths chase

Momentary times without care

 Blessed are the meek

Our abilities to control now cease

What treasure do we seek?

The unexplained, A holy peace

Socially distancing and isolation in proximity

Socially distancing and isolation in proximity

Socially distancing and isolation in proximity

These words bubbled up as I was walking alone at a park with literally 100 or so people social distancing too. We all are trying to understand these times that have shaken us out of our rhythms and places of “normalcy”. Many of us feel it as a time to enter into something different but unsure of the bigger picture. For others it is a time where we gather deeper into our families and rediscover close connections. For some, fear keeps pushing up into the surface, as “what if and what then?” questions rise. And probably for most, it is all of the above and more.  And as the initial waves of the newness of being apart wears off and stretches longer than we hope, feelings of isolation and loneliness may also start to stir. Those who claim a faith in a power higher may be finding some comfort overall but also “battling “the unknown and the lack of community. Community is a word we throw around with a Christian ease in the church and in the world at large we talk of building strong community. Covid-19 has surely stopped those thoughts and practices in their tracks...But does it have to?  

Can we re-imagine what community is? Hasn't humanity been practicing a form of isolation in proximity for a long time.  Pseudo sense of being together but not knowing ourselves or each other. I feel in my own struggles and processing, a call, an invitation, to enter into a deeper connection with my relationship with Jesus as well as with family. Here is the rub, being in close quarters with loved ones can feel tricky, in that sometimes, and I would dare say most often, with those closest to us the “real “us peaks out. Our impatience, selfishness, self-reliance etc oozes out. This social distancing has de-cluttered our schedules but also rips at the fabric of our camouflage. It does not feel good.

Can we begin to move closer in, first to ourselves and then learn how better to connect with others.  What does it look like to offer yourself a sense of acceptance and kindness? To no longer isolate your emotions and stories but to more fully connect to our whole selves, warts and all. The hiding of ourselves began in a garden, I believe we each have a certain time we have been allocated and believe that this strange season we find our world in is truly an opportunity. An opportunity to stop isolating the real us and to then begin to move in a new way, that though physically distant, we learn to move more intimately with those around us. Let’s rename social distancing to intimate proximity. Can we learn to be truly more real and connected with those closest to us and when we are no longer bound by physically distancing ourselves learn how to be socially intimate in proximity?

this crazy COVED-19 Flu

This crazy COVED-19 Flu

isolating

creating

potential chaos

Yet the birds still chirp

the sun shines

spring flowers push up

unapprised

Life is slowing down

A time when worldly

enterprises stand still

trusted platforms bend

below

Shaking up of status quo

May a new hunger

begin to stir

social distancing

give way to

community rebirth

The atmosphere infused

uncertainty and fear

rebuked

the future unclear

Grab hold of the

unwavering rock

taking stock

truth will never depart

the promises of old

store them in

your heart

the living word

in heavenly realms

every prayer heard

aligning back

all relations

God and man

all of humanity

to creation

the antidote to insanity

 shalom released

placing our feet

exchanging self for others

The sacrificial lamb

the cover

to all our needs

Holy spirit

help us discover

futile thoughts and deeds

turning into celestial pleas

Up to the one who saves

breaking forth in

unadulterated praise

This generation to break bondage's

freeing slaves

Touch

Photo Credits Lynne Burkholder



Legacy from the son
The gift of touch
Flesh and spirit united as one
Serving
Creating
Healing
His life source flows
Evil overrun




Hands moving on his command
Hearts and souls undone
Seemingly simple gestures
Power and authority commissioned
Breaking strongholds, wiping tears



Touch part of the mission
Love born into action
Reaching for another one
Beyond ourselves
Earthly provision
Hands made for glory
Hands in submission

Looking back hands have always had a place in my heart. From earliest times my understanding shaped greatly by my own sister with Cerebral Palsy. Her own hands, spastic and jerky, unable to even hold a spoon to feed herself.  Born into the fabric of my heart to be another’s hands. In time though the robber robbing purpose, hands used for its own desires, creativity and design derailed. Glimpses forming as hands learn to work with bodies delayed and deformed for a living. Hands then reborn into a body covered by grace, learning how to serve. Children’s bottoms and noses wiped, crafting and exploring creation, hosting, serving all moving in the direction of purpose. The battle coming when honoring became difficult, caring for my mother in law, the lord having his way through a season of strain, in the end, hands united with the savior. Massaging feet and the words from a poem “The blessing of the hands” striking deep with in my soul but still my understanding fuzzy. The gift of words and prophecy elevated in the religious world, the speaking and spoken some how crowding out other gifts. Learning that hands that move like the one who moved heaven and hell for his children is a gift. Hands of love that move in action and power to be celebrated. Our physical touch empowered by a supernatural force emanating love through the most benign movements. This is beating at my heart. Jesus walked and talked, looked and saw, and he touched.

the process

Loop Poetry Prompt

 the process

Spiraling around,

Circling, running aground

Discernment, hurt and truth

Shame, anger and truth

Lies, pride and truth

JESUS SPEAK

Repent, forgive, release

Mercy spilling into grace

Grace turning into love

Heart turning back to peace

Jesus  

To Christopher

To Christopher

A gift of words to you

love mama cupo

Climbing, grinning, on the move

In the thick and in the groove

Mountains, roads and walls to tackle

Ordinary life cannot shackle

In joy always ready to croon

Music and original tunes

Taking others by hand

Directing towards the promise land

Living life with your own brand

But always willing to join the band

Loving poured out in every way

Jesus’ compassion and faithfulness on display

Shepherding those all around

Your worship a weapon for bringing strong holds down

Man of the hour

In Christ full of power

Today to walk in assurance

Given strength and endurance

To run the race

May you overflow with unending grace

you give your all

Your mercy washes new.

I hold back, you give all

I reserve, diminishing the call.

Other's in refusal or hesitation

 to them a deadly destination

Ananias and Sapphira with holding

But how sweet the voice of the one with in

No shouting or scolding

“Trust and give a better offering,

Unleashing is an answer to your prayers,

Giving unblemished prize,

Fostering in you a softer side”

Your mercy washes over me.

When I hold back, you give all.

Teach me holy spirit to answer the call

The initial pangs of release 

Filled eventually with peace

The greater gift mine

To Trust in the divine

Finding courage with each new stride

In obedience, your love magnified

If I hold back you, you always give your all

In Christ I cannot   fall

And yet in refusal how much is lost

Opportunity to say yes and not count the cost

To follow fearlessly

Giving all cheerfully

This the example of the one who answered the call

Not holding back his life, giving all.