Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Fear creates distance, intensifies distance and aggravates solitude.  I miss you more, for fear gives me a reason to long for your comforting arms.  I miss Elaine in exactly the same way.  Once again she is the model by which you teach me of your love.  I am so glad my relationship with her is also my relationship with you, Lord.  I do call out for your help.  I indeed long for your salvation, but even more for the comfort of your arms.

Even so I count any opportunity to suffer a great honor. There I find comfort also in your forever, immutability. I am but a boy in love.  O love of mine, be near me and walk with me.  Take my hand and lets take this journey together, you, me and Elaine. With such company, I will not fear.  And free me from fear. My unfettered heart will fly to obey your every whisper.  I love you so greatly.

Fear and cares

Lord, many fears and cares lay upon me.  I am but a pilgrim venturing into the valley of the shadow. Night is upon me. Your rod and your staff touch me, guide me, comfort me. Ah, but now I am weighed by cares and fettered by fears. I try to sleep, but my eyes keep weary watch for your salvation.  No care, no danger can harm, but the ones in the heart.   For there is our bridal chamber., but fettered and crushed I am far from you.  Your salvation, your victory are at hand. I would lift my hand to your lips, but my shackle is heavy. Away with my cares!  Take them and make right again the chamber of my heart. Where your perfect, infinite, love dwells, there no fear may stand and mock. Failure runs from your presence, scurrying under foot. There, even in the darkest valley, my footing is sure!

Things to do, cares to cast:

• Indiana form - find out about 2000 celebration (general council)
• Global Paper
• Witnessing
• Job interview - call

On Impermanence

Change is a strong wind.  It brings upheaval. Revolution and revolt are blown as a tumbleweed carried by its currents, and death and life are as pages and chapters in flight.  All is moving, swirling, blowing.  My life hangs in great peril as a wisp of smoke among the wind and clouds.  But in the midst of the plain stands a mountain, glistening, unchanged forever. Higher than the winds and storm, indeed untouched.

Hide me in the cleft of the rock.  Your words last forever.  Teach me to walk in that path.  To change - yes. To move - yes.  To die - yes. But you are not untouched.  Your love and grace, which are as unending as you are, you let me share, forever with you.  The rolling ground of the journey is swallowed by the surety of your forever.

Social Justice / Psalm 119 Ayin

A Meditation on Psalm 119:121-128

Open my eyes to injustice, Oh Great Jubilee!  Lift me out of the comfort of shallowness and baptize me in the depth of human suffering. Open my heart, let me search and feel the pain of the oppressed.  Let my hate for The Man and his ways rise up as  a prayer to your ears, a fragrant incense to your nostrils.  Stir my heart to long for the justice that is your nature in whole.  Teach me your ways.  Open my mind in wisdom to see your justice reign in all the world at my fingertips. Open my mouth as I cry to you my desperate prayer, and  all who will hear will cry for oyur justice. Cry tears for your law that is broken and hearts that are broken because of it. Cry to you, take action o Jubilee. Defend your nature, it is right and pure.   In it I see no wrong way and there the hopeless find their hope. A meal fitting a king with out a castle. Open the door of my heart - break the lock and sit on the throne there Oh Jubilee. King with out a home, everywhere king.  Justice supreme in power and deed reign with gentle verocity.  Pour justice down like rain and righteousness like the dew on Herman.