Dawn Breaks

Dawn Breaks:

A Passion Poem

Part 1:

Night falls for the darkest Sabbath we've ever known

the echo of "Crucify" rings in our ears

for so long we looked for the King... waiting... waiting...

lame walk, blind see, dead live

we felt sure Messiah had finally come...

then the cross...

He's gone.

His teaching rang with power like we'd never heard

He dared to call himself the Son

He called us sons too... amazing... unbelievable...

and yet we saw his compassion

mercy and truth all woven through

He wanted our hearts...

but now he's gone.

His words had been too good to be true

promises of dignity, peace, and life

And yet we walked with him... knew him... believed...

we caught a glimpse of a better kingdom

Light, Love, Living Water

we dared to hope...

but now he's gone.

*****

Part 2:

The darkness is a fitting cloak for our souls

as we walk toward the garden

The wind is still... waiting... waiting...

we whisper in the stillness

as we try to gather the shards of hope...

try to understand...

He's gone.

We feel the weight of the stone in our hearts

as we wonder how we will enter the tomb

we've heard there are guards... waiting... waiting...

Will they turn us away?

The spices waft up to burn our noses...

one last dignity...

He's gone.

We reach the garden where the tomb waits

The sun peeks over the horizonn

Where are the guards? Who moved the stone?

We've never seen angels before

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?"

hope swells... dawn breaks

He's alive!

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
Luke 24:1-9

Tyrant Clock

Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
drumbeat rhythm of my days
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
working intrudes in my dreams
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
hours packed and schedule crammed
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
never ending life demands
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
mountains of chores and hordes of lists
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
push-me pull-you resting missed
Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock
hurry-scurry just can't stop

Stop!

Be still and know that I am God.
You are not sovereign over your sphere of habitation.
You are not the Savior of those you love.
Be still.

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalms 46:10-11

Two Treasures

Two Treasures

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:15

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45
 
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21

I think about a moment, getting madder every time
as I turn it over and over in my mind
like lava oozing softly, anger bubbles, creeps, and swells
leaving nothing in its wake but hard black stone.
The char coating pot's bottom is a nasty tarry mess
from sitting undisturbed above the flames.
Add just a little water, put the lid on, push aside
let it sit for just a bit and you'll get slime.
I treasure up this rubbish, it ferments within my heart
Now with just the slightest jostle I spew goop.

I think about my Savior, getting cleaner all the time
as I follow in His dry and rocky line
like ice in springtime showers, anger slowly melts away
leaving actions, friendships, life itself-- restored.
The grace of His pure off'ring washes over me in waves
and rolls off each time carrying more dross.
Drink lots of Living Water, let it work down deep inside
'til it springs up and bursts out with words of life.
I treasure up these riches, they bear fruit within my heart
Only now can I reflect the grace He's shown.

Change in Pace

I have been writing, but the effort to write in prose has been mostly beyond me. There is a depth and simplicity to poetry that has better suited the expression of my thoughts for the better part of two years. It's kind of funny, but I am far more reluctant to share my poetry than my prose... However, for a while I am going to be sharing some of it.

Sweet Presence

You are my shepherd.
I will never need more
than you have supplied.
You walk with me and make me rest
in peaceful and pleasant places.
You bring joys to my soul
which I could never have imagined!
You are showing me what is true and right
and giving me strength to walk in that way.
After all, a son or daughter should look like their Father.

Even when the hounds of Death
nip at my heels
and the Furies overshadow me,
I need not fear!
You are upholding me
and reigning over them!
You are at work in my circumstances
to do good to me
so that my enemies look on in wonder.
And I stand in awe of you.
I am certain that the riches of your favor
are with me wherever I am.
And one day
I will live in the the glory of your presence
for eternity.

*Inspired by Psalm 23

A Psalm of David. 
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He leads me beside still waters. 
He restores my soul. 
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil, 
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 
you anoint my head with oil; 
my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 
all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD 
forever.
Psalms 23:1-6

Reconfigured

At my house we've been in the process of remodeling the kitchen for the last several weeks. This was not just a little updating, it was a full "gut it" situation. As of Monday I still didn't have a sink. But we are finally back together enough that I am beginning to put things away. While I have much more space now than I did before, it is an almost completely different configuration. I have more drawers of different sizes and in different places. My cabinets are different dimensions. The shelves are adjustable! It is wonderful... It is also kind of disorienting. You see, I had adapted myself to the structure and strictures of my old kitchen. I sort of "made" things fit, or winged it... And to quote my oldest, "it didn't make sense". Pots and pans of similar shape and size were in four different stacks in three different cabinets. Whisks were in one drawer while whisk attachments were in another drawer across the room. Some of the serving spoons were with the flatware, but the rest were next to the stove. And while I expect there to be some minor adjustments to the overall organization over time, my preference is to find homes for things and then they live there forever. So I stack and shift and think... then I shift and restack and step back to examine...

As I was working through this process some more early this week, I was struck by its similarity to sanctification. As unbelievers we are who we are, with sin all woven through everything. Then Christ comes in and "guts" our hearts of the old structures, and puts in structures consistent with his character and purpose. Suddenly we find that all our stuff doesn't fit like it used to. Maybe it needs a new home with lower priority. Maybe it needs to move up on the priorities list. Maybe it is just no longer consistent with who you are, because you are now in Christ, and it has to be thrown out. It is tedious. It requires intentional, focused thought. It can be disorienting. But in the end, the difficulty, the struggle, the pain, will not be worth comparing to the glory of living in Christ's presence for eternity!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:1,12-17

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see destruction.

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:5-11

To the Young Dad

My baby will be 10 in a couple of months. In three years, my house will be full of teenagers. In four my oldest may be moving out... And in ten I will likely be an empty-nester. I've been married nearly half my life, and a mama only one year less. My last blog was addressed to young moms. As I've continued to think about the young/new moms in my life, I began to think about the dads too.

Dear Little Brother,
First, you have a high calling. You get to be a tangible picture of God to your children. Do you know how to do that? Dig deep into His word. Spend the best of your time knowing your God. Pray that He will grow your desire and love for Him. Strive to be eager to talk about the things of God. Model patterns of worship with your local church and in your home. You have a high calling.

Second, your bride has another new name. Mom. And with that name come all kinds of responsibilities and feelings and hormones. I beg you to be patient with her. Remember when you were first dating and you observed her closely? Don't stop doing that. Keep learning her. Pay attention to how much responsibility she's taking on, and if it becomes too much, lighten her load. I don't know exactly what that will look like, but you will. Serve your bride.

Third, for the first few months babies are pretty simple, feed them, burp them, keep them clean and warm. Then it gets interesting... I know you don't want to be the "bad guy" as soon as you walk through the door. But your wife doesn't enjoy being the "bad guy" all day long. And as I told my little sisters, possibly the best thing you can teach your baby is that he or she is a creature under authority. Again, you have the high calling to lead in the discipline of your children. Which sometimes means being the bad guy.

Fourth, your bride really does want you to lead. (I am assuming that I am talking to Christian men who are married to Christian women.) I don't mean come in and lay down the law and then insist on it. But if you think something is important, don't dump the logistics on her. Plan the date night-- including the sitter. When they are old enough, stay on top of them to do their chores. Again, I don't know exactly what this will look like, but you'll figure it out.

Finally, I know you have a high calling. I don't understand the entirety of the strain of that calling. What I do understand is that we serve a God who sustains us for the callings He gives us. If you are feeling overwhelmed, rest in the God who works all things according to the counsel of his will. You cannot screw up His purpose for your child. Work at faithfulness. And when you fail, rest in the God of restoration.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.
Ephesians 5:25-30

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:12-21

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11

To the Young Mama

I read a couple of articles today about motherhood. They made me sad because both belittled the value of children and the value of motherhood. Now please don't hear me saying that every woman should be a mom, or that every mom should have as many children as possible. I don't believe either of those things. But I do believe that every human life is valuable because each one bears the image of our Creator. And I believe that motherhood is valuable because it can be a beautiful reflection of the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ.

I know several young expectant mothers right now. It is lovely to watch them grow and marvel at the life that is growing inside of them. It almost makes me miss my own pregnancy days. Almost...

Dear Young Mama,
First, I beg you to spend time knowing the Lord. You cannot be a faithful wife, you cannot be a faithful mama, if you are not growing in the knowledge of God. Your relationship with Him will fuel you for the sleepless nights and uncertainty that are an unavoidable part of parenthood. Only your Creator is sufficient to carry you through the challenges of raising a new person. Only He has the wisdom you will need to navigate the waters of parenting.

Second, work hard to not put your husband on the back burner. When this tiny new person invades your home, he or she will demand more of you than you can imagine. On those longest days after your baby has tugged at you ALL DAY LONG, it will be easy to dismiss your husband as an adult who can take care of himself. Please, Friend, remind yourself how much you love him. Remind yourself why you love him. And show him your love. Remember, this tiny person has invaded his life too. =)

Third, while it is likely that his every grunt and gurgle fills you with delight. And while you marvel at her every dimple and wave. While his antics are hilarious and her lively personality is enchanting, remember that your baby is not perfect. Your actions with regard to your little person will have far-reaching consequences. And possibly the best thing that you can teach your precious little one is that he or she is a creature under authority.

When my baby was two, she was about the cutest thing I had ever seen! We were visiting my in-laws one evening and she began to throw a fit, and it. Was. CUTE! 😄 My sister-in-law began to laugh, then quickly covered her face and said, "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't laugh, but she's just so cute!" I agreed, but my husband argued that it was NOT cute. We disputed over the cuteness for a couple of minutes, but agreed that the behavior was unacceptable and needed to be punished. Friend, what is cute at two is rarely still cute at ten. But the behaviors you allow at two set the stage for five and ten and beyond.

Finally, there is great joy in motherhood. There is also great grief. I can't tell you the measure of each that your mothering will contain. What I can tell you is that you have the profound privilege to lay down your body, your time, your comfort, for the good of another. You get to reflect the sacrificial love of the Savior.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:16

*** Note: I wrote this with the ideal situation in mind. If you find yourself in the position of being a single mama, you need even more to lean on your Heavenly Father.