written Nov.11/2012 who believes, and how? we stand sing; we bow we learn and lead, we pray for God's voice to speak today I stand up and use my gifts I walk to the edge, I stand on a cliff I learn and grow; do I walk alone? I hope for a glimpse, I approach the throne You gather me with the other sheep You walk alongside me, you're strong for the weak You are much greater, You...

written April 23, 2012 Hearts break and you witness the sound of mourning And morning with the dawn arrives when the sun shines hot So your weak eyes hesitate to open so they don’t see But they have seen and won’t close again in your mind’s eye  It’s in the same way you cry for the loss of innocence Almost to forget but also to recover a sense of feeling   You...

written Oct 25/2012 A dream is a wish your heart makes And, oh, does it ache, And, oh, does it keep you awake, A dream is a hope your mind creates Something to which one’s very soul gravitates But the world complicates And the foolish wander from, forgetting what’s at stake No, a dream is not only a dream It is rooted in stories of need It’s a vision for overcoming...

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THANKFUL TO HAVE GROWN UP IN A PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY SAFE HOME. MY NEEDS WERE MET, MY HEART WAS CHERISHED, MY INPUT VALUED AND IT IS WHERE I LEARNED WHAT LOVE IS.   I HOPE TO ESTABLISH A HOME FOR YOUTH WHO ARE AGING-OUT OF THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM WHO HAVEN'T YET FELT ESTABLISHED, STILL NEEDING TOOLS TO VENTURE OUT AND REALIZE THEIR...

written March 27/12 led out of the cold, out of the depth the depth of lonely, the being bereft the inside confusion, the steady facade the beauty and grace covered in the odd led out by a face, a narrow path to guide the hope to run a good race, and not to hide the truth of beautiful grace and the will to confide ‘for you shall go out in joy & be led forth...

written Jan 24/12 she taught me about hope; she warned me about it. she said it would lead me and betray me, she had seen its light and trusted it. she had come a long way since then she was stronger for it, and wiser she would hope again, but not here and not without reservation and not without a good reason truly she trusted the darkness more and she was stumbling...

written Nov. 14/2010 i fear pain. honest. maybe it’s ‘cause i’m selfish maybe i could call it self-preservation ‘cause it hurts too much  and it urks too much stuck in ideals of church too much those needy, left in the lurch too much maybe we could call it a pattern maybe it comes from darker taverns cause i’m sure enough  that we’re deep enough to...

The Antithesis of Psalm 23 by Marcia K. Hornok The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest. It makes me lie down only when exhausted. It leads me to deep depression. It hounds my soul. It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake. Even though I run frantically from task to task, I will never get it done,  For my “ideal” is with me. Deadlines and...

today i was told that i should keep dreaming - bigger and greater dreams for God's kingdom. i will try do that.  i will also try remember Who it is who calls me.  i will seek to discover more about how great, mighty, good and faithful God is.  after some dreaming, i did a substantial amount of questioning. then, i did some listening.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- God...

somebody called a Name they called for freedom  they called for laughter they asked that joy and peace and love might follow after somebody called a Name somebody listened long they heard the thunder they heard the song they prayed that ears be open  and hearts would belong  somebody listened long somebody believed in Life they touched the...

The song "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath stirred up this blog post today. (It's been a while since a song-blog, eh?)Shocked, this week I listened as a friend was socially ostracized for a horrific choice they made. The expression of anger I witnessed didn't resemble the grace I wished would be extended to my friend and made me cringe as I considered the ways I fail in stewarding...

when i forget You are holy, that Jesus the Holy One died, remind me when i forget Jesus’ blood alone can make me clean, remind me when i forget Jesus was broken for me, a sinner, remind me when i believe i know what it means to suffer, humble me when i live as though the cross i bear is outside Your understanding, humble me when i give and complain as though i invented...

Spring when you breathe in and all you get is air when life brings hope rather than despair when you look around, finding things to share when fear is real, but doesn’t keep you scared when joy comes in and stops being rare when truth sheds light and makes you aware when steps lead you up, like taking the stairs when caring matters and you can’t help but care when winter’s gone...