Empty is the tomb.
Empty are its threats.
Curse borne from the womb
Cancelled with our debts.
Freedom from our doom
Found in heaven’s nets.
Photo by Paul Gilmore on Unsplash
Freedom
Words
Our words divide. They rend each other’s souls.
The Word rends our division, offers peace
To war-torn hearts that long for true release
From slavery, from talk’s eternal tolls.
Our words deceive. They prove our father well.
The Word destroys deception in his wake
And takes e’en death’s ability to take
That souls may surely hope to ‘scape from hell.
Our words decay. They cannot help but fade.
The Word will never not be, shall endure
Should sea and sky be shaken. He is sure,
Salvation for the burdened and afraid.
Lord, teach our tongues, if e’er we speak, to be
Tamed by the Truth, to ever echo thee.
Photo by Alejandro Escamilla on Unsplash
Christians
We are living sacrifices
Still allowed to scream;
Not left to our own devices,
Still inspired to dream;
Free to choose in daily choices,
Held by sov’reignty;
Speaking with our mortal voices
Of eternity.
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash
The Call
Count the cost before you follow me.
I require more than you now foresee.
Will you seize this joyful slavery,
Or do you prefer captivity?
Photo by Sandra Wattad on Unsplash
Satisfy
Nothing here will satisfy me.
Still, these treasures tempt me, try me.
Trust in them will truly guide me
Straight into the grave.
Only you can satisfy me.
Perfect Father, purify me.
Set me free and ever guide me.
Only you can save.
Photo by Adam Birkett on Unsplash
Self Care
Over the last few years, I’ve heard a number of people emphasize the importance of self care. The idea used to be foreign to me, yet I’ve come to see that self care is a key factor in how many people schedule their time. And for good reason. Continue reading
Three Days
Remember now the darkness of those three long days before
The dawning of the day of resurrection,
For few have felt the fear of thinking God had lost the war.
The shadow of his people’s insurrection
Now loomed across the future. Now our hope seemed spent and slain.
The light of life appeared to be extinguished.
The ones who sang his praises now in shock sang no refrain.
His life, howe’er, was willingly relinquished.
What seemed to be a sure defeat was fixed before the fall.
The devil’s darkest scheme was his undoing.
As Christ was lifted up, he drew all men to heed his call.
He drained the cup of wrath our sin was brewing.
The bitter silence of that Sabbath day must have been great.
Unheard, Satan’s presumpt’ous celebration.
When was it Satan realized the cross had sealed his fate?
The slaughtered lamb became our faith’s foundation.
We now look back in wonder at this work in history
And sing with joy to God who reigns eternal.
The cornerstone came forth again in holy victory
O’er ev’ry sin, the mean and the infernal.
The resurrection of the Son secured our joy and peace.
No enemy can sabotage or sever
Us from the Father’s love. In him, sin’s slavery must cease.
Sing praise, his people, now and to forever.
Photo by Ricky Turner on Unsplash
Freedom
Why? Why, dear souls, do we insist
On clinging to our chains?
We who now wear robes which persist,
Why love we still the stains?
Christ bore the wrath our sin had earned.
No fear of death remains.
Forsake the things in Christ you spurned,
These passions and these pains.
For freedom, Christ has set us free,
And we are free indeed
From ev’ry subtle slavery
And ev’ry stifling weed.
No longer do we bear the curse
Of final poverty.
Heed now the joyful second verse:
Holy eternity.
Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash
The Theology of the Third Wheel
“The third wheel is what makes it a tricycle.” – Michael Scott (“The Office”)
