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A Lament for Our Children Part One
I see you, blossom of mine, in the darkness. …my companions have become darkness. Psalm 88, I Cry Out Day and Night Before You, verse 18 Our children want to die, and their companions have become darkness. We thought that if we did everything right, if we trained them in the way they should go, if we instructed their hearts in Truth, they would be safe. Such cruel untruth. I am aware at this moment of no less than eight children who have had suicidal ideations or attempted to take their own lives in recent weeks. Their parents are all Christian leaders whom I know and love, people who live the gospel. The mental health crisis among our children is growing in strength and velocity. Like the Psalmist,… Read More
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You Went Ahead of Me
You did it again! You went ahead of me. I thought I was a messenger, Sent to tell them about You. But You had already come; Prepared hearts— Expectant, Hopeful. He looked at me And said, I feel like I’ve met you before. Like I’ve known you a very long time. As we read Your Words together, Spoke of mutual pain And the comfort You give, He remembered. I felt this way in a dream once. Silently awestruck— Weeping Tears of Joy, Listening as he described How You came. Dressed in white (Every story is the same!) You appeared, Laid Your hand upon the shoulder Of a broken-hearted father. Comfort Peace Healing Hope. I woke… Read More
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Another Lion
Thank you, JS, for helping me recognize it was His roar I heard. For helping me put my sword down and worship. Two Lions I heard the lion roaring; His terrible strength Keeping me from sleep. I trembled at my window; Peering into night; Aware of his hunger. My sword hangs at my side; My armor scratched and dull-- Second skin. I have lived ready, Alert, On guard these long years. I know he wants to devour me. But I resist; And I remember my family around the world who also suffer. I am not alone. As I strain to see his position, A voice like silver Shimmers in my ear, There is another Lion. The… Read More
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Let God Transform You
Metamorphosis: (Greek: metamorphoó) a complete change of character, appearance, substance, or form. To transform. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform (metamorphoó) you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 As I wrangled with my own bad attitude toward personal transformation this week, a butterfly landed in my path. The little creature, painted with colors of sunset against powder black, seemed to have a message for me. Soundlessly she delivered her elegant exhortation. Let God transform you. She told me a silent story of metamorphosis, a season of dissolving darkness that made her the beauty she now… Read More