Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Circle the Wagons!

Wagon after wagon,
pioneers journeyed west.
Unfamiliar with what was ahead, they ventured through each challenging day.

Wheels grinding over rocks and cactus, pans clanging against each other, while women kept their skirts from becoming tangled in wagon wheels; chatting and holding tired toddlers.
Dust flying, harsh weather, rugged plains, blue skies forever.

Wagon trains trailed the prairie ocean.
Families left all they knew, traveling together with strangers, to reach a common destination.
It wasn't easy.
Nothing worth anything ever is.

Along the way, they encountered tough times - accidents, sickness, death.
'Nothing harder than burying a loved one.
They knew all about it.

But, they continued. Day after treacherous day.
Wagon trains, bound by people on a journey, becoming their own community for a time.
   
We're not so diffierent.
Our wagon train of homes is settled on these eastern plains.
We know the harshness of the weather.
We know the dust and wind.
We understand.

Recently we shared tragedy and heartbreak.
The month of March left our wagons filled with tears and holes.
Tragedy after tragedy.
We had to stop.
There was no way to go on.

Tears and sleepless nights filled with prayers filled many
hearts and homes in our camp.


Has the dust settled yet?
I'm not sure.
What can we do?

We need to circle the wagons.
Pioneers did that when they stopped for the night - for safety.
They did it, to keep watch.
They were tired, dirty, homesick, heartbroken.
They may have lost a loved one along the way.
Whether they knew each other or not, they were on the journey together.

And so are we.

We need to be there for our neighbors.
Be tenderhearted and forgiving.
Be the shoulder someone needs.
Bring encouragement to a broken soul.

We need to be able to say to those around us,
"I've got your back."

We need to circle the wagons.
We're on this journey together.

We won't pass this way again.

Friday, March 4, 2011

It's Friday

I lost track of time on Tuesday night.
Death visited and turned our world upside down.
Death rings close to home since we know most everybody.
It's how it is in a small community.

Words are not enough.
They can't portray the deep grief and sorrow passing through our lives.
It's heart wrenching.
Life isn't supposed to end this way.
Murder -
Horrendous deaths of friends, parents.

My mind can't filter through all the news.
It's too tragic.
Through the blur of time, we arrived at Friday.
Friday.
Yes, Friday.

I thought about this story:


Years ago, a Baptist preacher in the inner city of Philadelphia gave an unforgettable sermon on Easter.
He said, "Mary, Jesus' mother is crying her eyes out. That's her son up on that cross. He's dying an agonizing death as a criminal."
It's only Friday...... But, Sunday's a comin'!"
The Apostles are down and depressed. Jesus, their leader is being killed by evil men.
It's only Friday.....
But, Sunday's a comin'!"
Mary Magdalene is out of her mind with grief. Jesus saved her life and set her free and now He's being killed.
It's only Friday.....
But Sunday's a comin'!
The Devil thought he won....'You thought you'd outwit me, but I've got you now.'
It's only Friday......
But Sunday's a comin'!

It's Friday. Evil has triumphed over over good.
Jesus is up there on the cross. The world is turned upside down.
This shouldn't be happening.

The brothers and the sisters are suffering.
It just isn't fair...all they have to go through, but,
it's only Friday.
Yes, it's only Friday....
But....

Sunday's a comin'!"

Yes, it's Friday.
We've experienced tremendous loss this week in our small community.
Our world has been turned upside down.

Yes, this is Friday.
But, friends, Sunday's a comin'!

God said so.
Jesus confirmed it.
The Holy Spirit is here to be our comfort and strength.
Sunday's a comin.

We can count on it.
He is our blessed hope.
He will carry us through the storm, the darkness and
bring us through.
He brought Life to Sunday.
He was victorious over Friday.

Yes, it's Friday.
But,
Sunday's a comin'!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The noise I hear

Shadows stretched across the darkness.
Accusing fingers scratched the pavement.
Who would it be tonight.
Where.

Unsuspecting would be best.
Sleeping.
Daring.
Yielding.

No one will know.
None will be able to capture what I embrace.


Prey...sounds tapping across the window pane.
Waiting.

Shadows aren't reality anyway.
But, then..the slimy fingers twist and contort.
Death.
It will reign.
Laughter.
Wicked, clattering chains
of scheming
lies.

But, NO.
Shhhh....
Listen.
Voices.
 Multitudes,
Piercing the darkness, the shadows.

Shouts.
Thundering with authority.
Needed.
Necessary.
Bellowing through eternity.
NO.
NO.
NO.

The shadows shall not reign.
They shall not overtake.
NO.


AUTHORITY arrives
on angel wings
spanning the length of time
and beyond.

It shall be well again.
It shall.
AUTHORITY HAS SPOKEN.
IT IS LOVE.
IT IS ETERNAL.
LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS.
VICTORIOUS
FOREVERMORE.

The Word of prayer rolls back the darkness
and sheds Wonderful Light.
Darkness has to depart at the sound of the Heavenly.


In the silence of grief, and suffering there is hope.
Christ has conquered death and the grave.
He forgives.
He comforts.
He reigns.
He is.
He will.
He is to come.
Selah.