promise

My first Sunday back in San Luis and I'm welcomed by a lovely service at Trinity Presbyterian on Osos Ave. Brian Kay spoke about 2 Peter 1:4-9 in which we are admonished to step outside of our apathy. I've been feeling apathetic lately and confused about my faith. The Bible is split into two halves. One is of law and one is of promises.

Christ fulfills the promises expressed in the gospel. When we search the scriptures for the promises of God, we begin to understand his character and draw closer to him. Imagine a life lived with hope in the promises of God! When we rely on who God says he is then we begin to be transformed into his image and discover how his truth can transform us. I love this. I love the fact that God is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. I love how our faith can depend on the character of God and not upon our faithfulness. It's so easy to look to the law as a guide so spiritual life, but in it's pursuit we will always fall short. Again and again. We must trust in His promise of salvation.

If I were

I've rediscovered a number of old poems and decided they need publishing...so here it goes, one per day. :) This one is on the cheery side of things!



If I were a flower
I'd welcome the day
with unfurling petals
and leaves on their way

If I were a city
I'd welcome the day
with sirens and street lights
and what a pedestrian might say

If I were myself
I'd welcome the day
with singing and dancing
and laugher far away

Welcome Day!

so that it may bear fruit

The words will not come
the well has run dry
the heart has turned to stone

no more days in prayer or
penitence
no more tears of joy

my life is a wasteland
a home without love
a love without home

a quiet burning desire unquenched
a fierce frustration eating
one from the inside out

tears away the golden days
until they are gone
and all that is left

is an ebbing hunger
a settling resentment
and a person who has turned
against everything

abandoned hope, peace, trust
patience, endurance, and prudence
for her own way

this way is easy,
yet her burdens are heavy
the bags are stuffed with
anger, fear, loss, pain and pride

The weight slows her steps until
it is clear that she isn't walking
forward
but being pulled back
by the weight of her load

She is found stranded in the desert place
lost, bewildered and confused
by a love that understands
and yet chooses to forgive

Her walk is no longer easy
yet she trusts the one who has
offered to carry her burdens
and Christ steadily softens her embittered heart
so that it may bear fruit