"As we..."

(A meditation on each word(s) 

of the Lord's prayer)

Lord,

we're having this

nice conversation of

what You will provide

now and in the future.

And then

 unexpectedly, 

You bring 

us 

into the discussion.

"What could we do for You?"

we ask.

And after a

moment of

silence,

the Other speaks

one word:

"Love."

MANDELA'S FAVORITE POEM

Invictus
William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
      Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
      Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
      How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
      I am the captain of my soul.

“Christmas traffic”

Three, two, one, liftoff

Signals Mission Control. And off they go.

To the dark parts of the planets

In their pressurized spacesuits,

Cocooned in technology, the astronauts.

Mission control whispers in someone’s ear.

Yes, she says, I will. And in due time

A different traveler makes a quieter journey,

Arriving hungry, naked, but true to instructions,

Docking on Earth, taking the one small step.

U. A. Fanthorpe

"And forgive us our trespasses"

(A meditation on each word(s) 

of the Lord's prayer)

As we cleanse

our temples

and rid 

ourselves of 

all the souvenirs

from the places

where we thought

we could find

unconditional love,

Lord,

please take them

away

along with our

desires for them.

And afterwards, 

 lead us

your rebellious children

in a service

of rededication.

"Give us this day! "

(A meditation on each word(s)
of the Lord's prayer)

Lord,
Give us this day
to live and share our love.

Lord,
Give us this day
to take delight in You.

Lord, 
Give us this day
to be peacemakers in this hostile world. 

Lord,
Give us this day
to be patient in this "me-first" world.

Lord,
Give us this day
to show kindness to strangers.

Lord, 
Give us this day
to value our friendships.

Lord,
At the end of this day
may we surrender all back to You
and petition You, 
our heavenly Father
to grant us one more day.

"Give us this day"

(A meditation on each word(s) 

of the Lord's prayer)

The Hand You’re Dealt

Every day

God deals us

our hand

for the day.

Some of us

fold

in resignation.

Some of us

bluff

our way 

through the day.

And the rest

play the game

the way the Master 

taught them.