wilderness true
awakening space
would you draw me nearer
to a spiritual place?
would I be advised
by mountains atremble?
there, do the angels
prepare and assemble?
do deciduous trees
or pines with their needles
improve the acoustics
of praise from the people
to an alpha that’s fearsome
omega, and all?
will the fear make me shudder
and marvel, and fall?
if I camp near the water
can I cool there each day
and fish with the fishers
of men by his grace?
and when I am weary
will my tent prove its worth
with aluminum poles
and spikes in the earth?
if not, will the pillars
of fire and cloud
descend thru the darkness
and around my heart shroud
protection and mercy
despite my poor skills?
his fierce holy love
in the true wild hills.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. – James 4:8a

And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. – Exodus 33:14

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  – Psalm 34:4

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
    which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.  – Psalm 19:1-2

Image: painting by Mandy Budan

the sky is grey today
low and still
and vast
I’d prefer a rolling storm
intense
with thunder and wind
that vibrate the earth
and crack trees
so I could hear power
and see movement
so I could feel change
and have evidence
instead
the grey is hard pavement
above me
the stillness makes me groan
where is the fire?
where is the light?
Zion’s roads are broad
and tiled with clear sapphires
lit with burning bush…
all I have are table lamps
I turn them on
midday
since sun remains unseen
but I know it’s there
the sun
higher and greater
than the ash hood
and my groaning is enough
and my lamp
and my knowing
grey’s edge is up ahead

Faith points us beyond our problems to the hope we have in Christ. – Billy Graham

The hope that God has provided for you is not merely a wish. Neither is it dependent on other people, possessions, or circumstances for its validity. Instead, biblical hope is an application of your faith that supplies a confident expectation in God’s fulfillment of His promises. – John C Broger

Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope with things that are not at hand. – Thomas Aquinas

image: Lamp by Susie Anderson