Posts Tagged ‘poem’

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Religion, including the religion of Christians, is always accompanied by rituals, symbols, traditions and specialized language that both communicate to and order the lives of the faithful. These provide a sense of transcendence (i.e. that we are doing something out of the ordinary and significant) and imminence (i.e. that we are mutually participating in the life of God and other believers in ways that seem nature and good) – without even having to think much about it. And yet, when we do think about our theology, our worship and the practices of the Church we are more richly able to live our religion. Thus, in some cases the very fact that we do things over and over again, ritually, it has a way of impacting us and transforming us unconsciously. At other times, when we are meditative and thoughtful about these things we can see them in fresh new ways, and be impacted all the more.

Sometimes it is helpful for us to be exposed to our religion in ways that are initially unconventional and even uncomfortable for us. While some people thrive on poetry, others can be bored to tears by it. The same can be said with recitations of the Bible and theological discourse. The video is an example of something religious that is for some people very appealing and edifying, and to others less so. But notice – it is not everyday speech. It is a theological reflection artistically presented that could make us stop and meditate on the truths presented in a new and stimulating way. Contextualizing the Christian message for various tastes, manners of speaking and cultural backgrounds can not only be appealing and effective for unbelievers and new Christians, it can also provide a innovative way of communicating the truth for mature and faithful believers. In the Church, we need to be open to what God is doing in and through all kinds of people as they faithfully articulate the truths once delivered to the saints in the Bible.

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26
Dec

Grace’s 18th Christmas Tide

   Posted by: Doug    in Family, Poetry

Since Grace was born I looked forward to giving her a “Hope Chest.”  It seems like something dads should do. But more than that, it is something that I have wanted to do to tell her how proud I am of her as a person, and young woman and someone that I know will be a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She has diligently prepared herself for her future as a homemaker, and I have every expectation that she will be a woman of greatness.

Amy suggested that I write a poem for this gift giving event.  What you see below is not so much of a poem as poetic thoughts. I love you grace!

My Treasure

Great as all creation,
Are the treasures of God your Father,
With humanity the crowning glory.
We, His Covenant People, are His special Treasure.
Has He not promised to give us His best?
To open before us His good treasures – This is His pleasure.
Rain from the heavens, blessing on all the works of our hands,
To make us the head of the nations,
Giving us whole salvation and joy,
In love, to judge our sins, and vindicating us before our enemies.
All of these and more are laid up in store for us.
Unsealed are His treasures for those whom He has called sons and daughters.

Let us treasure up the Words of His mouth,
Greater than all other things necessary or desirable.
Let us rejoice at His utterances, His commands and promises,
As those who have found hidden treasures.
By the voice of Him who loves us,
We gain the greatest treasure of all,
God our Father!

Of all the treasures given to me by God your Father,
You, my daughter, are among the greatest!
Of course I treasure many things:
Some are contained only in my heart,
Others live in my home, While others are born to my children.
Some treasures could be put in wooden chests,
Hung on my walls, or worn as badges of pride in my reputation.
But you, my daughter,
Are a treasure so rare and wonderful,
I have nothing that compares to you.
You are a singular treasure,
Exceptional and unique in the world.
Who among the beautiful daughters of proud fathers,
Has such a desire to please with guileless trust,
Displaying rowdy joy and depth of empathy and concern?
You love with loyalty, you stand with truth,
You bring light and joy to me and all!
You, my daughter, are a treasure given by God my Father.

It is time, my dear daughter,
To fill your treasure chest,
With good gifts from God your Father.
To bless those in your world,
In anticipation and hope of the good future,
That is laid out before you by God your Father.
The day will come,
When you will become the greatest of all treasures,
To the one who will be the father of your greatest legacies and treasures.
In anticipation, I call upon you to make preparation,
To make yourself an even greater treasure than you are today!

“Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times,
And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure” Isaiah 33:6

Christmas Tide, 2009

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27
Sep

Grandfather Feels Poetic

   Posted by: Doug    in Family, Family Pictures, Grand-Babies, Poetry

doug-and-amaraHeaven Scent

Smell her hair, rub your nose on her check
She is new and fresh
She is asleep and yet full of life
A gift given – and joy received
She is heaven scent

Like a sunny spring morning
With bird song and new blossom fragrance in the air
Hope and expectation everywhere abundant
God promises new life and joy in her cry
She is heaven scent

Too often our eyes are dimmed with concern
Too heavy our cares seem to be
Life sometimes has that musky smell of stale disappointment
And yet – In the peacefulness of her sleep – joy is remembered
She is heaven scent

Heaven is where the King rules
Heaven is where our love ascends
From heaven we look for all our prayers to be answered
From heaven we know that love always comes
She is the scent of heaven – A foretaste of joy’s aroma

amy-and-amara

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