Poem: When You Come For Us

When the drums beatWhen the wind howlsWhen the rain poursWhen the storm ragesWhen darkness closes inWe will stand firm.Strong and unbowedShining light for all to see.When you come for usWith violence in your heart;When you aim to spreadTerror and fearDespair and heartbreak;When war reaches our shoreAnd love ones are lost;We will stand firm.We will notContinue reading “Poem: When You Come For Us”

"Judge Me By My Size, Do You?"–On The Value of Upsetting Expectations

“Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.”–Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope. “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement”–John 7:24 For those who don’t know, I volunteer with an after-school program called Run and Read, run by Start2Finish. Run and Read is a program that builds literacy,Continue reading “"Judge Me By My Size, Do You?"–On The Value of Upsetting Expectations”

The Value of a Nuisance

When I was in my third year of university, I read the Bible cover to cover in two weeks. This is what caused me, finally, to become Christian. One of the things I noticed immediately was that there were some subtle differences between Paul and Christ that I found objectionable. I have since come toContinue reading “The Value of a Nuisance”

Poem: Sea Of Pain

The darkness is closing inI struggle to stay afloatSwimming in the sea of my pain.Storm waters rising highLightning fills the sky.She cries:“Hold on, love!Go with the flow,You can do more than you know.Though it doesn’t seem so,The skies will clearThe sun will shineThe sea will calm.And you will see thenThe glory of love.”Peace fills meContinue reading “Poem: Sea Of Pain”

Poem: On Course

I walk a difficult pathStruggling to find my way.Storms rageObstacles block my way.I stumble.I fall.I rise againAnd walk on.I am lost in the dark.Yet somehowI takeEach next right stepAnd stay on course.I run through the forest.Leaves rustleWolves howlPredators stalkThere is no clear path.Yet somehowI find my wayAnd stay on course.I sailThrough Stormy seas.I’m thrownAgainst theContinue reading “Poem: On Course”

Same-Sex Relationships and Christianity

This past fall, I read two books that were a huge comfort. The first was God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines. The second was: Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships  by James V. Brownson. I was very pleased to read these twoContinue reading “Same-Sex Relationships and Christianity”

Poem: Bury My Heart

I picked up a shovelDug myself a holeTook my heart from my chestThrew it in the ground.Covered it with dirtCovered it with stoneTried to bury deepMy love for you.Yet rays shone throughLike shoots sprouting out of ground.The Lord said to me:“Let it out.Let it flow.Let your love flow.Only thenCan you truly let her go.”So IContinue reading “Poem: Bury My Heart”

Poem: Balanced

I have walked many roadsIn my life thus far.I have takenThe road less traveledAnd forged my own pathThrough fire, fog, and storm.All the time you were with meGently by my side.Now I am balancedForged strong and pureAble to sense youIn darkness and in light.Life still has strugglesLove, work, and faith.At times I still stumbleEven fall.ButContinue reading “Poem: Balanced”