a kind of patience
Before Spring’s shy kiss
ruby red promises stand still
taunting cool blue skies.
Author Archive: Craig
What’s your vision of society?
What kind of common ground and space do you imagine for our civil society?
Do you imagine and delight in the vision of a society sanitized of religious symbolism on the bodies of the “faithful”?
Or
Do you imagine and delight in a vision of society filled with symbolism and self-expression, even on the bodies of the religious or “faithful?”
What do you believe we must protect?
Do we need to protect society from the bodily self-expression of the religious?
or
Do we need to protect the religious and their right of self-expression from society when it demands control over their bodies?
Your answers to these questions will shape how you feel and think about the proposed (2.0 – as in “here it is again.”) legislation in Quebec.
The Prayer of the People, March 24, 2019
Heavenly Father, we come to you just as a thirsty deer comes to a stream of water. We thirst for you and know that you can satisfy.
We rejoice in the truth and those who tell it. So Jesus your Son has become our Saviour. He has set us free. He is the Saviour of all who believe. His Word is life to us.
We are grateful for the gift of your Holy Spirit who has made us alive to you. We are a new creation, brought into your communion; you are making all things new and beautiful on your schedule.
We praise you for this grace in which we live!
Our prayer though echos the ancient question, “How long?” How long Lord will we groan for the revealing of who we are in Christ? How long will people groan under the oppression of the evil one? How long will you be patient?
We yearn for you. Your Spirit from the beginning has hovered over the deep, bringing order to chaos. Bring order to our hearts.
We yearn for you to be revealed in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi; we ask Father that you would let the waters recede and that your agents of mercy could provide help to many who are stranded in the remnants of Cyclone Idai.
We yearn for you to be revealed in the many villages and communities in Canada that lack clean water. Please grant your provisions and your wisdom to those working to create new water systems.
We yearn for you to be revealed on our campus in the hearts of people stirred up with anxiety, weighed down by lonely ambitions, and darkened by unbelief. You have promised your satisfying presence in the life of all who believe you — a stream of living water that flows from within. May you bring salvation.
Thank you Father for hearing our prayer in the name and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, so we pray as He taught us…
Please Join me now in the Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
Amen.
In The Thick of It
No roar
in this dim light
but the battle
lines have been
drawn.
The curtain opens
on a throne
cast by you
in flesh.
Your glory fills.
Your word heals.
Your presence seals.
The usurper cannot
stand your
grace.
But humble hearts
beat again and
courage finds
a face.
Vancouver Coyote
Red skies.
The light turned green.
The gap was small.
A flash
sped between a
Mercedes-Benz,
a Tesla too,
a rushing has-beens BMW.
A quick side check
and I see you pause:
White hair. Grey specks.
Looking back for just cause.
The last time I saw you I’m sure
t’was at the cemetery,
but on that we cannot tarry.
Another mile you see
and I’ll be home.
Your dark eyes a gift – my short poem.
“Still here.” “Still here.”
Still here I smile
and rush on.