Archive | May 2021

From the Cottage-by-the-Sea, #6, 5/24/2021

May24
Art & photo by dfav.
Aiming to go to our prayer cottage,
Our place by the sea
It is hard to reach today
The four a.m. moon faint,
Barely visible reflected in the sea.
The journey feels like forever
I wheel wounded body and soul
Both giving up on me.

I cannot wheel myself further,
No closer to where I want to be,
I call out to You Jesus
Do You see how much I need You?
Will You rescue me?
Even as I think to call out
The thought awakens in my mind,
"Try again to reach me."

In amazement I am here
Outside the Cottage-by-the-Sea,
Wheeling closer, down to the shore
While physical exhaustion drips away
The breeze from the sea fills me.
The tide is high and crashing in,
Sweeping away and sweeping in,
The shoreline by the sea.

The cares of this earthly life
Recede in my heart You've given me.
Your voice speaks in my ears,
Reminding me of what's vital
Of what really needs to be.
My eyes close so I can listen,
Truly hear what You are saying
Here by the Cottage-by-the-Sea.

Hands clasp onto mine.
Pulling me to run beside You free,
I feel Your scars from the nails
O this moment of the sweet-by-and-by
For Jesus' hands have me.
Time slips by as He walks
And I follow without fright
Along the beach by the sea.

He speaks to me in earnest
Waves pouncing at our feet by the sea
I can feel sand between my toes
The toes of both feet as it
Gently occurs to me,
There is only one leg
On this wounded body of mine
Even here by the Cottage-by-the-Sea.

Laughter, joy, amazement erupts
I hear Jesus' laughter next to me
One day, like now, in His presence,
I will walk, rejoice, even dance
Beside Heaven's crystal sea.
Regardless of all of Earth's troubles,
Its miseries and darkness
In this moment I am free
Walking with Jesus
As we laugh by the sea.

---dfav
5/24/21

Running to You

May10

Seems like the world is closing in,

Not sure what or who is wrong this time,

Not sure of who should win,

Or if there’s a winning side at all.

I will be running, running to You.

But, this I am confident is true,

When Jesus splits the eastern sky,

This daughter will be running to You,

I will run to You, I will run to You.

I will be the one running to You.

After years of wondering what I should do,

Every second it takes me to get there,

Is one less to spend with You,

I will be the one running with a smile on my face.

I will be the one running, running to You.

There will be skid marks where I slide,

When I reach the point before Your throne,

Throwing my arms up, my heart open wide,

Holy tears will flow down my cheeks,

I will have been running, running to You.

To worship, adore You and praise You too.

Yes, I will be the one running fast as I can,

How long I have hungered for this time You are due,

I will be running to You despite one leg being gone.

Yes, I will be running, running to You.

—dfav

5/10/2021

Scents

May7
Photo by MOHAMED ABDELSADIG on Pexels.com
There is a scent on the wind,
A different one, unrecognizable,
Wrapped in notes of bitterness,
Hints of fear, anger are palatable.
The heart draws in these scents,
Overtones of hate and despair,
Unclean hands ad hearts,
All swirling on the same breath of air.
Can all these be the smell
Of mankind destroying one another?
Could this be what the end stench details?
A decaying, arid, rotten smother?

Wait, there blows in another wind,
A cleaner, fresher, welcome scent,
This pushes through the bad smell,
Pure, newly washed, gentle hints.
Lungs rejoice at renewed hope,
From where does this originate?
With its notes of forgiveness,
Its source by choice not fate?
Eyes look up to the sunrise
Lungs pausing at the welcome sight
Jesus breathing over us all
Allowed He'll make everything right.

Everyone come and rest a while,
Breath deep of both streams of scent,
Which do you want to give life to you?
Do you require any other hint?
There is a smell on rushing wind,
Choose fresh and clean or stench of decay,
Either will set off change in you,
This is your moment, you have this say.
This earth will one day pass,
Your last breath will be vile or sweet,
These winds bring you a choice,
Which way will they send heart and feet?

---dfav
5/7/2021

Holy Water

May6
Photo by Transformation Films on Pexels.com
Sprinkle me with the purest water
Until the dust evaporates
Until my soul believes it participates
So I feel better for a while.

But, afterwards the sin remains
More vivid are my scarlet stains.

Submerge me in water pure and fresh
Until I am surface soaked
Until it seems my soul is cleansed
So I feel better for a longer while.

But, in all too short a time
My sin stains lay claim as mine.

Plunge me under the running water
Until the agitation washes deeper
Until my soul appears to be a keeper
So I feel sure for a even longer while.

But, as times passes by and on
My heart knows it is a con.

Wash me in Your Holy Water
Until Your blood from Calvary flows
Until the water runs high and low
So I can convince myself an even longer while.

But, this time do not let me intervene
For Believer's Baptism is not routine.

Saturate me thoroughly in Your Holy Water
Until no part of me is remotely still dry
Until my soul knows it responded to Your cry
So this is real Believer's Baptism, those real smiles.

No buts, no ifs or pretenses this time
Steel like assurance as a Savior You are mine.

Flood my entire being in Your Holy Spirit
Until every wrong I have ever done
Until every unrighteousness is gone
So I continue as a new creation in You.

But this time I really understand
Faith proceeds instead of routines hand.

---dfav
5/6/2021

From the Cottage-by-the-Sea #5, 5/5/2021

May5
Art & photo by dfav.
O Father!  I am here!
You are too let there be no mistake.
My heart leaps with acknowledgment,
My soul drinks in Your peace,
Though outside the pounding storm does not cease.

O Father!  I am here!
Should I rush outside into this gale?
My heartbeat quickens with the waves,
My soul gasps at this darkness mid-day,
Though I see the Son is waiting to show the way.

O Father!  I am here!
This storm is greater than any hurricane.
My heart cannot deny the danger,
My soul remembers You provide for the sparrow,
Though it seems there may be no morrow.

O Father!  I am here!
It is time to pray and praise only You.
My heart longs for Your continual presence,
My soul knows any rescue for anyone is in You,
Though the winds shrill with evil in what they do.

O Father!  I am here!
This wall of darkness slammed down is even worse.
My heart sees in it those fallen and confused,
My soul sends me outside to scream, "Come home",
Though they turn from us wanting to be alone.

O Father!  I am here!
Will You not send me though destruction flies?
My heart cries for what will never be again,
My soul clings to You to withstand the probability,
Though this country is called to accountability.

O Father!  I am here!
Light returns as the storm recedes.
My heart rejoices that our cottage still stands,
My soul mourns for all that is now gone,
Though it is as if the USA never stood alone.

O Father!  I am here!
We search for all the other survivors.
My heart weeps for those freshly wounded,
My soul for those completely wiped away,
Though still proof exists You are here this day.

O Father!  I am here!
Is this vision for now or a future time?
My heart stirs as I look at You,
My soul trusting in Your true direction,
Though others balk let me follow Your instruction.

----dfav
5/5/2021