A Temporal Voice

The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker illustrates how our entire lives are wrapped up in a gigantic cosmic tale of love, and dealing with the sin-created opposite, hate. It is amazing to take a step back and realize that, we're here for a purpose created by a loving God, and that, though we became imperfect and inherently flawed to a fatal degree, we may be saved from our condition because of a vital and personal love: the sacrificial love of Christ. Thus, our response to love and philosophies guiding the in which we think about, speak about and practice love become of the utmost importance.

Recently, I've had the privilage of sitting under some purely excellent teaching about the nature of love. One of the main conclusions reached by the teachers to whom I have listened has been that a totally self-denying and sacrificial love actualized by God, vibrant in our hearts, and vivid through our actions is the highest and best way in which to live our lives in regards to the character of love. That thought alone has made me stop to think more often about my own actions and the reasons behind the words I say and thoughts I think. The realization, or dawning comprehension of the true scope that love should have in one's life is incredibly powerful. A basic understand of this Agape, or unconditional love, is certainly the best place in which to begin an exploration of the other loves identified by the Greeks in their literature, love for family and friends, for self, and the...more romantic love.

I began my introduction in this manner to provide a little perspective on where I've been, so that you can understand where I'm going. I wrote this next little work in the context of the more romantic (surprised?) love that's been stirred and tapped recently. I want you, as the reader, to understand that, though I am enraptured by this love, it is not the highest love. In fact, this love isn't even possible in a pure form until one can grasp the larger picture of the unconditional and sacrificial love displayed by Christ. My passion for the subject about which I have written below originates directly from my recent turn from being trapped on my own playing field to looking upwards and seeking the face of God, His direction, and His will. And thus, I have written :-)

~ Jon ~

Heavenly Similitudes

There once was a boy,
Who lived in a world,
Like unto our own,
Whose life was just plain,
Until that one day,
Of rapture and awe.

The day had begun,
Like any Spring day,
Yet all felt more rich,
So vibrant – alive,
As if God had sung,
And World echoed back.

He trod his life’s path,
That one fine Spring day,
But tripped and fell flat,
And reddened quickly,
Then tried to explain,
His two lefted feet.

But she smiled back,
A light in her eyes,
And offered her hand,
To help him back up,
To balance his feet,
And righten his mind.

From that one day on,
Nothing was the same,
For that boy had known,
She had been special;
That he fell in love,
With earth’s one angel.

Sometimes he’d see her,
They’d cross in their paths,
He’d walk and look down,
She’d stop and just smile,
At him who she knew,
That she loved so too.

This angel of light,
The sweetest of beings,
He held in his heart,
The closest of all,
Her soul changed his life,
Forever, for good…

This earth-bound angel,
She sang like the sun,
Moved as a princess,
And told of her love,
With a smile just like,
A light on dark hills.

She made his heart leap,
And rise to a love,
That’d die for her name,
Protect her whole life,
Then’d embrace her and say,
You’re safe in my arms.

The story goes on,
Of their love and life,
Together, they were,
Eternity on;
Would that I could tell,
Their history’s path.

The ending was lost,
I’m saddened to say,
Yet, can be remade,
Through other lives too,
As he holds her close,
His angel and friend.

A Glimmer of Hope

Even the darkest of nights carries with it the hope of another brilliant morning sunrise. It's never too late for the past to be conquered by the future. Remember the strength of hope though faced with the most challenging trials of life on this earth. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

A Painted Portal

Would that I could set these lines,
Upon a scene or painting too,
An artist speaks through brushstrokes fine,
And I upon this paper here,
Pen words to make the picture clear.

I saw the portraits brave and tall,
Of strength and beauty long they spoke,
Those landscape scenes upon the wall,
Ask, “Am I pretty can you hear,
The crashing waves or falling tear.”

For as I stood and gazed that night,
Their clouds rolled by and water lapped,
And moved to wing the birds to flight,
And catch me there just standing by,
Believing painted birds could fly.

The scene was real as real can be,
I tasted, saw and felt and touched,
The world upon this canvas sea,
And then I stated, stared and gasped –
A boy was looking back at me.

So in I drew, yet closer still,
But near enough to step right through,
The artist paints with awesome skill;
The boy had walked from whence he came,
Holding close a picture frame.

As I looked it struck me then,
I know those woods and hills and birds,
And place where I just once had been,
The painting tells the picture’s tale,
Of how a man can finally fail.

I recognized that scene full well,
It made me almost turn away,
Yet kept me staid within its spell,
Remorsing for the end I chose,
And how with grief I finally froze.

Yet still I stayed and watched in awe,
Another form take shape right there,
And you, in disbelief I saw,
My angel born in heaven,
The light within my life.

Confused by time and date and place,
I lift my head in shining sun,
And in the light I see your face,
You are the one for whom I longed,
And wish to all things I hadn’t wronged.

But you placed this frame into my hands,
Wished me, “happy birthday, love,”
Holding hands on this garden seat,
We sit side by side within the frame,
The painting is finally complete.

Smiles for love

Smiles for those times in life when one can do nothing but marvel at God's greatest creation: love; smiles for His blessings one and all; smiles for close friends to share; smiles as my heart is filled; wonder at the window face now smiling back at me....

Window Gateway

Alone I sit another day,
Watching sunbeams cast their light,
The rays reveal a dusty air,
Floating still as the place I stay.

Alone within a room of worlds,
My study pages fingers flip,
My soul has wandered far away,
Now walking through your perfect world.

Though sky is grey and air is cold,
And skies rain down their sorry tears,
My love to you the wind will bear,
The words on thin paper to fold.

And as I leave my studies go,
My eyes traverse the space between,
You found my heart and follow here,
I see your face in my window.

Life's path

Some will know, some will not. Some will care, some will not. I didn't think I was affected - but I was more deeply moved than I thought - and thus have only just begun to feel the weight. Don't take this lightly. Don't be paralyzed by fear. Tread carefully, and wisely and in the footsteps of our Savior....
In Memoriam:

Final Steps.

~ Jon ~

Final Steps

Stepping forward, moving through,
This life, each step is life anew,
Now turn and see your footsteps past,
They speak of pain and memory,
And of the place that you will be,
When on the path you step your last.

She lived her life for Him alone,
Her life was full, happy and shone,
His Truth within her heart she kept,
She shared it with all those in need,
Planting – caring for the seeds,
Even as her last she stepped…

For footsteps trace the path of time,
They rise and fall with Sovereign’s Rhyme,
Then one day our last we’ll take,
The walk in sand will finally end,
Our prints a lasting message send,
Is/was my path for His glory and sake?

The day was bright and full of hope,
She stepped onto the tightened rope,
Yet then it snapped and fell away,
As on we watched in disbelief,
Then turned our faces down in grief,
And felt what words had failed to say.

For not we know the time or place,
We turn to God and seek His face,
But still it’s hard to just let go…
He gives us human comfort and
A solid hope on which to stand;
And catches tears in love we know.

We’ll always miss her warming smile,
And wish to climb up heaven’s stile,
But her path is there, meek and mild,
It speaks of grace, salvation free,
Proclaiming – all the world can see,
Daddy’s little girl, God’s beloved child.

So check your path, your life, your creed,
Life has ‘nere been guaranteed,
Your next step could be the last,
So praise Him with each step you take,
Then deep your Lifeprints He will make;
And remember those whose ends you’ve passed….

To be certain of

Something's in the air tonight - shining faces all a bright? A toasty place and firelight? What can one say about the aire, of which I breathe with seemed uncare? It flows within, I glean delight, - and keep these thoughts so close tonight. Something is here - forever and always.

December in October

Winds and waves of frosted rain,
Tumble blow and wisp away,
Catch on forest boughs below,
And think of how they flew that day.

Clouds upon their lofty nigh,
Flow their way through azure sky,
Blanketing the ground below,
Watching tendriled wisps they throw.

Chill surrounds this breezy day,
Pulling on the autumn leaves,
Walks in step with marching time,
That which summer lover grieves.

Creatures walking to and fro,
Eyes they speak to ones who know,
Standing under weather sky,
Waiting there for their reply.

Singing winds and hopeful breeze,
Day of heaven in my sight,
Up there she stands awaiting,
Her warmth is in my heart tonight.