Drawn from many waters

 (2 Samuel 22:7, 17)

Hark! Is there a rising from the tumult of hell? 

A sweet silence overcoming the howl of offence

Bursting open the gates that guard that broad entrance

A strong calm pushing thru the clamour of rancour and strife

Reaping the peaceful fruit of eternal life.

Listen! Do you hear? 

Drawn from mankind's foul waters dark with filth and fear, 

silencing the mockers, the fruit of that piercing spear

Behold! Who's this emerging thru the black darkness of arrogance?

Clothed in white robes, glorious extravagance!

Is it not He! Striding forth in strength

His love having conquered the height, breadth and length

Amazing! Who is this coming with Him? Lord, help me believe

Behold! It is Adam!, and is that Eve?!

And who is this multitude steadfastly behind? 

A cloud of many witnesses glorified, refined

 

The holy hand of the Father, forever faithful and strong, 

reaching down and raising this washed, firstborn-throng.

Who will stand praising forever with their brethren

The courts of Jerusalem resounding with holy amen

MDC 2019

Lamentations 3:22 - 23

The hiss of the gas hot-water system firing up outside my bedroom window tells me my 86-year old father is up. His daily rituals are as certain as the dawn.

The thump of a kitchen drawer tells me that my mother is up; her movements around the house as precise as the pendulum clock on the living room wall.

Old age has ushered in many variations but the habits of a lifetime will not be denied. Even the certitude of memory is not convinced by evidence that things are not in their normal place.

They look forward to each day, the new mercies that come with each rising sun all the proof they need that God looks down on them and smiles.

Simple pleasures like the matins of birds and their antics in the bird bath bring a delight that is eagerly anticipated and shared; flowers appearing in or out of season still a rewarding sight.

The difficulties of old age have become a secondary consideration. When their time has come they will not remember the hardships, for the humble joys of righteousness remain forever.

MDC

April 2021

Troubling Favour

(Luke 1:30)

Under the taut swell of her belly He moved.

She knew He was eager. 

She felt alone although He had two fathers.

She knew she would never fully understand.

The enormity of the decision was a weight that grew with each dawn.

The gold, frankincense and myrrh were acknowledgement of what she knew to be true

but they did nothing to diminish her concerns.

The first and only one in her position, only Elizabeth could give scant counsel

She also knew that what was given was holy and, though darkness raged at her door, she would be obedient.

MDC

March 2021

The Natural, The Spiritual

Tree

A tree is a silent sentinel, privy to secrets forever held

Providing respite from the sun, fruit in season. Hewn down, 

fed to the flames, turned into furniture and scented boxes, 

asking for nothing in return but a little rain and adequate 

soil. Passes on its knowledge to little birds.

Snake

A snake is a wild creation, moving with mystery upon a rock

Moving on ribbons of light, tasting the morning and evening air

Separating itself from its own shadow, seeing the darkness in things

Unable to be tamed, never able to be known

Its forked tongue as safe as Satan’s promises

Wind

The wind blows from who knows where, rushing to who knows 

where. Bringing clouds, rain, storm and tempest. Smoke, fire, 

hail and snow. Blows insect hordes and destruction in; chaff, 

topsoil, homes and lives out. Only the anointed of God 

can ride upon its wings. Grasping for it is vanity.

Bird

Insignificant creature, teller of secrets, easily ensnared

No raven knows the path of the just. The hawk screams 

its woeful message. They are all given into man’s hand 

yet a man wandering from his place is like a bird that’s 

wandered from its nest.

Fire

A fire is an enfolding entity. It has its own gravity.

Like a small sun, it draws people into its embrace

Holding them close, thinking they can leave 

whenever they like but the flame demands its dues

be paid in reluctance and regret

Man

Man thinks he is a supreme being, due to intelligence and 

self-awareness - a higher order above all other animals. But 

arrogantly ignores the self-evident truth that love and humility 

provide the only path back home to a loving Father thus forming 

the most ancient dilemma known

MDC

March 2021