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Suffering and Play: A Prelude to the Coming Kingdom
There is a risk inherent in viewing Jesus’ words as play. Especially as we live in a world permeated by pain and suffering. Before I wrote this morning, I read a friend’s blog describing her blindsided breakup. How can I honestly write about play on one hand and be awake to suffering on the other? […]
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Playful and Abundant Life: Play and the Sermon on the Mount
Over the years one sermon (titled, Learning to Die) from the pen of Dietrich Bonhoeffer has inspired nearly everything I’ve written. There have been numerous direct references to his works on this blog, in my book, and in my various and sundry publications scattered in magazines, but there is one paragraph in particular that has […]
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The Word Comes…
The city of Jerusalem, the place where the Lord had promised to rest his feet, was under siege by the mighty Babylonians. Anybody who was anybody was already out of the city. Some had fled, no doubt some had reached some safety in small surrounding towns. Apparently there was some real estate available up north […]
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A Story and A Few Thoughts on Stories
Last night, my wife was at work and I was making dinner, so I decided that I needed some company. As it happened, my beloved San Francisco Giants were taking the night off, so I went to my default in such occasions. I listened to my sworn enemies play ball, the Los Angeles Dodgers. But […]
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Prosperity from the Mountain
The other day, I came across a curious prayer from King Solomon the Wise, many years ago. This strange phrase, “Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people” has been stuck in my head like a good hook from a song. Today I took a few minutes and sat with that phrase. This is what […]
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playful word.
who shall reach into the mind of the divine to reveal hidden mysteries who is it that takes mirth for wisdom who is it that speaks in riddles? you are full of surprises, o word of the mighty one.
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On Work and Fear: A Poem
fearless and fearful the day’s work lies before unsullied, shapeless, a void of possibilities. what will come of the brow’s sweat, what will the earth produce? and will it be today? some plunge ahead unafraid–or is it unawake– automatons unfeeling, cold as stone. is it for self-deception or for confidence’s sake can a heart be […]
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Once Innocence Was.
Once the world was a field of play; possibility blossomed effortless and abundant. Joy was ripe for the picking. Once friends laughed together, unhindered; happiness, the most basic of Adam’s race. Game and work were interchangeable. Once innocence birthed imagination; anything “could be,” “would be,” nothing “should be.” Innocence was. Once rule of law was […]
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Play, the Sacred Revolution: A Poem
Begun out of excessive joy, invented out of Freedom’s imagination, let me dream once again as a boy. Let my highest ambition be “fun.” Though the world’s not as it should be, and suffering fills my cup, still let my heart be free. Still let my eyes look up. As a child sees possibilities of […]
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Spring’s Promise: A Poem
Sun bursts through the backyard; welcomed back like a long-lost friend. Pinks, violets, yellows, greens; fill up what was once only grey. Who can resist reveling in sun-drenched days? The earth itself comes–all at once–to life. Mark this, O soul, prone to doubt! Remember today, the brilliance of blue skies! Write […]