thoughts out !oud

a Christian’s news, views, opinions and occasional poetry …

When have you simply just trusted in God?

This post of mine is nothing overly profound. But I read a post over at Dead Theologians that discusses the topic of fakeness - the ability to be someone in one instance, but then be able change your spots in another circumstance. In his post he mentions waiting nervously for the guest speaker who was running late and had not contacted the church that he was running late. Not knowing whether or not the guest speaker was going to turn up, and not having a backup plan in case things go pear shaped, is quite a pickle to be in. I’ve been in that situation a couple of times, which is what I’ll share here, and I believe it be one of those moments when… Continue reading When have you simply just trusted in God?

Repenting in the face of unforgiveness

How hard is it to forgive? Is there a point where you have hurt someone so much that, despite the deep sincerity of your apology, the humbling act of admitting you were wrong, and the heartfelt plea for another chance, that there is absolutely no room to be forgiven?

I know that God, in his perfect grace, offers his forgiveness - and I take that with gratitude and thankfulness and joy. I know also that, while we are made in the image of God, we’re not perfect - every human is flawed and sinful. We hurt each other - even those we love - sometimes often without realising. And in our sin, perhaps we come to a point where offering forgiveness to another becomes nigh impossible for… Continue reading Repenting in the face of unforgiveness

Poem: The cross and its weight

By now, most of you would have realised that I’m not all that fond of rhyming poetry (unless it is written really, really well!) … here’s another of my earlier pieces.

THE CROSS AND ITS WEIGHT

sitting here
weeping,
it’s hard to see how
such an interceeding shadow
that cast doubt
and sent the world around it reeling
could have been so inviting

i used to love him
and her
and their little games and ways,
but they ignored me
as a kitten does a beetle,
they smilingly spat
and gave their words
with a tongue
bated
with more than breath,
for breath it was trying to take away,
and as I sit here,
still weeping,
clinging to idealistic illusions
and wanting them to be real
and comforting
and welcoming
when they’re not,
when they prance in the rising sun—
that never shines through—
around it,
galloping,
beckoning me to join,
but i somehow don’t
i want to,
but don’t,
only… Continue reading Poem: The cross and its weight

Poem: A cross to share

Inspired by a very succinct, short post from Duane’s Mind.

A cross to share

hope from death -
such a queer remedy
to a learned mind
of the kind
that yelled and cursed him
to the tree
and even the poor,
the decrepit and blind,
the thief and the proud
took delight in the cat
as it ripped and tore at his flesh

yes! i cried,
after all, what man is this
who can pierce my heart
with only a glancing look?

more! someone else continued,
and the next lash
grappled for purchase
across his back and side,
then flung away with a lick of the lips

it wasn’t until later -
regrettably, much later -
that the irons of 10 inches
drove home
a dark truth:

it was my sin
that drove the nails in,
fastening him there
with three swift strikes -
nine, in total -
but greater than that,
beyond our reckoning,
is that his love
for us
held… Continue reading Poem: A cross to share