Reflections on yet another terrorist attack

In Christchurch?
The unthinkable!
People in prayer
were robbed of life.
The deafening sound
of gunfire
broke the silence
and broke God’s heart.

In Christchurch
Muslims are welcomed.
So too Christians and Jews,
Hindus and Buddhists.
The gate may be narrow,
but remains open
to seekers of truth
who own their own sin
and would be
delivered from them.

In Christchurch
the reality of evil
is sadly acknowledged
as proof of our plight.
Flawed people
prejudging other people
made in God’s image
call attention
to our need
of a Savior.

Lord, have mercy!

Celebrating the craziness of March madness

It’s the march of the mad,
the parade of the tall.
It’s the time when the “roundball” is king.
And as royal subjects,
we curtsy and bow
content with the tribute we bring.

With Final Four focus
my vision remains
consistent with those just like me.
From jump ball to buzzer,
we’re glued to each game
ever grateful for cable TV.

What keeps mushers and dogs doing the Iditarod

The spell of the arctic.
The call of the wild.
The beckoning scent of the trail.
Each one claims allegiance
and can’t be ignored.
Both musher and dog must prevail.

The Northern Lights dancing.
The frigid nights chill.
The winter dogs hunger to run
remind us it’s why
we endure what we do
in a race that is second to none.

It’s more than a race
for both musher and team.
The Iditarod is an ordeal.
This sled dog adventure
through ice, wind and snow
concludes in champion’s meal.

Who is most deserving of our applause?

We sing the praise of those who act,
of those who just pretend.
An Oscar is a trophy for a fake.
Ironically, we recognize
the pretense (not the real).
In Hollywood, the actors take the cake.

But in my town, the hypocrites
are not esteemed as great.
We honor those who are what they appear.
They walk their talk and live their faith
with no real need to hide.
Transparent lives require no veneer.

So who deserves our accolades?
The stars of silver screen?
The well-rehearsed who play another’s role?
Or should our true allegiance
be reserved for those who prove
integrity is more than just a goal?

What I prayed at the Washington State Legislature on the eve of Washington’s birthday

O God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (and Jesus),
O God of Abraham and George,
on this the day before the actual birthday
of the one after whom our state is named,
I cannot tell a lie.

Having pledged our allegiance
to a tri-colored fabric
that symbolizes our unity as a nation,
we stand before You only too aware
of those things that threaten to divide us.
We acknowledge our need of Washingtonian-like honesty,
courage, vision, civility,
diplomacy, humility and faith.

Today we honor the memory of one
born to be our first president
who resisted the temptation of ambition
refusing to be a king.

But we also honor our heritage
as descendants of this one
we call the father of our country,

By George, may we be mindful of our birthright
in the causes for which we advocate,
the choices we make along the way
and the manner that punctuates our discourse.

Help us, Creator God,
to embrace our calling
as those created in Your image
to create (and recreate)
ways and means
for freedom to flourish
and justice to prevail
for Heaven’s sake (and ours). Amen.