The Jesus statue over Rio is more than meets the eye

The world’s descended on Brazil
with frenzied fans and dreams
as gifted kickers play a game of ball.
And high above the stadiums
where cheers are heard nonstop
a silent figure welcomes one and all.

Appropriate it seems to me
this grandiose embrace.
“For God so loved the world He sent His Son…”
With open arms He motions
“You’re accepted! You belong!”
to every gender, color, tribe and tongue.

The arms of God invite us
to consider nailed scarred hands
as we fixate on a tournament of feet.
For what brings the world together
isn’t just a game of ball
but the One who snatched a win from sure defeat.

A tribute to our fathers; Longing to Hear “I Love You”

A Well-Deserved Day
A tribute to our fathers

This day for dads is well deserved
for fathers rarely find
the honor they have earned in little ways.
Those late night chats and morning hikes
when wisdom was dispensed.
And going to your games on Saturdays,

The one who bought you your first car
and taught you how to save
invested in your adolescent dreams.
He spent both time and money
making sure you could compete
in the corporate world or on a college team.

On Fathers Day you have the chance
to calculate the cost
your dad incurred while fitting you with wings.
It is a day for saying thanks
acknowledging your debt
for all he’s done that cause your heart to sing.

Longing to Hear “I Love You”
Looking beyond Dad’s lips to his heart

When his love was more acted than spoken,
when duty wore work clothes each day,
when pride in his offspring rode shotgun,
his heart spoke what words didn’t say.

Dad’s neighbors and friends can remember
his small acts of kindness and care.
His word became flesh (love with skin on)
as he found ways to help out and share.

Like those orchards surrounding Wenatchee,
what is picked is the proof of what grows.
Dad’s love, like a honeycrisp apple,
was both shiny and sweet and it showed.

Reflecting on the shooting spree at my alma mater

God remains our source of courage
when we’re traumatized by terror.
When we’re haunted by the headlines
and the violence everywhere.

Hear God whisper in the silence,
“Don’t despair, I’m in control.
Hurting hearts and broken cities
will at last one day be whole.”

God can feel the pain of suffering
when our hearts leak like a sieve.
When collegians in their classroom
are denied their right to live.

Then God whispers in the silence,
“Since I lost my only Son,
I can comfort grieving parents
’til my Kingdom fully comes.”

God invites us to be trusting
when we find that faith is hard.
When we’re fearful for our safety
and our nerves are frayed or jarred.

Still God whispers in the silence,
“Even when your faith is weak,
I will keep your feet from stumbling
when your way is dark and bleak.”

Saying farewell to an all-night friend; The Caged Bird is Finally Free

A Tribute to Moody’s Mike Kellogg
Saying farewell to an all-night friend

Through the night all through these years,
your deep warm voice has calmed our fears.
Like corn flakes in the early morn,
you’re breakfast for the soul.

For those who have to work til dawn,
your words of insight urged them on
to do their best and keep the faith
amid their loneliness.

And for the restless counting sheep,
you lullabyed them into sleep
through music and the spoken word
that helped them hear God’s heart.

Yes, through the years all through the night
you helped us as we faced the fight.
You’ve been a means of grace to me
and countless listeners!

Thanks, Mike!

*Today Mike Kellogg retires from Moody after 42 years on the radio. If you aren’t aware of Mike Kellogg’s program “Music Through the Night” on Moody Broadcasting Network, just GOOGLE his name.

The Caged Bird is Finally Free
Remembering Maya Angelou

The caged bird’s sung
her final song.
At last, she’s been set free.
That warm deep voice
that called to us
is now a memory.

She rhymed us
into civil rights.
Like Michelangelo,
her art brought
moral truth to life.
We’ll miss Miss Angelou.

Peace to her memory!

(I got to hear Maya Angelou speak at a leadership conference at the United Center in Chicago 15 years ago. She began her speech singing a song acapella. Very effective!)