What if Good Friday was God’s Facebook post?

God friended me through Facebook.
He clicked “love” instead of “like.”
I was humbled by the fact He knew my name.
And what is more, God commented
below what I had shared.
He posted on my wall “I feel your pain.”

God tagged me in a photograph
of Jesus on the cross.
I didn’t understand the reason why.
But then the Lord reminded me
He hung there for my sin,
that I was on His mind the day He died.

I have memories with the Lord of Life
the day He wore my crown.
Good Friday is our anniversary.
For that is when a holy God
befriended me in love
just as I am without a single plea.

Why I love the start of baseball season

“Just wait til next year!”
That’s the phrase we repeat
when our much-loved home team comes up short.
It’s our mantra through winter.
It’s what kindles our hope
as we follow the scouting reports.

Next year has arrived now.
Our waiting is done.
The crack of the bat can be heard.
It’s time to start over.
It’s time to play ball.
It’s time for our hearts to be stirred.

Each spring I’m a youngster.
A boy with his glove.
I follow my team every day.
I listen while driving
or watch them at home.
I am focused on Fall as they play.

I know it’s just baseball.
But somehow this game
takes me back to the time I was young.
Playing catch with my cousin
(or workup at school)
come to mind when the Anthem is sung.

I love new beginnings.
Fresh starts feel so good.
The Bible defines them as grace.
The past is forgotten.
The slate is wiped clean
and everyone starts in first place.

Imagining what Gonzaga’s coach wants to say to his players

We’ve zigged and zagged all season long
to prove we really do belong.
And through March Madness we have fought
to reach the Final Four.

Our guys are few and far between
and mark my words “We’ll reach our dream
if we relax and play OUR game
with faith that we will win.

Take time to center down and pray.
Thank God we have the right to play.
And thank Him for a school that has
its roots in what is good.

Like David with his five smooth stones,
our team of five has clearly shown
Goliath has good cause to fear.
It is Gonzaga’s time!”

Go Zags!

The arrival of Spring trumpets the truth of Easter

The blossoms on our cherry tree
bear witness to the fact
that Old Man Winter’s death has been confirmed.
The rumors of his final days
proved more than gossiping.
Just ask the robin pulling at a worm.

Yes, winter’s given way to spring
(and just in time me thinks).
The toll the snow and cold took was intense.
The endless weeks of winter’s woes
found joy in short supply.
Those nonstop sunless days would make me wince.

But now a smile frames my face.
There’s evidence of life
as light and color warm my thawing bones.
The truth of Easter’s not reserved
for just one holy day.
Spring trumpets “death is trumped by Christ alone.”

Thanking God for technology

“Grow old with me,” the poet wrote.
“The best is yet to be.”
The good old days weren’t all that great.
On that can’t we agree?

No Microsoft. No internet.
No iPhone or iPad.
No Amazon or Trader Joes.
Good Lord! We had it bad!

No CNN. No GPS.
No Skype or DVR.
No blue tooth hands-free key-less locks.
We really have come far.

Technology has graced our lives
with comfort, ease and speed.
Compared to what our parents had,
we’re blest. Aren’t we agreed?

But don’t forget the things they prized
that just might slip away.
Like quiet strolls, board games at night
and taking time to pray.

So as we age and look ahead,
let’s mine the past for gold
while keeping up on what’s to come
as you and I grow old.