Sunrise

Sunrise as seen from the back deck of my house.

Sunrise
Did you see the sun rise firey red?
Did you feel its warmth upon your face?
Have you heard the song of birds,

As they greet the new day?

About Shadows

It started as I watched the darkness dissipate in the pre-dawn light. And as the sun rose the shadow lay across the land. It did not just lay there, it moved. As the sun rose it shrank so that it always hid behind the tree. I’m sure you’ve noticed that too.

Shadow
You are very weak
Cannot stand before the sun
But hide from his face.

 ______________________________________________________

Where there is no light,
  Darkness reigns.
Where love is absent,
  Indifference holds sway.

The Cry of Innocents

Haitian Child ReceivesTreatment (Photo courtesy CBC)
They found the babe
  Lying amidst the ruins
No Mom. No Dad.

  Helpless and alone.

I have been following with interest the story of two individuals, both medical doctors from Michigan, that are currently in Petit Goave serving in a medical clinic.

The first in Dr Kris Thede from Allegan Michigan. She and her husband Cory (an agriculturist) are missionaries serving in Haiti under Global Partners, the missionary arm of The Wesleyan Church. (Our church contributes to the support of the Thede family.) As a Creol-speaking doctor, she wasted no time going where she was most needed. Cory is home with their two children. You can follow their exploits here.

The second is Dr Steve Edmondson of Ionia, Michigan. Dr Steve is my pastor’s person physician. Dr Edmondson has a passion for missions and for Haiti. He solicited and received help from Amway Corp to transport supplies to Haiti where he is now working side-side with Dr Thede. You can follow his reports on Haiti here.

Sylvia joins me in encouraging you to join us in support of the people of Haiti and the relief efforts to help these folks with your prayers and generous donations. Thank you.

Snowy Winter Day

 
Snow Fall


Slowly, gently snow drifts to earth,
A pure white sheet covers the ground.
I can hear only the silence,
As there is not the slightest sound.

There is magic all around me,
I feel the kiss of flake on cheek.
It transports me like a vision,
Brings me joy that I did not seek.

So fall snow, sweet gentle snow fall,
May the earth be covered by you.
Enchant us oh you frozen joy,
Even though your days here are few.

Happy New Year

Here we are a new year. Full of hope and promise. Made your resolutions? Folks tell us that most of them will be broken before this first month has gone. I kept the one resolution that I made last, “Make no resolutions.” It worked so well, I think I’ll do it again.

As we ended November with our hearts and minds filled with thanksgiving and gratitude let us start this new year the same way.  In particular, I am thankful for those who stay awake at night so that we might sleep in peace.

I’ve been thinking lately about how unaware we can be about so many things. It brings to mind a question.

While we sleep,
Do angels weep,
As innocents bleed,
upon the idol’s altar?

The Actor

You’re just an actor on the stage,
In costume and in character.
Strutting you make a grand entrance,

Behind that mask what face hides there?