A Special Easter Basket

Photo by drewfer

Easter baskets hold brightly colored eggs,
Childhood treasures discovered in the grass.
Adults need  Easter baskets
To hold the treasures we have found:
Friends of all ages and faith,

Children we grew up with,

Friends of school and college,

Neighbors and co-workers,

Friends of friends that became ours,

Even some found in an electronic world,
True wealth to be nurtured

And loved;
Family slipped into our basket by God,
Similar blueprints, but still so different,
Not who we would choose as friends,

Perhaps,

But still the same bloodline from the past:

Heroes and villains,

Brave or not,

These our common ancestors,

Cherish the line

And how it changes.
Cherish the love;
One final golden egg for our basket,
Greatest of all,
Christ,

The Son of Man,

His love
Bestowed unwarranted,
Treasure above all treasure.

Our basket is not full,
Each year we can add more,

But cherish its contents today.

God, 

Family,

Friends,

Love.

Advent For Evangelicals

Christmas approaches
With the burden of tradition.

The city is decorated in holiday glitz.

We search for gifts amid the crowds.
Shouldn't we read the prophet's words?

Shouldn't we search for the Bethlehem babe?

Shouldn't we listen for the angel's message?

"Peace on Earth."

An old tradition calls to us from the past.

We, who abandoned the trappings of the Church,

Are called once more to Advent.

Let us remember
That a child born two thousand years ago

Changed the world.

His message is simple and unadorned.

Love God

And Love your neighbor.
Listen for His words.
"I am come."

Photo by daveiam

Prayer for Endurance

Prince of Peace, who died for us,
Praise to you, Messiah.
May you come again soon.
While we wait,
Let us be your servants on earth,
Just as the saints serve you in heaven.
Give us endurance for the trials ahead.
Forgive our failures
So we can forgive the failures of others.
Keep us alive in times of despair,
And protect us from ourselves,
For you are the one true God.
Amen

Photo by busymommy

Recipients

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind, and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Too often we give
Because we know
Our gift will be returned in kind,
Because we know
That others will admire our generosity,
Because we wish
To impress the recipient,
Because we wish
To gain prestige.
Christ tells us to give
Not for now,
Not for self,
But for eternity.
How difficult it is to escape society
And behave as God desires.
Only the Comforter
Can give us such strength
To follow Christ's command.

Photo by 10 Corso Como

Closeness

Sunshine fills the morning.
The gray rain of yesterday is gone.
The sun is far away in miles,
Yet close in warmth and light.
The Almighty governs infinity,
Yet cares for me every day.
God stands outside of time,
Yet journeys with me as I grow older.
The Prince of Peace can sound the trumpet of eternity,
Yet listens to my daily prayers.
Creator, Love, and Word.
Past, Present, and Future.
Trinity.