"YHWH" (A Poem and Reflections)

Infinite Peace, Unassailable Bliss
Self-Existent -- Father, Spirit, and Word
Maker, Sustainer, Creation’s Intent

Both Call and Response; Command, Fulfillment
Faithful, True, Holy; All Mercy/Justice
Unending Love without limit outpoured

Salvation, Light, Life; the Sovereign LORD
Gift and Forgiveness, Ever-Acceptant
Union, Communion; All Good that there is.

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(Some thoughts and explanations below)

Evensong

Evensong

When evening colors streak the sky
And I fall in love with the fading light
With the dark-blue restful hues
And the restless breezes blowing through
That mark the changing of the times
From light of day to light of night
(For both are in their own way bright
-- Oh grant me, Lord, both eyes and sight!)
Though I am not a seer
Let it be Your voice I hear
In the trees' swaying, cicadas' playing, and the bats' calling
At nightfall.
And for Your own Love's sake
Let it be Your love I take
In the sun's rising, birds' harmonizing, for my eyes' waking
At daybreak.

Freedom (A Poem)

"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (~Romans 6:16-23)

Freedom

Upon my heart, Lord, set Your throne
For I am Yours, and not my own
Bought with that unmeasured price
Of Your own blood and sacrifice.

Then plant Your flag, Lord, in my mind
Till all my thoughts with Yours align
My body Your dominion be
Till ev'ry part serve faithfully.

Oh Lord,
   Your life extend to ev'ry part
Of me, working Your ancient art
With all Your still unwearied skill:
Conform me, Savior, to Your will.