Holy Saturday

the day between, the breath

separating great sorrow and great joy

a moment of anticipation

a sigh of relief before the climax--

but to know it wasn't so

that the sorrow continued for not one

day or hour of devotional

but two long agonizing orbits

around the sun believing

that all Hope was lost, was buried

in a tomb

and then to feel the immeasurable

shock, denial, and finally

Immense Joy

touching holy hands and side

gazing at His face

knowing

that darkness can never

penetrate Light

First Light (A.D. Chronicles #1)

Bodie and Brock Thoene

Description from Goodreads: Go back in time to first-century Jerusalem. It's a dark time in the world's holiest and most turbulent city. Walk with Peniel, the blind beggar who longs for rescue from his suffering. Peek into the lives of Susannah and Manaen, two lovers separated by overwhelming odds. And meet an unusual healer, who ignites a spark of controversy in the fire of hatred, deceit, and betrayal that is always burning in this ancient city. This first book in the A.D. Chronicles series will bring you face-to-face with the man called Yeshua.

Palm Sunday

what thoughts rolled through His mind
what emotions overtook His countenance
as our Lord rode into streets
lined with happy pilgrims come
for the festival of the Passover?
was it joy at the sight of so many
gathered to praise God and
honor the One True King
or overwhelming sorrow knowing
that those uplifted voices would soon scorn
the man that today they named Savior?

indeed Mark notes that upon entering Jerusalem
after so cheerful a welcome
Jesus wept
for the ignorance of His children

up

we travel the path pulling
an open-backed cart behind
laden--piled high--with
worries, fears, and everything else we've gathered along the way
and if we choose to go uphill
as we focus solely on placing one foot ahead
the burdens begin tumbling out one-by-one
back down the hill unnoticed
so that when we finally reach the top
we are free

what if

what if we decorated sidewalks and parks
with snap-peas and apple trees
instead of invasive species?

what would happen if the city
employed the homeless to care for them
instead of well-to-do landscapers?

what if the hungry no longer went hungry
and the homeless found homes
and beauty merged with functionality--what then?

what would happen if dreamers became doers
would they change this world we live in?