blessed are the peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers,
Who though dismissed and ignored by fighters,
Wallow not in paralysed self-pity,
But are surrendered to You, our Peace,
Letting go the want for enemies' ruin.

And because it is given, the call goes out, 'Make it',
Not merely the absence of conflict or intolerance,
But reconciliation to life and full wholeness,
One to one, mankind forgiven to creation undone.

So, You lift our eyes off our selves,
And give the grace to speak what is needed,
And serve those who need it,
To Your example we take aim,
For us, the 'Children of God' You rename.

Matt. 5: 9

sč
Singapore, January 30th, 2008

prepare a place

Prepare a place.
A fellowship, a community,
Where we are blessed to serve,
Rooted down, not band to party we lurch,
A church.

Prepare a place.
A position, a vocation,
Though responsibility it is no drudgery,
Not pacing rats for us, life in eyes robbed,
A job.

Prepare a place.
A safety and dwelling, a home,
Our physical domain not exclusive,
A refuge for ones broken, to rejoice and carouse,
A house.

Prepare a place.
These hearts, these minds,
Given to assuming, to thinking what's best,
The goal not mere comfort, You desire we thrive,
So though our thoughts can't conceive it,
Prepare this place, our lives.

sč
Singapore, January 16th, 2008

little dancer (did you know?)

Little dancer, did you know
How greatly we loved you,
With each hug and squeeze and stroke,
Your life a gift of comfort to broken hearts.

Little dancer, did you know
How we longed that you feel secure,
No more afraid, fearing each sudden sound,
Your presence fully welcome and treasured.

Little dancer, did you know
How such joy we felt,
To see you embrace life, every little pleasure,
Fully content in rest, stretch or chase.

Little dancer, did you know
How you gave us the gift of hope,
That a damaged life could yet learn trust,
Redeeming the past, now living as free.

Little dancer, did you know
How we mourned and grieved and wept,
The day you leaped and left to fly,
Long before we ever thought we'd need part.

But little dancer, do you know
How we wait, longingly, restlessly,
One day to meet once more,
When all that was and is are made new again,
Where little dancer, you will find it true,
We never ever stopped loving you.

for Caeli

sč
Singapore, January 10th, 2008

God loveth adverbs

If you sing and fashion tunes,
Sing utterly, compose evocatively,
God loveth adverbs.

If you illuminate visions or sculpt dirty clay,
Draw with insight, shape skillfully,
God loveth adverbs.

If you speak of truth and birth lyricism,
Be intentional, labour honestly,
God loveth adverbs.

If you arrange chairs or stack shelves,
Order carefully, work diligently,
God loveth adverbs.

If you scrub dishes or peel potatoes,
Wash cleanly, focus wholly,
God loveth adverbs.

Whether you lead in the limelight or toil in the twilight,
Speak humbly, serve gladly,
God loveth adverbs.

sč
Singapore, January 9th, 2008