Psalm 90: Doodles

Prayers in Time of Pain

 When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O, abide with me.

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If there is anything in this accusation, lead me to fix my view or decision. If there's not, then let it roll off of me so it doesn't weigh me down.

---

Let me stand fast to the end like a faithful old soldier or one of the musicians on the Titanic.

Wait. Rest. Trust.

August 2019 was a season of deep grief for me. During this time, the Lord repeatedly brought to my mind these words: Wait. Rest. Trust. This is one of my many wrasslin's with those instructions.

Like a chick
Nestled beneath
Its mother's warm wing,
I hide in Your shadow.

---

"Wait. Rest. Trust."
Such simple commands,
So straightforward --
And so my unrest
Frustrates me.
Christ, have mercy.

Fellowship

He found you like He found me:
Empty and hopeless,
At the end of ourselves,
Lost coins hiding in forgotten corners,
Penniless prodigals stealing slop from hogs.

And He breathed life into our dead lungs,
And overwhelmed our darkness with light,
And built us into a body, a temple,
A kingdom where everyone
Is a priest of the Almighty.

Shoulder Day

"Shoulders," I assured Troy,
"Are the secret to marital bliss."

I am kidding
And also
Not kidding.

Another strict dumbbell press:
Tighten,
Flex,
Push up,
Controlled descent.

"I've got the receipts, bro."

I breathe through the reps,
Finish my set,
And hit the elliptical
For active recovery.

5 August 2019

My Priorities

This summer, I was challenged to write a statement of my personal priorities. Here's what I came up with. Sticking it here so I'll remember where I left it. :-D

1. Put Christ first in all things.
2. Provide (spiritually, emotionally, materially) for my wife and kids.
3. Follow God's callings for my life:
1. Use my gifts to minister to His people.
2. Work hard so I can provide for my family and give generously.
3. Create beautiful things to bring light into a dark world.
4. Maintain good spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health. These are vital tools in accomplishing the things listed above.

Swimming With a Shadow

I tried to outswim my pain today,
And by accident succeeded.
I thought that my salvation lay
In strong arms, capacious lungs,
Propelling a body hard and fast,
Cutting fiercely through
The frigid blue.

Lap followed lap as I strove,
Sweat melting unseen
Into chlorinated depths,
Glimpses of harsh noonday sun
Alternating with eyefuls
Of cool pool water.

Arms and lungs began to burn,
And still the pain remained
Inside, well beyond the barrier
Between blood and brain.

An abrupt delight:
Dark shadow imposed on the white
Of the pool floor far below,
Nearing me as I neared
The shallow end.

It glided along, muscles rippling,
Shadow-bubbles blowing,
As it swam amid pure light.
It entranced me, spurred me on
To greater effort, greater satisfaction
As I watched its effortless progress,
Took joy in the beauty
Of its silent strength.

I pulled myself out at last,
Muscling up at pool's edge,
And despite my puffing and panting,
I found the joy of the shadow-race
Had left me lighter than light itself.