Poem

Here's a poem I wrote, inspired from reading the book of Ezekiel.

"The Lover"

Look at you…

Never has a more radiant beauty crossed my sight.
My one and only bride, made to be mine.

You can never know the depths of my love for you.

See how every strand of your hair is perfectly in place…
The sparkle in your eyes brings me to my knees…
My name carried by your breath and whispered through your lips brings forth my tears like none other.

See how you look in the garments in which I have dressed you!
I am left without words…
You wear them perfectly…a second skin that seems to do the impossible:
make you more lovely in my eyes.
You model these garments for me…the smile on your face revealing your hearts joy.

You twirl and laugh…
Twirl and sing…
Twirl and dance…oh so secure in my love for you.

You stretch out your hands, longing for my embrace.
I catch you and pull you close…
I can hear your heart beating…
feel every pulse…
feel the rhythm of your life blood flowing through you…a rhythm that sings to me:
“I am yours.”

Dance with me, my love.
Dance with me and I will show you your purpose:
to be with me forever, and to come with me on a grand adventure.
Trust me…trust me with your heart, and I will show you the meaning of true love.

But wait…

I feel you slipping…I feel your hand slipping from mine.
You’re falling away from me!
Where are you going? Why are you leaving?
You are fading away…turning your back to me.

Now you’re running…
You’re running and you’re not looking back…

You’re running towards HIM.
He, who longs to steal you away from me.
He embraces you with open arms.
He has gifts for you…shiny new trinkets that tickle your fancy…clothes of every style and color…wealth to buy your heart’s desire.
He pulls you close and whispers in your ear…
whispers how only he knows your heart, how only he knows your desires, how only he can truly love you.

LIES!

Sweet to the taste…pleasant to the ear…but poison to the soul.
He offers you gifts, but he’ll leave you in poverty.
He offers to clothe you, but he’ll leave you naked.
He offers you wealth, but he’ll leave you bankrupt.
He will take your all, and leave you with nothing.

My love!
My darling!
My bride!

Come back to me.

What can he be to you that I am not?
What can he say to you that I have not already promised?
What can he offer you that I have not already given?

Come back to me.

I know what it is you seek.
I know what it is you long for.
I know what it is you desire.

Come back to me.

A heart like yours was made for a love like mine.

I know you.
I want you.
I love you.

Come back to me.




FOOD
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B: eggs, turkey dipped in guacamole, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries

L: Panera Chipotle Chicken Salad (lettuce, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, ancho chipotle spread), broccoli and cheddar soup (D'oh! Forgot about the chesse in the soup! Ahh well...I'll shake it off).

S: Almonds

Daily reflection

I've spent a good part of this day thinking about and writing my lesson for the upcoming singles retreat. I was inspired by a sermon that I listened to about the need for men in Church to pursue adventure, things that are dangerous, and am ambition to change the world for God. These are all things that Jesus embraced, but rarely is this side of him emphasized in most churches today.

Why? Good question.

It could be because in most American churches, there are more women than men, so things are naturally bent towards the needs of the women. Women favor security more than risk and safety over danger. Of course this is not true for every woman, but it seems to be the case in most churches. For a great book about this very topic, read this book:

As a man who has dedicated his life to following Christ, I am all about embracing the dangerous side of following Jesus. I love doing wild and crazy things...especially things that push me outside my comfort zone. While I'm not a super-outspoken guy, I will try most things once, especially when it comes to doing new things in the name of Christ.

Bring on the craziness! Have any ideas for crazy things I should do for Christ?




FOOD
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B: Eggs, ground beef, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries

L: Ground beef w/J.T. Pappy's sauce, mixed veggies.

S: Almonds

D1: Ground beef with J.T. Pappys

D2: Panera Cobb Salad w/ extra meat, no cheese and Chipotle Chicken spread

Back again...

Alright, so it's been a few months...but I'm back!

I was sitting outside of Panera, having lunch and talking ministry business with a good friend, when another good friend happened to see us. She came over and said hi real quick, but she couldn't stay because she was on her lunch break from work. As she was leaving, she casually mentioned if I was going to update my blog. You know that look you can get when you remember something you said you would do but haven't done it for awhile? There's a chance that look might have been on my face...

"Yes!" was the easy answer. When? Who knows...

Fortunately, I'm feeling motivated. So here I am, behind the keyboard once again.

I'll have some interesting things to post in the next few days. I can definitely catch you up on some of the more exciting goings on of my life from the past few months. And I'm also starting a major book-reading project (plus another 30-day Paleo adventure), so I'll be bringing you my thoughts on some interesting reading, as well as my daily menu.

I'm not sure who even reads this thing anymore. But if you do, (whoever you are) I hope you can forgive my absence.

FOOD (day 1)
===============
B: Eggs, ground beef, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries

L: Chicken, Meatballs, red and green peppers, Habenero BBQ almonds

S: A piece of tangerine, more almonds

D: A combination of chicken, spinach, tomatoes, red peppers, feta cheese and pastas. Not exactly keeping with my diet, but I'm at the fire house today and didn't have much choice. Better luck tomorrow.

CURRENTLY READING
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Turnout: A Firefighter's Story