Book Reviews, Memoir, Prayer, Theology

A Traveler’s Advisory (review)

A Traveler's Advisory by Marcia Lee Laycock My rating: 5 of 5 stars In A Traveler's Advisory, author Marcia Laycock takes readers from the Arctic Circle to the jungles of Papua New Guinea and home again. Each of the 52 meditations draws spiritual lessons from a travel experience (sections are titled "In the Air," "On… Continue reading A Traveler’s Advisory (review)

Religious, Spiritual Journey Thursday

Present

Margaret Simon's one little word PRESENT was fun to explore because of its many meanings. I think I know the meaning of "present" that is giving her inspiration, but maybe not… In writing about it, I chose as my subject a Bible character who demonstrates what being present means to me, even as I used… Continue reading Present

Christmas, Religious, Tanka

Pivot night

  Pivot Night Under ancient curse Ushered through canal of pain Tiny, pink, squalling History pivots, the night Yahweh incarnates the Star © 2015 by Violet Nesdoly (All rights reserved) *************** The daughter of my friend is in labor right now. And so my mind keeps drifting, this Christmas Eve day, to the ignominy of… Continue reading Pivot night

People, Religious

Annie Vallotton

Annie Vallotton “I drew some of the drawings eighty to ninety times before I achieved the one I wanted. I wanted to get to the truth, which is the most important thing.” Annie Vallotton ( from an interview on the Bible Illustration Blog) Pharisee stands tall hands clasped over robed paunch beatific smile on heaven-raised… Continue reading Annie Vallotton

Religious

A Shalom Blessing

Today is the first day of the new school year in our part of the world. As the day after our last official summer holiday, Labour Day, it definitely feels like an end and a beginning—even for us who no longer go to school or have to brave the commute to work. Today's poem is… Continue reading A Shalom Blessing

Book Reviews, Religious

Man Overboard (review)

Man Overboard: A Tale of Divine Compassion by David Denny My rating: 5 of 5 stars You have probably heard the story of Jonah, but never like David Denny tells it in Man Overboard: A Tale of Divine Compassion. In 24 poems capturing the voices of Jonah, God, sailors, wind, whale, people of Nineveh, their… Continue reading Man Overboard (review)

LIMP sequence, Personal, Religious

Poem sequences (introducing LIMP)

In Diane Lockward's June newsletter,* the Craft Tip article "Poetic Sequences: Practice Makes Potential"  by Oliver de la Paz tells of his visit to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, Spain. On that visit he came across one room where the paintings, drawings, and studies  on the walls, as well as the  sketchbooks filling a table… Continue reading Poem sequences (introducing LIMP)

Bible study, Book Reviews

New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NIV) – Kindle version (review)

New Spirit-Filled Life Bible-NIV-Signature by Jack Hayford My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was excited when I found the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NIV) offered for review by Thomas Nelson as an e-book. I have used the hard copy of this Bible (NKJV version) since 2005—and love it! What sets this study Bible apart… Continue reading New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NIV) – Kindle version (review)

nature, Objects

Earth Song

Earth Song They call me sod loam, dirt clay, turf, dust. In cahoots with rain, rocks and roots worms and grubs perforated by ants and moles aquifers and oil veined with lead, copper, gold and hiding diamonds and coal cables, wires and pipes I hold your huts and your tents your houses and barns anchor… Continue reading Earth Song

Poetry Friday, Religious

Evil’s party (guest list)

Evil’s Party (guest list) (after Mark 15) Sir Accusation Miss Envy Madame Bloodthirst (she usually brings a crowd) Count Rebellion & his brother Murderer Governor People-Pleaser The triplets Mockery, Teasing & Making Sport Mr. Violence & sons Hitting Spitting, Scourging and Crucifying Misses Gambling & Greed Sir Sarcasm & Lady Reviling Lord Blasphemy Queen Death… Continue reading Evil’s party (guest list)