The Forgiver

it is not for you
to punish
your offender
harboring hatred
in your heart
a cruel infection
of your wound
that devours
your soul and
destroys your body...

so many of 
My daily offenders
refuse My offer to
turn away from
choosing death
over life and so
gain their
sinful inheritance
even as My hand
remains outstretched
in Mercy to 

the very end
despite liberty's abuse
but as for you
let your anger
fight for justice
instead of hatred which
only leads to self-destruction

while speaking the truth
in love - a choice
rooted in Grace
regardless of
emotion's strain -
and a motivation
for reparation
also knowing that
in the end
true justice
will prevail
as I work all things
for the good
in those who love Me...
the fruit of healing
comes from the balm
of My Grace 
to petition
a change of heart
for therein lies
transformation's fuel
hoping to gain
reconciliation's blossom... 
a forgiver's freedom
rests secure in
giving over...
letting go...
deciding to forgive
despite the heartache
joining in My Offering

on Calvary's Throne

proves sanctifying while
praying for them is 

love's expression 
since your offender's good
is also
your own and
their salvation
ushers-in
Redemption's Glory

Reflection/Discussion:

-Did anything "touch" you in the poem? Describe it and why. 
-Have you forgiven everyone in your life?
-If not, what prevents you from doing so? 
-Explain the meaning of "deciding to forgive despite the heartache"?
-How does hating "destroy" the hater?
-Does forgiving someone "let them off the hook"? Why/not?
-Does not forgiving someone "punish" them? Why/not?
-How does forgiving
-How does your enemy's salvation usher-in Redemption's Glory?

The Kiss

salvation's sentinel
gazes through
tears of blood from
sorrow's perch
as Love overcomes
death's sentence by
surrendering to
redemption's radical demands
the willingness of a Heart
pierced for sin's
just requirement to
attain separation's remedy
bridging an
infinite chasm by
making possible
humanity's transfer to
Divine Life's shore
yet the Gift
being freely offered is
only fulfilled when
freely accepted
one to One
eye to Eye
heart to Heart

otherwise it remains

unattached leaving 

unfettered the pathway

to a fiery reward

history's execution
is overcome by
resurrection's renewal
made present today
by timeless Grace
when old is made new
brokenness mended
healing delivered
forgiveness fulfilled
when I and Thou
are consummated by the
kiss of the Cross

Reflection/Discussion:

-How is the Gift of Salvation freely offered and accepted?
-What are "redemption's radical demands" for you?
-What is the "kiss of the cross"??
-What can you do that you're not doing to grow in your relationship with the Lord?
-How can we support one another in our commitment to the Lord?

The Embrace

the treasure of suffering
so often obscured by its
unsightly cost
too exorbitant for our
fallen nature's limitations
forged by self-interest
shielded by our natural
avoidance of adversity
bearing any price to
protect our frail dominion
which struggles with
life's storms especially those
attacking the confidence we
thought was so firmly planted
in the Lord but now feels so
unstable like it's in sand
causing us to question
why this? why now? why me?
grasping for a Comfort /
solution / relief / peace
all seemingly stretched
beyond our reach and
forcing us to question
how much does self and
its myriad worldly offshoots-
health...bank account...
career...ambitions...success...

recognition...relationships...
play in our security and
how much in the Lord Himself?
we pray for deliverance from
what seems like evil-
surely not willed by God but
allowed for His Greater Purposes
which we cannot see nor merely
desire right now but which
brings us face to Face with
our weakness and need for
The Crucified Savior- a
Kiln of Love Who
Purifies us by the Fire of His Spirit
There we discover ever anew
His Desire to bring us Closer and
more Dearly Form us in His Image-
another step towards the
Goal of  Holiness by
removing stubborn defects that
resist our half-hearted efforts but
mostly ignore because they are
firmly embedded in the selfish
habits of our sinful nature
In Him we are Promised that
all things work together for
our good and though purification's
hindsight is a perfect view
now is the time that we are
Offered the Grace to
say "yes" despite our distress
by Surrendering in
Faith and Hope
Trusting in His Love
not begrudgingly
but with an
Embrace

Reflection/Discussion:
-How can suffering ever be "a treasure"?
-What does "a Kiln of Love" mean?
-Is the Goal of Holiness.....your Goal?
-How are you daily trying to attain that Goal?
-How much of your security is in the Lord vs other things?
-How has the Lord used suffering to change you?
-What prevents us from embracing our suffering?
-What are the benefits of embracing our suffering?
-How can we support one another in our suffering?