A Hand Along the Journey: Poems for the King from One Pilgrim to Another

  “And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said: ‘Stand up and bless the LORD your God forever and ever! Blessed be Your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the LORD;…’” (Nehemiah 9:5-6)   It was a time of opportunity; It was a time of great challenge. It was his chance to impact history; He deemed God worth any exchange. *   *   * Returning exiles sought to restore Worship of Yahweh and His temple once more. But hurdles from hostility to complacency Would test their resolve, as the years would see. The Spirit stirred hearts of Levites and priests, And Kadmiel’s name shows up in those lists Of leader names in Nehemiah and Ezra. He urged the people to deeply express the Repentance and worship due unto their Lord. He signed his name to the covenant’s words. He managed temple workers, serve...

“…But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting  on those who fear Him, and His righteousness  to children’s children…” – Psalm 103:15-18   Seven Boleys around the table Of the Thanksgiving meal You provided, Playing the “Thankful Game” Mom invented – Grateful for You and each other.   Years pass, my family grows From Ballard to Boley to Hall; New bright-eyed children my heart knows And loves each one and all.   To You my heart looks in thanksgiving – The Giver of all that’s good, Whose kindness spans generations Through Jesus Who brought us salvation.   So, in response, O God, I ask That You would grow my thankfulness. For all You’ve been and done and are Let daily gratitude mark my heart.

  “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” - Phil.3:7   As we walk together, You and I, Your goal is my growth; Your plan is so high Above what I see or feel or have reached. You give grace for the journey whene'er I beseech  And ask for a peg to hang experiences on, To move forward in faith and know victory's song.   I'm writing this morning so as not to forget,  Since the need to "let go" is a repeating vignette. Philippians 3 has a lot of good stuff, Because knowing Christ surpasses "enough" Of whatever I'm feeling the loss of today - Be it gardens or yard space for my kids to play.   You're still always worth it, and I'd walk away From everything, for the Master holds sway. I cannot unsee the love that You gave - High God Who left heaven, this sinner to save. In mercy You eagerly took hold of my soul; Your hands work through details to make my life whole.   Help me t...

Lord Jesus, It’s that time again…tomorrow is the first day of school. 2,340 days You’ve walked up to the front of the classroom with me to teach, and tomorrow will begin our next round of 180. First it was my 3 rd -5 th graders in Peru for a year, and then a dozen years with my own kids. We’ve wrestled with spelling words and long division, taught from the couch when I was on bedrest, and had Valentine’s Day learning games while my mom was listening from her hospice bed. We’ve had hundred day of school parties, music practice, winter reading contests, science projects,…and lots of book work. We’ve seen Your fingerprints in every subject, Your providence in every arena. It has been an amazing journey, a privilege like no other to spend this much time with my kids, having a front row seat in their academic development and spiritual discipleship. Thank You for being the Teacher Who has brought it all to be. Father, bless this school year with the blessings of Numbers 6:24-26! Lord Je...

  When they had crossed over, they came   to the land of Gennesaret.   And when the men of that place recognized Him [Jesus],  they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,   and begged Him that they might only   touch the hem of His garment. And   as many as touched   it   were made perfectly well. (Matt. 14:34-36)   It didn’t matter the sickness they had; There wasn’t any disease too bad That couldn’t be cured by coming to Him, And touching only His garment’s hem.   Desperate faith made them dare to beseech The God Who’d put Himself in their reach. And all who touched were made perfectly whole – “Saved through”* the plagues of body and soul.   “Touch the hem!” their story compels, Joining the echo of all the true tales Of lives changed – the whisper of centuries – “Look up in faith to know Jesus!”   My soul, make this practice your reflex of faith: G...

     In Matthew 11:25-26, Jesus prays the following: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. ”      A few years ago, my mother-in-law pointed out how that second sentence highlights Jesus’ submission to whatever the Father desired. She mentioned that she had once heard someone say that verse 26 is an appropriate response when we encounter challenges that we would rather bypass. From time to time I remember that thought.      “Even so” is a strong affirmative “yes.” Luke 10:21 records the same prayer, adding that Jesus rejoiced as He prayed. That characteristic submission to the Father shines through His other recorded prayers also, perhaps the most notable example being Gethsemane’s “nevertheless” prayer, when sorrow underscored His words. So, as imitators of Christ, from joy t...