In the Wind || 2011.02.16-19

Like trees in the wind
mountains tremble before you
Stones cry out
and water stands up in a heap
I am razed so you may raise
and I acclaim you all of my days
Worship rocks me
I sway with your breath
Melt in your rhythm
teach me your steps

I smell the rain
the cloud coming closer
Enveloped in fog
I feel the mist
Pouring out worship
a hand takes my own
Together bow
the foot of the throne

Strength and honor
a heart that love has won
Steadfast standing
facing storm
I trust
feel your spirit upon my skin
Though sails may tear
water wall right through me
Love still ghosts around me
bear me upright standing

Forged of your breath
my soul now lives
Salvation billows sagaciously deep
love knows not temperantia
Compassion like a river flows
working mercy
Given your name
present faultless before glory
To you be all given
all rule, all strength, and all fame

~JLB

Worship comes in Waves || 2011.02.09

In the emptiness of eternity love remains
Rapturous joy unspeakable, else bows and melts away
like grain in wind, or a tree - there is love, and responce
I avert my eyes, for who can witness
eternity

Worship comes in waves
deepening over the contrite
welling up the upright
into unwavering experience
no matter what the end

passion comes in waves
deeper on the contrite
overwhelming the upright
into the arms of God
dancing upon the wind

Puzzle of puzzles and so great a mystery
Can eyes see love, or I breathe
aire to feelings when I receive
and hear my Lord call me truly lovely

Who can see through all shrouds and mist
or search on for the one who calls out their name
only one by love made alive
only by love a heart be revived
only by love feel wholeness again
to fill the emptiness
of eternity

~JLB

Stirred Passion || 2011.02.09

I don't really care if I don't understand passion, with its stirring and confusing waves. I am jealous; I envy the next moment I can steal away for a glimpse, a moment, or a short or long conversation with you. Feelings and emotions are simply a storm, and you are the singular solace. Whether by whim or by calculated want I am set to search, to seek, and as my desire and reward to find you.

And if passion rise as a wind, or freeze like ice
- your hand holds the winds
- your love melts hearts.
The grave has already loosed you,
Death already lost its grasp.
My heart rises silently when choirs sing your name.
I feel like the whole earth trembles when heaven opens,
and worship begins to rain.
Let passion know no bound
and my heart know no content.
Pour oil to embers, desire be not quenched!
I love to love you.
Waste no moment, not a single breath!
Let love rise great and plummet me
through its highest depths.

~JLB

Today's Prayer || 2011.02.06

High and lofty One who is inhabiting eternity,

Bridge the boundaries that separate the temporal from the immortal. Pour out anointing - the oil of the fire, and multiply it to your service and to your lamp of light. Upset the secular aspects of life and pour eternity in.

Change our view, our expression. Bind to us love, and move us by compassion to pour out your works. Turn our face to you so the expressions we carry are the shape of your face as we humble ourselves, and I fall to my face in worship.

I pour out my heart, the box of my existence: I want it full only of you. Teach my labors to magnify your name, teach my talents to multiply and my lamp to never go out. Remind my heart daily to delight in you. Sustain me through the darkness of my insufficiencies by the light of your face. I lay my face upon your feet - to worship as close as I can get. When you stand me up write your name up on my face. Stir in me your mysteries and set your glory on my back. Be magnified for your name's sake, and raised high in the earth. Be exalted, my Lord and King, over all the earth and shine out like the sun's dawning.

~JLB