Monday, February 22, 2010



If it wasn't for the fact that I know God is omniscient,
all wise, all good, and perfect in completeness
I might have a question, might venture a suggestion
or two about the nature of this beautiful horrible world.

Could it be a possibility, I ask with all humility,
to conceive a kinder gentler form of the necessity called free will?
Or again, all due respect, if that idea holds some defect
could God make us nobler creatures choosing God's way by default?
But Lord, we scramble weakly, too blind and poor to seek Thee,
short on sympathy for fellow creatures, short of worship for I AM.

Still I hold onto the fact that I know God is omniscient,
all wise, all good, and perfect in completeness,
and there is the crowning thought we poor creatures are the sought
by the God of love and mercy, none more worthy of our trust.
-HJ Feb. 22, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010



O world, I sniff you like gasoline
Can't get enough irresistible fiend
Inhale you and moan with olfactory lust
Knowing full well you are death and dust
A fierce itch even as I scratch and sigh
and crave more scratching to satisfy
the endless desire to be immersed
in what I see clearly should be reversed
should be transformed into higher calling
to embrace the lifting and deny the falling
to become what is possible past best intent
to receive the vision that heaven sent
back to us, addicted creatures of greed,
of peace past understanding, love more than we need,
joy more than fulfilling, and so I pray
a new life given to me. Let it start today.
- HJ Feb 22, 2010

Sunday, February 14, 2010



i will pass through
whether cancer cells exploding in frantic multiplication
or twisted metal shards of glass split second crash collision
or decades long cells winding down in gradual decline
or instant ending muscle failure suddenly flatline
i will pass through
and on my way see sunsets, roses, stars and trees of green
and hear the owl, the cello, birdsong, laughter, rippling stream
and feel the wind, the sun, the sand, the rain upon my face
and know the joy of love, the thrill of hope, the common race
we all pass through
may take along
a lesson learned
a perfect song
-HJ

Sunday, February 7, 2010



"This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen."
-quoted by Kathleen Norris in Acedia and Me

Saturday, February 6, 2010



Oh Lord my God, unto Thee doth my heart flow, more of Thee would my heart know,
though I seek in the night.
Oh God my Lord, for the mercy Thou hast shown I lay all before Thy throne,
asking only Thy light.
It is Thy love and Thy unending mercy and Thy grace that doth stir me,
drawing me ever near.
So lend Thy strength and Thy wisdom to guide me, set Thy Spirit inside me,
bend my proud soul to hear,
Oh Lord my God, it is Thy voice is calling, when the shadows are falling,
Thou, Comforter, art nigh.
Oh God my Lord, tune my life to Thy singing, with my life others bringing,
Peace that cometh from high.
-HJ February 2010


Walking on the crust of snow,
three firm steps, then down I go,
boots punching through. I flounder on,
reach solid drift, and walk upon.
Now striding high and fast am I,
now sink knee deep, socks ankle high.
Though frozen and wet right to the skin,
though socks and sleeves have let snow in,
I walk on, hoping the surface will hold
and let me make tracks above the cold.
-HJ Feb, 2010