Grace
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Psalm 29
The gift of God is Living Water How perilous for life to go well. Israel soon forgot Water could come from stricken stone: Good gifts make terrible gods. Thunder and power loom over the waters, Rain pours upon the dry quaking earth; Your Baal and Asherah, your most intimate pride, Swelling until it crushes you. Continue reading
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The King’s Economy
Mark 12:13-17 Life in occupied territory Where does your loyalty lie? Senatus populusque Romani Idolatry in your pocket Talismans of promise. Ex nihilo, imago dei Render the reflection to the glory Glorious ruins reaching up to heaven How much do you owe? You belong, body and soul. Continue reading
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The King’s Observation
Mark 12:35-44 [fragmentation] Careful craving for admiration Honor at all costs. Hypocritical heart entangled In an identity of elevation. You matter Stripped of secular significance You matter. [wholeness] Behold the sacrificial heart More blessed by giving What only the Father sees, Beholding the risen King. You matter. Enfolded into life with the living Son of Continue reading
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The King’s Command
Mark 12:28-34 Hear, O Israel, what the Lord your God expects of you The fullness of law is a generosity transcending prohibition. Directing the currents of love Into the deep veins of your soul, Teaching you to kneel on the inside. Hear, O Israel, you do not love as you should Do you know Him Continue reading
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Thankful
For the usual things Made more special for their expectedness: Family Friends Food. For things beautiful and strange: Books with voices that strengthen my own; An orange cat with winsome determination; Crackling fires facilitating laughter and conversation. And for things unusual: Love beyond measure, And grace that finds us Even in the midst of our Continue reading
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Still Learning
They didn’t teach me How best to express an ache For people I don’t know, Or how to help heal a wound That never closes. They didn’t teach me Five steps to fix an evil next door And a continent away. But they did teach me how to love They taught me to stand up Continue reading
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Time Signature for a Fool
I stand ankle deep, Clutching dirty rags in lonely fists, Attempting to soothe my soul with bitterness. Until you pull me further in: You begin waltzing me through the dark waves. You lead me back and forth, Disregarding the rhythm I expected. You move me. And we dance, Until every step glows in the midnight ocean. Continue reading
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A Fortunate Poverty
This is not the grace I was looking for, This nibbly bit of blessing, Dragging me through one more day, But just barely. I’d prefer a measure of Dying Grace, The kind packaged with enough Courage and Faith To carry me through many moons And unto some glorious ending. Instead here I am With my plain, everyday Continue reading
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A new year’s eve
Today Let us wisely pack away Tattered promises Along with the old clothes And unrealistic expectations. Let us gladly embrace Our clumsy communities And the stains On the new tablecloth. Let us easily welcome A smidgen of chaos — Disruptions of schedules And unplanned smiles. Today, let us highly resolve To notice grace Tucked deep Continue reading
About Me
I’m Stephanie – a perpetual student and aspiring hobbit. I love language, literature, and theology. I’m happiest when surrounded with good food, good company, and things that grow.
Beautiful Dust 