A Ballad — Our bones are scattered by the grave, Unearthed to turn the soil; The crypt is furrowed, straight and true, The cemetery’s spoiled. My enemies have laid a snare To catch me in a lie, But You will not leave me exposed; God, You are my ally. I stand with You…

Naaman, Arrogance, and Dirt — Naaman, Commander of the Syrian Army “Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” — 2 Kings 5:12 Naaman was a commander of the army of the king of Syria, a powerful and respected man who had…

A Ballad — Deliver me from vipers, God, Who whet their tongues as swords, And spit fierce venom from their lips, Who ever practise war. Restrain their hands away from me Who spread a net to snare. They yearn to see me trip and fall; They lust to see me scared. O Love…

An English Sonnet — You see me, Love, and know my secret core, The deepest, darkest corners of my soul, And if I know myself, You know me more; The night is bright as day: You see the whole. O, where can I avoid Your Presence, God? In heaven and in hell, I find You there. Your wings will lift…

“No to the embrace of gay identity language” — Celibacy is not enough Essayist Bethel McGrew writes for First Things that “the Side B project” or the “Revoice project” has “failed.” McGrew gives the background on these terms: As a shorthand for groups with divergent views on the topic, they used the metaphor of a record’s “A” and “B”…

A Kyrielle — Although I walk through violence, And in the midst of riots pace, You will keep me from aggressors. Your mercy, God, endures forever. When I cried out, You answered me And made me bold; You strengthened me. Now we will sing and dance together. Your mercy, God, endures forever. You stand between me and my foes You save me from all who oppose, And You complete me, to my pleasure. Your mercy, God, endures forever.

An English Sonnet — I hang my harp upon the willow tree And weep at gentle memories of peace, Of times of joy when I was glad and free. Our enemies will never ease or cease For they believe that You are on their side, And they are saving me from who I am. How can I sing when my…

A Kyrielle — I will give thanks and praise Your Name, And Your prestige I will proclaim, For You are good, though You’re not tame. Your mercy is forever. O God of gods, Who made the skies, Who delved the lows, set up the highs, My heart’s reflected in Your eyes. …