“After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” Mark 6:53-56 NLT *
Ship’s Log II
Left Gennesaret at dawn.
Too many stories to tell.
We just drifted past a lad
walking on water.
Was that the six-year-old?
I am sure it was he.
Stranded
Shattered
got here too late—
accustomed to my sanctuary of pain.
Jesus and his disciples have left
the shore – boat outline
receding in the distance
“He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might
he increases strength.”
There is a question
dropped like a pebble on the sand,
“Who do you say that I am?”
jfig 4/2020
**Isaiah 40:29
***Matthew 16:15
Recently, a young man asked me, “You have been a believer in Jesus for a long time. What ‘advice’ would you give to a younger follower like me?”
In your lifetime, Jesus will many times ask you this question, “Who do you say that I am?” This is an invitation…
Be honest with yourself, and with Jesus, when you answer. Life-changing conversation will follow. jfig
You can access scripture passages here: https://www.blueletterbible.org/ This is a terrific site from which to access multiple translations, commentaries and concordance info.
Dear Reading Friends:Thank you. It has been so meaningful to have your company on this 30 day journey. One more day… Thank you for reading, for commenting, for pondering and following along. Over the next 30 days, I plan to stop in and see what you are up to. In all things heavenward, Godspeed. jfig
Little Miss Sweetness and I took to the woods. Some of us are occasionally creeping out to isolated places concerned that to not do so might bear worse consequences than our exposure to the elements. We brought back a message for any who need to hear it.
h is for ‘hello’
h is for hello: We are your woods, growing still because some wise individuals collaboratively discerned that you would need us. May you have wise individuals still. You are not here; we have noticed. That is okay. We are practicing being: being green, flashing our native color, and growing, after winter’s semi-hibernation. And we are taking an arguably needed sabbath rest. We are all in this together…
Do not worry. You will return to the woods once more; the Douglas fir and hemlock will be waiting, sentinels for your return.
love letters in the sand
love letters in the sand: the nematodes and copepods are dancing;
we will be so*excited!!!to see you~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was just hard—
In spite of having what we need of food and projects and space, I felt blue – that unsettling mix of thankful and sad. It was sad, to see cars in people’s yards with fresh ‘for sale’ signs. Demoralizing to see a SWAT team at the foodbank in a rural county. It feels heavy to hear of friends’ struggles to homeschool for the first time without the benefit of distance, the perspective that one’s children will survive. In reality, many of you have been teaching your children from day one. They will bloom because of and in spite of you. They will benefit from your efforts, but they will survive in large part because of God’s mercy, and his bold creative design that gave us curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Our brains LOVE having problems to solve.
On the other hand, our hearts were built for nurture – of bodies and other beings.
the nurture tree
I wonder how many living, growing things this stump has nurtured – seedlings to saplings to trunks. An army or two of ants. Squirrels, lichens, ferns. It appears that we have been taking nurture for granted: teachers, transit drivers, nurses. When I was growing up (about a hundred years ago) the school cooks made sweet rolls for the teachers on meat and gravy day. Now the cooks and librarians are packing lunches and shipping them on the short bus to a neighborhood down the road. I wonder if school levies will pass more readily now; teacher salaries go up? Truck drivers, and maintenance workers and the kid at the pizza shop. Volunteers, and anyone who whistles or sings. In January, there was an article in the Week magazine, “Bad bosses: Will they ever reform?” This month, my friend’s boss is giving her unmandated hazard pay, because she is grateful for her staff, and wants to nurture their being…
My friend Nancy says, never waste a crisis. We are learning that some of our collective strength is found in the least celebrated places, and in our willingness to try something new; in being creative, and being brave. Everyone I know is tired, because we are all working hard to feed the cells of society; sending pipelines of aide up and down the stories of real, or imagined, class.
We are also being more honest, about when we are frightened and lonely and sad. We are wearing cloth and paper masks, but we’ve taken off some of the invisible ones we used to hide behind. Donning gloves, but looking for new ways to touch each other.
bleeding heart
I believe in us, in the Creator’s God’s design that imbedded his image, creativity and nurture and sacrifice.
‘You will return to the woods once more; the Douglas fir and hemlock will be waiting, sentinels for your return.’
They will have grown. perhaps so will we.
jfig 4/2020
To my regular readers; I apologize for the radio silence. Poem 20 has been a challenge, both it and the fig fam needs refuse to stay within the necessary margins for concentration and productivity…everything keeps popping out at the seams. Just want to let you know that I have not given up on the poems or you.
Dear Reader, Today’s poem is from the perspective of one who arrived by boat. disclaimer: At times, I have noted that while the vernacular of those who make their living from the sea, or in healthcare, may be crudely apt, it is no less reverent.
The scripture referenced in stanza 7 has provided critical navigation in times when I have felt repeatedly and perplexingly hungry, food in front of me. jfig
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Mark 6:53-56 ESV
Three weeks ago, our pastor Christian Lindbeck spoke about living through unprecedented times by this truth: as Jesus followers, we are set free to love, not by arriving, but by walking, step by singular step, in the company of the Holy Spirit. http://www.hcbellingham.com/sermons/called-equipped-and-set-free-to-love-like-jesus/ (mins 55-60)
Galations 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
for anyone who has ever loved and hoped for a sick child
Was anyone six
who lay on a bed
bruised and broken
afore he had…
lived?
First trip to market—
or do child and corner already belong
claimed by a cup
where alms trickle across his palm
(instead of caterpillars)
Did someone tell a story?
Who first
Jesus or lad,
imagination’s energy quite different
from one small.sickly.frame
Is mother at home?
heart shackled to his side
hope her companion
she – begging
for life
Did Jesus speak?
some have heard these words
“I know what she needs…”
“She is merely asleep.”
“Rise up and walk.”
“No one sinned.”
“I might be glorified” through
one small.child’s.dance
What did the child hear?
“Shhh…it’s our secret…”
pound right here
Did he remind Jesus of seven
hide-n-seek in the crowd
the game of a thousand temple questions?
hammer and nails…
hammer and nails…
There are bumps and bruises to be had
I must be about my Father’s business
hammer and nails…
Was anyone six?
did Jesus hold back a grin
for another tale to be told?
what hearts did he heal
as child clambered up…
Finish the market piggyback—
Does this not offend?
Child swagger
grounded
in hanging on to a bigger hem.
jfig 4/2020
Dear Reading Friend,
This poem took me on a lot of tangents. In following them, I stumbled onto ideas I’d never considered before, so it was worth the journey. Thank you for joining me.
Questions to ponder:
? In what way is Jesus inviting you to ‘hang on, childlike, to the hem of his garment?
? We are often reminded to ‘have childlike faith.’ In what ways do children uniquely image their creator?
The poem references these passages: Mark 5:35-43; John 9:3; Matthew 18:3; Ephesians 5:1. You can access scriptures at https://www.blueletterbible.org/
Also, I lost a day somewhere…I’m not going to worry too much about that. If you are still on day 15, we are not lost from each other, nor hopefully from the one who is leading the way. jfig
And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 NLT
I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me. John 10:14 NLT
Today’s poem captures snippets of conversations I have had with a friend who has suffered much. It alludes to the question that perhaps we all raise in one way or another, “Why does a good God allow suffering?” To really grapple with the question takes a certain amount of bravery, let alone live the stories that prompt it. Following the poem, is a scaffolding of scripture references from which to explore further if you are interested.
My Sister is Suffering
My sister is suffering,
years now into it
breathing loss in pinched increments
as if it were air.
My heart rends a little each day
waiting.
Translucent
her beauty,
shines through
as if the holes
filled in
with flowers.
“Jesus is here!
In Gennesaret.”
We conversed
on our hurried way.
I asked
“How will we know…?”
She said simply
“I wait each day—
his sustaining glance
his whispers round suffering
his assurance of keeping
I wait each day.”
“His voice I know
His whispered caress
‘Easy, my child
you’ve nothing to fear.
I am with you in pain
My strength will suffice.’
So filled up with Jesus,
this sister of mine
“Oh, Brother, I’ll know Him
It will take but a touch.
I’ll know him, dear brother—
let’s hurry, let’s fly.”
jfig 3/2020
Psalm 27: John 17:3; Romans 5:1-5; Romans 8:16; I Corinthians 1:23,24; John 10:14
Photo was taken by Cathy Barger Hoesterey near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I chose this photo for the fierceness with which this young girl cares for her siblings.
Undone by mercy – my heart has been changed by each
Encounter—who is this Jesus
whose vestments vibrate
sage power to heal
Heal quickly , my soul
Heal quickly
This Jesus, I must follow
I have lain in the dust
I have borne a pallet
…might I wash his feet?
This Jesus, I must follow
jfig 3/2020
Dear Reader, we encounter Jesus from so many different postures as we go through life. I hate to think of some of the stances I have taken as He has approached. In using reflection as a tool, I find it helpful to ponder those different roles and attitudes. Where are you today, with regard to Covid-19? Are you fearful, resigned, waiting to see what happens? How does where you have been in the past, inform what you need today? Jesus is nearby; with what will you encounter Him? Thanks for reading… jfig
PS. I chose this image for its attitude of enthusiasm.
Mark 6:53-56 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout the whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever the heard he was. And wherever he went – into villages, towns or countryside – they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Three years ago, I started working in a place where nearly everyone was visibly broken. There was a time, when I was afraid to get too close, for fear society’s ills would, leprosy-like, creep up my flesh. I did not yet know, how well I reside among the broken. That Jesus could walk by to find me groveling in the dirt, his tangled fringe grasped in both begging hands, and still, with eyes of compassion, see himself reflected there. Being among the ‘sick’ made me brave enough to examine my own festering wounds. And offer them up, for His cure. Today’s poems reflect moments in this ongoing journey.
Need
‘They’ lie in the street -hovel deep
need so mottled and stark
one cannot even
conceive a dream.
Our only recourse – CRY OUT
at the pain we feel…or perceive.
Entitlement stoops clumsily
…to lend a hand up?
Jesus, we wait for you
Perhaps in the waiting
our knees should hit the dust
too.
jfig 3/2020
Brokenness
She does not need me to ‘announce’
what is wrong with her.
Funny…she already knows.
Nor to endorse a cure.
Leaking ‘helper’ need
does not increase her chances of survival.
By all means – draw near.
In helping to lift her wasted hand
both hers and mine will brush His hem.
jfig 3/2019-20
Where do you find yourself in the Jesus story – among the broken, or tending wounds, perhaps? What do you see?
Roasted Words 