A Valentine Card From God to You

At Light Bearer's ARISE program, I was taught that God is love. During one very meaningful class moment, we read through 1 Corinthians 13 replacing "love" with God. I think this is something everyone should do; for best effect, read the passage aloud.

God is patient and God is kind.

God does not envy; He does not boast and is not proud.

God does not dishonor others and He is not self-seeking.

God is not easily angered—He keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

God never fails.

A Little Psalm of Bryant

The other day at a Campus Ministries meeting, we each wrote an adapted version of Psalm 136. This is what resulted.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is worthy. Who alone is righteous; His love endures forever. Who created the deep and the high; His love endures forever. Who is always faithful; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is merciful. Who loves everyone appropriately; His love endures forever. Who sings over you; His love endures forever. Who promises safety and comfort to all; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is almighty. Who does no wrong; His love endures forever. Who made the tallest of mountains; His love endures forever. Who sustains the changing seasons; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is peace. Who by His voice creates hope; His love endures forever. Who laughs at parties; His love endures forever. Who weeps with the broken-hearted; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is wonderful. Who gave us the freedom to create; His love endures forever. Who made the funny exchanges between men and women; His love endures forever. And brings all things together for good; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to God, for He is awesome. Who loves without fear; His love endures forever. Who teaches wisdom; His love endures forever. Who forgives your ignorance and rebellion; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Creator, for He is majestic. Who formed the stars in His womb; His love endures forever. Who directed the galaxies across darkness, His love endures forever. Who chose to fill with beauty; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is joy. Who freed the depressed minds; His love endures forever. Who provides second chances; His love endures forever. Who stands in our presence; His love endures forever.

Give thanks to God, for He is worthy; His love endures forever.

Live your life, she said

This poem is dedicated to Daniel Alcantara and Kessia Reyne Bennett.

*****

Live your life, she said [10.24.12]

Sometimes, I find my voice wanders to conversations I did not seek. Running quick, like predators are on the chase, I soon realize it was a trap.

G.K. Chesterton said mad men do not need reason, do not need an argument or clever rhetoric. They need to gasp fresh air into their shriveled lungs and mind.

Who is this writer anyways? To what goal does he aim? Who gave him authority to put ink to paper, and scribble something about love and spirituality?

It is in these moments, I think of you. The way you would run your hand through your hair, thick and black, proceed to utter a sentence beginning with, “Basically...”

And I ask myself, what will it come to? The fluorescent light casts shadows upon my bed creating a theatre from books and pens. Creating a make believe world I can turn off at any moment.

But that is not how this works, I am never one to wait, anyways. My mind returns to the scripture about fruit in season. “He doesn’t abandon,” she added.