Perfect Match

PERFECT MATCH

I noticed both of you - of course
didn’t ask for your permission
just enjoyed this moment

as an observer, a fellow traveler
a spectator with an eye for
vintage beauty

camera in my lap
secretly taking this picture
I have to capture this

grown together, a perfect match
just as naturally
as your folded hands

wordless poetry
perfect rhyme

love & faithfulness

Water's Mirror

Click on the picture to enlarge

"Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.

After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.

Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth."

Hosea 6:1-3

Amena Brown: Resurrection

Christmas 2007

From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.
We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him. (1 John 1:1-5 from The Message)

Receiving the Gift

When all we had left was fear and despair
Your light broke through our darkness

But only if we turn to you
We will reflect your glory
And be warmed

By you

When all we had left was utter loneliness
Your hand reached out to us in love

But only if we accept your gift
We can enjoy your presence
And be reunited
With you

When all we had left was total emptiness

You decided to become one like us

But only if we believe it
We can receive it
And be blessed

In you

.
Picture: moon and mars sharing the sky last night... source

Keeping track

This is my fast-paced world of
Laptops and cell phones
Where people in a hurry
Try to attend meetings
Where they can make
Their next appointments
Or sign new contracts
To do more work

Every now and then
I stop, sigh, smile
Shake my weary head
And ask myself:
Where on earth are we going
And for heaven’s sake
Why are we going there?

Overwhelmed

I just can’t understand
How wide and long
How high and deep
Your immeasurable love is

Your Majesty
Is way too much for me
I need all my brothers and sisters
Just to get the awesome picture
And still we will need
All of eternity
To praise You

No, I can’t visualize You
But I can experience your love
Like rays from the blazing sun
Burning my skin
Like drops from a thundering cloud
Raining on my soul

Yes
Infiltrate my mind
With unthinkable wisdom
Fill my heart
With inconceivable fullness

You, my God
Are big enough to humble yourself
Kind enough to even notice me

I’m truly overwhelmed
Silenced, stunned
Impressed and inspired
By You, Almighty God

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! Ephesians 3:14-21 (The Message)

Pinned-down butterfly

pinned-down butterfly
heavenly beauty
pierced by
horror from hell

fly away
if you can
you saved others
save yourself too

but the butterfly shows
all his true colours
and all the dark forces
truly exposed
don't seem to know
how wrong they are

just assuming
that he's powerless now
not able to fly again
they are all in
for a big surprise

this colourful one
this stunning beauty
is the great exception
so let's all wait and see
who's laughing
next

Pic right: detail from White Crucifixion by Chagall, 1938
© PAUL ABSPOEL

Whatever the costs

Watch Mary pouring
Blessing her Saviour
Her heart full of love
Beating with passion
Ready to give
Whatever the costs

Hear Judas complaining
Looking for profit
His greedy hands
Grasping for silver
Ready for betrayal
Whatever the costs

Beware of the priests
Whitewashed tombs
Grinding their teeth
Searching for chances
Ready for the kill
Whatever the costs

Look at my Master
Crying and bleeding
Two outstretched arms
Signs of His mercy
Ready to forgive
Whatever the costs

Lord, we your people
No longer slaves now
Our heads lifted higher
Waiting to see you
Faithfully working
Whatever the costs

Inspired by John 12:1-19
© PAUL ABSPOEL

Both sides of the Truth

Jesus, You are
A humble Servant
And a warrior King
Both sides of the Truth
Meek and strong
As only Love can be

Jesus, You are
The sacrificed Lamb
My faithful Shepherd
Both human and God
Painful and perfect
As only Love can be

Jesus, You are
Bright as the sunshine
Mysterious as the night
Both secure and dangerous
Free and protective
As only Love can be

© PAUL ABSPOEL

Short Serenade

look at me
standing here
under your balcony
a confused lover

not knowing
where to look
too shy to talk

i brought you nothing
but the roses which i picked
from your own
bloodstained
garden

stammering
i can only give you my
yes

Forget your water jar

Forget your water jar
Who needs a drink
When the Source of Life
Poured out his love
Straight into your heart?

Forget your water jar
No need to contain
His love and your joy
Spill it all out, girl
Drown all your tears

Forget your water jar
Don’t put yourself down
He lifted you up
Your broken heart mended
And filled to the brim

Forget your water jar
There’s no need for it now
Run to the town
Tell all your people
Our Saviour has come!

Text © Paul Abspoel - inspired by this Bible passage

That you want to be seen with me

Lord,
That you want to be seen with me
That you are not ashamed of my company
That you are not avoiding me
But stop and notice me instead

Lord,
That you want to be seen with me
That you see right through my masquerades
That you know my deepest thoughts
Still not rejecting me at all

Lord,
That you want to be seen with me
That I can bow down before you confidently
That you are not going to throw stones at me
But overwhelm me with your goodness

Grace undeserved - that’s what it is
And nothing else

Text © Paul Abspoel - inspired by this Bible passage