Meditations on God

The clouds wash
across the sky
with no beginning
nor end in sight
and yet the sun
will rise again
high above the darkness
lighting the world
beneath its warm glow
and so it is
with the darkest hour
of my darkest day
when hope is nowhere near
the Son rose again
above this world
of sin and death
for your sake and mine
that his love may light our way
with joy and peace eternal

RISE AGAIN
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com

To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

If you cling too tightly
to someone
who clings to despair
the weight of it all
will drag you down also
release them to God
and if they choose
to reach up to heaven
be there to greet them
as the hand of the Lord
reaches down
and pulls them up
from hell’s fiery prison

RELEASED TO GOD
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com

To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

The Lord is quietly
at work
in the background
of your soul
tilling the soil
in your heart
sewing seeds
of love and salvation
which he waters
through prayer
and contemplation
so that his good fruit
may be harvested
through you
in the world
for the sake of his people

TILLING THE SOIL
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com

To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

Each and every one
of God’s children
is worthy of salvation
in the eyes of the Lord
not by works
nor by virtue
because all have
fallen short
of the glory of God
but by love
and sacrifice
we have been saved

WORTHY OF SALVATION
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com

To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com

When I turn away
from God
wandering off into
the desert of sin
and selfishness
I withdraw myself
from his grace
in my defiance
I am no longer
protected from the world
but he never stops
searching for me
calling me to repent
to turn back toward him
in his everlasting
love and mercy

TURN BACK
By Robert Van Valkenburgh
‘Meditations of a Gentle Warrior’ at http://www.holisticbudo.com

To read my longer writing, visit my blog ‘Grappling With Divinity’ at http://www.robertvanvalkenburgh.com