Terror

Photo by Todd Jenkins

It’s a personal experience

in which fear is escalated

to unimaginable levels.

Its perpetrators must not be

allowed to define it.

That task can  fall only

to those who are consumed.

Opposite of "peace that passes understanding",

it is "angst that shatters all connection".

We cannot simply add "ism" to it

and get to decide who wears its label.

Dehumanization in any form

manifests terror, even and especially when

it is sanctioned by law or religion,

including our own.

Only the vigilance of honesty, humility,

and humanity will give us vision

to unclench its suffocating grip.

© 2013 Todd Jenkins

Tinta-Ink

A menudo se distribuye desde la pluma al papel      

con poca consideración por las consecuencias

de las palabras, frases y significados que se forma.

It is often dispensed from pen to paper

with little regard for the implications

of the words, phrases and meanings it forms.

Sin embargo, cuando se escribe con el corazón,

es la sangre que fluye de la vena a la página,

y nos abre a los planes y propósitos

trascendiendo nuestro limitado entendimiento.

But when we write with our hearts,

it is blood that flows from vein to page,

and opens us to plans and purposes

transcending our limited understanding.

Que la tinta de las venas mientras forma

nuestras firmas en esta alianza,

enlace nuestros corazones en uno

a través de tu gracia

y para tu gloria, Señor;

que nuestros sueños se inspiren en el tuyo;

que nuestra misión refleje tu esperanza.

May the ink of our veins, as it forms

our signatures on this covenant,

bind our hearts to one another,

through your grace

and to your glory, O Lord;

may our dreams be inspired by yours;

may our mission reflect your hope.

© 2013 Todd Jenkins

Strength

(For my new friend Ancy)

It comes in surprising forms.

The powerful, agile fútbol player

is easily recognized for the way

his graceful body and anticipating mind

can bring the crowd to its feet.

Not so easily identified

is the quiet strength that comes

when the pitch’s glory has faded

and the body is a betrayer.

These less-visible powers

hold families together

in ways we’d never dream,

planting seeds of hope that will

sprout for years to come.

Give us sight, O God,

to see with our hearts,

when our other senses falter,

the many ways your strength

is manifest, especially when

it blossoms from our weakness.

© 2013 Todd Jenkins

Filter

Deliver us: from straining

at the gnats of our

fears, ignorance, and phobias,

while swallowing the camel

of our comfort and contentment;

from a religion that echoes sentiment

but doesn't leave a footprint;

from teary-eyed waving

like fronds of a palm,

caring not if all are fed 

with living water, wine, and bread.

Photo by Farris Ralston

© 2013 Todd Jenkins

Play Ball!

Being mainline is strike one;

small church is strike two;

now we’re just protecting the plate.

Are we attempting to foul-off

anything close, hoping to gain 
a free pass; or actually trying

to connect with anything(one?)

in the neighborhood?

Maybe it’s an altogether

different plate we’re guarding;

one filled more with coins

and George Washingtons

than a representation of

the gifts of God’s generosity.

How do we stay in the game,

when faster-paced events, and activities

with measurable payback get more attention;

where shot and play clock prevail,

and return on investment rules?

How does the timelessness of faith

play in today’s tightly scheduled arena,

where pleasure is the measure,

and every window’s a mirror?

When the upward journey

reveals its cracks, and the good life

turns out to be a hollow shell

with little more inside than unfulfilled hunger,

we’ll recognize the plate we have

isn’t for protecting, but holds

the bread of life; our cup, not for guarding,

but offering living wine and water,

filling the world’s deepest longing:

to share all of our broken self

at the deepest, with neither

fear of rejection nor anxiety

over whether there’ll be

enough for tomorrow.

Photo by Maggie Beamguard

© 2013 Todd Jenkins

With My Hands

Lord, I want to feed your children

in my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to feed your children

in my heart. In my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to feed your children in my heart.

Will you show me how to feed them

with my hands, with my hands?

Will you show me how to feed them

with my hands? With my hands, with my hands.

Will you show me how to feed them with my hands?

Lord, I want to share clean water

in my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to share clean water

in my heart. In my heart, in my heart.

Lord, I want to share clean water in my heart.

Will you show me how to share it

with my hands, with my hands?

Will you show me how to share it

with my hands? With my hands, with my hands.

Will you show me how to share it with my hands?

© 2013 Todd Jenkins

Wisdom

Do not mistake the certitude and

bravado of fools for leadership.

Neither contains value;

both are like speeding up

when lost, which succeeds

in driving us farther

into the weeds.

Caution, jump-started

by curiosity and imagination,

with deep reflection and

serious questions at every turn,

kicks up dust on a road that

might not be easy, but

will be worth the journey.

© 2013 Todd Jenkins