we hold each other now

we hold each other now
in this confusion and question why
how could that man do such and such and such...
on and on the questions go
the violence rages in our own selves
our eyes cannot receive the sorrow
of children full of wonder stopped by evil sickness
motivation unknown
suspect intention: power/control/death
all hailed as reigning even if only for a moment
all lies!
because the children are right and true
their eyes say it can't be
their eyes tell of wonder so beautiful it will never end
no gun or sickness
no evil intent
can end a love UNending
death will be swallowed up by life
knowing this and gripping strong
we hold each other now

12.12.12

Today at work we get to bring twelve of something because of the funny calendar date.

I choose chocolate cookies. And here they are to share.

Chocolate Cookies mmmmm........

1 1/2 cups all- purpose flour

1/2 cup good quality unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable shortening or unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 large egg

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 375* whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

2. Put butter and sugar into the bowl and mix with electric mixer. Mix on med-high until pale and (hopefully) fluffy. Mix in shortening or additional butter. Add egg and vanilla; mix until creamy. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add flour mixture, and mix until just combined.

3. Using an ice-cream scoop, or nicely rounded deep spoon, drop dough onto baking sheet. Bake until edges are firm. (10 min or so) Let cool. Enjoy!

home

Just like my willow wreath I need a place to hangout. 

Here is home. Looking always for a place to hangout and call home, I find Jesus calling me to Himself. 

Where He is I am home. 

That being the case I can hangout and rest anywhere!

Even so, lately, I've wrestled with fear and tend to think too much about my unknown future. 

Living in the present is also home. Because I really can't live in the future anyway. 

When I remember that I am already "home" I can have peace.

new blog

In The gospel of Mark 8:1-9 Jesus fed about 4,000 people after giving thanks for seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. The disciples picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. In John 6 He fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples then gathered up twelve baskets with fragments.

I'm always amazed by God's ways. He is so capable of providing for me and for those I love. It's such a pleasure to know Him and be known by Him.

 "For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ." 

~Gospel of John1:16, 17

This goodness will hold me accountable to the fact that His fullness carries with it a tremendous weight of hope to share. Not just in the inevitable joys that permeate the pain and patience of this faith, but in the wonder of expectation, as the promises linger and call to me in spite of life's struggles.  

My desire is to declare this hope and proclaim it within the pages of this new blog, Twelve and Seven Baskets. My observations of the world around me, as well as how I choose to appropriate this wonderful gift of life, will hopefully unfold here in small quantities. Please share along with me. I welcome your comments as you journey with me.