Sunday, August 8, 2010

Old Mountain: New Mountain



Hear high places
Godless races
Mountains are brought low
to abolish your idols;
lesser gods for show
Canaanite altars
falsehood on hilltops and lies
your god falters
scattered bones
across your wasted lands
desolate
scattered pagan hands
of slain man
and incense stench,
children’s corpses,
and heart wrench
broken, cut down, and abolished;
works
downtrod
All will know
The Lord is God

© 2010, Robbie Pruitt
http://www.robbiepruitt.com/



Ezekiel 6: 6-7

‎

"In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord."



Works Cited


http://www.bible-history.com/resource/ff_baal.htm. Accessed August 9, 2010.


http://www.elinoreart.com/82420/Ex. Accessed August 8, 2010.


http://larryavisbrown.homestead.com/files/OT_history/unit2/Unit2b_conquest.htm. Accessed August 8, 2010


The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Eze 6:6-7

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Anointed

















Anointed


broken
poured out
canceled debts
empty handed
without
tears
wetted feet
gone
are secret sins
discreet
matted hair
perfume scented air
loved much
forgiven and known
grace shown
we are His own
anointed


“Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” . . . “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.” – Luke 7:41-43


For a Bible Study on Luke 7:36-50, click here.


Bibliography

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Luke 7:36-50

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Name


I want
to make
a name
for myself
to proclaim
there
is
life
beyond
my
sell by date
my
shelf life
my
stale state

What’s in a name?
Is it not more than our selves proclaim?

© 2010 Robbie Pruitt

Philippians 2:5-11, NKJV

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Php 2:5-11

Prayer

“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen. (BC, P. 355)”


The Book of Common Prayer.
© 1979 http://www.bcponline.org/

Friday, May 14, 2010

Words of Fire

Picture from WLTX Columbia: http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=87228

The Gene Allen Fleece Library of Columbia International University, a Bible College and Seminary in Columbia, SC, suffered from an electrical fire on May 8, 2010. While no one was injured, the total damages were estimated at around 1.5 million dollars. Rare and out-of-print books have been lost. Please pray for the faculty, staff, the student body, and the alumni, as well as associated academic bodies and international ministries which partner with and depend on the University and the library.

Watch the news cast where this story was covered from WIS10 here.

View more photos of the fire here.

Deuteronomy 8:3

“He put you through hard times. He made you go hungry. Then he fed you with manna, something neither you nor your parents knew anything about, so you would learn that men and women don’t live by bread only; we live by every word that comes from God’s mouth.”


Words of Fire

Words like fire
consume falsehood.
Truth! Truth!
Complacency and apathy,
Aloof! Aloof?!
Awaken!
The Fire kindles;
Absolutes remain.
The Gospel never falters,
nor waivers,
at sin’s disdain.
Justice and Truth,
You reign! You reign!
Truth never falters,
or vanishes in flame,
and more than ashes remain.
Truth never waivers,
and is a person with a name.
Proclaim! Proclaim!
The Word is retained!
Truth is spoken and stays;
The Logos,
The Ancient of Days.

© 2010 Robbie Pruitt


John 1:1-5 and 14

“The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing! — came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”

Monday, May 3, 2010

Call

Call
(From Ezekiel 1-3)

the Heavens opened
I saw visions
of God
by the river
in the Lord’s Hand
I was held
the Whirlwind blew
the Light blinded
. . . and I knew

the Fire kindled
His Hands reached out
the Spirit moved deep within
a raging inferno rose up
from embers of coal
brightly burning
torches and lightening
God’s presence
Holy and frightening

© 2010, Robbie Pruitt


Ezekiel 3:22-24

“God grabbed me by the shoulder and said, “Get up. Go out on the plain. I want to talk with you.” So I got up and went out on the plain. I couldn’t believe my eyes: the Glory of God! Right there! It was like the Glory I had seen at the Kebar River. I fell to the ground, prostrate. Then the Spirit entered me and put me on my feet.”


Bibliography

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Eze 1-3

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%201-3&version=MSG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Ezekiel-Vision-Merkaba.jpg

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Renewal

Renewal Mountain, © 2010 Robbie Pruitt

Renewal

heart of stone
taken out
put in a new
heart of flesh
washed clean
renewed

dirty idols
thrown down
New Spirit within
His people
walking the promised land
with our God
delivered and clean
we trod

© 2010 Robbie Pruitt


Listen to this scripture and poem here: Ezekiel 36:24-29 and Renewal


Ezekiel 36:24-29

“ ‘For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God! “ ‘I’ll pull you out of that stinking pollution. . .”


Bibliography

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Eze 36:24-29

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Dust Man



Dust Man


I am dust
I am dust man
blowing through
desert land
sown in flesh
and corruption
natural
until I am done
I am Spirit bound
blown into Life
from the ground

God is Spirit Life
He is Spirit Man
I am life given by Spirit
I am heavenly man
from the image of dust
Spirit blown
as The Spirit gusts
not given to transformation
. . . but I must


© 2010, Robbie Pruitt


To listen to this poem, click here: Dust Man


1 Corinthians 15:45-58, The Message

“We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. Physical life comes first, then spiritual—a firm base shaped from the earth, a final completion coming out of heaven. The First Man was made out of earth, and people since then are earthy; the Second Man was made out of heaven, and people now can be heavenly. In the same way that we’ve worked from our earthy origins, let’s embrace our heavenly ends. I need to emphasize, friends, that our natural, earthy lives don’t in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God. Their very “nature” is to die, so how could they “naturally” end up in the Life kingdom? But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we’ll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! Who got the last word, oh, Death? Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now? It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort."


Bibliography

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. 1 Co 15:45-58

Sunday, April 4, 2010

The Living Among the Dead

Photo taken from here, © 2010


The Living Among the Dead

I am white washed tombs
doom and gloom
theory of the swoon
I am dead man’s bones
naked and alone
outside gleaming
white washed and beaming
inside hollow and echoes
I am . . . live among the cemeteries
tombstone headrests and chains
lifeless, empty, broken remains
broken and blood stained

Why am I
looking for the living
among the dead?
the tombs are empty
the dead have raised
enough said

clothed and in my right mind
I am life given
resurrected
death adverse
He broke the curse
shattered my chains
given life to these remains

I Am Resurrection and Life
He calls me out by name
grave clothes drop
death and the curse . . . they stop
I am . . . new life given
born again
I am broken free from sin
. . . Spirit filled within


© 2010, Robbie Pruitt

Photo taken from here, © 2010

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” -Luke 24:5, NKJV

“And when He [Jesus] had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones . . . Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.” -Mark 5:1-5, 15, NKJV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” –Jesus, Matthew 23: 27-28, NKJV

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –Jesus, John 14:6, NKJV

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” –Jesus, John 3:16-17, MSG

“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?” – Jesus, John 11: 25-26, MSG

“And face it—if there’s no resurrection for Christ, everything we’ve told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you’ve staked your life on is smoke and mirrors.” - 1 Corinthians 15:14, MSG

“But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20, MSG

 “He is not here, but is risen!” -Luke 24:6, NKJV

“I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.” -John 14:25-27


Bibliography

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Torn Down Curtain



Torn Down Curtain


when we were running
steeped in our sin
He became the Way
to take us in

Boldly
we come
through His blood
it is done

Jesus is our Door
our Curtain
our reason
for being certain

the Curtain was not drawn
for a quick glimpse in
it was torn in two
for all our sin

Jesus is our Door
our Curtain
so all can enter in
His Blood covered all
and Atoned for our sin

torn from top to bottom
He made the Way
from the earthquake
and the shadows
of that fateful day

© 2010 Robbie Pruitt

Hebrews 10:19

“So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into ‘the Holy Place.’ Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.”


Bibliography

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Heb 10:19-21

http://deeptruths.com/images/vail_torn.jpg

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Snowed In


underneath the skies of gray
layered drifts
they blow away
the windblown trees
are burdened and sway
the snow drifts
and the new day
cowered down beneath blankets
the warmth of the heat
a fogged window
icicles gleaming
condensation streaming
it’s cold outside
our souls in God
and in one another abide

© 2010, Robbie Pruitt


Job 37:5-7

"God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work."

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Job 37:5-7

Prayer

"O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (BCP, p. 825).”

The Book of Common Prayer. © 1979

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Beginnings: New Year's 2010


New Beginnings

sit and stare
at the blank wall
I am the clean slate

clean,
with fresh chalk
at my fingertips

write out your wildest dreams
draw your wildest life adventures
show me where I will take you
illustrate where you will go
tell me all you need to know

I Am your Clean Slate
your New Beginning


New Beginnings,
© 2002, Robbie Pruitt


New Year’s 2010

“We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” –Proverbs 16:9

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” –Psalm 37:4

New Year’s is not my favorite holiday. If I am honest, I don’t really like it that much at all. I have had some miserable New Year’s celebrations. I have also had some great ones, like going into New York to ring in 2001. It seems like this time of the year brings on a lot of pressure to do something great or new in celebration. New Year’s also brings with it a lot of reflection, contemplation, planning, and looking forward and can be emotionally charged or bring with it a lot of baggage.

One thing that is great about New Year’s is that it is a time for new beginnings. I’m not talking about making plans to join a gym, quitting smoking, or going on a diet here as much as I am talking about starting fresh, dreaming, making plans, growing from past mistakes or misfortunes, and deciding to live in a new way. Resolutions are great and having a set time to make them is good as well, but everyday can be a new beginning. Either way, when considering our resolutions, let’s consider Jesus’ words in John 15:5-6, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood."

May we find our new beginnings in Jesus this year, for apart from Him, we cannot do a thing.

Would a life of abiding in God be our clean slate.

Happy New Year!


Robbie


Works Cited

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Ps 37:4

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Proverbs 16:9, John 15:5-6.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Still Waters

Painting courtesy of Irene Pruitt, © 2009

Still Waters
Ezekiel 47:1-12, Revelation 22:1-5
(Revelation Chapters 21 and 22)

I’m breathing . . . living . . . drowning
The Flood swept me
from under the sanctuary door
and out by the shade of the life tree
leaves of healing shimmered
and reflected beside me
death was lifted
the curse receded
the place of God was by this sea
the face of God; in front of me
where I drifted; as He carried me

we live where the river flows
taken where life goes
out by the tree lined crystal sea
God has made everything new
He leads us beside still waters
He bids us come and dive
to drown in His waters
where we are truly alive
the river so powerful it sweeps us away
out into eternity
to the dawn of the new day


© 2009, Robbie Pruitt

“Thank you Tom Craig!”

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Invincible


To sink in to the ground, to dissolve, decompose
petroleum forever for the future to hold
no you can’t kill my now; cuz I’m wrapped in the soil
I don’t need my bones for support anymore

if I knew how it ends, I’d be invincible
I’d avoid every plague and disease you control
step away from the toxins that I’ve come to love
and though I’d be alone I’d be invincible

Till our cities will sparkle with the white bones of Doves
and the oceans are full of our green glowing love
till the valves in my heart slam shut and grow cold
I’ll keep telling myself that I’m invincible

when I was but bones laying in the valley bare
You breathed for me when you saw me there
Bleached white and gleaming; I signaled needing
A place of life where this death is receding

can I live?
I wonder and doubt
death valley; bones among bones
I’m withered without
a city or a home
a place where I am known

Till our cities will sparkle with the white bones of Doves
and the oceans are full of your green growing Love
till the valves in my heart slam shut and grow cold
I’ll keep telling myself that I’m invincible

Receiving flesh upon flesh
My new heart pumps and races
as skin covers, blood rushes, and sinew chases
and up my spine Life sends shivers
as Your Breath, Your Spirit, delivers

This is the place we dreamed of,
longed for,
and desired to roam
Your Love covers,
and I’m clothed for Home

The city will sparkle with the white bones of Dove
and the oceans are full of your green growing Love
the valves in my heart fling open, receive
I’ll never grow old; I’ll never grieve
resting myself in the Truth that is told; I’m invincible

I know how it ends, I’m invincible
I know my every plague and disease, and I’m out of control
stepped away from the toxins, came to know Love
no longer alone; I’m invincible


© 2009, Ryan Ellis and Robbie Pruitt


Thank you Ezekiel and Ryan!

For a Bible Study with this poem by Rev. AJ Ochart, click here.


Ezekiel 37:1-14: Breath of Life

“God grabbed me. God’s Spirit took me up and set me down in the middle of an open plain strewn with bones. He led me around and among them—a lot of bones! There were bones all over the plain—dry bones, bleached by the sun.

He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Master God, only you know that.”

He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones: ‘Dry bones, listen to the Message of God!’ ”

God, the Master, told the dry bones, “Watch this: I’m bringing the breath of life to you and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive and you’ll realize that I am God!”

I prophesied just as I’d been commanded. As I prophesied, there was a sound and, oh, rustling! The bones moved and came together, bone to bone. I kept watching. Sinews formed, then muscles on the bones, then skin stretched over them. But they had no breath in them.

He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath. Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, ‘God, the Master, says, Come from the four winds. Come, breath. Breathe on these slain bodies. Breathe life!’ ”

So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army.

Then God said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Listen to what they’re saying: ‘Our bones are dried up, our hope is gone, there’s nothing left of us.’

“Therefore, prophesy. Tell them, ‘God, the Master, says: I’ll dig up your graves and bring you out alive—O my people! Then I’ll take you straight to the land of Israel. When I dig up graves and bring you out as my people, you’ll realize that I am God. I’ll breathe my life into you and you’ll live. Then I’ll lead you straight back to your land and you’ll realize that I am God. I’ve said it and I’ll do it. God’s Decree.’ ”


Bibliography

Ellis, Ryan. Untitled song lyrics (invincible?), 2009

Ochart, Rev. AJ Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Travelers Rest, SC, Bible Study on Ezekiel. 2009

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Eze 37:1-14

DAD655, http://media.photobucket.com/image/dry%20bones/dad655/DRYBONES.jpg, 2009

http://sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu/exhibits/center/Images/drybones.gif, 2009

http://www.firescribe.com/Thumbnails%20400/FS009%20-%20Ezekiel%20Speaks%20to%20the%20Dry%20Bones%20X%20400.jpg, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

State Street Poets and Painters

Photo by unknown artist

State Street Poets and Painters


the poets
and painters
on State Street
sit at the sidewalk tables,
drinking coffee,
smoking cloves,
and marching to their own beat.
“Being an artist in this town
is like being a deep sea diver in Nevada,”
said the man with the painted waterproof pants.
“I’m a traveling man; I’m a traveling man . . .”
said the suit wearing poet with the hat
the feather wore thin,
as if it agreed with that.
the painter’s and the poet’s leather skin
spoke of time, age, resolve, and wear
as if the sun beat down on them
time and time again,
as they sat right there.
free refills that keep them coming
and make them stay
day after day, after day.
the river as their view
all is the same for them
as they sit there, but you.
the painter wearing his art
and the poet reciting his verse
the audience looking on,
or not looking at all
as they rehearse.
people chart their own course,
so take heed . . .
even Nevada has Lake Mead


© 2009, Robbie Pruitt


Photo by unknown artist

Sometimes you just have to write down the poetry as it unfolds in front of you.

This was the case on my last visit to Columbia South Carolina.

A tradition on all our visits “back home” is to frequent a little café in West Columbia called Café Strudel, www.cafestrudel.com. On this particular visit there were some artists hanging outside by the street and talking. What transpired was the poem that you just read. As I heard this particular quote about “being an artist in this town,” and the “deep sea diving in Nevada,” I immediately thought about a trip I took several years ago to the Hoover Dam in Nevada. On this trip I got to witness the massiveness of Lake Mead. It struck me that one could, indeed, deep sea dive in Lake Mead. It also became evident that you can do art wherever you want, because there is more than one way of getting it done, no matter your circumstances, or geographical location.

So the poets recite, and create, their verse and the painters wear their work on their clothes, and they dive into their art, even on a street corner in West Columbia South Carolina.

Robbie

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Old Dominican

Dominican Man and Daughter, Photo © 2003, by Robbie Pruitt

The Old Dominican
(Romans 8:1-30)


“I have to work hard. Words will not put food on my table.”
– Dominican Man

we are poor,
but rich
men of God
men of character
men of simplicity,
living a straightforward life
men of good humor and joy
men with a strong sense of family
men of sensibility
men with hospitality
men strong
like rich black coffee


© 2003, Robbie Pruitt


Men Strong Like Rich Black Coffee

http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/images/thumb5194073.jpg

Romans 8:15-17

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!”

I was on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in January 2003. This was a trip that forever changed my thinking and outlook on life and the world.

My dad was never around when I was growing up because my parents were divorced. I was never lacking a meal or a material need or want however, because my mom lavished us with everything imaginable and worked hard and gave us everything that a typical youth in North America could ever need, want, or dream of, but she could not give me a sense of manhood. That was my dad’s job. My grandfather filled in pretty well, but deep down, I know that this was not the same. Something was always missing.

In the Dominican Republic we were hiking from the village of Boma where we were staying and were crossing a river to visit a family who lived in a small shanty with a dirt floor. As we crossed, an old Dominican man and his son were crossing the river on an old mangy horse to go to work together in a field somewhere. Our guide asked the man, in Spanish, if he was “working hard today.” He replied, as I found out later when I asked, “I have to work hard. Words will not put food on my table.”

These Dominican men had nothing; rather, nothing as we might interpret having something. I had belongings of more value in my backpack, which my mom had given me for Christmas, than these simple people had with their entire net worth, as it pertains to money. At my core, I knew that these men were richer than I would ever be. These men had a sense of family, they had hospitality, and they had a connection with their surroundings and with the rhythms of life. When you would visit these families it was customary for them to serve rich black coffee with sugar and spend time with them under a shade tree talking and laughing. They understood that people mattered and actions counted. Hospitality and relationships and good hard work were customary. These men were there for their family, and when the “going got tough,” the bond between them got tighter. These men knew what it meant to live richly and I knew that I could learn a lot from them about what it means to be a man.


Desiring to be conformed into the Father's image,


Robbie


Bibliography

Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Ro 8:15-17

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Words Like Feathers

"Falling Feather," Photo courtesy of Kelly, © 2009
http://mynesty.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
Thank you Kelly!


Words Like Feathers
(Matthew 12:33-37)


some men’s words
are like feathers
they drift weightless
down upon you
brush them off
and they drift
to the ground
weightless
and they blow away
some men are like feathers


© 2009, Robbie Pruitt


Matthew 12:34b

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”


The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 12:34

Monday, March 9, 2009

Mary Martha


"Christ in the House of Mary and Martha," Photo by Jan Vermeer, 1981.
http://www.essentialvermeer.com/catalogue/christ_in_the_house_of_mary_and_martha.html

Mary Martha
(Luke 10:38-42)


sitting at your feet
working at your service
listening, waiting, wanting
working, buzzing, worrying, wanting
loving, dining, caring, living
living, caring, dining, loving
serving . . . alone
working, striving, earning
loosing you in serving you
distractions . . . help me!
rest will bless me
worried. . . troubled
one thing needed
Mary conceded
Martha, concur
in my heart God, you stir
the good and chosen part
may I not depart
Mary resting
Martha’s missed blessing
lonely, waiting
sitting, facing
my heart racing
waking . . . resting


© 2009, Robbie Pruitt

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Giants in Blue

Giants in Blue, Photo © 2009, By Robbie Pruitt

Giants in Blue
(Judges 9:7-15)


strong and tall
stands of stalks
moon hanging in blue
above you
black stalks stand tall
like giants standing
in front of you
color contrasts
trees and moon in view
nighttime approaching
giants standing in blue


© 2009, Robbie Pruitt


Isaiah 55:12-13

“So you’ll go out in joy,
you’ll be led into a whole and complete life.
The mountains and hills will lead the parade,
bursting with song.
All the trees of the forest will join the procession,
exuberant with applause.
No more thistles, but giant sequoias,
no more thornbushes, but stately pines—
Monuments to me, to God,
living and lasting evidence of God.”


Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 2002, S. Is 55:12-13

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Shalom

Shalom River, photo © 2009, Robbie Pruitt

Shalom
(Isaiah 32:15-20)

wait for peaceful rivers
to flow down over you
and the wild and the desert places
they shall yield life abundant
abundance, water, and fruit
for your contentment
it will be right because you will be right
the water washes you accordingly
declaration of quiet calmness
tranquility in your habitation
strife vanished from your nation
a place to lay your head in quiet rest
if the leaves be beaten from the trees and the city lay bare
you will find Him there
if only in the wind that brought destruction air
we will lay beside the river side
listening to freedom pass by
a rush over us
as the lapping, gushing, swirling river tide


© 2009, Robbie Pruitt

Isaiah 32:15-20
(New International Version)

“Till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free.”