I walked along the market street, My camera wrapped around my hand; The noises of the swift and fleet Motos, carros, camionetas— manned By dexterous drivers— passed me by Unnoticed, unremembered, until I try. I peered into those shops and stalls, Observing people, observing wares; … Continue reading Dominican Market
What is a group of dragons called? I posed this riddle a month ago. In truth, the question itself is a bit misleading, “Do dragons even group together?” The answer plays upon that suggestion, for the answer is… …a wilderness of dragons. I first … Continue reading Dragon’s Domain
Thyself reckon dead, and then thou shalt fly
Free, free, from the prison of earth to the sky!
Spring may come, but on granite will grow no green thing;
It was barren in winter, ’tis barren in spring;
And granite man’s heart is, till grace intervene,
And, crushing it, clothe the long barren with green.
When the fresh breath of Jesus shall touch the heart’s core,
It will live, it will breathe, it will blossom once more.
-Jalal-ud-Din ar-Rumi
translated by E.H. Whinfield
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:11 (KJV)
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 (ESV)I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 (ESV)
“Love in the Christian sense is primarily God’s own love. ‘God is nothing but an abyss of eternal love.’* Christian love is spontaneous, overflowing. It is not like the world’s love, evoked by a desire for its object. It is without respect of persons. It is love even for our enemies.”
Samuel Zwemer, Islam and The Cross
*Quote attributed to Martin Luther
“[Christian love] is prepared freely to find its kindness thrown away and lost, as also Christ has found. For how could Christian love fare better in this world than the love of God and of Christ?”
Ander Nygren, Agape and Eros
Place of Paradox 