Posts Tagged ‘faith’

I was quite young

December 11, 2017

Going through boxes and boxes of stuff in preparation for downsizing during the next decade, or so.

I was quite young when I wrote this. Perhaps it was 55 years ago. Nevertheless, here it is

If I could choose

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Posted in gratitude, Nature, Personal, Poetry, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

I watch and wait

July 16, 2017

—-∞∞—-

Thundering, blowing rain
A squall
Wind-whipped leaves
Vegetables in the prisoners’ garden
Planted in the housing unit yard
By the fence

While a desolate place
Nurturing rain
Growth
Symbols of life’s hope
Grace overcoming bleakness
Pushing aside despair

Sheltered under an overhang
I watch and wait
Far from the chapel
Where men also wait
Four locked gates away
I watch and wait

© 2017 Thomas W. Cummins

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Posted in Faith, Ministry, Nature, Personal, Poetry, Prison Ministry, Spirituality | 6 Comments »

A reflection on Matthew 5:38-48

February 16, 2017

A reflection on Matthew 5:38-48 delivered during a prison communion service

We seem to be living more and more in times of division – deep division. There is a tendency, a human tendency, to group and label anyway. In scriptures we find the bad and the good, the just and the unjust, your neighbor and your enemy, the sheep and the goats.

So if we look at today’s society, we have divisions that are pretty normal. But there seems to be, now, an animosity, a distrust, a disdain, a willingness to judge rather than engage and listen.

There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground in many instances. There are those who love the Packers, but hate the Patriots, love the Cardinals but hate the Cubs, love or hate Democrats or Republicans, love or hate immigrants, refugees, people of color, Muslims, Jews, Catholics, unions, Planned Parenthood, the NRA.

But don’t we live in a pluralistic society with many philosophies, many viewpoints, and many beliefs? Brothers, that should be our strength, not a crack in our foundation. I am reminded of the strength when different entities are brought together. In biblical times, mud and straw made bricks. Today, carbon fiber-reinforced compounds are used to build jet fighters.

Why shouldn’t a society made up of many separate parts be stronger, more effective, more resilient, more growthful, and more life-giving? Sometimes what is needed is more confidence in our own principles and beliefs so that we can respond to differences with more tolerance, more patience, more humility … more love … that we may all reveal ourselves to be children of our heavenly Father.

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Posted in Criminal Justice, Faith, Ministry, politics, Preaching, Prison Ministry, Social Justice | 3 Comments »

Hopeful Anticipation

June 14, 2015

An indifferent lake early
Foggy
Monochrome gray
Offering no invitation
To look closer
Approach
Enter
Ride upon

Yet filled
With possibilities
Latent beauty
Much to be revealed
Later
Sparkling blueness
Drawing laughter
From children playing
Those fishing
Waiting in hopeful
Anticipation

Copyright 2015 Thomas W. Cummins

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Posted in Faith, Poetry | 5 Comments »

Everything will be okay

September 14, 2014

I wish, somehow, there was a way to put up sandbags against today’s flood of sadness

But through God’s grace, I know things will get better

Patience

Acceptance

Finding sustenance for my spiritual roots

To not get pulled down, dragged down, diminished by the careless behavior of others

My best friend is with me

Everything will be okay

We’ll get through this

Gentleness, kindness, understanding and forgiveness will prevail

Surrendering to the power of Wisdom

Perhaps letting go

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Posted in Faith, Family, Health, Marriage, Personal, Personal Growth, Spirituality | 2 Comments »

Just step back

March 21, 2014

Sometimes as the storm rages about us, it is necessary to step back … and wait … and content ourselves with just being a lightning rod. And to remember that the lightning rod isn’t causing the lightning, nor the lightning the storm.

So one waits for a pause, for a patch of clear sky to appear, a glimpse of the sun obscured for so long.

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Posted in Faith, Family, Personal, Spirituality | 1 Comment »