What happens when you have amazingly well-connected friends...

Sunday, September 6, 2009 11:14 AM By crosswaysnet , In


...like Greg Hogan:

(My reply first)

Dear Pat,

To say I'm surprised and gratified by your email would be a gross understatement. My family and friends have gone to amazing lengths to share our faith adventure and needs with a tremendous array of faithful and praying people. Thank you, so much for the encouragement and support . My children are just as fascinated with your work and journey. We will all be praying for your mission and safety coming home. Feel free to let us know how we can specifically pray for you and your team.

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Texas Weather

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 11:16 AM By crosswaysnet , In ,



Dear Diary,


April 10:

Just moved to Texas! Wow! Would you look at all those wildflowers?! Who knew bluebonnets could grow in oceans like that??

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The Shack

Monday, June 22, 2009 11:18 AM By crosswaysnet , In


by William P. Young

Why did I read this? After all, I'd been dissuaded a number of times by mixed reviews and my own reticence. I'm a parent, now. What dad wants to read about the abduction of a child?

Of those who previewed the book for me, they came from two camps: 1) Those who thought it was too 'New Agey'; and 2) those who thought it was the best theological writing in a century. Camp "1" almost prevailed before I even started. Camp "2" types always make my eyes roll. It's a piece of modern fiction, not the second coming of C.S. Lewis! Come on! God as Aunt Jemimah?

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Grief

Friday, June 5, 2009 11:20 AM By crosswaysnet , In



(In memory of Webb Davis - Home with the Lord at age 32...)

When once a life that followed
proceeds before us
We are left behind
With and within our grief.

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I am Stone

Sunday, April 12, 2009 11:21 AM By crosswaysnet , In



The Voice summoned me from the depths before there was time
I settled where the newly-formed sun could warm me
I witnessed the seasons of an eon or more before
The others were summoned to me

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Where are God's "Yes!" Men?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009 11:24 AM By crosswaysnet , In ,




A man said "YES! Of course I'll go!"
There was no place, no distant land
No hungry heart, no reaching hand
He did not touch, or love not show.

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Bram Likes...

Thursday, February 12, 2009 11:27 AM By crosswaysnet , In ,



a. Go to Google
b. Type your name and the words "likes to" all in quotation marks. (e.g. "Stephen likes to")
c. Report back on the first ten things that come up for your name.

Mind you, it's not so easy with MY name, but it's doable. And I've learned SO much about myself!

According to Google, Bram apparently likes to:

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Dancing with my Son

11:25 AM By crosswaysnet , In



I measured Canon Scott in the crook of my arm today as we spun around the living room. Ten pounds and half again as long since I first held him six months ago. He seemed to enjoy a quick two-step.

And then it hit me.

I won't have this for very long.

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A letter from a Father [a Story of the Christ]

Thursday, December 25, 2008 11:52 AM By crosswaysnet , In ,



My Son,

Over the years, you have asked me many times about the night you were born. I have never been a man of great or many words. That is your mother's gift. She is the poet and the singer. You have heard her tell it time and again with all the grace and wonder the story deserves. While it is true that she is by far the better story teller, it is also true that I have used it as an excuse to keep silent. Mostly for fear that I would never be able to adequately express what I saw with my own eyes, and felt with my own heart. These are not things that are easy to translate into words, but they are true.

Now that the doctors say my time has come, I will try to give a voice to the story I lived more than twenty five years ago. You are man enough to know the truth. The story ends in wonder, but it began with deep grief. I say this not to place my pain on your shoulders, but so that you will understand what is now my great joy. Some of what I will share I have never told another soul.

When I was thirty years old, I came close to giving up hope of ever marrying. I was old for a groom, and our family's finances were dire. Years of failed harvests and Roman taxes had all but destroyed our business. All the others in our village were in similar straits. Yes, it was as bad as what you see these days - in some ways even worse. Herod seemed to be at the height of his evil, after all. You and I have prospered these past ten years, but I had not much hope of ever succeeding in those days.

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Resolve: Remembering 9/11

Monday, October 1, 2001 11:49 AM By crosswaysnet , In


 Resolve: Remembering 9/11

 

On bedrock of the Eastern Shore
Stood gates of our prosperity
Ambition's arms uplifted – One
Outstretched to catch a rising sun
The Apple of our Eye

A lance of flaming fury thrown
A fit of ancient jealousy
To all the Earth thunder resounds
An Eagle's wings were brought to ground
We watched the silent skies

Then torn from simple innocence
By acts of twisted piety
Our fathers wept, our mothers groaned
The fabric of our heart unsewn
A land of mournful sighs

From land so blessed and full of light
To where flew our security?
Suspending hope, with dreadful steps
The shadow of the Angel Death
It did not pass us by

A hidden war on Freedom pierced
The veil of our own sovereignty
The voices of the nations called
Echoing the first to fall
"Is this where Freedom dies?"

Then facing unexpected fate
Steeled with sacrificial bravery
Travelers stopped a devil's goal
The seat of our young nation's soul
Their blood the Patriot's Cry

While banded brothers found their men
To lift the fallen tenderly
Seeking till they found no more
On this solemn grief-strewn shore
Our Flag was still raised high

The consecrated ground cried out
Our youth, our strength stood ready
See Righteousness uphilt the sword
We bare the steel in one accord
The time for justice now draws nigh

As talons loose the olive branch
To save the Olive Tree
Evil tremble, Terror hide
For Might on winds of Justice rides
Watch Phoenix, this Eagle, now rise.

B. Floria, 2001, all rights reserved. Reprints by permission only...

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