Celebrating Hope
we gather believing
life is more
than just this molded
clay shell we all live in
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Watching the sunrise
we live, believing
that by grace we too will rise
beyond this physical
life of decay
into eternal transformation
spiritual oneness
with God,
our creator,
Our Risen Lord!
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Living in the shade of darkness
trees reach for the light
following the sun
until it reclines on the edge of the world
knowing that without light
life quickly fades
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My soul rises toward the light
In a world filled with darkness
evil presses in to overwhelm us
seeking to divide and destroy
Let your spirit rise with mine
Reach for the Son
the source of Light and Life
Always shining… never hiding
Spirit touching spirit
Spirit becoming Light
Reflecting the Light of God’s Love in us
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Piercing the Darkness – Theological Implications
John 1:14 “ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” NKJV
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Jesus the light that pierces the darkness
brings light and life to all mankind with
hope for a world filled with darkness and oppression
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The birth of Jesus carries with it the anticipation
of his future suffering and death on the cross
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The veil in the temple splits in two, from top to bottom,
symbolically giving all of us access to the Holy of Holies
and a direct personal relationship by faith to God
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Jesus is born in the usual way…
not with a halo or supernatural appearance,
but most likely in a stable, built against a hillside,
and laid in a stone manger
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Mary, in awe of her new baby, reflects on
what the angel told her he would become…
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John tells us:
“The Word made flesh who will dwell among us…
full of Grace and Truth…”
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Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Roots lying unseen
Giving strength to what is seen
The same with our Faith
Photo: Dwight L. Roth
A holy shift from a vow of poverty
to riding in holy luxury.
As coffers fill with holy dough
Temptation entices as offerings flow.
Convincing oneself it is not excess
Just God’s servant, truly blessed…
from the Lord Most High
Never asking why
WWJD
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
As the seasons shift from Winter to Spring, today at d’Verse, Mish asked us to write a poem (a 44 word Quadrille) using any form of the word shift. This afternoon, as I was waiting at a stop light, the car in front of me had a most interesting license plate. It brought all kinds of thoughts to mind as I pondered what it might mean for the driver of the car. There are many Christians who believe in what is known as the “Prosperity Gospel” and probably just as many who see it as contradiction to what Jesus taught. ( WWJD) I took the liberty to pass a little judgement of my own here. What do you think? (Perhaps I should not cast the first stone!)
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Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.
NKJV
Painting “Piercing the Darkness” 2014 – Dwight L. Roth
“How do Faith and Truth fit together?”
Every culture has a religious element that believes they have the Truth! We know that this cannot be possible so how do we explain Faith and Religious Truth.
I believe Faith is belief in a seemingly impossible Truth! By this I mean that though we might try to logically explain or defend our beliefs, there are elements that do not fit logic and are totally dependent on Faith. As we enter the Christmas Season this become very evident in our celebrations. The concept of God becoming man through an immaculate conception, the belief that Jesus is the Messiah the savior of the world, the shepherds receiving the birth announcement from an angel choir, the wise men (astrologers) from the East who saw a bright star and followed it to find the baby who was to become King. And then the miracles throughout the life of Jesus, his death, burial and resurrection are all things Christians believe to be their understanding of Truth! Even belief that the Bible itself is the Word of God is based on Faith in a seemingly impossible truth.
Impossible Truths
Accepted, believed by Faith
Words to live by
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Faith: Belief in an impossible Truth
Love should bind us together
Without Love our Truth really is impossible
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Cologne Cathedral Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Reach for the Light
Trees reach for the light
Following the sun
As it reclines on the edge of the world
Knowing that without light
There is no life
In a world filled with darkness
My soul rises toward the light
Evil presses in to overwhelm me
Terrors of darkness distract
Let your spirit rise with mine
Reach for the (sun)/son
An example for everyone to follow
Source of Light and Life
Always shining never hiding
Spirit touching spirit
Reflecting the Light of God’s Love
My escape
From the eternal darkness around me
How quickly time covers
structures once thought permanent
lost and forgotten
leaving them now crumbling
as nature swallows them up
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Time and nature
having been here before us
will win in the end
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As we foolishly
think our towers of babel
will be our answer
KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Sadness to Wonder
The Story never grows old
Renewed life for all
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Roth Poetry 