birthday

Today the words of Psalm 65 bless this birthday. The Lord waters the earth, blesses its growth, and crowns the year with bounty. "... those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs." Here is some backyard bounty:

The tulips out front arrived just in time!

The pond and hedge are already lush and filling in for the season.

The chives and mint are begging to be cut. (How can I make a virgin mojito?)

And, finally, the arugula takes the prize for first to sprout outside! (The chives in the middle are returning from last year.) The weather has been so warm, barely three days passed between planting and sprouting. Hopefully it will cool off so the arugula, lettuce, spinach, and peas can develop some good spring flavor.

a yet more glorious day

I've had some blessed conversations, both public and private, over the past few weeks, and I need to be a bit more disciplined about writing things down. It's a busy season, despite the 90+ degree July heat, and the words of "For All the Saints" have been a continual encouragement. A couple verses that seem appropriate for summer's fits and starts:

The golden evening
brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful
warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm
of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Allelu... 

But lo! There breaks
a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant
rise in bright array;
The King of glory
passes on his way,
Alleluia, Allelu...

This hymn reminds me of the powerful imagery in Over the Rhine's "The Trumpet Child" (lyrics below) and the complete totality of the eschaton. Our pastor has been preaching in Romans and encouraging us to remember that "the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Our adoption as sons means the "redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:18-25). Amen.

The Trumpet Child

The trumpet child will blow his horn
Will blast the sky till it’s reborn
With Gabriel’s power and Satchmo’s grace
He will surprise the human race

The trumpet he will use to blow
Is being fashioned out of fire
The mouthpiece is a glowing coal
The bell a burst of wild desire

The trumpet child will riff on love
Thelonious notes from up above
He’ll improvise a kingdom come
Accompanied by a different drum

The trumpet child will banquet here
Until the lost are truly found
A thousand days, a thousand years
Nobody knows for sure how long

The rich forget about their gold
The meek and mild are strangely bold
A lion lies beside a lamb
And licks a murderer’s outstretched hand

The trumpet child will lift a glass
His bride now leaning in at last
His final aim to fill with joy
The earth that man all but destroyed

seek the city

Jeremiah 29:5, 7
“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce … seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

I’ve been considering this verse as we prepare to live in/around Washington, DC, because it’s a city preoccupied with national policies, international events, and just power in general. The city itself seems secondary, and a lot of its residents are just passing through. What will it mean to “seek the welfare of the city” there? What will it mean in the context of a church community?

This interview offers some good thoughts on the church engaging city leaders, instead of being set 'against' local government.

I also like the part of the verse about planting gardens and eating their produce. Scrappy backyard, please!