Broken Hearts

Since love is that which fills
the heart,
every heart doth
pry apart while
holding onto
every life; every life that dies.
never, then, does life die alone.

But drags a part of all behind
under the sea. And in this way
doth death kill

Lonely lives,
angry souls,
rest as rare as
rubies.
yet there is love; there is hope.

Just as soon
as they are gone,
comfort from our
King doth come


An acronym, in loving memory of my friends Stephen, Bud (grandpa), Larry, and Jack. I miss you all and cannot wait to see you again.

Am I Humble?

Do I trust God for everything?

The heart of humility is acknowledging you utter dependence on God.

Am I grateful for what God has given me?

If you truly recognize God as your sole provider, who supplies you with every good thing that you have, you will be thankful to Him for all of His gifts.

How well do I receive help from others?

Whereas it’s easy to acknowledge your need for God, it’s another thing to acknowledge your need for another person. When God uses someone to pay your rent, buy you lunch, pray for you, babysit your kids, fix your car, or teach you a biblical lesson, how quick are you to receive these gifts with thanksgiving as from the Lord? Stiff-arming help can be a sign of pride.

Do I become envious quickly?

Your level of envy toward others is a practical gauge to see whether or not you are truly grateful for what God has given you. Gratitude and envy don’t really mix.

Am I easily offended?

If you are proud, you will become defensive when someone degrades you. Of course it's never fun when someone puts you down, but humility doesn't feel the need to defend its own reputation (e.g. Jesus on earth).

Am I able to acknowledge my strengths without boasting?

The key to humility is not pretending that you don’t have strengths or trying to diminish them. Rather, if God has truly gifted you in an area (and He does give Christians spiritual gifts) then you are allowed to be honest and as objective as possible about that. In fact, it is a sign of ingratitude when you try to ignore or diminish the gift that you have received from God as if it was not even given but self derived.

Would I care if no one ever recognized my gifts and strengths?

Humility is being able to wait for the recognition of one’s gifts and the exaltation that ensues. It is not seeking out how one’s strengths might be made visible here and now at every possible moment.

Can I ponder my weaknesses without becoming hopeless? 

If you come to the end of your strength and find that you have no hope whatsoever, then you are probably putting your hope in your own strength. Weakness is a constant and necessary reminder that we need God for everything. When we come to the end of ourselves, our hope in God and dependence on Him should only be strengthened. Weakness is the garden of humility. So how do you handle situations that draw out your weaknesses? 

Do I always need to make my opinion known? 
Social media has revealed that everyone has an opinion and wants it to be heard. The ability to remain silent when wisdom calls can be a sign that you don't feel the need to defend yourself. 

Love's Hinge

I recited this poem to Emily today as a sequel to the proposal poem. It seeks to express how our relationship/love changed after getting engaged and expressing love and lifelong commitment toward one another for the first time. 

Love’s Hinge

A question,

An answer.

Everything changes, 

Nothing changes. 

I fall in love, 

In love was I.

And on that starry night 

Did fall 

Into a river;

A coursing river

Course unchanged, 

Newly found

And yet the same. 

When did I fall? 

A question,

An answer.

Everything changes, 

Nothing changes. 

I fall in love, 

In love was I.

And on that sunny morning

Did something hatch; 

Soft, warm feathers

Betray a lifeless source, 

Newly born

And yet the same. 

When was it born?

A question,

An answer.

Everything changes, 

Nothing changes. 

I fall in love, 

In love was I.

And on that windy autumn day

An oyster’s mouth did open; 

A pearl of beauty

Grown unseen

Changes not,

Yet newly beams.

When did it shine?

To fall, to hatch, to shine;

To love. 

Within a moment

To change the changeless course

We trod. 

My love for you

Is not the same; 

My love for you 

Is not different.

I love you.

Proposal Poem

Here’s a Question

I love you, Emily

I love you. 

These three words I’ve longed to say, 

But did delay

That they might prove even sweeter. 

Like a pearl within an oyster, 

The beauty of this phrase 

Grows and thrives

Enclosed in words unspoken; 

Within my heart abides

Such love for you

It cannot be hidden

It should not be hidden

It will not be hidden

I love you. 

And if you find within your heart

A pearl of likened beauty

Which from the start 

Did grow unseen, 

I ask you, “Will you marry me?”