Note: This is a piece I have pulled out of the archives. I thought it might be fun to post this during this week as a way to celebrate both National Poetry Month (which is in April) and Holy Week. I will plan to do poetry readings videos for the rest of week, if anyone's interested (These are specifically available for my family and friends on Facebook.) (I'll still do them to amuse myself even if no one's interested- lol. :-)) The text of this entry and a little introduction is below. (Today's entry is not really exactly a poem but I thought it was fitting anyway!) Enjoy! Happy Easter!
In honour of Holy Week and The Lord Jesus, I also wanted to read poems reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us when He died and rose to pay for all sins for all time. We can have forgiveness of sins and salvation from the hell we deserve and entry into the Heaven we don't deserve all through our faith in the love God has for us and the salvation He has provided through Christ! (Romans 10:9-13) ................................................................................
This is a story I wrote a few years ago for a flash fiction contest where I had to use no more than 100 words. This is sort of a sci-fi dystopian kind of story with a spiritual message that I hope will be evident enough, particularly on Holy Saturday. We know that blood leaving the body often is a precursor to the end of life, as in hemorrhaging; however, blood leaving the body can also be a precursor to the beginning of new life, as in a transfusion.
The Life is in The Blood.
"LifeBlood"
(copyright Nathan Ludwick 11/10/2017)
(Leviticus 17:11)
Blood. It oozes and swirls as bodies descend. Every language utters its last gasp. Throats tighten and pulses stop. Consciousness ebbs. Death reigns everywhere. The stench overwhelms. Awash in red, flesh melts. Bones bathe beneath. Everywhere it seeps. The surge never stops. Veins' vessels vanquish vitality. Streams rush down in an inexorable pull. A planet bleeds from the inside. Darkness envelopes and consumes. Everything reaches a full stop. Luminosity looms large. The edge of beyond beckons. Infinity and mortality implode. Paradox proffers paragon. Mysteries combine and confound. The bleeding begins anew. A planet bleeds on the outside. Life flows. Blood.
Showing posts with label blood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blood. Show all posts
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Bread (poem)
Note: This is a piece I have pulled out of the archives. I thought it might be fun to post this during this week as a way to celebrate both National Poetry Month (which is in April) and Holy Week. I will plan to do poetry readings videos for the rest of week, if anyone's interested (These are specifically available for my family and friends on Facebook.) (I'll still do them to amuse myself even if no one's interested- lol. :-))
The text of the poem and a little introduction is below. Enjoy! Happy Easter!
In honour of Holy Week and The Lord Jesus, I also wanted to read poems reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us when He died and rose to pay for all sins for all time. We can have forgiveness of sins and salvation from the hell we deserve and entry into the Heaven we don't deserve all through our faith in the love God has for us and the salvation He has provided through Christ! (Romans 10:9-13)
................................................................................
I thought this poem would be appropriate for Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus had The Last Supper, also known as The Lord's Supper, with His disciples. Jesus uses the imagery of broken bread and wine poured out to represent the breaking of His own body and the spilling of His own blood that He would soon freely offer to pay for the sins of the world. In John 6, Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life and He promises that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will never hunger or thirst again and they will have eternal life! As I like to explain it, it's like being spiritual cannibals and vampires. That may seem like a grotesque picture but the point is very clear. In the same way that they must depend on their preferred diets for sustenance, we must hold on to Jesus for sustenance, as He is the only One who truly gives us life and life abundant. (John 10:10) This poem is largely based on that, along with the account of the lepers in 2 Kings 7:9, who would have likely also been beggars in that age and culture, who had discovered where to find food and knew it was not right for them not to share this good news with a city in a famine. That's infinitely more true on the spiritual level- we must share the Good News of Jesus to a world famished for the Life that is truly Life.
"Bread"
(original poem copyright Nathan Ludwick 7/14/1998)
(John 6, John 10:10, 2 Kings 7:9)
Two beggars sitting in the village,
They cry for alms to no avail.
And they feel a longing in their souls,
A deep hunger for bread to eat.
Yet this hunger goes unfilled.
They hunger more than physically,
This hunger reaches to the soul.
Who can feed their souls?
And then a stranger walks up,
And he says he knows where to get bread.
Two beggars go together for a bite,
A bite to eat of this bread.
They find the Bread of Life,
Who was broken for us.
---------------------------------------
Someone said, "Witnessing is one beggar
telling another beggar where to find bread."
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."
.........................................................................
(Note: I am grateful this poem was published in the 2000 Pendulum, my high school journal. :-))
I thought this poem would be appropriate for Maundy Thursday, the day Jesus had The Last Supper, also known as The Lord's Supper, with His disciples. Jesus uses the imagery of broken bread and wine poured out to represent the breaking of His own body and the spilling of His own blood that He would soon freely offer to pay for the sins of the world. In John 6, Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life and He promises that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will never hunger or thirst again and they will have eternal life! As I like to explain it, it's like being spiritual cannibals and vampires. That may seem like a grotesque picture but the point is very clear. In the same way that they must depend on their preferred diets for sustenance, we must hold on to Jesus for sustenance, as He is the only One who truly gives us life and life abundant. (John 10:10) This poem is largely based on that, along with the account of the lepers in 2 Kings 7:9, who would have likely also been beggars in that age and culture, who had discovered where to find food and knew it was not right for them not to share this good news with a city in a famine. That's infinitely more true on the spiritual level- we must share the Good News of Jesus to a world famished for the Life that is truly Life.
"Bread"
(original poem copyright Nathan Ludwick 7/14/1998)
(John 6, John 10:10, 2 Kings 7:9)
Two beggars sitting in the village,
They cry for alms to no avail.
And they feel a longing in their souls,
A deep hunger for bread to eat.
Yet this hunger goes unfilled.
They hunger more than physically,
This hunger reaches to the soul.
Who can feed their souls?
And then a stranger walks up,
And he says he knows where to get bread.
Two beggars go together for a bite,
A bite to eat of this bread.
They find the Bread of Life,
Who was broken for us.
---------------------------------------
Someone said, "Witnessing is one beggar
telling another beggar where to find bread."
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."
.........................................................................
(Note: I am grateful this poem was published in the 2000 Pendulum, my high school journal. :-))
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Wash Out
Exodus 40:29-38
29 And he set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing, 31 with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. 32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, as the LORD commanded Moses. 33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys."
- I just read Exodus 40 tonight and finished the book in my daily Bible reading and prayer time with God. This is one of those chapters that some might consider "boring" because it goes into so much detail about the layout of the Tabernacle. (Spoiler alert- the last few chapters of Exodus detail A LOT of information about measurements and sewing and construction and all that was involved in setting up the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting. Mathematicians and scientists and architects and artisans of the fashion variety might particularly enjoy these chapters. :-))
It might seem overkill at times (but just wait- Leviticus is up next! :-))- but that's really the point. As I was thinking about the precautions I'm trying to take regarding washing and cleaning upon entering my home in regards to the current virus pandemic, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the comparisons here.
Think of all the rituals Aaron and Moses and the priests went through to dare enter into The Lord's holy presence! There is a much more insidious disease to deal with besides a virus that can only kill the physical body. We are stricken with the disease of sin that kills the eternal soul!
As we draw closer to Easter, I find it appropriate that I'm reading the Pentateuch in The Bible and being reminded of all the things the Israelites were bound to doing just so that their sins might be covered by the scapegoat. I am thankful that on the other side of the Testaments, in the A.D. era, we have the Lamb of God who was sacrificed on our behalf to take away the sins of the world! The overkill of the Old Testament system of sacrifices is over because the final Passover Lamb was killed for you and me! And thank You, Lord Jesus, that You not only were killed and buried- You were also risen by God The Father. (Romans 10:9) To quote "Godspell", "Long live God!"- eternally long! And because He has risen and lives again, we can also- if we let Him take our sins away and put our faith in the Lamb's completed work. To quote another song- "Are you washed in the soul-cleansing blood of The Lamb?"
Isaiah 1:18- Though our sins be like scarlet, The Lord can wash them whiter than snow. :-)
29 And he set the altar of burnt offering at the entrance of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the LORD had commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it for washing, 31 with which Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet. 32 When they went into the tent of meeting, and when they approached the altar, they washed, as the LORD commanded Moses. 33 And he erected the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.
The Glory of the Lord
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys."
- I just read Exodus 40 tonight and finished the book in my daily Bible reading and prayer time with God. This is one of those chapters that some might consider "boring" because it goes into so much detail about the layout of the Tabernacle. (Spoiler alert- the last few chapters of Exodus detail A LOT of information about measurements and sewing and construction and all that was involved in setting up the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting. Mathematicians and scientists and architects and artisans of the fashion variety might particularly enjoy these chapters. :-))
It might seem overkill at times (but just wait- Leviticus is up next! :-))- but that's really the point. As I was thinking about the precautions I'm trying to take regarding washing and cleaning upon entering my home in regards to the current virus pandemic, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the comparisons here.
Think of all the rituals Aaron and Moses and the priests went through to dare enter into The Lord's holy presence! There is a much more insidious disease to deal with besides a virus that can only kill the physical body. We are stricken with the disease of sin that kills the eternal soul!
As we draw closer to Easter, I find it appropriate that I'm reading the Pentateuch in The Bible and being reminded of all the things the Israelites were bound to doing just so that their sins might be covered by the scapegoat. I am thankful that on the other side of the Testaments, in the A.D. era, we have the Lamb of God who was sacrificed on our behalf to take away the sins of the world! The overkill of the Old Testament system of sacrifices is over because the final Passover Lamb was killed for you and me! And thank You, Lord Jesus, that You not only were killed and buried- You were also risen by God The Father. (Romans 10:9) To quote "Godspell", "Long live God!"- eternally long! And because He has risen and lives again, we can also- if we let Him take our sins away and put our faith in the Lamb's completed work. To quote another song- "Are you washed in the soul-cleansing blood of The Lamb?"
Isaiah 1:18- Though our sins be like scarlet, The Lord can wash them whiter than snow. :-)
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Whiter Than Snow (poem)
(Note: This is another entry from the archives. For the purposes of historicity, I will leave in my original introduction and closing remarks from January 2011. It seems timely to post this poem since I again recently saw some snowfall that got me some time off from work. And the clean feeling snow leaves after it washes the world in white is always a great metaphor for the washing clean God does of every dirty heart that anyone proffers to Him in faith. :-))
Here's one last poem to wrap things up. This one was inspired by the wonderful snow storm God sent us that got me 2 1/2 days off from work and allowed me time to stay home and work on further writing and other pursuits. This poem was written as a reflection on waking up to a snow day and the picture that God gives us with the invitation to reason it out- and it is the best, most reasonable deal out there- how He can make our vile, filthy, blood-red hearts as clean and pure and white as snow- and cleaner and whiter.
Whiter Than Snow
(poem by Nathan Ludwick 1/10/ 2011)
(Isaiah 1:18)
What amazing transformation transpires in the night
As we slumber and then awaken to a world of white
The joy and wonderment light our faces with a warm glow
For the ground's fresh carpet of clean soft snow
Everything somehow seems free, new and alive
The world feels at peace and love spreads far and wide
As I traverse the diamonds beset with beads of pearl
I look to the Heavens and think "What a Wonderful World!"
And I make a snow angel and hear a song in the air
The song all creation's been singing that I love to hear
A song of hope and courage, of light and good cheer
Which makes me think of the prophets' and sages' contemplation
Of a love that bears all and offers us all this invitation
Mired in rags stained with filth and dirt though we be
Our misdeeds red as our faces, like blood running down a tree
As we embrace The Lamb, He clothes us with His wool and though
Our sins a study in scarlet, He transforms us whiter than snow.
.......................................................................................
(and yes, I have a couple of references to things within the poem too- like a famous Louis Armstrong song of course, a Sherlock Holmes story and "There's A Song in the Air" and "Angels from the Realms of Glory". :-))
And I should credit Rebekah Sewell for inspiring the "diamonds" line- brilliant. :-)
And this is really all for now. Hope everyone has a great week and I just love everyone today. And I really mean that- God loves me and because of His love, I love everyone. Because He loves everyone. And as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, everyone! :-))
Here's one last poem to wrap things up. This one was inspired by the wonderful snow storm God sent us that got me 2 1/2 days off from work and allowed me time to stay home and work on further writing and other pursuits. This poem was written as a reflection on waking up to a snow day and the picture that God gives us with the invitation to reason it out- and it is the best, most reasonable deal out there- how He can make our vile, filthy, blood-red hearts as clean and pure and white as snow- and cleaner and whiter.
Whiter Than Snow
(poem by Nathan Ludwick 1/10/ 2011)
(Isaiah 1:18)
What amazing transformation transpires in the night
As we slumber and then awaken to a world of white
The joy and wonderment light our faces with a warm glow
For the ground's fresh carpet of clean soft snow
Everything somehow seems free, new and alive
The world feels at peace and love spreads far and wide
As I traverse the diamonds beset with beads of pearl
I look to the Heavens and think "What a Wonderful World!"
And I make a snow angel and hear a song in the air
The song all creation's been singing that I love to hear
A song of hope and courage, of light and good cheer
Which makes me think of the prophets' and sages' contemplation
Of a love that bears all and offers us all this invitation
Mired in rags stained with filth and dirt though we be
Our misdeeds red as our faces, like blood running down a tree
As we embrace The Lamb, He clothes us with His wool and though
Our sins a study in scarlet, He transforms us whiter than snow.
.......................................................................................
(and yes, I have a couple of references to things within the poem too- like a famous Louis Armstrong song of course, a Sherlock Holmes story and "There's A Song in the Air" and "Angels from the Realms of Glory". :-))
And I should credit Rebekah Sewell for inspiring the "diamonds" line- brilliant. :-)
And this is really all for now. Hope everyone has a great week and I just love everyone today. And I really mean that- God loves me and because of His love, I love everyone. Because He loves everyone. And as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, everyone! :-))
Sunday, May 18, 2014
A Baby's Cry To The Lord (song)
I'm cutting right to the chase on this one, crew. I had the idea for this parody song a while back and I've waited a while to post it. It actually worked out to be good timing along with my last two devotional posts, as both of those inform the approach I am taking with this song. I want to make sure that I make clear that I offer this as a voice crying in the wilderness, looking to speak truth and life to a controversial issue of our day. Keep in mind that you can't always say everything you want to say in a song, but I hope some things come across very clearly in this piece. For one, we are all sinners in need of the Savior's forgiveness. And secondly, no matter what you've done, Jesus Christ loves you with an unending love- in fact, Jeremiah 31:3 says that God has loved us with an everlasting love! And that eternal Love has restored our relationship to God through Jesus' death and Resurrection if we will only trust Him in faith for it. And though we still deal with the consequences of a sin-fallen world, one day He will ultimately right all wrongs and make everything sad come untrue.
A Baby's Cry To The Lord
(parody of "(I Just) Died In Your Arms" by Cutting Crew; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 3/4/2014)
(Ecclesiastes 11:5, Job 33:8-18, Job 10:8-12, Job 1:20-22, Job 34:10-22, Job 34:31-33, 1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 26, Genesis 2, Romans 1, Romans 2:14-16, Hosea 2, Hosea 11, Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalms 27:10, Genesis 9:1-7, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 18:1-14, Matthew 21:15-16, Psalms 116:15, 1 John 1:7-10, Psalms 130, Amos 5:24, Amos 5:14-15, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ecclesiastes 7:27-29, Proverbs 31:8-9, Colossians 1:13-23, Romans 5, Isaiah 49:13-18, Isaiah 49:1-7, Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 1:26-27, Psalms 140:12, Isaiah 57:3-6, Psalms 143, Genesis 4:1-18 (especially v. 10), Psalms 139:13-18, Proverbs 6:16-19, Isaiah 5:20-21, Isaiah 66:7-16, Revelation 21:1-5)
(Pre-Chorus)
Oh, I, I just died in your arms tonight
I must have been one of "those kids"
They'll just pry out my skull and spine
(Verse 1)
She kept looking for love but got pregnant
Broken hearts and lies all surround her
Abortion seems an easy way to get out of this
The Bible says- Isaiah 49- hey, ya'll
God forms us in the womb- knows us before the cradle
Who would've thought that our liberty would come to this?
(Chorus 1)
Oh, I, I just died in your arms tonight
I guess my mom had a death wish
Better I go than Mom tonight
"Just a zygote" quells qualms- not child
I guess we get one life to live
Unless you're borne of rape; unless you're their mistake
(Verse 2)
Is there any just cause for choosing life's end?
Job asserted The Lord takes and He gives
Colossians 1:17- by Christ all things exist
Life lost its value- didn't start with Roe v. Wade
(In) 5 Romans, the pox has been given by Fall's stain
So baby's killed from adultery and everyone's fine?
(Chorus 2)
Oh, (but) I, I just died in your arms tonight
Through murder- and yes, it's a sin!
I'll just fly to the arms of Christ
That's why Christ just died for our sins and did rise
I trust you know Christ can forgive
He shouldered all the weight; He's still there offering grace
(Bridge)
It was a long hard fight
Snake made it easy; he made it feel right
And now it's worded as women's choice and bod
The Law's been written on our hearts- we know it is wrong
(Repeat Chorus 2)
Oh, my blood just cries to The Lord
Oh, my blood just cries to The Lord...
-He's still there offering grace... (and fade)
.......................................................................................
A Baby's Cry To The Lord
(parody of "(I Just) Died In Your Arms" by Cutting Crew; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 3/4/2014)
(Ecclesiastes 11:5, Job 33:8-18, Job 10:8-12, Job 1:20-22, Job 34:10-22, Job 34:31-33, 1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 26, Genesis 2, Romans 1, Romans 2:14-16, Hosea 2, Hosea 11, Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Isaiah 65:17-25, Psalms 27:10, Genesis 9:1-7, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 18:1-14, Matthew 21:15-16, Psalms 116:15, 1 John 1:7-10, Psalms 130, Amos 5:24, Amos 5:14-15, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Ecclesiastes 7:27-29, Proverbs 31:8-9, Colossians 1:13-23, Romans 5, Isaiah 49:13-18, Isaiah 49:1-7, Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 1:26-27, Psalms 140:12, Isaiah 57:3-6, Psalms 143, Genesis 4:1-18 (especially v. 10), Psalms 139:13-18, Proverbs 6:16-19, Isaiah 5:20-21, Isaiah 66:7-16, Revelation 21:1-5)
(Pre-Chorus)
Oh, I, I just died in your arms tonight
I must have been one of "those kids"
They'll just pry out my skull and spine
(Verse 1)
She kept looking for love but got pregnant
Broken hearts and lies all surround her
Abortion seems an easy way to get out of this
The Bible says- Isaiah 49- hey, ya'll
God forms us in the womb- knows us before the cradle
Who would've thought that our liberty would come to this?
(Chorus 1)
Oh, I, I just died in your arms tonight
I guess my mom had a death wish
Better I go than Mom tonight
"Just a zygote" quells qualms- not child
I guess we get one life to live
Unless you're borne of rape; unless you're their mistake
(Verse 2)
Is there any just cause for choosing life's end?
Job asserted The Lord takes and He gives
Colossians 1:17- by Christ all things exist
Life lost its value- didn't start with Roe v. Wade
(In) 5 Romans, the pox has been given by Fall's stain
So baby's killed from adultery and everyone's fine?
(Chorus 2)
Oh, (but) I, I just died in your arms tonight
Through murder- and yes, it's a sin!
I'll just fly to the arms of Christ
That's why Christ just died for our sins and did rise
I trust you know Christ can forgive
He shouldered all the weight; He's still there offering grace
(Bridge)
It was a long hard fight
Snake made it easy; he made it feel right
And now it's worded as women's choice and bod
The Law's been written on our hearts- we know it is wrong
(Repeat Chorus 2)
Oh, my blood just cries to The Lord
Oh, my blood just cries to The Lord...
-He's still there offering grace... (and fade)
.......................................................................................
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