The fog is heavy and blinding. The accusing voice is loud and convincing. The waves crash against my ramshackle frame. The wind tosses my beleaguered self to and fro. I’m driftwood, water logged yet still afloat. I need the Sun to burn away the fog. I long to hear the Good Shepherd’s Voice. I listen for … More Driftwood: A Psalm
I need to drown again in the regenerating waters of my baptism. I’m drowning on the world’s air and gasping for water this week. I preached about abiding in the Christ on Sunday, and have spent the entire week making sand castles in a God-forsaken desert. … More A Desert Prayer
I’m a big fan of both U2 and Johnny Cash, so I can’t believe I was unaware of this song. Powerful lyrics and performances. Thanks for sharing, Phil. Enjoy! Written by Bono (U2) Peformed by Johnny Cash I went out walking through streets paved with gold Lifted some stones, saw the skin and bones Of … More The Wanderer
Today, many of us sink our weary heads onto our pillows and fall asleep staring at our smart phone screens, scrolling Facebook one last time, trying to clear our email inbox, or checking the newsfeed again. And studies keep revealing our tech habits are producing one of the most anxious and emotionally unsettled societies in … More A Bedtime Prayer (Psalm 4)
“Stars cross the sky, wise men journey from pagan lands, earth receives its savior in a cave. Let there be no one without a gift to offer, no one without gratitude as we celebrate the salvation of the world, the birthday of the human race. Now it is no longer, “dust you are and to … More Basil the Great: Epiphany
Two voices spoke from single face: One named truth, the other grace. Truth was stern, direct and strong, Truth declared the right from wrong. Truth proclaimed the pure and right, Truth distinguished dark from light. Everything he spoke was true; Truth had perfect point of view. Overwhelmed by all he said, I sat, I wept … More Truth & Grace (by Darrelyn Tutt)
“Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as His body; if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the church will fall…. Let us not mock God with metaphor, Analogy, sidestepping transcendence; Making of the even a parable, a sign painted in the faded credulity of … More Seven Stanzas at Easter (J. Updike)
Our friend Danny Evans is writing poems each week for a series of sermons on the seven days of creation based on Steve Wiens’ book Beginnings: The First Seven Days of the Rest of Your Life (2016). Enjoy! EXPAND by Danny Evans Now is your chance for expanse. It’s time to broaden where you are going to the God who … More POEM: “Expand” by Danny Evans
Our friend Danny Evans is writing poems each week for a series of sermons on the seven days of creation based on Steve Wiens’ book Beginnings: The First Seven Days of the Rest of Your Life (2016). Enjoy! DAY ONE: LIGHT by Danny Evans The dark made all afraid, But a spark came to its aid. Before … More POEM: “Light” by Danny Evans
I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health, that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that … More Prayer of Civil War Soldier
No Longer A Slave (Author Unknown) You unravel me with a melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance from my enemies ‘Til all my fears are gone I’m no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God From my mother’s womb You have chosen me Love has called my name … More Prayer: No Longer a Slave
CHICAGO, IL (November 9, 2016) — In the wake of a grueling and often polarizing election season, Covenant president Gary Walter offers a prayer of healing for the church and nation. Lord, the election is over. A new president will assume office, and those who will serve our nation, states, and communities have been determined by … More A Post-Election Prayer
Soul of Christ, Sanctify me Body of Christ, Save me Blood of Christ, Inebriate me Water from the side of Christ, Wash me Passion of Christ, Strengthen me O Good Jesus, Hear me Within thy Wounds Hide me Permit me not to be separated from Thee From the wicked foe defend me At the hour … More A Prayer of St. Ignatius
“Actions into Place” by Danny Evans This new year leave the fear behind that is normally in your mind. It’s time start anew. Let this ring true. Let those thoughts go, for this is your opportunity to bless others and grow. Make amends to all. Break down that wall, but remember, this is all your … More A New Year’s Poem
“Keep Us Believing” by Danny Evans Let us move toward The Lord as a reward this season as we choose to address our brothers by blessing our brothers. This time we dare to prepare for the birth of Maker of the earth. It’s a season we make the choice to hear His still, small voice. … More “Keep Us Believing” by Danny Evans
“With Care” by Danny Evans This Christmas season, let us not commit holiday treason by excluding anyone from celebrating the real reason. It doesn’t matter how long someone has known God; give everyone the nod. Some people will enter under a steeple for the first time this December, so give them Him to remember. While … More “With Care” by Danny Evans
“Glee” by Danny Evans This time comes but once a year, but let me make it clear that everyday we should hold the real meaning dear. This is the time of Jesus’ birth, who would give us worth here on this earth. It’s okay to give gifts, but let us not drift from what it … More Glee by Danny Evans
We all come from a diverse background. Some may be sound. Others may be a roller coaster of lost and found. No matter where we originate, where we choose to navigate despite this will say a lot about our future state. Good or bad, your past is gone. Let’s leave a legacy in which the … More Legacy (by Danny Evans)
“Go away. I don’t care what you have to say. Go take a quarter for your disorder, and see a shrink because I don’t care what you think.” That’s the mentality of our world, but Jesus changed that in a whirl. He wants to know everything going on in your life from good things to … More God Believes in You (By Danny Evans)
Co-dependency is my tendency. I worry what others think. I analyze every move considering if it was a wink or just a blink. Always apologizing even if I didn’t make a mistake is agonizing to take. I rely on the praise of people, but now I worship the One in the steeple. The Holy One … More Redefine Me (by Danny Evans)
Never Gone I’m in bad shape, So I want to escape. There’s so much stress. I feel depressed. I’ve tried sleeping, But I feel the stress creeping. I’ve tried drinking. What was I thinking? God, I wish I wouldn’t avoid. Only You can make me feel overjoyed. Help me to face what’s going on And … More Never Gone (by Danny Evans)
We should never be ashamed of our past, for those memories will be surpassed. We all make mistakes, but put on the brakes before you call yourself a snake. Whatever has happened, we will learn from. Every lesson plays a part adding up to a sum. So, take that next step to prep for the … More Contrast (by Danny Evans)
A guest post from my friend Danny Evans on this Father’s Day weekend. We hope to share more of Danny’s poetry in the future at Daily Illumination. Read more about his unique spoken word ministry here. Every young man asks will I be good at that thing known as fatherhood? They have to want to … More Godly Fathers (by Danny Evans)
Dear Jesus, It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons … More A Christmas Prayer (by Max Lucado)
Here’s a Christmas poem I wrote back in 2003. -JB WHEN HOLINESS CAME DOWN Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright But was it really? There must have been some serious noise in the Heavenlies as demons shrieked and Satan yelled seeing imminent his utter defeat. Holy perhaps was the night before … More When Holiness Came Down
Jeremy L. Berg 