dreamprayact

Reflections of a poet, preacher, and contemplative activist

Author Archive: mark lloyd richardson

God writes the gospel

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” ~ Martin Luther 1483 –1546 O Divine Artist, whose brushstrokes splash color across creation, we receive the gospel in a morning walk, among the fragrant flowers, in the shade of sycamore and oak, in moments of holy …

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Mystery and Community

Here is a small portion of my sermon today on the Trinity. Christians, of all people, ought to have an expansive view of God.  We, of all people, ought not to be trying to put God in a box.  Even the revered theological concept of the Trinity can do that.  Unless we see it for the …

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O Blessed Spring

This morning in worship at our church I included a time of prayer and silent reflection on the scripture text for the day, Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21. We had a water display in front of the altar and I preached my sixth and final sermon in a series on the book of Revelation from the …

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Reaching for God’s Dream

Pentecost marks the birth of the Christian movement in the first century – when God’s Spirit flowed freely among young and old from near and far, transforming ordinary people into gospel-inspired Christian disciples! They knew that Christ’s message was one of inclusion, grace, and liberty. They knew that if the world, which is so good …

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Showers of Blessing

When we dream of a better world, we take one small step after another toward creating it. The church I serve partnered with two other congregations last summer to get a ministry off the ground to help our neighbors in need. As is always true of ministry that we do in the name of Christ, …

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Look for the helpers

Our nation is saddened by the tragedy that took place at the finish line of the Boston Marathon today. It is a reminder that there is evil in the world and that innocent people often suffer because of it. When my children were young and 9/11 occurred, I remember holding them close knowing that something …

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No one way to be

“Life on earth is a whole, yet it expresses itself in unique time-bound bodies…. So there can be no one place to be. There can be no one way to be, no one way to practice, no one way to learn, no one way to love, no one way to grow or to heal, no …

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Sacred Pauses

Sometimes When I turn the volume down I hear the earth breathe – An unmistakable longing Reverberating from deep in the center of being Its source unbound from all the limits we know – And in the twinkling of an eye I am overcome with gratitude For the pure boldness of such love. Words (c) …

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Fasting and Feasting

A pear seed grows up into a pear tree, a nut seed grows up into a nut tree– but a seed of God grows into God, to God. ~ Meister Eckhart Lent is an invitation to reflect on our faith experience, a time to delve more deeply into the spiritual meaning of our lives. We …

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Love’s song is already being sung

I wrote this poem for my valentine ~ my wife Dallis ~ a few years ago! She has been and still is my personal muse. Dallis took the photo while we were on a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii several years ago. Love’s song is already being sung– the deep resonant notes grounding …

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