Prayer Shawl

Prayer Shawl

            Acts 16.13-15

 

Active hands, eyes given to a project of countless knots,

A color or collage pleasing, filled with creative love.

Time bent into rhythms of joy, grace flowing freely not in clots.

This garment created for use in daily need, from heaven above.

 

Mystical forces accompany these knitted, quilted outbursts.

Faithful makers most often have no clue for whom ‘tis meant.

Into the embrace of Spirit who directs its path into situations worst.

Many hands, much prayer, a blessing at each touch, miracle sent.

 

Life meets each day with a challenge, a resource too.

Human kindness extends its reach but cannot ever be near.

Each person raises hands to the heavens, seeking respite true.

Physical dilemma, emotional pains many, often caught in fear.

 

A parable of the mercy and manifest of God, the shawl gathers stitches.

Each set in its holding place, a kindly thought, a healing touch felt.

The gift of life comes one beat at a time from Creator’s riches.

Every living thing, every created element in the Plan, a place dealt.

 

Chaplain, deaconess, pastor arrives to hold a hand, to pray.

Patient, parishioner, neighbor in need receives their care.

Conversation proceeds along, needs unpacked in their way.

Clearly this blessed moment will not be enough for healing fair.

 

“What might be your favorite color? Could you tell me true?”

Softened eyes gaze up, “Why I do believe ‘tis spring sky pink.”

“Will you be going anywhere soon? I’ll be back in a few.”

Spirit smiles with joyful anticipation, as the exact shawl does link.

 

Shawls, quilts find their homes surely as sun and moon rise.

As definite as a kiss between friends and lovers;

Burdens borne one moment at time, this is no surprise.

Heart touches, spirit lifts fabrics of mercy become covers.

 

Blessed are the Dorcas’s who follow their bliss each day.

Blessed are the servants who respond to needs open, freely.

Blessed are the courageous, voicing their suffering on the way.

Blessed be our loving Triune God, whose mercy abounds, really!

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

30.4.13

Heart of Hearts

Heart of Hearts

Psalm 51.8-9

 

Come with me into the sanctuary of self

‘Tis here that each day gets its’ strength

Find a chair, just right; take a tome from the shelf

Time’s our servant, matters not its’ length.

 

Our challenge of the moment, find our way here.

Beginning wakefulness in the sanctuary best

Letting go of the busy, taking up love not fear

At days’ end we’ll see fracturedness or rest.

 

Note the windows letting in gentle light

Warmth seems to be coming from within

No spot in the room far away, all invite

Appointments personal, abundance full not thin.

 

Each moment of the day allows easy access

When life crowds, more time here brings freedom

Only requirement, the need for faiths’ success

Being with the Word Incarnate truly winsome

 

Curiously full this place, heart full, power present

At times a control center, levers to push or pull

Other moments takes a contemplative quiet bent

Always meets the need most true, spirit full

 

Not surprising, many folks seem unaware

Their claim on life, one of reaction not response

Drifting ‘long life’s course no choice or care

Servant mission lacking, ego firmly ensconced

 

Creator gives to us the pathway to this place

Neither key nor code needed at the door

Seeing life’s demands apiling, find Jesus’ face

 Spirit shows us the joy of grace full from the core.

 

Brothers, sisters take heart of heart for true

Make your way into this loving, lovely spot

Know God’s presence within not deceptions’ rue

This day the adventure of life, all we’ve got.

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

31 October 2012

Realized Solitude

Realized Solitude

Psalm 119.29-30

 

Come with me, walk quietly, we’ll be there in moment.

Up this hillock, we can see the whole valley.

Each day we can come here to celebrate or lament.

From this vista, Spirit will our souls heal and rally.

 

‘Tis best to begin each new day with sunrise at this spot.

Time’s blossoming flower brings countless cares into view.

Word Become Flesh reminds us to be “truth caught.”

There can be no successful journey without a mission true.

 

Note the lack of fortification, here there are no walls.

Listen to the caressing wind, feel Creators sun kiss.

Curious isn’t it, though lofty with view one never falls.

This safest of all places, begins each day in bliss.

 

Try some time, just rolling into the day’s maelstrom.

Forget the discipline of solitude, the wise holy pause.

Let the cares, the fears, the indeterminate doubts storm,

Such chaos, actually evil at its best, at wholeness gnaws.

 

Wise guys, gals often remark a strong truth bold.

As demands increase, deadlines loom large, be vigilant, aware.

Our Lord demonstrated to his followers how to find the safe fold.

Go apart to a prayerful spot, you’ll find perspective fair.

 

The pathway here has no obstacles, no thorns, no treachery.

Each person’s sanctuary, a simple decision to find;

Some who have never tried ally with the Adversary,

Be assured, ‘tis a brief step there, not a religious grind.

 

In baptism, the covenant, the might of God prevails.

Sanctuary, solitude, eternal grace come with faith.

Exercise yourselves by a walk along amazing trails;

This daybreak location will disarm the Devil wraith.

 

Grow in strength, practice faith’s discipline skills.

Become adept at the trailblazing work of this day.

Settle into the chores; don’t fret the lack of frills.

The heavenly sunset will soon enough, it’s grandeur display.

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

19 April 2013

Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time

 

Daylight fills up the dark

New hope begins to creep

Creator God makes a mark

Faith into choice does seep

 

‘Tis just “another day” one says

“Ah life has brought us newness”

Headgear a baseball cap or fez

Context determines life’s trueness

 

Christ Jesus walks along our path

He notes the passing minutes each

Twinkling eyes, gentle smile, seldom wrath

Honest needs come within reach

 

Spirit accompanies each lung’s breath

Sustaining life’s force beat by beat

Lifting choice each step right or left

Chores mundane or party’s treat

 

1,440 minutes bring us a day full

168 hours bring a week to the brim

A flash of lightning inspiration’s pull

Shifting winds ask sails to trim

 

Seldom does a day leave no mark

Most often Spirit leads us to serve

Open hearts, willing hands light the dark

Drive ever ready for life’s curve

 

Mindfully walk through this day’s gift

Prayerfully accompany the choice of now

Willingly bend effort, day’s wheat to sift

Hopefully be ready, today’s field to plow.

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

20.7.12

Our Intimate God

Our Intimate God

Psalm 119.17 – 19

 

Morning once more begins, simple, free.

Dark night given way to spreading dawn,

Mind’s awareness joins Spirit to really see,

Grace, love, mercy flow easily, fear gone.

 

Being present brings great joy, great challenge.

Open palms hold fragile time’s fleeting gift.

Attending to “this’ness” releases cultural mélange.

Spirit gently insists no separation, no self-rift.

 

Dare I allow Creator God this level of me?

Can I be true to self with God become so real?

Will Word Made Flesh give me new eyes to see?

Can Spirit show me truth that I can feel?

 

Casting off the cloak of self-control, self-protection,

I stand in simplicity, God’s child, birthday suit wrinkled.

Smiling Creator looks me up, down, no side deflection.

‘Tis not embarrassing, nor demeaning, the gaze grace sprinkled.

 

Shall this moment become a chapter, a day, season?

Will the “next” reveal unimagined wonders?

Being true to Creator’s plan precludes false reason.

Being held in God’s wondrous love contains no blunders.

 

Empty the pockets of pretense, pride, hidden thought.

Set them on the tray of Spirit’s kindly care.

Examine, reflect, decide, weigh well, each is fraught.

Once again travel light, experience God, dare.

 

Life has richness beyond imaginations’ ken.

Its’ flowing wonder negotiated with God’s help.

To handle the days’ draught well, leave evil’s den.

Becoming adult best achieved when trained as a whelp.

 

Word Become Flesh, Jesus, loving Savior of us all.

Bring your scarred hands to show the price of love.

Release our fears, doubts, anxious minds lest we fall.

Remind us of this moment, great gift from above.

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

3 January 2013



Sanctuary

Sanctuary

      Psalm 25. 1-5

 

“Come into my sanctuary” said the old man to the little boy.

‘What’s a sanctuary?” replied the young lad.

        “Ah, laddy, ‘tis my one true room without frill or toy.”

             “Doesn’t sound like a fun place! Is it a joy or only sad?”

“I can see you’re a person of substance, e’en though young!”

           “Guess so. If you pinch me I holler, got thoughts of my own.”

         “My sanctuary‘s a special place where truth’s praises be sung.”

            “Is it boring? Does it require me to be still? Turn off my phone?”

“Come see the fine door, note the light shining through.”

          “Looks like a safe place. Can I look inside, maybe explore?”

           “When you enter the sanctuary remember to be true.”

          “Okay, I’ll be myself. I’ll be no less but no more.”

Looking ‘round the room, they found it simple, spare.

                  Shutting the door set a barrier, no outside sounds heard.

                   Solitude filled the space with a tangible fullness most rare.

                      Uncrowded, inviting, this special place, aside from the human herd.

“Do you hear the riffling water?” commented the older host.

                 “Seems to be coming from the altar. Is the candle always lit?”

                    “Gentle sounds help calm us, eternal light can comfort most.”

                       “This sanctuary’s not too big or small, seems to be the right fit.”

“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to show you this.

                      Each person has a holy place created inside.”

                  "You mean I have my own special place of bliss?”

                        “Such a word for a young man to use, in you wisdom does reside!”

   “What do you do here?” asked the young man smiling fair.

               “I come here every day to begin, to rest, to reflect.”

                    “It doesn’t seem hard to find, the design nothing rare.”

                     “Create your own; it will look like yours, no detail neglect.”

       They stood, they sat, and they even sang a hymn.

                   Time passed quickly, their friendship found a home.

                    This special location invited sharing deeply ‘twas not a whim.

                       Creator invites each person to find this resource as they roam.

          Inside the door of each sanctuary, a mask rack stands.

                  Upon entry the person divests the mask of the day.

                          True communion with self, Spirit, Word, Creator expands.

                         A personal chapel, available any time along life’s way.

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

14.9.12

Heartfullness

  Heartfullness

        Psalm 119.10

 

Quietly step into the center of your soul.

           Physical movement might be a distraction.

           Hold time as ephemeral mercury in a bowl.

            This moment caught, of history a fraction.

Truly holy, come with open mind, hand.

            Breaths gently open as body needs.

              Ideas cease to race, slow to grains of sand.

               Spirit blows softly bending life’s reeds.

Now, in this amazing chamber, joy lifts its’ note.

            No longer do the stresses discordant thrill.

           Soul hum rises from Creator’s loving throat.

             Word Become Flesh crosses over the sill.

No thirsts unslaked in this verdant place.

          Abundance, too little a word, fills all.

           Creator adjoins the created as one race.

            Spirit executes sweet justice post fall.

Δύναμις*, power, pulses in this room.

           No resource lacking, possibility grips full.

            Blessings uncounted sit next the loom.

                Life’s luxurious nutmeat inside cracked hull.

  Cosmos built from such simple blocks of life.

              Each element valued by Creator without reserve.

              We, reflecting the Image, still choose strife.

               Freedom strays us rather than steels faith’s nerve.

From Cross vantage, Savior reminds our fate.

           “Father, they know not what they do!” He prays.

           His heart wide open, held by nails on this date.

                Our consequence absolved never Fathers’ will betrays.

Thus our Lord bids us enter, no price will be charged.

            Our baptismal essence allows wholeness to be.

               By grace’s presence each person ‘twill be enlarged.

              Eternal life found now as the next step we see.

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver

29 January 2013

                        *Δύναμις: Dinamis: Greek

Lord of the Cross Road

Lord of the Cross Road

Psalm 119. 57-59

 

Life’s path brought me down a familiar route.

There it was, that friendly house at the intersection.

Neat fence, gate well worn, invitation kind, no doubt,

‘Twas the care-takers place built on resurrection.

 

Well nothing but to step in, approach the door.

Solid stones placed at a gentle stride past the gate.

Opened easily on much used hinges, “Welcome” wore.

Four steps lifted me to the porch, solid, straight.

 

Turning, I saw the intersection; it’s strong, cross shape.

Stop signs asked each road to halt, next direction decide.

If needed take a break, come to this abode, windows adrape.

Life’s demands met directly, with joy; grace and mercy abide.

 

“Shalom” proclaimed the knocker, set on the door square.

Rapping, I awaited the response from within.

Silence, no other travelers abroad, though the day be fair,

A rustling arose, someone was in.

 

Such a winsome smile, hearty countenance, opened to me.

Kindness, loveliness, peacefulness, joy personified, greeted,

“May I be of service? What brings you traveler, my home to see?”

Eyes bright, not probing nor inquisitory, my own meeted.

 

“As I came to a stop, my heart suddenly filled.”

“Your house, my eyes beheld, said ‘come aside for a bit’.”

“Such promptings I’ve learnt need be attended, fulfilled.”

“So I’m here to meet you, perhaps dialogue as we sit.”

 

“Ah, my dear one, I can tell you travel with care.”

“My home, a hostel, a safe place in any weather.”

“Most seem pre-occupied, on their way always, not aware.”

“Let’s step inside, I’ll put on the pot, tea with a touch of heather.”

 

Travel cares evaporated, life seemed destined for this place.

Here Spirit filled the home, ever available, just a pause away.

Well kept, inviting, living room lived in, dust a trace.

My person warmly welcomed, if needed I could stay.

 

How many Cross roads will we find today?

Will we note the welcome home nearby?

Do we travel aware, alone, fear and doubt betray?

Can we pause to fill heart, water jugs so dry?

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

16 January 2013

Afresh

Afresh

Psalm 119.29-30

 

Each moment has a perch, a hand-hold, a being spot.

Spirit provides direction to find balance, place.

Word Become Flesh redeems all, his universal shot.

Creator designs life centered upon full grace.

 

‘Now’ comprises letting go, then taking up.

Awakened souls step into the moment assured.

Triune Oneness welcomes all to sit down, to sup.

Creation’s community includes all, unskinned or furred.

 

Solitude brings a rich gift to the table of wisdom.

Being-ness provides co-creativity as life’s new role.

Interacting with the One whose kingdom has come,

Brings purpose, new meaning to this day, on this knoll;

 

Such a rich diet, consuming moment after blessed moment!

What more can a soul imagine as the height of bliss?

Creator’s abundance deftly provided sans comment,

Spirit gently guides into the day’s dance with a kiss;

 

There’s no greater wonder than accepting this day.

Each created element of life, a place, contribution rich.

Including all in one’s embrace, allows truth to have its say.

From slightest particle to universe complete, each a niche.

 

With each discrete reality, substance, form, limits true.

Being-ness known in languages, cultures unique to each,

Translation a critical skill needed for all, not just a few,

Community builds, complete, within each life-times’ reach.

 

Step out onto the deck of your fine sailing craft.

Open wide your heart, your arms, take in the joy.

Worry not what may come, ‘twill flow abaft,

Take up the slack, hold the rudder, all skill employ.

 

Creator seldom allows the doldrums to capture us.

Word Become Flesh provides substance we can know.

Spirit ever sprightly, guides safely through any fuss,

We are enjoined afresh, awake, mercy’s seeds to sow.

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

3 April 2013



S.P.I.E.S.

S.P.I.E.S *

 

Ah my soul, this day you walk the Spirit’s path.

Breath itself brings fullness to Creator’s gift.

Calm, vibrant, serene steps toward love’s bath,

Wholeness, completion, inclusion, Christ healed rift.

 

Container of sensation, holder of sentient thought,

My bark lightly running along life’s shifting sea,

Constant your reminder of past battles fought

This moment brings joy, all parts add up to be.

 

An idea bubbles into being, a thought finds a niche.

A string of phrases makes a sentence formed well.

Wonder accompanies notion weak, desultory or rich.

Self-edit, a constant practice, final product does tell.

 

Heart talk brings out the passion of this moment.

Emotions’ full palette, soft glowing hues, bold strokes.

Content for ideas, substantial as a sail grommet,

Once shared, bond in time, friends from lonely blokes.

 

Motley, earthy, kindly, coarse, relations become our self.

Trusted, flippant, momentary, decades long, our context true.

Born into, negotiated for, lived among, more on life’s shelf.

Engage those afar, close by, real moments are few.

 

Five containers together strung, order’s up to you.

Attended faithfully with intentional regard, will guide.

Creator seems interested in all not just the few.

Love, truth, justice, healthy wealth, hopefulness abide.

 

Individual make-up ever constructed with these blocks.

Relational reality includes something of these five.

Important considerations each area in our daily walks.

Useful categories as wholeness, wellness, we strive.

 

Contemplation best brings a supple movement to the day.

Intentionality doesn’t bind or make self-conscious every move.

Spirit freely guides, precocious, child-like, along the way.

For the nonce let us find the dance, find our groove.

 

The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.

31 August 2012

·        (Spiritual. Physical. Intellectual. Emotional. Social/Cultural)