Author: ramlopez64

Transfigured

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Transfigured

(Based on Luke 9.28-36)

In milliseconds, an eye blink,

all is changed, transfigured.

No longer draped in the dull

clothing of yesterday’s life,

rather, beautifully clothed in

tomorrow’s hope, today is

shining brightly, bathed in a

new lightness, pulsing with a

vibrancy that comes only after

an encounter with the Divine.

Revealed atop this mountain

is living – not mere existence –

but full, true living, minus fear,

filled with hope, radiating love.
6 August 2015

The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ

August

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August in Texas means back to school, start of football (and other athletic) practices and a general upswing in getting going.  The hottest time of the year – is that really the time to get revved up? Personally, I’d rather nap in a hammock by a cool river. -Ram

It’s hot.

I can smell the grass burning,

then crunching under my feet.

It’s August.

And even as rainless nature works

to live, our life is beginning anew.

It’s Texas.

Which creates a toughness,

strength to live through struggle.

It’s time.

To seek and drink cool water,

to be refreshed, to begin again.

5 August 2015

A Happy Place

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Some of my best ideas are God-knows-where….

Somewhere hidden deeply, far away

from my eyes, run and play my best

thoughts. All my fanciful ideas and

dreams which escaped in a moment

of trivial distraction live now joyfully

with runaway inventions not invented,

stories never written, songs yet unsung.

It must be a spectacular place! A great

destination to visit, to rest and dream

great dreams, to glimpse a vision of love.

25 July 2015

A Times Square Haiku

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A haiku inspired by the scene on Times Square in New York City. Surrounded by huge screens, we just couldn’t resist the allure of our small screens….

Big, bright screens a-fire,

but our small screens numb our hearts

from the world around.

(12 July 2015)

Shadows

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Life is full of nuance.

Shadows, which are not

a true reflection of the

real, surround us.
The fuzzy edges, the over

exaggerated shapes are

confusing, misleading

to the burdened.
What is real? you ask.

Real is, after all, a choice

of one’s heart, to see in all

the shape of God.
4 July 2015

By Ram Lopez

Temptations 

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“The Spirit immediately drove Jesus out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” (Mark 1:12-13)

The dryness of the air

must have startled him.

At least the first night

as it cooled, leeching

the heat from his burnt

skin. “Is this really needed,”

he thought as the endless

minutes melted slowly away.

The voice of hunger

joined the refrain, “Yes,”

it sang, “if you think I am

empty now…” But he

quieted the voices with

his own voice which made

even the breeze stop for a

moment – “Hush,” He simply

said. The silence within

and surrounding him opened

the eyes of his heart to notice

the ladder – busy with angelic

beings who brought great joy,

bread for Bread’s journey and

ladles of refreshing, healing wine,

Love overflowing His Heart.

By Ram Lopez

1 July 2015

Restless

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Many of us get restless from time to time.  Some restlessness can be good, moving us on to a longed for destiny.  But for those of us who live in recovery from addiction, restlessness is a signal to pay attention to our souls, body and mind.  To do so means a return to serenity and peace in the present moment.  To not do so is once again to walk a dangerous path.

 

Restless.

The road calls.

The siren voices

beckon me to

leave, to escape

into the arms

of soft darkness,

into the grasp of

the unknown force

which demands

my allegiance,

claims my gaze,

makes me

restless.

 

By Ram Lopez

26 June 2015

Baptism

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Based on Mark 1.4-8

“John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mark 1.4, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles)

 

 

It’s a long walk.

Every step filled

with hope and dread.

Will it hurt?

 

I wonder if my

soul will feel

lighter, right-sized

in my skin?

 

The water is colored

like chocolate, the

remnant of the

washing of others,

 

pilgrims, more eager

than I, to dive

into the murky cold

so that life

 

might overcome death.

Who is this

that comes to redeem

the filth of life;

 

whose forgiveness

washes away the

pains, leaving only

the burden of love?

 

By Ram Lopez

 

29 June 2015

Silence

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Silence.

 

The symphony starts with

 

Silence.

 

A prayer begins with

 

Silence.

 

A kiss emerges from

 

Silence.

 

Love is nurtured in

 

Silence.

 

The voice of God is heard in

 

Silence.

 

Meaning is between words in the

 

Silence.

 

Peace emerges in

 

Silence.

 

Life-giving breath enters through

 

Silence.

 

My Love blesses me with hope through

 

Silence.

 

 

By Ram Lopez

 

5 June 2015