Wordtreasure

Our Responsibility

Psalm 146:4-9

The Lord created the heaven and earth.
He created the seas, and all that is in them.

Man had nothing to do with this.

The Lord gives justice to the oppressed,
sets the prisoners free,
opens the eyes of the blind,
lifts up those who are bowed down,
cares for the stranger,
sustains the widow and orphan,
and frustrates the ways of the wicked.

How are these things done?

They are done by those who love the Lord,
by those who follow his commands.

Third Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2022

Our Corporate Wholeness

Romans 15:4-13

Two things.
I have a connection
with every other person in the world.
My belief in that connection
is constantly tested and severed.

Perfectionism is a lie.
What if the quarterback has a perfect passer rating,
but his team loses?
How does he feel?
What if the gymnast scores a 10.0
in every event,
but her team loses?
How does she feel?

As for me,
I participate in the wholeness of the human family,
and that is holiness!
It is not my private holiness.
It is our connection together.

All of us as one seek
an active corporate and communal image
of what is happening.
I cannot carry
such glory and greatness
by myself.
And neither can I bear
such universal suffering and sadness.

Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022

Put On the Armor of Light

Romans 13:11-14

My nettlesome dream snaps shut.
Instead of rolling over
for more slugabed minutes,
I get up and put on the armor of light—
ready to praise the image of God
on this day
in each face I greet.

First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022

∞

Poetry Stream

Poetry Stream follows the liturgical calendar from the First Sunday in Advent in Year C (December 2, 2018) to the Last Sunday After Pentecost in Year B (November 21, 2021). You will find a poem for each Sunday in the three year cycle. The poem is inspired by one of the four scriptures specified for that particular Sunday: Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament (epistle), and the Gospel.

Poetry Stream continues on November 27, 2022, with a new Year A.

This liturgical calendar is used by both the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).

Click this to view Poetry Stream.

New poetry, Bud and Mary

This collection of poems is about my parents, De Forest “Bud” Baldwin and Mary Dondro Baldwin.

To open the collection of poems, click THIS.

To open the index of poem titles, haiku, and tanka, click THIS.

If you would like to comment about the poetry or contact me, you can reach me at davebaldwin37@gmail.com.