Tag: peace and rest

Life, Poetry, Writing

Echoing the Backdrop

Mark Wayne

#JustBelieve #HopeLives #LoveChangesPeople

The rain has definitely arrived here in the Pacific Northwest and just in time some might say. Looks like another wet and green Christmas but that’s okay.

I love laying in bed listening to the raindrops hitting our metal porch roof right outside the bedroom window. Which we keep open all year long.

The sound of the rain mixes with the soft melody of the wind chimes that gently lull me to sleep. Dreams and memories travel through my mind as I rest in the moments of tranquility.

These restful moments spur ideas for my writings. What moments, sounds or experiences bring you peace and inspire your creativity?

Art, Poetry

Point of No Return

Mark Wayne
sins
evil
repeated
fallen stumbles
seeking repentance
carrying burdens forever
through a life of squandered unfulfilled dreams
reaching the razors tipping point of no return
forgiveness is sought at the King’s glorious hand
the journey is long and narrow
laying down burdens
standing upright
gracefully
mercy
love

~Mark Schutter ©2014

Image by Morgan Dragonwillow


(Poem #15 of 31 for October Poetry Writing Month, #OctPoWriMo.  Inspired loosely on the prompt of ‘halfway’ from the OctPoWriMo 2014 website and the result of free writing.  It is also my first attempt at writing in the style of Diatelle which is similar to the ethere style. Have a beautiful day! ~M)

Art, Life, Poetry, Writing

Am I … Finally Free?

Mark Wayne

As I sink deeper down, in this hole which I now find myself
It is dark and cold, destined to be forever lost so it seems

Without a hope of deliverance, surrounded by only the silent black
Invisible companions to which I am endlessly bound

Helpless under a starless sky, no solace or rest I have found
The nightmares within my own mind, they haunt and taunt me

Thundering loudly, my heartbeat marches inside my head
Never ceasing or faltering, the voices continuously scream

Triggered by silent memories, that in the dark will creep
Thoughts like surging waves, pounds the beach with fear

Reaching into this void, do I still believe in the things unseen
For hope and faith, requires a spark to ignite the blaze

I have stumbled ever onward, deeper into confusion of the abyss
Can there be a victory, silently praying for grace and mercy

Source of all my strength, the power of a single name
I can be forever changed, instantly redeemed and forgiven

The arcing of every single life, sends streaks across the night
Cleaving evil and hate, cast away from the glorious light

Finding something, the one thing that hands can never hold
Hearing the angels singing, around the king’s vaulted throne

Now rescued and transcendent, the dark curtain is unfurled
Into the undiscovered realm, along the path we must go

Feeling love and joy, all around swelling higher and higher
It is finally time to rest, time to simply be

Basking in this moment now, no fears and no doubts
Beyond my wildest dreams, am I … finally free?

~Mark Schutter ©2014

Finally Free

 

Art, God, Life, Poetry, Writing

What Christmas is About

Mark Wayne

Nativity
“A Savior” Watercolor Pencils and Crayon,3 1/2 x 5 inches. (A quick little drawing I did back in 2010 but still rings of truth today, Merry Christmas!)

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid ; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people ; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 

~Luke 2:8-14

Thanks to Charles Schultz, Linus and a Charlie Brown Christmas for a simple reminder every year  what Christmas is really about.

Adventure, Art, God, Poetry, Writing

The Gardener

Mark Wayne

I am so often so far from who I wish to be

Only showing the world the facade I wish them to see

Hiding inside the man a frightened child silently weeps

Retreating, concealing, hiding the dark secrets inside I keep

Longing to reveal my self in truth, power and authenticity

The glory of my design by a creator who loves unconditionally

Doubting my worth, my purpose, my destiny is tragic

For beyond the ages I was set apart by a deeper magic

Loved from the beginning in the time before time

Forgiven for each every committed future crime

Redeemed and saved I should bask in His grace

Why then, oh why do I struggle to take my rightful place

Dark forces of evil whisper of my failures that own me

Laughing, intimidating lies mask the truth of who I can be

Love is softly spoken in the few quiet still moments of rest

Why can’t I let go and accept His best

Gifts freely given like grace and mercy is bestowed each day

To live through Him and grow stronger in His embrace I’ll stay

To lose myself surrendering all my selfish needs

Realizing finally He is the gardener and I only the seed

 ~Mark Schutter ©2013

Adventure, God, Writing

Be Concerned, But Do Not Worry

Mark Wayne

“Be concerned, but do not worry.”

It is our role to be ever vigilant, prepared and ready for any and all circumstances.  If we are unprepared, ill-equipped or ignorant to the dangers and snares of this world we only have ourselves to blame.  The bible tells us to not worry, cast away your fears and anxieties.  Good advice and truth for us to remember as worrying can do nothing for us except rob the future of our energy and time.  We are to be concerned with things but not worry. 

Do what you can and realize the rest is God’s problem not ours.

Do Not WorryTherefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:34

God, Photograph, Writing

2 Different Stories of Scars

Mark Wayne

“Life”

There are stories we tell ourselves & others about the scars inflicted by this world, both physical and emotional.  I believe we must consciously create a positive message from these experiences so as not to allow the suffering to overwhelm the possibilities.

My scars are invisible to most as they reside within my heart and mind.  Here are two stories I have told and continue to tell myself about the death of a loved one and my pain, loss and grief.  Both stories are equally true.

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  • My loss and pain means that I am different from others.
  • Others have and suffer pain also, even if our circumstances and stories are different.
  • I feel alone as no one feels the way that I do nor understands.
  • Understanding and connection comes from sharing our different experiences and helping  others that is where relationships are built and fellowship exists.
  • I should keep my story to myself as others may pity me.
  • Others may find strength in my story of hope and perseverance in spite of the loss.
  • I have nothing to offer as I am broken and hurt.
  • My brokenness can be a source of power to help me heal and become whole again and to offer help to comfort others who suffer.
  • This is my pain to bear and carry alone.
  • I can choose not be alone to reach out and serve others to shine a light, this is my choice.
  • Nobody wants to hear about death!
  • Death is part of life and that’s the reality we all face and can share!
 Same scars.  Same person.   Very different stories.

What is the story you tell?

“Friendship”

The idea for this blog post comes from Micheal Bungay Stanier at Box of Crayons. Thanks Michael!

Michael Bungay Stanier is the founder and Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, a company that helps organizations do less Good Work and more Great Work. He is the author of Do More Great Work and Get Unstuck & Get Going, and the creator of The Alchemy of Great Work, The Great Work Movie, The 5.75 Questions You’ve Been Avoiding and The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar and the 2006 Canadian Coach of the Year. He is Australian and now lives in Canada.

Adventure, Art, God, Photograph, Poetry, Writing

Over the Edge of the World

Mark Wayne

It seemed a day like any other day,    

where adults worked and children played.

The sun shone brightly somewhere in the sky,

I stand silently motionless as the moments slip by.

A portrayal of stillness, masks the depths of fear,

the slowing heart beats faintly of all I hold dear.

The seconds tick by each quicker than the last,

no future secure, just trying to hold onto the past.

A moment approaches so gentle in all of its grace,

heavens curtains opened to reveal God’s face.

Then the curtains close that once were unfurled,

realizing I’ve been over the edge of the world.

 Previously written poem – Maleko ©2009