Friday, March 7, 2014

Facebook

I hate facebook
I hate the side of me that loves it.
I hate the fact that it never satisfies
And I hate that I keep turning to it.

I know why it's so addictive.
I've distilled the craving,
I know what I want
and I know why
face-book cant give it to me.

I long for acceptance.
I long for love.
I long for encouragement.
I long for belonging.
I long for connection

But honestly,
it's like going to a fast food joint
and expecting a five star meal.
It's just not going to happen.
You will get something
but not high quality
and most of the time
it makes me feel sick.

If I go there to serve
it's slightly less damaging.
But let's face it
If you went to McDonald's
to serve food
and you happen to find yourself
hungry,
You will be tempted
by the sights and smells
designed to allure.

So where do I go?
I only have a few minutes
and there's no God-book.

Wait.

What would happen?
If I changed my behavior?
If I took my constant cravings
to God-book?

Try it
just for a day
and let me know.

c. Kim Damon 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Pick me Lord, pick me

I think since the fall
women have felt guilty.
It's what we do,
we regret.

If only Eve hadn't chosen
to eat the fruit.
If only we had used our time more wisely.
If only we had spent less money
foolishly.
If only we had taught our children
more diligently.
If only we had been more patient.
If only we had given up ourselves
more completely.

If only we were better.
If only we were stronger.
If only we were...
softer,
more beautiful,
skinnier,
more intelligent,
more insightful,
more courageous,
more cultured,
a better cook.

If only I was just like her.
If only I was just like him.

If only I wasn't me.
Oh, God
there it is.
If only I wasn't me.

But what if...
What if you like the way You made me?
What if you don't measure me
by the number on scale?
What if you are not troubled
by my weaknesses
and do not wish me
to be someone else?

What if all the promises You made
in Your Word
are really true for me.
What if you really do love me.

It would change everything.
All the loneliness would be
quenched like a fire by a flood.
All my fears would be met by Truth.
All my guilt would be forgiven
and I would rest in Your love.

You seek those who would
worship You in Spirit and truth.
What if You looked down
and said my name.
What if You picked me.

Oh God....
What if You picked me.

Not like the line up for teams at school
when I'm the last one standing.
The last choice
no one wanted on their team.
What if You looked at everyone
and called my name.

This thought, melts me.
I long for this truth
to feel true.
God fix my thoughts
So I'm not ruled by regret
So I'm not bullied by guilt and fear.

All is forgiven
(even the next sin)
(and the one after that).

You bought me,
my entire life,
not just moments
when I was at my best.
Father,
help me to rest in that truth.

To know You love me,
to know You chose me,
to know You forgive me
and hold me near,
to know You have a plan for me,
brings me to the place of worship,

causes me to love You with all my
heart, soul, mind, and strength,
And causes me to worship You
in Spirit and truth.

c. Kim Damon 2014

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Good is harder than bad

Good is harder than bad,
but it's stronger.
Kindness is harder than cruelty,
but it's stronger.
Love is harder than hate,
but it's stronger.

Things that are difficult,
are not to be avoided
simply because we feel
little strength.
His power is displayed perfectly
in our weaknesses.
Light is stronger than darkness,
see what a little candle
makes the darkness flee away.
Pursue goodness, kindness and mercy
and you will know God's favor.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly
with your God?

Friday, January 24, 2014

All the words

Sometimes I fear
I'll wake one morning
to find I've used all the words.

That there will be
nothing new to write,
nothing fresh and inspiring.
That I will have
delved the depths of God
and life
and I'll be found
with no more revelations.

How sad.

Then I remember,
This is God
we're talking about
and I can never get to the end
of all there is to know about Him.
Not in a lifetime of study.

In fact,
eternity to spend with God
will not leave me
board and uninspired
on the topic of my beloved Lord.

For, the more I know,
the more I love,
and the more I long to know
and long to wrap up in His love.
There is no end to the longing for more
(not on Earth anyway).

Yet,
one day,
when faith is swallowed up by sight,
Oh what delights
await our soul
and an eternity
was created
to revel in His love.

Wow...

I can feel my bare feet
cool on the streets of gold
My hand smooth
on a gate of pearl.
Delighting in the warmth of
the sun on my face,
only to open my eyes
and find the Lord in front of me,
taking my hand and
walking with me
to the crystal sea.
Sights so delicious
new words will have to be created
to fully describe the beauty
and splendor.
Complete joy and rest,
total security and love,
beauty in every direction,
glory as far as the eyes can see.

On earth when I feel your glory
I don't want to move,
for fear it will vanish.
I don't want to breath,
for fear you will move away
and the feeling will be swallowed up
by this world.

In Heaven,
One day
I will have all days,
all time,
all with you,
never ending.
Oh, God
do not terry!
Teach me to hasten that day.
Oh that beautiful first day,
the beginning of all days
spent with you.

Give me the beautiful feet
that bring good news.
Give me the precious words
that speak of our forever time,
and our loving Lord,
who stepped off His throne
to be one of us,
to feel our pain,
to face our temptations,
to die our death,
and pay our debt.

Oh Jesus,
words are too small
and too few
to capture your glory and love.
yet how much more glorious
that you allow our language
to utter Your name,
to tell of Your power and love
(poured out to save our souls).
How glorious that
You choose earthen vessels
to pour Your Spirit into.

Praise you Lord of all!
Praise, honor and glory
to you Endless God
all powerful Lord of all.

c Kim Damon 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Stolen Away

Stolen Away
I saw myself being picked up
and sitting on the Fathers lap.
My head resting on His chest.
I knew this time had been given to me.
I knew the Father stole me away
and brought me to a spacious place.
All attempts at pulling me back
were deflected.
This was His time
with me.
Time to eat honey
and wild locust.
Time to refocus.
Time to listen,
just to listen…
and be refreshed.
Still the picture of sitting on His lap…
”She’s mine!”
His hand holding others away.
Togetherness.
Adoring.
Safety.
Focused.
Protected.
Still water.
Powerful covering.
So close I feel His heartbeat.
Affection received.
Demands only a distant noise.
I am growing stronger
as I rest.
Weeping
from loves focus,
truth penetrating,
deeply
to affect my core.
Lies and masks exposed,
removed,
made powerless.
Identity, restored.
Nothing demanded,
love exchanged.
Stillness.
Hope growing,
peace that sustains.
Empowerment
fear crushed
and faith growing from the ashes.
Unshakable vision
that sustains
and changes vision
like glasses
for the inferior sight,
clarity.
Truth,
light,
love.

c Kim Damon 2014

Saturday, January 4, 2014

My Grandma died last night.

My Grandma died last night.
She...
...so many memories...

She was beautiful
like stunning.
Her short white hair
styled just so
made me 
want to look just like her when I'm older.

She was
strong
proud
independent
loyal
and straight forward.

She spoke her mind
and moved on.
I'm sure she had week moments
I'm sure she cried
but I never saw it.
I only ever saw constant strength
and deep deep love.

All hard stuff swept together 
with all the easy stuff
and it was an inspiring monument of
the perfect life.

Not the perfect 
that came 
without flaws
but perfect
as in
I don't see the flaws
and it was the life 
I wouldn't have traded for any
other.

Mom,
I'm sorry for your loss. 
I know one day I'll have to experience it as well. 
But I don't even want to imagine it. 
I want those tears to wait till another day, 
which who knows 
may never come. 

Maybe the rest of us will all rise together 
and go join Grandma at Christ's return. 
I'm going to hope for that. 
She's in a better place. 
Really.
Life can be hard
and earth can be cruel.

God is the best One 
to handle our forever, 
and He's trustworthy. 
I love you
and I'm so very thankful 
you are my mom
and Grandma 
was my Grandma.

c Kim Damon

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

In the year 2013.

Looking back
searching for the
monuments of victory,
and the spoils
of wisdom
(gained from my mistakes).

I found victory in curious places
as this year I've learned:
being real,
honest,
and transparent
is more beneficial in ministry
than trying to be perfect
or hide my flaws.

I've learned
(or rather I'm learning)
not to despise
my weaknesses
God chose to pour His spirit
into clay pots
so that the all surpassing power
would be seen as from God
and not from man.

This year some things
have gotten easier
and other things...
well, harder.
My eye sight,
memory,
and hearing are fading.
But as a result,
I'm less critical
(of myself and others)
I don't remember offenses as long
and I listen less to harsh words.

I lost the 35 lbs I gained last year
and I've battled old temptations
where I had won battles in the past.

I'm convinced I'll be battling my old sin nature
till death rescues me from life
and I'm brought to our loving Lord
and given all my hopes have longed for.

I changed churches this year.
and learned (once again)
My ways are not His ways,
and His ways are better.

I've never liked change,
it's always scared me,
but when it's by God's leading
I find rest more quickly.

This year I was confronted
by the frailty of life
and the staying hand of God
as my grandmother lay dyeing
(in Hospice)
and yet I live.
My daughter and I hit a deer
(on my motorcycle)
and it died,
yet we lived.
And close friends suffered
the loss of their parents
while mine live.

God has a time for us all
and I'm convinced
He has a plan
we will not leave till it's complete
and we need to be about His work
till He returns
or calls us home.

I have spent the better part of a year
not formally teaching,
at times it's been a gift
I've cherished
at times I long for the end of this season
because I miss it so much.

This has been a year of change
I think I've learned
(all the best years are.)
And it's been a year of preparation
as I feel my roots have grown deeper
and my branches reached higher
my heart's grown softer
and my mind's been renewed.

Thanks God for the victories on the horizon
and for the battles
you've kept me through.
And thanks for walking with me
(best of all)
My days are worth living
because you sustain me.

c Kim Damon 2013