Dulce de love these; Banksy; The bold, beautiful Action Bible.
3 Things this week and a poem about what God really wants.
I got so caught up in yard work, family events, birthday parties, puttering around outside and enjoying the balmy weather that I didn’t send out my link round up on Sunday, as is the norm.
So I’m sending this late, and hope it helps to kick off your week. Thanks for spending part of your day with Things I Wrote Down.
Here are 3 links and a poem.
1. Dolce de love these
We attended a birthday party this week for friends at church and they introduced us to these delicacies. The Brazilian cheese balls and churros are made by a local company in London and, dare I say, they’re life changing.
The mouthwatering churros, in particular, are worth ordering r.i.g.h.t. n.o.w. They’re filled with dulce de leche.
I will always remember where I was when I first tasted these delights.
2. Banksy without limits
Who is Banksy? No one knows, and yet everybody knows his art. Is he even a he?
I haven't had a chance to go yet, but Petra was able to see Banksy’s exhibit in London, the first stop on the Canadian tour.
If you're in the area, come check out the street artist’s work before it moves elsewhere July.
3. The action Bible
As a dad, my greatest desire is for my kids to love God and his word. Our church recently gifted all the kids the new Action Bible which is a graphic novel-styled depiction of the key stories from the Bible.
It's incredible, not only in its artistry, but in how it appeals to kids. Will, who became a legit illustrator in the pandemic shutdowns (Art for Kids Hub was basically his Kindergarten) is hooked, reading the stories into the wee hours of bedtime.
The Bible is beautiful, shocking, complicated, gritty, disturbing, exciting, heart-wrenching, glorious. The Action Bible doesn't pull punches but also finds a way to be age appropriate without compromising the text.
If you're looking for a gift for a child in your life to nurture their faith, look here.
A poem about what God really wants
At church this weekend we looked at what God really wants, the heart. The ultimate guarantee for successful living that most lifestyle gurus and self-help authors won’t tell you about.
I was reminded of this poem I wrote as a teen and hope it nudges your heart.
but, your heart Hear and I will speak be silent and I will answer the sky will be my witness and fire devour before me come earth and heaven let the tempest rage gather before me a people to proclaim my righteousness you, what do you say? I stand before you, Lord you, always running I run swiftly but not always forward I run to win a race Let thunder fall upon the foothills and wind enter the silence for clouds shall form above them light shall be as darkness you are weary I have run long and hard with what to show for? Let wind fill the silence and clouds form above the foothills what garments do you wear? fine garments, made with much skill who gave them? I fashioned them but see with what care you have attended them they are filthy and threadbare I have run long and hard Let the tempest rage gather before me proclaim righteousness what will cover your nakedness when these garments wear away? Let wind fill the silence where have your feet been? They have traveled many places what covers them? many different paths have soiled them why are they not clean? I have nothing to clean them let the hands of another wash them in water how can I let another wash them? then how will you be able to stand? I have run long and hard Let the sky be made open and fire consume before me what laurel is on your brow? flowers from alongside the paths I have traveled can fire refine them? fire will consume them how will you stand? Let thunder fall upon the foothills and clouds form above them who can know their substance? you carry no sword and run swifter because of it how will you slay your enemy? Thunder roll, wind blow what scabs line your arms and feet? wounds from my travel what sickness labors your breath? I have run long and hard who will heal you? Wind blow, thunder roll you, what have you to say? I can say nothing you, always running Wind fall upon the foothills let silence take your place let silence reign for a time you are not just weak you are not only soiled you are not simply sick no, I am empty wretched I am dead Yes Summon heaven and earth but I am life what are you asking me? who do you expect me to be? what do you want from me? I want you to live how do I live? you must let go of what? of what you hold on to and what do you want from me? everything I have nothing your heart is enough Let silence reign for a time I have nothing to give and I have run long and hard but, I want your heart it is all I have left child, it is all that I need it is what I will give then I will clothe you and wash your feet I will set you on the right path cleanse me and I shall be clean I will do it for my glory Let wind fall on the foothills to drive away darkness and gather before me a people who proclaim my righteousness
© Andrew Kooman
Beautiful poem. It is the dulce de leche of the Spirit in those words that fills them so vivaciously. Thank you!