Author Archives: thebrightco

…a storyteller

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a storyteller. (John 20:31) Read them eat them drink them. Watch them hold them dream them. Hate them love them breathe them. Birth them live them die them. Enough has been said about why stories matter […]

…a bookophile

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a bookophile. (Proverbs 25:2) Bookophile isn’t a word but it’s most definitely a thing. If you are one then you know what it is and why you are until someone asks you to explain. Then words […]

…a hearer

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a hearer. (Proverbs 20:5) Most women use men as an ear, and rarely try to hear them.Maybe that’s not true and just my experience talking. If it is true, or sometimes true, I think I understand. […]

Dressed up

How joyful are those who fear the LORD—all who follow his ways!You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.How joyful and prosperous you will be!Psalm 128:1-2 Abba how good you are!You give the soil, seed and sun;you give death’s mystery to bear lifeand then you give the harvest of delights. Great God and Father,make us […]

…a forgiver

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a forgiver. (Matthew 5:7) It’s not what you’ve been given, it’s what you do with what you’ve got. Did you know the power to grant eternal pardons lives in you? I know, crazy. Bunch of folks […]

Philippians 4

Dear kindred, my love and longing,my joy and crown of delight;stand with our Master. Let the feet of your heart raise a cloudof joy every moment, rejoice!In YHWH, in Love, rejoice! Put on your Sunday Best,that favorite dress, gentleness.He is here, offering warmly his coat. Pin your cares with wings of sparrows.Press the fruit of […]

…a waiter

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a waiter. (Micah 7:7) They say man is the initiate, or should be. They started reading in the second chapter, I guess. Ruth waits the night on the floor.Rachel weights water at the well. The noblewoman […]

A loveburn

The day is yours, the night is yours too; you made the starlight and the sun.Psalm 74:16 Abba how good you are!The noonday is like nightfacing your love’s-gazestars burn in your sight. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

…a steadiness

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a steadiness. (Romans 5:3-5) Rocks are steady things. Steel does steady things. Passive strength. Adjective.Active strength. Verb. The brightest buildings, the ones that really ladder to the sky, steel. Strong enough to stand with the sun. […]

Dying seeds

May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Let him come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers, watering the earth.Psalm 72:5-6 Abba how good you are!Seasons ever cycleand we’re laid under time’s sickle.Perfect blood springs us to life. Great God and […]

Hard Questions

They say Jesus is our example in everything. But that can’t be totally true. If he is my example for how to choose a church, I should probably join the flower children or a mosque or something. And that can’t be right. Right? Two years ago I was looking for church. Two years ago I […]

Love uncaged

“Our God is a God of deliverance; the YHWH is our rescuer from death.”Psalm 68:20 Abba how good you are!The Lion hears our loud crying and tearsat the cage holding our heartswith love leading into life. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

…a curious one

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a curious one. (Psalm 40:4-5) She has patience for puzzles. She ponders and plies; the wait she doesn’t mind, even to the end of time. “Oh but we can clear that up for you. Just sign […]

The voice

“Gather my godly ones to me, those who have made their covenant with me by sacrifice.”Psalm 50:5 Abba how good you are!You call, you are not silent.Your children come like the dawnlight from you all day long. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

…a magi

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a magi. (Philippians 4:8) The kingdom of your mind is a frighteningly real place. You might not believe it. In the kingdom of your mind there are many powers that be.Hoofed dragons and winged pigs and […]

Eyes like high tide

They do not conquer the land with their swords; it is not their own arm that gives them victory. It is your right hand and your strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helps them, for you love them.Psalm 44:3 Abba how good you are!Sin’s sandcastles crumblein the crashing wakeof your loving, […]

Forerun & won

This God is our God,Forever and ever;He himself leads us,Even to death.Psalm 48:14 Abba how good you are!You call us to goonly where you go.So you, the Most High, drank even death! Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

…a servant leader

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a servant leader. (John 13:15) Leadership theory has more books than the Library of Congress. Even more than that are speeches and teachings on the matter. If it was all written down the whole world itself […]

Splash it up

With you is the fountain of life;in your light we see light.Psalm 36:9 Abba how good you are!You give your perfect poolfor my muddy heart.Even light is dark where you aren’t! Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

We can run

The plans of YHWH stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.Psalm 33:11 Abba how good you are!You go before your childrenpouring your heart along the waypaving steadfast love. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

…a warrior

See what turns a man’s head and know how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you? Lovely… a warrior. (Proverbs 4:23) You’ve heard you don’t have to believe everything you hear. I’ll tell you you don’t have to believe everything you see. Your heart has eyes and ears. The gates to your innermost. […]

The Quiet & The Song

The softest, even silent beats bruise the best… This bellowing quiet is exploding our lungs. The silent space bleeds every boundary. Every veil’s security dissolved. Tears. Stillness is waterboarding us. Breath is held from us. Cry, rise oh Singer.  Revive us. Exhale.  Sing. 

He does it

He does give you according to your heart,And fills all your plans!Psalm 20:4 Abba how good you are!Yielding to man the fruit of his thoughts.I need the seed of your Spirit! Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us be peace.

All I’ve Got

You’ve given me two pennies while my heart is a one-penny-bank so that I’m stretched like a late belly. I wouldn’t know the song of this Love if not for your singing. You’re worthy of it all. Here are my two cents, Abba… here is your two cents, Lord.—P.S. “is” because two become one…

Crystal cistern

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.Psalm 62:8 Abba how good you are!My heart is like wateryou collect and preserveme you lift up, every fallen drop. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us […]

…a creator

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a creator. (Proverbs 25:11) Do you see the glowing words she wields?  There, see the shower of sparks from the swords she swings?  It is power. Spread like the glass sea never […]

Cry like a baby

YHWH, you have heard the desire of the lowly ones; you prepare their heart; you incline your ear…Psalm 10:17 Abba how good you are!You hear the weakest whispersand draw near to fortify our heartswith a moat of glistening courage. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us […]

Be poor

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; And let those who love your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified.”Psalm 40:16 or Psalm 70:4 Abba how good you are!You run to those who turn to you.The poor and needy are filled at your tableproving your great loving-kindness. Great God and Father,make […]

A fire safe

YHWH delights in those who fear him;Those who wait for his lovingkindness.Psalm 147:11 Abba how good you are! Who deposit their hope in your unfailing lovenever know the bankruptcy of despair.Then we are a resting place for your great joy! Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon […]

…a hope hustler

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a hope hustler.  (Job 13:15) Knows fragile. Knows fierce.  Hustles to the Well first thing.  Hustles hope to her heart, and so mine.  And I am so proud of her.  Lovely… a […]

Stay low

Though YHWH is exalted, He looks on the humble;But the proud he perceives from a distance.Psalm 138:6 Abba how good you are! Your rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous.And your grace runs to fill the low places. Great God and Father,make us a blessing in your keeping make your shining face upon us […]

Jude 1:20-21

Beloved, build your eternal heart with precious stones of pure faith and the Holy Spirit’s binding mortar.  Keep yourself in the love of God. Eagerly look for the kindness of Jesus. He will give us life.  (RCB Version) In other words… Always Remember To Never Forget

hey family, thank you for all your love, compassion, patience. we’re all still here.  that’s something, like a miracle. I’m sorry for taking you for granted sometimes. trodding on your valuables sometimes.  not keeping my word to you sometimes. to state the obvious: I don’t have this thing figured out. asking for your help.  prayers. […]

…a believer

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a believer.  (Matthew 11:25) “Does something have to be true for you to believe in it?” “Are there things just plain worth believing in, in the end?” Some folks will tell you about […]

You got me

You don’t know what you’re talking about.  You don’t even have kids. Or a wife.  You’ve never really suffered. You don’t know what real life is really like.  Hi, nice to meet you too.  I’m Robert. You’re right, by the way. All the way right.  More than likely, I don’t know what I’m talking about…Sounds […]

Bloody Russians

If relationship is like a body, trust is the blood. The Russians have a saying about trust: “Trust in God. Everyone else, mind your own f***ing business.” Ah.  Advice from a Russian is like their vodka.   Crystal clear liquid fire. Trust is a funny thing.  Not “haha” funny but funny like “if we don’t […]

…a wonderer

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a wonderer.  (Psalm 139:14) The smartest person is full of answers. The wisest person is full of wonders.  It’s a wonderful thing to wonder and why, to question and query and wrestle and […]

Heavy feathers

“God’s commands are burdensome to me like feathers are burdensome to a bird.” I believe it’s a Treasure to be under Godly authority.Obedience may be one of the most difficult things we learn.(If it’s what I want to do, is it really obedience?)Obedience isn’t easy. It’s rewarding. I can’t walk by faith when the path […]

…a rock

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a rock, and resting on The Rock. (Psalm 18) Modest and tough. A true spring of life in her innermost being. Steady. She believes (sees with her heart) God is good. She […]

…a gracious banquet guest

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a gracious banquet guest. (Colossians 3:12) How much does she bring to the table? She has the moral fiber of a dark leaf lettuce salad, the grit and wisdom of a dry-aged, […]

…a daughter of the King

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a daughter of the King. (Ephesians 4:24) You’d expect a princess such as she to be equally capable and confident, even comfortable in scenarios as far flung as these… For tea with […]

…a Lover of God

“Show me what turns a man’s head and I will tell you how he’s steering his heart. What is Lovely, to you?” Lovely… a lover of God, above all. (1 John 4:19) Love for God is in the marrow of her bones.  Did you know clean blood for your heart comes from your bones?  Her […]

What is Lovely to me? (part two)

(have you read Part One? click if you want to start at the beginning…) — Almost mythical, man has given Her (his other side) many names, through the ages. Anima is one name, particularly helpful. Originating from Latin, anima relates to ideas like soul, spirit, breath, essence, vital force, the source of man’s courage, creativity, […]

Nehemiah 1

So a messenger came from the Deep. From this Promised Land, a far away part, from my Inheritance, this eternal Heart. “Things are not-so-good down here.” And I did weep. Enemies find every bit of fruit to reap. There’s no Wall of The Word to guard. Gates for things Set-Apart, charred. “We may not ever […]

All who are thirsty

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Streams of living water flow from the deep of His heart. Come, hear.  Drink, obey. Draw your water carefully.  It becomes your lifeblood. I haven’t been always careful. There is nothing good in me.  No not one thing. Drinks from my own life are poisonous […]

Hebrews 10

Just penance, You have not desired. My whole being You would take up with fire. You chisel Your laws on my heart. I am to be wholly Yours, and set apart. Then all my wrongs You keep no record of. Listen now courageously. Here is true love: Precious entrance and like a flood, the tearing […]

Isaiah 30

A warning to those who would lean on their own understanding… …who would trust in man’s wisdom and might. …who would go without God. These false sons reject instruction. They trust in oppression and guile. They manipulate others in selfishness. Their fall will be great, says the LORD. “In repentance and rest you will be […]

Hiding

Was fear hiding this because it’s an evil thingOR because it’s a foreign thing and vulnerable to rejection?—Once a man found sugar cane in a secluded place and didn’t tell his family.   He knew sugar was no good.  They did too. But he couldn’t put evil sugar away from him. So he hid from […]

2 Timothy 2

A servant of the Master should not quarrelbut be gentle towards all, patient when wronged,in meekness responding to those who are in opposition…—Forgive me, I’ve missed this Mark many times.Spirit come, only with You may I be full ofGrace and Truth.

ONE

Holding onto our beliefs Like a child holds to its father It’s like we’re trying so hard to breathe With our heads underneath the water  Keep trying to find the balance Of our love and our convictions ‘Cause we know that life in You Moves far beyond religion  We know, we know We know, we […]

Breaking patterns

“Vanity and narcissism are the enemies of courage. We define vanity and narcissism as the compulsive need to be praised, to be liked: for this people give up their courage.” “The vain and narcissistic person seems on the surface to overprotect himself, not to take any risks and in other ways act as a coward […]

Hard Emerson

I wonder what would you think if I had these words…Danger, Will Robinson.—I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. If you can love me for what I am, we shall be the happier. If you cannot, I will still seek to deserve that you should. I will not […]

Cleansing

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Something I learned lived… Your light shined in my life and it wasn’t pretty. In old stories (like the bible) and throughout mythology, “light” is a metaphor for “consciousness.” I have been hiding […]

JOEL

No hope. Hear if you have ears.Tell your children. The worms of sin fill the pantryand there is nothing to eat. Stop drinking your playand hiding in Netflix. The hordes of hell are here. My heart is strokedby lightningmy life is splintered. Screaming like a girlat the bloody murder of her beau. Forests are burning.Dry […]

Come Lord Jesus

I am a man of unclean lips. I draw near to God with my mouth, but my heart is far from him. My words are better than my life. I find his words well, I know his life not. Self reliant and stiff necked is my name. Making God in my own image again and […]