It has been said –

 

It’s always darkest before the dawn

black earth will be as once before

when gold and silver orbs once shone

and the end is the beginning

what has been will be again

 

I miss the echo of the unspoiled

that rang once deep within

an old, age-old thrum of life

that’s lost now amid the din

of all that broke

of all that shattered

 

while looking into this whole mirror

i see a face in shards and pieces

a song once sung now cried and croaked

the wail – it never ceases

 

hard pressed this banshee soul

this heart would stop for it all

this night would end

one light and shadows flee

but none carry a candle

and all walk gray-ghost past

held firm in night’s cold grasp

 

it has been said –

 

it’s always darkest before the dawn

so hope sits in an old wooden chair

wired to a switch on the wall

and the expected rise seems to have withdrawn

 

yes – it’s always darkest before the dawn

 

Those of you who know me know that I am a reader. I love books and I love to read…at times books have become idols in my life and I have had to set some boundaries. I confess my love for reading is so strong that I must even read my sermons, although as I do I try to bring the reading to a new level and so far this seems to have worked out. There is an art to reading I think.

 

At any rate this all relates to what I am reading now. I have three primary texts on the go and several secondary. The primary ones are "required" so to speak. There is an urgency to completing them. I am reviewing "This is Your Brain on Joy" by Dr. Earl Henslin for Thomas Nelson Publishing as part of my new relationship with them. I am reading "Lord or Legend? Wrestling With the Jesus Dilemma" by Gregory A. Boyd and Paul Rhodes Eddy for a book club I recently joined. What I am most excited about and what has joined my trinity of primary texts is Tom Wright’s new book Justification: God’s Plan and Paul’s Vision. I think this book will be the highlight of my reading this year (please  – I understand what this says about my social life).

 

Here is an excerpt from the back cover:

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

 

Wright moves us to a more complete and holistic reading of Scripture than few before him have. His writing is forward, anapologetic and laser-focused on what God’s Word tells us today. His scholarship is steamrolling over the pop theology of the day while still being accessible. There have not been many pastor/theologians – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, and Augustine are three that come quickly to mind and I think Wright fits this mould perfectly. I know that I am the equivalent of an ecclesial cheerleader right now, gushing over our team’s theological quarterback but who cares? If you’ve read anything by Wright I’d like you to post your own opinions. Otherwise stay tuned for my review of this latest book.