I am heartbroken tonight at what has happened in Paris. I pray that the Lord would comfort the families of those who have been senselessly slaughtered or wounded, that He would heal the wounded and return them to health and wholeness, that He would protect all the responders who are trying to bring an end to the carnage and care for the victims, that He would give leaders, authorities, and enforcers the strength and fortitude to face what lies ahead in the days to come, and that He would put His hand of blessing and safekeeping over Paris, all its citizenry, and the entire country of France. May there be no more heinous crimes against humanity therein. In Jesus’ name! Amen!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with…

The Mayo Tao

I have abandoned the dream kitchens for a low fire
and a prescriptive literature of the spirit;
a storm snores on the desolate sea.
The nearest shop is four miles away –
when I walk there through the shambles
of the morning for tea and firelighters
the mountain paces me in a snow-lit silence.
My days are spent in conversation
with deer and blackbirds;
at night fox and badger gather at my door.
I have stood for hours
watching a salmon doze in the tea-gold dark,
for months listening to the sob story
of a stone in the road, the best,
most monotonous sob story I have ever heard.

I am an expert on frost crystals
and the silence of crickets, a confidant
of the stinking shore, the stars in the mud –
there is an immanence in these things
which drives me, despite my scepticism,
almost…