Meditating to Heal

a super hero

overcoming all
passion as her shield

she nurtures with love
serves with grace
nothing can defeat

her strength, her love; 
she comforts my fears
her brass bracelets
shining with reflected

light of tenderness
fearing nothing
she faces my torment
soothes my damaged ego
comforts my riven body

standing by my side
she brings me children
renewed youth
each morning

fighting the battle
of everyday life
standing tall, standing strong

with her lasso of truth
she bring us love	

a true superhero


© Russell Kendall Carter

Shaded patio,
fountain gurgling,
birds drinking - 

groundhog chomping
on fallen seeds
from overfilled beaks -

acrobatic squirrel
stretching from branches,
pirating a morsel - 

me, sedentary in silence,
awed by the cacophony
of nature’s wonder!

© Russell Kendall Carter

He was born 
in a small insignificant town.
A son of a carpenter,
He is forever known as One!

He was a precocious child,
arguing with rabbis at the age of twelve;
He probably drove his parents insane,
but we know this not.

A friend of thieves, lepers,
and society’s forgotten,
He prayed,
He healed,
He showed the way!

For Truth’s sake,
He lives within us,
even now,
a millennia later.

He lifts us up,
to unimaginable heights;
He allows us to flourish,
if we listen!

His presence guides,
forgives,
teaches,
if we listen!



© Russell Kendall Carter

We are not well;
yet no doctor needed.
We are sick,
but do not need to bed.

We ignore the inner
forget our strength.
We lack trust and
our ability to live.

We have mercy;
we sacrifice;
we are not righteous, yet
we are not sinners!

We reform,
we repent,
we refresh our souls,
and search for what God has given . . . 

Love!

© Russell Kendall Carter

Jesus asks us to share His yoke. This is not a constricting device that the term implies; it is more of a voluntary union that we can accept, a union built on freedom. I again must change the meaning of a word; freedom does not mean running amok from one idea to the next; the freedom I speak of is the freedom to know that our cares are not solely our own. When we walk on the lighted path shown to us by Jesus, we are freed from the mundane worries that try their best to crush us under a load of false promises.
Our true personal freedom becomes a reality when we humble ourselves, recognizing that there is a power greater than us. This frees us spiritually to investigate what lies ahead. When we believe that God will provide, as the Bible repeatedly offers, we are relieved of the fear of what lies ahead. Jesus repeatedly invited us to the realization that God always gives life to those of us willing to listen. Our world is full of people who hear, but do not listen. God’s rivers flow with living water.
The Psalmist repeatedly reminds us that God knows us, knows what we say before we utter the words. This should be a comfort for us. I don’t think there is a person alive who really thinks he or she knows themselves. We think we do, but too often we find that we are doing things we never thought we would do. How many of us begin planning one career goal, only to find that we are heading in a different direction? There is not a word that I say or a step that I make that God does not know about beforehand. God may not make us do a certain ting, but he does open doors for us to go through. 
God always gives eternal life to all who are willing to listen. When we encounter Jesus in our prayers and daily lives, our hearts swell, giving us the promise of God’s eternal life. God is not some distant imagined deity sitting on a mountaintop sending down selfish edicts to his minions. God is the living truth within, comforting us in times of trial, and lifting us above the mundane pressures of our world. Once we accept this, we are enriched with a comfort, an unexpected ease in our hearts and souls. 
When we accept God’s true light, love, and presence, our lives are enriched and eased by an inner emotion of confidence.


© Russell Kendall Carter

     One of the gifts of Easter is the invitation to serve one another. This is made truly clear in the scene in the upstairs room when Jesus kneels to wash the feet of his apostles. We need this scene; we need this scene to stay in our minds, otherwise our need, our need, will never be truly realized. 
     This is not to say that we serve others for our benefit; we serve others, for Jesus showed us the way. Our compassion for others always, always leads to something greater. When we sit with our brotherhood and sisterhood, we are emulating Jesus in being a servant of God to the needs of others. And, in doing so, we establish what I call our personal ministry.
     I have found that when ministering to others, the pain they feel, and the pain I feel, turns our heartaches and sadness to the richness of community and love. We are all in one Love, the Love of God. It is the foundation of humanity and the only way we can build universal love for mankind and for all of God’s creation, this pea-sized orb floating in space, our bright light that brings warmth to our bodies and ourselves. 
     We are trees loving and living beside the clear, flowing rivers . . .  growing love and spiritual nourishment in God’s Eden of Love. God’s compassion for humanity allows us to share this holy compassion with all mankind; we are spurs driving life to move forward. The love we share through our ministry is the fruit of the love and healing power of Jesus. We are invited to bring His fruit to His people.
     We may weep for the loss of our communities during this time of isolation, but may we also use these tears to enrich God’s tree of love.


© Russell Kendall Carter

Fifty days of Easter
Time for reflection
Taste the sacred sweetness
that is ours now 
the stone is rolled away.

We live; we shall not perish;
all is good and flourishing.
Jesus invites truth, trust,
His presence: eternal.
We hang our lives
on the boughs of His 
outstretched arms.
On his love.



© Russell Kendall Carter

My hope-colored glasses
shadow my outlook;
resurrection is merely the beginning;
I observe, I notice, I listen for
His presence these 50 days. 
My gratitude for Him gives
power to my mission of love.
His eternal residence in my heart
offers hope, reason, and promise.
In my mission of prayer,
I walk not with scorn or derision;
my future is with God both day and night.
I am but a leaf on His tree of love
that will not wither after 50 days;
as Jesus continues to love, so shall I.
His 50 days – a bridge for my life.

© Russell Kendall Carter

I’ve been beaten . . . severely,
yet God loves me and
does not bring me to death,

I Love today,
t’is the day given by God;
I rejoice and am glad.

By God’s grace,
I am what I am;
I will be what he allows.

God’s grace is within -
He allows me to work hard,
and shields my spiritual path.

His grace,
a call to hope, 
my strength, my salvation, my song!


© Russell Kendall Carter

Calmness of the dawn greets,
soft breezes mellow the mind; 
terns floating aloft;
bubbles in the newly submerged sand;
sand crabs scampering into secret hideouts.

A lonesome fisherman
casting into the surf;
wicker creel empty, lifted by the surf.
Jogger leaving ephemeral footprints,
decomposed by indefatigable tides.

Sun-filled brightness aloft;
azure sky luring us to tranquility.
Joining hands with my soulmate,
remembering another diamond beach -
fifty-five years ago . . . with a ring.

© Russell Kendall Carter