Jeff Raught

The Unkinking - A Litany

Leader: Lord at times our lives feel like we are clenched. Like a tightly wound leather ball that has shrunk in the sun, old corn cobs left in the field, a wayward turtle. 

Injuries bind…

I do not know which is more beautiful. First breaths or last. To be in the midst of either is to witness their astounding power.

At times I get the squeaky wheel shopping cart. 

I don’t always know right away. 

Then I do. 

People snicker when I wobble past. 

They snicker at my wobble. 

I could go back and get another. 

But I don’t. 

When…

The Fudgesicle, perhaps the perfect food.  

It is sort of rectangular so that makes it geometrically admissible into the food pyramid, since that is also a shape.  

It is served on a stick and everyone knows that wood has fibers.  

…

I feel like we hardly ever take a walk in the rain. Well except in the movies or in a poem. Oh on occasion we are forced to, but we take an umbrella. Like we are afraid to get wet…

Dear Spring Twentytwentyone 

I know it’s early in our relationship. We’ve only known each other about a month so perhaps I misread some signals. For example there was that early warmth. It was unexpected and I started to move too…

Remember that forgiveness is not just given to someone else. It can be for your own heart. Allowing you to you look upon your past in another way. It doesn't say the wrongs are to be forgotten, but it gives…

A Prayer of Cracks 

Can we dare to dream between the cracks of life? 
Embrace the wrinkles. 
Give love to the heartache 
We cannot outrun our memories, nor should we. 
They have walked alongside all that we are. 

Weep deeply…

The image of Jesus breaking bread is powerful. He didn't get a serrated knife from the wood block holder and tell his disciples to slice the bread. That's too neat and tidy. Clean edges and easily made into the same…

There's that verse in Philippians 4:6 that says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."


Yet I often think of those first six words that say…

Years ago when I was on the staff as Minister of Music for a local church, I would have many rehearsals with musicians in preparation for Sunday mornings. I was a firm believer in letting "the spirit lead" at rehearsal…

Sticky notes are great for those temporary things you need to remember. But sometimes they remain, hanging up somewhere in our view. They're not permanent, otherwise we would save them in another way. They can be good or not so…

I'm reminded that Jesus said, "come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." So that's not the end. It might imply simple attainable things. Turning off the radio in the car…