Dear Reader,

This poem began as a single line—a picture of the holy, inerrant Word of God living in the heart like a bouquet of roses that refuses to stop blooming. As I sat with the image, it asked for more room: for the seed that takes root, the light that shines, the bread that satisfies, the living Word that cuts and heals, and the quiet certainty that it never returns void.

What you hold is that unfolding. May the same Word that keeps opening in these lines keep opening in you—petal by petal, over and over, life-giving and victorious.

— The Poet

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Psalm 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Luke 8:11

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Peter 1:23

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

In the quiet garden of the heart

the holy, inerrant Word of God

—living and active, sharper than any sword—

rises victorious and life-giving.

It is the seed that falls and takes root,

the true light that shines in darkness,

the bread that satisfies the soul’s deepest hunger.

Like a bouquet of roses unfolding

petal by luminous petal,

each opening cuts and heals,

discerns the thoughts and intentions within,

their fragrance the very breath of the Spirit,

their color the glory of Christ made known.

Transforming all they touch,

renewing the mind,

guarding the heart,

they bloom

over and over

and over again—

the eternal Word

dwelling richly,

never returning void.

**To God be the glory always and only.