Linda L. Kruschke
Contributor Biography
Linda L. Kruschke writes candid memoir and fearless poetry, and delves into hard issues others avoid. She aspires to show women that God’s redemption and healing are just a story away. She blogs at AnotherFearlessYear.net and AnchoredVoices.com, and has been published in Fathom Magazine, The Christian Journal, Bible Advocate, iBelieve.com, WeToo.org blog, The Mighty, and several anthologies.
She is editor of Swallow’s Nest, the poetry journal of Oregon Christian Writers.
Psalm for My Savior
For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death
The anguish of death and darkness entangled me
I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!”
Praise God, my Savior who provided my ransom
The anguish of death and darkness entangled me
My eyes filled with tears, my feet beneath me stumbled
Praise God, my Savior who provided my ransom
Rescued me from trouble, sorrow, and shadows deep
My eyes filled with tears, my feet beneath me stumbled
The Lord, my God, heard my cry for love and mercy
Rescued me from trouble, sorrow, and shadows deep
Now I know His grace and favor are mine to keep
The Lord, my God, heard my cry for love and mercy
He looked upon the turmoil of my anguished soul
Now I know His grace and favor are mine to keep
I will ever praise His glorious name, Jesus
He looked upon the turmoil of my anguished soul
I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!”
I will ever praise His glorious name, Jesus
For You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death
Selah
Sweet refrain of the Psalms
Envelopes my soul in grace
Lightens my load with peace
Anointed One my place of rest
Hear, O God, my prayer
I Will Praise You
I will praise You
with my broken heart
In Your goodness and mercy You heal me
I will praise You
in the raging storm
Your mighty right hand will calm the winds
I will praise You
when the flowers bloom
Their beauty a witness to Your glory
I will praise You
while the sun shines bright
It points to You as my eternal Light
The works of Your creation testify
You alone are worthy of praise
Created in Your image we have the power
to create, but only from what You first made
Guide us, O Lord, to use our creative power
for good and not for evil
that the whole earth would glorify You in praise
I will praise You
Praise the Lord
Drawn In
I’m drawn like cobalt to a magnet,
My paucity attracted to Your infinite grace.
You don’t need me;
Yet—
You draw me in because
You love me.
Iron shavings scattered on the floor
Come together in Your magnetic presence.
Pieces of my broken and sinful heart,
Scattered on the wind,
You gather and I take shape in You.
LKN
Contributor Biography
LKN is a page-performance-slam-street poet. He has performed in close to 1,900 events in 20 countries. His poetry was featured in The History Channel’s HistoryCon, Poetry Festival Singapore, and The Toronto International Festival of Authors. LKN’s craft is notable in the poetry slams of Singapore and Toronto. He is also a busking poet in the streets of Manila, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The Road Less Paused On
Cross the street with trodden feet
tired, sired from the city heat.
Callous lines spread from its edges
half-burnt. A warrior, soldiers on
on words unwritten. He knows
the path of the righteous is full of
steel hands, asphalt heads—trying
compassion. Towering over grounded
sighs, oversize is the ego: the unhumbled.
Noon wails, in overcrowded litany.
He prays silently. Faith need not scream
in battles fought daily. Bravery
becomes the ashed alley of the weary.
Unyielding is the grace of a child
wearing an armour of tenacity, waving
a banner of the breathing word.
Alive, in life’s pedestrian crossing
still… walking.