31 Comments
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Deane Watters's avatar

For the past several months have been writing haiku in response to the scripture I’ve read that day. It really enables me to pay attention and respond in this creative way.

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Meredith Davis's avatar

I love this, and haiku is a special kind of challenge that really forces you to dig deep into a passage to decide what to focus on, because it is so spare. What will you distill, take and shape into your own words when you only get 17 of them? It's like that famous quote, "I could have been briefer but I didn't have time." It takes time to whittle and shape our thoughts into a 5-7-5 form

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Linda MacKillop's avatar

I love this and plan to try it, Meredith, and plan to try it! Thanks for sharing this with us all.

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Meredith Davis's avatar

I'd love to see how this manifests itself for all those inspired to give it a go! May the Spirit move you!

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Jill Woodward's avatar

I love this!

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Liz Young's avatar

I love this idea! I will be thinking about how I can engage creatively with Scripture as a way to meditate on it. Thank you for sharing.

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Meredith Davis's avatar

I think you'll love it!

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Xochitl Dixon's avatar

I spent five years working on my last two picture books, which were written in rhyme. I was emotionally drained. So, I took a break from writing poetry and began editing my next devotional. I enjoy writing in different genres and love the process of editing. But you made me want to start writing poetry again, Sister. Thanks for celebrating how we can engage with the Scriptures creatively and how God uses His people creatively.

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Meredith Davis's avatar

I look forward to seeing your new poetry! I love seeing how God inspires us into different channels of creativity.

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Margo McKenzie's avatar

Love it. Yes, meditation can look different. Writing poems in response to scripture and other spiritual matters was how my writing got started.!!!

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Meredith Davis's avatar

A kindred spirit! Glad to know this :-)

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Elicia Davis's avatar

What a beautiful reminder that meditation is active!

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Meredith Davis's avatar

Thank you, and yes, I hadn't thought about how chewing the cud is active, as is meditation. Actively thinking on and responding to scripture, I love this

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Jen Ludwig's avatar

I love this! And I love that you are also sharing your poems at https://biblepoetryproject.com/!!!

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Meredith Davis's avatar

Thank you, Jen. Sharing the poems has made it an even richer experience as it sparks conversations and gives me a voice for things I sometimes have a hard time articulating.

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Melissa Ens's avatar

I love this!!!

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Judy Allen's avatar

Consider me inspired! Thanks!

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Michelle Stiffler's avatar

Love this, Meredith! I like writing poetry inspired by scripture, too 😊

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Meredith Davis's avatar

another kindred spirit, so glad to find you here! I'd love to get in a room full of us Bible poets and just go around sharing, like a songwriting circle. Ohh, even better idea, we combine with a songwriting circle, poetry, lyrics . . .

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Meredith Davis's avatar

Hi- this is a nice piece but I think you tagged the wrong Meredith Davis in here.

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E.L Sherene Joseph's avatar

are you sure? I don't think so.

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Meredith Davis's avatar

I am Meredith Davis with Love Fiercely. I didn’t write this.

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E.L Sherene Joseph's avatar

we have tagged the right Meredith Davis. Check the profile picture.

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Meredith Davis's avatar

So strange! It came up on my profile that someone had me tagged under the first photo it says written by Meredith Davis of Love Fiercely. Unless that’s just showing up on mine. I’ll send you a DM of the pic. I just don’t want to be getting any credit for someone’s work!

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E.L Sherene Joseph's avatar

I think it might have been wrongly tagged earlier, but it's now fixed! Who knew you ladies had such popular names!! Thanks for letting us know. We appreciate it. Do Subscribe to The Hyphen:) so you can read all the wonderful work our writers and collective are doing!

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Meredith Davis's avatar

Just subscribed! Looking forward!

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Meredith Davis's avatar

So sorry Meredith, there are a few of us out there! Maybe it's been fixed, when you click on my photo it brings you to my picture book review site, Face Out, now.

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Diane Palermo's avatar

Loved this-kept thinking of cows while reading the words chewing on cud! They are peaceful animals to watch and live near, observe. Thank you for that reminder to be creative in scripture meditation🐄

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Meredith Davis's avatar

I really love pairing the ordinary with the extraordinary in my work, so chewing the cud paired with meditation really delights me-I'm glad you liked it, too.

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Keren Dibbens-Wyatt's avatar

I absolutely love this, Meredith! I'm so creative and yet I'd not really thought about chewing over Scripture in any of these ways. You've inspired me, thank you!

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Meredith Davis's avatar

So glad you're feeling inspired, I hope it leads to a gush of creativity and ultimately to a deeper, richer relationship with God.

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