I know what you're thinking. This guy is NOT one to be talking about any kind of discipline, much less issue a challenge. I do ask you hear me out though.
In the United Methodist Church, a challenge has been issued for 60 days of prayer for the General Conference coming up. This would cover before, during and after the conference in May. Each day, emailed meditations would be sent out to everyone participating, encouraging, reminding and leading them. It embarrassed me regarding my own lack of daily, intercessory prayer that should be the lifeblood of every Christian. I have multiple daily devotion guides that I forget, push aside for "lack of time", or worse yet, ignore. I want that to stop, and I'm sure others find themselves feeling the same.
What I want to challenge is this...a series of weekly prayers through the months of April and May. I'll make a post each Friday with a scripture from the Psalms, and a short devotion, and the challenge will be to pray this scripture each day for a week. The next Friday would be a new Psalm and devotion. This would not be to replace anyone's individual prayers, but to supplement them, even provide a structure for those individual prayers to flow more freely.
For those many churches I have been blessed to be a part of, I would suggest this...go to your pastor, and see what spiritual needs are there for your local congregation. Then gather a group, physically, online or otherwise to commit to praying each week for, not about, their congregation. (Every good gossip knows the difference!) For, not about, their pastor. For, not about, God's will. I believe the results will be staggering!
I'll post the first of these tomorrow night. I hope this is something that can be helpful to all of us.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!
While a day late for Easter, this is as true today as it was yesterday, as it will be tomorrow, and as it will be for all time. I think Charles Wesley put it into beautiful words, and I won't try to top them. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Holy Week?
It's that time of year again. In the Christian calendar, it's known as Holy Week. It is set aside to remember Christ's entry into Jerusalem, His last meal with His disciples, His suffering, death, burial, and at the end of the week, His resurrection. But why set aside a week for this, when as Christians, this should always be something we remember and cherish? Because we are human, and can easily forget even something as life changing as His salvation.
Just as an example, let's look at that last meal Jesus had that Thursday night. It wasn't just any meal, but was a Passover Seder. Once a year, the Hebrew people were commanded to serve a special meal, to remember both their suffering and their rescue from suffering. It was a chance to bring God's presence out front. Even with this yearly celebration, how often did God's children forget their salvation!
When Jesus sat at this particular meal, God's people were once again under persecution. So what is the purpose of remembering past persecution, when there was plenty to go around currently? Because, just like today, we tend to see the troubles, and not see the salvation. The Seder meal was not just about past suffering, not just past rescue, but also current suffering, and God's promise that He was there, and would still rescue. It was about His promise and salvation both then AND now.
And that's where Holy Week comes in for us today. Just as the Seder has different elements to help remind of suffering and redemption and victory, so the different aspects of Holy Week allow Christians to reflect remember, grieve, repent and celebrate. Not just His resurrection close to 2000 years ago, but our current sufferings, as individuals, as a people, as a country, as a world. Then remember that just as then, He Is Alive, present, and is the salvation for all our suffering, then AND now.
Then, God's children hoped for a king, that would magically eliminate all their problems. Today, much of that same thought exists among Christians as well.
"If only we had the right (insert pastor, government, leaders, etc.)".
But our salvation is not in any of those things. Only when we call on Him to act in us, and through us, will things begin to change. Give as Christ has given to you. Forgive, without condition, as Christ has forgiven you. Love all, as Christ has loved you. Be Christ in this world, and He will save, regardless of the governments of the world. Regardless of the leaders of the world. Not just regardless, but in spite of.
Full disclosure, when I say "you", I mean it as a universal term, "we". I am guilty, so very often, of not being a worthy representative of His Holy Name. Even then, Jesus forgives me, when I come to Him. When I remember Him. His salvation is never more remembered than on this Holy Week. Remember Him.
Just as an example, let's look at that last meal Jesus had that Thursday night. It wasn't just any meal, but was a Passover Seder. Once a year, the Hebrew people were commanded to serve a special meal, to remember both their suffering and their rescue from suffering. It was a chance to bring God's presence out front. Even with this yearly celebration, how often did God's children forget their salvation!
When Jesus sat at this particular meal, God's people were once again under persecution. So what is the purpose of remembering past persecution, when there was plenty to go around currently? Because, just like today, we tend to see the troubles, and not see the salvation. The Seder meal was not just about past suffering, not just past rescue, but also current suffering, and God's promise that He was there, and would still rescue. It was about His promise and salvation both then AND now.
And that's where Holy Week comes in for us today. Just as the Seder has different elements to help remind of suffering and redemption and victory, so the different aspects of Holy Week allow Christians to reflect remember, grieve, repent and celebrate. Not just His resurrection close to 2000 years ago, but our current sufferings, as individuals, as a people, as a country, as a world. Then remember that just as then, He Is Alive, present, and is the salvation for all our suffering, then AND now.
Then, God's children hoped for a king, that would magically eliminate all their problems. Today, much of that same thought exists among Christians as well.
"If only we had the right (insert pastor, government, leaders, etc.)".
But our salvation is not in any of those things. Only when we call on Him to act in us, and through us, will things begin to change. Give as Christ has given to you. Forgive, without condition, as Christ has forgiven you. Love all, as Christ has loved you. Be Christ in this world, and He will save, regardless of the governments of the world. Regardless of the leaders of the world. Not just regardless, but in spite of.
Full disclosure, when I say "you", I mean it as a universal term, "we". I am guilty, so very often, of not being a worthy representative of His Holy Name. Even then, Jesus forgives me, when I come to Him. When I remember Him. His salvation is never more remembered than on this Holy Week. Remember Him.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
A random poem (A Tribute to Jimmy B.)
Here I sit. In collections.
My butt is numb and my head throbs.
The coffee is old and weak
and bitter, like me.
I'm surrounded by laughter.
Salesmen who laugh, because it's not their problem.
Bosses who laugh, because it is my problem.
Customers who laugh, because they can.
They tell me stories. Grand, long stories.
Stories that include "the check is in the mail".
Stories, half of which would fail
even the sloppiest of lie detectors.
Here I sit. In collections.
My true talents being wasted.
But not forever.
Today, I beg and cajole for others gain.
But one day, soon, my dreams will be fulfilled.
One day, soon, my true calling will emerge.
For one day, soon, I shall plunder for my own gain.
I shall become the man I was meant to be.
A Pirate.
A Pirate can plunder and ravage
and steal and reap the rewards
of the industry of his own hands.
I would take from all and give to ME!
The sword is the law,
and my sword would rule
fairly, swiftly, with bigotry toward none
for all men bleed red.
Of course, I have to have a crew.
No ship runs itself.
They must be fed, clothed, paid.
And that would cost...money.
My money. My money that I now have to hide,
have to hoard, have to stow away.
My money, bought with other men's blood.
And they think it can just be given away!
Then one day, a sword whose law is
stronger than mine will come, and I will bleed gold and silver doubloons
until I am once again a slave to others.
I think I'll just sit here. In collections.
My butt is numb and my head throbs.
The coffee is old and weak
and bitter, like me.
I'm surrounded by laughter.
Salesmen who laugh, because it's not their problem.
Bosses who laugh, because it is my problem.
Customers who laugh, because they can.
They tell me stories. Grand, long stories.
Stories that include "the check is in the mail".
Stories, half of which would fail
even the sloppiest of lie detectors.
Here I sit. In collections.
My true talents being wasted.
But not forever.
Today, I beg and cajole for others gain.
But one day, soon, my dreams will be fulfilled.
One day, soon, my true calling will emerge.
For one day, soon, I shall plunder for my own gain.
I shall become the man I was meant to be.
A Pirate.
A Pirate can plunder and ravage
and steal and reap the rewards
of the industry of his own hands.
I would take from all and give to ME!
The sword is the law,
and my sword would rule
fairly, swiftly, with bigotry toward none
for all men bleed red.
Of course, I have to have a crew.
No ship runs itself.
They must be fed, clothed, paid.
And that would cost...money.
My money. My money that I now have to hide,
have to hoard, have to stow away.
My money, bought with other men's blood.
And they think it can just be given away!
Then one day, a sword whose law is
stronger than mine will come, and I will bleed gold and silver doubloons
until I am once again a slave to others.
I think I'll just sit here. In collections.
Friday, March 4, 2016
The Bell - A Clarification
It seems a clarification of my little parable yesterday may be needed. In my defense, my brain has always thought in a weird, abstract kind of way. I just tend to hold on for the ride!
The long, low bell tone is the voice of God. A still, small voice that calls us, and we are to follow that voice on the path it leads us. A straight and narrow path, because the message is simple and direct; love God and love each other. No deviations, just love.
But we are human. We begin to trust our own direction, rather than simply follow the voice that leads us. (Side note: following my own directions once landed me in Indiana, when I was actually headed for Southern Kentucky - just saying) When we start to trust ourselves and our own guidance, then other voices begin to be heard. Some of them may even seem to be in harmony with God's voice, at first. Soon though, these voices become more and more important, and take us off the simple straight and narrow path onto a path not of love, but corrupted.
"If you don't vote for (political party inserted here) you're not a Christian!"
If you don't agree with my views on (immigration, healthcare, civil rights, gun laws, child rearing, pants on left or right leg first, chicken or egg first, etc.) then you are not only not a Christian, you are the anti-Christ!"
On the many different social medias we now have, on television and radio, and far too often in our churches and work places, these voices flow freely and loudly. And the voice actually behind these voices reveals itself. Hate. Hate generated by fear. Hate that uses fear, manipulates it, whips it, and us, into a frenzy. Now here is my point. Anything, repeat ANYTHING, that does not come from a place of God's love, is WRONG. I don't care how right the cause may seem, God is Love, and if there is no love, then God is not in it. Anything that calls away from God's love is wrong, because we focus on the cause, not God. We think we know the truth, when we only see through a glass darkly. Worst of all, we judge, as if we were gods, and think we can do the job God has expressly given to Himself only. There's a reason we are told to "judge not". We don't and can't ever have all the answers and details of someone else's heart.
Get off the paths the other voices lead us on. Get back on the path, straight and narrow, that God's voice has never stopped calling for. Love, in all things. Love others with God's love, even, especially, when our own fails. Love, because every cause not lead by love will ultimately destroy others... and ourselves. Love, because Love never fails.
The long, low bell tone is the voice of God. A still, small voice that calls us, and we are to follow that voice on the path it leads us. A straight and narrow path, because the message is simple and direct; love God and love each other. No deviations, just love.
But we are human. We begin to trust our own direction, rather than simply follow the voice that leads us. (Side note: following my own directions once landed me in Indiana, when I was actually headed for Southern Kentucky - just saying) When we start to trust ourselves and our own guidance, then other voices begin to be heard. Some of them may even seem to be in harmony with God's voice, at first. Soon though, these voices become more and more important, and take us off the simple straight and narrow path onto a path not of love, but corrupted.
"If you don't vote for (political party inserted here) you're not a Christian!"
If you don't agree with my views on (immigration, healthcare, civil rights, gun laws, child rearing, pants on left or right leg first, chicken or egg first, etc.) then you are not only not a Christian, you are the anti-Christ!"
On the many different social medias we now have, on television and radio, and far too often in our churches and work places, these voices flow freely and loudly. And the voice actually behind these voices reveals itself. Hate. Hate generated by fear. Hate that uses fear, manipulates it, whips it, and us, into a frenzy. Now here is my point. Anything, repeat ANYTHING, that does not come from a place of God's love, is WRONG. I don't care how right the cause may seem, God is Love, and if there is no love, then God is not in it. Anything that calls away from God's love is wrong, because we focus on the cause, not God. We think we know the truth, when we only see through a glass darkly. Worst of all, we judge, as if we were gods, and think we can do the job God has expressly given to Himself only. There's a reason we are told to "judge not". We don't and can't ever have all the answers and details of someone else's heart.
Get off the paths the other voices lead us on. Get back on the path, straight and narrow, that God's voice has never stopped calling for. Love, in all things. Love others with God's love, even, especially, when our own fails. Love, because every cause not lead by love will ultimately destroy others... and ourselves. Love, because Love never fails.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
The Bell
A bell sounds in the distance. It is low and deep and seems somehow true, and yet ominous, final. As if only its pealing should be heard. Only its pealing was worthy of listening. But that bell is in the distance, so far away.
Years ago we walked towards it, never straying from the path it showed, led by its single, melodious tone. Then other bells began to sound, at first harmonious, but soon producing a high, shrill discord that surrounded us, distracted us, even terrified us. Soon the lone bell could not be heard for the cacophony that surrounded us. We began to believe those bells were the true sounds that lead, and all but forgot our original path. Further we strayed, as the noise grew louder and louder, until the only noise heard above those bells was the screaming of our hearts.
Still, the lone, low bell rings. Slowly, steadily. Flee from the bells that took us away, bells of hate, intolerance, prejudice, fear. These bells ARE NOT TRUE, AND HAVE NO PART IN THE TRUTH. THE TRUTH IS NOT IN THEM. The low ringing we hear is love. Not of some, but all. Eliminate the others, for Love, and He who is Love, is the only truth, the only way, life. The others WILL destroy, that's what they are made to do. Love will last.
Years ago we walked towards it, never straying from the path it showed, led by its single, melodious tone. Then other bells began to sound, at first harmonious, but soon producing a high, shrill discord that surrounded us, distracted us, even terrified us. Soon the lone bell could not be heard for the cacophony that surrounded us. We began to believe those bells were the true sounds that lead, and all but forgot our original path. Further we strayed, as the noise grew louder and louder, until the only noise heard above those bells was the screaming of our hearts.
Still, the lone, low bell rings. Slowly, steadily. Flee from the bells that took us away, bells of hate, intolerance, prejudice, fear. These bells ARE NOT TRUE, AND HAVE NO PART IN THE TRUTH. THE TRUTH IS NOT IN THEM. The low ringing we hear is love. Not of some, but all. Eliminate the others, for Love, and He who is Love, is the only truth, the only way, life. The others WILL destroy, that's what they are made to do. Love will last.
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