Does God speak through a smelly security guard ranting about Mexicans?
Can one take floating words and mingle them into desired context –
so that the perspective of the receiver is altered?
Is this allowed?
“Stay right hear until I let you out.” –
“I’ll open the door for you when it’s time for you to leave.” –
“I am the one that opens and closes the gate.” –
“There are others who said I would open the gate, but they do not have the authority to speak for me.” –
Are these words?
God?
Security Man?
Do you believe in fate or chance?
Do they embrace?
[ John 3:16-21
“There's a kind of asymmetry to Jesus' words in this text—those who don't believe have themselves to blame, but for those who do believe, the credit goes to God, not to themselves.
Jesus did not come to a neutral world. He didn't come to make neutral people positive, but he came to those already dead and guilty to make some alive and free.
Those who don't come to Jesus in faith magnify his justice, while those who do come magnify his grace.”
David Mathis ]
Are you of science?
Are you of faith?
Do they mingle?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Hallelujah
There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below
but now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
-----------------
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
John 3:8
-----------------
And why'd you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why'd you sing with me at all?
Damien Rice
-----------------
You have to stand
and wait
[on the Spirit]: He’ll come round again
Sing...
And you will be heard
Breath..
And you will taste fullness
Keep silent.
And you hear the voice of God
Hallelujah
Daniel Lyles
What's real and going on below
but now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen
-----------------
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
John 3:8
-----------------
And why'd you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why'd you sing with me at all?
Damien Rice
-----------------
You have to stand
and wait
[on the Spirit]: He’ll come round again
Sing...
And you will be heard
Breath..
And you will taste fullness
Keep silent.
And you hear the voice of God
Hallelujah
Daniel Lyles
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Thanksgiving
“Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion.”
Thomas Kempis
There are those who preach light words of vain glory; those who look for blessing through formulation.
“Read this book – Say this prayer – Perform this deed – Give this alm…and you too will taste of the glory bestowed upon my brow”…
Sounds a mite pinch too close to, “…when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
Jesus does indeed invite us all to the table, but there must first be death before there is life; pain before alleviation of pain, sorrow before compassion. We must run after God, but never esteem ourselves worthy of equality with God. Jesus does not even aspire to such. (Philippians 2)
Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning-bug”…
The word of God compared with mere words concerning a systemology of faith are vastly different. A word of Christ or a word about Christ? A word of love or a word about love? A word of blessing or a word of seeking possessions?
If we are looking for vain glory – for gifts or blessing, with no concern for the giver – with no concern for the blessor; then there is one who will oblige – but we must take note: For he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.
If we equate possession with blessing, we must jot down one last note:
The only thing able to be possessed outside of God’s grace is our sin and the punishment owed to it.
We must acknowledge all as the mercy of God and give thanks or we will find all we own is the shadow of death; the wages of our sin.
We must gladly lay our possessions down at the cross and join within the passion, the pain, the sorrow – Our ego must want of nothing – We must count ourselves nothing – All experience is graced upon us - Given freely so that we may give in return. Give in kind – give in worship – give in release – We must hope in the peace that passes all understanding and know that even this hope is a gift from God.
Thomas Kempis
There are those who preach light words of vain glory; those who look for blessing through formulation.
“Read this book – Say this prayer – Perform this deed – Give this alm…and you too will taste of the glory bestowed upon my brow”…
Sounds a mite pinch too close to, “…when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
Jesus does indeed invite us all to the table, but there must first be death before there is life; pain before alleviation of pain, sorrow before compassion. We must run after God, but never esteem ourselves worthy of equality with God. Jesus does not even aspire to such. (Philippians 2)
Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning-bug”…
The word of God compared with mere words concerning a systemology of faith are vastly different. A word of Christ or a word about Christ? A word of love or a word about love? A word of blessing or a word of seeking possessions?
If we are looking for vain glory – for gifts or blessing, with no concern for the giver – with no concern for the blessor; then there is one who will oblige – but we must take note: For he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.
If we equate possession with blessing, we must jot down one last note:
The only thing able to be possessed outside of God’s grace is our sin and the punishment owed to it.
We must acknowledge all as the mercy of God and give thanks or we will find all we own is the shadow of death; the wages of our sin.
We must gladly lay our possessions down at the cross and join within the passion, the pain, the sorrow – Our ego must want of nothing – We must count ourselves nothing – All experience is graced upon us - Given freely so that we may give in return. Give in kind – give in worship – give in release – We must hope in the peace that passes all understanding and know that even this hope is a gift from God.
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