11.26.2012

What kind of actions of leaders do you think God blesses?





I suppose the answer is
an action
that serves
the common good
of all.

As the psalmist wrote:
“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”


But can a God
who is uncompromising
in His love
of the world
and
His expectation
of His people
to return His love
with
all their being
bless
a political act
that requires a
dance of egos
agendas
and
the give and take of
compromise?

As the psalmist wrote,
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.”

O Lord,
on the mount
You told us
who were
to be blessed.
The meek.
Those seeking righteousness.
The pure of heart.
The peacemakers
and
the persecuted.

Help me
understand
the actions
of Your Kingdom.

11.11.2012

The Bramble King

 
Parable of the Trees






The trees hoped
they could be
ruled
with honor
by the olive tree.

Or
with the sweetness
of good times
by the fig tree.

Or
comforted
by
the strength of
the vine.

But to
the olive tree,
the fig tree,
and
the vine,
governing
the forest
was
beneath them.

It was
effortless
for them
to produce
what
the world wanted.

But to
deal with
their community
with its
petty squabbles,
their
problems,
and
divisive
politics,
they worried
it would
sap all
their strength.

 
 


 
So,
after being rejected by
the olive tree,
the fig tree,
and
the vine,
the trees of the forest asked
the bramble
“Why should you be our leader?”

“First,”
the bramble said,
“Unlike
the olive tree,
the fig tree
and
the vine,
I produce nothing.
I must rely on your support.

“Next,
unlike
the olive tree,
the fig tree
and
the vine,
whose roots grow deep and stubborn,
my roots are shallow.
You must allow me to
compromise
so we can survive.”

“And finally,
unlike
the olive tree,
the fig tree
and
the vine,
you can
live under
my thorns.”

“And if push comes to shove,
let my branches
become the
tinder
to start
the fires of war.”

So began the reign
of the Bramble King.





 

11.04.2012

Justice versus Mercy

2 Esdras 8:37-45 CEB
The angel said:
A farmer sows
many seeds
in the ground,
yet not all that
was sown
will take root
or be harvested.

So all that were
sown to the world
will not be saved.

Ezra replied:
If a seed does not come up
because of drought
or deluge
it perishes.

But Lord,
people are created by Your hands
and are made in Your image.

The question I ask is:
Have You made them
like the farmer’s seed?

Please, Lord!
Surely not!
Spare Your people!

Please have mercy
on Your own creation.