Only drowning men can see Him

(Matthew 14:22-33)

　

Peter asked:

“If it’s You,

can I do this too?”

“Come,” He said as the wind blew

And

Out of the boat came apostle from Judah

And ending up standing on aqua firma.

Peter so much wanted to be the ally

of his beloved Rabbi.

Anything the Teacher excelled

was something he wanted do as well.

But the Eleven screamed

“This must a dream!”

Peter heard them through the gales

and realized one little detail:

“I think I’m going to fail!”

Jesus pulled him out

and asked, “Why did you doubt?”

But the Rabbi also learned something that night,

Shortcuts never work out exactly right.

　

　

Love’s Choice

This bread is light, dissolving, almost air,
A little visitation on my tongue,
A wafer-thin sensation, hardly there.
This taste of wine is brief in flavour, flung
A moment to the palate’s roof and fled,
Even its aftertaste a memory.
Yet this is how He comes. Through wine and bread
Love chooses to be emptied into me.
He does not come in unimagined light
Too bright to be denied, too absolute
For consciousness, too strong for sight,
Leaving the seer blind, the poet mute,
Chooses instead to seep into each sense,
To dye himself into experience.

*** Malcolm Guite

The Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds

Meditation on the painting in the Sugar Land FUMC chapel

(first painting)

Who’s that lurking

around the Christmas stage set?

The crosses of Death

meeting their Executioner.

Paintings by John Passaro

　

Where's the love we once knew?

(Revelation 4:9-11)

The God of love sat at His table

with coffee and a bagel.

He started a meditation

on His favorite creation.

Oh man,

Why can’t you follow the plan?

Instead of the Song of Solomon

a booty call.

Instead of My will be done

Everyone’s at the shopping mall.

Instead of the cross being My signature

it’s jewelry.

Instead of the Kingdom being the purpose singular

You invent a culture of fantasy.

Instead of forgiving those in our debt,

You demand your pound of flesh.

Instead of being living water wet

Your idol is Jesus Cash.

The God of love got up from His table

Left the bagel and gulped His coffee cold.

Walked over to a table of angels,

And asked, “Wanna go bowl?”

This is the worst trip I've ever been on

(Numbers 21:4-9)

Numbers 21:4-9

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea,[

c] to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

John 3:14-15

[Jesus said: ]“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

By Numbers 21

Yahweh was undone.

“I AM NOT A CHEF!

I AM DEAF

TO THEIR CRIES

FOR BURGERS AND FRIES!”

THE LORD IS SLOW TO ANGER

AND RICH IN LOVE

BUT IF YOU DECLARE HIS CUISINE MUNDANE

THERE WILL BE SNAKES ON THE PLAIN!

THIS CAUSED THE GRIPING TO CEASE

“MOSES, WE NEED SOME PEACE !

GO THE DIVINE ONE

AND

ASK FOR MERCY OR ELSE WE’RE DONE!”

Moses asked

and God gave him the task

of fashioning a crucifix

of a bronze snake attached to the sticks.

God advised:

“Those who are struck with venom

and look at this creation

Will escape death’s condemnation.

And by the way - You’re welcome.”

Ain’t never been there,but the brochure looks nice

(Numbers chapters 13 and 14)

They selected one from each clan

to achieve Yahweh’s plan

to go locate the Promise Land.

After forty nights and days

They returned amazed.

They returned surprised.

This place was better than advertised.

However, there was one problem.

“Oh we hate to be contrarians

BUT … BUT …. BUT

When we stand next to the barbarians

We’re barely as tall as their left nut.”

From the Judah tribe,

Caleb said, “Let’s go in! I feel God’s vibe.”

Instead the former slaves had a fit,

“We’re going back to Egypt!”

Joshua and Caleb appealed one more time.

“Stop acting like being brave is a crime.

Stop being afraid.

With God, this will be a parade.”

The minority report was rejected.

Rocks suitable for stoning were selected.

Then guess who busts in to meet the nation?

Yes, the original Godfather doesn’t need an invitation.

“You made Me come down from My Kingdom,

Because you don’t understand the concept of freedom.

Moses, I ain’t joking!

I AM ready to some serious smoting!”

Moses said to the Omnipotent,

“Yahweh, The infidels will shout:

“That god of Israel is incompetent!

Freed his people and then let everything go south!””

The Supreme Being reconsidered.

“ OK. This is My command:

No one

except the kin of Caleb and the son of Nun

will enter Graceland.

They will all die in the wilderness.

For 40 years

Lost will be their address.”

Moses relayed the announcement.

After hearing this, the refugees began to lament,

“We’re the Chosen, not the Exiled,

God can’t treat us like a red headed stepchild!”

And before the sunrise

Much to Moses’ surprise.

Some of them got on the plateau

and said “We ready to go!”

“You just don’t get it, don’t you?

God is not with you!

I’m not coming aboard,

You are all gonna die by the sword!”

They ignored the advice

They left saying,

“We’ll call you when we reach Paradise.”

You know the rest of the tale.

It was worse than being in the belly of a whale.

Blood spilled from

Jarmath

to

Lachich

to

Eglon

to

Gezer

to

Debir

to

Geder

and finally stopping

at exit 45

in Hormah.

Pentecost

(Acts 2)

They all got together/And before the prayer

In came in the wind/In came the fire

And created a polyglot choir.

Then they were not bashful./To proclaim the Gospel

That salvation can come to the lost

to all the attendees of the Pentecost.

A troll stated,/“You guys gotta be inebriated!”

Peter replied, “ They are drunk on a different Spirit,

you dumb punk!”

Listen well to the prophet Joel:

At the end,/God will send

on those who recognize Him as Lord

His Spirit.

They will inherit the reward

of

Life without limit.

The young will tell of what’s going down.

The old will dream dreams unbound.

Slaves will tell of the sun being dark as mud.

They will tell of the moon the color of blood.

And

Those who believed /and perceived

the signs,

They will receive

an invitation to the Celebration.

Jesus was the man/ who carried out God’s plan

By showing who is the great I AM.

Instead of accepting your Messiah,

You yelled, “Crucify ya!”

But God stepped in /and killed death and sin.

So the crowd asked “What can we do?”

Peter replied:

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you.

This is for the forgiveness of sin.

Also ask the Holy Spirit to dwell within.”

Three thousand felt the indwelling.

Sold all their bling.

Shared everything.

And started living.

Knowing by Padraig J. Daly

We know how stars divide,

How atoms race and run,

How the first explosion

Sent the planets hurtling.

How there is a maw in the spheres,

Lurking to swallow everything.

And miss the small perfection

Of a bird alighting,

Dilettante butterfly,

The oak over the river

Sheltering the sensitive fish.

And sometimes

If we fold ourselves

Into that quiet and wait,

The Other comes,

Touching us with madness

And certitude.

Victim of the storm

"If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss." (Message)

“The way of fools seems right to them.” Proverbs 12:15a (NIV)

Built on sand.

Saved a few grand.

Until the storm.

Until the storm.

Financed by a sub-prime.

Plan to flip it in ten months time.

Until the storm.

Until the storm.

My love left me.

I waved goodbye on the porch.

As the storm approached.

As the storm approached.

Outgo exceeded income.

The neighborhood is turning into a slum.

As the storm howled its warning.

As the storm howled its warning.

The waters drove me up a tree.

The river drove the house to the sea.

And then the storm ceased to be .

And then the storm ceased to be.

Stuck in a FEMA trailer.

A failure.

Got foreclosed on the loan.

All alone.

A victim of the storm.

A victim of the storm.

A victim of the storm.

A Father's Love

“And behold, a voice from heaven said,

This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!” (AMP)

(Matthew 3:17)

This is my Son.

This is my Boy.

He is the One.

Who is just like Me.

 

 

 

This is my Son.

This is my Boy.

He is Love.

Just like Me.

 

 

 

This is my Son.

This is my Boy.

He’s God’s gift to women.

He’s God’s gift to men.

 

 

 

This is my Son.

This is my Boy.

He is my joy,

In whom I delight.

 

 

Amen.

A Bible Study Prayer

May my beliefs

outnumber my doubts.

 

 

May my understanding

be reflecting in my praying.

 

 

May my studying

Renew my mind.

 

 

May each lesson

Aid me in my mission.

 

 

May each word I say in class,

Be the message You need said.

Amen.

The Life Everlasting

A faith-healing evangelist was asked, “Who goes to heaven?”

He would answer something like,

“Everybody who can stand that much love.”

And when asked, “Who goes to hell?”

He responded, “Only those who will have it no other way.”

Forever

Su casa es mi casa.

Permanently

The language of Truth is spoken.

Everlastingly

We are in your Presence.

Perpetually

We are shown love.

Continually

We drink Your living water.

Ceaselessly

We worship You in song, word and deed.

Endlessly

We will use and share the treasures
that were stored up for us.

Always

We will submit to Your Way.

And

Eternally

We are free.

Amen.

The Power

Imagine the power of the resurrection

That takes Him from tomb temperature

to ninety-eight point six.

Imagine the power of the resurrection

That gives Him the strength

to move the rock.

Imagine the power of the resurrection

That clears His parched throat

to ask the guards for some water.

Imagine the power of the resurrection

That has no interest to rub His enemies faces in it

but longs to be reunited with His friends.

Imagine the power of the resurrection

As Mary approaches this dirty, tired, sweaty man

finishing

His graveyard shift.

Imagine the power of the resurrection

As the One who defeated death,

calls out your name.

Amen.

Judgment

(Matthew 25:32-34)

32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right,

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance,

the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

Every day,

The world wants to place

a category on every face.

The extreme and the mainstream.

The sheep and the creeps.

The addicted and the clean.

The good and the mean.

The indifferent and the voters.

The leaders and their supporters.

The rich and the pissants.

And on the Last Day,

God separates us into two:

His

and

Hisn’t.

Amen.

Too much

Meditation on John 2-4

Did Jesus go too far
When He filled the water jars
with His Dad's favorite vintage?
180 gallons! -
Jesus, are you trying to flood the village!

Did Jesus go too far
at the Temple bazaar
with His spring cleaning?
With You  Jesus , "Under New Management"
has a whole new meaning.

Did Jesus go too far
As the priest found it so bizarre.
To enter God's domain
you must be born again.
Jesus, I never thought the tomb
as a delivery room.

Did Jesus go too far
to be secretive about the bar
the serves the water that satisfies?
Like the Samaritan woman
I really want a piece of that franchise.

Did Jesus go too far
to tell the local czar
how much we whine
for our need of wonders and signs
before telling him that his boy will be fine.

Oh Jesus,
Let's have some of that leftover wine.

Mercy

Matthew 18:23-35  (The Unmerciful Servant)

Why did he do it?
Bully someone for chump change,
Right after being forgiven for millions.
Is mercy only found at the foot of the cross?
OK, sometimes with mama too.

Why did he do it?
He went back into a world of
You owe me
and
I owe you.
A world of
In God we trust
all others pay cash.
A world of winners and losers.
A world where "Give me a break,"
ain't a request but a cynical statement.
Is mercy only found at the foot of the cross?
OK, sometimes with mama too.

Jesus said,
"Only the merciful will receive mercy." 1
and
"With the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 2
Trouble is we don't breathe in the mercy.
We accept the measurements the world gives us.
Just so no one can take advantage of us.
Is mercy only found at the foot of the cross?
OK, sometimes with mama too.

Note 1- Matthew 5:7
Note 2- Mark 4:24

Don't underestimate the value of listening....to all the things you can't hear

(Prayer of the human condition)

Matthew 12:34b: For out of the overflow of the heart,
the mouth speaks.

When the pastor greets the flock
with a cheerful "Good Morning",
Sometimes the congregation
rumbles back a humble grumble.

Oh, how I wish the preacher would not ask
for us to repeat this task.
As spokesman for us sheep
the reason we're half asleep
is
We're buried under the world's garbage heap.

Texting without conversation
Busted relations
Soul sucking work
Everyone in the world is a jerk.
Sleep without rest
Issues without context
Obama and Glenn Beck
My inflation riddled paycheck.
Corporations are charged with a misdemeanor
For the air over Pasadena.
Jesus, I ain't even gotten started,
but the guy in front of me farted.

So on a Sabbath morn
when our response to your query is so forlorn.
Pastor, do not ask for us be repeating
the response to your greeting.
Instead heed the sound of our loss
and shepherd us to the cross.

Rebel Jesus Sunday

(Luke 19:28-48 - Palm Sunday)

What a parade!
or was it a charade?
This is the exception not the rule,
A messiah riding on a mule.

Jesus stared at the holy town.
He foresaw its collapse to the ground.
What's next is hard to describe
A God who actually cried.

Then His tears turned into anger
toward the Temple moneychangers.
What happened next tested every Levite's sanity,
A God who turned into a vigilante.

Then the ruling class convened
to discuss the actions of the Nazerine.
And their agenda was driven by fear -
How do you make a God disappear?

Home is where you hang your head

Luke 15:17-24 (Prodigal Son)

Humbly I come down the road,
And I see him approaching fast.
Running as fast as he can,
Boy, he's gonna kick my sorry ass.

Can't blame him a bit,
I lost it all including a piece of my soul.
I promise to pay it all back,
Yeah, the years in the world will exact its toll.

Did I hear him say, "Son"?
I start my speech but he tells me to stop.
In his headlock, I taste his tears,
but I also can smell that pig slop.

I can't hear what he's yelling to the help,
probably, "Start digging my grave."
He's dragging me toward the house,
As I tell him I'll be his slave.

"Stop this nonsense," he said,
"You're my boy and always will be.
We're gonna clean you up,
butcher the fatted calf
into some fine ground round.
And will someone fetch big boy
and tell him the piece of my heart
that was lost
has now been found."

I'll leave the light on for you

You should be known for the beauty that comes from within,
the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:4)

Of all the places He could go,
Jungles oh so dense,
Or galaxies yet unnamed,
Even check out Vegas.
Yeah, God lives in heaven,
but vacations in my soul.

Of all the things He could do,
Surf the ocean on the leviathan's back,
Workout the pale horse in thirty-five and breezing,
Whisper "I bless you," after someone finishes sneezing.
Yeah, God lives in heaven,
but vacations in my soul.

What a mess You left behind!

(The last week of the Christ)

God so loved the world

that He gave

His one and only Son

that whoever believes in him

shall not perish

but have eternal life. John 3:16

What a mess You left behind!

A dead fig tree.
Pissed off merchants.

A criminal was set free.

Ripped the Temple curtain from top to bottom.

A suicide.

The man with the keys to the Kingdom went fishing.

Your body was not prepared for burial.

We hastily placed You in a tomb,

with a promise to fix it up first thing Sunday.

And when I return

What do I find -

The rock is knocked over.

Jesus, what a mess You left behind!

　

Winter Baptism Haiku

Winter Baptism Haiku

Under the water

and out of the gusting wind

God, this is freedom.

http://www.icp.org/museum/exhibitions/take-me-to-the-water



Holy

Accept Me.
Love Me.
Let Me
work
in your
life.


Accept them.
Love them.
Let Me
(through you)
work
in their
lives.

Talk to Me.
Be honest.
Let Me
hear
your heart.

Talk to them.
Be honest.
Listen
to
their hearts.

Do these things
for
I AM
holy.
And
please believe it
My precious one -
you are too.

Amen.

Follow Me

Follow Me

with your cross.

And I don’t understand why,

but you can hang your baggage

from it

if you want.

Follow Me

with your empty purse.

And

No, I won’t sign

a waiver of liability.

Follow Me

and you can fish for people.

“So, we’re angling for souls.”

Oh, you’re so funny.

Follow Me

after you sell everything you have

and

pay off your credit cards.

Follow Me.

You hear

and recognize My voice.

No, friending Me on Facebook

Ain’t gonna cut it.

Follow Me.

I don't apologize

that

I love you.

I am sorry,

That's the way I am.

Follow Me.

And until you do,

there is no

Amen.

The Right Stuff

A meditation on Matthew 7:7-8


7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Seek the right stuff,
I AM your map.

Ask for the right stuff,
I AM your man.

And if I,
the Easter One,
requests your presence,
(with all your stuff.)
Don’t knock.
I AM home.
Come on in.

Amen.

Our Little Secret

Meditation on Matthew 6:1-18

When (not if) you give,
Let your charity be hidden.
It will be our little secret.

When (not if) we have a dialogue,
Let your prayer be private and simple.
It will be our little secret.

When (not if) you fast,
Refrain from telling all from what you abstained.
It will be our little secret.

Give.
Pray.
Fast.

It will be our little secret.
So the world will know who I AM.

Bread and Water

I hunger for this daily bread.
Not the loaves that Satan wanted from stones.
Not the piece that Judas dipped in Your cup.
Not the grease soaked ones that I had for lunch.
I hunger for the Bread of Life.

I thirst for this living water
Not from where the pigs cliff dived to their death.
Not from the basin where Pilate washed his hands.
Not from the sugar filled can that I had for lunch.
I thirst for Your living water.

Amen.

An Irish Blessing

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

When Will This Service End?

“For we are co-workers in God’s service”

1 Corinthians 3:9

After confessing our faults,
Singing His praises,
Hearing His Word,
Eating the bread,
Drinking from the cup,
The final Amen is said.

Not signifying the
end of the worship
but
the beginning of
our service
in our homes,
at work,
in the marketplace,
and in the world,
for another week
of our lives
on earth.

The Prodigal People

At the beginning of the story
God calls a nation together
Frees them from bondage
and saves them from recapture.
But after awhile
They replace their God with the culture’s gods.
God is heartbroken
and wishes they would come to their senses.


Then later on
God calls a church together.
Frees them from the bondage of sin and death,
and saves them with the indwelling of His Spirit.
But after awhile
They replace their God with the culture’s gods.
God is heartbroken
and wishes they would come to their senses.

At the end of the story
God sends for those who were faithful.
Frees them from those who ridicule their uniqueness,
and saves them by being forever present in their lives.
But God is still heartbroken
for those who never came to their senses.

Ash Wednesday (2011)

After I receive the black stamp of repentance,
I sense His presence
as He asks me to go with Him
in the wilderness.
To sacrifice,
to pray,
to learn,
to love,
and to practice the art He has perfected -
Resurrection.

i am a little church

i am a little church (no great cathedral)
far from the splendor and squalor of hurrying cities
i do not worry if briefer days grow briefest,
i am not sorry when sun and rain make april

my life is the life of the reaper and the sower;
my prayers are prayers of earth’s own clumsily striving
(finding and losing and laughing and crying) children
whose any sadness or joy is my grief or my gladness

around me surges a miracle of unceasing
birth and glory and death and resurrection;
over my sleeping self float flaming symbols
of hope, and i wake to a perfect patience of mountains
i am a little church (far from the frantic
world with its rapture and anguish) at peace with nature
i do not worry if longer nights grow longest;
i am not sorry when silence becomes singing

winter by spring, i lift my diminutive spire to
merciful Him Whose only now is forever;
standing erect in the deathless truth of His presence
(welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness)

e.e cummings 1958

Thoughts on a Unitarian God

Is it good to be a lonely God?

No one who can create with Him.

No one who understands Him.

No one who can be intimate with Him.

Some days would He shout:

"Eli Eli lama sabachthani?"

Two Celtic Christian Trinity Poems

O Father who sought me,
O Son who bought me,
O Holy Spirit who taught me.


Above a Triscilion

Three folds of the cloth,
yet only one napkin is there,
Three joints in the finger,
but still only one finger fair,
Three leaves of the shamrock,
yet no more than one shamrock to wear,
Frost, snow-flakes and ice,
all in water their origin share,
Three Persons in God;
to one God alone we make prayer.

Triscilion--a figure composed of three usually curved or bent branches radiating from a center

In my deal with God

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
(2 Corinthians 1:21-24 NIV)

16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV)

(If Donald Trump was saved)

In my deal with God
I went from the landlord of me
to a tenant of the Almighty.

In my deal with God
my real estate was rezoned
from commercial to worship.

In my deal with God
my security was now
provided by Him.

In my deal with God
He had to evict some of
my former tenants.

In my deal with God
my mentors were not books or teachers
but the Holy Spirit.

In the deal with God
my rent was that my entire heart, mind,
soul and strength
now belongs to Him.

In my deal with God
He said if I break this arrangement
There would literally be
Hell to pay.

Lean on Me (Holy Spirit)

Rested on Bezalel so he could furnish the Temple.
Rested on Samson so he could kill a lion with his bare hands.
Rested on and then departed from Saul.
Rested on and then refused to go away from David.
Rested on Isaiah’s promised Messiah.
Rested on the previously dry bones in the desert.
Rested on the chosen virgin.
Rested on the baptized Jesus.
Rested on the Gospel writers.
Rested on Paul.
and
Today
The Spirit forever
Rests on us
so we may let go of the world
and live in the grace
of the Trinity.

Amen.

Faith (is love in action)

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance,
and that you are now doing more than you did at first. (Revelation 18a,19)

I believe
therefore I will do
what the Master asks.

What the Master asks
is sometimes beyond my ken
yet I must do it.

Yet it only appears beyond my ken
because the Master has prepared me for the task.
Therefore in faith I will trust Him.

The ways the Master has prepared me
are by actions I couldn’t imagine.
Therefore I will believe in what the Master has planned.

The actions I couldn’t imagine
become more and more evident as
I work on what the Master commands.

And the more and more
I abide in the Master’s desires
My faith translates into love in action.
Today on earth
and
Someday in Paradise.

Amen.

I confess

I confess
You are Lord
You alone are to be adored.

I confess
You are Lord
Through You alone I am restored.

I confess
You are Lord
You alone can make my spirit soar.

I confess
You are Lord
You alone can not be ignored.

I confess
You are Lord
You alone can defeat the sword.

I confess
You are Lord
You alone can grant the eternal reward.

You are Lord
This I know
Help me change my status quo.

I won't look back anymore
I left the people that do
It’s not the chase that I love
It’s me following you. **The Avett Brothers

Salvation Questions

If I am redeemed,
why don’t I follow my dreams?

If I am converted,
why do my goals get perverted?

If I am an adopted son,
why do I act like a lost orphan?

If I am born again,
do I really want to go against the grain?

If I am saved,
why I am so concerned about the grave?

If I am committed,
why do I feel I won’t be acquitted?

Is the definition of Salvation
to invite God to vacation in your soul?
It sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Imagine the servant being driven around by the Master!

Amen.

Atonement

Come home prodigal.
Come home sinner.
Come home for dinner.

Come home brother and sister.
Come home those who are heart sick.
Come home quick.

Refrain:Oh, I am lonesome for my precious children.
They live so far away.
Oh, may they hear my calling, calling
And come back home some day...

Come home to the Father.
Come home all who are lost.
Come home by the way of the cross.

Come home where love lives.
Come home those in pain.
Come home and out of the rain.

Refrain:Oh, I am lonesome for my precious children.
They live so far away.
Oh, may they hear my calling, calling
And come back home some day...

Refrain - Calling My Children Home (Trad.)

Putting new wine in old wineskins

Inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst. (Job 32:19 (NIV))

Joseph thought
what anguish this voice had brought.
Put the Law of Moses aside
and make Mary my bride.
“Oh Lord, forgive my doubt.
How is this going to turn out?”

Nicodemus thought
what anguish Jesus’ answer brought.
Put the Law of Moses aside
and let the new be born and the old denied
“Oh Lord, how can this be?
I thought only through the Law are we free.”

Peter thought
what anguish His Lord’s statement brought.
Putting Israel’s expectations aside
saying the Messiah will have to suffer and die.
“Oh Lord, You’re describing a pariah
not Israel’s Messiah.”

Thomas thought
what anguish their statements brought.
Putting all known science aside
saying that He is alive.
“Oh Lord, if this is true,
what is the world going to do?”

For the Sake of its Kingdom

Grace
is a gift
that causes a shift
of what the world requires
and what God desires.

The world uses sex for the sake of its kingdom.
Grace works in love for the sake of its kingdom.

The world exercises its power for the sake of its kingdom.
Grace humbly submits for the sake of its kingdom.

The world seeks peace for the sake of its kingdom.
Grace has the peace the world wants for the sake of its kingdom.

The world requires the books to be balanced and kept for the sake of its kingdom.
Grace takes pity and cancels the debt for the sake of its kingdom.

The world separates the haves and have-nots for the sake of its kingdom.
Grace invites all to celebrate for the sake of its kingdom.

The world writes off the one that is lost for the sake of its kingdom.
Grace goes after the one that is lost for the sake of its kingdom.

The world constructs the wide road for the sake of its kingdom.
and looks with contempt at Grace’s narrow path.

Amen.

O god of fantasy

O god of fantasy,
who watches over the casualties
caused by your fallacies.

A religion …
Where the truth is less than a lie
and
hate can be justified.

A belief of…
What my beloved doesn’t know won’t open up a can of worms.
and
where sacrifice can be done completely on my terms.

And a world that will bless
your culture of excess
with the goal to impress
you,
the god of fantasy
but fails
in the eyes of the
God of Reality.

Amen.

The business of grace

He goes to the file cabinet,
pulls out the oft used form
and fills in
today’s date and your name
and asks you to sign it.

You read it
and it dawns on you
it’s the same contract
every time.

Not a renewal,
nor a modification of terms,
or anything odd.
It reads:
You Shall be My People, and I Will be Your God.

So you sign it
and
push the paper across the desk.
He hands it to the Witness
who seals it in His blood
and tells you,
“Go, and sin no more.”

Amen.

What Image Might We Find?

To whom, then, can we compare God?
What image might we find to resemble him? Isaiah 40:18 (NLT)

Outside
on a beautiful fall day,
children scream their lungs out,
the mature meditate on a park bench.
Lovers walk hand in hand,
new parents push the buggy.
Smell of food on the grill,
dogs obey their masters,
girls are texting and giggling.
And
theologians inside their rooms
wonder about
man’s potential to be godly.

Inside
on a dreary winter day,
children have cabin fever
the mature have lost their patience.
Lovers are in hand to hand combat,
new parents can’t take another Disney DVD.
Microwave popcorn burning,
dogs forget who’s the alpha male,
girls text and moan.
And
theologians go outside
and wonder about
man’s potential to be godly.

Amen.

God

Throughout the night, He wrestles Jacob,
As well as enters into Joseph’s dreams.

He comes in the storm in Job,
and a whisper with Elijah.

He is the architect for Noah and Solomon.
The building inspector at Babel
and houses built on sand.

He sets the prisoners free.
Embraces the wayward prodigal.
Accepts Judas’ kiss,
along with the strike to the other cheek.

He is the Light of the world
and the fire at Pentecost.

He arrives in a manger
in Bethlehem.
Departs as a sacrifice
at Calvary.
And will return as Host of the First Supper
in New Jerusalem.

He is what our parents warned us about:
“You can’t be everything to all people.”

Amen.

Providence

Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Psalm 127:1)


Wherever you are,
I AM with you.
(but I want you to be nearer.)

Whatever you do,
I AM with you.
(but I want you to be no one else’s disciple.)

The times when you are sinsick,
I AM with you.
(I want you to remember who you really are.)

When you accept My grace,
I AM with you.
(I want you to remember who I AM.)

I AM never through with you.
because
I AM who I AM.

Amen.

The Sixth Day

He stands on the approach.
The Light is on.
He is ready.
In His mind,
He sees it.
An unrushed four step approach
stopping right before the foul (fair?) line
releasing a smooth roll.

This game of His creation seems a bit too easy.
Sky- STRIKE!
Land - STRIKE!
Seas-STRIKE!
Vegetation - STRIKE!
Sun- STRIKE!
Moon- STRIKE!
Birds - STRIKE!
Fish- STRIKE!
Animals- STRIKE!

The angels said:
“You’re en fuego, Almighty One!
What’s next?”

God said
“Let us create one more.
Creatures in our own image.
We’ll teach them how to play this game.”

Afterwards,
He thought,
“Oh, what a great day!”
as He looked at the innocents.
He told them:
“Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life!
Tomorrow, it will be just Me and you for the day.”

The clueless ones nodded
and wondered
when dinner would be served.

Creation

Job 41:11 “I'm in charge of all this—
I run this universe!” (Message)

Man made candles.
God created light.

Man made refrigerators.
God created glaciers.

Man made clocks.
God created eternity.

Man wrote books.
God composed the best seller.

Man rations his love each day.
God loves like there’s no tomorrow.

Man repeatedly attempts to save his world.
God sighs,
because its already been done.

This serious book

This book
tells
the story
of God.

A God who
just wanted
His people
to acknowledge
who He is.

This book
tells
the story
of His people.

A people who repeatedly
remembered and forgot
to acknowledge
who their God is.

This book
tells
of those who remember
will have Life.

This book
tells
of those who forget
will have Death.

And this book
tells
of a God that is so serious
He had man write it all down
and then He signed it in His own blood.

Amen.

Revelation

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off ?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)

“Where are You, Lord?”
I cried out.

GOD replied,
“I AM in…..

The two ruined stone tablets
and
your brokenness.

The burning bush
and
your passion.

The Temple
and
your worship.

My feeding of the multitudes
and
your charity.

The empty tomb
and
your freedom.”

Then GOD laughed.
“Where am I?
Well, there will be one more way
you can see Me,
but for you
that time has not come.”

Creed

I believe
in a God
that created a world
to allow me to understand
what heaven and hell are like.

I believe
in a God
that sent His Son
to save me
from myself.

I believe
in a God
that sent His Spirit
to keep me
from being my old self.

I believe
in a God
that created a holy Church
in order that His
(and not my)
will be done.

I believe
in a God
that will judge the work
assigned to
all of His servants.

I believe
in a God
that will create a new world
where two languages are forever spoken -
Truth and Love.

Amen.

Jesus explains why your cross is small

Luke 9:23 "If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.

When you were alone,
I was with you 24/7/365.

When you were lonely,
I introduced you to other believers.

When you were weak,
I provided you with grace sufficient.

When you were still a sinner,
I still loved you.

When you were lost,
I walked you home.

When you tried to save the world,
I told you it’s already been done.

When you gave everything over to Me,
Your receipt is this little cross.

Satan says,
“It should be a lot bigger
for what you gave up.”

But he knows
(and you should too),
The main thing is not
your cross carrying
but to follow Me.

Meditation on John 14:5

John 14:5**Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Where are You going?
Why can’t I go?
Because you don’t know who I am.
WHAT?!?!?!?
Because if you did,
I probably let you tag along.

The Scene

(Meditation on John 12:1-11; Luke 7:36-50)

Is this how love acts?
The fragrance meant for you alone,
Is poured out at the foot of the throne.

Is this how much love costs?
Busting open that jar
is so economically bizarre.

Is this how love behaves?
Letting down your hair
is causing everyone to stare.

Is this how love looks?
You forgot the washing bowl
So you use the water from your soul.

Is this when love turns into porn?
My stone heart says with scorn.
“Mary, I realize your brother is out of the tomb.
But, you and Jesus - Get a room!”

God had a ringside seat

(Meditation on psalm 10)

verses 1-2
God had a ringside throne,
and watched the poor man get a payday loan
on his unemployment check.1

verses 3-4
Why didn’t God go berserk
when He heard
The head of Goldman Sachs’ smirk
that his style of banking was God’s work.2

verses 5-6
His evil schemes are too good to derail.
He ain’t going to jail.
The excuse is
“I’m too big to fail.”3

verses 12-15
Why does this community
act like they have absolute immunity?
Oh Lord, when are you gonna inflict some pain?
Or least pay attention when we complain?

verses 16-17
Oh Lord, you take care of orphans and the oppressed
the hungry and the undressed
Strike down the evil
that has caused this economic upheaval.

Links
1.--Payday lenders giving advances on unemployment checks

2-Goldman Sachs doing God’s work

3- Too big to fail

Ode to a Halloween Witch

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

On the day of Halloween
you pull away from the TV screen.
And switch into being a different someone
ready for a day of fun.

When you return to the humble abode
with so much sugar
that your brain might explode.
Afterwards, you change back into the costume
that the world wants you to assume.

Up in heaven Jesus asks
for you to remove that mask
that makes you appear serene
and covers up a soul of mean.

“I made you an original designer outfit.
This might be the best I ever done, I’ll admit.
This look that will give your spouse such heavenly bliss,
Yeah, you’ll won’t ask: “Do I look fat in this?”
In these clothes, every church lady will be jealous,
Oh, Baby - You’ll be Marvelous!”

Memo to the Boss

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV) (The Lord’s Prayer)

“The world is organized in settled formulae,
so that pastoral letters and love letters sound like memos.”
** “Finally Comes the Poet” Walter Brueggeman p 3

THIS EMAIL IS MARKED WITH HIGH PRIORITY
To: God@heaven.com

From: XXXXXXXXX

Hope You’re having a nice weekend.

We will implement the corporate plan You have devised.

Yes, I’ve talked to people who have been using the Son’s name (and Yours) in an inappropriate manner. I have relayed that this will not be tolerated and if it continues they can go exercise their free speech rights with the competition.

A few trouble areas You may want to look into this coming week:

1. Departmental Relations: The “Love thy Enemy” motivational poster to say it mildly is a failure. The world polarization index made its seventh straight monthly increase. First attempts out of PR are pretty weak: “Can’t we all get along?” Could You swing by their office with some inspiration?

2. The competition: Let’s face it, Your Boy hit it on the head:. "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin!”(Matthew 18:7a) . Two millenniums later it’s worse than ever. The other side is labeling us as marginal players! How can we recover with only utilizing love? Can I get some face time to discuss this?

As always, thank You keeping me fed physically and spiritually,

Your humble servant.

How come Satan isn’t in the Christmas play?

Matthew 1:18-2:18 (Birth Of Jesus)

If there’s one rule Satan knows by heart,
It’s cut them off at the knees
before they start.

Here’s how he began his perverse behavior
of how he attempted to stop my Savior.

Gave Joseph the idea of a quiet divorce,
and when that failed,
he changed course.
He tried something stranger ,
make His birthplace a lowly manger.

The Magi came to adore the child,
leaving behind a pile of bling.
Yeah, how Satan hoped those gifts would blind
Mary and Joseph
who really was the King.

Oh how the devil hated what he planned next,
try to fulfill his mission
with the aid of politicians.

Herod issued a proclamation for slaughter,
baby boys, but not the daughters.
And while wailing mothers laid their sons in the crypt.
a family hurried toward Egypt.

And Satan muttered to his dark own self:
There is still time
to show who’s boss.
I just gotta stop Him
before the cross.

If Jesus is the reason for the season

(Christmas Meditation)
If Jesus is the reason for the season,
Why does the world see that as high treason?

The world screams: “We need to be overextending!
We can’t go through Xmas without overspending!”
Oh, come on!
What’s better than having some fun until dawn
or even reading the Gospel of John.

If Jesus is the reason for the season,
What giving would be the most pleasing?

Writing a fan letter to your favorite celeb in detox,
Packing a three pack of condoms in a seafarer’s box,
Slipping a gift card to a toll road attendant,
Oh, I feel sorry for those atheist nonobservants.

Yes, Jesus is the reason for my being,
And after I’ve finished singing
all about a world full of joy,
Guess what? -Here comes the birthday Boy!

You want Your gift?
What do You desire from a world set adrift?
Ipods, laptops or bling?
What?
You want everything!?!?!? [1]

Note 1- Luke 14:33

THE WHITEST MAN IN THE WORLD RAP LOVE SONG

Like Hemingway drank his scotch,
Like dogs who want to sniff your crotch.
Like the mother who loves her babies,
Like when the doctor told you didn’t have rabies.
Like I only can love you.

Like kids wasting the day on their Playstation Three,
Like when you say “There’s nothing good on TV.”
Like America loves its guns,
Like when we watch Law & Order reruns.
Like I only can love you.

Like Hillary still needs her Bill,
Like when you cried from that waxing from Brazil.
Like evangelicals love Tim Tebow,
Like when we dreamed we’d go to the carnival in Rio.
Like I only can love you.