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.