considering the recent weather (rain) and the recent sermon (grace) here is a music video that is a perfect fit: Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Risk-Taking Service
Rennie Curran has a great story.
watch this video and then read the quote:
quote from an interview Rennie Curran gave to writer David Hale:
“Just having the younger guys, I think that’s really what opened my eyes to the whole leadership thing is having the younger guys come in who were confused at times and would look to me and reach out to me for help. I was able to do that because of the experience that I had and that really just helped me in terms of developing that leadership. You can’t be a leader without being a servant and being able to help your teammates and just really bring up the ability of the guys around you, raise that attitude and set the tempo.”
it is the same in the Kingdom of God: taking the lead means serving everyone else first.
when the church does this in ways that are sometimes uncomfortable or risky, that is usually when God shows up.
watch this video and then read the quote:
quote from an interview Rennie Curran gave to writer David Hale:
“Just having the younger guys, I think that’s really what opened my eyes to the whole leadership thing is having the younger guys come in who were confused at times and would look to me and reach out to me for help. I was able to do that because of the experience that I had and that really just helped me in terms of developing that leadership. You can’t be a leader without being a servant and being able to help your teammates and just really bring up the ability of the guys around you, raise that attitude and set the tempo.”
it is the same in the Kingdom of God: taking the lead means serving everyone else first.
when the church does this in ways that are sometimes uncomfortable or risky, that is usually when God shows up.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Radical Hospitality
This is Chapter 53 from The Rule of St. Benedict. Benedict of Nursia lived around 500 AD is considered by many to be the founder of Western monasticism. The Rule was his instruction to his fellow believers on how to live following Christ in the monastic lifestyle.
Chapter 53: On the Reception of Guests
Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ,
for He is going to say,
"I came as a guest, and you received Me" (Matt. 25:35).
And to all let due honor be shown,
especially to the domestics of the faith and to pilgrims.
As soon as a guest is announced, therefore,
let the Superior or the brethren meet him
with all charitable service.
And first of all let them pray together,
and then exchange the kiss of peace.
For the kiss of peace should not be offered
until after the prayers have been said,
on account of the devil's deceptions.
In the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing,
let all humility be shown.
Let the head be bowed
or the whole body prostrated on the ground
in adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons.
After the guests have been received and taken to prayer,
let the Superior or someone appointed by him sit with them.
Let the divine law be read before the guest for his edification,
and then let all kindness be shown him.
The Superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest,
unless it happens to be a principal fast day
which may not be violated.
The brethren, however, shall observe the customary fasts.
Let the Abbot give the guests water for their hands;
and let both Abbot and community wash the feet of all guests.
After the washing of the feet let them say this verse:
"We have received Your mercy, O God,
in the midst of Your temple" (Ps.47[48]:10).
In the reception of the poor and of pilgrims
the greatest care and solicitude should be shown,
because it is especially in them that Christ is received;
for as far as the rich are concerned,
the very fear which they inspire
wins respect for them.
Chapter 53: On the Reception of Guests
Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ,
for He is going to say,
"I came as a guest, and you received Me" (Matt. 25:35).
And to all let due honor be shown,
especially to the domestics of the faith and to pilgrims.
As soon as a guest is announced, therefore,
let the Superior or the brethren meet him
with all charitable service.
And first of all let them pray together,
and then exchange the kiss of peace.
For the kiss of peace should not be offered
until after the prayers have been said,
on account of the devil's deceptions.
In the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing,
let all humility be shown.
Let the head be bowed
or the whole body prostrated on the ground
in adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons.
After the guests have been received and taken to prayer,
let the Superior or someone appointed by him sit with them.
Let the divine law be read before the guest for his edification,
and then let all kindness be shown him.
The Superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest,
unless it happens to be a principal fast day
which may not be violated.
The brethren, however, shall observe the customary fasts.
Let the Abbot give the guests water for their hands;
and let both Abbot and community wash the feet of all guests.
After the washing of the feet let them say this verse:
"We have received Your mercy, O God,
in the midst of Your temple" (Ps.47[48]:10).
In the reception of the poor and of pilgrims
the greatest care and solicitude should be shown,
because it is especially in them that Christ is received;
for as far as the rich are concerned,
the very fear which they inspire
wins respect for them.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Back to School
Today, I dropped off my 5th grade daughter and 1st grade son for their first day of school this year. Going back to school is such a big event in the life of a child. New teacher(s), new classroom(s), new classmates, new schedule, and all of that after having just enjoyed months of what my daughter terms "freedom".
Last weekend our church, The Bridge, and a local hotel, America's Best Inn & Suites, helped some of the children in our community get ready to go back to school by providing backpacks, clothes, haircuts, and hearing & vision exams, through the Give-A-Kid-A-Chance program.
This coming weekend, The Bridge will be a distribution point for school supplies in conjunction with Bartow Collaborative. The kids will receive notebooks, pencils, erasers and all that good stuff so, hopefully, they can go back to school with all the "stuff" they will need to succeed.
While we are giving "stuff" to the kids and their families, I hope that we are also able to give them something else they will need to succeed: the love of God. My hope is that they will know that God loves them and so do I and that is why I give my time, money and energy to help. There may be many things people feel ill-equipped to do in the church: teach, lead, heal, prophesy. But anybody, and I mean anybody, can take a few hours and a few dollars to demonstrate the love of God.
James, one of the first followers of Jesus, wrote that our faith in God has to motivate us to help people when we know that they are in need (James 2:14-17). Do you know anybody who needs help? Can you help? Are you involved with a church that has ways for you to help people in your community? Can you help?
Helping feels good, for sure, but it goes deeper than that. Much deeper. In an act of selflessness, giving something of yourself just to benefit somebody in need, you are participating in the Divine, the Holy. Try it soon and see. I know I'm glad I did.
Last weekend our church, The Bridge, and a local hotel, America's Best Inn & Suites, helped some of the children in our community get ready to go back to school by providing backpacks, clothes, haircuts, and hearing & vision exams, through the Give-A-Kid-A-Chance program.
This coming weekend, The Bridge will be a distribution point for school supplies in conjunction with Bartow Collaborative. The kids will receive notebooks, pencils, erasers and all that good stuff so, hopefully, they can go back to school with all the "stuff" they will need to succeed.
While we are giving "stuff" to the kids and their families, I hope that we are also able to give them something else they will need to succeed: the love of God. My hope is that they will know that God loves them and so do I and that is why I give my time, money and energy to help. There may be many things people feel ill-equipped to do in the church: teach, lead, heal, prophesy. But anybody, and I mean anybody, can take a few hours and a few dollars to demonstrate the love of God.
James, one of the first followers of Jesus, wrote that our faith in God has to motivate us to help people when we know that they are in need (James 2:14-17). Do you know anybody who needs help? Can you help? Are you involved with a church that has ways for you to help people in your community? Can you help?
Helping feels good, for sure, but it goes deeper than that. Much deeper. In an act of selflessness, giving something of yourself just to benefit somebody in need, you are participating in the Divine, the Holy. Try it soon and see. I know I'm glad I did.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
kings today....
you don't see kings much these days. i know there are societies or countries far off where they probably still have kings and queens and such. yes, i know, England has a queen.
but, there was a time in history where kings were all the rage. every country had a royal ruler. democracy and shared authority and free elections are a relatively new thing on the historical political scene.
i have been reading in the Bible about kings. i have also been reading about "masters": people who are in charge of other people. in some sense, these two roles are similar. there is a person who has responsibility for, and to a certain degree command over, another person or people.
the reason i bore you with all this is because i think the instruction and teaching in the Bible for people in these positions could be impactful in our culture today.
we may not have kings, but we do have CEO's and Plant/Store Managers and Principals and Senators and such. these people all have a measure of influence and even control over the lives of the people working for them or living under their jurisdiction.
the Bible calls people like this to live with concern, care and compassion for those "under" them. justice, mercy and protection are the attitudes that a ruler should have toward their people...rather than seeing them as means to an end or cogs in a wheel to get work done.
if there is someone, anyone, that you have any control or influence over by way of your position in society, please treat them the way prescribed by the Bible. i wonder how that would change the picture today if many people were to rule and lead this way?
but, there was a time in history where kings were all the rage. every country had a royal ruler. democracy and shared authority and free elections are a relatively new thing on the historical political scene.
i have been reading in the Bible about kings. i have also been reading about "masters": people who are in charge of other people. in some sense, these two roles are similar. there is a person who has responsibility for, and to a certain degree command over, another person or people.
the reason i bore you with all this is because i think the instruction and teaching in the Bible for people in these positions could be impactful in our culture today.
we may not have kings, but we do have CEO's and Plant/Store Managers and Principals and Senators and such. these people all have a measure of influence and even control over the lives of the people working for them or living under their jurisdiction.
the Bible calls people like this to live with concern, care and compassion for those "under" them. justice, mercy and protection are the attitudes that a ruler should have toward their people...rather than seeing them as means to an end or cogs in a wheel to get work done.
if there is someone, anyone, that you have any control or influence over by way of your position in society, please treat them the way prescribed by the Bible. i wonder how that would change the picture today if many people were to rule and lead this way?
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Rich Mullins
Screen Door on a Submarine, circa 1996
It's about as useless as
A screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand, One is your right
It'll take two strong arms, To hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose
Just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show
For your alleged faith
Well there's a difference you know
B'tween having faith and playing make believe
One will make you grow
The other one just make you sleep
Talk about it, But I really think you oughta
Take a leap off of the ship
Before you claim to walk on water
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith comes from God
And every word that He breathes
He lets you take it to your heart
So you can give it hands and feet
It's gotta be active if it's gonna be alive
You gotta put it into practice, Otherwise....
It's about as useless as a screen door
On a submarine
Faith without works, baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your right hand, one is your left
It's your light, your guide
Your life and your breath
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door
On a submarine
It's about as useless as
A screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand, One is your right
It'll take two strong arms, To hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose
Just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show
For your alleged faith
Well there's a difference you know
B'tween having faith and playing make believe
One will make you grow
The other one just make you sleep
Talk about it, But I really think you oughta
Take a leap off of the ship
Before you claim to walk on water
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith comes from God
And every word that He breathes
He lets you take it to your heart
So you can give it hands and feet
It's gotta be active if it's gonna be alive
You gotta put it into practice, Otherwise....
It's about as useless as a screen door
On a submarine
Faith without works, baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your right hand, one is your left
It's your light, your guide
Your life and your breath
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door
On a submarine
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