All are welcomed here, in this place.
Yes, you! Especially you.
If you are tired and weary, you can come.
Our doors are open.
Come all who are heavy burden.
This place is safe for you.
When you come though, you must have one thing.
Your resume.
Explaining to us the people you know and the money you hold.
Bring it to us, so that we may welcome you truly.
Who you know will help you grow here.
What you have, will make us truly glad.
For you the stranger or the poor, you're welcome too.
I guess.
But don't expect the same experience.
We're 'One in Christ' here.
No tears will be shed but your story shall be exploited.
Yeah, I suppose we'll invite you in, too.
But stay towards the back.
We don't want people to see you here.
Oh and put this on.
This mask.
You see, we all do it here.
Its a common task that helps us survive.
We don't really love each other.
We really don't even love you.
God is alright
But our building and the money,
Now that is our light.
So, I guess you can come.
Numbers of all sorts are our welcomed guest.
How we fill the pew and the plates,
Will help us at those pearly gates.
Feeding you, clothing you, replenishing you.
Well, we talk a lot about it.
You're more than welcomed to get your hopes up.
We are no longer foreigners to each other technically.
Yet we're most distant from those who we sit with.
We put on good smiles though.
And our Sunday best will show you holy we are.
Really only 1 of us needs to understand that God stuff.
Not us, not you, just him is enough.
So lies and smirks are welcomed here.
True hurt that consumes us inside are too.
Masks are preferred and embraced the most.
Yeah, if you're tired please come.
If you're rich, we'll greet you first.
We've got tradition and potential, so please, bring your credentials.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Unified Hypocrisy
My heart continues to be heavy. Although the purpose of this blog was to allow the critic inside to get his opinion in early, today is slightly different as I am writing a little later than normal. With this said, surround voices from the life which is Adam, has made a difference and slightly influenced the day already. Yet, God is still there, with a hope of something to come for today.
Today is a day when I will meet with youth to discuss the student leadership responsibility that I have asked them to take on. These particular students have demonstrated what I think it takes to be a leaders amongst their peers. Yet, as I find myself explaining and laying out the blueprints as to what this task is, I feel like a hypocrite. Do I do all that I can to fulfill or follow what it is I have asked our youth to do? I guess then my hope is that through this experience, I begin to lean closer to the bosom of Christ and finding a sense of peace that will still my soul.
Hostility. This is what takes the unification of the body of Christ and flushed right down the potty. Church members arguing over what paint to paint the fellowship hall or what carpet to get, while someone comes to the door with no money, nothing on their back but the clothes they wear. What makes people want to be a part of the church if this is what ministry is based off of? Paul says that once the Gentiles were far away from God but they have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ. What about now? Are we so far away from God that we miss Christ on a daily basis? By this I mean that we get so distracted as to what color stole we wear, or again with the paint, or what song we cannot sing because of who and when it was written, that in the everyday happenings of life, we miss the holy. We miss the opportunity to see Christ in those around us because of the inflictions we bring to one another? Oneness and peace of Christ, does the church even know what this is?
Today I still have a fascination with the closed communion policy in the Roman Catholic church. Although I used to get frustrated over this and use to think that they, being my brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic faith, would go to hell because they worship idols and people, now I find it beautiful. Why you ask? Because, if we were all allowed to participate in the holy communion, we would be lied too. Yes the Eucharist is where all are needs are met and it is around the common table that we can encounter the Christ himself, but at the same time, it is also a table where we can come to realize that we have a long way to go. It should be a constant reminder that we are not unified yet, that there is no oneness in Christ and that HOSTILITY is still very much playing like a cancer cell in the life of the church. As Christ death brought the Jews and Gentiles hostility to dissipate, so it is my prayer today that someday, our hostility amongst denominations, other faith traditions, but of most importance, people of the same body, may one day go and never come back. Until then, I live a life of hypocrisy. But my hope lies in Christ, that is what pushes me each day.
Today is a day when I will meet with youth to discuss the student leadership responsibility that I have asked them to take on. These particular students have demonstrated what I think it takes to be a leaders amongst their peers. Yet, as I find myself explaining and laying out the blueprints as to what this task is, I feel like a hypocrite. Do I do all that I can to fulfill or follow what it is I have asked our youth to do? I guess then my hope is that through this experience, I begin to lean closer to the bosom of Christ and finding a sense of peace that will still my soul.
Hostility. This is what takes the unification of the body of Christ and flushed right down the potty. Church members arguing over what paint to paint the fellowship hall or what carpet to get, while someone comes to the door with no money, nothing on their back but the clothes they wear. What makes people want to be a part of the church if this is what ministry is based off of? Paul says that once the Gentiles were far away from God but they have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ. What about now? Are we so far away from God that we miss Christ on a daily basis? By this I mean that we get so distracted as to what color stole we wear, or again with the paint, or what song we cannot sing because of who and when it was written, that in the everyday happenings of life, we miss the holy. We miss the opportunity to see Christ in those around us because of the inflictions we bring to one another? Oneness and peace of Christ, does the church even know what this is?
Today I still have a fascination with the closed communion policy in the Roman Catholic church. Although I used to get frustrated over this and use to think that they, being my brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic faith, would go to hell because they worship idols and people, now I find it beautiful. Why you ask? Because, if we were all allowed to participate in the holy communion, we would be lied too. Yes the Eucharist is where all are needs are met and it is around the common table that we can encounter the Christ himself, but at the same time, it is also a table where we can come to realize that we have a long way to go. It should be a constant reminder that we are not unified yet, that there is no oneness in Christ and that HOSTILITY is still very much playing like a cancer cell in the life of the church. As Christ death brought the Jews and Gentiles hostility to dissipate, so it is my prayer today that someday, our hostility amongst denominations, other faith traditions, but of most importance, people of the same body, may one day go and never come back. Until then, I live a life of hypocrisy. But my hope lies in Christ, that is what pushes me each day.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Prayer at Rising--New Day
I was once told that in order to become a good writer, one must allow the critic inside to speak first. Then it shall cease and the writer will be able to write. This is what this blog is for. To allow my thoughts to carry me through the early hours and to aid me with what I am to do for the day.
My prayer is one for my life to walk on the path that is lit for me. As we arise, we are given the opportunity to live into the light. God has blessed us and darkness now no longer exist. Today, how will I take advantage of the opportunity? Today I live because God raised us up with Christ and because of his great love for us, made me alive in Christ. God's grace was shown to us through the kindness of Christ who saved us. This gift of salvation, whatever this means, is not something that we have earned, rather it is a gift, a gift that Christ gave to us. Faith is what they call it. We have faith. Grace then faith, not by works so no one can boast but if we are to boast, we boast in the Lord.
God help me today. May my works be seen good in your sight. Made alive in Christ, that is what I am. Looking around i want to see you in what my life is. Laughing and caring and hoping and dreaming are all things I enjoy to do with my wife. She is very beautiful and smart. My hope is that she will find her way out of the path that is dimly lit and back onto the one that is lit by you. Kindle her flame and may your grace make her come to life again.
Work I want to write more about our transformation that will take place for youth group. The 6 Great Ends of the Church plus that which makes our church breath: Bath, Book, Table and Time. How I will incorporate these things together, I have no idea but this is where I trust my education and critical thinking skills. Basically, I hope you will guide me through it. I like David Crowder and I have this urgency to go out and buy more Christian artist. Not that secular is bad, for I have come to find great peace in some songs, but because I miss the encouraging message of Christ through music.
New light. New day. Same path. Same faith. Fresh breath. Fresh start. Christ made me alive again in his heart.
Praise the Lord!
The name of the Lord be praised.
My prayer is one for my life to walk on the path that is lit for me. As we arise, we are given the opportunity to live into the light. God has blessed us and darkness now no longer exist. Today, how will I take advantage of the opportunity? Today I live because God raised us up with Christ and because of his great love for us, made me alive in Christ. God's grace was shown to us through the kindness of Christ who saved us. This gift of salvation, whatever this means, is not something that we have earned, rather it is a gift, a gift that Christ gave to us. Faith is what they call it. We have faith. Grace then faith, not by works so no one can boast but if we are to boast, we boast in the Lord.
God help me today. May my works be seen good in your sight. Made alive in Christ, that is what I am. Looking around i want to see you in what my life is. Laughing and caring and hoping and dreaming are all things I enjoy to do with my wife. She is very beautiful and smart. My hope is that she will find her way out of the path that is dimly lit and back onto the one that is lit by you. Kindle her flame and may your grace make her come to life again.
Work I want to write more about our transformation that will take place for youth group. The 6 Great Ends of the Church plus that which makes our church breath: Bath, Book, Table and Time. How I will incorporate these things together, I have no idea but this is where I trust my education and critical thinking skills. Basically, I hope you will guide me through it. I like David Crowder and I have this urgency to go out and buy more Christian artist. Not that secular is bad, for I have come to find great peace in some songs, but because I miss the encouraging message of Christ through music.
New light. New day. Same path. Same faith. Fresh breath. Fresh start. Christ made me alive again in his heart.
Praise the Lord!
The name of the Lord be praised.
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