greetings...
this may be the single most important spiritual reality we need to hear -- and embrace -- and internalize...
as we end 2009...
and begin 2010...
Henri Nouwen: “Jesus came to share his identity with you and to tell you that YOU are the beloved son or the beloved daughter of God. Just for a moment try to enter this enormous mystery, that you, like Jesus, are the beloved daughter or son of God. This is the truth. Furthermore, your belovedness preceded your birth. You were the beloved before your father, mother, brother, sister or church loved you or hurt you. YOU are the beloved because you belong to God from all eternity.”
“God loved you before you were born, and God will love you after you die. In Scripture God says, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love.’ This is a very foundational truth of your identity. This is who YOU are whether you feel it or not. You belong to God from eternity to eternity. Life is just a little opportunity for you during a few years to say, ‘I love you, too’.”
This upcoming new year…
Let's seize our true identity -- we are the beloved children of our Father...
What else matters???
Let's live this incarnational life...
With courage...
With boldness...
With an edge...
With meaning...
With confidence...
With purpose...
With the passion of Jesus...
And...
Let's do so TOGETHER...
Happy 2010...
Back to the hills...
guy
Remember -- YOU are a beloved child of the Father!!!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas day 2009
Greetings!
I sneaked out to Panera's again -- with a full battery...
Some words for our reflection…
2 Corinthians 6.2: “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation…”
Galatians 4.4-5: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as his children…”
John 1.1, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…”
Luke 2.7: “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger…”
John 20.21: “As the Father has sent me, so I now send you…”
Henri Nouwen: “God became a little baby. Who can be afraid of a little baby? A tiny little baby is completely dependent on its parents, nurses and caregivers. Yes, God wanted to become so powerless as to be unable to eat or drink, walk or talk, play or work without many people’s help. Yes, God became dependent on human beings to grow up and live among us and proclaim the good news. Yes, God chose to become so powerless that the realization of God’s own mission among us became completely dependent on us. How can we fear a baby we rock in our arms? How can we be envious of a tender baby? That’s the mystery of the incarnation. God became human, in no way different from other human beings, to break through the walls of power in total weakness. That’s the story of Jesus…”
Henri Nouwen: “I think that we have hardly thought through the immense implications of the mystery of the incarnation. Where is God? God is where we are weak, vulnerable, small and dependent. God is where the poor are, the hungry, the handicapped, the mentally ill, the elderly, the powerless. How can we come to know God when our focus is elsewhere, on success, influence, and power? I increasingly believe that our faithfulness will depend on our willingness to go where there is brokenness, loneliness, and human need.”
“If the church has a future it is a future with the poor in whatever form. Each one of us is seriously searching to live and grow in this belief, and by friendship we can support each other. I realize that the only way for us to stay well in the midst of the many ‘worlds’ is to stay close to the small, vulnerable child that lives in our hearts and in every other human being. Often we do not know that the Christ child is within us. When we discover him we can truly rejoice.”
Richard Rohr: “In Jesus, God achieved the perfect synthesis of divine and human…the incarnation of Jesus demonstrates that God meets us where we are. It assures us that we do not have to leave the world or relinquish our humanity in order to know God, but simply that we must turn from evil. In the birth of the God-man, we have been ‘consecrated in truth’, so we are sent into the world to continue the saving pattern of embodiment…”
“We tend to fear incarnation precisely because it makes religion so real, so particular, so worldly. We prefer to keep religion on the level of word, yet the Jesus pattern is word-becoming-flesh. The great lie is that redemption can happen apart from incarnation…For the Christian, power is always hidden in powerlessness, just as God was hidden in a poor baby…”
”We may want the spiritual without the fleshly; we may want the cosmic without the concrete. But if the Word is ever to be loved and shared, we must risk embodiment, which is always concrete and ordinary. There God is both perfectly hidden and perfectly revealed…”
Christmas 2009…
The time has come…
The fullness of time…
Our waiting is over…
The promised Messiah has come…
But, what did we get?
A surprise…
A baby…
Weak, fragile, helpless, dependent, powerless…
[Yet infinite, divine, efficacious…]
Not what we were looking for…
So, what will we do with this gift?
This disarming gift?
This surprising gift?
This shocking gift?
Salvation wrapped in human flesh – the flesh of an infant…
Salvation revealed in weakness and powerlessness…
Salvation so troubling that it forms a stumbling block…
The Incarnation…
God came to us in our need…
God continues to come to us in our need…
Right where we are…
In our helplessness…
In our hopelessness…
In our stubbornness, pride and independence…
How will we respond TODAY to salvation?
Will we receive the gift?
Will we embrace the promise?
Will we seize the moment?
What will today mean for tomorrow…
For 2010…
And beyond…
Will we choose to live out the incarnation in our lives?
As the Father sent Jesus…
To the poor…
To the broken…
To the weak…
To the sick…
To the dying…
To the outcasts…
As the Father sent Jesus, Jesus now sends us…
Will we go?
Will we live the missional life?
Will we embrace the suffering?
Christmas is a day to say YES!
YES to the time!
YES to the gift!
YES to salvation!
YES to purpose!
YES to peace!
YES! YES! YES!
Merry Christmas…
guy
BLESSINGS TO ALL!!!
I sneaked out to Panera's again -- with a full battery...
Some words for our reflection…
2 Corinthians 6.2: “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation…”
Galatians 4.4-5: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as his children…”
John 1.1, 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…”
Luke 2.7: “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger…”
John 20.21: “As the Father has sent me, so I now send you…”
Henri Nouwen: “God became a little baby. Who can be afraid of a little baby? A tiny little baby is completely dependent on its parents, nurses and caregivers. Yes, God wanted to become so powerless as to be unable to eat or drink, walk or talk, play or work without many people’s help. Yes, God became dependent on human beings to grow up and live among us and proclaim the good news. Yes, God chose to become so powerless that the realization of God’s own mission among us became completely dependent on us. How can we fear a baby we rock in our arms? How can we be envious of a tender baby? That’s the mystery of the incarnation. God became human, in no way different from other human beings, to break through the walls of power in total weakness. That’s the story of Jesus…”
Henri Nouwen: “I think that we have hardly thought through the immense implications of the mystery of the incarnation. Where is God? God is where we are weak, vulnerable, small and dependent. God is where the poor are, the hungry, the handicapped, the mentally ill, the elderly, the powerless. How can we come to know God when our focus is elsewhere, on success, influence, and power? I increasingly believe that our faithfulness will depend on our willingness to go where there is brokenness, loneliness, and human need.”
“If the church has a future it is a future with the poor in whatever form. Each one of us is seriously searching to live and grow in this belief, and by friendship we can support each other. I realize that the only way for us to stay well in the midst of the many ‘worlds’ is to stay close to the small, vulnerable child that lives in our hearts and in every other human being. Often we do not know that the Christ child is within us. When we discover him we can truly rejoice.”
Richard Rohr: “In Jesus, God achieved the perfect synthesis of divine and human…the incarnation of Jesus demonstrates that God meets us where we are. It assures us that we do not have to leave the world or relinquish our humanity in order to know God, but simply that we must turn from evil. In the birth of the God-man, we have been ‘consecrated in truth’, so we are sent into the world to continue the saving pattern of embodiment…”
“We tend to fear incarnation precisely because it makes religion so real, so particular, so worldly. We prefer to keep religion on the level of word, yet the Jesus pattern is word-becoming-flesh. The great lie is that redemption can happen apart from incarnation…For the Christian, power is always hidden in powerlessness, just as God was hidden in a poor baby…”
”We may want the spiritual without the fleshly; we may want the cosmic without the concrete. But if the Word is ever to be loved and shared, we must risk embodiment, which is always concrete and ordinary. There God is both perfectly hidden and perfectly revealed…”
Christmas 2009…
The time has come…
The fullness of time…
Our waiting is over…
The promised Messiah has come…
But, what did we get?
A surprise…
A baby…
Weak, fragile, helpless, dependent, powerless…
[Yet infinite, divine, efficacious…]
Not what we were looking for…
So, what will we do with this gift?
This disarming gift?
This surprising gift?
This shocking gift?
Salvation wrapped in human flesh – the flesh of an infant…
Salvation revealed in weakness and powerlessness…
Salvation so troubling that it forms a stumbling block…
The Incarnation…
God came to us in our need…
God continues to come to us in our need…
Right where we are…
In our helplessness…
In our hopelessness…
In our stubbornness, pride and independence…
How will we respond TODAY to salvation?
Will we receive the gift?
Will we embrace the promise?
Will we seize the moment?
What will today mean for tomorrow…
For 2010…
And beyond…
Will we choose to live out the incarnation in our lives?
As the Father sent Jesus…
To the poor…
To the broken…
To the weak…
To the sick…
To the dying…
To the outcasts…
As the Father sent Jesus, Jesus now sends us…
Will we go?
Will we live the missional life?
Will we embrace the suffering?
Christmas is a day to say YES!
YES to the time!
YES to the gift!
YES to salvation!
YES to purpose!
YES to peace!
YES! YES! YES!
Merry Christmas…
guy
BLESSINGS TO ALL!!!
Advent day 26 -- 24 December 2009
greetings again...
henri on BE SURPRISED BY JOY: "learn the discipline of being surprised NOT BY SUFFERING but BY JOY! as we grow old, there is suffering ahead of us, immense suffering, a suffering that will continue to tempt us to think that we have chosen the wrong road. but don't be surprised by pain. be surprised by joy, be surprised by the little flower that shows its beauty in the midst of a barren desert, and be surprised by the immense healing power that keeps bursting forth like springs of fresh water from the depth of our pain...with a heart trusting that we will get what we need, and a spirit always surprised by joy, we will walk through this valley of darkness performing and witnessing miracles..."
paul, in romans 8.17: "if we share in his sufferings we will also share in his glory..."
where did the idea come from that suffering is a curse and that real christians are exempt???
suffering is a blessing, not a curse...
it is to be welcomed, not to be shunned through "claiming" our way out if it...
as we embrace the suffering that God orchestrates, we grow and deepen our intimacy with Jesus...
once i asked edith, a 90+ year old saint who was dying: "when do you feel the closest to God?"
i was ready to listen and learn -- about prayer, reading the word, listening to worship music, etc...
but, without blinking an eye, edith responded: "i feel the closest to Jesus when I suffer -- he becomes the most real to me when he is all i have..."
WOW!
my prayer is that i -- and you -- may be surprised by JOY in our sufferings in 2010!
my battery is running on empty...
guy
BLESSINGS!
henri on BE SURPRISED BY JOY: "learn the discipline of being surprised NOT BY SUFFERING but BY JOY! as we grow old, there is suffering ahead of us, immense suffering, a suffering that will continue to tempt us to think that we have chosen the wrong road. but don't be surprised by pain. be surprised by joy, be surprised by the little flower that shows its beauty in the midst of a barren desert, and be surprised by the immense healing power that keeps bursting forth like springs of fresh water from the depth of our pain...with a heart trusting that we will get what we need, and a spirit always surprised by joy, we will walk through this valley of darkness performing and witnessing miracles..."
paul, in romans 8.17: "if we share in his sufferings we will also share in his glory..."
where did the idea come from that suffering is a curse and that real christians are exempt???
suffering is a blessing, not a curse...
it is to be welcomed, not to be shunned through "claiming" our way out if it...
as we embrace the suffering that God orchestrates, we grow and deepen our intimacy with Jesus...
once i asked edith, a 90+ year old saint who was dying: "when do you feel the closest to God?"
i was ready to listen and learn -- about prayer, reading the word, listening to worship music, etc...
but, without blinking an eye, edith responded: "i feel the closest to Jesus when I suffer -- he becomes the most real to me when he is all i have..."
WOW!
my prayer is that i -- and you -- may be surprised by JOY in our sufferings in 2010!
my battery is running on empty...
guy
BLESSINGS!
Advent day 25 -- 23 December 2009
greetings...
why do batteries discharge faster when there are no available outlets???
i am thinking of YOU today -- my peeps -- my folks -- my community...
and GIVING THANKS!
here goes...
henri for today: "how can i ever let God's grace fully work in my life unless i live in a community of people who can affirm it, deepen it, and strengthen it? we cannot live this new life alone. God does not want to isolate us by his grace. on the contrary, he wants us to form new friendships and a new community -- holy places where his grace can grow to fullness and bear fruit..."
THANK YOU LORD for...
my family...
my home church...
my tampa underground family...
my all nations family...
my dispersed community of friends that stay close even though we are separated by so many miles -- our hearts will ALWAYS be knit together by the Spirit...
i am so blessed!
guy
merry christmas!!!
let's eat and drink and be merry and remember that we truly do belong to one another during this holy season...and beyond!
why do batteries discharge faster when there are no available outlets???
i am thinking of YOU today -- my peeps -- my folks -- my community...
and GIVING THANKS!
here goes...
henri for today: "how can i ever let God's grace fully work in my life unless i live in a community of people who can affirm it, deepen it, and strengthen it? we cannot live this new life alone. God does not want to isolate us by his grace. on the contrary, he wants us to form new friendships and a new community -- holy places where his grace can grow to fullness and bear fruit..."
THANK YOU LORD for...
my family...
my home church...
my tampa underground family...
my all nations family...
my dispersed community of friends that stay close even though we are separated by so many miles -- our hearts will ALWAYS be knit together by the Spirit...
i am so blessed!
guy
merry christmas!!!
let's eat and drink and be merry and remember that we truly do belong to one another during this holy season...and beyond!
Advent day 24 -- 22 December 2009
my battery is going down quicker than i thought...
oh well...
nouwen: "i have found it very important to try to let go of my WISHES and instead to live in HOPE...when i choose to let go of my sometimes petty and superficial wishes and to trust that my life is precious and meaningful in the eyes of God, something really new, something beyond my own expectations begins to happen for me...to wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude toward life. it is choosing to hope that something is happening for us that is far beyond our own imaginings. it is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life. it is living with the conviction that God molds us in love, holds us in tenderness, and moves us away from the sources of our fear..."
NOW, that is good news!
let go and let God...
do NOT be bushwhacked by EXPECTATIONS, but be ACCEPTING of all that God brings our way...
this is true truth -- very simple -- BUT not so easy [at least for me]...
shalom!
guy
wish you could all see this snow...
oh well...
nouwen: "i have found it very important to try to let go of my WISHES and instead to live in HOPE...when i choose to let go of my sometimes petty and superficial wishes and to trust that my life is precious and meaningful in the eyes of God, something really new, something beyond my own expectations begins to happen for me...to wait with openness and trust is an enormously radical attitude toward life. it is choosing to hope that something is happening for us that is far beyond our own imaginings. it is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life. it is living with the conviction that God molds us in love, holds us in tenderness, and moves us away from the sources of our fear..."
NOW, that is good news!
let go and let God...
do NOT be bushwhacked by EXPECTATIONS, but be ACCEPTING of all that God brings our way...
this is true truth -- very simple -- BUT not so easy [at least for me]...
shalom!
guy
wish you could all see this snow...
Advent day 23 -- 21 December 2009
greetings!
i am camped at panera still -- on the border of civilization...
my goal is to "catch up" on days 22-24 which i "lost" due to travel...
and to work ahead for days 25 through Christmas day [#27] which i plan to "lose" with family...
and one bonus entry for day 28...
IF, my battery is up to it...
henri nouwen again on WAITING [does he know how much i hate to WAIT???]: "A waiting person is someone who is present to the moment, believing that THIS moment is THE moment..."
one of my patients has died while i have been away...
i mentioned him earlier in our Advent journey -- the young man with parkinson's that i was blessed to serve communion to on our last visit -- it was such a struggle to make it happen physically...
guess it really was a "last" visit on this side...
guess that is another reason we need to make every moment THE moment -- to squeeze every bit of life we possibly can out of each encounter...
really living is about seizing our moments -- making the most out of life...
when i checked my email and read father vern's note that bill had died -- i was hit with a wave of sadness...
i want to be with his mom and dad and family...
i want to do his service...
but, it is today -- in FL...
i can't be here and there -- but, i can pray and send my blessing...
and, i am so glad vern is there -- he is such a blessing -- the family is in good hands...
but, i still wish they were in MY hands...
i will pray for them -- and for vern...
PLEASE -- make the most out of every moment -- THE moments of our lives -- during this holy season...
wish we were all together here in the snow...
and bill, i will eat and drink with you again one day in the kingdom where we will never have to say goodbye...
cheers!
guy
have a merry christmas!!!
i am camped at panera still -- on the border of civilization...
my goal is to "catch up" on days 22-24 which i "lost" due to travel...
and to work ahead for days 25 through Christmas day [#27] which i plan to "lose" with family...
and one bonus entry for day 28...
IF, my battery is up to it...
henri nouwen again on WAITING [does he know how much i hate to WAIT???]: "A waiting person is someone who is present to the moment, believing that THIS moment is THE moment..."
one of my patients has died while i have been away...
i mentioned him earlier in our Advent journey -- the young man with parkinson's that i was blessed to serve communion to on our last visit -- it was such a struggle to make it happen physically...
guess it really was a "last" visit on this side...
guess that is another reason we need to make every moment THE moment -- to squeeze every bit of life we possibly can out of each encounter...
really living is about seizing our moments -- making the most out of life...
when i checked my email and read father vern's note that bill had died -- i was hit with a wave of sadness...
i want to be with his mom and dad and family...
i want to do his service...
but, it is today -- in FL...
i can't be here and there -- but, i can pray and send my blessing...
and, i am so glad vern is there -- he is such a blessing -- the family is in good hands...
but, i still wish they were in MY hands...
i will pray for them -- and for vern...
PLEASE -- make the most out of every moment -- THE moments of our lives -- during this holy season...
wish we were all together here in the snow...
and bill, i will eat and drink with you again one day in the kingdom where we will never have to say goodbye...
cheers!
guy
have a merry christmas!!!
Advent day 22 -- 20 December 2009
greetings!
it is actually wednesday, 12.23 -- i found the internet [at panera bread in uniontown PA] -- "down the mountain" from nancy's parents' home in the boonies...
it is cold...
teens at night -- 30's in the daytime...
we are butt-deep in snow...
it is BEAUTIFUL [because we can leave in a week and get back to FL]...
the sun did peek through for awhile today -- the first time since we left...
the drive was a little over 1100 miles...
we drove sunday until 3 a.m.
we spent the night in wytheville VA because of the black ice that was making travel dangerous in WV...
the roads were OK by monday morning -- but it did "spit" snow on us all the way home to PA...
WE MISS JEEP [our new little white Boxer -- check out the pics josh [posted of our little man]...
we might have lost him in the snow if we had brought him -- ha! ha!
he may have frozen while going out in the northern elements to pee or poop...
on to more spiritual matters...
henri nouwen on WAITING in Luke's gospel: "Those who were waiting had each received a promise that gave them courage and allowed them to wait. They received something that was at work in them, a seed that had started to grow...We too can wait only if what we are waiting for has already begun for us. Waiting is never a movement from nothing to something, but a movement from something to something MORE..."
"Just as a mother feels the child grow in her and is not surprised on the day of the birth but joyfully receives the one she learned to know during her waiting, so Jesus can be born in my life slowly and steadily and be received as the ONE I learned to know while I am waiting..."
what is the SOMETHING MORE you are waiting for this Christmas and in 2010???
blessings from the far north...
guy
missing Jeep...
it is actually wednesday, 12.23 -- i found the internet [at panera bread in uniontown PA] -- "down the mountain" from nancy's parents' home in the boonies...
it is cold...
teens at night -- 30's in the daytime...
we are butt-deep in snow...
it is BEAUTIFUL [because we can leave in a week and get back to FL]...
the sun did peek through for awhile today -- the first time since we left...
the drive was a little over 1100 miles...
we drove sunday until 3 a.m.
we spent the night in wytheville VA because of the black ice that was making travel dangerous in WV...
the roads were OK by monday morning -- but it did "spit" snow on us all the way home to PA...
WE MISS JEEP [our new little white Boxer -- check out the pics josh [posted of our little man]...
we might have lost him in the snow if we had brought him -- ha! ha!
he may have frozen while going out in the northern elements to pee or poop...
on to more spiritual matters...
henri nouwen on WAITING in Luke's gospel: "Those who were waiting had each received a promise that gave them courage and allowed them to wait. They received something that was at work in them, a seed that had started to grow...We too can wait only if what we are waiting for has already begun for us. Waiting is never a movement from nothing to something, but a movement from something to something MORE..."
"Just as a mother feels the child grow in her and is not surprised on the day of the birth but joyfully receives the one she learned to know during her waiting, so Jesus can be born in my life slowly and steadily and be received as the ONE I learned to know while I am waiting..."
what is the SOMETHING MORE you are waiting for this Christmas and in 2010???
blessings from the far north...
guy
missing Jeep...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Advent day 21 -- 19 December 2009
greetings!
two thoughts today...
first, we have a dog...
a beautiful white boxer little boy -- three months old today...
the gracious breeder gave us a "meet and greet" for the day -- he came home with us and it has proved to be a great fit -- we have found our family companion...
josh and i are thrilled...
james was happy too...
and, nancy voted yes and has been playing with him...
he will go home in the morning and spend the next two weeks at his old home while we are in PA for the holy season...
he is so loving...
he is so laid back...
we are already in love...
now, we are actually not dreading the trip home after vacation -- we are looking forward to picking up our little man...
by the way, josh [and all of us together] named him JEEP...
secondly, i spent some more time today reflecting on the death i attended yesterday...
i noticed something about last night's blog -- my first attempt to process a difficult situation for me -- it was heavily characterized by "description" but not so much about feeling and emotion...
i want to work on processing this some more in the next few days...
i want to be true to my heart [my feelings and emotions] and not stay in the cerebral [my mind and rationale]...
always opportunity for growth and improvement...
well, tomorrow morning we leave for PA -- we are looking forward to a two week trip home to be with nancy's folks...
we will stay in TN Sunday night...
finish the drive on Monday...
i hope to have access to internet -- my hope is that we can continue our advent journey together...
well, jeep is awake -- i need to play with him awhile before i hit the sack...
have a blessed advent...
guy
merry christmas!
two thoughts today...
first, we have a dog...
a beautiful white boxer little boy -- three months old today...
the gracious breeder gave us a "meet and greet" for the day -- he came home with us and it has proved to be a great fit -- we have found our family companion...
josh and i are thrilled...
james was happy too...
and, nancy voted yes and has been playing with him...
he will go home in the morning and spend the next two weeks at his old home while we are in PA for the holy season...
he is so loving...
he is so laid back...
we are already in love...
now, we are actually not dreading the trip home after vacation -- we are looking forward to picking up our little man...
by the way, josh [and all of us together] named him JEEP...
secondly, i spent some more time today reflecting on the death i attended yesterday...
i noticed something about last night's blog -- my first attempt to process a difficult situation for me -- it was heavily characterized by "description" but not so much about feeling and emotion...
i want to work on processing this some more in the next few days...
i want to be true to my heart [my feelings and emotions] and not stay in the cerebral [my mind and rationale]...
always opportunity for growth and improvement...
well, tomorrow morning we leave for PA -- we are looking forward to a two week trip home to be with nancy's folks...
we will stay in TN Sunday night...
finish the drive on Monday...
i hope to have access to internet -- my hope is that we can continue our advent journey together...
well, jeep is awake -- i need to play with him awhile before i hit the sack...
have a blessed advent...
guy
merry christmas!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Advent day 20 -- 18 December 2009
greetings!
i was holding jo ann's shoulder today when she died -- i was actually there at the moment her breathing stopped...
it was weird -- and disarming -- it got to me...
the monitor lines went flat...
the digital readouts went to 0...
her chest stopped moving...
i was amazed at how quickly her color changed to ash...
she was suddenly cold...
what a difference...
there is an amazing change in a body when the breath -- the spirit -- leaves...
live exits -- the result is death...
only a shell remains...
this was an intense five hour process...
the patient was VERY sick...
i had to wear a gown, gloves and a mask just to enter SICU...
a little spooky...
her family had decided to remove her vent -- they did not think they could be present for her death -- BUT, they did not want her to be alone...
i gave them my word -- i would stay by her side...
before the vent was pulled out -- we had a family prayer...
these were not religious types -- they were not even sure they believed in God, but Jesus didn't seem to mind -- he was present...
another Jesus sighting...
i shared the good news in the prayer -- for the patient -- for the family -- the Holy Spirit got the message across...
awesome!
the family was comforted -- they voiced peace -- they were OK -- they went home...
i settled in...
sitting...
waiting...
praying out loud...
quoting scripture as i could remember it...
even singing hymns [and NO -- my singing did NOT kill her...]...
several hours went by...
just jo ann and me...
and Jesus...
the med staff was surprised -- she was holding her own even after the life-support vent was removed...
and then she began to fade...
then the decline sped up...
quickly...
suddenly...
she was gone...
just Jesus and me left in the room...
jo ann had been received into the Father's arms...
she was finally home...
Jesus spoke to me about hope...
the hope of advent...
there is more to this life than this life...
hope now -- even greater hope later...
there really is a place called "home"...
a spiritual home where we will finally "belong"...
one day, we can really "go home"...
it was great to hear Jesus and "see" Jesus and feel Jesus...
he came...
as a helpless baby...
he will come...
as a ruling potentate...
he comes...
so many days in so many ways...
as leader and friend...
let's keep looking for him...
happy advent...
guy
maybe we will see Jesus tomorrow...
i was holding jo ann's shoulder today when she died -- i was actually there at the moment her breathing stopped...
it was weird -- and disarming -- it got to me...
the monitor lines went flat...
the digital readouts went to 0...
her chest stopped moving...
i was amazed at how quickly her color changed to ash...
she was suddenly cold...
what a difference...
there is an amazing change in a body when the breath -- the spirit -- leaves...
live exits -- the result is death...
only a shell remains...
this was an intense five hour process...
the patient was VERY sick...
i had to wear a gown, gloves and a mask just to enter SICU...
a little spooky...
her family had decided to remove her vent -- they did not think they could be present for her death -- BUT, they did not want her to be alone...
i gave them my word -- i would stay by her side...
before the vent was pulled out -- we had a family prayer...
these were not religious types -- they were not even sure they believed in God, but Jesus didn't seem to mind -- he was present...
another Jesus sighting...
i shared the good news in the prayer -- for the patient -- for the family -- the Holy Spirit got the message across...
awesome!
the family was comforted -- they voiced peace -- they were OK -- they went home...
i settled in...
sitting...
waiting...
praying out loud...
quoting scripture as i could remember it...
even singing hymns [and NO -- my singing did NOT kill her...]...
several hours went by...
just jo ann and me...
and Jesus...
the med staff was surprised -- she was holding her own even after the life-support vent was removed...
and then she began to fade...
then the decline sped up...
quickly...
suddenly...
she was gone...
just Jesus and me left in the room...
jo ann had been received into the Father's arms...
she was finally home...
Jesus spoke to me about hope...
the hope of advent...
there is more to this life than this life...
hope now -- even greater hope later...
there really is a place called "home"...
a spiritual home where we will finally "belong"...
one day, we can really "go home"...
it was great to hear Jesus and "see" Jesus and feel Jesus...
he came...
as a helpless baby...
he will come...
as a ruling potentate...
he comes...
so many days in so many ways...
as leader and friend...
let's keep looking for him...
happy advent...
guy
maybe we will see Jesus tomorrow...
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Advent day 19 - 17 December 2009
greetings!
advent has been awesome this year!
Jesus showed up again today -- another "salvation sighting"...
i was at the hub [the tampa underground warehouse] for the thursday night banquet [our opportunity to serve the poor of our city by feeding them a free hot meal] -- a load of folks showed up tonight for the meal...
so many hungry people...
as we were dishing up the food, i prepared a takeout plate for one of my poorest hospice patients -- BR -- who is staying at a rundown motel on the sex strip in the central city area of tampa [nebraska avenue]...
[BR is only 49 -- already a grandmother several times over -- dying of cancer in her breast, brain, lungs and bones...]
she lost her section 8 apartment awhile back -- it takes almost all her monthly check just for staying off the street in this suspect [and seedy] motel -- not enough money left for food...
i was talking to a friend from the underground [our church] who is a ministry leader for the banquet -- he and his community had been praying about BR's plight -- while we were serving together tonight, he asked if she might like to move into their home since they had an empty room...
what a gesture of love -- two families living together in this home with a spare bedroom -- willing to share with a person in need...
in his eyes -- i saw another Jesus sighting...
JS rode with me to deliver the food to BR -- they talked for awhile and set up a time to show her the room...
i saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes...
there it was -- i saw it again -- a Jesus sighting...
i am so blessed...
may the Lord always give us eyes to see and ears to hear -- the beauty and wonder of Jesus who is our salvation...
i love these ongoing, inspiring and humbling glimpses of Jesus...
have a blessed advent...
guy
may we all see Jesus in some way tomorrow...
advent has been awesome this year!
Jesus showed up again today -- another "salvation sighting"...
i was at the hub [the tampa underground warehouse] for the thursday night banquet [our opportunity to serve the poor of our city by feeding them a free hot meal] -- a load of folks showed up tonight for the meal...
so many hungry people...
as we were dishing up the food, i prepared a takeout plate for one of my poorest hospice patients -- BR -- who is staying at a rundown motel on the sex strip in the central city area of tampa [nebraska avenue]...
[BR is only 49 -- already a grandmother several times over -- dying of cancer in her breast, brain, lungs and bones...]
she lost her section 8 apartment awhile back -- it takes almost all her monthly check just for staying off the street in this suspect [and seedy] motel -- not enough money left for food...
i was talking to a friend from the underground [our church] who is a ministry leader for the banquet -- he and his community had been praying about BR's plight -- while we were serving together tonight, he asked if she might like to move into their home since they had an empty room...
what a gesture of love -- two families living together in this home with a spare bedroom -- willing to share with a person in need...
in his eyes -- i saw another Jesus sighting...
JS rode with me to deliver the food to BR -- they talked for awhile and set up a time to show her the room...
i saw a glimmer of hope in her eyes...
there it was -- i saw it again -- a Jesus sighting...
i am so blessed...
may the Lord always give us eyes to see and ears to hear -- the beauty and wonder of Jesus who is our salvation...
i love these ongoing, inspiring and humbling glimpses of Jesus...
have a blessed advent...
guy
may we all see Jesus in some way tomorrow...
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Advent day 18 - 16 December 2009
greetings!
i am very tired...
but, i saw Jesus again today...
in a COPD patient who struggles to breathe -- i mean she really struggles...
i do not know how she does it...
how does she keep her peace when she can barely breathe?
she is down to only 70 pounds -- she can barely eat and breathe at the same time...
her body is emaciated -- all i can see is bones -- can she lose any more weight?
but, she is at peace...
she has Jesus...
she may struggle to breathe physically, but she takes deep breaths of the wind of the Spirit!
i see Jesus in MS as she lives in unshakeable peace amidst the storm of COPD...
blessings!
guy
merry christmas...
i am very tired...
but, i saw Jesus again today...
in a COPD patient who struggles to breathe -- i mean she really struggles...
i do not know how she does it...
how does she keep her peace when she can barely breathe?
she is down to only 70 pounds -- she can barely eat and breathe at the same time...
her body is emaciated -- all i can see is bones -- can she lose any more weight?
but, she is at peace...
she has Jesus...
she may struggle to breathe physically, but she takes deep breaths of the wind of the Spirit!
i see Jesus in MS as she lives in unshakeable peace amidst the storm of COPD...
blessings!
guy
merry christmas...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Advent day 17 - 15 December 2009
greetings!
Henri Nouwen on the WAITING that characterizes Advent: "It is not a passive waiting, it is very active...Right here is the secret for us about waiting. If we wait in the conviction that a seed has been planted and that something has already begun, it changes the way we wait. Active waiting implies being fully present to the moment with the conviction that something is happening where we are and that we want to be present to it. A waiting person is someone who is present to the moment, believing that this moment is THE moment..."
how well do we WAIT???
how present are we in THE moment???
do we actually encounter Jesus in our waiting???
shalom...
guy
Henri Nouwen on the WAITING that characterizes Advent: "It is not a passive waiting, it is very active...Right here is the secret for us about waiting. If we wait in the conviction that a seed has been planted and that something has already begun, it changes the way we wait. Active waiting implies being fully present to the moment with the conviction that something is happening where we are and that we want to be present to it. A waiting person is someone who is present to the moment, believing that this moment is THE moment..."
how well do we WAIT???
how present are we in THE moment???
do we actually encounter Jesus in our waiting???
shalom...
guy
Monday, December 14, 2009
Advent day 16 - 14 December 2009
greetings!
yesterday, i suggested that [for me] the best word for SALVATION is LIFE!
LIFE that comes from the LIFE-GIVER -- Jesus...
so, what does this LIFE "look like"???
for me, LIFE includes the following...
FORGIVENESS...coming into intimate relationship with God [experiencing forgiveness and extending forgiveness to others] -- no more guilt and shame...
REVELATION...life is all about vision and direction -- God giving sight to us even in our moments of blindness and darkness -- God leading us into our sweetspot...
FREEDOM...being liberated from the chains and locks of bondage -- taking a deep and refreshing breath of freedom...
SERVICE...finding joy is serving others [rather than always being served] -- being surprised by the ascendancy of giving over receiving -- something our culture does not grasp...
HEALING...for now and forever...healing always comes to God's children [but not always in this world] -- as we hope in the Lord our strength is renewed...
PEACE...just may be the most treasured of all gifts as we walk the spiritual journey of life -- God will keep in perfect peace ALL those who trust in him...
LOVE...the cosmic glue that holds the universe together -- both now and forever...
SALVATION = LIFE [as experienced above]...
the bottom line...
in several conversations of late -- where people have told me they had been recently "saved" -- the testimony was the same -- word for word...
"Jesus gave me my life back -- I was at the point where I had NO life -- but now I have the life of Jesus...
it is almost impossible to argue with this...
blessings!
guy
may each of us experience the fullness of LIFE that Jesus offers during this Advent season...
yesterday, i suggested that [for me] the best word for SALVATION is LIFE!
LIFE that comes from the LIFE-GIVER -- Jesus...
so, what does this LIFE "look like"???
for me, LIFE includes the following...
FORGIVENESS...coming into intimate relationship with God [experiencing forgiveness and extending forgiveness to others] -- no more guilt and shame...
REVELATION...life is all about vision and direction -- God giving sight to us even in our moments of blindness and darkness -- God leading us into our sweetspot...
FREEDOM...being liberated from the chains and locks of bondage -- taking a deep and refreshing breath of freedom...
SERVICE...finding joy is serving others [rather than always being served] -- being surprised by the ascendancy of giving over receiving -- something our culture does not grasp...
HEALING...for now and forever...healing always comes to God's children [but not always in this world] -- as we hope in the Lord our strength is renewed...
PEACE...just may be the most treasured of all gifts as we walk the spiritual journey of life -- God will keep in perfect peace ALL those who trust in him...
LOVE...the cosmic glue that holds the universe together -- both now and forever...
SALVATION = LIFE [as experienced above]...
the bottom line...
in several conversations of late -- where people have told me they had been recently "saved" -- the testimony was the same -- word for word...
"Jesus gave me my life back -- I was at the point where I had NO life -- but now I have the life of Jesus...
it is almost impossible to argue with this...
blessings!
guy
may each of us experience the fullness of LIFE that Jesus offers during this Advent season...
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Advent day 15 - 13 December 2009
greetings!
great weekend -- but LONG weekend...
spent last night camping at Lake Blue Cypress in Yee Haw Junction...
so much fun sitting around the fire with Matt, Josh and my Dad...
i have never seen my Dad talk so much -- he was still going strong at 1 a.m.
up early for a cool breakfast with Glenn in Ft Pierce at Cracker Barrell...
shared the Word with my good friends at Trinity EPC in Ft Pierce...
back to the lake and fished until dark -- it was so gorgeous [but hot]...
then the 100+ miles drive home...
remember our thought for the day -- what does "salvation" mean???
my best thought is that "salvation" could best be translated as "LIFE" -- Jesus actually gives us our LIFE back -- a full life, an abundant life, life the way God always intended for it to be -- when we come into relationship with him...
LIFE...
what do you think???
more tomorrow...
i didn't get much sleep last night -- i hear my bed calling...
shalom...
guy
have a blessed Advent...
great weekend -- but LONG weekend...
spent last night camping at Lake Blue Cypress in Yee Haw Junction...
so much fun sitting around the fire with Matt, Josh and my Dad...
i have never seen my Dad talk so much -- he was still going strong at 1 a.m.
up early for a cool breakfast with Glenn in Ft Pierce at Cracker Barrell...
shared the Word with my good friends at Trinity EPC in Ft Pierce...
back to the lake and fished until dark -- it was so gorgeous [but hot]...
then the 100+ miles drive home...
remember our thought for the day -- what does "salvation" mean???
my best thought is that "salvation" could best be translated as "LIFE" -- Jesus actually gives us our LIFE back -- a full life, an abundant life, life the way God always intended for it to be -- when we come into relationship with him...
LIFE...
what do you think???
more tomorrow...
i didn't get much sleep last night -- i hear my bed calling...
shalom...
guy
have a blessed Advent...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Advent day 14 - 12 December 2009
Greetings!
I am on my way out of town for overnight...
Josh and I are going to Lake Blue Cypress in Yee Haw Junction to fish with my dad and spend the night camping -- it is only a 40 minute drive from the lake to Trinity EPC where I am preaching in the morning...
Needless to say, there is no internet access at the lake -- it is actually very beautiful and very primitive...
So, I will check back in with you on Sunday night when I return...
One question for us to ponder overnight based on yesterday's reflection...
IF, when we SEE Jesus, we SEE the Father's salvation -- then what is SALVATION???
I grew up with a very narrow definition -- it consisted mostly of repeating a prayer and getting a ticket to heaven when I died [as opposed to a one-way sentence to hell] -- I have come to believe that SALVATION is DIFFERENT from this and MUCH MORE than this...
What do you think???
Talk to you tomorrow...
Guy
Blessings!
I am on my way out of town for overnight...
Josh and I are going to Lake Blue Cypress in Yee Haw Junction to fish with my dad and spend the night camping -- it is only a 40 minute drive from the lake to Trinity EPC where I am preaching in the morning...
Needless to say, there is no internet access at the lake -- it is actually very beautiful and very primitive...
So, I will check back in with you on Sunday night when I return...
One question for us to ponder overnight based on yesterday's reflection...
IF, when we SEE Jesus, we SEE the Father's salvation -- then what is SALVATION???
I grew up with a very narrow definition -- it consisted mostly of repeating a prayer and getting a ticket to heaven when I died [as opposed to a one-way sentence to hell] -- I have come to believe that SALVATION is DIFFERENT from this and MUCH MORE than this...
What do you think???
Talk to you tomorrow...
Guy
Blessings!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Advent day 13 - 11 December 2009
Greetings!
I usually always have an opportunity to read a short passage of scripture to each of my patients when I visit...
Today, I read the same passage all day long -- Luke 2.25-35 -- the same passage I am preaching on this Sunday in Ft Pierce...
One phrase really stood out from the prophecy of Simeon: "I have seen the Savior you have given to all people..."
Another translation says: "Now I have seen your salvation..."
The advent of Jesus brought salvation -- the ongoing advents of Jesus continue to bring salvation...
When our eyes are anointed by the Holy Spirit, revelation is an ongoing reality -- we SEE Jesus and we SEE salvation -- over and over and over again...
My last visit today was with Mr Williams -- he is always my last visit on Friday -- I have the opportunity to serve him by dropping off his weekend food...
I think he "sees" Jesus every week when his food shows up...
Today, he got visibly excited when we read this scripture -- he said to me: "I know dat's right -- I sees Jesus all da time -- ya jus gotta be lookin for 'im..."
Mr Williams is right on...
During Advent -- and far beyond -- let's just keep "looking for him..."
Shalom...
guy
A favor -- please pray for me on Sunday at 10.30 -- I will be preaching at Trinity EPC in Ft Pierce...
THANKS!!!
I usually always have an opportunity to read a short passage of scripture to each of my patients when I visit...
Today, I read the same passage all day long -- Luke 2.25-35 -- the same passage I am preaching on this Sunday in Ft Pierce...
One phrase really stood out from the prophecy of Simeon: "I have seen the Savior you have given to all people..."
Another translation says: "Now I have seen your salvation..."
The advent of Jesus brought salvation -- the ongoing advents of Jesus continue to bring salvation...
When our eyes are anointed by the Holy Spirit, revelation is an ongoing reality -- we SEE Jesus and we SEE salvation -- over and over and over again...
My last visit today was with Mr Williams -- he is always my last visit on Friday -- I have the opportunity to serve him by dropping off his weekend food...
I think he "sees" Jesus every week when his food shows up...
Today, he got visibly excited when we read this scripture -- he said to me: "I know dat's right -- I sees Jesus all da time -- ya jus gotta be lookin for 'im..."
Mr Williams is right on...
During Advent -- and far beyond -- let's just keep "looking for him..."
Shalom...
guy
A favor -- please pray for me on Sunday at 10.30 -- I will be preaching at Trinity EPC in Ft Pierce...
THANKS!!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Advent day 12 - 10 December 2009
Good evening...
I love what Richard Rohr has to say about SELF RESPECT:
"You cannot give yourself away until you have a self...It seems to me the people who have the best sense of self, who don't constantly need to have it affirmed or stroked, are people with self-respecting boundaries. They are always people who, in some way or another, know how to set limits to their lives and know, quite simply, how to say NO to themselves. They have an appropriate sense of boundaries and an instinctive sense of their own center...That is precisely the way the ego is formed -- NOT by pandering to the self, but in fact by setting limits to its voracious appetites. That gives ego the boudaries and the center that it needs. You are SOMETHING, it tells you, because there is something there you can say NO to. The SACRED NO to the self, ironically, gives us a sense of self-respect. Continued YESES to the self are actually a humiliation of the ego..."
I wish I would have known this in my 20s, 30s and early 40s -- I was clueless...
Sometimes an out of control ego passes itself off as spirituality -- I had few boundaries in mininstry for most of my life -- thought I could do it all -- guess I was playing "god" and not doing a very good job...
I didn't say NO enough -- this lack of boudaries caused me to lose my center -- with God, myself, my family and my real friends...
I cared too much about what other people thought -- if I didn't say the compulsive YES, they may not like me...
At 50, I don't care as much about what people think...
I have discovered the sacred NO -- now, I do have something to give -- my self -- because I have a center -- I have some boundaries -- I experience seasons of fullness and overflowing...
There is greater fulfillment in giving when you have something inside to give...
In my days of the driven YES, I was always running on empty -- trying to give away something I did not have -- what stress...
Now, there is more peace -- not all the time -- but the journey is moving in the right direction...
How was your day???
I had another day filled with advents of Jesus...
My first visit was deep in the 'hood -- this is the rooming house where crack is routinely sold in the parking lot -- I also met a BIG white pit bull today [I was blessed with a lick instead of a mangling]. I never saw him coming as I walked toward the door until it was too late -- I knew I couldn't outrun him -- I was too far from the Scion and not close enough to the door -- no man's land. When he got to me, I extended my hand for a sniff -- I still have my hand -- he licked it...
Praise the Lord...
Once inside, I met the patient...
JB was my age...
Nothing but skin and bones...
Very little hair left -- I could actually see the bones protruding from her face...
No teeth...
A blank stare -- there was nothing in her eyes...
She turned sexual tricks for drugs on Nebraska Avenue until there was no longer a market for her body...
She smoked crack for years...
In fact, she was open -- "I still smoke crack..."
She is dying of HIV / aids...
She opened up and told me of bondage...
"Dat ole devil done wrapped me up in strong chains and locked me up wid a big ol' lock -- he done throwed away da key..."
I was broken...
Don't ever question the reality of evil -- the plan of darkness -- I was looking at all the theological truth I will ever need...
The thief had been stealing, killing and destroying Ms JB for years...
Pain and suffering causes openness -- the kindness of God brings about repentance -- love and acceptance breaks down walls of guilt and shame...
Jesus was present -- another advent -- on Commanche Avenue in the 'hood...
We held hands and talked to Jesus...
Ms JB knew that it was advent -- she knew that Jesus was there -- she prayed to him and started the journey of life -- life to the full...
She may die -- but she will never DIE!
She may give up her physical breath -- but never the breath of the Spirit who filled her today...
One of the best parts -- I get to join her on her journey...
I have time now to do so now -- no budget meetings -- no city council meetings -- no big pulpit to fill -- no dignitaries to entertain -- I am NOT that important now...
Or, maybe I am more important than I have ever been -- at least to the JBs of the world...
She will die well -- thanks to Jesus and me...
My heart is so full tonight -- happy Advent to you and yours...
Shalom...
guy
Josh and I are going to "try out" a one year old Boxer on Sunday after I preach in Ft Pierce...
I love what Richard Rohr has to say about SELF RESPECT:
"You cannot give yourself away until you have a self...It seems to me the people who have the best sense of self, who don't constantly need to have it affirmed or stroked, are people with self-respecting boundaries. They are always people who, in some way or another, know how to set limits to their lives and know, quite simply, how to say NO to themselves. They have an appropriate sense of boundaries and an instinctive sense of their own center...That is precisely the way the ego is formed -- NOT by pandering to the self, but in fact by setting limits to its voracious appetites. That gives ego the boudaries and the center that it needs. You are SOMETHING, it tells you, because there is something there you can say NO to. The SACRED NO to the self, ironically, gives us a sense of self-respect. Continued YESES to the self are actually a humiliation of the ego..."
I wish I would have known this in my 20s, 30s and early 40s -- I was clueless...
Sometimes an out of control ego passes itself off as spirituality -- I had few boundaries in mininstry for most of my life -- thought I could do it all -- guess I was playing "god" and not doing a very good job...
I didn't say NO enough -- this lack of boudaries caused me to lose my center -- with God, myself, my family and my real friends...
I cared too much about what other people thought -- if I didn't say the compulsive YES, they may not like me...
At 50, I don't care as much about what people think...
I have discovered the sacred NO -- now, I do have something to give -- my self -- because I have a center -- I have some boundaries -- I experience seasons of fullness and overflowing...
There is greater fulfillment in giving when you have something inside to give...
In my days of the driven YES, I was always running on empty -- trying to give away something I did not have -- what stress...
Now, there is more peace -- not all the time -- but the journey is moving in the right direction...
How was your day???
I had another day filled with advents of Jesus...
My first visit was deep in the 'hood -- this is the rooming house where crack is routinely sold in the parking lot -- I also met a BIG white pit bull today [I was blessed with a lick instead of a mangling]. I never saw him coming as I walked toward the door until it was too late -- I knew I couldn't outrun him -- I was too far from the Scion and not close enough to the door -- no man's land. When he got to me, I extended my hand for a sniff -- I still have my hand -- he licked it...
Praise the Lord...
Once inside, I met the patient...
JB was my age...
Nothing but skin and bones...
Very little hair left -- I could actually see the bones protruding from her face...
No teeth...
A blank stare -- there was nothing in her eyes...
She turned sexual tricks for drugs on Nebraska Avenue until there was no longer a market for her body...
She smoked crack for years...
In fact, she was open -- "I still smoke crack..."
She is dying of HIV / aids...
She opened up and told me of bondage...
"Dat ole devil done wrapped me up in strong chains and locked me up wid a big ol' lock -- he done throwed away da key..."
I was broken...
Don't ever question the reality of evil -- the plan of darkness -- I was looking at all the theological truth I will ever need...
The thief had been stealing, killing and destroying Ms JB for years...
Pain and suffering causes openness -- the kindness of God brings about repentance -- love and acceptance breaks down walls of guilt and shame...
Jesus was present -- another advent -- on Commanche Avenue in the 'hood...
We held hands and talked to Jesus...
Ms JB knew that it was advent -- she knew that Jesus was there -- she prayed to him and started the journey of life -- life to the full...
She may die -- but she will never DIE!
She may give up her physical breath -- but never the breath of the Spirit who filled her today...
One of the best parts -- I get to join her on her journey...
I have time now to do so now -- no budget meetings -- no city council meetings -- no big pulpit to fill -- no dignitaries to entertain -- I am NOT that important now...
Or, maybe I am more important than I have ever been -- at least to the JBs of the world...
She will die well -- thanks to Jesus and me...
My heart is so full tonight -- happy Advent to you and yours...
Shalom...
guy
Josh and I are going to "try out" a one year old Boxer on Sunday after I preach in Ft Pierce...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Advent day 11 - 9 December 2009
Greetings!
Would you like to hear some Good News for Advent?
From Henri Nouwen: "God, in total freedom, has decided to love us...Jesus is the revelation of God's unending, unconditional love for us human beings...Everything that Jesus has done, said and undergone is meant to show us that the love we most long for is given to us by God -- not because we've deserved it, but because God is a God of love...What God asks of us is to have faith in that love...When Jesus talks about faith, he means first of all to trust unreservedly that you are loved by God."
Our greatest claim to fame is that we are BELOVED CHILDREN OF GOD -- nothing else even comes close to this reality...
Sleep tight...
Shalom...
Guy
Would you like to hear some Good News for Advent?
From Henri Nouwen: "God, in total freedom, has decided to love us...Jesus is the revelation of God's unending, unconditional love for us human beings...Everything that Jesus has done, said and undergone is meant to show us that the love we most long for is given to us by God -- not because we've deserved it, but because God is a God of love...What God asks of us is to have faith in that love...When Jesus talks about faith, he means first of all to trust unreservedly that you are loved by God."
Our greatest claim to fame is that we are BELOVED CHILDREN OF GOD -- nothing else even comes close to this reality...
Sleep tight...
Shalom...
Guy
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Advent day 10 - 8 December 2009
Greetings!
Advent was in the air today -- I spotted Jesus several times during the course of my day...
I saw him in the smile of a blind patient who was blessed with the New Testament on cassette and a small tape player to listen to the cassettes when I visited this morning -- she was so thrilled -- her smile lit up the whole room!
I saw him when I placed the communion elements in the mouth of a young man dying of Parkinson's -- the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine -- today just may have been his last Lord's Supper...
I saw him in a plain envelope I was given this morning that had a $20 bill sealed in it -- just a couple of hours after I had asked the Lord for some cash to buy a few groceries for BR -- guess Jesus wanted to do a modern day loaves and fishes thing...
I saw him in the hope that resurged in BR's eyes when I dropped by her run-down motel at the corner of Nebraska and MLK [not the better section of Tampa -- ha! ha!] and unloaded a couple of bags of groceries --I never knew how much a deli chicken meal could mean to a person in need -- she had been kicked out of her daughter's home ON THANKSGIVING DAY for eating to much food and not paying enough rent... WOW! The rejection had been overwhelming for BR -- a 49 year old grandma dying from cancer...
I saw Jesus today...
Over and over again...
Not in Bethlehem 2000 years ago but in inner city Tampa TODAY...
I was so surprised, BUT should I be?
Maybe Jesus is always coming to us again and again but I just don't make the space to see and experience him...
Maybe Advent happens all day every day...
When I am in tune with Jesus in spirit and truth!
From Rohr: "We have tried so hard to be OK, to affirm one another and give ourselves a positive personal regard. The self-esteem movement is a national business...If what I am seeing in the American Church is the fruit of all that stroking, I do NOT think it is working at all. In fact, it seems like these folks need a fix every few days. Many seem incapable of really grasping the good news, taking it into their hearts, standing with it and moving forward with it to lives of surrender, service and silence. Instead, it's a world of noise and weak identity, where we need constant reassurance, someone to be holding our hand all the time and telling us, 'You're good. God loves you.'"
Maybe we need to escape ourselves and find Jesus in the eyes and smiles of those we serve -- maybe our experience of God would be transformed IF it focused on GIVING and NOT just RECEIVING!
Maybe we should be like Jesus -- a person for others [as Bonhoeffer noted]...
Join me in the surprise of joy -- the experience of Jesus afresh -- as we serve someone tomorrow...
Blessings!
Guy
If I haven't told you lately -- HAPPY ADVENT!!!
Advent was in the air today -- I spotted Jesus several times during the course of my day...
I saw him in the smile of a blind patient who was blessed with the New Testament on cassette and a small tape player to listen to the cassettes when I visited this morning -- she was so thrilled -- her smile lit up the whole room!
I saw him when I placed the communion elements in the mouth of a young man dying of Parkinson's -- the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine -- today just may have been his last Lord's Supper...
I saw him in a plain envelope I was given this morning that had a $20 bill sealed in it -- just a couple of hours after I had asked the Lord for some cash to buy a few groceries for BR -- guess Jesus wanted to do a modern day loaves and fishes thing...
I saw him in the hope that resurged in BR's eyes when I dropped by her run-down motel at the corner of Nebraska and MLK [not the better section of Tampa -- ha! ha!] and unloaded a couple of bags of groceries --I never knew how much a deli chicken meal could mean to a person in need -- she had been kicked out of her daughter's home ON THANKSGIVING DAY for eating to much food and not paying enough rent... WOW! The rejection had been overwhelming for BR -- a 49 year old grandma dying from cancer...
I saw Jesus today...
Over and over again...
Not in Bethlehem 2000 years ago but in inner city Tampa TODAY...
I was so surprised, BUT should I be?
Maybe Jesus is always coming to us again and again but I just don't make the space to see and experience him...
Maybe Advent happens all day every day...
When I am in tune with Jesus in spirit and truth!
From Rohr: "We have tried so hard to be OK, to affirm one another and give ourselves a positive personal regard. The self-esteem movement is a national business...If what I am seeing in the American Church is the fruit of all that stroking, I do NOT think it is working at all. In fact, it seems like these folks need a fix every few days. Many seem incapable of really grasping the good news, taking it into their hearts, standing with it and moving forward with it to lives of surrender, service and silence. Instead, it's a world of noise and weak identity, where we need constant reassurance, someone to be holding our hand all the time and telling us, 'You're good. God loves you.'"
Maybe we need to escape ourselves and find Jesus in the eyes and smiles of those we serve -- maybe our experience of God would be transformed IF it focused on GIVING and NOT just RECEIVING!
Maybe we should be like Jesus -- a person for others [as Bonhoeffer noted]...
Join me in the surprise of joy -- the experience of Jesus afresh -- as we serve someone tomorrow...
Blessings!
Guy
If I haven't told you lately -- HAPPY ADVENT!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Advent day 9 - 7 December 2009
Greetings!
I was already in bed and then it dawned on me -- I forgot to blog!!!
So I am back up -- blogging with you and checking out the Monday Night Football game...
From Nouwen: "Christian community is the place where we keep the flame of hope alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us. In this way we can live with courage, trusting that there is a spiritual power in us when we are together that allows us to live us to live in this world without surrendering to the powerful forces constantly seducing us toward despair. That is how we dare to say that God is a God of love when we see hatred all around us. That is why we can claim that God is a God of life even when we see death and destruction and agony all around us. We say it together. We affirm it in each other. Waiting together, nurturing what has already begun, expecting its fulfillment -- that is the meaning of marriage, friendship and the Christian life..."
We are better because we are walking TOGETHER...
Off to bed...
Guy
I was already in bed and then it dawned on me -- I forgot to blog!!!
So I am back up -- blogging with you and checking out the Monday Night Football game...
From Nouwen: "Christian community is the place where we keep the flame of hope alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us. In this way we can live with courage, trusting that there is a spiritual power in us when we are together that allows us to live us to live in this world without surrendering to the powerful forces constantly seducing us toward despair. That is how we dare to say that God is a God of love when we see hatred all around us. That is why we can claim that God is a God of life even when we see death and destruction and agony all around us. We say it together. We affirm it in each other. Waiting together, nurturing what has already begun, expecting its fulfillment -- that is the meaning of marriage, friendship and the Christian life..."
We are better because we are walking TOGETHER...
Off to bed...
Guy
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Advent day 8 - 6 December 2009
Greetings!
What an awesome day at the tampa underground [church]...
[check us out at www.tampaunderground.com]
It is a beautiful thing to see the Good News shared with the poor -- especially the hungry, the homeless, the addicted, the transients, the working girls, the thrown away of our society [and other recovering sinners like me] -- those of us who are poor enough in their spirit that they truly realize their need for God...
We are seeing the poor welcomed in -- included in the community -- plugging into our micro churches -- experiencing the lavish love of the Father [and the affection of the other children in the underground family]...
The initial advent of Jesus was precisely for this purpose -- sharing the Good News with the poor...
On the second Sunday of Advent [and most every Sunday] -- we see Jesus coming afresh in the life of our community -- making sure the message gets through to everyone...
To be real -- aren't we all "poor" -- but some of us [unfortunately] have enough material resources that we don't always realize it -- we hide our poverty behind the facade of our prosperity...
Advent reminds me of my poverty -- of my need -- and of God's radical grace...
Advent reminds me that my identity is established by God's love -- I AM HIS BELOVED CHILD -- not by my own performance...
Advent reminds me [as Brian said so passionately this morning] -- Jesus always comes when we cry out -- he shows up in our puddle of tears -- he is always present in the crucible of human suffering and pain...
Do we care enough to weep over the pain of our world?
If we do -- from our heart -- we will see Jesus come afresh...
As for Nouwen: "A waiting person is a patient person. The word 'patience' implies the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us. Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Impatient people expect the real thing to happen somewhere else, and therefore they want to get away from the present situation and go elsewhere. For them, the moment is empty. But patient people dare to stay right where they are -- WAITING!"
Let's be fully present right where we are and WAIT aggressively...
Blessings!
Guy
Josh and I almost got a dog tonight -- we looked at a Boxer, but the situation did not "feel" right...
What an awesome day at the tampa underground [church]...
[check us out at www.tampaunderground.com]
It is a beautiful thing to see the Good News shared with the poor -- especially the hungry, the homeless, the addicted, the transients, the working girls, the thrown away of our society [and other recovering sinners like me] -- those of us who are poor enough in their spirit that they truly realize their need for God...
We are seeing the poor welcomed in -- included in the community -- plugging into our micro churches -- experiencing the lavish love of the Father [and the affection of the other children in the underground family]...
The initial advent of Jesus was precisely for this purpose -- sharing the Good News with the poor...
On the second Sunday of Advent [and most every Sunday] -- we see Jesus coming afresh in the life of our community -- making sure the message gets through to everyone...
To be real -- aren't we all "poor" -- but some of us [unfortunately] have enough material resources that we don't always realize it -- we hide our poverty behind the facade of our prosperity...
Advent reminds me of my poverty -- of my need -- and of God's radical grace...
Advent reminds me that my identity is established by God's love -- I AM HIS BELOVED CHILD -- not by my own performance...
Advent reminds me [as Brian said so passionately this morning] -- Jesus always comes when we cry out -- he shows up in our puddle of tears -- he is always present in the crucible of human suffering and pain...
Do we care enough to weep over the pain of our world?
If we do -- from our heart -- we will see Jesus come afresh...
As for Nouwen: "A waiting person is a patient person. The word 'patience' implies the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us. Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. Impatient people expect the real thing to happen somewhere else, and therefore they want to get away from the present situation and go elsewhere. For them, the moment is empty. But patient people dare to stay right where they are -- WAITING!"
Let's be fully present right where we are and WAIT aggressively...
Blessings!
Guy
Josh and I almost got a dog tonight -- we looked at a Boxer, but the situation did not "feel" right...
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Advent day 7 - 5 December 2009
Greetings!
I spent all day serving at THE JESUS ENCOUNTER weekend at the tampa underground -- what a BLESSING...
We had about 75 participants -- they were showered with the lavish love of God -- many people testified that they had NEVER felt so loved in all of their lives -- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
I gave a talk on walking in spiritual FREEDOM -- I will attach it to the end of today's blog [if I can figure out how -- ha! ha!]
I am so tired -- I have that awesome feeling you get when you are totally spent for a very great cause -- it was worth it tonight and today...
Now to Nouwen...
"The deepest joys come not from the money we earn, the friends we surround ourselves with or the results we achieve. Rather, we are whom God made us to be in his infinite love. We are the gifts we are given, not just the conquests we make. as long as we running around, anxiously trying to affirm ourselves or be affirmed by others, we remain blind to One who has loved us first, dwells in our heart and has formed our truest self."
God's love is a gift -- undeserved, unconditional and unending -- it never comes as a result of our performance BUT as a result of who we are and who God is -- we are the beloved children of the consummate Lover...
Have a great night's sleep...
guy
Freedom Talk
The Jesus Encounter Weekend
The Tampa Underground
5 December 2009
Guy M. Glass
Our FREEDOM in Christ is directly related to our KNOWING and APPLYING the TRUTH in our lives – please close your eyes and listen to several true truths from God’s word…
1 John 3.1: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!
Jesus in John 10.10: The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Ephesians 6.12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 5.8: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Jesus praying to the Father in John 17.15-17: My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Galatians 5.1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery…
Jesus in John 8.32, 36: You will know the truth [me] and [I] the truth will set you free…so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!
SPIRITUAL REALITY – let’s start TOGETHER in our understanding – these five truths will be our starting point…
1. Jesus wants to reveal the Father’s lavish love to US – Jesus wants US to walk in truth and be FREE…
2. Satan wants to blind us and destroy us – he wants our life to be a miserable existence characterized by frustration and ropes of BONDAGE…
3. There is a spiritual battle going on – Jesus [good] vs. Satan [evil] in the battlefield of our minds – we cannot opt out of this very real war – every human person has been drafted [conscripted]…
4. The war is NOT between two EQUAL yet OPPOSING powers – Jesus is the Lord of all –Satan is already defeated [his only power is in deception] – he entangles us in ropes of bondage through deceiving us with lies…
5. We can be FREE through Jesus – it is God’s will for each of us as his beloved children to be released from habitual sins, soul ties, generational sins, patterns of bondage and a defeated walk of frustration and failure – the ropes can be cut > SET FREE!
KNOWING THE ROPES…
[have the team bring out the ropes and loosely bind the hands of the participants]
By definition: soul ties are ungodly bonds formed between the souls of people for the purpose of control, manipulation or domination.
What begins so simply, and sometimes innocently, can have devastating and lasting impact – leave us feeling hopeless in our bondage…
We open doors to the ropes…
1. The occult – especially inquiries into the future [horoscopes]…
2. New Age indoctrination – Secrets…
3. Addictive chemical behaviors [abusing] – drugs, alcohol, food, prescription drugs, etc.
4. Abortion…
5. Sexual violation – abuse, molestation, incest, trauma, etc.
6. Addictive sexual behaviors – pornography, lust, exploitation, visualization, fantasy, etc.
7. Personal choices – especially rebellion [often lived out through unhealthy relationships and willful / damaging behaviors]…
8. Sexual sharing outside the marriage covenant – the unique sin [power]…
9. Family of origin issues [ideological biases, prejudice, generational sin patterns, nationalism, enculturation, pride, control, bitterness, culture of honor, music, etc.]…
10. Religion [pride, exclusivist, compromise, heresy, manipulation, exploitation, following institutions rather than Jesus, missing the point, etc.]…
HOW did we get roped in???
Satan’s strategy for binding us with the ropes…
1. Temptation: this is such a small thing; it really does not matter…
2. Condemnation: you did what? God will never forgive you of that…
3. Attacks identity: do you really think you are a child of God when you are so sinful?
4. Questions the Father’s love: do you think God loves hypocrites like you? You might as well just give it up!
5. Hopelessness, bondage and fear: who am I? [Paul in Romans 7.24: what a wretched man I am – who will rescue me from this body of death? THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO DELIVERS ME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!]
GETTING FREE…
Jesus wants to cut our ropes and set us free from habitual sins…
1. Get honest and confess specifically [agree with God] and walk in community > [confront denial; stop rationalizing; start with the truth no matter how painful; forsake deception > run to the light]…
1 John 1.9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James 5.16: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
2. Submit to God, repent [change of mind] and receive his strength…
James 4.7, 10: Submit yourselves, then, to God…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
3. Resist the evil one…
James 4.7: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
4. Close the door [renounce the lies / sins specifically; choose truth; seize your authority as a beloved child of the Father to speak release; with the sword of the Spirit, cut the ropes and trust God to break the bondages]…
2 Corinthians 10.5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ…
We have the authority, in the name of Jesus, to break these bonds and walk in our freedom as beloved children of God. In the final analysis, this is not so much a POWER encounter as it is a TRUTH encounter!
John 4.24: God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth…
5. Give ourselves fully to God and walk in intimacy one day at a time…
Romans 12.1: Offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is true worship! Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will…
My long walk to FREEDOM…
[after my personal story, have the team come forward and cut the ropes with scissors]
I spent all day serving at THE JESUS ENCOUNTER weekend at the tampa underground -- what a BLESSING...
We had about 75 participants -- they were showered with the lavish love of God -- many people testified that they had NEVER felt so loved in all of their lives -- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
I gave a talk on walking in spiritual FREEDOM -- I will attach it to the end of today's blog [if I can figure out how -- ha! ha!]
I am so tired -- I have that awesome feeling you get when you are totally spent for a very great cause -- it was worth it tonight and today...
Now to Nouwen...
"The deepest joys come not from the money we earn, the friends we surround ourselves with or the results we achieve. Rather, we are whom God made us to be in his infinite love. We are the gifts we are given, not just the conquests we make. as long as we running around, anxiously trying to affirm ourselves or be affirmed by others, we remain blind to One who has loved us first, dwells in our heart and has formed our truest self."
God's love is a gift -- undeserved, unconditional and unending -- it never comes as a result of our performance BUT as a result of who we are and who God is -- we are the beloved children of the consummate Lover...
Have a great night's sleep...
guy
Freedom Talk
The Jesus Encounter Weekend
The Tampa Underground
5 December 2009
Guy M. Glass
Our FREEDOM in Christ is directly related to our KNOWING and APPLYING the TRUTH in our lives – please close your eyes and listen to several true truths from God’s word…
1 John 3.1: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!
Jesus in John 10.10: The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Ephesians 6.12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 5.8: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Jesus praying to the Father in John 17.15-17: My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Galatians 5.1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery…
Jesus in John 8.32, 36: You will know the truth [me] and [I] the truth will set you free…so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!
SPIRITUAL REALITY – let’s start TOGETHER in our understanding – these five truths will be our starting point…
1. Jesus wants to reveal the Father’s lavish love to US – Jesus wants US to walk in truth and be FREE…
2. Satan wants to blind us and destroy us – he wants our life to be a miserable existence characterized by frustration and ropes of BONDAGE…
3. There is a spiritual battle going on – Jesus [good] vs. Satan [evil] in the battlefield of our minds – we cannot opt out of this very real war – every human person has been drafted [conscripted]…
4. The war is NOT between two EQUAL yet OPPOSING powers – Jesus is the Lord of all –Satan is already defeated [his only power is in deception] – he entangles us in ropes of bondage through deceiving us with lies…
5. We can be FREE through Jesus – it is God’s will for each of us as his beloved children to be released from habitual sins, soul ties, generational sins, patterns of bondage and a defeated walk of frustration and failure – the ropes can be cut > SET FREE!
KNOWING THE ROPES…
[have the team bring out the ropes and loosely bind the hands of the participants]
By definition: soul ties are ungodly bonds formed between the souls of people for the purpose of control, manipulation or domination.
What begins so simply, and sometimes innocently, can have devastating and lasting impact – leave us feeling hopeless in our bondage…
We open doors to the ropes…
1. The occult – especially inquiries into the future [horoscopes]…
2. New Age indoctrination – Secrets…
3. Addictive chemical behaviors [abusing] – drugs, alcohol, food, prescription drugs, etc.
4. Abortion…
5. Sexual violation – abuse, molestation, incest, trauma, etc.
6. Addictive sexual behaviors – pornography, lust, exploitation, visualization, fantasy, etc.
7. Personal choices – especially rebellion [often lived out through unhealthy relationships and willful / damaging behaviors]…
8. Sexual sharing outside the marriage covenant – the unique sin [power]…
9. Family of origin issues [ideological biases, prejudice, generational sin patterns, nationalism, enculturation, pride, control, bitterness, culture of honor, music, etc.]…
10. Religion [pride, exclusivist, compromise, heresy, manipulation, exploitation, following institutions rather than Jesus, missing the point, etc.]…
HOW did we get roped in???
Satan’s strategy for binding us with the ropes…
1. Temptation: this is such a small thing; it really does not matter…
2. Condemnation: you did what? God will never forgive you of that…
3. Attacks identity: do you really think you are a child of God when you are so sinful?
4. Questions the Father’s love: do you think God loves hypocrites like you? You might as well just give it up!
5. Hopelessness, bondage and fear: who am I? [Paul in Romans 7.24: what a wretched man I am – who will rescue me from this body of death? THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO DELIVERS ME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!]
GETTING FREE…
Jesus wants to cut our ropes and set us free from habitual sins…
1. Get honest and confess specifically [agree with God] and walk in community > [confront denial; stop rationalizing; start with the truth no matter how painful; forsake deception > run to the light]…
1 John 1.9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James 5.16: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
2. Submit to God, repent [change of mind] and receive his strength…
James 4.7, 10: Submit yourselves, then, to God…Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
3. Resist the evil one…
James 4.7: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
4. Close the door [renounce the lies / sins specifically; choose truth; seize your authority as a beloved child of the Father to speak release; with the sword of the Spirit, cut the ropes and trust God to break the bondages]…
2 Corinthians 10.5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ…
We have the authority, in the name of Jesus, to break these bonds and walk in our freedom as beloved children of God. In the final analysis, this is not so much a POWER encounter as it is a TRUTH encounter!
John 4.24: God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth…
5. Give ourselves fully to God and walk in intimacy one day at a time…
Romans 12.1: Offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is true worship! Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will…
My long walk to FREEDOM…
[after my personal story, have the team come forward and cut the ropes with scissors]
Friday, December 4, 2009
Advent day 6 - 4 December 2009
I hid with God today...
It was awesome...
It rained most of the day in Tampa -- and it got much cooler...
It actually feels like winter -- Florida style...
No Nouwen or Rohr tonight -- just one word...
FREEDOM...
I am 50 years old...
I have been a Christ-follower for over 45 years...
I have been a pastor for over 30 years...
But, I feel more FREEDOM now than I ever have in my life...
I think the key has been openness -- honesty with God [fewer facades than ever] and honesty with a spiritual friend I have come to trust...
James 5.16: "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" -- it is a liberating experience to be honest with God and with another human person...
I took the risk of "unloading" with my spiritual director this last year -- he did not reject or condemn me in the deep vulnerability of my hideous confession -- he loved me -- accepted me -- prayed with me -- partnered with God in healing me...
The healing brought a new freedom...
A new peace...
I am less afraid...
As Popeye would say: "I yam who I yam" -- the transparency and authenticity -- fewer facades and fronts -- have moved me toward greater freedom and peace...
Our freedom is so dependent on truth -- the truth of God's word -- i am so glad God encouraged me to put this verse to the test...
I hope it rains all night...
Sleep tight...
Guy
I may have found my dog today...
It was awesome...
It rained most of the day in Tampa -- and it got much cooler...
It actually feels like winter -- Florida style...
No Nouwen or Rohr tonight -- just one word...
FREEDOM...
I am 50 years old...
I have been a Christ-follower for over 45 years...
I have been a pastor for over 30 years...
But, I feel more FREEDOM now than I ever have in my life...
I think the key has been openness -- honesty with God [fewer facades than ever] and honesty with a spiritual friend I have come to trust...
James 5.16: "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed" -- it is a liberating experience to be honest with God and with another human person...
I took the risk of "unloading" with my spiritual director this last year -- he did not reject or condemn me in the deep vulnerability of my hideous confession -- he loved me -- accepted me -- prayed with me -- partnered with God in healing me...
The healing brought a new freedom...
A new peace...
I am less afraid...
As Popeye would say: "I yam who I yam" -- the transparency and authenticity -- fewer facades and fronts -- have moved me toward greater freedom and peace...
Our freedom is so dependent on truth -- the truth of God's word -- i am so glad God encouraged me to put this verse to the test...
I hope it rains all night...
Sleep tight...
Guy
I may have found my dog today...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Advent day 5 -- 3 December 2009
Greetings!
I decided to take a day off from work tomorrow -- I need a day to "hide out" with God -- I can hardly wait...
I want more "space" than I got today -- it was just too busy...
I want to get my heart focused before THE JESUS ENCOUNTER weekend kicks off tomorrow night at the tampa underground -- it will be a great experience for the 75 participants -- I am so excited about serving...
It is late and I am beat -- tonight will be short...
Henri Nouwen speaking about "Jesus' Weakness Invites Us Into God's Intimacy": "People with power do not invite intimacy. We fear, we look up to, we envy people with power. God's power is something entirely different. God does not want us to be afraid, distant, or envious. God wants to come close, very close, so close that we can rest in the intimacy of God as children in their mother's arms."
It's time to go to sleep in God's arms tonight...
Sweet dreams...
Guy
Wish my new dog was jumping in the bed with me tonight...
I decided to take a day off from work tomorrow -- I need a day to "hide out" with God -- I can hardly wait...
I want more "space" than I got today -- it was just too busy...
I want to get my heart focused before THE JESUS ENCOUNTER weekend kicks off tomorrow night at the tampa underground -- it will be a great experience for the 75 participants -- I am so excited about serving...
It is late and I am beat -- tonight will be short...
Henri Nouwen speaking about "Jesus' Weakness Invites Us Into God's Intimacy": "People with power do not invite intimacy. We fear, we look up to, we envy people with power. God's power is something entirely different. God does not want us to be afraid, distant, or envious. God wants to come close, very close, so close that we can rest in the intimacy of God as children in their mother's arms."
It's time to go to sleep in God's arms tonight...
Sweet dreams...
Guy
Wish my new dog was jumping in the bed with me tonight...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Advent day 4 -- 2 December 2009
Greetings...
A "cold front" is blowing through FL tonight...
Rambunctious squalls are exiting the Gulf and hitting the coastline -- it is raining steadily right now in central city Tampa...
I am sitting on the front porch -- enjoying a slight mist that is lingering in the night air...
I love it!
The rain...
The cooler air...
The turbulence of the storm out there...
The quiet of the porch [nobody else in my crew wants to sit in the mist -- ha! ha!].
The eery lighting of the night in the distance as lightning flashes...
It could not be better [although I do wish it were a little earlier]...
Some reflection time...
I did something nice today because God stirred my heart -- not because I felt compulsed to -- I think I was so moved because of yesterday's reflection and the prayer to the Father that my spirituality would be about DESIRE and LOVE and PASSION, not morose obligation...
I wanted to love out of a loving YES -- a real, deep, authentic and firm YES to God!
I don't want to mislead you -- it was no big thing...
A cup of coffee [cream only] before team started today for our new doc on my hospice team -- Dr Von Rottenthyler [no not Rottenweiler] -- Hugarian born, German reared, USF educated, now LifePath Hospice employed...
A very little thing -- but she was so surprised and so appreciative -- a cup of coffee in Jesus' name goes a long way I guess -- my thrill came from the joy in my heart to serve her...
Did you say a big YES to God today???
For tonight...
Richard Rohr in speaking of the Church in our world today: "I think the Church's numbers, its institutions and traditions have sometimes given it a false sense of power. We think that just because we have the numbers we're influencing culture. Sometimes we're not at all, we're just reflecting the culture. There's a big difference between influencing culture and reflecting it. In many cases the Church tends to reflect the local prejudices and biases much more than influencing and changing them..."
Are we influencing or just reflecting???
Maybe we have been reflecting so long that we have actually lost the numbers and true influence, compromised our spiritual authority and cooled in our passionate and radical love for the people in the world around us???
Henri Nouwen: "The waiting and watching and serving we are called to demands that we become seers, people who discern the coming of God into our midst and in our world. Is there a space in our life where the Spirit of God has a chance to speak or act or show up? Being contemplative means peeling off the blindfolds that keep us from seeing his coming in us and around us, and learning to listen in the spaces of quiet we leave for God...we seem to have a fear of empty spaces. We want to fill up what is empty. Perhaps our fear is that an empty space means that something may happen to us that we cannot predict, that is new, that leads us to a place we might not want to go. I might not want to hear what God has to say..."
Do you hear God's voice calling us to create some space during this Advent season?
Do you sense the need for quiet spaces we leave for God?
I am feeling courage to move beyond my fears -- I want to hear what God has to say NO MATTER WHAT -- this must be God at work...
"perfect love drives out all fear..."
Can you sense his coming afresh in stirring your courage???
What about it -- let's carve out an empty space JUST FOR GOD tomorrow...
I can hardly wait -- I am excited -- both for ME and for YOU!!!
Shalom...
Sleep tight...
Guy
I think my dog would lay out here in the mist with me -- what do you think???
A "cold front" is blowing through FL tonight...
Rambunctious squalls are exiting the Gulf and hitting the coastline -- it is raining steadily right now in central city Tampa...
I am sitting on the front porch -- enjoying a slight mist that is lingering in the night air...
I love it!
The rain...
The cooler air...
The turbulence of the storm out there...
The quiet of the porch [nobody else in my crew wants to sit in the mist -- ha! ha!].
The eery lighting of the night in the distance as lightning flashes...
It could not be better [although I do wish it were a little earlier]...
Some reflection time...
I did something nice today because God stirred my heart -- not because I felt compulsed to -- I think I was so moved because of yesterday's reflection and the prayer to the Father that my spirituality would be about DESIRE and LOVE and PASSION, not morose obligation...
I wanted to love out of a loving YES -- a real, deep, authentic and firm YES to God!
I don't want to mislead you -- it was no big thing...
A cup of coffee [cream only] before team started today for our new doc on my hospice team -- Dr Von Rottenthyler [no not Rottenweiler] -- Hugarian born, German reared, USF educated, now LifePath Hospice employed...
A very little thing -- but she was so surprised and so appreciative -- a cup of coffee in Jesus' name goes a long way I guess -- my thrill came from the joy in my heart to serve her...
Did you say a big YES to God today???
For tonight...
Richard Rohr in speaking of the Church in our world today: "I think the Church's numbers, its institutions and traditions have sometimes given it a false sense of power. We think that just because we have the numbers we're influencing culture. Sometimes we're not at all, we're just reflecting the culture. There's a big difference between influencing culture and reflecting it. In many cases the Church tends to reflect the local prejudices and biases much more than influencing and changing them..."
Are we influencing or just reflecting???
Maybe we have been reflecting so long that we have actually lost the numbers and true influence, compromised our spiritual authority and cooled in our passionate and radical love for the people in the world around us???
Henri Nouwen: "The waiting and watching and serving we are called to demands that we become seers, people who discern the coming of God into our midst and in our world. Is there a space in our life where the Spirit of God has a chance to speak or act or show up? Being contemplative means peeling off the blindfolds that keep us from seeing his coming in us and around us, and learning to listen in the spaces of quiet we leave for God...we seem to have a fear of empty spaces. We want to fill up what is empty. Perhaps our fear is that an empty space means that something may happen to us that we cannot predict, that is new, that leads us to a place we might not want to go. I might not want to hear what God has to say..."
Do you hear God's voice calling us to create some space during this Advent season?
Do you sense the need for quiet spaces we leave for God?
I am feeling courage to move beyond my fears -- I want to hear what God has to say NO MATTER WHAT -- this must be God at work...
"perfect love drives out all fear..."
Can you sense his coming afresh in stirring your courage???
What about it -- let's carve out an empty space JUST FOR GOD tomorrow...
I can hardly wait -- I am excited -- both for ME and for YOU!!!
Shalom...
Sleep tight...
Guy
I think my dog would lay out here in the mist with me -- what do you think???
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Adent day 3 -- 1 December 2009
Greetings!
How did your celebration of personal weakness go for you today???
Pretty uncomfortable???
Me too, but...
I received a gift this afternoon from one of my patients who is dying of cancer -- she is enjoying what she believes to be her sister from MA last visit with her...
They played cards on Monday night until "way past our bedtime" -- "I really overdid it -- I almost could not get out of bed this morning -- I was so tired..."
"But it was a great decision -- it was worth it -- the interaction was well worth the fatigue that followed -- plus I beat her badly!"
AJ [her initials] has embraced her weakness, limits and finitude -- as a gift -- through her battle with cancer [and a difficult life]...
She gave me hope today -- in my aging process, I too have the opportunity to embrace my weakness, finitude and limits -- a gift of wisdom / aging gracefully...
Before we prayed and thanked God for his blessings -- yes, even the gift of our frail and fragile humanity -- we read the words of Jesus from 2 Corinthians 12.9...
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness..."
When my weakness opens me to the strength of Jesus -- that is when I am strongest!
Moving on to Tuesday...
In my younger and more arrogant days, I was quick [and severe] in my chastisement of those "simpletons" of faith [according to my judgment] who were always talking about the second coming of Christ.
And singing about it...
And shouting about it...
And testifying about it...
NOT ME -- they were the ones with the theological "problems"...
Escapists!
Pie in the sky extremists!
Run away from today and hide in the "blessed hope" of the future...
I am rethinking now...
The blessed hope is really quite blessed!
The older I get the more blessed it gets!
I cannot celebrate his first Advent without joyful expectation of his Second Coming...
I am feeling a deep love for his appearing...
Henri Nouwen: "We should desire not only the first coming of Christ in his lowly human gentleness but also his second coming as the judge of our lives..."
And I would add, the judge of all culture and history...
The second coming epitomizes HOPE for me at this stage in my journey...
What does Jesus' coming again mean to you tonight???
Richard Rohr [on the "virtue of obedience"]: "I do think that all Christians have to practice saying YES before they dare to say NO..."
Tomorrow, let's do the right things because of our DESIRE to say YES to God -- not because we OUGHT to be good and holy [or else!!!]...
I am ending my night -- on the porch -- a cool wind blowing -- a glass of wine in hand -- opening my heart to meditate on what it means to say a BIG YES to God...
What will saying YES to God "look like" as I walk through Wednesday???
Wish you were here feeling the moment with me...
Shalom...
guy
I am also meditating on how my very own dog would draw me closer to God...
How did your celebration of personal weakness go for you today???
Pretty uncomfortable???
Me too, but...
I received a gift this afternoon from one of my patients who is dying of cancer -- she is enjoying what she believes to be her sister from MA last visit with her...
They played cards on Monday night until "way past our bedtime" -- "I really overdid it -- I almost could not get out of bed this morning -- I was so tired..."
"But it was a great decision -- it was worth it -- the interaction was well worth the fatigue that followed -- plus I beat her badly!"
AJ [her initials] has embraced her weakness, limits and finitude -- as a gift -- through her battle with cancer [and a difficult life]...
She gave me hope today -- in my aging process, I too have the opportunity to embrace my weakness, finitude and limits -- a gift of wisdom / aging gracefully...
Before we prayed and thanked God for his blessings -- yes, even the gift of our frail and fragile humanity -- we read the words of Jesus from 2 Corinthians 12.9...
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness..."
When my weakness opens me to the strength of Jesus -- that is when I am strongest!
Moving on to Tuesday...
In my younger and more arrogant days, I was quick [and severe] in my chastisement of those "simpletons" of faith [according to my judgment] who were always talking about the second coming of Christ.
And singing about it...
And shouting about it...
And testifying about it...
NOT ME -- they were the ones with the theological "problems"...
Escapists!
Pie in the sky extremists!
Run away from today and hide in the "blessed hope" of the future...
I am rethinking now...
The blessed hope is really quite blessed!
The older I get the more blessed it gets!
I cannot celebrate his first Advent without joyful expectation of his Second Coming...
I am feeling a deep love for his appearing...
Henri Nouwen: "We should desire not only the first coming of Christ in his lowly human gentleness but also his second coming as the judge of our lives..."
And I would add, the judge of all culture and history...
The second coming epitomizes HOPE for me at this stage in my journey...
What does Jesus' coming again mean to you tonight???
Richard Rohr [on the "virtue of obedience"]: "I do think that all Christians have to practice saying YES before they dare to say NO..."
Tomorrow, let's do the right things because of our DESIRE to say YES to God -- not because we OUGHT to be good and holy [or else!!!]...
I am ending my night -- on the porch -- a cool wind blowing -- a glass of wine in hand -- opening my heart to meditate on what it means to say a BIG YES to God...
What will saying YES to God "look like" as I walk through Wednesday???
Wish you were here feeling the moment with me...
Shalom...
guy
I am also meditating on how my very own dog would draw me closer to God...
Monday, November 30, 2009
Advent day 2 -- Monday, 11.30.09
Greetings!
What did you think of day 1?
I actually spent some time today trying to get outside myself -- to live beyond ME --to make sure I was NOT the focus of attention -- I intentionally sat through one meeting telling myself to minimize [keeping quiet and listening more to others] rather than maximize my presence...
I find it way too easy to make life all about me...
How about you?
I imagined my over-reaching EGO on a leash today -- and my TRUE SELF released to engage others -- seeking to serve the six hospice patients I interacted with today in a way that shifted the spotlight to them...
And, I will try it again tomorrow...
Three thoughts for tonight...
From Henri Nouwen: "God choose powerlessness. God chose to enter into human history in complete weakness. That divine choice forms the center of the Christian faith. In Jesus of Nazareth, the powerless God appeared among us to UNMASK the illusion of power, to disarm the prince of darkness who rules the world, and to bring the divided human race to a new unity..."
Ministry is INCARNATIONAL for me -- seeking in very broken ways to "be Jesus" in the human encounters of life. I do my best when I remember the mystery of powerlessness! When I am weak, THEN I am strong...
Away with the illusion of power through my own might...
My first patient today was Muslim -- not what I ordered at 9 a.m. I felt weak -- I experienced the blessing of turning to Jesus in trust rather than "just doing my thing" -- in my humility, I was surprised by a deep stirring of love and really enjoyed the visit...
From Richard Rohr: "The beggar who continues to pester the Lord is more pleasing than the dutiful and self-sufficient servant. Jesus has reversed our human scale of values...Risk all for love, Jesus tells us, even your own life. Give that to me and let me save it. People who seek to save their own lives, doing a good job of saving themselves, are saying that God's salvation is not needed. People who lose their lives for the sake of the Good News will find their lives. The healthy religious person is the one who ALLOWS GOD TO SAVE!"
I feel better about my weakness now than ever -- maybe it is the wisdom of age -- when I was younger I ignored weakness because of my illusion of infinitude...
Are you laughing at me???
Some of you are because you watched me acting as if I COULD MAKE ANYTHING HAPPEN -- at least it is funny to me now...
I still do NOT like my weakness, but I TREASURE my weakness...
I embrace it now as a friend for several reasons...
My weakness gives birth to peace because life and ministry is NOW about God and not me! My blood pressure goes down everytime I remember that I do not have to be ruled by my EXPECTATIONS -- I can ACCEPT whatever comes my way in simple trust of my Lord... He is in charge so all is well...
My weakness gives birth to power because my trust is now much greater in God...
My weakness gives birth to hope because the finitude of a 50 year old body allows me to give thanks for this flesh while eagerly looking forward to my spiritual body of the parousia which will never decay, decline or die...
I can really live in the already, but not yet of history...
When you hit 50 -- the physical limitations, the brutal dose of emotional reality and the sense that way more than half your days are done -- spiritual maturity begins to break through [even and most especially for men in my humble opinion]...
Will you join me in celebrating personal weakness, powerlessness and simple trust in our lives tomorrow???
After all, it is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom...
Until tomorrow -- shalom...
guy
I did all this without the help of wine -- but I now hear it calling...
I still want my dog!!!
What did you think of day 1?
I actually spent some time today trying to get outside myself -- to live beyond ME --to make sure I was NOT the focus of attention -- I intentionally sat through one meeting telling myself to minimize [keeping quiet and listening more to others] rather than maximize my presence...
I find it way too easy to make life all about me...
How about you?
I imagined my over-reaching EGO on a leash today -- and my TRUE SELF released to engage others -- seeking to serve the six hospice patients I interacted with today in a way that shifted the spotlight to them...
And, I will try it again tomorrow...
Three thoughts for tonight...
From Henri Nouwen: "God choose powerlessness. God chose to enter into human history in complete weakness. That divine choice forms the center of the Christian faith. In Jesus of Nazareth, the powerless God appeared among us to UNMASK the illusion of power, to disarm the prince of darkness who rules the world, and to bring the divided human race to a new unity..."
Ministry is INCARNATIONAL for me -- seeking in very broken ways to "be Jesus" in the human encounters of life. I do my best when I remember the mystery of powerlessness! When I am weak, THEN I am strong...
Away with the illusion of power through my own might...
My first patient today was Muslim -- not what I ordered at 9 a.m. I felt weak -- I experienced the blessing of turning to Jesus in trust rather than "just doing my thing" -- in my humility, I was surprised by a deep stirring of love and really enjoyed the visit...
From Richard Rohr: "The beggar who continues to pester the Lord is more pleasing than the dutiful and self-sufficient servant. Jesus has reversed our human scale of values...Risk all for love, Jesus tells us, even your own life. Give that to me and let me save it. People who seek to save their own lives, doing a good job of saving themselves, are saying that God's salvation is not needed. People who lose their lives for the sake of the Good News will find their lives. The healthy religious person is the one who ALLOWS GOD TO SAVE!"
I feel better about my weakness now than ever -- maybe it is the wisdom of age -- when I was younger I ignored weakness because of my illusion of infinitude...
Are you laughing at me???
Some of you are because you watched me acting as if I COULD MAKE ANYTHING HAPPEN -- at least it is funny to me now...
I still do NOT like my weakness, but I TREASURE my weakness...
I embrace it now as a friend for several reasons...
My weakness gives birth to peace because life and ministry is NOW about God and not me! My blood pressure goes down everytime I remember that I do not have to be ruled by my EXPECTATIONS -- I can ACCEPT whatever comes my way in simple trust of my Lord... He is in charge so all is well...
My weakness gives birth to power because my trust is now much greater in God...
My weakness gives birth to hope because the finitude of a 50 year old body allows me to give thanks for this flesh while eagerly looking forward to my spiritual body of the parousia which will never decay, decline or die...
I can really live in the already, but not yet of history...
When you hit 50 -- the physical limitations, the brutal dose of emotional reality and the sense that way more than half your days are done -- spiritual maturity begins to break through [even and most especially for men in my humble opinion]...
Will you join me in celebrating personal weakness, powerlessness and simple trust in our lives tomorrow???
After all, it is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom...
Until tomorrow -- shalom...
guy
I did all this without the help of wine -- but I now hear it calling...
I still want my dog!!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Advent 2009
Greetings!
Tis the season to blog again -- Advent -- preparing my heart afresh for the coming again of Jesus Messiah...
I hope to blog throughout the Advent season -- probably for me much more than for you -- I need the change of life's seasons to re-focus me [especially spiritually]...
Blogging through the Lenten season was spiritually enriching for me -- hope you enjoyed the journey as well...
I have spent the last hour getting ready to start -- I almost quit before I got started [ha! ha!]...
Resetting my password since I had forgotten it since Lent -- oh well...
I am sitting on the front porch and it is actually cool in Tampa tonight -- so I had to go find my favorite Tractor Supply hoodie... Looks like I may have to go find some shoes too... My shaved head is pretty chilly too...
Pandora's internet radio is dialed in to Jimmy Buffett...
I have a bottle of red wine -- for my heart and to stay warm [of course]...
I have been choosing resources for my [hopefully our] journey for quite some time...
One booklet is from Henri Nouwen -- aren't you shocked [ha! ha!] -- it is entitled LIVING IN HOPE...
My other resource is my new devotional for 2010 -- RADICAL GRACE by Richard Rohr -- a Franciscan priet from New Mexico...
I also read my Bible tonight -- don't act so shocked [ha! ha!]...
But never fear -- I am almost ready to start -- maybe just a few more minutes for the wine to release more deeply spiritual thoughts...
So, what do i want out of Advent this year???
It is my favorite time of the year -- I LOVE THE HOLY SEASON!
I have been so giddy today that my family was afraid they were actually going to have to institutionalize me for "being too happy" [or maybe "acting too stupid"] -- sounds great -- I will apply for disability and take an early retirement for mental reasons [ha! ha!] Bet there is a lot of time to read on the "inside"...
I almost celebrated the beginning of Christmas by going to get me a new dog this afternoon -- a beautiful Golden Retriever I found on the internet -- but Nancy's "look" appeared too dangerous [and the boys wouldn't support me since Josh wants a Boxer and James always votes with his Mom because he does not like dogs]...
So, I am dogless, but still happy...
[I may still win this battle after we get back from PA for Christmas...]
I want fresh JOY, HOPE, PEACE and LOVE for 2010 out of this Advent journey...
My heart is full of anticipation and expectation -- I sense God is about to do "something"...
Nouwen says that there is "great expectation in the Advent season..."
I think he is right on -- I am looking for fresh and meaningful epiphanies of the Christ child throughout this season...
I bet some of my hospice patients will teach me so much about Christmastime -- for many, this will be there last one here on earth...
I am expecting spiritual encounters that will deepen my contemplation and move me to action...
I love the way Rohr says it when he speaks of the "primacy of action" in our spiritual journey...
"God can teach me in my taking care of the needy around me -- in moving toward the world as it is. I think when we respond to need as it is right in front of us, usually we are NOT as susceptible TO OUR EGOS! Life in front of us pulls us out of ourselves and we have to do it because it is there. That's how I see people being purified. That kind of spirituality I can trust. If your life is not moving toward practical action in this real, living world, with other people, WITH THE NOT ME, don't trust your spirituality. But your engagement must happen in tandem with contemplation, the inner disengagement with ego and openness to God. Contemplation is the Divine Therapy that purifies our work and involvement. Action and contemplation are the two polarities that regulate and balance the faith-filled life. It saddens me that most Christianity is right in the middle. It's neither radical interiority nor radical engagement. You don't learn much in the medicre middle, and you don't have too much to give." [321]
Observation: I am fully convinced that much of the personal pathology in our world is the direct result of EGO CENTRISM -- people are help captive by their own EGO -- we cannot find or live out of our TRUE SELF because we are consumed by US -- we make sure that EVERYTHING centers around US!!!
The most powerfully lived worship chorus of our day goes "It's ALL ABOUT ME dear Jesus, it's ALL ABOUT ME!" [rather than "it's all about YOU dear Jesus"]...
We are not engaging life and need around us in such a way that it is "pulling us out of ourselves" -- too often, we have a lazer focus on our needs, our wants, our pains, our wishes, our comfort, our control, our manipulation, and on and on and on -- there simply is not room for ANYTHING else since it is ALL ABOUT US!
I see it all around -- it is one of the realities of our post-modern culture -- we are fixated with ourselves!
This Advent -- I vote for being pulled [probably kicking and screaming] out of myself -- I will be a "person for others" [as Bonhoeffer described Jesus] -- I will embrace the need that will save me from myself -- I do NOT need the personal pathology of self-absorption -- I do not want to be imprisoned by my EGO...
Sounds fun...
Wanna join me???
Shalom...
Guy
I still want my dog [and I may not stop until I have it] -- it could teach me so much about serving God's creation [ha! ha!]...
Tis the season to blog again -- Advent -- preparing my heart afresh for the coming again of Jesus Messiah...
I hope to blog throughout the Advent season -- probably for me much more than for you -- I need the change of life's seasons to re-focus me [especially spiritually]...
Blogging through the Lenten season was spiritually enriching for me -- hope you enjoyed the journey as well...
I have spent the last hour getting ready to start -- I almost quit before I got started [ha! ha!]...
Resetting my password since I had forgotten it since Lent -- oh well...
I am sitting on the front porch and it is actually cool in Tampa tonight -- so I had to go find my favorite Tractor Supply hoodie... Looks like I may have to go find some shoes too... My shaved head is pretty chilly too...
Pandora's internet radio is dialed in to Jimmy Buffett...
I have a bottle of red wine -- for my heart and to stay warm [of course]...
I have been choosing resources for my [hopefully our] journey for quite some time...
One booklet is from Henri Nouwen -- aren't you shocked [ha! ha!] -- it is entitled LIVING IN HOPE...
My other resource is my new devotional for 2010 -- RADICAL GRACE by Richard Rohr -- a Franciscan priet from New Mexico...
I also read my Bible tonight -- don't act so shocked [ha! ha!]...
But never fear -- I am almost ready to start -- maybe just a few more minutes for the wine to release more deeply spiritual thoughts...
So, what do i want out of Advent this year???
It is my favorite time of the year -- I LOVE THE HOLY SEASON!
I have been so giddy today that my family was afraid they were actually going to have to institutionalize me for "being too happy" [or maybe "acting too stupid"] -- sounds great -- I will apply for disability and take an early retirement for mental reasons [ha! ha!] Bet there is a lot of time to read on the "inside"...
I almost celebrated the beginning of Christmas by going to get me a new dog this afternoon -- a beautiful Golden Retriever I found on the internet -- but Nancy's "look" appeared too dangerous [and the boys wouldn't support me since Josh wants a Boxer and James always votes with his Mom because he does not like dogs]...
So, I am dogless, but still happy...
[I may still win this battle after we get back from PA for Christmas...]
I want fresh JOY, HOPE, PEACE and LOVE for 2010 out of this Advent journey...
My heart is full of anticipation and expectation -- I sense God is about to do "something"...
Nouwen says that there is "great expectation in the Advent season..."
I think he is right on -- I am looking for fresh and meaningful epiphanies of the Christ child throughout this season...
I bet some of my hospice patients will teach me so much about Christmastime -- for many, this will be there last one here on earth...
I am expecting spiritual encounters that will deepen my contemplation and move me to action...
I love the way Rohr says it when he speaks of the "primacy of action" in our spiritual journey...
"God can teach me in my taking care of the needy around me -- in moving toward the world as it is. I think when we respond to need as it is right in front of us, usually we are NOT as susceptible TO OUR EGOS! Life in front of us pulls us out of ourselves and we have to do it because it is there. That's how I see people being purified. That kind of spirituality I can trust. If your life is not moving toward practical action in this real, living world, with other people, WITH THE NOT ME, don't trust your spirituality. But your engagement must happen in tandem with contemplation, the inner disengagement with ego and openness to God. Contemplation is the Divine Therapy that purifies our work and involvement. Action and contemplation are the two polarities that regulate and balance the faith-filled life. It saddens me that most Christianity is right in the middle. It's neither radical interiority nor radical engagement. You don't learn much in the medicre middle, and you don't have too much to give." [321]
Observation: I am fully convinced that much of the personal pathology in our world is the direct result of EGO CENTRISM -- people are help captive by their own EGO -- we cannot find or live out of our TRUE SELF because we are consumed by US -- we make sure that EVERYTHING centers around US!!!
The most powerfully lived worship chorus of our day goes "It's ALL ABOUT ME dear Jesus, it's ALL ABOUT ME!" [rather than "it's all about YOU dear Jesus"]...
We are not engaging life and need around us in such a way that it is "pulling us out of ourselves" -- too often, we have a lazer focus on our needs, our wants, our pains, our wishes, our comfort, our control, our manipulation, and on and on and on -- there simply is not room for ANYTHING else since it is ALL ABOUT US!
I see it all around -- it is one of the realities of our post-modern culture -- we are fixated with ourselves!
This Advent -- I vote for being pulled [probably kicking and screaming] out of myself -- I will be a "person for others" [as Bonhoeffer described Jesus] -- I will embrace the need that will save me from myself -- I do NOT need the personal pathology of self-absorption -- I do not want to be imprisoned by my EGO...
Sounds fun...
Wanna join me???
Shalom...
Guy
I still want my dog [and I may not stop until I have it] -- it could teach me so much about serving God's creation [ha! ha!]...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
nourished...
Holy Communion…
The Lord’s Supper…
The Eucharist…
Three names for the same sacrament – a means of God’s grace – shared at the table he spreads for our spiritual nourishment. Our enrichment at the deepest level through his loving provision…
Feasting on the body of Christ – his precious body broken for us – you and me – his brokenness for our wholeness.
Drinking deeply of his life – his very blood spilled for us – you and me – offering us the cup of forgiveness through his sacrifice.
Holy Communion speaks of a community meal – a family meal – where all the children of God come and share a common loaf. It reinforces our shared life together – we are ONE in Jesus Christ. “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” [1 Corinthians 10.17]
The Lord’s Supper speaks of the host – it is Jesus himself who invites us to his Father’s table of grace, mercy and acceptance. ALL God’s children are welcomed. By the grace freely given, we can all find our place and slide our legs under the Lord’s Table. Even prodigals can return home and eat their fill of his lavish love…
The Eucharist speaks of thanksgiving – it comes from the Greek word for gratitude. Nothing we have done merits our open invitation to the table of grace – the Trinity always takes the initiative – it is a priceless gift. We cannot afford this sumptuous meal – way beyond our meager means – and yet there is always a place set for you and me. Our response? Gratitude, of course…
I love to serve the meal to the people of God. I especially love the BIG round loaves of Hawaiian bread – I love to hold them up and tear them apart – reminding the faithful of how Jesus’ physical body was mangled during his passion. [And I love to eat this bread – it tastes SO GOOD with the grape juice (especially when we are fasting). I hate those mystery wafers that we used to give out when we passed the trays around the church.]
I love to pour the fruit of the vine from the pitcher to the cup – in dramatic fashion – always splattering some of the juice on the table. Why? It reminds me that Jesus’ murder was not neat, clean and sanitary, but brutal – his blood was spilled for you and me. I also love to invite people to the table – it is actually Jesus’ call for us to come…
I also love to serve this meal to my patients and even myself – especially Jewish style. Rabbi Marty, a friend of mine, reminds me that Jesus did not use Hawaiian bread [although it does taste better and he will admit that if you push him] – he used unleavened bread. Marty sent me to the store to buy some matzos bread. This Messianic Rabbi told me that this unleavened bread points clearly to Isaiah 53…
Look at the matzos.
It is burnt at places appearing bruised – just as the Suffering Servant was bruised for our iniquities. It has holes running all through it – just as the Suffering Servant was pierced for our transgressions. The holes form straight lines – just as the Suffering Servant bore many stripes for our healing. What a powerful reminder of the irrational love of God for you and me!
Once a month is NOT enough for this family meal.
I am so glad the underground celebrates it every week – but I am still not sure if that is enough.
I need more NOURISHMENT for my spirit – how about you?
I will make this meal a more prominent part of the rhythm of my spiritual journey…
The Lord’s Supper…
The Eucharist…
Three names for the same sacrament – a means of God’s grace – shared at the table he spreads for our spiritual nourishment. Our enrichment at the deepest level through his loving provision…
Feasting on the body of Christ – his precious body broken for us – you and me – his brokenness for our wholeness.
Drinking deeply of his life – his very blood spilled for us – you and me – offering us the cup of forgiveness through his sacrifice.
Holy Communion speaks of a community meal – a family meal – where all the children of God come and share a common loaf. It reinforces our shared life together – we are ONE in Jesus Christ. “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” [1 Corinthians 10.17]
The Lord’s Supper speaks of the host – it is Jesus himself who invites us to his Father’s table of grace, mercy and acceptance. ALL God’s children are welcomed. By the grace freely given, we can all find our place and slide our legs under the Lord’s Table. Even prodigals can return home and eat their fill of his lavish love…
The Eucharist speaks of thanksgiving – it comes from the Greek word for gratitude. Nothing we have done merits our open invitation to the table of grace – the Trinity always takes the initiative – it is a priceless gift. We cannot afford this sumptuous meal – way beyond our meager means – and yet there is always a place set for you and me. Our response? Gratitude, of course…
I love to serve the meal to the people of God. I especially love the BIG round loaves of Hawaiian bread – I love to hold them up and tear them apart – reminding the faithful of how Jesus’ physical body was mangled during his passion. [And I love to eat this bread – it tastes SO GOOD with the grape juice (especially when we are fasting). I hate those mystery wafers that we used to give out when we passed the trays around the church.]
I love to pour the fruit of the vine from the pitcher to the cup – in dramatic fashion – always splattering some of the juice on the table. Why? It reminds me that Jesus’ murder was not neat, clean and sanitary, but brutal – his blood was spilled for you and me. I also love to invite people to the table – it is actually Jesus’ call for us to come…
I also love to serve this meal to my patients and even myself – especially Jewish style. Rabbi Marty, a friend of mine, reminds me that Jesus did not use Hawaiian bread [although it does taste better and he will admit that if you push him] – he used unleavened bread. Marty sent me to the store to buy some matzos bread. This Messianic Rabbi told me that this unleavened bread points clearly to Isaiah 53…
Look at the matzos.
It is burnt at places appearing bruised – just as the Suffering Servant was bruised for our iniquities. It has holes running all through it – just as the Suffering Servant was pierced for our transgressions. The holes form straight lines – just as the Suffering Servant bore many stripes for our healing. What a powerful reminder of the irrational love of God for you and me!
Once a month is NOT enough for this family meal.
I am so glad the underground celebrates it every week – but I am still not sure if that is enough.
I need more NOURISHMENT for my spirit – how about you?
I will make this meal a more prominent part of the rhythm of my spiritual journey…
Sunday, June 7, 2009
fragrances in the church
i love the story of the breaking of the alabaster jar in the gospels...
the woman who was the notorious sinner, breaks open the extremely expensive perfume and anoints Jesus' feet...
washing his dirty feet with her tears...
wiping his smeared feet with her locks of hair...
then the perfume lovingly lavished on his feet...
the fragrance fills the whole room...
no way to stop the aroma...
sacrificial worship always seems to release such a fragrance...
it happened today at the tampa underground...
our worship leader just gave birth to her second child, so she was not in worship this morning...
the rest of the team "filled in" and just let it happen...
and WOW -- God showed up...
awesome...
a sweet fragrance filled the auditorium...
God's children in worship -- simple, humble and undignified...
but, that was NOT the only fragrance in the buidling today...
while i was sitting in my row waiting for the celebration to begin, i smelled another aroma...
the acrid smell of a homeless guy settling into the row behind me...
he hadn't been near soap or shower for quite a while...
his clothes had not encountered a washer or dryer lately...
and, there was the smell of the mocker -- alcohol...
so much chemical abuse that i could smell the toxic amonia oozing out of his pores...
what a smell...
at that moment...
i breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord...
i am so glad to attend a movement where EVERYONE -- yes -- even and especially the poor and the homeless are welcomed...
even better, i know this guy...
i have been praying for this man...
he attended my spiritual formation class this past week -- totally hammered...
we decided it would be better if he came back this week sober -- maybe the study would make more sense...
i thank God for him...
and for my spiritual family who opens their arms to love and welcome him...
one of the least of these...
maybe he was actually Jesus worshipping with us this morning...
maybe that is the connection between the two fragrances in the theater this a.m.
shalom...
the woman who was the notorious sinner, breaks open the extremely expensive perfume and anoints Jesus' feet...
washing his dirty feet with her tears...
wiping his smeared feet with her locks of hair...
then the perfume lovingly lavished on his feet...
the fragrance fills the whole room...
no way to stop the aroma...
sacrificial worship always seems to release such a fragrance...
it happened today at the tampa underground...
our worship leader just gave birth to her second child, so she was not in worship this morning...
the rest of the team "filled in" and just let it happen...
and WOW -- God showed up...
awesome...
a sweet fragrance filled the auditorium...
God's children in worship -- simple, humble and undignified...
but, that was NOT the only fragrance in the buidling today...
while i was sitting in my row waiting for the celebration to begin, i smelled another aroma...
the acrid smell of a homeless guy settling into the row behind me...
he hadn't been near soap or shower for quite a while...
his clothes had not encountered a washer or dryer lately...
and, there was the smell of the mocker -- alcohol...
so much chemical abuse that i could smell the toxic amonia oozing out of his pores...
what a smell...
at that moment...
i breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord...
i am so glad to attend a movement where EVERYONE -- yes -- even and especially the poor and the homeless are welcomed...
even better, i know this guy...
i have been praying for this man...
he attended my spiritual formation class this past week -- totally hammered...
we decided it would be better if he came back this week sober -- maybe the study would make more sense...
i thank God for him...
and for my spiritual family who opens their arms to love and welcome him...
one of the least of these...
maybe he was actually Jesus worshipping with us this morning...
maybe that is the connection between the two fragrances in the theater this a.m.
shalom...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
holy saturday 2009
greetings!
it is almost sunrise on easter sunday...
i loved nouwen's reflection for today...
"if the God who revealed life to us, and whose only desire is to bring us to life, loved us so much that he wanted to experience with us the total absurdity of death, then -- yes, then there must be hope; then there must be something more than death; then there must be a promise that is not fulfilled in our short existence in this world; then leaving behind the ones you love, the flowers and the trees, the mountains and the oceans, the beauty of art and music, and all the exuberant gifts of life cannot be just the destruction and cruel end of all things; then indeed we have to wait for the third day..."
tonight, i experienced the grace of God in ybor at the colombia restaurant...
at this stage in my life, there are few things better than good food and a great time with a soul friend...
donald and i shared a meal together and more importantly -- the grace of God...
as we talked, i felt life in my spirit -- the stirrings of easter sunday...
when we touch a deep and resonant chord within each other, the result is always LIFE!
i did not wear a watch to supper this evening because i was in no hurry -- what a blessing...
an entire evening -- devoted to a friend and the sharing of the grace of God...
what peace...
what serenity...
a taste of heaven on earth...
[except i ate too much...]
thank God for soul friends and the sacrament of table fellowship...
[and a friend who will let me blast lynyrd skynyrd on the stereo]...
easter is coming -- it is almost here...
happy easter!
i will be thinking of you on my way to ft pierce in the morning...
please pray for me...
shalom!
guy
what a blessing it was to drop some food by to mr williams -- he was so happy -- it is a great feeling to be remembered...
it is almost sunrise on easter sunday...
i loved nouwen's reflection for today...
"if the God who revealed life to us, and whose only desire is to bring us to life, loved us so much that he wanted to experience with us the total absurdity of death, then -- yes, then there must be hope; then there must be something more than death; then there must be a promise that is not fulfilled in our short existence in this world; then leaving behind the ones you love, the flowers and the trees, the mountains and the oceans, the beauty of art and music, and all the exuberant gifts of life cannot be just the destruction and cruel end of all things; then indeed we have to wait for the third day..."
tonight, i experienced the grace of God in ybor at the colombia restaurant...
at this stage in my life, there are few things better than good food and a great time with a soul friend...
donald and i shared a meal together and more importantly -- the grace of God...
as we talked, i felt life in my spirit -- the stirrings of easter sunday...
when we touch a deep and resonant chord within each other, the result is always LIFE!
i did not wear a watch to supper this evening because i was in no hurry -- what a blessing...
an entire evening -- devoted to a friend and the sharing of the grace of God...
what peace...
what serenity...
a taste of heaven on earth...
[except i ate too much...]
thank God for soul friends and the sacrament of table fellowship...
[and a friend who will let me blast lynyrd skynyrd on the stereo]...
easter is coming -- it is almost here...
happy easter!
i will be thinking of you on my way to ft pierce in the morning...
please pray for me...
shalom!
guy
what a blessing it was to drop some food by to mr williams -- he was so happy -- it is a great feeling to be remembered...
Friday, April 10, 2009
good friday 2009
greetings!
i share nouwen's prayer...
"o dear Lord, what can i say to you?
is there any word that could come from my mouth,
any thought?
any sentence?
you died for me, you gave your life for my sins,
you not only became man for me
but also suffered the most cruel death for me.
is there any response?
i wish that i could find a fitting response...
but in contemplating your holy passion and death
i can only confess humbly to you
that the immensity of your divine love
makes any response seem totally inadequate.
let me just stand and look at you.
your body is broken, your head wounded,
your hands and feet are split open by nails,
your side is pierced.
your dead body now rests in the arms of your mother.
it is all over now.
IT IS FINISHED!
it is fulfilled.
it is accomplished.
sweet Lord, gracious Lord,
generous Lord, forgiving Lord,
i adore you,
i praise you,
i thank you.
you have made all things new
through your passion and death.
your cross has been planted in this world
as THE new sign of hope.
let me always live under your cross, o Lord,
aand proclaim the hope of your cross unceasingly.
amen...
shalom...
guy
there is HOPE!
i share nouwen's prayer...
"o dear Lord, what can i say to you?
is there any word that could come from my mouth,
any thought?
any sentence?
you died for me, you gave your life for my sins,
you not only became man for me
but also suffered the most cruel death for me.
is there any response?
i wish that i could find a fitting response...
but in contemplating your holy passion and death
i can only confess humbly to you
that the immensity of your divine love
makes any response seem totally inadequate.
let me just stand and look at you.
your body is broken, your head wounded,
your hands and feet are split open by nails,
your side is pierced.
your dead body now rests in the arms of your mother.
it is all over now.
IT IS FINISHED!
it is fulfilled.
it is accomplished.
sweet Lord, gracious Lord,
generous Lord, forgiving Lord,
i adore you,
i praise you,
i thank you.
you have made all things new
through your passion and death.
your cross has been planted in this world
as THE new sign of hope.
let me always live under your cross, o Lord,
aand proclaim the hope of your cross unceasingly.
amen...
shalom...
guy
there is HOPE!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
holy thursday 2009
greetings!
a long day...
please pray for my mom -- she is back in the hospital...
nouwen spoke to me this morning while i was eating grits at the waffle house: "your eyes, o Lord, see in one glance the inexhaustible love of God and the seemingly endless agony of all people who have lost faith in that love and are like sheep without a shepherd...your eyes are so severe yet so loving, so unmasking yet so protecting, so penetrating yet so carressing, so profound yet so intimate, so distant yet inviting...i gradually realize that i want to be seen by you, to dwell under your caring gaze, and to grow strong and gentle in your sight. Lord, let me see what you see -- the love of God and the suffering of people so that my eyes may become more and more like yours, eyes that can heal wounded hearts..."
what a gift of language...
shalom...
guy
may we all sense the passion of the Christ on good friday...
a long day...
please pray for my mom -- she is back in the hospital...
nouwen spoke to me this morning while i was eating grits at the waffle house: "your eyes, o Lord, see in one glance the inexhaustible love of God and the seemingly endless agony of all people who have lost faith in that love and are like sheep without a shepherd...your eyes are so severe yet so loving, so unmasking yet so protecting, so penetrating yet so carressing, so profound yet so intimate, so distant yet inviting...i gradually realize that i want to be seen by you, to dwell under your caring gaze, and to grow strong and gentle in your sight. Lord, let me see what you see -- the love of God and the suffering of people so that my eyes may become more and more like yours, eyes that can heal wounded hearts..."
what a gift of language...
shalom...
guy
may we all sense the passion of the Christ on good friday...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
wednesday of holy week 2009
greetings!
i saw three reminders of the resurrection today...
the first involved the passion of a family who lost betty [their beloved] today...
as we all sat around and talked about betty's death and remembered her life, we all came to the conclusion that there could not be a better season of the year to die...
when i die, i hope i die during holy week...
betty passed through the pain to gain the joy...
she went through the darkness to emerge into the light...
she endured the suffering to experience the glory...
she left behind what she could not keep to be given freely what she can never lose...
her good friday is already past -- her easter morn has brightly dawned...
what a seat she will have for easter sunrise service...
the second involved a frozen moment in time on the farm in plant city at sunset tonight...
my dad is sitting in his chair, i am on a plastic bucket...
a cool breeze is blowing [probably the last one of the spring]...
we are talking heart-to-heart and looking out over "our" garden...
just a week ago it was a dirt plot -- at least that's all i could see...
i was pretty sure that all our work had been in vain [what if the plants grew down into the ground instead of up]???
my gardening glass was mostly "empty"...
but in the dimming light of the early evening, tonight there are green sprouts breaking through the soil EVERYWHERE...
as ricky my native american friend says -- the land is amazing -- it is a miracle every year -- we plant and the fruit comes up and it feeds us -- and if we love the land and care for it -- it keeps providing year-after-year-after-year-after-year...
it is a miracle!
dead seeds giving birth to living plants...
buried in the ground but now exploding forth in life...
guess Jesus was right: "unless a seed fall to the ground and die it cannot bring forth the fruit of life..."
the surrendered death of friday yields the victorious life of sunday dawn...
a crucified lamb catalizes a conquering lord...
finally, i fed the cows for daddy before i left to come back to my life in the city...
my eyes focused in on one cow -- a beautiful rusty-colored mama who was about to be a mama once again...
the calf was "coming down" -- starting to descend -- it won't be long...
her bag is already filling with nourishing milk for her baby...
when the "time of her delivery has fully come" -- there will be pain, agony and passion...
and all the mothers say AMEN...
but then, a baby...
and, in just a few moments, everything was worth it...
first the pain -- then the joy...
the ugly scene gives way to the beauty...
the suffering and then the glory...
first the INCARNATION and PASSION, then the RESURRECTION...
the beautiful baby, the battered lamb, the ultimate lord...
holy week found me today...
in a patient's living room...
in our garden...
at the feed trough...
and i am so grateful...
my prayer is that holy week finds you as well...
shalom...
guy
as i worked on the farm today, my 50 year old body was screaming in pain -- i am looking forward to my new Jesus-body more than ever -- how about you???
i saw three reminders of the resurrection today...
the first involved the passion of a family who lost betty [their beloved] today...
as we all sat around and talked about betty's death and remembered her life, we all came to the conclusion that there could not be a better season of the year to die...
when i die, i hope i die during holy week...
betty passed through the pain to gain the joy...
she went through the darkness to emerge into the light...
she endured the suffering to experience the glory...
she left behind what she could not keep to be given freely what she can never lose...
her good friday is already past -- her easter morn has brightly dawned...
what a seat she will have for easter sunrise service...
the second involved a frozen moment in time on the farm in plant city at sunset tonight...
my dad is sitting in his chair, i am on a plastic bucket...
a cool breeze is blowing [probably the last one of the spring]...
we are talking heart-to-heart and looking out over "our" garden...
just a week ago it was a dirt plot -- at least that's all i could see...
i was pretty sure that all our work had been in vain [what if the plants grew down into the ground instead of up]???
my gardening glass was mostly "empty"...
but in the dimming light of the early evening, tonight there are green sprouts breaking through the soil EVERYWHERE...
as ricky my native american friend says -- the land is amazing -- it is a miracle every year -- we plant and the fruit comes up and it feeds us -- and if we love the land and care for it -- it keeps providing year-after-year-after-year-after-year...
it is a miracle!
dead seeds giving birth to living plants...
buried in the ground but now exploding forth in life...
guess Jesus was right: "unless a seed fall to the ground and die it cannot bring forth the fruit of life..."
the surrendered death of friday yields the victorious life of sunday dawn...
a crucified lamb catalizes a conquering lord...
finally, i fed the cows for daddy before i left to come back to my life in the city...
my eyes focused in on one cow -- a beautiful rusty-colored mama who was about to be a mama once again...
the calf was "coming down" -- starting to descend -- it won't be long...
her bag is already filling with nourishing milk for her baby...
when the "time of her delivery has fully come" -- there will be pain, agony and passion...
and all the mothers say AMEN...
but then, a baby...
and, in just a few moments, everything was worth it...
first the pain -- then the joy...
the ugly scene gives way to the beauty...
the suffering and then the glory...
first the INCARNATION and PASSION, then the RESURRECTION...
the beautiful baby, the battered lamb, the ultimate lord...
holy week found me today...
in a patient's living room...
in our garden...
at the feed trough...
and i am so grateful...
my prayer is that holy week finds you as well...
shalom...
guy
as i worked on the farm today, my 50 year old body was screaming in pain -- i am looking forward to my new Jesus-body more than ever -- how about you???
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
tuesday of holy week 2009
greetings...
our journey is so exciting as holy week unfolds before us...
immediately after Jesus washes his disciples' feet [at the beginning of john 13], we read...
"Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, 'very truly, i tell you, one of you will betray me...'" [john 13.21]
a better translation in the original greek would be: "one of you will hand me over..."
the word means "to give over, to hand over, to give into the hands of..."
i love nouwen's insight: "this moment when Jesus is handed over to those who do with him as they please is a turning point in Jesus' ministry. it is a turning point from action to passion. after years of teaching, preaching, healing, and moving to wherever he wanted to go, Jesus is handed over to the caprices of his enemies. things are now no longer done BY him, but TO him. he is flagellated, crowned with thorns, spat at, laughed at, stripped, and nailed naked to a cross. he is a passive victim, subject to other people's actions. from the moment Jesus is handed over, his passion begins, and through his passion he fulfills his vocation...it is good news to know that Jesus is handed over to passion, and through his passion accomplishes his divine task on earth. it is good news for a world passionately searching for wholeness...i, too, have to let myself be 'handed over' and thus [embrace my passion to] fulfill my vocation..."
will we sign up to embrace our passion and hence fulfill our calling?
will we relinquish the control that enables us to call the shots?
will we become a bondslave of Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us AS HE WILLS?
what about our "passion"...
first thing this morning, i went by to visit mr williams...
his broken and declining body still imprisoned in his 8 x 10 hovel...
his body is showing the wear of the disease process...
as we sat huddled on his single bed, the Spirit motivated a question...
next i went to see ricky, my native american friend -- he had just been admitted to the hospice house...
when i first walked in, i was sure he had died -- he looked like an emaciated corpse...
i touched his arm and he stirred and we talked -- though at times he made almost no sense...
then the Spirit motivated a question...
later in the day, i was off to tampa general hospital...
mr coard was grimacing in pain as i walked into his room...
his body has literally shrivelled up -- only a faint shadow of what it used to be...
he tried to talk, but his slurs were almost undiscernable...
the Spirit motivated a question...
i finished my day in myra's room at TGH...
all her hair is gone, but she has a stylish and colorful 'do rag on her bald head...
she tries to smile, but the enemy, cancer, twists her beautiful brown face in an uneasy and haunting grimace...
we hold hands and i hear the Spirit's question again...
i didn't plan the question...
not sure i'm that bright!
but the Spirit did -- the same question with each patient -- four times...
reminding each that it was holy week, i asked: "what does Jesus' resurrection mean to you today?"
there was some consensus about three things...
[1] there was the agony and suffering of good friday before the glory and joy of resurrection sunday...
so maybe there is "something" good on the other side of their passion...
[2] easter means hope -- death is never the final word for a child of God -- LIFE ALWAYS IS -- there is heaven...
a forever place of serenity after the suffering...
two great insights, but these two paled in comparison to the final one...
[3] Jesus resurrection means a BRAND NEW BODY -- not a COPD body, not a CANCER body, not a PAINFUL body, not a BROKEN body, not an INCONTINENT body, not a BED-BOUND body, not a YELLOWISH body, not a MISHAPEN body -- you get the idea...
these four broken children of ABBA reminded me of easter's greatest joy -- we receive a brand new "spiritual" body just like Jesus -- one that will never decay, decline or die...
more than just heaven -- heaven with a glorious new body!
THANK YOU Holy Spirit for an illustrated sermon in remarkable power through abject weakness!
i encountered your revelation as i walked out my passion today...
shalom...
guy
reflect on the promise of YOUR new body tomorrow...
our journey is so exciting as holy week unfolds before us...
immediately after Jesus washes his disciples' feet [at the beginning of john 13], we read...
"Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, 'very truly, i tell you, one of you will betray me...'" [john 13.21]
a better translation in the original greek would be: "one of you will hand me over..."
the word means "to give over, to hand over, to give into the hands of..."
i love nouwen's insight: "this moment when Jesus is handed over to those who do with him as they please is a turning point in Jesus' ministry. it is a turning point from action to passion. after years of teaching, preaching, healing, and moving to wherever he wanted to go, Jesus is handed over to the caprices of his enemies. things are now no longer done BY him, but TO him. he is flagellated, crowned with thorns, spat at, laughed at, stripped, and nailed naked to a cross. he is a passive victim, subject to other people's actions. from the moment Jesus is handed over, his passion begins, and through his passion he fulfills his vocation...it is good news to know that Jesus is handed over to passion, and through his passion accomplishes his divine task on earth. it is good news for a world passionately searching for wholeness...i, too, have to let myself be 'handed over' and thus [embrace my passion to] fulfill my vocation..."
will we sign up to embrace our passion and hence fulfill our calling?
will we relinquish the control that enables us to call the shots?
will we become a bondslave of Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us AS HE WILLS?
what about our "passion"...
first thing this morning, i went by to visit mr williams...
his broken and declining body still imprisoned in his 8 x 10 hovel...
his body is showing the wear of the disease process...
as we sat huddled on his single bed, the Spirit motivated a question...
next i went to see ricky, my native american friend -- he had just been admitted to the hospice house...
when i first walked in, i was sure he had died -- he looked like an emaciated corpse...
i touched his arm and he stirred and we talked -- though at times he made almost no sense...
then the Spirit motivated a question...
later in the day, i was off to tampa general hospital...
mr coard was grimacing in pain as i walked into his room...
his body has literally shrivelled up -- only a faint shadow of what it used to be...
he tried to talk, but his slurs were almost undiscernable...
the Spirit motivated a question...
i finished my day in myra's room at TGH...
all her hair is gone, but she has a stylish and colorful 'do rag on her bald head...
she tries to smile, but the enemy, cancer, twists her beautiful brown face in an uneasy and haunting grimace...
we hold hands and i hear the Spirit's question again...
i didn't plan the question...
not sure i'm that bright!
but the Spirit did -- the same question with each patient -- four times...
reminding each that it was holy week, i asked: "what does Jesus' resurrection mean to you today?"
there was some consensus about three things...
[1] there was the agony and suffering of good friday before the glory and joy of resurrection sunday...
so maybe there is "something" good on the other side of their passion...
[2] easter means hope -- death is never the final word for a child of God -- LIFE ALWAYS IS -- there is heaven...
a forever place of serenity after the suffering...
two great insights, but these two paled in comparison to the final one...
[3] Jesus resurrection means a BRAND NEW BODY -- not a COPD body, not a CANCER body, not a PAINFUL body, not a BROKEN body, not an INCONTINENT body, not a BED-BOUND body, not a YELLOWISH body, not a MISHAPEN body -- you get the idea...
these four broken children of ABBA reminded me of easter's greatest joy -- we receive a brand new "spiritual" body just like Jesus -- one that will never decay, decline or die...
more than just heaven -- heaven with a glorious new body!
THANK YOU Holy Spirit for an illustrated sermon in remarkable power through abject weakness!
i encountered your revelation as i walked out my passion today...
shalom...
guy
reflect on the promise of YOUR new body tomorrow...
Monday, April 6, 2009
monday of holy week
greetings!
happy holy week...
do you remember caiaphas?
john [18.13] reminds us that he was the jewish high priest when Jesus was arrested...
in fact, after Jesus was betrayed by judas' kiss, he had to appear before caiaphas in his role as the high priest for this year...
caiaphas was a strategic player in the mock trial of Jesus -- he was a driving force behind the mob-inspired crucifixion of the Messiah...
he set the tone for Jesus' condemnation...
john says [in 18.14]: "now caiaphas was the one who had advised the jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people..."
Jesus was dangerous -- he was far too popular -- he was "winning over the whole world!"
something had to be done -- there were positions of power to protect...
there was a treasured system to maintain...
caiaphas was the mouthpiece for a host of other religious leaders who were scared of losing their power, their place and their prestige...
better for one to die than for the whole system to topple to the palestinian soil...
Jesus would have to die!
ever wonder how caiaphas came to this pitiable point?
what was his story?
brennan manning in "reflections for ragamuffins" [march 12] offers the following commentary...
"a terrible thing has happened to caiaphas. religion has left the realm of respect for person, immediate concern for the individual, for communion. for caiaphas, sacredness has become institutions, structures, abstractions. caiaphas is dedicated to the 'people'. therefore, individual, flesh-and-blood men, real people, are expendable. caiaphas is dedicated to the 'nation'. but the nation does not bleed like Jesus. caiaphas is dedicated to the 'temple', a mere building, impersonal brick and mortar. caiaphas becomes impersonal himself, no longer a warm human being but a robot, as fixed and rigid as his own unchanging world...the choice usually presented to christians is NOT between Jesus and barabbas. no one wants to appear an obvious murderer. the choice we have to be careful about is between JESUS and CAIAPHAS. and caiaphas can fool us. he is a very 'religious' man..."
beware the cultic koolaid of religion gone toxic...
it is deadly...
and, it is so easy to be deceived...
we have a choice to make -- for Jesus, not for caiaphas...
let's not be fooled!
shalom...
guy
may your holy week be filled with passion for the Christ!
happy holy week...
do you remember caiaphas?
john [18.13] reminds us that he was the jewish high priest when Jesus was arrested...
in fact, after Jesus was betrayed by judas' kiss, he had to appear before caiaphas in his role as the high priest for this year...
caiaphas was a strategic player in the mock trial of Jesus -- he was a driving force behind the mob-inspired crucifixion of the Messiah...
he set the tone for Jesus' condemnation...
john says [in 18.14]: "now caiaphas was the one who had advised the jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people..."
Jesus was dangerous -- he was far too popular -- he was "winning over the whole world!"
something had to be done -- there were positions of power to protect...
there was a treasured system to maintain...
caiaphas was the mouthpiece for a host of other religious leaders who were scared of losing their power, their place and their prestige...
better for one to die than for the whole system to topple to the palestinian soil...
Jesus would have to die!
ever wonder how caiaphas came to this pitiable point?
what was his story?
brennan manning in "reflections for ragamuffins" [march 12] offers the following commentary...
"a terrible thing has happened to caiaphas. religion has left the realm of respect for person, immediate concern for the individual, for communion. for caiaphas, sacredness has become institutions, structures, abstractions. caiaphas is dedicated to the 'people'. therefore, individual, flesh-and-blood men, real people, are expendable. caiaphas is dedicated to the 'nation'. but the nation does not bleed like Jesus. caiaphas is dedicated to the 'temple', a mere building, impersonal brick and mortar. caiaphas becomes impersonal himself, no longer a warm human being but a robot, as fixed and rigid as his own unchanging world...the choice usually presented to christians is NOT between Jesus and barabbas. no one wants to appear an obvious murderer. the choice we have to be careful about is between JESUS and CAIAPHAS. and caiaphas can fool us. he is a very 'religious' man..."
beware the cultic koolaid of religion gone toxic...
it is deadly...
and, it is so easy to be deceived...
we have a choice to make -- for Jesus, not for caiaphas...
let's not be fooled!
shalom...
guy
may your holy week be filled with passion for the Christ!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
day 40, lent 2009, palm sunday
greetings!
how do you like my nifty little bookshelves?
hit the little "next" button at the bottom and you can see some more...
NO, i am not lying about those books -- i either have read or are reading them...
and YES, they are AWESOME!
and, reading is much safer for us old codgers than mountain biking, etc.
just want you to know that i set up the bookshelves all by myself [with a little help from leah] -- there is techie hope for me yet!
i have so much in me for tonight [after my drive over to tampa bay to meditate at the sunset on Jesus' triumphal entry into jerusalem] that i literally don't know where to start [and its coming up on midnight]...
so here goes...
i was visiting with mr garcia this week...
it was early in the morning and he was just getting up...
he is a COPD patient [the new fancy term for emphysema -- simply put, he can hardly breathe now -- he gets short of breath while we are simply talking]...
by the way, he does a very convincing commercial for DO NOT SMOKE PERIOD!
during our visit, he lost his breath and could not breathe...
they call it an exacerbation [a respiratory crisis]...
i was getting edgy, but...
mr garcia never missed a beat -- he knew just what to do...
we prepared his nebulizer treatment and he was soon breathing in the medicated mist...
we could not talk during his treatment so i was scanning his single room in a family member's house...
he had a crucifix hanging on his wall in plain sight...
i was transfixed...
it was a different cross...
not a protestant cross, but a catholic cross...
two crosses -- one faith...
it is a cross like the one on my new rosary [yes, i am still OK with God -- probably better than i have ever been]...
the rosary gives me a feeling of connection to the ancient...
and, i am remembering some foundational elements of my faith as i pray through the beads...
the cross has Jesus on it...
still hanging there!
mr garcia's crucifix has Jesus on it...
all my protestant crosses do NOT have Jesus on them...
mr garcia startles me back to reality when he shares his nebulizer mist with his BIG cat -- the cat doesn't like the noise or the mist so it begins to "box" and "paw" at the mist...
mr garcia is delighted -- it is funny...
when the cat settles back down, i ask mr garcia about his crucifix...
are you catholic? why is Jesus on your cross? why are there two crosses? how many more questions should i ask before i let you answer?
he smiles and says -- i was born a catholic -- now i am a baptist -- i am just covering all my bases -- i am dying you know...
he laughs...
he wants to talk about other stuff...
so we do, but i am still hung up...
two crosses?
i love the protestant reminder that Jesus has been resurrected and he is NOT on the cross anymore -- good reformation [and biblical] theology...
BUT, i like the catholic reminder that Jesus suffered on a real cross and died there so that we might live...
that is good experiential [and biblical] theology!
at least in my world, i need to be reminded of the suffering...
it is very easy for me to zoom past the passion of Jesus to his glorious resurrection [and it is quite typical of my expediency to gladly forego suffering in order to claim all the blessings that are surely coming my way]...
i want my life [and my crosses] to be free of this grim reminder of suffering...
but, Jesus still on the cross screams LOVE to me -- i remember his broken body and his spilled blood...
my heart is stirred and strangely warmed...
love of another kind...
i was listening to michael card sing of Jesus' irrational love for us on the way back from the bay: "he could not love us more and he refuses to love us any less!"
holy week is a journey of extravagant love -- being stopped in our tracks by what matters most -- Jesus' INCARNATION, DEATH and RESURRECTION are the consummate definition and in-your-face expression of authentic love!
keep thinking this week about...
two crosses...
i shared this because i wanted a simple start to our holy week together...
shalom...
guy
let's focus our readings of the events of holy week around luke's gospel and john's gospel -- OK????
how do you like my nifty little bookshelves?
hit the little "next" button at the bottom and you can see some more...
NO, i am not lying about those books -- i either have read or are reading them...
and YES, they are AWESOME!
and, reading is much safer for us old codgers than mountain biking, etc.
just want you to know that i set up the bookshelves all by myself [with a little help from leah] -- there is techie hope for me yet!
i have so much in me for tonight [after my drive over to tampa bay to meditate at the sunset on Jesus' triumphal entry into jerusalem] that i literally don't know where to start [and its coming up on midnight]...
so here goes...
i was visiting with mr garcia this week...
it was early in the morning and he was just getting up...
he is a COPD patient [the new fancy term for emphysema -- simply put, he can hardly breathe now -- he gets short of breath while we are simply talking]...
by the way, he does a very convincing commercial for DO NOT SMOKE PERIOD!
during our visit, he lost his breath and could not breathe...
they call it an exacerbation [a respiratory crisis]...
i was getting edgy, but...
mr garcia never missed a beat -- he knew just what to do...
we prepared his nebulizer treatment and he was soon breathing in the medicated mist...
we could not talk during his treatment so i was scanning his single room in a family member's house...
he had a crucifix hanging on his wall in plain sight...
i was transfixed...
it was a different cross...
not a protestant cross, but a catholic cross...
two crosses -- one faith...
it is a cross like the one on my new rosary [yes, i am still OK with God -- probably better than i have ever been]...
the rosary gives me a feeling of connection to the ancient...
and, i am remembering some foundational elements of my faith as i pray through the beads...
the cross has Jesus on it...
still hanging there!
mr garcia's crucifix has Jesus on it...
all my protestant crosses do NOT have Jesus on them...
mr garcia startles me back to reality when he shares his nebulizer mist with his BIG cat -- the cat doesn't like the noise or the mist so it begins to "box" and "paw" at the mist...
mr garcia is delighted -- it is funny...
when the cat settles back down, i ask mr garcia about his crucifix...
are you catholic? why is Jesus on your cross? why are there two crosses? how many more questions should i ask before i let you answer?
he smiles and says -- i was born a catholic -- now i am a baptist -- i am just covering all my bases -- i am dying you know...
he laughs...
he wants to talk about other stuff...
so we do, but i am still hung up...
two crosses?
i love the protestant reminder that Jesus has been resurrected and he is NOT on the cross anymore -- good reformation [and biblical] theology...
BUT, i like the catholic reminder that Jesus suffered on a real cross and died there so that we might live...
that is good experiential [and biblical] theology!
at least in my world, i need to be reminded of the suffering...
it is very easy for me to zoom past the passion of Jesus to his glorious resurrection [and it is quite typical of my expediency to gladly forego suffering in order to claim all the blessings that are surely coming my way]...
i want my life [and my crosses] to be free of this grim reminder of suffering...
but, Jesus still on the cross screams LOVE to me -- i remember his broken body and his spilled blood...
my heart is stirred and strangely warmed...
love of another kind...
i was listening to michael card sing of Jesus' irrational love for us on the way back from the bay: "he could not love us more and he refuses to love us any less!"
holy week is a journey of extravagant love -- being stopped in our tracks by what matters most -- Jesus' INCARNATION, DEATH and RESURRECTION are the consummate definition and in-your-face expression of authentic love!
keep thinking this week about...
two crosses...
i shared this because i wanted a simple start to our holy week together...
shalom...
guy
let's focus our readings of the events of holy week around luke's gospel and john's gospel -- OK????
Saturday, April 4, 2009
day 39, lent 2009
can you believe it is day 39?
tomorrow is palm sunday...
there have been moments in the last 39 days when "God has shown up..."
we have been surprised by the joy of his presence...
we have heard his voice...
he has revealed wisdom from beyond...
what an awesome privilege to be in a moment when and where God "breaks through..."
i know it happens and yet i am still amazed at his gracious intervention...
i also know that these "kairos moments" cannot be manufactured, controlled or copyrighted...
we are never the catalyst -- God always is...
God remains ultimately free...
God is sovereign...
he is God and we are not...
nouwen says: "there is a great and subtle temptation to suggest to myself or others where God is working and where not, when he is present and when not, but nobody, no christian, no priest, no monk, has any 'special' knowledge about God. God cannot be limited by any human concept or prediction. he is greater than our mind and heart and perfectly free to reveal himself where and when he wants...we can close our eyes as tightly as we can and clasp our hands as firmly as possible, but God speaks only when he wants to speak. when we realize this our pressing, pushing, and pulling become quite amusing. sometimes we act like a child that closes his eyes and thinks that he can make the world go away...after having done everything TO MAKE SOME SPACE for God, it is still God who comes on his own initiative. but we have a promise upon which to base our hope. the promise of his love..."
so what is our part?
maybe it is "to make some space..."
and to trust in his love...
and to desire...
and to wait...
maybe it is "to be still and know that he is God..."
hope i am the first to wish you a wonder-filled palm sunday...
shalom...
guy
looking forward to holy week with you...
tomorrow is palm sunday...
there have been moments in the last 39 days when "God has shown up..."
we have been surprised by the joy of his presence...
we have heard his voice...
he has revealed wisdom from beyond...
what an awesome privilege to be in a moment when and where God "breaks through..."
i know it happens and yet i am still amazed at his gracious intervention...
i also know that these "kairos moments" cannot be manufactured, controlled or copyrighted...
we are never the catalyst -- God always is...
God remains ultimately free...
God is sovereign...
he is God and we are not...
nouwen says: "there is a great and subtle temptation to suggest to myself or others where God is working and where not, when he is present and when not, but nobody, no christian, no priest, no monk, has any 'special' knowledge about God. God cannot be limited by any human concept or prediction. he is greater than our mind and heart and perfectly free to reveal himself where and when he wants...we can close our eyes as tightly as we can and clasp our hands as firmly as possible, but God speaks only when he wants to speak. when we realize this our pressing, pushing, and pulling become quite amusing. sometimes we act like a child that closes his eyes and thinks that he can make the world go away...after having done everything TO MAKE SOME SPACE for God, it is still God who comes on his own initiative. but we have a promise upon which to base our hope. the promise of his love..."
so what is our part?
maybe it is "to make some space..."
and to trust in his love...
and to desire...
and to wait...
maybe it is "to be still and know that he is God..."
hope i am the first to wish you a wonder-filled palm sunday...
shalom...
guy
looking forward to holy week with you...
Friday, April 3, 2009
day 38, lent 2009
greetings!
sunday is palm sunday...
next week is holy week...
culminating with...
maunday thursday...
good friday...
resurrection sunday...
today's thought is from nouwen in SHOW ME THE WAY: "God has become human -- that is, God-with-us -- in order to show us that the anxious concern for recognition and the violence among us spring from a lack of faith in the love of God. if we had a firm faith in God's unconditional love for us, it would no longer be necessary to be always on the lookout for ways of being admired by people, and we would need, even less, to obtain from people by force what God desires to give us so abundantly..."
fr basil pennington has identified three basic issues which comprise the "false self" -- living our lives based on three basic false premises that our value is based on what we have, what we do and what other people think of us...
but the "true self" finds its authentic identity as the beloved child of the Father...
our lives are best fulfilled by nurturing the true self, not being driven by the false self!
YOU are the beloved of the Father...
rest in his love this weekend...
shalom...
guy
sunday is palm sunday...
next week is holy week...
culminating with...
maunday thursday...
good friday...
resurrection sunday...
today's thought is from nouwen in SHOW ME THE WAY: "God has become human -- that is, God-with-us -- in order to show us that the anxious concern for recognition and the violence among us spring from a lack of faith in the love of God. if we had a firm faith in God's unconditional love for us, it would no longer be necessary to be always on the lookout for ways of being admired by people, and we would need, even less, to obtain from people by force what God desires to give us so abundantly..."
fr basil pennington has identified three basic issues which comprise the "false self" -- living our lives based on three basic false premises that our value is based on what we have, what we do and what other people think of us...
but the "true self" finds its authentic identity as the beloved child of the Father...
our lives are best fulfilled by nurturing the true self, not being driven by the false self!
YOU are the beloved of the Father...
rest in his love this weekend...
shalom...
guy
Thursday, April 2, 2009
day 37, lent 2009
greetings!
continuing from last night...
life and ministry is about Jesus' INCARNATION, DEATH and RESURRECTION...
i have reflected and written quite a bit on the INCARNATION as a missional model...
what about Jesus' DEATH?
what does this mean for my life and my mission as a Christ follower?
i want to list three things before hitting the sack tonight...
first of all, the death of Jesus makes a clear statement about embracing SUFFERING [not safety and ease] as a way of both life and ministry...
contrary to the view of the western church, the goal of our faith adventure is not to "confess" our way out of suffering or to escape difficulties of any and all kinds...
the cross makes an unmistakable statement about the efficacy of suffering...
there is mysterious value in the agony we encounter for a higher cause...
only through dying can one truly live...
secondly, the death of Jesus is a call to OBEDIENCE [not egoism and self-will]...
Jesus had to pass through gethsemane ["the place of crushing"] during holy week on his way to golgotha...
remember the lesson of Jesus' personal crushing in the place of the vats where grapes were mashed into grape juice for fermentation?
it came in Jesus' powerful prayer of submission to his Father: "not MY will, but YOUR will be done!"
there is a mysterious value in coming to the point of personal surrender...
only through obedience can love be fully manifested...
thirdly, the death of Jesus is a call to SERVICE [not privilege and position]...
nouwen says: "Jesus became like one of us so that we might become like him. he did not cling to his equality with God, but emptied himself and became as we are so that we might become like him and thus share in his divine life..."
there is a mysterious value in pouring ourselves out in loving service to those who can do absolutely nothing to return the favor...
not the way of the upwardly mobile "movers and shakers" of this world, but the preferred path of downward mobility for the sons and daughters of the burgeoning kingdom that will rule in the end forever and ever...
only through intentional service can this world be transformed...
"small things done with great love will change the world!" [mother teresa]
what do you think?
how does the DEATH of Jesus impact your life and mission???
i can "feel" that there is MUCH more -- death is about LIFE, SALVATION, FRESH STARTS, NEW BEGINNINGS, REMEMBERING, HOPE, TRUST, CHOICE, etc.
shalom!
guy
T.G.I.F.
continuing from last night...
life and ministry is about Jesus' INCARNATION, DEATH and RESURRECTION...
i have reflected and written quite a bit on the INCARNATION as a missional model...
what about Jesus' DEATH?
what does this mean for my life and my mission as a Christ follower?
i want to list three things before hitting the sack tonight...
first of all, the death of Jesus makes a clear statement about embracing SUFFERING [not safety and ease] as a way of both life and ministry...
contrary to the view of the western church, the goal of our faith adventure is not to "confess" our way out of suffering or to escape difficulties of any and all kinds...
the cross makes an unmistakable statement about the efficacy of suffering...
there is mysterious value in the agony we encounter for a higher cause...
only through dying can one truly live...
secondly, the death of Jesus is a call to OBEDIENCE [not egoism and self-will]...
Jesus had to pass through gethsemane ["the place of crushing"] during holy week on his way to golgotha...
remember the lesson of Jesus' personal crushing in the place of the vats where grapes were mashed into grape juice for fermentation?
it came in Jesus' powerful prayer of submission to his Father: "not MY will, but YOUR will be done!"
there is a mysterious value in coming to the point of personal surrender...
only through obedience can love be fully manifested...
thirdly, the death of Jesus is a call to SERVICE [not privilege and position]...
nouwen says: "Jesus became like one of us so that we might become like him. he did not cling to his equality with God, but emptied himself and became as we are so that we might become like him and thus share in his divine life..."
there is a mysterious value in pouring ourselves out in loving service to those who can do absolutely nothing to return the favor...
not the way of the upwardly mobile "movers and shakers" of this world, but the preferred path of downward mobility for the sons and daughters of the burgeoning kingdom that will rule in the end forever and ever...
only through intentional service can this world be transformed...
"small things done with great love will change the world!" [mother teresa]
what do you think?
how does the DEATH of Jesus impact your life and mission???
i can "feel" that there is MUCH more -- death is about LIFE, SALVATION, FRESH STARTS, NEW BEGINNINGS, REMEMBERING, HOPE, TRUST, CHOICE, etc.
shalom!
guy
T.G.I.F.
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