Shabath #18

Two young boys playing - a little fantasy in the world as seen by five and six year old boys.

"I'm a spider"
"I've got a gun to shoot the bad guys"
"I shoot web stuff at them"
"I just stop them"
"And my other power is to catch them"
"And then I get them in jail"
"We're getting a lot of bad guys aren't we"
"Yep"

As they are running around the lobby of the church after a Saturday evening service.

Running and jumping and falling and smiling and laughing and simply enjoying the playing.

Barely missing the cuts and bruises and bloody noses and skinned knees that are microns and light years away from their bodies.

If their mothers saw them ... well the bumped heads and torn pants and dirty shirts would be seen way too soon and, of course, this isn't the place to be playing like that ...

But only an older man saw them and remembered ...

how great it was

to just play
to make up the game as we went along
to do it without adults grooming us for the future
to work out our differences ourselves
to have the hurt
to feel the pain
to know the fun of getting through it
to be free

to play like the young boys in that lobby

he remembered,
he was both with these two and with his buddies again

he smiled

Shalom

Hunger and Thirst Day #18

Pastors Preachers Teachers

Administators

So just about every church has a pastor - some senior level preacher type. My experience is that most of these "pastors" are very good at preaching or teaching or administering. Actual pastoring -- shepherding a flock -- is not done very well.

I know many will say that preaching and/or teaching and/or administering are how pastor-ing is done these days. I say that those are very impersonal activities and not at all like "leaving the 99 and going after the one that is lost."

I'll be saying more about this on future Hunger and Thirst Days.

Wednesday's Wonder #18

Tuesday with Jesus #18

If one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, doesn't he leave the other ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he does find it, he joyfully hoists it onto his shoulders; and when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Come, celebrate with me, because I have found my lost sheep!' I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who turns to God from his sins than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

-- Luke

Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God something to be possessed by force. On the contrary, he emptied himself, in that he took the form of a slave by becoming like human beings are. And when he appeared as a human being, he humbled himself still more by becoming obedient even to death — death on a stake as a criminal! Therefore God raised him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name ...
-- Philippians

Monday's Madness #18

OK -- found on Tuesday and back dated -- w/e

None Left Behind
[click on the link -- the cartoon says it all]


"What gets me so many times in talking with others who have left communities is that they felt they were expected to conform to a standard which in essence was intended to kill their personalities. Many people don’t see it as an invitation to new life but to no life. Often, it is uniqueness of character that expresses itself in unusual and radical ways that offend[s]."

-- [ht: Naked Pastor]

Sunday's Song #18

Who Am I
Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

Shabath #17

"Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
-- Matthew

Hunger and Thirst Day #17 - We shall not weary ...

"The journey has been long, and there are miles and miles to go. But ... the word is carried to every neighborhood, every house of worship, every congressional office, every state house, every precinct of this our beloved country — ... the word is carried that,

until every human being created in the image and likeness of God —

no matter how small or how weak, no matter how old or how burdensome —

until every human being created in the image and likeness of God is protected in law and cared for in life,

we shall not weary,

we shall not rest.

And, in this the great human rights struggle of our time and all times,

we shall overcome."

--- Richard John Neuhaus,

Wednesday's Wonder #17

Lifesong
Casting Crowns

Empty Hands held high
Such Small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you
Chorus:
Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign your name
to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

LORD, I give my life
A Living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You

Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Let my lifesong sing to You

Tuesday with Jesus #17 - Inauguration Day 2009

While it is auspicious that today a man of color becomes the President of the United States, the truly astounding reality is very different. Today, as on so many other Inauguration Days, one person lets go of the reigns of government and another person takes them up at the bidding of the governed.

May God, the Father of creation, enlighten and guide President Obama an all in his administration. May He enlighten and guide each and every Congressman and Senator as they carry out their responsibilities to those who have elected them. May He also give both foresight and wisdom to all who serve the people through government.
May God do these things through the risen Jesus of Nazareth, His son, our brother, Savior, Messiah and Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Monday's Madness #17 - US Politics Explained - FINALLY!!

Sunday's Song #17

Voice Of Truth
Casting Crowns

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are

Shabath #16

Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it; for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them.
But the message they heard didn't do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust.
For it is we who have trusted who enter the rest.
It is just as he said, "And in my anger, I swore that they would not enter my rest."
He swore this even though his works have been in existence since the founding of the universe.
For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works."
And once more, our present text says, "They will not enter my rest."
Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good News earlier did not enter, he again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David, so long afterward, in the text already given, "Today, if you hear God's voice, don't harden your hearts."
For if Y'hoshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another "day."
So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God's people.
For the one who has entered God's rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his.
Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.
-- Hebrews

Hunger and Thirst Day #16

After this, knowing that all things had accomplished their purpose, Yeshua, in order to fulfill the words of the Tanakh [Psalm 22; Psalm 69], said, "I'm thirsty." A jar full of cheap sour wine was there; so they soaked a sponge in the wine, coated it with oregano leaves and held it up to his mouth. After Yeshua had taken the wine, he said, "It is accomplished!" And, letting the [his?] head droop, he delivered up the [his?]spirit.
--- John

Wednesday's Wonder #16

Tuesday with Jesus #16

[For the leader. Set to "Sunrise." A psalm of David:]
My God! My God! Why have you abandoned me? Why so far from helping me, so far from my anguished cries?
My God, by day I call to you, but you don't answer; likewise at night, but I get no relief.
Nevertheless, you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Isra'el.
In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted, and you rescued them.
They cried to you and escaped; they trusted in you and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm, not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
All who see me jeer at me; they sneer and shake their heads:
"He committed himself to Adonai, so let him rescue him! Let him set him free if he takes such delight in him!"
But you are the one who took me from the womb, you made me trust when I was on my mother's breasts.
Since my birth I've been thrown on you; you are my God from my mother's womb.
Don't stay far from me, for trouble is near; and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me, wild bulls of Bashan close in on me.
They open their mouths wide against me, like ravening, roaring lions.
I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart has become like wax - it melts inside me;
my mouth is as dry as a fragment of a pot, my tongue sticks to my palate; you lay me down in the dust of death.
Dogs are all around me, a pack of villains closes in on me like a lion [at] my hands and feet.
[Or: "They pierced my hands and feet."]
I can count every one of my bones, while they gaze at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves; for my clothing they throw dice.
But you, Adonai, don't stay far away! My strength, come quickly to help me!
Rescue me from the sword, my life from the power of the dogs.
Save me from the lion's mouth! You have answered me from the wild bulls' horns.
I will proclaim your name to my kinsmen; right there in the assembly I will praise you:
"You who fear Adonai, praise him! All descendants of Ya`akov, glorify him! All descendants of Isra'el, stand in awe of him!
For he has not despised or abhorred the poverty of the poor; he did not hide his face from him but listened to his cry."
Because of you I give praise in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows in the sight of those who fear him.
The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek Adonai will praise him; Your hearts will enjoy life forever.
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Adonai; all the clans of the nations will worship in your presence.
For the kingdom belongs to Adonai, and he rules the nations.
All who prosper on the earth will eat and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him, including him who can't keep himself alive.
A descendant will serve him; the next generation will be told of Adonai.
They will come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he is the one who did it.

Monday's Madness #16

Dr. Mohler provided stark and scandalous news some time ago.

Researchers George Gallup and Jim Castelli put the problem squarely: "Americans revere the Bible--but, by and large, they don't read it. And because they don't read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates." How bad is it? Researchers tell us that it's worse than most could imagine.

Fewer than half of all adults can name the four gospels. Many Christians cannot identify more than two or three of the disciples. According to data from the Barna Research Group, 60 percent of Americans can't name even five of the Ten Commandments. "No wonder people break the Ten Commandments all the time. They don't know what they are," said George Barna, president of the firm. The bottom line? "Increasingly, America is biblically illiterate." [see Barna Group's web site]

Multiple surveys reveal the problem in stark terms. According to 82 percent of Americans, "God helps those who help themselves," is a Bible verse. Those identified as born-again Christians did better--by one percent. A majority of adults think the Bible teaches that the most important purpose in life is taking care of one's family.

Some of the statistics are enough to perplex even those aware of the problem. A Barna poll indicated that at least 12 percent of adults believe that Joan of Arc was Noah's wife. Another survey of graduating high school seniors revealed that over 50 percent thought that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife. A considerable number of respondents to one poll indicated that the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham. We are in big trouble.

Secularized Americans should not be expected to be knowledgeable about the Bible. As the nation's civic conversation is stripped of all biblical references and content, Americans increasingly live in a Scripture-free public space. Confusion and ignorance of the Bible's content should be assumed in post-Christian America.

The larger scandal is biblical ignorance among Christians. Choose whichever statistic or survey you like, the general pattern is the same. America's Christians know less and less about the Bible. It shows.

Just to check, right now, from memory, name the Apostles [there were twelve] then rattle off as many of the Ten Commandments as you can -- Reformed, RCC or Hebrew [Exodus 20 or 34]. Bonnus points for naming the Gospels

Sunday's Song #16

The Very Saddest Song



I've been sitting here staring at the clock on the wall
And I've been laying here praying, praying she won't call
It's just another call from home
And you'll get it and be gone
And I'll be crying

And I'll be begging you, baby
Beg you not to leave
But I'll be left here waiting
With my Heart on my sleeve
Oh, for the next time we'll be here
Seems like a million years
And I think I'm dying

What do I have to do to make you see
She can't love you like me

Why don't you stay
I'm down on my knees
I'm so tired of being lonely
Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We don't have to live this way
Baby, why don't you stay

You keep telling me, baby
There will come a time
When you will leave her arms
And forever be in mine
But I don't think that's the truth
And I don't like being used and I'm tired of waiting
It's too much pain to have to bear
To love a man you have to share

Why don't you stay
I'm down on my knees
I'm so tired of being lonely
Don't I give you what you need
When she calls you to go
There is one thing you should know
We don't have to live this way
Baby, why don't you stay

I can't take it any longer
But my will is getting stronger
And I think I know just what I have to do
I can't waste another minute
After all that I've put in it
I've given you my best
Why does she get the best of you
So next time you find you wanna leave her bed for mine

Why don't you stay
I'm up off my knees
I'm so tired of being lonely
You can't give me what I need
When she begs you not to go
There is one thing you should know
I don't have to live this way
Baby, why don't you stay, yeah

Shabath #15

At the end of every seven years you are to have a sh'mittah [complete release of debts owed to one's self]. Here is how the sh'mittah is to be done: every creditor is to give up what he has loaned to his fellow member of the community — he is not to force his neighbor or relative to repay it, because Adonai's time of remission has been proclaimed. You may demand that a foreigner repay his debt, but you are to release your claim on whatever your brother owes you. In spite of this, there will be no one needy among you; because Adonai will certainly bless you in the land which Adonai your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess - if only you will listen carefully to what Adonai your God says and take care to obey all these mitzvot I am giving you today. Yes, Adonai your God will bless you, as he promised you - you will lend money to many nations without having to borrow, and you will rule over many nations without their ruling over you.
If someone among you is needy, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which Adonai your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from giving to your needy brother. No, you must open your hand to him and lend him enough to meet his need and enable him to obtain what he wants. Guard yourself against allowing your heart to entertain the mean-spirited thought that because the seventh year, the year of sh'mittah is at hand, you would be stingy toward your needy brother and not give him anything; for then he may cry out to Adonai against you, and it will be your sin. Rather, you must give to him; and you are not to be grudging when you give to him. If you do this, Adonai your God will bless you in all your work, in everything you undertake - for there will always be poor people in the land. That is why I am giving you this order, 'You must open your hand to your poor and needy brother in your land.'

--- Deuteronomy

Hunger and Thirst Day #15

Wednesday's Wonder #15

Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand Hold it tight

I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always

Why can't they understand
the way we feel
They just don't trust
what they can't explain
I know we're different but,
deep inside us
We're not that different at all

And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know
We need each other,
to have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know

When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more

Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart, always
Always

Tuesday with Jesus #15

Sometimes there is a very great emphasis on how much Jesus loves us and has done everything necessary to save us - how there is nothing we have to do but acknowledge that and accept that salvation. There may be some lip service given to acknowledging one's status as a sinner but not much more than lip service.

I think it would be good to look at what Jesus said from the beginning of his ministry about what what really is expected of us. After he was tempted --
... in order to fulfill what Yesha`yahu the prophet had said,

Land of Z'vulun and land of Naftali, toward the lake, beyond the Yarden, Galil-of-the-Goyim —the people living in darkness have seen a great light; upon those living in the region, in the shadow of death, light has dawned.

From that time on, Yeshua began proclaiming, "Turn from your sins to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!"

Oh, yeah, that same writer ends his account with words about "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

Monday's Madness #15

Fun Rather Than Madness

From Parchment and Pen, here’s an interesting true-false quiz:

1. Mary and Joseph had to travel as quickly as possible to Bethlehem because Mary could have given birth at any moment.

2. The Bethlehem innkeeper was fully booked, and so Mary had to give birth to Jesus in the barn/stall nearby/behind the inn.

3. Initially, this experience must have been frightening and lonely for Mary and Joseph.

4. “The little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.”

5. The angels who appeared to the shepherds had wings.

And check out the 'bonus' questions in the post's comments, :-)

Sunday's Song #15

Shabath #14

Hunger and Thirst Day #14

Wishing You All a Happy And Blessed New Year