Responding Wisely to Change - Praxis Series (Brady Bobbink) Acts 6-8

Wings fill with the Spirit;
some soar,
while others are tossed
onto the fire
in a "faith-filled death."

Yet we must trust
the air
and let it lead us.

"All change is 
experienced as loss..."*

Transitions tear
and unsettle,
we must tread
with care.
Grounded  people
regain equilibrium
quickest
after a shaking.
Situational people
are shallow
and easily toppled.
The easy life
is poor training
for a changing world.

The Sistine masterpiece
was created
over long stretches of time
and agonizing effort,
but what beauty remains!

Drive-thru faith
will never provide
nutritional value
or sustain us
for the long haul.
Fleeing hurt
can cause the anger
to petrify
into cancerous growths
that gnaw the soul.
Facing transitions 
bravely
takes the long view.
Look for the good
that will eventually come
to light.
If you cannot
glimpse it yet,
trust that you will.
Lean on the Spirit
and make 
lemonade from
the lemons of
change.

*John Zimmerman

Community - Praxis Series; Brady Bobbink (Acts 6:1-7)

Fractures cause frisson
when the scales of justice
tilt.
Unequal measures
display favoritism
and the ugly seed
of discrimination 
sprouts.
Set patterns of thinking
and status boundaries
threaten to destroy
community.

Take a look at my heart, Lord.
Root out the weeds
of cultural
and habitual barriers
that choke
Your work.

Servants fill needs
and give structure
to community.
Servanthood is earned:
they must be
without reproach,
spirit vessels
and wisdom practicers.

Grow in depth.
Set down roots
that spread
and feed on 
His Word.

Courage (Praxis Series) Tim Knipp (Acts 4:1-14; Luke 22:52-62)

Be brave 
more than careful.
Be courageous
more than safe.

Resurrection meant
Opposite Day - 
capsizing of the 
status quo.

Brought before the
intimidating elite,
uneducated, backwards
fishermen trembled.
It was the
second time around 
for Peter.
Tasting bitter gall,
he looked his personal fear
in the eyes.
Swallowing,
he spoke the name
of Christ.
His unloosed tongue
trumpeted truth
and craven fear
shuddered
in defeat.
More shadow than 
substance,
fear dissolves
in the light
of courage.
"Do not be afraid"
echoed in Peter's ears
as he stunned the 
priests and elders
to silence.
From cowering
denier
to bold broadcaster,
Peter chose to trust
in the One who
forgave his darkest betrayal;
the One who faced
the grave and triumphed;
the One who filled
Peter with His strength.

We can spread our arms
and lie back
into the supporting arms 
of that same One.

Do I trust Him?

Pocket Change; Praxis series - Christian Anderson (Acts 3:1-10)

People as fixtures:
oddities who 
fill roles - 
flat stereotypes -
the homeless man,
the wounded vet,
the vagrant youth.

Avoiding eye contact,
we hurry by
or
guilt-ridden
dig for spare change
in designer pockets.

Peter looked in
the cripple's eyes -
saw him -
and offered healing
and hope
in Christ's name.
The lame will walk,
the dumb will speak,
the clumsy will dance,
the fractured psyche
will calm -
all will 
leap for joy!

Look into the eyes
that hide behind
grease-straggled hair,
or the stone facades
of hooded teens.

Look.

See.

Then pray.

Focus on the riches
you have in Christ
and dig into
those 
pockets.

Restoration - Tim Knipp (Acts 3:21; Col. 1:15-20)

Is the empty tomb
simply a Christian version
of eternal life insurance -
a safety net so we
can calm our fears
when contemplating
the vast maw of death?

Or did the empty tomb
provide a conduit
through death
rather than an escape
from its clutches?

God's masterwork
of Creation is slashed
and marred
by our addiction
to our selves.
We see in a fractured mirror,
unable to speak
without lies,
or act without
ice in our veins;
unable to touch
creation without spreading
our dis-ease.

This brokenness was 
inflicted on Him
so that through His death
all the fragmented
parts
can be re-formed
by the Puzzle Maker.

We can choose restoration
or rebellion,
calm or chaos.

Does cynicism hold 
you back?
What if it is true?

Have broken people
wounded you?
Look beyond the
jagged edges of your wounds
to Him who
bled for you
and offers you 
restoration.

Choose.

Spreading the Message (Praxis Series) - Tim Knipp (Acts 2:42-47)

Radical Generosity (Praxis Series) - Tim Knipp (Acts 2:42-47)

Cracked earth,
sterile seeds,
dry-baked skies -
all of these
ravaged the land
and pulled it out
from under us,
leaving us nothing
but wits and sinew
and fear
for the future.

Open handed generosity
spilled out
and overflowed,
soaking into the cracks
of need.
Property and possessions
became tools
offered up to benefit others
rather than
accumulations
that measured worth
and status.

Grace goaded them
into generous giving.

(Acts 4:33b-34a)

Having been rescued

from certain

death at the moment

of execution,

gratitude exploded.

(1 John 3:17)

Familial ties

embraced all believers,

connecting them

to the lineage

of David -

purpose driven and

chosen for so much 

more.

Resurrection promised

justice 

and the righting 

of crookedness.

No need to fear tomorrow,

for God is at work

in the world.

Grace.

Gratitude.

Generosity.

Radical generosity

reflects grace -

yet possessions

so often possess us

as we cling fearfully

to our stuff -

my stuff -

and look at others 

through the bars

of our things.