An Unexpected Place; Praxis series - Tim Knipp (Acts 11:19-30)

From rural Galilee
to the center of the 
Roman world, 
Christianity spreads...
the question is: how?

Anioch -
a thriving metropolis by the sea,
sprouting wealth
and religions -
flowers and fruit
overgrown with weeds.

Refugees cast up 
on the streets of this
cosmopolis
strew seeds with news
of the carpenter king.

Non-Jews,
non-"Chosen"
nonetheless grab hold 
of Truth tenaciously.
But the soil is shallow
and needs fortifying.
Sleeves rolled up,
Paul and Barnabas
dig in
and lay the foundations,
toiling for a year.

When financial disaster
looms,
the spirit of generosity
blooms -
a crop of caring -
evidence of deep-rooted faith.

A flourishing garden
in an 
unexpected place,
influencing and
feeding multitudes
near and far.

Carlo Furlan

History of UCM - Brady Bobbink

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.