The Kingdom of God is not a partial country club, but a place where a collection of ragged, earthly individuals makes following the will of God its only priority. Make it so in me, Lord.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Mustard Seed Conspiracy, 5/25/14, Tony Campolo
The Kingdom of God is not a partial country club, but a place where a collection of ragged, earthly individuals makes following the will of God its only priority. Make it so in me, Lord.
Mustard Seed Conspiracy, 5/25/14, Tony Campolo
Tranformation
on earth,
in us
and through us.
The Kingdom world is
an end to:
- injustice
- war
- poverty
- hatred
- crime
- pain.
The church is on the move
because we win in the end.
It is a mustard seed
conspiracy.
Watch out for the ugly,
the wounded,
the scraps of humanity
others discard
and discount
as useless trash.
Become God's agent
in a hazardous world.
Expect no recognition
or recompense
except
the priceless peace
of dancing in perfect step
with
Your Creator.
Become an agent
of revolution.
on earth,
in us
and through us.
The Kingdom world is
an end to:
- injustice
- war
- poverty
- hatred
- crime
- pain.
The church is on the move
because we win in the end.
It is a mustard seed
conspiracy.
Watch out for the ugly,
the wounded,
the scraps of humanity
others discard
and discount
as useless trash.
Become God's agent
in a hazardous world.
Expect no recognition
or recompense
except
the priceless peace
of dancing in perfect step
with
Your Creator.
Become an agent
of revolution.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Faith Promise, Tim Knipp 5/18/14
Bruised and broken,
the invisible woman
steps from the slim shadow.
Her head bowed
before the sun's assault,
she trudges to the
silent well.
She sees his toes first:
calloused and dust-cloaked;
her eyes flicker to his face
and dart away
in anticipation of scorn.
Instead of spit
and spite
(her usual fare),
this stranger sees her
and
instead of shrinking back,
offers water
and sweet hope.
The invitation is scripted
in images she knows,
scented with goodness,
beauty
and real love -
not the cheap imitation she
has always fallen for.
Best of all, he sees her
for what she is and
who she is
and does not turn away.
Energized with wonder,
she sheds her ostracism
like an unnecessary cloak
and races through the streets,
sprinkling joy
until others are wakened
and stumble into the light
to see for themselves.
the invisible woman
steps from the slim shadow.
Her head bowed
before the sun's assault,
she trudges to the
silent well.
She sees his toes first:
calloused and dust-cloaked;
her eyes flicker to his face
and dart away
in anticipation of scorn.
Instead of spit
and spite
(her usual fare),
this stranger sees her
and
instead of shrinking back,
offers water
and sweet hope.
The invitation is scripted
in images she knows,
scented with goodness,
beauty
and real love -
not the cheap imitation she
has always fallen for.
Best of all, he sees her
for what she is and
who she is
and does not turn away.
Energized with wonder,
she sheds her ostracism
like an unnecessary cloak
and races through the streets,
sprinkling joy
until others are wakened
and stumble into the light
to see for themselves.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
A Bigger Rescue, Tim Knipp 5/3/14
Immersed in imagination,
we pretend;
powers and beauty
at our command.
What did Jesus play?
What fantastic stories
inspired his childish heart?
Was Gideon an action figure
He aspired to imitate?
Did He wear an
Elijah cape
and leap from rock
to shattered rock?
Tucked in
chalky, rocky hills,
surrounded by fertile,
emerald plains
tilled and harvested
by despised Occupiers,
didn't storytellers
recount the tales
of God's past deliverance?
Didn't they long
for a hero
who would avenge
their wrongs?
On a quiet Sabbath,
Jesus delivered His manifesto
in the hometown temple:
He has sent me
to set things right.
Today it has begun,
but it will not be
as you imagine.
No, it will be a
bigger rescue
than vengeance
can provide.
Remember those other stories,
the ones where God
called the outcast,
the enemy,
to repentance?
My Father loves
even the Occupier
(the abuser, the bigot -
those you consider beneath
your contempt).
His heart is bigger
than you can imagine."
Jesus came to rescue
us all
from our addiction
to Self -
from the Occupier
within our own hearts
and from the ultimate
enemies
of all mankind:
death and the devil.
Our small entrapments
are painful,
but temporary
in light of eternity.
Lord, help me remember this
when broken relationships
pulsate with pain;
when illness incapacitates
or loneliness enshrouds.
Help me to see
the bigger
plan.
we pretend;
powers and beauty
at our command.
What did Jesus play?
What fantastic stories
inspired his childish heart?
Was Gideon an action figure
He aspired to imitate?
Did He wear an
Elijah cape
and leap from rock
to shattered rock?
Tucked in
chalky, rocky hills,
surrounded by fertile,
emerald plains
tilled and harvested
by despised Occupiers,
didn't storytellers
recount the tales
of God's past deliverance?
Didn't they long
for a hero
who would avenge
their wrongs?
On a quiet Sabbath,
Jesus delivered His manifesto
in the hometown temple:
He has sent me
to set things right.
Today it has begun,
but it will not be
as you imagine.
No, it will be a
bigger rescue
than vengeance
can provide.
Remember those other stories,
the ones where God
called the outcast,
the enemy,
to repentance?
My Father loves
even the Occupier
(the abuser, the bigot -
those you consider beneath
your contempt).
His heart is bigger
than you can imagine."
Jesus came to rescue
us all
from our addiction
to Self -
from the Occupier
within our own hearts
and from the ultimate
enemies
of all mankind:
death and the devil.
Our small entrapments
are painful,
but temporary
in light of eternity.
Lord, help me remember this
when broken relationships
pulsate with pain;
when illness incapacitates
or loneliness enshrouds.
Help me to see
the bigger
plan.
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