Kids at play
Memory fades to misty spritz
dozens of spickets pollinating summer
with water spray, laughter, smiles
Frisbees passing through
A dog lapping puddles of pollen
The dandelion fountain
Magnet of youth
Old, young, middle-aged
No matter the years
Always a child in the dandelion rain
Monday, September 19, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Connecting: Unity
Today, I write in regards to John 17 and Jesus' prayer for unity of those who believe in Him today. When Jesus is praying just prior to His trial and crucifixion, He prayed not just for His disciples, but also for us today.
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
I had a conversation this week with a brother in Christ in relation to the many denominations that comprise Christianity. How could so many different factions splinter the Christian body by insisting each way is the only right way to pursue Christ? Something hit me after some prayer and thought and discussion about the subject this week, the many denominations and Paul's description of the body of the Church. Of course, being September, football also entered my cranial discourse.
Paul's description of the body is in the context of utilizing spiritual gifts and talents--each of us is given different talents and spiritual gifts to be used uniquely for the building up of the body. Perhaps denominations are a corporate example of this individual imagery.
In football, the team has different groups of players, but all with one goal--victory. Linemen can be classified in a group within the team. Each lineman has a unique talent for each position--defensive tackle, offensive tackle, nose tackle, guards, center; but grouped together, they are a unique team within the football team. Lineman concentrate on weights, strength, power and WHAM! Wide receivers work on sprinting and catching, running routes, patterns. The defense works on thwarting the offense and the offense works on overcoming the defensive team.
Now, should the offensive linemen preach to the quarterback that he should spend more time in the weight room and less time working on his passing accuracy? Should a quarterback tell his line to practice throwing the ball because everyone in football should be able to throw a good pass?
These are perhaps exaggerated examples, but we often see this kind of preaching from different church pulpits when in truth, we need "different" churches unified in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The football team brings all the different groups of players together for the goal of victory--scoring more points than the opponent. The goal of Christianity is summed up best by Jesus Himself when quoting the Shema--to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and with all your strength; and likewise...to love your neighbor as yourself.
Perhaps some feel convicted to partake of the Lord's Supper every weekend because of its importance; others feel convicted to partake only once a month to preserve the honor and "specialness" of the occasion. Perhaps a congregation would rather not have distractions from dancing and music while another could not imagine worshipping without it. Are these churches all splintered or can they all love God and neighbor within their own convictions of the Holy Spirit without judging the others?
Does this mean the Church should have no limits to what it allows? Paul wrote to the Corinthians regarding the fallacy of this thought. While quarterbacks don't block as a normal duty and linemen don't throw the football, quarterbacks do need to throw and linemen do need to block. If either are not doing so, the coach pulls them from the game.
Perhaps think this week regarding groups, teams, or organizations more meaningful to you. What is the goal of that group? Are all members doing the same things toward that goal or are there several groups within that group, all unified by a common denominator, but achieving different numerators?
Something to think about...why would Jesus want you specifically to be unified with other Christians? How has He made you unique to contribute to the body? To a group within the body? Have you thought about the One who holds all things together praying for you to be one with Him--with the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit? Read back through John 17:21 and spend some time with Him right now.
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
I had a conversation this week with a brother in Christ in relation to the many denominations that comprise Christianity. How could so many different factions splinter the Christian body by insisting each way is the only right way to pursue Christ? Something hit me after some prayer and thought and discussion about the subject this week, the many denominations and Paul's description of the body of the Church. Of course, being September, football also entered my cranial discourse.
Paul's description of the body is in the context of utilizing spiritual gifts and talents--each of us is given different talents and spiritual gifts to be used uniquely for the building up of the body. Perhaps denominations are a corporate example of this individual imagery.
In football, the team has different groups of players, but all with one goal--victory. Linemen can be classified in a group within the team. Each lineman has a unique talent for each position--defensive tackle, offensive tackle, nose tackle, guards, center; but grouped together, they are a unique team within the football team. Lineman concentrate on weights, strength, power and WHAM! Wide receivers work on sprinting and catching, running routes, patterns. The defense works on thwarting the offense and the offense works on overcoming the defensive team.
Now, should the offensive linemen preach to the quarterback that he should spend more time in the weight room and less time working on his passing accuracy? Should a quarterback tell his line to practice throwing the ball because everyone in football should be able to throw a good pass?
These are perhaps exaggerated examples, but we often see this kind of preaching from different church pulpits when in truth, we need "different" churches unified in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The football team brings all the different groups of players together for the goal of victory--scoring more points than the opponent. The goal of Christianity is summed up best by Jesus Himself when quoting the Shema--to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and with all your strength; and likewise...to love your neighbor as yourself.
Perhaps some feel convicted to partake of the Lord's Supper every weekend because of its importance; others feel convicted to partake only once a month to preserve the honor and "specialness" of the occasion. Perhaps a congregation would rather not have distractions from dancing and music while another could not imagine worshipping without it. Are these churches all splintered or can they all love God and neighbor within their own convictions of the Holy Spirit without judging the others?
Does this mean the Church should have no limits to what it allows? Paul wrote to the Corinthians regarding the fallacy of this thought. While quarterbacks don't block as a normal duty and linemen don't throw the football, quarterbacks do need to throw and linemen do need to block. If either are not doing so, the coach pulls them from the game.
Perhaps think this week regarding groups, teams, or organizations more meaningful to you. What is the goal of that group? Are all members doing the same things toward that goal or are there several groups within that group, all unified by a common denominator, but achieving different numerators?
Something to think about...why would Jesus want you specifically to be unified with other Christians? How has He made you unique to contribute to the body? To a group within the body? Have you thought about the One who holds all things together praying for you to be one with Him--with the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit? Read back through John 17:21 and spend some time with Him right now.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Alternations vs. Simultaneity
Alternations vs. Simultaneity
Can the Spirit live together with my body?
Must one die to satisfy the other?
Is the soul divided?
My mind claims that I pant for Jesus
as a deer pants for water, yet a moment later
my mind pants after the world!
What a struggle, I cannot win!
I cannot.
But He can!
I believe with my lips,
with my head and heart,
But desire betrays, and my hands
and feet reveal true hypocrisy!
So how does this work?
I must believe, but I cannot even make my body believe!
Jesus within; the power of the Holy Spirit!
Help me in my unbelief! Refresh my soul
with your living water. Refresh my appetite
with the bread of life!
Pour forth from me simultaneously
with the filling of my cup, filling others and others.
Not me, but Christ in me, through me and all of me
Reach the world while dipped in heaven.
Can the Spirit live together with my body?
Must one die to satisfy the other?
Is the soul divided?
My mind claims that I pant for Jesus
as a deer pants for water, yet a moment later
my mind pants after the world!
What a struggle, I cannot win!
I cannot.
But He can!
I believe with my lips,
with my head and heart,
But desire betrays, and my hands
and feet reveal true hypocrisy!
So how does this work?
I must believe, but I cannot even make my body believe!
Jesus within; the power of the Holy Spirit!
Help me in my unbelief! Refresh my soul
with your living water. Refresh my appetite
with the bread of life!
Pour forth from me simultaneously
with the filling of my cup, filling others and others.
Not me, but Christ in me, through me and all of me
Reach the world while dipped in heaven.
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