tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20748735777478662852024-03-13T13:48:20.518-07:00CCNCN Lenten Reflections by Dick OberThis is the reflection blog/podcast of the Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada.CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-48308085500313073862011-04-15T16:46:00.000-07:002011-04-15T16:46:44.779-07:00Episode 48: April 25 - The Night After Easter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">'Twas the night after Easter, </div><div class="MsoNormal"> and locked in a room,</div><div class="MsoNormal">The disciples sat wondering</div><div class="MsoNormal"> there in the gloom.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The women had told them</div><div class="MsoNormal"> that Christ had arisen;</div><div class="MsoNormal">But that went against</div><div class="MsoNormal"> all sense and all reason.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If Christ were alive</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and was seen by the women</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why had he not first</div><div class="MsoNormal"> shown himself to the men?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They sat and awaited</div><div class="MsoNormal"> a knock at the door.</div><div class="MsoNormal">If he came, would they know him?</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Would he look like before?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And suppose it were soldiers</div><div class="MsoNormal"> who knocked at the door?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not knowing the answers,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> they stared at the floor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But they needn't have wondered</div><div class="MsoNormal"> how they would tell,</div><div class="MsoNormal">If at the door</div><div class="MsoNormal"> came a knock and a yell.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For no knock ever came,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and no footsteps were heard;</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus came to the room</div><div class="MsoNormal"> without speaking a word.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then what to their wondering eyes</div><div class="MsoNormal"> did appear?</div><div class="MsoNormal">It made them all speechless,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and filled them with fear!</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">"Peace be with you,"</div><div class="MsoNormal"> he said with a smile,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then said it once more</div><div class="MsoNormal"> for it took them awhile</div><div class="MsoNormal">To regain their senses</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and let it sink in</div><div class="MsoNormal">That Christ was alive</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and here with them again!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The reason he came</div><div class="MsoNormal"> was not just to please them;</div><div class="MsoNormal">But to give them his power,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> from fear to release them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So he wasted no time</div><div class="MsoNormal"> as he stood there aglow,</div><div class="MsoNormal">But gave them a mission,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and told them to go.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then he breathed out his breath</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and his Spirit upon them,</div><div class="MsoNormal">And quick as he came,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> he suddenly left them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Their souls, which were weary,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> were now filled with mirth,</div><div class="MsoNormal">And they had a new message</div><div class="MsoNormal"> to tell all the earth.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-18536770494501382022011-04-15T16:30:00.000-07:002011-04-15T16:30:45.687-07:00Episode 47: April 24 - Prayer To The God We Are Afraid To Know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Eternal Spirit,<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">far beyond knowing,</div><div class="MsoNormal">yet known to us in our </div><div class="MsoNormal">deepest innermost being:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You who are beyond the outermost reaches</div><div class="MsoNormal"> of the universe,</div><div class="MsoNormal">we reach out to you with words</div><div class="MsoNormal"> of one of the languages of this small planet</div><div class="MsoNormal"> and presume that you understand,</div><div class="MsoNormal">only to discover that you understand</div><div class="MsoNormal"> far more than we can speak </div><div class="MsoNormal"> of the inner longings and desires of our hearts,</div><div class="MsoNormal"> far more than we intended</div><div class="MsoNormal"> of the evil that lurks in the dark corners of our souls.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We ask you to reveal yourself, and you turn</div><div class="MsoNormal">and reveal ourselves to us</div><div class="MsoNormal"> far more than we ever wanted anyone to see</div><div class="MsoNormal"> including you . . . including ourselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We seek to master the complexity</div><div class="MsoNormal"> of who you are,</div><div class="MsoNormal">and you come to us in the simplicity</div><div class="MsoNormal"> of one who broke bread, drank wine, and said</div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Love one another like this,” and then</div><div class="MsoNormal"> washed our feet.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We ask to see the full light of your presence;</div><div class="MsoNormal">you wisely shine it on us in small quantities</div><div class="MsoNormal">lest we be so blinded</div><div class="MsoNormal">we lose sight of you altogether.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Eternal Spirit,</div><div class="MsoNormal">far beyond knowing,</div><div class="MsoNormal">continue to make yourself known to us</div><div class="MsoNormal">as much as we can stand. Amen.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-17496190270512391202011-04-15T16:28:00.001-07:002011-04-15T16:28:48.355-07:00Episode 46: April 23 - He Won't Be There<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">They’re going to go to the wrong place:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">the women tomorrow morning</div><div class="MsoNormal">and the men.</div><div class="MsoNormal">He said he wouldn’t be there:</div><div class="MsoNormal"> “…and on the third day be raised.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Matthew 16:21)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But they go there anyway, innocently enough</div><div class="MsoNormal">on the part of the women.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then the men:</div><div class="MsoNormal">What’s the matter didn’t you believe the women?</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Or Jesus?</div><div class="MsoNormal">He said he wouldn’t be there.</div><div class="MsoNormal">They said he wasn’t there.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yet that’s where you go to look for him.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t let me be too critical.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We do the same thing.</div><div class="MsoNormal">All the time.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Always looking for God in the wrong places:</div><div class="MsoNormal"> empty tombs.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> empty forms.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> empty words.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> empty rituals.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not that they have to be empty, of course.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But if they have become so for you</div><div class="MsoNormal">why keep looking there?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I didn’t find God there last time I looked,</div><div class="MsoNormal">but I’m going to look there again, because</div><div class="MsoNormal">once upon a time I</div><div class="MsoNormal"> --or my grandmother or somebody--</div><div class="MsoNormal">found God there</div><div class="MsoNormal">so that must be the place to look.</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 8pt;"> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“He is not here, he has risen.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Luke 24:5)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Then where will I find him?</div><div class="MsoNormal">In unexpected places.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Look for God where you wouldn’t expect</div><div class="MsoNormal">to find God.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Be ready to be surprised by God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Consider the women (as told by Matthew)</div><div class="MsoNormal">Surprised by the empty tomb.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Surprised by the messenger.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Surprised by the Risen Christ himself.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Holy surprises!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Popping up at every turn!</div><div class="MsoNormal">Where next?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yes, that’s it. Where next?</div><div class="MsoNormal">In my life? In your life?</div><div class="MsoNormal">In that stranger walking toward you?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s going to be very tempting tomorrow</div><div class="MsoNormal">to go look in the empty tomb.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t be surprised if he’s not there.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But stay alert, because</div><div class="MsoNormal">if he’s not there,</div><div class="MsoNormal">who knows where he might pop up next?</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-52104824725123027622011-04-15T16:28:00.000-07:002011-04-15T16:28:18.898-07:00Episode 45: April 22 - Not If God Can Stop You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Reading a book<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">one line jumped out:</div><div class="MsoNormal">"God will not let us go to hell in peace." <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> (Distant Fire, p. 9)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I knew it!</div><div class="MsoNormal">That fits!</div><div class="MsoNormal">That sounds like God!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two other pictures.</div><div class="MsoNormal">One: God as judge--</div><div class="MsoNormal">God sends us to hell.</div><div class="MsoNormal">that doesn't fit...</div><div class="MsoNormal">a house divided..</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two: God as indifferent--</div><div class="MsoNormal">God allows us to go to hell.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We choose our own fate.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That doesn't sound like God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another view:</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is no hell.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But we know better,</div><div class="MsoNormal">don't we.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We keep trying to go there.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And God keeps trying to stop us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">God doesn't ignore us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">God will not leave us alone.</div><div class="MsoNormal">God will not let us enjoy our sin.</div><div class="MsoNormal">God keeps stirring our conscience,</div><div class="MsoNormal">disturbing our peace.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you're going to go to hell,</div><div class="MsoNormal">you'll have to fight God</div><div class="MsoNormal">all the way</div><div class="MsoNormal">to get there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">"God will not let us go to hell in peace."<span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-9084437347371642312011-04-15T16:27:00.002-07:002011-04-15T16:27:49.185-07:00Episode 44: April 21 - It Wasn't a Denial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Peter,<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">have we been wrong about you?</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have blamed you for</div><div class="MsoNormal">denying,</div><div class="MsoNormal">when all the time you were</div><div class="MsoNormal">confessing,</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I do not know the man.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wanted to know.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Later I would.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But then</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wanted him to be</div><div class="MsoNormal">what I wanted him to be.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I did not know the man.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I tried to know.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“So I should forgive up to seven times?”</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Show me how to walk on the water.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Explain this parable to us."</div><div class="MsoNormal">He replied</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Are you also still without understanding?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I tried to understand.</div><div class="MsoNormal">First, "You will never wash my feet."</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then, "also my hands and my head!"</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Later you will understand,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not know the man.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought I knew.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Who do you think I am,” he asked.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“You are the Christ,</div><div class="MsoNormal">the Son of the Living God.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">He blessed me for that, though</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not know what I was saying.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I am going to Jerusalem where</div><div class="MsoNormal">I will be put to death.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Never,” I said,</div><div class="MsoNormal">“That will not happen.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Get behind me,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not know the man.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Up on the mountain:</div><div class="MsoNormal">magnificent manifestation.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Let me build three shrines,” I said.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not know the man.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They came to arrest him.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I pulled a sword.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Put it away,” he said.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not know the man.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I stood by the fire.</div><div class="MsoNormal">They asked if I knew him.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I moved away.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Surely you knew him.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">The cock crowed, and I wept</div><div class="MsoNormal">because</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not know the man.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-60563728792322617562011-04-15T16:27:00.001-07:002011-04-15T16:27:27.210-07:00Episode 43: April 20 - Blood On My Hands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Oops, the communion juice got on my fingers.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I have “blood” on my hands—the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, don’t we all!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pilate didn’t want the blood of Jesus on his hands:</div><div align="left" class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i>Pilate … took some water and washed his hands, saying, </i></div><div align="left" class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0.05in 0.0001pt 0in; text-align: left;"><i>"I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves."</i></div><div class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0.05in 0.0001pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Matthew 27:24)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Someone incited the crowds:</div><div align="left" class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i>"His blood be on us and on our children!"</i> <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Matthew 27:25)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well it is. Believe me, it is. It’s on all our hands.</div><div class="MsoNormal">No single group.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Want it or not, his blood is on us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>"I am innocent of this man's blood.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal">No you’re not. You are one of us.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We all are children of the crucifiers.</div><div align="left" class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i>“There is no one who is righteous, not even one.”</i></div><div align="left" class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><i>“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”</i></div><div class="MsoBlockText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Romans 3:10, 23)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">It is for us that he died.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is because of us that he had to die.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We thought it was him.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We thought there was something wrong with him.</div><div class="MsoNormal">He was the one being struck down by God.</div><div class="MsoNormal">What did he do that was so terrible?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nothing. We are the ones.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-22215640380053943762011-04-15T16:27:00.000-07:002011-04-15T16:27:05.583-07:00Episode 42: April 19 - Answering Pilate's Question<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">“What is truth?”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">That’s a good question,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pilate.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We</div><div class="MsoNormal">are still trying to answer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus said,</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I am the truth”</div><div class="MsoNormal">I?</div><div class="MsoNormal">the truth?</div><div class="MsoNormal">A living, breathing, moving,</div><div class="MsoNormal">spontaneous,</div><div class="MsoNormal">divine/human being?</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I am the truth?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No wonder people</div><div class="MsoNormal">still prefer</div><div class="MsoNormal">Moses.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Moses</div><div class="MsoNormal">gave us truth:</div><div class="MsoNormal">immutable, unchangeable, absolute</div><div class="MsoNormal">carved in stone</div><div class="MsoNormal">forever!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s</div><div class="MsoNormal">not slippery truth.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s truth</div><div class="MsoNormal">you can pin down.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We like that.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course,</div><div class="MsoNormal">we were able</div><div class="MsoNormal">finally</div><div class="MsoNormal">to pin Jesus down.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nailed him down</div><div class="MsoNormal">actually.</div><div class="MsoNormal">We don’t like truth</div><div class="MsoNormal">that moves.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-10173256215544947302011-04-15T16:25:00.000-07:002011-04-15T16:25:57.299-07:00Episode 41: April 18 - Holy Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is it. The final week.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Is this where we get all our questions answered?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Or all our answers questioned?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a story about a psychologist</div><div class="MsoNormal">who had seven theories on child-raising</div><div class="MsoNormal">and no children.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some years later he had seven children</div><div class="MsoNormal">and no theories.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s what having children does to you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I was young</div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought I had all the answers to life.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, some years later</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m not even sure I know </div><div class="MsoNormal">what all the questions are.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s what life does to you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Is this the end</div><div class="MsoNormal">or the beginning?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Or neither?</div><div class="MsoNormal">Maybe there is no beginning or ending.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Palm Sunday looked like a great new beginning.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Good Friday looked like the final end.</div><div class="MsoNormal">In fact, neither was either.</div><div class="MsoNormal">All their answers were thrown into question.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s what Jesus does to you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We want endings and beginnings, but maybe</div><div class="MsoNormal">real life is lived always in the middle.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s what it feels like.</div><div class="MsoNormal">No matter what begins. No matter what ends.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m always right in the middle of everything.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That doesn’t mean I still wouldn’t </div><div class="MsoNormal">like to have some answers.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-49925828522924563322011-04-07T13:55:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:55:02.895-07:00Episode 40: April 17 - An Opportune Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This could be the moment.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">There may be another chance in the garden.</div><div class="MsoNormal">But this just might be the opportune time.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
When the temptations in the wilderness were</div><div class="MsoNormal">finished (or so it appeared) </div><div class="MsoNormal">Luke tells us the devil “departed from him</div><div class="MsoNormal">until an opportune time.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Luke 4:13)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the more menacing lines in Scripture.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What kind of time is opportune?</div><div class="MsoNormal">When is one vulnerable to temptation?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<u>When you are down</u>: </div><div class="MsoNormal"> in need, in trouble, in desperation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> You’ll do anything to get a way up. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> Or try any escape to find a way out. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus already passed that one. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> How down and desperate was he after</div><div class="MsoNormal"> starving for 40 days.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<u>When you are in the middle</u>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> Life is good. Life is smooth.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> You’re guard is down.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> You can wander off track before you know it</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus passed that one everyday.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> He was always alert to whatever tricks</div><div class="MsoNormal"> anyone might throw his way.</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><u>When you are up</u>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Riding the crest of the wave.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Everybody loves you. You can do no wrong. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> Or can you?</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is the opportune moment to catch Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Ride that wave. Listen to the crowds.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Give them what they want. They’ll make you a king.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Wear that crown and lead the march to victory.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Come on, Jesus. Hosanna! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple,</div><div class="MsoNormal">and when he had looked around at everything…</div><div class="MsoNormal">he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Mark 11:11)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What?</div><div class="MsoNormal">No rally? No stirring speech? No demonstration?</div><div class="MsoNormal">What a missed opportunity. No.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was no giving in to the opportune moment </div><div class="MsoNormal">that would have tempted him away from his true mission.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wish I had that kind of restraint.</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wish I had that kind of trust in God.</div><div class="MsoNormal">To be able to understand that</div><div class="MsoNormal">what looks like a moment of opportunity</div><div class="MsoNormal">is in fact a distraction</div><div class="MsoNormal">from the true path.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-34396575572410635172011-04-07T13:54:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:54:30.721-07:00Episode 39: April 16 - One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">One<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">would not want </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to compare the will of</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to a broad path.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Although</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">at times it seems </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">there is room</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to meander a little</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">without</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">going outside the boundaries.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">At other times</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the path narrows.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Walls</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">rise on the sides.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">There is only</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">one way to go.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">One</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">might choose not</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to go at all,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">except</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">for that invisible hand</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">placed firmly</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in the small of the back</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">pressing forward.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">doesn’t talk much,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">but</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">at times</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">there is no doubt</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">what God is saying.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.05in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(Bonus question: Is this about us, or about</span></i></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.05in; text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jesus facing Palm Sunday? Or both?) </span></i></div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-71907970510354658232011-04-07T13:53:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:53:27.192-07:00Episode 38: April 15 - Transition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Walking out of the garden,<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Adam said to Eve,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"We are living in a time of transition."</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">History is measured</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">between the times of transition.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">But today transitions come so fast</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">there is no time in between</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to measure.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We have spoken of God</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">as the God of stability:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">—the rock</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">—the fortress</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">—the mountain.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Where is God now?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God is also the God of transitions</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">who led Abraham and Sarah</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Miriam and Moses</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">into new lands,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and called</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Magdalene, Peter and Paul</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">into a new age.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Don't worry!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God does not fear change,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God initiates it!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"Go...I am with you."</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-29861040144781133092011-04-07T13:52:00.001-07:002011-04-07T13:52:58.062-07:00Episode 37: April 14 - What Gets In My Way?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">What will other people think?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Is anybody looking?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It’s not what other people will think.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It’s what I <i>think</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">other people will think.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Probably</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">nobody is paying that much attention.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">But just in case they are</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I better be careful.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">So in order to avoid</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">doing something someone might be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">upset by.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I miss the chance of</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">doing some things someone might be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">benefitted by.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It occurs to me</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">it is pretty much impossible</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to love as Jesus loved</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">if worrying about what other people think</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">gets in the way.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-86766640611228866312011-04-07T13:52:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:52:24.534-07:00Episode 36: April 13 - Do Something About It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">What on earth is going on?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And why doesn't God do </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">something about it? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">To which God replies, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"What on earth is going on? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And why don't you people do </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">something about it?" </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Well, it's not my fault </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the world is in such a mess. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I didn't do anything. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"Precisely my point!" </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">replies God. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"The world is </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">going to hell in a bucket </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">because you think it is not. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Because you think it is not </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">your responsibility </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to do something about it." </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">What on earth </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">are we going to do? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God, save your people! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God rephrases: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"What are you going to do, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">my people, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to save the earth?" </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We are waiting for God </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to step into the world and do </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">something about it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And God will! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Meanwhile, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God is waiting for us </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">who live in the world to do </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">something about it. </div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-83383380158927493462011-04-07T13:51:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:51:55.424-07:00Episode 35: April 12 - Jack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I only knew him for a few months. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We worked together on a building project.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">For a mission. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">A shelter for homeless travelers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">He could have been one himself. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">His life had not been easy. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"It's a little disturbing." </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">He confided one day. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"It's the first time in my life </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I haven't had an ulterior reason </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">for what I'm doing. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It isn't for religion either." </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Good, I said to myself </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Now you're getting the idea. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus' idea. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus was against </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">ulterior motives. Including </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">religious ulterior motives </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Doing something for somebody else </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">so I can get something from them </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is ulterior. So is </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">doing something for somebody else </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">so I can get something from God. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus' idea was </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">doing something for somebody else </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">because that person-needs it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That's all. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Not to be rewarded, even by God. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It was a strange idea Jesus had. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">If we catch ourselves actually doing it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">it's usually a little disturbing. </div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-10114688511302338072011-04-07T13:50:00.000-07:002011-04-07T13:50:54.844-07:00Episode 34: April 11 - Evidence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">"Nobody loves me anymore."<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">She spoke from the bed that is</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">now her home.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"That's not true,"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I wanted to reply.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">But I couldn't.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">What evidence do I have?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">She has evidence.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Those who used to love her</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">are gone.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Every long day that passes</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">without a visitor</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is evidence</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that nobody loves her anymore.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"Some people still love you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I could say it . . .</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">but can I prove it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Who will give the evidence:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">a visit,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">a card,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">maybe even a flower?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"What reason do I have to live?"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">she asked,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Maybe the reason</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is so we can learn</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">how to say,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"I love you"</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">not just with words</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">but with evidence.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">What is her name?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">She has many names.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You probably know one of them.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-30875793817918779102011-04-01T11:16:00.001-07:002011-04-01T11:16:54.051-07:00Episode 33: April 10 - And I Saw God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There are moments<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">—how can I speak of this?—</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">there are moments</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">too big to talk about</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">too big for words</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">too big to explain.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">To speak of it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is to reduce it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to size:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that which has no</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">limits.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">To put it into</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">words</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is to put it into</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">a box:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that which cannot be</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">contained.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">There are moments when</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the unknowable</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the unseeable</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the untouchable</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">touches us, and</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">we see</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">we know</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">we experience </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the infinite</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in a finite</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">moment.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">How can we speak of it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">How can we explain it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">How can we . . . ?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We cannot. And yet . . .</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">how can we NOT</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">speak of it?</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-22483637509877124072011-04-01T11:16:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:16:16.861-07:00Episode 32: April 9 - Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">O.K. Here’s where we have come so far.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.95pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Life is a mystery. (We searched ourselves for understanding, and journeyed through the wilderness.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.95pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. God is a deeper mystery. (We contemplated the unseen Mystery, and seeing the Mystery in Jesus.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.95pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. The key is love (to understanding the mystery of life and the Mystery of God.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.95pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. You have received a great gift (the love of God) and it is in your hands to pass along.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Now, what do we do?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Yes that’s the question. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Always.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We asked it on Ash Wednesday.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Remember?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dust and breath;</div><div class="MsoNormal">matter and spirit.</div><div class="MsoNormal">That’s who we are.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And how do we live?</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Dust and breath?</div><div class="MsoNormal"> Matter and spirit?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Answering that question</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is your assignment</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">for the rest of your life</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">(as it always has been.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 8.1pt; text-align: right;"><i>Next week we’ll look at a few examples. Not that they will answer the question, </i></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 8.1pt; text-align: right;"><i>but they will be something to consider.</i></div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-63314307900390522732011-04-01T11:15:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:15:39.402-07:00Episode 31: April 8 - Spiraling Along<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">As was said:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You participate in a spiral</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">of people reaching out</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to ever increasing numbers.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">There is also a spiral within</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Because</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the more you are in union with God,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the more you can love with the love of Christ.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the more you love with the love of Christ,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the more you grow in union with God</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Thus are you able to know</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“the riches of the glory of this mystery,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">which is Christ in you,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">(according to John</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">or was it John putting words in Jesus mouth?)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">also liked to talk in circles.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“They who have my commandments and keep them</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">are those who love me,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and those who love me will be loved by my Father</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” (John 14:21)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“Those who love me</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">will keep my word</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And my Father will love them</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and my Father will come to them,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and we will make our home with them.” (John 14:23)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Get into that circle.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It’s a good place to be.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And keep spiraling along.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-14610556135781892512011-04-01T11:14:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:14:05.125-07:00Episode 30: April 7 - Keep Up The Good Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Faith or works. Works or faith.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">It’s an ancient debate.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the point:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you don’t have faith</div><div class="MsoNormal">that you are loved by God through grace</div><div class="MsoNormal">then you get caught up</div><div class="MsoNormal">in trying to earn God’s love</div><div class="MsoNormal">by proving you are worthy</div><div class="MsoNormal">through good works that you do.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you know by faith </div><div class="MsoNormal">that you are already loved by God</div><div class="MsoNormal">then you are </div><div class="MsoNormal">freed/empowered/exuberant</div><div class="MsoNormal">to do good works </div><div class="MsoNormal">as an expression of your faith and love.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Ephesians 2:8-9)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">(Good works don’t enable God to love us.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Ephesians 2:10)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">(God’s love enables us to do good works.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">So keep it up.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-81802154002465767732011-04-01T11:13:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:13:10.695-07:00Episode 29: April 6 - You Can't Do It Alone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Here’s why<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">you can’t do it alone.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">John said:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">If you are going to </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">love as Jesus loved,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">you have to be in union with God.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">If you are going to be in union with God,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">you have to know Jesus</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and love as he loved.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That’s circular.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">How do you </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">step into that circle?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It happens</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">when your life is touched</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">by someone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">whose life has been touched</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">by the love of Christ.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">First Jesus loved the disciples.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Only then could he say to them,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“Love one another as I have loved you.”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And they were so filled with that love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that they <i>could</i> love others.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And they could write it all down</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">so they could touch other lives</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">including yours.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And people around you</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">were so filled with that love</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that they could tell you about it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and touch your life with it</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and open the circle for you to step it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And so it moves on</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">now not so much as a circle</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">but more like a spiral. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in which you participate</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">being loved</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and loving others.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Keep up the good work.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-82490215031940860442011-04-01T11:12:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:12:02.847-07:00Episode 28: April 5 - As Jesus Loved You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When Jesus said, <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">"Love one another as I have loved you," <span style="font-size: 9pt;">(Jn 13:34)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">he was saying that </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">what Christ is to you, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">you are to be to other people.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You are to be </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">(as Martin Luther said)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">a little Christ to other people.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 35.1pt;">You are to be one in whom the mystery is revealed. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You are to be one who loves people so much that their fear is overcome. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You are to be one who loves people in such a way that they can accept the mystery, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">embrace it as Jesus did, and find life. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You are to be one who, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">when <i>you</i> love somebody, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">they know <i>God</i> loves them.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>Is that what it means to be a Christian?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Remember when you signed up?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That was in the contract.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>It was? Oh boy.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>Can we review those things again?</i></div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-57297876353539986642011-04-01T11:11:00.000-07:002011-04-01T11:11:28.759-07:00Episode 27: April 4 - God Can Be Seen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>What? God can be seen?</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>John said, “No one has ever seen God.”</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>Remember that</i>?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">John also said</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“Whoever has seen (Jesus) has seen the Father.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(John 14:9)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Remember that?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Then John went one step further.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 35.1pt;">“No one has ever seen God, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 35.1pt;">but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and God’s love is [seen] in us." <span style="font-size: 9pt;">(1 John 4:12)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>What? God can be seen in us?</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That’s what Jesus said.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><i>You mean John said.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus first.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Early on Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“love your neighbor as yourself.” <span style="font-size: 9pt;">(Deut. 19:18)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">At the end he raised the bar:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“Love one another as I have loved you.” <span style="font-size: 9pt;">(John 13:34)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">No longer am I exhorted to love others</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">as I imperfectly love myself.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I am commanded to love others by imitating</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the perfect love of Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Love one another as I have loved you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">What is he saying?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">See one another as I have seen you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Help one another as I have helped you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Befriend others as I have befriended you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Teach one another as I have taught you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Lift people up as I have lifted you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That’s all it takes. Just do that and</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">God can be seen.</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-28140729567888916732011-03-25T16:14:00.000-07:002011-03-25T16:14:53.215-07:00Episode 26: April 3 - In Face of the Mystery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">“The Lord is in his holy temple,<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Let all the earth keep silence.” <span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Habakkuk 2:20)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Silence indeed!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">For God is silent.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Ear cannot hear,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">eye cannot see,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">sense cannot feel</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">what is there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">What is there?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">The universe surrounds me</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">like the dark of night.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It is not empty</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">yet it does not speak.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">There is a presence</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that cannot be seen.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">At the heart of the universe,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in the pulsing of life,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">is a mystery</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">deep as the night</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">silent as the sky.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">In the delicate unfolding</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">of a flower.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">In the far-flung galaxies</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">of the universe.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">In the closeness of two lovers</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">or a mother and her child.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">In life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And in death.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">There is a mystery</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">deep</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">silent.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Eye cannot penetrate the darkness</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">to see what is there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Ear cannot hear the distant music.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It is the very darkness itself</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the eye is trying to see.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It is the very silence itself</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the ear is trying to hear.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It is the dark, silent mystery</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">which has given us birth.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That which is.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">but cannot be seen,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">has caused all to be,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">having no being.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Unseen,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">unspeaking,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">yet there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And life is lived,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">unless lived in the shallows,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in the face of that</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">mystery.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">For the mystery within</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">resonates</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">with the mystery beyond.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Looking at that</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">which cannot be seen,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">listening to that</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">which cannot be heard,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">brought into being by that</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">which is beyond being,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">seeking to know that</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">which cannot be known,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">I face the vast deep</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">mystery</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and say, “yes!”</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-47550635341823131632011-03-25T16:13:00.001-07:002011-03-25T16:13:46.476-07:00Episode 25: April 2 - Light Has Come<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has happened!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">The light has come!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">“The people who walked in darkness</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Why has it come?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Are we to stare at it?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Have you ever looked</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">at the sun?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Or even a light bulb?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">It hurts your eyes.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">May even blind you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">You’re not supposed to stare</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">at the light.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">The light shines.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">But not on itself.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">The light has come</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">so you can see</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">yourself</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">your neighbor</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">the world</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">everything</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and God</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in a whole new light</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">In other words:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">If you see the light of Jesus</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">you’re going to start seeing</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">a lot more than </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">That’s why the light has come.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Do you see?</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2074873577747866285.post-79963178091141485222011-03-25T16:13:00.000-07:002011-03-25T16:13:09.555-07:00Episode 24: Apri 1 - Here's The Key<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Jesus said<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">—and demonstrated with his life—</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that the key to penetrating the Mystery is </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">love.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We are talking about living</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">in the face of the deep unknown.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And Jesus said the key to that is love.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We are asking what the mystery is, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">and how we are to be related to it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And Jesus says the answer is love.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">We are talking about understanding life, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">about living life with a sense of meaning. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus said the key to that is love.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus did it. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Jesus loved. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">And loving, Jesus lived in such intimacy </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">with the mystery </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">that John could say </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">whoever has seen Jesus, has seen the face </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">of the mystery. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Whoever has understood Jesus, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">understands the mystery.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">Maybe not everything, but</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">all you really need to know</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">for now.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 66.6pt;">What <i>do</i> you see when you look at Jesus?</div></div>CCNCNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611416436035306063noreply@blogger.com0