Monday, February 22, 2010

prayer

O God, help us to be like your Beloved Son, Jesus.
May our baptism be as his was,
binding us in utter solidarity with your world.
Forgive our breathless quest for private spiritual solace
that does not immerse us in the needs of those
buried in the rubble of earthquakes, oppression, and poverty.
Gracious Lord, who in creation made us one humanity
and in your Son created one body in which all share one bread,
pour out on us the delight
of being fully alive in your boundless agape.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us your peace.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

James Anderson

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

authority

At church a situation was mentioned about a Portland politician who said that perhaps one day Portland would be Jesus’ favorite city. After receiving jabs from the media, he clarified; stating that he hoped Portland would be a city that is built on love, understanding, and social justice. Jesus is of course known by all to value these, and as a follower of Jesus I am happy to find Him identified in these values, knowing all agree on their importance. Yet if I indentify Jesus as loving and understanding, someone who values justice for all- and that’s it… I am missing ALL of who Jesus is.

Yes, these are easy things to identify with Him. We can see that. But to see Him as:

“the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation…by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:15-17)

This is different.

We are reading through the Gospel of Mark. In Chapter 1, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue, and the people see He is different than the others they have heard.

“The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
“The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." (22-27)


Jesus has authority. My desire is for Him to have authority over every piece of my life. Sometimes I think He does. But sometimes I am selfish. Some things are easy to give up. But giving Him everything is not easy.

Yet I honestly trust Him. We sang a song; the line, “this world has nothing for me” was simple and true.

I have been thankful and so much aware of the blessing of my days lately. I have more freedom with my time than I have in a long time. I have great friends. I have had the opportunity to play at the beach and in the mountains- in just the past two days! I have every reason to be happy.

And I am happy. But the happiness is more than that. It is joy, which outlasts circumstances. If I were living for free time, adventure, friendship, and the fun random days, I might be happy sometimes. But the joy I have is deeper. It has come from giving (or attempting to give!) Jesus authority over my life. There are lots of times I must give it up again and again. But I felt it last night, “there is so much more to life than these things...” And even though I don’t know what that means, I move forward. Step by step, day by day- by faith and not by sight. It is not always simple or straightforward, but the JOY is there because Jesus is more to me than a lover of social justice. He is my authority, who holds all things together.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

broken pieces

God, I sit
desperate for you to show yourself
desperate for your wisdom
desperate for your healing
the broken pieces of the world have been thrown into mine
and as much as I want to heal
and make everything better
it is not my job
it’s yours

but for all I am able
give me something I can do
a broken piece
so that I can do my share.
and no matter how dark and heavy it gets,
I want to be in the midst of it,
not far away
but you must be the only light that burns inside of me
You are the only light in this darkness.

‘…and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.’ John 1:4-5