In the year
of disappointment,
loneliness,
fear,
In the year
of confusion,
desperation,
and chaos, Continue reading “He Came to Me”
He Came to Me
Reckless Abandon
[blockquote align=”left” variation=”orange”]The fuel of desperation compels us to open up our closets, or treasures, our secret wounds, our addictions because pride is no longer an option for us.[/blockquote]
Paint on the Wall
There once was a church upon a hill
where everything was fine until
the paint inside was getting old
and peeling in some spots, I’m told.
The pastor called a business meeting.
And after the preliminary meeting,
The deacons cried, “Come one! Come all!
What color should we paint each wall?”
They gathered in the sanctuary,
each determined and contrary.
Sister Gail said, “What do you think
about a very chartreuse pink?”
Brother Dave said to the crowd,
“Isn’t that a bit too loud?
I prefer a subtle blue.
It makes the walls look clean and new.”
Six women rebuked, “We wanted gold!”
It seems much warmer. Blue’s too cold!”
The pastor said, “I’m here more than all of you.
I agree with Dave. The walls should be blue.”
From that point on their voices grew stronger.
Each emotional plea became longer and longer.
Then a voice of strong and stern love
silenced the church as it spoke from above.
“You wonder why you can’t hear My call
when your greatest struggle is paint on the wall.
Paint your church the pale color of skin,
for you let no other races come in.
Paint your church a wealthy green,
for you ignore starvation that you’ve seen.
Paint it white and clean as uncalloused feet,
for you refuse to share My joy in the street.
I agree that your walls could be painted in blue,
for your hearts so cold are given to few.
You give many renditions of church as a game,
but you fail to give water in My Holy Name.
You pray using eloquent thees and thous,
and yet you forget about the heres and nows.
You struggle to be an earthly saint,
but My love must not be covered in paint.
Dedication
If you’re baffled by my list, you should see God’s.
If you’ve ever been picked last at a ball game,
passed over for a promotion,
or rejected,
you’re thankful for a God who equates elitism with immorality.
You thank God for His list.
(Hey, I’m even on it!)
O God have mercy…
Lord Have mercy…
On the lost in foreign lands
On the hopeless needing helping hands
On the broken- desolation’s child
On the unwed mother’s lonely mile
On the blind who stumble in the dark
On the ones who miss the mark
On the hungry, void of bread
mourners ’round their loved one’s bed
On secret shame, remaining still
On those embattled for Your will.
On an outcast soul’s despair
When broken hallelujahs fill the air
Amidst the wreckage, You are there
May we be angels unaware.
Where is Your Treasure
Why is God so interested in money and time? The answer is simple: it determines where our heart’s desire really is.
I Saw You
In the middle of our mess we here a message.
Welcome to Ziklag: Population 1
The following is a sermon based of David’s experience of desolation and failure in a place called Ziklag.
Bitterness
It’s hard to know where the seed of bitterness began
Perhaps before the dawn of man
When an angel of light,
Heaven’s delight
Wasn’t satisfied with reflecting someone else’s might. Continue reading “Bitterness”
He Will Never Know Defeat
In a culture of stark cynicsim and impossible statues, He pulled the rug out from under of the palaces of religion. His hands were busy in the workhouse of mercy. His eyes turned toward the desperate. His feet stepped toward the outcast. His voice uttered grace and truth. Every step was questioned by those in power.