Legacy

In Nehemiah 8, the people in Jerusalem have gathered to hear Ezra read the Torah; Nehemiah has led them to complete the rebuilding of the wall. Ezra reads God's word, and everyone is weeping as they realize the weight of those words.

And then Nehemiah says, "This day is holy to God . . . Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink, and share it with those who don't have anything . . . the joy of God is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:12 then concludes, "Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them."

I've been thinking of my children lately, and what I've really taught them of the Lord, and this hit me in the face: How can I expect them to understand social justice, compassion, simplicity . . . The Gospel! . . . if I'm not seeking to really, honestly live those things out in my life?

Are my kids thinking that Jesus came just for eternal life to be given to them? Am I tying his message together in how I live, and how I am teaching them to live?

Lord Jesus - speak to my soul. What kind of legacy am I leaving Jacob and Michaela? What kind of example am I leaving them to follow? Who/What am I pointing them to as the Center of life?

O Lord, hear my prayer. AMEN.

Coincidence?

When I jumped onto the Web this morning, this was one of the four Top Links on "My Yahoo" homepage. Kinda makes me go back to my thoughts yesterday, just a bit.

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/careerArticlesPost.html?post=126

Starbucks and The Message of Jesus

Once again, I want to run a little Starbucks thinking at you, and see if we can open a dialogue. I'm tellin' ya, I ought to be on the payroll of those folks, as much as I toot their horn!

A recent cup of Sumatra (Michaela would tell you that it tastes "earthy") displayed "The Way I See It #233" which said,

I used to think that going to the jungle made my life an adventure. However, after years of unusual work in exotic places, I realize that it is not how far off I go or how deep into the forest I walk that gives my life meaning. I see that living life fully is what makes life - anyone's life, no matter where they do or do not go - an adventure.

~ Maria Fadiman
Geographer, ethnobotanist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer

Okay. My spider-sense goes off anytime I read things like "living life fully." I think phrases like that resonate within us because that is how we were "fearfully and wonderfully made" - to live a full, robust life. The problem with that is many (most?) of us can't even begin to tell you what a full life looks like, let alone claim to live one.

Why is this important? Jesus, in John 10:10 simply says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." In saying this, Jesus paints a picture of what the Christian life should look like - it should be that which Maria Fadiman speaks of - an adventure, surpassing even exotic destinations or deep jungle exploration.

And yet - and here I pause - how many of our lives are like this? Are we dishonoring Christ by how we live in fear and apprehension? Are we far too content to just slide from one day into the next, letting moments of full life slip right through our hands? Are our dreams too small, if we even dream at all? Why don't we chase them? Why are there 42 year old people who can't begin to tell you what it is that they were made for?

So, what kind of life DID Jesus come to bring us? And better yet, how do we go about living that? Share a comment, 'cause I find myself with far more questions that answers these days, and I could use your help.

Continuing Sunday's Sermon

If you enjoyed Rich Shanks' teaching on Sunday at TSCC - "The Geometry of Intimacy" - then you'll likely enjoy this video as well. Give it a look!

A Liturgy for Peace

A Liturgy for Peace
by Christine Sine
of The Mustard Seed Associates

God blesses those who work for peace,For they will be called the children of God. (Matt 5:9)

(Silence)

God of peace you call us to peace.
Peace within and peace without
Peace before and peace behind
Peace on right and peace on left
Christ of peace you call us to peace.
Peace with brother and with sister
Peace with neighbour and with stranger
Peace with friend and with foe
Spirit of peace you call us to peace.
Peace in work and in play
Peace in thought and in deed
Peace in word and in action
Grant us peace O God of peace.

Psalm 122
1 I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.
4 All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.
5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

John 14:23-27 (Contemporary English Version)

Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. But anyone who doesn't love me, won't obey me. What they have heard me say doesn't really come from me, but from the Father who sent me. I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.

Our Father who is in heaven hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

God all powerful and all knowing encircle us
Keep love within and fear without
Keep peace within and violence out
Circle us with your presence
God all loving and all embracing encircle us
Keep wholeness in and disease without
Keep care within and selfishness out
Circle us with your love
God all mighty and all caring encircle us
Keep truth within and injustice out
Keep acceptance in and prejudice out
Circle us with your peace

God may we be instruments of your peace today
In a world divided by war and strife
May we be your reconcilers
In a world of hurt and pain
May we be those who care for our enemies
In a world that kills and maims
May we be those who heal and restore

God lead us with your peace
Through the pathway of your love
To the promise of your kingdom,

The blessing of God be upon you.
The blessing of the God of life.
The blessing of Christ be upon you.
The blessing of the Christ of love.
The blessing of the spirit upon you.
The blessing of the spirit of peace.
The blessing of the triune God be yours, now and evermore.
Amen

Drucker Quote

"The best way to predict the future is to create it. "

~ Peter Drucker

What does this say to the church and the conversation on cultural relevance? Just thinking out loud a little, I guess.

The Challenge of Bono

Bono challenges me. I've been a U2 fan since . . . well, let's just say that I remember when the kid on the cover of the album "War" was really that age. But beyond the music of U2, which I still dig, Bono as Christ-follower, thinker, activist, philosopher, humanitarian, husband and father really pushes me. He is challenging me to stretch and grow. Both of those things can be painful, because I'm more set in my ways than I care to admit. But I realize that in so many ways, even though I've been committed to Christ for almost 20 years now, I for the most part have taken baby steps on His path. I find myself simply trying to yield my remaining years, whether few or many, to Christ and all that He would have in store for me. Bono is teaching me that.

I also support ONE.org, which Bono is basically the front-man for. If you've been to my blog before, I hope you've noticed the revolving banner ad in the corner - give it a click and check the work out that those folks are doing - it's literally saving lives. On the ONE.org site, they quote Bono from last year's National Prayer Breakfast. That profound talk has now been made into a book, called On the Move, the sale proceeds of which will go to ONE.

To get a glimpse of how Bono challenged everyone that day, consider this:

"God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them."

For me, a big question is, "Where am I?" How am I "with them?" Am I "with them" at all? Am I working with God, or trying to hang on to Him just to sneak into heaven on his coat-tails? If it's true that parents leave a legacy for their kids (and I believe that), am I leaving a legacy as someone deeply concerned "with the least of these" to the point that I am really, truly concerned about the poor, about justice, and about making lives better now. Am I helping to bring "Kingdom come?"

In all of this, and more, Bono challenges me. At the end of the day, he points me to Christ. Am I following?

A Beautiful Idea

I ran across this sentence on another blog site, and found it to be beautiful. I'm thinking that coming to grips with this statement is essential for those who would follow Christ, and will put us miles down the path of authentic discipleship:

"Repentance isn't a disgrace to me anymore..."

Solomon's Porch Video

Okay - take a look at this. Chew on it a bit. And leave some comments - tell us all what you think. I'm interested to hear your $0.02!

National Day of Prayer

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer - Check out Coach Dungy of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts as he talks about the importance of prayer.