worms of grace for our godly composting

[ref. Revised Common Lectionary readings for Proper 10, Year A]

e-i-e-i-ohhh... it’s good and godly wise to offer seeds of the Good News widely, 

even seemingly wastefully with faithful flings, 

even upon ground that appears to be infertile or hostile to new life. 

We hope and trust that, through God’s Spirit, some will take hold in fertile soil (perhaps unseen) and yield fruit abundantly (even after we’ve moved on to other mission fields).  

It’s also good and godly wise to be mindful of the rocky roads and thorny thickets of in our own hearts, and occasionally til our own soil, asking for God’s help and worms of grace to make creative use of inevitable natural crap and other compost to better prepare our soulful selves for the acceptance, cultivation, and sharing of Christ-like love. 

liberty for all

Following fireworks and leisure of a day on which we celebrate independence and freedoms (and hopefully remember the sacrifices made in faithful and hopeful pursuit of our liberty).... 

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

Jesus never says his way is meant to be a cake walk or that it’s not costly.  

And, when it’s less about continuing to carry the illusion of being capable of doing it all on your own as well as the intellectual hubris and idolatry of having to be right, 

and instead more about surrendering to wisdom and support through community of right relationships with God and neighbor; 

while there’s still labor for us, 

it’s not as complicated, heavy, and seeming hopeless as it’s too often presented and believed to be... 

and liberation and peace become affordable for all.  

Who are we to welcome... and how? 

 “...This is a large work I’ve called you into, but don’t be overwhelmed by it. It’s best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice....” 

 (from Matthew 10:40-42 as paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in The Message)

http://vimeo.com/42584547

Love Free or Die from christopher white on Vimeo.

[re: lectionary readings for Proper 7, Year A]

Jesus saying, “Fear not. I got this.” doesn’t remove our responsibility as disciples. 

No denying it, following Jesus and coming to know the good news more personally may break things open, and possibly apart, and cut through other ties that bind... and we need not fear the fervor of these times. 

Truth and grace will prevail... as kingdom community is revealed and relationships are made new in God’s light.

to create, to redeem, to sustain

Trinity Sunday sermon?

well.... rather than a hasty hack job on doctrine, I’m going to humbly, with faith and hope, begin these Sundays after Pentecost by scratching the surface on the perpetual nature of agape/love to create, redeem, and sustain relationships.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31, NIV)

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” (2 Cor 13:13, NRSV)

Pentecost: is it better to give or receive?

how 'bout receiving AND sharing?

grappling with gifts

(even if given to any of us for only a period of time) 

and finding fruits

(tasty and nourishing) 

of the Holy Spirit 

given for our commonweal 

when we share 

in breathing with the very breath of God.

post-Ascension action necessary

Jesus prays for us to know and to be known.  Humble ourselves, cast our cares to God, keep awake.... and stop staring up at the sky; get on with it – there’s plenty to be done in his name here-n-now with the help of the Spirit, til the wolf and lion can lie peacefully with the yearling and lamb in glory. 

[ref. lectionary readings for Easter 7, Year A]