Results for "Do Justice"

                      Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem           and undergo great suffering           at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes,           and be killed, and on the third day be raised.         … Continue reading Take up your cross

“How are you?” is a good questionto connect with someone’s inner experience.Make sure you ask it of yourself. Take it seriously, and also leave it behind.You live in a world that is bigger than you, greater than how you’re doing. Once you’ve asked it,ask what God is doing.It will take more thought, more wonder, more… Continue reading Another question

Serene One,when the wind is against me, battering,it is you who walk on the sea of my troubles. When I am panickedyou are the one who says “Do not be afraid.It is I.” On the waves of my heart you stand firm and calm them, not with magicbut your presence. “It is I.” Not escaping… Continue reading “It is I”

Let weeds and wheat grow together until the harvest…. —Matthew 13.30 God, I meant to be a good person;I wanted to produce wisdom and justice.How is it I am so compromised? There is goodness and mercy in me,and there is selfishness and fear,privilege that serves only my fake desires. I’ve been asleep! I missed it,when… Continue reading Weeds and wheat

                 A sower went out to sow…                  —Matthew 13.3 God will sow the seed of herself in youand sometimes you won’t know it.Sometimes you’ll suspect but not trust.Sometimes you’ll believe but chicken out.Sometimes you’ll do your best to receive but fail.And sometimes grace will bear fruit in you. You’ll need to forgiveand sometimes you… Continue reading Sower

O Beloved, spring of mercy,call us, and no matter the path aheadwe will go with you.In strange cities of change and challengeyou will guard us and guide us. In meadows of beauty and graceyou will open our eyes to see.Through deserts of hardship you will provide.In narrow passages of hurt and sufferingyou will be present.In… Continue reading We will go with you

            God said to Abram,         “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house          to the land that I will show you.”                  —Genesis 12.1 This Sunday I will retire as a Methodist Minister, after 40 years in six churches and one college campus in four states. That’s something like 5000 worship services. Yeah, it’s time.… Continue reading Calling

How do you live through a siege?How do you guard your heart and keep your hope amid violence, hatred, injustice and fear?You pray. Sit still.Let the sounds of the newsand the voices in your head settle and fade.Release your fears and desires. Offer them to God. Sit with the God of love and mercy.Just sit… Continue reading Pray

           They were filled with the Holy Spirit          and began to speak in other languages,          as the Spirit gave them ability                  —Acts 2.4 Holy Spirit, loosen our tongues and teach us new languages of love. Help us convey your grace across the divides of language,of culture and race and class and identity.Put the breath of love… Continue reading Other languages

          I will ask God, who will give you another Advocate,          to be with you forever.                   —John 14.16 The word in Greek is Paraclete, a legal advocate.We often think of (and get nervous about) God as our Judge—but God is really our defense attorney. When you face your trialsthe Holy Spirit is the one who… Continue reading Paraclete