Mark 9:14-29
I am captured by Jesus’ compassion. Even as he chides the people for lacking “God-sense” (as The Message puts it), his deep compassion shows through. “How long will I be with you? How long before you get it?” I feel his distress as I enter in, acting each part in my mind.
“He asked the boy's father, ‘How long has this been going on?’
‘Ever since he was a little boy. Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!’
“Jesus said, ‘If? There are no “ifs” among believers. Anything can happen.’”
Can you feel the gentle goading of Jesus? The desperation of the father?
“No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, ‘Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!’”
Tears come to my eyes and my voice shakes as I read for the part of the father. It touches the place in my soul that has been longing to see God show up in our services. “I beg for you to move. If my unbelief is standing in the way, help me!”
In the same way I could play the part of any of the disciples, “Why couldn’t we do it?” Why is it that when I pray for people on Sunday morning I have yet to see the miraculous?
“This kind only comes out by prayer.” Don’t I pray enough? Is my prayer life lacking? O God search me and know me. Help me to pray more effectively, give me your heart and eyes to see and love the hurting people around.
Showing posts with label Lectio Divina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lectio Divina. Show all posts
Monday, May 04, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
fame
"But they went off and blazed and spread His fame abroad throughout that whole district." (Matthew 9:31 Amplified)
Two private healling result in Jesus' fame spreading through out the district. How I long for his fame to spread here. I long for him to be glorified - proved mighty in the eyes of his people. The people of our church need to see him shining and glorious, to see that he really reigns and moves in their lives.
To be sure, my high feelings for Jesus and desire for his glory are mingled with baser thoughts. There are thoughts of how I need to see him move to validate my ministry and build my own faith and experience.
Lord purify my motives.
"When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36 Amplified).
Fill me with your compassion. Give me eyes to see what you are doing and the readiness to be obediant. Increase my zeal for the glory of your name. Amen.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Play the Sunset
In Mr. Holland's Opus, Mr. Holland inspires a student to go deeper than the notes on the page to the true joy of the music by telling her to "play the sunset."
The epic story of God with his miracles and activity in our history is beautiful. Here we are with our lives - our stories woven into the tapestry.
Like a sunset, the glory of God is shining. The living Jesus is the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his being. It is as we get past the notes on the page and play his glory that our lives take on the joy and fun of a life hidden in Christ.
Mr. Hollands Opus also reminds me of a score by Steve Reich. He wrote minimalist music. In the late 70's he wrote "Music For 18 Musicians." It is simple in its concept - building patterns note by note, but it becomes incredibly complex. The different musicians take up the strains at different times. There is no conductor and as a body they undulate and repeat passages as they desire. The piece can last an hour or more. Students at Grand Valley University recently recorded it and I heard an interview with them on NPR's Weekend edition. The pianist called it a spiritual experience - to play and listen to every one playing around you and be immersed in the music for so long. Their experience reminded me of our own experiences in California with Taize and the rest. Our harmonies, counter points and dissonance is woven into a beautiful song in God's glory. As we get behind the notes into the boundless life of God, the real break through happens, just as it did for the New Music Ensemble at Grand Valley.
Their director Bill Ryan said in the interview, "We had been looking at the work for about six weeks, and there were moments in the rehearsal where I started to see the players come out of their own parts — relaxing, looking around, using their ears, listening to parts that were happening across the room. I knew then that our concert would be fine."
The epic story of God with his miracles and activity in our history is beautiful. Here we are with our lives - our stories woven into the tapestry.
Like a sunset, the glory of God is shining. The living Jesus is the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his being. It is as we get past the notes on the page and play his glory that our lives take on the joy and fun of a life hidden in Christ.
Mr. Hollands Opus also reminds me of a score by Steve Reich. He wrote minimalist music. In the late 70's he wrote "Music For 18 Musicians." It is simple in its concept - building patterns note by note, but it becomes incredibly complex. The different musicians take up the strains at different times. There is no conductor and as a body they undulate and repeat passages as they desire. The piece can last an hour or more. Students at Grand Valley University recently recorded it and I heard an interview with them on NPR's Weekend edition. The pianist called it a spiritual experience - to play and listen to every one playing around you and be immersed in the music for so long. Their experience reminded me of our own experiences in California with Taize and the rest. Our harmonies, counter points and dissonance is woven into a beautiful song in God's glory. As we get behind the notes into the boundless life of God, the real break through happens, just as it did for the New Music Ensemble at Grand Valley.
Their director Bill Ryan said in the interview, "We had been looking at the work for about six weeks, and there were moments in the rehearsal where I started to see the players come out of their own parts — relaxing, looking around, using their ears, listening to parts that were happening across the room. I knew then that our concert would be fine."
Monday, January 07, 2008
Fear at my core
Isaiah 58:6-14
Dear God,
I feel so bound by fear and insecurity. They oppress me as a slaver’s irons. Break the yoke I pray. Untie me. Make me glorious. May my night be transformed to shine as noon day. May the light of righteousness go before me and your Glory have my back. May your joy in me bubble out like a fountain.
Lord spend me as the currency to bring life - to rebuild the tumble down. Call me by my true name, that I may know my identity. Spend me that my prayers may reach your ears.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Delight
Delight is a word that feels good in my mouth. I wrap my tongue around it with joy. It's like ice cream. My kids especially delight in ice cream, their excitement is palpable.
What do I delight in? A good shot of espresso for one. The day I replaced the pump in our coffeehouse espresso machine and pulled our first really good shot was a day of delight. I was hopping around the room hooting and shouting. I was so gleeful that tears came to my eyes as I giggled like a little girl. I'm a geek. I know.
So many things in my life have been delightful: realizing again how much I love my wife, getting a computer to work, really good Greek food or my kids quoting rhymes from The Princess Bride (Does anybody want a peanut?).
I was floored today with a verse from Psalm 149.
What do I delight in? A good shot of espresso for one. The day I replaced the pump in our coffeehouse espresso machine and pulled our first really good shot was a day of delight. I was hopping around the room hooting and shouting. I was so gleeful that tears came to my eyes as I giggled like a little girl. I'm a geek. I know.
So many things in my life have been delightful: realizing again how much I love my wife, getting a computer to work, really good Greek food or my kids quoting rhymes from The Princess Bride (Does anybody want a peanut?).
I was floored today with a verse from Psalm 149.
For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.Let the saints rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.
That God would delight in me somehow hit me hard. It was somehow to tangible and rich. Sobs were stuck in me. It was too much, like when our kids are so upset they can't even cry, they just stand mouth agape, confusion in their eyes wondering why nothing is coming out. It is indeed humbling - his delight.
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