Today during our Palm Sunday service I was thinking on what a deacon had said about how the same people who shouted "Hosanna" and praises to God would later either be silent or were shouting "crucify him".
What would bring about such change in attitude? Well you must consider a few facts. The term "Hosanna" actually is translated "Save or Deliver us". This crowd who was acting like a charismatic group of Pentecostals, was actually look to Jesus to deliver them by becoming King or pulling down the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire.When Jesus accepted their praise but did not deliver their desired outcome, some turned on him, others were just disillusioned.
How many times has God not answered prayer or delivered us in the self-prescribed way we desired? DO we still praise him?
The fact is Christ did bring in the promised deliverance by introducing us to a new way of living, a new Kingdom. This Kingdom does bring about radical change in policy, government and communities but it begins in the inside of the hearts of those who enter relationship with Christ. Christ begins by changing hearts, which in turn transforms individual lives which then touches lives of those we relate with.
This new kingdom has outlasted the Roman Empire and is bigger and more relevant than any man made government or institution. It will result in the overthrow of all injustice and evil.
The power of this Kingdom is Love. It's promise is Hope. It's message is Good News!
We like those on that Jerusalem road that day still need deliverance, we still live under oppressive regimes that are driven by lust for power and greed. However,the Deliverance we need, first comes to our hearts and then to the hearts of others. Lets lift our voices this Palm Sunday for the Savior to "deliver us". However lets not misunderstand how God will bring this about. It is still through the Good News of the Love of God that changes lives.
My faith is not in politicians or government bail out plans. I am calling out for men and women of God in government to implement God's plans of social justice. I am calling out for a people filled with God's Spirit of Love to rise up and lift our voices for justice and for change. I am calling out for the church to stop being part of the problem and to start being the conduit for change. Lets lift our voices to God, Hosanna, Hosanna, Lord we need you
Let's allow the change in us first and then lets be the change we want to see!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
God's Beloved
Matthew 3:16- 4:11
It is interesting to notice in the preceding text that Christ is called God's Beloved and then immediately is tempted by the devil, who questions and tries to insert doubts of Christ's identity as God's Son.
It is also important to note that we as God's beloved are also tempted to see ourselves as less than beloved and/or not even as sons or daughters of God. We are also tempted to view and judge others as mere men and women and to ignore the divine image that is found in each one of us.
We must not allow ourselves to be distracted from the truth or to doubt that we and all humankind are God's beloved and God's children. Our faith is founded on God's love and care as our Heavenly parent who is committed to expressing His generous love and care through restoration, redemption and relationship.
Dear God,
Thank you for the expression of your love and for identifying us as your beloved. Help us by your Holy Spirit to see ourselves and others in this light and Truth.
Amen
It is interesting to notice in the preceding text that Christ is called God's Beloved and then immediately is tempted by the devil, who questions and tries to insert doubts of Christ's identity as God's Son.
It is also important to note that we as God's beloved are also tempted to see ourselves as less than beloved and/or not even as sons or daughters of God. We are also tempted to view and judge others as mere men and women and to ignore the divine image that is found in each one of us.
We must not allow ourselves to be distracted from the truth or to doubt that we and all humankind are God's beloved and God's children. Our faith is founded on God's love and care as our Heavenly parent who is committed to expressing His generous love and care through restoration, redemption and relationship.
Dear God,
Thank you for the expression of your love and for identifying us as your beloved. Help us by your Holy Spirit to see ourselves and others in this light and Truth.
Amen
Sunday, March 7, 2010
What Defines Me? Richard Rohr
This really spoke to me, so I wanted to share....for all of us who struggle with Loneliness...
A CHANGE OF HEART
Question of the Day:
What defines me?
Do you know what the answer for deep loneliness is? Solitude! No one would have ever imagined it, but I promise you it is true.
In solitude, we are able to let Reality/God define us from the inside out. We stop looking outside of ourselves for diversions, entertainment, or real satisfaction. It is the birth of the soul. When we keep looking outside of ourselves, we always and forever need another and then another diversion.
In solitude we slowly learn to live face to face with a Presence that asks nothing of us but presence in return (see I Corinthians 13:12 (JB)). It is too good to be true. This is the birth of the soul.
If we’ve never lived in the realm of pure presence without any need for achieving and performing, we don’t know how to breathe there at first. It is like living on a different planet. But eventually, we allow ourselves to be defined by relationship itself instead of by the good or bad—or even the holy—things we’ve done. And now it is relationship with everything, the rocks at our feet, the air that we breathe consciously, the little animals and birds, the God who is now obvious and praiseworthy in all things. Solitude, ironically and surprisingly, can connect us to everything else. Who would have thought?
~ Richard Rohr
February 2010
(Written in hermitage)
A CHANGE OF HEART
Question of the Day:
What defines me?
Do you know what the answer for deep loneliness is? Solitude! No one would have ever imagined it, but I promise you it is true.
In solitude, we are able to let Reality/God define us from the inside out. We stop looking outside of ourselves for diversions, entertainment, or real satisfaction. It is the birth of the soul. When we keep looking outside of ourselves, we always and forever need another and then another diversion.
In solitude we slowly learn to live face to face with a Presence that asks nothing of us but presence in return (see I Corinthians 13:12 (JB)). It is too good to be true. This is the birth of the soul.
If we’ve never lived in the realm of pure presence without any need for achieving and performing, we don’t know how to breathe there at first. It is like living on a different planet. But eventually, we allow ourselves to be defined by relationship itself instead of by the good or bad—or even the holy—things we’ve done. And now it is relationship with everything, the rocks at our feet, the air that we breathe consciously, the little animals and birds, the God who is now obvious and praiseworthy in all things. Solitude, ironically and surprisingly, can connect us to everything else. Who would have thought?
~ Richard Rohr
February 2010
(Written in hermitage)
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