Reclaiming Christianity

I recommend this post on Patheos entitled "I Want My Christianity Back - Without the Ugly Baggage" by Rev. Mark Sandlin. It was on the Time magazine website this week as well. An excerpt:

...we need to more closely follow the lead of Jesus and lovingly confront those who want to turn the Prince of Peace into a tool for dividing and marginalizing. Every time anyone tries to exclude a group of people they dislike in the name of the Great Shepherd, we must pronounce the radical inclusion of a loving God.

And when they accuse us of being un-Christian (and they will), we must stand strong and tell them, "You no longer get to own that word. You have used it and abused it and crucified it on crosses of hate, greed, power and control. We are taking our religion back – way back.

All the way back to the teachings of Jesus."

Read the full article. And pray...

Generous Lord,
Faith is so very confusing.
I'm sure of mine!!!
But confounded by others'.
They seem sincere,
stridently so,
hearing a different message.
Like radio,
they listen to a different format,
of fear and threats.
I'm tuned into Grace Radio,
powered by the Holy Spirit.
The playlist:
generosity and mercy,
unconditional love.
My prayer:
May that song in my heart
resonate in my life.
Amazing, marvelous grace!
Amen.

Patheos
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To Live Freely

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom...my counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. 
(Galatians 5:13-16, The Message)

Click here for two Independence Day prayers I posted in 2009.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Washington DC

A Heart for the City

Loving & Faithful Lord,

Have I been hiding in the suburbs?
It's safe and predictable on the cul de sac.
That's been a blessing,
But maybe there's a numbing effect?

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I carried you... (from Jeremiah 29:7)

Give me a heart for my city.
I leave at day's end.
I leave its challenges to others,
And I miss opportunities.

Commerce and culture percolate in the city,
Crime and poverty, too.
But you care for the city - for its people.
Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. 
(from Jeremiah 29:7)

It may seem unlikely to this suburbanite, but my God is at work in the city. The apostles went to the cities of Asia and Europe.That's where the faith was established and spread.

In the Old Testament you sent prophets to the cities. Jonah was dispatched on a rescue mission to Nineveh. Jeremiah pleaded for peace and prosperity in Jerusalem. 

And today, we may be called to march around our own Jericho for the cause of justice.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

Give me a heart for my city, Father,
To engage, serve and advocate.
Amen.

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Resurrection Grace

Lord Christ, 

I hear your post-resurrection message:
Peace be with you.

And I see a pattern, a template for the faithful. 

There was consolation for Mary.
Woman, why are you crying?

There was no scolding of the disciples' cowardice.
Receive the Holy Spirit. 

There was patience with Thomas' doubts. Again,
Peace be with you.

There was hospitality for the disciples at the shore.
Come and have some breakfast. 

There was no rebuke of Peter's betrayals.
Feed my sheep.

And there's both query and call for the faithful.
Do you love me?
Take care of my sheep.
Follow me.
You must follow me.

May it be so!
In the name and power of
God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Spirit,
Amen.

From John 20:11 - 21:19
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Post-it Prayer

It was a stressful week. I left myself encouraging Post-it notes from various devotionals and Scripture (Upper Room, Scripture Union, Psalm 62, Isaiah 40). Gathering up the scraps of paper at week’s end, I realized that they formed a prayer!

Generous God, I prayerfully weave these scraps of inspiration…

Carry a little quiet inside you. Have some extra calm to share.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God.

Forgive me for being intimidated by things in daily life. I long to trust you more fully.

Truly you are my rock and my salvation. You are my fortress. I will not be shaken. God is my refuge.

Let go of effort, the illusion of control and surrender to God.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Amen.

Upper Room | Africana Worship Book

Upper Room | Centering Prayer
Scripture Union | Isaiah 40
Psalm 62

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The Still Small Voice

Kind Father, 

Your voice is described as still and small, a gentle whisper. (1st Kings 19:12)

Is that how your Spirit works on the conscience? Within our prayers and devotional disciplines? 

I appreciate your gentleness, but in this noisy world, have you considered surround sound with a subwoofer? A hundred decibels with thumping bass!

I'm distracted - in din and clamor - and plagued with attention deficit. 

Holy Spirit, help me to listen, to hear God's voice. 

If this isn’t a matter of volume, then it must be about filtering and discernment. About making time and being attentive to the gentle whisper. 

Give ear! Our Mighty God does not raise his voice. Amen.

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Sunshine of Your Love

This prayer shares its title with the classic 1968 rock song by Eric Clapton and Cream. While it's a favorite tune of my misspent youth, the inspiration for the prayer comes from Isaiah 46.

My Lord & Creator,

Help me to find and feel the sunshine on this frozen morning.

I'm feeling prematurely ancient as this long winter drags on. Crunchy joints. Stiff muscles. Caffeine and Celebrex disappoint.

Thank you for dispatching your prophet. Isaiah points me to the daylight:

Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Lord Christ, I'm seeking a measure of joy today. I realize that it's more than an emotion. Some discipline is required to find it, to be present, to participate. 

I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away;

Holy Spirit, lead me along your path - into the sunshine. Amen. 

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