On my morning walk today, saw folks going into a church ...
first thought that came to mind:
"Sheep led to the slaughter."
Which reminds me,
people are willing
more than willing
to believe.
And just about anything
will do
when presented
with conviction or
authority or
whatever.
And, no doubt,
it's been a slaughter
sometimes.
The landscape of
church history
littered
with bodies.
But ...
not always ...
And I'm hopeful
that the gift
of the sheep
will always be
treated
with respect
by pastors
churches
theologians.
Who know something
of the human spirit.
The Spirit of God.
To believe.
A wonderful gift
an ability
a sweetness
"I'm ready to believe"
something - holy and
good and rich
and profound.
Something about:
liberation,
hope,
peace,
fairness,
kindness.
"I believe" are some
of the most precious words
in the world.
So treat it well.
Treat it as the
rarest of rare
treasures.
Lift it up.
Handle with care.
Bless the sheep
who come
ready
to believe!
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2008
To a Seeker
I've been a mainline (Presbyterian) pastor for nearly 40 years and have searched for the Holy Grail much of the time, finding it here, finding there, only to discover that I hadn't found it yet.
Perhaps it's the Adam and Eve syndrome - "See that tree? Looks good, doesn't it?"
The American consumer mentality sets us up to be "seekers" and never finders.
We come to expect how levels of whatever, but withhold our commitments. We fail to see that we're just as goofy, unexciting, foible-laden and self-serving as everyone else.
For myself, the simple words of Jesus, "Love one another as I have loved you ... and wash a few feet now and then” continue to hold me accountable to the community of faith, “just as it is without one plea … though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt; fightings and fears within, without.”
I know that communities of faith differ and it’s good to search, but sooner or later, we have to settle for and settle down. If we’re looking for home, we look for it in the new heaven and the new earth, because “this world [presently] is not my home.” Yet here is where we live, and here is where grace abounds.
Perhaps it's the Adam and Eve syndrome - "See that tree? Looks good, doesn't it?"
The American consumer mentality sets us up to be "seekers" and never finders.
We come to expect how levels of whatever, but withhold our commitments. We fail to see that we're just as goofy, unexciting, foible-laden and self-serving as everyone else.
For myself, the simple words of Jesus, "Love one another as I have loved you ... and wash a few feet now and then” continue to hold me accountable to the community of faith, “just as it is without one plea … though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt; fightings and fears within, without.”
I know that communities of faith differ and it’s good to search, but sooner or later, we have to settle for and settle down. If we’re looking for home, we look for it in the new heaven and the new earth, because “this world [presently] is not my home.” Yet here is where we live, and here is where grace abounds.
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