The Naked Alien

Galatians and Galoshes;

2013-06-17T05:33:00.001-05:00

Before Faith came, Law was our nanny. She protected us until we knew Faith. She made us wear galoshes and clean underwear until Faith saved us through Christ. But now that we live with Faith, we can jump in puddles in our good shoes and even go commando if we want. Through faith, we are all Abba's beloved children. You can choose to wear what ever you want, yet you seek baptism and clothe yourselves with Christ! You no longer seek to dress as one of an in-crowd, a clique, a gang. No more Christian or Atheist! No more Sinner or Saint! No more Male or Female! No more Old or Young! No more Black or White! No more Gay or Straight! For you are all One when you are One with Christ. Regardless of your ancestry, you are Abraham's spiritual progeny and heirs to his estate.

(Retelling of Galatians 3:23-29)

Pouring Forth -

2013-06-14T05:43:00.000-05:00

Jesus was eating at the table of Simon the Pharisee. I don't know if they were friends, if it was a business luncheon, or something else - but they were breaking bread together when a lone woman entered. All I heard is that she was a city girl. I don't know her name; I wish I did. She carried a very valuable jar containing expensive luxurious scented oil. As Jesus was reclining to eat in the Roman manner, she came up behind him. Her copious tears cleansed his mud and manure stained feet. She removed her veil, let down her long hair, and dried his feet while all stared at her in shock, in lust, and/or in judgement (or so I imagine.) Then she kissed Jesus! She kissed his feet over and over as she opened the jar of oil, and anointed the King.

The host said to those at the table: "If he really were a prophet, he would have known what kind of 'woman' she is. She is a sinner, and she has now made him unclean!" I guess the people at the table knew who she was even if we don't. What was her sin? Was she a whore? Was she an adulteress? Was she just an unmarried woman that people gossiped about? There's so much more that I want to know. I want to know her. I want to understand her need and her drive. I want to recognize and praise her bravery.

"Simon", Jesus said, "I have something to say."

"Speak Rebbe."

"A kind banker had two people who owed him money. One owed $500, while the other owed $50. They both fell upon hard times, and could not repay their loans. The man took pity on them, and forgave them their debts! Tell me Simon, which one of these people love him more now?"

Simon: "I would imagine the one who owed the most?"

Jesus: "Correct. Look at her Simon. You invited me into your house, but showed me no hospitality. You gave me no water to wash with, but she gave me her precious tears. You gave me no towel, but she used her glorious hair. You did not embrace and kiss me in welcome, but she hasn't stopped kissing me! You did not anoint my head in respect, but she has anointed me in love. So hear me, Simon. Though her sins were many and her debts were great, they have already all been forgiven, (Aha! Just as I suspected: Jesus darned well knew who and what she was. Take that Simon you prig!) thus she loves me greatly. But you who have little to be forgiven, also love little!"

He leaned to her, held her face, and looked into her eyes with love. He reminded her: "You are forgiven."

Those at the meal spoke up: "Who are you that you think you can forgive sins? Heresy!"

Still looking at her, he said: "Your true faith and love have saved you; go now in peace."

Afterwards, Jesus and the Twelve went from town to town, teaching and preaching, healing and mending. Mary of Magdala, Joanna, Susanna and many other women came with them. Caring for the men. Supporting them. Paying their expenses.

(Based upon Luke 7:36 - 8:3)

The Sheep Rustler

2013-06-13T05:35:00.000-05:00

When she heard that her husband had died in battle, she wept.

Once the formal period of mourning was over, the king sent troops to collect her. He took her. She had his child..

God was angry.

The Lord sent His prophet Nathan to David. "Your Majesty! There are two men in the city. One is rich. One is poor. The rich man has thousands of sheep in his flocks. The poor man has just one ewe that he raised from an orphaned lamb as a pet. It lives in his house, and is part of the family. The rich man has an unexpected guest. The tradition of hospitality dictates that he must feed the visitor, but since he is not pleased to have this visit, he does not want to "waste" one of his sheep on him. So he takes the poor man's sheep. He slaughters it. He feeds it to his guest as his own."

The king loved his subjects and was outraged: "Who is this man? I'll kill him for his lack of pity! Then I'll make his estate compensate the poor man four times over!"

Quietly, Nathan answered: "You, sire, are that man. God says to you: 'I made a little shepherd a king. I saved you from another king. I gave you his palace. I gave you his harem. I gave you his country. And if that weren't enough for you, I would have given you even more! Why do you despise me then? Why did you do commit this atrocity? Why did you rape her? Why did you kill her husband? He loved you both, and was loyal to you both, but you struck him down with a sword! You stole his wife! You slew him with another's sword! Since you love the sword more than you love me or your people, know that the sword will ever be in your house. You have shown your contempt for me. You have taken a good man's wife as your own."

David slumped: "I've sinned."

Nathan: "God hears your repentance and was forgiven you - you shall not die this day. But God can not forget your act. He can not forget your scorn. The product of your vile deed shall die."

After Nathan left, David's child became very ill...

(A retelling of 2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:10, and 12:13-15)

Psalmic Poetry; Pay Attention To Me!

2013-06-11T05:38:00.001-05:00

Listen to my words!

Interpret my sighs!

Hear me sobbing!

Pay me heed God!

I pray, pay me heed!

At dawn you hear

me plead my case,

And you just watch?

The bad I do

Gives you no joy.

You don't accept

My wrong deeds.

Braggarts shrink

Before your eye.

You hate evil

And the Evil.

Liars fall down.

Bloodthirstiness

And deceit

Abhors you

And yet I

By grace

Enter home -

Your house!

I bow to you.

Lead me straight.

Protect my life.

Make clear to me

Your Way.

(Psalm 5:1-8 retold by Tiwago)

May Dogs Lick Up Your Blood!

2013-06-10T05:38:00.000-05:00

A man owned a farm near a new subdivision. A rich man in a mcmansion was his neighbor. The rich man decided that his lot was too small, and sought to assemble more land. He told himself: "The mayor should live on a grand estate!" He approached the farmer, and made him a very generous offer. The farmer however did not want to sell his land, which had been his family's home for generations past and to come.

The powerful man became depressed that he could not move forward with his plans - he laid in bed and would not eat.

His chief of police came to the mayor, and together they developed Plan B. Drugs were planted on the farm, and the government seized the property. The drugs had been taken from a local gang, who was told that this man had hijacked their shipment. He was killed in a drive-by shooting on main street, and his family fled.The property was sold at a "public" auction - there was only one valid bid...

Then the Spirit fell on local activist Eli: "Go to the mayor. Visit him at his new estate. Tell him for me: 'At the place where the feral dogs licked up your victim's blood, the pack will lick up your blood too!'"

Somehow, Eli got past the mayor's secretary. "So, here we are my old foe!", said the mayor.

Eli answered: "I am here because you sold your soul to the devil for power. I will bring you your doom."

(1 Kings 21 retold)

Small Town News -

2013-06-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

(art by Tissot)

Jesus arrived at a the charming little Galilean village of Na'in, together with his students, followers and a massive crowd of the curious. As they came to the village gate, pall-bearers were carrying out the body of a man. He was an only son, and he left behind his widowed mother with no support or protection. Behind her came a large group of mourners. The two groups met at the congested area before the entry.

When Jesus saw the woman, he went to her: "Don't give up hope!" Then he touched the corpse: "Son, it's time to rise."

The young man rose and started talking to the stunned crowd as Jesus gave him over to his jubilant mother's care.

The people started praising God for the return of Elijah, and for remembering His people - the word-of-mouth spread faster than feet...

(Luke 7:11-17 retold)

"What Benefits Come From My Rotting Corpse?"

2013-06-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

I praise You, Eternal One. You lifted me out of that deep, dark pit
and denied my opponents the pleasure of rubbing in their success.
Eternal One, my True God, I cried out to You for help;
You mended the shattered pieces of my life.
You lifted me from the grave with a mighty hand,
gave me another chance,
and saved me from joining those in that dreadful pit.

Sing, all you who remain faithful!
Pour out your hearts to the Eternal with praise and melodies;
let grateful music fill the air and bless His name.
His wrath, you see, is fleeting,
but His grace lasts a lifetime.
The deepest pains may linger through the night,
but joy greets the soul with the smile of morning.

When things were quiet and life was easy, I said in arrogance,
“Nothing can shake me.”
By Your grace, Eternal,
I thought I was as strong as a mountain;
But when You left my side and hid away,
I crumbled in fear.

O Eternal One, I called out to You;
I pleaded for Your compassion and forgiveness:
“I’m no good to You dead! What benefits come from my rotting corpse?
My body in the grave will not praise You.
No songs will rise up from the dust of my bones.
From dust comes no proclamation of Your faithfulness.
Hear me, Eternal Lord—please help me,
Eternal One—be merciful!”

You did it: You turned my deepest pains into joyful dancing;
You stripped off my dark clothing
and covered me with joyful light.
You have restored my honor. My heart is ready to explode, erupt in new songs!
It’s impossible to keep quiet!
Eternal One, my God, my Life-Giver, I will thank You forever.

(Psalm 30; The Voice)

Meditations:
1. Is there a cleansing in suffering?
2. In what ways do I try to bargain with God?
3. How has my belief made me arrogant?
4. Did David win God back by restoring his own honor that he had thrown away?
5. Do I exhibit my pain more openly than my joy?

The God of Kvetchers

2013-06-03T05:00:00.000-05:00

(art by Bernardo Strozzi)

God told Elijah to go to the village of Zarephath in the country of Sidon. Not his usual preaching and prophesying gig, but more of a vacation. "Go and live among the people, I've made arrangements with a widowed mother for you", God told him. Since Noah's cruise ship, God hadn't made a Name for Himself as a travel agent - a hovel behind enemy lines with nobody but a poor defenseless woman as a host? Oy!

As he entered the village's gate, he saw a woman gathering firewood. Like any tourist he was a little bossy: "Bring me a jug of water woman, the dust in this God-forsaken dump has made me thirsty!" As she rose to fetch a pail of water, he added: "And bring me some bread while you're at it!"

She turned to this rude visitor and audaciously (or hopelessly?) spoke back: "For the life of your God, I swear that I have no bread to give! I only have a smidgen of flour, and a few drops of oil in the jar. I'm out here gathering sticks to make a final meal of it for my son and I so that we can die together at our own hands with a little comfort instead of slowly starving to death."

Elijah's voice softened: "I didn't know. Don't give up hope! Before you do as you planned, please make me a small cake - then you can make something for your son and yourself. God says that your flour and oil will last the three of us until the rains return and the crops replenish the empty larders." She did as he asked, and they had plenty to eat. There was always just enough flour and the right amount of oil each time she made them a meal!

Later in Elijah's residency in her upstairs guest room, the woman ran into his room: "My son has sickened and died! Old Prophet, what do you have against me? I let you live in my home. I feed you. And in payment, you remind me of my sins, and your God punishes me by taking my son!"

Unlike most men in those days, Elijah did not strike her or curse at her. Instead he lowered his voice: "Bring me your son."

Elijah's bed in the upper room was the only one in the little house, so he laid the child's stiffening body upon it. He shouted at God: "Lord, what have You done? It's bad enough that you punish your wayward and stubborn people, by why do this to this innocent family who doesn't even know You? They have cared me as You directed, and then You let this happen?" The boy's body was cooling so Elijah tried to use his body to keep him warm. Three times he plead with God to return the life spark. The Lord heard Elijah's love for this foreign family. He breathed His pneuma into the corpse, and life returned.

Elijah and the boy went back downstairs. "See Mother, your son lives."

Through her tears of joy, she said: "Now I see that you are a true prophet of the true God."

(Retelling of 1 Kings 17:8-24)

I Did Not Presume

2013-05-31T05:08:00.000-05:00

After the Rebbe had finished teaching the people hanging around him, he entered the fortified gates of Roman Capernaum. Now there was a garrison officer there who loved his slave very much. He was worried because this young man was sick and near death. When he heard that a healer was in town, he quickly sent some of his respected Jewish contacts to ask him to heal his lover.

They sheepishly approached the Son of Man: "Teacher, this soldier has earned grace because of his good works in the community - he cares for our people; he even had a synagogue built for us!"

Jews begging an outlaw preacher on behalf of a enemy occupier? Jesus went with them to hear more.

When they were within sight of the officer's mansion, the Centurion sent comrades out to intercept them, and convey his words: "I know that you would be made unclean by entering the house of a gentile. Please Master, do not lower yourself - you don't need to come inside. And I - I am unclean, so did not presume to come to you myself. Just breathe the Word. Let my servant be well. I am under the authority of the Roman Empire, and I recognize even greater authority in you. When I tell one of my troops or slaves to jump, they ask how high."

Jesus was amazed to hear such feeling and truth from such a source. "Centurion, nowhere among all the Chosen have I seen such pure and powerful faith!" Jesus spoke no other words. Made no healing signs. Waved no magic wand. They left him dejected.

When the spokesmen returned to the Centurion, they found his young man in perfect health!

(Luke 7:1-10 retold)

Most religious folk of the day would think that an immoral Roman did not merit grace - grace is for "God's people"! Others that knew the man personally thought that he had demonstrated a worthiness to receive God's grace. What does Jesus' actions imply? What does he silently tell us here?

Upon the Dedication of a New Church -

2013-05-29T05:36:00.001-05:00

stood before the altar /

stood before the congregation /

stood before his God /

raised his hands /

my Lord /

our Lord /

only Lord /
only You /

keep faith /

keep trusting /

keep loving /

those who walk /

with whole hearts /

strangers and aliens /

immigrants and foreigners /

looking for kingdom-come /

looking for a new home /

looking for your house /

hear who you are /

hear what you've done /

hear your call /

and come /

and work /

and pray /

answer their prayers /

same as ours /

let those who don't pray /

see its power /

hear who you are /

hear what you've done /

hear your call /

and come /

to the home /

that God built.

(1 Kings 8:22-23 and 41-43 retold by Tiwago)

Psalmic #Poetry - The 96th, Sing It!

2013-05-27T06:06:00.000-05:00

sing

to the

Lord

a new

song

sing

~ Tiwago

May The Force Be With You -

2013-05-24T06:37:00.000-05:00

Jesus:

"I've so much more that I want to tell you, but you're not ready to hear it yet. But don't worry! When Spirit comes to you, she'll be your guide in exploring the truth; for she'll be speaking her own thoughts, but will speak prophetically to you as the Spirit of God. She'll perfect you by showing you what you can not (or will not) understand now. What's of the Father is of the Son, and what's of the Son is of the Spirit. All this she'll reveal to you."

(John 16:12-15 retold)

I often say that to me the real miracle at Pentecost is not that the disciples were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues - it was that the Spirit flowed through the disciples for the prevening grace of those without the Spirit so that they could listen in ears! This Trinity Sunday's reading has a similar feel to me. To many, the debate about who "wrote" the Bible (dictated by God, inspired by the Spirit, etc) is irrelevant. What is important is that the Spirit of God (the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost, Wisdom, Sophia, whatever name we use) guides us as we discern what God wants us to understand at any particular point in time.

Proverbial Poetry; Sophia's Voice -

2013-05-22T05:46:00.001-05:00

Doesn't Wisdom call you?

Doesn't Knowledge shout

From the highest building,

Along the busiest streets,

Knocking at all your doors?

Do you hear Sophia's cries?

"In the beginning - I was;

The first Act of Creation.

Before the Earth - I was.

Before there was the Deep, I arose;

Before there were springs, I flowed;

Before the mountains, I was raised;

Before Adam was made from red soil,

Before there was soil to be made from,

Before there were rocks to make soil,

I was there.

During the cosmic Big Bang, I had a front-row seat.

When the gas cooled into worlds, I walked on them.

When Terra was clothed with air, I soared on the wind.

While the ocean basins filled, I was already swimming.

When the moon ordered the tides, I rode the first wave.

I was there beside the Maker.

I was His Master Craftsman.

I was His ever constant joy.

I took pleasure in His plans.

I'm delighted by His people."

(Retelling of Proverbs 8:1-4, and 22-31 by Tiwago)

Psalmic Poetry; The Eighth, Opus Dei -

2013-05-20T05:44:00.000-05:00

"Yet you have made them a little lower than God?"

God, brilliant Lord,
yours is a household name.

Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble.

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?

Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden’s dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
whales singing in the ocean deeps.

God, brilliant Lord,
your name echoes around the world.

(The Message)

Meditations:

Is "God" a household name in my home?
What is the power of children, and what can we learn from them?
Does God only care for big "important" things?
"Missed being gods" sounds like the serpent's refrain with Adam and Eve. How does this compare to the New Revised Standard Version's "Yet you have made them a little lower than God?"
Think about God's role as our Lord, and compare it to ours as "lords of Creation" - is being a lord a privilege or an obligation?

Show Us!

2013-05-17T05:31:00.000-05:00

Philip said to his Rabbi: "Show us your father, and we'll believe you!"

Jesus replied: "How long have we been together now Phil? You've seen me almost every day, and yet you still don't know me? When you look at me, you see the father - so why do you demand I show Him to you? Don't you believe that the son and the father are one? The words you hear are the father's words, not my own alone. Believe that we are one; but if you can't believe what I say, believe what I do! Truth be told, those who believe in me will not be able to do as I do... You'll be able to do even greater things! It will happen because I will reunite with my Father; just ask us in my name and I will help you.

If you love me, feed my sheep.

I will ask God to send you his spirit to be in you as it is in me. It will come to you and you will welcome it because you will recognize its voice."

(Retelling of John 14:8-17)

We All Spoke Pangean -

2013-05-15T05:18:00.000-05:00

We all spoke the Mother-Tongue, and we all thought The Thought: we would build the first City on Terra and create a mighty rocket-ship to assault Heaven! We were tired of suffering and being pushed around - it was our turn! We wanted progress.

The Lord saw our mighty projects and knew our plans for galactic dominion. He saw too our lack of diversity, and found it bad. He thought: "They have no one to tell them that their group-think is off-track. Their ability to spread evil will know no bounds." And so, He touched us...

All of a sudden we lost the Mother-Tongue! Some groups spoke one language, while other groups their own. We became afraid; were those "others" plotting against us? We fled our shining City on the plain. We abandoned our great works. We left our plans un-launched, like the rocket in its berth. We spread far and wide on the pneuma wind.

(Retelling of Genesis 11:1-9)

Acts 2:1-21; Blood Red Wine of Pentecost -

2013-05-13T05:33:00.000-05:00

There's always somebody...

A card in the crowd hears the anti-babel of the disciples speaking in tongues and sees the hearers listening in ears, and shouts: "They're filled with new wine!"

She or he gets the short term satisfaction of the crowd's snickers and guffaws, but little did they know how right they were!

The disciples came to Jesus as old wine-skins, not able to understand or hold the new wine of Jesus' teachings. His words could not grow and ferment within them. But then he bled and died - the blood red wine of the new covenant shed for their sake, and for the sake of many. They died with him. They died to the flesh of their old skins. They were reborn as new wine-skins. And when the Holy Spirit filled them with the Cana wedding wine of Pentecost, they understood. They became able to grow.

What about me? What about my congregation, my denomination, and the Church-at-large: old wine-skins or new?

The Lord's Prayer -

2013-05-10T04:55:00.000-05:00

(Tissot)

"I ask You not for the sake of these gathered around Me, but for all those who will some day believe in Us through their words. I ask that all may become as one with each other and with Us; just as We are One. The world will know Us by them.

As You have anointed Me with power and authority, so have I anointed them so that they will be one and One. Let the world will know Us by them, and know that I love them as dearly and deeply as You love Me.

Abba, I hope that all who have been given to Me will come to live with Me, and see Me in My home.

Righteous One, the world knows little of the Truth of You, but I know You - these friends that I am sending out know that We are One and know You by knowing Me. As We know and love them, let them know and love Us. As We love each other, I pray that they love each other."

(John 17:20-26 retold)

When Already?

2013-05-08T05:45:00.000-05:00

(art by Van Gogh)

“Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

“How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City. But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.

“I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

     “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride.
     Whoever hears, echo, “Come!”
     Is anyone thirsty? Come!
     All who will, come and drink,
     Drink freely of the Water of Life!

I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book; if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book.

He who testifies to all these things says it again: “I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon!”

Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

(Revelation 22:12-21; The Message)

Meditations:

When is "soon"?
Will we be judged by "their life's works" or faith (washed in the blood)?
Does "pay" refer to eternal life, or some reward in eternal life?
The Church is the Bride - do we say come to the thirstiest, or to those already sated?
What is the difference between "adding" and "interpreting"?

Redemption in a Philippian Prison:

2013-05-06T05:11:00.000-05:00

One day, as we were going to the place set aside for prayer, we encountered a slave girl. She made a lot of money for her owners as a fortune-teller, assisted by some sort of occult spirit. She began following us.

Slave Girl (shouting): These men are slaves like me, but slaves of the Most High God! They will proclaim to you the way of liberation!

The next day as we passed by, she did the same thing—and again on the following days. One day Paul was really annoyed, so he turned and spoke to the spirit that was enslaving her.

Paul: I order you in the name of Jesus, God’s Anointed: Come out of her!

It came right out. But when her owners realized she would be worthless now as a fortune-teller, they grabbed Paul and Silas, dragged them into the open market area, and presented them to the authorities.

Slave Owners: These men are troublemakers, disturbing the peace of our great city. They are from some Jewish sect, and they promote foreign customs that violate our Roman standards of conduct.

The crowd joined in with insults and insinuations, prompting the city officials to strip them naked in the public square so they could be beaten with rods. They were flogged mercilessly and then were thrown into a prison cell. The jailer was ordered to keep them under the strictest supervision. The jailer complied, first restraining them in ankle chains, then locking them in the most secure cell in the center of the jail.

Picture this: It’s midnight. In the darkness of their cell, Paul and Silas—after surviving the severe beating—aren’t moaning and groaning; they’re praying and singing hymns to God. The prisoners in adjoining cells are wide awake, listening to them pray and sing. Suddenly the ground begins to shake, and the prison foundations begin to crack. You can hear the sound of jangling chains and the squeak of cell doors opening. Every prisoner realizes that his chains have come unfastened. The jailer wakes up and runs into the jail. His heart sinks as he sees the doors have all swung open. He is sure his prisoners have escaped, and he knows this will mean death for him, so he pulls out his sword to commit suicide. At that moment, Paul sees what is happening and shouts out at the top of his lungs,

Paul: Wait, man! Don’t harm yourself! We’re all here! None of us has escaped.

The jailer sends his assistants to get some torches and rushes into the cell of Paul and Silas. He falls on his knees before them, trembling. Then he brings them outside.

Jailer: Gentlemen, please tell me, what must I do to be liberated?

Paul and Silas: Just believe—believe in the ultimate King, Jesus, and not only will you be rescued, but your whole household will as well.

The jailer brings them to his home, and they have a long conversation with the man and his family. Paul and Silas explain the message of Jesus to them all. The man washes their wounds and feeds them, then they baptize the man and his family. The night ends with Paul and Silas in the jailer’s home, sharing a meal together, the whole family rejoicing that they have come to faith in God.

(Acts 16:16-34; The Voice)

Meditations:

1. The poor slave girl was telling the truth about the Disciples and their mission. Why did Paul get annoyed with her?

2. By exorcizing the spirit or demon, Paul stole valuable property from the slave girl’s owners – why didn’t they make such a charge before the authorities and seek damages?

3. What customs were they advocating that were illegal for the residents of Philippi?

4. The crowd wants blood, so the authorities order a beating – sound familiar?

5. Why is the guard so willing to kill himself when he thinks they escaped, but then busts them out of prison himself?

Get Out Of Here!

2013-05-03T05:37:00.000-05:00

(art by Bartolome Esteban Murillo )

Yeshua went up to the big city for the holidays. Down by the gate that sheep came in and out, there was a pool of water that legend said had healing properties. Once the surface of the pool was disturbed, the first person to jump in would be healed.The pool was full and completely surrounded by the sick and injured splashing, shoving, and seeking a cure.

In this crowd, Yeshua's attention instantly focused on a single man laying quietly on the ground. This man had been there off-and-on for 38 years! Yeshua asked him: "Do you want to be healed?" I can picture Yeshua's students thinking: "Good question. If he can walk, the lazy bum could no longer get a free ride begging money from the rest of us! Does he really want to be healed, or does he want a hand-out?"

The man said: "Yes. But due to my infirmity, I can not get into the water quick enough to benefit from the healing spell." The man was obviously a very gentle and polite person - my response to Yeshua's question would have been more saltily sarcastic - much more...

Yeshua replied: "Grab your stuff and get out of here." Instantly, the man was made whole and walked away.

Now that's what I call a Sabbath!

(John 5:1-9 retold)

Chill!

2013-05-02T05:38:00.001-05:00

(art by He Qi)

Jesus said: "Those who love me will act as I have taught, and will be loved by my Father. Those who don't won't. We will come to those who love us, and reside in them. These are not my words that you hear, but those of the Father who sent me to you. I tell you these things while we are yet together. But the Spirit that the Father will send into you in my name will make clear all the parables, remove the scales placed upon your eyes, remind you of forgotten words, and give you revelation.

Shalom I shall leave with you. Not the mere absence of conflict, but my agape shalom of wholeness. I do not give this gift like the world would give it, I give it to you without condition or price, and I will not take it away. Don't have a panic attack, there is nothing to fear.

You have heard me say over and over that I was going away but not leaving you alone. If you love me, let me go. Celebrate that I am going home to my Father. That I will become whole once more in the Father and the Spirit. I tell you these things while we are yet together, so that when they come to pass you will not be afraid."

(Retelling of John 14:22-29)

The Big Reveal:

2013-05-01T05:34:00.001-05:00

(art byHieronymus Bosch)

The Spirit carried me away, and I looked at the new Holy City below me descending from on high.

I did not see any churches! For the real Church is the Body of Christ.

I did not see a sun or moon! For those once blind now saw by The Light, the Lamb-Light. The nations of the world will walk at last in The Light. The rulers of the world will at last be part of The Light.

I did not see any closed and defended gates! For there will be nothing to fear. The people of the world will at last be part of The Light.

I did not see any sin! For all have been redeemed from bondage to their baser selves.

Then my angel pointed at the River of Life, full and overflowing with Living Water, coming from the Triune Spring. Along both banks grew Trees of Life grown from the seeds of Eden, bearing different fruit to feed all the tribes and leaves of healing balm - always in season.

I saw no taint of old sins.

I saw The Throne among the people.

I saw The Throne occupied.

I saw all of the people bow before Him and see His face.

I saw The Light radiate from their faces.

Night was no more! There was no more need of electricity and fossil fuels. There wasn't even any need for the old burned-out sun. For those once blind now saw by The Light, the Lamb-Light. The people of the world will at last be part of The Light, and shall reign together in the Kingdom beyond the bounds of time.

( Revelation 21:10 and 21:22 - 22:5 retold)

Psalmic #Poetry - The 67th; Selah In The House

2013-04-30T05:07:00.000-05:00

Let God be full of Grace.

Let God bless us to bless.

Let The Light shine on us.

Selah y'all!

Let the Good News become known.

Let the nations become redeemed.

Let all your children into the choir.

Selah, selah y'all!

Let all the peoples be free to praise.

Let all the countries be joyful places.

Let us have Your mercy and wisdom.

Selah, selah, selah y'all!

Let the beloved people love You.

Let all people know You as Lord.

Let them grow in body and soul.

Selah, selah, selah, selah y'all!

The Earth shares Your gifts with us.

You ever have, do, and will bless us.

All of Creation reveres its Creator.

Selah y'all!

(Retold by Tiwago)

The Evangel to the Capitalists:

2013-04-29T05:34:00.000-05:00

In the night, Paul awoke to a powerful vision - a European from Macedonia begged him: "Come and help us!" Convinced that God was calling him to mission, he jumped up and we started making our travel plans. We set sail from Turkey straight across the sea to Greece. The next day we hiked to Newtown and then on to the veteran retirement community of Phillipi where we stayed for a few days.

On the sabbath we went down to the river to pray. We sat down and chatted with the women who were not allowed in the synagogue because of their sex, who were filling their water jars, or who were there doing their laundry. One of the women listening closely was a gentile worshipper of our God from Lydia in Turkey. Herodotus in his histories said that the Lydians were the first people in the world to establish permanent retail shops, and to use silver and gold coins in commerce. We called this woman Lydia after her homeland when we discovered that she was a successful and internationally connected merchant dealing in cloth for royalty. The Spirit opened her heart, mind and soul to Paul's relating Jesus' message of inclusion, hope and love.

As the head of her household, she had us baptize her family, servants and employees into The Way as part of the Body of Christ. Even though she was an unmarried woman, she begged us to stay with her - and we did.

(Retelling of Acts 16:9-15)