We are one

Whiling away time

with coffee in hand

People watching 

as I wait for the car to be serviced

People pass the window of the coffee shop

where I sit

many are happed up against the cold

focussed on their daily business

heads down intent on progress

some with company

others alone.

While I pray.

And I remember conversations I’ve had recently

about praying in our neighbourhoods.

Whether the neighbours know or not

I pray 

And I am changed

As I continue watching

and praying

I no longer see

folk who look happy

or sad

folk who look friendly 

or defensive

those who are weighed down

or have a spring in their step

those who look like unmarried mothers

or those who look like they struggle with addictions

or with mental health issues

or those who look like life is hard

or those who look like they are employed - or not.

I see children of God

each with a unique role to play

in this common life.

I see individuals created and loved by God

And I ask God to bless them

and to bless me

as we share this life together

Promises, promises...

Luke 6:38
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Really, Lord

A good measure?

Pressed down,

shaken together,

running over...

I want to believe that.

But some days,

it’s hard to see.

Some days,

it feels like giving 

until there is nothing left to give

and spent,

wrung out,

running on empty,

still more is required.

On those days, Lord

remind us of your promise

surround us with your presence

keep on trying 

to attract our attention

until we see you

shining through the rainbow

dancing in the puddles

whispering in the breeze

with your love

and your laughter

with the updraft

of your amazing grace

and timely love

poured out

until your spirit

overflows once more

in us.

Rest

Mark 6:30-31
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

When the buzz of achievement wears off

Christ, you bid us rest

When we’ve given all we have to give

Christ, you bid us rest

When our resources seem exhausted

Christ you bid us rest

You bid us rest

not so that we can simply regroup and replenish

You bid us rest in you 

so that we can be reminded of your love

and your desire to hold us close

You bid us rest.

Until, resting in you, 

we find healing and strength

that enable us once more

to be open and vulnerable 

But first, 

in you we rest.

Stories shared

A day filled with stories

of things tried

of risks taken

some successful

some that provided great learning

all shared

to stimulate imagination

of the infinite possibilities that exist

in growing the Kingdom of God.

With humour

with pathos

with wisdom and insight

folk made themselves vulnerable 

inviting others

to poke about 

in the stories they offered

discovering kingdom values

finding inspiration

persistence

and courage

and the presence of

the Spirit of God

who aids us in our effort

and in our discernment 

as we follow Christ

being disciples 

proclaiming love

in our neighbourhoods.

In stories

we discover our common heritage

and our shared calling

to love and serve God today.

How long O Lord?

Let us pray

For those places where safety was reasonably assumed 

now turned into places of fear and desolation

For communities that knew peace and neighbourliness 

now desecrated by violence

For outpourings of grief and love

that will never be enough

For all who are so radicalised

that human life ceases to be valued

For citizens and governments

hell bent on making distinctions and divisions

within our common humanity

For the responsibility we share

for allowing evil to triumph

even momentarily

God, forgive us.

Forgive us and call us back

to your way of love

that knows no bounds.

Where love is love is love.

Desist!

Desist, and know that I [am] God, I am exalted among nations, I am exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (Young’s Literal Translation)

A reflection on the text shared at the beginning of a Fresh Expressions Gathering:

Desist

Stop doing

Cease

Abstain

How apposite

in our conversations

about the new things that 

God is doing.

For every Fresh Expression

however defined

there has to be a

Desist

We have to make space

get out of the way

in order to enable

the fresh breeze of God

(or even the tickle of a breath)

to blow through our structures

creating life

allowing love to escape

and overflow

into the communities we serve

Desist

and know God

who will be exalted

Harsh words

Luke 11:29-31
When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

Harsh words

A wake up call

Borne of the frustration of dealing with folks

who constantly refused to get it

Harsh words

uttered in love

because sometimes love has to be challenging

Harsh words

that sought to jar folks

to see what lay hidden in plain sight

Harsh words

spoken to provoke folk into acting

on all the teaching they knew

summed up in

“love God and love neighbour”

Harsh words 

that might be spoken

for our generation today

as we ignore what creation tells us

and continue to ravage the earth

as we witness and participate in

division and otherness

deeming some as less deserving than others

And as we blame everyone but ourselves

for our predicament today,

Harsh words

call us back from the abyss 

from the mess and rhetoric

from the stone throwing and the name calling

Harsh words call us

to love God

and love our neighbour.

See something greater is here:

God dwells in our midst in love

Will we reflect or obscure that love today?