Calls for our Allegiance

These words were written by my friend John van de Laar many years ago, but they are still relevant for this moment in our history. Palm Sunday is not just an event that happened for Jesus, but rather it is a reminder that we are bombarded with calls for our allegiance everyday Voices shout for us to bow the knee to this leader, this ideology, this rhetoric, this political affiliation. However, in the end, the thing that matters is how we will respond to the true Christ - the servant King?

Living in Grace

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“Jesus Christ, whose greatest moments of triumph happen
on the back of a donkey’s foal
and nailed to a bloody cross,
We gather to prepare the way for you
in our lives and in our world.

There are so many people and things that call for our allegiance,
so many kings seeking to rule over us.
But, you ride into our experience as another kind of monarch
a serving, humble and challenging leader
who calls us not to slavery, but friendship.

There are so many things that seek our energy and resources for their own sakes
so many empires seeking our souls for their own glory.
But, you ride into our experience heralding another kind of reign
a realm where the least are the greatest,
where the meek inherit the earth
and where children are the best example of citizenship.
a domain which seeks to bring life, not drain it.

There are so many things that draw our attention.
So many realities that seek our faith and assent.
But, you ride into our experience revealing another kind of reality
a reality where death does not have the last word.
a reality where pride, selfishness and evil are defeated
by love and self-giving.
a reality which does not parade itself for all to see,
but fills every moment, every situation and everything with life,
while waiting for us to discover it.

And so, we cry, from our hearts
Hosanna, save us.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God.
Amen.”

John can de Laar (www.sacredise.com)

 

How I pray

I am not sure what went through your mind when you saw the title of today's post? Sadly, I am not going to give you a special prayer formula or even tell you how I pray. Instead, I am going to pass on these words from Thomas Merton, as I found them very helpful. In his work, Day of a Stranger, he wrote:

"What I wear is pants. What I do is live. How I pray is breathe."

His insight is almost so simple, that I nearly missed his point. Prayer doesn't need to be complicated at all. We simply need to acknowledge that every breath we take is an act of prayer - it is an offering to our Creator; it is a submission to our Saviour. 

Job 33:4 - For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Living in Grace

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Saint Benedict - words of wisdom and a prayer

Saint Benedict was an Italian monk who had a profound influence on the Christian faith in the 5th Century, and his legacy lives on through the 'Rule of St. Benedict' and the monasteries founded in his name. 

Two of his famous quotes give us some insight into his soul. 

"He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands."

"Prefer nothing, absolutely nothing, to the love of Christ."

In reflecting on his feast day, Malcolm Guite, wrote a beautiful poem/prayer to remember the life and work of this godly man. Here is part of his writing.

"You call us all to live, and see good days,

Centre in Christ and enter in his peace,
To seek his Way amidst our many ways,
Find blessedness in blessing, peace in praise,
To clear and keep for Love a sacred space
That we might be beginners in God's grace." - Malcolm Guite

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Fallen Soldier

I came across a lovely poem from Branden Hildago called Fallen Soldier. In memory of all who have died in wars and conflicts around the world. We also remember all the innocent victims of violence and war. Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayers.

Fallen Soldier All Alone
Fallen Soldier Far From Home.
Trickling Down His Face A Tear,
Forgetting How It Feels To Fear
Death And All It's Fate And Glory.
Now It's Here, No Need To Worry.

Fallen Soldier All Alone
Fallen Soldier Far From Home
He's One Of Those They'll All Forget;
The Life He Lived, The Goals He Set,
The Ones He Loved, The Ones Who Wait
To See His Nearly Forgotten Face.

Fallen Soldier All Alone
Fallen Soldier Far From Home
Now Breathing's Just A Waste Of Breath
And Living's Just A Waste Of Death
As He Searches For A New Address;
A Brand New Home Free Of Loneliness.

Fallen Soldier All Alone
Fallen Soldier Far From Home
Lying Motionless On The Ground,
The Battle Raging All Around.
For Now He Is Not All Alone.
This Fallen Soldier Is Welcomed Home.

Living in Grace

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You moved any mountains lately?

I came across this prayer recently. I am not 100% sure who the author is, but the words struck me as being authentic and honest. 

Lord, I've never moved a mountain and I guess I never will.
All the faith that I could muster wouldn't move a small ant hill.
Yet I'll tell you, Lord, I'm grateful for the joy of knowing Thee,
and for all the mountain moving down through life You've done for me.

When I needed some help, you lifted me from the depths of great despair.
And when burdens, pain and sorrow have been more than I can bear,
you have always been my courage to restore life's troubled sea,
and to move these little mountains that have looked so big to me.

Many times, when I've had problems and when bills I've had to pay,
and the worries and the heartaches just kept mounting every day, Lord,
I don't know how you did it. Can't explain the where’s or whys.
All I know, I've seen these mountains turn to blessings in disguise.

No, I've never moved a mountain, for my faith is far too small.
Yet, I thank you, Lord of Heaven, you have always heard my call.
And as long as there are mountains in my life, I'll have no fear,
for the mountain-moving Jesus is my strength and always near. - Source Unknown.

Matthew 17:20 - He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

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Don't believe them!

Anne Bronte was a prolific writer of poems, books and hymns. She was the daughter of an Irish clergyman, and also the sister of Charlotte and Emily. Sadly, Anne died at the very young age of 29, but even in her short life, she left a huge legacy. 

We sang one of her songs on Sunday, as it fitted in well with our theme on the book of Job. For a young person, Anne had incredible insight and understood the complexities of life and faith. This song reminds us that the Christian path is not a smooth way, and if people tell us that it is, then we shouldn't believe them. This song originally appeared as a poem in Wuthering Heights. 

Believe not those who say
The upward path is smooth;
Lest thou should stumble in the way,
And faint before the truth.

Arm, arm thee for the fight:
Cast useless loads away;
Watch through the darkest hours of night;
Toil through the hottest day.

To labor and to love,
To pardon and endure,
To lift thy heart to God above,
And keep thy conscience pure,

Be this thy constant aim,
Thy hope, thy chief delight;
What matter who should whisper blame
Or who should scorn or slight,

If but thy God approve,
And if, within thy breast,
Thou feel the comfort of His love,
The earnest of His rest?

May we all know the comfort of his love, no matter what we are experiencing at the moment.

Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

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God moves in mysterious ways

I find it fascinating how words and phrases make their way into our common vocabulary. Take for instance the phrase: "God moves in mysterious ways..." 

These words are attributed to a poem, that later became a popular hymn, written by William Cowper. Below is the full hymn if you would like to read it again. Of further interest, is that William was a friend of John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) and it was the depth of their friendship that inspired them both to push through some very tough times. 

God moves in a mysterious way,
    His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
    And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
    Of never failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
    And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
    The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
    In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
    But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
    He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
    Unfolding ev'ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
    But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
    And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
    And he will make it plain.

Thought: In what ways have you experienced God move in mysterious circumstances?

Living in Grace

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The Hound of Heaven

In my weekly Bible Study, I mentioned the poem by Francis Thompson (1890) entitled Hound of Heaven. The 182-line poem captures the idea of a 'hound' relentlessly chasing down a hare. This idea becomes the core reflection of how God pursues us - relentlessly. Obviously, we are not rabbits that are about to be eaten by a hungry God (that's not the point at all), but rather, that God loves us so much that he runs after us until we notice Him and turn to him. This is how the poem starts:

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

Thought: Sometimes we run away from God because we fear that he is chasing us to harm us, but what if the Spirit of God is actually pursuing us, in order to call us back to our Beloved?

Song of Songs 2:8 - Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.

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Brighten up your corner - Inspirational poem

In conversation with a friend last week, he mentioned an inspirational poem to me. As I read it, I realised it was the perfect ending for the sermon I was writing. Having shared the poem on Sunday, a few people have asked for the words. So, here they are - it is a poem entitled: "Brighten up your corner." Enjoy and please pass on to someone in need. 

We cannot all be famous
Or be listed in "Who's Who,"
But every person, great or small,
Has important work to do.

For seldom do we realize
The importance of small deeds,
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
In a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
In an undistinguished way.

The work that God assigned to us,
Unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding,
And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
For wider, new dimensions
where you can put into practice,
Your many good intentions.

But at the spot God placed you
Begin at once to do,
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up

The spot where they're standing,
By being more considerate,
And a little less demanding.

This dark old world would very soon
Eclipse the evening star,
If everybody brightened up
The corner where they are! - Helen Steiner Rice

So, the challenge lies before us!

How can we lighten the dark corners of our world? 

What can we do to bring Christ to those who need Him?

Isaiah 60 - Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.

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My cup of compassion

I was given a beautiful piece of writing today that I really must share with you. The author is Joyce Rupp and she has a unique gift of expressing deep spiritual truths. She writes on the compassion of Jesus:

"My cup of compassion
holds tears of the world;
it overflows with sorrow,
struggles, and sadness.

my cup of compassion
holds the cries of children,
unfed, unloved,
unsheltered,
uneducated, unwanted.

my cup of compassion
holds the screams of war,
the tortured, slain,
imprisoned,
the raped, disabled.
...

my cup of compassion
I hold it to my heart
where the Divine dwells,
where love is stronger
than death and disaster."

May these words bless you as much as they have blessed me.

Living in Grace

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P.S. This is just part of her poem - I am sure you could find the rest on her website. 

Today I tried to run the world...and I failed!

This piece of writing is so spot on for many of us. It hit me straight in the heart and I pray that God speaks to you as much as I felt him speaking to me. I am grateful to the book 'Souvenirs of Solitude' by Brennan Manning for this gift. 

"Lord, today I tried to run the world singlehandedly,
I tried so hard, Lord,
to take care of everything.
I took upon myself
all of the problems,
all the burdens,
all the worries of everyone who makes up my little world.
I tried so hard, Lord, and I accomplished nothing.
I'm frustrated,
frazzled,
and exhausted to the point of tears.
Nothing seemed to go right.

Lord, will I never learn
that you're the one
who runs everything?
That you're the one
who knows all the answers?
That you're the only one
who can carry
the intolerable burdens
we try to shoulder for ourselves?
That you're the only one
who can solve
the insoluble problems?

That you're the only one
who accomplishes anything of worth?
That everything depends on you?

Lord, sometimes I wonder why

you bother to put up with me.

Sometimes I wonder

if you're not sorely tempted

to take me by the shoulders 

and shake me until my teeth rattle.

I couldn't blame you if you did.

Thank you Lord,

for putting up with me today.

And thank you, Lord,

for doing things YOUR way!" - Brennan Manning.

Living in Grace

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Reflecting on letting go of the old and embracing the new

Here is a delightful poem for the beginning of our new year. It was written by late Irish poet and author, John O'Donohue. Enjoy ...

"As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted
And the soul could see delight;
When a quiver caressed the heart
In the sheer exuberance of being here.

Surprises that came awake
In forgotten corners of old fields
Where expectation seemed to have quenched.

The slow, brooding times
When all was awkward
And the wave in the mind
Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped
The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faces shone brighter
With light from beyond themselves;
And from the granite of some secret sorrow
A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,
For all we loved and lost
And for the quiet way it brought us
Nearer to our invisible destination." (take from "To bless the space between us")

1 Peter 1:14 - "So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then."

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A time to Remember

Armistice Day will always be a time where the world should pause and remember the great cost of war and violence. As we pause for a minute of silence at 11am on the 11th November I believe we should reflect on all tragedies and ask how we can learn from the past. In our posture of gratitude, for those who have paid the ultimate price, we should also prepare ourselves to tread gently into the future. If we can't learn from history we will be doomed to repeat all the mistak
es of the past. 

I came across this beautiful piece of writing from Malcolm Guite today. His moving words struck a chord with me.

November pierces with its bleak remembrance
Of all the bitterness and waste of war.
Our silence tries but fails to make a semblance
Of that lost peace they thought worth fighting for.
Our silence seethes instead with wraiths and whispers,
And all the restless rumour of new wars,
The shells are falling all around our vespers,
No moment is unscarred, there is no pause,
In every instant bloodied innocence
Falls to the weary earth ,and whilst we stand
Quiescence ends again in acquiescence,
And Abel's blood still cries in every land
One silence only might redeem that blood
Only the silence of a dying God. 

If you like Malcolm's writing please click onto his home page and enjoy his gift.

Living in Grace

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Taking note

I came across this beautiful prayer from Eddie Askew this morning. It is such a lovely reminder of what the Resurrection means for us all. It is my hope and prayer that you would enjoy it as much as I have done. God bless you.

"Forgive me Lord,
for all the times
I walk through life head down,
my vision limited to the immediate.
Confined within the pressures of my day
problems press in,
expand,
prevent the recognition
that we both desire.
I find it hard to look beyond the obvious,
my mind so sealed
it almost breaks imagination's fingernails
to prise it open
to the wonder of your presence.

Yet you still walk with me,
each step a revelation of your love,
a gentle leading on
to boundaries of understanding
I've not yet crossed.
Have patience, Lord.
Help me see
your hand at work
shaping my life,
and make your nearness a delight
that turns my mourning into joy."

Living in Grace

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Break my resistance

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, which traditionally allows us to reflect on the last days of Jesus's earthly life. The following poem is extremely helpful in bringing us to a place of remembrance and spiritual stock-taking. I offer it to you and pray that the words would help all of us prepare for the greatest weekend of our Christian experience. 

"Now to the gate of my Jerusalem,
The seething holy city of my heart,
The Saviour comes. But will I welcome him?
Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start;
They raise their hands, get caught up in the singing,
And think the battle won. Too soon they’ll find
The challenge, the reversal he is bringing
Changes their tune. I know what lies behind
The surface flourish that so quickly fades;
Self-interest, and fearful guardedness,
The hardness of the heart, its barricades,
And at the core, the dreadful emptiness
Of a perverted temple. Jesus come
Break my resistance and make me your home." - Malcolm Guite 

What things are causing resistance in my heart today?

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Life is a Psalm

 

The actual title of Longfellow’s poem is ‘A Psalm of Life’, but I have used a little license in changing today’s blog title to ‘Life is a Psalm.’

When we read the Psalms we notice that they are always honest; often contain stories of pain and suffering; include moments of celebrations as well as lament; show off the depth of the psalmist’s prayers and usually end off on a note of intense hope and trust in the grace of God. They (the Psalms) mirror our lives in so many ways and that is why I suggest we can use the phrase – Life is a Psalm.

Psalm 16:11 - You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

If you would like to read Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, I am including it here. Enjoy.

"Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world’s broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,— act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Living in Grace

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Before you do anything...

“Before you speak, listen.
Before you write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire, save.
Before you die, give.” - William A. Ward

I believe that these words are true and helpful, especially as we head off into 2021 and beyond. There is so much wisdom in taking a little time to reflect before we end up "doing" something. Sadly, we don't always get this right and then we end up spending a lot more time and energy trying to fix our mistakes.

Proverbs 28:14 - Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Exodus 20:3 - “You shall have no other gods before me."

Living in Grace

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Love came down at Christmas

"Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,

Love incarnate, Love Divine;

Worship we our Jesus;

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,

Love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all the world,

Love for plea and gift and sign."

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894) penned numerous poems in her lifetime. This particular poem, written in 1885, has been put to music by many musicians over the years, including John Rutter and more recently by Christian rock-band, Jars of Clay (in 2007). 

Although this carol is not as popular as many other Christmas hymns, the words are profound in their simplicity. I love the idea of referring to the Incarnation as 'Love coming down.' What better way to describe the act of God, choosing to come to earth in the form of a child? Divine love conjures up the miraculous in order to break through into our brokenness.

I am challenged by the line "Love shall be our token" as this is the call for all Christians to heed. Love is the token of currency we should be using and it is the sure sign of being changed by the Divine Love of Jesus.

John 1:14 (The Message) - 

"The Word became flesh and blood,

    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
    true from start to finish."

Living in Grace

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The Beauty of your peace

“Drop your still dews of quietness

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our lives the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

The beauty of your peace.” – J.G. Whittier

We all know that dew only falls after sunset – that during the night time, while the temperature is just right, droplets of water will form as dew on the earth. The busyness of the day and the heat of the sun are not conducive to the dew falling. 

And so it seems to make sense to me that ‘spiritual dew’ will only fall when my strivings cease and I rest in the shadow of the Almighty’s love. When I am at rest, then God pours out the dew of his grace.

Living in Grace

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Who am I?

In a haunting poem, written from his prison cell, Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflects on an eternal question... Who am I? Part of the poem goes like this:

Who am I? They also tell me
I would bear the days of misfortune
Equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I know of myself?

In the concluding words Bonhoeffer comes to this conclusion, which I believe is the answer most of us wish to hear.
 
Who am I?
They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am Thine! 

Even if the world tries to answer the question for you (Who are you?), remember that in the final breath it is only God's answer that will satisfy. Let us be content to hear the words of God today:
We are His!

Living in Grace
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