Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Go Sister Go!
Reflections From Luke 10:38-42, Mark 14:3-9
This morning I thought about a woman who, against traditions and fears and disapproval of people around, spent all her money on perfume to anoint Jesus.

“SHE COULD HAVE SAID”

She could have said:

I’m a woman – 
What can I do?
Not even invited;
They’ll say I’m rude,
Will they stare and talk?
Or think that I’m showy?
Should I give the money to the poor
And make everyone happy?

But she said:

I’m a woman –
But more than that,
Jesus saved me,
He freed me of all debts.
If I miss my time and chance
To do what I can today -
Tomorrow I may not have the courage
To love God this way.

She could have been:

Another fan, another follower,
Just like you and me;
Another who warmed the pews
Same place, same time, each week.
Another, perhaps, who served
Out of surplus energy and time,
Met everyone's expectations,
And never went out of line.

But she was:

Mary, who long ago decided
To love the “only one thing” that’s necessary;
Mary, who didn’t allow the “many things”
To cause her to fuss and worry.
Mary, who when she broke the vial,
Shattered all those nice men’s hearts;
Mary, who didn’t care that she was a woman
When she chose the good part.

Thursday, October 17, 2013


Reflection from Mark 1:32-38

Yesterday a young campus staff told me, “I turned off technology for one day - as you suggested in the talk on 'Margin'; but when I switched them on again, I was overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages in my inboxes!”
I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to say. But this morning as I prayed, the Lord gave me an answer from Mark 1:32-38.
Here Jesus faced the same problem as the young campus staff. It was recorded that He hid away to spend time with the Father. And what did He find when He came back?
The multitudes . . . . jamming his inboxes.

“Many things” came cramming at the door -  
But where on earth was Jesus?
O He sneaked out "while it was still dark"
To spend time alone with the Father.
“Many ’many things’ are here!” Peter cried.
“Quick! Give them some attention!”
But surprise, surprise, Jesus replied,
"Let's go - and do only the important.”

Life, I discover, has many “many things” that
We're not made to rescue all or handle -
But we can and must  – dare I even say it -
Switch off that phone, unplug that computer.
And be still and learn from the Only One who knows
What are the few that are necessary,
And not be ruffled, worried, guilt-ridden, directed
By the very many “many.”

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH (Mat 5:13)

I am the salt of the earth.

I bring flavor
And not seek favor
From men.
I use words that heal,
Shield, defend,
Mend.

I may sting,
Even shock,
But I won’t bend
The truth, I won’t trivialize
The Name of God,
The worth of man.

I am the salt of the earth.

I work on the bland,
I don’t blend
In.
I speak up against
Stumbling blocks, shame,
Sin.

I can’t sit on the fence,
I can’t play it
Safe
If I want to stand up
For the fatherless,
Broken,
Enslaved.

I am the salt of the earth.

I am different.
This is who I am, not what I do;
This is my voice, my call.
But when I become indifferent
To who they are, and what they do,
I miss. I’m not salt at all.

Sunday, October 6, 2013


WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? (Mark 10)
 
“What do you want me to do for you?”
“What do you want me to do for you?”
In Mark 10 Jesus posed this question twice,
Let’s listen to the answers - see who was wise.

First He asked the sons of Zebedee -
Then to the blind man who called, "“Have mercy on me!”
While James and John were His own star pupils,
Blind Bartimeus wasn't in anyone's inner circle. 

"That's easy," James and John said, “In the not-too-distant future
“Put us on your right and left, we have all the credentials;
“You won’t regret it, we can really help you,
“Besides, we're very gifted in telling others what to do.”

“As for me, Rabboni,” the blind beggar replied,
"All I want right now is to regain my sight.
“I don’t really care if I look important or cool;
“I can sit anywhere, but please, let me live life to the full.”

“What do you want me to do for you?”
“What do you want me to do for you?”
This morning as I read Mark 10,
Jesus asked me again and again.

To be honest, I almost prayed,
“More power, less red tapes, definitely more say;
“How can this poor woman serve you efficiently -
“With all these barriers unless - I've more authority?”

But thank God, He taught me to say, "I'm only a servant -
“Help me see through the clutter of self-importance,
"With both eyes open, then I can do your will
"And live each day to the full - and glorify you."
 

 

 

love the ocean - God made it for Himself

About Me

In the Old Testament in the Bible, there was a man named Jacob who "wrestled with God and man." He wouldn't let God go until God answered his prayers. God admired that and renamed him Israel, "the one who fought or wrestled and prevailed". He fought with man--his inner man--and conquered his own weaknesses. He's my hero. He is what I hope God and man see me to be.