Anointed

The Lord said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one." 1 Samuel 16:12b

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5

Anointed one,
Holy and set apart,
Robes and head
Wet with oil
Called to serve
As God's holy priest,
Aaron.

Anointed one,
Holy and set apart,
Unlikely chosen one,
A child, really ~
(But, God sees with the heart)
Made king ~
David.

Anointed one,
Holy and set apart,
Chosen
To bring good news,
To release captives,
To give sight to the blind,
To free the oppressed ~
Lamb of God,
God's own Son,
Jesus, the Messiah.

Anointed ones,
Holy and set apart,
Washed in the waters of baptism
And marked with the sign of the cross forever,
You and me ~
Children of God.

Anointed, we live to serve God.
Anointed, we know God's never-ending love.
Anointed, we see the holy in others.
Anointed, we belong to God.

Blind

"....he was born blind so that God's works may be revealed in him." John 9:3b

Questioning 

Jesus' authority

(We are blind)

Young people searching for their niche in this world,

not quite seeing where they belong

(We are blind)

Not recognizing that the best way to care for one's own needs 

   is to put the needs of others first

(We are blind)

Idolatry - finding gods in wealth, superiority, belongings - 

   things that do not last.

(We are blind)

Forgetting that God is moving ahead of us, 

present for us always, all ways 

(We are blind)

Congregations in turmoil,

thinking inwardly instead of outwardly

(We are blind)

Reckless use of God's creation,

not giving consideration to consequences of our actions

(We are blind)

Our nation

thinking we are superior to other nations

(We are blind)

Choosing fear

Over trust in you

(We are blind)

We are blind ~

Gives us sight, Lord,

So that your works may revealed through us.

- Helen Keller - 

In many ways, she really could see!

Treasure

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 
1 Samuel 16:7


I couldn't resist posting a photo of Antoine de Saint- Exupéry's drawing of  "The Little Prince" after having read this passage from this coming Sunday's Old Testament lesson.

I don't remember paying attention to this passage before. When I read it this time, the following quote - from the story, "The Little Prince" - came to me:

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. 

What is essential is invisible to the eyes."

I know a story about a woman who was recruiting people to serve on a committee. At first, it was really easy to identify people who had the gifts to be part of this team. Then she realized that someone was missing. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. But, she prayed and talked with others about possible candidates.

One day she was sitting in church and thought about the young man sitting in front of her in church. "Could it be this person?" she asked herself. She wasn't too sure. This guy was young - in high school - and was extremely quiet. It was hard to "read" his feelings. Too young. Too quiet. Too reserved.

But, these thoughts persisted.

Then one Sunday, she decided she would ask him if he would be willing to serve on this particular committee. What could it hurt to do that? She fully expected him to say no - but, to her complete surprise, he said yes. Yes! And the surprises kept coming. He got deeply involved in the work of the committee - offering his wisdom and insight and other talents. He came out of his shell bit by bit as he saw that people sincerely appreciated and respected his gifts. The committee was truly blessed to have him as a partner.

What I take away from this verse in 1 Samuel - and the story above - is that there is no such this as "too (fill in the blank)." Sometimes it means that - for those of us who are looking for people to serve in some capacity - we have to look in the places that are not so obvious, because we might find a hidden treasure!

Time to get rid of "too."

There is no such think as
too young, too old,
too inexperienced,
too quiet, too loud,
too emotional, too laid back,
too outgoing,
too pretty, too ugly,
too _______________.

Thank you God for those hidden treasures!

She

"She sets a table before me in the presence of my foes; she anoints my head with oil and my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5

We will be reading Psalm 23 this Sunday. At the Shalom meal my friend had a week ago this past Saturday, she played Bobby McFerrin's ("Don't Worry, Be Happy") version of the 23rd Psalm. I remember hearing this when it first came out and was incredibly moved by this version.

Switching up the pronouns of God deepens and expands my understanding of the nature of God in a rich and meaningful way.

Here are the lyrics:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need.
She makes me lie down in green meadows.
Beside the still waters, she will lead.

She restores my soul; she rights my wrongs.
She leads me in a path of good things
And fills my heart with song.

Even though I walk through a dark and dreary land,
There is nothing that can shake me.
She has said she won't forsake me -
I'm in her hand.

She sets a table before me in the presence of my foes.
She anoints my head with oil
And my cup overflows.

Surely, surely goodness and kindness will follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will live in her house,
Forever, forever and ever.

Glory be to our Mother, and Daughter,
And to the Holy of Holies,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen

Light

"For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of the light --." Ephesians 5:8







Stumbling along,
Trying to find your way,
Without an internal compass
To guide you -
No light to show the way.

Loving father,
Listens attentively,
Asking questions (little lights) so you
Can find your own answers,
So you can find your way.

Knowing

"....we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:3b-5

Knowing changes things.

Today I saw a theme running through the three lessons for this Sunday. They all have something to do with "knowing." The Israelites, stuck in the desert, complain to Moses constantly. They do not know what their future holds in store for them. Centuries later, we know the rest of the story.

The story of Jesus and the woman at the well shows how Jesus knows us. And how knowing us makes all the difference in the world.

Then there is this passage from Romans. It dawned on me that the ONLY reason Paul can say these words is because he knows how much God loves us. We can live through the suffering because we will never be separated from God's love. Paul knows the outcome. Suffering will not win over all. Love is the victor.

Today I watched "Paradise Road." It is the fact-based story of a group of women who were imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II on the island of Sumatra. The women suffered horrible atrocities. They witnessed cruelty and endured horrific things. It is a surprise, then, that they somehow were able to muster the will to sing....thanks to the persistence of two women, Margaret and Adrianne. Margaret transcribed well-known orchestral pieces such as Dvorak's "New World Symphony." Her friend, Adrienne conducted the "vocal orchestra" of women. They managed to live out the stages that Paul lists in Romans: through suffering, endurance, then character, then hope. It was an incredible moment when they sang their first "concert" in front of their captors, not knowing how they would be treated.

The second surprise, was the response given by one woman - a missionary named Margaret - to her friend Adrienne's questions, "You don't hate them, do you? Why not?" She replied, "I've tried, but I just can't bring myself to hate people. The worse they behave, the sorrier I feel for them." I think Margaret knew the big picture. She endured the suffering because she trusted in God's bountiful love. Because of this love, she could not hate.

Margaret is a lesson for us all in these days where it appears politically correct to hate those who are different from ourselves and it is okay to hate those whom we fear.

How would things be different for us today if we responded out of the knowledge of God's love for us? If we truly believed it, if we truly knew this, wouldn't we love our enemies as Jesus instructs us to do instead of fearing and hating them?

Knowing changes things.

[Note: The two women in the story - Margaret Drummond and Adrienne Pargiter) are based on real-life women, Margaret Dryburgh and Norah Chambers. Margaret transposed instrumental pieces for human voices and Norah conducted the women. Margaret even composed some original pieces, including "Captive's Hymn." The words are a powerful witness to her passion for peace and understanding. It can be heard in this youtube video clip.)

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Known

A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to here, "Give me a drink." (John 4:7)

And so the story begins!

Here are the words to this amazing monologue (written by Chris Kinsley and Drew Francis):

I am a woman of no distinction
of little importance.
I am a women of no reputation
save that which is bad.

You whisper as I pass by and cast judgmental glances,
Though you don’t really take the time to look at me,
Or even get to know me.

For to be known is to be loved,
And to be loved is to be known.
Otherwise what’s the point in doing
either one of them in the first place?

I WANT TO BE KNOWN.

I want someone to look at my face
And not just see two eyes, a nose,
a mouth and two ears;
But to see all that I am, and could be
all my hopes, loves and fears.

But that’s too much to hope for,
to wish for,
or pray for
So I don’t, not anymore.

Now I keep to myself
And by that I mean the pain
that keeps me in my own private jail
The pain that’s brought me here
at midday to this well.

To ask for a drink is no big request
but to ask it of me?
A woman unclean, ashamed,
Used and abused
An outcast, a failure
a disappointment, a sinner.

No drink passing from these hands
to your lips could ever be refreshing
Only condemning, as I’m sure you condemn me now
But you don't.

You’re a man of no distinction;
Though of the utmost importance.
A man with little reputation, at least so far.

You whisper and tell me to my face
what all those glances have been about, and
You take the time to really look at me.
But don’t need to get to know me.

For to be known is to be loved and
To be loved is to be known.

And you know me.
You actually know me;
all of me and everything about me.
Every thought inside and hair on top of my head;
Every hurt stored up, every hope, every dread.

My past and my future, all I am and could be.
You tell me everything,
you tell me about me!

And that which is spoken by another
would bring hate and condemnation.
Coming from you brings love, grace,
mercy, hope and salvation.

I’ve heard of one to come
who could save a wretch like me
And here in my presence, you say
I AM He.

To be known is to be loved;
And to be loved is to be known.

And I just met you.
But I love you.
I don’t know you,
but I want to get to.

Let me run back to town
this is way to much for just me.
There are others: brothers,
sisters, lovers, haters.

The good and the bad, sinners and saints
who should hear what you’ve told me;
who should see what you’ve shown me;
who should taste what you gave me;
who should feel how you forgave me.

For to be known is to be loved;
And to be loved is to be known.
And they all need this, too.
We all do
Need it for our own.

Grace

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Grace

I am in need of that now more than ever ~

When I said those words the other day,
I did not mean to hurt your feelings.
What I had to say was not about you,
yet here I am today,
Feeling clumsy and knowing
I need to talk with you to make amends.

Grace

I am in need of that now more than ever ~

Undeserving gift,

Wrapped in selfless love,

Life-giving in emptying of yourself.

Dead on the cross

To bring life to me

As you tear apart the wretched chains of death and hell

Rising, the victor

And giver of grace.

Grace

I am in need of that now more than ever ~

So, here we are,

I hear your pain and I share my regrets

For those careless words.

We carry crosses each in our own way:

You, for the pain I inflicted;

I, at the realization of the pain I caused.

Yet, perhaps we can live out the resurrection dance

And both be washed in that marvelous gift

That we can give each other

Because of Christ ~

Grace.

Water

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10¹⁴¹⁵

In the beginning, God created. 
Water. 
Life teaming water.
Drifting phytoplankton and zooplankton. 
Pulsating jellyfish (like a heartbeat). 
Slender eels slithering into dark caves. 
Purposeful crabs, inching their way across the sea floor.
Colorful clown fish diving between sponges.
Dancing seagrasses stretching up, up, toward the sun at the ocean's surface.
Protective porpoises, wise blue whales, schools of mackerel moving as one organism.
Living teaming water.

Water falling from the skies,
Earth soaking up the moisture
Bulbs bursting from winter's frozen earth drink deeply, drink deeply.
Magnificent elephants and regal giraffes seek pools of water, 
Cool down, drink for life.
Ducks bob along on ponds or rivers, finding food beneath their floating bodies:
Bottoms up!
Determined salmon swimming upstream heading to the place from which they once came,
Heading home.
Life giving water.

Amniotic fluid,
Home. Food. Life.
Waters break and new life ushers forth -
Crying, gasping for the strangeness of air.
Child of God,
Baptized, 
Tiny hands outreached, twitching at the sudden, unexpected cool wetness on the head. 
Words spoken; a promise made.
Water - washing away the dirt, the mess of life
Made fresh, new.
Joined in death and resurrection of the One.

Living water!

Thanksgiving

"O, come let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" Psalm 95:1-2

As Joshua approached his seventh birthday, I remember telling him, "Did you know that it is a tradition that every seven years on your birthday it is your turn to give gifts to people instead of receive gifts on those birthdays as a way of thanking people for being in your life?" For a brief moment, I think he actually believed me! I vaguely remember his eyes widening in horror and then skepticism.

So, here it is - my 55th birthday - and I'm loving this psalm! It may not be a birthday divisible by seven, but it sure feels good to give thanks to God for the gift of life, family, friends and colleagues. Today is a day I need to think intentionally about the gifts I can give back to God. 

And, if you happen to see me, you can ask me where your present is - and I will have something to give you, too! Thank you friends and family for being part of my life.You are blessings to me!

Perspective

"The people quarreled with Moses and said, 'Give us water to drink.'" Exodus 17:2a

I think that since the first time I heard this story, I thought to myself, "Ah, those crazy Israelites! Always complaining; never quite trusting God. Don't they know any better? Why are they always complaining to Moses? They've been rescued, after all."

But, there are days now, when I look at this differently. After all, they are in the middle of their story, their journey and they don't know how it all ends for them. My perspective is different because I have the advantage - thousands of years later - of knowing the outcome. I think that if I were to be honest about it, if I were in their shoes, I would be complaining, too. I did some serious whining in my childhood. Just ask my parents. What makes me think I wouldn't whine if I were stuck in the desert without food and water?

Even now I experience days where my trust in God is not at 100% especially when I hear about natural disasters, or I see my son struggling to find his way in the world, or when I see my home congregation struggle, or when I see a friend dealing with illness. I want to complain to God about it all. It really is difficult to see where God is on the move in places like that.

Ultimately it's about the promise made in Christ Jesus - through his death and resurrection - and while things might look grim some days, I do know how all the stories will end. In the big picture, things will turn out all right. Thanks be to God!

One more thing, however. I do think that God is big enough to handle our complaints even when we can't handle situations on our own! It's good to know that God has such broad shoulders.

Help me LORD to put my trust in you - even when I cannot see where the future leads me.  Help me to remember you are already there, ahead of me - as you are with me now - and have been with me in the past.

Shalom

   Baptism ~ Family ~ Feasts ~ Blessings ~ Singing ~ Word

  Wholeness ~ Friends ~ Eucharist ~ Creation ~ Love ~ Joy

God with us!

 

Help

"I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2

I wonder why the psalmist looked to the hills? What was he hoping to find there? I suppose the psalmist isn't much different than I am. I might not look to the hills for help, but I don't always seek out God first.

In my case, I am more likely to feel overwhelmed and try to avoid thinking about what troubles me. I am sometimes more likely to hide under the covers than to face my troubles! What good is that?

But, here is the truth: Help comes from God. No need to hide anymore! God's help comes in a variety of ways -- through my prayers, prayers of others, the kindness of friends and strangers, the fruits of the earth, doctors, teachers, pastors, plumbers, artists, musicians, and more. God is always ready to help; I only need to call on God.

Thanks be to you, O LORD!

Labyrinth

"The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore." Psalm 121:8

Two separate thoughts came to my mind when I read this passage from Psalm 121:

1. When I first read this, I thought of my breath - of God being in my breath (going out, coming in). I like the idea of God being in my breath. But, it also reminds me that God is in the breath of all those around me. God is in the breath of friends and family. God is in the breath of those I don't get along with - with those I disagree with. God is in the breath of all creation. How would our world be different if everyone took a moment to realize that God's breath is us all? Would people treat each other differently? Would we be open to seeing the "holy" in another?

2. In October 2008, I had the opportunity to go to "Spirit in the Desert," a Lutheran retreat center in Arizona. I had never been to a desert before, so this was a new and exciting experience for me. On the property is a labyrinth and one day I decided to walk through the labyrinth (the one pictured above!) as part of my morning meditation. The sun was just coming up and the earth was still. I felt God walking with me as I was "coming in" and "going out" of the labyrinth....just as God was with me as I was born (coming in) and is with me now as I move through life and will be when I finally breathe my last, going out - with God.

I give thanks that nothing separates us from your love, God. Thank you for being forever with us, never abandoning us, but rather walking with us through the good and the bad, celebrating our joys and sharing our sorrows.

Nicodemus

"Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night...." John 3:1-2a

I.
Secretive meeting -
Pharisee leader seeks out
A rebel of sorts,
In the dark,
Unseen.
There is comfort in being invisible,
Yet, he sits with the One
Who is the Light of the World.

Come out into the light, Nicodemus.

II.
Temple uproar -
The rebel's arrest seemed imminent,
Was thwarted momentarily
And angry Pharisees ask why.
But one Pharisee, Nicodemus,
Raises a question of justice,
(Testing the waters, maybe?)
Causing his judgmental peers
To briefly wonder if has fallen
For this man's deception.

Come out into the light, Nicodemus.

III.
Christ crucified -
This man appears at the
Foot of the cross.
In the light.
With myrrh and aloes.
Perhaps those words
He heard at the rebel's feet
Ring now in his ears,
"For God so loved the world..."
And his fear of the light is taken away.

Live, live now in the Light, Nicodemus!

All

"And in you [Abraham] all the families of the earth shall be blessed." Genesis 12:3b

I have heard this passage before, read it before. Today I noticed something new. I observe what God does NOT say: And in you Abraham, all the families of the earth except...

• those that live in cities
• those that live in the country
• those that live in the suburbs
  
• Jewish families
• Muslim families
• Christian families
• Hindu families
• families of non-believers
• families with one parent
• families with divorced parents
  
• families with 2 parents of the same gender
• families with children
• families without children
• families with grandparents as the head of the household
• families who are Republicans
• families who are Democrats
  
• rich families
• poor families
• lazy families
• hard-working families
  

God tells Abraham that ALL the families will be blessed. No exceptions.

I give thanks to you Mother and Father of us all - for my family, my church family, the human family, for members of families that came before us and for families that will be here years from now. Thank you for blessing families and for the multitude of gifts families have. Help us all to see our relatedness to each other - and learn how to work together to serve each other and you.

Power

...the devil took [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you Satan, for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your your God, and serve only him.'" Matthew 4:8-10

Power. It is all about power. The devil is trying to tempt Jesus with something that is not even the devil's to give away!

This past Friday, I think all of humankind had another reminder of just how little power we have. When Japan was hit with a 9.0 earthquake followed by a killer tsunami, I know I felt powerless in the face of what nature can do. We try to make and harness energy - whether it is mining for coal, tapping into gas and oil or using nuclear energy - and find we cannot control them, either. Just look what happened with each of those in the past year:

• Chilean miners were trapped underground for weeks as a result of an explosion.
• Some communities in which gas companies are using a method causing fracking now have contaminated water.
  
• The Gulf of Mexico oil disaster killed marine life and affected communities along the Gulf.
• The combined earthquake/tsunami is now threatening to cause a "level 7" crisis at a nuclear power plant in Japan (comparable to Chernobyl 25 years ago).

These are only just a couple examples. The bottom line is, none of us has the power to control much of anything for very long - whether it's people, or the environment, or institutions. Only God has ultimate authority, ultimate power. I, for one, am thankful for that.

O God, I turn to you, the creator of all things. Help me to serve you and not my own self-interests. The kingdom and the power and the glory are yours!

Coattails

"I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eyes upon you." Psalm 32: 8

O, God

I feel as though I am riding
on the coattails of the Holy Spirit.
I feel that warm breath, the ru'ah
Blowing in my face and over me.
We are flying, flying forward.

The ride is both invigorating and uncertain.
Where are you taking me?
Where will I end up?
Will I be prepared?

God says, "I will instruct you and teach you
the way that you should go;
I will counsel you
With my eye upon you."

I need not fear, God
For you are in front of me.
You are like a parent
Squatting in front of a child
Who is learning to walk.

You encourage me
Watch and smile at each step I take
You cheer me on
And catch me when I stumble.

Wilderness

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Matthew 4:1

Wilderness
Unknown territory
Wary one looks cautiously around every corner
Stumbles along an uncertain path
Lips and mouth dry
Arms drawn in, close to the body, protective
Feels alone,
Desperate,
Fearful.

Wily evil one
Sniffs out the weakness,
The fear, the desperation.
Sidles up beside the hesitant traveler
Whispers in the ear, as if to be a trusted confidant.
Twists words and meanings
Into confusing and misleading messages
Meant to throw one off the path.
Feeds on the fear -
The strong scent of fear -
Like a blood-thirsty vampire.

But look,
Look!
The Holy One is there -
Always was
Always is and will be.
Ever faithful
Walks beside, accompanies
Carries the water to quench the thirst
Renewing presence.
Leads,
Gently guides the traveler along the rough terrain
Don't you see?
Don't you know?

Fear dissipates.
The wily one withers away.
Unsatisfied.

Food

"It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

It suddenly occurred to me today that the same part of the body I use for eating is the same part of the body from which I speak. My mouth is a tool used for both things. Not just eating. Not just speaking. Here are a few thoughts that came to mind when I read this passage:

• One does not live by bread ALONE. God's word is also food....words that come from a mouth. This picture of the bird and chicks is how I imagine God when I read this passage. God is like a mother bird that feeds her scrawny hatchlings - their mouths eager for this food that the mother bird offers. I need both earthly food and God's word to truly live.
  

• Eating is spiritual - or at least, should be. How many times have I gulped down a meal without taking time to really reflect on the spiritual nature of this act? I remember a prayer that we did in youth group once. Our instructions were to say a prayer before each bite of food we took. That's not a bad idea!

This week I was moved to tears when I heard about the food bank at St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco. It began when an atheist, Sara Miles, walked into the church and a stranger handed her a piece of bread (communion), and in her words, "I knew that it was made out of real flour and water and yeast - yet I also knew that God, named Jesus, was alive in my mouth." Because of that experience, Sara says, "I came to believe that God is revealed not only in bread and wine during church services, but whenever we share food with others - particularly strangers." She has written a book about this experience in "Take this Bread."

Sara started a food bank at St. Gregory - and the amazing thing about this is where this food bank takes place - in the sanctuary, around the altar at St. Gregory's! All are welcomed - really welcomed with words of hospitality - and no one is turned away (see the amazing video below).

We are hungry for you, God. Feed us!

Tsunami

"Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them." Psalm 32:6

My morning ritual is to mix up some oatmeal and watch some of the morning headlines. I do it almost mindlessly, with an ear towards the talking heads on "Morning Joe" or the "Today Show." I am not awake, really. Just going through the motions in the morning. However, today I was jolted awake by the news of an 8.9 earthquake in Japan and the devastating tsunami that followed. A reporter was covering the story from the dark California coast. The sun had not yet risen there. He reported that Hawaii was preparing for a tsunami as a result of this quake - and, in fact, the whole US western seaboard was expecting a tsunami of some proportion. This was no day to go surfing, he warned. I guess not!

After breakfast, I began my morning devotions. Today I decided to read and reflect on the Psalm for this Sunday. I felt another "jolt" when I read verse 6 of Psalm 32, "the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them." I thought of the tsunami - that "series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water."

My prayers immediately turned to people and events where there have been tsunamis of other sorts - that sense of displacement followed by the onslaught of emotional or physical waves that threaten to drown us. That wipe us out. That have us just shaking our heads in utter disbelief.

And so I pray this day for the tsunamis experienced by:

the teachers in Wisconsin
my colleague whose mother was just hospitalized suddenly for pneumonia
a friend who is living along the rising floods of the Delaware River
Muslims and those of us who stand with them through the xenophobic hearings
my church
the people of Japan and others affected by the earthquake and tsunami
those who go hungry every day
people who are living in poverty while the rich get richer
(add your prayers here)

Save us from our tsunamis, O God of mercy. Do not let the rush of might waters reach us. Rescue those who already floundering in the floods. Bring them to safer harbors.

Anger

"Return to the Lord your God for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing." Joel 2:13

Slow to anger? Really?

I, personally, am very angry now and I don't see how you can't be either. I would really like you to do something about it. Show your wrath for once!

How can it be that the proposed budget cuts will negatively affect people who are poor while the billionaires are left unscathed? Aren't you the slightest bit angry that our nation props up dictators in other countries who abuse their citizens? How about the way our government is now having hearings about the so-called "radicalization in the US Muslim community?" How can you not be angry at that? What about our nation's idea that somehow we are the chosen people? Doesn't that at least ruffle your feathers a bit? Does it even make you cry that our churches are torn apart by the pettiness of church members?

Slow to anger? God, for once, be ANGRY!

If you won't get angry then please show me how to channel my own temper. Show me how to channel it for good because being angry sometimes makes me immobile and ineffective.

In the meantime I will also pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done."

When will your kingdom come to finally end all the pain we cause each other? Come, Lord Jesus. Come.

Clean

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

The first piece of directions given on the tube of caulk is, "Make sure the area is clean and dry." If the area is not clean and dry, the caulk will not fully adhere to the surface.

Windows of an old abandoned house often are so dirty that one cannot see through them very well.

Before a band aid covers an open wound, one washes the wound to make it clean. Otherwise the dirt gets trapped beneath the band aid and the person risks having an infection.

Clean -

Give me a clean heart, O God, so that what you have to say to me will be more likely to "stick," so that Iam be more able to see clearly the hopes and dreams you have for me, and so that I am healed.