An Art Devo (October 8, 2011)

An artist's, Joe Castillo, really cool drawing: watch the clip -- two minutes. 

What scenes from Jesus' life do you see in the picture?

If you could ask Jesus one question about his life, what would it be?

A music devo: Set a Fire Down in My Soul (October 7, 2011)

Will Reagan and the United Pursuit



The lyrics are:

No place I would rather be than here in your love.

So set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain and I can't control...

I want more of you God.



Do you feel like you want more of God?  More passion for your faith?  Do you love being in the presence of God? Have you ever felt like you WERE in the presence of God? What did that feel like?

A poetry devo: "Everyone is Clergy" (October 6, 2011)

This poem was written by Brian D. McLaren, one of my favorite writers and Christian leaders.

The word "clergy" usually means the paid minister of a church.  I, Julia Melgreen, am an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.  I am clergy.  There are things I can do at church, like do communion and baptisms that people who are NOT clergy are not allowed to do. Clergy are usually the preachers.  Clergy do the weddings and funerals. Most people think clergy are closer to God, have read the Bible more, pray all the time and are super spiritual.  Is that true?  What do you think about clergy?

Brian McLaren says "Everyone is Clergy"  What does he mean by that?

Everyone is Clergy

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to serve,
To create, to communicate,
To participate with our good Creator
In the making and remaking of our good world.

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to stand,
To struggle, to suffer, to trust and to love,
And so to join in the unmaking of injustice and
In the liberation of earth from every form of sin.

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to holiness,
To faithfulness, to health, to growth,
To serenity and activity,
To the practices of life
In the kingdom of God.

All our daily work is holy. Every act of service, 

Every deed of neighborly kindness,
Every smile or sigh, every touch or tear
Can be a sacramental act expressing the presence of the living God.
Every drop of sweat that falls in honest labor for the common good
Joins with every movement toward others
In the daily liturgy of human work.

Some are given special gifts to equip and inspire others for this daily work of faith
And labor of love.
All are channels of grace, given, received,
Shared in a symphony of many voices and instruments,
So the earth may be filled with the glory of God.

You are clergy. So am I. Together
We are called to learn God’s music of life
In the unique instruments of our bodies, our persons, our times, our settings.
Then we are sent out to play it with joy and sincerity wherever we go.
Together we are part of a truly apostolic succession:
The people of God sent into the world, generation after generation,
As Jesus was sent by the Father,
In the power of the Holy Spirit,
For the good of the world.

So let us work and rest together,
Let us play and sing together,
Let us by our faithful lives bring glory to the true and living God.
For we are all clergy
And we are all called.

The Red Flag, October 5, 2011

^{JESUS SAID THIS: (from the paraphrase called the Message...to read it in other translations, go to Biblegateway.com)}

^38-42"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

 ^43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 

 ⁴⁸"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

by Chris Lahr, Red Letter Christians

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My church (Iglesia del Barrio) is located in the neighborhood called Kensington, known as one of the most economically oppressed neighborhoods in Philadelphia, as well as the home to several of the top ten drug corners in the city.  One summer, I was pulled over by the police.  When I told them I was a youth pastor at Iglesia del Barrio, they thought I was being “smart.”  They told me to get out of the car… place my hands on top of the trunk…. and they proceeded to frisk me.  I didn’t do anything illegal, I guess they thought I had to be up to something, being a white guy, in “the hood.”  Why else would I drive through this neighborhood, unless I was up to “no good? ”

This would not be the last time I had a run in with the police.  A few years ago we had the small side window in the back of our car smashed by some local kids.  Nothing was stolen, and it was more of an inconvenience than anything. Because we had just paid to replace the side mirror from an all too common hit-and-run accident on our street, we decided to fix our window with duct tape!  I figured if it were good enough to cover my pocket calendar and butt-Bible (pocket Testament), then it would be fine to fix the window.

One evening, after “Youth Night” at our church, I took a couple youth home and I passed a police officer.  I saw him eye-ballin’ me but I didn’t think much about it.  He even drove up next to me… but, all seemed well, until I made the turn onto Frankford Ave.  Suddenly the lights go on and he pulls us over.  He asked about the duct tape window, and asked to see my license and registration.  Apparently he believed my story, and eventually let us go.

The next week was a little more dramatic.  Once again, I was taking the same two kids home, and I was even turning onto the same street.  This time I was very aware of my surroundings, taking mental notes of any police presence.  As I waited at the stoplight I saw a police car down the street to my left.  Should I go ahead and turn on red?  It was legal, but would the police take notice and try to stop me?  Ahhh, I’m being paranoid.  I turned.  I watched.  Yes!  The police officer is not moving, we made it!  Made what?  What is happening to me?  Is there any cause to fear the police when I know I have done nothing wrong?

Then it happened.  A bright light shone down on our car.  Initially I thought it was the second coming of Jesus and I asked the youth with me if they were ready to meet their Maker.  After a while went by, and I was unable to hear the Angel’s trumpets, I realized it was a police helicopter!  This is not an uncommon sight in our neighborhood but what was different about this particular situation was that as I drove down the street, the light kept following me!  Sure enough, there was a police car speeding down notorious Frankford Ave.  I thought they must be after the car in front of us, since they had pulled over so quickly.  Oh wait… those were undercover cops.  In fact there were two cars filled with undercover cops.  Before I knew it, several police cars and a helicopter had surrounded us.  We were busted!  Wait a minute… we didn’t do anything.  The police officer yelled at me to turn off the car.  He then asked me about the good ol’ duct tape.

I proceeded to tell the police officer that I work with youth at Iglesia del Barrio, etc.  They took my driver’s license and registration.  As we were waiting, the fifteen-year old sitting in the back asked one of the undercover police if he wanted one of his pretzels that he was eating.  He wasn’t being rude about it, or even trying to be that funny.  He was offering a pretzel.  The undercover cop said, “Do you think you’re funny?  How would you like me to smash your $%#@ face into the cement and kick in your teeth?  I think that would be funny.”  What?  Smash your face and kick in your teeth?  For what?  Offering a pretzel?  I sat there stunned…

The undercover cops quickly got back into their cars and off they went looking for their next victims.  The uniformed police gave me back my license and registration.  He said that he was sorry for the trouble.  I then said, “Excuse me officer.  I am not trying to be a jerk, but I really think it was wrong, the way the undercover cop handled this situation.”  I proceeded to tell him that I thought it was very rude how he had handled himself and that I thought it was a very racist act (the officer was white and the youth was Puerto Rican).  The officer then assured me that it didn’t matter if the kid was “blue, purple, or yellow,” that what the undercover said was not even true, he was only putting on an act!  He informed me that because they do not usually meet nice people on the street, they have to put up the front that they are tough.  He then said I should get the window fixed because it was a red flag.

What does all of this mean?  Are all police bad actors?  Are my calendar and butt-Bible wrapped in gray duct tape also red flags?  In all seriousness the situation shook us up a bit, especially the young man sitting in the back.  First of all, they were not acting.  In that very neighborhood, as a congregation, we know personally, and have seen with our own eyes… police brutality.  We have seen people thrown to the cement and beaten up by the police… it sure didn’t look like they were acting!  I wonder what would have happened if I actually had stolen the car?  Would they have still been acting?  Or better yet, I wonder what would have happened in the same situation if I had been black?

The police officer told me that the gray duct tape was a red flag.  What are some other red flags police look for?  Skin color?  Certainly not!…We are all created equal and have the same rights…or do we?  Just a week after this event, the police stopped a friend of mine who happens to be African- American.  They said he looked like someone they were looking for.  His crime?  Walking around, minding his own business, and oh yeah….his skin is black.  He was detained for a few hours, asked too many questions, and he said that he felt like a side-show.  The police officer said that it was my friend’s fault because he was wearing a hoody (hooded sweatshirt), had his hands in his pockets (it was cold) and they thought he looked shady (suspicious).  Red flags.  I never really knew about them until that night.  You see, they are these things that police look for as signs of criminal activity.  Obviously red flags range from gray duct tape to hooded sweatshirts to someone warming their hands on a cold evening to having black and brown skin.

It is amazing how having a red flag can change the way you live.  If you have gray duct tape you drive a little more careful, and every cop you see makes you wonder if you will be pulled over again.  The good thing is that I can get rid of my red flag.  But what happens if you have a red flag that cannot be gotten rid of?  I cannot even fathom.

Looking back over the situation I can only guess if I handled the situation correctly.  Part of me wonders if I should have confronted the undercover immediately, rather than simply talking to the uniformed cop.  If he was only acting, I wonder how he would have re-acted to my displeasure of his comments?  Also I wonder what sort of things I view as red flags?  What are my stereotypes?  Why are they stereotypes?  What stereotypes have I been fed as a white, heterosexual male living in America?  I am beginning to think that a lot of people have a lot of red flags that allow them to maintain power over others.

A Two-Way Street, October 3, 2011

to respond: go to your journal page in https://docs.google.com/
Written by Neal Bowes

1 Kings 19:9b-13 And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

¹⁰ He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

¹¹ The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Prayer is supposed to be a two-way street--a conversation. We should absolutely talk to God, but we should also be sure to listen for God.

Have you ever heard God speak? Where were you? What did God say to you?

We can often miss the voice of God, because it doesn't usually come booming out of the sky.

Elijah had a lot on his mind and desperately wanted to hear the voice of God. Where did Elijah hear it? Do you think that's how he was expecting it?

Life has so much noise and so many distractions: music, the TV, the computer, your siblings, your parents, the telephone, the dog...how would we ever hear a gentle whisper in all of that?

Create a quiet, private place to pray. Read some Scripture, tell God what's on your mind, and wait. Wait in the sheer silence for God's gentle whisper. Give God plenty of time. Don't rush it.

Two Very Different Men, October 4, 2011

to respond: go to your journal page in https://docs.google.com/ Two Very Different Men Written by Neal Bowes

Luke 18:9-14 ⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

¹³ "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

¹⁴ "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Jesus' parable includes two very different men. The Pharisee was a man who was well schooled on, and very conscious about keeping, the Law of Moses. Pharisees were often considered by their fellow citizens to be noble and righteous. Tax collectors, on the other hand were considered to be traitors. They were Jews who were working for the occupying Roman government. Many had a reputation for cheating their fellow citizens by collecting more money than was due and pocketing it.

As you read the story, what words would you use to describe the Pharisee? How about the tax collector?

The tax collector seems to feel unworthy appearing before God. He doesn't even look up. Can guilt keep a person from coming close to God? What would you say to a person who feels unworthy to talk to God?

The Pharisee seems to be very full of himself. What does Jesus have to say about this attitude?

Consider your attitude toward others. Are you more like the Pharisee or the tax collector? Remember that all that you are and all that you have are gifts from God. Always be thankful for these gifts, and pray that God will help you to always remain humble.

Put it Down, October 1, 2011

to respond: go to your journal page in https://docs.google.com/

Written by Neal Bowes

Saturday, October 1

Psalm 32:1-5 ¹ Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

² Blessed are those
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

⁴ For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD."
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

Want to try an experiment? The next time you're in the grocery store, go to the baked goods aisle and pick up a ten pound bag of flour. Then, carry it through the store as you do the rest of the shopping. Don't put it in the cart. Carry it.

Ten pounds doesn't sound like a whole lot of weight, but after a while, it'll get heavy. Then, it'll get really heavy. Soon, you'll really want to put it down. And when you do, it'll feel good.

That's the same sort of thing David is talking about in the Psalm. When we sin, we start to carry around a burden. It might be guilt or shame. Or maybe we've had an argument with somebody and we're carrying around a grudge. It takes a lot of energy to carry around these burdens. At first it doesn't seem like a big deal, but eventually, it wears us down.

Confession, David says, is like putting down that big bag of flour. It really feels good to let go of these burdens and allow God to heal us and comfort us.

In your prayer time today, confess your sins and lay down your burdens.