Second Sabbath after Pentecost 2011: Our Joyful Gospel--Reflections on Eastertide and Pentecost 2011

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tipsbcfuB4

This post is a little late in coming, but I figured now was the time to write what I believe I've been hearing from the Spirit lately...

Ours is a Joyful Gospel. No, really! It is. I know, right? Hard to believe sometimes, especially the way we act...

Our Creator is redeeming fallen creation, and invites us to join!

Our Savior has passionately endured our just punishment, showing us the mercy of God, and blazing the Way for us through death to Life Eternal: knowing the Father by abiding in Jesus!

Our God's Holy Spirit is renewing the face of the Earth, working in us and through us, despite of our constant backsliding and failures, as a people of God being formed into God's community of reconciliation and goodness: the Church, made up of us who claim Christ and Lord and Savior on Earth and our fellow members cheering us on from a great cloud of witnesses!

The Kingdom of God is ever-growing, the Gospel ever-spreading, and regardless of our understanding, or misunderstanding, nothing...NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ.

The Gospel...our Good News...offers abudant, purpose-filled, Joyful Life to all who will listen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyyZg6BAnaA&feature=related

There is Gospel work (and rest) for all...what is your's today?

Triune, Joyful God,
make us into Your relational, Joyful likeness,
so that we may proclaim Your Joyful Gospel,
and live it out here and now, even to eternity.
Through Christ, Your son, Our Lord, who
rejoiced in Your Spirit,
Amen.

Sabbath after Pentecost: A Pentecostal Reflection

The following is still a work-in-progress (aren't we all?) based on the lectionary texts for the Pentecost Vigil, plus some. Technically speaking, these are lyrics (the "music" is in my head for the moment, and as such, I thought twice about posting it, because part of the meaning is in in the "music," which you can't hear), but here they are regardless.

Prominent are Ezekiel 37, John 17, Psalm 130; there are several other allusions, all Sciptural with the exception of the first line, which refers to a lecture given by C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory.


I am crushed by the weight of your glory.
I am crushed by the weight of my sin.
O LORD, who can stand?
O LORD, who can stand
before You?

My failings rise up like a flood;
the darkness--surely it covers me!
I cannot follow.
I cannot follow
Your Word.

Refrain:
Thus says the Lord:
Rise up My people!
Rise up - out of your graves.
Come to the waters and never be thirsty again.
Recieve My Spirit; recieve My Life:
breathe my Breath in your lungs,
feel my Heart pulsing through you.
Let My Spirit bring you
Resurrection!

We have marred Your Image, O God.
We are but dust and dry bones.
All hope is gone;
we are cut off from
Your Presence.

We spend our time building white-washed sepulchres.
We spend our time chasing wealth, fame, and pow'r...
We spend our time fitting "gospel" into Our lives,
verses letting Your Story shape ours.
We spend our time
spending time
spending time.
O LORD, redeem it!
O LORD, redeem us:
us dry bones.

Refrain.



May we remember: Christ is with Us always,
even until the end of the age.
In the Name of God:
Father, Son, and Spirit,
AMEN.