Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Voice

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight the way for the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God”(Is.40:3 NRSV).
I heard the music and tried to make out where it came from. Then I heard a voice singing songs of Zion. Now that is not so very strange but I was on the way to Union Station. And there across from the Massachusetts entrance was a lone man, singing on a microphone. I found myself singing along with him, “Blessed Assurance.” There beside him was a sign that said John 3:16. And then he began to play the music.

Why should this matter? Because, for this day, he was a voice crying in the wilderness of the District rush, “Make way for the Lord.” And I couldn’t help but wonder about my own plight, when I have been concerned that I am not doing organized ministry as I was, yet there is ministry all around. And I realized that I too needed to be the voice on e crying in the wilderness – make way for the Lord. After all, that really is what ministry is about, isn’t it?

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Allow access

It has been a little hectic, but that is the time to pray. So many are experiencing loss of income, loss of family, loss of shelter. And then there are those who are experiencing the opposite. Yeah, in both cases. I have learned that when we lean into God's will, it all does work out. Oh yeah -that is the Roman's passage. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28 NIV). Pray over that today. Let it sync with your spirit (not just sink in). Allow God to bless you in whatever moment you are in.

That whatever moment for you will not be like mine, and mine will not be like yours; yet, together as community, we can pray for one another. We can bless another. The church is not praying enough, we are not praying enough. Let's change that starting now. We must. I hear Hezekiah Walker - I'll pray for you, you pray for me. Pray for direction, pray for clarity, pray for tolerance for those who do not look like, act like, think like you. After all Jesus has tolerated you. Let's shakeup the atmosphere now! Let's stand strong sister and sister. Let's hold the blood stained banner of Jesus (okay I went back a way for that, but those praying sisters had something).

Today I watched the memorial of Michael Jackson. I will miss his work. I applaud Al Sharpton's remark, and my heart goes out to the family and the children. G back and listen to his lyrics. Let me know what you find. Michael was very misunderstood. Look around you. Don't let another creative brillant shinning star burn out because you did nothing. Your prayer change the atmosphere.

Gcan blesses us in this moment or any other moment we find ourselves in, if we allow access. Take care and allow access to God.