Tag Archives: prayer

4th of July Working Poor

Holidays, , , ,

4th of July 2015

On this 4th of July holiday, I am deep in thought about being American. The holiday celebrates the “greatness” of the United States, the land of the free and home of the brave.

But I am troubled about what I teach my son. Is there a place for him, for us? Will our mixed-race family be accepted among the sea of white families wearing red, white, and blue, waving the stars and stripes, driving nice cars to nice picnics and nice fireworks shows? Is this nice? Is this the picture of greatness? read more

Jesus and the Super Bowl, football player

Jesus and the Super Bowl: Sunday Message

Holidays, Sunday Message, , ,

Today, on the hallowed American holiday of Super Bowl Sunday, pastors are preaching sermons about the Super Bowl in churches all across America. Pastors preach about Jesus and the Super Bowl. They call their congregations to be “champions” for Jesus (well, champions of the capitalist society).

Pastors use Jesus and the Super Bowl to compare the Christian life to a cosmic football game, full of adoring Jesus fans filling rah-rah stadiums. This is not necessarily a bad picture. But these Jesus fans should not be cheering on just some game, they should be cheering on the poor and the oppressed, Jesus’ brothers and sisters. The Super Bowl for super souls. read more

paris terrorist attack, picture of arc de triomphe and Paris at night

Paris Terrorist Attacks: A Prayer

News,

Last night I was dreaming about France, and I was speaking in French. Once in a while, I still dream in French, although this is rare since I studied in France ten years ago. When I woke up and heard the news about the Paris terrorist attack, I understood why I dreamed in French. The Holy Spirit was interceding through me for the country that I still love.

The story is that Muslim terrorists opened fire this morning on the offices of a French satirist newspaper, Charlie Hebdo. Twelve people were killed, and three others were injured. Here is an ABC News report with more information. read more

day by day

Day by Day: Sunday Message

Sunday Message, , ,

The prophetic life is lived day by day. The mercy and healing of the kingdom is new with each morning’s light, painted by angels on a brilliant pastel canvas for our enjoyment. Drink in the healing colors and delight in the sun that shines on the just and the unjust. All will eventually be put right. Salute the sun which brings us life in the infinite wisdom of the Father.

Day by day.

Step by step.

The earthly journey of our spirit is a wild road, full of twists and turns, foe and friend, downhill joys and uphill battles. The Holy Spirit takes our hand on the path as she heals us and builds us in wisdom. read more

all saints day

All Saints Day: The Veil is Thin

Holidays, ,

Today is All Saints Day in the Catholic tradition and Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. It is a holy day, the day after Halloween, the hallowed eve. On this day, the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest of the whole year. Today, the spirits whisper into the physical realm. Today heaven opens and touches earth. On All Saints Day, we are most awake to the other side.

The saints and mystics of old reach out from the spirit realm to all who are seeking wisdom and understanding here on earth. The cloud of witnesses cheer on the seekers to finish the race of faith. Sainthood is the crown at the finish line. read more

NFL violence

NFL Violence, Adrian Peterson, and Child Abuse

News, ,

Adrian Peterson is the latest casualty/perpetrator of the epidemic of NFL violence. Peterson is accused of brutally whipping his child in a twisted form of corporal discipline. Peterson is also a celebrity player, worth millions to the Minnesota Vikings. Are celebrity football players above the physical law? What about the moral law of holy justice? Would Jesus whip and bruise his child?

One Game

There is something sinister about the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which I am not proud to currently inhabit, plus the NFL as a whole, that Adrian Peterson could brutally beat his son and then only miss playing one game. He had many Vikings supporters rallying in Minneapolis to have him play again. Peterson was suspended from Sunday’s football game, then reinstated under the guise of leaving the allegations for the courts to sort out. read more

the life of a prophet, person holding globe

The Life of a Prophet

Prophecy, , , ,

The Life of a Prophet is Hard

The life of a prophet is a hard life. You will speak the truth, but the world will hate you for it. You will be spit on, cursed at, trampled under foot. Still, you hold the world in your hands and your prayers. Your compassion is great because you move under the heart of God. You will constantly pray for your nation and the world. You will live a life of prayer.

You will be poor and homeless as your home and wealth are in heaven, not on this earth. You are truly a stranger on this planet.

You will have many friends and many more enemies, but few true confidantes. You will proclaim judgment over a nation in sin, but blessing over the least of these, the people you meet who are poor in spirit. You will cry many tears, just as the prophet Jeremiah. You will learn to find your joy in God alone.  Your worldly vision will dim as your heavenly vision sharpens. read more