by bradley hathaway
this is for the ones whose hope is falling
and you no longer heed your savior's calling.
this is for the ones whoes backs are turning
and that passion-filled heart you once had has stopped burning.
this is for the ones abandoned.
now all alone with no solace
and you think that you're stranded.
this is for you empty, by life branded,
had a vision that took leap, but it never landed.
this is for the ones who are plagued.
by those mysteries of life.
and you feel torn inside by this mind and spirit strife.
this is for the ones whose mistakes are too many to count
and the guilt on your chest just continues to mount.
this is for the ones whoes desire to do good is always outweighed
and you don't do as you should.
this is for the ones who have been done wrong by sins.
at the corrupted hands of perverted men.
hold on.
HOLD ON!
soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.
soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.
the trumpeteer is taking a breath
the guests are taking their seats.
the Bride is putting on a veil.
the Father is making last-minute preparations.
there's ten thousand times ten thousand angels waiting in holy expectation.
the readied groom is ready.
soon will come the Celebration
if you are hurting, your hurt will cease.
if you are restless, you will find peace.
if you are empty, you will be filled.
all of these doubts and questions you have, they'll be stilled.
if life for you is just too trying, your tears will be dissipate.
there won't be anymore crying.
if the only thing you know is shame, you will be cleansed
and never again feel the same.
if you can't see straight
focus
persevere
and wait...
soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of complete restoration will be our bedding.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
jesus wants to save christians
the Eucharist confronts its culture with the question, if we can spend a trillion dollars on a war, what else could we spend a trillion dollars on?
water?
food?
medicine?
education?
the Eucharist is about converting all of that ability and energy and entrepreneurial skill and can-do attitude into blessing for those on the underside of power. those on the margins. those who aren't in the game.
the Eucharist is about people with the power empowering the pwerless to make a better life for themselves.
...
we have been given everything we need for the fulfillment of the story. and the act of loving the poor is an act of fulfilling, remembering; it's living our hope; it's the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways.
it's not a building, because no building can ever be big enough for that kind of grace.
the Eucharist is not fair.
giving to those who can't give in return, that's not fair.
serving those who have no way to serve in return, that's not fair.
breaking yourself open and pouring yourself out for people who may never say thank you, that's not fair.
because God is not fair. this is a God who is defined by action on behalf of the oppressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the world. the church is Jesus' body, a good gift for the healing of the world.
...
a church is an organization that exists for the benefit of nonmembers.
this blessing extends even to our enemies.
...
the Eucharist is about the church setting the table for the whole world.
water?
food?
medicine?
education?
the Eucharist is about converting all of that ability and energy and entrepreneurial skill and can-do attitude into blessing for those on the underside of power. those on the margins. those who aren't in the game.
the Eucharist is about people with the power empowering the pwerless to make a better life for themselves.
...
we have been given everything we need for the fulfillment of the story. and the act of loving the poor is an act of fulfilling, remembering; it's living our hope; it's the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways.
it's not a building, because no building can ever be big enough for that kind of grace.
the Eucharist is not fair.
giving to those who can't give in return, that's not fair.
serving those who have no way to serve in return, that's not fair.
breaking yourself open and pouring yourself out for people who may never say thank you, that's not fair.
because God is not fair. this is a God who is defined by action on behalf of the oppressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the world. the church is Jesus' body, a good gift for the healing of the world.
...
a church is an organization that exists for the benefit of nonmembers.
this blessing extends even to our enemies.
...
the Eucharist is about the church setting the table for the whole world.
