Tag: initiative

Participatory v. Performative Worship

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Yesterday in church, we had two harmonica players

a cajon player and a potential fourth vocalist

Join us up on the stage,

simply because they took the initiative to step up.

At Beer & Hymns we have a room packed full of people

overpowering even our instruments,

except for maybe the pianist and the cajon player.

They shake shakers and play tambourines,

and its all so wonderful.

Of course, there are still a chords and keys,

time signatures and words,

but the semblance of structure

simply gives direction to the holy chaos,

it is a funnel, not a wall.

That is the challenge: to organize programs in such a way

that they invite and welcome everyone in,

so that all can join in the fun,

creating wonderful music together

before God and one another.

Hallelujah, amen!

 

 

 

 

Chivalrous

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Guys, we have to take a long, hard look at chivalry. When it’s true and good, it’s great. But a lot of time it’s demeaning. Unfortunately, Christianity has taken on both the good, the bad, and the ugly now and again.

We cannot feed the homeless while secretly believing they are all economic sponges and violent, drug addicts.

We cannot do missionary work in other countries while building walls between us because we believe they will rape or kill us and steal our jobs.

We cannot open doors for women and buy dinner while seeing them only as fuck-buddies, unable to do the same jobs as good as or better than us.

These things are not compatible. We may say we love everyone, but this love is often cheap. It’s more a love of love rather than a love of others. We must respect everyone. That is how we love. That is how we help. That is how we grow.

When we look at each others as equals, we see that there is in fact a lot of need out there, but we are not only empowered to meet that need but also empowered to empower as well.

 

Action/Initiative

quirkyybarra1 Comment

There are prisoners in jail

There are poor needing food

There are lonely needing friends

There are opportunities to better the lives of others

and ourselves

around every corner

Will you keep your eyes open to see them,

your ears to see them,

your hands to reach them, your feet

to go?

The opportunities are there

Will you accept their invitation?

If You’ve Made it This Far

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If you’ve made it this far,

You’ve made it this far

It’s not easy

I’m sure there were times

Maybe you wanted out

to give up to give in to say it’s not worth it

I’m better off gone

but you’re not gone, you’re here

Thank God for you!

You are wonderful!

There’s no time like the present

Start making a difference

You are the pebble in the pond the endless ripple

Go out and touch the lives of many

who will benefit from your light

Expel the darkness

It’s a new day

Live it to the full

Let the Journey Begin!

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The world will never be ready

Your relations will never be ready

You will never be ready

Until the moment you decide to make it happen,

to get your hands dirty

and say here I am

And that’s only just the beginning,

that’s just the start

of something good.

Let the journey begin!

Free Panties

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My wife is a genius.

Victoria’s Secret used to send us ads with every now and again, usually with a “Free Panty” coupon attach. Of course, the idea is, if you come in and cash it in, you would end up buying something while you were there, whether out of impulse or guilt.

But my wife will not be fooled. She walks in, gets her swag, and leaves with a pink pouch of victory in tow.

Life will always present you with opportunities. The temptation is always to get greedy with them or shy away from them, but there is a third alternative: the quiet strength that empowers you to walk up, claim your destiny, and gracefully walk away.

The choice is yours. The coupon is ready.