redemption

redemption
love lost and found
hope once bouyant seemingly drowned
baptized through the inferno
gold-forged now shines eternal
phoenix rising for the nations

stunning bird
and spotless silent lamb
in eternity the great I AM
yet baby clothes and baby cries
witnessed by Simeon and Anna's eyes
Redeemer Savior Word

redemption song
chorus widely heard
some still don't know the words
love sin sacrifice resurrection
unworthy - praise God for His affection

I've been studying, meditating, and writing a lot about Judges 16 lately. It's the story of Samson, a judge/deliverer/champion of Israel, who, like so many, loses his sense of mission because of his libido. All because of Delilah. The temptress. The wanton woman. The one motivated by greed. A stranger to love and honesty.

I stirred the eggs on my plate and made polite conversation with a half dozen women circled around the breakfast table. I was the retreat speaker and this was an opportunity to learn more about the women attending.

Next to me sat Briana, a tall black woman with sculptured features, saucer eyes, and a thick British accent. While the other women laughed and shared stories of late night games and conversations, Briana’s downcast eyes seldom left her plate. I wondered why, so I softly attempted to engage her. 

“Where are you from, Briana?”

I've been longing for things to be made right.

The election in Iran, the nuclear stand-off in North Korea, babies being abused and abandoned, people being profiled, discriminated against, or killed based on their address, skin color, or any other difference.

Injustice.

Makes me long for the day when justice rolls down like a flood; when the Prince of Peace establishes His kingdom.

We're back with our series on Mark's gospel and today we'll look at elements in the story that highlight the motif of servanthood. (For a review, go here for part one which talked about the historical background of Mark's story and here for part two where we highlighted the motif of authority found in the Gospel.)

About a decade ago, the catchword became relevance. "But is the ministry relevant?" we all asked. It was--and is--a good question. After all, Jesus became man in order to be relevant. The man knew his communication theory.

Though the term's not as in fashion anymore, the way we act and think betrays our commitment to relevance, especially in science and art (I use the term here broadly). The problem is, when we stop here, we get caught up in trends and fads. As Christians, we are relevant, but we should be beyond relevant.