Granbury Gathering: November 2011

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"

(Luke 10:17)

Victorious God:

Witches, ghouls, and demons!

Death comes knocking at my door!

Prowlers after sundown!

Evil in my neighborhood?

At any other time of year

these fearful apparitions

strike terror in the heart.

But it's Halloween,

the Christian festival

that puts fear to flight

and unmasks demons and the like

as harmless children

prompting laughter

and recognition.

All Hallow's Eve,

Christ-bearers' opportunity

to testify to Your authority

that every demon, every ghoul

is subject to Your Christ.

We have no fear of death and Satan

though Scripture warns

we must be wise

to the tactics of the Temptor.

But this night of all nights,

is a time for fun,

for meeting neighbors,

for dressing up in silly clothes

and going door to door

with full assurance

that perfect love drives out fear

in the sufficiency of Christ,

that every Satanic trick

is undone by Heaven's treat.

Razor blades in apples!

Straight pins in candy!

The world does not so much inform

as alarm us of all such threats

that could undo us,

could injure and surprise us

from psychos living on our block!

It's another demon tactic --

take something that may have happened

once somewhere and make it the basis

of ungodly obsession,

giving evil more credit

than it deserves in God's providence.

But if we practiced neighbor love

then wouldn't we identify

the people on our street

damaged by the lack of love?

It is the cowering in fear

that makes the world more fearful.

Those seventy-two

sent out to heal

were not apostles;

whatever gift and authority

they received from You

belongs to us as well.

Save us from becoming

fearful killjoys in Your world

advancing Satan's agenda

by condemning Halloween?

This holiday was for believers

in its early days:

A day to celebrate Christ's victory

over death and hell.

If believers do not claim it,

its truth will go the way of Christmas,

cut off from history and Incarnation,

a celebration

of childhood greed

and merchandising zeal.

Every culture known to man

has its annual Day of the Dead,

a time to pacify mean spirits

and make offerings to the underworld.

Lord, make this day our witness,

we who know death's outcome,

we who live by grace

this side of resurrection.

We need not fear death's alarm

we cower not in dread.

We unmask demonic power

following where Christ has led.

And on whatever other night

fear o'ertakes what faith believes,

when death and demons come a-calling

help us recall all Hallow's Eve;

Help us know your love and power

that we may laugh at every threat

to Your Sovereign grace and mercy

secure in life, secure in death.

Amen.

After an interval of about three hours the wife of Ananias, Sapphira, came in, not knowing what had happened to her husband. And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

(Acts 5:7-11)

Sovereign God:

I am surprised that some American evangelicals

have not canonized her as "St. Sapphira,"

Submissive as she was to her husband

in God's chain of command.

Ah yes, faith functions through authority,

the hierarchy Gothard taught:

From God to pastor, pastor to husbands,

husbands to wives,

wives to children and grocery clerks;

Or post-Biblical socialists

who could beatify Sapphira

as the first of many females

victimized by white patriarchy.

It's easy to see how a Spanish church

contextualizes the Gospel,

easy to recognize the African style,

but when it comes to hardy American

middle class values,

contextualization seems to vanish

into hot air.

Marketing strategies, fake chains of command,

the glory of individual freedom

at the expense of Soveriegnty,

altar calls and manipulated emotion,

the Gospel according to Charles Finney,

so easily distort the truths of Scripture

through the prism of our culture

and blind us to transforming grace.

Sapphira was a wife whose scoundrel husband

was no excuse for her prevarication.

Submission to his authority

was still rebellion against God's Spirit.

Forgive us for self-justification,

those of the order of St. Sapphira,

convincing ourselves that we have a way

around Your righteous demands

by claiming an exemption of our culture.

By making the Gospel about my subjective witness

and not Your historic cross and resurrection;

By making the church about membership

and not sacrifice;

By making of Your Son an ending to our prayers

and not the rightful Sovereign King

of every breath, of every synapse.

Forgive us when we lie to You,

You who govern sky and sea,

Help us find the truth for living

on the altar of your mercy.

Sweep away each pretense of self-righteousness

masquerading as adherance to some lesser norm.

Transform our minds with heavenly wisdom,

to Jesus let us be conformed.

Amen.

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women..

(Acts 5:12-14)

Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus:

How we thank you for the gift of Your Spirit

moving men and women to hear Your call

and to respond to Your Gospel of grace.

How awesome is Your power that in those early days

mere on-lookers dared not affiliate,

not after hearing news

of two fresh burial plots

for those who plotted lies to You.

Those who dared come out of the shadows

were truly called by Christ (John 15:16),

not curious seekers,

not religious merchandisers,

not social folks looking for connections,

not lovers of pageantry and pomp.

This is hard for we egalitarians to hear,

but here goes anyway --

Christianity is not for everyone,

but saves only those You call.

We have no bandwagon on which to jump;

each must walk the way of Calvary.

How do we pray for multitudes of uncalled believers

who try to take Your Kingdom by force (Luke 16:16),

by force of self-determination,

by force of family tradition,

by force of unregenerate will;

by force of humanitarian effort;

they who find church more to their liking than Christ,

who respond to sights and sounds

confusing goosebumps with your Spirit?

Thank You for assurance given in Your Holy Word

that we may know our effectual calling,

by the gift of the Holy Spirit

that feels no condemnation for sin

that does not drive us to Your grace

and yeild the fruit of true repentence (I John 3:19-22),

that delights to do Your will

and makes no excuse for unrighteousness.

We are assured of Your Spirit's hold

by the sacrificial love that binds us

one to another in agape fellowship (I John 3:16-17).

Your assurance is not provided

by ritual piety or works of Law.

Those first believers, just like us,

were not added to a movement,

did not follow Peter or Paul,

but they were added to the Lord,

the universal gathering

of all the called-out ones.

We bless You for the signs and wonders

poured out upon our Gatherings:

answered prayer,

hope restored,

healing of heart and mind and body,

gifts galore,

grace out-poured.

We ask that you would send to our Gatherings

those You are calling to Yourself,

those in transition, those disappointed

by the pretense of religious sham,

those who need the benediction

of Holy Comfort,

those who might never darken

doors of organized religiosity.

Open our hearts to receive whomever

You may send to us to love.

Help us not to give preference

to those who appear to us more acceptable (James 2:1-7).

We need not fear Your holy wrath,

with false assurance from below.

Give to rich and poor alike

a seat in Solomon's portico.

There may we learn and be assured

that when we fail or doubt your grace,

You are ever faithful, Lord.

At Your table You hold our place.

Amen.

And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so

that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that

as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered

from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean

spirits, and they were all healed.

(Acts 5:14-16)

Blessed Jesus:

To have been there and seen the growth

of Your Church in those early weeks

would have surely given confidence

that You could do anything.

Signs and wonders testified

of Your presence as You promised

working through the common clay

of Your apostles every day.

But wherever faith abounds

superstition makes its rounds.

Ancient folk-wisdom decreed

that heroes cast their character

where their shadows fell.

Parents brought their children

to victory parades in hope

the shadow of the conqueror

would bless their babes with success and fame.

Your Word does not say Peter's shadow healed,

but only that the pagans thought so.

But healing happened

in the shadow of Pentecost;

Demonic power was broken

in the shadow of the empty tomb;

People shared as each had need

in the shadow of Mount Beatitude;

Joy surprised midst tribulation

in the shadow of Golgotha.

So, we bring our intercessions

to You, Lord, trusting You to act

In ways beyond our imagination

supplying even secret lack.

For Paul and Val,

for Marie and kids,

For Rebecca's father,

for Sonam and the brothers.

For Becky and Nurse Cathy,

for Dan and Candace,

For Nathan, Faith, and Jason

for Julie and Dave,

for Guambianos of the faith,

and for our fellowships

that we might prove the measure

of Your growing love and faithfulness.

Our earthly heroes are saints and martyrs

who keep Your faith until the end.

No shadow falls from our Cynasure, (James 1:17)

Jesus, Savior and undying Friend.

Amen.

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the

Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public

prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them

out, and said, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this

Life." And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

(Acts 5:17-21)

Heavenly Father, Prison-Breaker:

They're baaack!

Jealous Sadduccees and priestly sycophants

again apprehend the Apostles

and toss them unceremoniously

in the public hoosegow,

conspiring to end once and for all

this talk of atonement,

resurrection, and Life.

This Life!

Your Life cannot be caged

in seplechres or prison bars.

Angels lurk nearby the faithful

springing them without alarm.

How sad we picture messengers from heaven,

(angel simply means messenger)

as chubby cherubs sprouting feathers

rather than real people

breaking fetters.

Could we not be Your angels sent

at times with good news

of Life, This Life?

I should know -- I met one yesterday.

Driving an airport shuttlebus.

No halo, just a gimme cap,

No wings beneath his shirt,

just muscle toned by hefting bags

for travelers like me

encumbered by too much to handle.

He saw me tethered to my oxygen,

breathing hard when finally on board.

And as we drove away he asked,

"Are you a believer in the Lord?"

Taken somewhat by surprise,

"yes, I am," I replied.

"Well, Jesus heals you," he declared.

My first reaction in the flesh

was something like, "Hey, buddy, not so fast.

I accept this death sentence in my chest.

These lungs aren't going to last."

But I did not retort or offer exegesis.

I just listened to him praise Jesus.

Just listened as he spoke,

and in a moment became aware

that God's Spirit was truly there;

speaking faith, peace and freedom,

opening one small prison door.

I felt no earthquake at this release,

only the bouncing of the bus,

as we shared the joys of life,

This Life!

So helps us all to be such angels

who, flesh and blood, their flesh deny,

and listen first to Heaven's call,

to share the wonder and supply

of life, This Life!

Amen.

And someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people." Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his

right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

(Acts 5:25-33)

God and Father of our Lord Jesus:

Yes, Peter did intend

to bring Christ's blood upon these men,

First to feel the pangs of guilt

but then to know their sins forgiven.

Thank you for lessons of faith

you unfold from Your written Word

about the power of Your Spirit

filling the world with witnesses

to Your Gospel, here proclaimed

in less than fifty words.

Called to obey your Sovereign Law,

we, imbued by self-righteous rage,

crucify Your Love and Grace,

crushed beneath the downward pressure

of human depravity.

But faithful to the covenant

cut with Father Abraham

You bless the world,

and make a Kingdom (Genesis 12:1ff)

of those Messiah calls to repentance

and forgiveness of deep sin.

Executed as a criminal,

hung on a tree, the sign of curse,

yet God raised Him from the dead,

revealed His plan,

showed Satan's hand,

made Jesus Leader, Pioneer,

Earth's only Savior, Strong Redeemer,

Ascended and Exulted Man,

King of creation,

Spirit Bequether

to his new community

empowered to obey

the self-same Law that once condemned

now sanctifies those called of Christ.

Help us follow where You lead us,

Keep us faithful to the end;

With Your promises you feed us,

Precious Savior, Holy Friend.

Amen.

When the Sanhedrin heard that the Christians had escaped their prison and returned to preaching in the Temple, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they flailed them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Messiah.

(Acts 5:33-42)

Wise and Wonderful God:

We know Gamaliel speaks for himself

and not for You in this regard.

Many movements men have mounted

succeed without Your benediction,

While others fail that bore Your truth --

Essenes and Puritans come to mind.

The order of St. Gamaliel

sits the fence and waits to see

how the courage shown by others

succeeds or fails posthumously.

Patience is indeed a virtue

wisdom waits to gather truth,

but the Message lay before him:

a dead man come back to life

bearing God's imprimatur

of life and healing and Messiahship.

Does Gamaliel not know

these Christians number a majority

in the Temple, in all Jerusalem?

Does Gamaliel not see

these People of the Way

have grown so great in number and influence

the Council cannot act its murderous will?

This is not patience virtuous

but vascillating cowardice;

willful blindness in the face

of overwhelming evidence,

posturing uprightness on dilemma's fence.

We confess we'd rather watch

the Humptys fall

from the fence on which we perch

than be counted on at all.

Inertia claims our courage,

expediency our witness.

Solitary self-righteousness

is our religious fitness.

But this much from Gamaliel is true,

what God proposes He will do;

what God approves He empowers

and on earth nothing can intervene.

Thank you Lord that you have called us

to stand on history's winning side

not as pious spectators

but as chastened from sin's pride.

We share Your pain, carry our cross,

for some Barabas set scott free

and rejoice in all our sufferings

that we may meet You in adversity.

Amen.

Granbury Gathering

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Athens

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Ephesus: Part 2

Monday, November 14, 2011

Ephesus Video: Part 1

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Hagia Sophia

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Istanbul - The Grand Bazaar

Friday, November 4, 2011

Mykonos Greece

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Pompei

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Sorrento

Oxygen for Halloween

Oxygen from Acts 5

What We Believe