Category: Different Scriptures

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word, Uncategorized

Jonah 3:1-10

Posted on by Wick

Why don’t we celebrate
That Nineveh turned?
When they turned around
As Gods’ anger burned?

We focus on Jonah
As he wants to run
How God sends a fish
And Jonah’s undone.

It’s told from his vantage
And so I suppose
It makes sense that this
Is how the story goes.

But what if we had
Ninevehs side?
When an entire community
Let go of their pride?

When a leader removed
His status and silence,
And called all who lived
To turn away from their violence

To repent from their ways
To hunger and thirst
God saw them sincere
And removed His own curse

A story of grace
A kingdom set free
A celebration of God
Where once wouldn’t be.

So as Jonah pouts
Look back to the King
And ask God how you
Might lead such a thing…

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Isaiah 58:1-12

Posted on by Wick

I told them I’d love a pair of shoes.

She brought me buttered toast.

She said “I even spread it thick,

Because I love you most.”

I asked them for an umbrella

To protect me when it drips.

They gave me a new LEGO set

With little pirate ships.

I asked to see them work together

To show love can abound

They pushed and shoved each other back

To show the love they’d found.

We see the silliness herein

And smile at silly words.

We think of how such children would

Be really quite absurd.

Yet God has asked to “end injustice,

Give the hungry food to eat.”

And every year we smile and say

“We hear you – we give up sweets!”

May we be truly humbled 

By the way we miss the mark

But not into inaction –

May humility be the spark…

Posted in Different Scriptures, Uncategorized

as the world gives…

Posted on by Wick

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” – John 14:27

A large part of the world is built and continually dependent on the lack of peace.  Advertisers know that in order to sell a product or service, they often must first convince you of your deficiency without their offer.  News sources know they must convince you of inherent anxiety that you can not shed without hearing the story they’re about to share (after these messages).  Our economy and daily connection to what’s happening in the world threatens to be shaped by these forces on a regular basis.img_1760

Into that kind of existence, we receive the words from Jesus again:

“I’m giving you peace…and I know the world offers you peace also.  The world offers you peace if you buy their product.  The world offers you peace if you utilize their services.  The world offers you an equation by which if you do “A”, they’ll accomplish “B”, and the outcome will be “C” (A + B = C).  But even if you attain “C” in this world, it is a peace that continues to allow disturbance so that you will continue to purchase the product, utilize the service, and listen to their voice of influence.

In fact, I want you to take an entire day off every week.  You don’t have to, but I invite you to gladly because it will shape your soul.  One day out of every 7, step out of the routines and paces of this world to declare and remember your freedom from them.  My peace and freedom are not an equation.  They are not dependent on any conditions of this world.  They are a gift that is continually poured out by the Holy Spirit – your advocate sent by my Father to remind you of all these things.”

May we respond to His invitation to Sabbath this week in ways that free us to be people of peace during the other 6 days as well…