Going to Maria's, out of my already bad
neighborhood to the "housing" where
she has a home, the drive is not
significant here, but the stairway leading
to her door is, and it's nothing like what's
inside.
Maria's little one bedroom, spotless,
linoleum refuge....white and plastic, is
clean, clean, clean. On the table, only
the best for us, autentica, delicioso,
nothing harmful here, and nothing like
the stairwell.
She tells us about the people in the
building who are always doing bad.
"They try to get my son to do bad too."
Many times she has to step
over the one man who is passed out
on the stairs, outside her door,
in order to get in.
She moves the little vase of red
flowers on the table to make room for
dessert. "They don't like us because
we don't do like them. They
don't love me, but I love they."
Walking back down the stairs outside,
we can smell the aroma of Maria's home.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
The best advice I can offer young people: Eat at Crow's
We are a country of the youth. With that comes shame. Unfortunately it is the older and wiser who are shamed and the youth that are esteemed. There is so much to know, and so many young people know it, that they have no need of the knowledge that can grow them up in the dignity and wisdom of the aged. It's probably best to stay young and lacking discretion, as long as you can Google the answer to things that won't secure true wisdom, like "How does one do the Harlem Shake?" And that's a shame because wisdom can help you know things like: there are some things you shouldn't know. That is for another blog post...but...
alternatively, Google Stephen Nichols' book, The Reformation: how a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World. It is refreshing my memory on some major reformers of the church and is serving to prop up my resolve to love God's word. It is reminding me that it is valuable to stay faithful to it and to reject the empty-headed, post-post modern thinking, the latest wave of lukewarmity in so-called believers, who stand against everything Christian and nothing non, yet still try to hold the title Christian. It just can't be swallowed. Even less so, under the reminder that men were burned at the stake for beliefs the likes of believers' baptism and for disagreeing with the Catholic queen.
It's the same today. Men, well-versed in the Scriptures strive to understand them for the good purpose of bringing them to the people with integrity, to shepherd the people of God and lead them in truth, are opposed by unlearned men, steeped in the love of money or power and whatever pleases the masses at the time. It isn't only that our world lacks education on these things, though it does, it is as God says in Romans chapter 1, they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Leaders have been irresponsible in both allowing our youth to remain uneducated in the things of Scripture, and guilty of not reminding them of their moral responsibility. Young men and women, ignorantly give in to the laziness that furthers the damage.
I've been that young know-it-all. I know how hard it is to actually humble myself and seek out the truth in order to right myself, and to have to go back and say, I was wrong. Eating crow is almost impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. It's hard enough in the flesh, as a believer. But, once again, Christ Jesus speaks the final word on this, that the truth sets you free. There is no freer place than the place where crow is served.
We aren't being burned at the stake, here in America, at least not yet. But everyone's opinion matters, but God's. We believers get on Facebook or Pastors get in pulpits and declare the word of God as authoritative and all the supporters of free speech cry "You Can't Say That!" But where is the valor of the humble? Where is the bravery of the young man who, in search of greater good, will condemn himself in order to be right in the end? He will do all things gymnastic to dodge what is best for him. He will even get all angry and sweaty, making himself a fool, speaking loudly about his vast knowledge, which to the learned and wise, older, onlookers amounts to 2+2=6. He doesn't even see that so many see through him. The freshmen of the world spout off about love and mercy to someone who has endured extreme hardship despite showing mercy. Noobs love pontificating grand wisdom about poverty and morality and "judge not lest ye be judged" while they, themselves, judge unjustly, a dignified man who is well-worn by both and has experienced Christ's victory over unspeakable trials long before the young punk was born into his spoon-fed life of comfort. Oh the diamonds this young man could win himself, in his own shutting up.
Youth is embarrassing to those who are coming out of it. I should know. Boy, am I glad it's over. Now if I can only maintain what I've learned and make it the practice of my older years, to live like I don't know as much as I think I know. That would be a mercy.
Just because we are living in a world that doesn't want to hear it, doesn't mean we should cower.
Hold to the things you know for sure, the things God has spoken, things shamelessly called Right and Wrong. You shouldn't mind being burned at the stake for loving and obeying them like the martyred reformers did years ago. And like Christ before them, let's do it loving and forgiving those who hate us, and those who in willful, youthful ignorance try to shame us.
alternatively, Google Stephen Nichols' book, The Reformation: how a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World. It is refreshing my memory on some major reformers of the church and is serving to prop up my resolve to love God's word. It is reminding me that it is valuable to stay faithful to it and to reject the empty-headed, post-post modern thinking, the latest wave of lukewarmity in so-called believers, who stand against everything Christian and nothing non, yet still try to hold the title Christian. It just can't be swallowed. Even less so, under the reminder that men were burned at the stake for beliefs the likes of believers' baptism and for disagreeing with the Catholic queen.
It's the same today. Men, well-versed in the Scriptures strive to understand them for the good purpose of bringing them to the people with integrity, to shepherd the people of God and lead them in truth, are opposed by unlearned men, steeped in the love of money or power and whatever pleases the masses at the time. It isn't only that our world lacks education on these things, though it does, it is as God says in Romans chapter 1, they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Leaders have been irresponsible in both allowing our youth to remain uneducated in the things of Scripture, and guilty of not reminding them of their moral responsibility. Young men and women, ignorantly give in to the laziness that furthers the damage.
I've been that young know-it-all. I know how hard it is to actually humble myself and seek out the truth in order to right myself, and to have to go back and say, I was wrong. Eating crow is almost impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. It's hard enough in the flesh, as a believer. But, once again, Christ Jesus speaks the final word on this, that the truth sets you free. There is no freer place than the place where crow is served.
We aren't being burned at the stake, here in America, at least not yet. But everyone's opinion matters, but God's. We believers get on Facebook or Pastors get in pulpits and declare the word of God as authoritative and all the supporters of free speech cry "You Can't Say That!" But where is the valor of the humble? Where is the bravery of the young man who, in search of greater good, will condemn himself in order to be right in the end? He will do all things gymnastic to dodge what is best for him. He will even get all angry and sweaty, making himself a fool, speaking loudly about his vast knowledge, which to the learned and wise, older, onlookers amounts to 2+2=6. He doesn't even see that so many see through him. The freshmen of the world spout off about love and mercy to someone who has endured extreme hardship despite showing mercy. Noobs love pontificating grand wisdom about poverty and morality and "judge not lest ye be judged" while they, themselves, judge unjustly, a dignified man who is well-worn by both and has experienced Christ's victory over unspeakable trials long before the young punk was born into his spoon-fed life of comfort. Oh the diamonds this young man could win himself, in his own shutting up.
Youth is embarrassing to those who are coming out of it. I should know. Boy, am I glad it's over. Now if I can only maintain what I've learned and make it the practice of my older years, to live like I don't know as much as I think I know. That would be a mercy.
Just because we are living in a world that doesn't want to hear it, doesn't mean we should cower.
Hold to the things you know for sure, the things God has spoken, things shamelessly called Right and Wrong. You shouldn't mind being burned at the stake for loving and obeying them like the martyred reformers did years ago. And like Christ before them, let's do it loving and forgiving those who hate us, and those who in willful, youthful ignorance try to shame us.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
That Italian lady laughs: a poem for my dear friend, Linda
That Italian lady laughs
and laughs until
she cuts a path
into your fast
and fading past
killing time
and smashing masks
She's real and
genuinely glad
when you are.
With her you're
never too far
from a coffee bar
or open jar of
giggles spilled
out in the car
or in the yard.
If you're with her
the day gets blurred
complaining words
are rarely heard
the meanest streak
never stirred.
She's kind
and real
not steely
like a sword,
but wieldy
to the Spirit's word;
unbending tho
to fleshy throes
hard-fast loving
friend or foe
no beholden kindness grows
but genuine and warm
love glows in Linda
mia sorella
my dear friend
La gentile signora
mia consorta
(made that word up
don't interrupt)
My trusted ally
won't just sit by
while I
with fleshly venom fly.
She, all the wiser
calls me higher
calmer, righter,
tells me truth
saves me face
never ruthless
ready grace
sets me down
sets me straight
makes me see
I'd never be
without a doubt
the silly or the
better me
without her.
and laughs until
she cuts a path
into your fast
and fading past
killing time
and smashing masks
She's real and
genuinely glad
when you are.
With her you're
never too far
from a coffee bar
or open jar of
giggles spilled
out in the car
or in the yard.
If you're with her
the day gets blurred
complaining words
are rarely heard
the meanest streak
never stirred.
She's kind
and real
not steely
like a sword,
but wieldy
to the Spirit's word;
unbending tho
to fleshy throes
hard-fast loving
friend or foe
no beholden kindness grows
but genuine and warm
love glows in Linda
mia sorella
my dear friend
La gentile signora
mia consorta
(made that word up
don't interrupt)
My trusted ally
won't just sit by
while I
with fleshly venom fly.
She, all the wiser
calls me higher
calmer, righter,
tells me truth
saves me face
never ruthless
ready grace
sets me down
sets me straight
makes me see
I'd never be
without a doubt
the silly or the
better me
without her.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Belonging to Omaha
It's a good idea, when a snowstorm is predicted, to go to Omaha, Nebraska. If you're blessed, you'll get a tour of the city and a free cup of tortilla soup. You can watch the first flurries fall outside the restaurant window. Try to wait out the storm in an artfully decorated home, if you can, where the fireplace's warmth is matched only by the home's occupants, and a dog named Foley. He doesn't mind warming at least one of your feet for you.
Last weekend the women's ministry of Omaha Bible Church brought me in, showed me Christ's love and sent me home full. I brought new friends home on my little handheld device, that I can talk with from Wisconsin. And that's good, because strangely, I miss them.
My favorite part of speaking at women's retreats is going to church on Sunday. But it wouldn't be the same if I didn't get to meet almost a quarter of the congregation ahead of time. It's fun to look around and make eye contact with familiar faces knowing they are rejoicing at the same truth I am, as the preacher says, "I'm so glad I came to church today." Of all the places you might have been, you weren't as glad as we were, unless you also were told how to live forever, and have all your sin removed and your shame erased for good.
I've said it before and I'll tell OBC again, Christ in me enjoys Christ in you. The world has nothing on us. Christians have family they've never met before, in other places around the world. When they finally meet, they know they belong. It's deeper and stronger than can be explained in a short blog post, especially written by me. It's a forever relationship I didn't know I had. It's all the same "of courses" understood, believed, Amen-ed and obeyed. It's a common killing of fleshly self-will giving way to a rebuilding of new character. It's a whole room of us beckoning the dead to finally come awake and join us in the kind of elation that is only known by prisoners set free,
prisoners set free, by Christ. It's living isolated and then finally belonging, belonging to Christ.
listen to the sermon here
Pastor Abendroth
Omaha Bible Church
Last weekend the women's ministry of Omaha Bible Church brought me in, showed me Christ's love and sent me home full. I brought new friends home on my little handheld device, that I can talk with from Wisconsin. And that's good, because strangely, I miss them.
My favorite part of speaking at women's retreats is going to church on Sunday. But it wouldn't be the same if I didn't get to meet almost a quarter of the congregation ahead of time. It's fun to look around and make eye contact with familiar faces knowing they are rejoicing at the same truth I am, as the preacher says, "I'm so glad I came to church today." Of all the places you might have been, you weren't as glad as we were, unless you also were told how to live forever, and have all your sin removed and your shame erased for good.
I've said it before and I'll tell OBC again, Christ in me enjoys Christ in you. The world has nothing on us. Christians have family they've never met before, in other places around the world. When they finally meet, they know they belong. It's deeper and stronger than can be explained in a short blog post, especially written by me. It's a forever relationship I didn't know I had. It's all the same "of courses" understood, believed, Amen-ed and obeyed. It's a common killing of fleshly self-will giving way to a rebuilding of new character. It's a whole room of us beckoning the dead to finally come awake and join us in the kind of elation that is only known by prisoners set free,
prisoners set free, by Christ. It's living isolated and then finally belonging, belonging to Christ.
listen to the sermon here
Pastor Abendroth
Omaha Bible Church
Sunday, February 17, 2013
I Can Hardly Believe it! a poem by Dorothy Brusko
"I can hardly believe it!"
Yet I know it's true
I'm a child of a King
and I've a home in Heaven too!
Tho I've never seen my Father,
nor the mansion He's prepared
I am sure it's up there somewhere
Just as His own words declare
Many friend and many family
are already in that place
Tho I love the dear ones near me
Yet I want to see His Face.
What a time of celebration
When this "shadowland" is o'er
When the evil has been conquered
and I'm entering Heaven's door.
What a joy to truly "see it"!
Not by faith alone but sight
all His words become reality
and the future golden bright
I am waiting and believing
These days on earth will soon be past
Will I say "I can't believe it!"
When I'm home in Heaven at last?
Yet I know it's true
I'm a child of a King
and I've a home in Heaven too!
Tho I've never seen my Father,
nor the mansion He's prepared
I am sure it's up there somewhere
Just as His own words declare
Many friend and many family
are already in that place
Tho I love the dear ones near me
Yet I want to see His Face.
What a time of celebration
When this "shadowland" is o'er
When the evil has been conquered
and I'm entering Heaven's door.
What a joy to truly "see it"!
Not by faith alone but sight
all His words become reality
and the future golden bright
I am waiting and believing
These days on earth will soon be past
Will I say "I can't believe it!"
When I'm home in Heaven at last?
Saturday, February 16, 2013
I Can't Believe this Poem
My friend, Dorothy said, "Isn't it funny that you
can say, 'I can't believe it', about almost
anything that happens any time in your life?"
She inspired me to write this poem.
I can't believe a lot of things
I can't believe Bob Dylan sings
I can't believe how cold it is
I don't believe in magic tricks
I can't believe her hair's not fake
Can you believe this? Try this cake!
I can't believe you're his mom
I can't believe you know this song
I can't believe you even came
I can't believe you know his name
I can't believe this crazy show
I can't believe you didn't know
Can you believe how time flies?
Can you believe she's 95?
I can't believe we're in this mess
I can't believe she wore that dress
I can't believe I'm so late
I can't believe I made you wait
Can you believe they look alike?
Could you believe the stars tonight?
I can't believe you ate that fast
I can't believe they like that trash
I can't believe you want to know
I can't believe you didn't go
I won't believe you if you tell me
Can't believe what he tried to sell me
I can't believe they named her that
I can't believe you bought that hat
Can you believe she got a rash?
Can you believe that awful crash?
I can't believe I left that on
I can't believe I was so wrong
I can't believe you really love me
I can't believe you kiss and hug me
I can't believe so many things
I can't believe Bob Dylan sings
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Les Miserables
Some things just stick with you. I'm pretty sure a few of the disturbing images of last night's movie, one scene in particular, will stick with me. I wanted to leave. It wasn't a matter of conviction that repulsed me, but the clear depiction of the base repulsiveness of sin. I'm glad for it. The reality of sin's destruction should put a scar on our psyche. We shouldn't like it. Our flesh much prefers Satan's part in it all, an allurement with a promise and no consequence ever dealt out publicly. When a woman who is clearly lost, is recklessly abused then disregarded, we should hate it. An evil man taking pleasure, while mindlessly extinguishing another soul's hope is mortifying.
Plenty of articles have been written on the unsung tragedies of guilt in movies; how characters violate God's good designs, without consequence and are ever happier because of sin. Some of us know that's not really how it is. Much of sin is funny to the watching drones, anymore. I do not need to mention that God does not laugh.
I just needed to talk about it this morning, because I'm thinking about it. It's nothing you haven't already heard.
Please be aware: There is much in this movie that could offend a weaker brother or injure one's conscience. It is not a must see, if you ask me. I enjoyed the book much more.
Plenty of articles have been written on the unsung tragedies of guilt in movies; how characters violate God's good designs, without consequence and are ever happier because of sin. Some of us know that's not really how it is. Much of sin is funny to the watching drones, anymore. I do not need to mention that God does not laugh.
I just needed to talk about it this morning, because I'm thinking about it. It's nothing you haven't already heard.
Please be aware: There is much in this movie that could offend a weaker brother or injure one's conscience. It is not a must see, if you ask me. I enjoyed the book much more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)