Tell me the story of you

Per one of my goals for 2011, here is a poem based on the one sermon I have preached thus far this year: Tell me the story of you Tell me what remains untold unless you are pricked enough to put forth narrative

Tell me the story of you and your God so I might know and tell the untold story of me

An ounce of experience outweighs all the weight of theory Tell me the story of you and your experience of life love and a God who orchestrates all of it.

Tell me the story of you without tall tales or overstated overtures

without comparison to complicated stories of others

Tell me the story of you that I may know your Author

Abide Week: held continually

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

a*bide [uh-bayhd] verb, a*bode or a*bid*ed, a*bid*ing 2. to be held or kept continually

Repeated throughout the Psalms you see a sense of being held by God. In many instances it is a protection from danger found in being kept by God.

There is a protection. There is a rare tenderness. There is an empathy found in being held. I can think of only a few moments in my life when I was physically held. They were moments of brokenness and sadness. They were moments when I simply had nothing left to stand on or hold myself up.

My daughter is 4 months old right now. She is incapable of walking or crawling; she is barely able to hold her own body up for any significant amount of time. She has a dependant need for me to hold her. She would not get anywhere or anything if someone does not hold her and carry her.

Jesus is telling us very plainly, "You are incapable of anything or getting anywhere unless I hold you and keep you...continually."

There are moments when my daughter does not want to be held, and in those moments she has no choice but to stay right where she is.

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As creatively as you can, describe what it is like to be held continually?

#AbideWeek

Abide Week: remain

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 a*bide [uh-bayhd] verb, a*bode or a*bid*ed, a*bid*ing 1. to remain; continue; stay

The most basic understanding of what it means to abide in Christ comes down to this first dictionary definition.

To remain.

In a culture which grows more and more weary of commitment, it is a difficult challenge to remain anywhere for anything.

There is a direct challenge to the heart of the Christian to remain with Jesus. He tells us to stay here. Do not wander off.

The truth of most people who give up on faith is they never really 'gave up' with one swoop; they wandered away.

It likely began with a stubborn isolation (as though they could do faith and life alone), and it lead to further wandering until, at some point, they realize just how far they have wandered out.

Jesus tells us to remain close. Stay close! This is the first understanding of abiding in Christ.

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The most creatively you can, describe what it looks like to remain close to Jesus?

#AbideWeek

Abide week

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John15:5

a*bide [uh-bahyd]

verb, a*bode or a*bid*ed, a*bid*ing

1. to remain; continue; stay 2. to be held or kept continually 3. to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship;          last 4. to endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting 5. to wait for; await 6. to accept without opposition or question 7. to pay the price or penalty of

Your God is too small [video]

I was asked to perform my piece, Your God is too Small today at Sacramento Traction 2011. Upon watching this video I remembered my need for re-acquaintance with Tony Horton and P90X.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_ztoTWLN2M&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Why I love one paragraph: American city

Chicago

Why not New York, right? I love Chicago for its rich history of blues music and comedy. I love the midwestern feel that serves as a subtle but strong background to the big city. I love legit Chicago-style deep dish pizza. I love a Chicago [hot]dog. I love the chill of the wind off of Lake Michigan in the dead of winter.

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In ONE PARAGRAPH, why do you love your favorite American city?

#WhyILoveOneParagraphWeek

The Power of Vulnerability

I saw this TEDTalk yesterday, and it is one of the best things I've taken in this week. There is so much here I am needing to think more about and write out. It is worth your 20 minutes, and I would love to read your reflections. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Qm9cGRub0&fs=1&hl=en_US]

Why I love one paragraph: weather

Cold Rain

2 Options! 1. I sit at a coffee shop near the window as water collects and runs down the window, and the coffee does the same down my throat. Something about being warm on the inside while its cold outside. 2. Sitting on the couch with a college football game on television, I drink coffee (or beer) with the blinds open.

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In ONE PARAGRAPH, why do you love your favorite weather?

#WhyILoveOneParagraphWeek

Why I love one paragraph: music artist

Counting Crows

Adam Duritz is the primary reason i still consider Counting Crows my favorite band/artist of all time, because the music of CC has waned in time. But Duritz's writing has always struck my heart in a strange way. Adam's writing and even his performing is incredibly introverted; yet so expressive. When those two things combine, an inspiration really develops.

Favorite Songs: Anna Begins, Time And Time Again, Goodnight Elizabeth, Another Horsedreamer's Blues, Mrs. Potter's Lullaby, Amy Hit The Atmosphere, Four White Stallions

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In ONE PARAGRAPH, why do you love your favorite artist/band?

#WhyILoveOneParagraphWeek

 

Why I love one paragraph: author

This week is going to be "Why I love one paragraph week" at Ragamuffin Ramblings. Each day I will use one paragraph to define why certain people and things are my favorites. I would love to get your paragraphs for your favorites as well. I'm gonna kick off the week with my favorite author: Brennan Manning.

No other author has done for me what Brennan has been able to do; take God's grace, mercy, and ludicrous love out of my theology classes and books, and tenderly shoved them into my heart. I grew up in the Christian Church. I knew correct answers and regulations, but I had never been ambushed by the furious love of God until I first read The Ragamuffin Gospel my sophomore year of college. I have soaked up Brennan's writing ever since.

Favorite Books by Brennan: The Ragamuffin Gospel, Abba's Child, Wisdom of Tenderness, The Importance of Being Foolish, The Boy Who Cried Abba, Ruthless Trust

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In ONE PARAGRAPH, why do you love your favorite author?