I'm going to start off with a Pastor from the Presbyterian Church {that I know nothing about} but he also lists "Franciscan" and "Walker of the Way". I'm a little familiar with the Catholic Church "Franciscan" that follow after St. Francis of Assisi (the Franciscans were founded & inspired by him). I'm not sure about what he means by "Walker of the Way" & a search was not helpful, however I definitely like it and would hope to classify myself as one who is a walker of the Way - being Jesus' Way (John 14:6). He shares reflections from scripture, calling them "Words on the Way". His name is Jody McKewen. {perhaps I should link him to his Church where you can read more}
There's no particular reason, I chose his Substack first to share, except for the reason that this one stuck to me today when I got to the ending of a colorful splash with "We Need You" written on it, and although the first part of this title does not apply to me {perhaps it might for you} but the last part most definitely does "... A Word to the Hurt, the Weary and the Wanderer" and I certainly needed to hear what he shared & the part I underlined in the splash of color [it was Adobe Stock image] like painting splashes of 4 bright colors.
His words in the beginning don't quite apply to me; the next part, 🌿I needed to read ... 🕊"The Gospel is personal but it's never private" and as he continued, I began to openly listen to the words written ... being spoken through a gentle Spirit. And I definitely agree with "... the Kingdom of God is the remedy."
I really do hope that "WE are building a kingdom of love" because I totally agree with him that "Jesus didn't come to escape the world. {although in these last few days, that's my thinking but not in the way that many choose to escape in substances, etc. but literally "escape" as in the flight response, but that's a complicated & messy story that no one needs, just one of those physiological reactions we humans have - (on an interesting side note: I also learned that it's been extended to more than just the original 2 of "fight or flight" and the 3rd one I recently encountered of "freeze" (which I totally get) but now another one has been added "fawn" which I have not experienced or know much about, but back to the content} ... (Jesus) "came to transform ..." (the world) and "He left us here not to be spectators, but builders." Yes, He did ... we are meant to be part of His Kingdom Builders. The words that follow by Pastor Jody are the words that I pray every believer would HEAR that follow "We are building a kingdom of love" ...
I really thought we were ... building God's Kingdom.
This, however, is not at all what I have seen or witnessed in this last decade. And now, as I look back, I seriously question this and if we are or ever were. It isn't doubt or disbelief, it's what I have been watching in complete stupefied society and the world unraveling & becoming more & more divided, divisive & so utterly deceived filled more & more with downright hatred & cruelty; blatant lies repeated & such distortions that I shake my head, hoping I will wake up from this horrendous nightmare ... but after last weekend here in Minnesota with the devastating, horrific tragedy upon tragedy that occurred against our lawmakers & intended for many more ... just leaves my jaw dropping in awe of such appalling & continuing to mount daily more & more unnecessary violence against other human beings that no longer have any sense of being decent, moral or humane. Certainly not like Jesus - at all! I weep & am numb from the complete shock as WE dehumanize one another. Certainly, not building the Kingdom that Jesus/God hopes that we would. I am overwhelmed and my heart breaks. Yes, I am Hurt. Yes, I am Weary. But, it really hurts to admit that I am now a Wanderer. I pray that I do wander as I try my best to follow Jesus' Way, because I do sincerely believe that "HE is the Way, the Truth and the Life ... " I know I'm not the only one drifting. How my heart aches to watch & hear the stories of people in LA & throughout our country, brought to their knees & face down to the ground by government officials (hardly any with compassion) and now our military under orders of ... {pray, Peggy, pray}
So I continue to read and seek uplifting people anywhere standing up for one another, truly loving like Jesus taught us. I need a Church that cares! I need to see a Church that is transforming this world. I need to see a Church separate from politics, but I don't mean that they are not people involved in politics - just not partisan or preaching a party but Truths from God's Word & than action that aligns with Jesus' teachings (certainly not with the Pharisees or Evil). What has happened to US?
I close (and I hope it's ok because I certainly don't want to infringe on anyone's rights, copyright or other constitutional (human) rights) with the Prayer from Pastor Jody's well intended & heartfelt timely words from back in May.
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"Jesus, Heal what hurts in us from the past. Stir what still hopes in us for the future. Gather us again—not as perfect people, but as people still learning how to love. Build Your Church with our questions and our courage. And let us find one another again in the breaking of the bread. Amen." |
I am looking at doing
BETWEEN
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Bless you for your visit and encouraging words! I thank you and I am humbly blessed by YOU and the time you spend with me... Peace, "Mazmagi" Peggy