He is Risen! An Easter call to worship

On Friday I shared what I used to close the Good Friday service with.  Here is what I began Easter Sunday with today.  The main of which was written by Roddy Hamilton and can be found here:

http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

We thought you were dead.
We thought the cross was the end.
We thought that when the stone rolled over the tomb,
that was it.

But this is it:

the dead are living;
the cross is empty;
the stone is rolled,
and one word describes it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

 

We thought you had said your final word.
We thought those with the power had won.
We thought that when you cried out,
that was it.

But this is it:

the word breathes;
the powers are defeated;
the final cry was only the beginning,
and one word says it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

 

We thought the story was finished.
We thought the hope had ended.
We thought that when the tomb was sealed,
that was it.

But this is it:

the story has just begun;
the hope is newly born;
the tomb is empty,
and one word says it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

We thought that when they crucified you,
death had defeated life,
and that was it.
But this is it:

Love is stronger than death,
and one word says it all:
Alleluia!
Jesus is risen!

This is the news:
Jesus is risen!
This is the moment
Jesus is alive!
This is the gospel
Jesus is with us!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! 

THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

May you know the good news of the risen Christ this Easter and forever more. 

A short story to tell

 

We had a powerful Good Friday reflective service yesterday.  I finished the service not with a blessing but with this piece by Roddy Hamilton…  

gather round
I have a story to tell
of one who reached inside himself
and took a handful of love
like a pile of stardust
and said: this is for you
it is all you need
it is all you will ever need
there is enough here
to change the whole world
take it

many laughed at him
mocked him
and ignored the invitation

but some dared to take it
and those who did
noticed something about this love
they found they could do what the gift-giver could do
they could stand with the lost
welcome the traveller
eat with the hungry
they found themselves doing what the man first did to them
give something of themselves to others
they became like the man
offering themselves
and as they offered themselves
others took the invitation
and many still do
and many still trust
it is enough to change the whole world

written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Listening to the Stones. http://newkilpatrickblog.typepad.com/nk-blogging/mucky-paws/  

So because of Easter… because of love… Jesus said ‘Go into the world and make disciples of all nations, teach them all that I have taught you, baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and surely I will be with you to the very end of the age’. 

Happy Easter.

Burnt out?

Why did God choose to speak to Moses using a burning bush that did not burn up?  First, if you have time, have a read of a poem found on this website:

https://theblogofkevin.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/i-am-the-vicar-i-am/. 

Now this poem is not about me.  Those who know me will know I am not passionate about all the things mentioned by the writer and I also never wear dresses.  (Well not on a Sunday anyway).  But it did touch on some truths in my own life and I am sure yours.  You could easily take away the word vicar and put in mother for example.  I have so many desires.  I want to be a great Dad to Gracie, Anna and Bethany.  I want to be a great husband to Ez.  I want to pastor well the hundreds of people that I come into contact each week in my job.  I want to reach the thousands of people in my community with the love of Jesus. I want to have my finger on the pulse with all issues of social justice, whether urban or rural, national or international.  I want to be growing in my own faith.  I want to lose weight. I want to get fit.  I want… I want… I want… I need… I need… I desire… You will have similar lists I am sure.  This leaves many of us feeling like failures.   This leads too many of us feeling exhausted.  This leads to many of us feeling weary.  This leads to many of us being stripped of joy.  This leads to many of us waking up in the morning with tired bones.  Why did God choose to speak to Moses using a burning bush that did not burn up? 

God is about to give Moses a mission.  He is about to send him to the most powerful nation in the universe, Egypt, to approach the most powerful man in the universe, Pharaoh, and demand the release of the Hebrew slaves… or else there will be serious consequences!  How?  How is this stuttering 80 year old shepherd going to achieve such a task?  God will be with him.  Moses started this calling on his own 40 years ago, the result?  Murder… trying to cover tracks… death sentence… fleeing… escape… burn out… panic… wilderness… Why did God choose to speak to Moses using a burning bush that did not burn up? 

There has been much written on this.  But I think it is good news for Moses and it is good news for us.  I think the reason that God speaks to Moses using a burning bush that did not burn up is to show him that this time, if he does it in Gods strength that he like the bush will not be burned up.  The good news for us is that if we invite God into our list of desires and striving, if we make him our number one priority, then we will also not burn up.  Because we have a God that says ‘come to me all that are weary and heavy laden and I will bring you rest’.  We have a God that wants to refresh us, heal us, put us back together, revitalise us, and put His breath in us.  We have a God that wants to journey with us, and work through us… and if we allow him?  We, like the burning bush will not burn up but instead will shine brightly for God. 

How do you feel as you read this blog?  Are you burnt out? Tired?  Worn down?  Exhausted?  Or are you a burning bush… living life to the full, knowing His wonderful presence whilst never burning up as you shining brightly with the love of Jesus?  Are you burnt out or a burning bush? 

If you are feeling burnt out you may want to find time to invite God into the situation.  Spend time with Him, tell Him how you feel, ask Him to turn you into a burning bush… and listen and wait… for the God that used a stuttering 80 year old murderer to bring a nation of slaves into freedom is wanting to work miracles in and through your life.  You may want to listen to this song as you do this.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5VIx2AVOr0#t=25

May you know the refreshing presence of God in your lives and as you journey towards eternity may you not burn up but be a burning bush Christian shining brightly for Him.  God bless.