One-Man Performance

Act 1 - Unplugged.

Connected to the wall and attached to the iPad, the cord is frayed and will soon fail to do its job.  The pleasures of Hulu, YouTube, and FaceTime will cease to exist.

Additionally, a small blue light speaks to warn of a keyboard that is no longer accepting the charge it is designed to embrace.  Sound adjustments will become more difficult and disappointment will surely ensue if the expectation is to see newly typed words on the screen.

***

Act 2 - Construction without Warning.  

A typical 7-minute drive has surprisingly become nearly 30 with the unexpected introduction of road construction revealed when cresting the small hill.  

Sharing Your Flame

Wracking my brain, I just cannot remember where I came across this video!  Maybe it will reveal itself before I finish.  

Today, I ask that you consider starting with the video link.  If you want to follow along, the lyrics are published below.

Go Light Your World (SDA) - YouTube 5 Minutes.

Hear Our Prayer

“Hear Our Prayer” is typically uttered by communities as a petition asking God not just to hear about our pain, but to provide a response that conforms to our expectations.

There is no shortage of need in this world of ours.  We ask that jobs are restored, that children be allowed a pathway to learning, that loved ones will be healed of whatever ails them, and that severe weather might be eluded. This is a very short list as the world we see is in turmoil all around us.

Sometimes, we feel blessed as we realize fulfillment.  

Sometimes, the uttering of these three words expressing a need seems to have no effect. We embrace disappointment. We are told to cultivate patience as we experience delays.  We are told that longings might be answered in unexpected ways.  We are warned that our petition may see no resolution at all. 

In these circumstances, we wonder if we are completely ignored. We wonder if we are simply talking to the ceiling.  We consider a God that is too busy, does not care, or perhaps does not exist. 

We despair.

Work That Matters

Margin Call.  2011

Years of past success created invincibility which suddenly evaporates. Continual prosperity has allowed for annual employee salaries reaching well into the millions. But abruptly, circumstances dictate a precipitous decline in fortune. The bill is due and to survive, this business is now promoting a series of unethical behaviors. To accomplish this, ungodly sums of money are used as bribes to overcome voiced reservations as these activities are introduced to the rank and file.

As we celebrate Labor Day, the time of year set aside to recognize workers and their contributions to society and it's prosperity, I am vividly remembering three conversations from this movie.  

Conversation 1.

What Could Be

The Servant Song 

Will you let me be your servant

Let me be as Christ to you

Pray that I might have the grace

To let you be my servant too

We are pilgrims on the journey

We are travelers on the road

We are here to help each other

Walk the mile and bear the load

I will hold the Christ light for you

In the nighttime of your fear

I will hold my hand out to you

Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping

When you laugh, I'll laugh with you

I will share your joy and sorrow

Till we've seen this journey through

Will you let me be your servant

Let me be as Christ to you

Pray that I might have the grace

To let you be my servant too

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: David Haas

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13

Close your eyes.  Click the Link.  Listen. Listen and let this simple melody bring the words into your heart and soul.  When this short piece is finished, sit with it keeping your eyes closed. Imagine the world that could be.  Imagine your own contribution to this new and beautiful world.

Will You Let Me Be Your Servant - David Haas.

P.S.

I should probably apologize. This is the third time I've mentioned this moving hymn. But I take comfort in reminding myself that it takes repetition to create results.  I guess I'm still a work in progress. At least I had the presence of mind to title this article something other than "Servants".

May 16, 2015 Servants

September 15, 2018 Servants