"The real scandal of the gospel is this: humanity's salvation is revealed in the cross of the condemned criminal Jesus, and humanity's salvation is available only through our solidarity with the crucified people in our midst." James Cone
“Love has Won. At great cost. And then said, “Follow Me!”
These are the words that burst from my mouth in the midst of very contentious conversation with family after my firing as pastor in March 2013 for “deficiencies in style” (singing “Peace On Earth” by U2 after the Newtown Shooting in December 2012. Replaced the Irish children’s names with the names of children killed in two days before in Newtown. . . and other deficiencies.)
The text of the outburst was handwritten in chalk on an old school chalkboard which hangs on the wall of our kitchen. . . . still.
Love (sacrificial) Anyway!!
(I’d send a pic but don’t know how to paste it in the comments. :-)
Thank you, David. I am realizing that I been swimmin’ in different water for the past 70 years. In Kindergarten my daughter drew a picture at Halloween with this inscription: “This is me at Halloween. I am a Bride. My brother is a Pilot. My dad in Nothing.” . . . I LOVED it immediately! “I AM NOTHING” has continued as a “password” for me as I navigate wrestling with God and faithfulness to Jesus. . . . Yes. . . Love HAS won. At great cost. And I am going to continue to seek to Follow.
That image is powerful. It is who we as a culture are. It is so much easier to label, to exile, to imprison, to condemn, to sweep away…it is so hard to feed, clothe, heal, shelter, love and show mercy. Why? That image shows clearly why this culture will die; there is no doubt. And we will answer to God for the culture we created and tolerated. (Thank you, David, for sharing that difficult image. God bless you.)
Thank you, David. There is indeed culture based in shame and fear and scarcity and death, but there's also culture made of love and care and self-respect and living choices. The former is doomed. The latter is advancing. The militant denial of empire is being overcome by the beloved community of love and artfulness.
“Love has Won. At great cost. And then said, “Follow Me!”
These are the words that burst from my mouth in the midst of very contentious conversation with family after my firing as pastor in March 2013 for “deficiencies in style” (singing “Peace On Earth” by U2 after the Newtown Shooting in December 2012. Replaced the Irish children’s names with the names of children killed in two days before in Newtown. . . and other deficiencies.)
The text of the outburst was handwritten in chalk on an old school chalkboard which hangs on the wall of our kitchen. . . . still.
Love (sacrificial) Anyway!!
(I’d send a pic but don’t know how to paste it in the comments. :-)
Dave, you're a great human! Thank you for your boldness, I'm sure what followed wasn't pleasant but I hope you're blessed beyond!
Thank you, Dave.
Thank you, David. I am realizing that I been swimmin’ in different water for the past 70 years. In Kindergarten my daughter drew a picture at Halloween with this inscription: “This is me at Halloween. I am a Bride. My brother is a Pilot. My dad in Nothing.” . . . I LOVED it immediately! “I AM NOTHING” has continued as a “password” for me as I navigate wrestling with God and faithfulness to Jesus. . . . Yes. . . Love HAS won. At great cost. And I am going to continue to seek to Follow.
Peace to you, David. ;-)
i’m just floored by this. thank you!
Witnessing from Australia … I’m keen to know the source / photographer here?
The sadness and horror feels deeper and stronger than the love of God. I know it’s not so, but it sure feels it sometimes, hey?
Grace and peace.
Grace and peace to you as well. There is sadness and horror, but I believe love and self-respect and artfulness (which I'm good with thinking of as the spirit of God) are more widespread despite what my federal government is up to. Here's more on images like the one shared up top. Happy Easter. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/photojournalist-witnesses-venezuelan-migrants-arrival-in-el-salvador-60-minutes/
That image is powerful. It is who we as a culture are. It is so much easier to label, to exile, to imprison, to condemn, to sweep away…it is so hard to feed, clothe, heal, shelter, love and show mercy. Why? That image shows clearly why this culture will die; there is no doubt. And we will answer to God for the culture we created and tolerated. (Thank you, David, for sharing that difficult image. God bless you.)
Thank you, David. There is indeed culture based in shame and fear and scarcity and death, but there's also culture made of love and care and self-respect and living choices. The former is doomed. The latter is advancing. The militant denial of empire is being overcome by the beloved community of love and artfulness.
Despicable