Grace

Agree or Disagree:

You have to present the need for grace before you extend grace.

Repentance and the Heart

I think it can be universally accepted that the “Sinner’s Prayer” will not get you into heaven if it is used as an incantation and not a heart felt plea. But my issues with it run a little deeper. Where did the idea come from that asking forgiveness was equivalent to repentance. More so where did the God forsaken idea come from that the good news is that we don’t have to suffer Hell in the afterlife? I’ve seen legalism reach new levels when thoughts are brought in as sin (Matthew 5:28), but I’m wondering if the emphasis in that passage was meant to be more focused on the heart than on the thoughts. After all, how does one control their thoughts without some sort of transformational experience in their heart.

Would things change?

Would things change if 10,000 Christians from the western world armed with only the knowledge that their lives had already been laid down for Christ, combed Northern Uganda with the intention of rescuing child soldiers from the LRA? What are the possible outcomes of this sort of massive movement? Do any of them fail to bring action?

Note:

The reason I say western world is not that we have it right and would come in to save the day (check out Blood:Water Mission and the song Light Gives Heat by Jars of Clay for examples of what resonates with my heart) but to acknowledge that we have a place of privilege and if we lay it down the world will notice and be forced to react.

Exchange

I pick up my own stone
In anger I deem righteous
And out of my pain
Cast judgment

But in the quiet
I hear the truth

That glass hearts
Violently exchanging stones
Only breed brokenness

And from Grace’s throne
Flows a water
that turns glass
To flesh

New purpose

Unlike my old blog I plan to use this blog to not only post poetry, but also proverbs, thoughts, and provocations.  Hopefully I’ll manage a little more consistency in posting this time around.