Finding Jesus

My husband has music on in the kitchen, while he works on some classwork. He's listening to a CD by Brave Saint Saturn that he's had a long time- I first heard it when we started dating, more than 6 years ago. My favorite song on the CD hits me every time I hear it (I just did hear it coming from the kitchen).

Under Bridges by Brave Saint Saturn

Yesterday while walking
Beneath an overpass
I saw the figure of Jesus
Standing barefoot on broken glass

His beard was graying
Smell of urine filled the air
Asking if I had some change
Anything that I could spare

Emaciated
His shaking fist balled up
Influenza and pneumonia
Begging God to take his cup

So different from his pictures
Breathing air through yellowed tubes
Jesus Christ, dying of AIDS
Can look right through you

And all have hated
Crucified and walked away
Savior of the prostitutes
Drunkards, rapists, and the gays

Under Bridges,
With hands raised
From the ghettos
They praise His name

Broken, crippled
In the dark of night
Raise your voices
To Jesus Christ

Hallelujah

Homelessness. AIDS. Addiction. "Drunkards, rapists, and the gays" Messy stuff and messy people- and yet, in their eyes, we meet Jesus? It seems like a long way to go, and an unsafe way- stepping into uncomfortable places and sitting face-to-face with uncomfortable people- just to meet our Savior. Jesus radically identifies with these people- and I'm sorry to say, I don't.

I've got a long way to go.

Ministry Spotlight: World Next Door

All around the world, things are happening. The marginalized, poor, and forgotten are suffering in anonymity. In our comfy home here in the West, in the suburbs, we see none of it. But what if we did?

My friend since high school, Barry, has a heart for these poor, marginalized and forgotten people. He's had the opportunity to spend significant amounts of time with them- in India, in Kenya, in the Ukraine, and even just down the road in Indianapolis. And, now? He wants to tell you their stories.

Enter World Next Door. World Next Door is a group of journalists and photographers that will publish articles and blog posts online recounting their stories of where God is working around the world. These stories will get back to those of us comfortable in our suburban bubble- and pop that bubble, or at least make our world a little bigger. And if we know what is going on around the world, it gives us the opportunity to care.

Want to find out more or get involved? Start reading the brand-spanking-new blog. Attend the rockin' launch party. Volunteer. Follow @worldnextdoor on Twitter. See Barry's interview on Amy's blog. Stay informed. Because "these people"? They are our neighbors.

Easter and Justice

Or, How big is the Gospel?

Anyone who has been around churches for even a short time in their life knows the basic story of Easter, "Jesus died and rose again to defeat sin and reconcile individuals to God." In American Christianity, this is the Gospel we hear, the personal-salvation good news. But is the Gospel bigger than personal salvation?

Part of the Gospel- the Good News for the world- is bringing God's Kingdom into the here and now. By working towards God's purposes in the world, we give others a glimpse of God's love and desire for all to be made new. We give them a glimpse of "God's will being done in the here-and-now as it is in Heaven"- and the Good that is God's Will is something that makes sense to people who may scoff at the typical presentation of the Gospel.

Jesus was the ultimate God-breaking-into-the-world, but, today, what does God's Kingdom breaking into this world look like?

• Justice for the Poor
• Food for the Hungry
• End to Oppressive Systems
• Healing for the Sick
• Peace for People Groups
• Care for Creation

The Good News for the world isn't only God reconciling hearts to Himself, it's God reconciling the whole world- people groups, culture, creation, world systems- to Himself, and we can be a part of that work. That's why I care so deeply about all the justice issues on this blog- I see it as furthering God's work in the world. What I do with my time and my money matters in the bigger picture, and therefore, also in the day-to-day.

Have a wonderful Easter as you reflect on what Jesus did to make reconciliation possible!