Communion, Tierra Nueva Style

So, I was leading the bible study tonight at church and then communion. We usually have bread that is given to us by the local bakery but the weather and holidays have kept it from coming so I ran across the street to Los Antejitos grocery and grabbed a couple small breads from their bakery. The only ones without frosting had sesame seeds so I figured that would work. As I spoke of Jesus taking the bread and giving thanks and breaking it, I broke the bread and found it was filled with cream cheese and jalepenos! Now, that is communion! Jesus is hot!

Morning Reflections

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the authority to become children of God...

I wonder how many ways, all day long, I don't recognize Jesus, or receive Him. It is hard, sometimes, for it seems like it takes a lot of attention on my part; a lot of work to turn my attention away from so many things to Jesus, and then to feel like Jesus isn't there in the way I'd like; that my time with Jesus isn't necessarily or obviously fruitful. Reading scripture feels this way often. I know I am looking for the dramatic, or at least a clear interaction.

Even as I wrote that on December 26, the image that came into my mind was of a soaking hose watering a garden. The watering isn't fruit, but it is necessary to produce fruit in the garden. And a soaking hose isn't a gusher. A gushing hose waters only the top inch of soil, while the slow, regular soak goes deep and takes the roots deeper for better plants.

As the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

There are many parts to the producing of fruit in my life, and when I focus on one over the others, especially one I can't control... God is at work in the things that don't seem to be giving the big payoff. Soak up the Word - it need not be "revelation!" for your spirit to receive it.

Tierra Nueva Christmas

Our bi-lingual service has become tri-lingual - English, Spanish, Mixteco - its beautiful! As I read the story of the birth of Jesus in a manger among the poor and the outcast, it comes in sharp relief as I sit there among the poor and marginalized and I see that the gospel is truly good news for the poor; that Jesus would come and be one with them, one of them - not born in Jerusalem in a royal family among people of power, lofty and unapproachable. Jesus is the one who comes to the Mixteco families living in Mt. Vernon in an apartment without heat and a few blankets and little food.