Missional Living

 When I get there I have to stand
behind this guy who doesn’t get it.
Waiting not-so-patiently for my turn.

“Grande. Non-fat. Decaf. Americano.”

Seriously?
Everything in his life is probably decaf.
    Diet.
        Low-cal.
            Non-fat.
Why is he even here? What does he want from You?
Sterile water with the false pretense of power?
Hot water and steam that lacks any real punch?
Impotent.

Finally its my turn.
“Venti. Tripleshot. Soy. Latte.”

Seriously.
What I want from You
What I need from You
Is not decaf.
What I want from You 
Is Love that has more than just the appearance of power
More than some look-alike coolness to help me fit in.
I need real power.
Today I don’t care about cool.
Today I care about punch.
I care about Potency.

Your love, O Lord, is never decaffeinated.
    Never low-cal.
        Never diet.
Your grace doesn’t come in a non-fat version.
It only comes full-strength.
And after last night, I need something like that.
Full strength, kicking and punching my soul back to You.
A double-shot of confusing grace, please.
A triple-shot of Your love to get me back on my feet.

I’ve tried the decaf version before.
Hot water and steam that doesn’t even look like You.
Or taste like You.
Or give me that burn in my soul that You do.
Religion without the Punch won’t do anymore.
It doesn’t do a thing for me.
I hate decaf.

My heart was heavy this morning, knowing of the struggle of a dear friend. The detals are too much to post here. Almost immediately after, I checked my feeds and found someting by a friend of mine at Worship Trench. In order to get out of the analytical box we fall into when studying scripture, has written a slam of Genesis 3. I’ve blognapped it and posted it here, but you can see the discussion and comments at the original site.

It hits a little too close to home. But that’s a good thing, right?

Apple Pie

Sin’s tentacles reaching from Eden’s site
Calling me to take another bite
“That’s right. You know you deserve it.”

And so I capitulate to this hate
See Adam, I can relate
I take the bait. Oh no— the hook is set.

And I thrash and fight against the line
As Satan drags me through the brine
“I’m fine,” I tell concerned onlookers.

But I’m not.

See what looked like delicious apple pie
Has left me high and dry
I don’t know why I take another bite when I’m already choking

Oh, I could blame it all on you, Man
You did the dirty, set up my pension plan
I am after all just receiving daily installments.

But then that wouldn’t be quite so fair
Cuz I have this feeling deep down that if I’d been there
I’d have done the same thing.

Someone peel me another apple, I’m hungry.