A group of us
Decided to learn sword fighting
Mostly on a whim
But recently
Something happened
That made a couple of us
Take it more seriously Continue reading
Tag Archives: redemption
Redeeming Aphrodite: Freeing Minerva (Part 12 of 12)
Standard
Continued from Part 11
Prologue
All of us turn South, seeking the Voice which interrupted our tableau, here in the Box of Hades:
- Eve, Queen of the Damned
- Minerva, her Champion
- Aphrodite and Artemis, my Advocates
- Myself, the Son of Adam
We gaze toward the far horizon, where Eve’s Multitude had wreaked their vengeance upon Adam.
I am sure it is not his Voice we just heard.
I cannot place it; though it did sound familiar.
Movement stirs at the very limits of our vision.
A pale blue light, in sharp contrast to the dim red glow of our surroundings.
I think I catch a glimpse of one like a Son of Man
Sons of Man
Continue readingDBJ “SCAR” Edition
StandardA more deliberately introspective version the Spirit section (between Word and Body, as in IGWET). Inspired by DBJ “AGONY” Edition.
Continue readingDream: Construction Boundaries
StandardMIT is being renovated.
I am leading a tour group.
Like I used to do.
We come from the East.
The standalone buildings on that side
Are most functional.
But the large complex in the heart of campus
The Infinite Corridor
Is completely surrounded in yellow tape.
In fact
The large buildings in the center
Are partly demolished. Continue reading
DBJ-MOGA+: Moses and other Redeemers
StandardSupplemental verses for Moses Overcoming God’s Anger
Continue readingRedeeming Aphrodite: Son of Adam (Part 7)
StandardPrologue
Where the Hades should I go now?
All the people I care about aren’t here yet.
Jesus warned me I only had a brief time with the Master Key of St. Peter.
How the heck am I supposed to empty out Hell?
Which one person could I reach or succor that could make an outsized difference?
Oh. Duh. I guess there’s a reason I bear his name.
Adam
Continue readingPlaylist DBJ-2021A-TROP: The Redemption of Peter
Standard[Shout out to blog reader Kate for pushing me to publish this early!]
- The Calling of Peter: Luke 5:1-11
- Walking on the Water: Matthew 14:22-33
- Peter Confesses and Rebukes Jesus: Matthew 16:13-28
- Mount of Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-13
- Peter Denies Jesus: Luke 22:31-62
- Jesus Restores Peter: John 21:1-25
What if Christ was a Verb?
StandardI recently learned (probably from Seth Godin) that there are two types of roles: certified and performative. Roles defined by certification can be faked; for example, a man can sit in a medical office, examine patients, and give advice without really being a doctor. Conversely, the mere act of executing a performative role makes it authentic: if you get on a stage and sing to an audience, you are a singer, regardless of whether you are “qualified” to be there.
Today, as for much of its history, being a Christian is primarily defined by certifications: baptism, confirmation, membership, statements of faith, etc. As a result, there are endless arguments (and divisions) regarding about who is “really” a Christian.
What if it was other way around? What if there was something we could do, such that the very act of doing it was proof that we are being united with Christ, regardless of our beliefs or motives?
Continue readingTGR-S3E4: Systemic Redemption
StandardContinuing our discussion of the Biastes Co-Discipleship Network, our 1pm PST Tuesday, July 28, 2020 episode of The Great Reset introduces a revolutionary approach to redeeming our systems.
Question: What would it take to truly overcome systemic inequity and relational brokenness?
Perspective: Revolutionary systems effectively honoring Christlike humble service
Continue readingShameBreaker Covenant
Standard- God loves me, and has a wonderful plan for my life.
- As I humble myself and turn away from my wicked ways, I position myself to receive the fullness of God’s blessings and favor.
- I confess that I have sinned — against myself, others, and God — to the point where I deserve nothing but condemnation and death.
- Through the cross, I have been born again as God’s child; He blesses me because He wants to, not because I deserve it.
- In order to receive my inheritance, I must confront and overcome the part of myself that wants to remain a slave to the systems of this world.
- In God’s timing, I will respectfully renegotiate my relationship to the people and institutions that were my Egypt, in order to redeem myself and them.
- Going forward, I will boast of my weakness, so that God’s power gets all the credit for my achievements.
Monk’s Redemption: A Psychological Allegory
StandardInspired by the USA Network TV show, Dick Schwartz’s Internal Family Systems model, and a Dream and Vision I had.
Cast of Characters
In order of appearance
- Natalie Teeger, the Integrated Self (Spirit)
- Adrian Monk, the Manager
- Leland Stottlemeyer, the Protector
- Hope, the Exile
Also featuring:
- The Light, Truth
- The Key, Forgiveness
The Vision
I see a locked door. In a dark and scary place, like a monster movie. Big, iron, with crisscrossed chains and padlocks.
Natalie walks up holding a flashlight. Monk trails behind nervously.
Suddenly Stottlemeyer steps in front of them. His eyes are bloodshot, as if he has been drinking, crying, or not sleeping. Perhaps all three. He is holding his gun in two shaky hands. Pointed at them.
“I warned you not to come here,” he rasps in a hoarse voice.
Lesson 2/6: Growing Up (Anjali’s Catechism)
StandardDiscipleship: Make Us Like Jesus
As we mentioned last time, the whole point of being a Christian is to become like Jesus: knowing God and loving others the way He did. In fact, the very word “Christian” means “little Christ.” We are supposed to be pictures of Jesus Christ, the way Jesus is a picture of God the Father.
So how do we get there?
