God does not need a defense attorney. God needs a witness! — H. Richard Niebuhr
by Ken Sehested
Enough! says the Insurgent of Heaven. I’ve had enough of your bank-bailing politicians and private-jetting executives! Enough of your trickle-down economies and your holiday-charity binges! Enough of your bloated-budget militaries and gated-community developers! Enough of your water-wasting, soil-squandering, air-fouling habits!
Hear, oh people of provident pasture: Judgment is coming. Heaven’s Reign and earth’s regimes are destined for collision.
Read more ›by Ken Sehested
Call to Confession
The Word of Strong Deliverance is whispered in the ears of all who long for the relief of pardon. “Listen,” says the Assuring One, “all of you who thirst for righteousness, who hunger for justice, come to the waters. All of you who know you are broke, who have no way of buying your freedom, no way of bargaining for joy—come, buy, eat and rejoice!”
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by Ken Sehested
My soul magnifies you, O Lord, and my spirit rejoices in your Saving Presence.
Everything in me comes alive when you look in my direction.
Read more ›by Ken Sehested
John.
Such a tame name for a man born to inhabit
the wild side of heaven’s incursion into
earth’s contempt.
by Ken Sehested
THE SCRIPTURES DECLARE: After the flood, God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you, for all future generations: I will set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you and every living creature. I will never again curse the ground of humankind; neither will I ever again destroy every living creature.” (Genesis 9:12-13; 8:21)
In response to this word, we resolve to honor God’s covenant of peace with all creation by finding ways to make peace and to restore justice in my our personal lives, in our familes, in our communities and our workplaces.
Read more ›by Ken Sehested
Take my life and let it be / consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
In all seasons, in every shape and condition of our lives,
transform our minds and hearts in ways that magnify the rule of Mercy:
In ways that conform to Your extravagant and redemptive purposes;
in our hopes and promises, in our joys and our sorrows,
whether rising or resting, at home or away,
at work and at play, with those near and dear but also with strangers,
in our longing and our learning to love enemies.
by Ken Sehested
Join with me—if you dare—in making these resolutions for the coming year:
In all seasons and conditions, transform lives to magnify the rule of Mercy,
Read more ›Sister Anna. Last-named prophet in Holy Writ, more
likely listed among household property and livestock.
When did your Temple-dwelling vocation begin?
What sustained your twenty-four-seven vigil
for all those years?
Anna, school us in the habits
of vigilant perseverance.
by Ken Sehested
Sisters and brothers, lend your ears to this teaching, for it is true and lasting. Do not say with your lips, “The Spirit of the Lord! The Spirit of the Lord!” when your hearts are shackled in fear, enslaved to security.
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed.
Read more ›by Ken Sehested
In seasons of dark desire eyes strain for Eden’s refrain and flickered light ’mid the fright of earth’s travail. Oh, Beloved. . . .
Unleash your Voice of Pardon from wrath’s consuming reign. Speak peace to the hungered of heart.
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