worship tricks [first series]
no 34 : when a man becomes a man
osbd have released another video in the images for worship series. images 4 is 47 mins long. it is a bit of a departure from the others in that each piece sticks much more strongly with one visual loop or idea. from a user's point of view i think this is good news. also rather than just having music as backing there are several with meditations. i can really imagine some of these being used in small groups on a tv in the lounge. the music and meditations are from alternative worship group l8r in london. osbd have put the words of the meditations on their web site. these are worthy of worship tricks in their own right (though get the video as well!). i eulogised about mike riddell's gift of crafting words the other week. well someone else who is up there in that gift is brian draper - he has written my two favourite pieces so...
worship trick 34 is when a man becomes a man (pdf) (ideal for advent/christmas really). i have pasted the text below...
when a man becomes a man
when a man becomes a manjesus was a man, after all. so when does a man become a man?
when you hold back the tears for the first time and pretend you don’t care?
when you learn never to submit to anyone? when you learned to fight back?
when you don’t let on you’re hurt? when you go with the flow and join in the bullying?
when you learn not to hug your dad?
when you learn to intimidate someone weaker than you?
when you use the limited power you have to abuse others?
when you uphold the status quo, and don’t allow the weak, the different, or the women to have a voice?
when you learn to let someone else get on with the cooking and cleaning?
when you learn to look at a woman as a commodity?
when you get your first set of wheels?
when you first learn to use language as a put-down?
when you have your first legal pint?
when you learn how to get your kicks?
when you succomb to temptation?
when you sow your seed for the first time?
when does a man become a man?
when does god become a man?
when God sows his seed?
Mary said, My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
His mercy extends to those who fear him.
He has lifted up the humble.
Jesus said, the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It’s small, it’s hidden, it’s insignificant, and it grows into something that will shelter birds within its branches.
when cells divide?
God says, I have knit you together in your mother’s womb. I know you full well.
Search me, O God, and know my thoughts.
Jesus said, Before Abraham was, I Am.
When Mary felt her first kick?
I’m gonna kick the darkness till it bleeds daylight.
When Jesus first submitted himself to the will of the Father?
This is my son - with whom I am well pleased.
When God learned to resist temptation?
Get thee behind me Satan!
When God treated women like they were human?
Let whoever is without sin cast the first stone. Go and sin no more.
When God chose to fight evil with good?
Let him who is struck turn the other cheek...
When God learned to be child-like?
I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
When God learned not to fight back?
Do you think I cannot call upon my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
When God learned to show his emotions?
Jesus wept.
When did God become a man?
When love was born of a woman?
O Come, O come emmanuel. God with us. One of us. Made flesh. Dwelt among us. Moved in to the neighbourhood.
copyright 2003 Brian Draper