What Would You Write If...

Presbyterian publication These Days for 12/25/12 is written by Roger J. Gench of Washington, DC. His commentary is on John 1:1-14. He says he discovered that the postal service in Britain offers discounts "for unsealed greeting cards containing no more than five words in addition to the sender's name."

 

Mr. Gench challenges us to figure out what five words we would write.

 

I thought for several minutes before I read his choice. First I thought "Peace be with you." That's four so I had one to spare. Then I thought "Child of God" or C.O.G, but that was only three now leaving me with two to spare. "Jesus is born on Christmas" well I couldn't get the word "day" in there or that's six. I finally settled on "Jesus born on Christmas day." Ta da.

 

Mr. Gench's choice was "And the Word became flesh." Wow. How simple. How profound.

 

In modern times we too often ignore religion in favor of fantasy. It disturbs me greatly that the youth trend is to believe in vampires and werewolves but not God. I can't understand what is wrong with these folks. My family were not big believers but with time and many spiritual and miraculous experiences, I know God exists. I struggle to make my life and beliefs visible to all in my daily walk with humanity. But, my good news is that I continue.

Finding Ways to Share Our Blessings

Kelly D. Higgins writes about “A Chance Encounter” with a homeless person that motivated her Christian efforts to help others in need. (These Days, 11/08/12, Vol 42, No. 4). She was at a McDonald’s with her teenage son when she observed a man in well-worn clothing ordering only a small coffee. Although she felt awkward about approaching him, she overcame her discomfort and asked if he wanted some food. He replied “I most certainly would,” with dignity. His quiet dignity is what struck her the most. It was that all eyes were on her that struck me the most. I could only hope the others would be encouraged to do likewise in the future.

Many years ago, I lost an opportunity to help someone likewise in need and the truth be told, it haunts me until today. I was not feeling well and in line for an x-ray at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. I hadn’t slept well so was struggling to focus on writing my co-payment check out correctly.

The young lady next to me was almost in tears because the receptionist said there was a co-pay but the lady had no money on her. My gut reaction was this is a private matter and I tried not to eaves drop while I continued to stumble my way through my check-writing process. The lady ended up leaving in a lot of distress because she didn’t have the money for what appeared to be an important and perhaps time-sensitive test.

I realized I could help but I was too late. I left my purse on the counter and ran out the door to catch her so I could offer to pay her co-pay. Like Mrs. Higgins, all eyes were on me. Most thought I was crazy. I never found her and I felt stupid for not thinking faster even though I had my own issues.

I prayed for weeks that she was OK and got the test in time. I will never know. But the consequences are that whenever I see someone who needs help, even if it’s a buck or two in the checkout line, I make sure I do it and without hesitation.

“Action Step: Find a way to share what God has given you.” (Kelly D. Higgins, Fredericton, New Brunswick).

How Many Paths Are There To God?

This being the 2011 Christmas season our pastors are preaching on Advent topics. On December 4^th, Rev. Ted Wright posed the question: “Is Jesus the Only Way to Heaven?”

The short answer is ‘Yes’, for Christians that is. If so, then why did Rev. Ted preach this sermon? Over the summer, our pastors asked us for sermon topics and this question was raised by several submitters because several parishioners feel there were other paths to Heaven. This idea of anything goes is reinforced by TV. I like the TV show Royal Pains especially the character Divya Katdare played by Reshma Shetty. When USA Network ran its “Characters Unite” commercials in December 2009, Reshma said among other things that she believes “in all paths to God.” As a Christian, I was not happy to hear this because I know there is only one path to God: Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

In America we have many freedoms and many religious beliefs. But, for some reason, in recent decades, the two are hitting heads. I respect Reshma’s right to say what she believes but I was concerned that less staunch Christians would take this as confirmation that the margin to enter Heaven is wider than they are taught. It is not. John 14:6 says it simply and clearly:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” (NIV)

“Jesus is a present Saviour, and the way to Him is short; it is but a simple renunciation of our own merit, and a laying hold of Jesus, to be our all in all.” (CH Spurgeon, 2/4 PM).

In the current political climate, Christians are not supposed to speak up and out for and in defense of our beliefs. As an American, I have the same right to say there is God as those who say there isn’t one. So, why is my freedom of speech being curtailed?

In the current political and social climate, Christians have become lax in evangelism. To be clear, evangelism is not shoving our beliefs down someone else’s throat. We are to live out our beliefs by example and avail ourselves of opportunities to tell others how great Jesus has been to us.

Mohammad and Buddha never claimed to be God (Buddha didn’t even believe in God) and did not die for our sins. Hebrews 9:22 states “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Mohammad and Buddha were not resurrected – be aware Jesus was seen by many people AFTER his death. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14, NRSV)     

In sum, the world’s religions do not worship the same God and all paths do not lead to Heaven, just the one.

Father, forgive those who do not understand. Amen

Our Scripture Discussion for 08-21-2011

Our scripture discussion for today is Ezekiel 39:25-29 of the KJ Bible.
Eze 39:25-29 [KJV]

(25)  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

(26)  After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
(27)  When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
(28)  Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
(29)  Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Overview: The 39^th chapter “is a continuation of the prophecy of the destruction of Gog” and concludes with the Jews release from captivity and God revealing Himself to them through the Holy Spirit. It is noted that their captivity was a result of “their sins and transgressions”. [Gill] In this book, “Gog is the “chief prince” and leader of the attacking armies”[1]

Verse 25-28:

God will gather together the twelve tribes of Israel, who were scattered and enslaved because of sin, into one land. In their shame, they were “not able to lift up their face.” [Gill quoting Jarchi] Jacob’s captivity is contrasted with the Babylonian since God’s mercy was shown only “on the house of Judah.” Now God will redeem them all since they will “publicly repent” of their idolatry and will honor His name. [Gill, Clarke]


Verse 29:
God promises never to leave them again because He “poured” his “spirit” on them. “This was the beginning of the fulfillment.” “[T]he outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.” [Barnes]

Gill feels “this refers not to the effusion of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but to one that is yet to come, when the Jews will be converted in the latter day…” [Gill]

References

Barnes: Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible.
Clarke: Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.
Gill: John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible ; Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
[1] Who are Gog and Magog? Extracted 2011-08-19; http://bibleq.info/answer/1944/

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Our scripture discussion for today: Act 2:42-47

(42)  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

(43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

(44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

(45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

(46)  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

(47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. [KJV]

Overview: Pentecost had come, the Holy Spirit imbued them, and they had gathered together in Jerusalem where the gift of tongues came upon the apostles who testified of the risen Christ Jesus to a crowd. At the end, 3,000 became believers.

Verse 42:

In this context, “fellowship” is taken to mean the group putting all their funds together to share expenses since they had been far from home for a long while.[PNT] VWS & Barnes note it is occasionally translated as “communion”. Clarke says the Greek means religious community. This is supported by verses 44 and 45.

There is scholarly disagreement on whether the “breaking of bread” means the Lord’s Supper or cracker bread eaten at many Hebrew meals. This type of cracker bread was broken, not cut. MHCC says it was the Lord’s Supper and while several note that “the Syriac” means “eucharist,” Barnes concludes it’s really not clear. JFB feels that is was not a Eucharistic meal. The bread in verse 46 is more likely the common meal. Some say that breaking bread was a sign of “intimacy or friendship”. Clarke explains that the master of the house performed the ritual as part of a pre-meal blessing. This may mean that even less well-known diners shared in it as well.

Verse 47:

There is much scholarly discussion about the tense used in the phrase “such as should be saved.” Barnes feels is merely a description of those in the crowd “who were about to be saved.” Clarke, Gill, PNT, and others feel it implies that not all are saved, only those “redeemed from their sins and baptized into the faith of Jesus Christ”. RWP and VWS speak about the continuity or “progressive condition” of salvation. That is past, present, and future.

PNT notes this is the first time the newly created “church” is mentioned. However, JFB and Clarke support my translation pet peeves by noting that “to the Church” is missing in the “most ancient manuscripts” (BC, Coptic, Sahidic, Ethiopic, Armenian, and Vulgat).

References

Barnes: Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible.

Clarke: Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.

JFB: A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown.

MHCC: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.

PNT: The People's New Testament (1891) by B. W. Johnson.

RWP: WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Archibald Thomas Robertson.

VWS: John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible.

What is the Christian Bible?

Listening to Dr. Stanley's sermon "Our Anchor in Times of Storm" made me ponder a bit more about what I feel the Bible is to me. He defines it as "the record of God’s unfolding revelation of Himself through the spoken Word, in nature, in history, and ultimately through the coming of His Son Jesus Christ into the world.”

My thumbnail sketch is the Bible shows us God's efforts to communicate with his people. Some people have heard God's voice as a whisper. Some hear it loudly, mostly because they aren't listening and God wants to get their attention.

What do you think about the Christian Bible?

Check out the new Page "Statement of Beliefs"

I tried to be brief but comprehensive.

God’s Plan in Trials and Tribulations

I had been feeling set upon the week before I got to CH Spurgeon’s devotional for the morning of May 22^nd. I had made a pack with myself to read some religious material each day instead of the giant cram sessions I am famous for. As age proceeds, I don’t have the energy or attention span that I did when my steel trap mind wasn’t rusty.

His first sentence said eloquently what I was whining about to myself all week: “Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to inquire ‘Why is it thus with me?’” It’s been a long time since I had a true “pity party.” Pastor Spurgeon’s writings have been having a calming effect on me so this is what just what the doctor ordered. I mean, God.

He digs a bit deeper “Is this part of God’s plan with me?” he rhetorically asks his audience. He answers himself with a resounding Yes. Over the centuries, hundreds if not thousands of religious leaders and counselors have tried to explain this answer. I’m sure most people heard of Kushner's book “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” Spurgeon is one of the few I’ve read that hits the spot for me. The old English works for me though it might not for others. He simply says “These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith…they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven.”

He concludes with this lovely verse “Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it. “We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom.” Learn, then, even to ‘count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.’”

Source: http://www.gospelweb.net/MESpurgeon/MESpur0522.htm

Child of THE Light

Bill Crowder uses the film Chariots of Fire to introduce the Apostle Paul’s sports analogy that Christians are running a race (Our Daily Bread, June 13, 2010). Olympic sprinter Harold Abrahams only entered races he knew he would win. Second place was not an option. His girlfriend makes the obvious point: he can’t win if he doesn’t enter the race.

People must choose to enter the Christian race but once they do, they must be aware of some gotchas. In the movie, the trainer made another subtle tactical point. He shows Abrahams a replay and pauses where the leader looks back as he neared the finish line to see how close the competition was. The trainer informs Abrahams that those two seconds cost the leader the race.

Like the Corinthians of Paul’s time, I entered the Christian race for the eternal crown. But, how many times have I looked back at all the bad things I did? Too many. Reading Crowder’s devotion made it clear I wasted seconds, hours, days looking back instead of looking forward with my eyes on the prize. Will I come in second in the most important race of my life?

My answer comes from a very old source. The Bible assures me of two things. First, nobody is perfect and second, if I truly repent, God will forgive and forget. This means that to be an effective Christian, I have to stop my instant replays and “ease on down the road.” To shore up my daily resolve to leave the past in the past, I read a lot of devotions and other religious literature.

In particular, 19^th century preacher, C.H. Spurgeon’s January 5^th evening devotion (Morning & Evening) offers me hope that, as a child of the light, God “looks on that light with peculiar (i.e., particular) interest….” Even though I continue to grieve over my “inbred sin,” God does not see “the cloudiness and gloom” in my “soul.” Instead, “the Lord sees ‘light’ in my “heart.” Why? Because He put it there!

The Bible also tells me that I am not the final judge of myself. (Good!) In fact, humans are not even on my heavenly jury. Spurgeon also makes the point that it is “Better for the judge to see my innocence than for me to think I see it.” It is better that God sees my light than I see it. After all it is God’s grace that preserves my light, not anything I can do. Works of my flesh do not free me. Thus, my anxiety is unnecessary. I can rest in God’s grace, not in my instant replays.

Heavenly Father, I want to feel your grace flow through my body. I want to win the race and win your eternal crown. Please forgive me especially in the times when I do know what I do. Amen.

It’s Not Fair!

In the Our Daily Bread devotion for June 9, 2010 entitled “It’s Not Fair”, Joe Stowell writes about the human view of justice versus God’s view of Justice. Most of my life I felt like his example: I wanted people who were bad to me and people who were bad to others to “get it good” from God. I definitely did not want to see the baddies to go happily along enjoying their lives.

As a child, my grandmother’s response to good things happening to bad people was to mutter something in Italian, then make the sign of the cross. As months often turned into years, the “named party” would die and she would shout victoriously “See, my curse hit him!” Like bobble heads, my brother and I nodded in agreement thinking “ma” was all powerful and vowed never (again) to make her angry.

I went off to college where my tightly held beliefs were challenged. One fall day, I told one of ma’s “curse” stories when I realized the obvious – ALL people die so what kind of curse is that? (Thanks to Philosophy 101 class for getting me to ask such questions.) Because it was self-fulfilling, it worked for ma as a woman of her time with no personal power in an unjust world. I discovered from a psychologist that it was part also part of her Italian upbringing because Italy has a revenge-based culture. Most Italians are Catholic but their responses to injustice go beyond the proportional response of “an eye for an eye…” espoused in the New Testament. Commit an offense and Italians want to totally take you out!

Decades later I restarted my spiritual journey in the Presbyterian church taking some formal classes. What I learned here also challenged my tightly held beliefs as well as showed me other flaws in ma’s adjudication process. I now know that even if someone is bad to me I am not supposed to ask God to kill him or her off. I also understand that god doesn’t exist to get even with my personal enemies. I recognize that only God has the authority to punish someone and all fall short of His glory. And, that means me too.

My earthly search for justice started with the question “How far could I really run with the proverbial plank in my eye?” Just as I started to despair over my faults and false thinking, Stowell’s words pulled me back. The joy is that (in Christ) God “extends grace to those who are undeserving and hopelessly lost.”

Clearly I should be glad God has not given it to me as I deserve (Psalm 103:10). if God were truly “fair” to me, He who can abide in no sin, then I’d be in big trouble – just look at the Old Testament. In fact, I have gotten better than I deserve. So the next time I want to cry “foul”, I need to keep in mind that God is merciful to me. Then shut myself up!

Better yet, I can follow Julie Ackerman’s model who replied to an injustice by saying “I understand how that could have happened.  I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes, and then I left it at that.” (Our Daily Bread, 6/7/10, A Steward of Grace)

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me better than I deserve. May the Holy Spirit well up with words of grace whenever I am in the midst of struggle. Show me how to walk better in your ways that I may bring you the glory that you deserve.

Amen.

Stopping to Help – Another View of the Good Samaritan

In the June 11, 2010 Our Daily Bread, Marvin Williams tells a story about Dr. Kurtzman who encountered a multi-car car crash on the way to giving a keynote lecture but stopped to help out.

With my many years in pharmaceutical research, I’ve come to know many medical professionals so I know, up close and personal, that not all of them stop to help. Your gut reaction perhaps, like mine was, might be to ask “how could they not stop and help? They are professionals.”

Just like the first two passers by in the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan, they didn’t want to get involved - at that particular moment. One senior nurse told me she was afraid of getting sued if the outcome was not good. She knows someone who got sued and even though she is a practicing Christian, she doesn’t want to take the risk.

For those of us who aren’t professionals, I feel the excessive use of electronic communication makes it easier for us to pass by live events even when we can help in some small way. I spend 90% of my work day on the computer and when I exit Union Station to see many disadvantaged people begging for money, I have one of two reactions. Sometimes I am just so overwhelmed with my own sorrows that I slink past them hoping someone else will step up to the plate that day. Other times, God opens my heart and I pour it over everyone in my path.

These disadvantaged people are mostly men - the women do not survive as long in that circumstance. Many are homeless and some get limited assistance but it’s not enough to live someplace and eat. They are part of the chronically unemployed who never get counted in the national statistics. They have no hope for a better tomorrow. And, it’s all they can do to make it through the day so they can huddle in the shelters at night.

Williams concludes his devotion with a call to action “let’s be those who stop to help.” I can help in some small way so I am taking this to heart.

Niagara Falls - God in Nature?

For thousands of years writers have equated nature with God. My personal experience was a little bit different.

My second major proof that God exists started as a road trip for a getaway weekend to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. To commemorate the trip, I bought a 35 mm camera for $50 from McDade’s. With our income at the time, to me that was the equivalent of a $350 Nikon. Getting there would be half the battle because the intrepid Ron decided he would only use the thumbnail maps from a year-old Best Western brochure.

Six convoluted hours later we arrived at a quaint “honeymoon” hotel - mostly in one piece. The next morning was cold but sunny. I was anxious to improve my photography skills so we swept around the edge of the “horseshoe” to find a good spot to take pictures of the Falls.  We finally settled on an area marked off by a green metal fence. The Falls were beautiful, powerful, and scary all at the same time. The Lord's work in all its majesty.

I was never great at taking pictures so I needed all the help I could get. Since the Falls looked so alluring, I decided to get closer before I clicked away. I put the camera to my right eye - trying to avoid scratching my eyeglasses - and climbed over the fence. As I moved closer to the edge of the Falls, I tripped over the huge sign that said “Danger! Do not go beyond this point.” I lost my balance, camera still in hand, and teetered on the edge. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. Suddenly, an arm appeared, grabbed me by the collar, and pulled me back to solid earth.

Yes, Ron used his "golf" arm but I was 140 pounds of flailing arms teetering on the edge of a cliff! Not only did I not fall into the Falls, but defying the laws of physics, Ron didn't fall in with me.

Was that God in nature?

From a practical view, it was Ron who did the deed. But, even he said he didn’t know where he got the strength. I decided that it was God who saved me from the briny deep. I lived to fight another day. Amen.

This was my second MCI Proof Positive that God existed.

How I know God Exists...

Believers will get asked when they were first sure God exists. For myself, it was one sunny mid-west morning in the early 1980s.

I had finished my master’s degree at the University of Chicago and was looking for full-time employment. The only job on the horizon was 50 miles away in North Chicago, IL. This was my second job interview and it was time to meet the contractor’s client, Abbott Labs. To get there, I borrowed my boyfriend’s car, a 1974 Chevy Nova, and literally cleaned out my piggy bank to pay the eight round-trip tolls.

The interview went well from my perspective so I happily started back to my apartment in the western suburbs. Driving is not my thing. Anyone who knows me will tell you that – followed by an eye-roll. For the record, I am a very good driver. I just hate it.

Somewhere on the exits, on-ramps, and by-ways of IL-137, I ended up on a dirt road, surrounded by four foot deep ditches, heading towards someone’s farm. Not a soul in sight. Not even a crow.

I quickly realized my mistake and saw a cross-road where I could turn around. Of course, it rained the night before. A good ‘ol mid-west thunder boomer. And, of course, I misjudged the width so the back wheels of my boyfriend’s car ended up in the ditch. This ditch was so deep that the bottom of the car was lying flat on the road! [Years later it would occur to me that miracle one was that the gas tank didn’t explode.]

Try as I might, I could only spew mud in my efforts to get my boyfriend’s car out of the ditch. I got out of the car and looked at the bright blue sky. Then said with full desperation “God. If you are really up there, NOW would be the time to show me!”

Within three-to-five minutes, an elderly gentleman in a pickup truck tooled along and saw my plight. Miracle two. He also just happened to have a thick chain in the back and was able to pull Ron's car out of the ditch with ease. Miracle three. He took pity on my dire financial straits and said “I won’t charge you either.” Miracle four.

This was my first MCI Proof Positive that God existed.

                                 In His Name.

Too Busy for God?

My daily train-to-work reading often involves RBC Ministries Our Daily Bread devotions. In April of 2010, writer Dennis Fisher asked “Is your life too busy?”

My gut reaction, like most Americans, was Yes. Even my “retired” friends have as many or more commitments than when they were working full-time. But, as I thought about my schedule, I had to wonder whether that was really true. Regardless of the details, do I, as Mr. Fisher states, use that as an excuse to avoid spending time with God or in Godly pursuits?

Even if I did use it as an excuse, Fisher shows us there is no excuse and easily counters our daily grind with a quotes by C.S. Lewis: “no one was busier than Christ” who listed several ways Jesus was busy. For the practicing Christian, he echoes the sentiments of our February Lecture Series speaker, Rev. Earl Palmer, and our senior pastor, Rev, Ted Wright who lamplight us to Jesus as our model. For them, leadership and mission, respectively. For Fisher, handling a heavy workload:

“Our model is the Jesus . . . of the workshop, the roads, the crowds, the clamorous demands and surly oppositions, the lack of all peace and privacy, the interruptions. For this . . . is the Divine life operating under human conditions.” (ODB, April 29,2010)

Further, Jesus continued to work “after hours.” How did our God who became man cope with these demands? By finding a quiet place to pray. Something we all can do.

During one such prayer session, God gave Jesus another assignment, more work, not less! But, His strength was in knowing He was doing His Father’s work and that the Holy Spirit would tend to Him.

Prolific writer pastor C.H. Spurgeon in his February 12 evening devotion calls us to remember John 14:16 - when Jesus returned to Heaven, he left us, yes even today, with the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. We are not alone. We don’t need a super satellite receiver to hear what God wants us to do. We need but only listen.

Heavenly Father, touch each of Your children today and awaken the Spirit within, give us peace in our circumstances and the wisdom to see Your will in our daily activities, and the strength to do what you want, not what we want. Amen.