Vanilla and Beloved Beautiful Better Half are on their way to morning worship service.
You didn't think we were Lois and Clark, did you?
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Epiphany
(The star) led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they knelt and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
Matthew 2:10,11 (The Message)
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Five Metaphors
The Book of Jude, short but powerful, admonishes the Church to beware of false teachers, using these metaphors found in verses thirteen and fourteen to characterize these charlatans and pretenders.
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
1. "These are spots in your feasts." False teachers are blemishes, partaking to themselves but contributing nothing.
2. They are "clouds without water, carried about of winds." False teachers drift like clouds above a semiarid land, holding out the promise of rain, but containing no water. They are blown about by capricious winds, providing nothing.
3. They are "trees whose fruit withers." A tree that bears no fruit is useless, dead; and these are twice-dead, for they have been uprooted from truth.
4. They are "raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame." Picture the wind-blown waves dashing against the walls of stone along the shore, the spray flying every which way, accomplishing only the erosion of the rocks. Such is the effect of false teachers on the body of believers.
5, False teachers are "wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Travelers in the desert or on the seas may use a fixed star, e.g., the Pole Star for guidance. But to rely on a heavenly body whose position varies with the motions of the celestial realm is to be misled, lost. To rely on such teachers is to be lost. Note, too, the fate of such "stars."
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
1. "These are spots in your feasts." False teachers are blemishes, partaking to themselves but contributing nothing.
2. They are "clouds without water, carried about of winds." False teachers drift like clouds above a semiarid land, holding out the promise of rain, but containing no water. They are blown about by capricious winds, providing nothing.
3. They are "trees whose fruit withers." A tree that bears no fruit is useless, dead; and these are twice-dead, for they have been uprooted from truth.
4. They are "raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame." Picture the wind-blown waves dashing against the walls of stone along the shore, the spray flying every which way, accomplishing only the erosion of the rocks. Such is the effect of false teachers on the body of believers.
5, False teachers are "wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Travelers in the desert or on the seas may use a fixed star, e.g., the Pole Star for guidance. But to rely on a heavenly body whose position varies with the motions of the celestial realm is to be misled, lost. To rely on such teachers is to be lost. Note, too, the fate of such "stars."
It is imperative that we check any teaching within the Church against the navigational chart given us by God, that is The Holy Bible. All teachings must be supported by scripture, else we will be led astray.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
"They"
The ubiquitous "They" have done it again. This time they have hijacked my church. Please understand that no one, but no one including Satan himself can hijack The Church, the Body of Christ. Jesus said, "On this Rock (the confession that Jesus is the Christ) I will build my Church and nothing can prevail against it."
I am writing here of the congregation of people who refer to the earthly building and its organization as "their church." Many of these people belong to The Church, some do not. That judgment is reserved solely to the One whose blood was shed for the remission of our sins. I have attended this church for more than three decades. I was baptized in the baptistry in that building, dunked by the pastor who was in the water with me. That practice has been exchanged for a dunking in a horse tank placed on stage, presumably to save the pastor from the inconvenience of having to change his/her clothes. That's okay; it is not solely what I am "on" about.
Note that I referred to a "stage." That is the area once known as a platform on which stood a pulpit from which the minister delivered the Word. And where is the altar, or mourner's bench? There once was an organ and a piano on the platform as well. They have been replaced by a drum set and wires and amplifiers and electronic instruments of one sort or another. And the lighting. One cannot have a weekly rock concert without adequate lights and background. Huge screens on which is projected the seven-word choruses which are sung over and over serve as backdrop.
The pews are gone. In their place there are beautifully padded sturdy, comfortable chairs. The hymnals are gone. Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, Isaac Watts. All gone.
How came these changes to be? It is my opinion that no person or group of persons set out deliberately to hijack the church. Like most change, short a violent explosion, the theft took place incrementally, the planning resulting in unintended consequences. Then one Sunday morning we arrived to worship and discovered that our church was gone. We mourn for it, but praise God! Jesus is still on the throne and He is still in love with His bride. He will shepherd her, guide her to safety with Him for eternity
Now the issue is, being in the habit of corporate worship on Sunday mornings, where to?
I am writing here of the congregation of people who refer to the earthly building and its organization as "their church." Many of these people belong to The Church, some do not. That judgment is reserved solely to the One whose blood was shed for the remission of our sins. I have attended this church for more than three decades. I was baptized in the baptistry in that building, dunked by the pastor who was in the water with me. That practice has been exchanged for a dunking in a horse tank placed on stage, presumably to save the pastor from the inconvenience of having to change his/her clothes. That's okay; it is not solely what I am "on" about.
Note that I referred to a "stage." That is the area once known as a platform on which stood a pulpit from which the minister delivered the Word. And where is the altar, or mourner's bench? There once was an organ and a piano on the platform as well. They have been replaced by a drum set and wires and amplifiers and electronic instruments of one sort or another. And the lighting. One cannot have a weekly rock concert without adequate lights and background. Huge screens on which is projected the seven-word choruses which are sung over and over serve as backdrop.
The pews are gone. In their place there are beautifully padded sturdy, comfortable chairs. The hymnals are gone. Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, Isaac Watts. All gone.
How came these changes to be? It is my opinion that no person or group of persons set out deliberately to hijack the church. Like most change, short a violent explosion, the theft took place incrementally, the planning resulting in unintended consequences. Then one Sunday morning we arrived to worship and discovered that our church was gone. We mourn for it, but praise God! Jesus is still on the throne and He is still in love with His bride. He will shepherd her, guide her to safety with Him for eternity
Now the issue is, being in the habit of corporate worship on Sunday mornings, where to?
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. --Jesus Christ
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Purity of the Kingdom
Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:33)
I have heard (and read) expositions on this parable of Jesus in which the expositor proposes that it teaches that the Kingdom is as leaven to the world and that the world will ultimately be permeated with the goodness of the Kingdom.
This is in diametric opposition to the use of the term and the symbolism of leaven in the scriptures. From the earliest recordings through the teachings of Christ, and those of Paul, leaven invariably has been representative of evil.
In that light, therefore, Jesus is teaching us that the kingdom of heaven is subject to this danger: evil concepts or error introduced and mixed in will ultimately permeate the entire church, given the right conditions.
What are those conditions? Anyone who has ever attempted to bake a loaf of bread or prepare yeast rolls for a major dinner knows that the introduction of the leaven is a critically important step, but that it will not accomplish the mission of permeating every portion of the dough unless the conditions are right. The temperature of the dough must be exactly right! And what is that temperature? It must be lukewarm!
If the dough is set in a cold environment, say the refrigerator, the yeast will not work. If it is heated to "hot" it will not work. A lukewarm environment is the only one in which the leaven will permeate the dough.
This fact sheds light on God's warning: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15, 16)
Consider also that the parable says the woman hid the leaven in the flour. I think it is not the mission of Christ's disciples to hide the Gospel in the world.
Scripture further teaches me to "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
This short story of Jesus is an excellent example of the necessity of "getting it right."
I have heard (and read) expositions on this parable of Jesus in which the expositor proposes that it teaches that the Kingdom is as leaven to the world and that the world will ultimately be permeated with the goodness of the Kingdom.
This is in diametric opposition to the use of the term and the symbolism of leaven in the scriptures. From the earliest recordings through the teachings of Christ, and those of Paul, leaven invariably has been representative of evil.
In that light, therefore, Jesus is teaching us that the kingdom of heaven is subject to this danger: evil concepts or error introduced and mixed in will ultimately permeate the entire church, given the right conditions.
What are those conditions? Anyone who has ever attempted to bake a loaf of bread or prepare yeast rolls for a major dinner knows that the introduction of the leaven is a critically important step, but that it will not accomplish the mission of permeating every portion of the dough unless the conditions are right. The temperature of the dough must be exactly right! And what is that temperature? It must be lukewarm!
If the dough is set in a cold environment, say the refrigerator, the yeast will not work. If it is heated to "hot" it will not work. A lukewarm environment is the only one in which the leaven will permeate the dough.
This fact sheds light on God's warning: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15, 16)
Consider also that the parable says the woman hid the leaven in the flour. I think it is not the mission of Christ's disciples to hide the Gospel in the world.
Scripture further teaches me to "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
This short story of Jesus is an excellent example of the necessity of "getting it right."
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Denomination Matters
My mama is eighty-two years old now, lives in the same house she has lived in for the past fifty years. Mama attended a little church down the street which had operated on its corner of the village for more than a hundred twenty-five years. But the church was dying, attendance shrinking, until only a handful of the old guard remained. Well, six, seven years ago the inevitable happened. The church closed its doors and my mama was devastated. Wringing her hands and near tears she said to me, "What am I to do? That place has been my spiritual home for fifty years."
"Why, Mama," I said, "all you have to do is walk right straight across the street to that fine church just opposite your front door."
"But that's a Christian Church. I have been a Baptist all my life, and I'm not about to become a Christian now!"
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Catechizing a Faithful Church-goer
And how had he endeared himself to his congregation, and what would you miss most?
Father B practiced punctuality almost as he practiced his religion, in fact, one might say it was a part of his religion.
Examples, please.
Father always started mass exactly on time. Every action, every word, contributed to the goals of the service and no extraneous motions protracted the meeting. Father B’s Sermons were marvelous to hear, and one knew what it was all about when it was over.
Meaning what, exactly?
He always started his homily with a humorous anecdote. One’s attention was immediately riveted. His message proceeded smoothly and logically to its conclusion, and the conclusion was like clinching the nail on the backside of the board-- the point was driven home and seated permanently in one’s mind. The service was over in precisely thirty-five minutes and we went home knowing we had been in church.
And the new priest?
Rambles. A lot. And drones. On and on.
Apparently what she wants from church is punctuality, proper structure, a clear message delivered wittily and succinctly with meaning that is relevant and can be grasped. Is her expectation reasonable?
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Aunt Grace's Sunday School Lesson
Aunt Grace was ready for church. She had only two blocks to walk, but, truth be told, it rankled her spirit a bit that she had to walk it by herself. And that wasn't good for the development of worshipful attitude. "C'mon, now Jeptha. Throw on that shirt and go along with me."
"Now, Grace, you know I gotta replace the leathers in that pump. An' besides, the Bible say, "The Lord help those who help themselves."
"Jeptha Miller, the Bible says no such thing. It actually teaches that without God, we are helpless. Besides, that pump will still be a-sittin' there after services are over."
Well, Aunt Grace started quoting scriptures, had the references, too. "Isaiah 25:4 says, Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in distress. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Romans 5:6 tells us For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
"Does that sound like we are taught to help ourselves? Seems to me it says we are pretty helpless, but for the grace and strength of God."
Uncle Jep had shrugged his shirt on, and said nothing as he was buttoning the last of the buttons.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. –Psalm 46:1
"Now, Grace, you know I gotta replace the leathers in that pump. An' besides, the Bible say, "The Lord help those who help themselves."
"Jeptha Miller, the Bible says no such thing. It actually teaches that without God, we are helpless. Besides, that pump will still be a-sittin' there after services are over."
Well, Aunt Grace started quoting scriptures, had the references, too. "Isaiah 25:4 says, Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in distress. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Romans 5:6 tells us For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
"Does that sound like we are taught to help ourselves? Seems to me it says we are pretty helpless, but for the grace and strength of God."
Uncle Jep had shrugged his shirt on, and said nothing as he was buttoning the last of the buttons.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. –Psalm 46:1
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Cathedral Visit
Yesterday we visited the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Episcopal, in downtown Detroit.
On display in the vestibule is this sketch of the cathedral as it will appear when completed. The tower is not yet finished.
Our docent was my brother-in-law, Bob Prout who is a very active member of this congregation. He built this model with Legos.
BBBH is awe-stricken as Bob draws her attention to one of the innumerable marvels in the building.
This icon dates to the sixteenth century.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Advent Sunday Four
On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, the first three candles are re-lighted, and the fourth candle, the Candle of Peace, is lighted. The Scripture lessons are these:
From The Prophets: Micah 5
Excerpt: But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 5:2
The Gospel: Luke 1:39-55
Excerpt: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." 1:46b
The Psalm 80:1-7
Excerpt: "Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved." 80:7
The Epistle: Hebrews 10:5-10
Excerpt: "And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. " 10:10
The Gospel: Luke 1:39-55
Excerpt: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." 1:46b
The Psalm 80:1-7
Excerpt: "Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved." 80:7
The Epistle: Hebrews 10:5-10
Excerpt: "And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. " 10:10
Anticipate the Coming of the Lord. Contemplate the Peace of the Lord.
Worship the Great God who has given us His Son, the spilling of Whose blood alone can make us fit for the Kingdom. Go in faith believing, live in peace with your fellow men. Share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Rejoice!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Charles Wesley: Preacher, Poet, Theologian
Charles Wesley was born December 18, 1707 to Samuel and
Susanna Annesley Wesley. He was one of nineteen children born to the union, and
one of the ten who lived to adulthood. Susanna was serious about the education
of her children, and she was serious about her faith. All of the children,
girls and boys, were trained in the classics and in Latin and Greek. She has
been called the Mother of Methodism, because two of her sons, Charles and John,
were widely known as the founders of Methodism.
Charles Wesley was a prolific writer and composer of lyrics,
for he is known to have written thousands of songs and hymns of the Christian
faith. Most readers of this column can no doubt name several Wesley hymns, can
indeed sing them. Wesley is famously known for
accuracy and care in theological teaching within his hymns. Some might have a
favorite among them.
Because of the season, today’s featured Charles Wesley
hymn is “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Were it the Easter Season, we might feature “Christ the Lord is Risen
Today," which is certainly a favorite of mine, along with “O, For a Thousand
Tongues to Sing.”
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
1. Hark! The Herald Angels
sing,
"Glory to the new-born King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God
and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise.
Join the triumph of
the skies.
With th' Angelic Hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in
Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born King."
2. Christ, by highest heaven
adored,
Christ, the everlasting lord
Late in time behold Him
come,
Off-spring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead
see,
Hail, the incarnate deity
Pleased as Man with men to
dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark!
the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"
3. Hail the heav'n-born Prince of
Peace,
Hail, the Sun of
Righteousness
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His
Wings.
Now He lays His Glory by,
Born that man no more may die
Born to
raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the
herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born king!"
4. Come, Desire of nations
come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Oh, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in
each believing heart!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the new-born
king;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the New-born
king!"
5. Adam's likeness, Lord,
efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from
above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost,
regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed
in each believing heart.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to
the New-born king!"
Charles Wesley 1707 - 1788 RIP
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Sunday Post on Tuesday
Sylvia and Chuck's church is just one mile down their Secondary Road. So Sunday morning we went down that road and met a number of very friendly and interesting people. One elderly lady (meaning someone of my age) revealed that she had a sister who lived in Marion. I told her we had a daughter and a grandson in Marion. Turns out her sister attends the same church the grandson and his wife attend.
Interesting conversation with the Pastor as we sipped coffee before the service. Though he had never met him, he knew who my father was. Pastor Mark's first charge was in Pennville, Indiana, a village where I had applied for a teaching job over fifty years ago, which is to say we shared some geography, for he had lived in Eaton, I in Muncie. Well, at different times; Mark is a generation younger than I.
The Sunday School lesson revolved around the death of King Saul, a topic I had dealt with briefly on the blog this past winter. Fascinating discussion.
Pastor Mark's sermon was titled "Heaven: A Gated Community." He read John's description of heaven as recorded in the Revelation. He pointed out that we are given very little about heaven by way of description. He posed the question, Why are we given such sketchy information? His answer was this, which I found interesting. We are told so little lest we make an idol of heaven and worship it instead of focusing our worship on God.
Conclusion: Wherever God is is Heaven. We are not concerned about the architecture of Heaven when we are in the presence of God!
Following the service, we had our farewell luncheon with our hosts at the local Chinese eatery. Very tasty comestibles, followed by an easy and uneventful drive home.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
King James Authorized Version #T
The first English translations of the Holy Scriptures were undertaken in the fifteenth century. The Wycliffe Bible pre-dated the printing press (Gutenberg, c. 1440) but nevertheless had a wide circulation by way of manuscript production.
The work of William Tyndale in the first quarter of the sixteenth century, along with the work of Myles Coverdale resulted in the Great Bible of 1539 and under the auspices of Henry VIII became the standard for use in the Church of England. When Mary I ascended to the throne in 1553 she returned the Church to the fold of the Roman communion. Many of the English reformers left the country. Geneva, under John Calvin, became the center of Latin biblical scholarship, and the English amongst the followers of the reformed faith developed the Geneva translation of the Bible. It was a revision of previous English Bibles based on comparative studies of the original languages.
When Elizabeth I came to the throne the Church of England was reestablished as the church in England. It was determined that both the Great Bible and the Geneva Bible failed to conform to the ecclesiology and episcopacy favored by the Church of England, particularly with regard to its stance on the ordination of the clergy. Thus in 1568 a revision known as the Bishops’ Bible was introduced for use in the church. However, the Geneva Bible continued to be much more widely read, since it was more readily available in inexpensive copies.
When James VI of Scotland ascended to the English throne as James I he convened the Hampton Conference in 1604. His Majesty ordered that a new translation of the Holy Scriptures be made, and he gave specific instructions that certain words in the original languages would be translated in such a way as to conform to the structure of the Church of England.* For example, “ecclesia” should be translated as “church” and never as “congregation.” The official Authorized King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible was published by the King’s printer, Robert Barker, on May 2, 1611.
Thus ends the necessary historical background which must precede my own observations. Or, as everyone says these days, “That being said...” (*growl*) I grew up reading the KJV, and I still find it the most satisfying. Although I read from many other translations and paraphrases of scripture, I suspect that I shall always prefer the King James. Or, as the old saw goes, “If the King James was good enough for Paul and Silas, it’s good enough for me.” There are those, I must say, who carry their preference for the King James to the extreme, going so far as to castigate and vilify other translations and translators. Say what one might about paraphrases, translators in prayerful good conscience make every effort to convey the original intent in language that the reader is familiar with. I have one friend who refers to the KJV as the “King Jesus Version.” Excuse me if I find this a bit extreme. After all, Jesus spoke and read Aramaic, and billions of people today read no English at all!)
What is important in all of this is that the Word of God (The Holy Bible) should be available, accessible, and read by all, for in it are the Words of eternal life!
*There is little doubt that James's efforts in this as in all his actions were designed to ensure his continued reign in England. He famously said, "No bishop, no king." On the matter of the Puritans' desire to reduce or eliminate certain conventions and ceremonies within the church, he is quoted as saying, " Shoes were worn when England was Catholic, so why don't Puritans go barefoot?"
References
1. Grimm, Harold J. The Reformation Era. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1954.
2. Wikipedia
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday in Orange Grove
Park Church service is at 8:40 on Sunday morning, and while this is a bit early for our taste, we both managed to be there in plenty of time with happy smiles on our faces!The choir was in fine voice, the minister gave us an uplifting message from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter five. Our friend Arnie played a medley of great songs on the concertina, including Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. It was a service worth getting up for.
On the way out of the hall, we were stopped by friend Linda who wanted to take our picture. Later in the day, she stopped by to deliver a copy of it to us. I decided it would make a great profile picture, especially since the previous one was now three months old; we have aged since then!
Thanks, Linda.
Arnie and Arlene asked us to go with them to Denny's for a slam, or whatever happened to be our brunch choice. This was a great thing on several levels, the first being that we had the pleasure of visiting with these friends for a nice long time. The second notable item was the food itself, for it was abundant, tasty, and served just right. The coffee was good, too. And finally, the restaurant gave a fifty percent discount to residents of Orange Grove and the two of us ate for under ten dollars. Hallelujah!
The afternoon was spent reading and dozing. Ah, Sundays!
Then there is ice cream at the activities center in a few minutes, and BBBH has baked a beautiful cake which is just asking for a good slicing.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Great Commission
Pastor Mark's message is based on the words of the Master found in Matthew 28:16-19Four truths from Christ's last words.
1. There is power in Jesus' command. "All power is given to me," but power is given to His followers: the Holy Spirit baptism with power from on high. The problem with many Christians today is that they are satisfied to live powerless.
2. We see people in His command. "Go ye..." He is addressing us, His followers.
3. We see a plan in His command. a) "Go" b) "Win" converts c) Baptize d) Teach, that is make disciples of them. We cannot improve the plan. We need to follow the plan. Don't try to reinvent the wheel; get the wheel moving!
4. We see a promise within the command. "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." Go, implement the plan. You do not go alone!
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. --Jesus Christ
Sunday, November 27, 2011
For God So Loved
"Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love." -Katherine Hankey (1866)
Pastor Mark's message is based on John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
November is missions month and each Sunday a missionary is featured and the sermon is missions-oriented. Missions started in the Heart of God. God is a mission-minded God.
We serve a compassionate God.
The three fundamental truths about God's love.
1. His love is extravagant. He loves us with everlasting, unceasing love.
2. His love is exhaustive. He loves the world. Text, also II Peter 3:9, I Timothy 2:4
3. His love is expressive. He gave His only begotten Son.
Missions work is hard work; requires sacrifice. Why engage in missions?
1. Compassionate act, even as God is compassionate us-ward.
2. Compelling message. Romans 1:14 - 17 The gospel is a distinct, dynamic, particular message; a powerful message.
3. We are a commissioned people. Mark 16:15 - 16. Jesus said, "Go."
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Pastor Mark's message is based on John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosover believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
November is missions month and each Sunday a missionary is featured and the sermon is missions-oriented. Missions started in the Heart of God. God is a mission-minded God.
We serve a compassionate God.
The three fundamental truths about God's love.
1. His love is extravagant. He loves us with everlasting, unceasing love.
2. His love is exhaustive. He loves the world. Text, also II Peter 3:9, I Timothy 2:4
3. His love is expressive. He gave His only begotten Son.
Missions work is hard work; requires sacrifice. Why engage in missions?
1. Compassionate act, even as God is compassionate us-ward.
2. Compelling message. Romans 1:14 - 17 The gospel is a distinct, dynamic, particular message; a powerful message.
3. We are a commissioned people. Mark 16:15 - 16. Jesus said, "Go."
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Salvation to the Gentiles
Preacher Joe
Acts 10:1-6 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. (More)
Cornelius is a very important character in the Bible.
1. God has chosen to use man to demonstrate the need to turn completely to Christ. The Angel could have told Cornelius, but God uses a man to communicate the message.
2. God will orchestrate the opportunity to communicate the message. II Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.3. God does not look at any man as unable to receive the grace of Jesus Christ.
Cornelius was the first non-Jew to be saved. The door is opened to gentiles. Acts 10:45 The Jews were "astonished" i.e., "out of their minds" in amazement.
God gives privilege and responsibility: the privilege of membership in God's family (I am a child of God); the responsibility to carry the message of hope and salvation to others.
II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Acts 10:1-6 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. (More)
Cornelius is a very important character in the Bible.
1. God has chosen to use man to demonstrate the need to turn completely to Christ. The Angel could have told Cornelius, but God uses a man to communicate the message.
2. God will orchestrate the opportunity to communicate the message. II Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.3. God does not look at any man as unable to receive the grace of Jesus Christ.
Cornelius was the first non-Jew to be saved. The door is opened to gentiles. Acts 10:45 The Jews were "astonished" i.e., "out of their minds" in amazement.
God gives privilege and responsibility: the privilege of membership in God's family (I am a child of God); the responsibility to carry the message of hope and salvation to others.
II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
"Everybody Ought to Go to Sunday School"
Sunday morning, 9:10. We exit the parsonage via the front door, down the steps and turn left. We walk half-block to Walnut Street, turn right. From here it is a two-block walk to the church at the corner of Walnut and St. Vrain. It is imperative that we arrive by nine-twenty, so that we can smilingly greet the people as they arrive for Sunday school. There will be two services this morning, for Sunday school begins with a mini-worship service, mirroring almost exactly the routine that will be followed later in the "real" service. The Sunday School Superintendent conducts this service. He says an "invocation" then announces the hymn to be sung. (Hymn sung.) Then he calls on someone to "lead in prayer." (All kneel, someone prays. Maybe everyone prays.) Announcements are made and we are "dismissed" to our Sunday school classes. My teacher is Tom Frase, big Tom Frase, whose hands could envelop my head and still have room between them for (another) coconut.Tom once sent his son, Hershel, to the store to buy a pair of work gloves for him. The proprietor asked the boy how big the man's hands were. Hershel grasped all four of the fingers on his left hand in his right hand and said, "One of Dad's fingers is this big." the storekeeper said, "Sonny, we don't have gloves for elephants." The really funny part of this tale is that Tom's fingers really were that big.
Anyway, back to Sunday school. The class consisted of, give or take on any given Sunday, about nine boys aged ten to twelve. And a more riotous bunch of boys would you seldom find in Sunday school, which may account for the "assignment" of Tom to shepherd the class.
Wow! Here it is 10:20 already and the bell is ringing, calling all classes to reassemble in the sanctuary. The superintendent rehearses briefly any highlights worth mentioning ("Sister Bland's class had four visitors this morning. Be sure to make them welcome," etc., etc.). Then he prays a dismissal prayer, whereupon the minister (that would be Dad) and the pianist immediately take their places and we swing directly into the Sunday Morning Worship Service.
And we sing.
And we pray.
And we sing.
And Dad preaches.
And we pray.
Amen.
We go home.
(But we will be back at 6:20 for two more services, even if we are also back at 2:30 for a "special" service, which, thankfully, doesn't happen all that often.)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Washington Wants a Say Over Your Minister
The Supreme Court weighs whether the feds can decide which church employees are clergy and which aren't.
By MICHAEL W. MCCONNELL
Today, the Obama administration will invite the Supreme Court to open a new front in the culture wars. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC concerns a commissioned minister, Cheryl Perich, who taught elementary school and led chapel devotions at a small Lutheran school outside Detroit. Ms. Perich became ill and was replaced in the classroom by a substitute. In the middle of the school year she sought to return and then, instead of attempting to work out the dispute through the church's reconciliation process, she threatened to sue.
As relations broke down, the church congregation voted to withdraw her "call" to the ministry, and she ceased to be eligible for her prior job. She sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the support of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The federal statutes outlawing employment discrimination based on race, sex, age and disability contain no express exception for church employers. But for 40 years lower courts have applied a "ministerial exception," which bars the government from any role in deciding who should be a minister. Courts have reasoned that the separation between church and state protects the ability of churches to choose their own clergy just as it protects the state from any control by churches. The Supreme Court has never spoken to the issue.
But who counts as a minister? Cheryl Perich's duties included leading students in prayer and worship, but she also taught secular subjects, using ordinary secular textbooks. The sole disagreement in the lower courts was whether her job was sufficiently religious to be considered ministerial. The Supreme Court will consider, for the first time, how to make that determination.
But the Obama Justice Department has now asked the court to disavow the ministerial exception altogether. This would mean that, in every future case, a court—and not the church—would decide whether the church's reasons for firing or not hiring a minister were good enough.
But the government, including the judiciary, is not entitled under the First Amendment to decide what qualifications a minister should have, or to weigh religious considerations against others. Is a secular court to decide, for example, whether confining Catholic priests or Orthodox rabbis to males is a correct interpretation of scripture, or merely a vestige of outmoded and stereotypical bias?
James Madison famously declared that the civil magistrate is not a "competent Judge of Religious truth." Yet every discrimination claim about the hiring of a minister necessarily comes down to the question of whether the church had a bona fide religious reason for its decision. That places the courts squarely in the business of adjudicating the validity of a church's claims about its own religious practice.
The Justice Department's brief grudgingly concedes that there may be an exception for employees performing "exclusively religious functions," but this is an illusory protection. Every church officer—even the pope—performs at least some nonreligious administrative duties. If the government's position were accepted, the courts would be embroiled in disputes about the selection of clergy at all levels and in every denomination. This would be a radical reversal of our nation's long constitutional tradition.
In the colonial era, with an established Church of England, the government controlled who would preach the gospel. The royal governor of Virginia licensed ministers in the colony, and Madison's first known writing on religious liberty was a letter protesting the jailing of Baptist ministers for preaching without a license.
When the First Amendment declared that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," it meant that churches would support themselves and control themselves. And the separation of church and state is a two-way street: It protects the autonomy of religious institutions from governmental interference no less than it prevents advancement of religion by government power.
That tradition of church-state separation has continued to the present day. After the Civil War, for example, the framers of the 14th Amendment, which applied the Establishment Clause to the states, voted against legislation to subject churches to antidiscrimination laws, concluding this would violate the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has held (Bishop v. Amos, 1987) that religious organizations must be "free to select their own leaders, define their own doctrines, resolve their own disputes, and run their own institutions." Even EEOC guidelines a few years ago reaffirmed the ministerial exception.
Perhaps American churches should be more open to female clergy and more accommodating toward elderly pastors or disabled chaplains. But if the separation between church and state means anything, such changes must come from within.
As a lower court judge, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote: "Federal court entanglement in matters as fundamental as a religious institution's selection or dismissal of its spiritual leaders risks an unconstitutional trespass on the most spiritually intimate grounds of a religious community's existence." It is unfortunate that the Department of Justice does not see it that way.
Mr. McConnell is the director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford University. He wrote a friend-of-the-court brief in this case on behalf of major Protestant denomination.
The Supreme Court weighs whether the feds can decide which church employees are clergy and which aren't.
By MICHAEL W. MCCONNELL
Today, the Obama administration will invite the Supreme Court to open a new front in the culture wars. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC concerns a commissioned minister, Cheryl Perich, who taught elementary school and led chapel devotions at a small Lutheran school outside Detroit. Ms. Perich became ill and was replaced in the classroom by a substitute. In the middle of the school year she sought to return and then, instead of attempting to work out the dispute through the church's reconciliation process, she threatened to sue.
As relations broke down, the church congregation voted to withdraw her "call" to the ministry, and she ceased to be eligible for her prior job. She sued under the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the support of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The federal statutes outlawing employment discrimination based on race, sex, age and disability contain no express exception for church employers. But for 40 years lower courts have applied a "ministerial exception," which bars the government from any role in deciding who should be a minister. Courts have reasoned that the separation between church and state protects the ability of churches to choose their own clergy just as it protects the state from any control by churches. The Supreme Court has never spoken to the issue.
But who counts as a minister? Cheryl Perich's duties included leading students in prayer and worship, but she also taught secular subjects, using ordinary secular textbooks. The sole disagreement in the lower courts was whether her job was sufficiently religious to be considered ministerial. The Supreme Court will consider, for the first time, how to make that determination.
But the Obama Justice Department has now asked the court to disavow the ministerial exception altogether. This would mean that, in every future case, a court—and not the church—would decide whether the church's reasons for firing or not hiring a minister were good enough.
But the government, including the judiciary, is not entitled under the First Amendment to decide what qualifications a minister should have, or to weigh religious considerations against others. Is a secular court to decide, for example, whether confining Catholic priests or Orthodox rabbis to males is a correct interpretation of scripture, or merely a vestige of outmoded and stereotypical bias?
James Madison famously declared that the civil magistrate is not a "competent Judge of Religious truth." Yet every discrimination claim about the hiring of a minister necessarily comes down to the question of whether the church had a bona fide religious reason for its decision. That places the courts squarely in the business of adjudicating the validity of a church's claims about its own religious practice.
The Justice Department's brief grudgingly concedes that there may be an exception for employees performing "exclusively religious functions," but this is an illusory protection. Every church officer—even the pope—performs at least some nonreligious administrative duties. If the government's position were accepted, the courts would be embroiled in disputes about the selection of clergy at all levels and in every denomination. This would be a radical reversal of our nation's long constitutional tradition.
In the colonial era, with an established Church of England, the government controlled who would preach the gospel. The royal governor of Virginia licensed ministers in the colony, and Madison's first known writing on religious liberty was a letter protesting the jailing of Baptist ministers for preaching without a license.
When the First Amendment declared that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," it meant that churches would support themselves and control themselves. And the separation of church and state is a two-way street: It protects the autonomy of religious institutions from governmental interference no less than it prevents advancement of religion by government power.
That tradition of church-state separation has continued to the present day. After the Civil War, for example, the framers of the 14th Amendment, which applied the Establishment Clause to the states, voted against legislation to subject churches to antidiscrimination laws, concluding this would violate the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has held (Bishop v. Amos, 1987) that religious organizations must be "free to select their own leaders, define their own doctrines, resolve their own disputes, and run their own institutions." Even EEOC guidelines a few years ago reaffirmed the ministerial exception.
Perhaps American churches should be more open to female clergy and more accommodating toward elderly pastors or disabled chaplains. But if the separation between church and state means anything, such changes must come from within.
As a lower court judge, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote: "Federal court entanglement in matters as fundamental as a religious institution's selection or dismissal of its spiritual leaders risks an unconstitutional trespass on the most spiritually intimate grounds of a religious community's existence." It is unfortunate that the Department of Justice does not see it that way.
Mr. McConnell is the director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford University. He wrote a friend-of-the-court brief in this case on behalf of major Protestant denomination.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Borrowed from Bob Warr
This post is on Bob Warr 'n Picket Fences which very few people read. Sometime in night's wee hours I got a strong impression that it should be posted on String Too Short to Tie. Here it is.
Priorities
"I wish that preacher would cut it off. Second Sunday in a row the Methodists have beat us to the Brunch Buffet."
"Looka that, hadda wait seventeen minutes for a table."
"Oh, wow! You shoulda seen that game last night. Double overtime and we didn't get home until midnight. What excitement! And we won!"
Priorities
"I wish that preacher would cut it off. Second Sunday in a row the Methodists have beat us to the Brunch Buffet."
"Looka that, hadda wait seventeen minutes for a table."
"Oh, wow! You shoulda seen that game last night. Double overtime and we didn't get home until midnight. What excitement! And we won!"
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