Lebanese Government Resigns Amid Protests as reported by AP.
It looks as though Freedom is contagious.
"Imagine all the people, living life in freedom..." - a little take off of John Lennon's "Imagine".
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
The jig is up, or is it.
The Anglican Communion Primates have spoken. Some think it is a victory for the conservatives and it may turn out to be just that. However, there seems to be some wiggle room for the revisionists.
The Primates are so polite in requesting that the ECUSA voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference (Emphasis mine) Pt 14. What does this mean? "Now Johnny, please go to your room, if you want to."
I quess to those who speak Anglican English this makes sense. I'm still confused.
The Primates are so polite in requesting that the ECUSA voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council for the period leading up to the next Lambeth Conference (Emphasis mine) Pt 14. What does this mean? "Now Johnny, please go to your room, if you want to."
I quess to those who speak Anglican English this makes sense. I'm still confused.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Lectionary readings for 2/24/05
John 5:19-29 (NRSV)
19 Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.
This should be our attitude as well. To do only what our Heavenly Father is doing.
24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.
This is our blessed hope. Glory to God!
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
19 Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.
This should be our attitude as well. To do only what our Heavenly Father is doing.
24 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.
This is our blessed hope. Glory to God!
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Skip to My Lu
In yesterday's Lectionary readings, the NT reading was Rom. 1:16-25. Todays' begins with Rom 1:28. Verses 26 and 27 have been skipped. Do you know what those verses state? Nevermind, I'll show you.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Hmmmm. Interesting bit of editing by those who developed the Lectionary, don't you think? Good timing as well with what is happening in Ireland this week.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Hmmmm. Interesting bit of editing by those who developed the Lectionary, don't you think? Good timing as well with what is happening in Ireland this week.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Schism vs Heresy
Day One of the Primates Meeting in Dromantine, Northern Ireland
David Virtue has reported, "The chill turned icy when orthodox primates of the Global South refused to celebrate the Eucharist in the presence of ultra-liberal American Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold".
It is often asked, which is worse, schism or heresy. This is an invalid comparison because heresy produces schism. The actions reported above show this to be true. The heresy of the liberal revisionists has produced a schism between the revisionists and the orthodox.
Two men are walking down a path and come to a fork in the road. They can see that the path continues in one direction. Those who have gone before have worn the path. The one says to the other, "let's go the other way. I believe we will find our destination this way as well. In fact it looks like a better way to go." The other man says, "I think we should follow the path of those who have come this way before". For the two to continue their journey together, one must give way to the other. They cannot go down different paths together. The new idea, going down a different path (heresy), has created a division (schism).
Sending out the love to the Primates of the Global South. Hang in there.
Now I am sure there will be a reader who thinks I am being terribly harsh by saying there is heresy involved here. I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.
David Virtue has reported, "The chill turned icy when orthodox primates of the Global South refused to celebrate the Eucharist in the presence of ultra-liberal American Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold".
It is often asked, which is worse, schism or heresy. This is an invalid comparison because heresy produces schism. The actions reported above show this to be true. The heresy of the liberal revisionists has produced a schism between the revisionists and the orthodox.
Two men are walking down a path and come to a fork in the road. They can see that the path continues in one direction. Those who have gone before have worn the path. The one says to the other, "let's go the other way. I believe we will find our destination this way as well. In fact it looks like a better way to go." The other man says, "I think we should follow the path of those who have come this way before". For the two to continue their journey together, one must give way to the other. They cannot go down different paths together. The new idea, going down a different path (heresy), has created a division (schism).
Sending out the love to the Primates of the Global South. Hang in there.
Now I am sure there will be a reader who thinks I am being terribly harsh by saying there is heresy involved here. I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.
Lectionary readings for 2/22/05
Rom. 1:16-25 (NRSV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever
In these two verses, we have a summary of the entire biblical message. Mankind exchanged the truth of God for a (the) lie. What is the lie? That we can be as God. That we can be independent of God. That we can have life in and of ourselves. What is the solution? The gospel, the good news. ...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself...2 Cor. 5:19
Thanks be to God!
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
25because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever
In these two verses, we have a summary of the entire biblical message. Mankind exchanged the truth of God for a (the) lie. What is the lie? That we can be as God. That we can be independent of God. That we can have life in and of ourselves. What is the solution? The gospel, the good news. ...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself...2 Cor. 5:19
Thanks be to God!
Monday, February 21, 2005
Anglican Primates Meeting
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (no relation, as far as I know. Although he is Welsh and so were my paternal grandparents. Maybe we are related.)
He has his work cut out for him this week. Keep him and the other Anglican Primates in your prayers.
2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
The River of Fire
Is God really good? Did God create Hell?
The River of Fire is an excellent article discussing the differences between the views of Eastern and Western Christianity. I have to say the Eastern view makes alot of sense to me.
The River of Fire is an excellent article discussing the differences between the views of Eastern and Western Christianity. I have to say the Eastern view makes alot of sense to me.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Lectionary readings for 2/18/05
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness...
In real estate, they say the 3 most important things are location, location, location. In Biblical study they are context, context, context. When we see the word 'therefore', we must look to see what it is there for. I say this because I have seen and heard this verse used and abused by taking it out of context. The verse is used to support an attitude of arrogance, to enter God's presence and give Him 'what for'.
The subject matter of chapter 4 is, entering God's rest through faith. Who enters His rest? Those who believe. Believe what? That we have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God. Why do we approach the throne? so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth.
In real estate, they say the 3 most important things are location, location, location. In Biblical study they are context, context, context. When we see the word 'therefore', we must look to see what it is there for. I say this because I have seen and heard this verse used and abused by taking it out of context. The verse is used to support an attitude of arrogance, to enter God's presence and give Him 'what for'.
The subject matter of chapter 4 is, entering God's rest through faith. Who enters His rest? Those who believe. Believe what? That we have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God. Why do we approach the throne? so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Lectionary readings for 2/17/05
John 3:16-21 (NRSV)
16'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17'Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.'
Yesterday, we considered what it means to have a believing heart and what it is that we are to believe. Today we are told that we are to believe in Him. Those who do not are condemned already. Sounds pretty tough. Not very tolerant. Except that the condemnation does not come from Him (vs 17), He came to save the world. Thanks be to God!
Image being lost in a forest and it is dark. Then someone comes along with some light who knows where we are and knows the way home. He says, follow me. Unfortunately, some prefer to stay in the darkness. As for me, I'm with Him. Let's go.
Glory to the Father who made me,
Glory to the Son who saved me,
Glory to the Spirit who guides and comforts me,
Now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
16'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17'Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.'
Yesterday, we considered what it means to have a believing heart and what it is that we are to believe. Today we are told that we are to believe in Him. Those who do not are condemned already. Sounds pretty tough. Not very tolerant. Except that the condemnation does not come from Him (vs 17), He came to save the world. Thanks be to God!
Image being lost in a forest and it is dark. Then someone comes along with some light who knows where we are and knows the way home. He says, follow me. Unfortunately, some prefer to stay in the darkness. As for me, I'm with Him. Let's go.
Glory to the Father who made me,
Glory to the Son who saved me,
Glory to the Spirit who guides and comforts me,
Now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Lectionary readings for 2/16/05
Hebrews 3:12-19. Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart.
"...unbelieving heart" - Putting this is a positive statement, we should have a believing heart. But what are we to believe? Do we follow the popular beliefs of our culture or do we follow the traditions handed down to us?
In my view, the popular beliefs are like trying to stand on shifting sand. There is no solid basis or foundation. What did Jesus say about the man who built his house on the sand? When the storms of life come and the wind blows, the house will come crashing down. I prefer to follow St. Vincent of Lerins who said, "Hold fast that faith which has been believed everywhere, always and by all." Kind of sounds alot like the positive side of what is stated in Hebrews 3:12.
Hebrews 3:13 ...so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
"...the deceitfulness of sin". Pretty much says it all. Oh, I forgot, there is no such thing as sin anymore. Now, who is being deceived? Lord have mercy on us all.
"...unbelieving heart" - Putting this is a positive statement, we should have a believing heart. But what are we to believe? Do we follow the popular beliefs of our culture or do we follow the traditions handed down to us?
In my view, the popular beliefs are like trying to stand on shifting sand. There is no solid basis or foundation. What did Jesus say about the man who built his house on the sand? When the storms of life come and the wind blows, the house will come crashing down. I prefer to follow St. Vincent of Lerins who said, "Hold fast that faith which has been believed everywhere, always and by all." Kind of sounds alot like the positive side of what is stated in Hebrews 3:12.
Hebrews 3:13 ...so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
"...the deceitfulness of sin". Pretty much says it all. Oh, I forgot, there is no such thing as sin anymore. Now, who is being deceived? Lord have mercy on us all.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Lectionary readings for 2/15/05
Psalm 45. Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever.
Even though it doesn't seem like it sometimes, God still sits on the throne.
"To Him who sits on the throne, and to the lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev 5:13
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Even though it doesn't seem like it sometimes, God still sits on the throne.
"To Him who sits on the throne, and to the lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." Rev 5:13
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Lectionary readings for 2/14/05
John 2:1-12. His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
Sounds like a good idea for us all.
Sounds like a good idea for us all.
This is Love
"This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about--not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God." 1 John 4:9-10 (The Message)
Friday, February 11, 2005
Options
There are 3 options for dealing with the current state of the ECUSA:
1. Leave the ECUSA
2. Fight
3. Hold nose, swallow hard, and live with it.
1. Leave the ECUSA
2. Fight
3. Hold nose, swallow hard, and live with it.
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