My financial adviser tells me not to despair over the dips in the stock market . . . dip? Yeah, right . . . more like death valley. Anyway, he says we're in it for the long haul and things will get better. He tells me that if I look at the progress of my holdings on any given day I could be sadly disappointed, but if I take the long view I can see progress. Can't I?
Well, this made me think of the Christian journey. In our Christian walk we are supposed to be getting better, moving forward toward perfection in fact (see Matt. 5:48 or Romans 8:29) . . . No less is asked of us by Christ. We cannot be half-hearted in serving God. I like what John Calvin has written somewhere in Book three, "But we must all go as far as we possibly can and complete the journey we have begun. No one can travel so badly that he or she does not make some progress each day."
Paul writes in Philippians 1 . . . "that God who began a good work in you will bring it to completion when Christ finally comes."
We are growing. If we trust and follow Christ as best we can, we are like the seed in the good soil. We are growing. God promises it. Even on our worst days we are the children of God in whom the will of God is at work.
So while I do not pull out what little money I have invested in the market or the bank (cause somewhere down the road I look to make a big withdrawal), in the same way I do not quit this journey we call the Christian life. In fact, knowing what God is up to only makes me more determined to serve him.
This Sunday we are going to look at some of Philippians chapter three where Paul writes that he is focused on the goal where we receive all that God has for us.
Yours in Christ,
George
2.24.2010
2.17.2010
On Taking Holy Communion
I took communion in a Roman Catholic Church recently. One of my church members, observing me, remarked, "I didn’t think you could do that."
It’s an issue that needs addressing. So I think I’ll start my own mini-Reformation. Back in the 1500's there arose a great division between churches over the meaning of the sacrament (sacrament, by the way, is not a word used in the Bible). Sacrament has the meaning of being holy, sacred or set apart as a sign of the working of God.
So a debate started up over what the bread and wine meant. Were they the literal body and blood of Christ, signs of his presence, or a memorial meal? In the Gospels, Jesus calls the bread and wine his body and blood. He also says, "Do this in remembrance of me".
The point in the Gospels and in Paul's letters is that communion is a gift of Christ, not any particular church, and ought not to be regulated by any doctrine apart from Christ’s teaching. Paul had harsh words about the manner in which people were taking the Lord’s supper. See 1 Corinthians 11.
So, if I were to be asked, it is my personal opinion that you may take communion in the Roman Catholic church as much as any Roman Catholic may take communion in our church. Communion is a gift of Christ telling us that he has given his life for us and inviting us to trust him.
My one caution would be that if someone invites you to a Catholic service, and you feel it would offend his or her sensitivity if you took the sacrament, refrain the first time, and then explain to them your reasoning.
Remember that when Christ gave His life, He gave it for all. And so who has the right to deny anyone access to that sacred gift? Protestants, rise up!
Share your thoughts on this. Use the comment feature found below this post.
In Christ,
George
It’s an issue that needs addressing. So I think I’ll start my own mini-Reformation. Back in the 1500's there arose a great division between churches over the meaning of the sacrament (sacrament, by the way, is not a word used in the Bible). Sacrament has the meaning of being holy, sacred or set apart as a sign of the working of God.
So a debate started up over what the bread and wine meant. Were they the literal body and blood of Christ, signs of his presence, or a memorial meal? In the Gospels, Jesus calls the bread and wine his body and blood. He also says, "Do this in remembrance of me".
The point in the Gospels and in Paul's letters is that communion is a gift of Christ, not any particular church, and ought not to be regulated by any doctrine apart from Christ’s teaching. Paul had harsh words about the manner in which people were taking the Lord’s supper. See 1 Corinthians 11.
So, if I were to be asked, it is my personal opinion that you may take communion in the Roman Catholic church as much as any Roman Catholic may take communion in our church. Communion is a gift of Christ telling us that he has given his life for us and inviting us to trust him.
My one caution would be that if someone invites you to a Catholic service, and you feel it would offend his or her sensitivity if you took the sacrament, refrain the first time, and then explain to them your reasoning.
Remember that when Christ gave His life, He gave it for all. And so who has the right to deny anyone access to that sacred gift? Protestants, rise up!
Share your thoughts on this. Use the comment feature found below this post.
In Christ,
George
2.10.2010
Take Air
Take care. These are parting words we often hear and use.
TAKE CARE. Maybe it originated from back in the days when people wore powdered wigs. As they were leaving, it would serve as a reminder. "Take hair." Wouldn't want to forget the hairpiece.
I like to think that in using these words, people are telling one another to breathe. "Take air." Don't forget to breathe deeply.
Hey, remember the police show, Hill Street Blues? In each episode, after the sergeant finished his morning briefing he'd always end with, "And hey - be careful out there." Wise words in this troubled world.
"Take care." Take care of yourself as you go your way. I've decided that it's just not enough to tell one other to be vigilant or watchful. We need more than our own resources. We need God. Oh, you probably figured I would say that. But it's not my idea; I didn't make it up. A long time ago, back in the days of Moses and Aaron, God gave these words to be used as a blessing (from the book of Numbers, chapter 6):
Well. That's a mouthful, so I've decided I would like to say to people, "God be with you." I like that. It's a prayer, a blessing, a good witness to our faith. Let me know how that works for you, too. [Feel free to use the comment feature on this site.]
So, as of today - no more "take care" for me. And let me be the first today to say to you, amidst all your life's joys and struggles:
God be with you.
I really mean it.
Yours in Christ,
George
TAKE CARE. Maybe it originated from back in the days when people wore powdered wigs. As they were leaving, it would serve as a reminder. "Take hair." Wouldn't want to forget the hairpiece.
I like to think that in using these words, people are telling one another to breathe. "Take air." Don't forget to breathe deeply.
Hey, remember the police show, Hill Street Blues? In each episode, after the sergeant finished his morning briefing he'd always end with, "And hey - be careful out there." Wise words in this troubled world.
"Take care." Take care of yourself as you go your way. I've decided that it's just not enough to tell one other to be vigilant or watchful. We need more than our own resources. We need God. Oh, you probably figured I would say that. But it's not my idea; I didn't make it up. A long time ago, back in the days of Moses and Aaron, God gave these words to be used as a blessing (from the book of Numbers, chapter 6):
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine
upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance
upon you and give you peace.
Well. That's a mouthful, so I've decided I would like to say to people, "God be with you." I like that. It's a prayer, a blessing, a good witness to our faith. Let me know how that works for you, too. [Feel free to use the comment feature on this site.]
So, as of today - no more "take care" for me. And let me be the first today to say to you, amidst all your life's joys and struggles:
I really mean it.
Yours in Christ,
George
2.03.2010
The Narrow Way
I have watched, with heartache, the scenes of search and recovery in Haiti. Amidst the destruction and agony there have been scenes of joy as a survivor is found and brought out through the narrowest possible opening in the rubble. The rescue teams have to be meticulously careful when cutting the rebar and moving cement slabs just enough to allow for safe passage.
The narrow way. It leads to a drop of water, an air vent, even a microphone to pick up sounds. And then, freedom. And when the way is opened, the trapped survivor looks only to squeeze through that tiny passageway. I thought of how Jesus said the way to life is narrow and the gate is small (Matthew 7).
People in the world sometimes think Christianity is narrow-minded. The truth is that Jesus is so loving, so welcoming, so gracious, that he is willing to accept anyone. But he told people that to enter the Kingdom of God now and forever, they had to go through the spiritual doorway that was open to anyone who desired to become as a child
There is only one way into God's Kingdom in this life and the life to come. It is a disciplined way. It requires trust in Christ and a lot of practice living the Jesus way. But the result is life, joy, peace, righteousness, and eternity. And once you have escaped the rubble of the world's thinking, you will love the new-found freedom in Christ.
Yours in Christ,
George
A new and EXCITING update on the website about Haiti.
By the way, who knows the origin of the phrase, take care?
The narrow way. It leads to a drop of water, an air vent, even a microphone to pick up sounds. And then, freedom. And when the way is opened, the trapped survivor looks only to squeeze through that tiny passageway. I thought of how Jesus said the way to life is narrow and the gate is small (Matthew 7).
People in the world sometimes think Christianity is narrow-minded. The truth is that Jesus is so loving, so welcoming, so gracious, that he is willing to accept anyone. But he told people that to enter the Kingdom of God now and forever, they had to go through the spiritual doorway that was open to anyone who desired to become as a child
- to give up his or her old self
- to take up his or her cross
- to be a servant
- to follow Christ's teaching
There is only one way into God's Kingdom in this life and the life to come. It is a disciplined way. It requires trust in Christ and a lot of practice living the Jesus way. But the result is life, joy, peace, righteousness, and eternity. And once you have escaped the rubble of the world's thinking, you will love the new-found freedom in Christ.
Yours in Christ,
George
A new and EXCITING update on the website about Haiti.
By the way, who knows the origin of the phrase, take care?
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