I have been reading sermons by Rev. Martin Luther King in a book entitled The Strength to Love. Powerful sermons that come out of the turbulence of the 60's when African-American folks were struggling for racial and every other kind of equality in America. In one of his sermons King asks the question, "Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?" Do you just record temperature or do you set it?
I like that comparison. Do I just reflect the attitudes around me or do I set the tone? Paul writes that we are not to be thermometers. Yes, he writes that in Romans 12:1-2. You can read it for yourself. We are to be thermostats for the world, setting the attitudes that Christ calls us to display. We are to be transformed by Christ so that we are the light for the world, showing the world the best way to be and to go.
We are to be hopeful in the midst of pessimism. We are to announce life in the midst of death. We are to bind up the wounds of the broken while the world would just as soon throw them away.
Thermostats control the atmosphere. Christians control the atmosphere by the way they serve and love, not dominate. They create an environment for abundant life for all people in the name of Christ. Christians are called to bring Christ into the world in word and deed. Christians are called to stand for truth and justice for the sake of Christ.
So the question for me and for all of us: Which are we? Thermometer or thermostat?
Yours in Christ,
George
4.13.2011
Riding The S92
So a couple of weeks ago I was having our car serviced at Mullen Motors in Southold. I decided to take the bus from Mattituck to Southold to pick it up when they were done. I waited at the bus stop with some very nice folks who often ride the bus. I asked them how much the fare was and they told me the price and added that it was cheaper for senior citizens but didn't know exactly what age constituted 'seniors'.
The S92 pulled over and the driver opened the door and as I stepped onboard I asked about the fares. She told me that seniors paid 50 cents for age 60 and over. I paid my 50 cents and stood holding on to a railing since the bus was full. She then asked if I would like a seat because she would have some of the youngsters in the back get up for me. I said, 'no thanks'. It was her next comment that humbled me. She said, "These young people should get up for the elderly people who get on this bus." I looked around. Elderly? Who, me? Whoa now! I don't mind paying senior prices but i don't think I am exactly 'elderly' - or am I? Hmmm.
Got me to thinking that I am indeed growing older and a man has to know his limitations. Mine are becoming more evident. And one day, well, I will reach that heavenly city in God's good time. And it brought to mind something Bonhoeffer once said. Something to the effect that if we spend time now dying to self (as Jesus said), then when the time comes to physically die we will be a whole lot rmore ready to see our Lord. Some day maybe, even as Jesus said to Peter, someone will lead us to where we don't necessarily want to go.
My new bus driver friend certainly meant well and just maybe I learned a lesson that day riding the S92.
Yours in Christ,
George
The S92 pulled over and the driver opened the door and as I stepped onboard I asked about the fares. She told me that seniors paid 50 cents for age 60 and over. I paid my 50 cents and stood holding on to a railing since the bus was full. She then asked if I would like a seat because she would have some of the youngsters in the back get up for me. I said, 'no thanks'. It was her next comment that humbled me. She said, "These young people should get up for the elderly people who get on this bus." I looked around. Elderly? Who, me? Whoa now! I don't mind paying senior prices but i don't think I am exactly 'elderly' - or am I? Hmmm.
Got me to thinking that I am indeed growing older and a man has to know his limitations. Mine are becoming more evident. And one day, well, I will reach that heavenly city in God's good time. And it brought to mind something Bonhoeffer once said. Something to the effect that if we spend time now dying to self (as Jesus said), then when the time comes to physically die we will be a whole lot rmore ready to see our Lord. Some day maybe, even as Jesus said to Peter, someone will lead us to where we don't necessarily want to go.
My new bus driver friend certainly meant well and just maybe I learned a lesson that day riding the S92.
Yours in Christ,
George
4.06.2011
Why I Am Against War
There is so much fighting and killing in the world. I can no longer understand how any of it is in keeping with Christ’s desire for peace. He came to us as the Prince of Peace. He blesses the peacemakers. He tells us to put away our swords. The Scriptures speak of a time when the Messiah comes and our weapons will be turned into instruments of peace.
Christ himself tells us to love our neighbor. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. How then can we sanction the killing of our enemies in His name? He tells us to bless those who persecute us. But we kill those who persecute us.
It seems that we operate in this world on the basis of “an eye for an eye”. But Jesus said that although we are to resist evil as he did, we must not resist by evil means. He tells us to find some way of reconciliation.
The Sermon on the Mount is the way of Jesus and it speaks to our anger and revenge and retaliation. But too often we see the Sermon on the Mount as an ideal for personal use, not for our nation. But Jesus is in every part of our lives, including the politics of our nation. Our country is an extension of our personal selves.
We drop bombs and launch cruise missiles and so we don’t see the graphic deaths of those who are our enemies and the enemies of people who are our enemies, as in the case of Libya at the present time. I have to admit that when I first heard that we were helping the rebels in Libya fight against a cruel leader, I quietly applauded. But I cannot justify my feelings in light of God’s will and Word.
As a nation we say we are killing the people “over there” so they won’t kill us here. Where do we find that in Scripture? I don’t believe that Scripture, the revealed will of God especially in Jesus, gives us warrant for destruction of land and lives. We say it is to protect our liberty. Who has given us our liberty? Has not Christ made us free? Or is that too ideal? Jesus was a practical man, albeit the Son of God, whose practical advice we refuse to put into practice for the sake of the idol we worship – ourselves and our way of life.
People say that democracy and capitalism need to be protected. Certainly from a human perspective that might be true, but I am trying to have God’s perspective in all of this and am having a hard time seeing it. It’s not about democracy, freedom, oil, or any of that. It is about living out the Word of God in the community of this world, even with our toughest foes. We must not think of this as nation against nation but rather as individuals living in this world according to the Kingdom of God commandments.
God alone is Lord of my conscience. This is one of the great principles of the Reformed Polity of the Presbyterian Church. So I stand on what I understand to be God’s will. You may choose to differ. If so please let it be as God guides you. We are all together in this thing called life. It is the church community that can decide together how best to live the will of God.
None of this is to discredit or disparage the men and women who sense that God's will for them is to serve our country in the armed forces. I am grateful for their service although I may disagree with our government’s policy on how they can best serve.
Yours in Christ,
George
Christ himself tells us to love our neighbor. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. How then can we sanction the killing of our enemies in His name? He tells us to bless those who persecute us. But we kill those who persecute us.
It seems that we operate in this world on the basis of “an eye for an eye”. But Jesus said that although we are to resist evil as he did, we must not resist by evil means. He tells us to find some way of reconciliation.
The Sermon on the Mount is the way of Jesus and it speaks to our anger and revenge and retaliation. But too often we see the Sermon on the Mount as an ideal for personal use, not for our nation. But Jesus is in every part of our lives, including the politics of our nation. Our country is an extension of our personal selves.
We drop bombs and launch cruise missiles and so we don’t see the graphic deaths of those who are our enemies and the enemies of people who are our enemies, as in the case of Libya at the present time. I have to admit that when I first heard that we were helping the rebels in Libya fight against a cruel leader, I quietly applauded. But I cannot justify my feelings in light of God’s will and Word.
As a nation we say we are killing the people “over there” so they won’t kill us here. Where do we find that in Scripture? I don’t believe that Scripture, the revealed will of God especially in Jesus, gives us warrant for destruction of land and lives. We say it is to protect our liberty. Who has given us our liberty? Has not Christ made us free? Or is that too ideal? Jesus was a practical man, albeit the Son of God, whose practical advice we refuse to put into practice for the sake of the idol we worship – ourselves and our way of life.
People say that democracy and capitalism need to be protected. Certainly from a human perspective that might be true, but I am trying to have God’s perspective in all of this and am having a hard time seeing it. It’s not about democracy, freedom, oil, or any of that. It is about living out the Word of God in the community of this world, even with our toughest foes. We must not think of this as nation against nation but rather as individuals living in this world according to the Kingdom of God commandments.
God alone is Lord of my conscience. This is one of the great principles of the Reformed Polity of the Presbyterian Church. So I stand on what I understand to be God’s will. You may choose to differ. If so please let it be as God guides you. We are all together in this thing called life. It is the church community that can decide together how best to live the will of God.
None of this is to discredit or disparage the men and women who sense that God's will for them is to serve our country in the armed forces. I am grateful for their service although I may disagree with our government’s policy on how they can best serve.
Yours in Christ,
George
Well......... it's been a while
So. Haven't posted anything since 2010. Actually, the Wednesday emails have been coming fast and furious every week BUT we stopped posting them here on the blog. Decided it's time to put them back up for those of you whose INBOX doesn't get the WWPG. And here it comes............
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