We are celebrating All Saints Day this Sunday.
It seems clear that we all need time and ritual for remembering those who have gone before us.
There seems to be a common universal urge to remember.
We need to remember.
For centuries, the church has known this –
and on All Saints Sunday we remember those persons who have influenced our faith development,
whose presence is still felt in our lives even thought they now rest from their labors.
All Saints Sunday is the church's Memorial Day, a time to remember and give thanks to God for those who have died in the faith.
All Saints Day is a day on which we remember special people,
people who now dwell with God.
people whom the scriptures and the church call saints.
John Irwin begins A Prayer for Owen Meany with these words:
"I am doomed to remember a boy with a wrecked voice –
not because of his voice,
or because he was the smallest person I ever knew...
but because he is the reason I believe in God;
I am a Christian because of Owen Meany."
Connect with All Saints Day today by taking time to remember the Owen Meanys of your life.
We all believe in God because of someone.
We are all here today because of someone.
Today, think about who that is for you - and come worship with us this Sunday.
Christ Presbyterian Church is a place where you are welcome - no matter what.
In fact, you are expected.
See you Sunday.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Rescue Conversation
Was the live-streaming of the mine rescue the most significant global spiritual conversation that has ever taken place on earth? http://www.tinyurl.com/2akj5hw
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Getting Through Times of Trouble
These are the times that try men’s souls, was the cry of a previous generation; but, it could be our cry as well.
I have been doing a great deal of thinking about the hard times most of us are experiencing – personally,
with loved ones,
and even with our church –
and of what our faith says about surviving hard times.
In our sacred writings we are reminded that it is our faith that provides the power to survive and overcome whatever life brings – including hard times like these.
(I John 5:4)
This statement has provided the underpinnings for additional reflection of what our faith may be saying as to how to survive specific hard times such as those most of us face at one time or another.
Last year at this time I took a clue from the popular TV show, Survivor, and devised a series of sermons on the topic of Surviving Hard Times.
This year, we are still in troubled times. And so, I am preparing a whole series of sermons about Getting Through Times of Trouble – when there’s no money,
when there’s no work,
when there’s no one who cares,
and so on.
With all of the scientific evidence being accumulated these days that confirm the positive benefits of faithful living, actually taking the “leap of faith” is a far more rational decision than it ever was in the past.
Over and over again, studies reveal that people of faith –
people who regularly participate in a community of faith, like our church – actually have a better life than those who don’t.
People of faith actually survive hard times in a way that others don’t.
The faith that is proclaimed here at Christ Church helps people overcome whatever life brings –
like I John says:
Pity those who don’t have faith.
It is our faith that provides the power to survive.
What is of particular interest to me is that study after study shows that we don’t even have to believe that the conclusions may be true.
What is convincingly revealed is that something happens to people who are part of a faith community.
Something happens to people who worship regularly together.
Something happens to people who meet together to praise the Creator and to seek guidance and wisdom for living life in these days.
They become different from those who don’t.
They are able to survive during times when others succumb.
Values change.
The way we look at the world changes.
The way we look at each other changes.
Our demeanor changes.
Our attitude changes.
Our brain changes.
And, miracles happen.
We are able to overcome whatever life brings our way.
We are able to survive when bad things happen – survive and even thrive.
Let no one think differently,
what we do here at Christ Church is important stuff.
There is power in this faith we profess.
What we do now and in the days ahead will reflect our understanding of how we are to channel our resources and energies to promote and enable others to know what we know.
You may want to seek out the messages of Getting Through Times of Trouble.
I have been doing a great deal of thinking about the hard times most of us are experiencing – personally,
with loved ones,
and even with our church –
and of what our faith says about surviving hard times.
In our sacred writings we are reminded that it is our faith that provides the power to survive and overcome whatever life brings – including hard times like these.
(I John 5:4)
This statement has provided the underpinnings for additional reflection of what our faith may be saying as to how to survive specific hard times such as those most of us face at one time or another.
Last year at this time I took a clue from the popular TV show, Survivor, and devised a series of sermons on the topic of Surviving Hard Times.
This year, we are still in troubled times. And so, I am preparing a whole series of sermons about Getting Through Times of Trouble – when there’s no money,
when there’s no work,
when there’s no one who cares,
and so on.
With all of the scientific evidence being accumulated these days that confirm the positive benefits of faithful living, actually taking the “leap of faith” is a far more rational decision than it ever was in the past.
Over and over again, studies reveal that people of faith –
people who regularly participate in a community of faith, like our church – actually have a better life than those who don’t.
People of faith actually survive hard times in a way that others don’t.
The faith that is proclaimed here at Christ Church helps people overcome whatever life brings –
like I John says:
Pity those who don’t have faith.
It is our faith that provides the power to survive.
What is of particular interest to me is that study after study shows that we don’t even have to believe that the conclusions may be true.
What is convincingly revealed is that something happens to people who are part of a faith community.
Something happens to people who worship regularly together.
Something happens to people who meet together to praise the Creator and to seek guidance and wisdom for living life in these days.
They become different from those who don’t.
They are able to survive during times when others succumb.
Values change.
The way we look at the world changes.
The way we look at each other changes.
Our demeanor changes.
Our attitude changes.
Our brain changes.
And, miracles happen.
We are able to overcome whatever life brings our way.
We are able to survive when bad things happen – survive and even thrive.
Let no one think differently,
what we do here at Christ Church is important stuff.
There is power in this faith we profess.
What we do now and in the days ahead will reflect our understanding of how we are to channel our resources and energies to promote and enable others to know what we know.
You may want to seek out the messages of Getting Through Times of Trouble.
Monday, October 11, 2010
God in America PBS Tonight
Since the days when the Puritan "city on a hill" beckoned on the horizon of the New World, religious faith and belief have forged America’s ideals, molded its identity and shaped its sense of mission at home and abroad.
Beginning tonight on PBS, for the first time on television, God in America explores the tumultuous 400-year history of the intersection of religion and public life in America, from the first European settlements to the 2008 presidential election.
Check it out: http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/
Beginning tonight on PBS, for the first time on television, God in America explores the tumultuous 400-year history of the intersection of religion and public life in America, from the first European settlements to the 2008 presidential election.
Check it out: http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A Compassion-less Christianity is an Oxymoron - Proclaimed by Morons
The "fire department did the right and Christian thing,” professed the American Family Association's Brian Fischer in the aftermath of the South Fulton Fire Department’s refusal to respond to the call of a fire at the residence of the Cranick family in Obion, TN.
I am sorry, sir, but your idea of a “right and Christian thing” has absolutely nothing in common with the Christian faith I have professed and taught for over 40 years, and is far off the mark of the faith Jesus of Nazareth professed and what the church has taught over the centuries.
A compassion-less Christianity is an oxymoron – claimed by obviously ignorant morons.
To try to say that the Kingdom of God is not based upon compassion is to totally misread or intentionally misstate the entire Christian message of the New Testament.
Reread again the parable of the Good Samaritan and explain again exactly how standing by watching a family in pain and DOING NOTHING when it is within your power to alleviate the pain is a “right and Christian thing.”
If you do nothing else, listen to what Jesus says about that
I am sorry, sir, but your idea of a “right and Christian thing” has absolutely nothing in common with the Christian faith I have professed and taught for over 40 years, and is far off the mark of the faith Jesus of Nazareth professed and what the church has taught over the centuries.
A compassion-less Christianity is an oxymoron – claimed by obviously ignorant morons.
To try to say that the Kingdom of God is not based upon compassion is to totally misread or intentionally misstate the entire Christian message of the New Testament.
Reread again the parable of the Good Samaritan and explain again exactly how standing by watching a family in pain and DOING NOTHING when it is within your power to alleviate the pain is a “right and Christian thing.”
If you do nothing else, listen to what Jesus says about that
Remembering the Life and Legacy of David Bailey
When diagnosed with brain cancer at age 30, and given 6 months to live, David struggled with the usual and understandable feelings that focused on "why me?" -- young husband and father to two young children. David's uniqueness came to the fore when after months of pity-partying, the phrase "why not me?" began to govern his life.
David began a witness to the experience of many "terminally ill" patients who "find their calling."
A talented musician, he focused on writing and preforming his music for anyone who would listen. His concerts always featured a witness to the faith that propelled him and gave him the strength to do what he did. David celebrated the ground of his being and spent another 14 years living life to the fullest -- witnessing to and teaching all who listened and observed.
Thanks David for being you and doing what you did.
You, your life, and your music are an inspiration to many.
http://tinyurl.com/22vjqxy
David began a witness to the experience of many "terminally ill" patients who "find their calling."
A talented musician, he focused on writing and preforming his music for anyone who would listen. His concerts always featured a witness to the faith that propelled him and gave him the strength to do what he did. David celebrated the ground of his being and spent another 14 years living life to the fullest -- witnessing to and teaching all who listened and observed.
Thanks David for being you and doing what you did.
You, your life, and your music are an inspiration to many.
http://tinyurl.com/22vjqxy
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