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.

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/

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

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

Faith is not a political issue

We urge public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question the President’s Christian faith.

As Christian leaders— whose primary responsibility is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our congregations, our communities, and our world— we are deeply troubled by the recent questioning of President Obama’s faith.
We understand that these are contentious times, but the personal faith of our leaders should not be up for public debate.

President Obama has been unwavering in confessing Christ as Lord and has spoken often about the importance of his Christian faith.
Many of the signees on this letter have prayed and worshipped with this President.
We believe that questioning, and especially misrepresenting, the faith of a confessing believer goes too far.

This is not a political issue.
The signers of this letter come from different political and ideological backgrounds, but we are unified in our belief in Jesus Christ.
As Christian pastors and leaders, we believe that fellow Christians need to be an encouragement to those who call Christ their savior, not question the veracity of their faith.

Therefore, we urge public officials, faith leaders, and the media to offer no further support or airtime to those who misrepresent and call into question the President’s Christian faith.
And we join with the President in praying that God will continue to bless the United States of America.

Signed,
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Pastor and CEO
Potters House

Ronald J. Sider
President
Evangelicals for Social Action

Rev. Sam Rodriguez
President
National Hispanic Leadership Conference

Dr. Joel Hunter
Senior Pastor, Northland: A Church Distributed

Jim Wallis
President and CEO
Sojourners
Luis Cortes
President
Esperanza

Stephen Monsma
Paul Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics
Calvin College

Miroslav Volf
Director, Center for Faith and Culture
Yale Divinity School

Donald Miller
Author

Brian McLaren
Author/Pastor

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Thirteenth Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Kirbyjon Caldwell
Senior Pastor
Windsor Village United Methodist Church

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
General Secretary
Reformed Church in America

Rev. Peg Chemberlin
President
National Council of Churches

Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Dr. David P. Gushee
Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics
Director, Center for Theology and Public Life
Mercer University

Dr. William Shaw
President
National Baptist Convention USA

Dr. Richard Hamm
Executive Director
Christian Churches Together in the USA

Cynthia Bolbach
Moderator, 219th General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk?
Office of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Linda Valentine
Executive Director
General Assembly Mission Council
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Dr. James C. Perkins
First Vice President
The Progressive National Baptist Convention

Rev. Gabriel A. Salguero
Lead Pastor, The Lamb’s Church of the Nazarene
Executive, The Latino Leadership Circle

Noel Castellanos
CEO, Christian Community Development Association

Vincent J. Miller
Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture
Department of Religious Studies
University of Dayton

Terrence W. Tilley
Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Professor of Catholic Theology
Chair, Theology Department
Fordham University, Bronx NY

Nicholas P. Cafardi
Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law
Duquesne University School of Law

T. Michael McNulty, SJ
Justice and Peace Director
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)

Steve Schneck
Director
Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies
The Catholic University of America

David Baak
United Church of Wayland, MI

George B. Telford
Committee on Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
Presbyterian Church (USA)

Rev. Chuck Currie
Rev. Jeff Johnston

Jaculatory Prayer:

short, extemporaneous, prayer "darted" to God - as per 1656 New English dictionary.
I like this. What do you think?
Can my congregation with their learned Presbyterian behaviors handle this teaching?
Comments please.

Bib Changes Are Underway!

We’re finally seeing some results of our daring action nearly a year ago to sell the church building.

Beluah Tabernacle is moving in.

It will be good to see so many people using the building again.

And, we will have to learn how to live together as we continue to downsize the space we use in the building.

While title has not yet been transferred, we have entered into an arrangement with
Beluah Tabernacle to lease all of space in the entire building we are not using until settlement.

The lease is beneficial to both parties giving them a place to worship and carry on their ministries,
as well as providing us with an income closely approximating what we will have once the sale goes through.

Once again Christ Church is at the forefront of innovation –
having spawned the use of broadcasting services and lessons directly into the homes of shut-ins through the facilities of the telephone system,
as well as the well-known meals-on-wheels program,
just to name a couple of past innovations started here.

The sale of the church building with accompanying lease-back of space for continuing ministry has not often been tried.

But, we have a building that accommodates such a proposal – and we have a buyer that is agreeable to the arrangement.
It promises to be a win-win situation for everybody.

Now, it will take some adjustment and will require changes in how we do things as we learn to live together sharing the building with Beluah Tabernacle.

Stay tuned for further announcements.

Once things settle down and new routines are developed, we will begin exploring what our church and ministry may look like in the years to come.

For now, patience and hospitality are virtues to be practiced.

In the near future, inspired dreams and visions will be encouraged as our new ministry emerges.

Please continue to remember in prayer your church and those who are working so hard to enable this move to provide for the continuation of our ministry at Christ Church.

Meanwhile, plan to be here Easter Sunday – and invite a friend – or two – or three.

During the past year, the top priority was to maintain the Sunday morning worship services –
and this will remain a top priority in the year to come as well.

Our services during Holy Week will continue to be special.

We will remember and celebrate the parade as Jesus entered Jerusalem on
Palm Sunday March 28, 10:00 am.

Our Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service of communion and lights will be April 1 at 7:30 pm.

And, of course, the highlight of the year, our Easter Service will be April 4 at 10:00 am.
Let’s fill the chapel wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder, to celebrate the birthday of whole new world.

See you in church –
and bring someone with you.