From time to time I have the privilege of writing articles on assignment- and the most recent is a request for an article on 'unanswered prayer.'
I'm inclined to believe that all sincere prayer is answered but not necessarily granted as requested. To my mind that is not a copout. At the same time I wonder how many situations, relationships, decisions-- life-changing matters-- might be effected, changed for the better by prayer?
I'm persuaded that God is good. He is "on our side" in that He always wills our salvation. But prayer does not change God so much as it makes possible change in the human equation- in me, you- the ones for whome we make petition and intercede.
I'm persuaded that God loves you and me. Tenderly. And yet He is God- He sees what we can not see.
There is a sort of saying about people-- "To know her is to love her.." But with God our faith relationship is such that "To LOVE Him is to know Him!" As we dare to press into a loving relationship, and trust His love for us-- maybe there is where the real purpose of life unfolds.
Think about tis today: God cares for you! He listens when you speak to Him! What do you really need from Him today?
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
A Bee's Eye View
Last week there was news of a sect in Russia , some brand of Christian interpretation, people who have holed up in a cave waiting for the end of the world. In the news today word from some scientists warning that global warming will be the doom of us all. Other scientists declare that warming and cooling are cycles beyond direct human influence. The Bible clearly states human history is headed somewhere, on a collision course with judgment for us all, but it does not say when or how. In fact if I understand scripture the word is comforting to the children of God- the uplook is always Promising.
But isn't is strange that one threat to life as we now know it is connected with the health or illness of honey bees! Over the last several years whole colonies of honey bees have simply given up and died. Last year was a disastrous year for many bee keepers. And while you may or may not use much honey, and wouldn't think a bee shortage to be a major problem, you do eat fruits and vegetables, and enjoy flowering plants of all kinds. The lowly honey bee is directly involved in the pollination of all these essentail plants. And some scientists have predicted that at current rates of diseased hives the honey bee may be near extinction by 2035. Wouldn't that ber a strange harbinger of the end of the world?
It probably would not portend an end to civilization in and of itself. And I don't see evangelists waxing eloquent or urgent over the plight of the bees. But it does indicate just how inter-dependant life is. Maybe we should pray for the scientists who are looking for an antidote to the disease that has decimated these little friends of ours. If I were a bee I'd appreciate it!
But isn't is strange that one threat to life as we now know it is connected with the health or illness of honey bees! Over the last several years whole colonies of honey bees have simply given up and died. Last year was a disastrous year for many bee keepers. And while you may or may not use much honey, and wouldn't think a bee shortage to be a major problem, you do eat fruits and vegetables, and enjoy flowering plants of all kinds. The lowly honey bee is directly involved in the pollination of all these essentail plants. And some scientists have predicted that at current rates of diseased hives the honey bee may be near extinction by 2035. Wouldn't that ber a strange harbinger of the end of the world?
It probably would not portend an end to civilization in and of itself. And I don't see evangelists waxing eloquent or urgent over the plight of the bees. But it does indicate just how inter-dependant life is. Maybe we should pray for the scientists who are looking for an antidote to the disease that has decimated these little friends of ours. If I were a bee I'd appreciate it!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Potpouri on a Holiday
Yesterday was November 11, the traditional day for Armistice Day, now Veteran's Day in our nation . . . the local town government showed their absolute disregard for Christian worship by having a ceremony on the library lawn honoring veterans, at eleven o'clock on the Sunday morning, the time when most churches are having their worship services.
Our #3 son Mark is in India just now on a business trip- he took his wife, Joy, along and they saw the Taj Mahal yesterday-- he reports seeing five people on one motorcycle- says the trafiic/driving is beyond his description.
Eating a bagel this morning I dislodged a crown, I think it is tooth #5 in dental terms, which represents quite a monetary commitment-- but a call to the dentist, Yacubian, indicates they are working today, so it will be over the bridge to Quincy this afternoon. Boy am I happy they are working this holiday-- I think I saved the crown and the 'peg' looks solid...hmmm
Our house has been 'shown' for the very first time. We have not heard the results as yet but I imagine if there had been an offer we would have. More on the moving saga later.
Blessings on all who read this . . and say a prayer for the 'old people' today-- whoever they are.
Our #3 son Mark is in India just now on a business trip- he took his wife, Joy, along and they saw the Taj Mahal yesterday-- he reports seeing five people on one motorcycle- says the trafiic/driving is beyond his description.
Eating a bagel this morning I dislodged a crown, I think it is tooth #5 in dental terms, which represents quite a monetary commitment-- but a call to the dentist, Yacubian, indicates they are working today, so it will be over the bridge to Quincy this afternoon. Boy am I happy they are working this holiday-- I think I saved the crown and the 'peg' looks solid...hmmm
Our house has been 'shown' for the very first time. We have not heard the results as yet but I imagine if there had been an offer we would have. More on the moving saga later.
Blessings on all who read this . . and say a prayer for the 'old people' today-- whoever they are.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
The Word of God, in Jesus Christ Our Lord
We have to make a judgment as to whether or not we shall believe that the Bible is God's Word. There is some sort of continuum from obscurantist mouthing on one side to deconstructionist ranting on the other, and these have a thread in common that they both would deny, which is an over-weaning desire to have human control of the material.
We ultimately must let the Word have control over us! To say, 'Father God, as you reveal to me Yourself in your Son, Jesus Christ, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, I WILL OBEY YOU!', is to truly 'believe.' Faith is expressed in a willingness to follow, to obey, to SEEK to be like Jesus. It is a tragic thing to lose one's FAITH. To be able to believe is a GIFT. Think about that! Not obscurantism- deliberately ignoring facts to believe what someone else tells you; but choosing to believe that God has spoken! It is not a matter of authority: "If any man will do His will, he shall KNOW of the doctrine" John 7:17. Faith is more a matter of volition than it is intellect! Better, it is a matter of the whole person. ... exerpts from an old communion sermon, love,Russell
We ultimately must let the Word have control over us! To say, 'Father God, as you reveal to me Yourself in your Son, Jesus Christ, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, I WILL OBEY YOU!', is to truly 'believe.' Faith is expressed in a willingness to follow, to obey, to SEEK to be like Jesus. It is a tragic thing to lose one's FAITH. To be able to believe is a GIFT. Think about that! Not obscurantism- deliberately ignoring facts to believe what someone else tells you; but choosing to believe that God has spoken! It is not a matter of authority: "If any man will do His will, he shall KNOW of the doctrine" John 7:17. Faith is more a matter of volition than it is intellect! Better, it is a matter of the whole person. ... exerpts from an old communion sermon, love,Russell
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Big Moves for Old People
This morning we signed a contract to sell our house here on Cape Cod for $310,000-- if and when our broker finds a willing buyer. A few months ago, seh says, it would have been a higher price, but the market has sagged-- here and all over the country.
We've prayed about this a long time-- and thought about the prospects of growing older and having to do what we've been doing. A huge dumpster in the side driveway half filled with things we have accumulated across 53+ years of marriage-- whole years of sermon notes simply dumped into trash!
But Helen reminds me that my work has not been words and sermons and awards and things to hang on the wall. I trust she is right. I have not been a perfect example of what a man and a minister ought to be, perhaps, but I can say that I have been perfectly faithful to my commitment to God, and to Helen, and to our family. And faithful to the Church of the Nazarene as well-- even though in many ways we feel isolated and strange to the ways of worship and cultural adaptation we see, not only in our denomination, but across the spectrum of modern worship.
Anyway, I still believe that Christ is building His Church. I believe the Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. I will be faithful to Christ and His Church until my latest breath. And, wonder of wonders, Christ is faithful to us, day by day-- he tenderly cares for us old people. His retirement plan is -- He told me once a long time ago -- "at least as good as IBM!" That's a happy joke, son! But true-- He DID tell me that!
So-- Ohio-- here we come!!
We've prayed about this a long time-- and thought about the prospects of growing older and having to do what we've been doing. A huge dumpster in the side driveway half filled with things we have accumulated across 53+ years of marriage-- whole years of sermon notes simply dumped into trash!
But Helen reminds me that my work has not been words and sermons and awards and things to hang on the wall. I trust she is right. I have not been a perfect example of what a man and a minister ought to be, perhaps, but I can say that I have been perfectly faithful to my commitment to God, and to Helen, and to our family. And faithful to the Church of the Nazarene as well-- even though in many ways we feel isolated and strange to the ways of worship and cultural adaptation we see, not only in our denomination, but across the spectrum of modern worship.
Anyway, I still believe that Christ is building His Church. I believe the Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. I will be faithful to Christ and His Church until my latest breath. And, wonder of wonders, Christ is faithful to us, day by day-- he tenderly cares for us old people. His retirement plan is -- He told me once a long time ago -- "at least as good as IBM!" That's a happy joke, son! But true-- He DID tell me that!
So-- Ohio-- here we come!!
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