Here is today's prayer:
O Lord, I have been talking to the people;
Thought's wheels have round me whirled a fiery zone,
And the recoil of my word's airy ripple
My heart unheedful has puffed up and blown.
Therefore I cast myself before thee prone:
Lay cool hands on my burning brain and press
From my heart the swelling emptiness.
Amen.
-From Diary of an Old Soul by George MacDonald (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 414)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
June 29, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you have sent Jesus to take our nature upon himself and to be for us sign and Saviour. Grant that by the power of your spirit Christ may be born within us today to the end that our ministry may be pleasing to you and helpful to your people. We pray in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 271
Almighty God, you have sent Jesus to take our nature upon himself and to be for us sign and Saviour. Grant that by the power of your spirit Christ may be born within us today to the end that our ministry may be pleasing to you and helpful to your people. We pray in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 271
Sunday, June 28, 2009
June 28, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O Lord, in whose hands are life and death, by whose power I am sustained, and by whose mercy I am spared, look down upon me with pity. Forgive me, that I have this day neglected the duty which Thou hast assigned to it, and suffered the hours, of which I must give account, to pass away without any endeavor to accomplish thy will, or to promote my own salvation. Make me to remember, O God, that every day is thy gift, and ought to be used according to thy command. Grant me, therefore, so to repent of my negligence, that I may obtain mercy from Thee, and pass the time which Thou shalt yet allow me, in diligent performance of thy commands, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
-From Doctor Johnson's Prayers edited by Elton Trueblood (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 258)
O Lord, in whose hands are life and death, by whose power I am sustained, and by whose mercy I am spared, look down upon me with pity. Forgive me, that I have this day neglected the duty which Thou hast assigned to it, and suffered the hours, of which I must give account, to pass away without any endeavor to accomplish thy will, or to promote my own salvation. Make me to remember, O God, that every day is thy gift, and ought to be used according to thy command. Grant me, therefore, so to repent of my negligence, that I may obtain mercy from Thee, and pass the time which Thou shalt yet allow me, in diligent performance of thy commands, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
-From Doctor Johnson's Prayers edited by Elton Trueblood (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 258)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A Little Petting Zoo
Today the family went to a grand opening of a drug store that had a petting zoo, free hot dogs and drinks, and a clown that made balloon animals. While we missed the clown (must have been on lunch break) Bailey had a great time with the animals and the hot dogs!
Here are some pictures from today's outing:
Petting a baby goat:
Petting a calf:
If you look close you can see this little goat standing on a huge turtle (and you can almost hear the turtle scream "I get no respect, no respect I tell ya":
Momma watching us from the outside (and the other side of a camel):
Bailey wondering what to pet next:
We didn't stay for a long time because of the heat, but Bailey seemed to enjoy herself tremendously!
Here are some pictures from today's outing:
Petting a baby goat:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Petting a calf:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
If you look close you can see this little goat standing on a huge turtle (and you can almost hear the turtle scream "I get no respect, no respect I tell ya":
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Momma watching us from the outside (and the other side of a camel):
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Bailey wondering what to pet next:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
We didn't stay for a long time because of the heat, but Bailey seemed to enjoy herself tremendously!
Our Resident Climber
Yesterday was my day off and Erica, Bailey and I spent some time at the local mall where we did some shopping and some playing.
Here are some shots of our baby girl doing one of her favorite activities - climbing:
Here are some shots of our baby girl doing one of her favorite activities - climbing:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Children's Fishing Tournament
One of the last things we got to do in Edom was to hang with some of our favorite peeps at a birthday party for their son. The great thing about this party was that it was at a little lake on the family's property. There was great food to eat and good times to be had as we watched the kids catch fish for tournament trophies.
Here are some of the shots from my Blackberry that day:
The winner of the first fish caught:
The winner for largest fish:
It was a great day with many prizes awarded for first fish, smallest fish, most fish, largest fish and so on. We are appreciative to the families that hosted us at this get together!
Here are some of the shots from my Blackberry that day:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
The winner of the first fish caught:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
The winner for largest fish:
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
It was a great day with many prizes awarded for first fish, smallest fish, most fish, largest fish and so on. We are appreciative to the families that hosted us at this get together!
June 27, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, in wisdom you have created us and all things. Provide our daily needs and grant us grace and strength to fulfill the ministry to which we have been called. We offer our prayers in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 249
Almighty God, in wisdom you have created us and all things. Provide our daily needs and grant us grace and strength to fulfill the ministry to which we have been called. We offer our prayers in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 249
Friday, June 26, 2009
June 26, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
-From The Book of Worship (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 243)
O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
-From The Book of Worship (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 243)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
June 25, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Grant, O God,
That we may never lose the way through our self-will, and so end up in the far countries of the soul;
That we may never abandon the struggle, but that we may endure to the end, and so be saved;
That we may never drop out of the race, but that we may ever press forward to the goal of our high calling;
That we may never choose the cheap and passing things, and let go the precious things that last forever;
That we may never take the easy way, and so leave the right way;
That we may never forget that sweat is the price of all things, and that without the cross, there cannot be the crown.
So keep us and strengthen us by your grace that no disobedience and no weakness and no failure may stop us from entering into the blessedness which awaits those who are faithful in all the changes and the chances of life down even to the gates of death; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 241)
Grant, O God,
That we may never lose the way through our self-will, and so end up in the far countries of the soul;
That we may never abandon the struggle, but that we may endure to the end, and so be saved;
That we may never drop out of the race, but that we may ever press forward to the goal of our high calling;
That we may never choose the cheap and passing things, and let go the precious things that last forever;
That we may never take the easy way, and so leave the right way;
That we may never forget that sweat is the price of all things, and that without the cross, there cannot be the crown.
So keep us and strengthen us by your grace that no disobedience and no weakness and no failure may stop us from entering into the blessedness which awaits those who are faithful in all the changes and the chances of life down even to the gates of death; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 241)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
June 24, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
I call to you, O Lord, from my quiet darkness. Show me your mercy and love. Let me see your face, hear your voice, touch the hem of your cloak. I want to love you, be with you, speak to you and simply stand in your presence. But I cannot make it happen. Pressing my eyes against my hands is not praying, and reading about your presence is not living it.
But there is that moment in which you will come to me, as you did to your fearful disciples, and say, 'Do not be afraid; it is I.' Let that moment come soon, O Lord. And if you want to delay it, then make me patient. Amen.
-From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J.M. Nouwen (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 238)
I call to you, O Lord, from my quiet darkness. Show me your mercy and love. Let me see your face, hear your voice, touch the hem of your cloak. I want to love you, be with you, speak to you and simply stand in your presence. But I cannot make it happen. Pressing my eyes against my hands is not praying, and reading about your presence is not living it.
But there is that moment in which you will come to me, as you did to your fearful disciples, and say, 'Do not be afraid; it is I.' Let that moment come soon, O Lord. And if you want to delay it, then make me patient. Amen.
-From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J.M. Nouwen (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 238)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
RIP Ray S. Anderson
It saddened me today to discover that Ray S. Anderson (Author and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary) passed away this Father's Day.
While I never had the opportunity to study under him in person, many of his works (Ministry on the Firing Line, The Shape of Practical Theology, and many more) have made me an advid student of his for the better part of a decade.
You can read more about Ray's life and ministry here, at Ben Myers blog entilted Faith and Theology.
Although we never met in person, his lectures, his books, and the legacy of ministry have shaped me and will continue to shape me...and for this I give thanks to our God!
Blessings and prayers to Ray's family and friends during this time.
While I never had the opportunity to study under him in person, many of his works (Ministry on the Firing Line, The Shape of Practical Theology, and many more) have made me an advid student of his for the better part of a decade.
You can read more about Ray's life and ministry here, at Ben Myers blog entilted Faith and Theology.
Although we never met in person, his lectures, his books, and the legacy of ministry have shaped me and will continue to shape me...and for this I give thanks to our God!
Blessings and prayers to Ray's family and friends during this time.
June 23, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to be a servant. We ask now for your grace and strength to faithfully follow in the footsteps of servanthood. We pray in the name and spirit of Jesus. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 219
Lord Jesus Christ, you have shown us what it means to be a servant. We ask now for your grace and strength to faithfully follow in the footsteps of servanthood. We pray in the name and spirit of Jesus. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 219
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, through the power of your Holy Spirit you enable us to do and be more than we can think or imagine. Come now, dwell within us, and make us strong to do your work and will. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 213
Almighty God, through the power of your Holy Spirit you enable us to do and be more than we can think or imagine. Come now, dwell within us, and make us strong to do your work and will. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 213
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Systematic Theology - Doctrine of God Part II
Between the move and getting a couple of things off the ground here in Port Arthur, I have not been keeping up with our systematic theology discussion. So to get back on track, here is the second part of our discussion on the doctrine of God:
God’s Attributes:
Perfect being theology suggests that God is “a thoroughly benevolent conscious agent with unlimited knowledge and power who is the necessarily existent, ontologically independent creative source of all else” (Morris, 40). There is no being that can be considered greater than the one that is described. This definition does not grasp all that our canonical heritage has to offer regarding God, but it does point us towards other ways in which we can describe God. Systematic theology refers to these alternatives as God’s attributes.
First, God is uncreated. There is no prior cause for God. Instead, God is the prior cause for all else in creation. God has always been in existence and there is no way for God to go out of existence. Second, God is not dependent upon anything within the created order. Instead, God is radically independent and free to act as God chooses for God’s own good purposes. This is what is meant by God’s “ontological independence” (Morris, 40). Third, God is both omnipotent and omniscient; God is capable of doing and knowing whatever is logically possible for God to do and know. These attributes are not to be mistaken for coercion and tyranny. God neither knows nor acts in such a way that limits the freedom that God has given to humanity. God neither predestines nor causes our actions (Abraham, 2007). Fourth, God is omnipresent. God both created time and space and indwells time and space. This means that God’s agency extended through all of the created order simultaneously (Abraham, 2007). This is only possible if God is both imminent and transcendent. Fifth, God is immutable. As such, God does not change God’s mind and God does not make mistakes (Miles, 2005). The core of God’s being cannot change, age, diminish, nor go away. Additionally, God’s fundamental faithfulness is unfailing. Sixth, God is Divine simplicity; nothing can be subtracted from God (Miles, 2005).
While this delineates some of the more crucial attributes for understanding God, it is by no means an exhaustive list. To be fair to the tradition, theologians have also described God as impassible, infinite, all loving, good, just, holy, worthy of worship, the source of all true human happiness and welfare, and so on. Space constraints do not allow for a description of God that more fully embraces all that can be known about God and God’s self-revelation.
God’s Activity in the World:
From creation to the present, and from now through our final redemption, God has been, is and will continue to be active in the world. God’s activity is seen in the Hebrews’ liberation from Egypt, provision for the Israelites in the wilderness, giving the law through Moses, speaking through the prophets, and in the sending of Jesus. Much can be learned about God by recognizing God’s activity in history. These activities are often associated with specific persons within the Trinity. For example, creation is attributed to God the Father, redemption to the Son, and the establishment of the Church to the Holy Spirit. Discussion of the remaining persons of the Trinity and their activities will occur in their respective loci.
Now it is your turn...what would you add to the list of attributes? How do we experience those additions? Is there an attribute that you would leave out? If so, why?
© Russell Hall/Radically Altered – 2009. All Rights Reserved.
God’s Attributes:
Perfect being theology suggests that God is “a thoroughly benevolent conscious agent with unlimited knowledge and power who is the necessarily existent, ontologically independent creative source of all else” (Morris, 40). There is no being that can be considered greater than the one that is described. This definition does not grasp all that our canonical heritage has to offer regarding God, but it does point us towards other ways in which we can describe God. Systematic theology refers to these alternatives as God’s attributes.
First, God is uncreated. There is no prior cause for God. Instead, God is the prior cause for all else in creation. God has always been in existence and there is no way for God to go out of existence. Second, God is not dependent upon anything within the created order. Instead, God is radically independent and free to act as God chooses for God’s own good purposes. This is what is meant by God’s “ontological independence” (Morris, 40). Third, God is both omnipotent and omniscient; God is capable of doing and knowing whatever is logically possible for God to do and know. These attributes are not to be mistaken for coercion and tyranny. God neither knows nor acts in such a way that limits the freedom that God has given to humanity. God neither predestines nor causes our actions (Abraham, 2007). Fourth, God is omnipresent. God both created time and space and indwells time and space. This means that God’s agency extended through all of the created order simultaneously (Abraham, 2007). This is only possible if God is both imminent and transcendent. Fifth, God is immutable. As such, God does not change God’s mind and God does not make mistakes (Miles, 2005). The core of God’s being cannot change, age, diminish, nor go away. Additionally, God’s fundamental faithfulness is unfailing. Sixth, God is Divine simplicity; nothing can be subtracted from God (Miles, 2005).
While this delineates some of the more crucial attributes for understanding God, it is by no means an exhaustive list. To be fair to the tradition, theologians have also described God as impassible, infinite, all loving, good, just, holy, worthy of worship, the source of all true human happiness and welfare, and so on. Space constraints do not allow for a description of God that more fully embraces all that can be known about God and God’s self-revelation.
God’s Activity in the World:
From creation to the present, and from now through our final redemption, God has been, is and will continue to be active in the world. God’s activity is seen in the Hebrews’ liberation from Egypt, provision for the Israelites in the wilderness, giving the law through Moses, speaking through the prophets, and in the sending of Jesus. Much can be learned about God by recognizing God’s activity in history. These activities are often associated with specific persons within the Trinity. For example, creation is attributed to God the Father, redemption to the Son, and the establishment of the Church to the Holy Spirit. Discussion of the remaining persons of the Trinity and their activities will occur in their respective loci.
Now it is your turn...what would you add to the list of attributes? How do we experience those additions? Is there an attribute that you would leave out? If so, why?
© Russell Hall/Radically Altered – 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Family
During our time in Edom, one of our neighbors took us in, adopted us and called us their own. Simply put, we are family. We have shared meals together, made trips to the hospital together, prayed together, played together, and so on. Our family was theirs and their family was ours. This photoblog is a salute to Mr. and Mrs. M:
Mr. M. holding Bailey
And Mrs. M. and Bailey cutting up as usual
We love you both!
Mr. M. holding Bailey
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
And Mrs. M. and Bailey cutting up as usual
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
We love you both!
True Friends
We have been blessed with a number of very good friends. There is simply nothing better than hanging out with good peeps. The following two folks have been a part of our lives for the last few years. They have brought great joy and laughter to our lives!
This is D-Man
And this is Jen
We love you both!
This is D-Man
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
And this is Jen
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
We love you both!
Fire Department Farewell
It is no great secret that one of my favorite activities while serving United Methodist churches in the greater Edom area was going on fire calls. I loved my work with the Edom Volunteer Fire Department. Over the course of almost 2 years, I went on hundreds of calls (medical, vehicle accidents, structure fires, grass/pasture/forest fires, etc) and completed my training and certification for being an Emergency Care Respondent (ECA/First Responder).
On our last Monday in Edom, the fire department through me a huge farewell party. Here are some photos from that last night on the department:
This is me in partial bunker gear on Engine 1 at station 1
This is me in full bunker gear (minus SCBA equipment)
Me in full gear in front of the station (it was hot...that's why I am not fully zipped!)
Me and Bailey horsing around with my helmet
The fire chief giving me my lieutenant's helmet as a gift for my service with the department
A good chunk of the department together in front of the station
Me and the fire chief (and my buddy)
I am forever indebted to this group of men and women for allowing me the privilege to work with them. I will never forget the time I spent with them on the department!
On our last Monday in Edom, the fire department through me a huge farewell party. Here are some photos from that last night on the department:
This is me in partial bunker gear on Engine 1 at station 1
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
This is me in full bunker gear (minus SCBA equipment)
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Me in full gear in front of the station (it was hot...that's why I am not fully zipped!)
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Me and Bailey horsing around with my helmet
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
The fire chief giving me my lieutenant's helmet as a gift for my service with the department
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
A good chunk of the department together in front of the station
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Me and the fire chief (and my buddy)
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
I am forever indebted to this group of men and women for allowing me the privilege to work with them. I will never forget the time I spent with them on the department!
June 21, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you have made yourself known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Make yourself known to us in such a way that we may understand your will and purpose for our lives today. We offer our prayers in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 190
Almighty God, you have made yourself known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Make yourself known to us in such a way that we may understand your will and purpose for our lives today. We offer our prayers in the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 190
Saturday, June 20, 2009
June 20, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you have called the church into being and have gathered us into one family. By the power of your Holy Spirit help us to live in unity and peace with all of your children. May our actions this day be fruit of our faith in your kingdom. In the name of Christ. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 178
Almighty God, you have called the church into being and have gathered us into one family. By the power of your Holy Spirit help us to live in unity and peace with all of your children. May our actions this day be fruit of our faith in your kingdom. In the name of Christ. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 178
Friday, June 19, 2009
June 19, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you have created us, called us, chosen us to be your people. We wait now to receive your word of guidance and blessing. Grant unto us ears to hear, eyes to see, and faith to respond to your love and leadership. In the name of Christ. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 173
Almighty God, you have created us, called us, chosen us to be your people. We wait now to receive your word of guidance and blessing. Grant unto us ears to hear, eyes to see, and faith to respond to your love and leadership. In the name of Christ. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 173
Thursday, June 18, 2009
June 18, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
What a different life it must be not to desire death! How different then is the inclination of our will from the will of God! His will would have us love the truth; we love the life. It would have us desire eternal things; we incline to what is passing. It would have us desire lofty and sublime things; we want vile and earthly things. It would have us desire only what is certain; we love dubious things. It is mockery, my daughters, to ask anything of God but that he deliver us from all these dangers and from all evil, for eternity. Even though we do not make the petition perfectly, let us force ourselves to make it. Does it cost us anything to ask for a great deal, since we are asking One who is powerful? It would be shameful to ask a great emperor for a penny. But, that we may better succeed, let us leave the giving to his will, since we have already given him ours. May his name ever be glorified in heaven and on earth and may his will be always done in me. Amen.
-From Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 171)
What a different life it must be not to desire death! How different then is the inclination of our will from the will of God! His will would have us love the truth; we love the life. It would have us desire eternal things; we incline to what is passing. It would have us desire lofty and sublime things; we want vile and earthly things. It would have us desire only what is certain; we love dubious things. It is mockery, my daughters, to ask anything of God but that he deliver us from all these dangers and from all evil, for eternity. Even though we do not make the petition perfectly, let us force ourselves to make it. Does it cost us anything to ask for a great deal, since we are asking One who is powerful? It would be shameful to ask a great emperor for a penny. But, that we may better succeed, let us leave the giving to his will, since we have already given him ours. May his name ever be glorified in heaven and on earth and may his will be always done in me. Amen.
-From Way of Perfection by Saint Teresa of Avila (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 171)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
June 17, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Lord, you have promised to meet those who seek your face. Come now and reveal your presence to me as I make myself present to you. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 154
Lord, you have promised to meet those who seek your face. Come now and reveal your presence to me as I make myself present to you. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 154
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
June 16, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but you? You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind, and soul. You know me through and through. In and through you everything that is finds its origin and goal. You embrace all that exists and care for it with divine love and compassion. Why, then, do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of you? Why do I keep relating to you as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded? Why do I keep looking for popularity, respect from others, success, acclaim, and sensual pleasures? Why, Lord, is it so hard for me to make you the only one? Why do I keep hesitating to surrender myself totally to you?
Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let die the thousand big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires. Let me be reborn in you and see through you the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words, and thought can become a hymn of praise to you.
I need your loving grace to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self and to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedom.
Lord, dispel my mistrust and help me become a trusting friend. Amen.
-From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J.M. Nouwen (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 149)
O Lord, who else or what else can I desire but you? You are my Lord, Lord of my heart, mind, and soul. You know me through and through. In and through you everything that is finds its origin and goal. You embrace all that exists and care for it with divine love and compassion. Why, then, do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of you? Why do I keep relating to you as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded? Why do I keep looking for popularity, respect from others, success, acclaim, and sensual pleasures? Why, Lord, is it so hard for me to make you the only one? Why do I keep hesitating to surrender myself totally to you?
Help me, O Lord, to let my old self die, to let die the thousand big and small ways in which I am still building up my false self and trying to cling to my false desires. Let me be reborn in you and see through you the world in the right way, so that all my actions, words, and thought can become a hymn of praise to you.
I need your loving grace to travel on this hard road that leads to the death of my old self and to a new life in and for you. I know and trust that this is the road to freedom.
Lord, dispel my mistrust and help me become a trusting friend. Amen.
-From A Cry for Mercy by Henri J.M. Nouwen (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 149)
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, who through the grace of thy Holy Spirit dost pour the gift of love into the hearts of thy faithful people: Grant us health, both of mind and body, that we may love thee with our whole strength, and with glad hearts may perform those things which are pleasing unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From The Book of Worship (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 148
O God, who through the grace of thy Holy Spirit dost pour the gift of love into the hearts of thy faithful people: Grant us health, both of mind and body, that we may love thee with our whole strength, and with glad hearts may perform those things which are pleasing unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From The Book of Worship (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 148
Sunday, June 14, 2009
June 14, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you who have sent Jesus into the world to suffer, die, and rise again for our sake, help us to experience your transforming resurrection power within our lives and ministry. We offer our prayers in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 142
Almighty God, you who have sent Jesus into the world to suffer, die, and rise again for our sake, help us to experience your transforming resurrection power within our lives and ministry. We offer our prayers in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 142
Saturday, June 13, 2009
June 13, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God our Father, renew our spirits and draw our hearts to thyself, that our work may not be to us a burden but a delight; and give us such love to thee as may sweeten all our obedience. Help us that we may serve thee with the cheerfulness and gladness of children, delighting ourselves in thee and rejoicing in all that is to the honor of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 129
O God our Father, renew our spirits and draw our hearts to thyself, that our work may not be to us a burden but a delight; and give us such love to thee as may sweeten all our obedience. Help us that we may serve thee with the cheerfulness and gladness of children, delighting ourselves in thee and rejoicing in all that is to the honor of thy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 129
Friday, June 12, 2009
June 12, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Lord God, you who are the source of all truth, wisdom, justice, and love, lead me through this time of worship and throughout this day of service to you. Help me constantly to rest my life upon the eternal foundations of your love and presence. Save me from haste and confusion, from wrongful desire, and the net of evil. Through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, enlighten, instruct, and guide me all the day long. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 123
Lord God, you who are the source of all truth, wisdom, justice, and love, lead me through this time of worship and throughout this day of service to you. Help me constantly to rest my life upon the eternal foundations of your love and presence. Save me from haste and confusion, from wrongful desire, and the net of evil. Through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, enlighten, instruct, and guide me all the day long. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 123
Thursday, June 11, 2009
June 11, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Lord of life and love, help us to worship thee in the holiness of beauty, that some beauty of holiness may appear in us. Quiet our souls in thy presence with the stillness of a wise trust. Lift us above dark moods, and the shadow of sin, that we may find thy will for our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From The Book of Worship (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 118)
Lord of life and love, help us to worship thee in the holiness of beauty, that some beauty of holiness may appear in us. Quiet our souls in thy presence with the stillness of a wise trust. Lift us above dark moods, and the shadow of sin, that we may find thy will for our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From The Book of Worship (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 118)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
June 10, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you who call me to prayer and who offer yourself to all who seek your face, pour out your Holy Spirit upon me today and deliver me from coldness of heart, a wandering mind, and wrongful desire. By the power of your Spirit place within me steadfast love and devotion, so that today I may worship and serve you with all of my life; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
-From (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 106
Almighty God, you who call me to prayer and who offer yourself to all who seek your face, pour out your Holy Spirit upon me today and deliver me from coldness of heart, a wandering mind, and wrongful desire. By the power of your Spirit place within me steadfast love and devotion, so that today I may worship and serve you with all of my life; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
-From (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 106
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June 9, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you have chosen to speak to us through prophets and wise leaders and most clearly through your son, Jesus Christ. Grant unto us now the ability to hear, understand, and obey him whom you have sent. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 100
Almighty God, you have chosen to speak to us through prophets and wise leaders and most clearly through your son, Jesus Christ. Grant unto us now the ability to hear, understand, and obey him whom you have sent. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 100
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Write thy blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraven, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from thy love. Be thou to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble, and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Amen.
-Thomas à Kempis (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 99
Write thy blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart, there to remain so indelibly engraven, that no prosperity, no adversity shall ever move me from thy love. Be thou to me a strong tower of defense, a comforter in tribulation, a deliverer in distress, a very present help in trouble, and a guide to heaven through the many temptations and dangers of this life. Amen.
-Thomas à Kempis (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 99
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Systematic Theology - Doctrine of God Part I
There was very little discussion around our first posting in systematic theology. I take that to mean that either very few people are reading and interested, or that they are waiting for the more exciting and difficult parts of systematic theology to get involved.
At any rate, we will move from prolegomena to the Doctrine of God in this week's posting. While the section involving the Doctrine of God is not extremely long in its current form, it perhaps has the most room for additional thoughts and insights. As such, we will post it in three different segments over the next three or more weeks. The sections we will be looking at are 1) the nature of God, 2) the attributes of God, and 3) God's activity in the world.
Here is the first of the aforementioned installments for our discussion:
Doctrine of God
Scripture refers to God as YHWH, Lord, Father, Jesus, Son, Holy Spirit, and the like. So, who is this God that we worship as Christians? After all, we are reminded in these words to Israel, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord alone,” (Deut. 6:4) that there is but one God. Yet Paul closes one of his letters by writing “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Cor. 13:13). These diverse expressions of God and God’s names in the pages of Scripture lend difficulty to the task of identifying and defining God. Therefore, to move forward it is necessary to discuss God in terms of God’s nature, attributes, and activity within the world.
God’s Nature:
God is triune; that is, God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God exists as three persons that are ontologically one, or, “The Godhead is a community of persons” (K. Norris, 287). Each of these persons exists eternally and is of the same substance. As such, when one person of the Trinity acts, all persons of the Trinity act. These are not modes of being in the modalistic sense, but rather, these modes of being regard how the persons of the Trinity are related to one another. Specifically, God the Father begets God the Son, and the Holy Spirit precedes from God the Father. In this manner the immanence of the Trinity, the way that God is with God’s self, is explicated relationally. Since the core of God’s being is relationship; God’s economy, the way God relates to the created order, is also ground in relationship. You cannot separate the economic Trinity from the immanent Trinity (Placher, 80). Through the exploration of Scripture, tradition and experience, we see that God’s activity within creation is relational through covenants, promises, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Throughout these activities God draws near to us and in turn draws us near to God. Hence, when we are drawn into relationship with God and transformed by God’s presence in our lives, we emulate the immanence and economy of the Trinity in our relationships with God, with others, and with the created order. When we affirm our belief in God, we are acknowledging the divinity of all persons of the Trinity and proclaiming the oneness of the Godhead; this is the crux of the nature of God. The difficulty of wrapping our finite minds around this concept may lend itself to approach the Trinity “not trying to explain it, but rather by seeking to imitate it” (Gonzalez and Maldanado, 54).
What are your thoughts!?!
© Russell Hall/Radically Altered – 2009. All Rights Reserved.
At any rate, we will move from prolegomena to the Doctrine of God in this week's posting. While the section involving the Doctrine of God is not extremely long in its current form, it perhaps has the most room for additional thoughts and insights. As such, we will post it in three different segments over the next three or more weeks. The sections we will be looking at are 1) the nature of God, 2) the attributes of God, and 3) God's activity in the world.
Here is the first of the aforementioned installments for our discussion:
Doctrine of God
Scripture refers to God as YHWH, Lord, Father, Jesus, Son, Holy Spirit, and the like. So, who is this God that we worship as Christians? After all, we are reminded in these words to Israel, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord alone,” (Deut. 6:4) that there is but one God. Yet Paul closes one of his letters by writing “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2 Cor. 13:13). These diverse expressions of God and God’s names in the pages of Scripture lend difficulty to the task of identifying and defining God. Therefore, to move forward it is necessary to discuss God in terms of God’s nature, attributes, and activity within the world.
God’s Nature:
God is triune; that is, God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God exists as three persons that are ontologically one, or, “The Godhead is a community of persons” (K. Norris, 287). Each of these persons exists eternally and is of the same substance. As such, when one person of the Trinity acts, all persons of the Trinity act. These are not modes of being in the modalistic sense, but rather, these modes of being regard how the persons of the Trinity are related to one another. Specifically, God the Father begets God the Son, and the Holy Spirit precedes from God the Father. In this manner the immanence of the Trinity, the way that God is with God’s self, is explicated relationally. Since the core of God’s being is relationship; God’s economy, the way God relates to the created order, is also ground in relationship. You cannot separate the economic Trinity from the immanent Trinity (Placher, 80). Through the exploration of Scripture, tradition and experience, we see that God’s activity within creation is relational through covenants, promises, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Throughout these activities God draws near to us and in turn draws us near to God. Hence, when we are drawn into relationship with God and transformed by God’s presence in our lives, we emulate the immanence and economy of the Trinity in our relationships with God, with others, and with the created order. When we affirm our belief in God, we are acknowledging the divinity of all persons of the Trinity and proclaiming the oneness of the Godhead; this is the crux of the nature of God. The difficulty of wrapping our finite minds around this concept may lend itself to approach the Trinity “not trying to explain it, but rather by seeking to imitate it” (Gonzalez and Maldanado, 54).
What are your thoughts!?!
© Russell Hall/Radically Altered – 2009. All Rights Reserved.
June 7, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
God of power unconquerable and light unquenchable look with favor upon your servant. By the power of your Spirit at work within, transform and make fruitful my life and ministry. In the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 90
God of power unconquerable and light unquenchable look with favor upon your servant. By the power of your Spirit at work within, transform and make fruitful my life and ministry. In the name and Spirit of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 90
Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 6, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, we thank you for all those in whose words and in whose writings your truth has come to us. For the historians, the psalmists and the prophets, who wrote the Old Testament; for those who wrote the Gospels and the Letters of the New Testament; for all who in every generation have taught and explained and expounded and preached the word of Scripture: We thank you, O God.
Grant, O God, that no false teaching may ever have any power to deceive us or to seduce us from the truth. Grant, O God, that we may never listen to any teaching which would encourage us to think sin less serious, vice more attractive, or virtue less important; grant, O God, that we may never listen to any teaching which would dethrone Jesus Christ from the topmost place; grant, O God, that we may never listen to any teaching which for its own purposes perverts the truth.
O God, our Father, establish us immovably in the truth. Give us minds which can see at once the difference between the true and the false; make us able to test everything, and to hold fast to that which is good; give us such a love of truth, that no false thing may ever be able to lure us from it. So grant that all our lives we may know, and love, and live the truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 75)
O God, we thank you for all those in whose words and in whose writings your truth has come to us. For the historians, the psalmists and the prophets, who wrote the Old Testament; for those who wrote the Gospels and the Letters of the New Testament; for all who in every generation have taught and explained and expounded and preached the word of Scripture: We thank you, O God.
Grant, O God, that no false teaching may ever have any power to deceive us or to seduce us from the truth. Grant, O God, that we may never listen to any teaching which would encourage us to think sin less serious, vice more attractive, or virtue less important; grant, O God, that we may never listen to any teaching which would dethrone Jesus Christ from the topmost place; grant, O God, that we may never listen to any teaching which for its own purposes perverts the truth.
O God, our Father, establish us immovably in the truth. Give us minds which can see at once the difference between the true and the false; make us able to test everything, and to hold fast to that which is good; give us such a love of truth, that no false thing may ever be able to lure us from it. So grant that all our lives we may know, and love, and live the truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-From Prayers for the Christian Year by William Barclay (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 75)
Friday, June 5, 2009
June 5, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, whose word is authority and power and whose way is love, grant unto us today clear minds, understanding hearts, and willing spirits so that we may wisely appropriate your word of truth. In the name of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 71
Almighty God, whose word is authority and power and whose way is love, grant unto us today clear minds, understanding hearts, and willing spirits so that we may wisely appropriate your word of truth. In the name of Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 71
Thursday, June 4, 2009
June 4, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, you who continually call your people to yourself, draw us by the power of your Holy Spirit into such a warm and binding relationship that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 59
Almighty God, you who continually call your people to yourself, draw us by the power of your Holy Spirit into such a warm and binding relationship that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 59
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
June 3, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
My God, I desire to love thee perfectly, with all my heart, which thou madest for thyself; with all my mind, which only thou canst satisfy; with all my soul, which feign would soar with thee. With all my strength, my feeble strength, which shrinks before so great a task and yet can choose naught else but spend itself in loving thee. Claim thou my heart, fill thou my mind, uplift my soul and reinforce my strength, that when I fail thou mayest succeed in me and make me love thee perfectly.
-From Love Is My Meaning by Elizabeth Basset (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg.50
My God, I desire to love thee perfectly, with all my heart, which thou madest for thyself; with all my mind, which only thou canst satisfy; with all my soul, which feign would soar with thee. With all my strength, my feeble strength, which shrinks before so great a task and yet can choose naught else but spend itself in loving thee. Claim thou my heart, fill thou my mind, uplift my soul and reinforce my strength, that when I fail thou mayest succeed in me and make me love thee perfectly.
-From Love Is My Meaning by Elizabeth Basset (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg.50
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Congrats and Going Away
This past Friday, Erica and Bailey took me next door to the church for date night. There we found free hamburgers and about 70 people to congratulate me on graduation and commissioning; thank us for our service in Edom, Sexton, and Mt. Sylvan UMCs; and to wish us well in our future endeavors. Here are some photos that my friend Karen took of the occasion:
Complete with food, fellowship, and singing it was a great night and a real blessing to Erica and I.
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
Complete with food, fellowship, and singing it was a great night and a real blessing to Erica and I.
Commissioning 2009
A shot of me being commissioned by the bishop of the Texas Annual Conference.
It was a very good day!
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| From Photo Blog 2009 |
It was a very good day!
June 2, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Almighty God, look upon my life and cause all darkness and doubt to vanish beneath your gaze. Look upon my ministry and banish all barriers to effectiveness and faithfulness. Fill my life and ministry with your Holy Spirit to the end that I may this day be led into paths of fruitful service. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 46
Almighty God, look upon my life and cause all darkness and doubt to vanish beneath your gaze. Look upon my ministry and banish all barriers to effectiveness and faithfulness. Fill my life and ministry with your Holy Spirit to the end that I may this day be led into paths of fruitful service. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
-From A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 46
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1, 2009
Many of my friends are pastors, deacons, or lay persons involved in the leadership of the church. As many of us prepare to make moves and minister in new areas, I thought I would share some of my favorite prayers out of A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants and published by Upper Room Books. I invite you to join me this month in praying these prayers for yourself, your church leaders, and the church at large.
Here is today's prayer:
O Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my will's most inward citadel and order all my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give me grace at all times to rejoice in thy mysterious companionship.
-from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 23)
Here is today's prayer:
O Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until eventide. Inspire all my thoughts. Pervade all my imaginations. Suggest all my decisions. Lodge in my will's most inward citadel and order all my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give me grace at all times to rejoice in thy mysterious companionship.
-from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie (A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, pg. 23)
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