Here is today's prayer:
Father God, today we pray for those who lead our churches. May our preachers have boldness as they proclaim the gospel. May they have discernment in ordering the life of your church. May they have wisdom beyond their normal capacity. May they have compassion so abundantly, that they no longer fail to see those in need. May they be found to be righteous in your sight. May they lead with vision. May they serve with humility. May they know rest and experience joy in their service. May they stay the course when others are bailing out. May they have the strength to face adversity. May they be used as vessels of your mercy and grace. We ask these things not for their sake, but to the end that your kingdom might grow exponentially and that all honor and glory remain yours both now and forever. Amen.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
September 29, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Lord of all creation, we pray today for those who lead us. We pray that they would become good stewards of the resources that they oversee. We pray that they would have broken and contrite hearts. We pray that your vision would be their vision. We pray that they would have discernment and wisdom beyond their normal capacity. We pray, dear God, that no matter what city, county, state, province, or country they lead in, that they would with hearts that are yours. Lord, make them vessels of your mercy and grace; agents of your compassion and justice. Use the leaders of this world to call peace out of chaos and to help usher in your kingdom. We pray in the holy and precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord of all creation, we pray today for those who lead us. We pray that they would become good stewards of the resources that they oversee. We pray that they would have broken and contrite hearts. We pray that your vision would be their vision. We pray that they would have discernment and wisdom beyond their normal capacity. We pray, dear God, that no matter what city, county, state, province, or country they lead in, that they would with hearts that are yours. Lord, make them vessels of your mercy and grace; agents of your compassion and justice. Use the leaders of this world to call peace out of chaos and to help usher in your kingdom. We pray in the holy and precious name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, September 28, 2009
September 28, 2009
It has been an amazing 24 hours. There were at least 5 people that rededicated their lives to Christ at Men's Emmaus Walk #125 and then I get home after a long day of church to find that my friend D-Man was baptized this morning. So this prayer is for them and for those who will follow in their steps.
Here is today's prayer:
My Lord and my Savior, we have witnessed the movement of your Holy Spirit in our midst in the days that have gone by. Help us to be diligent in our journeys with you. Continue to indwell us with your Spirit; to guide us and aid in our discernment. Continue to unleash the gifts you have placed in us, that we may not become islands unto ourselves, but rather strong links in the chain of faith. Continue to nurture within us the grace and mercy that comes from your Son alone. Help us to abide in you so that the world around us may know true grace, true mercy, and true love. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - with all honor and glory forever yours. Amen.
Here is today's prayer:
My Lord and my Savior, we have witnessed the movement of your Holy Spirit in our midst in the days that have gone by. Help us to be diligent in our journeys with you. Continue to indwell us with your Spirit; to guide us and aid in our discernment. Continue to unleash the gifts you have placed in us, that we may not become islands unto ourselves, but rather strong links in the chain of faith. Continue to nurture within us the grace and mercy that comes from your Son alone. Help us to abide in you so that the world around us may know true grace, true mercy, and true love. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - with all honor and glory forever yours. Amen.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
September 27, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Gracious God, we pray today for the new relationships that you have placed in our lives. We give you thanks for our new friendships and acquaintances. We ask that you guide us in relating to one another. Grant us compassion for our fellow sojourners. Give us your eyes to see those around us as you do. Help us to come alongside others in the same ways that you have done in the person of Jesus. Help us to encourage and support our new friends. Permit us to abide in you that our relationships might be what you have intended them to be. We ask these things in the holy and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Gracious God, we pray today for the new relationships that you have placed in our lives. We give you thanks for our new friendships and acquaintances. We ask that you guide us in relating to one another. Grant us compassion for our fellow sojourners. Give us your eyes to see those around us as you do. Help us to come alongside others in the same ways that you have done in the person of Jesus. Help us to encourage and support our new friends. Permit us to abide in you that our relationships might be what you have intended them to be. We ask these things in the holy and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
September 26, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Precious Lord, today the word hunger has been on my mind.
As I think back on the meals that I was able to partake in yesterday, I give thanks for the blessing that those meals have been to me. I give thanks for their nourishment. I give thanks for the people I was able to eat with. As I look forward to today, I give you thanks for the meals that are already before me.
As I eat and give thanks, I can't help think about the millions of people that have only one meal a day. And as I continue to eat and plan meals, I cannot get the image out of my head of the millions more that will have no meal at all today. Gracious God, my heart aches for these folks today. I call on you to provide for those in need. Teach us how we can be a part of feeding those who are hungry. Pour out your Holy Spirit into the lives of those who control the food and prevent it from getting to the hungry. Soften their hearts and help them, and us, to feed the world.
Physical food is not the only hunger on my mind today, my Lord. There is another hunger that we all are prone to suffer. It is the hunger that your holy scriptures remind us of when we read that we "do not live on bread alone." Help us in our hunger for you. Help us to seek you out in our hunger and desire for spiritual nourishment. Let us feast on your Word and at your table and be nourished and transformed. We ask these things, not for our own selfish sake, but for the sake of the one who lived and died and rose again; that all honor and glory of our nourishment and growth might be yours, both now and forever. Amen.
Precious Lord, today the word hunger has been on my mind.
As I think back on the meals that I was able to partake in yesterday, I give thanks for the blessing that those meals have been to me. I give thanks for their nourishment. I give thanks for the people I was able to eat with. As I look forward to today, I give you thanks for the meals that are already before me.
As I eat and give thanks, I can't help think about the millions of people that have only one meal a day. And as I continue to eat and plan meals, I cannot get the image out of my head of the millions more that will have no meal at all today. Gracious God, my heart aches for these folks today. I call on you to provide for those in need. Teach us how we can be a part of feeding those who are hungry. Pour out your Holy Spirit into the lives of those who control the food and prevent it from getting to the hungry. Soften their hearts and help them, and us, to feed the world.
Physical food is not the only hunger on my mind today, my Lord. There is another hunger that we all are prone to suffer. It is the hunger that your holy scriptures remind us of when we read that we "do not live on bread alone." Help us in our hunger for you. Help us to seek you out in our hunger and desire for spiritual nourishment. Let us feast on your Word and at your table and be nourished and transformed. We ask these things, not for our own selfish sake, but for the sake of the one who lived and died and rose again; that all honor and glory of our nourishment and growth might be yours, both now and forever. Amen.
Friday, September 25, 2009
September 25, 2009
In the past few days, we have heard about a teacher who was stabbed to death at a school not far from where we used to live and an auto accident that took the lives of many not far from where we currently live. Today, my heart aches for those who have lost loved ones this week. To that end, here is today's prayer:
Holy God, there are people that are hurting in our communities because of the losses they have sustained over the past few days. We ask that you pour out your Holy Spirit into the lives of those who have recently lost loved ones. We ask that you come along side of them and wrap them in your eternal mercy and grace. We pray that with every breath they take, they know that you are there. Grant them the strength and the courage they need to acknowledge their human loss and to grieve. Grant them the perseverance necessary to navigate these stormy waters. Grant them peace, dear God, and restore their joy in you.
Precious Savior, grant to the rest of us the necessary compassion, boldness, love, and grace to come along side of those suffering in this way. Allow us to quiet our tongues. Permit our presence to be your presence. Grant us discernment and wisdom regarding when and how to speak and to help. Use us as vessels of your unending love.
We ask these things in one voice and one spirit, together as brothers and sisters in Christ, and solely for his names' sake. Amen.
Holy God, there are people that are hurting in our communities because of the losses they have sustained over the past few days. We ask that you pour out your Holy Spirit into the lives of those who have recently lost loved ones. We ask that you come along side of them and wrap them in your eternal mercy and grace. We pray that with every breath they take, they know that you are there. Grant them the strength and the courage they need to acknowledge their human loss and to grieve. Grant them the perseverance necessary to navigate these stormy waters. Grant them peace, dear God, and restore their joy in you.
Precious Savior, grant to the rest of us the necessary compassion, boldness, love, and grace to come along side of those suffering in this way. Allow us to quiet our tongues. Permit our presence to be your presence. Grant us discernment and wisdom regarding when and how to speak and to help. Use us as vessels of your unending love.
We ask these things in one voice and one spirit, together as brothers and sisters in Christ, and solely for his names' sake. Amen.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
September 24, 2009
Part of learning to pray and growing in our prayer lives is actually doing it (praying that is). So for the next couple of weeks (at least) I will be sharing with you my own prayers. These topics and issues are close to my heart. These printed words are words of conversation that I have with God both publicly as a pastor and privately as a follower of Christ. I hope that they help to give voice to the countless millions that are praying along similar lines all over the world.
Here is today's prayer:
Holy God, we pray today for the provision of those that find themselves unemployed or under-employed. Grant them the fortitude, grace and strength to make it through today.
Make hope a reality in their lives through your provision.
Give those with greater resources discernment and wisdom regarding how they can truly love their neighbors in the reality of this ever present and true need. Grant them the compassion and grace to act in micro and macro ways to bring healing and wholeness to these places of not enough.
We ask these things in Christ's holy and precious name. Amen.
Here is today's prayer:
Holy God, we pray today for the provision of those that find themselves unemployed or under-employed. Grant them the fortitude, grace and strength to make it through today.
Make hope a reality in their lives through your provision.
Give those with greater resources discernment and wisdom regarding how they can truly love their neighbors in the reality of this ever present and true need. Grant them the compassion and grace to act in micro and macro ways to bring healing and wholeness to these places of not enough.
We ask these things in Christ's holy and precious name. Amen.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
More details about Encounters
Over the last couple of days, we have come across a number of people that are still unclear about what Encounters is and what it is not. In an attempt to help clarify, I want to offer the following details:
Encounters is the name that we have given to a very large outreach program here at the United Methodist Temple. Currently, there are a number of different ministries that are occurring under the "Encounters - an outreach of the United Methodist Temple" label.
#1 - Saturday evenings we are having a worship service (currently taking place about every other week, but scheduled to be weekly after the first of the year). This is a third worship service at UMT and is open to EVERYONE. The service follows a different order of worship and has a different style and feel to it, but it is a worship service that is open to anyone that wants to come. At this service, we preach a relevant gospel message that is applicable to everyone. This is not, I REPEAT IS NOT, just a service for folks in recovery. This is a service for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with Christ (just like any other service here at the Temple).
#2 - On Thursdays we are offering a Bible study that we are currently calling Midweek Encounters (but the name is subject to change) that discusses the 12 steps of recovery from a biblical perspective. Because the steps came out of the scriptures we feel that they have some relevance to all Christians whether they are in a 12 step program or not. We believe that the 12 steps are 12 steps to a life of freedom in relationship to Jesus Christ and as such, everyone can benefit from studying them. Very basic Christian principles are at the heart of these steps. Things like honesty, faith, hope, love, confession, amends making, etc are all taken directly from the scriptures. These are things that all Christians are directed towards. As such, this class is open to anyone that wants to explore the relationship between the scriptures and the steps as it relates to their lives.
#3 - Came to Believe is the name of our Christian 12 step meeting that is specifically directed towards people in recovery. It operates like any AA, CA, NA or other 12 step group, but is open to people wrestling with any kind of addiction. This is a place where we can hold one another accountable to our programs of recovery and process what is going on in our lives from week to week. It is also a place where we do not have to check our relationship with Christ at the door.
#4 - Random Acts of Kindness are just our ways of being missional and evangelistic. Maybe a better way to put it is that these are additional opportunities to reach out to our community with the love of Christ. Sometimes this means taking care packages to families waiting in ICU, while other times it means working on a house (painting, etc). Through small gifts of service we are able to share the love of Christ with people in our communities.
#5 Lifegroups - Because the larger faith community meets on Saturday evenings, they miss out on Sunday school opportunities. Lifegroups is the small group version of Sunday School. These groups get together to pray for one another, study together, and serve together. These little communities help keep people from becoming disconnected in the larger community of faith here at the United Methodist Temple.
I hope that these descriptions have been helpful. I would ask that you do me a favor: if you are still unclear about any of the new outreach ministries or about our new worship service, please ask. It is important that everyone know and understand what is happening. With the right information, we can help direct people to the best fit for their worshiping and growing needs here at the Temple. To meet with me or find out more information about these happenings, please call the church office or email me at acts242@hotmail.com.
Many thanks and many blessings,
Russell
Encounters is the name that we have given to a very large outreach program here at the United Methodist Temple. Currently, there are a number of different ministries that are occurring under the "Encounters - an outreach of the United Methodist Temple" label.
#1 - Saturday evenings we are having a worship service (currently taking place about every other week, but scheduled to be weekly after the first of the year). This is a third worship service at UMT and is open to EVERYONE. The service follows a different order of worship and has a different style and feel to it, but it is a worship service that is open to anyone that wants to come. At this service, we preach a relevant gospel message that is applicable to everyone. This is not, I REPEAT IS NOT, just a service for folks in recovery. This is a service for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with Christ (just like any other service here at the Temple).
#2 - On Thursdays we are offering a Bible study that we are currently calling Midweek Encounters (but the name is subject to change) that discusses the 12 steps of recovery from a biblical perspective. Because the steps came out of the scriptures we feel that they have some relevance to all Christians whether they are in a 12 step program or not. We believe that the 12 steps are 12 steps to a life of freedom in relationship to Jesus Christ and as such, everyone can benefit from studying them. Very basic Christian principles are at the heart of these steps. Things like honesty, faith, hope, love, confession, amends making, etc are all taken directly from the scriptures. These are things that all Christians are directed towards. As such, this class is open to anyone that wants to explore the relationship between the scriptures and the steps as it relates to their lives.
#3 - Came to Believe is the name of our Christian 12 step meeting that is specifically directed towards people in recovery. It operates like any AA, CA, NA or other 12 step group, but is open to people wrestling with any kind of addiction. This is a place where we can hold one another accountable to our programs of recovery and process what is going on in our lives from week to week. It is also a place where we do not have to check our relationship with Christ at the door.
#4 - Random Acts of Kindness are just our ways of being missional and evangelistic. Maybe a better way to put it is that these are additional opportunities to reach out to our community with the love of Christ. Sometimes this means taking care packages to families waiting in ICU, while other times it means working on a house (painting, etc). Through small gifts of service we are able to share the love of Christ with people in our communities.
#5 Lifegroups - Because the larger faith community meets on Saturday evenings, they miss out on Sunday school opportunities. Lifegroups is the small group version of Sunday School. These groups get together to pray for one another, study together, and serve together. These little communities help keep people from becoming disconnected in the larger community of faith here at the United Methodist Temple.
I hope that these descriptions have been helpful. I would ask that you do me a favor: if you are still unclear about any of the new outreach ministries or about our new worship service, please ask. It is important that everyone know and understand what is happening. With the right information, we can help direct people to the best fit for their worshiping and growing needs here at the Temple. To meet with me or find out more information about these happenings, please call the church office or email me at acts242@hotmail.com.
Many thanks and many blessings,
Russell
September 23, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, help us this day to treat all men aright.
Help us to be a good example to those who are younger that we are; to be respectful to those who are older than we are; and to be at all times courteous to our equals.
Help us to be obedient to those who are set in authority over us; and to be just and fair and kind to any over whom we have control.
Help us to be sympathetic to those in distress, to be helpful to those in trouble, and to be kind to those in need.
So make us all this day to go about doing good as our Master did. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 66.
O God, our Father, help us this day to treat all men aright.
Help us to be a good example to those who are younger that we are; to be respectful to those who are older than we are; and to be at all times courteous to our equals.
Help us to be obedient to those who are set in authority over us; and to be just and fair and kind to any over whom we have control.
Help us to be sympathetic to those in distress, to be helpful to those in trouble, and to be kind to those in need.
So make us all this day to go about doing good as our Master did. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 66.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
September 22, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, help us to walk with wisdom all this day.
Help us never to flirt with temptation, and never to play with fire.
Help us never needlessly or thoughtlessly to put ourselves into a position in which temptation has the opportunity to exert its power over us.
Help us never to allow our eyes to linger, or our thoughts to dwell, on the forbidden things, lest their fascination be too strong for our resistance.
Help us to walk every step of today looking ever unto Jesus, that His light may be our guide, that His presence may be our defense, and that His love may be our strength and inspiration. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 56.
O God, our Father, help us to walk with wisdom all this day.
Help us never to flirt with temptation, and never to play with fire.
Help us never needlessly or thoughtlessly to put ourselves into a position in which temptation has the opportunity to exert its power over us.
Help us never to allow our eyes to linger, or our thoughts to dwell, on the forbidden things, lest their fascination be too strong for our resistance.
Help us to walk every step of today looking ever unto Jesus, that His light may be our guide, that His presence may be our defense, and that His love may be our strength and inspiration. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 56.
Monday, September 21, 2009
September 21, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Eternal God, grant that we may count it a day wasted when we do not learn something new, and when we are not a little further on on the way to goodness and to Thee.
Help us to try to do our work better every day.
Help us to try to add something to our store of knowledge every day.
Help us to try to know some one better every day.
Grant unto us each day to learn more of self-mastery and self control.
Grant unto us each day better to rule our temper and our tongue.
Grant unto us each day to leave our faults farther behind and to grow more nearly into the likeness of our Lord.
So grant that at the end of this day, and at the end of every day, we may be nearer to Thee than when the day began: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 52.
Eternal God, grant that we may count it a day wasted when we do not learn something new, and when we are not a little further on on the way to goodness and to Thee.
Help us to try to do our work better every day.
Help us to try to add something to our store of knowledge every day.
Help us to try to know some one better every day.
Grant unto us each day to learn more of self-mastery and self control.
Grant unto us each day better to rule our temper and our tongue.
Grant unto us each day to leave our faults farther behind and to grow more nearly into the likeness of our Lord.
So grant that at the end of this day, and at the end of every day, we may be nearer to Thee than when the day began: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 52.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
September 20, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Eternal God, who has given unto us the gift of this another day, help us to use wisely and to use well the time which Thou has given unto us.
Help us not to waste time on the wrong things, and on the things which do not matter.
Help us not to spend time in idleness, so that the hours go back to Thee unused and useless.
Help us not to put off until tomorrow that which should be done today, and ever to remember that we cannot tell if for us tomorrow will ever come.
Help us to do with our might each thing which our hand finds to do, and to do it as unto Thee, that we may come to the evening time with nothing left undone, and nothing badly done: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 48.
Eternal God, who has given unto us the gift of this another day, help us to use wisely and to use well the time which Thou has given unto us.
Help us not to waste time on the wrong things, and on the things which do not matter.
Help us not to spend time in idleness, so that the hours go back to Thee unused and useless.
Help us not to put off until tomorrow that which should be done today, and ever to remember that we cannot tell if for us tomorrow will ever come.
Help us to do with our might each thing which our hand finds to do, and to do it as unto Thee, that we may come to the evening time with nothing left undone, and nothing badly done: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 48.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
September 19, 2009
Here is today's prayer (it is an evening prayer, but with some modification could work as an examen for the previous day):
O God, our Father: as we look back across this day, we ask Thee to forgive us if today we have made things harder for others.
Forgive us if we have made work harder for others, by being careless, thoughtless, selfish, and inconsiderate.
Forgive us if we have made faith harder for others, by laughing at things they hold precious, or casting doubts on things they hold dear.
Forgive us if we have made goodness harder for others, by setting them an example which would make it easier for them to go wrong.
Forgive us if we have made joy harder for others, by bringing gloom and depression through our grumbling discontent.
Forgive us, O God, for all the ugliness of our lives; and tomorrow help us to walk more nearly as our Master walked, that something of His grace and beauty may be on us. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, pages 44-45.
O God, our Father: as we look back across this day, we ask Thee to forgive us if today we have made things harder for others.
Forgive us if we have made work harder for others, by being careless, thoughtless, selfish, and inconsiderate.
Forgive us if we have made faith harder for others, by laughing at things they hold precious, or casting doubts on things they hold dear.
Forgive us if we have made goodness harder for others, by setting them an example which would make it easier for them to go wrong.
Forgive us if we have made joy harder for others, by bringing gloom and depression through our grumbling discontent.
Forgive us, O God, for all the ugliness of our lives; and tomorrow help us to walk more nearly as our Master walked, that something of His grace and beauty may be on us. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, pages 44-45.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Facebook and other Social Media - Must see Video
I get asked by colleagues in ministry all the time about why I am connected to Twitter and Facebook and other forms of social media. A friend recently sent this video to me and I thought that I would share it with you. It is called Social Media Revolution:
You may not be an innovator (I'm not---I am usually an early adopter); you may actually be a late adopter...but my thought is this: Don't ignore this revolution!
You may not be an innovator (I'm not---I am usually an early adopter); you may actually be a late adopter...but my thought is this: Don't ignore this revolution!
September 18, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, save us this day from all the sins into which we so easily and so continually fall.
Save us from demanding standards from others which we never even try to satisfy ourselves.
Save us from being very easy on ourselves and very hard on others.
Save us from making excuses for things in ourselves which in others we would condemn.
Save us from being wide-open-eyed to the faults of others, and blind to our own.
Save us from taking for granted all that our loved ones do for us, and from never realizing how much they do and how much we demand.
Help us through this day to try to do to others what we would wish them to do to us, and so help us to fulfill the law of Jesus Christ. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 42.
O God, our Father, save us this day from all the sins into which we so easily and so continually fall.
Save us from demanding standards from others which we never even try to satisfy ourselves.
Save us from being very easy on ourselves and very hard on others.
Save us from making excuses for things in ourselves which in others we would condemn.
Save us from being wide-open-eyed to the faults of others, and blind to our own.
Save us from taking for granted all that our loved ones do for us, and from never realizing how much they do and how much we demand.
Help us through this day to try to do to others what we would wish them to do to us, and so help us to fulfill the law of Jesus Christ. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 42.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
September 17, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, before we go out on the duties and the tasks of this day, we ask Thee to direct, to control, and to guide us all through its hours.
Grant that today we may never for one moment forget Thy presence.
Grant that we may take no step, and that we may come to no decision, without Thy guidance, and that, before we act, we may ever seek to find Thy will for us.
Be on our lips, that we may speak no evil word.
Be in our eyes, that they may never linger on any forbidden thing.
Be on our hands, that we may do our own work with diligence, and serve the needs of others with eagerness.
Be in our minds, that no soiled or bitter thought may gain an entry to them.
Be in our hearts, that they may be warm with love for Thee, and for our fellow-men.
Help us to begin, to continue, and to end this day in Thee: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 38.
O God, our Father, before we go out on the duties and the tasks of this day, we ask Thee to direct, to control, and to guide us all through its hours.
Grant that today we may never for one moment forget Thy presence.
Grant that we may take no step, and that we may come to no decision, without Thy guidance, and that, before we act, we may ever seek to find Thy will for us.
Be on our lips, that we may speak no evil word.
Be in our eyes, that they may never linger on any forbidden thing.
Be on our hands, that we may do our own work with diligence, and serve the needs of others with eagerness.
Be in our minds, that no soiled or bitter thought may gain an entry to them.
Be in our hearts, that they may be warm with love for Thee, and for our fellow-men.
Help us to begin, to continue, and to end this day in Thee: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 38.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
September 16, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, who has bidden us to be lights in this dark world, help us throughout all this day to be a help and an example to all whom we meet.
Help us to bring comfort to those in sorrow, and strength to those who are tempted.
Help us to bring courage to those who are afraid, and guidance to those who do not know what to do.
Help us to bring cheer to those who are discouraged, and encouragement to those who are depressed.
And grant that, as we move among men and women this day, they may catch a glimpse in us of the Master, whose we are and whom we seek to serve. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 34.
O God, our Father, who has bidden us to be lights in this dark world, help us throughout all this day to be a help and an example to all whom we meet.
Help us to bring comfort to those in sorrow, and strength to those who are tempted.
Help us to bring courage to those who are afraid, and guidance to those who do not know what to do.
Help us to bring cheer to those who are discouraged, and encouragement to those who are depressed.
And grant that, as we move among men and women this day, they may catch a glimpse in us of the Master, whose we are and whom we seek to serve. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 34.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
September 15, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Eternal and everblessed God, who are the Lord of all good life, we do not know what will come to us and what will happen to us today. Whatever comes to us, be Thou with us to guide and to strengthen, to comfort and control.
If temptation comes to us, give us grace to overcome evil and to do the right.
If we have to make important decisions, give us grace ever to choose the right way, and to refuse the wrong way.
If it will be difficult to witness for Thee, give us courage never to be ashamed to show whose we are and whom we serve.
If things go well with us, keep us from all pride, and keep us from thinking that we do not need Thee.
If we shall know sorrow, failure, disappointment, loss, keep us from all despair, and help us never to give in.
O Thou who art the Light of the World, be Thou with us today, whatever light may shine or shadow fall, that we may ever live and walk as children of the light: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 32.
Eternal and everblessed God, who are the Lord of all good life, we do not know what will come to us and what will happen to us today. Whatever comes to us, be Thou with us to guide and to strengthen, to comfort and control.
If temptation comes to us, give us grace to overcome evil and to do the right.
If we have to make important decisions, give us grace ever to choose the right way, and to refuse the wrong way.
If it will be difficult to witness for Thee, give us courage never to be ashamed to show whose we are and whom we serve.
If things go well with us, keep us from all pride, and keep us from thinking that we do not need Thee.
If we shall know sorrow, failure, disappointment, loss, keep us from all despair, and help us never to give in.
O Thou who art the Light of the World, be Thou with us today, whatever light may shine or shadow fall, that we may ever live and walk as children of the light: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 32.
Monday, September 14, 2009
September 14, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, who hast bidden us to live in fellowship with one another, keep us from everything which would make us difficult to live with today.
Help us never thoughtlessly or deliberately to speak in such a way that we would hurt another's feelings, or wound another's heart.
Keep us from all impatience, from all irritability, and from a temper which is too quick.
Keep us from eyes which are focused to find fault and from a tongue which is tuned to criticize.
Keep us from being touchy, and quick to take offense, and slow to forget it.
Help us not to be stubborn and obstinate, and keep us from the selfishness which can see nothing but its own point of view, and which wants nothing but its own way.
Grant unto us all through this day something of the grace and beauty which shone upon our blessed Lord.
Hear this our prayer, for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 28.
O God, our Father, who hast bidden us to live in fellowship with one another, keep us from everything which would make us difficult to live with today.
Help us never thoughtlessly or deliberately to speak in such a way that we would hurt another's feelings, or wound another's heart.
Keep us from all impatience, from all irritability, and from a temper which is too quick.
Keep us from eyes which are focused to find fault and from a tongue which is tuned to criticize.
Keep us from being touchy, and quick to take offense, and slow to forget it.
Help us not to be stubborn and obstinate, and keep us from the selfishness which can see nothing but its own point of view, and which wants nothing but its own way.
Grant unto us all through this day something of the grace and beauty which shone upon our blessed Lord.
Hear this our prayer, for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 28.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Systematic Theology - Eschatology
Eschatology
Many theologians believe that our hope is “ultimately rooted in God’s presence” (Rieger, 176). There is some disagreement as to whether that presence is a current or future reality. Some suggest that the kingdom that we seek when we say the Lord’s Prayer is both now and then (Gonzalez, 161). Others, however, suggest that “more important than last things is the union of the soul with God here and now” (Pöhlmann, 60). To be sure, the reign of God is a reign of love and that love involves a different order of reality (Gonzalez, 162). I believe that the reordering of reality has already begun in our world through the in-breaking of God’s kingdom in all the ways that we have discussed God’s activity up to this point. The fullness of that reordering, however, will not occur until Christ returns. Such thinking leads immediately to questions of what happens when we die, heaven and hell, ultimate ends, and the parousia. These questions are personal, communal, and cosmic in nature; and it is to these last things that we now turn.
First, let us remember that our lives are radically altered by our faith in and commitment to God through Jesus Christ. That means eternal life begins at our acceptance in faith. But this is an already and not yet proposition. Our lives are reordered through justification and sanctification, but there is more beyond this life. In saying this, we must be cautioned against the tendency to reduce the gospel message to a get into heaven free type of message. None-the-less, there is life after death for both the believer and the non-believer. The believer will be in the presence of God, in body and spirit, for all eternity. The non-believer will experience eternal separation from God. These existences are respectively referred to as heaven or hell. Scripture tells us that there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). The old will pass away and the new will come; but I believe that in our finitude we are completely unable to grasp what that looks like. The greatest point of this new heaven and new earth is that the reordering of our love will be complete as we love God, each other, and creation the way that we were meant to.
Yes, I said hell. It seems that if we are to truly honor the way that God has revealed himself to us, then we must take seriously the claim of human freedom. For freedom to be true freedom, humans must be able to choose not to embrace God. While salvation is offered to the world through Jesus Christ, redemption only comes to those who embrace this gift of grace. Not embracing grace is an eternally serious continuation of a person’s chosen distortion of their original design. By choosing, these persons remain separated from God. These that are eternally separated will exist in hell. Fires that forever burn but never consume are difficult to fathom. What is fathomable, however, is how horrible it would be to be separated from God, from others, and from creation for all eternity. That is the reality of hell, regardless of its décor and activity; and that is scary enough! Although the reality must be conceded that hell exists, we ought never to cease praying that when it all ends, hell is empty.
Getting to these places or states of eternal existence is a question that has baffled theologians for thousands of years. I do not believe, as Luther did, that we go to sleep and nothing happens until Christ’s return; nor do I believe as Calvin did, that we go immediately to our full reward or punishment (Placher, 332). Additionally, intermediate states such as purgatory are tenuous. Instead, when death comes, those in Christ continue to be in Christ as our souls go on to be in the presence of God. Those not in Christ, begin to their eternal separation from God. Neither of these states is fulfilled, however, until Christ returns. Upon the arrival of the parousia those in Christ will be fully restored to the newly created order, including the bodily resurrection. How God will accomplish this is a mystery. We must trust that the Creator of the universe is capable of bringing about and faithful to bring about, what he has promised.
As already alluded to, the final destiny of all things is not fully complete until all of the created order is redeemed and there is a new heaven and a new earth. If we are to take seriously our commitment to God in his entirety, our commitment to God’s activity within the world, then we must admit that all of creation (not just humanity) benefits from God’s saving grace. Anything less could not be considered to come of God.
I look forward to your comments.
Many theologians believe that our hope is “ultimately rooted in God’s presence” (Rieger, 176). There is some disagreement as to whether that presence is a current or future reality. Some suggest that the kingdom that we seek when we say the Lord’s Prayer is both now and then (Gonzalez, 161). Others, however, suggest that “more important than last things is the union of the soul with God here and now” (Pöhlmann, 60). To be sure, the reign of God is a reign of love and that love involves a different order of reality (Gonzalez, 162). I believe that the reordering of reality has already begun in our world through the in-breaking of God’s kingdom in all the ways that we have discussed God’s activity up to this point. The fullness of that reordering, however, will not occur until Christ returns. Such thinking leads immediately to questions of what happens when we die, heaven and hell, ultimate ends, and the parousia. These questions are personal, communal, and cosmic in nature; and it is to these last things that we now turn.
First, let us remember that our lives are radically altered by our faith in and commitment to God through Jesus Christ. That means eternal life begins at our acceptance in faith. But this is an already and not yet proposition. Our lives are reordered through justification and sanctification, but there is more beyond this life. In saying this, we must be cautioned against the tendency to reduce the gospel message to a get into heaven free type of message. None-the-less, there is life after death for both the believer and the non-believer. The believer will be in the presence of God, in body and spirit, for all eternity. The non-believer will experience eternal separation from God. These existences are respectively referred to as heaven or hell. Scripture tells us that there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:1). The old will pass away and the new will come; but I believe that in our finitude we are completely unable to grasp what that looks like. The greatest point of this new heaven and new earth is that the reordering of our love will be complete as we love God, each other, and creation the way that we were meant to.
Yes, I said hell. It seems that if we are to truly honor the way that God has revealed himself to us, then we must take seriously the claim of human freedom. For freedom to be true freedom, humans must be able to choose not to embrace God. While salvation is offered to the world through Jesus Christ, redemption only comes to those who embrace this gift of grace. Not embracing grace is an eternally serious continuation of a person’s chosen distortion of their original design. By choosing, these persons remain separated from God. These that are eternally separated will exist in hell. Fires that forever burn but never consume are difficult to fathom. What is fathomable, however, is how horrible it would be to be separated from God, from others, and from creation for all eternity. That is the reality of hell, regardless of its décor and activity; and that is scary enough! Although the reality must be conceded that hell exists, we ought never to cease praying that when it all ends, hell is empty.
Getting to these places or states of eternal existence is a question that has baffled theologians for thousands of years. I do not believe, as Luther did, that we go to sleep and nothing happens until Christ’s return; nor do I believe as Calvin did, that we go immediately to our full reward or punishment (Placher, 332). Additionally, intermediate states such as purgatory are tenuous. Instead, when death comes, those in Christ continue to be in Christ as our souls go on to be in the presence of God. Those not in Christ, begin to their eternal separation from God. Neither of these states is fulfilled, however, until Christ returns. Upon the arrival of the parousia those in Christ will be fully restored to the newly created order, including the bodily resurrection. How God will accomplish this is a mystery. We must trust that the Creator of the universe is capable of bringing about and faithful to bring about, what he has promised.
As already alluded to, the final destiny of all things is not fully complete until all of the created order is redeemed and there is a new heaven and a new earth. If we are to take seriously our commitment to God in his entirety, our commitment to God’s activity within the world, then we must admit that all of creation (not just humanity) benefits from God’s saving grace. Anything less could not be considered to come of God.
I look forward to your comments.
September 13, 2009
Here is today's prayer (designed especially for evening prayer, but could be used in the morning as an examen for the prior day):
O God, our Father, we thank Thee for this day which is passing from us now.
For any glimpse of beauty we have seen;
For any echo of Thy truth that we have heard;
For any kindness that we have received;
For any good that we have been enabled to do;
And for any temptation which Thou didst give us grace to overcome;
We thank Thee, O God.
We ask Thy forgiveness for anything which has spoiled and marred this day.
For any word which now we wish that we had never spoken;
For any deed which now we wish that we had never done;
For everything which makes us ashamed when we remember it;
Forgive us, O God.
Eternal God, who givest us the day for work and the night for rest, grant unto us, as we go to rest, a good night's sleep; and wake us refreshed on the morrow, better able to serve Thee and to serve our fellow-men.
This we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, pages 24-25.
O God, our Father, we thank Thee for this day which is passing from us now.
For any glimpse of beauty we have seen;
For any echo of Thy truth that we have heard;
For any kindness that we have received;
For any good that we have been enabled to do;
And for any temptation which Thou didst give us grace to overcome;
We thank Thee, O God.
We ask Thy forgiveness for anything which has spoiled and marred this day.
For any word which now we wish that we had never spoken;
For any deed which now we wish that we had never done;
For everything which makes us ashamed when we remember it;
Forgive us, O God.
Eternal God, who givest us the day for work and the night for rest, grant unto us, as we go to rest, a good night's sleep; and wake us refreshed on the morrow, better able to serve Thee and to serve our fellow-men.
This we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, pages 24-25.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
September 12, 2009
First published in 1959 and having gone through numerous reprints, William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers has been a resource of prayers for fifty years. Although the language could maybe be a little more modern, there are some really great prayers contained in this little book. So for the next couple of weeks, we are going to go "old school"!
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, who ever makest the light to shine out of the darkness, we thank Thee for waking us to see the light of this new day. Grant unto us to waste none of its hours; to soil none of its moments; to neglect none of its opportunities; to fail in none of its duties. And bring us to the evening time undefeated by any temptation, at peace with ourselves, at peace with our fellow-men, and at peace with Thee. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 24.
Here is today's prayer:
O God, our Father, who ever makest the light to shine out of the darkness, we thank Thee for waking us to see the light of this new day. Grant unto us to waste none of its hours; to soil none of its moments; to neglect none of its opportunities; to fail in none of its duties. And bring us to the evening time undefeated by any temptation, at peace with ourselves, at peace with our fellow-men, and at peace with Thee. This we ask for Thy love's sake. Amen.
From William Barclay's The Plain Man's Book of Prayers, page 24.
Friday, September 11, 2009
September 11, 2009
This just seemed like an appropriate prayer for today:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
September 10, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O Lord, draw my life into conformity with your will.
Help me to remember and respond to Jesus' word, "A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
even as I have loved you, that you will also love one
another (John 13:34).
Bring my life into sharply focused love. Integrate my
living around its true center. May every expression of my
life be a reflection of your grace and goodness.
Give "style" to my life, the style of Jesus Christ who
came as a servant, who happily gave himself, who lived
humbly, recreatively, faithfully, challengingly.
Simplify my wants.
Enrich my sense of community.
Make me participant in the lives of those in need.
Give me sensitive awareness and tenacious
strength to do what is right.
Form me by your will; order my living. Give clear
purpose to my life.
In the name of him in whose image we seek to grow. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 90
O Lord, draw my life into conformity with your will.
Help me to remember and respond to Jesus' word, "A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
even as I have loved you, that you will also love one
another (John 13:34).
Bring my life into sharply focused love. Integrate my
living around its true center. May every expression of my
life be a reflection of your grace and goodness.
Give "style" to my life, the style of Jesus Christ who
came as a servant, who happily gave himself, who lived
humbly, recreatively, faithfully, challengingly.
Simplify my wants.
Enrich my sense of community.
Make me participant in the lives of those in need.
Give me sensitive awareness and tenacious
strength to do what is right.
Form me by your will; order my living. Give clear
purpose to my life.
In the name of him in whose image we seek to grow. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 90
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
September 9, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
We thank you, O Lord God, for our families, for life
bound together, for love to give and to receive, for care
and readiness to respond, for common responsibilities and joy.
I pray for each member of my family. May we all keep
growing and spiritually maturing. Hear my prayer for _________
and _________ and __________ (Insert Family Members' names)
We pray for the larger human family,
for sensitivity to need,
for resolution to act and speak
from loving motives.
Hear our prayer for ________ and _________ and _________ (Insert specific requests for the larger human family)
We pray for our family in Christ, for life changed by your love and for shared commitment. With thanksgiving, we commend our family into your keeping.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 75
We thank you, O Lord God, for our families, for life
bound together, for love to give and to receive, for care
and readiness to respond, for common responsibilities and joy.
I pray for each member of my family. May we all keep
growing and spiritually maturing. Hear my prayer for _________
and _________ and __________ (Insert Family Members' names)
We pray for the larger human family,
for sensitivity to need,
for resolution to act and speak
from loving motives.
Hear our prayer for ________ and _________ and _________ (Insert specific requests for the larger human family)
We pray for our family in Christ, for life changed by your love and for shared commitment. With thanksgiving, we commend our family into your keeping.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 75
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 8, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Most gracious God,
our lives are enriched by other lives.
We receive our lives from you and we grow
as our communion with you grows.
We also receive life from other persons and we
grow through friendship and sharing.
Enrich us in every meeting, in every shared moment.
Help us to give love freely and to accept love gladly.
May we seek out and live within meaningful relationships.
Where friendship is lacking, lead us to new
opportunity and new experience of life together with
other people.
Good relationship is one of your choice gifts.
May our lives be enriched by those human relationships
you intend for us. Lead the right persons
into our lives, make us receptive and responsive to
them. Lead us to those others whom we can enrich by
our friendship.
In the name of our companion, Jesus Christ. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 70
Most gracious God,
our lives are enriched by other lives.
We receive our lives from you and we grow
as our communion with you grows.
We also receive life from other persons and we
grow through friendship and sharing.
Enrich us in every meeting, in every shared moment.
Help us to give love freely and to accept love gladly.
May we seek out and live within meaningful relationships.
Where friendship is lacking, lead us to new
opportunity and new experience of life together with
other people.
Good relationship is one of your choice gifts.
May our lives be enriched by those human relationships
you intend for us. Lead the right persons
into our lives, make us receptive and responsive to
them. Lead us to those others whom we can enrich by
our friendship.
In the name of our companion, Jesus Christ. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 70
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O Lord, help me to see and understand myself properly
in relation to other people. I set myself in your will and
seek to find myself as your child. Melt me, mold me, fill
me with your gracious love.
Let me relax into your keeping. Remove anxiety, renew
me by your love. For these few minutes, let me not rush,
or press for results, or talk too much. Help me to trust
your sovereign goodness, to breathe deeply of your spirit.
It is good to spend time with you, to rest in your sustaining
presence.
As I think and read and pray, may I do it in the quiet
confidence that my life rests in you.
In the spirit and name of Jesus. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 65
O Lord, help me to see and understand myself properly
in relation to other people. I set myself in your will and
seek to find myself as your child. Melt me, mold me, fill
me with your gracious love.
Let me relax into your keeping. Remove anxiety, renew
me by your love. For these few minutes, let me not rush,
or press for results, or talk too much. Help me to trust
your sovereign goodness, to breathe deeply of your spirit.
It is good to spend time with you, to rest in your sustaining
presence.
As I think and read and pray, may I do it in the quiet
confidence that my life rests in you.
In the spirit and name of Jesus. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 65
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Bailey and Salsa
We went to Tropical Grill this evening with family from out of town. As anyone who has ever had Mexican food or shrimp with us knows, if there is a red sauce to be dipped, Bailey is all over it. We first discovered this with a friend at Casa Ole. Well, tonight was no different. After dipping numerous chips into bowls of salsa (consuming far more salsa than chips), Bailey finally got tired of all the work, got a spoon from mommy and began to spoon salsa from one bowl to another between big bites of salsa from the spoon for herself.
She is definitely daddy's girl!
On another note, Bailey was eating bell peppers tonight and I thought it was a good time to introduce her to jalapeños (especially as much as she likes salsa). Needless to say, this was not a good idea. Bailey made several funny faces, spit out what little bit of pepper she had in her mouth and then drank lots of tea and ate some tortilla. Please don't worry, Bailey insisted, "its not hot any more" and went back to eating bell peppers.
She is definitely daddy's girl!
On another note, Bailey was eating bell peppers tonight and I thought it was a good time to introduce her to jalapeños (especially as much as she likes salsa). Needless to say, this was not a good idea. Bailey made several funny faces, spit out what little bit of pepper she had in her mouth and then drank lots of tea and ate some tortilla. Please don't worry, Bailey insisted, "its not hot any more" and went back to eating bell peppers.
Playtime with Bailey
Bailey and I had an opportunity to play just a little before mommy, aunt stephanie, and grandma Joyce got back from shopping and this is the little creation that we came up with for Mrs. Potato Head:
Its good to be 2!
Its good to be 2!
Systematic Theology - Ecclesiology
Ecclesiology
The Nature of the Church:
There are many ways to define the Church. For example, the Church is a communion delighting in thanksgiving for the union of human life and eternal life that is given to us in Jesus Christ (Morse, 299). Or, the Church is “the beginning of God’s new, inclusive community of liberated creatures reconciled to God and to each other and called to God’s service in the world” (Migliore, 186). Yet another says that although the Church is not equal to the reign of God, the Church universal is a sign of God’s reign (Mil Voces, 70). Finally, the Church can be viewed as “the vessel of God’s Word of grace” (Benne, 196). These definitions bring to mind many questions. For example, how do we move from thanksgiving to mission? Or, how is the Church, plagued by division and dissent, a sign of the reign of God? Or, how is the Church a vessel of God’s Word of grace when some of the most horrific acts of hatred and violence have come from within? Add to these definitions the metaphors provided to us in Scripture, and we are left with a convoluted mess of descriptors and no real definition as to what it means to be the Church.
At first glance, the Nicene Creed attempts to alleviate this tension by attributing defining characteristics to the Church; namely, that we believe in “one holy catholic and apostolic church” (UMH, 880). This understanding, however, is replete with its own difficulties, for it has been subjected to interpretation without canonical grounding or commitment. For example, the Church can be viewed as one because it has one source in Jesus Christ; holy, because it has been elected by God; catholic, because it “strives to impart the fullness of God’s revelation and to embrace all Christians through all time and space;” and apostolic because “we believe that the Spirit has assured an accurate continuity through the ages in the Church’s witness to Christ” (Benne, 206). This interpretation lacks the full intimacy that exists between the Holy Spirit and the Church and mistakenly neglects the understanding that Christ’s activity in salvation was once and for all; it is not Christ’s mission of imparting the fullness of God’s revelation that we partake in, but rather the mission that we partake in is the one that we were commissioned for by Christ.
What, then, is the nature of the Church? First, the Church is a direct result of the dynamic, divine, personal agency of the Spirit. The people of God are marked by the outpouring and indwelling of the Spirit. As such, the Church is called to wait upon the equipping, empowerment, and guidance of the Spirit in all that it does. Second, the nature of the Church is like the nature from which it is birthed, namely the nature of witness. The Spirit continues to witness in real and dynamic ways to the truth of Jesus Christ and that witness continues to point the Church and the world to that same truth. Third, the nature of the Church is missional. The Church is called to be a dynamic agent in the world with Christ as its head and the Spirit as its guide. The Church is called to go out, not to create havens of retreat. We cannot live up to our call to witness if we are not missional.
The marks of the Church provided to us in the Nicene Creed are at the heart of God’s intention and original establishment of our nature as the Church; we are “one holy catholic and apostolic church” (UMH, 880). Being one is necessary; otherwise, is our witness in truth? We need only remember Jesus praying, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21). We are holy; set apart and different from the world around us and serving no other purpose but God’s (Abraham, 2008). We are apostolic, ever leaning on the teachings of the apostles and their genuine transmission from generation to generation. And we are catholic in that we move as a single body, universally cohesive, always considering the edification of that body in relation to God and not our own special interests.
This presents the obvious problem of how the Church actually is today. While the dynamics of agency on the part of the Spirit may be obvious in some areas of the Church, much is lacking—especially relating to the previously mentioned marks of the Church. This is attributable to the fact that in as much as there is agency on the part of God through the Holy Spirit, there is also agency on the part of the humans that make up the Church. The Church is no less responsible for confession and repentance than the members are who make it up. Much is to be gained by recommitting ourselves to the Spirit that called us into being and seeks to restore us in right relationship, reordering our love towards God and others.
The Church’s Mission:
The mission of the Church was first given to the apostles when Jesus gave them the commission to go forth and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). The mission was to be embarked upon only once the promise of the Spirit had come upon them (Acts 1:4-5). Since the time of Jesus’ proclamation of the Great Commission and Pentecost, the mission of the Church has remained the same; to witness to Christ by teaching all that the apostles had learned, to make disciples, and to baptize them into the family of God. The mission of the Church is fulfilled through worship, teaching, preaching, serving, and administering the sacraments because these all point to the ultimate self-revealing and saving actions of God through Jesus Christ.
The Sacraments:
The sacraments are outward signs of an inward grace, and are also a means to the grace “by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him” (BOD, 68). While Wesley posits that there are numerous means of grace, there is something special about the sacraments. First, they are ordained and instituted by Christ. Christ is baptized at the beginning of his ministry and prior to his ascension the apostles are called to go forth baptizing. Christ, at the last supper, institutes the Eucharist when he gives bread and wine to his disciples. Second, only those who are properly ordained are to preside over the sacraments. This is sound historical and theological thinking; however, if we are to truly live into duly administering the sacraments, churches like the United Methodist who operate with an ecclesiology of exception, must truly confess, repent, and reorder their sacramental lives in order to be in tune with the Church universal. Solving this problem will make great strides towards being the Church universal. Third, the real presence of Christ exists in these sacraments by the power of the Spirit.
There are two sacraments; and these are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism marks our initiation into the body of Christ, while the Lord’s Supper sustains our growth in that relationship with God and with others. In both cases, it is God, not the one presiding, that is at work in the lives of the recipients. While the Lord’s Supper can be, and should be, taken with great frequency; baptism is unrepeatable. Staying in tune with the character and nature of God, we must admit that what God does once, God does right. While neither of the sacraments are necessary for salvation, they are still essential to the Christian’s life and faith as means to encounter God’s grace and to grow in the very same.
I would love to hear how more about what you think about ecclesiology. What was left out here? What more needs to be said?
The Nature of the Church:
There are many ways to define the Church. For example, the Church is a communion delighting in thanksgiving for the union of human life and eternal life that is given to us in Jesus Christ (Morse, 299). Or, the Church is “the beginning of God’s new, inclusive community of liberated creatures reconciled to God and to each other and called to God’s service in the world” (Migliore, 186). Yet another says that although the Church is not equal to the reign of God, the Church universal is a sign of God’s reign (Mil Voces, 70). Finally, the Church can be viewed as “the vessel of God’s Word of grace” (Benne, 196). These definitions bring to mind many questions. For example, how do we move from thanksgiving to mission? Or, how is the Church, plagued by division and dissent, a sign of the reign of God? Or, how is the Church a vessel of God’s Word of grace when some of the most horrific acts of hatred and violence have come from within? Add to these definitions the metaphors provided to us in Scripture, and we are left with a convoluted mess of descriptors and no real definition as to what it means to be the Church.
At first glance, the Nicene Creed attempts to alleviate this tension by attributing defining characteristics to the Church; namely, that we believe in “one holy catholic and apostolic church” (UMH, 880). This understanding, however, is replete with its own difficulties, for it has been subjected to interpretation without canonical grounding or commitment. For example, the Church can be viewed as one because it has one source in Jesus Christ; holy, because it has been elected by God; catholic, because it “strives to impart the fullness of God’s revelation and to embrace all Christians through all time and space;” and apostolic because “we believe that the Spirit has assured an accurate continuity through the ages in the Church’s witness to Christ” (Benne, 206). This interpretation lacks the full intimacy that exists between the Holy Spirit and the Church and mistakenly neglects the understanding that Christ’s activity in salvation was once and for all; it is not Christ’s mission of imparting the fullness of God’s revelation that we partake in, but rather the mission that we partake in is the one that we were commissioned for by Christ.
What, then, is the nature of the Church? First, the Church is a direct result of the dynamic, divine, personal agency of the Spirit. The people of God are marked by the outpouring and indwelling of the Spirit. As such, the Church is called to wait upon the equipping, empowerment, and guidance of the Spirit in all that it does. Second, the nature of the Church is like the nature from which it is birthed, namely the nature of witness. The Spirit continues to witness in real and dynamic ways to the truth of Jesus Christ and that witness continues to point the Church and the world to that same truth. Third, the nature of the Church is missional. The Church is called to be a dynamic agent in the world with Christ as its head and the Spirit as its guide. The Church is called to go out, not to create havens of retreat. We cannot live up to our call to witness if we are not missional.
The marks of the Church provided to us in the Nicene Creed are at the heart of God’s intention and original establishment of our nature as the Church; we are “one holy catholic and apostolic church” (UMH, 880). Being one is necessary; otherwise, is our witness in truth? We need only remember Jesus praying, “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21). We are holy; set apart and different from the world around us and serving no other purpose but God’s (Abraham, 2008). We are apostolic, ever leaning on the teachings of the apostles and their genuine transmission from generation to generation. And we are catholic in that we move as a single body, universally cohesive, always considering the edification of that body in relation to God and not our own special interests.
This presents the obvious problem of how the Church actually is today. While the dynamics of agency on the part of the Spirit may be obvious in some areas of the Church, much is lacking—especially relating to the previously mentioned marks of the Church. This is attributable to the fact that in as much as there is agency on the part of God through the Holy Spirit, there is also agency on the part of the humans that make up the Church. The Church is no less responsible for confession and repentance than the members are who make it up. Much is to be gained by recommitting ourselves to the Spirit that called us into being and seeks to restore us in right relationship, reordering our love towards God and others.
The Church’s Mission:
The mission of the Church was first given to the apostles when Jesus gave them the commission to go forth and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). The mission was to be embarked upon only once the promise of the Spirit had come upon them (Acts 1:4-5). Since the time of Jesus’ proclamation of the Great Commission and Pentecost, the mission of the Church has remained the same; to witness to Christ by teaching all that the apostles had learned, to make disciples, and to baptize them into the family of God. The mission of the Church is fulfilled through worship, teaching, preaching, serving, and administering the sacraments because these all point to the ultimate self-revealing and saving actions of God through Jesus Christ.
The Sacraments:
The sacraments are outward signs of an inward grace, and are also a means to the grace “by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him” (BOD, 68). While Wesley posits that there are numerous means of grace, there is something special about the sacraments. First, they are ordained and instituted by Christ. Christ is baptized at the beginning of his ministry and prior to his ascension the apostles are called to go forth baptizing. Christ, at the last supper, institutes the Eucharist when he gives bread and wine to his disciples. Second, only those who are properly ordained are to preside over the sacraments. This is sound historical and theological thinking; however, if we are to truly live into duly administering the sacraments, churches like the United Methodist who operate with an ecclesiology of exception, must truly confess, repent, and reorder their sacramental lives in order to be in tune with the Church universal. Solving this problem will make great strides towards being the Church universal. Third, the real presence of Christ exists in these sacraments by the power of the Spirit.
There are two sacraments; and these are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism marks our initiation into the body of Christ, while the Lord’s Supper sustains our growth in that relationship with God and with others. In both cases, it is God, not the one presiding, that is at work in the lives of the recipients. While the Lord’s Supper can be, and should be, taken with great frequency; baptism is unrepeatable. Staying in tune with the character and nature of God, we must admit that what God does once, God does right. While neither of the sacraments are necessary for salvation, they are still essential to the Christian’s life and faith as means to encounter God’s grace and to grow in the very same.
I would love to hear how more about what you think about ecclesiology. What was left out here? What more needs to be said?
September 6, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God,
you are our constant companion. Help us to see you
in all things.
May every object and event direct my attention
to you.
May I find guideposts in my ordinary day
which point to you.
May common things of life become media
of your presence.
Give us:
eyes to see,
ears to hear,
fingers to touch,
smells and taste
of your presence.
May daily rounds of life present
reminders of your presence,
incitements to prayer for others,
and openings for service.
In the name of our incarnate Lord. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 56
O God,
you are our constant companion. Help us to see you
in all things.
May every object and event direct my attention
to you.
May I find guideposts in my ordinary day
which point to you.
May common things of life become media
of your presence.
Give us:
eyes to see,
ears to hear,
fingers to touch,
smells and taste
of your presence.
May daily rounds of life present
reminders of your presence,
incitements to prayer for others,
and openings for service.
In the name of our incarnate Lord. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 56
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Bailey and Veggies
When we got to Logan's Roadhouse Diner on Friday, we ordered for Bailey off of the kids menu...but as with any two year old, there is nothing sacred and they want what they want when they want it.
I had ordered the BBQ chicken, a loaded baked potato and a side of broccoli for my dinner. As soon as I took a bite of the broccoli, Bailey started asking for some. I thought that it may be a little spicy for her, but she proceeded to hoover her first piece without giving it a second thought. She had a fist full of trees and she was going to eat every last bite.
While I am sorry that I missed the shot of her trying to stuff a half a head of broccoli in her mouth (she had started off taking bites), I wanted to share these two pictures of her showing us how much she loved the broccoli by proceeding to spit shine the plate:
While there were french fry and hamburger left overs, I can assure you that not a single piece of broccoli survived the onslaught of my beautiful daughter!
I had ordered the BBQ chicken, a loaded baked potato and a side of broccoli for my dinner. As soon as I took a bite of the broccoli, Bailey started asking for some. I thought that it may be a little spicy for her, but she proceeded to hoover her first piece without giving it a second thought. She had a fist full of trees and she was going to eat every last bite.
While I am sorry that I missed the shot of her trying to stuff a half a head of broccoli in her mouth (she had started off taking bites), I wanted to share these two pictures of her showing us how much she loved the broccoli by proceeding to spit shine the plate:
While there were french fry and hamburger left overs, I can assure you that not a single piece of broccoli survived the onslaught of my beautiful daughter!
Bailey at Logan's Roadhouse
There is nothing more entertaining than to watch my two year old daughter eat. Yesterday, we took a little trip to Beaumont to go to Sam's and decided that we would eat while we were in town. We stopped at Logan's Roadhouse Diner and had a great meal. Bailey hoovered a couple of rolls, ate the bread off of her burger, a couple of fries, and more.
Her favorite part of the trip, I think, was getting to crack open and eat the peanuts. She would take a piece of the shell off and throw it right on the floor (I think we finally found the right dining establishment for her, since everything usually ends up on the floor anyway!). Here are some shots from the camera phone of her peanut adventures (sorry about the blurriness...she was quite fidgety!):
Ah the joys of being two!
Her favorite part of the trip, I think, was getting to crack open and eat the peanuts. She would take a piece of the shell off and throw it right on the floor (I think we finally found the right dining establishment for her, since everything usually ends up on the floor anyway!). Here are some shots from the camera phone of her peanut adventures (sorry about the blurriness...she was quite fidgety!):
Ah the joys of being two!
September 5, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
We thank you, O Lord, for the mercies of life,
for hard work and relaxation.
May we happily embrace every time given.
Renew our spirits, O Lord, in our times of fun,
in recreation, in our time off.
All life is your gift:
families and friends,
the rhythyms of life,
pleasure, beauty,
and the chance to enjoy them.
You are sovereign, O Lord.
May every moment of our life be subject to your reign.
Refresh us with your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 49
We thank you, O Lord, for the mercies of life,
for hard work and relaxation.
May we happily embrace every time given.
Renew our spirits, O Lord, in our times of fun,
in recreation, in our time off.
All life is your gift:
families and friends,
the rhythyms of life,
pleasure, beauty,
and the chance to enjoy them.
You are sovereign, O Lord.
May every moment of our life be subject to your reign.
Refresh us with your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 49
Friday, September 4, 2009
September 4, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O God,
There are times of great difficulty in our lives.
We are hurt, alone, depressed, tense, and afraid. Our
lives are out of joint, our world is oppressive, and we
need your comforting presence.
When life is hard, be with us.
When there is no order, still sustain us.
When we have no strength to reach out, continue
to hold us.
When we experience undue stress, touch us with thy
relaxing grace.
Give us
strength to endure,
a will to trust you,
a heart that is faithful.
But most of all, we, in this time of trouble,
trust:
your patience,
your love,
your presence,
and grace.
Into your hands we commend our spirits. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 41
O God,
There are times of great difficulty in our lives.
We are hurt, alone, depressed, tense, and afraid. Our
lives are out of joint, our world is oppressive, and we
need your comforting presence.
When life is hard, be with us.
When there is no order, still sustain us.
When we have no strength to reach out, continue
to hold us.
When we experience undue stress, touch us with thy
relaxing grace.
Give us
strength to endure,
a will to trust you,
a heart that is faithful.
But most of all, we, in this time of trouble,
trust:
your patience,
your love,
your presence,
and grace.
Into your hands we commend our spirits. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 41
Thursday, September 3, 2009
September 3, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
Most gracious God,
You have given activity and cessation of work,
you have set different times and seasons for life.
Help us to embrace each new opportunity with the
confidence that you are always present with us.
Help us to release our efforts into your keeping.
For work and challenge,
we thank you.
For the change of time and new tasks,
we thank you.
For jobs and release from jobs,
we thank you.
For vocational and avocational opportunity,
we thank you.
For colleagues and family,
we thank you.
For the freedom to contribute to the well-being
of others,
we thank you.
In the name of him who is ever with us,
even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 35
Most gracious God,
You have given activity and cessation of work,
you have set different times and seasons for life.
Help us to embrace each new opportunity with the
confidence that you are always present with us.
Help us to release our efforts into your keeping.
For work and challenge,
we thank you.
For the change of time and new tasks,
we thank you.
For jobs and release from jobs,
we thank you.
For vocational and avocational opportunity,
we thank you.
For colleagues and family,
we thank you.
For the freedom to contribute to the well-being
of others,
we thank you.
In the name of him who is ever with us,
even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 35
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September 2, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O Lord, you have given us the privilege of work.
Help us to work in a spirit and with a care that is
worthy of a disciple of yours.
May we do our work well.
Whatever the task, help us to give it our best thought
and effort.
May we relate in Christian love to those with
whom we work, to those whom we meet and those to
whom we talk. Give significance to our encounters.
May we find joy in the concrete activity of our work.
May we begin and continue our work with a sense of
faithful service done, for good fulfilled, and of a day
spent with you.
In the spirit of the Carpenter, our Lord. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 29
O Lord, you have given us the privilege of work.
Help us to work in a spirit and with a care that is
worthy of a disciple of yours.
May we do our work well.
Whatever the task, help us to give it our best thought
and effort.
May we relate in Christian love to those with
whom we work, to those whom we meet and those to
whom we talk. Give significance to our encounters.
May we find joy in the concrete activity of our work.
May we begin and continue our work with a sense of
faithful service done, for good fulfilled, and of a day
spent with you.
In the spirit of the Carpenter, our Lord. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 29
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1, 2009
Here is today's prayer:
O Lord God,
Creator of all things,
make us alive today to your creative spirit.
We begin this day with adoration and thanksgiving.
We are your creatures,
you have created us for relationship with yourself
and we rejoice in this communion.
Prepare us for the events of this day.
May we enjoy pleasure,
be strong in adversity,
faithful in love,
sensitive to need,
a sharer of grace.
Direct the activity and relationships of this day.
May your Spirit find expression in all of our activities.
This is your day,
and through this day we shall worship you.
In the spirit and name of Jesus. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 21
O Lord God,
Creator of all things,
make us alive today to your creative spirit.
We begin this day with adoration and thanksgiving.
We are your creatures,
you have created us for relationship with yourself
and we rejoice in this communion.
Prepare us for the events of this day.
May we enjoy pleasure,
be strong in adversity,
faithful in love,
sensitive to need,
a sharer of grace.
Direct the activity and relationships of this day.
May your Spirit find expression in all of our activities.
This is your day,
and through this day we shall worship you.
In the spirit and name of Jesus. Amen.
~Thomas A. Langford Prayer and the Common Life, pg. 21
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