Christmas as a word and a season is losing ground. Maybe we should go back to Xmas? What, isn't that just a lazy way to write Christmas? No, the X is the first Greek letter in Christ. The X to me, says, it is all about Christ. At a recent office party someone asked about that Xmas. It gave me a valid reason to witness about the Christ that came. When you read that word, Christ, you pronounce it differently than Christmas. Maybe we should say the word the way it is meant. Christ Mas. Christ not cryst. Say Merry Christ - Mas loudly this season. Use the X (Chi) to remind yourself if needed.
Seems that a few mega churches have decided the world is flat. Yes, they feel we should succomb to modernity and skip gathering together in celebration of the coming of God to man. What? Yes, it is the manner of some to gather less as the day approaches. Yet, our gospel tells us to not be like some who gather less, but gather more. The day approaches.
The day of apathy approaches. The day of ineffective congregations with no power approaches. The day of being so preoccupied with meeting the world on the ocean of comfort that we have lost sigth of the shore of Christ approaches.
The great television show of the day, Lost, centers on the problem. We are lost. We are without bearings. We do not know where we are or what is going to happen. How did our world get there? In Christ, I know exactly who I am. I know what is going to happen. He told me that before anything new happens, He would tell us. I know my calling to witness and pray and study my bible. Yet, as a whole we are lost. Our signals are coming from a lost world. No wonder we are lost. Shouldn't the signals come from the difinitive scripture?
People want valid and consistent purpose that stands the test of time. People want a strong tower to which to run.
This Christmas put the X back in. Happy birthday, Jesus. Merry Christ - Mas.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Revolution? Observation?
“The revolution of faith is swelling within the soul of America. It will affect you and everyone you know. Every social institution will be affected. This is not simply a movement; it is a full-scale reengineering of the role of faith in personal lives, the religious community, and society at large.” -- George Barna
The above quote by the prognosticator and observor, George Barna, leaves something to ponder. Does God wait on us? Is a revolution something we do or He does?
These same words could have been written at any time about any time in the last 2000 years. There is always a revolution going on in our world. There is always a group of people ready to embrace the Gospel. God does not wait for revivals. He is busy all the time.
What is different about these times? Is it valid to watch the world to determine what is happening or should we be watching the Holy Spirit. Should we be polling unbelief to find belief? Should we be polling in our prayer closet to determine the next steps not the last observation? These are questions that many times have dual answers. Yes and Yes. We should observe and shape. We should see what men and women need, and we should ask the Holy Spirit to give us openings into their hearts that have unseen portals.
Create a revolution. Men are always tired of religion that is not faith. Women are always looking for strong and valid relationships based on compassion. Children are always accepting of true love and concern. Create a revolution.
Get more concerned about loving God above all and loving your neighbor as yourself. Do that and a revolution will follow you and the Jesus that is in you. Quit worrying about the ten commandments and what some city is doing about Christmas. Get intimately concerned about how you exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control and how you celebrate the coming of God to men.
Revolution is not what others think. Revolution is what God thinks and how we agree with Him.
The above quote by the prognosticator and observor, George Barna, leaves something to ponder. Does God wait on us? Is a revolution something we do or He does?
These same words could have been written at any time about any time in the last 2000 years. There is always a revolution going on in our world. There is always a group of people ready to embrace the Gospel. God does not wait for revivals. He is busy all the time.
What is different about these times? Is it valid to watch the world to determine what is happening or should we be watching the Holy Spirit. Should we be polling unbelief to find belief? Should we be polling in our prayer closet to determine the next steps not the last observation? These are questions that many times have dual answers. Yes and Yes. We should observe and shape. We should see what men and women need, and we should ask the Holy Spirit to give us openings into their hearts that have unseen portals.
Create a revolution. Men are always tired of religion that is not faith. Women are always looking for strong and valid relationships based on compassion. Children are always accepting of true love and concern. Create a revolution.
Get more concerned about loving God above all and loving your neighbor as yourself. Do that and a revolution will follow you and the Jesus that is in you. Quit worrying about the ten commandments and what some city is doing about Christmas. Get intimately concerned about how you exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control and how you celebrate the coming of God to men.
Revolution is not what others think. Revolution is what God thinks and how we agree with Him.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Hypocritical Fish?
A recent foopaw was noted in the Christian community. Seems that on a Washington State Democratic Party website online store, an offensive sticker was sold. The sticker was in the shape of a fish with fire, the word Hypocrite, and a cross for the eye. Not knowing the intent of the barb, I have little to say what it meant.
Maybe it was a frustrated Christian wondering why other Christians were condeming hurting people to hell. After all hell is not punishment for committed sins in the bible I read. It is the endgame for staying separated from God and not accepting Christ as redeemer and savior. Isn't it? Does the gossip (those who spread negative words about others) burn in the same hell as the homosexual? Abortion never made it to the list of the seven deadly sins like slander. Who is the judge of men's hearts anyway? Or maybe they all can live in the same heaven through Christ's redemptive blood?
It amazes me to have seen what I have seen said about these people in Washington State of which none of us know anything. From what I have seen, Democrats are going to hell for being Democrats. Huh?
Lest we be found guilty of the intent of the sticker, what does being a Democrat or a Republican have to do with Christianity? There is certainly a lean against Christian morality in the Democratic party as a whole. Yet, there is a certain lean against Christian compassion in the Republican party as a whole. Is one better than the other? Is it a matter of party or of personal commitment to Christ.
When the righteous rule the city rejoices. Neither party counts in that sentence. Only the heart of the man or woman is counted righteous in Christ. It is a tragedy that a mistake is made in posting such an item of anger from any group. It would be a greater tragedy to attack, slander, and gossip against someone for an action for which we have no explanation.
What was their intent?
What was their interpretation?
Who was the delegated person who posted it?
Was it intentional?
Were they hacked and set up?
We do not know. We should not say.
Silence may be misinterpreted. It is hard to misquote.
Maybe it was a frustrated Christian wondering why other Christians were condeming hurting people to hell. After all hell is not punishment for committed sins in the bible I read. It is the endgame for staying separated from God and not accepting Christ as redeemer and savior. Isn't it? Does the gossip (those who spread negative words about others) burn in the same hell as the homosexual? Abortion never made it to the list of the seven deadly sins like slander. Who is the judge of men's hearts anyway? Or maybe they all can live in the same heaven through Christ's redemptive blood?
It amazes me to have seen what I have seen said about these people in Washington State of which none of us know anything. From what I have seen, Democrats are going to hell for being Democrats. Huh?
Lest we be found guilty of the intent of the sticker, what does being a Democrat or a Republican have to do with Christianity? There is certainly a lean against Christian morality in the Democratic party as a whole. Yet, there is a certain lean against Christian compassion in the Republican party as a whole. Is one better than the other? Is it a matter of party or of personal commitment to Christ.
When the righteous rule the city rejoices. Neither party counts in that sentence. Only the heart of the man or woman is counted righteous in Christ. It is a tragedy that a mistake is made in posting such an item of anger from any group. It would be a greater tragedy to attack, slander, and gossip against someone for an action for which we have no explanation.
What was their intent?
What was their interpretation?
Who was the delegated person who posted it?
Was it intentional?
Were they hacked and set up?
We do not know. We should not say.
Silence may be misinterpreted. It is hard to misquote.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Relics?
These thoughts come from Mark Gibson [markguitar_1@hotmail.com]. I don't know him, but his presentation warrants your review and is consistent with the heart of the PrayerMetro blogspot.
Isn’t the Catholic use of relics superstitious? and Don’t Catholics worship idols and make graven images?
Relics: Objects Which Inspire Faith
1. Isn’t the Catholic use of relics superstitious?
No. Relics are material objects (bone fragments of saints, articles of their clothing, etc.) that God uses to bestow blessings on His people.
· In Matthew 9:20-22, we see that a simple tassel on the cloak of Jesus was an instrument of healing for a woman with a blood hemorrhage. The woman’s faith was also vital to the healing, but God used a material object as a means to transfer Christ’s healing grace.
· 2 Kings 13:21 tells how a dead man was touched to the bones (relics) of Elisha and was brought back to life. In Act 5:15, the image of Peter’s shadow heals the sick. In Acts 19:11-12, relics (items touched to Paul) heal the sick through the power of God, “And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”
Catholic faith is not a superstitious faith but a gift from God which trusts in His Divine Will. We must be open to God’s grace in our lives regardless of the channel through which He chooses to communicate it. It may be a neighbor, a stranger, an inspirational painting, a story or a relic of a holy man or woman who loves God. The Catholic Church teaches that only God can perform a true miracle.
2. Don’t Catholics worship idols and make graven images?
No. Catholics certainly do not worship statues, or anything created. The Catholic Church teaches that only God is to be worshipped: to worship anything created is to commit the serious sin of idolatry.
Catholics use images (painting, statues, stained glass, etc) of Christ, the saints and angles to remind them of those in heaven. Since we have material bodies, material objects, such as statues or pictures, can aid our mind in focusing on heavenly things. When a Catholic prays before a statue of Mary, for example, he is not praying to a piece of wood, stone, or plastic, but to the Blessed Mother, of whom the statue reminds us. When we keep photographs of family or friends, living, or deceased, in our home, their purpose is to us of those persons.
Some examples from Scripture demonstrated that God approves of such practices.
· In 1 Kings 7:29, God commands the making of images to be placed in the Holy Temple: “… and on the panels that were set in the frames were lions, oxen and cherubim. Upon the frames, both above and below the lions and oxen, there were wreaths of beveled work.” Obviously, God would not command that images and statues be placed in His Holy Temple if they were inherently evil.
· In Numbers 21:8, God commands Moses to make an image (a bronze sculpture) of a serpent and mount it on a pole so that those who had been bitten by poisonous snakes could look at it and be cured.
· In Exodus 25:18-19, God commands the making of two angelic images which are to be placed on the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the holiest items known to the Hebrew people.
Images and statues are not forbidden by God. It is the worship of graven images or statues, or using them as good luck charms, that God forbids. Catholics do not worship statues, images and painting. Rather, the images of Jesus, Mary, the saints and angels are used for reflection upon those
Isn’t the Catholic use of relics superstitious? and Don’t Catholics worship idols and make graven images?
Relics: Objects Which Inspire Faith
1. Isn’t the Catholic use of relics superstitious?
No. Relics are material objects (bone fragments of saints, articles of their clothing, etc.) that God uses to bestow blessings on His people.
· In Matthew 9:20-22, we see that a simple tassel on the cloak of Jesus was an instrument of healing for a woman with a blood hemorrhage. The woman’s faith was also vital to the healing, but God used a material object as a means to transfer Christ’s healing grace.
· 2 Kings 13:21 tells how a dead man was touched to the bones (relics) of Elisha and was brought back to life. In Act 5:15, the image of Peter’s shadow heals the sick. In Acts 19:11-12, relics (items touched to Paul) heal the sick through the power of God, “And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”
Catholic faith is not a superstitious faith but a gift from God which trusts in His Divine Will. We must be open to God’s grace in our lives regardless of the channel through which He chooses to communicate it. It may be a neighbor, a stranger, an inspirational painting, a story or a relic of a holy man or woman who loves God. The Catholic Church teaches that only God can perform a true miracle.
2. Don’t Catholics worship idols and make graven images?
No. Catholics certainly do not worship statues, or anything created. The Catholic Church teaches that only God is to be worshipped: to worship anything created is to commit the serious sin of idolatry.
Catholics use images (painting, statues, stained glass, etc) of Christ, the saints and angles to remind them of those in heaven. Since we have material bodies, material objects, such as statues or pictures, can aid our mind in focusing on heavenly things. When a Catholic prays before a statue of Mary, for example, he is not praying to a piece of wood, stone, or plastic, but to the Blessed Mother, of whom the statue reminds us. When we keep photographs of family or friends, living, or deceased, in our home, their purpose is to us of those persons.
Some examples from Scripture demonstrated that God approves of such practices.
· In 1 Kings 7:29, God commands the making of images to be placed in the Holy Temple: “… and on the panels that were set in the frames were lions, oxen and cherubim. Upon the frames, both above and below the lions and oxen, there were wreaths of beveled work.” Obviously, God would not command that images and statues be placed in His Holy Temple if they were inherently evil.
· In Numbers 21:8, God commands Moses to make an image (a bronze sculpture) of a serpent and mount it on a pole so that those who had been bitten by poisonous snakes could look at it and be cured.
· In Exodus 25:18-19, God commands the making of two angelic images which are to be placed on the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the holiest items known to the Hebrew people.
Images and statues are not forbidden by God. It is the worship of graven images or statues, or using them as good luck charms, that God forbids. Catholics do not worship statues, images and painting. Rather, the images of Jesus, Mary, the saints and angels are used for reflection upon those
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Racism in the Kingdom
As a starter to blogging, we are opening commentary on the subject of racism in the kingdom of God. No use picking a simple or uncomplicated subject with which to start. We are interested in posting well thought and solution oriented submissions. You can email blog@prayermetro.com anytime you want for inclusion.
We reserve the right to edit and will do so, if we feel the submission is not done in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. That does not mean we will edit if we don't like it. Of course you may submit material the editors will not like. That is okay. Does it build unity? Does is promote peace? Think about it. Read Ephesians 4. Write it up. Send it to us.
Nothing will be posted that cannot be authenticated to you. Anonymous means not worthy of posting. If you write it, then own up to who you are. Who you are is important.
Let's start:
The subject of racism in the kingdom of God is fraught with aversions and hidden names. At the same time it may not be racism at all that we call racism. It is a sticky and messy and hidden subject needing address. Our heart is to let you express yourself and stir the hearts of others.
Is "cultural preference" racism?
Are congregations of one race racist?
Should every congregation reflect the neighborhood in which it resides?
Thoughts?
Scriptures?
Moses, Miriam, and Miscommunication
We reserve the right to edit and will do so, if we feel the submission is not done in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. That does not mean we will edit if we don't like it. Of course you may submit material the editors will not like. That is okay. Does it build unity? Does is promote peace? Think about it. Read Ephesians 4. Write it up. Send it to us.
Nothing will be posted that cannot be authenticated to you. Anonymous means not worthy of posting. If you write it, then own up to who you are. Who you are is important.
Let's start:
The subject of racism in the kingdom of God is fraught with aversions and hidden names. At the same time it may not be racism at all that we call racism. It is a sticky and messy and hidden subject needing address. Our heart is to let you express yourself and stir the hearts of others.
Is "cultural preference" racism?
Are congregations of one race racist?
Should every congregation reflect the neighborhood in which it resides?
Thoughts?
Scriptures?
Moses, Miriam, and Miscommunication
Numbers 12
Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses 1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard this.
3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
4 At once the LORD said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you." So the three of them came out. 5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, 6 he said, "Listen to my words:
"When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
I reveal myself to him in visions,
I speak to him in dreams.
7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
he is faithful in all my house.
8 With him I speak face to face,
clearly and not in riddles;
he sees the form of the LORD .
Why then were you not afraid
to speak against my servant Moses?"
9 The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them.
10 When the cloud lifted from above the Tent, there stood Miriam-leprous, [a] like snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had leprosy; 11 and he said to Moses, "Please, my lord, do not hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother's womb with its flesh half eaten away."
13 So Moses cried out to the LORD , "O God, please heal her!"
14 The LORD replied to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back." 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.
16 After that, the people left Hazeroth and encamped in the Desert of Paran.
Footnotes:
Numbers 12:10 The Hebrew word was used for various diseases affecting the skin-not necessarily leprosy.
Moses had two wives recorded in scripture. One was a Midianite, daughter to Jethro, the Midianite priest. The other was a Cushite, an African. Miriam and and Aaron complained about the Cushite only and because of her nationality. Clear racism.
Behind their uprising against Moses also lay the issue of leadership. In the prior chapter, Moses had appointed 70 men to serve as leaders with he and Joshua. Miriam and Aaron were not listed. Now, Aaron as high priest had significant leadership exposure. There was definitely jealousy involved in the racism and a thirst for more power. When your brother and sister come against you, there can definitely be more than one issue involved.
God's response was pretty strong. The issue He addressed was the issue behind the scenes. He addressed the attack on His leadership. The assault was isolated to Miriam. The assault was treated as an insult to the Father, Himself.
There is not a lot revealed here about God's attitudes toward racism other than He was disgusted by the entire event and took immediate action to establish His point that there was nothing wrong in this situation in His eyes.
Further scripture reading will tell you over and over that God is committed to hospitality to the strangers (different types of people and nationalities) in our communities. He acts harshly against Israel every time they treat different people other than with respect, friendship, open arms and a place in the community.
Thoughts?
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