Still reading - and enjoying - MacCulloch's huge work: Christianity...the first 3000 years. (Penguin)
Fascinating snapshots of the development of faith and practice in the church.
For instance...on page 555 he links assumptions that, at the time (1200-1300), seemed to fit well:
1. God demands action from a sinner to prove he has repented
2. Christ's merits are infinite since he is part of the Godhead...and there are merits from the saints, and Mary that together, form a "treasury of merit."
3. The pope would be criminal not to provide for the dispensing of those merits to those in need.
4. Merits can be granted to the faithful (even the departed ones) to shorten their time in purgatory.
5. That grant is an indulgence. (The "earliest dated piece of English printing" is an indulgence -1476.)
6. Lots of money was involved..."indulgences were as ubiquitous as the modern lottery ticket."
All of that changes when you see that assumption #1 is in itself wrong...along with lots of the others in this list.
God's demands for action have nothing to do with us proving we have repented....but we are called to a new life that demonstrates that we indeed have become new creatures in Christ.
We are forgiven freely by the sufficient work of Christ in death and resurrection, and on the basis of faith alone. That is the clear reading of His Word. (Indeed, it was the practice of indulgences that put much fuel on Martin Luther's fire and brought on the Reformation and protestantism.)
Indulgences....are they still around? Yes. In different form, yes. In more primitive cultures, yes. In our "Christian" culture? Yes.
It can happen when the Bible (in our daily, actual living) is less than the sufficient guide to faith and practice.
May we stand in faith entirely....and turn from that which lessens Christ's call to action in our lives.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Salt and light.
Jesus said:
"You are salt...you are light...so..shine before others, so they may see..."
Matthew 5:13-16.
One of my grandsons is getting pretty salty...and pretty full of light.
His name, Carson.
Age 6.
First grade in a public school class of 25.
Teacher: Mrs.V.
Yesterday, Mrs. V phoned our daughter, Jess, at the end of the school day saying, "I need to let you know what happened today."
With that, this story unfolded.
Mrs. V has a friend whose daughter was taken to a Denver hospital, and Mrs. V was asking the class to make greeting cards for her.
She gave them two requests:
1. put your name on the card and
2. put a "happy thought" on the card.
Before they did this work she asked them to share with everyone their happy thought.
And so, happy thoughts tumbled out into the room...trips to Disneyland, toys, and more....till they got to Carson.
He paused in thought, putting his fingers over his lips and then said: "My happy thought is I pray that she gets better."
When the happy thoughts were all shared, Mrs. V then asked the children to go ahead and make their cards. She then collected them and read them herself when the day was over...and discovered that all the children had written Carson's happy thought as theirs.
And so it was time to call Jess. "Carson gets it." she said. "And he is having a great impact on my class."
Salt and light. Everyone needs it. Even a six-year-old can be it.
Thanks Carson. You've shown us how.
"You are salt...you are light...so..shine before others, so they may see..."
Matthew 5:13-16.
One of my grandsons is getting pretty salty...and pretty full of light.
His name, Carson.
Age 6.
First grade in a public school class of 25.
Teacher: Mrs.V.
Yesterday, Mrs. V phoned our daughter, Jess, at the end of the school day saying, "I need to let you know what happened today."
With that, this story unfolded.
Mrs. V has a friend whose daughter was taken to a Denver hospital, and Mrs. V was asking the class to make greeting cards for her.
She gave them two requests:
1. put your name on the card and
2. put a "happy thought" on the card.
Before they did this work she asked them to share with everyone their happy thought.
And so, happy thoughts tumbled out into the room...trips to Disneyland, toys, and more....till they got to Carson.
He paused in thought, putting his fingers over his lips and then said: "My happy thought is I pray that she gets better."
When the happy thoughts were all shared, Mrs. V then asked the children to go ahead and make their cards. She then collected them and read them herself when the day was over...and discovered that all the children had written Carson's happy thought as theirs.
And so it was time to call Jess. "Carson gets it." she said. "And he is having a great impact on my class."
Salt and light. Everyone needs it. Even a six-year-old can be it.
Thanks Carson. You've shown us how.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Hospitality
We flew one week ago to the great NorthWest...Seattle, in specific.
My sister Judy and her husband Peter met us at the airport and we began a most delightful week with them, returning late last night to Colorado Springs.
We drove south by Tacoma and then headed north up the peninsula, overnighting in Sequim.
Multiple ferry rides, boat rides and trips along forrest roads. Fish and chips, blueberries and blackberries...and a rather indulgent amount of ice cream marked the fine food we ate. Walks along beaches, and among the immense firs of Cathedral Grove and many docks in awe of the boats moored there. Seals, gulls, jays and jelly fish. And fun exploring the many faces of Powell River - north up the coast from Vancouver - and the place of Peter and Judy's residence.
And Mts. Ranier, Baker and more were at their snowy best.
What a wonderful week! We have been greatly blessed!
Peter and Judy....among the finest hosts we know.
Tender, long hugs as we said farewell.
Thoughts already of how we could do this again.
Hospitality...one of God's most gracious gifts.
"Offer hospitality to one another....(it is) grace in one of its various forms." I Peter 4:9-10
My sister Judy and her husband Peter met us at the airport and we began a most delightful week with them, returning late last night to Colorado Springs.
We drove south by Tacoma and then headed north up the peninsula, overnighting in Sequim.
Multiple ferry rides, boat rides and trips along forrest roads. Fish and chips, blueberries and blackberries...and a rather indulgent amount of ice cream marked the fine food we ate. Walks along beaches, and among the immense firs of Cathedral Grove and many docks in awe of the boats moored there. Seals, gulls, jays and jelly fish. And fun exploring the many faces of Powell River - north up the coast from Vancouver - and the place of Peter and Judy's residence.
And Mts. Ranier, Baker and more were at their snowy best.
What a wonderful week! We have been greatly blessed!
Peter and Judy....among the finest hosts we know.
Tender, long hugs as we said farewell.
Thoughts already of how we could do this again.
Hospitality...one of God's most gracious gifts.
"Offer hospitality to one another....(it is) grace in one of its various forms." I Peter 4:9-10
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
"If.." and the turmoil around us
Just read another piece on the web....citing facts and numbers to show that Michelle Obama was greatly misleading in her speech last night. Portraying themselves as living near the edge, while all the time having great finances, privilege and in recent years, huge political incomes and benefits.
Not sure I have ever sensed the political scene to be so full of unfounded, undefended, polarizing and defaming material. Both sides.
And the moral/religious issues are huge....Islam, the debt, same sex "marriage," Israel, big government, Obamacare, Mormonism....and more. Not sure I have ever seen this much on the table at once.
Where is the voice that with God's endorsement, calls a nation to God? Where is a Billy Graham?
Where is the unified action that galvanizes the church to respond spiritually?
Where is the leadership that rises up and says, "no" to the moral decay all around us?
And at times I wonder....is that what the hurricanes, and fires, and weather change is all about?
Am I just a bit too Old Testament? or old time? or inflexible?"
Whatever....at least this is all getting to me.
Last night I wrote down this short list of what I (as I am) can do....
1. Pray - the "if" in the blog title today is from II Chron 7:14 - and it is just as true right now as it ever has been....and perhaps more needed now than ever in time.
Are there watches being called for....seasons of fasting, repenting, and prayer?
Is it not true that what we need is God.....not Obama or Romney or anyone else?
Pray for voices of justice and truth to rise. Pray for righteousness to exalt this nation. Pray for those in high places who fear God, to be equipped and empowered to be like a Daniel.
Pray for pastors and those who lead fellowships to be given wisdom and courage to act.
2. Vote - and urge others to do so. Never been more critical in my sense than right now.
3. Do what the Spirit gives you to do...through alerts, things you see and hear, that call you to some form of action - like I have, as stated at the start of this blog.
4. Do not be afraid to stand for truth....and do so in love. Truth as defined by scripture. "Your word is truth." Speak the truth, and be led by the Spirit to discern what isn't so.
This is truly a critical hour.
Only by responding to the
"if My people humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked way"
....can we hope to bring forth the "then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."
God, send your Spirit in power upon us all.
Not sure I have ever sensed the political scene to be so full of unfounded, undefended, polarizing and defaming material. Both sides.
And the moral/religious issues are huge....Islam, the debt, same sex "marriage," Israel, big government, Obamacare, Mormonism....and more. Not sure I have ever seen this much on the table at once.
Where is the voice that with God's endorsement, calls a nation to God? Where is a Billy Graham?
Where is the unified action that galvanizes the church to respond spiritually?
Where is the leadership that rises up and says, "no" to the moral decay all around us?
And at times I wonder....is that what the hurricanes, and fires, and weather change is all about?
Am I just a bit too Old Testament? or old time? or inflexible?"
Whatever....at least this is all getting to me.
Last night I wrote down this short list of what I (as I am) can do....
1. Pray - the "if" in the blog title today is from II Chron 7:14 - and it is just as true right now as it ever has been....and perhaps more needed now than ever in time.
Are there watches being called for....seasons of fasting, repenting, and prayer?
Is it not true that what we need is God.....not Obama or Romney or anyone else?
Pray for voices of justice and truth to rise. Pray for righteousness to exalt this nation. Pray for those in high places who fear God, to be equipped and empowered to be like a Daniel.
Pray for pastors and those who lead fellowships to be given wisdom and courage to act.
2. Vote - and urge others to do so. Never been more critical in my sense than right now.
3. Do what the Spirit gives you to do...through alerts, things you see and hear, that call you to some form of action - like I have, as stated at the start of this blog.
4. Do not be afraid to stand for truth....and do so in love. Truth as defined by scripture. "Your word is truth." Speak the truth, and be led by the Spirit to discern what isn't so.
This is truly a critical hour.
Only by responding to the
"if My people humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked way"
....can we hope to bring forth the "then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."
God, send your Spirit in power upon us all.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wonders
Here we are in a cabin in the mountains...about two hours into the rockies from the Springs.
These few days, a gift of some dear friends who said....you must go and stay in our cabin.
What a wonderful thing these several days have been.
Wonders...
* Quietness...so quiet you can hear your ears hearing and the wing action of small birds flying by. It lets me know how noisy our regular world is. "Be still" is a rather timely call and offers wonder to the racing heart.
* So still...that you tiptoe on the deck so as to not disturb, and hold your sniffles for indoors.
*This morning I stood on the deck and watched for birds....and there are a lot of them.
*One, a junko, caught my eye as he landed vertically on a long grass stem. His weight was just enough to send the seed bearing top of the long stem gently to the ground and that seed became his breakfast. Whole grain cereal.
* Out of the quiet I heard an irregular falling of something to the ground....morning dew in large drops? some loose foliage? Nope....VERY high in the tree a squirrel grooming the tree, and probably getting rewarded with food to store for the winter. His sudden movement from branch to branch and upside down antics challenge olympic class gymnastics.
So "sing to God a brand new song. He's made a world of wonders." Psalm 98:1 - The Message
In these days of political and social turmoil, may you and I stay close from the inside out, to a God who is in control. May our lives be filled with wonder....it is all around us.
Selah.
These few days, a gift of some dear friends who said....you must go and stay in our cabin.
What a wonderful thing these several days have been.
Wonders...
* Quietness...so quiet you can hear your ears hearing and the wing action of small birds flying by. It lets me know how noisy our regular world is. "Be still" is a rather timely call and offers wonder to the racing heart.
* So still...that you tiptoe on the deck so as to not disturb, and hold your sniffles for indoors.
*This morning I stood on the deck and watched for birds....and there are a lot of them.
*One, a junko, caught my eye as he landed vertically on a long grass stem. His weight was just enough to send the seed bearing top of the long stem gently to the ground and that seed became his breakfast. Whole grain cereal.
* Out of the quiet I heard an irregular falling of something to the ground....morning dew in large drops? some loose foliage? Nope....VERY high in the tree a squirrel grooming the tree, and probably getting rewarded with food to store for the winter. His sudden movement from branch to branch and upside down antics challenge olympic class gymnastics.
So "sing to God a brand new song. He's made a world of wonders." Psalm 98:1 - The Message
In these days of political and social turmoil, may you and I stay close from the inside out, to a God who is in control. May our lives be filled with wonder....it is all around us.
Selah.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Reunion
He had been away from his parents and 22-month-old sister Presley, for two weeks.
Long time for someone just six.
They - off in Idaho for intense training involving the future.
He - Carson - staying with us...and getting back into school.
We had had a memory-making time.
And now the day for their return had come.
Their vehicle pulled into the driveway at long last
A shout went out signaling "they are here."
and Carson raced to the driveway to be the first to meet them.
Hugs, dancing, laughter.
And then it was time for Carson to show off....
"I learned to tie my shoes"...and a careful demonstration with the two-colored teaching laces in Grampy's shoe ensued while we all gathered around...with oohs and ahhs.
"And I have learned to remember to turn lights off."
And all the while, Presley, munching on a calzone, and looking on with squeals of delight.
And a big chase through the house with peals of laughter.
Reunions - this one was something quite special.
Together....it is worth a big celebration.
Reminds me a lot of a big one coming -
"And I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult.....'" Rev.19:6-7
The door closes and Grammy and I realize we don't get to end the day with a six-year-old asking us questions and tossing on his bed...while we try to make sure we end the day with prayer!!
Thanks, Carson, you have taught us a lot....and reminded us of what is to come.
Gramps.
Long time for someone just six.
They - off in Idaho for intense training involving the future.
He - Carson - staying with us...and getting back into school.
We had had a memory-making time.
And now the day for their return had come.
Their vehicle pulled into the driveway at long last
A shout went out signaling "they are here."
and Carson raced to the driveway to be the first to meet them.
Hugs, dancing, laughter.
And then it was time for Carson to show off....
"I learned to tie my shoes"...and a careful demonstration with the two-colored teaching laces in Grampy's shoe ensued while we all gathered around...with oohs and ahhs.
"And I have learned to remember to turn lights off."
And all the while, Presley, munching on a calzone, and looking on with squeals of delight.
And a big chase through the house with peals of laughter.
Reunions - this one was something quite special.
Together....it is worth a big celebration.
Reminds me a lot of a big one coming -
"And I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult.....'" Rev.19:6-7
The door closes and Grammy and I realize we don't get to end the day with a six-year-old asking us questions and tossing on his bed...while we try to make sure we end the day with prayer!!
Thanks, Carson, you have taught us a lot....and reminded us of what is to come.
Gramps.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Updates
This is a special season indeed.
Carson (our 6-year-old grandson) has been staying with us for over a week now and his presence has been wonderful. Lots of different questions as we eat. Lots of cartoons on the TV. Lots of legos on the floor. A nightly treasure of reading all together, and praying and Jackie or I lying with him until he is asleep.....usually measurable in seconds. He is a bright, happy, well-adjusted young man and we are proud and grateful to have these days with him.
Family has been huge....visits to, visits from....meals infinitum and treasured times around table. Jackie and I have looked at each other and said..."so what in the world would we be doing if we had an outside job?"....it has been a busy time and wonderful.
Projects around the house...weeding, trimming, organizing, freezing peaches, decorating....lots of changes in the look.
Reading and soaking in the word and prayer.....Bonhoeffer by Metaxas, Christianity, the first 3000 years - MacCulloch, The Jesus Life - Smith, The Bible...ESV. It has been special to soak.
Getting more regular exercise as well...though not doing as well as my mind constructs...or my body wishes.
The days ahead.....a trip to the NW, and the SE?....then time helping another church transition (still in the talking stages).
Changing pace so often in these years is a special challenge. It has helped me greatly to know that each day as I do whatever God gives me to do, I am functioning in His will, and living in a state of preparation for whatever might be around the corner. It is not "when I do X....then..." but today, do what stokes life and prepares the spirit and you will be ready.
God is the master of the "go"
....I need to be fully engaged in the now.
Carson (our 6-year-old grandson) has been staying with us for over a week now and his presence has been wonderful. Lots of different questions as we eat. Lots of cartoons on the TV. Lots of legos on the floor. A nightly treasure of reading all together, and praying and Jackie or I lying with him until he is asleep.....usually measurable in seconds. He is a bright, happy, well-adjusted young man and we are proud and grateful to have these days with him.
Family has been huge....visits to, visits from....meals infinitum and treasured times around table. Jackie and I have looked at each other and said..."so what in the world would we be doing if we had an outside job?"....it has been a busy time and wonderful.
Projects around the house...weeding, trimming, organizing, freezing peaches, decorating....lots of changes in the look.
Reading and soaking in the word and prayer.....Bonhoeffer by Metaxas, Christianity, the first 3000 years - MacCulloch, The Jesus Life - Smith, The Bible...ESV. It has been special to soak.
Getting more regular exercise as well...though not doing as well as my mind constructs...or my body wishes.
The days ahead.....a trip to the NW, and the SE?....then time helping another church transition (still in the talking stages).
Changing pace so often in these years is a special challenge. It has helped me greatly to know that each day as I do whatever God gives me to do, I am functioning in His will, and living in a state of preparation for whatever might be around the corner. It is not "when I do X....then..." but today, do what stokes life and prepares the spirit and you will be ready.
God is the master of the "go"
....I need to be fully engaged in the now.
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