There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play without in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.
As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grand! ma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"
So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
Thought for the day and every day thereafter: Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done -- and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, debt, fear, hatred , anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.) whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing, He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.
The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets -
It is by God's Grace and Mercy that we are saved.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Paradox of the Cross
St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25,
"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside." Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."
As humans, we are on a constant quest for the true meaning of life. As Christians, we accept the cross, and this faith in Christ gives our lives meaning. The paradox of the cross holds true for all generations. Yet in every age, people search new faucets of life, looking for the path to God. There has always been a debate as to how one should arrive at truth - rationally or empirically? The cross cannot be explained fully by either approach, and that is where the human dilemma begins. We refuse to live on faith alone.
Paul forces this paradox to the extreme to show that God's ways are not human ways. This paradox not only shows us what the cross means to Paul, but it calls us to reflect upon what the cross means to us. This is a challenge to all Christians. Believers must detach themselves from humanity and come to know that God has different standards; His righteousness comes through faith.
At the base of Paul's message is the human inability to accept a Messiah that does not fulfill human expectation. In Paul's time, a majority of the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah in part because many expected the Messiah to drive the Romans from Palestine; but above all, because Jesus was executed by the Romans and this was seen as a weakness and a disqualification to many. Also, according to the law of Moses (Deut. 21-23), a crucified person was considered to be under God's curse. The Greeks, on the other hand, were in search of wisdom and might see Jesus as a wise teacher unjustly put to death (like Socrates).
The wise, the wealthy and the powerful are usually the people who effect change in society. One would have expected God to choose an influential member of society such as those aforementioned. So that His power would be recognized, God has repeatedly chosen the foolish, the weak , the lowly and despised to carry out His mission here on earth. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 also emphasizes that faith in Christ is necessary, for human wisdom alone cannot explain the powers of God.
Through the crucifixion, God is actively carrying out His plan for the good of all humanity. The cross demonstrates the power and wisdom of God. Since Jesus Himself was not passive, but was willing to do the will of the Father, He Himself is the power and wisdom of God. Jesus is the presentation of the divine intention for humanity. Jesus does not reflect what humanity is, but what it can become. Though the cross, we are able to receive salvation. The "wisdom of Christ" alone allows us to understand fully the gifts of God. Through faith, we are sanctified and redeemed. If we come to understand the cross, we are no longer "of this world" and no longer must live by its standards. Through the act of Jesus, we are capable of becoming what God intended us to be; furthermore, we realize all we have and all we are is truly a gift from God.
As Christians we must have faith, that will be our ultimate path to salvation. The cross means different things to many people, but it is salvation for all. The cross is still a stumbling block for many today; we constantly question that which we find to be ineffable, many times relying on human wisdom for answers. We must always rely on our faith, especially in times of darkness and doubt. For, as Paul says: "The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25)
"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside." Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith. For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."
As humans, we are on a constant quest for the true meaning of life. As Christians, we accept the cross, and this faith in Christ gives our lives meaning. The paradox of the cross holds true for all generations. Yet in every age, people search new faucets of life, looking for the path to God. There has always been a debate as to how one should arrive at truth - rationally or empirically? The cross cannot be explained fully by either approach, and that is where the human dilemma begins. We refuse to live on faith alone.
Paul forces this paradox to the extreme to show that God's ways are not human ways. This paradox not only shows us what the cross means to Paul, but it calls us to reflect upon what the cross means to us. This is a challenge to all Christians. Believers must detach themselves from humanity and come to know that God has different standards; His righteousness comes through faith.
At the base of Paul's message is the human inability to accept a Messiah that does not fulfill human expectation. In Paul's time, a majority of the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah in part because many expected the Messiah to drive the Romans from Palestine; but above all, because Jesus was executed by the Romans and this was seen as a weakness and a disqualification to many. Also, according to the law of Moses (Deut. 21-23), a crucified person was considered to be under God's curse. The Greeks, on the other hand, were in search of wisdom and might see Jesus as a wise teacher unjustly put to death (like Socrates).
The wise, the wealthy and the powerful are usually the people who effect change in society. One would have expected God to choose an influential member of society such as those aforementioned. So that His power would be recognized, God has repeatedly chosen the foolish, the weak , the lowly and despised to carry out His mission here on earth. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 also emphasizes that faith in Christ is necessary, for human wisdom alone cannot explain the powers of God.
Through the crucifixion, God is actively carrying out His plan for the good of all humanity. The cross demonstrates the power and wisdom of God. Since Jesus Himself was not passive, but was willing to do the will of the Father, He Himself is the power and wisdom of God. Jesus is the presentation of the divine intention for humanity. Jesus does not reflect what humanity is, but what it can become. Though the cross, we are able to receive salvation. The "wisdom of Christ" alone allows us to understand fully the gifts of God. Through faith, we are sanctified and redeemed. If we come to understand the cross, we are no longer "of this world" and no longer must live by its standards. Through the act of Jesus, we are capable of becoming what God intended us to be; furthermore, we realize all we have and all we are is truly a gift from God.
As Christians we must have faith, that will be our ultimate path to salvation. The cross means different things to many people, but it is salvation for all. The cross is still a stumbling block for many today; we constantly question that which we find to be ineffable, many times relying on human wisdom for answers. We must always rely on our faith, especially in times of darkness and doubt. For, as Paul says: "The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (1 Cor 1:25)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Why do Catholics eat fish on Friday?
Christians have fasted (gone without food) and abstained (gone without certain foods, especially meat) since the beginning. The Book of Genesis teaches that all the plants and animals that God created and entrusted to human beings are good, especially those given to us as food (Genesis 1:29). Jesus taught that nothing that a person eats makes him or her evil (Mark 7:18). So why then do Christians fast and abstain?
When the devil tempts Jesus in the desert with a comfortable life and a full stomach, Jesus recalls the wisdom of Deuteronomy: "One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (8:3). Fasting and abstaining makes this real. It also hones our appetite, training us for the basic stance of a baptized person in this world: gratitude. Doesn't something taste better once you've truly hungered for it? Aren't we more grateful for what we've hungered and thirsted for?
Jesus recommended fasting, but not as a mere formality--and certainly not as a burden to be imposed on the poor who have to eat when they can, even if in violation of religious tradition. Instead Jesus recommended fasting when one fails to sense that God is near.
.
What then is the significance of abstaining from meat? And why eat fish? The tradition suggests a number of reasons. Some say that forgoing meat was forgoing a luxury, as meat was relatively rare for most people. This certainly would have been true in the ancient Mediterranean world in late winter-our time of Lent. Today this hardly seems true, since seafood is the luxury and hamburger costs pennies. And besides, the tradition is to abstain from meat, not necessarily to eat fish. Eating vegetables suffices.
The practice of eating fish is related to the day we typically abstain from meat: Friday. This is the day that Christ died, so abstaining from the shedding (and consuming) of blood seems appropriate. Friday, the sixth day, was also the day that God created animals, so abstaining from meat is a symbolic "stay of execution" for cows, pigs, and sheep--just as the cross saves us from eternal death.
When the devil tempts Jesus in the desert with a comfortable life and a full stomach, Jesus recalls the wisdom of Deuteronomy: "One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (8:3). Fasting and abstaining makes this real. It also hones our appetite, training us for the basic stance of a baptized person in this world: gratitude. Doesn't something taste better once you've truly hungered for it? Aren't we more grateful for what we've hungered and thirsted for?
Jesus recommended fasting, but not as a mere formality--and certainly not as a burden to be imposed on the poor who have to eat when they can, even if in violation of religious tradition. Instead Jesus recommended fasting when one fails to sense that God is near.
.
What then is the significance of abstaining from meat? And why eat fish? The tradition suggests a number of reasons. Some say that forgoing meat was forgoing a luxury, as meat was relatively rare for most people. This certainly would have been true in the ancient Mediterranean world in late winter-our time of Lent. Today this hardly seems true, since seafood is the luxury and hamburger costs pennies. And besides, the tradition is to abstain from meat, not necessarily to eat fish. Eating vegetables suffices.
The practice of eating fish is related to the day we typically abstain from meat: Friday. This is the day that Christ died, so abstaining from the shedding (and consuming) of blood seems appropriate. Friday, the sixth day, was also the day that God created animals, so abstaining from meat is a symbolic "stay of execution" for cows, pigs, and sheep--just as the cross saves us from eternal death.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Sunday, June 10, 2007
This poll was a shocker…
NOT! (I know, a cheap throw back to the 90's. Sorry.)
You scored as a Roman Catholic
You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.
Take the quiz, and see if you're still crazy too.
You scored as a Roman Catholic
You are Roman Catholic. Church tradition and ecclesial authority are hugely important, and the most important part of worship for you is mass. As the Mother of God, Mary is important in your theology, and as the communion of saints includes the living and the dead, you can also ask the saints to intercede for you.
Roman Catholic | 100% | ||
Neo orthodox | 79% | ||
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan | 71% | ||
Emergent/Postmodern | 57% | ||
Classical Liberal | 43% | ||
Fundamentalist | 39% | ||
Charismatic/Pentecostal | 29% | ||
Modern Liberal | 25% | ||
Reformed Evangelical | 25% |
Take the quiz, and see if you're still crazy too.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
A grandmothers passing…
And Now My Lifesong Sings
On my way back from Phoenix I was listening to my ipod and thinking about the passing of my wife's grandmother and this song by Casting Crowns came on. I thought grandma would have appreciated it. I'll post the lyrics in the form of a poem and include a video below, of the song. We love you grandma… you will be missed.
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And my lifesong sings
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see
And now my lifesong sings
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
On my way back from Phoenix I was listening to my ipod and thinking about the passing of my wife's grandmother and this song by Casting Crowns came on. I thought grandma would have appreciated it. I'll post the lyrics in the form of a poem and include a video below, of the song. We love you grandma… you will be missed.
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And my lifesong sings
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see
And now my lifesong sings
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
And Now My Lifesong Sings by Casting Crowns. Video by Charlesc28
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
I know, I know, I know…
Please forgive me.
I haven't forgotten about my blog. I've just had a hard couple of weeks. On top of more freelance work "which I'm not complaining about", my parents were in a bad automobile accident on their way down to visit us for Memorial Day. They live in Arizona and crashed their vehicle going 65 mph outside of Tuba City on the Navajo, Hopi reservation. Anyway my dad broke his wrist so he was pretty lucky. My mother on the other hand, took most of the impact on her side. Her head went into the dashboard and that left her with multiple facial fractures, the worst of which was a broken jaw. Needless to say I flew to Phoenix on Friday morning to try to help out. While I was in Phoenix my wife's grandmother got very sick and ended up passing away on Monday, and I just got back into town today. Anyway I have some thoughts and experiences to share. So please check back soon. I will be busy the next few days with the funeral, then I will be back on. Thank you for your understanding and please include my family in your prayers, especially for my mothers quick recovery. God Bless.
I haven't forgotten about my blog. I've just had a hard couple of weeks. On top of more freelance work "which I'm not complaining about", my parents were in a bad automobile accident on their way down to visit us for Memorial Day. They live in Arizona and crashed their vehicle going 65 mph outside of Tuba City on the Navajo, Hopi reservation. Anyway my dad broke his wrist so he was pretty lucky. My mother on the other hand, took most of the impact on her side. Her head went into the dashboard and that left her with multiple facial fractures, the worst of which was a broken jaw. Needless to say I flew to Phoenix on Friday morning to try to help out. While I was in Phoenix my wife's grandmother got very sick and ended up passing away on Monday, and I just got back into town today. Anyway I have some thoughts and experiences to share. So please check back soon. I will be busy the next few days with the funeral, then I will be back on. Thank you for your understanding and please include my family in your prayers, especially for my mothers quick recovery. God Bless.
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