For The Sake of The Gospel

 Read: Mark 8:34-38

While attending a Birthday Remembrance of Anne Frank in Huntington, New York, a man recalled spending three days next to a dead man within a "camp of terror". He explained that he lived off the ration, which the man no longer lived to consume. Surviving in desperate situations, so often requires desperate ways and means. Great strength is required to survive the mental and emotional challenges of being in a so-called "concentration camp". Maltreatment of human lives by human beings is a great sin.

People may ask the relevance of the experience of Jews in a death trap, so-called concentration camp to the teachings of Jesus as recorded in Mark 8. Including the fact that Jesus is of Jewish heritage, the human to human commonality is enough to know that injustices to a person of any heritage holds the potential of the same being inflected on persons of every heritage. Hate has no regards for age or nationality or race.

The good news is knowing that love is stronger than hate. Do you know this to be true? Not to know this truth is an indication of a need for love. The Gospel speaks of Jesus surviving a hate filled humanity by filling humanity with love. What is love with such power as to survive the strongest blows of hatred?

Love endures the onslaught of unkindness by being kind. Love is not ashamed of living, it joys in perseverance. Love is forever the winner, while hate is doom to lose. The truth in the good news of the Jews survival of the holocaust is that love makes extraordinary the ordinary. Ordinary people survived the extremities of hate by ways and means necessary, so that even the death of Anne Frank gives hope to the faithful, who love despite the hate of the unloving. Love is the intentional exchange of expressions of respect, care, and empathy with the willingness to listen as long as necessary to reach acceptance.

Christians, too, are taught to live beyond dying for the sake of the Gospel. It is a fight to live through dying, so that death is cause for life to believers and continuation of the good in creation. Our hope is embedded in a faith that love concurs hate, so Christians love beyond hate as to witness reconciliation in human relations.

When Jews and Christians unite for the sake of Truth, the Anointed power over the ill will of Evil is realized and everyone benefits surviving off the Divine ration of our historic past.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and provide the faithful with the necessities for survival in a world of sin. Amen.

Better the End

I have an appreciation for love. Love is precious and dear. Love runs deep down into the heart. These words from Ciona were love to my heart: "I am glad to be in this life with you. I thank God for you being my father and I am glad to be living a good life. Thank you for all the things you have done for me..."

The words of a beloved daughter reached my heart and annuals of my mind. I spoke such words to my father at various times in life. Ciona and I are alike in many ways. We enjoy expressions of compassion. Her mere existence has given me a joy beyond what I could ever imagine without her. She and Lanecia (her older sister) are jewels that people knowing me know light my world and warm my heart.

On the day she uttered the previous words above, I had the misfortune of having allergic reactions so severely that I was very, very ill and resting in my easy chair. The call was not disruptive, because I was too miserable to nap and itching on my back, so that to move was uncomfortable. In fact, by merely calling a dose of comforting love was medicinal.

From the beginning, the sound of her voice was as a song bird, so sweet. Her very soothing tone delighted me. As good as the beginning was, when she spoke of love for her father made it - better the end.

In the middle of our conversation, she mentioned that Ecclesiastes is her current biblical study. During her younger life, Ciona never complained about reading the Bible. In fact, while in elementary school, she found Deuteronomy to be her favorite text. It would have blown my mind completely, except she was the child, who read so well at the age of four that the first grade teacher brought her up from kindergarten to help teach the first grade class. Well, her sister was in the particular first grade class and marveled, but with some shame that her sister had to teach reading to her class. We often laugh about it still today. Now, she is inspiring her father to revisit a favorite Scripture from my past studies - Ecclesiastes 7:8 - "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."

You see, better the end of the conversation with Ciona, because she reminded me of the key to my love for my father and perhaps her love for me - PATIENCE. She knows my mistakes as well as I knew those of my father, but she also knows the patience I learned from my father. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Pride may be the gratification resulting from the fruit. The fruit itself is better than being proud of it.

Better the end may seem so paradoxical, when we think of beginnings and endings in life. I had such great times with my parents, which is not a fortune to take for granted. Some parents are abusive. However, as good as those days had been, my days of parenting are the ones to relive...because life with my children is better than life without them.

So, to Ciona, I must say: "Better the end" because you are here in my life. So may better the end be for each of us, greater still is the unending - life eternal. Agape!

   

 

Intervention

The Todd Marinovich Project is one of the best stories of lives in life.

 I recommend it to you.

 It is about Todd; about his Dad; about success; about failure; about addictions, about recovery; about love...about intervention for you and me.

To some Todd was among the most promising of quarterbacks to play in professional football. He was gifted with the mysterious "It Factor" - that something that propels one to exceed others in unexplainable ways.

When human beings work hard and harder and harder, the "It" either shows up or we far down.
It showed up for Todd and not only in glimpses on the football field, but through his battle with drug addiction. His greatest victory is seen in the marks of faith, hope and love; the greatest being love. The forever undefinable It Factor appears to always have the greatest gift in the midst, which is the gift of love. In the end, love appears to out distance ups and downs; success and failure; accomplishments and addictive behaviors, so those who acquire "it"should humbly thank God.

Great is the grace and mercy of divine intervention, enabling humans to be beyond expectations in existence. Through the grace of God children may be taught that in so being is the discovery of the It being of God, the great "I Am That I Am", who allows all that is to be. Making the best of it is making the best of being. Agape!

 

Irreplaceable Charlotte!

Proverbs 18:18

We all have irreplaceable times, locations, events, and persons in life. We may not often speak of the irreplaceability of persons, because we desire some sense of modesty or humility or separation. By whatever it may be called, there may exist one or more reasons as to why we do not communicate what we know to be a reality - persons may be irreplaceable in life.
      Jesus is irreplaceable as our Savior and Messiah in the Christian tradition. Faithful spouses are irreplaceable in Christian marriage. Friends with sincerity of heart are irreplaceable, according to the wisdom writer of Proverbs. What would make a local church member irreplaceable?
      I was a member of a local United Methodist Church, until I was ordained and became a member of the annual conference. Ordained clergy are not local church members, and we do not own the local United Methodist Church. Interestingly, laity though members of local United Methodist Churches do not own the local United Methodist Church. Local United Methodist Churches are in trust to the local congregations as properties of the annual conference. The pastor and the property of a local United Methodist Church are under the authority of the annual conference and entrusted to local congregations. So, what would make a local church member irreplaceable?
      When laity join local United Methodist Churches, they vow to uphold the United Methodist Church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. These five seem to mean different things to different people, when in essence they ought to be the same for everyone and with the same degree of energy given for a synergy in "making disciples for Jesus Christ." A sermon may be built on that alone. The purpose in this writing is to focus on: "What would make a local church member irreplaceable?"
      I was born into a parsonage family. From the moment of the merger of the Evangelical United Brethren Church with the Methodist Episcopal Church to form the United Methodist Church, I knew that I would devote my life to ordain ministry in the United Methodist Church. Without doubt, I am who I am in the United Methodist Church. Since 1975, laypeople have been irreplaceable in local churches I have served. The mere existence of a layperson in the pew means there is no other like that particular person. Existence proclaims a lay person to be irreplaceable...not prayers, not presence, not gifts, not service and not witness...mere existence speaks to the irreplaceability.  This is no new thought, it is seen from the beginning. Jesus is considered a second Adam, because the first Adam is still Adam and as irreplaceable as Eve.
      Irreplaceable Charlotte! Charlotte H died 20 twenty years ago. Her existence in the lives of the Rouse family came in 1986 and instantly it was as though we existed as sister and brother throughout life. Our families became family. Our days, weeks, months, and years were shared. Our children bonded. Our spouses called the other the moment one of us needed support. As sister and brother ought to be, we were friends. Our friend is buried in Greenwood, SC. During a gravesite visit, I stated: "Charlottee, every year in observing All Saints Day, I will remember that you are 'IRREPLACEABLE". You see, love was not buried in the grave, because it is planted in the living heart.
      May you, too, remember, no matter what... WE ARE IRREPLACEABLE!

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and grant us the grace to live in authentic being, so as to know we are genuine, sincere of heart and irreplaceable. Amen.

 

Being A Shepherd in the 21st Century

Read: 1 Peter 5:2

 

In 1995, Ray Sherman Anderson wrote a book on Self Care: a theology of personal empowerment and spiritual healing. The focus on self is important for pastoral care and counseling. Knowing about the self and how God empowers human beings into a divine image is key to effective shepherding. Self-care has to do with experiencing self worth, building emotional health, and embracing a vital faith.  Henri Nouwen became known for his many works on solitude. One of them geared especially toward priest is his work on The Wounded Healer.

      Both of these gentlemen point out from a protestant and catholic perspective, respectively, the reality of human hurt that is experienced in the lives of servants and shepherds. The works give insight into how healers serve through the pain of personal wounds.

     Out of the experience of lost, hurt, and abuse may come a shepherd to attend to the flock appointed by God. It is done not in arrogance or sense of superiority. Rather in the discovery of authentic self experiences of wounds and the healing of wounds, pastors accept the empowerment of God to work beyond brokenness, so as to know the reality of healing, guiding, sustaining, reconciling and nurturing as defined by Howard Clinebell in the Basic Types of Pastoral Care and Counseling.

    September 11th carries deep pain for so many people in the United States of America, especially in New York. As this blog is published, a few days have past from our gathering in Heckscher Park of Huntington, New York to remember the lives lost eleven years ago during the disheartened attacks in New York City. On that day, eyes were filled with tears, voices resounded from cries, and prayers uttered remembrance...

Prayer: "God of everlasting to everlasting, we remember the people harmed and lives taken by acts of terrorism during our living in the world divided into nations with differing ethical perspectives.

United on this day of remembrance we share in prayer that walls of division will be replaced with Peace Walls, not only within our individual hearts, but through each human community, symbolizing our commitment to non-violence and fairness.

Holy One refresh our souls, so that someday of oneness is realized in this day of hope with faith in our ability to love each person as you love us.

Anoint the eagle to again carry our prayer for unity in diversity with the power of love as assurance. Lead us to equip people, who are red, yellow, brown, black and white with the armor of truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, and the shield of faith, so as to be crowned with salvation in the proclamation of liberation for ambassadors protected by integrity and godliness as we await your acts of restitution and reconciliation.

We have come to embrace and to be embraced. Today, heart to heart in sincere search for peace. Peace, peace, peace... Let this be the blessed moment, here and now, of healing peace.

In the powerful and blessed name of the Lord. Amen!"

Agape!

    

    
 

Read Psalm 37:3

Proverbs 3:5 is a favorite Scripture to many believers. Another Scriptural giant on trust is John 14: 1. Bishop Claude Rouse, Sr. held dear Psalm 26:1 and would sing before or after preaching a commentary on the Word: "Trust In The Lord". 

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is still favored around the United States of America as a summertime opportunity to teach elements of faith to our children and youth. Many experiences today provide a chance for youth to mentor children as they assist adults in VBS. United Methodist Church Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor has such an awarding VBS with adult and youth workers teaching children using visuals, crafts, songs, activities, etc. to enhance the enjoyment of learning in the Christian faith.

One of the best letters a pastor may receive concerning VBS was emailed as follows:

SKY...EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD! 2012 VBS THEME!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL RECAP

TERRI SHEPHERD ......ALONG WITH HER TEAM OF ADULTS AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUNG ADULTS TRULY CREATED A WEEK OF FUN AND SPIRITUAL LEARNING FOR 40 PLUS CHILDREN THAT THEY WILL REMEMBER FOR WEEKS TO COME. THEIR FINAL PRESENTATION TODAY WAS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD.

IF YOU HAVE MISSED THE FINAL PRESENTATION OF THE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL,

YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FOR YOURSELF ON SUNDAY, JULY 1st AT THE 9:30 WORSHIP SERVICE. THE SERVICE WILL BE OF CASUAL NATURE HELD IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL OF OUR CHURCH. AT THIS TIME, AGAIN, TERRI AND HER CREW WILL RECAP THE WEEK'S ACTIVITIES. PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT AND MAKE TIME TO SEE WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT!

YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU WITNESSED IT!
Thank you, Creator God, for this mid-summer day and the gifts it holds.

Help us recognize them as blessings from you.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY - WEDNESDAY, JULY 4th

May you all be safe as you make plans and approach a very favorite holiday for all Americans! And as you pray, pray for our Church, especially during this week as we have experienced some unexpected expenses with the Lift a vator, Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall air conditioning and the lower level Dihumidifier. Expenses that unfortunately have not been budgeted in the current expense. So we continue praying, that this too, we shall once again overcome!

God Bless Us - One and All!

United Methodist Church Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor / 180 West Neck Road / Huntington, New York 11743 /

The experience on Sunday was above and over expectations. There was great joy as dancing, singing, clapping, waving and tearing filled the experience of worship, while the recapping of VBS filled the atmosphere following Holy Communion.

Trusting God and leading the next generation into trusting God has never been sweeter at United Methodist Church Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor.

Agape!

Luonne Abram Rouse

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and guide all people into trusting God. Amen.

SON OF GOD SPEAK

Read: John 19

SON OF GOD SPEAK

BY LUONNE ABRAM ROUSE

Son of God speak,

The words of love ringing good news.

So eloquent in motivating people to see

The Kingdom of God, which we dare to choose.

So it is the Voice, we come to follow;

From the river of Jordan with the dove,

To The Cross of Calvary, we hear the Father holler:

“You are my Son, in whom I love!”

Forever on Sundays and then, recalling the swan song;

Are men and women preaching with clarity

The declaring of God forgiving the Wrong –

Who in sincere heart abide in faith, hope and charity.

Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday is the time of year, when joy rejoices to witness the coming of children, youth, men and women to celebrate – Life. The most popular name for it is Easter or Easter Sunday, when observing Easter Monday and other days of the Easter season.

The Random House Dictionary (Concise Edition) defines Easter as an annual Christian festival in commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why should you observe Easter, when you may not be a confessed Christian? Should a preacher in the Christian tradition invite people with or without Christian faith to join in the commemoration of Jesus Christ? Yes! We invite everyone. It is as simple as this: You are invited to worship with us because Jesus Christ exists for you, too.

You are invited to make an intelligent decision about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ based on the only evidence we have:

1. The Gospels
2. New Testament Writings other than the Gospels
3. The existence of the Christian Church/Faith with beliefs in the Old and New Testaments of Holy Scripture by followers of Jesus today.

We celebrate life within worship in the Christian community believing: “… God created (human beings) in his own image, in the image of God he created (them); male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). Faith in God is a given in United Methodist Church Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor. We hope persons seeking a place of peace will come through the doors of this local church and return throughout life on earth. The Prince of Peace – Jesus Christ is taught and proclaimed here as Lord of lords and King of kings, our Redeemer.

Any given Sunday, worshippers share in an affirmation of faith. One that is taken to heart is the historic confession of the Christian faith - The Apostles Creed:

• ·          I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believer in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen

Holy Week observances move from the mixture of triumphant entry, through the suffering servant and onto the joy of Easter. Easter has meaning for every person, who has patience to listen and hear the truth of the last week in the earthly life of Jesus. Jesus travels into Jerusalem on the return trip home to God. When we worship through Holy Week onto the cross and from the cross to the grave; and from the grave to the ascension, we, too, are participating in the journey of faith. This is a faith journey through the acts of God’s salvation for human beings, including but not restricted to Christians. Then, why believe Jesus is our Savior? You will believe, once you experience God and center on Jesus as the Son of God, who rose to defeat death, even for us.

Travel into Huntington Village, New York (part of the Township of Huntington on Long Island) is so refreshing, following a train ride on the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station – New York City. If you ask why, then I will consider Huntington Village is not considered your place of peace and rest. The hustle and bustle of New York City is grand and indeed the cheers around the different places in the metro-city of the world can be superb. However, there is a truth to the saying: “There is no place like home.” Huntington is home for now. It has not always been home, having been born in South Carolina. So blessed through the years, it would be a discredit to the grace of God to speak of downs. Still without the downs the grace would not be significant. We live today, not by merit, but by grace. Through the sufferings and pains responsible to no one but ourselves, we have come this far and will go the distance by faith in the grace and mercies of God. At the rising of the sun at Easter, you are invited to worship the God, who carries us through the storms of life to a blessed peace - home.

Home is to be the place, where you can leave it all behind and be done with the troubles of traveling, working, meeting, entertaining or even being entertained. It is often at home that we find comfort and love or simply a place of solitude. Jesus went home, after toiling on earth, where he revealed the nature of God and redeemed human life. Come and recall the home going of Jesus Christ and find a home for your soul on earth, right here and now. In his home on earth, the Son of God speaks through singing, prayers, preaching, witnessing, and in silence. On the cross, he says: "It is finished." (John 19:30b) In the body of Christ - the Church, we say: Son of God Speak!



Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and speak. Amen

KONY: 3 things UNICEF needs you to know to help children in conflict

Read: 1 Corinthians 13

Reminded of the suffering of peoples around the world, do you some times wonder? Do you ever wonder what can be done to end the maltreatment of people by people?

Learn the happenings among people in the world, then join the interactions for change...good change.

Men and women caring for people around the globe are intentionally interacting to realize peace with justice.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy and help us bring to justice the unjust. Amen.
 

Bishop Claude Rouse, Sr.

Read Proverbs 8

February 2012, I revisited nine years ago, remembering the suffering and dying of my father. Usually, when I think of Dad it has to do with lessons learned about church administration or community relations or just his unfailing love. Great man, best father, my friend forever and ever.

Recalling the teachings of my father brings laughter and wisdom. When I would be incorrect on a matter, Dad would say: "The more I try to teach you, the dumber you get." Then, we would laugh harder and harder as I would retort: "No wonder I am so dump, look who is teaching me." Then, I would make the necessary change and vow to aspire for his wisdom.

I had so much fun growing up in the midst of struggles and joys, joys through struggles. Living life to the fullness of the opportunities before us was to order of each day. For numerous years, we would end the day with good games of scrabble. Dad would be the one to make up words and grant permission to himself, since he was the preacher. Oh, the joy that filled my heart laughter at the man, who was beyond compare as my friend.

Strange how I thought living without him would be necessary, when he died. I actually believed that there would be no more lessons learned from my teacher - preacher. I was wrong. In error, yet again. I have tried to make it on my own and think of him as dead and not alive. I have had dreams where my mother, who died ten months prior to dad would come as clear and adorned in glory telling me to go into the next room and talk to my father. When I would open the door to the next room, I would picture him dead not alive and turn to Mom but she would be gone.

This year, it came to me. I cannot live without ever. I was wrong when I told him it was alright to go so that I could make it without him. Dead wrong was I. I need my teacher to come back to be as clear with me as my mother.  The error is at the end of the first paragraph of the original obituary I wrote in 2003. I limited myself not trusting in God to fulfill his promise for me with Dad as he had done with me. Low and behold the day has come for me to say to God: "Thank you!" The thanks is not for the life he lived or that I can make it without him. I am thanking God, because "though he died, yet does he live." God knows what to do with limitations, and God has given me the power and authority to rise above the limit unto the unlimited faith in the resurrected life. I see my father's smile again and I accept his teachings again as he is with me. February is behind me now after nine years of holding be captive to the death of one, who is yet alive. This March, I am marching with my father again. Thank you, God!

“Jesus Wept” (John 11:35)

                On his dying day, Dad opened wide his eyes toward heaven, stretched out his hand, smiled, freed his spirit, and traveled into eternal life. No more pain. No more sick days.  No more screaming out in the night – “Lula! O boy! O Lord!”  After eighty-three years and twenty-nine days God lifted him from the troubles of this world.  And, I am not happy about it, but I accept it.  One day I will be able to look back, and say to God: “Thank you,” but right now allow me to say to you - I miss my father.  If I could have kept him alive forever and ever I would have, but I am too limited.

United Methodist Minister and prominent advocate of justice for oppressed Americans through a theology of love and grace, Reverend Bishop Claude Rouse, Sr. challenged racial segregation and discrimination throughout his adult life in the church and community. Bishop, son of the Reverend Hiram Bishop Rouse (1896-1964), attended public schools in Lumberton, North Carolina.  In the 1940s, while a soldier, whose father was a Methodist pastor in Marion County, he met Lula Alberta Woodbury (1928-2002) who resided in Marion, SC. They were married in 1947.

He completed theological studies at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA in the late forties having graduated from Allen University after serving in World War II. His pastoral appointments included: Easley Charge - Easley, SC, 1949-58; Level Green - Bennettsville, SC, 1958-60; Centenary (Hartsville Circuit) - Hartsville, SC, 1960-64; Wesley - Columbia, SC, 1964-71; Mt. Zion - Kingstree, SC, 1971-76; Lake City Charge - Lake City, SC, 1976-80; Bamberg Parish - Bamberg, SC, 1980-84; and Chesnee, SC, 1984-85.

Throughout life, inspired by his father and uncles – preachers, he accepted the teachings and ministries of the Methodist tradition.  He mastered the art of preaching salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.  A leader among local clergymen, he felt it important to guide and assist young aspiring candidates into the ordained ministry. Bishop's preaching abilities and sincere pastoral leadership would lead to church growth in membership, building of adequate facilities, increase in programmatic ministries, and dynamic worship experiences.

           In November of 2002, he moved to Greenville after a brief stay at Bradford Gardens Assisted Living facility and hospitalization at the Marion Regional Medical Center in Marion. This extraordinary Christian preacher, superb father, and first class friend died at Laurel Baye Health Center of Greenville, SC in the presence of his daughter-in-law, Connie.  Predicted to die due to illness in 1950, five years prior to my birth, my father promised me in 1961 that he would live until I was able to manage without his presence on earth. He kept his promise. Thanks God!

           Services: Visitation - Mt. Zion UMC in Kingstree, SC, 2/22, with Rev. Dr. Clyde A. Anderson; Celebration Service of Resurrection 2/23, - Wesley United Methodist Church, Columbia, S.C. with Bishop Marshall L. Meadors; Committal - Devotional Gardens, Marion, SC, February 24, 2003, by Rev. Dr. Luonne A. Rouse.

He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Bishop Claude Rouse, Jr. (Minnie) of Danbury, Conn.; Bernard Jerome Rouse, Sr. (Ruth) of Frederick, MD, and Luonne Abram Rouse (Connie) of Greenville, SC; a sister: Bess Ball of Philadelphia, PA; a foster brother: Dale Barnes of Marion, SC; a mother, Geneva Rouse of Orangeburg, SC; a sister and brother-in-law, Ghussan Rouse-Greene (George) of Orangeburg, SC; Linda Booker Rouse of Philadelphia, PA; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, colleagues, friends, and neighbors.

                                                                                                                                Luonne Abram Rouse

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on us, so that when we think it is over a divine revelation will come to allow us to see a victorious life of faith. Amen

Focus On Existence

Read: Mark 1:1-15

Focus on Existence is the first matter of living the sacred life. Scriptures speak of humans existing in response to the love of God. The Marken account of Jesus touched my inner being and gave a thrist for God. I found refreshment in reading Psalms 4:3, 23, 25:6, 30:5, 32:1, 33:9, 34:7, 37:3, 41:1, 42:8, 46:1 & 6, 50:15, 62:12, 73:1, 76:6, 77:14, 84:11, 89:8, 91:1-16, 103:2,13, 104:10-30, 107:1 &9, 112:4, 121:3, 127:1, 128:2, 139:3, 144:5, 145:16; and 18:1, 31:23, 37:4. All within being human is due to the Being of Existence.

The question of being in the world is an ontological essential. Rene Descartes, (1596 - 1650), placed rational knowledge at the root of existentialism as opposes to information received through senses. His famed philosophical gem is cogito ergo sum, meaning "I think, therefore I am." Descartes in the mindset of most scholars went too far in downplaying the physical world, still his stress on subjectivity and individuality has influence the philosophy and theology of existential being. While Descartes has forever been rooted within, it is the work of Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), Paul Tillich (1886-1965), and increasingly Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) that impacts writings of the laptop theologian. The challenge contrast between rational knowledge and "sense data" motives a deeper search for peace.

Husserl concept of intentionality as a state of consciousness in awareness of something, which consciousness is always in a state of awareness. Within current thought is the seach for peace through faith in the intention of divine creation. God had an intentional beginning and has an eternity intention that will not be denied believers though interrupted by the sin - estrangement that creates angst. Existence allow human beings to exist in reality. Blessed human existence is confirmed by conscious awareness of existing in affirmation of the intentionality of the Creator of life, which is Existence that I have learned to call God. In reality, grace is the characteristics of God known by mere human existence.

When Lily was baptized in United Methodist Church Huntington-Cold Spring Harbor, it was in response to a sermon her parents heard preached at a funeral of a friend. When the eulogy was delivered, I barely knew our mutual friend. However, the means of grace in our mutual existence affirmed a birth as much as it confirmed an existence beyond death. In all that we say as well as in what we do may there be divine intervention, so that grace and mercy brings us to an appreciation of existence. By the grace Existence, dare to believe you exist because Existence is in you, so as to know without doubt you exist in Existence.

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus appears in rapid doings during his three years in public ministry, and Mark seems to rush his readers to the cross, where Jesus in the final chapter is finally identified after fifteen previous chapters of evangelical theology. Though the briefest of the four gospels with evangel zeal the Markan account affirms the acknowledgement of Jesus by the demonic near the beginning & centurion near the end, so that the wise may come to know the Son of Man, Son of God. May our identity stated in the beginning be confirmed in the end, and on the in between may our socio-theology be embodied in evangelization that brings individuals from every walk of life to the awareness of existing by the grace of Existence.

A theology of intentionality grounds believers in the will of God, so that the intention of God appears unintentionally automatic in the lives of righteous beings. Only humans are capable of such Christian perfection. Jesus having been the only one intentionally born with such perfection sacrificed, so that the born free might will to be in the intention of God as opposed to living void of God's love. Thus, ask the question that I exist to answer: Are humans saved into an existential relation with God without Jesus?

Existentialism in reality dies without God. It is an existence doom to fate void of existing grounded in Being. Through the reality of God found in Jesus Christ, the only source of human perfection, flawed humans overcome estrangement and angst by faith in Christ alone for eternity beyond a mere good life on earth. People may live good without having faith in Jesus, yet I have never met one with an eternal focus on Existence void of the blessed assurance of Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and bless our souls unto eternal Existence. Amen.

Immediately

Mark 1:1-15
The Gospel of Mark benefited from the upswing of the  historic-critical method in biblical studies.
Noted to have been written by John Mark, son of Mary 0f Jerusalem (Acts 12:12), who was a cousin to Barnabas - co-worker of the apostle Paul, this brief Gospel of Mark speaks to the supernatural power of Jesus Christ over nature, disease, and demons. The divine power of Jesus Christ delivers good deeds to all people, so even Gentiles should believe he is the Son of Man - Son of God. Mark is a narrative void of the intellectual appeal found in Matthew and Luke with much of its sections having as a key joining word “immediately.” Mark does not contain infancy narratives, Beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount, or the Lord’s Prayer, and compared to Matthew or Luke there is an adequate supply of parables. The gospels of Matthew and Luke seem to contain more intellectual theological subjects.

The Gospel of Matthew is essentially intended to show that Jesus, born of Mary, is the Messiah of Jewish prophecy. Thought to have been written by the tax collector, who was called by Jesus to the making of disciples, the Gospel records the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy as a means convincing Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. The Gospel of Luke, written by "the beloved physician," historian, writer, and companion of the apostle Paul, carries the most complete biography of Jesus. Jesus is viewed as the Son of Man, who has compassion for the sinful and the poor. Eyewitnesses gave to Luke an orderly accounting and connecting narrative on the life of Jesus as the Christ. This gospel speaks to the grace of God witnessed in Jesus. It is the same grace granted in life today through which men and women are saved. We desire you to read and see without under estimating the grace of God.

What does the Gospel of Mark offer in terms of Christology? The task is to show
appreciation for the theology contained in the Markan account. Then, construct a picture of Jesus relying solely on the text of the Gospel of Mark and relate it to social justice. In fact, it may be best to search through the work of John Mark and grasp social fairness. The historical context in which this Gospel was written provides clues as to what Mark was trying to convey to the original audience, readers and hearers of the work. Most scholars consent that Mark was written at around A.D. 69-73 in Rome during the persecution of Christians under Nero. So, the subject matter of suffering and conditions necessary for discipleship are central to Mark, because of the hardships endured by the first Century Christian community. I content that there can be no justice in that, except for the mystic workings of God to ushering divine defeat of human injustice making possible for unjust human beings to practice fairness, even where there is no possibility of justice.

Immediately, Mark summarizes the theological subject of his gospel in the first fifteen verses. Mark ushers Jesus in as the One to fulfill the announce: "The time has come ," says Jesus, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15) The arrival of the kingdom of God on earth does not appear has the deliver of justice as expected and desired by the Jews. Rather, the kingdom comes to show the way to love with fairness.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and bring us to love with fairness in view of peace with justice. Amen.

Pastoral Words to the Hurting

Two days into 2012, and the voice on the twelfth phone call of the day speaks love as real as ever. Unexpected a few years ago, yet as promised over three decades ago love doesn't change though people do. Divorced after triple decades of marriage, a good marriage at that, it hurts being reduced to hearing people of the world say: "Get over the dog that has done you wrong."  "Go on with your life." "You deserve better." Such words even with good intentions are not pastoral. Pastoral words are given with respect and care for the thoughts and emotions of the hurting not for the ones intending to console. When caring for the broken in heart, listen with empathy.

Hearing the voice on the other end of the phone is not always easy, when you are in the deep rivers of responsibilities brought in with the New Year. Pastoral counselors, for sure, have to take care to be able to care for the souls of men and women. When pressures on the emotions of the counselor are too severe, the counselor needs to make clear the unavailability to attend to the needs of the persons in stress. Not intending to blow the opportunity to help, pastoral counselors should prayerfully pause and make sure to be available in authentic ways to the person or persons needing them. The caller had questions. While the caller did not need to hear the response of a pastoral counselor, the needy needed the pastoral counselor to be able to respond with true answers.

Things happen to good people in life, which are not so good. Searching for answers to why things happen is the nature of being human. Pastoral words to the hurting are meant to heal, guide, sustain, and in some cases reconcile. Words of truth should be pastoral, and you do not have to speak as a pastoral counselor to speak the truth in love. How do you tell love of years past that God has to make something out of the non-sense? While it is human to search for answers, it is human, too, not to have the answers desirable in the search.  When you have searched and searched, cried and prayed, and searched until you cried, and cried through your prayers, you hold on to faith, hope and love.

God does love the world and gave Jesus Christ, so that by believing we shall receive. The answer is in life, and the life of believers is eternal. What may not be clear today, shall be made clear by and by. Wait on the Lord, who gives all things to those who trust and obey.

Well, the answer has been found. Pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord through all human hurt. When we pray the answer may not come from the source of inquiry but from God, and be given to both the researcher and the interviewed. Beyond every intentional question of why, there is an intended response for relief. God has the answer as revealed through Jesus Christ. "For this, too, he died." Forgiveness comes when the answers given in truth are the pastoral words representing God. God is gracious and merciful, righteous and good, so that even the disrespectable actions are forgiven as the reverence to God is given. The answer is wrong is wrong, and cannot be made right, but shall be forgiven, so that the children of God may process and step in the blessedness of reconciliation with God through Christ. The human to human relationship in the end fades by numerous means, but the Divine to human relation as with love cannot be changed though people do.

Prayer:  God of grace and righteousness, have mercy on us and grant us goodness in forgiveness, so as to be at peace within. Amen.

Recovery Benefits...

Read Proverbs 23:29-25

"Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks." (Proverbs 23:29-30)
Uncle Jesse was my ace. Alcoholism took him to an early death, in my opinion. The decease did not defeat our relationship, because he nor I would allow it. Our love for each other was greater than any smooth tasting wine he would partake, and was always rekindled by the "new wine" Christ gave us both to digest. In a real sense, my educational strives through high education were motivated by Uncle Jesse.  He stopped by my room at South Carolina State College (University) during my first month as a freshman in 1973 to tell me: "Go straight through your four years, and be the first male among us to do so. Follow the example of your Aunt Ghussan not the males in our family and earned your doctoral degree. So that for your Uncle Jesse. Then, he fell asleep on my bed, while I studied for my psychology class.

We faced challenges through the years. However, Uncle Jesse would come stay with my family for a brief period of time through all of my educational experiences, and before he died I earned the degree as he desired. I never told him that my speciality as a marriage and family therapist is in the treatment of alcoholic families. Somehow that was important information for him to know. What was important to him was that "we made it." He summoned me to visit him on his last days of life to tell me: "Thank you, we made it. I am going to die this time. Don't try to pray me back to life. But you know that I am proud of you. You go on and live for us. We made it."

Kathleen Sebelius, The Secretary of Health and Human Services, annually promotes the National Recovery Month (Recovery Month). During September millions of individuals and families, who have been through or is currently in treatment with recovery services for substance use and mental disorders, she notes, celebrate recovery "for themselves or a loved one."
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) within the United States Department of Health and Human Services presents a toolkit to clergy and providers to help millions of our citizens with "facts and audience-specific information" concerning tools and educational material on substance use and mental disorders. More information may be found at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/.
Important to Clergy and Providers for Racial Healthcare Equality are the facts given on uninsured citizens in the United States of America. SAMHSA reports that "approximately 22 percent of adults with substance use and/or mental disorders in 2009 were uninsured. Fortunately, with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, coverage will expand to approximately 32 million citizens in the USA who were not previously insured." CPRHE seeks support for the administration of President Barack Obama because of acts of equity. The current administration in the office of the Presidency "emphasizes that all" citizens in the United States of America ought to "have the opportunity to access provisions within the Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act (MHPAEA), aimed to improve physical and emotional health while ensuring people will receive the care they need at a more reasonable cost.."
While CPHRE is not a political party or advocate for a political party, members are firm on supporting governance that act on behalf of prevention, treatment, and recovery, especially in making the same affordable for people of the USA. Recent efforts to "Save the Office of the Presidency" launched by CPHRE has to do with encouraging respectful communication to the person leading our nation from within The White House, and calling on Congressional leaders to commit to bipartisan changes that will improve health and well-being of people in the United States of America.
Members of CPHRE and all interested should take serious the clarion call of Kathleen Sebelius: "Join the Voices for Recovery: Recovery Benefits Everyone," and be educated about prevention, treatment and recovery, because "people in recovery live a healthy, full and productive life." Yes, we can work together and transform our society, which is suffering the ills of mental and emotive disorders. Health care in the United States of America is not only a concern for medical ethics, it is a concern for social ethics.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and save our souls. And, Lord, for me, tell Uncle Jesse that he will be too close to you for me to find when I get to heaven, because I want measure up to be as near to your throne as he. But, by your grace may I, too, make there as we made it here. Amen.

Non-violent Attack On Terror

Read Psalm 10

A non-violent attack on terror should not be aimed at any particular group or organization. Aiming to destruct Al-Qaeda or Taliban for who they are would be an exercise against the essential strength of a true non-violent movement. The essentiality of a non-violent movement is lost when organizations or groups are targeted as the enemy and not respected as people in a good creation. The question to be asked when human beings attack human beings with violence is: "What in hell do we want?"
When human beings lose regard for human life it is the death of love. Such death to love may lead to violent responses to discord. Violence is hell on earth. It hurts and too often mutilates due to the death of loving regard for human life. Violence has it strongest influence on the human condition at times of counter-violence. Fighting violence with violence is not ending violence though it may win a transactional battle. Violence cannot win a war on terror, even when it brings temporary disarmament. To end terror there has to be an end to violence. The use of any kind of force against an individual or group has to cease, in order for terror to become non-existent. What should be the Christian response to terrorism?
Followers of the teachings of Jesus should obey the command to love (Matthew 22:37-40). Love taught by Jesus is a radical act in a world dominated by acts of violence, especially violence sanctioned and given justification in response to diversity. The Church as the body of Christ in the world should respond to terror with ethical concern.
Therefore, let us establish or rekindle a social ethic in the world, which promotes and upholds a non-violent attack on terror. You are invited to read and pray through the Psalms daily. There are 150 Psalms and on September 11, 2011, ten years post the attack on the economic, military, and governance of the United States of America by terrorists, a movement was founded to read and pray for Divine intervention to end terror in the world. It is a social ethics movement of intention - a conscious decision to will the end of terrorism as a means in global holy war. The belief is that reading and praying on one accord for 150 days (September 11th - February 7th) will receive a positive response from God to hear and heal the land. The cycle should be repeated so as to establish and maintain peace in the world.
It is not an exercise in futility. Rather, a non-violent social ethics movement against terrorism is in essence the validity of the Christian mission. The self revelation of God and conversations with God are the ways and means to bring unity in the midst of diversity. Reading Holy Scripture and praying may end violence as the means of confrontation in the world today. We need psychological, physical, economical, and social transformation in our nations. We need transformation now. Join this ease in effort movement for social transformation.
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, ten will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and grant us world peace. Let it begin within me. Amen.
Luonne Abram Rouse

The Anointed Savior

Read: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

After more than 2000 years, He is still the "Anointed Savior" - Jesus. The Harper's Bible Dictionary states: "The name 'Jesus' is derived from a Hebrew word that means 'savior' (see Matthew 1:21) and the title 'Christ' (Hebrew., 'messiah') means 'anointed,' and refers to one commissioned by God for a special task." Praise the Lord!
At the age of 56, there is much different in my life, still one truth remains constant - I am saved. I have been delivered from existential and eschatological danger. I am not alone. Believers in the acts of Jesus as the Christ, Son of God, who by death and resurrection redeemed sinful humanity are saved. Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ is ours.
Parental teachings in the tenants of Christian faith planted the hunger and thirst within my soul. I desired to understand the vision received early one morning in Columbia, SC. I recall being 8 or 9 years of age. Close to my 9th birthday in June of 1964 is would have been shortly before or after, I saw the appearance of three ancient persons. All three in royal attire of different colors: (white, crimson, and bronze). Each smiled as they dangled before my eyes. I was so afraid that fear soon ran from me then they disappeared. Three years later I delivered my first sermon on Easter Sunrise morning: "Puzzled People"

People are puzzled about Jesus, until they get to know Him. I accepted Jesus as our savior at the age of five on the lap of my Mother as she taught faith to me. The visitation in 1964 gave an assurance of the supernatural leaving a hunger and thirst to know and experience more. Through the years I have come to appreciate the actions, relationships, and teachings of Jesus, a historic human being. The supernatural confirmed the faith taught relative to there being a reality beyond myself understanding, which I need not fear. However, study of the Bible is so enriching as to the person of Jesus that had I not seen what I saw, I still hope my faith would be sealed by the experience of sacrificial love and righteousness in the Biblical text. Jesus is awesome!

Jesus could have chosen the influential aristocrats during his days on earth, and surely in my existence there are elitists that look at me as dreg. Still he chose men and women from low dust of the earth and gave them spiritual sight beyond that of the wealthy and intellectual. In fact, John MacArthur in Twelve Ordinary Men reminds his readers of the fact that Jesus was regarded as "an interloper and intruder", because "Christ disdained religious elitism. ... He looked away from the religious elite and chose instead simple men of faith who were, by every earthly standard commonplace."

The Anointed Savior calls common people to repentance, radical humility, compassion, mercy, self denial, honesty, purity, and avoidance of harm especially through violence. Disciples of Jesus are to deliver service to the poor and outcast, while rejecting a legalistic understanding of the will of God. (Harper's Bible Dictionary) The purpose of this for us, here and now, in my view has to do with a return to Christology. What should existence look like given the Parousia has occurred? What have been and are the sayings of Jesus?
My faith is in Christ, the Crucified, the Resurrected, the Blessed Redeemer; who by mere Existence remains "God's power for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). Do you believe this? Over 2000 years later, and He is here.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, save our souls. Amen

Dream The Idealist

Ecclesiates 5:7

I am not a dreamer. Though some times I see the past and glimpse possibilities of the future as I sleep deeply. In reality I am the idealist believing visions' possibilities. It is with intentional intentionality that I soak in a mentality of hope.

Hoping for the essentials of divine will, my life is given to search for truth as understood through the Seed of Faith. I believe in creation with a sincerity of heart striving to fulfill the purpose for being. To grasp the purity of peace with justice and righteousness would quench the thirst and hunger within.

I believe in the Source that has brought us to unity in the midst of diversity. Still we are blind and cannot see that we are one. Why? We are so into looking at differences that we never look at one another differently as to see beyond our likeness to discover our sameness. We are the same.

I believe the core of you is the core of me, and the core of me is the core of you. It is at the core that we come to know that our dreams are foolish words causing us to think in different spheres, when we exist in one sphere - the universe. I believe in the universality of oneness. One people with one love moving by the power of one core Being.

Oh that I know the Being, because you know the Being, and the Being is with us. We are one in the One, who is the Only Wise God, our Creator. To know God is to know you and love you. There is no true way of loving me, when I do not love you. It is not in vanity that we exist, and our pride strings the blinders around our eyes, so that we fail to see our true selves. So blind are we as to be into me, when it should be about us not them or me. It is we being expressed in us, so that nothing about me is more than the things about you. What I have done has been us, and what I shall do will be you and me as to be we. Oh yes, because "We are, I am."

World peace, inward and outward, begins here and now with us. Stop procrastinating, and get on board.  It is not your fun and games that makes the turning of the world. Those things keep to yourself as your recreational time. Bring to the world what is uniting with no sign of envying, only appreciation of being in the spirit of One. Thank the One, who has rekindled you not to boast, but to have the strength of unity. Fool no more be into yourself, be in harmony with the Seed of Faith, which bonds us like glue into Self.

Dream the Idealist? Forget that...and live the ideal individual of Being.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us and seed us so that we know. Amen

No Charge!

John 17

The Upper Room Living Prayer Center provides a remote prayer ministry, which United Methodist Church Huntington Cold Spring Harbor is a blessed participant. There is no charge to participate in the ministry, and there is no charge for your prayers and no charge for requesting prayer and no charge to having your prayers answered. There is simply no charge to you.

Intercessory prayer is provided by persons, who care for the essentials of human beings. Volunteers are trained through the ministry and local churches provide financial gifts to cover the overhead expense of using telephone lines. Yes, you may phone in to speak with a volunteer concerning your prayer request or leave a message requesting prayer, then receive an intercessory prayer through the prayer line during the 24/7 period of existence. Barring trouble with the telephone lines, the intercessory prayer ministry is operative for you to call 1-800-251-2468. For more information and updates on the entire ministry, please visit the website www.upperroom.org/prayer.

The voice was weakened by age or illness. Still it was a voice, so familiar. A voice that had been heard almost everyday from June 22, 1955 until April 15, 2002. When I walked into Mother's room on April 13, 2002, she perked into an amazing expression of love and joy having her baby for a final family member visit. When asked of her desire, she only requested: "To see His (Jesus) face." I prayed that she would be able to see the face of our Lord. A face she had spoken of so many times through the forty six years I was blessed to hear her voice. I cannot recall the cost of the hospital bill for the care Mother received. She had been in and out for nearly two years attempting to survive an illness that had defeated her mother and father, and was to have carried her away in 2000. She fought the good fight at the urging of her sons for a little more time. She gave all the time allowed and I soaked in every moment I could. Mother, unlike many seniors, was well covered in medical benefits. The expenses to her care left no financial strain on the family, so there was no charge post her life on earth. No charge for the prayer, no charge for the care, and no charge for the time. Simply, no charge to me.

Some times the ways of men and women in relation to prayer has an expense. One of the sites advertising on blog sites, including this one invites you to share prayer requests. I went through the Ad one day, just because I like to examine what is being advertised on the site. I started out providing information on myself, which I did not have issue with though you only are asked for first names in your request to the Upper Room Living Prayer Center. Then, they asked for contact information, I thought: "Oh, why not, a Christian ministry that prayers with me may contact me." Okay, the next phrase had a line of questions pop up one after the answer giving to the previous. Oh my, there it was in question #4: How much are you willing to ... $9 or $15, etc.  I smiled, clicked out of the site and said: "No charge!"

The intent of the use of the funds is not known to me. We may be assured that the witness of the faithful is trustworthy, and we just have a difference in the manner of the request for funding a valid prayer ministry. After all, they are praying.  As for me, it came across as though there was a required donation in order to have the prayer offered and answered. The sense of a charge factor threw me into a place of retreat. It ended my longing to ask, seek, and knock through the ministry. I felt that there was a cost for prayer.

The cost for the prayer of Christ, the cost of a praying Mother, and the cost for prayer one for the other in this house has no charge. Donations for the prayer ministry are not to be sent in or given as payment for a charge. There is no free will offering collected in this house for the prayer ministry. Monies given are out of sincerity of heart for the sake of providing the ministry to others, not a bribe to God or reward to prayer participants, are utilized for the prayer ministry as one of numerous ministries in the local church. Mercy, Lord, mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us, and thank you for paying the cost and leaving us with no charge. Amen.

The Unexpected Expectation

Luke 2:41-52

"Someone is at the door," he said to himself. It was after midnight, when the ringing of the bell would not cease. The pastor was relaxing, when the unexpected visitor came. Surprisingly it was young Master Bayfield, a middle school youth member of the local church.

"Pastor," the youth said, "may I stay with you? I can't take it anymore. My grandmother treats me as the one always wrong, because I am the oldest. It is not my fault, when they (his younger brother and two sisters) are the one pushing things up. When I try to get them to stop, I get blamed. It is not fair. Just not fair."  Returning the young man safely to the residence of his grandmother, after speaking with all concern during the night, proper pastoral intervention was concluded. This is not about the Bayfield struggle. It about the Bayfield and other young people knowing they can turn to the church for safe sanctuary.

Many children are missing safe and secure places to stay. Abuse in homes, kidnapping, molestation and acts of discord often give rise to youth running away from home by existing windows, back doors, etc.  Kids are hanging out in the middle of the night for the thrill of sex or abusive use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs. The signs posting missing children remind us that even one child missing from a safe place to stay is one too many. What shall we do, when the unexpected comes home to us?

Everyone should find the place of worship in the midst of grief. A comforting place of peace and blessed assurance is most valuable when troubles and burdens overload.

The church may be a safe sanctuary. Bayfield heard his pastor say in church: "I expect you to find your way to church, if you ever need safe sanctuary. No one should abuse or inappropriately touch you or cause you alarm. If I am not at the church when you come, here is my cell number. And remember, I live next door." It should forever be a blessed unexpected expectation for our children and youth to come to church for safety, security and sanctuary. What a difference safe sanctuary makes in life. Here is to wishing all missing persons could be found in church.

Jesus was missing for three days before his parents found him in the temple. His response to them indicated that the expectation should have been to find him in the temple. Among the reasons to have our children and youth in church should be about safety in life, not just life beyond death. This is about the expectancies of life, here and now. Parents and others responsible for raising children in today's society are encouraged to consider the church as a safe sanctuary. The local church is where relationship can be established, so as to expect our children to run to the church when safety needed and sanctuary is desired.

The unexpected expectation should become a blessed expectation, when we teach our children to pray for the guidance of God and stay in touch with the people of God. Word of abuse being administered by some pastors and priest has damaged and marred the church being a place for our children to run to in time of trouble. Be assured that responsible persons have countered abusive ways of clergy. Commitment has been made to protecting persons coming to clergy for support and protecting clergy from people coming to abuse. Responsible people are insuring that the church remains a safe sanctuary, so that you may expect a safe place amidst the unexpected occurrences in life.

 

Lord Jesus Christ. Son of God, have mercy and grant us a place of safety. Amen.

Making High Decisions

1 Peter 4:8
Having never used illegal drugs, the benefit is void to a mentality of sobriety. The recent death of Gil-Scott Heron, friend to a beloved; brought to mind the “high” (a mindset) lived in days gone by, so rapid. Days at the (old) Columbia High School (CHS), which was located amid downtown Columbia, South Carolina were mixed with acts removing innocence in “streetology 101” (the study of street life) and developmental academics required in histories, sciences, languages, etc. What a wonderful measure of being human moving from "destructive segregation" to "constructive integration" (Martin Luther King, Jr. labeled the period of change). Living high on the fact of settling disputes inside the school building in opposition to fighting in the streets. After numerous attempts to stop belt buckle fights on and off school buses, calm came through assimilation and association ending the 60s moving into the 70s with sincerity of heart - love.

Seeking to live in harmony, the students of the 60s and 70s formed a human relations council at CHS, so as to learn of and from the other. The violence ended with some intervention from non-violent students and rule enforcement from the teachers and administrators. The goal was to get along and obtain intelligence that could not be ignored regardless of race, creed, or color. Churches, like the Washington Street United Methodist Church across from CHS, were silent participants (it seemed) helping to bring change. Never really considered the value the churches had on the entire process of secular school integration, because many upheld segregated worship.

Indeed, it was the "intentionality" (existentialism) of men and women of faith, not the mind blown decisions of drug abusers that lifted us higher than imaginable during those days of struggle. Still the contributions of some inebriate geniuses should not be discounted. They spoke truth into the light of reality, while escaping some scenes of ignorance. It was more than the preaching of a father preacher that taught messages of love. It was the words of brothers and friends (females and males) that paved the way on the rough roads toward sincere hospitality. Individual choices brought more than correct expressions; they brought down minds too high on drugs to meet the totality of needs in the world. It was and is time to escape decisions to be high, in order to make high decisions. High decisions made in the fulfillment of physical, social, and psychological human needs have to do with choosing not to conform to a drug culture of meaningless control substances, so as to maintain the ability to understand and influence positive change.

Because of the insights that managed to be so verbally correct, blind sightedness could not play the tune of victory. Covered in divine love from headgear to footwear, fear of relating to humans from the diverse corners of the world vanished. Looking back over the naked reality of what was, in order to see the beauty coming into view beyond what is, the clarion call is to respectful living. Young men and women are to be urged away from dope mentality and pornographic displays on streets, buses, subways, etc. The intelligence of sacred purpose given individually and collectively has to be sealed in the minds of children and youth. In time, adolescent theories live into adult results paving highways for new ways of living.

Remembrance is high on Columbia’s gift of life, not the Colombian associated ill-fated drug culture. To market the positives of the 60s and 70s is a meaningful desirable. Desires, too, become meaningless without the acceptance of the masses. The task is to uncap bottled up agape, so that the ingredient can pour into minds, soak into hearts, and live within souls of people high on transformational love. Decision! Deciding not to be high, so as to make high decisions.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and teach us to love as You have loved - people. Amen.

The Church In Need of Prayer

John 17:1-11

Bringing new life into a local church is a decision of two persons, you and God. Each  individual in communion with God has an opportunity to add life in a locality. What choice are you making?

Jesus made the choice of fulfilling the mission granted unto him by God. He taught and mentored disciples into the ways and means of doing and living in accordance to the will of God. When Jesus laid down this earthly life to glorify God through sacred sacrifice, He became glorified as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, cherished throughout eternity.

Prior to the glorification of Jesus Christ, prayers were made by our Lord, according to the Gospel of John the 17th chapter. In the totality of the chapter Jesus prays of himself, the disciples bought into earthly communion with him, and for all, who would become members of the Church throughout the ages. Yes, Jesus prayed for you and me. The Lord prayed for us.

The primary focus here is not on the particulars of Jesus praying for us, you and me. Rather, center on the authenticity and authority of Jesus praying. Jesus as an authentic being prayed that God would indeed accept the completion of his earthly mission of glorification. His purpose in being was to bring glory to God through a life of devotion to the task given to by God. Jesus knew the purpose of life and lived to the fulfillment of a purposed driven life. Then, lifted his eyes up to heaven and prayed: "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you..."

What a centering on purpose Jesus brought to living in humanity. Being true to self is one portion of living as authentic being. It is unfulfilled living, when your life is lived and sucked into world void of God, who has purposed your being and staying in the world. So, in addition to being true to an understood self, every authentic being in unfulfilled until brought to an inner comprehension of self in connection to God. Authenticity is being true to self from the root of being as well as the seed of being. In other words, we are more than flesh and blood of a mother and father, we are children of God rooted in the faith of Abraham, but more so grounded in the being of God. When we pray, we are in need of praying as children of God. Faith in God is the essential beginning of genuine authentic prayer. The Church is in need of prayer, genuine prayer. Do you believe God to be God, and Jesus the Christ, the Son of a living God?

Christians or non-Christians are not the issue here. The root is not in a faith limited by the descriptions and characterizations of human minds. At the root of praying for the church is not the name Christian, it is the name Jesus. Jesus is authentic being given the authority by God over all life, so-called Christian or non-Christian, so that all may come into eternal life as given by God. In other words, the Church is not in need of prayer to be an exclusive club decided on by votes of people in humanity. No, the Church is in need of prayer for all of humanity to come into genuine relation with God, who alone grants unto Jesus those that are to be eternally grafted and bonded eternally to God. People from various walks and understanding of life may come. They may come with the philosophy of Socrates on a life worth living. They may come with the theology of Islam on a life in submission. They may come with the training laws of Moses on a life in obedience. As for our house, we come in surrender, surrendering all to God through the teachings of Jesus, the Christ, Son of God and Savior of men and women in the world, who accept the glorification of God given to Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and grant that we may dwell in you - Christ! Amen.