"....the just shall live by faith"
The sun is shining and there is plenty of light. The ocean is low tide as people walk along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Brightness rest within the sane mind. One could really vision the rightness of the world, and be at peace. Such a vision can only be real when reality is ignored. Another leader was murder in the world on yesterday. Questions arise in the light of the world from the darkness of internal humanness. Why?
The balance of power has shifted in many parts of the world from male dominance to female equality. The political power at moments in time reflect the waves of the change. America, land that we love, is experiencing the possible change of its nature in gender or racial leadership in the White House. One look at Pakistan today challenges our faith in the midst of doom. The first female Prime Minister was blown away from life. Why?
Habakkuk in the midst of the Babylonians terrorizing the regional world of his existence questioned God as to why. He struggled with the shift of power from the Assyrians to the Babylonians, who would twenty years post his writings destroy Jerusalem and take leaders of Judah into captivity. His faith was crushed watching people violate the divine laws and laugh in the face of justice without fear of God. His question of WHY was presented to God as to understand the divine intent in not intervening.
Lanecia, our elder daughter, states in the midst of circumstances beyond her control: "Its" or "you are the worst." Violence. Rape. Murder. Profane words aimed to hurt. Stealing. Terror. Suicide bombing. The WORST! God satisfies Habakkuk with an answer. Even in the midst of the worst of circumstances there is no match to the wisdom, goodness, and power of God. God answered the prayer of Habakkuk. The word of God assures us that the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can still find the answer in the midst of the worst by praying to God. Habakkuk 3:17-19 reigns in the heart of hearts and the shining sun shines on, because the life of our world leaders and every citizen thereof has not been in vain. Praise be to God!
With this faith, enjoy the shining SON.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Christmas With Christ
Luke 2:22-40
Things children say: "I love Krissmas!" "Geezus!" "Santa is good!" "Stop!!!" "I told you that I am tired, so leave me alone!" "I luve!" "Paster, pry, plezze." " You the best Peacher!" "I wizhe you were my Daddy."
Through the years I have heard children say interesting things in the church. the kids had so much fun saying them. I had fun hearing them. The kids enjoyed having their pastor listen. Their pastor enjoyed hearing them speak. True, too, are the things I have heard children say outside of church life. They are not shared here. Why? I just do not want to write profane language in a message on Jesus. You want to hear some, then go to any MacDonald's in Harlem, NY during "anything goes" time with children and youth.
Kids can say some things, and some things kids say we need to hear. I do not live through Mariology, but in my study of Christology I love the Gospels account of her motherly actions. Mary appears speechless seeing the "Anointed One." In awe she wrapped her baby boy in Jewish custom, and laid him in a manger. It is told that by the age of twelve, Jesus born of Mary was found in the Temple talking with the Elders. The Elders marveled at his wisdom. Jesus, the Son of God, challenged the wisdom of the Elders.
Lanecia and Ciona amazed me at Christmas in 1999. They decided that our annual Father & daughters December 24th date should not include gift buying for them. I paused speechless. I had enjoyed our previous years of having the day as their time to have Dad purchase their desired Christmas gifts within four hours. They were always generous of my generosity. In other words, they did not overdraft the bank. Now, however, they decided at the ages of 21 and 20 it was time for monies for their personal gifts to go to the poor and less fortunate. To appease me, they decided we would go through the stores and price what they would have received, then give the amount in charity. I discovered what I really loved was my time with them. I loved their wisdom. The next day they loved my wisdom, too. We did make a charitable gift in the amount of their gifts, but included my purchase of the gifts for them. They were glad, but in their wisdom reminded me again that the most important gift at Christmas is the gift of Christ for our lives. It was a Christmas with Christ. How?
God gave the gift of life to the world in the Christ child. All believers, rich and poor, may have the gift. The wise, however, receive the gift by giving a matching gift of life for life. Because God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son , so that whosoever believes in Him should not parish, but have eternal life. The wisdom in my children reminded me of what is most important to God. It is not just charity, it includes eternity. Christmas with Christ means the life of Jesus for the life of believers. Give your life today, and spend each Christmas with Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and grant us each day with you. Amen
Things children say: "I love Krissmas!" "Geezus!" "Santa is good!" "Stop!!!" "I told you that I am tired, so leave me alone!" "I luve!" "Paster, pry, plezze." " You the best Peacher!" "I wizhe you were my Daddy."
Through the years I have heard children say interesting things in the church. the kids had so much fun saying them. I had fun hearing them. The kids enjoyed having their pastor listen. Their pastor enjoyed hearing them speak. True, too, are the things I have heard children say outside of church life. They are not shared here. Why? I just do not want to write profane language in a message on Jesus. You want to hear some, then go to any MacDonald's in Harlem, NY during "anything goes" time with children and youth.
Kids can say some things, and some things kids say we need to hear. I do not live through Mariology, but in my study of Christology I love the Gospels account of her motherly actions. Mary appears speechless seeing the "Anointed One." In awe she wrapped her baby boy in Jewish custom, and laid him in a manger. It is told that by the age of twelve, Jesus born of Mary was found in the Temple talking with the Elders. The Elders marveled at his wisdom. Jesus, the Son of God, challenged the wisdom of the Elders.
Lanecia and Ciona amazed me at Christmas in 1999. They decided that our annual Father & daughters December 24th date should not include gift buying for them. I paused speechless. I had enjoyed our previous years of having the day as their time to have Dad purchase their desired Christmas gifts within four hours. They were always generous of my generosity. In other words, they did not overdraft the bank. Now, however, they decided at the ages of 21 and 20 it was time for monies for their personal gifts to go to the poor and less fortunate. To appease me, they decided we would go through the stores and price what they would have received, then give the amount in charity. I discovered what I really loved was my time with them. I loved their wisdom. The next day they loved my wisdom, too. We did make a charitable gift in the amount of their gifts, but included my purchase of the gifts for them. They were glad, but in their wisdom reminded me again that the most important gift at Christmas is the gift of Christ for our lives. It was a Christmas with Christ. How?
God gave the gift of life to the world in the Christ child. All believers, rich and poor, may have the gift. The wise, however, receive the gift by giving a matching gift of life for life. Because God so love the world that he gave his only begotten Son , so that whosoever believes in Him should not parish, but have eternal life. The wisdom in my children reminded me of what is most important to God. It is not just charity, it includes eternity. Christmas with Christ means the life of Jesus for the life of believers. Give your life today, and spend each Christmas with Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us, and grant us each day with you. Amen
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Worship of God
Read: Psalm 19
Key Verse: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shewth His handywork." Psalm 19:1
We, the people called Methodists, believe in God. However, in every generation there are challenges to us believers to prove God exists. My grandmother turned 96 years of age on July 26, 2007. She is still in her "right mind," as we say back home. In a strange voice I called her by cell phone saying: "Hello, Mrs. Rouse!" Granny retorted: "You cannot fool me, I know my Grandson." No, Granny Rouse cannot be fooled, and she has never been a fool, with her wisdom of years and experience. I recall hearing her speak about the proof of God when I was a child. The lesson she offered was: "Fools deny there is a God, but the wise worship God."
What about the fools? The people seeking proof through means other than the Word of God? Where do they go? Who shall they turn to, in order to know God? Some individuals say there is nothing inside their being that speaks of God. So what do we say of our "conscience"? Inside some of us there exists a belief against what cannot be seen with the human eye. The proof of the existence of God for such persons must be difficult and they may be classified as "spiritually blind." In my mind's eye, I see God as beyond being. God is the Doer, who has all that is necessary for our existence. Noted theologian Paul Tillich understood God as the Ground of Being. I understand that at the root of our existence is God as The Doer who has done and shall do again. Fools just need to look at what is and shall be and know that at the root of all brought into being is the One who did and does for existence.
Of course there are the intelligent minds, who seek to argue against the foolish minds in support of wisdom. They support the wisdom of taking the leap of faith. However, they promote leaping into a safety net. So, we have the cosmological (Intelligent Being), teleological (Intelligent Design), and anthropological (Intelligent Moral Creator) arguments for the existence of God. Wow! We could talk forever about the cause, design, and the keeper of morality. Still there is more, such as the argument that life comes from life, so God is Eternal Life (existence before and after physical life). Then, there is the argument of congruity holding that the facts of Scripture, revelation, knowledge, and science come together to form the assurance that there is a God, so that atheism has no place. Again, wow!
Daily the faithful "capture His ear and hear His voice." Prayer. Communication with God is all the proof needed to know what people of faith know - there is a God. Scriptures may convince us that the beauty of heaven speaks revealing clearly that "God exist." In accepting the Holy Scripture we need no argument concerning the existence of God. Come, let us worship God.
With all of that said, I am back to my childhood "faith." I simply believe and trust in the revelation of God through Scripture, nature, and experience. What I do not understand I accept, because I love God, who first loved me. It really is as simple as that.
Key Verse: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shewth His handywork." Psalm 19:1
We, the people called Methodists, believe in God. However, in every generation there are challenges to us believers to prove God exists. My grandmother turned 96 years of age on July 26, 2007. She is still in her "right mind," as we say back home. In a strange voice I called her by cell phone saying: "Hello, Mrs. Rouse!" Granny retorted: "You cannot fool me, I know my Grandson." No, Granny Rouse cannot be fooled, and she has never been a fool, with her wisdom of years and experience. I recall hearing her speak about the proof of God when I was a child. The lesson she offered was: "Fools deny there is a God, but the wise worship God."
What about the fools? The people seeking proof through means other than the Word of God? Where do they go? Who shall they turn to, in order to know God? Some individuals say there is nothing inside their being that speaks of God. So what do we say of our "conscience"? Inside some of us there exists a belief against what cannot be seen with the human eye. The proof of the existence of God for such persons must be difficult and they may be classified as "spiritually blind." In my mind's eye, I see God as beyond being. God is the Doer, who has all that is necessary for our existence. Noted theologian Paul Tillich understood God as the Ground of Being. I understand that at the root of our existence is God as The Doer who has done and shall do again. Fools just need to look at what is and shall be and know that at the root of all brought into being is the One who did and does for existence.
Of course there are the intelligent minds, who seek to argue against the foolish minds in support of wisdom. They support the wisdom of taking the leap of faith. However, they promote leaping into a safety net. So, we have the cosmological (Intelligent Being), teleological (Intelligent Design), and anthropological (Intelligent Moral Creator) arguments for the existence of God. Wow! We could talk forever about the cause, design, and the keeper of morality. Still there is more, such as the argument that life comes from life, so God is Eternal Life (existence before and after physical life). Then, there is the argument of congruity holding that the facts of Scripture, revelation, knowledge, and science come together to form the assurance that there is a God, so that atheism has no place. Again, wow!
Daily the faithful "capture His ear and hear His voice." Prayer. Communication with God is all the proof needed to know what people of faith know - there is a God. Scriptures may convince us that the beauty of heaven speaks revealing clearly that "God exist." In accepting the Holy Scripture we need no argument concerning the existence of God. Come, let us worship God.
With all of that said, I am back to my childhood "faith." I simply believe and trust in the revelation of God through Scripture, nature, and experience. What I do not understand I accept, because I love God, who first loved me. It really is as simple as that.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Inviting A Person To Accept Jesus Christ
Read: Ephesians 2:4-10
Key Verse: Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..."
"Repent, for the Lord is coming!"
Could a man walking down 125th street in Harlem, New York, with a smile as he pauses from his singing to say these words to a woman passing by represent the voice of God? He looked and sounded very West African. Yet, could he have been sent by God to the Great Metropolis, New York City, to invite people to experience and accept a life with Christ? I believe he could indeed represent the voice of God. After all, I believe that the Lord called me from the pavements of South Carolina to issue the same invitation to persons in the world. What is the graceful method of inviting persons to The Anointed One?
As a senior minister in an United Methodist Church within New York City, it is expected that the Scriptural way of salvation would come from the pulpit. In the Bible we discover that
pulpits are not necessary for salvation, but acceptance of the grace of God is the primary need. Paul left the comfort of the temples of Jerusalem and places of worship among the Jewish Christians to spread the gospel in the diverse places of the world. He did not sound or look like many of the people, who heard him. Understanding that Christ transcends culture, Paul offered salvation by grace through faith to everyone, regardless of their race, culture, gender, occupation or lifestyle. Wow!
Among people in New York, as with the Ephesians the invitation to Christ is the same, indeed. We are invited to turn to The Anointed One, and know that he is coming back for the completion of our souls. When walking the streets or standing in the pulpit, the invitation is the same - we just need to find graceful ways to extend it. Within a moment, or for thirty minutes, the invitation is the same, accept Jesus Christ as Savior, for He returns by the grace of God.
Each of us who know Christ are to invite everyone who knows not the Lord to get to, in fact, get to know HIM. When Christ comes, know Him.
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