The Rider on the White Horse Reigns

2011-12-17T17:40:00.007-05:00

The Passing of Time and God's Promises (click here)

Psalm 71:15

2011-12-15T10:03:00.003-05:00

I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words Psalm 71:15 NLT

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all. Psalm 71:15 NIV

_____________________

Consider this classic hymn in the light of Psalm 71:15 - the lyrics are below the video.

1. Come, thou Fount of every blessing, 
 tune my heart to sing thy grace; 
 streams of mercy, never ceasing, 
 call for songs of loudest praise. 
 Teach me some melodious sonnet, 
 sung by flaming tongues above. 
 Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, 
 mount of thy redeeming love. 

2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer; 
 hither by thy help I'm come; 
 and I hope, by thy good pleasure, 
 safely to arrive at home. 
 Jesus sought me when a stranger, 
 wandering from the fold of God; 
 he, to rescue me from danger, 
 interposed his precious blood. 

3. O to grace how great a debtor 
 daily I'm constrained to be! 
 Let thy goodness, like a fetter, 
 bind my wandering heart to thee. 
 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
 prone to leave the God I love; 
 here's my heart, O take and seal it, 
 seal it for thy courts above.

2011-12-14T15:12:00.002-05:00

I think about the future - the future of the Western culture, the Western church, the church I attend, America, my family and my personal future. Do you do that? If you do you might enjoy reading my ruminations on the subject. click here

2011-12-11T20:02:00.002-05:00

Watchword for December 11th, 2011

"My future is in your hands." Psalm 31:15 NLT
"My times are in your hands." Psalm 31:15 NIV

My times are in your hand;

my God, I wish them there;

My life, my friends, my soul,
I leave entirely to your care.

My times are in Thy hands
Whatever they may be.
Pleasing, painful, dark or bright,
As best as seems to Thee.

My times are in Thy hands
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.

My times are in Thy hands
I’ll always trust in Thee.
And, after death, at Thy right hand
my time shall ever be!
----Hymn

“Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life—ordering the the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care—will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies, and make me patient under all my trials.” (a Puritan prayer)

Charles Spurgeon puts it this way, “The sovereign arbiter of destiny holds in his own power all the issues of our life; we are not waifs and strays upon the ocean of fate, but are steered by infinite wisdom towards our desired haven.”

2011-12-11T19:39:00.002-05:00

Watchword of the week December 11 thru December 17.

"Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again." I Thessalonians 5:23

God enables his people to live a holy life. Check I Thessalonians 3:11-13.

"May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen."

2011-12-08T11:02:00.002-05:00

The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise!
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.

Isaac Watts (1719)
Hymn 730 in the Moravian Hymnal

2011-12-07T09:56:00.004-05:00

"...the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety..." 2 Timothy 4:17

Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou has sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children lost and lone.

O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.

O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessèd face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.

Hymn 646 in the Moravian Hymnal

Words by: Anglican hymn writer, Frances Ridley Havergal (1872). Oh, that the Lord would grant the badly broken Anglican Church such sons and daughters in our day. Daughter of hymnist William Havergal, Frances was a bright but short lived candle in English hymnody. She was baptized by hymnist John Cawood. She was reading by age four, and began writing verse at age seven. She learned Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and memorized the Psalms, the book of Isaiah, and most of the New Testament.

2011-12-06T12:58:00.004-05:00

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My rabbi” the blind man said, “I want to see!” -- Mark 10:51

People in darkness are looking for light,
come, come, come Jesus Christ;
people with blindness are longing for sight,
come, Lord Jesus Christ.
These days of adventure when all people wait
are days for the advent of love.

-- Dorsia Carlson (1986)
#266 Moravian Hymnal

If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
and rely on your God. --Isaiah 50:10

Watchword for the week of December 4 - Advent II

2011-12-06T12:52:00.001-05:00

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
--Isaiah 40:11

Watch Word for the Week of November 20, 2011 - Ezekiel 34:16

2011-11-20T08:35:00.001-05:00

Ezekiel 34:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!

The River of Life

2011-11-20T08:07:00.002-05:00

The river of life

Water is used to symbolise many things in the Bible; cleansing, new life or healing.

Read Ezekiel Chapter 47:1-12

Here is a wonderful picture of the river of life, symbolising the spirit, life and power of God. Like all rivers, the river of life begins as a small trickle that grows into a mighty river too deep to stand in.

If the water represents the spirit, life and power of God, where are we standing? With our feet in the shallows? Or have we launched out into the deep water to be carried along by the power of God’s love?

The deeper we move into our relationship with God, the more the river of life will surround us and flow through us. The river of life brings blessing wherever it passes.

The sea that is mentioned here is the Dead Sea – which has a very high salt content.

What happens as the river of life enters the Dead Sea?
Do we have the same effect on our sinful communities and the world in which we live?

Now read: Read Revelation Chapter 22:1-2

This part of Revelation deals with God's provision of food and water. Compare:

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. (Exodus 16:4a.)

On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts^[a] for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation. ²³ He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.”
²⁴ So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. (Exodus 16:22-24.)

Ezekiel 47:1-12 - see above.

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10).

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. ³³ The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.”
³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:32-35).

Christ the King

2011-11-19T10:55:00.003-05:00

The first stanza of Ian Fraser's poem, entitled “No Place”.

No place had you to lay your head
O Christ whom we call King of Kings;
you came to share the painful lot
of all the homeless, life’s foundlings.
You had no home to call your own
though earth’s your footstool, heaven your throne.

Isaiah 65:17-25

2011-11-19T10:40:00.000-05:00

“Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth,
and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.
¹⁸ Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!
And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness.
Her people will be a source of joy.
¹⁹ I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and delight in my people.
And the sound of weeping and crying
will be heard in it no more.
²⁰ “No longer will babies die when only a few days old.
No longer will adults die before they have lived a full life.
No longer will people be considered old at one hundred! Only the cursed will die that young!
²¹ In those days people will live in the houses they build
and eat the fruit of their own vineyards.
²² Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses
and confiscate their vineyards.
For my people will live as long as trees,
and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains.
²³ They will not work in vain,
and their children will not be doomed to misfortune.
For they are people blessed by the Lord,
and their children, too, will be blessed.
²⁴ I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together.
The lion will eat hay like a cow.
But the snakes will eat dust.
In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on my holy mountain.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”

__________

Passage differentiates the old order, the present order of human powers and pressures from the new order - a new creation where justice and harmony triumph - but not because of human achievement, plan, politic or "liberal" agenda.

The old order is defiled and condemned - full of weeping, death, oppression and violence - and the absence of God.

The old order is a contrast with the new order.

The new order centers on the holy, holy, holy kingship of God - see Is. 6:1-5.

Note all the times the word "will" is used in this passage.

2011-11-13T07:53:00.002-05:00

Watchword for the Week of November 13

So teach us, O God, to count our days that we
may gain a wise heart. Psalm 90:12

Revelation 18:21 ff.

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The Finality of Babylon’s Doom

²¹ Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:
“With such violence
the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,
never to be found again.
²² The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters,
will never be heard in you again.
No worker of any trade
will ever be found in you again.
The sound of a millstone
will never be heard in you again.
²³ The light of a lamp
will never shine in you again.
The voice of bridegroom and bride
will never be heard in you again.
Your merchants were the world’s important people.
By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.
²⁴ In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people,
of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”

Verse 21 - the power of the boulder signifies that the power of Rome was forever thrown down. Jesus used the millstone as a symbol of judgment in Matthew 18:6.

Verses 21, 22, 23 - note the use of the word "never" or its varient - ever.

Again, Chapter 18 wishes to compare fallen Babylon with the New Jerusalem.

2011-11-09T09:20:00.001-05:00

"...A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." John 4:23

Come, let us bown down and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. Venite (Psalm 95).

"...Will call you The City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 60:14c.

_____

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might
destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God
and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may
purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again
with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his
eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 17:8-11

2011-11-05T12:41:00.002-04:00

⁸ "The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

⁹ “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. ¹⁰ They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. ¹¹ The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction."

This is about contrast - the contrast of the destruction which is to be contrasted with the destiny of the people of God in the new heaven and earth (21:1-4).

¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Note another contrast - God's people are written in the book of life - the people of the world are not. (See 13:13-17).

Note: 17:14 - The beast and the ten kings have no hope of winning a bettle with the king of kings and lord of lords.

Note: John wants to provude yet another reminder that God is in control of reality. God puts a plan into the minds of the enemy that will fulfill the Lord's divine purposes. See also, Ex. 7:3; 35:31-35; Ezra 7:27; Romans 8:18, 21.

The Ground of the Unity

2011-11-04T20:23:00.004-04:00

The Lord Jesus Christ calls His Church into being so that it may serve Him on earth until He comes. The Unitas Fratrum is, therefore, aware of its being called in faith to serve humanity by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It recognizes this call to be the source of its being and the inspiration of its service. As is the source, so is the aim and end of its being based upon the will of its Lord.

THE BELIEF OF THE CHURCH

With the whole of Christendom we share faith in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe and confess that God has revealed Himself once and for all in His Son Jesus Christ; that our Lord has redeemed us with the whole of humanity by His death and His resurrection; and that there is no salvation apart from Him. We believe that He is present with us in the Word and the Sacrament; that He directs and unites us through His Spirit and thus forms us into a Church. We hear Him summoning us to follow Him, and pray Him to use us in His service. He joins us together mutually, so that knowing ourselves to be members of His body we become willing to serve each other.

In the light of divine grace, we recognize ourselves to be a Church of sinners. We require forgiveness daily, and live only through the mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. He redeems us from our isolation and unites us into a living Church of Jesus Christ.

PERSONAL BELIEF

The belief of the Church is effected and preserved through the testimony of Jesus Christ and through the work of the Holy Spirit. This testimony calls each individual personally, and leads him/her to the recognition of sin and to the acceptance of the redemption achieved by Christ. In fellowship with Him the love of Christ becomes more and more the power of the new life, power which penetrates and shapes the entire person. As God's Spirit so effects living belief in the hearts of individuals, He grants them the privilege to share in the fruits of Christ's salvation and membership in His body.

GOD'S WORD AND DOCTRINE

The Triune God as revealed in the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the only source of our life and salvation; and this I Scripture is the sole standard of the doctrine and faith of the Unitas Fratrum and therefore shapes our life.

The Unitas Fratrum recognizes the Word of the Cross as the centre of Holy Scripture and of all preaching of the Gospel and it sees its primary mission, and its reason for being, to consist in bearing witness to this joyful message. We ask our Lord for power never to stray from this.

The Unitas Fratrum takes part in the continual search for sound doctrine. In interpreting Scripture and in the communication of doctrine in the Church, we look to two millennia of ecumenical Christian tradition and the wisdom of our Moravian forebears in the faith to guide us as we pray for fuller understanding and ever clearer proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But just as the Holy Scripture does not contain any doctrinal system, so the Unitas Fratrum also has not developed any of its own because it knows that the mystery of Jesus Christ which is attested to in the Bible, cannot be comprehended completely by any human mind or expressed completely in any human statement. Also it is true that through the Holy Spirit the recognition of God's will for salvation in the Bible is revealed completely and clearly,

CREEDS AND CONFESSIONS

The Unitas Fratrum recognizes in the creeds of the Church the thankful acclaim of the Body of Christ. These creeds aid the Church in j formulating a Scriptural confession, in marking the boundary of heresies, and in exhorting believers to an obedient and fearless testimony in every age. The Unitas Fratrum maintains that all creeds formulated by the Christian Church stand in need of constant testing in the light of the Holy Scriptures. It acknowledges as such true professions of faith the early Christian witness: "Jesus Christ is Lord!" and also especially the ancient Christian creeds and the fundamental creeds of the Reformation.

(Note: In the various Provinces of the Renewed Unitas Fratrum the following creeds in particular gained special importance, because in them the main doctrines of the Christian faith find clear and simple expression:

The Apostles' Creed
The Athanasian Creed
The Nicene Creed
The Confession of the Unity of the Bohemian Brethren of 1535
The Twenty-One Articles of the unaltered Augsburg Confession
The Shorter Catechism of Martin Luther
The Synod of Berne of 1532
The Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England
The Theological Declaration of Barmen of 1934
The Heidelberg Catechism)

THE UNITAS FRATRUM AS A UNITY

We believe in and confess the Unity of the Church given in the one Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. He died that He might unite the scattered children of God. As the living Lord and Shepherd, He is leading His flock toward such unity.

The Unitas Fratrum espoused such unity when it took over the name of the Old Bohemian Brethren's Church, 'Unitas Fratrum' (Unity of Brethren). Nor can we ever forget the powerful unifying experience granted by the crucified and risen Lord to our forebears in Herrnhut on the occasion of the Holy Communion of August 13, 1727, in Berthelsdorf.

It is the Lord's will that Christendom should give evidence of and seek unity in Him with zeal and love. In our own midst we see how such unity has been promised us and laid upon us as a charge. We recognise that through the grace of Christ the different churches have received many gifts. It is our desire that we may learn from each other and rejoice together in the riches of the love of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God.

We confess our share in the guilt which is manifest in the severed and divided state of Christendom. By means of such divisions we ourselves hinder the message and power of the Gospel. We recognize the danger of self-righteousness and judging others without love.

Since we together with all Christendom are pilgrims on the way to meet our coming Lord, we welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him. He Himself invites us to communion in His supper. Through it He leads the Church toward that union which He has promised. By means of His presence in the Holy Communion He makes our unity in Him evident and certain even today.

THE CHURCH AS A FELLOWSHIP

The Church of Jesus Christ, despite all the distinctions between male and female, poor and rich and people of different ethnic origin, is one in the Lord. The Unitas Fratrum recognizes no distinction between those who are one in the Lord Jesus. We are called to testify that God in Jesus Christ brings His people out of every ethnic origin and language into one body, pardons sinners beneath the Cross and brings them together. We oppose any discrimination in our midst because of ethnic origin, sex or social standing, and we regard it as a commandment of the Lord to bear public witness to this and to demonstrate by word and deed that we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

THE CHURCH AS A COMMUNITY OF SERVICE

Jesus Christ came not to be served but to serve. From this, His Church receives its mission and its power for its service, to which each of its members is called. We believe that the Lord has called us particularly to mission service among the peoples of the world. In this, and in all other forms of service both at home and abroad, to which the Lord commits us, He expects us to confess Him and witness to His love in unselfish service.

SERVING OUR NEIGHBOUR

Our Lord Jesus entered into this world's misery to bear it and to overcome it. We seek to follow Him in serving His brothers and sisters. Like the love of Jesus, this service knows no bounds. Therefore we pray the Lord ever anew to point out to us the way to reach our neighbours, opening our hearts and hands to them in their need.

SERVING THE WORLD

Jesus Christ maintains in love and faithfulness His commitment to this fallen world. Therefore we must remain concerned for this world. We may not withdraw from it through indifference, pride or fear. Together with the universal Christian Church, the Unitas Fratrum challenges humanity with the message of the love of God, striving to promote the peace of the world and seeking to attain what is best for all. For the sake of this world, the Unitas Fratrum hopes for and looks to the day when the victory of Christ will be manifest over sin and death and the new world will appear.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ is the one Lord and Head of His body, the Church. Because of this, the Church owes no allegiance to any authority whatsoever which opposes His dominion. The Unitas Fratrum treasures in its history the vital experience of the Headship of Christ of September 16, and November 13, 1741.

The Unitas Fratrum recognises that it is called into being and has been sustained hitherto only by the incomprehensible grace of God. Thanksgiving and praise for this grace remains the keynote of its life and ministry.

In this spirit it awaits the appearing of Jesus Christ, goes forward to meet its Lord with joy, and prays to be found ready when He comes.

Revelation 15:1-8

2011-11-04T16:06:00.004-04:00

Today's reading was Revelation 15:1-8

I was struck by 15:8a - where it reads: "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power..."

The Temple being filled with smoke signified God's glory and power. Now in light of that let's check these citations.

"At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke." Isaiah 6:4.

'On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain[a] trembled violently." Exodus 19:16-18.

"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." Exodus 40:34-35.

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.

12 Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; 13 I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.” Exodus 8:10-13

The smoke that filled the temple refers to the shekina cloud first associated with the tabernacle and then the temple. It symbolizes God's speicial presence and that he is the sourse of the judgments (Ex. 40:34ff)

Revelation 14:1-5

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¹ Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. ² And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. ³ And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. ⁴ These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. ⁵ No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

Verse 1 - The Lamb standing on Mount Zion is to be contrasted with the dragon standing on the shifting sands of the seashore (13:1).
Verse 1 - Foreheads of God's people are branded with God's Name - contrast this with Revelation 13:16-17. The people of earth are branded to their god. This branding for or against the Living God suggests union and ownership. Those without God's Name are neither owned or are in union with Him.

It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Notes

Chapters 12 & 13 have prepared Christian believers that as the end draws nedar they will be harassed and sacrificed as sheep. Chapter 14 shows that their sacrifice is not meaningless.

Contrast

2011-11-02T10:27:00.000-04:00

Notable contrast between the Woman of Chapter 12, of Revelation and the Whore of Chapter 17 of the same book of the Bible. Check it out.

"A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ² She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. ³ Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. ⁴ Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. ⁵ She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”^[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. ⁶ The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days." Revelation 12:1-6

Compare with ...

"One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. ² With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
³ Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴ The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. ⁵ The name written on her forehead was a mystery..." Revelation 17:1-6

No More War

2011-11-02T09:52:00.000-04:00

Isaiah 60 speaks of the coming age - the Messianic Age - the Kingdom in all its fullness. The passage is not speaking of the present. Isaiah 60 contains much good news about the coming Kingdom in fullness. One of the promises is that Jerusalem will have peace - her gates will always be open. But, note peace is not at hand. No matter how many peace conferences are spawned. But, the good news is that the promise is there.

All Saints' Day

2011-11-01T10:57:00.004-04:00

Today is All Saints' Day.

Can you imagine a more appropriate scene than that captured, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, than Revelation 7:9-17?

There is so much in this text about which to be encouraged.

Note, e.g., the crowd of believers too large to count. This is a mighty image of the fulfilling of God's promise to Abraham.

"He took him outside and said, 'Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspringbe.'” Genesis 15:5

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. ⁵ No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham,for I have made you a father of many nations." Genesis 17:4-5

Check this out too:

"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”

He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

¹⁸ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”¹⁹ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ²³ The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Note in 7:9 of Revelation

The white robes and palm branches are ancient symbols of victory and success.

Note in 7:11-12 of Revelation

Is there any more appropriate thing for the creature to do than to prostrate before the Holy, Holy, Holy One?

God's nature is represented in the seven-fold doxology. Consider these words:

Blessing,
Glory,
Wisdom,
Thanksgiving,
Honor,
Power,
Strength belong to our God, forever and ever!

2011-10-19T13:28:00.001-04:00

The Moravian hymnal not surprisingly has many fine hymns given its honorable tradition of music. This morning, in the Daily Texts 2011, an example emerged. It is #604 in the Book of Worship. Consider with me these words, written by George Matheson, in 1890.

Make me a captive, Lord,
and then I shall be free;
force me to render up my sword,
and I shall conquer'r be.

I sink in life's alarms
when by myself I stand;
imprison me within your arms,
and strong shall be my hand.

2011-10-15T22:39:00.003-04:00

O Lord hear, O Lord forgive us.
We have lost the awe of You.
Have mercy, have mercy.

O Lord, cleanse
Our hearts which are divided.
Stir the faith that we once knew
We're thirsty, we're thirsty.

O Lord restore
The church that bears Your name.
O Spirit send
A revival to this nation.

Breathe on us again,
Breathe on us again.

2011-10-12T12:20:00.001-04:00

The Moravian Emigrants' song - sung when bitter persecution against them required them to move from country to country. Words well taken to heart in all times and in all places.

Blessed be the day when I must roam,
Far from my country, friends and home,
An exile poor and mean;
My father's God will be my guide,
Will angel guards for me provide,
My soul in dangers screen.

Himself will lead me to a spot
Where, all my cares and griefs forgot,
I shall enjoy sweet rest.
As pants for cooling streams the hart,
I languish for my heavenly part,
For God, my refuge blest.

2011-10-09T16:27:00.004-04:00

The most faith-filling phrase today at worship, at Home Moravian Church, was "...venture all on him...", from the hymn Ye Who Called, Ye Who Called.

The leaflet had one of my favorite quotes under the title, Silent Meditation: "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal; confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.

2011-10-02T21:07:00.002-04:00

This morning our liturgy began with these memorable words:

Leader: “Almighty God, you are the one who called this universe into being. Out of nothing you created everything that is.”

People: “By your power you hold together all space and time and substance.”

I wondered just how much “everything” did the Creator God call into being? What power is so great as to hold together all space and substance?

In preparation for the men’s retreat I did some poking around on the Internet to see if I could discover how extensive the Cosmos might be. That took me to the NASA site. Here is a part of what I found.

The Hubble Space Telescope site estimates there are hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe. A recent German super-computer simulation estimates that the number may be as high as 500 billion galaxies! Would you just ruminate on that for a minute? 500 billion galaxies!

Another Internet site put forth the same estimate of 500 billion galaxies but added that on average each galaxy holds 100 billion stars. That is a lot of “everything” to create. The reality is that we humans do not know how large the Cosmos is – nor do we even know if it ends. Here is how NASA puts it:

“So how big is the universe? No one knows if the universe is infinitely large, or even if ours is the only universe that exists. And other parts of the universe, very far away, might be quite different from the universe closer to home. Future NASA missions will continue to search for clues to the ultimate size and scale of our cosmic home.”

The point of this post is simply to say that when we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven…” we are praying to a deity that is beyond amazing.

The Psalmist had it right:

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” Psalm 33:6.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 4 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” Psalm 96:3-6.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

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The liturgy this morning at Home Moravian Church began with these satisfying words -- "We worship you, Lord God, the high and lofty one, who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy. You dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit. Give us grace to bring you the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, which you, O God, will not despise."

-also-

I very much appreciate how often in the various liturgies of the Moravian Church one repeats the concept that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Here are the words we said this morning in the liturgy: ""...there is no salvation apart from him (Jesus)." Very wholesome.

Quote about Simplicity

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Speaking of Moravian worship space, "Our churches, with their relatively plain interiors, reflect the simplicity of our theology." This We Most Certainly Believe: Thoughts on Moravian Theology, page 22, C. Daniel Crews

About Holy Baptism

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Baptism is the sacrament of initiation. It is through baptism that believers and their children are embodied in the covenant of grace and become a part of the fellowship of the Church.

There are some important facts that every Moravian should know about baptism. Click here to read more.

Moravian Ideal of Simplicity

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When simplicity we cherish,
then the soul is full of light;
but that light will quickly vanish,
when of Jesus we lose sight.

-- Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg (1740)
-- Moravian Book of Worship, 717:1

Simplicity does not mean simple-minded. The ideal of simplicity leads to an intentional lack of definition in theological matters. For example, the Moravian tradition does not discuss how much water is needed for a baptism, or where it should come from, or how it should be applied.

In like manner, with regard to the Holy Communion there is no debate historically about how the Lord is present in the Eucharist. Rather, there is a thankfulness that He chooses to come to the reciepient in this manner.

In the Holy Communion Moravians speak of "sacramental" presence to distinguish it from His physical presence on earth or in heaven or his universal presence as the manifested Godhead.

-- Adapted from the book, This We Most Certanly Believe: Thought on Moravian Theology, by C. Daniel Crews.

Home Moravian Church, Old Salem

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Home Moravian Church, Old Salem, originally uploaded by Phil Ross.

Home Moravian Church, Old Salem, North Carolina

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Home Moravian Church, Old Salem, North Carolina, originally uploaded by PMcC in WashDC.

Christocentricity of Moravians

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Christocentricity means the Christ centeredness of the Moravian church.

Come, let us sing the song of songs—
The angels first began the strain—
The homage which to Christ belongs;
“Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain!”

Slain to redeem us by His blood,
To cleanse from every sinful stain,
And make us kings and priests to God:
“Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain!”

To Him Who suffered on the tree,
Our souls, at His soul’s price, to gain,
Blessing, and praise, and glory be:
“Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain!”

To Him, enthroned by filial right,
All power in Heaven and earth proclaim,
Honor, and majesty, and might:
“Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain!”

Long as we live, and when we die,
And while in Heaven with Him we reign,
This song our song of songs shall be:
“Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain!”

--James Montgomery (1841).
The Moravian Book of Worship, 469

About Moravian Theology - Continued

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"Moravian theology ... tends to be communal ... our theology is expressed most publicly through our hymns and liturgies rather than in formal theological treatises. This reflects the communal nature of our theology. It is as we share in worship together that we give voice to our relationship with God and with each other. It is here that we receive the theological underpinning for going out into the world to proclaim the Gospel by word and loving service to human need." This we Believe: Thoughts on Moravian Theology, by C. Daniel Crews, pp. 15-16.

Moravian Festival - Saturday, September 10, 2011

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For brief video about the Moravian Festival click here.

The first-ever Moravian Festival in Winston-Salem is about fun, fellowship and tradition.

And if that fun and fellowship happens to involve a generous helping of chicken pie, so much the better.

Moravians from 43 churches in the region have signed up to participate in the festival, which will feature music, displays, arts and crafts, games, gifts, children's activities (including pony rides and hayrides), historical re-enactments and more.

And if that's not tempting enough, there will be 1,500 slices of chicken pie for sale, along with biscuits, meatloaf, veggies, sugar cake and snow cones, along with other treats.

Moravian Theology Is Relational

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"Moravian theology tends to be relational rather than studiedly academic and systemic, That is, Moravians generally focus on God's relation to us humans, our relation to God, and our relation as people to each other. The proverbial question of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin has little fascination for us, nor does a multi-volume work on the precise manner in which Christ is present in the Holy Communion. What matters more is our appreciation of Christ's presence and the spiritual nourishment it give to our lives together and individually." This We Most Certainly Believe: Thoughts on Moravian Theology, by C. Daniel Crews.

A Thumbnail Version of Moravianism

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The Moravian Church originated more than 500 years ago in the ancient land of Bohemia and Moravia, known today as the Czech Republic. The roots of this remarkable group trace back to the ninth century and the influence of two Eastern Orthodox missionaries, Cyril and Methodius.

Scarred by extreme persecution, the Moravian story is similar to that of the early Christian church. Bibles were confiscated and burned, villages were destroyed, leaders were executed, and followers were forced to flee. Still, a humble remnant survived as the Moravians regrouped and revived. Though small in numbers today, they continue to spread the gospel message all around the world.

Their long history of hardship and near extinction helped form a deep sense of respect in Moravian believers for the rights of other Christian denominations. They avoid disputes and aim to work in harmony with brothers and sisters of other faiths, standing by a simple motto that speaks volumes: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love."

Watchword for the week of August 8 through September 3

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Watchword for the Week - Jesus says, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24

Reflecting on Sunday, August 8, 2011

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The Scripture reading this morning, actually one of the two, was Exodus 3:1-15. It is the narrative of Moses and the Burning Bush. Moses at 80 was called by God to deliver the Hebrew people, his people, from Egypt. The Moses we meet is a fugitive. Further he was no longer self-confident as in his younger years. That's a sermon in itself.

Related to the text from Exodus 3, this was printed in the service leaflet. "The story of the burning bush is about a no-holds barred encounter between a wily, even conniving outlaw and a God who's more than up to the challenge of transforming him into an instrument of salvation. And guess what? The same God is now after you!" David Lose, Luther Seminary, Saint Paul. MN.

I appreciate "old" time religion. One of the hymns we used today was, "O God, My Faithful God," written in 1630, composed by Johann Heermann. Here are the words of one stanza:

When dangers gather round,

Oh, keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross
When life seems dark and cheerless;
Help me, as you have taught,
To love both great and small
And by your Spirit’s might
To live at peace with all.

Interior of Home Moravian Church, Old Salem, NC

Photo by Tom Powell.

Home Moravian Church - Old Salem, NC

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Photo by: Phil Ross

Model of Old Salem

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Photo by Sarah: click here

Originally, Winston-Salem was two towns: Salem, North Carolina, and Winston, North Carolina. Salem was founded in 1753 and Winston and 1849. Not too long after the founding of Winston, Forsyth County was founded. Winston was designated the county seat in 1851, with plans to combine Salem and Winston as one. The two mail offices were put together, and in 1913 the towns were formally joined as “Winston-Salem, North Carolina”.

Earthquakes in Salem

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John Larson, vice president for restoration at Old Salem Museum & Gardens, submitted the following list of earthquakes from the records of the Moravian church. “The Moravians were excellent record keepers,” Larson said. “Also, I think they just paid more attention to this sort of thing before trucks rumbled down the road.”

Here is the list from the Moravian archives, in their own words at the time:

21 Feb 1774 - Today at three o’clock there was an earthquake. The bells hanging in the store all rang at the same time; I was in the yard and thought a large herd of cattle was coming. It was felt in all the houses, but not severe enough for all to notice it.

21 Mar 1774 - On March 21st, in the bright sunshine, there was an earth-quake which lasted about one minute, but did no harm.

9 Nov 1787 - During the Friday liturgy, and during the night of the 10th, various Brethren noticed a slight trembling, and as no cause for it could be found it was concluded that it was a slight earthquake.

11 Aug 1792 - In the evening between nine and ten o’clock, several Brethren who were on the street heard a rumbling under the earth, felt a slight quiver, and at the same time saw a ball of fire above our town. The same thing was seen at Friedberg, Friedland and Bethabara, and the rumbling noise was also heard in those places.

22 Nov 1811 - This morning at three o’clock we felt an earthquake, which was particularly noticeable in the country around us. No damage was done.

15 Dec 1811 - In the third hour of the morning we felt an earthquake, and in the eight hour another, though less severe.

16 Dec 1811 - In the third hour of the morning there was a fairly strong earthquake shock, which was repeated in the eight hour, but much less severely. Between two and three o’clock this morning an earthquake was felt in our town and in the neighborhood. Many of our members were awakened, and in the church and parsonage the doors rattled suddenly and awakened us.

1812 - We have been graciously guarded from harm and accident. This is particularly true in January and February when there were earthquakes felt rather severely in some places.

28 Jan 1812 - This morning about nine o’clock we again felt an earthquake.

7 Feb 1812 - This morning about four o’clock we had a very noticeable and lengthy earthquake which waked most of the Brethren and Sisters from sleep. In the evening between nine and twelve there was another distinct quake. We heard later that this extended over a wide area, especially the southern and western part of the United States, and that it caused no little fright in some places.

This morning about four o’clock we again felt a strong earthquake shock.

In the morning in the fifth hour, and again in the evening between eleven and twelve o’clock, we felt such severe earthquake shocks that the room doors in some of the houses were forced open. It rained all day.

7 Feb 1812 - Earthquake shock was reported from New Bern, North Carolina, and two weeks later there was a heaver shock in Mecklenburg County.

17 Feb 1812 - On the 17th of February in the morning there was a very perceptible and prolong shock of an earthquake, by which most of our people were awakened out of their sleep.

8 Jan 1817 - In the fifth hour of the morning a slight earthquake was noticed in various places in town, and also in the neighborhood.

In the fourth hour of the morning two or three earthquake shocks were felt by some of the residents of the village, who were awakened by them.

11 Dec 1817 - Recently an earthquake was felt here, though not severe.

24 Aug 1823 - In Hope a Brother reported that last night on his farm he felt an earthquake, followed by a roaring noise that lasted a full minute.

12 May 1826 - Last evening several persons living inside and outside the town felt a slight earthquake shock.

10 Mar 1828 - Last night we felt and earthquake.

29 Nov 1834 - Some people notice a light earthquake.

8 Feb 1843 - On the 8th of February many here believed that that they felt something of an earthquake.

31 Aug 1861 - This morning at quarter past 5 a.m. we experienced an earthquake, the house tottered, the windows were shaken, accompanied by a rumbling noise.

31 May 1886 - Doubtless, however, 1886 will long be remembered as the earthquake year. We shall not soon forget the long quivering of the earth under our feet on the night of August 31, a first shock with its heavy grating roll, like a ponderous train, and then a second and then a third within a half hour commencing at ten minutes of ten, under the calm, dazzling star–light of that memorable Tuesday evening. We shall not forget the impression of unbelieving surprise when we heard that Charleston was well-nigh ruined that same eventful half hour.

1897 - We have been spared from great calamity, for the earthquake which shook the South Atlantic States in the later part of May did no damage here beyond cracking plaster and chimneys.

Compiled by John Larson, Old Salem Museums and Gardens

Anglican-Moravian Fetter Lane Statement

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In 1985 the Moravian Church approached the Church of England, suggesting the setting up of Conversations. From 1989 to 1995 delegates from both churches met and through their Conversations achieved significant theological convergence. They acknowledged each other as churches with authentic ministries and sacraments and identified ways in which they could commit themselves to grow together.

The Fetter Lane Common Statement was agreed on 19 May 1995 at the Fetter Lane Moravian Church in Chelsea.

It is hoped that the agreement between the Anglican Church in England and the Moravian Church in Great Britain and Ireland will serve as a basis for progress towards visible unity between Anglicans and Moravians in other countries where the traditions exist alongside each other.

Reflecting on Sunday August 21, 2011

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This morning at Home Moravian Church, The Rt. Rev. Hopeton Clennon was the preacher. He serves as the chaplain of Moravian College and Seminary, in Bethlehem, PA. It is a wonderful thing to ponder that a man of his faith and communication skills is a college chaplain. Bishop Clennon preached a fine sermon, titled, “Answering the Big Question.” The Big Question is what are you going to DO after you name Jesus the Messiah and the Son of the Living God as did Peter in the Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20). Well prepared, well delivered and thought provoking was the bishop’s sermon.

I have noted two things about bishops in the Moravian Church. First, they are pastors and not administrators. In most cases they are the pastor of a local church. Certainly, that helps keep them grounded. At the end of the day the role of the bishop is defined by the word “pastor”. Just as it should be.

Furthermore, it is to be observed that the bishops are not fawned upon. The response to them is healthy. That’s good too. I am impressed.

This morning we celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. In the liturgy the outcome of Holy Baptism is identified:

It is the means of entry into the New Covenant;

It is a gift of God;

“Through grace and the action of the Holy Spirit the newly baptized are: united with Christ; are cleansed by his saving work, and we enter into the fellowship of the church; and we are called to a life of faith and willing obedience.”

The baptismal liturgy continues: “How were you baptized?” Answer: “Into his death. We were buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glorious power of God Almighty, we too might be raised to live a new life.”

The New Heavens and the New Earth

2011-08-17T10:11:00.002-04:00

I was gratified this morning to read the following prayer in the book titled: Moravian Daily Texts 2011.

O God, in Christ you give us hope for a new heaven and a new earth.

Grant us wisdom to interpret the signs of our times, courage to stand in

the time of trial, and faith to witness to your truth and love. Amen.

The source of my joy was the use of the words, "...new heaven and a new earth." One almost never sees the eternal realm portrayed in biblical language. In part this helps explain the confusion about life after death so prevalent in our culture - and the church.

This observable confusion is one of the complaints of N.T. Wright, Anglican bishop and theologian. In his landmark book, Surprised by Hope, he points correctly to the inability of contemporary Christians, to say nothing of non-Christians, to articulate the Christian Hope beyond an ethereal and undefined, hazy reality. I heartily commend this book for a reading and then a re-reading. The book will not only inform but encourage.

The point of this post is to send a kudo to the Moravian Church for consistently speaking to the Christian Hope in biblical terms.

If the reader would like to explore the biblical narriative of the New Heavens and the New Earth I would suggest the following as a beginning point.

Isaiah 51:6
Isaiah 65:17
Isaiah 66:22
Mark 13:31
Matthew 5:18
II Peter 3:10-13
Revelation 21:1-4.

Reflecting back to Sunday, August 14, 2011

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Speaking of the Moravian revival of August 13, 1727 and what occurred historians tell that they, those gathered in the meeting, left the House of God “hardly knowing whether they belonged to earth or had already gone to Heaven.”

Count Zinzendorf, in his description of it, says: “The Savior permitted to come upon us a Spirit of whom we had hitherto not had any experience or knowledge. Hitherto we had been the leaders and helpers. Now the Holy Spirit Himself took full control of everything and everybody.”

All are agreed that it was a definite, unmistakable outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the entire congregation, so wonderful that it was absolutely indescribable. The brethren had been judging one another; doctrinal disputes were common; heated arguments that threatened division and discord were the order of the day. Instead of love, bitterness. Instead of brotherly unity, strife. This must be one of the lessons American Christianity has yet to learn.

In the worship last Sunday, which was memorializing the revival, we sang the hymn, “They Walked With God.” Consider these inspiring and truth-telling words written by James Montgomery a prolific Moravian hymn writer.

“They walked with God in peace and love, But failed with one another;
While sternly for the Faith they strove, Brother fell out with brother;
But He in whom they put their trust, Who knew their frames that they were dust, Pitied and healed their weakness.

He found them in His House of Prayer, With one accord assembled;
And so revealed His presence there, They wept with joy and trembled:
One cup they drank, one bread they brake, One baptism shared, one language spake, Forgiving and forgiven.

Then forth they went with tongues aflame In one blest theme delighting;
The love of Jesus and His name, God’s children all uniting;
That love our theme and watchword still, Thy law of love may we fulfill, And love as we are loved.”

Sunday, August 14, 2011

2011-08-14T14:58:00.008-04:00

The quote below by Count Nicholas L. von Zinzendorf, delivered on August 13th, 1756, gave and gives me insight into spiritual realities. He said:

"So all the times of sifting, over which one could weep bitterly and sink to the earth in sorrow, are birth pangs for a new and blessed way. And that will continue until the Savior comes to us."

This Sunday we enjoyed a Festival Lovefeast, celebrating the renewal of the Moravian Church on August 13th, 1727. The new life was a result of a long process of renewal, prayer and generosity of spirit. As a result the Moravian community underwent a dramatic transformation when the inhabitants of Herrnhut "learned to love one another," following an experience that they attributed to a visitation of the Holy Spirit, similar to that recorded in the Bible on the day of Pentecost.

One of the several results of the renewal was the originating of the Watch Words. The Watch Word for this week, August 14 through August 20 is:

"Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you." Psalm 67:5

The sermon was a well done rehearsal of the history around the Renewal of 1727. The point of the sermon was that renewal is in the DNA of Moravian Church history - let us in the contemporary church go and do likewise. Informative and relevant.

God's Acre

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A portion of God's Acre in Old Salem, NC

God's Acre is both a place and a concept. It is with some frequency that I walk through God's Acre in Old Salem, touching base as it were with the faithful that are asleep in Jesus awaiting his Coming on the Day of Resurrection. This beautiful burial ground was begun in 1766.

God’s Acre is a peaceful burial ground for the Moravia's who lived in Salem. Named not for a precise measurement but consecrated land, this cemetery is an extremely important part of Moravian history in Salem.

The burial ground is organized by choirs of the congregation, meaning all married men are buried together; all married women together; all widows together; etc. Choirs are separated into large squares of land, including squares for girls and boys. In the early years, African Americans living in Salem were also buried here. But early in the nineteenth century as issues of racial integration grew, the Moravian church established a separate graveyard for African Americans (today part of the St. Philips Church complex).

Today God’s Acre in Old Salem is reserved for members of the Moravian churches belonging to the Salem Congregation.

Moravia's believe strongly in equality, even in death; therefore, every stone in a God's Acre is a recumbent stone with the same proportions and made of the same material so that no one person stands out among the stones.

In a Nutshell

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Moravian Church history is a story of relentless persecution of a people who wanted only to worship God in their own simple way. Leaders were executed, villages were destroyed, and Bibles were burned. Still, a hidden seed eventually led to a renewed faith and a rich, triumphant Moravian Church history.

The "hidden seed" sprouted in 1722, when a Moravian carpenter named Christian David met Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf. The count allowed David to bring some Moravian families to settle on his land in Saxony, in Germany. The Moravians built the community of Herrenhut.

Zinzendorf was a godly man. Under his nurturing, a religious revival took place in 1727. Soon the Moravians were sending out missionaries to the West Indies, Greenland, Lapland, Canada, South America, Ceylon, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Central America, and Alaska.

A boatload of Moravian missionaries sailed for Georgia in the American colonies in 1736. One of their shipmates was John Wesley, who later founded Methodism. Expanding into Pennsylvania and North Carolina, the Moravians divided their churches in America into northern and southern provinces.

Eventually the church spread into 16 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. An odd legacy of Moravian Church history is that its missionaries made more effort to convert people than to add them to their particular church. For them, it was never about church expansion. It was first about being a minister of Jesus Christ, and leading people to him.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

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It was another wonderful Sunday at Home Moravian Church. It was made all the more joyful to have two of our eleven grand kids with us, Matthew and Lauren.

Moravian Watch Word for the week of July 31 - Aug. 6

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"The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

Psalm 145:9

Moravian Watch Words for Saturday July 30, 2011

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These are special to me as are all texts that proclaim the Holiness of God.

"LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"Psalm 8:1

Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”Revelation 15:4

God reveals His presence,

Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple,
All in us keep silence,
And before Him bow with reverence.
Him alone, God we own,
He’s our Lord and Savior;
Praise His Name forever.

God reveals His presence,
Whom angelic legions
Serve with awe in heav’nly regions:
Holy, Holy, Holy,
Sing the hosts of Heaven,
Praise to God be ever given:
Condescend to attend
Graciously, O Jesus;
To our songs and praises.

O majestic Being,
Were our soul and body
Thee to serve at all times ready;
Might we, like the angels
Who behold Thy glory,
In submission sink before Thee;
And through grace all our days
In our whole demeanor,
Give Thee praise and honor!

Lord, come dwell within us,
While on earth we tarry,
Make us Thy blest sanctuary.
O vouchsafe Thy presence,
Draw unto us nearer,
And reveal Thyself still clearer;
Us direct and protect,
Thus we in all places
Shall show forth Thy praises.

Words by Gerhard Tersteegen - 1729 (Gott ist gegenwärtig); translated from German to English by Frederick W. Foster & John Miller in the Moravian Hymn-book (London: 1789); this version appeared in W. Mercer’s Congregational Psalm and Hymn Book, 1855.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

2011-07-24T17:25:00.004-04:00

Two things stand out in my mind. I am expectant before arriving and at peace and full of joy as I leave the worship of Home Moravian Church, in Old Salem, NC.

One of the impressive aspects of worship at Home is the singing. The participation in general, and with singing in particular, there is 100 percent participation. The people look as if they truly wish to be there. Impressive.

The Watch Word for this week is: "Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name." Psalm 119:132

We used a hymn that dates from 1490, the text of which was written by Heinrich Issac. The 2nd and 4th stanzas caught my attention.

We lightly take your majesty,
pretending your will to clearly see,
forgive us now, good Lord.

We seal you fast in time and word,
assured your full voice we have heard,
and little mystery you accord. (End second stanza)

For thinking you too far from us,
for fearing you too close to us,
forgive us now good Lord.

You dwell in high and holy place,
and yet touch all things with your grace.
Through all our lives be now adored. (End fourth stanza)

Much to think about there - would you not agree?

The Moravian Gemeinhaus at Bethabara, NC

2011-07-13T11:22:00.003-04:00

Pictured is the Gemeinhaus (Community House) at Bethabara, NC, which was constructed in 1788. The Bethabara Moravian Congregation, formed by settlers who arrived at Bethabara, from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in November 1753, used this as their church home from 1788 until 1952. The Gemeinhaus is still used by the congregation on special occasions.

Bethabara translated means, "House of Passage," It is pronounced Beth-ab-bra.

Moravian-Episcopal Full Communion Information

2011-07-13T10:48:00.002-04:00

Information Document for the Moravian-Episcopal Full Communion (click here)

Episcopalians in the Moravian Church

2011-07-04T22:26:00.002-04:00

In my sojourn among Moravians, Home Moravian Church in particular, I have observed something - that something is a wonderful surprise. What I have learned is that Home Moravian Church, in Old Salem, NC, has become a valued spiritual home to Episcopalians that have left the denomination in heart, body or both. Interesting is it not? I have been among the Moravians long enough to gain some understanding of why that might be.

Fourth of July 1783

2011-07-04T22:15:00.002-04:00

On this day in 1783: Except in Salem’s Moravian community, North Carolinians ignore Gov. Andrew Martin’s call for the first statewide observance of the Fourth of July.

The Moravians, committed to a celebration “as impressive as our circumstances allow,” listen to a sermon in the morning, sing in early afternoon, march in late afternoon and ring bells and illuminate their houses at night.

Hosianna Moravian Harmonists

2011-07-04T11:13:00.002-04:00

The Moravian Harmonists is a congregational chamber choir of the Moravian Church in North Rhine-Westphalia-Germany that was founded in 1993. The ensemble is directed by Dorothee Schulz. There are 11 members of the choir between the ages of 20-52.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

2011-07-03T13:55:00.007-04:00

One of the most memorable thoughts that stayed with me from the worship at Home, Moravian Church, Salem Square, is a part of a hymn. The hymn (#636) is titled: "Ye Who Called, Ye Who Called." The text and tune are both 18th century. Here is the phrase:

"...venture all on him..."

It puts me in mind of Peter's answer to Jesus' question. Many of Jesus disciples left him after his Bread of Life discourse. 66 "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?

That is venturing all.

We used the liturgy for Adoration (General Liturgy 3). As with the Book of Common Prayer, the more one knows Scripture when one hears it, the more one will appreciate the Moravian liturgies. I noted these good news phrases among others from today's worship in the liturgy.

"You chose us in Jesus Christ our Lord before the creation of the world."
"You rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of your dear son."

This dark kingdom puts me in mind of this text where Paul is recounting his Damascus Road conversion in Acts 26:

“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions .... (Jesus said) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I ... am sending you to... open ... eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God ..."

-and-

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms ..." Ephesians 6:12

Bethabara

2011-06-17T17:13:00.004-04:00

A small group of Moravians settled this religious village and trade center in an 18th-century wilderness, full of bears, wolves, Indians and outlaws. It is the first settlement in North Carolina by the Moravians having migrated from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Today's Bethabara evokes this era. A National Historic Landmark, this 1753 site of the German-speaking, Protestant settlement nestles in a picturesque, wooded 183-acre wildlife preserve with 126 species of birds.

Home Moravian Church - Old Salem - North Carolina

2011-06-16T14:22:00.003-04:00

God moves the believer

2011-06-15T16:49:00.006-04:00

Jon Hus (1372-1415 AD), is the fore bearer of the Moravians. John Hus (John Huss or Jan Hus) was a Bohemian (Czech) Protestant Reformer. He was accused of heresy and lured to the Council of Constance with a promise of safe conduct. When he reached the Constance he was immediately imprisoned, tried, condemned and martyred at the stake in 1415, for his faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is a word from the martyr John Hus.

"No one is held to believe anything except what he is moved by God to believe but God moves no man to believe what is false. Nemo tenetur quidquam credere nisi ad quod movet eum deus credere sed deus non movet hominem ad credendum falsum."

The Moravians and the Anglican, John Wesley

2011-06-15T16:08:00.003-04:00

The worldwide influence of the 18th century Moravian missionaries was extraordinary. One notable example is the impact they had on John Wesley, leading directly to his conversion experience. Wesley’s Journal, covering the years 1736–1738, is replete with comments of his observations of and encounters with the Moravians (often calling them “the Germans”).

The Daily Watchword

2011-06-15T11:01:00.009-04:00

Imagine sharing the same biblical watchword with more than 1.5 million believers — in over 50 languages and dialects around the world! The Daily Texts, or watchwords, have been living this ministry for more than 250 years.

First published in 1731 in Saxony, the watchwords have an interesting pedigree. In those days, Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf handed out a Losung, or "watchword," for the next day to each member of the Moravian congregation at Herrnhut, Saxony (now Germany). Thereafter one or more persons in the congregation went daily to each of the thirty-two houses in Herrnhut to bring them the watchword for the day.

Today the biblical texts for each day continue the tradition, being chosen by lot in Herrnhut, Germany, and then sent around the world.

The Daily Texts has a press run of over 1.5 million copies.

Watchwords were never intended to be a spiritualized form of ‘magic eight ball’, nor were they intended to substitute for faithful Bible Study, worship, spiritual counsel from others, prayer, and other means of hearing from Jesus. But when added to other spiritual disciplines by people yearning to know and follow the Savior’s will, the Moravian forebears found that watchwords often provided a very personal and meaningful avenue for a timely word from the Lord.

You may receive the Watchwords daily by email. This link (click here) will take you to the page where you may enter your email address. GRL3

Coptic patriarch: Desire to divorce leads Catholics to convert to Islam

2010-09-16T23:54:00.000-04:00

Patriarch Antonius Naguib, the head of the Coptic Catholic Church, has provided a fascinating glimpse into the life of Christians in Egypt in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need. The patriarch, for example, noted that Egyptian law leaves marital issues to the different religious bodies, allowing the Church to uphold the indissolubility of Christian marriage.

Asked “Is it beneficial for a Christian to convert to Islam just for the sake of employment opportunities?”, he replied:

There are some cases but I would not agree to say that this is the primary reason. There are, I think, two principal reasons. One is based on marriage. The easiest way to get out of a marriage, for a Christian whether its the man or the woman, is to become Muslim - for them it is easy to divorce and have the benefit of full rights against the other partner or spouse and full custody of the children. The second reason is the weakness in one's faith. This is due to the lack of good formation in one's faith. There are some regions, villages and in some quarters of the city where there is not enough pastoral care. The Islamic appeal and the secular media greatly influences and easily contributes to this failure in one's steadfastness towards one's faith because of the lack of a solid faith foundation.

According to Vatican statistics, only 0.3% of Egypt’s 77.6 million people are Catholic; 10% of Egyptians are Christian, with the vast majority of Christians belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church, which broke communion with the Holy See following the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The Coptic Catholic Church has an estimated 166,000 members.

Sunday, the Lord's Day

2010-09-12T05:00:00.002-04:00

Christ Pantocrator - mosaic in Hagia Sophia - Istanbul.

Blessed and praised,

glorified and exalted,

raised and honored,

uplifted and lauded be the name of the Holy One,

blessed be He,

beyond any blessing,

song, praise, and consolation

uttered in the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Hawking: God was not needed to create the universe

2010-09-05T22:52:00.001-04:00

A few days before traditional Jews celebrate the 5,771st anniversary of God’s creation of the world on Rosh Hashana, eminent British theoretical physicist Prof. Stephen Hawking has created a stir by declaring that the “Big Bang” that is believed to have kicked off the creation of the universe “did not need” a divine being to happen. [more]

Tapestry of the Holy Family pressing wine

2010-09-03T23:08:00.000-04:00

This tapestry may be interpreted as a commentary on the Christ Child’s predestined fate to shed his blood to redeem mankind. It depicts the Holy Family, with Christ in the center, flanked by the Virgin Mary on the right and Joseph on the left. Christ squeezes a bunch of grapes above a chalicelike vessel and holds another sprig of grapes in his left hand, which is reflected on a rock crystal globe, where it appears to point toward the cross surmounting the orb...

Behind the figures, three golden cloths of honor hang from irregularly spaced coiled columns. The outermost column bears a parchment notice that references scripture. The columns, which are meant to resemble the screws of a wine press, allude to the crushed grapes that produce the wine that is transubstantiated into Christ’s blood during the Eucharist. -- The Art Institute of Chicago. Article carried on blog the Lion and the Cardinal.

3 Bullet Points on Acts 12:1-12

2010-09-02T22:59:00.000-04:00

One: Christians have no concept of being killed or imprisoned for their faith.

This may not be a good thing as the faith moves into the future and Islam dominates the globe increasingly. The contemporary church is working hard to telegraph the message that it exists to pamper the modern Christian adult and their children?

Two: "But" (v. 5) is almost always a key word in Scripture;

Verses 1-4 describe negative human interaction - the word "but" in verse 5 introduces positive divine interaction.

Three: Believe angels exist?

An angel is a heavenly messenger who either delivers a message to humans, carries out God's will in some action, praises God, or guards God's throne or His people. Clearly it is defense on the part of the angel in the narrative.

Now a Question for you:

Imagine your self in the flegling New Testament Church and the mother of James, who was killed in Acts 12 approaches you with this question: "Why did God send an angel to rescue Peter but allow my son to be killed? What would you say? Both things happen in this passage, i.e. martyrdom and rescue. GRL3

The Text (Acts 12:1-12)

1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Quote of the Day

2010-09-02T22:56:00.001-04:00

"The brutal fact is that in this Christian country not one person in a hundred has the faintest notion what the Church teaches about God or man or society or the person of Jesus Christ.... Theologically, this country is at present in a state of utter chaos, established in the name of religious toleration, and rapidly degenerating into the flight from reason and the death of hope." Professor at Georgetown U.

Think he is correct? GRL3

2,000-yr-old intact carving of Cupid discovered in Jerusalem

2010-08-31T23:34:00.000-04:00

Israeli archaeologists have unveiled a 2,000-year-old semi-precious cameo bearing the image of Cupid from the City of David.

The Israel Antiquities Authorities (IAA) said the item was among several that were found in the archaeological area in Jerusalem's Old City in the last 12 months.

The cameo, which will be displayed at the 11th Annual City of David Archaeology Conference scheduled to take place later this week, is 1 cm in length and 0.7 cm in width.

It was discovered in the Givati Parking Lot Excavation, a part of the Jerusalem Walls National Park.

The excavation was conducted by the organization under the direction of Dr. Doron Ben Ami and Yana Tchekhanovets and funded by the Ir David Foundation.

"The cameo was made from two layers of semi-precious onyx stone. The upper layer, into which the image of cupid is engraved is a striking blue colour which contrasts with the dark brown background colour of the lower layer," Haaretz.com quoted Dr. Doron Ben Ami, of the IAA, as saying.

"The brown layer is the side of the cameo which would have been inserted into the round metal setting of a piece of jewellery, apparently an earring.

"Cupid's left hand is resting on an upside-down torch which symbolizes the cessation of life.

"The discovery, together with other important finds that we uncovered from this unusual large Roman structure at the City of David, contribute significantly to our understanding of the nature of Jerusalem's Roman Period," Ben Ami added.

Men at prayer at the Western Wall, Jerusalem.

2010-08-30T21:07:00.001-04:00

Western Wall, Jerusalem, originally uploaded by Matthew Wilkinson.

Seven Things Reinforced by Today's Gospel Reading: John 7:37-52

2010-08-27T13:37:00.006-04:00

John 7:37-52 - text below.

-- There were people thirsting for what Jesus was offering "to drink." There still are.

-- There is a relationship between belief in Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (living water.)

-- Some people thought highly of him (he is a prophet) but were not grasping the whole of who He was and still do.

-- Some people got it (he is the messiah or Christ) and still do.

-- Some people were confused because his bona fides seemed out of order. I am wondering how many people with important things to impart we missed for the same reason.

-- Jesus divided people and still does (v. 43).

-- Jesus' friends in high places were as helpful as those that were not.

Questions for our mutual consideration:

Assuming you are a believer, a disciple of Jesus, what do you think Jesus meant when he said his disciples would have springs of living water flowing from within them?

Do you hear differing opinions about who Jesus is? Why do you believe this confusion exists?

Have you, like Jesus, had anyone draw a wrong conclusion about you? What feelings did that wrongly stated conclusion engender?

Given who Nicodemus is as stated in the text what was he risking to defend Jesus. Have you ever risked in your defense of Jesus? How far would you go in risk taking? GRL3

____________

37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet."

41 Others said, "He is the Christ."

Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him.

45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring him in?"

46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.

47 "You mean he has deceived you also?" the Pharisees retorted. 48 "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them."

50 Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, 51 "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?"

52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee."

Re-evangelize the ailing west

2010-08-26T23:15:00.001-04:00

With deep concern for the church of Jesus Christ in the West I offer the prophetic words of Archbishop Henry Orombi (Uganda). My concern for the western church is not confined to Anglicanism which actually in my view does not exist any longer. Anglicanism now is whatever the local priest, bishop or archbishop suggests it might be. The center has been lost and we desperately need a voice from the outside. Archbishop Orombi is one such. GRL3

The archbishop of Uganda has urged hundreds of African bishops to shake off their fears, shame and superficial dependency and re-evangelise the "ailing" churches of the west.

In a rallying cry to the biggest constituency of the Anglican Communion, Henry Orombi said yesterday was time for Africans to "rise up and bring fresh life in the ailing global Anglicanism".

His call came on the day that US Episcopalians published a guide on liturgical and ceremonial resources for clergy and same-sex couples.

Orombi was addressing 400 bishops who are in Entebbe, Uganda, this week for the second meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa. He told them the "potentials" attending the conference must be free to go to Europe and the US and revive the "Mother Church desperate for the gospel".

Listening was the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who faces an awkward week as he visits Uganda for the first time since he took office in 2002.

According to the Daily Nation in Kenya, African church leaders will use the meeting to reiterate their concerns about homosexuality and criticise the archbishop for failing to punish communities that welcome gays and lesbians into the pews and priesthood.

Orombi told the paper: "Homosexuality is incompatible with the word of God. It is good archbishop Rowan is here. We are going to express to him where we stand. We are going to explain where our pains are."

Years of dispute over the issue had already divided the Communion, he added. "There is already a break. It doesn't need to be announced. It is in the way people act."

Earlier this year, the US Episcopal Church consecrated Mary Glasspool, a partnered lesbian, as an assistant bishop of Los Angeles. The move led to a rebuke from Williams, who said the regrettable situation had "important implications" for Anglican unity, and the wrath of conservatives, who called it an "aberration" and condemned the Americans for committing themselves to a life against scripture.

With Orombi and his peers once more denouncing homosexuality, it was coincidence that thousands of miles away the US Christians were making concerted efforts to help gay and lesbian couples in their parishes and the clergy who minister to them.

All Whom God Has Joined: Resources for Clergy and Same-Gender Loving Couples has a foreword from the Rev Gene Robinson, who created an international storm seven years ago by becoming the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion.

The book is described as "a unique collection of liturgical and ceremonial resources as well as pastoral care tools and insights on same-sex covenanting ceremonies for clergy and couples addressing these issues".

Williams used his sermon to allude to the difficulties in the Communion, saying bishops had a "special responsibility to show the world the preciousness of those who are hated or neglected by others or by society at large".

Clergy had to listen to those they led and served, to find out what "their own hopes and needs and confusions are". They could not pick and choose who they ministered to, he added.

"We must love and attend to their humanity in all its diversity. We cannot assume we always know better, that we always have the right answer to any specific question."

It was not enough to go into new territories having learned the words of the local language, it was about "learning to listen and respect", he told the bishops.

Doctors without religious beliefs more likely to help patients to die

2010-08-26T23:00:00.000-04:00

Atheist doctors are almost twice as likely to take decisions that speed up death for very ill patients as those who are deeply religious, research has found. Those with a strong faith are also less willing to discuss treatments that hasten the end, according to a poll of nearly 4,000 British doctors. Medics from a wide range of specialities were asked about their religious views, their care for their last patient who died and any decisions they had taken that were expected, or partly intended to, end life. --The Daily Mail

Observations from Today's Gospel Reading (John 7:1-13)

2010-08-25T09:37:00.003-04:00

Jesus Goes to the Feast of Tabernacles

1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

6 Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. 8 You go to the Feast. I am not yet[a] going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." 9 Having said this, he stayed in Galilee.

10 However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. 11 Now at the Feast the Jews were watching for him and asking, "Where is that man?"

12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, "He is a good man."

Others replied, "No, he deceives the people." 13But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.

Three Observations or Questions from the Text

1. Feast of Tabernacles - Began five days after the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and lasted eight days. Families constructed shelters of branches to live in during the feast typifying the years lived in the desert some centuries ago. One of the three feasts required of Jewish men (Deut. 16:16).

2. There exists a divine calendar, c.f. John 7:6, 8.

We like Jesus should be living on it. How does not know if their decisions are coordinating with the divine calendar? Is such a thing possible? Consider Psalm 31:14-15: "But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' 15 My times are in your hands..."

3. Jesus does not belong to this world. The world hated him because he judges the world's works as evil. If they hated Him they will hate His people. How would the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church respond to a biblical and prophetic voice calling certain theological and moral decisions evil?

Vatican

2010-08-22T16:22:00.002-04:00

Vatican HDR, originally uploaded by SirReal14.

Stunning pic of the Vatican in HDR. Picture by SirReal14

From my journal - entry of 10-18-81

2010-08-18T22:50:00.000-04:00

What do you notice in these Scriptures?

"But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." Acts 9:15

"It was he (Messiah Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers..." Ephesians 4:11

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.[a] Be shepherds of the church of God,[b] which he bought with his own blood." Acts 20:28

"Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead ..." Galatians 1:1

"Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding." Jeremiah 3:15

"I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing declares the LORD." Jeremiah 23:4

"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him." Mark 3:13

I notice that the Lord God promised shepherds to lead His people. That is in the Jeremiah passages in addition to many other places. Other texts above are examples of God calling and sending shepherds. In the last passage, the Mark text, Jesus calls those men he wishes to be shepherds and they come to Him for that task. Jesus still calls men to follow in the apostolic work of the Twelve.

Appeals court rules against Utah memorial crosses

2010-08-18T21:31:00.002-04:00

The 14 crosses erected along Utah roads to commemorate fallen state Highway Patrol troopers convey a state preference for Christianity and are a violation of the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court said Wednesday.

Makes the heart sad to see what is happening to America. GRL3

Man praying at the Western Wall, Jerusalem

2010-08-18T21:06:00.001-04:00

DSC_0394_P1_0_N1_westernwall_HDR, originally uploaded by jkramerbob.

Western Wall, Jerusalem

2010-08-17T23:54:00.001-04:00

Western Wall, Jerusalem, originally uploaded by Brett Dunsmore.

Great shot of the Western Wall. Photo by Brett Dunsmore.

Camlough Parish Church

2010-08-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

Camlough Parish Church, originally uploaded by colin.boyle4.

The raw beauty of the Anglican patrimony. It is beautiful even in its passing. GRL3

Camlough Parish Church (Church of Ireland), Church Rock, Camlough, South Armagh.

Are these the bones of John the Baptist?

2010-08-15T23:01:00.000-04:00

In a region already rich with archaeological artefacts, the excavation of a small alabaster box containing a few pieces of bone amid the ruins of a medieval monastery might easily have passed unnoticed.

But when Bulgarian archaeologists declared they had found relics of John the Baptist, one of the most significant early Christian saints, their discovery became the subject of rather more interest -- prompting angry exchanges in the local media and even calls for a government minister's resignation.

The claim is based on a reliquary -- a container for holy relics -- found on July 28 under the altar of a fifth century basilica on Sveti Ivan, a Black Sea island off Sozopol on Bulgaria's southern coast. Inside, archaeologists found eight pieces of bone, including fragments of skull and face bone and a tooth.

A later monastery on the island was dedicated to John the Baptist; indirect evidence, according to excavation leader Kazimir Popkonstantinov, that the relics under the altar were those of the church's saint. more and pictures click here.

Joy in Jerusalem...

2010-08-15T20:58:00.001-04:00

Joy in Jerusalem..., originally uploaded by Mike Goldberg.

This is a photo by Mike Goldberg. He is one of my most favorite photographers. Wonderful new Jerusalem shot. GRL3

Ethiopian Christian Prayer

2010-08-15T11:39:00.001-04:00

Ethiopian prayer , originally uploaded by evgeshag.

The old Ethiopian Christian church in the old city of Jerusalem.

Israel Tied for Eighth Happiest Country in Poll

2010-08-13T23:52:00.000-04:00

Israel is ranked in a tie for the eighth happiest country in world, according to a Gallup World Poll cited in a report by Forbes. The poll asked respondents in 155 countries, between 2005 and 2009, about their overall life satisfaction and feelings to get scores for issues such as rest, respect, intellectual engagement and more.

Those with high scores were labeled "thriving." Israel was tied for eighth happiest with Canada, Australia and Switzerland at 62% thriving. Israel was also the highest ranked nation in their region by far. The next closest was Turkmenistan in 18th place.

Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands were ranked at the top with the highest percentage of thriving people. The Palestinian Territories, which was listed as a "country," was tied with a rank of 96th at 14% thriving, but ahead of Turkey, India and China.

While the Forbes report noted that financial success was not the only factor in happiness, it nonetheless played an important role. Jim Harter, a chief scientist at Gallup, said in the report, "The Scandinavian countries do really well. One theory why is that they have their basic needs taken care of to a higher degree than other countries. When we look at all the data, those basic needs explain the relationship between income and well-being."

Despite that analysis, Forbes noted that happiness on a day-to-day basis, rather than happiness about life success and the future, is more likely to be connected to social and psychological prosperity. Harter pointed to the example of Costa Rica, which was ranked sixth in happiness even though they are not as wealthy as other nations.

Life in America

2010-08-13T11:53:00.003-04:00

Two months ago, at the Lincoln Memorial, a group of American students were confronted by a security guard for singing the national anthem.

The students were told by U.S. Park Police that they were "were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain 'completely content neutral." FoxNews.com.

2010-08-11T23:51:00.001-04:00

Archaeologists say they have uncovered the heaviest and most valuable gold coin ever found in Israel. The 2,200-year-old coin weighs an ounce (28 grams) and was found at the Tel Kedesh site near the Lebanon border on June 22, according to Wednesday's statement from the antiquities authority.

It said this coin is six times the weight of most others from that era.

Donald Ariel, head of the antiquities authority coin department, said the coin dates back to the rule of the Iraq-based Seleucid Empire, though it was minted by the rival Egyptian Ptolemies.

Ariel said the coin's image may represent Cleopatra I, wife of Ptolemy V. It is only the second gold Ptolemaic coin ever found in Israel. The first weighed just two grams (0.07 ounces).

Grandson Matthew

2010-08-10T22:31:00.001-04:00

This is grandson Matthew. We are very proud of him. See the red shirt over his #87? That indicates he was MVP yesterday - thus today he wears the red shirt through practice. Matthew plays for the Broncos and is five feet tall and weighs 83 pounds. In the pic below Matthew is out looking for the long pass. Good form. Meet Matthew.

Dear Diary - Recorded in my journal on October 15, 1981

2010-08-10T22:25:00.004-04:00

The star which led the wise men to Christ and the pillar of fire which led Israel to Canaan not only shined it led.

"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." Exodus 13:21

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was." Matthew 2:9

Do we have any reason to believe that the Lord of the Universe has ceased to guide?

Dear Diary - recorded in my journal October 15, 1981

2010-08-09T23:20:00.003-04:00

I was impressed today by Ephesians 3:7. It reads, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power."

Then I recorded the following quote from Charles S. Spurgeon, "A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."

I noted something worth recording in the journal. In Scripture the only church that is seen is in Acts of the Apostles. Hardly any sermons are preserved and those that are are truncated. No resolutions are preserved - no minutes are recorded - just their 'acts.'"

Jerusalem in the Summer

2010-08-09T11:06:00.001-04:00

Dear Diary - Recorded August 14, 1980 - In Scotland

2010-08-09T10:55:00.000-04:00

Habakkuk 3:2

LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

The Prophet's Awe: "Lord, I have heard of your fame."

Awe of God is a consistent theme in Scripture, consider:

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Isaiah 6:5

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. Ezekiel 1:28

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. Revelation 1:17

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5

The Prophet's Prayer: "Renew (your deeds) them in our day and in our time make them known." Interestingly, the prophet is not seeking novelty. There is no pride wrapped into this text by the prophet. It is the "Lord's deeds" he wants promoted not his own.

The Prophet's Plea - "In wrath remember mercy."

Today's thought (8/10/10)

Two things strike me afresh about what I recorded thirty years ago.

First, how novelty driven the contemporary church in the west is in our time. Habakkuk 3:2 virtually cries out to the church as presently oriented.

Second, I am impressed that consistently through Scripture and church history when one meets the true and living God their reaction is to fall on one's face before the Holy One. Who is falling on their face in the west today?

St. Edith Stein (1891-1942)

2010-08-09T08:44:00.001-04:00

Edith was a Jew who earned a doctorate in philosophy at the age of 25. After much study, she converted to Catholicism. She became a Carmelite nun and taught at two schools in Germany. Hatred of both Jews and Catholics forced her to flee to Holland, where she was later captured and sent to Auschwitz to die in the ovens.

"O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me."– St. Edith Stein

Dear Diary - recorded August 14 1980

2010-08-08T23:20:00.002-04:00

After visiting Durham Cathedral I entered the following in to my journal. As I recall I copied it from a notice on the door.

"At the north entrance of Durham Cathedral many a poor wretch hastened to escape the hands of the avenger and has sped his fearful steps in days gone by.

Attached to the door still glares a fearful looking metallic head holding a ring in its mouth. When once the ring was grasped by the hand of the fugitive he was safe.

He had claimed the peace of Saint Cuthbert and the sanctity of the neighboring shrine shielded him.

Above the door by day and night watched relays of monks to admit those who claimed sanctuary. He would confess the crime of which he was guilty, which was taken down in writing. All the while a bell was tolling ti give notice that someone had taken refuge in the church.

The culprit was arrayed in a black gown with a yellow cross on his left shoulder, and remained within the precincts for thirty-seven days. If at the end of that time he could not obtain a pardon of the civil authorities, he was conveyed across the seas to commence his life again." GRL3

CMJ - A mission about which Anglicans may be joyful

2010-08-07T23:53:00.000-04:00

Rare Crusader fresco unveiled at Israeli museum

2010-08-05T23:59:00.000-04:00

A rare Crusader-era fresco from Jerusalem's Garden of Gethsemane has been unveiled to the public for the first time.

The fresco depicts the Deisis, a famous Biblical scene featuring Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist praying. It was discovered by chance in 1999 as officials worked to preserve sites affected by winter flooding.

Curators at the Israel Museum believe the full 12th-century fresco was about 30 feet tall. Only the bottom section, showing feet, now remains.

Only two similar frescoes have been found near Jerusalem. Archaeologists say all others were destroyed by Saladin when his troops captured Jerusalem in the name of Islam in 1187.

Dear Diary - Entry of August 12, 1980 (Continued)

2010-08-05T08:13:00.003-04:00

[The family and I were in Scotland in 1980 when these entries were made - these are thoughts of Watchman Nee that I recorded in my journal. GRL3]

"Watchman Nee is putting the emphesis on corporate faith. This is over and against individualistic thoughts about salvation and the Church. Needed message, esp. by Protestants [but not limited to] who tend to think of salvation in individual terms.

Salvation has two sides: A. Personal and B. Corporate. There are no individual Christians. We are saved into a family, with one father, with brothers and sisters. The saved become the Lord's habitation.

Continuing on, Watchman Nee writes: The Church is God's habitation - Ephesians 2 - believers are stones. Don't let your stone be hidden away, scattered, or independent. Each stone is indispensable to the dwelling place."