Soul and Spirit

Church Working

After a little over 25 years of service, our bishop (my Dad) is set to retire.

Our congregation has launched the process of selecting and ordaining our new bishop from among our three other ordained leaders.

Last night we gave our votes and the “field” was narrowed to two “candidates” — our youngest minister and our deacon.

Tomorrow night is the scheduled ordination, with the selection being done by lot.

If you look at the photos in my previous post, you will see a picture of our deacon and one of the minister holding his son Sylvan. In fact, you can also see a picture of the minister from the back as he watches the ball game through the backstop.

Pray for us, if you will. We have done our part in choosing a man for a good work. Now God will do the rest of His part.

May God bless and strengthen and encourage and direct all four of our ordained leaders today.

Amen.

The At-60 Miracle

I just read this article over at RealClearPolitics:

Before sending Lewis and Clark west, Thomas Jefferson dispatched Meriwether Lewis to Philadelphia to see Dr. Benjamin Rush. The eminent doctor prepared a series of scientific questions for the expedition to answer. Among them, writes Stephen Ambrose: “What Affinity between their (the Indians’) religious Ceremonies & those of the Jews?” Jefferson and Lewis, like many of their day and ours, were fascinated by the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, and thought they might be out there on the Great Plains.

They weren’t. They aren’t anywhere. Their disappearance into the mists of history since their exile from Israel in 722 B.C. is no mystery. It is the norm, the rule for every ancient people defeated, destroyed, scattered and exiled.

With one exception, a miraculous story of redemption and return, after not a century or two, but 2,000 years. Remarkably, that miracle occurred in our time. This week marks its 60th anniversary: the return and restoration of the remaining two tribes of Israel — Judah and Benjamin, later known as the Jews — to their ancient homeland.

Read the whole thing!

It Doesn’t Take an Einstein

For what?

Oh, I don’t know. It just seemed like a good title to use for this news bit:

Belief in God “childish” — Jews not chosen people

“The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.

“No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this,” he wrote in the letter written on January 3, 1954 to the philosopher Eric Gutkind, cited by The Guardian newspaper.

[…]

“For me the Jewish religion like all others is an incarnation of the most childish superstitions,” he said.

“And the Jewish people to whom I gladly belong and with whose mentality I have a deep affinity have no different quality for me than all other people.”

And he added: “As far as my experience goes, they are no better than other human groups, although they are protected from the worst cancers by a lack of power. Otherwise I cannot see anything ‘chosen’ about them.”

Previously the great scientist’s comments on religion — such as “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind” — have been the subject of much debate, used notably to back up arguments in favour of faith.

Oh, what does he know?!!

I expect he might know more now than he did then.

For sure he knows that he was wrong regarding God and His Word.

Wanted: Close Friends

I didn’t write any of this post just now. This first block I wrote almost nine years ago in the Fall of 1999.

“After six years away, we aren’t sure we want to return to our home congregation. The close friends we had there have all left.” Though I could understand the comment and sentiment well, and could even empathize with it, I was still cut. You see, I was one of those who was still in their home congregation. Their feelings left me feeling out in the cold. It seemed I didn’t count as a friend or even as a potential friend.

“I hope you don’t decide to leave. If you do, we will have no real friends left here.” The comment warmed my heart at the same time it made my heart sink. It seemed that I had allowed our good friendship to warp our friends socially. It seemed that in their estimation, no one else counted as a friend or even as a potential friend.

Have our congregations turned into ice cube trays with the cubes representing individual friendships that have little in common with each other? I hope not! Actually, I’m sure that they haven’t, but the previous two paragraphs ought to serve as a warning to us. We Christians must be experts at developing new friendships, even close friendships, especially within our local congregations!

Three of my good friends left. One went to the Caribbean, another to Latin America, and the other to the world. Sometimes I feel as though I have good friends at church, but no more real confidants. The strange thing is, I can so easily blame the church. You know, it just isn’t as warm and friendly as it used to be. Indeed. If I am part of the church and I am not establishing new close friendships, then, yes, the church isn’t as warm and friendly as it used to be. And guess who’s partly to blame! Me!

This next block I wrote even longer ago — Summer 1995.

Who in your Sunday School class will walk with you? With whom will you walk? Will anyone walk with you? Will you walk with anyone? You need someone to walk with you, especially during those difficult, perplexing times. And the person next to you or across from you has the same need. Why go it alone? Walk with someone!

“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

“Woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:10).

And this last block I wrote more recently (February 2003).

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Be an active, responsible, accountable member of a faithful congregation. Within that local body of believers, be an encourager and a builder in the lives of the others. God will use them to encourage and build in your life.

I originally wrote the preceding blocks for Christian Light Publication’s youth Sunday School quarterlies.

Need for Speed

How do Christians justify driving over the posted speed limit?

Let’s see what kind of a list we can build here.

I’ll start the list with three excuses explanations:

  • “Not keeping up with the traffic flow poses a hazard.”
  • “The speed in this zone is illogically low.”
  • “A police officer told me they’re lenient on this stretch of highway.”

Important Disclaimer: What’s posted here shall not be considered self-incriminatory! 🙂

Tony Marino Hangs a Lantern

OregonLive reports:

House candidate tells all in letter

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama confessed snorting cocaine in high school, and Portland mayoral candidate Sam Adams came clean with his bankruptcy.

But Tony Marino, a Tigard Republican running for the Oregon House, may be the top candidate confessor with an open letter distributed to newspaper readers listing all his flaws: bankruptcy, multiple divorces, a federal tax lien and a degree from an online university that’s not accredited in Oregon.

Way to go, Mr. Marino. Your openness is commendable. (I plan similar openness before too long in my own “campaign.”)

But five divorces?!! 😯

At least he’s been married to Number Six for at least ten years.

If you look at the second paragraph in my selected quote above, you’ll see “listing all his flaws.” But if you read the full article, you’ll also note that not all his flaws are listed. What’s with that? Don’t they make writers and reporters and editors like they used to?! 🙄

I wonder when Tony will fess up to substitute hosting for Michael Savage. (Or was it Bill Cunningham?) I’m sure he’ll just deny it. So would I.

Above all, love God!