Posts Tagged With: Faith
Psalm 18:19
Categories: Bible, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Photo, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Faith, Photo
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Anchor Less Soul
Footsteps idly wandering
in circles
is a soul
without an anchor.
Seeking not
or knowing not,
but meandering
all the same.
But even anchors
break loose
and fail to hold.
Some drag on ocean floors
or snag on unseen perils.
To what buoy or mooring
does your soul cling?
Where does your heart
find a home
with warmth,
memory and belonging?
Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Poem, poetry, Reflections, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, Poem, poems, poetry
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Is It Time For Another Reformation?
St Peter’s Rome
Recently an old friend from the Catholic tradition commented on a poem I had written about the importance of acknowledging those, from the past, who had paved the way for us. He reminded me that this goes back many generations. Not so subtlety he reflected that even for Protestants our origins go back to the Catholic tradition.
As I pondered further I considered the reasons for the Reformation. The reinstatement of the primacy of the Word, a return to “Grace alone” and the corruption in the Vatican at the time were all key issues. It took the church 1500 years to get to the point that the Reformation occurred. Despite the corruption in the church there were many bright lights and examples of Christlikeness. My readers will be aware of my occasional reference to Teresa of Avila. (See here and here). It wasn’t all bleak. Yet it has taken the Protestant tradition less than 500 years, since Luther nailed his theses on the door at Wittenberg in 1517, to come to a similar state. Instead of indulgences we have the “prosperity gospel” – selfishness in different clothes. The primacy of the Word is under strident attack. Issues that secular society seeks to reevaluate such as gay marriage and abortion are understandable, however that many in the church support these causes is not. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Reformation Wall, Geneva
The point is this: the church must continually be reforming itself in the light of Scripture. In every new era as issues arise, the Word of God needs to be applied afresh to the times. The Catholic church recognised this with the Counter Reformation and the Vatican Councils. We may disagree with many of the outcomes but at least they understood the need for review.
On the immovable foundation of the Word of God, what do we need to reassess about ourselves, our values, our priorities – both as Christians and churches? Is it time for another reformation – a reformation that can trace its spiritual ancestry through those who, over the centuries, down to the early church have striven to be faithful to God, His Word, His Gospel and His Kingdom?
Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Faith, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith
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The Lord’s Prayer – Rote or Real?
The Dutch C19th/C20th theologian and statesman, Abraham Kuyper, is not that well known in the English speaking world, yet his works are worth knowing. His devotions are particularly inspiring.
Here is another short quote from a longer devotional: “Lord Teach us to Pray” in “To Be Near Unto God.” (The Kindle version is available for a very modest price).
The Paternoster (The Lord’s Prayer) in the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
“Undoubtedly, the highest end is attained when, independent of every aid, from the free impulse of the Spirit, the soul lifts itself up to God, and on the wings of the Spirit, spreads itself before God in sacred, devotional language. Such glorious moments are not infrequent in the prayer-life. And it is plain that in such moments even the Our Father is not sufficiently concrete to direct the soul in its utterance before God. But in all seriousness, how many among the great and small in the congregation have risen to these sacred heights. And, if there are such, how many are the moments of a long day, when they are in such sacred and exalted moods? We must needs reckon with reality. And think not only of yourself, but have a tender consideration for the poor sheep in the church and in your own home, whose spiritual standing is still low, and who yet needs must pray, and for whom it is no less glorious than for you, when in prayer they come a little nearer unto God, and may perceive something of his holy presence. How much higher did not the apostles of Jesus stand than we, and yet for them Jesus deemed a memorized prayer so little aimless or superfluous, that he himself gave them one.”
Kuyper, Abraham To Be Near Unto God. Kindle Edition.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Faith, Prayer, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith
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To Be Near Unto God
The following, amazing quote, comes from the introduction to Abraham Kuyper’s delightful collection of devotions: To Be Near Unto God.
Love for God may be fine sentiment. It may be sincere and capable of inspiring holy enthusiasm, while the soul is still a stranger to fellowship with the eternal, and ignorant of the secret walk with God. The great God may still not be your God. Your heart may still not be attuned to the passionate outburst of delight: I love the Lord. For love of God in general is so largely love for the idea of God, love for the Fountain of life, the Source of all good, the Watcher of Israel who never slumbers; in brief, love for him who, whatever else changes, abides the same eternally.
But when the heart can say: I love the Lord, the idea of the Eternal becomes personified. Then God becomes the Shepherd who leads us, the Father who spiritually begat us, the covenant-God to whom we sustain the covenant relation, the Friend who offers us friendship, the Lord whom we serve, the God of our trust, who is no longer merely God, but our God.
Abraham Kuyper, To Be Near Unto God, Kindle Edition.
Categories: Abraham Kuyper, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Reflections
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, To Be Near Unto God
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Rushing Waters – a Photo and Text for Sunday
Revelation 19:6-8
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,was given her to wear.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Devotional, Faith, Photo, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, Photo
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Deo Volente
The pulpit in the old church at Gamla Uppsala
“Deo Volente” is not a phrase used much nowadays, yet it speaks of a wonderful attitude.
Deo Volente, often shortened to D.V. simply means “God willing”. Like many Latin phrases its real meaning has been lost in the mists of time. “N.B”, “A.D.” and “C.V.” are just some other examples. In the past letters and messages were often annotated with “D.V.” It acknowledged that any human plans were subject to God’s will.
Deo Volente, at its heart, speaks of an attitude before God. It recognises that our plans are always subject to His will and purposes. God is sovereign and I am not. It is a phrase of humility and acceptance. Not resignation, but the acknowledgement that ultimately God’s purposes and plans far outweigh my wishes and petty ambitions.
It is also a phrase of comfort. Whatever happens in my life is not governed by fate or chance but is overruled by a God who sent His son to reveal His love for His children and who cares for them into eternity. It is a comfort because He has told me, that love is what He wills.
Categories: Children, christian, Christianity, Devotional, Reflections
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Deo Volente, Devotion, Faith, God Willing
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How Does the World See Us?
I haven’t finished Brandon Hatmaker’s book, Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture, but as soon as I do I will write a review. In the meantime here is another challenging quote that forces us to think about what it means to be church.
Guell Park, Barcelona
“Faith can be confusing enough without adding to the mix. Sorting through an unexpected death, processing a tragic natural disaster, or observing evil in the world are things that have shaken individuals’ faith for centuries. People outside the church don’t see hope in a building or a program. They don’t value them like we do because they don’t connect them with a nostalgic faith moment like we do. Culture has shifted. Things have changed. The church is on the fringe of our society, and we need to find new ways to undo the damage to our reputation. We have to change the way we are seen by the world. We have to become good news again.”
Hatmaker, Brandon (2011-11-01). Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture (Exponential Series). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, Faith
Tags: Brandon Hatmaker, Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith
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True Community and Mission – a quote
“Every time I hear someone teach on the Acts 2 church I wonder what first-century faith community really looked like. I can’t help but think there was something special about it that we’ve missed. It’s hard to imagine a day where people would pool what they had to make sure no one was without. While things certainly look different in our time, it just seems as if we’ve lost a little something. Something tells me community didn’t just fill a need in their lives to connect, it gave them purpose.
…
A Chess Community in Geneva
In essence, missional community may serve as one of the best ways we can embody the incarnation of Christ — putting on flesh and being Jesus to our world. When we live this out, the focus of the church shifts to hearing and responding to the Spirit. When this is translated collectively, congregations as a whole tend to take more seriously the how and when to engage communities where they live. “
Brandon Hatmaker, Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture (Exponential Series). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
Categories: christian, Christianity, Church, community, Devotional, Faith, Uncategorized
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Devotion, Faith
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The Curse of Dualism
What is the biggest threat facing Christianity today? Islam? Biblical and theological liberalism? Possibly, but I would suggest that an even greater threat to the effectiveness of Christianity is dualism.
Dualism is that technique we use to artificially divide life into the secular and sacred – the religious and the every day. This pernicious division carries with it the emasculation of the Christian faith, or if you like, the barrenness.
Risk of falling
When we divide Christianity into these two portions there is an emphasis on personal salvation but this is done to the detriment of the wider gospel message. Now an individual’s salvation is absolutely critical and should be pursued but it is only part of the gospel story. The other crucial part is the redeeming of the kingdom. John the Baptist heralded Christ by declaring the Kingdom of heaven was at hand. Christ’s mission was for more than individual souls.
Dualism disempowers Christianity as it removes the larger portion of our lives from serving God. Our workplace, our sport and leisure become, at best, places for personal evangelism but we fail to see that the very activity carried on is claimed by God too.
The challenge for the Christian business man is to run his business in a way that honours God. The teacher in school is there on Christ the King’s behalf – whatever the school. The tradesman is there to serve his King too. And like so many areas of Christian existence we will not be immune from suffering – suffering in business or work. Suffering has long been a characteristic of those who willingly serve the King in all their lives. In contrast, dividing our lives into two categories is, too often, a means of alleviating that suffering. By placing much of our lives in the “secular realm” we are saved from having to confront the values and beliefs of this world.
Dualism promotes the lie that part of life is neutral but if we look carefully at the worldviews behind much of the business world or the education world we see many gods lurking in the corners; humanist gods which promote man, money, self sufficiency and the like.
The gospel declares that we have a comprehensive King, or in the words of the Dutch theologian and statesman, Abraham Kuyper, ” … there is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!‘”
Categories: christian, Christianity, World Views
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Faith, theology
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Travels from Ur 