This year Ascension Day is June 2.
In the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we read that after Jesus said His farewells to His disciples, even as they were watching, He was lifted up.
Years ago I sent my first (and only) Ascension email card. I wrote .....
'My message is ... Ascension is the seal which changes the words of Jesus on the cross from "it is finished" to "it is completed". Have an ascending Ascension.'
B responded, 'the final completion will be when we all ascend to be together in glory'.
P and E replied, 'thank you for the beautiful cards and message. It has made our day. What an awesome God we serve. He has risen and ascended - PRAISE GOD.
Hope you feel the same.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Book Review: Max on Life
Book Review: Max on Life by Max Lucado
Many sections of the letters St. Paul wrote to the various Churches in New Testament times were responses to questions raised by the early Christians as they attempted to work out the relationship between their new found faith and their individual or community practices. They asked the questions and Paul provided the answers.
Max Lucado applies a similar format in this new book. He has compiled 172 questions posed to him throughout his ministry, and provides answers, based not only on scriptural foundations, but also as these relate to his own experiences and observations.
You can read this book thoroughly in several sittings, but its lasting value will be for those who place it prominently on their book shelf or some other obvious place, where it can be readily available as a resource when questions need an immediate reply.
It can be utilized effectively by Church leaders, but, I suspect that those who keeps it handy as a ‘quick reference’ or a ‘do it yourself’ resource will enrich not only their own spiritual journey, but also that of others who raise questions about their Christian Faith, providing directions, tips and advice for the various situations and circumstances encountered in every day living.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Many sections of the letters St. Paul wrote to the various Churches in New Testament times were responses to questions raised by the early Christians as they attempted to work out the relationship between their new found faith and their individual or community practices. They asked the questions and Paul provided the answers.
Max Lucado applies a similar format in this new book. He has compiled 172 questions posed to him throughout his ministry, and provides answers, based not only on scriptural foundations, but also as these relate to his own experiences and observations.
You can read this book thoroughly in several sittings, but its lasting value will be for those who place it prominently on their book shelf or some other obvious place, where it can be readily available as a resource when questions need an immediate reply.
It can be utilized effectively by Church leaders, but, I suspect that those who keeps it handy as a ‘quick reference’ or a ‘do it yourself’ resource will enrich not only their own spiritual journey, but also that of others who raise questions about their Christian Faith, providing directions, tips and advice for the various situations and circumstances encountered in every day living.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Spiritual Fitness Plan for Lent - Holy Week and Easter
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Holy Week – Beginning April 18, 2011
‘Without the resurrection what I believe is in vain’, words of Canada’s former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, as quoted by Margaret Trudeau in her most recent book ‘Changing my Mind’.
He was expressing the sentiments and belief of St. Paul, who while answering the questions raised by the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians, chapter 15) about the authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, said, ‘if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith’. Paul goes on to conclude that Jesus DID come back to life from the dead and the Christian Faith is founded on His Resurrection.
In his 2011 Holy Week-Easter message, Archbishop Fred Hiltz – Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada – expressed it this way, when he wrote, ‘we place our hope and our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, hanging on the cross, rising from the grave, drawing near to His disciples, making Himself known to them in the breaking of the bread and the opening of the scriptures’.
Keeping our Lenten theme intact, we can see what Jesus Christ did GIVE UP (His divinity) …. what He did TAKE UP (our humanity) … and how He does HELP us in living and coping with human situations and assures us of our place in the eternal realms of life.
Here are Holy Week daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 18–John 19:1-22
Tuesday April 19– John 19:23-42
Wednesday April 20– John 20:1-18
Thursday April 21 – John 20:19-31
Friday April 22– John 21:1-14
Saturday April 23– John 21:15-25
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. READING AND MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORDS – this week and the days after Easter Sunday, spend time reading the accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus in all 4 gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
2. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?
3. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
4. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
5. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
6. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Thank you for your participation and feedback on our SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT 2011.
May the Joy and Alleluias of Easter ring constantly in your lives throughout the coming days, or as a friend liked to say, ‘every day is a mini Easter’.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Holy Week – Beginning April 18, 2011
‘Without the resurrection what I believe is in vain’, words of Canada’s former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, as quoted by Margaret Trudeau in her most recent book ‘Changing my Mind’.
He was expressing the sentiments and belief of St. Paul, who while answering the questions raised by the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians, chapter 15) about the authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, said, ‘if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith’. Paul goes on to conclude that Jesus DID come back to life from the dead and the Christian Faith is founded on His Resurrection.
In his 2011 Holy Week-Easter message, Archbishop Fred Hiltz – Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada – expressed it this way, when he wrote, ‘we place our hope and our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, hanging on the cross, rising from the grave, drawing near to His disciples, making Himself known to them in the breaking of the bread and the opening of the scriptures’.
Keeping our Lenten theme intact, we can see what Jesus Christ did GIVE UP (His divinity) …. what He did TAKE UP (our humanity) … and how He does HELP us in living and coping with human situations and assures us of our place in the eternal realms of life.
Here are Holy Week daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 18–John 19:1-22
Tuesday April 19– John 19:23-42
Wednesday April 20– John 20:1-18
Thursday April 21 – John 20:19-31
Friday April 22– John 21:1-14
Saturday April 23– John 21:15-25
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. READING AND MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORDS – this week and the days after Easter Sunday, spend time reading the accounts of the Resurrection of Jesus in all 4 gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
2. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?
3. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
4. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
5. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
6. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Thank you for your participation and feedback on our SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT 2011.
May the Joy and Alleluias of Easter ring constantly in your lives throughout the coming days, or as a friend liked to say, ‘every day is a mini Easter’.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Five– Beginning April 4, 2011
Week Six – Beginning April 11, 2011
‘The purpose of this world is not to have and to hold, but to serve’.
These words are attributed to Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), doctor, missionary, legend in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
He epitomized his words, as he established nursing stations in many communities to bring medical aid to isolated areas, started cottage industries to help people improve their standard of living, built hospitals and recruited doctors and nurses from around the globe to work pro bono, and led worship in many churches and other venues at a time when clergy supply was extremely limited.
In our Lenten practice this year, we are encouraging ourselves and others to GIVE UP, TAKE UP and HELP, or as Wilfred Grenfell worded it, SERVE, DO NOT HAVE OR HOLD.
Each of us has to decide what that means in our individual situation and circumstance.
Here are April 4-9 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 4–John 11:1-54
Tuesday April 5 – John 11:55-12:11
Wednesday April 6– John 12:12-36
Thursday April 7 – John 12:37-50
Friday April 8 – John 13:1-20
Saturday April 9– John 13:21-38
Here are April 11-16 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 11–John 14:1-31
Tuesday April 12 – John 15:1-27
Wednesday April 13– John 16:1-33
Thursday April 14 – John 17:1-26
Friday April 15 – John 18:1-27
Saturday April 16– John 18:28-40
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?
2. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
3. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
4. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
5. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Invite a friend to read this blog. Post a comment.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Five– Beginning April 4, 2011
Week Six – Beginning April 11, 2011
‘The purpose of this world is not to have and to hold, but to serve’.
These words are attributed to Sir Wilfred Grenfell (1865-1940), doctor, missionary, legend in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.
He epitomized his words, as he established nursing stations in many communities to bring medical aid to isolated areas, started cottage industries to help people improve their standard of living, built hospitals and recruited doctors and nurses from around the globe to work pro bono, and led worship in many churches and other venues at a time when clergy supply was extremely limited.
In our Lenten practice this year, we are encouraging ourselves and others to GIVE UP, TAKE UP and HELP, or as Wilfred Grenfell worded it, SERVE, DO NOT HAVE OR HOLD.
Each of us has to decide what that means in our individual situation and circumstance.
Here are April 4-9 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 4–John 11:1-54
Tuesday April 5 – John 11:55-12:11
Wednesday April 6– John 12:12-36
Thursday April 7 – John 12:37-50
Friday April 8 – John 13:1-20
Saturday April 9– John 13:21-38
Here are April 11-16 daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday April 11–John 14:1-31
Tuesday April 12 – John 15:1-27
Wednesday April 13– John 16:1-33
Thursday April 14 – John 17:1-26
Friday April 15 – John 18:1-27
Saturday April 16– John 18:28-40
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. ALMS GIVING – we can serve others by giving our alms (gifts) of TIME, TALENT and TREASURE. What ‘alms’ will you give this Lent?
2. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
3. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
4. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
5. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Invite a friend to read this blog. Post a comment.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Spiritual Fitness Plan for Lent Week 4
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Four– Beginning March 28, 2011
‘We are not yet where we shall be, but we are growing towards it; the process is not yet finished, but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road’.
So spoke Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic leader of the civil rights movement in the United States and one of the youngest people to receive the Nobel Peace prize.
He could have been talking about our annual journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter.
The Christian life, from birth to eternity, is always forward looking, always in motion and always heading towards a richer and more personal relationship with God.
Along the Christian Road, there are things to GIVE UP (erroneous attitudes, beliefs and practices), things to TAKE UP (compassion, a forgiving nature and a hopeful outlook) and things to do to HELP (encouragement, listening ear and practical assistance to those less fortunate).
Lent is a good time to remember and adopt the words from Martin Luther King Jr., and how they are reflected in John’s Gospel.
Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday March 28–John 7:53-8:11
Tuesday March 29 – John 8:12-30
Wednesday March 30– John 8:31-59
Thursday March 31 – John 9:1-41
Friday April 1 – John 10:1-21
Saturday April 2– John 10:22-42
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
2. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
3. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
4. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Four– Beginning March 28, 2011
‘We are not yet where we shall be, but we are growing towards it; the process is not yet finished, but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road’.
So spoke Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic leader of the civil rights movement in the United States and one of the youngest people to receive the Nobel Peace prize.
He could have been talking about our annual journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter.
The Christian life, from birth to eternity, is always forward looking, always in motion and always heading towards a richer and more personal relationship with God.
Along the Christian Road, there are things to GIVE UP (erroneous attitudes, beliefs and practices), things to TAKE UP (compassion, a forgiving nature and a hopeful outlook) and things to do to HELP (encouragement, listening ear and practical assistance to those less fortunate).
Lent is a good time to remember and adopt the words from Martin Luther King Jr., and how they are reflected in John’s Gospel.
Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday March 28–John 7:53-8:11
Tuesday March 29 – John 8:12-30
Wednesday March 30– John 8:31-59
Thursday March 31 – John 9:1-41
Friday April 1 – John 10:1-21
Saturday April 2– John 10:22-42
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. FASTING – maybe you have done this already during Lent. If not, start today. Some years ago during Lent, one day a week, some friends and I ate breakfast and then only drank water or juices until the evening meal ... may not sound like much, but we found it meaningful.
2. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding …wherever you encounter people and their needs.
3. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
4. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Post a comment.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT - WEEK 3
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Three– Beginning March 21, 2011
St. Augustine (358-430 AD) was Bishop of Hippo and one of the most influential figures of his day. He had a profound impact on the beliefs and thinking of people even to today.
Augustine concluded that we are born with a ‘God shaped space’, reserved for God alone. Unfortunately, most people fill the space with non God like stuff, e.g., possessions, activities, busyness, negative things, etc. It is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit there properly, except God. Augustine struggled with this and concluded that he was restless until he found his rest in God.
At that moment he invited God to COME and DWELL in his ‘God shaped space.
He said he did not know what he was doing, nor what it meant, nor what it would lead to … he just did it.
It appears Augustine decided to GIVE UP or clean out the ‘junk’ from his ‘God shaped space’; then he was able to TAKE UP other interests and things to fill and grow his understanding of and relationship with God. And through the transformation of his total being, he was able to HELP others come to the same actualization of self, not only in his own time, but for generations of strangers yet to come.
Maybe Augustine is asking us to invite God to COME and DWELL in us, and John’s Gospel may be the vehicle we need to achieve this goal.
Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday March 21–John 5:19-47
Tuesday March 22 – John 6:1-15
Wednesday March 23– John 6:16-21
Thursday March 24 – John 6:22-59
Friday March 25– John 6:60-71
Saturday March 26– John 7:1-52
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding .. wherever you encounter people and their needs.
2. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
3. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Tell others about this blog ... post a comment.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Three– Beginning March 21, 2011
St. Augustine (358-430 AD) was Bishop of Hippo and one of the most influential figures of his day. He had a profound impact on the beliefs and thinking of people even to today.
Augustine concluded that we are born with a ‘God shaped space’, reserved for God alone. Unfortunately, most people fill the space with non God like stuff, e.g., possessions, activities, busyness, negative things, etc. It is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit there properly, except God. Augustine struggled with this and concluded that he was restless until he found his rest in God.
At that moment he invited God to COME and DWELL in his ‘God shaped space.
He said he did not know what he was doing, nor what it meant, nor what it would lead to … he just did it.
It appears Augustine decided to GIVE UP or clean out the ‘junk’ from his ‘God shaped space’; then he was able to TAKE UP other interests and things to fill and grow his understanding of and relationship with God. And through the transformation of his total being, he was able to HELP others come to the same actualization of self, not only in his own time, but for generations of strangers yet to come.
Maybe Augustine is asking us to invite God to COME and DWELL in us, and John’s Gospel may be the vehicle we need to achieve this goal.
Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Monday March 21–John 5:19-47
Tuesday March 22 – John 6:1-15
Wednesday March 23– John 6:16-21
Thursday March 24 – John 6:22-59
Friday March 25– John 6:60-71
Saturday March 26– John 7:1-52
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here are this week’s exercises.
1. PRAYER – Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer. Pray with your paper, newscast, internet browsing, walking, riding .. wherever you encounter people and their needs.
2. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
3. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Tell others about this blog ... post a comment.
Monday, March 14, 2011
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT - WEEK 2
SPIRITUAL FITNESS PLAN FOR LENT - WEEK 2
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Two– Beginning March 14, 2011
1. a devastating earthquake and numerous aftershocks;
2. a tsunami causing untold deaths and destruction with 10 metre high waves;
3. a possible meltdown of nuclear reactors spewing deadly radiation into the atmosphere.
All happening within hours, not weeks! How much can one nation endure?
Japan may provide us with a definite answer.
The photos and reports confront our total beings with images of Biblical proportions.
How can our goals of Lent – GIVE UP, TAKE UP, HELP - spur us to respond as once more the global village is being shaken at its very foundations?
1. We can PRAY for the victims, the rescuers and for global response;
2. We can HELP by donating financially through our church or charity;
3. And as we read the Gospel of John this week, we can ask ourselves what application the readings have for us and our world situation this week.
Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer and with the Gospel.
Monday March 14 –John 2:13-25
Tuesday March 15 – John 3:1-21
Wednesday March 16 – John 3:22-36
Thursday March 17 – John 4:1-42
Friday March 18 – John 4:43-54
Saturday March 19 – John 5:1-18
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here is this week’s exercise.
1. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
2. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Invite a friend to read this BLOG ... write a comment.
(An exercise program to enhance your spiritual life)
Week Two– Beginning March 14, 2011
1. a devastating earthquake and numerous aftershocks;
2. a tsunami causing untold deaths and destruction with 10 metre high waves;
3. a possible meltdown of nuclear reactors spewing deadly radiation into the atmosphere.
All happening within hours, not weeks! How much can one nation endure?
Japan may provide us with a definite answer.
The photos and reports confront our total beings with images of Biblical proportions.
How can our goals of Lent – GIVE UP, TAKE UP, HELP - spur us to respond as once more the global village is being shaken at its very foundations?
1. We can PRAY for the victims, the rescuers and for global response;
2. We can HELP by donating financially through our church or charity;
3. And as we read the Gospel of John this week, we can ask ourselves what application the readings have for us and our world situation this week.
Here are this week’s daily readings from John’s Gospel.
Each day, spend at least 5 minutes in prayer and with the Gospel.
Monday March 14 –John 2:13-25
Tuesday March 15 – John 3:1-21
Wednesday March 16 – John 3:22-36
Thursday March 17 – John 4:1-42
Friday March 18 – John 4:43-54
Saturday March 19 – John 5:1-18
There are six suggested spiritual exercises for a HOLY LENT.
Here is this week’s exercise.
1. PENITENCE – confess your sins confident in God’s forgiveness and make amends for any wrong-doing.
2. SELF EXAMINATION – look at yourself, your relationship with God and your relationships with other people. Make improvements as required.
Invite a friend to read this BLOG ... write a comment.
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