This parable must surely be the best known of all the stories told by Jesus. The son wishes his Dad dead ('give me my inheritance , NOW!') and makes his way to wreck and ruin. Finally he comes to his senses and makes his way back home. There is a great moment when the Dad welcomes him, but as you read on, the other brother is not happy about this at all!
Family life is difficult. Someone once said: you can choose your friends, but there is no choice with family. I know of many families where there are rifts between siblings or children with their parents. Oh boy, and when it comes to inheritance - there's fuel for family feud.
So when Jesus teaches us to pray and sets up the first line with 'Our Father, who is in heaven', we are brought into the context of God's family - including the dynamics and dysfunctional aspects of each one of us. What a project: reconciliation with God as our Heavenly Father, and through his Son, Jesus Christ, we are brought into a place of healing. Even healing among all of humanity?! Lots of work to be done, lots of egos to overcome, lots of hurt to be forgiven.
Scripture tells us that as Christians we have been enlisted in Christ's cause as 'ministers of reconciliation' (see NT, 2 Corinthians 5:18). Isn't it amazing that is starts in the home?! I know of missionaries who have no fear in going to far away places in the cause of Christ, but are reluctant to share the same zeal for the Gospel with their own family members. So, are we more like the son in this story that rebelled or more like the other son who just refused - both are actually wrong ; both are in desparate need of healing and restoration.
Repentance means: to return and face each other again. God's call is to repent - to return to him, and each other. This is the first step to overcome our problems - then it's ... let's talk!
Rev.'D
10 March, 2010
04 March, 2010
03 March, 2010
Figuring out moments of tragedy
Aceh, Haiti, and now Chile. Massive loss of life. 'God have mercy.'
I hate it when I get to hear from pious fundamentalist preachers (mostly from America), that this is judgement sent from God. Jesus confronted the same narrow-mindedness (read Luke 13:1-9) and challenged this mind-set. So sad that we still come across it; especially in the church.
Let's set the record straight: we live in a fallen world (full stop). Stuff happens - including bad stuff like earthquakes, wars, pestilence, and the list goes on. This is part and parcel of living under the curse of death - and it is on all of us. Sometimes it's on a massive scale, other times it happens when a young man commits suicide, at other times it happens to loved ones and we find ourselves at their funeral. Jesus' point here is simply this: death is a reality that confronts all of us. So, with that in mind, it's not an issue of who is worse or who deserves to die more. NO! no! no!
Christ calls us out of that - basically saying, this is not where I want you to end up, so chose LIFE while you have life within you. In this life we have but a few years, but what happens when we breathe our last - will you know where you are going after this life??? Jesus made it clear as to why he came into our history: 'I have come to give you LIFE, and life to overflowing.' (Jn 10:10)
Let's not make a sad situation worse; let's pray for these families and help with our wealth.
Rev.'D
I hate it when I get to hear from pious fundamentalist preachers (mostly from America), that this is judgement sent from God. Jesus confronted the same narrow-mindedness (read Luke 13:1-9) and challenged this mind-set. So sad that we still come across it; especially in the church.
Let's set the record straight: we live in a fallen world (full stop). Stuff happens - including bad stuff like earthquakes, wars, pestilence, and the list goes on. This is part and parcel of living under the curse of death - and it is on all of us. Sometimes it's on a massive scale, other times it happens when a young man commits suicide, at other times it happens to loved ones and we find ourselves at their funeral. Jesus' point here is simply this: death is a reality that confronts all of us. So, with that in mind, it's not an issue of who is worse or who deserves to die more. NO! no! no!
Christ calls us out of that - basically saying, this is not where I want you to end up, so chose LIFE while you have life within you. In this life we have but a few years, but what happens when we breathe our last - will you know where you are going after this life??? Jesus made it clear as to why he came into our history: 'I have come to give you LIFE, and life to overflowing.' (Jn 10:10)
Let's not make a sad situation worse; let's pray for these families and help with our wealth.
Rev.'D
A saint for internet users
Would you believe it, there is a saint for internet users. Lutherans don't get into the saint thing, because, in Christ we are all declared to be saints (not by our efforts, but by the righteous acts of Jesus - transferred to us). But I still think it's worthwhile sharing with you that the patron saint of internet users, computer technicians, students of all ages is ... (drum roll): Saint Isidore of Seville.
This saint dedicated his life's work to collecting knowledge - much like the internet and the pursuit of every student. From a Catholic journal we read that "Isidore's greatest passion was in the field of education. He encouraged the educational institutes in Seville to prescribe the study of Greek, Hebrew, law, and medicine. To many, Isidore was seen as the most learned man of his time. Isidore was born circa 560AD and died on 4th April 636."
I wonder what we aspire to? The Roman Catholic Church recently canonized Australia's first acknowledged saint, namely Mary McKillop. This was recent news on our broadcasting channels. Through the papacy, saints are venerated because of their outstanding life and achievements. So, back to my question - what do you aspire to, so that you will leave a mark of blessing on others? Christ once said: 'what you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.' That makes you think - every one of our actions has a spiritual connection! Some people may not notice (and that should not be our motivation anyway), but it's good to know that God knows.
Rev.'D
This saint dedicated his life's work to collecting knowledge - much like the internet and the pursuit of every student. From a Catholic journal we read that "Isidore's greatest passion was in the field of education. He encouraged the educational institutes in Seville to prescribe the study of Greek, Hebrew, law, and medicine. To many, Isidore was seen as the most learned man of his time. Isidore was born circa 560AD and died on 4th April 636."
I wonder what we aspire to? The Roman Catholic Church recently canonized Australia's first acknowledged saint, namely Mary McKillop. This was recent news on our broadcasting channels. Through the papacy, saints are venerated because of their outstanding life and achievements. So, back to my question - what do you aspire to, so that you will leave a mark of blessing on others? Christ once said: 'what you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.' That makes you think - every one of our actions has a spiritual connection! Some people may not notice (and that should not be our motivation anyway), but it's good to know that God knows.
Rev.'D
24 February, 2010
2nd Sunday in Lent
Our focus this Sunday is based on the Phillipians passage that declares: 'our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await our Saviour, Jesus Christ.' Paul speaks about 'pressing onward to the goal and win the prize for which God has called me heavenward.' Isn't it amazing how the whole world loves the idea of 'going to heaven,' but want very little to do with the One who 'has gone the way before us, and knows the way back to the Heavenly Father.'
But lets face it, really, most westernized (secular) people actually do not believe in the existence of anything after we have breathed our last. It's a bit like the observation in Ecclesiastes: 'eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die.' But God's plan originally had no place for death; that's something that has come into our equation through sin; 'for the wages of sin is death.'
So the idea of being 'citizens of heaven' means that in Christ there is a new reality that defines us (a new position / place / and purpose). A reality that was transformed for us, because Jesus entered our reality (death / second law of thermo-dynamics: everything decays), took it upon himself (read Phil. 2:1-11), and gave us the gift of life (citizenship of a new reality - a heavenly reality / a dimension beyond the normal). Have you got your passport to heaven yet?
Wow! Who would let something like that slip through their fingers?
Rev.'D
But lets face it, really, most westernized (secular) people actually do not believe in the existence of anything after we have breathed our last. It's a bit like the observation in Ecclesiastes: 'eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you die.' But God's plan originally had no place for death; that's something that has come into our equation through sin; 'for the wages of sin is death.'
So the idea of being 'citizens of heaven' means that in Christ there is a new reality that defines us (a new position / place / and purpose). A reality that was transformed for us, because Jesus entered our reality (death / second law of thermo-dynamics: everything decays), took it upon himself (read Phil. 2:1-11), and gave us the gift of life (citizenship of a new reality - a heavenly reality / a dimension beyond the normal). Have you got your passport to heaven yet?
Wow! Who would let something like that slip through their fingers?
Rev.'D
THE SEASON OF LENT - a time to reflect
The season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday and covers 40 days of a journey to the cross.
The first Sunday in Lent focused on Jesus' temptation by the devil in the wilderness. Because of Christ's victory, our sins have been dealt with once and for all - on the cross they were nailed! So the issue of wondering if my sins can separate me from God, well ... that is the main thrust of Paul's arguement in the Book of Romans: 'nothing will ever separate us from the love of God which is ours in Christ Jesus.' But is that it?
Salvation by grace, not by works, is huge! What a burden lifted off our shoulders - we could never ever have done it. If this still is a worry for you, remember Jesus' words: 'come to me all of you who are burdened, and I will give you rest.' It further proclaims: 'all who call upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.'
But Jesus' victory has not left us as 'poor little victims of temptation.' By the way, temptation is not sin (even Jesus was tempted), its what we do once tempted that gets us into trouble. In the Book of Revelation, John records for us seven Churches visited by Christ. With each one, Jesus tells us that he knows what is going on and what challenges we face. Then he says, 'but if you overcome this, then I will give you ...'. In Christ we are more than conquerors; we have been given the Holy Spirit from God - 'we are a new creation, the old has gone, behold the new is here.' So, as scripture declares: 'If the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed.' Temptation will no longer define us, but the very words of God will have their say ... and make it so!
Thanks be to God
Rev.'D
The first Sunday in Lent focused on Jesus' temptation by the devil in the wilderness. Because of Christ's victory, our sins have been dealt with once and for all - on the cross they were nailed! So the issue of wondering if my sins can separate me from God, well ... that is the main thrust of Paul's arguement in the Book of Romans: 'nothing will ever separate us from the love of God which is ours in Christ Jesus.' But is that it?
Salvation by grace, not by works, is huge! What a burden lifted off our shoulders - we could never ever have done it. If this still is a worry for you, remember Jesus' words: 'come to me all of you who are burdened, and I will give you rest.' It further proclaims: 'all who call upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.'
But Jesus' victory has not left us as 'poor little victims of temptation.' By the way, temptation is not sin (even Jesus was tempted), its what we do once tempted that gets us into trouble. In the Book of Revelation, John records for us seven Churches visited by Christ. With each one, Jesus tells us that he knows what is going on and what challenges we face. Then he says, 'but if you overcome this, then I will give you ...'. In Christ we are more than conquerors; we have been given the Holy Spirit from God - 'we are a new creation, the old has gone, behold the new is here.' So, as scripture declares: 'If the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed.' Temptation will no longer define us, but the very words of God will have their say ... and make it so!
Thanks be to God
Rev.'D
16 February, 2010
About St.Valentine
St.Valentine is credited as a patron saint of lovers and romantics. No doubt numerous cards were sent to express affection to loved ones over the weekend. The commercialization of this feast day has made it known as 'Hallmark's Day' in the US. But there is no romantic link to the martyr of the Christian faith that dates back to 197AD.
It was established as a saints day by the Pope in 496AD, but only became associated with romance in the late fourteenth century. Valentine was executed for expressing his 'dying devotion' of Christ as his lord and saviour in defiance of Emperor worship. That aspect of this festival day is today entirely forgotten.
In the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John has a vision of Christ as he visited the churches. He records for us Jesus' call to return to your first love, to repent, and to do the things when you first believed (Rev.2:2-7). Actually, the entire Bible has sometimes been referred to by scholars as "God's love-letter to humanity." On that basis, happy Valentine's day!
Rev.'D
It was established as a saints day by the Pope in 496AD, but only became associated with romance in the late fourteenth century. Valentine was executed for expressing his 'dying devotion' of Christ as his lord and saviour in defiance of Emperor worship. That aspect of this festival day is today entirely forgotten.
In the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John has a vision of Christ as he visited the churches. He records for us Jesus' call to return to your first love, to repent, and to do the things when you first believed (Rev.2:2-7). Actually, the entire Bible has sometimes been referred to by scholars as "God's love-letter to humanity." On that basis, happy Valentine's day!
Rev.'D
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