I have heard on more than one occasion a true story about a preacher in an English church who one day caught the attention of two young boys who were in the pews. The illustration he used to explain to the congregation about Christ’s death for us went something like this:
There was a father and his son who often went fishing together in the waters off the coast of England. On this one particular occasion the father told his son that he could bring a friend along. Now the father was a parish priest or something like that. He was a deeply religious man anyway. He and his son were speaking about the Lord quite a bit. The boy’s friend did not know the Lord and he did not know entirely what to make of all this.
While they were out on the water one of those terrible sudden storms came up. The storm tossed their little ship to and fro and among the rocks in the English Channel. Try as they might, the three of them were not strong enough to regain control of the boat. When the storm reached its fiercest at one point both boys were thrown overboard. The father ran to grab the life preserver. There was only one (and there wasn’t much time so even if there was more than one he couldn’t possibly throw two in two different directions then pull them both to safety). There was only one. The sea was frantically trying to claim the life of both boys. It would get one for sure. There was no time to save them both. The father grabbed the preserver and he threw it. He threw it … he threw it to… his son’s friend. The friend grabbed the preserver and was pulled onto the boat – but by the time the father had gotten his child’s friend aboard, there was no sign of his own son. The father sacrificed his own son, his only son so that the other boy could live.
This is what it is like for our heavenly father and his son (Ephesians 1:7; John 15:1-17). God let his son -whom he loves- die so that even those of us who do not know him, even those of us who are sinners, even those of us who are his enemies can be saved. God’s son died for us at just the right time so we all could be saved.After this sermon, the boys queried the old preacher. They asked if that was a true story or if he was just making it up. He said it was true. They were unconvinced. One boy asked why a father would let his own son die for a kid he doesn’t even know.
The preacher told him that the father knew that his own son knew Jesus. He knew that even if his own son were lost, yet he would be saved. He knew that his own son, even if he died, yet would he live; he would see him again at the resurrection of the just. His son’s friend however did not know Jesus then so if he died, he would be lost forever. The father sacrificed his son to save the other boy.
‘How do you know that that story is true?’ demanded one of the two boys listening to the story.
‘I was the boy who was saved that day,’ replied the old preacher.
And so it is with all of us. Today we have the choice before us of life and death. God the father has already sacrificed his one and only son so that we can live. All we need to do now is to grab hold of the life preserver of our salvation, hold tight in holiness, and not let it slip away. Christ died so that we can live.
So today I urge us all not to let Jesus’ death to have been in vain in our own lives. If there is anything we are holding onto today that is preventing us from grabbing hold of our salvation, let us cast it aside. If there is any aspect of our lives that we are holding onto so tight that we are not fully clutching that preserver of our salvation, today let us cast it aside. If there is any sin in our life that we have not confessed to God, let us today take this time, confess it to Him and in so doing, reach out and grab hold of that life preserver of His salvation so that we can all be gloriously saved.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Friday, July 31, 2009
Enemies of Christ
The consequences of our countries’ actions do affect us all. When I was younger, Canada was still seen as a peacekeeping nation. At that time we saw very clearly not only the blessings of being a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9) but also the consequences of overt military aggression. I don’t know if you remember but in those days American students when travelling around the world would wear Canadian flags on their backpacks so that people would think they were Canadian and hopefully as a result no one would want to harm them. Canada as peacemakers, which we were back then, didn’t make the enemies that the US did. And even though the American students never killed anyone themselves, their government – rightly or wrongly – had waged (or sponsored) many wars, killed many people, and in the process made enemies for all of its citizens -even those not yet born!
Likewise, sin makes us enemies of Christ. When we sin, we are warring against Christ. Before we served Christ, our moral self-government was perpetually warring against Christ. When we were sinners, though we may not have even been totally aware of it, we were very much Christ’s enemies and we obviously could never win this war and the consequence of this war, this rebellion against Christ is death (Romans 6:23). Paul in his letter to the Romans explains it in terms of Adam (Romans 5:12-21; cf.1 Corinthians 15).[11]
Adam and Eve were the original sinners.[12] They were the first to transgress the will of God. God told them that they could pretty much do anything that they wanted in all the world so long as they ‘go forth and multiply’ (Genesis 1:28, see 9:1) and abstain from eating the fruit from just one of the many trees in God’s garden that he let them look after(Genesis 2:17). And then what is one of the very first things they do after a short conversation with some snake they meet? They disobey God; they sin. In doing this in essence our fore-parents declare war on God and humankind has been in rebellion against him ever since (Romans 3:23).[13] Furthermore, as the author of Hebrews tells us, every time we sin we are taking up arms against Christ (Hebrews 10:28-30).
But even so, at a point in our history, at a point in history that was probably about as bad as it is today in terms of disobedience to God, at a certain time, Romans 5:6, “…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” And Verse 8, “but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Likewise, sin makes us enemies of Christ. When we sin, we are warring against Christ. Before we served Christ, our moral self-government was perpetually warring against Christ. When we were sinners, though we may not have even been totally aware of it, we were very much Christ’s enemies and we obviously could never win this war and the consequence of this war, this rebellion against Christ is death (Romans 6:23). Paul in his letter to the Romans explains it in terms of Adam (Romans 5:12-21; cf.1 Corinthians 15).[11]
Adam and Eve were the original sinners.[12] They were the first to transgress the will of God. God told them that they could pretty much do anything that they wanted in all the world so long as they ‘go forth and multiply’ (Genesis 1:28, see 9:1) and abstain from eating the fruit from just one of the many trees in God’s garden that he let them look after(Genesis 2:17). And then what is one of the very first things they do after a short conversation with some snake they meet? They disobey God; they sin. In doing this in essence our fore-parents declare war on God and humankind has been in rebellion against him ever since (Romans 3:23).[13] Furthermore, as the author of Hebrews tells us, every time we sin we are taking up arms against Christ (Hebrews 10:28-30).
But even so, at a point in our history, at a point in history that was probably about as bad as it is today in terms of disobedience to God, at a certain time, Romans 5:6, “…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” And Verse 8, “but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
While we were still sinners...
Romans 5:7,8: ‘Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die (8) but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.’ Christ died for all of us when we were still sinners (cf. Romans 4:5).
Romans 5:10 tells us that not only were we still sinners but we were more than that: we were his enemies (cf. 1 John 4:10). Christ died for us while we were still his enemies. What is an enemy?[6] An enemy is one who means us harm. An enemy is one who is in opposition to us. An enemy is against us. When we were still in our sin we were indeed Christ’s enemies. When we were not under Christ’s lordship and leadership, we were necessarily under our own and/or someone else’s. We were not part of his kingdom and indeed by our actions, our deeds, our words, and our thoughts, we were his enemies. By our actions, our deeds, our words, and our thoughts, we fought against Christ even though his only desire in this was for all of us to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). It was in this condition that we were when Christ died for us.[7]
might say, “… that while I didn’t know Christ, I was not his enemy, really. I led a good life. I didn’t hurt anybody. I just happened to get to know God later on in life and then become ‘born again’…that doesn’t mean that I was God’s enemy does it?” The Apostle Paul argues here that the sinner is an enemy of God and a sinner here is anyone who is not experiencing the joys of ‘life with Christ’ (Cf. Romans 5:1, 12:12, 14:17, 15:13) – the sinner here is anyone who has not yet grabbed hold of the salvation that Christ offers. The Greek word in verse 7, ‘hamartōlŏs’, comes from ‘hamartanō’ that we looked at two weeks ago[8] and, as we remember, it means to ‘miss the mark’, to be short of the standard,[9] which is what we are when we don’t serve the Lord.
Paul makes a real distinction between the ‘sinner’ and the ‘saint’. The former (the sinners) are God’s opponents. The latter (the saints) are the ones on his side; this is where we want to be.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
Romans 5:10 tells us that not only were we still sinners but we were more than that: we were his enemies (cf. 1 John 4:10). Christ died for us while we were still his enemies. What is an enemy?[6] An enemy is one who means us harm. An enemy is one who is in opposition to us. An enemy is against us. When we were still in our sin we were indeed Christ’s enemies. When we were not under Christ’s lordship and leadership, we were necessarily under our own and/or someone else’s. We were not part of his kingdom and indeed by our actions, our deeds, our words, and our thoughts, we were his enemies. By our actions, our deeds, our words, and our thoughts, we fought against Christ even though his only desire in this was for all of us to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). It was in this condition that we were when Christ died for us.[7]
might say, “… that while I didn’t know Christ, I was not his enemy, really. I led a good life. I didn’t hurt anybody. I just happened to get to know God later on in life and then become ‘born again’…that doesn’t mean that I was God’s enemy does it?” The Apostle Paul argues here that the sinner is an enemy of God and a sinner here is anyone who is not experiencing the joys of ‘life with Christ’ (Cf. Romans 5:1, 12:12, 14:17, 15:13) – the sinner here is anyone who has not yet grabbed hold of the salvation that Christ offers. The Greek word in verse 7, ‘hamartōlŏs’, comes from ‘hamartanō’ that we looked at two weeks ago[8] and, as we remember, it means to ‘miss the mark’, to be short of the standard,[9] which is what we are when we don’t serve the Lord.
Paul makes a real distinction between the ‘sinner’ and the ‘saint’. The former (the sinners) are God’s opponents. The latter (the saints) are the ones on his side; this is where we want to be.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
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www.sheepspeak.com
TSA in the temporal wars of history
The Salvation Army often plays a big role in Remembrance Day ceremonies in this country because of the great work that the Lord did through us during the so-called the First and Second World Wars.[3] "It would be easier to forget one's name than fail to remember the times without number when The Salvation Army was, in truth, our comforter and friend," remarks General Harry Crerar (Former Commander of the First Canadian Army, Second World War)[4]
During both world wars and throughout the Cold War, The Salvation Army provided Canadian military personnel with comforts such as hot drinks and snacks and helped maintain morale by establishing leave centres for rest and recreation.
Very close to the battle front, The Salvation Army showed films, established canteens, organized sporting events and other recreational activities, provided reading material, stationary, cigarettes and other items which the troops greatly appreciated. The Salvation Army also offered spiritual guidance and personal counselling to all military personnel seeking it: comforting the wounded, even helping bury the dead. In short, they did whatever was necessary to help maintain military morale. The Salvation Army instructed its supervisors to “care for the body, mind and soul of every [service person] irrespective of creed or personality.” The Salvation Army tried to offer a ‘touch of home’ in the midst of the horrors of War.
In Canada, The Salvation Army Home League raised funds and sent tens of thousands of comfort packages containing socks, underwear, Christmas presents, and other items directly to The Salvation Army chaplains for distribution. Salvationists also visited the homes of departed soldiers to look into the welfare of their dependants and comfort many bereaved families. In short, The Salvation Army “provided the reassuring link between the fighting man and his world of peace and kindness and sanity.” [5]Personally, in the very short time we have been here, I have heard individual accounts from no less than 3 veterans of WWII or their widows about just how much God used ‘Sally Ann’ during ‘the war’.
Canadian Salvationists were sent overseas to serve Christ by serving the soldiers in the hopes that some might be saved. Canadian soldiers were sent overseas in the world wars to fight and to die for ‘God, King, and country’. Many were saved and many did lay down their lives in the name of God, our King, and our country (cf. John 15:17).
5:7,8: ‘Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die (8) but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.’ Christ died for all of us when we were still sinners (cf. Romans 4:5).
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
www.sheepspeak.com
During both world wars and throughout the Cold War, The Salvation Army provided Canadian military personnel with comforts such as hot drinks and snacks and helped maintain morale by establishing leave centres for rest and recreation.
Very close to the battle front, The Salvation Army showed films, established canteens, organized sporting events and other recreational activities, provided reading material, stationary, cigarettes and other items which the troops greatly appreciated. The Salvation Army also offered spiritual guidance and personal counselling to all military personnel seeking it: comforting the wounded, even helping bury the dead. In short, they did whatever was necessary to help maintain military morale. The Salvation Army instructed its supervisors to “care for the body, mind and soul of every [service person] irrespective of creed or personality.” The Salvation Army tried to offer a ‘touch of home’ in the midst of the horrors of War.
In Canada, The Salvation Army Home League raised funds and sent tens of thousands of comfort packages containing socks, underwear, Christmas presents, and other items directly to The Salvation Army chaplains for distribution. Salvationists also visited the homes of departed soldiers to look into the welfare of their dependants and comfort many bereaved families. In short, The Salvation Army “provided the reassuring link between the fighting man and his world of peace and kindness and sanity.” [5]Personally, in the very short time we have been here, I have heard individual accounts from no less than 3 veterans of WWII or their widows about just how much God used ‘Sally Ann’ during ‘the war’.
Canadian Salvationists were sent overseas to serve Christ by serving the soldiers in the hopes that some might be saved. Canadian soldiers were sent overseas in the world wars to fight and to die for ‘God, King, and country’. Many were saved and many did lay down their lives in the name of God, our King, and our country (cf. John 15:17).
5:7,8: ‘Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die (8) but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.’ Christ died for all of us when we were still sinners (cf. Romans 4:5).
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-58-while-we-were-still-sinners.html
www.sheepspeak.com
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Repentance
from 'For Deliverance and Freedom:
The Biblical Doctrine of Repentance'
by WILLIAM DOUGLAS CHAMBERLAIN
Interpretation 4 no 3 July 1950, p 271-283
SINCE THE WORD repentance occurs in the Old Testament only once, and then not in the sense that it has in the New, the biblical doctrine of repentance is essentially the New Testament doctrine. One may deal with the New Testament material in one of two ways. He may either study this material as it occurs in the various documents, or take the New Testament as a whole. I am choosing the latter method, because a careful study of this subject has convinced me that there is complete uniformity among New Testament writers as to the essential meaning of repentance.
It is necessary to distinguish first between repentance and sorrow for sin; for, historically, the church has thought of sorrow for sin as synonymous with repentance. Paul draws the distinction more sharply than any other New Testament writer. According to him, there are two types of sorrow for sin. One he calls the sorrow of the world, which leads to death; the other he calls godly sorrow, which leads to repentance. He does not, however, confuse godly sorrow with repentance. It is a preparation for repentance, but it is not repentance (II Cor. 7:8-10).
The sorrow of the world is no more than remorse. When Judas said, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood, he was speaking of the remorse that gnawed deeply into his soul. Sorrow for sin without faith is remorse. Judas went out and hanged himself for lack of faith. Faith could have changed his remorse to repentance. Repentance does not lead to suicide, but rather to confession, pardon, and fellowship with God.
When the Authorized Version says that Judas "repented himself", it is translating the word metamelomai, which means to have sorrow after a sin has been committed. The root idea of repentance, metanoia, is reversal of mind, not sorrow for sin. Repentance is a change of the mindset from "the mind of the flesh" to the mind of Christ. God, rather than self, becomes the center of one's thinking and planning. Repentance gives one a new set of values, new loyalties, new ambitions, a new purpose in life. This new purpose was expressed by Paul when he wrote that Christ died for all men, that they should no longer Uve for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again from the dead (II Cor.5:i5)·
This is essentially the same demand that Jesus laid upon all his followers. They must put him first: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). To deny self is to dethrone self as master of your life. The denial of self is a prerequisite to enthroning Christ as Lord. The wisdom of the world says, "Feather your own nest; look out for your own interests." Christ says that he who looks out for number one is destroying himself: "He that would save his life shall lose it." The wisdom of the world disagrees with Jesus' philosophy of life. It is necessary to have a new standard of values before any one can really believe that by losing his life for Christ's sake he discovers the real meaning of life. According to Jesus, however, this is the first requirement for Christian living.
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
The Biblical Doctrine of Repentance'
by WILLIAM DOUGLAS CHAMBERLAIN
Interpretation 4 no 3 July 1950, p 271-283
SINCE THE WORD repentance occurs in the Old Testament only once, and then not in the sense that it has in the New, the biblical doctrine of repentance is essentially the New Testament doctrine. One may deal with the New Testament material in one of two ways. He may either study this material as it occurs in the various documents, or take the New Testament as a whole. I am choosing the latter method, because a careful study of this subject has convinced me that there is complete uniformity among New Testament writers as to the essential meaning of repentance.
It is necessary to distinguish first between repentance and sorrow for sin; for, historically, the church has thought of sorrow for sin as synonymous with repentance. Paul draws the distinction more sharply than any other New Testament writer. According to him, there are two types of sorrow for sin. One he calls the sorrow of the world, which leads to death; the other he calls godly sorrow, which leads to repentance. He does not, however, confuse godly sorrow with repentance. It is a preparation for repentance, but it is not repentance (II Cor. 7:8-10).
The sorrow of the world is no more than remorse. When Judas said, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood, he was speaking of the remorse that gnawed deeply into his soul. Sorrow for sin without faith is remorse. Judas went out and hanged himself for lack of faith. Faith could have changed his remorse to repentance. Repentance does not lead to suicide, but rather to confession, pardon, and fellowship with God.
When the Authorized Version says that Judas "repented himself", it is translating the word metamelomai, which means to have sorrow after a sin has been committed. The root idea of repentance, metanoia, is reversal of mind, not sorrow for sin. Repentance is a change of the mindset from "the mind of the flesh" to the mind of Christ. God, rather than self, becomes the center of one's thinking and planning. Repentance gives one a new set of values, new loyalties, new ambitions, a new purpose in life. This new purpose was expressed by Paul when he wrote that Christ died for all men, that they should no longer Uve for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again from the dead (II Cor.5:i5)·
This is essentially the same demand that Jesus laid upon all his followers. They must put him first: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). To deny self is to dethrone self as master of your life. The denial of self is a prerequisite to enthroning Christ as Lord. The wisdom of the world says, "Feather your own nest; look out for your own interests." Christ says that he who looks out for number one is destroying himself: "He that would save his life shall lose it." The wisdom of the world disagrees with Jesus' philosophy of life. It is necessary to have a new standard of values before any one can really believe that by losing his life for Christ's sake he discovers the real meaning of life. According to Jesus, however, this is the first requirement for Christian living.
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Covenant: Marriage breakdown leads to poverty
www.christianweek.org
By Deborah Gyapong
Friday, July 24, 2009
OTTAWA, ON—High school students need to be taught that marriage helps prevent poverty and leads to happier, more stable families.
That's one of the recommendations of a study published by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC), which puts a $7 billion price tag on family breakdown in Canada.
"We educate teens about the psychological and physical implications of sexual activity and bullying," says Rebecca Walberg, co-author of Private Choices, Public Costs: How Failing Families Cost Us All. Teens also learn the importance of a high school diploma for future success, she says.
"We need to place equal importance on family formation throughout our culture," says Walberg.
The report estimates cutting the rate of family breakdown in half could save $1.78 billion a year and pull about 50,000 adults and 80,000 children out of poverty.
read more: http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=600
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related: http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/search/label/covenant
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
By Deborah Gyapong
Friday, July 24, 2009
OTTAWA, ON—High school students need to be taught that marriage helps prevent poverty and leads to happier, more stable families.
That's one of the recommendations of a study published by the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC), which puts a $7 billion price tag on family breakdown in Canada.
"We educate teens about the psychological and physical implications of sexual activity and bullying," says Rebecca Walberg, co-author of Private Choices, Public Costs: How Failing Families Cost Us All. Teens also learn the importance of a high school diploma for future success, she says.
"We need to place equal importance on family formation throughout our culture," says Walberg.
The report estimates cutting the rate of family breakdown in half could save $1.78 billion a year and pull about 50,000 adults and 80,000 children out of poverty.
read more: http://www.christianweek.org/stories.php?id=600
--
related: http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/search/label/covenant
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, July 27, 2009
TSA Position Statement on Gambling
The Salvation Army takes a stand against gambling that involves the act of risking money, property or something of value on an activity that gives material advantage based on chance and at the expense of others. The Salvation Army opposes gambling on spiritual and moral grounds and because of its tragic social implications.
The Salvation Army is deeply concerned that gambling, used by governments and organizations to raise revenues, has become an accepted aspect of our daily lives. Gambling undermines the true spirit of charitable giving. The Salvation Army’s experience confirms that there are those who disregard personal and family needs to indulge in gambling and may become addicted. Even in its simplest form gambling can lead to excess and undermine the personality and character of the individual. The Salvation Army therefore cautions governments and individuals of the inherent dangers of gambling.
Salvation Army soldiers pledge to abstain from gambling, based on our belief that all our resources belong to God and that we depend on Him through faith and work. This position is supported by Scriptural teachings* concerning the responsibility to use money productively, to guard against greed, and not to gain at the expense of others.
*e.g., 1 Timothy 6:3-10; 17-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Amos 6:1-6
The Salvation Army, Canada & Bermuda, 2006
The Salvation Army is deeply concerned that gambling, used by governments and organizations to raise revenues, has become an accepted aspect of our daily lives. Gambling undermines the true spirit of charitable giving. The Salvation Army’s experience confirms that there are those who disregard personal and family needs to indulge in gambling and may become addicted. Even in its simplest form gambling can lead to excess and undermine the personality and character of the individual. The Salvation Army therefore cautions governments and individuals of the inherent dangers of gambling.
Salvation Army soldiers pledge to abstain from gambling, based on our belief that all our resources belong to God and that we depend on Him through faith and work. This position is supported by Scriptural teachings* concerning the responsibility to use money productively, to guard against greed, and not to gain at the expense of others.
*e.g., 1 Timothy 6:3-10; 17-19, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Amos 6:1-6
The Salvation Army, Canada & Bermuda, 2006
Church gamble away millions on Stock Market
Millions in savings lost on stock market
Last Updated: Monday, July 27, 2009 8:13 AM ET
By Tim Duboyce, CBC News
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City became the first Anglican cathedral built off the British Isles, when it was completed in 1804. (Courtesy Anglican Diocese of Quebec)Religious institutions and faith-based organizations across Canada are praying for an end to a recession that is forcing the hardest-hit to consider radical rescue plans, including selling houses of worship.
Garth Bulmer, the executive archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec, says some smaller churches in his region will likely have to close.
"Some of them will simply have to shut their doors. That's all there is to it," Bulmer told CBC News.
Churches, synagogues, mosques, and gurudwaras (Sikh temples) depend largely on donations to pay the bills and finance day schools, camps, and other faith-oriented programs.
Religious orders also routinely use investment income from private trusts to finance building repairs and other projects.
But, this year, religious groups are being forced to do more with less, and in some cases are projecting the closure of churches in the wake of the economic recession.
Church leaders worry out-of-work parishioners can't be as generous as usual, either with the collection plate or during annual fundraising drives. In some cases, those worshippers who are down on their luck come knocking at their church's doors in search of handouts or other help, placing an even greater strain on already-stretched resources.
Calculating the impact of the recession on religious groups in Canada is difficult, since organizations are generally decentralized and don't compile national figures.
Numbers released in Britain indicate staggering losses. The Church of England told the Christian Science Monitor that the recession has resulted in a $2.1 billion US loss in its investments.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/22/f-religion-recession-sell-churches.html
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Salvation Army fighting to save services
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 1:29 PM NT
CBC News
The Salvation Army is cutting costs to ensure it can continue to help people through tough economic times.
Last week, the group told congregations across the country to freeze spending on administrative staff. Donations haven't dropped but the Salvation Army believes that as the recession continues it will need to save money wherever it can.
"We're reducing travel expenses, there's a salary freeze for officers, there's a hiring freeze from coast to coast. It allows us to continue spending on programs … which is where the focus should be," said Salvation Army spokesman Andrew Burditt from Toronto on Monday.
The Salvation Army runs social services such as homeless shelters and soup kitchens. As the financial crisis continues, demand for those programs has increased up to 30 per cent in some parts of the country.
Burditt is confident the Salvation Army will survive the economic downturn.
"We've been around in this country for more than 125 years. We've always found a way through numbers of recessions and numbers of difficult periods of time to find a way to make things work and that's, that's the collective that we'll continue to operate with."
Still, Burditt fears the group may not be able to avoid cutting services, if the recession drags on.
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Last Updated: Monday, July 27, 2009 8:13 AM ET
By Tim Duboyce, CBC News
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec City became the first Anglican cathedral built off the British Isles, when it was completed in 1804. (Courtesy Anglican Diocese of Quebec)Religious institutions and faith-based organizations across Canada are praying for an end to a recession that is forcing the hardest-hit to consider radical rescue plans, including selling houses of worship.
Garth Bulmer, the executive archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Quebec, says some smaller churches in his region will likely have to close.
"Some of them will simply have to shut their doors. That's all there is to it," Bulmer told CBC News.
Churches, synagogues, mosques, and gurudwaras (Sikh temples) depend largely on donations to pay the bills and finance day schools, camps, and other faith-oriented programs.
Religious orders also routinely use investment income from private trusts to finance building repairs and other projects.
But, this year, religious groups are being forced to do more with less, and in some cases are projecting the closure of churches in the wake of the economic recession.
Church leaders worry out-of-work parishioners can't be as generous as usual, either with the collection plate or during annual fundraising drives. In some cases, those worshippers who are down on their luck come knocking at their church's doors in search of handouts or other help, placing an even greater strain on already-stretched resources.
Calculating the impact of the recession on religious groups in Canada is difficult, since organizations are generally decentralized and don't compile national figures.
Numbers released in Britain indicate staggering losses. The Church of England told the Christian Science Monitor that the recession has resulted in a $2.1 billion US loss in its investments.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/22/f-religion-recession-sell-churches.html
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Salvation Army fighting to save services
Last Updated: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 1:29 PM NT
CBC News
The Salvation Army is cutting costs to ensure it can continue to help people through tough economic times.
Last week, the group told congregations across the country to freeze spending on administrative staff. Donations haven't dropped but the Salvation Army believes that as the recession continues it will need to save money wherever it can.
"We're reducing travel expenses, there's a salary freeze for officers, there's a hiring freeze from coast to coast. It allows us to continue spending on programs … which is where the focus should be," said Salvation Army spokesman Andrew Burditt from Toronto on Monday.
The Salvation Army runs social services such as homeless shelters and soup kitchens. As the financial crisis continues, demand for those programs has increased up to 30 per cent in some parts of the country.
Burditt is confident the Salvation Army will survive the economic downturn.
"We've been around in this country for more than 125 years. We've always found a way through numbers of recessions and numbers of difficult periods of time to find a way to make things work and that's, that's the collective that we'll continue to operate with."
Still, Burditt fears the group may not be able to avoid cutting services, if the recession drags on.
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday's Sermon: Romans 5:8
Click the Pict. to read the sermon or visit http://sheepspeak.com/sermons.htm for this and even more sermons.
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Booth @ Armybarmy
‘I see a conflict—a fight—no! More than a fight—a long-continued war… I see again a vast multitude of the miserable, the lonely, the outcasts of Earth . . . the cry of whose agony has come up to Heaven. And I see everywhere among them the mighty blessings conferred upon them by our social operations. I look, and there rises up before my eyes the mightiest and most practical body of Salvation missionaries as yet known upon the Earth. Not less than 100,000 officers, men and women, of all nations, races and tongues, whose business it is to make Salvation known.’
- General William Booth
read more from www.armybarmy.com
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
- General William Booth
read more from www.armybarmy.com
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Romans 5:8: 'but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Friday, July 24, 2009
Canada denies Hutterites religous freedom
Hutterites need driver's licence photos: top court
Last Updated: Friday, July 24, 2009 11:48 AM ET
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled 4-3 Friday that a Hutterite community in Alberta must abide by provincial rules that make a digital photo mandatory for all new driver's licences as a way to prevent identity theft.
The case involved the Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony, located east of Lethbridge, Alta. The group had argued a 2003 regulation enacted by the province requiring photographs on the licences breached their charter right to freedom of religion.
read more from the CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/24/hutterite-supreme-court024.html#socialcomments
Last Updated: Friday, July 24, 2009 11:48 AM ET
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled 4-3 Friday that a Hutterite community in Alberta must abide by provincial rules that make a digital photo mandatory for all new driver's licences as a way to prevent identity theft.
The case involved the Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony, located east of Lethbridge, Alta. The group had argued a 2003 regulation enacted by the province requiring photographs on the licences breached their charter right to freedom of religion.
read more from the CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/07/24/hutterite-supreme-court024.html#socialcomments
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Irish law makes it illegal to speak blasphemy
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:29 AM ET
By Colleen Tang, CBC News
If you visit Ireland after October, you'd better watch what you say about God.
A blasphemous slip of the tongue could cost you 25,000 euros under revamped legislation that will soon be signed into law.
read more from the (secular) CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/07/20/f-ireland-blasphemy-law.html
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Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord'
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www.sheepspeak.com
By Colleen Tang, CBC News
If you visit Ireland after October, you'd better watch what you say about God.
A blasphemous slip of the tongue could cost you 25,000 euros under revamped legislation that will soon be signed into law.
read more from the (secular) CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/07/20/f-ireland-blasphemy-law.html
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Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Child Sex…Not a Tourist Attraction
SEND THE FIRE.ca
by Carlye Morris
“On this trip, I’ve had sex with a 14 year-old girl in Mexico and a 15 year-old in Colombia. I’m helping them financially. If they don’t have sex with me, they may not have enough food. If someone has a problem with me doing this, let UNICEF feed them.” -Retired U.S School Teacher
When you hear the word “tourism” what do you think about?
read more: http://www.sendthefire.ca/childsextourism/#more-1198
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Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord'
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www.sheepspeak.com
by Carlye Morris
“On this trip, I’ve had sex with a 14 year-old girl in Mexico and a 15 year-old in Colombia. I’m helping them financially. If they don’t have sex with me, they may not have enough food. If someone has a problem with me doing this, let UNICEF feed them.” -Retired U.S School Teacher
When you hear the word “tourism” what do you think about?
read more: http://www.sendthefire.ca/childsextourism/#more-1198
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Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, July 20, 2009
Mega-Sermons in a Hurting World
... So in the midst of an economic system that is sucking the life out of the earth, consistently failing to lessen global disparity and reducing millions to landless servitude, the mega-sermonizers are more or less telling their flocks to just have the right attitude and make sure a preoccupation with money doesn’t short-circuit their morning devotions. In a world desperate for compassion, the people of God are largely being encouraged to focus on themselves. Christianity is removed from the context of history or the global community.
The writer of Romans says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” All of the 20 preachers would probably claim to encourage this sort of biblical non-conformity. But with their individualized and spiritualized message, their mega-Christianity turns out to be less of a counterculture than a layer of spirituality added to the existing culture – like icing of righteousness on a cake that is already too sweet. Sure Christians are encouraged to be different in terms of personal piety – what TV shows they watch, and what substances they use or abuse – but when it comes to participation in the politico-economic system that is trampling much of the world, most of these sermons offered nothing concretely countercultural, only a countercultural posture of the heart.
While these mega-churches are undoubtedly meeting certain needs, they are not, for the most part, geared toward the needs of the greater world. If you would have walked in the door of one of the 20 largest churches in Canada or the U.S. on April 13, 2008 you would have most likely walked into an other-worldly realm – something removed from the warming, starving, self-destructing world out there. And in that way it would have been kind of like walking into an amusement park.
- This article, submitted by Geez Magazine, was awarded first place by the Canadian Church Press in the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award category, 2009.
read more: www.christianity.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=6802
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Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord'
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www.sheepspeak.com
The writer of Romans says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” All of the 20 preachers would probably claim to encourage this sort of biblical non-conformity. But with their individualized and spiritualized message, their mega-Christianity turns out to be less of a counterculture than a layer of spirituality added to the existing culture – like icing of righteousness on a cake that is already too sweet. Sure Christians are encouraged to be different in terms of personal piety – what TV shows they watch, and what substances they use or abuse – but when it comes to participation in the politico-economic system that is trampling much of the world, most of these sermons offered nothing concretely countercultural, only a countercultural posture of the heart.
While these mega-churches are undoubtedly meeting certain needs, they are not, for the most part, geared toward the needs of the greater world. If you would have walked in the door of one of the 20 largest churches in Canada or the U.S. on April 13, 2008 you would have most likely walked into an other-worldly realm – something removed from the warming, starving, self-destructing world out there. And in that way it would have been kind of like walking into an amusement park.
- This article, submitted by Geez Magazine, was awarded first place by the Canadian Church Press in the A.C. Forrest Memorial Award category, 2009.
read more: www.christianity.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=6802
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Romans 6:23: 'For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Cherokee Legend (from an e-mail)
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage..
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves himalone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not removethe blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.He cannot cry out for help to anyone.
Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because eachlad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises.Wild beasts must surely be all around him .. Maybe even some humanmight do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook hisstump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would bethe only way he could become a man!
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removedhis blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stumpnext to him.. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us. When troublecomes, All we have to do is reach out to Him.
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves himalone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not removethe blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.He cannot cry out for help to anyone.
Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because eachlad must come into manhood on his own.
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises.Wild beasts must surely be all around him .. Maybe even some humanmight do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook hisstump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would bethe only way he could become a man!
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removedhis blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stumpnext to him.. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, Sitting on the stump beside us. When troublecomes, All we have to do is reach out to Him.
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Numbers 6: Habeus Corpus and Covenant
THE OFFICER MAGAZINE
JULY / AUGUST 2009, P. 7
Click the pict to read the article.
Or type in this URL: http://www.sheepspeak.com./HabeusCorpusandCovenant.pdf
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read other articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
JULY / AUGUST 2009, P. 7
Click the pict to read the article.
Or type in this URL: http://www.sheepspeak.com./HabeusCorpusandCovenant.pdf
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read other articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Friday, July 17, 2009
Romans 3 and sin
For those of us that did read a little bit of Romans this past week, you will have no doubt noticed that the first two chapters of this book really do point to the fact that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: both fall short of the glory of God, as does each of us individually no matter who we are, and as such we all deserve to die (Romans 3:9, 3:23).
I read a story by John Phillips, he tells us:
‘Paul describes sin as a coming short of the divine standard.
Two men went to the recruiting office in London to join the guards regiment. The standard height for a guardsman was a minimum of six feet. One man was taller than the other, but when they were measured officially both were disqualified. The shorter of the two measured only five feet seven inches and was far too short; his companion measured five feet eleven and a half inches and, stretch to his utmost, as he did, he could not make it any more. Nor did his pleas avail. It mattered nothing that his father was a guardsman, that he promised to be a good soldier, that he had already memorized the drills and knew the army regulations by heart. He was short of the standard.’
There was nothing he could do. Yes, he is taller than his friend (just like some people seem holier than the rest of us) but it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter that he is taller, he still isn’t tall enough and there is nothing he can do about that. There is nothing at all that he can do to grow any bigger at this stage of his life. Thus he failed to obtain his goal. Likewise, it doesn’t matter if we are Jew or Gentile, male or female, employer or employee, a missionary, a relatively good person, or what have you…for we have all sinned and thus fall short (Galatians 3:28).
read more of the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/
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read other articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
---
www.sheepspeak.com
I read a story by John Phillips, he tells us:
‘Paul describes sin as a coming short of the divine standard.
Two men went to the recruiting office in London to join the guards regiment. The standard height for a guardsman was a minimum of six feet. One man was taller than the other, but when they were measured officially both were disqualified. The shorter of the two measured only five feet seven inches and was far too short; his companion measured five feet eleven and a half inches and, stretch to his utmost, as he did, he could not make it any more. Nor did his pleas avail. It mattered nothing that his father was a guardsman, that he promised to be a good soldier, that he had already memorized the drills and knew the army regulations by heart. He was short of the standard.’
There was nothing he could do. Yes, he is taller than his friend (just like some people seem holier than the rest of us) but it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter that he is taller, he still isn’t tall enough and there is nothing he can do about that. There is nothing at all that he can do to grow any bigger at this stage of his life. Thus he failed to obtain his goal. Likewise, it doesn’t matter if we are Jew or Gentile, male or female, employer or employee, a missionary, a relatively good person, or what have you…for we have all sinned and thus fall short (Galatians 3:28).
read more of the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/
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read other articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Looking to Strengthen The Salvation Army
Written by Allison Werbowetsky
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Swift Current
Earlier this month, the Salvation Army welcomed Michael and Susan Ramsay as the new captains of the Swift Current chapter.The Ramsays brought with them their two daughters, Rebecca, 8, and Sarah-Grace, 7, as well as many years of experience embarking on missionary work across Canada, including Winnipeg, Vancouver and the small Saskatchewan town of Nipawin.
“We’re happy to be here,” Capt. Michael Ramsay said.”We understand that the Loners have done a lot of work in the community and look forward to building on that.”
read more from the Prairie Post: http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3951&Itemid=28
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Swift Current
Earlier this month, the Salvation Army welcomed Michael and Susan Ramsay as the new captains of the Swift Current chapter.The Ramsays brought with them their two daughters, Rebecca, 8, and Sarah-Grace, 7, as well as many years of experience embarking on missionary work across Canada, including Winnipeg, Vancouver and the small Saskatchewan town of Nipawin.
“We’re happy to be here,” Capt. Michael Ramsay said.”We understand that the Loners have done a lot of work in the community and look forward to building on that.”
read more from the Prairie Post: http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3951&Itemid=28
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Numbers 6: Covenant, Habeas Corpus, and Nazarites
Salvation Army Soldiers have been compared to the Nazirites of the Old Testament. The Nazirites, of course, are people bound by a covenant to the Lord. One aspect of this oath that we can readily see the parallels to our Soldiership covenant is that Nazirites and Soldiers both refrain from alcohol. A second one is that we each have a uniform of sorts so that we will be easily identified as people separated from society for the Lord. This brings us to the third aspect of the Nazirite vow which is one that I submit has some very significant applications for our Soldiership vow: this is the prohibition against contact with dead bodies.
God is more important than family
Numbers 6:7 states specifically that the Nazirite is not to come in contact with a dead body even if the deceased person is your own parent. If your mother or father passes away while you are bound to YHWH through a Nazirite vow, you may not attend the funeral ceremony. Ordinarily the Israelites have important responsibilities pertaining to the passing of one’s parents, even though it would make them ceremonially unclean (Num 5:2, 19:11; Lev 21:1-3). For the Nazirite, she is not allowed to be unclean – even for her parents (Cf. Lev 21:10-12). One must choose between one’s family responsibilities and one’s responsibilities to God (cf. Lev 21:10-12; Matt 10:35,12:22-48, 19:29; Mark 3:23-35, 10:29-30, 13:1-28; Luke 8:19-21, 14:25-26; John 19:27). This is important. God is more important than anyone else in the holy person’s life. To the covenanted Nazirite and to the covenanted Soldier, to the devoted spouse and to the fully committed Christian, God is first. What good is it to gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul? (Matt 16:26, Mark 8:36).
There are consequences for not living up to our covenants.
It is important to note too that there are consequences for not living up to our covenants – even if we transgress them by accident. As such, verses 9-12 are very important for the Nazirite and equally significant for Soldiers in The Salvation Army or anyone else taking a covenant before the LORD. If a person dies in the Nazirite’s presence, the Nazirite is STILL guilty of sin. Even though the Nazirite did not mean to break his vow, it was still broken and he needs to be restored in his covenant relationship. Numbers 9-12 (NIV):
If someone dies suddenly in his presence, thus defiling the hair he has dedicated, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. Then on the eighth day he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him because he sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day he is to consecrate his head. He must dedicate himself to the LORD for the period of his separation and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because he became defiled during his separation.
Even though one is guilty of breaking a vow, the covenant remains in place
Even though the Nazirite here is guilty of breaking her vow, the covenant remains in tact. It is even renewed: the previous days do not count; she gets a fresh start. This is important. The covenant remains until it is fulfilled. We are not released from covenants and vows simply for disobeying them. This is VERY important. The covenantal tie is not broken when we disobey God. Even when we are faithless, God is faithful (Romans 3:3,4). There are consequences for transgressing the covenant. There are natural and logical results of not living up to our vows, our promises, our covenants with or before the Lord – but we are not released from them for simple disobedience. This is one of the very important aspects of covenants that we enter into with and before the LORD. When we disobey that covenant there are consequences but He is still there for us. Until the successful completion of our covenant (if it has an expiry date) or until our death (if it does not) our covenant remains in tact, binding us to the Lord (Romans 7:1-3). Our covenants in this way are like seatbelts. When the car crashes, we don’t take off our seatbelts and say that we are never going to wear them again. No, this is when we praise the Lord for our seatbelts more than ever.
Covenants are like car insurance
Covenants are also like car insurance. It is like last spring when my daughters and I were coming home from Tisdale. We were driving that highway like we did a couple of times every week when all of a sudden we hit black ice, we swerved into on-coming traffic and then off our side of the road where the car proceeded to flip: it rolled over a time and a half. We did not see the accident coming and therefore could do nothing to prepare for it anymore than a Nazirite could prepare for someone suddenly dying in his presence. Even though the experts admitted that there was nothing we could do to avoid the accident, I guarantee you that the insurance company declared that it was our fault. This is the same with the Nazirite. YHWH Insurance, so to speak, declares that they are at fault and demands payment. In this case the payment is their hair and as far as their clean driving record was concerned, they have to start over again – but the insurance isn’t cancelled. Similarly when the Soldier runs into troubles her covenant isn’t cancelled; it remains in place to protect us.
Covenants are like seatbelts
It is the same with seatbelts. In my accident the seatbelts did not break and this too is like our covenants before the Lord. Even though the car was totalled, the seatbelts held. This is important. Like sometimes an alcoholic makes a mistake and has a drink; like a husband sometimes does not operate perfectly as a loving husband; like at times we might sin before the Lord and like there are times when our lives just come crashing down all around us; when my car rolled over, there was that moment of panic as I looked back to see if my daughters were all right. To my relief they were safe and sound – even though we were all dangling upside down after the accident – they were all right because the LORD protected them through their seatbelts that did not break. We were safe and sound and soon restored to our normal life. Likewise, for all of us when our lives come crashing down around us, we will be safe and sound as long as we rely on the strength of our holy seatbelt -our covenant with the Lord- because the Lord will not let His covenant with us break no matter what happens to the automobile of our life. So then, let us enjoy the security of this holy seatbelt and, like the ancient Nazirite, through our covenant, let us rely fully on His strength rather than our own so that we may indeed be holy as the LORD our God is holy.
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read more articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
God is more important than family
Numbers 6:7 states specifically that the Nazirite is not to come in contact with a dead body even if the deceased person is your own parent. If your mother or father passes away while you are bound to YHWH through a Nazirite vow, you may not attend the funeral ceremony. Ordinarily the Israelites have important responsibilities pertaining to the passing of one’s parents, even though it would make them ceremonially unclean (Num 5:2, 19:11; Lev 21:1-3). For the Nazirite, she is not allowed to be unclean – even for her parents (Cf. Lev 21:10-12). One must choose between one’s family responsibilities and one’s responsibilities to God (cf. Lev 21:10-12; Matt 10:35,12:22-48, 19:29; Mark 3:23-35, 10:29-30, 13:1-28; Luke 8:19-21, 14:25-26; John 19:27). This is important. God is more important than anyone else in the holy person’s life. To the covenanted Nazirite and to the covenanted Soldier, to the devoted spouse and to the fully committed Christian, God is first. What good is it to gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul? (Matt 16:26, Mark 8:36).
There are consequences for not living up to our covenants.
It is important to note too that there are consequences for not living up to our covenants – even if we transgress them by accident. As such, verses 9-12 are very important for the Nazirite and equally significant for Soldiers in The Salvation Army or anyone else taking a covenant before the LORD. If a person dies in the Nazirite’s presence, the Nazirite is STILL guilty of sin. Even though the Nazirite did not mean to break his vow, it was still broken and he needs to be restored in his covenant relationship. Numbers 9-12 (NIV):
If someone dies suddenly in his presence, thus defiling the hair he has dedicated, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. Then on the eighth day he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him because he sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day he is to consecrate his head. He must dedicate himself to the LORD for the period of his separation and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because he became defiled during his separation.
Even though one is guilty of breaking a vow, the covenant remains in place
Even though the Nazirite here is guilty of breaking her vow, the covenant remains in tact. It is even renewed: the previous days do not count; she gets a fresh start. This is important. The covenant remains until it is fulfilled. We are not released from covenants and vows simply for disobeying them. This is VERY important. The covenantal tie is not broken when we disobey God. Even when we are faithless, God is faithful (Romans 3:3,4). There are consequences for transgressing the covenant. There are natural and logical results of not living up to our vows, our promises, our covenants with or before the Lord – but we are not released from them for simple disobedience. This is one of the very important aspects of covenants that we enter into with and before the LORD. When we disobey that covenant there are consequences but He is still there for us. Until the successful completion of our covenant (if it has an expiry date) or until our death (if it does not) our covenant remains in tact, binding us to the Lord (Romans 7:1-3). Our covenants in this way are like seatbelts. When the car crashes, we don’t take off our seatbelts and say that we are never going to wear them again. No, this is when we praise the Lord for our seatbelts more than ever.
Covenants are like car insurance
Covenants are also like car insurance. It is like last spring when my daughters and I were coming home from Tisdale. We were driving that highway like we did a couple of times every week when all of a sudden we hit black ice, we swerved into on-coming traffic and then off our side of the road where the car proceeded to flip: it rolled over a time and a half. We did not see the accident coming and therefore could do nothing to prepare for it anymore than a Nazirite could prepare for someone suddenly dying in his presence. Even though the experts admitted that there was nothing we could do to avoid the accident, I guarantee you that the insurance company declared that it was our fault. This is the same with the Nazirite. YHWH Insurance, so to speak, declares that they are at fault and demands payment. In this case the payment is their hair and as far as their clean driving record was concerned, they have to start over again – but the insurance isn’t cancelled. Similarly when the Soldier runs into troubles her covenant isn’t cancelled; it remains in place to protect us.
Covenants are like seatbelts
It is the same with seatbelts. In my accident the seatbelts did not break and this too is like our covenants before the Lord. Even though the car was totalled, the seatbelts held. This is important. Like sometimes an alcoholic makes a mistake and has a drink; like a husband sometimes does not operate perfectly as a loving husband; like at times we might sin before the Lord and like there are times when our lives just come crashing down all around us; when my car rolled over, there was that moment of panic as I looked back to see if my daughters were all right. To my relief they were safe and sound – even though we were all dangling upside down after the accident – they were all right because the LORD protected them through their seatbelts that did not break. We were safe and sound and soon restored to our normal life. Likewise, for all of us when our lives come crashing down around us, we will be safe and sound as long as we rely on the strength of our holy seatbelt -our covenant with the Lord- because the Lord will not let His covenant with us break no matter what happens to the automobile of our life. So then, let us enjoy the security of this holy seatbelt and, like the ancient Nazirite, through our covenant, let us rely fully on His strength rather than our own so that we may indeed be holy as the LORD our God is holy.
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read more articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
William Tell
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The Greek word for ‘sinned’ in this passage (hamartanō) carries with it the classic definition of sin that we have probably heard before: that of ‘missing the mark’.[4] It brings to mind the idea of an archer shooting for a target and falling short – missing the target. On the surface this seems innocuous enough but if we then find out that that archer is William Tell – who is famous because he shoots apples off of people’s heads – and if we then find out that indeed the apple is about to be placed on your head, it becomes important. You don’t want him to miss the mark. William Tell, of course, tried to shoot the apples off the head of his own sons and so if he missed, the consequences could be most devastating for both father and son (as is our own sin). When we continually sin – the consequences are serious. Romans Chapter 3 tells us here that indeed, we have all sinned, we have all fallen short of this glory of God (3:23) and Romans 1 and 2 tell us that because of that we deserve to die (1:32, 2:12).
For those of us that did read a little bit of Romans this past week, you will have no doubt noticed that the first two chapters of this book really do point to the fact that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: both fall short of the glory of God, as does each of us individually no matter who we are, and as such we all deserve to die (3:9, 3:23).
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-322b-23there-is-no-difference.html
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
For those of us that did read a little bit of Romans this past week, you will have no doubt noticed that the first two chapters of this book really do point to the fact that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: both fall short of the glory of God, as does each of us individually no matter who we are, and as such we all deserve to die (3:9, 3:23).
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-322b-23there-is-no-difference.html
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, July 13, 2009
Charity donations dry up as demand surges
Last Updated: Monday, July 13, 2009 8:56 AM ET
The Canadian Press
Charities across the country are seeing a drop in cash contributions, and food banks are receiving fewer donations because of the recession.
As more people lose their jobs, fewer donations of money and second-hand items are coming in. The problem is compounded by increasing numbers of out-of-work people relying on charities.
"People who used to be donors are now using our services and coming to us for help," says Andrew Burditt, territorial director with the Salvation Army. "It seems donating to charities has become a second priority for most Canadians."
Salvation Army branches in British Columbia and Alberta are seeing an increase in the number of people using their food banks, but fewer personal belongings are being donated to thrift stores and shelters, he said.
One of the charity's main national fundraising drives — the Red Shield campaign, held every May — saw an 8.5 per cent drop in donations over 2008. Nearly $2.5 million was collected, but that was half a million dollars short of the $3 million goal. The steepest drop-off was in Alberta.
The United Way of Canada managed to break donation records in 2007 and 2008, but is worried about the future.
"Our organization anticipates a tough year ahead both in allocating resources and in meeting the increasing needs and challenges of funded agencies" says spokeswoman Emilie Potvin.
The recession has also shrunk the size of donations.
Since January, the average amount of an individual donation has dropped to $120 from $150, says Owen Charters, director of Canada Helps, an online portal for giving that directs money to 84,000 different charities.
"This is the time to give," he says. "Those who have should balance it out for those who are suffering."
Food banks feel the pinch
Food Banks Canada reported a 20 per cent increase in the number of users between January and March. Food banks were already helping 700,000 in an average month, according to the organization's figures.
"That's a significant jump and it is very concerning in a year period," says Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada's executive director.
"Food donations have been falling significantly since January."
A 7.3 per cent hike in food prices, compared with last year, is one of the main factors, she says.
In the Prairie provinces, food banks are trying to feed more people with fewer resources. "We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people turning to our food services," says Marjorie Bencz, Edmonton Food Bank's executive director.
At a local food bank in Red Deer, Alta., midway between Edmonton and Calgary, director Fred Scaife worries each day about having enough food hampers to distribute.
"We are feeding 175 per cent more adults and 65 per cent more children compared with last year," he says. "We have lineups every day now. We even have to do some building renovations to accommodate this increase."
"People just don't have jobs, they are lost. We desperately need money, food and volunteers."
from CBC.ca
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
The Canadian Press
Charities across the country are seeing a drop in cash contributions, and food banks are receiving fewer donations because of the recession.
As more people lose their jobs, fewer donations of money and second-hand items are coming in. The problem is compounded by increasing numbers of out-of-work people relying on charities.
"People who used to be donors are now using our services and coming to us for help," says Andrew Burditt, territorial director with the Salvation Army. "It seems donating to charities has become a second priority for most Canadians."
Salvation Army branches in British Columbia and Alberta are seeing an increase in the number of people using their food banks, but fewer personal belongings are being donated to thrift stores and shelters, he said.
One of the charity's main national fundraising drives — the Red Shield campaign, held every May — saw an 8.5 per cent drop in donations over 2008. Nearly $2.5 million was collected, but that was half a million dollars short of the $3 million goal. The steepest drop-off was in Alberta.
The United Way of Canada managed to break donation records in 2007 and 2008, but is worried about the future.
"Our organization anticipates a tough year ahead both in allocating resources and in meeting the increasing needs and challenges of funded agencies" says spokeswoman Emilie Potvin.
The recession has also shrunk the size of donations.
Since January, the average amount of an individual donation has dropped to $120 from $150, says Owen Charters, director of Canada Helps, an online portal for giving that directs money to 84,000 different charities.
"This is the time to give," he says. "Those who have should balance it out for those who are suffering."
Food banks feel the pinch
Food Banks Canada reported a 20 per cent increase in the number of users between January and March. Food banks were already helping 700,000 in an average month, according to the organization's figures.
"That's a significant jump and it is very concerning in a year period," says Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada's executive director.
"Food donations have been falling significantly since January."
A 7.3 per cent hike in food prices, compared with last year, is one of the main factors, she says.
In the Prairie provinces, food banks are trying to feed more people with fewer resources. "We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people turning to our food services," says Marjorie Bencz, Edmonton Food Bank's executive director.
At a local food bank in Red Deer, Alta., midway between Edmonton and Calgary, director Fred Scaife worries each day about having enough food hampers to distribute.
"We are feeding 175 per cent more adults and 65 per cent more children compared with last year," he says. "We have lineups every day now. We even have to do some building renovations to accommodate this increase."
"People just don't have jobs, they are lost. We desperately need money, food and volunteers."
from CBC.ca
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday's Sermon
Click the picture to read the sermon.
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of teh glory of God'
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Friday, July 10, 2009
From TAP (The Anglican Planet)
Vancouver Trust Case
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:34PM
In 2008, when some Anglican churches voted to seek temporary episcopal oversight under the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) because of deep theological differences with their more liberal bishops, various dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada responded by attempting to seize properties and replace elected trustees.
Click to read more ...
No new same-sex marriages
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:32PM
The Council of General Synod (CoGS) has decided not to ask General Synod 2010 to amend church laws to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples. CoGS is the official arm of the Anglican Church of Canada that meets twice a year between the triennial national synods. It recently convened May 8-10 in Mississauga.
Click to read more ...
Atheism is capturing kids
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The number of teenage atheists is rising at a much faster rate than their parents, setting up what could be a potentially serious threat to organized religion, which is already struggling to regain momentum after years of declining attendance.
Click to read more ...
Human Trafficking in Canada
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has released a report entitled "Human Trafficking: A Report on Modern Day Slavery in Canada." The 30-page document reviews recent experience with human trafficking in association with major international events and recommends action that may be taken by the Canadian, British Columbia and Vancouver governments in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.
Click to read more ...
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:34PM
In 2008, when some Anglican churches voted to seek temporary episcopal oversight under the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) because of deep theological differences with their more liberal bishops, various dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada responded by attempting to seize properties and replace elected trustees.
Click to read more ...
No new same-sex marriages
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:32PM
The Council of General Synod (CoGS) has decided not to ask General Synod 2010 to amend church laws to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples. CoGS is the official arm of the Anglican Church of Canada that meets twice a year between the triennial national synods. It recently convened May 8-10 in Mississauga.
Click to read more ...
Atheism is capturing kids
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The number of teenage atheists is rising at a much faster rate than their parents, setting up what could be a potentially serious threat to organized religion, which is already struggling to regain momentum after years of declining attendance.
Click to read more ...
Human Trafficking in Canada
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has released a report entitled "Human Trafficking: A Report on Modern Day Slavery in Canada." The 30-page document reviews recent experience with human trafficking in association with major international events and recommends action that may be taken by the Canadian, British Columbia and Vancouver governments in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.
Click to read more ...
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
The Pope on the Economy (from Sojourners)
Pope Benedict on the Global Economy
http://www.sojo.net/
by Jim Wallis
07-09-2009
As the G8 Summit begins in Italy, Pope Benedict XVI has released a new encyclical on the global economy. Despite the sometimes dense philosophical and theological language, his message is clear: The economy must be guided by the criteria of justice and the common good. It is a comprehensive document, and while I haven’t yet read the entire encyclical, from news reports and a quick skim, a number of important things stand out. Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), is rooted in a stream of papal teaching on economic justice that goes back to 1891 with the encyclical Rerum Novarum (Of New Things). It is a far-reaching look at the relationships and issues that the global economy has created, and their impact on the world’s people. From the beginning Benedict states his basic foundation, that “charity in truth is the principle around which the Church’s social doctrine turns.”
It is: a principle that takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action. I would like to consider two of these in particular, of special relevance to the commitment to development in an increasingly globalized society: justice and the common good. And, he says, those principles are both in service and involvement in the political arena. The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we love them.
Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis. This is the institutional path — we might also call it the political path — of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbour directly, outside the institutional mediation of the pólis. He deals with profit, writing that while it is useful, once it “becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty.”
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/09/pope-benedict-on-the-global-economy/
related:
Pope Benedict Gets It Right
http://www.sojo.net/
by Brian McLaren
07-10-2009
Jim Wallis has provided a helpful summary of the Pope’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). The subtitle explains the subject more clearly — “on integral human development in charity and truth” — and the timing of its release (coinciding with the G-8 summit) suggests something about its purpose: to challenge the leading economic powers (and all the faithful) to see the current economic crisis as “an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future” - a future focused on “justice and the common good.”
Of particular interest to me is his strong endorsement of the key concepts behind the sustainability and fair trade/ethical buying movements. These related movements help us see that the economy is an important sphere where we can, in a sense, cast votes with every dollar we spend, literally loving our neighbors (or not) by the way we buy (or don’t buy) groceries, clothing, corporate shares, and so on.
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/10/pope-benedict-gets-it-right/
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
---
www.sheepspeak.com/
http://www.sojo.net/
by Jim Wallis
07-09-2009
As the G8 Summit begins in Italy, Pope Benedict XVI has released a new encyclical on the global economy. Despite the sometimes dense philosophical and theological language, his message is clear: The economy must be guided by the criteria of justice and the common good. It is a comprehensive document, and while I haven’t yet read the entire encyclical, from news reports and a quick skim, a number of important things stand out. Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), is rooted in a stream of papal teaching on economic justice that goes back to 1891 with the encyclical Rerum Novarum (Of New Things). It is a far-reaching look at the relationships and issues that the global economy has created, and their impact on the world’s people. From the beginning Benedict states his basic foundation, that “charity in truth is the principle around which the Church’s social doctrine turns.”
It is: a principle that takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action. I would like to consider two of these in particular, of special relevance to the commitment to development in an increasingly globalized society: justice and the common good. And, he says, those principles are both in service and involvement in the political arena. The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we love them.
Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis. This is the institutional path — we might also call it the political path — of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbour directly, outside the institutional mediation of the pólis. He deals with profit, writing that while it is useful, once it “becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty.”
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/09/pope-benedict-on-the-global-economy/
related:
Pope Benedict Gets It Right
http://www.sojo.net/
by Brian McLaren
07-10-2009
Jim Wallis has provided a helpful summary of the Pope’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). The subtitle explains the subject more clearly — “on integral human development in charity and truth” — and the timing of its release (coinciding with the G-8 summit) suggests something about its purpose: to challenge the leading economic powers (and all the faithful) to see the current economic crisis as “an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future” - a future focused on “justice and the common good.”
Of particular interest to me is his strong endorsement of the key concepts behind the sustainability and fair trade/ethical buying movements. These related movements help us see that the economy is an important sphere where we can, in a sense, cast votes with every dollar we spend, literally loving our neighbors (or not) by the way we buy (or don’t buy) groceries, clothing, corporate shares, and so on.
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/10/pope-benedict-gets-it-right/
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com/
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
The Gospel In My Father's House
Salvation is very much about the future but it is also about the present. We were missionaries in with 614 Vancouver in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside a few years ago; Salvation is this: Can you imagine if you have a friend who is living on the street? He is very poor and suffering from various illnesses and struggles through the most painful of lives thinking that he is all-alone. Now, imagine that you know his father. Imagine that you know that his father wants your friend to come home and live with him because his father is very well off and in his father’s house there are many, many rooms (John 14:2). Imagine that you know his father’s first born – his only truly begotten. Imagine that he told you to invite him home and imagine that you don’t and your friend lives out his whole life alone and sick. Imagine that you didn’t share this information because you were afraid? Imagine that you didn’t share this information because you were ashamed? Imagine if every time you saw your friend it became harder and harder to share the good news of his father that loves him because you were too embarrassed to admit that you hadn’t told him yet? Imagine if he suffers and dies and you didn’t remind him on every possible occasion that there is another way, that he could have turned to his father and lived. If that happens, what kind of friends are we?
This is what it is like. Our Heavenly Father dearly would love to have each of His children safe and at home instead of suffering out there all alone - when you meet one of His children today, invite them to come home.
Read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com
This is what it is like. Our Heavenly Father dearly would love to have each of His children safe and at home instead of suffering out there all alone - when you meet one of His children today, invite them to come home.
Read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, July 06, 2009
an eschatalogical hurricane
Last September, After Hurricane Ike struck, I was asked to head down to Galveston Island in Texas as part of a team from Canada to help out with Emotional and Spiritual care.[7] More than 1 million people were saved from the hurricane and flood that followed as they obeyed the evacuation order but some refused to evacuated. No one needed to die but some refused the offered salvation and around 100 people were found dead as a direct result of Hurricane Ike. Bodies were still being found while I was down there. I spoke with people whose family members had refused the provided salvation from the storm and suffered the dire consequences. It was not easy - the people knew that their loved one's rejected the salvation from the storm.
Even though 100 people chose to stay behind and perished, even though we met with, spoke with and prayed with people whose family members chose to reject salvation from the hurricane. The people knew it was coming, they had a choice, and as a result thousands of others were saved.
Can you imagine if the news announcers were so ashamed of the fact the hurricane was coming that they didn’t share information that it was coming? Can you imagine if the meteorologists were so ashamed of the fact that they did not know the exact time and hour the hurricane was going to strike that they didn’t tell anybody? Can you imagine if your neighbour knew that the hurricane was coming and she evacuated but she never told you because she was ashamed because she couldn’t explain exactly what, why, where, how, and when the hurricane was coming? Can you imagine the horror as you look up to see your life being swept away – and no one ever told you how to be saved because they were ashamed?
Well, there is no need to be ashamed: an eschatological hurricane is coming and it is a lot more dangerous than Hurricane Ike. There are people in this city here today who are sleeping in their beds or watching their TVs right now who have no idea that the end is coming. There are people who are living their life away from the shelter of our Heavenly Father’s house when he wants nothing more than to have them safely at his side. There are people out there who are lost and just waiting for us to point them to salvation.
Read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Even though 100 people chose to stay behind and perished, even though we met with, spoke with and prayed with people whose family members chose to reject salvation from the hurricane. The people knew it was coming, they had a choice, and as a result thousands of others were saved.
Can you imagine if the news announcers were so ashamed of the fact the hurricane was coming that they didn’t share information that it was coming? Can you imagine if the meteorologists were so ashamed of the fact that they did not know the exact time and hour the hurricane was going to strike that they didn’t tell anybody? Can you imagine if your neighbour knew that the hurricane was coming and she evacuated but she never told you because she was ashamed because she couldn’t explain exactly what, why, where, how, and when the hurricane was coming? Can you imagine the horror as you look up to see your life being swept away – and no one ever told you how to be saved because they were ashamed?
Well, there is no need to be ashamed: an eschatological hurricane is coming and it is a lot more dangerous than Hurricane Ike. There are people in this city here today who are sleeping in their beds or watching their TVs right now who have no idea that the end is coming. There are people who are living their life away from the shelter of our Heavenly Father’s house when he wants nothing more than to have them safely at his side. There are people out there who are lost and just waiting for us to point them to salvation.
Read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Wright on Paul and the Gospel
By 'the gospel' Paul does not mean 'justification by faith' itself. He means the announcement that the crucified and risen Jesus is Lord. To believe this message, to give believing allegiance to Jesus as Messiah and Lord, is to be justified in the present by faith (whether or not one has even heard of justification by faith). Justification by faith itself is a second-order doctrine: to believe it is both to have assurance (believing that one will be vindicated on the last day [Rom. 5.1-5]) and to know that one belongs in the single family of God, called to share table-fellowship without distinction with all other believers (Gal. 2.11-21). But one is not justified by faith by believing in justification by faith (this, I think, is what Newman thought Protestants believed), but by believing in Jesus.
'Justification' is thus the declaration of God, the just judge, that someone is (a) in the right, that their sins are forgiven, and (b) a true member of the covenant family, the people belonging to Abraham. That is how the word works in Paul's writings. It doesn't describe how people get in to God's forgiven family; it declares that they are in. That may seem a small distinction, but in understanding what Paul is saying it is vital.
read more by NT Wright, the Bishop of Durham: http://www.thepaulpage.com/Shape.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com
'Justification' is thus the declaration of God, the just judge, that someone is (a) in the right, that their sins are forgiven, and (b) a true member of the covenant family, the people belonging to Abraham. That is how the word works in Paul's writings. It doesn't describe how people get in to God's forgiven family; it declares that they are in. That may seem a small distinction, but in understanding what Paul is saying it is vital.
read more by NT Wright, the Bishop of Durham: http://www.thepaulpage.com/Shape.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com
Quiz
Wednesday was Canada Day. I love Canada Day – (or Dominion Day as we used to call it) – I always have. You know what one of the things that I love is? I love the quizzes that come out around this time – I know, who loves quizzes but, hey, I used to be a teacher – let’s see how you do…
1) Who is our head of State?
2) What is our national animal?
3) What are our two national sports?
4) Who was the first PM of Canada?
5) When did Saskatchewan join confederation?
6) Upon what passage of scripture was Canada founded?
answers: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com
1) Who is our head of State?
2) What is our national animal?
3) What are our two national sports?
4) Who was the first PM of Canada?
5) When did Saskatchewan join confederation?
6) Upon what passage of scripture was Canada founded?
answers: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Romans 1:16: I am not ashamed...
Click the pict to read the sermon.
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more sermons: http://www.sheepspeak.com/sermons.htmhome: www.sheepspeak.com
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Rant, food for thought
You have heard it said that we must first make good friendships with people before we have the right to speak to them about God.
If we stop and think about that for a moment a few red flags should be raised. If God is real and if you know God and if you like God and if you spend anytime with God yourself, you are naturally going to mention God early on and often.
Can you imagine if you waited until you first made sure you had a good solid friendship with someone before you let them know that you had a wife and kids? Can you imagine having someone come up to you and saying, 'I've known you all these years and I didn't know you were married...' - that is absurd.
If you are in a significant relationship with someone, you will most certainly mention them to others often and you would never avoid introducing them to someone you care about - so why do some self-proclaimed Christians treat God this way?
It doesn't make any sense...
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www.sheepspeak.com
If we stop and think about that for a moment a few red flags should be raised. If God is real and if you know God and if you like God and if you spend anytime with God yourself, you are naturally going to mention God early on and often.
Can you imagine if you waited until you first made sure you had a good solid friendship with someone before you let them know that you had a wife and kids? Can you imagine having someone come up to you and saying, 'I've known you all these years and I didn't know you were married...' - that is absurd.
If you are in a significant relationship with someone, you will most certainly mention them to others often and you would never avoid introducing them to someone you care about - so why do some self-proclaimed Christians treat God this way?
It doesn't make any sense...
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www.sheepspeak.com
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Have a Holy Founders' Day
From Armybarmy.com:
July 2, 2009.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
How's your soul?
----
Holy Founders Day! What a great celebration day for all salvos everywhere. We look back with wonder at God's spectacular creativity in starting The Salvation Army. We look back with gratitude to Him for Catherine and William Booth and their cadre of revolutionists (Railton, Cadman, Dean, Tucker, Pearson, Dowdle, Brengle, et al). We look back with joy at the millions saved through the faithful war-fighing of those who have gone before. We look ahead with eyes of faith to see greater things in store for an Army that prostrates itself at the feet of Jesus. We look ahead with humility to imagine what God can do with a bunch of people dead to sin. We look ahead with growing hearts that will be able to compassion a whole world as we press in to Him and press on to the war. Hallelujah. God, help us.
July 2, 2009.
Greetings in Jesus' name, friends.
He is risen!
How's your soul?
----
Holy Founders Day! What a great celebration day for all salvos everywhere. We look back with wonder at God's spectacular creativity in starting The Salvation Army. We look back with gratitude to Him for Catherine and William Booth and their cadre of revolutionists (Railton, Cadman, Dean, Tucker, Pearson, Dowdle, Brengle, et al). We look back with joy at the millions saved through the faithful war-fighing of those who have gone before. We look ahead with eyes of faith to see greater things in store for an Army that prostrates itself at the feet of Jesus. We look ahead with humility to imagine what God can do with a bunch of people dead to sin. We look ahead with growing hearts that will be able to compassion a whole world as we press in to Him and press on to the war. Hallelujah. God, help us.
Praise the Lord for Canada Day!
...another reason that I love it is that Canada Day it is a great chance to reflect upon the theological roots on which Canada was founded. Canada Day provides an opportunity to look at how the Lord formed and intended our nation.
Canada, unlike many countries who came into their own around the same time as us, was not born out of the atheist revolutions of the 1700s. If anything our forefathers went exactly the other way and decided to take a stand in FOR God, FOR King, and FOR country. So, instead of focusing on individualistic liberty and the selfish pursuits of personal happiness at the expense of others, the Canadian fathers of confederation focused on peace (Jesus is the Prince of Peace), order (God is a God of order not disorder), and good government (cf. Isa. 9:5-7, Ps. 72).
Canada’s motto, “A Mari usque ad Mare” is Latin for “from sea to sea.” It comes from Psalm 72. Where, in verse 8, it declares, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea.” That is a key underpinning of our society and of our founding identity, the idea that God himself, through the Canadian government, shall have dominion from sea to sea.
This is neat. It is not some accident or coincident. It is intentional. Our country is intentionally founded on the Word of God. And another interesting thing - Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, the father of Confederation that proposed the name for our country and its name, as the Dominion of Canada, be based on this Scripture would have made a great Salvationist.
He wasn’t one but he would have made a good one. Tilley was a Sunday-school teacher and lifelong temperance advocate; he was one of the so-called "Smashers", who tried to introduce prohibition to New Brunswick in the 1850s.
Now, a reason that I mention this and one key reason that all this is important for us today is that Psalm 72 is part of our foundation and one’s foundation is very important (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49). This is true both individually and as a country. Being that it is Canada Day today, I thought that it would be a great time to look at the foundation that this country was built upon.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/psalm-72-credit-card-of-justice-and.html
---
www.sheepseak.com
Canada, unlike many countries who came into their own around the same time as us, was not born out of the atheist revolutions of the 1700s. If anything our forefathers went exactly the other way and decided to take a stand in FOR God, FOR King, and FOR country. So, instead of focusing on individualistic liberty and the selfish pursuits of personal happiness at the expense of others, the Canadian fathers of confederation focused on peace (Jesus is the Prince of Peace), order (God is a God of order not disorder), and good government (cf. Isa. 9:5-7, Ps. 72).
Canada’s motto, “A Mari usque ad Mare” is Latin for “from sea to sea.” It comes from Psalm 72. Where, in verse 8, it declares, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea.” That is a key underpinning of our society and of our founding identity, the idea that God himself, through the Canadian government, shall have dominion from sea to sea.
This is neat. It is not some accident or coincident. It is intentional. Our country is intentionally founded on the Word of God. And another interesting thing - Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, the father of Confederation that proposed the name for our country and its name, as the Dominion of Canada, be based on this Scripture would have made a great Salvationist.
He wasn’t one but he would have made a good one. Tilley was a Sunday-school teacher and lifelong temperance advocate; he was one of the so-called "Smashers", who tried to introduce prohibition to New Brunswick in the 1850s.
Now, a reason that I mention this and one key reason that all this is important for us today is that Psalm 72 is part of our foundation and one’s foundation is very important (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49). This is true both individually and as a country. Being that it is Canada Day today, I thought that it would be a great time to look at the foundation that this country was built upon.
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/psalm-72-credit-card-of-justice-and.html
---
www.sheepseak.com
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