The fact is, says Jesus, that anxiety reflects a lack of trust in God, a lack of interest in the kingdom, and is not productive.

Jesus tells a number of parables about relying on God and striving for the Kingdom that are included in the twelfth chapter of Luke. The first one (12:13-21) is in response to a demand from someone in the crowd, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me (v.13).” Jesus replies, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (v.15)” and then he tells the crowd a parable about a rich fool. This parable is one that I have always found interesting. The man in the story seems to be planning for his retirement. He plans to store up his savings of grain and goods and ‘relax, eat, drink, be merry’ for many years to come. “But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be (v.20)?”

Is this story saying that we should not save for the future? It is certainly saying that we cannot put our faith in our possessions or our wealth. It is only when we are rich toward God that we are safe. Jesus explains this parable further to his disciples. He tells them “therefore…do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing (vv.22-23).” He repeats the command not to worry or be afraid 5 times in verses 22-40. God will provide just as God provides for the birds and the lilies; therefore, we should not concern ourselves with that. As Jesus is recoded as teaching (12:31-34) to his disciples:

For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The ethical statement of this parable then seems to be that we should not be storing up our wealth for an unknown future here. We should not be concerned about how much money we will have to retire or even whether or not we can retire. “The fact is, says Jesus, that anxiety reflects a lack of trust in God, a lack of interest in the kingdom, [and] is not productive.”[5] We should not be concerned with the things of this present age like what we are to eat, drink, and wear. The Lord knows what we need and, like the father when his child asks for an egg (Luke 11:13), He will provide what is needed (12:31). Rather than be concerned about financial matters, we would be better to strive for the Kingdom of God and do the will of the Father.

Jesus no sooner concludes his explanation of the parable of the rich fool than he launches into another parable, this one about a watchful slave (12:35-40). It is telling his disciples to “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour (v.40).”

When Jesus is questioned further about this by Peter who asks, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone (v.41),” he responds with an elaboration upon or a continuation of the previous parable (v.42-47). Jesus states that “blessed is the slave that the master will find at work when he arrives (v.45).” This is an encouragement and a warning that we should maintain a good solid work ethic for our master and His Kingdom. We should not indulge ourselves at the expense of others thinking that he will not return soon for “the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful (v.46).”

There are a couple of interesting ideas that are raised at this point in the parable. If we do not continue working faithfully for God and if we abuse our fellow workers we will be cut to pieces like the unfaithful - those who are not his servants. It is also interesting that the punishment is not reserved only for those who actively abuse others. There is a ‘severe beating’ awaiting those who know what the master wants and yet do not to do it. Ignorance of the master’s will does not spare one a beating if their actions merit it. Although “answerability is proportional to awareness,”[6] ignorance is not an excuse: the guilty, however ignorant they may be, are still responsible for their actions.

Jesus further states that “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded (12:48).” This parable is significant for those of us in the Church. We cannot ignore the will of the Father. We have been given knowledge and - in contemporary western nations - much more than that. If we spend our time indulging ourselves and abusing others, we will be cut to pieces. If we even relax our efforts for the Kingdom, a beating is awaiting us. I find it interesting also that this parable does seem (based on the related words[7] and the statements in 12:22 and 41) to be built upon the foundation laid in the parable of the rich fool. In that case, if we do store up our wealth in banks, investments, and possessions (v.21) on earth instead of selling our belongings and giving alms (v.33), then we are worrying about ourselves rather than getting ready and working for the Kingdom and that would be a mistake because we need instead to be the ‘faithful and prudent manager’ (v.42) who is found ready (v.40) and working (v.43) when his master returns.

Food for Prayer: 'Emancipation day' for sex-trade workers

By Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
(Hat Tip: Susan)

TORONTO - A court decision striking down key provisions of Canada's prostitution law is being hailed as an emancipation for sex-trade workers.

The Ontario Superior Court ruled today the laws are unconstitutional because they're contributing to the danger faced by sex-trade workers.

The judge found that laws against keeping a common bawdy house, communicating for the purposes of prostitution and living on the avails of the trade "are not in accord with the principles of fundamental justice."

The lawyer for the sex-trade workers says the judgment, however, is subject to a 30-day stay during which the law remains in place, adding the federal government can seek an extension of that stay period.

Dominatrix Terri-Jean Bedford says it's like emancipation day for sex-trade workers.

Bedford, one of the women behind the challenge, says the ball is now in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's court.

In her ruling, Justice Susan Himel said it now falls to Parliament to "fashion corrective action."

"It is my view that in the meantime these unconstitutional provisions should be of no force and effect, particularly given the seriousness of the charter violations," Himel wrote.

"However, I also recognize that a consequence of this decision may be that unlicensed brothels may be operated, and in a way that may not be in the public interest."

While the ruling strikes down those key Criminal Code offences — which deal with adult prostitution — it does not affect provisions dealing with people under 18.

Prostitution was not illegal in Canada, but the Ontario Superior Court struck down three provisions that criminalized most aspects of prostitution.

"These laws, individually and together, force prostitutes to choose between their liberty interest and their right to security of the person as protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms," Himel wrote her in decision.

The challenge was brought Bedford and two other sex-trade workers who said the provisions forced them from the safety of their homes to face violence on the streets.

The federal government had argued that prostitution is inherently dangerous, no matter where it is practised.

The government also warned that Canada could become a sex tourism destination if prostitution-related activities are decriminalized.

The Christian Legal Fellowship, which was granted intervenor status, argued the provisions reflect society's views that prostitution "offends the conscience of ordinary Canadians."

Bedford's "Bondage Bungalow" north of Toronto was raided by police in 1994 and she was convicted of keeping a common bawdy house in 1998.

related: Prostitution laws struck down by Ont. court: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/09/28/prostitution-law028.html

Celebrity: the new religion?

Food for prayer from sympatico.ca

Michael Jackson was a Christ figure. Princess Diana was a saint. And Lady Madonna? Just look at her name, for the love of Lindsay Lohan!

Hands up if you read People magazine more frequently than verses from The Bible.

You're not alone.

UK sociology professor Chris Rojek argues that celebrity worship has practically replaced religious worship in some societies.

"We too readily dismiss the whole business as simply trivia. It actually is something that goes very deep into our culture," he told Stuff.co.nz.

"The collapse of organised religion, the absence of having saints or a God to look up to, for many people in western societies is being filled by celebrity culture - they are the new saints," he said.

Michael Jackson, for instance, was worshipped from childhood. Through his music and his actions, he tirelessly spread messages of love, peace, understanding and brotherhood. He was punished for crimes he may not have committed. Suffered because we made him suffer. And, after his death, he achieved a state of immortality. Sound familiar?

read more: http://www.stardish.ca/2010/09/who-needs-religion-when-we-have-the-cult-of-celebrity.html

Employee Evaluation: What about the slaves?

Presented to the Swift Current Corps, 19 September 2010
By Captain Michael Ramsay

I remember this story that someone told me once. I don’t remember who told it to me so I can’t give him credit but there was an inner-city teacher in the United States somewhere. Now, I have done some inner-city teaching in BC and that is tough enough: There are many latchkey kids and many broken homes that can contribute to some challenges. I remember in one class of mine, there was even a grade three student who was extorting money from older kids, which was problem enough, but when you add in some of the inter-racial problems in the U.S. and the seemingly insurmountable economic inequality there it can get even worse, I understand. This inner-city teacher in the U.S. was having more than a little bit of a problem with his elementary school class. The kids were loud, disrespectful, acting out and a lot of them were already in gangs. They were dangerous. There was one little boy Johnny who was causing a lot of the problems (his brother was the leader of one of the gangs) when one day the teacher got called out of the classroom for an emergency. There was no one to cover his often out-of-control class and he didn’t know what to do. It was an emergency; he had to leave the classroom. In an act of desperation or of faith, the teacher turned to Johnny – who was often the instigator of the problems – and said, “Johnny, I am putting you in charge; you are responsible to make sure that the class is quiet; I am trusting you.” The teacher leaves the room. He is gone for quite a while. When he starts down the hallway back to his class – he hears nothing. It is quiet. He walks up to the door of his classroom: nothing, it is quiet. He opens the door and sees everyone sitting at their desks not making a single noise and wondering how this could be; he spies Johnny quietly sitting cross-legged on the teacher’s desk…pointing a loaded gun at the class. ‘They didn’t make a noise, sir, not a noise.’ (I never tried that classroom management technique!)

Our story today is about an authority figure who goes away and what happens when he returns.[1] Jesus tells a parable about a noble who goes away, his faithful slaves and wicked citizens (Luke 19:11-27).[2]

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/09/luke-1911-27-time-talent-and-treasure.html

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If you more concerned about relieving temporal distress than you are about feeding famished souls, you know where your Charity comes from...hell

“Friends, are you more concerned about relieving temporal distress than you are about feeding famished souls? If you are, you may know where you Charity comes from – hell” (Catherine Booth, Papers on Godliness, 1882, 27-28). “All other objects and aims of life [are] subservient to the one grand purpose of preaching the Gospel to every creature and striving to win every soul with whom they come in contact to its salvation” (Catherine Booth, The Salvation Army in Relation to the Churches, 31-32).

Herod the Great, FYI

Political Career

In 47 B.C., when Caesar momentarily settled Palestinian affairs, he seems to have entrusted Antipater with the effective civil government. Antipater named his eldest son, Phasael, governor of Jerusalem and his second son, Herod, governor of Galilee. Herod won favor with the Romans by his success in dealing with local guerrilla bands, but he executed a guerrilla leader out of hand, and opponents of the upstart Idumean family got the matter brought before the Sanhedrin. Herod was accused of murder. He did not quite dare ignore the summons of the Sanhedrin, but he did appear in Jerusalem with a large armed bodyguard, and the matter was dropped. He seems, however, to have lost his position in Galilee.

In 46 B.C. Herod was appointed governor of Coele-Syria and Samaria by Caesar's representative, but with the death of Caesar and the arrival of Cassius in Syria, Herod was quick to line up with the republicans. He won Cassius's favor by raising the 700 talents' tribute which Cassius exacted. He also married Mariamne, a Hasmonean princess and granddaughter of the high priest Hyrcanus II.

A Parthian invasion in 40 B.C. brought another change: Antigonus, a rival Hasmonean, became king of Judea, and Herod had to flee. He left his family in the fortress of Masada and went via Egypt to Rome. There both Antony and Octavian, the future Augustus, accepted him as a useful counter against the Parthians, and the Senate named him king of Judea.

Herod as King

The Jews of course did not recognize Rome's right to choose their king for them, and Herod, with Roman help, had to conquer his kingdom. Not until July 37 B.C. did he get Jerusalem. Antigonus and his chief followers were put to death, but on the whole Jerusalem was spared. Herod turned to the problem of the high priesthood; he himself had not the blood to claim the office, and he needed a priest who could not rival him in dignity. But the Hasmoneans, even those connected with Herod by marriage, would not forego their claims. By the end of this struggle, which raged for most of the reign, the priesthood had become only a temporary office held at the King's pleasure.

Herod's other chief difficulty during the first part of his reign stemmed from Cleopatra's desire to restore the lost empire of the Ptolemies. She did gain some territories, including the Jericho district, from Herod, but the coolness between them ultimately helped Herod as it kept him from being too close to Antony's party. When Antony fell, Herod found it relatively easy to shift his loyalty to Octavian. He, on his part, saw no reason to prefer some different puppet to Herod, who was eager to please, not fanatically Jewish, and already in possession. Octavian not merely confirmed Herod but restored Jericho and gave him other, particularly non-Jewish, territories.

The reason first Antony and then Augustus supported Herod for so long was that he pursued a policy they thoroughly favored, that of bringing Judea out of its isolation and religious exclusiveness and of putting it into the mainstream of Greco-Roman civilization. Herod consciously undertook to Hellenize every aspect of life in his kingdom. Officials were given the titles and functions of royal ministers elsewhere, and non-Jews were given many of the highest posts; the army was reconstructed and made into a mainly mercenary and non-Jewish force; theaters and circuses were built; and several of Herod's sons were sent to Rome for their training.

Herod also brought his kingdom considerable prosperity. He stabilized the coinage and maintained taxation at a bearable level. He encouraged trade and built the splendid port city of Caesarea. Indeed, he was a tremendous builder generally, and this too provided jobs. Much of his building naturally had a military purpose - fortresses like Masada were built or enlarged, military colonies were planted on the frontiers, and even many of Herod's numerous palaces were partly fortresses. His building in the cities had the further purpose of increasing Hellenization, for many of his cities, like Caesarea and Samaria (rebuilt and renamed Sebaste), were intentionally Hellenistic rather than Jewish, even to having a predominantly non-Jewish population.

During nearly his whole reign Herod faced trouble within his own family, stemming partly from the Hasmoneans' regal scorn for the Idumaean upstart, partly from Herod's Hellenizing policies, and partly from his paranoid tendency, when his suspicions were aroused, to turn and rend those he loved best. As early as 29 B.C. he had killed his wife, Mariamne, from jealousy. As the years went by, the whole matter was further complicated by the question of the succession, for like many people with a strong will to power, Herod showed little ability at facing the idea of losing it, even to death.

In the years of intricate scheming and counterscheming between Herod and his heirs, three of Herod's sons were put to death, and his brother "escaped death only by dying." And when Herod finally did die in 4 B.C., he left a disputed succession with two further sons both having some claim to the throne. Augustus finally resolved the matter by splitting the inheritance between these two sons and still a third one, and not allowing the title of king to any of them.

Herod's Accomplishment

In an age when even the existence of the smaller states depended not on their own strength but on the will of Rome, Herod kept Judea safe, secure, and prosperous. And yet, throughout his career Herod suffered from being caught somewhere between Jew and Gentile. He loved Greek culture and showered money on the cities of the Greek East, but he began the rebuilding of the Temple and acted as protector and spokesman for various Jewish communities scattered about the world. He sought the favor of Rome and was ostentatious in his loyalty to it, yet he wished to strengthen the position of the Jewish state. In the final analysis, he failed to judge the temper of his people, and, though the great crisis did not come until the reign of Nero, his attempt to make the Jewish kingdom another civil state of the customary Mediterranean type was already a failure at his death.

Further Reading

The chief source of information on Herod is the two works by the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, The Jewish War and The Antiquities of the Jews. Among the modern works see W. O. E. Oesterley, A History of Israel, vol. 2 (1932); Stewart Perowne, The Life and Times of Herod the Great (1959); and Samuel Sandmel, Herod: Profile of a Tyrant (1967), which is interesting but perhaps too psychological in its interpretation.

read more from answers.com: http://www.answers.com/topic/herod-the-great

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Three soldiers and a baby

Baby Dedication @ The Salvation Army Swift Current Corps!


Soldier enrollment @ The Salvation Army Swift Current Corps!


Congrats to our new soldiers: John, Dennis, and Ray!
-Ray is not in photo

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US Military Burns Bibles...

I just stumbled across this article today - some food for prayer:

"(CNN) -- US Military personnel threw away, and ultimately burned, confiscated Bibles that were printed in the two most common Afghan languages amid concern they would be used to try to convert Afghans, a Defense Department spokesman said Tuesday."

read more:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/20/us.military.bibles.burned/index.html

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the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you

What then is the meaning of the parable of the wicked tenants? In all three Gospel accounts Jesus explains the meaning of this parable with reference to the cornerstone or capstone: “Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people [ethnos] that produce the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls (Matthew 21:42-44; cf. Mark 10-12, Luke 20:17-18).”

Some have argued that this passage refers to Israel itself being replaced, however, the evidence rather “indicates that the parable concerns the leadership of Israel. Matthew contends that the tenant farmers, not the vineyard, must be replaced. In this light it seems unwise to take ethnos in 21:43…as a reference to the Gentile Church…it should be understood in its most basic sense as ‘a group of people,’ in this case the leaders of the Jewish Christian community.”[10]

Jesus then, in all three of these parables, is telling the religious leaders that “the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him (Matt. 21:31-32).” And this theme was not lost on the religious leaders for “…when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet Matt 21:45-46).”

Sadly, “the pericope ends with magnificent yet tragic irony (v. 46). The religious leaders are told they will reject Jesus and be crushed. But instead of taking the warning, they hunt for ways to arrest him…and so trigger the very situation they have been warned about—a dramatic example of God's poetic justice. God in the Scriptures foretells this very event; and these men, prompted by hatred, rush to bring it to pass.” [11]

read more: http://www.sheepspeak.com./NT_Michael_Ramsay.htm

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What about the slaves though?

Luke 19:11-26

The Kingdom of God is invading the present. People, not fully understanding this, assumed that it would be fully realised in the immediate future. To address this Jesus told a parable about faithful slaves and wicked citizens (Luke 19:11-26). A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power. He gave responsibility for some of his money to his slaves and the ordered them to “Do business with these until I come back (v.13).” When he returned in his full authority (cf. v.12), he sought to find out how much they had gained through trading. One had a ten-fold increase and was rewarded with the rule of 10 cities; another with a five-fold increase was awarded 5 cities to rule; a third failed to invest the money. He instead laid the accusation before the noble that “you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow (v.21).” The noble takes the money from the man and gives it to the one who was blessed with the 10-fold increase.

This scenario is weaved together with another about the citizens of the noble’s country: they hated him. They told him after he left that they did not want him to rule over them. They openly rebelled. When he returned he demanded, “These enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence (27).” The ethical implications of this second scenario are easy to understand: if we rebel against the Son of Man, when he returns in his full authority, we will suffer the appropriate consequences.

What about the slaves though? The slaves are in the direct employ of the master. They are charged with taking care of a portion of the nobleman’s wealth. They do not rebel like the citizens. The third slave in the story is different from the citizens in that he is employed by the noble. However, he still does not receive his reward; he forfeits it. As the citizens are those who reject Jesus as king, I submit that the slave represents those who claim him as king but fail to carry out their responsibilities. When Jesus returns it is not enough to claim to be his slave, we must actively use what he has given us to work for him or we risk forfeiting our reward.

read more: http://sheepspeak.com/NT_Michael_Ramsay.htm#Ethics%20of%20Jesus%20in%20Luke’s%20Gospel

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Answers to Quiz (see previous post for quiz):

1) The Lone Ranger, 2) Dorothy, 3) Nixon, 4) Trudeau, 5) William Booth, 6) Superman, 7) Popeye, 8) Jesus.


These are all famous quotes from people and in some ways the quotes have even served to summarize the impact the individual had on history. Nixon is famous for his speeches around the time of his resignation. Another little quiz for you: only two American presidents have ever been impeached, can you name them? (Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton; Nixon resigned he was never impeached)[2]

As far as the quotes are concerned, Nixon is remembered for Watergate. Trudeau is known for – well, the good thing that Trudeau is known for (I realise that on the prairies here he is remembered unfavourably for a lot of things) - is that he really gained Canada greater independence from both the British and the American Empires than we have ever experienced either before or since. William Booth’s ‘I’ll Fight’ quote still echoes down through the generations as The Salvation Army champions its Wesleyan version of the social gospel. As John Wesley said, ‘there is no holiness but social holiness’[3] And Jesus’ quote that we are looking at today – “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me (and for the gospel) will save it” – is a very important one. Did you realize that no other saying of Jesus is given this much as this emphasis in all of scripture (Matthew 10:38-39, 16:24-24; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 9:24, 14:26-27, 17:33; John 12:25)?[4] Each of the Jesus’ biographers, in their gospel accounts, record Jesus as uttering this quote at least once. Matthew and Luke each record it multiple times in different contexts where Jesus says the same thing: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me (and for the gospel) will save it.” This is thus a very important saying for us to understand.

Today, we read the quote in the context of Mark 8:34-38, which is very much the same context as Luke 9:23- 9:27 and Matthew 16:21-28: 34:

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2010/09/mark-834-91-luke-923-927-matthew-1621.html

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Quiz:

Let’s see which side can name the speaker of each of the following quotes:

1) “Hi Ho Silver, Away…”

2) “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto”

3) “I am not a crook”

4) “Living next to you [the Americans] is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.”

5) “While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight, I'll fight to the very end!”

6) “Up, up, and away!”

7) “I’m strong to the finish ‘cause I eat my spinach; I’m _________ the sailor man.”

8) “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but for whoever loses his life for me (and for the gospel) will save it.”

Come Sunday and find out the answer to this quiz and more...

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Acts 15:1-19: The Chihuahua Barks Again

I have a friend of mine, Cory, back on the Island where I used to live, who is a hunter. Every once and a while, he would get a deer or a moose and would give us some great venison sausages or steaks or something – it was nice.

Well, one day Cory meets me for coffee and he is really excited; he tells me that he has won the goat lottery.

Great …you won a goat?’ I ask.

‘No.’ He then explains what he means to me. You see there are only so many mountain goats so hunters buy raffle tickets and the winners are allowed to hunt for goats and this year Cory won so he invites me to go with him.

Now back then Cory and I were both a little bit out of shape and the thing about mountain goats is that mountain goats tend to like to live at the top of… mountains; so away we go up to the top of the mountain and we are really starting to feel it. It is tough work. It is a bit of a hike. We are tired.

We are exhausted actually but I tell you that the view from the summit is just beautiful. One of the most beautiful things in the world. It is our reward for struggling and making it all the way to the top. You can see all the summits and valleys around, and the untouched land. You can see the majesty of God reflected in His creation. As we are sitting there absolutely exhausted from our hike and enjoying the beauty of the scene, Cory turns to me and says, “You know, Mike, we are probably among the first people to ever climb this mountain.” And at that moment bounding in front of us comes …a Chihuahua – a Chihuahua, and a five year-old, and a four year-old, and a 3 year-old… who, by the way, didn’t seem to be near as tired as we were from climbing the mountain. Next came the parents and a parade of tourist - So much for being the first ever people at the top of the mountain.

Now Cory is feeling a little embarrassed for saying that we were the first to ever reach this spot and then at that exact moment having the Chihuahua appear. So we quietly pick up our stuff and walk a few steps away from the crowd and I, in my most comforting voice, say, ‘Cory, you know, I bet we’re the first people to ever step here, on this spot.’ I laugh – and then I duck as Cory’s mood from switches quickly from awe and wonder to wanting to throttle me. And that is not entirely unlike our text today. If you’ll turn with me to Acts 15.

You see just like with Cory and I viewing God’s untouched creation and Calvin seeing the first Robin of Spring, the church here is excited to see God’s wonder as the gospel is spreading among Jews and Gentiles alike - but now comes our Chihuahua (Acts 15:1) in the form of some men from Judea and, it says in verse 2, that there is no small dissention and debate.

This then is a pivotal moment in a pivotal chapter in the book of Acts...

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/09/acts-151-19-chihuahua-barks-again.html

Acts 2: Scene 1

Acts is a neat book. Did you know that It is the only history in the NT? Luke and Acts also were written by the same author and these books actually come together as sort of a two volume set that many scholars like to call ‘Luke-Acts.’ Together this set comprises more than 30% of the NT. Luke-Acts is thus important for us to understand.

Acts always reminds me of a play. Maybe it’s the name (Act 1, scene 2). But particularly in the first part, Acts reminds me of a Shakespearian play. Anyone remember studying Shakespeare in school?

All right, here’s another quiz for you. Who can name the play these quotes are from: ‘Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your ears;’ “to be or not to be, that is the question” – here’s an easy one - “Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo”?

Shakespeare wrote very dramatic plays and some of the tragedies are pretty tragic like Hamlet. Remember, his ‘to be or not to be’ speech where, of course, he is either pretending to be insane (or actually goes insane) while trying catch his father’s killer who happens to be his uncle and is also married to his mother. (Sounds like a soap opera actually) And in the end - everybody dies…

Or on a happier note, there is Romeo and Juliet. Young love. But their parents object so they sneak around for a while and then eventually (pause) kill themselves…okay so not a lot of happy endings…but they are very dramatic and neat stories nonetheless.

Shakespeare was a master playwright. And Acts reminds me of Shakespeare’s work. (Only its better) God uses Luke to communicate the VERY dramatic REAL events that happen here and Luke attributes to Peter some amazing speeches that could cause the post-modern reader to recall Mark Anthony, Lady MacBeth, or Hamlet.

And he uses the scenes and speeches that we will look at today and in the weeks to come to tell the readers how God’s Spirit comes at Pentecost and releases the disciples to proclaim the gospel of Jesus’ death resurrection and the forgiveness of sins.

As the curtains open on Acts 1’s scene one...

read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/08/acts-2-act-ii-scene-1.html