Why do you have to go to church to worship God? I have found that I gain insight from the sermons, I feel a sense of community when I worship with others. I also really, really feel like Jesus gave ME the bread the body of Christ when I take communion.
This Sunday I went to the six o'clock service because I just couldn't get myself out of bed. It's a nice option that the church offers. The message of the service came from the Gospel John 12:20 "Whoever serves me, the Father will honor", Jesus said.
Andrew Mullins gave me some really valuable insight into the passage.
The sermon was about receiving a calling from God. It's something I've been really thinking about a lot lately. The idea of me going to Seminary school makes my heart sing. The idea of not going to Seminary makes me feel cold, like I'd be missing out on something in my life. In fact the more I think about not going the more I realize that I may be experiencing a calling to go.
Andrew said it best when he said that it's not for us to judge our success, that's God job. It's our job to do faithfully everything we choose to do. I think I've been really hung up in the idea of whether of not people perceive me as successful or if I perceive myself as such. A burden was lifted when Andrew shared those wise words. What the hell am I doing wasting my energy seeking success when it isn't even any of my business?
Could I do things faithfully? I believe I can. Going to church helps me reaffirm that. It's in the doing and going that my faith is strengthened not just in believing. I would have never come to that conclusion on my own I needed that sermon. Now I'll simply.wait till I get the information from the General Seminary school...then I'll sit still and listen for God's word.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Abraham 15 The Covenant
After watching his favorite for a while God talks to Abraham again and promises him that his offspring will be numerous. God also demands, very specifically that Abraham sacrifice, "a three-year-old cow, a three year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram a turtledove ( age not important) and a young pigeon.
Abraham makes the sacrifice and then God hits him with the flip side of the covenant. 'Your offspring with be strangers in a land that does not belong to them; they will be enslaved and oppressed 400 years."
God is not going to make this easy for Abraham's descendant and he make that very clear.
I have learned that it can take time for God to come around. Believing does not simply give you a free pass.
I remember thinking that after God found me things would suddenly and miraculously turn around and everything would be perfect....NOT.... I've had to work hard, keep consistent in my faith and incorporate my beliefs in the air I breath- every day to finally get to a point that God's promises seem within reach. Belief is not a miracle it's a covenant and in my case it took time.
What promises to you feel God has made to you?
What promises have you made to God?
How are ya'll doing?
Abraham makes the sacrifice and then God hits him with the flip side of the covenant. 'Your offspring with be strangers in a land that does not belong to them; they will be enslaved and oppressed 400 years."
God is not going to make this easy for Abraham's descendant and he make that very clear.
I have learned that it can take time for God to come around. Believing does not simply give you a free pass.
I remember thinking that after God found me things would suddenly and miraculously turn around and everything would be perfect....NOT.... I've had to work hard, keep consistent in my faith and incorporate my beliefs in the air I breath- every day to finally get to a point that God's promises seem within reach. Belief is not a miracle it's a covenant and in my case it took time.
What promises to you feel God has made to you?
What promises have you made to God?
How are ya'll doing?
Abraham Genesis 13-14
In this section Abraham and his nephew Lot decide to divide up the land. It's one of the fist times we see the idea of land ownership evolving. Lot however is captured in a battle by for kings with very difficult names like Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goilim , Amarapher king of Shinar and Ariock king of Elarar. ( Say that three times fast!)
Abraham finds out and negotiates his nephews release. Again this shows Abraham a shrewd and successful negotiator. Like the Pharaoh situation with his wife Abraham comes out smelling like a rose.
Abraham finds out and negotiates his nephews release. Again this shows Abraham a shrewd and successful negotiator. Like the Pharaoh situation with his wife Abraham comes out smelling like a rose.
Ok so we're dealing with Abraham
I think the best way to go through the section on Abraham is to attack it chapter by chapter. Genesis 12 introduces the childless characters of Abraham and Sarai. Abraham and God are on a first name bases and he is God's favored human. In fact God promises to bless all the people of the world through him. Abraham and his descendants become the chosen people.
Due to a famine Abraham decides to go to Egypt. But, before entering the city he decides that his' wife's beauty may be a problem so he tells her to call him brother and she in taken to be one of the Pharaohs concubines. His actions here are not particularly noble and it seems Abraham is a bit crafty.
Who does God punish? God punishes the Pharaoh for sleeping with Abraham's wife! When the Pharaoh find out he's pissed and confused. He confronts Abraham, who offers no explanation, so the Pharaoh kicks him and Sarai out of Egypt but not before giving them tons of livestock, silver and gold.
Sarai must know some great moves!
Due to a famine Abraham decides to go to Egypt. But, before entering the city he decides that his' wife's beauty may be a problem so he tells her to call him brother and she in taken to be one of the Pharaohs concubines. His actions here are not particularly noble and it seems Abraham is a bit crafty.
Who does God punish? God punishes the Pharaoh for sleeping with Abraham's wife! When the Pharaoh find out he's pissed and confused. He confronts Abraham, who offers no explanation, so the Pharaoh kicks him and Sarai out of Egypt but not before giving them tons of livestock, silver and gold.
Sarai must know some great moves!
At Church on Sun March 15, 09
It was a great service today at the Church of the Epiphany. The choir was the bomb! I especially liked the Communion Hymn, an African-American Spiritual called "I want Jesus to walk with me."
The Gospel John 2"13-22 delivered by Deacon H.W. described Jesus' anger with the business practices of the temple. What he witnessed was his followers getting stiffed in order to worship. Think of the temples like a little country with their own currency. If you wanted to worship or buy any of the trappings like a chicken to sacrifice you had to buy it in temple currency.
The temple would exchange your money at an unusually high rate. It's kind of like my credit card company who recently sent me a letter explaining to me how terrible the economic situation and do to the fact that I'm a good customer they are raising my purchase rate to 22.9%. How kind! How thoughtful! Wasn't the stimulus package created to prevent banks from doing this?
Jesus would not have approved. I wish he were here to deal with my credit card company!
The Gospel John 2"13-22 delivered by Deacon H.W. described Jesus' anger with the business practices of the temple. What he witnessed was his followers getting stiffed in order to worship. Think of the temples like a little country with their own currency. If you wanted to worship or buy any of the trappings like a chicken to sacrifice you had to buy it in temple currency.
The temple would exchange your money at an unusually high rate. It's kind of like my credit card company who recently sent me a letter explaining to me how terrible the economic situation and do to the fact that I'm a good customer they are raising my purchase rate to 22.9%. How kind! How thoughtful! Wasn't the stimulus package created to prevent banks from doing this?
Jesus would not have approved. I wish he were here to deal with my credit card company!
Monday, March 9, 2009
At Church on Sun, March 8th Part B
The Gospel of Mark 8:31-38 was read by the Deacon Horace Whyte. There was however one particular sentence that Jesus said to his followers that created the segway for Reverend Joseph Zorawick to begin his sermon. And I quote "If any want to become my followers, let then deny themselves and take up the cross and follow me."
In this instance Jesus is asking potential followers to give up everything and follow him. The question is; Could we do this if Jesus asked?
Ironically this was discussed this in my EfM course and I was really surprised by the fact that some people were really uncomfortable with this idea. I can't speak for any but myself but I can tell you that if Jesus was in front of me as Jesus my Lord and Saviour I wouldn't be giving up anything to follow him I'd be gaining everything by letting him lead me. That for me would be the greatest blessing that I can imagine. To follow Jesus? To be picked to follow Jesus? What's to think about?
In this instance Jesus is asking potential followers to give up everything and follow him. The question is; Could we do this if Jesus asked?
Ironically this was discussed this in my EfM course and I was really surprised by the fact that some people were really uncomfortable with this idea. I can't speak for any but myself but I can tell you that if Jesus was in front of me as Jesus my Lord and Saviour I wouldn't be giving up anything to follow him I'd be gaining everything by letting him lead me. That for me would be the greatest blessing that I can imagine. To follow Jesus? To be picked to follow Jesus? What's to think about?
At Church on Sun, March 8th Part A
Yes, I remembered to change my clock and arrived at church on time. (This was not always the case LOL).
As you know by know Lent is a somber time. We're leading into the Crucifixion. From the O.T. we read about Abraham and the covenant that God bestowed on him. Basically, God promises to make Abraham, the the father of all and with that all his descendants would "inherit the earth". Romans 4:13-25.
I think the most important thing here is that of all the people populating the world Abraham is chosen. Thus the Jews become God's chosen people. I don't know how God came upon this decision but it does say in Romans that Abraham was chosen through "the righteousness of faith."
A fact is a fact. God has selected a chosen people.
As you know by know Lent is a somber time. We're leading into the Crucifixion. From the O.T. we read about Abraham and the covenant that God bestowed on him. Basically, God promises to make Abraham, the the father of all and with that all his descendants would "inherit the earth". Romans 4:13-25.
I think the most important thing here is that of all the people populating the world Abraham is chosen. Thus the Jews become God's chosen people. I don't know how God came upon this decision but it does say in Romans that Abraham was chosen through "the righteousness of faith."
A fact is a fact. God has selected a chosen people.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
At Church on Sun March 1, 09
I didn't go to the Epiphany this Sunday. Instead I was invited by a friend, F.M., to the Christan Science Church called the First Church of Christ Scientist, at 68th street and Central Park West. The first thing I noticed about this Church was how awesome the building was. Great pillars, held up the structure and in the lobby there was the most beautiful marble from South Cover New York. It was built in 1899 and finished in 1901.
Every Christian Science church I've been to have been more beautiful than the next. They really know how to build a church.
Sometimes in the Episcopalian religion I get a little depressed. I don't like to say stuff like " I was a sinner from my mother's womb", not do I like to ask forgiveness for stuff like, "Ive been deaf to your call to serve."I don't like to repeat things like that because for me they do not ring true. Also, I get tired of accusing myself of living and breathing sin. I don't believe I'm a sinner.
I find that Christian Science takes me away from that mindset, and puts me in a place where I am good because all goodness comes from God. Sin sickness, and disease don't matter because they don't exist because they are NOT from God. I especially like the quote from Mary Baker Eddy " Divine love always has met and always will meet every human need." I've found that my experience with Christian science has enhanced my experience with God, brought me closer to God and has made me more conscious of the "goodness" that exists all around me.
Today I had the great privilege of being part of a voice recording that is going to record C.S. voices from all over the Globe uniting the Church and it's members. We sang a hymn called Siyahamba translated from Zulu text. It was a wonderful experience.
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