Thursday, March 28, 2013
John Merrick with Daughters
C061 - Durham Historic Photographic Archives - The North Carolina Collection - Durham County Library
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Fatherhood
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The Meaning of Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street and shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.
The significance of Jesus riding a donkey and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 9:9). In biblical times, the regional custom called for kings and nobles arriving in procession to ride on the back of a donkey. The donkey was a symbol of peace; those who rode upon them proclaimed peaceful intentions. The laying of palm branches indicated that the king or dignitary was arriving in victory or triumph.
Palm Sunday in Modern Times
Today, Palm Sunday traditions are much the same as they have been since the tenth century. The ceremony begins with the blessing of the palms. The procession follows, then Mass is celebrated, wherein the Passion and the Benediction are sung. Afterwards, many people take the palms home and place them in houses, barns, and fields.
In some countries, palms are placed on the graves of the departed. In colder northern climates, where palm trees are not found, branches of yew, willow, and sallow trees are used. The palms blessed in the ceremony are burned at the end of the day. The ashes are then preserved for next year's Ash Wednesday celebration.
In the simplest of terms, Palm Sunday is an occasion for reflecting on the final week of Jesus' life. It is a time for Christians to prepare their hearts for the agony of His Passion and the joy of His Resurrection.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A Study: Ephesians 6:10-20 by Rev. M.D. Rogers
In Ephesians, Paul challenges his listeners to
“Put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.” The
remarkable thing in the Gospel of John is that the disciples have questioned
Jesus about his teaching on the Eucharist and what is required of those who
follow him. “Many turned back and no longer went about with Him.” John called
those who walked away from Jesus “disciples.” Obviously they were not just
folks who showed up at Christmas and Easter. These folks were committed to
Jesus -- at least for a while, until things got a little tough and demanding
beyond their understanding.Like many vestries, we are honored to be a member until we have some heart-wrenching decision to make such as a choice between paying our apportionment or keeping the thrift shop open. The disciples became anxious about Jesus. They might have said, “We like him, but can we do what he is asking?” Jesus called the twelve together and asked them, point blank: “Do you also wish to go away?” Had we been Jesus, how would we have asked that question? Would we have asked it sadly, disappointed by what had just happened? Think of the tough decisions that we have had to make in business, at home, in social clubs, or at church. How have we reacted when questioned about decisions that affect others? We are uncomfortable. We may feel like getting up and leaving the room; it is a normal reaction. But it is gracious to stay and listen. We need to be part of the solution -- only then can we be at peace. Jesus knew what he was asking of his disciples. He knew what the cost would be: his life! He knew that what he was saying offended them. They were unwilling to really hear what he was saying.
Peter even later asked him, if this is so. “Lord, to whom can we go?” Blessed Peter just could not grasp that Jesus would be with him in spirit as powerfully as he was in flesh. Are not we -- as active as we may be in the life of the church -- often like this? We are fearful of being called “Jesus freaks” if we tell someone about the love Jesus has for them. Jesus, admittedly, had an advantage over modern Christians. He knew “who were the ones that did not believe, and who would betray him.” We don’t have that luxury. What we do have is the element of surprise the Holy Spirit works through us as we share the agape love of Jesus with others.
Sometimes, no matter how strong our convictions are, or how great our desire to journey with Jesus may be, we may want to walk away, to find a spot in the wilderness away from the pressures around us. Peter doesn’t just come out and tell Jesus that is what he wants to do, but Peter is honest about his uncertainty. He realizes that no one besides Jesus is in the business of eternal life. Either the disciples of Jesus must keep this faith experience alive or it will die away for the simple reason there is no other alternative. Paul, preaching to the Ephesians, makes reference to the use of the shield as the “shield of faith” and that should be carried by those who go out to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul adds that faith is always the complete trust in Christ.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
If you give God your Hart, and He will rest his Case.
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE, GOD WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND pt.1
Rev. M.D. Rogers
Romans 12:1-3
MOVING FROM THE THEOGOLICAL TO THE PRACTICAL, PAUL GIVE GUIDELINES
FOR LIVING AS A REDEEMED PEOPLE IN A FALLEN WORLD. WE ARE TO GIVE
OURSELVES TO CHRIST AS LIVING SACRIFICES, OBEYING THE GOVERNING
AUTHORITIES, LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS, AND TAKING SPECIAL CARE OF THOSE
WHO ARE WEAK IN THE FAITH.
THE BOOK OF ROMANS IS ONE OF 14 EPISTLES BELIEVED WRITTEN BY THE
APOSTLE PAUL. IT IS FIRST IN THE ORDER OF THE EPISTLES, DOCTRINALLY
AND ACCORDING TO CANONICAL ORDER. FOR YOU SEE, IT CONTAINS THE ABC's
OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, AND UNTIL ITS LESSONS ARE LEARNED WE ARE
IGNORANT TO TRUE CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES.
IN FACT, IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS BOOK SHOULD BE THE VERY
FOUNDATION OF OUR CHRISTIAN WALK, BECAUSE IF WE ARE WRONG IN
UNDERSTANDING HERE, WE WILL BE WRONG EVERYWHERE ELSE.
THIS LETTER/EPISTLE OF PAUL'S CAN BE CONSIDERED `THE BILL OF
RIGHTS' OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, 'THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENTS' TO
THE BELIEVERS OR SIMPLY `THE BOOK OF LAWS'. YOU SEE, THE MAJOR THEME
BEHIND THIS BOOK IS, THE REVELATION OF GOD'S WRATH AGAINST SIN AND
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH AS GROUNDS OF JUSTIFICATION. THE KEY
WORD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND NOT JUST RIGHTEOUSNESS BUT, GOD'S
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
WHEN WE STUDY THIS ECCLESIASTICAL DOCTRINE, WE FIND AN APPEAL
IN VIEW OF CERTAIN FACTS.
CHAPTERS: 1-8 TELLS US OF, GOD'S WONDERFUL DOCTRINES:
- WE'RE NOT ASHAMED OF IT
- HOW NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM IT
- IT LETS US KNOW WE'VE ALL FALLEN SHORT OF IT
- ALL THINGS WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD BECAUSE OF IT
CHAPTERS: 9-11 GIVES GOD'S DISPENSATIONAL DEALINGS WITH JEWS &
GENTILES:
- ITS NOT BASED ON OUR WORKS, BUT HIS GRACE
- IT ALSO LETS US KNOW HOW EASY IT IS TO BE SAVED
- THEN THERE'S OUR TEXT CHAPTER, WHICH GIVES US THE PRACTICAL
APPLICATION OF THE GOSPEL FOR MAN KIND, AND HOW THE "MERCIES OF GOD"
ACCORDING TO HIS FORGIVING POWER, TELLS US WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO.
1ST POINT - READ v.1
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice" – "YOU'VE GOT TO, GIVE GOD
SOMETHING TO WORK WITH"
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - A BURNT OFFERING MEANT THE COMPLETE OR
ENTIRE CONSUMING OF THE SACRIFICE--SIGNIFYING THAT THE WHOLE
SACRIFICE WAS FOR GOD. IT WAS FIRST KILLED THEN PRESENTED TO THE
LORD ON THE ALTAR.
BEING BAPTIZED, SIGNIFYS THE DYING OF THE FLESHLY MANS
DESIRES AND THE RENEWING OF THE SPIRIT. AS "A LIVING SACRIFICE", WE
ARE TO BE DAILY WITNESSES/TESTIMONIES TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD, AND
THEREFORE BE PRESENTED AS "HOLY", CHRIST LIKE.
NEIGHBOR: GIVE UP THE BODY! (BE CAREFULL) OTHER SIDE: DO IT RIGHT!
GOD COMES INTO OUR LIVES CHANGING THE WAY WE LOOK AT LIFE.
ONCE WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO THE LORD (ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOUR OF OUR
LIVES), WE ARE THEN CHANGED. THE WORD SAYS, "IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST
HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS
ARE BECOME NEW. (II Corin. 7:15)"
THE PRESENTS OF HIS HOLY SPIRIT MAKES US ACCEPTABLE UNTO HIM -
USABLE, EMPLOYABLE AND SERVICEABLE TO GOD NO MATTER WHAT WE USE TO
BE LIKE. WHEN WE GIVE OURSELVES, OUR WHOLE SELVES - MIND, BODY AND
SOUL, ALL OF ME, WE BECOME "LIVING SACRIFICES".
WE `SHOULD' NOW BE CHANGED, BUT WAIT, THERE'S STILL A PROBLEM. I
DON'T LIKE THE WAY SHE'S/HE'S LOOKING AT ME; WHY SHE ALWAYS GOT TO
SING; WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?
TOUCH SOMEBODY, AND SAID: CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE!
BELOVED OF GOD, WE OWE IT TO THE LORD, TO CHANGE OUR WAYS!
THE WORD OF GOD SAYS, "IT IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE" - PAUL SAYS,
IT'S ONLY RIGHT THAT WE PRESENT OURSELVES FOR GOD'S USE, AFTER ALL
LOOK WHERE HE'S BROUGHT US FROM, LOOK WHAT HE'S BROUGHT US THROUGH.
AND WE'VE GOT THE NERVE TO HAVE ATTITUDES BECAUSE, SOMEBODY'S LOOKING
IN OUR DIRECTION, GET MAD BECAUSE SHE'S THE ONLY ONE BRAVE ENOUGH TO
SING A SONG OF PRAISE, BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHO'S HE IS, AND TO WHOM HE
BELONGS.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT `WHEN I THINK OF THE GOODNESS OF JESUS,
AND ALL THAT HE'S DONE FOR ME' THAT CHANGES MY ATTITUDE. I REALIZED
THAT I HAD TO GIVE GOD SOMETHING TO WORK WITH IN ORDER FOR ME TO BE
DIFFERENT.
NOW, I'M NOT: QUICK TO JUDGE ANYMORE
I'M NOT AS IMPATIENT WITH OTHERS, LIKE I USE TO BE
I'M NOT AS SELFISH
YES, WHEN I THINK OF THE GOODNESS OF JESUS, AND ALL THAT HE'S DONE
FOR ME, MY SOUL CRY'S ALLELUJAH, THANK GOD FOR SAVING ME'!!!
AS A "LIVING SACRIFICE", I CAN HUMBLE MYSELF TO BELIEVE THEIR
LOOKING BECAUSE THEY SEE THE CHRIST IN ME, AS A "LIVING SACRIFICE", I
UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYBODY CAN SING LIKE A ANGEL BUT, EVERY
BELIEVER OUGHT TO HAVE A SONG ON THEIR HEART, AS A "LIVING
SACRIFICE", I CAN SHARE IN THE JOY OF KNOWING MY DESTINY AS A CHILD
OF THE KING.
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE, GOD CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND
A "SACRIFICE" CAN CAUSE AN ATTITUDE. OH DON'T LOOK SO HOLY,
YOU KNOW I'M RIGHT! WOMEN - IF THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, YOU HAVE TO
GIVE UP SHOPPING AND TURN IN YOUR CREDIT CARDS, YOU KNOW YOU'LL HAVE
AN ATTITUDE. LORD, KNOWS SOME OF THE BROTHERS WOULD BE HAPPY, BUT
SOME BODY WOULD HAVE AN ATTITUDE! OR IF YOU HAD TO GIVE UP BOTH
BOYFRIENDS, SO GOD CAN GIVE TO YOU THE MAN HE WANTS TO PLACE IN YOUR
LIFE, YOU'LD HAVE, AN ATTITUDE. WHY? BECAUSE NOW YOUR VARITY IS,
GONE! MEN - IF YOU WERE TOLD TO STOP STEPPING OUT, WITH THAT FINE
YOUNG THING AND GO BACK HOME TO YOUR WIFE, EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS PUT ON
A FEW POUNDS, YOU WOULD HAVE AN ATTITUDE. SOME OF US THINK THAT, THE
GRASS LOOKS GREENER, ONLY BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T CUT OUR YARDS IN A
WHILE.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Respect pt.1
Respect has great importance in everyday life. As children we are taught (one hopes) to respect our parents, teachers, and elders, school rules and traffic laws, family and cultural traditions, other people's feelings and rights, our country's flag and leaders, the truth and people's differing opinions. And we come to value respect for such things; when we're older, we may shake our heads (or fists) at people who seem not to have learned to respect them. We develop great respect for people we consider exemplary and lose respect for those we discover to be clay-footed, and so we may try to respect only those who are truly worthy of our respect. We may also come to believe that, at some level, all people are worthy of respect. We may learn that jobs and relationships become unbearable if we receive no respect in them; in certain social milieus we may learn the price of disrespect if we violate the street law: “Diss me, and you die.” Calls to respect this or that are increasingly part of public life: environmentalists exhort us to respect nature, foes of abortion and capital punishment insist on respect for human life, members of racial and ethnic minorities and those discriminated against because of their gender, sexual orientation, age, religious beliefs, or economic status demand respect both as social and moral equals and for their cultural differences. And it is widely acknowledged that public debates about such demands should take place under terms of mutual respect.
We may learn both that our lives together go better when we respect the things that deserve to be respected and that we should respect some things independently of considerations of how our lives would go.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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