March 24, 2009

Number12

VIEWPOINT

I have wondered if I am trying to force a life. While the life I lead may not match the picture in my head, perhaps the one offered me is just as full of joy, its pigments just as bright, just not what I EXPECTED” (Richard Evans in The Locket).

This captivating statement was provided by Jimmy Pulliam.  It might offer an explanation for some of our 21^st century frustrations.  Give it some thought – we’ll be discussing “expectations” in our Wednesday evening Bible class. 

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Did you know terrorist groups are actually operating in churches?  Paula sent me this fearful warning: 

“Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches.  They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.

“Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ.  The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

“However, there have also been reports of a sixth group.  A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church.  Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.

“Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different character-istics than the others. 

“They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

“Which cell group do you belong to?”

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I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile and a positive word. RA

Walk Humbly

Pride asserts, humility testifies.  The proud want to seem what they are not. The one who gives testimony does not want to appear what he is not, but to love what, in the full sense, is.  (Augustine, Explaining the Psalms)

The church is not made up of spiritual giants; only broken men can lead others to the cross.  (David J. Bosch, A Spirituality of the Road).

It is often (always?) our mistakes that get us going on the spiritual journey. Error is turned into pilgrimage.  (Alan Jones, The Soul's Journey)

Christians do not need to be perfect, before they can find in one another an acceptance and an approval which is that of the truth itself; or rather, let us say, the truth himself, Jesus Christ.  (Austin Farrer, A Celebration of Faith)

Humility is facing the truth. It is useful to remind myself that the word itself comes from humus, earth, and in the end simply means that I allow myself to be earthed in the truth that lets God be God, and myself his creature. If I hold on to this it helps prevent me from putting myself at the center, and instead allows me to put God and other people at the center.  (Esther de Waal, Living with Contradiction: Reflections on The Rule of St. Benedict)

What is humility? It is that habitual quality whereby we live in the truth of things: the truth that we are creatures and not the Creator; the truth that our life is a composite of good and evil, light and darkness; the truth that in our littleness we have been given extravagant dignity. . . . Humility is saying a radical "yes" to the human condition.  (Robert F. Morneau, Humility: 31 Reflections on Christian Virtue)

There is a beauty of soul in a humble person who has no other obvious talent than the humility to stand in awe of the gifts God has given to others. (Joseph F. Girzone, Joshua)

 –  compiled by Richard A. Kauffman