In an attempt to rejuvenate the membership, there are changes going on at the little church on Hughes Street. One example is using a computer projector and screen. Sunday's spiritual message (also a new addition) was about "10 rules for Life". I tried to find the exact URL link that was on the screen with a Google search but no luck. I did find out that it's from a book, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott. Then,I found an excerpt which includes the ten rules on scribd.com, a place that I've only recently learned about myself.
The sermon this Sunday was from the book of James, second chapter, verses 1 through 7:
My brothers and sisters,* do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?* 2For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please’, while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there’, or, ‘Sit at my feet’,* 4have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters.* Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition)
The main points that I took away from the sermon were that Jesus didn't discriminate against anyone. As a human, Jesus still sought out the ones who were less fortunate. On the other hand, the so call followers that James was writing to were prejudice towards those without wealth.
Our pastor touched on three different forms of Prejudice. They are Economical, Racial and Educational. How do I relate these things to myself (for I cannot speak for others)? Well, I'm in debt up to my eyeballs and beyond. Racial prejudice...I don't judge people by their covers. If anything, I have more of a conflict with personalities. The Educational prejudice for me came more into play in my previous career. Somehow, I managed to get through 30 years without even an Associates degree. My current career, it might have helped to have more English and Literature classes behind me but I seem to hold my own.
One other note that our pastor touched on was that up until relatively recent times, the church was responsible for "the widows and orphans". Then the government was tasked with it. My little church does what it can to support the local food bank. My friends help me directly. God bless them for that.
My question to you is...do you discriminate or find yourself prejudice in some way? If so, do you think that is something that Jesus would approve of?
DeColores
Lynn Hallbrooks
27 September 2011
18 September 2011
Dee Henderson's books
I'm sure many of you know by now that I'm an author by profession. I also love to read. I haven't done it quite as often as I should have over the years. Now that I'm living with my friend who is a librarian by profession as well as an avid book lover, I find myself in the middle of a large home library. I've learned to expand my reading comfort zone. My friend recommended to me the Uncommon Heroes books by Dee Henderson. She says, you'll like them...they are about the military. She was both right and wrong...I didn't like the books, I loved them.
The first one was a Christian fiction book that talked about of all people...Navy SEALs as Christian men. It blew me away. Sure, I was in the military and I was around Christian people in the military. It just never occurred to me that Navy SEALs might be considered leading a Christian life style. It even seemed that much less of a chance of them being much of a romantic. It did occur to Ms. Henderson and for that I'm grateful. It lead me to reading more and more of her books out of my friend's library.
The book that I just finished is God's Gift. As with all of Ms. Henderson's novels, there is a life obstacle in the path of the main characters. This obstacle has them talking to God and even questioning what God has planned for them. Who among us, hasn't done that at least once in our own life.
Another fairly consistent thing that I see in all of Ms. Henderson's books is the pairing of the romantic lead characters. At first they seem so different from one another that it makes you wonder how this relationship will ever work out. Sometimes the characters don't really like one another at the beginning but something changes their opinions. Other times the characters like one another but have had a past that makes them resistant to risking love. I most certainly can relate to that one. It is hard to move forward when you cling to what might have been.
Mostly what makes the books truly Christian is the use of scriptures that one or more of the characters find or quote to help them through their trials. It is a reminder to the rest of us that when we find ourselves in need of an answer there is one book that we can always turn to.
I truly believe Ms. Henderson possesses one of God's Gifts...an awesome ability to write so an everyday believer can become embroiled in a true Christian relationship. One not only between two people but between humans and their Heavenly Father, to whom she gives great credit for her works.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
The first one was a Christian fiction book that talked about of all people...Navy SEALs as Christian men. It blew me away. Sure, I was in the military and I was around Christian people in the military. It just never occurred to me that Navy SEALs might be considered leading a Christian life style. It even seemed that much less of a chance of them being much of a romantic. It did occur to Ms. Henderson and for that I'm grateful. It lead me to reading more and more of her books out of my friend's library.
The book that I just finished is God's Gift. As with all of Ms. Henderson's novels, there is a life obstacle in the path of the main characters. This obstacle has them talking to God and even questioning what God has planned for them. Who among us, hasn't done that at least once in our own life.
Another fairly consistent thing that I see in all of Ms. Henderson's books is the pairing of the romantic lead characters. At first they seem so different from one another that it makes you wonder how this relationship will ever work out. Sometimes the characters don't really like one another at the beginning but something changes their opinions. Other times the characters like one another but have had a past that makes them resistant to risking love. I most certainly can relate to that one. It is hard to move forward when you cling to what might have been.
Mostly what makes the books truly Christian is the use of scriptures that one or more of the characters find or quote to help them through their trials. It is a reminder to the rest of us that when we find ourselves in need of an answer there is one book that we can always turn to.
I truly believe Ms. Henderson possesses one of God's Gifts...an awesome ability to write so an everyday believer can become embroiled in a true Christian relationship. One not only between two people but between humans and their Heavenly Father, to whom she gives great credit for her works.
DeColores,
Lynn Hallbrooks
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