Sunday Reflection - Let's Talk About Jesus

*****

When I first saw the picture above I found it amusing, however, later I started thinking about how many Christians seldom actually talk to another person about Jesus. Many people that I know who attend church regularly rarely talk publicly about their faith.

When Jesus was alive he said ‘go tell others what you have seen here’ - his followers were called the believers and they followed The Way. If they had been silent about the message of Jesus then all knowledge of him would have disappeared from history. The early believers spoke to others about Jesus even though many of them were ostracized and even killed for mentioning his name.

Why are so many of today’s Christians silent about the Good News of the coming of Jesus Christ?

What do you do? Do you talk in hushed tones about your faith beliefs or maybe you are silent about it?

Do you want to be able to talk with others about your Christian faith?

Here are some steps that you could take:

• Recognize that faith is a sensitive subject. Be prepared - remain calm, friendly, and welcoming.
• Make sure you are well informed about the Bible – this is very important.
• Wait for the appropriate time. The most agreeable circumstance is in a small group or one on one.
• When a discussion of faith is being held listen to the viewpoints of others without interrupting, objecting, or correcting. and calmly, say “You know that I'm a Christian, right? (they nod or whatever) Generally, the Christian belief is ________." Keep your response as brief as possible
• Remember your goal. Don't make this about you. Remember who you are - you are the face of Jesus that this person is seeing at that moment. Make sure you're presenting him accurately.
• Resist the temptation to quote a lot of scripture.
• A quiet, solid faith shows. If you can not be easily annoyed casual onlookers will know your faith is strong and deep. 



• As a Christian, stand for Jesus wherever you go. Make sure what you show people is a good example.
• Humility is so important. Tell them, "I can't speak for every Christian, only for myself. But for heaven's sake, don't follow me. Follow Him."
• If you show respect and kindness and have some understanding of Biblical principles you will be fine.

So, stop being a silent Christian – speak up!

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - When One Door Closes Another Opens

When One Door Closes - Another Opens

Have you ever had the experience of applying for a job that you really wanted and did not get? Or maybe it was a relationship that ended and caused you heartache and later on you met the person of your dreams.

If we reflect on some of the unhappy times in our life we can often realize that, in retrospect, the experience provided a lesson and that we learned something very important.

Stay open for the possibilities that can be yours after every perceived failure.

*****

Revelations 3:8 I know what you do; I know that you have followed my teaching and have been faithful to me. I have opened a door in front of you, which no one can close.

*****

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only one of two things will happen, either He will catch you when you fall, or He will teach you how to fly.

peacesojourner

Sunday Reflection - Lighthouse on the Hillside Poem

Lighthouse on the Hillside Poem

HERE IS A LIGHT HOUSE ON THE HILLSIDE

THAT OVER LOOKS LIFE'S SEA

AND WHEN MY SOUL IS TOSSED,

IT SENDS OUT A LIGHT, SO THAT I MIGHT SEE

AND THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN DARKNESS

NOW SAFELY LEADS ME HOME

AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THE LIGHTHOUSE

THIS SHIP WOULD BE NO MORE.

EVERYBODY THAT LIVES AROUND US

SAYS TEAR THAT LIGHT HOUSE DOWN

CAUSE THE BIG SHIPS DON'T PASS THIS WAY ANYMORE

THERE'S NO USE OF IT HANGING ROUND.

BUT MY MIND GOES BACK TO ONE STORMY NIGHT

WHEN JUST IN TIME, I SAW THE LIGHT

IT WAS THE LIGHT FROM THAT OLD LIGHTHOUSE

THERE UP ON THE HILL.

I THANK GOD FOR THE LIGHT HOUSE

I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM

FOR JESUS IS THE LIGHTHOUSE

AND FROM THE ROCKS OF SIN

HE HAS SHOWN A LIGHT AROUND ME

SO THAT I MIGHT CLEARLY SEE

AND IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT LIGHTHOUSE

WHERE WOULD THIS SHIP BE.

Poem by the Hinsons

Sunday Reflection - Pentecost

Acts 2:1-6 (NIV) - The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
6. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

Today we celebrate Pentecost as a Christian Holy Day commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament of the Bible. It is also known as Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday.

Christians share their perspective about the meaning of Pentecost as well as how the diversity of languages and cultures can enhance their worship and fellowship with each another.

As recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, it was on the 50th day after Easter that the apostles were praying together and the Holy Spirit descended on them. They received the “gift of tongues” – the ability to speak in other languages – and immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ to Jewish people from all over the world who flocked to Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot.

Pentecost also marks the birth of the Christian Church. According to church tradition, Pentecost is always seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day.

After reading the account of the Pentecost in the Bible I always think about how wonderful it must have been for people from various cultures to be able to talk to and understand each other. They had travelled from many lands and when touched by the Holy Spirit they were able to speak other languages.

In spite of cultural differences we are, through the power of the Spirit, enabled to understand each other and treat each other as equals, with love and mutual care.

The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

PENTECOST

by Edward Potts

We went to Jerusalem just like He said,

For forty days we wondered what lies ahead,

We sang, we prayed, and recalled each word,

That Jesus told us, and the miracles we've heard.

There was, Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene.

Who told us of many things they had seen,

Jesus told us that in Jerusalem we would receive power,

We waited with patience for His promised hour.

"Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it know fear,

I go to my Father, but you will stay here,

I'll send you a comforter while I am away,

Just go to the Jerusalem and wait for that day.

As we sang and prayed our spirits did soar,

Suddenly the room was filled with a roar,

Great tongues like fire came like the wind,

As fire set on each one, His power came in.

We sprang to our feet and in language unknown,

We gave praise and honor to God on His throne,

Some people thought we had lost our mind,

But they didn't know we had drank His new wine.

As we prophesied in the word long ago,

God was pouring His spirit on people below,

Jesus had redeemed the world Adam lost,

That day in God's word is called Pentecost.

*****

God blesses those who work for peace, 


for they will be called the children of God. (Matt 5:9)

Sunday Reflection -Today is Easter - Let us Rejoice

Reflection for Easter

Reading from the Gospel of Mark 16:1-4

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?" And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back - it was very large.

Take Up Your Life

Oh thou Easter God,

on the far side

of all the worst

we can do,

of all the worst

that can come to us:

waving from a high place

you seem to call,

"Come, then,

you also,

why not you also?

What keeps you

from the life of you?

Grief? Sadness?

Fear? Hopelessness?

Here I am

on the other side,

where Life is.

where your life is!

Take but a step forward

and you are on the way.

Rise up,

from your fear to your feet.

This is the day. This is the time.

You are the one; there is no other.

I will move the stone

and there will be light.

Only step toward me and I,

I will take a step toward you.

We will meet

in the light."

Oh thou ingenious God,

resurrection is thy breathing out -

breath, wind, spirit, life and light.

Resurrection

is thy clearest,

dearest

affirmation of creation

and us within it.

There is not death enough

to keep us down,

and is there a stone

that is not sand in the making?

"Live!"

is your plainest

and most ancient word ...

the one you spoke

before the very Beginning...

"Take up your life

and live!"

by Joseph H. Gilmore

(from Eternity's Dance With Time)

May our spirits be renewed

and our hearts be filled

with new hope for peace

within us, among us

and on the earth!

Happy Easter!

Photo by peacesojourner

Good Friday - The Passion of Christ

O Heart of Three-in-the Evening

O Heart of Three-in-the evening,

You nestled the thorn-crowned head;

He leaned on you in His sorrow,

And rested on you when dead.

Ah! Holy Three-in-the evening

He gave you His richest dower;

He met you afar on Calvary,

And made you "His own last hour".

O Brow of Three-in-the evening,

Thou wearest a crimson crown;

Thou art Priest of the hours forever,

And thy voice, as thou goest down

The cycles of time, still murmurs

The story of love each day:

"I held in death the Eternal,

In the long and the far-away."

O Heart of Three-in-the evening,

Mine beats with thine to-day;

Thou tellest the olden story,

I kneel -- and I weep and pray.

Copyright by Abram J. Ryan

*****

Dear Christ

Because, dear Christ, your tender, wounded arm

Bends back the brier that edges life's long way,

That no hurt comes to heart, to soul no harm,

I do not feel the thorns so much to-day.

Because I never knew your care to tire,

Your hand to weary guiding me aright,

Because you walk before and crush the brier,

It does not pierce my feet so much to-night.

Because so often you have harkened to

My selfish prayers, I ask but one thing now,

That these harsh hands of mine add not unto

The crown of thorns upon your bleeding brow.

Copyright by E. Pauline Johnson

*****

A Cold, Dark Day

A cold, dark day

Was Good Friday

Our Lord would die on cross

World to bemoan his loss!

The Blessed Virgin wept,with downcast eyes

-----

A cruel time

For vicious crime

As God's believers weep

Troubled souls seeking sleep

Next morning wake to mystical surprise!

-----

No need to mourn

Christ was reborn

Now devout people pray

Glorious Easter Day!

To heaven,our Lord has risen to stay!

Author Unknown

Photo taken by peacesojourner while walking alongside

the Niagara River.

Reflection for Palm Sunday

Reflection for Palm Sunday

Miniature bronze figures by German sculptor Ulrich Henn, on the doors of

St. James Cathedral, in Seattle, Washington

*****

Lift up, O gates, your lintels;

reach up, you ancient portals,

that the king of glory may come in.

- Psalm 24:9

*****

SAY THOU

by Joseph H. Gilmore

O thou

whose name we do not,

have never known:

on that day,

did he enter the spirit

of the parade?

Did he laugh

at their gesture,

unlikely prophet

on an unlikely animal

shuffling toward

an unknown destiny?

Say thou.

Or did he look neither right nor left,

flint-faced, eyes fixed

on some undetermined distance,

deaf to the merriment

of the bystanders?

Say thou.

Did his heart race,

sensing danger,

but not knowing from where?

Did he wish

he had never prayed

for the coming of God in his life

with power,

and to his people

with power, love and justice?

Say thou.

When the people yelled,

"Save now!" did they mean:

"Now is the time for the people to be saved,

for we are God's

and we will live free and whole

or die

knowing that God is among us,

within us?"

Or did they mean:

"You there, hero!

Don't let them do you in.

We are counting on you.

We will pray for you.

And we will

tell the brave story of you to our children.

Good luck."

Say thou.

Did he still own the words

He borrowed from Isaiah

for his first sermon...

"the Spirit of God is upon me,"

or, as he rode,

was he rehearsing

his last prayer,

"My God, my God, why?"

You say, we beseech thee.

He was a danger

and a delight

thou knowest,

and following in his way is,

ever,

more than we bargained for.

He went up in flames,

and there has been light

ever since.

Hosannah in the highest!

Blessed are those, who

like him,

ride in to town

regardless.

(from Eternity's Dance With Time)

*****

One who has surrendered to it knows

that the way ends on the Cross-

even when it is leading through the jubilation of Gennesaret

or the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

-Dag Hammarskjold

Received from the Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor, PA 18013

Reflection for the Fifth Week of Lent

Reflection for the Fifth Week of Lent

A Reading from Jeremiah 31:33

But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

A stone sits poised-

Heave it at the Zealot-

sanctimonious crowd.

Punish the harlot.

Stone them until they are dead,

along with our mercy and reason.

Or hold it. Like a worry bead

soft aromas blend meadow,

murmuring stream, swish of sunshine,

until peace with trees and breeze

creates a tranquil heart.

I am the rock

I am the tree and tornado,

savory salt and dead sea.

Within me are rage and rest,

kindness and cruelty,

love and lust,

revenge and forgiveness.

Whether I hurl the stone

or cradle it in peace

is my choice.

- Joanna Lawson

From "Seasons of Worship at Kirkridge"

A Prayer

Liberate us into a greater life, O God.

Give us eyes that see all life

as an expression of your love,

for we are your people!

Amen

Reflection for the Fourth Week of Lent

Reflection for the Fourth Week of Lent

DEVOTIONAL: This week marks the first days of spring, the season of rebirth. During spring, the Earth’s axis is tilted toward the sun and daylight gradually lengthens. This begins the winter thaw, causing the earth to warm and new life to emerge.

It has been a long, cold, dark winter, and I find myself earnestly craving the sunshine of spring. There is a stark contrast between the way I feel on days that are sun-lit and how I feel when the sky is overcast. Exposure to light restores us, renews us and replenishes us. It nourishes our body by infusing us with vitamin D.

In the same way that visceral light energizes us, God’s revealing light illuminates the hope and grace we have been so abundantly given. We have a fantastic opportunity: to quit clinging to our doubts, criticisms and fears, and fully submit to the possibility of change and rebirth in our lives through God.

*****

SCRIPTURE: John 3:14-21 (NRSV)

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

By Grace Eidmann, a senior theater major from Antioch, Ill.

Reflection for the Third Week of Lent

Reflection for the Third Week of Lent

"Lent is a time to pause, to reflect and to be silent. Lent is a time when we withdraw to become engaged; when we are contemplative so we can take up activity; when we attend to our own inner yearnings and God's inner nudges so we can take up the cross of justice and work for the way of peace ... Lent is not about doing without, but doing something. This is not a time to give up, but to take on. This is the season when we are asked to be intentional about our relationship with God as we reflect on our rites of passage to wholeness and life." - Jeffrey Steven Gaines, Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church San Francisco

Psalm 19: 7-8

The law of God is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of God is sure,

making wise the simple;

The precepts of God are right,

rejoicing the heart,

The commandment of God is pure

enlightening the eyes.

Prayer

"There is a really deep well inside me.

And in it dwells God.

Sometimes I am there too.

But more often, stones and grit block the well,

and God is buried beneath.

Then God must be dug out again."

- Etty Hillesum

Dear Lord, We stand here at the well

thirsting for living water. As you fill our cups,

please give us strong and steady hands. Amen

From the Kirkridge Retreat Center

Bangor, Pennsylvania 18013

Reflection for the Second Week of Lent

Reflection for the Second Week of Lent

A Reading from the Gospel of Mark 8:34-36

And Jesus summoned the multitude with the disciples, and said to them, "If any would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who would save their life will lose it; and those who lose their life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it. For what advantage is it, to gain the whole world and forfeit one's life? "

A Lenten Exercise of Nonviolence

From a column by Father John Dear, SJ

Recently, a friend and I were discussing how it took Thomas Merton, the great monk, 20 years in a Trappist monastery, before he began to deal seriously with his own inner violence. Look it up. On August 21,1962, he wrote in his journal:

Today I realize with urgency the absolute seriousness of my need to study and practice nonviolence. Hitherto I have "liked" nonviolence as an idea. I have "approved" it, looked with benignity upon it, praised it even earnestly. But I have not practiced it fully. My thoughts and words retaliate. I condemn and resist adversaries when I think I am unjustly treated. I revile them, even treat them with open (but polite) contempt to their face. The energy wasted in contempt, criticism and resentment is thus diverted from its true function -- insistence on truth.

If such is the case with Merton, certainly with us. Our following the nonviolent Jesus requires the daily inner work of deepening nonviolence. And what a better time than Lent? It's a time to look deeply at what's going on inside us and, where we are violent, to repent and then to offer ourselves mercy. The more we show compassion toward ourselves, the more we will toward our neighbors.

Prayer

Come Lord!

Do not smile and say

you are already with us.

Millions do not know you

and to us who do,

what is the difference?

What is the point

of your presence

if our lives do not alter?

Change our lives, shatter

our complacency.

Make your word

flesh of our flesh,

blood of our blood

and our life's purpose.

Take away the quietness

Of a clear conscience.

Press us uncomfortably.

For only thus

That other peace is made,

Your peace.

-Dom Helder Camara

From the Kirkridge Retreat Center - Bangor, Pennsylvania 18013

Happy St. David's Day - in Welsh: Dydd Gwyl Dewi

St. David - 19th century stained glass window in Jesus College Chapel, Oxford

St. David's Church -

Built in its present form 1181 - St. David's Flag

Saint David: Born in Caerfai, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Major shrine: St David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Patron Saint of vegetarians and poets.

Saint David's Day (Welsh: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi) is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March each year. The date was chosen in remembrance of the death of Saint David on that day in 589, and has been celebrated by followers since then. The date was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century.

Every year parades are held in Wales to commemorate St. David. The largest of these is held in Cardiff.

St. David was born towards the end of the fifth century, less than a hundred years after the last Roman legions had marched out of Wales. Over fifty churches and innumerable holy wells were dedicated to him in Wales alone.

The saint was conceived through violence and his poor mother, Non the daughter of Lord Cynyr of Caer Goch, gave birth to him on a cliff top during a violent storm.

David was educated at what is usually taken to be Whitland in Carmarthenshire under Saint Paulinus of Wales. He became renowned as a teacher and preacher, founding monastic settlements and churches in Wales, Cornwall and Brittany in a period when neighbouring tribal regions were still mostly pagan. He rose to a bishopric, and presided over two synods, as well as going on pilgrimages to Jerusalem (where he was anointed as an archbishop by the Patriarch) and Rome.

St David's Cathedral now stands on the site of the monastery he founded in the remote and inhospitable valley of 'Glyn Rhosyn' in Pembrokeshire.

The Monastic Rule of David prescribed that monks had to pull the plough themselves without draught animals; to drink only water; to eat only bread with salt and herbs; and to spend the evenings in prayer, reading and writing. No personal possessions were allowed: to say "my book" was an offence. He lived a simple life and practiced asceticism, teaching his followers to refrain from eating meat or drinking beer.

The best-known miracle associated with Saint David is said to have taken place when he was preaching in the middle of a large crowd at the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi. When those at the back complained that they could not see or hear him, the ground on which he stood is reputed to have risen up to form a small hill so that everyone had a good view. A white dove was seen settling on his shoulder—a sign of God's grace and blessing. The village of Llanddewi Brefi is said to stand on the spot where the miracle occurred.

Many Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel to celebrate St. David: the daffodil or the leek on this day. The association between leeks and daffodils is strengthened by the fact that they have similar names in Welsh, Cenin (leek) and Cenin Bedr (daffodil, literally "Peter's leek").

The flag of Saint David often plays a central role in the celebrations, and can be seen flying throughout Wales.

In contrast with the other national patron saints of the British Isles, Saints George, Andrew and Patrick, David is a native of the country of which he is patron saint, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to 512.

It is claimed that David lived for over 100 years. The monastery is said to have been 'filled with angels as Christ received his soul'. His last words to his followers were in a sermon on the previous Sunday. Rhygyfarch transcribes these as 'Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us.'

'Do the little things in life' ('Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd') is today a very well-known phrase in Welsh, and has proved an inspiration to many.

David was buried at St David's Cathedral where his shrine was a popular place of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages.

Happy St. David’s Day to all.