Ecumenism is not dead...........
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Posted:Mar 2, 2007 9:32 am
Last Updated:Mar 2, 2007 2:18 pm 2560 Views
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I'm happy to learn from so many Big Church members that ecumenism is not as dead as I had initially thought. So many are experiencing a much better situation than myself. I am very happy to hear all the GOOD NEWS.
Sheepishseven had a wonderful point to make-- and here I quote:
So glad to read of your pain and concern about divisions in the Church. The Lord foresaw these things and that is why the apostle, Paul urged the Ephesians :
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit.- just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. " (Ephesians 4 : 1 - 6)
In Malaysia, I am glad to report that there are churches who work together despite being of different denominations, to help the needy. There are also inter-denominational church organisations which seek to promote the interest of the gospel rather than their individual doctrines, which is encouraging. I am also seeing some of that here in Ann Arbor too, but as a newcomer to the city, I am still learning and observing.
I am reminded of what my pastor back home in Malaysia said concerning any statement made which disparages another church or denomination : "Watch out! Every insult or criticism or slanderous remark made against this church or that church is a BODY BLOW to the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are therefore hurting the body of Christ!"
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We must meet God........being a witness
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Posted:Mar 1, 2007 6:50 am
Last Updated:Mar 1, 2007 8:04 pm 2522 Views
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I'm passing this along as I feel it is solid thought for all of us......To Be A Witness
by Catherine Doherty
Slowly, slowly, quietly, like a tide coming in, we Christians are beginning to pray. Across America and Canada people find time to enter into solitude, fasting and prayer, to be able to confront Christ.
For this confrontation is needed if we are going to change the social, political world that is swiftly rolling to the brink of disaster.
We must meet God! This is quite evident if we really want to meet men. Meeting man individually and collectively in love based on the teachings of the Gospel of Christ, is the only fundamentally unifying force in this world. And it is we, the Christians, who must let this force loose, by witnessing to it.
To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda leading to conversions, or stirring people up to adopt means of hatred and violence against one another. It simply means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God did not exist.
This is the time. This is the hour when every Christian must reflect God. Be the icon of Christ... and see in every human being the reflection of Christ.
We must live the Gospel. In order to do so, we must pray for faith, which is the cradle of charity and hope! We must pray and ask God to make us realize that he, the Triune God, lives within us, and that in him we can begin to make violence against the only person a Christian can make violence against – himself. For it is said that “heaven is taken by violence.” (Matt 11:12)
To love God with one’s whole heart and to love one’s neighbour as we love ourselves, means also to love ourselves the way God wants us to. To follow his words – “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another as I have loved you,” means we must straighten the paths of the Lord in ourselves so that He can come through. Then all men will know him through us.
To love our enemies is to approach everyone with deep tenderness, compassion, and understanding (which are the fruits of love). This includes the human Church from the Pope down. It also means that we do not break “structures,” we restore them to their original and precedent purity.
This is the time and the hour to “lay down your life for your brethren.”
This is the time to realize the mystery of God touching – enveloping, loving – the mystery of man; and to understand that in this mystery, which is the mystery of love, lies the answer to all our problems.
The understanding will be also mystical – mysterious – and it will come to us through prayer, for the Holy Spirit speaks to us constantly. So often we do not listen to him. Listening to him is praying. Let us begin.
Adapted from Restoration, September 1972
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The environment remains a hot issue................
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Posted:Feb 28, 2007 7:44 am
Last Updated:Mar 1, 2007 8:07 pm 2512 Views
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Here in Canada we are still in a heated debate about the effects of green house gases on the environment. It appears to me that there is a very dramatic effect on the climate for all the carbons being emitted into the atmosphere. All we have to do now is accept this and do something seriously to offset it-- before it's too late!
I have yet to see Al Gore's video about climate change but I have heard some good things about it. I do know that we must take action soon or it will be too late.
The climate has definitely changed in the last number of years. I think everyone is seeing the winters getting worse and unpredictable. Last year we hardly had a winter. We had no snow here until after January-- which is most unusual. This year quite the contrary. Cold weather and lots of snow. Brutal conditions. And in our summers we are getting some snow conditions at times and other times a deluge of rain quite out of the ordinary.
In Asia I have learned that the effects of pollution are showing up in many regions in the form of disasterous weather conditions. It's pitiful that poor people are taking the brunt of the punishment for something we in the more developed world have caused through our extravagant use of energy. We're still driving gas guzzling cars and consuming humungous amounts of energy with our air conditioning, high powered gadgets and the rest.
So where does God fit this picture? The earth has been entrusted to each of us. As good and faithful stewards/ stewardesses?? we need to take care of it for our offspring. We were not given this world to squander in our own lifetime. Our natural resources need to be shared and need to be used properly. God would want us to share and take care of the needy. But allowing rich multinational oil, gas and other mining companies to gouge the earth with no concern for the future of the planet seems to me to be entirely wrong. Let's remember that the earth truly belongs to the Lord.
Blessings to all!
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Why do churches compete ... especially on the mission field?
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Posted:Feb 26, 2007 10:42 am
Last Updated:Mar 2, 2007 2:16 pm 2888 Views
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I continue to shake my head as to why Christian churches do not cooperate more ecumenically-- especially on the mission field overseas. To me it is crazy. In our inner city there are numerous church groups attempting to help the homeless and less fortunate. Sadly---Churches do not band together but offer help from their own venues. It is true that they send the less fortunate to the other churches when they cannot help but nonetheless there is not a lot of cooperation.
Likewise on the mission field overseas churches promote their own church values and toot their own horn. I'm saddended that there is not a lot of communication and cooperation among the Christian churches. To me-- "That you may all be one" is a directive from Jesus. But the impression that I get is that one must belong to "THIS" church in order to be saved. I find this attitude very shallow and very restricting.
Is ecunemism a dirty word?
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Shouldn't God get all the glory?
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Posted:Feb 24, 2007 5:03 pm
Last Updated:Mar 2, 2007 9:44 am 2646 Views
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When I was in elementary school we were encouraged to write at the top of each page AMGD
which was the latin for "Ad majorem Gloria Dei" All glory and honour to God.
Hmmmm today I am somewhat taken back by the many sports heroes who boast of their talents and their hefty salaries; the number of power drunk leaders of countries democratic and non democratic; the number of rich billionaires who think they practically own the world. While pondering how I will build my own coffin each day I remind myself of just how selfish and egotistal I have been. I wonder over the course of my life if I thanked God enough for giving me the brains to go through 12 years of university; 18 years of teaching, and nowadays the ability to drywall, do carpentry work, tile floors, etc. etc. So just how much should we thank God for our accomplishments?
To me it is like the air we breath. "This is the air we breath" is a beautiful hymn I enjoy singing in church at times. Just how much should we thank God for the air we breath? How about 10 per cent? 20 per cent? 50 per cent? NO. God gives us 100 per cent of the air we breath so why not give him 100 per cent of the credit/glory? Similarly-- it is God who gives us our abilities to do His work. So He should be getting full credit. I don't subscribe to the view that GOD IS ALL AND MAN IS NOTHING.... no. He made us in His own image. We do have value. We are recognized by God. But He does bless us abundantly. We simply need to say 'THANK YOU LORD" and hand him ALL THE GLORY! We can curtsy or take a bow-- but remember, NO GOD, no creation. We can do nothing without HIM. He deserves all the glory!
May God bless each of you.. and may HE receive all the glory!
Just wondering--- where is God?
God bless to all
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Anyone for a cup of cocoa?
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Posted:Feb 21, 2007 8:02 pm
Last Updated:Feb 25, 2007 6:04 am 2695 Views
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I heard on the radio today that some medical doctor doing research on blood pressure around the world came to the conclusion that a tribe of native people ( somewhere in the world-- whoops can't remember all the hairy details) all had the same consistently good blood pressure recordings when living in their native region. Then at some point they would move to a higher or different region and their collective blood pressures would inevitably rise.
The scientific conclusion? Chocolate! Yes it was all linked to their eating of the natural cocoa pod . Yes cocoa is a fruit-- something new for me!
So all you chocolate lovers out there-- rejoice in the cocoa pod! Now if only we could all do our social justice homework and realize that much of the chocolate we gorge ourselves on comes from slave labour in Africa! So the good news of this story-- eat natural cocoa from your local health food store. Avoid all the calories of chocolate that comes from slave labour!
I know there are many Christian Bigchurch bloggers with far more knowledge on eating healthier than I-- so please let me know. I am willing to learn!
God bless to all!
Today I received permission for SueBSingin who has a very popular blog on this site, to repost her research on this chocolate story. I thought the more exposure it gets, the better! Hope you enjoy. Thanks Sue!
Chocolate as Medicine... Feb 4, 2007 10:21 pm
Mood: experimental, 357 Views
According to the article From Aphrodisiac to Health Food: A Cultural History of Chocolate, by Louis E. Grivetti:
From the 16th through early 19th century, numerous European travel accounts and medical texts documented the presumed merits and medicinal value of chocolate. . . Presented here is a brief “taste” of these rich chocolate-related passages from selected historical monographs. On inspection, these samples reveal that chocolate products were used to treat a myriad of human disorders:
Francisco Hernández (1577) wrote that pure cacao paste prepared as a beverage treated fever and liver disease. He also mentioned that toasted, ground cacao beans mixed with resin were effective against dysentery and that chocolate beverages were commonly prescribed to thin patients in order for them to gain “flesh.”
Agustin Farfan (1592) recorded that chili peppers, rhubarb, and vanilla were used by the Mexica as purgatives and that chocolate beverages served hot doubled as powerful laxatives.
José de Acosta (1604) wrote that chili was sometimes added to chocolate beverages and that eating chocolate paste was good for stomach disorders.
Santiago de Valverde Turices (1624) concluded that chocolate drunk in great quantities was beneficial for treatment of chest ailments, but if drunk in small quantities was a satisfactory medicine for stomach disorders.
Colmenero de Ledesma (1631) reported that cacao preserved consumers’ health, made them corpulent, improved their complexions, and made their dispositions more agreeable. He wrote that drinking chocolate incited love-making, led to conception in women, and facilitated delivery. He also claimed that chocolate aided digestion and cured tuberculosis.
Henry Stubbe (1662) wrote that consumers should drink chocolate beverages once or twice each day to relieve tiredness caused by strenuous business activities. He reported that ingesting cacao oil was an effective treatment for the Fire of St. Anthony (i.e., ergot poisoning). Stubbe also described chocolate-based concoctions mixed with Jamaica pepper used to treat menstrual disorders, and other chocolate preparations blended with vanilla to strengthen the heart and to promote digestion.
Thought ya might find this one interesting too...
Love Hot Cocoa?? Feb 2, 2007 12:50 pm
Mood: thirsty, 296 Views
Hot Cocoa Tops Red Wine And Tea In Antioxidants; May Be Healthier Choice
Science Daily – There's sweet news about hot cocoa: Researchers at Cornell University have shown that the popular winter beverage contains more antioxidants per cup than a similar serving of red wine or tea and may be a healthier choice.
The study adds to growing evidence of the health benefits of cocoa and points to a tasty alternative in the quest to maintain a diet rich in healthy antioxidants, chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging, the researchers say.
Their study, which they say is the most complete comparison to date of the total antioxidant content of these three popular beverages, will appear in the Dec. 3 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
"Although we know that antioxidants are important for good health, nobody knows the exact daily amount required per person," says Chang Yong Lee, Ph.D., head of the study and a professor of food chemistry in Cornell's Department of Food Science and Technology, located in Geneva, N.Y. "Nevertheless, a cup or two of hot cocoa every once in a while can provide a delicious, warm and healthy way to obtain more antioxidants."
Many recent studies have touted the health benefits of red wine and tea, all of which are known to be high in antioxidants. Although researchers have been aware for some time that cocoa is also rich in these compounds, its relative contribution in comparison to other beverages has been unclear, says Lee.
To gain a better understanding of how these beverages compare in terms of antioxidants, the researchers tested them using similar serving sizes and conditions. The beverages tested included a cup of hot water containing two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, roughly equivalent to the amount of cocoa in a normal-size packet of instant hot chocolate; a cup of water containing a standard size bag of green tea; a cup of black tea; and one glass of red wine (California Merlot).
Using special analytical techniques to evaluate the total antioxidant content in each beverage, the researchers showed that, on a per serving basis, the antioxidant concentration in cocoa was the highest: It was almost 2 times stronger than red wine, 2-3 times stronger than green tea, and 4-5 times stronger than that of black tea.
For those who want the tasty treat but also want to avoid extra sugar and dairy products that are common additives to cocoa, healthier alternatives are possible: Skim or soy milk can substitute for regular milk, while an artificial sweetener can replace the sugar.
Although you can enjoy cocoa either hot or cold, the hot version tends to trigger the release of more antioxidants than its cold counterpart, the researcher says.
Antioxidant-rich cocoa is also found in many different products including desserts, sauces, liqueurs and candy bars, which differ widely in their cocoa content. But when given a choice between getting your antioxidant fix from a cup of cocoa or a candy bar, it is better to go with the drinkable stuff, says Lee. A normal 40-gram bar of chocolate contains about 8 grams of saturated fat, compared to only 0.3 grams in an average cup of hot cocoa, he notes.
Although many other popular beverages, such as coffee and cranberry juice, also contain high levels of antioxidants, these were not evaluated in this particular study, Lee and his associates say.
Perhaps the best way to ensure that you get plenty of antioxidants is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, experts say.
Funding for this study was provided in part by the Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by American Chemical Society.
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Has anyone seen CBC's Little Mosque on the Prairie?
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Posted:Feb 19, 2007 8:46 pm
Last Updated:Mar 4, 2007 6:53 am 2615 Views
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Little Mosque on the Prairie is a new TV series that attempts to bring some humour to the Muslim integration into modern western culture-- well at least that is how I see it.
Frankly, I find it to be quite humourous. I do think it is a good thing that we can begin to laugh at each other as opposed to some of the more serious stuff that has been taking place in recent times.
I doubt that the show will ever convert one religious side to the other-- but the humour is excellent and tasteful. I'm not so sure how most Muslim people would view this, but I think it is about time we Christians made some attempt to understand and get to know them a little better.
Has anyone heard of it at least?
God bless to all!
Chris
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A spiritual awakening...I'm planning to build my own coffin!
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Posted:Feb 18, 2007 3:15 pm
Last Updated:Feb 25, 2007 7:36 pm 3272 Views
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The sudden death of my friend Joe Magel has conjured up feelings about my own death. When I was younger I used to admire the monks ( I cannot recall the order) who would daily dig their own grave. I thought there was something profoundly human and spiritual about that act.
So today I enquired of this through an old friend who told me that it is possible and indeed not that expensive to do. Since I have always enjoyed working with wood I think it will be just a simple pine box. I'm told that you can buy handles for the casket that once lowered to the ground, you can remove them and use them for another coffin. I think I would like to do that as I have always been fairly economy minded and indeed in today's world of environmental consciousness I would not want anything to be wasted. Yes I know-- perhaps I should consider cremation-- but there is still something within me that likes the idea of keeping the old body intact even after death!
Perhaps the feelings of day to day working on your own coffin is good for the soul. I listened to the eulogy of my friend Joe, I wondered about my own life and what contributions I have made to the "Kingdom of God" as opposed to the selfish world building my own empire. Well-- at the moment I'd like to have back the last 15 years for sure! Yes we need to remind ourselves as Lent approaches that the ashes the priest use to place upon our head on Ash Wednesday and say "From dust you came and unto dust you shall return". I'm so tired of the rat race where we are buying and selling property and making huge amounts of money; doing deals which selfishly benefit ourselves and not the other; thinking purely about giving to our offspring without regard for the marginalized and oppressed that surround us. Yes I think I will do some research on building my own coffin and reflect a little more closely on my own spiritual growth and my constant need for forgiveness.
Please pray with me!
God bless to all!
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When death knocks upon our door..........
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Posted:Feb 17, 2007 8:52 am
Last Updated:Apr 14, 2010 5:26 pm 2487 Views
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Tonight I mourned in prayer the passing of my dear friend Joe Magel. I had forgotten that he had a triple by pass some ten years ago and was--- according to his doctor living on borrowed time. I guess he did not want a heart pacer for some reason.
It was a beautiful prayer service. The setting was a Catholic church. I was not impressed by the Knights of Columbus standing on guard with their swords drawn. That is an aspect of the Church I dislike. I doubt that Jesus would have had his apostles surrounding him with swords at his death side.
The theme of "night" seemed to be a common thread. They sang a hymn about the "Holy darkness, blessed night, Heaven's answer hidden from on sight; the God of silence.... tried you in the fires of affliction... in the soil of loneliness I will plant your seed." It was a beautiful evening. And of course Joe died in the night as he took his for a walk on a cold winter night.
Ohhh dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to cause each of us to reflect on our own death, that we might better prepare ourselves for that final hour; that we might grow ever more closer to YOU NOW O GOD, and turn around any part of our lives that do not embrace you. Heavenly God, take care of Joe and his dear wife Barbara and . May Joe's life and his death be a constant reminder to all of us how precious life is and how close we are all to death. May the saviour of the world bring forth his peace and his joy and keep us close to Him always.
Amen
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When death knocks upon our door..........
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Posted:Feb 17, 2007 12:38 am
Last Updated:Feb 18, 2007 4:03 pm 2615 Views
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Tonight I mourned in prayer the passing of my dear friend Joe Magel. I had forgotten that he had a triple by pass some ten years ago and was--- according to his doctor living on borrowed time. I guess he did not want a heart pacer for some reason.
It was a beautiful prayer service. The setting was a Catholic church. I was not impressed by the Knights of Columbus standing on guard with their swords drawn. That is an aspect of the Church I dislike. I doubt that Jesus would have had his apostles surrounding him with swords at his death side.
The theme of "night" seemed to be a common thread. They sang a hymn about the "Holy darkness, blessed night, Heaven's answer hidden from on sight; the God of silence.... tried you in the fires of affliction... in the soil of loneliness I will plant your seed." It was a beautiful evening. And of course Joe died in the night as he took his for a walk on a cold winter night.
Ohhh dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to cause each of us to reflect on our own death, that we might better prepare ourselves for that final hour; that we might grow ever more closer to YOU NOW O GOD, and turn around any part of our lives that do not embrace you. Heavenly God, take care of Joe and his dear wife Barbara and . May Joe's life and his death be a constant reminder to all of us how precious life is and how close we are all to death. May the saviour of the world bring forth his peace and his joy and keep us close to Him always.
Amen
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