January 11
"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." -- Pericles
Every day pray this prayer from Dr. Luther:
I ask God to help me appreciate my baptism and rejoice in it.
I am so blessed while so many others do not have this treasure.
I pray for strength to work and speak and give that others may find the joy and treasure I have, Amen.
What People Believe
Newly released results from The Harris Poll® show that a very large majority of the American public believe in God, miracles, the survival of the soul after death, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the virgin birth. But what may be surprising is that substantial minorities believe in ghosts, UFOs, witches, astrology, and the belief that they themselves were once other people. Overall, more people believe in the devil, hell and angels than believe in Darwin's theory of evolution.
Some of the findings in this new Harris Poll include:
* Eighty percent of adult Americans believe in God — unchanged since the last time the question was asked in 2005. Large majorities of the public believe in miracles (75%), heaven (73%), angels (71%), that Jesus is God or the Son of God (71%), the resurrection of Jesus (70%), the survival of the soul after death (68%), hell (62%) the virgin birth of Jesus born to Mary (61%) and the devil (59%).
* Slightly more people — although both are minorities — believe in Darwin's theory of evolution (47%) than in creationism (40%).
* Sizeable minorities believe in ghosts (44%), UFOs (36%), witches (31%), astrology (31%), and reincarnation (24%).
Interestingly, slender majorities of all adults believe that all or most of the Old Testament (55%) and the New Testament (54%) are the "Word of God." However, only about a third of all adults (37% and 36%) believe that all of these texts are the word of God. Only 26 percent of all adults believe that the Torah is the word of God, even though it is the same as the first five books of the Old Testament.
Regarding religiosity and religious practice, less than a quarter of Americans describe themselves as "very religious." However, a large majority (68%) describe themselves as either very (23%) or somewhat (45%) religious. A quarter (27%) of adults say that they attend church once a week or more, compared with 36 percent who say they attend less than once a year or never (18% each). November 10 and 17, 2008, by Harris Interactive.
Making Your Resolutions Stick
While many people make New Year's resolutions in late December or early January, this time of year, very few of them actually follow through with their commitment for more than a few days or weeks. An article appearing on the Web site, htrnews.com, suggests that you should think of your resolutions in terms of goals that are simple, realistic and measurable. Several suggestions are provided for making your resolutions stick.
* Change for yourself, not for anyone else.
* Take small steps. To make your goals more achievable, come up with small goals you know you can meet each day to keep yourself on track and feeling positive.
* Be realistic. Be sure your goals and plan of action are realistic. Try to make meeting your goals as easy as possible for yourself. Then set your goals at a reasonable height so that you can reach them one by one without feeling overwhelmed.
* Be flexible. If weather or illness prevents you from sticking to your plan, make a plan B for a situation you cannot avoid.
* Build a support system. Enlist the support of your family, friends or co-workers.
Perhaps this is a difficult year for you. The future stretching out before you may seem gloomy or threatening. … In your rare moments of quiet, you may wonder, Where is God? He’s right there at your side, my friend. He has never left. He has never removed His eye from you, nor has His attention wandered to other matters. Not even for a heartbeat. He has never ceased caring for you, thinking about you, considering your situation, and loving you with a passion and intensity beyond comprehension.
Sam Houston was the first president of the Republic of Texas. It's said he was a rather nasty fellow with a checkered past. Later in life Houston made a commitment to Christ and was baptized in a river. The preacher said to him, "Sam, your sins are washed away." Houston replied, "God help the fish." Although most of us were not baptized as adults in a river, we can probably relate to this reply.
Twice in Mark's gospel the word "torn," with a dramatic and active sense is used. The first is as Jesus rises from the waters of baptism and the second is at the end of Mark's "good news" as the temple curtain is rent. The first event presents the in-breaking of the kingdom of heaven and the second the tearing away of the religious barrier between God and humanity.
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." -- Plato
"God doesn't promise us a tomorrow. He does promise everlasting life!" -- Anonymous
"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." -- William Ralph Inge
"Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same, but you leave 'em all over everything you do." -- Elvis Presley
In 1999, Saint Laurent [famous fashion designer who recently died] sold the rights of his label to Gucci Group NV, ceding control of his Rive Gauche collection, fragrances, cosmetics and accessories for $70 million cash and royalties.
When he bowed out of fashion in 2002, Saint Laurent spoke of his battles with depression, drugs and loneliness. "I've known fear and terrible solitude," he said. "Tranquilizers and drugs, those phony friends. The prison of depression and hospitals. I've emerged from all this, dazzled but sober."
Seventy million dollars and world-wide fame could not buy this successful man peace or happiness. Yet I know people who have no fame and little money, who have peace of mind and are very happy. What they have is a free gift and costs nothing. Saint Laurent was obviously no saint; how interesting. His seventy million is still here on Earth. Nothing wrong with having money [it can do a lot of good] and there is nothing wrong with having fame, if we can deal with the "pride issue". However, for what purpose if we haven't connected with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? There is no amount of money as powerful as a connection to Christ for a truly successful life.
If Saint Laurent had found Christ, the drugs, pills, depression, fear and loneliness could have been replaced with joy and peace.
In moments of despair and doubt and desolation, Martin Luther would say to himself as a reminder, "I was baptized."
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diet.
"The difference between Christianity and religion is how they are spelled. Religion is spelled 'do' - do this, do that, do, do, do. Christianity is spelled 'done'. Christianity has already done everything needed. We just need to receive the gift of 'done.'"
Archeologists from Hebrew University unearthed this ancient inscription:
Messiah wanted. Full-time position for temple in Jerusalem. The successful applicant will be dynamic, vibrant, and contagiously enthusiastic; able to perform healings and exorcisms and to feed large crowds; a real "people person" who is able to relate to persons of all ages, especially youth and families; an outgoing "self-starter" who will energize us in our devotion to the Torah. Proven skills in administration and organization are a must; ability to walk on water a plus. Seeking someone with at least eight years of experience, either as a solo-messiah, or part of a messianic staff. Competitive salary package. Jerusalem offers excellent schools and recreational opportunities; a good place to raise a family. Send resume and references to Skip Hebel, Messiah Search Committee, Jerusalem.
The Lion King
Baptism tells us who we are. Nowhere do we see this truth better illustrated than in Disney’s The Lion King. Remember that Simba the lion cub is separated from all that reminds him of his identity. He is away from home, away from his family, and away from his responsibilities in the world. In fact, he forsakes his true identity as a lion, much less the king of the lions. In his absence, the kingdom is over run by forces of evil, and it becomes a very dark and wounded place.
The baboon “priest” Rafiki finds Simba in the jungle and calls him back to his identity. In John the Baptist fashion Rafiki leads Simba to a great lake. As Simba stares into the pool of water, it is not only his face that is reflected. It is also the face of his father. The father and son are inextricably linked. As he recognizes his father within himself, the heavens open and the father speaks to him from heaven. In that moment, Simba is transformed. He understands his true identity as the Lion King and sees the responsibility his identity carries. He is empowered for the mission that lies before him and is able to combat the evil forces of the world that have taken over. In the end, Simba is victorious and brings light and healing back to his kingdom.
Every day pray this prayer from Dr. Luther:
I ask God to help me appreciate my baptism and rejoice in it.
I am so blessed while so many others do not have this treasure.
I pray for strength to work and speak and give that others may find the joy and treasure I have, Amen.
What People Believe
Newly released results from The Harris Poll® show that a very large majority of the American public believe in God, miracles, the survival of the soul after death, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the virgin birth. But what may be surprising is that substantial minorities believe in ghosts, UFOs, witches, astrology, and the belief that they themselves were once other people. Overall, more people believe in the devil, hell and angels than believe in Darwin's theory of evolution.
Some of the findings in this new Harris Poll include:
* Eighty percent of adult Americans believe in God — unchanged since the last time the question was asked in 2005. Large majorities of the public believe in miracles (75%), heaven (73%), angels (71%), that Jesus is God or the Son of God (71%), the resurrection of Jesus (70%), the survival of the soul after death (68%), hell (62%) the virgin birth of Jesus born to Mary (61%) and the devil (59%).
* Slightly more people — although both are minorities — believe in Darwin's theory of evolution (47%) than in creationism (40%).
* Sizeable minorities believe in ghosts (44%), UFOs (36%), witches (31%), astrology (31%), and reincarnation (24%).
Interestingly, slender majorities of all adults believe that all or most of the Old Testament (55%) and the New Testament (54%) are the "Word of God." However, only about a third of all adults (37% and 36%) believe that all of these texts are the word of God. Only 26 percent of all adults believe that the Torah is the word of God, even though it is the same as the first five books of the Old Testament.
Regarding religiosity and religious practice, less than a quarter of Americans describe themselves as "very religious." However, a large majority (68%) describe themselves as either very (23%) or somewhat (45%) religious. A quarter (27%) of adults say that they attend church once a week or more, compared with 36 percent who say they attend less than once a year or never (18% each). November 10 and 17, 2008, by Harris Interactive.
Making Your Resolutions Stick
While many people make New Year's resolutions in late December or early January, this time of year, very few of them actually follow through with their commitment for more than a few days or weeks. An article appearing on the Web site, htrnews.com, suggests that you should think of your resolutions in terms of goals that are simple, realistic and measurable. Several suggestions are provided for making your resolutions stick.
* Change for yourself, not for anyone else.
* Take small steps. To make your goals more achievable, come up with small goals you know you can meet each day to keep yourself on track and feeling positive.
* Be realistic. Be sure your goals and plan of action are realistic. Try to make meeting your goals as easy as possible for yourself. Then set your goals at a reasonable height so that you can reach them one by one without feeling overwhelmed.
* Be flexible. If weather or illness prevents you from sticking to your plan, make a plan B for a situation you cannot avoid.
* Build a support system. Enlist the support of your family, friends or co-workers.
Perhaps this is a difficult year for you. The future stretching out before you may seem gloomy or threatening. … In your rare moments of quiet, you may wonder, Where is God? He’s right there at your side, my friend. He has never left. He has never removed His eye from you, nor has His attention wandered to other matters. Not even for a heartbeat. He has never ceased caring for you, thinking about you, considering your situation, and loving you with a passion and intensity beyond comprehension.
Sam Houston was the first president of the Republic of Texas. It's said he was a rather nasty fellow with a checkered past. Later in life Houston made a commitment to Christ and was baptized in a river. The preacher said to him, "Sam, your sins are washed away." Houston replied, "God help the fish." Although most of us were not baptized as adults in a river, we can probably relate to this reply.
Twice in Mark's gospel the word "torn," with a dramatic and active sense is used. The first is as Jesus rises from the waters of baptism and the second is at the end of Mark's "good news" as the temple curtain is rent. The first event presents the in-breaking of the kingdom of heaven and the second the tearing away of the religious barrier between God and humanity.
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." -- Plato
"God doesn't promise us a tomorrow. He does promise everlasting life!" -- Anonymous
"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." -- William Ralph Inge
"Values are like fingerprints. Nobody's are the same, but you leave 'em all over everything you do." -- Elvis Presley
In 1999, Saint Laurent [famous fashion designer who recently died] sold the rights of his label to Gucci Group NV, ceding control of his Rive Gauche collection, fragrances, cosmetics and accessories for $70 million cash and royalties.
When he bowed out of fashion in 2002, Saint Laurent spoke of his battles with depression, drugs and loneliness. "I've known fear and terrible solitude," he said. "Tranquilizers and drugs, those phony friends. The prison of depression and hospitals. I've emerged from all this, dazzled but sober."
Seventy million dollars and world-wide fame could not buy this successful man peace or happiness. Yet I know people who have no fame and little money, who have peace of mind and are very happy. What they have is a free gift and costs nothing. Saint Laurent was obviously no saint; how interesting. His seventy million is still here on Earth. Nothing wrong with having money [it can do a lot of good] and there is nothing wrong with having fame, if we can deal with the "pride issue". However, for what purpose if we haven't connected with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? There is no amount of money as powerful as a connection to Christ for a truly successful life.
If Saint Laurent had found Christ, the drugs, pills, depression, fear and loneliness could have been replaced with joy and peace.
In moments of despair and doubt and desolation, Martin Luther would say to himself as a reminder, "I was baptized."
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diet.
"The difference between Christianity and religion is how they are spelled. Religion is spelled 'do' - do this, do that, do, do, do. Christianity is spelled 'done'. Christianity has already done everything needed. We just need to receive the gift of 'done.'"
Archeologists from Hebrew University unearthed this ancient inscription:
Messiah wanted. Full-time position for temple in Jerusalem. The successful applicant will be dynamic, vibrant, and contagiously enthusiastic; able to perform healings and exorcisms and to feed large crowds; a real "people person" who is able to relate to persons of all ages, especially youth and families; an outgoing "self-starter" who will energize us in our devotion to the Torah. Proven skills in administration and organization are a must; ability to walk on water a plus. Seeking someone with at least eight years of experience, either as a solo-messiah, or part of a messianic staff. Competitive salary package. Jerusalem offers excellent schools and recreational opportunities; a good place to raise a family. Send resume and references to Skip Hebel, Messiah Search Committee, Jerusalem.
The Lion King
Baptism tells us who we are. Nowhere do we see this truth better illustrated than in Disney’s The Lion King. Remember that Simba the lion cub is separated from all that reminds him of his identity. He is away from home, away from his family, and away from his responsibilities in the world. In fact, he forsakes his true identity as a lion, much less the king of the lions. In his absence, the kingdom is over run by forces of evil, and it becomes a very dark and wounded place.
The baboon “priest” Rafiki finds Simba in the jungle and calls him back to his identity. In John the Baptist fashion Rafiki leads Simba to a great lake. As Simba stares into the pool of water, it is not only his face that is reflected. It is also the face of his father. The father and son are inextricably linked. As he recognizes his father within himself, the heavens open and the father speaks to him from heaven. In that moment, Simba is transformed. He understands his true identity as the Lion King and sees the responsibility his identity carries. He is empowered for the mission that lies before him and is able to combat the evil forces of the world that have taken over. In the end, Simba is victorious and brings light and healing back to his kingdom.
posted by joypastordon at 2:26 PM
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