Fleecing the Flock?

Recently an article appeared in a magazine that in part discussed the impending 90th birthday celebration of a man who has been called the "pastor to the Presidents." The magazine mentioned in passing that this man's salary from his ministry was a little less than $500,000. a year. I was astonished at the amount,I couldn't believe how high it was. Realizing that this magazine did not always take a favorable view of Christianity,I looked on the internet and found that the figure was indeed accurate. I also saw there the incomes of other well known television and radio evangelists. Six figure incomes were the norm,not the exception; in addition, many had jets,most owned multiple properties,and all lived in luxury. I wondered, how can any of these people truly believe in the Bible and take in this kind of income? Granted, no one expects them to live like Trappist monks,but,when is enough,enough? How can anyone justify preaching the gospel while making a little less than a half million dollars a year or more? But then, when you think about it, the blame for this situation rests on us,the people. A people who would rather send money to high profile ministries then support their local Bible believing church. This is a sad state of affairs if there ever was one.
I'll always remember what my parish priest told me years ago while reflecting on television and radio "ministries"; he said: "try calling Billy Graham the next time you or a loved one have a personal crisis and see what happens." Well put, may we all support our local churches with our time,talents and money!

The Right Reason

"A wrong attitude toward nature implies,somewhere,a wrong attitude toward God."
(by T.S. Elliot,from The Idea of a Christian Society).
A Christian's zeal to respect and protect this earth should come from the best possible motivation to do so, a love for the Creator.

In the Time of Calamity,A Prayer

O God, merciful and compassionate,who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee;Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee,and grant us Your help in this their time of need;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(From The 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
As we give thanks and celebrate this Thanksgiving, may we remember to pray for those less fortunate as well as those who have recently experienced great tragedy.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation 1789

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will,to be grateful for His benefits,and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God,especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."(the first paragraph of George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation,New York, October 3,1789).
If only we could hear such a proclamation coming from the President of this nation in 2008. May our senators,congressman and leaders recall the statements of faith made by our Founding Fathers.

A Prayer for Travelers

O God,who art not far from each one of us: be near to all who travel by land,sea,or air; lighten their way with the grace of thy presence,preserve them in all dangers and in all temptations,direct their paths in tranquility,and bring them in health and safety to their journey's end: through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.(from The St. Dunstan Kyrial).We ask His protection for those we love during this holiday season.

Our Bodies

Our bodies are Christ's purchased possession, and we are not at liberty to do with them as we please. All who understand the laws of health should realize their obligation to obey these laws which God has established in their being. Obedience to the laws of health is to be a matter of personal duty. We ourselves must suffer the results of violated law.We must individually answer to God for habits and practices. Therefore the question with us is not, "What is the world's practice?" but, "How shall I as an individual treat the habitation that God has given me?"
(from The Ministry of Healing).
Created by God and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit,our bodies should not be abused by careless and destructive practices.

Prayer For a Despondent Person

Comfort,we beseech thee,most gracious God,this thy servant,cast down and faint of heart amidst the sorrows and difficulties of the world; and grant that, by the power of thy Holy Spirit,they may be enabled to go upon their way rejoicing,and giving thee continual thanks for thy sustaining providence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.
(from The Monastic Diurnal).
In these increasingly troubling and difficult times,this is a much needed prayer.

Maintaining an Attitude of Gratitude and Appreciation

Because of petty problems and unimportant concerns,we often fail to see how generous life has been with us. It is a marvelous world in which we live. No one can take from us the basic,simple joys of living--the taste of food,the scent of pine trees in the rain,the beauty of a moonlit night,the sound of a waterfall,the colors of a sunset,the joy of loving and being loved. That is to say,no one can really take them away from us,except ourselves. Life's tragedy is not simply the inhumanity of man to man,in the form of concentration camps,exploitation and wars.Life's tragedy is also the torture that we impose upon ourselves because of our failure to accept what is ours.
Life is a gift. "Freely you have received," said Jesus; "freely give." All of the fundamental joys of life are gifts that come to us without having earned them. Most of us remain unaware of this too much of the time.Jesus often emphasized the wonderful gifts that life offers.
(from The Great Religions By Which Men Live by Ross and Hills).
With Thankgiving approaching,may we not forget or ignore the blessings He has given us.

A Few Words From Thomas Merton

"We do not exist for ourselves alone, and it is only when we are fully convinced of this fact that we begin to love ourselves properly and thus also love others.What do I mean by loving ourselves properly? I mean,first of all,desiring to live,accepting life as a very great gift and a great good,not because of what it gives us,but because of what it enables us to give to others."
(by Thomas Merton).
It is in the giving that we receive.

This Christian Life

The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of satan. Christian integrity must be sought with relentless energy and maintained with a determined purposefulness.
We are living in a time when the temptations that lead to sin have never been greater, but, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.

Our Lord's Return

"Blessed are those servants whom the master,when he comes,will find watching." Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
(from Luke,Chapter 12:37,40).
People who read their Bibles know that our Lord's return,a second Advent, is written of repeatedly.What is also mentioned repeatedly is that no man knows the specific time and date He will return.Sadly,man in his arrogance has over the centuries set dates for Jesus' return,only to be proven wrong time and time again. However,the Bible makes it very clear that we are to be watchful and ready for His "second coming".Think of the Parable of the Ten Virgins as one example.Are we watching what is happening in the world around us? Consider this: have we gotten better or worse as a society in regards to moral and religious issues? More importantly,are we ready spiritually for His return? What about our loved ones,especially our children? These are just a few of the questions we need to ask ourselves as professed followers of Jesus.Let us make this coming Advent season a time of heeding His instruction and warnings.

Being Humble

Help us, Lord,who claim to be your special people. Don't let us feel privileged and selfish because you have called us to you. Teach us our responsibilities to you,our brother,and to all the people out there. Save us from the sin of loving religion instead of you. Amen.
(from Are You Running With Me,Jesus? by Malcolm Boyd).
Jesus said,"he who humbles himself will be exalted."
True religion is first and foremost a relationship with Jesus and following Him. It is not about what church you belong to.

Considering the Awesomeness of God

Oh Lord, how can we know Thee? Where can we find Thee? Thou art as close to us as breathing and yet art further than the farthermost star. Thou art as mysterious as the vast solitudes of the night and yet art as familiar to us as the light of the sun. To the seer of old Thou didst say: Thou canst not see my face, but I will make all my goodness pass before thee. Even so does Thy goodness pass before us in the realm of nature and in the varied experiences of our lives. When justice burns as a flaming fire within us, when love evokes willing sacrifice from us, when, to the last full measure of selfless devotion, we proclaim our belief in the ultimate triumph of truth and righteousness, do we not bow before the vision of Thy goodness? Thou livest within our hearts, as Thou dost pervade the world, and we through righteousness behold Thy presence.
( by an unknown Jewish author).
Man from the beginning of time has considered the awesomeness of God.

Fathers

"But,fathers,do not discourage your children. Combine affection with authority,kindness and sympathy with firm restraint. Give some of your leisure hours to your children; become acquainted with them; associate with them in their work and in their sports,and win their confidence.Cultivate frienship with them,especially with your sons.In this way you will be a strong influence for good."
(from The Ministry of Healing).
In this modern age parents,particularly fathers, are spending less time with their children.This deprives children of a relationship that they desperately need.

When We Reach Out to Others

"Do not forget to entertain strangers,for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
(Hebrews 13:2).
We never know how far-reaching an act of kindness might be.
Jesus said in regards to the person who cared for the sick,fed the hungry,clothed the naked and visited those in prison; "inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren,you did it to Me."

A Prayer For Our Prayers

Heavenly Father,Take our imperfect prayers and purify them,so that we mean what we pray and are prepared to give ourselves to you along with our words,through Jesus Christ, who did not disdain to take our humanness upon him and live among us,sharing our life,our joys,and our pains. Amen.
(from, Are You Running With Me,Jesus? by Malcolm Boyd,Episcopal priest).

The Treasure That is Our Bible

The same power that Christ exercised when He walked visibly among men is in His Word.It was by His Word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His Word He stilled the sea and raised the dead, and the people bore witness that His Word was with power. He had spoken the Word of God, as He had spoken to all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ.

Out of the Mouth of Babes,A Little Humour

A Sunday school teacher asked a little girl in her class whether she said her prayers every night. "No,not every night," answered the girl, " 'cause some nights I don't want anything."
As adults, may our prayers be more than a personal wish list.

A Prayer Before Taking a Journey

O God, Who didst guide the Children of Israel by a pillar of cloud and fire, and didst lead the Wise Men by the shining of a star,be to us,we beseech Thee, a Light to lighten our darkness, granting us a holy and prosperous journey, a safe arrival at the place where we would be and in Thy good time bring us to the haven of eternal salvation, through Jesus Christ,Our Lord. Amen.

Free Will

"God gave to each of us a free will,yet the very possession of our freedom should so frighten us that in every possible way we should throw safeguards around it. We should be very afraid of any circumstance that might mean our downfall."
(from God's Psychiatry by Charles L.Allen).
Have we modern believers forgotten the seductiveness, and, the seriousness of sin?

The Company We Keep

"Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. Awake to righteousness,and do not sin,for some do not have the knowledge of God."
(from 1 Corinthians 15:33,34).
We cannot underestimate,especially among young believers in Jesus and our children,the negative effect that their associating with those who walk contrary to God can cause.

Answered Prayer

"We all desire immediate and direct answers to our prayers, and are tempted to become discouraged when the answer is delayed or comes in an unlooked for form. But God is too wise and good to answer our prayers always at just the time and in just the manner we desire. He will do more and better for us than to accomplish all our wishes. And because we can trust His wisdom and love, we should not ask Him to concede to our will, but should seek to enter into and accomplish His purpose. Our desires and interests should be lost in His will. These experiences that test faith are for our benefit.We must let patience have its perfect work, remembering that there are precious promises in the Scriptures for those who wait upon the Lord."
(from The Ministry of Healing).

Procession

God,my God, before you I stand in my distress, Look on my destitution,turn not away. I rise and follow,your call I hear, Stay me and keep my heart from all fear. Step by step I advance in the dark, Let me feel your hand, let me hear your voice. Dwell in my heart and make it pure, Strong God,on your pathways keep me secure. I follow,I follow you on the hills, In the shade of your cross I walk with mine. Up the steps of your mercy climb-from fall to fall, Learn in my sins to know your humble heart, Your unbearable gentleness, Lamb of God, Whose touch dissolves,or destroys like fire. I am yours, I am yours-what am I in your sight? I would know myself, but in your life-giving light. O make haste your face on mine to impress, That you find in me no unshapeliness
When you judge me with your clemency For eternity.
(by Raissa Maritain).
So well and beautifully expressed,feelings I am sure we all have.

Money

Money is a trust from God. It is not ours to expend for the gratification of pride or ambition. In the hands of God's children it is food for the hungry, and clothing for the naked.It is a defence to the oppressed,a means of health to the sick,a means of preaching the gospel to the poor.You could bring happiness to many hearts by using wisely the means that is now spent for show. Consider the life of Christ.Study His character,and be partakers with Him in His self-denial.

In Troubling Times

"Many who profess to be Christ's followers have an anxious,troubled heart because they are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him,for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make this surrender they cannot find peace."
(from The Ministry of Healing).
There used to be saying,"let go and let God," professed believers totally entrust their lives to Him,regardless of the cost.

This Earth

"I believe in my heart that faith in Jesus Christ can and will lead us beyond an exclusive concern for the well-being of other human beings to the broader concern for the well-being of the birds in our backyards,the fish in our rivers, and every living creature on the face of the earth."
(a quote by John Wesley,Anglican priest).
If you are a Christian, it's a given that you will seek to love,respect and protect His creation.

On The Night Before the Presidential Election

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government."
"Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies."
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."
"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government."
"That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part."
"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves."
(the above quotes by Thomas Jefferson should be considered by every American before voting).

A Collect For Today

O Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from their offences; that through thy bountiful goodness we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins,which by our frailty we have committed. Grant this,O heavenly Father,for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen

To All Americans

"But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." [March 30, 1863]
(from a speech by Abraham Lincoln).
This speech could be made today to the American people. It's as relevant now as it was back then.