Torah: Exodus 21:1-22:15
Prophet: Ezekiel 12:1-28
Writing: Proverbs 25:1-28
Psalm: Psalm 19:1-14
Epistle: I Thessalonians 4:1-18
Gospel: Mark 12:35-37
Collect: Gracious Father, who caused Zacheus to repent and make restitution for his sins, open our eyes to our own sins that we may repent, make good our errors, and be reconciled with those whom we have hurt;that the world may see that we truly serving the risen Lord. This we ask in the name of Yeshuah haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
19 September 2010: 16th Sunday of Gracetide
Torah: Lev. 23:33-43
Prophet: Zachariah 14:1-21
Writing: Proverbs 22:1-29
Psalm: 119:169-176
For the Epistle: Rev. 17:1-18
Gospel: Mark 7:24-37
Collect: Gracious Father, who through your son, Yeshua cleansed the lepers and healed the sick. Guide us not to be obstacles to others, but to have that true faith in you that we too could say to the mountain, be removed and cast into the sea and have it done. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.
15 September: : We confess Lord, that sometimes our own witness is dimmed by our pride and stubbornness. Forgive us, we pray, and remind us that the journey is not yet over. Give us grace to persevere under your guidance. For Yeshua's sake. Amen.
16 September: Father, as you raised up Ninian as Bishop of Galloway and to preach the Gospel to the Picts. Raise us in this and every land evangelists who are willing to suffer for the faith by preaching no matter what the circumstances. We ask this through the same Yeshuah who gives us joy in all circumstances. Amen. (white)
17 September: Teach us, O Lord, to see our neighbors with new eyes so that by your grace we may become more useful to them for your sake. In the name of Yeshua, we pray. Amen
Yom Kippur: Heavenly Father, as we remember the day of atonement which prefigured Messiah’s death on the cross. Separate our sins as far from us as the east is from the west, and grant that we may enter into the holy place where you now rein, one God, in glory everlasting. (Lenten array or violet)
Eve: Lev 16:1-34
Morning:
Psalm 16
Jonah 1:1-4:11
Luke 43:44-46
Prophet: Zachariah 14:1-21
Writing: Proverbs 22:1-29
Psalm: 119:169-176
For the Epistle: Rev. 17:1-18
Gospel: Mark 7:24-37
Collect: Gracious Father, who through your son, Yeshua cleansed the lepers and healed the sick. Guide us not to be obstacles to others, but to have that true faith in you that we too could say to the mountain, be removed and cast into the sea and have it done. This we ask in the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.
15 September: : We confess Lord, that sometimes our own witness is dimmed by our pride and stubbornness. Forgive us, we pray, and remind us that the journey is not yet over. Give us grace to persevere under your guidance. For Yeshua's sake. Amen.
16 September: Father, as you raised up Ninian as Bishop of Galloway and to preach the Gospel to the Picts. Raise us in this and every land evangelists who are willing to suffer for the faith by preaching no matter what the circumstances. We ask this through the same Yeshuah who gives us joy in all circumstances. Amen. (white)
17 September: Teach us, O Lord, to see our neighbors with new eyes so that by your grace we may become more useful to them for your sake. In the name of Yeshua, we pray. Amen
Yom Kippur: Heavenly Father, as we remember the day of atonement which prefigured Messiah’s death on the cross. Separate our sins as far from us as the east is from the west, and grant that we may enter into the holy place where you now rein, one God, in glory everlasting. (Lenten array or violet)
Eve: Lev 16:1-34
Morning:
Psalm 16
Jonah 1:1-4:11
Luke 43:44-46
Sunday, August 15, 2010
11th Sunday of Gracetide
Proverbs 17:1-28
Short but sweet:
Often we are all too convinced of our own holiness and lack of sinfulness because we compare ourselves to other historical figures. We must remember that God's standards are not ours, and that the standard we must measure up to is Yeshua. None of us are good, no, not one, and our righteousness in his sight is as filthy rags. Only Yeshua can give us the power to go and sin no more.
OUR VIEW
Myself
Hitler
GOD'S VIEW
God
Myself
Hitler
Short but sweet:
Often we are all too convinced of our own holiness and lack of sinfulness because we compare ourselves to other historical figures. We must remember that God's standards are not ours, and that the standard we must measure up to is Yeshua. None of us are good, no, not one, and our righteousness in his sight is as filthy rags. Only Yeshua can give us the power to go and sin no more.
OUR VIEW
Myself
Hitler
GOD'S VIEW
God
Myself
Hitler
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Thomas Sunday: 11 April 2010
Torah: Genesis 38:1-30
Prophet: Jeremiah 34:1-22
Writing: Proverbs 1:1-33
Psalm: 119:1-8
For the Epistle: Acts 6:1-15
Gospel: John 20:24-31
Collect of the Day: Dear Lord, when Thomas could not believe without seeing, you came to release his faith so he would recognise you as his Lord and God: release our faith, that we would recognise you as saviour of the world, and follow you as Lord, wherever you may lead. This we ask through Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reign with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. (gold)
Prophet: Jeremiah 34:1-22
Writing: Proverbs 1:1-33
Psalm: 119:1-8
For the Epistle: Acts 6:1-15
Gospel: John 20:24-31
Collect of the Day: Dear Lord, when Thomas could not believe without seeing, you came to release his faith so he would recognise you as his Lord and God: release our faith, that we would recognise you as saviour of the world, and follow you as Lord, wherever you may lead. This we ask through Yeshua haMoshiach, who lives and reign with you and the Ruach haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting. Amen. (gold)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
2nd Sunday of Lent
Jeremiah 30:1-24
Last week, we heard the Lord tell us to be happy where he has put us. This week, we are told to trust in God. The Jewish people are told that God will give them freedom and return them to the land of Israel. Even though no-one cares for Israel, God will save them, although he will not allow them to go unpunished. But the time will come again when the people of Israel learn that God will be their God and that they will be his people.
Suffering, isolation, exile, are all strong force which can build or break a people. Just as God spent 40 years in the desert teaching the sons of Israel to remove Egypt from their midst, so did he have them in captivity for 70 years to truly turn them to a true people of God. It appears that during the Babylonian captivity, the Jews became truly God's people. They learned in captivity to take the Sabbath seriously and learned to keep the festivals in spirit and truth, and learned that God was truly with them, and wanted to be their God and protect them.
Likewise, as we look at Jakob, he has spent years being tricked by his cousin, and learning to totally trust in God. It is a lesson which is difficult for us to learn, which is one of the reasons we keep Lent. During this time we read God's word, hopefully go to church a little more, and allow God to speak to us through his word and to transform us into the image of his Son. After all, it is better to practice self-discipline that to have the Lord teach us through discipline and correction.
I note sadly in passing, that in the world I hear people say many sad things. No church is necessary to be a Christian, baptism is not necessary, moral laws don't apply to us. Saddest of all, the belief that we are all going to heaven. If we the Church do not convey the truth to those around us, then God's judgment will come upon us, just as it came upon Israel. We are called to sound the trumpet. We are the ones who are here.
Last week, we heard the Lord tell us to be happy where he has put us. This week, we are told to trust in God. The Jewish people are told that God will give them freedom and return them to the land of Israel. Even though no-one cares for Israel, God will save them, although he will not allow them to go unpunished. But the time will come again when the people of Israel learn that God will be their God and that they will be his people.
Suffering, isolation, exile, are all strong force which can build or break a people. Just as God spent 40 years in the desert teaching the sons of Israel to remove Egypt from their midst, so did he have them in captivity for 70 years to truly turn them to a true people of God. It appears that during the Babylonian captivity, the Jews became truly God's people. They learned in captivity to take the Sabbath seriously and learned to keep the festivals in spirit and truth, and learned that God was truly with them, and wanted to be their God and protect them.
Likewise, as we look at Jakob, he has spent years being tricked by his cousin, and learning to totally trust in God. It is a lesson which is difficult for us to learn, which is one of the reasons we keep Lent. During this time we read God's word, hopefully go to church a little more, and allow God to speak to us through his word and to transform us into the image of his Son. After all, it is better to practice self-discipline that to have the Lord teach us through discipline and correction.
I note sadly in passing, that in the world I hear people say many sad things. No church is necessary to be a Christian, baptism is not necessary, moral laws don't apply to us. Saddest of all, the belief that we are all going to heaven. If we the Church do not convey the truth to those around us, then God's judgment will come upon us, just as it came upon Israel. We are called to sound the trumpet. We are the ones who are here.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
25 February 2010
Jeremiah 29:1-32
This is a favourite. This scripture is basically, a bloom where you are planted scripture.
Society in the USA particularly needs to hear this scripture. To set it in context, Babylon has conquered Jerusalem, taken the King captive and brought many of the Jews to Babylon. Jeremiah writes this letter telling them to pray for the king, and to get on with their lives, that in God's time (70 years) they will be restored to Jerusalem.
Today, one of the most insidious sins is covetousness. Oh, if I had a better job, I would be happy. If I had a Cadillac, I would be happy, etc, etc. ad nauseum. In this time of Lent, when we are all hopefully fasting, we should be looking at what truly makes us happy. I have seen people eating, who were miserable, because they were not eating what they wanted. I have also seen people whose appetite is spoiled because there is too much food on the table. C.S. Lewis describes the first problem in a wonderful manner in his novel, Perelandra,
So what is covetousness? Is it wrong to want a better house, or car, etc? Clearly no. The secret though is not to make these things our goal in life. When we were house hunting, there were just a couple of details I was interested in. It had to be above the flood line, and it had to be set up with a room we could use as a chapel, and a decent dining room. Did I have to have these things to be happy? No, but we needed them if we were to use our house as a home church, which it still is, though still small. Will we want such a house later. Probably not, I'll be happy with a small two bedroom house with a large dining room for children, grandchildren, and guests. My house is not my goal, but a means to working for the kingdom.
And my car? Well, I have two, a 1995 Olds Sierra, which will get its windows fixed this afternoon. Is it beautiful or elegant? Not really, but it gets me where I want to go. If someone gave me a million tomorrow, would I sell it and buy another? Probably not (although I would like an Aptera), I'd probably just finish a few more minor repairs. My other car, sadly doesn't get me where I want to go, and God willing, it will be repaired some day, but the car is not important. The getting there that is.
God wants us to learn to be thankful for what we have. The Word Eucharist, which we use for the Holy Communion comes from the Greek, Ευχαριστο, which means thanks or thanksgiving. Are you thankful for your spouse, your car, your house, your food, your job? God wants us to learn to be thankful for what we have. People in Haiti are happy just to be alive. Most of you who will read this live a standard of living that most Haitians could only dream about even before the earthquake.
Could our circumstances be better? Maybe yes, maybe no. Can we learn from them. Many would say it was the circumstances of the captivity in Babylon which was the crucible which formed the Jews. In fact I would say that myself. It was in Babylon that the Jews realised that they must depend on God and learned to obey him. In fact during the 70 years of captivity in Babyolon, it seems they learned more than in the prior 600 or so years of being the Kingdom of Judah.
Are your circumstances tough? Don't focus on them, focus on the relationships, especially with God. Allow those circumstances to guide you in developing a relaationship with God, and your family. Be thankful, and learn to have joy in Jesus. Your circumstances may not change, but your perception of them will.
This is a favourite. This scripture is basically, a bloom where you are planted scripture.
Society in the USA particularly needs to hear this scripture. To set it in context, Babylon has conquered Jerusalem, taken the King captive and brought many of the Jews to Babylon. Jeremiah writes this letter telling them to pray for the king, and to get on with their lives, that in God's time (70 years) they will be restored to Jerusalem.
Today, one of the most insidious sins is covetousness. Oh, if I had a better job, I would be happy. If I had a Cadillac, I would be happy, etc, etc. ad nauseum. In this time of Lent, when we are all hopefully fasting, we should be looking at what truly makes us happy. I have seen people eating, who were miserable, because they were not eating what they wanted. I have also seen people whose appetite is spoiled because there is too much food on the table. C.S. Lewis describes the first problem in a wonderful manner in his novel, Perelandra,
So what is covetousness? Is it wrong to want a better house, or car, etc? Clearly no. The secret though is not to make these things our goal in life. When we were house hunting, there were just a couple of details I was interested in. It had to be above the flood line, and it had to be set up with a room we could use as a chapel, and a decent dining room. Did I have to have these things to be happy? No, but we needed them if we were to use our house as a home church, which it still is, though still small. Will we want such a house later. Probably not, I'll be happy with a small two bedroom house with a large dining room for children, grandchildren, and guests. My house is not my goal, but a means to working for the kingdom.
And my car? Well, I have two, a 1995 Olds Sierra, which will get its windows fixed this afternoon. Is it beautiful or elegant? Not really, but it gets me where I want to go. If someone gave me a million tomorrow, would I sell it and buy another? Probably not (although I would like an Aptera), I'd probably just finish a few more minor repairs. My other car, sadly doesn't get me where I want to go, and God willing, it will be repaired some day, but the car is not important. The getting there that is.
God wants us to learn to be thankful for what we have. The Word Eucharist, which we use for the Holy Communion comes from the Greek, Ευχαριστο, which means thanks or thanksgiving. Are you thankful for your spouse, your car, your house, your food, your job? God wants us to learn to be thankful for what we have. People in Haiti are happy just to be alive. Most of you who will read this live a standard of living that most Haitians could only dream about even before the earthquake.
Could our circumstances be better? Maybe yes, maybe no. Can we learn from them. Many would say it was the circumstances of the captivity in Babylon which was the crucible which formed the Jews. In fact I would say that myself. It was in Babylon that the Jews realised that they must depend on God and learned to obey him. In fact during the 70 years of captivity in Babyolon, it seems they learned more than in the prior 600 or so years of being the Kingdom of Judah.
Are your circumstances tough? Don't focus on them, focus on the relationships, especially with God. Allow those circumstances to guide you in developing a relaationship with God, and your family. Be thankful, and learn to have joy in Jesus. Your circumstances may not change, but your perception of them will.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
15 Februart 2010
I am just getting more and more behind. Three doctor's appointments today, two yesterday. Too many sick people in the house.
Sunday's lesson from Jeremiah is most important to the modern church. It is a warning about false prophets. False prophets are dangerous, because they lead us astray. In the time of the lesson from Jeremiah, the false prophets are telling the people not to worry, that God will deliver them in two years. Jeremiah counteracts these prophecies and warns the people this will be a long captivity, and Babylon will prevail.
The danger and mark of false prophets is that they do not call us to repent. The people of Israel didn't need to repent, because God was going to deliver them. They didn't need to worry. God doesn't ever punish his people and they will always come out ahead. Do you know false prophets who speak this way?
Jeremiah and all true prophets for that matter spend a lot of time condemning sin, and calling people to repent.
Are you being told how wonderful it all is, and that you are welcomed by God just as you are, or are you being called to repent and allow God to transform your life. While it is true, God loves you as you are, the point of salavation is that we repent of what we were, and allow God to transform us into the image of Jesus his soon. This is an excellent thought to hold to as we begin this first week of Lent.
Sunday's lesson from Jeremiah is most important to the modern church. It is a warning about false prophets. False prophets are dangerous, because they lead us astray. In the time of the lesson from Jeremiah, the false prophets are telling the people not to worry, that God will deliver them in two years. Jeremiah counteracts these prophecies and warns the people this will be a long captivity, and Babylon will prevail.
The danger and mark of false prophets is that they do not call us to repent. The people of Israel didn't need to repent, because God was going to deliver them. They didn't need to worry. God doesn't ever punish his people and they will always come out ahead. Do you know false prophets who speak this way?
Jeremiah and all true prophets for that matter spend a lot of time condemning sin, and calling people to repent.
Are you being told how wonderful it all is, and that you are welcomed by God just as you are, or are you being called to repent and allow God to transform your life. While it is true, God loves you as you are, the point of salavation is that we repent of what we were, and allow God to transform us into the image of Jesus his soon. This is an excellent thought to hold to as we begin this first week of Lent.
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