Excerpts From: The Messenger |
|
|
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to Myself (John12:32) "He said this," John tells us, "so that we would know what death He was to die" (Jn. 12:33). Lifted up from the Cross, "I will draw all people to Myself." The word "men" in this context means everybody -- every man, woman and child. We speak of the Cross having cosmic importance.
What Jesus is saying here is, "When I'm lifted up, through this Event, everything in the world will be different. A new opportunity to live a special kind of life will be made available to everyone." Because Jesus made the sacrifice, gave His life on the Cross, history is different, the world is different.
An eighty-five-year-old man was sitting on a park bench crying. A passerby who noticed the tears running down the man's cheeks stopped to see if he could be of any help. "I don't mean to intrude," he said, "but is there anything I can do to relieve your distress. Is anything wrong at home?"
The eighty-five-year-old man replied, between sobs, "No, everything is fine there. I have a big beautiful house. I have two new cars and a swimming pool, and I have a thirty-five-year-old wife who is a superb cook, treats me like a king, and loves me madly." "Then why in heaven's name are you crying?" asked the passerby. To which the old man replied, "I can't remember where I live." The tragedy of our time is that we've lost our way; we can't seem to remember where our true home is.
The resurrection Power has overcome that feeling of lostness, and has given us a map to follow the way back home. In Jesus Christ, God became one of us to tell us that he loves us -- infinitely loves us!
This gracious God will never abandon us in some back alley. That is the heart of the matter, and until we experience this reality at the deepest level of our being, there is no way of finding our way back home.
I think, the key is understanding God's great loving nature and how much He loves us, so much that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us and raised him from the dead. When we understand that, then our service to Him will be with joy. The power of the Cross and the spirit of the resurrection is here with us to free us from our fears, to speak his peace into our hearts, to forgive our sins, to turn our sorrow into gladness, to bless us, and lead us home. As we enjoy the freshness of spring, God?s love is renewed in us each day.
May God bless all mothers as they have served Him and us with great love. His peace be with us always!
Pastor Samuel King-Kabu
(Message reprinted from The South Shore Lutheran May/June 2003 edition with some editing)
Happy Easter to you all,
Pastor Samuel K. King-Kabu
On Monday, March 30th some 30 interested people gathered in Beck Hall to hear about Abraham from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian perspective. Rabbi Allan Wright, Imam Rashed Chowdhury and Pastor Samuel King-Kabu each spoke for about 15 minutes, and then they answered questions from the audience. To learn more of this event, Pastor Samuel has a DVD of the evening which you can borrow.
Here are some key points:
Rabbi Wright (Jewish Perspective) started his presentation by listing the multiple connotations of the Biblical Abraham: He was a believer in One God, a fighter of Idolatry, a Prophet, a Human Rights Activist, a Warrior, and a Man. Rabbi Wright focused on Abraham the Man. Abraham is a story of faith of an ordinary man who sometimes succeeds at what he is called to do, and sometime he fails. He began on a journey, not as an intellectual series of ideas. It isn?t what he says, it?s what he does. Faith became relevant when Abraham answered God?s call and went forth. In essence Abraham is the ordinary man-you and I. You just have to be willing to answer the call to go forth. Age is not an issue.
Pastor Samuel (Christian Perspective) pointed out that Abraham represents a common spiritual heritage among us all and that is a powerful forced in uniting Jews, Christians and Muslims. Abraham?s story is a journey in Faith, much like our own. How many of us would go out without knowing where we are going? That is exactly what Abraham did, and he became known as ?The Father of many nations!? He presented a picture of the kind of person God can and wants to use. Abraham is an example of how to accept a challenge to allow God to work through us. In responding to God?s call Abraham left home. That is in contrast to us who always want to go ?home?. This is God's plan for salvation: all peoples on earth will be blessed through Abraham.
Iman Chowdhury (Islamic Perspective) opened by telling us about the Prophets in Islam. They numbered 124,00 and preached essentially the same message. Only a few are mentioned in the Qur?an, with Abraham being the most mentioned. Abraham has great status in the Qur?an as he was ?a man combined in himself all virtues, devoutly obeying God?s will, and turning away from all that is false, and naught being of those who ascribe divinity to aught but God.? Abraham was Hanif, pure in his faith, and an example for all to follow. Abraham became a believer in one God, through a process of ruling out other things that could be ?God?. Abraham destroyed his father's idols (as Jewish perspective believes), went into 'exile'. (The command to go isn?t directly given in the Qur?an, but it is implied.) Abraham was a gentle person who demonstrated that faith and conviction don't have to go together with harshness. He is a perfect example for us in all our ways:
Submitted by Susan King-Kabu
For the Love of Creation
This was the theme of the Ottawa/ St. Lawrence Conference event which
was held on April 25th at All Saints Lutheran Church in Ottawa. It
was a combination of a business meeting and a program.
Business included reports from the Synod, the Conference Dean, clusters (subdivisions of the conference) and ELW. The current Dean, Rev. Annette Smith from Eganville was re-elected for another two year term. In her report she talked of the new duties of Dean?s to become more involved in the call process and to preside at the installation of pastor?s in the conference. Discussion is ongoing as to whether we have one or two conference meetings per year. Last year there was only one meeting in the spring, as there was a conflict with the Dean?s schedule to have a fall meeting. The conference council will make a decision in regards to a fall meeting at their next meeting. In between the business there was a presentation and discussion about the days? theme. Congregations, as well as individuals are encouraged to go ?green?. The synod has a program for accreditation. Overall, the message was we need to reduce our consumption in all areas of life, and increase our learning how God wants us to treat his creation.
We broke for an 'Agape Meal' for lunch. Tables were arranged in the shape of a cross, and rather than using overhead lights, we used candles. After a brief liturgy we participated in a meal of salad, rice with vegetables, and African Stew and buns. After lunch was time to shop at a large Fair Trade display, and book display.
In the afternoon session ministries for Youth and Young Adults were discussed, followed by a presentation for Lutherlyn Camp and Convention Centre. They are in the process of renovating their bathrooms as per government order, and would appreciate any help you could give. A Dinner, Dance and Auction is planned to raise funds for the renovations. A poster is on the bulletin board.
It was good to go to a conference meeting, see people (lay and ordained) and hear how and what they are doing in their congregations. It's a good cure for tunnel vision.
Submitted by Susan King-Kabu
Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner
& Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2009/05/07
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal