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At PCN we have been talking a lot about what is going on in our denomination and how do we understand in relationship to other churches. The next big topic of discussion is to begin to understand who we are as a church (PCN and as a denomination). Here is an interesting article from Presbyterians for Renewal as we begin to further understand who we are as a church. 

http://www.pfrenewal.org/issues/411-a-pastoral-letter-from-pfr-following-the-2012-general-assembly

If we say that we are Christians, and our identity is such that Christianity is an important part of who we are- how is being a Christian different than someone who is not a Christian? What is the difference in your opinion?

Yesterday in worship, Kent reminded us that as Christians we are called to be in the world- God’s presence in our communities; yet not of the world. When we allow the values of the culture around us to sweep into our hearts, minds and attitudes we are in danger of becoming no different that culture around us, no different than those people we are around on a daily basis. Yet as Christians we are called to be different, to have a different set of values and lenses by which we view the world. We are called to be the peace-makers; clothing the naked; feeding the hungry; praying for our enemies; being okay when we are being persecuted against- for then we know that we are not being of the world. And yet, is this an easy thing to do? 

In what ways are you in the world but not of the world. And in what ways are you living of the world? 

February is the month of “love.” A time when we celebrate our loved ones, family and friends- a time to say “thank you and I love you” to those who mean the most to us. How do you celebrate God’s love for you? Do you really believe that the creator of the universe loves YOU? What does it take for you to believe that the God of the universe really cares for YOU?

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In this New Year, what are your goals and hopes for your spiritual life and growth?

While I am not a big person on the idea of a new year’s resolution I do think that God asks of us to think about the ways in which we would like to grow deeper in our faith commitment to him. There are so many things that vie for our time and energy that often times the things that we should spend time on (like reading the scriptures, attending worship, praying, seeking out spiritual disciplines to engage in) often are put last to goals like: getting healthy, losing weight, spending less, making a budget, more time with friends,etc. and while all of those are important I think our spiritual life is as important if not more important than those other worthy goals. For when we are looking through the lens of Christ we often find hope, encouragement and strength to reach our other goals. 

So as you think about this new year; where does God fit in to your picture? What are your spiritual goals and hopes for 2012? 

What does the word- incarnation mean to you, and to your faith?

November 28, 2011

Monday

“Incarnation”

Opening Scripture: John 1:1-18

Reflection:

              “The word became flesh, wrote John, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). That is what incarnation means. It is un-theological. It is unsophisticated. It is undignified. But according to Christianity, it is the way things are.

            All religions and philosophies that deny that reality or the significance of the material, the fleshy, the earthbound, are themselves denied. Moses at the burning bush was told to take off his shoes because the ground on which he stood was holy ground (Exodus 3:5), and incarnation means that all ground is holy ground because God not only made it but walked on it, ate and slept and worked and died on it. If we are saved anywhere, we are saved here. And what is saved is not some diaphanous distillation of our bodies and our earth, but our bodies and our earth themselves.Jerusalembecomes the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven like a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2). Our bodies are sown perishable and raised imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42).”

(Beyond Words: A Word A Day To Keep The Demons at Bay. By Frederick Buechner, p. 169).

Closing Prayer: “Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can draw downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know thee, diligence to seek thee, wisdom to find thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee; through Jesus Christ, our Lord” (prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas).

Closing Hymn: # 36 In the Bleak Midwinter

v. 2 Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign: In the bleak mid-winter a stable place sufficed the Lord God incarnate, Jesus Christ.