The Eagle and Child is going on a few days sabbatical -- I plan to be back online sometime around July 13 or so. In the meantime, feel free to browse the archives, check out the links to some of my friends, look at my Librarything books, or simply carry on discussion in the comments.
Look forward to picking up after some time of R&R
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Friday, June 30, 2006
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Off the Shelf: The Fourth Turning
Last weekend, I had a surprise visit from Ed Eubanks -- and as we caught up, he recommended a book: The Fourth Turning. Never being one to pass on an opportunity to indulge in biblio-idolatry, I scoured the bookstores until I found it (Score one for Barnes and Noble).
I cracked it open last night while Tammy watched So You Think You Can Dance (far more entertaining than American Idol, I must say). The thesis makes me tremble. Here's the gist -- patterns of human history run in roughly 80-100 year cycles, broken into 4 parts (roughly the age of a generation). These 4 parts are: the High, the Awakening, the Unravelling, and the Crisis. The high is a period where social fabric is woven, institutions are strenghtened, and a sense of order is established. The Awakening is a time of birth of new ideas and spiritual energy. The Unravelling begins the process of cynicism and world weariness regarding the institutions and ideas of the previous two eras. Finally the Crisis is the bone shaking event that shatters the social fabric and reworks it, laying the ground for a new order.
Here's how the authors map out the last century or so:
1929-1945: Crisis (economic collapse and international instability leading up to the second World War)
1945-1965: High (American industrial and political dominance in the wake of WW2)
1965-1980ish Awakening (interest in new ideas, spiritual renewal, prophetic statements against the sins of the culture like racism, pentecostal awakening)
1980's-2000ish Unravelling (deepening cynicism, "me decade", increase in decadence)
Which means that we're now poised for the fourth turning -- turning from Unravelling to Crisis. Now remember, this was written in 1997. In 2001 we had 9/11 and events have been travelling ever faster as the global crisis with Islamic fundamentalism escalates. Additionally the fuel crisis propels us closer to a financial brink. The book didn't claim to predict what the Crisis might be, only that it would come and somewhere by 2010, we'd be in the thick of it.
Now, this may seem all nice and clever how they parse these eras of history -- but does the cycle really hold? The authors go all the way back to the Renaissance and trace the cycles of High, Awakening, Unravelling, and Crisis. It's pretty extraordinary.
I'm not sure how much to buy right off the bat, but it is certainly provocative reading. I'll come back to this over the next few weeks and fill you all in as I digest.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
I cracked it open last night while Tammy watched So You Think You Can Dance (far more entertaining than American Idol, I must say). The thesis makes me tremble. Here's the gist -- patterns of human history run in roughly 80-100 year cycles, broken into 4 parts (roughly the age of a generation). These 4 parts are: the High, the Awakening, the Unravelling, and the Crisis. The high is a period where social fabric is woven, institutions are strenghtened, and a sense of order is established. The Awakening is a time of birth of new ideas and spiritual energy. The Unravelling begins the process of cynicism and world weariness regarding the institutions and ideas of the previous two eras. Finally the Crisis is the bone shaking event that shatters the social fabric and reworks it, laying the ground for a new order.
Here's how the authors map out the last century or so:
1929-1945: Crisis (economic collapse and international instability leading up to the second World War)
1945-1965: High (American industrial and political dominance in the wake of WW2)
1965-1980ish Awakening (interest in new ideas, spiritual renewal, prophetic statements against the sins of the culture like racism, pentecostal awakening)
1980's-2000ish Unravelling (deepening cynicism, "me decade", increase in decadence)
Which means that we're now poised for the fourth turning -- turning from Unravelling to Crisis. Now remember, this was written in 1997. In 2001 we had 9/11 and events have been travelling ever faster as the global crisis with Islamic fundamentalism escalates. Additionally the fuel crisis propels us closer to a financial brink. The book didn't claim to predict what the Crisis might be, only that it would come and somewhere by 2010, we'd be in the thick of it.
Now, this may seem all nice and clever how they parse these eras of history -- but does the cycle really hold? The authors go all the way back to the Renaissance and trace the cycles of High, Awakening, Unravelling, and Crisis. It's pretty extraordinary.
I'm not sure how much to buy right off the bat, but it is certainly provocative reading. I'll come back to this over the next few weeks and fill you all in as I digest.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Reading the Puritans isn't always fun
This post's title may ellicit a sarcastic "You don't say" from many -- after all the Puritans are difficult to read, and the prose of some can be as dry as a diet rice cake. Others wear you down with their relentless logic-ing and illustrations. But I love the puritans for their passion, their heart, and their desire to take every thought captive. I've talked earlier about Thomas Watson as one of my favorites, and I'm working through his wonderful volume on the Lord's Prayer.
But this quote is just a gut punch, isn't it: “A holy life speaks louder than all the anthems and praises in the world. Though the main work of religion lies in the hearts, yet when our light so shines, that others behold it, we glorify God. When our lives shine, his name shines in us. The Macedonians used one day in the hear to wear the picture of Alexander set with pearl and costly jewels; so when we carry the picture of Christ about us in our holy example, we bring honor to God’s name”
That from a section talking about the Petition "Hallowed be thy name" -- when we ask God to make His name holy, it is incumbent upon us who claim His name that we strive for holiness. How very humbling; how very short I fall. No the Puritans aren't always fun to read -- but they're good to read.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
But this quote is just a gut punch, isn't it: “A holy life speaks louder than all the anthems and praises in the world. Though the main work of religion lies in the hearts, yet when our light so shines, that others behold it, we glorify God. When our lives shine, his name shines in us. The Macedonians used one day in the hear to wear the picture of Alexander set with pearl and costly jewels; so when we carry the picture of Christ about us in our holy example, we bring honor to God’s name”
That from a section talking about the Petition "Hallowed be thy name" -- when we ask God to make His name holy, it is incumbent upon us who claim His name that we strive for holiness. How very humbling; how very short I fall. No the Puritans aren't always fun to read -- but they're good to read.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Making a difference: Microlending through Kiva
Readers of the Eagle and Child may have seen my earlier posts touching on the idea of microlending (see post 1 and post 2)
Microlending is the concept of making very small loans to mom and pop type entrepreneurs in third world countries (think this size: a fruit stand seller who needs $500 to build another stand and stock it). Most banks don't handle such small loans, and yet this is a fine way to encourage economic development in the third world. There's been some discussion on whether this is a viable model for extending economic aid.
Some of the challenge is that until recently -- most microlending was done much like other large efforts -- we contribute to a foundation or fund and the managers of the foundation decide to make loans based off those contributions. What is lacking is the personal stake for the individual who wants to microlend.
Enter Kiva (thanks to Michael Kruse who tipped me off to Kiva -- I can't seem to find his last story on his Kiva loan, so instead I'll link to this Kiva story from The Orlop). The innovation that Kiva provides is this -- they work through organizations to screen loan applicants and then present the applicants to potential lenders via the web. You as an individual can sign up to microlend to an individual in the third world country. Kiva facilitates person to person lending. You can lend as little as $25 or as much as you want. You can pick the projects and regions that interest you and you will receive email updates from the field.
I like this approach because it puts a face on the work. Not being ones to be left out, Tammy and I put our money where my mouth has been and we decided to lend a modest amount through Kiva. I chose a gentleman in Uganda who is rebuilding his home in a more stable neighborhood where he can get a better job.
Now here are some great benefits -- the loan that I helped to make will cycle through the economy several times (the gentleman used it to buy supplies and hire help -- it was not siphoned off by corrupt governments). The loan helps people who are working their way up -- it is not a handout. In Uganda, the loans are administered through a network called Life in Africa which provides community accountability and support and encourages entrepreneurship. Thus we're contributing to the greater stability of a region that is very unstable. Finally, it has driven me to learn more about Uganda and to pray for this gentleman and his family.
Not bad for a modest loan. And the best part is, when I get paid back, I can lend to someone else, thus furthering economic development in the third world.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Microlending is the concept of making very small loans to mom and pop type entrepreneurs in third world countries (think this size: a fruit stand seller who needs $500 to build another stand and stock it). Most banks don't handle such small loans, and yet this is a fine way to encourage economic development in the third world. There's been some discussion on whether this is a viable model for extending economic aid.
Some of the challenge is that until recently -- most microlending was done much like other large efforts -- we contribute to a foundation or fund and the managers of the foundation decide to make loans based off those contributions. What is lacking is the personal stake for the individual who wants to microlend.
Enter Kiva (thanks to Michael Kruse who tipped me off to Kiva -- I can't seem to find his last story on his Kiva loan, so instead I'll link to this Kiva story from The Orlop). The innovation that Kiva provides is this -- they work through organizations to screen loan applicants and then present the applicants to potential lenders via the web. You as an individual can sign up to microlend to an individual in the third world country. Kiva facilitates person to person lending. You can lend as little as $25 or as much as you want. You can pick the projects and regions that interest you and you will receive email updates from the field.
I like this approach because it puts a face on the work. Not being ones to be left out, Tammy and I put our money where my mouth has been and we decided to lend a modest amount through Kiva. I chose a gentleman in Uganda who is rebuilding his home in a more stable neighborhood where he can get a better job.
Now here are some great benefits -- the loan that I helped to make will cycle through the economy several times (the gentleman used it to buy supplies and hire help -- it was not siphoned off by corrupt governments). The loan helps people who are working their way up -- it is not a handout. In Uganda, the loans are administered through a network called Life in Africa which provides community accountability and support and encourages entrepreneurship. Thus we're contributing to the greater stability of a region that is very unstable. Finally, it has driven me to learn more about Uganda and to pray for this gentleman and his family.
Not bad for a modest loan. And the best part is, when I get paid back, I can lend to someone else, thus furthering economic development in the third world.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Monday, June 26, 2006
Resources for Revival: Bill Bright on Fasting
See the Call to Fasting and Prayer
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18
If we're going to fast and pray, we must be wise. The book Fasting Can Change Your Life contains interviews with many leaders talking about how fasting has been a part of their ministry. One interview I'm immediately drawn to is Bill Bright's. Dr. Bright had a practice of participating in 40 day fasts in which he would pray for world revival. And what has happened? His ministry Campus Crusade for Christ has blossomed into one of the largest mission sending agencies in the world and they have copied the Jesus Film into hundreds of different languages as an evangelistic tool. Dr. Bright shared 4 principles of fasting in his interview:
1) "First, I set a specific objective. If the Lord leads us to fast, He will usually burden our hearts with an objective. We should prayerfully ascertain what that is so that our efforts may be focused. My major focus is not for national and world revival and the fulfillment of the Great Commission." Brothers and sisters, our focus ought not be just the renewal of the Presbyterian church, but an awakening. We should focus first on awakening within our own congregations and cities, and then awakening across the nation.
2) "Second, I prepare myself spiritually to seek God's face, not His hand. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentence. Unconfessed sin hinders our prayers. In Scripture God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. So with God's help I search my heart to make sure there is no unconfessed sin in my life." This is a powerful reminder -- we don't fast and pray on behalf of the sins of others. This discipline will inevitably shine the searchlight of the Holy Spirit upon the dark recesses of our own souls. We will have to face up to our secret thoughts, prides, wraths, careless words, and little idolatries. Let us look at the logs in our own eyes as we enter this season of fasting and prayer.
3) "Third, I prepare myself physically. We should not rush into a fast..." Here Bright gives instruction on preparing for long fasts -- however I'm suggesting we focus on simple day-long fasts. Even so, we need to prepare. Drink plenty of water. For those who are physically unable to fast from food for health reasons, perhaps you'll consider fasting for something else (a number of pregnant women in our congregation are fasting from electronic media). When you feel the pang of loss from whatever it is you're fasting from, take that as an opportunity to pray to God for strength and focus -- and to thank God for His provision for you. Realize that this is the Holy Spirit's training ground for growing the fruit of peace, patience, and self-control in your life.
4) "Fourth, I ask the Holy Spirit to enable me to experience a meaningful fast as I seek God's face. He honors a humble and contrite spirit". Fasting is not something that we do to curry God's favor or love. Rather it is a discipline of obedience through which the Holy Spirit works on us and through us.
To help guide our prayers, here is an excerpt from the Book of Reformed Prayers -- a prayer from the Westminster Directory of worship of 1647"
"O God,
who hast so greatly loved us,
and mercifully redeemed us;
give us grace that in everything
we may yeild ourselves,
our wills and our works,
a continual thankoffering unto thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:16-18
If we're going to fast and pray, we must be wise. The book Fasting Can Change Your Life contains interviews with many leaders talking about how fasting has been a part of their ministry. One interview I'm immediately drawn to is Bill Bright's. Dr. Bright had a practice of participating in 40 day fasts in which he would pray for world revival. And what has happened? His ministry Campus Crusade for Christ has blossomed into one of the largest mission sending agencies in the world and they have copied the Jesus Film into hundreds of different languages as an evangelistic tool. Dr. Bright shared 4 principles of fasting in his interview:
1) "First, I set a specific objective. If the Lord leads us to fast, He will usually burden our hearts with an objective. We should prayerfully ascertain what that is so that our efforts may be focused. My major focus is not for national and world revival and the fulfillment of the Great Commission." Brothers and sisters, our focus ought not be just the renewal of the Presbyterian church, but an awakening. We should focus first on awakening within our own congregations and cities, and then awakening across the nation.
2) "Second, I prepare myself spiritually to seek God's face, not His hand. The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentence. Unconfessed sin hinders our prayers. In Scripture God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. So with God's help I search my heart to make sure there is no unconfessed sin in my life." This is a powerful reminder -- we don't fast and pray on behalf of the sins of others. This discipline will inevitably shine the searchlight of the Holy Spirit upon the dark recesses of our own souls. We will have to face up to our secret thoughts, prides, wraths, careless words, and little idolatries. Let us look at the logs in our own eyes as we enter this season of fasting and prayer.
3) "Third, I prepare myself physically. We should not rush into a fast..." Here Bright gives instruction on preparing for long fasts -- however I'm suggesting we focus on simple day-long fasts. Even so, we need to prepare. Drink plenty of water. For those who are physically unable to fast from food for health reasons, perhaps you'll consider fasting for something else (a number of pregnant women in our congregation are fasting from electronic media). When you feel the pang of loss from whatever it is you're fasting from, take that as an opportunity to pray to God for strength and focus -- and to thank God for His provision for you. Realize that this is the Holy Spirit's training ground for growing the fruit of peace, patience, and self-control in your life.
4) "Fourth, I ask the Holy Spirit to enable me to experience a meaningful fast as I seek God's face. He honors a humble and contrite spirit". Fasting is not something that we do to curry God's favor or love. Rather it is a discipline of obedience through which the Holy Spirit works on us and through us.
To help guide our prayers, here is an excerpt from the Book of Reformed Prayers -- a prayer from the Westminster Directory of worship of 1647"
"O God,
who hast so greatly loved us,
and mercifully redeemed us;
give us grace that in everything
we may yeild ourselves,
our wills and our works,
a continual thankoffering unto thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen"
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Friday, June 23, 2006
So glad they agree with me
I'm back from GA -- and I'll have more thoughts and commentary later (I hope). However, just a quick return to an old theme. I picked up World Magazine last night and found Roberta Green Ahmanson's article on the religion of ancient Egypt. She followed a theme that I've been hitting on all along -- that there are hints of truth even in the pagan myths of old -- their stories point to the true story of God's redemption through Jesus Christ.
Additionally, a study of ancient Egypt gives great insight into the stories of the Old Testament. Just remember you saw it here first!
So, for this friday, check out some of my previous Egyptology posts:
Ancient Egypt and the Exodus -- what really happened
Continuing Education, a course on ancient Egypt
Russell's Egyptology Lens on Squidoo
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Additionally, a study of ancient Egypt gives great insight into the stories of the Old Testament. Just remember you saw it here first!
So, for this friday, check out some of my previous Egyptology posts:
Ancient Egypt and the Exodus -- what really happened
Continuing Education, a course on ancient Egypt
Russell's Egyptology Lens on Squidoo
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Gruntled Center -- I'm the Eagle and Child
I've returned from GA -- but here is the reflection that I had planned for two days ago -- I believe the thoughts still hold.
I was walking with a friend who stopped in the atrium of the Sheraton to speak with a bearded teddy bear of a man who was tapping away at a laptop. As they wrangled over the intricacies of the PUPS report, I inserted myself into the conversation, introducing myself as Russell Smith (yes, I am indeed an incurable schmoozer – I like people and find them very interesting)
He introduced himself as Beau Weston and then told me he wrote a weblog called The Gruntled Center. My eyes brightened and I grasped his hand saying “You’re Gruntled Center? Hello, I’m the Eagle and Child”. He knew who I was, for we’ve been reading each other’s blogs for about half a year now. This connection was made thanks to yet another blog, The Reformed Angler (also known as Dennis Hancock), who from time to time links to our deep and earth moving musings. Neither of us has met Dennis face to face, but we both like him and enjoy his writing. What followed was an hour and a half conversation about our interests, cultural analysis, books, and the Presbyterian church.
This is but one instance where blogging has affected my experience at this GA. I wrote earlier about meeting bloggers who served on committee with me. I’ve had people catch me over the past few days commenting on The Eagle and Child (“So you’re the one who didn’t like our amendment” and “Interesting things you said about the Stated Clerk not being a pope” and “I think I like my career future too much to blog like you do”).
Thus I ask “How is blogging affecting the shape of this GA?”
Dennis Hancock speculated that this GA is the year of the blogger. Hans Cornelder has been featuring bloggers regularly on Presbyweb (one of the fine news digests for Presbtyerians). Bloggers have affected national events: from exposing sloppy reporting on Dan Rather’s team to shaping the course of the Presidential election to creating buzz in national marketing campaigns. Blogs are now on the scene as a force for extending conversation.
Seth Godin, in his e book Who's There talks about different types of blogs: the cat blog (where the writer talks exclusively about personal things, like his cat’s antics), the boss blog (aimed at distributing information to a particular group), and the viral blog (where the writer wants to spread ideas to a broad audience). To Seth’s taxonomy, I might add the journalistic blog (which aims to report the stories that are not being told). The challenge for the blog reader is to discern the purpose of a given blog.
For instance, I consider The Eagle and Child to be a viral blog – when I write about military chaplains, it is because I care about military chaplains and their service to courageous men and women who put their lives on the line every day, and I want you to care about those very chaplain. When I write about the Trinity paper, it’s because I’m concerned about the vague conflation of names of God with metaphors that describe God’s characteristics, and I want you to be concerned. I make no pretense of masquerading as an objective reporter. I report buzz, rumor, opinion, stories, and bits of whimsy that tickle my fancy and that I care about. This blog is editorial and opinion, not objective reporting.
The point is that we have to be smarter readers of blogs – we have to listen to hear the point of view of the author, we have to learn to discern fact from opinion, we have to be active readers, rather than simply accepting everything we read on the same level. We also have to understand that blogging is simply an extension of the conversation – it is a way of people connecting online to enhance the face to face connection. It is a means of bringing more voices to the table.
But blogging is not a replacement for traditional news media. Nor is it a replacement for careful reasoned discussion and debate. Nor is it a replacement for face to face personal relationship. Nor is it meant to be the final analysis of the author. Nor is it a forum for pouring out deep private experiences (though there are those who have not figured this out yet – A good general rule of thumb – if you wouldn’t share your thoughts with a total stranger you just meet on the streetcorner, then it’s probably not appropriate for sharing on a weblog).
So friends, the question is out there – Is blogging actually shaping the face of this GA – your thoughts?
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
PS I’m drafting this during the GA Nominating Committee’s presentation of candidates for standing committees. There are about a dozen or so floor nominations, which is slowing down the process a bit. I just stood up and looked about my section – there are at least 9 games of solitare going on. Just thought you’d want to know.
I was walking with a friend who stopped in the atrium of the Sheraton to speak with a bearded teddy bear of a man who was tapping away at a laptop. As they wrangled over the intricacies of the PUPS report, I inserted myself into the conversation, introducing myself as Russell Smith (yes, I am indeed an incurable schmoozer – I like people and find them very interesting)
He introduced himself as Beau Weston and then told me he wrote a weblog called The Gruntled Center. My eyes brightened and I grasped his hand saying “You’re Gruntled Center? Hello, I’m the Eagle and Child”. He knew who I was, for we’ve been reading each other’s blogs for about half a year now. This connection was made thanks to yet another blog, The Reformed Angler (also known as Dennis Hancock), who from time to time links to our deep and earth moving musings. Neither of us has met Dennis face to face, but we both like him and enjoy his writing. What followed was an hour and a half conversation about our interests, cultural analysis, books, and the Presbyterian church.
This is but one instance where blogging has affected my experience at this GA. I wrote earlier about meeting bloggers who served on committee with me. I’ve had people catch me over the past few days commenting on The Eagle and Child (“So you’re the one who didn’t like our amendment” and “Interesting things you said about the Stated Clerk not being a pope” and “I think I like my career future too much to blog like you do”).
Thus I ask “How is blogging affecting the shape of this GA?”
Dennis Hancock speculated that this GA is the year of the blogger. Hans Cornelder has been featuring bloggers regularly on Presbyweb (one of the fine news digests for Presbtyerians). Bloggers have affected national events: from exposing sloppy reporting on Dan Rather’s team to shaping the course of the Presidential election to creating buzz in national marketing campaigns. Blogs are now on the scene as a force for extending conversation.
Seth Godin, in his e book Who's There talks about different types of blogs: the cat blog (where the writer talks exclusively about personal things, like his cat’s antics), the boss blog (aimed at distributing information to a particular group), and the viral blog (where the writer wants to spread ideas to a broad audience). To Seth’s taxonomy, I might add the journalistic blog (which aims to report the stories that are not being told). The challenge for the blog reader is to discern the purpose of a given blog.
For instance, I consider The Eagle and Child to be a viral blog – when I write about military chaplains, it is because I care about military chaplains and their service to courageous men and women who put their lives on the line every day, and I want you to care about those very chaplain. When I write about the Trinity paper, it’s because I’m concerned about the vague conflation of names of God with metaphors that describe God’s characteristics, and I want you to be concerned. I make no pretense of masquerading as an objective reporter. I report buzz, rumor, opinion, stories, and bits of whimsy that tickle my fancy and that I care about. This blog is editorial and opinion, not objective reporting.
The point is that we have to be smarter readers of blogs – we have to listen to hear the point of view of the author, we have to learn to discern fact from opinion, we have to be active readers, rather than simply accepting everything we read on the same level. We also have to understand that blogging is simply an extension of the conversation – it is a way of people connecting online to enhance the face to face connection. It is a means of bringing more voices to the table.
But blogging is not a replacement for traditional news media. Nor is it a replacement for careful reasoned discussion and debate. Nor is it a replacement for face to face personal relationship. Nor is it meant to be the final analysis of the author. Nor is it a forum for pouring out deep private experiences (though there are those who have not figured this out yet – A good general rule of thumb – if you wouldn’t share your thoughts with a total stranger you just meet on the streetcorner, then it’s probably not appropriate for sharing on a weblog).
So friends, the question is out there – Is blogging actually shaping the face of this GA – your thoughts?
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell
PS I’m drafting this during the GA Nominating Committee’s presentation of candidates for standing committees. There are about a dozen or so floor nominations, which is slowing down the process a bit. I just stood up and looked about my section – there are at least 9 games of solitare going on. Just thought you’d want to know.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
A Call for Fasting and Prayer
In the past few hours, I have discerned with greater clarity my way forward in the new world that has been thrust upon the Presbyterian Church.
When I return on Sunday, I will join with my congregation in worship, in which we will begin a preaching series on the Lord's Prayer. I long to raise my voice in praise with my brothers and sisters at Covenant-First. I eagerly await soaking in the Word with our congregation. And I will invite them to join me on Monday for a day of fasting followed by corporate prayer together at the church at 6pm.
And I will invite them to join me in that discipline every Monday following.
When we pray, we will not pray against those with whom we disagree. Rather, we will repent of our own sin -- sins of pride, posessiveness, acquiescence to the prevalant culture of consumerism and self-indulgence. We will repent of apeedy condemnation and wrath and disdain. We will repent of how quick we are to anger and how slow to grieve. We will repent of our own idolatries and we will beseech the Lord for grace. We will call out for sanctifying grace, illuminating grace, strengthening grace. We will cry out that God might lead us to depend upon his Holy Spirit rather than upon our own designs. We will pray that God might give us the grace to glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do.
And we will praise. We will praise God for his manifold works -- his unique design of each person in His image. We will praise God for providence, though at times it is painful to us -- for we know that all things work to the good for those who are in Christ Jesus.
We will fast -- for some that will be a fasting from food, for others that will be a fasting from certain delights (reading, television, media, etc). When we feel the pang of the lack -- then we will quietly in our hearts pray to God. We will let our fasting be a discipline to teach us self-control and self-denial. We will hope, by God's grace and the power of the Spirit, that this discipline will develop within us the fruit of the Spirit -- which includes love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control.
For those who cannot corporately gather, we will invite them in their homes to set aside some time for prayer -- that we all may be of one accord as we go before the Father's throne.
And I invite them to join me every Monday following in this discipline of fasting and prayer.
I intend this not as a legalistic excercise -- God will not love us any more than He already does for participating in this exercise. I will likely falter in my commitment to the discipline, for I am weak. But to this I fell called.
I invite you, the readers of the Eagle and Child, to join me in fasting and prayer -- not necessarily for the PCUSA, but that Jesus Christ might be glorified in our lives together. If you will join us -- please let me know in a comment on this blog -- I will transfer your name to the bottom of this post as I am able.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell B. Smith
When I return on Sunday, I will join with my congregation in worship, in which we will begin a preaching series on the Lord's Prayer. I long to raise my voice in praise with my brothers and sisters at Covenant-First. I eagerly await soaking in the Word with our congregation. And I will invite them to join me on Monday for a day of fasting followed by corporate prayer together at the church at 6pm.
And I will invite them to join me in that discipline every Monday following.
When we pray, we will not pray against those with whom we disagree. Rather, we will repent of our own sin -- sins of pride, posessiveness, acquiescence to the prevalant culture of consumerism and self-indulgence. We will repent of apeedy condemnation and wrath and disdain. We will repent of how quick we are to anger and how slow to grieve. We will repent of our own idolatries and we will beseech the Lord for grace. We will call out for sanctifying grace, illuminating grace, strengthening grace. We will cry out that God might lead us to depend upon his Holy Spirit rather than upon our own designs. We will pray that God might give us the grace to glorify Jesus Christ in all that we do.
And we will praise. We will praise God for his manifold works -- his unique design of each person in His image. We will praise God for providence, though at times it is painful to us -- for we know that all things work to the good for those who are in Christ Jesus.
We will fast -- for some that will be a fasting from food, for others that will be a fasting from certain delights (reading, television, media, etc). When we feel the pang of the lack -- then we will quietly in our hearts pray to God. We will let our fasting be a discipline to teach us self-control and self-denial. We will hope, by God's grace and the power of the Spirit, that this discipline will develop within us the fruit of the Spirit -- which includes love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control.
For those who cannot corporately gather, we will invite them in their homes to set aside some time for prayer -- that we all may be of one accord as we go before the Father's throne.
And I invite them to join me every Monday following in this discipline of fasting and prayer.
I intend this not as a legalistic excercise -- God will not love us any more than He already does for participating in this exercise. I will likely falter in my commitment to the discipline, for I am weak. But to this I fell called.
I invite you, the readers of the Eagle and Child, to join me in fasting and prayer -- not necessarily for the PCUSA, but that Jesus Christ might be glorified in our lives together. If you will join us -- please let me know in a comment on this blog -- I will transfer your name to the bottom of this post as I am able.
Soli Deo Gloria
Russell B. Smith
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