then they remembered that these things

I think people write articles like this simply to drive me insane with rage. Before my brain and heart burst with anger, let me comment on two things:

(1) Lutherans currently have joint communion with Presbyterians and are now adding Methodists. Sweet. If they can sign an agreement with New England Episcopalians, the evil trinity can be complete. I imagine once that happens, they'll make communion using whiskey and tobacco and incorporate ritual animal sacrifices, but who knows.

(2) Note to Lutherans and Methodists and others: We already shared in the Holy Communion the minute we became believers. The body and blood of Christ aren't proprietary. It's the same remembrance, same cross, same salvation.

You want to thumb your noses at Catholics, go ahead. Your act hides nothing.

the weak and worthless elemental things

In conversation yesterday -- and in actuality, in conversation with myself since Monday -- the topic of financial modeling in Christianity arose. I don't think I get everything right. In fact, I get most things wrong, I am certain, but on this one point, I'm thinking I'm in the right.

One can make the argument that churches should operate as the world operates since that is how man best understands things -- by relating them to what he is familiar with, by viewing them through his usual worldview. And on the topic of money, especially with churches tight on budgets, why not charge for services? Charge for Bible study booklets; $1 for men's breakfasts; $3 for women's study sitting services?

I'll tell you why: because the bride of Christ wasn't paid for in the same manner. The world's view: personal investment equals value and commitment; services should receive their monetary value. His view: I will pay for it all.

One of these receives worldly acceptance and recognition. One of these results in commendations before the throne. Your choice, bride.

also gather together into one

Growing up infatuated with the Dark Knight allowed me to savor all the more the metaphor that sprung up tonight: a batsignal relationship with God. Commissioner Gordon in seeking Bruce's assistance projected a lone beacon skyward to attract his attention. Inevitably, it triggered a response.

That is the same way most view their walk with God -- this personal one-on-one call and response. Only, God doesn't see it that way. He is not at your beck and call.

The other problem with that relationship is that it presumes that the one-on-one is the correct lens. In fact, His bride is referred to as a whole and not a singular. You are not His bride. We are.

If this relationship is true in the least, He is the Commissioner. And that signal is no lone beacon meant for one. Will you respond? 

in the center of the court

This is interesting and speaks to themes covered here before concerning politics and religion. What's of most interest -- or rather of most disgust is in the middle of the second page of this article, and that's the proud way the author proclaims her middleness.

As someone who has been in both left coasts and who longs for the day that CO Springs is the norm, I understand the love for one's home and the pull it can have over you. But to let it make you proud of middleness? Sorry, don't get that.

Be clear, luke. God doesn't think that grays are the way to go. He is the white, and the liar is the black. Mixing your whites with your blacks doesn't get you where you think it gets you. Other way, middler. It gets you from holy to darkness.

which endures to eternal

Getting tired of this? Me, too. The series, not the whole shebang.

"Encouragement to Persevere" {2Tim3:10-17}
* Persevere because Paul did
* Context: Contrast to Jannes & Jambres, you are different & know
* To be used by God:
- doctrine (know it)
- conduct (live it)
- purpose (see it)
- patience (bear it)
- faith (believe it)
- agape (love it)
- endurance (last it)
- persecution (suffer it)
* Lystra et al? Acts13-14
* Need examples & mentors -- we have written Word
* Will suffer -- everyone will
* Word? Trustworthy, inspired, profitable

will you raise it up

Late. Whatever. In case you forgot, for me.

Discussion from Fri morning about Moses and the arm incident. Related to things I've been mulling over. In case you forgot this, too, Ex 17. Amalekites charging and Israel strategizing. The tides of battle turned whenever Moses lifted his arms. Heard preached about effort related to God's victory. Heard preached about prayer being synonymous to the raised arms.

What of Aaron and Hur, the arm-raisers? What of them? Support for the greater vision of Moses. Something as stupid and trivial-sounding as armlifting. Where am I going with this? Regardless of the stupid act or stupid idea or heck, even stupid person, the need to support the leader to achieve God's victory is evident.

Are you ready to lift?

but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands

They say that having children changes you, but they don't tell you in what ways. Because it's in all ways. But in one fundamental way, you should be forewarned: and that is that in discovering love in ways you did not know existed, you will discover aches in ways you did not think were possible.

When they become themselves, become themselves like finding familiar shadows in the sun, all you can do is watch and watch and the distance stretches in timedaggers that sharpen with each increased step, but masked with joy of living.

But take those steps out of the garden in peace knowing that there is no other way, that the greatest of happinesses could not occur without aches, zerosum aches. 

to suffer these things

the hardest is never the aching nor the reminders of the achings to come the hardest is knowing that it's an opening for an aching of a different kind being strong here isn't just being strong for the others around that lean but being strong in the fight against the air in either case He's trying He's trying to help you but the reaching is desperately harder when the aiming is blinded by tears 

out of the lion's mouth

This is good to know. The Prot in you might recoil at the mentions of rosaries and saints and forced prayers, but the believer in you needs to look beyond and see the idea of a Savior in darkness caressing your sunken shoulders.

with power from on high

Check out the second half of Isa66:2 for another sermon topic:

"But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word."

I'm especially interested in the second half of that second half, the trembles. I've spoken of the trembles before, but this kind's different.

The first half of this second half will probably get more notice, seeing as how it resembles Ps51:17. But the second of the second is more interesting. He's looking not just for contrition and humbleness, but one who trembles. Now, the salvation doesn't require the trembles, not what I'm saying. Saying what pleases Him is all three.

Take the trembling for whatever you wish it to mean: trembles from fear (Ps111:10}, trembles from closeness, trembles from expectation and joy. Take the word to mean His word, or simply His leading. But something needs to shake, and it better be your heart.