Date: 23 Jun 2000
Time: 11:21:01
I am surprised to find that no one has any comments about this passage. As I look at it I see the unbelievers of today and the witnesses that try to share the good news with them. But above all I see an apostle with strong faith willing to face the challenge.
Challenge is almost viewed as a dirty word these days. Comfort seems to be the choice of most Christians today. When I look out at my congregation from the pulpit there are more blank faces than ones excited about their call to share the good news of Jesus. It's very disturbing to me to know we have an army of believers but very few who will fight to save the lost. Corinth was a city full of selfish idle worshipers. They were people who were comfortable with the way things were and upon hearing the good news they began a smear champaign to try and silence the apostle, to silence the church. I see the same thing in our world today. The ACLU claims to be for human rights but smears the Christian Church when ever it can. The government acts like it is trying to ride the fence but time and again publically slams the faith in favor of political correctness. hmmm and the last statistics I saw 94% of the US believed in God. This passage is a prophetic word for me. It is an insight to what we will face today as we give our testimony. This passage gives me strength to press on with dilligent patience knowing that some will not be blinded but will see the truth and know salvation because I placed all my faith and effort into answering the call Jesus expects from us all.
KB in Kansas
Date: 23 Jun 2000
Time: 23:51:25
This is a quote from Quaker, Thomas R. Kelly's Testament of Devotion, page 3: (re: the Mark 4:35- lection) "Here is the Slumbering Christ stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in earthly form and action. And He is within us all."
Date: 6/16/2003
Time: 9:03:49 AM
Paul writes of the great hardships and calamities that he has faced, yet he is able to rejoice because what appears to be loss is great gain.
Date: 6/18/2003
Time: 6:18:12 AM
The words that leap out at me are "Now is the day of salvation." So often, people look into the distant future for salvation, from this world full of sin. Instead, we should be striving to bring the word of salvation to people who need it now. We need to bring love to an abused child (or adult). We need to bring hope to the hopeless. We need to bring God to the godless, not just huddle in our own misery and wait for God to take us away. Now is the day of salvation, with our hearts wide open, let us share it.
Michelle
Date: 6/19/2003
Time: 11:46:44 AM
While the first comment is old, it seems to still be true. People seem to resonate more with the story of Jesus stilling the storm. I'm feeling the weight of the world's issues. Can the storm imagery speak beyond personal problems. I guess that's why I keep coming back to this second lesson....especially the parts about now being the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation, and "open wide your hearts also". But nothing's taking shape yet. JT/MI
Date: 6/20/2003
Time: 6:59:19 AM
"Now is the day of salvation" this is followed by a long list of trials that have come about from being "saved" and following the Lord. Doesn't look like pie in the sky after all.
I like Eugene Peterson's paraphrase of verses 3 and 4
3 Don't put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we're doing. 4 Our work as God's servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times;
Perhaps the greatest witness we have is showing the validity and strength of our faith during the rough times. These are the times our witness seems to be authentic, and this is something that post-moderns crave...authenticity, a Jesus for the real world.
John near Pitts.
Date: 6/20/2003
Time: 7:05:11 AM
Found this prayer of St. Augustine. Don't know where he wrote it though.
God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honour and glory. --. Augustine
John near Pitts.
Date: 6/21/2003
Time: 11:05:37 AM
John -- Thanks for sharing the prayer by Augustine. And I too had looked at Peterson's translation. I think you're on to something! Thanks...JT/MI