For All the Saints Who From Their Labours Rest

 

A Perpetual Light in the Temple of the Eternal High Priest

My thanks to Barbara Gauthier for circulating these ancient words that can speak to us today:

I am a lowly creature but I am still God's servant, and I hope that he will choose to wake me from slumber. I hope that he will set me on fire with the flame of his divine love, the flame that burns above the stars, so that I am filled with desire for his love and his fire burns always within me!

I hope that I may deserve this, that my little lamp should burn all night in the temple of the Lord and shine on all who enter the house of God! Lord, I beg you in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and my God, give me a love that cannot stumble so that my lamp can be lit but can never go out: let it burn in me and give light to others.

And you, Christ, our gentle Saviour, in your kindness light our lamps so that they shine for ever in your temple and lighten our darkness and dispel the shadows of the world.

I beg you, my Jesus, fill my lamp with your light. By its light let me see the holiest of holy places, your own temple where you enter as the eternal High Priest of the eternal mysteries. Let me see you, watch you, desire you. Let me love you as I see you, and before you let my lamp always shine, always burn.

Beloved Saviour, show yourself to us who beg a glimpse of you. Let us know you, let us love you, let us love only you, let us desire you alone, let us spend our days and nights meditating on you alone, let us always be thinking of you. Fill us with love of you, let us love you with all the love that is your right as our God. Let that love fill us and possess us, let it overwhelm our senses until we can love nothing but you, for you are eternal. Give us that love that all the waters of the sea, the earth, the sky cannot extinguish: as it is written, love that no flood can quench, no torrents drown. What is said in the Song of Songs can become true in us (at least in part) if you, our Lord Jesus Christ, give us that grace. To you be glory for ever and for ever. Amen.

Columbanus (540-615)

 

The Heart of the Good News

 

Moving into Good News

 

First, some bad news...

 

Give me Jesus

 

The Way of Salvation, by J.C. Ryle

 

What is Jesus Doing?

WWJD?

Unless you have been living on another planet for the past few years, you know that these letters mean: "What Would Jesus Do?"

WWJB?

I saw these letters a few weeks ago on a website. It was Christian gift shop website asking its customers to ask the question, "What Would Jesus Buy? (I looked at the kitsch they were selling, and I thought, "I don't think Jesus would buy any of that stuff!)

As Christians we are in the season of Advent—a time when we prepare our hearts to celebrate once again the first coming of Jesus, when the Second Person of the Trinity, the eternal Son, became incarnate and was born in Bethlehem, lived as one of us, but without sin… died on the Cross for the sins of the world and rose bodily from the grave, "the firstfruits of them that sleep." That is the GOOD NEWS: because if Jesus is the "firstfruits," we will someday be raised in a resurrection body just as Jesus was raised.

We also prepare ourselves for that time when Jesus will come again in power and great glory, and so we get ready—-we "red up" (Bishop Duncan reminded us of that Pittsburgh colloquialism in his sermon in Wheaton the other night. We "red up," we get ready for that time when Jesus will come again. It is not just ourselves we get ready; we are to get the Church ready as a bride to receive her bridegroom. And if we are going to do that, there is another question we need to ask:

WIJD?

What Is Jesus Doing?

"What Would Jesus Do?" is a question to ask when we are confronted with choices, especially of a moral or ethical nature? "What Is Jesus Doing?" is a question to ask when we are concerned about mission priorities. Because if we know what Jesus is doing, we can perhaps get an idea of what we ought to be doing.

"What Is Jesus Doing?" is a challenging question to answer: Jesus is fully human and fully God, so he is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent—-that carries “multitasking” to a whole new level! He can do everything, know everything, and be everywhere—all at the same time!

But if we looked in Jesus’ DayTimer, or Outlook, or Blackberry for Tuesday, December 9, 9:00 a.m., Jesus’ "To Do List," would not say: "DO EVERYTHING." I believe Scripture gives us two things that would be at the top of Jesus’ To Do List:

Hebrews 7:23 [contrasting the priestly ministry of Jesus with the ministry of the priests his Jewish readers would have known, he says:] "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he [Jesus] holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Jesus, now in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father intercedes for us, His people and for His Church.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Paul says, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

In these closing instructions to the Thessalonian believers, Paul is here simply laying on them the same ministry he says he has for them in his opening greeting:

1 Thessalonians 1:2 -- "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul is telling them of his ministry of intercession for them.

Later this week, I am going to spend a few days at the International House of Prayer, in Kansas City. In case you aren’t familiar with IHOP, it arose out of a community of believers who began praying around the clock 24/7 in September of 1999—and they have been doing it continuously ever since. There are churches I know who have done something similar. I think of Bishop John Guernsey’s parish in Virginia—offering prayers around the clock, interceding for the Church and the world—and giving back to God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving that is rightly his.

In the nine years since the IHOP was formed, IHOPs have been formed in other major cities around the world. They have formed a school of ministry—a seminary. They are really doing what religious communities and religious orders have always done: perpetual adoration and devotion—and intercession. Religious communities have always been formed when the Church whole church ceased to do all that it should in a given area. A group of individuals, called by God, would form a community to do what needed to be done—preaching (Franciscans, Dominicans) missions (Jesuits) acts of mercy (done by many orders) contemplation and devotion (Cistercians and others). They are doing what the whole church ought to be doing but isn’t.

One of the things I believe God is doing among Anglicans who have been forced through circumstances to form closer ties with overseas provinces is that He is making the Communion what it ought to be. I believe that these circumstances have given us new insight into what the body of Christ is meant to be internationally. We have been given a fresh opportunity to take seriously the need to intercede and pray for our overseas brothers and sisters and to enjoy the life of the body as Christ meant it to be.

Now, if we were to look on Jesus’ calendar again and ask: "What Is Jesus Doing?" we would see a second thing. And we find it in a passage of Scripture that is familiar to us:

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV) The second thing Jesus does is to be with His people, always, to the very end of this age in which we are living, empowering His Church for mission.

Another reason why I am studying the IHOP is that I am a student of revival. Numerous great movements of God have occurred throughout church history, when individuals were called out of society to follow God in devotion and service. The religious orders I have mentioned are examples. Celtic monks took Gospel across northern Europe. Benedictines planted the Church many places, including the See of Canterbury. Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits—their founding was just as much a God-sent revival as the First and Second Great Awakenings were among churches in America and the British Isles. As Archbishop Henry Orombi has stated on numerous occasions, the strength of Anglicanism in East Africa is largely due to the East African Revival, as missionaries who were themselves a product of earlier revivals in England and Australia came to East Africa, and revival broke out there that transformed entire nations such as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania—and now, through these churches, the revival is coming full circle back to us in the West.

Many of us who are orthodox Anglicans are here because of a renewal movement that began in the Episcopal Church in the 1960’s. That was a genuine revival. How do I know that? Because it resulted in a flowering of interest in mission that led to the founding of Episcopal/Anglican mission societies in the 1970’s and 1980’s—agencies that are now part of the Anglican Global Mission Partners.

Every revival—every movement of God that was true and genuine—has resulted in an outpouring of interest in missions. Why is that? Because when the Church is truly renewed and revived, God’s priorities become the Church’s priorities.

When we ask the question "What Is Jesus Doing?" we see his burden for his people and for the world, and we begin to intercede, just as he ever lives to make intercession for us. When we ask, "What Is Jesus Doing?" we see his burden for the lost, both in our neighborhoods and cities and those around the world who have no way to hear the Gospel, and we go, and we give, and we send, and we pray.

As Bishop Duncan said last week, what better time for a new Anglican province to be born than the first week of Advent? It is time for us to get ready, to be the body of Christ in a new way—-a body that floods Heaven with our intercessions, even as Jesus intercedes for us—-and a church that hurts for the lost, as Jesus hurts for the lost, and reaches out in missions, according to Christ’s Great Commission, to wherever the Gospel needs to be heard. When our hearts connect with Jesus’ heart and his burdens and priorities become our burdens and priorities, then the Church will get ready for that day when Jesus will return and gather those who have come from every nation tribe and tongue to be a kingdom of priests for our God--to whom be glory and honor, majesty and dominion, now and forever. AMEN.

Let Everything that has Breath - Matt Redman

Eric Liddell's story to set Chinese hearts racing

(Hat-tip to Sarah Hey at Stand Firm for calling my attention to this wonderful story.)

From the London Telegraph:

Who knows how the Chariots of Fire story is likely to go down in communist China, but we are about to find out. Eric Liddell, or Li Airui as he was known in the Far East, was considered a godly, heroic figure in non-communist China, and now the modern-day Chinese authorities have agreed to let his story of Christian humanity and sporting excellence be told.

By Brendan Gallagher

John Keddie's acclaimed Running the Race, a biography that places Liddell's sporting life in the religious context in which it was lived, has been published in Mandarin and will be launched in China next month - the land where the 1924 Olympic 400 yards champion was born, worked as a missionary and died in a Japanese internment camp.

Getting such a 'western' book, containing so much religious and moral content, past the Communist party censors is rare indeed, but Liddell has always been held in the highest regard in China.

Indeed some of China's Olympic literature lists the Scotsman as China's first Olympic champion, while his part in protecting his 'flock' from the Japanese invasion in 1937 has always been acknowledged by the Chinese.

Following his death in 1945 - he died of a brain tumour - Liddell's remains were removed to the Mausoleum of Martyrs at Shih-Chia-Chuang, 150 miles south-west of Beijing, where China honours 700 selected individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in the liberation of China from the Japanese.

"The publication of the book in Chinese is a remarkable development, but totally fitting," says Keddie, now a church minister in Skye and a fanatical former athlete and rugby player.

"Eric Liddell loved China. He was born there into a missionary family, spent his early years there and returned to China to serve as a missionary as soon as he had completed his university education in Scotland and won his Olympic gold medal in Paris.

"Long after Paris he ran in all the local races, and I fancy he could have challenged for Olympic gold again in 1928 and 1932.

"But his life was on a different track by then, and he helped build the Mingyuan Athletics Stadium in Tianjin; some claim he used Chelsea's old Stamford Bridge, his favourite running venue, as a rough plan.

"At all times he was a rallying point for the local community when the Japanese invaded. Right to the end he lived by selfless example and when he fell ill, and was offered repatriation by the Chinese, he insisted a pregnant woman take his place," Keddie continued.

"The book has been printed and bound in China and we have published 10,000 initially. Nothing has been altered or sub-edited in translation, though we have unearthed a couple more pictures of his time in China to illustrate those chapters.

"It is a remarkable story, from which ever standpoint Chinese readers choose to read it. There is plenty of sporting content, there is Liddell's Christian faith and life-long convictions and there is his love for China. China has 1.5?billion inhabitants of which we believe there could be as many as 50 million Christians."

For many, playwright and screen writer Colin Welland might actually have missed a trick in Chariots of Fire, with the 'real' story beginning where the film ends. The Scot, then 22, and already capped by Scotland on the wing in the Five Nations, seemingly retired into private life after his gold medal and world record in Paris, not to mention an oft forgotten bronze in the 200 yards. He, of course, did not compete in the 100 yards because the final was on the Sabbath.

After completing a low-key domestic season in 1925, he finished his religious studies and headed back to China the following year. He was only ever seen on these shores again when he returned on long-service leave, or furloughs as they were known.

As well as religious duties, he worked as a science and sports teacher at the Anglo/Chinese College in Tianjin. Liddell lived at 38 Chongqing Dao in Tianjin - formerly known as Cambridge Road - in Tianjin and a plaque still stands to commemorate this fact. He was still fit enough to compete against the visiting French and Japanese Olympic teams in 1928 - he won the 200 and 400 yards - and in 1929 he defeated the German 800 yards world-record holder Otto Peltzer in the 400.

During his first furlough in 1932, Liddell was ordained as a minister of religion. On his return to China he married Florence Mackenzie, the daughter of Canadian missionaries, in Tianjin. According to family legend Liddell courted his future wife by taking her for lunch to the famous Kessling restaurant, which is still open in Tianjin. The couple had three daughters, Patricia, Heather and Maureen.

After the Japanese invasion in 1937 Liddell felt the calling to work full-time as a field missionary in the harsh Siaochang Province, where his brother Robert was a doctor. They had to walk a delicate line diplomatically during a period of civil war between the Communist Red Army and the Nationalists, under Chiang Kai-shek, as well as dealing with escalation of the Sino-Japanese conflict.

In 1938 he heard of a wounded Chinese soldier lying helpless in a temple, 20 miles from the mission hospital. He cycled for 20 miles over rough terrain to get there and then found another injured soldier, who had survived a Japanese execution. He manufactured a makeshift cart to help push both men to the hospital.

In 1941 life in China had become so dangerous that the British Government advised British nationals to leave. Florence and the children left for Canada to stay with her family, while Liddell based himself full-time in Shaochang.

Undeterred, he continued his good works. When the fighting reached Shaochang, the Japanese took over the mission station. In 1943, he was interned at the Weihsien camp with the members of the China Inland Mission. Liddell quickly emerged as the leader at the camp. Food, medicines and other supplies ran dangerously short, but Liddell insisted that eggs and fresh food be smuggled into the camp by a clique of wealthy businessman. During this time he kept himself busy by helping the elderly, teaching Bible classes, arranging games and teaching the children science.

Sunday was the only 'free day' and, despite his famous stance against sport on Sundays, he refereed hockey matches, which had previously disintegrated into free-for-alls.

In his last letter to his wife he talked about suffering a nervous breakdown because of over-work. Winston Churchill negotiated an exchange of prisoners but, typically, Liddell refused to go, giving up his place to a pregnant woman. He died on Feb 21, 1945, five months before liberation.

A fellow internee, Stephen Metcalfe, later wrote of Liddell: "He gave me two things. One was his worn out running shoes, but the best thing he gave me was his baton of forgiveness. He taught me to love my enemies, the Japanese, and to pray for them."

Eric Liddell factfile Born: Jan 16 1902, died Feb 21 1945.
Education: Eltham College and Edinburgh University.
Rugby: Won seven caps for Scotland in the 1922 and 1923 Five Nations.
Athletics: 1924 won the AAA 100 yards in 9.7sec but, because event was scheduled for a Sunday final at the Paris Olympics, he opted for the 440 and 220 yards. Won a bronze in the 220, then took gold in the 440 in 47.6, a world record. 1925, his last domestic season, wins Scottish 440 in 49.2, his last run in Britain.
Career: 1925-45 works as a teacher and missionary in China. 1981 Ian Charleson stars as Liddell in Chariots of Fire, the film won seven Oscars.

(I have reproduced the entire article here just in case it disappears at its original location.)

Interview with God

Laminin

Laminin! Yeah, I had never heard of it either, until I heard a reference to it in a sermon this morning and decided to check it out. It is a protein that holds our bodies together at the molecular level, and it just happens to be in the shape of a Cross.

Snopes.com, the excellent resource for checking out internet hoaxes has an article on laminin. The article confirms that the protein is in the shape of a Cross, but offers the following points in an effort to dispel any notion that this has special significance. [Comments in brackets are my responses to each point.]

It is not uncommon for sermons and other Christian devotional/inspirational writings to cite this passage in comparison with some scientific concept: Just as gravity or atoms or molecules are the "glue" that holds the physical world together, so God or Jesus is the force that binds the spiritual world. The example involving laminin glycoprotein cited above is one example of this form, with the addition of a graphic meant to illustrate how God's design is evident (in the shape of a cross) in the molecular structure of laminin — what literally holds us together (in a biological sense) was clearly created by He who spiritually holds us together. This particular example is based on the work of Christian pastor/evangelist Louie Giglio, as seen in the following video clip:




Discussions about whether or not nature evinces signs of a purposeful (Christian) creator are theological/scientific debates that can (and do) fill volumes, so we'll just note a few items to consider:

• The structure of laminin antedates by many thousands of years traditional Christian accounts of the life of Jesus. [Yes, but the God who knew before time began that He would redeem humankind by means of the Cross could have reflected that design in the creation of the human body.]


• A cross-like shape is a very simple structure that is commonly found in elements created naturally or accidentally. [Yes, but it is still interesting that the protein that holds the human body together just naturally or "accidentally" happens to be in the shape of the Cross.]


• It is uncertain whether the form of the original crucifixion device was a stake, a T-shape, or the familiar cross of modern Christian iconography. [Yes, but the pattern that Christians have used throughout history to represent the atoning death of Christ (and that God forknew would be the form that has been immortalized) just happens to be the shape found in the protein molecule.]


• One could find the shape of laminin to be reminiscent of a variety of common symbols aside from the cross. Some viewers say it reminds them more of a caduceus... (or a sword). [Yes, but it most immediately resembles A CROSS!]

Watch the video and tell me what you think!