Wednesday, September 30, 2009

A taste of Heaven

I thought I'd share my wife's best recipe, for Goldrush Brownies...
2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 can condensed milk, 1 cup chopped walnuts; 6-oz bag of chocolate chips.
Put ingredients in a bowl, adding the milk last. Combine till mixed. Grease bottom of a small rectangular pan. Spread mixture on bottom. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Cut into squares and remove from pan before refrigerating. It doesn't get better than this.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Salvation

What do we mean when we talk of being "saved"? According to Peter Kreeft, When Protestants speak of salvation, they are describing justification; when Catholics speak of salvation, they are describing sanctification (Because God is Real). In other words, a follower of Christ can say "I was saved" and "I am being saved." One describes the action of God in making us right with Him, of reconciling us and cleansing us on the basis of the Cross...the other action describes the process of growth the Holy Spirit is performing in the life of the believer.

Friday, September 25, 2009

A prayer of dedication

Almighty God,
As I cross the threshold of this day
I commit myself--body, soul, affairs, friends--to Thy care;
Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me.
Incline my heart to Thy ways.
May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore Thy blessing,
and in which I cannot invite Thy inspection.
Let those around see me living by Thy Spirit...
-trampling the world underfoot,
-unconformed to lying vanities,
-transformed by a renewed mind,
-clad in the entire armor of God,
-shining as a never-dimmed light,
-showing holiness in all my doings.
May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.
If my life should end today, let this be my best day.

~from The Valley of Vision

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Mentoring

When I was a young, inexperienced Army chaplain, I went to see a chaplain who’d been in the Army over 20 years. I asked if he could give me some career guidance, and his answer was, “I don’t know what to tell you.” He either didn’t know much about the military, which is impossible (you don’t make Colonel by being ignorant), or he didn’t wish to impart his knowledge. All chaplains have supervisors, but they are not always mentors. Knowledge is power, and in a competitive military some people don’t want to share. What amazed me was that I was hardly a threat to this Colonel. Nonetheless he didn’t want to pass on his wisdom. I may have over-reacted to this unsatisfying conversation. As I gained experience and understanding, I shared it with others, often whether they wanted my knowledge or not. Not long ago I wrote an article on “ministry of presence” and emailed it to chaplains I know. It’s not an ego-thing, it’s simply trying to be helpful and generous. I hope for the most part my sharing is appreciated. I try to tell the chaplains I oversee as the Ecclesiastical Endorser for the Military to pass on their learning with others, to be a true mentor. As a retired chaplain I mentor seminarians seeking the military chaplaincy. I tell lots of “war stories” and give materials I’ve compiled to help them do well in this unique ministry. If we all did this, we’d all be a whole lot smarter and more effective. The question is: why don’t we? Do we feel threatened, are we being selfish, or do we think we have little to offer? When was the last time you shared a good idea with others? Let’s take the time to build one another up for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Loving the unlovable

I attend a monthly clergy roundtable at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Here's a great quote from today's discussion...
"Anyone can be nice to people who are nice. We need to learn to love people who are difficult to love without expecting anything from them."

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Rally Day

Sunday, September 20th is Rally Day, which marks the return of Sunday School at 9:30 am (classes for all ages, including adult) & morning worship at 10:45 am.