Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Renewal of the Church


Maria Benjamin-Abraham
Long Island MTC, NY

8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

 

I am the Church
You are the Church
We are the Church together
All who follow Jesus
All around the world
Yes, we are the Church together.
...
Sometimes the Church is marching
Sometimes its bravely burning
Sometimes its riding, Sometimes hiding
Always its learning
...
Lyrics : Richard K Avery and Donald S Marsh

One of many simple songs my parents taught me as a child. 

What has it instilled in me? 
A sense of accepting all who follow Jesus and His word as a group that works together in unique ways to fulfill the great commission. 

What should I hope from my home parish? 
A church that is always learning - an ability that comes with humility, a desire to be right in the sight of God, and a helplessness that cries for his mercy and guidance.
 
The good Lord has motioned to move away from the ancient practices of burning offerings or sacrificing animals to adopting humility, righteousness and a yearning for his grace and mercy. Have we successfully entrusted the responsibility of a christian soldier to the children of tomorrow?  Is our church merely a community center that operates in accordance with the law ?
 
If we fall short, lets not waste a moment in regret and march forward to renew the core. 
 
A church that will please the Lord is : 
An embodiment of love.  A group that is humble but not meek.  A people that sing praise and thanksgiving and fall to their knees for mercy.  A family that marches in unison - united in his righteousness.  A home that believes in the salvation from a risen Christ.

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to be humble, to be willing to adapt and always seeking mercy when we fall from grace.  May our father guide us in our reformation.  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place the church is the people.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more