Protestants have come full circle. They now have creeds, clergy, and calendars of religious holidays. Once against the sale of indulgences, they now market the slickest products of health, wealth, and personal fulfillment. Faith-only, always the Reformed touchstone, is now served up as a light froth on the tony drink of individual preference. What they once railed against they now practice.
Writers and poets often make words and actions their topic, I among their number, and this poem also devoted to the subject. Two stanzas of five lines each, with a rhyme scheme of ABABA, makes for an interesting arrangement. (You already know I love chiastic structures.) The unstressed feet vary between the two stanzas, and the second uses enjambment, furthering the contrast between the irony of the first and the plain declaration of the second.
The last line alludes to James 1.26-27. James, Proverbs, Jesus, Paul, all have much to say about the use of the tongue. Peter talks about how ignorance is not silent — on the contrary, and the first stanza alludes to this fact. "For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people" 1Pt 2.15 ISV.
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In marriage, a man and woman abandon their interests in outher people to dedicate themselves exclusively and totally to each other. When God becomes our Lord, something similar happens. This was true of Israel, and Moses’ words apply to Christ’s people today:
Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you except to revere him, to obey all his commandments, to love him, to serve him with all your mind and being.
Deut. 10:12 NET
Read the rest of the devotional thought, with strong words, at the tiny link above. In other words, click it.
I tend to think of religion as something people do rather than something people believe.
The Queen is not only very charming, but incredibly well-informed. Less agreeable, are the visits and letters from the Archbishop of Canterbury [Fisher]. I try to talk to him about religion. He seems to be quite uninterested and reverts all the time to politics.
via telegraph.co.uk
via cnsnews.com
Robert Schuller started this church in a drive-in theater, preached the power of positive thinking, a feel-good gospel, broadcast the "Hour of Power." In 2009 it lost 30% of its income and couldn't cut expenses fast enough.
This mutation of the gospel mocks the man who gave his life to save, and not just because of their bankruptcy.
My first attempt at audio recording. Tell me how it sounds. I couldn't help the cars in the background ...
The text, which has been slightly edited in the audio, can be found HERE.
Read the translation of my Portuguese-language devotional called "God with Us." Today's meditation: "Superior Religion," based on a verse from the book of Hebrews, a hard-hitting call to hold fast to faith in Christ rather than returning to an inferior religion.