For those of us that did read a little bit of Romans this past week, you will have no doubt noticed that the first two chapters of this book really do point to the fact that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: both fall short of the glory of God, as does each of us individually no matter who we are, and as such we all deserve to die (Romans 3:9, 3:23).
I read a story by John Phillips, he tells us:
‘Paul describes sin as a coming short of the divine standard.
Two men went to the recruiting office in London to join the guards regiment. The standard height for a guardsman was a minimum of six feet. One man was taller than the other, but when they were measured officially both were disqualified. The shorter of the two measured only five feet seven inches and was far too short; his companion measured five feet eleven and a half inches and, stretch to his utmost, as he did, he could not make it any more. Nor did his pleas avail. It mattered nothing that his father was a guardsman, that he promised to be a good soldier, that he had already memorized the drills and knew the army regulations by heart. He was short of the standard.’
There was nothing he could do. Yes, he is taller than his friend (just like some people seem holier than the rest of us) but it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter that he is taller, he still isn’t tall enough and there is nothing he can do about that. There is nothing at all that he can do to grow any bigger at this stage of his life. Thus he failed to obtain his goal. Likewise, it doesn’t matter if we are Jew or Gentile, male or female, employer or employee, a missionary, a relatively good person, or what have you…for we have all sinned and thus fall short (Galatians 3:28).
read more of the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/
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read other articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Looking to Strengthen The Salvation Army
Written by Allison Werbowetsky
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Swift Current
Earlier this month, the Salvation Army welcomed Michael and Susan Ramsay as the new captains of the Swift Current chapter.The Ramsays brought with them their two daughters, Rebecca, 8, and Sarah-Grace, 7, as well as many years of experience embarking on missionary work across Canada, including Winnipeg, Vancouver and the small Saskatchewan town of Nipawin.
“We’re happy to be here,” Capt. Michael Ramsay said.”We understand that the Loners have done a lot of work in the community and look forward to building on that.”
read more from the Prairie Post: http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3951&Itemid=28
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Swift Current
Earlier this month, the Salvation Army welcomed Michael and Susan Ramsay as the new captains of the Swift Current chapter.The Ramsays brought with them their two daughters, Rebecca, 8, and Sarah-Grace, 7, as well as many years of experience embarking on missionary work across Canada, including Winnipeg, Vancouver and the small Saskatchewan town of Nipawin.
“We’re happy to be here,” Capt. Michael Ramsay said.”We understand that the Loners have done a lot of work in the community and look forward to building on that.”
read more from the Prairie Post: http://www.prairiepost.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3951&Itemid=28
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Numbers 6: Covenant, Habeas Corpus, and Nazarites
Salvation Army Soldiers have been compared to the Nazirites of the Old Testament. The Nazirites, of course, are people bound by a covenant to the Lord. One aspect of this oath that we can readily see the parallels to our Soldiership covenant is that Nazirites and Soldiers both refrain from alcohol. A second one is that we each have a uniform of sorts so that we will be easily identified as people separated from society for the Lord. This brings us to the third aspect of the Nazirite vow which is one that I submit has some very significant applications for our Soldiership vow: this is the prohibition against contact with dead bodies.
God is more important than family
Numbers 6:7 states specifically that the Nazirite is not to come in contact with a dead body even if the deceased person is your own parent. If your mother or father passes away while you are bound to YHWH through a Nazirite vow, you may not attend the funeral ceremony. Ordinarily the Israelites have important responsibilities pertaining to the passing of one’s parents, even though it would make them ceremonially unclean (Num 5:2, 19:11; Lev 21:1-3). For the Nazirite, she is not allowed to be unclean – even for her parents (Cf. Lev 21:10-12). One must choose between one’s family responsibilities and one’s responsibilities to God (cf. Lev 21:10-12; Matt 10:35,12:22-48, 19:29; Mark 3:23-35, 10:29-30, 13:1-28; Luke 8:19-21, 14:25-26; John 19:27). This is important. God is more important than anyone else in the holy person’s life. To the covenanted Nazirite and to the covenanted Soldier, to the devoted spouse and to the fully committed Christian, God is first. What good is it to gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul? (Matt 16:26, Mark 8:36).
There are consequences for not living up to our covenants.
It is important to note too that there are consequences for not living up to our covenants – even if we transgress them by accident. As such, verses 9-12 are very important for the Nazirite and equally significant for Soldiers in The Salvation Army or anyone else taking a covenant before the LORD. If a person dies in the Nazirite’s presence, the Nazirite is STILL guilty of sin. Even though the Nazirite did not mean to break his vow, it was still broken and he needs to be restored in his covenant relationship. Numbers 9-12 (NIV):
If someone dies suddenly in his presence, thus defiling the hair he has dedicated, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. Then on the eighth day he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him because he sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day he is to consecrate his head. He must dedicate himself to the LORD for the period of his separation and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because he became defiled during his separation.
Even though one is guilty of breaking a vow, the covenant remains in place
Even though the Nazirite here is guilty of breaking her vow, the covenant remains in tact. It is even renewed: the previous days do not count; she gets a fresh start. This is important. The covenant remains until it is fulfilled. We are not released from covenants and vows simply for disobeying them. This is VERY important. The covenantal tie is not broken when we disobey God. Even when we are faithless, God is faithful (Romans 3:3,4). There are consequences for transgressing the covenant. There are natural and logical results of not living up to our vows, our promises, our covenants with or before the Lord – but we are not released from them for simple disobedience. This is one of the very important aspects of covenants that we enter into with and before the LORD. When we disobey that covenant there are consequences but He is still there for us. Until the successful completion of our covenant (if it has an expiry date) or until our death (if it does not) our covenant remains in tact, binding us to the Lord (Romans 7:1-3). Our covenants in this way are like seatbelts. When the car crashes, we don’t take off our seatbelts and say that we are never going to wear them again. No, this is when we praise the Lord for our seatbelts more than ever.
Covenants are like car insurance
Covenants are also like car insurance. It is like last spring when my daughters and I were coming home from Tisdale. We were driving that highway like we did a couple of times every week when all of a sudden we hit black ice, we swerved into on-coming traffic and then off our side of the road where the car proceeded to flip: it rolled over a time and a half. We did not see the accident coming and therefore could do nothing to prepare for it anymore than a Nazirite could prepare for someone suddenly dying in his presence. Even though the experts admitted that there was nothing we could do to avoid the accident, I guarantee you that the insurance company declared that it was our fault. This is the same with the Nazirite. YHWH Insurance, so to speak, declares that they are at fault and demands payment. In this case the payment is their hair and as far as their clean driving record was concerned, they have to start over again – but the insurance isn’t cancelled. Similarly when the Soldier runs into troubles her covenant isn’t cancelled; it remains in place to protect us.
Covenants are like seatbelts
It is the same with seatbelts. In my accident the seatbelts did not break and this too is like our covenants before the Lord. Even though the car was totalled, the seatbelts held. This is important. Like sometimes an alcoholic makes a mistake and has a drink; like a husband sometimes does not operate perfectly as a loving husband; like at times we might sin before the Lord and like there are times when our lives just come crashing down all around us; when my car rolled over, there was that moment of panic as I looked back to see if my daughters were all right. To my relief they were safe and sound – even though we were all dangling upside down after the accident – they were all right because the LORD protected them through their seatbelts that did not break. We were safe and sound and soon restored to our normal life. Likewise, for all of us when our lives come crashing down around us, we will be safe and sound as long as we rely on the strength of our holy seatbelt -our covenant with the Lord- because the Lord will not let His covenant with us break no matter what happens to the automobile of our life. So then, let us enjoy the security of this holy seatbelt and, like the ancient Nazirite, through our covenant, let us rely fully on His strength rather than our own so that we may indeed be holy as the LORD our God is holy.
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read more articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
God is more important than family
Numbers 6:7 states specifically that the Nazirite is not to come in contact with a dead body even if the deceased person is your own parent. If your mother or father passes away while you are bound to YHWH through a Nazirite vow, you may not attend the funeral ceremony. Ordinarily the Israelites have important responsibilities pertaining to the passing of one’s parents, even though it would make them ceremonially unclean (Num 5:2, 19:11; Lev 21:1-3). For the Nazirite, she is not allowed to be unclean – even for her parents (Cf. Lev 21:10-12). One must choose between one’s family responsibilities and one’s responsibilities to God (cf. Lev 21:10-12; Matt 10:35,12:22-48, 19:29; Mark 3:23-35, 10:29-30, 13:1-28; Luke 8:19-21, 14:25-26; John 19:27). This is important. God is more important than anyone else in the holy person’s life. To the covenanted Nazirite and to the covenanted Soldier, to the devoted spouse and to the fully committed Christian, God is first. What good is it to gain the whole world and yet lose your own soul? (Matt 16:26, Mark 8:36).
There are consequences for not living up to our covenants.
It is important to note too that there are consequences for not living up to our covenants – even if we transgress them by accident. As such, verses 9-12 are very important for the Nazirite and equally significant for Soldiers in The Salvation Army or anyone else taking a covenant before the LORD. If a person dies in the Nazirite’s presence, the Nazirite is STILL guilty of sin. Even though the Nazirite did not mean to break his vow, it was still broken and he needs to be restored in his covenant relationship. Numbers 9-12 (NIV):
If someone dies suddenly in his presence, thus defiling the hair he has dedicated, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. Then on the eighth day he must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him because he sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day he is to consecrate his head. He must dedicate himself to the LORD for the period of his separation and must bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. The previous days do not count, because he became defiled during his separation.
Even though one is guilty of breaking a vow, the covenant remains in place
Even though the Nazirite here is guilty of breaking her vow, the covenant remains in tact. It is even renewed: the previous days do not count; she gets a fresh start. This is important. The covenant remains until it is fulfilled. We are not released from covenants and vows simply for disobeying them. This is VERY important. The covenantal tie is not broken when we disobey God. Even when we are faithless, God is faithful (Romans 3:3,4). There are consequences for transgressing the covenant. There are natural and logical results of not living up to our vows, our promises, our covenants with or before the Lord – but we are not released from them for simple disobedience. This is one of the very important aspects of covenants that we enter into with and before the LORD. When we disobey that covenant there are consequences but He is still there for us. Until the successful completion of our covenant (if it has an expiry date) or until our death (if it does not) our covenant remains in tact, binding us to the Lord (Romans 7:1-3). Our covenants in this way are like seatbelts. When the car crashes, we don’t take off our seatbelts and say that we are never going to wear them again. No, this is when we praise the Lord for our seatbelts more than ever.
Covenants are like car insurance
Covenants are also like car insurance. It is like last spring when my daughters and I were coming home from Tisdale. We were driving that highway like we did a couple of times every week when all of a sudden we hit black ice, we swerved into on-coming traffic and then off our side of the road where the car proceeded to flip: it rolled over a time and a half. We did not see the accident coming and therefore could do nothing to prepare for it anymore than a Nazirite could prepare for someone suddenly dying in his presence. Even though the experts admitted that there was nothing we could do to avoid the accident, I guarantee you that the insurance company declared that it was our fault. This is the same with the Nazirite. YHWH Insurance, so to speak, declares that they are at fault and demands payment. In this case the payment is their hair and as far as their clean driving record was concerned, they have to start over again – but the insurance isn’t cancelled. Similarly when the Soldier runs into troubles her covenant isn’t cancelled; it remains in place to protect us.
Covenants are like seatbelts
It is the same with seatbelts. In my accident the seatbelts did not break and this too is like our covenants before the Lord. Even though the car was totalled, the seatbelts held. This is important. Like sometimes an alcoholic makes a mistake and has a drink; like a husband sometimes does not operate perfectly as a loving husband; like at times we might sin before the Lord and like there are times when our lives just come crashing down all around us; when my car rolled over, there was that moment of panic as I looked back to see if my daughters were all right. To my relief they were safe and sound – even though we were all dangling upside down after the accident – they were all right because the LORD protected them through their seatbelts that did not break. We were safe and sound and soon restored to our normal life. Likewise, for all of us when our lives come crashing down around us, we will be safe and sound as long as we rely on the strength of our holy seatbelt -our covenant with the Lord- because the Lord will not let His covenant with us break no matter what happens to the automobile of our life. So then, let us enjoy the security of this holy seatbelt and, like the ancient Nazirite, through our covenant, let us rely fully on His strength rather than our own so that we may indeed be holy as the LORD our God is holy.
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read more articles: www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
William Tell
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The Greek word for ‘sinned’ in this passage (hamartanō) carries with it the classic definition of sin that we have probably heard before: that of ‘missing the mark’.[4] It brings to mind the idea of an archer shooting for a target and falling short – missing the target. On the surface this seems innocuous enough but if we then find out that that archer is William Tell – who is famous because he shoots apples off of people’s heads – and if we then find out that indeed the apple is about to be placed on your head, it becomes important. You don’t want him to miss the mark. William Tell, of course, tried to shoot the apples off the head of his own sons and so if he missed, the consequences could be most devastating for both father and son (as is our own sin). When we continually sin – the consequences are serious. Romans Chapter 3 tells us here that indeed, we have all sinned, we have all fallen short of this glory of God (3:23) and Romans 1 and 2 tell us that because of that we deserve to die (1:32, 2:12).
For those of us that did read a little bit of Romans this past week, you will have no doubt noticed that the first two chapters of this book really do point to the fact that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: both fall short of the glory of God, as does each of us individually no matter who we are, and as such we all deserve to die (3:9, 3:23).
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-322b-23there-is-no-difference.html
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
For those of us that did read a little bit of Romans this past week, you will have no doubt noticed that the first two chapters of this book really do point to the fact that there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: both fall short of the glory of God, as does each of us individually no matter who we are, and as such we all deserve to die (3:9, 3:23).
read more: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-322b-23there-is-no-difference.html
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Monday, July 13, 2009
Charity donations dry up as demand surges
Last Updated: Monday, July 13, 2009 8:56 AM ET
The Canadian Press
Charities across the country are seeing a drop in cash contributions, and food banks are receiving fewer donations because of the recession.
As more people lose their jobs, fewer donations of money and second-hand items are coming in. The problem is compounded by increasing numbers of out-of-work people relying on charities.
"People who used to be donors are now using our services and coming to us for help," says Andrew Burditt, territorial director with the Salvation Army. "It seems donating to charities has become a second priority for most Canadians."
Salvation Army branches in British Columbia and Alberta are seeing an increase in the number of people using their food banks, but fewer personal belongings are being donated to thrift stores and shelters, he said.
One of the charity's main national fundraising drives — the Red Shield campaign, held every May — saw an 8.5 per cent drop in donations over 2008. Nearly $2.5 million was collected, but that was half a million dollars short of the $3 million goal. The steepest drop-off was in Alberta.
The United Way of Canada managed to break donation records in 2007 and 2008, but is worried about the future.
"Our organization anticipates a tough year ahead both in allocating resources and in meeting the increasing needs and challenges of funded agencies" says spokeswoman Emilie Potvin.
The recession has also shrunk the size of donations.
Since January, the average amount of an individual donation has dropped to $120 from $150, says Owen Charters, director of Canada Helps, an online portal for giving that directs money to 84,000 different charities.
"This is the time to give," he says. "Those who have should balance it out for those who are suffering."
Food banks feel the pinch
Food Banks Canada reported a 20 per cent increase in the number of users between January and March. Food banks were already helping 700,000 in an average month, according to the organization's figures.
"That's a significant jump and it is very concerning in a year period," says Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada's executive director.
"Food donations have been falling significantly since January."
A 7.3 per cent hike in food prices, compared with last year, is one of the main factors, she says.
In the Prairie provinces, food banks are trying to feed more people with fewer resources. "We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people turning to our food services," says Marjorie Bencz, Edmonton Food Bank's executive director.
At a local food bank in Red Deer, Alta., midway between Edmonton and Calgary, director Fred Scaife worries each day about having enough food hampers to distribute.
"We are feeding 175 per cent more adults and 65 per cent more children compared with last year," he says. "We have lineups every day now. We even have to do some building renovations to accommodate this increase."
"People just don't have jobs, they are lost. We desperately need money, food and volunteers."
from CBC.ca
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
---
www.sheepspeak.com
The Canadian Press
Charities across the country are seeing a drop in cash contributions, and food banks are receiving fewer donations because of the recession.
As more people lose their jobs, fewer donations of money and second-hand items are coming in. The problem is compounded by increasing numbers of out-of-work people relying on charities.
"People who used to be donors are now using our services and coming to us for help," says Andrew Burditt, territorial director with the Salvation Army. "It seems donating to charities has become a second priority for most Canadians."
Salvation Army branches in British Columbia and Alberta are seeing an increase in the number of people using their food banks, but fewer personal belongings are being donated to thrift stores and shelters, he said.
One of the charity's main national fundraising drives — the Red Shield campaign, held every May — saw an 8.5 per cent drop in donations over 2008. Nearly $2.5 million was collected, but that was half a million dollars short of the $3 million goal. The steepest drop-off was in Alberta.
The United Way of Canada managed to break donation records in 2007 and 2008, but is worried about the future.
"Our organization anticipates a tough year ahead both in allocating resources and in meeting the increasing needs and challenges of funded agencies" says spokeswoman Emilie Potvin.
The recession has also shrunk the size of donations.
Since January, the average amount of an individual donation has dropped to $120 from $150, says Owen Charters, director of Canada Helps, an online portal for giving that directs money to 84,000 different charities.
"This is the time to give," he says. "Those who have should balance it out for those who are suffering."
Food banks feel the pinch
Food Banks Canada reported a 20 per cent increase in the number of users between January and March. Food banks were already helping 700,000 in an average month, according to the organization's figures.
"That's a significant jump and it is very concerning in a year period," says Katharine Schmidt, Food Banks Canada's executive director.
"Food donations have been falling significantly since January."
A 7.3 per cent hike in food prices, compared with last year, is one of the main factors, she says.
In the Prairie provinces, food banks are trying to feed more people with fewer resources. "We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people turning to our food services," says Marjorie Bencz, Edmonton Food Bank's executive director.
At a local food bank in Red Deer, Alta., midway between Edmonton and Calgary, director Fred Scaife worries each day about having enough food hampers to distribute.
"We are feeding 175 per cent more adults and 65 per cent more children compared with last year," he says. "We have lineups every day now. We even have to do some building renovations to accommodate this increase."
"People just don't have jobs, they are lost. We desperately need money, food and volunteers."
from CBC.ca
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God'
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www.sheepspeak.com
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday's Sermon
Click the picture to read the sermon.
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Romans 3:22b-23: 'There is no difference, for we have all sinned and fall short of teh glory of God'
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Friday, July 10, 2009
From TAP (The Anglican Planet)
Vancouver Trust Case
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:34PM
In 2008, when some Anglican churches voted to seek temporary episcopal oversight under the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) because of deep theological differences with their more liberal bishops, various dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada responded by attempting to seize properties and replace elected trustees.
Click to read more ...
No new same-sex marriages
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:32PM
The Council of General Synod (CoGS) has decided not to ask General Synod 2010 to amend church laws to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples. CoGS is the official arm of the Anglican Church of Canada that meets twice a year between the triennial national synods. It recently convened May 8-10 in Mississauga.
Click to read more ...
Atheism is capturing kids
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The number of teenage atheists is rising at a much faster rate than their parents, setting up what could be a potentially serious threat to organized religion, which is already struggling to regain momentum after years of declining attendance.
Click to read more ...
Human Trafficking in Canada
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has released a report entitled "Human Trafficking: A Report on Modern Day Slavery in Canada." The 30-page document reviews recent experience with human trafficking in association with major international events and recommends action that may be taken by the Canadian, British Columbia and Vancouver governments in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.
Click to read more ...
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:34PM
In 2008, when some Anglican churches voted to seek temporary episcopal oversight under the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) because of deep theological differences with their more liberal bishops, various dioceses of the Anglican Church of Canada responded by attempting to seize properties and replace elected trustees.
Click to read more ...
No new same-sex marriages
Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:32PM
The Council of General Synod (CoGS) has decided not to ask General Synod 2010 to amend church laws to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples. CoGS is the official arm of the Anglican Church of Canada that meets twice a year between the triennial national synods. It recently convened May 8-10 in Mississauga.
Click to read more ...
Atheism is capturing kids
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The number of teenage atheists is rising at a much faster rate than their parents, setting up what could be a potentially serious threat to organized religion, which is already struggling to regain momentum after years of declining attendance.
Click to read more ...
Human Trafficking in Canada
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 02:00PM
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has released a report entitled "Human Trafficking: A Report on Modern Day Slavery in Canada." The 30-page document reviews recent experience with human trafficking in association with major international events and recommends action that may be taken by the Canadian, British Columbia and Vancouver governments in preparation for the 2010 Olympic Games and beyond.
Click to read more ...
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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http://www.sheepspeak.com/
The Pope on the Economy (from Sojourners)
Pope Benedict on the Global Economy
http://www.sojo.net/
by Jim Wallis
07-09-2009
As the G8 Summit begins in Italy, Pope Benedict XVI has released a new encyclical on the global economy. Despite the sometimes dense philosophical and theological language, his message is clear: The economy must be guided by the criteria of justice and the common good. It is a comprehensive document, and while I haven’t yet read the entire encyclical, from news reports and a quick skim, a number of important things stand out. Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), is rooted in a stream of papal teaching on economic justice that goes back to 1891 with the encyclical Rerum Novarum (Of New Things). It is a far-reaching look at the relationships and issues that the global economy has created, and their impact on the world’s people. From the beginning Benedict states his basic foundation, that “charity in truth is the principle around which the Church’s social doctrine turns.”
It is: a principle that takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action. I would like to consider two of these in particular, of special relevance to the commitment to development in an increasingly globalized society: justice and the common good. And, he says, those principles are both in service and involvement in the political arena. The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we love them.
Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis. This is the institutional path — we might also call it the political path — of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbour directly, outside the institutional mediation of the pólis. He deals with profit, writing that while it is useful, once it “becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty.”
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/09/pope-benedict-on-the-global-economy/
related:
Pope Benedict Gets It Right
http://www.sojo.net/
by Brian McLaren
07-10-2009
Jim Wallis has provided a helpful summary of the Pope’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). The subtitle explains the subject more clearly — “on integral human development in charity and truth” — and the timing of its release (coinciding with the G-8 summit) suggests something about its purpose: to challenge the leading economic powers (and all the faithful) to see the current economic crisis as “an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future” - a future focused on “justice and the common good.”
Of particular interest to me is his strong endorsement of the key concepts behind the sustainability and fair trade/ethical buying movements. These related movements help us see that the economy is an important sphere where we can, in a sense, cast votes with every dollar we spend, literally loving our neighbors (or not) by the way we buy (or don’t buy) groceries, clothing, corporate shares, and so on.
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/10/pope-benedict-gets-it-right/
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
---
www.sheepspeak.com/
http://www.sojo.net/
by Jim Wallis
07-09-2009
As the G8 Summit begins in Italy, Pope Benedict XVI has released a new encyclical on the global economy. Despite the sometimes dense philosophical and theological language, his message is clear: The economy must be guided by the criteria of justice and the common good. It is a comprehensive document, and while I haven’t yet read the entire encyclical, from news reports and a quick skim, a number of important things stand out. Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), is rooted in a stream of papal teaching on economic justice that goes back to 1891 with the encyclical Rerum Novarum (Of New Things). It is a far-reaching look at the relationships and issues that the global economy has created, and their impact on the world’s people. From the beginning Benedict states his basic foundation, that “charity in truth is the principle around which the Church’s social doctrine turns.”
It is: a principle that takes on practical form in the criteria that govern moral action. I would like to consider two of these in particular, of special relevance to the commitment to development in an increasingly globalized society: justice and the common good. And, he says, those principles are both in service and involvement in the political arena. The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we love them.
Every Christian is called to practice this charity, in a manner corresponding to his vocation and according to the degree of influence he wields in the pólis. This is the institutional path — we might also call it the political path — of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbour directly, outside the institutional mediation of the pólis. He deals with profit, writing that while it is useful, once it “becomes the exclusive goal, if it is produced by improper means and without the common good as its ultimate end, it risks destroying wealth and creating poverty.”
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/09/pope-benedict-on-the-global-economy/
related:
Pope Benedict Gets It Right
http://www.sojo.net/
by Brian McLaren
07-10-2009
Jim Wallis has provided a helpful summary of the Pope’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). The subtitle explains the subject more clearly — “on integral human development in charity and truth” — and the timing of its release (coinciding with the G-8 summit) suggests something about its purpose: to challenge the leading economic powers (and all the faithful) to see the current economic crisis as “an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future” - a future focused on “justice and the common good.”
Of particular interest to me is his strong endorsement of the key concepts behind the sustainability and fair trade/ethical buying movements. These related movements help us see that the economy is an important sphere where we can, in a sense, cast votes with every dollar we spend, literally loving our neighbors (or not) by the way we buy (or don’t buy) groceries, clothing, corporate shares, and so on.
read more: http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/10/pope-benedict-gets-it-right/
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
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www.sheepspeak.com/
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
The Gospel In My Father's House
Salvation is very much about the future but it is also about the present. We were missionaries in with 614 Vancouver in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside a few years ago; Salvation is this: Can you imagine if you have a friend who is living on the street? He is very poor and suffering from various illnesses and struggles through the most painful of lives thinking that he is all-alone. Now, imagine that you know his father. Imagine that you know that his father wants your friend to come home and live with him because his father is very well off and in his father’s house there are many, many rooms (John 14:2). Imagine that you know his father’s first born – his only truly begotten. Imagine that he told you to invite him home and imagine that you don’t and your friend lives out his whole life alone and sick. Imagine that you didn’t share this information because you were afraid? Imagine that you didn’t share this information because you were ashamed? Imagine if every time you saw your friend it became harder and harder to share the good news of his father that loves him because you were too embarrassed to admit that you hadn’t told him yet? Imagine if he suffers and dies and you didn’t remind him on every possible occasion that there is another way, that he could have turned to his father and lived. If that happens, what kind of friends are we?
This is what it is like. Our Heavenly Father dearly would love to have each of His children safe and at home instead of suffering out there all alone - when you meet one of His children today, invite them to come home.
Read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
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Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
---
www.sheepspeak.com
This is what it is like. Our Heavenly Father dearly would love to have each of His children safe and at home instead of suffering out there all alone - when you meet one of His children today, invite them to come home.
Read the sermon: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/07/romans-116-i-am-not-ashamed-of-gospel.html
---
Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…"
---
www.sheepspeak.com
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