Holy Mary Mother of God

By  Bob Gill

For centuries Christians have pondered mysteries associated with Mary, the mother of Jesus: holy Mary, mother of God. Most people know her through the pages of the Bible, but many others have come to know her outside these pages. Throughout the last 2000 years, for example, Mary is said to have responded to the thousands of prayers to her Son, prayers that have been answered through her intercession. She has even, on occasions, graced us with her actual presence here on earth.

Roman Catholics are often accused of worshipping Mary, giving her God-like status. Contact with her is made through the likes of the Rosary - a Roman Catholic devotional item, icons and other images while invoking her name. The Rosary, for example, is a string of beads arranged in five sets of ten beads, with each set used to meditate on events in the life of Christ and his mother while praying. Such is the devotion applied by Rosary users on occasions that non-Catholics accuse them of worshipping Mary.

The Council of Ephesus in 431 held that Mary was the mother of God, Theotokos, and as such is worthy of great reverence. Catholics, then, honor Mary in their special way, often using her to mediate with God or her son on their behalf. The tradition of 2000 years, the documented miraculous occurrences or answers to thousands of prayers over the centuries, all attest to the success of using holy Mary, mother of God as a mediator between God and man.

Apparitions of Mary are alleged to have occurred over 2000 years. The evidence of many reputable witnesses to certain of these events cannot be discounted. In 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, for example, some 70,000 people witnessed unnatural 'dancing' of the sun following monthly appearances of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Again, in 1981 young children in Medjugorje, Bosnia claimed daily apparitions of Mary. More than 25 years later these same visionaries are said to be still receiving visitations - an almost unheard of regularity in Church history.

The events in Medjugorje have attracted millions of pilgrims to that small village, overshadowed by a huge concrete cross on a nearby hill that was erected by the villagers in 1933 to celebrate 2000 years since the Redemption of Christ. Visitors here cannot but be impressed with the devotion of the villagers to the service of God. They respond to requests from Mary to pray, fast and make reparation for sins. The whole atmosphere is one of peace and tranquility.

Commercialism is a fact of life in many tourist places these days, and in Medjugorje it is no different. Shops are stocked with religious items: Rosary beads, Italian manufactured art and statues, various other religious objects. But the visitor can see beyond this commercialism and witness genuine devotion to Mary, with first place being given to her son, Jesus.  Life here, one can imagine, is like stepping into the pages of the Bible during the lifetime of Jesus. The author knows of no other place on earth where you can go out and leave your home unlocked without fear of burglary. Here you feel safe and secure when you carry out all your daily activities.

In this 21st century, then, God is still alive and still being witnessed in Medjugorje by Catholics, Protestants, and all men, women and children of many religions. All of these people are being brought back to the Creator by the greatest woman in the history of mankind: holy Mary, mother of God.

Bob Gill is webmaster for the site:'Gospa, Our Lady of Medjugorje  http://www.medjugorjenews-nz.org which offers a free quarterly publication aimed at spreading the messages of Our Lady of Medjugorje.

Top Twenty-Five Quotes On God And Christianity

By Jerry Richard Boone 

Do you love a good quote? Are you a Christian? Yes? Yes? Then I guarantee you will love the Top Twenty Quotes on God and Christianity! Okay, I admit, I did sneak in one of my own. See if you can find it.

   Please note: These quotations are listed apathetically by author, not in any perceived order of importance.

"Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all."  Saint Augustine (354-430)  Christian church father, philosopher, bishop

"Who among us is willing to die to perpetuate a hoax?  A logical assumption is that the martyrs: Stephen, James, Peter, and Paul died firmly convinced they were telling us the truth about Jesus and his resurrection.  A blind faith?  No, a reasoned faith.  For Christianity was established by credible eyewitnesses willing to die for their testimony."  Jerry Boone (1947- ) American author

"God bears with the wicked, but not forever."  Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) Spanish Writer

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried."  G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) English author

"Nature is but a name for an effect, whose cause is God."  William Cowper (1731-1800) English poet

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments."  Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)  American inventor, publisher, statesman

"Toward what should we aim if not toward God?"  Andre Gide (1869-1951) French writer

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell."  (Matthew 10:28) Jesus Christ (c. 6 B.C.- c. A.D. 30) The Messiah, the Son of God

"A man with God is always in the majority."  John Knox (1505-1572)  Scottish religious reformer, founder of Scottish Presbyterianism

"Now I define Faith as the power of continuing to believe what we once honestly thought to be true until cogent reasons for honestly changing our minds are brought before us."  Christian Reflections (1941) C. S. [Clive Staples] Lewis  English author and Christian Apologist


"One of the great difficulties is to keep before the audience's mind the question of Truth.  They always think you are recommending Christianity not because it is 'true' but because it is 'good'.  One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and if it is true, of infinite importance.  The one thing it cannot be is moderately important."  God in the Dock (1946)  C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

"Here is a door, behind which, according to some people, the secret of the universe is hiding. Either that is true, or it isn't. And if it isn't, then what that door really conceals is simply the greatest fraud, the most colossal 'sell' on record. Isn't it obviously the job of every man (that is a man and not a rabbit) to try to find out which, and then devote his full energies to serving this tremendous secret or to exposing and destroying this giant humbug?"  God in the Dock (1946) C.S. Lewis

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You can shut him up for a fool; you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."  Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis

"We may not be able to get certainty, but we can get probability, and half a loaf is better than no bread."  Christian Reflections C. S. Lewis

"The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start."  Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis

"The perfect church service would be the one we were almost unaware of; our attention would have been on God. But every novelty prevents this. It fixes our attention on the service itself; and thinking about worship is a different thing than worshiping ... 'Tis mad idolatry that makes the service greater than the god."  C.S. Lewis

"Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God because he said so. The other evidence about him has convinced them he was neither a lunatic nor a quack." Christian Reflections  C.S. Lewis

"When you try to explain the Christian doctrine as it is really held by an instructed adult, they will complain that you are making their heads turn round and that it is all too complicated and that if there really were a God they are sure that He would have made 'religion' simple, . . . as if 'religion' were something God invented, and not His statement to us of certain quite unalterable facts about His own nature. Besides being complicated, reality, in my experience, is usually odd. It is not neat, not obvious, not what you expect . . . .  Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed. That is one of the reasons I believe in Christianity."  Mere Christianity  C.S. Lewis

"It is my deepest conviction that New Testament Christianity -- I mean undenominationalized Christianity -- what you read in your New Testament -- unpolluted with centuries of human tradition, and untainted with the newest novelties and fads, is the best thing that ever happened to the human race, and that's our message."  Mack Lyon American Evangelist

"The heart of Christianity is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised from death the third day according to the Scriptures."  Mack Lyon

"Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it's another kind of religion altogether. It's almost become a truism in preaching -- avoid doctrine, but by all means be amusing and entertaining -- and make it short. It's a mistake to substitute show for substance in the pulpit or on TV."  Mack Lyon

"Christianity, the kind of teaching and faith and worship and service that you read about in your own New Testament, isn't a hype religion that keeps you pumped up by the momentary excitement of frequent hand-clapping, foot stomping, hallelujah pep rallies. But it will sustain you in sickness and suffering and recessions and reversals, and at the grave side of a loved one. It gives stability and meaning to your life. It's the presence of God."  Mack Lyon

"When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is, that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Savior. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons."  John Newton (1725 -1807) Sailor, English Clergyman and Songwriter, best known for the hymn, "Amazing Grace"

"Jesus Christ our Lord was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead."   Romans 1:4) Apostle Paul

"Without God, there is no virtue, because there's no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we're mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. If I could just make a personal statement of my own -- in these 3 1/2 years I have understood and known better than ever before the words of Lincoln, when he said that he would be the greatest fool on this footstool called Earth if he ever thought that for one moment he could perform the duties of that office without help from One who is stronger than all." Ronald Wilson Reagan  (1911-2004)  August 23, 1984, address at an ecumenical prayer breakfast, Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas

    If I haven't listed your favorite God and Christianity quote, email it to me and I'll consider it for a future article. No negative quotes, please!

   I believe you eventually become whatever you allow your mind to think about. If you will allow me one more "self quote": "Whatever is constantly on your mind is what you become. To put it another way, you are what you think. Want to become a saint? Then read, study, and take to heart -- the New Testament. Want to become a moral degenerate? Then read, study, and take to heart -- pornography. We can't help it. That's the way we are made.  Whoever we associate with, whatever we read, whatever we watch on television, whatever we allow our minds to dwell on, becomes, in time, our character and our destiny."

Jerry Boone, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States  webmaster@merechristianity.us  Mr. Boone is a sailor, author, and   His works include: Mere Christianity.us and SAFETY LINE - EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN, an apologetic study published 1998.

5 Famous Prayers in the Bible

By Diana Williams 

You may wonder what type of prayer arouses GOD'S attention and get results. Effective prayer is direct communication with GOD. It acknowledges individual faith in a power higher than oneself who can help, guide and bring comfort. Many see prayer as weak, spineless and the last resort of out of touch people in over their heads. I beg to differ. Prayer is the very first tactic of powerful, resourceful people living in complete dependence on GOD.

Throughout the Bible when situations occurred, prayer made the difference for the person praying. The first example of prayer that gets GOD attention is The LORD'S Prayer. Often called the Model Prayer, this prayer uses the formula of reverence for GOD first, petitioning, asking for forgiveness and then closing with praise. When asked by HIS disciples, JESUS taught HIS followers to pray with sincerity and without pretext. The tone that this prayer sets is reliance upon the LORD to meet needs.

1. Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13, NKJV)


The second prayer example looks at the short and simplistic Prayer of Jabez. It also got GOD'S attention and produced results! What was noteworthy of this prayer was the fact that Jabez asked for GOD'S blessing. The Bible gives very little background about Jabez, yet this particular prayer stuck out.

2. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that YOU would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10 NKJV)

The third prayer we examine is what David prayed after Nathan the prophet informed him of GOD'S judgment because of his adultery with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, Bathsheba's husband. This is a prayer of confession to assuage guilt and receive forgiveness. The person praying must always take full responsibility for his or her actions. This type of humility makes this an effective prayer.

3. O loving and kind GOD, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. For I admit my shameful deed-it haunts me day and night. It is against YOU and YOU alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. YOU saw it all, and Your sentence against me is just. Create in me a new, clean heart, O GOD, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Don't toss me aside, banished forever from Your presence. Don't take Your HOLY SPIRIT from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey YOU. (Psalms51:1-17 TLB)

A fourth example is how Hannah, who was barren, prayed for a son. She knew that GOD was able to grant her request. Her prayer demonstrated her faith by including a vow for her future.

4. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if YOU will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head." (1 Sam 1:10-11, NIV)

The fifth prayer examined is from Hezekiah after the prophet told him to prepare to die. Hezekiah's tearful prayer spoke of his urgent need. GOD bestowed mercy and gave Hezekiah fifteen additional years of life.

5. "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech YOU, how I have walked before YOU in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:3, NASU)

The common thread prevalent in these prayers was a sincere link to GOD. True prayer fellowship recognizes that there is nothing too hard for GOD. There is also nothing off limits in the prayer request. Long or short, what garner results from GOD are the faith, love and motivation behind the prayers! http://5famousprayers.blogspot.com

One Hour with the Bible Changes Everything

Author: Jessica Hannah

Like everyone I have my own personal daily struggles, in this article I reveal how my personal daily Bible devotion has changed everything for me.

Let me start by saying that I am and have been a committed Christian for the last twenty years. So it will probably no surprise to hear me say that I do read the Bible on a regular basis. However in the last year I have changed the way I do this, if you like creating a daily reading habit that has transformed my life. I would like to share this with you in order to encourage you to consider this as a way to live.

The Bible is an amazing book, it is in fact 66 individual books from Genesis through to Revelation bought together to form what is known as the canon of scripture. The Bible covers history, archaeology, the rise and fall of nations and of course looks at the relationship between God and man down through the ages. It is this last point that we Christians focus on, believing it to be God's revealed blueprint for man kind. We consider the Bible to be a guide to living and the revealed word of God which explains his plan of redemption for all humankind.

In Matthew 6:33 but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Reflecting on this scripture alone I decided to radically change the way I read the Bible and as a result my lifestyle.

This involved literally putting God first by rising early each morning and reading the Bible before doing anything else in my day. Now knowing what to read each day can be tricky so my advice to anyone is to get a daily reading plan. You can pick these up online for free. The one I have means that I read the entire Bible from cover-to-cover in a year.

Reading the Bible on its own does not change ones life. However reading it and making a decision to be obedient to it as the word of God in my experience changes everything. I have felt lead, challenged and changed by my daily devotion and as a result my character and relationship with God has grown immensely. This in turn has helped me to get through intact the trials of life.

Mary the Mother of Jesus

By Art Fahy 

The bible has recorded many actions and stories of great women. Stories of loyalty, obedience, disobedience, and disloyalty.

Recently, I portrayed the angel Gabriel in our church production. I delivered the news to Mary about her being with child and who this child was.

One more time our Lord does extraordinary things through ordinary people. Mary was a typical Jewish girl of the times. When Gabriel appeared to her, she was only 12 or 13 years old. She was engaged to Joseph a carpenter. I am sure the upcoming marriage was foremost on her mind.

When Gabriel appeared, Mary was scared and confused. The angel assured her she was highly favored by God. She received his unmerited favor. He eased her mind and told her not to be afraid before he told her she would be the mother of the Messiah. She was going to give birth to the Son of God.

Mary because she was a virgin asked, "How will this be?" The angel explained and her response was belief and obedience.

Zachariah on the other hand when told by Gabriel Elizabeth would bare a child he doubted. The consequence was he remained speechless until his son was born.

Mary was ready to serve her Lord. Her response was "I am the Lord's servant. May it be as you said." She had the servant's heart. She was available for her Lord and was not concerned with her ability.

Mary was young and poor. She worked the fields and vineyards. She was strong physically and mentally. She was well versed in her scriptures and applied them in her life.

I am sure Mary used some of the women in the scriptures as her role models.

What went through Mary's mind after she received the news that she was to give birth to Jesus? She would disgrace herself, her family, and Joseph. Would Joseph divorce her? She could even be stoned to death. I am sure she was not prepared to experience the agony of her son's death on the cross.

Mary was very human. She would experience the daily joys and sadness of a mother. Imagine her fear when the family was returning home and she and Joseph could not find Jesus. And her reaction when they found him. All human feelings.

Jesus learned the carpentry trade from his father. When he went out and began his ministry, Mary watched. she noticed the authorities did not care for her son's teachings.

Mary could never imagine the torture Jesus would go through and then die a horrible death.

Mary was a willing servant of God. She submitted to his plan. She trusted God and obeyed his call. God looked at Mary quite differently than society. He looked at her heart and saw the quality of her trust and obedience. He knew she would be a worthy servant.

Mary loved God. She was strong and she knew where that strength came from. She was willing to serve. Her love, availability, faith, and obedience are qualities our Lord looks for to do the extraordinary through ordinary people.

Jesus, The Son of God

By Angela Mwema 

He is our Lord and Savior. He has so much love for us that he agreed to come down from heaven and die for our redemption. He came so that he could reconcile us back with God. Through him, we are assured of a life eternal. God sent his only begotten Son Jesus Christ that whosoever believed in him will not perish but will have eternal life. He did not come to condemn us but to mend the broken relationship with our Father.

The Books of Mathew, Mark and Luke teach us a lot about him. His main agenda hear on earth was to preach the gospel. His place was usually with the poor and sick in the society. He came to abolish legalism and help us get to establish a relationship with God. Through him, we know that God desires only a true and sincere love intimacy with us. Sacrifices and good works do not really matter but how we relate with him. Jesus the Son of God who is also God left his followers power over demons, diseases, evil sprits and principalities.

When he ascended to heaven, he did not forget the children he left down here. He is seated on the right hand of the father interceding on our behalf. He also left us the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us the way of truth and life. When you get born again, Jesus the Son of God dwells in your heart too. You no longer have to face life alone but with him. He will be there with you through it all. He is awesome, lovely, beautiful and ever loving. Invite him into your heart today.

Angela Mwema is a messenger to the world with the true and living word of God. If you have a prayer request email her. For more spiritual nourishment visit her site at [http://angiepages.com/tag/gods-love/]

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

By Craig Condon 

A priest, a minister and a guru were discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray," the priest said. "No," the minister said, "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven." "You're both wrong," the guru said. "The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor." The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas," he interrupted, "The best praying I ever did was when I was hanging upside down from a telephone pole."

Several years ago, Mother Teresa appeared on the Hour of Power television program. The host, Pastor Robert Schuller, reminded her that the show was being broadcast all over America and in 22 foreign countries, including her native Yugoslavia. He asked her if there was one message she would like to convey to all those viewers. Her response was, "Yes, tell them to pray. And tell them to teach their children to pray."

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus and the disciples were following Mother Teresa's message. Jesus told them to pray, and taught them to pray. The lesson he gave them became the pattern for the prayer we all know-namely, the Lord's Prayer. The outline He gave is threefold:

1. The promise of prayer

2. The reality of prayer

3. The practice of prayer

Jesus intended the words of the Lord's Prayer to portray the spirit of our prayers instead of specified words. For Jesus, prayer was not just a form, but a force, a power. Prayer was vital and influential in His life. It can be the same for us. Prayer can take many forms, but it is often difficult to find the time, energy or focus to engage in prayer. The disciples wanted to learn to pray, to integrate prayer into their lives, to understand and deepen their relationship with God, and find the words to offer. Jesus taught the disciples to make their prayer God-centered. The glory of God's name and the advancement of God's kingdom were to be their primary concerns of prayer. We also want and need to learn these same things.

We are to come before the throne of grace boldly. We are to live every moment knowing that a loving, heavenly Father is on our side. He understands the problems of our lives. People have given up hope and trust. Little in life seems worthwhile. Faith has petered out. This parable encourages us to keep stirring up God until He gives us His ear. Whenever we pray, God is on our side. He is ready to listen for the sake of bringing us the best possible blessing.

This reminds me of a story about a little girl who was kneeling bedside her bed one night. She said, "Dear God, if you're there and you hear my prayer, could you please just touch me?" Just then she felt a touch, and got so excited! She said, "Thank you, God, for touching me." Then she looked up, saw her older sister, and got a little suspicious. "Did you touch me?" The sister answered, "Yes, I did". "What did you do that for?" she asked. "God told me to" was the reply.

When we face life's problems we can do one of two things-faint, or pray. Jesus helps us and the disciples develop an attitude of dependence. He teaches them and us to come to God as our Father, and not as our employer. We are to make requests, not demand earnings. We are to realize our constant need for forgiveness, not to shout in pride, "See how great I'm doing." We are to request deliverance, not to promise, "I'll try harder". Jesus never met anyone he couldn't forgive. People he met were no better or no worse than the people we meet every day. Some were strong, some were weak. Some were fortunate, some had experienced bad break after bad break. He loved them all. He came into the world not to condemn people, but to save them. God is the same. He hears the prayers of ALL the world's people, regardless of age, wealth or other social limitations. No one is too insignificant to be beyond His concern.

Prayer is a privilege for the robust who come into the presence of God and approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing what they want of Divine providence. Does that mean that everything we ask for in prayer will be granted, or even granted right away? No. Sometimes God says "Yes", sometimes He says "No", sometimes He says "Not now", and sometimes He says, "No, I have something even better in mind for you".  God is the one who can and will provide us with what we truly need to live the life Jesus calls us to live.

The activist attitude that Jesus taught is based on the idea that we can do something for God. The disciples' attitude was based on awareness that God can do something in us. Doing God's will on earth means the putting down of evil and the putting up of good. Prayer is not a five-minute exercise in devotion time. It means you have the desire for God's will in your life. God wants to live in us here and now on earth, even though He is holy. His eagerness is found in both the gift of His Son and the words of the Lord's Prayer. "Our Father, who are in heaven"  represents the joining of heaven and earth. "Your kingdom come, your will be done" models surrender to God's will, as does Jesus' instructions. "Everyone that is indebted to us" refers to offenses similar to those we have committed against God and for which we ask forgiveness.

We must pray this prayer from a believing heart that is sincere and submitted to God's will. True prayer involves responsibilities-honoring God's kingdom and doing God's will. The purpose of prayer is not to get man's will done in heaven, but to get God's will done on earth. I am reminded of the story of the woman who was so desperate for a husband that she knelt before a statue of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus and prayed, "Blessed lady, please send me a man. I'm so desperate and lonely". An altar boy who was standing in the shadows heard the prayer and decided to have a little fun. He imitated the voice of the Baby Jesus and said, "No, you can't have a man!". The woman replied, "You shut up, you young pup. I'm talking to your mother!" .

Prayer affirms that we are not alone. God said, "I will never leave you or forsake you".
We must be secure in our relationship with God before we can bring our requests to Him. Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His highest willingness. Because He knows and loves us, we need never be afraid of the answers that He gives. Jesus is at God's right hand making intercessions for us. Only Christ can teach us, by His word and spirit, how to pray. God helps us to be people of prayer. We must ask for the Holy Spirit, as all spiritual blessings are included in the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a powerful force that is available to us. It is an inner openness to God which allows his divine power to be released in us. The power of prayer is God's success in changing us.

When a man believes and does his best to get right with God, with his fellow believers and with himself, death is nothing to be afraid of. God is a loving parent. He knows our real needs and will grant us anything in this world that is in our best interests. He knows what will make us stronger and what will ultimately weaken us. He knows our potential and our breaking points. He knows what it will take to fit our souls for His kingdom. A good father will only give his children what is good for them. God is more inclined to give us what we need than the best human father is.

Our prayers must be chiefly prayers of thanksgiving, but they must also contain an element of confession. We are not all God means for us to be. We need His mercy, compassion, and amazing grace. Sometimes we pray for forgiveness, and sometimes we pray for the ability to forgive. We need God's guidance in this world, and we must pray daily for His guidance. The disciples discovered that through prayer, God gave them great power to help others-the same power He gives us. When we pray, God often answers our prayers in ways we never realize. More important, though, is that when we pray, God influences us to show the love of Christ to others, just as the Samaritan did for the beaten man in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus' ministry demonstrated what a Spirit-filled and Spirit-directed life looks like. Jesus promises this same Spirit to his disciples, and the Acts of the Apostles shows that when the Spirit descends on the community, they begin to live the Spirit-filled life Jesus lived. The poor were cared for, the dead were raised, the blind and lame were healed, the crippled walked and three times, when the disciples were imprisoned, God opened their prison doors and set them free.

We live in a generation where there is little hope in our secular world. Today's Gospel reading is about trust. It is about letting go of our resentments, our doubts and our fears. It is about believing that there is never a storm so tumultuous that He cannot bring us safely through. That there is no night so dark that His light cannot penetrate it. That nothing is going to happen to us that by His grace we cannot handle. To the unbeliever prayer is an exercise in futility. But to the believer, prayer is the most powerful and the most reliable force in the world today. God has promised to hear our prayers. They will not go unanswered. Even though it sometimes seems that no one is listening, God is listening. He will answer our prayers  in His own time and in His own way. He is not bound by human constraints. Our ways are not His ways. Our task is to trust that what we receive from God is for our best interest. Other people see the way we live our lives, and if we are sloppy and sinful, we can hardly hope to make others see the benefits of being Christian.

Do we know how to pray as we should? Do we speak to ourselves, or are we speaking to God? Do we merely ask for something, or do we ask to be transformed? Can we say the words I once saw on a bumper sticker-namely, "Christ changed my life"?  The problem with our prayers is that we are not earnest enough. Jesus said that there is only one kind of prayer-deep, earnest, heartfelt prayer.

The Holy Spirit is God's supreme gift to us. It prompts us to continually pray to God. Jesus taught from the very beginning that a huge key to effective prayer is persistence, devotion to prayer over time. The disciples were continually devoting themselves to prayer, as mentioned in Acts 2:42, and the apostles were very careful to practice what Jesus taught them. Persistent prayer is virtuous not when it honours our own prejudices and frustrations, but when it yields and seeks the mind and heart and spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit also directs our energies in the direction of our prayers. It keeps us sensitive to God's signs to change direction and ideas. It keeps us assured of God's love. God's gift comes to us because we are persistent. He gives to us out of His love, and he gives to us knowing what is in our best interest. We are to ask God to help us keep His name holy in our hearts and on our lips, to help us provide for our daily needs, to see the wisdom and necessity of forgiveness and to help us lead a life that is pleasing to Him by strengthening us against temptation. In his commentary on the Lord's Prayer, Martin Luther said that at times of distress our only help or comfort is to take refuge in the Lord's Prayer and appeal to God from our hearts. If we attempt to help ourselves by our own thoughts and counsels, we will only make matters worse.

A Christian man was once offered drugs and urged to do his own thing. He replied, "You don't understand. My thing is not doing your own thing, but God's thing". When Christians pray, "May your kingdom come," they are praying "Lord, I want to do your thing!" You see, a triumphant faith is more than occasional chill bumps in the church. It is more than singing "How Great Thou Art" on Sunday. It is doing the will of God in daily  living. To abide in Christ requires faith and commitment. We must not sit passively by, waiting for answers. We must be busy doing God's will while we are waiting. Yielding our will means accepting His answers to our prayers. Prayer is the most powerful weapon for combat against our corrupt, secular world. We can't survive without prayer. The best way to honour God is to pay attention and be careful how we live our lives. We are to live our lives in community, hand-in-hand, heart-in-heart with one another. How we get along with each other says a great deal about how we love God and the kind of people we want to be.

Craig Condon, Lay Minister, Anglican Parish of South Queens, Liverpool, NS Canada. He can be reached by email at craig.condon2@ns.sympatico.ca

The Servant of God - Jesus Christ

By Thomas O Johnston 

The Way of the Cross

Mark 8:22-10:52

Through the first seven chapters Mark gives us a continuous narrative of Jesus as Servant - ministering to the needs of so many. In rapid succession miracle after miracle is related with details not found in the other Gospels and emphasis on Christ's hands touching those in need. The like had never been witnessed since the foundation of the world. This truly is the Son of God. The disciples are convinced, the multitudes are applauding everywhere - Public acclaim has reached its high point. Surely he will be proclaimed king.

But at Chapter 8:31 we read in utter surprise along with the disciples - He began to teach them that He must suffer, be rejected, and finally be killed. He spoke openly and in verse 34 He called the people, to take up their cross.

That such a ministry of mighty works and merciful cures and supernatural wisdom should end in disgrace and death as a common criminal is surely the most incredible and tragic enigma of the ages.

Jesus of course had seen all this. From this point onward, the cross is the uppermost in the mind, and repeatedly on His lips.

The key verse of the Gospel is in chapter 10:45 -"The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."

From chapter 8:22-10:52 we see Jesus with His disciples traveling from Caesarea Philippae, north of Galilee, southward to the outskirts of Jerusalem. On the way, He instructs them that the cross is the only way - His and theirs also.

The way of Jesus to the cross and the way of discipleship are most closely interwoven in three passages (8:31-9:1; 9:30-37; 10:32-45). They follow a prophecy - misunderstanding - instruction pattern.

Read 8:31-9:1. Immediately after Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus reveals His future death and resurrection, and that this is why He came - all according to the will of God. He spoke plainly. Peter is shocked by these new and seemingly unthinkable possibilities. Jesus rebukes him sternly as worldly "Satan" and tempting Jesus to think contrary to God.

The disciples do not yet grasp why Jesus should have to give up His life, and in explanation they are told that it is to be
their fate as well. Jesus calls the people to listen.

The Cost: three conditions for discipleship - 1.) We must deny ourselves. 2.) Take up our crosses. 3.) Follow Him.

To deny ourselves is to give up our own total will in favor of God's will, not simply giving up chocolate for lent.

To take up our crosses means to be willing to walk to our own death if we are to follow Jesus, not bear some affliction or sorrow - an act of faith - and will.

Following Jesus means renouncing virtually everything we value, including if necessary our very lives. And yet even more it means living for Him, with the fellowship of God, ministering each day in God's will, with the very love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. To see with the eyes of Christ the needs and hurts of everyone we might meet - to touch them with kindness, concern, and forgiveness in the name of the Lord. To follow Jesus is and must be to do what He would do were He where we are - of course without His strength and guidance, His love and assurance we would be powerless to help anyone.

Then a paradox - For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it.

The outcome of Jesus' death was resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. We see the two ways of living contrasted - the natural human way is to work for our own security and safety, our own power - in fact our own kingdom with castle and comforts. This will all pass away and be destroyed. From God's point of view if we seek the Kingdom of God and give our lives to the King's service we will inherit that kingdom in life eternal.

In verses 36 and 37 we see that gaining the whole world means giving up life - not only the joys of real living here and now we know those who have sought this and their unhappy lives -but also none can be carried from this world into the next, and all the world cannot buy one day of eternal life.

The next two verses are a warning and a promise. Jesus will disown anyone who has disowned Him in this world, indeed a warning of judgment. The cost of being a follower may be high but the cost of not being a disciple is higher - to be rejected by Jesus. Then the promise of power from on high is given - and that some will die shortly thereafter (possibly Stephen).

9:30-37. Jesus and the disciples continue on their way to Jerusalem. Here He is teaching His disciples privately. This prophecy is the simplest of the three. The hostile world will kill Him, and He will rise the 3rd day. Possibly because of the rebuke they received the first time, we see them here not understanding but silent.

Later they argue among themselves about who is greatest. Their status in the Christian community. At Capernaum, He asked what they had been arguing about. They don't tell Him but He knows and reproves them.

The first will be last in the eyes of the world and servant of all.

Christ speaks of the reversal in the age to come - that the Church which was now suffering in the world, will be exalted Jesus showed with His own life the truth of this statement, as the servant of all and indeed rejected and despised of men He became the first-fruits of them that slept - being first to be resurrected and glorified by our Heavenly Father - This is our hope and promise and example.

Jesus applies this principle within the group of disciples also. It can be seen as a threat "If you are first in the Christian community today, you will in fact turn out to be last in the age to come." or a promise "If you wish to be great in the age to come, you must be least in this age."

The idea of servant is personal, a caring for and waiting on another person. With helping a child we expect no praise or honor - someone powerless - yet it is in helping in this way that puts us in a relation to Jesus and through Him to God. Just as we are called to lose our lives for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel, so we are called to serve for Jesus and in so doing - in receiving the child in Jesus' Name we receive Jesus Himself. Jesus is not concerned with greatness or honor; instead He allows Himself to fall into the cruel hands of the sinful world. In saying "him that sent me," Jesus reminds us that He is God's messenger, the servant of God. That was His life, to perfectly and purely and righteously to serve the holy and just God, that sinless and spotless He might be the perfect sacrifice for sin. We are called to be like this Jesus, knowing our imperfections and failings, yet with God's help and forgiveness through Christ, we do indeed become more Christlike, as we yield to Him.

The third time is found in 10:32-45. As in the second passage, the misunderstanding of the disciples is concerned with the issue of greatness or power. As in the second, the teaching is concerned with the contrast of the way of power and that of service. It does, however, deal with the role of suffering, tying discipleship closely to the cross.

They are nearing Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned as their goal. This third prediction is the most detailed and is to be fulfilled in each detail as recorded in chapters 14-16. No questions follow and the disciples must have begun to think they understood, yet the request of James and John shows they are still thinking of themselves and in a worldly way.

They request for the highest positions in the coming kingdom. Jesus does not rebuke them, but tells them that they don't know what their request includes. He asks if they can drink His cup of suffering and undergo His baptism into death. They reply they are able. Jesus promises that indeed they will suffer and die. If they wish to follow Jesus on the way of suffering, it will be granted to them. But the seats of Christ's left and right hand are reserved for those God has chosen - again emphasizing Jesus' role as servant of God.

Implied in this teaching is the idea that suffering is the way of Christ and of those who follow Him, but in itself suffering gives no merit, earns Him no reward, nor allows Him to make any special requests.

It is according to the will of God that Jesus must suffer and be killed. In addition, anyone who becomes a disciple must take up their own cross and lose their own life in order to find it. Suffering is something that happens to true disciples. The world is hostile to the kingdom of God.

When the rest hear about James and John's request, they get angry. Jesus summons them and explains the contrast between the way of the world and the way it must be among Christians.

In the world, rulers dictate what to do and how to live, tyrannize those under them. They use their power to serve their own desires. This is recognized by the world as greatness - the amount of power one holds over others.

The contrast Jesus makes is not power versus suffering - but rather power versus services; not a disciple that suffers much, but a disciple that serves much; a giving, not a taking. The person who waits at the table is in God's eyes greater than the person being waited on. Service is helping others, not controlling them.

In the second passage Jesus used a child to illustrate His point. Here He uses Himself as the example.

Verse 45. His very life is service, whole and complete, including the laying down of His life for many - that through His slave-service others are made free.

The way of Jesus is contrary to the way of the world against all natural, and selfish expectations we may hold. Service to others is the way of life God reveals in Jesus, indeed revealing Himself and His love for us in His Son.

The way of discipleship is to deny oneself and be servant of all. The way of the world is to see what you can get others to do for you. Suffering is a byproduct of selfless, giving love.

The question we face each moment is: Do we belong to ourselves, or to God? Have we been redeemed, bought with a price, indeed with the very life-blood of the sinless One, the very Lamb of God, Jesus Christ? Are we building our own kingdom here on earth and making it as comfortable as possible? Or do we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Jesus gave us a path to follow that we are incapable of duplicating - yet it is to be our guide. He gives us forgiveness for any mistakes we might make, and have made. He gives us Himself as Helper, Comforter, Guide, and Teacher in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and He provided the Scriptures to learn of Him.

What is discipleship - the gift of God. Because Jesus lived a life of perfect service to God and others. We are free to fail, and stumble, and be embarrassed because we are still being forgiven. God wishes us to be like His Son. He has given His Son for us. If we once grasp the greatness and price of this gift, we cannot but desire to do what we can for Our Heavenly Father. And what we do, we can claim no credit, or accept any honor, for we only do it because we are His; without Him, we could do nothing.

Romans 5:1-6.

T.O.D. Johnston was licensed to preach the Gospel by Paran Baptist Church on May 26, 1979. He has been a student of Scripture since 1972. View more lessons at his Bible Study Lessons page.

The Ten Commandments of God

By Spravca Poznanie 

Mojses The Ten Commandments is support and reliable directive for a man, who wish to live in harmony with divine law. If The Ten Commandments were not important, the God certainly would give us another recommendations (e. g. how to shop in hypermarket, or how to take insurance). By denial of the commandments is the man branching off the source of Life and step by step heads towards spiritual death. It is reasonable not to ignore this advice of God, even if it is distorted often.

1. DO NOT WORSHIP ANY OTHER GODS It´s sure, that by the another God is not meant only some wooden item presenting a sort of deity, but absolutely real idols of our everyday life - wealth, career, well-being, family, power, money and other matters, which have often priority over our God. It goes adrift very easy and enslaves us. Abidance of the first commandment protects man against that slavery.

2. DO NOT MISUSE THE NAME OF GOD The man, who has forgotten his God, originator and life-protector, has for sure forgotten also his own spiritual origin. When the name of God is used as a curse or common phrase, without any respect and love, or the evil is done in his name, we must realize that we have lost the most important thing and our steps are erroneous. By downgrading the name we at the same time downgrade its holder!

3. KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY The third commandment gives the advice to pay attention to spiritual values during the seventh day. If the body without food dies, what then our soul without food for thought? The seventh day enables to review the past week and to learn from it, as the older events are easy forgotten.

4. HONOUR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER Third commandment urges people to honour status of motherhood and fatherhood. Only if both mother and father take their mission of upbringing seriously and responsibly, it can bring blessing. Then the children honour their parents naturally, feeling the grandness of their spirit. Alas, many of parents violate this commandment cleaning out their children's inner values which should be irreplaceable support in their life. Therefore they justifiably do not deserve their children's honour.

5. DO NOT MURDER - This word doesn't mean just "do not murder", but also "do not kill" and "do not get down". The man both must not kill and support killing, and also must not get down anyone - it many times brings lots of damage. Parents are not allowed to get down their children's natural talents, because of their different expectations; they also have no right to stop their children from love or friendship. Children also are not allowed to hurt their parent's love not using the opportunities created by their parents.

6. DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY - A genuine love between two people should be holy for everyone. Woe betides to anybody, who causes disturbance of such a marriage - either because of impure lech after, or rational parent's calculations. But where is not any harmony, there is not anything to disturb. This commandment also determines the marriage, as to be worth to hold this name.

7. DO NOT STEAL Except of material things, the possession of your fellowman is also his reputation, his thoughts and confidence. If anybody usurps something of his intellectual property, or steals somebody from confidence and good reputation, the wrongdoing is even worse than the material harm.

8. DO NOT LIE AND DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOUR As the people miss any lofty ideals, backbiting became a favourite habit of people disseminating barren information. However, the material attack can be rectified easier than the heartbreak of the soul suffering from the psychical harm. Violation of this commandment confines also dispraiser, decreasing his spiritual growth.

9. DO NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE This commandment is aimed at unwholesome fleshly desires. Who is not able to keep his thoughts genuine, can use avoidance of buying, looking, haunting - newspapers, films and fleshly desires, which are the result of thoughts.

10. DO NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE, NOR ANYTHING THAT IS HIS The envy is the source of badness, dishonour and conniving. The fruit of the envy is the excessive lech after, which became the incentive of majority of our acts. These acts lead to bustle, self-regarding accumulation of property, with detriment to other people, nature, and health and to the very purpose of our earthly life.

Christianity, Love, And Jesus

By Shanna Wooten 

Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ. First I would like to ask you a question, do you love Jesus? Is He your best friend? Are you looking for Him ? As we all were before becoming saved and walking with Him. Do you feel alone in this terrible and often times cruel, unforgiving, understanding world? Have you lost loved ones, friends, family, or maybe yourself? Do you feel a hole or void in your life that is empty blackness without escape?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions , the answer is so simple and so true. Just turn your heart to Jesus. He loves you. He will be your best friend, your comforter, your all if you let Him. All you have to do is humble yourself, bend the knee and if unable to then bend the heart. You don't have to be in a church to ask Jesus into your heart, you can be saved anywhere at anytime!! Isn't that an awesome concept. If you know you are a sinner and wish for forgiveness, and to walk in life with Jesus in peace, joy and love , He is the door, the light, and the way. He can heal you in ways doctors never can. He can remove old hurts and strongholds in your life that no one else will ever be able to. No matter of hours put in at a psychologist office will ever do for you what accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart will do. He can remove all sorts of bad habits or sinful things we all have to be ashamed of.

Are you angry because of your past? Did you live an unfair childhood? Are you living an unfair adulthood? Are you abused (past or present)? Believe me I know your pain, but Jesus can free you from it, from the anger , and the resentment. Are you angry with your spouse , are you living in an unhappy marriage? Do your children run amuck? Seemingly to never know when to mind and be still? Are you unhappy with your job, your house, your life, your weight, your everything?

These things plague you because you need to turn to Jesus. Let him fill you with the peace, joy and love only He is able to give. Let Him be your Savior, your reason for living , and your all.

No I am not some holy roller, up until July 22, 2007 I was knee deep in sin. I was 29 at that time, unsaved, and I had many many sins in my life. Some worse than others a few really big time sins against God. I was unhappy with everything, my life, my husband, my weight, my children. There were days I wished the world would open up and swallow me whole. On July 22, 2007 my daughter begged me to come to see her baptized, yes she had to beg because I did not want anything to do with a church house or it's people. But seeing those sweet hazel eyes of hers brimmed with tears was more that I could bare. So I agreed to go , I got dressed , dreading the whole thing believe me. We went and I heard the sermon, the preacher was speaking about Hell, and the pain for all eternity if we went there instead of Heaven. I do not think I have ever been so scared in all my life. My heart began to race , I began to sweat and tremor. I looked down and I was literally gripping the pew bench with white knuckles. At the end of the sermon the preacher said to everyone " we are going to have a few minutes of invitation". Now being the sinner I was I did not understand what that meant at that time. But everyone had there eyes closed and they were praying. I was thinking to myself if I can just last a few more minutes I will be out of here. But all of the sudden there was a tug on my chest, it truly felt like someone had grabbed the front of my shirt with both hands and was pulling me to the alter. It was frightening and joyful all at once. I knew without a doubt it was Jesus. I got to my feet somehow though as of now I do not really remember walking to the alter and falling on my knees to pray. That very minute I said to Jesus , please I know I am a sinner , but please take these sins away, please forgive me, please love me too. Please come into my heart and He did. Even though I know I am not worthy He loves me enough to save me.

Jesus loves you too. Please do not ever forget that He loves you too. And He only wants the very best for us here and in the afterlife. Do you want to call Heaven your home someday? I know I do and will. God Bless you always.

Jesus is Coming!

By MichaelS Saunders 

A Sermon for Advent Sunday

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplex- ity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near ...
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:25-18,34-36)

Happy New Year everybody!

Yes, it's the first day of the ecclesiastical new year - the first Sunday in Advent - and as you'll see, everything is a bit different today.

The colours are different, the hymns are different, and there's a sense of festivity in the air ... well, maybe not a sense of festivity, but there probably should be, for Advent Sunday is a significant day in the Christian calendar for it's when we remember what is coming!

The word 'Advent' indeed comes from the Latin verb 'venio' - to come - and 'advenio' - to come towards. For we are coming towards something?

What is it that is coming? I'm a little wary of putting this question to the congregation as I may get the answer, 'Santa Claus is coming ... to town'. And I don't really want to dismiss the fact that Santa Claus is coming, nor that Christmas is coming, with all its festivities and joy and commercialism. But what we celebrate at Advent is not that Christmas is coming, nor that Santa is coming but that Jesus is coming ... so look busy!

I saw that on a T-shirt, selling in Darling Harbour this week. 'Jesus is coming, so look busy'. That particular joke isn't original to the T-shirt company of course, but it does make you think about what you would want to be found doing if Jesus suddenly appeared on the scene.

Tony Campolo used to say that when he was growing up the preachers used to scare the kids by warning them that Jesus could appear at any time, and woe betide them if he turns up and finds them at a movie theature! Tony says he grew up with a constant fear, every time he went to the movies, that Jesus would return during the feature and he'd miss the end of the movie.

I heard sermons like that too as a kid, and I was always more concerned that I'd be on the toilet or something like that. Either way, I guess the real point is to think about what we would want to be found doing if Jesus suddenly appeared, for whatever it is, it's probably what we should be getting on with now anyway.

I'm conscious too, as I read in the Scriptures about the second coming of Jesus, that while it is 'good news' in the best sense possible, it is good news that is surrounded by a lot of bad news. Indeed, the festivities of Advent, from an ecclesiastical point of view, do have a rather dour feel to them.

Look at our colours this morning! While the rest of the country is starting to deck itself out in the Christmas colours of green and red, we have moved to the other end of the ecclesiastical colour spectrum - donning violet, the colour of sombre reflection.

I think that's because, while we rejoice at the thought of Jesus returning, we recognise too that this will take place in the midst of great human pain, and nowhere is that made more clear than in our Gospel reading this morning:

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:25-27)

There's not much that is Christmassy about this picture, is there - at least in terms of the commercial version of Christmas. There's not a lot of similarity here between the coming of Jesus and the coming of good old St Nick!

Now, I don't want to start bashing Christmas, particularly as it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, and most of the symbols we associate with Christmas do indeed find their origin in the Bible and in the story of Jesus' birth. Even so, I do feel that even when Christmas is a Christian celebration, our modern version really reflects more the middle-class captivity of the church than it does the original message.

"Peace on earth and goodwill to all men" - that's the spirit of Christmas, isn't it? Not really. "Peace on earth and goodwill to all men with whom God is pleased" is what the angels were quoted as saying - the original message being a little more ambiguous than the popular sanitized version.

The modern version of Christmas is reflected in slogans about how this special season brings out the best in people - a season of family and goodwill, seen in Tiny Tim walking into the room saying 'God bless you one and all'. The Biblical pictures of Advent show us both joy and pain as the new world is brought to birth.

This Spirit of Christmas is the sort of hearty twaddle that used to climax in the annual John Denver Christmas special that I remember from my youth, where John and his family would sit around the camp-fire with the choir humming Silent Night in the background, while John gave his little soliloquy along the lines of "Good people, if we can just hold hands with one another and live the spirit of Christmas year round and try just a little bit harder, we can bring peace on earth."

I wonder if they've ever tried that sort of thing in Iraq? I suspect not, for this sort of Christmas Spirit is the spirituality of a well-healed community.

Even in my youth I wondered whether those Christmas specials were broadcast over at Long Bay gaol, where prisoners would think 'if only we all held hands and...'

At this time of year, the Christmas broadcasters fill the airways with this sort of good-natured twaddle passing itself off as Christianity. And indeed it may warm the hearts of well-healed middle-class families across the country, but it's not likely to make a big difference in Iraq this year. It's not likely to make a big difference at Long Bay, and it's not likely to make a big difference in the kid's cancer ward at the Children's Hospital. And, as Monica Helwig put it, "If it won't work in a cancer ward or a shoddy nursing home for the elderly, then whatever it is, it is not the gospel."

I remember one of my dad's favourite comedy sketches, that he used to retell often, was from one of those doctor comedies ('Doctor in the House', I think), where two doctors were examining an elderly patient. The senior doctor asks the junior doctor where he thinks they should operate. The junior doctor puts his finger on the man's chest and says, 'I should make an incision around here' 'Keyhole surgery man, keyhole surgery!' says his teacher. 'We make the incision right across here' he says, drawing a broad line right across the old man's chest (much to the patient's alarm).

Yet I think that's the issue here. Jesus is no 'keyhole surgeon'. There are some radical changes that need to take place before the Kingdom of God can be brought to birth. A lot of things are going to be torn down before they are built up, as the pain and injustices of this world run very deep.

We remember Jesus discussing His ministry at that last supper. A quiet, genteel affair it was, until Jesus started breaking bread and pouring out wine, talking about his broken body, and his blood flowing. Salvation, sacrifice, and the coming of the Kingdom, for Jesus, were never going to be cheap and easy. There would be blood and pain. And the final salvation of the cosmos will not be something that is clean and clinical, but it is tied up with war and death and human suffering.

Is that good news? I think it all depends on where you stand.

One of the great American Civil War writings, with which I am familiar, is 'The diary of Mary Chesnut' . Mary was a passionate Southern woman who wrote voluminously about the war, and saw first-hand the devastation caused by General Sherman in his infamous "March to the Sea" of 1865.

Chestnut wrote of that event, "Sherman marched off in solid column, leaving not so much as a blade of grass behind. A howling wilderness, a land laid waste, dust and ashes." She left out that apparently there were slaves dancing in the streets!

It all depends on where you stand. And if you're content to remain a sedentary member of the well-healed middle-class, then the thought of all this anguish and destruction will be very unsettling, I imagine.

If, on the other hand, you've thrown in your lot with the poor and dispossessed, you will probably be happy to embrace this final anguish, recognising that Christ must do whatever needs to be done in order to free the slaves, to eradicate the poison, to bring an end to all injustice, and to bring real and lasting peace.

Either way, it is as sobering thought, as Advent is meant to be a sobering time of year.

"Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

The Seven Last Sayings of Jesus

By Michael Over 

The seven last sayings of Jesus are:

Luke 23:34 - "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
 Luke 23:43 - "Truly, truly I say to you, this day you shall be with me in paradise."
 John 19:26-27 - "Woman, behold your son... behold your Mother."
 Matthew 27:46 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
 John 19:28 - "I thirst."
 John 19:30 - "It is finished."
 Luke 23:46 - "Father, into your hands I commend your spirit."

Not one of these 7 sayings was uttered lightly.

The first saying is "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." How does God forgive? The irony of this statement is that Jesus says "forgive them" for, in reality, doing what will ultimately make forgiveness possible. This one deed of the crucifixion both makes forgiveness possible and more necessary than it had ever been before. The essence of sin is a refusal to love God as much as He has loved us because it's too demanding, the sacrifice is too great. Sin is refusing that kind of love that keeps giving until there's nothing left to give. Jesus said that nobody takes His life; He freely lays it down of His own accord. His life was not taken, it was given. Our sin is the only thing we can really give to Christ.

The second saying is "Truly, truly I say to you, this day you shall be with me in paradise." Some non-Catholic Christians claim that the story of the good thief proves the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, the doctrine that claims that if we just believe in Jesus and His salvation then we will go to heaven no matter what we do on earth. They point to the thief on the cross who had faith but no good works. This is a serious misinterpretation of what happens on the other cross. Was the thief saved by faith alone apart from good works? Look more closely at what the good thief did. First, he rebuked a sinner, someone who was railing against Jesus. Second, he accepted responsibility for his own sin. Third, in the midst of all these people in agony, he turns to Jesus and in front of all these accusers says "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom". He confessed Jesus Christ as a king when everyone else abandoned him. This thief had both faith and good works, by which we are saved through grace.

The third saying is "Woman, behold your son... behold your Mother." Why does Jesus address Mary as "woman" here instead of mom, mother, or even Mary? He is acknowledging Mary as the woman of Genesis 3:15, the protoevangelium. In Genesis 3:15, God reveals His plan that the head of Satan and his seed shall be crushed by a woman and her seed. Eve's disobedience lost her the title of mother of all the living at the foot of a tree; Mary now through her obedience gains the title of supernatural mother of all the living at the foot of another tree, the cross. Satan was crushed, not just through the woman's seed, but through the woman. Through a woman came sin, so also through a woman came salvation - Mary, the "woman" who will crush the head of Satan, the "woman" who is crowned queen of heaven and earth in Revelation 12.

The fourth saying is "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" Why did Jesus say this? He said this because in His flesh that's how it felt, but in reality that's not all that was going on. In His flesh He felt the pain, the betrayals, and the denials of His best friend. In His humanity He felt abandonment, because that's the only way human beings can come close to the Trinity's love because that's what self-donation has to feel, it has to go through passion. The answer to the question Jesus asks is found in Psalm 22 which He is quoting from. Psalm 22 is a psalm of lament and deliverance, of victory, of triumph through suffering.

The fifth saying is "I thirst" which goes along with the sixth saying "It is finished." John says this fulfills Scripture as a bowl of sour wine was raised to his mouth. What is the it Jesus is referring to when He says "It is finished?" The Passover meal had four cups; in the Gospel account you see how the Last Supper was a Passover meal but they only drank three cups. After the third cup (the cup of blessing), Jesus says He won't taste the fruit of the vine again until His kingdom comes. Instead of drinking the fourth cup, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Garden, Jesus prays for God to take this cup away from Him. The fourth cup is the link between the Passover and the crucifixion, the Last Supper and Calvary, the Eucharist and Jesus' death on the cross, Jesus fulfilling the true Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

What does this mean? It means that the Last Supper and the crucifixion was one big event, one big Passover. In other words, the Last Supper was a sacrifice just like the Mass today is called a sacrifice. The Eucharist and Calvary are one and the same sacrifice. It is clear that there is a connection between the Passover, the Last Supper, and the cross. With the Passover in the old covenant, you had to eat the Passover lamb. For us to participate in the new covenant, we also have to eat the Lamb and that is exactly what we do in the Holy Eucharist along with the cup of blessing (the third cup), the cup consecrated by Jesus that enables us to drink the fourth cup. The it Jesus is referring to is the Passover of the New Covenant. The fourth cup is the moment when the Passover is complete.

The last saying is "Father, into your hands I commend your spirit." Jesus lays down His life to the Father as a total gift for the salvation of all of us. No one took His life from Him, but He laid it down for us.

White Sun - The Miracle of Jesus Christ

By Teow Aun Chew 

As a Taoist in the early part of my life where I grew up near a temple, I witnessed mediums going into trance and performing many kinds of actions. Some performed very scary stances, some in trance helping devotees in trouble and some trying to cure the explained sicknesses. Very often devotees came to ask for lucky numbers. As a Taoist, I always wore a talisman for protection against any evils.

In June 1977, while pursuing my professional accountancy course and preparing for two very important parts that had eight papers, I fell sick two weeks before the examination. I had a very bad diarrhoea and consulted doctors three times. The medicine ranging from white to black could not stop my diarrhoea and after taking so much medicine, I developed very bad hiccups that were similar to a very bad cough. I was very sad because I came from a very poor family and the money didn't come easy for my study.

I thought that I wouldn't be able to sit for the examination after studying so hard and spending so much money. I prayed to the deity to cure my diarrhoea and hiccups but there were no improvement. One night, about three days before my examination and after about ten days of sufferings and purging of at least twenty times a day, I was very weak and could hardly climb up the stairs; I went into a small empty room. I sat down on the floor and my tears came running down my cheeks.

Suddenly I thought of Jesus Christ and in deep silence I spoke to him. "Dear Jesus Christ, I pray that you would help me to cure my diarrhoea and hicupps so that I could sit for my accountancy examination. I studied very hard and the education money did not come easy and I was from a poor family. Please help me go through the examination and I do not mind if the diarrhoea and hicupps come back again after my examination. If you could cure me, I would always believe in you."

Immediately after this prayer, my hiccups stopped and I no longer had the uneasy feeling in my stomach. I felt that I was cured although I could hardly believe it. I told myself it might be a temporary relief and again I spoke to Jesus Christ that if it were real, I would have definitely believed in him.

As it was already quite late I went to bed and for the first time after almost ten days of suffering without proper sleep, I slept like a log. I woke up the next morning, fresh from a very sound sleep and I was very happy. Then I went to take a bath and brushed my teeth. After brushing my teeth without further hiccups and diarrhoea and while combing my hair, I looked into the mirror and saw the talisman around my neck in the mirror that was given to me for my protection. Then I told myself that I have already made a vow that I will believe in Jesus Christ and I should not be wearing this talisman any longer. Immediately after this thought, the brass talisman hook broke and it dropped onto the floor. I got a shock and knew that it was a sign that I must no longer be wearing the talisman and be a Christian.

I recuperated from the diarrhoea and hiccups and I went in good health for my examination that lasted for about a week. After the last paper, I went for a swim in a public swimming pool. After diving into the pool, immediately I felt like purging, I jumped up from the pool and headed for the toilet.

The diarrhoea came back with small hiccup but since there was no examination pressure, it was easily cured with medication. I passed the examination with flying colors and it was a great achievement with the blessing of Jesus Christ and Heaven.

On 28th April 1998, my house in Malaysia was officially opened as a temple of Tao of Heaven and there were more than thirty Taiwanese Tao masters and preachers and one of them, a lady had the eyes that could see the unseen. We had never been met before and she was a guest in the ceremony. Suddenly she told everybody that Jesus Christ and many White Saints were present to congratulate me for opening the temple. Then everybody realized that I was a Christian that had affinity with Jesus Christ and God definitely treats all of us as his children regardless of race and religion. Thanks God that in Tao of Heaven, there is no differentiation of religion or race, it embraces all religions and faiths and I am still able to go to church and offer my gratitude sometimes when my former Christian brothers and sisters invited me.

In the teachings of Tao of Heaven, we addressed God as "Lao Mu" (The mother of all souls) and she said that God is one and the same. There are no two Gods, it is only people who made it different. God, Jehovah, Allah, Lao Mu...is the same and all of us are brothers and sisters between the four seas and we are from Heaven.