Tag: spiritual enrichment

Categories
Journal Meditations Wisdom

Both historical knowledge and spiritual experience are needed for faith

We need both personal spiritual experience and knowledge of the Bible

About a week ago I was very impressed by a quote that I found in my devotional book.   The focus for the week was on the supremacy of Christ and how we get to know him. In today’s world it is popular to emphasize the spiritual in an almost mystic sense. But it is much less popular to do the hard work of reading Scripture and studying it to learn more about the historical figure of Jesus who inspires our Christian faith.    The  quote points out that both the spiritual response often associated with prayer  and meditation and the historical underpinning from study are needed in order for us to truly know what Jesus is about and how  his Spirit lives in and through us.  I pass it on to you.

Historical Christianity is dry and formal when it lacks the immediate and inward response to our Great Companion; but our spirits are trained to know him, to appreciate him, by the mediation of historical revelation.  A person’s spiritual life is always dwarfed when cut apart from history. Mysticism is empty unless it is enriched by outward and historical revelation. The supreme education of the soul comes through an intimate acquaintance with Jesus Christ of history.    (The Double Search by Rufus M. Jones)

Scripture speaks of both essentials

I think both ends of this balance are easily seen in the words of Scripture as well.  The Apostle Paul spoke of the spiritual side of our relationship to God:   

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  Eph. 3:16-17  NIV 2011

David wrote eloquently of the need to keep in touch with God’s written record and allow it to form us. 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.    Ps 119:105

 

Categories
Church Leadership Forward Look Journal

January message series sets tone for the New Year

As we begin the New Year, most of us are making plans of some sort.  Some of us (like me) are making plans to lose weight (again); others are making plans for major changes in their lives, a marriage, a move, or a job change.   But as the New Year begins, it is also important for us to think about the spiritual plans that we should be making for the New Year, plans that can help us to grow and advance in our Christian lives.

 

That is the purpose of our new series of sermons that began last Sunday.  Each week we will take up a new topic that represents a key area of our spiritual life.  In some areas we will find the message simply affirming habits that we already have in place.  In other areas, we will find ourselves deeply challenged to strengthen our walk with God, our witness, and our service.

 

I invite you to join us for this insightful and inspiring series.  It will carry into February and be followed by our 50 Day Lenten Emphasis which will start February 19.

 

Spiritual Plans for a New Year

Date

Topic

Text

Speaker

Jan. 1

Preventing a Famine of Hearing God’s Word

Amos 8:1-12

Ben Mackey

Jan. 8

Partners In the Gospel

Philippians 1

Pastor Kelvin

Jan. 15

God’s Plan for Financial Stewardship

Gen. 14:17-20; Lev. 27:30-32; Mal. 3:6-12; Matt. 23:23,24

Pastor Kelvin

Jan 22

The Power of Testimony

Revelation 12

Pastor Kelvin

Jan 29

Bring the Sacrifice of Praise

Hebrews 13:1-21

Pastor Kelvin

Feb 5

Using Our Abilities for God

Matt. 25:14-30   

Pastor Eric

Feb 12

(Preschool Sunday –family emphasis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Journal Joy Notes

Spiritual Enrichment at Family Camp

Chambers Camp - a fun place, a sacred place

JoAnne and I made it to Family Camp July 6-10 this year.  From one standpoint, district pastors are supposed to go at least for one weekend.   But from another and in my view more important one, it is crucial to put oneself in an atmosphere where God has a chance to speak to you.   Preachers get little opportunity to sit and listen; they are usually the ones talking.  So I value the times in the year like family camp when I can listen to messages from others and God can speak into my life through his chosen medium of preaching (1 Co. 1:21).   It addition to evening messages, family camp also provides seminars and Bible classes.   Though I don’t usually get to all the studies and seminars, I generally find the ones I do get to very helpful.    Two seminars I attended this year (one on missions and one on influencing our culture) will help resource me for the year to come.    Two of the three evening messages I heard spoke to me personally and were a great blessing.  

 

In addition, at camp we see so many people that we know.  This year, as last, we visited a high school friend of JoAnne’s who is also a Houghton Alum, Linda Long.   We also ate dinner at camp today (July 10) with extended family we had not seen in a little while, my Mom’s first cousin Janet and her husband Al Benning.   We had delightful conversation.   In addition we saw many friends we have known in our previous church and in the district.

 

We were excited to learn that the camp and district are considering putting a building over the tent pad.   I think it should have been done years ago.  But now is a good time to get it done.  It will help the camp very much.   The big tent is so vulnerable to bad weather.  One year, while I was family camp director, it blew down.  It was a wonder no one was killed.    Another year, when I had H. B. London on the platform, probably the most nationally known speaker we have had, a lightning bolt crossed right in front of him.   God has graciously spared us, but it’s time to end this roulette with weather; do the wise thing, and get the building done!