Pain to Power



Our recent confirmation classes came to an end yesterday. We used the program “Confirm Not Conform” by adapting it to our needs.  Our last class was on Spirituality which focused on the Episcopal worship liturgy. The title of this lesson was called Pain to Power! Our text was Isaiah 53, the Suffering Servant. As we moved through the liturgy, it was easy to see how God through his son, Jesus, can turn our pain and sorrows into power to transform our world. Not once did Jesus avoid the pain he was to suffer for us. He faced it head on and used that energy to transform not only himself through the resurrection, but he empowered us through God’s Spirit to be transformed, changed, into a new creation. When you and I face our own pain and sufferings with God by our sides, we open our hearts to allow God’s Spirit to bring healing to our lives and, in doing so, we have the power to heal the world.

Overcoming the world

 

      What would it take for you to blossom in the midst of hardship?

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God Breaking Through in Our Lives

How many times do we look at our phone to see who is calling us? If a number is unfamiliar, we sometimes if not all the time, do not answer it. I must admit occasionally I do that myself. The other night at 9:30 p.m. an unfamiliar number appeared on my phone. I let it ring a few times then something said answer it. I did and the result of that phone call was a person whom I met maybe twice talked for a good hour about how she needed to find God to give her strength in her life. Much was happening in her life that she was finding hard to handle. She heard from someone about St. Barnabas, and that I attend the church. During this phone conversation, I did the listening as she told me what had happened in her life for the past 5 years. She does not think that God is in her life. I replied, "If He wasn't in your life then why did you call me?" The end of the conversation left her saying that she was so thankful to me for taking the time to listen. I said it wasn't just me listening, but also God- the one who gave you the strength and courage to make that call.

God is amazing in all His works. I wonder how He finds the time for all of us? So next time an unfamiliar number appears on your phone, answer it..
                                                                                                                   L.Lee

An Acts 8 moment!

"You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever." BCP 308

It was wonderful to be able to baptize the Duke family last Sunday, July 29, 2012.

The power of God's Holy Spirit!

Getting Our Hands Dirty

Getting Our Hands Dirty:

Becoming involved in something meaningful and being prepared to put in the effort and hard work to make it happen.

poster by Roland Tiangco.

There are so many things that we wish were different, but things do not simply happen because we wish it or we just talk about it. We can question decisions and methods. We can complain about leadership. We can become frustrated. But in order for our world to get better, one needs to act, to do something, for change to occur.

I believe that is what the Episcopal Church USA has done and is doing. Our General Convention, which met in Indianapolis, IN just ended and though I was not able to attend some amazing things have been set into motion. Many of the sermons ( http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ ) sparked a desire to do something. But things will not just happen unless you and I are willing to get our hands dirty -to take the initiative and ownership of the issues at hand.

But what usually happens after all the excitement, all the emotional “hoopla”, when everyone goes home to the “real” world? We make excuses that we are too busy or too stressed and cannot handle one more thing. We expect “others” to carry on the work and to just pass the information on to us.

But why can’t it be YOU? or ME? Can we do one thing today that will energize us to take that step to bring about change, to get our hands dirty?

 Jesus understood this when He said “the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.” Luke 10:2

 Are you willing to labor for Christ? I think that is why we Christians are here on this earth. What do you think?

dmr+

Heroes of Faith

                                           
 

The Scriptures talk about heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews chapter 11, but I thought of some people who have made an impact on my life as a believer. First, it begins with my grandfather. He lived and walked the footsteps of Christ. He was a man that met no stranger that he didn't like. A man that thought of others first and then himself.  He was kind and gentle.

Second, I think of Sister Robert Ann. My fifth grade science teacher. She introduced me to the idea that I could have a relationship with God.  She believed in me by allowing me to share the gifts God had given me. My true hero is the one that knows me better than I know myself. The one who has been with me through hardships and good times. The one who has, I know, forgiven me and through whom I have learned to forgive myself – that is God.

One never knows who they will meet along their life's journey. We may come across many people that we can call our heroes of faith. When God puts you in a certain place (like St. Barnabas) and places people and a priest that inspires you, encourages you through her teachings of the Gospel of Christ and strives for you to become the person God expects you to be, I call  people like that my heroes of faith as well..

So, who are your Heroes of Faith?

                                                                                                                         Lorraine Lee

For those who have wondered what has happened to us, well, we are up and running again. There are some changes with this blog. First, there will be others from St. Barnabas posting their thoughts and ideas about what is happening in their lives and with the people of St. Barnabas. Second, together we will make sure that there is at least one post every week. So check us out and see what has been going on at St. B's.