"We Have Been Called Out Of Darkness" (Messages From The Pulpit)

     As a person who identifies with the teachings of the Christian church I've come to believe that we must eventually make a decision to acknowledge that we are imperfect creatures. That we all fall into sin. That we all fall short of The Glory of God.
     When this happens we are come boldly before God and confess our sins. Some confess in the privacy of our homes and as with Catholics whom confess in our hearts as well as go to confession in which a penitent person offers themselves to a priest who listens to the confession and offers a penance (such as reflecting upon the sin and envisioning Jesus coming to us and accepting our heartfelt apology) and finally assuring the penitent solace and assurance of forgiveness.
     What ever the case may be God throws our wrongs into the sea of forgetfulness.
     Everyone who does so has come to a point in their lives that they realize that they are heeding the call into the perfect light of God.
      This is one way of God's correction. When one of us sees the light we become a light to those around us who are still in darkness.
     You see God has made the best of the fall of mankind. Our freedom becomes a ripple effect. Christ didn't come to condemn the world he came that through him we may be set free.
     We can identify with others whom have shared similar worlds of darkness, sin, and corruption. And it's with such common bonds that we can relate with others and offer ourselves as an example of how God has pulled us out of quicksand that threatens to swallow us whole.
      The church chose to celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 25th. You see December 25th is when the days grow brighter.
      We are confirmed in Christ in the sacrament of baptism as we symbolically die to our sins, our old lives are buried and are raised from death and into eternal life.
      Our conversion doesn't end when we make our vows before God at the time of our baptism. With our sins ever before us we must daily take up our cross and walk toward the light of the risen Christ.
     When we see fellow Christians falling under the cloak of darkness we should lend a helping hand.
     No longer the blind leading the blind. We are the forgiven leading the forgiven.  

"You Look Different" (Messages From The Pulpit)

     There's a passage in The Gospel According to Luke that tells of Peter and John going down to a nearby town when a man came upon them. This man heard about some huge news. Peter and John were surprised that this man hadn't heard about their great leader who had been crucified, buried, and then raised from the dead. Basically they asked the stranger, 'Have you been hiding under a rock?'
     This stranger began to tell of scriptures that pointed to Jesus being the Son of God, The Savior of all who believe in him. Peter and John were impressed by this strangers knowledge of the scripture.
     Peter and John invited this stranger to eat with them. The man broke bread, and offered up a prayer. It was then that Peter and John realized that this stranger was their beloved friend. This man was the resurrected Jesus Christ.
     Some people may ask how could you spend three years with The Son of God and not know him when you see him?
     Let me put it to you like this. Sometimes we have a friend that may get a makeover. Perhaps a new haircut, new clothing, or maybe they lose weight. Sometimes even with a new haircut we might not recognize our good friend.
     Now imagine your best friend being whipped, beaten, starved, crowned with thorns, and then nailed to a cross and eventually buried.
     Being so distraught that your friend who had promised to lead the people to a great victory over the kingdoms of the world only to be put to death.
     You may not recognize that friend. Then your friend says a prayer and breaks bread with you. Hopefully your eyes would sparkle with love and joy at being reunited with your friend who was wise, gentle, and performed miracles.
     Have you lost sight of The Son of God? Are you filled with doubt? Perhaps you don't understand why your prayers haven't been answered. Maybe you're confused as to why the wicked prosper.
     Maybe you have neglected the breaking of bread with fellow believers. Has bitterness driven you from attending church services?
     Coming together with the family of believers can change lives. Communion is the breaking of bread with your brothers and sisters. It's a coming together of a community.
     For Christians it's a special feast in which Jesus is the guest of honor. We are bound in one baptism and one mission. We are the messengers of God. We are united with one Spirit.
   Come let us break bread together and eat the bread of life and drink the water of the eternal spring.