Reflections of Healing and Peace

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AND PEACE:
On the 10th anniversary of 9/11 we will honor the lives of those killed in the attacks, those who gave their lives in the recovery efforts, and the many people around the world who have died since, as nations have gone to war. We will also look forward with hope and peace, working towards continued healing of individuals and healing of communities. Sunday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m.


REFLECTIONS OF HEALING AND PEACE BOOKLET: Please submit your poems, prayers or short reflections in response to the events of September 11. We will select a few to read at the service and the others will be published. Submit them to the Church office or email me at jen at calvary-mtairy dot org by Labor Day, September 5.

A Tale of Three Kings Review

A Tale of Three Kings Review –

A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards is a worthwhile listen for anyone in church leadership. This dramatic retelling of the stories of Saul, David, and Absalom should give all leaders pause to think about what kind of leader they are and how to approach leadership.

However, I do not recommend this book for the average Christian. The book seems to advocate that regardless of what our leaders do or how far they stray from God’s will, we should simply submit to them because we never know how God is using them. The book does not take into account the goft of discernment that God gives us or our responsibility as Christians to lovingly hold one another accountable.

The style of the book was very easy to listen to and helps the listener to see the drama unfold. The narrator did a wonderful job and makes the many varied voices in the book come to live. Thanks to the christianaudio Reviewers Program (http://christianaudio.com) for providing the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

Searching for Easter

Just a few minutes ago I found out that my friend's sister had a miscarriage. It's an incredibly painful thing to go through any time of year. But perhaps especially this time of year. Just as we are seeing signs of new life all around us, the flowers blooming, the birds chirping. And then for Christians, there's the business of the resurrection.

My friend is also a pastor and I find myself wondering how she will prepare to lead a congregation in celebrating the resurrection in just a few days. How do we even begin to wrap our head and our hearts around newness of life when the sting of death is so present? How do we celebrate an empty tomb when the only emptiness we experience is the void left by those we love and the tombs in our lives are full? How do we shout for joy when our hopes and dreams for the future have been crushed?

And yet, that's how the disciples must have felt on Easter morning. The very present sting of death, the empty seat at the table, the crushed hopes and dreams. Easter morning was greeted not with trumpets blowing and joyful shouts but with the painful reality of death. It's no wonder they didn't understand why the tomb was empty. When you're grieving it's hard enough to grasp that reality, let alone a new and impossible reality.

The resurrection makes no sense. And yet it is the only thing that makes sense out of this painful world we live in. And so as I face this day and the days to come with a heavy heart, grieving along side those who are grieving, I trust God to work the resurrection miracle again this day. I trust that the pain and the emptiness and the death that is felt by so many people today, it not the end. I trust that there is life after death. But I also trust that in our Good Friday moments and our silent, Holy Saturday moments where it seems like nothing is happening and death really does have the final say, I trust that even then, even now, God is working the resurrection miracle once again. I trust that Easter really is coming.

Knowing God - Book Review

I recently listened to "Knowing God" by J. I. Packer. "Knowing God" is a theological treatise of sorts. Packer is clearly well versed in scripture and well read in a variety of theologians and biblical scholars. He does a good job of laying out many of the tenants and concepts of fundamentalist theology. His book makes complex ideas and concepts accessible to the average believer. But this book is best listened to and digested in small bites rather than trying to digest it all at once. Regardless of where you fall on the theological spectrum, "Knowing God" will challenge your thinking and broaden your understanding of a variety of topics. If you endeavor to listen to this thought-provoking book, put on your boots and prepare to wade through complex ideas. Packer will often take you down a rabbit hole to show you where it ends up.

While I personally do not agree with everything Packer says in his book, it is helpful in thinking through what I do believe.

Simon Vance is the narrator and does a good job. His voice is clear and smooth and is not distracting at all from the material at hand. Thanks to christianaudio Reviewers Program for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

Blessing in disguise

The other day I had to go to the pharmacy to get medicine for my son who has an ear infection. It was a bitterly cold day and for some reason the shopping center where the pharmacy is located was particularly busy. I circled around looking for a close parking spot but the only parking spot I could find was on the far side of the shopping center. As I pulled into the spot, I was frustrated at the inconvenience of having to park so far away. I didn’t want to have to carry my sick child so far in the cold weather.

As the frustration was rising, I heard a small voice say, “Be thankful. Be thankful you have access to medicine at all. Be thankful you can afford the medication. Be thankful you don’t have to choose between food and the medicine. Be thankful you can go to any number of pharmacies in the area to get the medication. Be thankful you only have to walk a few hundred feet to get it.”

And as I walked as quickly as I could, wrapping my jacket tight around me, it continued, “Be thankful you have warm clothes to wear. Be thankful you have a warm house to live in. Be thankful you have warm clothes for your son. Be thankful.”

By the time I made it back to my car, medicine in hand, I was keenly aware of the blessings God has poured out on me. And I was thankful.

What are you thankful for?

The Devil in Pew Number Seven

I recently listened to the book The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss. I must admit I was intrigued by the books title. The book is a story of forgiveness in the face of repeated painful acts of violence. For the most part, I enjoyed this book although it was slow at times. There are points where, in my opinion, the author spends a little too much time using overly flowery language or explaining too much of a back or side story.There was a point where I probably would not have finished the book if it weren't one I was supposed to be writing a review on for the christianaudio.com reviewers program.

I appreciated that at various points in the book she gave voice to the various theological questions that naturally arise when bad things happen in our lives. She raises up hard questions, and for the most part, avoids giving simple pat answers. I do wish that she spent more time talking about her journey to forgiveness. She talks about that some through out the book but I was disappointed that the book ended with more of an abstract sermon on forgiveness than the honest questioning and wrestling I found in the rest of the book.

The narrator of the book was Pam Ward. She had some weird voices for some of the characters that I found a bit distracting but over all she has a clear smooth voice. For more information about the book, click here: http://christianaudio.com/the-devil-in-pew-number-seven-rebecca-nichols-alonzo?utm_source=ca+Reviewers+Program&utm_campaign=8c8f3351b8-Jan_B_Review_Opp&utm_medium=email