Blessings

We were blessed this weekend to have Dr. Darrell Guder at our church for the Kyser Lecture Series.  I got to hear him all 3 times though the first two were essentially the same service.  Dr Guder is a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and an authority on mission and ecumnical theology.  The afternoon lecture has truly left me thinking.

Dr. Guder spoke about life in a post Christendom world.  This world can be very dangerous and full of stress.  He argued that the time of Christendom really began to disintegrate with the beginning of the first World War when Christian kings attacked each other in what would be a the worst war the world had seen.  We now see the rise of a new religion called Secularism.  This has brought about the absence of prayer in school and pushing out of God from our public lives.

Then Dr.Guder became more specific in talking about the Presbyterian church and particularly the church in the US.  He used scripture to point out the way early Christians made decisions.  They would gather, pray, discuss, pray and await a concensus created by the Holy Spirit.  He argued that our downfall might well be in our system of voting our way to decisions.  I think there is much to be considered in this argument.

I think waiting on the Holy Spirit and God's timing might be one of the most difficult jobs a Christian has.

Made in His image...

I'm pondering upon this scripture that we are made in God's image.  If we are made in His image, we are then creators too.  What a wonderful gift to be given!  We were created to create! 

I don't believe that we were all meant to be artists in the classical sense.  Certainly painting and sculpture are gifts or talents in themselves.  Creators make the world around us though.  Buildings are created.  Automobiles, planes, trains and boats are created.  Knitters and crocheters are creating.  Quilters and sewers are creating.  Engineers are creating.  Parents are creating homes and opportunities for their children.  Programmers are creating code to aid others.  Medical professionals are creating health and healing.

If we see creating as a gift, we then are responsible for using our gifts in a positive manner.  Certainly creators can make things that are not pleasing to God.  Choosing to create in such a way as to be pleasing to Him is another layer to ponder. 

Lord bless my works that they may be pleasing to you and a service to your people.

I loved this quote from OU President David Boren. I certainly sense a lack of faith within the leadership of our country. I know that our youth are so strong in their abilities and in their faith in God. We can have an even better America with leaders who value their country and its strengths.

"We are locked in a struggle for the future of this country to maintain
greatness of this country. There are people who believe that the
greatest days of this country are behind us; this is a challenge that is set
before all of us. It is a challenge especially set before you."

- David Boren speaking August 19th, 2010 at New Sooner
Convocation.