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Daily Readings November 3, 2011
Daily Bible Readings at Biblegateway…
Here are some verses I’ve highlighted. Which ones do you find important?
Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. – Psalm 119:143
And I will not hide my face any more from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD. – Ezekiel 39:29
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. – 2 Peter 1:16
Readings from the ESV
Daily Readings November 2, 2011
Click here for today’s readings at Biblegateway
Some verses from today’s readings…
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. – Psalm 119:132
My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.- Psalm 119:136
“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned any more. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. – Ezekiel 39:7
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence…Therefore brothers be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure… – 2 Peter 1:3,10
Chuck Huckaby is a minister with standing in the Calvin Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church…
Daily Texts for November 1, 2011
Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to your word. Psalm 119:154 (NKJV)
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42
The Psalmist prays to be revived by the Word and Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, The Word, is indeed revived! She is juxtaposed in the Gospel to her sister Martha who complains that Mary is “wasting time” at the feet of Jesus when there is “real work” to be done… and quite likely “necessary work” to be done.
Or at least work we consider “necessary”. In Jesus’ estimation the work is not ultimately essential. What is essential is to embrace Him and His Word and pattern one’s life upon it, even if that means something is left lacking in the process.
How much of our lives are spent occupied by that which presents itself to us and others as “undoubtedly necessary”, but which, in light of Jesus and His Word is – upon reflection – temporary in significance at best.
How do our lives reflect our yearning for “that which cannot be taken away”, that which we can only find as we are absorbed with Jesus and His Word?
You can receive the Daily Texts by email at the link along with Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday and Lectionary readings for Sundays and Christian holy days.
Provided by the ministry of Pastor Chuck Huckaby
Daily Readings All Saints Day November 1, 2011
Click here to read today’s Daily Readings…
My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise. – Psalm 119:123
“Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. – Ezekiel 37:11-12
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5
From Chuck’s Daily Readings
Daily Texts for October 31, 2011
Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Jeremiah 1:17
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for anobligation is laid on me. 1 Corinthians 9:16
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At first glance these texts may not seem for us. The first is a word from God to the prophent Jeremiah. The second is a statement made by none other than the Apostle Paul who describes how the calling of God is not grounds for boasting but a gift which implies a holy obligation to result in speaking with humility and divine empowerment.
Surely these are not words for us… are they?
Lord’s Day 12 of the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that we all Christians in their own right are members of Christ and partakers of His anointing. Therefore every Christian – as an “everyday apostle” to borrow a phrase – is called to bear witness as a prophet to Jesus Christ, offer himself (as a priest) as a living sacrifice to God, and – as reflecting Christ’s kingship – to fight against sin each day.
So yes, in the context of our own calling, we are called to heed these words as those who are members of Christ. May he give us grace to joyfully proclaim His Lordship!
From: Daily Texts
Notes from our 85th ANNIV., First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles
English below… from http://www.elsoegyhazla.org/
Ezen a héten kett?s ünnepséget tartottunk gyülekezetünkben. Egyházunk alapításának 85. évfordulóját és Nt. Tóth Viktor beiktatását. Jó volt látni, hogy templomunk megtelt ezen a ver?fényes jellegzetesen kaliforniai napon.
Gyülekezetünket Nt. Hady Albert alapította 1926. augusztus 1-én. A Nt. Hady Albert és utódja, Nt. Szabó Antal által irt évkönyvekb?l megtudhatjuk, hogy 1926 augusztus 1-én református, lutheránus, katolikus és más vallású magyarok gy?ltek össze egy különleges vasárnapi istentiszteletre.
Az egybegy?ltek örömteli szívvel énekelték: “?rül mi szívünk mikor ezt halljuk: A templomba mégyünk, Hol Úr Istennek szent igéjét halljuk.”Az örömteli rendezvényen a fiatal pásztor a 34. zsoltár 8. versének szavaival buzdította a híveket: “Érezzétek és lássátok meg, hogy jó az Úr!” Az istentisztelet után 42 tag “egy szívvel és lélekkel” hirdette ki a Los Angelesi Els? Magyar Református Egyház megalakulását. Még aznap megalapítottak egy bibliaiskolát, n?egyletet, ifjúsági csoportot, gyülekezeti újságot és énekkart. A magyar nyári iskola augusztus 2-án kezdte el m?ködését.
A volt buffaloi presbiter, Décsman János, lett az új gyülekezet els? gondnoka. Hady Albert a Kaliforniai Magyarság 1926 júniusi számában ismertette a gyülekezet küldetését: “Isten segítségével Krisztus tiszta evangéliumnak hirdetése és gyakorlati megvalósítása. Krisztus tiszta evangéliuma ez: igazság, szeretet, egymásért való szolgálat; azaz a TESTVÉRISÉG szent eszméjének ápolása közöttünk, Los Angelesi magyar testvérek között.” Bár 85 év választ el minket a gyülekezetet alapító testvéreinkt?l és az alapító pásztortól, a cél változatlan maradt. Most vasárnap is különböz? felekezeti háttérrel rendelkez? emberek gy?ltek össze, hogy tiszteletüket fejezzék ki az alapítóknak, fenntartóknak és megvallják: hisszük, hogy Istennel van jöv?nk is. Múlt, jelen és jöv? csodálatosan kapcsolódott egybe ezen a napon. Úgy éreztük, hogy a szervez? ? maga, aki tegnap, ma és mindörökké ugyanaz és akiben a változás, vagy a változásnak az árnyéka sincs.
Mindenkinek köszönjük, akik jelenlétükkel megtiszteltek minket. Külön köszönet Ft. Poznán Béla a Kálvin Egyházmegye püspöke és Ft. Dr. Krasznai Csaba püspök helyettes uraknak. Köszönet illeti Rev. Larry Mattesont, Nt. Jakabffy Zsolt Attilát, Nt. Novák Józsefet, Nt. Szabó Ildikót, Nt. Danyi Istvánt és Rev. Ernesto Garcia-t, hogy szolgálatukkal segítettek.
Köszönet a gyülekezeti tagoknak akik áldozatos munkájukkal hozzá járultak, hogy ez a nap méltón legyen megünnepelve.
English:
This week, our church held a double celebration. Our house is the foundation of a 85th anniversary, and NT. The inauguration of Viktor Toth. It was good to see that this church is full of sunny California, a typical day.
Nt our church. Hady Albert founded the 1926th on August 1. The Nt. Albert Hady and his successor, Nt. Books written by Antal Szabo years tells you that on August 1, 1926 Reformed, Lutheran, Catholic and other religious Hungarians gathered in a special Sunday church service.
The gathered joyfully singing: “Our hearts rejoice when we hear this: The church we go Where do we hear the word of God, holy Lord.” joyous event for the young shepherd in the 34th eighth psalm poem’s words exhorted the faithful: “Feel and see that the good Lord!” after 42 members of the worship , “one heart and soul,” proclaimed the Los Angeles First Hungarian Reformed Church in the formation. On the same day and founded a Bible school, a woman equation, youth groups, church choirs and newspapers. The Hungarian summer school on August 2, began operations.
The elder had Buffalo, Décsman John, became the first curator of the new congregation. Albert Hady Hungarians in 1926 in the June issue of California described the mission of the congregation: “God is pure gospel of Christ through the ads and put into practice. Christ’s pure gospel is this: truth, love for one another in service, ie, the Brotherhood sacred idea of fostering among us, Los Angeles Hungarian brothers. ” Although 85 years separated us from the church founder testvéreinkt?l and the founding pastor, the goal remained the same. This Sunday is different denominational backgrounds, people gathered to express their respects to the founders, maintainers and confess: we believe that God is our future too. Past, present, and future wonderfully connected with this day. We felt that He is the organizer, who yesterday, today and forever the same and in whom the change or no change in the shadows.
Thank you all who have honored our presence. Special thanks to Bela Poznan Ft Calvin and the Bishop of the Diocese of Ft Bishop Dr. Csaba Krasznai Vice Lords. I am grateful to Rev. Larry Mattesont, Nt. Jakabffy Zsolt Attila Nt. Joseph Novak, Nt. Ildiko Szabo, Nt. Danyi Stephen and Rev. Ernesto Garcia-t to szolgálatukkal helped.
Thanks to church members who have devoted their work to contribute to this worthy day to celebrate.
Parliament passes new church law; 14 churches acknowledged
Parliament passes new church law; 14 churches acknowledged:
After the Communist period, many religious groups of every stripe proliferated in Hungary, some arguably beneficial, some less so.
The recent law change to take effect in January 2012 will essentially turn back the clock on Hungary’s religious life in the sense that only churches existing under the Communists will be allowed to legally exist as “recognized”.
The 20-year limitation means that the churches which functioned during the period of dictatorship can continue operation but the churches that were founded in the free Hungary cannot retain their status, Socialist MP Istvan Nyako said.
Some familiar with the law believe that this will not prohibit the free practice of religion in Hungary, but will prevent unrecognized groups from receiving state subsidies and grants for providing social services.
The full ramifications of the legislation remain to be seen, of course.
Robert Gagnon on the Bible and Homosexual “Marriage”
Dr. Robert Gagnon has recently completed a 3 part response to a Huffington Post article on “The Bible and Gay Marriage” that purports to teach that the Bible says essentially nothing against the practice.
Dr. Gagnon begs to differ:
What does the Bible actually say about “gay marriage”? That question is the title of a a recent op-ed piece in the Huffington Post written by Lee Jefferson, a visiting assistant professor of religion at Centre College. According to Jefferson the answer is: “Nothing,” or at least “Nothing negative.”
Jefferson used the recent passage of “gay marriage” by the New York legislature as a springboard from which to denigrate appeals to the Bible against homosexual practice. I will use Jefferson’s article as a springboard from which to answer the question that he and many others have raised.
It is of relevance that, though Jefferson gives the appearance of speaking with authority on the question, he has not (to my knowledge) published any academic work on the issue of the Bible and homosexual practice. His expertise is not in the Bible but in Christian art of Late Antiquity. Jefferson also shows little or no awareness in his article of the array of strong arguments against his claims.
In addition, Jefferson exhibits an unfortunate tendentiousness in his characterizations. He speaks glowingly of the “enlightening progress in our culture concerning the LGBT community.” Those who disagree represent a “cacophonous opposition” that uses religion as “a bruising hammer” and lobs “textual grenades”-as if the homosexualist advocacy groups have not been even louder and more belligerent and strident. The fact that the media is overwhelmingly on the side of promoting homosexual unions is not enough for Jefferson. He bemoans the fact that the media reports any dissent to this party line.
It should go without saying that upholding a male-female requirement for marriage can and should be a product of a loving desire to avoid the degradation of the gendered self that comes from engaging in homosexual practice. That it does not go without saying is due in large part to today’s charged political atmosphere where hateful characterizations of persons who disapprove of homosexual unions are commonplace among proponents of such unions.
Here are links to each of the 3 parts:
Summary: United Church of Christ Synod 28, Tampa: ON SINKING SAND
From Biblical Witness Fellowship:
The theme of this Synod, “SAND”, seemed especially appropriate as the UCC continues to sink slowly. We could only be mindful of the words of our Lord Jesus, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand. The rain came down and the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:26,27
BWF issued a press release at the outset of Synod that seemed especially prescient:
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SYNOD MEETS “ON SINKING SAND”
The liberal UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, the leader among protestant denominations in membership loss, is meeting at Synod 28 this weekend in Tampa, Florida using the theme of “SAND.” According to the Synod Handbook (page 8-9)http://www.ucc.org/synod/pdfs/general_synod_28_handbook.pdfdescribing the event’s worship focus, “sand remains a powerful image of an unimaginable quantity. It also reflects the rich imagery of desert, of journey, of shifting sands.” It goes on to say, “At the Twenty-eighth General Synod in 2011, the United Church of Christ finds itself in oasis and desert. Blessed with diversity of thought, vibrant life, and shifting sands, we journey through challenging times seeking possibility, engaged in thoughtful and difficult conversations.” Jesus used this image powerfully when he contrasted the wise man who built on the rock with the foolish, saying, “everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Matthew 7:26)
Renewal leader David Runnion-Bareford said, “This is indeed a powerful confession by the Synod of the UCC that, having rebelled against the word of God, is on sinking sand – with our members, churches, historic witness, and identity in Christ washing away before our eyes.”
- Perhaps the most striking action of Synod was to eliminate the acknowledgment of God as heavenly Father from the Constitution. Again the BWF press release just before Synod was clear about the relevance of this action. Unfortunately the Synod did not listen to our counsel and went ahead with this misguided action.
- UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SET TO REJECT GOD THE FATHER
- Meeting at General Synod 28 in Tampa, Florida this weekend, the historic United Church of Christ will vote on an amendment to eliminate God the Father from Article 5, lines 9-10 of its constitution.http://www.ucc.org/synod/pdfs/proposedconstitution.pdfThe Constitution of the denomination has remained unchanged in its theological core since the United Church of Christ’s founding in 1957, and remains the covenant connection with the basic truths of Christianity that keeps many churches affiliated who are otherwise alienated by the denominations very liberal agenda.
- According to renewal leader David Runnion-Bareford, “Rejecting God as Father in an age of fatherlessness is unthinkable. God acted toward us in amazing grace when He offered to be our Father through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ who offers us life in his name. This is not something we as humans made up in some other time. Rejecting our Father is act of arrogant rebellion in the name of cultural conformity that only further alienates members, churches, but more importantly God himself. We call the delegates to reject the change for God’s sake.”
We think that the analysis of this action in USA Today’s Faith and Reason was interesting:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/07/god-father-ucc-obama-religion/1
Particularly as it links to our press releases:http://www.reformationucc.org/2011/07/01/united-church-christ-synod-meets-sinking-sand/
In that article the author quotes UCC spokesperson Barbara Powell defending the change in language,
“It could be Father or Mother or Creator God. Our language reflects the God of all.” We believe that captures the essence of the idolatry. God has revealed the wonder of his willingness to be our Father. How magnificent. When we describe God in images to please ourselves or our culture we are doing nothing more than creating an imaginary friend.
- Acknowledging a continuing decline in basic support to its general budget, United Church of Christ delegates this morning approved a national allocation of $7.1 million for 2012 and $6.8 million for 2013. This is less than ½ the basic OCWM support just a decade ago. Sinking Sand.
- Synod passed a resolution titled: “Supporting International Human Rights Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”seeking to promote the LGBT agenda in foreign cultures where such behavior is “legally, politically, socially, or even religiously” condemned. This resolution will further jeopardize Christian witness particularly in Africa and Asia where Islamics use information as propaganda to compromise and persecute Christians on the grounds that they are advocates for sexual perversion. This resolution was submitted by the “Wider Church Ministries” of the UCC.
- Synod passed a resolution titled: To Counter Actions of Hostility Against Islam and the Muslim Community.” Committee 12 member Paul Adkins quoted theologian Hans Kung, who said, “There will never be peace among the nations of the world until there is peace among the religions of the world” as he introduced this resolution. The conflict between Kung’s syncretism and the reality that “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow” is obvious. This resolution does not specifically say that Christianity is one way among many but it offers that impression and could be interpreted that way.
- The Synod passed a resolution titled: “The Right of LGBT Persons to Adopt and Raise Children.” The point of this one is obvious.
- The Synod tabled a resolution titled: “In support of Effective and Constructive Peacemaking between Palestinians and Israelis” that would have resurrected many of the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel proposals that were put to rest in previous Synods.
- The Synod passed a resolution: “In Support of the Release of Puerto Rican Political Prisoners.”. It was the fifth time the UCC Synod has passed a resolution calling for the release of Puerto Rican terrorists who perpetrated a reign of violent terror across the U.S. in the 1970’s and 1980’s including more than one hundred bombings and armed robberies. It was the first such resolution since 1991. In 1999, Bill Clinton offered amnesty to 12 of these terrorists one of whom, Oscar Lopez-Rivera refused because the amnesty involved an admission of guilt. This UCC resolution calls specifically for the unconditional release of Oscar Lopez-Rivera as well as Gonzalez Claudio. Claudio was apprehended in 2008 after 25 years on the lam and convicted of robbing an armored truck of $7 million in 1983, the largest heist of its kind in the history of the U.S. up to that time . Lopez-Rivera a primary leader of the FALN is widely held to be responsible for many bombings including the Fraunces Tavern Bombing in 1975 which killed four and injured over 60. He was caught in possession of 100 sticks of dynamite at his arrest. After the “12” were incarcerated the bombings and other violence related to Puerto Rican Independence stopped.
On the Lighter Side:
- the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, UCC general minister and president, “Encouraged and Enlightened the delegates to General Synod 28 delegates and visitors at the GMP/Collegium of Officers presentation in the plenary hall of the Tampa Convention Center.
Referring to the popular business acronym for “Big Hairy Audacious Goals (B-HAGs),” Black said, “You know how we are at the United Church of Christ – we got a hold of that, and said, ‘Well, that isn’t quite right for us. Let’s make it Big HolyAudacious Goals.’ “
“These B-HAGs are only a part of what the church’s organization or vision should include,” said Black. “I like to remind myself that we tend to do that which we intend to do.”
And then . . ..
- By a 4-to-1 margin, General Synod 28 on Tuesday passed “A Resolution for Mindful and Faithful Eating.”
The resolution, submitted by the Southern California Nevada Conference, evaluates ways in which our dietary choices can have profound implications on the environment, as well as on human well-being and animal welfare. Encouraging Christians to explore and discuss how food choices can accord Christian values and beliefs.
Really?? Seriously?
TO READ MORE: http://www.ucc.org/synod/news.html
2011 Annual Conference of The Hungarian Reformed Ministers’ Association
Hungarian Reformed Minister’s Association
2011 Annual Conference
Bethlen Home, Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Dear Friends,
The 2011 Annual Conference of The Hungarian Reformed Ministers’ Association will be held at the Bethlen Communities Conference Room in Ligonier, Pennsylvania on Monday and Tuesday, 29th and 30th of August, 2011.
The Conference will start with a worship service with holy communion at 11 am on Monday.
Speakers will be:
Rev. Eric O. Springsted, seminary professor from the Princeton Theological Seminary and Rev. Laszlo Ujj from the Trenton Hungarian Reformed Church.
Rev. Ujj is finalizing the programs and agenda, and invitations will be forthcoming.
If you have any questions, please call Rev. Ujj, president at 609-396-9751
Rev. Zsolt Otvos
Secretary