Pray for Baltimore

It is easy to say, "Pray for Baltimore" and much more difficult to know what to pray.  These two prayers from the BCP help. 

"O Almighty God, the supreme Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongs justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to those who truly repent; Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, fro the hands of those intent on evil; that we, being armed with thy defense, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen"

"Almighty God, who has created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it to maintain justice among men, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen"

A Great Spirit Conveyed

http://thechristiancurmudgeonmo.blogspot.com/2015/04/your-church-is-just-too-ordinary.html?spref=fb

The gospel in Word and Sacrament by definition is not ordinary.  But the faithfulness conveyed in this blog entry is much appreciated.  "Be not weary in well doing!"

A Truth I Need

"If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love."  ~ Amy Carmichael

The Problem with Sola Gratia

While watching a documentary on Vince Lombardi I learned that he was a staunch Roman Catholic who at one time thought about joining the priesthood.  Obviously he did not but, according to the documentary, he wanted to invest truth and goodness in people.  He did so by coaching.  His players are his lasting testimony to the good he did in others.

I reasoned that only God could put a desire to do good for others in a person.  Being Roman Catholic it is likely that Lombardi thought his good deeds would earn him God's favor.  Lombardi said as much.  We Protestants "protest" saying that no man can earn God's favor.  It is only by God's grace in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that can satisfy God's wrath and offer a person forgiveness and eternal life.  I believe that.  But...because it is by God's grace that we are saved I don't have to believe it is by grace alone that I am saved.  Not having a full understanding of the atonement of Jesus cannot get a person damned otherwise a person could be saved by right knowledge (which is a work) and not by grace.

There are plenty of reasons to hold on to the truth of Salvation by Grace Alone.  The first is that to not do so would eventually lead away from the atoning work of Jesus all together and thus not believe in Jesus as Savior.  That will damn a person.

Personally I would never, ever say a person is damned for not understanding correctly the doctrine of grace.  That would be ungracious.  I thank God for people like Vince Lombardi.  May God have mercy on his soul!

Not Quite

The article linked moved me a great deal for I have felt what is described.  I felt it so deeply that I didn't mind the "she" mention. 

When things like this happen the main failure is not loving as Jesus commands Christians to do.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/peter-chin/2015/march/how-to-destroy-your-pastor.html