Archive for Faith

This week’s special homily

By Douglas McArthur (as passed along by Thomas M. Boles, Ph.D)

Nobody grows old by deserting his ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear, despair, these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.

Whatever your years, there is in every being’s heart the love of wonder, the undaunted challenge of the unobtainable, the unfailing, childlike appetite for the ‘what next?’ and the joy of playing the game of life. You are as young as your faith. You are as old as your doubt. You are as young as your confidence, as old as your fear. You are as young as your hope, as old as your despair.

In the central place in your heart, there is a recording chamber, and so long as it receives the message of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, so long as you are young.”

 

Hell a ‘hot’ topic at Plymouth Church

Some may not know that Plymouth Congregational Church has an apologetic (rational defense of the Christian faith) ministry. Dr. Glenn Peoples of New Zealand is scheduled to address the matter in “Hell as an Apologetics Concern” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at the church, 12058 Beverly Blvd. in Whittier.

The Los Angeles Area Chapter of Reasonable Faith, which is sponsoring the event, believes hell is a hot topic right now, pun intended.

Traditionalists believe hell is a literal place of torment while others hold that non-believers are annihilated. Can we defend the goodness of God while proclaiming belief in a traditional view of hell? This talk explores how one’s conclusion about this influences one’s view of the task of apologetics.

Peoples is visiting from New Zealand where he has a wife and four children. He earned his Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Otago and is founder of www.rightreason.org as well as a published author and speaker.

After his talk in Whitter, Peoples will travel to the “Rethinking Hell” conference in Houston.

To get an idea of Peoples’ views on hell watch the podcast: http://www.rightreason.org/2008/episode-005-its-one-hell-of-an-episode/.

Also visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/rfwhittier/ or e-mail reasonablefaithla@gmail.com

For more information call Chris Sandoval at 562-236-7515.

 

 

This week’s homily

By Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin, D.D.

Many years ago, Sandy Koufax, a Jewish pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, announced that he wouldn’t play on the holiest day of his year, Yom Kippur. Koufax’s employer pointed out that it was the first game of the 1965 World Series. Couldn’t he pitch just a little?

“No,” Koufax said. But, he pitched a shutout in games five and seven, and the Dodgers won the series 4-3.

In 1996, Eli Herring, a 340 pound offensive tackle, who sported a 3.5 grade-point average, was expected to be the top senior offensive tackle in the pro draft. However, he turned down a possible multimillion-dollar deal with the Oakland Raiders because he wouldn’t play on his holy day, Sunday.

Unfortunately, most of the Raiders games were scheduled for Sundays. Herring could either sign up with the NFL and enjoy a very prosperous life, or teach math for $20,000 a year, keep the Sabbath, and enjoy a very honorable life. He chose honor and conviction over riches.

An old county-gospel song states the conviction underlying both men’s decisions: “You can’t be a beacon if your light don’t shine.”

Compromise makes a good umbrella but a poor roof; it is a temporary

expedient.

A good man is guided by his honesty; the evil

man is destroyed by his dishonesty.

Proverbs 11:3

This week’s homily

By Thomas M.Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

Stephen is described in the Book of Acts in simple but profound terms:

“Full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” He boldly proclaimed the Gospel to all who would listen.

Skeptics came to argue against him, but none could defeat him.

Finally, in boiling anger the Jews dragged him before the Sanhedrin,

the religious court of the Jewish people.

Throughout the accusations brought against him, Stephen

remained calm, his face shining like that of an angel.

Stephen answered all their charges and confidently showed

how the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures, pointed to

Jesus and declared Him to be the Messiah. It was

more than the religious Jews could stand.

They covered their ears, screamed at him, and eventually stoned him to

death.

Stephen was only following the example of his master.

Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two men

traveling on the road to Damascus. When they expressed confusion

about what had happened to Jesus on the cross, “beginning

at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them

in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

The Lord never expects you to follow Him blindly.

He gives you the light of His Word as evidence for faith.

Faith doesn’t make anything happen,

faith rests on something that has happened!

My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:1

A needed victory for religious freedoms

By Brad Dacus

President, Pacific Justice Institute

I was greatly encouraged today by the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court upholding public prayer in Town of Greece, NY v. Galloway. This is an important decision that will have a positive impact on our work in a number of ways.

The case concerned invocations offered before the start of city council meetings in a suburb of Rochester, New York. As they have done all over the country, anti-religious activists filed suit, claiming the prayers were unconstitutional because they were predominantly (although not exclusively) Christian, and many were offered in Jesus’ name. This is the same type of battle we have fought on many occasions here in California.

In a 5-4 decision, with the majority opinion authored by Justice Kennedy, the Supreme Court resoundingly rejected the claims made by these plaintiffs and upheld prayers before council meetings. This decision specifically rejected the notion that feeling offended was the same as being coerced (a claim we’ve heard in many cases that PJI has defended). The Court also disagreed with those who for many years have insisted that only the most generic prayers, without the name of Jesus, are appropriate.

The good news doesn’t stop there! In today’s ruling, the Court sent a clear signal that it was not interested in listening to other atheist complaints about the Pledge of Allegiance, inauguration prayer, or other time-honored traditions. (You may remember that PJI successfully defended Dr. Rick Warren and Dr. Joseph Lowery, Jr. a few years ago when their inauguration prayers were challenged by atheist Michael Newdow).

Friends, this is some of the best news we’ve had in awhile, and it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate. There are many other good takeaways from today’s ruling, and our legal team is closely analyzing each aspect of this decision. Of course, we know that those who are determined to destroy our nation’s religious heritage are plotting their next move. Already, anticipating a loss in this case, they have begun attempting other legal strategies to attack public prayer. We are preparing to meet these challenges head-on, and I hope you will join us in our efforts.

Since today’s decision overrules prior bad precedent in California, we want to make sure that pastors and local elected officials have the most accurate information (which you and I know they won’t get from the mainstream media). Please help us spread the word by making sure that your church and local leaders are connected to PJI and are getting the best legal analysis that promotes and protects our religious freedoms. Feel free to forward this e-mail to any such leaders who would benefit from it. Our attorneys would be happy to discuss in more depth this important victory with any pastor or elected official.

Running the Race …

This week’s homily

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin. D.D.

Sadhu Sundar Singh was born into an Indian family of high caste.

When he became a Christian and told his parents of his decision

to follow Christ, they said, “You have broken caste. You cannot

live here any longer.” They immediately banished him from their home.

It was the wet season and the rain was coming down hard as he

left his home, clad in only his insubstantial Indian robes. He sat

under a nearby tree all night, soaked to the skin. He said that he

felt so radiantly happy, however, that he forgot any physical

discomfort. He had the freedom to travel throughout the region

telling the Gospel story.

He became known as the apostle of India. Once, he went into

Tibet, where he was arrested, put into a pit, and branded with irons.

He bore those scars the rest of his life. While speaking in England

he said, “I am going back to do what I have done. I am quite aware

of the cost.” Some time after his return, he disappeared and appears

to have suffered a martyr’s death.

Singh moved from “high caste” in India into a “servant’s caste” for

the gospel. His position in Christ was not only marked by the privilege

of eternal life, but by the responsibility to serve others and share

Christ’s love.

Rank does not confer privilege nor give

power. It imposes responsibility.

“For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall

much be required; and of him to whom men entrust

much, they will require and demand all the more.”

Luke 12:48

This week’s homily

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

The story is told of two Christian men who once had a “falling out.”

One heard a rumor that the other was speaking against him, so he

went to him and said, “Will you be kind enough to tell my faults to

my face, that I may profit by your Christian candor and try to get rid

of them?”

The other man replied, “Yes, I will.”

They then went aside from the crowd and the first man said, “Before

you commence telling what you think wrong in me, will you kneel

with me and pray, that my eyes may be opened to see my faults as

you cite them? You lead in prayer.”

The second man prayed that God would open the eyes of his friend

and when he was finished, the first man said, “Now, please proceed

with your complaints.”

The second man said, “After praying over it, it looks so little that it

is not worth talking about. The truth is I have been serving the devil

myself, and have need that you pray for me, and forgive me the

wrong I have done you.”

The things are admirable: to speak the truth to another person with

love, and with love to seek the truth from one who will be honest with

you. In speaking the truth, we often hear the very truth we need to hear,

from our own lips. In seeking the truth, we often gain a friend.

The trouble with most of us is that

we would rather be ruined by praise

than saved by criticism.

If you profit from constructive criticism you will

be elected to the wise men’s hall of fame. But to

reject criticism is to harm yourself and your own

best interests.

Proverbs 15:31,32

This week’s homily

By Thomas M.Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

Stephen is described in the Book of Acts in simple but profound terms:

“Full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” He boldly

proclaimed the Gospel to all who would listen.

Skeptics came to argue against him, but none could defeat him.

Finally, in boiling anger the Jews dragged him before the Sanhedrin,

the religious court of the Jewish people.

Throughout the accusations brought against him, Stephen

remained calm, his face shining like that of an angel.

Stephen answered all their charges and confidently showed

how the Old Testament, the Hebrew Scriptures, pointed to

Jesus and declared Him to be the Messiah. It was

more than the religious Jews could stand.

They covered their ears, screamed at him, and eventually stoned him to death.

Stephen was only following the example of his master.

Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two men traveling on the road to Emmaus. When they expressed confusion about what had happened to Jesus on the cross, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

The Lord never expects you to follow Him blindly.

He gives you the light of His Word as evidence for faith.

Faith doesn’t make anything happen, faith rests on something that has happened!

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:1

This week’s homily

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

A man once went with a friend for a ride out in the country.

They drove off the main road and through a grove of orange

trees to a mostly uninhabited piece of land. A few horses

grazed there amidst a couple of old shacks. Walter stopped

the car and began to describe vividly the things he was

going to build on the land.

He wanted his friend Arthur to buy some of the acreage surrounding his project. Walter explained to his friend, “I can handle the main project myself. It will take all my money, but, I want to you have the first chance at this surrounding acreage, because in the next five years it will increase in value several hundred times.”

Arthur thought to himself, “Who in the world is going to drive

25 miles for this crazy project? His dream had taken

the best of his common sense. He mumbled something about

a tight-money situation and promised to look into the deal

later.

“Later on will be too late,” Walter cautioned.

“You’d better move on it right now.”

Arthur failed, however, to act.

And so it was that Art Linkletter turned down the

opportunity to buy the land that surrounded what

became Disneyland, the land his friend Walt Disney had

tried to talk him into.

Most opportunities take a step

of faith whether for financial or relationship investments.

The doors of opportunity are marked “Push and “Pull.”

The soul of the sluggard desireth,

and hath nothing; but the soul

of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 13:4

Keeping the Faith

Reflections stirred on the loss of Mandela

By Pastor Dwight Sullivan

In early December, 2013 the world lost a noble presence. Nelson Mandela died at age 95. An AP article described him as “South Africa’s first black president, who spent nearly 30 years in prison, and was a global symbol of generosity and sacrifice.”

His death was mourned by not only many in Africa, but by people all over the world. Many see in him a man of remarkable forgiveness, integrity, sacrifice and graciousness

The worldwide honor and praises given him bring to me fresh spiritual reflection and insights.

The Praise Due To Jesus

Nelson Mandela was born and grew up in the nation of South Africa, a country dominated by the practice of apartheid. This is a policy of strict separation of races, black and white. The result was that much power, and privileges went to the ruling white minority. It was an oppressive practice which distorted life for both blacks and whites. Growing up, Mandela got some schooling from Christian missionaries.

As a young man, Mandela joined those protesting the unjust practice of apartheid. When he became disenchanted with peaceful rallies and songs, he thought more forceful practices had to be used. He was arrested and convicted of attempted sabotage against the government and ended up spending 27 years in prison.

So why all the tribute? Mr. Mandela had become an articulate symbol for the struggle for dignity, human rights and freedom for people in South Africa. When world pressure to end apartheid mounted over many years, Mandela was released from prison. Then in the first election that included voters of all races, he was elected President in 1994 by a landslide.

Here is a man who rose from 27 years in a prison to become not only president, but the leader who helped uproot apartheid to plant a fresh democracy in a troubled nation.

Following Mandela’s death, our president spoke these words, “And we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth.”

One thing that made Mr. Mandela great was that he insisted that his country had to be black and white, with equal opportunity for all, based not on the color of one’s skin but the content of one’s character.

In the movie “Invictus,” this attitude is illustrated by what Mandela does when he assumes power as the first black president of South Africa. The movie depicts him seeing all the white office workers in their offices packing their bags. The staff assumes they will be sacked. In the film Mandela gathers them and says, “I could not help but notice the boxes and the packing. If you don’t want to stay, then that is your right. And if you cannot work, it is better if you do leave. But I want you to know that if you fear that your language, skin color or previous employer will cost you your job, do not fear. The past is the past.

“We need your help. If you would like to stay, you would do your country a service. All I ask is that you work to the best of your ability and with all your heart. I will do the same.”
In December I found myself stirred by the outpouring of fondness, love and adulation for this man. I experienced a deeper sense of the praise due to Jesus who is the Greatest of Greats. Look at Jesus. He is beyond fame and is proclaimed the Son of God, the Son of Man. How amazing to hear that God sent His only Son, to our mixed up, muddled, murky world! The purpose was for Jesus to bring reconciliation for our whole world. 17 … if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself … 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them… (2 Cor. 5).

Christ acted to give life, not just to one country but to the whole world. And to each individual! In him our promise is that anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus can be saved and can be made right before the eyes of God.

Jesus was not only profoundly good, He was utterly righteous. He was filled with the presence of God. When the apostle Peter told the centurion Cornelius about Jesus, he shared how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him…. (Acts 10)

Jesus brought more than political liberation and freedom from earthly tyrannical oppression. He brought freedom to all who will trust in Him. He said, “Truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not continue in the house forever; the son continues forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8)

With a fresh appreciation, I see that although there are great men, here is the One that deserves all our praise. This is the one who came to be with us to show us God and to change our world by bringing to you and me freedom, dignity and eternal life — Jesus Christ.

– Dwight Sullivan is pastor of Whittier Evangelical UMC, 10262 Colima Road, Whittier, CA 90603