Bonhoeffer on the Church-splitting PCUSA Conflict

“Two factors, which are really one and the same thing, reveal the difference between spiritual and self-centered love. Emotional, self-centered love cannot tolerate the dissolution of a community that has become false, even for the sake of genuine community.  And such self-centered love cannot love an enemy, that is to say, one who seriously and stubbornly resists it.  Both spring from the same source: emotional love is by its very nature desire, desire for self-centered community.  As long as it can possibly satisfy this desire, it will not give it up, even for the sake of truth, even for the sake of genuine love for others.  But emotional, self-centered love is at an end when it can no longer expect its desire to be fulfilled, namely, in the face of an enemy.  There it turns into hatred, contempt, and slander.”          

                                                               

       -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from Life Together

Musings, November 9, 2011

** Thinking about a 'stewardship sermon' I'm to preach this coming Sunday at a church in western Idaho.  On the net I notice most 'stewardship sermons' I read are thinly veiled efforts by pastors to persuade their people to give more.  Why can't pastors just come out and say it instead of trying to manipulate their people?

** I'll never forget the elderly couple in First Presbyterian Church, Savannah, GA, who, in the midst of our stewardship season, visited me in my study and said, "We can't give much, but here is our father's gold pocket watch.  Sell it and use the money for our church's mission." 

** An elderly neighbor of ours died last night.  He was a quiet, pleasant man who often puttered around his rig fixing things.  Another of God's children gone into the night and the world goes on. 

** Joe Paterno is fired at Penn State (for good reasons!), but Barney Frank, a crook from Mass, stays in Congress and continutes to dine at the table of public funds.  Can somebody explain that to me?

** Obama promised an open administration, 'transparent' in his words, but you and I know the reality is anything but transparent.  Anyone want to defend his betrayal?

** White House aides say there's no plan to produce documents on now-bankrupt solar firm Solyndra.  Now that's transparency, right?  Anyone doubt the reasons for this refusal?

** Democrats are pushing to repeal the Defense of the Marriage Act.  Our forefathers are turning over in their graves (again and again!)

** Anyone wondering who is behind the Herman Cain attacks?  Herman Cain has never lived in Chicago. But you know who has? David Axelrod! And guess who lived in Axelrod's very building? Right again: Cain's latest accuser, Sharon Bialek.  Just asking....

** Does Rick Perry remind anyone of a comic?  When you step in 'it', don't keep doing it!

** 20,000 children starved to death today.  And Ms Obama takes a $$$$$$ vacation trip to Paris!  Oh my...!

** Billy Graham's new book, Nearing Home, is an inspiring, encouraging book, especially the chapter that describes Ruth's final days and death.  Get a copy.

** Dietrich Bonhoeffer's words about the Christian community in his book, Life Together, indicts the far left, pro-gay ordination group in our PCUSA.  But that group would never admit same.

** Now the PCUSA is helping produce a curriculum that encourages youth to consider gay marriage.  O Lord, when will such garbage stop?

** After 45 years of active ministry I retired three years ago.  I think much about my life as I enter my 73rd year.  I was good at some things, never great in any thing.  I failed in ministry many times, and in being a father and husband, a friend to others and in many other areas of my life.  So, what is my hope when I stand before my Lord in judgment?  Grace...God's grace, grace that is greater than all my sin!!!