iHOPE

To Forgive or Not to Forgive?

That is the question.  At least it’s a question I hear- a lot.

We are looking at Urban Legends of the Christian Faith this month and the topic of Forgiveness is always towards the top of the list.

Who can be forgiven? 

What does it take?

Do I have to forgive someone who isn’t sorry?

How do I forgive someone who isn’t alive?

Do I have to forgive in order to be forgiven?

To forgive or not to forgive- it’s not an easy question.  There are a lot of ideas out there that get repeated enough times that everyone assumes they must be true. But they’re not.

This Sunday we’ll debunk some of the Urban Legends of the Christian Faith around “Forgiveness”.

 

Some Questions in my "Inbox"

This Sunday is another installment of the Pastor’s Q&A. It is a time that I reserve after each service on the 2nd & 4th Sundays to stick around and answer questions (about 15 minutes each time). Often they are questions that have been written on the back of the Connection Cards. Sometimes they are questions I get from email. Here are some I have received over the summer that I’ll address this Sunday:

Do you believe the Bible to be the infallible, inerrant, living word of God?

Why don’t we know the Elders who represent us on Session?

I took a survey last Spring. What happened to it?

All good questions and all deserve a response. That’s what I’ll do on Sunday. Pastor’s Q&A is about setting up a regular time for conversation. Ask your best questions and I’ll give you my best answers.

Flooding in Colorado: Want to Help?

It has been amazing to watch the footage of the flooding that has been going on in Colorado this week. Familiar places have become almost unrecognizable.

Want to help?  The folks from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) posted the following web page for those who want to assist with some very practical recovery kits. They are called "Gift of the Heart" kits, which range from "Hygiene" kits to "Clean-up Bucket Kits". It might be a great family project or better yet, partner with your LIFE Group. Of course, donations are always needed. Here's how to give:

Give. Financial gifts are always needed in disaster situations. Share your financial blessings by designating gifts to DR000015 and specify Colorado. Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, online or by mailing a check to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700 Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. You can also text PDA to 20222 to donate $10.

Here is part of the update we received from PDA:

Heavy rain over the past few days has caused severe flooding in Colorado; areas affected include Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Aurora and Boulder. Some of these areas have also been affected by wildfires over the past few years. At least three people have died from the floods.

A disaster declaration has been made and mandatory evacuations have been ordered in several communities. There have also been evacuations from the University of Boulder campus.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been in contact with the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks and with Denver Presbytery and has offered One Great Hour of Sharing funds and members of the National Response Team to help in the relief efforts once needs have been identified.

At this time, the presbyteries are waiting for the flood waters to begin receding and communities to become reconnected so that assessments of need can be determined. Presbytery staff members have sent messages to their churches letting them know that PDA support is available if needed. PDA will stay in touch with the presbyteries and stands ready to provide immediate assistance as requested.

 

Urban Legends of the Christian Faith

Urban Legends.

We’ve all heard them:

+  The poodle  in the microwave
+  Walt Disney had himself cryogenically preserved
+  The killer in the back seat
+  The Kidney thieves
+  Bloody Mary (I'm still not going to say, "you-know-what" in front of a mirror!)

 

They get told so often that people assume they are true.  Usually no harm is done. They make good stories around a campfire.
Then there are what I call, “Urban Legends of the Christian Faith.”  They are sayings that get repeated so often, we believe they must be true. They sound spiritual and in fact, there is some truth in them. But these Urban Legends do more than just entertain. They can do harm.
That is why the sermon series in September is dedicated to setting the record straight on “Urban Legends of the Christian Faith.”

This week: “The Urban Legends of...Faith”

A Response to Syria That Needs No Debate

There is lots of debate throughout the world about the best way to respond to the violence in Syria, especially after their use of Sarin gas by the government forces. It will likely dominate the headlines (and the conversations) for weeks to come.

The one part of this crisis for which there is nor debate is the crushing humanitarian crisis as a result of the violence and almost 2 million people who have fled the country. This is on top of the the millions of Syrians who remain in the country, but have no home.

 

I thought this might be a good time to give some links about how to help. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has a page for updates on the situation in Syria and its efforts there. The Presbyterian News Service also has some good information about the situation and how it is affecting our brothers and sisters in the Presbyterian churches there (yep, there is a Syrian Presbyterian church). There is also a good background page from the Presbyterian Mission Service.