The resurrection of Jesus: an historical event

Good Monday morning, my friends.

What is the difference between Christianity and all other religions?  Every other religion is based on the teachings of a man, whether it is Buddha, Mohammad, or Confucius.  Is the basis of Christianity the teachings of Jesus? No.  The basis of Christianity is an event in history: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  Our entire faith is based on that one event.  As Paul wrote "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." (1 Corinthians 15:14)

Did this event actually happen?  Did the apostles fake it?  If you have any doubt about this, consider Peter.  On the night Jesus was betrayed, a servant girl asks him if he is one of Jesus followers, and he was too frightened to admit it (John 18:15-18), and swears he doesn't even know the man!  This is the rock on which the church will be built?  Ah, but just a few weeks later, Peter is standing before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council, after the healing a man who had been crippled from birth.  Here is what transpires:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 

   " 'the stone you builders rejected, 

      which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

What happened between these two very different episodes?  What happened was that Peter was visited by the risen Lord Jesus.  And he spent the rest of his life proclaiming it, to the point where he was executed for preaching this message.  Remember the Watergate scandal?  This scandal broke because a small group of the most powerful people in the United States (and arguably the world) could not keep a secret for even two weeks.  If these men broke down and confessed in the face of some humiliation and possibly going to prison, how could a group of twelve simple fishermen from Galilee all go to their death without ever recanting their insistence that Jesus had risen from the dead?

Our faith is based on a fact, an event, prophesied in the Old Testament, and foretold by Jesus before it happened.  That's what brought me to faith and why I put my trust in Him.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to walk on this earth and show us the way to You.   

Through His death and resurrection we have forgiveness and hope of eternal life.  

We confess our sins and ask You to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.  

Show us through the Scriptures how to turn away from the ever-changing values and principles based on this world where the prince of darkness reigns.  

Endear our hearts instead to building an eternal spiritual foundation while we look upward to that great City whose Maker and Builder is the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Our minds cannot conceive what is in store for us but it will far surpass anything we might possibly hope for in this life.  

Keep us faithful until that eventful transfer.  

In Jesus' name, Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/a-prayer-for-a-new-heart/)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

What does the LORD require of you?

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Here is a beautiful, simple prayer to end the week on.  These are the qualities that God looks for in His people: purity, humility, compassion and faith.  One of my many favourite scriptures is Micah 6:8:

He has showed you, O man, what is good. 

       And what does the LORD require of you? 

       To act justly and to love mercy 

       and to walk humbly with your God.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Give me 

A pure heart

That I may see Thee,

A humble heart

That I may hear Thee,

A heart of love

That I may serve Thee,

A heart of faith

That I may abide in Thee.

Dag Hammarskjöld

(http://www.greatprayers.com/ListPrayers.Asp?Category_ID=49)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

How good is good enough?

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

Earlier this week I was chatting with a friend and he mentioned a conversation he had had with a young Muslim man.  This young man was very moderate in his thinking, devout in his religion, and pleasant to talk to.  My friend observed that, if we believe what we are taught, that this man will spend eternity in hell.  And my friend, understandably, has a great deal of difficulty with this thought.  He asked me my opinion on this, and I put him off, wanting to consider and pray about it.

Well, I love how God works.  As luck (yeah, right) would have it, yesterday I started listening to a sermon series on CD called "How Good is Good Enough" by Andy Stanley.  I have listened to the first two sessions, and Stanley is basically trying to answer this difficult question.  

Most people like to believe that "good" people go to heaven.  There are several problems with this theory.  

First of all, "good" by whose standards? Society's?  Ours?  Or God's?  Look at the new testament.  If any people were considered "good" at that time, it was the Pharisees. They were meticulous in keeping the law and staying pure.  And yet, Jesus told the people that "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20).  That stunned the people - if the Pharisees were not good enough, how could anyone be good enough?  (Why should we think that our society is any better at determining who is "good"?)  What Jesus taught was not that good people got into heaven, but that forgiven people got into heaven.  People like the adulterous woman caught in the act.  People like a self-confessed criminal who hung on a cross next to Jesus.  Would we (or society) consider these "good" people?  Hardly.  And besides, no matter how good we believe we (or someone else) are, remember that ALL fall short of the glory of God.

The second problem we have with the teachings of Christianity (and this pertains more to my friends dilemma) is that it isn't fair.  Why should someone who has never heard of Jesus, or who has been taught a different religion go to hell?  It's not their fault!  They are still good people!  It's nor fair!  OK - who judges what is fair?  Again, our concept of this is skewed.  In any argument, both sides see the other as being unfair, so we are hardly qualified to judge.  But, in fact, it is unfair that people who never heard of Jesus do not go to heaven.  It may be unfair, but it is still true.  And the reason it is unfair cannot be blamed on God.  He gave everyone equal opportunity to know him, to be in relationship with him.  But when sin entered the world (through the choice of humans, not God), we made the system unfair.  When we make a decision to walk away from God, to separate ourselves from Him, and to raise our children not knowing Him, then that sin has consequences down through the generations.  And that is what has happened in this world and why the young man that my friend talked to is on the path to destruction.  It was a choice made by one of his forefathers, that he will have to pay for.  Is it fair? Perhaps not, but that was not God's choice.  And God would welcome him back in a second if he would accept the free gift of forgiveness offered by Jesus through the Crucifixion.  It may not be fair, but it is true.

Personally, I am glad it is not fair.  If it were I would get what I deserved, and I definitely prefer His grace and mercy to that alternative.

I would love to hear some feedback from you on this.  You can reply to me by email, but I would prefer you post a comment on The Celtic Christian blog so that we can have a discussion about this important and difficult topic.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Thank you, Lord, for you great love and mercy.

We know from your Word that You are love and that You are holy.

We know that you demonstrated your love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners!

Please help us to understand the true meaning of the grace and mercy that you offer to all people.  

Help us to reach out with that Good News to those who are perishing, those "good" people all around us who are deceived.

Bless us in our efforts to reach all people for Your glory.

We pray this in Jesus' holy name.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Believe it or not, God wants us to enjoy this life!

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

God wants to give us so much more than we deserve or in many cases even desire.  It is OK to seek his blessing in every area of our lives provided we "seek first His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).  We need to keep our focus on God and ask for His blessing so that we might be a blessing to others.

Ask and ye shall receive. (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 21:22, Luke 11:9, John 14:14)

We are to have life, and life to the fullest (John 10:10).  

We are to eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of our labour (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

Believe it or not, God wants us to enjoy this life!  (It took me many years to figure this out - I just hope you aren't as thick as I am (was?).

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

I ask you to bless me. 

I ask you to bless me financially. 

I ask you to bless my family. 

I ask you to bless my marriage. 

I ask you to bless my work. 

But as you bless me, I also pray that you would keep my eyes focused on you, more than on the blessings. 

It is so easy to seek the blessings more than I seek you. Don't let me fall into that trap. 

As you bless me, keep my eyes focused on you.

(http://www.prayertogo.com/index.php?option=com_bookmarks&Itemid=88888893&mode=0&catid=1&navstart=0&search=*)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Jubilation, patience, and consistency

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

This beautiful prayer is a great way to start off this shortened work week.  It brings us humbly before the throne, aware of our own failings, but with great hope and faith in the One who loves us.

May you be blessed today with more jubilation, patience, and consistency.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy. 

You have dealt gently with Your children in love. 

You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.

Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, 

prompt me to be more jubilant in hope, 

more patient in times of trouble, 

and more consistent in my prayer life. 

Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, 

and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace. 

Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

(http://www.baptistonline.org/services/community/pastoral_care/pastcare/special/patience.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

On being a farm hand.

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Have you ever tried to share your faith with a family member or friend, and met only scorn and skepticism, perhaps ridicule?  If you have, you are certainly not alone.  Even in the New Testament the great evangelist Paul met with this response many times.

I know I have found this to be very discouraging, but I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that I am either planting a seed, or watering one that someone else has planted.  Many (most) times we will not see the harvest, but we will certainly receive our reward for our part in the cultivation process.

So take heart, don't give up, keep praying, and keep sharing your faith.  Live your life with joy, finding peace in your faith.  In many ways that will be the greatest witness you can ever make.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Lord, help us as we share our testimony and Your message with the world around us.  

We find so many who are like Agrippa; uninterested, unpersuaded, and often times hardened. 

Help us to persevere and not give up or become discouraged.  

We pray that you would soften the hearts of those we seek to reach for You. 

Just like You did for Lydia open their hearts to receive our message of hope and salvation.  

In Jesus' name.  Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/a-prayer-for-faithfulness-in-witness/)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Touch gently this life which you have created

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

I love how this prayer marries two wonderful teachings from Jesus:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind 

and with all your strength.' 

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 

There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)

Let these words flow over you this morning as you surrender your life to Him again this day.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. 

Allow Your healing Hand to heal me. 

Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; 

touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; 

touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. 

Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, 

and help me to lead others to You by my example. 

Most loving Heart of Jesus, 

bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. 

Touch gently this life which you have created, 

now and forever.

Amen. 

(http://praying.kansasbob.com/2010/05/prayer-for-healing.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Special Projects

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

Here is where I generally get myself into trouble - I think this life is about me.  I think that the stuff I have is mine to indulge in.  I think the time I have is mine to do with as I please.  How's that working out for me, you ask?  Yeah, not so good sometimes.

I have heard it said that after salvation, it's all about stewardship - how we spend the time, resources, and emotional energy we are given.  We are to spend them wisely, always keeping some in reserve for whatever "special projects" God has in mind for us.  If are schedules are so full, or our bank accounts so empty, or our spirit so drained that we cannot respond to these tasks, then we lose out on a huge blessing.

How is that working out for you?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Don't ever let me be fooled into thinking that this life is mine or about me. 

You have bought my life with your blood. I am no longer mine. I am yours.

You also created everything. Everything was created by you and for you, not me. 

Don't let me live this life as if it's mine, as if is about me. 

Cause me to live for you and for your glory.

(http://www.prayertogo.com/index.php?option=com_bookmarks&Itemid=88888893&mode=0&catid=1&navstart=0&search=*)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Implementing change

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

As I review the teachings of this past weekend on creating "margin" in my life (see yesterday's post here if you missed it), I have to be careful to have patience in trying to implement any changes.  How often do we hear something that we get immediately excited about, thinking it is going to make a huge change in our lives, only to be back at the same place three weeks later?  It is reminiscent of the parable of the sower and the seed that fell on shallow ground.

Paul says "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12).  Do you want to see change in your life?  Be intentional.  Be in prayer.  Be patient.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Dear Heavenly Father,

Praise be given to Your Holy name for Your forbearance and mercy. 

You have dealt gently with Your children in love. 

You have been patient with me in my humanness and stubbornness.

Lord, through the work of Your Spirit, prompt me to be 

more jubilant in hope, 

more patient in times of trouble, 

and more consistent in my prayer life. 

Teach me, Lord, to wait with faith and expectancy, 

and may my trials be seen as times for growth in grace. 

Through Christ our Lord, I pray. Amen.

(http://www.baptistonline.org/services/community/pastoral_care/pastcare/special/patience.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Having "margin" in our lives

Good Monday morning, my friends.

I just spent an incredible weekend at a men's retreat in Maniwaki, Quebec (about 2 hours north of Ottawa).  We watched and discussed teachings by Andy Stanley (Charles' son) from North Point Community Church in Georgia.  The sermon series was called "Take it to the Limit" and it addressed the tendency in our current culture to take all aspects of our lives to the limit:

• We take our time and obligate every minute of it.
• We take our income and spend every bit of it (and sometimes more that we even have coming in).
• We morally allow ourselves to play with fire by living right at the edge.

What I discovered was that even a decade into my journey with Christ, my life is still a mess!  But the good news (the Gospel?) is that God won't leave me there.  The teachings were very relevant, but more than that, they were practical - they provided tools and strategies to help create "margin" in these areas of my life.  Just like margin on a page leaves space between the text and the edge of the paper, we must have margin in our lives in the areas of time, money, and morality.  If we live right on the edge, it is much too easy to step (or fall) over that line.

Do you have "margin" in your life in these areas?  Is your schedule so full, there is no time for God (going to church, reading your Bible, praying)?  Are you spending everything you earn (or more) and robbing yourself of the amazing benefits of joyful giving?  Are you involved in an "almost" inappropriate relationship (on-line, at work, or elsewhere) that could result in disaster for your marriage or family?

God want's us to have these buffer areas in our lives.  It is why He instituted the Sabbath day of rest, tithing, and the Ten Commandments.  He wants us to have margin because margin is where relationships happen.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Heavenly Father,

We pray today that you would open our eyes to the areas in our lives You would like to see changed.

We invite you to examine our schedules, our finances, and our relationships.

Lord, all that we have comes from You and belongs to You - please help us to use the time, money, and love You have given us in ways that honour You.

We ask this in the name of Your most holy Son, Jesus.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

What are we risking?

Good Friday morning, my friends.

This week I decided to read the Gospels in The Message paraphrase version of the Bible.  I wanted to see if I could get a fresh perspective on the life of Christ.  Well, I am reading Mark and find it quite interesting.  In Chapter 5 there is the story of Jairus, whose daughter dies as Jesus is on His way to the house.  The Message puts a humerous spin on His attempt to enter the home - it says: "They entered the leader's house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles".  I bet there are not too many times where casseroles are mentioned in the Bible!

But the beginning of Chapter 6 is more serious.  This is where Jesus goes back to Nazareth to teach:

He left there and returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?"

But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "He's just a carpenter—Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid. We know his brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and his sisters. Who does he think he is?" They tripped over what little they knew about him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further. (Mark 6:1-3)

How often do we see an individual supported and praised as long as they don't get too successful?  Over and over I have observed people watch someone rise to the top, only to enjoy (or participate in) their downfall.  But there is more than that going on in this passage.  Isn't that last sentence interesting:  And they never got any further.  We love the teachings of Jesus when he is pummeling the Pharisees (especially if we fail to recognize their traits in ourselves), but when He says "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword" (Matthew 10:34) or "sell all that you have, and give to the poor" (Matthew 19:21) we have a much harder time processing it.  In the past I have used this as an excuse not to "go any further", but now I try to relax my stiff neck and listen to what Jesus is saying to me with these words.  Sometimes it is uncomfortable.  But no one said we were to be comfortable.  God continually challenges us to go deeper, to trust more, to risk more.  What have you (and I) risked lately for His Kingdom?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father,

I pray for courage as I begin this day, for I understand there is 

work to be done, 

burdens to be carried, 

feelings to be shared 

and joys to be celebrated.

Grant me 

the courage to be silent that I may hear Thy voice; 

to persevere, that I may share Thy victory; 

and to remember, lest I forget the way by which Thou has led me.

And when this day is done, O Lord, may I have the courage to see Thy guiding hand in the 

friendships that have been made, 

in the hurts that have been healed, 

and in the strength that has been given. 

Amen.

(http://www.baptistonline.org/services/community/pastoral_care/pastcare/special/courage.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

How Are You Living?

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

In Romans 12:15 we are reminded to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."  I believe that is what the message below is about - both of these things.  I received this from a friend, and want to pass it on to you.  Please take the time to read the linked blog entry.

Hello All;

No doubt many of you heard about the tragic car accident at the south end of Ottawa that took the lives of two teenagers last week-end, some of you may know that one of the boys, David Stringer was the son of our former pastor and his wife who are still friends that we love very much.  Watching the events of this week unfold has been very difficult for me, yet through it I have been humbled by the family's faith and strength, and in awe of the testimony these young men have left behind.

I'm forwarding a link to a blog written by Rob Dale, he pastors the Capital City Biker's Church and has known the Stringers for a long time.  It's entitled "How Are You Living" and talks about what he has witnessed this week as he and his wife have been there to support the family.  It serves as a beautiful reminder of the impact we can have on the lives of others if we only stop to take the time.

Grace and Peace,

Tracy

http://www.bikerschurch.com/robdale/2010/05/11/how-are-you-living/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+robdale+%28robdale.ca%29

As Tracy said, amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

My bad.

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

Well, I thought I new what I was going to write about this morning.  That is, until I came across this prayer.

Yes, there is humour here, but it is funny (at least to me) because it contains more than a grain of truth.  I recognize myself in these words.  When Jesus said we were to become "as little children" before we could enter the Kingdom (Matthew 18:3), he meant trusting a loving god unconditionally as a little child trusts and loves a parent.  Not that we need to become (more) childish.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Lord, you said "Unless you become as little children, you will in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven."

I'm sorry for misapplying your words.

You didn't mean for me to become whiny,

impetuous,

self-centered,

and demanding, did you?

My bad.

Amen.

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.com/2010/05/become-as-little-children.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Why do I doubt that You have Your watchful and caring eye upon me?

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Too often I feel myself separating from God and starting to doubt His presence in my life.  And then, when I am drawn back (for He always seeks me), there is such a sense of relief.  Does this happen to you?

If you are feeling that separation today, let God use this prayer to draw you back and to give you peace and rest.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, 

If You see a sparrow that falls to the ground; 

if You know the number of hairs that are on my head; 

if every snowflake that falls from heaven is uniquely designed by You, 

Why do I doubt that You have Your watchful and caring eye upon me for I am created in Your image? 

Forgive me when I doubt You or feel forsaken. 

Instead I want to trust You and believe Your Words that assures me, 

"Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you." 

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 

"Nothing can separate me from the love of God; not tribulation or distress or persecution, famine or nakedness or peril or sword." 

No in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.  

In Jesus Name, Amen.

(adapted from http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/a-prayer-of-faith-in-gods-care/)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

May the meditation of Your Word keep my focus on You, not myself this day.

Good Monday morning, my friends.

I love to start my day off with this kind of prayer.  It helps me to focus on God and His will rather than the busyness of my schedule.  It is a reminder that I need to be reading my Bible every day.  It is a prayer for humility and productivity.  May it bless you today.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Father, the mindset of the world too often is a driving force in the way I conduct myself day in and day out.  

But as I saturate myself in Your Holy Scriptures I am much more inclined to regard Your approval and Your direction in the way I live. 

May the meditation of Your Word keep my focus on You, not myself this day.  

Let my conversation be wholesome rather than empty or conniving so that I benefit both the listener and myself.  

Let the work of my hands be productive and helpful to others, my family and myself.  

Let it be a positive witness to unbelievers of the work You are doing within me.  

In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/a-prayer-for-living-a-quiet-life/)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca