The place of honor

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Today's prayer is by the same author as yesterday's: John van de Laar.  I like the way he presents this - he tells God: "You really should be more careful about who you are associated with".  And of course he is talking about you and me!  It is so easy for us to praise ourselves, to place ourselves in "the places of honor at the table".  Jesus speaks of this in Luke 14:7-11:

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this person your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

It's not about thinking less of ourselves, it's about thinking of ourselves less often.  Why do we need the best seat?  Why not let someone else have it?  But if we are offered that seat, there is no reason not to take it, with humility.  And when we consider who we were, who we are, and what God has done for us, humility is not hard to find.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours!

Bruce

Sometimes, God,

It seems that you don't care much for your reputation.

     Your name always seems to crop up in connection

          with all the wrong sorts of people:

          questionable people, of ill repute and little respectability.

     You really should be more careful about who you are associated with.

 

But, then, if the truth be known, we are those people.

      Oh, we present ourselves as clean and pure and righteous

          But we know the truth, God, as do you.

          We, too, have our darkness, our sin.

 

So, it's just as well that you are so comfortable with the likes of us,

     that you welcome sinners like the long lost children we really are,

          that you love us so deeply and personally

          that we cannot stay as we are;

          that Your grace receives us, heals us and challenges us

     so that we become grace-givers, accepting all others in Your name.

 

And so, we praise You, gracious God, for your amazing grace.

In Jesus' Name.

John van de Laar

(http://www.sacredise.com/pages/Seasonal/lent/prayers/wrongsort.htm)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

You're amazing, God

Good Thursday morning, my friend.

The prayer below contains so many nuggets you could mine it for days.  Enjoy a few minutes with God as you lift this up.  And then do it again!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

You're amazing, God,

     The way you paint the sky with endless combinations of colours,

     The way you fill the world with countless creatures,

          all so different, all so unique.

 

You're amazing, God,

     The way you hide in the faces of people,

     How, if we look long enough and carefully enough,

          we see you in the plump smile of the newborn,

               and the loose skin of the elderly,

          the shocking challenge of those who seem so strange to us,

               and the comforting familiarity of those who seem so normal.

 

You're amazing, God,

     The way you never stop finding ways to remind us of you,

     How, if we will only let you,

          you take our hand and lead us into life,

          vibrant and rich and overflowing.

 

Isn't it strange how we so easily choose to listen

          to voices other than yours?

          to follow guides that lead us away from you?

     Isn't it strange how often we search for life apart from you,

          and then wonder why we never find it?

 

Forgive us our foolishness,

     and please don't ever stop whispering to us of your love.

 

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

John van de Laar

(http://www.sacredise.com/pages/Seasonal/lent/prayers/youreamazing.htm)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Smile

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

Being in God's will doesn't necessarily involve huge sacrifices, commitments, or actions.  Sometimes (most times) it involves a small act of kindness, love, or grace. It can be as simple as a smile for someone who is having a hard day.  That tells them you are with them, you are rooting for them, that you care.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Father, 

give me your heart for the poor, 

the needy, 

the struggling, 

and just for those who are having a hard day; 

guide me as I take small steps to reach out, 

to listen, 

to simply offer a smile 

and a kind hello.

(http://www.christianitytoday.com/moi/2011/002/april/26.26.html)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

You cleared away the darkness of sin by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

We have just celebrated Easter Sunday.  Resurrection Sunday.  The commemoration of the most significant event in human history since creation.  What an incredible act of love, mercy and grace.  We are so familiar with the "story" that we can become desensitized to the depth of meaning it contains.  We need to revel in the love that God has poured out for us, and it should overflow into the people around us.  Ask God who it is that is around you TODAY that needs to feel that love.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

It is only right, with all the powers of our heart and mind, to praise You Father and Your Only-Begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Dear Father, by Your wondrous condescension of loving-kindness toward us, Your servants, You gave up Your Son. 

Dear Jesus You paid the debt of Adam for us to the Eternal Father by Your Blood poured forth in loving-kindness. 

You cleared away the darkness of sin by Your magnificent and radiant Resurrection. 

You broke the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a Conqueror. 

You reconciled heaven and earth. 

Our life had no hope of eternal happiness before You redeemed us. 

Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence and brought us joy.

How inestimable is the tenderness of Your Love!

Easter Prayer of St. Gregory the Great

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

This is not just any Thursday - this is Holy Thursday.  The day we celebrate "The Last Supper" of our Lord, Jesus Christ, before His crucification.

The Last Supper

a meditation by Victor Hoagland, C.P.

When Jesus Christ entered the supper room to eat the Passover meal that last Thursday night, he was aware a dark fate awaited him. Powerful forces were drawn up against him ready to take his life. His enemies were moving to stop him.

Beside him were his disciples, "his own who were in the world." Arguing among themselves as they took their place at table, they gave him little support. Not only did Jesus face their pettiness, he also sensed their impending betrayal of him.

What would he do? Understandably he might respond with caution and draw back. Like the servant, whom Isaiah described, he might well say, "I toiled in vain; and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength..." (Is. 49).

Jesus, however, took bread and gave it to his disciples. "Take this," he said, "this is my body." He took the cup and gave it to them. "This is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, to be poured out in behalf of many."

That night, without wariness or regret, he gave himself in love to his Father and his disciples. As Savior and Redeemer he gave himself unhesitatingly for the life of the world.

We remember that love each time we celebrate the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament which makes a supper room of every time and place. Until the end of time, the sacrament says, Jesus Christ will offer his body and blood for all.

"without wariness or regret, he gave himself in love to his Father and his disciples".  God truly is Love.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours in abundance!

Bruce

Lord Jesus,

once in the wilderness

your people ate heavenly manna

and they were filled.

And once in a desert place

you fed the hungry

with blessed bread. 

A simple thing, we say,

costing our mighty God

litte effort. 

But what if bread is

a body offered for all,

and a cup of wine

your own life-blood 

given to those who hardly care? 

A costly thing, we say,

Is there anything more

God could have done?

Anything more

Love could do 

than lay down his life

for his friends?

(http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/season/supper.html)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Two sacrifices

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

Sometimes I feel my life as a Christian is bi-polar.  On the one hand I want to live for Christ, honouring Him with every part of my life.  On the other hand, I fail to do so on a daily basis.  Whether it be with an unkind word to someone in my family or at work; selfishness in not sharing the amazing bounty He has given to me for that purpose; or just outright sinful behaviour - it is, without a doubt, very difficult to stay on the straight and narrow path.  (I notice though that the path is "straight and narrow" - it doesn't say anything about it being flat.  There are still hills and valleys (mountains and gorges?) to travel.) 

It is certainly frustrating to struggle with these two extremes.  Sometimes are more difficult that others, of course, but God ALWAYS "restores my soul" as the 23rd Psalm says.  And because of this I grow more and more confident that even in the midst of these struggles with my "sinful nature" that God will rescue me.  I pray that you recognize this as well.

The prayer below captures that bi-polar conundrum in a very interesting way.  In the days leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus had interactions with two very interesting people: the woman who anointed him with oil, and Judas who betrayed Him.  We may not always recognize it, but we regularly play both parts in our lives.

Grace and peace to you be multiplied,

Bruce

From the beginning 

you knew the final outcome 

watched as the jigsaw pieces 

were slotted into place 

saw the significance of every moment. 

As your body was anointed with oil 

at the table of Simon the Leper

the picture was becoming clearer 

not only in your eyes

but to an unknown woman 

and one of your closest friends. 

Judas sensed that this was his moment 

sacrificing trust 

that had been so freely given 

on the altar of selfish gain 

for his fifteen allotted minutes of fame 

and thirty pieces of silver.

The woman recognised the moment. 

She gave generously

unselfishly 

a costly gift, freely offered.

A fragrant sacrifice of perfume and love 

remembered forever in your heart.

And as Judas slipped away unnoticed 

your disciples saw none of this 

failed to see the significance of the moment.

Two sacrifices, one of trust 

and one of love. 

But you noticed, Lord 

as you notice each day 

our sacrificial offering 

and betrayal

(http://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_Easter.htm)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Was the resurrection a hoax?

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

We are in the midst of Holy Week and I hope you can take time each day to slow down a little and contemplate just what the weekend ahead signifies and commemorates.  We were rescued by our Creator!  He came to the earth as one of us; taught us for several years; stood in our place to be punished for our sins; and then rose triumphantly from the dead to defeat death itself!

The last part of this - the rising from the dead thing - is the part many people have a hard time believing.  I know for me, when I was struggling with the whole concept of God and faith I spent a lot of time researching this.  How can we know if it is true?  That the disciples did not make it up?   The most convincing argument I have read on this subject comes fromCharles Colson.  Many of you will recognize that name.  You may have read some of his books.  Or you may remember that he served 7 months of a 1-3 year sentence for obstruction of justice in the "Watergate Affair" that brought down US president Richard Nixon.  Here is what Colson said:

I have been challenged myself many times on the resurrection. My answer is always that the disciples and five hundred others gave eyewitness accounts of seeing Jesus, risen from the tomb. But then I'm asked, "How do you know they were telling the truth? Maybe they were perpetrating a hoax."

My answer to that comes from an unlikely source: Watergate.

Watergate involved a conspiracy to cover up, perpetuated by the closest aids to the President of the United States—the most powerful men in America, who were intensely loyal to their president. But one of them, John Dean, turned states evidence, that is, testified against Nixon, as he put it, "to save his own skin"—and he did so only two weeks after informing the president about what was really going on—two weeks! The real cover-up, the lie, could only be held together for two weeks, and then everybody else jumped ship in order to save themselves. Now, the fact is that all that those around the President were facing was embarrassment, maybe prison. Nobody's life was at stake.

But what about the disciples? Twelve powerless men, peasants really, were facing not just embarrassment or political disgrace, but beatings, stonings, execution. Every single one of the disciples insisted, to their dying breaths, that they had physically seen Jesus bodily raised from the dead.

Don't you think that one of those apostles would have cracked before being beheaded or stoned? That one of them would have made a deal with the authorities? None did.

You see, men will give their lives for something they believe to be true—they will never give their lives for something they know to be false.

The Watergate cover-up reveals the true nature of humanity. Even political zealots at the pinnacle of power will, in the crunch, save their own necks, even at the expense of the ones they profess to serve so loyally. But the apostles could not deny Jesus because they had seen Him face to face, and they knew He had risen from the dead.

No, you can take it from an expert in cover-ups—I've lived through Watergate—that nothing less than a resurrected Christ could have caused those men to maintain to their dying whispers that Jesus is alive and is Lord. 

(http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/doctrine/ccolson.htm)

Jesus is alive, and He is Lord!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

O God,

who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross,

and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy:

Grant us so to die daily to sin,

that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. 

Amen.

1979 Book of Common Prayer

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Spiritual Fruit vs Spiritual Warfare

Good Monday morning, my friends.

Apologies if you were looking for my message on Thursday and Friday.  Thursday got away on me, and I never got around to writing one.  Friday, Rosemary and I went to Halifax - me to the Promise Keepers event there, and Rosemary to visit family.

After two successive (and successful from a Kingdom perspective!) weekends at Promise Keepers events, I am stunned (more so than usual) at how God is working in the men of this country.  A week ago here in Ottawa, and this past weekend in Halifax have been amazing!  On this past Friday evening had the opportunity to watch about 2 dozen men give their lives to Christ; and I had the absolute privilege of praying with one young man (late teens/early twenties) as he did so.  What a gift that was to ME from God.  At the same time over 100 men came forward to rededicate their lives to Him!  I have heard so many personal stories from the two weekends that it is overwhelming.  God certainly brought Himself glory.

As exciting at that is, I am reminded of a caution I received.  Last fall I attended my first Annual General Meeting for Promise Keepers Canada.  At that meeting, one of the more "seasoned" guys addressed those of us who were new.  He said "the fruit of this ministry is intoxicating; but the spiritual warfare that you and your families will experience can be debilitating".  Folks, I can now attest that both of these statements are true.  When any of us begin to walk in God's will we will see wonderful things begin to happen in our lives.  But we will also get the attention of the enemy, and he will do everything in his (limited) power to throw us off track.  Please lift this prayer for anyone you know who is involved in ministry work.  And that includes you - we are all ministers to each other.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours,

Bruce

Lord God,

Thank you so much for the servants you have sent here to reap the harvest.

Please guide and protect them, covering them in the Blood of your Son.

Be with them, and their families, as they fight the good fight for the Kingdom, Your Kingdom.

Father, we are blessed to be part of Your plan of salvation for the world.

We are grateful to be the "light of the world" and ask for you to make us glow brighter.

Help us to draw to You those around us who have been stolen from Your Kingdom by the lies of the enemy.

Thank you for the blessing the work of Promise Keepers and all other organizations and individuals who have aligned themselves to Your will.

Guide us, correct us, give us strength, wisdom and courage as we seek to be salt in this world.

Lord bestow upon us the gift of bringing the Gospel to every man, woman and child in this country.

In the matchless name of Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Jesus by faith we lay a hold of the edge of Your garment

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I received a prayer request that was sent out for someone experiencing health issues.  A friend of mine on the list responded with an amazing prayer, and I have included the slightly adapted version below.  No doubt there is someone in your life - in your family, among your friends, at church, or at work - who is in turmoil over their own health or someone close to them.  Offer up this prayer for that person, and perhaps share it with them.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Thank You Father for making a way to Your holy throne of grace, through the sacrifice of Jesus our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Healer. 

Lord God we come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) 

Thank You Lord, You are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (Psalm 86:15) 

Thank You Father that the things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (Luke 18:27) 

Thank You Jesus for the testaments of Your compassion and healing of the sick while You walked on this earth. (Matthew 4:23, 8:16, 12:15, 14:14) 

Jesus by faith we lay a hold of the edge of Your garment, and ask for Your power to be released in ____________'s body today, (Matthew 9:21) 

We ask that this would be an opportunity to witness to the world of Your greatness; for Your glory and Your renown are the desires of our souls. (Isaiah 26:8) 

Finally Father, we pray that You would reveal your will to ____________ and open his/her eyes to what You are doing in the lives of those who are around him/her at this time, that he/she would make the most of every opportunity to bring glory to Your name. 

In the power of the mighty name of Jesus the one and only Son of the Living God we pray, Amen! 

Darcy Narraway 

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Answers to prayers

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Have you been praying for something, but have felt that God is either ignoring you or has said "No" even though you believe what you are asking is something you need?  For me, it's been years and I still have not won the Playoff Hockey Pool.  Maybe this year ...

Read the prayer below ... perhaps His answer for you is in there.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours,

Bruce

I asked God to take away my pain. 

 

God said, No.  

It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. 

 

 

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. 

 

God said, No.  

Her spirit is whole, her body is only temporary. 

 

 

I asked God to grant me patience. 

 

God said, No.  

Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learnt. 

 

 

I asked God to give me happiness. 

 

God said, No.  

I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you. 

 

 

I asked God to spare me pain. 

 

God said, No.  

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. 

 

 

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. 

 

God said, No.  

I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things. 

 

 

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. 

 

God said...Ahhhh, 

....finally you have the idea. 

(http://www.keen.com/CommunityServer/UserBlogPosts/Grace_Carrington/Prayers/124964.aspx)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.