Sunday, April 19, 2009

Second Sunday of Easter

Today's Link
Inspirational Poetry of Joy and Peace

Today's Saying
These things are written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ- Apostle John

Today's Picture

Ella Shopping with Dr. John

Once upon a time there was a great King. When his son the Prince was born wise men came from all across the land to see him.
The King was so proud of his son he had the finest cradle in the world brought in for him. It was beautiful. It was ornate. In truth the cradle was hard to describe. But the King laid the Prince in it and it seemed to be the perfect cradle.
Then the wise men came to see the Prince.
But a strange thing happened. Some of the wise men ignored the Prince. They were caught up by the cradle. They argued among themselves about who built the cradle. Was it built by one man or several. Was it real wood or imitation. Were the jewels just to look at or did they have a secret meaning. They argued. They screamed. They even pulled pieces from the cradle and hit each other over the head.
And the King was not happy.

Luther says the Bible is the cradle for the Christ. The written word where the Word made flesh meets us.

John says in his Gospel which is the text for today in liturgical churches. “ these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Somewhere along the line a lot of people in the Church became more interested in defining what Scripture is than in seeing the Christ it carries.

They argued over the authors.
They argued over what was history and what was parable.
They argued over its infallibility.
They argued over how to use it.
They took portions out and beat each other over the head with them.
They used it to prove hate was okay.
They used it to show who was going to hell.
They lost sight of the Christ who from its various pages called them to new life.
He called them to love one another.
He called them to feed the hungry.
He called them to care for the poor.
He called them to cease judging.
And the King was not happy.

News from Pigeon Falls
The little town in my basement where the trains still run, dragons fly, and life is back to normal
Poor Pastor Joan here she is pregnant just at the time that trouble is starting at Last Lutheran Church.
The Church is dividing into two groups. The bats must go group and the leave the bats alone group. Nancy Silo , a member of the Church Council is trying to force the council to change their decision that the bats should be left alone. She says she even has scripture on her side. In Leviticus 11:13 we are told that bats are disgusting. “ We don’t want those biblically disgusting creatures in our Church belfry” Nancy is telling people.” Besides they are likely to fly down and get in your hair if you go to church at night”. On hearing this the ladies group voted, but not unanimously, to demand the council get rid of the bats.
Herman speaking for the council pointed out “ That the same text in Leviticus lists ostriches , sea gulls, owls, pelicans, storks, and herons as disgusting. Should we go out and throw rocks at them. In truth the list is a list of creatures we shouldn’t eat. But nobody here wants to eat bats.” But the bats must go group refused to listen to him.
Lutherans do so seem to love to fight with each other.

Wrap UP
As you can see Ella loved riding in the basket. I had a great day today. Our church celebrated Holy Humor Sunday. Pastor told lots of church jokes. The idea is that we can laugh at the devil because Jesus has won. The bell choir was great and the sermon was fantastic. What a great morning.
My sister called. I visited all the blogs that left comments yesterday. I really did Melli. Now I need a breathing treatment.
GBYA

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11 Comments:

Blogger Voegtli said...

I am pleased that you are braving the law. Inspite of the interdiction, you put Ella in the caddy.

1:27 AM  
Blogger Bill ~ {The Old Fart} said...

Another Good Post Dr John, makes one think. Ella seems to be enjoying her time visiting you and Betty.

A Blessed Sunday is wished for you.

1:52 AM  
Blogger Melli said...

I beg to differ with Peter (Worldman)... the Law says no CHILDREN in the cart... it says NOTHING about Elephants!

Those wimpy women just want the bats gone because they don't like bats! I live in the woods - with the bats (plus the few in my own personal belfry!) and bats are fine! They eat ALL the mosquitos! And I have NEVER had one in my hair! EVEN at night! Oh! I can start the "God MADE bats, he MUST like bats" argument! And... he EVEN made bats to like belfries! ROFL! I can't WAIT to visit Pigeon Falls!

7:06 AM  
Blogger Gattina said...

I am sure that everybody noticed you with such a beautiful elephant as company, lol !

7:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

*sigh* Wars of words between denominations and within denominations.
Currently ours isn't about bats, but about allowing an outside group (educational daycare) use our building. Heaven forbid we should give (rent, actually) out the building for 12 hours each day. "What if we NEED it?!??!" Gracious! Whatever happened to sharing with one another and being a witness in the world. *sigh*

PS: Mosquitoes love me. I hate mosquitoes. Bats eat mosquitoes. Therefore, I love bats.

11:10 AM  
Blogger Cherie said...

Amen, Brother! Happy Second Sunday of Easter! :)

12:08 PM  
Blogger juliana said...

it happens so often that we don't see the wood for the trees...

i'm always fond of seeing bats... they are such amazing little critters

1:42 PM  
Blogger Baron's Life said...

Amen Doc, Happy Second Easter Sunday

2:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just love Ella and her riding with you ... how great. Great Post Dr. John :)

7:06 PM  
Blogger Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Great post.
Ella is becoming spoiled.

6:28 AM  
Blogger Pat - Arkansas said...

Thank you for your thought-provoking parable, Dr. John. Indeed, it should be no surprise to anyone that the king is not happy.

1:17 PM  

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