Prayer Gifts at 2:11 p.m.

The Magi's gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh reminds us to be thankful that Jesus is our King (gold represents royalty), our Lord (frankincense represents worship) and our Savior (myrrh is used for burial). Mathew 2:11 says "Opening their treasures, [the Magi] offered him gifts." 

Set  your alarm for 2:11 p.m. every day until Christmas. Pause at 2:11 to say a quiet prayer of gratitude for all that Jesus means to you. 

(If you missed the sermon, you can listen to it here.)

Next Sunday, we will have ONE WORSHIP SERVICE at 10:00 a.m. Join us as we learn about Simeon and Anna who waited a lifetime for Jesus. Read Luke 2:22-40 in preparation.

Orion launch reflections

I just returned from a most amazing experience watching the first exploration flight test of NASA’s Orion Spacecraft. The launch experience was incredible. It was great fun crowding onto the causeway with friends from Clear Lake along with some 27,000 others. I would describe the lift-off as more sleek and powerful than brawny and explosive. (However, this was the first launch of any kind I've ever seen so I don't have anything to compare except others' descriptions.)

As amazing as the launch itself was, even more amazing was the understanding I gained about the true significance of this event.

For the past 30 years we've been shuttling astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) which is a mere 220 miles away from earth. The moon is another 1,000 times farther from earth and we haven't flown that far in nearly 50 years. Mars is 34 million miles away. Orion is designed to go to Mars!! In my unscientific estimation that's like the difference between going from your couch to the fridge vs. climbing Mount Everest... several times. It's difficult for me to even conceive of such a feat, let alone comprehend the sort of vision, brainpower and dedication required to make it happen.

Friday's launch was the first step in this incredible journey toward Mars. I'm humbled and grateful to have witnessed it in person. You amaze me, every last one of you involved with our space program and those involved with the Orion project in particular. I'm so very proud to be among you.

3pm launch briefing. Very interesting information and a VERY animated final speaker!

Me next to the Orion capsule. (The real one is bigger...)

Outside the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

Pointing at the launch pad.

27,000 of my closet friends waiting for the launch Thursday morning that was eventually scrubbed.

iPhone closeup of the launch pad.

After Friday's successful launch. All we could see afterwards from the ground was this huge plume of smoke.

Sermons this week and next

Last weekend's message:

The “Spirit of adoption” means that we have an entirely new relationship with God. When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we’re adopted into a New Family and God becomes our Abba Father. Abba means “daddy.” Jesus prayed “Abba Daddy” when he prayed to the Heavenly Father and he invites his followers to do the same. Better yet, the Holy Spirit prays to the Heavenly Father on our behalf. Because the Spirit “intercedes for us” (Romans 8:26-27) we can pray boldly and confidently without ever having to worry about having the right words.

This weekend:

What difference does hope make in a world filled with suffering? Is Christian hope just a religious version of wishful thinking? How does suffering and hope relate to God’s plan for the cosmos? These are some of the questions we will grapple with during this weekend’s message 

"Saved for Life" Preaching series on Romans

What are you most proud of? What passion or interest do you share with anyone who will listen? Maybe it’s a grand-child? A sports team? Your favorite restaurant? What is that thing of which you are unequivocally not ashamed?   

For the apostle Paul, that one thing is the Gospel. Paul begins his letter to the church at Rome with these words, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:16-17).

This fall, we begin a study of the book of Romans entitled “Saved for Life.” For those raised in reformed protestant church traditions, like Presbyterians, being ‘saved for life’ means we can never lose our salvation. But for Paul, being saved for life means so much more. It means being saved for a kind of life that begins this side of the grave and continues for all of eternity. Being saved for life means we are saved for a life of redemptive purpose within the cosmos God is making new. That is nothing to be ashamed of!

I’m encouraging every individual and small group to take up the study of this rich and profound book. While there are many re-sources available, I especially commend N.T. Wright’s study guide on Romans (N. T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study). It is available on Amazon® in paperback and e-reader formats. Our study this fall will take us through the first eight chapters in the book of Romans.

I look forward to this practical and theological journey as we learn from the great Apostle what it means to be Saved for Life.

open letter to my fellow conservatives

Dear fellow conservatives in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.);

I’m writing to those who, with me, affirm Scripture’s teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, who affirm the historic teachings of our Book of Confessions that marriage is between a man and a woman, who affirm the historic principle of church order that “truth is in order of goodness” and “who are persuaded that there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty” (F-3.0104), and who are deeply troubled by Thursday’s actions of the 221^st General Assembly.

While I wholly support those commissioners who are filing protests against the Assembly’s actions regarding the Authoritative Interpretation and the proposed amendment to our Book of Order, I will not be filing. I will not be protesting.

We have a decisive, and perhaps brief, window of opportunity to choose how we will be in this new denominational landscape – a landscape where we clearly find ourselves in the minority.  What will we stand for? How will we use our voice? What will our voice sound like when we use it? What will our opponents see when they look at us?

Yesterday’s vote was offensive. It felt like a slap in the face. But the same Jesus who clearly defines marriage in Matthew 19 also tells me in Matthew 5 to turn the other cheek. He tells me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. He warns me about the poison of retaliation and the rottenness of contempt. He calls me to a new kind of righteousness that is beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. What will our righteousness look like in this new denominational landscape? Let us consider this carefully.

Yours brother in Christ,

Steve Oglesbee

221st General Assembly Day #2

Just wrote a blog post and accidentally erased it. Too tired to go back and recreate it. Nothing profound to report. Good first committee meeting tonight. Worshipped together, agreed on some ground rules, reviewed the agenda for tomorrow (mostly hearings - some time for deliberation without motions is scheduled for the evening).

Keeping you posted so you can keep praying...

Steve

General Assembly Day #1

Just wrapped up the first day of General Assembly. We elected a moderator, but only after dozens of attempts to use the electronic contraptions. Plan A was to vote using web browser or smart phones. That fizzeled when no one could get connected to the internet. Plan B, after we came back from dinner, was to use an electronic voting system where each person had their own remote voting device. After that didn't work either, we finally resorted to Plan C. Paper ballots. It took a while to gather up all 680+ commissioners ballots and hand count them. Thankfully, on the first vote Heath Rada garnered more than 50% of the total votes (there were three candidates running).  I wasn't super excited about any of the candidates, but as the three spoke this evening and asnwered questions I became more impressed with Rada. I think he best represents the new theological 'center' of this changing denomination. 

The two big issues everyone is talking about are civil unions and israel/palenstine.

Worship in the morning then it's back to work tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. I'll meet with my committee for the first time tomorrow evening. 

Half past midnight. Time for bed.

Good night! 

Behavior in the Community of Jesus (1 John 2:1-11)

What does godly behavior in the community of Jesus look like? 1 John 2:1-11 says it looks like a) obedience to God’s word, b) walking with Jesus, and c) genuine love for our sisters and brothers. We can’t say we know God if we ignore what God says. We can’t claim to abide in Christ if our lives aren’t being shaped in his likeness. We can’t claim to be walking in the light if we hate our sisters and brothers.

This weekend we press on to explore what BELONGING looks like in the community of Jesus.  Here’s a hint. It’s not the way Cain ‘belonged’ to his brother. Read 1 John 3:11-18 and study up on Genesis chapter 4 to learn more about Cain and Abel.

If you’re studying 1 John 2:1-11 with a friend or in your small group, here are some questions to ponder.

1. Name some different kinds of communities (social clubs, service organizations, professional associations, neighborhood friendships). What beliefs inform that community? Are there any explicit or implicit standards of behavior expected in that community? How does a person know whether or not they “belong” to that community?
2. Re-read 1 John 2:1-11. According to verse 2, What does it mean that Jesus is the “propitiation” for our sins? (Check some other Bible translations.) According to 1 John, is it okay for Christians to keep on sinning? Why or why not?
3. On a scale of 1-10, how well do you know the Bible? On a scale of 1-10, how much do you live your life like Jesus would if he were you? Are those numbers higher or lower than they would have been one year ago? Explain.
4. To what commandment is John referring in 1 John 2:7-8? (cf. John 13:1-20) In what sense do you think this commandment is new and old at the same time?
5. What kind of Christian do you find most difficult to love? In what ways can you be difficult to be loved by others?

Foundation for Christian Community is Jesus

The season of Lent has begun. We are headed toward the cross and onto the resurrection! The book of 1 John is guiding us on this lenten journey.  

Pastor Katrina reminded us this weekend that the foundation of Christian community is none other than Jesus Christ. Jesus' resurrection life binds us together. Our joy is made complete (1 John 1:4) through fellowship in Christ.

Find your lenten ryhthm by reading from 1 John every weekday!

Mondays - read chapter 1 (work on memorizing verse 1:7)

Tuesdays - read chapter 2 (work on memorizing verse 2:16)

Wednesdays - read chapter 3 (work on memorizing verse 3:1)

Thursdays - read chapter 4 (work on memorizing verse 4:18)

Fridays - read chapter 5 (work on memorizing verse 5:14)

If you're studying 1 John with a friend or in a small group, consider these follow-up questions for 1 John 1:1-4.

1. How can anyone be really sure of anything? How do you know what you know?
2. What evidence does the author site for his belief in Jesus Christ? Which of the five senses does he employ? Why do you suppose that is important for the writer?
3. According to the author, how are fellowship within the Christian community and belief in Jesus Chrsit related? How important is it to have Jesus Christ at the center? From your own experience, what happens when other things take center stage in a Christian fellowship? What is your personal definition of a core belief issue about Jesus?

BONUS QUESTION: Read the Gospel of John 1:1-14. What similar themes do you note from that prologue with the prologue of 1 John 1:1-4?

Ezekiel's River

In Ezekiel chapter 47, the prophet sees a vision of water streaming from the Jerusalem Temple toward the Dead Sea. What begins as a trickle turns into a teaming river. As the river flows it brings life to everything in its path. The Dead Sea and its barren shores are transformed into lush vegetation and vibrant sea life. All this is so “because the water for them flows from the sanctuary.” (Ezekiel 47:12).

When the flow of our daily lives begin with the Spirit’s power in Jesus Christ, God brings dead things to life all around us. “Empower every life” means we are plugged in to the Holy Spirit’s power so God can use us to “Engage every neighborhood” with Kingdom life.

Why Bother with Weekly Worship?

A year ago in January I offered a congregation-wide challenge for each person to attend worship all 52 weekends in 2014. We installed a “52 Weekends of Worship” wall in Philadelphia Hall where you posted bulletins and programs from churches where you worshipped. The challenge was not necessarily to attend every weekend at CLPC, but to seek out worshipping community wherever you are.

Many of you took this challenge to heart! You posted && bulletins on our board. There are countless stories of folks going out of their way to worship. One business traveler arrived in Singapore at 6:00 a.m. after an all-night flight and made it to a 9:00 a.m. worship service at Orchard Road Presbyterian Church.  Another couple attended worship at the George R. Brown Center prior to the Houston Marathon. The group from our church traveling to Israel worshipped at the Western Wall in Jerusalem as Jews celebrated the beginning of Shabbat.

Corporate worship is more than a personal “spiritual boost” for the week. It is a key soul-training rhythm of the Christian life. In corporate worship we are reminded of God’s story of redemption – a story that counteracts the petty narratives of greed in our culture. In corporate worship we receive God’s attention and give him ours as we pray, sing, make offering, and confess our sins and receive pardon. While we can, and should, worship individually. Something greater occurs than the sum of the parts, for God and for us, when we worship together.