Loving God, Serving Others
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The Great Launch
Continuing Jesus’ Mission
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September 3, 2021
Hello all, Hope everyone is getting ready for the new school year to begin, I know that my kids are sad and excited to begin a new year. Wednesday was their first day. I know even if you don’t have kids you know of someone starting school in the near future.
Enough small talk, let’s get into it! last week I heard a quote from C.S. Lewis and it gave me great perspective and peace. Please read below.
C.S. Lewis excerpt from “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948)
“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. ‘How are we to live in an atomic age?’ I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.’
“In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
“This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb – when it comes – find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
We must NOT stop living just because there are things out of our control. After reading this there were always things out of our control but we were just use to them and we were not scared of them anymore. This got me thinking of other difficult times and my mind went to what one of the Pharisee’s stated about the Christian movement… See below.
Apostles persecuted…. Acts 5: 33-42
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
No matter how weird and scary it is around us we must continue to work for Christ. This account has always stood out to me because to me it proves that Jesus was from God. 2,000 years later there are still Jesus followers. They have not failed or dispersed. Imagine walking with Christ and then he dies on the cross. All the disciples and followers where scared to death until Jesus’ return to reassure them. We must realize that the same Jesus that saved them will return to save us. We can’t hid in a cave while we are waiting. We must continue to live and spread his Love.
Thanks for your time and have a great 3 day weekend. Hope to see you at church! Pastor Rob will be speaking and we will all share in communion together.
“My mum was teaching first holy communion class and a kid asked her ‘How many communions do you have to do before you’ve eaten a whole Jesus?'” ~Old Man Bangers
Thanks,
Justin
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