C-O-U-G-A-R-S Daily: April 2008

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Christ Is Risen - by Jill Carattini

Take ~5 minutes to read this 'COUGARS Daily' which contains snippets from A Slice of Infinity . Invite your family and friends to participate in reading with you daily. Then, consider sharing your comments or faith questions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com

-And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. worshiped him andAnd they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:49-53)

-And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Truly, Ascension Day, a holy day falling inconspicuously on a Thursday in May, is the bold declaration that we are not left as orphans. In the same post-resurrection body he invited Thomas to touch, Jesus is accessible to us today. He ascended with a body; he shares in our humanity, extending his own body even now; and he is coming back for those in bodies. Christ is preparing a room for us, and we know it is real because he himself is real. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Chad's Comments:
My close friend, Pat Castle, is a teacher at the Air Force Academy. Pat holds a Doctorate and teaches chemistry. The only reason I preface these comments with an introduction is so you may understand the difficult position someone of his faith is in. Being a scientist in a secular university; striving to live out his faith could very likely put his career at risk in a culture that wants to tell you that science disproves God. Here are Pat's comments from today:

* Re-evangelization: The last couple weeks we have shared about how Secularization and Science are purging God from the vocabulary of Western culture. God is with our every breath and every step regardless if we choose to acknowledge Him (footprints in the sand). Secularization and Science are embraced like religions by some...treating them like golden calves that come before God (First Commandment). The founding fathers of American did not intend to separate faith from politics...but prevent a state run church, like Church of England. We are called by Christ to be 'aliens' in this world (1 Peter 2:11). Are we? Like the disciples in the Bible, do we have a real relationship with Christ? Sometimes I use the word "disciple" instead of Christian to differentiate from social Christians (participating for entertainment not for Christ)...like James using "faith" (believing in Christ) and "saving faith" (believing and following Christ). We need to commit to a re-evangelization of ourselves and our Western culture to uncover God in the areas where Secularization and Science have covered Him...making "straight the way for the Lord" (John 1:23). I have plenty of room for re-evangelizing myself (growing closer to Christ)...if Christ was a mirror, the closer I get to the mirror, the more I realize my imperfections (sin). Let's start this re-evangelization by challenging ourselves (love, service, prayer, etc)...and by inviting friends, family, and co-workers to join the LIFE Devotions group (if they agree, I will gladly add their email to the distribution list). Let's pray for the courage to do this...to open ourselves to God's gift of the Holy Spirit who strengthens us for making faith-based decisions (humility, love, obedience) that will cause (in us, our loved ones, and our enemies) a greater conversion (metanoia) to the will of God the Father (Truth) through Christ the Son (Phil 4:13)...Amen!

Upcoming Cougars' "Neighbor-Day" weekend:
As a group, I will be challenging you to reach out to a neighbor. To invite someone over to your home whom you have had little to no contact with. This is not an effort to 'evangelize' them on the spot, but simply an effort to begin REAL relationship with them. Be in prayer about whom God would have you invite. More to come.

* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* The Street Church
* Voice of the Martyrs

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Least of These - by Margaret Manning

Take ~5 minutes to read this 'COUGARS Daily' which contains snippets from A Slice of Infinity . Invite your family and friends to participate in reading with you daily. Then, consider sharing your comments or faith questions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com

-Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Matthew 25: 34-36)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
What do world hunger, poverty, illness and despair have to do with righteousness? What do they have to do with Jesus? According to Matthew’s Gospel, they are the vehicles for a revelatory encounter with Jesus, unto whom we minister through acts of mercy, kindness, and justice. Indeed, according to Matthew’s Gospel, we have the opportunity to experience the blessedness of inheriting the kingdom prepared for us as we minister to Jesus in the least of these all around us. Rather than seeing poverty, hunger, homelessness and imprisonment as pervasive societal ills, statistics, or problems to avoid, we are given the blessing of ministering to our Lord, and of seeing in their faces, the face of Jesus.

Chad's Comments:
If you are a local to Colorado Springs, you may want to get involved in ministering to the homeless of our city. You can donate, help out, attend, etc. Visit the Street Church for more information. www.theStreetChurch.com

Last night, I dreamed of a man named Scott Casmer. I was driving my truck and came upon Scott, seemingly learning how to ride a skate board. It did not appear that this was Scott's first attempt at boarding, but it was still relatively awkward to him. This morning I received an email from Scott saying that his grandfather, who has been battling death for some time, has finally died last night.

With much pain, suffering and death around us, may we take joy in knowing our redeemer lives. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.”- Job 19:25

Monday, April 28, 2008

Light of the World - by Jill Carattini

- And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

- Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:2-4)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
In this way, we are not only squinting at light, we are being changed by it. Our union with Christ and communion with the Trinity add a certain and heavenly dimension to our lives, and it is indeed one that correctly and profoundly orients us here and now to the world around us. We are at our best a reflection of God when we are drawn into relationships with one another, modeling the love that has been modeled to us. We are at our best a reflection of God when we live in community that expresses God’s concern for all of God’s creation--from the downcast and the powerless among us, to the oppressed and the least throughout the world. If God is light, how are we reflecting it? The hope of theology is always that, like Moses, we may come down from the mountain glowing.

Chad's Comments:
I hope your Monday goes better than mine did last week. Banding together will help. Did you know that each of us creates his/her own gravity? That's right. And, when we get together, our own gravity does not increase, but our combined gravity does. We have a greater 'reach' when we are together.

Happy Monday!

Friday, April 25, 2008

The Church of Negativity - byJill Carattini

- Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16)

- For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:19-20)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
In his sermon "The Weight of Glory," C.S. Lewis took note of a subtle shift in the language of his day, which he felt was the first detour in a road leading far away from Christ. Writes Lewis, "If you asked twenty good men today what they thought the highest of the virtues, nineteen of them would reply, Unselfishness. But if you had asked almost any of the great Christians of old, he would have replied, Love. You see what has happened? A negative term has been substituted for a positive, and this is of more than philosophical importance."(1) He goes on to explain the ideologies that grow out of subtle shifts of language. The positive answer requires a perspective that looks outward at others--those who are the recipients of the virtue or else the one from whom this virtue arises in the first place--whereas the negative virtue shows that our concern is primarily with ourselves--our own self-denial--and hence the appearance of good virtue. To this Lewis notes, "The New Testament has lots to say about self-denial, but not about self-denial as an end in itself." To put this in terms for the subject at hand: Scripture has lots to say about what is wrong with the world. But thankfully, this is never the end of the sermon. (And of course, both the Old and New Testaments have a lot to say about complaining.)

Chad's Comments:
Today's devotion was very poignant for me as I was considering writing a review of the movie Expelled - no Intelligence Allowed. When I first realized the movie was coming, I was very excited and was hoping to see several people attend. However, my viewpoint changed slightly when I hear an interview with Ben Stein and a prominent Christian radio host. I identified with the thoughts of the host, but I could easily see that it seemed a pity party of complaint that they were not 'getting their way.' (Similar to the idea of focusing on the negative as today's devotion talked about) Regardless, I was still excited to see the movie and I have high hopes for its impact on the mindset of what I see as a closed minded academia. I was rather disapointed to see that only a few people attended the show. I assumed that most of the people attending the showing were ID'ers and it felt a little like a small group church meeting rather than a full blown theater presentation.

Nonetheless, the documentary was very insightful. It exposed the biases on both sides of the debate and showed very well that worldview plays a high role in interpreting the evidence.

I was a little uneasy with the demeaning caricature of Richard Dawkins and I don't think that making fun of him will help him find God. But it was neat to see Mr. Dawkins, who seems to claim reason and logic as the tellers of all truth, to use an illogical argument to back up his position. When faced with the idea of the origin of life, Dawkins reiterates Sir Francis Crick's idea of directed Panspermia - the idea that all 'sperm' was directed from some life on some other planet far in the universe. Of course, if pressed to find out where this life came from, I'm sure it would have been from some other more intelligent life, far out in the universe and on and on. This illogical argument is called an infinite regress and is not reasonable, logical or scientific. Dawkins seems fully ready to believe that little green men planted us here and possibly is an ID'er himself in this sense.

Michael Shirmer, head of the skeptics society, was in the film as well as many prominent speakers of Evolution and ID.

I grew a little tired of the 'black and white throwback' scenes, but overall I felt like the movie was a good watch and should prove interesting and mind opening to even the most ardent of skeptics.

A word of caution: The movie shows a logical connection between 'particles-to-people' evolution and the extremism of inhumane actions such as eugenics. While I do believe this to be a great movie for people of any mindset to see, I also realize the danger of crass argumentation and I know first hand conviction that is not undergirded in love can be repulsive. I fear that such argumentation can draw a line in the sand and put people on an either or scenario which may drive them away from God rather than enjoin them to pursue His goodness. So, I point you back to today's RZIM discussion and beg you to find Jesus at the center of your conversations. Let people see His true spirit living in you. In Love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

The Healing Fields - by Alison Thomas

- For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:15-17)

- For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
We cannot deny the reality of evil all around us inflicted by the pimps and Pol Pots of the world. Nor can we deny the fair share of shortcomings each one of us has to contribute; all of us have a ransom to pay of our own.... Because Christ paid our ransom with his life, we can tenderly approach God and call him “Abba.” Because of Christ, we have the ultimate model and source to create healing fields of our own.

Chad's Comments:
The words 'ultimate model' and 'source' stand out for me as Christ enjoins me to follow Him. I remember hearing someone describe Mel Gibson's movie, 'the Passion of the Christ' as, "man's inhumanity to man". I contrast this and look at the Passion of our Lord as an Example. May we each find ways of lifting each other up. And even when someone doesn't fit the mold of your normal relationship, strive to serve them.

Expelled the Movie: Anyone in Colorado Springs who would like to join us, we are going to the Chapel Hills mall theater tonight to watch Ben Stein's documentary. We are meeting at the food court at 6:45 and then watching the 7:45 showing. Please feel welcome to join us. Hopefully a review of the film will be forthcoming.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Remaining Awake - by Jill Carattini

- And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, (Luke 16:20)

- And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. (Luke 16:24-25

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
For Christ’s is a theology that is far from assuming God’s only concern for humanity is that we make it to eternity. As Nicholas Wolterstorff writes, “God’s love of justice is grounded in God’s longing for the complete shalom of God’s creatures and in God’s sorrow over its absence.”(2) And so, the kingdom we discover in the proclamations of Jesus is one that turns social norms, status, and hierarchies upside down, one that reminds us that the beggar Lazarus has a name, a place, and a value beyond the one we may have given him. The words and actions of Christ call us to take seriously the world in front of us, because in fact, it matters deeply.

Chad's Comments:
I think I often miss out on serving others because I am too worried about being right or being on time. I am a people pleaser, and always wanting to keep my word. Perhaps, if I would promise less, I would have more time to serve when the opportunity arises.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Incongruity Theory of Faith - by Margaret Manning

- Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.”
But the Lord said, “No, you did laugh.” (Genesis 18:11-15)

- It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed^[a] that God would keep his promise (Hebrews 11:11)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Sarah’s story shows us that the laughter of faith is the laughter of incongruity. But ultimately, like Sarah and Abraham, real faith casts us wholeheartedly upon the God who is free to act and to do as God wants, in God’s time, and in God’s way. Faith is the ability to answer “yes” to the God for whom nothing is impossible, even when our lives tell us the answer is “no.” More than this, faith is not dependent on us but is rooted in the God who time and time again proves faithful. The apostle Paul affirms this idea as he re-tells the Abraham and Sarah story in his letter to the Romans:

“That promise God gave Abraham and Sarah...was not given because of something they did or didn’t do....[I]t was based on God’s decision to put everything together for them. As we throw open our doors to God, we discover at the same moment that God has already thrown open the door for us.” (Romans 4 as paraphrased in 'The Message')

Monday, April 21, 2008

Puddles, Rivers and Waterfalls - by Jill Carattini

- Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me.
Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! (Psalm 57: 1-3)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
The transformation in the men of the prison was so thoroughly unlike the world they were forced to live in that one could argue it was more like a waterfall defying gravity and moving upstream than a puddle naturally fitting into the crevice that holds it. The sacrifice of one innocent man can reverse the flow of history. Perhaps the kingdom of God is indeed among us, a spring of living water in a dry and weary land.

Chad's comments:
I have devoted much time in attempting to battle such voices as those from militant atheism such as Richad Dawkins. One very significant conclusion that I have thus far come to is that the fine sounding arguments against Christ often fall drastically short of reality. When I read such arguments as 'wars in the name of God' and hypocrisy amongst believers, I must pause and see what reality actually tells me. Yes, religious wars are a black eye for the church and yes, often we are hypocrites, but these issues are not what Christ actually calls us to and there is a chasm that these arguments can't bridge. Perhaps books about how bad Christians are should become a call for us to be more Christ like; to truly love your neighbor as yourself. Perhaps when we lay down our life for Richard Dawkins, he may see the architect behind his will.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Good Theology - by Jill Carattini

- If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans10:9-10)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
God has given us a lifetime to explore the immensity of his love, the truth of his sovereignty, the vastness of holiness. But that you and I can approach God as Father, Christ as Son, and the Spirit as Comforter not only gives life inherent worth and meaning, it invites a relationship with the only one in whom we can say in life and in death, “It is well with my soul.”

Chad's comments:
A portion of today's reading made me pause and wonder if I agreed with the author. "Indeed, as good theology is the best answer to life’s crises..." Good Theology? I have to wonder if 'good theology' helps a cancer sufferer or a parent grieving the loss of a child. I'm not sure that my study of God would help me in a time such as this. But I am sure that my 'relationship' with God is what would help me because it is what I have clung to in the past. Maybe we're just mixing up words here and getting confused by the language. For the author does seem redeemed in this quote:

"Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed his own blood for my soul."

Please lift up my friend Wolfgang's son, Zak. Zak is needing a supernatural healing in his back and we are desiring to see this. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Honoring the Host - by Alison Thomas

- Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. (3 John 1:5-8)

- "For where two or three gather together as my followers,^[a] I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
The apostle John wrote his third letter specifically for a dear friend of his named Gaius. John wanted to commend Gaius for opening up his home to house, feed, and encourage traveling ministers. At that time, many prophets, missionaries, and teachers would travel from place to place to help set up new congregations. While John wrote his second letter to emphasize the importance of refusing hospitality to false teachers, his third letter focuses on the importance of extending it to true ones. John contrasts the hospitable behavior of Gaius with the callous behavior of a man named Diotrephes. Diotrephes was a controlling leader within the church who refused to welcome traveling Christians into his home and would force out any members of the church who were caught helping them. John urges Gaius to avoid being influenced by such behavior. Welcoming others is about more than just hospitality; it is about receiving others in the same manner that we have been received by Christ.

Chad's comments:
I am thankful that this has been modeled for me in my childhood. I remember occasions when our church would bring in singers and preachers whom mom and dad would invite into our home. One singer in particular I became very fond of, he was a white haired, white-bearded gentleman who sung songs that to my recolection would be like a Christian box car willie. For me, it was one way of feeling appreciated by my elders; a reinforcement of belonging - both to my Christian heritage and to the larger church. If you have the opportunity to love on such members of the church as the itinerant speakers/teachers/prophets and singers who come your way, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take them into your home.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The Lift of Remembrance - by Jill Carattini

- For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-36)

- Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:49)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Our remembrance of Christ lifts us similarly, though with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is a far more profound ascending. When we remember Christ in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, we remember the last meal shared with the disciples in the upper room; we remember the death of Christ and his path to the Cross; we remember these events in such a way that we are carried beyond our present lives to the events that changed all of history. But far more than this, we are also lifted to the ascended Christ as he sits today at the right hand of the Father--resurrected, living, and present. In this sense, it is far more than a static memory of a grandparent in history or a friend whose life was cut short. We are lifted by the Spirit as we remember the one who stands with us today--here and now in the kingdom he died to proclaim. In this memory, we are further united with Christ as adopted sons and daughters. In his presence, we are taught some of the glorious things our present distractions would have us to forget, and some of the difficult things we are asked to endure, though at the side of the one who endured the most. We remember Christ, and we remember who we are.

Chad's comments:
Remembering who we are: We are chosen, forgiven, broken and sent. It is a difficult task to wade through the merkyness of all that would attempt to define us today. From Oprah to National Geographic, there are continual mixed messages that at the heart define our being as something less than true. May we find the courage to center ourselves on Christ; knowing that we are not orphans in this universe; some cosmic accident of matter plus time plus chance. Rather, we are sons and daughters of the living God. Created to love God and our neighbor as ourself. We belong to the Good Sheppard.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Consuming Church - by Margaret Manning

Matthew 5:44, 6:19, 24, 7:1; Mark 2:17, 8:34; Luke 12:15; John 6:53-68

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
If Jesus himself were here today preaching the gospel, how might we evaluate the packaging?

Chad's comments:

The Real Jesus video

* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

Monday, April 14, 2008

Good Day Cougars! I haven't received the latest 'slice' yet this morning. So I'm sending out a quick note of encouragement to you.

In today's LIFE-Devotions, Sister Francelle wrote: Dearest Ones, When you live for others, God makes you happy. Love is always active. You can't hide it....one can't have love without showing it. Love is not a feeling, it is a decision. Feelings come and go. Pornography is a sin in the mind. People rationalize, saying, "I was just thinking about it, I didn't do it." We must remember that if an improper thought comes, it is a temptation, not a sin, but if we entertain it, keep holding on to it, it can become a sin. If one is constantly thinking, "What's in it for me? or "What about me?" - there will be constant friction in families. A saint once said, "The saddest thing to remember when we reach heaven will be all the times we had to have our own way." In God's love and mine, Sister Francelle

Have a wonderful day.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Divinity and Dirty Hands by Jill Carattini

- When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.^[a] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
(1 Corinthians 13:11-12)

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
(1 Peter 2:2-3)

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
(Matthew 18:3)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Here, I cannot help but wonder how much of life we forego as we misplace the instinct of getting our hands dirty, and instead learn to perceive the world in detached and more acceptable ways. I believe the same can said of faith. Have we not missed out on things of the kingdom, things of God and of Christ, because we have ossified faith into something that only touches spirit or mind, and not hands, feet, and body? Have we not failed to move farther up and further into the kingdom because we see this kingdom as something distant--a future hope for a future life--instead of something dynamically here and among us, calling us to a fully-engaged, hands-dirtying existence?

Chad's comments: Welcome to the group, Mike Krueger. Mike works for a TV station and is our sales rep. He is endeavoring to minister to a culture that doesn't relate to what you and I might call 'church'. Great to have you along Mike.

Is it not fun when you are reading a verse and then it pops up somewhere else? I was briefly reading from 1 Peter this morning and happened to have just read 2:2-3 prior to opening today's slice. So, I will focus on that today. I am crying out for the nourishment of pure spiritual milk, but do I really take the time to open the refrigerator and take a drink of it? - Occasionally, but rarely. Do you know that if you ever see a Muslim with a bruise on their forehead, it is likely taken as a sign that they pray a lot (typically, Muslims will bow with their head to the ground, from what I understand) I know this could be taken as 'showy' and we must be ever careful of this, but is there possibly something we all need to learn from them?

And what is this 'full experience of salvation'? Perhaps you intellectuals can bring this down to something the rest of us can wrap our minds around. How bout it David, John, Brian, Marty, Pat?

Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Chosen - by Stuart McAllister

- God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

A Slice of Infinity snippets: To be a follower of Christ demands independent and courageous thinking and acting. It is often to go against the flow, to stand in an opposing manner, to resist what is the wisdom of the crowd. Paul's reminder of the basis upon which God chooses should disabuse us of our self-elevation. For God’s choosing is not based on our credentials or qualifications but solely and centrally on Christ's. Hence, as Francis Schaeffer used to say, "There are no little people" in God's eyes. We are all sinners saved by and dependent on grace. Thus, we must constantly lay hold of what has been done for us and learn to rest in God’s provision, wisdom, and care. We can also rejoice that even today God deliberately, with full knowledge, and real intention, chooses the unlikely, the outcast, and the least, overturning titles of power, success, and wisdom in a world with very different scales.

Chad's comments: Yes, the world around us has different scales. It seems that the way most people measure progress in their lives is through money, fame or happiness. The independent and courageous thinking and acting that we may be called to seems elusive in many instances. Are we standing out from the crowd because we are self-righteous? Thanking God that we are not like those around us? Or, are we standing out from the crowd because we belong to Jesus. Will people be attracted to my actions because I am doing what is righteous in my own eyes? Or, will people be attracted to the God who made me because they see His love, tenderness and mercy displayed in my life? "Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?" Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him. Acts 8:36-38 It may be the person you feel is 'unworthy' or the most 'unlikely' to receive the Love of God today!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

A Man of Sorrows - by Jill Carattini

- He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3 )

- Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)

- Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26)

A Slice of Infinity snippets: Perhaps those who mourn are called blessed because they are at this point closest to the deepest wound of the heart of God. Until every tear shall be wiped dry, we have before us the hopeful figure of the Man of Sorrows, who bore on his shoulders our grief and his own. "My son, my daughter, I know."

Chad's comments: In what ways have you mourned. Perhaps your own unique tears are exactly what your neighbor needs to hear.

Franciscan Benediction -
And May God bless us with just enough foolishness
To believe that we can make a difference in the world,
So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and all our neighbors who are poor.

* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The Landscape of Disruption - by Magaret Manning

- 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. (Acts 2:24)

36 "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!" (Acts 2:36)

A Slice of Infinity snippets: “Resurrection is a little unnerving, unsettling, because it basically goes against what we know, contradicts everything we take to be absolute about the nature of history and the reality in which we live. It’s a toppling of the earthly order, overthrowing familiarity. It doesn’t play according to the rules we accept as necessary. If the dead can come back to life...what does that mean about all the other realities, rules that order our lives, that we take for granted? [Resurrection]...is not everything you already know...it’s a whole different landscape.” - Author Debbie Blue. The disruption of the Resurrection alters everything, every vista, every horizon. Has it disrupted you?

Chad's comments: In todays Life-Devotions, my friend Rich highlighted how Stephen had been disrupted in such a way that caused him to ask for forgiveness of those who were stoning him. Can 'religion' cause us to cover our ears to the truth of God; as those stoning Stephen did? "But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him." (Acts 7:57-58) My dear friends, remember Jesus words to love God and Love your neighbor as yourself. I know this is difficult. Our neighbors are not like us. They have differing dreams and aspirations; different lifestyles and worldviews. But, would we throw stones at ourselves? Let us not rush at those who are different from us with our ears covered. But may we listen to them and care for them - displaying the love of Christ in their lives.

Franciscan Benediction -
May God bless us with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

Monday, April 7, 2008

The Bookseller's memory - Jill Carattini

- "The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book." (John 20:30)

- "Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25)

A Slice of Infinity snippets: There were more stories to tell, other encounters to hear about, lives still unfolding at the hands of Christ... Christ is both present and coming, calling us further up and farther in to his kingdom. The thoughts of God are well beyond our own. All of creation declares the glory and power of its creator.

Chad's comments: I remember a conversation I once had regarding the need for greater exploration in the education of our youth. (Shannon -as an educator, perhaps you can comment on this) My point was that there seems to be so much 'openness' to new ideas in higher education and much 'dogmatic' teaching in the entry levels. My thoughts were that this is a bit backwards. In other words, if we were to let our young children explore ideas early, then they can fail early while we are still around to catch them. Perhaps then, when they reach the levels of higher education, there would be less drifting and we would be able to move forward. (as a side note, isn't it interesting that in most college campuses today there is a keen sense that you cannot really learn anything) Personally, I am attempting to return to a child like faith. One where imagination and exploration are enjoyable rather than dogmatically forbidden. It is in this that I hope to find the real Jesus.

Reaching Out Focus: Communicate from the position of minority - because, as Christians, we are in a minority.

Franciscan Benediction -
May God bless us with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God's creations
So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

Friday, April 4, 2008

Reading Between the Lines - Jill Carattini

- "Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see" (Hebrews 11:1)

- "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1).

A Slice of Infinity snippets: "From Noah and Abraham, to Rahab and saints left unnamed, we find faith moving across the pages of history, the gift of God sparkling in the eyes of the faithful, the hope by which countless lives were guided. In this brief gathering of biographies, the writer seems to tell us that faith is understood functionally as much as philosophically, and that our own faith is more fully understood by looking at the lives of the faithful. For in between the lines that describe faithful men and women is the God who makes faith possible in the first place."

Chad's comments: When I look at my Grandfather, Dale, I see a continual pressing on. A perseverance through rough times and a steady, strong will. My Dad has always pushed me to ask the tough questions of my mentors and my mom has always enjoined me to trust God. I am very thankful for the example of the faithful that have gone before me. Without these examples of faith, I could be floundering about in a sea of unwillingness to accountability and responsibility. Ask yourself, 'who have been faithful witnesses in my life?' and 'How might I be a faithful witnesses today?' Ask God to show you whom He wants you to be in relationship with today.

If you are sitting in a coffee shop by yourself and you feel God impresses on you to purchase a cup of coffee for a total stranger, will you do it? What will you say to the stranger when they ask you why you did it? Perhaps you would simply say, "God told me he wanted me to buy you that cup of coffee." And when they ask you what you want, you can say, "nothing, enjoy your coffee."

Franciscan Benediction -
May God bless us with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that we may live from deep within our hearts.

* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Giving and Taking What is God's - Ravi Zacharias

- When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 1:8)

A Slice of Infinity snippets: "...giving all that is your best to God is worship at its core. This cannot be done without the sacrifice of the acclaim and adulation of the world. If we were to only pause for a few moments and take stock, we would see how close we all come to sacrilege each day. Do we give God the best of our time? Do we give God the best of our energies? Do we give God the best of our thinking? Do we give God the best of our wealth? Do we give God the best of our dreams and plans? Or does the world get our best and God merely gets the leftovers?"

Chad's comments: I remember a similar experience to Ravi's when, as a child of somewhere around 11 or 12, I drank some of the grape juice that was stored in the church refrigerator; unlike Ravi, however, the preacher didn't catch me. I felt guilty when I found out what the juice was for. Looking back, I should have felt guilty simply because the juice wasn't mine to take. But I do remember it tasted really good. (Doesn't sin always taste so good at first?)

It is a daily struggle to put God first and give Him the best of everything. I am such a selfish person. I want what is most pleasing to me at all times. I want to be happy, wealthy and wise. Often, this type of pursuit leaves me angry, unsatisfied and helpless.

Quote from today's Life-Devotions: "Preach the Gospel. And if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi

* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com
* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

The Body of Christ - Jill Carattini

- He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; (Acts 1:3-4)

- and said,^(A) "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,^(B) will^(C) come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)

A Slice of Infinity snippets: “It is no small promise that Christ came as a body, was wounded as a body, and now sits as a real and living body in heaven, until the day he will return and wipe every tear from our eyes. The ascended body of Christ represents something more fully human, more real than ourselves, and it is this reality he lifts us toward, transforms us into, and advocates on our behalf. Our union with Christ and communion with the Trinity add a certain and heavenly dimension to our lives; and it is indeed one that correctly and profoundly orients us here and now, in real bodies, to the world around us."

Chad's comments: The 'Theology of the Body' is a term that Pope John Paul II used in a description of one of his defining works. I attended a 'Theology of the Body' talk by Christopher West at a local Catholic church via invite from my brother in Christ, Pat. There were many Protestants in the audience and the talk was extremely interesting as Christopher examined what a 'Theology of the Body' looks like. What I remember in brief was this - A beautiful picture of two naked people in the garden of eden, unashamed and 'good' in every sense. The picture was then crumpled up in a ball and thrown in the trash as something we should not look at. Next, some brave person, namely Hue Heffner, took the crumpled paper, unfolded it and forced the dirty, crumpled paper in our faces. ( - Perhaps Dr. Castle can expound on this for us as I'm sure I'm missing many great points. ) As we search to answer the question of what REAL relationship with the God who made us looks like, let us realize that our culture attempts to define us in many facets. But, our True identity comes from our Holy Father. Live in the identity that God gives you and those around you will see and know that He is Lord!

* Post your stories of God's intervention on the blog .
* Look for ways to share Awe and Wonder with children - leave suggestions at CougarsDaily.blogspot.com

* Make Space for unbelievers in your life.
* Consider joining Life-Devotions (a group of about 100 catholics and protestants sharing their faith through daily devotions and discussion - strong pro Life content)
* Voice of the Martyrs

WHY