Proper Fear - by Margaret Manning

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:16-19 NLT

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 ESV

Slice of Infinity Snippets:
“Afraid of burning? Apply Son-screen.” “How will you spend eternity: Smoking or Non-Smoking?” “Life is Hard. Afterlife is Harder!” “WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning!”

...the fear of God is quite different from being afraid. Actually, the fear of the Lord is a component of faith; it arises from knowledge of God and from within the context of relationship with God.

I suspect the motivation (in the slogans above), even if unintentional, is to make people afraid of God so that they will turn to God and be spared. But here I believe we confuse God’s judgment with punishment. Often, we want to punish others, or we have misplaced the desire to see others punished for a sense of justice. In contrast, the desire for justice is the desire to see things put right, made right by God. As Jesus prayed, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is a prayer for God’s justice to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Rather than using an apologetic of fear and bidding the world to see all that is fearfully wrong, we are instead exhorted in Scripture to proclaim all that God has set right in Jesus Christ:

Interestingly enough, more than any other command in Scripture, we are commanded to “fear not,” “do not be afraid.” ... So why do we want to use fear to try to persuade others of the good news of the gospel? Does fear have any place in the gospel message? In Jesus’s teaching and message, he reserved his warnings of judgment for those who considered themselves in the “right” with God--those who defined their righteousness by their own merits. Jesus never used fear to convert sinners. Rather, Jesus extended hospitality to those who were on the outside. Indeed, in his message announcing “the kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and believe the gospel” Jesus extends an invitation, not an ultimatum driven by fear. It is an invitation to enter into the kingdom by following him--his way, his life. In the same way, our Christian apologetic must be invitational, as though God were entreating through us: “We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”...

Author Scott Bader-Saye comments that fear twists virtue into vice. Fear motivated by a lack of love pursues punishment. When we are detached from love, we preach messages that are built on fear. But those who preach Christ motivated by love, cast out all fear. When motivated by love, we become ambassadors of reconciliation reaching out with faith and not with fear, winning the lost with the hope that God has first loved us.

Comments: A few things stood out to me in today's reading: that we are to implore (beg) others to be reconciled to God and that our apologetic (rational faith sharing) must be invitational. As I pursue REAL relationship with people who do not call Jesus friend, I pray that I am transparent about my fears, pains and losses. I have never been one to journal, nevertheless I want to remember difficult times in my life that I can share. Many of you have known me for a long time. Please do not hesitate to share your memories of difficult times where I was involved. I remember mom's scare with breast cancer, Darrell Meece moving from this world to be with God and my wife's battle with depression during her immense sickness from pregnancy with our daughter. Help me remember pain/suffering in my life so that these times may benefit those whom God entrusts to me; I implore you.

May we all be transparent as we invite our friends to be reconciled to God. We may run into many people today who say they do not believe in God; but I doubt you will meet anyone who says they do not believe in pain.

Faith Quote (shared by Pat): "Do you realize that your imagination of the future, which is almost always dictated by fear of some kind, rarely, if ever, pictures me there with you? The person who lives by fears, especially the projection of those into the future, will not find freedom in my love." God speaking in fictional book "The Shack" by William P. Young

Where, Why, Who? by Stuart McAllister

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,”- 1 Peter 3:18

Slice of Infinity Snippets:
The biblical vision captured in the Westminster Confession in 1646 claims: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." To most modern people, the chief end of life is to provide freedom and as much pleasure as we can get forever. Interestingly, as we look back through the history of ideas, the question, "Where is God when it hurts" was not asked before the 17th century. The inquiry has a late pedigree in our making man the center and measure of all things in our considerations.

Yet the Bible clears up any ambiguity about who we are, who God is, what is wrong with the world, and what can be done. The possibility of freely chosen love means allowing conditions that permit freely chosen rejection, evil, or alternatives. Our lack of interest in God and our self-assured confidence excludes any normal or routine reflection on life. For many of us, pain is the very platform from which the imperative questions of life are asked and answered. C.S. Lewis put it this way, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

The question of God’s presence in the midst of evil is answered in the silhouette at the heart of a different question: Where was God at the crux of human history? As the disciples’ gazed at the Cross, their expectations were dashed, their hopes shattered, and they could not see God in the midst of the turning point of history. But at the Cross, what men at first could not see was the very triumph of good over evil.

Comments: Yesterday I saw a sign on a church that put many anti-theist arguments in a category for me. I think the next time I hear some argument from an atheist, I will likely pull out this perspective to analyze the comment: Our perspective as people is to use God. However, the reverse is actually the case; God uses people.

Prayer Request: John Harrinigton (fellow Cougar-he came up with the name COUGARS) had the first of two rounds of knee surgery yesterday. The surgery went well. Pray for John's complete healing and for encouragement of his heart/mind. Pray for his wife, Shannon, as she takes on extra duties while John is rehabilitating.

Fauth Quote: shared by Pat Castle on Life-Devotions: "For love. He chose the way of the cross where mercy triumphs over justice because of love." from fictional book The Shack by William P. Young

Surprised by Suffering by Jill Carattini

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

“we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. ” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NASV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ” 1 Peter 4:12-13 NASV

Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Mark Twain once said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect.” For those of us who live the faith we profess without challenge, trial, or risk, reflection may well be appropriate. Is it possible that we have so shut ourselves up in Christian circles that we have closed ourselves off from the unbelieving world and hence any chance of suffering for Christ? Is it possible that we are so at ease among the majority that we avoid venturing out as the minority among those who might hate or hurt us? Certainly we experience hostility and persecution indirectly; Bill Maher’s new film Religulous is one example among many. But how we are personally interacting with the angry, the lost, and the broken masses Jesus once wept over is another thing entirely. How effectively we live as “the salt of the earth” that Jesus described depends on our place and posture within it. Surely salt that remains content within the shaker has lost its saltiness.

The struggles of Christian students on university campuses, the sufferings of Christian aid workers across the world, and the daily trials of believers who live courageously in dangerous places are stories that frighten and sadden us. They are also stories that depict what can happen when the salt of the kingdom is allowed to season the earth. Gayle Williams is said to have been the hand of Christ among some of the world’s most forgotten. “Remember the words I spoke to you,” said Jesus to his disciples. “‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). And then he was led away like a sheep to the slaughter.

Prayer Request: Kathy Curtis enters her first Chemotherapy today. Please lift up Kathy for Strength, her husband Mike for courage and faith and her Children, Scott, Brian, Angela and Tammy for Faith.

Daily Audio Bible: For those of you with iPod's and other MP3 players, I want to encourage you to take a look at Daily Audio Bible dot com. I listen to the Word regularly through this group and I really enjoy it. They have started what is called the Wind Farm Prayer Initiative and will host a world wide prayer for the elections starting at 8p (Mountain Time) November 3rd. This will last two hours and we will be able to hear/see/participate in the prayers being lifted up. I would like to have a small group meet at my home for this prayer as well as see COUGAR cell groups around the country join this initiative. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Outreach: As the cold sets in, homeless are in more need of warmth. If you can spare any coats/blankets, please get them to me for distribution through the street church.

Let's invite more people to join the COUGARS group. Drop me their email address and I can send them a teaser.

May your day be filled with lasting memories,
Chad

Memorials of Faith or Fear? by Margaret Manning

Take approximately 5 minutes to read this shortened version of yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Post comments to the blog for spiritual collaboration. Please email your prayer requests too.

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:18

...In some ways, a culture of fear invaded our nation on 9/11, just as it often invades my heart. Even as I write this, fears over our economy loom large as investment banks fold and the stock market declines. There are always fears, but as people of Christian faith, what do our fears say of our witness in this world? What do they say about what we love and value? Do our lives memorialize what we are afraid of, rather than giving witness to the God who tells us “fear not”? Oh, fear is real--there are always situations, issues, and trends that keep us awake at night. The issue is not the absence of fear, but whether or not our posture toward our world is one that memorializes fear or faith. Memorials are not built to help us hang on to fear. Rather, they remind us of what or who we love. The epistle of John encourages us to build a memorial of faith: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). As we think about this kind of love, may our own hearts be filled to overflowing with faith that conquers our fears.

Comments: Last week our fellow COUGAR, Pat Castle, heard the news that his family had been in a car accident. Brian Curtis, a fellow Cougar, has a mom with cancer. Across our world, child trafficking is an epidemic. I cannot think of three things that would cause more fear in my life than those listed above.

I used to think that the opposite of love was hate. Nonetheless, today's verse speaks to the idea that the opposite of love is fear.

How can I develop such a perfect love for God and for my brothers and sisters that I do not fear, cancer, abduction and pain? I think the answer lies in our closeness to God Himself. If we can hear God speak to us, and if we love and trust His decisions, how could we fear?

For why fear man who can only kill the body? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

I am almost finished with William P. Young's book, 'The Shack'. It is a compelling read and a roller coaster of fear/anger/trust. It is a novel, not a theological text, but I do highly recommend reading it. I think it is something that would be worthwhile purchasing several copies and giving them out.

Love you in Christ,
Chad

Draw Me Near by Jill Carattini

Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of The previous day's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:25)

Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8)

A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
In The Problem with Pain, C.S. Lewis refers to pain as God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world. Convincingly, he explains what we know to be true of suffering, pain, and evil, what we know of the meaning offered in Christ's suffering and the strength we are given to bear it when the peripheral questions of life are answered by a good God. Years later, in the pages of A Grief Observed, Lewis describes watching his wife lose her battle with cancer and wrestling with God through the pain. He is then writing as a man who bitterly, tortuously, and intimately knows what he knows to be true of God and evil, suffering and Christ though his soul is breaking. Writes Lewis, "Your bid for God or no God, for a good God or the Cosmic Sadist, for eternal life or nonentity, will not be serious if nothing much is staked on it. And you will never discover how serious it was until the stakes are raised horribly high." He continues, "Nothing will shake a man--or at any rate a man like me--out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself."

Comments:
Have you ever wondered what someone might do to scare Lazarus after Jesus raised him? I.E. "Hey Lazarus, you better do this or I'm going to kill you."



*The Street Church is in need of donations for the homeless - summer clothing like shorts and t-shirts as well as back packs are greatly appreciated.
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Beauty in Brokenness by Margaret Manning

Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of The previous day's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.

Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave,
Your faithfulness in Abaddon?
Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? (Psalm 88:11-12)

(Psalm 139)


(Isaiah 61:3, 45:3)

A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary, considered his cancer a "calling" and in a recent article written in Christianity Today said, "We are fallen. We are imperfect. Our bodies give out. But despite this--because of it-–God offers the possibility of salvation and grace."(1) That possibility of salvation and grace is beauty in brokenness.

Somehow, uniquely, God desires to use those difficult moments of our lives to bring forth something extraordinarily beautiful. Even the natural creation attests to this truth. In fall, we marvel at the gorgeous, lush colors of burnt amber, burnished orange, brilliant red, and bright yellow leaves, even as that beauty belies the slow and gradual death of those leaves. Winter buries those leaves under the cold, dark blanket of snow and frost. And yet, death brings forth life. Spring bursts forth year after year with jonquils, iris, lilies, and all the beautiful pastels of new life.

... so often, that face of Christ is demonstrated with beautiful radiance through the broken and dark places in our lives.

Today, if you are experiencing hardship, difficulty or personal darkness, seek the light and beauty of Christ, for he longs to be present to you, to give you a garland of beauty instead of ashes, to call you by name, and to bring forth treasures of darkness. He is there in the brokenness with you.

Comments:
Often the subject of pain and suffering is brought up when discussing God's existence. Let us not forget that God suffered the ultimate in the death of a child. May we understand that our God is not one who is 'above' suffering, but is the suffering servant we cling to.

Please remember my mom's sister, Barbara today. She has gotten out of a 5 day rehab and gone deeper into her alcohol abuse. Please pray for her to receive light in her darkness and for her husband and sisters (4) to have strength, courage, wisdom and peace.

*The Street Church is in need of donations for the homeless - summer clothing like shorts and t-shirts as well as back packs are greatly appreciated.
*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
*Check out Life Devotions and see if you would like to receive their daily snippets.
*Invite friends and family to join us on this faith journey.

The Cross of the Moment by Jill Carattini

Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of The previous day's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (John 5:1-8)

A Slice of Infinity Snippets:
Where Christ asks “Do you want to be well?” it is possible he may also be asking, Do you prefer your pain to the possibility of change? Do you want more to see the miracle accomplished your way then to see it accomplished at all? Indeed, do you really want the thing you say you long for? His questions gently pierce the heart of the human condition we all share, bidding us to receive the very thing we ask from the only one capable of giving it.

Where we seek meaning, are we willing to be changed by that meaning? Where we seek help, are we willing to receive instruction? Where we seek healing, are we willing to be transformed? Where we seek true community, are we willing to relinquish autonomy? Where we seek understanding, are we wiling to climb the cross of the moment and let our illusions die?

To every cry of every heart, Christ calls out, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The question he asks as we walk forward is “Do you really want to be well?”

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Apologetics Between Shadow and Reality by Jill Carattini

Take about 5 minutes to read this snippets version of Yesterday's 'A Slice of Infinity'. Follow up by reading TODAY'S SLICE and forward any comments on your faith journey.

PRAISE GOD AND TGIF

- One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." (Luke 5:17-26)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Unless we understand a person’s pain we will never understand a person’s soul.

Chad's Comments:
If you can find a persons greatest pain, you will likely find what they fear the most. If we can develop a relationship with someone, deep enough to personally touch that point of pain, we can minister to their soul.

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Jesus and the Resurrection of Hope by Jill Carattini

-So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick." (John 11:3)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
... There is something about suffering and despair that brings us to strain our ears for the voice of God. Where we have written God off as silent, where we have lived with the suspicion of a distant or demanding ruler, there is a compulsion within our pain that forces us to listen. There is an image of Christ who carried the same burden. And it is met with the promise of one who speaks: This sickness will not end in death.

Chad's Comments:
I sometimes wonder about praying that a loved one would suffer - so that they might turn to God.

After I wrote the above sentence, I checked my email and received the following video from Shannon (my sister-in-law and a COUGAR). I think it embodies what COUGARS is all about!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

COUGARS' NeighborDAy weekend: We are able to love and minister to our hurting neighbors simply because we invite them over for dinner. Pick a weekend in June or July and share your story on the blog.

Prayer requests: (Please email us and share yours)
Please continue to lift up Elaine's family, My neighbor Gerry and his wife Terri and my aunt Barbara who struggles with depression and alcoholism.

* The Street Church still needs volunteers and donations. (there are very few washers and dryers available for the homeless. So, even though they may not need coats, they will wear a shirt until it is really ragged and smelly, then simply throw it away. Clothing donations in the summer are strongly encouraged.

*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
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*Invite friends and family to join us on this faith journey.

As One Having Authority by Margaret Manning

Read 'A Slice of Infinity' each day and email Chad with your comments/experience/prayers etc. This ~5 minute recap, called 'COUGARS Daily' contains snippets from the previous day's A Slice of Infinity as well as comments from you.

- And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

- And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" (Matthew 8:27)


A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Indeed, the miracles that Jesus performed demonstrated the rule of God itself, and further, that the rule of God was going out to all who relied on Jesus. Jesus was not simply acting for God, but acting with God in such a way as to demonstrate that the Kingdom had come and had come with power and authority. Jesus’s words and his deeds bore out this kingdom reality--“and the multitudes were amazed.”

And we, too, are amazed. As we place our trust in God by following Jesus, we experience the rule of God in our lives and we experience something of that authority. The original language indicates that this authority gives us the capability or liberty to enter into God’s rule more fully and more deeply than we ever thought possible. Entering into God’s rule is about entering into Kingdom living, as first demonstrated by Jesus. As we enter through those doors, we are free to live out our lives in the mode or authority of the Kingdom. Accordingly, we too can bring healing, call powers and principalities to justice, bring order to chaos, and new life to what was dead.

This is what it means to have authority. It is not to live as an overlord or a dictator, but as one whose identity is so taken up into the life of God that one bears the imprimatur of the King. Thus, marked with Kingdom authority, we are freed to live in ways that reveal God’s reign.

Chad's Comments: I found it no coincidence that this reading is speaking of the Authority of Jesus to heal. Yesterday evening, Wolfgang (Wolf is the father of Zak, the young man we prayed for at our home who has severe scoliosis - such that he is only able to use about 25% lung capacity) and I talked about the healing services going on in Lakeland, Florida. Wolfgang had heard of this event from several people and has much confirmation that God is on the move in Lakeland. Even such that some from other countries whom have been to the services have went home and are seeing healings taking place there as well. Wolfgang is trying to decipher God's will in whether God would have him take Zak to the meetings to be healed of God. I told 'Chamo' (Wolfgang) that I would pray about it last night and this morning. Now, despite my desire, I really don't spend as much time in prayer as some may think. Actually, only a few minutes last night and again some thoughts about it this morning. Then, I read 'A Slice of Infinity' and thought that it was no coincidence.

Let us truly enter into the Kingdom that is at Hand.

*To comment on this thread, visit the blog.
*Read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for
our next posting.
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* The Street Church still needs volunteers and donations.

What Lies Beneath by Stuart McAllistar

Take ~5 minutes to read this 'COUGARS Daily' which contains snippets from the previous day's A Slice of Infinity as well as comments from you. Read the 'Slice' each day and email Chad with your comments/experience/prayers etc.

- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
..the philosophy of life to which we hold will also shape the expectations we attach to the goods we purchase. Where our hearts are dictates the hope we have in our treasures. The words of Christ bid us to ask: what do my habits of consumption reveal about me? And if we see problems with what lies beneath, can it really be that another string of purchases will be the solution?

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Chad's Comments: When I read 'What Lies Beneath, I quickly began judging other people whom I think are materialists and comfort freaks. Knowing that despite the rising cost of fuel and the 'crunch' on global resources causes fighting amongst those who need it, I still ride around with my A/C on. Then I realized that when I prayed the "Our Father" this morning, I asked God to forgive my trespasses (something He can do) as I forgive those who trespass against me (something I can do). In the way that I am judging others, I myself will likely be judged. Lord, Help me to encourage my friends and family into loving relationships and please forgive my judgmental spirit.

Welcome two new participants: Jeff Gocking (a good friend from my college days - he actually finished =) ) and Uncle J (Kara's Uncle, a Catholic man who has felt and confirms the Holy Spirit working in his life)

Yesterday's posting of 'Let not your hearts be troubled' led Jay to share the following (thanks Jay for being so open to share your brokenness and your JOY!:
the story let not your heart be troubled hits home to me as it was just last labor day weekend that we lost my mother or rather she went with the lord that day,When she was told by the doctors that she could be kept alive on the c path machine which had he stressed out and vary uncomfortable to put in mildly asked her if she under stood and she nodded her head yes, i then asked her if she believed in Jesus ,again she shook her head yes ,and i told her if she took the mask off she would be with him that day ,A total look of relief over took her and she took the mask off and she became vary calm and was able to talk and asked for a coke and we had time to gather the entire family and one of her closet friends, plus the hospital minister, we all took turns telling her goodbye and prayed with her as she slipped away us to start her new life in heaven, but i remembered the ministers words today ,let not your hearts be troubled, for in my fathers house is many rooms, if it wasn't true i would not tell you this, p.s it was good for me right to tell this story even if i cried most of the way through it, not that my heart is troubled but for the glorious fat that awaited my mom and all that believe in him. God bless you all.

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Diagnosing Evil by Jill Carattini posted to RZIM on Wednesday, May 21st 2008

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

NOTE Format Change: As you might have noticed, there was no posting yesterday (Wednesday, May 21st) Occasionally, RZIM does not distribute 'A Slice of Infinity' prior to my going to work. It was recently suggested that we work one day behind. I think this is a good idea for a few reasons, including:
1. A selfish reason, I do not have to 'wait' in the mornings to get the post out
2. I would like to see COUGARS be a community with more input from everyone. Typically, we get very few comments; which is fine. I understand that some may not feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. However, if we can read 'A Slice of Infinity' on our own time during the day and intently follow up with our comments, perhaps we will have more diverse input.

So, from this point forward, I would like you to read 'A Slice of Infinity' on the day it comes out. You can sign up to receive it via email, or you can take the RSS feed on your web browser. Once you read it, I would like you to email me any of your thoughts and reflections. I will then combine the comments for the following days COUGARS snippets. As always, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

So, Here are the snippets from yesterday. Remember, this is one day back, so when you have time, read today's 'A Slice of Infinity' and then send me you comments. If you have comments about this particular post, please log in to the blog and post there.

- “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”- Galatians 5:13

A Slice of Infinity snippets:

..But there is also a danger in labeling evil without understanding our common and irrefutable need for God ourselves. When God is taken out of the picture, evil is misunderstood. Apart from God, evil becomes reasonable, mistaken for a euphemistic quality. You can be good simply for the sake of goodness; but you would not do something wrong simply because it is wrong, but because it was in some way satisfying or useful. Wickedness, Lewis reasoned, is the pursuit of some good in a wrong way. Apart from God, we may recognize the evil around us in terrorism and serial killing, and yet altogether fail to see the ugliness of our own pride or the ill motive of our own words.


Chad's Comments:
I am interested in this quote from Lewis, "wickedness is the pursuit some good in a wrong way". When I look back on things I've personally done, or look at things I might label as evil or bad by others, in the light of this being the pursuit of some good in a wrong way, I can begin to see that even in our wrong actions, we are looking for something good. I think it was again Lewis or maybe Pope John Paul (feel free to correct me) who said something like, 'any man who goes into a brothel is looking for God'.

Secondly, I'm feeling like sharing something from Meredith Rankin. Meredith is the cousin of Misty (one of our Cougars group) Meredith recently gave up the battle against colon cancer and is now with Jesus. As we look at the problem of pain and suffering, (some put evil in this category) we may raise the fairness question. When a person commits an 'evil' or 'bad' action/inaction, we might label them as evil. However, when suffering occurs, we begin to cry 'unfair'. Some anti-theists even go so far as to call God cruel or 'evil' Himself. Are we as creatures really able to posit that God is unfair? Can we as clay say to the potter, "hey, I don't want to be a vase". How much more our lives could be if we could simply meet our maker and have Him show us what we are really made for.

Is it fair that some people suffer from Aids and I don't? Is it fair that some people do not have homes and I do? Is it fair that some are riddled with disease and I am healthy? NO, its not fair. But I am saved by the grace of God through His son Jesus Christ our Lord, and that's not fair! - Meredith Rankin

Remember: to comment on this thread, visit the blog. Also, read today's slice and email me with your comments/questions/prayers for tomorrows post.

* Make Space for friends in your life. Enjoin them to belief.
* 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

The Last Enemy - by J.M. Njoroge

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

-But, as it is written,
"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9)

-When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
"Death is swallowed up in victory." (1 Corinthians 15:54)

A Slice of Infinity snippets:
...Far from being the accidental byproducts of a mindless collocation of atoms, we are indestructible beings whose spiritual radars, amidst much static noise, are attuned to our hearts’ true home.

Trouble begins, however, when we try to squeeze that eternal existence into our earthly lives in a manner that altogether denies our finite natures. We do so whenever we desensitize ourselves against the finality of death through repeated exposure to stage-managed destruction of human life through the media. Or we zealously seek ultimate fulfillment in such traitorous idols as pleasure, material wealth, professional success, power, and other means, without taking into account the fleeting nature of human existence...

the light of the Gospel shines an eternal perspective upon our service unto God and humanity, fusing all of our activities with significance. When the call of God has been answered, nothing that is done in obedience to Him is ever trivial. Thus even in the face of suffering and death, as a follower of Christ, I neither bury my head in the sand nor grope blindly in total darkness. With faithfulness and joy, I enthusiastically render service to my God,

And when my task on earth is done,
When by thy grace the victory's won,
Even death's cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.(1)

(1) From the 1862 hymn, He Leadeth Me, by Joseph Gilmore.


Chad's Comments:
Today is the government sanctioned, National Day of Prayer! Wow!
It is also the nationally recognized, Ascention Day.
Thank you for being a part of this group. Remember to invite your friends to join us and to join Life Devotions. Also, please leave suggestions any time.
I love each of you.

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

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

The Healing Fields - by Alison Thomas

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

- 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.

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)
* Voice of the Martyrs

A Man of Sorrows - 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

- 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.

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.

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

A Doubting Thomas - Alison Thomas

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

- "They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:25-27)


A Slice of Infinity snippets: "Jesus allowed Thomas the dignity of carrying his doubts to the very one who carried the Cross. He did not ask Thomas to bury his questions, but offered him the most convincing answer available--himself."

Chad's comments: I was learning from our pastor last night about journeying with people who do not have REAL relationship with Jesus Christ. He spoke of the fact that we would be asked questions that we simply cannot answer. And, that we should not attempt to answer questions which are meant to be answered by God. My path is often one of searching out the 'Truth' and giving an answer to questions asked. Perhaps, the 'Truth' is presenting Himself. Perhaps people will see the 'Truth' when I simply care for them. In other words, maybe an interaction may look like this:
(Friend): Why is God.....
(Me): I don't know, but I care about you.

OR

(Friend): What do you think God is...
(Me): I don't know, but I love you.

Obviously, you would not answer this way if you do not actually care for the person. This helps me see that their faith is not up to me. And it helps me realize that a persons greatest point of pain may be the very spot that God wants me to minister to.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me

* 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)

Via Dolorosa - Margaret Manning

Give yourself to God every morning when you wake. Have your way with me today oh Lord.

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

- "I am deeply grieved, to the point of death"
- If it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not as I will, but your will be done" (Matthew 26:36-46)


A Slice of Infinity snippets: "As I meditate on Jesus's passionate prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, his human agony and suffering on full display, I am reminded how often we followers of Jesus also long for God to provide another way in the face of our own suffering. We do not want to follow Jesus down the via dolorosa. We seek to follow the victorious entry of the Messiah into Jerusalem to be enthroned and crowned king. We want that kind of victory borne out in our lives as the absence of difficulty. We want the glory and the grandeur of Palm Sunday as our entry into eternal life, with as little pain and suffering as possible. But as author Kim Reisman has noted, "That is not the Jesus way. God doesn't dispense with death. God resurrects us from it. The truth is that the Jesus way isn't about God taking pain away from God's people; it's about God providing us with strength, courage, and meaning, with abundant life, often in the midst of pain."

Chad's comments: I really feel God is calling me to a deeper prayer life. However, I continue to find excuses for not being still and listening to God. How small a sacrifice is it for me to simply be still.

Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King. His love endures forever!

* 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)

Three Questions

Welcome God every morning by reading 'A Slice of Infinity' before work (~5 min).

Verses pertinent to today's reading: As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Mark 4: 35-41)

Slice of Infinity snippets: "For some reason, we think that because Jesus is in the boat with us, suffering will not come our way. But suffering does come, and the wind roars around us and the sky turns black, and the storm of all storms appears to envelop us in darkness and terror. Jesus, don’t you care that we are perishing becomes an incredulous statement because we think as Christians we are somehow immune from the troubles of life. But Jesus’s answer reminds us that faith does not insulate us from life’s storms. Indeed, as Craig Barnes has written “Faith...has little to do with our doctrines or even with our belief that Jesus could come up with a miracle if he would only pay attention. Faith has everything to do with seeing that we have the Savior on board”

Chad's comments: Welcome to the blog. We look forward to this being a great tool for helping us love others into a REAL relationship with Jesus Christ.

I want to ask a prayer for my grandfather, Dale. Dale is going in for hip surgery at 9am central time this morning. He is 86 years old. He has one hip replacement already but this was roughly 10 years ago. Dale is a strong man and a man of God. However, his wife is not alive to help him during recovery this time. Please pray for his surgery as well as for support during his recovery and after.

* ‘COUGARS Daily’ blog
* Continue to make space for unbelievers
* 40 Days for Life campaign (ends 16 Mar): http://www.40daysforlife.com/.
* Pat’s LIFE Devotions blog at life-devotions.blogspot.com.
* Pat’s LIFE Prayers blog at life-prayers.blogspot.com. Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others (so let's pray daily!). Click for Prayer to End Abortion.
* Share the Good News: Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!