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 GOD IS STILL SPEAKING

"Never put  a period where God has put a comma."- Gracie Allen

 Doesn't that sound strange.   "God is still speaking!"  You and I think of the Bible as telling us of things that went on 2000+ years ago.   Yet, we continue to find new things.   I m not necessarily talking about  the "gospels" that have been found in our own recent past.     I am cognizant of the new insights that we gather simply in the interpretations.

• We must continue to look at the Bible in the terms of the matrix in which it was written.
• We must continue to remember that history as was written then is not like the history that is recorded now.
• We must remember that ongoing events somewhat dictated what was said.
• We must remember that the writers of the gospels were much like us trying make sense out of a world in which they daily lived, and in a belief system that was new... that was strange.
• We must remember that putting a stamp on the whole idea of oral tradition that fit what one possibly already believed"Â would slant one's ideas.
• We must remember that we change daily as we continue on the way... on our journey.

Yet, the ideals of goodness of righteousness continue down to our day.  They are marked in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.   They are exampled for us to examine as we compare them to ourselves.  The events of Jesus life truth or myth(?) really are more important in the adage that Torah gave ; DEVOTION TO GOD, LOVE OF GOD, AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR AS SELF.

 REV. JIM'S OFFICE HOURS

I want like to try the following for office hours:

Monday -2 P.M.  to 4 P.M.

Tuesday  3:30 P. M. to 7:30 P.M. ( although the worship committee meets at 5:30 P.M.)

   If another time is more convienent OR if you desire a pastoral visit please contact me, or leave word at the office. 

AND THE SPIRIT BLEW

MAY 2010

     The month of May means Graduations, Mothers Day, Memorial Day and for the church it means BIRTHDAY!  We ususally call it Pentecost but as the body of Christ, you and I, the church were in Biblical speak   given "another advocate".   At Pentecost 2000 years ago, the Spriit of God came in fire and wind upon those gathered in that room.   Their speaking was understood.  More importantly the message of Jesus was understood by other Jews from other countries and regions.  

      For the Jews, Pentecost was a harvest festival and as well a celebration for the GIVING OF THE TORAH.    For Israel Pentecost was counted from Passover -some seven weeks 49 days hences pentecost.  

       As well the giving of the Torah constrasts with receiving of the Torah since the Torah is still being written as Jews continue to interpret what was given them by God.

         In the UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST we use as a by word that God is still speaking.  Certainly it is not a new idea... rather it is a reminder of an idea that scirptures, both Shared and Unshared Testaments, acknowledge and which   pastors  attempt to share in  corporate worship. 

         To a large extent we were given the Spirit of God and it is up to us to decide what you and I shall do with that.  I would submit to you that this Spirit is a lot like love.  It is unbound.  It abides within us for the asking and the using.  And I further would submit that it is a matter of acting upon the Spirit, seeking the spirit that allows it to be a major determinate within our lives. I would to some exctent paraphrase the hymn that says "They will know we are Chrsitains by our love" with they will know we are Christains by our doing as led by the Spirit  to love God with all our soul, mind and strength and love our neighbor as self.

Shalom,

Jim

COME HELP US FIND THE PEACE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE, IN MY LIFE, IN OUR LIVES TOGETHER.

WHO ARE WE AND JUST WHAT ARE WE ABOUT?

On the first and third Thursday eveneing of each month, you are invivted to attend a membership class.  The class is not about indcotrination... the class is about information.

• The History of the United Chruch of Christ.
• What are our beliefs.
• Where we have  come from
• What we see Deltona AUntied Chruch of Chrsit doing
• To answer questions that you might have

Join us at 6:30 in the pastor's office in the buidlng at the top of the hill.