tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47064031727177318692024-02-20T02:31:31.146-06:00Musings about FaithPastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-34987968193103807802022-08-13T12:45:00.003-05:002022-08-14T16:50:20.723-05:00The Reign of God and Responsibility - A Sermon on Luke 12:49-56 - August 14, 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>Have no fear, little flock, for it is the Father’s greatest desire to give you the Kingdom… </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! … Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">What a contrast! From the comforting words of verse 32 to the seemingly harsh words of verse 49 and following, it feels as though Jesus has had a complete change of perspective. He has seemingly gone from words of comfort and promise, to words of rejection and judgement. And as he continues with this teaching, he only seems to makes things worse: </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>The household will be divided… father against son, and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">What’s up with this? What is it that Jesus is trying to say to us through this difficult and seemingly contradictory series of teachings?
I would like to take a brief but careful look at this section of chapter 12, beginning with verse 32 from last week: </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>…for it is the Father’s greatest desire to give you the Kingdom </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><i>For it is the Father’s greatest delight… </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">In other words: nothing thrills God more than to give God’s children the gift of what the bible translators call “The Kingdom of God” – but which I will refer to in this sermon as the gift of the Reign of God! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The Kingdom of God - The Reign of God – God’s Realm. This is the key I believe not only for unpacking this particularly difficult passage but understanding Luke as a whole. Luke’s Gospel is all about the coming of God’s Realm into our world, now! The Reign of God – is come now! It is here! It is in our midst! God’s Reign is not off in the future; it is not some illusive and distant heaven which we might inherit sometime in the future, IF we’re worthy enough. No! There is no “off in the distance” heaven in Luke. The gift of God’s Reign is here and it is now. But, at the same time, God’s Realm is also not yet come into its fullness. And so, we can say that the Reign of God is both NOW and NOT YET! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The other main theme which impacts this entire section of Jesus’ teaching is Jesus’ impending passion and cross. Beginning in chapter 9 when Jesus descends from the Mount of Transfiguration, he has “set his face to go to Jerusalem” – that is, to the cross – to suffering, death and burial … and to resurrection. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">These two themes are not only related but they are intertwined throughout the Gospel. Jesus’ impending passion defines Jesus’ proclamation of God’s Reign come now into our midst. Jesus’ impending passion gives Jesus’ ministry and teaching an intensity and a breathlessness. Jesus is anxious for his disciples (of all times) to understand that in the passion, God is entering into human suffering; God submits to the power of violence and hate. But suffering, violence and hate will ultimately be revealed as impotent as they are defeated by the resurrection on the 3rd day. But, at the same time the suffering is real, the hate is real, the violence is real and the fear which is engendered by these powers is also real and disabling. As Dennis pointed out last Sunday in his excellent sermon on the passage that begins at verse 32, when we allow fear to overwhelm us then we are stepping back and allowing the powers of this world to dominate us. <i>It is the Father’s greatest desire to give us the Kingdom,</i> but fear will keep the gift at arm’s length, it will keep us from accepting the gift and living into the the Reign of God come now into our midst. But this is the key - living as a citizen of God’s Reign means living our lives post-resurrection. While we cannot deny the reality of the insidious powers of this world, at the same time we must recognize and live in a way that affirms their ultimate and final powerlessness and defeat. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The advent of the Reign of God is established as foundational by Luke from the very beginning, in the prologue to the Gospel – chapters 1 and 2: After the messenger comes to Mary in chapter 1, with the news that she is to bear the Christ child, Mary responds with the first of four incredible songs which taken together lay out the theology of the Gospel: “My soul and spirit rejoices in God, for God has looked with favor on the lowliness of God’s servant and has done great things…” This is not a personal moment for Mary, she is singing on behalf of and with all of God’s beloved creation. She is singing about, on behalf of, and with us – you and me! In Christ, in God’s incarnation, God has destroyed the human devised social class system and all which separates and divides, and has turned over the tables of oppression and suffering and fear; In the calling of Mary, an anonymous, teenage peasant girl from a nothing little poor village in the region of the Galilee we see the first glimpse of God’s Reign come into our midst in Mary’s simple response – “Let it be…” and much like God’s work of creation in Genesis 1 - It was. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The flawed, skeptical, discouraged priest Zechariah is next up on the playlist: “Blessed be the God of Israel, who has looked with favor upon God’s people and set them free… the dawn of God’s love is breaking upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death and God’s love will guide the feet of God’s beloved creation into the way of Peace – into the way of Shalom.” It is this word – this Hebrew word - that is the key word of promise – Shalom, which means unity with God and others; utter and complete well-being; living in the light of God’s love, in community! And the choir of messengers in chapter 2 who appear to those poor, fearful and confused shepherds affirm this proclamation when they burst out singing: “Glory to God in the highest heaven but on earth Shalom to God’s beloved.” Shalom, the peace that passes understanding, is the gift promised to a world in need on that Holy Night of the birth of the Christ. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">So then, why does Jesus say in our passage today from chapter 12: <i>Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!</i> Isn’t that a contradiction? </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">If I were to come up to you and ask you – “tell me what the word “peace” means - what would you say? I suspect you would probably tell me that it means the absence of conflict - people getting along - an end to interpersonal hostility, or at least a compromise that lets us live together with our differing attitudes and opinions. In Jesus’ day, the Romans understood the power of the promise of “peace” in much the same way. They called it "Pax Romana." “Pax” being the Latin word for “peace” – the absence of conflict. "Pax Romana" was one of the great gifts which Rome bestowed upon its vast empire. Peace, the absence of conflict, bestowed by force; peace maintained through violence, through intimidation, through fear. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">By contrast the Reign of God doesn’t promise “peace” in the sense of the absence of conflict. God’s Realm is not establishing “peace” like the Romans offer, but the deeper Shalom – unity, love, grace, at-one-ness. The difference here is that Shalom is not just a papering over inequalities and injustices like Rome’s version of Pax. For unlike Roman Pax, Shalom cannot take root as long as there is suffering, hunger, hate and injustice. We may catch a glimpse, or experience a moment of Shalom as a “Foretaste of the Feast to Come.” But, the gift of Shalom is nurtured as the Reign of God begins to take root and flourish. Jesus himself proclaims what that means clearly in chapter 4, quoting Isaiah: <i>The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the jubilee year…</i> and Jesus began to say to those assembled… <i>today this scripture is fulfilled.</i> Today the Reign of God has come into your midst. And then we jump ahead to chapter 12 where Jesus speaks to his disciples and warns them about confusing Shalom with Pax Romana. They aren’t the same. And Jesus wants his disciples to understand that the gift of God’s Reign come now is going to bring division, because “going along to get along,” averting our eyes from injustice and hate and suffering is incompatible with Shalom and the Reign of God. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">We have created our own uniquely American version of "Pax Romana" I think. And in these last several years as things have gotten more and more difficult and conflicted in our society many of us have tried harder and harder to appeal to this 21st century version of Pax Romana. Can’t we all get along and find common ground – can’t we find a way to compromise. It is a noble aim, until we recognize that at its core this kind of compromise means to simply to avert our eyes and ignore the blatant hate and injustice which are being perpetrated upon our neighbors, especially our vulnerable neighbors. And to ignore the pain and suffering of the creation and human persons who are all God’s beloved children, is simply incompatible with God’s Reign and a denial of Shalom. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">We began our service this morning with a “Lament of Racism.” While many in our society want to pretend racism is no longer an issue, that it has somehow been “solved,” yet here in the early 21st century black folks are still singled out in a variety of ways, and some of these ways have led to intense suffering and death. But our contemporary American version of Pax Romana simply wants us to avert our eyes and compromise. But Shalom will not permit this, Shalom demands that we recognize and confess our white privilege and the destructive, life-denying effect it has had and continues to have on our black and brown and indigenous neighbors. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">These were the words we used earlier:
<i>We are all part of one body in Christ, called to act with equity, fairness, and justice. God’s saving love creates grace-filled spaces within us and within our relationships. God’s saving love calls and leads us toward rooting out the racism that continues to infect the body.</i> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I would humbly suggest a change in the wording just for today, in light of this Gospel text: We are all part of one body in Christ – That is, we are all part of God’s Realm – and God’s Realm, God’s “Shalom” calls us – NO, demands from us that we act with equity, fairness, and justice. God’s Realm creates grace-filled spaces within us, within our relationships. God’s Realm calls and leads us toward rooting out the racism that continues to infect our world, our nation and our communities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Shalom demands no less. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">I could go on at this point and present a long albeit incomplete list of injustices that require our immediate attention. And I encourage us all to ponder this text in relation to the many pressing needs that surround us and have caught our attention. But, remember this: Shalom does not allow us to ignore injustice or the persecution of anyone, especially those who are vulnerable. Shalom proclaims that the powerful and privileged will be cast down and the lowly be lifted up; the hungry are filled and the rich sent away empty. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Baptized into Christ we are citizens of the Reign of God – called to be open vessels of God’s grace, God’s love, God’s Shalom. At the same time, being able to live in ways that reflect God’s Realm is also a gift of the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus in this Gospel passage is using these harsh words in order to confront and challenge his disciples of all times and move us away from our complacency, our willingness to settle, our hopelessness and our fear which inspires and enables inaction. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Before I bring this sermon to a close there is one more song from the prologue – the 4th song - Simeon’s Song: <i>Now, you let your servant go in “peace” - in “shalom” according to your word of promise. For my eyes have seen your salvation, your grace, my eyes have seen the advent of the Reign of God into this world, this nation, this community here and now in the presence of all peoples</i> – ALL peoples.
For we are ALL citizens of the Reign of God, and as such we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to live as citizens of God’s Realm. Sometimes it will cause division, sometimes it will cause relationships to break. But still, our calling is to love and live in ways that reflect this Reign of God’s; to love and live in ways that reflect God’s grace and God’s commitment to the whole creation and all those whom God loves. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;">And may the Shalom of God, which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">+++</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Here is the link for the worship service at Unity Lutheran Church where this sermon was preached. The reading of the Gospel and the sermon begins at 22:30</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIFEIqm5-T4</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-64893079124488890682020-09-28T14:06:00.002-05:002020-09-28T14:06:34.587-05:00Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – A Contextual Reading<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">What follows began as a sermon but has been reworked into an essay on St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians, specifically focusing on Chapter 4:1-20, which I believe to be not only the heart of the letter, but also, following the lead of Professor Brigitte Kahl, the exegetical key to the letter. This essay will attempt to outline and reflect on this Biblical text utilizing the insights laid out in Dr. Kahl’s masterful book, “Galatians Re-Imagined: Reading With the Eyes of the Vanquished.” Her work shifts the focus of Paul’s critique of “works of the law” away from the traditional negative assessment of the Jewish Torah and refocuses it on the Roman Emperor Worship. Frankly, Dr. Kahl’s exhaustive and detailed work has made this letter come alive for me in ways that I have rarely experienced before. Along with the work of other scholars, such as Dominic Crossan, Deborah Krause, Paula Frederickson, Pamela Eisenbaum, Amy- Jill Levine and Warren Carter there has been a noticeable shift in biblical scholarship that seeks to refocus the interpretive process on the Imperial context, a context that has been too much ignored in the past; and a context that reveals a new and profound meaning leading to a mandate for all of those who consider these texts to be formative and foundational for the faith. “Empire criticism” calls us to take this context seriously and to carefully assess our own “imperial” context and the ways we have accommodated and participated in “the works of the law” of the “Emperor worship” of our own time that have led to a self-centered and privileged Christianity that turns its head and allows and encourages hate, racism, injustice, and violence to flourish in the sanctuaries of our churches. In our complicity we are all guilty of betraying our faith and our brothers and sisters of other cultures and traditions, none as much as Jews who have been subject to centuries of Christian-perpetrated horrific violence and persecution, much of it fueled by just this kind of misinterpretation and self-centered self-justification. </span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One caveat before I begin – these are my reflections based on my study and understanding of the Biblical text read through the lens of these other authors and teachers, especially through the lens of Professor Brigitte Kahl’s book. It is a lot to absorb and if my reflections are incorrect or confusing this is my fault and not the fault of the scholars whose work I have been studying.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Paul and Galatians in Context: </u></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At the heart of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is the unique “radical” Monotheism [1] which sits at the heart of Judaism: God, Yahweh, the God of Israel, the God of Abraham and Sarah, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is ONE God, who, out of incomprehensible love, created the world – good/<i>TOV</i> and in a state of peace/<i>SHALOM</i>. The crown of this work of creation was the creation of humanity in the image of God, whose hubris, whose desire for control, released the forces of chaos and initiated the brokenness and alienation that began the process of the destruction of the creation. To restore the creation to its initial state of Shalom, this one creator God chose a couple from the ancient Sumerian city of Ur, Abraham and Sarah to birth the great nation of Israel who themselves are tasked with being the God’s chosen vessel through which God would bestow God’s blessings and restore the broken relationship between creator and creation. But as recounted in the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel has not been altogether successful and so, “in the fullness of time,” God became incarnate in Jesus, through whose birth, life, crucifixion and death God seeks to restore the creation to <i>SHALOM</i>, to relationship with both God and with itself. When Paul speaks of being “justified by grace” in chapter 2 at its heart he is proclaiming the return to <i>SHALOM</i>, a return to a relationship of intimacy between God and others, given as an unconditional gift of incomprehensible love. The act of receiving this gift then constitutes faith. And to receive is an action, not an attitude. “Faith” then is active trust. We demonstrate our faith when we act in faith; when we live our lives in ways that reflect this holy gift of relationship; when we allow God to use us as open vessels of God’s grace in order to invite others into relationship with God and with others. This is: Justification by Grace, through faith. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>16)…yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works of the law. </i>(Galatians 2:16) </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But there is a power that holds a vested interest in brokenness and division, as it focuses on the self. This is called “sin” but it is human self-centeredness, and it is to be found everywhere there are human beings. And for Paul in this letter, human sin, human self-centeredness/hubris is focused in particular in the power of Caesar [2] who has established Roman Peace (Pax Romana) through strength and violence and maintains his controls through the power of the law, thus demanding that “works of the law” be accomplished continually in order to maintain this Roman Peace along with its power, wealth and control, despite the human cost. When Paul talks about the “works of the law” he is using a familiar Roman concept in order to refer to Imperial demands that must be accomplished by order of the Empire. These “works of the law” required by Rome included principally paying taxes, providing men to serve in the Roman military machine and, most importantly, they required full and enthusiastic participation in the Imperial Cult [3] of worship, sacrifices, feasts, civic festivals and celebrations of the divine Caesar. Every city, every person of all classes and cultural expressions that made up the Empire were obligated to accomplish these “works of the law” that were designed not only to acknowledge Roman victory over the forces of chaos and to celebrate the institution of Roman Peace and prosperity, but to demonstrate the complete submission, devotion and loyalty of the population to the Emperor. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But Rome did allow an exception, begrudgingly perhaps, but an exception nonetheless. The Jewish communities living in Judea and in diaspora around the Empire refused to acknowledge the Lordship of the Divine Caesar, instead maintaining their commitment to their ancient “radical” monotheism, the oneness of Yahweh – the God of Israel. And so, Rome forged a compromise that allowed the Jews an exemption (a kind of “back stair” if you will [4]). The terms of this compromise were carefully laid out by the Romans and accepted by the Judean leadership in Jerusalem. These included, in particular, the requirement for twice, daily sacrifices in the Jerusalem Temple on behalf of the Emperor. In this way, Rome was able to extend its control even over Jewish Monotheism, which is now graciously and mercifully permitted this special dispensation. Consequently, Jews throughout the Empire get a pass on participation in the Imperial cult – under the condition that the sacrifices continue uninterrupted; and with the understanding that this exemption is <u>only</u> for circumcised Jews.
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That wasn’t all. Another important condition was the expectation that the Jewish community engage in no missionary activity. This would not normally have been an issue, as a rule Jews don’t engage in missionary work, but this becomes an issue with Paul who has received a calling to specifically engage in missionary activities among non-Jews. Remember there are no “Christians” or “Christian church” at this time in history [5]. Paul is a Jew and remained a Jew throughout his life [6]. His commitment to Christ was a part of his Judaism. And his impassioned missionary activities among the gentiles through Asia Minor and Greece specifically invited non-Jews to become a part of a community that was understood by the Romans to be a sect of Judaism. In short, Paul’s missionary work was focused on creating new Jews who became part of a Christ community that was a part of Judaism [7].
Paul in Galatia </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During his travels [8] through the Roman province of Galatia [9], Paul tells us in chapter 4 that he took ill. Now the region of Galatia was populated predominantly by immigrant Celts from Northern Europe, who themselves, like Jews, had been considered outsiders and enemies of Rome for much of their recent history. And, also like the Jews, they had been “rehabilitated” due to the magnanimous grace and mercy of Rome who had permitted these former enemy barbarian Galatian/Celts to become productive and law-abiding members of the Roman society, provided that they participate fully in all dimensions of Imperial life, thereby accomplishing the “works of the law.” [10] </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This they do with enthusiasm. The price of “Peace” – “Roman Peace” – is compromise: for the Jews, twice daily sacrifices in the Temple acknowledging the power and omnipotence of the Roman Emperor and agreeing to maintain the boundaries of their communities intact without attempting to bring others into this community; For the Galatian/Celts it was active and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of Imperial life, including the Imperial Cult of the Emperor, the economic life of the empire (read = pay the taxes) and providing soldiers for the military forces which are charged with the task of maintaining and spreading this <i>Pax Romana</i>. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And so, into the midst of this environment we have Paul, ill and being nursed back to health and still concurrently engaging in missionary activity by inviting these Galatian/Celts to become part of the Christ community that is a part of the overall Jewish community; We have Paul undermining the Roman “Peace” by proclaiming that true <i>Shalom</i> or oneness comes only through Jesus, a criminal and suspected insurrectionist who is by order of the Roman procurator in Jerusalem crucified and then whose resurrection reveals him to be God incarnate; We have Paul who negates the imperial social order by proclaiming that all who are a part of this Christ community, all who have been baptized into Christ, are no longer divided by race, culture, social standing or gender – <i>There is now neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male and female, we are all one in Christ</i>, Paul writes (3:27-28). We have Paul who continues to insist that because of this oneness in Christ, God has adopted non-Jews – these Gentile, Galatian/Celts (and us too incidentally) - as heirs of Abraham and consequently as full members of the community of God’s chosen people of the covenant. In God’s eyes, Paul asserts, these Galatian/Celtic Gentiles now have the same standing as Jews, except they are not circumcised. And more than that they must not be circumcised, because to be circumcised would be a denial of God’s grace. Circumcision is only required of Jews. Paul points to the story in Genesis of the call of Abraham as an example of unconditional grace (Galatians 3): Abraham was chosen not because he was particularly worthy, but simply because of God’s grace. The point being that to be worthy of God’s acceptance and love requires no action on the part of the recipient. There are no conditions. The call of Abraham is an act of pure grace on God’s part. The law, the Torah, Paul points out, came later at Sinai. So the law cannot override Grace, rather that law becomes important subsequent to the gift of grace. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This understanding of law is a part of Jewish understanding as well. Jews do not see the law as burdensome, or as a pre-condition. Rather, the law is a loving and celebrative response to God’s steadfast love (<i>Hesed</i>) not a set of conditions that need to be fulfilled in order to earn God’s positive regard [11]. But that is just the tip of the iceberg for Paul, for his main objection with the “visitors” who have come into the province of Galatia and are now promoting circumcision, is that to be circumcised is to accept the compromise (a “devil’s bargain” if you will) with Rome. And to compromise with Rome is to affirm, even if indirectly, that the Roman cult has validity. This is why many 1st century Jews objected to the twice-daily temple sacrifices for the Emperor [12] and this is why Paul objects so strenuously to the “solution” of circumcision. Because, to put it in a nutshell: Jesus is Lord; the Emperor is not! [13] </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For their part the “visitors” are proposing circumcision as a compromise solution to the problem of how to be faithful members of the Christ community and not run afoul of the city authorities, the consequences of which could be extreme. I suspect they see themselves as simply proposing a middle ground – a way to keep everyone safe. Circumcision, they suggest, would allow the Galatian/Celts to take advantage of the Jewish “back stair” to full participation in Roman civic life and still allow them to be full participants in the Christ community. It is, after all, not a whole lot different than the compromise forged between Jews and Romans that require the twice-daily temple sacrifice. But Paul says “no!” </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“In Paul’s opinion, the Galatian/Celts must abstain from both circumcision and emperor worship (in all its numerous forms)… for the special Jewish “back stair” to the inside of city and civilization, granting access to a zone of respectability without full recognition of Caesar’s divinity, is – thanks to Caesar’s own magnanimity and permission – open by definition to Jews alone, that is, to circumcised full members of the Jewish community. This “back stair” is not open for Galatian/Celts or any other nations to establish their own status as lawful insiders."</i> [14] </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>Galatians 4:1-20 </u></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This brings us then to chapter 4, verses 1 through 20, a passage that constitutes the heart of the letter and that also lets us experience a deeply emotional Paul who essentially advocates here what the Romans would have considered insurrection. Paul begins the section by offering another metaphor to describe the relationship between the gentile (Galatian/Celt)[15] believer and God: that of the minor child, who has no rights within Roman society while he remains a child, but whose full standing within the family is bestowed on that day when he (and I choose the pronoun intentionally) comes of age. The metaphor is that Christ has entered into this minor status and has come of age bringing the baptized – all who are one in Christ - with him, enabling them to be able to address God with in the most intimate of terms, as “Abba-Father.”
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After this metaphor Paul states the following in 4:8-10: </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>8) Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods. 9) Now, however, that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want to be enslaved to them again? 10) You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years. 11) I am afraid that my work for you may have been wasted. </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Historically these 3 verses have created much difficulty for interpreters as they have struggled with trying to understand and interpret this passage. The reason for the difficulty is that those doing the analysis tend to begin with the assumption that Paul is speaking throughout the letter to the Galatians against the Jewish commitment to the Torah [16]. If the “works of the law” which Paul rails against are seen as being the Jewish law, the Jewish Torah, then these verses become problematic. But when we recognize that Paul is not arguing against the Torah, but rather that his main target is the Imperial Cult of the Roman Empire these verses make so much more sense. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Enslaved to beings by nature who are not gods… </i></span></span></div></span></span></li><li><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>…how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits? How can you want to be enslaved by them again?</i> </span></span></div></span></span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul is not referring here to the Law of Moses, Paul is referring here to “gods, who are (by nature) not gods” – a perfect description of the Emperor himself who had claimed Divine status for himself, his family and those who came before him demanding that they be worshiped as gods. These human beings had even been proclaimed as gods by an action of the Roman Senate which itself was similarly made up of human beings. But, Paul asserts, none of these human beings have the authority or the right to bestow divine status. Consequently these “gods” are not “gods” and should not be treated as gods, especially by those of you who have been called and baptized into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, who is the real Son of the one true God of Israel. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And what about the Pantheon of pagan Roman gods – they are mixed into these celebrations too, but according to the Roman cult the pagan gods had ceded their power to the Roman emperor who now acted on their behalf. Rome went out of its way to redefine the various pagan cults throughout the empire, so that these various pagan pantheons and religious traditions would be superseded and absorbed into the Imperial Cult. This was Rome’s basic policy throughout the conquered territories of the empire: all those pagan gods and goddesses are of secondary importance and you can continue whatever religious traditions you have, but of primary importance was that you acknowledged Rome and the Emperor as dominant over all [17]. This is why many scholars refer to the Roman Imperial Cult as “functional monotheism.” For despite the numerous secondary deities, its focus was on one strong and powerful god – Caesar! It is not surprising that Paul saw this as a direct challenge to the monotheism of Judaism. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>…How can you want to be enslaved to them again? 10) You are observing special days, and months, and seasons, and years… </i></span></span></div></span></span></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">This is a direct reference to the packed calendar [18] filled with Imperial events: processions, sacrifices, night vigils, concerts, theatrical presentations, poetry readings, athletic competitions, arena games (where Rome’s victory and power are put on display and demonstrated through the blood sport of gladiator and animal competitions [19]) – and, of course, feasts and banquets. [20] These were all off limits to those baptized into Christ. Paul makes it quite clear that he considers participating in these kinds of civic religious events to be an accommodation with the false imperial god and a denial and betrayal of Christ. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">That then is the bottom line: Those who have become a part of the Christ communities that are themselves part of the broader Jewish community are not to participate in any way in the rites, rituals, celebrations, events and feasts that celebrate the divine Caesar. And those who are Galatian/Celts cannot be circumcised in order to make this refusal easier for themselves. They have been baptized into Christ – therefore they have no choice. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Paul then moves into perhaps one of the most moving passages in any of his 7 letters [21]: his description of being taken in and cared for when he was so terribly ill, perhaps so ill he might have died. He describes in moving and emotional words how the Galatians had been so gracious and kind and caring, accepting even the risk that comes from caring for a sick person. “What has happened to your love, your faithfulness – why have I become an enemy?” Paul asks. And he concludes with these words: <i>19) My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20) I wish I were present with you now and could change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.</i> Paul has now become “mother Paul” who is still suffering the pain of childbirth for his beloved Galatians. And this birthing process will continue until Christ is completely formed in you. [22] </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Conclusion:</u></b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">What difference then does all of this make? What then is Paul saying to us 21st century Christians? First, Paul calls, no, actually demands we recognize the gift we have received in Baptism. We have been buried with Christ in Baptism and raised to new life just as Christ was raised. This new life as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew) calls upon us to take seriously that it is God who has brought us into relationship with God and God who has given us community with one another. This is a gift, an unconditional gift of love, and it is this that constitutes what we call “salvation.” Within the community of Christ, within the relationships God has given to us we must accept that there is now <i>no Jew nor Greek, no slave nor free, no male and female, but that we are all one in Christ.</i> Race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, even religious convictions themselves are gifts of diversity, and must never be used to exclude or persecute others, for to do so is to betray Christ. Together we all are called to worship the one God of the Covenant, the God of Israel, the God of Abraham and Sarah. And this is a worship that we share with our Jewish brothers and sisters. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">For among many the things we can learn from our Jewish friends is that worship calls forth from us more than singing hymns and saying prayers. Worship calls forth action. According to the Prophets, true worship includes a commitment to justice, a commitment to non-violence, a commitment to peace and grace, and a rejection of self-centered hate and violence. Our worship leads us to stand against all that destroys the gift of relationship, the gift of <i>SHALOM</i>, especially when this destruction, this divisive hate and violence is being encouraged from the offices of the highest authority in the land. Our faith calls forth from us an obligation to reject the claims of our version of Caesar, to refuse to participate in the hate and division and violence he incites and to stand against Caesar demanding “liberty and justice for all,” especially for those who are considered “other” within our society, just like the Galatians were considered “other” in their society. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">For Paul, speaking to the Galatian/Celts, standing to the side, ignoring the cries of the persecuted and the needy and cooperating with the powers of injustice and violence because it was personally convenient or beneficial (or safer) was simply not an option. It was in fact, as far as Paul was concerned, nothing short of a betrayal of Christ. And it is still a betrayal of the Gospel of Christ today. It is simply not an option for those of us who call ourselves Christ followers today. We are our brother and sister’s keeper! We do not compromise or accommodate those who would perpetuate hate and violence in the name of law, order and peace through strength. Instead we follow the Prince of Peace, the crucified one whose victory came through weakness and non-violence. Rejecting the demands of Emperor worship today brings a risk that may be different than the risk the Galatian/Celts had to face, but the risk is still there. But so is the imperative that to follow Christ, to worship the one God of Israel means we categorically reject the one fake god of power and violence – the false god of security, of fear, of wealth, of hate, of violence; the false gods who enslave us to the power of our own Caesar. But in the end, Caesar is impotent, weak, terrified and incompetent. We stand therefore with Christ, crucified and raised for we have been buried and raised with Christ in Baptism, so therefore…
<i>For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again (or ever) to a yoke of slavery. </i>(5:1) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">*** </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><u>Footnotes: </u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[1.] See “Paul Was Not A Christian” by Pamela Eisenbaum </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[2.] I want it clear from the outset that while the historical discussion revolves around the historical Caesar(s) (the Julio-Claudians) who ruled the Roman Empire in the 1st century while Paul was alive and engaged in his travels, nevertheless we should also be able to see the symbolic reflection of our own Empire and Emperor worship issues. Circumstances have changed but apparently human beings have not as recent current events have given us images of supposedly committed evangelical “Christians” worshipping the current occupant of the white house in a manner which seems to mirror the kind of ancient, mindless, sycophantic, emotional celebrations which were a common feature of the Imperial cult. These included/include, then and now, just to name a few examples: (a) a retelling of the history of the Empire in order to glorify the current power structure; (b) oaths of allegiance to the Caesar, the one who is chosen and installed by God and has become a god in the flesh; (c) a demonization of anyone or any group which dares to object and protest any action undertaken by the Great Leader; (d) the mindless frenzy and sycophantic devotion displayed by both officials and supporters who dare not offer any word of disagreement or criticism but who mindlessly celebrate every nugget of wisdom that emerges; (e) the instigation of violence against these barbarian opponents who do actually dare to object and criticize; (f) the celebration of the violent defeat of any and all opposition to the Great Leader or his programs; (g) the demand that the celebrations, the rallies, the games, the schools all go on regardless of any danger; (h) the proclamation by religious and political leaders of the gods, or God’s unique and singular favor and His anointing of the Leader as truly blessed and anointed as the “chosen one,” to the point where the gods or God has given over His power to the Great Leader who becomes seen by some as the incarnation of the deity Himself. (I choose pronouns intentionally to make a point, BTW). The bottom line point – much of what made Emperor worship in the 1st century an effective tool of political unification and control is being re-enacted before our eyes by the current political leadership in Washington D.C. It is not an exact parallel, but it is close enough that it should give us pause. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[3.] I am using the term “cult” in the sense of “cultus” – a system of worship that includes many facets and dimensions and is all encompassing. I am specifically not using it in its current common usage as a description of a closed group of religious believers who usually hold views outside of the mainstream. Dominic Crossan writes in his book “In Search of Paul” (co-authored by Jonathan Reed) that the use of the term “cult” should not be taken to indicate <i>the isolated peculiarity of emperor worship, but the integrated universality of imperial theology.</i> (page 188) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[4.] See Brigitte Kahl, “Galatians Re-Imagined.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZiJCu7WIPCWPVxcOU_4yUSpUAEPM7zjSRDiP4Weg57E_0XEcwq9Gj4J3jRWz-YUTAY7LktaBR6D854Y-M44iSYMoW4VoQq3rDqXob7IcPkGSFIaAz2lGDvuXw77Y_QbZFwdrwtFXtqE/s1360/KAHL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZiJCu7WIPCWPVxcOU_4yUSpUAEPM7zjSRDiP4Weg57E_0XEcwq9Gj4J3jRWz-YUTAY7LktaBR6D854Y-M44iSYMoW4VoQq3rDqXob7IcPkGSFIaAz2lGDvuXw77Y_QbZFwdrwtFXtqE/s320/KAHL.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[5.] It was not until after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 C.E. that the “Christians” were finally expelled from the synagogue and from Judaism and had to redefine themselves. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[6.] See “Paul Was Not A Christian” by Pamela Eisenbaum </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[7.] See Brigitte Kahl, “Galatians Re-Imagined.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[8.] Two issues here are worth noting. First, the nature of Paul’s illness is a mystery. In 2 Corinthians 12:3 he speaks of a “thorn in the flesh” which he had tried to pray away with no success. Is this some kind of recurring illness? Dominic Crossan suggests in his excellent book “In Search of Paul” that Paul may have contracted Malaria as a child in Tarsus. This was not uncommon, especially in a swampy place like Tarsus. Throughout his life Paul had to deal with illness when this Malaria would flare up from time to time. This is a hypothesis. No one knows from sure as Paul provides little information besides this passage in Galatians 4 and the mention in 2 Cor. 12. However, the suggestion that Paul may have been suffering from some sort of blindness when he arrived in Galatia which then accounted for his comment about the Galatians “ripping out their eyes” for him I think is really a stretch. Nevertheless, we do not know the state of Paul’s health, except that he became ill and was taken in by a community in Galatia who cared for him and nursed him back to health. This in and of itself is rather remarkable considering how fear inducing illness in the 1st century tended to be. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[9.] The second issue touches on the long debate of whether Paul traveled through northern Galatia or southern Galatia. This has been a long-standing scholarly dispute and there is no definitive answer to the question. Northern Galatia tended to be more rural, though in the heart of Northern Galatia sits the city of Ancyra with its well-known Temple to the Divine Augustus. Southern Galatia was more urban and included four larger and vibrant cities – Derbe, Iconium, Lystra and Pisidian Antioch. According to Dr. Kahl the population in the north tended to be more Celtic while the south was more ethnically diverse. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx18xzhYUoD2lAQPKkIj6Y995Nnq5WnS2Pq-fqq7ik3GeW93cfavda1P70Cw8cCsZQilawNWpBfPfTnrM5oVtriZmXvugoqG2nspis_sB1hDaPsUtnOLidOG95O9YaFmU_8TU5Iz3mdlI/s512/ResGestaeDiviAugusti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx18xzhYUoD2lAQPKkIj6Y995Nnq5WnS2Pq-fqq7ik3GeW93cfavda1P70Cw8cCsZQilawNWpBfPfTnrM5oVtriZmXvugoqG2nspis_sB1hDaPsUtnOLidOG95O9YaFmU_8TU5Iz3mdlI/s320/ResGestaeDiviAugusti.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">(Above image) The </span><i style="text-align: left;">Res Gestae Divi Ausgusti </i><span style="text-align: left;">is an accounting of the accomplishments and benefices extended to the people and cities of the Empire by the Divine Augustus, written by Augustus himself, copied and displayed in Temples throughout the Empire. The Temple to the Divine Augustus in Ancyra has a fairly complete copy. </span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[10.] Dr. Kahl discusses this issue at length in her book “Galatians Re-Imagined.” I will not attempt to summarize this here, but rather refer you to her work. But, the Romans did memorialize their subjugation of their enemies in various works of art: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsWN3OzQnKrCueXCGGuz4zZV-taOkDsZXe-a51eGhg94J1By6-w0xGDH4in2VO7SgJe7OKWc8p-cns37gpRh2VD47PP0dgWrnpChE03rw5Mr84zAegdcCAR2V452iMPqWWhBrBWxU43E/s1420/DyingGallicTRUMPER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsWN3OzQnKrCueXCGGuz4zZV-taOkDsZXe-a51eGhg94J1By6-w0xGDH4in2VO7SgJe7OKWc8p-cns37gpRh2VD47PP0dgWrnpChE03rw5Mr84zAegdcCAR2V452iMPqWWhBrBWxU43E/s320/DyingGallicTRUMPER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Such as this incredible marble statue that is known as the “Dying Celt” or the “Dying Trumpeter.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[11.] Throughout the history of biblical interpretation the Jewish law – the Torah – has been seen in an antithetical relationship with grace and faith, as revealed through the death and resurrection of Christ. It is I think one of the darkest parts of Christian history that this interpretive mistake has contributed to centuries of anti-Semitic persecution and death. Christians from early on have victimized Jews, and still it continues – even here in the United States. The specific issue at it relates to the Torah are best summed up in these words from Pamela Eisenbaum in her excellent book “Paul Was Not A Christian” (page 211): <i>… Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith is understood {historically} as a polemic against the assumed alternative, namely that one is (or could ever be) justified by works of the law… “True Christianity” as the reformers presented it, understood itself as a religion of pure faith, stripped of all extraneous “works.” Judaism, on the other hand, stands at the other end of the spectrum: it is a religion of nothing but works, and therefore could be used to represent the worst form of religious expression, exactly the opposite of faith in God.</i> (See also Lloyd Gaston “Paul and Torah.) The fact is that Christians – Medieval Catholics and later those who led the reformation even continuing into our own times – posited a false dichotomy of grace and faith vs. works and law. And at its core was the incorrect assumption that Jews believed that they had to accomplish the law perfectly in order to be acceptable to God. This is the understanding that lay behind much of the interpretation of Paul and it is based on an understanding that is simply incorrect. Again, quoting from Professor Eisenbaum (page 218): <i>When Paul says, “It is clear that no one is justified by the law,” for “the righteous one shall live by the faithfulness” (Gal 3:11 citing Habakkuk 2:4), he does indeed mean all people – Jews and Gentiles alike – are made righteous by faithfulness, but his point is that Jews always stood righteous before God because of <u>God’s</u> faithfulness to the covenant, not because Israel observed the law in perfect obedience. If Israel did not have to earn her way to righteousness, then surely Gentiles don’t have to earn their way to righteousness either. Paul is not contrasting law and faith; he is arguing that God has acted in the same gracious manner to Gentiles as God did to Jews who had the long-standing benefit of a covenant with God.</i> In addition Dr. Kahl suggests that when Paul discusses law and “works of the law” he is also pointing towards the “works of the law” demanded by the Empire. Galatians 3:11: “It is clear that no one is justified by the law” then can be understood to reject those works demanded by the empire, just as Paul rejects the suggestion that the Galatians can justify themselves by taking refuge in the Torah’s mandate of circumcision. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[12.] In 66 C.E. the Temple sacrifices on behalf of the Emperor came to an end. This was the spark that ignited the brutal Roman campaign to squash a Jewish rebellion that ended with thousands of deaths along with the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. by the Romans under the command of Emperor Vespatian’s son, Titus. The campaign itself came to an end in 74 C.E. when the Romans were finally able to take the Herodian fortress in the desert called Masada where a remnant of Jewish Zealots and their families had taken refuge. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[13.] See Dominic Crossan “God and Empire.” </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[14.] Brigitte Kahl, “Galatians Re-Imagined.” Page 221. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[15.] I believe that the time has come for all students of Biblical studies to stop lumping non-Jews into the single category we call “Gentiles.” The fact is that Roman society was very stratified culturally and socio-economically. Race and cultural background were issues in Roman society and were used to determine the status of various ethnic groups and individuals. Now, what was NOT an issue was skin color, which only becomes an issue in the west with the advent of the trans-Atlantic slave trade from non-Christian Africa and the Americas during the “Age of Discovery” (16th century). But in the early Empire Roman citizens held a uniquely different position in the society than rehabilitated Celts or any of the other various groups that Rome had subjugated. To lump these groups together gives an impression of a kind of social cohesiveness or unity that simply did not exist. The Roman system was brutal particularly for those who were not a part of the accepted or insider class. Celts in Galatia may have been “rehabilitated” but they were still a class below due to their long history of “barbarism” and were not entirely trusted as a result. Compare them then with those who lived in the city of Philippi, for example. Philippi was settled by Roman army veterans following the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE that ended the Republic and led to the establishment of the Empire. These gentiles in Philippi, as veterans of the Roman army would have held a distinctly different status within the empire than the Galatian/Celts whose history with Rome had been as enemies and barbarians to be conquered and subjugated. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[16.] I turn to Dr. Kahl’s discussion of Krister Stendahl’s seminal book “Paul Among the Gentiles” to address the important issue of Luther’s interpretation of Paul – From “Galatians Re-Imagined” pages 39-40 - <i>… three decades into the post-Holocaust era, Krister Stendahl's small but seminal publication “Paul among Jews and Gentiles” (1976) reframed the debate on Galatians and "justification by faith." Stendahl, who would later become the Lutheran bishop of Stockholm, made two observations that set a new research agenda for all subsequent Pauline interpretation: first, that the proper historical context and hermeneutical key to understanding Paul's justification by faith is not the desperate struggle of an individual with sin, but Paul's practical concern with holding a community of Jews and Gentiles together; and, second, that Paul's Damascus experience was not a "conversion" to a new religion, Christianity, but a prophetic "call" to a new mission within Judaism toward the Gentiles. Paul subsequently did not fight against Jews or Judaism but worked to justify the status of uncircumcised Gentiles as "honorary Jews." Stendahl's theses, though sketchily drawn, had a profound impact: they unhinged the dominant paradigm of Pauline interpretation. Stendahl began the dissociation of the scriptural Paul from the Lutheran Paul, showing that Luther's question of the individual's standing before a just God was not Paul's. Unlike Luther prior to his "tower experience,” the pre-Damascus Paul had not been tormented by a sense of inescapable sinfulness and the impossibility of keeping the law, but had rather experienced a "robust conscience." Stendahl showed that the issue of individual sinfulness and the impossibility of justification as primary theological problems had been imposed on Paul by Augustine, three hundred years after the apostle, and subsequently by Luther, himself an Augustinian monk; the imposition revealed the individualistic and self-absorbed concerns of the "introspective conscience" of the West… Furthermore, Stendahl pointed out with prophetic clarity the problems inherent in traditional Protestant interpretation, namely, its stereotyped anti-Judaism, its narrow individualism, and its dogmatic disengagement from concrete social realities. Paul had been at first - and remained even as an apostle - thoroughly Jewish; "Christians" did not yet exist. In the place of a "combat semiotics" pitting Christianity against Judaism, Stendahl insisted that Paul's concern was how Jews and Gentiles could live together in a new community. Reconciliation, not combat, was central. </i>And to add the footnote which appears at the conclusion of this last sentence: <i>And, furthermore, it is obvious that “Paul remains a Jew as he fulfills his role as an Apostle to the Gentiles. The “I” in his writings is not “the Christian” but the “apostle to the Gentiles" (Stendahl, “Paul Among Jews”). The doctrine of justification by faith "was hammered out by Paul for the very specific and limited purpose of defending the rights of Gentile converts to be full and genuine heirs to the promises of God to Israel. Their rights were based solely on faith in Jesus Christ." </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[17.] I want to clarify that I am not suggesting that the various pagan pantheons just disappeared or did not retain importance in the religious and spiritual life of the various communities throughout the empire. On an individual or personal basis people would have maintained their devotion to their house gods/goddesses and the patron god/goddess of the city, such as Athena for Athens or Artemis for Ephesus. Nevertheless, Roman emperor worship brought with it the closing of a number of pagan temples, in some cases and the appropriation of these temples specifically for emperor worship in others cases. This then resulted in a weaving together of traditional devotional activities with the new demands emperor worship, in some locations. This is in fact a very complicated issue and the establishment of the Imperial cult and the process of weaving it together with long-standing pagan worship traditions looked different in every city of the empire. For example, the city of Ephesus was well known throughout antiquity as being a center for the worship of the goddess Artemis, and the location of one of the most beautiful temple complexes in all the ancient world – the Great Temple of Artemis. After Augustus had consolidated his power, his legate to Asia, a man named Publius Vedius (Cicero once referred to Vedius in one of his letters to Atticus stating that “I have never seen a more worthless man”) reorganized the Temple administration, eliminating the long-time high priesthood (known as the <i>Megabyxos</i>) and revising a number of the ceremonies and traditions. From there elements of emperor worship began to be incorporated into the traditional celebrations of Artemis and eventually altars dedicated to the emperor were erected within the complex of the Artemisium itself as well as in stand alone temples newly erected and scattered throughout the city. We see also a complete re-presentation and re-telling of the story at the heart of the famous frieze that was a part of the Great Altar to Zeus in the city of Pergamom. (I would call your attention to Dr. Kahl’s extensive analysis of this frieze in her book “Galatians Re-Imagined.”) But all this didn’t happen overnight, but over a period of time emperor worship slowly overtook and undermined the traditional pagan pantheons. By associating these ancient worship traditions so closely with the nationalism of emperor worship it is my contention that individuals and cities began to loose a sense of spiritual immediacy and commitment leading eventually to spiritual impoverishment. The popularity of Judaism and (eventually) Christianity seems to increase as emperor worship becomes more and more dominant. There is a lesson in this for those among us who would demand and legislate a particular version of Christianity that is heavy on the nationalism and light on the spiritual engagement (and, not insignificantly, completely disconnected from the Gospel of Jesus). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[18.] The calendar itself was created and promulgated throughout the Empire by Julius Caesar (who is remembered in the month “July”); the extensive list of celebrations and festivals was revised and reissued by Augustus Caesar (who gets the month of “August.”) Yet another way in which the ancient world of the Roman Empire is still with us today. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[19.] In “Galatians Re-Imagined,” Dr. Kahl extensively explores both the centrality and brutality of the “games,” which took place at the Circus Maximus in Rome, but were a feature in every moderate to large city of the Empire. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[20.] Hence the debate over eating “meat sacrificed to idols” found specifically in I Corinthians 8:1-13. Paul is not specific, but I think the idols in question would have been related to Emperor worship. Additionally, Dr. Kahl notes that Paul seems to have softened some of the harshly uncompromising positions he expresses in Galatians in his subsequent letters. Paul’s position vis á vis the eating of meat in I Corinthians, for example, seems to be less harsh than his overall position regarding interaction with the culture in Galatians. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[21.] The consensus among scholars is that there are seven authentic letters of Paul in the New Testament: Galatians, I & II Corinthians, I Thessalonians, Philippians, Philemon and Romans. The letters to the Ephesians, Colossians and II Thessalonians are considered questionable and probably not by Paul; while the Pastoral Epistles of I & II Timothy and Titus are rejected as definitely not by Paul. I concur with this assessment. Both the language and content of those six questionable letters are so different that for me there is no question. Further, it is important to note that the Paul of Acts, his words, his way of thinking and his travels do not always (that is, hardly ever) correspond to his authentic letters. Consequently the Book of Acts should be assessed with some caution regarding its historical veracity. For example, in Acts Paul is confronted by the pagan gods and goddesses in several situations, whereas in the letters he hardly concerns himself with this issue, as his major concern is the Imperial cult, which itself is never addressed in Acts. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">[22.] What ultimately happened to the Galatians? No one knows. Sometimes in studying the letter to the Galatians I have wondered how the Galatians themselves might have reacted to this conflict between Paul and the “visitors.” At times it feels like they are arguing over the Celt/Galatians whose own history with the Romans included much oppression, genocide, being human sacrifices during a festival in Rome and slavery. In the end I wonder whether these fledgling Galatian Christ followers would have been persuaded to subject themselves to the danger that came with the refusal to participate in the Imperial cult. And, on the other hand, whether they would have been willing to even entertain the prospect of accepting circumcision as a compromise, for undergoing circumcision for gentile men was also not without its negative consequences. Dominic Crossan takes up this question in his book, “In Search of Paul.” He makes the following statement (page 216): <i>“… we do not know what happened at Galatia after the letter was received. This, however, may be indicative. At the end of the first century John of Patmos wrote to seven cities in the province of Asia, and Clement of Rome wrote to Corinth in Achaia. At the start of the second century Ignatius of Antioch wrote to six cities in Asia and a few decades later Polycarp of Smyrna wrote to Philippi in Macedonia. Those mention only three of the four Pauline provinces, Asia, Macedonia and Achaia, but not Galatia. What happened to Galatia?”</i> I think it is quite possible that this conflict might have precipitated the demise of this fledgling Christ follower community. Perhaps this also accounts for the fact that Paul seems more willing to accept limited compromise in his subsequent letters, as noted above in note #17. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><u>A (Very) Brief Annotated Bibliography: </u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Galatians Re-Imagined: Reading With the Eyes of the Vanquished</i> by Brigitte Kahl – This entire essay is inspired by her work. Her book is brilliant, though exhaustive and complex. Fortress Press 2014 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The First Paul </i>by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan – An excellent introduction to Paul and Paul’s world and theology. HarperCollins 2009. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>In Search of Paul </i>by John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed – While this book covers a little of the same ground as the Borg/Crossan book naked above, it is a much more expansive and deeper consideration of Paul’s work, with a much stronger emphasis on the cultural and geographical context of the 7 letters. The unique thing about this book is the contributions of Prof. Reed, an archeologist who adds quite a lot of discussion of the archeological work that touch on Paul. HarperCollins 2004. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul Was Not A Christian</i> by Pamela Eisenbaum – Professor Eisenbaum is a Jewish New Testament scholar who teaches at Iliff. She interprets Paul through the perspective of his deep commitment to Judaism. HarperCollins 2009. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul, The Pagan’s Apostle</i> by Paula Fredricksen – This excellent book situates Paul within the context of the Roman Paganism of the ancient world. Yale 2017 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul – A Biography</i> by N.T. Wright – This book attempts to pull together the pieces of Paul’s life from scripture, secondary source material and archeology and then to construct a narrative of Paul’s life. It is an excellent and insightful book. Very readable. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul In Fresh Perspective</i> by N.T. Wright – An overview of Paul’s basic theology filtered through Dr. Wright’s unique perspective. Fortress 2009. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The Triumph of Christianity</i> by Bart Ehrman – This book will discuss the world of Paul and Paul’s contribution to the historical shift that Christianity created in the ancient world. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul, An Apostle’s Journey</i> by Douglas A. Campbell – Eerdman’s 2018 – Some excellent insights, but I found some of the book problematic. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Paul, Apostle to the Nations</i> by Walter F. Taylor – Fortress Press 2012 – An excellent textbook introduction to the Apostle Paul. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Artemis of the Ephesians: Mystery, Magic and Her Sacred Landscape</i> by James D. Rietveld – Nicea Press 2014 – Obviously not about Paul. But a fascinating and exhaustive study specifically on the Artemis Cult centered at the Artemisium, the Great Temple of Artemis, in Ephesus. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><u>Commentaries:</u> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The Letters and Legacy of Paul – Fortress Commentary on the Bible Study Edition</i> – Fortress Press 2016 – The section of the Letter to the Galatians is written by Brigitte Kahl.
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Interpretation Commentaries - Galatians </i>by Charles B Cousar - John Knox 1982. In general I like Interpretation Commentaries and I have gleaned some important insights from this volume on Galatians, But for the most part I would say that Dr. Cousar represents the old school of interpretation which in many places is simply not valid, in my opinion. This commentary is useful though to help gage the depth of the disconnect between newer understandings which are applied to the interpretation of this letter and older traditional ways of seeing the text. Just recently became available in digital format. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>The Letters of Paul</i> – Part of the <i>Social-Science Commentary series</i> by Bruce J. Mailina and John J. Pilach. These are excellent. Augsburg/Fortress 2006.</span></div></span></span></div>Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-90188472649272528012020-04-14T12:58:00.001-05:002020-04-14T13:00:48.428-05:00Liberty, Freedom, Justice for All? (Viva la libertá!?)<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5qasf" data-offset-key="87aec-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87aec-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="87aec-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Last night I watched an amazing production of Rossini's final opera - William Tell - from the Rossini Festival in Pesaro with Juan Diego Flores as Arnold and Nicola Alaimo as Tell. It was amazing. A beautiful production and beautifully sung. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But what struck me is that this work from the early part of the 19th century and like many works from a variety of writers, composers and artists it deals with issues of liberty and freedom. The Swiss, in this case, are oppressed by the Austrians and (spoiler alert) after the famous incident where Tell shoots the apple off of his son's head the Austrians are finally routed and the bright rays of freedom begin to shine. It is perhaps like many works of the time overly simplistic, but it is a common theme - think Beethoven (Eroica, Fidelio) or even Mozart (Nozze of Don Giovanni "Viva la libertá!") Works and writings about freedom and liberty emerged in the late 18th century and had a huge impact on Europeans who were tired of the oppressive regimes of absolute monarchs and on fledgling colonies, like the United States, who could clearly see the dangers of absolute monarchs and took steps to preclude that kind of governmental structure. Despite its flaws (and there are many flaws and loopholes created by the group of entitled and privileged white, male land owners we call the "Founding Fathers") it nevertheless was an exciting idea - government by and for the people rather than a government by an established, rich, landed, paternalistic aristocracy, whose abuses were well known.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Americans embraced this concept of liberty and freedom for all, even if it excluded people of color and women, as being an improvement. And over the years the American experiment has attempted to rectify those loop-holes with varying success. But what, in particular, struck me as I watched the struggles on stage between the Swiss Freedom Fighters against the oppressive cruel Austrians is how our current government is much more like the Austrians in this story of William Tell than like the Swiss. And for some reason, there is a sizable part of the population which thinks this is ok. I frankly don't get it! There was a reason the Framers of the Constitution wanted to preclude any hint of a monarch or aristocracy in government. And some of those reason are on full display every day at the campaign rallies, I mean, pandemic briefings to which we are subject daily by this current administration.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> This man who occupies this nation's highest office is everything the original framers objected to - he is landed, privileged and completely self-centered. He has no respect for the constitution and presumes powers and privileges which are not his. And not only that but he is sexist, racist, anti-semitic and cruel. And those who support him are either complicit or cowards. In either case they all need to be removed from office. To be clear, this man is not a conservative - don't give me the gaslighting excuse that this is liberal verses conservative. There is nothing conservative about him. He has ripped up all traditionally conservative values. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But why have we abandoned our commitment to liberty and justice and freedom and why do we seem so quick to submit to a totalitarian ruler who is incompetent and basically cruel and really doesn't care about anyone but himself? This white house has completely bungled the pandemic response and continues to make things worse. Why are the states having to compete with FEMA for supplies? That is ridiculous. Why are all states not on a total stay-at-home order? Why are we even considering using a drug to treat this virus that has proven itself to be not even close to effective and has its own serious side effects just because Mr. Conflict of Interest is pushing it? Why are the medical experts silenced in favor of no nothing political functionaries?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> This (so-called) president needs to be removed from office; his supporters need to be removed from office and some of them need to be prosecuted and jailed and we need courageous leadership that will take charge of this situation using the best and most up to date information and utilizing the best scientific and medical experts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Short of this, you can look forward to seeing the ideals of liberty, justice and freedom drift farther and farther away. There is a reason that the early middle ages are called the "Dark Ages" and it isn't because we don't know what happened during that time. It is because it was a time of disease and violence and oppression when a powerful aristocracy emerged with the blessing of the church. Well, if we continue the road we are on - welcome to the New Dark Ages!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5qasf" data-offset-key="t6q9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="t6q9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For some inspiration - check out William Tell.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="5qasf" data-offset-key="ec7mv-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ec7mv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="ec7mv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://operavision.eu/en/library/%C3%93peras">https://operavision.eu/en/library/%C3%93peras</a></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ec7mv-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="ec7mv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-83162629096799533502020-02-09T23:23:00.000-06:002020-02-09T23:23:04.789-06:00Some Thoughts on the Apocalypse<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I want to make a comment about the apocalyptic references that have been appearing in the news lately. But politicians (mostly on the hard right) and certain (so-called) Christian "Leaders" like to trot out their version of the apocalyptic story which they claim is from the Bible, but really isn't. Apparently some of these folks are simply thrilled whenever we are appear to be hurtling towards war in the middle east, since, in their mind, this means we can prompt or push God to initiate "Armegedon," the "Rapture" and "Jesus 2nd coming." So where to begin. I'll try to make it concise:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
1. You cannot push God into action. All you need to do is look at a little history to see that this has been tried before and unlike the sheeplike mindless and fear-filled followers of your cult God will not be manipulated into action. Whatever is to come will come in its own time.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
2. There is NO RAPTURE! I'll say it again - there is NO RAPTURE in the bible. It is a complete misreading and mis-interpretation of a few texts which have been pulled out of their textual and cultural contexts. Look it up - the so-called "rapture" was invented in the early 19th century. But this religious fabrication has proven to be a useful tool to manipulate and create fear.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
3. Luther says (and I paraphrase) that Christians should always read scripture through the eyes of the Gospel. So instead of going right to the Revelation of John or the other brief apocalyptic passages found here when concerned and wondering about the "end times" I would suggest starting with the Gospels of Jesus. Specifically God's unconditional love for ALL God's children, including and especially those who are in need, those who are attacked, those who are refugees those who are rejected and discriminated against, those who are the victims of violence. God's love and mercy are UNCONDITIONAL. The entire theology of the "rapture" rejects and undermines this. Also, folks, go back and read the Hebrew Bible and you find the same thing - "God's steadfast love endures forever."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
4. The promise of New Testament apocalyptic is NOT that we will be fished out of this world and brought to another world, but that God / Jesus will enter into this world and transform it. This is why in Genesis at the creation humanity is given the job of stewarding the creation. Well, we have done a crummy job of it. And we need to do everything we can to turn this around and treasure this creation as a gift, not as a vehicle for profit.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
5. We have a responsibility to each other and to this world. It is up to us to start working on treasuring the creation, working to reduce pollution, cutting back and eliminating completely our dependence on oil and gas which are simply destroying our planet. We have a responsibility to work for peace - to find diplomatic solutions - to respect other cultures and other peoples. To work against racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, transphobia and begin to see all our neighbors as brothers and sisters, with whom we may not always agree, and who perhaps have a different way of being in the world than we do. But that doesn't mean our way is "right." We have a responsibility to start working on listening, learning from and respecting others.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 6px;">
6. Lastly, one of the most important cornerstones of Stoicism (and you can read about this in the writings of Marcus Aurelius) is that fear is created by an overly strong focus on the future. Stoicism teaches that one of the great tasks of life is to learn to live today and eliminate obsessing about the future, because you can't do anything about it and it only leads to fear. I am not talking about exercising personal responsibility by the way. I am talking about working to curb the future orientation of our society and our religion. Future focus has become way too much a central part of Christianity. Jesus says, "Perfect Love casts out all fear." And if we believe that our relationship with God or Jesus is based on unconditional love, then what are we fretting about the future for? This should free us to do the work of loving others, including (according to Matthew) our enemies.</div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-39304639127061417182019-12-17T14:11:00.000-06:002019-12-17T14:11:01.950-06:00A Funeral Sermon on John 14<i>Once more I have had the unpleasant experience of having to listen to a "pastor" expound on the John 14 text in a way which focuses exclusively on "what we get when we get to heaven." Central to this position is the insistence that "you better believe in Jesus - have a personal relationship with Jesus" or else you won't be getting one of those nice mansions." This is not the Gospel and it is not what this text is saying. In fact I find this approach to funeral sermons to be reprehensible as it subjects vulnerable and grieving men and women to a manipulative religious diatribe which is totally irrelevant to the occasion - the loss of a loved one. Not only that, but I have experienced also the dishonesty of evangelical "pastors" enlisting the deceased in their manipulation (e.g. Mildred believed in Jesus so you all should be like Mildred and believe in Jesus). This is NOT the Gospel. This is manipulation and it is irresponsible. So, for all who may have had the terrible experience of having to sit through a "God's going to give you a mansion when you get to heaven" manipulative sermon at a funeral I humbly offer this meditation.</i><br />
+++<br />
<i style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus who is the Christ.</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Someone
once wrote that the lives we live are like a pebble tossed into a pond, which
causes ever-widening rings and ripples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ripples in the water can often continue on for a while and will
touch everything in the path, and not only that but those ripples will continue
on even after the stone has disappeared from view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same way those who we love and those
who have gone before us have touched us with their lives – their character,
values and the things they have given to us will continue to touch us and
affect us for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>At this point it would be appropriate to remember your loved one - who he/she was, what they did, how did they affect you in both positive and negative ways. Remember no one is perfect and we all have both our positive and negative parts of our lives. And not only that, but what are some of concrete things this person did that reveal the kind of person (s)he was.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Some thoughts on John 14:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The passage is set during
the Last Supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this is the last
time Jesus and his disciples spent together and the entire experience ended up
being a very difficult and emotional time for all of them. Jesus had started
off by washing the feet of the disciples, predicted that Peter would deny him
and that all of them would run away and he again reminded them that he would
soon be arrested and crucified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
were difficult words for the disciples to hear and as Jesus shared some final
teachings it is obvious from the questions that the disciples are upset and
confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the passage from John 14,
Jesus is trying to comfort the disciples as they struggle with their confusion
and impending loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Trust in God –
trust in me” Jesus tells them and then he tells them this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it were not so, would I have told you that
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be
also.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now, the King James version
translates the beginning of this line as "Mansions" – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in my Father’s house are many mansions.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is not what the original text says -
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no mansions in the
text, and even the phrase “dwelling places” is a little vague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is Jesus telling his grieving disciples
here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the 1<sup>st</sup> century,
goods and merchandise were usually transported from one place to another in
large caravans, which consisted of a large number of animals carrying goods,
accompanied by an equally large number of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, these caravans didn’t travel very fast and there were no hotels
along the way so they would need to set up camp each night along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, a couple men would always go ahead of the
caravan to scout out places to rest and camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These places would need to have water available and provide as much rest
and refreshment as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea
was that when the caravan finally arrived, the camp would be set; rest and
refreshment would be waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, Jesus is telling his disciples that he is going ahead of them and will
prepare a place of rest, refreshment, grace and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A</span>t the same time assuring
us that he has gone ahead and has prepared a place of rest,
refreshment, grace and love for __N__. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dust to dust; ashes to
ashes! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“How can we know the way?” </i>asks
the Disciple Thomas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this Jesus
responds -<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I am the way, the truth and the
life</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe and proclaim that
through Jesus’ presence, God has transformed death and grief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>_____ now rests in the light of Christ; held
in God’s grace and presence and love forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In the
name of the Father, the Son+ and the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">More about the Gospel's understanding of heaven - <a href="https://time.com/5743505/new-testament-heaven/?fbclid=IwAR1mON1mSSH6g--RsBu5af96_4jSNer2pauhXMmgNqT7U7tgbFGyRxJJSwM" target="_blank">Click here for an excellent article by NT Wright.</a></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br /><br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-52073320368837073642019-10-02T15:10:00.000-05:002019-10-05T15:28:33.072-05:00Reflections and Response to Issues Raised - Turkey and Greece 2019<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>4499</o:Words>
<o:Characters>25647</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>213</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>60</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>30086</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1562860012;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-2146939230 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
</style>
<br />
<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Introduction:</span></u></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The opportunity to travel presented itself and I signed on
for a trip that was entitled, “In the Footsteps of Paul.” Initially the name
did not put me off. I have seen ads for other trips to this part of the world
with this title. I presumed, correctly as it turned out, that the trip would
focus on the so-called missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul, as laid out in
the book of Acts. The trip would also provide opportunities for visiting other
sites that would provide an immersive experience in the ancient world. Sounds
great! After a little thought I signed up. While I think the 4 missionary
journeys of Paul are an ahistorical construct I recognize that both Luke (the
book of Acts) and tour agencies might find these to be a useful organizing tool.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I signed up and on the 13<sup>th</sup> of May flew to
Istanbul. What followed was fascinating, physically demanding, spiritually
uplifting and (at the same time) exceptionally frustrating and upsetting. I had
no idea when I signed up that I would end up on a tour that was organized for
American evangelical Christians. This meant that all of my tour mates, the tour
leader and one of the three tour guides were all evangelical Christians. But this
is how it turned out and it was a pretty homogenous group, and I was the odd
one out. It was clear to me early on that if I were going to get anything from
this expensive trip I would have to do my own research and keep my own counsel
and seek my own spiritual revelations as I would not find them with this group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What I would like to do is to address three specific issues that were raised during the trip regarding the historical and theological issues. These are issues that I think are important and that were addressed poorly on the tour. Following that I will share a few photos of the highlights of this trip, for there were some wonderful highlights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, first I do want to acknowledge that both of the two
tour guides in Turkey were absolutely terrific. They were completely
professional in every way, not at all ideological and, best of all, they knew
their stuff and presented the information in an expert manner. In fact, Turkish
tour-guide #2 was so good I was constantly amazed at how up to date he was with
all the most recent scholarship. Tutku Tours has two outstanding tour guides in
these two Turkish tour guides and, frankly, they were the best thing about the
entire tour. I wish I could say that the Greek tour guide was at least
mediocre, but I can’t. I felt that she was terrible. She was exceptionally and
overwhelmingly ideological and seemed to feel that it was part of her job to
preach at us. She would use her Greek New Testament and go on and on about
various passages. The problem with that is that just because one speaks Modern
Greek does not make one an expert in Ancient, Classical or Biblical Greek. As
it happened I also had my Greek NT (it is an app on my phone) and I also read
Koiné Greek and frankly I was totally appalled at what she had to say. Her interpretations
were nothing short of nonsense and what she had to say about the various tour
sites was not a whole lot better. The Greek part of my tour was very
unsatisfactory as a result. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are three issues that I will address - and in this order:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->At the Ephesus Archeological Museum, questions
about Artemis and the goddesses statues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Was the Delphi Oracle “evil?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Did God (Jesus) cause the Spartans to loose at
Thermopylae? And are we just puppets, with God as the great puppet-master?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I. Artemis Ephesia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take a close and careful look at these photos. And don’t
just glance at them, but rather look at them in detail. If you can enlarge the
photos, please do so and look at them carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaK7rTmMnJMg1MOkrfvgxoTXSFo5yPMJoVtpTfpo78nwmCurqoX4PDJavlBKWeO9bmBTJAhhh40jhNiUsbzQXC7QM-PcuzCErSl24U1vzqiJyYi4WxuEZMOE9_UI1DhyphenhyphenF9tdjG0XO88I/s1600/IMG_6714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaK7rTmMnJMg1MOkrfvgxoTXSFo5yPMJoVtpTfpo78nwmCurqoX4PDJavlBKWeO9bmBTJAhhh40jhNiUsbzQXC7QM-PcuzCErSl24U1vzqiJyYi4WxuEZMOE9_UI1DhyphenhyphenF9tdjG0XO88I/s320/IMG_6714.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qkDrZZ6rd2OVUh3izE2SjvVYpdMqk9QWc7IUkzq8-xbmKN8UFYJ9YemImPnJcXHIMSpJ50V4JkAcBaCcCy8mAt20IVuRfEpxtIbwqepuK3EMXyt1TZoCQLYSMNi5u58vwIU-8q6FWjA/s1600/IMG_6716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qkDrZZ6rd2OVUh3izE2SjvVYpdMqk9QWc7IUkzq8-xbmKN8UFYJ9YemImPnJcXHIMSpJ50V4JkAcBaCcCy8mAt20IVuRfEpxtIbwqepuK3EMXyt1TZoCQLYSMNi5u58vwIU-8q6FWjA/s320/IMG_6716.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IVVpZdhepBNNOkrltKo-S5rWf7FWYXkR8oFAk_RWVFc-e0OMCfjdU778MDQieGFQI2nPHZO2Lxl0gDDdLfet8mW8lPgCZqUu9UUAuEuhe-sD1ulb9lIdrrhUkTVKbaszREOhVzdsWt0/s1600/IMG_6718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IVVpZdhepBNNOkrltKo-S5rWf7FWYXkR8oFAk_RWVFc-e0OMCfjdU778MDQieGFQI2nPHZO2Lxl0gDDdLfet8mW8lPgCZqUu9UUAuEuhe-sD1ulb9lIdrrhUkTVKbaszREOhVzdsWt0/s320/IMG_6718.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF28OF48YJUv-nIFIWMbIYieht1rf4u3RPsWTCtZoIVqvMDVai9wGw5KAA0WmOR5Rx7YaZr7-poHPJ5oX4u-C-HH6l4yVo5n4PdBtSl89P_bXg-bvk9SRMAtZ06HWOBiJgUzH6yXcZBk/s1600/IMG_6720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF28OF48YJUv-nIFIWMbIYieht1rf4u3RPsWTCtZoIVqvMDVai9wGw5KAA0WmOR5Rx7YaZr7-poHPJ5oX4u-C-HH6l4yVo5n4PdBtSl89P_bXg-bvk9SRMAtZ06HWOBiJgUzH6yXcZBk/s320/IMG_6720.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These are photos of two statues of Artemis Ephesia – Artemis of the
Ephesians. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took both of those photos.
Seeing these incredibly beautiful statues was one of the highlights of the trip
for me despite the incident I will relate. Please notice that the statues are
in absolutely amazing condition. This is because these statues were buried at
some point. They were probably smaller versions of the great statues that stood
in the great temple itself, but those were made of wood, covered with gold. The
originals (along with the Great Temple itself) have long since disappeared. All
that remains of the temple are a couple stones. These statues were probably
kept in the Bouleuterion (city council chambers) in another part of the city,
that is where they were found. It is a miracle that they have survived in the
condition they are in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we traveled towards the museum after spending the morning
visiting the ruins of the city (also amazing) our excellent tour guide made
some general comments about the museum and mentioned the statues and even
described them a little. In this description it was obvious to me that he knew
the scholarship regarding these statues. I was impressed. But when we got into
the museum he disappeared and our tour leader took over. In general he was
pretty knowledgeable about a lot of stuff, especially geography. But his
comments in the museum, especially regarding the statues, were disappointing to
say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As you look at the photos above I am sure you noticed the
multiple protuberances on her chest. These are on both statues. What was your
first thought? Be honest! Your first thought was they were multiple breasts,
right? If you thought that you are in good historical company. The initial
consensus was that the protuberances were multiple breasts. However, if you
take another look notice that she is not naked, she is wearing a garment, a
robe of some sort. Those protuberances are attached to the garment. In fact, it
appears that she is wearing some kind of ritual robe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is not surprising that the group as a whole assumed the
Artemis statues were covered in multiple breasts. The group tittered like 14
year olds about it and one older retired evangelical pastor asked the tour
leader to explain them. The exact wording of the question was something like
this, “Did the people of that time really get turned on looking at this? I
don’t find it very arousing at all.” The response he received was completely
uninformed and simply confirmed the prejudices of the group. I found this
entire episode offensive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is how I would have answered the question: First, they
aren’t breasts. I could find no current scholarship that considers the protuberances
to be breasts, including Wikipedia. This is an old and outdated
interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So then what are they? No one knows for sure. But there are
some very thoughtful and insightful possibilities that have been put forward by
a variety of scholars. It is important to note that while we tend to think of
the Greek pantheon in very clear definitive and narrow terms – example: Zeus =
head god, Athena = wisdom, Apollo = sun, Artemis = goddess of the hunt and so
on – the ancients themselves had a much more fluid understanding of their
deities. So in various places various god and goddesses would take on a variety
of functions and foci, and these would vary from place to place. It is also the
case that over time some of the gods and goddesses were joined together. So, in
Ephesus for example, Artemis (who was the city’s patron goddess) also had
assumed the characteristics of both Cybele and Isis. This is important in
understanding these statues. Cybele was the goddess of motherhood and the one
who protected mothers in childbirth. Artemis assumed this role from her and so
it was Artemis Ephesia who became the goddess of fertility, motherhood and
childbirth. Do not confuse the focus on fertility to mean “eros.” That was the
domain of Aphrodite. Artemis was not about sex. Artemis was the virgin goddess,
who would protect mothers and children through the dangerous process of
childbirth and who insured the prosperity of the city through this protection.
So, the protuberances represent fertility. Suggestions of what might be
represented here include eggs, pomegranates or the testicles of bulls. It is
highly possible that these statues are specifically geared toward representing
Artemis the protector of women and mothers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Second, Do not sexualize Artemis. If you have read any of
the myths that include Artemis you will know that she is non-sexual and not
only that, but that those who attempt to sexualize her (even accidently!) do
not end well. But a deeper question which arises for me is this: what is it
about American/Western Christians that have a need and compulsion on the one
hand to be so strict and judgmental about sex (focusing on it obsessively as
though the entire faith is completely centered on sexual behavior) and on the
other to be so totally fascinated by it to the point of being totally and
completely childish and inappropriate at best and abusive and secretly
obsessive about it at worst? These statues are not intended to induce sexual
arousal, and if you think they do then maybe you have some issues you ought to
ponder. Also, there are some very interesting parallels between the cult and
devotion of Artemis and what eventually emerged around Mary. Christians should
be careful about assuming the high ground. There is nothing new under the sun.
Artemis and Mary overlap in some very interesting ways!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Third, I found the entire episode downright disrespectful. But
why should this surprise me? The entire history of Christianization is one
story of disrespect and disregard after the other. From the violence perpetuated
against the ancient temples and cults to the destruction of art to the burning
of books and murder of great thinkers (looking at you Cyril and the murder of
the brilliant ancient female philosopher Hypatia – can you spell misogyny?
Anti-intellectualism? #fearofsmartwomen) the story of the Christianization of
the west is in part a story of such blatant outright disrespect and violence
that is sometimes boggles the mind. If only it were all a part of the past and
we could say this no longer is an issue. But, this is not true. Evangelical
Christians continue to disrespect everything that they don’t understand or
accept. It is actually more than just disrespect. The violence and hate
continues unabated – the attacks on the LGBTQIA community, the hate which is
expressed towards people of color, especially immigrants and refugees (no,
there is no caravan; there is no excuse for the cruelty and crimes against
humanity that are being perpetrated in our name by this horrible administration).
This seemingly benign and silly incident of ignorance was for me much more
important than that because it represented to me the evils that have been and
continue to be perpetuated in the name of Christ by (so-called) conservative
and evangelical believers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was able to distance myself from the group for a while
after this and to spend a fair amount of time in the space where these statues
stand. There was nothing else in that immediate space. The statues stood in a small
dark room with lights illuminating them. I stood in the dark and pondered. What
did these statues look like initially? They were probably painted (almost all
statues were painted – no, they were not white). What had the goddess
represented in the statue observed and heard? What pain and fear must have been
placed at her feet! Was she able to offer some degree of comfort to the women
who came to her? Did they feel her support? I would like to think that these
statues were very comforting for the women who brought offerings and asked for her
help and strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">II. Was the Dephi
Oracle evil?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I still cannot believe that a Greek tour guide, taking a
group to visit the ruins of Delphi would say such a thing. “Well, you know the
Oracle was evil.” And then she went on to describe how the whole thing was a
fake. How the Oracle herself would just get high and utter nonsense and the
priests would make things up always making sure that the official Oracle’s
pronouncements were really vague. After she said this I separated myself from
the group for the rest of the day. This incident might have ruined one of the
most incredible sites on the tour for me. But I tried hard to make sure it
didn’t. I put it out of my mind and walked the other way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So in response where do I start? The Oracle at the Temple of
Apollo in Delphi was one of a number of oracles in Greece. But, Delphi was the
best known and the most popular. The Oracle was a woman, and for most of the
history of the Oracle it was an older woman who was past childbearing age and
who had no husband or young children to care for. And there was more than one.
There were two Oracles actually at any given time and they would take turns.
Then there were a group of women who supported and assisted them (for example
during the preparations which required two purification baths in the springs).
It was probably from this group that the new Oracle was chosen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People would come from long distances for the
chance to query the Oracle. She only took her place on the Tripod once a month
– on the 7<sup>th</sup> of the month; and only for 9 months of the year. During
the winter Apollo would remove himself and so he was unavailable and the Oracle
did not function. The focus shifted during the winter to the Mystery rites of
Dionysius. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The process of consulting the Oracle is not a secret and is
pretty well known. In particular it is important to note that Plutarch was for
a while the High Priest at Delphi, so he knew the workings of the temple and
the Oracle intimately and speaks with reverence and affection about it. He also
states that while the women who served as Oracle were a mixed group, with
widely variant backgrounds, nevertheless for Plutarch, it didn’t matter. The
Oracle still spoke true and with authority despite the individual woman serving
as Oracle or the priests serving as her interpreters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_gI5WtwT9C6Dql9jWyYyLYy1MtZiXLD2B2jZL1FB6QfgReelH84GX0Q1SDRFmxleS9scXmBuYVNhg5URkuucchi2-uq0DrJJOrc2KyZyK6TBPb-wX0swQIJbspSDkrejldaggDGYPok/s1600/16-Delphi-The+altar+of+the+temple+of+Apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_gI5WtwT9C6Dql9jWyYyLYy1MtZiXLD2B2jZL1FB6QfgReelH84GX0Q1SDRFmxleS9scXmBuYVNhg5URkuucchi2-uq0DrJJOrc2KyZyK6TBPb-wX0swQIJbspSDkrejldaggDGYPok/s320/16-Delphi-The+altar+of+the+temple+of+Apollo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The remains of the Great Altar of Delphi<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you were to present yourself in Delphi and wish to
consult the Oracle you would first be required to make a sacrifice at the great
altar that stands outside the temple. The sacrifice would be analyzed (the entrails
read) and it would then be determined if Apollo was willing to address your
question. This was exceptionally important. If the answer was no, then it was
no and you were turned away. There are stories of those who disregarded the reading
of the sacrifice and those stories do not end well for any of the participants.
If the priest determined that you could query the Oracle you would then be led
to the outer chamber. Only the Oracle and her priest interpreter were allowed
into the chamber itself. You would present your question – one question only.
The priest would present this question to the Oracle and she would ponder it
while sitting on the Tripod. She would usually be in or go into a trance and
then she would speak. The priest would then interpret, sometimes in verse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwXENjZYsj-LLBKsKZkmNmYSn54d-GXSnAsGEb17foB1S2aWHdjgF_OT0kkBcOy3-0ytLmrxO0DrN-olVwX0rbISrRK9DaschOFCg86LiXboc-Dtvw2D3PXyBf7Y7ZfYSh9-uw8JJkOs/s1600/Oracle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwXENjZYsj-LLBKsKZkmNmYSn54d-GXSnAsGEb17foB1S2aWHdjgF_OT0kkBcOy3-0ytLmrxO0DrN-olVwX0rbISrRK9DaschOFCg86LiXboc-Dtvw2D3PXyBf7Y7ZfYSh9-uw8JJkOs/s320/Oracle.jpg" width="158" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Oracle on her Tripod by John Collier<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What was it that induced the trance? It was ethylene. Much
study has been done on this question and it has been determined that the gas
that emerged from the fissure in the earth that runs underneath the temple was
ethylene. This is a gas that would induce a trance but whose effects disappear
quickly when the source of the gas is stopped. Since the source was a natural
source, through a fissure in the side of Mount Parnassus, the intensity of the
gas would vary. It is also true that regular exposure to the gas had a
detrimental effect on the health of the Oracle. But they didn’t really
understand this. There is some attestation to a sweet smell that was noticeable
in the outer chamber. But the Oracle and the priests took their responsibility
and job very seriously. They truly believed that the god Apollo was being
channeled and was guiding their actions and words, and providing insights and
important advice on a variety of topics that ran the gamut from political
questions, questions about national security to questions about relationships
and children and love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Oracle has had a major impact on the history of western
civilization. The democracy we (say) we treasure and which is enshrined in our
constitution was based to some degree on a system that was developed in ancient
Athens. Not only the representative nature of democracy, but also dimensions of
the legal system were also established at the same time. During this process,
as the Athenians debated and struggled to establish their new ideas about government,
the Oracle was consulted and helped guide the creation of this new,
experimental system of government and law. Decisions about war and defense were
made in consultation with the Oracle. In particular, the Oracle is credited
with providing the key to defeating the Persian King Xerxes at sea after he had
burned Athens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">IIb. The Delphi
Manumission Inscriptions<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is something else that is very important about Delphi,
but that is somewhat complex. I will try to provide a brief discussion and
introduction of the Delphi Manumission Inscriptions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Human slavery was an essential part of the ancient world.
And in many respects the entire economic system was built on the use (and abuse)
of human slavery. One scholar estimates that during the 1<sup>st</sup> century
CE, in the first years of the Roman Empire, as much as 60% of the population
were slaves. In general, we do not talk about this much. Those of us who spend
a lot of time studying the New Testament texts are aware of slavery but for the
most part I think we gloss over it and ignore it. The only time the NT really
deals with slavery is in Paul’s letter to Philemon where Paul writes in defense
of one particular runaway slave. It is notable that Paul never criticizes the
institution of slavery itself. And he isn’t alone. The New Testament assumes a
world where the institution of slavery is a integral part of the culture and
economic system. And the institution of slavery is never criticized by any of
the great pagan philosophers either, with the notable exception of Epicurus.
But at the same time slavery is not completely absent from the New Testament.
If you read through the NT every time you come to the word “servant” read it as
“slave.” The Greek word is “doulos” and it literally means “slave.” English
translations soften this by translating the word as “servant” but I think this
is unfortunate since for most of us a “servant” is someone for whom “service”
is somewhat voluntary – kind of like the servants in Downton Abby. It wasn’t
like that at all. Slaves (douloi) in the ancient world were owned body and soul
and they could be used and abused however the master chose. And small subset
ended up in responsible positions but the vast majority were worked to death,
beaten and used sexually – this is especially true with women and girls who
were slaves, but not only women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Slavery is an abominable institution and that it flourished
so long, and continues to flourish in parts of the world is nothing short of
reprehensible. But in talking about slavery in the ancient world there was one
thing that set it apart and that is that it was possible for a slave to
purchase their freedom and in fact, slaves were sometimes set free –
manumitted. Let’s be clear, this was not an easy thing to do. Slaves didn’t
earn money being slaves so it was hard for them to come up with the money to
purchase their manumission, but it was theoretically possible at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLbrcAP8O3BspR5V5fMPCQjpQkS5d0OpVVvgwaHKV44edUEVK89e3jSkVP8_G8olAwuq0JTN2fOf0HKSg8S0tYxGXazl8FxnjuH2ujrgJgQRG_T_2jnwT3y65s3D-iQDzVpN9697lVZE/s1600/16-Delphi-Hymn+to+Apollo+-+Musical+Notation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLbrcAP8O3BspR5V5fMPCQjpQkS5d0OpVVvgwaHKV44edUEVK89e3jSkVP8_G8olAwuq0JTN2fOf0HKSg8S0tYxGXazl8FxnjuH2ujrgJgQRG_T_2jnwT3y65s3D-iQDzVpN9697lVZE/s320/16-Delphi-Hymn+to+Apollo+-+Musical+Notation.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Manumission Inscriptions at Delphi on
the stones on the side of the Temple ruins.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This brings us to the Delphic Manumission Inscriptions. If
you wander up the Sacred Way towards the temple as you get close to the temple
walls you suddenly realize that the stones of the temple wall are covered with
small writing in Greek. This continues to the extent of the wall and also can
be found in the theater and in other places in Delphi. This writing records the
legal transaction of the sale (or what scholars call a “fictive sale”) of
slaves from their owners to the god Apollo. But Apollo did not utilize his
rights of ownership and so this was in effect the legal transaction of
manumission. A city official from Delphi and one or two priests of Apollo are
listed as witness to every transaction and the conclusion is that the slave was
now a free person, though there were conditions occasionally. This is where it
gets very complicated. A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">peremon</i>
clause was often attached requiring some task to be accomplished or a certain
amount of time to pass before the slave was actually free. This might include,
for example, the case of a young girl (maybe 11 years old) whose parents
purchased her manumission but with the condition that she was obligated to care
for them in their old age. Or, the manumission might be delayed until the death
of the master. Of the 1200 extant inscriptions some 400 contain clear <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">peremon</i> clauses. (Also, significantly, these
inscriptions are dated from 200 BCE to 100 CE – which includes the period of
the New Testament).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now I am not suggesting that the Oracle, the city of Delphi
or the temple administration was in any way working actively against the
institution of chattel slavery in the ancient world. This does not appear to be
the case. They, like the majority of pagan philosophers and writers and the
writers of the New Testament, simply accepted slavery as a fact of life in
their world. I suspect none of them could imagine a world without it. But, the
fact remains that the Temple of Apollo in Delphi stood and represented the
possibility and hope of freedom for slaves. This was a place where once you met
the conditions then you could be manumitted. And the temple and its priests
were bound to defend your freedom if it was ever called into question – hence
the inscriptions! This is more than any of the New Testament writers ever
accomplished. For them they simply note that slavery exists as a fact of life
and appear resigned to it. At Delphi the Temple at least to some degree was
involved in freeing slaves!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Digression – I want to make it clear that simply because the
NT never condemns slavery doesn’t mean that it approves slavery. The New
Testament – the Bible as a whole – is never proscriptive, it is descriptive. In
other words, the bible does not define the way the world should be but
describes the way the world is at the time of the writing and then challenges
the readers to imagine a world that is beyond the hate, exclusion and slavery
of the real world to a world of love, acceptance and freedom. This is the
Kingdom of God! This is “abundant life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And so, the Christians who would condemn the Oracle for
being evil are the same ones who promote hate, who cheer as children are ripped
from their parents arms at our border and thrown into cages, who defend the
slaughter of children in our schools which is the result of our idiotic gun
laws. These are the ones who coddle white supremacists who would re-enslave our
brothers and sisters of color. To suggest that the Oracle was evil is simply an
absurd thing to say in my view. Try looking to the “log in your own eye” before
judging a culture you do not know and that no longer exists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Oracle was an extremely important part of the history of
the ancient world. She contributed to the security and well-being of the people
in a variety of unique, creative and progressive ways. I believe we need to
accord to the Oracle respect and her place in history. For she deserves to be
honored and remembered for all that she did accomplish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">III. Did God (Jesus)
cause the Spartans to loose at Thermopylae? And are we just puppets, with God
as the great puppet-master?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_uzCTkz-uOOQOfu8q9odGHwNWTDmnsTpeESADfFH1Kj-1uRNWDLO0Yqj8VtqD8GIIRYrfBU5_SgFqTlvJ26SUljM5WrDfqAT2wjwOIE6ZGb40OPh2-j2S5JcDpHkaua3C6Kd15j3A7E/s1600/16-General+Leonitis+of+the+Spartans+-+A+statue+honoring+him+at+Thermopylae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_uzCTkz-uOOQOfu8q9odGHwNWTDmnsTpeESADfFH1Kj-1uRNWDLO0Yqj8VtqD8GIIRYrfBU5_SgFqTlvJ26SUljM5WrDfqAT2wjwOIE6ZGb40OPh2-j2S5JcDpHkaua3C6Kd15j3A7E/s320/16-General+Leonitis+of+the+Spartans+-+A+statue+honoring+him+at+Thermopylae.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The statue of General Leontis honoring and
commemorating his heroic last stand against the Persian invaders. The
inscription refers to his response when Persian messengers came to him to
suggest that he and his troops all give up their arms the King replied “Come
and get them!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we approached Thermopylae our guide told us the story of
the defeat of the Spartans and King Leonitis and finished her recounting with
this comment: “It was of course all pre-ordained. God caused the Spartans to
loose. After all, we are just puppets.” I was shocked at that comment and I
don’t think I was the only one. Even my evangelical companions I think found
that statement over the line. It calls all kinds of things into question. If we
are only puppets and have no ability to make our own choices and everything is
pre-ordained then we cannot choose to follow Jesus on our own and we cannot
make any choices about our lives or our communities. This means there is no
free choice. If we are puppets then what does that say about God? God becomes
cruel and capricious relegating some to wealth and ease and others to misery
and suffering. While it is true that with a little creative proof-texting one
can find support of just about anything in the Bible, I would say that this is
not the description of the God of either the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Genesis 28, Jacob is fleeing his home after having
cheated his brother and he stops to rest. While he sleeps he has a dream and
there he sees the messengers of YHWH “ascending and descending” from heaven to
earth and back again. The point is to assure Jacob that YHWH is with him, no
matter what. Even in the midst of fear and alienation and suffering YHWH will
be present. Heaven has to do with earth and God is involved, not as a control
but as a presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we move to the New Testament we can turn to John
chapter 1 where in verse 14 the text reads that “the Word became flesh and
dwelt (tented) among us.” This is the principal incarnation text and it
proclaims that God is not about control. Rather, God, though Jesus, is about
presence and love. God “so loved the world” that God has entered into the world
and become en-fleshed in Jesus, not in order to increase control, but to extend
God’s presence with the creation and especially assurance of God’s presence
with God’s beloved humans even in the face of the darkest pain, suffering and
death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The “puppet” understanding of God is simply incompatible
with the Gospels. In fact, I would argue that most of our ways of understanding
God are pretty limited and not terribly compatible with the God of the Hebrew
Bible or the New Testament. For example, God is not far distant; God is not a
vending machine where if you put in the right combination of belief and prayer
(and behavior) then out pops some kind of blessing; God is not “Santa Claus”
who is “keeping a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty and
nice…” and who “knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake…”
so, “you better watch out!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The word used in the Hebrew Bible to describe YHWH is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hesed</i> which is usually translated as
“Steadfast Love.” The word that is used by Paul to describe the God of Jesus is
the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis</i> that is sometimes
translated (in KJV) and “charity,” but is more correctly translated as “Grace.”
What both have in common is their unconditional nature – there is nothing
anyone can DO to earn either <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hesed </i>or
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis.</i> They are a gift of God. And
they bring a promise of God’s abiding love and presence. Perhaps it is oddly comforting
to think that “God is in control” but this “puppet” image of God simply negates
both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hesed</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">charis.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So why did King Leonitis loose the battle of Thermopylae? It
was not because of any divine involvement. It was because of military and
strategic factors. The Persians vastly outnumbered the Spartans, but
nevertheless the Spartans held them at bay for a while and fought brilliantly.
I suppose they could not have continued indefinitely but the traitor who showed
the Persians a secret path around the pass that enabled the Persians to attack
the Spartans on both sides would be the immediate reason for the loss.
Nevertheless, the Spartans fought to the death and their sacrifice inspired the
Greeks to stand firm and this led to their ultimate victory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Final comment: I think it is a mistake for Christians to
make the mistake of assuming that grace and God’s steadfast love are solely and
entirely their own possession. And it might come as a surprise to learn that
ancient paganism was much more varied than modern people usually assume. There
was a depth to ancient paganism, a sense of the presence of the deity and a
sense of a deep and profound connection to the spiritual in the ancient world.
And there were all of the same variations we see in modern religion as well,
including some mentioned above. The one thing that I think that sets ancient
paganism apart from Christianity is that it required the adherent to be active.
It was not enough to simply pray in secret and one did not “believe” in the
sense that it required people to take on a mental attitude about their faith.
In ancient paganism the gods and goddess were available for a relationship and
the relationship required reciprocal action on the part of the adherent such as
offerings, gifts, participation in communal festivals (such as the Elysian
Mysteries) which worked to bring the community together and helped individuals
understand their own place within the community and their own responsibilities
for the community. Christianity could learn from ancient paganism – especially
in regards to seeing the individual as a part of a broader community, one for
which they have both dependence and responsibility. And, not only that, but we
need to see community in terms of the larger community. We are a part of this
world and all human beings are beloved children of God no matter their race,
their color, their culture, their sexual orientation or whether they are
Greeks, Americans, Turks or Gypsies. We are responsible for them and for this
world.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I would like to close this section with a quote from "In the Wake of the Goddess" by Tikva Frymer-Kensky. She is speaking specifically in the except about the world of the ancient Sumarians and Akkadians but I think this quote is applicable to the ancient world in general:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>If we study the literature of the Babylonians and Sumarians</i> <i>we can no longer believe the description of 'pagan' religion that has long been a part of Western tradition and is still often found in modern religious writing. Instead of capricious gods acting only in pursuit of their own desires, we meet deities concerned with the proper ordering of the universe and the regulation of history. Instead of divine cruelty and arrogance, we find deliberation and understanding. Instead of lawlessness and violence, we see a developed legal system and a long tradition of reflective jurisprudence. Instead of immoral attitudes and behavior, we find moral deliberation, philosophical speculation, and penitential prayer. Instead of wild orgiastic rites, we read of hymns, processions, sacrifices, and prayers. Instead of the benighted paganism of the Western imagination, cuneiform literature reveals tos us an ethical polytheism that commands serious attention and respect.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have spent this long blog post reacting to comments that I
found difficult or offensive, but this does not mean that I did not get a lot
out of the trip and so to conclude I will post some photos of some of my
favorite places that we visited. Entering into the ancient world in this trip
was a moving and edifying experience for me. It brought, not only biblical
texts but also other ancient works to life in a way that I had not experienced
before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZs4QGAEyZzm4D34ce0lsObkCrFPpjcFhbqgUQOa3wUJBRaztPHkyy1GoMfKZpkLNP-vBvGJA9EVZtiLIFOjiivQQOXoUaM3EGIFelQBolhz21JnyBW8MNpGA2HnUUGWYnfh93yUtTP0/s1600/8-Ephesus-Facade+of+the+Celsus+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZs4QGAEyZzm4D34ce0lsObkCrFPpjcFhbqgUQOa3wUJBRaztPHkyy1GoMfKZpkLNP-vBvGJA9EVZtiLIFOjiivQQOXoUaM3EGIFelQBolhz21JnyBW8MNpGA2HnUUGWYnfh93yUtTP0/s320/8-Ephesus-Facade+of+the+Celsus+Library.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Celsus library in Ephesus</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbGlH8WTkyn-alnRB_W5WmnVs9uCd3EJDN7Pp7az0CdQbePGOR51QsQWv4lP2nS73vm6WxKdzklM3RXYNKkrEfOoeB-r-3yWYz80iXZux7GgXFd3Mv5G9EJykTkrggVOdBa-XsVXrj9M/s1600/3-Mosaic+of+Christ-Inside+Hagia+Sofia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbGlH8WTkyn-alnRB_W5WmnVs9uCd3EJDN7Pp7az0CdQbePGOR51QsQWv4lP2nS73vm6WxKdzklM3RXYNKkrEfOoeB-r-3yWYz80iXZux7GgXFd3Mv5G9EJykTkrggVOdBa-XsVXrj9M/s320/3-Mosaic+of+Christ-Inside+Hagia+Sofia.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Mosiac inside of Hagia Sofia</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaEFDK63Ro8ggQrSw9jrCRN7rz4SATYN7FdZZDXWcQvozAkOJCAO4rJYeJ7jl80xDT5SAdtWWKG9hUb0N04h3BjM7N8f6W2kzH1CCx657GtM0iYTuFrGpPmfc2zZSaql-8tnZijn87bU/s1600/4-Perge-RiverofLife+Flowing+from+Goddess+-+Rev22ff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaEFDK63Ro8ggQrSw9jrCRN7rz4SATYN7FdZZDXWcQvozAkOJCAO4rJYeJ7jl80xDT5SAdtWWKG9hUb0N04h3BjM7N8f6W2kzH1CCx657GtM0iYTuFrGpPmfc2zZSaql-8tnZijn87bU/s320/4-Perge-RiverofLife+Flowing+from+Goddess+-+Rev22ff.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Perge - The head of the fountain that runs throughout the city.</i> <i>A gift of the goddess. The River of life.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPjjanmjqQUA3R0uEvWcKhnVQycYV8rQ8hlLzWqYsieyGbSrkf1ewIWTaX8VcRJcrdNmQaJ1p2nsWPQOPIhT6HrlOwZc-k7PudIDh7NBX3FcgyAg7teXJCS5e0MiXQWpbxjV2dpNCSnk/s1600/4-PergaArchMus-Dancing+Woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPjjanmjqQUA3R0uEvWcKhnVQycYV8rQ8hlLzWqYsieyGbSrkf1ewIWTaX8VcRJcrdNmQaJ1p2nsWPQOPIhT6HrlOwZc-k7PudIDh7NBX3FcgyAg7teXJCS5e0MiXQWpbxjV2dpNCSnk/s320/4-PergaArchMus-Dancing+Woman.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dancing woman - Perge Archeological Museum</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjME0s2mpyBPhZeeZRxtMLkZ8GEEmQD0mA3nxl9fUTJb33AFFZH80I725f7oaotmOsGSnUjHAwNiNAfsINf0oNXyYWlmt6LblZHfb9rThvQONuUW8zlw4_2jOq22rO0XQsbMo8OU8Fbis/s1600/6-Didyma-Medusa+from+the+Temple+of+Apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjME0s2mpyBPhZeeZRxtMLkZ8GEEmQD0mA3nxl9fUTJb33AFFZH80I725f7oaotmOsGSnUjHAwNiNAfsINf0oNXyYWlmt6LblZHfb9rThvQONuUW8zlw4_2jOq22rO0XQsbMo8OU8Fbis/s320/6-Didyma-Medusa+from+the+Temple+of+Apollo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Medusa from the Great Temple to Apollo at Didyma</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFnoYkvFa0FKei13453lJiu8XLjw7N-l8HmsB8CKrr0eZ-jSG8TTtyZY9KNIcbPZj7NyufSXacUo-6usmL15qD3H3wft981lgTKde9W3p2W65CG6YTIvM7kD0cZa20UgeGxmMldc8Zl0/s1600/6-Didyma-The+Great+Temple+of+Apollo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFnoYkvFa0FKei13453lJiu8XLjw7N-l8HmsB8CKrr0eZ-jSG8TTtyZY9KNIcbPZj7NyufSXacUo-6usmL15qD3H3wft981lgTKde9W3p2W65CG6YTIvM7kD0cZa20UgeGxmMldc8Zl0/s320/6-Didyma-The+Great+Temple+of+Apollo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Great Temple to Apollo at Didyma</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6ZhMRrZiPh8_iZZ-ih_4G25TxQe_4fHXx3Ehr-GxsBK8EPMfELIccQikECYbWZ9KQ16En9EogjZi7WuCSWmbHlcSX6ewOSHly1iCAbd0op60Zg_GDx9bGeg2sOr6iNTaSPAzUo60Wos/s1600/6-Priene-Bouleterion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6ZhMRrZiPh8_iZZ-ih_4G25TxQe_4fHXx3Ehr-GxsBK8EPMfELIccQikECYbWZ9KQ16En9EogjZi7WuCSWmbHlcSX6ewOSHly1iCAbd0op60Zg_GDx9bGeg2sOr6iNTaSPAzUo60Wos/s320/6-Priene-Bouleterion.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Bouletarion at Priene</i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh381aDjkkvN5zKjx7L59rApOXtZOzeD7Hp9cMni0zYv_z2a8SqNnU9YyshGedywk6LSp-s9VwnyYGa_Jiy_9kKBBAA_t-Iz7o4BMx6MtImkM_cGYbp-gwgFeeCAdTfR_vBe8aL39i3A4/s1600/6-Priene-Greek+Theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh381aDjkkvN5zKjx7L59rApOXtZOzeD7Hp9cMni0zYv_z2a8SqNnU9YyshGedywk6LSp-s9VwnyYGa_Jiy_9kKBBAA_t-Iz7o4BMx6MtImkM_cGYbp-gwgFeeCAdTfR_vBe8aL39i3A4/s320/6-Priene-Greek+Theater.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Theater at Priene</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTxb9jkjH0qii0ulvy1bTeZhHDjiAsier9yEcZtE_FzGIjBvN1DIxjqVNP0PEnVW9dvoBGF9Qy7DLcWgwQvHlmcb7wDDykVmnfE7AYkjrQtopwB7yDP9tiiycbSxyDVn7V5S0WQjLzu4/s1600/8-Ephesus-main+gathering+room+in+private+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTxb9jkjH0qii0ulvy1bTeZhHDjiAsier9yEcZtE_FzGIjBvN1DIxjqVNP0PEnVW9dvoBGF9Qy7DLcWgwQvHlmcb7wDDykVmnfE7AYkjrQtopwB7yDP9tiiycbSxyDVn7V5S0WQjLzu4/s320/8-Ephesus-main+gathering+room+in+private+home.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Private home in Ephesus</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFa2JAY7reTjiPRNGB-vBNGrwbZ3J9Rb05uKXqehiiXTQ4amK7Qk0qlQktH46wr8D403uwuHkXrVT4367cokaruveuJi5OwI34Puu4zn2hVFrOwuwRTMEPO4pt6avd2DtVW8OUHtNp3JQ/s1600/8-Ephesus-Site+of+Great+Temple+of+Artemis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFa2JAY7reTjiPRNGB-vBNGrwbZ3J9Rb05uKXqehiiXTQ4amK7Qk0qlQktH46wr8D403uwuHkXrVT4367cokaruveuJi5OwI34Puu4zn2hVFrOwuwRTMEPO4pt6avd2DtVW8OUHtNp3JQ/s320/8-Ephesus-Site+of+Great+Temple+of+Artemis.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The site of the Great Temple of Artemis in Ephesus</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qjCzk61-cJU7TA6d-uBc0jEhTkjh0JLMprc7zVXIfXep1PiXMVcfHOKQL8gVVs7MjW5XVEVhyrc7VPzzh9h_EzE7WiCX73bCdqx4fctN0AC3wBP3rxl68cb_tWKAN7lL0mPKJBO0QyM/s1600/8-Ephesus-walls+of+private+homes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qjCzk61-cJU7TA6d-uBc0jEhTkjh0JLMprc7zVXIfXep1PiXMVcfHOKQL8gVVs7MjW5XVEVhyrc7VPzzh9h_EzE7WiCX73bCdqx4fctN0AC3wBP3rxl68cb_tWKAN7lL0mPKJBO0QyM/s320/8-Ephesus-walls+of+private+homes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Private home - Ephesus</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKK5yMdl1EZzNaYM-b0-UFVJo5tdh6uLWs2VINqj-qOiGujlotrUrJ4x2pqvJBINzNTmwRQKHtnx4hKPTzC_KsCAXjz-UwAzNcddu364vmnl-scxe-IiWfMvgyd4g4efpXvkLJMzMlaY/s1600/9-Philadelphia-Artemis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKK5yMdl1EZzNaYM-b0-UFVJo5tdh6uLWs2VINqj-qOiGujlotrUrJ4x2pqvJBINzNTmwRQKHtnx4hKPTzC_KsCAXjz-UwAzNcddu364vmnl-scxe-IiWfMvgyd4g4efpXvkLJMzMlaY/s320/9-Philadelphia-Artemis.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Artemis - Philadelphia</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x3gyVwer54LP8wGtp8SyO4qtesaI8yjx4R01UDU5Mv8zXa4OF_RU7hTvAPwvcX1MaLp-97Ugut2bxK5PzA5xUD0ecj_z6A_Y7nAfNXnPreeYj-Y1zWl9MtQJFLT1wonhmGb-_kzcOZI/s1600/10-Assos-Aegean+and+Island+of+Lesbos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2x3gyVwer54LP8wGtp8SyO4qtesaI8yjx4R01UDU5Mv8zXa4OF_RU7hTvAPwvcX1MaLp-97Ugut2bxK5PzA5xUD0ecj_z6A_Y7nAfNXnPreeYj-Y1zWl9MtQJFLT1wonhmGb-_kzcOZI/s320/10-Assos-Aegean+and+Island+of+Lesbos.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The island of Lesbos seen from Assos</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_JdD2rIVFXdkJIiNLG1rAqi6KYu8v8H1CCuVSGREJ8B-I8wLJzRzH_B2pf_UWN6YaYfzwXQygsufNOrzwCt75qG4tess7xBvVS1z8Pj-j4aRI3tZ6gH0FpVElf7LsYv2NxR0bE7IJi0/s1600/10-Assos-Ancient+Harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_JdD2rIVFXdkJIiNLG1rAqi6KYu8v8H1CCuVSGREJ8B-I8wLJzRzH_B2pf_UWN6YaYfzwXQygsufNOrzwCt75qG4tess7xBvVS1z8Pj-j4aRI3tZ6gH0FpVElf7LsYv2NxR0bE7IJi0/s320/10-Assos-Ancient+Harbour.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The ancient harbor of Assos</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdiTTbAGF5tobo5JyMXRYJg-m8NiSnGhQpo9HjUPB8R-yqAkbW56sH3ihwxTkM1bey-yUi2TOpaom5c-A35IwQjBrqb4B99Lux0Da3HOuNqITpSl-_0FdYNV3l_IwtSwPvB1fwysgALo/s1600/10-Assos-Temple+to+Athena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdiTTbAGF5tobo5JyMXRYJg-m8NiSnGhQpo9HjUPB8R-yqAkbW56sH3ihwxTkM1bey-yUi2TOpaom5c-A35IwQjBrqb4B99Lux0Da3HOuNqITpSl-_0FdYNV3l_IwtSwPvB1fwysgALo/s320/10-Assos-Temple+to+Athena.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Great Temple to Athena in Assos</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R5ypyomeHVsXVxIsrygr51YytUBjyNa72HCCE2UiW-JYhtei4CHSvNpSHXb3HwoI1zTjRBncoS8uwmEcj7iKNEciFsGK_EmVVtzJJYsKJX0jDKnZ-ZW1eM82RtbK1K1dPHQd9Ioj5iU/s1600/10-Pergamom-The+Temple+to+the+Emperor+Trajan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1R5ypyomeHVsXVxIsrygr51YytUBjyNa72HCCE2UiW-JYhtei4CHSvNpSHXb3HwoI1zTjRBncoS8uwmEcj7iKNEciFsGK_EmVVtzJJYsKJX0jDKnZ-ZW1eM82RtbK1K1dPHQd9Ioj5iU/s320/10-Pergamom-The+Temple+to+the+Emperor+Trajan.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Temple to Emperor Trajan in Pergamum</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcdzCo7BrTP1WPmS6YlL-rUXwMcS2uu7dLCj7nTnBg1eYquxMNNeQ8-Es7L9Wvj4dtV6WFbpWU9iP8D__gChzJkopI328F4sKOdWCxulznQWt-g_iJ-QVi0IIOIIIL9kcGmzzKjYjPwE/s1600/11-Troas+Harbour+%2528Sandy+Spot+is+ancient+harbour%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcdzCo7BrTP1WPmS6YlL-rUXwMcS2uu7dLCj7nTnBg1eYquxMNNeQ8-Es7L9Wvj4dtV6WFbpWU9iP8D__gChzJkopI328F4sKOdWCxulznQWt-g_iJ-QVi0IIOIIIL9kcGmzzKjYjPwE/s320/11-Troas+Harbour+%2528Sandy+Spot+is+ancient+harbour%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Ancient harbor of Troas</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUEpacbLwSRTjPmwonQBE9rdinPhzuHcQZ4nC52FOo8n9EpaoqlIk-JNGtBCEmAdnRLe1iJVT9oltKdnz1mgvwCapZ4AYazYJ4zm6B-mIVl_f1tAcieLvYpFegb3dXR_EG8xOaoeClmo/s1600/13-Philippi-The+city+with+the+plains+in+the+background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUEpacbLwSRTjPmwonQBE9rdinPhzuHcQZ4nC52FOo8n9EpaoqlIk-JNGtBCEmAdnRLe1iJVT9oltKdnz1mgvwCapZ4AYazYJ4zm6B-mIVl_f1tAcieLvYpFegb3dXR_EG8xOaoeClmo/s320/13-Philippi-The+city+with+the+plains+in+the+background.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Philippi - The Agora with the Plains of Philippi in the back (site of the Battle of Philippi)</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SUDWvQRUhizuZ5hTWkmInpRLcUN2xp7UC3-E_hhw000xNXPpUG27cmim9brWGL2uMTiYIND3aJlWy6DYXf1wTLT5ODmR8PLEncud8L2DujPIjhQOsybvwZOTe8NVtkElR8KEpQf1yZI/s1600/17-Corinth-Ancient+Corinth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SUDWvQRUhizuZ5hTWkmInpRLcUN2xp7UC3-E_hhw000xNXPpUG27cmim9brWGL2uMTiYIND3aJlWy6DYXf1wTLT5ODmR8PLEncud8L2DujPIjhQOsybvwZOTe8NVtkElR8KEpQf1yZI/s320/17-Corinth-Ancient+Corinth.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Corinth</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAAX2gMjspvMaUSiIWBlSM8PN4kQYlQ5mAk7rwhPNubLLx-qZakDjGjwYU5mO3hyphenhyphen57dQn4XcpXh5tr2mBCNHCFVLgaVCcIkcLSrLqh-HaF_Ctg26rWBmc8IAck5FkjbQOiujyEdg-V6k/s1600/18-Athens-The+chorus+of+muses+around+the+side+of+the+temple+to+Poseidon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAAX2gMjspvMaUSiIWBlSM8PN4kQYlQ5mAk7rwhPNubLLx-qZakDjGjwYU5mO3hyphenhyphen57dQn4XcpXh5tr2mBCNHCFVLgaVCcIkcLSrLqh-HaF_Ctg26rWBmc8IAck5FkjbQOiujyEdg-V6k/s320/18-Athens-The+chorus+of+muses+around+the+side+of+the+temple+to+Poseidon.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>The Temple to Poseidon at the Parthenon in Athens</i> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EfOF5hAnOc324zvRx65TS4AOX03f9I7Jg1IhM_DUao2Jm5wwJnqLlJHX_McRk3-9yM7iaxoGdwDYh4lr2b9f97dAslSm7SUAuTLba2gvZtv3K2yZA9mXOfqVSxPnvj7m6kylM9i0t_8/s1600/18-Athens-The+Parthenon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EfOF5hAnOc324zvRx65TS4AOX03f9I7Jg1IhM_DUao2Jm5wwJnqLlJHX_McRk3-9yM7iaxoGdwDYh4lr2b9f97dAslSm7SUAuTLba2gvZtv3K2yZA9mXOfqVSxPnvj7m6kylM9i0t_8/s320/18-Athens-The+Parthenon.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <i>The Great Temple to Athena at the Parthenon in Athens</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-16301027906003816352019-09-01T22:32:00.000-05:002019-09-01T22:32:10.634-05:00Some musings about prayer<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
(Pr. Duncan wrote this in response to a question about the understanding of prayer is for a Christian believer):</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
First of all, how we think of prayer is directly related to our understanding of God. If we see God as a "Santa Claus" or a Vending Machine or a Master Puppeteer or a distant omniscient God then it will affect how we shape our prayer life. I am not being flip. The fact is that way too many have such very limited and one dimensional unde<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">rstandings of God / Jesus. But God transcends all of our imagination and part of the challenge is for us to discard our way too simple ways of understanding who God is and open our minds to embrace a God that is way beyond our comprehension but still accessible through Jesus, the one who is God incarnate.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Another important thing to keep in mind is that we modern Christians tend to be very cerebral about our faith and our prayer. For many of us it is all about thought or thinking and often too rarely about action. In the ancient world it was the opposite. The language itself (Koiné Greek and Biblical Hebrew) presume an activity level which English transforms into passivity and consequently we tend to be rather passive in our faith and discipleship. Prayer should bring us the strength and insight to act. Of course it is way more complicated than all of that and I don't have the time or space for to be comprehensive. But ultimately it comes around to the question of what is prayer? It is a way of our communicating with God and it should be two way not just one way. But for many of us our prayer life consists in doing all the talking. I believe that from the moment of our Baptism God is present and communicating with us, through everything. One of the challenges of a life of faith is to find ways of listening. Sometimes this can be done in quiet contemplation but sometimes we need to be engaged with others - active and caring for God's children and God's creation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy82Z6xhISOxpld5CVzAlBcniMVCrRiZoUdsjBRZmG_K9DNdkalKEZmkaM-qmFDgY5wFvYHCepvsP8BPkpVApL3oErd94tBqVW01QNrm4Zrr3DL5XBnk0UOwoy63edOPgYQRdTpi-cu2Y/s1600/pray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy82Z6xhISOxpld5CVzAlBcniMVCrRiZoUdsjBRZmG_K9DNdkalKEZmkaM-qmFDgY5wFvYHCepvsP8BPkpVApL3oErd94tBqVW01QNrm4Zrr3DL5XBnk0UOwoy63edOPgYQRdTpi-cu2Y/s1600/pray.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-49387125191390293172019-07-16T19:37:00.003-05:002019-07-16T19:45:51.039-05:00"The Good (Compassionate) Samaritan" - Luke 10 and Other ThingsThis past Sunday the lesson appointed was the Parable of the "Good Samaritan" from Luke 10. In my sermon I went through some of the basics, first about Parables in General:<br />
1. They are all Parables of the Kingdom of God - they reflect God's Kingdom, which is why so many of them are about radical forgiveness, acceptance and grace.<br />
2. They are about God - they are not morality tales for us.<br />
3. They are an invitation for those of us who have been baptized and have been called to be citizen's of the Kingdom. How are we to live? How are we to relate to others - well, A man had two sons..." "A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho..."<br />
<br />
I also pointed out in my sermon that the Parables tend to be "pretty in your face" and radical. This is why the man who shows mercy is a despised Samaritan. Maybe Jesus, if he were telling this story today, would lift up an immigrant from Central America or a refugee. Does that offend you? Well, it should and it should cause you to think long and hard about your priorities and how you treat and are in with relationship with others. Jesus takes the question "who is my neighbor" and throws it in the dirt - he, she, those children locked in cages - they are your neighbors and how dare you "pass by on the other side."<br />
<br />
After church, my wife Christine and I were discussing this parable and she had a wonderful insight. Here is her post from Facebook:<br />
Responding to the ridiculous argument that these refugees and children are suffering because it is their own fault, Christine writes:<br />
<span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-family: , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21;">“Nor is "it's their own fault for coming here." Think of that guy who was stupi</span><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21;">d enough to travel the road from Jerusalem to Jericho alone. He recklessly put himself in danger and then got beaten, robbed, and left for dead. So, poor him, it was his own fault. But someone stopped to help him anyway, someone who didn't ask whether the guy deserved to have been beaten or deserved to be helped. Others looked away, didn't want to get their hands dirty. It's proverbially clear to us which of these responses is to be lauded. But many among us can't make the connection to what's happening at our borders today.”</span></span><br />
<br />
My colleague Pr. Chris Repp has posted his terrific sermon and I commend it to you:<br />
<a href="https://gracelutherancu.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/5-Pentecost-2019-L15C-Pew-Edition.pdf" target="_blank">The Good Samaritan</a><br />
<br />
Finally, some random thoughts...<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My New Testament professor at seminary, years ago, pointed out one day as we studied the Synoptic Gospels that there are multiple references to Jesus reacting with "compassion" when he confronts human suffering (actually a quick count gives me 14 references spread over the Synopics - Matthew, Mark and Luke). But, he explained, that is way too controlled in English. The Greek word behind the English word "Compassion" is (in the case of Matthew 9:36 for example) esplagxvisthe -<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> the root is splagx - which is the Greek word for intestines. Jesus was not just moved to compassion, as beautiful as that may be - "His guts were wrenched" as he experienced and entered into the reality of human suffering.</span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; display: inline;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How is it that those who call themselves "Christians" - who claim to follow Jesus and who (supposedly) know that that means to live with the same values and priorities seem to not be able to find within their souls any kind of "compassion" for those who are suffering such incredible cruelty. How is it that they latch onto lame excuses, and try to justify these cruel and illegal actions with mindless justifications? How come their "guts aren't wrenched" to see children ripped from their families and caged in such inhuman conditions? How dare you continue to call yourself a "Christian?"</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpyQyMAsLyw0Fs8MwlQof_ljLgEW7z14g6tDfrPWMdinyPNgvXLEm69Midbt08RROD7As17mv6YD1ns_t-JdFlbMINGUFXWxBgw7HsPi51jqrATlBz_14U2PO_xCK3U73AGci8otkjds/s1600/25426918_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpyQyMAsLyw0Fs8MwlQof_ljLgEW7z14g6tDfrPWMdinyPNgvXLEm69Midbt08RROD7As17mv6YD1ns_t-JdFlbMINGUFXWxBgw7HsPi51jqrATlBz_14U2PO_xCK3U73AGci8otkjds/s320/25426918_2.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The "Good Samaritan" by Vincent Van Gogh</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-77439066364185993292019-06-30T11:56:00.001-05:002019-06-30T11:56:13.637-05:00Reflections on Healing in the New Testament<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
What is healing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we do a “healing” liturgy on the 5<sup>th</sup>
Sunday of the month?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we offering
“cure?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, God has given us the gift of
medical science to help us find cures. So then what is the “healing” that our
liturgy offers us from God through Christ? It is easy to mix up those two words
– healing and cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our culture tends to
understand “healing” as “cure,” and “cure” as “healing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cure and healing are interchangeable in our
society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go to the doctor for a cure
in hopes that we will be healed of whatever ails us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We come to church and experience a liturgy of
healing in hopes that this will aid in providing a cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But are they the same thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, in the Bible they are not the same thing
at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may be related, but they
are two separate things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here then is a
statement that sums up the biblical view of healing and cure: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">First,
One can be cured without experiencing healing and 2<sup>nd</sup>, One can be
healed without being cured!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The view of illness
in the New Testament is somewhat ambiguous. On the one hand the NT sees illness
as an inevitable part of life. Human beings get sick. And human beings die. We
tend to see both illness and death as invaders from the outside. But the bible
sees death in particular not as the opposite of life, but as a part of life.
And illness is also a part of life – whether we like it or not humans will get
sick. On the other hand the NT also sees illness as coming from the outside;
invading life from outside and keeping people from being able to live their
lives in a full manner. Illness focuses us on ourselves which means it
necessarily cuts us off from others. During the first century Jesus’ reputation
that spread throughout the region was primarily that of a healer. Jesus was
someone who could restore people back to their community and who healed people
in a way that enabled them to live fuller lives. What Jesus seemed to
understand is that illness can be caused by a variety of factors. Of course the
first century did not understand things like bacteria and viruses, but they
understood that we can bring illness on to ourselves through our choices and
priorities, that both external and internal factors can make us sick. </span>Being
sick may be the result of a variety of things some of which might not even be
physical, but may have to do with our lifestyles or spiritual and/or psychological
and even environmental issues. Surely we should use the gift of medicine to
seek after cure for our physical illnesses, but what about these other issues,
often there are deeper issues that can lead to the illness in the first place?
The God of grace through Jesus offers us healing through his grace.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One can be cured without
experiencing healing and 2<sup>nd</sup>, One can be healed without being cured!</i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Look at St. Paul, for example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Therefore,
to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a
messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times
I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I
will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ
may dwell in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many scholars believe
that Paul contracted a form of Malaria in Tarsus when he was a boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then continued to suffer with problems
relating to this for the rest of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we can tell from this passage, he prayed fervently for cure but did
not receive it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still, Paul
experienced a healing that went beyond his physical ailments and which enabled
him to continue serving and to rely on and celebrate the grace of God through
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Accepting the gift of
grace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accepting that, like Paul, the
grace of God, through Christ, IS sufficient for us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what we are about in our liturgy of
healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We celebrate the grace of God,
which we experience through Christ the healer and through the bread and wine of
Communion with our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this
liturgy we will turn over to God our myriad issues – our illnesses of all
kinds, our stresses and concerns and ask God to grant us grace so that we can
experience healing and wholeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may
also ask for cure and that is appropriate, but we look beyond cure to the
healing and wholeness that is offered to us in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And to consider this
gift of wholeness let us turn back to the Gospel of Luke – what are some of the
characteristics of healing in the New Testament – what is offered to us by
Christ the healer? What is God offering to us today?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let’s look at 4
healing stories in Luke – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. Luke 5:17ff –
FORGIVENESS - Jesus heals the paralytic – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your
sins are forgiven you.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Luke 7:1ff – FAITH
- Jesus heals the Centurion’s servant – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not
even in Israel have I found such faith.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Luke 17:11-19 –
THANKSGIVING & PRAISE - Jesus heals 10 lepers, only one returns to give
praise to God – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Were not 10 made clean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the other nine, where are they… Your
faith has made you well.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. Luke 14:1-14 –
EUCHARIST -Jesus heals the man with dropsy while at a banquet – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When you give a banquet, invite the poor,
the crippled, the lame, and the blind.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What wholeness and healing
does Jesus offer to us today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
passages from Luke are only a small sampling of scripture texts, but there are
a couple important patterns that emerge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Notice that curing occurs, but is almost an afterthought in many of
these stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Luke 5 story Jesus
offers the healing of <u>forgiveness.</u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Luke 7 Jesus lifts up <u>faith</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now this is one that is very misunderstood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This does not mean that curing will not come
to you unless you believe hard enough (as if that is something we can actually
accomplish anyway!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In both this story
and in the Luke 17 story faith is defined as an activity – an activity of
confidence and reliance and trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
like Jesus is simply confirming that the trust and action that is demonstrated
is providing healing and this healing is also leading to cure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in Luke 17 we have a twist because there
are 10 lepers cured but only one was healed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finally, healing
comes at table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over again in
the Gospel of Luke Jesus is eating at table and his presence at a banquet is
what promotes healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this in
the passage with the man with dropsy, with the woman who anoints his feet, with
the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In every case Jesus provides healing and wholeness and it comes from
joining Christ at the Banquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift
of Communion is a healing meal and a meal that is offered to you today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1015</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5786</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>48</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>13</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6788</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So we will invite you to come forward, to receive
the oil of anointing, to hear the words of promise, to receive bread and
wine. Christ offers to you healing and
wholeness. Come and receive.</span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Please note - I had intended to post all of the reflections on my trip but I found the technical issues too problematic. I intend to slowly post those reflections in the future.</i></span>Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-37211122833166715212019-05-15T13:46:00.000-05:002019-05-15T14:11:19.466-05:00Day #2 - IstanbulDay #2 - the official tour did not begin until the afternoon so in the morning I toured alone and walked from the hotel to the Hagia Sofia, at the time it was built it was the largest church in all of Christendom. Later after the city fell in 1453 it was converted to a Mosque. Today it is a museum. I did not go in. That will be tomorrow. But I also saw the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, German Fountain, Suiliman’s Harem, and the Grand Bazaar. In the afternoon I met up with the tour and we took a boat ride on the Bosphorus. Istanbul is divided by the river. On one side is the new city (after 1453) in Asia and the other side is the old city of Byzantium in Europe. Dinner soon and then to bed. Tomorrow we go inside Hagia Sophia and then we fly to Antalya. Below is the Hagia Sophia - Holy Wisdom (behind this building is a smaller church/mosque name Hagia Eirene - Holy Peace)<br />
<br />
For some reason this site won’t let me add captions so photo 4: On the river Bosphorus looking towards Hagia Sophia, Hagia Eirene is the tiny dome behind the larger Sophia (to left of it)<br />
Photo 5: Our boat; Photo 6: the Grand Bazaar; Photo 7: On the river - a beautiful Mosque; Photo 8: the Palace which served as the residence and headquarters for the Ottoman Empire; Photo 9: On the river; Photo 10: The Guard structure guarding the entrance to the city - there is another smaller one on thE other side of the river.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWnqHDLBdTmv-RobQBHKWDtsfURhwUbvA1dzKg_SOarFgkx5YyeRAtXKzZBvx8myqkAOF2CSM8xK2zCVmAO7qVL744qzoX1swbUs7shIisFWpD-8rULrcZ866qBk9l3mbDiO3ZjwGyGw/s1600/26BF5AD5-D98D-45E9-8A1C-59589E59D739.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWnqHDLBdTmv-RobQBHKWDtsfURhwUbvA1dzKg_SOarFgkx5YyeRAtXKzZBvx8myqkAOF2CSM8xK2zCVmAO7qVL744qzoX1swbUs7shIisFWpD-8rULrcZ866qBk9l3mbDiO3ZjwGyGw/s320/26BF5AD5-D98D-45E9-8A1C-59589E59D739.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY22NhrPk9mglHtxRjE5pwWQ0V3klRrYwNbnvPT1CN6XfY6XTWe3V8gwHi9H7UI1eWQJStEHnFnM4h6U1n9UD-tIyMuDmiKt0GnIrA3rFeEOyHRRN2bugBTHvSJ3pYgut50yatAw1EacI/s1600/1CCAA781-8B96-41BE-A0B7-74091C889856.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY22NhrPk9mglHtxRjE5pwWQ0V3klRrYwNbnvPT1CN6XfY6XTWe3V8gwHi9H7UI1eWQJStEHnFnM4h6U1n9UD-tIyMuDmiKt0GnIrA3rFeEOyHRRN2bugBTHvSJ3pYgut50yatAw1EacI/s320/1CCAA781-8B96-41BE-A0B7-74091C889856.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TF_owq9wU6Xm54pH-hnymbmBjBGAjuqMWBoeNS2MVFxOAw16TIsnove22yMpaxy_11SGesLKEya0Zch7hsfXRMN4Iep5-R_jN7R9M7rzXKi2kNC2rMNMo5T9X2ZIodF_DmsmqYnX62M/s1600/2BCFEE04-047A-4248-B54D-6CFDD0853060.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TF_owq9wU6Xm54pH-hnymbmBjBGAjuqMWBoeNS2MVFxOAw16TIsnove22yMpaxy_11SGesLKEya0Zch7hsfXRMN4Iep5-R_jN7R9M7rzXKi2kNC2rMNMo5T9X2ZIodF_DmsmqYnX62M/s320/2BCFEE04-047A-4248-B54D-6CFDD0853060.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Roman Aquaduct</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbcCbUuQ0K5R9gv9fF5JJwLskuJPtqa1lcUaJKMeX55XaZ8AMTcWcU2J9xmuDE5EU_J7CYGUL8kAP6YRFPUkFvfUfkY9qsJWyGVnXmj3RNI5erw0-BLBVwb8S9Gjpwn7mhA3g7uchU6Y/s1600/4A80DEF5-A043-4D5A-B631-C6072693B9CF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbcCbUuQ0K5R9gv9fF5JJwLskuJPtqa1lcUaJKMeX55XaZ8AMTcWcU2J9xmuDE5EU_J7CYGUL8kAP6YRFPUkFvfUfkY9qsJWyGVnXmj3RNI5erw0-BLBVwb8S9Gjpwn7mhA3g7uchU6Y/s320/4A80DEF5-A043-4D5A-B631-C6072693B9CF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fSww5ah9zS0juftGWX5mnlouRJE7-BqPnWSPpArTzV32dajGFtsA1tBFEO52l3ll7ULvrJROvU6xHljeiDawmGifrUBXGibcfVcYSwnDZQemK_KJb78LRHC0Eqwoc_7IOk42oo3Pjck/s1600/99A7C119-2BDD-49BD-96C3-135F7E153D7B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fSww5ah9zS0juftGWX5mnlouRJE7-BqPnWSPpArTzV32dajGFtsA1tBFEO52l3ll7ULvrJROvU6xHljeiDawmGifrUBXGibcfVcYSwnDZQemK_KJb78LRHC0Eqwoc_7IOk42oo3Pjck/s320/99A7C119-2BDD-49BD-96C3-135F7E153D7B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhZtvS3O3c8eG0_JlZJ-J5UMiHqi4sblO1Q1iFo4yqqf8kM5GVEF3ak6-UHPwkhg_2jSsNxEVOLN5I0EZQZdneASGpaZ-lu3nbSap8cYEaffoMH6DaD56ZPpYicJ3Z6PQj5LfDMNEXro/s1600/502EDFF4-85D6-43D9-B85A-FF6F66A38EDA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhZtvS3O3c8eG0_JlZJ-J5UMiHqi4sblO1Q1iFo4yqqf8kM5GVEF3ak6-UHPwkhg_2jSsNxEVOLN5I0EZQZdneASGpaZ-lu3nbSap8cYEaffoMH6DaD56ZPpYicJ3Z6PQj5LfDMNEXro/s320/502EDFF4-85D6-43D9-B85A-FF6F66A38EDA.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf6l-kTGf8tsY1wUTrUHpPSrJLEW5RbAjvNLWeFL2qn0UOy3w5xXOOCG2LGD_zR0m1kqqfGsjICud-gQiONXvCFPyAIeTiBwlw3Z6sSGsMtosT6QIo5HXnsTcd-caumXrHl_N9-GEdYg/s1600/776FEF03-BECA-4EB0-B62B-AD6BFEE1BAC2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf6l-kTGf8tsY1wUTrUHpPSrJLEW5RbAjvNLWeFL2qn0UOy3w5xXOOCG2LGD_zR0m1kqqfGsjICud-gQiONXvCFPyAIeTiBwlw3Z6sSGsMtosT6QIo5HXnsTcd-caumXrHl_N9-GEdYg/s320/776FEF03-BECA-4EB0-B62B-AD6BFEE1BAC2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTggO3x2dP9Ioyl503mR0q3hmXnQ18qSG8bpS71Xn_wdPfPYhLgSDNge_0Ut1cbaAsIzRDqwwqCIX5tTmFOKkQOQlX1vJh7RK7N3lu2MDqhRTR5y7M7Da-2k4hrc08cj2olcfMOxfcGxs/s1600/53545D2E-565B-4878-9EC8-7D491A6EF823.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTggO3x2dP9Ioyl503mR0q3hmXnQ18qSG8bpS71Xn_wdPfPYhLgSDNge_0Ut1cbaAsIzRDqwwqCIX5tTmFOKkQOQlX1vJh7RK7N3lu2MDqhRTR5y7M7Da-2k4hrc08cj2olcfMOxfcGxs/s320/53545D2E-565B-4878-9EC8-7D491A6EF823.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8zKNCyLu_IV4S2eJt5gqau8wEN4mRLKLZU9RgpqflWwNQIp9q4skLIFHlv8lj4Qw8x5rcxkN-IyNjgq0ANU6ArTzRY0Qy_6KTPK1jVxGYC0mAeQUf7or_u_fFHKQ4duM3L8PQPGLrMI/s1600/AB35FD05-1401-4280-8C01-6710EBF8E8F0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8zKNCyLu_IV4S2eJt5gqau8wEN4mRLKLZU9RgpqflWwNQIp9q4skLIFHlv8lj4Qw8x5rcxkN-IyNjgq0ANU6ArTzRY0Qy_6KTPK1jVxGYC0mAeQUf7or_u_fFHKQ4duM3L8PQPGLrMI/s320/AB35FD05-1401-4280-8C01-6710EBF8E8F0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMPWTcvUt-0lZK-pYeNpnIbusxFFFePHNyaeylVK6p-_HCdUO4DJ-MOP1dbfERG_ns5AI-gCrdnzrqbwKQicX__bUpLY7s9QD07VjnarXfY7jF2qxzTTNRsITM-YCMoGHmSnH7-Wm84Q/s1600/B7B4D1A1-2A94-4FF3-919F-5D5DC53030F0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMPWTcvUt-0lZK-pYeNpnIbusxFFFePHNyaeylVK6p-_HCdUO4DJ-MOP1dbfERG_ns5AI-gCrdnzrqbwKQicX__bUpLY7s9QD07VjnarXfY7jF2qxzTTNRsITM-YCMoGHmSnH7-Wm84Q/s320/B7B4D1A1-2A94-4FF3-919F-5D5DC53030F0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-27774967623244838152019-05-14T12:37:00.001-05:002019-05-14T12:51:38.368-05:00Day #1 - ArrivalI have arrived. It was a long day. But despite the flight to Frankfurt being delayed which gave me only 30 minutes to catch the flight to Istanbul both me and my luggag arrived safely. I got to the hotel without trouble took a nap, hooked up with the tour leader and his wife for dinner and now I am ready for a nice sleep. Here are a couple photos.... More later...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Flying over the Rhein river looking for Rheinmaidens:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrQwhht75_OzwUMf-Ski9Ek4IOf45f-Ne6qKrxmPQ9GMyvTl6DSqvgzDdrHF4l9f3-PaCftkqeDkrCWfcTjVJFmwGp8fITXJnLpR24KcjaYgIXO4g26MLV-EOSON0x3gdFOyobgLc3Z0/s1600/59A68A07-80F6-445D-8B18-5B3DA9A76C2A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrQwhht75_OzwUMf-Ski9Ek4IOf45f-Ne6qKrxmPQ9GMyvTl6DSqvgzDdrHF4l9f3-PaCftkqeDkrCWfcTjVJFmwGp8fITXJnLpR24KcjaYgIXO4g26MLV-EOSON0x3gdFOyobgLc3Z0/s320/59A68A07-80F6-445D-8B18-5B3DA9A76C2A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The remains of a Byzantine Victory gate built by Theodocius I:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZuoBIdhyWuyewCJ6oMWHmzTPTlmXuLiqs309xmPPKakcYOJdc_7Ehyphenhyphen_XZCMcnNWbVQMfMsMSF0j1dOUvdMJr0zJAWhLTjRqIaQxJacyLBRM4JQ9RYXkwRrypdQG1DksHxHgmsVTyHsM/s1600/3A406371-CDDB-40A4-BBDA-4D704D877907.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZuoBIdhyWuyewCJ6oMWHmzTPTlmXuLiqs309xmPPKakcYOJdc_7Ehyphenhyphen_XZCMcnNWbVQMfMsMSF0j1dOUvdMJr0zJAWhLTjRqIaQxJacyLBRM4JQ9RYXkwRrypdQG1DksHxHgmsVTyHsM/s320/3A406371-CDDB-40A4-BBDA-4D704D877907.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx11ePjOeDZAU1AiciEG5Ia1aJNAVC9pRv_MNXKHPqbDxLdewi8c0MI926btRkypwVtHSHLAMabqkTcPzzjFGSEP9n4Sml_-2RdQNUdXIqnuW2Wz7ShAl0Sj_LWerRrfPNtQQvnXGAQ4/s1600/792A1CFB-972B-4760-8F02-E48E0661C2FD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx11ePjOeDZAU1AiciEG5Ia1aJNAVC9pRv_MNXKHPqbDxLdewi8c0MI926btRkypwVtHSHLAMabqkTcPzzjFGSEP9n4Sml_-2RdQNUdXIqnuW2Wz7ShAl0Sj_LWerRrfPNtQQvnXGAQ4/s320/792A1CFB-972B-4760-8F02-E48E0661C2FD.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfH70j3pVeITZHR2-3p63p6-fM4GEiIyoi0h_UBNAItu3DTd1mZa4AzrH5NHmjrSCxrpWXkJRmy1z0co0mOtBh3pnCjiF6TXkTWSJjzjTP4h8_W2VAjYtn0rFrwFBcQ472N1g-ppcf_M/s1600/6094344B-7266-42B8-8738-8766CC57AED6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfH70j3pVeITZHR2-3p63p6-fM4GEiIyoi0h_UBNAItu3DTd1mZa4AzrH5NHmjrSCxrpWXkJRmy1z0co0mOtBh3pnCjiF6TXkTWSJjzjTP4h8_W2VAjYtn0rFrwFBcQ472N1g-ppcf_M/s320/6094344B-7266-42B8-8738-8766CC57AED6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-55465495029104774172019-05-13T08:27:00.000-05:002019-05-13T08:27:04.425-05:00The Adventure BeginsSo, the adventure begins! I am at Lambert airport waiting for my flight to Toronto, which is the first leg of my trip to Istanbul. Once I arrive in Istanbul, Turkey I will join a tour led by the archeologist Dr Carl Rasmussen who is a specialist in geography of the ancient world. The tour will include Ephesus, Colossae, Corinth, Philippi, Delphi, Athens and lots of other places. I will try to post pictures regularly along with commentary!! But for today I am traveling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvVsH09L5xsAQtiJWRyeiIhUT2Je5ePNOHNLNhrcucjeTFka-SjdA2tK3dTn5rVVc7H3Maq6Hd70l8CzlqC-lK6-l4yTkLbRbgF-WfQ-z4VRoAxsw_wc1srbkk6QPYSe0B8BHJXjFubo/s1600/1A1BB867-7711-4E54-B2A2-352D5CDEE508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvVsH09L5xsAQtiJWRyeiIhUT2Je5ePNOHNLNhrcucjeTFka-SjdA2tK3dTn5rVVc7H3Maq6Hd70l8CzlqC-lK6-l4yTkLbRbgF-WfQ-z4VRoAxsw_wc1srbkk6QPYSe0B8BHJXjFubo/s320/1A1BB867-7711-4E54-B2A2-352D5CDEE508.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here is information about the leader of our tour:</div>
<div class="" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Carl Rasmussen, PhD</span></div>
<div class="" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; line-break: after-white-space; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">5470 Free<u class="">Photos</u>and Commentary at:<a class="" href="http://www.holylandphotos.org/">www.HolyLandPhotos.org</a><br class="" />Twice Weekly<u class="">Blog</u>: <a class="" href="https://holylandphotos.wordpress.com/">https://holylandphotos.wordpress.com/</a><br class="" />Occasional<u class="">Twitter</u>: @go2Carl</span></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-49556839717185165692019-05-10T22:15:00.003-05:002019-05-10T22:28:01.309-05:00The Old Testament as Opera<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1214</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6925</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>57</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>16</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>8123</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: cambria; font-size: 12pt;">Below are a list of operas based on Old Testament stories (certainly not exhaustive) with some comments about the librettos and how they relate to the Biblical texts. I will add pictures and links as I can.</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"David
et Jonathas" - Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1688) – French<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This opera by Charpentier
begins with the Witch of Endor (Prologue) – I Samuel 28:3-25<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then the opera begins by moving
back in time. The basic narrative is pieced together from chapter 14 of I Samuel
until Jonathan and his father Saul are killed (I Samuel 31 and II Samuel chapter
1 for David’s reaction). The libretto picks and chooses. Also the libretto has turned the Commander Joab (Joadab) into the bad guy. In the text Joab is the go-to guy to get violent and nasty things done, but he is not the one who initiates many of these things. Mostly in the Biblical narrative he does David's dirty work. Also, in the Biblical text Saul is
pronounced as a failure long before Jonathan is even introduced into the
narrative. "La Somme le Roy" from 1290 CE.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ6BqZQy5ef0y3Gpu15x3NUygbkatgKqAgynAMD46oboaKQpWNnAlovOBwraCP20y91iTpmNQyfAP-jF2IPoyzMv8zkOlTtUaWRYRlmkqoOupHtq2fn4YCUeSNoJnYSrF2rVMVnuN8Jk/s1600/David_and_Jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ6BqZQy5ef0y3Gpu15x3NUygbkatgKqAgynAMD46oboaKQpWNnAlovOBwraCP20y91iTpmNQyfAP-jF2IPoyzMv8zkOlTtUaWRYRlmkqoOupHtq2fn4YCUeSNoJnYSrF2rVMVnuN8Jk/s320/David_and_Jonathan.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/David-Jonathas-Pascal-Charbonneau/dp/B01ACFJNLO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=David%20and%20Jonathas&qid=1557543157&s=gateway&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR0ZHR3c_89m73a2xIO6JuoBM7uFslTXllOeG6oK6JjzHZ5kixYU7zvAN6M" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/David-Jonathas-Pascal-Charbonneau/dp/B01ACFJNLO/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=David%20and%20Jonathas&qid=1557543157&s=gateway&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR0ZHR3c_89m73a2xIO6JuoBM7uFslTXllOeG6oK6JjzHZ5kixYU7zvAN6M</a></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Juditha Triumphans" - Antonio Vivaldi (1716) – Latin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The story comes from the Old
Testament Apocryphal book of “Judith.” These Apocryphal books were always
considered important by the Roman Catholic Church and are still included in the
“Catholic Bible.” Luther and the reformers excluded the Apocrypha. The story is
embellished, of course, but it is pretty close to the basics of the narrative.
There are some incredible paintings of Judith and Holofernes (or at least his
head). This is one of my favorite Baroque operas and easily one of my favorites on this list. Below - the beheading of Holofernes by Caravaggio.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoPQcP6Apkv1A4yZUoNTSSy4hIPX96JMvxJ9EW33eZIszLn4rqSSbyweog9vwLnt_ogVUI15wrJS-DmdOxpCTonrNFbRFE7FeTkgCjYZCexwdeLl-asQ4anqxWt97P0bSC9pvrWgUz9s/s1600/judith-beheading-holofernes-1598+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1000" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoPQcP6Apkv1A4yZUoNTSSy4hIPX96JMvxJ9EW33eZIszLn4rqSSbyweog9vwLnt_ogVUI15wrJS-DmdOxpCTonrNFbRFE7FeTkgCjYZCexwdeLl-asQ4anqxWt97P0bSC9pvrWgUz9s/s320/judith-beheading-holofernes-1598+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://operavision.eu/en/library/performances/operas/juditha-triumphans?fbclid=IwAR2r_1vMWWAagX9qbqEeDJXBqFP0NQSlUZ02P-SCqehxtESZLN7ANTwod_Y" target="_blank">http://operavision.eu/en/library/performances/operas/juditha-triumphans?fbclid=IwAR2r_1vMWWAagX9qbqEeDJXBqFP0NQSlUZ02P-SCqehxtESZLN7ANTwod_Y</a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Nabucco" - Giuseppe Verdi (1841) – Italian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Well, there is little about
this libretto that is Biblical aside from the character of Nabucco (Nebuchadrezzar) himself.
Nebuchadrezzar II was the King of Babylon and he became king just following the
Babylonian defeat of the Assyrians and the destruction of their capital
Nineveh. Possibly Neb participated in this action on behalf of his father, Nabopolassur. Upon becoming King he
continued the expansionist, empire-building policies of his father. He also continued certain policies such as the resettling of loosing
populations away from their homelands and the demand for vassals to pay tribute - both Judah and Egypt were vassal states to Babylon. Historically Neb had removed King Hezekiah of Judah around 589 BCE and had replaced him with King Zedekiah, who he thought would do his
bidding. But Zedekiah betrayed Neb and sought to make a secret alliance with
Egypt in order to break the yoke of the Babylonians. It was a fatal error. Neb found out about it and
swiftly moved against Jerusalem, besieging the city and finally taking it in
587 BCE. He cruelly dispatched poor King Zedekiah and his family and took the
aristocrats, priests, prophets, scribes and intellectuals into captivity in
Babylon (her pretty much left the peasants). This begins the Babylonian exile – perhaps one of the most important
events in the history of the Jewish people. So in the opera the fall of Jerusalem is
depicted (sort of) in Act 1 – II Kings 25, and most of the first part of the
prophet Jeremiah. The narrative in the libretto for the rest of the opera is
all fantasy – no history at all. </span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The tradition that Neb went mad has no
historical veracity and may well have actually been based on a different
Babylonian King, Nabonidus, who wasn’t really mad, but did some off the wall
things so some of his people (mostly his enemies of whom he had quite a few) thought he was mad. There was method in his madness, but
unfortunately for him few got the point and history has not been kind to him (I kind of like him actually).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the book of the prophet Daniel records
several stories which have King Neb as a principal character and in these he is
not quite sane and always ends up converting to Yahwehism. These are not
historical. In fact much of the Book of Daniel was originally written in
Aramaic (not Hebrew) because it was composed during the Greek period – which is
after the rest of the OT was written and about the same time as the composition of the Apocrypha.
The use of “Babylon” is actually a code for “Seleucid Greeks” under Antiochus
IV Epiphanes. Interestingly enough when the opera Nabucco was premiered the
narrative was considered symbolic of the struggles for Italian independence
with the Republicans identifying with the exiled Hebrews. This I think is the strongest parallel between the Biblical narrative and the opera.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are lots of recordings of this opera on YouTube</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Samson
et Dalila" - Camille Saint-Saëns (1877) – French<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The story of the Judge Samson
begins in Judges chapter13 and runs through 16. The plot of the opera covers
only chapter 16. There is a lot of embellishing. It is a curious story (like
most of those in the book of Judges) and reflects perhaps an underlying paganism in the
beginnings of early Yahwehism (This faith does not really begin to resemble Judaism as we understand and experience it until after
the return from the exile of the Judeans to the land of Judah.) There is little about
Samson that makes him attractive as a spiritual hero. </span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">However, The conflict between the
Yahweistic settlers into Canaan and the Sea Peoples (Philistines) was a real
serious conflict which began about the time of the settlement and continued
pretty much uninterrupted until the rise of the Assyrians, which begins during
the reign of Solomon and comes to fruition with the invasion and destruction – actually complete annihilation – of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE. It is
the during a battle with the Philistines that Saul and Jonathan are killed. Painting by Jose Salome Pina.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz58HU0O1j5NGbIB4y0F4PwDDzc9vS0wtd0nUKxwKCFW6V_9UbnuKAMVKla4ehxQUdlnw2qon8mURgd8LmnAzf9zm9BM2F6CbCFLKDLb0X-PWKf473N_L38F4c_wLK0JxBGiGYyF-PR7A/s1600/og-people-of-the-bible-samson-delilah.ngsversion.1549902612317.adapt.1900.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz58HU0O1j5NGbIB4y0F4PwDDzc9vS0wtd0nUKxwKCFW6V_9UbnuKAMVKla4ehxQUdlnw2qon8mURgd8LmnAzf9zm9BM2F6CbCFLKDLb0X-PWKf473N_L38F4c_wLK0JxBGiGYyF-PR7A/s320/og-people-of-the-bible-samson-delilah.ngsversion.1549902612317.adapt.1900.1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are lots of recordings of this opera on YouTube</span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Saul
og David" - Carl Nielsen (1902) – Danish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This opera begins in I Samuel
around chapter 13 and goes through until the end of I Samuel. It overlaps with
the Charpentier above in a couple places (the Witch of Endor for example from
chapter 28.) This narrative however includes a lot of additional material – eg.
the introduction of David to soothe Saul with his singing and David vs Goliath
in acts 1 and 2. Act 3 is really interesting. First the incident where David
has the opportunity to kill Saul but doesn’t has been cleaned up (chapter 24 –
Saul is actually relieving himself when David slips behind him and cuts off a
piece of his garment). The anointing of David actually occurs way earlier (back
in chapter 15). The last act follows the events of the end of the biblical
narrative pretty closely, and parallel the Charpentier.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf4zhdUJbjY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2i_LBbpqq2oJhYZvCNaUbc5HTI20VbP7pmbiFetk_kwn0NMiDYZXJ4xSg" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf4zhdUJbjY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2i_LBbpqq2oJhYZvCNaUbc5HTI20VbP7pmbiFetk_kwn0NMiDYZXJ4xSg</a></span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Susannah" - Carlisle Floyd (1955) – English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Susannah is based on the OT
Apocryphal book “Susannah and the Elders.” The opera is an updating – set in
rural America during the 19<sup>th</sup> century. But if you read the story you
can see that there are important points of convergence. The Rev. Olin Blitch is
a creation of the composer who is also the librettist and come out of his own
experience growing up in rural Georgia. For any of us who have ever experienced
this kind of Evangelical Revival led by circuit preachers, a lot about this
plot rings very true. This is one of my favorite 20th century operas. Painting - Susannah and the Elders by Peter Paul Rubens.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSuWAqHJiYxqszrAbvvoqYsI0fkpqviaGcgD7WricG8YuBxTk60U4m7oWNErvhJLOsgIIsuG7R5HzukYGCzRdDY_cU5jXIgk8akUHmwZahVtXPstBSMtg61iUJ2gAj07DsnMVPMLFWzs/s1600/SusannahandtheElders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="921" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSuWAqHJiYxqszrAbvvoqYsI0fkpqviaGcgD7WricG8YuBxTk60U4m7oWNErvhJLOsgIIsuG7R5HzukYGCzRdDY_cU5jXIgk8akUHmwZahVtXPstBSMtg61iUJ2gAj07DsnMVPMLFWzs/s320/SusannahandtheElders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-FPJ4IECd8" target="_blank">Sam Ramey singing the Revival Scene at the Tucker Gala with the Met Opera Orchestra and Chorus.</a> Opera is available on DVD in a performance from St. Petersburg Opera</span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"The
Burning Fiery Furnace" - Benjamin Britten (1966) – English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This opera is based on the
story of the three men who are throw into the Fiery Furnace from Daniel chapter
3. The King in the story is Nebuchadressar, but the story takes place during
the Persian administration and control of the Levant. The writer of Daniel
mixes up his empires constantly throughout the entire book of Daniel. But
ultimately it is about the Greeks – Neb is a stand in for Antiochus IV
Epiphanes who was guilty of the kinds of things described in many of the
stories. The point of the story is to inspire those who are suffering to hold
true to the faith despite the risk of death. It was during the Greek period
that the risk of loosing Yahweist culture and religion was a serious danger. In many ways I think more so than during the Babylonian exile. The fact is that the
temptation to adopt a Greek lifestyle and culture was exceptionally tempting. Art: 11th Century Mosaic.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNBF64lPOkXAewyYtGXTtpLAdKstFHmIS5p0iZmPShdhrVs1rU0PstEfbq7pMY9jVrreke24W159hB6IPtdj99358Go0e7gUn6QDYNviQpXE9tqXSQ7QhUB-YXYGt3R6gEatZcY4Aqfc/s1600/GR88-10-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="500" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNBF64lPOkXAewyYtGXTtpLAdKstFHmIS5p0iZmPShdhrVs1rU0PstEfbq7pMY9jVrreke24W159hB6IPtdj99358Go0e7gUn6QDYNviQpXE9tqXSQ7QhUB-YXYGt3R6gEatZcY4Aqfc/s320/GR88-10-09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYSYYupdvVo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3yIAm6v3qwUAyZyB6DFdF8WarbA9xffBjw_C9gBLBhbiRFKztW15Aa64Y" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYSYYupdvVo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3yIAm6v3qwUAyZyB6DFdF8WarbA9xffBjw_C9gBLBhbiRFKztW15Aa64Y</a></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Adam's
Passion" - Arvo Pärt (2009) - Church Slavonic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I do not know this piece at
all. I assume it is somehow based on the Creation accounts from Genesis 2
through 4. Chapter 1 is the famous creation poem, but the 2<sup>nd</sup>
creation account is where Adamah and Hava are introduced. The encounter with
the serpent is in chapter 3. Cain and Abel are in chapter 4.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Available on DVD</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Mosé in Eggito" – Gioachino Rossini <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This opera covers the narrative
from Exodus 5 through the crossing of the Red Sea in chapter 14. There is a lot
of artistic license and creativity.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">"Moses
and Aron" – Arnold Schoenberg <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This opera is one of the most
important in music history because of its use of Schoenberg’s 12 tone row. This
also makes it hard to sit through. The opera begins with Exodus chapter 3 –
Moses and the Burning Bush; but quickly shifts to the wanderings in the wilderness after the Exodus itself
(Everything covered in the Rossini is skipped in this work). The bulk of this
opera covers the wanderings and the challenges. Schoenberg is however making a theological point at the end of the opera, which is fine, but it is
his own point – not one derived from the narrative itself. Like most of the
operas above the biblical narrative is adapted and enhanced and altered to suit
the composer. Painting by Elizabeth Wang.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJq5CdCdNRqxHnQKIaPCs18COdFbumSnhLXVVpIZ7GMT87xK96auBMZJ8WajdwSPDr4lEkXylWFlmMaQQB2AqaGsjFGB4iROpPyUrDSlfmDgoTLPjVqB0wcMQ1ACouL3X6yNmhv7fg_E/s1600/god-speaks-to-moses-from-the-burning-bush-elizabeth-wang-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="967" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJq5CdCdNRqxHnQKIaPCs18COdFbumSnhLXVVpIZ7GMT87xK96auBMZJ8WajdwSPDr4lEkXylWFlmMaQQB2AqaGsjFGB4iROpPyUrDSlfmDgoTLPjVqB0wcMQ1ACouL3X6yNmhv7fg_E/s320/god-speaks-to-moses-from-the-burning-bush-elizabeth-wang-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Other OT operas worth checking out - "Ruth" by Lennox Berkeley based on the book of Ruth.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"The Queen of Sheba" by Karl Goldmark - Fantasy based on the relationship between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba from I Kings.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"Le Legende de Joseph en Egypte" by Etienne Nicholas Méhul - Based on the Joseph story from the end of Genesis.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"le Mort d'Adam" by Jean-François le Seur - Based loosely on Genesis</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"Noye's Flud" by Benjamin Britten - a terrific work with a large cast, also requiring many children</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"Il Diluvio Universal" by Gaetano Donizetti - The Noah story from Genesis</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">"David" by Darius Milhaud</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Numerous Oratorio/Operas by Georg Friderick Handel - "Deborah," Jephtah," "Israel in Epypt," "Saul," "Judas Maccabeaus"</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 9.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I will stop before starting on Oratorios, because the list will never end!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfergcEbU5lmwsWf5-b5At2gQbd8_Q9QgTADBmcvNW8WWqp4VJ4eHOTOtFvIiRC5yaZZBt-WzRDOkftS33WylsuwXSh7Xs_ODFh1FIjfiL0npQQRN6LL7oLfIb2vnoB9bujc4R-1O0MHM/s1600/noah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1024" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfergcEbU5lmwsWf5-b5At2gQbd8_Q9QgTADBmcvNW8WWqp4VJ4eHOTOtFvIiRC5yaZZBt-WzRDOkftS33WylsuwXSh7Xs_ODFh1FIjfiL0npQQRN6LL7oLfIb2vnoB9bujc4R-1O0MHM/s320/noah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 4.5pt 0in 4.5pt 9pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "cambria";"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Simon de Myle c. 1570</span></span></div>
<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Lora, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px 0px 0.4375rem; padding: 0px;">
</h2>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-91779869427936117962019-04-23T20:36:00.004-05:002019-04-23T20:37:48.461-05:00“Moral Compass”<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1242</o:Words>
<o:Characters>7085</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>59</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>16</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>8311</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 16px;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Moral Compass”</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
About two weeks ago a meme crossed
my path on Facebook that I felt was virulently hateful towards LGBT people. I
(thankfully) cannot remember all the particulars except it had to do with
refusing to bake wedding cakes for gay couples. It described such refusal,
along with any other refusals, including refusing medical care for LGBT
individuals as being “god-honoring.” (the choice of the lower case “g” is my
choice, not the memes.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find this
attitude to be disgusting and reprehensible, and consider it hateful and
distinctly not “god-honoring” in any way shape or form. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
While wedding cakes may not seem to
be all that important, this denial of services sets a dangerous precedent. If
you are conducting business in a public marketplace then you have no right to
refuse service for these reasons. And not only that, but it is a slippery slope:
the denial of medical care is not only being talked about but is actually
occurring in some places. Any medical professional who refuses to care for someone
of the basis of sexual orientation, race or religion should have their license
revoked. For a professional to refuse services – whether they be medical
services or baking a cake – is simply despicable. I stated this in my response
to that meme.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
My comment on this homophobic meme quickly
garnered some responses. Most were kind of ridiculous, to tell the truth, and
made little to no sense. I won’t waste time with them here. But I want to
reflect on just a couple of particular responses and the overall flow of the
thread:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The first comment that appeared asked
a simple question: “Would you be willing to allow <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">those people </i>to babysit your children?” The answer to the question
is absolutely! No problem! In fact, I would much prefer a responsible LGBT
adult as a babysitter than any of these hateful and judgmental religious types
(like the commenter), but this question is beside the point. The issue at hand
is not my parenting, or my choice of a babysitter. The issue at hand is hateful
behavior towards another human being. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
This response is a typical <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">gas-lighting</b> response. A gas-lighting
response is a response that doesn’t address the issue at hand, deflecting you
away from the main issue in order to try to distract you into questioning yourself,
your priorities and your experience of reality. It is a favorite approach for
radical right-wing haters and for sexist men. Often a gas-lighting response
will take the form of a “yeah, but…” response. For example: “Yeah, but what
about Hillary’s emails!” “Yeah, but if those immigrants had just stayed home
they wouldn’t have their children taken away!” or “Yeah, but would you really
allow someone like that to babysit your children?” And the next thing you know,
the gas-lighters have succeeded in redefining the discussion and you are now on
the defensive. I do not respond to comments that are trying to gaslight me. In
fact, I block gas-lighters, no matter who they are. And I blocked this
commenter, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
As you might imagine, that Facebook
comment thread went downhill from there. Soon, the discussion had turned away
from hate towards LGBT people and onto the historical reliability of the Bible.
So, you see, exactly as the homophobic commenters intended the gas-lighting worked
as the focus of the thread slowly turned away from the rights and well-being of
LGBT people and soon, after only a few comments, we were well into a discussion
of Biblical literalism. Comments were posted both rejecting and defending
Biblical literalism. Some of the commenters who took (supposedly) “my side” of
the debate started posting some comments, which I also found thoroughly
unhelpful and useless. One of these went on at length about how the story of
Noah and the Flood was nonsense and ahistorical. This pushed the thread off the
rails. The historical veracity of the Bible is not the point. And more
importantly, the central problem with this line of response is that it concedes
the point to the hateful crowd that, “yes, the bible says that,” and then has
to go to great and at times absurd lengths to prove that the Bible is not
reliable so it doesn’t matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
But here is the thing - I am not
willing to concede this 2<sup>nd</sup> point. The Bible does not condemn
homosexuality, and to suggest it does is to misrepresent and misinterpret the
text. What is clearer still is that the Gospels, which supposedly are the
foundation of faith and moral behavior for Christians, clearly do not allow the
exclusion, violence or any hateful behavior against Gay, Lesbian, Bi or Trans
or Queer or any “alternative” sexualities and genders. There are plenty of in
depth discussions that are much more thoughtful and brilliant than anything I
might write which discuss the few (and I mean few) passages that could even be
construed to condemn homosexuality. But in a nutshell, an understanding of
sexual orientation was unknown to the ancient world and the world of the Bible.
What is condemned is any and all (both homosexual and heterosexual) sexual
behavior that is exploitative, abusive, coercive and violent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 98.0pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
For example, the story of the
destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-19:1ff) is not about homosexuality no
matter how badly folks want it to be. It is about sexual violence. And it is
certainly the height of ignorance and idiocy that “evangelical” protesters have
been chanting “remember Sodom” at Pete Buttigieg rallies. Because if you get
below the surface of the story, it directly condemns any number of republicans (including
the one in the white house, a certain supreme court justice and a number of
others) who seem to think they can engage in exploitative, abusive, coercive
and violent sexual behavior with impunity (or so they believe – history has a
long memory!). Turning to the New Testament, the favorite “clobber passage” is
in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans 1:26-27. This passage is similarly about
sexual violence, coercion, abuse and exploitation. Paul is addressing a dark
dimension of Roman culture that allowed those who owned slaves to use their
slaves however they wanted – including sexually. To interpret these verses as a
condemnation of homosexuality is to read into it 21<sup>st</sup> century
American cultural biases. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The final comment on the meme in
the comment thread was the one that provided me with the title of this essay.
“It is obvious you have no moral compass,” wrote the commenter. If you define
“moral compass” as being hateful to others, whether they are gay, or of a
different race and gender, or a different religion or are immigrants or refugees;
if it is ok for you to lock up children in cages underneath a highway; if it is
ok for you to support supreme court judges and others who feel that they have a
right to be abusive, exploitative and sexually violent towards women (“boys
will be boys” after all); if it is ok with you that gay folks are treated
contemptuously and possibly refused medical care and other services – if this
is your definition of “moral compass” then, you are right, I do not share your
moral compass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
My moral compass is rooted the Gospels
where Jesus is rather unequivocal in his words and actions: “Love your neighbor
as yourself.” “Love one another as I have loved you.” “Love your enemy.” “Do
good to those who hate you.” “Turn the other cheek.” The Gospels are full of
these words of Jesus. And not only that, the Gospel is full of Jesus’ acting
out this radical love and acceptance as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Finally, I would turn back to the
Apostle Paul. He had founded the church in the great city of Corinth, but he quickly
had his hands full with conflicts and difficulties with the members of these
new church communities. They were exclusive, petty, unwelcoming and selfish.
Paul takes the time to address each and every one of their issues in turn,
including issues of sexual responsibility. But finally, after reworking the
popular rhetorical device of using the metaphor of the body to reflect the
community (chapter 12), Paul says in no uncertain terms that all of this stuff,
all of these issues you think are so important are nothing but a “sounding gong”
or a “clanging cymbal” in comparison to love (chapter 13). Love is first and
most essential. We do not judge, we do not reject, we open our arms in love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
And that is the bottom line. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
That is our moral compass!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-4632356380100632782018-12-25T19:23:00.003-06:002018-12-25T19:26:22.927-06:00Joy and Darkness<i>Please note - this sermon text is from 2015 - My Christmas sermon in 2018 took inspiration from this sermon text but was a completely different sermon, but as it was an oral event this is as close as I can come. Blessings...</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_Y8zXjlpFypYr333CO05H6R2Vp2yVA3vdrOy8jUDV7mMOYGViiJwZcxkN_zrRIWUho9ZWLVnO3KIfJxytJOm0FQRqzQ_pRDLGJHS0YnQBHTDO2rrgTkWw4DF8McRrpWVO3_8ohY7U_Q/s1600/250px-Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_Y8zXjlpFypYr333CO05H6R2Vp2yVA3vdrOy8jUDV7mMOYGViiJwZcxkN_zrRIWUho9ZWLVnO3KIfJxytJOm0FQRqzQ_pRDLGJHS0YnQBHTDO2rrgTkWw4DF8McRrpWVO3_8ohY7U_Q/s1600/250px-Gerard_van_Honthorst_001.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+2:1-20&vnum=yes&version=nrsv" style="color: #666666;" target="_blank">The text for this sermon is Luke 2 - the Christmas story - read it here.</a></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">What a joyful story this Christmas story is! Angels announcing the birth of the Christ child to a group of shepherds – shepherds, who in 1<sup>st</sup> century Palestine were treated as untouchables, who were despised and excluded, who were dirty and smelly, but who still are the ones to whom God announces the birth of the child. And it is these shepherds who then run off to... where? Let’s see the text says about that: Well all it says is that Jesus is to be found laying in a manger – that is a feeding trough. And feeding trough are to be found where there are animals; and animals, actually goats to be exact, were usually secured inside of some homes or in the many caves that can be found throughout the hills outside of Bethlehem. Why goats? There was no need to put sheep in there because sheep have nice wool coats that enable them to withstand the bitter cold nights, but goats have no coats so would freeze to death if left outside over night. So, these low-life, despised, dirty shepherds run off and find Jesus and his mother and Joseph in one of these dark and really smelly caves surrounded by goats and the text tells us that then, they worshiped him, they honored him. Despite the location and the circumstances and the fact that these men were thieves and well, all kinds of other things – they were still overcome by the experience enough to pause to worship! It is here, then, where we find the joy of Christmas. Joy is not happiness – there is nothing in this story that is particularly happy – Roman oppression, destructive taxation, enforced travel, only able to find shelter with the goats in a cave and then giving birth in that environment, and finally visited by the dregs of 1<sup>st</sup> century Palestinian humanity - there is nothing happy in this story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">But it is still a joyful story and we can nevertheless still confidently assert that Christmas is about Joy. The joy that comes with the birth of the Christ child who is God enfleshed, incarnate – Emmanuel – God with us; the joy of receiving the unexpected and amazing gift of God’s unconditional love and grace; the joy of knowing that no matter what, we are loved and accepted and cared for; and the joy of knowing that through the birth of this Christ child in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago God has brought about our salvation and ushered in the new kingdom. <i>Joy to the World the Lord has come, let earth receive her king!</i> But yet at the same time we are still a people who sit in darkness; we still wait for the culmination of God's promise to fully bring about the kingdom; we still wait in Joyful expectation of the light that will not only shine in the darkness but will completely overcome the darkness!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">And so, we assert - Christmas calls forth from us a joyful response – Rejoice, rejoice – Immanuel (God with Us) has come to us to ransom, to release those who are captive to the darkness! But still, I suspect that some of us here tonight may feel that this joy that I am talking about is perhaps a nice idea, but in reality it seems to be so illusive and hard to grasp. While many of us undoubtedly feel somewhat happy and excited tonight, at the same time I am certain that there are also many of us who are struggling with mixed feelings; that for some of us our feelings of joy are mixed together with feelings of sadness, loss and even fear and uncertainty. Perhaps we're remembering Christmases past with friends or loved ones who are no longer with us; perhaps we're struggling with an important relationship and feeling some pain and hurt; perhaps we're feeling lonely or exhausted or maybe even hopeless. And we come together tonight at the close of a very difficult year in our world and nation – terrorism, heightened and out of control racism, misogyny and hate, political inaction and division, cruelty, exclusion, increased poverty and homelessness, violence everywhere we look and an overwhelming sense of fear as settled upon us. On the face of it the darkness feels like it is overwhelming. What is there to be joyful about?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">So, let us take a moment to stop and look carefully at exactly what it is that we're celebrating tonight. Christmas - the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. And who is this Jesus of Nazareth? Jesus is Emmanuel - God With Us. The Angels tells the shepherds that this baby Jesus is a Savior – a savior who has not come to fish us OUT of our humanity but rather a savior who enters INTO our humanity – into the darkness of our humanity. There is such a tendency to whitewash this story of Jesus’ birth; we clean it up and take away the dirt and the pain and the stench and we add all kinds of things to make the story more spectacular and heart-warming. But if we can see past all of the escapist glitter and pomp and circumstance that are so popular in our culture, then what we are left with is the birth of an child to a rather ordinary peasant girl in absolutely miserable circumstances; we are left with the announcement of this birth by the angels to the most dirty, dishonest and unsavory bunch of lowlifes in Palestine; and we are left with the proclamation this this child is none other than God enfleshed – God incarnate – God who is born into our world out of incomprehensible love! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">And there is where we find the joy of this story and the joy of this season! It's not because of the angels, or the chorus or the quaint pastoral scene at the manger - it's because at Christmastime we celebrate the event whereby God plunges God’s self into the depths of the human experience. God doesn't ease into this; but rather God jumps into the deep end of the human experience. At Christmas we celebrate that through Jesus the Christ God chooses to get involved in our lives. Not just during the good times or the happy times or the times when we feel confident and at peace - but also and more importantly God chooses to get involved with us and to remain by our sides during the dark times, the bad times - the times of grief and death and struggle and anger and loneliness and exhaustion and sadness and fear and abandonment and, yes, even during times of doubt and hopelessness. At Christmas we celebrate that God will never abandon us, God is with us, Emmanuel. At Christmas we celebrate that even in the face of hopelessness there IS reason to hope and that reason is God's immersion into the human experience through the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"> This is what we have to rejoice about tonight. This is why Christmas is about joy - not happiness but joy! May each of you here experience the Joy of God with Us this Christmas; the joy of God's presence in the midst of your lives now and always. Christ is Born - Joy to the World! AMEN! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt;">Addendum: I would add that what distinguishes Joy from happiness is the promise which is implicit in the Christmas event - the promise that God's grace, God's <i>Hesed</i> Loving-Kindness and Mercy, and God's <i>Shalom</i>, wholeness, unity with God and others is seen everywhere in the Bible, but especially in this story of the Incarnation. And the 2nd element for joy is hope in this promise; hope that Christ is eternally present; hope that no matter what nothing can separate us; God that in the end God through Christ will defeat the powers of darkness and light will prevail. This is why even in the darkness there can be joy; even in the midst of tears there can be joy; even in the midst of the hardships of life there can be joy!</span>Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-57014017645088156122018-12-20T09:23:00.000-06:002018-12-20T09:23:03.962-06:00Thoughts on the Holidays....
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>696</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3970</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>33</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4657</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-520092929 1073786111 9 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS Mincho";
mso-font-alt:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:128;
mso-generic-font-family:modern;
mso-font-pitch:fixed;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:11.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">Reflections
from the Pastor:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came
into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has
come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it… And the Word became flesh and
lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only
son, full of grace and truth. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">(John 1:1-5, 14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">We have come
to another Advent and Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon
the lights will be up and the carols will be sounding forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each year lately there always seems to be an
ongoing to debate about what this season is really about, and while I do not
think there is any kind of organized campaign to undermine Christmas, the fact
is that I do think that the general society has lost a sense of exactly what
Christmas is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am going to
wade into this minefield with my own reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it is – In case you are wondering,
Christmas is not about presents, or buying stuff, or lights and decorations;
Christmas is not about saying “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays;”
Christmas is not about the color of your coffee cup; Christmas is not about
crèches in public places or the rights of one group over another or any of that
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas is not even about
babies, mangers, inns, shepherds or wise men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Christmas is about one thing and one thing only: God’s incredible love
for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas is all about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Incarnation</i> and incarnation is about the love that God has for us
that is so far beyond our comprehension that we cannot grasp but a little of
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">The scripture
text quoted above from John 1 provides us with the center and foundation of our
understanding of Christmas, and it is this understanding that comes from this
particular Gospel text that needs to shape how we celebrate this great
festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it – God, the
creator of the universe; the one who gives life to all; the God who called Israel
out of bondage and led them to freedom; the God who refused to give up on the
creation and stayed present and active with God’s people throughout all kinds
of events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This God has come into this
world as a human child, born into poverty and darkness, welcomed by outcasts
and people at the margins of society; visited by foreigners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this God who has been born into the
world as a fully human child; It is this God who will grow to adulthood and
know every bitter and horrible experience that can befall a human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this God who will be persecuted and
executed in a hideous and painful way, this God who will die on the cross
because God’s love is so incredibly great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then it is this God who will arise and cast off the darkness and the
shackles of death and life will burst forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what Christmas is about, and this is what we celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho";">And how do we
celebrate this season in light of this incredible gift?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is really for each of us to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the most obvious answer is through
gift giving and certainly the practice of gift giving arose as a reflection of
the fact that God gives to us the most amazing gift ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it also calls on us to bear in mind that
while accumulating stuff and buying presents is all fine and good, it should
nevertheless not distract us from the central meaning of this festival: God’s
love as shown forth in the Incarnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that if we are to do anything to celebrate this season we should
work on adopting an attitude of love and kindness to all; graciousness to all,
especially those who find these holidays to be difficult because of poverty or
intense loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For it is for those who
struggle with the darkness of human life that God came into the world on
Christmas. So, how do we keep Christ in Christmas? Simply by working to put
love and grace into the center of our celebrations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A final note: While some seem to find the phrase
“Happy Holidays” offensive or a denial of Christmas, I do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me the phrase “Happy Holidays” is a
phrase of blessing and a beautiful phrase at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that the world “holiday” actually
his its roots in the phrase “holy days.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So when you wish someone “Happy Holidays” or someone says this to you –
a blessing is being spoken: “May your days be holy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What could be a more beautiful thing to say
to someone at this time of the year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
so, I wish you all not only a very Merry Christmas, but I pray that you all
have the happiest of holidays as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And may you experience God’s love and grace in ways that are life-changing
this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><!--EndFragment--><br />Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-25613326004583242102018-06-26T18:59:00.001-05:002018-06-26T19:06:15.422-05:00Family Separation - A Personal Statement<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I need to comment on the family separation policy that is
currently playing out at our southern border. Despite a so-called presidential
directive thousands of families have been broken apart and young children have
been warehoused across the nation. This is simply intolerable and disgusting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this we should all agree and I find it stunning
and simply amazing that there are those who continue to defend this
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This practice is indefensible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a democrat vs. republican, liberal
vs. conservative issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are talking
about the welfare of thousands of children and the integrity of refugee
families. There is no “agree to disagree” here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But yet the excuses and lame defenses continue. All of the
ones I have seen have several things in common: they consisted of simplistic
statements or were repetitions of out right lies and not only they were given
in a self-righteous and sometimes hostile manner. One gets the sense that these
apologists for crimes against humanity have simply stopped thinking for
themselves and are just going through the motions of regurgitating what they
have read or heard. I don’t know why they bother because they sound foolish and
downright ridiculous given the seriousness of the issue. We are talking about
the lives of children and families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my studies of ancient (and modern) paganism one of the
most profound things I have learned is the focus on action. "You are what you
do."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How you act in the world, how you
relate to others, how you treat others, how you work towards the greater good
(or not) defines who you are and your character as a human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact the ancient rites that were
undertaken as part of the Eleusinian Mysteries were all about assessing one’s
actions and relationships and behavior within the context of the community and recommitting
oneself to work for the benefit of the community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those of us who claim the be Christian need to recognize
that this emphasis on doing is really not so far removed from a Biblical
understanding of faith. In the Bible – in both the Hebrew Bible and the New
Testament – faith is not about what you think, or your attitude about God or
Jesus, or your “personal relationship with Jesus,” or even about believing you
will go to heaven when you die. Faith is about how you act in the world, how
you relate to others, how your treat others, how you contribute to the
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you “believe,” if you
trust in God, if you confess the name of Jesus then it needs to be reflected in
how you act and how you treat others and how you live in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medieval Scholasticism and Enlightenment
Pietism has internalized the concept of faith and personalized Christianity to
the point where many, many seem to think that the beginning and end of their
religious commitment is all about my relationship with Jesus and that nothing
else matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, that is a cop out
and is completely unbiblical. Faith is about what you do, not what you think or
how you feel!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And ripping children from the arms of their parents is not
representative of any faith that I know of. It is an act of hate and violence
that is must be condemned. In fact hate of all kinds is not acceptable. Hate is
born of fear and it all stems from a selfish focus on me and mine! As people of
faith (used in the broadest sense of the word) I believe that we must reject
this hate and fear in no uncertain terms and embrace love and acceptance,
especially of those who are different from us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So
– to those who are perpetuating this crime against humanity – either as active
participants or cheerleaders: I don’t want to hear your excuses, and your
half-truths and your lies. You need to look at yourself seriously and
re-examine your values and your so-called faith. If your faith permits the destruction of
families and the abuse of children then we do not share the same faith, because
the faith I look to is one of love and acceptance and a celebration of human diversity.</span></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-63696740898540349942017-11-13T16:34:00.001-06:002017-11-13T16:34:25.491-06:00Sermon – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 – November 2017<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u>Sermon – 2
Corinthians 5:14-21 – November 2017<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">14</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For the love of Christ urges us
on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have
died. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">15</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer
for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">16</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">From now on, therefore, we
regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from
a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">17</span></sup></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So if anyone is in Christ,
there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has
become new! </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">18</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through
Christ, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">has given us the ministry of
reconciliation; </b></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">19</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not
counting their trespasses against them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and
entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. </b></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">20</span></sup></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So we are ambassadors for
Christ</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on
behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">21</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For our sake he made him to be
sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">First
and absolutely essential to understanding Paul is his focus on the Cross and
Resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is absolutely the key
to understanding Paul’s letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
the key to every single thing that Paul says – it is the key to faith and the
key to salvation. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It is the Key to what it means to live in Christ, and to the
believer’s relationships with God and with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus,
God’s Son, is the foundation of Paul’s theology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So – here, in my words, is how Paul
understands the New Creation:</span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">God’s
incredible creation as described in Genesis 1 to 3 has been undermined and is abused
by those to whom God has given the gift of creation; abused by those to whom
God has also given the gift of the responsibility to care for the gift of
creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s incredible and
incomprehensible love has been and is rejected by human disregard, selfishness,
greed, violence and hate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Initially, God
called Israel and gave Israel the responsibility of being God’s representatives
or “ambassadors” in the world in order to set the creation right – to restore
wholeness, well-being or Shalom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
Israel failed – they fell into the same human behaviors and traps that everyone
else had fallen into.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Therefore in
Jesus, God enters into this world, and at the same time God enters into human
disregard, abuse, selfishness, greed, violence and hate in the Cross. God takes
all of that on in the Cross and then overcomes and destroys their ultimate
power in the Resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The seemingly
overwhelmingly destructive powers of human self-centeredness are burst apart by
the resurrection – so while these powers appear formidable, ultimately their
power will crumble before the power of God’s love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the
Cross and Resurrection (they go together BTW) God has brought forth a New Creation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is into this New Creation that we are
baptized – It is this New Creation that gives us both our Identity as
Christians and our agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">That is the
basic understanding, but then Paul goes on to raise and address a couple
important questions. He actually raises more questions than we have time to
focus on, but the principal question that jumps out at me for us is this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">• Do we
willingly take on this gift, this identity – or do we push it away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we gratefully live into the gift of New
Creation – or do we reject it by trying to modify it so we can, as they say
“have our cake and eat it too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we
can experience the benefits without taking on any of the responsibility?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It is not
enough to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>say</u></b> we accept that
we are a New Creation in Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
issue is: Does our life and the way we live our lives reflect this new
identity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we stand against the abuses
of creation that happen all the time? We do stand against the exploitation of
our environment and the exploitation of other peoples?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we stand against violence and hate in the
way we live and act and relate to others?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This is
where we get to what Paul calls The Ministry of Reconciliation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, do we take on this ministry of
reconciliation that is what it means to live into our status as a New Creation
in Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we work to bring about
healing rather than division; love rather than hate; forgiveness rather than
retribution; hope rather than fear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Taking on
the identity of the New Creation in Christ means that ultimately we are called
to be Ambassadors of Christ – we are representatives of Christ’s love in this
world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we speak or act our
words and our deeds must reflect God’s love – God’s grace – God’s forgiveness!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">• So, here
is the question I would like to invite you to ponder and pray about: Do you
believe in the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus - Do you believe that you are a
New Creation? If yes, how is it reflected in your lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you live into this identity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you live a life that embodies the ministry
of reconciliation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you an effective
Ambassador?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>793</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4525</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>37</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5308</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our calling
to be a New Creation in Christ begins here in this space with Word and
Sacrament and fellowship and then goes out beyond these 4 walls into the worlds
in which we live and touches the people with whom we encounter in our daily
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they experience God’s New
Creation in Christ, through you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-22414863553700380362017-08-31T10:29:00.001-05:002017-08-31T10:29:33.745-05:00Reflections from the Pastor<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Go therefore and make disciples
of <u>all nations</u>…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Matthew 28:20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
had planned to use this space for some reflections on the Eclipse and the
beginning of the school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
events of the last few weeks have been so disturbing that I feel that I cannot
ignore them and must address them in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The white supremacist/neonazi demonstrations in Charlottesville, VA seem
to be a culmination of a wave that seems to be sweeping the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That these demonstrations resorted to violence
and that at last count several innocent people were killed is both tragic and
deplorable. It seems to me that this needs to be a wake up call for us
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like to think of myself as
racist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But because of my upbringing and
the experiences I have had in my life I know that there is inside of me a
tendency to sometimes react in ways that are in fact racist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we all struggle with this whether we
are aware of it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anthropologists
called it “ethno-centrism” and it is a human characteristic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when unchecked and when fear, resentment
and anger are added to it then it can transforms into racism and can lead to
violence. We must all take it upon ourselves to examine our attitudes and
priorities and make an effort to address this within ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something as simple as catching ourselves
before we make a statement that generalizes another race or religion or makes
fun of another race or religion might be a good place to start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
want to make it clear, in case there is any question: I stand firmly for
equality and justice and against racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism or
anything that belittles, excludes or victimizes other human beings in any way.
My faith and Scripture teach me that we are all God’s children and that the
diversity of culture and race and even religion is one of God’s great gifts to
us. We have so much we can learn from others, we are stronger as a church, a people
and a nation when we embrace this gift of diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I invite you to join with me in making a
commitment to follow God’s call to us to reach out and embrace all those who
are considered “other” no matter who or where they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Below
are excerpts from Pastoral letters by our Synod Bishop John Roth and then from
the ELCA Presiding Bishop, Elizabeth Eaton:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First from Bishop Roth:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“We
must be absolutely clear and unambiguously forthright here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) stand against
all forms of racism. Let me quote from the ELCA social statement “Freed in
Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture”: “Racism—a mix of power, privilege, and
prejudice—is sin, a violation of God’s intention for humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The resulting racial, ethnic, or cultural
barriers deny the truth that all people are God’s creatures and, therefore,
persons of dignity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Racism fractures and
fragments both church and society.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Lutherans confront racism with
law and gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Condemning racism as sin
is a word of law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In traditional
Lutheran terminology, this is the second use of the law: that word of God that
condemns sin and sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to
hear this word of law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hope is, of
course, that ultimately this condemning word of law will drive a person to
contrition, to rejection of racism, and to redemption from this sin through
Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Creating and enforcing civil laws
that protect people against racism is also a word of law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In traditional Lutheran terminology, this is
the first use of the law: that word of God that supports orderly community and
just government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a word of God
demanding an end to racial violence, an end to racial intimidation, and an end
to racial discrimination and marginalization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, there is the hope of the
gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martin Luther King, Jr.,
interpreted the Civil Rights Movement of nonviolent love not simply or even
primarily as political action on behalf of oppressed blacks, but as redemptive
suffering, living out Christ’s love for white, racist enemies, to redeem
America’s soul from the sin of racism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ultimately, we trust not in being able to proudly congratulate ourselves
on not being racist (a theology of glory), but in the grace of God through
Jesus Christ, that it is Christ’s righteousness and not our own by which we are
reconciled to God and to one another (the theology of the cross).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And the Last word from Bishop
Eaton:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>692</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3949</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4632</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Lucida Sans";
panose-1:2 11 6 2 3 5 4 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Liberation Serif";
mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman";
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:SimSun;
mso-font-alt:宋体;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 680460288 22 0 262145 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:13.5pt;
font-family:Arial;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;}
p.MsoBodyText, li.MsoBodyText, div.MsoBodyText
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-link:"Body Text Char";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:7.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:120%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Sans";
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;
mso-bidi-language:HI;}
span.BodyTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Body Text Char";
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Body Text";
font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Liberation Serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:SimSun;
mso-hansi-font-family:"Liberation Serif";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Lucida Sans";
color:windowtext;
letter-spacing:0pt;
mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN;
mso-bidi-language:HI;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
color:#1D2129;
letter-spacing:-.2pt;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">“The ELCA is a church that belongs to Christ and Christ’s church
universal, where there is a place for everyone. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The job of Christ’s people today is to celebrate the
diversity of God’s creative work and embrace all people in the spirit of love,
whatever race or ethnicity, economic status or gender.”</span><!--EndFragment-->
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-65216402002271905862017-06-27T15:05:00.001-05:002017-06-27T15:05:38.342-05:00Lutheran Theology 101<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">As you all know by now this year – 2017 – is the 500<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the Reformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Specifically it is the 500<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Luther’s posting
of the 95 theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I stated in an earlier article, <a href="http://pastorduncansblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/happy-anniversary-reformation-500-years.html" target="_blank">(see below)</a></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><a href="http://pastorduncansblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/happy-anniversary-reformation-500-years.html" target="_blank"> </a>even though we trace our
faith heritage back to that moment in time there are plenty of other events yet
to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, the events in history
that we call the Reformation have certainly shaped our world and our culture
and our nation, and continue to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Over the summer I am taking the opportunity during
worship to focus on various theological issues that became a part of
Reformation or Lutheran theology. For many of these Luther capsulated them in a
brief saying – such as “Justification by Grace through Faith;” or “the
Priesthood of all Believers,” "simil justus et peccator," or “Theology of the Cross.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These sayings were designed to make these
concepts and understandings available and comprehensible to Christians of all
walks of life, but after 500 years they have become encrusted and to some
extent just as confusing as the scholastic theology they challenged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they are important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, during my sermons I will be raising some
of these and discussing them in ways that I hope bring them alive and make them
relevant and applicable to our lives now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">The
first point I want to make which is absolutely essential is that each and every
one of these are rooted in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luther didn’t invent them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
come directly from the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Theology
of the Cross” is rooted in the passion narratives of the Gospels; “The
Priesthood of All Believers” is rooted in I Corinthians 12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the foundational theological plank or
“Justification by Grace through Faith” is rooted in Paul’s letter to the
Romans, chapter 3 in particular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
is a portion of that passage:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But now, apart from law, the righteousness of
God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">22</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the righteousness of God
through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no
distinction, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">23</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God; </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus… </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For we hold that a person is justified by faith
apart from works prescribed by the law.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As is
the case with most of Paul, there is a lot going on here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul has spent the first two chapters laying
out human sinfulness – or the human inclination to put him/herself in the
center of their universe, thereby shutting God out and replacing God with
him/herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh no, we want to argue,
but stop and think carefully about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are all guilty of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
(and Luther’s point) is that we do not need to feel guilty or spend hours in
self-centered penitential rituals, rather we simply need to recognize it and
own it so we can move forward, and it is God through Christ that enables us to
move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we have been
“justified,” “made righteous” which doesn’t mean that God is pretending that
we’re innocent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, we are sinners – we
are self-centered – we regularly put our own needs first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This in and of itself breaks our relationship
with God, but it is God who takes the initiative and restores us to
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what it means to
be “justified” or “made righteous:” We have been restored to relationship with
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through God’s grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And “grace” is a word that encompasses all of
God’s gifts to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s grace includes
God’s unconditional love, God’s unconditional forgiveness, God’s never failing
presence with us in the midst of all of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace is the box that contains the gifts God is so anxious to bestow
upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
since the gifts are unconditional all we need to do it to be willing to accept
the gift; the receive the gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that
is faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is not mentally accepting
a bunch of theoretical truths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith has
little to nothing to do with our attitudes and opinions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is action – faith is reflected in how
we act, how we relate to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
there it is – We are justified by grace and we receive it through Faith! And
this means God in Christ restores us to relationship through God unconditional love
and forgiveness and we receive this gift through living lives that reflect
God’s gifts of unconditional love and forgiveness and presence, and this is
what faith is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
is the primary theological plank of the Reformation, it is also central to
Paul’s understanding of what it means to be Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And ultimately it comes down to how we live
in this world and how we relate to others – all others!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>723</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4127</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>34</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4841</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:9.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:9.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blessings
for the remainder of the summer!</span><!--EndFragment-->
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-8051084848090137902017-04-17T13:08:00.001-05:002017-04-17T13:10:38.854-05:00Death & Darkness – Easter 2017<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Based on
Matthew 28:1-10</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is still dark outside this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though as I look at the windows I can see just a hint of light and I
know that it will not be long before the sun will rise in the sky and light
will flood through these windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
inside we have our lights on and we are comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The candles we have lit are for symbolic use
since they have no practical use anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We do not need these candles to see!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think that we take light for granted and that we really don’t take
darkness seriously any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all
we are dependent and comfortable with our electricity, our lamps and industrial
lighting and so forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact is that
we can get up at any time of the night and turn on a lamp and essentially
create day in order to do whatever we want at any time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But,
can you imagine a world where that is not the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A world where there are no artificial electric
lights and instead the world is lit only by fire?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the world of antiquity: of the 1<sup>st</sup>
century, the time of Jesus and actually continuing on for centuries afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, they had oil lamps, maybe some candles,
maybe some torches soaked in oil, but the oil and the wax were expensive, and
besides they didn’t produce all that much light anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most folks simply surrendered to the darkness
when it came.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is why darkness is such a potent symbol in the Gospels – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are the light of the world! </i>Teaches Jesus;<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good
works and glorify your father in heaven; No one would set a lamp under a bushel
basket but on a lamp stand</i>… those from Matthew; and from John: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The light shines in the darkness and the
darkness comprehends it not.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
people to whom Jesus ministered and the disciples were well acquainted with
darkness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they also knew death!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Matthew
begins his Gospel in darkness and death with his account of Jesus’ birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A teenage girl who is betrothed turns up
pregnant – this has the smell of death already; Joseph resolves to “put her
away quietly” – more death; the infant Jesus is visited by odd strangers from
the east who unwittingly alert the dictator, death-dealer Herod to the birth of
a potentially rival King and the holy family only barely has enough time to
escape before Herod’s troops swoop down on Bethlehem bringing murder and
bloodshed and grief and intense sorrow - Bringing more darkness and death!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And throughout the Gospel, Jesus constantly
encounters darkness and death and wherever he goes he reaches out to bring life
and light into these dark encounters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus heals, Jesus feeds, Jesus loves, Jesus accepts the unacceptable,
Jesus eats with the hated, Jesus cares for the stranger and the foreigner,
Jesus offers forgiveness to the unforgivable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“THIS” Jesus tells his disciples, “this is what the Messiah does: the
Messiah Loves, the Messiah forgives, the Messiah dies!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Impossible
say the disciples!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impossible &
blasphemy say the Pharisees and the authorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A loving Messiah, a forgiving Messiah, a
Messiah that showers grace and peace upon all? This can’t be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Messiah is supposed to be on OUR side;
the Messiah is supposed to hate what we hate, and despises whom we despise, and
rejects who and what we reject, and applaud our violence against those who we
judge deserving of violence and as being less than human! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“No!”
says Jesus: the Messiah Loves, the Messiah forgives, the Messiah dies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>The Messiah dies!</u> Into this culture of
darkness and death Jesus, God incarnate, enters into this very darkness and
death himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus enters into the
illness and the grief and the suffering which he encounters; and Jesus finally
on the cross enters into death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
that is that! Or so everyone thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Darkness and the death have won the day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus dies abandoned on the cross (except for a few women) and he is
placed in a tomb and a stone is rolled in front of the entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not only that, but the authorities post a
guard, in order to make sure that death would have the last word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But….
Early in the morning, when it is dark and the light is just beginning to dawn a
group of women find their way to the tomb and according to Matthew they
suddenly experience the ground shake and they see the stone rolling away from
the tomb and they see a bright image which announces that death does NOT have
the last word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He is not here, for he
has been raised!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HE HAS BEEN RAISED!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then as they run back away from the tomb
they encounter Jesus themselves! Jesus = Emmanuel = <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God with us </i>is there even in the midst of death and darkness! But Jesus
has now transformed the darkness into blazing light and death has given way to
life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A world controlled by darkness and
death is a hopeless world, a world of pain and struggle – but a world where
light and life have overcomes darkness and death is a world of hope, and love
and grace and peace!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is Risen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has Risen indeed!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is Risen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has Risen indeed!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is Risen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has Risen indeed!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And
when we say that – when we proclaim and shout that from the hilltops and in the
valleys we are proclaiming that we stand with the powers of light and life and
that we know and assert that ultimately the powers of darkness and death will
have no power and be finally completely overcome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is why we are all here today; this is why some of us assembled in the dark this
morning for the Vigil!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it
still appears as though the powers of darkness and death are winning the day in
our own time. Today – Easter day 2017 - we proclaim that light and life will
prevail in the end and darkness and death will be wholly defeated!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yet we look around and what do we
see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rampant hate; active racism and
Anti-Semitism; death camps in Chechnya for gay men; gas attacks on innocent
children in Syria; desperate refugees looking for a better life and finding the
doors slammed in their faces; reckless destruction of our environment for the
sake of profits; irrational bombings; both spontaneous and systemic violence;
threats and intimidation; and a whole lot of fear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear of course is the most effective tool in
the quiver of the darkness and those who would manipulate others and maintain a
world ruled over by death use it to great effect!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But
when we proclaim that Christ is risen we proclaim that fear has no power and that
we refuse to manipulated by fear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the
darkness is dispelled by the light we can begin to see the faces of all of
those others who we are being taught to fear, all those others who are
different than us in any number of ways; and low and behold the light allows us
to look into their eyes and shows us that they are in fact our brothers and
sisters - they are our neighbors whom we are to love as we love ourselves; and
even our so-called enemies we can begin recognize as brothers and sisters whom
we are also called to love (Matthew 5!)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To proclaim resurrection is to say NO to fear; NO to hate; NO to
judgment; NO to violence of any kind!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
embrace resurrection is to accept God’s love and to start seeing with the eyes
of Jesus, and to start walking with the feet of Jesus, and to start reaching
out with the arms and hands of Jesus and to start loving with the heart of
Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When
we proclaim that Jesus is Risen we proclaim that Love has won and will win in
the end!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we proclaim that Jesus
is risen we affirm that there is always reason to hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For no matter how dark the darkness, the
light will disperse it completely; and no matter how dead death appears it is
not stronger than our risen Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ
is Risen – He is Risen indeed! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Alleluia!</span></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-66115576015283516772017-02-18T14:41:00.004-06:002017-02-18T14:41:44.171-06:00Happy Anniversary Reformation! 500 Years and Counting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfrY4_ia7hAWIQqVeBAX_QCcTTw8GdJOW4faRPXh-rjMNne04zwi8bVwQTbGuOqklAZ38QnQF6We3H7qTCEnbrUWKN4X0xqjcGCJcAHh6ZtHOMYIH5KyYWhdY25-SygQaajsR2OmPYf8/s1600/Luther96Th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfrY4_ia7hAWIQqVeBAX_QCcTTw8GdJOW4faRPXh-rjMNne04zwi8bVwQTbGuOqklAZ38QnQF6We3H7qTCEnbrUWKN4X0xqjcGCJcAHh6ZtHOMYIH5KyYWhdY25-SygQaajsR2OmPYf8/s320/Luther96Th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
In October of 2017 we will reach
the 500<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the event that began the series of events
that led to the Reformation: Martin Luther’s nailing the 95 Theses for debate
on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, Saxony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lutherans of all varieties will be taking the
opportunity this year to remember this day and celebrate the Reformation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think there are some things we all
should keep in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
First – The nailing event was only
the first of a series of events that led to a permanent break between various
German churches and Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not
Luther’s intent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not set out to
create a new church, he only wanted to call attention to what he felt were
abuses and he hoped that the leadership would address these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was he cynical or naïve in this expectation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a good question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Power had corrupted the Roman church of the
late Middle Ages so much that there would have been no realistic possibility
that the church would have reformed itself, especially on the basis of some
critiques by an obscure Augustinian monk from the backwaters of Northern
Germany. Personally, I think Luther was sincere initially in hoping for debate
and reform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it did not take long for
him to give up this hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
2<sup>nd</sup> – Luther had not
been the first person to raise the concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Czech priest Jan Hus had raised many of the same issues. The church
responded by inviting him to Rome for “discussions” and then had him arrested
and executed – burned at the stake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luther would not make the same mistake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Luther was lucky to have as his prince the Elector Frederick the
Wise, who protected him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This protection
was essential for Luther.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without it he
would have undoubtedly ended up tied to a stake in Rome like Hus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
3<sup>rd</sup> – Two other
secondary things came together with this event and without either of them
Luther’s protest would have probably fizzled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>1<sup>st</sup>, Luther made the curious decision to write these Theses
(topics for debate) in German, the language that was spoken by the population,
rather than in Latin which was the academic language for scholarship, writing
and debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a curious
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The majority of the population
could neither read nor write either German or Latin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, most of the students and certainly
all of Luther’s colleagues certainly could and once these were posted and
printed Luther’s Theses papered all of Northern Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can imagine students in the local taverns
reading the document aloud to all of those who were assembled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this leads to important happenstance #2:
the invention of the Printing Press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally the fact that there was a
printer in Wittenberg and that they were looking for things to print was the
other element here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Hus was burned
at the stake in 1415 there was no printing press and most folks had little
knowledge of what the Czech priest had written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By 1517 everyone who wanted a copy had a copy and this even led to an
interest in learning to read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
4<sup>th</sup> – There were others
who are very, very important to the development and success of the Reformation:
Philip Melanchthon is first and foremost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This quiet and unassuming, brilliant scholar of Classical and Biblical
Greek served as a calming influence, grounding the emotional and often
irascible Luther.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another favorite of
mine was Frederick’s private secretary Georg Spalatin, who was also a priest, a
Greek scholar, a lawyer and a humanist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like Melanchthon he was careful, methodical and organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He often found himself going between Luther
and Elector Frederick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as upset as
Luther sometimes got with Spalatin he nonetheless may very well owe his life to
this brilliant man who was Frederick’s most trusted advisor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will confess that Spalatin is my favorite
figure of the Reformation. Without Spalatin there may well have been no German
Reformation in 1517.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMGhGPlj46WEb1ViVwtMwLWkyjkqwMWBbQdtKEBSK8GMVxyQWvKkchtgnfV4AsZZ79dyryxDnqL-frHVL_3r3r0fLvlr6mR23gcyPAwgA84kNlMwtVqPiSSt-HkjRFsFhrk4EzMqFZIE/s1600/georgspalatin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMGhGPlj46WEb1ViVwtMwLWkyjkqwMWBbQdtKEBSK8GMVxyQWvKkchtgnfV4AsZZ79dyryxDnqL-frHVL_3r3r0fLvlr6mR23gcyPAwgA84kNlMwtVqPiSSt-HkjRFsFhrk4EzMqFZIE/s320/georgspalatin.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i>Georg Spalatin</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
5<sup>th</sup> – This is
important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too often in the past
celebrations of Reformation Sunday and Reformation anniversaries have become
times to condemn Roman Catholicism - “We are glad we are not like them!” we say
in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And indeed much of what
we do and do not do in worship and in other areas of ministry have been too
often determined by doing the opposite of whatever we think is “Catholic.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lutherans in the past have even gone so far as
the change the words of the Ecumenical Apostle’s Creed in order to avoid being
“Catholic.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(e.g. changing “I believe in
the holy catholic church” to “holy Christian church,’ whatever that is!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time for such Catholic bashing and
defining ourselves as anti-Catholic is over. First of all, the Roman Catholic
Church of the 21<sup>st</sup> century under the Papacy of the wonderful Pope
Francis is not the church of the late Middle Ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have come a long way from those days and
it is time we recognized that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also,
Roman Catholics and Lutherans have made great progress in healing the medieval
rifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Agreements on a variety of
theological issues have been reached, most notably one on the doctrine of
“Justification.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last fall the Pope
himself joined with Lutherans for worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is worth celebrating.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Do we agree on everything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
that necessary?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact is that we need each other and we
need to join with each other to address some of the serious problems of our
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lutherans and Catholics and other
protestant Christians all have the work of the Kingdom to do and this includes
– addressing issues of systemic poverty and violence; reaching out, assisting
and working to re-settle the masses of refugees; opposing injustice and working
together to see that all people are respected no matter their cultural
background, their race, skin color or even their creed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians have an obligation to work in this
manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hate and exclusivism is never
acceptable for a Christian and it is the work of Lutherans and Catholics and
other Christians to boldly speak this word in the midst of our fractured,
violent, exclusivist, greedy and hateful world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
And this is why the Reformation
matters in 2017!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our issues today are no
longer the same issues of 1517, and we dare not pretend that they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather we have new issues to which the church
universal (the church catholic) needs to address.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being grounded and reminded of our
Reformation heritage is one way to propel this work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to this end you can look for Reformation
events throughout the year, both on the national, synod and local level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1037</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5914</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>49</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>13</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6938</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:9.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:9.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
During the season of Lent the
Wartburg Parish Lenten series will focus on Luther’s Small Catechism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encourage you to come to the services and
bring your copy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will have copies for
you there if you don’t have one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not
also take the opportunity to review the Small Catechism by reading sections of
it each day throughout Lent, even memorizing parts – like Luther’s magnificent
explanation of the Apostle’s Creed.<o:p></o:p></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-47984788004729923512017-01-09T16:13:00.000-06:002017-01-09T16:14:12.414-06:00Matthew’s Message: Love, Actually<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have now been studying the
Gospel of Matthew in the Wednesday morning Bible study since November and as I
get deeper and deeper into the Gospel I would like to share some thoughts on
Matthew’s unique focus, meaning and narrative approach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Often, many of us tend to think of
Matthew as the harsh, uncompromising, even judgmental Gospel – “cut off your hand…
pluck out your eye… cast out into out darkness, where there is weeping and
wailing and gnashing of teeth” and all of that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And certainly if you take Matthew’s Gospel in small bits then this is
exactly what you are left with. But when you explore the Gospel and leave
everything in its narrative context a different message emerges and it is a
message of radical, unconditional and even illogical love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In brief, here is a summary: God’s
overwhelming love is for all of the creation and all of God’s children (who,
are all of humanity, BTW) – it is, however, the distinct calling and
responsibility of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ecclesia</i> – the
Church, the called out ones – to embody this love, to be open vessels of this
love for others who need to experience the love of God in their lives!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the primary themes of the Gospel
of Matthew are God’s presence, Salvation through Jesus (whose name means “God
saves”), the calling of the “church” to embody this love and the importance and
centrality of forgiveness – God’s forgiveness and our human calling to forgive:
“forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” But all of these
work together. You cannot extract one theme and separate it from another, and
the overarching theme of love itself is woven into the fabric of it all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we are saved by God’s love and we receive
assurance of this salvation through our experience of God’s presence that comes
through those whom God has called out to be vessels of this love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Gospel begins with the naming
of Jesus (God saves) and a reminder that this child is Immanuel – God with
us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in the midst of the incredible
darkness of Matthew’s birth story (the Holy family ends up as homeless
refugees!) we have the assurance of God’s presence through love and it is this
love that saves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is this love
that the disciples are told to “go into all the world” and share in chapter 28,
along with the promise that Jesus will be present with us always, “even to the
end of the age.” That is, God’s love will be present and never-failing even to the
end of the age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this love is to be extended to
all – to ALL! Even to one’s enemies to whom we are to go the extra mile and to
give them our tunics in addition to our cloaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one stands outside of God’s love. No one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there is absolutely no room for revenge
of any kind what so ever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have
heard it said, an eye for an eye, but I tell you love those who persecute you
and pray for those who hurt you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
“get even” is to fall into sin, to turn your back on Jesus and the gift of
salvation. Similarly there is absolutely no room for hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To hate or reject others is to reject Christ
and to disregard the work of the Jesus through the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, to reject anyone, to exclude anyone,
is to fall into sin and to turn your back on Jesus!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Matthew 18 we have that famous
passage where Jesus tells the disciples that if someone has sinner against you
then you should go and show the person his/her wrong; and if that doesn’t work
then take 2 or 3 with you and try again; and then if that doesn’t work to have
the entire community try again; and if that doesn’t work, then you are to
“treat that person as a sinner or tax collector.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too often this is interpreted that you should
cast that person out and ostracize him/her. Here is the permission from Jesus
to reject those who don’t conform, right? Well, no, not at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does it mean to treat someone as a “tax
collector or sinner?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does Jesus
treat tax collectors and sinners?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far
from rejecting them, or pushing them out, Jesus eats with them, he reaches out
to them, he cares for them, he loves them and forgives them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love of God knows no bounds and the love
that we are to show is similarly to go beyond what we think is expected or
reasonable = 70 x 7 = infinity (Jesus actually spells it out like this to his
shocked and disbelieving disciples).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>769</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4387</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>36</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5146</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:9.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:9.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
</style>
<br />
-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love actually, must define the
community of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not judgment,
it is not to believe my way or else, it is not live the way I think you should
or else, it is not even doctrine that has the final word – it is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to be people of love; we are to be a
community of love that is open to an inviting to all people – no matter what;
people of different cultures, races, colors, sexual orientation, economic
status, political views, life styles, even other religions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are to love – there is no exemption
according to Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore here at
the end of what I feel was a very, very difficult year and at the beginning of
a new year I am committing myself to the love of God and I invite you to join
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I do this confident in God’s
forgiveness when I fail, but also confident of God’s blessings which extend
through me and you and this congregation and to the world outside.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfCIFnL-5qkwa7qBe_Qi2OKwMW7mj86wROR95hRSWxTaqao4RqoZHs9ahMSnwM1lA3IYAwUEC1TlBxbey4p_XoYUODUt5X1BzXSpwyQLghHSBndWLTZ2-E71gpewBie56dEslU_kFPfQ/s1600/HC17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfCIFnL-5qkwa7qBe_Qi2OKwMW7mj86wROR95hRSWxTaqao4RqoZHs9ahMSnwM1lA3IYAwUEC1TlBxbey4p_XoYUODUt5X1BzXSpwyQLghHSBndWLTZ2-E71gpewBie56dEslU_kFPfQ/s320/HC17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-74574824138726471442016-12-25T17:16:00.004-06:002016-12-25T17:16:46.774-06:00My Christmas Eve Sermon - December 24, 2016 - Titus 2:11-14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0IWkpo0gjdVkHoT6i-jCtONiIHgP7M609x2WMFQ4dm9ld4JdqyXPaH4srFRZZoFCuh-sZb4gjMW0XbvM4TBIu8NHAzSicy7BavpHm7ZwNUPtWE4VKBIl_B1C05PZa2EPT9QYmyvc600/s1600/MalaysianNativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0IWkpo0gjdVkHoT6i-jCtONiIHgP7M609x2WMFQ4dm9ld4JdqyXPaH4srFRZZoFCuh-sZb4gjMW0XbvM4TBIu8NHAzSicy7BavpHm7ZwNUPtWE4VKBIl_B1C05PZa2EPT9QYmyvc600/s320/MalaysianNativity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">As a child I always loved Christmas so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was for me then such a magical time of the
year, and I suspect that our children and even the child still within us continues
to enjoys the trimmings of this season – the lights, the cookies, the presents,
the carols!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all mixes together and
can generate such excitement, especially in the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember, many, many years ago, when I was
a child not being able to sleep at all on Christmas Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One year I simply couldn’t stand it any
longer so I go up out of bed, around 4:00 AM or so and slipped down to the
living room where I proceeded to begin to tear through the packages with my
name on them that were sitting under the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suddenly my dad showed up and sent me back to bed with orders to remain
there until a “reasonable hour.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
reasonable hour?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, exactly what is a
“reasonable hour” on Christmas morning when you are a child?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Of course, one of the things that made the wait
especially difficult was the uncertainty of what might actually be in those
boxes that were piled up under the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was, after all, always the possibility (and the threat) that this
year I might not have qualified for any <u>real</u> presents; that on the
“naughty and nice” scale this year my behavior might have actually tipped more
towards the “naughty” part and that inside those boxes might be pieces of coal
or sticks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">And I knew that it could actually happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Christmas when I was about 8 my cousins
Billy and Rick who were 7 and 5 actually for real, got coal and sticks under
the tree. I guess they had not earned any presents that year; that they were
just not good enough to qualify for “real” presents. Now, as an aside, let me add
here so you won’t be wondering for the whole rest of the service – they
actually did get real presents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
the initial shock and trauma of discovering the coal and sticks it was
discovered that their real presents were hidden in a closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have however often wondered if my poor
cousins had been scarred for life by this practical joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am sure that they got the message loud
and clear – this year boys - you were not good enough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Not good enough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had not earned the gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
suppose some of us are a little horrified by this story, but this is one of the
cultural themes of the season the way our culture celebrates it, is it
not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does that popular Christmas song
go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He’s
making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice….”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">There is an old Calvin and Hobbes comic that I used
to have cut out and posted, but have managed over the years to loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, the comic has Calvin questioning his
belief in Santa and he says, “how can HE know who is naughty and nice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he have spies everywhere?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hobbes then asks Calvin why if he believes in
God is belief in Santa so difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Actually,” responds Calvin, “I have the same questions about God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This comic points up something important not
only about our society’s understanding of Christmas, but about our society’s
popular understanding about God as well: We tend to at least unconsciously
think about God like we do about Santa – up there, keeping track and ready to
punish… “so, we better be good for goodness sake!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Over against this popular understanding let us hear
again the words of the Epistle text for this evening from Titus: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the grace of
God has appeared, bringing salvation to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>all…<o:p></o:p></u></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God’s grace
has appeared embodied and incarnate in Jesus – why? In order to bring salvation
TO ALL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not qualified in any way
– To ALL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to all who have been good,
or all who believe the rights things, or believe a certain way, or who hold
certain political views, or who have certain background or culture or lifestyle
– No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To ALL – so you can make a list of
all the qualifications you can think of and then you can sweep them all up and
throw them out! God’s grace has appeared bringing salvation TO ALL – as a
gift!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an unmerited, unearned and
unconditional gift!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has created you
– God loves you without qualification or condition – period!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the way Pastor Fred Buechner puts it
in his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wishful Thinking – a
Theological A-B-C:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is grace of God…
there is nothing you have to DO; there is nothing you HAVE to do; there is
nothing YOU have to do… here is
your life, beautiful and awful things will happen – do not be afraid, I am with
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We live in
a world that is very graceless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it
can be very hard for us to accept that there is not some kind of catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A part of us just doesn’t want to give up the
expectation that we need to do something to earn God’s love and grace and
salvation – if only so that we can assure ourselves that THOSE people will
undoubtedly not qualify!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But tonight,
Christmas Eve 2016, the proclamation of the Gospel is that there is no
catch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God loves you without conditions!
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The grace of God has appeared bringing
salvation to all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Which includes all
of you; and each and everyone, along with everyone outside as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But there
is more - is it not the case that whenever we receive a wonderful, beautiful
gift that not only do we need to accept it, but that it often engenders inside
of us a desire to give something back as well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That it prompts us to give something of ourselves in response in order
to express not only our appreciation but also our commitment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If God’s grace is just something we have
earned, something to which we are entitled then we can take it and there is no
reason to give anything back – but a gift – a gift is different – a gift calls
for a response – and this gift and the response can transform us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>957</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5461</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>45</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>12</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6406</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:9.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:9.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> And
so on this night – Christmas Eve 2016 – we have come together for worship – to
sing together, to hear the word and take the bread and wine of Holy
Communion. And we have brought with us
our joys and our sorrows, our worries and our fears as we sit here in this
place. Coming from the frantic rush of
preparation we now sit here in silence as a holy hush descends upon us. On this Holy Night may you catch a glimpse of
the gift of grace that God offers to you freely and unconditionally; may God
enable you to open your hearts in order to receive this gift and may all of us
together taste the joy that Christ brings; may we each catch a glimpse of God’s
grace!</span><!--EndFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ520-GzYH_TbO0lMg4FopGQ6RbJ_W-s3RT2zYU0xdbwknOWSi3BHug1SmNxkEB7SIemeB7Uig6r7UP4iIJRrWuXs0j8fBn8nmKDG44hAhMyfEYQptJAi3pDQ7RiizBFKsiwBhaZYukSk/s1600/CongoNativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ520-GzYH_TbO0lMg4FopGQ6RbJ_W-s3RT2zYU0xdbwknOWSi3BHug1SmNxkEB7SIemeB7Uig6r7UP4iIJRrWuXs0j8fBn8nmKDG44hAhMyfEYQptJAi3pDQ7RiizBFKsiwBhaZYukSk/s320/CongoNativity.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Picture at the top of the page: </i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666;"><i>Hanna Cheriyan Varghese (Malaysia). “For unto us a Child is born”. - Malaysian</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666;"><i>Picture at the bottom of the page: </i></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-size: 12px;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joseph Mulamba-Mandangi (Congo). Nativity, 2001</span></i></span></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; color: #1d2129; -webkit-text-stroke: #1d2129}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 14.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #666666; -webkit-text-stroke: #666666}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4706403172717731869.post-12188996605837166162016-11-12T11:56:00.001-06:002016-11-12T11:56:47.432-06:00My Sermon for Nov. 12/13 on the story of Zaccheaus - Luke 19:1-11<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>You should read all of Luke 18 and 19 up to 19:11</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"> Have
you ever noticed that Luke seems to be obsessed with tax collectors and sinners
– They are all over the place:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus eats with them constantly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus calls a tax collector to be a
disciple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He uses them as examples in parables
– in fact just a few verses before this story of Zaccheaus in chapter 19 we
have the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee – do you remember that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2 men go up to the Temple to pray –
one (a Pharisee) prays – “I thank you Lord that my life is great, that I am a
very religious person and that I am not like any of those loosers, like, for
example, that tax collector over there…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then standing afar off a tax collector cannot even raise his head and he prays, “dear
Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
who do you think left the temple with their sins forgiven?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tax collector and not the Pharisee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And here we have this story of Jesus
encountering yet another Tax Collector, and not just any tax collector – a
chief tax collector!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what is
the deal with Tax Collectors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is
Luke so focused on Tax Collectors?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To be clear, we are not talking
about IRS agents here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are not
public servants in the way we think of them today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’ time tax collectors were
collaborators with the occupiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Romans designated locals to assess and collect taxes for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if needed the Romans would provide the
muscle needed to extract these taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
it worked this way – the designated tax collector would go to his neighbors and
inform them that they owed a certain amount to the Romans – for the privilege
of being occupied of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the
amount assessed was determined by the Tax Collector himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could collect whatever he could and then
after Rome got its fair share then the Tax Collector got to keep the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why someone like Zach is described as being very wealthy (in a context when most people lived in poverty, btw).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very good at collecting large amounts
and he got to keep the excess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you
might imagine tax collectors were not very popular, in fact they were
despised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not for Luke – Luke seems
to have a soft place in his heart for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe he understands the pressures they are under.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How for them they saw no other option – so rather
than living in poverty they chose to sell out their neighbors. But it must have
been a painful and lonely existence. They would have been cut off from the
Temple and, as the text constantly reminds us, they are counted as
sinners, which meant they were shunned, since, after all<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> they were </span>unredeemable sinners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But not for Jesus – and this is the
point that Jesus makes over and over again in Luke:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> N</span>o one is unredeemable – No One! Not even the
Pharisees – but what distinguishes the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in the
parable is the inability or the unwillingness of the Pharisee to see the sinner
in himself. The Pharisee is just as much of a sinner as the anyone else, but
they can’t see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are thus guilty of
perhaps the most destructive sin of all: the inability to see themselves
honesty, or to see themselves as sinners and consequently to recognize
their need for God’s grace and forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I thank you that I am not like that looser over there – I am so pure
and holy and right – thank you God for making me such a great and righteous
person!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is the key to understanding
these texts. There is no inner or intrinsic righteousness about any of these folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not that the Tax Collectors and Sinners
were basically better people than the Pharisees – not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But rather the Pharisees had closed
themselves off while the Tax Collectors and Sinners were honest about
themselves: “be merciful to me, a sinner” says the one in the parable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this openness is what enables
transformation and grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key is
sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And g</span>uess what healing story takes
place right before this story of Zaccheaus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus heals a blind man on the side of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then a few verses later we read that this
great sinner – the chief tax collector – wants to see Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not accidental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key to this entire section is <u>seeing</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it begs the question?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you see?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you want to see Jesus? Or maybe not, because it can be uncomfortable
and it might even change your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we read this story in English
we get the distinct impression that Jesus is being so genial and kind - "hurry and come down Zaccheaus, for I must dine at your house today!" We can just hear the laughter in Jesus' voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in Greek there is a different feel to
it. There is no geniality or laughter in the voice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children’s song we did a bit ago actually captures the Greek feel pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus looks up in the tree and sees Zach and
commands him to come down, in no uncertain terms!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Zacchaeus
get down here right this minute.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
a harsh imperative command. And Jesus is coming to his house – whoa! That is intense! No
one is going to like that - the disciples, the Pharisees, the crowds – no one! They are all going to grumble and complain and criticize and condemn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is going to be uncomfortable for Zach
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But you see Zach has something to tell Jesus: “I have decided to restore the money that I have gotten by cheating my
neighbors.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The verb tense indicates
that this has been brewing for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In other words Zach didn’t make this as a spur of the moment decision,
inspired by having Jesus as his guest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No, he has been moving in this direction for a while and struggling with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what prompted his desire
to SEE Jesus in the first place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately Zach determined
that life that is all about accumulation of money and stuff is hollow – and
that a life lived alone, separated from community is very life denying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ statement that “salvation has come to
this house today” is an interesting statement when you consider that the Greek
word which is translated as “salvation” can also be translated as
“healing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Jesus tells the community
that “Healing has come for Zaccheaus – and healing means salvation for healing in this case means a refocusing on others and on community. Healing means that the blind can now see!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe you all are getting tired of
hearing me preach about the importance and centrality of community all the
time. But I simply can’t avoid it – because it is embedded and intewoven in the Gospel
text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This story as well as everything
that went before and everything that comes after is all about community and relationship; it is about the
importance of community and how we experience God’s love and grace through
community and how community is to be at the center of the life of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we sure get a different view in the
general culture: “go for all the gusto you can get” – it’s all about me, me,
me – and even the talking religious heads repeat over and over about how faith
is about personal this and personal that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Except – it’s not! You have to ignore the Gospel and pull out your
favorite selfish verses out of context to get that impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Gospel is about being a part of community and not letting anything –
<u>anything</u> get in the way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In this story in chapter 19 </span>Zach has come to a
point in his life where he began to see the truth of this and then made the effort to seek out Jesus
as a result; and he was healed/saved in the seeing and seeking!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What about us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you the Pharisee or the Tax Collector in
the parable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thank you Lord I am not
like that person, I am not like that looser?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do we think that, I mean deep down do we think that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we focus
exclusively on ourselves?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we care
about others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially others who are
really different than us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others who
live different lives and have different traditions and different situations and
different lifestyles and priorities and different politics than us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we care about any of those others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about others in other parts of the world
who are really removed from us – Haiti, Syria…?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do we care? Can we see their suffering?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we think about
them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or… do we subconsciously pray “I
thank you Lord that I am not like them….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The key to Christian faith and life
is relationship and community! And not just our little community here in
Southern Illinois – we are, by virtue of our baptism – in community and in relationship with all
the world and we are responsible for them; we need to care about them; we need
to listen to those who are hurting and scared and suffering and we need to be
ready to do something about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you
SEE?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Zach, are you willing to climb
up the highest tree just to be able to see – so that healing and salvation will
come your way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These are hard questions – but hard
questions are appropriate for stewardship weekend, because stewardship is
ultimately about seeing and responding to the call to work to restore community
and relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stewardship is about
seeing and hearing and caring and loving and giving…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;">Let me conclude with the words of Jesus:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus said to the blind man, “Receive your sight; your faith
has saved you.” </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">43</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Immediately he regained his sight and followed him,
glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then Jesus said to Zaccheaus, “Today salvation has come to
this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the Son of Man came to
seek out and to save the lost.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA32k6soVM6Q4hPMBjtKTFklNctkOXiHv17_liYN0HHYSu1zcsZP3A1PLNSFnrs5RlgI69J13DovNAwVKuW6ok7e1F3QZL0Cc75JIrubOzP4iZXy0ra0GUhsKAvOHM3lCBs0R3IN1LGkI/s1600/zacchaeus-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA32k6soVM6Q4hPMBjtKTFklNctkOXiHv17_liYN0HHYSu1zcsZP3A1PLNSFnrs5RlgI69J13DovNAwVKuW6ok7e1F3QZL0Cc75JIrubOzP4iZXy0ra0GUhsKAvOHM3lCBs0R3IN1LGkI/s320/zacchaeus-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1305</o:Words>
<o:Characters>7445</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Peace Lutheran Church</o:Company>
<o:Lines>62</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>17</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>8733</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-size:9.0pt;
mso-ansi-font-size:9.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:.75in 1.25in .75in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Pastor S. Blake Duncanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01450359908151707153noreply@blogger.com3