Andy's Blog: A Personal Word

February 2009 Archive

February 24, 2009

Feb. 24, 2009

When we become a part of the body of Christ, we enter into a covenant with God. That covenant is the way that we build our own spiritual lives, build the body of Christ, and extend his love into the world. Prayers, presence, gifts, service, witness – that’s the covenant.

Lent is a time for renewal – attending to our spiritual lives in a more intentional way. During Lent this year, we are encouraging everyone to reconnect and renew the membership covenant in a very concrete way:

Prayers • I will covenant to set aside at least ten minutes each day for prayer using the Lenten bookmark with daily scripture readings and guide to prayer; and avail myself of other opportunities for prayer such as the Way of the Cross devotional, and Prayers Around the Cross on Palm Sunday. 

Presence • I will covenant to attend worship weekly and receive Holy Communion frequently. 

Gifts • I will covenant to fast (give up something: meal a week, movie, Starbucks, etc.) and give to the LENTEN OFFERING for others.

Service • I will covenant to take on an act of service and/or participate in the Great Day of Service on Saturday, April 4, 2009.

Witness • I will bear witness to my faith by placing a cross in my yard, inviting someone to worship, or giving a Trinity key chain cross to one other person.

A copy of this covenant will be made available for you to keep where you can see it as a reminder. I invite you to allow God to work in your life during this season, to deepen your walk of faith. 

February 10, 2009

Feb. 10, 2009

On a trip to Israel a while back, our guide was a young Israeli girl who had been born in the United States and immigrated to Israel. Throughout our tour, we were impressed by her knowledge of the sites, but also her Biblical background. She knew more about the New Testament than I did and she made it come alive as she wove together the events and places.

Near the end of our trip, I complimented her on her skill and knowledge and asked where she had studied. She had a degree from a University in the U.S., and more studies in Israel. “My favorite classes, though, were from an American who teaches classes in archaeology at the Hebrew University. His name is Jim Fleming. He knows more than anyone else I have met about the background of the New Testament.”

It’s a small world. I had heard Jim lecture just a year before, and I was enthralled by his ability to make the Bible come alive. Dr. Fleming will be here with us at Trinity for the Harry Elliott Bible Conference on Sunday, February 22. Jim lived and worked in Israel from 1974 to 2006. He is the founder and director of the Biblical Resource Study Center which has centers in Israel and the U.S. He lectures around the world – in the U.S., Britain, South America, Australia and South Africa. He continues to teach courses in Israel and the U.S.

What is intriguing is the way Dr. Fleming weaves together archaeology, history, geography and theology to gain a deeper insight into the scripture. He has the ability to bring his listeners to the actual events and to lives portrayed in scripture.

Dr. Fleming will lead us in a Lenten preview. His talks on Sunday morning and afternoon will focus on the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. I promise, you will find it compelling.

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