A Christian Publishing Ministry In The Missouri Ozarks

Thought for the Day……

One who has read books, magazine articles or watched wood working videos has learned that “Measure Twice, Cut Once” is the mantra of the consummate wood worker or craftsman. Simply put, this adage inculcates the necessity of careful planning and attention to detail that separates the true craftsman from the inexperienced. Exotic woods and expensive mill work can be rendered useless if the wood worker fails to plan and measure carefully, a cut made too short can be disastrous, and result in waste of material and time. Therefore craftsmen, authors and others involved in the operative aspect of wood working or carpentry constantly repeat this “mantra” in the hopes of ingraining it into the psyche of the novice, helping them to be the better enabled to perform the tasks required of the craftsman. But can we use this adage in a speculative sense? [Read more →]

A movement rather than an organization, Creation Spirituality focuses on the original blessing from God rather than like the more well known traditions which are preoccupied with the concepts of original sin, fall of man from grace, and redemption.

• Redemption comes to us followers of Creation Spirituality,) not as a power alien to our natures, but as an “aha” experience that puts us back in touch with our authentic natures. Redemption also reconnects us with our relational nexus. We reconnect with the relationship of reason and intuition, consciousness and embodiment, ourselves and others-humans, animals, plants.[1] [Read more →]

For years, at least since I became active in the various on line religious groups, I have listened to my friends and associates lament the behind the scene attacks of their critics and detractors, those that we refer to as “fans” with whimsical exaggeration. These “fans” are noted by their unsolicited opinions delivered through anonymous e mails (aka nasty grams), or by their attempts at character assassination when they contact other associates and deliver untruths and innuendos.

What amazed me is that as long as I have had a presence on the Internet, until recently, I never had such a “fan club” and I wondered what am I doing wrong? Am I not controversial enough? Is my writer’s voice not harsh enough? I know from examining the statistics from my hosting service, the web pages I have authored are being read by numerous visitors a day, so why is there no hate mail coming in? Surely, like my peers I must be “offending” someone, and seemingly deserving of their “attentions.”

Well I can now say that I have a “fan club.” Over the last few weeks my “fans” have made their presence known, through “nasty grams” – anonymous e-mails that track back to non existent accounts, or the phenomena that several associates have reported in which multiple individuals have contacted them and told of how bad a person I am. Wow! Golly gee!

It is small, no more than a half a dozen members, but it is a start! A foundation upon which to build, as I guarantee all, friend and foe alike, that I am not going silently into the night. I will continue to write editorials and inspirational material designed to make people think, or do so to best of my literary abilities. I will continue with plans to build a local ministry reaching out to those disenfranchised by others (others not too dissimilar of those in my “fan club”) who expect 99% world to walk in lockstep with doctrines espoused by 1%, (percentages purposefully exaggerated for making a point, not quoting fact). And like a personality in contemporary media, I will remain elite and aloof to this particular fan base and instead continue to focus my attentions on those that appreciate my work.

Humm, perhaps I could raise a buck or two by having some T-shirts printed with the phrase “I hate Rev Ed” and offering them for sale to my “adoring fans!”

Jus’ kidding

Rev Ed

It is with a sad heart that I bring to you the news that Reverend Ernest A Steadman, the founder of The Church Of Interfaith Christians, was called from this world, Sunday 1 November 2009. His widow just called me with this sad news this morning.

Reverend Steadman was a great man, loved by many and respected by all. A… man of vision dedicated to the service of God and his fellow man.

Always an outspoken supporter of the downtrodden and the disenfranchised, however through his editorials and writings he never wavered in his admonitions of those who oppressed mankind through the power of their secular or sectarian office.

Any wishing to send cards or love donations to his survivors, may contact The Church Of Interfaith Christians at church_of_interfaith_christians@crabtreeinternet.com for mailing address.

O give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good;
for God’s steadfast love endures forever.

- Psalm 107:1

COMMENTARY:

We must always guard our hearts and minds, and never forget the love of God for his creation, but we must also be resolute in our convictions to separate the meanings of spiritual love and carnal love, ever remembering both are wonderful gifts from God but each have their own proper place, boundaries and practice.

With children, you must mix gentleness with firmness. They must not always have their own way. Give to a pig when it grunts and to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a spoiled child. Unless we look well to it, our children will be a nuisance to others…… Charles Spurgeon

COMMENTARY:

The concept of a “spoiled brat” is not limited to adolescent children but can be as well applied to grown adults. Just as a spoiled child cries to manipulate its parents or guardians to get it’s way, adults often cry out baseless innuendos, in effect claiming betrayal, thereby preying on the sensitivity of those they seek to control.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Bishop Desmond Tutu

• Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD. Psalm 26 NIV

Daily we hear of horror stories told by those that escaped from legalistic controlling congregations or from the clutches of false prophets masquerading as ministers, either situation being one in which the absence of the truth of Christ’s teachings is in itself an indictment of those that would lead astray or those that blindly follow mindlessly and without questioning. Ironically those with the fortitude to question, are the first to suffer reproach and estrangement from those they thought were their friends.

• The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3: 1&7

{We use 1 Timothy 3: 1&7 in the context that when married, a Bishop is expected by society, to remain monogamous regardless of the gender of the persons in the relationship}

It’s all in how you look at it.

When I was born in 1957, Dad was 69 and Mom 40 years old, and as you might imagine all of their friends were in the same age group.  People that experienced WW1, the twenties, the depression, the “dust bowl days,” and WW2.  They had first hand knowledge of what life in rural America was like in those years, and when these folks got together and started reminiscing about the hard times and good times of those bygone eras, I listened. [Read more →]

As many of you who know me are aware, I like to use scenes from movies, popular culture so to speak, as analogies to further illustrate the topics I address in my homilies, sermons, and editorials. In this light, at times such as this, I am reminded of the scene near the end of the movie Ghost Busters (#1) [Read more →]