April 27, 2006

Messages from God

Several months ago I came across some writings of Ole (pronounced "Oh-lee") Anthony.  Editor of The Wittenburg Door, Mr. Anthony founded and serves as president of the Trinity Foundation, a religious community that lives and ministers in the poor East Dallas neighborhood known as Little Mexico and serves as an investigative watchdog group that exposes financial corruption in evangelical Christian organizations across the nation.  Anthony believes that the problem with the modern church is the church itself and its preoccupation with everything except what Jesus has asked us to do.  He models his controversial life, and encourages others to do so as well, after words he heard God speak to him many years ago:  "Let me have the joy in making you like Christ.  You are to love yourself and love others simply because I love you.  My will is perfect.  My love is sufficient.  I will supply your every need with no effort on your part."

Once Ole Anthony was invited to be a guest on the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship television program called Good News.  When the perky, dynamic founder and host of the show slapped Ole on the shoulder, he asked the question, "And what has the Lord done for you today, Brother Anthony?"  The answer he received was one of those moments that Ole later described as a divine message spoken by his own lips:  "The Lord has messed up my life today and every day since I have known him, because he is not interested in my life.  He is interested only in the revelation of his Son in me."  That kind of good news, anything but perky or expected, pretty much ended the program that day.

Jesus said that those who try to save their lives will lose them and those who lose their lives for his sake will gain them.  Messages from God are not unique to Ole Anthony.  Jesus promised that the Spirit would speak to and through us and Christians have experienced this transforming reality for centuries.  It began as the first disciples met the risen Jesus and he breathed God's Holy Spirit upon them.  It continues through his disciples at Beloved today.  It is perhaps one of the greatest gifts of Easter.  

J. Derek Harbin, priest

If you want to grow something to last a season-

plant flowers.

 If you want to grow something to last a lifetime-

plant trees.

 If you want to grow something to last through eternity-

plant churches.

                                                                                                 Author unknown

Serving at God's Altar this Sunday...Angel Army Team 2 (Captain: This ministry position is available; Administrator: Holly Scheppegrell; Pastor: Susan Jordan; Convener: Al Krantz); Acolytes: Cecilia Atwood, Paige Wilson, Mackenzie Wynn, Morgan Wynn; Reader: Anna Moore; Presenters: The Fox Family; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Frank and Mary Reid; Offertory Basket Passers: Ryan Cook, Connor King, Emily Scheppegrell, Allie Seidel; PowerPoint: Kevin Krantz

In our Prayers...thanksgiving for the birth of Annabelle Rose to Marie and Joe Duty...for Richard, Ginger Leppert‘s father who has returned to the hospital...for Jessie Powell and Janie Lownes who are recuperating from surgery or hospital stays...for those serving in Iraq, especially Scott, Dan Hood's brother...for Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter, Emily...for Marilyn Doyon and Jennifer Marsico who are expecting babies this upcoming year...for Dorothy, Mary Reid's sister who is fighting lung cancer and has been hospitalized in intensive care for pneumonia...for Ruth, Shana Blake‘s cousin...for Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma...for Bill, Lee Frickhoeffer's uncle who has terminal cancer...for Charlie, Toni Reif‘s friend who has cancer...for Brian McCarthy and Lauren Skrobot as they continue medical testing. 

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