Monthly Archives: March 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:56 am on March 4, 2015  

Do Not Be Ashamed – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 4, 2015

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of G*d for salvation to every one who has faith.” Romans 1:16

“Above all, strive by holy thoughts, as well as by prayers, to fulfill in daily life what you profess orally; and may the Holy Spirit who speaks to you upon your lips also deign to dwell in your hearts. It is truly good and pleasing enough to G*d when the tongue devoutly chants the Psalms, but it will be better still if your life is in harmony with the words on your tongue.” Caesarius of Arles (470 – 542)

St. Francis of Assisi has the famous quote attributed to him, “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use Words”. Caesarius of Arles has the same theme running in his quote – that our life needs to be in harmony with what we profess. If we profess that we are believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then our lives need to be seen as matching our words. Take for example, not a good one but one that comes to mind, the recent dilemma of Brian Williams. Recently it has come to light that this man who is a respected journalist, one who has built his reputation on being a man who speaks truth, has been questioned about something he has been reporting about in his life – speaking about it quite a bit. Because his words do not fit the actual collective memories of those who were with him, not only is his story discounted and distrusted, but he will now ever have a shadow of doubt that will hang over his head as he reports on other stories.

The same can be true of someone who professes to be a Christian, but whose life does not appear to be in harmony with his words. If the two do not seem to play the same tune, and in fact are not in harmony with one another, the sound that reaches the ears of those around will be like finger nails on a chalk board. I tell my congregation that being an evangelist does not always mean “talking about your faith.” Being a good evangelist begins with living a life that is impacted directly by your faith. If you live your life in harmony with the teachings of Jesus, you will seldom have to begin a conversation about your faith. When someone says “Why do you spend so much time doing thus and so at church, or volunteering at a shelter, etc., you have the opening you need to share the Gospel.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:27 am on March 3, 2015  

Walk In All His Ways – Rev. David J. Schreffler

March 3, 2015

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your G*d require of you, but to fear the Lord your G*d, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your G*d with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I command you this day…” Deuteronomy 10:12ff

“The G*d of Christians is not a G*d who is simply the author of mathematical truths, or of the order of the elements; that is the view of the heathens… He is not merely a G*d who exercises His providence over the life and fortunes of (people), to bestow on them who worship Him a long and happy life. The G*d of Abraham, the G*d of Isaac, the G*d of Jacob, the G*d of Christians is a G*d of love and of comfort, a G*d who fills the soul and heart of those whom He possesses, a G*d who makes them conscious of their inward wretchedness, and His infinite mercy, who fills their (soul) with humility and joy, with confidence and love…”
Blaise Pascal (1623 – 1662) “For All The Saints” volume I

“So it came about that one day when he had nothing on him but his weapons and his uniform, in the middle of winter which had been fearfully hard beyond the ordinary, so that many were dying of the intense cold, he met at the city gate of Amiens a coatless beggar. This beggar had been asking the passers-by to take pity on him but all had gone past… Then the G*d-filled man understood, from the fact that no one else had had pity, that this beggar had been reserved for him. But what was he to do? He had nothing with him but the cape he had on, for he had already used up what else he had, in similar good works. So he took the sword he was wearing and cut the cape in two and gave one half to the beggar, putting on the rest himself again.

This raised a laugh from some of the bystanders, for he looked grotesque in the mutilated garment; but many had more sense, and sighed to think that they had not done something of the kind; indeed, having more to give, they could have clothed the beggar without stripping themselves. At that night, in his sleep, Martin saw Christ wearing the half of his cape with which he had clothed the beggar.” The Life of St. Martin, (Martin of Tours, 316 – 397) as recorded by Sulpicius Severus (363 – 420)

“Lord, bent over as I am I can only look downwards; straighten me so that I can look upwards. Deliver me from my sins, unburden me, so that the abyss of sins does not engulf me. Teach me to seek you and reveal yourself to me as I seek. Let me seek you in desiring you; let me desire you in seeking you. Let me find you in loving you; let me love you in finding you.” (prayer from “For All The Saints”, volume I)

Pastor Dave