Daily Archives: September 9, 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 10:44 am on September 9, 2015  

When? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

When………

When you stand upon the shore
When you look back upon the battles, won and lost
And scan the beaches for those you have
Slaughtered with your words, and stabbed with
Your steely eyes…

When you close those same eyes and see the people you have
Loved, the children you have raised, the work you have
Completed, the hate you have spread, the deeds that make
You both proud and disappointed…

When you come to the final accounting, no longer
Are your generals at your side, no longer are the minions
At your beckon-call, but you alone stand on the beach
That separates the living and the dead….

When you have reached the peacekeeper’s table
And bow in hopes that you have just a token, an offering
For all of the damage you have wrought —
A token of your good deeds that stand for all time…

When there is no turning back, no do-overs, no chance
To escape the final countdown, the final reckoning —
You realize you are staring at all that represents your Life,
When it dawns on you that there may be nothing else…

When the final trumpet blows there is no more “When”,
There is only “Then”…when it will be too late to change your
Destiny, to change your Ways, your thoughts, your Deeds,
Your love, your kindness, your Relationship with G*d….

When will you learn?

When…….

 

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on September 9, 2015
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Prayer of Anguish — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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September 9, 2015

And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same. And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:27-31, 35-38

“It is clear from many of His sayings that Our Lord had long foreseen His death. Does not every movement in the Passion write large some common element in the sufferings of our race? First, the prayer of anguish; not granted. Then He turns to His friends. They are asleep–as ours, or we, are so often, or busy, or away, or preoccupied. Then He faces the Church; the very Church that He brought into existence. It condemns Him.” C.S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, “For All The Saints” volume II (p. 805, 806)

The prayer of anguish is a prayer we all have prayed, at least one time in our lives. I find it funny that most people, when confronted with a life or death situation, find themselves praying to G*d — even if prayer is not a part of their daily existence. The old saying goes “There are no atheists in fox holes”. When our lives are flashing in front of our eyes, prayers are being muttered from our lips — as if almost instinctual. Wouldn’t it be great if prayer became more of daily routine and less of a “my G*d I might die today” response. Have you prayed today?

Pastor Dave