In A.D. 312 Constantine won control of the Roman Empire and attributed his victory to the intervention of Jesus. His motto became "One God, one Lord, one faith, one church, one empire and one emperor". As a result there came a rift and the divinity of Christ was challenged.
To counter the widening rift within the church, Constantine convened a council in Nicaea in A.D. 325 A creed was written and signed by the majority of the bishops. It was revised in A.D. 381 and is now known as the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in One Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
Begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come gain in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Merciful Judge
A TRUE STORY:
A young offender found herself standing before a judge. She was arraigned for a misdemeanor. When the charge was read she pleaded guilty. All the evidence and her own conscience pointed to a verdict of guilty.
As the verdict was read and penalty read, unfortunately the youthful offender did not have the money to pay her debt, leaving her facing jail time. The judge looked down at her in the prisoner's dock. There she stood, guilty before the law. Her own waywardness had led her into this predicament.
Suddenly, with slow and deliberate movement, the judge slipped off his robe. In a gesture of momentous consequence, he stepped from behind the bar and came down to stand next to the young offender. Reaching into his own pocket, he withdrew the amount of money needed to cancel her debt, paying the price to set her free. It turns out the judge was also the young offender's father. By his substitution sacrifice on her behalf, she was set free, restored to his family and society.
A simple reminder. Our God, ( judge/father) became our substitution sacrifice restoring all who accept HIS act of compassion and love.
A young offender found herself standing before a judge. She was arraigned for a misdemeanor. When the charge was read she pleaded guilty. All the evidence and her own conscience pointed to a verdict of guilty.
As the verdict was read and penalty read, unfortunately the youthful offender did not have the money to pay her debt, leaving her facing jail time. The judge looked down at her in the prisoner's dock. There she stood, guilty before the law. Her own waywardness had led her into this predicament.
Suddenly, with slow and deliberate movement, the judge slipped off his robe. In a gesture of momentous consequence, he stepped from behind the bar and came down to stand next to the young offender. Reaching into his own pocket, he withdrew the amount of money needed to cancel her debt, paying the price to set her free. It turns out the judge was also the young offender's father. By his substitution sacrifice on her behalf, she was set free, restored to his family and society.
A simple reminder. Our God, ( judge/father) became our substitution sacrifice restoring all who accept HIS act of compassion and love.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The Wondrous Cross
Two Hymns of our faith:
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross, where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinner was slain.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine a wondrous beauty I see; for 'twas on the old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he'll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I'll share.
Refrain - So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown.
WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count by loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross, where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinner was slain.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine a wondrous beauty I see; for 'twas on the old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then he'll call me some day to my home far away, where his glory forever I'll share.
Refrain - So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it some day for a crown.
WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count by loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown
Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
A great & mysterious drama...
There are 6 verses from Philippians I go to when I need assurance of God's ultimate plan for us. This drama is, for me, the greatest mystery in scripture. To experience it, I travel through time and space, back to pre-world (time) eternity and then forward through all the ages to eternity, future:
"[Jesus Christ] who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And, being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:6-11
"[Jesus Christ] who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And, being found in appearance as a man he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:6-11
Friday, September 14, 2012
And As I Consider HIS Names...
September 14, 2012
As I worship my GOD, this song reflects my spirit's stance -
As I worship my GOD, this song reflects my spirit's stance -
BE
STILL AND KNOW
Be
still and know that He is God
Be
still and know that He is holy.
Be
still oh restless soul of mine
Bow
down before the Prince of Peace
Let
the noise and clamor cease
Be
still and know that He is God
Be
still and know that He is faithful
Consider
all that He has done
Stand
in awe and be amazed
And
know that He will never change
Be
still
Be
still and know that He is God
Be
still and know that He is God
Be
still and know that He is God
Be
still…Be speechless
Be
still and know that He is God
Be
still and know that He is our Father
Come
rest your head upon His breast
Listen
to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love
Beating
for His little ones
Calling
each of us to come
Be
still
Be
still
WHO HE IS...
September 14, 2012
WHO HE IS... I took this list from The Bible, knowing HE is all this and SO MUCH MORE
I am grateful HE is beyond our words to describe -
WHO HE IS... I took this list from The Bible, knowing HE is all this and SO MUCH MORE
I am grateful HE is beyond our words to describe -
NAMES & DESCRIPTIONS OF GOD
Alpha & Omega, Sustainer, Delight, Anointed One, Name
Above All Names, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Emmanuel, Star Breather, Morning
Star, Most High, My Righteousness, Master Of The Universe, Timeless, Without
Beginning Or End, My Joy, Lover Of Beauty, My Great Lord, The God Who Sees Me,
My Banner, The God Of The Mountains, King of Glory, Strong & Mighty,
Defense Of My Life, Stronghold, God Of Truth, Our Stronghold, Creator,
Designer, Maker of All Things, Comforter, Rock, Shelter, All Wisdom
(omniscient), Guide, All Power (Omnipotent), Lover of My Soul, Redeemer,
Saviour, Lord, God, Best Friend, Knows All (Omniscient), Shepherd, “I AM”, The
Strong One, Eternal, All Sufficient, Almighty, Self-Existent, Provider, Keeper,
Raiser of My Head, Healer, Everlasting Sanctifies, Lord Of Hosts, Lord Of
Peace, My Righteous One, All Truth, Prince Of Peace, Jehovah, YHWH, Constant
Companion, Holy, Holy, Holy, Trinity, Above All, Before All, All Wise, My
Shalom. Root of Jesse, Restorer, Bread Of Life, Living Water, All Faithful,
Satisfies, Peace, Assurance, Pure Light, My Vision, My Purpose, Exalted One, My
Song, My Salvation, Deliverer, Shield
Thursday, September 13, 2012
In Awe
Thursday, September 13, 2012
"God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1:19-20
"God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1:19-20
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Where I am..
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I chose this name for my blog based on a quote from a favorite movie: Broken Trail with Robert Duvall. He said, "...we live between the two eternities"
So here I am, on this small blue planet with 67 years of life to think about and write about.
This is a new experience for me and I'm excited to begin this journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)