Christ is the King.

As I sat and thought about today's gospel lesson, I couldn't help but think about the dichotomy between what the world perceives as a king, and what Christians know as King.  Often when there is mention of royalty the first thing one thinks of is Great Britain and the  house of Windsor.  It may even draw us back to the time of Henry the 8th, and the excess of the royal family during the 16th century and the ushering in of the English Reformation.  In every instance, we can see the continuous expectation of service to the crown, from tax money to excessive parities and ceremonies; the extravagance is endless.  Compare that to the true King if kings who proclaimed his kingdom and ushered it in by way of his crucifixion.  He served his followers by washing their feet, curing their sick and raising them from the dead.  Instead of ruling with a sword, he rules with Grace and Mercy.  In stead of ruling with an iron thumb, he rules with love and reconciliation.  An earthly king only holds the power given to him by God, Christ holds the power of all kings, because He is God.
In Psalm 93 (the Psalm of the day), we see the power and might of our King as described by the crashing of the surf as it powers it's way toward the shore.  For anyone who has watched the surf during a storm, it is an awesome sight.  The power of the waves as they pummel the shore line gives evidence of the greatness of the sea from where they originated. 
An earthly king has power but it is limited, if by anything, his own being, his own nature, but the power held by Christ is limitless and eternal, because not only is he the King, He is also the Creator.  It's good to be the subject of such a loving and gracious King!

Change is God.

The winter has finally arrived.  I was wondering how Long it would take before the first measurable amount of snow would fall on us here in Northwest PA.  Every time I see the weather change it always brings to mind Ecclesiastes 3 
    For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
    a time to be born, and a time to die;
    a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
    a time to kill, and a time to heal;
    a time to break down, and a time to build up;
    a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
    a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
    a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
    a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
    a time to seek, and a time to lose;
    a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
    a time to tear, and a time to sew;
    a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
    a time to love, and a time to hate;
    a time for war, and a time for peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV)

It reminds me of the process and movement of time as we stroll along life's path.  It's a great reminder to all of us that change is a part of life and that change is a good thing.  Now if we could only convince our congregations of that!    

I have decided to restart the use of this blog. I know it has been sometime since I've written anything here, but I figured it was long past due to expand my thoughts to include anyone who may want to read the ramblings of a sinner saint.