MAC KIRK

  Transfiguration and Us The Gospel for Calendar August 6 St. Luke ix. 28. "AND it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, say...

 A Meditation from a Hymn and the Scriptures-7th Sunday after Trinity   Perhaps many of us have found comfort in singing good hymns.  The 1940 Hymnal is a good place to start ( Prot. Episopal Church).  For the 6th Sunday of Trinity hymns a hymn originally titled , O Conqueror" with a first line " O North...." is appointed, no. 541.  I have used these hymns in my daily prayers .  This one is quite meaninful. The hymn was written by W. Cullen Bryant, 1794-1878 .  He was a lawyer in Massachusetts. He wrote over 20 hymns.  He wrote for the " New York Post" as well. The tune to this hymn, " O North.." is catchy and easy to sing.   1. The first verse is much about nature ;however in the second verse he talks about the coming of the Son of Man, " Lo, in the clouds of heaven appears God's well-beloved Son; He brings a train of brighter years; His kingdom is begun.  He comes a guilty world to bless, with mercy, truth and righteousness." Have...

  Matthew 5:23 -24   "Reconciliation- The sin of anger.."  Trinity VI    God is "slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" Psalm 103:8; Micah 7:18 reminds us as well that " He retaineth not His anger forever, but delighteth in mercy.."  We too are commanded to be " slow to anger, slow to wrath.." James 1:19 .  We also are to " let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger.... and evil speaking be put away ..and be ye kind one to another,... forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32     In today's Gospel we are reminded that we should " first be reconciled to our brother/sister then come and offer our gift at the altar."  Matthew 5:24  Dr. Tasker, an anglican Greek teacher said it this way in his thoughts on this passage, " Conduct is more important than formal worship." The greek word in the NT reconcile is "change thoroughly".       General McArthur said ,    ...

  Thomas Brooks , Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices-  No. 2 Thoughts from this delightful Biblical series written by an English puritan . We begin with an illustration of our confusion .   "Some years ago, The Archbishop of Canterbury was rushing to catch a train in London. In his haste, he accidentally jumped on the wrong passenger car and found himself on a car full of inmates from a mental hospital. They were all dressed in mental hospital clothing. Just as the train pulled out of the station, an orderly came in and began to count the inmates, “1-2-3-4…” when suddenly he saw this distinguished looking gentleman there wearing a business suit and a clerical collar and he said: “Who are you?” The answer came back: “I am the Archbishop of Canterbury!” And the orderly said: “5-6-7-8.” The point of that story is this: It is so important to know who we are and who other people are. If we know what makes us tick and what makes other people tick, we get along bette...

  Are we Ignorant of Satan's Devices?  2 Corinthians 2:11   Many years ago in the 17th century Christians were taught by learned and reformed ministers. This question was asked by the Apostle and Brooks does a whole series of messages on this....discussing Satan's devices ( attacks), and the Biblical remedies for Christians to know and practice.  A lot of these books and his as well have been re-published by The Banner of Truth Trust .  This series of sermons is meaty and Biblical and can help us in our Christian way of love and holiness.  Thomas Brooks ( first published 1652) in his book Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices  has some good thoughts from the Scriptures about how Christians should not be ignorant of Satan's tricks to get them to sin. Brooks goes back to the Apostle Paul's thought in 2 Corinthians 2. " Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." vs 11.Satan is not even thought of by most Christi...

  12 Steps to Living Without Fear-  Lloyd Ogilivie ----When I lived in North Dakota and served the Reformed Presbyterian Church there in a small town,  I remember seeing him on the television in his sermon and Church broadcast.   He had a wonderful way of connecting with people , and preached with no notes! I have taught some of the below in various churches to help understand how fear can cripple us, and make us unable to do what we should be doing for God and His Kingdom. No, they are not perfect, and each point in his book listed above has a chapter dedicated to it.  They are worth reading about in the actual book still available. I will say that no. 12 has been one of the most helpful to me personally....but the others too are quite helpful especially no. 7 in dealing with people and how they affect us. Blessings to you as you meditate on them , and the Scripture for each one. They are worth looking at and seeing how they fit the thought that is introduced....