MAC KIRK

Lamentations 3:21-33     When I was a seminary student in 1976 , I had the marvelous opportunity to work down town Philadelphia as a volunteer in the American Bible Society ( for my seminary was in downtown Philadelphia).   There I operated an old printing press and printed off Bible verses during our nation’s bicentennial for people that stopped in.   I would often take the subway or walk over to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to go through the halls to see our nation’s origin.   Here I saw the actual place where our founders signed the Declaration of Independence and the crack in the liberty bell with the inscription from Leviticus 25:10, “ Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants therof..”   I was in awe of these places.   I am still in awe of our nation and its principles and its founders who through rough times hoped in God and did not give up despite the force arrayed against them.   They were of the spirit of Patrick Henry who in response to

Mark 4:35-41   “Peace” “ ‘ Peace, be still,’ ” Jesus said to the sea.”   The words Jesus used originally are from the word to keep silence, siope.   It is also used when Jesus on Palm Sunday said the disciples if they did “ hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 14:40   Be still is “ to muzzle “ as in Mark 1:25 “ Hold thy peace and come out of him” to the unclean spirit.     How do we have peace?   Every Christian knows that through trust in Jesus we have eternal life and that gives us eternal peace. Romans 5:1 “ being justified by faith , we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   So why is it that we do not feel peaceful at lot of the time?      We know that eternal life is secure.   We are safe in the arms of Jesus because of His blood shed for us .   The Father will not lose us.   John 6 reminded us 6:39 “ I should lose nothing” when Jesus talked about His sheep---- those whom come to Him. But the peace in our lives is a different matter.   Ch

The Will of God     In Mark 3 we read some remarkable words about how Jesus related to His family and the importance of doing God's will.  His mother and his brethren were seeking him 3:32 .  The answer he gave was " who is my mother, or my brethren?  And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said,' Behold my mother and my brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister , and mother."     Here Jesus lays His emphasis on the family of God.  He did not have to do that, but He did.  And because He did, we should as well.  Certainly that does not mean we neglect or ignore our family.  We have been blessed with families and God works His covenant through the family.  He calls individuals to serve Him and as families we are enabled to love Him more and more when the head of our families sets that example.  In one sense this was a little bit of a rebuke to His family. In John 2, Mary also is told at the wedding, &

Isaiah 6:1-8   TRINITY SUNDAY-   There was an Irishman , monk and abbot who died in 597 who said Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17 something about journeys that goes like this: “ Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O King of night and day?   More safe am I within thy hand than if a host did round me stand.”   We are going to take a short journey this morning and recover a perspective about God and ourselves and others that will help us on our journeys in life.   Really,   perspective is an important word.   How we look at things that may seem difficult or even hard will be so key in our attempts to get around the problems in our lives.   Someone said when I asked them, “How are you today?”   “ I have some complaining to talk about,   but it would not do any good.”   I told him I would hear any thing for a nickel.   I was writing an e mail the other day , and told someone I have to go to see my 83 year old day .Of c