MAC KIRK

"I have seen your affliction " Exodus , Luke & others A lot of people now think it does not matter what I do, where I do it, and how I do it. Somehow God has been written out of our lives in our country. I do not mean just having " In God We Trust" on the money. The ethics is gone. But without God there is no ethics. We just go with the flow, or do what ever we want without thinking of its consequences. Or perhaps someone higher up on the food chain approves the action. Does that fix it? Well we may get what we want, but we will reap the consequences of our inability to do the right thing. Posting the Ten Commandments is not the answer either by the way. I wish more churches would however since that is the standard. Trying to slap that on others without any forethought seems shallow to me. Well -meaning Christians differ on where they should be put such things , and why...just as well-meaning Christians differ on how to observe Sunday properly.

Lent II. Luke 13:22-35 God's Door is Strong & True " For Diligence" 1929 Free Church Book of Common Prayer " O GOD, grant unto us that we be not unwise, but understanding thy will; not slothful, but diligent in thy work; that we run not as uncertainly, nor fight thy battles as those that beat the air. Whatsoever our hand findeth to do , may we do it with our might; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." One of those listening to Jesus asked the question, "He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved few?" It may be after hearing Him speak that they were honestly wondering about it. My great-grandfather, DR. Morgan said, " I cannot help wondering whether this was a discerning person. He saw the crowds and their attitude, and he saw they were gradually drawing away...( so he asked the question..)" Studies in the Four Gos

Luke 4. 1st S in Lent "If you willingly carry the cross, it will carry you." Thomas a Kempis Thoughts on this would say how good , but would we not add that God carries us before we carry Jesus' Cross?....But I get what he is saying. Can we see Lent not in the darkness of the ashes and its mire but in the light in the Candles , the Communion Cup that glows in the morning light & the hope of everlasting life? He does carry us, but we are to carry him too. Today's Romans reading reminds us that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. In Him, we have life. On the other hand, " Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them" Do this and live so to speak, which is impossible as no one can do the law perfectly. In Christ, we hear live and do this. In Christ the law is fulfilled by His righteousness on our behalf received by faith. This is the gospel of grace an

The Transfiguration and Us ( You) This well -known event probably occured on Mount Hermon---- snowy and gigantic. Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us of this event. Luke alone mentions the ascent for the reason to pray. His (Jesus')face shone as the sun (Matthew) & his garments were glittering ( Mark ) & white as the light ( Luke). Heavenly visitors were present, Moses and Elijah in the cloud that descended. A voice came out of the cloud saying," This is my beloved Son ( Jesus): hear Him." (Luke 9:35) Luke does not use the word transfigured as do Matthew and Mark, but a different word heteros, meaning of a different kind. His face was altered. I think basically we all know about the Transfiguration in some way having heard a few messages before Lent on it. I see an application to believers. Christians too experience a change of face , an alteration of nature at conversion. In one sense that is their transfiguration. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ," if any ma