2008

Raising up the remnant is Jonah's questioning of the worlds views of God, creation and justice as opposed to the Living Gods view. In this comparison Jonah finds many questions and few answers but is determined to remain a searcher and seeker. My hope is that anyone may be able to relate to the problems and questions that confront Jonah and find that as part of the faithful remnant they are still willing to stay the course. More=>

A brief overview of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi offers the most compelling case for our perseverance and conviction in carrying the message of salvation to the world. The world that is the three square feet surrounding us that we can actually do something about.

Sample: "Repentance is the only real response we can give; 'a contrite and broken heart is the sacrifice acceptable to God', as Psalm 51 declares. And with knowledge of His passion we will 'sing aloud of His deliverance…show forth His praise…teach transgressors His ways…proclaim His name because it is good.' this is what scripture tells me. Of course that doesn't really happen. That's just 'churchy' stuff, right?

I went to Ripley Church in Greenwich, Ohio, a little country church, last Sunday evening where laymen; housewives, farmers and professional people of all ilk stood before a good-sized crowd proclaiming the Gospel of Christ as firmly and as truly as anyone. Their insight and understanding was powerful. They asked 'why we want to run from God?; 'Why we sleep so soundly when the storm is raging about us?' Why do we search for a way to trivialize and alter the effects of His passion?'… They provoked my heart to a hundred other questions.

Such courage; such boldness; such insight into our natures. This was certainly the work of the Spirit guiding these every-day people to act. (pg. 105). Surly such a response is what He would have us do.

Jonah: Raising up the remnant
2008