For the last six or so months, our church, Jeff Street, has been working on a book of stories, poems, songs and essays from church members and friends. We have finally wrapped that project up and are having a book release party this weekend.
There are some 33 writing contributors, as well as artwork from three other contributors (all of this in a church with only about 70-90 members) who have contributed 66 stories, essays and poetry (same as the number of books in the Bible, hmmm...). The participants are from every age range, and from every part of our church.
The book is called, Bread for the Journey: Stories and Whatnot from Jeff Street and we self-published it through lulu.com, which has been a great experience for us. At this point, I've just printed out enough for Jeff Street folk and friends who wanted it, but we may eventually make it public if others are interested.
The book cover is still secret at this point, but I'll put it up online after the party this weekend.
Congratulations, Jeff Street!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Amber Waves of Grain...
In thinking of music about love of one's homeland, perhaps my personal favorite is Finlandia:
This is my song, O God of all the nations
A song of peace for lands afar and mine
This is my home, the country where my heart is
Here are my hopes and dreams, my holy shrine
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean
And sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine
But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations
A song of peace for their land and for mine.
A beautiful runner up is Nicaragua, Nicaraguita
Oh Nicaragua Nicaraguita
most beautiful flower of my love
fertilized with the blessed
blood of Diriangen
Oh Nicaragua you are even sweeter
Than the honey from Tamagas
But now that you are free
Nicaraguita
I love you much more
But now that you are free
Nicaraguita
I love you much more
This song is so bittersweet and beautiful to listen to, even if you couldn't understand the native Spanish lyrics, you could tell it was a song of love for one's homeland and freedom - made all the more poignant by Nicaragua's harsh history and struggle for freedom.
But I'm drawing a blank right now on US songs that are similarly strikingly beautiful. Our national anthem is not especially singable, nor lovely and it's a bit too militaristic for my tastes.
America, the Beautiful is not too bad, it has some striking imagery in its lyrics...
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on Thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
This is probably my favorite traditional patriotic song (or perhaps Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land). But I think there are probably others that are more awe-inspiring that I'm not thinking of at this moment.
How about it? Can you help me out with your favorite poignant US hymn?
This is my song, O God of all the nations
A song of peace for lands afar and mine
This is my home, the country where my heart is
Here are my hopes and dreams, my holy shrine
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country's skies are bluer than the ocean
And sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine
But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover
And skies are everywhere as blue as mine
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations
A song of peace for their land and for mine.
A beautiful runner up is Nicaragua, Nicaraguita
Oh Nicaragua Nicaraguita
most beautiful flower of my love
fertilized with the blessed
blood of Diriangen
Oh Nicaragua you are even sweeter
Than the honey from Tamagas
But now that you are free
Nicaraguita
I love you much more
But now that you are free
Nicaraguita
I love you much more
This song is so bittersweet and beautiful to listen to, even if you couldn't understand the native Spanish lyrics, you could tell it was a song of love for one's homeland and freedom - made all the more poignant by Nicaragua's harsh history and struggle for freedom.
But I'm drawing a blank right now on US songs that are similarly strikingly beautiful. Our national anthem is not especially singable, nor lovely and it's a bit too militaristic for my tastes.
America, the Beautiful is not too bad, it has some striking imagery in its lyrics...
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on Thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
This is probably my favorite traditional patriotic song (or perhaps Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land). But I think there are probably others that are more awe-inspiring that I'm not thinking of at this moment.
How about it? Can you help me out with your favorite poignant US hymn?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Kentucky Mesa?
(Actually, the photo is an example of Mountaintop Removal process of coal mining, in which the top is blown off of a mountain, the rubble is thrown over the hill - polluting streams and watersheds below - the coal is removed and grass replanted in place of the former mountain top. We don't actually have flat-topped mesas in this part of the world - or at least we didn't used to.)
WASHINGTON (CNN) — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe
Hagin will be leaving his job this month, according to White House spokesperson Dana Perino.
Perino says Hagin's last day will be July 20th.
"The President said that he thanks Joe for his service to the White House, that Joe's been a loyal friend, and that he is excited about the next chapter in Joe's life," said Perino.
Hagin sent an email to friends this morning, announcing he is leaving to take a private sector job.
======
Aaahhh, the infamous "Leaving politics to take a private sector job" tack.
I'm starting a pool. Who wants to bet that the job is in:
A. The Oil Industry
B. The Coal Industry
C. The Military Industry (as in making weaponry, not actually serving in the military)
D. Working to protect the Environment?
(HA! That last one was a trick question!)
Any takers?
WASHINGTON (CNN) — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joe
Hagin will be leaving his job this month, according to White House spokesperson Dana Perino.
Perino says Hagin's last day will be July 20th.
"The President said that he thanks Joe for his service to the White House, that Joe's been a loyal friend, and that he is excited about the next chapter in Joe's life," said Perino.
Hagin sent an email to friends this morning, announcing he is leaving to take a private sector job.
======
Aaahhh, the infamous "Leaving politics to take a private sector job" tack.
I'm starting a pool. Who wants to bet that the job is in:
A. The Oil Industry
B. The Coal Industry
C. The Military Industry (as in making weaponry, not actually serving in the military)
D. Working to protect the Environment?
(HA! That last one was a trick question!)
Any takers?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Summer Study Series
I realize that most folk who frequent this blog do not live near my Louisville home. But some of you do.
It is for you I post this announcement.
My church, Jeff Street Baptist, is doing a Bible study on Homosexuality and Christianity, led by our own prophet, genius and all around good guy, Dr. Rick Axtell.
Rick is a professor of ethics at a Kentucky university and is an excellent teacher and the study is open to all who are interested in the topic - even if you disagree with my church's position (we are open and affirming of our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters).
A good time shall be had by all, with thanks to Rick and Lisa for preparing for and presenting this study.
It is for you I post this announcement.
My church, Jeff Street Baptist, is doing a Bible study on Homosexuality and Christianity, led by our own prophet, genius and all around good guy, Dr. Rick Axtell.
Rick is a professor of ethics at a Kentucky university and is an excellent teacher and the study is open to all who are interested in the topic - even if you disagree with my church's position (we are open and affirming of our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters).
A good time shall be had by all, with thanks to Rick and Lisa for preparing for and presenting this study.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Time Off
If I haven't been posting much this week, it's with good reason: We've been on a short vacation. Sarah, Donna and I took out a loan, filled up the automobile with gasoline and hauled ourselves over to lovely Whitesburg, Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. We went there for the annual Cowan Creek Mountain Music School.
[More info at cowancreekmusic.org]
The good folk at the Cowan Creek Community Center sponsor the week as a delightful way to pass on Old Time Music, Appalachian stories, traditions and songs. There are an amazingly wonderful group of people who put this (and other) efforts together and they are well worth looking into and supporting.
I was going to post a slide show with some of the wonderful music performed there this week, as well as photos of the beauty of the region, but I have been experiencing some technical difficulties.
So, for the time being, I have put the slide show together featuring some traditional music from two blog friends, Deb and Tim. Their songs (Early and Soldier's Joy, respectively) - along with a little Cluck Ol' Hen that I recorded - are representative of the sort of music we heard and learned this week.
It was a powerful, spiritual trip - our third trip to the Camp - and if you're interested in this sort of music, you could not find a better way to spend your time, nor a more glorious location in which to spend it.
[More info at cowancreekmusic.org]
The good folk at the Cowan Creek Community Center sponsor the week as a delightful way to pass on Old Time Music, Appalachian stories, traditions and songs. There are an amazingly wonderful group of people who put this (and other) efforts together and they are well worth looking into and supporting.
I was going to post a slide show with some of the wonderful music performed there this week, as well as photos of the beauty of the region, but I have been experiencing some technical difficulties.
So, for the time being, I have put the slide show together featuring some traditional music from two blog friends, Deb and Tim. Their songs (Early and Soldier's Joy, respectively) - along with a little Cluck Ol' Hen that I recorded - are representative of the sort of music we heard and learned this week.
It was a powerful, spiritual trip - our third trip to the Camp - and if you're interested in this sort of music, you could not find a better way to spend your time, nor a more glorious location in which to spend it.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Which Way Doth the Wind Blow?
And so it begins...
(CNN) – CNN’s poll of polls has been updated to reflect a new Newsweek poll .
Sen. Barack Obama has gained two percentage points in his lead over Sen. John McCain, according to the latest CNN poll of polls released Friday.
Obama now leads McCain by 6 percentage points – 46 percent to McCain’s 40 percent. In the previous CNN poll of polls, Obama’s lead was 4 percentage points.
I had envisioned a slightly larger upturn for Obama once the primary had concluded than this four, and now six point advantage over McCain. I reckon my crystal ball was a little cloudy. Still, according to yet another set of polls...
(CNN) – Barack Obama leading John McCain in the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, according to a new survey.
Obama lost the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania by 9 points — but a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday shows him leading McCain by 12 points, 52-40. In Ohio — a state Obama lost to Hillary Clinton by 10 points in March — he’s leading McCain 48-42. And in Florida, where he did not campaign this primary season and lost an unsanctioned Democratic contest, he leads McCain 47-43.
Admittedly, this is all just my gut feeling and pure guesswork and naught else on my part, but I just can't see McCain doing very well this fall and I'm still expecting Obama to win handily.
No one is excited about voting for McCain. The country's gone all batty for Obama. There is an enthusiasm there that I expect will clear any hurdles of ugly politicking on the Republican side or any vestiges of racism around our nation.
I see a Good Moon Rising.
But what do I know?
(CNN) – CNN’s poll of polls has been updated to reflect a new Newsweek poll .
Sen. Barack Obama has gained two percentage points in his lead over Sen. John McCain, according to the latest CNN poll of polls released Friday.
Obama now leads McCain by 6 percentage points – 46 percent to McCain’s 40 percent. In the previous CNN poll of polls, Obama’s lead was 4 percentage points.
I had envisioned a slightly larger upturn for Obama once the primary had concluded than this four, and now six point advantage over McCain. I reckon my crystal ball was a little cloudy. Still, according to yet another set of polls...
(CNN) – Barack Obama leading John McCain in the crucial swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, according to a new survey.
Obama lost the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania by 9 points — but a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday shows him leading McCain by 12 points, 52-40. In Ohio — a state Obama lost to Hillary Clinton by 10 points in March — he’s leading McCain 48-42. And in Florida, where he did not campaign this primary season and lost an unsanctioned Democratic contest, he leads McCain 47-43.
Admittedly, this is all just my gut feeling and pure guesswork and naught else on my part, but I just can't see McCain doing very well this fall and I'm still expecting Obama to win handily.
No one is excited about voting for McCain. The country's gone all batty for Obama. There is an enthusiasm there that I expect will clear any hurdles of ugly politicking on the Republican side or any vestiges of racism around our nation.
I see a Good Moon Rising.
But what do I know?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Offshore Drilling for Oil? [UPDATED]
No! No! A thousand times, No!
We ought to only begin offshore drilling for oil (or drilling in ANWR) if it makes sense and it makes none.
Bush/McCain have begun to push for Congress to end the ban on offshore drilling, playing on the concerns people have about the price of oil. The Bushmccain argument goes like this:
1. Oil/gas is expensive and getting expensiver every day.
2. Expensive oil/gas is bad.
3. There is oil available off our shores and in ANWR.
[and here comes the BIG LIE...]
4. If we drill there for oil, then our gas prices will go down and we will be more energy independent.
It sounds like this argument might be winning over the hearts and minds of the American people but if we're going to seriously debate this idea, then the REAL facts need to be presented. The Bushmccain approach is a LIE and either they know it and are telling a lie deliberately or they are criminally ignorant of the easily attained facts.
The facts:
1. Oil is a finite resource.
2. The price of oil is increasing because demand is up and supply is tapering off.
3. The price of oil will continue to increase. Why? See points 1 & 2.
4. Drilling offshore or in ANWR would provide SOME relief to our shortages - in 10-20 years.
5. By drilling offshore or in ANWR for oil, Bush's own economists confirm that in 10-20 years we WILL have some relief in gas prices.
6. That relief is estimated by Bush's own economists to be about .50-.75... A BARREL!
7. Right now, a barrel of oil costs about $130 (up from $30 when Bush took office).
8. So, subtracting .75 from that $130/barrel (or whatever it is up to in 2028) comes to... let's see, $129.25/barrel.
9. Or, by the time that "savings" is passed down to the gas pump, that would be... about nothing.
Don't believe the hype. Bushmccain is telling a bald-faced lie or repeating ignorant nonsense.
We need to reduce the amount of the finite resources we use and learn to live within our means. THAT is the one and only answer.
References for the numbers can be found here, here, here or here, or here (at the US Energy Information Administration), or any place sound, fiscally responsible policy is discussed.
"The Interior Department offered a wide range of estimates of how much oil might be within reach of U.S. offshore drilling in a 2006 report. It estimated that the Outer Continental Shelf could hold 115.4 billion barrels. However, it also estimated that recoverable reserves off U.S. coasts in areas now banned from production probably hold only about 19 billion barrels....
...if there are 19 billion barrels in the areas McCain would open to drilling, that's enough to provide about 920 days, or about 2.5 years, of current U.S. consumption."
Yeah. That'll be helpful.
We ought to only begin offshore drilling for oil (or drilling in ANWR) if it makes sense and it makes none.
Bush/McCain have begun to push for Congress to end the ban on offshore drilling, playing on the concerns people have about the price of oil. The Bushmccain argument goes like this:
1. Oil/gas is expensive and getting expensiver every day.
2. Expensive oil/gas is bad.
3. There is oil available off our shores and in ANWR.
[and here comes the BIG LIE...]
4. If we drill there for oil, then our gas prices will go down and we will be more energy independent.
It sounds like this argument might be winning over the hearts and minds of the American people but if we're going to seriously debate this idea, then the REAL facts need to be presented. The Bushmccain approach is a LIE and either they know it and are telling a lie deliberately or they are criminally ignorant of the easily attained facts.
The facts:
1. Oil is a finite resource.
2. The price of oil is increasing because demand is up and supply is tapering off.
3. The price of oil will continue to increase. Why? See points 1 & 2.
4. Drilling offshore or in ANWR would provide SOME relief to our shortages - in 10-20 years.
5. By drilling offshore or in ANWR for oil, Bush's own economists confirm that in 10-20 years we WILL have some relief in gas prices.
6. That relief is estimated by Bush's own economists to be about .50-.75... A BARREL!
7. Right now, a barrel of oil costs about $130 (up from $30 when Bush took office).
8. So, subtracting .75 from that $130/barrel (or whatever it is up to in 2028) comes to... let's see, $129.25/barrel.
9. Or, by the time that "savings" is passed down to the gas pump, that would be... about nothing.
Don't believe the hype. Bushmccain is telling a bald-faced lie or repeating ignorant nonsense.
We need to reduce the amount of the finite resources we use and learn to live within our means. THAT is the one and only answer.
References for the numbers can be found here, here, here or here, or here (at the US Energy Information Administration), or any place sound, fiscally responsible policy is discussed.
"The Interior Department offered a wide range of estimates of how much oil might be within reach of U.S. offshore drilling in a 2006 report. It estimated that the Outer Continental Shelf could hold 115.4 billion barrels. However, it also estimated that recoverable reserves off U.S. coasts in areas now banned from production probably hold only about 19 billion barrels....
...if there are 19 billion barrels in the areas McCain would open to drilling, that's enough to provide about 920 days, or about 2.5 years, of current U.S. consumption."
Yeah. That'll be helpful.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Is the Bible Sexist? Is God??
No, we would be my response. But it is a product of its times.
Because the question was raised in the previous post and because I didn't want the topic to go astray, I promised to offer folk a chance to talk about Paul and sexism in another post. I thought I'd expand the question beyond just Paul, because there is certainly material in the Bible that can sound pretty bad to modern ears.
I'll start with the writings attributed to Paul, which say (among other things):
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
1 Cor 11: 3
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Cor 14:34-35
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it...
Eph 5:22-25
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Tim 2:11-13
And Peter weighed in on women, too...
Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives...
1 Peter 3:1
Additionally, we have OT laws and stories that are sometimes just plain offensive to modern ears.
From Adam and Eve:
"...thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."
Gen 3:16
To some other stories, like where Lot has angels visiting his home and the men of Sodom want to gang rape them and Lot offers his daughters to the men of Sodom instead (!!!) - found in Gen 19 - to some of the laws, such as this one...
"And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do."
Exodus 21: 7
Women of the day (Old Testament and New) were chattel, they weren't citizens, they didn't have rights. The Bible reflects this reality.
Now, this is not a topic that I've studied a lot, but just from what I've read, I'm willing to accept that the Bible is a document of its patriarchal, pre-modern times and realize that, yes, back then, women weren't treated right. But even in that context, we see hints of God's more egalitarian ways shining through. In Christ, there is no "male" or "female," we see Jesus talking to and treating women as equals, we see women leadership in OT and NT stories.
So, my answer to the larger question - is God sexist? - an absolute No. But the Bible does tell stories that reflect the mores of the day. As long as we don't try to take those sexist/misogynistic attitudes as literally applying to how we interact as humans today (ie, women remain silent in church, the man is the "head" or master of women, selling our daughters, etc), and embrace the God-given liberty and equality for all, then I think we're okay.
But what do you think?
Because the question was raised in the previous post and because I didn't want the topic to go astray, I promised to offer folk a chance to talk about Paul and sexism in another post. I thought I'd expand the question beyond just Paul, because there is certainly material in the Bible that can sound pretty bad to modern ears.
I'll start with the writings attributed to Paul, which say (among other things):
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
1 Cor 11: 3
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Cor 14:34-35
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it...
Eph 5:22-25
Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Tim 2:11-13
And Peter weighed in on women, too...
Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives...
1 Peter 3:1
Additionally, we have OT laws and stories that are sometimes just plain offensive to modern ears.
From Adam and Eve:
"...thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee."
Gen 3:16
To some other stories, like where Lot has angels visiting his home and the men of Sodom want to gang rape them and Lot offers his daughters to the men of Sodom instead (!!!) - found in Gen 19 - to some of the laws, such as this one...
"And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do."
Exodus 21: 7
Women of the day (Old Testament and New) were chattel, they weren't citizens, they didn't have rights. The Bible reflects this reality.
Now, this is not a topic that I've studied a lot, but just from what I've read, I'm willing to accept that the Bible is a document of its patriarchal, pre-modern times and realize that, yes, back then, women weren't treated right. But even in that context, we see hints of God's more egalitarian ways shining through. In Christ, there is no "male" or "female," we see Jesus talking to and treating women as equals, we see women leadership in OT and NT stories.
So, my answer to the larger question - is God sexist? - an absolute No. But the Bible does tell stories that reflect the mores of the day. As long as we don't try to take those sexist/misogynistic attitudes as literally applying to how we interact as humans today (ie, women remain silent in church, the man is the "head" or master of women, selling our daughters, etc), and embrace the God-given liberty and equality for all, then I think we're okay.
But what do you think?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Bible and Economics
Another entry in the series where I offer up Bible verses dealing with wealth, poverty and living aright. There is a sidebar below on the left (Titled, "The Bible and Economics") where you can see the other entries. Today, we're looking at 1 Timothy. I'm breaking Paul's letter to Timothy up into two sections, because there's so much to talk about.
Here, then, are selected passages from 1 Timothy chapters 2, 3 and 5. I'll save chapter 6 for later.
======
Women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
...a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity... Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain...
1 Timothy 3:3-4;8
Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God.
The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives.
If any woman believer has widowed relatives, she must assist them; the church is not to be burdened, so that it will be able to help those who are truly widows...
Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay."
1 Timothy 5:3-6; 16-18
Here, then, are selected passages from 1 Timothy chapters 2, 3 and 5. I'll save chapter 6 for later.
======
Women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
...a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.
He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity... Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain...
1 Timothy 3:3-4;8
Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God.
The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives.
If any woman believer has widowed relatives, she must assist them; the church is not to be burdened, so that it will be able to help those who are truly widows...
Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching. For the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is threshing," and, "A worker deserves his pay."
1 Timothy 5:3-6; 16-18
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)