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SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
The Gospel of Jesus Christ addresses itself to the total and full development
of the human, contained in the very words of Jesus in
John 10:10;
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Christianity recognizes the complexity of the human being; physical,
psychological, and spiritual elements are interwoven to form the
whole person. Our needs are varied; we have physical, emotional,
intellectual and spiritual needs.
At Third Avenue United Church we seriously try to reach out to these
different needs in our fellow human beings in presenting the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. Redemption, in its inclusive nature, asks for the transformation
of the human life in all its aspects. Redemption or salvation, the way we
understand it, is not reserved for life beyond this world, but redeems the
human in order to live an abundant life now.
Redemption does not bear fruit
only in the personal life of a human being; it manifests itself in how one
lives with family, society and community.
Life within the church and life outside the church are two sides of the
same life
lived within the faith and practice of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
The two important sacraments of the church, Baptism, and the Holy
Communion,
are regularly celebrated in the church.
By Baptism one becomes a member of the body of Christ.
It is a celebration of an inward event; it celebrates the indwelling of God's Spirit
in the life of every believer; it is also seen as an outward event
when one is baptized into the church.
The Holy Communion is very significant, its truth and practice foster, nourish,
and sustain the believer in the whole life of the church.
If by Baptism one is
admitted into the church, it is by Communion that one
maintains membership
in the fellowship of the church.
Third Avenue United Church invites everyone to join with us in our journey towards full, practical, personal and social Spiritual Development.
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AT THE GATE OF THE YEAR
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'
And he replied,
'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'
So I went forth and finding the
Hand of God
Trod gladly into the night
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day
in the lone east.
So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?
In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention."
by: Minnie Louise Harkins 1875-1957
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FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes
from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand.
One belonged to him, and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.:
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me
all the way.
But I have noticed that during
the most troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you the most
you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then
I carried you."
~Author Unknown~
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DESIDERATA
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann |
THIS WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US
The world is too much with us;
late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste
our powers;
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away,
a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like
sleeping flowers,
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not.--Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;1
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea2,
Have glimpses that would make me
less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus3 rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton4 blow his wreathed horn.
William Wordsworth (1807) |
NOTES:
1 Brought up in an outdated religion.
2 A Meadow.
3 A Greek sea god
capable of taking many shapes.
4 Another sea god,
often depicted as
trumpeting on a shell.
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