Buffalo Fire 2009 Awards video from Michael Zarbo on Vimeo.
Video in memory of our fallen BFD brothers
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
2012, eh?
There is a lot of talk about the “end of the world” happening in 2012. Supposedly, the Mayan calendar ends that year. The veiled-false prophet Nostradamus also claims cataclysmic calamity cosmically coming in that chronos (Greek word for ‘time’). Books are selling off the shelves in Borders, Barnes and Nobel, and at Amazon dot com. (Borders actually has an entire section of the store devoted to this).
The Christian false-prophet, Harold Camping of Family Radio, has them beat: He says it is going to be in 2011! (Of course, he also said it was going to be in 1994, but I don’t think we’re in heaven yet)!
As people look at what is going on in the world in terms of politics, economics, they, too, are jumping on the “Left Behind” band-wagon and spreading their doom and gloom predictions with anyone who will listen.
So what do we do with all of this “Parousia-paranoia”? We hear the words of our Lord Jesus who warns us about such teachings circulating: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ,’ and deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:4-6)
None of this nonsense should surprise the Biblically-bound Christian. We’ve been forewarned of the lunacy.
Jesus also goes on to tell us: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36). This means even Jesus does not know ‘when’ the Last Day is to come. So Nostradamus, and Camping, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all who have set dates based on a “code” they think they have broken in the Scriptures or on the calendar are claiming to know more than Jesus. There’s a word invented just for folk like this: Heretics.
Oh, we do believe in the Last Day. We do believe that the world will come to an end on Judgment Day. We confess that every week in the Creeds of the Church. But it is a whole lot different from what the doomsday dummies are declaring.
Jesus tells us this, too: Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28).
The Last Day for Christians is not something we dread; it is something that we anticipate, pray for and celebrate. The early Christians would always pray, Maranatha, which means “Come quickly”. We don’t know when it will be, but we know it will be, and we know that it will be the greatest day ever known to mankind since the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is the day when the dead are raised incorruptible, when we will be caught up into heaven with all those who we loved who are in Christ Jesus. It is on that day we will all sing the eternal praises of Jesus around His throne in an existence that is indescribable in human terminology.
So why are we talking about this now? Because the Church soon enters the time when we focus on both the end of the world and the coming of Jesus.
The readings on the last Sundays of the Church year focus on Judgment Day. Their theme is a simple one: Are you ready? That means, do you believe in Jesus, have you repented for your sins and received his wondrous salvation? That is how one prepares. And then, after we hear about the Final Judgment, we shift liturgical gears and focus our attention on the Promises of God that Jesus is coming again. We call this season “Advent.” (It begins on November 29th this year). Not a countdown to Christmas, as the world sees it, but a focus on the Promises of God to come and redeem His people This season reminds us that the Church remains in perpetual Advent as we await the final promise of Jesus to be fulfilled: His coming again in glory.
The Christian false-prophet, Harold Camping of Family Radio, has them beat: He says it is going to be in 2011! (Of course, he also said it was going to be in 1994, but I don’t think we’re in heaven yet)!
As people look at what is going on in the world in terms of politics, economics, they, too, are jumping on the “Left Behind” band-wagon and spreading their doom and gloom predictions with anyone who will listen.
So what do we do with all of this “Parousia-paranoia”? We hear the words of our Lord Jesus who warns us about such teachings circulating: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ,’ and deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:4-6)
None of this nonsense should surprise the Biblically-bound Christian. We’ve been forewarned of the lunacy.
Jesus also goes on to tell us: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36). This means even Jesus does not know ‘when’ the Last Day is to come. So Nostradamus, and Camping, and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and all who have set dates based on a “code” they think they have broken in the Scriptures or on the calendar are claiming to know more than Jesus. There’s a word invented just for folk like this: Heretics.
Oh, we do believe in the Last Day. We do believe that the world will come to an end on Judgment Day. We confess that every week in the Creeds of the Church. But it is a whole lot different from what the doomsday dummies are declaring.
Jesus tells us this, too: Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28).
The Last Day for Christians is not something we dread; it is something that we anticipate, pray for and celebrate. The early Christians would always pray, Maranatha, which means “Come quickly”. We don’t know when it will be, but we know it will be, and we know that it will be the greatest day ever known to mankind since the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is the day when the dead are raised incorruptible, when we will be caught up into heaven with all those who we loved who are in Christ Jesus. It is on that day we will all sing the eternal praises of Jesus around His throne in an existence that is indescribable in human terminology.
So why are we talking about this now? Because the Church soon enters the time when we focus on both the end of the world and the coming of Jesus.
The readings on the last Sundays of the Church year focus on Judgment Day. Their theme is a simple one: Are you ready? That means, do you believe in Jesus, have you repented for your sins and received his wondrous salvation? That is how one prepares. And then, after we hear about the Final Judgment, we shift liturgical gears and focus our attention on the Promises of God that Jesus is coming again. We call this season “Advent.” (It begins on November 29th this year). Not a countdown to Christmas, as the world sees it, but a focus on the Promises of God to come and redeem His people This season reminds us that the Church remains in perpetual Advent as we await the final promise of Jesus to be fulfilled: His coming again in glory.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Buffalo Double LODD This Morning
May the Lord be with our brother firefighters in Buffalo who lost two of their own this morning They reportedly heard a victim, however the floor collapsed on them.
Lt. Charles "Chip" McCarthy of BFD Rescue 1, and Firefighter Jonathan Croom of Ladder 7 paid the supreme sacrifice. We uphold their families in prayer, and thank the Lord for the heroic sacrifice that all firefighters make that others may live.
You Are Not Your Own
You are not your own; Purchased with a price:
Holy Temple, flesh and blood Living sacrifice.
Set your mind on things above, Not on things of earth.
Worship God with holy life Cleansed by Second Birth.
Let your love be faithful, true, Eager to forgive.
Bind your hearts and lives as one, By your promise live.
Bone of bones and flesh of flesh, Gift from God above.
Mystery of man and wife Shows the Savior's love.
When love bears its blessed fruit, Sow the sacred seed:
Bring your children unto Christ, By example lead.
Love, unmoved in Christ will stand In life's storms secure.
Grant, O Lord, this love to us: Strong, enduring, pure.
You are not your own; Purchased with a price:
Holy Temple, flesh and blood Living Sacrifice
Holy Temple, flesh and blood Living sacrifice.
Set your mind on things above, Not on things of earth.
Worship God with holy life Cleansed by Second Birth.
Let your love be faithful, true, Eager to forgive.
Bind your hearts and lives as one, By your promise live.
Bone of bones and flesh of flesh, Gift from God above.
Mystery of man and wife Shows the Savior's love.
When love bears its blessed fruit, Sow the sacred seed:
Bring your children unto Christ, By example lead.
Love, unmoved in Christ will stand In life's storms secure.
Grant, O Lord, this love to us: Strong, enduring, pure.
You are not your own; Purchased with a price:
Holy Temple, flesh and blood Living Sacrifice
-----------------------------------------------------
Text: John George Fleischmann b. 1960 (1998)
Tune: Smith Point
A free printed edition with score is available by contacting me via email
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Hymn on the Ten Commandments
Promised Land
I AM the Lord who set you free
To Fear and Love and Trust in Me.
I broke the grip of Pharaoh's hand
To lead you to the Promised Land.”
“No gods will you have; From idols flee--
I covet your love with jealousy.
Above all things I seek your praise;
For thousands, My mercy, who follow My ways.”
“You will not use My Name in vain--
Who curses and blasphemes in guilt will remain.
But call on it in every care
With praise and thankfulness and prayer.”
“You will observe The Day of Rest
A Day that is holy; a Day that is blessed.
Perform no labor in your gate--
My Name to hallow and consecrate.”
“To father and mother honor give
That in the Land long life you may live.
Shun hatred, spite and murderous rage;
Defend all life from age to age.”
“'Til death do you part, one flesh you shall be;
Your marital bed keep in purity.
Take not your neighbor's goods or ware
Through stealing, corruption or lack of care.”
“Do not destroy your neighbor's name,
By perjury, gossiping, casting blame.
Do not desire your neighbor's house,
Nor money, nor blessings, nor family, nor spouse.”
“Speak not to us, or we will die--
Your Law thunders judgment from on High.
But send Your Servant in Your place--
Lest we behold You face to Face.”
“I AM the Lord, who set you free
I sent My Son, your sin to be.
I broke death's grasp, and Satan's lie;
Through thorns and nails and hammer's ply.”
You are the Lord-- You freed us to live
Your Law from above and Your Will that You give!
You are the Lord, the Holy One,
All that is demanded, Fulfilled by Your Son!
To God the Father, Glory bring,
And at the Lamb's High Feast we Sing.
We bless the Spirit by Whose hand,
You lead us to our Promised Land.
_____________________________
Text: John G. Fleischmann, b. 1960 Tune:: Wareham, William Knapp, 1738 Written 3 July 1997, Moffits Beach, NY
I AM the Lord who set you free
To Fear and Love and Trust in Me.
I broke the grip of Pharaoh's hand
To lead you to the Promised Land.”
“No gods will you have; From idols flee--
I covet your love with jealousy.
Above all things I seek your praise;
For thousands, My mercy, who follow My ways.”
“You will not use My Name in vain--
Who curses and blasphemes in guilt will remain.
But call on it in every care
With praise and thankfulness and prayer.”
“You will observe The Day of Rest
A Day that is holy; a Day that is blessed.
Perform no labor in your gate--
My Name to hallow and consecrate.”
“To father and mother honor give
That in the Land long life you may live.
Shun hatred, spite and murderous rage;
Defend all life from age to age.”
“'Til death do you part, one flesh you shall be;
Your marital bed keep in purity.
Take not your neighbor's goods or ware
Through stealing, corruption or lack of care.”
“Do not destroy your neighbor's name,
By perjury, gossiping, casting blame.
Do not desire your neighbor's house,
Nor money, nor blessings, nor family, nor spouse.”
“Speak not to us, or we will die--
Your Law thunders judgment from on High.
But send Your Servant in Your place--
Lest we behold You face to Face.”
“I AM the Lord, who set you free
I sent My Son, your sin to be.
I broke death's grasp, and Satan's lie;
Through thorns and nails and hammer's ply.”
You are the Lord-- You freed us to live
Your Law from above and Your Will that You give!
You are the Lord, the Holy One,
All that is demanded, Fulfilled by Your Son!
To God the Father, Glory bring,
And at the Lamb's High Feast we Sing.
We bless the Spirit by Whose hand,
You lead us to our Promised Land.
_____________________________
Text: John G. Fleischmann, b. 1960 Tune:: Wareham, William Knapp, 1738 Written 3 July 1997, Moffits Beach, NY
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