Convention Mission Statement The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada exists 1) to assist in extending the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in lands of central and eastern Europe, particularly the Czech and Slovak Republics; 2) to support the work of Baptists and other evangelical churches in North America that minister to persons of Czech and Slovak descent, and 3) to provide a Christian context for worship, fellowship, teaching, and appreciation of heritage among those in the United States and Canada who bear interest in the nationalities we represent. Misijní poslání konvence Československá baptistická konvence Spojených států a Kanady byla ustanovena za účelem: 1) napomáhat v šíření evangelia našeho Pána Ježíše Krista v zemích střední a východní Evropy, zvláště v České a Slovenské republice; 2) podporovat práci baptistů a jiných evangelikálních církví v severní Americe, které slouží českým a slovenským potomkům; 3) předložit formu bohoslužby, obecenství a učení, vážit si dědictví těch, ve Spojených státech a v Kanadě, kterým leží na srdci národy, které reprezentujeme.
Contents:
Editorial - Natasha Legierski................................................................. 98 From the Executive Secretary - George Sommer............................ 99 The Son Became Servant - Thomas Cosmades...............................100 God’s Servant, part 6 - Miroslav Sauer..............................................102 Boží služebník, část 6 - Miroslav Sauer..............................................103 Biblická studie, část 2 - Jan Titěra.......................................................104 Christ’s Seven Last Words, part 4 - Thomas Cosmades...............106 From Our Readers..................................................................................107 God’s View - George Cooper...............................................................107 From The Mission Field - the Poenarus, the Pormas.......................108 In Memory: Rev. Miloš Šols, Sr., Anna Sztušková, Cora Mazanec, William and Ellen Megat, Miroslav Gabriel.................110 Children’s Corner: Ice Realm - Natasha Legierski..........................114 Dětký koutek: Ledové království - Nataša Legierská........................115 Youth Scene: Czechoslovak Baptist Convention - Darko Siracki....116 Czech, Moravian and Slovak Delicatessen - Natasha Legierski.......117 From the President - Robert Dvorak...................................................118 Ladies’ Page: On a Good Friday - Judy Shoff...................................119
Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Volume 32, No 6 2006 (USPS 009334), ISSN 0700-5202 Published Bi-Monthly by The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Periodical postage paid in Philippi, WV.
Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Legierski 1524 Lancaster Dr., #134, Oakville, ON, L6H 2Z2, Canada email:
[email protected] You may send articles to above address
Desktop publishing and art: Vit Malek Assistant Editors: Janice Cermak, Ján Banko Editorial Staff: George Sommer, Joseph Novak POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
Publication Office:
Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Rt. 4, Box 58D, Philippi, WV 26416-9717 USA
email:
[email protected] http://czslbaptconv.ab.edu
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ot by might, nor by power, but by my spirit…” King James Version It is unbelievably difficult to stir up our own strength, and put certain things in order. Oddly enough, we feel pressure that pushes us in this direction. It may be compared to a dream in which we must run, while our legs will not move. Normally, a person wakes up from this kind of dream with a sense of panic. It may have to do with various facets of life, depending on what the person is experiencing intensively at the moment. Certainly, one has one’s own experiences, knows one’s own limits, and is aware of one’s own failures or successes. These are the sorts of thoughts that run through my mind when I think about what to impress upon my readers of Glorious Hope. At the end of the year 2006, my attention was brought to a verse, which was not fully understood by the person who brought it to me. It came back to mind amidst a medley of thoughts concerned with the urgency of getting on top of the delay in issuing Glorious Hope. The verse that I am speaking of has to do with a vision given to Zechariah, the prophet. In this vision, the word of the Lord speaks to Zerubbabel. The nation of Israel was at this time under Persian rule. Zerubbabel was the last of David’s descendants and
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e za své síly ani mocí, ale Duchem mým...“ kralický překlad Je neuvěřitelně těžké zaktivizovat své síly a dát určité věci do pořádku. Zvláště cítíme-li tlak, který nás tímto směrem tlačí. Lze to přirovnat ke snu, ve kterém musíme utíkat a přitom se nám nohy nehýbou. Obyčejně se člověk probudí s pocitem paniky. Může se to týkat různých oblastí života, podle toho, co právě dotyčná osoba intenzívně prožívá. Každý má jistě své zkušenosti, zná svůj limit, je si vědom své prohry anebo úspěchů. Myšlenky tohoto druhu se mi honí hlavou, když přemýšlím, čím oslovit čtenáře Slavné naděje. Koncem roku 2006 jsem byla upozorněna na verš, kterému dotyčný příliš nerozuměl. Znovu mi přišel na mysl při směsici myšlenek zabývajícími se nutností dohonit skluz ve vydávání Slavné naděje. Verš, o kterém hovořím se týká vidění, které měl prorok Zachariáš. V tom vidění se jednalo o oslovení Zorobábele Hospodinem. Izraelský národ se nacházel pod perskou nadvládou. Zorobábel byl posledním z potomků krále Davida a zárověň zplnomocněncem perského krále nad krajinou judskou. Byl také jedním ze dvanácti vůdců velké skupiny Judských, která se vracela z babylónského zajetí do Jeruzaléma. Po návratu to byl on, kdo zreorganizoval službu levítů a zahájil obnovu jeruzalémského chrámu. Z těchto důvodů se od Zorobábele také mnoho očekávalo. Do něho vkládal velké naděje i prorok Zachariáš. V souvislosti s těmito nadějemi měl prorok Zachariáš vidění, ve kterém Hospodin říká Zorobábelovi: „Ne mocí
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Cover: Vit Malek: Castle Loket, Czech Republic
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Printed on recycled paper
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hoever is in Christ is New II Corinthians 5:17 This will be the main theme and verse of the 98th Annual Convention, July 5–8, 2007, in Philippi, West Virginia. This was one of many decisions which were made during the General Board mid-year meeting in Cleveland on November 10, 2006. Other news: ! Tomas Kriska, president of the Slovak Baptist Union, and his wife, Ester, will be the convention’s guests. Rev. Kriska will lead Slovak Bible Study and his wife will bring a report about the Baptist Women’s Union in Slovakia at the Ladies’ Missionary Rally on Saturday morning. ! Saturday’s day trip will be to Valley Falls, a new location this year. This park is a little bit farther from the convention grounds, but equally beautiful, and we are looking forward to it. ! On Friday, July 6, there will be Youth Night, led by Darko Siracki and John Alac, with the assistance of some other young people. We really enjoyed their participation at the 2006 convention, and we want our young people to be more involved. ! There will be a lot of exciting events during the 98th Annual Convention. Also Ice-cream Social, “Old Fashioned Hymn Singing with Bob Dvorak at the Piano,” Saturday Night Concert, obecenstvi at the Sommers’ Sunday afternoon, to name just a few. Come and see!! ! The year 2009, when we will celebrate 100 years of the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada, is approaching very fast and we have to start to plan all activities. ! There is a new web Convention address: http://czslbaptconv.ab.edu You can always get more information on the Convention’s new web page.
your own reservation: 304-457-5888. Price $45.00 plus state tax per room per night. State that you are from the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention to qualify for a special price. Ten rooms are being held until June 30, 2006. ! Meal prices are as follows: Breakfast- $4.40; Lunch- $6.50; Dinner- $7.10 and Banquet- $9.90. Young people 17–22 years old pay ½ price; the other half is paid by the Convention. For children 4–16, the Convention pays for their meals. ! All payments are paid by checks, but US$ and Cnd$ amounts are the same: 1 US$=1 Cnd$. For example: Breakfast US$4.40=Cnd$4.40 ! The Registration Form is also available on the Convention web page. You can print it, fill it out and mail it with your check to: Helen Pojman. 2393 West Ham Rd., Oakville, ON L6M 4P2, CANADA Phone: 905-469-1444 e-mail:
[email protected] We have more information, including the Convention program, on the Convention web page: http://czslbaptconv. ab.edu There are also some other important dates and news for you to remember: ! Convention midyear meeting/General Board, will be held in Grace Baptist Church, Windsor, in October or November 2007. ! 99th Annual Convention will be held on July 10–13, 2008, in Philippi, West Virginia. Looking forward to seeing you all in July 2007! George Sommer, Executive Secretary, Annual Convention Coordinator
Other Important Information: ! Canadian delegates will be paying the registration fee, meals, and accommodation in Canadian dollars, and the amount will be the same as US$. This will simplify payment procedures. Therefore there is only one registration form. ! There are new prices for accommodation: Priestley, $17/night/bed. Benedum, $15/night/bed Children 12 and under sleep free in a bed! Priestley is an air-conditioned dormitory. A suite consists of 4 bedrooms and a living room. ! For Philippi Lodging Motel accommodation, please make
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The Son Became Servant Thomas Cosmades Isaiah 52:13–53:12
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gur (gatherer)—unknown to anyone—could be an inspired non-Hebrew writer. He introduces himself as “too stupid and without understanding of a man.” There is probably no other person in the Bible who so demeans himself (cf. Proverbs 30:1–3). Following some thoughtprovoking marvels he suddenly lifts his survey to the metaphysical realm with the question, “What is his name, and what is his son’s name?” (cf. 4c) He immediately proceeds to supply a profound affirmation: “Surely you know!” This person who calls himself “stupid” is one of the wise writers in the Old Testament who knew God and His Son. The prophet Isaiah, who probably lived a few hundred years after Agur and a few hundred years prior to the advent of the Son, joyfully celebrated the unique verity (9:6). Antecedent to both writers, the Psalmist conveyed another inspired truth regarding the Son who was ordained to redeem men and ultimately reign over the whole human race (45:6; cf. Heb. 1:8, 9). Isaiah refers to him also as God’s servant in six places (cf. 42:1, 9 (twice), 49:6, 52:13; 53:11). While there are disagreeing views on these passages, the reality of one person making atonement for many is quite obvious. It pleased God the Father to allow the humiliation of his everlastingly begotten only Son to the status of servant. This one is the foremost servant in history who served the whole of humanity. In the New Testament, Paul lays before his readers the most striking account about the doulos. Christ described his ministry on earth in the most concise manner. “Even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” (Matthew 20:28). The Son of God became Son of man to serve his fallen kin by offering that perfect life as a ransom for many. He never lost his eternal identity of being one with the Father and yet became identified with the low estate of servant: “God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,” (Romans 8:3). Such an unthinkable mission made it necessary for him to assume the humblest and utterly despised classification of servant. The Old Testament is replete with Messianic prophecies, all of which point to the coming of Christ to redeem men and women from their bondage to sin. This event is beyond comparison with any other single act in all eons. The Incarnation reveals the puzzle of the eternal Son’s metamorphosis into the extraordinary status of the God-sent Servant.
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I. The Righteous Servant is Humbled on Behalf of Sinners, 52:14, 15; 53:1–4 Man’s unbelief in God’s most amazing act strikes Isaiah profoundly. Unbelief is probably the greatest barrier to the Godordained grant of free salvation. The writers John and Paul quote Isaiah to remind their readers regarding human unbelief toward God’s mighty provision (cf. John 12:38; Romans 10:16). Probably the greatest tragedy in the realm of religion is the de-sinning of sin, particularly evidenced in these turbulent times. When sin is jettisoned, naturally he who came to make atonement for it is discarded in the same way. The Jews rejected Him outright (John 1:11). Throughout history men and women everywhere spurned the One who came to redeem them. Christ often lamented man’s unbelief (cf. Mark 6:6; Luke 24:25, 26). The sin committed against the Holy Spirit was primarily the same rejection (cf. Mark 3:28-30). The irony is that human unbelief is directed toward Him who willingly became identified with us humans in order to rescue us. Man’s wrestling with unbelief reaches into four areas: Scientific – “I cannot believe in anything that cannot be proved in the laboratory.” Deliberate – Man’s hardheadedness is extremely difficult to change. (John 8:24, 45; Acts 14:2; Hebrews 3:12) Wavering – “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Ignorance – “…because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (I Timothy 1:13) The Son became servant to activate faith in your inmost being and reveal to everyone the transcendent riches of God. The Holy Spirit is in continuous operation to destroy human unbelief toward Christ in these areas. Those of us who have received superlative satisfaction from believing in Christ, God’s servant who came to redeem us, are under obligation to pray. We need to plead that the Holy Spirit will universally break human unbelief in all these areas. We also need to examine ourselves and remove the slightest trace of unbelief toward Christ, who demands total commitment in faith. II. The Righteous Servant was Judged on Behalf of Sinners (7, 8, 10) There is an inescapable divine judgment awaiting every unrepentant sinner whether he/she anticipates it or not. This judgment is fully just—above all other judgments. The guilty person will encounter all his or her sins at the end. There will
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be no excuse or getting out of it. Christ often mentioned this. The judgment to come carries a forceful warning by Christ himself. These are the most authoritative and solemn alarm signs. Millions who never stood before a temporal judge will find their final destiny to be determined by the Eternal Judge. Philip the evangelist illuminated the Ethiopian treasurer who was wrestling with a passage from Isaiah. The official—acquainted with court procedures—was struck by the harsh judgment of the innocent servant. The faultless Judge who was tried and executed by faulty judges under the cloud of injustice mystified the Ethiopian nobleman. Immediately convinced, he believed and sought baptism. One night the Servant of God was praying in the Garden. Suddenly a band of soldiers and officers led by the betraying disciple stormed him with lanterns, torches and weapons. They seized and bound him after which they took him to the religious hierarchy. The high priest interrogated him harshly. The Benefactor was tried by those he had come to make beneficiaries. Their verdict was unmistakable. They had to have the death sentence pronounced by the timid, indecisive, compromising governor the next morning. God’s Servant was tossed between Pilate and contemptuous King Herod, followed by a jeering crowd. In an atmosphere of derision, he was led to Golgotha, assisted with the weight of the cross by Simon of Cyrene. After a mock trial during which he was slapped, flagellated and denigrated, not opening his mouth like a dumb sheep, the Judge of individuals and nations was sentenced to the harshest form of death. III. The Righteous Servant was Tortured on Behalf of Sinners (5) The sinless-deathless Christ was identified with our race in his Incarnation. He was born to suffer and die for our redemption. John’s introduction to the crowds was, “Behold the Lamb of God.” He assumed our punishment for sin. Job said, “Man born of a woman is full of trouble” (5:7; 14:1). Man born of a woman is born to die (cf. 2 Samuel 14:14; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). Only one person since Adam died for others. It was the most protracted and agonizing death. The spiritual distress surpassed the physical. Sinful people’s death is the consequence of sin. Sinless Christ’s death was the consequence of our sin. His death was followed by His gracious descent into Hades. His death immediately opened the door to Paradise, where he took the penitent criminal as well as the saints of the Old Testament who were longing to see the Savior’s face. His torture became the herald of deliverance from all agony to those who believed in His substitutionary sacrifice, surrendering their destiny to Him.
IV. The Righteous Servant Will Usher Sinners to Eternal Glory (11) He fulfilled perfect service to Adam’s helpless race. He forgave all those who disliked and hated Him. He alone gave us the example of how to forgive our enemies, and love them. He alone offered the example of serving our fellow humans, seeking their welfare. He alone unfolded the ‘why’ of suffering which buffets our race to this day. He alone established His Church from the blood-bought multitude, once shackled by sin’s power. He alone made Paradise a certainty. He alone gave mankind unfading hope. He alone provided to all generations the tangible message of true brotherhood. He alone validated life’s purpose and goal. He alone gave the reality of resurrection. He alone calmed troubled hearts with utmost serenity. He alone in His absence is the Giver of the mighty Comforter. He alone taught us to expect the brightest future where evil will exist no more. He alone will wipe away all tears from our eyes, converting them to joy. All these and a host of other blessings because the Righteous Servant came from heaven to serve us. Have you received the benefit of His unparalleled service? If so, how do you serve Him?
Editorial… Continues from page 98 was delegated authority over Judah by the king of Persia. He was also one of twelve leaders of a large group of Jews who were returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. After the return from exile, it was Zerubbabel who reorganized the service of the Levites and began the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. For these reasons, much was expected from him. The prophet Zechariah also put high hopes in this man. In connection with these hopes, Zechariah had the vision in which the Lord told Zerubbabel: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (KJV). What then, is the interpretation of these words for a person living in the 21st century? Motivation is important. You can try all you want, but without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, you will not accomplish anything. Motivation is essential in the actualization and execution of plans and resolutions. Are we sure of our motivations? By whose interest are our motivations driven? Let us each answer for ourselves within the context of our purpose here on this earth. I am deeply aware that without the power of the Holy Spirit, all efforts are in vain. That means that all pursuits and aspirations amount to nothing if God is not involved in them, in other words, if they do not strive to bring glory to God’s name. And what is the meaning of this verse for our individual lives? It doesn’t matter how hard you try, or how intelligent you are. If God is not the centre of your life, you will not, in essence, achieve anything. The Spirit of the Lord, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for every person on this earth, will help each person to accomplish even that which may seem impossible. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 4:6b) Editor-in-Chief Natasha Legierski Translated by Elizabeth J. Fields (Legierski)
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God’s Servant or
Extraordinary Tales of Ordinary Days Miroslav Sauer Part 6 The Pigeons and I have been fascinated with pigeons since childhood. When I was seven years old, I got my first pigeon from an aunt who was from Slovakia. You cannot imagine how much I loved pigeons. I loved them more than myself or anyone else. I invested a large sum of money into pigeons. I bought them the best of everything even if it meant I had to walk barefoot. I was even willing to sacrifice my vacation for them. Understandably, the family suffered because of this. Later, I bought myself carrier pigeons with which I participated in races. During the summer months, races occurred every Sunday, summer after summer, year after year. I sacrificed many things. I didn’t have time for anything else. It was, of course, time wasted. I had many friends who made sure I had the ‘best materials.’ Later on, they even gave me free gifts, just so I would not stop breeding pigeons. To stop breeding pigeons became more difficult with each passing year. I didn’t want to kill them, neither did I want to stop breeding them. The family visibly suffered. I was conscience-stricken. What was I to do? The Lord was, of course, very patient with me. When I decided to work for him, I knew that I should stop pigeonbreeding. Satan was right there to assure me that God had given me freedom, and that I should take advantage of that freedom. I consoled myself with the thought that it was not a sin. Nevertheless, I prayed: “Lord, help me. I realize my addiction and I cannot free myself. I cannot do it on my own. Please help me.” I wanted to make the difficult decision somewhat easier on myself, and so I would leave the door to the coop open during the night. This way the pigeons were not protected from their predators, like the marten, or some other animal that could eat them before morning. Nothing happened. I still loved them. I could not kill them myself. And what’s more, they were even more beautiful this year than last year, and they only made me happy. They returned faster in the races. I was pleased, but on the other hand things were still more difficult. The pigeons were multiplying. I already had 150, and I loved them all so much that I wouldn’t even sell them for a high price. Again, I prayed for strength. I knew that it was beyond my own ability, and that I wanted to have time to minister to perishing souls, spreading the Word of God. After racing season came to a close, we went for a family
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vacation to Portugal. A young man, who was a student, took care of my pigeons. He phoned me on the third day to tell me that someone had stolen the pigeons during the night and their coop was demolished. Only a few pigeons managed to fly away. My wife and children came to me quickly to console me. They thought that the vacation was ruined for me and that I would want to fly home immediately. They felt sorry for me. I kept my composure and just said: “Thank you, Lord.” A stone fell off my heart. Nobody could even guess how I had battled for freedom from my more than 40-year captivity. I asked the Lord to get rid of the pigeons for me, and He did. I was grateful for it, and we had a wonderful vacation. I did not suspect, however, that it would not be as easy as that. The Lord wanted me to make the decision. After returning from the vacation, my grief was indescribable. A number of pigeons returned, some had hid themselves during the robbery, and I was now left with 40 from the original 150. Nothing but “good material,” so that from the breeding point of view, it threw me back a good number of years. I could have started again immediately. I understood, however, that the Lord had helped me with that robbery, but He wanted me to give up freely that which was most precious to me, even though I did not want to admit it. Again I battled with myself in prayer and asked for help. After a number of days I received the help I needed, and I gave everything that was left away, including anything that belonged to it. Thank the Lord for this experience. I am glad that He freed me from everything that prevented me from fully living for Him. Thank the Lord. Note: To explain what “good material” means, I will write a little about how pigeon breeding works. Every week about 50 are put into races. The pigeons have electric collars by which they are registered on a computer. As soon as a pigeon returns to the coop, the entrance of the pigeon into the pigeon coop is registered with a beep (similar to a till in a store), and the exact time of return is recorded. The fastest time wins. The pigeons fly out Sunday morning, and are back in the afternoon. They fly as far as 700 km (438 miles) a day with an average speed of 80-100 kilometers (50–63 miles) per hour. The
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Boží služebník aneb
Nevšední příběhy všedních dnů Miroslav Sauer 6. část Holubi a já iž od dětství jsem byl fascinován holuby. Svého prvního holuba jsem dostal od jedné tety ze Slovenska, když mi bylo sedm let. Neumíte si představit, jak jsem měl holuby rád. Víc než sama sebe nebo někoho jiného. Do holubů jsem investoval vysoké částky peněz. Kupoval jsem pro ně to nejlepší i za cenu toho, že bych chodil bos. Byl jsem ochoten pro ně obětovat i dovolenou. Rodina tím pochopitelně strádala. Později jsem si pořídil poštovní holuby. S nimi jsem se účastnil závodů. Během letního období probíhaly závody každou neděli. Rok za rokem, léto za létem. Obětoval jsem mnoho. Neměl jsem na nic jiného čas. Byl to však promarněný čas. Měl jsem mnoho přátel, kteří se postarali o to, abych měl ten nejlepší materiál. Později mne obdarovávali i zdarma, jen abych nepřestal holubařit. Skončit s chovem holubů bylo rok od roku těžší. Zabít jsem je nechtěl, ani skončit jsem nechtěl. Rodina viditelně trpěla. Měl jsem výčitky svědomí. Co jsem měl dělat? Pán však měl se mnou trpělivost. Když jsem se rozhodl pro něho pracovat, vědel jsem, že mám s holubařením skončit. Satan mne však ujišťoval tím, že Pán mi dal svobodu, a tak ji mám využívat. Utěšoval jsem se tím, že to není hřích. Přesto jsem se začal modlit: „Pane, pomoz mi. Uvědomuji si svou závislost a nemohu se osvobodit. Sám to nezvládnu. Prosím, pomoz mi.“ Chtěl jsem si rozhodnutí nějak ulehčit, a tak jsem nechával výlet na noc otevřený. Holubi tak nebyli chráněni před svými škůdci, jako je kuna nebo nějaké jiné zvíře, které by je do rána mohlo sežrat. Nic se však nestalo. Stále jsem je měl rád. Nemohl jsem je zabít. A navíc, letos byli ještě hezčí než vloni, dělali mi jenom radost. Ze závodů se vraceli rychleji. Měl jsem radost, ale na druhé straně to bylo stále těžší. Holubů příbývalo, už jsem jich měl přes 150 a všechny jsem je měl tak rád, že bych je nedal ani za vysokou cenu. Znovu jsem se modlil o sílu. Věděl jsem, že sám na to nestačím a chtěl jsem mít čas na službu hynoucím duším, rozdávat Boží Slovo. Po závodní sezóně jsme odjeli na rodinnou dovolenou do Portugalska. O holuby se mi staral mladý hoch, ještě student. Třetí den mi telefonoval, že holuby přes noc někdo ukradl a holubník je zdemolovaný. Jenom pár holubů stačilo uletět. Děti a manželka ke mně honem přiskočily a začaly mne utěšovat. Myslely si, že mám zkaženou dovolenou a budu chtět okamžitě odletět domů. Litovaly mne. Zachoval jsem klid a jen jsem řekl: „Díky, Pane.“ Spadl mi kámen ze srdce. Nikdo netušil, jak jsem zápasil o vysvobození z
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mého, víc než 40-ti letého, zajetí. Prosil jsem, aby mne Pán těch holubů zbavil, a on to udělal. Byl jsem za to vděčný a prožili jsme krásnou dovolenou. Netušil jsem však, že to nebude tak jednoduché. Pán chtěl, abych to rozhodnutí učinil já. Po návratu z dovolené byl můj smutek k nepopsání. Několik holubů se vrátilo, někteří se při krádeži poschovávali a ze 150 tu stejně zůstalo 40 holubů. Samý „dobrý materiál“, takže z chovatelského hlediska mne to vrátilo pouze o několik roků zpět. Mohl jsem hned začít znovu. Nyní jsem pochopil, že mi Pán pomohl tou krádeží, ale chtěl, abych se sám svobodně vzdal toho, co mi bylo nejdražší, i když jsem si to nechtěl přiznat. Znovu jsem bojoval sám se sebou v modlitbě a prosil jsem o pomoc. Po několika dnech jsem pomoc obdržel a rozdal jsem všechno, co tu ještě zbylo i se vším, co k tomu patřilo. Díku Pánu i za tuto zkušenost. Jsem rád, že mne osvobodil od všeho, co mi bránilo Jej plně následovat. Díky Pane. Poznámka: Na vysvětlení, co to znamená „dobrý materiál“ vám popíši, jak to s holuby chodí. Každý týden se dává na závody asi 50 kusů. Holubi mají elektronické kroužky, kterými jsou registrováni na počítači. Jakmile holub přiletí na výlet, vstup holuba do holubníku je registrován pípnutím (podobně jako kasa v obchodě) a zaznamenán přesný čas doletu. Vyhrává nejlepší čas. Holubi vylétávají v něděli ráno a odpoledne jsou zpátky. Letí až 700 km za den, průměrnou rychlostí 80–100km za hodinu. Holubi musí co nejdříve doletět domů. Počítá se jen od 25-ti procent a výše. Je to jako liga v kopané, postupuje se nebo klesá. „Dobrý materiál“ jsou holubi s výbornými geny, které dědí po rodičích. Chovatelství spočívá v tom, že se vychovává z nejlepšího to nejlepší. Je třeba vědět jak na to, aby bylo dosaženo úspěchu. Ne vždycky to vyjde.
God’s Servant… Continues from page 102 pigeons must fly home as soon as possible. “Good material” are pigeons with excellent genes inherited from their parents. Breeding is in raising the best from the best. It is important to know how to do it to be successful. It doesn’t always work out. Translated by Elizabeth J. Fields (Legierski)
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Princip našeho ospravedlnění Galatským 3–4 Kaz. Jan Titěra
2. Část Pošetilost Galatských 3, 1–5 ěkteří vykladači Písma mluví o tom, že tyto dvě kapitoly jsou tím nejsilnějším, co apoštol Pavel napsal. Vedl zápas o ty, které tolik miloval a u jejichž duchovních počátků kdysi stál. Dobře věděl i to, že falešní učitelé si získali přízeň Galatských a obelstili je. Proto ta tvrdá, nekompromisní otázka Pavlova: „Začali jste žít z Ducha Božího, a teď spoléháte sami na sebe?“ Teď k tomu chcete něco přidávat sami ze sebe? Jaká pošetilost! Vždyť jste přece prožili přijetí Ducha svatého—jeho vstup do vašeho života na základě své víry, ne pro skutky zákona!
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Důkaz z Písem—požehnání Abrahamovo 3, 6–14 Pavel plně využívá autority Písma a cituje šest míst ze SZ, aby dokázal, že spasení je z víry v Krista, ne ze skutků zákona. Abraham byl spasen na základě víry. Židé byli velmi pyšní na to, že jsou Abrahamovými potomky, domnívali se, že jim to zaručuje spasení. Ale již Jan Křtitel je upozorňoval na to, že fyzický původ jim nezaručuje duchovní život. Spasení se nedědí. Jak kdosi výstižně pověděl: Bůh nemá vnuky. Pravé děti Abrahamovy nejsou Židé na základě fyzické příbuznosti, ale ti, kteří uvěřili v Krista, Židé i pohané. Tedy muži a ženy, kteří sdílejí Abrahamovu víru— věřící křesťané. Pavel cituje proroka Abakuka: „Spravedlivý bude živ z víry.“ Vysvětlení tohoto slova se věnuje apoštol Pavel hned ve třech epištolách—v listu Římanům, listu Galatským a listu Židům. Nikdo nemohl žít novým životem na základě zákona, protože zákon zabíjí a ukazuje hříšníkovi, že je před Bohem vinen. Zákon říká: Konej a budeš žít! Ale milost říká: Věř a budeš žít! Zákon nemůže dát Ducha svatého ani nemůže zaručit duchovní dědictví, které náleží Božím dětem. Zákon nemůže dát život a nemůže dát ani svobodu. Smutnou, ale až i děsivou funkcí zákona je odsuzovat, nikoliv ospravedlňovat. Kristus nás vysvobozuje! Požehnání dostáváme skrze Krista! Všechno, co potřebujeme, máme v Kristu! To všechno se děje skrze víru. Víra je osobní uchopení se Ježíše Krista. Není žádnou zásluhou. Nemá
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povahu skutků. Její hodnota není v ní samé, ale výhradně v jejím objektu—v Ježíši Kristu samotném. Jak říká Luther: „Víra si necení ničeho jiného než drahého klenotu, jímž je Ježíš Kristus.“ Výzva tohoto oddílu je nekompromisní. Musíme se vzdát pyšné a bláhové domněnky, že bychom mohli sami vytvořit vlastní spravedlnost či stát se přijatelnými pro Pána Boha. Místo toho musíme pokorně přijít ke kříži, kde Kristus nesl naše zlořečenství a musíme se zcela spolehnout na milost. Potom bude požehnání Abrahamovo patřit i nám. Asi nás znovu napadne otázka: Jak se mohli dát Galatští tak ošálit, tak pomýlit, tak fascinovat návratem k zákonictví, které apeluje na tělo a jeho výkony? Ano, naše tělesnost má velice blízko k náboženství. Naše náboženské výkony nám umožňují porovnávat se s druhými. To je pro některé lidi velice lákavé. Skutečný věřící se ale poměřuje s Kristem, ne s druhými křesťany. Tam, kde se žije z milosti, není místo pro pýchu. Zákoník se však neustále chlubí svými úspěchy a náboženskými výkony, svými „zásluhami“ o církev. Byli jsme spaseni milostí a skrze víru. Žijeme milostí a vírou. To je cesta k požehnání. Jakákoli jiná cesta je cesta zpět do otroctví. Předběžná služba zákona—kdysi pod zákonem, nyní v Kristu 3, 15–29 Jako bychom slyšeli argument Galatských: „A k čemu byl tedy zákon kdysi dán?“ Jak porozumět vztahu mezi zaslíbením daným Abrahamovi a zákonem? Čtenáři Písma je zřejmé, že zaslíbení dané Abrahamovi bylo dáno mnohem dříve než Mojžíšův zákon To zaslíbení
mělo podobu smlouvy, kterou uzavřel Bůh s Abrahamem, nikoliv Abraham s Bohem! Bůh přitom nestanovil Abrahamovi žádné podmínky, které by musel splnit. Slib reprezentoval Boží plán, Boží milost, Boží iniciativu. Zákon naopak představuje náboženství člověka—jeho povinnosti, jeho skutky, jeho zodpovědnost. Slibu stačí uvěřit, ale zákon musí být dodržován. Pavel přináší další úžasnou pravdu: Boží slib platí nejen Abrahamovi, ale i jeho „potomku“ Kristu. To nás vede k tomu prvnímu zaslíbení v Písmu, které najdeme v Genesis 3,15: „Mezi tebe a ženu položím nepřátelství, i mezi símě tvé a símě její. Ono ti rozdrtí hlavu a ty jemu rozdrtíš patu.“ Smlouva založená na zaslíbení dané Abrahamovi se uzavřela skrze Krista. Takže jedině Bůh Otec a Bůh Syn by na této smlouvě mohli něco změnit. Nikoliv Mojžíš! Bůh, který dal slib Abrahamovi a Bůh, který dal zákon Mojžíšovi, je však tentýž Bůh! A tak nemůžeme klást Abrahama a Mojžíše, slib a zákon proti sobě, jedno přijímat a druhé zavrhovat. Byl-li Bůh autorem obou, musel pro to mít nějaký velmi vážný důvod. Zákon není větší než zaslíbení. Zákon byl jen dočasný. Byl přidán jen do doby, než přijde ten zaslíbený potomek. Příchodem Ježíše Krista, jeho smrtí a vzkříšením byl zákon odsunut stranou a jeho spravedlivé požadavky jsou v nás splněny skrze dílo Kristovo. „Zemřeli jsme tomu, čím jsme byli spoutáni, byli jsme zproštěni zákona a sloužíme Bohu v novém životě skrze Ducha, ne pod starou literou zákona“ (Římanům 7,6). Pavel neříká, že zákon je v rozporu se slibem, ale spíše se slibem spolupracuje. Zákon byl dán proto, aby odhalil hřích. Zákon ukazuje hříšníkovi jeho vinu, a milost mu ukazuje odpuštění, které přichází v Kristu. Zákon z nás nedělá hříšníky, ale ukazuje nám, že jimi jsme. Zákon byl dán proto, aby Kristu připravil cestu. Pavel používá ilustrace učitele (dozorce, vychovatele). Židé byli zákonem vychováváni. Zákon jim nedal život, ale řídil jejich život. Zákon připravoval Izrael k příchodu zaslíbeného „potomka“ Ježíše Krista. Požadavky zákona připomínaly lidem, že potřebují Spasitele. Smyslem zákona bylo ukázat, že člověk je hříšný, vzpurný, provinilý, že je pod Božím spravedlivým soudem a sám
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se nemůže zachránit. Zákon nemohl vykonat to, co zaslíbení. Krista jste oblékli znamená, že člověk, který uvěřil, odkládá špinavé šaty hříchu a vírou přijímá oděv spravedlnosti v Ježíši Kristu. Skrze víru jsme syny Božími. A nejen to, jsme jedno v Kristu Ježíši, tedy bez ohledu na naši rasu, společenské postavení, či pohlaví. A konečně jsme i dědici toho, co Bůh zaslíbil. Zákon z nás nikdy nemohl udělat dědice. Jsi tedy dospělý syn, který patří do Boží rodiny, jsi Boží dědic. Dříve otroci, nyní synové, je na čase růst 4, 1–18 Na počátku čtvrté kapitoly vysvětluje Pavel jednu z nejdůležitějších skutečností našeho křesťanského života. Co to znamená být přijat za syna—být adoptován? Souvisí to s postavením, které v Boží rodině zaujímáme. Nejsme malé děti, ale dospělí synové se všemi výsadami synovství. Je škoda, že v některých překladech NZ se nerozlišuje systematicky mezi Božími dětmi a Božími syny. Jediný způsob, jakým se dostáváme do Boží rodiny, je znovuzrození. Jsme Božími dětmi vírou v Krista, narozeni do Boží rodiny. Ale každé dítě v rodině automaticky zaujímá postavení syna a tomuto synovi náleží všechna práva a výsady. Ten, kdo uvěří v Krista a je spasen, je duchovním dítětem, které musí růst. Pokud jde však o jeho postavení, je dospělým synem, který se může těšit a užívat si z Otcova bohatství. Ještě jednou. Do Boží rodiny vstupujeme znovuzrozením, ale všech dobrodiní si užíváme díky Boží adopci za syny. Když syn, tedy z moci Boží i dědic ( Galatským 4,7). Pod zákonem byli Židé pouhými dětmi, ale pod milostí se věřící člověk stává Božím synem s postavením dospělého člena rodiny. Když hříšník uvěří v Krista, přijímá Ducha svatého a ten ho ujišťuje, že je Božím dítětem. Boží duch působí v srdci člověka a oživuje a prohlubuje jeho lásku k nebeskému Otci. Syn může mluvit se svým Otcem, kterého oslovuje Abba, Otče. Z lásky k němu, která vede k poslušnosti. Zákon nikdy nemůže vypůsobit poslušnost. To dokáže opravdu jen láska. Důtklivé varování 4, 8–11 Udivená otázka a rozhorlená výtka Pavlova zněla takto: „Kdysi jste byli otroky. Nyní jste syny. Jak byste se tedy mohli vracet zpět ke starému otroctví?“ Máme-li se vyvarovat bláznovství Galatských, je třeba brát vážně Pavlova slova. Musíme si připomínat, co máme a co jsme v Kristu. Jeden z důvodů každodenního čtení slova Božího a modlitby je právě to, abychom neztratili orientaci a znovu si vděčně připomínali se všemi důsledky pro náš praktický všední život kdo jsme. Znovu a znovu bychom si
měli připomínat: „Byl jsem dříve otrokem, ale Bůh mne učinil v Kristu svým synem a vložil svého Ducha do mého srdce. Jak bych se mohl vrátit do dřívějšího otroctví? A rovněž: „Kdysi jsem neznal Boha, ale nyní ho znám a jsem od něho poznán. Jak bych se mohl vrátit ke staré nevědomosti?“ Jen tak poroste naše touha žít podle toho, co jsme jako Boží synové vysvobození Kristem. Každý z nás si pak musí dávat pozor na zákonického ducha, který vyzdvihuje naše tělo, vede k pýše a vnějšími věcmi nahrazuje vnitřní duchovní zkušenosti. Pokus o obnovení vztahu lásky 4, 12–20 Pavel vynikal i ve způsobu jednání. Věděl jak vyvážit tvrdá slova, své napomínání laskavostí. Připomněl Galatským jejich lásku k němu a jeho lásku k nim. Kdysi byli ochotni pro něj všechno obětovat, teď se stal Pavel jejích nepřítelem. To byly důsledky práce zastánců obřízky, zastánců zákona. Jedním ze znaků falešných učitelů je to, že se snaží odlákat lidi a přitáhnout je k sobě, nikoli k víře v Boží slovo a k osobě Ježíše Krista. Kdysi se Pavel s nimi rád ztotožnil, stal se tím čím byli oni. Ale teď se od Pavla odvrátili a následují falešné pastýře. Ti se snažili dostat Galatské do stavu podřízenosti. Pavlův vztah ke Galatským je zcela jiný. Nazývá je synáčky, moje děti. Nechce je tím k sobě připoutat. Pointou jeho obrazu matky není dokazovat závislost Galatských na něm, ale spíše ty porodní bolesti podstoupené pro ně. Nestačí mu, že Kristus v nich přebývá. Touží po tom, aby byl v nich Kristus formován, aby byli dále přetvářeni v Kristův obraz. Rozdíl mezi Pavlem a falešnými učiteli by měl být nyní jasný. Falešní učitelé usilují o to, aby ovládli Galatské, Pavel touží po tom, aby v nich byl formován Kristus. Falešní učitelé hledí jen na svou vlastní prestiž a pozici. Pavel je připraven obětovat se za ně. Z tohoto oddílu se můžeme učit vzájemnému vztahu mezi kazatelem a jeho sborem. Jestliže kazatel věrně vykládá Písmo, Boží slovo, správnou reakcí sboru je přijmout jeho poselství a nekritizovat jej—ne pro autoritu kazatele, ale pro autoritu Krista, jehož slovo bylo zvěstováno. Většina dnešních sborů by měla být pozornější, pokornější, vděčnější a dychtivější při naslouchání Božímu slovu. A pastýřův vztah k lidem ve sboru? Kalvín kdysi napsal: „Chtějí-li kazatelé pracovat dobře, ať ve svých posluchačích formují Krista, ne sami sebe.“ Příklad z Písma, Izák a Izmael 4, 21–31 Mnozí považují tento oddíl za nejobtížnější místo celého dopisu. Především proto, že předpokládá výbornou znalost Starého zákona. Jsou zde odkazy na Abrahama, Sáru, Agar,
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Izmaele, Izáka, horu Sinaj i na Jeruzalém. Pavel odhaluje slabinu, nelogičnost stanoviska těch, kteří chtějí být pod zákonem. Používá k tomu trojí zdůvodnění: historické, alegorické a rovněž osobní. V historickém zdůvodnění připomíná Pavel to, že Abraham měl dva syny. Izmaele, syna otrokyně a Izáka, syna svobodné ženy. Tyto dva rozdíly mezi Abrahamovými syny, kdy Izmael se narodil jako otrok přirozeným způsobem, zatímco Izák se narodil jako svobodný podle zaslíbení, považuje Pavel za významný obraz. Každý je svou přirozeností otrokem, dokud není naplněním Božího slibu vysvobozen. Je tedy každý Izmaelem nebo Izákem. Buď je stále ještě podle své přirozenosti otrokem, nebo byl Boží milostí vysvobozen.V čem ta historická událost narození Izmaele a Izáka představují hlubokou duchovní pravdu? V čem spočívá ten obraz, ten duchovní význam tohoto příkladu? Abraham měl dva syny, Izmaele a Izáka, narozené ze dvou matek, Agar a Sáry, které představují dvě smlouvy a dva Jeruzalémy. Otrokyně Agar zobrazuje starou smlouvu a její syn Izmael symbolizuje církev pozemského Jeruzaléma. Svobodná žena Sára představuje novou smlouvu a její syn Izák symbolizuje církev nebeského Jeruzaléma. Ačkoli navenek podobní, protože oba byli syny Abrahamovými, byli oba synové naprosto odlišní. Stejným způsobem Pavel zdůvodňuje, že nestačí si nárokovat původ od Abrahama. Rozhodující otázkou je, kdo je naší matkou. Je-li jí Agar, jsme jako Izmael, je-li jí Sára, jsme jako Izák. A osobní závěr? „Vy, bratří, jste dětmi zaslíbení jako Izák (v jiných překladech My, bratří jsme…) Galatským 4,28. Zákon a stará přirozenost (Agar a Izmael) nás chce pronásledovat a znovu uvést do otroctví. Ale zákon nemůže dát život ani ovoce. Zákon je neplodný. Díky Bohu za to, že křesťan je osvobozen od kletby zákona a jeho poručnictví. Je třeba vyhnat otrokyni a jejího syna. Možná to bude bolet jako Abrahama. Ale musí se to tak udělat. Pokoušet se směšovat zákon a milost znamená snažit se o nemožné. Výsledkem je pak jen velice smutný a neplodný život. Avšak žít milostí a skrze víru vede ke svobodnému a naplněnému křesťanskému životu. O pravé svobodě z Božího ducha bude apoštol mluvit v závěrečných dvou kapitolách, velmi praktických kapitolách svého dopisu Galatským. Ale musíme si dávat pozor. Aby Izmael a Agar znovu záludně nepronikali do našeho života. Pokud by se tak stávalo—nezbývá než poslat je pryč. Jinak bychom ztratili radost ze svobody v Kristu, kterou nám On vydobyl. Stůjme proto pevně a nedejme si na sebe znovu vložit otrocké jho. Pokračování příště
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Christ’s Seven Last Words Thomas Cosmades
Part 4 VII. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit! (Luke 23:46) he Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all things were created and hold together in orderliness, became Incarnate in order to complete an impeccable redemption. He was hung as the victim, nevertheless being the central character in mankind’s momentous execution. In the seventh word, Christ announced from the ugly cross the finalized triumph of his mission. He addressed the Father, but at the same time the angels, humans, Satan and demonic hosts were his audience. God, the author of the salvific attainment, was entirely confident of the Son’s accomplishing what he had undertaken. The father could not entrust this grave achievement to anyone but his own son. At the creation Adam received clear-cut forewarning not to eat; in the day he ate he would die (cf. Gen. 2:17). The Son had no forewarning. His absolute authority and effectiveness in the mission was self-evident from the beginning (cf. Hebrews 1).
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O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Charles Wesley
When Adam sinned, he died and brought the judgment of death on his race. When Jesus died, he gave life to his race (cf. John 10:11; 17:18; 12:24). At death, Adam and Eve went to Sheol (Hades), like all the dead in the old dispensation. But the sinless Christ did not go to the same place. Rather, he descended into the lower parts of the earth (cf. I Peter 3:18–20; Eph. 4:8, 9; I Peter 4:6). While interpretations vary, my cautious belief is that the Omnipresent, Omniscient Christ who committed his spirit into the Father’s hand between his death and resurrection entered Hades to deliver the Old Testament saints and take them home to Paradise, which he alone could open. At his death Jesus enabled his saints to enter Paradise as Stephen, the protomartyr did in complete assurance (cf. Acts 7:59). Stephen’s undeniable commitment of his spirit to the Lord Jesus is a glorious sequel of Christ’s committing his spirit to the Father. By entering Paradise at death in spirit and at resurrection in glorified body our Lord provides absolute confidence to his believer. Dying in faith and commitment to Christ, Stephen’s assurance was more real and concrete than the cruel stones of hateful men battering his mortal body. Christ
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committed his spirit to the Father; Stephen and all believers who followed him in death commit their soul to the Son in Paradise. The body of Jesus in the grave was awaiting the triumphant resurrection on the third day. The body of Stephen as well as all men and women who die in Christ are awaiting the same triumphant resurrection after his pattern. The only difference is in relation to time. God the Father welcomed the spirit of his only Son returning from his mission triumphantly. Christ the Son welcomes the spirit of every believer returning from an earthly life crowned with his redemption. The resurrection was ahead for Jesus very soon. The resurrection lies ahead for his believer at the sound of the angel’s trumpet. Paradise is the home of redeemed people through the atoning blood of Jesus. It is an assured certainty. The most lamentable uncertainty among men and women is a person’s obliviousness of his/ her eternal destiny. Religious folks, benevolent philanthropists, scrupulous ritualists and a whole lot of people dedicated to their persuasion are unable to talk plainly about the blessed certainty expressed by the apostle Paul: “absent from the body, present with Christ” (cf. II Cor. 5:6–9; Philippians 1:23). This assurance is feasible only in the cleansing blood of God’s Son, provided by grace to every sinner. Satan, the determined contender to God’s compassion to regenerate the sinner encourages every exercise of religion and decorum, in fact promotes the same. On the other hand, he goes on resolutely combating the person’s—be he/she religious or not—commitment to the Savior for redemption and justification. This ill-omened ambiguity can only be counteracted by faith in Christ and submission to the Holy Spirit’s convicting power. Have you done this? If not, this season is the most appropriate time.
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Dear Editors of Glorious Hope: February 15, 2007 e are enclosing a gift for Glorious Hope, which we enjoy receiving. Our bodies are aging, our steps are slower and we have “short memory” problems, but it’s nice to read and get news about the people of our back ground who we knew long ago and even more recently. So keep it coming. P.S. This is our last prayer letter but it will bring you up on news from us.
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Christmas Greetings Dear Friends and Family, December 2, 2006 Christmas is a time for greetings and also a real family time. If there is ever a time in the year that our hearts long to be in touch with family and friends, it is during this season of the year. May our hearts be softened and made aware of the true meaning of Christmas, that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16). Our Christian friends in France and Slovak Republic write during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We already received a surprise Christmas letter from a dear Christian lady in the Slovak Republic, where we started our missionary career in 1946. She wrote, “I was so sorry to miss seeing Brother Feryance when he was in the Slovak Republic last year (June 2005).” Dan had ministered in her church in Ruzomberok in 1995. She referred to his ministry with these words; “I like to remember with love your ministry in Ruzomberok….Those were spiritually reviving (refreshing) days….I wish you peaceful holidays and God’s blessings for the year 2007.” Dan was encouraged by her words as he remembered the hardships he endured back in those days. Last Christmas we flew to New Berlin, Wisconsin, and spent two and a half days with Daryl’s family. Debbie has just had a serious operation, (hysterectomy) at which time she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. They also found spots in her lungs. She began chemotherapy in February. By the end of those treatments most of the spots had diminished in size or disappeared completely. I think only three were left. On November 9, she had another CT scan which showed the three spots. That seems like good news, but her oncologist is very pessimistic and believes the cancer will return. Her next CT scan will be in three months. We hope for the best. Thank you for your continued prayers. Rebecca, our daughter, came from Paris twice this year. We are very thankful for the special times we have together with her. She enjoys the opportunity to drive our car because in Paris she uses only public transportation. Our 60th wedding anniversary on June 22nd turned out to be quite special. Our immediate family in this area honored us with a restaurant meal and a beautiful anniversary cake. Then
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Ida’s Sunday school class also had a restaurant meal with tables decorated with flowers and candles, and presented us with a bouquet of large pink and white roses. Later in July, we were honored with another special meal that was more like a banquet, at the home of our dear friends from church, Bill and Bonne Walker. Other special friends were present. Through the news paper article, many friends learned of our anniversary and sent lovely cards and gifts of money. We were able to buy a new digital camera with the gifts. I had accidently broken my old 35 mm Nikon. Our health has deteriorated to some degree, especially for Dan. He is limping more and walks with a cane to compensate for the pain. There is one thing to be thankful for and that is he doesn’t suffer when he is lying down. But he insists he must do more to keep mobile regardless of the pain. This letter would not be complete without our heartfelt thanks to all the churches and individuals who so faithfully support us financially. We thank God for you and pray His richest blessings on you and your ministry. May you have a truly Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year! Yours by His grace, Dan & Ida Feryance
God’s View George D. Cooper
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y wife invited a young family over for lunch one Sunday. After the meal, their four-year-old daughter wanted to play a game with me. She chose chess. I hesitated, but decided to do what she wanted, and set up the board and pieces while she “helped.” When she moved the white pieces, she hopped all over the board as if they were all “horses.” I followed the rules and quickly captured all her pieces, though we never got to checkmate. Nevertheless, she seemed satisfied. As I put the game away, I wondered if God sees me as I saw my little friend, careless, jumping from place to place, clueless to His guidelines. Yet He “plays” along (patient and longsuffering) waiting for me to become interested in His way.
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Poenaru Post
The Valley of the Shadow of Death April 2007 ou better come quickly.” How often have I expected this call while in Kenya, where many missionaries would tell you that their greatest fear is missing their parents’ (and later, children’s) calls for help and key life moments? Dita had answered such a call last year, when she went to be with her dad during his last days of life. Well this time around it was my (Dan’s) turn. My stepfather Emil was on his deathbed in Canada, and I knew that my place was with him. I took the first flight out, and so started a 3-week rollercoaster which I will never forget…. The first week was spent taking care of my stepfather and his affairs in Canada, and preparing an urgent flight for him to Germany, where he wanted to be with his son before death, and be buried. Accomplishing this last request proved to be a real challenge, as his health was deteriorating rapidly and he could no longer walk and could barely sit—but we did it! At the end of an 18-hour odyssey through car drives, airport stays and a trans-Atlantic flight, my stepfather arrived safely at a hospital in the German town where his son lives. There he benefitted from good palliative care for two more days, after which he peacefully passed away. The funeral was simple but beautiful, reflecting the Christian faith which my stepfather had and which he had recently renewed. For just a few days earlier, I had the privilege of praying with my stepfather as he made peace with God by asking forgiveness for his sins and inviting Christ into his heart. My stepfather’s last 10 years of unceasing devotion and care for my sick mother were recognized by many. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers [and sisters],” (1John 3:14). A day after the funeral, after scrambling to assist with the bureaucratic challenges in Germany, I flew back to Canada to see my sick mother, organize her care, and finish up the many loose ends left there. Finally, a few days later I returned to Kenya. This “odyssey,” which had taken me on six intercontinental flights in three weeks, had been very stressful and emotionally tough, yet precious and unforgettable. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints,” (Psalm 116:15). I want to thank Dita’s family, my step-brother and his wife, and all the friends who prayed for and provided for me during this time. But the “valley of the shadow of death” had unfortunately started even before the visit to my stepfather…. Just two days
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before the flight, I had a horrible car accident in Nairobi. While I was driving normally into town, a young inebriated man jumped in front of the car, too close even for breaking or veering away. In a terrible moment, the man was gravely injured, and soon passed away in a nearby hospital. I spent the rest of that fateful day in several police stations, contemplating potential jail and future consequences. Yet in those very low moments God stayed so near, and many friends provided practical help, advice, prayer and encouragement. While this saga will undoubtedly continue, I was released that day and allowed to attend to my stepfather. We have also attempted to help the family of the deceased with funeral expenses. This tragic event and its burden will remain engraved in my mind, but so also will God’s powerful presence through it. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me,” (Psalm 23:4). In the meanwhile, we are also praising God for... • Our boys, who fill us with joy. Daniel recently had one of his poems accepted into an international youth poetry collection (which you can read at the end of the newsletter), while Chris excelled in basketball, with his team winning a national junior high tournament. Both boys are happy and fulfilled at Rift Valley Academy. • Good surgical help: Dan was able to work again in February alongside the cleft team, who operated on over 80 children with cleft lip and palate. And when he had to leave suddenly, he left behind an excellent surgical resident from Ontario to help with the work. Please pray with us for.. • Care for Dan’s mother—without Dan’s stepfather’s daily presence, his bed-ridden mother will be lonely in the long-term care hospital in Ontario. Please pray for guidance as we make plans for her ongoing care. • The aftermath of the accident—pray for God’s comfort to the bereaving family, wisdom for us in how to help them, and a smooth journey through Kenya’s legal system. • The busy clinical months ahead—with three weeks of surgeries postponed and home assignment coming up in July, the next few months will be full for both Dita and Dan. • Home assignment plans: please pray that we will be Spiritguided over the next few months as we start scheduling our home assignment (furlough). Which brings us to a request: we would love to share with many about our part in God’s ministry in Kenya. So if your group or church would like to hear about it, please let us know so that we may start scheduling our time in North America. We anticipate being available for ministry, God willing, mostly during September and October 2007
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We want to thank you again for your partnership with us, especially through the tougher recent weeks. At the other end of the valley is always God’s loving presence, as King David recognized: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:5,6) Also, we wish you a belated blessed Easter! Serving together the Good Shepherd, Dan, Dita, Daniel & Christopher Poenaru
The Dark Forest
An award-winning poem by Daniel Poenaru A canopy of green leaves as thick as molasses blocking out most of the sun. The shiny, slim, scary white skeleton of some poor soul who got lost. Silly monkeys as happy as a boy on his birthday. Deer running frantically that are scared mice. Smelly rotting wood that calls out in an anguished voice of death. The musky, moldy, musty smell of a slippery snake. The small hint of wind that is a mere touch on my face. The crunchy dead leaves beneath my feet that are like crackers. A tasty, fresh, yet flawed mushroom. A ripe, rosy, raspberry from a bush. I fell distressed to be in such a lonely place. If you would like to find out more about or contribute to our ministry please contact: Africa Inland Mission Int’l Canada, 1641 Victoria Park Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1R 1P8
Prayer Update
Mark and Gretchen Potma April 2007
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outh City Church is hosting “Life Song,” our spring Family English Weekend which starts today. Please pray: • For our team of teachers who have come from Sweden, Canada, France and England to help us. PRAY for good opportunities to share their faith. • For our two speakers, Stewart Webster from TEAM Sweden and Robert Filip, pastor of South City Church. PRAY for the Holy Spirit to use their words. • For our team of Czech believers who will be engaging participants in spiritual discussions, leading singing and helping with children. PRAY for meaningful relationships that will point people to Jesus. The Hotel Astra in the 10th district has recently informed us that their conference room will no longer be available to us for our outreach activities in the 10th district of Prague. Please pray for a smooth transition of all of our classes, clubs and courses to South City Church until the end of May. We are planning to rent a ministry location in the heart of the 10th district starting in September. Pray that God would lead us to the right place. Praise God with us for the amazing school year we have had at the Hotel Astra, for the many blessings we have experienced there and for those who have come to faith in Christ in that conference room. Singing His praises, Mark and Gretchen Potma, Luke, Noemi, Benjamin, Elise
Editorial… Pokračování ze strany 98 ani silou, nýbrž mým duchem, praví Hospodin zástupů.“ (Ekumenický překlad) Jaká je tedy interpretace tohoto slova pro člověka 21. století? Důležitá je motivace. Můžeme se snažit sebevíc, ale bez zmocnění duchem samého Hospodina nedokážeme nic. Motivace je důležitá k uskutečnění plánů a předsevzetí. Jsme si jisti naší motivací? Čí zájmy ta naše motivace sleduje? Odpovězme si každý sám v souvislostí s posláním na této Zemi. Hluboce si uvědomuji, že bez zmocnění duchem Božím všechny snahy vyzní naprázdno. To znamená, všechny snahy se rovnají nule, Vol 32 No 6 6
není-li do nich zapojen Pán Bůh. Jinými slovy: není-li sledována oslava Božího jména. A jaká je interpretace do osobního života? Nezáleží na tom, jaké vynakládáš úsilí, jaký je tvůj intelekt, není-li Pán Bůh centrem tvého života, nedocílíš v podstatě ničeho. Duch Hospodinův, zjevený v Pánu Ježíši Kristu, který svůj život položil za každého člověka na této Zemi, pomůže člověku uskutečnit i to, co se vzdánlivě může zdát nemožné. „Ne mocí ani silou, nýbrž mým duchem, praví Hospodin zástupů.“ Zachariáš 4; 6b Šéfredaktorka Nataša Legierská
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Rev. Miloš Šolc, Sr. September 29, 1911–January 15, 2007
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astor Miloš Šolc, Sr., was born in Brno, Czech Republic, to purchased, and construction of a new church at the pastoral station a very poor family: a tailor named Joseph Šolc and his wife, in Jablonec/Nisou was started. In the Liberec Baptist Church he Aloisie, née Mlčochová. Right from a very young age, Brother served until 1971, when he reached retirement age and was told that Šolc had to help his family with his occasional earnings at the tennis state authorities were expecting him to go into retirement. However, because he was still full of strength and energy, leaving the pastoral courts. There arose his first opportunity to devote himself to the sport work did not enter his mind. He was put into retirement against his of tennis. Thanks to his talent, he became a tennis coach at the age of 14 and gradually enjoyed considerable success in this sport. From will, but not even that could make him simply fold his hands. He 18 years of age to the beginning of WWII, Brother Šolc regularly visited a number of churches of the Baptist Union and served there participated in the professional world championships, which were preaching the Word. Late in 1979, the Czechoslovak Baptist Church in Toronto invited him to become an interim pastor, which lasted at first held on the French Riviera and later in Berlin. until August 1980. Where spiritual development was concerned, his mother influ Pastor Šolc always had an excellent enced this part of his life. She went to the Baptist Church on Smetana Street relationship with the young generain Brno with her children. There she tion. He also had a large part to play made the decision to follow Jesus. in renewing the tradition of children’s In1922, she was baptized and became camps. These were organized from a member of the church. Through this, 1947 in Orlické hory (mountains) by Cyril Burget, who was the pastor of the Miloš also came under the influence of God’s Word and His people. After Vinohrady Baptist Church in Prague at a period of searching and battling the time. Brother Miloš Šolc opened spiritually, Miloš experienced a rebirth the doors of his own cottage in Jizerské hory (mountains), to be at the camp’s through the Holy Spirit in 1929. He was baptized by Pastor Karel Jersák disposal and to serve various purposes of and became an active member of the the Baptists of all Czechoslovakia at the same time. He organized a publication Brno congregation. Rev. Miloš Šolc welcomes Billy Graham in Prague 1982 During his professional tennis of a Czech modern translation of the career in Prague, he became acquainted with his future wife, BohuNew Testament, “Slovo na cestu,” and had a whole range of activities to meet the needs of all Baptists, especially their pastors. After mila Bertlová. He witnessed to her about his faith and invited her to a Baptist gathering. She believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as her years of serving, his congregation proposed to have him elected to personal Savior and in 1941 was baptized by Joseph Tolar, pastor of the General Council, but his candidacy was regularly rejected by the Czech government because of his opinions and his radical position the Vinohrady Baptist Church. They were united in holy matrimony that same year, and four children were born to them – Miloš (1942), on the relationship between church and state. twins Joseph and Bohumila (1943), and Renata (1947). For a number of years, Pastor Šolc was president of the Historical Committee for happenings in the Baptist Union, Czech section. Its Brother Miloš Šolc was fully immersed in church work during this time, and in addition to other activities was also the youth leader and members were Dr. Jozef Hovorka and Mgr. Vlastimil Pospíšil. This lay pastor in the church from 1941. committee contributed to the publication of the anniversary book of the Vinohrady Baptist Church in Prague, “100 Years of Life with For a short time after WWII, Brother Šolc had his own business and was active in tennis (i.e., as a coach of the Yugoslav national tennis Faith.” team). He completed his school studies (gymnasium), graduating in Translated by Elizabeth Fields (Legierski) from “Pastors of Baptist 1950. That same year, at age 38, he began his studies at the Comenius Union in the Czech Republic” Theological Faculty in Prague. He finished in1954. In 1957, he became the pastor of the Vinohrady Baptist Church in Prague. He performed his work with such drive and passion, his characteristic qualities, that under his leadership, the church was spiritually strengthened and swelled to 252 members. Unfortunately, due to an order from state Please write to: authorities, Brother Šolc had to abandon this blossoming work on September 30, 1963. Glorious Hope It was not until the spring of 1964 that he received permission to Rt.4, Box 58D carry out pastoral service in the Lovosice Baptist Church. He served Philippi, WV 26416 USA in this congregation and at Litoměřice, Děčín, and Svádov until1968. Include your mailing label from a recent He then accepted the pastorate of the Liberec Baptist Church. issue of Glorious Hope for faster service. With his help, a house that could be used for church purposes was
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Mgr. MILOŠ ŠOLC st. 29. 9. 1911–15. 1. 2007
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ratr kazatel Šolc st. se narodil v Brně ve velmi chudé zakoupen dům pro účely sboru a započata stavba nové modlitebny rodině krejčího Josefa Šolce a jeho manželky Aloisie, v kazatelské stanici v Jablonci nad Nisou. V Liberci působil do rozené Mlčochové. Již od útlého mládí musel vypomároku 1971, kdy dosáhl důchodového věku a kdy mu bylo sděleno, hat své rodině příležitostným výdělkem na tenisových kurtech. že státní správa počítá s tím, že odejde do důchodu. Byl plný sil a Tam se mu naskytla první příležitost věnovat se tenisovému energie a na odchod z kazatelské služby nepomýšlel. Do důchodu sportu. Díky svému nadání se stal již svých čtrnácti letech byl dán proti své vůli. Ani potom však nesložil ruce v klín. Navtenisovým trenérem a v tomto sportu postupně dosáhl značných štěvoval řadu sborů naší Jednoty a sloužil tam kázáním Slova. úspěchů. Od svých osmnácti let až do začátku druhé světové Na sklonku roku 1979 jej pozval sbor Československé baptistické války se pravidelně zúčastňoval profesionálních mistrovství konvence v Torontu k dočasné kazatelské službě, která trvala do světa, která se konala nejdříve na francouzské riviéře a později srpna 1980. v Berlíně. Bratr kazatcl Miloš Šolc st. měl vždy výborný vztah k mladé Na duchovní vývoj mlageneraci. Měl velký podíl na dého Miloše měla podstatný obnovení tradice dětských tábovliv především jeho maminka. rů, které již od roku 1947 pořáChodila s dětmi do brněnského da1 v Orlických horách tehdejší baptistického sboru na Smetakazatel pražského sboru Cyril nově ulici, zde se rozhodla pro Burget. Bratr Miloš Šolc dal k cestu za Pánem Ježíšem. V roce dispozici k tomuto účelu svoji 1922 byla pokřtěna a přijata za chatu v Jizerských horách, která členku sboru. Tím se i Miloš zároveň sloužila i k nejrůznějším dostal do obecenství a pod vliv účelům celé BJB. Organizoval Božího Slova. Po období hledání vydání českého moderního přea duchovních bojů prožil v roce kladu Nového zákona „Slovo na 1929 znovuzrození z Ducha cestu“ a měl celou řadu aktivit svatého. Byl pokřtěn kazatelem ve prospěch potřeb BJB a zvlástě Karlem Jersákem a stal se aktivjejich kazatelů. Po léta býval sboním členem brněnského sboru. ry navrhován k volbě do Ústřední Při svém profesionálním tenisorady starších, ale jeho kandidátka Rev. Miloš Šolc welcomes Billy Graham in Prague 1982 vém působení v Praze se seznábývala pravidelně církevními mil se svou budoucí manželorgány zamítána pro jeho názory kou Bohumilou Bertlovou. Svědčil jí o své víře, zval ji do a zásadní postoje ve věci vztahu církve a státu. shromáždění baptistů, ona uvěřila v Pána Ježíše Krista jako Řadu let byl předsedou historické komise pro dějiny BJB české svého Spasitele a byla v roce 1941 pokřtěná kazatelem vinosekce, jeho členy byli Dr. Jozef Hovorka a Mgr. Vlastimil Pospíšil. hradského sboru Josefem Tolarem. V témž roce pak spolu Tato komise přispěla k vydání knížky k vyročí pražského sboru uzavřeli manželství, v němž se jim narodily čtyři děti—Miloš „100 let života víry“. (1942), dvojčata Josef a Bohumila (1943) a Renata (1947). Bratr Miloš Šolc byl v té době již plně zapojen ve sborové práci a vedle jiných aktivit byl i předsedou mládeže a od roku 1941 laickým kazatelem ve sboru. Check our NEW Convention Web page: Po válce krátkou dobu podnikal a byl nadále činný v tenisohttp://czslbaptconv.ab.edu vém sportu (např. jako trenér jugoslávského reprezentačního tenisového družstva). Doplnil si své základní vzdělání studiem na gymnáziu ukončeném maturitou v roce 1950. V témže roce ve věku 38 let začal studovat na Komenského evangelické bohoslovecké fakultě v Praze. Studium dokončil v roce 1954. V roce 1957 byl zvolen kazatelem pražského vinohradského sboru. Svou práci konal s nasazením a zápalem pro něj příznačným, takže za jeho působení se sbor duchovně posílil a rozrostl se až na 252 členů. Žel na příkaz státních orgánů musel tuto rozkvétající práci k 30. 9. 1963 opustit. Teprve na jaře 1964 dostal státní souhlas k výkonu kazatelské služby ve sboru v Lovosicích. Ve sboru a v jeho stanicích Litoměřicích, Děčíně a Svádov sloužil do roku 1968. Pak přijal kazatelskou službu ve sboru BJB v Liberci. S jeho pomocí byl
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Cora St. John Mazanec
October 12, 1930 – September 13, 2006
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ora St. John Mazanec went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 13, 2006. The memorial services for her were held at First Baptist Church, Portland, Tennessee, and at the Immanuel (Bohemian) Baptist Church cemetery, on September 16. In 1930 Cora was born to Donald and Carrie St. John in Schenectady, New York. She was the oldest of five children, with three brothers and one sister. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, David Mazanec. Richard F. Mazanec and Cora met at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. After graduation in 1953, they were married in 1954. Cora and Richard served the Bohemian Baptist Church in Portland, Tennessee, for four years while Richard was attending SBTS in Louisville, Kentucky. They were then led of the Lord to serve as missionaries to the Masaryktown Baptist Church in Masaryktown, Florida, for six years. It was during those years that they were blessed with the birth of four children (three boys and one girl). The Home Mission Board, SBC (now known as the North American Mission Board) moved them to Cicero, Illinois, where they served for 1½ years before returning to Tennessee. It was there that they both taught school for twenty-five years before retiring in 1993. Cora taught most of those years as a reading specialist in the elementary school. As a devoted wife, mother, friend and helpmate, Cora was a good natured, multi-talented lady who knew and loved the Lord. Her musical and Bible-teaching abilities were recognized and appreciated by many people, including her family and church friends as well. She served the Lord with gladness and will be missed by many. Ovarian cancer snatched her away from us, and we do grieve… but not as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13). Richard F. Mazanec
William Megat
March 15, 1932 – February 21, 2007
Ellen Megat
July 24, 1935 – February 21, 2007
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illiam Samuel and Ellen Louise Heller Megat both died accidentally on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. Ellen was born July 24, 1935, in Union City to the late Lewis and Ellen Hellyer. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Lewis II. She is survived by a brother, Earnest Hellyer, of Hoodsport, Washington.
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William was born March 15, 1932, in Richmond, Virginia, son of the late John and Julia Megat. He was preceded in death also by a brother, Joseph Megat, and a sister, Sadie Megat Hendrickson. He is survived by a brother, John Megat, and his wife Shirley; a sister, Virginia (Tina) Elder, and her husband Bill, all of Union City; and also a sister, Judy Megat Roberts, and her husband Art, of Panama, N.Y. The couple was married on May 5, 1951. They had been very active members of the Harmony Baptist Church for many years. William had retired from Lord Corporation of Erie after over a quarter century of service. He was also a lifelong master carpenter. Ellen devoted her life to her husband and family. The couple delighted in traveling the country extensively to visit points of interest and to enjoy their family. They are survived by their two daughters, Bonnie Cross and her husband Vincent, of Union City; and Sharon Harbaugh and her husband Glenn ,of Homer, Alaska. They are further survived by four grandchildren, Michael Cross and his wife Stephanie, of Harbor Creek; Victoria Cross of Pittsburgh; Glenn Harbaugh III of King George, Virginia; and Megan Harbaugh of Homer, Alaska. In addition the Megats will be sadly missed by their five great-grandchildren.
Anna Sztušková
24. 6. 1918 – 14. 12. 2006
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nna Sztušková sa narodila do rodiny Czinege v maďarskom Szöde. Ako 18–19 ročná prijala Pána Ježiša Krista ako svojho osobného Spasiteľa. Po 2. svetovej vojne sa spolu s manželom a synom Michalom presťahovali na Slovensko, kde sa manželom Sztuškovým narodil druhý syn, Ondrej. Po smrti svojho manžela sa Anna Sztušková presťahovala v roku 1990 do Kanady a usadila sa v rodine svojho syna Ondreja, majiteľa reštaurácie v ontarijskom Meaforde. Takto mohla byť nablízku aj synovi Michalovi s rodinou, ktorý býva neďaleko od svojho brata Ondreja. Anna sa s láskou venovala svojej najbližšej rodine v Kanade a bola vždy pripravená pomôcť tam, kde to bolo najviac potrebné. Pán Boh odvolal Annu Sztuškovú z časnosti do večnosti dňa 14. decembra, 2006 v požehnanom veku 88 rokov. Pohreb sa konal v sobotu, 16. decembra v Meaforde. Na Annu Sztuškovú s láskou spomína Československý baptistický zbor v Toronte.
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Odišiel Mirek Gabriel 3. 9. 1933 – 17. 3. 2007
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irek Gabriel sa narodil v Nymburku v Českej Republike dňa 3. septembra 1933. V roku 1954 sa vysťahoval cez Rakúsko a Nemecko do kanadského Winnipegu. O sedem rokov neskôr cestoval do Európy, kde vstúpil do stavu manželského v novembri 1963 v Prahe. Potom sa spolu s manželkou Milenou presťahovali do Toronta, kde sa im narodili ich dve dcéry—Marta a Helena. Mirek vyznal svojho Pána a Spasiteľa Ježiša Krista v svätom krste spoločne so svojou manželkou Milenou a dcérou Martou v roku 1979 v Toronte. Kazateľom, ktorý ich vtedy krstil, bol Dr. Josef Šolc. Pán Ježiš Kristus odvolal Mirka Gabriela z časnosti do nebeského domova po vážnej chorobe dňa 17. marca 2007 vo veku 73 rokov. Spomienka na brata Mirka sa konala v sobotu, 24. 3., v budove Československého baptistického kostola v Toronte. V Mirkovi Gabrielovi stráca Česká a Slovenská komunita v Toronte láskavého a Pánu Bohu odovzdaného človeka. Chýba nám ako sólista a spevák cirkevného spevokolu i ako hudobník a zanietený športovec. V Mirkovi však odišiel najmä priateľ, verný brat v Kristu, služobník v oblasti pastoračných návštev a nadšený spolupracovník na Božom diele. Takto si na Mirka Gabriela spomína dlhoročný návštevník Československého baptistického kostola a šéfredaktor časopisu Satellite, ktorý si môžete prečítať na internetovej stránke www.zpravy.ca, Aleš Březina: Poznal jsem ho krátce po tom, co jsem v roce 1981, tuším, že to bylo při příležitosti oslav výročí 28. října na Masaryktownu, slyšel oznámení, že hymnu zazpívá pan Gabriel z Československého baptistického sboru. Pro mne to bylo poprvé, ale nikoliv naposledy. Mirka Gabriela jsem pak slyšel zpívat mnohokrát při různých příležitostech a nejen hymnu. Nejčastěji však v Československém baptistickém kostele. Někdy sólově, jindy ve sboru. V kufříku s sebou nosil trubku, na kterou při bohoslužbách častokrát hrál. Tehdy byl v kostele celý orchestr, kde hrál spolu s Milanem Surým a dalšími. Jeho trubka dávala bohoslužbám zvláštní atmosféru. V kostele bylo v osmdesátých letech tolik mladých lidí, že Československý baptistický sbor byl schopen postavit nejen hokejové (kde Mirek také hrál), ale i fotbalové mužstvo které konkurovalo tehdy slavnému Uragánu a v záloze vynikal neobyčejnou pohyblivostí a pracovitostí právě Mirek. Na hřišti byl tichý, ale neobyčejně pracovitý. Nesoustřeďoval na sebe pozornost. Bylo na něm vidět, že miluje pohyb. Zřejmě mu však vyhovoval více individuální sport. Dával přednost jízdě na kole a tenisu. Není tomu tak dávno, co ho při jízdě na kole, když šel hrát tenis, srazilo auto. Vzal to s pro něj typickým humorem a jakmile se trochu oklepal vrátil se zpět na kurty. Jeho emigrace do Kanady byla kuriózní. Měl po tatínkovi rakouské občanství a v Československu nemohl sehnat práci, ačkoliv se tam
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narodil. Nakonec se mohl vystěhovat a přes Rakousko sa dostal do Kanady. Přestože nezanevřel na svou rodnou zem, četl s oblibou i německé noviny, které vycházejí v Torontě, nosil s sebou do kostela francouzskou bibli a s chutí prohodil pár vět italsky. Jeho život nebyl jednoduchý. Těžce nesl obzvláště smrt dcery Martičky, která zemřela krátce po narození jeho prvního vnuka. Další čtyři vnoučata jsou děti Helenky Bridge, jeho druhé dcery. Děti vůbec byly zvláštní kapitolou v jeho životě. Jestliže Mikuláš nosí dětem bobóny jednou za rok, archanděl Gabriel, jak jsem ho občas přezdíval, je nosil každou neděli a děti se nemohly dočkat konce bohoslužeb a i když ještě nebyla dozpívána poslední píseň, už ho obklopily a Mirek na ně vždy pamatoval. Nestává se často, že člověk odchází z tohoto světa vyrovnaně a v pokoji. Vloni na podzim se u něj objevila zrádná choroba. Ještě zpíval jako jeden ze tří králů při vánočním programu koled. Naposledy byl v kostele symbolicky na Štědrý den. Pak již bylo vidět, že ho síly opouštějí. Jako kdyby pomalu přecházel někam jinam. Vyrovnaně, smířen. Minulou neděli, když jsme ho naposledy viděli, nevěděli jsme zcela jistě, jestli nás poznává; pouze při francouzském pozdravu se jaksi rozpomněl, usmál se a dodal: „It is OK!“ Následující neděli již bylo jeho místo v levé straně baptistického kostela definitivně prázdné. Celej rodine Mirka Gabriela, ako aj všetkým jeho priateľom, známym a bratom a sestrám z torontského cirkevného spoločenstva vyslovujeme úprimnú sústrasť. Československý baptistický zbor v Toronte a kazateľ Ján Banko
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Ice Realm Natasha Legierski
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hristmas was over. Susan the squirrel didn’t even want to believe that Christmas had already passed. Days full of winter revelry, carefree moments by the Christmas tree and at the dinner table in the presence of relatives were also gone. For the first time in her short life, Susan realized how quickly time passes. School was once again in full gear, and the snow kept accumulating. The Squirrel home was completely surrounded by a deep, even blanket of dazzling white that reflected the sun’s rays. It was very cold, especially during the night. During the day, the snow-covered branches became icicles. The whole landscape was transformed into an icy kingdom. Susan looked out the door. It was so beautiful! In Suzy’s eyes, it wasn’t ice anymore. It was all crystal! Susan’s imagination took off at full speed. She was a queen in a crystal palace. There stood her throne, and right beside it was the ceremonial hall. Beautifully adorned with colourful decorations, it was ready to receive guests. She imagined that she could hear fanfares welcoming special delegations. The guests entered and bowed respectfully before Susan’s throne. Queen Susan acknowledged their presence with a gentle nod of the head and the banquet could begin. “What’s going on in our young lady’s mind that she is so deep in thought?” said a voice beside Susan. It was her mother, who had come over to Susan and noticed her daughter’s facial expression. Susan jumped. She realized that she had abandoned herself to her daydreams. She smiled. “Oh I’m just...” she answered, and in actual fact, did not really want to return to reality. “Just?” asked her mother. “I’m just,” Susan continued, “imagining that I am a queen in an icy country. Doesn’t it look like a crystal kingdom, mommy?” “It certainly does,” answered her mother. “It truly is exquisite, wherever you look, everything is crystal.” They stood beside one another, delighting in the beauty of the ice crystals. “It looks like an entirely new world,” thought Susan’s mother. Then she remembered that in Sunday school, she had already heard of a new world. Yes, the Bible speaks of a new heaven and a new earth. Mother Squirrel turned to Susan. She asked Susan if she knew that God in His goodness had prepared a new Earth. “What will this new Earth look like? Will there be trees, birds and people? Will everyone be there?” Susan wanted to know. Her mother laughed. “Do you not like our old world anymore? Let’s go into the kitchen. We’ll make some hot chocolate and I will tell you all about it!” The little squirrel
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looked once more at the magnificence before her, then turned and hopped after her mother. After all, the cold was creeping under her fur. She shook herself off in the entrance hallway, and when she was all bushy, she looked like a little ball of fur. “Come on, Princess, your hot chocolate is now ready,” called Susan’s mother from the kitchen. The whole kitchen smelled like the sweet hot chocolate. A very large book lay on the table. It was the Bible. The Bible was open and Susan’s mother was flipping through its pages. Susan poured herself a cup of hot chocolate and sat herself comfortably down on a chair. Meanwhile, her mother found what she was looking for. Susan, full of curiosity, watched her. “The Bible is an old book,” she mused, “It was written a very long time ago. How is it possible that they wrote about a new Earth so very long ago? I mean, at one time even this Earth was new…” Her thoughts were interrupted by the words her mother read from the Bible: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9) While they were sipping their hot chocolate, the day began to darken. Susan spoke with her mother about what heaven would be like. All sorts of things crossed her mind. Suddenly her mother asked her a question: “Susan, do you love God?” After a moment’s hesitation, she replied that yes, she did love God. “Surely everyone must love God, if he is so good,” she added. Her mother looked at her seriously, and then slowly said, “You know, Susan, many people say they love God, but that love for God can’t be seen in their lives. They are mean to each other and have hard hearts. They only worship him with their words. Anyone who loves God wants to live like Jesus. God sent Jesus to Earth to be an example for us. Jesus not only loved everyone, but he was also an example for us, of obedience. He was obedient to his Heavenly Father and carried out on Earth what he was sent here to do. Yes, Susan, everyone who loves God also obeys him.” It was high time to prepare dinner. Susan’s mother turned on the light and began peeling the potatoes. “May I help with something?” Susan asked. She wanted to keep talking with her mother. Before dinner was ready, they talked about how sometimes obedience is difficult, not only for children, but also for adults. The important thing is to persevere, no matter what happens! Translated by Elizabeth J. Fields (Legierski) Illustrated by Ben Nelson
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Ledové království Nataša Legierská
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bylo po vánocích. Veverce Zuzance se ani věřit nechtělo, že vánoce jsou pryč. Dny plné zimních radovánek, bezstarostných chvil kolem vánočního stromku i prostřeného stolu ve společnosti příbuzenstva, byly také pryč. Poprvé, ve svém krátkém životě, si Zuzka uvědomila, jak rychle plyne čas. Škola byla opět v plném proudu. Sněhu stále přibývalo. Veverčin domeček byl celý zavátý. Sněhová pokrývka se bělostně skvěla a odrážela sluneční paprsky. Byla velká zima, zvláště v noci mrzlo. Během dne sněhem obalené větve zledovatěly. Celá krajina se proměnila v ledové království. Zuzka vyhlédla ze dveří. To byla krása! V očích Zuzky to už led nebyl. Byl to samý křišťál! Zuzčina fantazie se rozběhla na plné obrátky. Byla královnou v křišťálovém paláci. Tam stál její trůn a hned vedle byl slavnostní sál. Překrásně ozdobený pestrou dekorací, byl připravený k přijímání hostů. Již je slyšet fanfáry na přivítání vzácných delegací. Hosté vchází a uctivě se před Zuzčiným trůnem klaní. Královna Zuzka jim jemným pokynem dává najevo, že jsou přijati a hostina může začít…. „Copak, že se tak naše slečna zamyslela?“ zaznělo vedle Zuzky. To maminka, která vyšla na zápraží, si všimla Zuzčina výrazu tváře. Zuzka s sebou trhla. Uvědomila si, že se oddala svému snění. Usmála se. „To já jen tak“, odpověděla a ve skutečnosti se jí nechtělo vrátit do reality. „Jak?,“ ptá se maminka. „Jen tak,“ pokračuje Zuzka, „představuji si, že jsem královnou v ledovém království. Nevypadá to jako křišťálové království, maminko?“ „Jistě, že vypadá,“ odpověděla maminka. „Je to skutečně překrásné, kam oko pohlédne, samý křišťál.“ Stály vedle sebe a kochaly se krásou ledových krystalků. „Vypadá to jako docela nová Země,“ pomyslela si maminka. Tu ji napadlo, že už v nedělní škole slyšela o nové Zemi. Ano, Bible hovoří o novém nebi a nové zemi. Maminka se otočila k Zuzance. Zeptala se jí, zda-li slyšela o tom, že Pán Bůh, ve své dobrotě, připravil novou Zemi. Zuzance se překvapením rozšířila očka. „Jaká bude ta nová Země? Budou tam stromy, ptáci a lidé? Všichni tam budou?“ chtěla vědět Zuzka. Maminka se rozesmála. „To se ti ta naše stará Zem už nelíbí? Pojď domů, uděláme si kakao a já
ti něco o tom povím!“ řekla a šla do kuchyně. Veveruška se ještě jednou podívala na tu nádheru a odhopsala za maminkou. Však už ji také mráz zalézal pod kožíšek. V předsíni se oklepala, a jak byla chundelatá, vypadala jako kulička. „Tak pojď princezno, kakao je již hotové,“ volala maminka z kuchyně. Opravdu, celá kuchyň voněla sladkým kakaem. Na stole ležela velká kniha. Byla to Bible. Byla otevřená a maminka v ní listovala. Zuzka si nalila hrnek kakaa a usadila se pohodlně na židli. Mezitím maminka našla to, co hledala. Zuzka ji zvědavě pozorovala. Bible je stará kniha, uvažovala, vznikla velmi dávno. Jak je možné, že už tak dávno se psalo o nové Zemi? Kdysi dávno, pradávno byla tato Země přece nová…. Ze zamyšlení ji vyrušila slova, která maminka četla z Bible: „Co oko nevidělo a ucho neslyšelo, co ani člověku na mysl nepřišlo, připravil Bůh těm, kdo ho milují.“ (1. Kor. 2, 9) Zatímco usrkávaly kakao, začalo se venku stmívat. Zuzka s maminkou hovořila o tom, jaké to asi v tom nebi bude. Napadalo ji všechno možné. V tom ji maminka položila otázku: „Miluješ Pána Boha, Zuzanko?“ Po krátkém zaváhání odpověděla, že ano, Pána Boha miluje. „Každý přece musí mít rád Pána Boha, když je tak dobrý,“ dodala. Maminka se na ni vážně podívala a pomalu řekla: „Víš, Zuzanko, mnoho lidí říká, že Pána Boha milují, ale není to v jejich životě vidět. Jsou na sebe zlí a mají tvrdá srdce. Jenom slovy Pána Boha uctívají. Každý, kdo miluje Pána Boha, chce žít podobně jako Pán Ježíš. Pán Bůh poslal Pána Ježíše na zem, aby nám byl příkladem. Pán Ježíš nejen, že měl všechny rád, ale byl nám příkladem i v poslušnosti. Poslechl svého nebeského Otce a vykonal na zemi to, co měl. Ano, Zuzanko, každý, kdo miluje Pána Boha, ho také poslouchá.“ Bylo nejvyšší čas připravovat večeři. Maminka rozsvítíla a začala škrabat brambory. „Mohu s něčím pomoci?“ zeptala se Zuzanka maminky. Chtěla si s maminkou ještě povídat. A než se večeře uvařila, hovořily o tom, jak je někdy poslušnost těžká nejen pro děti, ale i pro dospělé. Důležité je však vytrvat, ať nás potká cokoliv. Ilustrace: Ben Nelson
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Czechoslovak Baptist Convention Darko Siracki
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ith less than two months away, we would like to invite everyone to the 98th Annual Czechoslovak Baptist Convention that will be held July 5-8, 2007, in Philippi, West Virginia. We are preparing youth and children’s programs for every morning of the convention. Saturday’s day trip will be at a new location this year. This park is little bit farther from the Convention grounds, but, we are told, equally beautiful, and we are looking forward to it.
We hope to organize a small beach volleyball tournament on a new sand court that was set up shortly after we left last year’s convention. Last year’s “Youth Night” was a great success and it did receive very positive feedback. At our mid year meeting we were asked to organize it again for Friday night at the convention. If you have any kind of contribution or an idea for a “Youth Night,” please prepare it and/or email it to
[email protected] Don’t forget your Bible, swimsuit, running shoes and soccer cleats. We hope that you are planning to come to this year’s convention and that you’re planning to be part of it…See you on July 5th. In Christ Darko Siracki
Happenings at Grace Baptist in Windsor
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n the New Year (2006), a number of the small groups formed during 40 Days of Purpose continued to meet, study, fellowship and pray together. One group had taken on the preparation of the Christmas dinner for New Canadians, anticipating the emerging ministry and service aspect of small-group life. On Sunday, March 5, we enjoyed the ministry of Mark and Gretchen Potmas as they shared with us concerning their ministry in the Czech Republic. Mark returned the following Tuesday evening to speak to the Missions Committee regarding short-term mission opportunities. These meetings planted the seeds which are now sprouting in the commitment to send a Mission Team to the Czech Republic from Grace next summer (2007). The team from Grace and another from Community Covenant Church in Kansas, Missouri, will serve together in the “English Camp” outreach of the churches in Prague with which the Potmas are working. Later in March during our Missions weekend (March 25–26), we were blessed by the ministry of Phyllis Ortiz from the Dufferin Community Centre in Toronto. Phyllis’ passion and practical expe-
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rience with regard to ministry to New Canadians nourished a growing vision of our church’s calling in this area. On one Sunday evening in July and another in August, under the rubric of Science in the Summer, we watched two excellent videos: Unlocking the Mystery of Life and The Privileged Planet. Each presentation reminded us of the wisdom of the Creator and the glory of Creation. Creatures and the Cosmos alike are fearfully and wonderfully made. Four evenings in early August saw the halls of Grace alive with the tramp of young feet and the sound of children’s voices. After a sabbatical in 2005, Vacation Bible School was back. Nightly appearances during the opening session of a “crazy professor,” his bemused side-kick and endearing puppets sent the children on their way to a fun-filled program of Bible stories, crafts, music, snacks and sports. A great host of volunteers worked side by side each night helping everything to go smoothly.
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Czech, Moravian and Slovak Delicatessen Pochoutky české, moravské a slovenské kuchyně
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astern European food is unique. It is not only the similarity of the language, but Czechs and Slovaks also enjoy similar tastes in culture, food and drink. Traditional dishes consist of fried or roasted meat, usually pork or beef, with a simple sauce and served with dumplings, potatoes, or sauerkraut. Czechs tend to have their main meal of the day at lunchtime. In the evening, people prefer a light dinner. Big meals are usually reserved for weekends. One traditional Czech dish is Knedlo-Vepřo-Zelo: pork with dumplings and sauerkraut. It should be served with a glass of beer, which makes Czech the largest consumer per capita of the “liquid bread,” as beer is usually called by Czechs. Czech beer and Moravian wine are world-famous, and are an important part of the culture. Much of the weekend social life occurs in and around the local pubs and bars. Everyone who attends the annual Convention in July has the privilege of tasting this special dish, without the beer however. The wonderful people in the university cafeteria do a really good job of preparing this unusual food, uncommon for Northern American cuisine. We would like to encourage all ladies to try this specialty. Please find one of the many favorite knedlo-vepřo-zelo recipes: 6 servings Prep: 25 minutes, Cook: 2 to 3 hours on 350°F Pork roast Ingredients _ 11/2- to 2-pound boneless pork shoulder roast _ 2 teaspoons caraway seeds _ 1 teaspoon dried marjoram crushed Vol 32 No 6 6
_ _ _ _ _ _
/4 teaspoon salt /2 teaspoon black pepper 1 /2 cup water 2 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon of red sweet paprika 1 bay leaf 3 1
Directions Trim fat from meat. Place it in the baking pan. In a small bowl, combine caraway seeds, marjoram, salt, red sweet paprika and pepper. Add garlic and bay leaf. Sprinkle evenly over the meat. Add water, put cover on, place it in the oven and roast. Bake for 3–4 hours, occasionally basting the meat with its own juices and adding hot water if needed. After 2 hours turn meat over and roast until soft. Suggestion: let the meat cool before cutting into 1/2 inch slices. For the gravy, pour juices into a large measuring cup; skim fat. Measure 11/4 cups juices, adding water if necessary. In a small bowl combine water with flour or cornstarch, and mix. In a small saucepan, bring cooking juices to boil; reduce heat; stir in flour or cornstarch mixture. Cook and stir until mixture has thickened and is bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 more minutes. Sauerkraut _ 1 32-ounce jar or two 16-ounce cans sauerkraut _ 1 tablespoon cooking oil _ 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup) _ 1 teaspoons caraway seed _ 21/2 cups water _ 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns _ 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice _ 1 small bay leave _ 1/2 tablespoon sugar (optional) _ flour for thickening Directions Drain sauerkraut. Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion, cook and stir until onion is tender. Add sauerkraut, sugar, caraway seed, peppercorns, allspice, bay leaves and water.
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or some reason I came with new eyes to a very familiar passage in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I cannot tell exactly why this happened, other than that I am preaching and pastoring in a new place these days—Bradenton, Florida—after a number of years as an overseer of churches in New England. (Winter has been wonderful this year.) Maybe it was the work of sermon preparation which brought the fresh “light.” In my particular denomination, we follow a schedule of Scripture texts for worship Sunday by Sunday. People all across our churches read, hear, and think on the same verses of Scripture on any given Sunday. One week recently, the epistle lesson from the New Testament came from Philippians 3:4-16. It turns out to be a “high octane” passage. Read it, and see if you think so also. Especially the verses that talk about gains and losses in life. St. Paul reflects on the advantages he had in his natural life—some things easily acquired, some requiring a struggle. And for whatever reason, he came to a conclusion quite startling about the substantial inventory of personal assets he achieved. Whatever gains I had, these things I have come to regard as loss. Indeed, I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish. Quite strong statements, but then St. Paul was no shrinking wallflower. What hit me so hard in his statement was the clear indication that he was experiencing some losses because he was trying to serve Christ with all his heart and strength. His downgrading of significant benefits in life was, he said, “because of Christ.” So, the bottom-line conclusion came to this: I want to know Christ! Above everything else; beyond everything else; after everything else, I want to know Christ!
He seems to be teaching that all “everything else” items are finally discardable. In fact, they will be taken away from us one way or another. Many times I have visited someone in an assisted-care center who once knew abundance in living—health, reputation, position, assets, security, grand home(s), and so many other material blessings. And now that individual had been reduced to double-occupancy quarters with only those possessions at hand which could be stored in a chest of drawers and a small closet.) In some ways (not all ways, by any means, but nevertheless in important ways) life is a series of losses— events, moments, and things that have now passed their time with us. There will come a time when the most major loss of all will occur. In the Philippians passage, Paul seemed to want to confront us with a perspective on gaining and losing things in life. The message goes roughly this way: What you presently have in hand is not what you’ll command later, and certainly not what you will take with you. Some things and someOne you really do need. Concerning the remainder, however, practice letting it go a little bit loose, won’t you? Get yourself practiced now while life is still hot and high. An old hymn out of Scandinavia goes directly to the point. “Take the World, but Give Me Jesus, All Its Joys Are but a Name.” God bless all of us up and down the convention with hearts open to God’s claims on what constitutes our living. Then God grant us intentions to become more and more comfortable with the patterns proposed in the Word.
Rev. Robert Dvorak
Delicatessen… Continues from page 117 Mix thoroughly. Bring the mixture to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Uncover and boil gently for 15 minutes or until most of liquid is evaporated. Sprinkle with flour and mix. Season as needed. Dumplings (bread dumplings) 4 servings 1 lb coarse flour salt 1 egg 20 g yeast (3 Tbsp dry yeast) 11/3 cups of milk (or water) Pinch of sugar 3 day-old buns (or bread rolls) 118
In a small bowl, combine the yeast with warm milk (or water) and sprinkle it with sugar. Let it rise. Sieve the flour into a bowl, add salt, the egg, raised yeast, and mix into a dough, adding more flour if necessary. Dust with the flour, cover and leave to rise. Dice the buns and work them into the risen dough. Divide the dough into two parts. Roll each into a cylindrical dumpling. Place in boiling salted water and boil (or steam) for 20–25 minutes. Take the dumplings out of the water and cut them into 1/2 inch slices using strong thread. Serve with love and a smile!
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On a Good Friday Judy Shoff
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t was Good Friday afternoon, and we had just flown in to Salt Lake City, where my husband Don, who serves with Titus Ministries, was serving as an Intentional Interim Pastor for a small church, while they conduct their search for a new pastor. We rushed around to be at the church before the service began, so Don could get his “cues” from the worship leader, and then the service began. The somber music, the meditative readings of Scripture, and Don’s devotional message reminded all of us of the sacrifice our Lord had made to bring us into His family. There was a 10-foot wooden cross propped up against the platform down into the center aisle. Beneath the foot of the cross were several hammers and a basket of four-inch nails. The congregation was invited to come forward, take up a hammer and pound a nail into the cross in remembrance of what Jesus went through for us. Then quietly you were to make your way to either side of the auditorium where communion was served. This was all done while the worship team quietly sang appropriate worship songs. Such a simple act! Yet it is one I will never, ever forget. As I knelt beside that old cross and pounded that nail, I was overcome with emotion, realizing in a very new way what a horrible yet awesome ordeal our Savior went through to give me abundant and everlasting life. Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of all Creation, gave up His Heavenly home to pay the penalty for all the wrongs I have done. He died for me! Isaiah 53:5 reads: “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed.”
Why did He allow Himself to go through such horror? Mocked, ridiculed, beaten, stripped, and nailed to an old wooden cross. He did it because He loves me, and He loves you, and you and you! We get so busy with the helter-skelter of life that too often we just accept the theological, analytical concept and we really forget - that cross. As I knelt beside that cross I thought of Jesus’ torture and death, and the old song from my childhood rang out loud and clear in my heart and mind: Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so” . Don’t forget it! When you’re feeling down, don’t forget it. When you feel like you are alone and no one understands, don’t forget it. Jesus loves you, this I know! I am looking forward to celebrating Jesus with all of you at the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention July 5, 2007. In the mean time, don’t forget, Jesus loves you!
Donations All donation should be send in enclosed envelope. The checks will be delivered to right financial secretaries. (Vera Dors, Henry Pojman, Marija Sommer or Donna Nesvadba.) ! Gifts for Ladies’ work—make check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Women’s Missionary Union. ! Gifts for Convention—make check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Convention. On the bottom of the check mark to what account you are sending your contribution: Convention, Glorious Hope, Trust Fund, or Scholarship Fund. You may send separate check (one for Ladies and one for convention accounts) in the same envelope.
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If you are sending contributions for convention (Convention, Glorious Hope etc., you may send only one check, and write on the bottom how you want to divide the amount (for example: Total $150; $100 Convention, $50 Glorious Hope etc.) You do not have to send two separate checks. For your information, financial secretaries’ addresses are as follows: USA: Vera Dors 6621 Elmdale Rd. Middleburg Hts, OH, 44130
Canada: Henry Pojman 2393 West Ham Rd. Oakville, ON L6M 4P2
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