Ve východních èástech Kanady øádí tuhá zima. Kruté mrazy

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bitter winter is raging in Eastern Canada. It is as though the harsh frosts have affected my pen, which has been silent for several weeks. Of course, in reality the lateness of our magazine has nothing to do with the weather. It has to do with a personal sort of fossilization, an inability to move. How important it is to stay in close contact with our Heavenly Father, who has power even over human weakness. God’s omniscience and omnipotence allows us to rest in His arms with Contents:

Editorial - Natasha Legierski ................................................................ 2 The Christian Group Methuselah - Ján Banko................................. 3 Kresanská skupina Matuzalém - Ján Banko ...................................... 3 Den jako Boží dar - Jaroslav Pospíšil ................................................. 4 The Care and Healing of Wounds - George Cooper..................... 6 Péèe a ošetøování ran - George Cooper, pøekl. N. Legierská ...... 7 Makers and Builders of a Convention - John (Jan) Kejø ................. 8 HCJB - Pavel a Klára Steigerovi.......................................................... 9 Sermon on Abraham, Part 3 - Andrew Kmetko................................10 TWR: The Listeners Post - George Cooper ....................................11 Hagar—Pokora a podriadenie, èas 4 - Jozef Kulaèík .....................12 From Our Churches - Cleveland - Joe Abraham..............................14 In Memory - Lilian Zeman, James S. Adam .......................................14 From the Executive Secretary..............................................................15 Donation Change - George Sommer.................................................15 From Our readers ..................................................................................16 Youth Scene: Establishing Standarts - Tom Devine........................17 Invitation: Mission Trip to the Czech Republic ................................17 Children’s Corner: Fireflies, Part 3 - Jan Karafiát ...........................18 Broučci, 3. èást - Jan Karafiát............................20 From the President - Robert Dvorak ..................................................22 Ladies’ Page - Lonelines/Osamocenost -Natasha Legierski........23 Poem - Master Artist ..............................................................................24

Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje January–February 2003, Vol. 29, N 1 (USPS 009334), ISSN 0700-5202 Published Bi-Monthly by The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Periodical postage paid in Philippi, WV. o

Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Legierski 1524 Lancaster Dr., #134, Oakville, ON, L6H 2Z2, Canada email: [email protected] You may send articles to above address

Electronic Publishing and Art: Vit Malek email: [email protected] Assistant Editors: Janice Cermak, Ján Banko Editorial Staff: George Sommer, George Legierski, Joseph Novak

all our burdens, with the assurance that He knows all about us and understands us. We have no need to fear a new day or year. With His word He leads us and gladdens our hearts. There have been many years when I have received a verse from the Bible at New Year’s that speaks to the exact situation I find myself in. I accept these verses with gratitude because our Lord knows me better than I do myself. This year’s verse speaks of peace, as if supplementing the editorial in the previous Glorious Hope: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…” (John 14:27, KJV). How precious is a message of peace in these days! It is interesting how feelings and emotions can sometimes be contagious. They are easily transmitted from one person to the next, like some sort of infection. It is tragic if these feelings and emotions are negative. Evil spreads without constraints. If these feelings are positive, on the other hand, people have hope. Peace is a feeling that testifies to the inner condition of a person. The Lord Jesus points out to us that this peace is available to us as a gift. Have we accepted it? If we have, then it is important to influence our surroundings with it! In the second part of this same verse, it is emphasized that fear has nothing to do with peace. Fear is a negative emotion, the antithesis of peace. Like peace, it exposes the inner state of individuals. Fear and peace cannot coexist; one pushes the other out. That Jesus calls fear to our attention tells us we are not immune to it. It is up to us whether peace or fear will rule in our hearts. It is our desire that this magazine—a link for Slovaks and Czechs worldwide—may carry the gospel of our Savior to the farthest corners of the world. We thank you, our readers, for your prayers and contributions. We are looking for ward to getting in touch with you. May God’s peace be with you. Natasha Legierski, Editor-in-Chief

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e východních èástech Kanady øádí tuhá zima. Kruté mrazy jakoby ovlivnily i mé pero, které se na nìkolik týdnù odmlèelo. Ve skuteènosti se však o pero nejedná a svádìt opoždìní našeho èasopisu na mráz je také pošetilost. Jedná se vlastnì o jakousi osobní ustrnulost, neschopnost se pohnout z místa. Jak dùležité je udržovat úzký kontakt s naším nebeským Otcem, který má moc i nad lidskou slabostí! Boží vševìdoucnost i všemohoucnost nám dovoluje spoèinout v Jeho náruèi i se všemi našimi bøemeny. S vìdomím, že o nás všechno ví, a že nám i rozumí se nemusíme obávat nového dne ani roku. Svým Slovem nás potìšuje, vede nás. Je to již pìkná øádka let, kdy dostávám na poèátku roku verš z Bible, který je pøesnì zasazen do mé osobní situace. S vdìèností tyto verše pøijímám, protože Pán Bùh mne zná lépe, než já sama sebe. Letošní verš hovoøí o pokoji,

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Publication Office:

Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Rt. 4, Box 58D, Philippi, WV 26416-9717 USA

email: [email protected] Next issue deadline - February 15, 2003

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Printed on recycled paper

Front Cover: Jess Hager–A-B College Wilcox Chapel in Winter

Back Cover: Corel Photo–Reflection Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

The Christian Singing Group Methuselah (Matuzalém) Will Perform in the USA and Canada

Kresanská hudobná skupina „Matuzalém” vystúpi v USA a v Kanade

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ospodin ma zachránil, preto chceme hra na he Lord was ready to strunné nástroje po save me; therefore we všetky dni svojho života v dome will sing my songs with Hospodinovom. Izaiᚠ38,20 stringed instruments all the Tieto slová proroka Izaiáša days of our life, in the house of sú mottom slovenskej hudobnej the Lord”. Isaiah 38:20 skupiny Matuzalém, ktorá These words of Isaiah the vystúpi so svojím programom prophet have become the na severoamerickom kontinente motto of the Slovak singing v období medzi 12. júnom a group Methuselah, which will 14. júlom tohoto roku. Okrem minister in North America pôsobenia hudobnej skupiny between June 12 and July na 94. výroènom stretnutí 14 this year. The group will Èeskoslovenskej Baptistickej serve at the meeting of the Konvencie USA a Kanady vo 94th Annual Convention of Philippi, West Virginia v dòoch Czechoslovak Baptists of 3.–6. júla, Matuzalém vystúpi the USA and Canada, which aj na rôznych krajanských takes place in Philippi, West The Christian Singing Group Methuselah podujatiach a v krajanských Virginia, between July 3 and etnických zboroch v torontskej July 6. Methuselah will also a windsorskej oblasti kanadskej provincie Ontario. Oèakáva sa perform at various countrymen’s events and serve in our ethnic tiež služba tohoto telesa v niektorých cirkevných zboroch, ktoré churches in the Toronto and Windsor areas of the Canadian sú súèasou Èeskoslovenskej Baptistickej Konvencie v Spojených province of Ontario. The service of this musical body is also štátoch. Detailnejší program ich služby bude k dispozícii v ïalšom expected in some of the churches affiliated with the Czechoslovak èísle Slávnej Nádeje. Baptist Convention in the USA. A detailed program of their Hudobnú skupinu tvoria štyria hudobníci a zvukový technik, ministry will be available in the next issue of Glorious Hope. ktorí prichádzajú z prostredia zboru Bratskej The singing group consists of four musicians jednoty baptistov, Bratislava I: and a sound system technician, all of them • Slávo Krá3⁄4, vedúci skupiny—klávesové coming from the area around the Baptist nástroje a spev church, Bratislava I: • Daniel Valenta, gitara a spev • Slávo Král, leader of the group–keyboards • Daniel Šaling, gitara a spev and vocals • Dušan Janèula, basgitara a spev • Daniel Valenta, guitar and vocals • Peter Rapoš, technik – zvukár • Daniel Šaling, guitar and vocals Súèasný repertoár skupiny tvoria hlavne • Dušan Janèula, bass guitar and vocals pôvodné skladby Sláva Krá3⁄4a, ale tiež • Peter Rapoš, sound system technician preložené gospely a spirituály, takisto so The contemporary repertoire of the group slovenskými textami Sláva Krá3⁄4a. Touto consists mainly of original compositions from formou pôsobí skupina už asi 20 rokov. V Slávo Král. They also sing translated gospel súèasnosti má skupina v repertoári okolo 70 and spiritual songs, with Slovak texts prepared piesní. Nahrala tiež štyri tituly, z ktorých dva by Slávo Král. The group has been performing sú k dispozícii aj na CD. Piata nahrávka je v in these musical genres for about 20 years. štádiu prípravy. In their contemporary repertoire you’ll find Hudobná skupina Matuzalém slúži around 70 songs. They have also made four nielen na pôde cirkevných zborov rôznych recordings, two of them on CDs. The fifth evanjelikálnych denominácií, ale aj v recording is being prepared at this time. The Christian Singing Group Methuselah koncertných sieòach, na štadiónoch, vo Methuselah serves not only in the churches in 1958 väzniciach, zdravotných zariadeniach a of various evangelical denominations, but kasáròach. Slovenský rozhlas i televízia s also in concert halls, stadiums, prisons, health institutions nimi pripravila nieko3⁄4ko programov v rámci kresanských vysielaní. and army barracks. Together with the group, Slovak radio and Ich svieža služba oslovila poslucháèov všetkých generácií vo television prepared several programs in their scheduled Christian viacerých európskych krajinách—v Slovenskej i Èeskej republike, v broadcasting. The group’s fresh ministry addressed listeners

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Den jako Boží dar Jaroslav Pospíšil Kazatel 3,10–14

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ato úvaha je na téma : „Každý den (nový den) jako Boží dar.“ Položme si otázku: „Jak je to ve skuteènosti s tím dnem jako Božím darem? Co to je den jako èasový úsek? Dá se povìdìt, že to je doba jakéhokoli jednoho zdánlivého obìhu slunce kolem zemì. Pøesnìji, je to jedno otoèení zemìkoule kolem její pomyslné osy. Aniž bychom to vnímali, den je dán tímto zpùsobem. Rùzné národy se na trvání dne (hlavnì na jeho zaèátek a konec) dívaly rùzným zpùsobem. U starých Babyloòanù zaèínal a konèil den východem slunce. Od východu do východu slunce. Atéòané naopak vymezovali den západem slunce, od západu do západu. Židé, pozdìji podle nich i Øekové, zaèínali den veèerem tak, jak je to zaznamenáno v I. knize Mojžíšovì v 1. kapitole: „Øekl Bùh, buï svìtlo a bylo svìtlo. Vidìl, že svìtlo je dobré a oddìlil svìtlo od tmy. Svìtlo nazval Bùh dnem a tmu nazval nocí a byl veèer a bylo jitro, den první.“ Tedy, když se øíkalo, že zaèíná jitro, byl to vlastnì veèer. Když v Bibli èteme, že svítalo na den, znamená to, že vyšla první hvìzda. To bylo to svítání na nový den. Babyloòané také rozdìlili den na jednotlivé hodiny, na 24 hodin, (12 hodin svìtla a 12 hodin noci). Každý den jako Boží dar. Tímto pradávným prohlášením: „Budiž svìtlo“, Pán Bùh lidem vlastnì daroval den. Hovoøímeli o daru, pak je to vždycky nìco, co pøijímáme bez našich zásluh. Je to nìco, co nám je darováno. Když jsem byl tedy obdarován, mìl bych podìkovat. „Za to, co dostaneš, øekni vždycky pìknì dìkuji, je to slušné“, to mne uèili rodièe. Napadlo vás, že bychom mìli vyjádøit Pánu Bohu vdìènost za každý den, který pøidává k našim životùm? Za každý den, který nám dovoluje prožít? Ten, kdo obdarovává, oèekává urèitou vdìènost a také urèité zacházení s darem. Pán Bùh, nám lidem, daroval den a daroval nám také èas. Mùžeme povìdìt, že den je naplnìn jakýmsi objemem èasu. Pán Bùh také oèekává, že s tímto darem èasu budu patøiènì nakládat. Budu s ním odpovídajícím zpùsobem zacházet. V Bibli je návod pro použití tohoto Božího daru. My lidé, máme nìkdy pocit, že nìkteré dny, které pøicházejí do našich životù, jsou spíše ke trápení, než k dobrému. Radìji se do takového dne ani neprobudit, pøejeme si. (A když už, tak aby co nejdøíve skonèil.) Problém je v tom, že jsme návod k použití daru, který nám Pán Bùh dal (daru života, daru èasu, daru našich dnù), pìknì zasunuli do svých knihoven. Pánu Bohu jsme øekli, aby nám do toho nepovídal. Bez Jeho slova se obejdeme. Jsem dost chytøí, umíme posílat elektronickou poštu, posílat telefonem písemné

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zprávy, zvládli jsme komunikaci, umíme klonovat, rozluštili jsme DNA. Nepotøebujeme návod na použití! Potom se to nìjak vymkne z rukou a ptáme se: „Pane Bože, co dìláš? Jak to, že jsou války? Jak to, že jsou na svìtì takové hrùzy? Jak jsi se mohl dívat na ty teroristy 11. záøi minulého roku? Jak se mùžeš dívat na sebevražedné atentátníky, na jejichž èiny doplácí spousta nevinných lidí? Jak se mùžeš dívat na støílení do uèitelù a spolužákù na školách? Je to všechno proto, že jsem já, èlovìk, nepochopil, že každý den (spolu s èasem, jeho využitím a náplní) je skuteènì Boží dar. Pánu Bohu odpovídám za to, jakým zpùsobem a k èemu ho využívám. Každý den. Osobnì jsem Pánu Bohu velmi vdìèný, že nám dal den odpoèinku. Mnohokrát jsme se to my, lidé, snažili po Bohu opravit. Zkoušeli jsme nejrùznìjší pracovní cykly. Proè Pán Bùh pracoval šest dnù a sedmý odpoèíval? Zkoušelo se pracovat ètrnáct dnù v kuse a pak mít nìkolik dnù volno. Potom se zkoušelo zase nìco jiného. Vždycky se zjistilo, že na cyklus, podle sebe upravený, èlovìk nebyl stvoøený. Pøi stvoøení nám Pán Bùh daroval také všechno ostatní. Daroval nám den, jeho délku i náplò. Jestliže èlovìk pøestane respektovat Boží øád, doplatí na to sám. Pán Bùh ho netrestá, ale on trestá sám sebe svojí neposlušností. Vrátím se zpìt ke dni odpoèinku. Konstantin Veliký uzákonil nedìli jako den, kdy se nesmìlo pracovat. Døíve dny nemìly své názvy jako dnes. Pouze sobota mìla své jméno. Dny se èíslovaly. Každý den jako Boží dar co se týèe jeho trvání i náplnì. Dnes dopoledne jsem mluvil o tom, že èlovìk nìkdy pozná hodnotu vìcí tehdy, až když je ztratí, když je nemá. Kdy naposledy jsi nìkomu ze svých blízkých povìdìl, že ho mᚠrád? Kdy jsi mu povìdìl, jak šastný jsi, že právì on je ten, se kterým smíš kráèet den po dni? Nìkdy mám možnost mluvit s lidmi, kteøí jsou nešastní z toho, že nikdy nepovìdìli tomu druhému, co pro nì znamená. Nikdy mu za nic nepodìkovali. Ten èlovìk jim zemøel a již nemají šanci to napravit. Myslím si, že peklo se dá prožívat už na této zemi. Peklo, kdy si èlovìk uvìdomuje: Mohl jsem nìco udìlat a neudìlal jsem to, zanedbal jsem to. Ten èas, který jsem mìl, jsem nedokázal využít k tomu, k èemu mi byl darován. Jaký to byl úžasný den, kdy Pán Bùh øekl èlovìku: „Z každého stromu v ráji budeš jíst, jenom ze stromu, který je uprostøed ráje, nikdy nejez. Kdybys z nìho jedl, zemøeš“. Jaký to byl úžasný den, kdy si èlovìk mohl uvìdomovat: toto všechno je dobré a toto by mne stálo život. Jaký to byl úžasný den, kdy Pán Bùh dal èlovìku deset Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

pøikázání! Øeknìte sami, jestli to není úžasné, že desatero odpovídá na pøání tìch, kteøí chtìjí žít na této zemi dobrý, úspìšný a pokud možno, co nejdelší život v pohodì. Existuje snad nìkdo, kdo netouží po dnech naplnìných spokojeností, po šastné dlouhovìkosti? Pøi narozeninách si vìtšinou pøejeme dlouhý život. Jeden bratr v našem sboru øíkával „Já ti pøeji, aby ses dožil sta let“. Snadné pøání, když nic nestojí! Pán Bùh poukazuje na to, co je tøeba dìlat, aby èlovìk mohl dlouho žít na zemi a dobøe se mu vedlo: „Cti otce svého a matku svou, aby jsi byl dlouho živ na zemi a vedlo se ti dobøe.“ (Exodus 20;12) Pánu Bohu staèilo deset slov na to, aby nám ukázal v èem spoèívá život, jaký máme žít. Máme mnoho knih, plné knihovny „moudra“, jak dìlat to aneb ono, jak mít úspìšné manželství, jak zvládnout stáøí, jak zvládnou výchovu svých dorùstajících dìtí. Nìkdy nezvládáme sami sebe, ale chtìli bychom zvládat ostatní. Pánu Bohu staèilo povìdìt deset slov. Jaký to byl úžasný dar, ten den! Jaký to byl úžasný den, kdy nám daroval to nejdražší co mìl, svého jednorozeného syna; aby On za nás, za každého zaplatil nᚠdluh, aby pøinesl svou smrtí záchranu. Den pøíchodu Pána Ježíše Krista na tuto zem, den jeho smrti. Každý den, opravdu každý den mohu brát jako dar z Božích rukou. Musel jsem myslet na lidi, kteøí jsou po tìžkých úrazech, na lidi, kteøí pøišli na tuto zem s nejrùznìjším postižením. Nìkdy naše dìti moc zlobily. Øíkával jsem manželce: „Už toho mám dost, co jsem komu udìlal, že musím mít takové dìti!“ Jednou mne manželka zavolala k oknu a ukázala na ulici. Byla to právì doba, kdy tudy pravidelnì projíždìla mladá paní uèitelka s koèárkem a v nìm bylo asi desetileté dìvèátko, velmi postižené. Manželka øekla: „Toto ještì nemáš, tak si vùbec nenaøíkej“. Jak tito lidé mohou povìdìt: „Pane Bože, dìkuji Ti za den svého života?“ Možná jste nedávno sledovali kauzu o eutanázii v Anglii. Velmi postižená a trpící manželka chtìla, aby mohl manžel ukonèit její trápení. Jak tihle lidé mohou povìdìt: „Pane Bože dìkuji Ti za den, který zaèíná?“ Vždy pro nì by bylo vysvobozením, kdyby dny jejich života byly ukonèené! Vzpomnìl jsem si na mladou ambiciózní ženu. Šla se koupat, skoèila do vody a zlomila si krèní obratel. Dodnes, ze své vùle, vládne jen hlavou. Díky speciálním cvièením a rùzným pomùckám dokáže ovládat, do urèité míry, své horní konèetiny. Nádhernì maluje svými ústy. Jmenuje se Joni Eriksonová. Vdala se. Manžel se o ní stará. Vzpomíná, jak to bylo pokoøující, když byla s ním na první schùzce a potøebovala vymìnit sáèek, do kterého odcházely všechny její sekrety. Popisuje ve svých knihách, jak Pánu Bohu vyèítala, jak se ptala: „Proè Bože?“ Byla zahoøklá. My mùžeme ty nádherné dny, které nám Bùh dává, naplnit sebe litováním, brbláním, sèítáním toho, co nám chybí. Nᚠproblém, i to, že nedokážeme být šastní, spoèívá v tom, že stále poèítáme to, co nemáme a zapomínáme poèítat to, co z Boží milosti smíme mít. Nyní, po té padesátce, když se ráno probudím a nic mne nebolí, si øíkám, že buï Pán Bùh udìlal zázrak nebo už nežiji. Zaèneme totiž vnímat rùzné vìci jinak a zaèneme být vdìèní za to, že ještì nìco v nás sem tam funguje. Joni popisuje jak dlouho byla v takové hoøkosti a vzpouøe. „Ne Pane, ten den není dar od Tebe, to je trest a já už nechci dál žít.“ Dokonce se pokoušela svùj život ukonèit. Potom došlo k velikému obratu. Pøál bych vám dnes být v pøítomnosti této ženy. Proti Joni máme neskuteèné možnosti, pøesto jsme, ve srovnání s ní,

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

vyloženými žebráky. Žena na koleèkovém køesle, odkázaná na druhé. Žije plným životem, kterým obohacuje ostatní. Pøijímat dny od Pána Boha jen pro sebe, pro své uspokojení, pro naplnìní svých pøedstav—to znamená své dny ztratit. Jeden z velkých vojevùdcù již v poledne urèitého dne øekl: „Ztratil jsem den.“ V poledne vìdìl, že den ztratil tím, jak jej zaèal. Ztratil je tím, jak do nìj nastoupil, jak se v nìm choval, jak pøijímal obdarování, které mu byl nabídnuto. Je to úžasné, pøemýšlíme-li nad tím. Proè by nám Pán Bùh mìl vùbec nìco dávat? Jakýkoliv den, urèité penzum èasu, proè by nám to mìl dávat? Jaké Mu k tomu vytváøíme pøedpoklady? Kdyby se nìkdo choval vùèi nám tak, jako my se chováme vùèi Pánu Bohu, jistì bychom jeho dny spíše zkrátili, nežli nìjakým zpùsobem pøidávali další a další pøíležitosti. Každý nový den je vlastnì úžasná šance z Boží strany. O èlovìku, který žije hrozným zpùsobem, vážnì ohrožuje své bližní—vrah, zlodìj—si øíkáme, že by jeho dny mìly být radìji ukonèené.Tøikrát a dost, tak to pøijaly nìkteré státy. Tøikrát provedeš nìco zlého a je konec. Zbavíme tì dalších dnù. Pán Bùh pøidává den za dnem. Nemá totiž zalíbení v tom, aby kdokoliv zahynul, ale chce, aby se èlovìk koneènì vzpamatoval. Nìkdy prodlužuje a dává našim životùm skuteènì novou šanci. To proto, abychom se vzpamatovali a koneènì pochopili, že normální život je život s Bohem. Všechno ostatní není normální. To, že vìtšina lidí žije bez Boha, ještì neznamená, že je to normální zpùsob života. Jeden muž, o kterém èteme v Bibli, pøedstoupil pøed celý národ a øekl: „Vy si dìlejte co chcete, ale já a mùj dùm, budeme sloužit Hospodinu. Protože jsem poznal, že je to normální. I kdybych mìl zùstat sám, pøidržím se Hospodina.“ Èlovìk byl stvoøený k životu s Bohem. Èlovìk potøebuje nìco uctívat. Již tato potøeba by nám mìla signalizovat, že jsme byli stvoøeni Pánem Bohem. Èlovìk má schopnost milovat, má touhu sdružovat se. To všechno je obraz, ke kterému jsme byli stvoøeni. Vrátím se však k tomu dni, který je tìžký, o kterém øíkáme: to nemùže být dar, je to trápení pro lidi. Naší chybou nìkdy bývá, že si nenecháme od vìcí patøièný odstup. Snažíme se okamžitì si udìlat závìr podle momentální výseèe, kterou obsáhneme. Stojímli u nìjaké velké vìci pøíliš blízko, neuvidím ji v její celosti. Bible hovoøí o jednom muži. Jmenoval se Job. Po nìm jsme pojmenovali špatné zprávy „jobovkami“. Job prožíval hrozné dny, ale když získal od tìch dnù odstup, øekl: „Døíve jsem o Tobì Pane Bože jen slýchal, nyní tì i mé oko vidí“. Jiný muž øekl: „Bylo mi to k dobru, že jsem pobyl v trápení“. Mùžeme si podle urèité malé vìci udìlat závìr a øíci: všechno je špatnì! Ve skuteènosti nevidíme všechno a to co hodnotíme, probíhá dál. Proto Bible øíká: nesuïte. Dejte si urèitý odstup od vìci, abyste mohli poznat celou její výšku, šíøku, hloubku a délku. Nìkdy si velice rychle udìláme názor. Vidíme nìco ze života èlovìka, zaškatulkujeme ho a nejsme ochotni ho ze škatulky vyndat ani tehdy, když s urèitým èasovým odstupem vidíme, že to je jinak. Je potøeba nálepku sundat, odlepit a pøiznat si, že jsem se spletl. Skuteènì, každý den a každý nový den, je Boží dar. Ze školní lavice jsem vidìl z okna na vìž kostela. Byl tam jiný èas, než na našich hodinkách. Bylo tam neustále pùl tøetí a pár minut. Jaká je to katastrofa, když kostel ukazuje špatnì èas. Mysleli jste už nìkdy na to? U nás, v Teplé, je kostel dominantou mìsteèka a každý, a se orientuje z jakékoliv èásti, vidí na hodiny na kostelní vìži. Jestliže jdou hodiny na vìži kostela špatnì, dojde k dezorientaci. Žijí-li Boží

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Pokraèování na stranì 11

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The Care and Healing of Wounds George D. Cooper

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hile I was mowing the grass one day, a rock flew up and cut my leg. Being a tough guy, I went on mowing, but the next day the cut was throbbing. Finally I went to my doctor. After sticking his finger in the wound, he declared that the bone was chipped. Bad news. Serious news. So I began a regimen of strong antibiotics and had to keep that leg elevated for a week. Returning to normal activities, I kept the wound covered, protected with a big gauze pad and tape. It was taking forever to heal. One morning some months later I was late getting ready. Not having time to put on the bandage, I covered the wound with just my sock. I kept that up for several days. Surprisingly, within a week it had healed completely. Emotional hurts are much like physical wounds. First they need to be treated with an antiseptic to get rid of the germs that have possibly infiltrated the system. This can be a painful experience in itself. There is a story told of a young girl who refused to let her mother cleanse a wound because it hurt too much. When the situation got worse, they went to a doctor. He had to amputate to save the girl’s life. Just like a physical wound, emotional hurt requires painful antiseptic, too. Perhaps this emotional germ-killer is forgiveness. Our hearts, our heads, our culture cry out for revenge. But Jesus says, “Forgive, as I have forgiven you.” I could have gotten mad at the lawn mower, or better yet at the company that made the mower. I could have sued them for negligence. But that would not have helped heal my leg. When the pain continued, my little band-aid wasn’t enough. I got professional advice. Jesus, the professional healer, says forgiveness is the first step, painful though it may be. The apostle Paul says, “You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Col. 3:13). Forgiving someone who has hurt you is painful, but it is better than amputation. Jesus said, “But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15). After the antiseptic has been used and the injury scrubbed clean, there must be some protection time that allows the wound to knit together. Then gradually the protection has to come off and the events that hurt so much in wounding can be looked at and tested. What happened with my leg is that the gauze pad produced sweating underneath and held in that moisture. This kept the cut very tender and prevented the complete healing. It just needed air. Sometimes emotional wounds are the same. They need air. They need contact with normalcy. Perhaps a little less protection over the wound lets the wrong thoughts, wrong ideas dissipate. If I had kept on covering that wound on my leg, I might still have it forty years later. Some people coddle emotional wounds for a lifetime! The apostle Paul reminds us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior” (Eph.4:31). Consider that he doesn’t speak of restitution, or revenge. It is no more silly to think that the lawn mower that threw the rock at my leg should now fix the wound than it is that the

person who caused my emotional pain should do the healing. Physical healing comes from within the body. Doctors only help it along; they don’t actually heal. In the same way, emotional healing also comes from within–from within our spiritual being. If our physical body is strong, physical healing can come quickly. My father was a quick healer. Most any cut would scab over and the scab would be off in three days. Perhaps this amazing healing power was the result of the healing that took place after he had been in a serious fire that left him with second- and third-degree burns on much of his body. It is certain that healing of a deep emotional hurt strengthens the person for subsequent attacks. Today there is still a scar on my leg, but it doesn’t bother me. I remember what happened, but it doesn’t hurt. The same is true with wounds from people I have forgiven. After forgiving, perhaps even applying unilateral forgiveness, the next task is to turn to Paul’s ‘get rid of’ (GRO) advice to the Ephesians. Therein lies the internal, spiritual healing that is needed. It is something we must apply ourselves. Prescription: Cleanse the wound thoroughly with the disinfectant of Forgiveness. Then apply the ‘GRO’ ointment liberally and let fresh air and time work their wonders. Repeat the process as necessary until full spiritual strength is gained. o

Editorial … pokraèování ze strany

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jakoby doplnil úvodník z posledního èísla Slavné nadìje: Pokoj zùstavuji vám, pokoj svùj dávám vám.... (Jan 14;27 Bible Kralická). Jak vzácné je dnes slovo o pokoji! Je zajímavé, jak jsou nìkdy city i pocity nakažlivé. Snadno se pøenášejí z èlovìka na èlovìka. Jako nìjaká infekce. Pokud to jsou city a pocity negativní, je to tragedie. Zlo se potom šíøí bez zábran. V pøípadì pozitivních citù a pocitù má lidstvo nadìji. Pokoj je pocit, který svìdèí o vnitøním stavu èlovìka. Pán Ježíš nás upozoròuje na to, že ten pokoj, který On má, daroval èlovìku. Pøijali jsme tento Jeho dar? Jestliže ano, potom nutnì tímto pokojem ovlivòujeme své okolí! V druhé èásti stejného verše nám je zdùraznìno, že strach nemá nic spoleèného s pokojem. Strach je pocit negativní. Protiklad pokoje. Rovnìž svìdèí o vnitøním stavu èlovìka. Strach a pokoj nemohou být vedle sebe, jedno vytlaèuje druhé.To, že nás Pán Ježíš na strach upozoròuje, svìdèí o tom, že proti strachu nejsme imunní. Jen na nás záleží, který z tìchto dvou pocitù bude v našem srdci vládnout. Je naší touhou, aby tento èasopis—pojítko Èechù a Slovákù po celém svìtì—pøinášel poselství našeho Spasitele i do nejvzdálenìjších koutù svìta. Dìkujeme ètenáøùm za modlitby i pøíspìvky. Tìšíme se na kontakty s vámi a vaši odezvu. S pøáním Božího pokoje, Nataša Legierská, šéfredaktorka o

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Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

Péèe a ošetøování ran George D. Cooper

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ednou, pøi sekání trávy, mi letící kámen rozsekl nohu. Pokládajíc se za otrlého muže, pokraèoval jsem v sekání. Druhý den však rána byla zanícená. Nakonec jsem vyhledal lékaøe. Lékaø, po dùkladném vyšetøení rány prohlásil, že došlo k uštípnutí kosti. Neradostná zpráva. Vážné zranìní. A tak jsem zaèal brát antibiotika a nohu jsem musel držet týden zvednutou. Po návratu k bìžným aktivitám, jsem mìl ránu zakrytou—chránìnou velkým polštáøkem gázy a obvazem. Rána se hojila vìènost. Po nìkolika mìsících jsem se jednoho rána opozdil. Protože jsem nemìl èas na obvaz, zakryl jsem ránu pouze ponožkou. Totéž jsem zopakoval nìkolik dní po sobì. Pøekvapivì, bìhem týdne byla rána docela zahojená. Citová zranìní jsou velice podobná zranìním fyzickým. Nejprve je potøeba k ošetøení použit antiseptika, aby se odstranily všechny možné bakterie, které by se tak mohly dostat do celého tìla. To by mohlo být velice bolestivé. Známe pøíbìh o dìvèeti, které matce nedovolilo vyèistit ránu, protože to velmi bolelo. Když se situace zhoršila, šly za lékaøem. Lékaø musel pøistoupit k amputaci, aby zachránil dìvèeti život. Stejný postup vyžadují i rány citové. Možná je lékem, proti vraždící citové bakterii, odpuštìní. Nᚠrozum, naše srdce, naše kultura touží po odvetì. Pán Ježíš však øíká: „Odpus tak, jako jsem já odpustil tobì.“ Mohl jsem se rozèílit na sekaèku nebo, ještì lépe, na výrobce sekaèky. Mohl jsem výrobce soudit za nedbalost. To by ovšem nepomohlo mou ránu zahojit. Na rozjitøenou ránu malá náplast nestaèila, vyhledal jsem odborníka. Pán Ježíš, profesionální ranhojiè, øíká, že odpuštìní je prvním krokem, i když mnohdy bolestivým. Apoštol Pavel øíká: „Snášejte jedni druhé a vzájemnì si odpouštìjte, má-li nìkdo proti nìkomu stížnost. Tak jako Kristus odpustil vám, odpuštìjte i vy.“ (Kol. 3;13 Nová Bible Kralická—NBK) Odpustit tomu, kdo ti ublížil, je bolestivé, ale je to lepší, než amputace. Pán Ježíš øekl: „Ale jestliže lidem neodpustíte jejich prohøešky, pak ani vᚠOtec neodpustí vaše prohøešky vám.“ (Mat. 6;15 NBK) Po použití antiseptik a vyèištìní rány, je potøeba nìjakým zpùsobem ránu chránit, dokud se nezacelý. Ochranný prostøedek se potom postupnì odstraòuje až samotný, tolik bolestivý, pøípad mùže být prozkoumán a zhodnocen. V pøípadì mého zranìní, gázový poštáøek udržoval vlhkost. To bránilo kompletnímu zahojení. Byl potøebný pøístup vzduchu. Totéž se mùže aplikovat na citová zranìní. Potøebují vzduch. Potøebují být v kontaktu s normálností. Možná trochu ménì ochranné vrstvy pøes ránu pomùže odehnat špatné myšlenky a zabránit špatným nápadùm. Kdybych si svou ránu nepøestal zakrývat, možná by byla rozjícená i po 40-ti letech. Nìkteøí lidé si dovedou citová zranìní pìstovat celý život. Apoštol Pavel nám pøipomíná: „Veškerá hoøkost, hnìv, zuøivost, køik a urážky, a jsou od vás odòaty spolu s každou špatností.“ (Efez. 4; 31 NBK) Všimnìme si, že nehovoøí o…odškodnìní, pomstì…. Bylo by pošetilostí myslet si, že sekaèka, která mi kamenem rozsekla nohu, by mìla ráhu zacelit. Totéž platí i o osobì, která

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

zpùsobila emocionální bolest. Nemohu od ní oèekávat zahojení mé rány. Pøi fyzickém zranìní se proces hojení odehrává v tìle. Lékaøi napomáhají, ale neuzdravují. Rovnìž pøi citovém zranìní se proces dìje v nás—v našem duchovním bytí. Jestliže jsme v dobré tìlesné kondici, uzdravení mùže probìhnout rychle. Mému otci se vìtšina drobných zranìní zahojila bìhem tøí dnù. Uzdravoval se rychle. Možná tuto vzácnou schopnost získal potom, kdy pøi požáru utrpìl popáleniny druhého a tøetího stupnì po celém tìle. Není pochyb, že hluboká citová zranìní zvýší odolnost èlovìka proti dalším, podobným situacím. Jizvu mám na noze stále, ale už mi nevadí. Pamatuji si, co se stalo, ale už mne to nebolí. Totéž platí o ranách zpùsobených lidmi, kterým jsem odpustil. Po odpuštìní, možná i po jednostranném odpuštìní, je potøeba aplikovat Pavlovu radu: „Zbavte se“ z dopisu do Efezu. V tom totiž spoèívá potøebné vnitøní, duchovní uzdravení. Samotnou aplikaci však musíme provést osobnì. Návod: Ránu vyèistìte dùkladnì dezinfekcí „Odpuštìní“. Potom použijte léèivé masti „Zbavte se“ a nechte èerstvý vzduch a èas pùsobit. V pøípadì potøeby celý postup zopakujte a to toliktrát, kolikrát je potøeba, až dojde k úplnému naèerpání duchovní síly. Pøeklad: Nataša Legierská o

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7

The Cradle of the Czechoslovak Baptist Work in America

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od has in every place His chosen people—people who do not want to be idle but want to do something for the cause of His kingdom. Usually they are people about whom very little is known. In many cases it is even hard to get an account of their personal lives for historical records. The only things which are left after them are the monument of their hard work, and a respected memory which speaks louder than words. In this category, of the unknown to the world but the wellknown to God, are included the first pioneers of the Czechoslovak Baptist work in America. It is impossible to mention all the names; only those of a few who were active leaders in the first endeavor among the Czechoslovak people may be cited. Among these were the Misses Lena Kruse and Gesina Meier, students from the Baptist Missionary Training School of Chicago, who started the mission work among the Bohemian people in that city. These two young women, under the leadership of the Women’s Baptist City Mission Society, began an industrial school which later developed into a Sunday school. The school was opened in the vicinity of Fisk and Nineteenth Streets, in the heart of the Bohemian district in Chicago, in 1887. Over forty boys and girls were present at the first meeting. The children were very much interested in this school and came in large numbers. Because of their response, the school soon outgrew its place of meeting, and another place was sought. Through the efforts of a devoted Christian man, S.B. Lingle, a prominent deacon of the First Baptist Church, the school was transferred to a larger place on Throop and Sixteenth Street. This place became the cradle of the Czechoslovak Baptist mission work in America, and a permanent place of worship. Rev. Jacob Meier, pastor of the First German Baptist Church,

had been asked by the Chicago Baptist Mission Society to have general supervision over the newly started work. Seeing immediately that there was a future in the mission work among the Czech people, he became very much interested. It was largely through the efforts of this good Christian leader that Rev. L. Lany was secured as missionary for the Czechs. Mr. Lany was a man who loved Czech and Slovak people and therefore offered them his service. He came to the field and started services on Sunday, January 8, 1888. Mr. Lany was a winner of souls; he knew how to approach a man and acquaint him with Christ. In less than a month, on February 3, 1888, six people, the first-fruits of a harvest, were baptized on confession of their faith in Jesus Christ. During the same year twelve persons were baptized—so the little group grew. However, the Bohemian people did not long enjoy the services of Mr. Lany. After two years he resigned his pastorate in the mission and returned to his post to work among the immigrants at Ellis Island. His resignation left several deserted sheep looking for a pastor. Once more Rev. J. Meier helped out, this time by securing Mr. Kluzak as leader for the mission. However, Mr. Kluzak’s pastorate lasted only three months. Rev. J. Meier made connections with Rev. Jindøich Novotný of Prague, asking him to suggest a missionary from Czechoslovakia. Mr. Novotný recommended Mr. John Kejø, a Czech colporteur, working at that time near Budapest in Hungary. John Kejø accepted the call and came to Chicago as a missionary among the Czechs. He began his ministry on February 5, 1891. With the coming of Mr. Kejø, the work began on a firmer footing.

John (Jan) Kejø

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ohn Kejø was one of the first converts in the beginnings of Baptist work in Bohemia. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. His wife was a Catholic. Because he was indifferent to his own denomination, his Catholic wife wished to bring him into the Catholic Church. However, he was little interested in religion, so she did not succeed. Several newly converted Baptists in Hleïsebe, Bohemia, approached him, but he despised them. He decided many times not to go to meetings, but his sister Rosie always persuaded him to go once more. In one of these meetings a woman asked him what would happen to his soul if he should die. Mr. Kejø’s answer was very brief and unfriendly. The woman continued, and indicated to him that he was in a pitiful situation. He was moved, his soul was disturbed, and he asked what he should do to be saved. He began to open his home to the meetings. Finally the day came when Mr. Kejø surrendered his life to Christ and became a new man. People began to admire him because he, who had opposed the Baptist

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work, began to testify, to preach, and to persuade people to seek the Christ. His wife was converted too, and their home was transformed. The man who had hated the Baptist people was himself now hated by his friends. On the confession of his faith, Mr. Kejø was baptized by Mr. Meereis, and became one of the first Baptists in the village of Velvary, Bohemia. Soon he became a missionary worker. Accepting the invitation of the Bible Society from Prague to become a colporteur, he remained in colportage work for four years until he was called to Chicago as a missionary among the Czechs. Although John Kejø had much joy in his new field, he did not escape some difficulties. His task was not only to build but also to reform the newly established work. Various problems and difficulties were encountered, but they were partly overcome. He cleaned the weeds from the field and began to sow good grain. His work was not in vain, for every year several people were converted and admitted into the church.

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HCJB—Pavel a Klára Steigerovi

y jste sùl zemì; jestliže však sùl pozbude chuti, èím bude osolena? K nièemu již není, než aby se vyhodila ven a lidé po ní šlapali. Vy jste svìtlo svìta. Nemùže zùstat skryto mìsto ležící na hoøe. A když rozsvítí lampu, nestaví ji pod nádobu, ale na svícen; a svítí všem v domì. Tak a svítí svìtlo vaše pøed lidmi, aby vidìli vaše dobré skutky a vzdali slávu vašemu Otci v nebesích. Matouš 5:13-16 Naši milí bratøi a sestry, milí pøátelé, doma i v cizinì. Jako každoroènì, i letos se u nás v redakci zamýšlíme a rekapitulujeme co jsme spoleènì s vámi dokázali a jak bychom chtìli vykroèit do Nového roku. V záøí se Jindra Suchomelová, Gabina Lauková a Dáša Kukuèková úèastnila výroèní konference HCJB v Quitu, Ekvádoru. Právì tam nás zastihla smutná zpráva, že Dobrá novina po více než 25 letech konèí. Pro øadu našich posluchaèù je tato skuteènost tìžko pochopitelná, ale vìøte, že to bylo rozhodnutí nutné a ze strany vedení HCJB i moudré. Náklady za èeské a slovenské vysílání se pohybovaly kolem 30-ti tisíc US dolarù roènì. Naše zemì je malá, posluchaèù krátkých vln nejsou tisíce, a tak jako dobøí správci svìøených prostøedkù, jsme tuto pro nás smutnou novinu pøijali. Jsme šastni, že jsme se mohli setkat s rodinou Kladenských, sestrou Fialovou, Helenou Kaplanovou a rozlouèit se s tìmi, kdo stáli u kolébky našeho vysílání. Ale tím existence a služba kanceláøe HCJB nekonèí. Dìkujeme Bohu, že jsme nezùstali nepøipraveni. Na webových stránkách archivujeme všechny poøady nejen z produkce HCJB, ale najdete tam øadu poøadù z vysílání TWR— Zadáno pro dámy, Svìtem Bible a budou další. V žádném pøípadì se neodmlèujeme, ale pracujeme na více frontách. Dál bude vycházet èasopis Zápas o duši, následná služba s ètenáøi ZODu a posluchaèi zùstává beze zmìny v péèi Jindøišky, Gabi dál pøipravuje rozhlasové poøady pro budoucí satelitní vysílání ve spolupráci s TWR. I pro nás platí, když Bùh zavøe jedny dveøe, jistì otevøe jiné. Podle slov pracovníkù TWR pùvodní pøedpoklad zahájit celodenní vysílání 30. 3. 2003 není ještì definitivní (realistický termín je záøí 2003). „Musíme respektovat okolnosti, kterými jsme (i nechtì) vedeni a pøijímat je v pokoøe pøed Boží svrchovaností. To, co je na nás, se snažíme dìlat v poslušnosti výzvy Pána Ježíše ke zvìstování evangelia tak, aby strategický

zámìr rozšiøovat Boží slovo k co nejvìtšímu poètu lidí byl uskuteènìn. Souèasnì chceme být dobrými hospodáøi se svìøenými prostøedky a neutápìt finance tam, kde to není nutné. Je tedy docela možné, že termín zahájení celodenního provozu bude posunut, ale nemìlo by to být o více než o pùl roku.… V této nelehké situaci potøebujeme nejvíce pokoj, rozvahu, dostatek energie a pøedevším Boží požehnání a ochranu nad celým projektem.… Bùh je ten, který zasetému slovu dává vyrùst v nové ratolesti pøinášející ovoce. Pøesnì o takovou vzájemnost usilujeme!“ Prosíme o modlitby. Potøebná finanèní úèast HCJB na vybavení studia a technického zázemí se pohybuje kolem 30 tisíc US dolarù. V souèasné dobì bratøi na Slovensku jednají o zaøazení 15ti minutového placeného vysílání HCJB jednou týdnì na rádiu LUMEN v Banské Bystrici. Vysílací licence má být rozšíøena o Bratislavu. To vše jsou úžasné zprávy a možnosti. Ta ménì pøíjemná je, že všechny projekty a plány jsou finanènì nároèné a bez modliteb a darù se žádná misijní služba neobejde. Hodina vysílání pøijde pøibližnì na 240 US dolarù. Pokud Vám Pán položí tuto rozhlasovou službu na srdce, máte jedineènou pøíležitost pøinést Dobrou novinu do domovù svých bližních na Slovensku. Hledáme sponzory na jednotlivé hodiny vysílání. V rámci poøadu bude uvedeno, kdo je sponzorem poøadu. Abyste i vy mìli lepší pøedstavu o misijních aktivitách HCJB, rádi vám pùjèíme video kazetu (NTSC systém), kde je témìø ètyø hodinová reportហo práci v Ekvádoru. Mùžete vidìt zábìry z vysílacích pracoviš, zdravotní péèi, život lékaøù v oblasti Shell Mera a službu pro obyvatele džunglí a poznat rodinu Kladenských. Poznáte spoustu pøírodních a turistických zajímavostí. Buïte trpìliví, do obìhu dáme dvì videokazety. Pokud jste se ještì nepodívali na webové stránky HCJB, které jsou doplòovány dennì o zravodajství z køesanského svìta, kde jsou archivovány stovky rozhlasových poøadù v èeštinì i ve slovenštinì, všechna èísla èasopisu Zápas o duši, èesky i slovensky a mnoha dalších zajímavostí, fotografií z Ekvádoru a pøipravujeme krátké videoklipy z Ekvádoru. Vše nejlepší do Nového roku pøejí Steigerovi a spolupracovníci HCJB : Jindra, Gabi, Vladimír Pavel & Klára Steigerovi, Hošálkova 1 a, 169 00 Praha 69, http://www.hcjb.cz

John (Jan) Kejø … Continues from page 8

Until 1896, the work among the Czech people had been carried on as a mission of the First German Baptist Church. The newly organized church grew very steadily; its zealous minister and members marched onward in the work. The work was not very easy among the spiritually neglected Czechs in America, but God blessed the mission. Attendance grew; the Sunday School made a fine advance; various societies were organized within the church. Mr. Kejø organized a fine choir whose singing penetrated through the hard hearts of the people. When the choir sang, it was not only with beautiful melody but also with spiritual power. Many times tears ran down the sad faces of the men who listened. But as the earnest preaching and singing continued, the sunshine of happiness chased away the shadows of sorrow, and new joy covered the faces of the regenerated people. Adapted from V. Vojta’s book Czechoslovak Baptists

In 1892 the Women’s Baptist Home Mission Society called Mrs. A. Èepeláková from Prague, Czechoslovakia, as a missionary. This fine devoted Christian woman became instrumental in winning many people to Christ. Her Christian influence was farreaching. Through her endeavor and that of Mr. Kejø, twenty people were baptized in one year. Among the newly baptized members there were influential persons like Vaclav and Vojtech Hlad, who later became very helpful in the growing work. [Vaclav Hlad is a grandfather of Robert Dvorak, president of Czechoslovak Baptist Convention. Ed.] The year 1896 was an historical date for the Bohemian Baptist work. It was on a fine September day (September 20, 1896), that the First Bohemian Baptist Church of Chicago was organized.

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Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

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Sermon on Abraham He Staggered Not Dr. Andrew Kmetko

Part 3

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he Life Application Bible says, “Abraham never doubted that God would fulfill His promise. Abraham’s life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures as well as by goodness and wisdom, but he consistently trusted God. His faith was strengthened by the obstacles he faced, and his life was an example of faith in action. If he had looked only at his own resources for subduing Canaan and founding a nation, he would have given up in despair. But Abraham looked to God, obeyed Him, and waited for God to fulfill His Word.” In the words of Romans 4:20, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Abraham lived in Old Testament times and was not indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but we are. Paul reminds us of this indwelling in the following passages: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple” (1 Cor. 3:16-17); “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ” (Rom. 8:9). Nothing could be plainer than the Word of God about the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (Cor. 6:19,20). “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For God has said ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people’ ”(2 Cor. 6:16).

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Romans 4:16–25

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord”(Eph. 2:21). What did Paul mean when he said that our bodies belong to God? Many people say they have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies. Although they think that this is freedom, they are really enslaved to their own desires or lusts. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit lives in us and fills us to do the Will of God. Therefore, we no longer own our bodies. “Bought at a price” refers to slaves purchased at auction. Christ paid the price at the cross, and His blood and His life given for me is the cost of my salvation. His faith freed us from sin but also obligates us to His service. A slave was not purchased so that he could sit around all day or sleep under a shade tree. No, he was purchased for service. When a company hires you, they expect you to work; if all you did was sit around, your employment would be terminated. If you live in a building owned by someone else, you try not to violate the building rules. In fact, you are charged a fee to prevent that very thing from happening. Because your body now belongs to God, you must not violate His standards for living. Paul urges believers not to form binding relationships with unbelievers because this would have a tendency to compromise their Christian commitment, integrity or standards. It would be a mismatch. Earlier Paul had explained that this did not mean isolating oneself from unbelievers. “I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people–not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world” (1 Cor. 5:9–10).

Paul even encourages believers to stay with their unbelieving spouses: “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): if any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him”(1 Cor. 7:12–13). Because of their desire to serve Christ, some people in the Corinthian church thought they ought to divorce their pagan spouses and marry Christians. But Paul affirmed the marriage, even when one spouse is an unbeliever. The believing spouse should try to win the other to Christ. It would be easy to rationalize leaving, but Paul makes a strong case for staying with the unbelieving spouse and being a positive influence on the marriage. Paul wants believers to be active in their witness for Christ, but they should not lock themselves into personal relationships that could cause them to compromise their faith. Believers should do everything in their power to avoid things that would cause them to stagger in their faith. The biggest thing in Abraham’s life was his childlessness. He had some real problems with this one promise, that he would be the ancestor of many nations, and so did his wife Sarah. She laughed at God’s promise. At the time she laughed, the promise had not yet reached its peak, 25 years. Sarah came to the conclusion that she was too old to bear a child, so she came up with a brilliant idea: let my husband have sex

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Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

How real can a radio program be? Milos wrote: “I think your last program (a story about a musician and his pride) was for my colleague at work. He still curses everybody and everything. I ‘saw’ him when I listened to your program.” Martina said: “You are my friend in my loneliness; you bring something spiritual deep into my heart. This week you were speaking about feelings of inferiority—I felt you were speaking to me.” Vlado shared: “Mainly, I would like to express my great thankfulness for the testimonies you sent. I have shared them all with my friends.” Monika wrote of her experience: “I was boiling mad!

Tomorrow when I meet my friend, I’ll tell her just what I think—how she hurts me, humiliates me, I said to myself. But at the same time realized that would just make things worse. ‘God, what is right?’ I asked. But after hearing your radio drama about a similar problem, I knew what to do.” The programs can be real enough to help someone to ‘see,’ to ‘feel,’ to ‘hear,’ and to ‘know.’ As Peter commented, “Your programs are a great encouragement to me, a beginner in faith. I am growing spiritually, getting to know God more deeply. I am the only Christian in my family.” Please pray for these young people and many others in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. George Cooper for TWR SK/CZ o

Den jako Boží dar … Pokraèování ze strany 5 dìti tak, jako by byl úplnì jiný èas, dojde k dezorientování svìta kolem nás… V Bibli také èteme, že když se naplnil èas, Boží zaslíbení se stala skuteèností. Pán Bùh také øíká, že ještì dnes máme tu milost— pøidává nám nové dny jako dar. Jednou, to je také napsáno v Bibli, pøišli za jedním apoštolem lidé a zeptali se: „Proè øíkáš, že Kristus pøijde znovu, vždy se podívej, lidé umírají, všechno bìží na zemi tak, jak bìželo, kde mᚠten pøíchod Krista?“ On jim na to odpovìdìl: „Pán Bùh shovívá a prodlužuje èas, dává nové a nové dny, protože nechce, aby kdokoliv z vás zahynul. On to dìlá kvùli vám. Jinak by Kristus již dávno pøišel. Nechce vás pøistihnout nepøipravené na tento pøíchod. Proto vám dává, jako dar, bez jakékoliv vaší zásluhy, vždy další a další den, abyste se koneènì vzpamatovali“. Nyní si pøedstavte, že církve své okolí matou ukazováním nesprávného èasu. Dnes nic nesvìdèí o tom, že církev èeká svého Spasitele, svého Krále. Naopak svìdèí o rozhodnutí mít se úplnì stejnì dobøe, jako se má svìt a ještì k tomu mít Pána Boha jako bonus. Je to snaha mít plnou jistotu v bance i v nebi. Pán Bùh povìdìl jedno zvláštní slovo: „Dny jsou zlé a je tøeba èlovìèe, abys zaèal správnì vykupovat dar èasu, který ti dávám.

Zaèni s tím èasem správnì hospodaøit!“ Víme, že èas jsou peníze. Pán Bùh však øíká, že èas pro èlovìka mùže být buï život nebo smrt. Záleží na tom, zda ten èas, který ti dává, využiješ na smíøení s Ním nebo ho promarníš, promrhᚠna své vìci a na uspokojení svých žádostí, aby jsi se nìkam vyšvihl. Bible øíká, že i kdybys celý svìt získal a své duši udìlal škodu tím, že jsi nepøijal Božího Syna jako svého Pána a Spasitele, nemᚠnic pøed Bohem, co bys mu mohl jednou nabídnout. Je jedno, které církve jsi byl èlenem tøeba celý život. Kdo má Syna má život, kdo nemá Syna, neuzøí života na vìky. Tak to øíká Bible. Konèím prohlášením, které vyslovil Pán Bùh: „A proto, jestliže dnes uslyšíš mùj hlas, èlovìèe, neudìlej tu pošetilost, že zavøeš svoje srdce, ale dej ho mnì. Právì to tvoje srdce, zlé a pøevrácené, zpùsobuje neštìstí tvého života. Dej mi ho“. Každý den a každý nový den je skuteènì darem od Pána Boha. Ale dejme pozor, moji milí, co s tím darem dìláme a jestli s ním vùbec dìláme to, co si Pán Bùh pøeje. Záznam úvahy bratra kazatele Jaroslava Pospíšila pøednesené na akci Senior centra v Ostravì dne 26.5.2002 odpoledne.

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Bible Study … Continues from page 10 with Hagar and she will bear him a son who would be the promised heir. But God said no! Ishmael could not be the heir. So the original promise was revived, and Sarah eventually gave birth to a son, Isaac by name. So Abraham did have some problems, but the Bible says, “He staggered not.” He did not waver in his faith. And after about 25 years, the promise was fulfilled and a son, Isaac, was born. God had promised that the whole world would be blessed because of this birth. It has been, because

Christ was born in the lineage of Isaac, and through Him the world has been blessed. Think of all the thousands of people who will hear God speaking to them today. Let me call your attention to several passages of Scripture that assure us of the presence of the Holy Spirit. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever...the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17). “And hope does not

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Rom. 5:5). “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us” (1 Cor. 2:12). “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us. We know it by the Spirit he gave us” (1 John 3:24). “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13). Let’s not stagger at the promises of God! o

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Hagar—pokora a podriadenie Jozef Kulaèík Èas 4

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brahám dostal od Boha zas3⁄4úbenie a v 16. kap. Gn ho vidíme v situácii ako pochybuje, váha a h3⁄4adá odpoveï na otázku preèo Boh svoje s3⁄4uby neplní. Je to situácia, v ktorej aj Abrahám, otec viery, nerobí svojmu menu èes. Ale aj s takýmto Abrahámom si Pán Boh dáva prácu. Všimnime si napríklad, že v celej kapitole nepadne ani jediné obviòujúce slovo. V tom je nádejnos celého príbehu dvoch žien a Abraháma. Akoby sa tu mlèky hovorilo—takí sme my 3⁄4udia. Nedokážeme vždy odola presile, nie sme vždy silní vo viere. Ani Abrahám nebol. Ale Boh ho na jeho ceste neopúša. Z k3⁄4ukatých cestièiek èloveka skladá pomaly ale dôsledne cestu spásy. A k tejto ceste spásy patrí aj Hagar. V Biblii máme rôzne postavy. Výrazné, silné pozitívne ale aj menej výrazné èi kontroverzné. Žiadna postava v Biblii nie je úplne dokonalá, dokonalý je jedine Boh. V 16. kap. 1. knihy Mojžišovej èítame zaujímavý príbeh. Abrahám a Sára chcú božím s3⁄4ubom pomôc. Možno ich premohlo èakanie a povedali si: Kde nedbá Boh, musí sa postara èlovek. A Sára sa stará. Abrahám predsa musí ma syna, a tak zo zaseknutej situácie nachádza východisko. Dáva mu slúžku Hagar, aby mu dala diea ona, to bolo vo vtedajšej dobe obvyklé. Vymyslela zdanlivo schodnejšiu, prirodzenejšiu cestu, ale túto, ba práve túto Boh odmieta. Boh nepotrebuje cesty, na ktorých by mu 3⁄4udia mali pomáha. Z možností, o ktorých uvažovali vrátane tej, ktorú vymysleli, Boh nepoužije ani jednu, naopak—použije tú, ktorej sa už ako 3⁄4udia vzdali. Podstata zas3⁄4úbenia totiž nebola len v tom, že Abrahám bude ma syna. K tomuto s3⁄4ubu patrilo nerozluène aj to, že ho bude ma so Sárou. Nejde len o syna—toho si bolo možné zaopatri aj ok3⁄4ukou. Ide aj o splnenie celého božieho zas3⁄4úbenia tak ako bolo povedané, a to bolo

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1M 16 (1Pt 5, 6–7) možné len cestou zázraku. A tak vidíme, že aj Sára, žena, ktorá mala by mužovi pomocou a oporou (Gn 2:18) stáva sa mu pokušite3⁄4kou. Nevieme, kde Abrahám k Hagar prišiel. Snáï pri ceste do Egypta, ale už skutoènos, že Hagar, pôvodom egyptská otrokyòa, sa vôbec dostala do rodiny vyvoleného božieho muža je zaujímavá. Aj s pohanmi má Pán Boh svoju cestu, niè sa nedeje mimo božieho programu. Hagar ako pohanská žena v dome praotca Izraela—to je prapoèiatok misie. Nevieme ani èo znamená jej meno, snáï útek, možno nieèo podobné. Tradujú sa výklady, ktoré Hagar dávajú do súvislosti s Arábiou. Apoštol Pavel píše: „Lebou Hagarou je vrch Sinaj v Arábii.“ (Gal. 4:25) Ján Zlatoústy hovorí vo výklade ep. Galatským: „Hagar znamená službu (otroctvo); a vrch Sinaj má toto meno v jazyku toho kraja.“ Kryštof Harant bol v roku 1598 na hore Sinaj a vo svojom cestopise napísal: „Horu Sinaj nazývajú arabskí a mauretánski pohania Hagar alebo Thur.“ Je známe arabské slovo „hidžra“, ktoré znamená útek. Je zaujímavé, že zaèiatok pôsobenia Mohameda zaèína práve hidžrou, èo je útekom z Mekky do Mediny v r. 622 a Hagar dvakrát od Abraháma utiekla. Zdanlivo dobre vymyslená pomoc Hospodinovi pokraèuje konfliktom dvoch žien. Hagar, keï vidí, že sa pokus podaril, nie je ïalej ochotná hra trpnú úlohu náhradníèky a domnieva sa, že ako matka pánovho dedièa sa zároveò stane paòou. Lenže cesta z otroctva nie je taká jednoduchá. Spôsob, akým sa zaène správa, a to, že následne vyprovokuje konflikt, je príkladom toho, že zlo plodí ïalšie zlo. Abrahám je naraz v zložitej situácii. Má dve ženy, ale ani jedna mu nechce slúži. Sára chce Hagar pokori, ale Hagar sa nenechá. K pokore sa totiž prinúti nedá. Zvonku sa nedá vnúti nikomu, vedie k nej len cesta osobnej skúsenosti. Rodinná dráma pokraèuje ïalšou patovou situáciou: Sára je síce Abrahámova žena, ale Hagar je požehnaná. Hriech plodí ïalší hriech a zároveò aj množstvo otáznikov a zdanlivo

neriešite3⁄4ných rébusov. Akoby nikto z týchto troch nevedel, èo s tým… Do tejto situácie urobí riskantný, skoro až zúfalý krok práve Hagar. Rieši veci po svojom—útekom—ten má v mene. Uteká pred Sárou, uteká pred Abrahámom, pred neriešite3⁄4ným problémom, možno aj pred sebou? Žiaden problém sa ale nedá vyrieši tak, že pred ním èlovek uteèie. Uteka pred ažkosami je prejavom slabého rozpolteného a nevykúpeného èloveka. Uteka sa má pred hriechom, ale nie pred jeho riešením. Hagar to ale nevie. Vie jediné, chce ujs, chce ís od miesta svojho poníženia preè, chce ís kdeko3⁄4vek a zdá sa jej, že èoko3⁄4vek, akéko3⁄4vek miesto, aj púš bude lepšia ako pánov dom. A tak uteká. Možno vedome, možno podvedome mieri kamsi do Egypta v zhode so svojím vlastným menom a pôvodom (cesta do Šúr, v. 7, je snáï miesto ležiace na starej severoegyptskej hranici). Na ceste do Šúr je miesto, kde zo zeme vyviera prameò. Pramene a studnièky boli v staroveku pútnymi miestami. Hagar, podobne ako Jákob na svojom úteku, prichádzajú k miestu, ktoré má nejasný, možno kultický charakter. Zložili sa tam preto, že h3⁄4adali odpoveï u bohov? Každopádne prichádza boží posol a do situácie naprostého zúfalstva

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

Hagar poèuje boží hlas. Je to boží posol, niektorí prekladajú nepresne anjel. Pojem anjela bol totiž spájaný s predstavou postavy z iného sveta a mal fantastické nadprirodzené rysy. V tomto prípade sa však jedná o Hospodinovho posla. V Biblii takýmto poslom môže by ktorýko3⁄4vek èlovek, èo dostal mimoriadne poslanie od Boha. Aj tu, prichádza posol—anjel, hovorí v zastúpení božom, a jeho slová možno teda stotožni so slovom božím. Aj Hagar tomu tak rozumie. Nazýva tu ako jediná v SZ Hospodina menom—Ten, ktorý ma vidí, Ten, ktorý prehovoril. V záhadnej postave vidí Hagar samotného Hospodina, Vykupite3⁄4a a ochrancu. V takejto situácii dostáva ale ažkú otázku: „Odkia3⁄4 ideš? A kam ideš?“ Aj na púš si Hagar, uteèenkyòa, priniesla svoj základný problém so sebou. Odkia3⁄4 uteká, to vie—z domu svojho pána, pred jeho neznesite3⁄4nou paòou. Èo ale ïalej, to nevie. A tu do jej duše prehovoril Hospodin. Možno vieš, èo nechceš, vieš ale aj to, èo chceš? A vieš vôbec, že celý tvoj problém nespoèíva len v okolí, v iných 3⁄4uïoch, ale aj v tebe samej? Si schopná si uzna, že ty sama si svojím najväèším problémom, bez oh3⁄4adu na problémy, ktoré ti robia iní? Toto všetko mala zapoèu v otázke, ktorú dostala. Bieda domu, z ktorého utiekla je jej vlastnou biedou. A z ve3⁄4kej èasti je to práve jej tvrdá a nezlomená povaha, ktorú musí zmeni. Nie útekom, ale zmenou zmýš3⁄4ania sa mení èlovek. Uteka vlastne ani niet kam, pretože dokonalé miesto na zemi (dokonalú cirkev) èlovek nenájde, a to predovšetkým preto, že všade sú 3⁄4udia a seba samého si stále nosíme so sebou. Boží posol jej vlastne zvestuje: „Hagar, musíš opusti skôr svoju povahu ako dom svojho pána. Zdroj mnohých našich trápení a problémov nie je v okolí, v 3⁄4uïoch, v tých, ktorí nás majú viac alebo menej radi, v tých, ktorí nám robia problémy, ale v nás samotných. Preto Boh chce a volá nás k zmene zmýš3⁄4ania podobne ako Hagar. Aj ona na púšti, na mieste úplného osamotenia spoznáva, že v celom probléme má do èinenia nie so Sárou, ale so samotným Bohom. Boh prehovoril a dostala ne3⁄4ahkú úlohu. Odíï naspä na miesto svojho pokorenia. Východisko nie je v úteku ale v návrate do pánovho domu. Aj keï je v òom Sára, je to pánov dom. Podobne je to s nami dnes. Zbor, cirkev, patrí Pánovi, aj keï sú v òom možno 3⁄4udia, s ktorými nevieme vyjs, a ktorí nám nie sú povahovo blízki, èi nám dokonca robia problémy.

Cesta zo zboru, cesta úteku je vždy bludná cesta. Boží posol vyzýva Hagar na inú cestu, než si naplánovala, na cestu pokánia, na cestu vnútornej premeny. Hagar túto výzvu zapoèuje a poslúchne a v tom je jej ve3⁄4kos. Ve3⁄4kos každého èloveka nie je v úteku od problémov, ale v ich riešení aj keï môžu by ažké a bolestivé. Pán Boh nám nes3⁄4úbil prechádzku ružovou záhradou. By kresanom neznamená ži bez problémov, práve naopak, kresanská povaha sa buduje tým, že sa mnohého musíme vzda a prejs rôznymi skúškami. Najažšie víazstvá bývajú víazstvá nad sebou samým. Miesto, kde Hagar stretla Boha vševidiaceho, pri studni Živého, nám pripomína, že Boh vidí èloveka v každej núdzi a ukáže sa mu v pravý èas. To konkrétne miesto bolo pre Hagar v krajine Kádeš, v Biblii je ale všade tam, kde sa s Vševidiacim èlovek chce stretnú, kde ho chce poèu, a kde ho chce poslúchnu. V texte sa síce nehovorí, ako sa Hagar konkrétne vrátila, ale iste tak urobila, èo je zrejmé z toho, že syna porodila, a že „Abrahám nazval svojho syna Izmael“ (v. 15). Celý príbeh nám hovorí pouèenie: èo èlovek vie dobre, v èom je naozaj „odborník“, je vymýš3⁄4anie cestièiek, skratiek, ok3⁄4úk, útekov a blúdení. Èlovek je hriešny tvor, a preto mu svet hriechu je bližší než svet nápravy. Èlovek môže sám ochorie, ale uzdravi sa sám nemôže. Nápravu a cestu spásy pozná Boh. Hagar vlastne na púšti prežila znovuzrodenie. Vo chvíli stretnutia sa s Bohom sa z Hagar utekajúcej stala Hagar poslušná. Z Hagar slepej Hagar vidiaca. Ve3⁄4kos Hagary spoèívala práve v tom, že si dala od Boha poveda. Aj ten najažší problém sa dá vyrieši zmenou zmýš3⁄4ania a cestou pokánia. Pokánie to nie je len nejaké slovo, nejaká fráza, pokánie je vždy konkrétny skutok na ceste poslušnosti. Celý príbeh nie je v Biblii uvedený len preto, aby nám podal zaujímavú informáciu o jednej udalosti z Abrahámovho života, a už vôbec nie preto, aby sme my mohli posudzova a súdi konanie jednotlivých osôb, ktoré tu vystupujú. Mýli sa, blúdi, a možno i uteka nebolo typické len pre Hagar, sú to vlastnosti, ktoré sú blízke možno bližšie, než by sme boli ochotní prizna všetkým nám. To najhoršie na blúdení nie je samotný fakt, že èlovek uteká, dostane sa na púš a nevie kam. Pre každého èloveka v akejko3⁄4vek núdzi má Boh svoje

posolstvo. Najhoršie nie je dosta sa na púš, ale zosta tam, nie zhreši, ale zosta v hriechu. Nepoèu, neposlúchnu boží hlas a nechcie sa vráti k nemu. Najhoršie je zostáva v hriechu a tvrdohlavo odmieta božie riešenie. Každý z nás, ktorí èítame túto kapitolu by sme ju mali èíta tak, aby sme si uvedomili akých chýb sa dopúšame svojou vlastnou netrpezlivosou, strachom a panickými obavami z budúcnosti, ako tým škodíme sebe aj svojím blízkym a ako vzdor, zloba a tvrdohlavos nikdy niè v živote nevyriešia. Apoštol Peter píše nielen mladším, ale všetkým o podriaïovaní sa a pokore. Boh sa pyšným protiví, ale pokorným dáva milos. Preto apoštol radí: „Pokorte sa teda pod mocnú ruku Božiu, aby vás povýšil svojím èasom. Každú svoju staros uhoïte na Neho a On sa o vás postará.“ o

Methuselah … Continues from page 3 from all generations in a number of European countries – in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, in former Yugoslavia, in Germany, Sweden and Austria. Dear singing group Methuselah, we wish you to remain a continual blessing for all of your audience. May our God use your songs to touch and change human lives. May your ministry continue not only on the old European continent but also on the continent of North America, which you are about to visit, and in all those countries where your recordings are available as well. Ján Banko o

Matuzalém … Pokraèování ze strany 3 niekdajšej Juhoslávii, v Nemecku, Švédsku a Rakúsku. Milí „Matuzalémci”, prajeme vám, aby ste boli aj naïalej pre svojich poslucháèov požehnaním a aby Pán Boh používal vaše piesne ku zmene 3⁄4udských životov. Nech sa tak deje nielen na starom európskom kontinente, ale aj na kontinente severoamerickom, ktorý sa práve chystáte navštívi a vo všetkých krajinách sveta, kam sa vaše nahrávky dostanú. Ján Banko o

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

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Scranton Road Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio If My Friends Could See Me Now

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blessed spring to you from the saints at Scranton Road Baptist Church. Here in Cleveland, we are suffering from our third-greatest accumulation of snow in recorded history. Boy, will it be great to see spring. Spring or no spring, things are blossoming at the corner of Scranton Road and Clark Avenue. Most recently, eight of our brethren were baptized on Sunday morning, February 23—six of them were between 15 and 22 years of age. One of the fellows had been incarcerated for several years, but has been growing in leaps and bounds over the past seven months. New things are popping all over. Effective February, our dear secretary/missionary Ramona Bliss answered God’s call to move on to The City Mission’s Laura’s Home, a shelter for battered women and children. She will assume the responsibilities as day manager and will do an awesome job. She and Pete are still vital members at the church. It has been our prayer in our diverse neighborhood to ask God to raise up cultural leadership that reflects the community. The Lord is answering our prayers in exciting ways. In August, the church took on Rev. John Dixson, a dear African-American brother, who is assisting the ministry 10 hours per week. He is a former missionary and pastor in Mississippi, and presently directs the youth ministry at The City Mission. God has also been faithful within the office. Carmen Rentas is our new part-time secretary. Carmen is of Puerto Rican background and allows us, above all else, to better communicate with our Latino friends in the neighborhood. My new ministry assistant is Larry Blake. Larry is also African-American and for-

merly spent time in prison. He has a great heart for God and people, and will help direct a greater assault with the gospel in this neighborhood. The plans for the near future are challenging and exciting. The building next to the church was purchased in August 2002 and will be razed shortly. The plans before God are to level the existing church as well and build up a multi-purpose center with classrooms and a gymnasium to have better 24-hour, 7-day-aweek access and usage. It will take a miracle of God, but already two partnering churches have committed $150,000 to our goal. God is so good! This summer, we will also be hosting evangelistic soccer and basketball camps, and will headquarter a three-week campaign for Jews for Jesus (August through early September). Certainly, there are trials with the victories, but the Lord is stabilizing His saints and equipping them for ministry, despite the agony and pain. Pastor Dan and Jane Widlicka are still very active in outreach and visitation. Mary Schoun is presently in a very progressive state in her assisted living facility, and hopefully she will be able to get out when the weather breaks. Martha Karhan has been out of church for nearly a year and a half due to her broken hip and complications, but she and Bob remain in contact through prayers, both for them and from them. Anne Bliss continues to labor in the nursing home, and Emil and Vera Dors minister dearly to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Madjar. Your prayers for the faithful are appreciated. Pastor Joe Abraham Scranton Road Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio o

Lilian Zeman Lillian Mary Zeman passed away suddenly Saturday, August 24, 2002, at home. Born in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, she was the daughter of Czech immigrant parents. Lillian was the wife of Dr. Jarold Zeman for 49 years; mother to Miriam, Dagmar, Timothy and Janice; and grandmother to seven grandchildren. Her commitment to family and Christian ministry were her top priorities of time and energy. The Zeman home was always open for gatherings of university and Divinity College students and faculty of other youth groups, Bible study groups, and anyone needing a bed or a listening ear. Lillian was a special person who devoted her life to helping friends and strangers alike. She had the gift of hospitality.

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James S. Adam

September 21, 193 – March 26, 2002 James S. Adam, 88, of Morris, died early Tuesday, March 26, 2002 in Morris. Born September 21, 1913 in Chicago, he was a son of Anton and Mary (Tomanek) Adam. Educated in Chicago schools, he served in the U. S. Army during World War II in the 7th Tank Battalion. On October 7, 1944, he married Josephine Svoboda at the home of her parents in Chicago. For 18 years he was employed as a machinist with Reynolds Aluminum, retiring in 1973 when he and his wife moved to Goose Lake Township to make their home. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. A member of Faith Baptist church in Goose Lake Township, he also belonged to Chief Shabbona Chapter #86 of Disabled American Veterans. He served as trustee at Lawndale Baptist Church in Chicago.

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am sure that we all miss the obecenstvi we experience during annual conventions. Well, in about four months we will be together, experiencing great fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Here is some information. The theme and verse of the 94th annual convention, which has been set for July 3–6, 2003 in Philippi, is You’ll Never Walk Alone I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. Leviticus 26:11,12 Bible Studies: High Priestly Prayer John 17 Jesus Prays for Himself John 17:1–5 Jesus Prays for Disciples John 17:6–19 Jesus Prays for Future Believers John 17:20–26 Dr. Andrew Kmetko—English, and Slavo Kral and/or Daniel Valenta—Slovak Special guests at the 94th convention will be a musical group, Matuzalem, from Bratislava. It is a very talented group of five members from Bratislava Baptist Church, Slovakia. They will also perform in many churches in Canada and the USA. Other important information: •Again, as in previous years, Canadian delegates will be paying the registration fee, meals, and accommodation in Canadian dollars. This will simplify payment procedure and will be easier on their pockets. •There will be a lot of exciting events during the 94th annual convention: Third Annual Independence Day Fireworks with icecream social, “Old Fashioned Hymn Singing with Bob Dvorak at the Piano,” Matuzalem concerts, Saturday Night Concert, obecenstvi at the Sommers’ on Sunday afternoon, to name just a few. And of course—Matuzalem. Come and see!! •Prices for accommodation will be the same as last year: Kincaid, $12/night/bed. Children 12 and under sleep free on a bed! Priestley will be closed for renovation this summer. Also Benedum will not be available. •Meal prices will be same as last year: Breakfast-$3.90; Lunch$5.80; Dinner-$6.60; and Banquet-$9.90. •Date for the 95th annual convention is tentatively set for July 1–4, or 8–11, 2004. •Next mid-year meeting of the General Board will be held at Hatch Hollow Baptist Church, Union City, Pennsylvania, in October or November 2003. Hatch Hollow Baptist Church will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. We will have more information about the annual convention in the next issues of Glorious Hope. Also check the convention web page: www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv for additional information. George Sommer, Executive Secretary

Donation Change Please note the change how to send your donations: All donation should be send in enclosed envelope. The checks will be delivered to right financial secretaries. (Vera Dors, Henry Pojman, Jane Rotar 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.  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 1516 Pembroke Dr. Oakville, ON L6H 1V9 George Sommer

In Memory–James Adam … Continues from page 14 Surviving are his wife of Morris; one daughter, Diane “DeeDee” (Mark)Brandon of Mansfield, Ohio; one son, James E. (Sandra) Adam of Schaumburg: four grandchildren, Drew (Iva) Brandon, Joy (Timothy) Courtright, and Lisa and Brian Adam: four great-grandchildren, Mark, Adam, William, and Daniel; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Beatrice and Mildred; and four brothers, Edward, Tony, Otto and John. Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the U.C. Davis and Sons Funeral Homes Ltd. with the Rev. Jim Lynn officiating. Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park. Memorial gifts can be directed to Faith Baptist Church. Military rites were conducted by John Martin Steele Post #6049, Morris American Legion Post #294, and Chief Shabbona Chapter #86 of Disabled American Veterans. o

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Athens, WI Dear sister in Christ [Vera Dors] I haven’t written to the Glorious Hope for a long time. I have been sick for at least 5 years. I’m thankful for continuing on with Glorious Hope. I’m sending a memorial gift in my mother’s memory, my brothers George and my sister-in-law Julia Macik. Forgive my poor writing at my age, it isn’t very good. God bless you and keep you. With Christian love, Martha Macik

) Dear Friends! November 22, 2002 The enclosed gift for Glorious Hope is given in memory of my dear mother Antonia Pavlicek. May the Lord bless you in the service of our Lord. Sincerely, Lydia Dvorak

) November 25, 2002 To The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention, Enclosing a check to further the ministry the Convention is doing. May God bless all your endeavors. Christian Love, Joseph and Mary Skalsky

) I am sending check in the memory of Mildred Dvorak. I pray and thank you for the work you are doing. Mrs. Anita Tarr ) Greetings in the Savior’s precious name. Enclosed you can find a check toward Glorious Hope which I enjoy reading. Wishing you a blessed holidays in that blessed hope. John and Maria Valko ) December 31, 2002 Belton, Texas Dear Friends in Christ, Enclosed please find our contribution for the publication of Glorious Hope magazine. We always look forward to each issue. Thanks so much! Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Mares ) January 3, 2003 Happy New Year Vera and May the Lord richly bless you in every way in 2003. I Love You Sincerely, Lennie Wilcox ) Dear sisters/brothers: December 29, 2002 May the Lord bless the Convention as it carries on the Lord’s work. Thanking everyone who has a part of the Convention and Glorious Hope. I am sending a gift in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Chupka Sr.,and brothers Michael Chupka Jr., John/Mel and Milan. May God Bless Everyone in the coming year 2003. Love, sister in Christ Ruth Chupka

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ear Friends in Christ, February 10, 2003 I do miss receiving my Glorious Hope. I have only received September-October issue and didn’t get November-December. For years I’ve been getting it. On October 12th I moved to Ohio to make my home with my daughter and son-in-law. March 26th my husband James Adam went to be with the Lord. Please put me back on your mailing list. I’ve been a member of Lawndale Baptist Church for many years. Trusting that I will hear from you. Psalm 34 Sincerely in Christ Josephine Adam

) Dear George Thank you for the Glorious Hope and also for the cassette, Piano—Organ Duets. We enjoyed the music played by Robert Dvorak and Marija Sommer. I remember Robert as a little boy, he was in my Sunday School Class at the Lawndale Baptist Church. Have known his parents for years. Thank again, and I am looking forward to my next issue of Glorious Hope . Psalm 34 Reverently in Christ Josephine Adam

) Just a little note to say I enjoy Glorious Hope and the articles in it. Thank you all. Enclosed is a few dollars to help. Lovingly Lydia Carle

) Rev. Robert Dvorak December 10, 2002 Enclosed is a check for the Convention. May God bless the work that is done. All the best wishes to you and yours, Marty and Ruth Beechen

) November 1, 2002 The attached is given in memory of my dear friend Mildred Drawley, who has requested that memorials be sent to your organization. Barbara R. o

Fireflies … Continues from page 19 them no more. On the way home father said that they must not put off their preparations any longer. The cold weather might come on quite suddenly, and if they were not ready they would be in a bad way. And so they started preparing at once. First of all mother had to make provision for the winter’s food. They moved all the supplies in from the larder to the kitchen: peas and barley, millet and semolina and flour, some lentils and a little butter, too. Then they started putting in the wood, which was all neatly stacked in a sunny spot out at the back. They brougt into the little kitchen too—as much as they could find room for. They piled up the rest in the hall, right up to the door. Then father climbed up the ladder and through the hatch into the loft. There they had stowed away a quantity of soft, dry moss. This he spread all over the loft floor, in order to prevent the cold striking down into the room below. He threw the rest down through the hatch, which he decided to nail down

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Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

Establishing Standards Tom Devine

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ne weakness in today’s youth is the absence of personal convictions and standards. We’ve become an anything-goes society of young people. We’ve been labeled “Generation X.” We’re a generation of young people that stands for nothing, allows anything, and accepts everything. We’ve lowered the standard of Christian living as a whole. Let’s face it, it’s the truth. Yet the Bible says we are a chosen generation, and as a chosen generation, the light of the world, we have to take a stand for things the Bible says is right, as well as a stand against what it says isn’t. How have the standards of today’s Christian teenager got to be so low? Well, for starters, we’ve totally forgotten about daily Bible reading and devotions. Let’s be honest with ourselves. We’re going through the day, and in many cases our lives, without seeking God’s face through his word, or through prayer. I don’t mean reading one chapter of the Bible, and a five-minute prayer. I’m talking about seeking God’s face as to what’s right, and what’s wrong. In today’s world, the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong is so obvious, yet it’s being made to seem so unclear. But the Bible is clear as to what’s right and what’s wrong; the Bible says that when a person knows to do

right, and doesn’t do it, it’s sin. Today’s world says that the standard should be lowered to the point that everyone is ok, and that nothing is wrong. “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none” (Ezek. 22:30). I challenge you to go read Genesis 37:1–50:26.That’s the story of Joseph. Joseph is an excellent example for you and me. He was a young man of standards and convictions. Read through the book of Daniel. I challenge you to find in God’s word what can happen if just one person takes a stand for Christ. I challenge you to raise the standard of the Christian life in your youth group. I dare you to be a Daniel or a Joseph. I dare you to be an example to a world that is in desperate need of someone who will show them the truth. Hey, have a backbone. There’s a hymn that is called “I wonder have I done my best of Jesus.” You can’t do your best without holding a high standard. Be different, soar like the eagles above the storms of this life. Trust me, having high standards and convictions is not as bad as you might think. Try it. Be different! o

Invitation: Mission Trip to the Czech Republic

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N the January 2002 issue of Glorious Hope, Dr. Joseph Solc gave us the opportunity to read about missionary work, and if you faithfully read our magazine, you have probably already read the news of work at the Senior Centre in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The youth have received many invitations to work there, and we are currently receiving specific job information. This is a great opportunity for missionary service in our homeland, to contact young people in Czech and to help not only senior citizens, but also young adults and children. The language should also not be a problem, as many Czech youth speak English as well. If you are a person who has the desire to lead others to Christ, this invitation is for you. God willing, this trip is being planned for the summer of 2004 for about two to three Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

weeks. If this interests you, write a letter or email to the editors to let them know, and if you want to get in touch with other young people interested in going, we will give you their email addresses (e.g. the Toronto youth). For organizational reasons, please reply as soon as possible, and come because it will be fun!! Remember: “The door into the Czech Republic is wide open. God desires that all people be redeemed. God is capable of bringing the whole Czech nation unto Himself as He did during the time of John Hus. But remember that God uses His missionaries to bring about a great awakening. Are you still ready to become God’s ambassadors? It is risky but highly rewarding.” (Dr. Josef Solc, Doing Missions in the Post-Communist Czech Republic) o

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Fireflies Jan Karafiát Part 3

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utumn had come. The days grew shorter and darker, the nights longer and colder, and the Fireflies knew that very soon they would be unable to fly about. But father had promised Godfather that he and mother and Lucius would come and pay them one last visit before the cold weather began. “We will go tomorrow,” he said, “in case winter sets in suddenly.” And so it was decided that they should come the very next day as soon as breakfast was over. You should have seen the welcome they received, the kissing and hugging. Lucius kissed Godfather’s and Godmother’s hands. But there was yet someone else. Godmother took Lucius by the hand and said, “Lucius, this is Jeanine—come here and kiss her hand.” Lucius did and at once hid behind his mother. Then they all gathered round the fire and everyone started talking. But Godmother got up and went out into the hall. Lucius followed her, “I wonder what there is in the cupboard today, Godmother?” “Well, Lucius, there are some cheese and poppy-seed cakes,” said Godmother. She already carried a plateful of them and everybody took a cake. Lucius wanted to try the cheese one, too. And so he did and they all went on talking. But Lucius wasn’t feeling very happy. He called to Lucinda to come and sit next to him. “I want to ask you something,” he whispered aloud, “who is Jeanine?” “Well, she’s just Jeanine.” “But whom does she belong to?” “She doesn’t belong to anyone. She belongs to herself.” “But hasn’t she got a father and a baby-firefly?” “No, she lives all by herself.” “Where?” “Over the wood, where all that lovely heather is. She has a pretty little house tucked away in the moss.” “But she keeps looking at me.” “Don’t be silly. She’s so kind. You remember that honey? Well, it was Jeanine who gave us that.” “But she keeps on…” Lucius got no further for Godmother called Lucinda to come out into the hall with her. Lucius hurried after them. “Oh, Godmother,” he said, “is there something more in the cupboard?” “Oh yes, I should think so. Why, this is the very last time you're visiting us this year. We shan’t see you again till next summer.” “Do tell me what it is.” “Just wait a minute. Won’t you be surprised! Come along, you can help us to bring it in.” Lucius was only too delighted to be allowed to help. But this time they did not go to the cupboard, but to the little larder which was at the back. Oh, what a lovely big purple grape was lying there. Godmother and Lucinda carried it carefully into the room, and Lucius lent a hand too.

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“Put it down on the table,” said Godfather, “then I can handle it.” He had a tiny tap, and with a little hammer he knocked off the bit of stalk and neatly put the tap in its place. Godmother held a crystal goblet beneath it while he turned it. Juice came running out, red and sparkling. Lucius’ mother had the first drink, then Jeanine, then Godmother. After her came father and Godfather. Lucius and Lucinda also had a little sip, just a tiny one. How sweet it was! But a little strong, they agreed. So Godmother sent Lucinda out with a jug to get some dew from the meadow. Lucinda ran off and was back soon. Then Godfather pulled the table nearer to the fireplace, filled the glass half with juice and half with dew and it was handed round again, while they sat and talked. Godfather told them of an adventure he had had not very long after he and Godmother were married. He had started off one evening just after the sun had gone down, and had been busy all night giving people light. But just as he was setting out for home at day break, a great woodpecker suddenly appeared from among some trees and started chasing him. Poor Godfather was terribly frightened. He thought his last moment had come and that he was going to be swallowed up alive; but he kept his wits. Swift as lightning he made straight for a beech tree; swift as lightning the woodpecker was after him. Godfather squeezed himself into a crack in the bark. The woodpecker dug his beak into the crack. Godfather was shaking all over with fright and his hair stood on end. What would become of his little wife if anything should happen to him? He pushed his way further and further into the crevice, and the woodpecker pushed in his beak deeper and deeper after him. But in the end he could not get it any further in. Then he flew away. Godfather waited for a while and then crept slowly out of the crack. Very slowly, very cautiously he came out, keeping watch all the while in case the woodpecker should be waiting for him close by. But he had disappeared, and Godfather flew off home. The sun was high in the heavens by the time he got back. All this time Godmother had been running and flying about, crying and asking everybody she met whether they had seen or heard anything of her husband. But no one was able to give her any news of him. At last she went to see Jeanine’s father. He wasn’t able to tell her anything about Godfather either, but he comforted her by saying that Godfather had always been obedient and that God takes care of all obedient fireflies. And if something bad happened to them it was God’s will and she should not cry. “Go home, dear, and try to wait patiently,” said Jeanine's father. So Godmother started off home; and whom should she meet on her way but Godfather himself coming to meet her? You can imagine how happy they both were. Everybody was glad that the story had such a happy ending. But little Lucinda began to cry. Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

“What’s the matter?” Lucius asked her. “Supposing the woodpecker had swallowed daddy up,” sobbed Lucinda. “But he didn’t,” said Lucius and Godfather added, “Why, you weren’t even born then.” “I don’t see what difference that makes,” Lucinda went on sobbing. And now it was father’s turn to tell a story. He told them how, when he was quite young, Jeanine’s father used to take him and Godfather out flying, showing them where to go and how to find their way about, and how they listened to all he told them and learnt many things from him. And how one day, when they were flying on their own, Jeanine’s father joined them. “Come with me, boys, I’ll take you somewhere,” he said. “But you must promise to be quiet and behave yourselves.” They said they would very much like to go. So off they all flew together. On and on they went till they came to a big town with beautiful gardens. At the end of it they came to a big and beautiful building with its own garden. It had large windows and a great door even bigger than the windows. Light flooded out through both windows and the door stood wide open, and through it crowds of people went streaming in; young and old, boys and girls. “We will not go in through the door,” said Jeanine’s father; “I can see an open window on this side; we’ll go in there.” They flew in at the window and settled down on the ledge. From there they could see all that was going on inside. From the high ceiling hung three great chandeliers, shining brightly. Down on the floor there were rows of pews. Those coming in stood quietly for a few moments before sitting down. Everybody had brought two books and opened one of them. And then one man got up on a kind of scaffolding and all began to sing. It was so beautiful. After finishing their song, all got up and the man on the scaffolding began to pray, saying that they were disobedient people with no courage. He asked God to forgive them for the sake of his beloved Son and bless them in his Spirit. Then he opened a big book on the little table in front of him and read aloud about a handful of people and how small they were and yet, they should not be afraid. Then, when they all sat down again, he was telling them that anyone who fears God doesn’t have to be afraid of anyone else, and what is more, mustn’t be afraid, because the Lord God doesn’t want him to. Then they were praying and singing again and as they left they put something on a plate at the door and it tinkled. “Wasn’t it beautiful, boys,” said Jeanine’s father. “But now we have to make up for lost time and shine.” And off they went shining. After that they quite often went back and it was there that they learned the little prayer that they always said at bedtime: Underneath your sheltering wings, Take, we pray, all living things. Watch us all from heaven above, God of mercy, God of love. Lucius was enjoying the stories and talk very much, only he felt a little uncomfortable because Jeanine seemed to be watching him. And now she came over and spoke to him. “And when are you going to start flying in earnest, Lucius?” she asked. She said it so kindly and smiled so sweetly that Lucius

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

stopped feeling uncomfortable at once. “Oh, quite soon,” he said. “Yes, I expect it won’t be very long now. You’re getting so big and strong. If only you’re obedient enough! I wonder, Lucius. I’d love to come and see you start off on your first flight. May I?” Lucius promised that she should be invited, and his mother smiled and said that perhaps it would be on Midsummer night next year. And so it was all settled. And now everybody got ready to depart, for the time had come to say goodbye for a long time. “Oh, the winter is coming again,” complained mother. But Godfather comforted her. “God willing, the summer will come here again and then we shall all meet once more.” Then everybody said “Goodbye, and God bless you” and the guests set off for home. It seemed suddenly to have turned colder, and they did not linger on the way. Jeanine flew off to the heather near the wood, Lucius and his parents made for the bank under the juniper tree. When they were half-way across the meadow Lucius looked back. Jeanine had already disappeared; Godfather and Lucinda were standing at the door of their cottage under the oak tree, looking after them. “Goodbye, goodbye till next summer,” called out Lucius, and they saw

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Attention! Attention!

Firefly! Do you children enjoy the stories about Lucius? Surely you can imagine what the little firefly looked like. We know that it had wings so that it could fly and he certainly had little legs so that he could crawl. He also needed a lamp with which to light his way. You know what kids? Draw a picture of Lucius, and send your picture to the publishing office. We would like to know what you think he looks like. The story about Lucius is very long, so we will publish it in short episodes that will be continued in every issue. We will gladly illustrate your picture of Lucius in our magazine. Don’t wait! Pick your pencil or crayons up now and draw! You can even paint Lucius if you want to. Send your picture as soon as possible because we are preparing the next issue of Glorious Hope and we need your picture in it!

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Brouèci Jan Karafiát 3. Èást

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yl podzim. Svìtla ubývalo a zimy pøibývalo, a tak brouèci že už nikam nepoletí. Jenom musel tatínek kmotøíèkovi slíbit, že se k nim pøijde s maminkou a s Brouèkem ještì jednou podívat, a to hned zejtra, døív než udeøí zima. A tak druhý den po snídani, že pùjdou ku kmotøièce. A šli, Však už na nì èekali. Dávali si po hubièce, a Brouèek líbal ruku. Ale byl tam ještì nìkdo, Kmotøièka vzala Brouèka za ruku. „Pojï, Brouèku, polib také tadyhle Janince ruku.” A Brouèek políbil, honem se však schoval za maminku. Sedli kolem kamen a zaèali si povídat. Ale kmotøièka šla do sínì k almaøe, a Brouèek za ní. „Kmotøièko, co pak máte?” „I, Brouèku, pekli jsme koláèe s tvarohem a s mákem. “A už jich nesla kmotøièka plný talíø, a každý si jeden vzal, a Brouèek, že zkusí také ještì jeden tvarohový. A vzal si také jeden tvarohový, a sedìli kolem kamen a povídali si. Ale Brouèkovi se to jaksi nehezky sedìla, „Pojï sem, Beruško, já ti nìco povím.” A Beruška šla, a Brouèek jí šeptal nahlas do ucha: „Poslouchej, kdo pak to jest ta Janinka?” „I, to jest Janinka.” „Èí pak ona jest?” „I, ona není nièí, ona jest sama svá.” „A co pak nemá žádného brouèka a tatínka?” „Ne, ona jest sama.” „A kde pak zùstává?” „Pane, tam u lesa ve vøase. Takovou má krásnou chaloupku z mechu.” „Ale když se poøád tak moc na mne dívá.” „I jdi hloupý. Vždy ona jest hodná. Víš ten med ten jsme dostali od ní.” „Ale když ona…" “ Tu však volala kmotøièka Berušku. Šly do sínì, a Brouèek honem za nima. „Kmotøièko, vy ještì nìco máte?” „Mám. Vždy už jste zde letos naposledy. Až zas v letì.” „Co pak máte?” „Poèkej, to se podivíš. Pojï, pomùžeš nám.” A Brouèek že pomùže. A šli, ale ne do almary. Tam do zadu na dvùr mìli ještì komoru, a v té komoøe—ó, tam mìla kmotøièka stát celé zrnko vína, tak jak se z hroznu utrhlo, takové krásné modré, až do èervena. A teï se ho kmotøièka s Beruškou chopily a nesly je celé, tak jak bylo, do svìtnice, a Brouèek jim pomáhal. „Postavte je tadyhle na stùl, to bude nejlepší,” radil kmotøíèek. Kohoutek už mìl na pohotovì, vzal ještì kladiveèko, vyrazil stopku, nasadil kohoutek, a kmotøièka už držela køišálový koflíèek, aby do nìho kmotøíèek natoèil. A kmotøíèek do nìho natoèil, až se to rdìlo a

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pøímo vyskakovalo. A teï si zavdala nejdøív maminka, pak Janinka, potom kmotøièka, po ní tatínek, pak kmotøíèek, a Brouèkovi a Berušce také dali, ale jenom líznout. A všickni si to velmi velice chválili, takové to bylo sladké! Jenom se jim to zdálo být moc silné. A tak kmotøièka: „Beruško, honem skoè na palouk se džbánem pro rosu.” A Beruška honem skoèila na palouk se džbánem pro rosu. Kmotøíèek pøitáhl stùl blíž ke kamnùm, natoèil do koflíèku vína jen do polovic, dolil rosou a podával kolem. A tak si sedìli a povídali: Jak jednou bylo s kmotøíèkem zle. Bylo to brzy po tom, když se s kmotøièkou sebrali. Vyletìl hned po slunce západu, celou noc pìknì svítil, a když už k ránu letìl zas domù, tu se najednou objevila taková velikánská žluna a už už ho chtìla za živa spolknout. Kmotøíèek se náramnì lekl, ale honem se vzpamatoval, a frrr na buk, ale žluna hrrr za ním. A tak kmotøíèek honem do skuliny, ale žluna zobákem hned za ním, a že byla díra malá, už ji zobákem tesala. Kmotøíèek se strachem celý tøásl, a vlasy mu vstávaly. „Co by si jen ta kmotøièka doma poèala, kdyby takhle!” a zalízal do skuliny dál a dál, ale žluna také zobákem dál a dál, až už dál nemohla a kmotøíèka nechala. A kmotøíèek chvíli ještì èekal a pak pomalounku vylízal. Ale opatrnì a dobøe se ohlížel, jestli tam žluna nìkde nesedí. Ale nesedìla, a tak letìl kmotøíèek honem domù. Slunce už bylo vysoko na nebi, a kmotøièka byla celá polekána. Volala a plakala, lítala a bìhala, dívala a ptala se, ale nikde nic, o kmotøíèkovi nikdo nevìdìl. Až zabìhla k Janinèinu tatínkovi. A on také nic nevìdìl, ale jen aby prý kmotøièka nic neplakala, kmotøíèek že býval poslušný, a poslušné brouèky že má Pán Bùh na starosti, tak že se jim nemùže nic stát, a i když se jim nìco stane, že jest to tak dobøe, že to Pán Bùh tak chtìl, a že nesluší brouèkùm moc plakat a naøíkat. Aby jen šla kmotøièka domù a pìknì èekala. A kmotøièka šla domù, a když jde, tu jí pøichází kmotøíèek naproti. To mìla radost! A tak si to povídali a byli rádi, že už jest to pryè, Ale Beruška se dala pøi tom do pláèe. „Co pak ti jest?” ptal se jí Brouèek. „I, kdyby mnì byla ta žluna tatínka sežrala!” „Ale vždy ti ho nesežrala,” A kmotøíèek k tomu doložil: „Milá Beruško, tenkrát jsme tì ještì ani nemìli.” Ale Beruška, že nech, a vzlykala pøece. A teï vypravoval tatínek: Když kmotøíèek a tatínek byli ještì; hoši a mìli poprvé letìt, že je vzal Janinèin tatínek s sebou, ukazoval jim cestu a povídal jim, co kdy a jak. A oni se tomu pìknì od

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

nìho nauèili. A jednou, když už sami lítali, pøidal se k nim Janinèin tatínek a povídal: „Pojïte, hoši, já vás nìkam zavedu. Ale musíte být tiší a dávat pozor.” A oni že ano. A letìli a letìli, až pøiletìli k takovému krásnému mìstu. Kolem byly krásné zahrady, a tam, už skoro za mìstem, v jedné té zahradì u cesty stál veliký krásný dùm okna náramnì veliká a dvéøe ještì mnohem vìtší. A ta okna byla plna svìtla, a ty dvéøe byly dokoøán otevøeny, a do tìch dveøí vcházeli poøád lidé, staøí i mladí, hoši i holky. A Janinèin tatínek povídal: „Pojïte, hoši, nepoletíme tam dveømi. Tamhle jest kousek okna otevøeno.” A vletìli tam oknem, sedli si dole na rámec a dívali se. Od stropu dolù visely tøi velikánské svícny a krásnì svítily. Dole na zemi bylo plno lavic. Když kdo pøišel, vkroèil do lavice, zùstal chvilku stát, díval se do klobouku a pak si pìknì sedl; mìl s sebou pod paží dvì knihy a tu jednu si otevøel. Až tu jeden z nich vystoupil na takové lešeníèko, kde byl malý stoleèek, a že budou zpívat. A zaèali zpívat a tak krásnì zpívali. A když dozpívali, vstali, a ten na tom lešeníèku poèal se modlit: že jsou nestateèní lidièkové, a že byli nepošlušní, aby jim to Pán Bùh odpustil pro milého Syna svého, a svým Duchem aby je posvìtil. Potom otevøel tam na stoleèku velikánskou knihu, a èetl z ní o hrstce a o èervíèkovi, a že aby se nebál. A když si zas sedli, tu jim pìknì vypravoval, když nìkdo se bojí Pána Boha, že se nemusí nikoho bát, ba že ani nesmí, protože to Pán Bùh nechce. Pak se zas modlili, a zas zpívali, a když už vycházeli, dávali u dveøí nìco na talíø, až to cinkalo. „ Viïte, hoši, to to bylo hezké,” povídal Janinèin tatínek. „Ale teï musíme zase honem svítit, abychom to dohonili.” A tak honem svítili, A od té doby tam tatínek s kmotøíèkem èasto byli, a té modlitbièce, kterou se vždy pøed spaním modlí, se tam nauèili, Oni ji tam zpívávali: Pod veèer tvá èeládka, Co k slepici kuøátka, K ochranì tvé hledíme, Laskavý Hospodine. A tak si povídali, a Brouèkovi se to líbilo. Jenom že se Janinka tak moc na nìj dívala. Jaksi se jí jakoby bál. A tu ona se k nìmu obrátí: „Nu, Brouèku, kdy pak ty poletíš?” A že mu to tak pìknì øekla, a hezky se na nìho usmívala, tak on se už tak moc nebál. „Ó brzy.” „I už budeš pomalu dost velký. Jen jestli umíš dost poslouchat! Uvidíme. Ale snad mne pozveš, až ponejprv poletíš, abychom tì vyprovodili?” A Brouèek že pozve, a maminka k tomu s radostí doložila, že už to snad bude o pøíštím svatém Janì. A pøi tom zùstalo. Už vstávali a strojili se k odchodu. „Ach, zas ta zima!” naøíkala maminka. „I dá Pán Bùh, bude zas léto, a zas se uvidíme,” tìšila ji kmotøièka. A poèalo louèení. Pìknì se líbali a Pánu Bohu porouèeli. Už bylo skoro chladno, a tak spìchali. Janinka tam k lesu do vøasy. Brouèek s tatínkem a s maminkou tam do stránì pod jalovec. Už byli v prostøed palouku, když se Brouèek ještì jednou ohlídl. Janinka už byla pryè; kmotøíèek a Beruška stáli pøed chaloupkou pod dubem, a dívali se za nimi. „S Pánem Bohem, kmotøièko, až zas v letì,” zkøikl Brouèek. A už je nebylo vidìt. Už cestou povídal tatínek: „Ne, není co odkládat. Mohla by najednou udeøit zima, a bylo by s námi zle. Musíme se hned dát do práce.” A hned se dali do práce. Nejdøív, aby mìla maminka na zimu všechno pohotovì. A tak jí pøenesli z komory všecko do

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

kuchyòky, hrách a kroupy a jáhle a krupici a mouku, také trošku èoèky, a pak ještì jiskøièku másla. Na to hned se pustili do døíví. Mìli je tam na dvorku pìknì vyrovnané na výsluní. A tak je nanesli do kuchyòky, co se tam jen vešlo, a k tomu ještì plnou síò, až po samé dvéøe. Pak vylezl tatínek po žebøíèku vikýøem na hùru. Tam bylo plno suchouèkého drobného mechu. Tím strop pìknì ukryl, aby jim nebylo od shury zima, ostatek pak sházel dolù, a dvíøka od vikýøe radìji pøibil. Vloni jim je vítr vyrazil, a divže celou støechu neroztrhal. Ještì štìstí, že nebyla tak zlá zima. A teï chodili kolem chaloupky, a kde byla jaká skulinka, dobøe ji ucpali, tak že nemohlo nikde ani profouknout. Pak zavøeli dvéøe na petlici, zastrèili špejlek, a celé dvéøe zarovnali døívím, aby jim v síni nezavazelo. Naposledy po všem vycpali mechem okna, jak v kuchyòce, tak ve svìtnici, a dobøe je prkénkem zabednili. Svìtla mìli dost a dost. A teï a si tøeba mrzne! Však ono už venku burácelo. Tak se jen ještì pomodlili: Pod veèer tvá èeládka, Co k slepici kuøátka, K ochranì tvé hledíme, Laskavý Hospodine, pac a pusu, „Pán Bùh s námi a zlý pryè,” a lehli a spali a spali a spali. Pøetištìno s povolením o

Kresby: Daniel Kulich a Nicole Malek

Pozor! Pozor!

Brouèek! Líbí se vám vyprávìní o Brouèkovi, dìti? Jistì si umíte pøedstavit, jak o takový malý Brouèek vypadal. Víme, že mìl køidélka, aby mohl létat. Urèitì mìl nožky, aby mohl lézt. Potøeboval také svìtélko, aby mohl svítit. Víte co, dìti? Nakreslete Brouèka tak, jak si myslíte, že vypadal a pošlete obrázek do redakce. Rádi bychom vìdìli, jak si Brouèka pøedstavujete. Vyprávìní o Brouèkovi je velmi dlouhé, budeme Brouèkova dobrodružství otiskovat na pokraèování. Vaše obrázky s radostí použijeme pro ilustraci. Neèekejte, vezmìte si tužku nebo pastelky a kreslete! Mùžete použít i barvy a Brouèka namalovat. Pošlete obrázek, co nejdøíve, protože pøipravujeme další èást a možná vᚠobrázek bude právì ten nejvhodnìjší!

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hose of you who live in northern climates know that this winter was no breeze. Southern New England, where I live, got belted any number of times. We can hardly remember a weather forecast predicting just a “dusting of snow.” We’ve been dealing this year with cascading white and blizzards. Recently I had to go out and liberate my mailbox so that the postal carrier could see it once again and resume deliveries. Let me give you one day in the life of this winter. It was February 17th, a holiday known as Presidents’ Day in the U.S. I was minding my own business, trying to stay out of trouble, doing the work of home, employment, and feeble promotion of the Kingdom of God, when “what to my wondering eyes should appear” but 19 inches of snowfall, to say nothing of drifts built by winds like those of Antarctica. Just a couple towns over on that day the statistic was 24 inches; a couple states away it was 30–40 inches. Are you getting a picture? The winter of ’03 wasn’t child’s play or a mere whistling of “Dixie.” Most of the evening of February 17th I spent with shovel in hand and steering the snow thrower. It took forever to do the driveway, the long walkways of our corner lot, and some of the neighbor’s property. The worst part was the bottom of the driveway, where town’s responsibility for street and my responsibility for personal property meet. Here, across an expanse of perhaps ten or twelve feet, is where winter’s real battles always take place. The homeowner shovels and clears until this area is spotlessly clean for unhindered ingress/egress of vehicles tucked in the garage. And, inevitably, within twenty minutes of completing that job, a huge city snowplow rounds the corner and deposits from its road scraping a wall of packed snow and ice rocks approximately the size of the Appalachian Mountains. This, in precisely the spot you have just spent the previous hour and a half clearing. So the digging begins all over again. Bit by bit the blockage comes down, and the precious span is once more cleared. You, deservingly, go indoors to the refreshment of a night of sweet sleep, slightly troubled all night long, though, by subconscious imagination that the snow plow is returning and returning. And guess what? It did. In the morning, no evidence down there at the end of the driveway that any personal effort in the least had been put into clearing snow buildup within the last thirty days. At this point one learns the experience of Jesus’ disciple Peter, who asked the Lord, “Must I forgive (and shovel) as many times as seven?” “Forget it! Seventy times seven!” Brothers and sisters, in many ways life is an errand of turning chaos into order. Sometimes, toward that end, exactly the same effort must be retaken, because results were not what they should have been the first, second, third, fifth, or tenth times around. Look, this is for sure: God gave no guarantee that our efforts to bring about things worthwhile, constructive, and corrective in life will be frustration-free. What God did do was call us to faithfulness in tasks of seeing to improvement in family, church, community and world, in trying to rework these things, and ourselves, into closer and closer conformity with the patterns of Christ. Our job: disorder into order; chaos into straightening.

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At the beginning of human time God gave the mandate, “tend the Garden;” keep things on track. Even if it takes the sweat of brow, bring order—whatever your time on earth, wherever your hand may fall. In the age we are now living, sin overruns just about everything. It messes up so much of God’s good creation. We face a world coming apart at the seams—so much that is unraveling. In view of that, these days should be ones of excitement for us over the calling and opportunities we have to make a difference in the world. Remember, Jesus specifically prayed that the Father would not take his followers out of the world. We know the mind of God and the will of the Lord to redeem and renew all things, make them right again. And unless I have totally misread the Scriptures, we folk of humble means and abilities (but followers of Christ) are to be doing things in ways little and large to restore, reorganize, and bring hope back into the picture of human experience as God gives us the strength. We do so in faith, never by our own wits or wisdom. No matter how many times you may have gone after that job, there is more to clean up and/or clear away. So much that is in disarray. Work at it while still you have the light of day. “Work, for the Night Is Coming,” when no one any longer will be able to undertake anything for the sake of their God. Order out of chaos—wherever you can. Get the snow shovel out; here comes the plow again! Robert Dvorak

o

Fireflies … Continues from page 16 because the year before the wind had forced it open and had nearly blown off the roof, too. Fortunately it had not been a very hard winter. After this they went round the cottage, filling up every little hole and crevice so that no cold could come in. Then they bolted the door, locked it and piled the wood up against it. And when all this had been done they covered up the windows with moss, in both the kitchen and the parlour, and put boards over them. You see, fireflies don’t need to worry about lack of light! Already the wind was rising outside. But now it could freeze as hard as it liked—they were safe and snug in their little home. They said their bed-time prayer: Underneath your sheltering wings, Take, we pray, all living things. Watch us all from heaven above, God of mercy, God of love. They kissed one another saying, “May God guard us from all harm,” and went to bed. And they slept—and they slept—and they slept… Reprinted with permission o

Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

Loneliness

Osamocenost

Natasha Legierski

Nataša Legierská

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oneliness is a state in which we can easily find ourselves. It comes, as a rule, when we least need it. We feel loneliness most when we are going through a hard time, through the trials and tribulations of life, or following the loss of a loved one. Loneliness can surprise us, or even downright ambush us. In the case of a mother who has brought up her children, it may come from dealing with feeling unneeded in the second half of life. A person can feel lonely even when surrounded by people. Loneliness is not picky; it visits us all. How can we handle loneliness? We have several options. In every case it is dependent on the characteristics of the individual. While some may experience self-pity and close themselves off more, others may call attention to themselves with profuse talk about their illnesses, their feelings, and past experiences. In both cases, the individual is gradually isolated from society. Lonely people often become unbearable to people around them, and the feeling of loneliness only grows. Other people seek escape through increased activity. They keep themselves busy so they do not feel lonely. This approach seems to derive from the unwillingness of people to admit they are lonely. Too much activity can lead to overwork and various other problems. Loneliness will appear again, which is what the person is actually running from. So what is the solution? The reality is that people cannot face up to loneliness alone. Focusing on self in any way will not bring a solution or self-satisfaction. Order in life comes from deference to God’s leading and from focusing not inward but upward and outward. The view upward is fixed on the Lord Jesus, who on the cross experienced the most extreme loneliness. The view outward allows us to see other people, our loved ones. It enables us to listen without overbearing criticisms, to be perceptive to other people’s needs, and to see others through the eyes of Jesus. The prerequisite is regular fellowship with the Lord. This brings equanimity to our life’s journey, a journey that can often be so bitter. It is easier to write about loneliness than to actually face it. The fight against loneliness is a fight against something fundamental to people. It can lead to God or away from Him. It is up to us which. Commitment cannot be made without hope. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.…Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.…Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:10–12, 15,17–18, NKJV). There is a deep blessing and fulfillment in this for our earthly lives. Our Lord equipped women with an unique degree of awareness. Let us be grateful for this privilege! o Glorious Hope • Slavná nadìje • January–February 2003

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samocenost je stav, ve kterém se èlovìk ocitne velice snadno. Pøichází zpravidla tehdy, kdy ji nejménì potøebujeme. Osamocenost pociujeme nejvíce, když procházíme tìžkým obdobím, životními zkouškami nebo pøi ztrátì blízkého èlovìka. Osamocenost nás pøekvapí nìkdy pøímo zaskoèí .V pøípadì matky, která odchovala své dìti, se jedná o vyrovnání se s pocitem nepotøebnosti v druhé èásti života. Èlovìk se mùže cítit osamìlý, i když je obklopen spoleèností. Osamìlost si nevybírá. Navštíví každého. Jak se s pocitem osamìlosti vypoøádat? Nabízí se nám nìkolik možností. V každém pøípadì záleží na osobnosti èlovìka, jeho individualitì a povahových zvláštnostech. Zatímco se jeden èlovìk lituje a uzavírá se více do sebe, druhý èlovìk na sebe upozoròuje pøílišným mluvením o své osobì, svých nemocech, pocitech nebo zážitcích z minulosti. Oba pøípady vedou k postupné izolaci od spoleènosti, k uzavírání se do vlastního svìta. Èlovìk se stává pro spoleènost nesnesitelný a pocit osamìlosti se jenom stupòuje. Další èlovìk, hledá únik zvýšenou aktivitou. Zamìstná se, aby necítil samotu. Zdá se, že tento pøístup pramení s neochoty èlovìka pøiznat si stav osamocenoti. Pøíliš mnoho èinnosti vede k pøepracovanosti a dalším rùzným problémùm. Opìt se dostaví osamocenost, pøed kterou èlovìk vlastnì utíká. Jaké je tedy øešení? Skuteèností je, že èlovìk není schopen èelit osamocenosti sám. Zamìøení se sama na sebe jakýmkoliv zpùsobem nepøinese øešení ani sebeuspokojení. Øád a poøádek v životì vyplývá z podøízenosti se Božímu vedení a zamìøení pohledu ne dovnitø, ale ven a vzhùru. Pohled vzhùru je pohled upøený na Pána Ježíše, který na køíži prožil nejvyšší stupeò osamocenosti. Pohled smìrem ven nám dovoluje vidìt druhého èlovìka, bližního. Umìt mu naslouchat bez povýšené kritiky, být vnímavý a citlivý na jeho potøeby, vidìt ho oèima Pána Ježíše. Pøedpokladem ovšem je pravidelné obecenství s Pánem Bohem. To pøináší vyrovnanost poutí životem, který je mnohdy tak krutý. Snadnìji se na toto téma píše, než se èelí osamocenosti. Boj s osamoceností je boj proti podstatì èlovìèenství. Mùže vést k Pánu Bohu nebo od Nìho. Na nás záleží, který to bude smìr. Závazek èi odevzdání se nemùže uskuteènit bez nadìje. „Bratrskou láskou srdeènì milujte jedni druhé, vzájemnì se pøedcházejte uctivostí, v pilnosti nepolevujte, buïte vroucí duchem, služte Pánu, v nadìji se radujte, v souženích buïte trpìliví, v modlitbì vytrvalí.…Radujte se s radujícími a plaète s plaèícími. Nikomu neodplácejte zlo zlem. Opatrujte dobré pøede všemi lidmi. Je-li to možné, pokud je na vás, mìjte se všemi lidmi pokoj.“ (Øímanùm 12; 10–12, 15, 17–18, Nová Bible Kralická) V tom spoèívá hluboké požehnání a plnost pozemského života. Pán Bùh vybavil ženy zvláštním stupnìm vnímavosti. Buïme Mu o vdìèné za tuto výsadu!

Ladies’ Contribution: see Donation on page 15

Change

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