fellowship Xp

2011-04-23T10:39:00.002-04:00

God's love endures forever

by Tom Holladay

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.To him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-4 (NIV)

At the end of a Passover meal, they sang a hymn. They sang the same hymn at the end of every Passover meal and they've done it for thousands of years. It is Psalm 136.

The disciples sang this with Jesus. One of the Gospels says they sang a hymn and they went out. We know what hymn they sang because this the one you sing at the end of a Passover meal.
They sang, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of Lord's, his love endures forever. To him who alone does great wonders, his love endures forever.”

As we celebrate the fact the Jesus sets us free, let's, say this as a prayer to him:

You left your throne in heaven,

Your love endures forever.

You lived a perfect sinless life,

our love endures forever.

You endured the humiliation of a trial,

Your love endures forever.

You went to a cross and willingly died,

Your love endures forever.

You were in the grave for three days,

Your love endures forever.

And on the third day you rose again,

Your love endures forever.

The celebration in heaven is going to be an amazing thing and Jesus invites you to be a part of it. How does that happen? You accept the gift that he's given you, the gift of forgiveness and life.

2011-02-19T08:13:00.001-05:00

Jesus Teaches Unforced Rhythms of Grace by Jon Walker

“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG)

"Where we have been loyal to many things, we become loyal to one: Jesus Christ, our Lord."
Jesus calls us to a level of intimacy that can only be sustained by his constant presence in our lives. As Pastor Rick has been teaching us, we can’t see Christianity is an add-on philosophy to a life we’ve mapped out for ourselves.

Instead, we must see our relationship with Jesus like the man who finds hidden treasure in a field. He reprioritizes his whole life because nothing is as important as buying that field.

We must become like the shopkeeper who finds a rare pearl and realizes everything else he has is unimportant compared to the pearl -- and so he never looks back to the lesser things that once demanded his attention (Matthew 13:44-50). Where we have been loyal to many things, we become loyal to one thing: the person, Jesus Christ.

As Pastor Geoff taught us, when we begin to see things through the eyes of Jesus, our lives are radically changed. Suddenly, we see a cranky spouse as an eternal being we’re called to love. We’ll see an annoying neighbor as someone who matters to Jesus. And that co-worker who seems to have a unique ability to push every one of your buttons, Jesus loves him/her just as much as he loves you.

Jesus uses them to call you into a deeper relationship with him. “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” This is how we learn to be like Christ: “Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

2011-01-01T09:16:00.000-05:00

You Need God's Power to Change by Rick Warren

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? Romans 7:24 (MSG)

"The very fact that God sent a Savior means you need one."

Have you figured out yet that a lot of times you are your own worst enemy? It's your own reactions, your own fears, your own inadequacies that cause you to act in foolish ways. I know that's true for me.

I need to be saved from myself because there are things I don't like about me - things I wish I had done differently, things I'd like to change. But I can't change them, not on my own power. I need an outside power source.

You may be saying, "I can change." I hate to say this, but you can't. Every year about this time, we make a list of New Year's resolutions. But, by the end of January, that list will be in the dumpster. Why? Because you can't change on your own; you need God's power. You need a Savior, someone who can make the changes you can't make yourself.

Let me make an important point here: God never wastes energy. He doesn't waste effort on things that are unnecessary. In other words, if you didn't need a Savior, he wouldn't have sent one. The very fact that God sent a Savior means you need one.

The truth is, if you are honest about it, sometimes you feel like your life is out of control. That's a pretty common feeling. Welcome to the human race!

The apostle Paul felt that way 2,000 years ago. Paul says this in the Bible: "I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does" (Romans 7:24-25 MSG).That's the answer!

You may be looking for salvation in the wrong places, that's why you're frustrated. You're looking for that one thing that's going to give you fulfillment and meaning and peace in life.
Some of us think that if we could just get married, or if we could just get a certain job, or a promotion, or attain a certain level of wealth, or have a baby - or if our babies would grow up and graduate! - things would be great.

You're looking in the wrong places. The answer is not in a place. It's not in a program or a pill. The answer is a person: Jesus Christ. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life is never going to make sense.

2010-12-29T08:41:00.001-05:00

Getting Past Our Human Nature
by Jon Walker

But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:33
When Jesus calls you, he expects you to begin thinking like him. This isn’t as impossible as it sounds because the Apostle Paul says you have been given the mind of Christ: “‘Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV)

The issue is in accessing the mind of Christ as you mediate upon God’s Word and listen to the Holy Spirit, who is your guide into all truth (John 16:13). If you imagine discipleship as a physical journey, then you can easily see that the more time you spend with Jesus, the more you will begin to understand his way of thinking.

As you walk with him day in and day out, you will become intimate with his likes and dislikes; you will see what he sees and hear what he hears. You will know what he cares about and you will know what he considers insignificant, petty, or distracting. You will witness how he responds to problems, expectations, and laughter, and you will learn what he thinks about your future.
All of this will teach you to think from God’s perspective, to engage the mind of Christ available to you through the Holy Sprit.

The Apostle Peter shows how this transformation takes place. As he follows Jesus, he begins to submit his mind to the Father and that changes his perspective. He begins to see things as they appear inside the kingdom of heaven.

In other words, Peter begins to clearly see reality and he is able to see the truth that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus says, “For this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)

2010-12-24T10:23:00.001-05:00

Christmas: God Is for You by Rick Warren

But the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 (NLT)

"And if God is for us, who can be against us?"

Knowing God is for you will change your whole perspective on life. You'll stop thinking of God as someone looking down from heaven, ready to yell, "Gotcha!" anytime you mess up.
Instead, you'll realize God loves you; God is with you; and God is for you! God is for your success in life; he created you for a purpose and he wants you to succeed. It is God, your Creator, who will measure your success in life, and no one else.

This is extremely good news!

It means you don't need to be afraid of God because God is for you. Yet, some people are so afraid of God they get nervous just talking about him. Do you know why? They feel guilty, and then they start thinking, "If I get close to God, he's going to lecture me. He's going to remind me of all the things I've done wrong, and then I'll feel even worse!"

Nothing could be further from the truth of God. Jesus said, "I did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it." In effect, Jesus is saying, "I didn't come to scold you, I came to save you."

And if God is for us, who can be against us?

Jesus came to save us, not to scare us. That's why when the angel was telling the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, the first thing he says is: "Don't be afraid!"

In fact, when God sends a message to people in the Bible, it's not unusual for the first words to be: "Don't be afraid." There are 365 messages from God in the Bible that begin with a phrase like, "Fear not!" In other words, every single day of the year you can read a message from God that says, in effect, "You don't need to be afraid. I am for you; I am with you; I love you."

We celebrate Christmas because of this good news from God!

2010-08-06T06:50:00.002-04:00

The Jesus-Deposit

by Jon Walker

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers. 1 Thessalonians 1:6–7 (NIV)

— — —

Think of it this way: the Great Commission is so vast, and your role is so critical, that God needs you to be in thousands of places at once. Now, you know that’s humanly impossible and, as for the supernatural, God’s not likely to defy his laws of nature to drop you into several different places at one time.

But God’s strategy is so simple we might call it common sense.

He puts a Jesus-deposit in you, and then guides you with his supernatural strength to just the right places at just the right time to meet just the right people so you can teach them how to become living, breathing examples of Jesus.

God places Jesus-life in you, and then you tell and teach others so they can receive Jesus-life from God also. And then, they tell and teach others, who tell and teach others, who tell and teach others. In this sense, you’re now simultaneously all over the globe because “Christ in you” is now “Christ in others.”

This is how the early church grew. The first Jesus-ones received the deposit of the Holy Spirit and then became models to all the believers—their faith in God becoming known everywhere (1 Thessalonians 1:6–8). These were ordinary people, passing on the message of Jesus-life to the people around them and then to the people beyond their own provinces.

OPENING PACKAGES

2010-08-03T07:23:00.001-04:00

by Jon Walker

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

— — —

As my six-year-old tried to open a package, I sat patiently waiting for him to ask me for help. It was one of those protective, hard plastic packages that some manufacturers use—you know, the kind that are nearly impossible to open short of using a small explosive.

I knew my son wouldn’t be able to open the package on his own, but I make it a general rule never to grab things out of his hands, like one child might disrespectfully snatch something away from another. Sure, I’m bigger than him and I could’ve taken it out of his hands, but I wanted him to make his own choice about whether or when he would ask me for help.

It didn’t take long before he looked up at me, and I said, “Do you want me to help you?” He said yes and handed me the package. I knew it would require more than my hands (or teeth) to open it, so I found some heavy scissors to cut through the plastic.

Today, you may be holding a package in your hand wrapped in a hard plastic shell—something Jesus called the “abundant life.” You’re straining to get inside the package, using all the means and schemes you can think of to break through.

God is patiently sitting next to you, waiting for you to abandon your independent attempts to create the abundant life, waiting for you to let him loose in your life, waiting for you to say, “I can’t, but God, you can.”

In that moment, God becomes your strength, “so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.”

2010-07-21T22:02:00.002-04:00

Bowing to the coffee god
by John Fischer

I got a new Starbucks mug yesterday. It's a ceramic version of the famous cardboard cup with the familiar green circle. I am shamelessly loyal to the Starbucks brand. That’s because coffee is my religion. I can say that because Christianity is not my religion. In fact, I don’t have a religion; I only have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son.

But I drink coffee religiously.

Religion is ritual, habit, doing certain things to get certain results, and pleasing the acceptable god by bowing, scraping and doing all the necessary penance required by that god to please him/her/it. I have been known to bow and scrape to the coffee god, but thankfully, not the real God, because the real God does not require this.

God does want my love and devotion, but He doesn’t want it in the form of religion. He has even been known to get upset with people who make a religion out of knowing him. He does not want our sacrifices, our regular attendance at worship, or even the praises of our lips if our hearts are not in it. And if our hearts are with him, where they should be, none of these things are good for brownie points in heaven. They may be a part of our lives, but they will flow out from us as a natural expression of a loving relationship.

Now I’ve had my old mug for at least 5 years, and this new one has a different set of rituals attached to it that I will have to adjust to. No problem. I can do this; it’s just coffee.

God, on the other hand, would not want to be a 10-year habit broken only by a new church, devotional book or pattern of personal discipline. Discipline is fine when it comes to self-control, but God would not like to be the product of discipline any more than you or I would. God doesn’t want our words, our singing, our sacrifice or our self-flagellation; He wants our hearts.

A real relationship is based on love and wanting to be with someone. That comes from the heart. And if it isn’t in your heart, no amount of religion will ever put it there.

Meanwhile, for my coffee experience, I continue to worship at the Cathedral of St. Arbucks. My coffee religion remains firmly rooted. For me, religion applies to coffee, but not to God. God is too reckless and unpredictable to fit into any religious system or practice. And aren’t you glad?

MONKS IN A BOAT

2009-02-28T12:45:00.007-05:00

My fellow crew member of the Colmcille, Peter Macleod from the Isle of Lewis gave me this picture when he visited the US in 2007. The inscription reads, 'Monks in A Boat' Jerr C Dauriczen, Cahersiveen Co. Kerry, Ireland. The picture portrays to me the Lenten season of the Christian liturgical calendar. It shows for me a community of Christ followers on the path where the Spirit sends them.

What is Lent? According to Elesha Coffman ,Lent is the period of fasting in preparation for Easter, has been on the church calendar since the first or second century. It has not, however, always occupied the same dates. According to Irenaeus (c. 130-c. 200), cited by Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, the lenten fast originally lasted only two or three days. The 40-day period, first mentioned in the Canons of Nicea (325), was probably adopted to parallel the 40-day fasts of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, though it may also have reflected the 40 hours Jesus spent in the tomb.

In the US in recent times there has been leaning of the Protestant Churches to celebrate the Lenten season that once thought was the purview of the Roman Catholics. It is also being observed by many of the home church movement.

I found myself reverting to past practices of my Episcopalian origins this week. My wife came home to pancakes Tuesday night. She said, Oh, I remember those.

ChristianHistory.com has a good article called, "Stretching Our Faith." To quote the article;

Abba Macarius, Egyptian camel driver turned monk, an original Desert Father (c. 300–c. 390) Lift your hands to heaven, asking, "Forgive me, Lord." If you're still anxious, pray, "Help me." You really don't need to say much. God knows our needs. His mercy is never tardy.

That seems to me a good place to start.

The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work

2008-04-17T22:29:00.002-04:00

Scot McKnight in his Jesus Creed blog has started a reflective thread on Darrell Cosden's book, The Heavenly Good of Earthly Work . Cosden writes about a Christian theory of work. Looking at the "Look Inside" at Amazon this should be a good discussion.

The Love of God

2008-04-10T00:02:00.004-04:00

Tonight, as I walked across the Wal Mart parking lot to my truck, a Ford Mustang with a young man pulled up to me. He asked was I from here? Yes, I replied. He asked could I help him out?

What do you need, I asked him. He needed to get to Lawerenceville VA, about a 3 hour drive from Fredericksburg and he had no money and was out of gas. I saw in the passenger seat a young female.

I looked in my wallet and found $22. I told him to follow me to the gas pumps on the other side of the Wal Mart building. He did. I ran my debit card through the reader and asked him what grade of gas did his car use. As I filled his car, I asked him how he had got in to this situation.

He had driven up to Washington for his wife to see her family. On his back home, he developed car problems and stopped in Fredericksburg. He had spent all his money on repairs and had none for gas. As I topped off his tank he asked for my name and he said his was Chuck. Thank you so much. Chuck, I said God just wants to remind you he loves you. We went our separate ways.

Love your neighbor as yourself, Jesus said. Being a good Samaritan is expressing the love of God to others.

Understanding Heaven

2008-04-05T10:32:00.002-04:00

This past week I had the joyous occasion to celebrate my Dad’s 78th birthday with my sister, Denise and her friend Lily. It was a great evening.

Lily is an avid questioner. She is always asking questions about our faith and what we believe. At our birthday celebration we talked about our understanding of heaven.

I have always felt I had a distorted view of heaven. In my understanding of what I read in the Bible I couldn’t accept the commonly held view and many Christians hold that heaven is one great meet up with all who believed in Jesus while here on earth.

I believed that yes we would be with Jesus. Our spirit (soul) would be at peace with him in Heaven, a spiritual realm not a physical location. I viewed it as peaceful sleep. The more important thing than getting to heaven is what happens when Jesus at his return renews the earth by joining it with heaven as the world comes what it was designed to be. There are spirits would be joined in our new resurrected bodies. A body like the resurrected Jesus displayed in the New Testament.

Here is another posting of NT Wright’s view of heaven that is posted at Time. Maybe you have a thought to share?

ALLELULIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!

2008-03-24T22:00:00.002-04:00

There seems to a recent theme in better understanding what the ancient message of Jesus is in his proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Brian McLaren’s books the Hidden Message of Jesus and recently Everything Must Change discusses it.

Today’s Christianity Today’s daily CT Direct letter has an article by Tom Wright on the patristic understanding of ‘going’ to heaven and our future resurrected bodies. He also explains the crucial mission of the church defined as God’s present body here on earth through his spirit empowered people in advancing the Kingdom.

Wright is right on! Read the article here and we will discuss it more in future posts.

How Jesus Wants to Change the World

2007-12-31T22:21:00.000-05:00

As this year closes, I share this exerpt from a book I’ve not read. Just tonight at Scott McKnight’s blog Jesus Creed he refers to the book, Kingdom Come: How Jesus Wants to Change the World by Allen Mitsuo Wakabayshi.

In reading the first chapter offered by Amazon as a look inside it reverberates my feelings that God is up to something ‘really big’ (Who said that, Jackie Gleason in the Honeymooners?).

This year and before, I’ve been trying to get my pea brain to have a better understanding about what Jesus meant we spoke of the ‘The Kingdom of God’. I’m not there yet. In fact I have a long way to go.

Do yourself a favor and follow the link. Happy New Year!

An Irish Christmas Blessing

2007-12-24T09:26:00.000-05:00

An Irish Christmas Blessing

The light of the Christmas star to you

The warmth of home and hearth to you

The cheer and good will of friends to you

The hope of a childlike heart to you

The joy of a thousand angels to you

The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Survivor China

2007-09-20T22:02:00.000-04:00

I'm probably one of the handful of people who have never seen a Survivor TV show, but tonight I caught part of Survivor China. As I flipped to CBS expecting another show, I heard Leslie give this testimony.

The emcee asked her why she didn't participate in a previous scene which I didn't see (something to do with Buddhism, I think) Leslie said this. I'm not not religious, but I am a follower of Jesus. It seemed to much like worship for me to participate. If people can accept who I am that's good. If they can't that okay, too.

Leslie I think I saw a jewel in your heavenly crown.

RIP - God's Katrina Kitchen

2007-07-27T20:42:00.000-04:00

This week brought sad news that God's Katrina Kitchen in Gulfport, Mississippi would close at the end of the month. You can read about it here.

The Evil One Lashes Out!

2007-07-05T22:42:00.000-04:00

Today's email brought distressing news from two of my fellow evangelists in the Church Army.

James And Mary Giles, of God's Katrina Kitchen informed us that the city council of Gulfport, Mississippi has pulled the plug on their operation that feeds the homeless. I am copying their email below.

From the national office word was sent that flooding from recent rains had flooded the town of Aliquippa along with the outreach coffee house Uncommon Grounds Cafe started and operated by John Stanley. I am copying that email below also.

It's not been a good week for John. One of sons is recuperating from surgery. John is also having difficulty in getting his visa renewed allowing him to continue his ministry in this country.

Pray for these men, their Godly wives, families and ministries. If you are able send financial support for them to: Church Army USA 210 W North Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4625

Email from Mary and James Giles

Dear family,
thank you for your prayers regarding our appearance before the Gulfport City Council yesterday. At this time, we would ask for your continued prayers, as we were DENIED THE REQUEST ONE-YEAR EXTENSION TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS ON OUR CURRENT SITE.We are not feeling defeated. We are victorious, in Christ! We believe that since this door is being shut on our current site, God is obviously preparing to open an even greater one.Many, including several city council members, had great things to say about the works being done by God's Katrina Kitchen. It was unanimously decided though to deny our extension, as it was stated that the citizens of Westside of Gulfport were promised last fall that we would only operate on this site till July 31st.Please continue to pray, as we are getting a few calls and information on possible new sites for our ministry.Pray for direction, provision, and the ability to liftt he name of Jesus up during this transition time. We want to acknowledge Him in everything, and He will direct our paths.We will also be in need of volunteers and additional funds to move the camp, so pray for those provisions.We believe that God has the perfect plan, and as we wait on Him, He will continue to renew our strength for serving the survivors of the Gulf Coast.Thank you again for your prayers and support. We will keep you posted on the happenings, as we are anticipating great things.

James & Mary Giles

Email from national office
Today there was a torrential downpour causing terrible flooding in Aliquippa all along Franklin Avenue. Traffic is closed to anyone trying to get in there. The Café was badly flooded with water, in the cellar and the first floor. There is no electricity.
John just said that the water was high on the first floor. When he called me from outside on his cell phone, I could hear the water sloshing, along with a helicopter overhead surveying the damage. The news reported the water was 4 FEET deep coming down from the hills. Police cars were lost. Just terrible, terrible damage.

So, please pray, not only for the Stanleys and the Café, but all of Aliquippa.

Thanks, and God Bless you all.

Erba

Loving Our Neighbors

2007-06-17T21:16:00.000-04:00

When asked what the greatest commandment is Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Luke 10:27

Friday was Brenden's 28th birthday. I work with him at Wal-Mart. To celebrate his birthday some of his friends (& co-workers) were to catch the premiere showing of the The Fantastic Four: the Rise of the Silver Surfer. Afterwards they were going to play some pool and drink a few beer. These 'guys' could be my sons and daughters.

They are closed to the Christian message, but all spiritual seekers.

On Tuesday, knowing that another co-worker Kline was going with the group I gave him $20 and told him to buy a round for me for them in honor of Brenden's birthday. He was sincerely touched by my action.

Much is said about doing acts of kindness (I assume buying beer is one) to be able to open a door in order to share the Gospel with them. For me I care for these folks and wanted to know that and to enjoy themselves. Isn't that some part of the Gospel message?

Colmcille Leaves for Scotland - St. Columba's Day 2003

2007-06-09T10:08:00.000-04:00

FAREWELL DONALD!

2007-06-09T09:19:00.000-04:00

Thursday, June 7th Donald was laid to rest. It was a very powerful service held at St. Andrew Apostle Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.

My wife Sharon and I were the first there. Not risking being late and having to fight the northern Virginia commuter traffic for three hours we left home early. The bag piper was next in arriving. We enjoyed talking to Randy Welch from Annapolis. On his cap he had a crest badge of a blue crab!

The hearse and Lise’ arrived. Lise’ wore a striking magenta dress. She told us that she had worn it for her son’s wedding just a month ago. Mr. Welch had piped for the wedding.

The other pall bearers arrived and we received our instructions and went in to the church with Donald’s casket. Lise’ impressively greeted each attendee at the sanctuary entrance. A Mass of Christian Burial was performed. The celebrant Father Paul Dudziak spoke at times emotionally of his friend of thirty years.

Donald’s eldest, his daughter Martine spoke powerfully about her father. She shared with us incidents of his big heartedness and his powerful Christian witness. The same mantle it was apparent that she had received from him. She contributed his greatness as a father to his Christian character.

A co-worker of Donald’s, Bob Keane spoke of Donald’s excellent naval architectural skills and abilities. Donald was Donald and his Christian witness glowed at the work place. It was apparent that the light of Jesus shone 24/7 through our friend.

A member of his parish, Annette Oleniewski spoke of the 20 years she had known Donald and all the ministries he had been involved in. Donald was a true servant.

At the end of the Mass, we went to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery for internment. Afterwards we departed to a family friend’s home for a reception.

David Levite of the 2003 Colmcille crew attended. Sorry David we did not get to chance to talk. Of the Clam McCallum/Malcolm Society, Doug McCallum of Alexandria was there. Doug cleared up a misconception for me. I had thought he was the webmaster of the Clan website. No, that was another Doug McCallum living in Florida. Donald’s son Andrew proudly wore the McCallum kilt which was a gift from his Dad.

It will be June 9th St. Columba’s Day when I am able to post this. How fitting as four years ago to the day that the 13 voyagers following in the wake of St. Columba would depart from Ireland for Scotland. As a way of honoring the memory of Donald McCallum, I am taking on the ambitious task of opening a new blog, Remembering Donald that will give an account of the three Celtic Christian pilgrimages that I journeyed with Donald; In the Wake of St. Columba (2003), In the Footsteps of St. Columba (2004) and In the search for Celtic Ogham Writings in the Hills of West Virginia (2005). I beat you didn’t know about the last one! Stay tuned!

Donald Goes Home

2007-06-04T21:32:00.000-04:00

Sunday, I received a call from Lise' that her husband and my friend Donald McCallum had left this life to be in the presence of Jesus. For a year Donald had battled lung cancer.

Donald had place an article in the Malcolm/McCallum Clan Society newsletter, The Argent Castle in the winter of 2002, inviting men of the clan to join him in reenacting St. Columba's Voyage from Ireland to Scotland. As St. Patrick before him, Columba would be a catalyst in bringing Christianity to a pagan land, Scotland. We would row a 6th century replica of an Irish curragh across some of the world's dangerous waters. In our case the cow hides would be canvas for the hull. Donald was searching for 12 others to join him.

When I finished the article, I called to my wife, Sharon who was in the kitchen that I believed God had placed me in front of an open door. She replied then I must go through it. I called Donald immediately and signed up! Later my wife asked about the door God had placed in front of me. After I told her she asked are you sure it's from God! Yes, I was.

That encounter would be the beginning of a close friendship. The next year Donald organized another evangelistic trip, this one reenacted Columba's journery from Iona to Inverness through the Great Glen Way to King Brude's fort.

Donald was a visionary who prophetically saw a revival coming to his home country of Scotland. Donald will see it from the throne of God. There has been no other person whom I've encountered that reflects the image of Jesus more than Donald. A strong man, yet tender to all those he encountered. A humble man who sought what was best for others and not for himself. A man who loved life to the fullest. A man who loved his God with all his heart, mind and strength.

Thank you, Donald for being my friend.

Purpose

2007-05-27T04:21:00.000-04:00

This blog's purpose is to discuss several themes of being a Christian in our post modern times. One is the personal spiritual journey seeking the Kingdom of God. Second, an account of experiences as workers in the harvest field (Luke 10:1-3). Third and probably not last, sharing experiences as we chase the Wild Goose (Celtic expression for Holy Spirit) as revolutionary disciples of Jesus.

You reader are encouraged to be part of the conversation.

The name of this blog fellowship Xp needs some explaining. Most of you reading this would have seen the movie or have read the book by J. J. R. Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring. The term fellowship in this context is a small group united in common purpose. In the case of Frodo's band of adventurers, they were united in purpose in assisting Frodo get the ring to Mordor. In our case the fellowship is a group of disciples of Jesus following His Spirit in advancing the Kingdom of God.

The XP is not the prior version of Micro Soft hardware. It is the the Greek letters Chi (X) and Rho (P) from the Greek work Christos or Christ. It's the second oldest Christian symbol used by followers of Jesus Christ. The fish <>< symbol or ichthus being the oldest. The cross actually came later.

Now here comes the tricky part. It's pronounced fellowship in Christ, not fellowship 'x' 'p'. Saint Paul writes often in in his epistles of being 'in Christ'. So we are a fellowship in Christ.