Reflections from J. Christy Ramsey, a Pastor serving in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood of Akron, Ohio http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php Most Popular Bible http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100908-210944 Do You Have a MacGuffin?

The TV show, Burn Notice has a Bible everyone is trying to get for the last three episodes.

This common dramatic theme is called using a MacGuffin. A MacGuffin is an object that everyone is trying to steal, buy, hold, or hide. What the object actually is or does is unimportant. It is the focus of the plots and pursuits of the characters in the story but is never used or changed by all the commotion concerning it.

So no matter what version of the Bible on Burn Notice is on the inside, it has become the MacGuffin version. A Bible that is an object of much concern, a prop to stage a drama, but not read, studied or followed. (Some Sundays I'm tempted to take the large beautiful Bible off the communion table and read aloud from it.)
from tomatoproductions.com
People have their favorite version of the Bible. I like the Jerusalem Bible (original) for reading, The Message for meditation and the New Revised Standard Version for study. Many prefer the New International Version or the King James Version. The only one I reject is the MacGuffin version, one that is the object of fuss and feuds, instead of the Word of God written, witnessing to God's self-revelation through which the Holy Spirit speaks to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to give authoritative direction for the life of faith.

The Purpose of the Book

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:30-31


The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
]]> Author! Author! http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100901-100000 The Manual Says...

My uncle was once assigned to go out into the field and "fix" problems at another factory. He decided to take the designer of the machine with him.

As he expected, the local workers did not welcome the suggestions given by the out of towner from HQ on how they should change their ways. The objections began with "But the manual says..."

My uncle appreciated their devotion to the manual. He then introduced his associate: "Here is the man who wrote the manual, let's see how he suggests we solve our problems." Things went much smoother working with the author rather than the text.
from alistairmcmillan on flickr.com
Even after a month, I'm sure my kind and gentle readers suspect where I am headed. Christians and others will go further overcoming challenges if they seek together the author of the sacred text rather than arguing over their interpretations of how they RTFM ("read the fine manual" ).

I hope Christians not only quote their operating manual but introduce people to their friend and traveling companion, the author.
The Word That Lives

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.- John 1:1-4, 14


The New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
]]> Our Muslim Neighbors http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100830-112305 from: Technipol

I have been blessed with talking to Muslims in the Holy Land and getting to know our Muslim neighbors just down the street.

Here are some in a Public Service Announcement.

I am grieved of the attacks on Muslims and vandalism and protests at their places of worship, especially during the month of Ramadan, which is similar to our Christmas season with an emphasis on family and spiritual renewal.

Even if Muslims were our enemy, (some are, perhaps even thousands, out of a total 1.5 billion Muslims who are not, including 18 million Americans, (see chart above)), Christians are commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to love them. We are also commanded to love our neighbors, which include Muslims.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all children of Abraham, we have much more in common with Muslims, than we do with those who believe there is no God.

In support of our friends and neighbors, I have placed a positive, non-confrontational message on the church sign this week. I am not using the word MUSLIM and have included a translation of the the traditional Arabic greeting into English letters and words. As of now,

FREEDOM OF
RELIGION
BLESSES ALL (one side)

RAMADAN KAREEM
(NOBLE GENEROUS MONTH)
TO OUR NEIGHBORS (another)

The greeting in Arabic is used much as we would wish folks to have a Merry Christmas. It is important and respectful to use Arabic when using this greeting. Just as "Happy XMAS" just isn't the same as "Merry Christmas" for us.

I happy to talk to anyone about how Christians can love others.
]]> False Profits http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100829-090000 Jeremiah 2:4-13

Going after worthless things, brings no profit and makes us worthless.


This message is available as a podcast recorded live at our worship service, so the sound quality is less than heavenly even if the content is.

Click the podcast image to listen now or right click the image and choose "Save As" to save this message in mp3 file format on your computer for playing later.
]]> False Profits http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100827-100007
From flickr by antwerpenR

Thus says the LORD:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me,
and went after worthless things,
and became worthless themselves?
 – Jeremiah 2:5 (NRSV)

“My Morning Run” from You Tube



If you look close, our running friends are climbing the walls of a church. Pursing worthless things? (might hear a part of a objectionable word at end...)

“Atheist Song” from You Tube



Steve Martin contrasts religious pursuits against the atheist lifestyle. What is worthwhile? What is worthless? (Hint: A couch is involved.)

“Making Things Right” from Doogal



The consequences of chasing after candy are listed by these furry talking animals.

“Phase 2” from Furry Vengeance



What if you job is to pursue worthless things? Or destructive things? How will future generations judge our pursuits and the legacy we leave them?


“Uncomfortable Questions” from China Cry



What do you pursue in religious activities? Worthwhile or worthless matters? Does religion or faith make a difference in your life? (Listen for the rare Presbyterian mention in media in this clip.)

]]> Sabbath Bound http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100822-122406 Luke 13:10-172

Sabbath is taking a rest from our way and remembering God's Way


This message is available as a podcast recorded live at our worship service, so the sound quality is less than heavenly even if the content is.

Click the podcast image to listen now or right click the image and choose "Save As" to save this message in mp3 file format on your computer for playing later.
]]> August Roundtable Prayer http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100819-165602
Here is this month's thoughtful prayer:




Here is the link to Mr. Kanfer's presentation:]]> Cleaning the Sin Slick http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100815-110000

From our Song and Service
A Light to the Heights worship
Sunday, August 15



Bible Reading:
Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16

This week we consider how to get the sin that clings so closely off of us.

Videos:

“Buying Forgiveness”


from the film Get Low




Get Low on WingClips


Can you PAY for forgiveness of a sin? How does one earn forgiveness?

______________________________________________________________


“Asking Forgiveness”


from the film Get Low



Get Low on WingClips


Listen to the end of this clip where Felix rejects Charlie's path to forgiveness because he needed to hold on to what he did, so he could be sick every day of his life. Do we hold on to sin to punish ourselves?

______________________________________________________________


“Off the Streets”


From the film Madea Goes to Jail




"Off the Streets" from Madea Goes to Jail on WingClips

How does the "bet" help Candy and Donna? Does sin come off better when we have someone else to follow?


______________________________________________________________


"Joy is Gone" and “Only God”


From the film Heart of Texas








"Joy is Gone" and "Only God" from Madea Goes to Jail on WingClips (Joy) (Only God)

A friend kills your daughter in a hit-and-run accident. How do you treat your former? friend?]]> How to Get Rid of the Sin Slick http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100815-090000 Hebrews 11:29-12:2

Sin doesn't stop us from following God's path.


This message is available as a podcast recorded live at our worship service. Click the podcast image to listen now or right click the image and choose "Save As" to save this message in mp3 file format on your computer for playing later.
]]> Akron Roundtable PGA Golf Prayer http://www.christyramsey.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry100804-162412
Higher Power,
Whisper to us the promise of the welcome green
while we are trapped in sand.
Guide us back to the straight path
when we have lost our way in the rough.
Remind us that we never go alone
and no one is left behind.
We pray in the name of all that is holy, Amen.
]]>