docGlorious Hope / Slavná naděje - Czechoslovak Baptist Convention
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Glorious Hope / Slavná naděje - Czechoslovak Baptist Convention
A 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 Kresanská skupina Matuzalém - Ján Banko ...................................... 3 Den jako Boí dar - Jaroslav Pospíil ................................................. 4 The Care and Healing of Wounds - George Cooper..................... 6 Péèe a oetøování 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 HagarPokora 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 Childrens 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 JanuaryFebruary 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 V e východních èástech Kanady øádí tuhá zima. Kruté mrazy jakoby ovlivnily i mé pero, které se na nìkolik týdnù odmlèelo. Ve skuteènosti se vak o pero nejedná a svádìt opodìní naeho èasopisu na mráz je také poetilost. Jedná se vlastnì o jakousi osobní ustrnulost, neschopnost se pohnout z místa. Jak dùleité je udrovat úzký kontakt s naím nebeským Otcem, který má moc i nad lidskou slabostí! Boí vevìdoucnost i vemohoucnost nám dovoluje spoèinout v Jeho náruèi i se vemi naimi bøemeny. S vìdomím, e o nás vechno ví, a e nám i rozumí se nemusíme obávat nového dne ani roku. Svým Slovem nás potìuje, vede nás. Je to ji pìkná øádka let, kdy dostávám na poèátku roku ver z Bible, který je pøesnì zasazen do mé osobní situace. S vdìèností tyto vere pøijímám, protoe Pán Bùh mne zná lépe, ne já sama sebe. Letoní ver hovoøí o pokoji, + Pokraèování na stranì 6 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Publication Office: Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Rt. 4, Box 58D, Philippi, WV 26416-9717 USA email: [email protected] Next issue deadline - February 15, 2003 2 Printed on recycled paper Front Cover: Jess HagerA-B College Wilcox Chapel in Winter Back Cover: Corel Photo–Reflection Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 The Christian Singing Group Methuselah (Matuzalém) Will Perform in the USA and Canada Kresanská hudobná skupina Matuzalém vystúpi v USA a v Kanade H ospodin ma zachránil, preto chceme hra na he Lord was ready to strunné nástroje po save me; therefore we vetky dni svojho ivota v dome will sing my songs with Hospodinovom. Izaiá 38,20 stringed instruments all the Tieto slová proroka Izaiáa 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 countrymens events and serve in our ethnic tie sluba tohoto telesa v niektorých cirkevných zboroch, ktoré churches in the Toronto and Windsor areas of the Canadian sú súèasou Èeskoslovenskej Baptistickej Konvencie v Spojených province of Ontario. The service of this musical body is also tátoch. Detailnejí program ich sluby bude k dispozícii v ïalom 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 tyria 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 skupinyklávesové coming from the area around the Baptist nástroje a spev church, Bratislava I: Daniel Valenta, gitara a spev Slávo Král, leader of the groupkeyboards Daniel aling, gitara a spev and vocals Duan Janèula, basgitara a spev Daniel Valenta, guitar and vocals Peter Rapo, technik zvukár Daniel aling, guitar and vocals Súèasný repertoár skupiny tvoria hlavne Duan Janèula, bass guitar and vocals pôvodné skladby Sláva Krá3⁄4a, ale tie Peter Rapo, sound system technician preloené 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 u 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 tie tyri 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. tádiu prípravy. In their contemporary repertoire youll find Hudobná skupina Matuzalém slúi 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 tadiónoch, 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 kresanských vysielaní. and army barracks. Together with the group, Slovak radio and Ich sviea sluba oslovila poslucháèov vetkých generácií vo television prepared several programs in their scheduled Christian viacerých európskych krajináchv Slovenskej i Èeskej republike, v broadcasting. The groups fresh ministry addressed listeners T + Continues on page 13 Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 + Pokraèovanie na strane 13 3 Den jako Boí dar Jaroslav Pospíil Kazatel 3,1014 T ato úvaha je na téma : Kadý den (nový den) jako Boí dar. Polome si otázku: Jak je to ve skuteènosti s tím dnem jako Boím darem? Co to je den jako èasový úsek? Dá se povìdìt, e to je doba jakéhokoli jednoho zdánlivého obìhu slunce kolem zemì. Pøesnìji, je to jedno otoèení zemìkoule kolem její pomyslné osy. Ani 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. idé, pozdìji podle nich i Øekové, zaèínali den veèerem tak, jak je to zaznamenáno v I. knize Mojíovì v 1. kapitole: Øekl Bùh, buï svìtlo a bylo svìtlo. Vidìl, e 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, kdy se øíkalo, e zaèíná jitro, byl to vlastnì veèer. Kdy v Bibli èteme, e svítalo na den, znamená to, e vyla 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). Kadý den jako Boí dar. Tímto pradávným prohláením: Budi svìtlo, Pán Bùh lidem vlastnì daroval den. Hovoøímeli o daru, pak je to vdycky nìco, co pøijímáme bez naich zásluh. Je to nìco, co nám je darováno. Kdy jsem byl tedy obdarován, mìl bych podìkovat. Za to, co dostane, øekni vdycky pìknì dìkuji, je to sluné, to mne uèili rodièe. Napadlo vás, e bychom mìli vyjádøit Pánu Bohu vdìènost za kadý den, který pøidává k naim ivotùm? Za kadý den, který nám dovoluje proít? Ten, kdo obdarovává, oèekává urèitou vdìènost a také urèité zacházení s darem. Pán Bùh, nám lidem, daroval den a daroval nám také èas. Mùeme povìdìt, e den je naplnìn jakýmsi objemem èasu. Pán Bùh také oèekává, e s tímto darem èasu budu patøiènì nakládat. Budu s ním odpovídajícím zpùsobem zacházet. V Bibli je návod pro pouití tohoto Boího daru. My lidé, máme nìkdy pocit, e nìkteré dny, které pøicházejí do naich ivotù, jsou spíe ke trápení, ne k dobrému. Radìji se do takového dne ani neprobudit, pøejeme si. (A kdy u, tak aby co nejdøíve skonèil.) Problém je v tom, e jsme návod k pouití daru, který nám Pán Bùh dal (daru ivota, daru èasu, daru naich 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 potu, posílat telefonem písemné 4 zprávy, zvládli jsme komunikaci, umíme klonovat, rozlutili jsme DNA. Nepotøebujeme návod na pouití! Potom se to nìjak vymkne z rukou a ptáme se: Pane Boe, co dìlá? Jak to, e jsou války? Jak to, e jsou na svìtì takové hrùzy? Jak jsi se mohl dívat na ty teroristy 11. záøi minulého roku? Jak se mùe dívat na sebevraedné atentátníky, na jejich èiny doplácí spousta nevinných lidí? Jak se mùe dívat na støílení do uèitelù a spoluákù na kolách? Je to vechno proto, e jsem já, èlovìk, nepochopil, e kadý den (spolu s èasem, jeho vyuitím a náplní) je skuteènì Boí dar. Pánu Bohu odpovídám za to, jakým zpùsobem a k èemu ho vyuívám. Kadý den. Osobnì jsem Pánu Bohu velmi vdìèný, e nám dal den odpoèinku. Mnohokrát jsme se to my, lidé, snaili po Bohu opravit. Zkoueli jsme nejrùznìjí pracovní cykly. Proè Pán Bùh pracoval est dnù a sedmý odpoèíval? Zkouelo se pracovat ètrnáct dnù v kuse a pak mít nìkolik dnù volno. Potom se zkouelo zase nìco jiného. Vdycky se zjistilo, e na cyklus, podle sebe upravený, èlovìk nebyl stvoøený. Pøi stvoøení nám Pán Bùh daroval také vechno ostatní. Daroval nám den, jeho délku i náplò. Jestlie èlovìk pøestane respektovat Boí øád, doplatí na to sám. Pán Bùh ho netrestá, ale on trestá sám sebe svojí neposluností. 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. Kadý den jako Boí dar co se týèe jeho trvání i náplnì. Dnes dopoledne jsem mluvil o tom, e èlovìk nìkdy pozná hodnotu vìcí tehdy, a kdy je ztratí, kdy je nemá. Kdy naposledy jsi nìkomu ze svých blízkých povìdìl, e ho má rád? Kdy jsi mu povìdìl, jak astný jsi, e právì on je ten, se kterým smí kráèet den po dni? Nìkdy mám monost mluvit s lidmi, kteøí jsou neastní z toho, e nikdy nepovìdìli tomu druhému, co pro nì znamená. Nikdy mu za nic nepodìkovali. Ten èlovìk jim zemøel a ji nemají anci to napravit. Myslím si, e peklo se dá proívat u 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 vyuít k tomu, k èemu mi byl darován. Jaký to byl úasný den, kdy Pán Bùh øekl èlovìku: Z kadého stromu v ráji bude jíst, jenom ze stromu, který je uprostøed ráje, nikdy nejez. Kdybys z nìho jedl, zemøe. Jaký to byl úasný den, kdy si èlovìk mohl uvìdomovat: toto vechno je dobré a toto by mne stálo ivot. Jaký to byl úasný den, kdy Pán Bùh dal èlovìku deset Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 pøikázání! Øeknìte sami, jestli to není úasné, e desatero odpovídá na pøání tìch, kteøí chtìjí ít na této zemi dobrý, úspìný a pokud mono, co nejdelí ivot v pohodì. Existuje snad nìkdo, kdo netouí po dnech naplnìných spokojeností, po astné dlouhovìkosti? Pøi narozeninách si vìtinou pøejeme dlouhý ivot. Jeden bratr v naem sboru øíkával Já ti pøeji, aby ses doil sta let. Snadné pøání, kdy nic nestojí! Pán Bùh poukazuje na to, co je tøeba dìlat, aby èlovìk mohl dlouho ít na zemi a dobøe se mu vedlo: Cti otce svého a matku svou, aby jsi byl dlouho iv na zemi a vedlo se ti dobøe. (Exodus 20;12) Pánu Bohu staèilo deset slov na to, aby nám ukázal v èem spoèívá ivot, jaký máme ít. Máme mnoho knih, plné knihovny moudra, jak dìlat to aneb ono, jak mít úspìné manelství, 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 úasný dar, ten den! Jaký to byl úasný den, kdy nám daroval to nejdraí co mìl, svého jednorozeného syna; aby On za nás, za kadého zaplatil ná dluh, aby pøinesl svou smrtí záchranu. Den pøíchodu Pána Jeíe Krista na tuto zem, den jeho smrti. Kadý den, opravdu kadý den mohu brát jako dar z Boích rukou. Musel jsem myslet na lidi, kteøí jsou po tìkých úrazech, na lidi, kteøí pøili na tuto zem s nejrùznìjím postiením. Nìkdy nae dìti moc zlobily. Øíkával jsem manelce: U toho mám dost, co jsem komu udìlal, e musím mít takové dìti! Jednou mne manelka zavolala k oknu a ukázala na ulici. Byla to právì doba, kdy tudy pravidelnì projídìla mladá paní uèitelka s koèárkem a v nìm bylo asi desetileté dìvèátko, velmi postiené. Manelka øekla: Toto jetì nemá, tak si vùbec nenaøíkej. Jak tito lidé mohou povìdìt: Pane Boe, dìkuji Ti za den svého ivota? Moná jste nedávno sledovali kauzu o eutanázii v Anglii. Velmi postiená a trpící manelka chtìla, aby mohl manel ukonèit její trápení. Jak tihle lidé mohou povìdìt: Pane Boe dìkuji Ti za den, který zaèíná? Vdy pro nì by bylo vysvobozením, kdyby dny jejich ivota byly ukonèené! Vzpomnìl jsem si na mladou ambiciózní enu. la se koupat, skoèila do vody a zlomila si krèní obratel. Dodnes, ze své vùle, vládne jen hlavou. Díky speciálním cvièením a rùzným pomùckám dokáe ovládat, do urèité míry, své horní konèetiny. Nádhernì maluje svými ústy. Jmenuje se Joni Eriksonová. Vdala se. Manel se o ní stará. Vzpomíná, jak to bylo pokoøující, kdy byla s ním na první schùzce a potøebovala vymìnit sáèek, do kterého odcházely vechny její sekrety. Popisuje ve svých knihách, jak Pánu Bohu vyèítala, jak se ptala: Proè Boe? Byla zahoøklá. My mùeme ty nádherné dny, které nám Bùh dává, naplnit sebe litováním, brbláním, sèítáním toho, co nám chybí. Ná problém, i to, e nedokáeme být astní, spoèívá v tom, e stále poèítáme to, co nemáme a zapomínáme poèítat to, co z Boí milosti smíme mít. Nyní, po té padesátce, kdy se ráno probudím a nic mne nebolí, si øíkám, e buï Pán Bùh udìlal zázrak nebo u neiji. Zaèneme toti vnímat rùzné vìci jinak a zaèneme být vdìèní za to, e jetì 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 u nechci dál ít. Dokonce se pokouela svùj ivot ukonèit. Potom dolo k velikému obratu. Pøál bych vám dnes být v pøítomnosti této eny. Proti Joni máme neskuteèné monosti, pøesto jsme, ve srovnání s ní, Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 vyloenými ebráky. ena na koleèkovém køesle, odkázaná na druhé. ije plným ivotem, kterým obohacuje ostatní. Pøijímat dny od Pána Boha jen pro sebe, pro své uspokojení, pro naplnìní svých pøedstavto znamená své dny ztratit. Jeden z velkých vojevùdcù ji v poledne urèitého dne øekl: Ztratil jsem den. V poledne vìdìl, e 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 úasné, pøemýlíme-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 spíe zkrátili, neli nìjakým zpùsobem pøidávali dalí a dalí pøíleitosti. Kadý nový den je vlastnì úasná ance z Boí strany. O èlovìku, který ije hrozným zpùsobem, vánì ohrouje své blinívrah, zlodìjsi øíkáme, e by jeho dny mìly být radìji ukonèené.Tøikrát a dost, tak to pøijaly nìkteré státy. Tøikrát provede nìco zlého a je konec. Zbavíme tì dalích dnù. Pán Bùh pøidává den za dnem. Nemá toti zalíbení v tom, aby kdokoliv zahynul, ale chce, aby se èlovìk koneènì vzpamatoval. Nìkdy prodluuje a dává naim ivotùm skuteènì novou anci. To proto, abychom se vzpamatovali a koneènì pochopili, e normální ivot je ivot s Bohem. Vechno ostatní není normální. To, e vìtina lidí ije bez Boha, jetì neznamená, e je to normální zpùsob ivota. Jeden mu, o kterém èteme v Bibli, pøedstoupil pøed celý národ a øekl: Vy si dìlejte co chcete, ale já a mùj dùm, budeme slouit Hospodinu. Protoe jsem poznal, e je to normální. I kdybych mìl zùstat sám, pøidrím se Hospodina. Èlovìk byl stvoøený k ivotu s Bohem. Èlovìk potøebuje nìco uctívat. Ji tato potøeba by nám mìla signalizovat, e jsme byli stvoøeni Pánem Bohem. Èlovìk má schopnost milovat, má touhu sdruovat se. To vechno je obraz, ke kterému jsme byli stvoøeni. Vrátím se vak k tomu dni, který je tìký, o kterém øíkáme: to nemùe být dar, je to trápení pro lidi. Naí chybou nìkdy bývá, e si nenecháme od vìcí patøièný odstup. Snaíme se okamitì si udìlat závìr podle momentální výseèe, kterou obsáhneme. Stojímli u nìjaké velké vìci pøíli blízko, neuvidím ji v její celosti. Bible hovoøí o jednom mui. Jmenoval se Job. Po nìm jsme pojmenovali patné zprávy jobovkami. Job proíval hrozné dny, ale kdy získal od tìch dnù odstup, øekl: Døíve jsem o Tobì Pane Boe jen slýchal, nyní tì i mé oko vidí. Jiný mu øekl: Bylo mi to k dobru, e jsem pobyl v trápení. Mùeme si podle urèité malé vìci udìlat závìr a øíci: vechno je patnì! Ve skuteènosti nevidíme vechno a to co hodnotíme, probíhá dál. Proto Bible øíká: nesuïte. Dejte si urèitý odstup od vìci, abyste mohli poznat celou její výku, íøku, hloubku a délku. Nìkdy si velice rychle udìláme názor. Vidíme nìco ze ivota èlovìka, zakatulkujeme ho a nejsme ochotni ho ze katulky vyndat ani tehdy, kdy s urèitým èasovým odstupem vidíme, e to je jinak. Je potøeba nálepku sundat, odlepit a pøiznat si, e jsem se spletl. Skuteènì, kadý den a kadý nový den, je Boí dar. Ze kolní lavice jsem vidìl z okna na vì kostela. Byl tam jiný èas, ne na naich hodinkách. Bylo tam neustále pùl tøetí a pár minut. Jaká je to katastrofa, kdy kostel ukazuje patnì èas. Mysleli jste u nìkdy na to? U nás, v Teplé, je kostel dominantou mìsteèka a kadý, a se orientuje z jakékoliv èásti, vidí na hodiny na kostelní vìi. Jestlie jdou hodiny na vìi kostela patnì, dojde k dezorientaci. ijí-li Boí + Pokraèování na stranì 11 5 The Care and Healing of Wounds George D. Cooper W 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 2 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 nakalivé. Snadno se pøenáejí z èlovìka na èlovìka. Jako nìjaká infekce. Pokud to jsou city a pocity negativní, je to tragedie. Zlo se potom íøí bez zábran. V pøípadì pozitivních citù a pocitù má lidstvo nadìji. Pokoj je pocit, který svìdèí o vnitøním stavu èlovìka. Pán Jeí nás upozoròuje na to, e ten pokoj, který On má, daroval èlovìku. Pøijali jsme tento Jeho dar? Jestlie ano, potom nutnì tímto pokojem ovlivòujeme své okolí! V druhé èásti stejného vere nám je zdùraznìno, e strach nemá nic spoleèného s pokojem. Strach je pocit negativní. Protiklad pokoje. Rovnì svìdèí o vnitøním stavu èlovìka. Strach a pokoj nemohou být vedle sebe, jedno vytlaèuje druhé.To, e nás Pán Jeí na strach upozoròuje, svìdèí o tom, e proti strachu nejsme imunní. Jen na nás záleí, který z tìchto dvou pocitù bude v naem srdci vládnout. Je naí touhou, aby tento èasopispojítko Èechù a Slovákù po celém svìtìpøináel poselství naeho Spasitele i do nejvzdálenìjích koutù svìta. Dìkujeme ètenáøùm za modlitby i pøíspìvky. Tìíme se na kontakty s vámi a vai odezvu. S pøáním Boího pokoje, Nataa Legierská, éfredaktorka o 6 Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 Péèe a oetøování ran George D. Cooper J ednou, pøi sekání trávy, mi letící kámen rozsekl nohu. Pokládajíc se za otrlého mue, pokraèoval jsem v sekání. Druhý den vak rána byla zanícená. Nakonec jsem vyhledal lékaøe. Lékaø, po dùkladném vyetøení rány prohlásil, e dolo k utípnutí kosti. Neradostná zpráva. Váné zranìní. A tak jsem zaèal brát antibiotika a nohu jsem musel dret týden zvednutou. Po návratu k bìným aktivitám, jsem mìl ránu zakrytouchránìnou velkým poltáøkem gázy a obvazem. Rána se hojila vìènost. Po nìkolika mìsících jsem se jednoho rána opozdil. Protoe jsem nemìl èas na obvaz, zakryl jsem ránu pouze ponokou. Toté jsem zopakoval nìkolik dní po sobì. Pøekvapivì, bìhem týdne byla rána docela zahojená. Citová zranìní jsou velice podobná zranìním fyzickým. Nejprve je potøeba k oetøení pouit antiseptika, aby se odstranily vechny moné 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, protoe to velmi bolelo. Kdy se situace zhorila, ly za lékaøem. Lékaø musel pøistoupit k amputaci, aby zachránil dìvèeti ivot. Stejný postup vyadují i rány citové. Moná je lékem, proti vradící citové bakterii, odputìní. Ná rozum, nae srdce, nae kultura touí po odvetì. Pán Jeí vak øíká: Odpus tak, jako jsem já odpustil tobì. Mohl jsem se rozèílit na sekaèku nebo, jetì lépe, na výrobce sekaèky. Mohl jsem výrobce soudit za nedbalost. To by ovem nepomohlo mou ránu zahojit. Na rozjitøenou ránu malá náplast nestaèila, vyhledal jsem odborníka. Pán Jeí, profesionální ranhojiè, øíká, e odputìní je prvním krokem, i kdy mnohdy bolestivým. Apotol Pavel øíká: Snáejte jedni druhé a vzájemnì si odpoutìjte, má-li nìkdo proti nìkomu stínost. Tak jako Kristus odpustil vám, odputìjte i vy. (Kol. 3;13 Nová Bible KralickáNBK) Odpustit tomu, kdo ti ublíil, je bolestivé, ale je to lepí, ne amputace. Pán Jeí øekl: Ale jestlie lidem neodpustíte jejich prohøeky, pak ani vá Otec neodpustí vae prohøeky vám. (Mat. 6;15 NBK) Po pouití antiseptik a vyèitìní rány, je potøeba nìjakým zpùsobem ránu chránit, dokud se nezacelý. Ochranný prostøedek se potom postupnì odstraòuje a samotný, tolik bolestivý, pøípad mùe být prozkoumán a zhodnocen. V pøípadì mého zranìní, gázový potáøek udroval vlhkost. To bránilo kompletnímu zahojení. Byl potøebný pøístup vzduchu. Toté se mùe aplikovat na citová zranìní. Potøebují vzduch. Potøebují být v kontaktu s normálností. Moná trochu ménì ochranné vrstvy pøes ránu pomùe odehnat patné mylenky a zabránit patným nápadùm. Kdybych si svou ránu nepøestal zakrývat, moná by byla rozjícená i po 40-ti letech. Nìkteøí lidé si dovedou citová zranìní pìstovat celý ivot. Apotol Pavel nám pøipomíná: Vekerá hoøkost, hnìv, zuøivost, køik a uráky, a jsou od vás odòaty spolu s kadou patností. (Efez. 4; 31 NBK) Vimnìme si, e nehovoøí o odkodnìní, pomstì . Bylo by poetilostí myslet si, e sekaèka, která mi kamenem rozsekla nohu, by mìla ráhu zacelit. Toté platí i o osobì, která Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 zpùsobila emocionální bolest. Nemohu od ní oèekávat zahojení mé rány. Pøi fyzickém zranìní se proces hojení odehrává v tìle. Lékaøi napomáhají, ale neuzdravují. Rovnì pøi citovém zranìní se proces dìje v násv naem duchovním bytí. Jestlie jsme v dobré tìlesné kondici, uzdravení mùe probìhnout rychle. Mému otci se vìtina drobných zranìní zahojila bìhem tøí dnù. Uzdravoval se rychle. Moná tuto vzácnou schopnost získal potom, kdy pøi poáru utrpìl popáleniny druhého a tøetího stupnì po celém tìle. Není pochyb, e hluboká citová zranìní zvýí odolnost èlovìka proti dalím, podobným situacím. Jizvu mám na noze stále, ale u mi nevadí. Pamatuji si, co se stalo, ale u mne to nebolí. Toté platí o ranách zpùsobených lidmi, kterým jsem odpustil. Po odputìní, moná i po jednostranném odputìní, je potøeba aplikovat Pavlovu radu: Zbavte se z dopisu do Efezu. V tom toti spoèívá potøebné vnitøní, duchovní uzdravení. Samotnou aplikaci vak musíme provést osobnì. Návod: Ránu vyèistìte dùkladnì dezinfekcí Odputìní. Potom pouijte léèivé masti Zbavte se a nechte èerstvý vzduch a èas pùsobit. V pøípadì potøeby celý postup zopakujte a to toliktrát, kolikrát je potøeba, a dojde k úplnému naèerpání duchovní síly. Pøeklad: Nataa Legierská o Check our new Convention Web page: www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv MOVING ? Please write to: Glorious Hope Rt.4, Box 58D Philippi, WV 26416 USA Include your mailing label from a recent issue of Glorious Hope for faster service. 7 The Cradle of the Czechoslovak Baptist Work in America G od has in every place His chosen peoplepeople 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 Womens 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 baptizedso 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. Kluzaks 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 J 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. Kejøs 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 8 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. + Continues on next page Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 V HCJBPavel a Klára Steigerovi y jste sùl zemì; jestlie vak sùl pozbude chuti, èím bude osolena? K nièemu ji není, ne aby se vyhodila ven a lidé po ní lapali. Vy jste svìtlo svìta. Nemùe zùstat skryto mìsto leící na hoøe. A kdy rozsvítí lampu, nestaví ji pod nádobu, ale na svícen; a svítí vem v domì. Tak a svítí svìtlo vae pøed lidmi, aby vidìli vae dobré skutky a vzdali slávu vaemu Otci v nebesích. Matou 5:13-16 Nai milí bratøi a sestry, milí pøátelé, doma i v cizinì. Jako kadoroènì, i letos se u nás v redakci zamýlíme a rekapitulujeme co jsme spoleènì s vámi dokázali a jak bychom chtìli vykroèit do Nového roku. V záøí se Jindra Suchomelová, Gabina Lauková a Dáa Kukuèková úèastnila výroèní konference HCJB v Quitu, Ekvádoru. Právì tam nás zastihla smutná zpráva, e Dobrá novina po více ne 25 letech konèí. Pro øadu naich posluchaèù je tato skuteènost tìko pochopitelná, ale vìøte, e 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. Nae zemì je malá, posluchaèù krátkých vln nejsou tisíce, a tak jako dobøí správci svìøených prostøedkù, jsme tuto pro nás smutnou novinu pøijali. Jsme astni, e jsme se mohli setkat s rodinou Kladenských, sestrou Fialovou, Helenou Kaplanovou a rozlouèit se s tìmi, kdo stáli u kolébky naeho vysílání. Ale tím existence a sluba kanceláøe HCJB nekonèí. Dìkujeme Bohu, e jsme nezùstali nepøipraveni. Na webových stránkách archivujeme vechny poøady nejen z produkce HCJB, ale najdete tam øadu poøadù z vysílání TWR Zadáno pro dámy, Svìtem Bible a budou dalí. V ádném pøípadì se neodmlèujeme, ale pracujeme na více frontách. Dál bude vycházet èasopis Zápas o dui, následná sluba s ètenáøi ZODu a posluchaèi zùstává beze zmìny v péèi Jindøiky, Gabi dál pøipravuje rozhlasové poøady pro budoucí satelitní vysílání ve spolupráci s TWR. I pro nás platí, kdy Bùh zavøe jedny dveøe, jistì otevøe jiné. Podle slov pracovníkù TWR pùvodní pøedpoklad zahájit celodenní vysílání 30. 3. 2003 není jetì definitivní (realistický termín je záøí 2003). Musíme respektovat okolnosti, kterými jsme (i nechtì) vedeni a pøijímat je v pokoøe pøed Boí svrchovaností. To, co je na nás, se snaíme dìlat v poslunosti výzvy Pána Jeíe ke zvìstování evangelia tak, aby strategický zámìr roziøovat Boí slovo k co nejvìtímu poètu lidí byl uskuteènìn. Souèasnì chceme být dobrými hospodáøi se svìøenými prostøedky a neutápìt finance tam, kde to není nutné. Je tedy docela moné, e termín zahájení celodenního provozu bude posunut, ale nemìlo by to být o více ne o pùl roku. V této nelehké situaci potøebujeme nejvíce pokoj, rozvahu, dostatek energie a pøedevím Boí poehnání a ochranu nad celým projektem. Bùh je ten, který zasetému slovu dává vyrùst v nové ratolesti pøináející 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 rozíøena o Bratislavu. To ve jsou úasné zprávy a monosti. Ta ménì pøíjemná je, e vechny projekty a plány jsou finanènì nároèné a bez modliteb a darù se ádná misijní sluba neobejde. Hodina vysílání pøijde pøiblinì na 240 US dolarù. Pokud Vám Pán poloí tuto rozhlasovou slubu na srdce, máte jedineènou pøíleitost pøinést Dobrou novinu do domovù svých bliních na Slovensku. Hledáme sponzory na jednotlivé hodiny vysílání. V rámci poøadu bude uvedeno, kdo je sponzorem poøadu. Abyste i vy mìli lepí pøedstavu o misijních aktivitách HCJB, rádi vám pùjèíme video kazetu (NTSC systém), kde je témìø ètyø hodinová reportá o práci v Ekvádoru. Mùete vidìt zábìry z vysílacích pracovi, zdravotní péèi, ivot lékaøù v oblasti Shell Mera a slubu pro obyvatele dunglí a poznat rodinu Kladenských. Poznáte spoustu pøírodních a turistických zajímavostí. Buïte trpìliví, do obìhu dáme dvì videokazety. Pokud jste se jetì nepodívali na webové stránky HCJB, které jsou doplòovány dennì o zravodajství z køesanského svìta, kde jsou archivovány stovky rozhlasových poøadù v èetinì i ve sloventinì, vechna èísla èasopisu Zápas o dui, èesky i slovensky a mnoha dalích zajímavostí, fotografií z Ekvádoru a pøipravujeme krátké videoklipy z Ekvádoru. Ve nejlepí do Nového roku pøejí Steigerovi a spolupracovníci HCJB : Jindra, Gabi, Vladimír Pavel & Klára Steigerovi, Hoálkova 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. Vojtas book Czechoslovak Baptists In 1892 the Womens 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. o o Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 9 Sermon on Abraham He Staggered Not Dr. Andrew Kmetko Part 3 T he Life Application Bible says, Abraham never doubted that God would fulfill His promise. Abrahams 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: Dont you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and that Gods Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy him; for Gods 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). 10 Romans 4:1625 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 peoplenot 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. 5:910). 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. 7:1213). 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 Abrahams 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 Gods 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 + Continues on next page Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 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 Boí dar Pokraèování ze strany 5 dìti tak, jako by byl úplnì jiný èas, dojde k dezorientování svìta kolem nás V Bibli také èteme, e kdy se naplnil èas, Boí zaslíbení se stala skuteèností. Pán Bùh také øíká, e jetì dnes máme tu milost pøidává nám nové dny jako dar. Jednou, to je také napsáno v Bibli, pøili za jedním apotolem lidé a zeptali se: Proè øíká, e Kristus pøijde znovu, vdy se podívej, lidé umírají, vechno bìí na zemi tak, jak bìelo, kde má ten pøíchod Krista? On jim na to odpovìdìl: Pán Bùh shovívá a prodluuje èas, dává nové a nové dny, protoe nechce, aby kdokoliv z vás zahynul. On to dìlá kvùli vám. Jinak by Kristus ji dávno pøiel. Nechce vás pøistihnout nepøipravené na tento pøíchod. Proto vám dává, jako dar, bez jakékoliv vaí zásluhy, vdy dalí a dalí den, abyste se koneènì vzpamatovali. Nyní si pøedstavte, e církve své okolí matou ukazováním nesprávného èasu. Dnes nic nesvìdèí o tom, e církev èeká svého Spasitele, svého Krále. Naopak svìdèí o rozhodnutí mít se úplnì stejnì dobøe, jako se má svìt a jetì k tomu mít Pána Boha jako bonus. Je to snaha mít plnou jistotu v bance i v nebi. Pán Bùh povìdìl jedno zvlátní slovo: Dny jsou zlé a je tøeba èlovìèe, abys zaèal správnì vykupovat dar èasu, který ti dávám. Zaèni s tím èasem správnì hospodaøit! Víme, e èas jsou peníze. Pán Bùh vak øíká, e èas pro èlovìka mùe být buï ivot nebo smrt. Záleí na tom, zda ten èas, který ti dává, vyuije na smíøení s Ním nebo ho promarní, promrhá na své vìci a na uspokojení svých ádostí, aby jsi se nìkam vyvihl. Bible øíká, e i kdybys celý svìt získal a své dui udìlal kodu tím, e jsi nepøijal Boího Syna jako svého Pána a Spasitele, nemá nic pøed Bohem, co bys mu mohl jednou nabídnout. Je jedno, které církve jsi byl èlenem tøeba celý ivot. Kdo má Syna má ivot, kdo nemá Syna, neuzøí ivota na vìky. Tak to øíká Bible. Konèím prohláením, které vyslovil Pán Bùh: A proto, jestlie dnes uslyí mùj hlas, èlovìèe, neudìlej tu poetilost, e zavøe svoje srdce, ale dej ho mnì. Právì to tvoje srdce, zlé a pøevrácené, zpùsobuje netìstí tvého ivota. Dej mi ho. Kadý den a kadý 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 Pospíila pøednesené na akci Senior centra v Ostravì dne 26.5.2002 odpoledne. o 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 14:1617). And hope does not Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 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). Lets not stagger at the promises of God! o 11 Hagarpokora a podriadenie Jozef Kulaèík Èas 4 A 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. Vimnime si napríklad, e v celej kapitole nepadne ani jediné obviòujúce slovo. V tom je nádejnos celého príbehu dvoch ien a Abraháma. Akoby sa tu mlèky hovorilotakí sme my 3⁄4udia. Nedokáeme vdy odola presile, nie sme vdy silní vo viere. Ani Abrahám nebol. Ale Boh ho na jeho ceste neopúa. 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. iadna postava v Biblii nie je úplne dokonalá, dokonalý je jedine Boh. V 16. kap. 1. knihy Mojiovej èítame zaujímavý príbeh. Abrahám a Sára chcú boím s3⁄4ubom pomôc. Mono 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 slúku Hagar, aby mu dala diea ona, to bolo vo vtedajej dobe obvyklé. Vymyslela zdanlivo schodnejiu, prirodzenejiu cestu, ale túto, ba práve túto Boh odmieta. Boh nepotrebuje cesty, na ktorých by mu 3⁄4udia mali pomáha. Z moností, o ktorých uvaovali vrátane tej, ktorú vymysleli, Boh nepouije ani jednu, naopakpouije tú, ktorej sa u ako 3⁄4udia vzdali. Podstata zas3⁄4úbenia toti nebola len v tom, e Abrahám bude ma syna. K tomuto s3⁄4ubu patrilo nerozluène aj to, e ho bude ma so Sárou. Nejde len o synatoho si bolo moné zaopatri aj ok3⁄4ukou. Ide aj o splnenie celého boieho zas3⁄4úbenia tak ako bolo povedané, a to bolo 12 1M 16 (1Pt 5, 67) moné len cestou zázraku. A tak vidíme, e aj Sára, ena, ktorá mala by muovi pomocou a oporou (Gn 2:18) stáva sa mu pokuite3⁄4kou. Nevieme, kde Abrahám k Hagar priiel. Snáï pri ceste do Egypta, ale u skutoènos, e Hagar, pôvodom egyptská otrokyòa, sa vôbec dostala do rodiny vyvoleného boieho mua je zaujímavá. Aj s pohanmi má Pán Boh svoju cestu, niè sa nedeje mimo boieho programu. Hagar ako pohanská ena v dome praotca Izraelato je prapoèiatok misie. Nevieme ani èo znamená jej meno, snáï útek, mono nieèo podobné. Tradujú sa výklady, ktoré Hagar dávajú do súvislosti s Arábiou. Apotol Pavel píe: Lebou Hagarou je vrch Sinaj v Arábii. (Gal. 4:25) Ján Zlatoústy hovorí vo výklade ep. Galatským: Hagar znamená slubu (otroctvo); a vrch Sinaj má toto meno v jazyku toho kraja. Krytof 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 hidra, ktoré znamená útek. Je zaujímavé, e zaèiatok pôsobenia Mohameda zaèína práve hidrou, èo je útekom z Mekky do Mediny v r. 622 a Hagar dvakrát od Abraháma utiekla. Zdanlivo dobre vymyslená pomoc Hospodinovi pokraèuje konfliktom dvoch ien. Hagar, keï vidí, e sa pokus podaril, nie je ïalej ochotná hra trpnú úlohu náhradníèky a domnieva sa, e ako matka pánovho dedièa sa zároveò stane paòou. Lene cesta z otroctva nie je taká jednoduchá. Spôsob, akým sa zaène správa, a to, e následne vyprovokuje konflikt, je príkladom toho, e zlo plodí ïalie zlo. Abrahám je naraz v zloitej situácii. Má dve eny, ale ani jedna mu nechce slúi. Sára chce Hagar pokori, ale Hagar sa nenechá. K pokore sa toti prinúti nedá. Zvonku sa nedá vnúti nikomu, vedie k nej len cesta osobnej skúsenosti. Rodinná dráma pokraèuje ïalou patovou situáciou: Sára je síce Abrahámova ena, ale Hagar je poehnaná. Hriech plodí ïalí hriech a zároveò aj mnostvo otáznikov a zdanlivo nerieite3⁄4ných rébusov. Akoby nikto z týchto troch nevedel, èo s tým Do tejto situácie urobí riskantný, skoro a zúfalý krok práve Hagar. Riei veci po svojomútekomten má v mene. Uteká pred Sárou, uteká pred Abrahámom, pred nerieite3⁄4ným problémom, mono aj pred sebou? iaden problém sa ale nedá vyriei tak, e pred ním èlovek uteèie. Uteka pred akosami je prejavom slabého rozpolteného a nevykúpeného èloveka. Uteka sa má pred hriechom, ale nie pred jeho rieením. Hagar to ale nevie. Vie jediné, chce ujs, chce ís od miesta svojho poníenia preè, chce ís kdeko3⁄4vek a zdá sa jej, e èoko3⁄4vek, akéko3⁄4vek miesto, aj pú bude lepia ako pánov dom. A tak uteká. Mono vedome, mono podvedome mieri kamsi do Egypta v zhode so svojím vlastným menom a pôvodom (cesta do úr, v. 7, je snáï miesto leiace na starej severoegyptskej hranici). Na ceste do úr 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, mono kultický charakter. Zloili sa tam preto, e h3⁄4adali odpoveï u bohov? Kadopádne prichádza boí posol a do situácie naprostého zúfalstva Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 Hagar poèuje boí hlas. Je to boí posol, niektorí prekladajú nepresne anjel. Pojem anjela bol toti spájaný s predstavou postavy z iného sveta a mal fantastické nadprirodzené rysy. V tomto prípade sa vak jedná o Hospodinovho posla. V Biblii takýmto poslom môe by ktorýko3⁄4vek èlovek, èo dostal mimoriadne poslanie od Boha. Aj tu, prichádza posolanjel, hovorí v zastúpení boom, a jeho slová mono teda stotoni so slovom boím. Aj Hagar tomu tak rozumie. Nazýva tu ako jediná v SZ Hospodina menomTen, ktorý ma vidí, Ten, ktorý prehovoril. V záhadnej postave vidí Hagar samotného Hospodina, Vykupite3⁄4a a ochrancu. V takejto situácii dostáva ale akú otázku: Odkia3⁄4 ide? A kam ide? Aj na pú si Hagar, uteèenkyòa, priniesla svoj základný problém so sebou. Odkia3⁄4 uteká, to viez domu svojho pána, pred jeho neznesite3⁄4nou paòou. Èo ale ïalej, to nevie. A tu do jej due prehovoril Hospodin. Mono vie, èo nechce, vie ale aj to, èo chce? A vie vôbec, e celý tvoj problém nespoèíva len v okolí, v iných 3⁄4uïoch, ale aj v tebe samej? Si schopná si uzna, e ty sama si svojím najväèím problémom, bez oh3⁄4adu na problémy, ktoré ti robia iní? Toto vetko 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 zmý3⁄4ania sa mení èlovek. Uteka vlastne ani niet kam, pretoe dokonalé miesto na zemi (dokonalú cirkev) èlovek nenájde, a to predovetkým preto, e vade sú 3⁄4udia a seba samého si stále nosíme so sebou. Boí posol jej vlastne zvestuje: Hagar, musí opusti skôr svoju povahu ako dom svojho pána. Zdroj mnohých naich 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 zmý3⁄4ania podobne ako Hagar. Aj ona na púti, na mieste úplného osamotenia spoznáva, e 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 mono 3⁄4udia, s ktorými nevieme vyjs, a ktorí nám nie sú povahovo blízki, èi nám dokonca robia problémy. Cesta zo zboru, cesta úteku je vdy bludná cesta. Boí posol vyzýva Hagar na inú cestu, ne si naplánovala, na cestu pokánia, na cestu vnútornej premeny. Hagar túto výzvu zapoèuje a poslúchne a v tom je jej ve3⁄4kos. Ve3⁄4kos kadého èloveka nie je v úteku od problémov, ale v ich rieení aj keï môu by aké a bolestivé. Pán Boh nám nes3⁄4úbil prechádzku ruovou záhradou. By kresanom neznamená i bez problémov, práve naopak, kresanská povaha sa buduje tým, e sa mnohého musíme vzda a prejs rôznymi skúkami. Najaie víazstvá bývajú víazstvá nad sebou samým. Miesto, kde Hagar stretla Boha vevidiaceho, pri studni ivého, nám pripomína, e Boh vidí èloveka v kadej núdzi a ukáe sa mu v pravý èas. To konkrétne miesto bolo pre Hagar v krajine Káde, v Biblii je ale vade tam, kde sa s Vevidiacim 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, e syna porodila, a e Abrahám nazval svojho syna Izmael (v. 15). Celý príbeh nám hovorí pouèenie: èo èlovek vie dobre, v èom je naozaj odborník, je vymý3⁄4anie cestièiek, skratiek, ok3⁄4úk, útekov a blúdení. Èlovek je hrieny tvor, a preto mu svet hriechu je blií ne svet nápravy. Èlovek môe sám ochorie, ale uzdravi sa sám nemôe. Nápravu a cestu spásy pozná Boh. Hagar vlastne na púti preila znovuzrodenie. Vo chvíli stretnutia sa s Bohom sa z Hagar utekajúcej stala Hagar posluná. Z Hagar slepej Hagar vidiaca. Ve3⁄4kos Hagary spoèívala práve v tom, e si dala od Boha poveda. Aj ten najaí problém sa dá vyriei zmenou zmý3⁄4ania a cestou pokánia. Pokánie to nie je len nejaké slovo, nejaká fráza, pokánie je vdy konkrétny skutok na ceste poslunosti. Celý príbeh nie je v Biblii uvedený len preto, aby nám podal zaujímavú informáciu o jednej udalosti z Abrahámovho ivota, a u vôbec nie preto, aby sme my mohli posudzova a súdi konanie jednotlivých osôb, ktoré tu vystupujú. Mýli sa, blúdi, a mono i uteka nebolo typické len pre Hagar, sú to vlastnosti, ktoré sú blízke mono bliie, ne by sme boli ochotní prizna vetkým nám. To najhorie na blúdení nie je samotný fakt, e èlovek uteká, dostane sa na pú a nevie kam. Pre kadého èloveka v akejko3⁄4vek núdzi má Boh svoje posolstvo. Najhorie nie je dosta sa na pú, ale zosta tam, nie zhrei, ale zosta v hriechu. Nepoèu, neposlúchnu boí hlas a nechcie sa vráti k nemu. Najhorie je zostáva v hriechu a tvrdohlavo odmieta boie rieenie. Kadý z nás, ktorí èítame túto kapitolu by sme ju mali èíta tak, aby sme si uvedomili akých chýb sa dopúame svojou vlastnou netrpezlivosou, strachom a panickými obavami z budúcnosti, ako tým kodíme sebe aj svojím blízkym a ako vzdor, zloba a tvrdohlavos nikdy niè v ivote nevyrieia. Apotol Peter píe nielen mladím, ale vetkým o podriaïovaní sa a pokore. Boh sa pyným protiví, ale pokorným dáva milos. Preto apotol radí: Pokorte sa teda pod mocnú ruku Boiu, aby vás povýil svojím èasom. Kadú 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 niekdajej Juhoslávii, v Nemecku, védsku a Rakúsku. Milí Matuzalémci, prajeme vám, aby ste boli aj naïalej pre svojich poslucháèov poehnaním a aby Pán Boh pouíval vae piesne ku zmene 3⁄4udských ivotov. Nech sa tak deje nielen na starom európskom kontinente, ale aj na kontinente severoamerickom, ktorý sa práve chystáte navtívi a vo vetkých krajinách sveta, kam sa vae nahrávky dostanú. Ján Banko o Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 13 Scranton Road Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio If My Friends Could See Me Now A 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. 14 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. + Continues on next page Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 I 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 36, 2003 in Philippi, is Youll 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 17:15 Jesus Prays for Disciples John 17:619 Jesus Prays for Future Believers John 17:2026 Dr. Andrew KmetkoEnglish, and Slavo Kral and/or Daniel ValentaSlovak 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 courseMatuzalem. 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 14, or 811, 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 workmake check payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Womens Missionary Union. ! Gifts for Conventionmake 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 MemoryJames 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 Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 15 Athens, WI Dear sister in Christ [Vera Dors] I havent written to the Glorious Hope for a long time. I have been sick for at least 5 years. Im thankful for continuing on with Glorious Hope. Im sending a memorial gift in my mothers memory, my brothers George and my sister-in-law Julia Macik. Forgive my poor writing at my age, it isnt 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 Saviors 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 Lords 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 16 ear Friends in Christ, February 10, 2003 I do miss receiving my Glorious Hope. I have only received September-October issue and didnt get November-December. For years Ive 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. Ive 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, PianoOrgan 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 + Continues on page 22 Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 Establishing Standards Tom Devine O 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 I 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 JanuaryFebruary 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 Gods ambassadors? It is risky but highly rewarding. (Dr. Josef Solc, Doing Missions in the Post-Communist Czech Republic) o 17 Fireflies Jan Karafiát Part 3 A 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. 18 “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 JanuaryFebruary 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 JanuaryFebruary 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 + Continues on page 16 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. Dont 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! 19 Brouèci Jan Karafiát 3. Èást B yl podzim. Svìtla ubývalo a zimy pøibývalo, a tak brouèci e u nikam nepoletí. Jenom musel tatínek kmotøíèkovi slíbit, e se k nim pøijde s maminkou a s Brouèkem jetì jednou podívat, a to hned zejtra, døív ne udeøí zima. A tak druhý den po snídani, e pùjdou ku kmotøièce. A li, Vak u na nì èekali. Dávali si po hubièce, a Brouèek líbal ruku. Ale byl tam jetì nìkdo, Kmotøièka vzala Brouèka za ruku. Pojï, Brouèku, polib také tadyhle Janince ruku. A Brouèek políbil, honem se vak schoval za maminku. Sedli kolem kamen a zaèali si povídat. Ale kmotøièka la do sínì k almaøe, a Brouèek za ní. Kmotøièko, co pak máte? I, Brouèku, pekli jsme koláèe s tvarohem a s mákem. A u jich nesla kmotøièka plný talíø, a kadý si jeden vzal, a Brouèek, e zkusí také jetì jeden tvarohový. A vzal si také jeden tvarohový, a sedìli kolem kamen a povídali si. Ale Brouèkovi se to jaksi nehezky sedìla, Pojï sem, Beruko, já ti nìco povím. A Beruka la, a Brouèek jí eptal 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 ádného brouèka a tatínka? Ne, ona jest sama. A kde pak zùstává? Pane, tam u lesa ve vøase. Takovou má krásnou chaloupku z mechu. Ale kdy se poøád tak moc na mne dívá. I jdi hloupý. Vdy ona jest hodná. Ví ten med ten jsme dostali od ní. Ale kdy ona " Tu vak volala kmotøièka Beruku. ly do sínì, a Brouèek honem za nima. Kmotøièko, vy jetì nìco máte? Mám. Vdy u jste zde letos naposledy. A zas v letì. Co pak máte? Poèkej, to se podiví. Pojï, pomùe nám. A Brouèek e pomùe. A li, ale ne do almary. Tam do zadu na dvùr mìli jetì komoru, a v té komoøeó, tam mìla kmotøièka stát celé zrnko vína, tak jak se z hroznu utrhlo, takové krásné modré, a do èervena. A teï se ho kmotøièka s Berukou chopily a nesly je celé, tak jak bylo, do svìtnice, a Brouèek jim pomáhal. Postavte je tadyhle na stùl, to bude nejlepí, radil kmotøíèek. Kohoutek u mìl na pohotovì, vzal jetì kladiveèko, vyrazil stopku, nasadil kohoutek, a kmotøièka u drela køiálový koflíèek, aby do nìho kmotøíèek natoèil. A kmotøíèek do nìho natoèil, a se to rdìlo a 20 pøímo vyskakovalo. A teï si zavdala nejdøív maminka, pak Janinka, potom kmotøièka, po ní tatínek, pak kmotøíèek, a Brouèkovi a Beruce také dali, ale jenom líznout. A vickni si to velmi velice chválili, takové to bylo sladké! Jenom se jim to zdálo být moc silné. A tak kmotøièka: Beruko, honem skoè na palouk se dbánem pro rosu. A Beruka honem skoèila na palouk se dbánem pro rosu. Kmotøíèek pøitáhl stùl blí 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, kdy se s kmotøièkou sebrali. Vyletìl hned po slunce západu, celou noc pìknì svítil, a kdy u k ránu letìl zas domù, tu se najednou objevila taková velikánská luna a u u ho chtìla za iva spolknout. Kmotøíèek se náramnì lekl, ale honem se vzpamatoval, a frrr na buk, ale luna hrrr za ním. A tak kmotøíèek honem do skuliny, ale luna zobákem hned za ním, a e byla díra malá, u 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 luna také zobákem dál a dál, a u dál nemohla a kmotøíèka nechala. A kmotøíèek chvíli jetì èekal a pak pomalounku vylízal. Ale opatrnì a dobøe se ohlíel, jestli tam luna nìkde nesedí. Ale nesedìla, a tak letìl kmotøíèek honem domù. Slunce u 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. A zabìhla k Janinèinu tatínkovi. A on také nic nevìdìl, ale jen aby prý kmotøièka nic neplakala, kmotøíèek e býval posluný, a posluné brouèky e má Pán Bùh na starosti, tak e se jim nemùe nic stát, a i kdy se jim nìco stane, e jest to tak dobøe, e to Pán Bùh tak chtìl, a e nesluí brouèkùm moc plakat a naøíkat. Aby jen la kmotøièka domù a pìknì èekala. A kmotøièka la domù, a kdy jde, tu jí pøichází kmotøíèek naproti. To mìla radost! A tak si to povídali a byli rádi, e u jest to pryè, Ale Beruka se dala pøi tom do pláèe. Co pak ti jest? ptal se jí Brouèek. I, kdyby mnì byla ta luna tatínka serala! Ale vdy ti ho neserala, A kmotøíèek k tomu doloil: Milá Beruko, tenkrát jsme tì jetì ani nemìli. Ale Beruka, e nech, a vzlykala pøece. A teï vypravoval tatínek: Kdy kmotøíèek a tatínek byli jetì; hoi a mìli poprvé letìt, e 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 JanuaryFebruary 2003 nìho nauèili. A jednou, kdy u sami lítali, pøidal se k nim Janinèin tatínek a povídal: Pojïte, hoi, já vás nìkam zavedu. Ale musíte být tií a dávat pozor. A oni e ano. A letìli a letìli, a pøiletìli k takovému krásnému mìstu. Kolem byly krásné zahrady, a tam, u skoro za mìstem, v jedné té zahradì u cesty stál veliký krásný dùm okna náramnì veliká a dvéøe jetì mnohem vìtí. A ta okna byla plna svìtla, a ty dvéøe byly dokoøán otevøeny, a do tìch dveøí vcházeli poøád lidé, staøí i mladí, hoi i holky. A Janinèin tatínek povídal: Pojïte, hoi, 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. Kdy kdo pøiel, vkroèil do lavice, zùstal chvilku stát, díval se do klobouku a pak si pìknì sedl; mìl s sebou pod paí dvì knihy a tu jednu si otevøel. A tu jeden z nich vystoupil na takové leeníèko, kde byl malý stoleèek, a e budou zpívat. A zaèali zpívat a tak krásnì zpívali. A kdy dozpívali, vstali, a ten na tom leeníèku poèal se modlit: e jsou nestateèní lidièkové, a e byli nepoluní, 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 e aby se nebál. A kdy si zas sedli, tu jim pìknì vypravoval, kdy nìkdo se bojí Pána Boha, e se nemusí nikoho bát, ba e ani nesmí, protoe to Pán Bùh nechce. Pak se zas modlili, a zas zpívali, a kdy u vycházeli, dávali u dveøí nìco na talíø, a to cinkalo. Viïte, hoi, 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 vdy 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 e se Janinka tak moc na nìj dívala. Jaksi se jí jakoby bál. A tu ona se k nìmu obrátí: Nu, Brouèku, kdy pak ty poletí? A e mu to tak pìknì øekla, a hezky se na nìho usmívala, tak on se u tak moc nebál. Ó brzy. I u bude pomalu dost velký. Jen jestli umí dost poslouchat! Uvidíme. Ale snad mne pozve, a ponejprv poletí, abychom tì vyprovodili? A Brouèek e pozve, a maminka k tomu s radostí doloila, e u to snad bude o pøítím svatém Janì. A pøi tom zùstalo. U vstávali a strojili se k odchodu. Ach, zas ta zima! naøíkala maminka. I dá Pán Bùh, bude zas léto, a zas se uvidíme, tìila ji kmotøièka. A poèalo louèení. Pìknì se líbali a Pánu Bohu porouèeli. U bylo skoro chladno, a tak spìchali. Janinka tam k lesu do vøasy. Brouèek s tatínkem a s maminkou tam do stránì pod jalovec. U byli v prostøed palouku, kdy se Brouèek jetì jednou ohlídl. Janinka u byla pryè; kmotøíèek a Beruka stáli pøed chaloupkou pod dubem, a dívali se za nimi. S Pánem Bohem, kmotøièko, a zas v letì, zkøikl Brouèek. A u je nebylo vidìt. U 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 vechno pohotovì. A tak jí pøenesli z komory vecko do Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje JanuaryFebruary 2003 kuchyòky, hrách a kroupy a jáhle a krupici a mouku, také troku èoèky, a pak jetì 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 velo, a k tomu jetì plnou síò, a po samé dvéøe. Pak vylezl tatínek po ebøíèku 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 dive celou støechu neroztrhal. Jetì tìstí, e nebyla tak zlá zima. A teï chodili kolem chaloupky, a kde byla jaká skulinka, dobøe ji ucpali, tak e nemohlo nikde ani profouknout. Pak zavøeli dvéøe na petlici, zastrèili pejlek, a celé dvéøe zarovnali døívím, aby jim v síni nezavazelo. Naposledy po vem 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! Vak ono u venku burácelo. Tak se jen jetì 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. Pøetitìno 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, e mìl køidélka, aby mohl létat. Urèitì mìl noky, aby mohl lézt. Potøeboval také svìtélko, aby mohl svítit. Víte co, dìti? Nakreslete Brouèka tak, jak si myslíte, e vypadal a polete obrázek do redakce. Rádi bychom vìdìli, jak si Brouèka pøedstavujete. Vyprávìní o Brouèkovi je velmi dlouhé, budeme Brouèkova dobrodruství otiskovat na pokraèování. Vae obrázky s radostí pouijeme pro ilustraci. Neèekejte, vezmìte si tuku nebo pastelky a kreslete! Mùete pouít i barvy a Brouèka namalovat. Polete obrázek, co nejdøíve, protoe pøipravujeme dalí èást a moná vá obrázek bude právì ten nejvhodnìjí! 21 T 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. 22 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 JanuaryFebruary 2003 Loneliness Osamocenost Natasha Legierski Nataa Legierská L 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 JanuaryFebruary 2003 O samocenost je stav, ve kterém se èlovìk ocitne velice snadno. Pøichází zpravidla tehdy, kdy ji nejménì potøebujeme. Osamocenost pociujeme nejvíce, kdy procházíme tìkým obdobím, ivotními zkoukami 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 ivota. Èlovìk se mùe cítit osamìlý, i kdy je obklopen spoleèností. Osamìlost si nevybírá. Navtíví kadého. Jak se s pocitem osamìlosti vypoøádat? Nabízí se nám nìkolik moností. V kadém pøípadì záleí na osobnosti èlovìka, jeho individualitì a povahových zvlátnostech. Zatímco se jeden èlovìk lituje a uzavírá se více do sebe, druhý èlovìk na sebe upozoròuje pøíliným mluvením o své osobì, svých nemocech, pocitech nebo záitcích 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. Dalí èlovìk, hledá únik zvýenou aktivitou. Zamìstná se, aby necítil samotu. Zdá se, e tento pøístup pramení s neochoty èlovìka pøiznat si stav osamocenoti. Pøíli mnoho èinnosti vede k pøepracovanosti a dalím rùzným problémùm. Opìt se dostaví osamocenost, pøed kterou èlovìk vlastnì utíká. Jaké je tedy øeení? Skuteèností je, e èlovìk není schopen èelit osamocenosti sám. Zamìøení se sama na sebe jakýmkoliv zpùsobem nepøinese øeení ani sebeuspokojení. Øád a poøádek v ivotì vyplývá z podøízenosti se Boímu vedení a zamìøení pohledu ne dovnitø, ale ven a vzhùru. Pohled vzhùru je pohled upøený na Pána Jeíe, který na køíi proil nejvyí stupeò osamocenosti. Pohled smìrem ven nám dovoluje vidìt druhého èlovìka, bliního. Umìt mu naslouchat bez povýené kritiky, být vnímavý a citlivý na jeho potøeby, vidìt ho oèima Pána Jeíe. Pøedpokladem ovem je pravidelné obecenství s Pánem Bohem. To pøináí vyrovnanost poutí ivotem, který je mnohdy tak krutý. Snadnìji se na toto téma píe, ne se èelí osamocenosti. Boj s osamoceností je boj proti podstatì èlovìèenství. Mùe vést k Pánu Bohu nebo od Nìho. Na nás záleí, který to bude smìr. Závazek èi odevzdání se nemùe uskuteènit bez nadìje. Bratrskou láskou srdeènì milujte jedni druhé, vzájemnì se pøedcházejte uctivostí, v pilnosti nepolevujte, buïte vroucí duchem, slute Pánu, v nadìji se radujte, v soueních buïte trpìliví, v modlitbì vytrvalí. Radujte se s radujícími a plaète s plaèícími. Nikomu neodplácejte zlo zlem. Opatrujte dobré pøede vemi lidmi. Je-li to moné, pokud je na vás, mìjte se vemi lidmi pokoj. (Øímanùm 12; 1012, 15, 1718, Nová Bible Kralická) V tom spoèívá hluboké poehnání a plnost pozemského ivota. Pán Bùh vybavil eny zvlátním stupnìm vnímavosti. Buïme Mu o vdìèné za tuto výsadu! Ladies’ Contribution: see Donation on page 15 Change 23
