Glorious Hope / Slavná naděje - Czechoslovak Baptist Convention
Transkript
Glorious Hope / Slavná naděje - Czechoslovak Baptist Convention
P EACE The Christmas holidays symbolize peace. The Christmas carols and songs we hear bring that across. Printings with Christmas motifs show peace. People desire peace. It is so important for us to spend these holidays at ease surrounded by our loved ones. A countryside blanketed in snow in the silence of night only enhances these feelings. We cannot help remembering our childhood, when Christmas was a magical time and everyContents: Editorial - Natasha Legierski ................................................................122 God Became a Man at Christmas - John E. Karenko .....................123 Oputìná láska - Jaroslav Pospíil .......................................................124 Waiting and Watching - Andrew Kmetko ..........................................127 Svedectvo - Anna Kulaèíková ...............................................................128 Observation Tower: Confession - John Karenko .............................129 Sermon on Abraham, Part 2 - Andrew Kmetko................................130 TWR: The Listeners Post - George Cooper ....................................131 Abrahám, veriací a posluný, èas 3 - Jozef Kulaèík ........................132 From Our Churches - Minitonas: History - Aldrich Novotný..........134 BWA News - Denton Lotz.....................................................................135 From Our readers ..................................................................................136 65th Wedding Anniversary - Andrew and Alice Kmetko.................136 Youth Scene: A Formula for a Beautiful Fall - Brian Dors .............137 Invitation: Mission Trip to the Czech Republic ................................137 Childrens Corner: Fireflies, Part 2 - Jan Karafiát ...........................138 Brouèci, 2. èást - Jan Karafiát...........................140 In Memory - Charles A. Soltis ..............................................................142 From the President - Robert Dvorak ..................................................142 From the Executive Secretary..............................................................142 Ladies Page - Natasha Legierski .......................................................143 Poem - Silent Night/Tichá noc ............................................................144 Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002, Vol. 28, N 6 (USPS 009334), ISSN 0700-5202 Published Bi-Monthly by The Czechoslovak Baptist Convention of USA and Canada Periodical postage paid in Philippi, WV. o Publication Office: Glorious Hope 1524 Lancaster Dr., #134, Oakville, ON, L6H 2Z2, Canada Editor-in-Chief: Natasha Legierski email: [email protected] Electronic Publishing and Art: Vit Malek email: [email protected] Assistant Editors: Janice Cermak, Ján Banko Editorial Staff: George Sommer, George Legierski, Joseph Novak You may send articles to above address POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Glorious Hope / Slavná nadìje Rt. 4, Box 58D, Philippi, WV 26416-9717 USA email: [email protected] thing seemed so beautiful, so different. The arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ to ear th brought peace. If we gaze at a sleeping newborn, the peace radiating from that little face will surely touch us. God in His wisdom chose this as the way the Savior would come to this world. Any other way could have raised controversy. A newborn: defenseless, pure, completely given over to the arms of its mother, resting peacefully. After centuries, year after year, it is as though these things were reoccurring. The miraculous arrival of the Savior is what we are remembering again this year, at a time when the world, torn by war, wants peace. The Bible makes us aware that the more we call for peace, the further off it will be (Ezek. 7:25). Peace came to earth with the infant Jesus. It is impossible to separate peace from the person of Jesus. If you want peace in your heart, you need Jesus in your heart. If you accept Jesus, you gain peace, peace that transcends all understanding (Phil. 4:7). This peace really is impossible to comprehend. It is a peace that will last through the toughest of life’s battles. God’s peace. We are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Does the peace of God radiate from us to reach those around us? We wish for all readers to be reached with a new wave of God’s peace in the coming holidays. We wish, for you as well as for us, that this peace will fill our hearts every day in the coming year. We desire this peace, God’s peace, to spread unstoppably, like an avalanche, until it fills all the earth! Editor-in-Chief Natasha Legierski P OKOJ Vánoèní svátky symbolizují pokoj a mír. Tato nálada nás oslovuje pøi poslechu vánoèních písní a koled. O pokoji hovoøí obrazy s vánoèními motivy. Ano, èlovìk, ve své podstatì, po pokoji touí. Tolik nám záleím na tom, abychom tyto svátky proívali v pohodì, obklopeni svými bliními! Zasnìená krajina v noèním tichu, tyto pocity jenom umocòuje. Neubráníme se vzpomínkám na dìtství, kdy vánoce mìly zvlátní kouzlo. Vechno se zdálo tak krásné, jiné . Pøíchod Pána Jeíe na svìt, pøinesl pokoj. Zadíváme-li se na spící nemluvnì, pokoj vyzaøující z jeho tváøièky, nás jistì osloví. Pán Bùh, ve své moudrosti, zvolil právì tento zpùsob pøíchodu Spasitele. Kadý jiný zpùsob mohl vyvolat kontraverzi. Nemluvnì, bezbranné, + Pokraèování na stranì 123 Front Cover: Corel Photos: Hoar-frost covered oak forest Convention photos: George Sommer, Vlastimil Pojman Back Cover: Corel Photos: Decorated night lamp Next issue deadline - December 15, 2002 122 Printed on recycled paper Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 God Became a Man at Christmas Rev. John E. Karenko E veryone celebrates Christmas (the birth), but who exactly was born and why? An important question! The Word of God clearly answers this and we know that his “Word is truth.” (John 17:17) “For unto us was born a child and a Son was given. His name shall be called the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) These words of the Prophet Isaiah predicted the birth of Jesus Christ as God. The Apostle Paul confirms who Jesus is with the words: “God appeared in the flesh.” (I Timothy 3:16) In another place he writes about this with these words: “Christ Jesus, being in the form of God…came in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5–7) Note that Paul testifies: “According to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” (Romans 9:5) “The Word was with God and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father…the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He…said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.” (John 1:1,14) Many other Scriptures corroborate this truth. The Bible teaches and Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. That’s what Christmas and Easter are all about! “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us and understanding that…This is the True God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20) That’s awesome! The Apostle Matthew also writes of this: “Behold, the virgin will bel with child, and will bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us…and you shall call His Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:23,21) The Bible says that in Him: “We have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14) “For there is born unto you this day in the city of David (Bethlehem) a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) It is clear that a Savior saves those who by faith accept Him. It is written: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Christ and you will be saved and all your household.” (Acts 16:31) Christ Himself said: “For God so loved that world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3: 16) Jesus commanded: “Search the Scriptures, for…they testify of Me,” and reprimands the listeners thus: “But you are not willing to com to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39,40) What shall we say to “Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ’s.” (Titus 2:13) Words? He sill calls: “Come to Me.” (Matthew 11:28) The apostle Paul said, “I live by faith in the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) What will be your gift to Jesus this Christmas? He asks: “Give Me your heart.” (Proverbs 23:26) If you do, you get eternal life. (Romans 6:23c) His gift to you! You can’t beat that for giving! o Editorial pokraèování ze strany 122 èisté, naprosto odevzdané do náruèe matky, spoèívá v pokoji . Po staletí, rok co rok, jakoby tyto události znovu oívaly . Zázraèný pøíchod Spasitele si pøipomínáme i letos. V dobì, kdy celý svìt, v bolestném zápase, po pokoji touí. Boí Slovo nás vak upozoròuje na to, e èím více budeme volat po pokoji, tím více se pokoj od nás bude vzdalovat (Ezech. 7;25). Pokoj sestoupil na zem tenkrát s nemluvòátkem, s Jeíem. Pokoj od Pána Jeíe nelze oddìlit. Chce-li mít pokoj v srdci, musí pøijmout do svého srdce Pána Jeíe. Pøijme-li Pána Jeíe, získá pokoj. Pokoj, který pøevyuje veliký rozum (Filip. 4:7). Tento pokoj skuteènì nelze rozumem pochopit. Je to pokoj, který pøetrvá i v nejtìí bouøi ivota. Boí pokoj. My jsme následovníky Pána Jeíe Krista. Vyzaøuje z nás ten Boí pokoj, který oslovuje kolemjdoucí, nae bliní? Pøejeme vem ètenáøùm, aby byli zasaeni novou vlnou Boího pokoje v tyto nadcházející svátky. Pøejeme vám i nám, aby tento pokoj plnil nae srdce v kadém dni budoucího roku. Touíme, aby se tento pokoj, Boí pokoj, íøil nezadritelnì jako lavina a zasáhl celý svìt! éfredaktorka Nataa Legierská o 123 Opuìná láska Jaroslav Pospíil Text: Zjevení 2, 17 Téma: Ale to mám proti tobì, e u nemá takovou lásku jako na poèátku ( Zjevení 2,4) J istì si nìkteøí z vás øíkají: Co ten èlovìk chce jetì o dopisu ze Zjevení do Efezu povìdìt? Slyeli jsem na nìj mnoho kázání. Jednou jsem slouil v Karlových Varech na text o marnotratném synovi. Pøiel za mnou jeden z mých blízkých pøíbuzných. Øekl mi, e byl zvìdav, co nového chci na tento text øíci. Slyel ji na tento oddíl 15 kázání. Nejde vak o to slyet nìco nového, ale novì slyet slovo, které ji vyprchalo z naich ivotù. Zeptáme se: A jak mùe vìdìt, e vyprchalo? Zvlá bych se chtìl dnes s vámi zastavit u vere: Ale to mám proti tobì, e u nemá takovou lásku, jako na poèátku. Nebo jazykem Bible kralické: Ale to mám proti tobì, e jsi tu první lásku svou opustil. Po jednom kázání na tento text pøiel jeden èlovíèek za kazatelem a øekl: Bratøe kazateli, má pravdu, nevzal jsem si svoji první lásku. Vzal jsem si a tøetí Mám proti tobì to, e jsi tu první lásku svou Je Pán Jeí Kristus skuteènì jetì tou první a tedy jedinou láskou mého a tvého ivota? Dá se povìdìt, e ta první láska, která vznikla ve chvíli, kdy jsme Ho smìli poznat a pøijmout, kdy On se stal skuteènì jedinou láskou mého ivota, je jetì poøád první a jediná? Anebo u máme druhou, tøetí, pátou,desátou, stou lásku svého ivota? A Pán Jeí je nìkde v tom zástupu lásek na kdo ví jakém místì. Patøí Mu opravdu to první místo? Nìkdo øekne: A jak se to pozná, e Pán Jeí je jetì první láskou, tou jedinou láskou mého ivota? Dovolte, abych vám trochu otevøel své srdce a øekl vám, jaké to bylo, kdy jsem se zamiloval do své manelky. Zaèalo to, kdy jsem sám v sobì pocítil, e je to ta jediná, která se mi líbí. Tu mi vezmìtevyjádøeno slovy, které pouil v podobné situaci Samson vùèi svým rodièùm. Bydleli jsme v té dobì od sebe ve vzdálenosti asi 120-ti kilometrù. Jezdil jsem za ní kadý víkend po práci, pøesto na mne sedla nìkdy v týdnu neodbytná mylenka. Skoèil jsem po práci do auta a dvì hodiny jsem jel, abych s ní mohl být pùl hodiny. Kdy je nìkdo láskou vaeho ivota, hledáte kadou pøíleitost k tomu, abyste s ním mohli být. Kadá pøíleitost je dobrá k tomu, abyste mohli být v jeho blízkosti, abyste s ním mohli mluvit, abyste ho mohli slyet. Vidìli jsme se kadý víkend, ale zajel jsem za ní nìkdy i v týdnu. Kromì toho jsem oèekával ve støedu její dopis. 124 Nebyl-li tam, musela si v pátek odpoledne vyslechnout, jak si to pøedstavuje, nechat mne tak dlouho èekat. Jak je to moné, e se køesan obejde bez své Bible ne jeden den, ale nìkdy celý týden? Nìkteøí ji nechávají v modlitebnì, aby mìli jistotu, e ji tam pøítí nedìli najdou. Také mají jistotu, e se jim bìhem týdne nebude plést do jejich rozhodování. Èlovìk, který miluje, se tìí na kadé slovo od toho, koho miluje. Nedokáe si pøedstavit ít bez nìjaké zprávy, nìjakého slovíèka. On si toti za tím slovem pøedstavuje toho, koho miluje. Kdosi povìdìl, e ná vztah k Pánu Jeíi Kristu je vyjádøený naim vztahem k jeho slovu. Pán Jeí to øíká také: Ten, kdo mne miluje, ten zachovává má pøikázání. Manelka mi nìkdy øekne: Hochu, to je sice pìkné, e mne má rád, jak øíká, ale tam je hora nádobí. Nevím kam døív skoèit, doka mi svá slova tím, e ta hora nádobí zmizí. Øíkáváme: Pane, já Tì miluji, bez Tebe si to nedokái pøedstavit, a hora nádobí stále zùstává na nìj. Pane, to je tvoje starost, chci ít úspìný, nádherný, astný ivot a to pinavé nádobí mi k tomu vùbec, ale vùbec nepasuje. Jestli skuteènì milujeme Pána Jeíe Krista, jak je moné, e jsou shromádìní, ve kterých chybíme? Jak je to moné? Jestli Pán Jeí Kristus je skuteènì tou první a jedinou láskou mého ivota, nemohu chybìt tam, kde On zaslíbil, e bude. Kde se v Jeho jménu shromádí dva nebo tøi, bude uprostøed. Nìkdy ovem platí: Tento lid se ke mnì pøibliuje svými ústy, ale svým srdcem je na hony, na hony vzdálený. Nìkdy nae tìlo sedí pìknì ve shromádìní a nae mysl bloudí po místech pustých. Moji spolupracovníci byli na øeèi o mé manelce obèas alergiètí. Øíkali: Liduka toto a Liduka tamto, u to známe, uetøi nás Èlovìk má potøebu o tom, koho miluje, neustále mluvit; neustále sdìlovat tìm ostatním, jak je to úasné, jak je to nádherné, co ten èlovìk dokáe, jaký je. My vak nìkdy dokáeme o Pánu Jeíi Kristu dlouho ani nepípnout. Lidé, se kterými jedete ve vlaku vám i nahrají na smeèjak øíká bratr kazatel Poloha starí. Teï je moné vést útok na sí, a my? Máme obavy, e by se nám vysmáli. Jestlie skuteènì miluji Pána Jeíe Krista, pak si nedovedu pøedstavit, e bych o nìm mlèel. Prostì, èeho je srdce plné, tím ústa pøetékají. Moná proto tolik øeèníme o autech, o výhodných investicích, o nepoøádku ve vládì, o tom, jak to bude v dùchodu (osobnì se na dùchod pøíli netìím, protoe v roce 2026 prý na dùchody nebude). Èeho je srdce plné Ale mám proti tobì to, e u nejsem tou první a jedinou láskou Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 tvého ivota. Dokazuje mi to tím, e mluví o nìèem úplnì jiném; vechny nevinnì trpící, vechny køivdy na svìtì. Bude mrkat, co já tím, e mé slovo tì ji tak moc nezajímá, e se bez nìj obejde celé vechno proti nìmu mám. dny, nìkdy týdny, mìsíce, celé roky; tím, e necítí potøebu mne Pán Bùh vak v Bibli øíká, e se jednou, èlovìèe, nebude staèit vidìt, mluvit se mnou. divit, co vechno má On proti tobì. Co jsi shromádil sám z vlastní Nìkdy asnu nad tím, jakou máme pøedstavu o Boím pùsobení vùle tím, e jsi to prostì zahodil. Odloil jsi to ve svém ivotì jako v naem ivotì. V jednom sboru, ve kterém jsem slouil, za mnou nepotøebnou vìc. pøiel èlovìk a øekl: Bratøe, mìl bys domluvit tìm, kteøí mají úvody k Ale to mám proti tobì, e u nemá takovou lásku jako modlitbám. To by mìl být skuteènì úvod k modlitbám. Nenacházím na poèátku. Pán Jeí Kristus ji není první a jedinou láskou tam ádné vybídnutí, ádnou inspiraci k tomu, abych se modlil. Efezského sboru. A vimnìte si, kolik je tam èinnosti: vím o tvých Odpovìdìl jsem: A co Boí práce ve tvém a v mém ivotì? To skutcích, o tvém úsilí, vytrvalosti; nemùe snést ty, kdo jsou zlí; jenom ten bratr nebo sestra, která slouí, má ve mnì vzbudit nìjakou vyzkouel jsi ty, kteøí se vydávají za apotoly, ale nejsou nimi, inspiraci? Neinspiruje mne kadodenní poèínání mého Pána? To shledal jsi, e jsou lháøi. Má vytrvalost a trpìl jsi pro mé jméno by svìdèilo jen o tom e s ním neiji, e ijeme oddìlené ivoty, jak a nepodlehl jsi únavì. To je èinnostía bez lásky. Toto vechno je to dnes moderní. se dá dìlat, ani by byl Pán Jeí první láskou tvého ivota. Kolik Byl bych rád, kdybychom si teï vimli jednu vìc. Pán Jeí provozu je nìkdy v naich sborech! Jak se nìkdy díváme se závistí Kristus øíká: Já mám proti tobì, e u nemá Mám proti tobì na jiný sbor a øíkáme siké by se dalo takto pracovat také u nás. to, co u nemá. Kolik vìcí ve svém ivotì odloíme a poztrácíme. Pán Jeí Kristus øíká, e ho ani tak moc nezajímá, co dìlá Efezský Budeme asnout, a pøijdeme do nebe. Uvidíme tam hromadu sbor. S Pánem Jeíem má jednu jedinou spoleènou vìc: námi odloených vìcí, které nám Pán Jeí Kristus Ke tvému dobru pøièítám, e nenávidí skutky dal. My jsme je odloili jako nìco nepotøebného. Nikolaitù stejnì jako já. To je jedna jediná Pán Jeí øíká: Já tvou lásku, tu první lásku spojnice, která jetì existuje. Mám proti tobì to, mám. Ty ji u nemá. Já ji tu mám, nael Nìkdy lidé øíkají, e pokud jsem ji na cestì tvého ivota. Leela tam nìkdo trpí pro jméno Kristovo, e jsi tu první lásku svou jako pro tebe naprosto nepotøebná a musí Ho také milovat. Byl Je Pán Jeí Kristus skuteènì vyøazená ze tvého ivota. Øekl jsi, jsem jednou na biblickém e se bez ni obejde. kurzu. Byl jsem ubytován jetì tou první a tedy jedinou láskou Boí slovo øíká, e Pán v rodinì, která mìla asi mého a tvého ivota? Dá se povìdìt, e Bùh bude mít jednou mnoho jedenáctiletého hocha. dobrých svìdomí, které mnozí Byl to velice vzdorovitý ta první láska, která vznikla ve chvíli, kdy lidé ztratili. Sice pobloudili od chlapec se svéráznou jsme Ho smìli poznat a pøijmout, kdy On se víry, ale ve srovnání s dnekem, pøedstavou o tom, co nic váného se nestalo. Proè to znamená poslouchat stal skuteènì jedinou láskou mého ivota, je nìjaké dobré svìdomí? V dnení rodièe a dìlat vechno, jetì poøád první a jediná? Anebo u máme dobìproè vùbec svìdomí? jak se má. Vzal jsem Chce-li mít èlovìk úspìch, chcesi ho stranou a trochu druhou, tøetí, pátou,desátou, stou lásku li prosperovat, chce-li to nìkam jsme spolu mluvili. Øekl svého ivota? A Pán Jeí je nìkde v dotáhnout, musí se nejprve zbavit kromì jiného, e u neví svìdomí. Dejte mu pokoj s dobrým co má dìlat. Kamarádi tom zástupu lásek na kdo ví jakém svìdomím. To si nemùe dovolit. To se mu posmívají, e je z místì. Patøí Mu opravdu je takový luxus, který dnes nezaplatíte pánbièkáøské rodiny. Pøedhazují ádnými penìzi. A tak èlovìk zahazuje i své mu, e jeho rodièe se jen modlí a první místo? svìdomí. Pán Bùh øíká: Já to zase vechno neustále chytají Pána Boha za paty. pìknì, po cestì tvého ivota, sbírám. Øekl jsem mu, e vlastnì trpí pro jméno V úvodu k modlitbám jsme èetli z epitoly Jakubovy: Pána Jeíe, ani by Mu patøil. Skuteènì lze Ten, kdo umí dobøe èinit a neèiní, má høích. A hle, on nemusel trpìt pro Pána Jeíe a nemilovat Ho tou první láskou. nikoho zabít. Je tam snad napsáno, e nìkoho zabil? Ukradl nìkomu Naopak, mùete to cítit jako nìco nepøíjemného, nìco, co vám lidé nìco? Pomluvil nìkoho a ukrátil ho na cti? To tam napsáno není. pøiívají naprosto neprávem. To, e nìkdo trpí, jetì není dùkaz, e Tam je napsáno, e ten, kdo umí dobøe dìlat a neèiní, má høích. (Je miluje. snad èlovìk, který neumí dobøe dìlat? Chodí po této zemi èlovìk, Nìkdy jsem slova dopisu Efezskému sboru vnímal jako výtku: který neumí dìlat dobøe pøinejmením sám sobì?) Sobì samým ty, ty, ty! Ty u nemá první lásku! Ale v urèitém období svého umíme vichni udìlat dobøe. Nemùeme se vymlouvat, e neumíme. ivota, jsem pochopil, e je to vlastnì úasnì bolestný povzdech Pán Bùh øíká: Já jsem to umìní dobøe dìlat nael. I to jsi zahodil. Pána Jeíe Krista. Zkusili jste u ít s lidmi, kteøí vás nemají rádi? Já to mám a mám to proti tobì. Proto øíká Boí slovo, e jednou, To je ivot, v tom si èlovìk lebedí! Vnímám to tak, jakoby Pán a pøijdou lidé do nebe, onìmí. Kolik máme pøipravených výmluv! Jeí øíkal: Vzpamatujte se! Chtìli byste ít s nìkým, kdo vás nemá Kolik mají lidé pøipravených argumentù a u se tìí: Jestli skuteènì rád? Ty mne u nemá jako první a jedinou lásku svého ivota. pøijdu pøed Pána Boha, jak øíkáte, tak to mu vytøu zrak. Bude koukat, Do svého vlastního pøiel a vlastní jeho nepøijali ho. jak mu vmetu do oblièeje vechny války, vechny umírající dìti, U nás, v Teplé, není veøejné osvìtlení tak intenzivní jako Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 125 v Ostravì. Poblí naeho domu nejsou ádná svìtla, která by zakrývala krásu noèní oblohy. Jednou, byla krásná letní noc; vynesl jsem si køeslo na terasu a pozoroval jsem hvìzdami poseté nebe a bledý mìsíc. Vzpomnìl jsem si, jak èasto Pán Jeí odcházel v noci na horu, aby se modlil, pozvedl své oèi k nebi. Pán Jeí opustil slávu Otce, poníil se, pøizpùsobil se ve vem nám lidem. Jak se mu muselo stýskat po jeho Otci, kdy se díval do nebe na tu krásu! Vzpomnìl jsem si, jak se mi, malému dítìti, stýskalo po rodièích. Odvezli mne se spálou na infekèní oddìlení nemocnice v Karlových Varech. Maminka za mnou na návtìvu nemohla. Jednou v nedìli jsem se náhodou podíval z okna a uvidìl jsem ji u plotu, jak vyhlíela okno, za kterým jsem leel. Nebyl jsem k utiení. Usedavì jsem plakal, protoe jsem chtìl za svojí maminkou. A teï si pøedstavte, e jste mezi lidmi, kteøí vám pøímo jdou po krku. Jste mezi lidmi, kteøí vás chtìjí zabít, kteøí kadé slovo obrátí proti vám. Jste mezi lidmi, kteøí øíkají: My nechceme, aby tento nad námi kraloval. A v této situaci se Pán Jeí díval na nádhernou noèní oblohu, na tu pøedsíò pøíbytku svého nebeského Otce. Jak se mu muselo, mezi námi lidmi, stýskat! Èlovìk, na jeho místì, by to zabalil a øekl by, e se na to tady, na zemi, vykale. Øekl by: Kdy chcete jít do zahynutí, tak si bìte! Jen si bìte, udìlal jsem ji dost, já jsem se poníil. Nechal jsem se vám ve vem pøipodobnit. Jednou jsem øekl, e se ve mnì naplnilo mezi vámi Boí zaslíbení. Vyvedli jste mne na sráz hory, na které stálo vae mìsto, a chtìli jste mne shodit dolù. Kalu vám tady na to! Proè bych já mìl tady za vás pokládat ivot? To je bolest, která mluví ze srdce Pána Jeíe Krista. Vy, za které jsem zemøel, za které jsem udìlal vechno, aby jste nemuseli propadnout hnìvu Boí spravedlnosti; aby jste mohli mít podíl na obrovském daru Boí lásky; vy jste mne postavili nìkam jinam, ne má stát ten, kdo pro vás toto vechno udìlal. Toto neznamená: ty, ty, ty! Toto je výkøik milujícího srdce. Ty do mé lásky kope, ty o ni nestojí, jsem ti k nièemu To, co je napsáno na konci dopisu Efezskému sboru, by nás mìlo vzpamatovat: Rozpomeò se, odkud jsi klesl a navra se a jednej jako døív. Ne-li (nemusí, Pán Bùh nás k nièemu nenutí), pøijdu na tebe brzy a pohnu tvým svícnem z jeho místa, jestlie se neobrátí. Kdybychom èetli závìr prvé kapitoly Zjevení, dozvìdìli bychom se, e ty svícny, mezi kterými se Pán Jeí prochází, pøedstavují jednotlivé sbory. Jestlie Pán Jeí øíká: pohnu tvým svícnem, znamená to, e ty, jako sbor, pøestane existovat. My lidé poznáme cenu nìèeho, a tehdy, kdy to ztratíme. Moná ti dnes sbor, který tu existuje z Boí milosti, nic neøíká. Moná ti bratøí a sestry, kteøí v nìm jsou, zvlá ti starí, pro tebe vùbec nic neznamenají. Dovede si svùj ivot bez nich a bez sboru docela dobøe pøedstavit. Nikdo by po tobì nevyadoval úèast na biblické hodinì. Nemusel by jsi poslouchat nìèí napomínání, kde jsi byl v nedìli, proè jsi nebyl na mládei a na dorostu; proè jsi se nezúèastnil té èi oné akce sboru, práce kolem budovy sboru Pokus se pøedstavit si, e by ti Pán Bùh tento sbor zlikvidoval. Sbor pøestal existovat. Moná si nìkdy kazatel myslí, e by mu bylo lépe, kdyby kazatelem nebyl. Je unavený z tìch abo-myích válek, ke kterým máme tak blízko. Je vyèerpaný z neustálého zápasu o urovnání rùzných tøenic. Mohl jsem tøi mìsíce zakouet jaké to je, kdy nejsem na kazatelnì. Vrátil jsem se zpátky ke svému pùvodnímu povolání, k truhlaøinì. Vdy v tu dobu, kdy jsem mívali biblickou hodinu a nedìlní shromádìní, jsem cítil, jak mi nìco zoufale chybí. 126 Cítil jsem, e jsem nìkde, kde nemám co dìlat, protoe Pán Bùh mne povolal do jiné sluby. Teprve tehdy, kdy ztrácíme, poznáváme cenu toho co mizí. Na jednom pohøbu byl hrob doslova zavalený kvìtinami. Slouící kazatel ocenil snahu pozùstalých tìmito slov: koda, e jste za maminkou pøili nìkdy, kdy jetì ila. Jak by se rozzáøila její tváø nad kadou malinkou kytièkou, kterou byste ji pøinesli jako projev své lásky. Dnes u ty kvìty nejsou pro ni. Jsou tu proto, aby vás lidé nepomluvili. Ona z toho u nic nemá. Moji drazí, pokuste se pøedstavit si, jak by vypadal ivot bez první lásky k Pánu Jeíi. Jak by to vypadalo, kdyby Pán Bùh proto, e u nemáme první lásku, zlikvidoval tento (vá) sbor. Moná potom pochopíme k èemu máme ui a poznáme, e Duch k nám mùe mnohem lépe a dùslednìji hovoøit. Potom se budeme zcela jinak rozhodovat. Pán Jeí øíká: To, e jsi opustil lásku ke mnì má své dùsledky. Shromaïuje to v mých rukou naprosto nevyvratitelné dùkazy. Amen. Záznam kázání bratra kazatele Jaroslava Pospíila v nedìli ráno 26.5.2002 v ostravském sboru BJB. Jaroslav Pospíil je kazatelem Bratrské Jednoty Baptistù v Teplé u Touimì v západních Èechách. o Check our new Convention Web page: www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv All convention gifts may be sent in the enclosed envelopes: US residents may use the Business Reply envelope or send their gifts to Vera Dors, 6621 Elmdale Rd., Middleburg Hts, OH, 44130, Canadian residents may send their gifts to Henry Pojman, 1516 Pembroke Dr., Oakville, ON, L6H 1V9, Canada. Make checks payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Convention, and on the bottom write to what account you are sending your gift: Convention, Glorious Hope, Trust Fund, or Scholarship Fund. Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Waiting and Watching Dr. Andrew Kmetko B asically we are an impatient people. We don’t like to wait. We don’t like to stand in long lines. Have you ever noticed people waiting at a bus stop? They get nervous and step out into the middle of the street to see if the bus is coming. Believers get a little impatient waiting for the return of the Lord, and yet that is exactly what the Word of God asks them to do. In the light of Christ’s return, Peter asks “…what kind of people ought you to be?” (2 Pet. 3:11) How should we behave while we wait for Christ to return? Earlier in the same chapter, in verses 1 and 2, Peter reveals his purpose in writing this letter: as a reminder “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” He wants to remind his readers of something he had previously said in the writing. What was the reminder about? The soon return of Christ. And what is Peter’s source? The holy prophets. Peter reminds us of the condemnation of God (2 Pet. 2:5–9) when the world was destroyed by water in Noah’s day, and when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in Lot’s time. Peter asked us to recall the words spoken by the holy prophets and confirmed by our Lord through the apostles. How important it is to remember the Word of God. It teaches us not only how to behave but also how to view the “end times.” By linking Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets together, Peter placed them on the same level of authority. I have always believed that all scripture is inspired by God. It doesn’t matter whether it is the Old Testament or the New, whether it was said by Paul, Jesus, or John, or even Moses. “All scripture is inspired.” I have always been impressed by the conversation Jesus had with two disciples on the road to Emmaus after the resurrection. “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). And of that experience the disciples said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” I can just imagine Jesus quoting what we know as the 23rd Psalm. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want….” It is no wonder, then, that Peter in this letter said that God “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” Did the Lord in that conversation remind them that He is the Good Shepherd and that, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us? It is no Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 wonder the disciples’ hearts burned. Does not your heart burn when you think of these wonderful promises and truths? Mine does! Earlier Peter mentioned Noah and the flood and the building of the ark. According to Heb. 11:7, it was an act of faith that Noah acted on the Word of God: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” The Lord had not yet sent rain on the earth (Gen. 2:5), but streams or a mist came from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. You can imagine how great the faith of Noah had to be. Just so, some of the prophetic events mentioned in the Bible seem highly unlikely. And so we have scoffers who do not believe and who give to people who do believe strange names such as the “religious right”, extremists, fanatic, opinionated, dogmatic, etc. What do you suppose they called Noah? He was a religious nut. What do you suppose happened to those scoffers when the first drops of rain fell, then came down in torrents? What about the scoffers, the mockers, today? Oh, they are still around, just as they were in Noah’s day. So, in view of the return of the Lord, what kind of people ought we to be? What must we do? We must flee, and we must pursue. We must flee from unbelief and pursue faith; flee from lies and pursue truth; flee from wickedness and pursue goodness; flee from ignorance and pursue knowledge; flee from lust and pursue purity; flee from giving up in despair and pursue perseverance; we must leave unkindness for kindliness; and hatred for love; and we must do all this through faith in God, the faith that Noah had, faith to build a boat though there had been no rain upon the earth. o 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. 127 Svedectvo Anna Kulaèíková M ám jednu zvlátnu skúsenos, ktorá sa mi u nikdy zo ivota nevytratí. V roku 1987 keï som prijala Pána, dostala som verík zo almu 50. v. 15.: Vzývaj ma deò súenia, vytrhnem a a ty ma bude oslavova. Bola som astná, mali sme v tom roku svadbu a tak som nie dos dobre rozumela preèo mi Pán Boh dáva práve takéto váne slová, v situácii kedy preívam rados a astie. V tej chvíli som jeho slovám nerozumela. Nevedela som, e celú vec pochopím a o nejaký èas . Ba a o nieko3⁄4ko rokov. Verík som mala stále v mojej Biblii, ale a v roku 1993 mi ho Boh daroval v inej, pre mòa úplne novej situácii. Boli sme ako kadá iná rodina. Manelský pár, ktorého ve3⁄4kou túbou je ma diea. Ve3⁄4mi som prosila pána Boha o tento dar, podrobila som sa neskôr mnostvu vyetrení a iste kadý, kto cez nieèo podobné preiel pochopí, èo to obnáa. Bola som plná otázok, oèakávaní a nádeje. Pri jednej návteve lekára a v èase, keï to pre nás vyzeralo celkom poteujúco, som sa musela podrobi drobnej operácii. Verili sme, e po jej skonèení bude u vetko v poriadku a my sa budeme tei na rodinu. O to väèie bolo vak nae sklamanie. Z rozprávania môjho manela viem, e kým som leala v narkóze odohrali sa dos dramatické veci. Chví3⁄4u pred biblickou hodinou zvonil u nás doma pod3⁄4a dohody s mojim oetrujúcim lekárom telefón. Manel od doktora oèakával povzbudzujúcu správunamiesto toho ho oblial studený pot. Ako mi neskôr povedal, bol to jeho najhorí telefonát v ivote. Doktor mu toti oznámil správu, ktorá mu podlomila kolená. Nielene nebudeme ma diea, ale naopak operácia signalizovala pozitívny nález nebezpeènej choroby. Doktor bol skúpy, na otázky nechcel ve3⁄4mi odpoveda, jedno vak priznal: ivot vaej manelky je v ohrození. Objavili sme rakovinu. Bol to obrovský ok. Nieèo úplne iné, ne sme èakali. Boli tyri hodiny odpoludnia a v príprave na biblickú hodinu v ten deò u nemohol pokraèova Neskôr som premý3⁄4ala èo sa vtedy odohrávalo v mysli môjho manela? On bol doma so svojimi otázkami a ja som v narkóze preívala èas svojho nevedomia, a ani som netuila do èoho sa zobudím. Chví3⁄4u kedy som sa prebrala z narkózy si u dobre nepamätám. Viem len, e v ruke som mala malý lístokláska moja vetko bude v poriadku Prebrala som sa ako z akého sna. A za chví3⁄4u som si uvedomila, e ide asi o dos dôleité veci. Netrvalo dlho a pochopila som, e namiesto dieaa sa musím vyrovna s rakovinou . V mojom ivote nastal obrovský zlom. Predtým som si myslela, e ak by ma niekedy postihla takáto choroba, premohol by ma strach a nepokoj. Bála by som sa smrti, tak 128 som to aspoò preívala dovtedy . Doteraz si vlastne neviem vysvetli, ako je to moné, ale stalo sa nieèo úplne iné. V ten moment, keï ma doktor neúprosne informoval o mojej chorobe, preila som nieèo, èo sa ani nedá dobre vypoveda. Zvlátny, rozumom nevysvetlite3⁄4ný pokoj! Úasné Boie uk3⁄4udnenie. Cítila som Boiu prítomnos a seba v jeho naruèí. Pán Boh mi daroval taký pokoj, e som mohla poteova aj svojich najbliích. Preila som na vlastnej koi prítomnos Boha uteite3⁄4a, ktorý ma povzbudil k novej nádeji. Mohla som prei a precíti, e je tu On, ná Pán, o ktorého slovo sme sa opierali. Vedela som vdy, e ná Boh je Bohom nádeje, ale a teraz som to preila hlboko vo svojom srdci. Z nádeje, ktorá mi dovtedy bola vzdialená, som prela k nádeji, ktorá sa mi stala osobným darom. V ten veèer som si otvorila Bibliu a èítala som alm 50. v. 15 v úplne inom svetle Vzývaj ma v deò súenia, vytrhnem a a ty ma bude oslavova. Naraz som si uvedomila, e to nie sú len akési historické alebo veobecné slová, ale e Boh priiel za mnou a na moje nemocnièné lôko do Bratislavy, aby ma poteil. Priiel mi poveda, e chce by s nami, chyti nás za ruku, privinú a obja nás v náruèí. Neskôr som prela drsnou lieèebnou kúrou. Neznáala som dobre chemoterapiu. Viem ale, e môj Pán viedol ruky lekárov. Aj keï boli vetci nesmierne obetaví a vysoko profesionálni, verím, e ten najvyí lekár bol môj Pán a on môj ivot zachránil z nebezpeèenstva smrti. Toto je moje svedectvo, ktoré ma sprevádza a do dneného dòa. Stalo sa mi kadodennou skúsenosou, a nikdy ma neopustilo. Poznala som, e utrpenie, ohrozenie a boles, majú v ivote kresana aj svoj pozitívny význam. Nechcú nás znièi, ale privies bliie k Bohu. Pochopila som, e veriaci èlovek môe by astný aj v utrpení a bolesti. Pán Boh nás v Písme svätom nikde neuèí ako sa máme utrpeniu a bolesti vyhýba, ale ako ho máme znáa. Pán Jei tým, ktorí ho chcú nasledova hovorí: Kto chce prís za mnou, nech zaprie sám seba, vezme svoj krí a ide za mnou (Mt 16,24). Prija kríto vdy znamená sebazaprenie. Aj ohrozenie, aj boles. Naa nádej je ale v tom, e nie sme na tejto ceste sami. On je s nami. A dáva nám bratov a sestry, s ktorými môeme spoloène vola k Bohu. Bolo pre mòa nesmiernym poteením, keï som poèula ako ma bratia a sestry podopierajú na modlitbách. Preto ïakujem môjmu Pánovi za zázraèný prejav Jeho moci a budem za to chváli len Jeho, na veky vekov. Prajem aj Vám, aby ste preili mnoho krásnych chví3⁄4 na modlitbách s Pánom, a teili sa z vypoèutých modlitieb. o Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 The Rev. John E. Karenko 1330 Normandy Dr., Godfrey, IL 62035 The Observation Tower Confession Rev. John E. Karenko D id you hear about the fellow who wrote the IRS and sent them a check for $300, explaining that he hadn’t been very exact about his figures? He couldn’t sleep at night, so he thought he would ease his conscience by making this correction. He added a P.S.: “If I still can’t sleep, I’ll send the rest of the money that I owe.” A local Baptist pastor told me this true story of something that happened at his church. A member who had not attended church for some time came on Sunday morning and gave them a check for $5,000 as being back tithes that he owed, explaining that his conscience was bothering him, so he thought he should make it right. The surprise was that he came back that evening and gave another check for $2,000 more! Makes me think of the incident where a new minister in town was given 30 cents more in change at the checkout counter at the local grocery store and as he walked out, he battled with his conscience as to keeping it, but finally turned around and went back and returned the coins. The clerk said, “I knew you were the new minister in town, and I wondered whether you would be worth listening to.” The clergyman almost fainted as he went out the door, thinking that Judas had betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. But he had almost done it for thirty cents! I recall in college days when a revival broke out in chapel one day, as students began to give their testimonies. One tearfully confessed to stealing a stamp from her roommate’s desk drawer. I heard that office workers routinely steal paper clips, rubber bands, pens and paper from the offices where they work. The largest losses in department stores are from employee theft. How sensitive are we? How small a thing can we steal without a twinge of conscience? All the above illustrations deal with breaking the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” God asks, “Will a man not rob God?” and answers, “In tithes and offerings”(Malachi 3:8). Sad to say, most Christians fail here, although the Bible clearly says, “All the tithe...is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30). God promises several blessings to those who tithe (see Mal. 3:10–12). It pays to be honest with God! The Bible says: “The love of money is the root of all evil….” (1 Tim. 6:10), and “…Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]” (Matt. 6:24). However,“…sin is a transgression of the law” (1 John 3: 4). Obviously in God’s special ten, there are nine other commandments that are being broken that need our attention and contrition as well: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). King David committed the sins of both adultery and murder. When confronted with these sins by the prophet Nathan, he said, repenting, “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 o 129 Sermon on Abraham He Staggered Not Dr. Andrew Kmetko Part 2 A ccording to the Word of God, Abraham was a friend of God but he, Abraham, is also the father of all believers. In James 2:23 it says, “…and he was called the friend of God.” In Romans 4:16 it is said, “…he is the father of us all,” that is, all believers. The reason he is called our “father” is because of faith. The only way a person can become a Christian is by faith in Jesus Christ. That is, we must believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, that He bore all our sins past, present, and future in His own body on the tree. It was Abraham’s faith that was credited to him as righteousness. It is the believer’s faith in Christ that is credited to him as righteousness. I am righteous because I believe in Christ and it is my faith or belief that makes me righteous. It is not something I did but rather something I believe that makes me righteous. The Life Application Bible says, “Abraham never doubted that God would fulfill His promise. Abraham’s life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures as well as by goodness and wisdom, but he consistently trusted God. His faith was strengthened by the obstacles he faced, and his life was an example of faith in action. If he had looked only at his own resources for subduing Canaan and founding a nation, he would have given up in despair. But Abraham looked to God, obeyed Him, and waited for God to fulfill His Word.” In Romans 4:25 it says of Christ, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” An exchange took place: our sins for His righteousness. When we believe, an exchange takes place, not a very fair one; that is, my sin for His righteousness. We give Christ our sins, and He gives us in 130 Romans 4:1625 exchange His righteousness and forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” There is nothing we can do to earn this. Only through Christ can we receive God’s righteousness. What an incredible bargain this is for the believer, for me, for you! But sadly, many still choose to pass up this extravagant gift, to continue “enjoying” their sin. In Romans 4:22, Paul explains that Abraham had pleased God through Abraham’s faith alone, before he had ever heard about the rituals that would become so important to the Jewish people, and the Commandments. We are saved, like Abraham of old, by faith plus nothing. Sad to say there are many today who think that by being good, whatever that means, they will be saved. It is not by loving God and doing good that we are saved. Neither is it by faith plus love or by faith plus good deeds. We are saved only by faith in Christ, trusting Him to forgive all our sins. And we should not stagger, as Abraham did not (Rom.4:20), from unbelief at the promise of God. I said earlier that the promise God gave Abraham stated that Abraham would be the father of many nations. Gen. 17: 2-4: “ ‘I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.’ Abram fell face down, and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.’ ” So the entire world would be blessed through him. Gen. 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This promise was, of course, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus was from Abraham’s line, and truly the whole world was blessed and is being blessed through Him. Just think of the thousands of people who are being blessed today by hearing the Word of God and applying it to their lives. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John. 4: 10). Of Abraham, Herbert Lockyer said, “Abraham’s place in the Bible’s portrait gallery is altogether unique and unapproachable. He stands out as a landmark in the spiritual history of the world. Chosen of God to become the father of a new spiritual race, the file leader of a mighty host, the revelation of God found in him one of its most important epochs. In himself, there was not much to make him worthy of such a distinction. His choice was all of grace. Abraham’s life is given to us in detail, and we know him as we know few men of the Bible. He was from the great and populous city of Ur, and therefore a Gentile, although he became the first Hebrew. He was a rough, simple, venerable Bedouin-like sheep master. He uttered no prophecy, wrote no book, sang no song, gave no laws. Yet in the long list of Bible saints, he alone is spoken of as “the father of the faithful” and as “the friend of God.” For the first time in the Word of God our attention is called to four phrases, each one of them destined to be frequently repeated. Look at Gen. 15:1: “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward.” The Word of God has been proclaimed ever since. How long has that been? Four, five, six, perhaps Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 ten thousand years? The Word of the Lord came to you this morning. Are you listening? The Word of the Lord came to me, this morning! It is my custom to read the Bible every morning. I read ten pages of the Old Testament and two chapters of the New Testament every day. In a year, that takes me through the Old Testament a little over once and through the New Testament twice, and I’ve been doing this for over fifty years. So I have read the Bible from cover to cover at least fifty times, and it has always been a great blessing because I take literally what God said to Abraham. The Word of the Lord came to me just as it came to Abraham and just as it is coming to you! Remember that Abraham was steadfast in faith; he “staggered not.” One of the first things God talked to Abraham about was fear. Abraham had just returned from a battle with Chedorlaomer in which he was victorious. But he did live in some fear that the enemy would pursue him. However, God appeared to Abraham and said “Blessed be Abram by God most high, creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God most high, who delivered your enemies into your hand” (Gen. 14:19–20). There was some reason for Abraham to fear. The enemy might seek revenge. Three successive promises had kindled his hopes but they seemed as far from realization as ever. Not one inch of land, no Canaan. No sign of a child! Nothing of all that God had foretold. Abraham and Sarah were childless. It is amazing that they had not yet had a child. From the time of the prophecy by the Lord until Isaac was born was some 25 years. Just think of a promise made by God not being fulfilled for that long a time. Today we want our prayers to be answered immediately, like yesterday. If our prayers are not answered soon, we get up and think or even say that God is saying no! Unanswered prayers are usually interpreted in that manner. It was under such circumstances that the Word of the Lord came to him saying, “Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” God does not always wait for us to come to Him. He often comes to us; He draws near to us in our worry or anxiety. His tender assurances of comfort are more penetrating than the roar of the waves of worry. “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I believe Abraham was consoled by the presence of God. At this moment, after the battle with Chedorlaomer, he may have felt alone, lonely. But God assured him, “I am thy shield.” What could have been more reassuring at this moment to the defenseless pilgrim, who had no stockade or walled city in which to shelter but whose flocks were scattered far and wide, than to hear that God Himself was present. It is a very helpful thought to some of us. We go every day into the midst of all sorts of temptations and unkind insinuations, evil suggestions and taunts. All of these are against us and our faith. But, if we are doing God’s will and trusting in God’s care, ours is a charmed life. The Word of God comes to our assistance. “The Lord God is a sun and shield.” The shield of God even though invisible protects us. He is our “hiding place and our shield.” “Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.” “His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” The Divine environment surrounds us. We are unaffected by attack. We are protected. In Isaiah 54:17 we read, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.” Happy are they whose faith has not wavered or staggered, those who have learned the art of abiding within the tranquil protection of the eternal God on Whom all worries are blunted, all swords are turned aside; all sparks of malice, jealousy and pride are extinguished. + November/December 2002 A young lady wrote, “Dear T WR! Just recently I discovered your evening programs. I am 14 years of age and became a Christian about a year ago. Since my family is nonChristian, you are a main source of information about faith, God and the Bible. Thank you for sharing of God’s Word clearly and without pressure. I pray that you will reach even more listeners.” An older lady wrote to “God’s loved TWR staff!” She said, “I wish you many gifts of God’s grace and a lot of strength, patience and wisdom. I was comforted with the letter I received. Thank you for explaining some Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Continues on page 137 other Bible names for my collection. I do apologize for my late answer. I have time enough, it’s just that my strength fades away. The envelope of my life withers; nothing seems as sure as death. The other day your broadcast was jammed. I sighed and from the depth of my heart prayed for a remedy. At that very moment the broadcast became clear again. It sounds like a fairy tale but it’s true. It is possible to understand only by faith.” Your prayers can be answered, too, as you pray for the listeners in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Pray especially for the children during this coming holiday season. George Cooper for TWR CZ/SK o 131 Abrahám, veriaci a posluný Jozef Kulaèík Èas 3 P ovedali sme si, e Abrahám apotola Pavla v liste Galatským je vykreslený ako mu, ktorý bol spravodlivý v boích oèiach tým, e veril. Pavel ho akoby idom, resp. judaistom zobral a jeho starozmluvnú interpretáciu vysvetlil v zornom uhle Novej Zmluvy kristocentricky. Boh prostredníctvom viery stvoril nového èlovekaz Abrama Abraháma. V najhlbom slova zmysle sa zas3⁄4úbenie dané Abrahámovi splnilo a v Pavlovej dobe. Tak ako Abrahámom zaèali dejiny spásy, tak v Kristovi dejiny spásonosných boích procesov vrcholia, zaèína doba cirkvi. A v Kristovi, v dobe cirkvi môeme v plnosti pochopi kto sú dedièia boích zas3⁄4úbení. Kým témou 3. kapitoly Galatským bol èlovek spravodlivý skrze vieru, predmetom R 4:1625 je ukáza Abraháma ako istý pravzor, archetyp veriaceho èloveka a vykresli v èom je podstata viery a ako sa prejavuje. Keï Pán Boh dáva Abrahámovi zas3⁄4úbenie, bol to u starý mu. Je len logické, e Abrahám, keï sa díval na seba a na svoju enu Sáru, na 3⁄4udské monosti, resp. nemonosti, muselo sa mu boie zas3⁄4úbenie javi ako nemoné, nelogické. Aj on aj Sára to vedeli a nedávalo im to akoko3⁄4vek poèítali iaden zmysel. Abrahám práve v takejto situácii, mohli by sme poveda napriek vetkému, nepochyboval, ale veril. V tomto paradoxe je aj základná charakteristika jeho viery. Niektorí vykladajú Abraháma a hovoria, e uveril tomu, èo je nemoné. Definujú vieru ako silu, ktorá koná v protiklade so vetkými 3⁄4udskými kalkuláciami a pravdepodobnosami. Áno, viera je paradoxná a v tom je jej sila. Stredoveký filozof povedal: Credo quia absurdum est. Iní sa s takýmto výkladom neuspokoja a hovoria, e viera, o ktorej tu hovorí Pavel nespoèíva jednoducho len v tom, e èlovek verí v nepravdepodobné, 132 R. 4:1625 nemoné, nepochopite3⁄4né. Argumentujú tým, e Abrahám akoby len neveril v nepochopite3⁄4nos a v absurdum. Nepravdepodobnos ako taká nemohla by témou jeho viery, v takéto veci sa neverí. To by sa vymedzoval dos negatívne. Téma jeho viery bola, naopak, pozitívna, bolo to boie zas3⁄4úbenie. Na boie zas3⁄4úbenie, na jeho slovo sa Abrahám upriamil celou svojou bytosou. A pretoe mal pred oèami boie zas3⁄4úbenie, pretoe si ho privlastnil, prijal za svoje, nemohlo ho k pochybovaniu o boom zas3⁄4úbení pohnú ani to, e nevidel nijaké 3⁄4udské monosti na jeho splnenie. A to je podstata viery. Dra sa pevne boieho zas3⁄4úbenia aj keï èlovek nemá niè 3⁄4udského na èom by mohol budova. Dokonca aj vtedy, keï proti tomu hovoria vetky rozumové dôvody. Keï Abrahám veril, robil to nie preto, e by bol zavrel oèi pred realitou, ale rozhodol sa veri napriek tomu, èo vedel a videl. Na prvý poh3⁄4ad sa zdalo, e jeho situácia vyluèuje akúko3⁄4vek nádej. A on sa predsa pevne tejto vylúèenej nádeje. Je to paradox, ale viera je èasto taká. Aby tak mohol urobi, preto, e svoj postoj zaloil nie na svojich pocitoch, ale na boom zas3⁄4úbení. Tieto dve veci, e toti na jednej strane nebolo nádeje a na strane druhej Abrahám predsa nádej mal, dúfal, sú pod3⁄4a Pavla podstatné pre vieru. Povie to dos zvlátne: proti nádeji s nádejou uveril. V tom bola pochopite3⁄4nos aj nepochopite3⁄4nos aj ve3⁄4kos Abraháma. Mohli by sme to poveda aj tak, e veril napriek sebe samému, proti svojím vlastným logickým úvahám, pretoe sa spo3⁄4ahol na to, e boie zas3⁄4úbenie je relevantnejia istota ako èoko3⁄4vek, èo myslí alebo vymyslí èlovek. Bez nádeje, a predsa s nádejouto je znak skutoènej viery. Viera je len tam, alebo práve tam, kde tieto dve veci navzájom zápasia. Uvedomme si, e v situácii, v ktorej si èlovek môe pomôc vlastnými prostriedkami, nejde predsa o vieru v Boha, ale o dôveru v seba. Viera je priamym protikladom dôvery èloveka v seba samého. Viera je v protiklade k spoliehaniu sa na vlastné sily a vlastné prostriedky. Výstine o tom, èo znamená viera, hovorí Karl Barth vo výklade tejto kapitoly. Hovorí, e Abrahám nebol ve3⁄4ký v tom, e si vybral najlepiu z viacerých moností. Abrahám rôznos moností dokonca vylúèil. Abrahám, píe Barth, proste poèúvol to, èo mu bolo od Boha povedané. Svoju existenciu vzh3⁄4adom k boiemu slovu neposudzoval s pochybnosami, t. j. z akéhosi dvojitého: jedného veriaceho a jedného svetského h3⁄4adiska. Práve tento dualizmus, hovorí Barth, je podstatou akéhoko3⁄4vek pochybovania. Abrahám naopak, vetko vsadil na jednu kartu. Vetko posudzoval len z jediného h3⁄4adiska, o ktorom sa samozrejme mnohí radi domnievali, e nemôe vôbec tvori nejaké východisko. Abrahám jednoducho nepoèítal s neverou ako s druhou monosou, ale len ako s onou vylúèenou nemonosouto bola sila viery, ktorá mu bola pripoèítaná za spravodlivos. Nie kvôli nemu samotnému, ani nie pre krásu a håbku tejto viery, ale len preto, e tým (21) vzdal Bohu èes, t. j. preto, e pritom odhliadol sám od seba a h3⁄4adel Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 k Bohu, aby ho nechal by Bohom, tým, ktorý má plnú moc uèini a splni to, èo s3⁄4úbil a od ktorého vernosti je moné oèakáva splnenie za vetkých okolností. Preto, e bola Abrahámova viera takýmto odhliadnutím od seba a h3⁄4adením na Boha, bola mu pripoèítaná za spravodlivos. (Barth, Rímskym, str. 50) Boli takí, ktorí chceli vysvetli Abrahámove konanie ako konanie èloveka, ktorý ignoruje skutoènos a nechce vidie jestvujúcu realitu, chápali ho ako únik do iného sveta. V niektorých rukopisoch dokonca posunuli význam a preloili 19. ver v tom zmysle, e Abrahám nevidel svoju neschopnos, a práve preto mal skreslený poh3⁄4ad na veciz toho vraj pramenila jeho nepochopite3⁄4ná viera v zas3⁄4úbenia. Ale Pavel v tomto veri hovorí pravý opak. Preòho veri neznamená zatvára si oèi pred skutoènosou, viera nemá niè spoloèné s optimistickým sebaklamom alebo 3⁄4ahkomyse3⁄4ným oèakávaním, e nakoniec sa vetko nejako vyriei. Abrahám videl skutoènos takú, aká bola, nemal chybu zraku. Dobre si uvedomoval vetko, èo z 3⁄4udského poh3⁄4adu znemoòuje uskutoènenie Boieho zas3⁄4úbenia. Abrahám v tomto zmysle stál oboma nohami na zemi. Veri neznamená presta by realista, nevidie svet taký aký je. Veri neznamená strati schopnos racionálne posudzova veci. Toto vetko Abrahám mal, a predsa nezoslabol vo viere, ale naopak, vo viere zosilnel. Èo pôsobí na vieru posilòujúco a èo naopak oslabujúco? Pavel nám aj tu podáva úplne iný výklad, ne by sme oèakávali. Mohli by sme si myslie, e viera slabne, keï sa objavia akosti a problémy. Logicky by sme si dokonca mysleli, e èím väèie akosti, tým menia viera. V skutoènosti vak vidíme, e u Abraháma je to naopak. Abrahám preiel celú zas3⁄4úbenú zem, mal za sebou mnoho kilometrov, a keï priiel do zeme Kanaán, zistil, e ju okupuje cudzí národ. To bolo obrovské sklamanie. Bol sklamaný, ale neoslabilo to jeho vieru! Sklamanie a prekáky patria úplne prirodzene do ivota viery. Pravá viera nikdy nie je bez problémov, viera sa v problémoch dokonca upevòuje a zoce3⁄4uje. Pavel hovorí, e keï klesajú vlastné monosti, silnie viera, lebo èlovek nebuduje na svojich schopnostiach ale na Bohu a jeho vlastnom zas3⁄4úbení. Práve preto, e Abrahám nebudoval na svojich monostiach, neslabla jeho viera. Mal boie zas3⁄4úbenie a toho sa dral. Aj viere sa treba uèi. Viera nie je pocit, romantické vzplanutie, chví3⁄4ková nálada. V istom zmysle je to systematická práca. Boh a viera, to pod3⁄4a Pavla patrí nerozluène spolu. Nemôme hovori o viere, ak súèasne nehovoríme o Bohu. Viera pramení z Boha. Viera je boí dar. Viera je samostatná autentická duchovná velièina, nie je to len nejaká psychická funkcia alebo vnútorná vlastnos èloveka. S vierou sa nerodíme, vieru môeme dosta, o vieru môeme prosi. Tým, e Abrahám uveril v boie zas3⁄4úbenie, vzdal aj správnu a pravú èes Bohu a oslávil ho. Bohu patrí sláva a moc na veky vekov (1Pt. 4:11). Pavel v prvej kapitole listu Rímskym píe aj to, e v dôsledku hriechu odmietli 3⁄4udia vzdáva Bohu èes (1:21; 23). Môeme poveda, e to, èo hriech Bohu vzal, to mu viera vracia. Viera uznáva a váne berie Boha a Jeho boskú slávu. Viera to je jediná správna bohosluba. Jedine vierou, nie rozumom môeme Boha ucti. Boha môeme pochopi viac vierou a srdcom ako hlavou. Boou vecou je, e dáva zas3⁄4úbenia, naou vecou je, aby sme týmto zas3⁄4úbeniam verili. Táto viera je èes, ktorú môeme a máme dáva Bohu. Len vo viere má èlovek správny vzah k Bohu. Abrahámovu vieru a spravodlivos vyjadruje Pavel slovami vzdal Bohu slávu a vedel celkom isto, e èo Boh s3⁄4úbi, môe aj urobi, preto mu to bolo zapoèítané za spravodlivos (4:21). Takto rozoberá apotol Pavel Abrahámovu vieru, a takto ju vysvet3⁄4uje a uèí èita aj nás novozmluvných èitate3⁄4ov. Pretoe v Kristovi sa Abrahámova viera týka aj nás vetkých. V Kristovi je toti Abrahám najèitate3⁄4nejí. Abrahám bez Krista by asi ani nebola biblická postava. Tento mu by sa pravdepodobne bol stal len idovským historickým pamätníkom. Pavel nám, pohanom priblíil Abraháma a vysvetlil, e je aj naim Abrahámom. Abrahám je príklad, archetyp èloveka spravodlivého skrze vieru. Skrze tú vieru, ktorú môeme ma aj ako veriaci z pohanov. Abrahám veril v Boha, ktorý oivuje màtvychtu je dôleitá teologická spojnica, ktorá vedie priamo ku Kristovi. Tak ako Abrahám veril v Boha, ktorý Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 oivuje (kriesi) màtvych, je Bohom ivota, tak my kresania veríme v Jeia ako toho, ktorý bol vydaný na smr, a ktorého boia moc z tejto smrti vzkriesila. Tak ako Abrahám, aj my veríme v Boha, ktorý oivuje màtvych a vzahujeme túto vieru vo vzkriesenie nielen na okolitý svet, ale aj na svoj vlastný ivot. Viera vo Vzkrieseného je aj naou nádejou (1 Kor. 15). Na prvom mieste Boh vzkriesil Jeia a my vieme, e tento boí èin sa v jeho Synovi neskonèil, ale naopak, len zaèal. Vzkriesením zmàtvych bol Jei ustanovený ako ná Pán a hlava nového 3⁄4udstva. Viera vo vzkrieseného z nás robí deti zmàtvychvstania. Apotol ho oznaèí za prvotinu vzkriesných (1 Kor. 15). Vetci tí, ktorí veria, u teraz vo viere preli v Kristovi zo smrti do ivota. O vzkriesení preto nehovoríme len v zmysle poslednej udalosti náho ivota. Viera vo Vzkrieseného nám hovorí, e sme boli oslobodení od moci hriechu a smrti, a toto oslobodenie nás radí u teraz do novej kvality ivota, dáva nám nový, iný, znovuzrodený ivot. Skrze Krista koná Boh na nás svoje dielo kadodenne. Toto je v struènosti zmysel ospravedlnenia. Ospravedlnenie je vyjadrenie novej boej spravodlivosti. Spravodlivos neznamená, e sme úplne dokonalí a bezúhonní v etickom èi morálnom slova zmysle. Dopúame sa chýb a pokleskov. Spravodlivos Boia nie je morálny èi filozofický, ale naopak teologický pojem. Spravodlivos kresana neznamená charakteristiku, èi opis jeho èinov, spravodlivos je boí súd, boie vyhlásenie, boia interpretácia vetkého. Kresan je spravodlivý nie tým, èo robí, ale tým ako ho Boh v Kristovi vidí. Tak ako na jednej strane ved3⁄4a seba Pavel stavia nae hriechy a Kristovu smr tak na druhej strane spája nae ospravedlnenie s Kristovým zmàtvychvstaním. Ak by nebol Kristus zomrel, v boích oèiach by sme nikdy neboli spravodliví. Kristus bol vydaný na smr pre nae hriechy a vzkriesený pre nae ospravedlnenie. Kristova smr a zmàtvychvstanie tvoria nerozluènú jednotu. Ak Kristus nevstal zmàtvych, márna je vaa viera, povie Pavel v 1. Kor. 15:17. V tom je nae dúfanie aj naa slávna nádej. o 133 Our Church History: Czechoslovak Baptist Mission First Czechoslovak Baptist Church Cornerstone Baptist Church Minitonas, Manitoba 1929 - 2002 To God Be the Glory he history of Cornerstone Baptist Church may be traced to the early days of the Christian Reformation. The followers of John Hus (1415), John Comenius (1670), and the Moravian Brethren Movement were dispersed throughout Europe by persecution. These devout Christians instilled into their children—by teaching and example, by life and by death— their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As they lived in groups, the Czech language survived in foreign lands. A contingent of Czechs living in Volynia Province, Poland (Russia before World War 1), fearing further wars and hearing of economic opportunities and religious freedom, moved with their families to Canada. In 1929, seventeen families met at the home of Vaclav Moravec, and organized the Czechoslovak Baptist Mission. Working with missionaries from Winnipeg—Rev. Karel Bohatec (1930-31), Rev. Vaclav Vojta (1932–35), and layman Frank Dojacek Sr.—the fledgling congregation sought by faith in God to carry on the Reformation tradition and raise the Christian banner to a new frontier and to a new generation. On January 3, 1932, the mission adopted the name “The First Czechoslovak Baptist Church—Minitonas.” Even at this early stage, the congregation had a choir and band. On September 4, 1932, a motion was passed to buy the property on which Cornerstone Baptist now stands, for $150.00. Brother Vaclav Hibrant paid the first $10.00 and $40.00 was to be paid by October 5, 1932. The balance was financed at 7% for two years. According to Joe Nemez, who was a teen at the time, volunteers used teams of horses to haul logs for the new church structure from the south mountain to Burnett’s sawmill, at what is now 291 and 293 Second Avenue. The foundation was begun about mid-June 1934. The sanctuary was built in four and a half months, and dedicated to the glory of God in a two-day celebration on October 28 and 29, 1934. The place was filled to capacity with over 300 people sitting on benches (men on the left and women on the right) or standing outside open windows. It is interesting to note that on account of the labour and sacrifice of members, the building, which might have cost $3,000.00, was debt-free when dedicated. Help also came from local English, German and Ukrainian Baptist churches; from friends in Minitonas, Swan River, and as far away as Chicago; from the Czechoslovak Baptist Convention; and from Manitoba Baptist Convention. The first resident pastor was Rev. Joseph Zajicek, with his wife Olga. Rev. Zajicek served from September 1937 to November T 134 1938. He continued to visit from Winnipeg. During his short stay, Rev. Zajicek held Czech classes for the youth on Saturdays. In February 1939, a church constitution was drafted and accepted by the membership. Everyone knelt during prayer. Rev. Ludvik Miksa served July 6, 1941 to September 25, 1946. Czech school reappeared. Rev. Karel Marek, with his wife Herma and family, pastored from 1948 to 1956. Ministry in English was introduced at the youth level. Rev. Marek reached many Slavic people through ministry on Radio CJGX, Yorkton (1950-55). The white chapel behind the first church was originally built as a studio for preparing radio programs. To help people remember their Reformation roots, Rev. Marek observed John Hus Day, July 6. The event included the burning of a pyre. Czech school was taught by Rev. Marek and Slava Marek. In January of 1950, the total membership was 218. Rev. Stanislav Sveb from Czechoslovakia, with his wife Alena, stayed from 1960 to 1961. The first evangelistic meetings in the English language were conducted by Rev. Dan Widlidka in April of 1961. Effective April 5, 1964, Sunday school was switched to take place before the main service. Rev. Jozef Tucek also came from Czechoslovakia and served during 1966 and 1967. Both Rev. Svec and Rev. Tucek taught Czech school. Rev. Daniel Kolman, with his wife Jirina and family, ministered to the church and community from 1968 to 1972. Rev. Henry Boubelik, an evangelist, with his wife Mabel, began a dynamic new phase in our church: the change from a Czech ministry to a ministry in English to the whole community. They served from 1973 to 1977. Pastor Allan Martens, with his wife Terri, was our first fully non-Czech pastor, and ministered 1978 to 1980. Pastor Martens and three other committee members—Walter Buress, Jerry Novak and Aldrich Novotny—drafted our current constitution in1980. The constitution was revised in December 1991. The ministry of Pastor George Adrian, with his wife Florence, saw the return of a church daughter to minister here with her husband from April 5, 1981 to January 2, 1987. The present sanctuary was built during their tenure, and Pastor Adrian was the first to speak from its pulpit, on July 22, 1984. Pastor Art Lemon, with his wife Shirley and family, helped serve the community for the Lord from May 1987 to April 1991. A church name change was voted upon December 8, 1988, but the motion did not receive a two-thirds majority. Pastor Bruce Schnurr with his wife Margaret came from Portage la Prairie to lead us from 1991 to September 30, 1996. Bruce and Margaret were the first occupants of our church manse at 256 Third Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Avenue. Ken Stainthorpe with his wife Jean, both of whom served as directors of Pretty Valley Bible Camp, agreed to serve as interim pastor from October 1996 to June 1997. Our present pastor, Garth Priebe, with his wife Karen and family, assumed his duties in June of 1997 and is continuing our history and tradition of Christian service. The name change idea was resurrected in 2000, approved, and through due process, “Cornerstone Baptist Church” was selected. We want to remember the many visiting pastors and lay people who ministered, visited, prayed and listened during the absence of a pastor. We wish to recognize those who as teachers have influenced young hearts and minds at Sunday school and camps. The Lord used scores of cooks, moms and grandmas, who missed celebrations just so they could cook for the crowds in the sanctuary, at picnics or at camp. Thanks to those who used their gift of intercession to win souls. Not wealth, not power, but more souls in Christ was a goal of our predecessors. Cornerstone’s mission statement reads: “We are a family of believers who come together to glorify God, become more Christ-like, and share salvation with others.” Compiled by Aldrich Novotny o Baptist World Alliance News November 2002 From the General Secretary Denton Lotz Love is the Theme! L istening to the churches in India and the Middle East: The 21st century has already been categorized as one of “the clash of civilizations,” or very simply the conflict of religions! Recent statements by leading Christian ministers in the USA against Islam and their Prophet have brought untold suffering, anguish, discouragement and persecution to our brothers and sisters living in minority situations. On the one hand the Baptist World Alliance defends religious freedom for all people everywhere very strongly. And yet at the same time we must appeal to our brothers and sisters living in the West to be circumspect in what they say, so as not to contribute unwittingly even more to persecution in a very volatile and emotional world situation. To attack another person’s religion closes the door to effective and meaningful evangelism! It is not only a question of fulfilling the Biblical command to love, but it is a question of the proper missiological methodology. Our Baptist believers in the Middle East and India have told us of their deep pain caused by such derogatory statements from Western Christian leaders. They shared how such statements made their evangelism even more difficult and endangered their safety. They have asked us to tell Christian leaders in the West to help them by preaching the gospel of the love of our Lord Jesus and not to make destructive statements! We need to listen to those suffering in minority situations, often enduring persecution and death for the sake of the gospel! The National Council of Churches of India stated: “The Council wants to make it very clear that we condemn such statements and the churches in India disapprove of any such derogatory statements by individuals which are against the teachings of Jesus…. We stand in complete solidarity with our Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Muslim brothers and sisters, declaring mutual respect between these religions….” The Middle East Council of Churches stated: “A commitment to stop violence, all violence, should also include a commitment not to utter verbal violence…. Uttering statements that project hostility and enmity and in generalizing tones make you part of the problem confronting our world today and not part of the solution…. Could your faith and belief afford to accept others, irrespective of their backgrounds? Could you please be a force of healing in our troubled world?” The Sunday after speaking with our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and India, I was in my home church and we sang the hymn “Love is the Theme.” I thought to myself, “This is what Christians worldwide, even in the midst of enduring the cross, must sing!” Indeed, did not the apostle Paul remind us: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7). The apostle John states it simply: “…God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16). Our plea to Baptist leaders and believers everywhere in relating to people of other religions, cultures and ethnic backgrounds is to make love your theme! Let the love of Christ so live in you that others, having seen you, will also want to follow Christ. Love is the theme! o 135 Dear Natasha, The July-August issue of Glorious Hope has just caught up with me. Thank you for the remarks you made in your editorial. It is true that our society does not know how to rest! In our fast-paced world it takes time and meditation, a discipline we have lost. (Don Shoff) How to find a balanced life between calm and busyness takes discipline. Certainly Isaiah 30 does offer us the answer. Thank you for that timely reminder! This year I have joined a BSF study. It has given me the discipline to do some in-depth Bible study. I have really been challenged with the BSF study on John. It is so simple and yet so profound. John is all about believing in Jesus and by believing having life. Somehow my life has gotten so earthly or secular, or some other word which I cannot find, that I have lost the wonder of heaven and the wonder of my salvation and new life that Christ gives me. What a wonderful Savior! Love in Jesus, Ruby Mikulencak ) Milá sestro v Kristu, Vìøím, e díky br. Vladimíru Dvoøákovi, mne ve schránce èekalo milé pøekvapeníèasopis Slavná nadìje. Jsem velice vdìèný za tento èasopis, který mne (nás) volá do rodiny Boích dítek v naem rodném jazyce. S manelkou pocházíme ze sboru v Pardubicích. Má èinnost ve sboru, v nedìlní kole i v mládei, byla pøeruena na 10 let, kdy jsem byl uvìznìn. Po celá ta léta jsem na tu práci vzpomínal. To bylo to, co mne ve vìzení dodávalo sílu. Odlouèení od práce na Boím poli bylo tìké, ale nezlomilo mne. Zùstal jsem Pánu vìrný. Dìkuji Bohu i Vám, v Pánu milí, za Vai práci a námahu na roli Boí. S bratrským pozdravem Vá Jaroslav Vala, Florida o O N October 18, 2002, Andrew and Alice Kmetko celebrated their 65 th wedding anniversary. Since their family is scattered from Pennsylvania to Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona, and California, only some of them were able to come. Andrew had celebrated his 85th birthday in Los Angeles last May, when he was surprised to see some of our family there from Arizona, Minnesota, and Illinois. Between the two occasions, we were able to have almost all of our family celebrating with us. They had five children. Now they have five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren too. Their church family also celebrated with them. They honored Andrew and Alice with a lovely cake during the coffee hour following the morning service. Andrew and Alice have spent many happy hours attending the Czechoslovak Baptist Conventions, where they are able to serve their Lord, Andrew as Bible teacher each year and Alice as assistant secretary. Andrew teaches an adult Sunday school class and a home Bible study each week. They thank their Lord for His many blessings and loving care. He has given them many years together, and they praise Him for it. Alice Kmetko Andrew and Alice Kmetko celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. o 136 Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 A Formula for a Beautiful Fall Brian Dors F all has come again. At dinnertime it’s already dark outside, and the trees are dropping their leaves. Yet this fall, for much of our continent the splendorous change of colors was not as dramatic as normal. One night, watching the local news I learned that this is due to the smaller amount of rainfall we had this year. To display vivid colors in fall, the leaves require sufficient rain during the growing months. Because we had a mild drought during the spring and summer, the leaves are tending to dry out, turn brown and fall off, and are not spending much time in their colored phase or showing the intense hues they are capable of. The fall has been quite rainy, but this does the tree no good because it has reached the end of its time set for growing. The tree’s leaves will never reach the full vividness that they are capable of. The parallel of this to our lives in Christ jumped out at me. Scripture admonishes many times over that as young people we should be making efforts to grow, by reading God’s word and listening to the wisdom of our spiritual parents. This is what nourishes us during our growing stages and helps us achieve our full potential at life’s peak. Proverbs 6:20–22 provides an excellent lesson: “My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you” (NIV). Let’s take the lessons taught by our earthly parents and heavenly Father, and feed our souls so that we will be able to attain the full beauty that God has o destined for our lives. Invitation: Mission Trip to the Czech Republic I n the January 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 2003 for about two to three 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 Bible Study Continues from page 131 But God defends us not only from dangers without but also from within. It was as if He asked Abraham to consider how much he had in having Himself. Think of it. If we didn’t experience any divine blessings at all but had Christ within, how much more should we want? God promised Abraham land, a son, and blessings untold, but suppose none of these existed? We could well imagine a conversation something like this: “Come now, my child, and think; even if you were never to have even a foot of soil and your tent were to stand silent and empty, amid the joyous laughter of childish voices; yet you would not have left your land in vain, Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 for you have Me. Am I not enough? I fill heaven and earth; cannot I fill one lonely soul? Am not I thy exceeding great reward, able to compensate you with my friendship, to which you are called, for any sacrifice that you may have made? o 137 Fireflies Jan Karafiát Part 2 W hen he had enough of this he jumped up on a blade of grass, shook himself free-of the dew and whizzzz—flew straight off to Godmother’s house under the oak tree. He stopped by the window. “Lucinda, you’re not cross with me now, are you?” “What makes you think I’m cross with you?” “I say, I’ve just had such a glorious bath. Can you swim, Lucinda?” “Oh no. Fancy me swimming!” “I can. I can swim like anything.” “That’s all very well; but I’ve got to help mother.” “Where is Godmother?” “She’s out in the yard, chopping up wood. Come along and see.” Godmother interrupted her work when he came. “Well, Lucius, what brings you here?” “Oh, nothing special. I’ve just had a bath. Have you got anything for me?” “Well, I do happen to have something rather nice, but I’m not at all sure that there will be any of it for you. What about behaving so rudely to Lucinda, calling her such an unkind name and then going off without another word? You made her cry.” “Did I? Well, I won’t call her names again.” “We shall see. Just look what a big pile of wood I’ve chopped up. Suppose you go and help Lucinda to stack it all up under the roof so that it won’t get wet when it rains. You must lay one piece neatly on top of another. When you have finished you’ll get something good.” Lucius was quite ready, and began working away as hard as ever he could. Godmother thought he was almost overdoing it. “Lucius, don’t try to carry so much at once.” But Lucius was determined to show them what he could do and kept on busily carrying the logs across the yard. Instead of arranging them in a neat pile, however, he just threw them down and Lucinda tried to stop him. “Lucius, don’t do it like that. It’ll fall down.” “It won’t fall down. Do you mean to tell me I’m doing it wrong?” “Yes, you are. There! You’ve just upset them all again. They have to be laid neatly on top of one another.” “Oh, all right then; you can do it yourself if I’m not doing it the way you want.” And there was Lucius getting angry 138 again! He stopped working, sat down on a little stump with a very cross face. Lucinda didn’t take the slightest notice of him and went on with what she was doing. It was a little while before her mother said anything. “Lucius, can’t you do any more? You don’t seem to be very strong.” “Oh, it isn’t that, Godmother. But Lucinda will keep going on at me.” “I’m not surprised. You’re such a funny little firefly. Have you forgotten about the treat I’ve got for you?” “Is it something very nice, Godmother?” “Nice? I should think it is. As sweet as honey. Come along now and do some more work. Quick!” So Lucius got up and started again. Lucinda had moved nearly all the wood by now and had stacked it up neatly; so it was not long before her mother stuck the hatchet into the stump and called. “Come along, children.” In the hall to the right of the kitchen stood the cupboard. It was locked, but the key was stuck in the keyhole. Godmother turned it and opened the door. Lucius caught sight of a white plate on the top shelf. But what was on it? Godmother took it down, but it was covered with another plate. “Guess, Lucius; what do you think it is? Don’t tell him, Lucinda.” “I know, Godmother,” said Lucius. “Strawberries.” Lucinda laughed, and Godmother said, “No, Lucius, it is sweeter than that.” “Raspberries, then.” Lucinda laughed still. “No, Lucius, much sweeter.” “Well, then it must be blueberries.” Lucinda laughed louder then ever. “Oh, Lucius, you are a bad guesser. I told you it was sweet as honey.” But Lucius could not think of anything else, and Lucinda had to tell him, “You silly firefly; it’s honey!” “Honey! Is it really honey, Godmother?” said Lucius. Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 And what delicious honey it was indeed. But it was growing late and Godmother had to light the fire and cook the supper. Lucinda had to go off to get some kindling and Lucius prepared to set off. “Don’t forget to give your parents our love.” “No, I won’t forget. Goodbye.” And off he went. He had only just got as far as the meadow when he met his father with Godfather. “Daddy, I’ve been to Godmother’s house and we had honey. It was lovely!” “ Wo n d e r f u l , Lucius. But you’ve forgotten to say how do you do to Godfather.” Lucius kissed Godfather’s hand. “And have you been good? What will your mother have to tell me?” “Oh, Daddy, I didn’t put it out, and she is not going to say anything about it.” Meanwhile they had reached home. Mother saw them coming from the window, and came to meet them. “How is it that you are so early today, father? I’m afraid supper isn’t ready yet.” Father kissed her. “You see, the cold weather is setting in, dear, so we started back rather earlier than usual. Very soon there will be no more for us to do.” And now mother made up the fire and soon had the soup ready. Father sat down in his chair to rest. His wings were hurting him. Lucius climbed on to his knee for a ride. “And how has our child been behaving, mother? Has he been vexing you?” “Well, father, he did vex me just a little, but he begged me very hard not to tell you, and as he promised never to do it again I said I would say nothing about it. And, anyway, he was at Godmother’s nearly all day.” “Well, mother, how about if they kept him there? We could have Lucinda here. She’s never naughty.” That reminded Lucius of something. “Mummy, they had honey at Godmother’s house and I had some. Oh, it was sweet.” “And didn’t Godmother send us something?” “No, nothing.” “Are you quite sure?” “Yes, quite.” “Lucius, do you mean to say that Godmother sent us no message?” “Oh, yes, Mummy, I forgot; they sent their love.” “Run along now, Lucius, and put the chairs round the Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 table. It’s supper-time.” Lucius put the chairs round, and his mother brought in the supper. They said grace and enjoyed the soup. It was delicious, flavoured with carraway seeds. Father had two platefuls and Lucius had nearly two as well. They didn’t stay up very long. They were all feeling sleepy. They knelt down and father said their evening prayer. Underneath your sheltering wings, Take, we pray, all living things. Watch us all from heaven above, God of mercy, God of love. After this Lucius added: “May God guard us from all harm.” Then he kissed his father and mother good night and they all went to bed. His mother stretched her hand across to his bed so that he could take hold of it. And very soon they were all fast asleep. Oh, and they slept so well. o Drawings: Klára and Nicole Malek, Natasha Legierski, 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! o 139 Brouèci Jan Karafiát 2. Èást K dy se u dost vykoupal, vyskoèil si na vìtvièku, rosu se sebe setøepá, a frrrovnou èarou pod dub ke kmotøièce. U okna zùstal stát. Beruko, u se nezlobí? Co pak bych se, Brouèku, zlobila? Pane, to jsem se vykoupal Jestli pak ty umí také plavat? I ne. Kde pak bych já umìla! Pane, já umím plavat. I nech, Brouèku. Já musím jít mamince pomoci. Kde pak jest kmotøièka? Ona seká na dvorku chvojí. Pojï se podívat. A Brouèek se el podívat. Co pak nám nese, Brouèku? I nic, kmotøièko, já jsem se koupal. A vy nìco máte, kmotøièko? Mám, pane, nìco dobrého, ale já nevím, jestli ti dám. Kdys Beruce tak karedì øekl a paks utekl. Ona plakala. Ona plakala? Vak já jí u tak nebudu øíkat. Nu, uvidíme. Vidí, tady u mám toho chvojí hromadu nasekaného. Tak pojï a odnáej je s Berukou tamhle pod støíku, aby nám nezmoklo. Ale musíte je pìknì rovnat do rázu. Pak ti nìco dám. Brouèek e ano, a poèal nosit, co mu jen síla staèila. Kmotøièce se to zdálo být a moc. Ale Brouèku, neber si toho tak mnoho najednou. Ale Brouèek, ó, e on to unese. A nosil. Ale místo co mìl aklíèky pìknì do rázu rovnat, Brouèek je tam jen tak házel, a to Beruka nechtìla. Brouèku, to tak nesmí. Maminka to tak nechce. Nám by se to skácelo, Ó, nic se vám neskácí. Co pak to nedìlám dost pìknì! Nedìlá. Vidí, us to zas jen tak hodil. To se musí pìknì rovnat. Tak si to dìlej sama, kdy ti to nedìlám dost pìknì. A u se Brouèek hnìval. Nechal veho, sedl si na paøízek, mraèil se a díval se pøed sebe, Beruka ho nechala a hledìla si svého, A za chvilku zaèala kmotøièka: 140 A co, Brouèku, u nikam nemùe? To nejsi jaksi moc silný. I ne, kmotøièko. Ale kdy ona se poøád se mnou vadí. Inu, kdy ty jsi takový divný brouèek. Co paks u zapomnìl, e nìco mám? A jest to, kmotøièko, dobré? I, to si myslím! Jako med sladké. Jen jdi a honem jetì nos. A Brouèek honem el a jetì nosil. Beruka to bez toho u skoro vechno odnesla a pìknì srovnala. A tak u to dlouho netrvalo, kmotøièka zaala sekyrku do palku a Teï pojïte, dìti. A dìti ly. V síni, v pravo od kuchynì, stála almara zavøená na zámek, ale klíè vìzel v nìm. Kmotøièka jen zatoèila, a u bylo otevøeno. Ale teï, co tam? Ten bílý talíøek na tom nejhoøejím prkénku Brouèek hned zpozoroval. Ale co na nìm? Kmotøièka jej sundala, ale on byl pøikrytý jiným talíøkem. Nu tak hádej, Brouèku, co to jest. Ale, Beruko, nepovìz. A Brouèek: Ó, já vím, kmotøièko, to jsou jahody. Ale Beruka se smála, a kmotøièka: Ó ne, Brouèku, to jest jetì sladí. Tak to jsou maliny. Ale Beruka se jetì smála. Ne, Brouèku, to jest mnohem jetì sladí. Tak, kmotøièko, to jsou borùvky. A Beruka se mu teprv smála. Ó, Brouèku, to nedobøe hádá, jest to jak med sladké. Ale Brouèek u nic nevìdìl, a to Beruka prozradila: Ale ty hloupý Brouèku, vdy jest to med. A Brouèek: Tak jest to, kmotøièko, med. A byl to med, To si pochutnali! Ale u bylo hezky pozdì. Kmotøièka e musí dìlat oheò a vaøit veèeøi, Beruka aby honem skoèila pro trochu chvojí, a Brouèek aby u el domù. A tak Brouèek e pùjde domù. Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Nezapomeò doma pìknì pozdravovat. Ne, já nezapomenu. S Pánem Bohem! A el. Sotva e pøiletìl k palouku, tu letí od potoka tatínek s kmotøièkem. Tatínku, já jsem byl u kmotøièky a dostal jsem tam medu. To vám byl sladký! ,,Nu, dobøe, Brouèku, ale nejdøív pìknì ruku políbit, tadyhle kmotøíèkovi napøed. A Brouèek políbil pìknì ruku. A jestli paks poslouchal? Nebude maminka alovat? Tatínku, já jsem to mamince nezhasil, a ona to nepoví. Zatím u byli doma. Maminka je vidìla oknem, vyla vstøíc a Co pak, tatínku, e dnes tak brzy? Já jetì nemám veèeø hotovou. Tatínek dal mamince hubièku: I, milá Beruko, u zaèíná být chladno, tak jsme letìli o nìco døív. U toho bude brzy zas konec. A tak dìlala maminka honem oheò a stavìla na polívèièku. Tatínek si sedl na stolièkubolela ho køidélka, a Brouèek u se houpal tatínkovi na kolenì. A, maminko, viïte, Brouèek vás pokouel? I tatínku, skoro pokouel. Ale kdy prosil a sliboval, e u to víckrát nebude dìlat, tak já jsem mu slíbila, e to na nìj nepovím. A potom on byl skoro poøád u kmotøièky. Nu tak dobøe, maminko. A si ho u kmotøièky nechají, a my si vezmeme Beruku. Ta nepokouí. Brouèkovi napadlo: Maminko, u kmotøièky mají med, a já jsem dostal, To vám byl sladký! A nám kmotøièka nic neposlala? Nic. Ani nemá co vyøídit? Ne. Ale, Brouèku, ani nás nevzkázala kmotøièka pozdravit? I, ano maminko, já jsem zapomnìl. e vás pìknì pozdravují, Vidí, ty Brouèku! Ale u jdi, pøistav idle ke stolu, budeme veèeøet. A Brouèek pøistavil idle ke stolu, maminka u nesla na stùl, pìknì se pomodlili, a to jim ta polívèièka zas chutnala! Byla taková dobrá, zasmaená, s kmínem. Tatínek jí snìdl dva talíøe, a Brouèek skoro také dva. Dlouho pak u neskøivali. Chtìlo se jim spát. Klekli, a tatínek se modlil: Pod veèer tvá èeládka, Co k slepici kuøátka, K ochranì tvé hledíme, Laskavý Hospodine. Brouèek na to: Pán Bùh s námi a zlý pryè, dal pac a pusu, maminka mu podala do postýlky ruku, on ji drel, a u vickni døímali. Pìknì se jim to spalo. Kresby: Klára a Nicole Malek o Pozor! Pozor! Brouèek! Líbí se vám vyprávìní o Brouèkovi, dìti? Jistì si umíte pøedstavit, jak 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 o moná vá obrázek bude právì ten nejvhodnìjí! Charles A. Soltis Charles A. Soltis went to be with the Lord on November 20. He was 92 years of age and passed away on our 65th wedding anniversary. He was a fine Christian gentleman. Mrs. C.A. Soltis Columbus, North Carolina o Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 141 T he end of the year has come—again. And a changeover again takes place, at least on the calendars. Former President Jimmy Carter said in his speech at the Nobel Awards ceremony in early December that one of his teachers in the oneroom schoolhouse he attended as a child in Plains, Georgia, taught him something utterly simple and unforgettable. It went something like this: Adapt with changing times, but keep true to unchanging principles. Here is one of ours: “I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him until that day!” Will you keep living by the gospel, doing the work of discipleship, and inviting people to meet Christ? Such are the things we have committed to the Lord out of our lives. They have been our principles since our foremothers and forefathers started this convention; they will be our principles until God calls us home and, by the grace of God, summons at last our children’s children to the farthest generation. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stay centered even as the world and time move forward into 2003 and whatever lies beyond. And on behalf of all the convention leadership, I wish you and yours a refreshing year blessed by the love of God, the friendship of Jesus Christ, and the care and keeping of the Holy Spirit. Robert Dvorak O pìt se pøiblíil konec roku. Znovu se objevují pøedsevzetíaspoò v kalendáøích. Poèátkem prosince byla bývalému presidentovi USA, J. Carterovi, udìlena Nobelova cena. Pøi svém proslovu Jimmy Carter zmínil jednoho z uèitelù jednotøídky, George, kterou navtìvoval jako dítì v Plains. Tento uèitel Jimmyho nauèil nìco naprosto jednoduchého a nezapomenutelného: Mìnící dobì se pøizpùsob, nemìnícím se zásadám vak zùstaò vìrný. Jednou z naich zásad je tato: Vím, komu jsem uvìøil a On je mocen i zachovati to, co jsem já u Nìho sloil, a do onoho dne! [Slova písnì ze zpìvníku Písnì duchovní, vydaném konvencí Èeskoslovenských baptistù v USA a v Canadì v roce 1947, pozn. pøekl.] Vytrváte v ivotì podle evangelia, konávajíce práci uèedníkù a zvouce lidi k setkání s Kristem? To je pøece to, èím jsme se Pánu zasvìtili. To jsou nae zásady ji od poèátku této konvence. Naimi zásadami zùstanou a do té doby, dokud si nás Pán Bùh neodvolá domù. Tyto zásady jsou pøedurèeny dìtem naich dìtí a do nejvzdálenìjího pokolení. Proto, bratøi a sestry, stùjme pevnì i nyní, pøi vstupu do roku 2003, a s sebou pøináí cokoliv. Jménem celého vedení konvence vám vem pøeji obèerstvující rok, zbohacený Boí láskou, vedením Jeíe Krista a starostlivou péèí Ducha Svatého. Robert Dvoøák o T he mid-year meeting of General Board took place on November 1, 2002, at Grace Baptist Church, Windsor, Ontario. After the meeting and a delicious dinner, the evening service was led by the pastor of the local church, Rev. Stan Mantle; Dan Widlicka led us in hymn singing; and then we heard a message from Andy Kmetko. As always we had blessed obecenstvi—fellowship. The theme and verse of the 94th annual convention, which has been set for July 3–6, 2003, in Philippi is You’ll Never Walk Alone I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. Leviticus 26:11,12 Bible Studies: High Priestly Prayer John 17 Jesus Prays for Himself John 17:1–5 Jesus Prays for the Disciples John 17:6–19 Jesus Prays for Future Believers John 17:20–26 Dr. Andrew Kmetko—English, Slavo Kral and Daniel Valenti—Slovak Special guests at the next convention will be the musical group Matuzalem, a very talented group of five members from Bratislava Baptist Church, Slovakia. 142 o 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 procedures and will be easier on their pockets. •There will again be a lot of exciting events during the 94th annual convention. Also the Third Annual Independence Day Fireworks. Come and see!! •There will be a camp for young people during the convention. More information about the camp can be found in future issues of Glorious Hope. •Date for the 95th annual convention is tentatively set for July 1–4, or 8–11, 2004. •Next mid-year meeting of the General Board will be held at Hatch Hollow Baptist Church, Union City, Pennsylvania, in October or November 2003. Hatch Hollow Baptist Church will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. We will have more information about the annual convention in the next issues of Glorious Hope. For additional information, check the convention web page: www.ab.edu/czslbaptconv. Have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year. George Sommer, Executive Secretary o Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 Are Your Concerns in the Right Place? T he Christmas holidays are a time when our nerves are maximally strained. It is no surprise to us, because we know what is expected of every housekeeper. After all, our concern is for the happiness of the entire family. It is important that everyone be content. We try to fulfill the wishes of each family member. We also have our friends in mind. As Christmas approaches, we realize how short each day is. We don’t have enough time. Today I was asked an interesting question: “How is the Christmas season treating you?” It is a fitting question that led me into deeper thought. If a person or thing is handling me, then that means that it has complete control of me. In other words: I am deprived of my own will, something is manipulating me, and someone is making decisions for me. I have become a slave. Is it possible that the Christmas season has enslaved us? Each one of us needs to answer that question for herself. These modern times have turned Christmas into a highly commercial affair. This reality greatly influences our families. It is said: “A woman either builds a home or breaks it.” This can be applied at Christmas. How the Christmas holidays are experienced depends on us women. However, let us not allow Christmas to become a time of strained nerves and commotion. Certainly everything has its place. It is necessary to secure all that is required for the family to exist. Nevertheless, it is more important that God’s love be felt during all Christmas activities. Jesus came to earth thanks to this love. He came because God so loved you and me (John 3:16). God sent his son so that we would learn to be aware of God’s presence in our lives. The birth of Jesus brought God closer to us. It is all very meaningful. It is very important, however, that our fellow human beings feel the reality of God, possibly more so than at any other time. In this, the bliss and blessing of Christmas is rooted. “Live love, spread love, this love is God.” I hope that all readers will use these words as their motto for this year’s Christmas holidays. Natasha Legierski Peèlivost na správném místì? V ánoèní svátky jsou obdobím, kdy jsou nae síly napnuty na maximum. Nedivíme se, protoe víme, co se od kadé hospodyòky oèekává. Jde pøece o blaho celé rodiny. Záleí nám na tom, aby vichni byli astní. Snaíme se, aby se splnila pøání kadého èlena rodiny. Myslíme i na své pøátele. S blíícími se vánocemi zjiujeme, e den je krátký. Prostì nestíháme. Dostala jsem dnes zajímavou otázku: Jak s tebou zacházejí vánoce? Je to pøilehavá otázka, která mne vedla k zamylení. Jestlie se mnou nìkdo nebo nìco zachází, znamená to, e mne to plnì ovládá. Jinými slovy: jsem zbavena své vùle, nìco mnou manipuluje, nìkdo za mne rozhoduje. Stala jsem se otrokem. Je to moné, aby nás vánoèní období zotroèovalo? Na tuto otázku si musíme odpovìdìt kadá sama. Moderní doba promìnila vánoce ve vysoce komerèní záleitost. Tato skuteènost velice zasahuje i do naich rodin. Øíká se, e ena buï dùm tvoøí nebo boøí. Toté mùeme aplikovat na vánoce. Na nás enách záleí, jak se vánoce proijí. Nedovolme vak, aby se vánoce staly obdobím napnutých nervù a shonu. Jistìe má vechno své místo. Je potøeba zajistit ve potøebné k tomu, aby rodina mohla existovat. Dùleitìjí vak je, aby bylo cítit Boí lásku, vznáející se nad vemi vánoèními aktivitami. Pán Jeí pøiel na svìt díky této lásce. Pøiel proto, e tebe i mne Bùh tak miloval (Jan 3; 16). Pán Bùh poslal svého Syna proto, abychom se nauèili vnímat Boí pøítomnost v naich ivotech. Narozením Pána Jeíe se k nám Pán Bùh také pøiblíil. To vechno velmi dobøe známe. Je vak velice dùleité, aby tuto skuteènost cítili nai bliní snad více, ne kdykoliv jindy. V tom spoèívá tìstí a poehnání vánoc. ij lásku, roziøuj lásku, tou láskou je Bùh. Pøeji vem ètenáøkám/ètenáøùm, aby se tato slova stala mottem letoních vánoc. Nataa Legierská o Ladies Contribution may be sent in the enclosed envelope. US residents to Joan Rotar, 4 Lee Dr., Poland, OH 44514. Canadian residents to Donna Nesvadba, 2029 Laurelwood Dr., Oakville, ON L6H 4P2. Make checks payable to Czechoslovak Baptist Womens Missionary Union. o Glorious Hope Slavná nadìje NovemberDecember 2002 143