Unaware of Bible Stories

Children and parents 'unaware of Bible stories'

 

      The following account was passed on to me by a friend who read it in a publication by the Bible Society of the UK. I suspect that much of it is true within our own country.

 

Widespread ignorance exists among children and parents about the contents of the Bible, research has suggested.

Surveys for the Bible Society found almost three in 10 young people were unaware the story of the birth of Jesus came from the Bible.
A similar number of children had never read or heard about tales of the Crucifixion or Adam and Eve.
The report was based on a poll of 800 children aged eight to 15 and about 1,100 parents.
The study revealed a generation of children with little knowledge of the most important stories forming the basis of Christianity, and parents who often knew little more.

Too few children have the opportunity to hear and reflect on what this life-changing book contains”

Of the children who were questioned, more than a third failed to identify either the Good Samaritan or David and Goliath as Biblical stories.

Many of the parents who responded saw the Bible as a source of good values for their children.
But almost half did not recognize the story of Noah's Ark as coming from the Bible, and many confused Biblical stories with plotlines from well-known films such as Harry Potter.
The Bible Society commissioned the study as part of its Pass It On campaign to encourage parents to give the stories to their children.
The group said the findings were "symptomatic of the fact that many children indicate they have never read, seen or even heard these stories".
In a foreword to the report, Bishop of London Dr Richard Chartres said sharing Bible stories "is as vital now as it has ever been".
"Too few children have the opportunity to hear and reflect on what this life-changing book contains," he said.
"Even those that do when they are young often take its awesome stories for granted when they become adults. There is work to be done."
James Catford, group chief executive of the Bible Society, said: "It's clear that parents want to give their children the best start in life.
"The Bible's contribution to our culture - language, literature, the visual arts and music - is immense. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from.
"The Bible enriches life, and every child should have the opportunity to experience it."

 

Things Have Changed

It’s Not The Same Anymore

 

   Have you ever said that to yourself? “It’s not the same anymore!” I think that most of us have.

- Movies aren’t  the same anymore.

-Shopping isn’t the same anymore.

-A doctor’s visit isn’t the same anymore.

-My work isn’t the same anymore.

- Sunday’s aren’t the same anymore.

   You can probably think of several other things that “aren’t the same anymore.” I would like to add another to the list, something that I experienced just this past week.

-Going to the bank isn’t the same anymore!

   While some changes over the past few years have been for the better many haven’t. Customer service at our banks isn’t the same. Before going to university I use to work in the bank. I had two other brothers who also worked in the bank. One of my brothers hit the nail on the head when he said; “Banks use to be there to offer a service now they are there to sell a product!” You can see the difference in the service they offer. Call me “old fashion or not” but I remember the day when banks “looked at the person” moreso than a room full of forms and papers. Let me give you a couple of examples. My father applied for a loan to buy a brand-new car, a 1956 Ford! Sure, he went in to see the bank manager and after a talk the manager stood up shook my dad’s hand and said, “I like the look (honesty) of your face, the loan is yours now let’s sign a few papers!” When I was in university I needed some cash to finish my year. I told a classmate; “I’m going down to the bank to get a loan.” My friend replied; “John, this is not small time Nova Scotia this is Montreal and you are a stranger here, they will never give you a loan.” My reply was, “wait and see.” I went down to a local Bank of Nova Scotia.” I stated my request; “I need some cash to finish my year.” The manager asked me into his office. I explained why I needed a loan and I also added; “My brother happens to be a bank manager in Nova Scotia.” The manager smiled looked at some papers and then looked up at me and asked; “what account would you like the money deposited in Mr. Fraser.” I said to myself; “thank you Lord and thank you brother Jim.” When I got back to residence and told my classmate he replied; “I don’t believe it!”

   Banks were far different then than they are today. Banks have lost the personal touch. They don’t look at you anymore they allow their machines and long list of rules and regulations to do that. Let me share with you what happened this week. I went to my local bank (HSBC) located directly across the street from my church. This is the bank where I have had my account for the past five years. This is the bank where our church treasurer deposits my pay cheque each and every month. This is the bank that holds a sizeable mortgage on our property. This is the bank that when they have a fire drill they come across the street and occupy our church lawn. So, as you can see they are no strangers to me “or so I thought.” My request was very simple. “Good morning, I would like to deposit this international US money order from a Canadian bank (CIBC) into my account I know I have enough in my account to cover it.” I should add that the money order was for the grand sum of $34. The young clerk looked at it and replied; “I’m sorry but you may want to keep this for now.” “What was the problem,” I asked. Well, to begin with the money order would have to be verified and that would take 10 days (imagine that and this is the computer age), secondly if they were to cash it there would be a $20. fee which would leave me with $14. I left the young man making certain to take my money order with me and went to customer service and following that to the manager only to be told that, “Yes there would be a 10 day waiting period  and there would be a $20. fee!" It made no difference that I was their customer, I had enough funds in my account to cover the money order,that they hold a mortgage on our property and that they trample the grass on our lawn every time they have a fire drill!  
   It is just not the same anymore! Where has good old customer service gone? It went out with all the machinery and the rules and the regulations. Next time there is a fire drill at HSBC I’m thinking of going out on the lawn and passing the offering plate around saying; “sorry folks you are going to have to pay up because it just isn’t the same anymore!"

Pastor John

 

Gone Fishing!

The Blessing of The Fishing Fleet

   While ministering in the Bahamas I was asked to conduct, "The Blessing of the Fishing Fleet." This is a sporting event where people come from great distances in order to compete. I was up early, down at the docks where 40 boats plus were ready to race to their favorite spots. No one was allowed to leave port until a prayer was offered. The gentleman in charge of the event handed me a two way radio that was linked to all the boats. Following is what I shared with them.

The Blessing of the Fleet as you are probably well aware is an old and revered tradition. It has been passed down from generation to generation. It is as ancient as biblical times.
This centuries old rite calls on divine providence to safe guard ships and crews from the danger of the seas. It was meant to ensure that the fishermen would return to port and have a bountiful catch. Let’s ask God’s blessing on your fishing during the days ahead. Let’s pray.

   Dear Lord who art the creator of earth, sea and sky and all that dwell therein we give thanks for the day before us. We ask for your blessing upon the fishing fleet; a blessing of calm waters, blue skies, fair winds, comradeship, a good catch but most important of all a safe return to port. Lord, who chose fishermen for his disciples bless the men and women of the fishing fleet today. In Jesus name we pray; Amen.    

I’m sure that most of you have heard of the serenity prayer!

God, grant me the
SERENITY
to accept the things
I cannot change

COURAGE
to change the
things I can

and
WISDOM
to know the difference

Here is, "The Serenity Prayer for Fishermen"

God, grant me the Serenity

To accept the size of the fish I catch;

The courage not to fib about it,

And the wisdom to know

That no one would believe me anyway.

Have a great day!

I QUIT!

   What Are Your Goals This Year? Some people call them New Years Resolutions while others simply refer to them as, “My Plans for the New Year.” You will also find people who don’t make resolutions simply because they know that they will most likely break them! The most popular resolutions or goals (whatever you want to call them) usually has something to do with health issues. Some may want to loose weight while others want to give up smoking. Both are quite legitimate goals but why would we want to wait for the New Year to begin?

   After 25+ years of smoking I quit cold turkey! I quit in the middle of the summer. The way I looked at it was that I figured if this is a matter of health than the sooner I quit the better! No one was giving me a hard time about quitting; not my wife not my children. When I lit up a cigarette while driving home from the office one day I asked myself; why? Why take the chance of continuing with a habit that one day could land me in a doctor’s office and his words would be; “John, I’m sorry but you have………………” My quitting at that point (in the doctor’s office) wouldn’t make the verdict disappear BUT if I quit now than there would be a good chance that I could avoid that doctor’s verdict. So I did! I quit! Oh, it wasn’t easy and even months after quitting I use to dream that I was smoking a cigarette and I would feel terrible. Then, I would wake up and rejoice saying that it was only a bad dream. It has been over 20 years since I quit and I have never regretted it.

   Do you smoke or do you overindulge in other areas that are bad for you?  Are you going to wait for the doctor to give you the bad news or are you going to wait to find that your marriage is over with or your kids are all grown up and its too late to say, “I should be spending more time with my kids.” You can do something about your bad habit NOW while you are still in control. Don’t wait until it is too late do something about it now say to yourself; “I Quit!”

   The Bible says that all things are possible to him/her who believes! Go ahead quit the bad habit don’t wait until New Years!

Pastor John

What's In Your Heart?

We have all heard the advertisement on TV that ends with the question; “What’s in your wallet/” It’s an advertisement for a credit card which many people do carry in their wallets, purses and handbags. I have no doubt but what your card has seen frequent use this year. Well, I’m not going to ask, “What’s in your wallet but instead; “What’s in your heart?” My reason for asking the question is found in Luke 2:15-19. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known unto us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

      What do we ponder in our hearts when surrounded by all the excitement of the season? Are we thinking about the busyness of the season the hectic pace that we have set for ourselves? Is our heart asking the question; “Did I get the right gift for him or for her?” Are we wondering whether the turkey is enough to feed everyone? Perhaps we are even thinking about the mess we have to clean up after all of this is over.

   What was Mary pondering in her heart?  I believe based on what I read in the gospel that Mary was thinking about what the angel had previously told her would happen. “Mary you have found favor with God and now you will conceive and bear a son and you will call Him Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy, He will be called the Son of God.” Perhaps she was also thinking about the visit to the home of her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary had entered her cousin’s home Elizabeth cried out; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” Then, Elizabeth said something to Mary which in the reading of the Christmas story we often overlook not intentionally it’s just that we failed to give it serious thought. Elizabeth said; “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Mary on that night so long ago was pondering in her heart how wonderful God was in keeping his promises. What are you pondering in your heart this Christmas?

Pastor John

A Blessed Christmas to All

How Long Has It Been Since.....

When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today.

When Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today.

It is a long time since 1832, longer still from 353, longer still from that dark night brightened by a special star in which Jesus the king was born. Yet, as we approach December 25 again, it gives us yet another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all the excitement and elaborate decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas today, to consider again the event of Christmas and the person whose birth we celebrate.

Brian L. Harbour, James W. Cox, The Minister's Manual: 1994, San Fransico: Harper Collins, 1993, p. 254.

Remember When?

Remember When?

   We all have our favorite memories from Christmases’ past? Some of us may go back just last year to a favorite memory. Others may go back a few years to a favorite memory. Still others go back several years to their favorite memories. See if you can recall some of these favorite memories of Christmas past.

 Do you remember when hanging your stocking meant hanging up a woolen sock? Do you remember when there was an orange in the toe of the stocking? Now Christmas stockings come in red velvet with gold lettering! Something is missing!

   Do you remember when Christmas candy meant ribbon candy? It was colorful and it was hard but it lasted for a long time. Not like chocolates which disappear as quickly as you put them in your mouth!

   Do you remember when you would leave a lunch for Santa Claus? There was a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. No wonder the guy was so big!

   Do you remember when your church would put on an old fashion Christmas concert? There were short plays, recitations and lots of carols! Of course at the end you enjoyed a visit from the old fellow himself. Do you remember following him out of the hall to see where he went because there was something strangely familiar about him?

   Do you remember when (going back a long way for this one) a $1 would buy four gifts? There was a package of razor blades for dad, a comb for mom, bobby pins for your sister and gun caps for your brother. How far would $1. go today? It wouldn’t even pay for the tax!

   Do you remember when you woke up on Christmas morning only to find the door to the room where the Christmas tree was closed? No one went in until everyone was ready to look at and open gifts!

   Do you remember when your tree had bubble lights? The mini lights today are nice but there was always something special about the bubble lights!

   Do you remember reading the Christmas story as a family before you were allowed to open any gifts? Today, some people might even ask, “So what’s the story?”

   Do you remember when you use to fight with a brother or a sister about who gets the leg of the turkey? Do you remember making a wish with the wishbone?

   A lot of things have changed over the years some things for the better and some for the worse. One thing that will always remain the same is this; “He’s the reason for the season.” For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life( John 3:16).

Pastor John