What About Your Book?

What About Your Book?

   Just recently I was asked; "Are you still working on your book?" I replied in the affirmative but that

 sometimes progress is slow because, "I have to be in the mood to write." As I contemplate my retirement

 which is now less than a year away I say to myself; "I will have more time to write when I am retired." 

However, I hear many people say that when you are retired that you often find yourself busier than ever

before! So, I don't want to wait for retirement to continue my writing I must set aside time now to write. 

I have a story that I want to share with people. I hope my story will encourage some, cause others to laugh, 

some to shed a tear and a few to take warning. Encouragement, laughter and tears are all part of a story but

what do I mean by, "take warning."

   Someone told me while I was still in training for the ministry; "John, just because someday you will be a 

minister that does not mean that everyone will like you." I thought that was strange but then again I was young 

and naive Doesn't everyone like ministers? Almost ready for retirement the answer comes back to haunt me 

and it is a definite NO. The fact that not everyone likes ministers would be more easily understood if those who

 disliked you came primarily from outside the church but such is not the case. In my almost forty years in

 ministry I have found that my greatest hurt has come from those "inside the church" those who claim to be

 Christians and strangely enough those who occupy positions of leadership within the church. Please don't 

misunderstand me, the majority were certainly loving and accepting of me even with all my faults. Neither do I

mean by being hurt that people simply didn't appreciate my sermons! No, I mean by being hurt that some

would phone immigration authorities and report me for working unlawfully. Some would write you nasty little

notes and tell you and your wife to"go home." Perhaps the greatest hurt came from those who said; "We knew

 you were conservative before you came to us but we thought we could change you." Then, there was one of 

my peers who said; "John, they are a lynch mob and they are out to get you." My peer who warned me of the

 lynch mob refused to share his insight with others who belonged to the same church court as he and I were

 members of. I am not going into any details here but will save that for my book! My greatest comfort in all of

 this came from those who did support me including a 16 year old youth. Nothing of what I was accused of

 pertained in any way to my moral conduct but rather to the gospel I proclaimed. It was because of this that

 I received my greatest support from the Scriptures in John 15:18-19. 

Rev. John Fraser 

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

BAPTISM

   What is it and why do we do it? In a short space of print I will attempt with God’s help to answer not in full but in part.

   First, baptism is one of two sacraments recognized within the Reformed Faith. Sacrament comes from the Latin word “sacramentum” which was an oath that a Roman soldier took to show his allegiance to the emperor. The other sacrament that we recognize is the sacrament of Holy Communion sometimes referred to as “The Lord’s Supper.”

   Baptism, for people of the Reformed Faith is a continuation of the Old Testament rite of Circumcision. In the Old Testament circumcision was a sign given by God to Abraham indicating that the male infant was now marked as being a member of God’s family. Females were admitted to God’s family through the male. Christians within the Reformed faith see baptism as a carry over into a new covenant of the Old Testament rite of circumcision. Infants of course do not remember the day of their admission into God’s family. The vows taken at baptism are taken by the parents on behalf of the child. They promise to bring the child up in the nurture and love of the Lord. NOW, when a baptized child reaches an age of understanding (early teens) hopefully they will want to take ownership of their parents vows made at their baptism by making a profession of faith and joining a Christian Church. They do not have to be re-baptized. The Bible states quite clearly in Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” At the time of their profession of faith he/she should rejoice that the sign given at their baptism has come to fruition. 

   What about something called; “believers baptism?”  Believers baptism is the baptism of one who as a young person or adult has made a profession of faith and is then baptized. As an adult they were able to take responsibility for the vows themselves. However, believers baptism does negate infant baptism. In the Holy Scripture it states that whole households were baptized and we believe that in those households there were indeed children. Christians within the Reformed Faith believe in believers baptism and infant baptism. However, many outside the Reformed Faith believe only in Believers Baptism. Christian parents should not wait for their child to experience “believers baptism” but rather have the “sign and seal” that is offered in infant baptism bestowed upon their child while they are of a young age.

   With regard to the method of baptism being the “sprinkling of water” or “immersion” it makes no difference. As one of the early fathers of the Reformation said; “whether it be a thimble full or a bucket full it makes no difference. The importance lies not in the amount of water but what the water symbolizes.” The water in baptism symbolizes the blood of Christ which washes away our sins. All humans at birth came into the world carrying Adam’s fallen sinful nature with them.

Rev. John Fraser

Solid Rock

   The term “rock” is often used in Holy Scripture to describe; security, trustworthiness and dependability. When Jesus asked his disciples who others said He was they replied, “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Jesus then asked them; “But who do you say that I am?” It was Peter who replied; “Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you but my father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Upon Peter’s confession as to who Jesus was, God would build his church. When God’s gathered people (the church) continue to confess the identity of Christ and when they live by that confession there is security, trustworthiness and dependability. God’s confessing church is like a solid rock upon which the gates of hell cannot prevail. BUT, what happens when people gathered do not confess and live by the identity of Christ as confessed by Peter?

   When Jill and I vacation in Florida we worship in a church called, Solid Rock Presbyterian Church. Solid Rock is located in Leesburg and worshippers meet in a community hall. The fellowship of believers is not large but they are faithful and they warmly welcome those who believe in and adhere to the confession of Peter. They belong to a larger branch of the Presbyterian Church known as Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Solid Rock does not have a long history but the faith upon which they stand does. You see, the good people of Solid Rock came out of a larger denomination when that denomination began to drift away from the confession of faith as lived and taught by the disciples. They don’t have the big building now, they don’t have the numbers and as John (their minister) will tell you; “we don’t have the high tech stereo recording equipment that we once enjoyed.” Yes, they had to give up a number of frills but the one thing they refused to give up was the faith confessed by Peter. They were willing to stand up for what was right even when the opposite was more popular. They would not allow the faith once and for all delivered to the saints to be compromised by the standards of a society that is trying desperately to be accommodating to all. Their stand has cost them but they will survive because their faith is built on the Solid Rock.  Should your travels ever take you near the Leesburg area of Florida please drop by and worship with them on a Sunday morning. The people of Solid Rock meet in the Leesburg Community Building, (9:30am) 109 East Dixie Avenue, next to the Pat Thomas Ball Field.

   Please remember and pray for this community of faith who are looking for a site upon which to build and expand their ministry.

By Rev. John Fraser

Vacation Time

Vacation Time

   Do you remember your parents saying to you when you were small; “You’re tired, I think you should go to bed.” Oh, we didn’t like to hear that because going to bed meant going to sleep and if we went to sleep we might miss something.” Well, maybe we are a bit too old to remember the things our parents said to us but I’m certain we remember saying it more than once to our children. An explanation for bad behavior was being over-tired. So what does this have to do with the title of my blog, Vacation Time? Well, vacation time is time mean to rest from our daily work alcoholic routine. They use to say that a man could give you a long list of reasons why he had to work 24 hours a day. With the number of women in the working force increasing everyday I am certain that they could give you a long list of reasons for remaining late at the office as well. Hey, no matter how young or how old we are we all need a break because we all get tired and like children when we get tired we get cranky.  If we don’t slow down and get some R&R (Rest and Relaxation) God has a way of slowing us down. You see, God made a human being not a machine and our bodies will crumble from too much work and too much stress. We call the crumbling burnout, breakdown, stress attack and worse still, heart attack. Suffering in this way  is a difficult way to learn a lesson that we need to slow down so why don’t we simply take the advice that we find in Jesus’ word to the disciples in Mark 6:31. He said to them, “Come away to a quiet place and rest awhile.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

   You can take a vacation anytime of the year and that’s fine but the important thing is to take one. Many will take a break in the summer time because the children are out of school. Our children “flew the nest” some time ago but Jill and I still like to take a vacation. Bermuda is a great place to spend your holidays but we live and work here SO in just a couple of weeks we are travelling to Florida. Although vacations can be taken anywhere I really think it is important to get away to someplace different. Remember, Jesus didn’t say to the disciples, “I think you are tired so have a nap.” No, Jesus said, “Come away.” I hope that all of you reading this blog are able to get away for a few days and that you will enjoy a time of sightseeing, swimming, playing golf etc. etc. Vacations are great times to rest and to enjoy doing things together with those whom you love. Vacations are a time to come together before breaking apart!

   When you are enjoying your vacation please remember one thing and that is that Jesus went with his disciples He didn’t stay behind. Take Jesus with you don’t leave Him at home. Remember, it is a break from our work from daily routine not from the Lord and his church. Don’t be like the little girl who overheard her parents speak of vacation plans and who said in her prayers that night; “God, we are going on vacation see You when we get back.” ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS BECAUSE YOU DESERVE THEM.

Rev. John

MISSING

MISSING

It was printed in big bold red letters – Missing. You found it on signs throughout the Island; wrapped around light poles, posted on the ferry boats, beside the road, on rock walls and even on the back window of my car! The signs with the big bold letters “Missing” have been seen around the Island for almost two months. What is missing? Not what is missing but who is missing. Bill Grange came to the Island with his wife to visit and to rest and to enjoy the beauty that Bermuda has to offer. However, one evening he told his wife that he was going for a walk and for almost two months he has not been seen. Bill suffers from short term memory loss which makes his disappearance that much more serious. Suffering from short term memory loss and needing medication the search for him has been intense. Family members arrived from Ontario and along with volunteers from across the Island, the police with their search dogs and members of the Bermuda Regiment the Island from tip to tip was covered more than once. Prayer services were held for Mr. Grange and his family. I wish I could say that they found him alive and confused but I can’t. Mr. Grange is still missing and I know that many are still praying but his disappearance remains a mystery. SO, to the locals who continue to see the signs and to those of you who are reading this blog I ask for your prayers for the Grange family.

What do you have to be thankful for!

What do you have to be thankful for?

 Allow me to share with you four brief little stories (all of them true) that might help each of us to be thankful for what we have rather than lament over what we don’t have.

   The first story is for those who have found themselves to be financially hard pressed this past year and wondering what there is to be grateful over.

   It’s the story of an Englishman by the name of Matthew Henry. He was a preacher and well-known Bible scholar who lived from 1662 to 1714. His exposition of the Old and New Testament is a commentary that is still in print to this very day.

   One day Matthew Henry was riding his horse through the woods. He was on his way to a church meeting where he was going to be the guest speaker. Suddenly, a masked bandit ran out of the woods with a gun in his hand and demanded that Matthew Henry get off of his horse. Mr. Henry obeyed the robber, as he knew this was a dangerous situation. Even though he tried to talk to the man about God and spiritual matters, the bandit would hear none of it. He quickly took all of Matthew Henry’s money and ran back into the woods. It all happened so quickly that Mr. Henry hardly had time to realize what had happened. Although he was penniless, he got back on his horse and continued on his journey.

His mind took him to the thought that we are supposed to give thanks in everything that happens to us. He asked God how he was supposed to be thankful for being robbed! As he continued on his way, the answer came to him. That night he told the story and concluded his message by sharing the reason he could be thankful for what had happened to him that day.

“First,” he said, “I am thankful I have never been robbed before. Second, I am thankful he took my money and not my life. Third, I am thankful he did not take more; he could have taken my horse and my clothes as well. Next, I am thankful that what I had stolen from me really did not amount to very much. Then I am grateful that what I lost, in time, could be replaced. But, finally, and most importantly, I am thankful that I was the one robbed and not the robber!”

The second story is for those who have often wished for better health.

   A 12 year old boy named David was born without an immune system. He underwent a bone marrow transplant in order to correct the deficiency. Up to that point he had spent his entire life in a plastic bubble in order to prevent exposure to common germs, bacteria, and viruses that could kill him. He lived without ever knowing human contact. When asked what he'd like to do if and when released from his protective bubble, he replied, "I want to walk barefoot on grass, and touch my mother's hand."

Erma Bombeck wrote in her book. An estimated 1.5 million people are living today after bouts with breast cancer. Every time I forget to feel grateful to be among them, I hear the voice of an eight-year-old named Christina, who had cancer of the nervous system. When asked what she wanted for her birthday, she thought long and hard and finally said, "I don't know. I have two sticker books and a Cabbage Patch doll. I have everything!" The kid is right declared Bombeck.

   Finally, a story for those who will find time to complain over just about every thing that I haven’t mentioned thus far; the weather, the traffic, the neighbors, the job and the list goes on.

   A Scottish minister by the name of Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this."

   My prayer for all of you today is that you might have the grace of the Apostle Paul who was able to be content and give thanks to God for whatever state he found himself in.

Blessings from Rev. John!

EASTER

SO WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

A professor standing before a group of students preparing for the ministry told a story of what happened to him following an Easter service where he had guest preached.  “I had preached that morning on the Resurrection. I had told them that if they wanted to see where God was alive and at work today that they should go and see what is being done in Third World countries. Wonderful things are happening today in the name of our Lord.” The sermon continued along these lines, the service ended, everyone shook hands and the visiting minister (the professor) returned to his home. In class a few days later he told his students what happened next. “Shortly after returning home I received a telephone call from a very irate elderly lady. This lady told me in no uncertain terms what she thought of my Easter message and it was not complimentary. I think what she wanted to hear at Easter was the tired and familiar message that when we die we will all go to heaven and there meet up with all our long lost relatives.” The professor turned to his class and asked; “What do you think?” One student raised his hand and said, “Sir, I think I would have been the second caller and would have agreed with what the lady said.”

   I am inclined to support the student. The message of Easter is not about the good work that may or may not be taking place in the world’s underdeveloped countries. The message about Easter is about the bodily resurrection of our Lord. Where once there was death (“It is finished,” and He gave up his spirit. John 19:30) there is life (“You are looking for Jesus who was crucified, He has risen.” Mark 16:6). Whenever the apostles shared the Good News of Christ they always spoke of his death but coupled it with his resurrection. The death of Jesus without the resurrection of Jesus is meaningless. The Apostle Paul declared that if the resurrection did not take place then his preaching and the faith of his listeners was all in vain. The Good News of Easter is that Christ broke through the barrier of death and through Him we can do likewise.