For many, day-to-day life is an area completely separated from beliefs or values that might be called “religious” or “spiritual”. Many now consider it an absolute virtue to “not let their personal faith affect how they do their job.” The Bible makes no such distinction. If Jesus is Lord at all, His influence will be felt in all our relationships and responsibilities.
Many of us are wondering how we can best respond to the devastating news of the earthquakes and tsunami that have hurt especially Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate ken. As the computer and television screens pour out images, we can pour out our hearts to the Creator of the Universe to take care of the great nation of Japan.
CRASH Japan, a non-profit established for just a time as this, exists to help victims of disasters. We have experienced people who know the culture and language on the ground ready to assess the situation and then take appropriate action. Any donations that come to Horizon Central designated for CRASH are sent on to them on a regular basis. Please consider how YOU might be able to help right now by giving a donation that will “kick start” our Tokyo based disaster relief initiative.
CRASH Japan is strongly endorsed by JEMA (Japan Evangelical Missionary Association) and comes highly recommended by Dale Little, JEMA President. http://crashjapan.com/
24 HOUR FUNDING GOAL: $100,000 (send a donation using one of the following options)
Donate via Horizon Christian Fellowship (San Diego) web site (tax deductible receipt provided):
https://www.horizonsd.org/donate/index.asp?purpose=japan_earthquake_relief
Donate via PayPal (no tax deductible receipt): http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php/component/content/article/57-feature-article/500-japan-tohoku-quake-relief-donations
Donate in Japan via the JEMA postal furikae account:
Account#00130-4-180466 (Please specify “earthquake relief” in the message box.)
My college friend threw a problem my way – something from his philosophy teacher. It’s called the Euthyphro Dilemma and it goes back at least to the time of Plato: Does God command something because it is good, or is it good because God commands it?
The solution is found in today’s passage: God is personal and so He has a certain character. That is, certain qualities are essential to the “nature” of God. His commands, then, are an expression of His nature. He is the ultimate good and His commands are always consistent with His character – or, who He is by nature. His commands are the faithful expression of these essential character traits.
Reality The Colossian church, however, was beginning to move in the direction of religious rules and rituals. Paul warns them hoping to stop them in their tracks before it’s too late. Jesus Christ is the ultimate reality. Don’t get distracted by things that simply look or sound religious.
Central Reflections 