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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| Greek (Western) |
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 In the Western church the leadership pronounce, while the people, simply receive.
The pastor prepares, preaches and teaches, prayers come from the front (often a mini sermon couched in prayer type language) to which the people are encouraged to agree. Very often too, worship teams dominate praise and worship.
We are a leadership driven church. We pay the pastor to 'do the religious stuff of life' on our behalf! And usually, lot's more beside! Ask any pastor! Or pastor's wife! As people, so busy living life in an increasingly frantic world, we separate the 'spiritual' from our everyday life and delegate our responsibility to paid staff. Then we turn up on Sunday for an hour or so to hear how the pastor has been looking after us during the week! If we are not happy that they have done enough, we move to another church! (OK, maybe a slight exaggeration, but I trust it makes a point!)
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| Eastern (Hebrew) |
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 In the Eastern way of thinking, spirituality is an all embracing part of the life of both the individual and the community.
The Jewish (and Muslim) emphasis is on personal prayer in a collective situation. The reason for praying at a number of specified times during the day reminds people to pray often, as an integral part of day to day activities, and to get all the community praying together as one. Prayers are both short and frequent.
This community principle is seen in the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray, which today, we call the Lord's Prayer.
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 As you can see, we are taught to pray the plural 'our' rather than the singular 'my', which would be more appropriate in a Western context.
This communal principle is reiterated many times throughout both the Old Testament and the New.
In the Old.....
Isaiah 63:16
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 ..... and in the New. Paul, in his introduction to the Roman church, took this communal approach also.....
Romans 1:7
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 A further prayer difference in Eastern culture is the time spent in thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for the community, in doing so, encouraging all that His presence will be with them now. For instance, when the army was going out to war.....
Deuteronomy 20:1
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The goodness of God to the community is seen as an encouragement of faith to the individual.
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| SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY |
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1. We must learn that our spiritual and daily lives are one and cannot be divided.
2. We must stop delegating responsibility for our spiritual lives to others, paid or unpaid, professional or otherwise. We are responsible for our own ongoing salvation.
3. Understand that we are a part of a broader community of believers.
4. Learn to pray frequently as part of a community.
5. Learn to put the needs of our family in God above our own.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... looking at HOW MANY "YOU'S" IN YOU?
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 How radical is it to understand that our spiritual and physical lives are one, and that we are one in God as a community of believers. May we learn to remove the self out of self.
IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem
Mt. Zion
Also known as Mount Sion, the Upper City, the Southwestern Hill
St. Peter in Gallicantu
On the southeastern slope of the hill is one of the traditional locations for the house of Caiaphas. Gallicantu means "cock crowing" and it remembers the three denials of Peter. Built atop the ruins of a Byzantine church and monastery, Catholic pilgrims believe that the prison in which Christ was held is located inside the church. Others believe that a more likely location for Caiaphas' house is in the Armenian property outside Zion Gate.
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
191. Earthly governance is based upon society imposed rules but godly governance requires individuals to care for each other.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
A look at some of lifes curious questions: http://www.wwj.org.nz/why.php
Everything you ever wanted to know about....: http://www.wwj.org.nz/exex.php
Life's a Laugh: http://www.wwj.org.nz/lifelaugh.php
Links to other sites of interest: http://www.wwj.org.nz/links.php
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