Presbyterian Hub Archives - The Presbyterian Outlook

Prayer for our brothers and sisters in Egypt

May 26, 2017 by Jill Duffield Leave a Comment

Almighty God, keep us from despair. Forbid that we become numb to violence and the suffering that comes in its vicious wake. We bow our heads again this today, remembering our brothers and sisters in Christ gunned down on their way to worship you. As members of the same body, we weep with those who weep, wail with those who grieve, and mourn with those who mourn. We cannot help but ask “Why?” and “How long?” and “What should we do?” We long for your answers even as we trust your promise to be with us, always and through every trial. We yearn for you to make of us a people who never return evil for evil, but honor all people. Shape us, Master Potter, into a community that follows Christ so closely that we forgive the unforgivable and pray for those who hurt us. May the fires of senseless violence forge us into a people marked by flames of the Holy Spirit, speaking of your deeds of power until all of creation hears and heeds your Word of mercy, justice, grace and love. When we … [Read more...]

Technology through the theological lenses of Thomas Merton and Jacques Ellul

May 24, 2017 by The Presbyterian Outlook Leave a Comment

Society generally views technology through a rational lens, judging technological products only insofar as they enhance convenience, or provide some new capability. Technology (and the many products that have emerged from the rapid increase in technology) has had an undeniable impact on society in every sphere, including healthcare, communications, economics, education, finance and the military. However, rarely is technology examined in any kind of theological context. There is a small group of scholars and theologians who have undertaken this avenue of inquiry, but for the most part, this debate has not filtered into the mainstream. Technology, theology and society and in the 20th-century Leading thinkers in the field of theology and technology include the American Catholic monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968), and the French Protestant Jacques Ellul (1912-1994). Both were prolific writers who referred to technology and its relationship to theology throughout their writing. While they … [Read more...]

Tagged With: technology

Lord, teach us to pray on days like today

May 23, 2017 by Jill Duffield Leave a Comment

Lord, teach us how to pray on days like today when senseless violence has once again destroyed innocent people and shattered the lives of those who love them. How do we pray on days like today? You taught us to pray for your kingdom to come, on earth as it is in heaven, and so we do. We pray that this very day, a morning filled with headlines of a bomb blast and death, bloodshed and terror. We pray that God’s reign will come. Rule our hearts, Lord God, our responses, even our thoughts and especially our actions. When the news cycle narrative is one of hate and murder, we pray your kingdom come, right now, right here, with us, in ways that take back the story and show forth your love. You taught us to pray for what we need this day and we do. We pray for bread, the bread of heaven, the bread that does not run out or give out, the bread that sustains us in the wilderness despite every hardship. We pray bread for those who hunger for righteousness this day, a day of sorrow and fear, … [Read more...]

Mystic media

May 23, 2017 by The Presbyterian Outlook Leave a Comment

How do we make faithful sense amidst the racket and discord of digital media? How do we “pay attention” in these spaces? To what – and more importantly, to whom – are we attending? There are many answers to these questions, but I have found my most fruitful conversation partners among those navigating the streams of mysticism. It might seem impractical to place media (which furiously ignite rapid exchanges across digital platforms) into conversation with mystics. After all, one stereotype of a mystic is of someone of great contemplative ability who withdraws from the world into a serene space of silent prayer. There are other more immediately pertinent ways of thinking about mysticism, though. In her book “Silence: A User’s Guide,” Maggie Ross, an Anglican solitary (someone who lives a life of solitude and silent prayer), writes of this stance as one that is a transfigured perception of the ordinary. “To be centered in the deep mind is to have access to the direct and inclusive … [Read more...]

Tagged With: technology

First Presbyterian Church — Broken Bow, Oklahoma

May 22, 2017 by The Presbyterian Outlook Leave a Comment

FPC is a 73-member church in rural southeastern Oklahoma. Our last installed pastor retired several years ago, so we rely on pulpit supply and a monthly visit from a commissioned ruling elder. We are active in the community – both as volunteers and financial supporters – at the local food bank and thrift store, and are currently involved in an effort to establish a housing center for the area homeless. Additionally, for the past 40 years the congregation has hosted an Easter sunrise service at a popular area state park. Each year we have between 50 and 60 locals and tourists attend this worship service. FPC is a good example of a small church who knows what its ministry in the community is and continues to seek ways to be the voice, hands and feet of Christ within and outside its walls. — Melinda Hunt, commissioned ruling elder Share your 150-word story of “what’s right” with the Outlook by emailing it to [email protected] … [Read more...]

Cancer – May 29, 2017

May 22, 2017 by The Presbyterian Outlook 1 Comment

Heath Rada opens his article in this issue asking, “Is there any other word in our language that causes the same emotional reaction as does the word cancer?” The Outlook asked pastors, congregations and chaplains how they are caring for those in the emotional throes of cancer. What resulted is an issue of personal stories and glimpses at how Presbyterians sharing Christ’s love so that no one has to face cancer alone. Click here to view the digital issue in the Uberflip magazine reader. CanCare Congregations offer support to those with cancer. Leslie Scanlon reports. How can we help? Pastor Julie Coffman Hester shares best practices for congregations as they care for those with cancer. Cancer: A personal story Heath Rada shares his family’s experience and cancer and what they learned about helping others. Hearing every word Andrew Taylor-Troutman explains how narrative medicine offers tools to pastors and oncologists. Cancer doesn’t discriminate As a pediatric oncology … [Read more...]

Tagged With: cancer

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