Are we looking forward for the MLK holiday? Some people confuse Martin Luther with Martin King, Jr. Here we examine both persons. In 1934 African-American Baptist minister Michael King attended an international conference in Germany where he learned about Protestantism’s founder Martin Luther. King was so motivated by the actions of Martin Luther, he changed both his name and that of his young son, who became known to the world as Martin Luther King Jr.
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Luther and ML King stood against the powers.
Luther was furious about the selling of “indulgences,” in which people essentially paid for the grace of God to fund such lavish projects as the new St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He eventually realized that there was no need for a corruptible Roman Catholic Church hierarchy; a person could achieve salvation simply by putting their faith in Christ and depending on Scripture as the main religious authority.
M.L. King’s frustration didn't pertain to the Church, but at a system of racial segregation that had become ensconced in everyday life and law since the Civil War. He was raised in the Jim Crow South, which among other abuses, required black voters to pass an exam.
Luther and King arrived at the right time in history.
The formation of Reformation was established well before Luther first opened a Bible, as dissenters like 14th-century English theologian and academic John Wyclif had previously fought against the Church’s abuse of power. However, Luther benefited from the recent creation of the printing press, which enabled his ideas to quickly spread across Europe.
Similarly, efforts to organize and strengthen African Americans had been around since before King was born, But Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to white people, presented an excellent opportunity for King to highlight the Montgomery Bus Boycott and assume leadership of the growing civil rights movement.
Both risked their lives by opposing authorities.
Martin Luther was excommunicated by Pope Leo X in early 1521 and persistently defended his beliefs against hostile audience at the Diet of Worms and the charges of heresy bearing the threat of a death sentence.
King's strategy of civil disobedience caused him to become a prime target of both the police and violent extremists. He was arrested about 30 times and survived an assassination attempt a decade before being murdered on April 4, 1968.
Luther and King's movements have continued and spread far beyond them.
By speaking up to the Catholic Church, Luther is credited with firmly establishing the Reformation and opening the door to a modern world built on concepts of individuality, religious liberty, and self- government. About one-eighth of the seven and a half billion people worldwide today, more than 900 million people, identify as Protestants. And one of the major groups of Protestantism is named after Luther, that is, Lutheranism.
King's role also brought concrete reformations, from the 1956 Supreme Court ruling that terminated segregation on city buses to the Civil Rights and Voting Acts of 1964 and 1965. Possibly the most potent figure from the American civil right movement, he is one of the few non-presidents to be awarded a monument at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the only one to be honored with a national holiday.
Luther was furious about the selling of “indulgences,” in which people essentially paid for the grace of God to fund such lavish projects as the new St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He eventually realized that there was no need for a corruptible Roman Catholic Church hierarchy; a person could achieve salvation simply by putting their faith in Christ and depending on Scripture as the main religious authority.
M.L. King’s frustration didn't pertain to the Church, but at a system of racial segregation that had become ensconced in everyday life and law since the Civil War. He was raised in the Jim Crow South, which among other abuses, required black voters to pass an exam.
Luther and King arrived at the right time in history.
The formation of Reformation was established well before Luther first opened a Bible, as dissenters like 14th-century English theologian and academic John Wyclif had previously fought against the Church’s abuse of power. However, Luther benefited from the recent creation of the printing press, which enabled his ideas to quickly spread across Europe.
Similarly, efforts to organize and strengthen African Americans had been around since before King was born, But Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to white people, presented an excellent opportunity for King to highlight the Montgomery Bus Boycott and assume leadership of the growing civil rights movement.
Both risked their lives by opposing authorities.
Martin Luther was excommunicated by Pope Leo X in early 1521 and persistently defended his beliefs against hostile audience at the Diet of Worms and the charges of heresy bearing the threat of a death sentence.
King's strategy of civil disobedience caused him to become a prime target of both the police and violent extremists. He was arrested about 30 times and survived an assassination attempt a decade before being murdered on April 4, 1968.
Luther and King's movements have continued and spread far beyond them.
By speaking up to the Catholic Church, Luther is credited with firmly establishing the Reformation and opening the door to a modern world built on concepts of individuality, religious liberty, and self- government. About one-eighth of the seven and a half billion people worldwide today, more than 900 million people, identify as Protestants. And one of the major groups of Protestantism is named after Luther, that is, Lutheranism.
King's role also brought concrete reformations, from the 1956 Supreme Court ruling that terminated segregation on city buses to the Civil Rights and Voting Acts of 1964 and 1965. Possibly the most potent figure from the American civil right movement, he is one of the few non-presidents to be awarded a monument at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and the only one to be honored with a national holiday.
If God already knows what we need, why we need to pray?
Prayer allows more opportunities of fellowship with Him and opens the way to our Father in heaven. For instance, when you have personal issue, you run into your best friend. However, he is not there for you sometimes. God is always there for you. If we don’t pray, how can we foster our relationship with Him? Praying is the way to communicate with Him and develop our faith in Him. Meditate our prayers and share with Him.
God doesn’t want us to worry about everything but pray with thanksgiving through faith. The Bible advises us to pray. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Although God doesn’t answer in the ways we think He should, we should trust in Him and be grateful with His plan. He knows what the best for us. We need to keep on praying (Thessalonians 5.17), but not based on wishes, but thank Him for his love and providing our needs.
We cannot reverse God’s answers to our prayers, but he will answer with “no”, “yes”, or “wait.” Pray according to God’s will. Don’t worry about the outcome too much. Prayers have no limitation. You can express your troubles with Him. Just pray as you can, not have to pray every minute as an obsessed person. In Luke 18:1-18 Jesus encourages to pray frequently, citing the example of a persistent widow who begged a judge to act on her case. Remember, Nehemiah 10, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
~~ Pastor Andy
Prayer allows more opportunities of fellowship with Him and opens the way to our Father in heaven. For instance, when you have personal issue, you run into your best friend. However, he is not there for you sometimes. God is always there for you. If we don’t pray, how can we foster our relationship with Him? Praying is the way to communicate with Him and develop our faith in Him. Meditate our prayers and share with Him.
God doesn’t want us to worry about everything but pray with thanksgiving through faith. The Bible advises us to pray. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Although God doesn’t answer in the ways we think He should, we should trust in Him and be grateful with His plan. He knows what the best for us. We need to keep on praying (Thessalonians 5.17), but not based on wishes, but thank Him for his love and providing our needs.
We cannot reverse God’s answers to our prayers, but he will answer with “no”, “yes”, or “wait.” Pray according to God’s will. Don’t worry about the outcome too much. Prayers have no limitation. You can express your troubles with Him. Just pray as you can, not have to pray every minute as an obsessed person. In Luke 18:1-18 Jesus encourages to pray frequently, citing the example of a persistent widow who begged a judge to act on her case. Remember, Nehemiah 10, “for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
~~ Pastor Andy
Online Worship & Fellowship at Christ/Deaf
Sunday worship & fellowship 10:00AM
Wednesday Bible Study 10:00AM
Contact Pastor Andy for log-in information.
Sunday worship & fellowship 10:00AM
Wednesday Bible Study 10:00AM
Contact Pastor Andy for log-in information.
There is old proverb that says, “If you want to learn something new, teach it to someone else.” I recently had that experience when a friend asked me to help him write a devotion based on the longest chapter in the Bible – Psalm 119.
This is an unusual psalm that we studied in our prison fellowship. The first letter in every eight lines follows the Hebrew alphabet. The focus of the psalm is on the importance of the Word of God in our lives. Psalm 119 describes God’s Word by various terms: Commandments, Decrees, Statues, etc.
My friend asked me to pick one of those terms and write a devotion about it. I randomly chose the word precepts.
That English word precept has a meaning similar to the word principle, i.e. wisdom, principles for life. But as I dig into the Hebrew word that Bible translators render as “precepts,” I find another meaning: taking care of business, God business, following through on the commitments He has appointed for us. The picture that helps me apply this word precept to my life in Christ is agenda.
Psalm 119:7 – “The works of His hand are faithful and just; His agenda is trustworthy.”
Psalm 119:93 – “I will never forget your agenda, for by it You have given me life.”
Psalm 119:173 – “Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your agenda.”
No matter our place or situation in life, God has a plan, an agenda, specific for each of us. His agenda for you is not the same agenda that He has prepared for me.
So, how can we know the agenda God has prepared for each of us? It’s quite simple: Consume His Word and stay open to the Holy Spirit’s leading in directions you did not plan to go.
~~ Pastor Ron
Pastor Mark Willig's devotion series on Psalm 119:
http://www.10greatteachings.com/pdf/TheGreatPsalm119.pdf
This is an unusual psalm that we studied in our prison fellowship. The first letter in every eight lines follows the Hebrew alphabet. The focus of the psalm is on the importance of the Word of God in our lives. Psalm 119 describes God’s Word by various terms: Commandments, Decrees, Statues, etc.
My friend asked me to pick one of those terms and write a devotion about it. I randomly chose the word precepts.
That English word precept has a meaning similar to the word principle, i.e. wisdom, principles for life. But as I dig into the Hebrew word that Bible translators render as “precepts,” I find another meaning: taking care of business, God business, following through on the commitments He has appointed for us. The picture that helps me apply this word precept to my life in Christ is agenda.
Psalm 119:7 – “The works of His hand are faithful and just; His agenda is trustworthy.”
Psalm 119:93 – “I will never forget your agenda, for by it You have given me life.”
Psalm 119:173 – “Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your agenda.”
No matter our place or situation in life, God has a plan, an agenda, specific for each of us. His agenda for you is not the same agenda that He has prepared for me.
So, how can we know the agenda God has prepared for each of us? It’s quite simple: Consume His Word and stay open to the Holy Spirit’s leading in directions you did not plan to go.
~~ Pastor Ron
Pastor Mark Willig's devotion series on Psalm 119:
http://www.10greatteachings.com/pdf/TheGreatPsalm119.pdf
Remember those who are in prison
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
as if you were in prison with them.
Hebrews 13:3
Reprinted from January & February 2003 Mustard Seed
| How to say “Happy New Year”? With trepidation? With discouragement? With hopelessness? With a sneering “So what?!” Eh! None of the above!!!! Life is what we make of it with the time we have on earth. So, here it goes .. Happy New Year!! |
| We stand upon the threshold of the year; Before us lies a strange, uncharted land. Go with us, Lord, remove each doubt and fear, Give us high courage, grasp our reaching hand That we may safely tread the road ahead. May we look forward, not to days long spent, But toward a year of brave accomplishment. ~~ Grace Knoll Crowell |
| Isn’t it Strange Isn’t it strange That princesses and kings And clowns that caper In sawdust rings And common people Like you and me Are builders for eternity? Each is given a bag of tools, A shapeless mass, A book of rules; And each must make, Ere life is flown, A stumbling block Or a steppingstone. ~~ Steve Ward Eastern Shore Wildfowl Carver |
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it
complicated. ~~ Confucius
I know not what the future holds,
But I know who holds the future. ~~ anonymous
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
complicated. ~~ Confucius
I know not what the future holds,
But I know who holds the future. ~~ anonymous
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
What If...
If it had been Three Wise Women,
they would have...
asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
brought practical gifts
and
There would be
Peace on earth.
If it had been Three Wise Women,
they would have...
asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
brought practical gifts
and
There would be
Peace on earth.
| I’ll part with this: You would be surprised to know how many people are like a bass drum - with plenty of noise, but nothing on the inside. ~~ Quips ‘n Quotes |
Public Libraries Save Lives!
Flat Laurent Rules
Flat Laurent Rules
My Personal Experience
The following story is about a 24-year-old formerly blind boy seeing out from a train window. It reminded me of the same feelings I once had as a new Deaf librarian, a 42-year-old looking out from the window of the library for the first time in 1976, when I joined the American Library Association (ALA).
“Dad, look the trees are going behind.” Dad smiled, while a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24-year-old’s childish behavior with pity. Suddenly he again exclaimed. “Dad, look the clouds are running with us!”
The couple could not resist and said to the old man, “Why don't you take your son to a good doctor?”
The old man smiled and said, “I did, and we are just coming from the hospital. My son was blind from birth. He just got his eyes today.”
We agree that the couple should not judge the boy before they truly knew him. Every person on the planet has a story and the truth might surprise us.
Incidentally, ALA has been enlightening my life. I finally learned of my true identity when I began learning the truth about library values for the Deaf with many cultures. I also learned about organizational culture and that America has a rich deaf history – Laurent Clerc, the unsung American hero, and much more.
Thanks to my late Deaf husband, Ted, for his patience, my loyal friends, and my open-minded colleagues (Deaf and hearing) for not misjudging me over many years.
In spite of the lack of modern technology during that time and the communication barriers among us with the hearing of the 20th century, I tried hard to find a solution that would be a cost-effective and efficient service for the nation's libraries, regarding the Deaf culture and the quality of library and information services for the Deaf. I came up with a resource that I called The Red Notebook: Communicating with Hearing People. That resource has grown and adapted to today’s technologies to become the Deaf Culture Digital Library (DCDL).
In November 1979, I was honored to be a delegate-at-large to the first White House Conference on Library and Information Service (WHCLIS).
The two years prior to WHCLIS, I asked for input from some librarians and professionals with expertise in deafness from Gallaudet, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf (AGBAD), local public library systems, and members of ALA and other appropriate organizations.
I also encouraged several organizations to write a letter to some WHCLIS delegates about supporting the DCDL.
Good News! The delegates eventually voted for the DCDL resolution on both the federal and state levels.
Following the WHCLIS, Gallaudet, NAD, DC Association of the Deaf, Maryland Association of the Deaf and many more have since acted.
The FOLDA has such a rich history. Now we have people who are scanning and digitizing many files for later sharing with both deaf communities and the library communities through our website: www.foldadeaf.net
Incidentally, last November 2022, we moved the library collections of books and archival deaf cultural programs from the FOLDA in Maryland to Ohio.
The following story is about a 24-year-old formerly blind boy seeing out from a train window. It reminded me of the same feelings I once had as a new Deaf librarian, a 42-year-old looking out from the window of the library for the first time in 1976, when I joined the American Library Association (ALA).
“Dad, look the trees are going behind.” Dad smiled, while a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24-year-old’s childish behavior with pity. Suddenly he again exclaimed. “Dad, look the clouds are running with us!”
The couple could not resist and said to the old man, “Why don't you take your son to a good doctor?”
The old man smiled and said, “I did, and we are just coming from the hospital. My son was blind from birth. He just got his eyes today.”
We agree that the couple should not judge the boy before they truly knew him. Every person on the planet has a story and the truth might surprise us.
Incidentally, ALA has been enlightening my life. I finally learned of my true identity when I began learning the truth about library values for the Deaf with many cultures. I also learned about organizational culture and that America has a rich deaf history – Laurent Clerc, the unsung American hero, and much more.
Thanks to my late Deaf husband, Ted, for his patience, my loyal friends, and my open-minded colleagues (Deaf and hearing) for not misjudging me over many years.
In spite of the lack of modern technology during that time and the communication barriers among us with the hearing of the 20th century, I tried hard to find a solution that would be a cost-effective and efficient service for the nation's libraries, regarding the Deaf culture and the quality of library and information services for the Deaf. I came up with a resource that I called The Red Notebook: Communicating with Hearing People. That resource has grown and adapted to today’s technologies to become the Deaf Culture Digital Library (DCDL).
In November 1979, I was honored to be a delegate-at-large to the first White House Conference on Library and Information Service (WHCLIS).
The two years prior to WHCLIS, I asked for input from some librarians and professionals with expertise in deafness from Gallaudet, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf (AGBAD), local public library systems, and members of ALA and other appropriate organizations.
I also encouraged several organizations to write a letter to some WHCLIS delegates about supporting the DCDL.
Good News! The delegates eventually voted for the DCDL resolution on both the federal and state levels.
Following the WHCLIS, Gallaudet, NAD, DC Association of the Deaf, Maryland Association of the Deaf and many more have since acted.
The FOLDA has such a rich history. Now we have people who are scanning and digitizing many files for later sharing with both deaf communities and the library communities through our website: www.foldadeaf.net
Incidentally, last November 2022, we moved the library collections of books and archival deaf cultural programs from the FOLDA in Maryland to Ohio.
Ohio Association of the Deaf has formed an independent Sub-Committee for Friends of Ohio Libraries for Deaf Action. Flat Laurent (our life-size stand-up display of Laurent Clerc) also moved to Ohio. Joe Osborne-Payne, Chief of the Information Office at the OAD will be the contact. If your organization is interested to keep up with annual deaf events or about the library of the future – Deaf Culture Digital Library on both national and state levels, please let me know via email: ahagemeyer@gmail.com.
Alice Hagemeyer, Flat Laurent, Joe Osborne-Payne
