Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-07-01 / 7-8. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HF.RALD 7 TRAC Update - First Quarter 2004 Dear Christian Friends: The theological students working with our TRAC program in Transylvania continue to be very busy. They have been visiting and establishing personal relationships with the unemployed and homeless people who wander the streets of their city. One very interesting event took place when they decided to hold a worship service for these people. They asked several neighborhood churches for the use of their buildings but were denied. And so they simply held their service on the riverbank in the snow with one of the men lying in a bed. It was the beginning of what they hope will be a regular practice, although they realize that they will eventually need a place, such as a flat in a neighborhood apartment building, in which to meet and where these people could also come to shower and clean up on a regular basis. Another effort they have been working on has been to find some constructive work for these people to do. Meanwhile, the Sunday visits to hold worship services in the needy churches scattered through the villages continue unabated. Two doctors are now going along to care for the sick in these villages. We have recently received a written report from Dr. Katalin Bakos about their progress. It has been winter, of course, in Romania; and this year the weather has been unusually severe. There has been more than the usual snowfall, and the temperatures have been very cold. Although the areas in which the students travel to hold Sunday services are often quite beautiful with snow covered hills and air that can be mystically misty with frost, for the people who live and travel there, it is very difficult. With no modem transportation, it is hard for them to get around. Just maintaining a livable temperature in even one room of their homes can strain their resources. Worship services must often be held in homes or carried on in completely unheated churches. Winter is not easy in the hills, yet still, the students were able to rise above the circumstances by inviting a visiting choir from the school in Sárospatak, Hungary, to go with them and sing in several village churches where the size of the choir often exceeded that of the audience. But we may be sure that their choruses of praise were appreciated by all. At the same time, the agricultural project also continues. The goal is to discover what can be done to make life in the villages feasible for the raising of a family there. There is always the hope and prayer that young people may be enabled to return to the villages and, thereby, revive the life of the churches. Having built a cattle bam last summer, three cows have now been purchased for a young family. Their progress in establishing a dairy business will be watched closely to see if a reasonable level of living can be maintained in this way. Overall, the work is going well, for which we may be thankful to God, especially so in the relationships we are developing with these Christians in Transylvania. The people are so pleased to have the students working with them; and the students are not only eager to do the work, but also appreciative to you for making their effort possible. And may we all be thankful to our God who joins us together in this one spiritual bond of love for TRAC. If anyone would like a 2004 donation calendar to post at your church, please let us know and we can supply them. For more information about the Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC) or to donate to their mission work, contact TRAC, 7387 Pine Grove Drive, Jenison, Michigan 49428, Phone 616-667-1940 Reading the Bible I. Read Scripture Respectfully A. Turning to God, which is what believers do when they read Scripture, must be done as He directs. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (Joel 2:12) B. God promises that those who turn to Him on His terms will find Him. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these thing are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (Deuteronomy 4:29-30) C. Do not put off the time of reading and reflection when God calls. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7) D. God is gracious to people who renew their minds in Him and through His word. And rent your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (Joel 2:13) II. Do what Scripture Requires A. Internalizing Scripture into behavior goes beyond just hearing the words. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22) B. Hearing the Scripture and ignoring it in practice is terrible. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not,, to him it is sin. (James 4:17) C. Claiming to be Christian is no substitute for living out the revealed faith in practice. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in the name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never (Continued on page 9)
