Calvin Synod Herald, 1986 (86. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1986-02-01 / 1. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 8 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA ripture reading: Matthew 20:20—28. Text: "So we are ambassadors /or Christ, God making His appeal through us. ” (2 Corinthians 5:20/a). There are professions for which people prepare themselves through college education and there are positions or vocations which require more than a degree, one has to be born with special interest and talents to pursue them, for instance being an artist or leader. If we wish to know what the Bible says about politicians we will find very little. The word: politician does not appear in the Holy Scriptures at all. Does this mean that God has no word for those who are in leading position? This is a wrong assumption. Let us reverently and faithfully ask for the divine message when we think and speak of those who are elected or appointed officials leading us often during crucial times. “He leadeth me: O blessed thought!...” As you read the Bible you will find the many names Jesus Christ is called by and interestingly the word: Leader is not among them yet nobody can deny that He was leading His disciples since He called them with this invitation: “...follow me...” e The idea of sharing the leadership, authority and fame arose in the mind of the mother of James and John who approached Jesus with this request: “Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:21.) Christ’s answer definitely does not fare well with those who enjoy power and authority: “... whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26—28.) We are usually caught in between these two extreme cases; it is bad when confusion prevails because in chaos the forces neutralize each other and nothing is achieved but on the other hand it is also fatal when a person or a small group mercilessly oppresses others and power is abused at the expense of the freedom of millions. To be a good leader, to achieve high goals, to observe the law, and to satisfy everybody is almost impossible. “So we are AMBASSADORS for Christ...” According to the dictionary an ambassador is: “the highest-ranking representative appointed by one country or government to represent it in another.” If we are asked to be ambassadors for Christ what does it mean for us? We should do what the responsibilities and duties are of a good ambassador, namely; 1. represent the government or people who sent us. Have you ever represented anybody? It means that you must act, speak, behave, decide as the person would do who gave you the authority to act on his or her behalf. You are not completely free any more but an “extension” of the person or government which charged you with this important mission. 2. You protect, serve, and further the interest of your government and fellow citizens. Sometimes it is not easy, it requires total commitment, dangerous situations, and strong convictions. 3. You live among “foreigners” that is in Brief meditation another country where you were sent to serve. You have to learn their language, customs, traditions observe their law. yet you should remain faithful and loyal to your own people and country. However, the other name for ambassador is DIPLOMAT. The diplomats are well known of their ability to deal with other people, solve complicated problems peacefully, being polite and tactful yet convincing and successful. If it is said about you that you would make a good diplomat it is a great compliment. What are the dangers and pitfalls of being a “good diplomat" in our Christian mission using worldly standards? 1. Being neutral and do not commit yourself. Those who are mediators shall remain uncommitted and should not take side with We are a non-profit Protestant church related nursing home. Our services are extended to rich and poor equally, and we exercise Christian love to the kind and to the hard to handle patient. We try to serve in every aspect, in all fields, in many more territories than other nursing homes usually do. We have numerous patients who have nobody, thus they are left entirely to our care. We not only give them a home and love but also care for all their physical needs, which includes clothing them entirely. This service we would not be able to provide without my mother-in-law: Judithgrandma. Her unpaid job is to repair clothing of our patients, sew on missing buttons, repair the tom linens of the Bethlen Home, sew new curtains if needed, make window pillows, size and store donated clothing to be given out to patients, who have no financial means to purchase their own, etc., etc. It is just self-explantory that she can hardly keep-up with taking care of those who have nobody who cares for them. We would appreciate more voluntary help in the future for Judith-grandma. We hope that there will be followers of the either party, however, Christ positively asked us to make up our mind and follow Him. Please read Matthew 6:24. 2. Do not resort to procrastination in the hope that a better solution is going to be found. We have ample time, patience is Christian virtue, let us give them another chance and you run out of time. It is too late is written above the gate of hell. 3. You were born only to represent, supervise, negotiate, evaluate and let others labor, take the risk, and even fight for the right cause. If you consider yourself a leader, politician or a person who was born to be elected and accupy a high position then please remember God did not call us to be a shrewd diplomat who likes to negotiate and knows how to compromise but to be an able and faithful ambassador who represents and serves the interests of those who sent him. Please read Ephesians 6:18—20. Rev. Alexander Jalso example set by Mrs. Hunyadi: mother of Miss Priscilla Hunyady, member of the Board of Directors; Mrs. Betty Vargo: wife of the Vice-President of the H. R. F. A. God bless them for their work for our ageing residents. Mrs. Edith Kovács I ......................................................................................I Watch Your Words A careless word May kindle strife; A cruel word May wreck a life. A bitter word May hate instill; ; A brutal word May smite and kill. A gracious word May smooth the way: ’ A joyous word May light the day. A timely word '! May lessen stress; ; A loving word May heal and bless. ' ’ Author Unknown The Hungarian Reformed Church of Columbus, Ohio was organized January 21, 1906. During this anniversary year the ladies will prepare a traditional Hungarian dinner which will be held on Sunday, June 8. On the picture the ladies are making “csiga”. FACTS ABOUT LIGONIER
