Jack Kooyman

Presently reading the following books:

Poverty of Spirit by Johann Baptist Metz

To Alter Your World: Partnering with God to Rebirth Our Communities by Michel Frost and Christiana Rice

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

Greetings! I live in Grand Rapids and work in Holland, MI.

Wow! Talk about leaving us hanging! Did you intend for this to be a teaser? It certainly felt that way to me. Not to mention that I am fairly certain that some people, especially those searching for some answers, will be disappointed and perhaps even somewhat resentful or frustrated. To be completely honest, those were some of my feelings with it. That being said, everything you mentioned in your post are very familiar questions , doubts, and concerns that many Christians have when it comes to the subject and practice of prayer...especially among Christians in the U.S. For many of us--even those of us who grew up attending churches in the Reformed tradition--have had a view of God as vending machine or as a type of Santa Clause that gives us what we ask for if we do it the right way, have enough faith, ask or beg long enough, etc.

While I know and believe that there is a place for supplication in prayer, i.e., making requests of God, I also know that is not the sole or primary purpose of prayer...and our requests should not be simply about getting what I want or think I need, deserve, or believe God should do.

I have read many good--and not so good--books on and about prayer over the years. Perhaps one of the best or at least most helpful was Philip Yancey's book, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

In closing, I think it would be helpful and considerate to let those of us who read your post to know if this is part of a series and when we can expect to read the next one. I hope you will let us know.

Grace and Peace,

Jack

This is the most recent version of this slide presentation. I also included a link to the Google docs version.

Thank you, Shannon, for this important reminder that justice is something we do and pursue, not merely talk about. Your post made me think of Isaiah 58 where God seems to make pretty clear that doing and pursuing justice is what we are supposed to be about as God's children in God's world.  And that's because our God had and has a vision for all of creation and injustice has no place in it. It's just like Jesus taught us to pray: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven."  Again, thanks for the reminder!

Perhaps as troubling, if not even more so, are the excuses and explanations made by so many supporters of this president for not only his language, but also many if his views on and about immigrants and refugees in general. It's past time for Christians to stand up and speak out against such matters that are contrary to God's desire for justice that reflects and advances God's Kingdom. 

Thank you, Danielle, for providing some helpful background and perspective on the Synod discussion about articles on Do Justice. Thanks too for encouraging us to listen, dialog with, and learn from a diversity of Christian voices from backgrounds and with experiences that differ from our own.   I learned many years ago during my studies at Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College) that all truth is God's truth no matter the source. Therefore, I can learn from, be blessed by, and grow closer in my relationship with God by listening to and getting to know people from cultures, backgrounds, experiences, nationalities, and even religions that differ from mine. That being said, I am deeply grateful for the good and very important work done by the Centre for Public Dialogue and OSJ!  

Thank you for sharing your perspectives and insights with us regarding the recommendations from the Task Force to Study the Offices of Elder and Deacon. I also appreciate that you took time to respond to Overture 12. I hope and pray that this year's delegates to Synod will take the time to carefully read the full report (pp. 380 - 401) in this year's Agenda. (The full agenda is available to download here.)

Thanks for sharing this with our readers Bernita! I especially appreciate that you acknowledge that we are all equally broken and need to extend Christ's mercy to others just as Christ has shown and continues to show us mercy. I believe that this is an important perspective and posture that can help keep us from seeing and treating "those in need" as less than or more broken and in greater need than ourselves. 

Thank you for your thoughtful comments for us to consider as we look ahead to Synod 2015. I share your concern about the possibility--perhaps even likelihood--that the delegates to Synod 2015 could get "bogged down" with all the recommended changes to the articles of church order. You raise some important questions and I would like to hear what others are thinking about it as well.