The ETHIOPIAN CHURCH Journal

'The old order changeth, yielding place to new, And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world. Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me? I have lived my life, and that which I have done May He within himself make pure! but thou, If thou shouldst never see my face again, Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice Rise like a fountain for me night and day. For what are men better than sheep or goats That nourish a blind life within the brain, If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer Both for themselves and those who call them friend? For so the whole round earth is every way Bound by gold chains about the feet of God. "Morte D'Arthur", by Lord Alfred Tennyson(1809-1892)

US Evangelical Slips: Lesson for Ethiopian Evangelicals? Over 100,000 are feared dead and three times that number virtually left homeless in the aftermath of the massive earthquake in Haiti. World reaction has been fast and firm. Yet another tragedy is the reaction of US evangelicals. Pat Robertson’s remarks were dubbed “heartless” – a sorry indictment by any standards. Mr. Robertson’s timing for his interpretation of events is simply unconscionable. Pastor Rick Warren’s offer to mud wrestle a Hollywood actor to raise funds may point to Yankee ingenuity but somehow is not the kind of thing one associated with a minister of the Gospel. Frank Schaeffer, son of the late-Francis Schaeffer who was the architect, so to speak, for the emergence of evangelical political action groups, goes even further to use the occasion to settle old scores. It is obvious that US evangelicals are not a cohesive group. Political ideologies, theologies of society - race, gender, and wealth - play a great deal...

How about committing the Lord Is My Shepherd [Psalm 23] to memory for New Year's Resolution? Here we go: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father , Prince of Peace . Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? "He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, 'They will respect my son.' Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost be...

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink,...