Article written by Rev. Enrique Alvarez, president of the ICR in Cuba for the magazine Phronesis.
Half a millennium, the sentence can be pronounced easily, but in that time the course of human events can be rotated several times. In 2009 we will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of the eminent theologian John Calvin, who was born in Noyon, France, 10 July. The time is enough, enough to throw the ashes of oblivion and forget any illustrious even the highest of the teachings, nevertheless, the validity of the thought of Calvin, and his testimony, endure having spread worldwide, for though Geneva was the city that once saw him shine for the glory of God, its doors were not strong enough to hold him today only for himself and his illustrious thought, based on the Word of God, is considered the heritage of all believers all corners of the earth. In the words of Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), by starting the Jubilee in honor of the theologian, in early November 2008 in the wall of the reformers of Geneva "John Calvin, a native of France, a reformer of Geneva, is truly a child of the world. This reform movement that began among you has spread literally all over the world "
The Synod of the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba has chosen to dedicate this year as a simple tribute to this great servant of God. "His vision" - those dreams, is what we celebrate the Jubilee of Calvin, in short, and celebrate a jubilee is the least we can do to remember, because we are heirs to his legacy.
The best tribute we can offer in this commemoration is to remain as strong examples of their values, which inspired him to work for God in the distant sixteenth century, and may even serve as an incentive in our long dark days for the purity of the Word and the sacrifice of earnest service. Be followers of his vision is to promote Christian unity, social justice, and exercise of faithful preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and at the same time make an effort to fulfill the mandate grace of Paul to Timothy we find in 2Timoteo.2: 1.2, where we see the Apostle Paul by calling Timothy to remember that he had heard his teachings and public preaching, and therefore should be aware that was part of a very specific line of communication. Having received Paul's gospel, as Paul had received from Christ, the same contents should be transferred to others, that is the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the very foundation upon which is founded on Calvinist thinking and defends the church with dignity Cuban.
Paul to Timothy By focusing on the content of the message also instructed to search for "faithful men" (the term "faithful" is explicit in itself). In the Scriptures themselves are the characteristics of a man "faithful", which should not be a neophyte, not greedy, not contentious, but mature and can manage his own house, able to teach (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5: 17-22; Tito1 :5-9) strong in thought, motivation and practice, it must carry the message of a holy God. This was the ministry sought and encouraged Paul to Timothy, and such was also the ministry that Calvin left us.
The example of Calvin, who was heir to Paul and his disciple Timothy, we are urged to prepare leaders with similar attitudes, servants in which there is no room for laziness, laziness and mediocrity. The chain does not end with recalling what was heard, and look for suitable men, there is another equally important link, and that is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ beyond the borders of their territory, that was the dream of Paul, see the string underway. Timothy must not rest until we see that the chain is in progress. That was also the dream of Calvin, and this must be the dream of every believer, and that is the desire which the Christian Reformed Church in Cuba is appropriate. We can not be happy to see that our pupils are taught to others, and these, in turn, to others. Paul in Timothy and Titus multiplied and multiplied them in other to get to John Calvin, who was multiplied in us and gave us the same call.
Some thoughts
A healthy attitude is contagious but do not expect others to pass us, we may carry. Author Unknown
Matthew 13:32 Which indeed is the smallest of all seeds: but when it grows, is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches. Mark 4:31
is like a grain of mustard seed which when planted in soil, is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
Fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but have never seen these dangers as reason enough to stay on land. Vincent Van Gogh
A wolf was elected king among his peers and enacted a law mandating that everyone catches in the game, put it together and bestow equally among all, in this way and that no wolves would devour each other in times of famine.
But then I heard a donkey who was working nearby, and moving his ears told him: "Superb idea flowed from your heart, but why do you hid all your loot in your cave? Take it to your community and also distribute it , as you have decreed. "
Wolf discovered and confused, repealed its law.
If you ever have power to legislate, be the first to enforce your own laws. Aesop Fable
Fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but have never seen these hazards as a reason enough to stay on land. Vincent Van Goghde
When we feel we've reached the limit of our life and we can not go further, let's give that obstacle one last push because it may well be that you open that heavy door to success. If we do not try this last time, never know. Let us dare. Sarah Margaret Bradbury
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