The Eclectic Evangelical-Arlene Bridges Samuels : 2021-10-24

One word occurred to me last week that explains a lot about the disturbing results of the pandemic. Within a dark, supercharged veil hanging over our nation and our world, we are often living in an atmosphere of GRIEF. We grieve the far-reaching changes in our personal and national life. Our radically altered daily lives and losses in the pandemic have produced deep-seated loneliness. Increased suicides, drugs, and alcohol usage, and family members dying alone in hospitals have taken a national toll. The shock of fast-moving totalitarianism we could have never imagined has created anxiety and a sense of helplessness.

These two bible passages have served as a secure stake in the ground for me. First, Isaiah 5:20 describes our upside-down world in ancient and modern times saying,  “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute  bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.”  

Living in what I call a "Five-Twenty world," (Isaiah 5:20) the Lord has bestowed hope and blessings on me with His presence. Thankfully, in facing the realities of Isaiah’s words, Psalm 23 is a frequent touchstone encapsulating the beauty of our Lord’s unconditional love, comfort,  trustworthiness, and sovereignty.  I prefer the King James bible for this profound passage: 

 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

With these and other verses, I remind myself that we are all passing through this world on our way to another. Our eternal citizenship is in heaven. Our Lord Jesus stamped our permanent passport with His shed blood on the cross freeing us from sin’s destination when we recognize Him as our Perfect Sacrificial Lamb Who threw off His graveclothes and rose up under His own power on Resurrection Day! Our confessions, repentance, and asking Him to rescue us with His forgiveness and unmerited grace, open the door for His Holy Spirit reside in our hearts. 

For those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ-and for those that I pray will consider Him as Savior-here is what God promises us when we arrive in Heaven, our final destination. Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 

I hope my thoughts offer comfort and encouragement in whatever challenges you may face. 
Photos by Ned McNair, Mr. Sunrise

A Tapestry of Churches

A splendid tapestry of churches has ripened my faith with fruit from many good trees; as a missionary with Mercy Ships in a crew I describe as a "Christian United Nations," and also living in Switzerland and Romania-plus moving around the United States.

Growing up, my Southern Baptist church laid my foundation built with singing the great hymns of the church, where to locate books of the Bible, and scripture memory. Through my youth group, I encountered the Lord in a personal way on July 31, 1963.

Presbyterians fed me at a buffet of Protestant theologians especially my favorite one, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and emphasized God’s sovereignty.

In The Episcopal Church, I waded into two different streams, one liturgical and the other charismatic. In the liturgical "high" Episcopal church, I feasted at the Eucharist each week and navigated the ups and downs of kneeling. In the charismatic Episcopal church, I connected more deeply with the Holy Spirit, finding freedom to raise my hands in joyful worship. As a member of a black church on then-small Hilton Head Island, the pastor and choir fed me with vibrant songs and eloquent sermons.

Living in Switzerland, we enjoyed worshipping with other ex-pats in the Church of Scotland. During our eight years with Mercy Ships, the world's largest private Christian hospital ship, we sailed the seas with a crew from 35 nations-among them South Sea Islanders who introduced us to their lovely, worshipful dances. On the mission field living in Romania, my senses delighted in the Romanian Orthodox Church replete with incense and gilded, intricate altars.

In a non-denominational church with contemporary music, I engaged with believers from varied church backgrounds and joined a small group. At the Church of God, I worshipped in a Pentecostal setting in a distinctly pro-Israel denomination that displayed the American and Israeli flags. Belongling to a small Anglican church I relished liturgy, weekly Eucharist, missions outreach to Rwanda, and acoustic guitars.

Transferring from small Anglican to big Baptist, I have reconnected with my chidlhood biblical roots where I feast on hymns sung by an outstanding choir and orchestra, an excellent Sunday School class, bible-focused sermons, and a prolific domestic and international missions focus. Last but not least, the Jewish community and expert Hebraic roots teachers have opened a door of deeper understanding that Judaism nurtured Christianity in an ancient cradle rich with commandments, festivals, wisdom, poetry, patriarchs, prophets, and Older and New Testaments. Significantly, learning more about Jewish culture and Christianity's Jewish roots has deepened a richer relationship with my Savior, a Jewish Rabbi. I've received an extraordinary gift as a non-Jew grafted into the branches of the ancient Jewish tree connecting me to Israel, my spiritual homeland. .

I invite you to walk with me through a lifetime of adventures reflecting a tapestry of faith that I hope will encourage you in your journey to discover extraordinary beauty and limitless fulfillment of our Christian faith.

In Him we hope, Arlene

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