Thomas à Kempis and I

2 Hours

2012-01-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

Spent two hours of the first day of 2012 in a hospital ER room with a deceased 20 year old young man and his mother. He was killed while snowmobiling with his family. An avalanche was triggered and he was slammed into a tree. They had to "peel him off." RIP Jason.

Funny Priesty Ad

2011-12-08T13:39:00.001-08:00

It seems like it might be a bit scary, but turns out just to be funny. Enjoy.

Dirt Devil-The Exorcist from MrPrice2U on Vimeo.

The good guy wins... for now.

2011-11-29T20:13:00.001-08:00

SC Episcopal bishop cleared by national panel

Dorothy

2011-11-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

My selfish prayers... I pray that in the last seven and a half years that I have been a good priest for her. I pray that in some small way I was able to bring her closer to the Creator of All. I pray that on those days she sat so quietly in the congregation that she was able to know and feel the Spirit of God. I pray that the Church and her Christian family were able to bring her a sense of joy.

They say if you stay in this job long enough you have to bury your friends. So true. She would have been 91 today and she was a dear.

The Funeral

2011-11-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

It worked out, but getting there was a bit odd...

On Wednesday the local funeral home was planning for a service today. Arrangements had been made with a local pastor (this is entirely too small of a town to name names or even denominations) to conduct the service at 1:00 p.m. The pastor met with the widower. He was 70 and had been married for 41 years. For the service he wanted something very simple for his wife - its what she wanted. The local pastor met with him. The local pastor told him that simple was not good enough. The local pastor told him what needed to happen. When the widower objected the local pastor raised her voice and told him how wrong he was. The widower sent the local pastor packing. I get the call yesterday that they would like to try me out for size. I am to meet with them at 1:00 p.m. yesterday, but the widower changed plans and said to meet this morning. Late yesterday afternoon I get the call that he will meet with me at 12:30 p.m. today - 30 minutes before the service is to begin! I had expected a very angry opinionated person, what I found was a very kind gentleman in severe grief. He only needed someone from "the church" to listen to him. I did and he was very grateful. The widower gave me more hugs today than my wife! Only thing left to do is find the local pastor and tell her what an idiot she is. Is that being judgmental?

Note to self: As an Ambassador of Christ one should never (ever) yell at the widower.

When did what we think become so important that we became callous to the needs of a broken heart?

On the Episcopal Church

2011-11-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

The following is from The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls

My Brothers and Sisters,

New facts and figures about membership in the EpiscopalChurch have been posted on the Research page: www.episcopalchurch.org/research. Additional documents are being posted today.

The following are points for your consideration:

- Membership in the Episcopal Church is 2,125,012, with1,951,907 in the domestic dioceses and 173,105 in the non-domestic dioceses.

- Sixteen domestic dioceses showed growth in the past year:Alabama, Arkansas, Atlanta, Central Gulf Coast, East Carolina, Iowa, Kentucky,Montana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Navajoland, North Dakota, Northwest Texas,Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Wyoming.

- In the non-domestic dioceses, growth was marked in eightdioceses: Churches in Europe, Dominican Republic, Ecuador-Central, Haiti,Honduras, Micronesia, Puerto Rico, Taiwan.

- The ASA chart shows a total of 697,831 domestically and20,418 non-domestic.

In Episcopal Domestic Fast Facts: 2010

- There are 6,794 domestic parishes and missions

- The largest active membership is St Martin’s, Houston with8,406.

- Number of congregations with 10 of less members: 127

- Percentage of congregations with 200 members or less: 58per cent

- Percentage of congregations with 500 members or more: 15per cent

- Average pledge is $2346

I believe this is a moment for us, a time to strengthen ourcommitment.

A release will be issued on this, in which I am quoted:

“These statistics reveal something very important about thechallenges we face as a Church,” observed Bishop Stacy Sauls, Chief OperatingOfficer. “One of those is that we cannot allow statistics like this tomake us anxious about our survival. Earthly survival is not much a valueof the Gospel. Striving for the kingdom and righteous of God is. Concentrating on the latter is likely to yield more abundant life than theformer (Mt. 6:31-33). Another is that we cannot continue to pretend we are theChurch of the establishment entitled to the power, prestige, and privilege thatcomes with that. Right now, I think the cross calls us to die to thosetrappings of our old establishment life, and that means turning our attentionsingle mindedly to God’s mission and our participation in it, which means thatwe are going to have to restructure and reform ourselves accordingly. Churches that turn inward will die. Churches that turn outward will notonly live, but thrive. The numbers call us to strengthen our commitmentto turn outward.”

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Stacy F. Sauls.

-----------

I don't know much about this Bp. Sauls, but I will be doing my homework. We are in need of different leadership and new way of carrying out the Great Commission. John Beeler, please be kind. :)

Dreams and Time

2011-11-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Some of the worst nightmares I have ever had always have me running into myself. Two that I remember - First... In the dream I was still living in Springhill, Louisiana where I grew up. I was in the "living room" of my Grandparent's home where I grew up. This "living room" is not like the living rooms of today. Today's living rooms have sofas and recliners, this one had a davenport and wingback chairs. It was for company only and remained closed up the remainder of the time except at Christmas. The tree would go up and Santa made his visits there. In the dream my other me was standing next to the tree and the me me kept yelling, "Who are you?" I never got an answer, but I remember being terrified. The second one I remember was only a brief encounter in the seminary cloister at night. I saw myself quickly stepping into the shadows and disappearing. I woke up from that one in a cold sweat with my heart in my throat.

Five minutes ago I was taking the picture above, but where is that time now? If I could go back these five minutes would I find myself sitting in my chair taking the picture? Or.. would there be a void.. nothing to go back to? Time is a very confusing thing. If I encountered myself would I be terrified as in my dreams? Would I be disappointed in the person I met? Would I actually even know me? Hmmm... ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. (Revelation 20:12-13) Perhaps the word should not be "would," but "will"... Will I be disappointed in the person I meet? Will I be terrified? Will I even want to know me? Will I want to curl up into a little ball and disappear? The consolation we seek will not be found in ourselves, for grace does not come from within.

Some act the fool for the world's sake, but all act the fool for themselves. "To thine own self be true." Shakespeare was on to something with that one.

The Problem of Evil

2011-10-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

Modern times are dominated by Satan and will be more so in the future. The conflict with hell cannot be engaged by men, not even the most clever. - Maximilian Kolbe

We have been studying the Ragamuffin Gospel by Brenan Manning in the four churches for the past few months. What I have found interesting is that the more we discuss the ideas of grace/love the more the topic of evil weighs into the picture in the minds of the participants and into the discussions. How could a God of love and grace allow evil in the world? How do we extend that same love and grace to others, especially to those that commit evil... who ARE evil? Yes, there are people in this world who are just simply evil. We can try to be like so many who isolate themselves from the world, but where does that leave the tax collectors and prostitutes? The answer lies in understanding how to engage the "evil" in a Godly way. I think this would make for a very interesting adult spiritual education. If you have any good resources or thoughts for a congregational study please let me know. The two I'm looking at right now are:

AND

Blog Roll

2011-10-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

If you have a blog or website and would like to be included in my blog roll, then please leave in comments of this entry or email.

Thanks

TAK IOC III.56

2011-08-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Take courage, brethren, let us go forward together and Jesus will be with us. For Jesus' sake we have taken this cross. For Jesus' sake let us persevere with it. He will be our help as He is also our leader and guide. Behold, our King goes before us and will fight for us. Let us follow like men. Let no man fear any terrors. Let us be prepared to meet death valiantly in battle. Let us not suffer our glory to be blemished by fleeing from the Cross. - Thomas a Kempis

Is it possible that we spend too much time bemoaning our own cross and not considering the cross that another bears?

302

2011-08-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

Your crucifix: As a Christian you should always carry a crucifix with you. Place it on your desk. Kiss it before you go to bed and when you wake up. And when your poor body rebels against your soul, kiss your crucifix. - St. Josemaria Escriva

I have worn a crucifix for many years now and I have tried many "remedies" to assist in overcoming temptation and none has been so effective as this! The act of visualizing the crucified Lord now has a tactile element (very much like a rosary during prayer) which strengthens my resolve. Combine this with the Prayer of St. Michael the Archangel and you will find some Amazing weapons for those spiritual battles.

Prayer of St. Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Character

2011-08-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

Our character is not based upon the ferocity of the temptation; instead our character is defined by the fierceness of the battle we wage against it.

Dissertation Progress

2011-07-16T10:06:00.000-07:00

This week I officially began work on my dissertation for the DMin. The proposal was submitted to my advisor for comment and wrote back that it "looks fine." I'm taking that as a good sign and hope to be able to get moving on this thing now. I'm not so eager to be the Rev. Dr. as I am to be finished, although it will be a nice addition to the letters after my name, the first of which in many circles is still S.O.B.

708

2011-07-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

The world, the devil, and the flesh are a band of adventurers who take advantage of the weakness of that savage you have within you. In exchange for the poor bauble of pleasure, which is worth nothing, they want you to hand over to them the pure gold and the pearls, the diamonds and the rubies, drenched in the living and redeeming blood of your God--the price and the treasure of your eternity. St. JE

Love in Hell

2011-06-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

How terrible, I thought, that no act of love is ever made in hell! And I told God that I was ready to go there myself, if it pleased Him to contrive, in that way, that for all eternity there would be one loving soul in that abode of blasphemy.

-Saint Therese De Lisieux

What will you sacrifice?

Hello?

2011-06-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

No. I haven't posted in a while, but I'm still here. Hope to get back to regular communication soon (although this is mostly talking to myself on this blog) At any rate, this video cracks me up every time.

TAK IOC IV.11.3-4 (portions of each)

2011-05-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile I will walk in faith, strengthened by the example of the saints. I shall have, besides, for comfort and for the guidance of my life, the holy Books, and above all these, Your most holy Body for my special haven and refuge.

I feel there are especially necessary for me in this life two things without which its miseries would be unbearable. Confined here in this prison of the body I confess I need these two, food and light. Therefore, You have given me in my weakness Your sacred Flesh to refresh my soul and body, and You have set Your word as the guiding light for my feet. Without them I could not live aright, for the word of God is the light of my soul and Your Sacrament is the Bread of Life.

These also may be called the two tables, one here, one there, in the treasure house of holy Church. One is the table of the holy altar, having the holy Bread that is the precious Body of Christ. The other is the table of divine law, containing holy doctrine that teaches all the true faith and firmly leads them within the veil, the Holy of holies.

Thanks to You, Lord Jesus, Light of eternal light, for the table of Your holy teaching which You have prepared for us by Your servants, the prophets and Apostles and other learned men.

TAK IOC III.31.5

2011-05-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

We are apt to inquire how much a man has done, but with how much virtue he has done it is not so diligently considered.

We ask whether he be strong, rich, beautiful, talented, a good writer, a good singer, or a good workman; but how poor he is in spirit; how patient and meek, how devout and interior, is what few speak of.

Nature looks upon the outward things of a man, but grace turns herself to the interior.

Nature is often deceived, but grace hath her trust in God that she may not be deceived.

Sermon: "Forgive and Forget?"

2011-03-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

This is the second installment of the sermon series on forgiveness.

Is Gandhi in Hell?

2011-03-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

My friend Michelle Wiggington posted the video below on Facebook. It raises in me an age old battle. I firmly believe Jesus' words in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," but at the same time, can I condemn folks like Gandhi - or anyone for that matter - to Hell? My friends from seminary will get a real kick out of this quandary because I have never in the past hesitated to sitting in God's chair and quickly dispatching any and all who disagreed to Hell. Take a few minutes to watch:

Is this New Age thinking or is it truth? I am a Christian priest and I will always preach the Gospel message as it is found in Holy Scripture. However, my experience with the family who would not allow their father to be buried from our church this past weekend has soured my stomach a bit. They firmly believe that they were the only "Christians" and the rest of us were going to Hell. I wanted to tell them which level of Hell they were destined for because of their spiritual pride.

How far does God's grace extend?

Anyone know the teaching of the Church Fathers on this one?

Please forgive my ramblings, I'm just on the banks of the river engaged in a wrestling match. (Genesis 32:22ff)

Sermon - Lent I - "Forgiven?"

2011-03-11T18:22:00.000-08:00

Below is an excerpt from this Sundays' sermon...

Pride.. how could I possibly be prideful when I’m the humblest person I know? Greed? Yeah. Here’s a good one… The LUSTFUL!.. you know what I think of when I think of being lustful? Roy Orbison… No. Not Roy himself, but that song, “There she was just walking down the street.. Singing do wah diddy diddy down diddy do… She looked good, she looked fine… And I nearly lost my mind” – What is wrong with me? Sloth? Wrath? Gluttony? Please! Just look at me…. I couldn’t come close to measuring up to a single one of the Beatitudes, but give me the seven deadly sins and I’m batting 1,000.

Sermon - "Dirty Socks"

2011-03-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

The season after the Epiphany is coming to a close and this is my last sermon of that season. Next week with season of Lent underway I plan on beginning a sermon series on forgiveness.

Sermon - Palms of His Hands

2011-02-25T15:58:00.000-08:00

The writings of Anne Catharine Emmerich occasionally come back to haunt me and I have to share them. Isaiah 49:16a was what touched it off this time and was the inspiration for this week's sermon. God is good.

Sermon - Live Generously

2011-02-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

Having the flu all week was not at all helpful when it came to writing a sermon this week, so I resorted to cruising the web and reading what others had written until something sparked. Thanks to the guy with a wonderful "spark," I gave him credit at the end of my sermon post.

Sermon: "Chutzpah"

2011-02-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure why it is, but I have been writing the sermons out longhand and they seem to come so much easier. Maybe there is something about a real blank sheet of paper instead of that blank screen that makes for a better connection regarding things spiritual.

The sermon is here. Blessings to you all.

Confession

2011-02-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

An article for the local papers is posted on the Church website.

Sermon - I'm so going to Hell!

2011-01-28T16:23:00.000-08:00

You can find this week's sermon here.

Come now, my love

2011-01-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

Click here for this weeks sermon. Blessings.

Huh?

2011-01-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

A recent discussion that still confuses me... How can someone be against capital punishment, but for assisted suicide and pro-choice? Yes, I understand that in the first case the decision is being made for a person and in the latter two it is the individual making the decision for themselves, but that argument does not hold up when the life of the child is considered. Neither does it hold up when the suicide victim is not truly capable of making that decision for themselves.

Mid-term Paper: The Jesus Ethos

2011-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:00

Conclusion of my mid-term paper for the evangelism class...

“Reawakening a Potent Missional Ethos in the Twenty-first Century Church” by Alan Hirsch recently appeared in the journal Missiology: An International Review. In the article, Hirsch begins to shape for us a way forward “if we are to halt the hemorrhaging decline of the faith” and much of it depends on recapturing the Jesus ethos, which means we must “recalibrate ourselves back to Jesus.” As he states, “Jesus followers all should strive to be like him, for this is what it means to be a disciple.” Identifying the issue, Hirsch states, “What we have are inflexible, backward looking, basically fearful and defensive forms of church. What we need are missionally responsive, culturally adaptive, organizationally agile multiplication movements” in order to recover the “apostolic-movement form of the church.” Hirsch seems to have read The Celtic Way of Evangelism as his approach to evangelism mimics that of St. Patrick’s and that of Celtic Christianity. Hirsch concludes by saying, “we ourselves must become incarnational. In the incarnation of Jesus, God sets the model of how we ourselves should engage the world. If mission is the propulsion outward, then incarnational mission means going downward, deep into culture and speaking meaningfully from with it.”

This was the Jesus ethos. The apostles operated in this manner, as did later Christians such as the Celts, Herbert, and many others. If we are to re-evangelize our western culture, it would be prudent to begin in a similar fashion.

Reading: The Furious Longing of God

2010-12-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

The Furious Longing of God
by Brennan Manning

It was a quick read but a good one. A few favorite quotes...

"You will live with an awareness that the Father not only loves you, but likes you."

"... I will devote not one more minute to monitoring my spiritual growth. No, not one."

Quoting Paul Murray, "This moment, the grace of this one raptureless moment."

"Young Christians are sick of pablum."

"How could she believe in the love of a God she can't see when she couldn't find even a trace of love in the eyes of a brother wearing a clerical collar whom she could see?"

"The only true sadness is not to be a saint."

"In times of persecution, theoretical Christianity will collapse."

Sermon: Christmas II

2010-12-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

The Sunday sermon is in the books. I can say that I'm fairly happy with this one.

Be a Saint

2010-12-29T10:00:00.000-08:00

We must never lose sight of the fact that we are either Saints or outcasts, that we must love for Heaven or for Hell; there is no middle path in this.

- John Vianney

Image: Pandemonium by John Martin (article)

Learning to love

2010-12-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Last week I closed out my sermon by saying if you want to have true joy, then "learn what it means to love." (working from John 15:9-11) The challenge this week is to help folks learn what that actually means. I'm working from the Gospel which is Joseph's dream and I'm thinking that I want to move toward the aspect of love being a sacrifice that allows Christ to be born in another - that love is of course conceived in God - but am wondering if this is still too much of an anthropocentric approach to defining love.

My Queen

2010-12-07T09:34:00.000-08:00

The Saints and Angels are but compared to stars, and the first of them to the fairest of the stars; but she is fair as the moon, as easy to be chosen and discerend from all the Saints the the sun from the stars.

- St. Francis de Sales

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,

implored your help or sought your intercession,

was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence,

I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;

to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not my petitions,

but in your mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Crux probat omnia

2010-11-30T16:17:00.000-08:00

The Cross tests everything - Martin Luther

I wonder which part of ourselves, our lives, our being that we would not be willing to put to this test. I suspect there are many aspects of our lives which are much safer tucked away in their own personal niches (little votive candles softly illuminating them) that are far too honored by the Great "I" to be put to such a test. Yet, if we did, if we nailed those silly notions to that most sacred tree they would not shed a single drop of blood, for there was no life in them to begin with.

Decay

2010-10-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

I had a dream over the weekend where I saw the near end of the Church. The building was in extreme disrepair and decay - really just falling apart. The altar had been removed. It was illegal to hold to the belief that the bread and wine were the Body and Blood of Christ. There were only a few in attendance and only a couple of them went up to receive the Sacrament. I did not see a priest (I wonder what that says about me.) I knelt at the place where the altar rail would have been. There was someone with me and both of us wore cassocks. I remember looking back over my shoulder - while waiting to receive - wondering if anyone else was coming up. I don't think anyone did.

is

2010-10-18T16:53:00.000-07:00

Describe him as you will: good, fair Lord, sweet, merciful, righteous, wise, all-knowing, strong one, almighty; as knowledge, wisdom, might, strength, love, or charity, and you will find them all hidden and contained in this little word is.

Anonymous

The Book of Privy Counseling

Dissertation Reading: Passionate Visionary

2010-10-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Passionate Visionary: Leadership lessons from the Apostle Paul

MISSÆ DEFUNCTORUM

2010-09-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Came across a beautiful missal at an estate sale this past weekend and thought I would share a few scans. Wish I knew Latin.

Jane+... I include the one with the music for you.

Sermon Complaint

2010-09-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

CartoonChurch.com

Received notice from the Bishop that someone has filed a complaint about the doctrine contained within my sermons. Therefore, I hereby offer up all of my (400+) sermons to anyone who cares to read them in order to weed out the heresy... except don't get too picky on the "Trinity Sunday" ones as they are always prone to some error.

What can you say... Its Monday.

Diocesan Conventionn (oh joy... NOT)

2010-09-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

It is that time of the year again for the annual Diocesan Convention. Don't know what it is, some folks love these things, but for me -- not so much. In the words of Odd Thomas' friend, they make me "crazier than a syphilitic suicide bomber with mad cow disease."

Here is hoping YOU all have blessed weekend.

The Button

2010-09-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Given the constant flow of emails this week I would have to say that this button is being used far too often. Let us all take a collective deep breath and remember that there is a God. You may not always like His answer, but He does have it under control. Therefore, go and enjoy your day and the life He has given you.

P.S. - "Meanness" should never be an option.

John Bosco

2010-09-14T09:18:00.000-07:00

"The history of the Church teaches us that the greatest saints are those who professed the greatest devotion to Mary."

Just plain fun

2010-08-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

A bit from the OF... A conservative blog for peace

Love III by George Herbert

2010-08-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,

     Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack

     From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

     If I lack'd any thing.

"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";

     Love said, "You shall be he."

"I, the unkind, ungrateful? ah my dear,

     I cannot look on thee."

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

     "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame

     Go where it doth deserve."

"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"

     "My dear, then I will serve."

"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."

     So I did sit and eat.

Wedding in the sun

2010-08-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Not entirely sure what I was thinking here, but am fairly certain it had to do with getting something cold to drink. For more pictures of the wedding you can go here. It was really quite a blessing to be a part of this one.

Following Tracks

2010-08-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

An article for the local papers.

TAK VS II.X.19

2010-08-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

"What is the hindrance, my soul, that prevents you from leaving all things for Jesus? Why do you so unwillingly separate yourself from vain and perishable things? In what do the visible things help you?"

St. Thérèse of Avila

2010-08-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

HUMILITY

TRUTH

Wolves

2010-08-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

"A shepherd must tend his flock. And at times... fight off the wolves."

Reverend Oliver

The Patriot

Bait

2010-08-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Our Lord's body became a bait for death so that the dragon, hoping to swallow him, might vomit up also those whom he had swallowed. -- Cyril of Jerusalem

TAK IOC IV.11.6-8

2010-07-27T08:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, how great and honorable is the office of the priest, to whom is given the consecration of the Lord of majesty in sacred words, whose lips bless Him, whose hands hold Him, whose tongue receives Him, and whose ministry it is to bring Him to others!

Oh, how clean those hands should be, how pure the lips, how sanctified the body, how immaculate the heart of the priest to whom the Author of all purity so often comes. No word but what is holy, none but what is good and profitable ought to come from the lips of the priest who so often receives the Sacrament of Christ. Single and modest should be the eyes accustomed to looking upon the Body of Christ. Pure and lifted up to heaven the hands accustomed to handle the Creator of heaven and earth. To priests above all it is written in the law: "Be ye holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy."

Let Your grace, almighty God, assist us, that we who have undertaken the office of the priesthood may serve You worthily and devoutly in all purity and with a good conscience. And if we cannot live as innocently as we ought, grant us at least to lament duly the wrongs we have committed and in the spirit of humility and the purpose of a good will to serve You more fervently in the future.

Sermon Prep

2010-07-21T18:19:00.000-07:00

Spent the day bashing my head against the sermon wall. Very frustrated until the drive home when it was plopped in my lap. Must be out of practice after being out of the mix for so long. I'll post it later in the week once all the details are in and you can tell me whether it was divinely inspired or just a... plop.

Home

2010-07-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

I woke up in my own bed this morning and I am never leaving home again!... well... not anytime soon at least (I hope.) Robyn is good. The dogs are good. Can I just say...

Day Sixteen

2010-07-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Day Fourteen

2010-07-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

Today is a day of waiting. Waiting to go home that is. Was supposed to have a class today, but they moved it to a reading seminar instead, so I could have gone home today had I known in advance. Oh well... having dinner with friends tonight so all is not lost. Reestablished the Facebook page and set up one for the Cluster. The Cong. Dev. prof. recommended that we use all the technology we have at our disposal so as to reach the greatest number of folks... sounded reasonable.

Day Thirteen

2010-07-16T22:15:00.000-07:00

School is out! Have to complete one more paper on George Herbert by the 1st of September and the semester will be done. I'm hoping to have it completed by the end of next week. Don't get to head home until Sunday, so will spend tomorrow... well, I'll just wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Day Twelve

2010-07-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

There is the love of God in giving and receiving forgiveness.

Day Eleven

2010-07-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

Major thunderstorms tonight - including tornado watch - and the power is low on the computer, but not willing to plug in for fear of frying the machine. Pray you all have a blessed day. Dissertation proposal approved! Yeah!

Day Ten

2010-07-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

So the conversation down the hall has - as always - found its way back to the discussion of the church and the poor condition that it is in. Here is the twist... Robyn called and said the dogs got out and to tell you, dear reader, the truth, I was FAR more concerned about my silly dogs than I was about the loud voices and opinions filtering down the hallway. Does that make me a bad priest? I still - perhaps naively - firmly believe that God is going to care for His Church and that my responsibility is to be faithful with the talents He has given me. That doesn't mean that I don't believe the church is making mistakes - I do - but in the end I firmly believe that neither Benedict, Katharine, or Jerry Lewis is going to be able to alter the destination that God has set for His people.

...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

Call me silly, but I firmly believe this! Amen and Amen!

Via Media

2010-07-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Came across this quote from an article by Martin Thornton and gave a cheer...

"Via Media has nothing whatever to do with compromise; it has everything to do with spiritual sanity."

Day Eight

2010-07-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Turned in my final project for Cong. Dev. today and completed a good round of research for my Ascetical Theology paper on the spirituality of the priesthood for George Herbert. Should be interesting. 12 - 15 pages but maybe I'll post anyway.

Robyn and I are both ready for me to be home now. I always look forward to coming out here, but even more so at being able to go back home. Miss the wife, the parishes and the dogs. Tomorrow is Tuesday.

Day Seven

2010-07-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

I think that sometimes the log in our own eye can become so large that we perceive it as coming out of the other's, which causes us to make asses of ourselves.

Day Six

2010-07-10T20:22:00.000-07:00

Saturdays are a blessing. Sleep late, move slow, but still get some work done. Completed the first draft of the Cong. Dev. paper and also a good bit of reading. Church tomorrow here on campus at 10, so still don't have to fly out first thing in the morning.

Tonight we watched part four of HP - Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire. In doing so we concluded that Nashotah is definitely Hogwarts and Dumbledore is ABC Williams. You be the judge...

Can I just say...

Have a blessed Sunday.

Day Five

2010-07-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

Friday is always good. Although, classes may be done for a few days it does not mean the reading and writing are done. Will likely spend the next two days doing just that, but its why I'm here so all is well. Took the evening off and instead of going to the library, found "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" on the stupid box. Most of the fellas were still in class, so it was a nice quiet evening.

Visited with my congregational development professor, Kevin Martin, today and received approval for my final paper. It will actually be very practical as I will be working on my pledge drive program for the fall. He said he would be more than happy to provide feedback, so praying for a good one.

Day Four

2010-07-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

I bind unto myself this day... A VOW TO KILL EVERY DANG MOSQUITO I ENCOUNTER!!! Other than that it has been a good day.

The class on congregational development has been remarkably helpful. Discovered that the statement I am attaching to everything in the foreseeable future - "we are a mixed community of sinners called to be saints" Michael Ramsey - is an "identity statement." My thinking is that we will use this for several months and then tack on to the end, "called to make more saints" we will see. The fellas on the hall are certainly enjoying their Orthodox class, plenty to talk about when they return from the trenches, but I have also learned a great deal in my new Ascetical Theology class on Anglican Spirituality. We are now covering folks like Lancelot Andrews, George Herbert, William Law, and a few of those unmentionable (but very good) Puritans (ie. Richard Baxter, et al)

Since I did switch classes this weekend looks to be filled with reading and then a bit more, along with research for my paper on the priestly spirituality of George Herbert - Fr. Klukas picked that one out for me. In addition, I will be putting final touches on the dissertation proposal in hopes of getting that before the committee by the time they meet again. Should make it just fine provided my advisor approves.

Have been working on a rather intense counseling issue back home and could use prayers that I am handling it properly and saying those things that God would have me say. Never easy, especially from a 1,000 some odd miles away.

Day Three

2010-07-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

"We are only allowed to use the 1662 Ordinal," was the last thing I heard after saying goodnight to the fellas. I'm certain that it is an interesting conversation (these really are some good fellas here) but the truth is... can I be honest here... I really don't care. My simple way of thinking tells me that the average person in the pew could care less if you are using the 1662 Ordinal or Eucharistic Prayer "C" (which we all know is a bit silly.) How can we argue over which BCP we are using when most of our congregants are trying to figure out how to put food on the table, survive (or die) from cancer, help their children to grow up... Live. I remember Bp. Parsons (Ascetical Theology) telling us that what most people want from their priest is to learn how to talk to God... that is it. How do I talk to God, know that He loves me, and follow His teachings? Honestly... Will you really care which prayer book you use at church on the day that the policeman shows up at your door and gives you the "bad news?" I think not.

On another note: Have I mentioned that it is Africa hot here! Actually someone said it is probably cooler in Africa because there it is a dry heat. Here the humidity is so dang high that you are continuously sticky. I don't like that feeling. Prefer the 10 percent or less humidity in God's Country.

More thankful than ever that I joined the other class. The group remaining has a paper to write over the weekend, "What did God mean when He said that He created them male and female in His image." I suggested that they turn in a Playboy magazine. Like I said, I think on a completely different level than some of these fellas - I'm sure they will have some rather remarkable answers.

Blessings - and I really am missing the fact that I don't get to preach this weekend. Sorry, Mary... Haven't gotten to your question yet.

Day Two - Call me a Wimp

2010-07-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Orthodox class was just too intimidating and so I bowed out. Moved over to a class on Anglican Spirituality and learned more in the first half hour than I did in three hours last night. This is not a negative view of Fr. John Behr, just that I'm not at the necessary level in order to benefit from the class. Life goes on and hopefully in a year or so I'll still get the DMin. Today I did quite a bit of reading on George Herbert and Lancelot Andrews, both of which I was able to understand and am looking forward to more of the same.

Ever feel like you are a part of a gathering, but instead of being inside you are instead standing outside and looking through a window? You never know what is being said or why, but out of charity you were invited. It is an awkward position, not a third wheel, but more the cousin that everyone tolerates, but are more or less embarrassed by. Adventures at the House continue and I'm just going to remain my happy self with a passion for preaching the Gospel. My prayer is that this is enough to earn me a room in the basement of some obscure building in that Kingdom which is the Prize. God is good!

Day One

2010-07-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

Taking two classes this round at Nashotah. First is congregational development that I understand and will find very useful in the years to come. The second is by a remarkably brilliant Orthodox priest that is so far over my head I fear that I will drown (or at least fail the class.) Neither option is desirable at this point. Will most likely see it through, but am not sure of the outcome and in truth, not sure of the purpose of the course. One side of me says that it is very much common sense and something I have believed/known all along; however, the language of the discussion has too many syllables and not in my own way of thinking. For me, Christ has never been so complicated and perhaps that is my heresy. It seems to be many words to describe what Jesus says, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father."

On another note, the conversation of the hall has gone from this discussion of Christ, to how all John Paul II knew was, "Abortion, abortion, and Poland," to homosexuality and the failings of the Episcopal Church. I am off to bed. Blessings to you all.

Ahh... one of the many voices down the hall has locked himself out of his room. The night may be longer... [sigh]

Nashotah

2010-07-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I arrived at Nashotah House for my annual two weeks of classes for the DMin. The trip was exhausting with three flights, multiple layovers, delayed flights, and a shuttle driver that had never been here before who had to keep referring to the map - glad he found it on the first try! Most of the fellas are here now sampling various types of bourbon and whiskey. I'm thinking it will be a long night for them and their gab session. Good fellas though.

As nice as it is, it is almost a constant reminder as to why I love my three parishes. We seem to be immune to the politics of the wider church, where as most of these folks and even the seminary are very much at the heart of the storm. Thinking that I will let Jesus handle that part of the battle and I will care for the talents he has given me. Hopefully this isn't wrong. Classes begin tomorrow so perhaps that will distract everyone, although it hasn't happened in the past.

Me, I'm going to bed early and hoping to have some time for good prayer tomorrow morning. I think that is what I miss most about this place.. it is the opportunity to return to an atmosphere - as goofy as it can be - that has always proven to be very exciting for my prayer life. Archbishop Michael Ramsey once referred to Nashotah House as the "Devil's Playground" - maybe he meant that it is a place that draws out the best and the worst of people, especially those called to serve in God's Church.

There is a thunderstorm that looks like it is roaring this way and will likely knock us all out of bed later this evening. Think I will catch a few winks before then. Blessings.

Snorted

2010-07-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

As I was searching for my picture of hell in the previous post I came across this one... I confess to snorting with laughter (this Brother Thomas would also disapprove of!) I now have it as my computer's desktop photo.

TAK IOC I.24.3

2010-07-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

What else will that fire devour but thy sins?... There the slothful will be pricked with burning goads, the gluttonous tormented with extreme hunger and thirst; there the luxurious and the lovers of pleasure will have burning pitch and fetid sulphur rained upon them; and the envious, like rabid dogs, will howl for grief.

Brother Thomas always has a way of getting your attention in the morning! It is wonderful to have the plans for the day that you have so tediously assigned so suddenly put into their proper perspective. Yes, yes.. he is medieval and barbaric to many, but my medieval and barbaric soul needs someone to slap it around on occasion.

Anglican Power Play

2010-06-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

I will happily avoid this topic like the plague! and I'm still the right-wing conservative hawk nut job that I have always been; however, I came across an article from The Guardian (no idea what kind of newspaper this is) where a very good point is made. In all this, I can't figure out who is pulling the ABC's chains. There is a piece of the puzzle that none of us has... and I'm not talking about God here. Perhaps the Illuminati really are out there!!

Updated Pages

2010-06-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Spent a bit of time this week revamping the websites for both the Church and personal. They still do not look as good as some of the other churches, but they are better. A very good article from the Alban Institute came out on Church blogs this week and is worth the read for anyone interested.

Also, for those of you who are interested, if you would like be added as a contributor to the Cluster page then just let me know and I'll get you the permissions.

Sermon - Proper 8c

2010-06-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Remembered this morning that I have a Saturday night service today, so was happy that the sermon came quickly. Some may feel that it came a bit too quickly after reading, but must say that I am much more tired after camp than I had originally thought. Even though a quiet week it seems that you spend the entire week in a tense anticipation of what may come. One day I will learn to trust God!

Grace Camp - Day Five

2010-06-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

Chapel then "Good-byes." It has been a good fifth year of Grace Camp. After speaking with the Bishop I have decided to take next year off. Let someone else receive the blessings from these wonderful kids. Hope to be back the following summer.

This is Grace Camp signing off. God Bless you all for your prayers and support!

DMin Reading: On the Cosmic Mystery of Jesus Christ by St. Maximus the Confessor

2010-06-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Was happy that I read the Behr book first as it helped me to further understand this important work. There are great thinkers and then there are Great Thinkers - Maximus falls into this latter category.

Memorable quotes:
No created thing then is at rest until it has attained the first and only cause (from which what exists was brought into being) or has possessed the ultimately desirable [that is God.]

... baptismal birth will be considered an annulment of, and liberation from, bodily birth.

Because of Christ--or rather, the whole mystery of Christ--all the ages of time and the beings within those ages have received their beginning and end in Christ. Very similar to Behr.

Wanting to escape the oppressive experience of pain we sought refuge in pleasure, attempting to console our nature when it was hard-pressed with pain's torment. Striving to blunt pain's spasms with pleasure, we merely sanctioned against ourselves a greater debt of pain, powerless to disconnect pleasure from pain and its toils.

St. Maximus the Confessor

Grace Camp - Day Four

2010-06-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

We have been studying the parable of the Sower this week and have witnessed some wonderful things from the kids. Today we covered the seed that fell on good ground... in the end.. every child voluntarily prayed that God would plant the seed of His love in their heart. It is a good and glorious day! Thanks to all of you who have been praying - Keep it up as we go into the final day and the realization begins to settle in with the kids that they have to go home tomorrow. This can sometimes be very difficult.

Grace Camp - Day Three

2010-06-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

This year, Grace Camp has been like...

... and that is a very good thing!

DMin Reading: The Mystery of Christ / Life in Death by John Behr

2010-06-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

There are certain books that make a person realize how not smart a person is - The Mystery of Christ is one such book. The Rev. Dr. John Behr is the Professor of Patristics at St. Vladimir's Seminary and I consider myself very fortunate to be taking a course from him this summer. In his work, he provides us with a new way of considering theology and salvation history. Specifically, he would seem to be saying that "In the beginning..." is not the beginning of history, but from the cross of Christ emanates our history. He writes, "a properly theological cosmology and "history" of salvation--the economy or the plan of salvation--begins with the Passion of Christ, and from this vantage point looks backwards and forwards to everything in this light."

Memorable quotes:

Adam and Eve are not presented in Genesis as being immortal beings who by sin fell into mortality, but as mortal beings who had the chance of attaining immortality, yet by that very act [of disobedience to God] failed.

... death has a positive role to play, one might even say a remedial role... death terminates the apostasy, returning human beings to the dust from which they were taken, so that the traces of sin and apostasy can be purged from their body, and the human being can be refashioned in the resurrection.

Grace Camp - Day Two

2010-06-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Happy campers!

Happy staff!

Happy weather!

Happy me!

I would never presume to say whether or not God is happy with all this, but my heart tells me He is thrilled.

Grace Camp - Day One

2010-06-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Camp has started off wonderfully except for the weather. Some big storms blew through last night and it has pretty much been rainy, cool and cloudy since. Looks like we have at least another day of this, but then hopefully the sun will be out so the kids can get out more and play. Pray for sun!

Montana Common Sense

2010-06-18T09:39:00.000-07:00

1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman . . Neither works.

4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

5. Always drink upstream from the herd.

6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.

8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

10. If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back.

12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

Out of here!

2010-06-17T15:44:00.000-07:00

The boys have started pacing around the office, so it must be time to go home. Yay! Off to be the chaplain of Grace Camp for the 5th year on Saturday and hope to keep things updated from there.

DMin Reading: Reclaiming the Great Commission by Payne / Beazley

2010-06-14T14:10:00.001-07:00

The example of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is the backdrop for this outstanding work. The authors attempt to redefine what being the church is all about in the 21st century and many of their suggestions are very helpful. At the heart of all activities from the National Church to the Diocese to individual “Missionary Outposts” is the message of evangelism. It would be very interesting to see this broad plan put into place in other diocese. I sense that the conversion of the clergy would be the highest hurdle.

Memorable Quotes:

“Every human being worships at some altar.”

“A congregation that is not expectant is not living the fullness of the Gospel".”

“Evangelism is not about recruitment but about transformation. Every Christian is a disciple in progress who participates in a process from which no one graduates.”

DMin Reading: Leading and Managing Your Church by C. George and R. Logan

2010-06-12T13:57:00.001-07:00

A good read for someone who knows nothing about management and a bit dated (suggesting the use of day-runners instead of modern technology.) Essentially the book is the application of secular management techniques to ministry. My prayer would be that any priest would have a strong grasp of the this information – my fear is that many don’t and therefore I would strongly recommend.

Chapter Ten: The Berry-Bucket Theory was spot on in describing the initial years of ministry in a new cure and the problems to be expected between long time members and new members. For anyone in years four to six of a call a reading of this chapter will calm your nerves and help you to realize that you are not the only one to have experienced these issues.

Many items mentioned are closely related to issues described by L. Schaller in the previous reviewed book.

DMin Reading: The Interventionist by Lyle E. Schaller

2010-06-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

This book is primarily written for the professional parish interventionist (a ministry of identifying and naming problem areas in congregations and providing possible solutions) but is also exceptionally well written for those entering new parishes. In addition, it will also be useful to those priest seeking to redefine the church they presently serve. The key: Asking lots of questions and then asking more questions.

Memorable quotes:
"A highly desirable quality in the effective interventionist is the capability and the willingness to raise questions about the future consequences of proposed actions."

"... the power of the past, the appeal of the status quo, and the absence of a widely perceived crisis mean planned change does not automatically enjoy a large and influential constituency."

After asking all the prepared questions, ask "What should I have asked?" and the interventionist should ask themselves, "What is the reality?" of a congregation and not rely entirely on the reported status.

Excellent read.

Still awake

2010-06-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

It was the plan to hit the sack early, but here I sit wide awake. They don't really teach you in seminary that the things you will learn and know about folks is more than enough to keep you awake for days at a time. The challenge is to try not to worry about them so much and have the ability to give them to God. Michael Ramsey... the job of the priest is to stand before God with the people on his heart. This is not a trick of the mind, but a gift. The natural inclination is to try and "fix" whatever may be wrong - and since when was man's natural inclination the correct path to take?

Done early!

2010-06-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

Finished up the sermon for this Sunday early. Pleased with the way it came out. Now what?... Oh yeah! Get ready for camp in a week and then gone for 2 1/2 weeks to Nashotah. I should get busy, but first these messages from our sponsors...

So the question is... Am I a "Party Starter" if all I really want to do is go home, put on some sweats, prop my behind up in the big chair, and watch reruns of Friends?

House Rules

2010-06-07T12:34:00.001-07:00

Here is an article I wrote for the local papers.

Hope you enjoy.

Proper V Sermon

2010-06-05T15:07:00.001-07:00

Proper V sermon completed

DMin Reading: 5 Keys for Church Leaders by Kevin Martin

2010-06-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Completed this brief but excellent read. Will be taking a class from the author this summer at Nashotah.

A few memorable lines...

"One survey tells us that the average Episcopalian invites a person to church once every thirty-eight years."

Quoting John Wesley on preaching, he writes, "It is a sin to bore people! Set yourself on fire in the pulpit and the whole world will come to watch you burn." -- I like that

He also includes a brief description on stewardship that involves the tithe, fair share, and equal sacrifice. I hope to get more information on this approach this summer, but what I have read sounds very promising.

Roman Ritual

2010-06-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

It is only a matter of time before every household will have a copy of the Roman Ritual and now I've got mine as an early anniversary present.

Volume I (The Sacraments and Processions)
Volume II (Christian Burial and Office for the Dead, Exorcism, Blessings Reserved to Religious or to Certain Places)
Volume III (Blessings)

They have been out of print for quite some time, but Tan Books republished them and many other Catholic classics. Be sure and take a browse through their site.

Finally!

2010-05-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

A sermon that I feel can be preached on Trinity Sunday.

Maya Angelou

2010-05-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

The sun has come.

The mist has gone.

We see in the distance...

our long way home.

I was always yours to have.

You were always mine.

We have loved each other in and out of time.

When the first stone looked up at the blazing sun

and the first tree struggled up from the forest floor

I had always loved you more.

You freed your braids...

gave your hair to the breeze.

It hummed like a hive of honey bees.

I reached in the mass for the sweet honey comb there....

Mmmm...God how I love your hair.

You saw me bludgeoned by circumstance.

Lost, injured, hurt by chance.

I screamed to the heavens....loudly screamed....

Trying to change our nightmares to dreams...

The sun has come.

The mist has gone.

We see in the distance our long way home.

I was always yours to have.

You were always mine.

We have loved each other in and out

in and out

of time.

It took me 1,542 words (and it still isn't worth preaching) ... she said it beautifully in 165. I will be trying again on Sunday's sermon. This poem will certainly be a part of it.

Sermon for Trinity Sunday

2010-05-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

In the end, "Blah blah blah." Who's idea was it anyway to have a Sunday where simple sinful mortal man is assigned the task of explaining the Unexplainable? Oh well, I gave it the ol' MDiv try. I was pleased with one particular passage...

Where does all this leave us? Divine Mystery... not as in “who done it?”.. but valuable knowledge that is kept secret by God.... yet.. even though the Trinity remains a mystery in its being.. we do experience the Trinity and can somewhat understand its workings.

As for our experience of the Holy Trinity.. we “feel” God in three ways: as something beyond us; something among us; and something within us –-- Consider creation... In order to survive.. there are those things which are beyond us.. such as sun that provides heat.. the atmosphere.. that brings rain and provides oxygen to breathe.. then there are the things that are among us.. the food we eat, our activity, even our relationships.. and lastly.. those things that are within us.. organs, blood, brain and so on... each part of creation relates to us in different ways.. but all is a part of one creation...

I haven't printed the final copy, because I'm fairly certain that I will be changing things before Sunday.

What to do?

2010-05-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Write sermon?...

Nap?...

Write sermon?...

Naaapppppzzzzzzzzz

TAK IOC I.I.III

2010-05-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.

Holy Trinity - Any thoughts?

2010-05-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

The Persons of the Holy Trinity work in perfect concert in, through, and with One Another in order to make known the substance of Their being to created humankind so that humankind may be fully restored to Their image.

Heresy?