08
Dec 2017
Yes, truly this is a reflection on Steve’s sermon yesterday. There are several things I took away from Steve’s sermon, but probably the one I keep coming back to most often is this: God didn’t make a mistake in giving me the life to life that I have right now. Then why is it I’m trying to life the life I think I should have rather than the one I’ve been given? I am the poster child for this concept. I am puzzled and confused about living the life I have in......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
I was blessed by Steve’s sermon on our First Sunday of Lent. One point particularly caught my attention. While describing how Christ’s temptations were a reprise of those perpetrated upon Adam and Eve, they have this underlying theme: “you will be better off if you are in control.” This is Satan’s ruse to get Adam and Eve under his control, of course, and he made the same attempt with Christ. What was so insightful from Steve was how Christ’s resistance to this temptation was not to counter with control or “power-play”! Jesus......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
I remember being taught from a very early age that, when tempted, Jesus responded by quoting Scripture and that, since He is our Example, we ought to memorize Scripture, so when we are tempted, we can quote it, too. “How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” It is best to begin the process early, as Paul wrote to Timothy: “But as for you, continue in what you......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
Click here to read part 1 of this post. So the Scriptures are a weapon against temptation and sin, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” We need careful study to use them properly. And tradition—the words of godly men and women through the centuries—can aid our understanding. We also have the Holy Spirit to guide us, both individually and collectively as the church throughout the world, both now and as God’s people through the centuries. Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
We all have a concept of “home.” It should be a place where we can just be, a place where we belong and are wanted, a place where we are safe and can flourish. We marry and form friendships for just that reason. We escape from families and friendships because they violate that ideal. My first post was about conversation—the exchange of words about a shared interest and how that forms community or creates connection with people you like or love. The hope for home starts with conversation—with God and one another. One......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
Let us give thanks to the Lord for his mercy, the wonders he does for his children. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Paraphrase of Psalm 107:8-9 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’ ”Luke 4:3-4 An old Cherokee chief took his grandchildren into the forest and sat them down and said to them, “A fight is going on inside me. This is a terrible......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
Our Lenten liturgy contains a section called “The Comfortable Words.” After confession and the Kyrie, the priest utters these words: “Hear the words of comfort our Savior Christ says to all who truly turn to him: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” The liturgy continues, but I usually find myself meditating on the first sentence. You see, I have a terrible habit of becoming heavy laden. No doubt there are many contributing factors, but the fact remains that I regularly take on......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
Growing up Baptist, I thought Christmas lasted 24 hours. I knew about Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. I was vaguely aware of Lent as “something the Catholics do.” When I began attending an Episcopal church, I started learning about the church year. I get Advent. Advent is a season of repentance, but that repentance is only a preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth combined with a joyous anticipation of His return. Reading from the prophets during Advent, I noticed their message was less an apocalyptic puzzle than a reminder “to do......
Read More
08
Dec 2017
When I read the parables, I tend to cast myself in the role of the good guy. “‘God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” So when I read about the Prodigal Son, I tend to see myself as the Prodigal, sinful but penitent, welcomed into the Father’s arms. Which is good as far as it goes, but as Brother Paul pointed out Sunday morning, “The Prodigal Son” is probably not the best title for this parable. If Jesus only......
Read More
14
Dec 2012
This week we’ve been drilling down in to the bullet points of our Mission statement, and today we’re taking a look at the final bullet: Our Mission— In Draft Form We are dedicated to: Revealing the Gospel of Christ Reclaiming God’s Promises Relating to God and each other Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit … in order to receive and minister Christ’s love, hope and healing as members of Light of Christ on mission in Southeast Wisconsin. Rejoicing We enjoy the liberty of the Holy Spirit, we share His power for living, and we......
Read More