The Archbishop of Canterbury said what? Anglican future looks "chaotic and uncertain" ...

The London Times online reports that Dr. Williams admitted during an All Saints Day sermon that the future of the Anglican Communion looked "chaotic and uncertain."  Dr. Williams was pleading with AngloCatholics in the Church of England to hang with him and not turn to Rome over the issue of the consecration of female bishops. 

Wow, for the Archbishop of Canterbury to make that statement is rather remarkable for it is nothing less than a resounding repudiation of his own effectiveness as the spiritual leader of the world wide Anglican Communion. 

But, while pleading for his fellow Church of England Anglo-Catholic's support, did Dr. Williams offer them anything to hold onto?  Here's what he said: "God knows what the future holds for any of us for any of our ecclesiastical institutions but we can at least begin with what we can be sure of: that God has graced us with the lives of saints; that God has been credible in this fellowship with these people. This church, with its very particular place in the history of the Church of England, is one small but significant facet of that great mystery and that great gift. And, at times when the future seems more than usually chaotic and uncertain, it doesn’t hurt simply to give thanks.”   Think that helped?  Want to buy London bridge?  Chaotic and uncertain is the understatement of year.

God's peace. <><

Off topic: Can't resist one comment about the officiating of the LSU vs. Alabama game - Worse than I originally thought

Since I am not motivated to write about Anglican happenings today, I turn to football.

There is an old saying that reminds us we need not cry over spilled milk.  That's true as it applies to sports contests as well.  Once the game is over, it is over; and regardless of whether the officials blew calls or not. 

This past week I've received several emails with photos of no less than six or seven blatantly wrong calls (or at least blatantly wrong to my highly biased tiger eyes).  At least one of them, the Petersen interception (and I'm convinced that he had possession and was making forward progress before he stepped out of bounds), could have been a game changer.  Those kinds of calls are tough to take.  To say that the Tiger faithful are agitated is to put it very mildly.  To visually memorialize our frustration, here's a picture of LSU's extra opponent in the final ten minutes of the Alabama game:

That said, I feel better and I repeat my statement from a few posts ago concerning my support for the Tide as they continue the march for the crystal football - - SEC fans support their own and for now, for me, that means I support the clear winner in the SEC West. Roll Tide Roll.  And, of course, GEAUX TIGERS!!!

God's peace. <><

To Honor All Veterans: Martina McBride Singing "God Bless America" ...

From grateful countrymen, a huge thank you to all veterans!



God's peace. <><

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI Issues Apostolic Constitution ...

Historic?  I'll leave that decision to others.  For now, I'm going to study the text and then speak with my priest.  Here's the link:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apc_20091104_anglicanorum-coetibus_en.html

God's peace. <><

Alabama Tames Tigers; Next The Gators?

Though it pains me to say this, I must acknowledge that Nick Saban is every bit as good a head coach at Alabama as he was when coaching at LSU.   The Tide is a complete team; and Nick Saban is a complete coach.  Should you have any doubt, you only need look at the stats from Saturday's game to see that the score (24-15) did not tell the whole story.  The Tide dominated the Tigers in virtually every category.  Sigh!  However, as a loyal SEC West fan, now we join in the chant, "Roll Tide Roll!"

God's peace. <><

Showdown in Tuscalousa for the SEC West: LSU (Les Miles) versus Alabama (Nick Saban) ...

Saturday at 2:30 P.M. the game of the year for both LSU and Alabama will begin.  The winner would be the favorite play Florida for the SEC Championship and, if victorious, to be in the BCS title game.  Of course, any talk of what might follow tomorrow is rank speculation, particularly for LSU given that the Tigers have yet to play Ole Miss and Arkansas - - as my grandmother often said, "many a slip between the cup and the lip!"  So, for now, it is LSU (Miles) versus Alabama (Saban).  Bring it on and may the best team (coach) win!

God's peace. <><

Fort Hood Tragedy: Let's simply pray ...

Words are incredibly unsatisfactory when dealing with a senseless slaughter of human life.  As I have listened to the news reports of the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas yesterday, and particularly the attempts to turn this tragedy into an indictment of Isalm, I feel very low indeed.  American troops that have given so much for their country, that have endured the horror of hostile combat, that have traveled to the edge of hell and returned to "their homeland," find themselves under attack by one of their own.  How does this sort of thing happen?  Why?  Where will we find the answers?  Will we find them?  God only knows, and who knows just when or how or if he will share them with us?

For today though, my thoughts, my prayers are with the innocent souls sacrificed at Fort Hood, for those people wounded, for the families that suffer and grieve.  For the living, God's speed in recovery; for the dead, may God grant unto them eternal rest and may light perpetual shine upon them.  For the rest of us, may God grant us his peace. <><