Cotton Country Anglican

Let those with ears, hear ... Western Louisiana Searches for her new shepherd ... An Election Delegate's Perspective ...

2012-02-06T09:59:00.000-06:00

As a delegate to Western Louisiana’s election convention in April, I have already begun my personal vetting of the candidates (they are listed on the main page at Stand Firm. Two are former rectors of my parish, Grace, Monroe, and are friends. More importantly, both are godly men and priests of God in the historic Episcopalian / Anglican and Christian sense. Our diocese has long stood tall and strong in our belief in the Gospel as our Lord delivered it to his Apostles (Jude 3) and more importantly, we have long been steadfast in our commitment to living into Christ’s Great Commission, which is of course, the true (and frankly only) “mission” of Christ’s Church (Matthew 28:19). Because of that steadfastness, though our diocese does not share one voice as to “church politics”, we are united by a shared vision about the importance of returning all that we have been given in terms of Christian charity as we deal with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ with whom we may disagree. We understand that our obligation as professed “believers” of the Christ is to, as Saint Paul admonishes us, focus upon what we can do to build up the Body of Christ (the Church). We welcome your prayers and hopefully those prayers will be that God grants us the wisdom to have ears willing to listen for His soft voice. I for one believe that He will be speaking to us and directing us to the light that will lead us to the identity of His chosen Shepherd for this diocese. God loves His people and His Church and He is its guardian. I believe it when Scripture says, “Let those with ears, hear”!

I have not had much zeal for blogging of late, but I'll probably use this space from time to time to share additional comments about our election process and the ultimate results.

God’s peace. <><

The eye of the tiger: The LSU Tiger that is ...

2011-12-02T12:26:00.000-06:00

The 2011 LSU Tiger football team has exceeded every expectation that I had this year, a perfect 12-0 season and the undisputed #1 ranked team in the country and the champions of the SEC Western Division. Today we stand on the eve of the 2011 SEC Championship game against the SEC East Champion Georgia Bulldogs. Assuming that the Tigers do what they are capable of doing, tomorrow should end with LSU being crowned SEC Champion and seeded for the BCS College Football Championship game on January 9, 2012 as the #1 ranked team.

I have resisted the temptation to comment on LSU football this year and I'm glad that I did. What the Tigers have done on the field was better left developed there rather than through the commentary of observers from afar. Tiger Nation is proud of our team and we look forward to these next two games.

GEAUX TIGERS!

God's peace. <><

Redemption for TEC: Disciplinary Board's appropriate action regarding Bishop Lawrence

2011-11-29T11:18:00.001-06:00

Albeit a tad surprising given some of the bizzare actions of TEC's leaders in recent years, I'm pleased to read that the Title IV Disciplinary Board has declined to certify the charges levied against Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina. Dissent, even strong dissent, is anything but abandonment of "this Church", to the contrary it is participation in the life of the church. How many times have I read quotes from Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori challenging all Episcopalians to see the face of Christ in each other even as we "live in tension"? So also let each of us as Episcopalians, and more importantly as disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, give ground to our brothers and sisters in Christ as each of us seek a "safe place" within The Episcopal Church to practice our faith as we understand it.

As we begin the Season of Advent, a season in which we are called to remember that our faith in Jesus the Christ is one which celebrates both new beginnings and hope, may all Episcopalians pray for the renewal and unity of Christ's Church as we await the His coming again.

A blessed Advent to all. <><

Title IV Investigation of +Mark Lawrence: A new low for TEC ...

2011-10-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

News of an investigation of Title IV charges against +Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina draws me back into a quagmire that I have intentionally avoided for many months now (preferring to lift my eye's to the hills and to keep my focus on heavenly things and Lord's mission for His Church - - making disciples) and I am loathe to again enter this place. However, as much as I may find it distasteful, because I have long admired +Lawrence and found in his leadership (along with that of my own bishop) a reason to have hope for a future in The Episcopal Church, I step back into the foul and polluted mud pit that is national Episcopal Church politics to express my confidence in, and support of, a good and godly man and bishop of Christ's one holy and apostolic church. I join Dr. Ephram Radner of the Anglican Communion Institute (see his full response to the reports of the charges here: http://www.anglicancommunioninstitute.com/2011/10/a-response-to-the-reported-title-ivdisciplinary-process-begun-against-bishop-mark-lawrence/) and adopt his words in saying:

"I personally stand beside Bishop Lawrence and the people of South Carolina. If he has abandoned TEC, then it must mean that I have as well. Will you drive all of us out, Bishop Jefferts Schori? I say as clearly as I can: Presiding Bishop, you have bankrupted your apostolic office, broken your vows, and sullied this church, of which I and others are still members despite your folly, and of which I am still proud to be a member precisely because of bishops like Mark Lawrence whose witness proves that God, in his mercy, has at least not abandoned us."

Bishop Lawrence, please continue to stand tall and walk upright and with your head held high. I offer the words of Psalm 62:7 as a source of comfort and strength for you and for all Episcopalians who, like you, are proud to call themselves Episcopalians, but who are ever committed and bound to the historic and ancient faith handed down from Christ himself to the apostles and to which The Episcopal Church has heretofore always been committed:

"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."

God's peace. <><

Ten Year's Later: Remembering 9/11, Continued ...

2011-09-09T13:53:00.000-05:00

As we approach this Sunday and our pause as nation to honor the lives of those lost ten years ago, I thought it fitting to revisit a very moving Super Bowl commercial produced by the brewers of Budweiser beer. I only recall seeing it once but I will never forget how moving it was. Well worth viewing again. Thanks to the good folks at Budweiser.

God's peace. <><

Ten Year's Later: Remembering 9/11, In God We Trust ...

2011-09-07T13:42:00.001-05:00

Visual images are frequently the best way to reconnect with past events and this video clip from the National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001 which features the grand hymn, "O God Our Help In Ages Past," is a great one.

9/11 taught all of us in a brutal way just how uncertain and fragile life is and how foolish we are to think that our way of life is secure and unthreatened. Ten years beyond that fateful September morning in 2001, the world is likely less safe rather than more safe than it was in 2001; and this even with the elimination of Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden. To underscore the uncertainty of life and how little control that we have over it (we really have none), one need only consider that the venue for the 2001 prayer service, our magnificent national cathedral in Washington, D.C., is today closed to the public due to damage sustained in the recent earth quake that struck the eastern United States.

God has always been our help, our rock and the one constant in our lives. His steadfast love for us and our trust in him is the source of our strength in difficult times. Lest we never forget this truth!

God's peace. <><

Ten Years Later: Remembering 9/11, The Bush Interview

2011-09-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

Sunday brings us to the tenth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Across the country and no doubt in many countries around the world, people will pause to remember that day, and reflect.

George W. Bush was in the first year of his presidency, and September 11th changed the course of that presidency. I think it fair to say that it changed George W. Bush. For those who may not have seen it, I offer former President Bush's 9/11 interview with National Geographic. Let us never forget!

God's peace. <><

Football Is In The Air . . . Death Valley Awaits The Faithful ...

2011-09-01T17:42:00.000-05:00

College football begins again this weekend and for fans across the country, and certainly for fans in the Southeastern Conference and most especially the Fighting Tigers of LSU, it is our favorite time of the year. Saturday night in Tiger Stadium is an experience that is very difficult to describe to someone who has never experienced it.

This season LSU begins with a non-conference game at Cowboy's Stadium in Arlington, Texas against the #3 ranked Oregon Ducks (LSU is ranked #4). This promises to be a great football game (no one can say that LSU is padding their non-SEC game schedule with easy win's) and with all of the distractions associated with a number of our players off campus activities over the past few weeks, this Tiger fan is trying to be positive and optimistic about how our team will handle this game.

LSU is blessed to have an incredibly talented cartoonist who produces wonderful cartoons throughout the season both before and after games. Tom Slyvest, Jr. is his name and he produces these cartoons under the trade name "TigerToons." One of his offerings for the Oregon game is especially wonderful and I offer it as the proper perspective for Tiger fans as we approach this game. Thanks to Tom!

Can't wait for Saturday night and a return to Tiger football. GEAUX TIGERS !!!!

God's peace. <><

A Time to Remember: Pausing to plan for the tenth anniversary of 9/11 ...

2011-08-29T11:32:00.000-05:00

The second Sunday in September 2011 coincides with the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. I remember clearly that morning as I attended a conference in Malibu, California. Even now it seems somewhat unreal, the horror of watching live during the Today Show's coverage as the second aircraft slammed in one of the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan. Have you stopped to think about where you were that morning?

No doubt that churches all across this country will mark this day with prayers and special memorial services. Our parish will dedicate our Eucharists to the souls lost that fateful day.

As an initial step in the process of pausing to remember, I find Alan Jackson's song, "Where were you when the world stopped turning," to be both helpful and moving. I hope that those viewing this post will as well.

May we never forget and may we never doubt the power of love to heal all hurts that we suffer. As the construction at ground zero on the new One World Trade Center proves, the American spirit is not easily destroyed. Thanks and praise to God our heavenly Father.

God's peace to all. <><

The Obama Bus (not the bus tour): Something just doesn't seem right here ...

2011-08-16T13:16:00.000-05:00

President Obama is currently touring parts of the midwest by bus as part of a new White House effort to reconnect Mr. Obama to the American people. No surprise as his favorability rating has dropped below 40% (Congress has an even worse rating, and IMHO, both are well-deserved).

Now on the surface it might seem a good thing that an American president would board a bus in order to allow him to be more "up close and personal" with average citizens along the bus route. Unfortunately though this ain't no ordinary bus, it is a $1.1 Million super bus purchased with our tax dollars by the U. S. Secret Service. Given our economic situation, isn't this a bit much? Couldn't he have just taken the limo that he ordered as he assumed office? They make a nice pair of rides now don't they?

Oh, to be fair, Sarah Palin has a bus of her own as well. At least the American taxpayer did not pay for that one.

No wonder I'm not inclined to get excited about supporting politicians these days!

May God have mercy upon us all. God's peace. <><

Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, Fifth Avenue, NYC: Anglo-catholic worship that stirred my soul

2011-08-11T10:44:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday I had the genuine pleasure to worship at Saint Thomas, a magnificent Episcopal Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The mass was a Festal Eucharist in celebration of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the choral presentation was by the Saint Thomas Girls' Course joined by "the Gentlemen of the Choir." The Rev'd Andrew Mead, Rector, was the celebrant and Father John Andrew, Rector Emeritus, delivered the sermon, which focused both upon Jesus's Transfiguration and also the life and work of former Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey (noted for his writings on The Transfiguration).

This was a worship experience that I will long remember for I felt that I was experiencing the very presence of God as I was consumed by the spectacular architecture, the fragrance of incense, the stunning music, the solemn and reverent liturgical style and the presentation of God's holy word, both through the assigned readings from Holy Scripture and in the words of Father Andrew's sermon. And, if that was not enough, following mass, Saint Thomas' parish family (which to be a remarkably diverse group of people) was warm and inviting both in providing tours of the church, and in a time of fellowship in their parish hall and bookstore. Praise be to God!

As I sat in my pew seated next to my favorite person in this world gazing at the stunning altar, I found myself thinking of my own parish family back in Monroe, Louisiana and how very much alike our worship experience is to that found at Saint Thomas (save that our sanctuary is more modest and that our fellowship hour is not as well attended which is unfortunate, but then we don't have the benefit of tourists like me). Also, and to be fair, we do not have the ability to produce on the same scale the spectacular music provided at Saint Thomas, but what we do share in common with Saint Thomas is an adherence to traditional Anglo-catholic worship (through the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer) centered upon the teaching of Holy Scripture and offered in thanksgiving to the glory of Almighty God.

The ability to travel across the country, even to other parts of the world, and participate in a worship experience common to that which one knows at home is indeed one of the values often overlooked by Anglicans who are all too often mired in their consideration of the current political issues that continue to threaten us as a communion of churches united by a common faith and historic formula for a Book of Common Prayer. My prayer this day is that we will not lose sight of that very significant value of being Anglican, of being an Anglican family. My thanks to Saint Thomas Fifth Avenue for doing their part.

God's peace. <><

Consequences ...

2011-08-05T21:05:00.001-05:00

Actions produce consequences. Truth is truth. Today for the first time since Standard and Poor's began rating countries financial stability and strength (1941), the United States saw its credit rating downgraded from AAA to AA. I'm tempted to scream about the irresponsibility of the Obama Administration with regard to reckless and irresponsible spending, and make no mistake such screams would be well justified, but the screams would be unfair if limited to Mr. Obama. From Obama to Johnson, spending has been unrestrained and only lip-service to fiscal restraint has been offered by politicians, conservative and liberal alike (and yes, this even applies to our beloved Ronald Reagan). Spending for each of these administrations has only been improper if it was outside the scope of their particular desire to spend (or that of their constituency of the moment). Reap what ye sow ... well, we've sowed "bad seed" and now we reap briers and thorns.

Repentance applies (and matters) to secular values, financial values included, just as it does with regard to matters of the eternal and salvation. To us all then, let us hear clear the cry of John the Baptist, "REPENT"!

God's peace. <><

Honoring Betty Ford ...

2011-07-12T17:52:00.000-05:00

Former First Lady Betty Ford had died at age 93 and it is fitting that we pause to remember this warm, compassionate and passionate lady. May Betty Ford rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and may light perpetual shine upon her.

As I read an account of the first of two funeral services today (this one in Palm Desert, California where the Ford's retired), I was moved by two things: first, a poem that she chose to be read and secondly, that she selected two women to deliver eulogies with whom she was close even though she did not generally share their political views (the women are Rosalyn Carter, another former first lady and Cokie Roberts, a journalist and the daughter of former Democratic U. S. Representative Hale Boggs of Louisiana who served as the House Majority Leader while Gerald R. Ford was the Minority Leader).

The poem that Mrs. Ford selected is by Emily Dickinson entitled, "If I can stop one heart from breaking." This is a short poem, but one with a powerful message that seems to well reflect how Betty Ford chose to live her life. The poem calls each of us to the service of others with these words:

"If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain."

Betty Ford was a champion of service and a tireless advocate for causes about which she was passionate (cancer research and addiction treatment as examples), but she was also passionate about political civility. Her selection of the wife of the man who unseated her husband as President and the daughter of an old political foe were intentional and instructive. As I was reminded today reading the account of the California funeral service, Gerald and Betty Ford considered both the Carter's and the Boggs' to be their friends and because they were friends they were able to work through their political disagreements and reach compromises that advanced "the people's agenda." It was that message (you can disagree without being disagreeable)that Betty Ford wanted the political establishment in Washington (and throughout the country) to hear.

The world is no doubt a better place because Betty Ford passed this way. Thanks be to God!

God's peace. <><

Casey Anthony's Trial: Random thoughts; several perspectives

2011-07-09T22:47:00.001-05:00

Tuesday's verdict of not guilty for Casey Anthony from a unanimous Orlando, Florida jury has provoked much discussion in the media, at my office and at home. I started not to share any thoughts on this verdict and perhaps it would be wiser not to do so, but something is pulling me toward a comment and I am giving in to that force. However, before taking a look at this verdict and what message or messages may be taken from it, I pause for a bit of priority ordering and to remember the innocent child, Caylee, whose life was either lost in a tragic accident or taken from her through a homicide. May the soul of the departed, Caylee, rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and may light perpetual shine upon her.

I am going to look at this verdict and think out loud about it from three perspectives: first as a parent; second as a lawyer; and finally as a Christian. I am not really sure which perspective should come first and I do not believe that any is more important than the other. Suffice it to say that the order that I selected is a random one.

Having raised two beautiful girls and now being blessed with a wonderful grandson (and having suffered the loss of an infant almost 35 years ago), I find it hard to even imagine that a parent could ever take the life of their child, much less get my arms around the how of such an act. The love I have for my children, that I dare say all sane parents have for their children as core element of their humanity, is a love that would overcome any abhorrent thought of doing harm to someone that is a part of you. Yet it happens, parents do take the lives of their children and in order to make any sense of a parent killing their child I have concluded that when parents do such a horrific thing, they have crossed a line and entered into a state of insanity (here I do not refer to the legal definition of insanity, that is being unable to distinguish right from wrong, rather I refer to a medical definition of it, an unsoundness of mind; a mental condition marked by abnormality of the reasoning faculty, delusions, illusions, or hallucinations, with irresponsibility and a lack of understanding of the nature of one's senses and actions; lunacy; craziness [Stedman's Medical Dictionary].

What makes the Caylee Anthony death even harder to get my arms around is that it is her mother that was accused of taking her life. A mother's love is unconditional and absolutely unwavering. Anyone that doubts the truth of that statement has never seen a mother's protective instincts kick into action. I think the phrase "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" is actually misplaced for it far more aptly applies to the fury that a mother can, and in the case of a normal and sane mother, will, unleash upon anyone that seeks to harm her child (and without any regard for risk of harm to herself).  For me then, to have killed Caylee, Casey Anthony would have to have been insane and as such, so deluded that she simply did not recognize that she was killing her child. Taking that thought one step further, in order for Casey Anthony to have killed Caylee, she would have to have become something other than human, something of a monster (a Jekyll and Hyde image comes to mind).

As I ponder this thought of Casey Anthony murdering her child and whether any particular fact that I know about this case sheds any light on whether she did or did not commit the murderous act, I am drawn to the fact that she did not report that Caylee was missing.   In fact, for thirty-one days Casey Anthony told a series of lies to her parents about Caylee's whereabouts. It was Casey's mother who alerted police that she thought something was wrong (she reported that she hadn't seen Caylee for thirty-one days and was concerned because her daughter's car smelled as if a dead body had been stored in it.

We know now that Casey claims that Caylee drowned in a family swimming pool and that she, Casey, panicked and participated in a cover up to make Caylee's death appear to be a homicide   During the course of the police investigation that followed she told no less than four different stories about Caylee's disappearance and these lies formed the bases of the four charges for which Casey was convicted (providing false information to law enforcement).

Few people seem to buy Casey's story that Caylee drowned accidentally and that she simply panicked. It does not sound as though the jury bought it either and for the simple fact that such behavior is not consistent with the natural instincts and emotions of a sane mother.

I cannot accept the notion that a sane mother would be able to long cover up the death of her child. The shear weight of her guilt and the pain of her emotional loss, would be too much for her to endure. She would, I think, collapse under the pressure. She would need the cathartic release of guilt that could only come through acknowledging her negligence in not properly supervising and protecting her child.

Having said that neither would a sane Casey have been able to long cover up her daughter's accidental death. I cannot fathom a sane mother allowing even an hour to elapse without issuing an all points bulletin from the time that she realized that her child was missing. The inescapable conclusion that I am compelled to reach is that Casey knew that Caylee was dead and was willing for her parents and for the rest of the world to believe that Caylee had been the victim of another's homicidal act. As a parent I am disgusted, angered and heart sick. My instinct is to say that there is no punishment that would have been too severe for her. The thought that she will not face any legal punishment is sickening but regretfully is a reality of imperfect human legal system.  I do not attempt to make sense of what happened and instead gain relief by thinking back to Calvary and our Lord nailed to a cross, the only perfect and sinless man to ever walk the earth crucified because of two other flawed human institutions, the Jewish religious establishment and the pagan Roman empire, and by remembering his words, "Father forgive them for they no not what they do." Caylee most likely would utter similar words.

Viewing this case and the ultimate verdict as an attorney I am not particularly surprised by the result. When I first heard of this case and saw Casey Anthony I commented to a number of people that if this girl is guilty, there's a good chance that she'll get off. Why? Certainly not because the jury would necessarily believe whatever story her defense team may ultimately embrace and seek to sell, but rather because they would not want to believe that a mother would kill her own child. Besides that, she looked so sweet, so innocent. They simply would not be able to bring themselves to either put her to death or "away."

My initial reaction may have played a role in the jury verdict, but I do not think that it was the whole story. I genuinely believe that they did not feel that the prosecution had proved the case. After all, there was not one shred of evidence as to why Caylee died. Never mind how she died, if you can't identify a reason for death it becomes very problematic for a prosecutor to establish that a homicide was committed. And, for better or worse, in our world where everyone with a television has been exposed to CSI and now believes that forensic science has an answer for everything, if "the experts" cannot come to a decision as to a cause of death, then "reasonable doubt" exists. Nothing could be farther from the truth but if the jury believes it, then it is reality. Sad, but reality!

Finally, as a Christian, I am more at ease than I am from either of the other two perspectives from which I have viewed Caylee's death and the not guilty verdict in Casey's trial. Our human system of justice is imperfect, but God's righteous justice is perfect and good and always right. If Casey Antony killed Caylee then, in God's good time, Casey will answer for what she has done. As difficult as it is for my human mind to understand, I know that I must trust that this too is part of God's plan.

Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

God's peace. <><

Independence Day 2011: Four Words Say It All ...

2011-07-04T11:23:00.000-05:00

Funny how we sometimes spend a lot of time trying to discern a profound message for a day that we recognize as a nation, or church, or family or group or even as individuals to be of importance and significance. Such is the case with our American "Independence Day."

As I read the Collect (of The Episcopal Church) for this day and pondered those words paying special attention to the fact that our founders won liberty "for themselves and us" in the name of the Lord God Almighty, I smiled and came to the realization that as a nation we long ago identified four words that sum up what we as Americans must always remember and honor. What four words you say?

In God We Trust

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! God's peace. <><

Words Matter ...

2011-07-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

No doubt you've heard it said that it often does not matter so much what you say, but rather how you say it. Words are indeed powerful things and how we use them can make all the difference in our lives. Our words can be used positively to accomplish much good or we can be careless with them, or use them with malice, and cause much hurt and pain.

A friend sent this video today that addresses this subject beautifully and I share it here. Consider today the power of words and particularly the potential to use them positively and for good. We are charged by God to be good stewards of the multitude of gifts that He has graciously bestowed upon us; let us be good stewards of our words.

God's peace. <><

The Seven Deadly Sins Are Alive And Well ... Rep. Anthony Weiner, Case In Point ...

2011-06-16T10:24:00.001-05:00

Some may think this an odd post, what with my crafting a comment around the seven deadly sins and the fall of yet another member of the United States Congress. Actually though it provides a nice opportunity for me to use Rep. Weiner's having succumbed to the greatest of those deadly sins, pride (and one of its most frequently seen subsets, hubris) in order to remind Christians of the spiritual imperative for us to remain steadfast in retaining the inclusion of a formal "confession of sins" not only within our corporate worship, but as part of the daily prayer life of each of us individually.

At least within The Episcopal Church, and I suspect within many of the so-called "mainline churches", there is a modern tendency (desire) to focus on God's love and what I think is a false belief that because Christ died for us to atone for the "sin of the world" that there is no longer a need to focus on human sin or offer confession for it. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Sin is alive and well and very active indeed in our world and none of us are immune from its reach. I am reminded of these words from 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Let us therefore confess our sins against God and our neighbor: "Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved thee with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in thy will, and walk in thy ways, to the glory of thy Name. Amen. BCP, 331.

God's peace. <><

Today is Flag Day ...

2011-06-14T10:08:00.002-05:00

The United States does not have a king or queen and therefore has no crowns or royal family, no crests nor any coats of arms that serve as our national identity. For Americans, our flag is the outward and visible sign of our union to the world. We Americans lovingly refer to our flag as "Old Glory" and when she passes before us we pause, remove our hats and place our hands over our hearts (or we should) and are moved with love and pride (or should be).

God has blessed America and on this flag day, may Americans of all colors, creeds and ethnic backgrounds pause to honor our flag and give praise and thanks to Almighty God for this land of plenty and freedom. Long may she wave!

God's peace. <><

While there is still time, give your life to God ...

2011-05-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

We spend a lot of time these days arguing about the "how to's" of religion and what exactly "the faith" is to which Saint Jude refers (Jude 1:3). Unfortunately, as we argue with our fellow Christians over who is right and who is wrong with regard to the "how to's", many in this post modern and post Christian secular world of ours simply close their minds and hearts to God and, without realizing the significance of what they are doing, condemn themselves to eternal damnation (an existence for all eternity outside the presence of God). Yes, I refer to the dreaded "H" word: HELL.

For today at least I am going to simplify the message just a bit and opt to set the "how to's" aside and instead focus on that which is really important, the exercise of one's free will and the opening of one's heart and mind and ultimately, one's soul, to God; in short, giving oneself to God.

I am sure that many have seen a little rap sermon by Tamara Lowe using the rap medium as a means of reaching today's youth. This certainly is not my way to evangelize but if you take the minute and a half that it takes to listen, I suggest that there is little doubt that what she says is in keeping with our Lord's command in Matthew 28:19 to take the gospel to the nations and to make them disciples of God, through Christ. Give it a listen:

God's peace. <><

Forever LSU ...

2011-05-05T10:22:00.000-05:00

Every so often something comes to me that I am compelled to share and as one who truly loves the Fighting Tigers of LSU (and that is something much bigger than just football), this is one of those share items. LSU is known by many as the "OLE WAR SKULE" and for generations of Louisianians, the stately oaks and broad magnolias of the Baton Rouge campus are indeed sacred and hallowed grounds. Once exposed to Tiger fever, one is forever in its grip. As if bitten by a vampire and converted from an ordinary mortal, the Tiger faithful are a breed apart from all others: WE BLEED PURPLE AND GOLD!

LSU football is a big part of "Tiger fever" and for those who already know LSU, I think that you will enjoy this video. For those who do not, but who are willing to risk taking a look and catching the fever, sit back and see for yourself why Tigers proudly proclaim, "FOREVER, LSU"!!

God's peace. <><

The National Day of Prayer ...

2011-05-05T06:24:00.000-05:00

Prayer, our opportunity to make our petitions to our heavenly father and more importantly, the vehicle through which we will discern and receive God's will and response to our petitions, is indeed worthy of a day set aside to call us into a state of personal interaction with God.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prayed for the unity or "oneness" of humankind with God as Jesus and God were one; and charged his apostles (and consequently all of "the faithful") to spread his gospel (the good news of salvation through God's grace and the belief that God, through Christ, provides redemption and salvation for all that believe). On this national day of prayer let us honor and live into Christ's charge and faithfully seek to do as Christ did.

Let us pray:

Lord and Father; our King and God, conform our lives to the image of Christ, that our hearts may love you, our minds serve you, and our lips proclaim the greatness of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who promised to be amongst us when any two or more gather in his name and who taught us to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done, on earth as it is in

heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass

against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

God's peace. <><

The Lenten Journey Completed ... Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia ...

2011-04-24T12:17:00.000-05:00

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All praise and thanks be to God our Father. Enjoy a happy and blessed Easter.

God's peace, always. <><

The Lenten Journey Continues ... Agony Before Glory, part II ... Good Friday ... A Time to Tremble, Tremble, Tremble ...

2011-04-22T08:27:00.000-05:00

For this Good Friday, and though we were not there but must always remember that Salvation albeit a free gift of God's grace did not, and does not, come without a price paid, let us pause, allow ourselves to remember that which Holy Scripture has taught us is true and pray together the concluding prayer from the Good Friday service, page 282, The Book of Common Prayer:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross and death between your judgment and our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

The Lenten journey continues ... Thanks be to God!

God's peace. <><

The Lenten Journey Continues ... A Maundy Thursday Reflection ...

2011-04-21T06:09:00.000-05:00

Today I share a reflection for this day that I wrote for our parish Lenten devotional book and offer it to God's glory and with humble thanks for his immeasurable love and grace.

Each year on Maundy Thursday as we gather for a final celebration of the Holy Eucharist until Saturday evening at sundown when we gather for The Great Vigil and the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection, I am reminded of the enormity of event that is about to occur. God himself has taken human form in the person of his Son Jesus, the Christ, and has, up close and personally, revealed himself to his people and taken them by the hand to teach them something of what his holiness looks like (the Word has become flesh and walked among mankind). God has done this in order to reclaim his people from the bondage of sin (a life outside his holy presence) and provide for them a path, which, if followed, will lead them to salvation and a new life free from sin (a life eternally in his presence).

On that first Maundy Thursday God, through Jesus, provided the foundation for what the Church now celebrates as the Holy Eucharist. He made the connection between his body and the bread which he broke, ate and distributed to them and also between his blood and the wine which he drank and passed around the room for them to drink and in very powerful words established a new covenant with mankind saying, “… this is my body, … this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many …” and then solemnly told them that the time for his sacrifice was at hand, “… I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Today, two thousand years later, what was established in that simple room in Jerusalem symbolizes for the Church, that which unifies us as the followers of the Christ, our oneness with him and with God though our fellowship of the body and the blood.

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

May we pray together using the words of the Collect for Maundy Thursday:

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lenten journey continues ...

God's peace. <><

The Lenten Journey Continues ... Agony Before Glory ...

2011-04-20T12:38:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday our interim priest noted in his sermon an unfortunate truth about the tendency of too many modern Christians to jump directly from Jesus' Palm Sunday joyful entrance into Jerusalem to the glory of the empty tomb and a celebration of Christ's resurection from the dead (he described it as jumping from peak to peak). Of course the problem with "peak jumping" is that we forget that there are also valley's from which we must climb in order to reach the next peak.

Mel Gibson's much discussed dramatization of Christ's Passion vividly depicts one of the valley's of our Lenten journey through Holy Week. Though painful to experience, I invite you into the valley. Without experiencing the valley's there is simply no way to understand or appreciate the peaks, or Jesus' call to each of us to die unto ourselves and be born again in Him.

The Lenten journey continues ...

God's peace. <><

The Lenten Journey Continues ... Holy Week Begins ... Christ's Passion Unfolds ... Still Listening For God's Soft Voice ... His Call For Common Supplication ...

2011-04-20T06:32:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday we celebrated Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem hailed as a king but knowing full well that he was not to receive a royal reception from "the Establishment", Jewish or Roman. In fact his reception would be a resounding rejection by "the people" and "the authorities" and would include not only a betrayal by one of his own disciples for "thirty pieces of silver"; his denial by the one whom Jesus called "the Rock" and the one upon whom he would build his church; but his torture and human death after being nailed to a wooden cross on Calvary hill.

When we began this Lenten journey I noted that for me this year's journey would have a special focus and said:

"For me the Lenten journey of 2011 will focus on resolving a conflict with which I have been struggling. I shall seek God's grace in helping me to determine what it means to be in a Christian communion, what it means to be, as the 1928 Prayer Book says in the invitation to Holy Communion, "in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life...", and how I am to approach the concept of "defending the faith" delivered once for all to the Saints (Jude 1:3)."

We have reached Holy Wednesday and are about to witness again the agony of Christ's human death. As my thoughts turn to the horror of the hours following his willing surrender in the Garden through his exclamation, "It is finished, Father into thy hands I commit my spirit," as he died upon the hard, cold wood of the cross, I hear over and over two words that Jesus repeatedly spoke to those to whom he spoke or encountered: "follow me."

Is the answer to my Lenten focus to be found in those words: "follow me"? Perhaps so.

I was moved by much contained in today's daily office and now quote that which moved me the most as I think these inspired words from Holy Scripture and from our Book of Common Prayer, provide guidance for me. Consider the following:

Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

A Reading from Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.

A Reading from Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A Collect for Peace

God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for Mission

God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Benediction from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (3:20-21)

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.

Christ's mission to his disciples delivered at his ascension (Matthew 28:19) was to spread the gospel of salvation through belief in God through his mercy in sending his Son to be the salvation of the world. Our mission is, therefore, simply to follow him.

The Lenten journey continues ...

God's peace. <><

The Lenten Journey Continues ... ++ Williams' Reflections on Lent ... Lent is about new life springing forth from death ...

2011-04-05T13:07:00.000-05:00

A worthwhile use of three minutes of your time as we reach the mid-point of our 2011 journey ...

The Archbishop of Canturbery reflects on the origin and meaning of Lent:

The Lenten journey continues ...

God's peace. <><

The Lenten Journey Continues ... Come to the Light ...

2011-03-30T06:22:00.001-05:00

Today Saint John and the psalmist capture both the ultimate joy of making and completing the Lenten journey and reveal the secret to a successful sojourn:

“Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path.” Psalm 119:105 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

There is really not much more that one need say. We are “sinners all”, lost sheep in need of repentance and redemption. In a word, we need to find Jesus and walking with and led by him and through God's grace, come into the presence of God the Father. The Church’s Collect for Mission seems appropriate this morning, as does the 19th Century hymn, “Just As I Am.”

“God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

“Just As I Am”

Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,