If you're familiar with the Episcopal Church, or certainly if you are an Episcopalian, you probably have heard that we're the church that reads to God. From collects and psalms to Scripture and the prayers of the saints, our services are dominated by reading aloud our devotion to God. Naturally, we all find favorite prayers, … Continue reading God’s will above all
Climbing out of Sheol
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:1-4 Jews of the Old Testament lived constantly … Continue reading Climbing out of Sheol
Political expedience is no reason to ignore rape
This piece originally was published as an opinion column in the Enid News & Eagle on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. Our national attention once again is captivated by the all-too-predictable pattern of hypocrisy and chicanery that surfaces when a woman makes an accusation against a powerful man in America. First, let’s settle one point: … Continue reading Political expedience is no reason to ignore rape
Finding faith at the headsman’s block
An exploration of faith symbolism in Vladimir Nabokov's "Invitation to a Beheading" If I had intentionally sought to write a piece on faith imagery in literature, Vladimir Nabokov would not have been my first choice. It’s unlikely he would have made it into the top ten. C. S. Lewis is the obvious choice, and a … Continue reading Finding faith at the headsman’s block
The way of the cross — The way of Love
Today is the Feast of the Holy Cross, Triumph of the Cross or Exaltation of the Holy Cross — recognized respectively in the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox (Sept. 27) traditions as a day to reflect on the meaning of the cross. As Christians, regardless of denomination, the cross carries easily-recognized significance. It is our … Continue reading The way of the cross — The way of Love
Unity requires an honest view of history
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 will mark the 125th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land Run, the largest land run in history. The following post is a reprint of a column originally published Sept. 14, 2018 in the Enid News & Eagle in Enid, Oklahoma. “History is the version of past events that people have decided … Continue reading Unity requires an honest view of history
Duty requires courage, not skulking in the darkness of anonymity
Democracy dies in darkness. The New York Times should have read that bit of wisdom on the masthead of its rival, The Washington Post, before publishing Wednesday an anonymous op-ed from a senior White House official “working diligently from within to frustrate parts of (President Trump’s) agenda and his worst inclinations.” The unnamed official claimed to be protecting America from … Continue reading Duty requires courage, not skulking in the darkness of anonymity
Set down your yoke, through grace
“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:10-11 This passage recalls an encounter between two … Continue reading Set down your yoke, through grace
Anointing ourselves in unity
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even … Continue reading Anointing ourselves in unity
‘A generational fight’ — Protest organizer recalls desegregating Enid restaurants
This post originally ran as an article in the Sept. 4, 2018 edition of the Enid News & Eagle. It is the third article in a three-part series on sit-in protests and restaurant desegregation in Enid, Oklahoma. ENID, Okla. — On Sept. 4, 1958, 60 years ago today, Enid restaurant owners concluded a meeting with … Continue reading ‘A generational fight’ — Protest organizer recalls desegregating Enid restaurants
