“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4b-5 This scene occurs immediately before the Ascension, and Jesus is telling the apostles to wait patiently … Continue reading Waiting in joy and praise
Faith
The light of life
Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because … Continue reading The light of life
Seeing with the eyes of the heart
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19 St. Paul tells us to look with eyes of the heart, and to see nothing … Continue reading Seeing with the eyes of the heart
The banks of the Jordan
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 Moses is speaking to the Israelites, reassuring them as he prepares to hand over leadership to Joshua. He knows he soon will die, and the Israelites must go on without him, … Continue reading The banks of the Jordan
A prayer for oneness
All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be … Continue reading A prayer for oneness
Two thoughts…
Two thoughts and a prayer for today: 1. Jesus was an Arab, a Palestinian and a Jew. 2. If we're to follow Christ we must love our neighbor as God loves us; we must see Christ in all people; we must see the infinite worth of every human life as the image of God. Prayer: … Continue reading Two thoughts…
Ascension: bringing the Incarnation full-circle
Thursday was Ascension Day, one of the most important and yet least celebrated events in the broader Church calendar. We’ve just had Easter — the celebration of our Lord’s bodily Resurrection. The grave and sin were conquered. Then, we had 40 days to walk with the risen Lord through the Easter season, until the Gospel … Continue reading Ascension: bringing the Incarnation full-circle
Truth and reconciliation … one small act of love at a time
I normally wouldn’t advise seeking wisdom on Facebook. It’s become a trash soup of hate mongering, clickbait and fake news trolls — all mixed in with the cat videos and actual news we all want to see. But, if you use a fine enough sieve, you can still find some gems of wisdom in the … Continue reading Truth and reconciliation … one small act of love at a time
Crying out in the wilderness — a reflection on love
Wednesday was the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, which gives us a good opportunity to pause and reflect on the meaning of evangelism, and how we are meant to evangelize. First off, let's dispel with any perceived differences around the term "Evangelical Christianity," and the socio-political implications of that phrase. Wherever you fall in … Continue reading Crying out in the wilderness — a reflection on love
Finding our identity in Christ
This post originally was delivered as a sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Okla., Sunday, 15 April, 2018. Readings are from the Revised Common Lectionary Year B. Mr. Ralph Alsman, of Brookville, Ind., was by most standards an unremarkable man. The 25 year-old man led a fairly normal … Continue reading Finding our identity in Christ
