This lay sermon originally was delivered at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Oklahoma, for the Service of Noonday Prayers, Wednesday, 09 January, 2019. “You have one business on earth – to save souls.” That quote from the well-known Anglican priest, John Wesley, captures the essence of today's message. We're here to talk about missions, our … Continue reading Finding your mission field — hint, it’s right now, right where you are
Episcopal
Carrying the Light: A reflection on St. Lucy and Thomas Merton
The following was delivered as a sermon for Noonday Prayers, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Oklahoma. What do a 4th Century Italian maiden and a 20th Century Trappist monk from Kentucky have in common? That is an odd question. But, since today falls between feast days, I found myself going … Continue reading Carrying the Light: A reflection on St. Lucy and Thomas Merton
Grace that won’t be shaken
“'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 Ancient peoples often attributed natural disasters, including earthquakes, to the power of angry gods. Anger the gods, the … Continue reading Grace that won’t be shaken
A taste sweeter than honey
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Psalm 119:103-104 “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” That quote from the 1958 film “Auntie Mame” could apply to the state of Christianity today. Faith … Continue reading A taste sweeter than honey
Finding grace in the vineyard
“’Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew … Continue reading Finding grace in the vineyard
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
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
Pedaling for peace and unity
ENID, Okla. — A Catholic monk made a stop in Enid Sunday on a cross-country cycling tour to promote Christian unity and collect prayers for a display in Washington, D.C. Brother Lawrence Chase, who describes himself as "the bicycling friar," began the American Faith Unity cycling tour last summer in Virginia and hopes to complete … Continue reading Pedaling for peace and unity
Answering the call: How can we say ‘Yes’ to God today?
I had the pleasure Tuesday of interviewing Pastor Billy Benson at Garland Road Baptist Church in Enid, Oklahoma. My favorite part of these clergy interviews is hearing how they discerned their call to ministry, and the path toward surrendering to that call. Benson was called as a teen, during an altar call at Falls Creek, … Continue reading Answering the call: How can we say ‘Yes’ to God today?
