The 14th century English phrase "Patience is a virtue" is believed to stem from the much older Latin, "Maxima enim, patientia virtus," -- "Patience is the greatest virtue." But, in English or Latin, the core lesson of these maxims has eluded me for much of my life. Not that I don't understand that patience is … Continue reading The rewards of patience
Ministry
Hope beyond the empty room
I was warned about this. The sudden, unexpected empty feeling in the pit of the stomach. The numb grief. The self-doubt and regret. I was warned about all of it. When we started a small nursing home ministry almost two years ago, our priest, Fr. John, warned us. And, on each new occurrence, he's been … Continue reading Hope beyond the empty room
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?
Stephen Ministry: Expanding the church’s reach
ENID, Okla. — “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” That verse, Galatians 6:2, describes the Stephen Ministries mission to organize and train lay ministers to “provide one-to-one Christian care to hurting people in and around the congregation,” the group’s website states. Stephen Ministries is a group … Continue reading Stephen Ministry: Expanding the church’s reach
The life and ministry of Christ
The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ These synopses were written for an ongoing project at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla. to recall the Biblical messages and symbolism behind the church's stained glass and art work. These are works of art, but the messages behind the glass are far more precious than any … Continue reading The life and ministry of Christ
Its name is love
I was very honored today to deliver a sermon on Christian unity, below, at the historic St. Stephen AME Church in Enid, Oklahoma. We had six ministers, including myself, preach on Matthew 24:14 in this ecumenical service. For a budding Episcopal lay preacher to have the opportunity to preach alongside pastors who have been in … Continue reading Its name is love
Praise in faith
I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2 NRSV This passage is the beginning of a beautiful psalm in which David praises God for saving him from a terrible illness. David, who felt … Continue reading Praise in faith
The gift of purpose
If you’re like me at all, you may struggle from time to time to find a deeper meaning in your daily work – a purpose in the daily grind that serves a cause much greater than our own self-interest. I think most of us want to know that our work is serving something greater … Continue reading The gift of purpose
Embracing change to build up Christ’s church
For most active Christians, church offers benefits that go beyond the spiritual provisions of regular worship attendance. Church provides a haven into which we can withdraw, where we are surrounded by our church family and a very comforting sense of familiarity. It is a solid, unwavering foundation in a stressful, ever-shifting world. This sense of … Continue reading Embracing change to build up Christ’s church
The Gifts of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NRSV: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” When we think of sharing the Gospel we usually think of active, if … Continue reading The Gifts of the Spirit
