As we continue our internal journey in Lent -- our journey of penitence, of turning toward God -- it is essential we wrestle with the question of sin, of the devil's persistence in pursuing us and how we're taught to overcome temptation. I write this as a sinner, constantly tempted and often failing in the … Continue reading Sweatin’ in the desert of temptation
Prayer
Lent: Not an end unto itself, but a call to greater action
Most of us start Lent asking ourselves, or being asked, “What will you give up?” This act of giving something up – a favorite food, a frivolous pastime or common distraction – is all many people know of Lent. At the heart of Lent is the effort to identify those aspects of our lives that … Continue reading Lent: Not an end unto itself, but a call to greater action
Finding your mission field — hint, it’s right now, right where you are
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
All will pass, except The Word
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 We often think of living in two planes: earth in this life; heaven in the next. Jesus calls our attention away from this dichotomy, away from the linear progression from earth to heaven. Jesus calls us to an eternal message that spans … Continue reading All will pass, except The Word
Praying their names
A reflection in prayer on the victims from Tree of Life On Sunday our nation learned the names of the 11 victims claimed in our nation’s latest round of senseless, hate-driven gun violence. An anti-Semite, armed with an AR-15 rifle and three handguns, murdered our brothers and sisters while they were worshiping and celebrating the … Continue reading Praying their names
Singing praises in the tough times
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:1-4 Sometimes it’s easier than others to … Continue reading Singing praises in the tough times
Who’s supposed to build the kingdom?
As Christians, there’s very little we could do with our time that is more important than prayer. At some point we must get off our knees and enact that which we find in our conversations with God. But, without that prayerful guidance, the work of our hands, hearts and tongues can be aimless, even counterproductive … Continue reading Who’s supposed to build the kingdom?
God’s will above all
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
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
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
