The Second Coming

On this the first Sunday in Advent, Charlie touched on several themes. Some of these we have heard before (such as the voices of the Prophets coming from left field). He again took a shot at individulism, and I have to fire back. The Episcopal Church is standing on shakey ground if it tries to be the voice of prophesy. It can't point it's finger and say "do this," or "don't do that," until it gets it's act together. Until then, we individuals need to keep thinking, and talking since we are the Church. Will the Episcopal Church expire before me? Will there be a second coming of the Episcopal Church? The end of the world or the Apocalypse may be further in the future, but as an individual, I am facing "the Day of the Lord" or "the second coming" when I anticipate my own time of death. All this serious stuff can make my head spin, and when that happens, it is time to look to Bethlehem, clear my mind and focus on the promise of God's Gift to us. If we all do, maybe then we will use God's Gift as Charlie suggests, to create the promised land ourselves (my words not his).

christian Bloggers?

We were invited to link to this site. I still think we should be using a little "c" as we are all trying to be Christian, and none on earth can lay claim to a capital "C."

Prayers for Intercession

I enjoyed Bobby's sermon on prayer. Jesus' example shows me that you don't really need God to intervene in the affairs of life if you have faith that He is here at all times and in all things. Still, when faced with life's most difficult events, I can't help but hope He changes things to my favor. I need to remember the prayer Jesus never said. If I do, I won't pray for 12 legions of angels, or even a winning lottery ticket, to bail me out of a jam. Instead, I shall be still and cede control over to God, instead of asking him to intercede.

The End Times for Fundamentalists

Woe be to thee, thou fundamentalists and worshippers of the Books of Daniel and Revelation! The End Times are here. Charlie has said the final word for your hopes and dreams of the extermination of life on earth. Since it hasn't happened in 2000 years, "It ain't gonna happen." And that is final, end of lecture, so let's get on with the Lord's work. The epitome of hope for the future is the Baptism of an infant as we saw today. We will, with God's help, guide this child to a life in Christ, with all it's promise for a future, rather than a misguided dream for the end of the world.

New Link

Lowell provides another good service in his Preview of Sunday's Lessons. He gives some questions you may want to ponder (especially if the sermon is ponderous). See the "Links" in the sidebar.

Of Scouts and Widows

Do any of you detect a trend in Mary Kat's sermons? It may be just the coincidence of the Lessons on any particular Sunday that she has to deal with the feminine side of the Bible. Two Lessons with widows! There is a connection with the Boy Scouts that she missed (she probably was not a Boy Scout). I enjoyed the Eagle Scout ceremony today. I am happy for Travis and Sandra and Tim. I wanted to point out that proverbial scout who helped the little old lady across the street. I just have to imagine her as a widow too, and the scout did not ask for her to get him a drink or some bread. The scout would take no payment. Jesus was also a champion of the poor, the outcast, the sick, and the friendless. When scouting is done right, young men are raised with these values in mind and can become champions themselves.

All Souls

At today's service we were blessed with the opportunity to read names of some of our beloved dead. During the sermon Charlie said that no one had ever complained about the length of the list. I regard that as a direct challenge. Don't get me wrong, the reading is an important part of our community, but it was too long. I remember as a child feeling guilty when I restricted my prayers for those killed in Vietnam. Shouldn't I be remembering all who have died? Should I pray for those who died today? Or maybe yesterday, or just in the past year? Of the billions of souls who precede me in death, should any be singled out for special attention? I have never contributed a name to the list read in Church although I continue to pray aloud with the rest of you and silently for those whom I have known personally. I may be the only one who feels this way, and I respect the 99.9% of parishioners who desire a communal prayer for their blessed departed. When I die, don't put me on the list to be read aloud. Consider it my parting gift: a shorter list.