Tag Archives: fellowship

At Home

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“…in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.”  2 Peter 3:11-18  I recently spent several days at a clergy conference which, except for the struggle with getting internet access that I needed, was very rewarding. At the most, the longest I like to stay away is 4 days. After that I begin longing for home. It’s the one place where I find everything I need (not want). Church for some is like being away, when it should be more like being at home. While there, you won’t always have everything you want, but you should always find everything you need. For me it’s the presence of the Spirit of God, genuine fellowship and mutual love.

Breaking Bread

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As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.  Luke 24:13-35

One of the things I liked most about visiting my grandmother was the meals. I could always count on sitting down at her kitchen table to have a meal with her. It was a necessary part of the visit. So much was shared. When it was time to go a new part of her life had been revealed; some piece of information that I had not known before. What was especially nice was that it wasn’t just a part of her but now because I have this information it is part of me as well. Eucharist (Communion) for me is more than just breaking bread it is Christ revealing himself and nurturing me in a way that lets me know that he is with me no matter what. Everyday he sustains my life. Hallelujah Christ is risen indeed!

Don’t Take It Personal

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I beg of you…, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. Gal. 4:12-20  Paul may have been disappointed, but I don’t believe that he took it personal when the Galatians became persuaded by the Jews to follow ceremonial laws over their relationship to Christ in faith.

This past Sunday I forgot to put on my chasuble (sleeveless outer garment) for the Eucharist. It wasn’t until after the service that I had even recognized the fact that I did not put it on. It happens on occasion and I don’t generally think much about it because it really has nothing to do with the celebration of communion. It’s a man-made addition to the ceremony, in which no one else but the priest gets dressed for the feast, thus simply setting the priest a apart, for which in the Episcopal Church, only the priest can do.  However, I often wonder what members of the congregation may be thinking. I wonder if some take offense because somehow being “set apart” with traditions and rituals puts things in perspective for them. I truly enjoy the traditions of my church. As a priest I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve God in the way his people have raised me up to serve. But the reality is that I too am apart of the congregation. What we do together is about life in the spirit which comes from within us. I believe that all of the external things that we do are for our own sake but our relationship with God is about our praise, worship and love for him and our love for one another, not what we look like or do, what we wear, or our gifts. It’s about our faith.

Liebster Award

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Saturday: 

Today I would like to give a special thank you to Don Merritt author of Life Reference blog, for nominating me for the Liebster Award. For this, I am very grateful and pleasantly surprised. Simply writing from the heart is itself a reward. When someone recognizes you it is a double blessing. Life Reference is a wonderful blog I have had the pleasure of reading and has inspired me many times over. I encourage all readers to visit his blog because Life Reference is Christ centered with a perspective in everyday life. I am now given the opportunity to recommend other blogs in addition to Life Reference, http://lifereference.wordpress.com/ which have also inspired me and are well worth this same award.

Requirements for this elaborate award are: Bring to light the person who nominates you by thanking them for all to see. Post on your site the wonderful Liebster Award stamp.  Find 5 of your blogging friends to nominate who have less than 200 followers but deserve to be recognized with Praise!  List them so others will find their blogs and read them.  Oh and don’t forget to let them know they have been nominated.
Please check out my nominations, visit their blogs and say hello.

It gives me great pleasure to nominate the following 5 blogs, which have wonderful insight for all seekers. I sincerely encourage you to visit their web-sights and you will see what I mean. Together we can spread The Word!

1) http://teacakebytsmurphy.blogspot.com/ She doesn’t write often but when she does it is very thoughtful and inspiring.

2) http://trusting2.wordpress.com/  This blog focuses on our relationship with Christ, a very nice Christian insight.

3) http://lostpineschurchofchrist.wordpress.com/  I like the theme; reconciliation in Christian life, and scripture.

4) http://dehypnotize.wordpress.com/  This is a blog that addresses the issues of communication in relationships in everyday life wonders and experience.

5) http://blogwithadiff.wordpress.com/  I wonder what God taught me today. The title says it all