The Catbird Seat

Considering the Almighty

2012-01-22T22:23:00.002-05:00

Its about Him.

Launching Anno Domini 2012

2012-01-08T21:28:00.002-05:00

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of [fn]the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2012

2012-01-01T00:34:00.001-05:00

It Begins.

Flight 2011 Reports the Runway in Sight

2011-12-31T21:00:00.001-05:00

2011 is less than two and a half hours from crossing the runway into the history books. I'm not entirely jazzed about becoming another year older, but I am happy to see this year in the rear view mirror.

On the Feast of the Holy Innocents

2011-12-28T11:25:00.003-05:00

The Feast of the Holy Innocents, this was always the scary component of the Christmas Story for me as a child. Thinking that a madman could order the killing of all little boys in a region was the stuff of dark nightmares. As I grew, I wondered why this account wasn't splashed across the history books as a moment of infamy, this changed when I learned more of the scarlet character of the Idumean pretender to the throne of David.

To be succinct and without the benefit of a degree in Psychology, I can simply state that Herod was bat-scat crazy. This puppet king's paranoia was off the map, and anyone whom he perceived as a threat to his tenuous grasp of power was dead meat. He left a blood trail that was wide and deep, so much so that a few dozen little boys in Bethlehem would be little more than a footnote in the bigger picture.

For John Bull and our Cousins

2011-12-26T18:23:00.001-05:00

For our Cousins, the LORD wrap himself around you!

On the Winter's Solstice

2011-12-22T06:57:00.001-05:00

A Little Loreena on Winter's first morning.

AG Opens new front in War on the Republic

2011-12-22T06:41:00.000-05:00

In an apparent effort to ensure that "Occupy 1600" continues by "whatever means necessary", AGUS Eric Holder is opening up a new front on the Republic, one that will rupture a sewer pipe, spewing corruption and voter fraud across the 2012 election landscape.

The Morning After a Dental Procedure

2011-12-17T05:14:00.001-05:00

I Had a brand new experience yesterday in the comfort of a Dentist's chaise lounge yesterday evening, centering on the extraction of the upper-right #2 molar. If a song says it all in describing that procedure, I'd say it would be owned by Verdi's Anvil Chorus, or Coro di zingari, from his opera Il trovatore.

An Advent Musical Meditation

2011-12-14T06:34:00.003-05:00

I loved this song back in the day as it was a nugget of gold in an otherwise sea of fluffy Christian kitsch. Would that we could wake every morning with the sense of Advent within our hearts.

On a Sunday in Advent

2011-12-11T22:52:00.001-05:00

Most obscure Christmas Song -- Winner!

2011-12-10T13:03:00.002-05:00

Our Celebration Seniors had their Christmas Luncheon this week at the rectory and all who made the event had a great time. A trivia game was played where contestants had to guess the titles of songs that were "restated" (e.g. "Those who are true may approach" = "O come all ye faithful"). Well, among the titles was "Suzanne, the frigid drip, draws nigh".

I don't remember ever hearing Rosemary Clooney's Suzy Snowflake and such, it's been awarded The Catbird Seat's Melodia Obscura prize for 2011.

NIMBY down at Trinity Wall Street

2011-12-10T07:05:00.001-05:00

When Occupy Wall Street (OWS) broke on the scene, they were warmly endorsed by many great institutions and individuals such as the American Nazi party, former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, Hamas, Nancy Pelosi and POTUS B.H. Obama. True to their DNA and predictably, the Episcopal Church gave its endorsement to this collage of public defecators and dope smokers. Apparently, endorsements wear out the moment the endorsees bring their droppings and dope smoke over to your house.

After loosing the good will of Mr. Bloomberg and having to clear out of Zucotti Park, the OWS kids decided to squat on Duarte Square, land owed by Trinity Wall Street (TWS). This led to their immediate removal by the NYPD. The crew returned, only to be arrested again. Trinity has released a Statement justifying their actions.

Being liberal doesn't automatically bequeath being unwise; the leadership of TWS saw the disaster left at Zucotti by the protesters and had no desire to see their property defiled.

Phil Ashey Opines

2011-12-08T06:35:00.001-05:00

Phil Ashey+ has provided some gratis gravitas for us in his weekly perspective on the continuing state of affairs in S. Carolina.

The Bishops involved in this state that they're simply following the mandates of Matthew 18 in dealing with an "erring brother". In this passage, Christ instructs his disciples that if in the end, if a brother not listen, he's to be treated as a pagan. If this is the case and these bishops follow the paradigm of the Episcopal church, They'll have no recourse but to make +Mark Lawrence either a seminary Dean or have him stand for the office of PB. OK, all snark aside and back to serious reflection.

This Bishops have, in fact, not moved in the spirit of Matthew 18. In the admonition, there is a clear crescendo of action that begins personally and privately before becoming a matter of public (church) concern. Our concerned Bishops have made their "concern" a very public matter in the form of their press releases. In light of this, one has to wonder if this has entered a new phase, one of "war by proxy"?

Funny, I've had more folk tell me that I could pass for Phil's+ younger brother... an honor indeed.

Wednesday Night Reverie

2011-12-07T22:28:00.001-05:00

An absolutely cool song about a totally nerdy game...

I Believe in Saint Nick

2011-12-06T07:12:00.002-05:00

To all the grumpy sanctimonious supersaints with a beef with Saint Nick, I say "PFFFBBBBBITTT". This Deacon not only believes in Saint Nick, but thinks that the Church would be blessed if more of her saints felt so, and emulated the traits that made Nicholas of Myrna a mighty man of God.

I have heard some pretty outrageous and breathless stories surrounding Santa. The Jack Chick wing of Christianity likes to equate "Santa" with "Satan" (A stretch, but there are folk who will go to the wall over this). Our "Santa" can be traced back all the way to the dawning era of Christianity. The name "Santa Claus" sprouted from the mispronunciation of the Dutch "Sinter Klaas" (Saint Nicholas), a man of deep and abiding faith in the Almighty and one who's faith had real shoe leather.

Nicholas was born to an ethnic Greek family during the second half of the Third Century in the city of Patara, Asia Minor (Turkey). He was orphaned early as a result of the plague but being from an influential family, he was not left destitute. This wealth would become a source of blessing for the poor and destitute and Nicholas was soon recognized for his faith, devotion and compassion. In short order, this young man would be made Bishop of Myrna, a coastal city of Asia Minor. Here, Nicholas' ministry was extended to the sailors and mariners who made Myrna a port of call. Nicholas would become acquainted with suffering during the bitter Diocletian persecution, a horrible onslaught against the Church. With the passing of this, Nicholas returned to Myrna where his ministry continued.

Nicholas was present at the Council of Nicea in 325 where history records his staunch stand for the historic, apostolic faith. A story exists that during this event, in a moment of extreme frustration at the blustering of a heretic, Nicholas punched Arius square in the nose. Other stories speak not to a bishop turned boxer, but to a man who would carry out acts of compassion under the cover of night or place his own life at risk to rescue sailors. The Bishop left this life for life eternal on December 6, 343.

Anglicans remember Nicholas today, praying:

Almighty God, in your love you gave your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness both on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

A Happy Saint Nick's Day to all!

Thanksgiving Day 2011

2011-11-24T07:11:00.003-05:00

We've crossed the tipping point on the calendar in Northern Virginia where fall looses the battle against the encroaching winter. We find ourselves between a waning sun and a biting onslaught from the Arctic. Can you think of a better time to gather loved ones together for a celebration of thanksgiving for the year's bounty?

I woke with the sun this morning, mostly due to the fact that I've brushed up against a cold and the throat was screaming at me for some relief and hydration. The silence of the house provided an opportunity to consider the blessings of 2011 and the things which to be thankful for. The list isn't exhaustive, but it includes:

Another year spent on the green side of the sod
The fact that there are those who love me in spite of me
Blessed Assurance
Successful sons
The opportunity to serve the saints at Celebration Church
The blessing of being a part of the Anglican awakening in North America
The privilege of serving a Godly Bishop (+John Guernsey)

Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are today! Many will be gathered with families. Some will be with shipmates afloat. Some will be at a firebase somewhere in Asia. Others will, sadly, be celebrating this day alone. May you all be blessed.

Monday Evening Reverie

2011-11-21T21:40:00.001-05:00

The Booing of the FLOTUS

2011-11-21T07:16:00.000-05:00

I didn't witness it, and any take I have on the event is based on what has been reported. Apparently, the FLOTUS, Mrs. Obama received a chilly reception during yesterday's final NASCAR run at Homestead-Miami Speedway in South Florida. Both she and Mrs. Biden were "booed" by some in the crowd prior to directing the racers to "Start your engines". Come on folks, your mama's raised you better than that.

Mrs. Obama, like Mrs. Clinton before her, has been a low-level source of controversy since her public debut. She openly shared her disdain for the American Republic prior to her husband's nomination as Democratic Party candidate. She has been very vocal about American eating habits while unabashedly enjoying Five Guys burgers and fries. And also like Mrs. Clinton, she has apparently interjected herself into the policy making process. In all, she has appeared as a Nanny-Stater, a position that many regardless of party affiliation find baneful.

Now, before the full time grievance apparatchiks spin up, let's make the fact clear that this had little to do with race. (Yes, there are knuckle-dragging trogs out there that base their hatred of an individual based on their dermal melanin levels; save your breath on these reprobates because they're not listening). I suspect the motivation was overwhelmingly political. This said, I reiterate my earlier statement: Come on folks, your mama's raised you better than that.

At the risk of sounding like a professional scold or mainstream media hack, let me point towards the need for manners and civility. Booing, heckling and similar behaviors only serve to make us smaller. The most powerful and civil expressions of our disapproval is our ballots.

Truthfully, as a Christian Libertarian, this administration's policies make my head explode. I've been disappointed by our President and his seemingly "America Last" Agenda. My ballot will reflect this disappointment.

Romantic Love on a Monday

2011-11-14T22:31:00.002-05:00

Many might dismiss this song as being simply mush and sentimentalism. But I believe that, truth be told, any real love has a palpable component of mushy, romantic love. I'll refer this aspect of the relationship to being "nuts in love".

What is "nuts in love"? Its the state of being enveloped by a heart full of a plethora of emotion for the object of one's affection. Its being a forty-something who, when thinking about their beloved, is transported back to North Brandywine Junior High School and the seventh grade.

Embrace your sweetie tonight! Let him or her know that they rock your world.

Early on a Monday

2011-11-14T00:35:00.000-05:00

Sunday Reverie

2011-11-14T00:02:00.002-05:00

This is, at least in my humble estimation, the greatest bit of sacred music written in the past century.

Frank Griswold Opines

2011-11-11T06:34:00.001-05:00

Frank Griswold, scion and pastor to the Upper Main Line and 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, spoke of the calamities experienced by the church of late in an interview with Duke Divinity School's Faith and Leadership publication. Notably, he touches on the two earthquakes that have effected the body in which he was steward.

He speaks to the 25 million dollar damage experienced by the National Cathedral during the the Virginia quake of August 23, 2011, and the quakes radiating from the issue of gay ordinations during his tenure. In all of this, the Bishop views this as a Desert experience.

To use an image from the Old Testament, maybe this is the desert time.

The desert was a period of purification and self-knowledge in order that they were prepared to enter the promised land. All the things that happened in the wilderness, the struggle and the suffering, were part of being shaped and formed and being made ready to enter the promised land, especially where they could receive it as gift rather than acquisition.

I believe that Bishop Griswold is correct in his discernment of the Hand of the Almighty in the August temblor. Two historic American icons were shook and damaged; as easily as they could have been spared, they could have fallen in a heap. Yet, the Bishop has only captured one segment of the Desert Walk. True, Joshua, son of Nun and Caleb, son of Jephunneh stepped out of the wasteland on the other side; one million or so of their contemporaries were left to bleach in the sterile wilderness of the Sinai. Or if one considers the scapegoat, we see one who is sent to wander the desert never to return.

If Bishop Griswold is correct in his assessment, it would be helpful not just to identify his church's placement, but the purpose of this placement (and displacement). Herein will lie the result of whether the Episcopal Church emerges from the wilderness at Jordan's banks, or will permanently fall in the cruel Sinai.

D.W. Griffith Rides Again

2011-11-09T06:35:00.002-05:00

The Left, for all of its self-flagellation, simply can't exorcise its racist past. The events of late serve to bring this back into sharp focus. I could focus on the rife antisemitism thats boiling over down at your local Occupy Wall Street (OWS) event. There's enough outrage to devote an entire essay to that. No, I want to talk about something equally insidious, and that is the Lynching of Mr. Herman Cain.

I've been watching the events unfold since Mr. Cain's rise to the center of our focus. Mr. Cain is an unhyphenated American with a will of steel, tough skin and a tender heart. He has earned the scorn of the establishment left because he is not beholden to the benevolent plantation owners or their grievance industry trustees. He is disparaged by the neoconservatives in the establishment right because Herman Cain has identified them as "part of the problem" through their fiscal liberalism. So, from the standpoint of both sides, Mr. Cain has become like a rock in their running shoe; one who must be marginalized, and done so quickly.

We saw it coming, or at least we should have seen it coming. A story so tawdry and banal broke on the scene; one so slimy, it could have been crafted by Larry Flynt. Suddenly (though predictably) the "Black man as sexual predator" meme was dredged up out of the swamp last week. This is no new invention, even predating the Justice Clarence Thomas affair by decades. In the past century, the very ploy was used (successfully sadly) against the giant-killer boxer and Heavyweight Champion, Jack Johnson. Though tawdry, its a simple meme to employ, simply playing on what one Blogger from Philadelphia has referred to as "Color Arousal". This same ploy was used, unsuccessfully, against Justice Clarence Thomas in September 1991.

A quick examination of the current libel against Mr. Cain wends down a trail that ultimately leads to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, by proxy. Looking at the aggrieved, we see a triad emerge consisting of David Axelrod, Chicago and the Obama administration. We see what will be shown to be an opportunistic individual playing the part of useful idiot.

When this all washes out, the DNA of the DNC will be all over this hot mess. We'll see (for he who hath eyes to see, let him see...) the true benighted soul of the party of Nathan Bedford Forrest, D.W. Griffith, Grand Wizards, Southern Segregationists, et al. Sadly, all we'll hear from the sycophants in the establishment press will be co-dependent, enabling denial or just the sound of crickets.

On the Sunday following All Saints

2011-11-06T19:33:00.002-05:00

From the book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

It was quite the day today at Celebration. It was a Deacon's mass as the priest was on the road to Charlotte, NC to celebrate at a plant of the Falls Church in the absence of their priest. It was a great morning.

In the Setting Sun of the Seventh Day

2011-11-05T19:26:00.000-04:00

Reverie at Sunrise

2011-11-05T07:02:00.000-04:00

Title 18 U.S.C Chapter 115

2011-11-02T11:01:00.003-04:00

Title 18 U.S. Code Chapter 115 covers Treason, Sedition and Subversive Activities. It would do my heart good to have a team of Constitutional Lawyers and federal Law Enforcement officials who take their oath of office seriously, to investigate this rouge's gallery in order to see if they are in violation of the aforementioned statue. Though not explicitly on the list, The Episcopal Church joins the list by implication with its own words.

When you swear an Oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, its not an a la carte affair, its a zero-sum affair.

Some prominent members of this list include:

The Government of North Korea
The Revolutionary Guards of Iran
"Tio" Hugo Chavez
Hezbollah
The American Nazi Party
The POTUS
The VPOTUS
The Hon. Ms. Nancy Pelosi

For All the saints, Who from their Labors Rest

2011-11-01T06:14:00.003-04:00

On the Feast of All Saints:

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

If you've spent any time at all perched in the seat, you'll know that the following video has become a tradition at All Saints. The lyrics are in themselves powerful enough. The imagery adds mega-tonnage. Its a reminder that Martyrs aren't a relic of some misty past. Each day, that mighty cloud of witnesses attested to in Hebrews grows steadily and inexorably. Remarkably, we here in the Great Suburbia Majora have been mostly immune to the unending onslaught that effects saints globally, there's no guarantee that this will be the rule until the end.

On the Eve' of All Saints

2011-10-31T06:55:00.002-04:00

At Compline

2011-10-28T23:44:00.002-04:00

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who alone works great marvels Send down upon our Bishops and Clergy, and all People committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of your grace ; and that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Friday Nightcap

2011-10-28T22:24:00.001-04:00

An Ode to True Love

Friday Reverie

2011-10-28T21:49:00.002-04:00

Our eyes and other physical senses fight hard to prove Hobbes correct, that our existence is simply "Nasty, Brutish, and Short", yet our hearts tell us a different story as the Almighty has placed his thumbprint on each human heart. There is life beyond the firing of our neurons and the beating of our hearts. Saint Augustine proclaimed, in speaking of the Almighty:

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

Its a mysterious aspect of the Dichotomy that makes us human; Our fallen hearts are at war with the Godhead. Yet, that same fallen heart cries out and aches for the the comfort that only the Almighty brings. Tonight, my thoughts, wishes and prayers are that we who are yoked with the Christ would present Him to a parched world, unsullied by our personalities or politics.

On the Midweek...

2011-10-26T16:30:00.001-04:00

Friday Reverie --Angus Dei

2011-10-21T17:35:00.001-04:00

Bishop Mark Lawrence

2011-10-20T21:49:00.002-04:00

Seems the Catbird can be a "day late" in offering up salient thoughts at times on the passing scene in the Anglican universe. Even so, I'd like to put some thoughts out there concerning a faithful Shepherd who seems to be getting the dirty end of the stick. In the interim, my prayers are lifted for the Bishop, his family and his flock. Godspeed Bishop Mark!

Two Weighty Questions -- Question #2 (Part 2)

2011-10-20T07:12:00.000-04:00

I hope to bring these thoughts in and park 'em in the hangar with this one.

We've been kicking around the questions, "What is the primary mission of the Church?" and "What is the greatest hindrance to that mission?" since this post back at the start of October. This morning, I'll share thoughts on how we become that stumbling block and how we might take a wrecking ball to it. Though there are many things that may occur at the micro level, I believe we can categorize these on a macro level through describing them as our being "Off Focus", "Off Frequency", and "Off Sides".

"Off Focus". The Westminster Shorter Catechism (paraphrased) describes the "chief aim of man" as to "Glorify God and enjoy Him forever". By implication, our focal point as the Church is the Almighty God. All too often in our contemporary American cultural church, its become a type of group therapy that's centered on my feelings, well being and self improvement. The moment He leaves the center of our lens, this focus distorts and can ultimately be lost. When first person pronouns are the dominant component of speech related to the Almighty and His Church, its a good time to perform a focus check. You see, its about HIM, not US. When examining our prayers, are there more "you's, your's, him/his", or "I, me, mine's"?

"Off Frequency". As an amateur radio operator, I can tell you that there is nothing more frustrating than not having a proper frequency, or communicating with someone whose radio is off frequency. Are we hearing from God? Very few of us have (or will ever) experience a Theophany/Christophany where we experience that "close encounter of the third kind" with a member of the Godhead. This said, He has made it possible to hear from Him through encounters in His word, prayer, events and others. Through these, God has made himself clearly known. If we're looking to hear from Him in ways other than these, we're not going to hear much of anything in the way of the divine will of the Father.

"Off Sides". One is ostensibly "Off Sides" in American Football when they're where they shouldn't be when the ball is snapped. Not only does this nullify the play but it costs the defenders precious yardage. The saint who is off sides has a similar effect on their team as well. The ways in which a saint can be off sides on God's gridiron are too numerous to to list in this space. However, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we'll receive immediate feedback when we're not where we should be. Its when we ignore this conviction that we cease to be spiritually healthy and productive saints. This individual not only has the move of God choked in their life, but their likely hindering others.

The bright spot in all of this is the fact that any or all of these are highly treatable in the life of the saint. Our God is a master at remedial maintenance and the dirtiest of us can be made white as wool. He's also made "a way of escape" from these setbacks through a course of preventive maintenance. Our ability to hinder the mission of the church is greatly reduced when we're looking for God, listening for God, and being mindful of our standing within the kingdom of God.

Wednesday Reverie

2011-10-19T20:21:00.002-04:00

I'm taken back for a moment when I realize that this song is almost 20 years old. Even so, Between the lyrics and video, it is chocked full of New Testament imagery that it always arrests me back whenever I hear it.

Meanwhile, back at the protest...

2011-10-17T07:37:00.001-04:00

Hmmm, maybe there is something inherently evil about paying for a quality education.

Following the Money... All 168.9 Million

2011-10-17T06:39:00.000-04:00

(A tip of the Zuchetto to Nickie Goomba...)

Why are the unwashed basement dwellers being allowed to occupy private property in NYC? Simply stated, their rent on the space has been generously provided by YOU, the American taxpayer. The dots are connected for us over on "It Don't Make Sense".

So 53 percenters, does this mean we can claim these folk on our 1040's?

Two Weighty Questions -- Question #2

2011-10-13T06:52:00.001-04:00

I was posed with a two-pronged question earlier this week, one that deserved the most thoughtful answers possible as the question has eternal weight. What is the mission of the Church and what is the greatest hindrance to this mission's completion? Now, onto part two of the question, "What's the greatest impediment to the completion of the Church's mission?"

There are factors working against the individual believer which in my opinion, also seek to work against the mission of the Church, as it is a greater extension of the believer. Saint John recognized these as "the world, the flesh, and the devil". I'd pose that "the flesh" (a.k.a "Us") is the single greatest impediment.

The "world" (not to be confused with creation) has stood in opposition to the church since her birth. At its best this world is indifferent to mildly antagonistic towards the church and at its worst, proactively hostile. But the world is a known variable that we've known about since Christ spoke to us on the issue (...If the World hates you...) The very fact that the church exists in places like North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Myanmar stands in testimony to its ability to impede its mission.

What can be said about the adversary that's not already been said? Luther said it well when he penned:

For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

This accuser could, left unchecked, smash the the church into dust and scatter it on the four winds. This same accuser is also, under the submission of the Almighty and can only execute what is permitted. The very Lord who promised that the "Gates of Hell" would not prevail against the church, will not permit Hell's dark slumlord to do so either.

This leaves us with the big Mea Culpa; We have met the enemy and he is us, as both Walt Kelly and the Underground Pewster have opined. I'll explain in my next installment.

A-Ha on a Sunday

2011-10-09T18:59:00.002-04:00

Two Weighty Questions -- Question #1

2011-10-07T20:41:00.001-04:00

The mission of the Church in its most essential form is to reflect the Glory of the Godhead, as well as bring glory to its Head, Christ Jesus. Our mission whether we would be Anglican, Roman, Eastern, Baptistic, (any of us who name Christ as Lord) is to live, move and breathe in such a way the the radiant and invisible Glory shines out to the world around us. Its a mission of lifting the Godhead high daily in a world that can be at its best indifferent to the Divine, and overtly hostile at its worst. Its a mission that is both individual and communal at once.

Our success in carrying out this mission has been extremely variable in the two millennia since receiving our marching orders. At times this radiance was blinding as saints stood in arenas, signing their testimonies in their own blood and torn flesh. Sometimes this radiance was eclipsed by our own folly of walling ourselves off from the greater world or exchanging the gold of Scripture for the pyrite of speculation and fable. Yet when God's people came to Him broken and contrite, He would restore them and His radiance would shine again like the sun.

I see three streams, as presented by Scripture as the primary means of accomplishing this mission objective: proclamation, presentation, and preparation.

The Church has been called to proclaim the Word of God. The church hasn't been called to be the herald of "social justice", preach equality (gender, sexual, or otherwise), political viewpoints (left or right), prosperity, financial freedom or anything of the sort. When this occurs, we reduce ourselves to a reflection of the world around us; one thats neither salty or bright. Rather, we're mandated to proclaim the reality of a eternal and holy Godhead, a fallen and corrupt humanity, the inexorable collision course that each are on, and the reconciliation offered by the satisfactorily atoning death of God the Son (Jesus).

The Church has been called to lift the Sacraments of our Christ, Baptism and the Eucharist. These sacraments are far more critical than we may realize. We were, in the creation, made to be primarily both visual and tactile learners. Though there is a significant degree of learning through hearing (ergo the "proclamation" of the word), the bulk of what we're come to understand came from a hands-on or eyes-on moment (e.g. We may have repeated mom's warning of a hot stove by rote, but didn't actually learn until our fingers were singed). In these Sacraments, we see the mysteries of our faith represented in an outward and visible form. We see the cleansing that is received when a life is yielded and brought under the submission of Christ. We see elements poured out and torn like the Divine body that was bad a propitiation for our sins.

Finally, there is the mandate for the Church to Equip her saints. In this equipping, the saints are given the message and tools to become change agents in their worlds. This equipping occurs through the execution of proclamation and presentation. The equipped saint is a spiritually empowered saint, one who is able to impact their circle of the world with the radically transforming power of the Gospel of our Christ.

A New Look

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Catbird Seat has been kicking around out here on the cybersod since August, 2006, launching into the blogosphere with this post. Its truly amazing what all has transpired since those fist days. One thing that hasn't changed is the site layout & design. I'm considering a "new hairstyle" for the site.

Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T20:09:00.002-04:00

Steve Jobs left this realm this evening. He will be missed.

Two Weighty Questions

2011-10-05T08:20:00.001-04:00

Someone tossed a two part question my way this morning; What is the mission of the Church and what is the greatest hindrance to that mission? My "short answer" part one is to glorify the Almighty through:

The Proclamation of His word

The Administration of His Sacraments

The Equipping of His Saints

My short answer to part two is we (I) are/am the greatest hindrance to this mission.

I'd like to, over the next day or so, provide a "long answer" in support of these propositions.

The Wisdom of Solomon

2011-09-29T07:52:00.000-04:00

There are a number of Blogs which your humble Catbird visits regularly. These range from the informative, to the funny, to the outrageous. The Blog, "Standing on my Head", tended by Fr. Dwight Longenecker, is up on the list of the thoughtful ones. Dwight+ apparently was born and American fundamentalist, became and Anglican cleric, and is now an RC Priest in the Carolinas. Our brother had this powerful story posted this past Monday:

"A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: 'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together. So the doctor said: 'OK and what do you want me to do?' She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.' The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.' She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms. The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child! 'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.' The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child who's already been born and one who's still in the womb. The crime is the same!"

The truth will set us free, but sometimes it first has to punch us in the stomach.

Question for the guys out there

2011-09-27T08:13:00.001-04:00

Being a guy with a full head of (gray) hair, I don't have firsthand experience on this one but I still have to ask.
Is there a moment, when looking at the balding pate starring at you in the mirror, that you just need to embrace it for dignity's sake?

Saturday Reverie

2011-09-24T12:59:00.001-04:00

A Study in Contrasts

2011-09-22T16:44:00.003-04:00

Unless you've just rose from a ten-year nap, you're well aware of the solemn remembrance that occurred this past September 11. I hesitate to use the term Anniversary to describe the day, as an anniversary typically calls to mind a joyful occasion. It was a somber day to reflect and perhaps to mourn over what was wrenched from our Republic over clear mid-Atlantic skies on a September morning.
That morning two Bishops, each leader of their respective churches spoke in churches that were adjacent or close to terror targets. Jeff Walton, writing on Patheos.com, provides an interesting look at each Bishop's homily.

Music that Defined a Decade

2011-09-07T10:39:00.005-04:00

The Rolling Stone Magazine has released its list of the top ten worst songs of the 90's. Wow, if you thought the 90's were a rough decade politically, with its lip-reading, "Bimbo Eruptions", and enough "gates" to fill a hardware store, wait 'til you stroll down this musical memory lane of lemons.

The Worth of One Picture

2011-09-06T19:16:00.009-04:00

I want to give props to Nikie Goomba over on the Blog, "It don't make sense" for this photo. The Economy is stagnant, August 2011 saw zero job growth and a true un/underemployment rate above sixteen percent, and a debt beyond the the scope of human comprehension. What is this guy thinking?

I'm no conspiracy theorist but I had to concede that photos like these throw dripping red meat to those who are. If I were POTUS, this is the absolute LAST BOOK I'd want to be seen with in my hand! For the love of Pete, grab a copy of the federalist papers or something by Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams or Milton Friedman.

Spiritual Empowerment

2011-09-06T15:06:00.006-04:00

Its far more satisfying to see a though finishing in a major key, so thats where we'll be heading in this second installment on the thoughts of Spiritual Disempowerment and its remedy.

I make no claim to any thought of being the father of Spiritual Empowerment. I believe that this concept is in the very warp and woof of the New Testament, and the mission of the church. Christ's words and deeds drip of this empowerment and can be seen in the sending of the twelve and seventy, Breathing the Holy Spirit on his disciples, and in the Great Commission. The precedent of empowerment continues through the Acts of the Apostles and on through the Epistles. The burning question for now is... How can we who tend God's sheep practice Spiritual Empowerment?

First, we pray. Not in a simple or Pollyann-ish way but full-on intercession for those whom that Almighty has given us stewardship of. We pray that they would grow daily in the love and wisdom of God. We pray for their spiritual wellness that includes a life of prayer, study and meditation on the Godhead. We also pray that WE would be the leaders that God would be as WE live simultaneously Coram Deo and Coram Ecclesia.

We Lead and Model. In our stewardship to those souls charged to us, we must never rule from behind, but rather lead from the front. Saint Paul said it well when he encouraged the Corinthians to "Follow his example, as he followed the example of Christ". Someone else once said simply, "show me, don't tell me". Those being empowered should see a healthy and vibrant model of empowerment in motion. Though it might be an easy temptation to dismiss this as imitation, this very imitation is commended by Paul in his letters to the Ephesians and Thessalonians. This type of imitation is normative and will produce budding fruit in the lives of believers.

We Mentor. Spiritual Empowerment entails an investment of time in the lives of others. I requires us to sit, meet, talk, laugh, cry (sometimes), and pray with folk. This level of granularity gives us a view of their lives where we can discern through observation or listening, specific areas where they may be gifted or in the process of being gifted. With this, we can then begin to guide and direct them in the formation of these gifts.

We free them to both soar, and stink it up. I'll never forget my first sermon. It was on a Sunday morning at Dual Highway Church of God in Hagerstown Maryland. I had studied, prayed, studied and prayed some more leading up to that morning. I was going to preach the sermon that was going to launch the third "Great Awakening". It was going to have the same net effect as Edward's Sinners in the hand of an Angry God. It lasted sixteen minutes long, having the grace of a train wreck and the gravitas of a whoopee cushion. After morning worship, Pastor Al Pickerall said "you'll do better next time".
I've shared this particular story because we've all been there. Every saint has been there and those who follow after us will have been there at some stage of their lives. When this happens, we dust them off, debrief them in the spirit of charity, then point them back to the runway for another go in the pattern. If the saint is gifted in a particular area and faithfully pursuing their gift, they'll grow in that gift and will soar. We do them a horrible disservice with we tie them down under the guise of them "not being ready" to operate in their spiritual gifts.

We Empower because we've been Empowered. Saint Paul's Ephesian Letter paints a spectacular picture of Spiritual Empowerment in motion in its 4th chapter. The saints who have been prepared for spiritual works are set loose. The body grows in unity and spiritual maturity. Its no longer easy prey to the doctrines of devils. The process continues until the body on earth is joined to its head in the heavenlies.

A Labor Day Prayer

2011-09-05T10:58:00.003-04:00

From the Book of Common Prayer on this Labor Day 2011...

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Spiritual Disempowerment

2011-09-05T10:47:00.004-04:00

I’ve been away from the blog over the summer. Its been a busy time of home improvement that saw the re-flooring of four rooms and a hallway (two wood & two/hall ceramic). The last time I spent any time in the seat was during the “great brisketquest of 2011”. But now, I’m back in the seat and burning up the MacBook Pro.

Recently, I had the unfortunate chance to observe spiritual disempowerment being played out. The effect was both disheartening and chilling, and I fear one that’s only begun to reverberate through the affected parish. I'll not labor the details, but it was unsettling.

So what just is “Spiritual Disempowerment”? Webster tells us that to disempower someone is to make them weak, ineffectual or unimportant. For our purposes, I’m defining spiritual disempowerment as making or causing a believer in Christ to be ineffectual, weak and under utilized within the economy of the Kingdom of God. Though certainly not the sole cause, this disempowerment is a major factor behind spiritual immaturity and failure to thrive as members of the family of God.

Disempowerment occurs when believers, gifted in their respective spiritual gift are thwarted in their proper exercise. By gifts, I refer to St. Paul’s descriptions in his writings to the churches at Rome and Corinth.

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Cor 12:28 (NIV)

Though some of these gifts are miraculous and rare, other gifts are widely given and in full operation within healthy, vibrant churches. Think about it, how could a church grow without the gifts of faith, helps, mercy, prayer, teaching or administration? You’ll find at least one of these gifts operating in a spiritually healthy saint. Its also not rare to see multiple gifts operating in God’s people. In its immediate effect, disempowered believers miss the opportunity to move, grow and mature in their gifts. The greater, farther-reaching effect is that the ministry and outreach of the local church is stymied.

I need to consider the question of why do folk spiritually disempower other believers. The answer, I feel is two-fold. There’s a willful, intentional type that is rooted in pride, envy and insecurity. The second, though less malicious, is just as dampening. This unintentional variety stems from a lack of spiritual sensitivity or awareness. Regardless, both willful and unintentional spiritual disempowerment is a church killer, driving gifted saints away from one local body and into another.

Next, I’d like to discuss our role as church leaders in empowering the saints in a way that sets them onto a path of spiritual growth, fruitful lives, and God-honoring service to the Kingdom.

A tune for a Labor Day Weekend

2011-09-02T15:33:00.003-04:00

Back

2011-09-02T15:08:00.002-04:00

Its been an interesting summer, but its time to get back to blogging. I've got a few essays percolating in the back by the brainstem that'll be here in the bit stream soon. Topping this are thoughts concerning paedo- vs. credo-baptism. Having held both views, it'll be fun to put 'er out there. Too, in thinking about the coming scatstorm/turdnado (also known as decision '12), I'll be discussing how Dr. Ron Paul could be simultaneously, the best and worst man for the desk in the oval office. Finally, some thoughts as to what its gonna take to clean up the mess bequeathed to us by POTUS 44. Don't change that dial. For now, how about a little Buffet!

A Birth Announcement

2011-07-09T09:18:00.002-04:00

Congratulations go out this morning to Garland and Debbie Westmoreland, a fine brother and sister at Celebration Church, on the birth of their first Grandchild!

Watch over thy child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and
guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he
stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise
him up if he fall; and in his heart may thy peace which
passeth understanding abide all the days of his life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Brisketquest - IV

2011-07-04T20:15:00.003-04:00

The journey which began last Sunday at the meat counter at BJ's has come to its conclusion. This Brisket's smokey, savory goodness is the crown jewel of this evening's celebration! Yum!

If you look carefully, you'll spot a westie who's hoping for a piece of some brisket action.

Brisketquest-III

2011-07-04T12:26:00.002-04:00

And now, the brisket enters the vertical water smoker for a 4.5 hour Hickory therapy session.

Brisketquest-II

2011-07-03T19:15:00.002-04:00

When we last left our hero, he was completing the seasonings for the Centerpiece of Monday's Independence Day celebration. That is, a six pound beef brisket. This afternoon, the cut of meat was "rubbed" with the dry seasonings (the sweet Virginia fire).

In the foto, the brisket is already wrapped in the wrap to allow the seasoning to work its way into the cow. Rubbing the cut was a bit strange, as it felt as though one was giving a backrub to a corpse. Anyhoo, the cut is now resting in the refrigerator and will move on into the smoker tomorrow. From there, it'll become acquainted with the mopping sauce.

Brisketquest

2011-07-02T10:43:00.002-04:00

This Monday's Independence Day's menu has a six-pound brisket at its centerpiece. I've learned that seasoning is just as critical as the choice of woodchips when preparing this cut. This morning, the "rub" and the "mopping sauce" were created. Let me share the recipe for each

Rub "Sweet Virginia Fire"

1/3 cup of dark brown sugar
1/3 cup of chilli powder
2 Tbs fresh-ground pepper
1 Tbs sea salt
1 Tsp ground cumin
1 Tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tsp ground caraway seed

Mix well and refrigerate

Mopping Sauce "Silver Bullet Baste"

12 Oz Coors Light
1/2 Cup of apple cider vinegar
1/4 Cup olive oil (EVOO)
1Tbs Texas Pete
1Tsp fresh-ground pepper
1Tsp chili powder
1Tsp crushed oregano
1/2Tsp Cayenne pepper

Mix well and refrigerate for 24 hours or more to allow for the flavors to coalesce

Tomorrow... The Rub begins.

If Necessity is the Mother of Invention, Duct Tape is its Godparent.

2011-06-27T14:00:00.015-04:00

It's June. June means that its time to roll out the Intex pool for Austin. When you're five and a halfpint, a ten foot pool is a big affair. At this stage in your life, you can just about do laps in the thing.

I love this pool. The geniuses who designed it created what's ostensibly a non-rigid structure, the Goodyear Blimp of pools. The inflatable ring at the top serves to provide its initial form. Then, as the pool fills, the ring floats on the water to the point where it reaches capacity. It has a small filtration system that can also hold the chlorine tabs, preventing your one thousand gallons of water from becoming a soupy aquatic mess. The pool would be perfect were in not for the inflating of the ring.

Last year, it took close to ninety minutes to inflate the ring using a combination of lung, pump and air compressor power. This is not a fun way to spend a hot, humid afternoon. It was at this moment where the old Deacon had a brainstorm.

I'd seen sites on the web built to celebrate feats of Redneck Engineering. Some things were ingenious while others were deathtraps. So then, with the idea in place, it was off to the garage to retrieve the leaf blower, a funnel and the sacramental item linked to all redneck engineering efforts... Duct Tape.

The idea worked like a charm (refreshing as these things apparently go awry most times). I was careful to start the blower on its lowest speed, not knowing how the narrowed aperture would affect the blower motor. The motor was tweeked up to around 50% power output with no issues. The ring that took nearly ninety minutes to inflate last year was fully inflated within four minutes. Gotta love that Duct Tape!

Empowerment, Growth & Maturity

2011-06-25T10:34:00.003-04:00

Its a beautiful Saturday morning here in Suburbia Majora. Its the type of day for gardening, yard work, and a soak in the pool. Thats not happening here, as family has dropped in from out of state and Mrs. Catbird and I are playing docent at a local museum.

I've been thinking this week (a novel exercise?). I had a front row seat at an event that, though very uncomfortable to watch, caused me to think about personal empowerment within the family of Faith. I want to touch on this in the post(s) that will follow this one. I'd like to consider empowerment versus toxic disempowerment.

Thursday Reverie

2011-06-23T17:20:00.002-04:00

Meet Emmanuel Goldstein, 2011

2011-06-11T09:24:00.005-04:00

I have to confess something, something that drives me absolutely bat-scat crazy. Its the fact that the chattering class on the left has consistently, and falsely billed Mr. Orwell's cautionary tale, 1984, as a story of Conservative Totalitarianism. This is a misrepresentation of facts that could, if you'll have it, come right off the pages of Mr. Orwell's opus. Mr. Orwell, like many idealists of his generation, were caught up in the socialist fervor that held the world in sway in the early decades of the last Century. But when socialism began to show itself as the hellspawn it is, Orwell began to sound the alarm in works like Animal Farm, and the seminal 1984.

In 1984, we're introduced to a shadowy boogeyman named Emmanuel Goldstein. Goldstein has been made a pariah-enemy of Oceania, one so odious that daily at a prescribed time, all production stops in order that "two minutes of hate" may be directed against Goldstein.

The longer I watch the rotting cancer of socialism spread through our Republic like a caustic acid, the more I see the unfolding of Orwell's dystopic vision unfold. The mainstream media has become to the Cult of O, what the Ministry of Truth was for Big Brother. By and large, these blatherskites have become an official organ of Amsoc. I think a hallmark of this their fetish for "Palin loathing".

Mrs. Palin's meteoric rise to prominence in the summer of 2008 sent the left, and in particular, feminists into a protracted apoplectic spasm. This is curious as in my life, I've seen only a handful of women capable of this. I've looked at the rage from many angles and have reached a possible explanation; Mrs. Sarah Palin has successfully accomplished what the feminist has failed to do for all of her best effort. She has proven to be a successful wife, mother, entrepreneur, and leader. She has accomplished this without the need to sacrifice her children on the altar of success, or castrating her husband. Too, no fetuses were harmed in the making of Mrs. Palin. For all of her best efforts, a FOIA request has been made with the State of Alaska for her e-mails. Knowing the purity of their motives, this cynical move has been done in a feverish effort to further marginalize the Grizzly Mama.

Let me finish simply by saying that if the presidential election were today, next week or next month, I would not be voting for Mrs. Palin. My likely choice for Chief Executive at this moment would be Mr. Herman Cain, a bright, visionary leader with more integrity in his left foot than most. For all of her admirable traits and potential, Mrs. Palin is still a work in progress who like an early 1970's Ronald Reagan, could well develop into a leader of epic proportions.

May 5th, 2011

2011-05-05T07:25:00.003-04:00

In a little more than an hour, I'll be in front of a Federal Building on Garrisonville RD, leading my second National Day of Prayer observance. I hope that this is the beginning of a long-standing tradition. To be truthful, it was hoping against hope that we'd be able to have this observation today, given the lower court's decision last year on the constitutionality of the proclamation to national prayer and this administration's seeming animus towards the Judeo-Christian expression of faith. But by God's grace, the lower court's decision was struck and today, faithful will be out in force to intercede for their country.

Perhaps (in my lifetime), I've seen no more darker time in our Republic's history where we are in severe need for Divine intervention (the merciful type), yet I fear that without a course correction, there will be intervention and its not going to be nice. Why? Por que? the President pretty well summed it up when he confidently declared in Cairo that "We're not a Christian Nation." When a nation forgets God, its a horrible thing. Yet I believe that there are faithful citizens of this republic, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, and Orthodox Jew who like the men of Issachar, are watchers of the times and are in intercession for this great Divine Experiment.

Find time to lift up this Republic today.

Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for the privilege to gather before you to intercede on behalf of our nation. We thank you too, for the burden you’ve placed in our hearts for this land, and for our fellow citizens.

As we gather, we stand in the shadow of those who’ve come before us. We gaze through history’s rearview mirror and see how our fathers sought you at the birth of our nation. We see too Lord, your providential hands that nourished and protected the young nation. In times of both plenty and peril, our predecessors knew you to be their source of provision, protection and guidance.

Today, as in other times, we find ourselves Lord, in a moment of peril and trial. Our nation is at war with an enemy who would see our way of life destroyed. We’re faced with seeming insurmountable economic woes, and a legislature at loggerheads. Surely Lord, we need your hand in such a time as today.

We ask that you might first move within our lives, that we would be used as change agents for good. We pray that we might become channels of your peace and mercy to those you’ve placed in our lives and paths. Our prayer too, as public servants, is that through your help, we will be faithful and diligent stewards of the nation and its collective trust.

This morning, we remember or friend and co-workers who have been afflicted in body, especially Wendy. Reach them in your compassionate hands, embrace them and minister comfort and healing to them and their loved ones.

We lift up those who govern and lead this nation. We ask that those elected would always place stewardship and statesmanship ahead of ambition and strife; in so that they might be sensitive to your leading. In this, that our nation might be that shining city on the hill; a beacon of hope for all nations.

Finally Lord, we seek your protection against our enemies. Not because we are deserving, but because you are one whose first principles include mercy and lovingkindness. Protect us not only from our enemies, but from ourselves that we might not only be recipients stewards of your blessings in this day, but be able to bequeath your bounty to those who will follow after us.

All of this, we ask, seek and hope for in your name.

Amen

On a Monday in May

2011-05-02T08:51:00.000-04:00

Usama Bin Laden

2011-05-02T01:14:00.002-04:00

Its very early on a Monday morning, and I've just learned via text that Usama Bin Laden has met his end. This is a moment that is "Sweet-bitter". This man has a sea of blood on his hands, a fact that can't be denied. Clearly, he was guilty of crimes against humanity and warranted the ultimate penalty for his crimes. Yet, he is a lost soul that has slipped into hell and a soul that is eternally lost.

We who hold the truth of the Gospel, and the Great Commission need to work harder than ever to proclaim the message that leads to eternal life. We must shout the counterpoint to radical Islam from the housetops and offer the message of eternal life.

The Sermon on the Plain -- A Catbird's Take

2011-04-13T00:17:00.002-04:00

This one's a bit late getting posted. Just the same, your humble Deacon's take on Saint Luke's account of the Sermon on the Plain. Be blessed...
.

Funeral Homily, April 2, 2011

2011-04-04T16:22:00.002-04:00

Note: The following was delivered at West Laurel Hills cemetary in Bala Cynwyd Pennsylvania. Names have been removed.

We find ourselves gathered here today, in a bittersweet celebration of the life and memory of (The Departed). She’s been known formally (And informally by many names).

(Her) journey began early last Century at a time when men were slipping the bounds of this earth and soaring into the skies on delicate machines constructed from wood and canvas. It was a time when through harnessing the elements; they were beginning to communicate across vast expanses of Empty Ocean in the language of Mr. Morse’s Code. Daredevils could take to country roads outside of Philadelphia and travel at blistering speeds of 45 MPH in Mr. Ford’s Model T. But it was a frightening time too, as for the first time in modern history; it seemed that the entire civilized world was now at war. Just weeks prior to her birth, her nation had declared war on the central powers and entered the “war to end all wars”. (She)entered adulthood, only to find herself fleeing Europe on one of the last ships leaving as the black tide of Nazism was sweeping across the continent.

Our Lord, through his providential hand brought (Her) back to our side of the Atlantic where she would meet her husband-to-be. , Ultimately, she would find herself settled in Summit, New Jersey where her family ultimately grew to include three children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. During one of her last conversations, she asked that they’d know how “she’d really loved knowing them, and expressed her wishes for their happiness, success, and joy.”

When it became clear that (Her) sojourn here was coming to its conclusion, those who loved her were burdened with the question of whether she was ready to undertake the next leg of her journey. She had spoke of her daughter(‘s) passing on a few occasions. She spoke of her desire to be reunited with (Her) in Heaven. Though she maintained a relationship with her church throughout her life, (She) knew that she’d never taken that same faith-affirming step taken by (Her daughter) which gave her, based on Holy Scripture, absolute assurance of her eternal destiny. Subsequently, in quiet prayer with a minister in the hospital, (She) declared her need for Jesus to be her savior and redeemer, and trusted in his sacrifice made on her behalf. This wasn’t a desperate act on the part of someone who was fearfully facing the unknown; (She) was a woman who had faced the uncertainty of terminal illness before. She shared that she had quietly placed her trust in Christ a few years prior when facing cancer. Though perhaps unknown to her at the time, she called upon a God who promised to “never leave or forsake her” and as the seasons were changing, He was there. This was a faith in the person of Jesus, the only Son of God the Most High. It was a faith in His promises and comforting words to those who would embrace him as their champion and redeemer. It was a trust that believed that, not only would this Jesus keep His promises, but that His sacrifice would be sufficient to wash away her sins both willful and genetic. Then the time came and (She) closed her eyes. Saint Paul spoke of this moment; she was now in the presence of the Father and the Son.

This afternoon, as we brace ourselves against the chill of this early Pennsylvanian Spring, (She) now not only dwells, but dances in the light and presence of the Holy and Almighty Trinity. This is a place of many dwelling places, prepared by Jesus Himself for all those who would trust in His promises. She rests in the presence of the Almighty, and will accompany him on that great day when He recreates heaven and earth, declaring all things “New”. Truly for (Her); this isn’t an end; it’s a beginning that will be forever beginning. Perhaps the greatest promise of all is that though (Her) spirit dwells in the presence of the Divine, a moment is coming, described by Saint Paul, where the elements that represent her earthly body will be raised and transformed to a body that will know no age, no illness, no debilitating disease or defect.

Will we see (Her) again? Can we share in the joy that she now knows? Succinctly, yes. The comfortable words that arrested (Her) were spoken for us too. Jesus, looking across an assembled crowd confidently declared:

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

He further declared:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Today, in the light of this Saturday afternoon, if we would place our hope in the message and the messenger, that messenger being God’s only Son, no only will we see (The Departed) once more but we’ll share in truth she trusted in and now knows perfectly.

Catbird TV, April 2, 2011

2011-04-02T22:13:00.002-04:00

Today marked a first in my Diaconal ministry. At 2:30PM, I had the solemn honor to preside over the funeral of a 93 year-old saint who lived a life that was nothing short of being remarkable. She lived big and finished well!

On a Thursday in Lent

2011-03-17T12:59:00.002-04:00

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Embarking on a Lenten Journey – Part One

2011-03-12T09:42:00.001-05:00

Is it me, or are these seasons coming at us with ever-increasing speed?

I woke this morning to find myself 72 hours into the forty-day trek of Lent. In the quiet that exists between the alarm clock and the stirring of the Terriers, I thought of how my understanding of this season has evolved over the years. As a child and pre-teen, it was little more than meatless Fridays and some vague notion of giving something up, like chewing gum. It also meant attending strange masses that involved ashes and kissing the crucifix. It wasn’t a total drag, due to the knowledge that there was a big basket of candy at the end of the road, and the hopes that this year, there’d be a “solid” chocolate Easter bunny in the basket.

Early adulthood took me into the dry steppes of American Pentecostalism where sadly, I eschewed Lent as a “romish superstition”. I can look back in retrospect at this life season and understand that it was heavily influenced by theologically illiterate preachers and a toxic diet of Jack Chick, the American Iconoclast. (I could devote volumes to this man and the damage he has wrought in the lives of unsuspecting believers, but I digress.) Though I regret this wasted period, I have to believe that the Almighty was taking it and using it for His purposes.

Early in the last Decade, my attentions were turned back to the thought of Lent. Though still entrenched within the Pentecostal zeitgeist, a seasonal concept was re-emerging. Lent began to take on a contemplative, devotional character, especially during Holy week. I would focus in on the Gospel narratives that took place between the Triumphal Entry and the Crucifixion. Good Friday became a highly focused day as I would look at the clock and mentally replay the events as recorded by the four Evangelists. Again in retrospect, I see a “Divine Guiding” of my understanding of these Forty Days.

So, what of Lent today in March 2011 Deacon? Lent has become a season of “Re’s”. It’s a reminder that I was conceived in sin and born completely fallen and broken. I have nothing good within me in which to bring to the table or to stand before a Holy, Almighty God. If I’m ever to have a hope in this life or the next, I need a Redeemer and Advocate who stands before the Supreme as propitiation. It’s a time of Refocusing, where one must consider who they are in Christ and His kingdom. Its forty days to ponder a calling and vocation. Finally, I’ve understood the season as a time of renewal and revival. These forty days are an opportunity to yield oneself to the Almighty, seeking to have a “right spirit renewed within” as the Psalmist says. In this yielding, we have the opportunity to experience true revival within our lives.

So, a Blessed Lent to all in 2011.

Awesome Shuttle Footage

2011-02-27T17:17:00.001-05:00

Some of the best Shuttle footage I've seen.

Going way, way back Tonight

2011-02-23T18:40:00.003-05:00

This one takes me all the way back to Wednesday night youth group meetings on Governor's Ave in Dover, DE.

Yesterday's Worship Set

2011-02-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

From the Pulpit

2011-02-06T16:12:00.007-05:00

We're in the beginning of a sermon series from the Gospel of Luke at Celebration Church. Previously, we were three weeks in the Desert with the Temptation of Christ. This Sunday, The Master is out of the Desert and in Nazareth. Your humble Deacon will reflect on this vignette from Luke's Gospel.

A Sad Anniversary

2011-01-22T10:23:00.002-05:00

Thirty-eight years ago this coming week, the landscape of this nation was inexorably altered, and I would contend altered for the worst. I'm speaking of the the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the Roe v. Wade decision.

Thanks to Roe v. Wade, we now live in a nation whose judiciary has ruled that a viable child (referred to a fetus in an Orwellian effort of dehumanization) may be forced from the sanctuary of the womb and fatally wounded to speed his or her demise. Thirty-eight years down the road, abortion is no longer the sad choice of a woman between a rock and a hard place, it is a divine right that is available at the taxpayer's dollar. Some in clerical collars have even gone on to insinuate that the act is "sacramental".

The reality of what abortion is was flung in our faces in all its visceral details this past week with the case of the Kermit Gosnell, who ran a shambles in Philadelphia. I absolutely refuse to use terms like "Doctor" or "Clinic" in the case of this man who has by all appearances, used the Hippocratic Oath as so much bum wipe. In his fetid butcher shop, children who could have easily been delivered and whisked off to a neonatal unit were callously dispatched by having their spinal cords severed from their brain stems. To add to the macabre sense of the operation, his facility was stocked with gristly trophies that attested to his handy work. Some of these were found in the same refrigerator used to store employee lunches.

Admittedly, this is the most horrific example of the holocaust that is abortion. Still, it doesn't erase the fact that each year, one million boys and girls enter American Abortion clinics alive and leave them as medical waste. Also, it doesn't mitigate the fact that in New York City, six out of ten minority pregnancies end in abortion.

As I write, I do not condemn those who have underwent this horrific procedure. There are a few exceptions to this, like the Australian couple who selfishly murdered their twin sons in-utero, for no better reason than the fact that they were "trying for a daughter".

I do condemn those who have sold this to women and young women. I condemn those who have framed abortion as a right envisioned by our founding fathers and mothers. I loudly condemn those spiritual leaders who are loudly lobbying and advocating this barbaric practice.

On the eve of the March for Life, I pray for the end of abortion in Virginia, America and the World. I pray for those who were duped into undergoing this procedure. I pray that they receive the spiritual and emotional healing at the hands of the Almighty.

Treachery

2011-01-08T14:23:00.002-05:00

It's a frigid Saturday afternoon here in Suburbia Majora. Though the wind is blowing over a dusting of fresh-fallen snow, I'm inside listening to Vivaldi's "Gloria" and ruminating over the events of a very painful Friday afternoon where the acts of one individual reached their painful climax.

The good folks over at Merriam Webster define "Treachery" as:

"a violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence" or "an act of perfidy or treason"

Perhaps for the first time in my life, I and my family have been the victims of the treachery of another. This was no casual acquaintance; this was one whom my family had opened our home, our table, our purse, and our hearts to. We knew that the individual faced some profound psychological, personality and emotional challenges, but we loved and embraced her in spite of them. She was, for a number of years, a welcomed face. All of this abruptly changed in the late summer of 2010 when in a fever-brained fit, a false accusation was leveled by this individual. I'll spare you, the gentle reader the sordid details, but as a result of her lies, we now sit smarting and nursing our wounds all the while being several thousand dollars poorer for it.

My mind has run the full spectrum over the past twenty four hours. I don't want to hate her, nor see her come to a bad end, but I have to confess that those thoughts have been very powerful this morning. She has wounded my family through her lies and the desire for retribution and revenge are very strong and natural. Still, I find my self in conflict over those desires to see her suffer for the damage she's done. As a dad, I want to throttle her; as a Deacon, I want to look her in the eyes and say "Despite all that you've done, I forgive you." It is so infinitely easy to hate and and want to strike back in retaliation. It's a completely natural response when we've been wounded by another. Yet as the adopted offspring of the Almighty, we've been called to a new nature and a new response. Is this easy? I'd be either an outright liar or a pollyanna-ish fool if I said it was. God no! It is hard. Yet saints like Corrie Ten Boom have demonstrated to us that through the help of the Almighty, it is possible not to hate those who have wronged us.

So, with God's help, I say to this individual: "You've hurt and wounded me and my family. You've been a source of heartache and the cause for tears. And though every cell in by body would desire to curse you, I forgive you with the forgiveness that was given to me. With God's help, I will continue to forgive and ultimately forget your treachery. May God forgive you as well."

Flight 2011, You're cleared for Takeoff

2011-01-02T14:44:00.006-05:00

It's truly amazing, but we've entered the second decade of the third millennium. Scary stuff in the fact that this is the Decade that the Catbird will turn fifty.... Truly an eeeek moment. Out of the gate on this New Year's weekend, I want to offer up my hopes/prayers for life in 2011. Specifically, prayers for the Nation, the Church, and this humble Deacon.

My hope and prayer for this Republic are simple and direct. I desire to see the United States of America return to her Constitutional roots. I want to see a strong, sufficient, and humble Republic that has rediscovered her first principles. I want to see a nation whose borders are secure, who welcomes and embraces those who lawfully enter, and repels those who wish to exploit her bounty or wish to do her harm. As the scion of immigrants, I fully grasp the rich diversity that a century and a half of lawful immigration has brought to this Republic. I want to see a nation that embraces fiscal responsibility and restraint. My prayer is that those who’ve been sent to Washington apprehend their responsibilities as elected representatives. I want to see individuals who won’t exceed their vested authority and wade off into extra-constitutional forays. I desire a President who will be an advocate, apologist and ambassador for his country, and not someone who snivels before tin-horn despots, apologizing for imagined grievances.

For my Church, I long to see a resurgent Anglicanism sweep across America. Though I’ve said it before from this blog, it bears repeating. It would be arrogant hubris to infer that Anglicanism is the only legitimate expression of Christianity in our world. But that being said, Anglicanism remains a faithful and trustworthy expression of the “Faith, once delivered”. Anglicanism landed on the sandy shores of the James River with our first settlers. It was the faith of the majority of our founding fathers. It was the faith of men like Wilberforce, who fought to end the evil practice of slavery. Far and away from the consumer-based practices of modern American Evangelicalism, Anglicanism is trans-testamental, connecting worshipers across time to the eternal. In a time when truth is personal and malleable, the Anglican expression offers a solid bridge between the temporal and eternal.

For this Deacon, well this is where it gets a little close.

I pray that I might become closer to the heart of the Almighty. I don’t want to be sanctimonious, or out of touch. I want to stand in His presence with a “short” account. I want to be able to look across the panorama of humanity and see Christ in every face I encounter. I pray that I might be able to reach out with the hands and heart of the Savior in all I do. I want to point folk away from the “hard knock” life, and towards the eternal, abundant life in our Savior.

Out of the Gate in 2011...

2011-01-02T14:39:00.001-05:00

A Deacon's prayer for a new year.

Flight 2010 Reports the Runway in Sight

2010-12-31T10:55:00.004-05:00

It’s a quiet morning in my quiet place, here in Suburbia Majora. The past hour has had all the right ingredients, a comfortable seat, a fast Mac Book, a Scotty, and John MacArthur on the radio. I can think of few better ways of finishing up a year that will conclude (on the east coast) in 14 hours and some change. So, ensconced in my comfy chair with my faithful Scotty, it’s a great time to think on the year that’s been.

Those who know me know that I can be a “sweaty-palmed” flier when the fragile bird starts rockin’ and rollin’ at thirty-three thousand feet. On those types of flights, there is nothing more comforting than feeling the landing gear lower and lock into place. Its that indication that the CRJ will soon be on the ground and approaching the gate. I’m feeling that same sense on December 31, 2010. Man, this has been a bumpy flight.

Nationally, (That is if we can still be considered a nation by its true definition), we’ve ended this year with a sigh of relief. Never in the Republic’s history, have we teetered so close to the edge of the abyss. We’ve faced danger from within and without, amassed a brain-exploding debt, and embraced the elements of societal erosion and decay. I have no time for conspiracies or wild-eyed conspiracy theorists. Yet, in light of the year that’s been, I’m forced to one of three conclusions.

Conclusion #1: we’re being ruled by a cabal of the most inexperienced, inept and unqualified individuals to squat in that fever swamp city on the Potomac. This parade of Marxists, and washed-up hippies have tried to force failed politico-economic theory down the throats of whom they see as the lumpen proletariat (that would be YOU citizen). It’s the working definition of insanity in motion. The governing theories that failed the “Great Society”, the Carter nightmare, 70 years of Soviet rule, North Korea, et al are being attempted once more in hopes of bringing “profound transformation” here in what has been the most blessed nation in the history of the world. To quote Cousin Sarah, “How’s that hopey-changey thing workin’ for ya?” This current administration has shown themselves to be, using one of their favorite phrases, profoundly intellectually incurious, in their understanding of the United States Constitution, fundamental economics and the historic American ethos.

The remedy for Conclusion #1 is simple; we take back our Republic. The left is already snarking “Take back our country from who?” OK Nancy, this has nothing to do with dermal concentrations of melanin and everything to do with worldview and experience. The current administration hasn’t put the bus in a ditch; they’ve about driven it off a cliff. They tried, and failed and need to be sent back to driver’s ed.

Conclusion #2: There may well be evil, craven men who are purposely working to see to the Destruction of our Republic. Consider just some of these facts for a moment. A sovereign state moves to outlaw a body of law (sharia) that flies in the face of the U.S. Constitution and the first amendment’s establishment clause. This move is challenged by an individual working on behalf of a foreign interest, and is struck down as “unconstitutional”. Another state moves to enforce existing U.S. law, only to be taken to court by an activist Justice Department. Elected officials are on record clearly flouting Constitutional constraints and abrogating their oaths of office. As if this weren’t enough, there appears almost to be a concerted cultural subversion of the American ethos. Faith, family, freedom, thrift, ingenuity, vision, and hope; all the facets of that jewel of American Exceptionalism have been under continual assault.

The remedy for Conclusion #2 is also simple. We investigate, and if there is a preponderance of evidence, convene a court to try this cabal for treason. I did say treason, a word that few have the gonads to utter in this post-modern, PC-addled world. If these Bradley Manning’s and their ilk are found guilty, they should face the historic penalty for this craven crime.

Conclusion #3: It is very possible, and conceivable that this nation has fallen under the Hand of Divine judgment. Think about it for a moment. This is a nation that was conceived and birthed by individuals who were thoroughly steeped in the Judeo-Christian Consensus. Christian, Jew, Theist, Deist alike was cognizant of the providential hand that appeared to rest upon the new nation. In-turn, there was a reverential respect. All of this began to come under assault in the last half century as God haters and other infidels, in their contempt for the Divine, declared war on the Almighty. Since then, they have waged a long war to systematically erase the presence and very memory of the Almighty from the American story. With God, cast into the dustbin of history, there would be no need for his laws and decrees. In this atheistic new world, life is cheapened, truth is irrelevant, and we become like those in the Book of Judges who "Did what seemed right in their own eyes." I believe that if we’ve been smote by the Almighty, their would be no doubt in anyone’s mind. It could well be a case however, of Him taking a step back, letting us stick our fingers in the light socket, and saying “How’s that hopey-changey thing working for ya’?”

Conclusion #3, though seemingly simple, is a much taller order. This will require individual introspection and soul searching, the kind of self-examination that Saint Paul spoke of. It will require both private and public acknowledgement of guilt against the Kingdom of God. It demands both private and public repentance, along with a turning from our wickedness and turning towards the face of God. In this, perhaps He will turn from His anger, show His mercy and heal our Republic.

May God save us from another 2010.

The Feast of the Holy Innocents, and Michael Vick

2010-12-29T16:49:00.002-05:00

Today, our calendars mark the Feast of the Holy Innocents; a day that has captured my mind since I was six years old. This day, and my understanding of it has taken on an evolving understanding as I’ve grown into adulthood. Today, we remember those whose lives were prematurely snuffed out at the hands of cruel soldiers operating under the orders of a megalomaniacal puppet of Imperial Rome.

The second chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel provides us with a brief, chilling account of the events surrounding this feast day.

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

Herod “the Great” clearly suffered from paranoid-schizophrenia, a particularly dangerous condition for a despot with the power of life or death. His wife Mariamne and three of his sons were executed under his orders. Though being one who professed to be a Jew, the historian Josephus recounts a decadent lifestyle that would have been completely scandalous to the observant Jew. So when in another fit of paranoia he ordered the slaughter of male infants in the vicinity of Bethlehem, it would hardly raise a blip radar. Herod was so consumed by the fact that few if any would mourn his passing, that he assembled a group of influential men at Jericho. Upon his death, these men would be slaughtered with the idea that expressions of grief and mourning might be seen as mourning for Herod. His son Archilaus refused to carry out the order.

When I first heard this Gospel account at age six, it was truly frightening. I had an incomprehensible image of soldiers descending on unsuspecting children and hurting them. I could only ask why. It would take some more time to begin to understand the greater magnitude. Growing to adulthood and becoming a parent with two little guys of my own, the focus seemed to turn from the little ones and onto Rachael and her neighbors. Rachael (as foretold by Jeremiah) was seized with a searing grief that no consolation could assuage. Mere moments ago, her little Matthias or Joseph was quietly playing at her feet as she perhaps kneaded the dough for the family bread. Or, maybe her little Jonah was following her home from the well. Now, in a horrific moment, he’s gone. She cries out to heaven as acid tears burn her cheeks.

This morning as I meditate over the Collect and appointed readings, my focus has been pulled back all the way to the Throne of the Almighty. We serve a God who is acquainted with our griefs and sorrows. What did He feel at that moment? What does he feel in the face of man’s abject inhumanity to man? Does his heart feel like my heart when I ponder acts of cold, wanton cruelty?

I know that Michael Vick’s name in the title may seem absolutely random if not a bit kooky. But, at least in my fever swamp brain, he fits into this.

Mr. Vick was tied to a dog fighting ring for which he was tried, convicted and punished. He served hard time for this and I pray that the lessons were learned and the debts paid.

There are many sports that guys and their dogs can participate in, but dog fighting doesn’t make the list. It is cruel at is very core and has no place in our society. What I don’t understand however, is how those who cry for the dogs in the dog fighting trade have absolutely no issue over the 3,100 prenatal infants whose lives were suddenly snuffed out today in what should have been a sanctuary… their mother’s womb. This really speaks to a societal cognitive dissonance

A Visit from Saint Nicholas

2010-12-24T21:23:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas! Let me say it again, only louder so the secularists and the pathetic PC crowd can hear me... Merry Christmas!!

In our western experience of Christmas, a particular 4th Century Bishop has become associated with December 25th, even though his feast has traditionally been observed on December 8th. Yes, I'm speaking of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. To the curmudgeons, super saints and scrooges who want to see Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus, et al banished from the Christian expression of the Nativity of the Christ, I say Bollocks!! Those voices in American Evangelicalism who loudly proclaim that "Ol' St. Nick" draws attention away from the Christ of Christmas, know nothing of the man. History speaks of a man who was a mighty apologist for that "babe in the manger"... The incarnate Son of God.

This saint, famed throughout the entire world today, was the only son of his eminent and wealthy parents, Theophanes and Nona, citizens of Patara in Lycia. They dedicated to God the only son He gave them. St. Nicholas was instructed in the spiritual life by his uncle Nicholas, Bishop of Patara (see below), and became a monk at `New Sion', a monastery founded by his uncle. On the dealth of his parents, Nicholas distributed all the property he inherited to the poor and kept nothing back for himself. As a priest in Patara, he was known for his charitable works, fulfilling the Lord's words: `Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth' (Matt. 6:3). When he embraced a life of solitude and silence, thinking to live in that way until his death, a voice from on high came to him: `Nicholas, set about your work among the people if you desire to receive a crown from Me.' Immediately after that, by God's wondrous providence, he was chosen as archbishop of the city of Myra in Lycia. Merciful, wise and fearless, Nicholas was a true shepherd to his flock. He was cast into prison during the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian, but even there continued to instruct the people in the Law of God. He was present at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea in 325, and, in his zeal, struck Arius with his hand. For this act, he was removed from the Council and from his episcopal duties, until some of the chief hierarchs had a vision of our Lord Christ and His most holy Mother showing their sympathy with Nicholas.

Nicholas contributed to the Creed of Nicea, the genesis for the document which would become the Nicene Creed. This document stridently defended the eternal deity of Christ Jesus. A translation of that Creed reads:

We believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible; and in the one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the substance of the Father; God from God, Light from Light, Very God from Very God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made, both in heaven and in earth; who for us men and for our salvation came down and was incarnate, was made man, suffered, and rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and is coming to judge the living and the dead; And in the Holy Spirit. And those who say: "There was a time when he was not", and: "Before he was begotten he was not", and: "He came into being from nothing", or those who pretend that the Son of God is "of another substance" [than the Father] or "created" or "alterable" or "mutable", the catholic and apostolic church places under a curse."

Hardly the words of one trying to obfuscate the "Christ of Christmas". Now, once more for effect... Merry Christmas!!

For a Compline in Advent...

2010-12-21T19:07:00.001-05:00

In the Waning hours of Advent

2010-12-21T19:04:00.001-05:00

Now, more than ever...

Still Here

2010-12-21T16:03:00.002-05:00

It would seem that I've been suffering a bit of Blogger's Block here lately. I do want to get back into the swing.

It's that Important...

2010-10-26T07:38:00.001-04:00

Set two alarm clocks next Tuesday.

The Prayer of St. Brendan

2010-10-19T11:42:00.003-04:00

I nicked this from Katherine Mary Martin's+ notes on FB. A profound prayer from a Celtic Saint who possibly saw the shores of North America centuries before "Lucky Leif"...

Shall I abandon, O King of mysteries, the soft comforts of home? Shall I turn my back on my native land, and turn my face towards the sea?
Shall I put myself wholly at your mercy, without silver, without a horse, without fame, without honour? Shall I throw myself wholly upon You, without sword or shield, without food and drink, without a bed to lie on? Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under Your yoke?
Shall I pour out my heart to You, confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness, tears streaming down my cheeks? Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach, a record of my final prayer in my native land?
Shall I then suffer every kind of wound that the sea can inflict? Shall I take my tiny boat across the wide sparkling ocean? O King of the Glorious Heaven, shall I go of my own choice upon the sea?

O Christ, will You help on the wild waves?

Apologies to Elizabeth+

2010-10-10T15:07:00.004-04:00

I hacked off a Blogger this week. The expression of my convictions were ill-tempered and only served to inflame that person. For that, I'm sincerely sorry.

I am, and will remain unapologetically aligned with the cause of life. I remain convinced that abortion is not the way to conduct neither contraception nor family planning. I contend that though there are cases of sexual assault, and extreme medical conditions where a woman's life is at a bona-fide risk (e.g. ectopic pregnancies), these are not normative. Too, I contend that through its original charter, there are groups like Planned Parenthood that are engaged in a proactive campaign of in-utero genocide against select groups based on racial or socio-ecconomic status. (I believe it's founders expression for these groups was "human weeds").

All of this not withstanding, I fear that in my zeal, I've stomped personally on an individual. This was never my intent, and the fact that may have occurred troubles me as while advocating particular causes, I'm not here to afflict or insult anyone personally. So, to Elizabeth, I offer you my sincere apologies and ask your forgiveness. We may (and should) discuss and debate these watershed issues, it should be done so in the spirit of love and charity (a concept that we are both committed to as Anglican Clerics).

May the LORD Bless and Keep you.

May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

May the LORD lift His face unto you and give you peace.

Sunday Morning at Celebration Anglican

2010-10-10T14:58:00.002-04:00

Funny, but my musical tastes (when it comes to sacred music) are fairly staid. In fact, my tongue-in-cheek expression is "If its not Baroque, don't fix it". This particular piece is one of the few contemporary worship songs that makes the exception to that general rule. When I hear or sing it, the lyrics strike a longing for that day when, in the return of the Almighty, all of creation is reset to its proper alignment.

Enjoy your sabbath rest today, and let it create a hunger for the ultimate sabbath rest that we'll experience at the culmination of all things.

Monday Lunchtime

2010-10-04T12:45:00.002-04:00

September 11, 2010 - Vespers

2010-09-11T18:39:00.002-04:00

The Nations will rage, the infidels will rattle their swords. Yet, He remains in firm control and is returning to settle the score. Maranatha!

September 11, 2010 - II

2010-09-11T09:14:00.004-04:00

The Reverend Terry Jones and imam Rauf could be considered emblematic of the trial that has held this nation in a vise grip for the past decade. At one pole there is an astounding lack of sensitivity for the thousands whose voices were silenced on a clear Tuesday morning in September. On the other pole there is an amazing level of jackassery in promising an act that offers little or no positive fruit and incalculable negative blowback.

Jones and Rauf are within their constitutional bounds to build and burn as their resources allow. Rauf has the same rights accorded to the pornographer, pawnbroker or payday loan purveyor to hang a shingle and open up for business. Jones too, has the same rights given to the militant atheist and the islamic extremists who burn Bibles, crosses and crucifixes with routine regularity.

These two creepy men are textbook cases in the "rights vs. responsibilities" continuum. Rauf fails to understand that what he calls a "bridge", a majority of others would call a "siege- work". The imam claims that his intentions are as pure as the driven snow, yet history's report concerning islam's penchant for triumphal "mosques as monuments" stands in stark contradiction. And for the love of all that's holy, he doesn't help his case a wit by tossing out a thinly veiled threat on CNN in front of all 417 of her nightly viewers.

Jones, clearly a graduate of Jack Chick Theological Seminary, has missed the bus. The pastor considers this koran barbeque to be an act of faith or obedience to Holy Scripture. Yet his "auto de fe" is understood to be, at its very best, sub-christian by reasserter and revisionist alike. At its worst, its an act of benighted ignorance that gives absolutely no thought to its unintended consequences.

What's the Deacon's take on this on this solemn morning?

I believe that Rauf's decision to build Dar al Cordoba in the shadow of a symbolic mass grave is tantamount to the same "colonialism" decried by so many on the left (and I wish they'd get their heads around that!) "Right" says he may build his missionary enterprise wherever the market will bear. "Rectitude" demands that he should consider another location.

I don't recognize the koran to be divinely inspired any more that I consider the Book of Mormon, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the writings of Ellen G. White or Mary Baker Eddy to be divinely inspired. The koranic doctrine of abrogation serves only to invalidate the work as the words of an indecisive deity.

Yet, because one fifth of the global population DOES consider the koran to be inspired, I believe that it should be handled respectfully. It shouldn't be placed on the level of The Holy Bible, but it shouldn't be handled as any common book.

It would be far more beneficial if rather than burning the koran, it would be better open and read. This way, its errors could be engaged prayerfully, intelligently and thoughtfully.

September 11, 2010

2010-09-11T08:06:00.002-04:00

"Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted" -- Jesus of Nazareth

On "Rights"

2010-09-09T07:12:00.003-04:00

Ok, let's all stop shrieking for a moment and forget about who's ox is currently being gored. Its September 9, 2010 and we're still a Constitutional Republic and not the Orwellian dystopia we're on the fast track in becoming. In this Republic, you have the right to:

Damn the nation from the pulpit like rev. Jeremiah Wright
Emotionally assault mourners at military funerals like the trolls from Westboro Baptist
(Apparently) Intimidate voters a la New Black Panthers
Take your best white sheets off the bed and wear them in the public square
Burn the Holy Bible
Engage in sex acts on a public street, in front of children (gay pride parade style)
Engage in street evangelism at that same pride parade.
Build a monument of triumphal conquest in the shadow of a mass grave in Lower Manhattan.
Burn copies the koran on the anniversary of the most cowardly against civilians in American history

Alright, now that I have your attention let's think about this like adults. I want to emphasize the "adult" aspect because more and more, the national dialog has been resembling a junior high school lunchroom dominated by petulant children.

Every one of the aforementioned bullets is burning someone's bacon or jazzing them on. One is reading and saying "yeah baby" while another is saying "how dare them..." Your ox or not, it may be "gored" under the protections of the First Amendment. Yet, for everyone who clamors to assert their "first amendment right", too few are willing to cowboy up to their "first amendment responsibility" to own the consequence or fallout of their expression.

How does this play out? Quite simply. If you're going to engage in street evangelism at a pride parade, you'd better be prepared for the same reception that Lot received that evening in Olde Towne Sodom. If you're going to stand in your pulpit and damn your nation while spewing marxist liberation theology, don't hide behind the race card when you suddenly become an object of scorn.

For the rest of us, it should be a no-brainer. There is no enumerated right that protects us from offense. If you believe that this SHOULD be the case, you're playing with fire in the fact that you too offend folk on any given day. Any protected class is only an election away from becoming a public pariah, or vice-versa.

Someone has said, "There was a time when people had tender hearts and tough hides, seems that has become twisted around." I wish I knew who actually made that remark because it contains a wealth of pithy wisdom.

Tuesday Chuckles

2010-09-07T16:41:00.011-04:00

I saw this one in the Freelance Star yesterday and mused, "Would this have been the alternate ending to the fairytale had it been set in Stafford County (aka Suburbia Majora)?"

We moved down here from Washington County Maryland in 1994. Shortly after our arrival, I would hear this mantra repeated often: Don't get in trouble in Stafford. Initially it seemed to be sour grapes from someone who crossed the line and was called to the bench to answer for their "misdemeanourin" (to quote Governor Menelaus "Pappy" O'Daniel). It soon became clear that far too many people were making the claim for it to be mere simpering.

One only needs to read the Freelance Star a week or so to realize that the phrase "held without bond" appears in nearly every story concerning some neer' do well who ran afoul of the Stafford County Mounties. Dovetail this fact that the County is saddled with a Commonwealth Attorney who has made it his personal crusade to turn as many citizens into felons as the calendar will bear. This is the same one who's office charged an 8 and 10 year-old as felons for the Mansonesque crime of chucking snowballs at a moving car (something that could be remedied by a simple trip to the woodshed).

Sunday 8/29 -- Colossians 2:5-10

2010-08-30T16:57:00.003-04:00

The following was delivered Sunday, August 29th at Celebration Church in Fredericksburg by your humble Deacon:

Colossians 2:6-10
Growing/Continuing in Christ

When we look across history and the religions that weaved through the fabric of history, we see a pantheon of deities that were, by and large, capricious tricksters who seemed to take some twisted pleasure in fooling, deceiving, or otherwise tripping up us poor mortal schlubs. Greek, Roman, Celtic and other Mythological accounts are replete with gods and demi-gods playing us humans to be either a source of entertainment or just the butt of their jokes. This isn’t limited to antiquity; the Allah of contemporary Islam is seen to be one who may mislead based on his prerogative while still holding humanity accountable according to a number of suras or verses of the Quran. This is not the case of the God of the Old and New Testaments of our Bible.

Far from being a trickster, deceiver, or liar; the “One God”, the creator of heaven and earth who we confess in the creeds, not only communicates truth, but He is the very personification of truth. He is unambiguous concerning his proclamations and expectations. His demands are steep, so steep that he makes an Olympic gymnastics coach look like a teddy bear by comparison. Yet in His love, He has taken amazing strides to see that those He’s called, those who love and desire to honor Him have a way to do so. It’s a safe axiom to say that; “Where the LORD demands, He provides.”

The God who created us knows that we’re into the “process” of things, or how things work. This is evidenced in the fact that a three year-old can ask “why?” without end and as adults, we’re enamored shows that demonstrate how things work or how things are done. When we consider it, we can see how our God has devoted a significant portion of His Word to the “How to’s” of His kingdom. The passage of New Testament scripture that we heard this morning from St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossian church contains a great “How To” direction. St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Chapter two verses 6-10, calls the saints at the church on Colossae to mature in the faith and not fall prey to deceptive doctrines that have crept into that local assembly. The God, who levied this command on that church, also laid out the way for that command to be fulfilled, as we’ll see.

The Church at Colossae was under assault. Now, this isn’t breaking news as all First Century believers were facing external threats from diverse groups that included Imperial Roman authority, the local Jewish community and elements of the indigenous gentile communities. The church at Colossae was dealing with a more subtle, more insidious threat from within; an early expression of whet would come to be known as Gnosticism had crept into their midst and its adherents were seeding the body with lethal heresy. Like contemporary New Age gurus or some aberrant teachers sometimes encountered in modern Pentecostal or Charismatic circles, these false teachers who would later become known as Gnostics brought a slicker, sexier body of teachings that purported to bring a “higher”, more “spiritual” revelation of the Godhead.

St. Paul’s letter to this church was written to not only refute the diabolical teachings of these errors, but to proclaim the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ Jesus as both God and mediator.

Let’s consider these words over the next few minutes. Viewing how their instruction was urgent and timely for the Colossians, and reflect too how they’ve not lost their edge in directing us in our growth in God.

“What you did” v. 5

“For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
(Col 2:5)”

The Apostle Paul was delighted to share his joy with the Colossians concerning their faith in Christ. He commended the Colossians in proclaiming that he “delights to see how orderly [they] you are and how firm [their] your faith in Christ is.” Unlike immediate concern for their Galatian brothers and sisters, whose faith had appeared to run aground, the saints at Colossae were maturing in their walk with the Almighty. Their relationship with the risen Christ was steadfast and firm. This kind of faith was and continues to be the type that provides a robust framework that supports continued growth and facilitates a bounty of spiritual fruit in the lives of God’s elect.

Paul knew, as he reminded the saints in Rome, that faith was “Received through hearing,
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17)”
Not just any hearing but the hearing of the counsel of the Almighty God”. The Colossians weren’t won over by shock and awe or “signs and wonders” ministries, but rather by the pure and complete message of God’s Gospel. God, through His Spirit and prevenient grace, allowed these Colossian saints to be sensitive to the word and spirit; belief and repentance followed.

“What you do” vv.6-7

Because we ostensibly came to a faith in Christ Jesus in the same manner as the Colossian saints, we should expect to press on towards a spiritual maturity in the same way that the Apostle has instructed them. And with this, Paul lays out the “Next step” in declaring:

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6-7)”

The walk of faith is exactly this; its not an event or a moment in time, its solidly relational and characterized by continued, forward motion. Sometimes walking, sometimes running or even sometimes limping or even crawling on our knees; regardless, our walk of faith is a sacramental, sanctified journey from the miry clay spoken of by David in Psalm 40 where He rescued us, to the glories He’s prepared. These are those “incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” which St. Paul spoke of in his letter to the Ephesians.

As we continue in this walk of faith, we’re called to root down and build up.

Roots are perhaps the most underappreciated structures in the plant kingdom. They’re mostly invisible, often cursed by gardeners and plumbers alike for their ability to invade and spread. In a healthy plant, the roots account for upwards of 50% of the plant’s structural mass. Its very easy for us to look at a tree and see something shaped like a trowel, or lollipop or even a well-crafted Slazenger tennis racquet. Yet if you could uproot that plant, shake loose the trapped soil and you’d have something akin to a dumbbell or a two-headed tennis racquet. Now, this occurs for reasons beyond symmetry and aesthetics. A robust network of roots exist in a healthy plants for two primary reasons, these being a method for providing structural stability and a means to provide nourishment to the plant. No plant without adequate root structures would be able to even withstand the basic demands of gravity; it would collapse under its own weight. Too, it would whither and die in even the lushest climates.

Taking the queue from the natural order, we can see the necessity in the Apostle’s instruction to sink deep roots. We’re not poplars, pines or oaks; so how and wear does a believer sink their roots?

We root our lives in Christ Jesus. Those spiritual roots augur down in to the depths of the Christ, holding fast to His love and mercy. They wend their way, clinging onto His promises. Like the natural tree withstanding gravity, the rooted saint can stand against the forces of doubt, faith that’s susceptible to wavering, and temptations to sin against our God, our neighbor and ourselves. Those roots take a firm hold into promises like “I’ll never leave or forsake you”, or that “way of escape” in the face of temptation. Once anchored, we can feed on the life-giving Word of God, lift our voices in praise and meditating on the rich counsel offered to us in scripture.

Rooted, we can build. When we build in this state, we become like that builder in Matthew 7 who built upon the solid rock. The nourishment, security and strength derived from rooting and building on the foundation provided by the Christ will result in a visible witness to the world around us. This, Paul tells the Colossian saints, and us, will bring about a spiritual strengthening. We can see that the saint who roots well and roots deep, builds high and builds to the glory of the Almighty.

This rooting, building and growing will inevitably bring about tangible, visible fruit in our lives and the lives of all saints who live out this exhortation. As sure as to ignore this command results in a sick, grumbling, anemic Christian, obeying this command will result in a believer whose life is overflowing with joy and thanksgiving. This is a thanksgiving that overflows and surpasses not only our own imaginations, but one that causes those in our lives, saints and pagans alike, to stop and take notice. This thankful heart is a heart that won’t be easily shaken, or distracted from what the Almighty has already accomplished. This heart, beating in the life of the saint, will equip and empower that saint to continue and persevere in the pressing on to the mark of the higher calling in Christ Jesus.

There is still one more thing we need to think about as we consider the call to and the importance of being rooted. This is something that we can easily observe in nature and can apply its principle to the spiritual realm. Well rooted trees that stand in groves or woodlots or forests stand stronger than solitary trees. The lone tree in a windswept field lacks the protection of those trees that stand together. I mention this as a reminder that we root and grow as a community of saints in normal, healthy Christianity. We’ve not been called to be the “Lonesome Pine”, growing out there on our own. In this community, not only do we exist in vertical communion with our Lord, we exist in horizontal communion with our brothers and sisters. We feed from on high, while strengthening those around us.

“What you avoid” v. 8

After giving positive exhortations to the saints at Colossae, St. Paul lays out a strong, serious warning, where he says:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col 2:8)”

The Apostle lays down a strong warning against those insidious philosophies and beliefs that were quietly being injected into the Colossian church. These teachings had an initial appeal and a promise of enlightening these saints beyond the “simple” and “pedestrian” message of the Gospel, yet under their veneer laid a bitter poison that could leave the Colossian saints with shipwrecked faith. This esoteric teaching did nothing whatsoever to proclaim the Gospel, the words of Christ or the teaching of the Apostles. What it did was focus speculative arguments about angels, arguments about Mosaic Law and the Jewish traditions. Falling into these would have the similar effect of stumbling into a mud bog where one would soon find themselves stuck and unable to escape. Paul reminds these saints that these philosophies have no origin, nor nothing to do with the Divine. Instead, they are hollow straw men with origins outside of God and His holy counsels.

We here today have been blessed in the sense that our blended family is one that said no to the insipid teachings that had crept into our respective churches, taking them hostage. Through God’s help, we were able to see through those hollow philosophies and thoroughly repudiate them. This said, we’re called to remain alert and not to rest on our laurels.

Some philosophies and doctrines are easily seen for the schmutz that they are, and are indefensible despite the best efforts of those peddling them. Others can be more delicate, more subtle and yet as equally destructive. Looking across the landscape of American Christendom, or flipping through the train wreck that represents a considerable segment of “Christian media”, it doesn’t take long to discover the grandchildren of those who were attempting to influence the church at Colossae. These are those whose teachings have derailed the faith of many who have wandered far off the path in the pursuit of these contemporary philosophies. Instead of endless genealogies teachings on the ranks of angels, there are saints this morning across this County and this Nation who are having their ears tickled by everything and anything BUT the Gospel of our Lord. They’re being held captivated by conspiracy theories, or being lambasted by a gospel of social justice. Others are chasing hard after signs and wonders or watching and waiting for the gold dust to fall upon them during altar services. Others have been captivated and ultimately discouraged by the prosperity gospel that has crept through the church like a spiritual kudzu.

The warning serves to amplify and restate the importance of the Apostle’s exhortation to root and grow. Not only does nature abhor a vacuum, but the heart of man won’t tolerate a vacuum either. Remember Christ’s parable concerning the bound and bum-rushed strongman. If we’re not feeding on Christ through word or through prayer and meditation, we will feed on something in order to stop the growling in our spirits. And in this we have a choice; we can choose to feed on the prime rib that the Almighty has set before us, or we can stuff ourselves with the pork rinds and RC cola set out by our adversary.

“What you possess” vv. 9-10

There is a powerful takeaway in all of this, as the Apostle continues:

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (Col 2:9-10)”

Paul is making a powerful pronouncement in describing Christ’s nature to the Colossians, but he simply proclaiming what was already a solidly established matter of Scripture and Christian thought.

In answering Phillip’s request to be “shown the Father”, Jesus declared in John 14 that “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John’s preamble to his Gospel narrative, as speaking of Jesus (as the “Word”) proclaimed “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Christ’s deity was affirmed externally on two particular instances within the Gospel narratives. I’m not referring to some extra-biblical sources, I’m speaking of the extra-natural where the Father, the supreme and almighty temporarily disrupted the impenetrable barrier between the physical and ethereal to assert and celebrate the full divinity of Jesus. Probably, the first event that comes to mind is the Father’s pronouncement, and the Holy Spirit’s brief incarnation at Christ’s baptism by John in the muddy Jordan River. As the Spirit of God appeared as a dove, the Father’s voice shook the Jordan valley as he proclaimed “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Again some time later on the mount of transfiguration, the Father makes the same pronouncement, only adding the imperative to “Listen to Him.”

While the Colossians may have been tempted to earnestly seek a greater, more powerful revelation along with higher knowledge of the Divine, they already possessed the revelation of the Almighty in the person of Jesus the Christ.

While the apostate teachers were contending that Jesus was a mere Demiurge who was subordinate to the true God, Paul would have the Colossian saints know under no uncertain terms, that not only was Jesus the Christ of God, but that within him was the fullness of God.

“For in Christ all of the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form v.9”

Jesus was no tin-horn, second string divine personality who answered to a mightier, more complete Being, he was and remains the complete revelation and the fullness of the very Godhead. There is none other and anyone attempting to make this claim is an outright imposter.

John, referred to Christ as “The Word”, the perfect expression of God.

In perhaps the most powerful and climactic words of the Apostle Paul’s exhortation, he tells these Colossian saints that they are, as children of God who are rooted and growing in grace, that this fullness of God now resides within them! Not only were these false teachers attempting to sell them a wagon of junk, they were attempting to sell what the saints of God possessed in real time!

Saints, not only may we take huge comfort in the knowing that we’ve been introduced and know the God of the universe, we may take an even greater comfort in knowledge that that God dwells now within the us. Take a moment to get a hold of this; the one who spoke photons into existence, the one who opened his mouth and neutrons began to spin around protons lives within all who have called upon His name in repentance.

* * * * *

So, what can we take away from this timeless counsel to the Colossian church? I do say timeless because as King Solomon told us, there is nothing new under the sun. As long as the church marches forward in these last days before our Lord’s return, there will be frauds and false teachers attempting to interject their poisonous, false teachings into the family of faith. Knowing this, we take St Paul’s instruction to do those “first things”. We root ourselves into our God and His word. We watch and guard against fruitless teachings and doctrines that oppose the pure counsel of the Gospel. And, we take the encouragement, and encourage one another that as Saints of God, we are not only in possession of the complete revelation of that God, but that same God has enthroned himself in our hearts.

Monday Chuckles

2010-08-30T11:22:00.003-04:00