August 26, 2021

“Just as the Christian should not be constantly feeling his spiritual pulse, so too, the Christian community has not been given to us by God for us to be constantly taking its temperature. The more thankfully we receive what is given to us, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God please. Christian community is not an ideal which we must realize; it is rather a reality created by God in Christ in which we may participate” 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that about Christian community, but it applies to life in general. The more we chafe against what is given in favor of some ideal we have created, the unhappier we will be with the day to day.

St. Paul says, “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

Where, or with whom does this touch down for you today?

“Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Grace at Meals – BCP p. 835)

August 25, 2021

A character in an Agatha Christie mystery described a suspect as an “unhappy success.” He said that many “successful” people are unhappy; they are driven to succeed to convince themselves that they are worthy and acceptable. Many people who are “failures”, on the other hand, are happy – they live without the constant pressure and expectation to succeed.

Be that as it may, the bible tells us that our worth and identity is entirely independent of our production, or lack thereof.  Paul, quite a success in his own milieu, says, “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:7-8)

That is a quick exit off the hamster wheel!

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP)

August 24, 2021

The certain light in August and the particular cadence of the early morning crickets signal back to school in Central Virginia. In this college town, the New Year really starts now. And with it comes the admixture of new possibility and the anxiety of the unknown.

On the precipice of a new season, I’m always comforted by the words the newly risen Jesus says to Mary at the open door of the tomb that first Easter morning. “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:19)

Jesus has gone ahead of you, and is there waiting for you! And since He is already there, everything is going to be okay.

“Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 23 – BCP)

August 23, 2021

Here’s the skeptic Ivan’s astute observation from Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamozov.

“’I must make you one confession,’ Ivan began, ‘I could never understand how one can love one’s neighbours. It’s just one’s neighbours, to my mind, that one can’t love, though one might love those at a distance.” Ivan’s right; it is easier to love the abstract person than it is to love the particular person. Especially when the particular person is annoying, ultra-needy, or destructive.

The bible clearly tells us that love does not rise unaided from the human heart. But love of neighbor (and even enemy!) does happen in life. How? “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

The love our neighbor is always a response to God’s love for us.

“O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” (Proper 19 – BCP p. 233)

August 20, 2021

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10: 29-31)

There’s nothing like a good mechanic that you can trust, especially when you don’t really know much about cars. You know when something is wrong with your car because the Check Engine light comes on, but you sure as heck don’t know what to do with the engine while you’re checking it. Which is why you need a good mechanic that you can trust.

You can see where I’m going with this, and the analogy isn’t perfect, but you can absolutely trust yourself with God. Sometimes you know what is wrong with you, sometimes a light comes on and you don’t know why. But the God who knows you, (even the hairs on your head!) loves you, and redeems you always has room in His shop. In fact, He’ll even tow you in.

“Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fifth Sunday in Lent – BCP p. 219)

August 19, 2021

Here’s a nugget from Garrison Keillor, who just turned 79. 

“Richard Dawkins argued against God’s existence, saying that omniscience and omnipotence are contradictory. I believe God will clear this up when we meet Him, meanwhile we live with disarray and pray for forgiveness. In my remaining years, I hope to forgive myself. I feel I’m making progress.”

Disarray is inevitable in life. Forgiveness is essential to life. “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

“O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen” (Proper 28 – BCP)

August 18, 2021

“So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6: 68-69)

After a particularly difficult to swallow teaching, many of those listening to Jesus said enough is enough – this guy is nuts. (The teaching in question was literally difficult to swallow: “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me.”) 

Peter’s response to Jesus’ question is one of the great lines of Scripture, one I return to again and again. Lord, to whom can we go? We may not understand all that Jesus says or does, but one thing is sure – you will not find His brand of grace anywhere else in this world. And only He fulfills and satisfies you in your truest nature.

“Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Fourth Sunday in Lent – BCP p. 219)

August 17, 2021

Four thousand weeks. That’s the average life span. It’s a little uncomfortable to parse it out in those terms, isn’t it?

It puts a check on my tendency to wish things away. Like, I can’t wait to get through this. Or why is it taking so long to do that. When our children were little, I couldn’t wait until they got out of diapers and I could put cup of coffee on the floor without it being knocked over. (OK, even though our youngest is heading to college this week, I’m still sort of glad that phase is over!) But, still, how many of my allotted four thousand are left? How many of yours are left?

Jesus’ resurrection is real help here. And not just His, but ours too. St. Paul says, “we know that One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us with Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 4:14)

Alleluia! Have a good week.

“O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.” (Tuesday in Easter Week – BCP p. 223)

August 16, 2021

If you are tired of wrangling with someone, one option is to take off your boxing gloves and hoist up the white flag. Not only is it easier on you, you will have crossed into Jesus Land.  Here’s a quote from Thomas Merton to help you along the way.

“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.” 

Graphically, Jesus takes the point one step further. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” (Matthew 5:38-40)

Crazy stuff, isn’t it?!

“O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 19 – BCP p. 233)

August 13, 2021

Rereading Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, and was struck by this prayer prayed by Alyosha, the youngest brother K and the novel’s Christ figure. Alyosha’s family is a moral cesspool, yet he comes alongside of each person with unflinching, nonjudging love.

“God have mercy upon all of them, have all these unhappy and turbulent souls to Thy keeping, and set them in the right path. All ways are Thine. Save them according to Thy wisdom. Thou art love. Thou wilt send joy to all!”

Although Alyosha was deeply disturbed before his prayer, after he gave his burden to God, he crossed himself and quickly fell into a peaceful sleep. Reminds me of parts two and three of our Christ Church mission statement: “love people and trust God.”

“Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (For those we Love – BCP p. 831)

August 12, 2021

“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (Matthew 8:24)

Someone joked the other day that Jesus is really a cat. She said that explains a lot. By that I suppose she meant our Lord’s apparent indifference to us and our needs. He doesn’t come when we call – or at least it seems that way. He spends a lot of time sleeping. Even through storms. When storms strike, dogs shake and hide in the closet. Cats stay tucked in a tight ball on the sofa, unperturbed. 

Like a cat, it’s true that Jesus does what He wants when He wants. But, despite appearances to the contrary, what He does and what He wants is always for our good. He did wake up, by the way, and still the storm. And so too with you and your storm. 

“O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 4 – BCP p. 229)

August 11, 2021

In Maggie’s Farm, Dylan sings, “I try my best to be just like I am / Everybody wants you to be just like them.”

Something magical happens when your authentic self is in total cahoots with your public self. Usually, something childlike gets freed up: play, humor, lightness of being. Authenticity is deeply satisfying. And there is no faking it! 

The psalmist says, “You formed me in my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13) Yes, original sin (including the sins done unto us) have damaged the original product, but thankfully not beyond recognition. Jesus tells us that we must be born again and ironically returned your identity as a child of God, saved by grace.

“Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (A Prayer of Self-Dedication – BCP p. 832)

August 10, 2021

Riffing off the prayer we closed with yesterday – “Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts.” That’s the whole enchilada, isn’t it? And yet, so difficult?

When you think about it, it is pathetically silly of us to begrudge God our trust. No believing person would say that he or she is more trustworthy than God. Or better able to handle the complexities of life. Or more adept at planning the future or making amends for past mistakes. God scores a TKO in every round.

Isaiah says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3) Another day – another round to pray that we would be able to trust in God. Definitely worth another prayer!

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP)

August 9, 2021

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 111:10)

You’ve likely heard this verse before. And you might have stumbled on the word “fear.” Are we supposed to fear the God of mercy, the Friend of Sinners?

Well, were we to see God’s glory in full we would fall flat on our faces and shut our mouths. Perhaps the fear that is the beginning of wisdom is to know that we don’t know much. “The more you see the less you know, the less you find out as you go, I knew much more then than I do know.” Bono said that. I agree.

Well, there is always prayer!

“Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 18 – BCP)

August 6, 2021

“Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.” (Luke 9:28)

Churches commemorate the Transfiguration today. That’s the day that Jesus took his 3 buddies on a hike up a mountain. Suddenly, His Son of God-ness burst through and He shone with glory. And voila! – Moses and Elijah showed up.

In this scene you have the foundations of the Old Testament: the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). But at the end, we read that Jesus is the only one left. In other words, Grace is everything. In the end, Grace is all that is left. It’s all that you can’t leave behind.

That’s been the theme running through this week’s Almost Daily. And that is God’s theme that runs through eternity, forever and ever. Amen.

“O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (The Transfiguration – BCP)

August 5, 2021

I like to start the day early, with a strong cup of loose-leaf black tea (milk), then ease into coffee after breakfast. I don’t like anyone to mess with my routine, either. You have your own routines too. People are funny about routines. For that matter, people are just plain funny.

Dave Zahl’s upcoming new blockbuster book is called Low Anthropology. One subtitle he is considering is The Key to Compassion with Others and Compassion with Yourself. When you realize that we all are carrying extremely heavy burdens, just by being people, then you have a shot at thinking that people are funny rather than annoying.

Don’t forgot, too, that our God is a burden carrier. Even a burden taker! The psalmist says, “The Lord deserves praise! Day after day He carries our burden, the God who delivers us.” (Psalm 68:19)

“O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.” (Collect at the Prayers – BCP p. 395)

August 4, 2021

I sometimes wish that the Bible was funnier. But then again, Jesus’ original audience would have laughed out loud at much of what He said. In one film version of His life, people rolled in the aisles when He suggested giving your child a scorpion instead of an egg when making a point about prayer.

My point is that man can’t live on seriousness alone. If, as we said yesterday, forgiveness wins the gold medal of the universe, humor at least gets the bronze, if not the silver. Even to woe-begotten Job, this promise comes: “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting.” (Job 8:21)

Humor, rightly employed, deflates our self-importance and puts the control back where it belongs: in the hands of God.

“Blessed are you, O Lord God, King of the Universe, for you give us all we need to sustain our lives and make our hearts glad; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Grace at Meals – BCP p. 835)

August 3, 2021

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Where are you hardhearted? With whom would you like to be “tenderhearted” instead? I’ve come to believe that forgiveness is at the very heart of the universe. Where there is no forgiveness there is no relationship. In other words, love of any kind requires forgiveness of the other.

If the cross is the heart of the universe, then so is forgiveness. As I just said, without forgiveness there is no relationship. But we have been forgiven and therefore are children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 22 – BCP)

August 2, 2021

Glad to be back with you with the Almost Daily! 

With the world turning in so many directions (Delta Variants and Wildfires currently at the forefront), we need the still points more than ever. I wonder if the changelessness of God with His timeless message of grace is the chief draw of the church?

The psalmist says, “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” (Psalm 90:2) No matter what changes or what stays the same, God is your Rock, your Stronghold, your Safe Haven. 

“Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend us; and, because we cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 13 – BCP)

June 17, 2021

Dear Friends,

The Almost Daily Devotional is going on Summer Vacation! I’m grateful for your willingness to spend some almost daily time with me. And I hope that you have been able to connect in some small way with God, the source of all love, comfort and grace. I do pray that your summer will bring some rest and refreshment - in the usual ways, as well as in unexpected places. 

The Almost Daily will be back in your inbox on August 2cd. May the peace of the Lord be always with you!

Ever Yours,

Paul