September 28, 2022

Responding to Monday’s Almost Daily about the wedding sermon I preached, a reader in Georgia shared her minister’s wedding day wisdom from 55 years ago. “No person can love you as much as you need to be loved. Do not put that burden on your spouse. Only God can and does love you that much.”

I mean, how good is that? True for spouses, true for anybody. “What is love, anyway? Does anybody love anybody anyway?” (Extra credit for anybody who can name the artist who sang that 1984 hit without googling it, like I just did.)

St. John answers: “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 4:10)

“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)

September 27, 2022

There is a clip of the Buffalo Bills’ Offensive Coordinator having a major tantrum as he watched his team run out of time to kick a potentially winning field goal. Throwing the headset, scattering papers, slamming the desk in his booth. I get it. Some things feel VERY important in the moment.

Per Jesus – there is one thing in life that is truly important: love. Love directed to God and love directed to others. “Jesus declared, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-38)

Of course, we will fail on both fronts, even as we continue to get worked up about dumb things. But, isn’t the reminder at least a little bit helpful?

“O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into ourhearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounteddead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany – BCP)

September 26, 2022

“Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them.” (Psalm 146:2)

At a wedding one time, I told the bride and groom that given our human nature, we are not completely trustworthy. Don’t put your trust in your heart, don’t put your trust in one another, but put your trust in God. People got really mad at me for saying that – and let me know at the reception.

Oh, well! Since human nature hasn’t changed since the time of the psalmist, I still stand by the statement. God – really and truly – is the only perfectly trustworthy one.

“O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

September 23, 2022

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

That’s Yogi Berra. Yogi proves himself to be a great theologian here! People worry about “doing God’s will” – should they take this fork in the road or that one? Kind of like the old The Price is Right – God’s will is hiding behind either Door #1, Door #2, or Door #3.

Here’s the ding dang thing: God is on both forks and behind all 3 doors.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

So, basically, chill out. You’re okay – His right hand shall hold you no matter what.

“Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”

September 22, 2022

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” (Ephesians 1:7-10)

You don’t need to be perspicacious (possessing acute mental vision or insight) to get on board with Christianity. Unlike other religions, there is nothing to work on; there is only everything to receive. In fact, Christianity is no religion at all; it is the end of religion. There is nothing to do, for it has all been done for you.

I like this quote from theologian Hans Kung. “By following Jesus Christ people in the world of today can truly humanly live, act, suffer and die: in happiness and unhappiness, life and death, sustained by God and helpful to others.”  And following Jesus Christ simply means the end of striving for spiritual self-improvement; for you have already been given all you need.

“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)

September 21, 2022

In the 16th Century, Luther and Erasmus tussled over whether God could reside in a dung hole. Lovely, right? It was basically an argument about whether God is imminent (near) or transcendent (removed).  Erasmus argued against the dung hole; God’s innate holiness prevents Him from entering the dung hole. Luther was decidedly pro dung hole; God enters into everything – the good, the bad, the ugly.

He turned to the prophet Jeremiah for proof. “’I am a God nearby, and not a God far away. Who can hide in secret places, so that I cannot see them? Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

Perhaps you’ve never thought of yourself as a pro-dung holer when it comes to the question of God, but thankfully God enters into the worst of the worst. If God only dealt in the holy, then there would be no Christmas, Good Friday, or Easter. And closer to home, He is in the very worst that life deals out to you.

“Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to bebetrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you andthe Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Good Friday – BCP)

September 20, 2022

At our son’s Parents Weekend up on a mountain in Tennessee, we went to a “tailgate”. I put that in quotes, because the tailgate was really a tent. Laid out on the tables were china and linen and flowers, open bar with bartender, skewered shrimp and many other absurdly gourmet delectables. Not to mention the petit fours.

I’m sure there was some showing off involved with the hosts, as this tent strove to outdo many other tents. But, really, it felt biblical to me. Isn’t this how God treats us?

“The Lord of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,

And refined, aged wine.” (Isaiah 25:6)

You have no clue how precious you are to God.

“O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.” (Wednesday in Easter Week – BCP)

September 16, 2022

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life inhis name.” (John 20:30-31)

When librettist Charles Jennens finished writing the text to the Messiah, he handed it off to Handel. In a letter to a friend, Jennens wrote, “I hope [Handel] will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excel all his former Compositions, as the Subject excels every other Subject.” 

Of course, the Messiah tells the story of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Theology used to be called the Queen of Sciences. Why is the gospel called “the greatest story ever told”? Because it is the story that you have been dying to hear your whole life. Your sins are forgiven, you are free to go and to be, and you will never die.

Hallelujah!

“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)

September 15, 2022

I was thinking about one of the incredibly bone-headed mistakes I made a recently at Christ Church. Which led me on a bread crumb trail of other bone-headed moves during my nearly 15 -year tenure as rector. Enough bread crumbs for a whole loaf!

Someone has suggested that actually writing down your mistakes is quite a healthy exercise. I agree. Not so that you can wriggle in remorse and self-accusation, but so you can begin to see yourself as St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans.

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.” (Romans 12:3)

Here’s the thing – you are never going to stop making bone-headed mistakes! Good thing that God is 1) merciful and 2) has a sense of humor.

“Almighty and merciful God, in your goodness keep us, we pray, from all things that may hurt us, that we, being ready both in mind and body, may accomplish with free hearts those things which belong to your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 2 -BCP)

September 14, 2022

“Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us--none can compare to You--if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.” (Psalm 40:5)

Here is a stunning insight from David Foster Wallace, whose depression, sadly, finally bested him.

"Both destiny's kisses and its dope-slaps illustrate an individual person's basic personal powerlessness over the really meaningful events in his life: i.e. almost nothing important that ever happens to you happens because you engineer it. Destiny has no beeper; destiny always leans trenchcoated out of an alley with some sort of Psst that you usually can't even hear because you're in such a rush to or from something important you've tried to engineer."

Insert “God” for “destiny” and you are at the heart of Christian theology. God always surprises and His office is always at the end of your rope.

Thank you, David. May you rest with the angels now.

“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)

September 13, 2022

"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves ... God sent into the world a unique person, neither a philosopher nor a general ... but a Saviour, with the power to forgive."

That’s from Queen Elizabeth II in her 2011 Christmas Address. You can’t get more to the heart of the gospel than that – God sends us a forgiving Savior.  This is Paul’s theme from our 1 Timothy reading in this past week’s Sunday lectionary.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

We do need saving from ourselves. And we do have a Savior.

“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)

September 12, 2022

D. H. Lawrence said, “The human soul needs actual beauty more than bread.” Thankfully, in Christ, we have both at the same time.

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

Beauty works on a soul level. And so too does the One from whom all beauty comes.

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty,and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (For Church Musicians and Artists – BCP)

September 9, 2022

In 1926, the famous mystery writer disappeared for 11 days. One account says, “After her husband, Archie, began an affair with a younger woman, Christie fell into a depression. While out for a drive, she crashed her car down a hill and into a hedge. The car was found, but she was not; she had fled to a spa hotel. She stayed there under a false identity, which shared a surname with her husband’s paramour.”

Ever feel like disappearing to a spa for 11 days with nobody knowing where you are? I thought so. Me, too. That’s why I love this verse. “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

Nice.

“O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.  Amen.” (In the Evening – BCP)

September 8, 2022

Along our fence line we planted an array of wildflowers. We prepared the bed, defended against weeds, diligently watered, and then waited. And waited. Nothing but weeds. But, Lo!, a week or two later a volunteer pumpkin plant sprouted. And just yesterday we harvested a picturesque pumpkin – perfectly round and perfectly orange.

I’d rather have a pumpkin than an array of wildflowers, especially in Autumn. “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.” (Proverbs 16:1)

In every case, the Lord’s reply of the tongue is way better than the plans of the heart.

“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)

September 7, 2022

Some wisdom from jam band New Potato Caboose.

“It ain’t a problem til it’s a problem / It ain’t a thing til it’s a thing / Don’t worry about tomorrow / It’ll be what it’ll be / It ain’t a thing til it’s a thing.”

The band members met at Catholic University in the early 80’s, so clearly they had been reading their bibles when the penned this one. How often do you make a thing a thing before it becomes an actual thing? And most of the time, it was never even going to become a thing in the first place!!!!

Here’s how Jesus weighs in on the subject. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34)

“Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that we may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 3 – BCP)

September 6, 2022

Jack Kerouac once said, “In America when the sun goes down and I sit on the old broken-down river pier watching the long, long skies over New Jersey and sense all that raw land that rolls in one unbelievable huge bulge over to the West Coast, and all that road going, all the people dreaming in the immensity of it [...] and nobody, nobody knows what’s going to happen.”

His description somehow reminds me of the grace of God: it’s enormity, endlessness, and boundary defying possibility. With the grace of God in your life and in the world, you just don’t know what is going to happen. Although you do know that it will be a kind of good that, in the end, blows you away.

As St. Paul says, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6-7)

“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)

September 5, 2022

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

We bought a 20 year old car with 240,000 miles on it – without taking it to our mechanic to check it out!!! We trusted the guy who sold it to us. He said his mechanic gave it the thumbs up. After a few days, the car wouldn’t start, so we had it towed to our mechanic. Our mechanic said the car is rusted out underneath and unfit to drive.

We are idiots, and idiots now with less money in our pockets.

The word that best describes our interactive relationship with God is trust. To trust someone is to surrender yourself to that person’s care. To trust in God is to offload the burdens of our lives onto Him. He will never betray your trust. He will never, ever fail you.

The collect from yesterday says it best.

“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)

September 2, 2022

“Failure is not an option.”

When people say that they usually mean that it is time to do everything possible to succeed. Dig deep, muscle through, win by any means necessary. I take failure is not an option to mean this: failure is not an option - it is an inevitability. Failure in one form or another will come, whether you opt for it or not.

In other words, you are free to fail, welcome to fail, even expected to fail. Theologically speaking, to fail is to be part of the Fall. Moreover, God is right at home with our failure; failure is where He shines. So, you fail? Big Whoop.

Here is what the psalmist says: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my hear and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)

“O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 12 – BCP)”

September 1, 2022

John Gruden, the former NFL coach and ESPN analyst fired after the exposure of his unsavory email inbox, is not a “good person” as he claimed in a recent interview. But, then again, neither are the people who canceled him because of his transgressions. And, neither are you. And, neither am I.

A NYT journalist who just wrote an in-depth article on stuttering said he believed that all people are “inherently good” and therefore will exhibit compassion and patience with those who stutter. Of all the pernicious myths of American life, the desperate and dogged attachment to the blind belief in our goodness is the chief barrier to the gospel. Not to mention a willful denial of fact, history, and experience.

Would you be willing to believe Jesus on the subject? Here is what He says. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.” (Mark 10:18

Thankfully, God works in and through us to achieve great good. But that is His work, not ours.

“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)

August 31, 2022

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

Usually, God has to brain us with a two by four to get our attention, but occasionally we can listen to our life and read the tea leaves of His nudging. As Frederick Buechner writes this Listening to Your Life:

“God speaks to us, I would say, much more often than we realize or than we choose to realize. Before the sun sets every evening, he speaks to each of us in an intensely personal and unmistakable way. His message is not written out in starlight, which in the long run would make no difference; rather it is written out for each of us in the humdrum, helter-skelter events of each day; it is a message that in the long run might just make all the difference. Who knows what he will say to me today or to you today or into the midst of what kind of unlikely moment he will choose to say it.”

There is a reason that Jesus is called the Word of God. Know this for sure – He speaks your language.

“O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Wednesday in Easter Week – BCP)