Courage
As reported in numerous places, the African Anglican primates have decided to refuse to accept donations from those supporting the confirmation of Gene Robinson. This is definitely putting their money where their mouths (and convictions) are, since much of their donations comes from such sources. The famous and wealthy Trinity Church on Wall Street in one such source.
As the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola said, “We will not, on the altar of money, mortgage our conscience, mortgage our faith, mortgage our salvation."
Closer to home, five Ohio Episcopal congregations – the same five who participated in those controversial confirmations earlier this year – have told the new liberal bishop in their diocese not to come calling
These congregations will likely pay a price for their repudiation of liberal bishop Hollingsworth. Some expect their rectors and vestries to be deposed as has happened elsewhere in cases where parishes refuse to compromise and kiss liberal butt.
Do you think those who voted for Robinson underestimated the courage of conservatives?
Friday, April 16, 2004
Thursday, April 15, 2004
No, I am not a prophet. (More on Gorelick.)
No, I’m not a prophet, but my Tuesday post questioning Jamie Gorelick’s participation on the 9-11 Commission sure is making me look like one. Since then, John Ashcroft released a memo that Gorelick wrote when she was in the Clinton Justice Department. This memo clearly played a role in making interagency sharing of information on terrorists more difficult. Gorelick’s memo ordered a separation of criminal and intelligence terrorism investigations that, in her own words, went “beyond what is legally required.�
A lack of coordination and information sharing between federal agencies is widely cited as a factor that made preventing 9-11 difficult.
I join the calls for her to resign from the Commission. Again, she is on the wrong side of the microphones. She’s got some explaining to do. She should be answering some pointed questions instead of asking them. Gorelick says she’s not resigning, however – typical behavior from a Clintonite.
Here’s a summary article, which includes a link to the memo itself.
No, I’m not a prophet, but my Tuesday post questioning Jamie Gorelick’s participation on the 9-11 Commission sure is making me look like one. Since then, John Ashcroft released a memo that Gorelick wrote when she was in the Clinton Justice Department. This memo clearly played a role in making interagency sharing of information on terrorists more difficult. Gorelick’s memo ordered a separation of criminal and intelligence terrorism investigations that, in her own words, went “beyond what is legally required.�
A lack of coordination and information sharing between federal agencies is widely cited as a factor that made preventing 9-11 difficult.
I join the calls for her to resign from the Commission. Again, she is on the wrong side of the microphones. She’s got some explaining to do. She should be answering some pointed questions instead of asking them. Gorelick says she’s not resigning, however – typical behavior from a Clintonite.
Here’s a summary article, which includes a link to the memo itself.
�If I be lifted up . . . “
I think I’ve mentioned here that during Lent I prayed everyday for God to use The Passion movie greatly. And I know many others have been praying likewise.
Well, God enjoys answering prayers in ways beyond even the imaginations of those doing the praying. The last place I would have expected The Passion of the Christ to have much of a positive impact is the Middle East. Yet it’s happening.
The response of Muslims to The Passion is amazing. For many many years, Muslims have been one of the hardest groups to evangelize. Frankly, I’ve been guilty of the sin of pretty much writing them off. Yet this movie is moving many Muslims to search out more about Christ. Praise be to God!
I think I’ve mentioned here that during Lent I prayed everyday for God to use The Passion movie greatly. And I know many others have been praying likewise.
Well, God enjoys answering prayers in ways beyond even the imaginations of those doing the praying. The last place I would have expected The Passion of the Christ to have much of a positive impact is the Middle East. Yet it’s happening.
The response of Muslims to The Passion is amazing. For many many years, Muslims have been one of the hardest groups to evangelize. Frankly, I’ve been guilty of the sin of pretty much writing them off. Yet this movie is moving many Muslims to search out more about Christ. Praise be to God!
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
9-11 Commission Rant
I was so naive as to think the 9-11 Commission was about finding out the truth. After watching them the past few days, I am disabused of that notion. It's more like obscuring the truth and playing "Gotcha!" I find the conduct of certain Democrats on the panel especially disgusting. And what is Ms. Gorelick doing on the panel in the first place? That Clintonite was high up in the Justice Department under Reno. She should be on the other side of the microphones.
And how can the Clintonite Democrats on the commission try to pin the blame on Bush as they are so obviously trying to do when Clinton had 8 years to deal with Bin Laden and dropped the ball? Some on that panel have no shame. Of course, that could be said for a lot of Democrats.
I was so naive as to think the 9-11 Commission was about finding out the truth. After watching them the past few days, I am disabused of that notion. It's more like obscuring the truth and playing "Gotcha!" I find the conduct of certain Democrats on the panel especially disgusting. And what is Ms. Gorelick doing on the panel in the first place? That Clintonite was high up in the Justice Department under Reno. She should be on the other side of the microphones.
And how can the Clintonite Democrats on the commission try to pin the blame on Bush as they are so obviously trying to do when Clinton had 8 years to deal with Bin Laden and dropped the ball? Some on that panel have no shame. Of course, that could be said for a lot of Democrats.
Monday, April 12, 2004
It’s getting to be uncanny how Small Continuing Anglican Church looks like a good fit for me. I’m already getting pretty attached to the place. I like the people there and they seem to like having me around. They are more approachable than I was expecting. I enjoyed going to Luby’s with one family after Easter services. I guess I was expecting a continuing Anglican congregation to be a bit austere.
Since it’s on the Protestant end of Anglicanism, I was also expecting the worship to be a bit austere, and it is in spots, which is fine. But as a whole, it is not far from ideal for me. The rectors both have a passion for ancient church traditions, which results in services that really help me worship and are both serious and fun.
They are also both passionate about truth, often in an intellectual way. It makes their teaching a bit hard to follow at times as they sometimes try to cram too much into one talk. But they appreciate vigorous discussion and thought. No Christianity Lite from them. So I would certainly be stimulated there, as I was during their excellent messages on the Seven Last Words of Christ on Good Friday. That’s not a requirement for me, but it’s a plus.
I could go on, but it seems God is moving quickly in guiding my choice of a church here in Corpus. Picky square peg that I am, I thought it would take a while. But it’s looking like God had different ideas. This square peg might have found a good fit rather quickly.
Since it’s on the Protestant end of Anglicanism, I was also expecting the worship to be a bit austere, and it is in spots, which is fine. But as a whole, it is not far from ideal for me. The rectors both have a passion for ancient church traditions, which results in services that really help me worship and are both serious and fun.
They are also both passionate about truth, often in an intellectual way. It makes their teaching a bit hard to follow at times as they sometimes try to cram too much into one talk. But they appreciate vigorous discussion and thought. No Christianity Lite from them. So I would certainly be stimulated there, as I was during their excellent messages on the Seven Last Words of Christ on Good Friday. That’s not a requirement for me, but it’s a plus.
I could go on, but it seems God is moving quickly in guiding my choice of a church here in Corpus. Picky square peg that I am, I thought it would take a while. But it’s looking like God had different ideas. This square peg might have found a good fit rather quickly.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
This year is my first one of Anglican Holy Week services, and it's been quite an experience.
Last night, I went to my first ever Easter Vigil (This one was an abbreviated version of the 1979 BCP Great Vigil of Easter) at Small Continuing Anglican Church (name changed as you might remember). It started with us outside as the priest lit a fire (with charcoal! only in Texas), then poured incense on it. The fire lit the Paschal candle and our candles. Then we all participated in a procession behind the candle into the sanctuary and stood in front for the first part of the service.
At the end, we renewed our baptismal vows. Then the priest came down the aisle and sprinkled us with holy water with his aspergillum to remind us of our baptism.
As I said afterwards, "That was fun." Incense, processions, candles, holy water -- next thing you know I'll be Cartholick!
Last night, I went to my first ever Easter Vigil (This one was an abbreviated version of the 1979 BCP Great Vigil of Easter) at Small Continuing Anglican Church (name changed as you might remember). It started with us outside as the priest lit a fire (with charcoal! only in Texas), then poured incense on it. The fire lit the Paschal candle and our candles. Then we all participated in a procession behind the candle into the sanctuary and stood in front for the first part of the service.
At the end, we renewed our baptismal vows. Then the priest came down the aisle and sprinkled us with holy water with his aspergillum to remind us of our baptism.
As I said afterwards, "That was fun." Incense, processions, candles, holy water -- next thing you know I'll be Cartholick!
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Today is Maundy Thursday, which turns my thoughts to a special
Maundy Thursday years ago. . . .
My foster dad (My mom died when I was 13.) was the youth minister at Casa Linda Presbyterian Church. In his wisdom, he didn't make me go to church or church events. I had a wide independent streak, so that would have likely backfired. And so I didn’t go to church. But both Rick and Annette impressed me, especially with their peace. So I decided to check things out for myself by reading the Bible, starting with the Gospels.
Anyway, he invited me to come to a Junior High lock-in at the church. My attitude was “Well, it’s a church thing. But it sounds like fun anyway.� So I went. (Yes, my church experiences before my teen years were not positive. Church was a place where you saw a lot of hypocrites and got bored out of your gourd.)
Well at the lock-in there was a girl who took an obvious liking to me. And I liked her. This was the first really cute girl I can remember liking me. As to be expected of a 13 year old guy, I was as high as a kite.
Towards the end of the night, she invited me to come to Communicants class. I didn’t know what the hey Communicants class was, but she was in it, so I went.
There was one last class (I joined in the middle of it.), then the Communicants retreat.
At the retreat, one of the church elders explained the Gospel to us. And it immediately clicked with me. Probably I had the Gospel preached to me in Church before, but it was just religious words to me. But this time I understood it and accepted it almost immediately. At what point it became more than just an intellectual acceptance and I trusted in the Gospel for myself, I don’t know. But that came very quickly, perhaps on the retreat itself.
Meanwhile, the girl dumped me at the retreat. I went to my cabin and cried hard. But, like I tell people, I lost the girl but gained the Lord.
As was the custom at that church, we made our public profession of faith and took our first communion on Maundy Thursday. I remember having a strong peace after the service that was almost tangible.
That was on Maundy Thursday, March 27th, 1975.
Oh, there’s a reason I remember that -- it was my 14th birthday.
How many people can celebrate their physical birthday and spiritual birthday on the same day?
(By the way, in writing this, it occurred to me that next year will be my 30th spiritual birthday. I think that will be worthy of a celebration. So I looked up when March 27th will fall next year – it’s Easter Sunday! Next year will be one special Easter for me.)
Maundy Thursday years ago. . . .
My foster dad (My mom died when I was 13.) was the youth minister at Casa Linda Presbyterian Church. In his wisdom, he didn't make me go to church or church events. I had a wide independent streak, so that would have likely backfired. And so I didn’t go to church. But both Rick and Annette impressed me, especially with their peace. So I decided to check things out for myself by reading the Bible, starting with the Gospels.
Anyway, he invited me to come to a Junior High lock-in at the church. My attitude was “Well, it’s a church thing. But it sounds like fun anyway.� So I went. (Yes, my church experiences before my teen years were not positive. Church was a place where you saw a lot of hypocrites and got bored out of your gourd.)
Well at the lock-in there was a girl who took an obvious liking to me. And I liked her. This was the first really cute girl I can remember liking me. As to be expected of a 13 year old guy, I was as high as a kite.
Towards the end of the night, she invited me to come to Communicants class. I didn’t know what the hey Communicants class was, but she was in it, so I went.
There was one last class (I joined in the middle of it.), then the Communicants retreat.
At the retreat, one of the church elders explained the Gospel to us. And it immediately clicked with me. Probably I had the Gospel preached to me in Church before, but it was just religious words to me. But this time I understood it and accepted it almost immediately. At what point it became more than just an intellectual acceptance and I trusted in the Gospel for myself, I don’t know. But that came very quickly, perhaps on the retreat itself.
Meanwhile, the girl dumped me at the retreat. I went to my cabin and cried hard. But, like I tell people, I lost the girl but gained the Lord.
As was the custom at that church, we made our public profession of faith and took our first communion on Maundy Thursday. I remember having a strong peace after the service that was almost tangible.
That was on Maundy Thursday, March 27th, 1975.
Oh, there’s a reason I remember that -- it was my 14th birthday.
How many people can celebrate their physical birthday and spiritual birthday on the same day?
(By the way, in writing this, it occurred to me that next year will be my 30th spiritual birthday. I think that will be worthy of a celebration. So I looked up when March 27th will fall next year – it’s Easter Sunday! Next year will be one special Easter for me.)
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