A Prayer

Lord from whom all good things do come: grant us,thy humble servants,that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(from The First English Prayer Book,1549,by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer).

Take Heed

"Take heed and beware of covetousness,for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
(the words of Jesus from St.Luke 12:15).
Covetousness, which could also be called extreme desire or greed, is epidemic in this country today,even among Christians.One proof of this is seen in the fact that personal bankruptcies have doubled in the last decade and are increasing.People sacrifice family and their faith by living above their means in an attempt to live the "American dream",aka,having lots of "things".Doing this is destructive,and much worse,a blatant violation of Our Lord's commands.

Picking a President

If you are a Christian and believe the Bible is the unchanging Word of God, then your choice for President is an easy decision. Views on abortion and alternative lifestyles are the hot button issues as it pertains to whether or not a candidate should be supported.The Bible is very clear on this. If a candidate is in favor of one or both of the above, then if you call yourself a traditional Christian,you must reject that candidate.If both candidates are accepting of one or both issues, both must be rejected.If you are asking why this is so, then you need to study your Bible like a Berean.May God have mercy on this country!

For the Spirit of Prayer

O Almighty God, who pourest out on all who desire it, the spirit of grace and of supplication; Deliver us, when we draw nigh to thee,from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind,that with stedfast thoughts and kindled affections, we may worship thee in spirit and in truth;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).

A Clarification

A common argument against capital punishment is made by misquoting the sixth commandment in saying it says thou shalt not kill.The reality is that it says thou shalt not murder.Any beginning student of the Bible will confirm this fact.Interestingly, the death penalty was never questioned as an appropriate punishment for murder until the last 50 years when man sought to reinterpret the Word of God. So what has this mindset wrought? Record murder rates and record numbers of people in prison.Capital punishment is a controversial topic and one major faith based in Rome has wrongly spoken out against it but they sadly ignore scripture in doing so. Look to Numbers 35:17-21,and if you choose to dismiss the Old Testament, there is 1 John 3:15 to show you the error of doing so.

Follow His Example

"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God."
(from Luke 6:12).
In the Gospel of Luke it frequently reports that Jesus prayed before major events in His ministry. The above describes our Lord praying the night before choosing His twelve disciples(read verses 13-16 of that same chapter).Other examples of Jesus in prayer within this Gospel:Luke 3:21--Chapter5:16--Chapter 9:18,28,29--Chapter 11:1--Chapter 22:32,40-46).
May we follow His example of looking to God instead of man when important issues and events arise in our life.

A Prayer for Others Before Bedtime

Bless, O Lord, Thy Holy Church, and all its Bishops and Clergy. Convert all heretics,schismatics, and unbelievers. Have mercy on our country. Pour down Thy blessings on my friends, and enemies,if I have any. Bless my parish. Help the poor,the sick,the sorrowful,the dying, and to the faithful departed grant a full and speedy consummation of peace and blessedness; For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
(from Before the Altar--The Devout Christian's Manual,compiled by Rev.Robert J.Wilson).
Do we remember to pray for our enemies,those who cause division and those who deny Jesus?
As it is easy to pray for those who love us, we must make a daily effort to pray for the "unloveables".

Saved!

"I was blinded by the devil,Born already ruined,Stone-cold dead As I stepped out of the womb.By His grace I have been touched,By His word I have been healed,By His hand I've been delivered,By His spirit I've been sealed.I've been saved, By the blood of the lamb,Saved By the blood of the lamb,Saved,Saved, And I'm so glad.Yes, I'm so glad,I'm so glad,So glad,I want to thank You, Lord,I just want to thank You, Lord,Thank You, Lord. By His truth I can be upright,By His strength I do endure,By His power I've been lifted,In His love I am secure.He bought me with a price,Freed me from the pit,Full of emptiness and wrathAnd the fire that burns in it."
(Saved by Bob Dylan).
The above pretty much says it all.
In 1979 Bob Dylan had what many would call a powerful conversion experience and encounter with Jesus Christ. In the next three years he released three albums which contained what are now recognized as the greatest body of gospel songs of this modern era.Those who doubt this statement only need to listen to the following CD recordings: Slow Train Coming, Saved and Shot of Love.Further validation of this statement can be found in the fact that gospel music's best artists released a CD of his recordings in 2004 entitled,Gotta Serve Somebody,The Gospel Songs of Bob Dylan.
I don't know where Bob's heart, mind and soul are in 2008 but I do know that these recordings were inspired and will touch your Spirit.

The Property of Jesus

"Go ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt,Because he has denied himself the things that you can't live without.Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do,Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walkin' through.He's the property of Jesus,Resent him to the bone,You got something better,You've got a heart of stone."
(from The Property of Jesus by Bob Dylan,1981).
Scripture reveals that when we come to faith we become new creatures in Him,the "old man" is dead. Friends and acquaintances often find they can not accept the new person you have become. We may also find we are now the object of scorn and derision.Jesus said,if the world hated me they will hate those who are committed to Him.The Bible tells us that friendship with the world is enmity to God.
Count the cost!

Sensing His Presence in Nature

"At dawn I watched the sparkling drops of dew gently and lovingly settling on the petals of the flowers.They made not a sound.When one's heart is ready God also descends like the tiny drops of dew.You have no inkling of His coming until He manifests himself before you."
(a quote by Acharya Rajneesh).
Believers are missing much when they don't regularly take the time to witness the beauty of His creation.Deepen your relationship with Him by doing so.

A Prayer For a Birthday

Watch over thy child,O Lord,as his(her) days increase; bless and guide him(her) wherever he may be,keeping him unspotted from the world.Strenghthen 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.
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).

Your Religion,A Few Questions

A few questions that should be considered are,is that if you accept the tenets of the Christian faith and all that it promises,then how you can not be anything but joyful? Why do so many people who say they are Christian seem basically the same in manner and temperament as people who deny having any faith? Do you feel you have to behave and act in a certain matter because of a fear that your church or fellow parishoners may think badly of you? If these questions have touched a nerve,then you need to consider the depth,degree and reality of your faith.

Rules For Marriage Pt.2

"Husbands, love your wives,just as Christ also loved the church..."
(Ephesians 5:25).
Is there any higher standard for men to achieve in marriage than what is quoted above?
Sadly,men have failed miserably in meeting it.They readily hold to Ephesians 5:22 quoted in Rules for Marriage Pt.1 but choose to ignore what follows three verses later.

Rules For Marriage,Part 1

"Wives,submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife,as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Saviour of the body.Therefore,just as the church is subject to Christ,so let wives be to their own husbands in everything."
(Ephesians 5:22,23,24).
The above quote is enough to make many "modern" women furious. Sadly,far too many self-described christian women rankle at the above quote and believe it is something that belongs to another era.Maybe that's why the divorce rate in America is well over 50%.The reality is,is that the righteous wife recognizes that submitting to her husband is not only God ordained but a reflection of Our Lord's own loving headship of His Church.
Men do not escape obligation and responsibility as it pertains to marriage as you will see in pt.2.

A Hope and A Prayer

O Lord, we beseech Thee,visit and cleanse our consciences,that Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ may, when He cometh,find in us a dwelling-place prepared for Him,Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost,ever one God,world without end. Amen.
(from Before the Altar by The Rev.Robert J.Wilson,1903).

Evidence of a Creator

The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament sheweth his handiwork
(Psalm 19,verse 1).

The beauty of this world is a gift from God, we must respect and care for it out of a desire to show our love for Him.

A Collect

Lord,we beseech thee,give ear to our prayers, and by thy gracious visitation lighten the darkness of our heart,by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(from The First English Prayer Book,1549).
"Lighten the darkness of our heart," A simple yet profound request.

Real Beauty

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,But a woman who fears the Lord,she shall be praised."
(from Proverbs 31:30)
In a society that is obsessed with youth and "beauty",the above quote may seem strange. Beauty and youth fade but a relationship with God is everlasting.

His Protection

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,yet shalt though refresh me: thou shalt stretch forth thy hand upon the furiousness of mine enemies,and thy right hand shall save me. The Lord shall make good His loving-kindness toward me: yea,thy mercy,O Lord, endureth for ever; despise not then the works of thine owh hands.
(from Psalm 138:7,8).
Too many neglect the Psalms,make them your prayer book.Through them you can communicate with God in every possible way.

A Real Wonder

"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars.... and they pass by themselves without wondering."
(a quote by St. Augustine).
How true,the seven wonders of the world pale in comparison to the miracle of His creating the human body with all its capabilities.

Seek These Things

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,godliness,faith,love,patience,
gentleness.
(from 1 Timothy 6:11).
First,we must flee from evil,not tolerate or accept it.
Then, we must ask ourselves,are we making it a priority to pursue the above attributes each and every day?

A Prayer

Dear God, let me walk in Your footsteps! May Your Holy Spirit be my guide! Shine on my soul with the eternal rays of love! Let Your goodness warm my soul! May Your justice reign in the hearts of all men! May Your kingdom be our home! May Your glory shine on mankind,that it may know You and love eternal! May the song of Your joy ever echo in our hearts! I pray You,O great God, hearken unto my entreaties! Amen!
(The Prayer of Saint Sava).

A Collect For Sunday

Lord, we beseech thee,grant thy people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh,and the devil; and with pure hearts and minds to follow thee,the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).

One Day at a Time

We can easily manage our affairs,if we only take each day the burden appointed for it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we add to its weight the burden of tomorrow before we are called to bear it.
(from My Prayer Book by Rev. F.X. Lasance)
Jesus admonished us not to take tomorrow for granted.He also told us not to worry about tomorrow because today had enough worries of it's own. Wise words indeed!

Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Desired Virtues

#1. Pride---Humility.

#2. Covetousness---Liberality.

#3. Lust---Chastity.

#4. Anger---Meekness.
#5. Gluttony---Temperance.

#6. Envy---Brotherly love.

#7. Sloth---Diligence.
We must examine ourselves daily.

Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

1.To admonish sinners.

2.To instruct the ignorant.

3. To counsel the doubtful.

4. To comfort the sorrowful.

5. To bear wrongs patiently.

6. To forgive all injuries.

7. To pray for the living and the dead.
(from My Prayer Book by Rev.F.X.Lasance).

Who Are You Following?

Over the years I've heard various people say they don't do this or that because that's not what their church teaches.Things like, women can't cut their hair,wear make-up,wear slacks,or, they must have a head covering at all times.There are more but this is what readily comes to mind.For men it's things like, they can't have "long" hair,drink alcohol,play cards,dance.etc.I think you get the point,churches and denominations have their pet do's and don'ts.I find it interesting that churches who aggressively condemn drinking alcohol have no problem ignoring the fact that the majority of their congregation is in varying degrees of obesity,a deadly sin.I laugh when I hear others go on about men having long hair and women wearing slacks when most men wore robes and didn't have their hair trimmed about the ear lobes in biblical times.

Sadly,the sheep who make up the congregations simply follow the self-serving dictates of their churches for fear they will "not make it"(to heaven).I say to those folks two things: 1st, read your bibles,search the scriptures like a Berean and find out the truth.You'll more than likely discover that there is a contradiction in your church's doctrine and what you find in the bible.You see,God's Word,unlike far too many churches and ministers,has only one agenda, and that is to bring you into a relationship with Jesus.Second point,God knows your heart,He knows if you are following a certain church or clergyman's point of view out of fear of them, or, you are genuinely obeying Him through what you've read or heard in scripture.

Your salvation is a far too precious thing to leave in the hands of someone else.

Kindness

Kindness is infectious. One kind action leads to another.Our example is followed. This is the greatest work which kindness does to others--that it makes them kind themselves.
(from My Prayer Book by Rev. F.X.Lasance)

True Contentment

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
(from 1 Timothy 6:6).
As Christians we should be satisfied with what we have,not preoccupied with gaining more and more material possessions.Our relationship with Him should be the true source of our contentment and what we seek most earnestly.

Your Light

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
( the words of Jesus from Matthew 5:16).
A godly life is the most powerful witness for Jesus.

A Warning

And take heed to yourselves,lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with carousing and drunkeness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

(St. Luke 21:34).

How much is a preoccupation with worldly cares keeping you from achieving a deeper relationship with Jesus?