For the Increase of Priests and Ministers

O Almighty God, look mercifully upon thy Church, and incline the hearts of many of her sons to offer themselves for the work of the sacred ministry, so that by their labours, thy light may shine in the darkness of the world, and the coming of thy kingdom may be hastened by the perfecting of thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from the Traditional St.Augustine's Prayer Book).

Words That America Should Heed

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened,that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy,That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear."
(from Isaiah, Chapter 59).
Our iniquities,that we(America), most disturbingly no longer even recognize as being iniquities!

The Qualities of a Believer

"...that the older men be sober,reverent,temperate,sound in faith,in love; in patience the older women likewise, that they be reverant in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things---that they admonish the young women to love their husbands,to love their children, to be discreet,chaste,homemakers,good,obedient to their own husbands,that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise,exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,sound speech that cannot be condemned,that one who is an opponent may be ashamed,having nothing evil to say of you."
(from Paul's Epistle to Titus, Chapter 2.)
Through God's Grace and His Holy Spirit,Christians can possess these qualities.

True Education

"A student may devote all his powers to acquiring knowledge; but unless he has a knowledge of God, unless he obeys the laws that govern his own being, he will destroy himself. By wrong habits, he loses the power of self-appreciation; he loses self-control. He cannot reason correctly about matters that concern him most deeply. He is reckless and irrational in his treatment of mind and body. Through his neglect to cultivate right principles,he is ruined both for this world and for the world to come."
(from The Ministry of Healing).
Scripture tells us that God regards the wisdom of this world as foolishness to Him.
In this present age see a youth that has never been more undisciplined and out of control.

On Fasting

"Fasting is an expression of love and devotion, in which one sacrifices earthly satisfaction to attain the heavenly. Altogether too much of one's thoughts are taken up with care and for sustenance and the enticements of the palate; one wishes to be free from them. Thus fasting is a step on the road of emancipation and an indispensable support in the struggle against selfish desires. Together with prayer, fasting is one of humanity's greatest gifts, carefully cherished by those who once have participated in it."
(from Way of the Ascetics by Tito Colliander).
Jesus said--"when you fast"--not if you fast.

A Praise Anthem

Jesus,God before the ages!
Jesus,King of kings!
Jesus,Master of rulers!
Jesus,Judge of the living and the dead!
Jesus,Hope of the Hopeless!
Jesus,Comfort of them that mourn!
Jesus,Glory of the poor!
Jesus,condemn me not according to my deeds!
Jesus,cleanse me according to Thy mercy!
Jesus,drive from me despondency
Jesus,enlighten the thoughts of my heart! Jesus,grant me remebrance of death!
Jesus,Son of God,have mercy on me!
(from the Prayer Book of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia).

A Nature Psalm

"O Lord,our Lord,How excellent is Your name in all the earth,Who have set Your glory above the heavens!....When I consider Your heavens,the work of Your fingers,The moon and stars,which you have ordained,What is man that You are mindful of him? And the son of man that You visit him? For you have made him a little lower than angels,And you have crowned him with glory and honor."
(from Psalm 8).
We sometimes forget who we are and what He has done for us.

Consider Him

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."
(Hebrews 12: 3).
In the midst of abuse,criticism, and perhaps even persecution, believers need to look to the example of Jesus and what He went through.He is to be a strength and encouragement to us. Our Lord said, if you love Him, the world will hate you. Do the people you work and associate with know the strong faith you have? If you have never experienced criticism or disdain for your following Jesus,you must examine yourself and the faith you say you follow!

Emulate Him

"Naturally we are self-centered and opinionated. But when we learn the lessons that Jesus desires to teach us, we become partakers of His nature; henceforth we live His life. The wonderful example of Jesus, the matchless tenderness with which He entered into the feelings of others,weeping with those who wept,rejoicing with those who rejoiced,must have a deep influence upon the character of all who follow Him in sincerity.By kindly words and and acts they will try to make the path easy for weary feet."
(from The Ministry of Healing).
If only more believers,young and old,would try to follow His example.

A Prayer Before Reading the Bible

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them,read,mark,learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).

Be Still

All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts,with nature, and with God. In them is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world,its customs,or its practices; and they need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart.When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him,the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. "Be still and know that I am God."(Psalm 46:10).

O God,whose fatherly care reacheth to the uttermost parts of the earth; We humbly beseech thee graciously to behold and bless those whom we love,now absent from us. Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing nearer to thee,may be bound together by thy love in the communion of the Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of thy saints;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).

God Will Provide

There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world's standard. They have chosen its service,accepted its perplexities,adopted its customs. Thus their character is marred and their life made a weariness. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces.Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept His yoke; He says."My yoke is easy,and My burden is light." Worry is blind and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. " No good thing will He withhold from them them that walk uprightly." Matthew 11:30; Psalm 84:11.
Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing.

A Poem For Today

O,could I find, from day to day,A nearness to my God, Then would my hours glide sweet away,While leaning on His word.

Lord,I desire with Thee to live Anew from day to day,In joys the world can never give,Nor ever take away.

Blest Jesus,come, and rule my heart, And make me wholly Thine,That I may nevermore depart,Nor grieve Thy love divine.

(a poem by Benjamin Cleveland).

Come Unto Me

"Come unto me,all ye that labour and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
(from St.Matthew 11:28-30).
Why don't more of us take advantage of Our Lord's invitation and promise?

A Prayer For the Unity of this Country

Almighty God,who dost raise up nations and empires to fulfill thy purposes: Bind into one, we beseech thee,the hearts of the peoples in our Country,that, inspired by a common loyalty,they may be strong to further thy holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from The Scottish Book of Common Prayer,1929).

The Great Commission

The Great Commission refers to Jesus' command "to go and make disciples of all nations." Over the centuries,particularly in these affluent modern times,we have gotten away from the original intent of this Great Commission.The author,writing the following in 1921,offers some insights that are very applicable to the time we are now living in.
"His commission to His disciples never embraced the founding of culture and the fine arts; the purification of politics,and municipal reform,are not found in His Ascension charge; His aim was not the gradual civilization of the world,but the renunciation of it; through ignorance or knowledge,through wealth or poverty, through arts polite or barbarous,the Church is to carry the flaming torch of the Gospel,to draw out a people of light."
(from Democracy,Socialism and the Sermon on the Mount by D.M.Panton,1921).

Some Questions to Ask Yourself

Some questions to ask yourself before taking Holy Communion(The Lord's Supper).

(1.) Have I done anything especially and downright wrong? \

(2.) Have I told lies, or been dishonest,or stolen anything?

(3.) Have I used bad language,sworn,drunk more than I ought,been to places where I ought not,and which were dangerous to me?

(4.) Have I kept myself from impurity in thought,desire,word,look,act or any other way?

(5.) Have I been covetous,jealous,proud,or envious?

(6.) Have I been impatient and discontented with my lot?

(7.) Have I humbly borne the cross which my Lord has given me to bear after Him? (8.) Have I used angry words,or given way to temper,or quarrelled with anybody,or said or done anything unkind? (9.) Am I friends with all in my own family? (10.) Have I neglected to say my prayers night and morning,to examine my conscience at night,get instruction about the Faith,and to keep Sunday properly?
(11.) When in the company of others,have I been ashamed of Christ,and of owning myself His servant,or spoken lightly of holy things(from Before the Altar. The Devout Christian's Manual by The Rev. Robert J.Wilson,D.D.).

Some Things to Remember During Times of Illness

"Our Heavenly Father,in His love for all men,useth sickness as a gracious means whereby to correct his children."
"Our Lord Jesus Christ,ever present with us,is ready to impart to us spiritual strength to use sickness well to the glory of God."
"Our Lord,manifested in the Gospel as the healer of disease,is still ready to minister grace for the healing of the body."
"The aim of the Christian,whether in health or in sickness,is that God may be glorified in Him through Jesus Christ."
"In sickness as in health we are to seek constantly the inspiration of God,the Holy Ghost,the Spirit of Christ."
(from The Scottish Book of Common Prayer,1929 Edition).
In time of sickness and trial we should first seek Him.

For One Troubled in Conscience

O Blessed Lord, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort: We beseech thee, look down in pity and compassion on thy servant, whose soul is full of trouble: give him(her) a right understanding of himself, and also of thy will for him,that he may neither cast away his confidence in thee, nor place it anywhere but in thee; deliver him from the fear of evil; lift up the light of thy countenance upon him,and give him thine everlasting peace; through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from The Scottish Book of Common Prayer,1929).
So well expressed, a heartfelt and sometimes very needed prayer.

True Then,True Today

"We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving Grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us."
(a quote by Abraham Lincoln,16th President of the United States).
These words read like they were written for the time we are now in.Again,could you imagine the uproar if the President said the above in a speech tomorrow?

That Wonderful Epistle of James

There is little question among scholars that the The Epistle of James was written by the oldest half-brother of Jesus.This book is in some ways reminiscent of the book of Proverbs with its emphasis on Godly behaviour.How James talks about the tongue and the damage it can do is so true and well put.The classic line in this epistle is found in chapter 2,verse 17,"faith by itself,if it does not have works, is dead." Your conversion or profession of faith in Jesus will be shown by your good works.Of course we cannot be "saved" by our own doing but as Jesus said over and over,a believer will just naturally bear the "fruit" of his belief in Him. From this faith and works quote came the title for this blog.
Perhaps the best advice that can be given to aspiring clergy,evangelists and bible teachers is found in James chapter 3,verse1:"My brethren,let not many of you become teachers,knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement." As a teacher,I find that admonition a bit terrifying.Not to belabor this point but when I see and hear preachers on TV and radio proclaiming Word of Faith,Seed Doctrine,Name it and Claim It and Prosperity theologies I wonder if they have ever really spent time considering James 3:1?

From Washington's First Inaugural Address

"...it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe,who presides in the Councils of Nations,and whose providential aids can supply every human defect,that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the People of the United States,a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes: and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success,the functions allotted to His charge."
(from George Washington's April 30,1789 Inaugural address).
Some things to remember as you read the above which contains a type of English that may not be familiar to many people these days: when you read the word supply--think substitute or overcome--- benediction,think blessing-and finally---the word consecrate--to make holy.
With that said, I wonder if we'll hear anything like the above quote this coming January,2009 when the new President is inaugurated? Washington and the other Founding Fathers regularly acknowledged, gave thanks,and reached out to Our Lord through public proclamations and prayer.And never a mention back then of the separation of Church and State.

Accept Life

"Accept life. It is the gracious gift of God. Never fight with life: never flee from it. Love life. There is no greater conquest possible than the victory of love."
(a quote by Acharya Rajneesh).

For a Husband and Wife

O Almighty God, who in the beginning didst institute the Sacrament of Marriage, bless with happiness our union, and grant that amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life, we may so live together in thy love and fear, that in the end we may meet in thy eternal home.Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(taken from the Traditional St.Augustine's Prayer Book).).
A Sacrament is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

The Hard Sayings of Jesus,Pt,1

Jesus said,"But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery."
(from St.Matthew 5:32).
I would ask,when was the last time you heard a sermon preached on the above? Is it perhaps due to the the fact that an increasing number of clergy and their parishoners are divorced(and have remarried)? Marriage is an earthly portrayal of Our Lord's love for His Church,so it should come as no surprise that Jesus said what He did about divorce. Marriage should be entered into with much consideration and prayer.Unfortunately, in recent years far more planning is done in regards to the wedding itself, many of which are increasingly looking like expensive extravaganzas.Couples must focus on their spiritual and emotional compatibility rather than the superficial aspects of their wedding day. I'd add that Our Lord knows our hearts and the reality that many of us came to a saving faith after having been divorced and remarried previously, before we became aware of God's truth on this matter. Let us remember that He is merciful and loving towards those who are repentant and sincere.

On Prayer

"And when you pray,you shall not be like the hypocrites.For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets,that they may seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you,they have their reward. But you,when you pray,go into your room,and when you have shut your door,pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
(words of Jesus from Matthew 5:27,28).
Sobering words from Jesus,somehow I can't help but think of the radio and television "evangelists" when reading these words.Our Lord is very explicit as far as what is acceptable and unacceptable in regards to worship.

A Prayer For Social Justice

Almighty God,who hast created man in thine own image; Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and to make no peace with oppression, and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among men and nations,to the glory of thy holy Name,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).

There by the grace of God go you and I.

In Time of Calamity

O God,merciful and compassionate,who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant us thy help in this our need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).
A needed prayer in these troubling times.