"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift."(Revelation 22:17)
Being invited to things is always pleasing to me. It says at a certain level what we are doing is important and we want you there. That's why I like give as well as receive invitations. There are parts of my life that I wish to share with others, my faith and my experience in church are examples o this.
Of course my hope is that people who accept the initial invitation will catch the Spirit and will also invite others and so on and so on. That's how a faith community grows through invitation. That's how all relationships begin, someone offers an invitation and someone says yes.
The invitation to faith is an open invitation with no RSVP date. And there are even gifts when you come.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Reflections for June 29, 2015
"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb."(Revelation 21:23)
Well after 5 days with out electricity I can start blogging again. I realize this is a first world problem and there are plenty of places around the globe who live just fine without it.
The funny thing is how losing the things you are dependent upon to make life "livable" can really mess with your energy and your psyche.
But throughout this brief "powerless" span I certainly sensed that I was still walking and living in the light of God. I noticed it in the fact that very little damage was done to my house or the church, and while there was significant damage to many in my area, no one was killed. I sensed it in the way close friends invited us to stay with them so we could have access to electricity and get a good nights sleep.
Do I want to live without electricity and hot water again anytime soon? Definitely not. But I know that as long as God is still living and incarnate in the loving kindness of others, I have no need of what gives artificial light to my life.
Blessings,
Ed
Well after 5 days with out electricity I can start blogging again. I realize this is a first world problem and there are plenty of places around the globe who live just fine without it.
The funny thing is how losing the things you are dependent upon to make life "livable" can really mess with your energy and your psyche.
But throughout this brief "powerless" span I certainly sensed that I was still walking and living in the light of God. I noticed it in the fact that very little damage was done to my house or the church, and while there was significant damage to many in my area, no one was killed. I sensed it in the way close friends invited us to stay with them so we could have access to electricity and get a good nights sleep.
Do I want to live without electricity and hot water again anytime soon? Definitely not. But I know that as long as God is still living and incarnate in the loving kindness of others, I have no need of what gives artificial light to my life.
Blessings,
Ed
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Reflection for June 23, 2015
"To declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night."(Psalm 92:2)
When I wake up in the morning I'm reminded of a steadfast love in my life, because usually lying next to me is Gail. I'm thankful for that steadfast love and the gift that she is in my life. I'm thankful for the health I have that when my feet hit the floor I'm ready to greet the day. I'm thankful for the food I'll eat and the coffee I'll drink. I may not articulate it but deep within it is there. And of course a little later I do Morning Prayer.
By the end of the day I take stock of how things went. Was I faithful in doing what I needed to do that day? Did I sense God's faithful presence with me as I went about doing what needed to be done. And of course I wrap it up with Evening Prayer.
Love and faithfulness are not things we can purchase. We receive them freely and we offer them freely. When we have them in our lives how very blessed we are. When we live fully into those words how much of a blessing we can be.
Blessings
Ed
When I wake up in the morning I'm reminded of a steadfast love in my life, because usually lying next to me is Gail. I'm thankful for that steadfast love and the gift that she is in my life. I'm thankful for the health I have that when my feet hit the floor I'm ready to greet the day. I'm thankful for the food I'll eat and the coffee I'll drink. I may not articulate it but deep within it is there. And of course a little later I do Morning Prayer.
By the end of the day I take stock of how things went. Was I faithful in doing what I needed to do that day? Did I sense God's faithful presence with me as I went about doing what needed to be done. And of course I wrap it up with Evening Prayer.
Love and faithfulness are not things we can purchase. We receive them freely and we offer them freely. When we have them in our lives how very blessed we are. When we live fully into those words how much of a blessing we can be.
Blessings
Ed
Monday, June 22, 2015
Reflection for June 22, 2015
"On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone."(Psalm 91:12)
Most of us have heard of having a guardian angel. Whether you believe that such a being exists for you personal protection is a matter of faith. I'm not sure that I have something like "Charlie" from its a wonderful life, but I will say that there have been moments when something should have gone one way and went another, from a negative to a positive.
It certainly is within my belief system that as a beloved child of God, that I feel watched out for. That doesn't mean that I live in 24 hour security or that I'm invited to engage in risky behavior. I'm not called to prove whether God is watching or not.
The other thing about this verse you will recall is that Satan uses it as part of his temptations of Christ. And in there lies the warning. When we use scripture and twist it to invite bizarre behavior we probably have missed the point.
Blessings,
Ed
Most of us have heard of having a guardian angel. Whether you believe that such a being exists for you personal protection is a matter of faith. I'm not sure that I have something like "Charlie" from its a wonderful life, but I will say that there have been moments when something should have gone one way and went another, from a negative to a positive.
It certainly is within my belief system that as a beloved child of God, that I feel watched out for. That doesn't mean that I live in 24 hour security or that I'm invited to engage in risky behavior. I'm not called to prove whether God is watching or not.
The other thing about this verse you will recall is that Satan uses it as part of his temptations of Christ. And in there lies the warning. When we use scripture and twist it to invite bizarre behavior we probably have missed the point.
Blessings,
Ed
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Reflections for June 20, 2015
"It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins; these follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been redeemed from humankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb,"(Revelation 14:4)
So who gets in and who doesn't? Seems like this ridiculous argument happens from time to time with Christians, either attacking each other or going after the non-believers. The 144,000 mentioned in Revelation is a number that is brought forth in determining who gets to be in God's presence.
Personally I find the argument silly. First off I'm pretty sure I'm not one of the 144,000. First that's a small number given the amount of time that has past since the vision. Second I wouldn't know from which tribe of Israel I hail. And third as this verse shows I'm out by default of having "defiled myself with women, for they are virgins."
I have, though I wouldn't use the word defiled, and I'm not. So am I doomed. Hardly. Luckily there is in God's presence a vast multitude that cannot be numbered, I'm pretty sure that's where you'll find me.
To focus on the 144000 is to put limits on God. It also shows in my opinion a belief that God plays favorites. So should you ever have the misfortune of being accosted by someone who wants to know if you are part of that 144000, ask them are they sure that they are and then remind them of this caveat.
Blessings,
Ed
So who gets in and who doesn't? Seems like this ridiculous argument happens from time to time with Christians, either attacking each other or going after the non-believers. The 144,000 mentioned in Revelation is a number that is brought forth in determining who gets to be in God's presence.
Personally I find the argument silly. First off I'm pretty sure I'm not one of the 144,000. First that's a small number given the amount of time that has past since the vision. Second I wouldn't know from which tribe of Israel I hail. And third as this verse shows I'm out by default of having "defiled myself with women, for they are virgins."
I have, though I wouldn't use the word defiled, and I'm not. So am I doomed. Hardly. Luckily there is in God's presence a vast multitude that cannot be numbered, I'm pretty sure that's where you'll find me.
To focus on the 144000 is to put limits on God. It also shows in my opinion a belief that God plays favorites. So should you ever have the misfortune of being accosted by someone who wants to know if you are part of that 144000, ask them are they sure that they are and then remind them of this caveat.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, June 19, 2015
Reflection for June 19, 2015
"Remember how short my time is for what vanity you have created all mortals!"(Psalm 89:47)
I'm now entering the last month and a half of my ministry here at Holy Trinity, my time here is truly short. 19.5 years doesn't seem short but in the grand scheme of things it is. I try to use this ending time to the wrap things up, say my goodbyes well, and to start to prepare for the next thing.
I will cherish the "short time" that I've been privileged to be here. I have many happy memories, baptisms, weddings, Sunday worship, and of course the people. Even outside of church I will continue to remember this short time in my life, where I got to be a Scout leader, a coach and perhaps the chaplain to a town.
All of those memories are a little bit vain. They are about me after all. But we are created and put in a specific place for a specific time in order to do something that hopefully makes a positive impact. Time and space will tell the story. And no matter how many short times I have left, I hope they will be filled with joy, peace and health.
Blessings,
Ed
I'm now entering the last month and a half of my ministry here at Holy Trinity, my time here is truly short. 19.5 years doesn't seem short but in the grand scheme of things it is. I try to use this ending time to the wrap things up, say my goodbyes well, and to start to prepare for the next thing.
I will cherish the "short time" that I've been privileged to be here. I have many happy memories, baptisms, weddings, Sunday worship, and of course the people. Even outside of church I will continue to remember this short time in my life, where I got to be a Scout leader, a coach and perhaps the chaplain to a town.
All of those memories are a little bit vain. They are about me after all. But we are created and put in a specific place for a specific time in order to do something that hopefully makes a positive impact. Time and space will tell the story. And no matter how many short times I have left, I hope they will be filled with joy, peace and health.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Reflection for June 18, 2015
"Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you, with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short."(Revelation 12:12)
A very frightening image is given to us in this verse from Revelation. The idea of an anthropomorphesized evil, wreaking havoc on us. Having lost the battle in heaven turning its anger on those of us here.
I do not believe in the devil, but I do believe fully that there is evil in the world. I only have to turn on the news to have this sadly affirmed. As we know last night 9 members of a church were killed by a lone gunman for no other reason probably than that they were black. Racism still alive and rearing its ugly head. I keep hoping that the last part of the verse might actually hold true that "his time is short." That in my lifetime I might be able to go a day without hearing of some incredibly evil action being done.
The level of wrath and anger that still swirls around us is for me what keeps the clock running on "the devil" We keep buying him more time. Either by fueling it with our own seething or even by not confronting it when it happens.
Here's hoping one day we can say "rejoice then you earth and sea and all who dwell in them.
Blessings,
Ed
A very frightening image is given to us in this verse from Revelation. The idea of an anthropomorphesized evil, wreaking havoc on us. Having lost the battle in heaven turning its anger on those of us here.
I do not believe in the devil, but I do believe fully that there is evil in the world. I only have to turn on the news to have this sadly affirmed. As we know last night 9 members of a church were killed by a lone gunman for no other reason probably than that they were black. Racism still alive and rearing its ugly head. I keep hoping that the last part of the verse might actually hold true that "his time is short." That in my lifetime I might be able to go a day without hearing of some incredibly evil action being done.
The level of wrath and anger that still swirls around us is for me what keeps the clock running on "the devil" We keep buying him more time. Either by fueling it with our own seething or even by not confronting it when it happens.
Here's hoping one day we can say "rejoice then you earth and sea and all who dwell in them.
Blessings,
Ed
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