I am convicted that the way believers relate to the world is as important as anything they do in life. We must realize that there are times when how we view the ancient world of our faith is not the same thing as the modern world we live in. The roles of gender, sexuality, religion should adapt within a spiritual context. God moves and never stands still. The key thing for people of faith is to acknowledge that God loves all his children, Jesus lived for his people before he died for them and that perhaps there will be a surprise for many of us when we join the other saints who have gone on before. To keep anyone from heaven because of who they choose to love is not what the faith of today should be about. God’s love is bigger than that.
Tag Archives: faith
Memorial Eucharist At St. Peter’s Episcopal Church For Those In Orlando
Tonight my church gathered to remember and to pray for those who were lost in Saturday’s mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub. In the service our priest said that prayers are being heard and God is with those who are suffering. I have a problem with the thoughts and prayers platitude some say but you know after his homily we can’t discount the power of prayer, because it can do a lot of good if we have the patience. In the context of those who perished their families and friends will need lots of prayer for comfort. For those who are injured they will need prayer to help them recover. In both cases there is a lot of healing and understanding that will be done in the foreseeable future.
I am glad to be a part of a parish that cares about those who they don’t even know and answers the call to keep others in their minds as they suffer.
Love They Neighbor, Friends and Coworkers and Others
If a friend or coworker is of another faith or none at all don’t think how can I convert them, love them first and get to know them. Perhaps they have a good reason to believe the way they do. Your path to the afterlife is validated by respecting theirs. Love thy neighbor, as thyself… Jesus meant that. God is love and we should be that too.
Six Word Story
Everyone deserves prayer, no matter what.
Trinity Sunday in The Christian Faith Tradition
I believe the Holy Trinity is about God being expressed in three different forms both spiritual, physical and perhaps in creation. This is a tough topic for clergy folks to talk about but alas its still there. Father, Son, Holy Spirit can speak to us in different ways. Three in one is a mystery but that helps us use our minds as well as our hearts when encountering the creator of the universe. To my fellow Anglicans/Episcopalians and other Christians around the world may Trinity Sunday speak to you in a profound way.
To those who aren’t believers may you find comfort in your own way. May your traditions keep you connected to the spirits of people you love.
Rambling About Food
In the food world terms like organic, free range, farm to table, locally sourced and the like are buzz words that seem to be what many people want these days. Then there are others who struggle to put food on their tables and they have to get it where they can at a price they can afford. So many people in the world go hungry and do what they have to do to put food on their table.
This morning at church my Sunday school/small group were talking about that today after watching a video that discussed about how in many areas there are two food communities where you have people who have it and those who struggle. In many places of faith they offer a food pantry to those who are in need. Some people are limited to what they can have because of how much they make. Before you share your faith some folks need to have basic needs taken care of and food is one of them.
Food is a spiritual thing. In the Christian faith bread and wine are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ. Spiritual food does much to keep us sustained through the times of famine and struggle. Communion is about connecting with Jesus and others.
Many other faith traditions embrace food as a way to bring people together. It’s something that they use to observe their faith. For example the Seder at Passover and eating after fasting during Ramadan. Wine is also used to bring couples together during wedding ceremonies. Food is important to begin the building of community at a potluck dinner.
The key thing about food is that everyone needs it to sustain their lives. It’s also a spiritual connection to one’s higher power and to others in your faith tradition. No one should ever go hungry and the creator made not only us but the food to keep us alive, kicking and praying.
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