tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34586733886932568162024-03-05T05:06:54.358-05:00Trinity R'villeThe Trinity, RublevAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-75265250847765166042017-02-13T14:48:00.000-05:002017-02-13T14:48:01.983-05:00Go EastGo East (to St. Andrews)
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-49055581839502678472012-12-31T20:10:00.001-05:002013-03-28T15:00:17.581-04:00Go West - view of Santa Catalina island at sunset<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-5UiibDCUaRVub4KdERw-6_sMvV5Fw1YocRVpGSxDuwQZqFpICyEeuCLgVpQuWDoc8Htlno9fkkztYqXzbGLWgloJwyp5SjLcN-TypaMW40wJp139ofXnuCjtW2HKvrI7kNTBjTS_V8o/s1600/Screenshot_2012-12-31-17-03-24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-5UiibDCUaRVub4KdERw-6_sMvV5Fw1YocRVpGSxDuwQZqFpICyEeuCLgVpQuWDoc8Htlno9fkkztYqXzbGLWgloJwyp5SjLcN-TypaMW40wJp139ofXnuCjtW2HKvrI7kNTBjTS_V8o/s640/Screenshot_2012-12-31-17-03-24.png" /> </a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0Venice, Venice33.996216 -118.46888tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-77728343918656005492012-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:002012-12-25T00:01:57.042-05:00Go West lost count<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyQFjK6ZKWoQTLihx2l0euu6NrUJjoc5B3S1lfhhoeMAeBpn4aSPLbyXD0MP_ykbRfCJAgeFHYwhxOGWEhgtfyulZnDhWJm_BwV2OSfsLN-Anof5-h5yQYUywuV-RbcgcMelnD3p1Mj0N/s1600/SurfinJesus+12-24-2012+5-18-24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyQFjK6ZKWoQTLihx2l0euu6NrUJjoc5B3S1lfhhoeMAeBpn4aSPLbyXD0MP_ykbRfCJAgeFHYwhxOGWEhgtfyulZnDhWJm_BwV2OSfsLN-Anof5-h5yQYUywuV-RbcgcMelnD3p1Mj0N/s640/SurfinJesus+12-24-2012+5-18-24+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Surfin' Jesus</div>
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Lecturn cover, St. Cross by the Sea, Hermosa Beach, CA.</div>
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Where else could you see this?</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-33320052051784941612012-12-17T15:22:00.002-05:002012-12-23T01:28:32.999-05:00Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--r9eri9QdgQ/UM993L8orMI/AAAAAAAACUQ/p2gjbC-QQwg/s1600/100_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--r9eri9QdgQ/UM993L8orMI/AAAAAAAACUQ/p2gjbC-QQwg/s640/100_0232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bird(s?) of Paradise Bush -- Venice, CA</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-83231396065787068692012-12-15T16:24:00.001-05:002012-12-15T20:44:18.312-05:00Out there havin' fun<p>Rodondo Beach, CA sunny 57 degrees</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7zKGGh8z5vQ4vgqLiqVsUfRTkaJ6-kT5YIZoXOEQ8eOb_zQArcorG7YH1_M3dQP-jAEwZU_0mE676xhAB-a9ytoh9MOtpLDkcb6oIzwC0DzcIYLh36xPq0ajKtHKkupm_4u34dlZQZw7/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121215124923095.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7zKGGh8z5vQ4vgqLiqVsUfRTkaJ6-kT5YIZoXOEQ8eOb_zQArcorG7YH1_M3dQP-jAEwZU_0mE676xhAB-a9ytoh9MOtpLDkcb6oIzwC0DzcIYLh36xPq0ajKtHKkupm_4u34dlZQZw7/s640/CameraZOOM-20121215124923095.jpg' /> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0Northwest Torrance, Torrance33.867706 -118.337425tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-9242680781698469512012-12-12T18:00:00.000-05:002012-12-12T18:08:06.955-05:00Go West 6<br />
We left the Grand Canyon to reach Flagstaff by dark. We met my cousin, Kathy, who has lived there for many years. On the next day (Saturday, Dec 8) Kathy took us to Sedona which is supposed to be a "must see." It does have some of most beautiful canyon country views you can imagine. It is also a New Age hot spot. I was surprised to see so many mainstream Christian churches there though. We had lunch at the Creekside restaurant. I never saw the creek but I was impressed by the lunch menu they have for your dog along with a free dish of ice water. In the evening after our return, I began to feel a bit funny. My extremities where very cold, I was slightly short of breath, had a headache and started to feel a bit more confused then usual. We had been above 5000 feet since Denver (5 days). The Grand Canyon is at 8000 and Flagstaff at 7000, so altitude sickness seemed like the obvious diagnosis. I felt like I should try to make to morning when we where leaving for lower parts but it slowly dawned on me that I could be dead by morning. We went to the hospital and after running 500 tests on all my poor health conditions which came out negative they concluded, "Yep, its altitude sickness." They reasoned it would make no sense to admit me since I would still be there, so they told us to high tail it out of town. We left Flagstaff at about 3 am heading down.<br />
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The drive to lower altitude took about 2 hours so by the time we got there I was feeling better. Monica wanted to find a Goodwill to do shopping for stocking stuffers and gag gifts so by a quirk of fate and providential guidance we ended up in Bullhead City, AZ, elevation 500 feet in the Mojave desert. (Its one of the lowest spots in the US.) Bullhead City is right across the Colorado River from Laughlin, NV which is a mini-mecca of casinos. We got a room for $22 a night and booked in for 2 days to get some rest (no slots). I felt good enough to play golf on Monday and Monica rode along braving the 40 degree desert morning and later 25 plus mile an hour winds. The views of the desert were spectacular and we enjoyed our rest in the Mojave.<br />
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Next day (Tuesday, Dec 11) we are off to LA. We arrived at the Pacific just before sunset. A semi-conclusion to our journey. We will be in LA till after Christmas when we plan to visit our son Drew in Oakland, CA. Click once on pics for better view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WhZLb9_CMX_d_bJNJ-N94v3t52Eag8p5QjAek3o5x2Cb9o6Cl7cQxUUwkHL_6xuUw3fEF3PJV9rzWtCXgyqxwJU1z9Wq64FJ-RqAU2_LOHejs5RT-XapE99t6kXNyhqxOKt9qi4j6Ck/s1600/100_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WhZLb9_CMX_d_bJNJ-N94v3t52Eag8p5QjAek3o5x2Cb9o6Cl7cQxUUwkHL_6xuUw3fEF3PJV9rzWtCXgyqxwJU1z9Wq64FJ-RqAU2_LOHejs5RT-XapE99t6kXNyhqxOKt9qi4j6Ck/s320/100_0150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Best shot from Sedona</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sN5o0F6uGcw/UMkJkj7rNCI/AAAAAAAACQw/KiN9H_I_sXo/s1600/100_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sN5o0F6uGcw/UMkJkj7rNCI/AAAAAAAACQw/KiN9H_I_sXo/s320/100_0161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dogie lunch menu</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgyxUlBqG9cTDi-UX50q81usth2syJxJR7GheDvzz58Gs-GR1ohL6qQWZUHcFTsuXcz78liiroWrGtl3MblnrDkmDtMQkN5JGYstf0EnZJWgaYLXGa7neZ45n02G1pf9qjDDjooA5imU/s1600/100_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgyxUlBqG9cTDi-UX50q81usth2syJxJR7GheDvzz58Gs-GR1ohL6qQWZUHcFTsuXcz78liiroWrGtl3MblnrDkmDtMQkN5JGYstf0EnZJWgaYLXGa7neZ45n02G1pf9qjDDjooA5imU/s320/100_0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Destination Bullhead City, AZ</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TK28F-ym1RFOxvzsl8Ulac8I7o2uNhgca2XO9u3zSgR-55A9T2NolmzgYkchVotte06JLtSRo5rEI_YQVAoj2PDuK26I2eaUauEd36DGNKIy37baGtWRV_XponCbvGNqDl-fEaaBhew/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121210093940739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TK28F-ym1RFOxvzsl8Ulac8I7o2uNhgca2XO9u3zSgR-55A9T2NolmzgYkchVotte06JLtSRo5rEI_YQVAoj2PDuK26I2eaUauEd36DGNKIy37baGtWRV_XponCbvGNqDl-fEaaBhew/s320/CameraZOOM-20121210093940739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Desert view Laughlin Ranch GC</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXWOWF1KluM_KnyrxPRSW2zqzZCKaDufzsERV6ZsGqSF88AkqbRgdExwN3ntnMSQ7QY-nXyfwVgkwhgsOrAff0pajS3Jl6iFZ7wkfhEFk-W-N43ol99qVv0HVXP1vvsd6rIwGG80lx18/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121210104911864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXWOWF1KluM_KnyrxPRSW2zqzZCKaDufzsERV6ZsGqSF88AkqbRgdExwN3ntnMSQ7QY-nXyfwVgkwhgsOrAff0pajS3Jl6iFZ7wkfhEFk-W-N43ol99qVv0HVXP1vvsd6rIwGG80lx18/s320/CameraZOOM-20121210104911864.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Braving the weather -- Look, no crutches!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osvkF5HsLYQ/UMkF_GwaK-I/AAAAAAAACPw/fNAnUDO0Bys/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121210104835562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-osvkF5HsLYQ/UMkF_GwaK-I/AAAAAAAACPw/fNAnUDO0Bys/s320/CameraZOOM-20121210104835562.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The patient has recovered</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNNe_EFY4A9RkqyuGSSXEYBgtBiGVBHsNeqbzAkiIxmj3P4WgwYGT_k3xCL5ETsCcEV1tEgcMX-DiIqxE1Zq5ifqjqpoMjj3smE0P4_QZiHQtEilXSsR_oIvbWhRDyHnfwfqHhs2vkFw/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121210163900037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNNe_EFY4A9RkqyuGSSXEYBgtBiGVBHsNeqbzAkiIxmj3P4WgwYGT_k3xCL5ETsCcEV1tEgcMX-DiIqxE1Zq5ifqjqpoMjj3smE0P4_QZiHQtEilXSsR_oIvbWhRDyHnfwfqHhs2vkFw/s320/CameraZOOM-20121210163900037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Desert sunset</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS3IrOiGrfCuxCN1UjI5PV33TU556GLLSt1N9Yq-81cjdeIj20TdN8-JU43OFyDqWkXQTwMUQ4arwIu2EwzhyphenhyphenrJsM3NuDLYL7UaE_kPXVpU8qUq1H4pEPuqWzBB1SlNInOHlYQOZTAmc/s1600/100_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCS3IrOiGrfCuxCN1UjI5PV33TU556GLLSt1N9Yq-81cjdeIj20TdN8-JU43OFyDqWkXQTwMUQ4arwIu2EwzhyphenhyphenrJsM3NuDLYL7UaE_kPXVpU8qUq1H4pEPuqWzBB1SlNInOHlYQOZTAmc/s320/100_0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pacific Ocean</div>
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Arrived at Manhattan Beach, CA. Where else?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUb6UXXg08FCyBoXW8P4OyIRhmsjE2z8_V5mYWObj_k6_Ewg8nm-B1cx93Xg64sFSub1wncseCFVPWtQ7HeMEG-r3QrDUsGFd4CxHlTc6UaIibL-QEeBRFokhcApn6w_-3bU59JwGL6g/s1600/100_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUb6UXXg08FCyBoXW8P4OyIRhmsjE2z8_V5mYWObj_k6_Ewg8nm-B1cx93Xg64sFSub1wncseCFVPWtQ7HeMEG-r3QrDUsGFd4CxHlTc6UaIibL-QEeBRFokhcApn6w_-3bU59JwGL6g/s320/100_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset on the pier</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-55662542844258675402012-12-12T16:55:00.001-05:002012-12-12T18:23:16.733-05:00Go West 5<br />
Coming down from the Rockies we stayed in Moab, UT. Pretty red rock mesas. We did not tangle with the Moabites (see Judges 3.29) as we left for the Grand Canyon. We arrived there about 2 pm and headed for the South rim. It has to be an amazing experience to see this for the first time as we did. I image some cow poke riding along and coming to the edge for the first time. What a sight! That said, once you have been there for 10 or 15 minutes, you get the basic idea. Not to disparage those who dedicate their lives to exploring and and understanding the Canyon. It is a wonder. Pictures do not do it justice. There was a lot of walking for Monica from parking lots to shuttle buses and then to the view sites so we only stayed for a couple of hours. Our next stop was Flagstaff, AZ where a new adventure awaited us. Click once on pics for a better view.<br />
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Leaving Moab -- explains itself</div>
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Monica at the rim, my shadow, poor compostion</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEozB8PPS9TY4xBaQ3ss7pGjZnaNP6W22FY6GjjnJRrBmsBW3UD4cr_AMUv40-iau6pBVuyfoHgC04E-K5q4wet9JLiymDjsgFD8DB0eCC3hGGhcHrxKL_StEEhekPhadfC0Yu95fh9Uo/s1600/100_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEozB8PPS9TY4xBaQ3ss7pGjZnaNP6W22FY6GjjnJRrBmsBW3UD4cr_AMUv40-iau6pBVuyfoHgC04E-K5q4wet9JLiymDjsgFD8DB0eCC3hGGhcHrxKL_StEEhekPhadfC0Yu95fh9Uo/s320/100_0125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The sky at the Grand Canyon (long view)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-22868166155656142342012-12-06T22:44:00.001-05:002012-12-06T23:07:39.174-05:00Go West 4HAPPY FEAST OF ST. NICOLAS, Dec 6<br />
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We left Dallas on Monday, Dec 3, and made our way to Amarillo. We were tempted to try the FREE 72 oz Texas steak (free only if you can eat it all with all the fixins in an hour) but since we were in a hurry we settled for the 20 oz. We then moved on and camped (Holiday Inn Express) on the High Chaparral near Lemar, CO (southeast). The drought has hit Colorado and North Texas hard. Lots of dry ground and still much cattle. We reached my uncle and aunt's house in Denver on Tuesday afternoon. Had a great visit with them catching up on their six children and all the grandchildren. On Wednesday we visited the St. Mother Cabrini shrine outside of Denver where Mother, like Moses, struck a rock with her staff and water came out to assuage the thirst of her orphan charges. We drank the water from the holy Mother Cabrini spring which still flows today.<br />
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Then Thursday, on to the Rockies. What a experience to drive through these American beauties. The weather was shaky. We had light snow flurries until we hit Vail (where else?) and then sun and clouds all down the west side. Crossed into Utah and are spending Thursday in Moab, UT. Heading to the Grand Canyon tomorrow! Pics below. Click on pics for better view.<br />
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Look closely for the Texas steak lover.</div>
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Texas style</div>
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The Gospel comes to Amarillo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnPwzD02O8iVIVV_l8gkO3MZO2oG8hDbr1n_kryqfCJ1r2JuiaGTJi4SxP9v3L0LmVjU1bA7hsB06qtNODRU5ecnMOOI-oDPRv5EcT5ASGmtSu49eoF8-05dIKUYAm5kGM5qy42AZIVI/s1600/100_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnPwzD02O8iVIVV_l8gkO3MZO2oG8hDbr1n_kryqfCJ1r2JuiaGTJi4SxP9v3L0LmVjU1bA7hsB06qtNODRU5ecnMOOI-oDPRv5EcT5ASGmtSu49eoF8-05dIKUYAm5kGM5qy42AZIVI/s320/100_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stations of the Cross -- Cabrini Shrine</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXHis84zmM9EXthkpxLZj2XW-d3mHsc1OVLoA8h40kePogfpD0JLmJnazTTbvBVJK6lkWbNZNju4TvEwxhGbtjzKASORPzd_W8UtC5NuZePJfr-kZvs3Y79fgj5VP0es5MnP3q8RvxPQ/s1600/100_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXHis84zmM9EXthkpxLZj2XW-d3mHsc1OVLoA8h40kePogfpD0JLmJnazTTbvBVJK6lkWbNZNju4TvEwxhGbtjzKASORPzd_W8UtC5NuZePJfr-kZvs3Y79fgj5VP0es5MnP3q8RvxPQ/s320/100_0099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trophy case at Uncle Ed's</div>
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Rockies just west of Vail</div>
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Utah (period)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-77760624016781128372012-12-02T13:47:00.000-05:002012-12-02T13:51:09.763-05:00Go West 3We are about to leave Dallas heading to Denver to visit my uncle and aunt there. Before leaving we celebrated Nicolaus early (the feast day of St. Nicolas, December 6) with Hilary and Richard. Nicolaus was a great memory from my childhood. Children place their shoes near the door on the eve of Dec. 6. In the morning good children receive a small gift, bad children receive coal and onions. One year I received the dreaded coal and onions. I could not imagine what I could have done that was so bad. Nicolaus was this great warm up for Christmas which, as a child, to me seemed very far away.<br />
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We gave Hilary and Richard their Christmas gifts, the first Sunday of Advent. May we like the Wise Men begin our Advent journey to the manger to see the true meaning of our lives. Pics below.<br />
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Nicolaus was here!</div>
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Alix and Richard's creche</div>
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A new blanket. Wow!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-8226258738645324392012-11-27T11:31:00.000-05:002012-12-15T20:49:08.019-05:00Go West 2Thanksgiving was great. Hilary and Richard made a traditional meal with all the fixin's. Mark and Julia, their friends, joined us. Julia is from Edinburgh and they are redoing their wedding vows over Christmas break. Traditional Scottish wedding with men in kilts (jealous). On Friday played 9 holes of golf with Hilary and Richard at Hank Haney's short course. Low 60's (temp not my score), sunny. Nice. Saturday I played again by myself while Monica and Hilary shopped. Sunday we went to the Dallas Aboritum to see a display of over 500 Nativity Scenes (creches). Truly amazing and uplifting to see how many different visions people have had of the glorious Nativity mystery. My favorite was a set made from the ashes from the Mt. St. Helena eruption. Pics below. Click on pictures for a better view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxzNgPpNBK-X_oR37xo2FOYw0oefA6XeDRAcMiGiegaV8j-V1PNC9uQGBAXZ4tJ4hqkkf44d6lOX6cDO3_oY8_Rnze2BsPkIe8KpuZlzXlqjW40CjemFavVsDK9PVfXJrWqDRkXTNZ4I/s1600/100_0022+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxzNgPpNBK-X_oR37xo2FOYw0oefA6XeDRAcMiGiegaV8j-V1PNC9uQGBAXZ4tJ4hqkkf44d6lOX6cDO3_oY8_Rnze2BsPkIe8KpuZlzXlqjW40CjemFavVsDK9PVfXJrWqDRkXTNZ4I/s320/100_0022+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Table set for the feast</div>
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Richard the carver</div>
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Plated and ready</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJI3NcYNn90/ULFEFe6h8qI/AAAAAAAACE0/6F_rUgZkvtE/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121123130904722" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJI3NcYNn90/ULFEFe6h8qI/AAAAAAAACE0/6F_rUgZkvtE/s320/CameraZOOM-20121123130904722" width="320" /></a></div>
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Day after Thanksgiving at the links</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyClcZgrvbLFYGPhuJs2PnVpjzMCfI1ePbVMM9PW-guToGS6wrvA7x_ryS6Qw21NPPsjZIzWaJpvtYzB5swqlTZPABefEBTEdiQGqUlFXQC6R1KeIf_aF8agiKGBg5aNs5VPCvzPqM0R8/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121125151552071" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyClcZgrvbLFYGPhuJs2PnVpjzMCfI1ePbVMM9PW-guToGS6wrvA7x_ryS6Qw21NPPsjZIzWaJpvtYzB5swqlTZPABefEBTEdiQGqUlFXQC6R1KeIf_aF8agiKGBg5aNs5VPCvzPqM0R8/s320/CameraZOOM-20121125151552071" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dallas Arboritum</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPAqWLD-llyfYtUXuaGwDNcRUUADSDpIl1G0uuHOHORcPYOpzNzCWlvV5Vp1-u8xkREdj6HYDY3K1kkmPnqiYa_nPmTx0aJUjEYhffuz-jesTlKmLYrk3LQen_HL5v6oLbCsuBBy78yM/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121125152213347" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPAqWLD-llyfYtUXuaGwDNcRUUADSDpIl1G0uuHOHORcPYOpzNzCWlvV5Vp1-u8xkREdj6HYDY3K1kkmPnqiYa_nPmTx0aJUjEYhffuz-jesTlKmLYrk3LQen_HL5v6oLbCsuBBy78yM/s320/CameraZOOM-20121125152213347" width="240" /></a></div>
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1 of 500 creches</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrTaxebIa67uQh9Vy1VNu_V1N7gibDZEZO4pdD4kSHjT1KfgxdGHdx6erJ0kCQ1R65CuaXSF_Iybsy9bn_tC7I_TLdD5FqYyEVse1zMwYSsJqJbywzmkEmwItj969RZKNNYQyMkhpK7U/s1600/CameraZOOM-20121125160107704" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrTaxebIa67uQh9Vy1VNu_V1N7gibDZEZO4pdD4kSHjT1KfgxdGHdx6erJ0kCQ1R65CuaXSF_Iybsy9bn_tC7I_TLdD5FqYyEVse1zMwYSsJqJbywzmkEmwItj969RZKNNYQyMkhpK7U/s320/CameraZOOM-20121125160107704" width="320" /></a></div>
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What a gordious house! Dallas Arboritum</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-28681469394557798732012-11-20T23:32:00.000-05:002012-11-21T09:19:24.622-05:00Go West 1<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8623554583173245" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reporting on trip West. We left R'ville late on Fri., Nov 16. To Harrisburg, PA first day. Day 2 we wandered thru Virginia using many side roads. Picturesque rolling hills with a touch of late fall. Nite 2 stayed in Lynchburg, VA. Nite 3 made it to mid-Tennessee between Knoxville and Nashville. On to Little Rock, AK. for nite 4. Made it to Dallas on Tuesday. Pleasant trip with nice sites. Long trip. See some pics below.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What the sky looks like in Arkansas</span></b></div>
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It's still fall in Texas</div>
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This long trip can berry you!</div>
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So far its been a great trip. Looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with Hilary and Richard. Some time here, then on to the Rockies!</div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-64181555345415637952012-10-23T22:00:00.000-04:002012-10-23T22:00:51.327-04:00Bishop Longley on the New Evangelization<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Excellency, Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham (Great Britain-England and Wales)</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The New Evangelization is not a strategy or program, but an invitation to an encounter and life-long relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church. It involves fallingin love with the person of Jesus Christ and his bride, the Catholic Church. This encounter with Christ takes place in and through the Church so as not to foster afalse dichotomy between spirituality and religion. Encounters with Christ in the Church help the faithful to understand the need for salvation and forgiveness from sin. Following the initial encounter with Christ, the faithful desire to spend time with the beloved in prayer, sacrament and to contemplate the face of God (Novo Millennio Ineunte).</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Hence, the Synod Fathers might propose a lifelong accompaniment of each Catholic on their journey of faith modeled on Christ's walk with the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. The faithful need the continued work of systematic, comprehensive and lifelong catechesis. Evangelization and catechesis should help the faithful know, understand, live and share the faith. A catechesis for youth and adults that is age-appropriate and presented in an appealing and apologetic manner that answers the genuine questions of those participating in their formation would enhance the New Evangelization. This basic presentation of the fundamentals of our faith, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in an attractive and appealing manner, for example at World Youth Day, will help to revive aconfidence in the faith and a greater ability to share it with others.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Fostering some practical initiatives would assist the New Evangelization and catechesis: Lectio Divina, teaching prayer, making the Sacred Scriptures and the Sacrament of Penance more readily available (perhaps through offering the Sacrament at new times and on aconsistent basis during Lent or Advent), pilgrimages, sharing the stories of the saints and martyrs, and making known the excellent work and ministry undertaken by Catholic institutions and apostolates.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We discussed presenting the Sacraments in anew light aimed at reaching contemporary society. The preparation for individual sacraments should model the catechumenate and allow for personal encounters with Christ and the proclamation of the kerygma. Small Christian communities can help to connect people to one another, allowing for prayer and reflection on the Scriptures.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We encourage the Synod Fathers to pray for a New Pentecost for the whole Church and to better understand the ways in which the Holy Spirit is working in the Church and lives of Catholics and other Christians. We stressed the importance of Liturgy well-celebrated and homilies that inspire and share the faith in a compelling manner. This will require formation for the clergy in liturgy, homiletics, and the New Evangelization since they are formators for the new evangelizers.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">In order to be effective evangelists, the laity needs better preparation for evangelization. This should include doctrine, helping evangelists share the faith, perhaps through a wider use of images, suitable for the people they serve, some of whom may be illiterate; humility, acquiring the ability to articulate one's story of faith and testimony of Christ.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Our group would wish to encourage bishops, priests and permanent deacons to know the lives of the people they serve in amore personal way. The bishop is an evangelist who leads by example and shares with all the baptized the blessings of being called to evangelization. His ministry must have the characteristics of the shepherd (ad intra) and the fisherman (ad extra). Ongoing formation for clergy on the New Evangelization and methods for evangelization in the diocese and parish are needed.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The family is a privileged center for the new evangelization. Catholic families are in great need of regular support and direct assistance from the Church and parish to become witnesses to the faith. Continuing inculturation of the gospel could bring together the life of Christ with the life and culture of all people. The inculturation of the Gospel involves becoming more of a welcoming Church to immigrants and those in need.</span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We also considered the contribution of Religious and the witness of consecrated life, the establishment of catechists as astable ministry within the Church, the need for post-sacramental catechesis, especially following Confirmation, the wisdom of consulting our Canon Lawyers when formulating diocesan policy, the particular needs of the Deaf Community, and the management of natural resources in times of conflict or warfare.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-8824726333885259852012-08-31T11:45:00.003-04:002012-08-31T11:47:00.448-04:00Feast of St. Aidan<br />
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A Prayer for the Feast Day of Aidan and Cuthbert of Lindisfarne</div>
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Everliving God, who didst call thy servants Aidan and Cuthbert to proclaim the Gospel in northern England and endued them with loving hearts and gentle spirits: Grant us grace to live as they did, in simplicity, humility and love for the poor; through Jesus Christ, who came among us as one who serves, and who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen <span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_of_Lindisfarne" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" wotsearchprocessed="true">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/<wbr></wbr>Aidan_of_Lindisfarne</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-56504763551927828402012-08-27T10:33:00.000-04:002012-08-27T10:36:14.721-04:00Here is an interesting article on Finding Jesus at Burning Man from Christianity Today.<br />
Page 2 is a little unclear but push on. You may have to magnify the screen to read more easily.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/104074407/Burning-Man?secret_password=n0zzmv8gqvsmectu7d3" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Burning Man on Scribd">Burning Man</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="0.706697459584296" data-auto-height="true" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_78848" scrolling="no" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/104074407/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-vbwx0mip62svjlhqti1&secret_password=n0zzmv8gqvsmectu7d3" width="100%"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-18365850684289689412012-07-07T13:41:00.003-04:002012-07-07T13:42:41.804-04:00Sermon -- 5 Pentecost 2012<br />
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Pentecost 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Readings:
</span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BProp8_RCL.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BProp8_RCL.html</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today
we continue with our readings from the books of Samuel. We see David
at the moment of Saul's death. David was very close to King Saul.
He knew him intimately He knew he was corrupt. He used to play his
harp and sing songs to him when the King could not sleep, when he was
quite mad on those difficult nights.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">At
a point Saul tried to kill David. Jonathan, Saul's son and the
presumptive heir to the throne, saved David's life. David had a
chance to kill Saul when Saul was pursuing him with murderous
intentions. David chose not to kill Saul because God had anointed
him as king.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now
Saul and Jonathan, his dear friend, are killed in battle. And what
is David's reaction? He could have sung this song:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Oh,
that corrupt old Saul is gone. Good riddance.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> I've
won. Thank God. How great I am.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Corruption
got its just deserts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But
this was not David's reaction. Instead he talks about how great Saul
was. He sings about how much the nation and he himself benefited
from Saul. He says, remember Saul and remember the glory he brought
Israel. Don't let the pagan world hear of anything except how
wonderful he was.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Our
Collect today brings us back to the time of Israel and of the early
church. It reads: </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Almighty
God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant
us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching,
that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Israel,
and the church today, is to be a holy temple built and knit together
for God's glory. But Israel did not do what God asked of them.
Israel was not being the way the God wanted them to be. So they were
sent into exile. They lost their Temple. They were stranded and
destitute in a foreign land.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Yet
in the midst of this exile in Babylon God restores the nation once
again. They return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. This is not
an easy task, this Temple building. Even in the days of the
rebuilding, the days of the prophets Nehemiah and Ezra, there is
difficulty, discord and strife. Yet they carry on with one pure goal
in mind, to rebuild the Temple, to restore the glory of Yahweh
because this is what they are called to do.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
Jesus' time we find Israel fallen again. Why is this picture so
bleak? We are constantly falling away from the teachings of the
prophets and the apostles. We are weak. Our perspective on life is
narrow. We are sinful. And so we are constantly called to renewal
and revival.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God
is calling to us, always to renew us. This is what our Gospel
stories are about today. Here we have Jairus. He is the leader of
the local synagogue. The system of local rabbis, trained as leaders,
was not yet established. Jairus was a layman, just a regular person
who had taken on the mission of leading the local group of
worshipers. He comes to Jesus and falls at his feet. “My daughter
is very ill,” he says.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
woman, a woman, even this young women, in the Gospel represents
Israel. Israel is a woman. Israel is the spouse of God. Israel is
very ill. Israel is about to die. The local leader of Israel falls
at Jesus' feet and pleads to him for help. Picture this gesture. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
the midst of this story another woman comes to Jesus with a great
issue of blood. Nothing has helped her. Even the doctors have made
her worse. Yet she thinks, “If I could just touch the hem of his
garment, I will be cured.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Numbers
are very important when they are mentioned in the gospels. Here the
woman has been suffering for 12 years. How old was the little girl?
12 years old. This may seem trivial and off the mark but it is
central to the message of our gospel today. How many tribes were in
Israel? 12. How many apostles? 12.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
are constantly being called back to the restoration and healing of
Israel and of the the church, which is built upon the foundation of
the prophets and the apostles. In our OT story, David sees how,
despite the corruption and chaos, God was working through King Saul
to establish and restore Israel. David saw this and this is why God
could use him, despite his weaknesses and faults, to lead Israel.
David listened to the prophets and so was able to see the big
picture.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
our gospel, Jesus enters the corruption, chaos and death of this
world to offer ongoing healing and life. He raises the young girl,
Israel, the church, to new life. He heals the bleeding of the woman,
of Israel, of the church. This new life is built on the foundation of
the prophets and the apostles with Jesus Christ as the chief
cornerstone. He is the Lord of life, the author of risen life, life
in the midst of impossible death, bleeding and chaos.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
our Gospel story today Jesus is laughed at and dismissed by some,
worshiped by others.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
this is the main point. God is calling us into relationship with
him. He loves us. He wants to heal us amid our suffering and
confusion. His call is simple and direct. Come to me, all you are
burdened and heavy laden and I will refresh you and you shall find
rest for your souls. Even amid chaos and corruption, he is at work,
drawing us, leading us, healing us.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-10936323330518716242012-06-05T12:27:00.000-04:002012-06-05T12:27:28.082-04:00How to Find Trinity Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuHD5vM3MgSo1QGg9WFGhjnTaVIwbH0mzesND_Bs2uFmNXyAF1nbT66U2g3gT8xFysNhq0W1nfwpCIvQ0BkUq1AmhxiTcIq4qd66Dm39dKZ7VJD-PTWffxqBnRAw0lclVYu69kIm70yeO/s1600/Trinity+Church+Location.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuHD5vM3MgSo1QGg9WFGhjnTaVIwbH0mzesND_Bs2uFmNXyAF1nbT66U2g3gT8xFysNhq0W1nfwpCIvQ0BkUq1AmhxiTcIq4qd66Dm39dKZ7VJD-PTWffxqBnRAw0lclVYu69kIm70yeO/s640/Trinity+Church+Location.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><div>
Here is where our church is located in Rensselaerville, NY. It is where the star is on the right hand side of the map. We are located at the end of Trinity Lane, just off Albany Hill Rd. and County Route 351.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-12128120163881607712012-06-05T12:05:00.001-04:002012-06-05T12:06:10.618-04:00Summer Service ScheduleBeginning Sunday June 10, 2012, we will move to our summer schedule and services will begin at 8:30 am. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Services at 8:30 am will continue through to Sunday, September 2, 2010, which is the Sunday before Labor Day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Following Labor Day, on Sunday September 9, 2012, we will resume our Sunday service time of 11 am. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-45242431224804291332012-06-04T15:56:00.001-04:002012-06-28T09:10:05.610-04:00Sermon -- Trinity Sunday 2012<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Trinity
2012 Readings:
</span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BTrinity_RCL.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BTrinity_RCL.html</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
probably have all seen Rublev's icon of the Trinity. It depicts our
Patron, the Trinity, as three angels, the angels that visited our
father Abraham near the oaks of Mamre. (The minister circulates a
large copy of the icon and mentions it is on the church blog)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
his picture, Rublev shows us what we know about this Holy One who
Isaiah has seen in his vision that was read to us. We know about
this Holy One primarily through Jesus. As scripture has told us
“Jesus is the image of the unseen God.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
the Christian tradition boldly claims to have some knowledge about
this mysterious figure – that Rudolf Otto calls the “mysterium
tremendum et fascians" - this scary but fascinating mystery. All of
our knowledge of God comes from Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rublev
depicts our three Patrons in his picture as sitting in a circle. </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On
the right, the Holy Spirit has a garment of the clear blue of the
sky, wrapped over with a robe of a fragile green. The Spirit of
creation moves in sky and water, breathes in heaven and earth. All
living things owe their freshness to his touch.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
Son has the deepest colors; a thick heavy garment of the
reddish-brown of earth and a cloak of the blue of heaven. In his
person he unites heaven and earth, the two natures are present in
him, and over his right shoulder (the Government shall be upon his
shoulder) there is a band of gold shot through the earthly garment,
as his divinity suffuses and transfigures his earthly being.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
Father seems to wear all the colors in a kind of fabric that changes
with the light, that seems transparent, that cannot be described or
confined in words. And this is how it should be. No one has seen the
Father, but the vision of him fills the universe.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
Father looks forward, raising his hand in blessing to the Son. He
seems to be looking both at the Son and down to the chalice on the
table. The chalice contains a portion of roasted lamb, pointing to
the Jesus' sacrifice and the meal he provides for us to participate
in this sacrifice.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
most important part of the structure of the icon to me is the
realization that, as you gaze at the Trinity, sitting in a circle
full of movement, you realize that you complete that circle. You and
I are drawn into the circle, into the house of love, into the very
life of the Trinity. The viewer becomes part of what is viewed. We
are drawn into the action. We, somehow, complete the picture. And
the picture completes us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How
can we take this vision of the picture out into the world? How do we
integrate it into our lives? Most simply we live as much as possible
at all times in this house of love. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not
such an easy thing to do. We are challenged by the picture to live a
different kind of life. On another practical level, this means
becoming a follower of Jesus, who is the one who shows us this house
of love, who prepares a place for us in the house of love and who
carries us there through the gift of the Holy Spirit. “He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit,” John the Baptist says.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
this is the point of Jesus meeting with Nicodemus which was read to
us in our Gospel today.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus'
encounter with Nicodemis is like our own encounter with Jesus.
Nicodemus was a religious leader of the Jews. He was a prominent
citizen of Jerusalem. He was a rich and powerful man. Maybe he had
earned his wealth; maybe he inherited it. But he was in the power
loop of the city.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Even
though he is a leader in his community, a religious leader, when he
speaks to Jesus about spiritual things he seems clueless. He needs
direction and guidance, a lot of it, just like we do. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus
attempts to give him this spiritual guidance. “Look, Nicodemus,”
he says, “its like being born again. Like starting all over, like
we had just began a new day.” Jesus comforts us but he also
challenges us. His very mission was come into the world to show us
who God is. He reveals the Triune nature of God: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. He reveals God as essential love.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God
is not an old man with a boney finger pointing at us and saying, “You
better watch out. When you get home you're gona get a lickin.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He
is the God of love and he lives in the house of love.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Does
that mean that everything we do is OK? That when the time comes, we
will just fall into the everlasting arms and peaceably and smilingly
swoon away eternity?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus
has not said this to us. He says these strange things like you must
be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. We have to struggle
with the meaning of these things just like Nicodemus.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But
he does say he has not come to condemn us but to save us. So in our
struggles to understand and to grow we take comfort in these words.
But the paradox of seeking and enjoying this comfort is that we reach
out and try to touch this Holy One and each other in love.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-58799407278673992722012-05-23T16:12:00.001-04:002012-05-31T21:29:42.088-04:00Trinity Sunday -- June 3, 2012MAIN ST. PROCESSION AND BBQ HAVE BEEN CANCELED. 5/31/2012 Fr. Jay North+<br />
<br />
Trinity Sunday is our Patronal feast day. We are blessed to have the Holy Trinity as our special patrons. You can't do better than that! This year Trinity Sunday (the Sunday after Pentecost) falls on June 3.<br />
<br />
To celebrate we will begin our Sunday Service with a procession down Main St. from Bell's hotel to the church lead by a piper. The procession will form in the driveway of the hotel at 10:30 am.<br />
<br />
(On the evening of June 3, we will close our celebration with BBQ hosted by Jost and Ellen. We would like to invite as many of our friends as will come. Please extend an invitation to everyone to come to our celebration party beginning at 6 pm.) BBQ AND SERVICE CANCELED 5/30/2012 Fr. Jay North+<br />
<br />
We will close the day with a sunset service overlooking the mountains. This is should be a great day! So plan to attend and invite your friends.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-60821642720030792252012-05-23T15:52:00.000-04:002012-06-05T20:34:47.365-04:00Sermon 7 Easter 2012<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">7
Easter 12 Readings:
</span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster7_RCL.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster7_RCL.html</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Next
week of course is the feast of Pentecost. This last week we
celebrated the Ascension. The Ascension has become characterized as
a feast day which is not widely marked. Somehow we don't know quite
what to make of it these days. Does it make sense that Jesus was
taken up into heaven? Why did he end his earthly ministry in this
way?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Pentecost
and Ascension are closely related. Jesus said, unless I go, I cannot
send the Spirit (John 16.7). Why is this the case?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
think it is best explained by seeing Jesus as the New Adam. The New
Adam did life right. Jesus did it correctly. The first Adam messed
it up. He didn't do it right. He turned away from God. He became
distracted by his own dreams and visions of grandeur. As the evil
one told him, “You can be like God.” And he actually believed
this. He wanted to run things his own way.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
new Adam, Jesus, on the other hand, went about doing things the way
God wanted them done. He listened closely to the Father. He
constantly relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He said, “I
dont do anything unless I see the Father doing it.” He could see
what the Father was up to. The Father was up to healing. The Father
was up to teaching and guiding his children. The Father was up to
finding lost sheep and carrying them home. The Father was up to
extending his kingdom and his rule. So the new Adam, Jesus, went
about doing this – thinking about God first and not about a
personal agenda, if he could imagine one. The devil wanted him to.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus
was the New Adam and through his Ascension he was given his rightful
place at the right hand of God where, as Scripture says, all dominion
and rule was given over to him. At the Ascension he was established
for us to see as God's right hand man. And a key word here is “man.”
Now a man has done it right and that man is Jesus. He is like us.
He is like Adam. He is the new paradigm or pattern for humanity.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
can seem somewhat abstract. But if we think about it in terms of
Adam and of the Church which God creates through the descent of the
Holy Spirit, it becomes more clear.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
was Adam's job? And for that matter, Eve's job? Their job was to
tend the garden. They were supposed to be God's good gardeners.
This involved doing the gardening well, doing it to perfection, with
beauty and grace and competence and, most of all, with love. This
was their job. They were God's agents in the garden.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Their
role was actually much more elevated than the idea of gardener
suggests. They were priests and kings. They offered their everyday
work to God as an offering and expected him to bless what they were
doing. They were kings in the sense that they were in supreme
control over their tasks. They were in charge in concert, in
partnership, with God. Kings in ancient times were always seen as
God's representatives on earth. Who else was God going to work
through? He worked through kings. They were his agents.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now
kings have had a sad history, as we know, and this idea became
corrupted over time. But the basic idea holds true that God works
through man, through us to accomplish his purposes. This why we are
called a nation of priests and kings.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All
this becomes corrupted by Adam and his descendants and it has to be
put right. God begins this process through Israel and it will come
to completion in Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One
of the things God becomes interested in is Temple building. He wants
to create a place that is holy, a place where his people can come
back to him, be in communion with him and experience his presence
among them. So he puts the urge within his chosen ones to build
altars and to worship him. Eventually he gives his followers,
through Moses, very detailed instructions about how to build a
Temple.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
Temple was built as a model of the cosmos, of the world. We model
our churches today on the ancient temples. There is a strict
resemblance. In the Temple there was an outer court, which
represented the earth. There was even a huge wash basin which was
symbolic of the seas. Then one came to the inner court which was
elevated. The inner court represented the mountains of earth, most
particularly Mount Sinai. God met with his people on the mountain.
Then finally there was the Holy of Holies, the very dwelling place of
God on earth.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A
short aside on the roll of clouds here. If you look at the world, a
cloud is sort of the boundary marker between the seen world and the
unseen world of the heavens. This is why clouds were associated with
the presence of God. If a cloud was close by, God was close by. So
when God descends upon the Temple, the Temple is covered with a thick
cloud. When Jesus appears at his Transfiguration there is a cloud
which covers him and the disciples. One of the neat things is we can
make our own clouds. This is one of the roles of incense. We make
the cloud. How cool is that!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
point this that the Temple is the place where God's people come to
worship him and to experience his presence and to commune with God.
This is why God was interested and is still interested in Temple
building.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If
the Temple is a model of the cosmos, when we are worshiping God,
communing with God, we are in the midst of the world (earth,
mountains, sky). So the Temple and the world are the same
thing. When we are in the Temple we are worshiping God. When we are
in the world we are worshiping God.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
is our role as the little New Adams, to do it right, just like Jesus
did it right. Not only that, we are to be fruitful and to multiply
as Adam and Eve did. The commission to Adam and Eve to expand God's
rule was passed on to their descendants, the ones God chose for the
remaking plan. So Abraham's descendants were to be more numerous
than the stars. And so we received the commission from Jesus just
before his Ascension to go and make disciples. It is the same
commission that was given to Adam: Go forth and multiply and fill the
earth.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
can't do this without help. And this is where Pentecost comes in.
Without the Holy Spirit we cannot hope to do this work. Without the
Holy Spirit we cannot worship right, without the Holy Spirit we
cannot do Temple building right, without the Holy Spirit we cannot do
gardening right, do our work in the world correctly and according to
God's plan.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
we need Pentecost. We need the Paracletus to guide us. We need the
Comforter to heal us when we experience difficulty in our mission.
We need the Advocate to translate our prayers, the groaning of our
spirits, to the prayers which ascend to Jesus at God's right hand.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Meanwhile,
we have Jesus sitting at the right hand of God interceding all the
while for us, pouring down grace upon grace, help upon help to get us
to get the job done, this time the right way, just like he did.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-28581194150981058032012-05-23T15:34:00.000-04:002012-05-23T15:50:56.171-04:00Update on Irene<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Irene has moved to the Atria Crossgates in Albany for continued rehab. The address is 140 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203. Phone: 869-0211.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Monica saw her briefly today and we will be looking in on her later this week.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Continued prayers are requested.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-21042943338701498392012-05-10T14:41:00.004-04:002012-05-10T14:41:57.243-04:00Irene at SunnyviewIrene is in Sunnyview Rehab Center. She spent a short time at Ellis Hospital. She is hoping to get out soon. Please keep her in your prayers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-16756605442094871482012-05-07T09:28:00.000-04:002012-05-07T09:31:56.917-04:00Sermon 5 Easter 12<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">5
Easter 12: Readings:
</span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster5_RCL.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster5_RCL.html</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
are a lot of theories and programs about Church growth. This was the
topic of our Vestry retreat last Saturday. As I prepared for that
day, I was lead to today's Gospel reading: “I am the vine, you are
the branches.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
I was studying and thinking about this, it occurred to me, perhaps
obviously to others, that this is God's plan for church growth.
Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. There maybe a lot of
theories and programs for church growth, but this is God's theory.
In his case, it is not a theory; it is HIS PLAN. So we should be be
paying very close attention if we want our church to grow.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now
this is so obvious on one level that we might miss the deep
significance of what Jesus is saying. He is saying that this is how
a church grows. This is how you bear fruit. And we know from this
discourse of Jesus that the Father is very interested in fruit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">First
off, Jesus says, “I am the True Vine.” There might be others
vines. We are part of other organizations in our lives. Jesus says,
“I am the True Vine.” In other words this is most important vine
we will ever be part of. This is vine where we receive our
nourishment. This is vine where we will grow into the fulness of
God. It will not happen anywhere else. If want to become the best
person you can be, the person God created you to be, its gona happen
here, as part of the True Vine.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Next
let's look closely at what Jesus says. He says, I am the Vine but my
Father is the vinegrower. This is the Father's vine, this church
here. He is looking after it. He is interested in it, in how its
doing. Is is bearing fruit? His concern is a concern for its
nourishment and growth. He is just like a farmer or a gardener.
Many of you are farmers and gardeners. You know what it takes to for
plants and crops to grow. You have to pay and attention to what's
going on and to do the right thing at the right time. This is what
the Father is doing for us. He is knows our needs and he is paying
attention to us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
fact the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit created all this growth
stuff in the whole world, in the whole creation. They are the
primary experts in this area. We are in good hands.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus
says the first thing the Father is doing is watching what is going on
with the vine. Then he takes action. Jesus says first of all he
removes the unfruitful branches. Well, this is kind of scary. He
removes the unfruitful branches. Later in verse 6, it says these
branches wither and are thrown into the fire. This is even worse.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Another
alternate interpretation of this verse is that the Father picks up,
or lifts up the unfruitful branches. He pins them back to the vine
where they can receive proper sunlight and nourishment. He lifts
these unfruitful branches out of the dirt. He reconnects them so
they can bear fruit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">God
does this for us too. He lifts us up out of the dirt, cleans us up
and nourishes us so we can bear fruit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Next
it says that the Father prunes the fruitful branches. This is so
that they can bear even more fruit. This pruning part is not so much
fun either. But since we have tendencies to go wild, since there is
no guarantee that we can be fruitful, the Father must change and
guide us. So the pruning must take place.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Next
Jesus tells us that we have been made clean by the word he has spoken
to us. His word has been one of repentance and belief. The very
words Jesus speaks to us make us clean. This is wonderful good news.
If we have been down in the dirt, that's finished now. We have a
completely new start. Now, today. No sense dwelling on the past.
Its over. We are free to begin again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
far the Father and Jesus have been doing all the work. Now it is our
turn. Jesus says, “Abide in me.” He says, “You cannot bear
fruit by yourself. You must be part of the vine.” Abide in me and
together we can bear much fruit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
Jesus is very clear about this. Unless we abide in him we can do
nothing. He doesn't say, “Without me, you might be able to
accomplish a few things.” No. He says without me, you can do
nothing. Unless we abide in him, there is no fruit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
abiding in Jesus in our part. This is our part of the work. Abide
is related to the word abode. Abide in me means “make your home in
me.” When the day is finished we look forward to coming home. Our
home is our place of security and rest. It is where everything about
us is known and where we are loved. Jesus says, “Make your home in
me.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To
abide in Jesus we have to get to know him more and more. We have to
have a personal relationship with him. We have to trust him and
believe what he says. This has to be if we want to bear fruit. He
says, “Apart from me, you can do nothing.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On
a practical level this means we have times of prayer during the day.
This means we take the time to do our bible reading. Unless we know
the bible, we cannot know Jesus. St. Jerome says, “Ignorance of
the bible is ignorance of Christ.” Like the Ethiopian in the first
reading, often we don’t understand what we are reading. We need
help. That's what Bible studies are for.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
promise is “if you abide in me and in my words” you will bear
much fruit. This much fruit part is exciting.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
is God's plan for church growth – lifting up, pruning, abiding. It
is pretty simple on one level and it makes perfect sense. On another
level, it may mean quite a change in the way we live and the way we
think about church growth. It challenges us to move into a new way
of living.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Let's
bring it down a personal level. In our lives we have become someone
and something. What we have done in the past has formed us into who
we are today. That's a simple fact. It has been accomplished, some
good, some not so good. But that is all over now. Now, today, at
this moment we are becoming something else, something new. What we
are becoming is determined by the choices we make today and in this
very hour. If we want to become the person God has created us to be,
we are asked to throw our lot in with him, beginning now and
continuing on from now. This is what abiding in him, abiding in
Jesus, means.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
wonderful freedom, what wonderful choice he has given us! And he has
explained it all to us in his gospel.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
have the instruction manual, the owner's manual. We can keep on
trying to put together the thing ourselves. Or we can consult the
instructions.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
used to try to do it without the instruction book. I have learned my
lesson. Now I sit down and read the instruction manual first, at
least the important parts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
Jesus is telling us today is important. It is God's plan for the
growth of our church and our own personal growth. The two are
completely related.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">“</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If
you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you
wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></span>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-31999549086459838552012-05-05T13:22:00.000-04:002012-05-23T19:47:43.808-04:00New link to 1811 Days Celebration photosPhotos from our 1811 Days celebration on June 4 and 5 last year are now available to view and download. To get to the link go to Contributors (on right), click on my name (Jay North) which takes you to my Google Profile and posts. On mobile view, must navigate to Posts. Scroll down until you see a picture of the Historic Marker. Click on the picture of the Historic Marker to view all photos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4V30TXteMVc/T6VkqgsuB6I/AAAAAAAABt4/QRbAcaEnxyw/s1600/IMG_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4V30TXteMVc/T6VkqgsuB6I/AAAAAAAABt4/QRbAcaEnxyw/s400/IMG_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3458673388693256816.post-29855554765725398162012-04-29T22:41:00.000-04:002012-04-29T22:43:03.391-04:00Sermon 4 Easter 12<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">4
Easter 12</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Readings:
</span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster4_RCL.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Easter/BEaster4_RCL.html</span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am the Good Shepherd. I am the Bread of Life. I am the Living
Bread. I am the Light of the World. I am the Gate.” These are
some of the “I am” sayings of Jesus. Today is Good Shepherd
Sunday. “I am the Good Shepherd,” Jesus says.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
have no idea however how bone jarring these expressions were in
Jesus' time. Jesus was using the sacred words “I am” to describe
himself – the very name of God revealed to the the Hebrews through
Moses at the Burning Bush. These words (I am) were so sacred to them
that they would not even speak them, not even pronounce them. The
Hebrew name of “Yahweh” never passed their lips.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So
when Jesus called himself “I am” their very bones were jarred.
Consider this exchange from John </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Chapter
8. Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Your
father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."
The Jews therefore said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years
old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly,
truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." Therefore
they picked up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and
went out of the temple.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
have no real equivalent today. For me, sometimes when I hear the
Spanish name “Jesus” (Heysus) spoken I am bit shaken. This is
the name of Jesus. It is a perfectly good Spanish name and parents
who name their child “Jesus” do that child great honor. But
still, to me, it is sometimes hard to hear this name used.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
closest equivalent to the Jewish experience in my own experience
comes from the movies. I don't know if you are a fan of the Coen
brothers. Some people find them harsh and even somewhat violent.
They are prolific and have written and produced many memorable films:
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Fargo,
O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Burn After Reading, A Serious Man </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">among
others. One of my favorites and quite a cult film is the 1998 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>The
Big Libowski. </i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It
stars Jeff Bridges as an LA slacker who writes 42 cent checks at the
super market and is an avid bowler. Bridges' friends played by John
Goodman and Steve Buscemi, characters you would recognize, fill out
his bowling team.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Their
arch bowling rival is played by John Turturro, a marvelous actor who
was brilliant opposite Ralph Fiennes in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Quiz
</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Show,
one of his many credits. Turturro plays Jesus Quintana, an arrogant
swell who refers to himself as “The Jesus” using the English
pronunciation rather than the Spanish. In his monologue about how
he will crush Libowski and his friends in the bowling finale, the
juxtaposition of how he uses his name, “The Jesus,” his arrogant
air and the triviality of the whole situation were bone jarring to
me. Similar, I suspect, to how the Jews of Jesus' day reacted when
he spoke about himself as “I am.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
point is that when Jesus calls himself “I am” it is a moment of
great significance and meaning. I am the Good Shepherd.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Yesterday,
at our Vestry retreat, some one said, “Its all about eating.” No
one disagreed. And the Good Shepherd is about how we are fed by
Jesus. He takes us to the best pastures. He leads us beside still
waters.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
his sheep, we have no idea how to find good pasture, the best
pastures, the pastures we really need to nourish our lives in the
best way. This what the Good Shepherd provides for us. We don't
know where the good water, the cool, pure, refreshing water we long
for, is. Jesus takes us to this place to refresh and renew us, to
give us the very means of our survival. We can pray to be lead to
these places of refreshment by Jesus.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jesus
refers several times to the food we need for our souls. When tempted
by the devil, he replies, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4.4). And
when he was speaking to the woman at the well, his disciples said to
him, “Master, you must be hungry.” Jesus replies, “I have food
to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4.32)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Where
do we find this food, this food that our soul needs? Some find it in
nature. Some find in art and in music. And these are good things
for these things reflect the goodness of God. But if you want to
find the really good stuff, the stuff that deeply satisfies you, you
must follow the Good Shepherd. You must follow him to the fields
where he wants to lead you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Chances
are he will lead you to his Holy Word. He said this is better than
bread. Chances are he will lead into a life of evangelism, of
sharing his joy and his truth like the food he nourished himself with
in helping the Woman at the Well. This is where the Good Shepherd
leads us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">During
the Easter season, we focus on Jesus' resurrection and the new life
we have sharing in that resurrection. We put a magnifying glass on
Easter Sunday and the resurrection. This is good but sometimes we
forget about the days leading up to Easter, the days on which he
instituted the Last Supper and Good Friday. These things too are
part of the Easter mysteries.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Its
all about food. And here each week, he feeds us in his Holy
Eucharist. These are the fields he leads us to, to these fields
right here.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
this is where our faith is put to the test. How absolutely absurd it
is that the very God of the universe, the Word who was present at the
creation, without whom nothing was created, would be present to us in
the form of bread and wine in Holy Eucharist.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Yet
as St. Francis says, “We should take no scandal in the Eucharist.
If the Lord could humble himself to come to us as a little babe in
Bethlehem, he can also humble himself to come to us as bread and
wine.” </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
St. Thomas Aquinas says, “Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen... I
believe whatever the Son of God hath told: what the Truth hath
spoken, that for truth I hold.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And
the Good Shepherd humbles himself to be our food for only one reason.
This is the reason: that he can be in communion with you. This is
why he did all this. For you and only for you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
is how much he loves you. So when you approach the Communion Table
today and the minister says, “The Body of Christ, the Bread of
Heaven,” “The Blood of Christ, the cup of Salvation,” let your
“Amen” be Amen, So Be It.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Here
are green pastures; here is living water. And as we say “Amen”
to the words “The Body of Christ” here you recognize yourself as
well. You are the Body of Christ, his Church. The Body is fed by
the Body. Your “Amen” signifies that you recognize yourself in
this bread. Amen. Yes, I too am the Body of Christ; I share the
very life of God.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
is food that very few know about. But you do. Thanks to the Good
Shepherd. Amen.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17023136185196956210noreply@blogger.com0