'Tis The Season...Advent One

The Advent season is upon us once again. It is the time we consider God’s coming to His people. First we look back to the coming of Jesus as Savior and look forward to the second coming of Christ as Judge. I think more importantly we must remember that Advent is ultimately about looking for God’s grace through Christ and His presence with us here and now.

For others it’s the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

There is a logical development in the four Sunday lessons in Advent as each Sunday builds on the previous Sunday and points to the next. So let me see if I can shed a little light each week.

Advent 1 is what the church has always referred to as the awakening and cleansing of the soul by the coming of the Word. Some might say it’s the beginning of the great cleansing of the bank account and awakening to the fact that most of us have no idea what Advent really means anyway. I mean, we get Christmas, right?

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
Collect for the First Sunday in Advent, 1928 BCP pg 90

The collect is significant. It is repeated throughout the Advent season. Why? Because it tells us in plain language what we need to be about as a Church and as a people of God. Put on the amour of light - awaken to the miracle of Christ’s birth – awaken to the promise of the past that connects us with the promise of the future. Be rid of any works of darkness – cleanse your soul and remember who you serve. Think about who has been and who will come again and how it impacts your life. Think of the power in those words. This collect is also a synopsis of the Epistle and the Gospel themes presented throughout Advent. It’s Christianity 101… God the Son came and humbled himself that we might be reconciled to the Father.

A. Jesus’ miraculous birth brought the promise of redemption.

B. That redemption came by his sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the whole world.

C. He overcame sin by shedding his blood; he overcame death by rising from the grave. He ascended into heaven and sits at the Father’s right hand.

D. This is good news for some, and will be bad news for others. He really is coming again.

This Advent, make a resolution. Cast way the darkness, put on the light and refocus your life. Enjoy God’s grace once again. Your bank account I can’t do much for.

I know it’s a cliché, but Jesus really is the reason for the season…

Be the Light, Be Cleansed, Be Awakened,

+Ian

Thanksgivings Then and Now

Psalm 95. vs 1-2

O COME, let us sing unto the LORD; let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.


As a child, Thanksgiving Day was devoted to the celebration of the Pilgrims’ first year in the new world; their thankfulness for being delivered from a harsh winter, and a bountiful harvest to get them through the one to come. At least that is what I remember from my grade school days. We dressed up like Pilgrims and Indians and sang and recited the story of the Great Thanksgiving to the delight of our friends and family. There was nothing remotely “religious” about it.

Yet the Holy Eucharist celebrated in our churches this Thanksgiving tells a story from scripture those Pilgrims knew very well. As we gather around the altar this holiday we’ll use words that mean the very same thing. Eucharist is Greek for thanksgiving. There is a fundamental connection between the Thanksgiving feast we share with family and friends and the Thanksgiving feast we share every time we receive communion.

Naturally, on this day we give thanks not just for our own personal blessings, but also the blessing of coming before the King each time we share the thanksgiving feast as a church family. The Pilgrims’ thanksgiving came after a devastating winter where many people suffered the loss of loved ones and friends. Yet, they still gathered to give thanks to one another and God.

In my family there is a little one at the table this year for the first time. We also have one on the way who may make her appearance by then. And for each of us, there are also empty places at the table. Through our joys and losses, we are reminded in verse 2 of Psalm 95 to, come before his presence with thanksgiving; and show ourselves glad in him with psalms.

For many of us it’s the pies or a juicy turkey that prompts a story about past Thanksgivings - who liked pumpkin or pecan, or why we like our dressing dry or moist - who always grabbed a leg and who wanted white meat - or my son-in-law, John’s understanding of fine wine. I remember the wonderful divinity salads my mother made, and my grandmother’s oyster dressing. And there is nothing more wonderful than a helping of my wife’s corn soufflé.

This year let us also remember, as we gather with our loved ones, the story of the night when Jesus gathered with his disciples, breaking bread, taking and pouring wine, declaring them his body and blood, saying whenever we do these things He would be with us again. For that, we can all be truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

+Ian

Give When No One But God Is Looking

"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." Luke 9:58

One of the most interesting observations about this holiday time of year is the amount of churches lining up to promote programs that seek to do something good for “those less fortunate” in our communities. They promote it beginning in early November but come December 26th the drive to do good “for those less fortunate” is over until next year.

I’m not saying that no good comes from this, but what about the weeks after Thanksgiving and Christmas? Who will be serving “those less fortunate” after the holidays? Shouldn't we be asking our selves if what we are doing as a church and as individuals adds value to the lives of others in the long run? In other words, are the people around us helped physically and spiritually as a result of our influence on them?

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)

This verse tells us that we, as Christians, are to be in the business of building up and blessing others, not just those in our church community but in the greater community. Notice that it does not say only at the holidays. The generous man is refreshed not because he reserves these outreach projects for the holidays but because he can be counted on to be there when no one but God is looking.

I firmly believe the church in America has fallen asleep. People want to feel the part about being a person of faith, but would rarely, if ever, want to show the part. Jesus' ministry offered hope, love, and salvation to people who never had access to it. Does your church have a good solid outreach program that operates with enthusiasm all year long? Do you reach out, give of yourself, or donate when no one is looking? Or do you begin and end your involvement only at the holidays?

“The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!”
(Psalm 69:32)

The outreach ministries at Resurrection Protestant Episcopal Church in St. Augustine, Florida are called “Love in Action." Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls is their commitment to the homeless and working poor. They work with non-profit and government agencies to feed and cloth the disadvantaged on a weekly basis.

As a part of the Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls ministry team, my wife Robin, a professional photographer, began photographing some of the people being served each week. She created a DVD titled “Feeding Bodies, Feeding Souls.” Over 100 DVD copies have been distributed to the various community partners to help keep this issue front and center and they continue to ask for more.

She also entered a national photography contest called “Faces,” submitting her work in a photo album format titled “Portraits of Hope, Hunger, and Homelessness." There were over 1000 entries; her work took second place.

http://robinmcquayanderson.shutterfly.com/

The response to the work has been phenomenal. It has opened doors and more than a few hearts. This clarifies our responsibility to provide outreach in the community and it must be a year round effort. We have the privilege and opportunity to influence lives year round! This is exciting!

Give when no one but God is looking. It makes both a temporal difference on earth and an eternal difference in Heaven!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)


Be A Giver,

+Ian

Prayer Is A Priviledge

I am often asked when counseling couples, “What is the most important thing we can do to keep our marriage strong? The answer is easy, the implementation is difficult. Prayer; the act of praying together is the most intimate thing a couple can share together. The next question is, “How do we pray?” I then give them a prayer book, take them to the family prayers section. Predictably, their response is often one of amazed relief. Those prayers enable you to focus your prayer on God without having to make it up as you go along.

As Anglican Christians who follow an “Episcopal” order of worship, we are encouraged to follow our prayer book. It’s full of prayers and thanksgivings that make praying to God - be it for ourselves, others, or general thanksgiving - a fairly simple task.

We believe that God knows all…he is omniscient. We also believe that God is in full control of absolutely everything…he is Sovereign. These are truths that we can trust and be thankful for. However, if God knows everything before it is going to happen, then why do we have to pray? Yes, we know that God commands us to pray. Yes, we also know that Jesus prayed. But, if God knows all and is in full control of all, do our prayers really matter?

Prayer is Pleasing to God.

“The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” (Proverbs 15: 8)

Our Book of Common Prayer (1928) contains scriptures that follow the life of Jesus and point us in a direction that helps us fulfill Gods commandment to pray.

Just as parents feel joy when their child looks to them in dependence and trust, our Father is pleased when his children look to him in dependence and trust. The prayers of God’s people are expressions of belief that God cares for us. They are also expressions of faith that God not only hears us, but that he can answer us.

“Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and worthily magnify thy holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord… Amen”

(That’s the Collect for Purity, 1928 Book Of Common Prayer, pg. 67)

Prayer is a Privilege for God’s People.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

As I pointed out in last week’s blog, access to God’s grace and mercy is only through Jesus Christ. The access that Christian’s enjoy was secured at a huge price. Jesus had to go to the cross and be punished with the punishment that we deserve. His body had to suffer and his blood had to be shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, we as sinful humans would never have access to God. In other words, without the access provided by Jesus, our prayers would never even reach the ceiling of the room you are now sitting in! Think about the price that was paid for the privilege to be able to pray.

Prayer gives us a Proper Perspective.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

As we pray from the prayer book, the prayers are designed and written to allow you to focus on the issue. The prayers for peace and grace, found on page 17 of the 1928 BCP, are an example of asking for God’s peace and grace in our daily lives. That peace and that grace gives us a proper perspective of how powerful our God truly is.

God can do immeasurably (exceedingly abundantly) more than we can possibly ask for or imagine! How is this possible? Through his power that is at work within us. This is the same awesome power that spoke creation into existence by the word of His mouth. This is the same amazing power that parted the Red Sea and set the Israelites free. This is the same infinite power that raised Jesus from the dead, setting us free - free indeed! What should our response be to this?

“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21)

Intimacy brings people closer. It seals and binds. Intimacy through prayer binds those two hearts, sealed and bound as one, together with the divine.

“Let thy ears , O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”

(Collect for the Tenth Sunday After Trinity, Book of Common Prayer (1928), pg. 203)

Be prayerful…

+Ian

What's In A Name?

The Protestant Episcopal Church. We take a lot of heat for the name “Episcopal” these days. So why use it? Like so many other words, “Episcopal” in Christian circles is synonymous with words like liberalism. And also with that comes words like social gospel, inclusiveness, and politically correct.

Jesus would be the last thing most people assume “Episcopalians” would be about. “Episcopos” is Greek and means “of bishops.” Being one myself, it is simply a fancy way to identify our ecclesiology or basically, who we are, what we believe, and how we practice our faith. Thirty years ago the phrase Episcopal Church would be synonymous with the idea of being a Christian. But then what does that really mean these days? A lot of people make that claim and talk about God all day long, but as soon as you bring up the name Jesus… well you could hear a pin drop.

So what’s in a name? The Protestant Episcopal Church defines what it means to be a Christian this way.

1. Jesus is the only Savior.

2. We are saved through grace alone, by Jesus alone, and through faith in him alone.

Many so called modern Christians claim that there are numerous other ways to salvation. They feel that to say Jesus is the only Savior is an arrogant statement loaded with exclusivity.

So what’s the deal, are they right?

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 )

There is no other NAME.

Scriptures are clear; the only name that we can call upon for salvation is the name of Jesus. In fact, the name Jesus means “Savior - the Lord saves”. It is in His name and through His name that we are saved from the penalty of sin and death. My name cannot save you, your name cannot save me, and there is no other name by which any of us can be saved…except the name of Jesus. I know you may be thinking, “how arrogant that an Episcopal Bishop would make such a statement.” So let me make another…

There is no other AUTHORITY.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18 NIV)

Wow, is this guy nuts? Does he really believe there is only One who has all authority in heaven and on earth?

Yes… Notice that Jesus didn’t say that he has some or much authority. He was very clear in saying that He possesses all authority. This means He has all authority over our two greatest enemies, sin and death. This also means that He has all authority to grant the free gift of eternal life. And, he clearly demonstrated His supreme authority over sin and death by decisively defeating them at the cross. That is the greatest news ever! Jesus tells us to go out and share that great news of salvation throughout the world. As we go, we go out in the name of Jesus, and under the authority of Jesus. That’s our mission in the Protestant Episcopal Church.

So is there another way?

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus is either crazy or he is God. There is only one way to live with God the Father and this way is through God the Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only way because He is the only One who has provided the way. Notice that it is Jesus himself who makes this claim which many say is exclusively arrogant. But, Jesus didn’t simply say that he is the only way. He demonstrated this truth by being punished on the cross for our sins as our substitute, by dying the death that we deserve, and by rising from the dead for us three days later. No other person who ever walked the face of this earth can make that claim.

As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on him for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)

Why is Jesus the only Savior? Because there is no other name, no other authority, and no other way to salvation except through Jesus.

The Protestant Episcopal Church, its people, its clergy, and its purpose is to make the name of Jesus, famous.

On October 16, 2009, I was consecrated as the new Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, USA. As this work begins, I continue to ask; so what’s in a name?

Everything that matters.

Consecration, October 16, 2009