tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68756031516969388102024-03-13T10:15:13.502-05:00Hillbilly MusingsThe ramblings of a simple Episcopalian from Northwest Arkansas.Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-75151123329160202192013-03-11T23:04:00.004-05:002013-03-11T23:04:46.103-05:00This will be the final posting from Hillbilly Musings. My friends can continue to follow me at my <a href="http://www.nwagnosis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">NWA Gnosis</a>. I will also be unveiling a new website soon. In the meantime, here is a copy of the first posting of the new blog:<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meditation</span></span></h3>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: small;">"The light and the darkness, life and death, the right and the left, are brothers one to another. It is not possible to separate them from one another. Because of this, neither are the good good, nor the evil evil, nor is life a life, nor death a death. Because of this each one will be resolved into its origin from the beginning. But those who are exalted above the world are indissoluble and eternal." - The Gospel of Phillip.</span></span></h5>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of my most recent past times has been to compare the lectionary readings from<a href="http://www.gnosis.org/ecclesia/lectionary.htm" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Ecclesia Gnostica</a> and our own <a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Revised Common Lecitonary</a>. Sometimes they seem to compliment each other. Our own Gospel reading was the tale of the Prodigal Son. Like most of Jesus parables, it has been trodden many times and looked at from a bazillion different angles. What struck me in hearing it this time was how both of the main characters are flawed in some way. The Prodigal Son is portrayed as an irresponsible philanderer who asks for and squanders his inheritance, and the Elder Son works diligently for the Father and becomes jealous at the treatment of his younger brother upon the younger's return. In their own way, both suffer from the same sin. That of hubris. Each feels entitled to something, the younger to easy money, and the elder to a higher status because of his labors. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">None of us is without fault. Paul says as much when he says, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." All of us, each person regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, is worthy of love without judgement. Each person carries a small part of Christ within us, that Divine Spark that links us to the Sacred Flame of the Divine. This is what Paul meant when he said that "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is no longer slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In my own life, how do I reflect these qualities. Who am I unwilling to forgive or love because they do not seem to deserve that love? What is it that I feel is entitled to me because of my status? How is this reflected in the way I see others? How is it reflected in the way I see my fellow person? How is it reflected in my relation to the Divine? And finally, what do I need to do to open myself to change these things?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> "<i>Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,</i></span></div>
<dl style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is hatred, let me sow love;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is injury, pardon;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is doubt, faith;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is despair, hope;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is darkness, light;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where there is sadness, joy.</i></dd></dl>
<dl style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">O Divine Master,</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to be understood, as to understand;</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to be loved, as to love.</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For it is in giving that we receive.</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,</i></dd><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.</i></dd></dl>
<dl style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><dd style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Amen." - Prayer attributed to St. Francis</i></dd></dl>
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Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-78081955104724793162013-03-10T16:01:00.000-05:002013-03-10T16:01:34.365-05:00New Beginnings<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>"The disciples said to Jesus, 'Tell us, how will our end come?'</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Jesus said, 'Have you found the beginning, then, that you are looking for the end? You see, the end will be where the beginning is.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Congratulations to the one who stands at the beginning: that one will know the end and will not taste death.'"</i> - Gospel of Thomas Logion 18.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This year has so far been marked with both endings and beginnings. Both Mrs. H and I have started new jobs: for her a return to the pharmacy and for me a job in health care doing paperwork. In one sense we are back into familiar territory, and yet it is a with a fresh set of eyes and new ways to tread the old. I have been under treatment for adult ADHD for the past 8 months, and with the addition of medication, I find myself in a place of calm, finding a sense of stillness that so eluded me in the past. And while the new employment I find myself pays much less than the similar job I had three years ago, I find myself eager to go to work in the morning, looking forward to each challenge in a way I have never experienced. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have also been exploring ancient and modern Gnosticism, reading from both the Nag Hammadi Library (a collection of ancient codexes found in Egypt shortly after WWII) and some more modern publications on the subject by authors like Jordan Stratford, Anthony Silva, and Stephan Hoeller. These collections of texts and spiritual practices have complimented and enhanced my own spiritual journey by showing me new ways to see the old Scriptures I grew up with in a new light as I began comparing the path I had been on with the emerging path ahead. </span><br />
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At first I thought this new found awareness was calling me in another direction. As I explored the more modern form of Gnosticism, I found the <a href="http://www.johannite.org/">Apostolic Johannite Church</a>, which seemed both strange and familiar, again combining the liturgy I have grown to love with an esotericism that I have sought all my life. And yet I love Christianity as expressed in <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/">The Episcopal Church</a>, as it too seemed to bridge the divide between old and new with its ancient liturgy and open and inclusive theology. The pull of the two right now is equally strong.<br />
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Then I realized that at the beginning of Christianity, those who we now call Gnostics did not call themselves this. Like so many things, this is a title that we today bestowed on these early explorers of spirituality. Many so-called Gnostics in fact were members of their local churches and synagogs. Valentinus himself was in line for the Papacy, and much of modern Gnosticism today is based on the remains of texts penned by him and his followers in Alexandria. <br />
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And so, much like the early Gnostics of the past, I will continue to be of two worlds. Exploring the boundless horizons of both world views and allowing for the movement of the Holy Spirit to move me where she will. As the great theologian Jimmy Paige once said, "Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on..." In the meantime, I will look upon the beauty of what is before me rather than try to worry about what is beyond where I am. <br />
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Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-23376651659190411022012-09-19T09:51:00.003-05:002012-09-19T09:51:41.972-05:00Endings and BeginningsAs of today, Hillbilly Musings will be closed to further updates. I will be creating a new blog soon and will post the new title and link as the final post on here. This page will stay up, but I won't be updating it. Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-89584243460146092672012-07-31T17:14:00.000-05:002012-07-31T17:19:22.875-05:00Response to a Letter to Congressman Womack<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Recently, I wrote Congressman Steve Womack (R - AR) to express my disappointment in his vote for the King Amendment to the Defense Authorization Act. This amendment would ban any and all same-sex blessings on military installations. This was his reply:</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">July 31, 2012</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Mr. Adkins,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts regarding the King Amendment to H.R.5856, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. It is good to hear from you.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On July 19, 2012, the House approved H.R. 5856. The bill provides $518.1 billion in regular funding for the Department of Defense and $87.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) for defense activities related to the Global War on Terror. It also includes an amendment introduced by Representative Steve King (IA-5) that prohibits funds from being used in contravention of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DOMA, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, established a federal definition for marriage and spouse. Under Section 3 of the law, marriage is defined as a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. Spouse is defined as a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or wife. DOMA also does not allow for federal facilities or federal employees to be used for same sex marriages. While I appreciate the benefits of your views, I do not believe federal funds should be used to perform marriages that are not recognized by federal law.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you again for contacting me to express your thoughts regarding the King Amendment to H.R.5856, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2013. Please continue to keep me informed of the issues important to you and be sure to visit my website, <a href="http://www.womack.house.gov/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.womack.house.gov</a>, for more information and to sign up for my newsletter.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> Sincerely,</i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> <img alt="Congressman
Signature" /> </i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> Congressman Steve Womack</i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><wbr></wbr> <wbr></wbr> Member of Congress</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He and I seem to be reading different versions of DOMA. Section 2 of the Defense of Marriage Act states<i>:</i><i>"No State, territory, or possession of the United States, or Indian tribe, shall be required to give effect to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other State, territory, possession, or tribe respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of such other State, territory, possession, or tribe, or a right or claim arising from such relationship."</i> This does not bar these acts from being performed, it says they don't have to perform them. Two vastly different things.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course this does not surprise me. I am a bit disappointed that he would try to slip that little hint of falsehood into his letter. I have a feeling h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e and I are going to be great pen-pals over the next few months.</span>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-31357533428208058272012-06-25T11:17:00.000-05:002012-06-25T11:17:55.038-05:00Gnostic Morning Prayer for the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist<br />
Sources: The Gnostic Lectionary, Ecclesia Gnostica, and The Book of Common Prayer.<br />
A Semi-Gnostic Morning Prayer:<br />
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25 June 2012<br />
Morning Prayer<br />
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<b>Opening Sentence: Pentecost</b><br />
The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. John 4:23<br />
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<b>Confession</b><br />
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.<br />
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.<br />
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.<br />
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<b>Versicle and Response</b><br />
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Lord, open our lips.<br />
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.<br />
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.<br />
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.<br />
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<b>Invitatory Psalm</b><br />
Venite<br />
Come let us sing to the Lord; *<br />
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.<br />
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *<br />
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.<br />
For the Lord is a great God, *<br />
and a great King above all gods.<br />
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *<br />
and the heights of the hills are his also.<br />
The sea is his, for he made it, *<br />
and his hands have molded the dry land.<br />
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *<br />
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.<br />
For he is our God,<br />
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *<br />
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!<br />
Gloria Patri<br />
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost<br />
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.<br />
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<b>The First Lesson</b><br />
The lesson is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:<br />
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The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a high way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever. Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arms shall rule for Him: Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work is before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.<br />
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The Word of the Lord.<br />
Thanks be to God.<br />
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<b>Canticle 13 Song of the Three Young Men </b><br />
Benedictus es, Domine<br />
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *<br />
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.<br />
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *<br />
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.<br />
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *<br />
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.<br />
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *<br />
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.<br />
Glory to you, beholding the depths; *<br />
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.<br />
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *<br />
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.<br />
Canticle 18 A Song to the Lamb<br />
Dignus es Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13<br />
Splendor and honor and kingly power *<br />
are yours by right, O Lord our God,<br />
For you created everything that is, *<br />
and by your will they were created and have their being;<br />
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *<br />
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,<br />
From every family, language, people, and nation, *<br />
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.<br />
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *<br />
and to Christ the Lamb,<br />
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *<br />
for ever and for ever more.<br />
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit<br />
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.<br />
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<b>The Gospel Lesson</b><br />
The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Matthew:<br />
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When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy Angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. Before Him shall be gathered all nations, and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand: Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was an hungered and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in, naked and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying: When saw we Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee? Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them: Amen, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of My brethren, ye have done it unto Me. Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand: Depart from Me. For I was an hungered and ye gave Me no meat; I was thirsty and ye gave Me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in, naked and ye clothed Me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not. Then shall they also answer Him, saying: Lord, when saw we Thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee? Then shall He answer them, saying: Amen, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it not unto one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.<br />
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The Word of the Lord.<br />
Thanks be to God.<br />
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<b>Gnostic Creed</b><br />
We acknowledge one great invisible God, the Unknown Father, the Aeon of Aeons, who brought forth with His providence: the Father, the Mother and the Son.<br />
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We acknowledge the Christos, the self-begotten Son, born from the virginal and ineffable Mother in the high Aeons: who in the Logos of God came down from above to annul the emptiness of this age and restore the fullness of the Aeon.<br />
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We acknowledge the Holy Spirit, our celestial Mother and consoler, who proceeded from Herself, a gift of Herself out of the silence of the unknown God.<br />
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We seek the gathering of the sparks of light from the sea of forgetfulness and we look to the glories of eternal life in the Fullness. Amen.<br />
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<b>The Lord's Prayer</b><br />
Our Father in heaven,<br />
hallowed be your Name,<br />
your kingdom come,<br />
your will be done,<br />
on earth as in heaven.<br />
Give us today our daily bread.<br />
Forgive us our sins<br />
as we forgive those<br />
who sin against us.<br />
Save us from the time of trial,<br />
and deliver us from evil.<br />
For the kingdom, the power,<br />
and the glory are yours,<br />
now and for ever. Amen.<br />
<b>Suffrages A</b><br />
Show us your mercy, O Lord;<br />
And grant us your salvation.<br />
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;<br />
Let your people sing with joy.<br />
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;<br />
For only in you can we live in safety.<br />
Lord, keep this nation under your care;<br />
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.<br />
Let your way be known upon earth;<br />
Your saving health among all nations.<br />
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;<br />
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.<br />
Create in us clean hearts, O God;<br />
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.<br />
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<b>Collect for The Nativity of St. John the Baptist</b><br />
O Christ our Lord, who sentest forth Thy great and noble servant John the Baptizer to prepare Thy way before Thee; allow us to be heralds of thy glorious coming into our hearts and of Thy redemption of this world from the rule of the archons. Pour out by our hands, we pray, the purifying flood of Thy great Jordan of living water, so that all things may become pure and acceptable in Thy sight. Amen. Amen.<br />
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<b>A Collect for Guidance</b><br />
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br />
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<b>For Mission</b><br />
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.<br />
Prayers and Intercessions<br />
Let us pray now for our own needs and those of others.<br />
<br />
<b>For the Human Family</b><br />
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>For Prisons and Correctional Institutions</b><br />
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>For the Victims of Addiction</b><br />
Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis</b><br />
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>General Thanksgiving</b><br />
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A Prayer of St. Chrysostom</b><br />
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.<br />
<b>Benediction</b><br />
Let us bless the Lord.<br />
Thanks be to God.<br />
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14<br />
<br />Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-43415075218783121512012-06-19T10:22:00.004-05:002012-06-19T10:22:55.134-05:00Semi-Gnostic Morning PrayerSources: The Gnostic Lectionary, Ecclesia Gnostica, and The Book of Common Prayer. <br />
<b>A Semi-Gnostic Morning Prayer:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
19 June – 23 June<br />
Morning Prayer<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Opening Sentence: Pentecost</b></span><br />
The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. John 4:23<br />
<b>Confession</b><br />
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.<br />
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.<br />
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.<br />
Versicle and Response<br />
Lord, open our lips.<br />
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.<br />
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.<br />
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.<br />
<b>Invitatory Psalm</b><br />
<i>Venite</i><br />
Come let us sing to the Lord; *<br />
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.<br />
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *<br />
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.<br />
For the Lord is a great God, *<br />
and a great King above all gods.<br />
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *<br />
and the heights of the hills are his also.<br />
The sea is his, for he made it, *<br />
and his hands have molded the dry land.<br />
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *<br />
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.<br />
For he is our God,<br />
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *<br />
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!<br />
Gloria Patri<br />
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost<br />
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.<br />
<b>The First Lesson</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i>The lesson is taken from the first Epistle of St. John:</i></span><br />
<br />
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. These things write we unto you that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of Him and declare unto you, that God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.<br />
The Word of the Lord.<br />
Thanks be to God.<br />
<b>Canticle 13 Song of the Three Young Men </b><br />
<b>Benedictus es, Domine</b><br />
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; *<br />
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.<br />
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; *<br />
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.<br />
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; *<br />
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.<br />
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; *<br />
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.<br />
Glory to you, beholding the depths; *<br />
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.<br />
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *<br />
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.<br />
Canticle 18 A Song to the Lamb<br />
Dignus es Revelation 4:11, 5:9-10, 13<br />
Splendor and honor and kingly power *<br />
are yours by right, O Lord our God,<br />
For you created everything that is, *<br />
and by your will they were created and have their being;<br />
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *<br />
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,<br />
From every family, language, people, and nation, *<br />
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.<br />
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *<br />
and to Christ the Lamb,<br />
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *<br />
for ever and for ever more.<br />
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit<br />
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.<br />
<b>The Gospel Lesson</b><br />
<i>The gospel is taken from the Gospel according to St. Philip: </i><br />
<br />
A bridalchamber is not for the beasts, nor for the slaves, nor for the women defiled; but it is for the free men and virgins. Through the Holy Spirit we are indeed born, but we are born again through Christ. In the two we are anointed through the Spirit, and when we have been born we are united. None shall be able to see himself either in water or in a mirror without light. Nor again wilt thou be able to see in light without water or mirror. Because of this it is fitting to baptize in two, in light and water. But the light is the anointing.<br />
The Word of the Lord.<br />
Thanks be to God.<br />
<br />
<b>Gnostic Creed</b><br />
We acknowledge one great invisible God, the Unknown Father, the Aeon of Aeons, who brought forth with His providence: the Father, the Mother and the Son.<br />
<br />
We acknowledge the Christos, the self-begotten Son, born from the virginal and ineffable Mother in the high Aeons: who in the Logos of God came down from above to annul the emptiness of this age and restore the fullness of the Aeon.<br />
<br />
We acknowledge the Holy Spirit, our celestial Mother and consoler, who proceeded from Herself, a gift of Herself out of the silence of the unknown God.<br />
<br />
We seek the gathering of the sparks of light from the sea of forgetfulness and we look to the glories of eternal life in the Fullness. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>The Lord's Prayer</b><br />
Our Father in heaven,<br />
hallowed be your Name,<br />
your kingdom come,<br />
your will be done,<br />
on earth as in heaven.<br />
Give us today our daily bread.<br />
Forgive us our sins<br />
as we forgive those<br />
who sin against us.<br />
Save us from the time of trial,<br />
and deliver us from evil.<br />
For the kingdom, the power,<br />
and the glory are yours,<br />
now and for ever. Amen.<br />
<b>Suffrages A</b><br />
Show us your mercy, O Lord;<br />
And grant us your salvation.<br />
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;<br />
Let your people sing with joy.<br />
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;<br />
For only in you can we live in safety.<br />
Lord, keep this nation under your care;<br />
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.<br />
Let your way be known upon earth;<br />
Your saving health among all nations.<br />
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;<br />
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.<br />
Create in us clean hearts, O God;<br />
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.<br />
<b>Collect for the Second Sunday After Pentecost </b><br />
Your boundless might manifest as mercy, we bless you in the faithful fires of Summer, kindled on hilltops and on the summits of the outer world and deep within our hearts in honor of the principle of everlasting light and the ever burning fires of truth and holiness. Allow us to cherish carefully the seed we sowed in Springtime and which has become a precious plant in flower in our hearts. We bless this season of the Summer sun, and all it shines on visibly and outwardly. Permit, O eternal One, that we may ever keep its great light undimmed within us, shining in our hearts and radiating warmth around us unto every living soul.<br />
Amen.<br />
<b>A Collect for Guidance</b><br />
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br />
<b>For Mission</b><br />
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.<br />
Prayers and Intercessions<br />
Let us pray now for our own needs and those of others.<br />
<b>For the Human Family</b><br />
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<br />
<b>For Prisons and Correctional Institutions</b><br />
Lord Jesus, for our sake you were condemned as a criminal: Visit our jails and prisons with your pity and judgment. Remember all prisoners, and bring the guilty to repentance and amendment of life according to your will, and give them hope for their future. When any are held unjustly, bring them release; forgive us, and teach us to improve our justice. Remember those who work in these institutions; keep them humane and compassionate; and save them from becoming brutal or callous. And since what we do for those in prison, O Lord, we do for you, constrain us to improve their lot. All this we ask for your mercy's sake. Amen.<br />
<b>For the Victims of Addiction</b><br />
Blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to those who care for them, give patient understanding and persevering love. Amen.<br />
<b>A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis</b><br />
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.<br />
<b>General Thanksgiving</b><br />
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.<br />
<b>A Prayer of St. Chrysostom</b><br />
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.<br />
Benediction<br />
Let us bless the Lord.<br />
Thanks be to God.<br />
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14<br />
<br />Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-73007937139893490092012-02-27T22:14:00.001-06:002012-02-27T22:15:54.785-06:00Here We Go AgainFinally decided that I am NOT going to ever be happy if I don't be true to what I think is the right path for me. Sorry to be so cryptic, but I'll let everyone know more when I can.Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-12032480257761174792010-09-21T20:40:00.002-05:002010-09-21T20:51:45.592-05:00Why DADT Matters (The Other Side of the Coin)<div>Imagine for just a moment that your wife or husband is serving in the Army and has been deployed to Afghanistan. Think of the loneliness you feel each night and the fear that your spouse may not come home. Think of the support network that you would have with other spouses of deployed service members whom you can share your fears and hopes with. Now imagine getting the news that your husband or wife was killed in action. Again, remember the network of other spouses that you have made friends with who will be there to help you grieve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now imagine that your spouse or partner is the same sex as you. Who do you turn to without getting your spouse or partner drummed out of the service? Who comes to tell you if they are killed in action? If you are like many LGBT men and women with deployed partners, possibly no one.</div><div><br /></div>Much of the debate being aired in Washington and elsewhere about the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy of the US Military focuses on the service members themselves. But what about the families they leave behind? On top of the usual baggage that comes with being in a same sex relationship, they also have to deal with the loneliness and fear of the military finding out about them. <div><br /></div><div>This is why the repeal of DADT is so important. It's not just for our LGBT servicemen and women who are bravely fighting for freedoms that they themselves will not be able to share. It's also for the brave partners and spouses of these brave Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen that are left behind. </div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-61359354010006714542010-07-03T17:12:00.003-05:002010-07-03T17:33:57.850-05:00Thoughts on Sunday's Readings<p style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;">I was looking over the Lectionary this morning and Jesus words to the 70 stood out. In particular were the words, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;"><i>Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you." </i> Considering where the Episcopal Church is currently, they are words to consider. TEC has taken a stand, a very unpopular one at that. We have decided to live out the Gospel message and welcome all and fully include them in our common life regardless of who they are.</span></span></p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">This is a message that is difficult for many. Here in Northwest Arkansas, it is an especially hard message to deliver. Our struggles against years of fear and prejudice based on misunderstandings of the different seem to fall on deaf ears. The message today, like it was 2000 years ago, is unwelcome. So what are we to do? Do we simply move on; leave our families and friends? Do we simply give up?</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">I don't think so. A seed has been planted; one that is slowly taking root. We are the receivers of this message. We who welcomed the inclusiveness of the Gospel have to stay and tend to it. Like all seeds, the message of the Resurrection must be fertilized, watered and cared for if it is to grow properly. Even now the weeds of doubt, hatred and fear threaten to choke out the love of God that begs to be shown to all people. It is up to us to tend this garden, even when it seems a lost cause.</p><p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; ">Jesus also said, "<i>The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."</i> We are those laborers. Rather than rail against those who would reject the message of all encompassing love, we need to show them that God's Grace is extended to all. That is our mission. </p>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-65882178670655630982010-06-08T14:58:00.002-05:002010-06-08T15:22:17.627-05:00It's Really Starting...Well, the committe is selected. Everyone who was asked has said "Yes" and the dates for the next three meetings have been put on the calendar. The wheels are finally turning!Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-21257402626940929512010-06-04T08:10:00.002-05:002010-06-04T08:20:23.685-05:00Prayers for a FriendPlease pray for my friend Lisa and her son Jacob. From her most recent Facebook posts:<br /><br /><em>Please pray for Jacob he isn't doing good we are going on 48 hours of no sleep and he is hallucinating..... I'm very scared. I think it is time I let him go to professionals that know what they are doing...</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Well I just called Youth Villages a councelor is on her way here now, should be here within the hour. Jacob is walking around hallucinating still, calling me that girl saying I talk just like his mother, he has fallen he tried to get out the front door thank goodness I managed to get up a hotel lock yesterday morning or he could of been a missing little boy. Please pray, sounds like we are lakeside bound.</em><br /><em></em><br />Lisa has been going through so much right now with a divorce from a abusive relationship. Please pray for her and for Jacob.<br /><br />Gracious and loving God: be with Lisa and Jacob in their time of need. Comfort them in their time of need and heal them as only you know how. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.<br /><em></em><br /><em></em>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-10276610354864915592010-06-02T22:57:00.002-05:002010-06-02T23:04:38.170-05:00And it Begins... Sort ofI spoke with Fr. Roger again today about going to see Bishop Benfield about starting the official discernment process. His answer? We're forming a pre-discernment committee to meet a couple times before approaching the Bishop. More red tape. Well, nothing worth doing is done quickly, I guess. It is frustrating. I mean I've spent the last 18 months working on the degree to get to this point. Well, if I can get my 4 year degree in 18 months while holding down a full time job and with a wife and two babies at home I think I can make it to the next step. <div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, please pray for me that no matter what happens I accept whatever it is Christ has in store for me.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-16781069429046111452010-05-31T21:52:00.002-05:002010-05-31T22:04:51.532-05:00Compline<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyBnT_-P35F6nBGNFL3FVdFUtXZWZxb9LrtScyg3rZBpbUgu_5dDdlszZRO00IprB6LZSIDGEtTnCVlxCE_WQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-92098698474087474862010-05-28T12:17:00.002-05:002010-05-28T12:38:13.765-05:00This Just In... Archbishop Of Canterbury Sends the Episcopal Church and Anglican Church in Canada to Their Rooms Without SupperI just finished reading Archbishop Rowan Williams' Pentecost letter, and I must say, I am not impressed. He uses a lot of big words to tell us he wants to put us in "time out" until we learn our lesson and stop treating LGBT members of our congregations like members of our congregations. No word in his letter about the awful law coming down the pipe in Uganda or the gay couple who were sentenced to 14 years hard labor for getting married. Nothing much about bishops from other countries poaching churches and in some cases entire diocese from TEC. Oh no, it's all our fault. Excuse us for trying to live out the Golden Rule.<br /><br />+++ Rowan's actions remind me of the President in Monsters Vs. Aliens, "Listen up! I'm not going to go down as the President who was in office when the world came to an end, so somebody think of something, and think of it fast!" That train has already left the station. ACNA is now a separate entity from us. Time to move on.Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-23220412717739935222010-05-23T19:38:00.003-05:002010-05-24T11:54:28.577-05:00Two requests...First, one of my best friends and Sprout's Godfather, James, lost his uncle suddenly to a heart attack. Please keep him in prayer tonight. <div><br /></div><div>Also, I just found out that my Grandma Maxine is in the hospital with some form of colitis. They say she is going to be OK after the antibiotics they are giving her kick in, but prayers would still be appreciated.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Pax</div><div><br /></div><div>Dave</div><div><br /></div><div>Arkansas Hillbilly</div><div> </div><div>Update from Dad's cousin Shelia:</div><div> </div><div><em>I just spoke to Maxine - she is feeling much better. She had an infection in her stomach and must have had a blood clot in her colon, but the treatment is working. They just fed her and she said if she keeps it down with no problems, she can go home tomorrow.</em></div><div><em></em> </div><div>I want to thank everyone for your prayers!</div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-48257946841949605322010-05-20T10:09:00.003-05:002010-05-20T10:29:39.151-05:00If You Want a Bible Based Country (Are You Seeing a Pattern Here?)Leviticus 19:33-34:<br />When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.<br /><br />Deuteronomy 24.14:<br />You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy labourers, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns.<br /><br />Deuteronomy 27.19:<br />19 ‘Cursed be anyone who deprives the alien, the orphan, and the widow of justice.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’<br /><br />Zechariah 7.10:<br />10 do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.<br /><br />Ezekiel 16.49:<br />49 This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-71418392235296495602010-05-18T09:57:00.003-05:002010-05-18T11:32:35.456-05:00Where Did It Come From?A couple of weeks ago, Mrs. H. told me about a religious fiction book she was reading that was full of the old cliche's about Christians and Non Christians. Then with my cousin's posting about wanting to be more in church and not in the world, the wheels started spinning. Something that I remember being drilled into my head, especially in the Southern Baptist environment was, "We shoule be in the world but not of the world." Where did that saying come from? Dad taught me to doubt everything someone tells me until I see it myself, so I had to go back and look for the verse that tells us to separate ourselves like that. I was actually shocked when I found out that <strong><em>it's not in there! </em></strong>Jesus never says these words.<br /><br />The closest that anyone comes to saying is the writer of the Gospel of John. John 15:19 says, "<em>If you belonged to the world,</em><a onmouseover="return overlib('Gkwere of the world');" onmouseout="return nd();" href="javascript:void(0);"><em>*</em></a><em> the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. "</em> Further along, in chapter 19: 13-16 Jesus says in his prayer, "<em> But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves.</em><a onmouseover="return overlib('Oramong themselves');" onmouseout="return nd();" href="javascript:void(0);"><em>*</em></a><em> I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. <strong>I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one</strong>.</em><a onmouseover="return overlib('Orfrom evil');" onmouseout="return nd();" href="javascript:void(0);"><em>*</em></a><em> They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. "(emphasis mine) </em>Quite a different view.<br /><br />In 1st century Judaism separations were everywhere. There was a class structure in place of clean and unclean. People who were deemed "unclean": gentiles, women who were menstrating or had just given birth, lepers, the sick and poor, were not able to enter into society and were kept on the outside margins. Jesus ministry was as much about breaking down those barriers as about anything else. His resurrection was about reconciling all of humanity to God, an open invitation that put the Samaritan and Roman on the same footing as the Pharisee and Scribe. That is the gospel, the Good News, that the Apostles were told to spread.<br /><br />But somewhere along the way we lost that. Today we hear devout Christians talk about home schooling their children, listening to only Contemporary Christian music, reading Christian fiction, watching only Christian TV stations, voting for only Christian political candidates. This dilutes the inclusive message of our Savior. Christians now look at those that are "Unbelievers" as the "Other", when our own holy writings tell us that there is no difference between us. St. Paul boldly says in Galatians 3: "<em>There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.</em> " and in Romans, "<em>For there is no distinction, since <strong>all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...</strong>"</em> <br /><br />Looking back on a campaign started by an Evangelical pastor, I have to ask, would Jesus wall himself off like this? Would he tell us to create our own culture, or would he instead encourage us to go out into the world and be a force for change? Will we continue to look at those most in need of love as "other", or will we instead "embrace the leper" as St. Francis did, and see that divine spark, the Christ in everybody? Will we continue to shun someone because they are different, speak differently, love differently, or worship differently, or call God by a different name than we do? Will I continue to do this? Will you? What Would Jesus Do?Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-459926147261207592010-05-10T09:19:00.002-05:002010-05-10T09:24:02.487-05:00School's Out!!I just turned in the last two assignments for school, which means I am officially done with my coursework for the BSBA in Human Resources. Wow! I am about to be a college graduate, one of the first, if not the first in my family to do it. I am so excited I could just cry. <div><br /></div><div>Now comes the really fun part. The discernment process sounds kind of like tearing your heart out of your chest, rubbing salt in the wound, having a group of people examine said heart, then put it back in your chest. After doing this for about a year, Bishop Benfield will have the final say on whether or not I get to go for the MDIV or MAR degree. </div><div><br /></div><div>But for now... I'm celebrating... Cue the "Pomp and Circumstance"! Where's my robe and square hat?! </div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-54533867501790108432010-05-03T22:18:00.002-05:002010-05-03T22:33:09.538-05:00Chief... June 2000- May 3, 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S9-VTAGRabI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/irp5qj3aX58/s1600/chief.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 197px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S9-VTAGRabI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/irp5qj3aX58/s320/chief.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467252626327431602" /></a><br />This morning Chris' prized Yorkie, Chief, was hit by a car. Without going into details, I can tell you from my limited medical expertise with humans that it was over too quick for him to know what happened and that he didn't suffer. Apparently he snuck out of the house in the midmorning to go see his friend (a white fuzzball of a dog) across the street. A lady from the neighborhood came and told us what happened, and I ran outside to get him out of the street. I cradled him for a bit and just came unglued. I don't know how long I cried and babbled.<div><br /></div><div>I dug a grave for him, and we laid him to rest with some of his favorite toys in a nice shady spot in the back yard. </div><div><br /></div><div>The hardest part this evening was trying to explain to Eli why he couldn't go get Chief when we got home from the store and why he wouldn't be following us upstairs to Eli's bedroom tonight. </div><div><br /></div><div>Chris and I first brought Chief home shortly after we got our first apartment 10 years ago. He was a runt of a puppy that both of us fell in love with. He grew into a good dog, if a bit crotchety at times and big for a Yorkie. He was Chris' companion when I was away on deployments, and she was his human. He simply tolerated me. Now he's sleeping with the angels. Maybe God will be able to finally teach him to pee outside. No, he'll probably get his own scotchguard carpet. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-55198687389613298112010-04-26T22:54:00.003-05:002010-04-26T23:25:56.423-05:00Why Marriage Matters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S9ZnTkxWrTI/AAAAAAAAAZI/I5JPNr0DnIA/s1600/nancy-richardson_american-violet_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S9ZnTkxWrTI/AAAAAAAAAZI/I5JPNr0DnIA/s320/nancy-richardson_american-violet_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464668783846534450" /></a><br />As many who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">friended</span> me on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span> already know, Kathy Berg, a member of All Saints Episcopal Church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bentonville</span>, died this past Sunday. Mrs. H, Spud and Sprout took dinner over for her surviving partner/wife and daughter. We listened to what happened at the hospital, and what <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Philine</span> went through that fateful afternoon, and I thought I would share it with all of you.<div><br /></div><div>They were transported to the hospital, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Philine</span> and Amanda were pretty banged up, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">OK</span>. Kathy, on the other hand, was in critical condition after being thrown from the vehicle. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Philine</span> had called one of Kathy's sisters, and they were at the hospital too. Only one nurse would talk with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Philine</span> about Kathy's condition, and that was just to say that she had some fractures and such. The medical staff at Northwest Medical in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bentonville</span> had taken Kathy's family into the chapel to tell them about her condition and what her chances were. It wasn't until one of Kathy's sisters told the staff that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Philine</span> was Kathy's wife and she should be the one making the decisions that anyone let her into the loop. If it weren't for the support of Kathy's family, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Philine</span> would not have known what was happening until it was too late.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now take a page from Jesus and put yourself in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Philine's</span> shoes for just a moment. Here you are, just after a car wreck, injured and in shock. Your spouse is in the same hospital, but no one will tell you what is happening. You aren't allowed to go and see the person you have shared your life with and have been raising a child with. No one will talk to you about her condition. Even when the rest of your family arrives at the hospital, you are left out of the loop. Wouldn't that make you angry? Wouldn't you want to spend the last moments of your wife or husband's life next to them, holding their hand? How would you react in this situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the same situation that lesbian and gay couples face whenever they go to the hospital. Even with power of attorney, living wills, and domestic partnership papers, they are many times left out of these critical decisions and robbed of the last moments of their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">parters</span> lives. Sometimes, as in the case in Miami last year, the patient dies alone as her partner and children fight for just a minute with them. And it is bullshit.</div><div><br /></div><div>I personally don't give a damn what conservative Christians reading this think of homosexuality. I don't care what label you want to put on it or how much you think you are "defending the sanctity of marriage" by voting down marriage status to same sex couples. People deserve to have the people who have shared their life's journeys with them close by. Whether you are gay or straight, if you have dedicated your life to being with someone else, then you have a right to be with them in their time of need PERIOD. To deny a loving couple this fundamental right is more evil than anything you in your self righteous minds could ever think that they are doing behind closed doors. </div><div><br /></div><div>This brought the marriage equality issue home to me in more of a way than reading about the plight of others. This happened in my back yard, to people I care about. And I am tired of my friends being treated like subhumans. It has to end. </div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-29812551551026415152010-04-22T07:50:00.002-05:002010-04-22T07:56:22.545-05:00New York Times Weighs in on Act 1<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S9BHWrh17HI/AAAAAAAAAZA/SSwbc4P15Tw/s1600/Socrates_teaching.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462944802967776370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S9BHWrh17HI/AAAAAAAAAZA/SSwbc4P15Tw/s320/Socrates_teaching.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The New York Times has an editorial about Arkansas Act 1 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/opinion/22thu4.html?ref=global">here</a>. It affirms my opinion that the "broad net" approach was too vague and was meant to discriminate agains one group "teh Gays" and actually hurt the children in Arkansas awaiting adoption and good foster homes. According to the editorial:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>A 2009 report by the Arkansas Department of Human Services found 517 children awaiting adoption but only 228 adoptive homes available.</em> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In this case, just like with the Jim Crowe laws in the 20th century, the majority in Arkansas is wrong. There is no "Gay Agenda" except to be accepted as people and not second class citizens or a dispised and outcast group. Gee, what a crime... to want to be treated like a human being. Shame on Arkansas. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>One final glimmer of hope in the conclusion:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>What is most important is the ruling’s recognition of Act 1’s discriminatory and unwarranted disqualification of potential parents, no matter how prepared and eager they are to give children a good home. That sound bottom line should survive any appeal.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>I pray it is so.</div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-8496301971722041782010-04-21T13:53:00.002-05:002010-04-21T14:20:58.212-05:00War Eagle Cave...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S89QB_fI1PI/AAAAAAAAAY4/B7i9GK2_qAo/s1600/90_12_58---Christmas-Candle_web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462672868175828210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S89QB_fI1PI/AAAAAAAAAY4/B7i9GK2_qAo/s320/90_12_58---Christmas-Candle_web.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>One of the most surreal experiences I ever had was in War Eagle Cave near Rogers. As we walked through the cave, we listened to stories of Jesse James and other outlaws and bootleggers who had used the cave throughout the years. Somehow, being inside the womb of the Earth like that puts me in a more contemplative mood. Two things in particular stood out, and made a dramatic impact on my thinking. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When we reached the end of the trail, the guide turned off all of the lights and we were plunged into total darkness. This was a darkness so deep and so black that it actually hurt my eyes as they seemed to search frantically on their own for any source of light. After a minute or so, our guide turned on his flashlight and the world suddenly seemed as bright as if the Sun were shining down on us. I was amazed that one small light could have such an impact on our senses.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The same thing applies in our world today. There are still places where people are trapped in painful darkness of lonliness, poverty, shame and grief. Injustices surround us to where many of us feel like we are in that dark cave, frantically searching for one small light, one sliver of hope to dispell the oppressive night that they are in. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In order for this to happen, we have to present that light to the world. The Christophers have a motto, "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness". For action to be taken, for injustices to be righted, people need to know. That is why it is so important to share these stories when you hear of them and to take some sort of action when you can. Stand up for what you know is right. </div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-57153993264985729462010-04-20T09:11:00.004-05:002010-04-20T09:36:12.262-05:00Update on Act 1 and an Asshat Award<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S827vmxf4oI/AAAAAAAAAYw/MOAzr_WjA-w/s1600/jlu_asshat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462228349606683266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S827vmxf4oI/AAAAAAAAAYw/MOAzr_WjA-w/s320/jlu_asshat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>According to the Max Brantly at the <a href="http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2010/04/ag_to_appeal_act_1_ruling.aspx">Arkansas Times</a>, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is going to appeal Friday's Circuit Court ruling that I discussed earler. From the Arkansas Times:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><em>Initiated Act 1 was approved by approximately 57 percent of the voters in the 2008 election. I believe the people of Arkansas deserve to have the state’s highest court decide whether or not to override their decision. Therefore, I have instructed attorneys in my office to appeal the Circuit Court’s ruling on Initiated Act 1 to the Arkansas Supreme Court.</em></div><br /><div><br /><em>McDaniel's earlier statement said, "A number of factors will have to be considered and evaluated before a decision is made as to whether an appeal would be in the best interests of the state." I've asked the AG's office what those factors were. </em></div><br /><div><br /><em>UPDATE: McDaniel called the Times this afternoon to answer our questions. "I’m not offering any predictions on how it’s going to come out," the attorney general said, "but I think that everyone would expect it to be appealed. Avoiding an appeal is very unlikely so the question is whether the state’s lawyer is a participant in that and I think we almost have to be."</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div>I realize that Mr. McDaniel is doing his job, but I still think it stinks. This reprehensible law hurts children and denies same sex couples the right to adopt or foster children who need stable loving homes, but takes away <strong><em>my</em></strong> right to decide who raises my children if something should happen to me and Mrs. H. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is a blatant attempt by the Arkansas Family Council (an arm of Focus on the Family) to make sure LGBT couples remain second class citizens. Even though the wording was carefully crafted to not specify them (since the previous law that did was struck down), they made no bones about it being to prevent LGBT's from adopting or fostering children during its campaign. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Because Dustin McDaniel is doing his job, as distasteful as it is, and Jerry Cox is once again spreading hate and discontent, I hereby award the Arkansas Family Council the Asshat of the Day.</div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-26441264535108795802010-04-19T09:46:00.002-05:002010-04-19T09:51:40.326-05:00Reflection on Yesterday's Gospel Reading...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S8xt7hsTovI/AAAAAAAAAYo/waXryfkhxH0/s1600/fishing_scenic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461861317517484786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S8xt7hsTovI/AAAAAAAAAYo/waXryfkhxH0/s320/fishing_scenic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.<br />---------------<br />There is nothing I like better than spending a hot summer day next to a cool river or pond fishing. As a young hillbilly, my two brothers and I would take our loaf of stale bread and our little Zebco fishing poles down to the pond in the middle of the mountain we lived on. We could spend hours down there catching and releasing brim and perch until sunset, then retire first to the house for dinner, and then to the tent in the middle of the yard where we spent our summer nights. Such carefree days were always welcome.<br /><br />I imagine Peter was thinking something similar when he told his fellow disciples, “I’m going fishing,” and took his boat out to see. Fishing was more than just a livelihood to him, it was familiar. And really, who could blame him for looking for something familiar. Already the man whom he considered a great friend and teacher had not only been brutally tortured and murdered by Roman authorities, but now had come back to visit him not once, but twice! If it were me in the same situation, I would be looking for something more familiar too, after I pried myself off the ceiling, of course.<br /><br />And I think Jesus understood this, too. When he appears to the disciples from the shore, he doesn’t announce himself or yell at them to get back to work. He even helps them haul in the biggest catch they had probably ever seen before whipping them up a hearty breakfast. I can just see Jesus cooking over the fire smiling and muttering to himself, “I did everything but draw them a picture saying I’d be back and they still didn’t get it…” and then nearly rolling on the ground with laughter seeing Peter tripping over himself to get dressed and swim back to the shore when Peter realizes who is waiting for him. He helps keep up the familiarity by having breakfast with them as they probably did many times before.<br /><br />Let’s take a look at what happens when people move out of that comfort zone, that area of familiarity, and answer the call:<br /><br />Peter and the disciples answered that call and began spreading the “evangelion” the good news throughout the known world. Today we still see the results of this call.<br /><br />In 1955, a Montgomery, Alabama woman moved out of the familiar and refused to be moved to the “colored” section of the bus she was riding. That decision helped to spark a civil rights movement that in 2008 saw the first African American elected to the highest office in the United States.<br /><br />In 1974 11 women stepped out of their comfort zone and answered a call to ordained ministry within the Episcopal Church. 36 years later, we have seen not only the election of women bishops within the Church, but in 2006, the election of the first woman Primate in the Anglican Communion.<br /><br />More recently, at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church in San Francisco: a life-long atheist and partnered lesbian heard the call and not only walked into the service there, but shared in communion. Just taking that small step out of her comfort zone lead to the establishment of a food pantry that feeds over 900 people daily.<br /><br />Further forward, in 2003, the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of New Hampshire heard the call to “tend my lambs” and elected the first openly gay and partnered bishop not only in the Episcopal Church, but the Anglican Communion. Now we have elected a second openly gay partnered bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles, and the Episcopal Church has moved to the forefront of a movement of a socially relevant, inclusive gospel seeks to emulate Jesus life and ministry by welcoming all and realizing that no one person is better or worse than another.<br /><br />And, of course, in 2006, a newly ordained vocational deacon moved out of his own familiar ground in his native Texas and moved into the heart of Razorback Country to plant a new Episcopal Mission. That leap of faith established a counter culture congregation that now boasts of membership between 80 and 100 English speaking parishioners and between 25 and 30 Spanish speaking parishioners and the return of a married former Roman Catholic priest to ordained ministry.<br /><br />All of these things started with just one person moving out of his or her comfort zone and taking that brave step forward into the unknown. We each hear this same call today in big and small ways. From offering the young LDS missionaries an umbrella when it is raining to even just a smile, a touch or a kind word to a total stranger, Jesus is calling us to move beyond the familiarity of our church pews and our places of work and into a world of possibilities. But, like Peter and the Apostles, and like Paul after the Damascus Road, we have to have the courage to take those first steps. In those first steps, we have the potential to see something truly glorious.<br /><br /><br /></div>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6875603151696938810.post-79561637390693285882010-04-19T09:14:00.003-05:002010-04-19T09:21:59.861-05:0015 Years Ago Today in Oklahoma<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S8xln1tsjhI/AAAAAAAAAYg/s3o85M19c_E/s1600/oklahoma-city-bombing-4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461852183201615378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 297px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S8xln1tsjhI/AAAAAAAAAYg/s3o85M19c_E/s320/oklahoma-city-bombing-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S8xlhJkZHnI/AAAAAAAAAYY/_F_kAleQBh0/s1600/oklahoma-city-bombing-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461852068272217714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EVsVPZwe3B8/S8xlhJkZHnI/AAAAAAAAAYY/_F_kAleQBh0/s320/oklahoma-city-bombing-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><p>It was 15 years ago today that the Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed in an act of domestic terrorism. Let us today not only remember the lives lost then, but the danger we face today of another tragedy. </p><p>From the Book of Common Prayer:</p><p><em>Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love ofpeace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominionmay increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of yourl ove; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.</em></p><p>Dear Lord, look with pitty upon us, your servants, as we mourn those that were lost in the tragedy in Oklahoma City this day. Give us comfort in our loss and wisdom to prevent the mistakes of the past from being repeated in the future. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom with you in the Holy Spirit be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.</p>Rev. Raggsdalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13758964410206834685noreply@blogger.com0