Tag Archives: community

Silenced by love.

Last night during our Church Without Walls Advent bible study, we reviewed the scripture for the third week of Advent. As we read from Zephaniah, we noticed a marked difference between translations. One stated that God will renew us in … Continue reading

Posted in congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, love | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Who are we?”

This sermon was preached this morning at Church of Our Saviour, Jacksonville, FL Christ the King Sunday 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 93; Rev 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37 Today we are invited to be boisterous and jubilant as we celebrate Christ the … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, congregational development, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Made holy.

At Church Without Walls, we often end the service with a blessing attributed to St. Clare. It includes the words: “Your Creator loves you, made you holy…” What does it mean to be loved, to be made holy? And how … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, holy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Third Way.

My tendency is often to sort things out, deciding what fits where, as I attempt to order my own life and seek to make sense of the world around me. I know I am not alone in this endeavor. I … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, peace, Recovery, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Open hands.

Last night I dreamt I was travelling somewhere – with my former roommate Lisa and our friend Ashley and possibly one other soul or two. We arrived at our initial destination by what means I know not. A plane? A … Continue reading

Posted in faith, Grace, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Communion happens.

Last night my dear friend Ian, who a couple of weeks ago staged a production of Godspell to benefit Church Without Walls, shared a wonderful story with me: This week he was downtown with several Godspell cast members as they … Continue reading

Posted in faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Close moments.

It has become a spiritual practice for me to reflect upon my life experience and to identify “close moments with Christ” – those times when I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of day-to-day living. Today … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, peace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Open and undefended.

This is a personal reflection on my experience as a first-time deputy to the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, which is presently convening in Salt Lake City. We cannot receive new life — we cannot experience transformation — … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Diocese of Florida, Episcopal church, faith, Grace, Recovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

May hatreds cease.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Christianity, faith, Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Love abounds.

Last week I experienced disappointment and failure in a fairly public way. I also experienced a mind-blowing, heart-expanding outpouring of love and encouragement from friends, colleagues and loved ones. Once again, I am reminded that, without risk and messiness, I … Continue reading

Posted in 12-step spirituality, Baptism, Christianity, faith, Grace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment