Wednesday, February 6, 2008
- Arise and Build
a pastoral letter
to Christ the King Anglican Church
in LexingtonThe God of Heaven Himself will prosper us.
Therefore, we his servants will arise and build …
- Nehemiah 2:20
In the book of Nehemiah, we see the people of God rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem and in the book of Ezra, God’s people are rebuilding the Temple. Our commission here at Christ the King Anglican Church is a similar one. I would like to look at some challenges that we face here in Lexington, Michigan:
Realize the Rubble
The birth of this congregation was birthed in seeing a serious departure from the faith in the Episcopal denomination. That church was caving in to a worldly agenda and throwing away the faith of our fathers and mothers. The Episcopal Church seemed to be no longer presenting the good news, but was on the front pages depicting much bad news of a disobedient and self-willed church, making up their own rules and throwing away any obligation to the Biblical, revealed Word of God. When one sees the rubble of a city or a Temple or even a local church, there are many options, but I think the bravest one is to arise and build. That is what you, as lay people decided to do a couple years ago.
Arise and BuildYou all as people of faith stood up for that faith. It would've been easier seeing the rubble in the American wing of the Anglican Communion to arise and go elsewhere. That's an easy route and doesn't take much effort. Instead you chose to “arise and build” and that's putting your muscle, money and minutes where your mouth is and that's a much harder route. You looked at the heritage, the sacraments, the liturgy, the theological treasures in the Anglican tradition and decided you wouldn't let go of it out of personal discouragement, anger, laziness or other various reasons. You kept a vision of God's Temple even while leaving buildings and friends. You also found new friends walking in the same faith and conviction. Many were new Anglican friends with addresses in South America, Africa, and even Southeast Asia.
Sword and Hammer
Some of these new friends were Anglican bishops who were also discerning the devastation and departure from biblical faith in the American wing of their Communion. Again, back in Nehemiah, we see those working at the construction site holding both a tool for building and a weapon for battling in each hand. It's not easy to build in the midst of battle or to battle in the midst of construction, but that is what many of us have been called to do over the last few years. We're not alone, we have Anglican leaders around the world who have chosen to be obedient to the Lord and hold a hammer in one hand and the sword in the other. I hope that we, in our local setting are more concentrated on construction, but as the Apostle Paul did, we also must fight the good fight. (…)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
- Alsan in Ice - READ THE BOOKS ! ! !
I took this picture last Saturday in Downtown Rochester, while hearing a father telling his daughter he would be introducing Narnia to her soon through watching the film. (…)
Friday, February 1, 2008
- Back Preaching and Celebrating
at Church of the Holy RedeemerOn Sunday, Feb 3rd, I have the honor of both preaching and celebrating communion at Church of the Holy Redeemer in Rochester Hills. Although separated from the C.E.C. (…)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
- City Church in San Francisco Hosts
Bishop N. T. WrightThis San Francisco Church hosted Anglican Bishop Tom Wright a couple years ago for a talk on the Christian Faith as presented in his book Simply Christian. I think you'll find it interesting. (…)
Friday, January 18, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
- Monday Night at Rochester College
Last Sunday night for some reason I was thinking about Rochester College, which is a Christian school within 2 miles of my house. A few months back, I was invited to speak at their chapel service, and Sunday I was thinking about perhaps knocking on the door of some of the students to get some web help from someone, more savvy than I. Interestingly, the next day I was sent an e-mail from a dear friend Pastor Rufus Harris informing me that he was going to be in a group discussion at Rochester College that evening. He asked for prayers for the event and also inquired if I would like to attend. (…)
Monday, January 14, 2008
- Blessings and Good Work For A New Year by Father Richard
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. - Galatians 6:9-10
In this verse I am reminded of the work of William Wilberforce. He was a member of the English Parliament in the early 1800’s and began a long battle against slavery in the British Empire. (…)
Monday, January 7, 2008
- The love of Christ shed abroad in the heart.
a hymn by Issac WattsStain Glass, originally uploaded by Maulf.
The love of Christ shed abroad in the heart.
a hymn by Issac Watts - Eph. (…)
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
- Usher in the New Year
with Jesus Christ as LORDJesus - Stained Glass Detail, originally uploaded by Purple Rache.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
- Les Choristes Live au palais des Congres, 2005
Ave Maria
Hail Maria
Full of grace
Maria, full of grace
Maria, full of grace
Hail, Hail Lord
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is
And blessed is the fruit of thy your womb
Of thy womb, Jesus
Hail Maria, full of grace
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
- St. Athanasius - On the Incarnation (De Incarnatione Verbi Dei)
Outside the pages of the New Testament itself, Athanasius is probably the man to whom we chiefly owe the preservation of the Christian faith. (…)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
- An Eyewitness Account of Anglican Events
to Spread the Gospel
and Expand God's Love and KingdomI belong to the Convocation of Anglican in North American (CANA)
and was part of recent meetings in Virginia this Sunday and last week.I took alot of pictures, here is the link for pictures and slide shows.
Click to See Them
- Father Richard +
Saturday, December 8, 2007
- I'm in Virginia at the CANA Council
(that's the Convocation of Anglicans in North America)
a mission of the Anglican Church of NigeriaI've taken some pictures, enjoy the slide show:
Click Here
Note: Most of these pictures were taken without a flash and not yet in any order. - Fr. Richard
Saturday, December 1, 2007
- Bishop John Guernsey
- A Video Message on Evangelism
A twenty minute message on evangelism recommended by Ronda Galarneau: " I found a great sermon on Anglicantv.org by Bishop Gurnsey."
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
- Is God A Delusion: Is Faith Irrational? by Nicky Gumbel
[audio:http://www.htb.org.uk/audio/download/1335/28_10_07_1130_NG.mp3]
Source Link with Video along with Message
First Message in this series of Three Second Message in this series of Three
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
- Is God A Delusion: Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?
by Nicky Gumbel[audio:http://www.htb.org.uk/audio/download/1325/21_10_07_7PM_NG.mp3]
Source Link with Video along with Message
First Message in this series of Three
Friday, November 16, 2007
- Is God A Delusion: Has Science Disproved God? by Nicky Gumbel
[audio:http://www.htb.org.uk/audio/download/1215/07_10_07_1130_NG_v2.mp3]
Source Link with Video along with Message
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
- C.S. Lewis in a Time of War:
The World Broadcasts that Riveted a Nation
and Became the Classic Mere Christianity
by Justin Phillipsforeword by Walter Hooper
a review by Theresa E. Dalton
Recently, I came across this book. Of course, C.S. (…)
Monday, November 5, 2007
- A Frank Talk On Sex
a message at Wheaton College Chapel
by Lauren WinnerI find Lauren a refreshing and candid voice to young and old:
[audio:http://adam.wheaton.edu/wetn-mp3/chap06-07/winner060908.mp3]
Source Link
Friday, November 2, 2007
- Great Lakes Anglican Network
Clergy Retreat at Saint John's Center
in Plymouth, MichiganOctober 29th and 30th
Click to See All My Pictures During the Retreat
Heart of North America Website
A Thank You to Bishop Frank Lyons John Stott Interveiw
Bishop N.T. (…)
