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November 23, 2006

Thanksgiving Thoughts... We Thank Thee

Good to take time to count His blessings on this Thanksgiving Day... perhaps we have taken too much for granted. Start thanking Him from the simplest to(what according to our calculations is)the biggest!

Jim Reeves'song captures gratitude in all its splendour. Click to listen to this song and words:

We thank Thee each morning for a newborn day where we may work the fields of new mown hay We thank Thee for the sunshine and the air that we breathe Oh Lord we thank Thee

We thank Thee for the rivers that run all day
we thank Thee for the little birds that sing away
we thank Thee for the trees
and the deep blue sea
Oh Lord we thank Thee

Oh yes we thank Thee Lord
for every flower that blooms
birds that sing, fish that swim
and the light of the moon.

We thank Thee every day
as we kneel and pray
that we were born with eyes
to see these things.

We thank Thee for the fields
where the clovers grow
we thank Thee for the pastures
where the cattle may roam
We thank Thee for Thy love so pure and free
Oh Lord we thank Thee.

Oh yes we thank Thee Lord
for every flower that blooms
birds that sing, fish that swim
and the light of the moon.

We thank Thee every day
as we kneel and pray
that we were born with eyes
to see these things.

We thank Thee for the fields
where the clovers grow
we thank Thee for the pastures
where the cattle may roam
We thank Thee for Thy love so pure and so free
Oh Lord we thank Thee.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
MAY THE LORD BLESS THEE... MAY HE LET HIS COUNTENANCE SHINE UPON THEE AND BE GRACIOUS UNTO THEE.

Posted by frleo at 8:27 AM | Comments (0)

November 21, 2006

Who said that the youth don't care for their soul?

During my visit to Christ our Saviour Anglican Church in Alpine CA, the Rector Fr. Frank had scheduled the confirmations. All of the confirmands were there, except for Natalie. The service was over when Natalie was rushed into the church by her mom. Not that she overslept or had been partying as a typical teen might have done.

Natalie had a school commitment. She was one of the cheerleaders and a photo shoot had been scheduled that day. Natalie was one of the mainstay of the pyramid. So, when she came, she expressed that she was so torn between the two and did not want to miss the confirmation. Having rushed several miles to attempt to make it on time for confirmation and getting there only to realize it was over, you could imagine her predicament. Her eyes began to well up.

Just then the Rector and I decided that we would have a special service for her at the Senior Warden's Ranch where the new church, a barn, is being refurbished. We had a simple but solemn cofirmation in a beautiful outdoor southern Californian setting for Natalie. She was overjoyed. I can't stop bragging about this teenager for whom her faith meant so much.

That's what the church needs to be. Unfortunately, society and the secular world does not always honor Sunday as a Holy day and this becomes a conflict for many of our youth. The church needs to understand its faithful in accomodating their needs in these difficult situations. This youngster knew what she would have missed after having prepared herself for this Holy Sacrament of Confirmation. Well done good and faithful Natalie.

Posted by frleo at 10:57 PM | Comments (0)

November 19, 2006

Ordination in San Diego

Eighty five degrees is quite unusual weather this time for San Diego the residents say. Yet it was the most beautiful day this Saturday.

Christ our Saviour Anglican Church, is part of the United Episcopal Church of North America. Holly and I flew in for the ordination of Deacon Ron White to priesthood. Fr. Frank and his beloved June and the members of the vestry organized an beautiful and elaborate celebration for the ordination at the Alpine Community Church.

This moment brought tears to many who were moved by the impressive ordination ceremony.

Christ our Saviour's congregation has been through rough times, given all that was going on within the then ECUSA. They chose to defend their faith. Fr. Ron White had to part with Christ The King Anglican Cnurch(now ordered to revert back to Episcopal by the present Bishop Mathes.) He had to leave the burrial ground of his dear wife Judy. It's the same story with many others.

Joanne Nichols, the senior warden has provided her barn, where they will have their new church.

Indeed, to defend the faith, our people have left the goods and kindred go to begin all over. Humble beginnings. That's how it was for Jesus when he chose to be born among us.

"I feel so free to worship and sing for the Lord here, knowing that the faith is intact and devoid of heresy," one member said.


Fr. Frank Pannitti, who has been in the continuing movement for years, is the Rector of Christ our Saviour in Alpine CA. He is a man after the heart of God, putting to shame all those who engaged in false and unchristian negative defamation of his character. His congregation loves him dearly as he has been the greatest and most dependable pastor and spiritual father through their troubled times. We are proud of what Fr. Pannitti is accomplishing for God's kingdom and His faithful.

In the meantime, the relentless pursuit of the TEC is on much against the wish of their people to take over the properties, after having messed with their faith and morals in this part of San Diego.

God will not spare anyone who misleads His flock. He will provide them shepherds after His own heart, as He has done here in Alpine. Christ our Saviour Anglican Church is a unique church indeed- committed and joyous in faithfully preserving and defending the faith once delivered unto the saints.

The United Episcopal Church of North America welcomes Christ Our Saviour Church into our family. As for this church, they have chosen the best part, following the advise of Joshua.

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."Joshua 24:15

Posted by frleo at 7:45 AM | Comments (0)

November 14, 2006

Something must be rotten in...

Remember the Shakespearean quote, 'Something's rotten in the state of Denmark'. Read this and you'll know what's going not alone with faith but also with morals.

The Church of England has broken with tradition dogma by calling for doctors to be allowed to let sick newborn babies die.

Christians have long argued that life should preserved at all costs - but a bishop representing the national church has now sparked controversy by arguing that there are occasions when it is compassionate to leave a severely disabled child to die.

And the Bishop of Southwark, Tom Butler, who is the vice chair of the Church of England's Mission and Public Affairs Council, has also argued that the high financial cost of keeping desperately ill babies alive should be a factor in life or death decisions.

The shock new policy from the church has caused outrage among the disabled.

The otherday I read another story, a sick old man in India was carried by the police and left to die at the crimation ground, of course to the witnessing of many bystanders. Already declaring the living dead!!! Even if it is understandable that it happened in a poverty stricken village, we can not accept it on any grounds. But in a wealthy United Kingdom this should happen and that it be sanctioned by the church of England. If we can not save life with all our resources then I am not sure why on earth we are here for! Surely Something's rotten in the state of the church today. The human milk of kindness is running short of supply.

So you see not just homosexuality that is the cause of our non-alligning with the Anglican Communion, headed of course by the Church of England. There are more reasons why we chose to carry on our own until His second coming! Will the church - the Body of Christ, stand up for its own members' own lives,human life in general, especially the unborn, those born and are sick, and those who are physically challenged. Open our eyes O Lord!

Posted by frleo at 3:19 PM | Comments (0)

November 6, 2006

Confirmations in Branson: Reflections on intercommunion

This past Sunday there were three confirmations at St. Joseph's Angican Church, Branson,MO. Indeed it was a spirit filled experience. Currently, St. Joseph's is sharing space with the Presbyterian Church, called the Stone Chapel on the route toward Branson Landing (the new mall). Characteristic of any of our churches is our beginnings: borrowed churches, funeral homes, strip malls, homes, school buildings until the congregation can afford a place of their own. Where will the faithful go if they, in order to preserve the faith once given to the saints, must let their goods and kindred go. That's where St. Joseph's is. Fr. Jim McTaggart, their dynamic Rector, has a full time job besides growing and caring for this church. The congregation is young and vibrant and full of hope in growing and defending the faith.

Branson is the best place for entertainment. But if you happen to be there on a weekend do not miss the opportunity to be part of the service. St. Joseph's is the only Anglican Church in Branson following the 1928 BCP.

There were visitors from Wyoming attending our 11:15 am service. During the potluck that followed, we introduced ourselves to each other. They were from St. Andrews, Cheyenne WY. The gentleman said, "how come our churches can't get together, when we share the same faith and tradition and use the 1928 BCP for our liturgy." Cheyenne, WY rang a bell. We did have UEC presence there years ago. It is the same church under our supervision back in 1991. Abp. Reber informed me that the ailing pastor had required a deacon to come and substitute, who in turn had substituted the jurisdiction over that period of time. The family was so glad to be there with us.

Why can't the continuing churches get together if they are sharing the same faith and principles? This has been the thirst of many laity that I have visited with. Many agree that the personalities of the clergy is what makes it difficult. If I may add on, there are few others who have added more troubles to their existing predicament. Nevertheless, we will not give up on our efforts to find a common platform for the Anglicans in USA to come together.

Why is it not possible to get along with other conservative ECUSA churches? This is another question sometimes posed to me. The reason is that they still share the ideologies of ECUSA like ordination of woman, and their stand on the value of human life at all its stages, though they may opposed to other ramifications brought forth by ECUSA or TEC.

We parted ways three decades ago. Thirty years has been a long time for all those within the ECUSA camp to realize what was upcoming. Glad that their eyes are opened at at last. But then still they may need to shed some of their baggage, in the interest of purity of faith and tradition.

UECNA is open to dialogue with churches that accept the Affirmation of Louis. In fact we are in communion with the Anglican Catholic Church and also Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite, our sister churches that had the same origin pointing to the Denver Consecration, Where Archbishop Albert Chambers ordained Dale Doren, the founder of UECNA and three other bishops, The Late Bishop Mote (ACC), Archbishop Morse of Anglican Province of Christ the King and Bishop Waterson who returned back to Rome. To make it easy for the faithful who may chance upon our churches when they travel, we hope and pray that we may be able to restore communion with like minded churches that are sacramental, orthodox and apostolic, in preserving the faith and morals of the traditional anglican and episcopal churches from where we came.

Posted by frleo at 9:51 AM | Comments (0)

November 4, 2006

Jesus: The Only Way: Not for Schori.

Here is the most disturbing interview with Jeffers Schori, who is being sworn in as the new TEC Presiding Bishop.

ECUSA's Incoming Leader: Homosexuality Not a Choice, Jesus Not the Only Way Comments by Jefferts-Schori During Interview Appear to Contradict Scripture By Jody Brown and Allie Martin November 2, 2006

(AgapePress) - She says she doesn't consider Jesus Christ to be the only way to God. She says she believes God makes some people "gay." And she's soon to be the leader of a mainline Protestant denomination in America.

In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul writes that "in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Col. 2:9, NIV). But in an interview this week with Associated Press, Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori -- who is to be installed on Saturday as the first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church USA -- stated that Christians should not say that Jesus is the only way to God. "If we insist we know the one way to God," she said, "we've put God in a very small box."

In John 14:6, Jesus -- in responding to a question posed by the disciple Thomas -- said: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." But Jefferts-Schori says she disagrees with the idea that salvation comes only through trusting in Jesus Christ. "It's this sense that one person can have the fullness of truth in him or herself, rather than understanding that truth is -- like God -- more than any one person can encompass," stated the soon-to-be ECUSA leader.

<<<< Who cares what Shori opines about? However, as leader elect of TEC/ECUSA with these words she begins the dark ages in the annals of theology. Jesus' own words: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me," are undermined by her comments or her take on this core belief of Christianity. If she believes that Jesus is not the only way, then Shori is on the same page with Buddhists who see him as the good incarnation, or the Hindus idealize him as a good teacher or the Muslims recognizing him as one of the prophets. Shori can very well share the belief of these other religions, who consider Jesus as one among the many ways, but unfortunately, she is the leader of a mainline denomination. Christianity is founded on this core belief, that Jesus is the Son of God, who is the only way, the truth and the life--the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of the imploding of TEC. The next logical step would be to to deny the divinity of Christ, after having questioned his uniqueness.

Jesus being the "only way to the Father," as He says is what is so special about Christianity or our Christian faith, for which millions have shed their blood in defence of it. With the floating of this new ideology, Shori shares the same base as Spong and the like who have serious doubts about the resurrection of Jesus. Get lost if you don't share the faith of our fathers or if you can't foster the simple faith of the people. Go embrace any other religion, but stop disturbing the simple faith of Christians for whom Christ is, was, and will always remain the only way, the truth and the life.--the son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.- Now back to the interview again.>>>>

Jefferts-Schori says she views salvation as the healing of all Creation through holy living. "I understand salvation as being about the healing of the whole creation. Your part and my part in that is about holy living," she offered. "As Christians we understand [salvation] as relationship with God in Jesus, but that does not mean that we're expected to judge other people's own commitments."

Where does she stand on the issue of homosexuality? The Episcopal Church has been embroiled for years in a debate over the ordination of homosexual clergy and "blessing" ceremonies for same-sex couples. Jefferts-Schori supports both -- and in fact, she voted in 2003 to confirm her denomination's first openly homosexual bishop, V. Gene Robinson. She told AP that she does not believe the Bible condemns "committed" homosexual relationships. God, she says, made some people "gay."

Does she claim to know God's mind: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.(Isaiah 55:6-9)-- Back to the interview

"Sexual orientation is pretty clearly defined at a very early age, before the age of reason. It's not a choice," she said. "In that case, a person of faith would need to say that it's a piece of how one is created." Consequently, she says, the Church should offer what she calls "a sacramental container" to help homosexuals find "holy ways of living in relationship."

Scriptures in the Bible about homosexual acts being sinful, she says, are misunderstood. "They're not about what today we see as mature human beings entering into committed relationships with each other on a full and equal basis," says Jefferts-Schori, who believes such "committed" relationships can be blessed. "The religious community's job, really, is to help all human beings find healthy and whole and holy ways of living in relationship."

We leave Schori with her thoughts, but she is still accountable for what she says and does. She will not go to heaven or hell alone. For that is the accountability of every priest and minister of His who care for His flock. In spite of these types of false prophets,the sheep need to know and follow His voice. .

Posted by frleo at 10:10 AM | Comments (0)

November 1, 2006

All Souls Day

We all long for the Memorial Day Weekend. At times the memorial day is confined to the National Cemeteries of the fallen heroes. They are thought of once a year. Some may not have time for that also. I remember an interesting comment from gentleman who was persuasive about the idea of a columbarium in the vicinity of a prayer chapel."What is the point in burrying the dead, when they are left in the cemetry. In cold winter we can hardly reach the place. Whereas when we have them interned in a colombarium we can visit them oftener'.

Following the feast of All Saints, the church wants us to remember all those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith. It is crucial to remember them at the least once a year. As the world war cemetry outside Kohima reads, "For your tomorrow we gave our today". Gratitude requires that we think of our beloved but for whom we would not be walking this planet earth. Our parents, grand parents great grandparents...Let us take time to pray for the dear departed.
I am also reminded of the little push cart- kind of hearse used in some parts of India that had the following caption:always said, "Today its mine, Tomorrow it'll be yours". Death is a leveller, none can be exempted. But death is a threshold that calls us back home, from whence we came. If nothing else motivates us,let us know that if we want to be remembered tomorrow, let us remember all those who have gone before us today.

All Souls Day, reminds us of our identity. That all our commissions and omissions have their consequence and that our soul will have to judged accordingly- for we are created in the image and likeness of God. Good to know who we really are. We have immortal soul. This would dare us to live the life that is concommitant with our nature and live responsibly.

ETERNAL REST GRANT UNTO THEM O LORD: AND LET THINE LIGHT PERPETUAL SHINE UPON THEM. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE. AMEN

Posted by frleo at 8:12 AM | Comments (0)

All Saints Day: I believe in the communion of saints

William Wordsworth sighed that 'The world is too much with us.' We can rephrase it as 'the ghosts are too much with us.' Ghosts, scary movies, and the like marked the eve of the Hallow. Whereas, the Halo is the round ring around the saints--the glow about or the aura about the holy men and women who have shared the holiness of God. In fact, Halloween is "Halo eve"--that has metamorphosed into Halloween. Old timers recall when, as children, they would dress like saints of their choice, who served as their role model.

Surely this morning, the crazy world is returning back to normalcy. Whereas last night, there was pandemonium and it was acceptable for children to befriend ghosts and evil spirit that no longer scare them - something that the devil has effortlessly won in the hearts and minds of God's children. What is scary is that the world gets too comfortable with evil and the evil one, even camouflaged under the guise of fun.

The feast of All Saints is what a Church triumphant - the saints who were human like all of us, and yet embraced holiness in their own life's circumstances and have crowned it with their life or death for the Lord and for the faith. They have gone before us. They have won this spiritual warfare and been washed by the blood of the Lamb.

All Saints Day is a pointer to what we all ought to be, the epitome of holiness that we all need to strive after.
I sing a song of the saints of God,
patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died
for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,
and one was a shepherdess on the green;
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean,
God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,
and his love made them strong;
and they followed the right for Jesus' sake
the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,
and one was slain by a fierce wild beast;
and there's not any reason, no, not the least,
why I shouldn't be one too.

They lived not only in ages past;
there are hundreds of thousands still.
The world is bright with the joyous saints
who love to do Jesus' will.
You can meet them in school, on the street, in the store,
in church, by the sea, in the house next door;
they are saints of God, whether rich or poor,
and I mean to be one too.
There are saints among us, in our church, work place, those who do what is right in the sight of the Lord, live following the dictates of the conscience. These are saints from the Church pilgrim that is still on pilgrimage till it triumphs over the spiritual warfare and joins the communion of saints.

The saints are people of flesh and bones who have walked and still walk the earth to a different drum beat - following the Lord's calling to holiness. Can we be saints today, by accomplishing whatever we do with utmost perfection?

Posted by frleo at 7:35 AM | Comments (0)