In Memoriam on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day our country gives thanks to God, and honors the men and women our nation who throughout the years gave of their lives so we could have the freedoms and liberties we now enjoy. Sadly most of us take for granted the incredible sacrifice and dedication that so many individuals willingly gave in the horrors and tumult of war and battle.

This past week I had the privilege of traveling with my wife to Washington D.C. and participating in the graveside funeral service of her uncle, Lt. Col. Allan William Clarke, at Arlington National Cemetery. He was 90 years old and died earlier this year in Naples, Florida. The service was a sober reminder of the preciousness of life, the blessings of our country, and the honor and dedication of the men and women who wear the uniform of our nation.

These pictures are from the service at Arlington. I am walking in the Procession with an incredible and dedicated servant of the Lord, Chaplain Fernadez, who presided at the service.

O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women our our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the peoples of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accepts its disciplines. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. - from the Book of Common Prayer

James in Morocco

My son, James, just finished his junior year at the University of Georgia. He is currently on a nine-week study trip in Morocco. He is there studying Arabic. Check out his site at www.jameshbeach.com.

God Save America

My friend and colleague in ministry, Dr. Michael Youssef, Rector of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, has issued a call for 100k Christians across America to covenant with God to pray daily for a spiritual awakening in our country from July 4 (Independence Day) to November 2 (Election Day).

I am joining him in this cause and invite you to do the same. Holy Cross will offer special days of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving on behalf of the work of the Lord in and though our country. I hope you will pour out your heart before our Lord in prayer and supplication on behalf of our country.

As important as elections, laws, jobs, balanced budgets and public policy are, the root of our nation’s problems is our turning away from the Lord. Only a national repentance and revival will stop the flow of evil and destruction flowing through our land. Christians of all stripes must humble ourselves, confess and turn from our sins, and call out for God on behalf of our family, friends, neighbors, and nation.

2 Chronicles 7:14 must come alive in our land! Together we can unite with the heart of God.

For more information, click on God Save America.

Words from Vince Lombardi

The great football coach had some great words to say -- many of which were grounded in his privately held faith. Here are a few samples....

Winning is not a some time thing; it is an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time.

The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field or endeavor.

Once a man has made a commitment to a way of life, he puts the greatest strength behind him. It is something we call heart power. Once a man has made this commitment, nothing will stop him short of success.

It's not whether you get knocked down; it is whether you get up.

Once you have established the goals you want and the price you are willing to pay, you can ignore the minor hurts, the opponents pressure and the temporary pressure.

Winning is not everything --- but making the effort to win is.

They call it coaching but it is teaching. You do not just tell them... you show them the reasons.

Teams do not go physically flat; they go mentally stale.

Success is like anything worthwhile. It has a price. You have to pay the price to win and you have to pay the price to get to point where success is possible. Most important, you must pay the price to stay there.

I derived my strength from daily mass and communion.

I believe in God.

If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you'll be fired with enthusiasm.

There is only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything. I do, and I demand that my players do.

For more on Vince Lombardi, read his book edited by his son, Vince Lombardi, Jr., "What It Takes To BE Number One." Inspiring and easy read.

Chima and Nena

Chima Ekeke and his wife Nena with me at the Ignaural Synod of the Anglican Diocese of the South. Chima is a transitional deacon who is leading All Saints' Anglican Church in Atlanta. The Synod was the first gathering of the proposed new diocese.

Easter Reading

I recently posted some quotes from "The Crucifixion of Ministry" by Andrew Purves. Well, I picked up his sequel called "The Resurrection of Ministry." I am slowly working my way through it as I digest and reflect on his comments. Good stuff. Here are a few quotes...

"The actuality of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and his subsequent ascension and ministry at the right hand of the Father and through the Holy Spirit, make Christian faith and ministry possible."

"It's all about Jesus."

"Ministry in the continuing mood of Holy Saturday will sooner or later leave us burned out, dispirited and depressed for this reason: it is not faithful to the reality that is at the core of faith and ministry. That core: Jesus lives."

Other quotes from my readings....

From John Stott --- As Tertullian wrote in his Apology: "Kill us, torture us, condemn us, grind us to dust... the more you mow us down, the more we grow; the seed is the blood of Christians."

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. -- Psalm 1

May Newspaper Column

May's Newspaper column can be read at http://awordfromthelord.org/page.asp?pg=May%202010

Bishop?

This past weekend we hosted the Inaugural Diocesan Synod for the newly forming Anglican Diocese of the South. We were able to ratify our proposed Constitution and Canons and elect our nominee for Bishop of the new diocese.

The Synod elected me by acclamation as the possible bishop, and my name will now be sent to the College of Bishops for their blessing and approval in June. I find the description of the bishop in the Constitution of the diocese quite inspiring...

A bishop is called by God and the Church to be a shepherd who feeds the flock entrusted to his care. A bishop is an overseer of the flock and as such is called to propagate, to teach, and to uphold and defend the Faith and Order of the Church, willingly as God wants him to -- not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to his care, but being a wholesome example to the entire flock of Christ. By the tradition of Christ's One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, bishops are consecrated for the whole Church and successors of the Apostles thought the grace of the Holy Spirit given to them. They are chief missionaries and chief pastors, guardians, and teachers of the doctrine, and administrators of godly discipline and governance.

For me this is a walk of faith as I will continue to serve as the Rector and Pastor of Holy Cross, Loganville. My life verse again speaks to me: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5,6).