A tale of two Christianities is now playing out in Bangassou, a city of about 25,000 in the Central African Republic. U.S. News & World Report on Thursday reported that Muslims in the city have been paying huge sums of money to U.N. contractors to smuggle them to the relative safety of the nation’s capital. … Continue reading A tale of two Christianties
Month: October 2017
In faith, security
I am, by nature, a worrier. I come by this attribute honestly, having hailed from a long line of men who insisted on being grumpy and stressed-out long before Grumpy Cat made it cool. Anxiety-induced insomnia and depression have been my longstanding companions. Overcoming the insatiable desire to worry about tomorrow and all its possibilities … Continue reading In faith, security
Diwali, Light and Christian Love
Today marks the last day of Diwali, the five-day Hindu festival of light also celebrated by followers of the Jain and Sikh faith traditions. I must admit, my knowledge of Diwali is limited to a high school religion class a quarter century back and some online searches to refresh my memory. What I remember and … Continue reading Diwali, Light and Christian Love
The life and ministry of Christ
The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ These synopses were written for an ongoing project at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla. to recall the Biblical messages and symbolism behind the church's stained glass and art work. These are works of art, but the messages behind the glass are far more precious than any … Continue reading The life and ministry of Christ
Shades of suffering
What human suffering can teach us about our empathy bias There's been no shortage of opportunities for us to grieve lately, to wonder at the horrors of human violence and the destructive power of nature. From the shooting in Las Vegas to war in Syria, from the aftermath of Harvey in Texas to the plight … Continue reading Shades of suffering
Fear not: An open letter
To my conservative, Evangelical brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, I am writing in a spirit of love, and with more than a little concern for our shared walk in Christ. You and I may not agree on some things. In fact, we may disagree on quite a lot. But, I’d like to … Continue reading Fear not: An open letter
Our Lady of Fatima
A Day for All Christians Today is the 100th anniversary of the last apparition of Mary to three children of Fatima, Portugal. If you’re Roman Catholic or of the Anglo-Catholic tradition, I don’t need to tell you why today is special or what role St. Mary plays in guiding those in need to the love … Continue reading Our Lady of Fatima
Anglican becomes American
I've been posting pictures and synopses of the meaning behind stained glass windows at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Okla. These two panels depict the roots of the Episcopal Church in the United States, both in its historic and continuing connection to the Church of England and the development of its own Constitution and … Continue reading Anglican becomes American
The Church beyond England
This is the second installment in a series of synopses of the meaning behind stained glass windows at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Oklahoma. While these windows are closely associated with and loved by the parish of St. Matthew's, their symbolism reaches far beyond any parish - or in this case, any diocese or … Continue reading The Church beyond England
The road to Damascus
If you've spent much time in church - of almost any Christian denomination, but not all - you've probably at some point marveled at the beauty of stained glass windows. These incredible works of art depict scenes from the Bible, from church history, from the lives of saints and martyrs. Among the immediately recognizable figures … Continue reading The road to Damascus
Our Holy Guardian Angels
This sermon was given Oct. 4, 2017 at the service of Noonday Prayers, in honor of the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Enid, Oklahoma. Today is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, and honoring him would be a very worthwhile use of our time. But since we will … Continue reading Our Holy Guardian Angels