Month: September 2018

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What Are You Wearing Today?

Well, if my title didn’t startle you last time it probably did this time. Becoming a fashion-first type of guy is the furthest thing from my mind. Hopefully we can continue the get-out-and-be-counted-idea that I wrote about last time we were together. I have written before that I believe that we are all called to Christian Discipleship for the Savior who died for us. One does not have to be a Pastor or Priest, a Deacon or Bishop to live a life of discipleship, loving his fellow man as himself, being the face of Jesus to any and all with whom he or she might come into contact. I believe that living one’s life in this manner is equivalent to clothing oneself in one’s Christianity. Just as one’s daily choices from the closet, these pieces of one’s Christ-like wardrobe, this mantle should be visible for all to see. What are you wearing today?

Christian Discipleship – A Conscious Decision

Just as we dig through our closets and make up our minds about what clothes to wear for the day or the occasion; we can make a decision before we leave the house to present ourselves as either visible or invisible to those around us. Most of us choose to make an impression of some sort. Depending on our state of mind, our appearance may invoke a positive or negative response in people. Perhaps we chose to make no impression, be invisible to the public eye. That is still a choice, a conscious decision. It is the same with our faith. We can choose to be without visible faith or faith-neutral, or we can choose for our faith to be visible and make an impression. Jesus called us to make a conscious decision to wear our faith to make an impression.

Faith Without Works

In the Anglican Church, this past Sunday’s New Testament reading taught that faith without works is dead. The second chapter of James points out very clearly that claiming we have faith is worthless unless we practice that faith.

Mother Theresa
Credit: Pixabay

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of  you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 

James 2:14-17  (ESV)

Be Significant!

Dr. John Temple, a significant man in his own right, charged his nephew, Matthew, at his ordination not to be successful but to be significant.

“We are not called to be a success. We are called to be significant.”

Reverend Matt Temple and Family
Credit: Overflow Church

I was struck with the profoundness of this statement. Success marks a fleeting moment in time. Significance leaves a legacy. Should we not likewise strive to leave a lasting impression? Perhaps changing the lives of not just one person but future generations as well. Matt’s parents lived a Godly life. They raised Godly children.  Their sons and daughter are following their examples by raising their own children to love the Lord and live Christ-like lives. I would bank on the next generation of this beautiful family being raised in the same manner. Fred Temple, Matt’s father, and my dear friend is just a plain fellow by society’s standards. A simple man. Hard working and quiet. Fred is a significant man.  He puts on the mantle of Christian Discipleship every day. He chooses to be significant. By doing so, he has left lasting marks on an ever-expanding part of the world.

What Are You Wearing Today?

In the future, no one will remember the clothes you wore today. But, if you are clothed in Christ, if you show one person true Christian charity, the Love of Christ, that person will never forget. The mantle of Christian Discipleship, worn for all to see, accompanied by acts of compassion and humanity will certainly be significant in this world where these things are rare and lacking.  What are you wearing today?

Most merciful Father, I pray that you will bless Matt Temple and his family as they strive to do the work you have given them to do. Give them strength and courage to be significant in the lives of others. Abba, I pray we all carry our working faith into our everyday lives. Remind us that it is our duty to actively be the Body of Christ, that being a disciple is a call to action and not just a call to education only. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen

Credit: Bill Martin

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We Eat But We Do Not Exercise

Okay folks, before you go running for the exits, hitting the escape button or otherwise tuning out this post; please bear with me for just one paragraph before you split.  I am going to climb up on a soapbox, but not to preach about the obesity that runs rampant in American society. At 6”4” and 315 pounds, that would be a bit like the guilty throwing the first stone. I will rather today, preach about a complacency that is thriving in our churches today. Particularly in the western world.

Many, too many, Christians have fallen into a trap. We congregate in our Churches on the Sabbath, sing praises, recite prayers, hear the Word of God, many take Communion, we smile and visit with one another and we go home to go about our week. We feel we have done out duty to our God. Dearly beloved, this is the shame we bear. We have come to Christ’s table. We have partaken of the very Body of Christ. And we feel good about ourselves, in that we have done as we should. However, we have not exercised our duty to our Savior. We eat but do not exercise. All too many of us do not even consider the discipleship to which we are called. We are called to spread the Gospel of Christ “even to the ends of the earth.”

It is not enough

It is not enough to go to Church only. It surely isn’t enough to grow a congregation, teach and preach and praise within the confines of our beloved buildings. As disciples, we must be the Body of Christ outside those four walls. A lot of us can not remember the last time, if ever, when we simply mentioned the name of Jesus to someone in our day to day world. Are we being an example of Christ’s teaching to others? If we are not showing love for our fellow man we are not doing enough.

Credit: Pixabay.com

Fear is the tool of the Devil

I believe that many of us are being held back as disciples by fear of some sort. We may be afraid of rejection, or of ridicule. Possibly that we might not know what to say. Some may feel that they cannot quote enough scripture. I think that these thoughts are put in our heads by the evil one. If we falter here he is ecstatic.

The Devil is a Liar

The evil one is the Supreme Liar and we have Truth on our side. We can always speak of the truth of how God has worked in our own lives. Who can dispute the beauty of your own personal experiences with the Love of Christ? If you have seen God work a miracle in your life, by all means, tell someone, tell everyone! We probably shouldn’t stand on a busy street corner with a sign and a megaphone, but we absolutely must speak up. We don’t have to close the deal, but we must approach the subject. It is easier than you may think and it feels so good.

Credit Pixabay

Discipleship…If not you, who?

Christ gave us the Great Commission. I don’t think he meant only the eleven disciples to follow his words. It is hard for me to fathom that Jesus meant for his followers to practice his instructions for just a little while. In the Anglican Faith, after sharing communion, our priests will offer this prayer before our recessional.

Heavenly Father, 
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food 
of the most precious body and blood 
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries 
that we are living members of the body of your Son, 
and heirs of your eternal Kingdom.
And now Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, 
to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, 
be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Church of North America

We eat but we do not exercise

One of the big reasons that Christianity is taking such a beating today is that, as Christians, we are not taking what we have been given and giving that gift to others. The Love of Christ is meant to be shared. Discipleship requires action. We eat but we do not exercise! We must discharge the duties we have been given, get out of our comfort zone. Go forth and share the Light with this darkened world.

Credit: Christianpics

Before I end in prayer, I would like to thank Reverend Canon Keith Allen of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, Mississippi for laying these thoughts on my heart. God bless you always, my Brother.

Blessed Creator of all that is visible and invisible, thank you for loving us so much that you sent your Son to die for us, giving us eternal life. Go with us, I pray, as we endeavor to go about the work you have given us to do. Quiet our fears, filling us with the power of the Holy Spirit and give us Grace to carry the Love of Christ even to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ Holy name I pray.  Amen