Today, the Bishop, the Standing Committee, and the Deans are having a meeting of real importance. This is a matter of public record and I take the call to pray for such meetings very seriously.
Here is a list of current Standing Committee members (Jeff Miller is the chairman). The current deans are John Barr, John Scott, Ed Kelaher, Peet Dickinson, Craige Borrett, Chuck Owens and John Burwell. I am quite sure Jim Lewis, our new Canon to the Ordinary, will be there and, yes, I have been asked to be present.
You all know we are not gathering to have tea and crumpets. There is no way we as a diocese can function in the way we have before. How to move forward–together–in a truthful, loving and godly way is the issue. This is a considerable challenge, but we worship the God who is able to do far more abundantly than anything we can ask or imagine (Ephesians) and God has brought us together now for such a time as this (Esther).
It would mean a lot to me if you could pray by name for the people in this meeting–KSH.
Father, we pray for this meeting and in particular for Canon Harmon, that You will guide him clearly so that he is in no doubt what Your will is and so that nothing results from this meeting which is not in obedience to Your will. Grant him Your peace and calm in the midst of all the discussions.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you”
Psalm 32:8
I will also pray that your voices not be lost to or distanced from those of us within The Episcopal Church and that your ministries can move forwarded unmarred by secular legal strife. In my diocese, the national church never forced any particular approach on our parish or the diocese, we were and are (at least thus far) able to continue to witness for a more conservative theological outlook that will, I think, eventually prove its worth. The complaint of my friends who departed seems largely to be one of association, rather than any actual change in practice or expressions of doctrine at the diocesan or parish level. We soldier on and are rewarded by feeling that we provide strongpoints around which truth and unity can form. The Archbishop of Canterbury provided us with new strength yesterday. God be with you in your councils.
Psalm 27…esp. 3-6 – May the Lord lift up your heads (your thoughts and minds, hearts and souls) above your enemies round about you, so that you may offer sacrifices of joy and sing praises unto the Lord. May the Lord set these men and this Diocese in His Pavillion and upon the foundation of the Rock.
May the Lord purify the sons of Levi, call each one to full alignment to His Word and His definitions of Truth, Love and Life in every part of their lives, spirit, soul and body.
In the Name that is above every name,
Jesus Christ, the Savior and Messiah, Son of the Living God, The Way, Truth and Life,
Amen
May you act as the Spirit moves. May God’s holy angels minister to you and with the saints intercede for you in spiritual warfare. What ever you do or decide will be an assault on the Enemy and a witness to TEC which is surrounded in much darkness disguising itself as light. I am called to be a missionary from within but I honor and support my sisters and brothers who listen and respond to God’s call and speak truth to power in other ways and places. May Our Lady be your spiritual warrior in heaven. Her message is always, “Do whatever He tells you”. (John 2:5)
“The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved; but God hath showed his voice, and the earth shall melt away. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. O come hither, and behold the works of the Lord, what destruction he hath brought upon the earth. He maketh wars to cease in all the world; he breaketh the bow, and knappeth the spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire. Be still then and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” (Ps. 46: 6-11)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom than shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid; and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him.” (Ps. 27: 1-3)
You are all in our prayers and you are guided by a wise shepherd and faithful servant. “All will be well and all will be well and all manner of things will be well.”
If South Carolina leads, many will follow.
Lead us. Guide us. But don’t continue to lead us in the same tired paths of loyalty that have been nothing less than the Judas Kiss by TEC.
Blessings on you to have the mind of Christ, His bravery, and a prophetic action.
Kendall, you and all present at today’s meeting have my prayers. Thank you for letting us know. I am praying especially that you personally, and corporately will know the wonderful reality of Ps 62 (part of today’s lectionary)
5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
[…]
11 Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12 and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
[i]Heavenly Father, I pray you would show all who gather today in South Carolina what it means practically in their daily life and witness to wait on You and to hope in You and to not be moved. May they stand firmly on Christ and find Him to be their refuge, no matter how the world or their “enemies” might react to their boldness. Father, help all who are anxious to pour out their hearts to You and to find the peace that comes from laying their cares at Your feet. Almighty Lord, be their glory, the One they delight in and proclaim, and may Your glory be seen daily in their lives and actions. Father remind them of what is true today, what You have Spoken through Your Son. Christ has all power and authority and supremacy. May that knowledge bring them strength and may they rest in Your steadfast love, we pray in and through Christ our Savior, Amen.[/i]
I was also struck by Ps. 68:35:
Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
May the Lord reveal His awesomeness to you as you worship today and may He pour out His power and strength upon you all.
Done.
Ps. 23:
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Lord God, we ask your gift of discernment for those who gather today to take counsel for the Diocese of South Carolina. May your wisdom be the thinking in their hearts and the words on their lips. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Will pray as requested today.
Prayed up! Look forward to hearing about the third way! Peace.
Vince Gill says it all
click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK3FRZkuwv0
Lifting up to you Lord your servants;
Mark, Jeff, John, John, Ed, Peet, Craige, Chuck, John, and Kendall.
Thy will be done. Amen
Prayers from Louisiana.
Our prayers from those of us on the other side of the Savannah River.
#13: sermons from Vince Gill? Er, no.
May the Peace of God be with you all, so that, the conflagrations and upheavals having faded, in peace there may be quiet that you hear the still small voice with perfect clarity. May the Holy Spirit visit you and anoint you with his Love that you be comforted, your burden forever lifted, and you go on your way rejoicing this day, and all the days forward. In the name of our Lord and Saviour I pray. Amen.
The meeting started at 10:30. We are still meeting. The atmosphere is focused, intense, deeply trusting of one another and the bishop, and with a sense that the stakes are very very high.
Please keep praying.
Praying hard in California.
I just came across this great prayer on Lutheran pastor [url=http://pietist.blogspot.com/2009/07/devotion-god-whose-strength-is.html]Eric Swensson’s blog[/url]
Lord God, whose strength is sufficient for all who lay hold on it, grant us in your mercy to comfort our hearts and be strong. Humility, temperance, purity, largeheartedness, sympathy, zeal – grant us these evidences of faith, servants of hope, fruits of love; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our strength, our righteousness, and our hope of glory. Amen. (Christina Rossetti, quoted in Fox, A Chain of Prayer, p.161)
It seems to fit this meeting for South Carolina.
#17
Not a sermon, just a song
K+, have your list printed out, and happened by my church on an errand. We had a short prayer session in the office for you, collectively on the SC, and your diocese.