I am pleased to say that I returned home last evening. I am finding the whole process a challenge, especially the physical therapy and pain management. I sincerely appreciate the support and prayers--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine

Tomorrow is knee replacement surgery for yours truly, which means blogging will be impacted. Having not been through this before, it is not worth guessing how it may be impacted because recovery and therapy is different in each case. But it will shift for sure.

The procedure itself takes place early tomorrow morning.

I/we appreciate your prayers--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Blogging & the Internet • Health & Medicine

Listen here if you wish.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Ascension • Pentecost • Missions • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Christology • Ecclesiology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Theology: Holy Spirit (Pneumatology) • Theology: Scripture

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Education • Health & Medicine

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Education • Young Adults

We now approach quite a challenging period for the family--two graduations and one knee replacement surgery for yours truly over the next few weeks. We head this afternoon to Vanderbilt for Nathaniel's graduation, then Elizabeth graduates from MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina, a doctorate in the nursing practice [ie D.N.P.]) next week, and then (ugh!) I have surgery on Tuesday the 21st. We would be grateful for your understanding and prayers especially in this time, thanks--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Christian Life / Church Life • Spirituality/Prayer • * Culture-Watch • Children • Health & Medicine • Marriage & Family

Listen here if you wish.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Easter • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Theology • Anthropology • Eschatology • Theology: Scripture

Heavenly Father and gracious God, we thank you for this day, for your presence with us, and for your love for us, a love so deep that even the hairs on our head are numbered in your sight; grant that through the Holy Spirit we may walk today as children of the light who rejoice in that love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--Kendall Harmon

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Spirituality/Prayer

A little while back I was in an online chat and was asked this question--do you have a recent sermon you have preached on (the doctirne of) justification? The person with whom I was chatting was in a theological argument with his brother on the topic. I had to think for a while, and found the following one that fits the bill. You can obtain the sermon here (it even comes with an outline)--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Anthropology • Christology • Theology: Scripture

I deny any knowledge whatsoever of the people in this photograph.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • History

Listen here if you wish.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Culture-Watch • Urban/City Life and Issues • Violence • * Economics, Politics • Terrorism • * Theology • Anthropology • Eschatology • Theology: Scripture

A wonderful French comedy-drama film based on a true story. Terrific acting, lovely music, great scenes from Paris, and all deeply touching. The official website is here. Check it out if you have not done so--KSH (Hat tip: Abigail Harmon).

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Movies & Television

We wish Kendall a very Happy Birthday today.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

Listen here if you wish.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • Spirituality/Prayer • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Lent • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics

In the season of Lent 2013, the Titusonenine blog needs to shift in terms of its focus and character.

There are a number of reasons for this, but let me cite several.

First, I have had a significant change in my personal circumstances. My father, as a number of you know, came down to South Carolina suddenly in 2012, in need of skilled nursing care. Since getting him an original place to be looked after, we wanted to move him closer to ourselves here in Summerville if possible, and recently a spot has opened up at the Presbyterian Home here (they now call themselves “The Village at Summerville”).

Dad has just moved to this new facility in early 2013. He is 80, and neither of us is getting any younger. My wife and I would like to see him more often, and this is a wonderful opportunity.

Also, my right knee has been a continuing and worsening problem. A number of years back I had surgery for a torn meniscus. Then a couple of years ago the pain began to inch up to the point of being more and more of a distraction and obstacle. It was time to go to the doctor (yuck). I have now been to two specialists, both of whom say I need a knee replacement. When this was first proposed, I nearly screamed (by the way I am not getting older and not in denial either [g]). Now that both of them and my wife and my co-worker at the parish where I serve have said it is time, the jig is up. It looks like the procedure will be in the late spring. I need to get ready.

Second, the situation in the diocese is demanding. The conflict with the national Episcopal Church is a real mess and it is not only personally and emotionally draining, it is spiritually challenging. True, is also an opportunity, but I need to retool the engines so to speak in order to live into that possibility.

Thirdly, the parish where I serve is headed into a new Lenten series entitled “into the wilderness.” The more I wrestled and prayed with the theme the more appropriate I sensed it would be for me to be more in the wilderness also in terms of a blog break.

Finally, although I can scarcely believe it, this blog has been in operation for ten years as of next month. Somehow that timing, also, makes this choice appropriate.

In any event, with the exception of some Anglican and South Carolina news and developments, blog posts will focus on theological and devotional topics as well as open threads on edifying discussion topics, and I will be posting occasionally with help from others.

I wish all of you a blessed lent 2013, and ask your prayers for myself, my family and the diocese of South Carolina. Thank you for your readership, participation, and support—KSH.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: South Carolina • * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Lent • * Culture-Watch • Blogging & the Internet • Health & Medicine • * Theology • Pastoral Theology

Are human beings born good or born with a volcanic anti-God allergy in their hearts? Answering this theological question is one of THE great challenges for Christians as we stand on the brink of a new millennium.
On one side of the divide stands Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Men and women “are born free,” he famously said in his Social Contract, yet “everywhere” they are “in chains.” Rousseau believed that we are born good. His explanation for the deep problems in the world? They came to us from outside us. Error and prejudice, murder and treason, were the products of corrupt environments: educational, familial, societal, political, and, yes, ecclesiastical.

Note carefully that the FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM is located outside men and women, and the MEANS of evil developing comes from the outside in. The NATURE of the problem is one of environment and knowledge.
Augustine (354-430) saw things very differently. Describing the decision by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Augustine writes in The City of God: “Our parents fell into open disobedience because they were secretly corrupted; for the evil act had never been done had not an evil will preceded it.” The motive for this evil will was pride. “This is undue exaltation, when the soul abandons Him to whom it ought to cleave as its end, and becomes a kind of end to itself … By craving to be more” we “became less;” and “by aspiring to be self-sufficing,” we “fell away from him who truly suffices” us.

For Augustine, men and women as we find them today are creatures curved in on themselves. We are rebels who, rather than curving up and out in worship to God, instead curved in and down into what Malcolm Muggeridge once termed “the dark little dungeon of our own” egos.

In this view the FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM is located inside men and women, and the means of evil developing comes from the inside out (note Jesus’ reasoning in Mark 7:18-23). The NATURE of the problem is one of the will.

The difference between Augustine and Rousseau could not be more stark. In a Western world permeated by Rousseau, we need the courage to return to the challenge and depth of Augustine’s insight.
To do so makes the good news of the gospel even better. Think of Easter. What is the image which Paul uses to describe what occurs when a man or woman turns to Christ? New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)! Jesus rose to transform the entire created order from the inside out, beginning with our evil wills which he replaces with “a new heart…and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Glory Hallelujah!

--Kendall S. Harmon from a piece in 2007

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Lent • * Theology • Anthropology

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Anthropology • Theology: Scripture

Burkina Faso played wonderfully well with a great deal of heart.

My thanks to ESPN 3 for making it possible for me to watch my first ever Africa Cup of Nations final--KSH.

Update: There is a lot more there.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Sports • * International News & Commentary • Africa • Burkina Faso • Nigeria

Elizabeth and I finally got to this and it was simply lovely in every sense. Touching, moving, well acted and produced--it has all the hallmarks of a true story, based as it is on the diaries of one who worked as a midwife as it is--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine • History • Movies & Television • Women • * International News & Commentary • England / UK

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Christmas • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Theology • Anthropology • Christology • Soteriology

I believe the hardest job in America today is that of being a Roman Catholic parish priest.

Perhaps the most challenging single job this year is that of Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The spiritual leader of 500,000 people in one of the most heavily Roman Catholic regions in the United States, Hughes, according to the New York Times, had to put together a diocese "in exile." The task was to reorganize the Archdiocese, including a charitable network and 104 parochial schools, inBaton Rouge. Can you imagine?

"I never thought the Lord was going to ask me to take this on at 72," said the Archbishop. Indeed.

And here is where faith in the child in the manger comes in. Looking out at all the flooding, devastation, looting and loss, the reporter asked Alfred Hughes whether he still had hope.

He declared: "Absolutely. Absolutely. That is the root of our faith."

"The most important thing is to not doubt God's presence and God's saving and transforming grace," he continued. "I'm convinced that God is going to purify us through this."

What a bracing affirmation in the midst of so many who are tempted to soften Christmas into a Hallmark Card these days. "In the bleak midwinter," Christine Rosetti reminds us, "frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone."

Talk about bleak — how about New Orleans after Katrina? Yet the good Archbishop says "I am convinced." If there can be light in the bleakness of Bethlehem, in the miry initial despair of New Orleans after such a fury of nature, there can ALWAYS be hope. For the light shines in the darkness at Christmas, and the darkness has not and never will overcome it.

--The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon from 2005

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Christmas • * Theology

Acts Lesson 6 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.
Earlier videos are below

Acts Lesson 5 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Acts Lesson 4 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Acts - Lesson 3 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Acts Lesson 2 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Acts Lesson 1 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Christmas

Christina Rossetti’s words pierce my heart at Christmas, year after year:

“Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign.”
It is worth pausing and pondering the answer to the question: how deep and how broad was that love?

To move with me toward an answer, journey to a small chapel in Cartmell Fell, a little known holy place in the North of England. If you know where to look when you arrive there – the stone is half hidden in the chancel — you can find a 1771 inscription with elegant lettering:

“Underneath this stone a mouldering Virgin lies,
Who was the pleasure once of Human Eyes.
Her Blaze of Charms Virtue once approved
The Gay admired her, much the parents loved.
Transitory life! Death untimely came.
Adieu, farewell, lonely leave my name.”

The words describe Betty Poole; she was a little girl who died at age three.

Christina Rossetti also wrote:

“In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone…”

It is only when the bleakness of this world and its iron hardness is fully felt, that the miracle of melting which began at Christmas can penetrate and shock us into appropriate awe. God’s love enveloped the whole moaning, stony, sin-sick world. It is broad enough to embrace it all, in this world and the next.

I imagine being with Betty Poole in Heaven and hearing her say with a smile, “God’s love was bigger than I thought!”

--The Rev. Dr. Kendall S. Harmon

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Christmas • * Theology

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Christmas

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Blogging & the Internet • * International News & Commentary • Canada • England / UK

Does Advent in your parish serve as a season of anticipation for the second coming of Christ? It is to focus on preparing us for both comings, the first in Bethlehem and the second in glory, but Christmas preparation has gained huge precedence in the last century.

It wasn't always thus. Advent was once a time for hearing about the last four things, death, judgment, heaven and hell. A word about heaven is apt here.

The Scriptures teach that we were made by the God of heaven, in Jesus Christ heaven begins now on earth, and we are ultimately destined for the fullness of that heaven. And what is heaven? A place of rejoicing in and seeing God's glory reflected in creation, a place of family reunion, of ultimate worship, of the final homecoming, and of the joyful face to face encounter with God himself who loves us more than we could ever imagine.

Why focus on our ultimate destiny? Because one of the most profound ways in which to think of the church is as a little glimpse of heaven on earth. So who are we called to be? A place where people are stewards over and delighters in God's creation, a place of rich fellowship, where the stranger is welcomed and given refuge, a place of deep worship, where God is encountered in his full glory, a place of real homecoming, where people are safe to love and be loved and to develop their gifts for ministry in a context where they are free to
fail, and, finally, a place where God's face is truly seen. Wow.

There is a vision for every church in the twenty-first century. I pray that God might grant us the grace to embrace this vision and to move forward into it together as the new millennium begins.

--The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon (From 2002)

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Advent • * Theology • Eschatology

While the tragedy...[at Columbine High School] continues to grip the nation, real answers for the reason behind it have so far proved elusive.

You have heard the voices. Youth culture is the problem, Hollywood is to blame. Where were the parents? What about the school officials who could have, should have, known sooner? Maybe gun availability is the culprit.

Others point the finger at the devastating impact of peer pressure, and on and on it goes.

But amidst this din of stories, analysis and commentary, there is one thing which is not being said. Its silence has become deafening, yet it begs to be heard because it points the way to a more painful, yet more hopeful answer.

Can you think of what is not being said? What is nearly always blurted out in other situations but has not been articulated in this one?

Judge not. You remember this one, don't you? Jesus said it, right? What is fine for you is fine for you, but I have a different take on it. You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to, you say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to.

But suddenly the cat is out of the bag, because the one thing everyone is doing is judging.

. To say Hollywood is showing too much violence implies there is a standard of decency which Hollywood has violated. If people are upset that the parents did not know, that implies an idea of an effective parent (involved) and a bad parent (uninvolved).

Strange word, that, BAD. Opposite of GOOD (not effective, as misused above - did you notice?)

We do not hear these words, good and bad, very much anymore, do we? What happened to the so-called "post-modern" world? I thought we were to speak of values and preferences. I thought we were not supposed to judge.

Our reaction to Littleton says volumes more than even the tragedy of Littleton itself, because it exposes our hypocrisy about judgment. We claim to live in a world of taste and lifestyle, but the moment anything of real import occurs the game shifts to be played on another field. On this field, words like God and goodness, the satanic and evil, beg to be used, because they are the only way in which to begin to wrestle with the magnitude of it all. "Anger management" classes just are not enough.

But then the guns went off, and not only our judgments poured forth, but God's did as well. If Littleton means anything, it means God's judgment upon an America which is losing its moral and spiritual vocabulary and imagination.

When Jesus said "judge not" in Matthew 7:1, he did not mean what he is often alleged to have meant, that we are not to judge. He calls for his followers to judge "with right judgment" (John 7:24) which is how we, like him, are able to distinguish between true and false prophets (Matt. 7:15-20).

What is at issue is what is being judged and how. The human heart and a person's ultimate spiritual condition is something God alone can judge, but we can judge people's behavior and words - "you will know them by their fruits" - and render partial verdicts when appropriate.

The full verse, the second half of which is frequently left off, is, "judge not, that you be not judged," by which Jesus means we are to judge with the awareness that the standard we use on others is one which we will also be judged by.

So we are called by the judgments about Littleton [the community in Colorado where Columbine High School is located] to hear the judgment we are bringing on ourselves, and the far more important judgment God is making and will render upon us. We are indeed one nation under God.

As applicable today as when I first wrote it--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Education • Violence • * International News & Commentary • America/U.S.A. • * Theology • Theodicy

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Advent • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

I listened to NPR yesterday for over an hour back and forth from a doctors appointment.

The entire time they talked about President Obama's proposal to implement the middle class tax cut now.
Everywhere I turn its middle class tax cut, middle class tax cut...

Except it isn't but no one thinks about these things.

What is being proposed is not letting the current tax code STAY THE SAME.
So 98% of Americans WON"T HAVE A TAX INCREASE.

Since when is not having an increase a cut?

Anyone you know say I am getting the same number of days vacation this year as last year I am angry I get a benefits cut!

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Economics, Politics • Economy • Personal Finance • Taxes • The U.S. Government • Budget • Medicare • Social Security • The National Deficit • Politics in General • House of Representatives • Office of the President • Senate

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • History • Movies & Television

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

People in the early twenty-first century seem to struggle to be thankful. One moving story on this topic concerns a seminary student in Evanston, Illinois, who was part of a life-saving squad. On September 8, 1860, a ship called the Lady Elgin went aground on the shore of Lake Michigan near Evanston, and Edward Spencer waded again and again into the frigid waters to rescue 17 passengers. In the process, his health was permanently damaged. Some years later he died in California at the age of 81. In a newspaper notice of his death, it was said that not one of the people he rescued ever thanked him.

Today is a day in which we are to be reminded of our creatureliness, our frailty, and our dependence. One of the clearest ways we may express this is to seek to give thanks in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6).

I am sure today you can find much for which to give thanks: the gift of life, the gift of faith, the joy of friends and family, all those serving in the mission field extending the reach of the gospel around the world, and so much else. I also invite you to consider taking a moment at some point today to write a note of thanksgiving to someone who really made a difference in your life: possibly a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a minister or a parent. You might even write to the parish secretary, the sexton, or the music minister in the parish where you worship; they work very hard behind the scenes.

–The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon is the convenor of this blog and takes this opportunity to give thanks for all blog readers and participants and to wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Theology

Spiritual Disciplines Study from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Dieting/Food/Nutrition

I always felt this election was between a weak incumbent and a weak campaign, and that view has not changed. I knew it was going to be very close at the popular level, and said to several friends that the only way Mitt Romney stood a chance electorally was to win Virginia, Ohio and Colorado. He lost all three.

So why did we have this outcome? There are a lot of reasons, but in my view the main ones are these:

The incumbency is a powerful thing--always has been, but all the more so today when the (office and position of the) Presidency has gained more power (too much power?) than before.

The Republican primary season was too long, and focused way too much on small ball.

Mitt Romney ran a weak campaign. He failed to criticize the President's policies effectively, and to articulate a positive alternative vision that would excite the country.

The Democrats ran an effective campaign, and this in two senses. First, they made a strategic decision to make the campaign more about attacking their opponent than anything else. Further, they did this by deploying material early in order to paint Mitt Romney as someone from the elite upper class who was not able to identify with ordinary Americans. I have seen precious little good analysis on this, but class was one of the most important aspects of this election. It remains one of the biggest in this country (race is there for sure, but I believe class is the most important). The Republican campaign did not have an effective response to this attack.

Second, the GOTV (get out the vote campaign) and so-called ground game was more effective by the Democrats--again. I was surprised by Virginia and Florida both of which exhibit the skill here.

Finally, this is about electoral advantage. In the current make up of the country, the Democratic candidate has a much bigger starting Electoral College advantage than many have appreciated. The President invested heavily in the key battleground states as a result of being assured of so many easy wins in places like New York and California. It was this combined with the powerful ground game that won them a solid electoral majority, even though as of now it appears as though it will come from a narrow popular vote majority.

In the end, it is this simple: a weak incumbent beat a weak candidate because the election was always the formers to lose, and it didn't happen, especially electorally.

Let me end on a positive note--I am so glad we have a clear victor, and it looks like in both votes. I really do not want to go through a 2000 contested election into December again. Thankfully, it was avoided.

Let us remember that governing is MUCH harder than campaigning, and the two are not the same. And let us continue to pray that God has mercy on America--KSH.

Update: I found it interesting to go back and reread what I wrote about the 2008 campaign--Why What Happened Happened in Election 2008.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Economics, Politics • US Presidential Election 2012

There is a lot of gobbledook floating around on this election so it is important to cut to the bottom line:

(1) The President has a definite advantage in the electoral College

(2) Mitt Romney has a chance to win

(3) This is a weird year. I absolutely, positively am skeptical of many polls and much of the analysis--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Economics, Politics • US Presidential Election 2012

Heavenly Father we ask that you will have mercy on America today and bless us in spite of ourselves. We ask that you will give wisdom to all who go to the polls to cast their votes. Help us as we make difficult decisions on a variety of issues and as we seek to elect men and women who will hunger for righteousness and seek the common good to positions of authority in our towns and cities, in our states and in our nation. We pray against any voter fraud or any corruption of proper voter access and ask that justice be done in each and every election, whatever the locale. We also pray for peace and grace with one another as the results are received and digested, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns in glory everlasting, Amen--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Spirituality/Prayer • * Culture-Watch • Law & Legal Issues • * Economics, Politics • Economy • Taxes • The U.S. Government • Budget • Politics in General • City Government • House of Representatives • Office of the President • Senate • State Government • US Presidential Election 2012 • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology

Our son recommended it to us, and a friend from the Midwest said it was very well received in the Chicago area. I was glad I forced myself to read nothing about it, because it was not what I thought it would be. Definitely not suitable for certain viewers and rated as such, but a very good script and cast finely directed by Zemeckis--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Movies & Television

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church History • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Pastoral Theology • Theology: Scripture

The Episcopal Church (TEC) has made an attack against our Bishop and Diocese, in the midst of efforts for a negotiated settlement, which has fundamentally changed our common life. You may have heard or read about this over the last week but it is vital today that we all understand what has occurred and what it means as clearly as possible.

For many years the diocese of South Carolina has opposed the primary theological direction of the national Episcopal Church (TEC). As TEC leadership has moved away from the claim of Jesus’ uniqueness, the authority of Holy Scripture, the meaning of marriage and the nature of what it means to be human, we have had to be more steadfast in our defense of these truths, and more vocal and strong in our opposition to TEC’s disavowal of them.

In the past few years this conflict has escalated to the point where in 2011 charges were brought against Bishop Lawrence (and later voted down in Committee), and where the 2012 General Convention placed an unbiblical doctrine of humanity into the Canons of the Church. The doctrine, discipline and worship of TEC were all fundamentally changed in a fashion most of our clergy cannot and will not comply with. Bishop Lawrence and a majority of our deputation left the Convention before it concluded as a result.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • TEC Conflicts • TEC Conflicts: South Carolina • TEC Diocesan Conventions/Diocesan Councils • TEC Polity & Canons • * By Kendall • * South Carolina

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

You can read Paul White's attempted defense here. Next, please make sure to read the whole rule in full which you can find there. You will note that Mr. White quotes neither the full text of the rule nor even the whole paragraph of the rule's explanation.

Here is why he is wrong:

(1) The last two sentences of the rule explanation (not quoted by Mr. White) state--"The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately." The call is to be immediate. It was not. Watch the replay as many times as you like.

(2) Note also White's correct summary of the purpose of the rule--"The rule exists so an infielder doesn't purposely drop the ball so he can get force outs for a double or triple play." Does anyone serious believe, based on where the ball actually was on the field, that a double or triple play could have been attempted much less achieved? Also note that the argument that the runners were protected anyway since they both advanced a base does not work because on a ball this deep they would have advanced 1/2 to 2/3 of the way on the fly ball before going back if it were caught--thus what happened to the runners would have happened anyway which provides no protection whatsoever.

(3) Note next the exact text of the explanation as given by White--"The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball could have been as easily handled by an infielder." The key word is the word "easily," and this was not a play that fits that definition, it could be made, and made with difficulty, indeed one of the reason why the call was made so late was because the infielder and outfielder were so close together which only happens when an infielder is way into the outfield. It could NOT have been handled "easily." Also, the reason the umpire's call was in no way immediate is because all the way until the very last seconds it was not clear whether the infielder or the outfielder was going to make the play.

(4) Finally I defy Mr. White to examine all the times this rule has been applied and to find how many similar balls THIS FAR INTO THE OUTFIELD were ever subject to the infield fly rule being called. Rules to be applied properly must be applied similarly in similar circumstances. No fan if his or her team were the other team would have felt this was a fair or reasonable application of this rule, both in terms of its actaul language, and especially its intent--KSH.

Update: Hal Bodley of mlb.com has it right:

But in 54 years of covering Major League Baseball, I've never seen the fly rule called when a fielder isn't under the ball. The infield fly is a complicated rule, designed to prevent infielders from intentionally dropping a popup with more than one runner on base to perhaps get an extra out.

It wasn't even close in this case. As Holliday charged in, Kozma, his glove outstretched, took a few steps back, deeper into the outfield.

.Another update: Alex Hall disagrees.

Yet one further update:According to an ESPN article:

To put Friday's controversial play into context, in the past three seasons, there were six infield flies that were not caught in the majors, according to Baseball Info Solutions, the longest measured at 178 feet.
Friday's infield fly was measured at 225 feet from home plate, according to Baseball Info Solutions.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Men • Sports • * International News & Commentary • America/U.S.A.

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

I finally got to watch this production during the past week after knowing peripherally about the story. Wow--incredibly powerful. And, as usual, there was so much I did not know--KSH. Here is the blurb about it to whet your appetite:

See how one man's conviction and determination helped save 3,000 lives on 9/11.

In 2001, Rick Rescorla was the 62-year-old head of security at the Morgan Stanley Bank. The bank's offices were situated high up in the South Tower at the World Trade Center. Rescorla was convinced that Osama Bin Laden would use jet planes to try and destroy the World Trade Center.

Long before September 11th, he developed an evacuation plan for the bank. The plan and its preparation were hugely unpopular with the Morgan Stanley staff, many of whom thought Rescorla was mad. Ultimately, however, the plan saved 3,000 lives. It was put into effect after the first jet hit the North Tower--even though WTC managers were instructing everyone to stay in the buildings. When the second jet hit the South Tower, Rescorla averted panic and organized a rapid evacuation. Rescorla went back inside to help the injured and trapped get out. He was still inside when the building collapsed and his body was never found.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • History • Movies & Television • * Economics, Politics • Terrorism

Since I get asked about her from time to time, some blog readers may find a little about my wife there.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

Listen to it all if you so desire (give the audio 30 seconds at the beginning to right itself).

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Economics, Politics • Economy • Labor/Labor Unions/Labor Market

My father's health took a major turn for the worse and so we have been scurrying around working on getting him a place to stay. He will be in a skilled nursing facility in the greater Charleston area, and he arrives tomorrow. To say this represents a major change would be an understatement.

Please pray for us and especially for my Dad, Stuart, who turns 80 next month as we all seek to adapt, adjust and let God bless us in the midst of it all--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Aging / the Elderly • Children • Health & Medicine • Marriage & Family • * South Carolina

Ok, take a look at this.



That is but one photo of 9000 women from around greater Charleston and beyond at the North Charleston Coliseum this past weekend who came to hear Bible teacher Beth Moore.

Now explain something to me. How is this not a major story? Would you not want, say, to interview Beth Moore? To talk to some of the participants (who came from every Christian tradition imaginable)? To find out why people came and stood in line for hours just to get inside? To ask them what they learned? To talk to the (quite talented and influential) music team? To find out why the wife of a local Episcopal Church minister (yes, you read that correctly) was the local area coordinator for the event? My questions could go and on.

Instead we get three perfunctory announcements and that is all, like this--on August 18th. Not one story, no features, no interviews, no local angles--and all this in a city where faith is a major part of common life.

Anyone else think this is outrageous and sad? I do--KSH.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Media • Religion & Culture • Women • * Religion News & Commentary • Other Churches • Evangelicals • * South Carolina • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

You may find the general link here; then you can choose to play them sermon audio directly there but note there is also a download option available.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Theology • Christology • Theology: Scripture

We live in an age of angst and anxiety. Nearly everywhere I look, almost everyone I speak to, seems vexed, fearful, frustrated, worried, or some basic variation on this theme. What about a job, what about the economy, why won’t the slow motion train wreck of the Eurozone ever end, what about the health even of our own American democracy which increasingly seems polarized and stuck, what about the future, what about Anglicanism, what about our parish…and I am guessing you could add your own items to elongate this list even further.

Yet the God revealed to us in Holy Scripture is Jehovah-Jireh, The LORD will provide (Genesis 22), and Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that our Heavenly Father does quite well, thank you, for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and of how much more value are we than they (Matthew 6)?

Our Lord wants us not to focus on ourselves and what could be coming or should be different but on Him and what is given as grace and gift.

We didn’t make ourselves, we didn’t make our friends and family, we didn’t make this day, we didn’t make our parishes where we worship. All of life itself, and all that eternal life in Jesus Christ means, is grace and gift. The Prayer Book has the opening individual devotions of the day begin “open our lips O Lord and our mouth shall show forth thy praise,” because simply to arise from sleep and be alive, and to have our Lord and Redeemer to praise, is a marvelous wonder to behold.

My early mentor when I first graduated seminary and began parish ministry, Charlie Walton, tells a wonderful story of a children’s sermon where he brought little ducklings as a surprise to show the children. They were all seated around him and he had a box brought in, and one could begin hearing noise and then—ta da—the box top was removed and there were expressions of joy and wonder at the ducklings. Father Walton went on to ask what the animals were and then he asked carefully if the children felt any of the ducklings they saw seemed afraid, anxious or concerned. Oh no, said each child who was asked. They aren’t; indeed they wouldn’t be. Why, asked Father Walton. Because their parents would take care of them all the children asserted. It was what parents did.

The punchline came when he asked the children if God cared more for them than the ducklings’ parents cared for their baby ducks. Indeed God did, said the children. Then Father Walton looked up at the parents of the very same children in the congregation and saw faces of formerly anxious people convicted by the truth of the lesson.

It is a teaching that never gets old, particularly in times like these. The Lord has, does and will provide. May he give us a greater awareness of the degree to which that is true for us in the days and weeks ahead.

--The Rev. Dr. Kendall Harmon is Canon Theologian of the Diocese of South Carolina and convenor of this blog

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology

We elves are thrilled that Kendall is posting more of his sermons and Bible teaching on the blog, and we thought it would be helpful to create an easy way for blog readers to find all those excellent resources with one click.

There is now a blog sub-category under the "By Kendall" category, called "sermons and teachings"

Here's the link so you can bookmark it: Kendall's Sermons and Teachings

Filed under: * Admin • * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Biblical Commentary & Reflection • Parish Ministry • Preaching / Homiletics

Listen to it all if you care to do so.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

LATEST TALKS:

[8] BEING CONFIDENT - 1 JOHN 5:1-5

1 John Lesson 8 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[9] CONCLUSION - 1 JOHN 5:6 on

1 John Lesson 9 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.


EARLIER TALKS:

[1] INTRODUCTION TO 1 JOHN

1 John - Lesson 1 , Introduction from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo

[2] BEING CERTAIN OF YOUR FUTURE - 1 JOHN 2:1-17

1 John Lesson 2 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[3] BEING DISCERNING - 1 JOHN 2:18-29

1 John Lesson 3 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[4] BEING CHILDREN OF GOD - 1 JOHN 3:1-10

1 John Lesson 4 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo

[5] BEING ACTIVE - 1 JOHN 3:11-24

1 John Lesson 5 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[6] BEING MATURE - 1 JOHN 4:1-6

1 John Lesson 6 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[7] BEING LOVED - 1 JOHN 4:7-19

1 John Lesson 7 from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[8] BEING CONFIDENT - 1 JOHN 5:1-5 is above.

[9] CONCLUSION - 1 JOHN 5:6 on is above.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings

Listen here if you wish [Mark 6:1-6]

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Listen here and more information here h/t Standfirm

Also available: Kendall Harmon's Sermon on Perception Mark 6:1-6 here

Filed under: * By Kendall

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * General Interest • Animals

[1] JESUS - BAPTIZER IN HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus - Baptizer in Holy Spirit from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

The other 3 videos are below

[2] JESUS - INCARNATE

Jesus Incarnate from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[3] JESUS - LORD OF ALL

Jesus - Lord of All from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

[4] JESUS - JUDGE

Jesus - Judge from Christ St Pauls on Vimeo.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Adult Education • * South Carolina • * Theology • Christology • Eschatology • Theology: Scripture

This General Convention action is unbiblical, unchristian, unanglican and unseemly. It will further wreak havoc among Anglicans, and indeed Christians, in North America and around the world.

By making this decision, The Episcopal Church moves further away from Jesus Christ and his teaching. It thereby makes it necessary for the diocese of South Carolina to take further decisive and dramatic action to distance itself from this false step.

We in South Carolina must differentiate to stay loyal to Christ, but also to keep our own parish members and not hinder the mission of Jesus Christ who loves all and transforms all by the power of the Holy Spirit to holiness of life, a holiness which has a clear shape agreed by Christians East and West throughout 20 centuries.

--The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon is Canon Theologian for the Diocese of South Carolina and convenor of this blog (and he makes this statement for himself)

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • General Convention • --Gen. Con. 2012 • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Marriage & Family • * South Carolina • * Theology • Anthropology • Ecclesiology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Pastoral Theology • Theology: Scripture

There have been a number of occasions over the years in TEC like this where a key document or statement has come out, and the response has been, shall we say, less than satisfactory. Therefore there needs to be some preparation on our part so as to try to react in a Christian manner. Herewith some suggestions:

(1) Please try to read the actual text of the resolution itself and concentrate on the language used. I am sorry if this seems obvious but my Mom was an English teacher--you would be amazed at how little it actually occurs. Who are the worst people to do a Bible study with? Seminarians. Why? Because they have the most deep seated ideas of what the text says before they read it. It is vital that the text be heard on its own terms.

(2) Try to draw conclusions yourself FROM THE TEXT before getting your head clouded with what others think. Be aware that some of the early reactions will be wrong.

(3) When you consider others reactions, read from a variety of sources. You should regularly be visiting reappraiser and reasserter sites, writers you agree with and authors who drive you crazy.

(4) Make your early evaluations tentatively. "It seems to be saying that," "what I hear the statement saying is," are the kinds of things I would prefer to hear.

(5) Be aware that every statement like this goes through a process of sifting. Give it at least three days. There is an earthquake, there are aftershocks, and then things settle down.

(6) Expect the discernment to be a corporate activity. We still seek to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ, and we need one another. We are. as Ephesians says (4:15), to speak the truth in love. May the way we respond demonstrate this--KSH.

By the way--anyone recognize most of the language here? It is from something I wrote in 2007. Nick Knisely wrote [now Bishop-elect of Rhode Island] at the time that he found himself "pretty much full agreement with [my]suggestions"

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Commentary • Episcopal Church (TEC) • General Convention • --Gen. Con. 2012 • TEC Bishops • TEC House of Deputies • TEC Polity & Canons • Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion) • Same-sex blessings • * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Marriage & Family • Media • Religion & Culture • Sexuality • --Civil Unions & Partnerships • * Theology • Anthropology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Pastoral Theology • Theology: Scripture

They kept their decision confidential. Not one leak, Not one semi-sliver of a little detail released prematurely. Lips sealed.

It has a role, and, yes, it can be done--even today. Confidentiality, secrets, limits that should not be breached--these things matter.

Hooray for them--it is one of the reasons there is so much surprise.

Say what you want about the actual decision, but this aspect of its handling deserves real praise--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine • --The 2009 American Health Care Reform Debate • Law & Legal Issues

Tonight Elizabeth and I journey to New York State to see my Dad on Lake George.

I have been at this blog since the first part of 2003, and it is time for a break. As I am constantly insisting to my friends, none of us is indispensable, and this is a way of living that out by yours truly. Remember I told you I am the type of person who goes to bed every night just a little sad--only a little--about how much I don't know (and still wish to find out). So moving away from the information addiction for me will not necessarily be easy--but it is important.

I will check in from time to time, but will be posting less (you are going to want to check in dailyish, though, for things such as tomorrow's Supreme Court decision on Health Care). The elves are busy and will provide threads and ideas only as they are able. Full blogging will only resume July 5th which coincidentally(?), is the first day of General Convention 2012. Thanks for your prayers, your comments and your support--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

Listen to it all

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * General Interest • Animals

Elizabeth and I went Saturday night and loved it. Good story, fine characters and an off the charts cast.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Movies & Television

This is from yesterday from yours truly if you have an interest. It was preached at Saint Andrew's, Mount Pleasant, S.C. and is based on Articles 12-14 of the 39 articles and readings from Ephesians 2:1-10 and Matthew 25:31-46. The link included downloadable options as well as sermon notes and questions.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * South Carolina • * Theology • Pastoral Theology • Soteriology

Listen to it all if you care to, and note there are links to a number of the handouts used.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • General Convention • TEC Parishes • * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Liturgy, Music, Worship • Parish Ministry • * Culture-Watch • Marriage & Family • Sexuality • --Civil Unions & Partnerships • * South Carolina • * Theology • Anthropology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Theology: Scripture

(I thought of this when I was reading the previously posted article. It is only very slightly edited from its orignial form as a post on the blog in 2004--KSH).

Andrew Adam covers an absolutely taboo topic with some helpful comments, including this truth:

One of the problems at the seminary level is that very few people preach a half-decent sermon in their first dozen, two dozen, perhaps hundred sermons. Overall, the standard of preaching in the Episcopal Church is pretty low, so some people preach sermons that aren’t nearly as bad as the average; but most folks need more than three or four practice sermons in seminary to make significant strides toward fluency and grace in preaching.

I [Kendall Harmon] would submit that the question ought to be why the Episcopal Church is not repenting over our pitiful preaching. Most Episcopal preachers today think they are terrific, and in most cases they aren't good at all, or worse than that.

The Episcopal Church in my view has no outstanding preachers, zero, none, nada. It is why in a movement like Promise Keepers there are no ECUSANS who are part of the preaching program. Someone like T.D. Jakes ought to be considered a possible model for great preaching, yet in a diocese I know well when one of my friends mentioned him a bishop said : "Who is that?"

Preaching simply isn't a priority in ECUSA, and our system gives us the fruit of that.

If you want to see what I consider a typical Episcopal sermon look at this.

Note: an openly heretical beginning invocation, he tells us mostly what he does NOT believe, but when it comes to being constructive, he is extremely weak. In terms of Scripture and the Tradition we have little. In terms of organization it is merely o.k. The application is pitiful if it is there at all.

Yet: if I gave this sermon to many ECUSANS I bet they would say it was pretty good. A lot of people in ECUSA consider that priest to be a solid preacher!

Good preaching has three parts: it is biblical, it is organized, and it applies the Bible to the lives of those listening. 90% of Episcopal sermons I listen to do not even meet those three criteria which is what is needed to GET OUT OF THE STARTING BLOCKS toward being a good sermon (never mind a great one).

Let me conclude with two points. We do have a few--a very few--preachers with potential. I think John Howe is a very good preacher, and Paul Zahl can be quite good when he is on. Among those slightly younger, Russell Levenson...[is a] good preacher...who may develop into [a] very good [one]....

But I would counsel those who want to learn of great preaching to drink heavily from better wells. Go listen to Tony Evans or T.D. Jakes or Jack Heyford for at least a year. If you want Anglicans listen to John Stott sermon tapes, or those of Michael Green.

And repent and pray for better preaching, and for better preachers, in ECUSA. Heaven knows we need them--KSH.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * Culture-Watch • Religion & Culture • * International News & Commentary • America/U.S.A. • * Theology • Seminary / Theological Education

Listen to it all if you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Pentecost • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * South Carolina

You can find the audio here, it may be listened to directly or downloaded as an MP3 file.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Analysis • Episcopal Church (TEC) • General Convention • * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * South Carolina

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * General Interest • Animals

Listen to it all; it is based on John 15 verses 9 and following.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • * South Carolina • * Theology • Pastoral Theology

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

Wow. It was really super. Watch it all.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Movies & Television

O Heavenly Father and gracious God, I thank you for the gift of this new day, and acknowledge that you are the One who can do far more abundantly than all that I could ask or imagine. Grant that today I may so run with perseverance the race that is set before me, that the wind of the Holy Spirit may be at my back and your son Jesus Christ would be my forerunner, to lead me faithfully to be who you desire me to be and to do that which you are calling me to do. Amen.

--Kendall Harmon

Filed under: * By Kendall • * Christian Life / Church Life • Spirituality/Prayer

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Parishes • * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • History • Marriage & Family • * Theology • Seminary / Theological Education

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Parishes • * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • History • Marriage & Family • * Theology • Seminary / Theological Education

Listen to it all; it is based on 1 John 1 the opening few verses.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Easter • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * South Carolina • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Easter • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * South Carolina

Above all the gospel accounts of Easter compel our attention. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” One version of this wonderful day begins with a voice of negation, a crucial question which many people never answer. Are we looking for love in all the wrong places? Are we clinging to earthly things and forgetting those things which do not pass away?

Then we hear “come and see.” To see with the full eyes of one’s heart is a rare thing indeed. So many times in life we look but do not see, do not perceive as God perceives. The power of the post-resurrection narratives is that each person is met on his or her terms. What wondrous love is that, as the Holy Spirit by his power opens our eyes.

The dynamic does not stop with the question and the call to see, however. If we really see who God is and his power to change lives and transform them into the likeness of his glory, we cannot keep it to ourselves.

Where I served my curacy in South Carolina, we had many Clemson football fans; they root for the Tigers whose color is orange. One day I visited a family devoted to Clemson and, I kid you not, even their toilet seat cover was orange. Bless them, they loved to tell the story of a particular University. One wonders whether an Easter people have a similar passion to share Jesus’ love for the world.

He is risen. Why? Come. See. Go. Tell. Alleluia.

–The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall S. Harmon is the host of this blog

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Easter

Listen to it all should you have such an inclincation.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • Spirituality/Prayer • * South Carolina

Not everyone had the capacity of the willingness to suffer through the audio, and now through the kindness of some very hard working individuals you can read a transcript if you are interested.

You may find part one there and part two is here.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Analysis • - Anglican: Commentary • Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • TEC Conflicts • TEC Departing Parishes • TEC Parishes • * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Pastoral Theology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all should you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

There is no way I can do justice to how I truly feel about losing our cat of eighteen years and a bunch of months and going on nineteen years. When we moved back to Summerville, South Carolina, in 1993 from Oxford, England, we got her from the SPCA.

She was there through it all--three places to live, the children going from 4, 2 and not yet 1 to where they are now, my living through three rectors in three years in one parish (and living to talk about it), Elizabeth going back to graduate school at MUSC, her graduation, all three secondary school graduations, and all the current twists, turns and travails of the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the diocese of South Carolina.

So many things changed, but except for our faith and our family, she was the only constant, friendly, joyful, content, present, glad to be alive and part of it all. The world is a sadder place because she is gone, but we are all the better from having been given God's gift of Sprightly--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * General Interest • Animals

Check it out if you wish to listen to this recent sermon.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Lent • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Christology • Pastoral Theology • Soteriology • Theology: Scripture

Part one is here and part two is there. You are encouraged to take the time to listen to (suffer through?) it all.

Please note--these are both audio files. The time begins with a short Q and A to introduce me to those present before the questions shift to the subject at hand. Note, too that Bishop Kee Sloan of Alabama was invited by the Dean, Frank Limehouse, to come, which he (graciously) chose to do. During the time, Dean Limehouse invited Bishop Sloan to speak, and he chose to do so. This covers a wide range of recent events/developments and will be of broad interest to many blog readers--KSH.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Analysis • - Anglican: Commentary • Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • TEC Data • * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Adult Education • Ministry of the Laity • Ministry of the Ordained • Stewardship • * Culture-Watch • Law & Legal Issues • * Theology • Christology • Ecclesiology • Ethics / Moral Theology

Check it out if you wish to listen to it.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Lent • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Soteriology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all should you so desire.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all should you wish to.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * South Carolina • * Theology • Christology • Theology: Scripture

Listen to it all should you wish to.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Sermons & Teachings • * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • Ministry of the Ordained • Preaching / Homiletics • * Theology • Anthropology

I am back at it today after a time for a more Christmas and Epiphany focus and some (needed) time with family. There is a lot of catching up to do--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Culture-Watch • Blogging & the Internet

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

The whole family (two parents, three children) is gathering with my father for New Years, along with my brother and his wife.

I am keeping blogging on the light side with a Christmas focus, tentatively planning to return to "normal" blogging around Epiphany. The exception I am making is for major news, such as the Nigerian church bombings earlier in Christmas, or the Ordinariate news in the last two days--KSH.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family

Our wonderful oldest daughter Abigail, with Temah, our Toy Maltese.

Filed under: * By Kendall • Harmon Family • * Christian Life / Church Life • Church Year / Liturgical Seasons • Christmas