|
|
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 12 of 12
And then there was one week left. At some point next week, I’ll start to make the transition back into the life and ministry of All Angels. Late next week I’ll be setting up my office computer system (which has traveled with me this summer) and will be checking in to see how the summer has been for our church leaders and staff. Spiritually speaking, I will continue in the growth that has started within me during the sabbatical. Prior to the summer, spirituality was a daily, and at times, hourly, encounter assisting the schedule of a priest. Taking a break from that schedule has shown a different side of God.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Ps 46:1)
But what about God while on vacation?
What is the experience of God in retirement?
Without the daily pressure of ministry – when I know that God is my strength and refuge – where then is God?
I am happy to report that God is still very present. God-in-sabbatical has been a Trinity of wisdom dispenser, guide, and deep-question-asker. When I don’t need daily help (which, of course, I always need God’s help) and have set aside time to ponder and think, God is very much present. Here’s the interesting thing: God is not more present or less present when on vacation or doing ministry. It’s the same God, of course, who is very much present. But, like how a sunset changes from one moment to the next, the complexity and depth of God’s presence changes when I am taking an intentional time to rest and read.
Jesus depended upon God’s presence daily in His earthly ministry. The Gospels show a number of times when Jesus escapes ministry to spend time alone with God. I have a better understanding now of why Jesus did that. The experience of God while at rest is different than when involved in daily ministry. God is the same; but the encounter of God is different.
I had a very good boss at the insurance company. Tim was always present to help me with underwriting decisions and how to craft up communication strategies. Every Friday we went out to lunch with the rest of the unit. Tim-at-lunch is a different experience than Tim-at-work. Tim-at-lunch was interested in my life; like how Christi is doing, how home ownership was going, and if I am preparing funds for retirement. Tim-at-work was interested in my work-stuff. It’s all Tim (he’s the same guy) but my encounter with him was different. I had no idea how important those Friday lunches were but, as it turned out, they were equally important to the day-to-day managerial Tim experience.
If I had not taken a sabbatical, I would have missed out on the God-of-sabbatical – the One who asks deep questions, who guides me and encourages me to research and think harder about things. The One who is interested in my resting life as well as my ministry life. God is the same God but my encounter with Him changed. And this is perhaps the best gift of sabbatical: encountering God-at-rest and seeing that whether in ministry, or at rest, God is always my strength and my refuge.
– Fr. Dave
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Ps 46:1)
But what about God while on vacation?
What is the experience of God in retirement?
Without the daily pressure of ministry – when I know that God is my strength and refuge – where then is God?
I am happy to report that God is still very present. God-in-sabbatical has been a Trinity of wisdom dispenser, guide, and deep-question-asker. When I don’t need daily help (which, of course, I always need God’s help) and have set aside time to ponder and think, God is very much present. Here’s the interesting thing: God is not more present or less present when on vacation or doing ministry. It’s the same God, of course, who is very much present. But, like how a sunset changes from one moment to the next, the complexity and depth of God’s presence changes when I am taking an intentional time to rest and read.
Jesus depended upon God’s presence daily in His earthly ministry. The Gospels show a number of times when Jesus escapes ministry to spend time alone with God. I have a better understanding now of why Jesus did that. The experience of God while at rest is different than when involved in daily ministry. God is the same; but the encounter of God is different.
I had a very good boss at the insurance company. Tim was always present to help me with underwriting decisions and how to craft up communication strategies. Every Friday we went out to lunch with the rest of the unit. Tim-at-lunch is a different experience than Tim-at-work. Tim-at-lunch was interested in my life; like how Christi is doing, how home ownership was going, and if I am preparing funds for retirement. Tim-at-work was interested in my work-stuff. It’s all Tim (he’s the same guy) but my encounter with him was different. I had no idea how important those Friday lunches were but, as it turned out, they were equally important to the day-to-day managerial Tim experience.
If I had not taken a sabbatical, I would have missed out on the God-of-sabbatical – the One who asks deep questions, who guides me and encourages me to research and think harder about things. The One who is interested in my resting life as well as my ministry life. God is the same God but my encounter with Him changed. And this is perhaps the best gift of sabbatical: encountering God-at-rest and seeing that whether in ministry, or at rest, God is always my strength and my refuge.
– Fr. Dave
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 11 of 12
Greetings from a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean.
I struck up a conversation with Sorin, the food services manager of the cruise line owned Bahama island the ship was docked at. I asked for coffee (it was in the morning). He reluctantly replied that there's no coffee on the island and offered a Red Bull for caffeine (I declined).
In our conversation, I found out he is from Romania. I asked if in his wildest dreams if he ever imagined he'd be living where he is. He laughed, and gave an empatic no in reply. At the end of our conversation, he gave me a blessing in his native language - May God bless you wherever you are and wherever He takes you.
I ask God for the same blessing for you. And, may God bless us to see each other again soon.
I struck up a conversation with Sorin, the food services manager of the cruise line owned Bahama island the ship was docked at. I asked for coffee (it was in the morning). He reluctantly replied that there's no coffee on the island and offered a Red Bull for caffeine (I declined).
In our conversation, I found out he is from Romania. I asked if in his wildest dreams if he ever imagined he'd be living where he is. He laughed, and gave an empatic no in reply. At the end of our conversation, he gave me a blessing in his native language - May God bless you wherever you are and wherever He takes you.
I ask God for the same blessing for you. And, may God bless us to see each other again soon.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 10 of 12
Greetings from South Dakota!
Christi and I drove from Colorado to Rapid City, SD, to spend time with our daughter Galina, her husband Alan and their four children. This was the first time we have seen them in their natural environment (instead of visiting us in Florida). For those who experience the joys of grandparenting, you know what we are experiencing – it’s exhilarating and tiring.
The project I have been working on is the reality that in our spiritual life, we are called to be vulnerable with God and live a life of humbleness. Notice I didn’t write life of humility because in 21st century English, “humility” can be what someone has done to another. Living a life of humbleness is a choice that each person can make.
I was writing at a coffee shop and the guy next to me asked, “What are you writing.” I said, “About humility.” The guy asked, “Yeah, are you pretty good at it?” I replied, “You bet, I’m the most humble person you’ll ever meet. In fact, you’ll never meet someone humbler that me!” He laughed.
In all seriousness, I think Jesus is the most humble person we’ll ever meet. He said: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Learn from me for I am humble in heart. It’s an invitation, not a command. And, I think it’s the best (perhaps only) way a humble person can express that they are humble without violating their own lifestyle of humbleness.
Jesus invites us into a life of following Him in humbleness. One way to do that is to spend time with people who tend to get overlooked in life. In Jesus’ day, children were undervalued and overlooked. Maybe that’s why He said: “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:4) Children seek out other children, and sometimes those who are different or overlooked, and can relate to them. They seem to do it naturally.
My roommate in college, Corey, was born without arms past his elbow. One day we were hanging out at the mall near the children’s play area waiting for friend to get off work. A child walked up to Corey and asked, “What happened to your arms?” I cringed, but he didn’t. He smiled and said, “I was born unique. Look around, no one has arms as cool as mine.” The child smiled and asked if he wanted to play with his Hot Wheels cars on the slide.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life by reaching out in humbleness to someone who is overlooked.
- Fr. Dave
Christi and I drove from Colorado to Rapid City, SD, to spend time with our daughter Galina, her husband Alan and their four children. This was the first time we have seen them in their natural environment (instead of visiting us in Florida). For those who experience the joys of grandparenting, you know what we are experiencing – it’s exhilarating and tiring.
The project I have been working on is the reality that in our spiritual life, we are called to be vulnerable with God and live a life of humbleness. Notice I didn’t write life of humility because in 21st century English, “humility” can be what someone has done to another. Living a life of humbleness is a choice that each person can make.
I was writing at a coffee shop and the guy next to me asked, “What are you writing.” I said, “About humility.” The guy asked, “Yeah, are you pretty good at it?” I replied, “You bet, I’m the most humble person you’ll ever meet. In fact, you’ll never meet someone humbler that me!” He laughed.
In all seriousness, I think Jesus is the most humble person we’ll ever meet. He said: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
Learn from me for I am humble in heart. It’s an invitation, not a command. And, I think it’s the best (perhaps only) way a humble person can express that they are humble without violating their own lifestyle of humbleness.
Jesus invites us into a life of following Him in humbleness. One way to do that is to spend time with people who tend to get overlooked in life. In Jesus’ day, children were undervalued and overlooked. Maybe that’s why He said: “Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:4) Children seek out other children, and sometimes those who are different or overlooked, and can relate to them. They seem to do it naturally.
My roommate in college, Corey, was born without arms past his elbow. One day we were hanging out at the mall near the children’s play area waiting for friend to get off work. A child walked up to Corey and asked, “What happened to your arms?” I cringed, but he didn’t. He smiled and said, “I was born unique. Look around, no one has arms as cool as mine.” The child smiled and asked if he wanted to play with his Hot Wheels cars on the slide.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life by reaching out in humbleness to someone who is overlooked.
- Fr. Dave
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 9 of 12
Greetings from Colorado!
Christi and I are on the travel side of the sabbatical (rest, ready, study, write, travel). The last time I was in Colorado was the summer of when I was a rising sixth grader. We loaded up the VW Bus and drove from Tacoma Washington to Denver to visit my dad’s uncle who was a geologist. My first impression of Colorado this time was this: what do you mean it’s not 80 degrees at night! Brrrr… (spoken like a Floridian) Speaking of Florida, there sure a lot of mountains around here but no sunsets over the Gulf.
I’ve been deep into Matthew’s Gospel. This coming Sunday’s Gospel lectionary reading has this phrase from Jesus: [After Jesus gave five parables comparing common things to the Kingdom of Heaven]
He said, “Have you understood all this?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
I think this is a great phrase because we get a glimpse at who Jesus is talking to – the scribes. Back in the 1st century, scribes would follow notable people and write down, verbatim, what they said. Then, they would go home, write out copies of it on papyrus and then sell the copies at the market. Imagine how newspapers were sold on the street corner in New York City 100 years ago. They’d yell: “Extra, extra, read all about it: Man finds treasure hidden in a field, sells all that he has and buys it!” Along the same lines, scribes would follow Jesus and write down what He said and then sell them at the market.
In this passage, Jesus looks at them and said: Did you get all of that? Once they finished writing, Jesus compared them – the scribes – to a wealthy master of a household who displays his treasure – both new treasures and old.
I think Jesus was giving a compliment to the ministry of the scribes. I also think Jesus was encapsulating His style – bringing out old treasure (Torah) and new treasure (images of the Kingdom of Heaven).
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life; of both new treasure and old.
- Fr. Dave
Christi and I are on the travel side of the sabbatical (rest, ready, study, write, travel). The last time I was in Colorado was the summer of when I was a rising sixth grader. We loaded up the VW Bus and drove from Tacoma Washington to Denver to visit my dad’s uncle who was a geologist. My first impression of Colorado this time was this: what do you mean it’s not 80 degrees at night! Brrrr… (spoken like a Floridian) Speaking of Florida, there sure a lot of mountains around here but no sunsets over the Gulf.
I’ve been deep into Matthew’s Gospel. This coming Sunday’s Gospel lectionary reading has this phrase from Jesus: [After Jesus gave five parables comparing common things to the Kingdom of Heaven]
He said, “Have you understood all this?”
They answered, “Yes.”
And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
I think this is a great phrase because we get a glimpse at who Jesus is talking to – the scribes. Back in the 1st century, scribes would follow notable people and write down, verbatim, what they said. Then, they would go home, write out copies of it on papyrus and then sell the copies at the market. Imagine how newspapers were sold on the street corner in New York City 100 years ago. They’d yell: “Extra, extra, read all about it: Man finds treasure hidden in a field, sells all that he has and buys it!” Along the same lines, scribes would follow Jesus and write down what He said and then sell them at the market.
In this passage, Jesus looks at them and said: Did you get all of that? Once they finished writing, Jesus compared them – the scribes – to a wealthy master of a household who displays his treasure – both new treasures and old.
I think Jesus was giving a compliment to the ministry of the scribes. I also think Jesus was encapsulating His style – bringing out old treasure (Torah) and new treasure (images of the Kingdom of Heaven).
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life; of both new treasure and old.
- Fr. Dave
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 8 of 12
A realization happened this week that I am excited to tell you about: I have become enamored again with Jesus’ words. I love Jesus. I am enamored with His way of life, His humility, and how He reaches out to those who are different and far away. I am also fond of His leadership style of raising up people and sending them out. But now, I am fired up about His words.
For the past couple of years, I have been really focusing on the Hebrew Scriptures (commonly called the Old Testament). As many of you have pointed out, I’ve been preaching the Good News from the Hebrew Scriptures – just like saints Peter and Paul did.
During my sabbatical time, I’ve been really digging deep and immersing myself in Jesus’ words. This is what I did way back in my teenage years when I got to know Jesus of the Gospels. And now, I’m back to doing what I did back then. I am very much enamored and engrossed in what
He said.
As you know, there are four canonical Gospels of the New Testament. But that is not all that was ever written about Jesus. There are more than forty known non-canonical gospels – most of which are collections of sayings by Jesus himself. The people who wrote and circulated these were also enamored with what He said (and not so much where they were said or what Jesus was doing at the time).
That’s where I am right now in my faith journey – not pondering so much of where Jesus was, or what He was doing, when the words were spoken, but focusing on the meaning of the words themselves. We call it a living word and that is certainly coming alive for me while on sabbatical.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life; and the milestones, like getting to know someone again through their words.
For the past couple of years, I have been really focusing on the Hebrew Scriptures (commonly called the Old Testament). As many of you have pointed out, I’ve been preaching the Good News from the Hebrew Scriptures – just like saints Peter and Paul did.
During my sabbatical time, I’ve been really digging deep and immersing myself in Jesus’ words. This is what I did way back in my teenage years when I got to know Jesus of the Gospels. And now, I’m back to doing what I did back then. I am very much enamored and engrossed in what
He said.
As you know, there are four canonical Gospels of the New Testament. But that is not all that was ever written about Jesus. There are more than forty known non-canonical gospels – most of which are collections of sayings by Jesus himself. The people who wrote and circulated these were also enamored with what He said (and not so much where they were said or what Jesus was doing at the time).
That’s where I am right now in my faith journey – not pondering so much of where Jesus was, or what He was doing, when the words were spoken, but focusing on the meaning of the words themselves. We call it a living word and that is certainly coming alive for me while on sabbatical.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life; and the milestones, like getting to know someone again through their words.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 7 of 12
I am happy to say that Elijah got his Florida driver’s license this week. He is now licensed to drive (without a parent in the car)! It’s been an exciting road (pun intended) for him and us. Last summer, he and I drove his grandmother’s car – the red Toyota Rav4 – from California to Florida. He had experience driving before then but not long stretches of interstate highways. After a couple of days on the road, he was good at driving at freeway speeds but still have difficulty navigating parking lots.
He now can drive well in parking lots, at night, in the rain, and all the other driving required in our area. Perhaps tonight at youth group, he will take the car by himself, for the first time, ever.
Now all four of our children, and our daughter-in-law Mackenzie, have their driver’s licenses. It is quite an accomplishment.
This week I have really been digging into Scripture and taking my time enjoying the process. It is such a blessing to be able to read, for fun and spiritual development, the various books of the Bible. I also have very much been reading, and re-reading Matthew’s Gospel. I have done extensive study into Mark, Luke and John. Matthew was always a mystery to me. Well, no more, he’s becoming like a friend in ministry now.
Thank you for giving the me the time to study and reflect on Scripture. I miss you all and look forward to being back. This is a good time of refreshment. Plus I’m doing some writing. I did over 4,000 words today alone. (Not including this Reflection)
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life; and the milestones, like getting a driver’s license.
- Fr. Dave
He now can drive well in parking lots, at night, in the rain, and all the other driving required in our area. Perhaps tonight at youth group, he will take the car by himself, for the first time, ever.
Now all four of our children, and our daughter-in-law Mackenzie, have their driver’s licenses. It is quite an accomplishment.
This week I have really been digging into Scripture and taking my time enjoying the process. It is such a blessing to be able to read, for fun and spiritual development, the various books of the Bible. I also have very much been reading, and re-reading Matthew’s Gospel. I have done extensive study into Mark, Luke and John. Matthew was always a mystery to me. Well, no more, he’s becoming like a friend in ministry now.
Thank you for giving the me the time to study and reflect on Scripture. I miss you all and look forward to being back. This is a good time of refreshment. Plus I’m doing some writing. I did over 4,000 words today alone. (Not including this Reflection)
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find the joys and surprises in life; and the milestones, like getting a driver’s license.
- Fr. Dave
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 6 of 12
We are half-way through the sabbatical. I now see the benefit of taking 12 weeks because it took me three weeks to really settle into this new routine of study, reflection, and some writing (and time off). The past two weeks I have been researching a project that I feel called to write about. My friend, and fellow podcaster and Episcopal priest, Alex, suggested the best parts of the Bible are the most difficult to read. That led me to take a good look at one of the most disturbing things that Jesus said. It is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount (chapter 7 of Matthew’s Gospel). Jesus said:
“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it.
[He gave a warning about false prophets and how to know if someone is false because of the fruit they produce, and then this]
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you who behave lawlessly.’”
The phrase, “I never knew you,” has always troubled me. So, I decided to take a deep dive into it. I now have 22 pages of notes on it. Today I started writing. At this point, I don’t exactly know what form it will take but I am thinking it will be a Lenten study about the pitfalls of spiritual self-deception (and how to be known by Jesus).
I also have taken time this week to read the Declaration of Independence which was unanimously signed 250 years ago this coming Saturday. Some historians talk about the celebration of the signors but I’m of the camp that believes it was a day of solemnity and reflection because of the uncharted (and very dangerous) path the colonies were heading down. I invite you also to read it and take a moment of solemnity and reflection to see how far we have come and to ponder how you are doing with living into the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find seek the narrow gate that leads to life.
“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through that gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it.
[He gave a warning about false prophets and how to know if someone is false because of the fruit they produce, and then this]
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you who behave lawlessly.’”
The phrase, “I never knew you,” has always troubled me. So, I decided to take a deep dive into it. I now have 22 pages of notes on it. Today I started writing. At this point, I don’t exactly know what form it will take but I am thinking it will be a Lenten study about the pitfalls of spiritual self-deception (and how to be known by Jesus).
I also have taken time this week to read the Declaration of Independence which was unanimously signed 250 years ago this coming Saturday. Some historians talk about the celebration of the signors but I’m of the camp that believes it was a day of solemnity and reflection because of the uncharted (and very dangerous) path the colonies were heading down. I invite you also to read it and take a moment of solemnity and reflection to see how far we have come and to ponder how you are doing with living into the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find seek the narrow gate that leads to life.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 5 of 12
It’s odd how there are twenty-two theories of consciousness yet none of them fully define what it is. This week I read about the three levels of consciousness found in Tibetan Buddhism – the gross mind (associated with waking state, the senses, the mind – “thinking” – and organs of the body), the subtle mind (consciousness in dreams and in meditation) and the innermost subtle consciousness (some find this only at the time of death). Of these different states, the most profound are the last two. The most common, of course, is the gross mind. … which is telling me right now I could use a cup of coffee.
Jesus and the prophets have the ability, in prayer, to reduce the gross mind and to focus on the subtle mind and, occasionally, the innermost subtle consciousness. I can imagine Moses up on the holy mountain with God was less in his waking state and more in his subtle state. It reminds
me of watching my first sunset on Longboat Key with our treasurer, Sandy Wood. We were waiting and watching for the green flash. I’d like to add a layer of consciousness to this mix – the one where we are watching TV and, in comparison, the consciousness of intentionally standing in nature to commune with God who creates all things.
I’d also like to add the conscious level of having to deal with passwords, passkeys and two-step verification levels. This would be a frustrating level of consciousness – similar to being stuck in traffic or at a red light with no other cars around. I bring this up because every Sunday of Sabbatical, so far, All Angels has encountered a different level of frustration at getting our joyful and uplifting service online. On the first Sunday, a contractor cut the internet line to the church that was only discovered that morning. The second week was a two-step verification on Zoom (which involves my phone). Week three was a two-step verification of YouTube (also on my
phone) and last week was a similar hiccup when I was away from my phone. While in my Sabbatical conscious mind of meditation, it dawned on me that we can livestream from Zoom. Today, with some of the live stream team at All Angels, we got it to work consistently (even after shutting off the computer and restarting it).
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find yourself in nature to experience a deeper level of consciousness with God and all that God has made.
Jesus and the prophets have the ability, in prayer, to reduce the gross mind and to focus on the subtle mind and, occasionally, the innermost subtle consciousness. I can imagine Moses up on the holy mountain with God was less in his waking state and more in his subtle state. It reminds
me of watching my first sunset on Longboat Key with our treasurer, Sandy Wood. We were waiting and watching for the green flash. I’d like to add a layer of consciousness to this mix – the one where we are watching TV and, in comparison, the consciousness of intentionally standing in nature to commune with God who creates all things.
I’d also like to add the conscious level of having to deal with passwords, passkeys and two-step verification levels. This would be a frustrating level of consciousness – similar to being stuck in traffic or at a red light with no other cars around. I bring this up because every Sunday of Sabbatical, so far, All Angels has encountered a different level of frustration at getting our joyful and uplifting service online. On the first Sunday, a contractor cut the internet line to the church that was only discovered that morning. The second week was a two-step verification on Zoom (which involves my phone). Week three was a two-step verification of YouTube (also on my
phone) and last week was a similar hiccup when I was away from my phone. While in my Sabbatical conscious mind of meditation, it dawned on me that we can livestream from Zoom. Today, with some of the live stream team at All Angels, we got it to work consistently (even after shutting off the computer and restarting it).
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day. And may you find yourself in nature to experience a deeper level of consciousness with God and all that God has made.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 4 of 12
I hope this message finds you in good health – both mental and physical.
This week has been a big slowdown compared to the travel that occupied the first couple of weeks and then the home repairs that happened last week. I wrote to you about installing a ceiling fan (including running the wire and building two junction boxes). What I didn’t tell you is that the air conditioning unit was malfunctioning (water was condensing inside and not flowing outside) in our condo. Making a long story short, that could have had a very expensive ending, I fixed it!
This week Elijah is at DaySpring camp, and I have committed myself to study and deep reflection. The sabbatical is giving me time to go into subjects that I have been interested in but require a lot of time and attention. In particular, I’ve been reading about reason and consciousness (and the twenty-two theories of what consciousness is). One of the books that has fueled my interest in this subject is The Enigma of Reason by Sperber and Merceir. The authors begin their book with a discussion about bats and echolocation. It can be assumed that echolocation is an evolutionary product to help bats fly in caves and eat bugs in the dark. Why then, they ask, do humans have reason? Is it evolutionary or was it preconfigured in the human’s mind. Reason helps us “see in the dark” of life and find food. Yet, reason is also an enigma. It takes reason to know if one has reason; yet it defies description because it is always more than what we know and certainly more than what we can write about. They wrote this:
Reason is commonly viewed as a superior means to think better on one’s own; we argue that it is mainly used in our interactions with others.
That is one of the many enigmas of reason.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day.
This week has been a big slowdown compared to the travel that occupied the first couple of weeks and then the home repairs that happened last week. I wrote to you about installing a ceiling fan (including running the wire and building two junction boxes). What I didn’t tell you is that the air conditioning unit was malfunctioning (water was condensing inside and not flowing outside) in our condo. Making a long story short, that could have had a very expensive ending, I fixed it!
This week Elijah is at DaySpring camp, and I have committed myself to study and deep reflection. The sabbatical is giving me time to go into subjects that I have been interested in but require a lot of time and attention. In particular, I’ve been reading about reason and consciousness (and the twenty-two theories of what consciousness is). One of the books that has fueled my interest in this subject is The Enigma of Reason by Sperber and Merceir. The authors begin their book with a discussion about bats and echolocation. It can be assumed that echolocation is an evolutionary product to help bats fly in caves and eat bugs in the dark. Why then, they ask, do humans have reason? Is it evolutionary or was it preconfigured in the human’s mind. Reason helps us “see in the dark” of life and find food. Yet, reason is also an enigma. It takes reason to know if one has reason; yet it defies description because it is always more than what we know and certainly more than what we can write about. They wrote this:
Reason is commonly viewed as a superior means to think better on one’s own; we argue that it is mainly used in our interactions with others.
That is one of the many enigmas of reason.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 3 of 12
I had a wonderful visit to the great State of Washington. Living in Florida has made me appreciate mountains. I took a photo from the plane of the first mountain range I saw. While in Seattle, I saw Mt. Rainer in the near distance (which often is hidden by clouds). The best part was spending days with my mom, having dinner with my brother twice and staying with my two close friends, Mark and Jeff.
Now back at home, Elijah and I installed a ceiling fan in the primary bedroom of the condo we rent out. It was an all-day event, with some advice from Ed Upshaw, that turned out successfully. Christi told me that the condo will now always have a fan in it and that is something to be proud of. I am also happy that Elijah has now learned how to install one.
I read a book, The President’s Daughter, by James Patterson that was co-written with former President Bill Clinton. One of the main characters is a Secret Service agent. If you are looking for a fast-paced summer read, you may want to take a look at it.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day.
Now back at home, Elijah and I installed a ceiling fan in the primary bedroom of the condo we rent out. It was an all-day event, with some advice from Ed Upshaw, that turned out successfully. Christi told me that the condo will now always have a fan in it and that is something to be proud of. I am also happy that Elijah has now learned how to install one.
I read a book, The President’s Daughter, by James Patterson that was co-written with former President Bill Clinton. One of the main characters is a Secret Service agent. If you are looking for a fast-paced summer read, you may want to take a look at it.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 2 of 12
I’m writing to you from my home state of Washington. The week started with Christi, Elijah and I going on a wonderful four-day cruise. The next day I boarded a plane for Seattle to see my mom.
I read three books while on the cruise. One was a western-style fiction book about a Game Warden in Wyoming. Another was an interesting intersection between Jewish faith traditions and Buddhism (in context of some rabbis meeting the Dali Lama). The third is by author Joseph Nguyen titled Don’t Believe Everything You Think. Undoubtedly, you’ll be hearing some sermons on this topic. The point I’d like to raise with you is this: trust your gut feeling, or instinct, or intuition, or revelation from the Holy Spirit. (There are many ways to express the thought that bubbles up from God in the mind) Trust that thought. At the same time, try to quiet the “thinking” that always follows a gut instinct.
Here’s an example: the thought of taking a Sabbatical presented itself. My self-critical “thinking” mind took over and made all sorts of excuses of why I shouldn’t go. (You can see the thought won out over the “thinking”)
This book is a wonderful way to begin the Sabbatical because I get to focus on the gut feelings/instincts/inspirations from the Holy Spirit and to give my negative thinking process a rest.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day.
I read three books while on the cruise. One was a western-style fiction book about a Game Warden in Wyoming. Another was an interesting intersection between Jewish faith traditions and Buddhism (in context of some rabbis meeting the Dali Lama). The third is by author Joseph Nguyen titled Don’t Believe Everything You Think. Undoubtedly, you’ll be hearing some sermons on this topic. The point I’d like to raise with you is this: trust your gut feeling, or instinct, or intuition, or revelation from the Holy Spirit. (There are many ways to express the thought that bubbles up from God in the mind) Trust that thought. At the same time, try to quiet the “thinking” that always follows a gut instinct.
Here’s an example: the thought of taking a Sabbatical presented itself. My self-critical “thinking” mind took over and made all sorts of excuses of why I shouldn’t go. (You can see the thought won out over the “thinking”)
This book is a wonderful way to begin the Sabbatical because I get to focus on the gut feelings/instincts/inspirations from the Holy Spirit and to give my negative thinking process a rest.
May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, and the thoughts that God blesses us with each day.
Sabbatical Reflection
Week 1 of 12
The Ice Cream Social Coffee Hour, hosted by the Marshalls, was a big hit. We used all three cartons! Christi and I went out on a anniversary celebration dinner Sunday night. Elijah went with a friend to see the new Mandalorian movie. This week we are boarding a cruise ship from Tampa headed to Cozumel and then back. It’s a great way to start our family summertime together. I hope for good weather. May God bless you this week and may you find time to ponder God, creator of all things.
- Fr. Dave
- Fr. Dave
Commanded Rest
When our son, Ethan, was two years old, he needed to be told to go to bed every night. If it were up to him, he’d stay awake with us in the living room. This meant we had to tell him, every night (and repeatedly) to go to bed.
Rest is so important that Scripture commands it in the Ten Commandments.
Here are the first four:
#1, I am the Lord your God (you will have no other but me);
#2, Make no idols;
#3, Do not misuse my name;
#4, Rest on the Sabbath.
As you can see, rest is ranked #4 in importance. Putting this in comparison, it ranks above the prohibitions of murder, adultery, stealing and lying.
In Mark’s Gospel, chapter 6, the disciples were “coming and going and had no leisure time, even to eat.” Jesus said: Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. This sounds like a nice invitation from Jesus; but in reality, it’s a command. Mark wrote it in Greek. The first word of the sentence is δεῦτε (doo-tay). It’s a command. A more accurate Greek to English translation is this: ’Come away now! This instant; with me! Like a two-year old who must be told to go to bed, Jesus is commanding his disciples to come away to rest.
Scripture has many commands for rest. I’d like you to consider these three starting with the sheep in Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. We, the sheep, are “made” to lie down by the shepherd to rest. Consider Psalm 46. The Israelites cried out to God in distress about natural disasters, unrest in the city, and unrelenting war. God heard their cry and commanded this: Be still! Know that I am God.
Lastly, consider what Jesus said: The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
The words of “rest”; “come away”; “makes me lie down” are commands for us humans because, like most two-year olds, if left up to our own devices, we will not rest, or come away, or lie down in green pastures. We, by nature, will not be still. Sabbath rest was made for humans; yet we must be commanded to do it.
God commanded that the fields rest every seven years. The seventh year is also a time of refreshment, of jubilee, and of letting go of debts. None of these things come easy for humanity. Yet, the seventh year of Sabbatical rest was created for us.
It is in this spirit that I am (reluctantly) heading off for a Sabbatical. For twelve weeks, I will be resting, travelling, reading and writing. In addition to Scripture, my Letter of Agreement commands that between the fourth and seventh year I am to take a Sabbatical rest. I look forward to resuming normal activities at All Angels in the fourth week of August. Until then, I’m following Jesus who commanded me to come away and rest a while.
- Fr. Dave
Rest is so important that Scripture commands it in the Ten Commandments.
Here are the first four:
#1, I am the Lord your God (you will have no other but me);
#2, Make no idols;
#3, Do not misuse my name;
#4, Rest on the Sabbath.
As you can see, rest is ranked #4 in importance. Putting this in comparison, it ranks above the prohibitions of murder, adultery, stealing and lying.
In Mark’s Gospel, chapter 6, the disciples were “coming and going and had no leisure time, even to eat.” Jesus said: Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while. This sounds like a nice invitation from Jesus; but in reality, it’s a command. Mark wrote it in Greek. The first word of the sentence is δεῦτε (doo-tay). It’s a command. A more accurate Greek to English translation is this: ’Come away now! This instant; with me! Like a two-year old who must be told to go to bed, Jesus is commanding his disciples to come away to rest.
Scripture has many commands for rest. I’d like you to consider these three starting with the sheep in Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. We, the sheep, are “made” to lie down by the shepherd to rest. Consider Psalm 46. The Israelites cried out to God in distress about natural disasters, unrest in the city, and unrelenting war. God heard their cry and commanded this: Be still! Know that I am God.
Lastly, consider what Jesus said: The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humankind for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)
The words of “rest”; “come away”; “makes me lie down” are commands for us humans because, like most two-year olds, if left up to our own devices, we will not rest, or come away, or lie down in green pastures. We, by nature, will not be still. Sabbath rest was made for humans; yet we must be commanded to do it.
God commanded that the fields rest every seven years. The seventh year is also a time of refreshment, of jubilee, and of letting go of debts. None of these things come easy for humanity. Yet, the seventh year of Sabbatical rest was created for us.
It is in this spirit that I am (reluctantly) heading off for a Sabbatical. For twelve weeks, I will be resting, travelling, reading and writing. In addition to Scripture, my Letter of Agreement commands that between the fourth and seventh year I am to take a Sabbatical rest. I look forward to resuming normal activities at All Angels in the fourth week of August. Until then, I’m following Jesus who commanded me to come away and rest a while.
- Fr. Dave
Hungry for Cuban Bread
|
|
I’ve been told that God works in mysterious ways. In my experience, sometimes God’s ways are clear and obvious. Take for example my friend, Fr. Alex Andujar. He created a ministry called Coins for Cuba which collects money for Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs in the Episcopal Church of Cuba. At VBS, children and their families sing songs, play games, listen to Bible stories, pray, do arts and crafts, and make memories that will last a lifetime. VBS in Cuba feeds the participants which, nowadays, might be their only reliable meal. But most of all, the purpose of VBS is for participants to know God’s love through the clergy and lay leaders serving them. For some children this year, VBS will be the first time they have heard about God. In my experience, VBS is often where God’s ways are made clear and obvious. (My All Angels discretionary account has made a contribution to the Coins for Cuba program. You are invited to consider doing the same.)
Because of Alex’s VBS connection to the Diocese of Cuba, he received a message this week from an Episcopal priest asking for communion wafers. His church was in very short supply. While Alex was telling me this story, I interrupted him and said: why don’t they just make their own bread (I was just recently at the Columbia Restaurant where they bake the BEST Cuban bread). He said something that shocked me, “In the area where this priest lives, they have run out of flour. They have no oil. Even if they did, they spend days without electricity that is reliable enough for baking. Right now, in Cuba, they can’t make their own bread.”
I knew things were tough on the island nation but this phone call brought into focus the stark reality of daily living.
Alex had a one-pound container of wafers in his office, but you can’t just ship something from Tampa to Havana. Luckily, he knows a shipping company that will send a package to another country, and they will then ship it to Cuba. He drove the container of communion bread to the shipper and met a friendly courier who started his order. She’d never met a priest who needed to ship communion bread. Her curiosity started a conversation about faith. At one point, in this short, yet in-depth conversation, she asked if she could be baptized. He walked her through who to contact and how to join a church community.
Back to the order, she said he needed to ship a minimum of five pounds (he only had the one-pound container). The courier – who was shocked at the situation in Cuba – asked if Alex’s Cuban priest could use some coffee, pre-cooked canned meat, and other supplies. He said yes to all of them. When he asked how much he owed for the shipping and four pounds of additional supplies, she replied: I’ll pay for it. This conversation has changed my life.
Here is how God’s ways are clear and obvious: a Cuban Episcopal priest needs communion bread. He contacts Fr. Alex in Florida who brings the bread to a courier who was spiritually hungry. She is now on the path to be baptized, and, as a result, the Cuban priest will receive a care package with communion bread for spiritual nourishment along with coffee and canned meat for some hungry people.
God’s ways can be mysterious. Perhaps, when we are called to act, God’s ways become clear.
- Fr. Dave
For Information About Coins for Change, Click Here
To Donate, Click Here
Because of Alex’s VBS connection to the Diocese of Cuba, he received a message this week from an Episcopal priest asking for communion wafers. His church was in very short supply. While Alex was telling me this story, I interrupted him and said: why don’t they just make their own bread (I was just recently at the Columbia Restaurant where they bake the BEST Cuban bread). He said something that shocked me, “In the area where this priest lives, they have run out of flour. They have no oil. Even if they did, they spend days without electricity that is reliable enough for baking. Right now, in Cuba, they can’t make their own bread.”
I knew things were tough on the island nation but this phone call brought into focus the stark reality of daily living.
Alex had a one-pound container of wafers in his office, but you can’t just ship something from Tampa to Havana. Luckily, he knows a shipping company that will send a package to another country, and they will then ship it to Cuba. He drove the container of communion bread to the shipper and met a friendly courier who started his order. She’d never met a priest who needed to ship communion bread. Her curiosity started a conversation about faith. At one point, in this short, yet in-depth conversation, she asked if she could be baptized. He walked her through who to contact and how to join a church community.
Back to the order, she said he needed to ship a minimum of five pounds (he only had the one-pound container). The courier – who was shocked at the situation in Cuba – asked if Alex’s Cuban priest could use some coffee, pre-cooked canned meat, and other supplies. He said yes to all of them. When he asked how much he owed for the shipping and four pounds of additional supplies, she replied: I’ll pay for it. This conversation has changed my life.
Here is how God’s ways are clear and obvious: a Cuban Episcopal priest needs communion bread. He contacts Fr. Alex in Florida who brings the bread to a courier who was spiritually hungry. She is now on the path to be baptized, and, as a result, the Cuban priest will receive a care package with communion bread for spiritual nourishment along with coffee and canned meat for some hungry people.
God’s ways can be mysterious. Perhaps, when we are called to act, God’s ways become clear.
- Fr. Dave
For Information About Coins for Change, Click Here
To Donate, Click Here
Fragility as a Superpower
I’d like you to consider this: there is power and strength in fragility. I’d like to spend some time pondering it with you.
Before, when I thought about fragility, I would consider it to be synonymous with weakness. Fragility is something to either hide or protect with strength. But I have found there is power in fragility. Take for example the orchid. It is beautiful and it is fragile. Despite its delicate and fragile appearance, orchids are quite long lasting, some can live for fifteen to twenty years.
As we age, it appears that we become more fragile. When I was young, we would fall down for fun and laugh about it. I can’t imagine doing that now. At the same time, my emotional state has become more resilient. Things don’t bother me as much. I am not as worried about failure as I had been. It’s probably because I have failed, several times, and learned that I can get back up and go on. Spiritually speaking, I have also learned that God is there when I fall (proverbially and literally) and will help me get back up on my feet.
Why is there power in fragility? As I outlined in my sermon last Sunday, the number one product of fragility is empathy. And empathy is a strength. Because I have failed, I am more empathetic to those who are down. Likewise, because God has led me through dark valleys, when I was most fragile, I believe that God will lead others when they too are fragile in a dark valley. In the Church, fragility is our power because it helps us to be empathetic to one another along the same lines that God listens to us.
Fragility has power because it produces adaptation. Fragile systems create new ways to survive. The Church responds to fragility with adaptation. Mary rode a donkey. Peter sailed in a boat. Philip rode on a wagon. The first bishop of England rode a horse. Our new Archbishop of Canterbury flew on a plane to visit the Bishop of Rome (the pope). Prayers were said on Artemis II on the dark side of the moon. The Church embraced the printing press, the radio, television and now the internet as a means of communication. It is because of our fragility that we adapt.
Fragility has power because it produces authentic connection with God and one another. Some of the most powerful connective conversations I have had happened before Last Rites when people are facing the fragility of their mortality. Or in the ICU. Or facing a divorce. As something new is blossoming in their life (because something else is diminishing), with the fragile petals of new life reaching outward, fragility makes for authentic connection with God and one another.
All Angels is a welcoming church – it’s our strength – that is born out of our fragility, empathy, adaptivity and authentic connection with God and one another.
- Fr. Dave
Before, when I thought about fragility, I would consider it to be synonymous with weakness. Fragility is something to either hide or protect with strength. But I have found there is power in fragility. Take for example the orchid. It is beautiful and it is fragile. Despite its delicate and fragile appearance, orchids are quite long lasting, some can live for fifteen to twenty years.
As we age, it appears that we become more fragile. When I was young, we would fall down for fun and laugh about it. I can’t imagine doing that now. At the same time, my emotional state has become more resilient. Things don’t bother me as much. I am not as worried about failure as I had been. It’s probably because I have failed, several times, and learned that I can get back up and go on. Spiritually speaking, I have also learned that God is there when I fall (proverbially and literally) and will help me get back up on my feet.
Why is there power in fragility? As I outlined in my sermon last Sunday, the number one product of fragility is empathy. And empathy is a strength. Because I have failed, I am more empathetic to those who are down. Likewise, because God has led me through dark valleys, when I was most fragile, I believe that God will lead others when they too are fragile in a dark valley. In the Church, fragility is our power because it helps us to be empathetic to one another along the same lines that God listens to us.
Fragility has power because it produces adaptation. Fragile systems create new ways to survive. The Church responds to fragility with adaptation. Mary rode a donkey. Peter sailed in a boat. Philip rode on a wagon. The first bishop of England rode a horse. Our new Archbishop of Canterbury flew on a plane to visit the Bishop of Rome (the pope). Prayers were said on Artemis II on the dark side of the moon. The Church embraced the printing press, the radio, television and now the internet as a means of communication. It is because of our fragility that we adapt.
Fragility has power because it produces authentic connection with God and one another. Some of the most powerful connective conversations I have had happened before Last Rites when people are facing the fragility of their mortality. Or in the ICU. Or facing a divorce. As something new is blossoming in their life (because something else is diminishing), with the fragile petals of new life reaching outward, fragility makes for authentic connection with God and one another.
All Angels is a welcoming church – it’s our strength – that is born out of our fragility, empathy, adaptivity and authentic connection with God and one another.
- Fr. Dave
P.A.U.S.E.
Over the past seven years of pastoral ministry at All Angels, I have become convinced that deep, lasting personal change only comes in increments. I am now convinced of two more things: Change happens in the slog of life and making small changes, and sticking with it, makes a big difference. Big victories seldom happen in life. However, small changes that make an impact in life are victories that should be reflected on and celebrated from time to time.
I admire happy-go-lucky people that don’t let the troubles, and angers, of life get them down. When I first moved here, I used to be easily upset about the backup from a bridge being up (to allow a boat pass by underneath). One morning, on the way to a morning meeting at All Angels, the red stop light turned on the Longboat Pass bridge. As I started to slow down, the car behind me started honking and motioning for me to run the light. When I didn’t, she zoomed around me (illegally, across the double yellow line) and then slammed on her brakes when the arm came down (almost hitting her car). She put the car in park and jumped out of her car. She ran to the guard rail and yelled this at the pleasure boat going under the bridge: “Hey you expletives! Put down your expletive antennas because some of us have to get to expletive work!” Incidentally, she was wearing a nurse uniform.
An article this week in the NY Times reported on how small changes in life can add up to be victories. The author, Jancee Dunn, collected over 800 responses from readers about small changes that made a major impact on their life. Jean, from Salt Lake City, wrote that in retirement she has been practicing tai chi twice a week for over twelve years at a local senior group. This twice-a-week practice has helped her balance, gave her a routine, and new friends. 46-year-old Katie from Rio Rancho taught herself to play chess instead of doomscrolling on social media. It improved her patience and problem solving in life. Jon in Miami texts someone he has not been in touch with in a while. While some never respond, others do and it makes him feel good for days. Fern from New York City started meditating just ten minutes a day. Her husband has noticed that she is calmer, nicer and less reactive. Carl from Utah wrote that he and his wife now drive the speed limit. They never realized the amount of anger and anxiety that rushing while driving caused – just to save a minute or two. They are now calmer (and safer) drivers with lower blood pressure. These are small changes that have had a big impact in life.
If you are looking at making a small change, let me suggest the P.A.U.S.E. method. It stands for Postpone Action Until Serenity Emerges. This slogan is designed to prevent rash decisions, arguments and emotional reactions by encouraging a waiting period until one is calm and collected. This technique helps with making healthier decisions because one has moved from reactionary anger to a state of clarity and perspective. This works especially well with electronic communication. PAUSE; and then once serenity emerges, respond. It is a small change that can make a big difference.
Faith life at All Angels, whether for a day a year, or a season, or a lifetime, happens in increments but makes a big impact. Making small faith-based changes – praying for just ten minutes a day, meditating on Scripture, sitting quietly with an icon, reading this weekly Reflection, or practicing the PAUSE when a bridge goes up, will make a big, All Angels, impact in life.
I admire happy-go-lucky people that don’t let the troubles, and angers, of life get them down. When I first moved here, I used to be easily upset about the backup from a bridge being up (to allow a boat pass by underneath). One morning, on the way to a morning meeting at All Angels, the red stop light turned on the Longboat Pass bridge. As I started to slow down, the car behind me started honking and motioning for me to run the light. When I didn’t, she zoomed around me (illegally, across the double yellow line) and then slammed on her brakes when the arm came down (almost hitting her car). She put the car in park and jumped out of her car. She ran to the guard rail and yelled this at the pleasure boat going under the bridge: “Hey you expletives! Put down your expletive antennas because some of us have to get to expletive work!” Incidentally, she was wearing a nurse uniform.
An article this week in the NY Times reported on how small changes in life can add up to be victories. The author, Jancee Dunn, collected over 800 responses from readers about small changes that made a major impact on their life. Jean, from Salt Lake City, wrote that in retirement she has been practicing tai chi twice a week for over twelve years at a local senior group. This twice-a-week practice has helped her balance, gave her a routine, and new friends. 46-year-old Katie from Rio Rancho taught herself to play chess instead of doomscrolling on social media. It improved her patience and problem solving in life. Jon in Miami texts someone he has not been in touch with in a while. While some never respond, others do and it makes him feel good for days. Fern from New York City started meditating just ten minutes a day. Her husband has noticed that she is calmer, nicer and less reactive. Carl from Utah wrote that he and his wife now drive the speed limit. They never realized the amount of anger and anxiety that rushing while driving caused – just to save a minute or two. They are now calmer (and safer) drivers with lower blood pressure. These are small changes that have had a big impact in life.
If you are looking at making a small change, let me suggest the P.A.U.S.E. method. It stands for Postpone Action Until Serenity Emerges. This slogan is designed to prevent rash decisions, arguments and emotional reactions by encouraging a waiting period until one is calm and collected. This technique helps with making healthier decisions because one has moved from reactionary anger to a state of clarity and perspective. This works especially well with electronic communication. PAUSE; and then once serenity emerges, respond. It is a small change that can make a big difference.
Faith life at All Angels, whether for a day a year, or a season, or a lifetime, happens in increments but makes a big impact. Making small faith-based changes – praying for just ten minutes a day, meditating on Scripture, sitting quietly with an icon, reading this weekly Reflection, or practicing the PAUSE when a bridge goes up, will make a big, All Angels, impact in life.
Patience or Indifference
"Patience is the ornament of the brave. Patience is the real badge of courage; it is equally the mark of love." – Eknath Easwaran
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. The opposite of life is not death, it's indifference. – Elie Wiesel
“All will be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” – Julian of Norwich
According to a new survey of 2,000 British adults, the luxuries of modern life have made a negative impact on patience. The survey revealed that respondents expect to pick up their luggage after a flight within 13 minutes. Waiting in line seemed to especially annoy respondents, with 45% admitting they had lost their temper after waiting an “excessive” amount of time in line – which is just 30 seconds. Surprisingly, 95% of respondents still admitted that they believe patience is a virtue.
We might be living in a time when being patient is the most difficult it has ever been in recorded human history. The part that concerns me, however, is we also might be living in a time of indifference.
Professor and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, believes the opposite of love, art, faith and life is indifference. Love, art, faith and life make us human. Indifference removes our humanity and makes us act inhuman to one another.
Observed from the outside, a patient person might look as if they are indifferent. For instance, a very tired Jesus was asleep in a boat despite the storm. The disciples (probably Peter) woke him up and said, “Do you not care that we are about to drown?!” Peter thought Jesus was indifferent to their impending doom. In reality, Jesus did care; he was being patient with them and with the storm.
The discussion groups this week talked about the difference between patience and indifference. The patient person may look as if they have given up to indifference; but, just because the outside looks the same, the important part is what is going on inside.
According to author Roy Bennett, “Patience is not the ability to wait. Patience is to be calm no matter what happens, to constantly take action to turn it into growth opportunities, and to have faith to believe that it will all work out in the end while you are waiting.” The patient person may look indifferent, but what people see is the patient person remaining calm, looking for opportunities to grow, and holding onto faith that God is working all things to their fulfillment.
Jesus in the boat was doing just that. He knew they were not going to drown. He took the opportunity, however, to teach them (and us) an important lesson about remaining calm while looking for opportunities to grow and live out one’s faith that all will be well.
- Fr. Dave
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. The opposite of life is not death, it's indifference. – Elie Wiesel
“All will be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” – Julian of Norwich
According to a new survey of 2,000 British adults, the luxuries of modern life have made a negative impact on patience. The survey revealed that respondents expect to pick up their luggage after a flight within 13 minutes. Waiting in line seemed to especially annoy respondents, with 45% admitting they had lost their temper after waiting an “excessive” amount of time in line – which is just 30 seconds. Surprisingly, 95% of respondents still admitted that they believe patience is a virtue.
We might be living in a time when being patient is the most difficult it has ever been in recorded human history. The part that concerns me, however, is we also might be living in a time of indifference.
Professor and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, believes the opposite of love, art, faith and life is indifference. Love, art, faith and life make us human. Indifference removes our humanity and makes us act inhuman to one another.
Observed from the outside, a patient person might look as if they are indifferent. For instance, a very tired Jesus was asleep in a boat despite the storm. The disciples (probably Peter) woke him up and said, “Do you not care that we are about to drown?!” Peter thought Jesus was indifferent to their impending doom. In reality, Jesus did care; he was being patient with them and with the storm.
The discussion groups this week talked about the difference between patience and indifference. The patient person may look as if they have given up to indifference; but, just because the outside looks the same, the important part is what is going on inside.
According to author Roy Bennett, “Patience is not the ability to wait. Patience is to be calm no matter what happens, to constantly take action to turn it into growth opportunities, and to have faith to believe that it will all work out in the end while you are waiting.” The patient person may look indifferent, but what people see is the patient person remaining calm, looking for opportunities to grow, and holding onto faith that God is working all things to their fulfillment.
Jesus in the boat was doing just that. He knew they were not going to drown. He took the opportunity, however, to teach them (and us) an important lesson about remaining calm while looking for opportunities to grow and live out one’s faith that all will be well.
- Fr. Dave
Sabbatical
In the seventh year you must let your fields and vineyards rest in honor of me, your Lord.
This is to be a time of complete rest for your fields and vineyards. Leviticus 25:4-5
Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray.
Luke 5:16
I started at All Angels on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, 2019. Now that I’ve been here seven amazing and wonderful years, it is time for me to take a Sabbath rest – commonly called a sabbatical. My last Sunday before the sabbatical will be Memorial Day weekend, May 24th. My first Sunday back will be Sunday, August 23rd. I will be away for twelve Sundays.
When Jesus would slip away to be alone and pray, his disciples went to work. The same pattern happens when the rector goes on sabbatical – the lay leadership gets more involved in ministry. It can be a time of leadership growth and new experiences for the parish. Four of the twelve Sundays will be Holy Eucharist with a supply priest. Eight of the twelve services will be morning prayer led by parishioners. The Episcopal church I grew up in had Holy Communion once a month; we will do something similar to that this summer. The benefit for us is that lay-led morning prayer leads to leadership growth and development.
We have lay eucharistic visitors that can visit people in the hospital. And, if a funeral service becomes necessary during the summer, we have many options (including me stepping in to do it). We are working on office support during the week which also has the opportunity for leadership growth.
My sabbatical plans are to do some travel and primarily stay around town and do some deep writing. Meanwhile, I will continue to write to you each week about what is happening on my sabbatical. The Reflection will be printed each Sunday, like normal, and Maria will email it to you in the Tidings each Thursday. Speaking of travel, here is the schedule. Week 1: Christi, Elijah and I are going on a cruise. Week 2: I will travel to Seattle to see my mom. Week 8: Vail Colorado. Week 9: Visit our daughter Galina and her family in Rapid City, South Dakota. I imagine there will be time for going out on the boat and fishing too.
Scripture commands that the farmland must go on a rest every seven years. It is wise land stewardship because it allows the soil to recover from cultivation which improves soil fertility. It also allows for the land to produce from generation to generation. Likewise, sabbatical rest helps clergy recover which leads to new growth (and provides revitalization for longevity which the pastorate requires). It is also a good time of growth for the parish.
It is believed that the Dust Bowl of the 1930s was a result of the land being continuously farmed so that it could no longer support vegetation. On my first day at All Angels, I placed ash on the foreheads of the participants and said, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Since we are dust, (just like the land) we too need a sabbath rest. And yes, one day we will return to dust, but I think God has a lot more work for us to do before then. Let us take time for rest and growth so we can continue to grow into the people, and church, God is calling us to be.
- Fr. Dave
This is to be a time of complete rest for your fields and vineyards. Leviticus 25:4-5
Jesus would often go to some place where he could be alone and pray.
Luke 5:16
I started at All Angels on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, 2019. Now that I’ve been here seven amazing and wonderful years, it is time for me to take a Sabbath rest – commonly called a sabbatical. My last Sunday before the sabbatical will be Memorial Day weekend, May 24th. My first Sunday back will be Sunday, August 23rd. I will be away for twelve Sundays.
When Jesus would slip away to be alone and pray, his disciples went to work. The same pattern happens when the rector goes on sabbatical – the lay leadership gets more involved in ministry. It can be a time of leadership growth and new experiences for the parish. Four of the twelve Sundays will be Holy Eucharist with a supply priest. Eight of the twelve services will be morning prayer led by parishioners. The Episcopal church I grew up in had Holy Communion once a month; we will do something similar to that this summer. The benefit for us is that lay-led morning prayer leads to leadership growth and development.
We have lay eucharistic visitors that can visit people in the hospital. And, if a funeral service becomes necessary during the summer, we have many options (including me stepping in to do it). We are working on office support during the week which also has the opportunity for leadership growth.
My sabbatical plans are to do some travel and primarily stay around town and do some deep writing. Meanwhile, I will continue to write to you each week about what is happening on my sabbatical. The Reflection will be printed each Sunday, like normal, and Maria will email it to you in the Tidings each Thursday. Speaking of travel, here is the schedule. Week 1: Christi, Elijah and I are going on a cruise. Week 2: I will travel to Seattle to see my mom. Week 8: Vail Colorado. Week 9: Visit our daughter Galina and her family in Rapid City, South Dakota. I imagine there will be time for going out on the boat and fishing too.
Scripture commands that the farmland must go on a rest every seven years. It is wise land stewardship because it allows the soil to recover from cultivation which improves soil fertility. It also allows for the land to produce from generation to generation. Likewise, sabbatical rest helps clergy recover which leads to new growth (and provides revitalization for longevity which the pastorate requires). It is also a good time of growth for the parish.
It is believed that the Dust Bowl of the 1930s was a result of the land being continuously farmed so that it could no longer support vegetation. On my first day at All Angels, I placed ash on the foreheads of the participants and said, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Since we are dust, (just like the land) we too need a sabbath rest. And yes, one day we will return to dust, but I think God has a lot more work for us to do before then. Let us take time for rest and growth so we can continue to grow into the people, and church, God is calling us to be.
- Fr. Dave
CAMP
One of the challenges of Episcopal camps is how to take the spiritual mountain top experience of camp and incorporate it into daily life. It’s also the challenge of churches like All Angels, who have meaningful Sunday worship experiences, to incorporate faith throughout the other six days of the week. Here is one way to do it. The process is called C.A.M.P.
C – Choose a Bible passage
A – Ask questions
M – Make it personal
P – Pray daily
Choose a Bible passage. From this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, I chose the following passage:
[The son came to his senses and said to himself] I will get up and go to my father.
Ask questions: What did it take for the son to get up? Did he procrastinate? How much emotional pain did he endure before he decided to “get up”?
Make it personal: What does it take for me to get up and go do something? Where in life do I procrastinate? What am I afraid of?
Pray: God of compassion, the more I procrastinate, the more you show your divine patience. Give me strength to get up and return to you. Save me from the temptations that lead me away from you. Draw me back by the constancy of your love so that I may take my place in your household and share my spiritual inheritance with others. Amen.
Following the C.A.M.P. model, you would reflect on the make-it-personal and then say the prayer daily until next Sunday.
Here's one more. The psalm that has stood out to me this week is 32 verse 5.
Choose a passage: When I confessed my transgressions to the Lord
The Lord forgave me the guilt of my sin.
Ask questions: Why is it that guilt feels like a weight?
Make it personal: Where do I feel that weight of guilt? Am I ready to give it to the Lord?
Pray daily: Lord, I give to you this day the weight of my guilt.
Thank you for lifting my burden.
Thank you for your forgiveness and love. Amen.
And now it’s your turn. If you’d like to continue the worship experience of All Angels throughout your week, you are invited to C.A.M.P.
- Fr. Dave
C – Choose a Bible passage
A – Ask questions
M – Make it personal
P – Pray daily
Choose a Bible passage. From this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, I chose the following passage:
[The son came to his senses and said to himself] I will get up and go to my father.
Ask questions: What did it take for the son to get up? Did he procrastinate? How much emotional pain did he endure before he decided to “get up”?
Make it personal: What does it take for me to get up and go do something? Where in life do I procrastinate? What am I afraid of?
Pray: God of compassion, the more I procrastinate, the more you show your divine patience. Give me strength to get up and return to you. Save me from the temptations that lead me away from you. Draw me back by the constancy of your love so that I may take my place in your household and share my spiritual inheritance with others. Amen.
Following the C.A.M.P. model, you would reflect on the make-it-personal and then say the prayer daily until next Sunday.
Here's one more. The psalm that has stood out to me this week is 32 verse 5.
Choose a passage: When I confessed my transgressions to the Lord
The Lord forgave me the guilt of my sin.
Ask questions: Why is it that guilt feels like a weight?
Make it personal: Where do I feel that weight of guilt? Am I ready to give it to the Lord?
Pray daily: Lord, I give to you this day the weight of my guilt.
Thank you for lifting my burden.
Thank you for your forgiveness and love. Amen.
And now it’s your turn. If you’d like to continue the worship experience of All Angels throughout your week, you are invited to C.A.M.P.
- Fr. Dave
Rector’s Report Annual Meeting 2025
This is our mission: To bring the Living Christ to those inside and outside the Church. Here are some of the ways we have accomplished it over the past twelve months.
To Bring. At All Angels, we bring Christ. We bring Christ with our prayer list. We bring Christ when we invite people to church. Every flower arrangement brings Christ in beauty. We bring Christ in hymnody and song. We bring Christ when we listen with a compassionate ear. We bring Christ when we go in peace to love and serve the Lord. We bring Christ when we sell used art to help those in need. We bring Christ when we maintain our beautiful campus for people in our community to find a place of rest. Our discussion groups and educational offerings bring the unity and wisdom of Christ. We bring Christ when we remember all those for whom we love but see no longer.
The Living Christ. The images we have of Christ in the church are that of the living Christ. The stained-glass window shows Christ walking in nature. The icons of Christ are that of teacher and guide. Our worship services illuminate our ancient faith that is relevant to our lives. We also bring our questions, our doubts and our fears to Christ at our church. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, you will be welcome and find a living faith in Christ at All Angels.
To Those Inside. The centerpiece of bringing Christ is our in-person worship and fellowship. There is a feeling inside of the church that is joy, peace and unity. Our music program is focused on being an uplifting presence. We have warm and friendly ushers, excellent lay readers, and we offer the sacrament of Holy Communion every Sunday for those inside. Fellowship is one of our strengths; and it is especially important in this time of isolation and loneliness. Fellowship starts inside of the church – our seats have been arranged so that we can greet one another in peace. For those inside, we had a wonderful Christmas Tea and concert, a Spring Fling with tasty barbeque, our Annual Meeting, a harp concert, the dining club and many more fellowship events that are at the heart of our parish life.
And Outside. This is our number one area of growth at All Angels. It all started with adapting to Covid requirements. Nowadays, we offer a high-quality a/v production that brings the specialness of what we do inside the church to those outside. We bring a message of love and peace to those who are familiar with the Episcopal Church, to those new in the Christian faith and to those who struggle with faith. We hosted our Comfort Station (again) for all those whose lives were disrupted by storms. Our parish is home to the Rotary of Longboat Key; we hold almost monthly meetings for various community groups on the island; and we hosted a community event called Finding Our Strength Together After a Loss. We hosted the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service (on very short notice) where we welcomed over 300 people to sing and pray together in one voice giving thanks. All Angels is host to the monthly Interfaith Ministerial meeting where all the island religious leaders support one another in fellowship and prayer. And, because of our outreach programs, we brought dignity and peace to those who struggle to attend school, those who fear eviction, and those who struggle with food insecurity. All of this is done because we bring the Living Christ to those outside.
The Church. That’s us – you and me, we, all of us – we are the Church, the living and active, relevant, helpful and supportive, loving, forgiving, prayerful and rejoicing Body of Christ.
Thank you for inviting and supporting me and my family in our shared life, ministry and mission of bringing the Living Christ to those inside and outside the church.
- Fr. Dave
- Fr. Dave