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By admin, October 18, 2009 7:00 am

NEW

It would be hard to count how many times the word “new” has been used to sell you a product or service.  Advertisers know there is something in our human make-up that is attracted to what is new.

Likewise, the human heart yearns for a new approach to God.  Our humanity is beaten down by the law and attempts by religions and philosophies that “help us” to try harder.

Newness is what being a Christian is all about.  Jesus came to inaugurate a new kingdom for the people of God which could be entered through a new covenant or new testament with Him.  Jesus himself said “Behold, I make all things new!”  [Rev. 21:5], which is not difficult to believe if you accept that He is risen from the dead.  Those who believe in Christ are told in II Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  the old has gone, the new has come!”

 The book of Hebrews has been our study together this Autumn.  This book is all about the new and better approach to God through Jesus Christ.  In fact, the words “new”, “better”, and “superior” are used of Jesus Christ over and over.  Today we hear read in Hebrews 9:15, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Thank God for newness and the new life we receive in His Son Jesus!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

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By admin, October 11, 2009 7:00 am

Breaking Free

For many, these are difficult days of suffering and bondage.  How fortunate we are as Christians to have the love and salvation of Jesus.  There is such hope and healing with our precious Lord.  Yet at times He seems far away and elusive – but it is not Jesus who moves!  You can be struggling or blocked and longing for help, but can’t seem to reach that wonderful place of really “being with Him”.  Do you ever feel that way?

There are steps to take – a pathway to help achieve that intimacy, peace and healing – no matter what the outer circumstances seem to be.  The saints of St. Paul’s are prayerful, wonderful people of God.  But I am often made aware that personal struggles are part of our human life and that sometimes in the busy-ness and overwhelm of living life, we feel stuck or lost.    Well, the way out is to get right with God.  To get right with God means taking action to join with Him in intimacy – to be wholly dependent on Him and to look at the process that will help you to clear out and change those things that may be holding you back.

I recently read a wonderful article in Charisma magazine on breaking free from captivity and not letting the past paralyze you.  Our cell groups are studying Neil Anderson’s Bondage Breaker.   No matter where you are in your spiritual life, I hope you will join the 5-week Inner Healing course so we can explore together the process that will help you to move forward with greater wholeness and in your healing walk with God – beyond your wildest dreams!

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.”   Philippians 2:13

Blessings,

Gail

The Rev. Gail Paige-Bowman

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By admin, October 4, 2009 7:00 am

New is Better

One of the key themes of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus is different than what came before, even that which was good.  Our lesson today in Hebrews 7 describes Jesus’ priesthood as better than that of Aaron.  In fullness, truth and perfection, Jesus as the Divine Son is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, superseding all others.

It is worthwhile to consider the way of contrasting Jesus with what came before Him in our lives.  Of course, we often do this exercise with evil thoughts, words, and behaviors which leads to repentance and faith.  I urge you to consider reflecting even on the good in your life apart from Christ and then to see Him replacing it.

An example would be to think about the goodness of our families of origin and then to contrast with them our new life in Christ as member of His Body the Church.  In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Lord Jesus, You are Best and your ways are best for us.  Indeed with You the New is Better!  Thank you, Lord!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

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By admin, September 27, 2009 7:00 am

Crown Him, Crown Her

It is hard for Americans to see a crown the way first century people did. We haven’t had a king since 1776, and our experience of absolute power makes us think of villains like Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.

Today, if you saw a crown it would perhaps be in a museum or a beauty pageant or margarine commercial (if you go back that far!) In history, crowns have conveyed the status of the monarch as he or she wore it.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus is described in chapter 19 as having on his head many crowns. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords – all powerful and altogether good. Earlier in this exciting book Jesus offers reassurance to the Christians in Smyrna. In Revelation 2:10, he tells his followers not to be afraid, they will be tested and they are to be faithful.

Think of what you are going through right now. Let the promise of Jesus take away your fear. Much better things are coming. The Lord says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.”

Jesus has a crown for you that will never fade or perish. You have standing and status in the household of God as an heir of the King. The Lord loves you and He will help you to be faithful, and He will reward you in the end.

Crown him, crown her.

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

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By admin, September 20, 2009 7:00 am

You Can Do It

Have you noticed how many things there are that hinder our freedom these days?  That is not the Lord at work in us but the one who “prowls around” wanting us to see victimization and defeat as a lifestyle as opposed to freedom and victory.  It is time our lives expressed that freedom and victory and we need to tell the forces of evil where to “get off”!  Amen?

Galatians 5 begins “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!”  In other words, if we are not experiencing freedom then we are not experiencing the joy and fullness of life that Christ wants us to have.  Have you ever noticed that a place which is joyful and growing is a place where every part of the body is functioning well and doing its part without complaint or concern?  You find that  when you are free in Christ there are never any problems; just challenges in search of solutions.

When we are led by the Spirit of God, we are not looking for permission to take care of the things that are in front of us.  We consider the challenges that we face a joy because God has counted us worthy of finding the solutions and furthering his purpose by putting legs and hands and hearts to the freedom we have in Him.  Chapter 5 of Galatians closes with the fact that we are no longer bound by the law but can supersede the law by showing fruit in our lives: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness,  Faithfulness and Self-control. 

You now have permission to Rock the World with your Freedom in Christ.  No challenge will be too large for you to face with Christ at your side!

Go and Be Fruitful!

Blessings

Dan

The Rev. Daniel C. Morgan

Associate Rector

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By admin, September 13, 2009 9:07 am

Refuge and Strength!

Each day we are bombarded by a culture that believes it shapes it’s own destiny.  We can manipulate the way we age;  we are obsessed with our body image;  we are fearful of our social status;  we are hungry for affirmation.  When we are that self-absorbed, how can we trust God for His wisdom, and submit to God for His leading? 

But when we find ourselves unhappy with our status, looks, finances, pain, worry, etc., then we go running to God to patch us up so we can go back to our self-focused world.  A healthy self-image is found only when covered with God’s strength and deliverance.

Psalm 91 reminds us where our proper self-image and stability are found.  Verses 2-4 say:

 “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowlers snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

God wants to impart wisdom to us so we will not fear, and to give us faith so that we will trust in Him to carry out His will.  Sometimes God’s will and perspective are illusive and seem to us to be unfair or unjust.  Nonetheless, God carries out His promise to never let us be destroyed by anyone or anything.  We have seen that we can trust His will even in the face of death because of the power of the resurrection.  Trusting in Him, we can say with Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  [Romans 8:31b]

Be strong, trust boldly, have faith!

Dan

The Rev. Daniel C. Morgan

Associate Rector

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By admin, September 6, 2009 8:00 pm

In View of God’s Mercy

Have you ever noticed that our judgments and opinions are so much better when they have perspective?  That is why we are wise to breathe, disengage, smile, think and/or close our eyes and pause before we respond to the many questions and demands that surround us. 

Paul, in Romans 12:1-2, says:  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I love that little phrase “in view of God’s Mercy.”  It  tells me that God is up to something good.  He always surprises me with the ways that he has withheld judgment on those whom I deem to be in need of his correction.  Because in His wisdom he has left many, including me at times, in the darkness of our dissent so that in perspective we can see the depth of God’s mercy.

Let’s take time to think about the level of mercy we have been given.  It is from that vantage point that we have the grace to offer other mercy, while having the courage to become living sacrifices; sacrificing our desire, greed, hunger, pride, and selfishness, and living for Christ with a transformed mind.

Here’s to a transformed and power filled life!

Blessings

Dan

The Rev. Daniel C. Morgan

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By admin, August 30, 2009 8:08 pm

In View of God’s Mercy

Have you ever noticed that our judgments and opinions are so much better when they have perspective?  That is why we are wise to breathe, disengage, smile, think and/or close our eyes and pause before we respond to the many questions and demands that surround us. 

Paul, in Romans 12:1-2, says:  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I love that little phrase “in view of God’s Mercy.”  It  tells me that God is up to something good.  He always surprises me with the ways that he has withheld judgment on those whom I deem to be in need of his correction.  Because in His wisdom he has left many, including me at times, in the darkness of our dissent so that in perspective we can see the depth of God’s mercy.

Let’s take time to think about the level of mercy we have been given.  It is from that vantage point that we have the grace to offer other mercy, while having the courage to become living sacrifices; sacrificing our desire, greed, hunger, pride, and selfishness, and living for Christ with a transformed mind.

Here’s to a transformed and power filled life!

Blessings

Dan

The Rev. Daniel C. Morgan

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By admin, August 23, 2009 7:58 pm

     No Turning Back, No Turning Back

“No turning back, no turning back”…

It was part of the refrain of the popular song of the Renewal in the latter part of the 20^th century – I sang it nearly forty years ago!  It says a lot about the one way journey with Jesus.  He is directing us to go with him and He is going to lead us forward in His kingdom.

Sometimes we are weak and we don’t feel like going on.  It is tempting to take a breather, to sit down, to just stop for a while.  It is tempting to consider an easier way or perhaps just to blend in.  Obstacles are getting too tough.  Relationships are strained.  Advancements at work are non-existent.  Certain “friends” and acquaintances are now avoiding you.  Stress is higher and your tolerance is lower.

That is exactly the time for the message of the Letter to the Hebrews.  It is all about the superiority of Jesus, who is described as “the author and perfecter of our faith” (12:2)  The message of Hebrews is also about making every effort to go forward, persevering with steadfast love for Him.  There is no turning back.  The blessing at the end of Hebrews is as follows:  “may the God of peace…equip you for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. AMEN.” (13:20-21)

Onward!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

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By admin, August 16, 2009 7:55 pm

Enduring

In the Year to Trust

Next week we will begin our first chapter in the book of Hebrews.  This epistle focuses upon Jesus Christ being superior to everything and everyone else as the Son of God.

I can think of no other theme to concentrate upon at a time when so much seems to be changing, and forces rise as anti-Christ.  One of the many great verses of this letter is “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” [Hebrews 12:23]

We do not grow weary and in Christ we will endure in the Year to Trust.

I’m looking forward to keeping our eyes on Jesus and reading the Word of God together!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector