Fr. Christopher Leighton – November 13th
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The Call
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, October 29, 2011 10:22 pm
A long time ago we sang a song, “I heard the Lord call me name, listen close you’ll hear the same.” Peter Marshall, the Chaplain to the US Senate a generation ago, described the call of God as being as though you were walking along a crowded busy sidewalk and from behind you are tapped upon the shoulder. At once you turn and respond to the call of God and follow Him.
In the end (as it was in the beginning) what matters most is following Jesus. If we follow Jesus everything falls into line.
In Isaiah 43:1-3, the prophet writes, “But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob. He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. …When you walk through the fire you will not be burned. … For I am the Lord your God.’”
If you respond to His call and follow Him, he will always show you the way to go.
With joy in the journey,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Sunday School Memories
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, October 16, 2011 9:36 pm
Some of my earliest memories are of Sunday School. Because my parents had a call to minister to children (they did so well into their 70’s), I was exposed at an early age to Sunday School picnics, classes, and youth group meetings. I remember vividly coloring in a picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd with His sheep. I don’t think I was over three years old. My parents were Janet’s Sunday School teachers, and she credits them with helping her to know Jesus in a personal way. My mother and father hosted a youth prayer meeting in their home on Monday nights that went on for fourteen years, unabated. My catechism in Sunday School prepared me for my conversion experience when I was sixteen. Everything came together, like the first time a well-built engine had received ignition. I have never looked back, or turned back.
What would you like the earliest and strongest memories of our children to be? There are many forces vying for their attention, and some are evil. What a privilege and a joy it is to build a Sunday School filled with love in Jesus! We believe we are led by Him to train the faith of our young people so they can walk in His miraculous power. I call upon all members of St. Paul’s to pray for our Sunday School – our teachers and children – and to pray about becoming servant leaders as you are able. It will be a memorable experience
Your brother in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher Leighton – October 16th
Prayer is the Key
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, October 2, 2011 7:59 pm
The key was left there for us. At least that is what I thought. But when Janet, the children and I arrived, the house was locked. We had traveled two hours at night to a place set aside for us to enjoy a couple of nights of rest and recreation. But the ice cream we had purchased locally was melting, and there was just no way for us to get in.
The caretaker in the house down the lane was gone, and all lights there were off. What were we to do? We decided to pray. I had learned to be as concrete and simple as possible when I prayed with young children. That year in Vacation Bible School we prayed for the rain to stop so we could go outside, and voilà! At the “amen”, it had stopped. So I led a prayer in our dark car that God would bring the key to us right NOW. It was risky, and it could have disturbing consequences if we didn’t get the answer we hoped for, but I figured God could handle all consequences that are a result of faith.
At the “amen” of the prayer, headlights came up the lane, and the caretaker came to open the door! As we ate the ice cream, Susannah said, “This is something I’ll never forget. I’m going to tell my grandchildren!”
What still strikes me about this incident was that we “prayed in” the key, and it has become a metaphor for my faith: that prayer is the key.
As we embark on this adventure in training our children in the supernatural, let us remember that all God expects of us is that we pray with faith – no matter how small – in a God who is great!
He loves us! Prayer is the key.
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher Leighton – Matthew 21:33-46 – October 2nd
Fr. Christopher Leighton – September 25th
Fr. Christopher Leighton – Forgiveness – September 11th
Ripe for the Picking
By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, August 20, 2011 11:04 pm
Again, I’m thinking of being on my grandfather’s farm. My sister and I would be “dropped off” and the fun would begin. The fruit would be RIPE for the picking: cherries, plums, pears, peaches, and especially apples (hundreds of thousands!) One time a photo opportunity was arranged. My sister and I stood in the middle of a lane surrounded by apple-laden trees that had as much red as green in the picture. It made for a colorful magazine cover!
At the peak of the harvest my grandfather and uncle paid workers who would come and stay in barracks they had specially built. The men would sing hymns while they picked the ripe fruit. I heard heaven and earth singing to God for the harvest.
In John 4:35, Jesus says to his disciples “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest.” Many people were ready to come into the kingdom of heaven, even “hated” Samaritan villagers! It was as though the disciples were not aware of it and they had to wake up to the fact that the fruit was ripe for the picking.
I believe we face a similar situation. Look around. Ask Jesus to help you see those who are ready for Him. They are ripe for the picking!
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Themocracy