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By Jordan Easley, July 16, 2011 10:04 pm

“In 1941, in a village in Nazi-controlled Poland, a young man came home to discover that his father had died while he was at work.  What made his father’s death exceedingly more unbearable was that several years earlier, both this young man’s sister and his mother had died.  As he held his father’s dead body in his arms, he cried out:  ‘I’, ALL ALONE.  At twenty, I’ve already lost all the people I’ve loved.’

“One writer described it like this:  Ripped out of the soil of his background, his life could no longer be what it used to be.  He now began a journey to a deeper communion with God.  But it didn’t come without tears, and it didn’t come without…certain existential horror.’”

This is what suffering does.  In an instant, everything that was solid slips away.  Realities that we never wanted are thrust upon us.  We are forced to face an unknown future.  This is the place where God draws most near to us – in the unplanned brokenness, in the unimagined possibilities of his grace.

That young Polish man was Karol Jozel Wojtyla, but he was known later in his life as Pope John Paul II.  [Quoted material taken from Drops Like Stars by Rob Bell]

Jordan

The Rev. Jordan Easley

Assistant

On the Mark July 17th

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By Jordan Easley, July 10, 2011 9:55 pm

For most of the my life I have prayed the Lord’s Prayer like a robot. I rarely think about the words even though Jesus himself gave them specifically to teach us how to pray and how to live. Recently, Jesus has been showing me how he is at work in this phrase: “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”.

A life of unforgiveness can turn your insides to cankers and gall. Of course, we all have a reason to be galled — people hurt us. Every single human is carrying around tremendous wounds. When we try, by sheer will-power, to forgive anyone who has harmed us, we simply can’t do it. Try it! Try to will yourself to forgive a mother, a father, a child, or a friend who has really hurt you. It is impossible. So, the gall gathers and festers and eats us up on the inside.

Yet, when we really experience Jesus’ forgiveness, suddenly it all changes. When you know that you know that Jesus’ blood has washed away all your own filth and junk, then suddenly you are able to offer that same cleanliness to others. When I realize the truth that God no longer holds me guilty, then I no longer have to hold others guilty. Forgiveness becomes my default

So, the next time you pray the Lord’s Prayer, whether it be in this worship service or before you go to bed or whenever, pray it like it’s words are true. Use it as a check on yourself: Do I live guilt-free because I’m forgiven? Do I hold others guiltless because I’m forgiven? Jesus is the only One who has made this possible, so give him a chance to prove his words.

Jordan

The Rev. Jordan Easley

Assistant

On the Mark July 10th

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By Jordan Easley, July 3, 2011 9:49 pm

A few years ago, Leah and I were teaching at the Theological College of Zimbabwe during the “election” of the long-standing dictator, Robert Mugabe. We remember sitting down with students as the reports came in – family members beaten, friends murdered, and churches burned when pastors refused to replace the cross with a picture of Mugabe’s face. All the while AIDS, hyper-inflation, and wide-spread food shortages swept through the nation. Zimbabwe used to be the strongest nation in Africa.

We returned to United States just a few days before the 4th of July, and I remember thinking to myself: “America! America! God really has shed his grace on thee.” Of course, I knew this before, but now I KNOW that I know it. Not much later I came across the second chorus of “America the Beautiful”:

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

As we celebrate the tremendous liberty that God has poured out on us this weekend, my prayer for my family, for our St. Paul’s family, and for this nation is that God will match our liberty with self-control. We have a beautiful statue of the first virtue in the New York City harbor. But where is the other statue? Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! Where the fruit of the Spirit is, there is self-control! When we see the fireworks tomorrow, let us thank God for BOTH these gifts and ask him for more of both.

Jordan

The Rev. Jordan Easley

Assistant

On the Mark July 3rd

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By Jordan Easley, June 26, 2011 8:54 pm

In the past few weeks at St. Paul’s, we have talked a lot about reaching the world for Christ, about actively telling others about Jesus, about sharing the good news – in short, we’ve been learning about the Great Commission.  Of course, it can be a scary and intimidating thing to talk to your neighbor about the weather, much less about Jesus.  Yet, whenever I lose my nerve to share the good news, God often reminds me of something C. S. Lewis once said:

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.  All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.

“It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.  There are no ‘ordinary’ people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

Jordan

The Rev. Jordan Easley

Assistant

On the Mark June 26

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By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, June 19, 2011 9:07 pm

I’m celebrating Father’s Day by concentrating on the relationship between God the Father and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.  What a relationship it is!  I don’t recall Trinity Sunday ever falling on the third Sunday in June (everything in the church calendar is so late this year due to the lateness of the full moon and the spring equinox – phew!).  But the Trinity ultimately focuses on God the Father.

The Father and the Son are so close and they are inseparable.  Over and over Jesus makes reference to God as being His Father and our Father as well.  What a family we are part of – a forever family.  As you reflect upon your own earthly father, and on the role of fathers in your life, it is good to honor the Father in heaven by inviting Him into every aspect of your life.  He is a gentleman and He comes only when He is called upon.

Paul urges the Corinthians and us to “praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” [II Corinthians 1:3-4].

Happy Father’s Day!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark June 19th

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By Phyllis, June 11, 2011 10:34 pm

In Acts chapter I, Luke writes of one post-resurrection meal which Jesus shared with His disciples, at which He promised them two things:  “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;  and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  

 Last Sunday, the bishop laid hands on thirteen people (and received three others) and prayers were said for them to receive the Holy Spirit.  Here are some of His witnesses in Darien, and in Connecticut, and to the ends of the earth:

 “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  He protects me from harm’s way and keeps me safe.  I know that he created me and the world around me.”  Sabrina Rivers

 “Before my life with Christ started, I seemed to get frustrated a lot.  I would sometimes find myself being mad or frustrated about something.  Before when I felt frustrated or mad I wouldn’t ask God to help me…I usually would start reading a book or just try to feel sorry for myself.  Now that my life with Christ has started, I feel more in control and I can always go to him for help.”  Bella Miserocchi

 “When I think of my relationship with Jesus I think of a friend who is always there for me, but also a warrior to keep me out of harm’s way and to help me fight my battles when I am in trouble.  He is also like a lover, someone who will never leave me alone, always watching, waiting, for me to be with him and to be closer to him.  In Romans 3:23 it says, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’.  That means that your sins have caused a separation between you and God and if you don’t fix that, you, without Jesus, would not make it to heaven.  Because of Jesus, we can make it to heaven and not fall short.  Since I have started to take classes, going to youth group, and participate fully in church, my life has changed for the better and I really understand Jesus’ mission and all the pain and suffering he went through to complete that mission.”  Matthew Briggs

 “I found the Lord through an amazing program called Awana…Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, which is part of II Timothy 2:15, ‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ …The goal is to get you to learn your scripture.  It was a fantastic program and one night when our leaders talked to us about accepting Jesus into our hearts, we could go with one of them and pray with them to accept Jesus into our heart.  One of the women came downstairs when we were at Games and asked again who would like to ask Jesus into their heart.  Not many people like missing Gametime, but I really wanted to ask the Lord to come into my heart.  So I went up to a small comfy room  with a smiling leader for the Lord and she prayed with me.  I really wish I could remember her prayer clearly but her words are now vague.  But I remember the prayer being so powerful.  I could feel the Lord flow throughout me and fill me with his mercy and love.  I came down from that room with the most refreshed feeling in my life – I was now a believer in Jesus Christ…

He rescued me and now I’m his child.  I feel his presence when I’m at peace.  I have to admit that I don’t have a really strong relationship, because at times I slip at things, just like everyone else does, but I still call myself a Christian.  One thing I will never deny is loving the Lord with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  By his grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.  Cheyenne de la Rivera

 “Before I met Jesus I was in a world of ignorance, now I have been able to experience the power of faith.  Jesus is my savior and with his help I will be able to renounce evil spirits and share the gifts of the Spirit with others.  Amina Thomas

On the Mark June 12th

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By Jordan Easley, June 5, 2011 9:24 pm

First, thank you all for your prayers, support, and generosity to me as I was ordained priest two weeks ago.  Leah and I are so grateful for you our church family.  We love you, and we are excited to labor alongside you and watch what God is doing here at St. Paul’s.  It is hard to believe that five months have passed since I came on staff as your pastor.  God is on the move, and He’s just getting started.  My constant prayer for us is that we will keep in step with His Holy Spirit.

Over 150 years ago, two men were walking over the hills of Ireland, and one turned to the other and said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a person who is fully consecrated to Him.”  His companion replied, “By the Holy Spirit, I will be that man.”  That man was D. L. Moody.

At the time he said this, Moody was already a great pastor.  He was already an effective preacher.  Because he was a Christian, the Holy Spirit already lived inside him and used him.  This was not enough. In his own words, “I thought I had power.  I had the largest congregation in Chicago and there were many conversions.  But there came a great hunger in my soul.  I did not know what it was and I began to cry out to God as never before.  I felt I did not want to live if I could not have this power for service.

“Well, one day – oh, what a day! – I cannot describe it.  I seldom refer to it;  it is almost too sacred an experience to name…I can only say that God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand.  I went to preaching again.  The sermons were not different.  I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted.  I would not now be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you should give me all the world.”

This experience is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and it is available to every Christian who asks for it. This is what happened to Jesus’ disciples – people who already knew Jesus and the experience of his Spirit – on the Day of Pentecost.  They were clothed with POWER from on high.  Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.  Are you ready?  Do you want God to do more in your life?  Are you desperate?  Whether it be the first time or the five hundredth time, ask the Holy Spirit to baptize you in His power!  Whether it be dramatic or quiet, HE WILL DO IT.

Jordan

The Rev. Jordan Easley

Assistant

On the Mark June 5th

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By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, May 31, 2011 10:30 pm

Confirmation is a rite of the church wherein those who “are ready and have been duly prepared make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.“

[Book of Common Prayer p. 412].  The following prayer is usually prayed over the candidate:  Defend, O Lord, your servant N, with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your everlasting kingdom.  Amen.”  [BCP p. 418]

Reception is the welcome by the bishop of those who have been confirmed by a Roman Catholic bishop or received chrismation in an Orthodox baptism service.  The following words are addressed to the candidate:  “N, we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion.  God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you.  Amen.”  [BCP p. 418]

It used to be that one was not a member of a parish until one went through either of the above rites.  Although that is no longer the case, it is still desirable and good to be confirmed or received.  Because of our troubles with the Episcopal Church it has been impossible to have the rites offered at St. Paul’s.  You are invited to attend, to witness, and to participate in the Rite of Confirmation being offered by Bishop William Murdoch of the Anglican Diocese of New England at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Westport, CT on Sunday, June 5, at 2:30 p.m.

Praise the Lord!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark May 29th

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By Fr. Christopher P. Leighton, May 21, 2011 9:46 pm

“If you survive life, you may well go on to become a great writer.”  Those were the words my college professor said to me in a final evaluation.  “YIKES!,” I thought. “Is my life that tenuous?, “ I asked myself?

As an eighteen year old, my subject for writing was usually the things of eternity, SO I started choosing different subjects such as those about daily living.  You could call it writing about “a slice of life”.  A slice of life also began to get more of my attention in general.  Janet and I called it “day-by-day”.  Our relationship went from dating to daily life in marriage.

What a difference it makes if you focus on one thing at a time – to dream big, but to start small.  In your relationship with Jesus Christ, it is important to know where you are going eternally, and to take one step at a time.

Richard of Chichester wrote nearly 800 years ago, “O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother:  May I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly day by day.”

Your brother in Christ,

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

On the Mark – May 22nd

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By Jordan Easley, May 14, 2011 11:23 pm

One of my all-time Christian heroes is a Russian monk called St. Seraphim.  When he took holy orders, he was given the name Seraphim because of his fiery prayers – Seraph literally means “fiery one”.  In fact, the older St. Seraphim got, the more fiery his prayers became, until his face was said to glow like the face of Moses, transfigured in the presence of God.

One of Seraphim’s followers, Motovilov, described one such occurrence:  During the winter on a cloudy day, Motovilov was sitting on a stump in the woods while St. Seraphim was squatting across from him and telling his pupil the meaning of a Christian life, explaining for what we Christians live on earth.

“The entire goal of the Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. Everything good that we do, that we do for Christ, is given to us by the Holy Spirit, but prayer most of all, which is always available to us,”  he said.

“Father,“ answered Motovilov, “how can I see the grace of the Holy Spirit?  How can I know if He is with me or not?”

St. Seraphim began to give him examples from the lives of the apostles and the saints, but Motovilov still did not understand.  So the elder firmly took him by the shoulder and said to him, “We are both now, my dear fellow, in the Holy Spirit.”  Suddenly Motovilov’s eyes were opened and he saw that the face of the elder was brighter than the sun.  In his heart, Motovilov felt joy and peace, in his body a warmth as if it were summer, and a sweet fragrance began to spread around them.  Motovilov was terrified by the change, but especially by the face of the saint shining like the sun.  But St. Seraphim said to him, “”Do not fear, dear fellow.  You would not even be able to see me if you yourself were not in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  Thank the Lord for His mercy towards us.”

My continued prayer through this fifty-day Easter season is that every one of us at St. Paul’s is increasingly aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  May we always ask for more of Him – His joy, peace, warmth, and radiant glory – as we worship the risen Christ!

Jordan

The Rev. Jordan Easley

Assistant

On the Mark – May 15th