The Rt. Rev William Murdoch, Bishop of the Diocese of New England, Anglican Church in North America preaches on Hebrews 6

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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

 

Fr. Dan Morgan

Hebrews 5

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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

Fr. Dan Morgan - 1st Sunday September 2009

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Fr. Dan Morgan preaches on Hebrews Chapter 4

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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

Fr. Dan Morgan - Hebrews 3

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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