Fr. Christopher Leighton - February 28th 2010
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On the Mark February 28th 2010
Scrubbing
Although my mother was domestically challenged, she was very clean and saw to it that things were always in order and well-kept. I must have been about eleven or twelve years old when I was thoroughly instructed in the way to scrub and clean a bathroom and then I was turned loose. I received 50 cents for a full bath and 25 cents for a half-bath. It was a good wage and I earned it by doing good work.
There is something cathartic about cleaning a bathroom. The same can be said about the way God gives us His Spirit to scrub and clean our lives. He does His part and we do ours by confessing our sins to God and, at times, to one another.
The Scriptures say. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” [I John 1:9]
Be sure to take advantage of God’s offer to become clean!
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
On the Mark February 21st 2010
How do you pray for St. Paul’s?
A great way to reflect on the answer to this question is to read the prayers of St. Paul in his epistles. These prayers are ancient, yet they are so alive and applicable to the church of the 21st century.
You could even say that Paul is praying them today in the communion of saints. We will be embarking today on a series of sermons Sunday mornings through Easter.
Here are the texts:
· February 21 Ephesians 1:15-23
· February 28 I Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2:13; 5:23
· March 7 Ephesians 3:14-21
· March 14 Romans 15:5-6, 13
· March 21 Philippians 1:3-11
· March 28 Philemon 4-6
· April 4 Colossians 1:3-14
Look up these passages. Study them and join in. Let’s pray these prayers with St. Paul for St. Paul’s.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. [Ephesians 6:18]”
I pray that your Lenten season is blessed,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher Leighton - Ruth - February 14th 2010
This week we look at Ruth chapter 4:13-22
Week of February 13 Ruth 4:13-22
The Royal Line
Introduction:
Have you ever studied your family’s history? What have you discovered?
What are some of the things about your family you’re proud of? Not so proud of?
How have the actions of parents or grandparents affected you, positively or negatively?
Observation:
What is the women’s blessing? Whom do they bless?
What is Ruth “better than” (v. 15)? Why?
What is the number of generations mentioned in the genealogy? Where does Boaz fall in the genealogy?
Interpretation:
Why does the author highlight the fact that God enabled Ruth to conceive?
How will Obed be a “redeemer” (v. 14) to Naomi?
Why is Boaz’s placement in the genealogy important?
What is so significant about David’s name in this genealogy? Who is David’s heir?
Application:
How has this book had an impact on your walk with the Lord? How is your view of suffering different? Where do you see Jesus in this book?
As a result of this book, how do you see God’s love for the “foreigner”, or even the one you’d least expect Him to be reaching?
What has this study shown you about the relationship between God’s providence and human actions? How will your prayer life be different?
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On the Mark February 14th 2010
The Days are Lengthening
The days are lengthening – that is what Lent literally means. As daylight increases, we not only anticipate the coming of Spring, but the season of the church year when we prepare for Holy Week and Earth.
What will you be doing to prepare yourself this year? What will you give, and what will you take on, as part of the self-denial long associated with the season of Lent and with the Christian life?
I am asking that we all join together as a parish community to pray for our neighbors as we use daily the format in the booklet “Seek God for the City”. It is vital that we pray for and go into the world to share Jesus. Our days are not only lengthening they are being filled fuller!
With love in Christ,
Christopher
The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton
Rector
Fr. Christopher Leighton Ruth Ch 4:1-12 February 7th 2010
Fr. Christopher continues the sermon series on Ruth. This week he looks at Ruth chapter 4:1-12.
Do you make yourself available to God?
Do you put each day in the hands of God?
Your character will be shaped when you make yourself available to God.
JOY. J - Jesus first, O - others, Y - yourself.
Study guide:
Week of February 6 Ruth 4:1-12
Redemption
Introduction:
What is one of the bigger promises you’ve made? How have you kept it?
Have you ever “gone to bat” for someone? What was it like?
Has anyone ever “gone to bat” for you? What was it like?
Observation:
What is the setting for the legal proceeding? Who’s present?
How does Boaz present the matter? What does he commit to?
What is the official sign, the gesture that “seals the deal”, in that culture?
What is the blessing given by the witnesses?
Interpretation:
Why is the setting of this legal proceeding important?
What is significant to you about the fact that there’s an even closer kinsman-redeemer? Why do you think the other kinsman-redeemer refused?
Contrast the unnamed kinsman-redeemer and Boaz.
Application:
Boaz has demonstrated integrity both privately, at the threshing floor, and publicly, at the gate. Ruth has demonstrated this integrity, too. Who is a regular witness of how you live your daily life? What changes do you feel God leading you to, in order to live your Christian life with more integrity?
How do you see Boaz’s redemption of Ruth in light of God’s redemption? How does Boaz’s activity mirror God’s activity?
The witnesses at the gate bless Boaz’s actions. Who do you know that God is calling you to thank or to bless for their faithfulness?
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On the Mark February 7th 2010
Super Bowl Sunday
Don’t you just love a good contest? Football is a great example of the challenges, agony and effort it takes to win in battle. You never see a team show up on game day and say…“You know what?…. I think we’ve done enough…. We’ve made it through the playoffs, we’ve proven that we are a top ranking team and that’s good enough…Let’s just throw the game because we don’t have anything to prove.” That’s just crazy. No one in their right mind would think that it’s okay to give up even if the outcome is a loss. The Colts and the Saints will not be denied the chance to show the world what they are made of. We will cheer with the team of our choice in their advances… we will cringe at the flying tackles and ‘clothes-line’ plays… we will marvel at the half time show…. And as we watch this sport, we honor the effort and trial of the competition.
Just like any good athlete we have the pursuit of victory as the core of our being. God’s call to us is not to “kill em’ with kindness” and let the world use us as their doormat, but to love, to encourage others so that they may find the same transformation in Jesus Christ that you have. WE DON’T GIVE UP because we have nothing to lose. Paul says: ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’ (Philipians 1:21). So in Christ, for us ‘Life is Good’ and ‘Death is Better’ because we are free.
Hebrews 12:1 says: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” This is our call to join in the life that God has called us. With him nothing can ‘hinder’ or ‘entangle’ us. Because of His sacrifice we can laugh, love, work, play, dance, sing, serve and sacrifice all to His honor and glory.
So let’s keep pressing on, pressing in and using the gifts we have been given, following the course that God has ‘marked out’ for us, and doing it with everything we’ve got! Find out what’s been marked out for you and GO FOR IT!!!
Blessings,
Dan
Fr. Dan Morgan
Associate Rector